South Dakota Supreme Court reverses parental rights ruling

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — The South Dakota Supreme Court has ruled that a state judge and the Department of Social Services failed to consider improvements a mother had made in her parenting skills and living conditions before terminating her rights to her child.

The high court this week sent the case back to Beadle County.

The circuit judge acknowledged the mother made some improvements, but not enough and said she failed to show she could provide for the child’s basic needs.

The Supreme Court noted that Social Services didn’t provide the mother with remedial services and made no effort to reunite her with her child.

Justices said because the girl was born to an American Indian mother, the state has a heightened responsibility for reunification under the Indian Child Welfare Act.

People are also reading...

Weather

loader-image
Rapid City, US
8:25 pm, November 23, 2024
temperature icon 26°F
mist
Humidity 93 %
Pressure 1001 mb
Wind 9 mph
Wind Gust: 0 mph
Visibility: 9.656 km
Sunrise: 6:59 am
Sunset: 4:20 pm
Sarah Bestgen

Market News

Share via
Copy link