For what reasons might termination of parental rights (TPR) occur?

Termination of parental rights (TPR) can occur for a variety of reasons, but voluntary relinquishment, abandonment, severing or continuing abuse, and incarceration are among the most common. Voluntary relinquishment refers to a parent willingly giving up their rights, while abandonment occurs when a parent has not maintained contact with their child for an extended period of time. Severing or continuing abuse refers to situations where a parent has been found to be physically, emotionally, or sexually abusive towards their child, and incarceration occurs when a parent is incarcerated for a significant amount of time. The other options, while they may contribute to a difficult living situation for the child, are not listed as reasons for termination of parental rights. It is important to note that TPR is a serious legal process that is only used in extreme cases where it is deemed to be in the best interests of the child.