In the Matter of K.A.P.

This is a dependency and neglect appeal. The father of the child at issue filed a dependency and neglect petition in the juvenile  court against the child’s mother. The juvenile court held that the parties’ son was dependent and neglected and designated the father as the primary residential parent. The mother appealed the juvenile court’s decision to the circuit court. The circuit court conducted a de novo trial on the father’s dependency and neglect petition. The circuit court noted the mother’s past drug use but also found that the mother had consistently had clean drug tests since the juvenile court proceeding. Nevertheless, the circuit court held that the child was dependent and neglected, so it left the father as the primary residential parent. The mother now appeals. Based on our review of the record, we hold that the facts as found by the circuit court do not amount to clear and convincing evidence that the son was dependent and neglected in the mother’s care. Therefore, we reverse and remand for further proceedings.