In the Interest of D. L.

Evidence that the biological mother suffers from serious and longstanding mental problems supported the termination of her parental rights.

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The biological mother of D. L. appeals an order terminating her parental rights.1 She asserts that the evidence was not sufficient to support a finding of parental misconduct or inability by clear and convincing evidence. After review of the record, we find otherwise and affirm. In considering a challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence in a termination of parental rights case, the evidence must be reviewed in the light most favorable to the court’s determination. In the Interest of D. B. , 242 Ga. App. 763 531 SE2d 172 2000. When the evidence shows that any rational trier of fact could have found by clear and convincing evidence that the biological parent’s rights have been lost, we defer to the juvenile court’s factfinding. Id.

So reviewed, the evidence shows that the mother of D. L. has an extensive history of intellectual deficit and mental illness. Five weeks after D. L.’s birth, the mother was involved in a violent incident during which she handled D. L. “very roughly,” physically attacked the child’s grandmother, and tore a telephone from the hands of a caseworker. As a result of this incident, the mother was involuntarily admitted to Georgia Regional Hospital, and the McDuffie County Department of Family and Children Services DFACS sought and obtained immediate custody of D. L. due to the mother’s mental instability. At the deprivation hearing, “the mother stipulated that the minor child was currently deprived and in need of the protection of this Court and that temporary legal custody should be placed in the McDuffie County DFCS.” The juvenile court found D. L. to be deprived, and the mother did not appeal that finding.

In the Interest of D. L.

Evidence that the biological mother suffers from serious and longstanding mental problems supported the termination of her parental rights.

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