Page:Canerday-Banks v. State, 2018 Ark. App. 523.pdf/27

 the Bartons testified as to these allegations, provided context for the allegations, denied that they had in any way abused or mistreated any of their children, and provided several witnesses who testified that they are very good parents who love their children. DHS introduced the August 11 letter outlining the specific allegations of abuse, and DHS supervisor Victoria Smith testified that she believed P.S. had been removed from the Bartons' home based on those allegations. Neither DHS nor the Bankses provided any additional evidence to support the maltreatment allegations. Whether and the extent to which the circuit court should have considered the maltreatment allegations in its best-interest finding, therefore, hinges on the weight and credibility of the evidence related to those allegations. In Newkirk, we explained that

[i]n cases involving minor children, the trial court must utilize to the fullest extent all its power of perception in evaluating the witnesses, their testimony, and the children's best interest. Because the appellate court has no such opportunity, the superior position, ability, and opportunity of the trial court to observe the parties are afforded their greatest weight in cases involving minor children.

2015 Ark. App. 186, at 8–9, 486 S.W.3d at 832–33 (internal citations omitted). We will not reverse a circuit court's decision regarding the best interest of a child to be adopted unless it is clearly against the preponderance of the evidence, giving due regard to the opportunity and superior position of the circuit court to judge the credibility of the witnesses. In re Adoption of K.M., 2015 Ark. App. 448, at 3, 469 S.W.3d at 390. Here, we see no reversible error in the circuit court's best-interest finding. By all accounts, P.S. was closely bonded with the Bartons, who had cared for her and provided for her medical needs for more than half her life. P.S. was considered part of the family and was treated just like the Bartons' older children. Several witnesses described the Bartons as "good" and "great" parents. Rebecca,