1The Department of Human Services elected not to file a brief in this

matter, pointing out that the child at issue is no longer in its physical or legal custody. 1 

# FILED October 4, 1996 Cecil Crowson, Jr. App ellate C ou rt Clerk I N THECOUR

TOFAPPEALSOFTENNES SEE

STA TE O FTEN N ES SEE ) C / A N O . 03A 01- 9604- J V

- 00150 DEPAR TM ENTOFHUM

AN SER VI C ES , ) BR

ADLEY C

OUNTY J UVENI LECOUR T ) Pe t i t i o ne r - A

pp e l l e e , )

) a nd ) ) ) W I LLI AM D. GAR

DNER a nd ) J OANN GARDNER

, ) ) I nt e r ve ni ng ) Pe t i t i o ne r s - A

pp e l l e e s , )

) ) ) v. ) ) ) ) DANA D. DEFR

I EC E, )

) R e s ponde nt - A

ppe l l a nt . )

) I N TH E M A TTER O F: )

) J OHN DEFR

I EC E, ) HONOR ABLEC. VAN DEAC

ON, J R. , a m i nor . ) J UDGE

For A ppe l l a nt For A ppe l l e e s G

a r dne r s 1 DEBR A L. HOUSE R ANDY G. R

OGER S Sout heas t Te nne s s ee Le g a l A t he ns , Te nne s s e e Se r vi ces C l e v e l a nd , Te nne s s e e 

### O P I N I O N VAC ATED AND R

EM ANDED Sus a no, J .2Th e t r i a l cour t al s o t e r m i n a t e d t h e par e n t a l r i ght s of t h e chi l d ’ s n a t u r a l f a t h e r , J a c k J . De f r i e c e . Th a t j udgm e n t wa s not appe a l e d . 3I n ad d i t i o n t o Joh n , M o t h e r h as t h r ee o t h e r m i n o r ch i l d r e n : K a t i e ( DO B : A ugus t 18, 1986) ; Ti f f a ny ( DO B : J u l y 6, 1989) ; and Am b e r ( DO

B : A ugus t 3, 1 9 9 1 ) . A

t p r esent , M

o t h e r h as cust o d y o f K a t i e . M

o t h e r sur r e n d e r e d h e r p a r e n t a l r i ght s t o A m b e r , w

h i l e Ti f f a ny r e m a i n s i n t h e cus t ody of t h e De p a r t m

e n t o f H

u m a n S e r v i ces. S i n ce t h i s app eal co n cer n s J o h n , w e ad d r ess o n l y t h o se i s s u es bear i n g o n t h e t e r m i n a t i o n o f M

o t h e r ’ s par e n t a l r i g h t s as t o t h a t chi l d . 2

The tr i a l c our t te r m i n a t e dthe p a r e nt a l r i ght s o f D a n a D . D e f r i e c e ( M

ot he r ) t o he r s on, J ohn D e f r i e c e ( J ohn) ( D O B: J a nua r y 9, 1988) . 2M ot he r a ppe a l s , r a i s i ng t hr e e i s s ue s t ha t pr e s e nt t he f ol l ow i ng que s t i ons : 1. I s t he pr ope r a ppe a l r out e i n t hi s c a s e di r e c t l y t o t he C our t of A

ppe a l s or r a t he r t o c i r c uit c our t f or a de nov ohe a r i ng? 2. D o t he a l l e ga t i ons of t he i nt e r ve ni ng p e t i t i o ns a t i s f ythe r e qui r e m e nt s o f T. C. A

. § 37- 1- 147( a ) ( 1991) ? 3 . Is the tr i a l c our t ’ s te r m i n a tiono f M ot he r ’ s pa r e nt a l r i ght s s uppor t e d by c l e a r a nd c onvi nc i ng e vi de nc e ?

I

The tr i a l c our t initia llyp l a c e dM ot he r ’ s f our m

i nor c hi l dr e n, i nc l udi ng J ohn 3 , i n t he pr ot e c t i ve c us t ody of t he D e p a r t m e nt o f H

um a nSe r vi ces ( D

H S) . The f o s t e r car e p l a ni nt he r ecor di ndi cat e s t h a t t he r eas o n s f or t he p l acem e nt w e r e M ot he r ’ s a bus e of a l c ohol a nd dr ugs ; he r f a i l ur e t o pr ovi de a s t a bl e hom e f or t he c hi l dr e n; a nd he r m ove m e nt w i t h t he c hi l dr e n i nt o a nd out of a boy f r i e nd’ s r e s i de nc e a l l w i t hi n one w

e e k. The pl a n a l s o n ot e s t h a t D

H Sh a dm

a de “al l r eas o n a b l e ef f or t s t opr e v e nt3

t hi s r e m

ova l , ” t ha t M

ot he r ha d be e n of f e r e d c ouns e l i ng a nd da y c a r e , a nd t ha t s he ha d m ove d out of hous i ng pr ovi de d by a l oc a l c hur c h. A

f t e r a he a r i ng on D H S ’ s pe t i t i on, t he t r i a l c our t f ound t he c hi l dr e n de pe nde nt a nd ne gl e c t e d a nd a w a r de d t he i r c us t ody t o D H S . The c our t or de r e d t ha t M ot he r s e e k j ob t r a i ni ng, pl a c e m e nt t hr ough V

oc a t i ona l R

e ha bi l i t a t i on, obt a i n he r G ED , a nd f ul l y c om pl y w i t h t he f os t e r c a r e pl a n.

