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IN RE DAVONTA V.* (SC 17788)
Rogers, C. J., and Katz, Palmer, Zarella and Sullivan, Js. Argued October 23, 2007--officially released February 12, 2008

David B. Rozwaski, for the appellant (respondent mother). Stephen G. Vitelli, assistant attorney general, with whom, on the brief, were Richard Blumenthal, attorney general, and Susan T. Pearlman, assistant attorney general, for the appellee (petitioner).

Opinion

ROGERS, C. J. This case raises the question of whether it is ever in a child's best interest to terminate his parents' rights when an adoptive family has not been secured and the child retains good relations with his extended biological family. The respondent mother appeals from the judgment of the Appellate Court upholding the judgment of the trial court based on its finding that termination of her parental rights was in the best interest of her minor child, Davonta V.1 The respondent claims that the Appellate Court improperly concluded that the trial court's finding regarding Davonta's best interest was supported by clear and convincing evidence. We affirm the judgment of the Appellate Court. The opinion of the Appellate Court sets forth the following procedural history. ``The child, [Davonta], born April 14, 1992, was the subject of a neglect petition filed March 9, 1999, by the petitioner, the commissioner of children and families (commissioner), alleging educational, medical and physical neglect. After finding [Davonta] to be neglected, the court entered a disposition of protective supervision that allowed the respondent to have custody of [Davonta]. On August 24, 1999, protective supervision was terminated when the commissioner learned that the respondent had entered the witness protection program and relocated to North Carolina with [Davonta]. The respondent returned to Connecticut in November, 1999, and shortly thereafter the commissioner received reports of neglect concerning [Davonta]. On May 11, 2000, a neglect petition was again filed by the commissioner. An order of temporary custody was granted, stemming from the neglect petition filed in May, 2000. On October 24, 2000, [Davonta] was adjudicated neglected and committed to the care of the commissioner and placed in foster care.'' In re Davonta V., 98 Conn. App. 42, 43

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