This section contains the nature of the case and procedural background.

Kristi's mother suffers from schizophrenia, and since 1981, the mother has been subject to eleven involuntary commitments due to her mental illness. Kristi has spent 4.5 years of her life in out of home placements. The child has been in foster care since 1985. The mother has a serious case of the disease, and when she stops her medication, she is falling into the group of schizophrenics who become acutely ill within a week or two after stopping medication. When in remissions, the mother is a polite, congenial, doting, and tidy homemaker. Even so the underlying problems never quite go away and even when appearing normal she still has her moments of delusional behavior. The mother concedes that the child is in need of assistance and that need has persisted for over one year. The trial court terminated her parental rights, and this appeal resulted. The court of appeals reversed the trial court.

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