J ohn ha s r e s i de d pr i m a r i l y w

i t h t he i nt e r ve ni ng pe t i t i one r s , W

i l l i a m a nd J oA

nn G a r dne r ( G

a r dne r s ) , s i nc e he w a s t e n m ont hs ol d. A

f t e r t he c hi l dr e n w e r e pl a c e d i n t he t e m por a r y c us t ody of D

H S , t he G

a r dne r s f i l e d t he i r i nt e r ve ni ng pe t i t i on ( Pe t i t i on) a s ki ng t he c our t t o gr a nt t he m c us t ody of J ohn a nd hi s s i s t e r , K

a tie , a nds e e ki ngthe te r m i n a tiono f the p a r e nt s ’ r i ght s w i t h r e s pe c t t o t hos e c hi l dr e n. I n r e s pons e t o t he Pe t i t i on, t he G ua r di a n a d Li t e m

e xpr e s s e d t he opi ni on t ha t i t w a s i n t he c hildr e n ’ s b e s t int e r e s t tor e m a i nw iththe G

a r dne r s . The t r i a l c our t he l d t hr e e s e pa r a t e he a r i ngs on t he Pe t i t i on. Fol l ow i ng t he f i r s t he a r i ng, t he c our t a w a r de d f ul l l e ga l c us t ody of J ohn a nd K a t i e t o t he G

a r dne r s , f i ndi ng t ha t M ot he r ha d “ f a i l e d t o s how a ny s ubs t a nt i a l i m pr ove m e nt i n he r c i r c um s t a nces , ” andt h a t t he G a r dne r s w

e r e f i t p e r s o n s t oh a v e t he c hi l dr e n’ s c us t ody. The c our t c ont i nue d t he m a t t e r unt i l a l a t e r da t e , a nd pr ovi de d t ha t i t s or de r w oul d be c om

e f i na l i f M ot he r di d not m

a ke s i gni f i c a nt pr ogr e s s . A f t e r t he s e c ond he a r i ng, t he c our t or de r e d t ha t J ohn a nd K a t i e r e m

a i n i n t he4

c us t ody of t he G

a r dne r s , a nd s e t t he m a t t e r f or f ur t he r r e vi e w a t a la t e r tim

e . Fo llo w

i ngthe thi r dhe a r i ng , th e tr i a l c our t f ound

t ha t t he s ubj e c t c hi l d , J ohnD e f r i e c e , h a s be e n i n t he c us t ody of t he Te nne s s e e D e pa r t m e nt of H

um a n Se r vi c e s i n e xc e s s of one ye a r ; t ha t t he c ondi t i ons w hi c h l e d t o s a i d c hild ’ s r e m

o v a l s till pe r s i s t, th a t the r e is little like liho o dth a t s a i dc o ndition s w ill b e r e m e di e dat anear l yd a t e s ot h a t t he c hi l d c a n be r e t ur ne d t o e i t he r pa r e nt i n t he ne a r f ut ur e , t ha t t he c ont i nua t i on of t he l e ga l pa r e nt a nd c hi l d r e l a t i ons hi p gr e a t l y di m i ni s he s t he c hi l d’ s c ha nc e s of e a r l y i nt e gr a t i on i nt o a s t a bl e a nd pe r m a ne nt hom

e ; t h a t the la c ko f s t a b ilityo f the n a t ur a l m ot he r . . . ha s be e n m onum e nt a l ; t ha t t he na t ur a l m

ot he r c ont i nue s t o l a c k t he a bi l i t y t o pr ovi de f or t he s ubj e c t c hi l dr e n . . . . The c our t t hus f ound t ha t i t w a s i n J ohn’ s be s t i nt e r e s t f or M ot he r ’ s pa r e nt a l r i ght s t o be t e r m i na t e d a nd f or J ohn t o be pl a c e d i n t he f ul l c us t ody of t he G a r dne r s . The c our t s ubs e que nt l y e nt e r e d a n or de r t o t ha t e f f e c t . I I

O ur re vi e w

i s de nov oupon t he r e c or d w i t h a pr e s um pt i on of c or r e c t ne s s a s t o t he t r i a l c our t ’ s f i ndi ngs , unl e s s t he pr e ponde r a nc e of t he e vi de nc e i s ot he r w i s e . R

ul e 1 3 ( d) , T. R. A

. P .; T e nne s s ee D

e pt . o f H um anSe r v i ces v. R

i l e y , 689 S . W . 2d 164, 170 ( Te nn. A pp. 1984) .5 The c r ite r i a up o nw hi c hthe tr i a l c our t te r m i n a t e d M ot he r ’ s pa r e nt a l r i ght s a r e s e t f or t h i n T. C. A . § 37- 1- 147( d) ( 1) ( 1991) :

A

f t e r hear i ngevi de nce ona t e r m i n a t i o n p e tition , th e c our t m a yte r m

i n a t e p a r e nt a l r i ght s i f i t f i nds on t he ba s i s of c l e a r a nd c onvi nc i ng e vi de nc e t ha t t e r m i na t i on i s i n t he c hi l d’ s be s t i nt e r e s t a nd t ha t one ( 1) or m or e of t he f ol l ow i ng c ondi t i ons e xi s t : ( 1) The c hi l d ha s be e n r e m ove d f r om

t he c us t ody of t he pa r e nt by t he c our t f or a t l e a s t one ( 1) ye a r a nd t he c our t f i nds t ha t : ( A ) The c ondi t i ons w hi c h l e d t o t he r e m ova l or ot he r c ondi t i ons w hi c h i n a l l r e a s ona bl e pr oba bi l i t y w

oul d c a us e t he c hi l d t o be s ubj e c t e d t o f ur t he r a bus e or ne gl e c t a nd w hi c h, t he r e f or e , pr e ve nt t he c hi l d’ s r e t ur n t o t he c a r e o f the p a r e nt ( s ) s till pe r s i s t s ; ( B) The r e is little like liho o dth a t the s e c ondi t i ons w

i l l be r e m

e di e d a t a n e a r l y da t e s o t ha t t he c hi l d c a n be r e t ur ne d t o t he pa r e nt i n t he near f ut ur e ; and ( C ) The c ont i nua t i on of t he l e ga l pa r e nt a nd c hildr e l a tion s hi pgr e a tlydi m i ni s he s the c hi l d’ s c ha nc e s of e a r l y i nt e gr a t i on i nt o a s t a bl e a nd pe r m a ne nt hom

e [ . ]

