In The Interest of Jonathan M.
1998 WL 764142 (Conn. Super.)
This was an action to terminate the paternal rights of Stacie M.
in her son Jonathan. The mother had FAS; the court relied on her
difficulties in deciding to terminate her rights.
The opinion contains a detailed description of the effect of FAS
on children:
"Studies have shown that such children not only have a variety of
cognitive difficulties, but also suffer from social deficits as well. One
study found that 'they were stubborn, hard to discipline and have extreme
difficulty in respecting their own and other people's boundaries. [They]
inappropriately sought affection and demanded attention and were overly
tactile with other people.' By the time they reach adolescence, 'lack of
judgment, poor decision-making, high frustration, impulsivity, and
difficulty in perceiving social cues rendered these children at high risk
for aggressive behavior and of being co-opted by negative role
models.'"
1998 WL 764142 at *2. The quotations are from Wiley Karr-Morse,
Ghosts from the Nursery (1997).
The mother's behavioral problems are described in this opinion and
in In re Dalilah Rose N., 1996 WL
745838 (Ct. Super.).