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STATE OF MICHIGAN
COURT OF APPEALS

In the Matter of MALEEA MORGAN BLANCHARD, Minor.

FAMILY INDEPENDENCE AGENCY, Petitioner-Appellee, v MARKEITH BROWN, Respondent-Appellant.

UNPUBLISHED August 9, 2005

No. 258759 Macomb Circuit Court Family Division LC No. 96-043566-NA

Before: Zahra, P.J., and Gage and Murray, JJ. MEMORANDUM. Respondent appeals as of right from the trial court order terminating his parental rights to the minor child under MCL 712A.19b(3)(g) and (j). We affirm. This appeal is being decided without oral argument pursuant to MCR 7.214(E). The trial court did not clearly err in finding that the statutory grounds for termination were established by clear and convincing evidence. MCR 3.977(J); In re JK, 468 Mich 202, 209; 661 NW2d 216 (2003); In re Sours, 459 Mich 624, 633; 593 NW2d 520 (1999). Respondent had never had custody of nor provided support for the child, who was a medically fragile infant. Respondent was incarcerated when the child was born and had limited contact with her during a brief period when he was released from prison at the end of 2003. Respondent remained incarcerated at the time of the termination hearing and did not expect to be released until at least five months after the termination hearing. Moreover, respondent had a significant criminal history and a long history of abusing alcohol and drugs. Further, the evidence did not show that termination of respondent's parental rights was clearly not in the best interests of the child. MCL 712A.19b(5); In re Trejo, 462 Mich 341, 356357; 612 NW2d 407 (2000). The trial court's brief findings regarding the child's best interests were sufficient considering the evidence presented in this case. In re Gazella, 264 Mich App 668, 677-678; 692 NW2d 708 (2005). Affirmed. /s/ Brian K. Zahra /s/ Hilda R. Gage /s/ Christopher M. Murray -1-




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