Pr i or t o A

pr i l 15, 1994, T. C. A . § 37- 1- 159( a ) ( 1991) pr ovi de d t ha t a pa r t y a ppe a l i ng a j uve ni l e c our t ’ s de c i s i on i n a t e r m i n a tiono f p a r e nt a l r i ght s c a s e w a s e ntitle dtoa tr i a l de nov oi n c i r c ui t c our t ; how e ve r , t hi s pr oc e dur e w a s c ha nge d by t he e na c t m e nt of C

ha pt e r 810 of t he Publ i c A c t s of 1994, e f f e c t i ve A pr i l 15, 1994. The a m e nde d ve r s i on of T. C. A . § 37- 1- 159 ( Supp. 1995) e l i m

i na t e d t he de nov ot r i a l i n c i r c ui t c our t a nd pr ovi de d6

i ns t e a d f or a n a ppe a l a s of r i ght di r e c t l y t o t hi s c our t . T. C. A . § 37- 1- 159( a ) a nd ( g) ( Supp. 1995) ; I nr e S. M ., Jr . , C

/ A N o . 01A 01- 9506- J V

- 00233, 1996 W

L140410 ( Te nn. A pp. , M . S . , f i l e d M a r c h 29, 1996, K

oc h, J . ) . III

W e t ur n f i r s t t o M ot he r ’ s c ont e nt i on t ha t s he i s e ntitle dtoa tr i a l de nov oinc i r c uit c our t du e tothe f a c t th a t t he a m e ndm e nt t o T. C. A

. § 37- 1- 159 ( 1991) be c a m e e f f e c t i ve a f t e r t he com

m e ncem e nt o f t he s e pr o ceedi ng s . The G a r dne r s ’ Pe t i t i o n w a s f i l e d on Fe br ua r y 11, 1993. The f i r s t he a r i ng on t he m a t t e r w a s s t a r t e d on A

ugus t 24, 1993, a nd c om pl e t e d on Se pt e m

be r 29, 1993. The a m

e nde d ve r s i on of T. C. A . § 37- 1- 159 ( Supp. 1995) be c a m e e f f e c t i ve on A

pr i l 15, 1994. The s e c ond he a r i ng w a s he l d f i ve da ys l a t e r , on A pr i l 20, 1994. The t hi r d he a r i ng, a f t e r w hi c h M ot he r ’ s pa r e nt a l r i ght s w e r e t e r m

i na t e d, w

a s he l d on A ugus t 25 a nd 26, 1994. A s c a n be s e e n, t he c ha nge i n a ppe l l a t e pr oc e dur e t ook e f f e c t i n t he m i ddl e of t hi s l i t i ga t i on.

M ot he r a r gue s t ha t a ppl i c a t i on of t he a m e nde d s t a t ut e t o t hi s a ppe a l c a us e s he r unf a i r pr ej udi c e . She a r gue s i n he r br i e f t ha t s he ha d t he r i ght t o e xpe c t a t r i a l de nov oinc i r c ui t c our t a nd t ha t , be c a us e of t hi s e xpe c t a t i on, s he di d not t a ke s t e ps t o pr e s e r ve t he r e c or d f or a ppe a l by e m pl oyi ng a c our t r e p or t e r t ot r a n s c r i b e t he evi de nce pr e s e nt e di nt he Br a dl e y C ount y J uve ni l e C

our t . M

ot he r a r gue s t ha t t he s e c ond a nd t hi r d7

he a r i ngs w

e r e s i m

pl y c ont i nua t i ons of t he f i r s t he a r i ng, w hi c h w a s he l dpr i or t ot he am e ndm e nt ’ s ef f ect i v e da t e . She as s e r t s t ha t s he w

a s de ni e d “ a not he r oppor t uni t y t o f ul l y pr e s e nt he r cas e” i nci r c ui t cour t , andt h a t t hi s cas e s houl dt he r e f or e b e r e m a nde d t o c i r c ui t c our t f or a t r i a l de nov os o t ha t s he m a y

“ pr ope r l y pr e s e nt he r c a s e a nd pr e s e r ve a l l t e s t i m ony f or pur pos e s of a n a ppe a l , s houl d s uc h be ne c e s s a r y. ”

W e m us t f i r s t de t e r m

i ne w he t he r t he 1994 a m e ndm e nt t o T. C. A . § 37- 1- 159 ( 1991) i s w i t hi n t he c l a s s of e na c t m e nt s t ha t m a y be a ppl i e d r e t r oa c t i ve l y t o pe ndi ng c a s e s . The ge ne r a l r ul e i s t h a t s t a t ut e s ar e pr e s um e dt oop e r a t e pr o s p ect i v e l y . K ee v. She l t e r I ns ur anc e , 852 S . W . 2d 226, 228 ( Te nn. 1993) . N e v e r t he l e s s , as s t a t e db yt he Supr e m e C our t , [ a ] ne x c e ptione xi s t s .. . for s t a t ut e s w hi c h a r e r e m

e di a l or pr o cedur a l i nn a t ur e . Su c h s t a t ut e s a ppl y r e t r os pe c t i ve l y, not onl y t o cau s e s o f act i o nar i s i ngb e f or e s u c hact s be c om e l a w , but a l s o t o a l l s ui t s pe ndi ng w he nthe le g i s l a tionta ke s e f f e c t, u nl e s s the l e g i s l a t ur e indi c a t e s a c o nt r a r yint e ntionor i m m e di a t e a ppl i c a t i on w oul d pr oduc e a n unj us t r e s ult.

