Matter Of Maricopa County

Natural father appeals from a juvenile court judgment severing his parental rights to his daughter Erin, who was born in 1982 and who lived with him until 1990 when he was arrested and charged with one count of sale of cocaine. The severance was ordered in 1994 solely on grounds that Father's 1991 sentence to prison for 5.25 years would deprive Erin of a normal home for a period of years. See Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. ("A.R.S.") § 8-533(B)(4) (1989). On the facts presented, we conclude that the juvenile court did not abuse its discretion in severing Father's parental rights.