Your supervising attorney is representing a married couple (Jai and Mateo) who wish to adopt a particular child named, Zuri.  Zuri is 3 years old.

Zuri was removed from the home of her (Zuri's) biological parents at the age of 30 months because of neglect.  The county office for children removed Zuri because her parents had a serious opioid addiction problem. 

Zuri was then placed in a foster home for about six months. Jai and Mateo were her foster parents and now wish to adopt Zuri. The child is thriving and is very attached to Jai and Mateo. 

During this six-month period, the biological parents have tried to overcome their drug addiction. Father was recently released from prison after serving time for charges of assaulting a person at a fast-food place. The parents completed a parenting course and a drug and alcohol treatment program.  The biological father has been working for the past 4 months for a moving company, and the mother is taking a college course and is working part-time at a gas station.  Both recently tested positive for opioids.     

The attorney for Jai and Mateo (your supervising attorney) needs to explain the law to the clients as to whether they can adopt Zuri. Can the parental rights of the biological mom and dad be terminated? Should the parental rights of the biological parents be terminated and should Jai and Mateo be able to move forward with adopting Zuri?

 

Explain the grounds for termination of parental rights. What is the statute that addresses this?