SLR 17-11.005: Appearances in Juvenile Court for Termination of Parental Rights cases

A parent who is served with a summons for the first appearance in a petition to terminate parental rights case shall appear personally in court at the time and place specified in the summons. The purpose of the appearance is to admit or deny the allegations of the petition and to schedule a trial. A parent who fails to appear as summoned may be subject to entry of judgment granting the petition to terminate the parental rights of that parent, following the prima facie hearing. A parent who fails to appear at any hearing subsequent to the first appearance may be subject to entry of judgment granting the petition to terminate the parental rights of that parent, following the prima facie hearing.