I d. (c iting Say l or s v . R i ggs be e , 544 S . W

. 2d 609, 610 ( Te nn. 1976) ) . Thus , t he que s t i on a r i s e s w he t he r t he s t a t ut e a t i s s ue he r e i s r e m

e di a l or pr oc e dur a l

- - a s oppos e d t o s ubs t a nt i ve - - i n na t ur e . I n Say l or s , t he Supr e m e C our t a dopt e d t he f ol l ow i ng de s c r i pt i o no f “pr o cedur e” f r o m a K a n s a s cas e :8 [ T] he m

ode or pr oc e e di ng by w hi c h a l e ga l r i ght i s e nf or c e d, a s di s t i ngui s he d f r om t he l a w w hi c h gi ve s or de f i ne s t he r i ght , a nd w hi c h by m

e a ns of t he pr oc e e di ng, t he c our t i s toa dm

i ni s t e r - the m

a c hi ne r y , a s di s t i ngui s he d f r om i t s pr oduc t ; . . . i nc l udi ng pl e a di ng, pr oc e s s , evi de nce, andpr act i c e

. . . . Pr a c tic e [ i s ] the f or m .. . for the e nf or c e m

e nt of r i ght s or t he r e dr e s s of w r ongs , a s di s t i ngui s he d f r om t he s ubs t a nt i ve l a w w hi c h gi ve s t he r i ght or de nounc e s t he w r ong. 544 S . W

. 2d a t 610 ( quot i ng Jone s v . G ar r e t t , 192 K

a n. 109, 386 P. 2d 194 ( 1963) ) ( e m pha s i s i n Say l or s opi ni on) . I n a ddi t i on, r e m e di a l s t a t ut e s ar e de f i ne das

[ l ] e gi s l a t i on pr ovi di ng m e a ns or m

e t hod w he r e bycau s e s o f act i o nm a yb e ef f ect u a t e d , w r ongs r e dr e s s e d a nd r e l i e f obt a i ne d . . . B l ac k’ s L

aw D i c t i onary 1293 ( 6t h e d. 1990) . See a l s o M orf or d v . Y o ngK y un C ho , 732 S . W

. 2d 617 ( Te nn. A

pp. 1987) . A l e gi s l a t i ve e na c t m e nt c ha ngi ng t he j ur i s di c t i on of a c our t i s r e m

e di a l i nn a t ur e . I d. a t 620. A s not e d i n M

orf or d, t he U ni t e d St a t e s Supr e m e C our t ha s uphe l d t he c ons t i t ut i ona l i t y o f r e t r o act i v e l yapp l yi nga pur e l yr e m e di a l act w

hi c hi nc r eas e s t he j ur i s di c t i on of a c our t . I d . a t 6 2 1 ( c iting U nite dSt at e s v . U ni onP ac . R . R . , 98 U

. S . ( 8 O

t t o) 569, 607- 608, 25 L. Ed. 143 ( 1878) ) . Fur t he r m or e , a ne w

s t a t ut e t ha t c ha nge s a r ul e of pr act i ce app l i e s t oal l p e ndi ngcas e s . F r am e v . M ar linF

i r e ar m s9

C o ., I nc . , 514 S . W . 2d 728, 730 ( Te nn. 1974) ; R oss v . T

e nne sse e F ar m e rs M ut . Ins . C

o . , 592 S . W

. 2d 897, 898 ( Te nn. A pp. 1979) . I n l i ght of t he s e c ons i de r a t i ons , w e c onc l ude t ha t t he a m e ndm e nt t o T. C. A

. § 37- 1- 159 ( 1991) i s pr oc e dur a l r a t he r t ha n s ubs t a nt i ve . Thi s c our t ha s de c l a r e d t ha t

[ a ] s a ppl i e d t o pr oc e dur a l c ha nge s gove r ni ng t he r i ght of a pp e a l t he r ul e is tha t, w he r e due pr ovi s i on ha s be e n m a de f or t he pr e s e r v a tiono f e s s e ntia l r i ght s , th e pr oc e dur e f or r e vi e w or t he e xt e nt of r e vi e w a r e s o f a r w

i t hi n t he pow

e r of t he l e gi s l a t ur e a s t o pr e c l ude t he r a i s i ng of que s t i ons of due pr oc e s s w i t h r e s pe c t t o t he m e t hod or pr oc e dur e f or r e vi e w , t he pa r t i e s e nt i t l e dt or e vi e w , or t he cha r act e r o f r e vi e w i nt he app e l l a t e cour t . N atio na l Li f e &

