HARRY HUGHES, Governor

1941

(3)  THE CHILD'S FEELINGS TOWARD AND EMOTIONAL TIES
WITH THE CHILD'S NATURAL PARENTS, THE CHILD'S SIBLINGS, AND ANY
OTHER INDIVIDUALS WHO MAY SIGNIFICANTLY AFFECT THE CHILD'S BEST
INTEREST;

(4)  THE CHILD'S ADJUSTMENT TO HOME, SCHOOL, AND
COMMUNITY; AND

(5)  THE EFFORT THE NATURAL PARENT HAS MADE TO ADJUST
THE NATURAL PARENT'S CIRCUMSTANCES, CONDUCT, OR CONDITIONS TO
MAKE IT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CHILD TO BE RETURNED TO THE
NATURAL PARENT'S HOME, INCLUDING:

(I)  THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE NATURAL PARENT HAS
MAINTAINED REGULAR CONTACT WITH THE CHILD UNDER A PLAN TO REUNITE
THE CHILD WITH THE NATURAL PARENT, BUT THE COURT MAY NOT GIVE
SIGNIFICANT WEIGHT TO ANY INCIDENTAL VISIT, COMMUNICATION, OR
CONTRIBUTION;

(II)  IF THE NATURAL PARENT IS FINANCIALLY ABLE,
THE PAYMENT OF A REASONABLE PART OF THE CHILD'S SUBSTITUTE
PHYSICAL CARE AND MAINTENANCE;

(III)  THE MAINTENANCE OF REGULAR COMMUNICATION
BY THE NATURAL PARENT WITH THE CUSTODIAN OF THE CHILD; AND

(IV)  WHETHER ADDITIONAL SERVICES WOULD BE
LIKELY TO BRING ABOUT A LASTING PARENTAL ADJUSTMENT SO THAT THE
CHILD COULD BE RETURNED TO THE NATURAL PARENT WITHIN AN
ASCERTAINABLE TIME, BUT THE COURT MAY NOT CONSIDER WHETHER THE
MAINTENANCE OF THE PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP MAY SERVE AS AN
INDUCEMENT FOR THE NATURAL PARENT'S REHABILITATION.

(D) CONSIDERATIONS FOLLOWING JUVENILE ADJUDICATION.

(1) IN DETERMINING WHETHER IT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST
OF THE CHILD TO TERMINATE A NATURAL PARENT'S RIGHTS AS TO THE
CHILD IN A CASE INVOLVING A CHILD WHO HAS BEEN ADJUDICATED TO BE
A CHILD IN NEED OF ASSISTANCE, A NEGLECTED CHILD, AN ABUSED
CHILD, OR A DEPENDENT CHILD, THE COURT SHALL CONSIDER THE FACTORS
IN SUBSECTION (C) OF THIS SECTION AND WHETHER ANY OF THE
FOLLOWING CONTINUING OR SERIOUS CONDITIONS OR ACTS EXIST:

(I)  THE NATURAL PARENT HAS A DISABILITY THAT
RENDERS THE NATURAL PARENT CONSISTENTLY UNABLE TO CARE FOR THE
IMMEDIATE AND ONGOING PHYSICAL OR PSYCHOLOGICAL NEEDS OF THE
CHILD FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME;

(II)  THE NATURAL PARENT HAS COMMITTED ACTS OF
ABUSE OR NEGLECT TOWARD ANY CHILD IN THE FAMILY; OR

(III)  THE NATURAL PARENT HAS FAILED REPEATEDLY
TO GIVE THE CHILD ADEQUATE FOOD, CLOTHING, SHELTER, AND EDUCATION
OR ANY OTHER CARE OR CONTROL NECESSARY FOR THE CHILD'S PHYSICAL,
MENTAL, OR EMOTIONAL HEALTH, EVEN THOUGH THE NATURAL PARENT IS
PHYSICALLY AND FINANCIALLY ABLE.