Termination under § 19b(3)(j); Child’s best interests

The court concluded § (j) existed and found there was a reasonable likelihood that the child (KAB) would be harmed if returned to respondent-father. Also, the trial court did not clearly err by finding termination of his parental rights was in the best interests of KAB. The evidence showed that he “consistently permitted KAB to be in contact with [KAB’s mother, DR] ‘despite DR’s parental rights being terminated and despite being directed not to allow this contact. Respondent knew that DR’s rights were terminated to KAB because DR engaged in domestic violence against respondent, that DR was violent, and that he and DR had a violent and hostile relationship. Despite this, he still got together with DR and exposed KAB to DR.’” Thus, he “exposed KAB to potentially dangerous and harmful situations. Further, respondent previously completed a case service plan that included domestic violence and anger management counseling after KAB was removed from his care in 2021.” KAB was released to the father on 6/8/22. Only weeks later, CPS received a complaint as to his “domestic violence that led to the petition being filed in this case. Respondent clearly did not benefit from his previous case service plan, yet he still refused additional services intended to rectify his domestic violence issues before KAB was again removed from his care.” Finally, he “continued to put himself in volatile relationships with women.” While there was “no indication that he was ever violent with KAB, his ability to be violent while she was present in the home places her at risk of harm.” Affirmed.