Opinion
A90A2141.
DECIDED FEBRUARY 1, 1991.
Termination of parental rights. Bibb Juvenile Court. Before Judge Wilson, pro hac vice.
Leigh G. Brogdon, for appellant.
Michael J. Bowers, Attorney General, Carol A. Cosgrove, William C. Joy, Senior Assistant Attorneys General, Margot M. Cairnes, William F. Ladson, Jr., for appellee.
Casey Holloway appeals the termination of his parental rights of the child H. T. Appellant contends the trial court erred in issuing a finding only that the child was deprived and that there is clear and convincing evidence of present parental misconduct, while failing to make a finding that the deprivation is likely to continue or will not be remedied and is likely to cause serious physical, mental, emotional or moral harm to the child, pursuant to OCGA § 15-11-81 (b) (4) (A) (ii), (iii) and (iv); and while failing to find that termination of parental rights is in the best interest of the child, after proper consideration. Held:
As the appellee, the Georgia Department of Human Resources, points out, this court has held that the requirements of the Juvenile Court Code in regard to findings of fact are mandatory; and in the absence of such findings, appeals are to be remanded with direction that the trial court vacate the judgment, cause appropriate findings and conclusions of law to be made, and enter a new judgment thereon, after which the losing party shall be free to enter another appeal. See Upshaw v. Dept. of Family c. Svcs., 144 Ga. App. 222 ( 241 S.E.2d 41); Crook v. Ga. Dept. of Human Resources, 137 Ga. App. 817, 819 ( 224 S.E.2d 806). This court has held that a dry recitation that certain legal requirements are met is insufficient to satisfy the requirements of the law with regard to termination of parental rights. Beasley v. Jones, 149 Ga. App. 317, 319 ( 254 S.E.2d 472). See In the Interest of G. K. J., 187 Ga. App. 443, 444 ( 370 S.E.2d 490); In the Interest of A. T., 187 Ga. App. 299, 301 ( 370 S.E.2d 48).
The attempts of the appellee Department in this case to rationalize why the trial court's order should be affirmed despite its deficiencies, merely prove appellant's point. When a court forever severs the bonds between natural parent and child, its official order must on its face prove adherence to the strict requirements of the laws authorizing this drastic act in specific cases. Appellate review of this action should not require inferential conclusions or even guided speculation as to the reasons for the judgment; equally important, the process of careful articulation is a powerful aid in the trial judge's adjudication. See Spivey v. Mayson, 124 Ga. App. 775, 776 ( 186 S.E.2d 154). We are not inclined to chisel away at this important safeguard.
Accordingly, this judgment is reversed and the case is remanded to the trial court for the findings of fact and conclusion of law required in these cases.
Judgment reversed and case remanded with direction. Banke, P. J., and Cooper, J., concur.