Ac c i de nt I ns . C

o . v . At w

o od, 194 S . W

. 2d 350, 353 ( Te nn. A

pp. 1946) . Fi ndi ng t ha t t he a m e ndm e nt i n que s t i on i s pr oc e dur a l , how

e ve r , doe s not a ut om a t i c a l l y pe r m

i t i t s r e t r oa c t i ve a ppl i c a t i on. Eve n a pr oc e dur a l e na c t m e nt m a y not be a ppl i e d r e t r oa c t i ve l y i n t he f ol l ow i ng c i r c um

s t a nc e s : w

he r e t he l e gi s l a t ur e ha s m a ni f e s t e d a c ont r a r y i nt e nt i on; w he r e a ppl i c a t i on of t he ne w l a w w oul d i m

pa i r a ve s t e d r i ght or c ont r a c t ua l obl i ga t i on; or w he r e i m

m e di a t e a ppl i c a t i on of t he s t a t ut e w

oul d pr oduc e a n unj us t r e s ul t . Ke e , 852 S . W . 2d a t 228; Say l or s , 544 S . W

. 2d a t 610; a nd M orf or d, 732 S . W

. 2d a t 620. W

e a ddr e s s e a c h of t he s e e xc e pt i ons i n t ur n.10 C ha pt e r 810 of t he Publ i c A c t s of 1994 of f e r s no i ndi c a t i on t ha t t he G e ne r a l A

s s e m bl y i nt e nde d i t t o a ppl y pr os pe c t i ve l y onl y. I n t he a bs e nc e of a ny e xpr e s s i on of t ha t i nt e nt , w

e c a nnot a s s um

e s uc h i nt e nt . Thus , r e t r os pe c t i ve a ppl i c a t i on of t he a m e ndm e nt i s not pr ohi bi t e d by l e gi s l a t i ve i nt e nt . Li ke w

i s e , a ppl i c a t i on of t he a m e nde d s t a t ut e w

oul d not i nf r i nge upon a ny of M ot he r ’ s ve s t e d r i ght s , nor w oul d i t i m

pa i r a ny c ont r a c t ua l obl i ga t i ons . A r t i c l e I , § 20 of t he Te nne s s e e C ons t i t ut i on pr ohi bi t s t he e na c t m e nt of a ny “ r e t r os pe c t i ve l a w , or l a w i m pa i r i ng t he obl i ga t i ons of c ont r a c t s . ” Thi s pr ovi s i on, how e ve r , “ pr os c r i be s onl y t hos e l a w s t ha t di ve s t or i m pa i r ve s t e d s ubs t a nt i ve r i ght s . ” I nr e S. M ., Jr . , 1996 W

L140410 a t *4. A s t hi s cour t h a s s t a t e d , t he G e ne r a l A

s s e m b l ym a yi m p l e m e nt pr oc e dur a l or r e m e di a l c ha nge s i n t he l a w , a nd m

a y s ubs t i t ut e one r e m e dy f or a not he r ; t he r e i s no ve s t e d r i ght i n a pa r t i c ul a r r e m e dy . At wo od, 194 S . W . 2d a t 353; I nr e S. M ., Jr . 1996 W

L 140410 a t *4. I n t he c a s e of I nr e S. M ., Jr . , t he c our t he l d t h a t t he s a m

e am e nde dl a w

at i s s u e he r e coul db e app l i e d r e t r os pe c t i ve l y t o de ny a t r i a l de nov oinc i r c uit c our t totw o pa r e nt s w

hos e r i ght s ha d be e n t e r m i na t e d. I d. a t *5. Thus , M ot he r doe s not ha ve a ve s t e d r i ght i n he r a ve nue of a ppe a l t ha t w oul d be di s t ur be d by a ppl yi ng t he ne w pr oc e dur a l l a w

t o he r cas e .

The thi r dlim ita tionpr ohi b its the r e t r o s p e c tive a ppl i c a t i on of a pr oc e dur a l c ha nge w he n doi ng s o w

oul d pr oduc e a n unj u s t r e s ul t . Say l or s , 544 S . W . 2d a t 610. M

ot he r a r gue s t ha t4As not e d ea r l i e r , t h e ef f e c t i v e dat e of t h e am e ndm e n t wa s A

p r i l 15 1994. Th e s e c ond hea r i ng wa s hel d on A p r i l 20, 1994, and t h e t h i r d hea r i n g t ook pl a c e on A

ugus t 25 and 26, 1994. 11 t he onl y f a i r r e m e dy he r e w

oul d be f or t hi s c our t t o r e m a nd he r c a s e t o t he Br a dl e y C ount y C

i r c ui t C

our t f or a t r i a l de nov o . She i nes s e nce m

a i nt a i n s t h a t t he app l i cat i o no f t he am e nde dl a w c a us e d a n unj us t r e s ul t , i n t ha t s he w a s una bl e t o a de qua t e l y pr e s e r ve t he r e c or d i n j uve ni l e c our t or s ubs e que nt l y de ve l op he r cas e m or e f ul l yi nci r c ui t cour t . Si nce t he r e i s n oevi de nce of unf a i r pr ej udi c e , w e di s a gr e e w

i t h he r c ont e nt i on. M ot he r ha s not s ubm

i t t e d a ny a f f i da vi t s or ot he r e vi de nc e c l e a r l y de m ons t r a t i ng t ha t s he w oul d ha ve c onduc t e d he r s e l f di f f e r e nt l y dur i ng t he he a r i ngs ha d s he a nt i c i pa t e d a di r e c t a ppe a l t o t hi s c our t . She a r gue s t ha t s he ha s be e n pr ej udi c e d by t he l a c k of a t r a ns c r i pt of t he he a r i ngs ; how e ve r , s he ha s s ubm i t t e d, w

i t hout obj e c t i on f r om

oppos i ng c ouns e l , a s t a t e m e nt of t he e vi de nc e t ha t e nc om pa s s e s t he t hr e e he a r i ngs i n que s t i on. Fur t he r m or e , s he f a i l e d t o r e t a i n a c our t r e por t e r f or t he s e c ond a nd t hi r d hear i ng s , w

hi c hw e r e he l daf t e r t he ef f ect i v e da t e o f t he a m e ndm e nt . 4M

ot he r ha d s uf f i c i e nt not i c e of t he c ha nge i n a pp e l l a t e pr o cedur e , ando f t he i nc r eas e ds i g ni f i cance of a he a r i ng i n j uve ni l e c our t . See I nr e S. M ., Jr . , 1996 W

