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STATE OF MICHIGAN
COURT OF APPEALS

In the Matter of SKYRA SHERROD, Minor.

DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, Petitioner-Appellee, v ANITA SHERROD, Respondent-Appellant, and WILLIAM EVERETT DOW, Respondent.

UNPUBLISHED October 21, 2008

No. 285005 Kent Circuit Court Family Division LC No. 07-050869-NA

Before: Markey, P.J., and Sawyer and Kelly, JJ. MEMORANDUM. Respondent Anita Sherrod appeals as of right following an order that terminated her parental rights to the minor child pursuant to MCL 712A.19b(3)(c)(i) and (g). We affirm. The trial court did not err in finding that the statutory grounds for termination were established by clear and convincing evidence. MCR 3.977(J); In re Miller, 433 Mich 331, 337; 445 NW2d 161 (1989). The court also did not err in its determination regarding the child's best interests. MCL 712A.19b(5); In re Trejo Minors, 462 Mich 341, 356-357; 612 NW2d 407 (2000). Respondent contends on appeal that there was a "rush to judgment" regarding her parenting skills. She maintains that she would have been able to provide Skyra with proper care and custody within a reasonable amount of time had the agency done more to provide her with services tailored to meet her mental health challenges and intellectual limitations. However, it is clear from the record that respondent, in fact, received special services that went above and beyond those services generally offered to other parents. Respondent was given 15 months to demonstrate that she could provide adequate parenting to the minor child. She received threefold the amount of parenting time offered to other parents. This was the agency's way of attempting to provide intense hands-on training to respondent to develop basic parenting skills. -1-


Unfortunately, even after repetitive instruction, it was clear that respondent was simply unable to meet the child's basic needs. She could not successfully feed, diaper, or even hold the child without constant intervention and instruction. Respondent had difficulty in nurturing and consoling the child, and the child often found the visits so traumatic that she would cry uncontrollably until an aide came and held her. Witnesses who testified indicated that, although willing, respondent simply could not provide adequate parenting. No amount of time or additional assistance could have overcome respondent's intellectual barriers to parenting. Affirmed. /s/ Jane E. Markey /s/ David H. Sawyer /s/ Kirsten Frank Kelly

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