Family Law

Com. v. C.M., __ S.W.3d __ (Ky. App. 2008), 2007-CA-001468-ME



The Cabinet acquired custody of C.M. as a dependent minor. Upon reaching the age of majority, C.M. requested continued commitment to the Cabinet until age 21, for the purpose of facilitating her education at Northern Kentucky University. The Cabinet consented and the Court approved the extension. C.M. then dropped out of her classes and the Cabinet asked her to rescind her commitment. C.M., after speaking with her GAL, then changed her mind about dropping out of school and moved for reinstatement of her commitment. At a hearing on the motion, the TC found that the continued commitment was in C.M.???s best interests. COA held that the TC???s order of education controls until it is modified or vacated and recommended that the Cabinet file such motion if it desired to change the Court???s order. COA found no error in the TC reinstating C.M.???s commitment to the Cabinet, which was merely suspended, not vacated, by the Cabinet???s procedure of issuing a letter of intent to release C.M. from commitment. Affirmed.

Digested by Sarah Jost Nielsen, Diana L. Skaggs + Associates