L140410 a t *5. She a nd he r a t t or ne y w e r e c ha r ge d w

i t h know

l e dge of t he a m e ndm e nt t o T. C. A

. § 37- 1- 159 ( 1991) . The r e f or e , w e f i nd t ha t a ppl i c a t i on of t he a m e nde d s t a t ut e di d not unj us t l y l i m i t he r a bi l i t y t o pr e s e nt he r c a s e i n j uve ni l e c our t , or t o obt a i n r e vi e w of t ha t c our t ’ s de c i s i on on a ppe a l . I d. W e hol d t ha t s he i s n ot e ntitle dtoa tr i a l de nov oi n c i r c ui t c our t , unde r t he5W e not e , i n pas s i ng, t h a t t h e per t i n e n t s e c t i ons of t h e s t a t u t e have r e c e n t l y bee n t h e s ubj e c t of s ubs t a n t i a l am e ndm e n t . T. C. A. §§ 37- 1 - 147 and - 148 ( S upp. 1995) .

6T.C.A. § 37-1-148 (1991) provides, in pertinent part, as follows: A n or d e r t e r m

i n a t i ng t h e par e n t a l r i ght s of a pa r e n t t e r m i n a t e s al l of s u c h par e n t ’ s r i ght s and obl i g a t i ons w i t h r espect t o t h e ch i l d an d o f t h e ch i l d t o such p a r e n t ar i s i ng f r o m t h e par e n t a l r e l a t i ons h i p . . . . 12 l a ngua ge of T. C. A . § 37- 1- 159 ( Supp. 1995) , a s a m e nde d e f f e c t i ve A pr i l 15, 1994. H e r a ppe a l i s pr ope r l y be f or e us .

I V

M ot he r ’ s s e c ond i s s ue r a i s e s t he que s t i on of w he t he r t he i nt e r ve ni ng pe t i t i on f i l e d by t he G a r dne r s c om

pl i e s w

i t h t he r e qui r e m

e nt s of T. C. A

. § 37- 1- 147( a ) ( 1991) . 5The s t a t ut e in e f f e c t a t t he t i m e of t he G

a r dne r s ’ Pe t i t i on pr ovi de d i n pe r t i ne nt pa r t :

The p e titiontote r m i n a t e p a r e nt a l r i ght s s ha l l c om

pl y w i t h § 37- 1- 121 a nd s t a t e c l e a r l y t ha t a n or de r f or t e r m i na t i on of pa r e nt a l r i ght s i s r e que s t e d a nd t ha t t he e f f ect t he r e o f w

i l l b e as s t a t e di nt he f i r s t s e nt e nc e of § 37- 1- 148. 6

M ot he r c ont e nds t ha t t he G a r dne r s ’ Pe t i t i on di d not c om pl y w i t h t hi s pr ovi s i on, a nd t ha t i t t he r e f or e f a i l e d t o put he r on not i c e t ha t a t e r m

i na t i on of he r pa r e nt a l r i ght s w a s be i ng s ought . W e di s a gr ee.13 The G a r dne r s i n t he i r pe t i t i on s e t f or t h t he f ol l ow i ng i n one of t he i r pr a ye r s f or r e l i e f :

Tha t upon he a r i ng of t hi s c a us e , t ha t t he C our t w oul d t e r m

i na t e t he pa r e nt a l r i ght s of bot h na t ur a l pa r e nt s of J ohn D e f r i e c e a nd K a t i e D e f r i ece.

The Pe t i t i on m

a ke s no ot he r m

e nt i on of a t e r m

i na t i on of M

ot he r ’ s p a r e nt a l r i ght s . N e v e r t he l e s s , w

e b e l i e v e t h a t t he pr a y e r s ubs t a nt i a l l y c om pl i e s w

i t h T. C. A

. § 37- 1- 147( a ) ( 1991) . I n r e vi e w i ng t he a de qua c y of pa r t i c ul a r pl e a di ngs , w e gi ve e f f e c t t o t he i r s ubs t a nc e r a t he r t ha n t he i r f or m a nd t e r m

i nol ogy. Br o wnv . C i t y o f M anc he s t e r , 722 S . W . 2d 394, 397 ( Te nn. A pp. 1986) ; U

srey v . Le w i s , 553 S . W

. 2d 612, 614 ( Te nn. A pp. 1977) . W

e f i nd t ha t t he s ubs t a nc e of t he Pe t i t i on s uf f i c e d t o put M ot he r on not i c e t h a t t he G

a r dne r s w

e r e s eeki nga t e r m i n a t i o no f he r p a r e nt a l r i ght s . W

e al s on ot e t h a t t he r ecor dr e v eal s t h a t M ot he r f a i l e d t o obj e c t , pr i or t o t hi s a ppe a l , t o a ny de f i c i e nc y i n t he pl e a di ngs . The pr a ye r i n t he Pe t i t i on pr ovi de d s uf f i c i e nt not i c e t o obl i ga t e he r t o obj e c t t o a ny t e c hni c a l nonc om pl i a nc e w

i t h t he s t a t ut e . She ha d a m pl e oppor t uni t y t o m ove f or a di s m

