L.G. F.G. v. Forestal Lawton

GARY M. GAERTNER, Special Judge This appeal arises from a termination of parental rights proceeding in the Circuit Court of
Jackson County pursuant to § 211.447, RSMo 1986 at which the court terminated appellant's parental rights. On appeal,
F.G., 1 appellant herein, contends § 211.447.2 is unconstitutional in that it is vague on its face and violates
her due process rights. This Court, therefore, has exclusive appellate jurisdiction. Mo. Const. Art. v, § 3. Appellant
raises six additional points on appeal. We affirm. Appellant is the natural mother of L.G., a female born October 14, 1985. The Juvenile Division of the Jackson County Circuit
Court obtained jurisdiction over L.G. pursuant to allegations that on December 24, 1985, appellant and L.G. had been residing
at the Kansas City bus terminal for four days. After being placed at the Salvation Army shelter, appellant was observed neglecting
L.G. Appellant had left L.G. in a room with an open window and L.G. became extremely chilled. Appellant was unable to comprehend
child care directions and lacked memory of recent preceding events concerning the child. L.G. was taken into protective custody
and placed in foster care on December 25, 1985. On December 30, 1985, L.G. was placed in the home of appellant's mother. On
January 28, 1986, appellant's mother moved to Denver and L.G. was placed in the foster home of S.G., a third cousin of appellant,
where L.G. has resided ever since.