The natural mother of K. P. and D. P. B. appeals an order of the juvenile court terminating her parental rights following a hearing.1 She challenges the sufficiency of the evidence supporting the termination. The mother also contends the trial court failed to make specific factual findings in its termination order, requiring reversal. Finding no error, we affirm. On appeal from an order terminating parental rights, we view the evidence in the light most favorable to the juvenile court’s ruling and determine whether: any rational trier of fact could have found by clear and convincing evidence that the natural parent’s right to custody should be terminated. On appeal, this Court neither weighs evidence nor determines the credibility of witnesses; rather, we defer to the juvenile court’s factfinding and affirm unless the appellate standard is not met.2 So viewed, the evidence shows that on January 8, 2001, the mother while under the influence of drugs, was involved in an automobile accident. That same day, the Union County Department of Family and Children’s Services hereinafter, “DFCS”, obtained emergency custody of ten-year-old K. P. and two-year-old D. B. P. At the time DFCS assumed custody of the children, the following conditions existed in the home: the mother abused prescription drugs; the children had lived with the mother and various male companions or relatives at a number of different locations; D. B. P.’s putative father abused the mother in front of the children; to the extent that she could, K. P. was forced to take on parental responsibilities for D. B. P.; and K. P. had attended numerous schools during the course of the second grade. In addition, the mother sometimes forgot to meet K. P. after school, leaving K. P. locked out of the house for considerable lengths of time.
On February 21, 2001, the juvenile court entered an order finding that the children were deprived and awarding DFCS temporary legal custody. DFCS implemented a reunification plan on March 7, 2001, which the juvenile court adopted by supplemental order. The plan required the mother to have no further contact with D. B. P.’s putative father; remain free of alcohol and drugs except as prescribed by her physician; support her children financially; visit her children regularly; obtain and maintain suitable housing and employment; obtain medical care for Hepatitis C; submit to a psychological evaluation and receive counseling; prepare a monthly budget; and cooperate with DFCS.
