IN RE LAY’LA R. - Articles

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IN RE LAY’LA R.

Posted by: Azya Thornton on Oct 21, 2025

Court: TN Court of Appeals

Attorneys 1: Samuel W. Hinson, Lexington, Tennessee, for the appellant, Michael S.

Attorneys 2: Jonathan Skrmetti, Attorney General and Reporter, and Clifton Wade Barnett, Assistant Attorney General, for the appellee, Tennessee Department of Children’s Services.

Judge(s): ARMSTRONG

In this termination of parental rights case, Appellant/Father appeals only the trial court’s denial of his motion for continuance. We conclude that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying the continuance. Although Father does not appeal the termination of his parental rights, we are required to review that decision. The trial court terminated Father’s parental rights on the grounds of: (1) abandonment by an incarcerated parent by failure to visit, failure to support, and wanton disregard; (2) substantial noncompliance with the permanency plans; and (3) failure to manifest an ability and willingness to assume custody of the child. The trial court also found that termination of Appellant’s parental rights was in the child’s best interest. Discerning no error, we affirm.

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