NOTICE OF TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS PETITION TO; RODERICK MARTINEZ LONG, RESPONDENT FATHER OF THE ABOVE LISTED CHILDREN, TO WIT: LONG, L.L., a minor child born 03/28/2019 in Polk County, Florida, and LONG, A. E., a minor child born 03/22/2018 in Horry County, South Carolina. TAKE NOTICE that a Termination of Parental Rights Petition has been filed by the Columbus County Department of Social Services for the purpose of termination your parental rights to the above named minor children. You are entitled to attend a hearing affecting your rights. You are entitled to have an attorney appointed by the Court, if you cannot afford one. Please contact Brett lane via telephone at 910-641-4425, by regular mail at 113 Courthouse Square, Whiteville, NC 28472 or by email at jeffrey.b.1ane2@nccourts.org, if you desire representation by a court appointed attorney, as he has been temporarily appointed to represent you. At the first hearing, the Court will determine whether you qualify for the services of a court-appointed attorney. If you do not qualify, Attorney Lane will be released. The minor child, L. L. Long was born to you on March 28, 2019 in Polk County, Florida. The minor child, A. E. Long was born to you on March 22, 2018 in Horry County, SC. You are hereby summoned and notified to answer the Petition. You must prepare and file with the Clerk of Superior Court of Columbus County, Attention: Juvenile Court Clerk, Columbus County Courthouse, 100 Courthouse Circle, Whiteville, NC 28472, a written answer to the petition within forty (40) days of the first date of publication (written below), You must also serve a copy of the answer on the petitioner's attorney (address below). If you fail to file an answer your parental rights will be terminated. Your failure to respond will result in the Petitioner applying to the Court for the relief sought. The purpose of the hearing is to comply with NCGS 7B-1108.1 and to terminate your parental rights. The grounds for termination of parental rights are as follows: the parents have neglected the juveniles within the meaning of NCGS 7B-101(1S); the parents have willfully left the juveniles in foster care placement outside the home for more than 12 months without showing to the satisfaction of the Court that reasonable progress under the circumstances has been made in correcting those conditions that led to the removal of the juveniles; and the parents have willfully abandoned the juveniles for at least six (6) consecutive months immediately preceding the filing of the petition or motion, or the parent has voluntarily abandoned an infant pursuant to NCGS 7B-500 for at least 60 consecutive days immediately preceding the filing of the petition or motion. A hearing will be conducted at a date to be determined. Please contact the Columbus County Clerk of Superior Court, Juvenile Division for the upcoming court date. The purpose of the hearing is to adjudicate the Termination of Parental Rights Petition, followed by a dispositional hearing. You may attend this hearing. You may call the Deputy Clerk of Juvenile Court of Columbus County at 910-641-4439 for further information. Misty Jorgensen, Interim County Attorney 127 West Webster Street Whiteville, NC 28472 910-641-5645 January 13, 20, 27, February 3 2026 LSAR0436605