IN RE DEKLAN B. - Articles

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IN RE DEKLAN B.

Posted by: Azya Thornton on Feb 11, 2026

Court: TN Court of Appeals

Attorneys 1: Michael B. Menefee, Knoxville, Tennessee, for the appellant, Paige C.

Attorneys 2: Ben H. Houston, II, Knoxville, Tennessee, for the appellees, Carol B. and David B.

Judge(s): FRIERSON

In this case involving termination of a mother’s parental rights to her child, the trial court allowed the mother’s counsel to withdraw from representation at the beginning of trial when the mother did not appear. On appeal, the mother asserts that she did not have prior notice of the trial date and that her attorney did not provide her with notice of an intent to withdraw from representation. Based on the circumstances presented and applicable law, we vacate the trial court’s termination of the mother’s parental rights and remand for a new trial.

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