Court looking at a judge's home visit in parental rights case

GAYLORD (AP) — The Michigan Supreme Court is considering whether it’s appropriate for a judge to see the conditions of a home before terminating someone’s parental rights.

The court recently told lawyers for an Otsego County couple and the state of Michigan to file briefs on that issue as well as others. The court will hear arguments in the months ahead.

Judge Michael Cooper terminated the parental rights of a couple whose daughter has a chronic kidney disease. 

He made the decision based partly on a personal visit to the mobile home.

The appeals court said the visit isn’t permitted under law, but it affirmed the termination of parental rights.