Interest of W.J.

2026 ND 43

• Court: North Dakota Supreme Court
• Decided: February 19, 2026
• Docket: No. 20250458
• Status: Published

Opinion

IN THE SUPREME COURT STATE OF NORTH DAKOTA

2026 ND 43

In the Interest of W.J., Child

State of North Dakota, Petitioner and Appellee v. W.J., Child; E.J., Mother; Anika Butts, Guardian ad Litem, Respondents and K.D., Father, Respondent and Appellant

No. 20250458

Appeal from the Juvenile Court of Morton County, South Central Judicial District, the Honorable Tessa M. Vaagen, Judicial Referee.

AFFIRMED.

Per Curiam.

Chase R. Lingle, Assistant State’s Attorney, Mandan, ND, for petitioner and appellee; submitted on brief.

Steven Balaban, Bismarck, ND, for respondent and appellant; submitted on brief. Interest of W.J. No. 20250458

[¶1] K.D. appeals from a juvenile court order terminating his parental rights to W.J. He argues the court’s finding that W.J. is a child in need of protection is clearly erroneous. The juvenile court has authority to terminate parental rights under N.D.C.C. ch. 27-20.3. The Indian Child Welfare Act applies to this case. See 25 U.S.C. §§ 1901-1963; see also N.D.C.C. ch. 27-19.1. We conclude the court’s findings are not clearly erroneous and the court did not abuse its discretion when it terminated K.D.’s parental rights. See Interest of A.C., 2022 ND 123, ¶ 5, 975 N.W.2d 567 (the clearly erroneous standard of review applies to factual findings made in a termination of parental rights proceeding); see also Interest of A.P., 2022 ND 131, ¶ 2, 976 N.W.2d 244 (whether terminating parental rights would promote the child’s welfare is left to the court’s discretion when the required elements are proven by clear and convincing evidence). We summarily affirm under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(2) and (4).

[¶2] Lisa Fair McEvers, C.J. Daniel J. Crothers Jerod E. Tufte Jon J. Jensen Douglas A. Bahr