D.L.S. II Missouri Cases

Father appealed the termination of his parental rights to his two children, arguing that the trial court improperly considered his emotional bond with the children when determining statutory grounds for termination and failed to establish a convincing link between his past and future behavior. The appellate court affirmed the trial court's judgment. It held that Father failed to preserve his first point for appellate review, and even if preserved, the trial court's reference to the parent-child bond was not determinative, as substantial evidence independently supported the finding of neglect.