In general, when an adoption has been granted, we consider the evidence most favorable to the trial court's decision and the reasonable inferences that can be drawn therefrom to determine whether the evidence is sufficient to support the judgment. In re Adoption of S.A., 918 N.E.2d 736, 740–41 (Ind.Ct.App.2009), trans. denied.
It is well established that “the best interest of the child is the paramount concern in any adoption case.” In re Adoption of S.A., 918 N.E.2d 736, 742 (Ind.Ct.App.2009), trans. denied. See also In re Adoption of K.S., 980 N.E.2d 385, 389 (Ind.Ct.App.2012) (“[t]he purpose of Indiana's adoption statutes is to protect and promote the welfare of children by providing them with stable family units”)
To the extent that the Appellants challenge the court's conclusion that it is in M.H.'s best interest to be adopted by the Appellees, we observe that the Indiana Supreme Court has held that the best interests of the child is the primary concern in an adoption proceeding. Adoptive Parents of M.L.V. v. Wilkens, 598 N.E.2d 1054, 1058 (Ind.1992) ; see also In re Adoption of S.A., 918 N.E.2d 736, 742 (Ind.Ct.App.2009) (“[T]he best interest of the child is the paramount concern in any adoption case.”), trans.
Accordingly, as the Child had been adjudicated a CHINS, she was under the custody of DCS and its consent should have been sought. [14] In In re Adoption of S.A., 918 N.E.2d 736, 742 (Ind. Ct. App. 2009), trans. denied (emphasis added), we noted that "[a]lthough consent is required from the agency having lawful custody of the child whose adoption is sought, consent is not required if the legal guardian or lawful custodian has failed to consent for reasons found by the court not to be in the best interests of the child." See also I.C. § 31-19-9-8(a)(10).
A child's best interest “is the paramount concern in any adoption case.” In re Adoption of S.A., 918 N.E.2d 736, 742 (Ind.Ct.App.2009), trans. denied.
In general, when an adoption has been granted, we consider the evidence most favorable to the trial court's decision and the reasonable inferences that can be drawn therefrom to determine whether the evidence is sufficient to support the judgment. In re Adoption of S.A., 918 N.E.2d 736, 740–41 (Ind.Ct.App.2009), trans. denied.