In Re Zaliyah S. et al.

This is a dependency and neglect case focusing on twin siblings (collectively, “the Twins”), who are the minor children of Tamika S. (“Mother”). The Twins were taken into protective custody by the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services (“DCS”) upon an investigation prompted by a referral that Mother had given birth to the Twins after she had previously lost custody of one of her other children due to nutritional and medical neglect. Following Mother’s refusal to comply with DCS’s request to perform a health check on the Twins, DCS filed a petition for custody and emergency removal. The Juvenile Court for Davidson County (“juvenile court”) conducted a hearing and adjudicated the Twins dependent and neglected upon its finding that Mother had committed severe child abuse. The juvenile court awarded DCS legal and physical custody of the Twins. Mother appealed to the Circuit Court for Davidson County (“trial court”), which, following a de novo trial, issued a final order determining that Mother had perpetrated severe child abuse upon the Twins while they were in her care. Consequently, the trial court adjudicated the Twins dependent and neglected. The trial court ordered that it would be in the Twins’ best interest to remain in DCS custody. Mother has appealed. Discerning no reversible error, we affirm.