Best interests of a child in care and protection cases.

Best interests of a child in care and protection cases.

In order to remove children permanently from a natural parent and to dispense with parental consent to adoption a trial court judge in Massachusetts must find by clear and convincing evidence that the parent is currently unfit to further the welfare and best interests of the child.

Adoption of Kimberly, 414 Mass. 526, 528-29 (1993). Determination of parental unfitness and determination of the best interests of the child are interrelated inquiries. Adoption of Carlos, 413 Mass. 339, 348 (1992).

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