N.C. Gen. Stat. § 114A-15: Limitations on the right to parent.

(a) The requirements of this Article do not authorize a parent to do any of the following:

(1) Engage in unlawful conduct.

(2) Abuse or neglect the child, as defined in Chapter 7B of the General Statutes.

(b) The requirements of this Article do not prohibit the following:

(1) A State official or employee from acting in his or her official capacity within the reasonable and prudent scope of his or her authority.

(2) A court of competent jurisdiction from acting in its official capacity within the reasonable and prudent scope of its authority or issuing an order otherwise permitted by law. (2023-106, s. 1.)