Abuse, Neglect, and Dependency
Adjudications
"The role of this Court in reviewing a trial court's adjudication of neglect and abuse is to determine '(1) whether the findings of fact are supported by "clear and convincing evidence, and (2) whether the legal conclusions are supported by the findings of fact' In re T.H.T., 185 N.C. App. 337, 343, 648 S.E.2d 519, 523 (2007) (quoting In re Gleisner, 141 N.C. App. 475, 480, 539 S.E.2d 362, 365 (2000)), aff'd as modified, 362 N.C. 446, 665 S.E.2d 54 (2008). "If such evidence exists, the findings of the trial court are binding on appeal, even if the evidence would support a finding to the contrary. Id.
Dispositions
"All dispositional orders of the trial court after abuse, neglect and dependency hearings must contain findings of fact based upon the credible evidence presented at the hearing. In re Weiler, 158 N.C. App. 473, 477, 581 S.E.2d 134, 137 (2003).
"The district court has broad discretion to fashion a disposition from the prescribed alternatives in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-903(a), based upon the best interests of the child.... We review a dispositional order only for abuse of discretion. In re B.W., 190 N.C. App. 328, 336, 665 S.E.2d 462, 467 (2008) (citing In re Pittman, 149 N.C. App. 756, 766, 561 S.E.2d 560, 567, disc. review denied, 356 N.C. 163, 568 S.E.2d 608 (2002), cert. denied, 538 U.S. 982, 155 L. Ed. 2d 673 (2003).
Permanency Planning Orders
"[Appellate] review of a permanency planning order is limited to whether there is competent evidence in the record to support the findings and whether the findings support the conclusions of law. If the trial court's findings of fact are supported by any competent evidence, they are conclusive on appeal. In re P.O., 207 N.C. App. 35, 41, 698 S.E.2d 525, 530 (2010) (citations omitted).
Cessation of Reunification Efforts
"This Court reviews an order that ceases reunification efforts to determine whether the trial court made appropriate findings, whether the findings are based upon credible evidence, whether the findings of fact support the trial court's conclusions, and whether the trial court abused its discretion with respect to disposition. In re C.M., 183 N.C. App. 207, 213, 644 S.E.2d 588, 594 (2007). "'An abuse of discretion occurs when the trial court's ruling is so arbitrary that it could not have been the result of a reasoned decision.' In re N.G., 186 N.C. App. 1, 1011, 650 S.E.2d 45, 51 (2007) (quoting In re Robinson, 151 N.C. App. 733, 737, 567 S.E.2d 227, 229 (2002)), aff'd per curiam, 362 N.C. 229, 657 S.E.2d 355 (2008).
"The trial court may 'only order the cessation of reunification efforts when it finds facts based upon credible evidence presented at the hearing that support its conclusion of law to cease reunification efforts.' In re N.G., 186 N.C. App. 1, 10, 650 S.E.2d 45, 51 (2007) (quoting In re Weiler, 158 N.C. App. 473, 477, 581 S.E.2d 134, 137 (2003)), aff'd per curiam, 362 N.C. 229, 657 S.E.2d 355 (2008).