SCDSS v. Ernest M.

THIS OPINION HAS NO
PRECEDENTIAL VALUE.  IT SHOULD NOT BE CITED OR RELIED ON AS PRECEDENT IN ANY
PROCEEDING EXCEPT AS PROVIDED BY RULE 239(d)(2), SCACR.

THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA

In The Court of Appeals

South Carolina
Department of Social Services, Respondent,

v.

Adrienne M.,
William D., Ernest M. and Stephanie M., Defendants,

of whom Ernest
M. and Stephanie M. are Appellants.

In the interest
of a minor child under the age of 18.

Appeal From Greenville County

R. Kinard Johnson, Jr., Family Court Judge

Unpublished Opinion No. 2009-UP-176

Submitted April 1, 2009 – Filed April 28,
2009   

AFFIRMED

Thomas Oliver Mobley, of Greenville, for Appellants.

Deborah  Murdock, of Mauldin, for Respondent.

Robert A. Clark, of Greenville, for Guardian Ad Litem.

PER
CURIAM: Ernest M. and
Stephanie M. appeal the family court's order (1) finding Mother's minor child
(Child) suffered physical injuries; (2) granting the South Carolina Department
of Social Services (DSS) temporary custody of Child; (3) relieving DSS of
making reasonable efforts to reunite or preserve Child's family; and (4)
approving the permanency plan recommended for Child by DSS.  We affirm pursuant to Rule 220(b), SCACR, and the
following authorities: South Carolina Code Ann. § 63-7-20(18) (Supp. 2008)
(“Physical injury means death or permanent or temporary disfigurement or
impairment of any bodily organ or function."); § 63-7-1640(C) (Supp. 2008)
(stating the family court may authorize DSS to forego reasonable efforts or
reunify the family when the court determines the parent has subjected the child
to severe or repeated abuse or neglect); § 63-7-1640(F) (Supp. 2008) ("In
determining whether to authorize the department to terminate or forego
reasonable efforts to preserve or reunify a family, the court must consider
whether initiation or continuation of reasonable efforts to preserve or reunify
the family is in the best interests of the child.").

AFFIRMED.[1]

HEARN, C.J., CURETON, A.J., and GOOLSBY, A.J., concur.

[1] We decide this case without oral argument pursuant to
Rule 215, SCACR.