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In the Matter of J.S., Jr., Alleged Deprived Child
Date: 02-22-2026
Case Number:
Judge: Laura Farris
Court: District Court, Creek County, Oklahoma
Plaintiff's Attorney: ADA Stephen Rouse
Defendant's Attorney: Yvette Braaks Hart
Description:
Sapulpa, Oklahoma, family law lawyer represented the Defendant in a parental termination case.
In this deprived child proceeding, Appellant, Asheley Teague, the biological mother of J.S., JR. (JSJ), the minor child, appeals from the district court's order terminating her parental rights. The State of Oklahoma (State) moved to terminate Mother's parental rights, Mother waived a jury trial, and then Mother failed to appear at two subsequent scheduled hearings which were noticed by announcements memorialized in minute orders. The court minute order dated May 30, 2025, stated Mother failed to appear, but quantified "default under advisement pending best interest." Mother appeared at the best interest trial set on June 2, 2025. State's witness was sworn and examined and testified as to the child's best interest. After the best interest trial, the district court found reasonable efforts were made, Mother failed to make the corrections and termination was in the child's best interest. On appeal, Mother claims the district court erred in terminating her parental rights because the notices of May 30, 2025, hearing, i.e. the non-jury trial date, and June 2, 2025, best interest hearing were legally insufficient under 10A O.S. 2021 §1-4-905. Mother also asserts the district court erred in finding termination was in the minor child's best interest. This Court holds the petition to terminate provided Mother with the notice required in §1-4-905(A)(1) and (2) and Mother was properly provided notice of subsequent hearings. This Court also holds State met its burden of showing it was in the child's best interest to terminate Mother's parental rights.
The order terminating Mother's parental rights stated Mother failed to appear after having received notice of the hearing date in open court and Mother's failure to appear constituted consent to termination. The order also confirms the court proceeded to hear testimony and consider evidence in support of the allegations in the petition in Mother's absence. The court found termination was just and proper pursuant to §1-4-904(B)(6)(9) and (13) and termination of parental rights was in the child's best interest.
In this deprived child proceeding, Appellant, Asheley Teague, the biological mother of J.S., JR. (JSJ), the minor child, appeals from the district court's order terminating her parental rights. The State of Oklahoma (State) moved to terminate Mother's parental rights, Mother waived a jury trial, and then Mother failed to appear at two subsequent scheduled hearings which were noticed by announcements memorialized in minute orders. The court minute order dated May 30, 2025, stated Mother failed to appear, but quantified "default under advisement pending best interest." Mother appeared at the best interest trial set on June 2, 2025. State's witness was sworn and examined and testified as to the child's best interest. After the best interest trial, the district court found reasonable efforts were made, Mother failed to make the corrections and termination was in the child's best interest. On appeal, Mother claims the district court erred in terminating her parental rights because the notices of May 30, 2025, hearing, i.e. the non-jury trial date, and June 2, 2025, best interest hearing were legally insufficient under 10A O.S. 2021 §1-4-905. Mother also asserts the district court erred in finding termination was in the minor child's best interest. This Court holds the petition to terminate provided Mother with the notice required in §1-4-905(A)(1) and (2) and Mother was properly provided notice of subsequent hearings. This Court also holds State met its burden of showing it was in the child's best interest to terminate Mother's parental rights.
The order terminating Mother's parental rights stated Mother failed to appear after having received notice of the hearing date in open court and Mother's failure to appear constituted consent to termination. The order also confirms the court proceeded to hear testimony and consider evidence in support of the allegations in the petition in Mother's absence. The court found termination was just and proper pursuant to §1-4-904(B)(6)(9) and (13) and termination of parental rights was in the child's best interest.
Outcome:
The order terminating Mother's parental rights was affirmed.
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments:
About This Case
What was the outcome of In the Matter of J.S., Jr., Alleged Deprived Child?
The outcome was: The order terminating Mother's parental rights was affirmed.
Which court heard In the Matter of J.S., Jr., Alleged Deprived Child?
This case was heard in District Court, Creek County, Oklahoma, OK. The presiding judge was Laura Farris.
Who were the attorneys in In the Matter of J.S., Jr., Alleged Deprived Child?
Plaintiff's attorney: ADA Stephen Rouse. Defendant's attorney: Yvette Braaks Hart.
When was In the Matter of J.S., Jr., Alleged Deprived Child decided?
This case was decided on February 22, 2026.