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Try CasePortal for FreeJ. McBray finds the lower court improperly terminated a mother’s parental rights to one of her children on grounds of severe child abuse, abandonment by failure to visit, abandonment by failure to provide a suitable home, persistence of conditions, substantial noncompliance with the permanency plan, and failure to manifest an ability and willingness to assume custody. On the day of trial, the mother was late to court due to a job interview, of which counsel had been notified, but mother’s counsel moved to withdraw, and the lower court erroneously granted it, informing the mother when she arrived that she would have to represent herself. The instant court finds the record does not support the lower court’s argument that the mother waived her right to counsel. The matter is remanded for further proceedings. Vacated.