i s s a l or m or e de f i nite s t a t e m e nt, y e t s he f a ile dtodos o . It is w e lls e ttle dth a t is s u e s n ot r a i s e da t tr i a l m a yn ot b e r a i s e df or the f i r s t t i m

e o na pp e a l. Si m ps o nv . F

r o ntie r C

o m m unity C

r e di t Uni o n , 810 S . W

. 2d 147, 153 ( Te nn. 1991) ; L a w r e nce v. St an

f or d,14

655 S . W

. 2d 927, 929 ( Te nn. 1983) . A c c or di ngl y, w

e f i nd t ha t M ot he r ’ s s e c ond i s s ue i s w i t hout m

e r i t . V

M ot he r ’ s t hi r d i s s ue pr e s e nt s t he que s t i on of w he t he r t he t r i a l c our t ’ s t e r m i na t i on of he r pa r e nt a l r i ght s i s s uppor t e d by c l e a r a nd c onvi nc i ng e vi de nc e . C our t s ha ve l ong r e c ogni z e d t he f unda m

e nt a l r i ght of pa r e nt s t o t he c a r e , c us t ody, a nd c ont r ol of t he i r c hi l dr e n. I nre D r i nno n , 776 S . W

. 2d 96, 97 ( Te nn. A

pp. 1988) ( c i t i ng St anl ey v . I llino i s , 405 U . S . 645, 92 S . C t . 1208, 31 L. Ed. 2d 551 ( 1972) ) ; how e ve r , pa r e nt a l r i ght s a r e n ot ab s o l ut e andm a yb e t e r m

i n a t e di f t he r e i s cl ear and c onvi nc i ng e vi de nc e j us t i f yi ng s uc h t e r m i na t i on. I nre D r i nno n , 776 S . W

. 2d a t 97 ( c i t i ng Sant os ky v . K r am e r , 455 U

. S . 745, 102 S . C t . 1388, 71 L. Ed. 2d 599 ( 1982) ) . The r e f or e , pur s ua nt t o T. C. A . § 37- 1- 147( d) ( 1) ( 1991) , w e m us t de t e r m

i ne w he t he r t he t r i a l c our t pr ope r l y f ound c l e a r a nd c onvi nc i ng e vi de nc e : ( 1) t ha t J ohn ha d be e n r e m ove d f r om

M ot he r ’ s c us t ody f or a t l e a s t one ye a r ; ( 2) t ha t t he c ondi t i ons w hi c h l e d t o t he r e m ova l , or ot he r s i m i l a r c ondi t i ons t ha t w oul d s ubj e c t J ohn t o f ur t he r a bus e or ne g l e c t, s till e xi s t; ( 3 ) th a t the r e is little c h a nc e th a t the s e c ondi t i ons w

i l l s oon be r e m

e di e d; ( 4) t ha t c ont i nui ng M ot he r ’ s r e l a t i ons hi p w

i t h J ohn w

i l l gr e a t l y di m

i ni s h hi s c ha nc e s of e a r l y i nt e gr a t i on i nt o a s t a bl e a nd pe r m a ne nt hom

e ; a nd ( 5) t ha t t e r m i na t i on of M

ot he r ’ s pa r e nt a l r i ght s i s i n J ohn’ s be s t i nt e r e s t s . T

e nne s s ee D

e pt . O f H um anSe r v i ces v. R

i l e y , 68915

S . W . 2d 164, 165 ( Te nn. A pp. 1984) ; I nr e S. M ., Jr . , 1996 W

L 140410 a t *8. Ea c h of t he s e e l e m e nt s m us t be f ound by c l e a r a nd c onvi nc i ng e vi de nc e . R iley a t 165.

M ot he r c onc e de s t ha t J ohn ha s be e n r e m ove d f r om

he r c us t ody f or m

or e t ha n one ye a r . W i t h r e ga r d t o t he s e c ond a nd t hi r d c r i t e r i a , w hi c h i nvol ve t he c ondi t i ons t ha t l e d t o J ohn’ s r e m ova l f r om

M ot he r ’ s c us t ody, t he e vi de nc e i s l e s s c e r t a i n. The r e c l e a r l y i s e vi de nc e t ha t M ot he r ha s not pr ovi de d J ohn w i t h a s ui t a b l e ho m

e . The f o s t e r car e p l a ni ndi cat e s t h a t M ot he r h a d pr obl e m

s w i t h dr ugs a nd a l c ohol . The t r i a l c our t f ound J ohn t o be de pe nde nt a nd ne gl e c t e d. I n a ddi t i on, t he r e c or d c ont a i ns e vi de nc e t ha t M

ot he r w

a s i nvol ve d w

i t h s e ve r a l di f f e r e nt m e n f ol l ow i ng he r di vor c e f r om J ohn’ s na t ur a l f a t he r . She c ha nge d j obs a nd r e s i de nc e s qui t e f r e que nt l y, c ont r i but i ng t o t he l a c k of s t a b ilityinJ ohn ’ s lif e . The r e c or d s o f D H Sa l s or e f l e c t he r l a c k of pr ogr e s s a t t i m e s t ow a r d t he goa l s of t he f os t e r c a r e pl a n.

