In the Interest of J. P.

The Evans County Department of Family and Children Services “the Department” obtained emergency custody of one-day-old J. P. in May 2004 based on evidence that the mother neglected J. P.’s four older siblings, who were in foster care in Jenkins County at the time.1 After a hearing, the juvenile court found that J. P. was deprived, and awarded temporary custody of the child to the Department for 12 months. The Department developed a reunification plan for both parents. Claiming the parents failed to comply with case plan goals, the Department later moved to change the plan goals from reunification with J. P. to non-reunification. The juvenile court heard evidence in the matter, then entered an order: 1 finding that the child was deprived; 2 finding that the mother failed to comply with reunification plan requirements; 3 approving the Department’s plan of non-reunification as to the mother; 4 finding that the father complied with his case plan goals; 5 providing that the Department would continue to have temporary custody of the child for another 12 months; and 6 providing that upon furnishing certain information to the Department and showing suitable living arrangements, the father would be given extended unsupervised visitation and could anticipate regaining custody of J. P. In Case A06A0102, the mother appeals from the order approving the Department’s plan of non-reunification. In Case A06A0104, the father appeals from the same order insofar as it extends the Department’s temporary custody of J. P. We have consolidated the cases for the purposes of appeal.

A06A0102