In the Interest of A. G.

The parents of A. G., R. G., M. G., and M. G. appeal from the juvenile court’s order terminating their parental rights. In Case No. A08A0942, the mother challenges the sufficiency of the evidence. In Case No. A08A1152, the father contends that the juvenile court erred in failing to find a relative placement for the children after terminating the parents’ parental rights. Both parents allege that the trial court erred in failing to make and file findings of fact and conclusions of law as required by OCGA § 15-11-54. Because these cases involve the same facts, we have consolidated them for appeal. For the reasons set forth below, we affirm in both cases. We review an order terminating parental rights in a light favorable to the juvenile court’s ruling to determine whether the finder of fact could have found by clear and convincing evidence that the parents’ rights to custody should be terminated.1 In so doing, we do not weigh the evidence or determine the credibility of witnesses; rather, we defer to the juvenile court’s factfinding and affirm unless the appellate standard is not met.2

Viewed in this manner, the record shows that in December 2004, six-year-old A. G., four-year-old R. G., and three-year-old M. T. G. entered the custody of the Department of Family and Children Services “DFCS” based on allegations of domestic violence, illegal drug use in the home, unsanitary living conditions, lack of heat in the home, and A. G.’s excessive school tardiness and absences. Thereafter, the children were apparently returned to the parents.