In the Interest of: F.L.M.

3Jn tbe :iflllissouri QJ:ourt of �ppeals <fastern 1ID istrict IN THE INTEREST OF: F.L.M.

) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) No. ED 106208 Appeal from the Circuit Comi of the City of St. Louis Honorable Robin Ransom

30, 2018 The father, M.S.F., appeals the judgment entered by the Circuit Comi of the City of St. Louis terminating his parental rights to his six-year-old child, F.L.M., and later granting the petition of the guardians, K.F. and L.F., to adopt the child. 1 We find that the record contains no clear, cogent, and convincing evidence to suppmi the trial comi's determination that the father willfully, substantially, and continuously neglected to provide the child with necessary care and protection. We reverse and remand with instructions. Factual and Procedural Background 1 This case came to us on appeal only after the guardians adopte d the child in December

The trial court terminated the father's parental rights in its judgment of September 18, 2017. The father's trial counsel failed to notify the father of the court's judgment until late November 2017, well after the time for appeal of the termination of the father's parental rights expired, and trial counsel never sought to file a notice of appeal. The father filed, pro se, a motion for late notice of appeal in December 20 I 7, which this Court granted because of the gravity of terminating the father's parental rights. The father then filed his notice of appeal prose, and later obtained appointment of new counsel to pursue this appeal.