In Re Shelby B.

This appeal arises from dependency and neglect proceedings concerning the minor child, Shelby B., (“Shelby”), the child of Tyffany B. (“Mother”), and Lakota B. (“Father”). The petitioner, Sophia H. (“Grandmother”), with whom Shelby had been residing for several years, filed the petition alleging that Shelby was dependent and neglected under Tennessee Code Annotated § 37-1-102(b)(13)(J), which defines a dependent and neglected child as one “[w]ho has willfully been left in the sole financial care and sole physical care of a related caregiver for not less than eighteen (18) consecutive months by the child’s parent . . . and the child will suffer substantial harm if removed from the continuous care of such relative[.]” After the juvenile court found Shelby was dependent and neglected, Mother appealed to the circuit court. Following a two-day de novo hearing, the circuit court also ruled Shelby dependent and neglected and vested custody with Grandmother. Mother appealed. Finding no error, we affirm.