Grounds for Involuntary Termination of Parental Rights - American Samoa

Grounds for Termination of Parental Rights
Citation: Ann. Code §§ 45.0401; 45.0103(19)

The court may, upon petition, terminate all rights of a parent or parents to a child when the court has determined that the child is neglected by one or both parents or dependent.

The term 'neglected or dependent child' means children to whom any of the following circumstances apply:

• Their parent, guardian, or legal custodian has abandoned them or has subjected them to mistreatment or abuse, or whose parent, guardian, or legal custodian has allowed another to mistreat or abuse the child without taking lawful means to stop such mistreatment or abuse and to prevent it from recurring.
• They lack proper parental care through the actions or omissions of the parent, guardian, or legal custodian.
• Their environment is injurious to their welfare.
• Their parent, guardian, or legal custodian fails or refuses to provide proper or necessary subsistence, education, medical care, or any other care necessary for their health, guidance, or well-being.
• They are homeless, without proper care, or not domiciled with their parent, guardian, or legal custodian through no fault of their parent, guardian, or legal custodian.

Timeframes for Termination Proceedings

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed.

Exceptions

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed.

When Parental Rights May Be Reinstated

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed.