In re S.S. and L.S.: No “Material Change” for Disposition Modification Based on Reframed International-Travel Concerns 1. Introduction Case: In re S.S. and L.S., No. 25-306 (W. Va. Mar. 3, 2026)...
Fit Parent Paramountcy After Improvement Period: Psychological Parent Cannot Receive Equal Custody/Decision-Making; Court Must Instead Set Child’s Continued Association with Special Weight to...
Prohibition Lies When a Circuit Court Dismisses an Indictment by Weighing Evidence Beyond the Indictment’s “Four Corners” Case: State ex rel. State of West Virginia v. Hon. Jason A. Cuomo, Judge, and...
Substantial-Change Showing Required for a Post-Dispositional Improvement Period After an Earlier Improvement Period 1. Introduction Case: In re A.F.-1, No. 25-170 (W. Va. Sup. Ct. App. Mar. 3, 2026)...
In re B.F.: Circuit Court Discretion to Reject Partial Adjudicatory Stipulations Under Rule 26(a) and Proceed to Contested Adjudication 1. Introduction In re B.F. (No. 25-244) is a West Virginia...
In re B.J.: Prior-Termination Adjudications Require Proof of Uncorrected Conditions and Bar Collateral Attacks on Unappealed Prior Terminations 1. Introduction In In re B.J., the Supreme Court of...
Knowing Inaction by a Potential Father After Notice of Pregnancy/Birth Constitutes “Abandonment,” Permitting Denial of an Improvement Period and Termination Case: In re B.P., No. 25-348 (Wood County...
In re C.B.: “Welfare” Means Permanency—Termination Required When Continued Contact Jeopardizes a Child’s Well-Being Despite Pleasant Visits 1. Introduction Case: In re C.B., No. 25-75 (W. Va. Mar. 3,...
In re C.C.: Violating a No-Contact Improvement-Period Condition and False Testimony Support Termination for “No Reasonable Likelihood” of Correction 1) Introduction Case: In re C.C., No. 25-270 (W....
New Abuse-and-Neglect Petition Permitted When a Parent Exposes a Child to a Parent with Terminated Rights; Contempt/Modification Not Exclusive Remedies 1. Introduction Case: In re C.P., No. 25-27 (W....
“Substantial Change” Required for a Post-Dispositional Improvement Period; Termination Permitted Without Less Restrictive Alternatives When No Reasonable Likelihood of Correction Exists Case: In re...
Denial of an Improvement Period and Termination Where Parent Fails to Prove Likely Participation and Cannot Correct “Failure to Protect” (In re E.C.-1 and E.M.) 1. Introduction In In re E.C.-1 and...
Adoption Permanency Justifies Modifying Disposition 5 and Terminating Parental Rights After Material Change in Circumstances I. Introduction In re G.C. (W. Va. Sup. Ct. App. Mar. 3, 2026) addresses...
Relapse After Reunification as Proof of “No Reasonable Likelihood” and a Best-Interests Bar to Post‑Termination Visitation Case: In re G.H.-1, J.H.-1, G.H.-2, J.H.-2, and J.W. (No. 25-373) Court:...
In re I.B.-1, I.B.-2, and R.B.: Termination Affirmed Where the Court’s Written Order (Not Oral Remarks) Controls and Noncompliance Makes Domestic-Violence Conditions “Uncorrected” Introduction In In...
Termination May Rest on Noncompliance and Denial of Domestic Violence Conditions—And Courts “Speak Only Through Their Orders” 1. Introduction Case: In re I.B.-1, I.B.-2, and R.B.-1 (W. Va. Sup. Ct....
In re I.E.-S.: “Failure to Remedy Prior-Termination Conditions” Findings Do Not Shift the DHS Burden; Substantive Findings Can Sustain Neglect Adjudication Without Statutory “Magic Words” Court:...
Repeat Exposure to a Barred Parent Justifies Denial of a Second Post‑Adjudicatory Improvement Period and Supports Termination 1. Introduction Case: In re J.B. and E.B. (Supreme Court of Appeals of...
In re J.B.-1: Substantial-Compliance and Substantial-Change Gatekeeping for Improvement Periods; Incarceration Not a Shield Where Noncompliance Predates Custody 1. Introduction Case: In re J.B.-1,...
Fixed-Term Improvement Periods Expire by Their Own Terms; Termination May Proceed Without Less Restrictive Alternatives Upon “No Reasonable Likelihood” Findings 1. Introduction Case: In re O.T.,...