The or de r of t he t r i a l c our t gr a nt i ng c us t ody of J ohn t o t he G

a r dne r s s t a t e s t ha t M ot he r ha d m

a de no s ubs t a nt i a l i m pr o v e m e nt inhe r c i r c um s t a nc e s . A

t the tim

e it te r m

i n a t e d M ot he r ’ s pa r e nt a l r i ght s , t he t r i a l c our t f ound t ha t s he ha d de m o n s t r a t e da “m

o num e nt a l ” l acko f s t a b i l i t y , as w e l l as an i na bi l i t y t o pr ovi de f or he r c hi l dr e n. I n a c c or da nc e w i t h t he f our t h a nd f i f t h c r i t e r i a l i s t e d a bove , t he c our t w e nt on t o f i nd t ha t a t e r m

i na t i on of M

ot he r ’ s pa r e nt a l r i ght s t o J ohn w a s i n hi s16

be s t i nt e r e s t a nd w oul d gr e a t l y e nha nc e hi s oppor t uni t y f or i nt e gr a t i on i nt o a s t a bl e , pe r m a ne nt hom

e . O n t he ot he r ha nd, t he r e c or d r e f l e c t s s om e e vi de nc e of M ot he r ’ s e f f or t s t ow a r d i m pr ove m e nt . She a t t e nde d c ouns e l i ng s e s s i ons a nd c om

pl e t e d pa r e nt i ng c l a s s e s . Si nc e t he i ni t i a l pl a c e m e nt of he r c hi l dr e n, t he r e ha ve be e n no f ur t he r a l l e ga t i ons of dr ug or a l c ohol a bus e by M ot he r . I n f a c t , t he D H Sr e por t s i ndi c a t e t ha t s he ha s m a de s om

e pr ogr e s s t ow

a r d a ba t i ng t he c ondi t i ons t ha t ne c e s s i t a t e d pl a c e m e nt of he r c hi l dr e n i n t he car e o f ot he r s . She h a s com p l e t e da V

o cat i o n a l R

e h a b i l i t a t i o n pr ogr a m

, a nd a t t he t i m

e t ha t he r pa r e nt a l r i ght s w e r e t e r m i na t e d, s he w

a s w or ki ng f or t y hour s a w e e k a t a ne w

j ob. M ot he r i s a l s o i nvol ve d i n a m or e s t a bl e r e l a t i ons hi p, w i t h G e or g e Bl ackw

e l l , a m

a ns he h a s b eens eei ngf or near l ya y ear . M r . Bl ackw

e l l h a s at t e nde dandcom p l e t e dp a r e nt i ngcl a s s e s w i t h he r . H

e r r e s i de nt i a l s i t u a t i o nh a s s t ab i l i z e ds o m e w h a t, a s s he ha s be e n l i vi ng w i t h M r . Bl a c kw

e l l i n a t w

o- be dr oom

t r a i l e r s uppl i e d by hi s e m pl oye r . G i ve n t he f or e goi ng, w e c a nnot c onc l ude t ha t t he r e i s c l e ar and c onv i nc i ngevi de nce t h a t al l o f t he r e qui r e m e nt s o f T. C. A . § 37- 1- 147( d) ( 1) ( 1991) w e r e m e t s o a s t o j us t i f y a t e r m i na t i on of M

ot he r ’ s pa r e nt a l r i ght s . The c l e a r a nd c onvi nc i ng s t a nda r d i m pos e s a he i ght e ne d bur de n on t hos e s e e ki ng t ote r m

i n a t e the r i ght s o f a n a t ur a l p a r e nt. Tom e e t thi s17

s t a nda r d, a pa r t y m us t go be yond t he m e r e t hr e s hol d of a pr e ponde r a nc e of t he e vi de nc e :

C l ear andconvi nc i ngevi de nce el i m i n a t e s any s e r i ous or s ubs t a nt i a l doubt c onc e r ni ng t he c or r e c t ne s s of t he c onc l us i ons t o be dr a w n f r om t he e vi de nc e . I t s houl d pr oduc e i n t he f a c t - fi nde r’s m

i nda fi r m

b e l i e f or c onvi c t i on w

i t h r e ga r d t o t he t r ut h of t he a l l e ga t i ons s ought t o be e s t a bl i s he d.

O’ D ani e l v . M

e s s i e r , 905 S . W

. 2d 182, 188 ( Te nn. A pp. 1995) ( c i t a t i ons om

i t t e d) . The e vi de nc e i n t hi s c a s e s i m pl y doe s not r i s e t os u c ha l e v e l . See I nre D r i nno n , 776 S . W

. 2d a t 100.

W e hol d t ha t t he t r i a l c our t e r r e d i n f i ndi ng t ha t t he e vi de nc e e s t a bl i s he d t he e l e m e nt s of T. C. A

. § 37- 1- 147( d) ( 1) ( 1991) by c l e a r a nd c onvi nc i ng e vi de nc e . W e a c know

l e dge t ha t our de c i s i on i s i n pa r t i nf l ue nc e d by e vi de nc e of a par t i al i m pr ove m e nt i n M

ot he r ’ s a bi l i t y t o pr ovi de a s t a bl e , c a r i ng e nvi r onm

e nt f or J ohn. W

e ha s t e n t o a dd, how e ve r , t ha t a s f a r a s t he r e c or d now

s t a nds , t he e vi de nc e c l e a r l y s uppor t s t he c onc l us i on t ha t J ohn’ s c us t ody s houl d s t a y w i t h t he G

a r dne r s . Si nc e w

e a r e not pr i vy t o w ha t ha s oc c ur r e d s i nc e t he l a s t he a r i ng da t e , A

ugus t 26, 1994, w e e xpr e s s a bs ol ut e l y no opi ni on a s t o w

he t he r or w

he n J ohn’ s c us t ody s houl d be r e t ur ne d t o M ot he r . Inf a c t, th e c or r e c t out c o m e o f thi s litig a tionm a y s till inv o l v e the te r m i n a tiono f M

ot he r ’ s p a r e nt a l r i ght s ; how e ve r , a ny s uc h de t e r m i na t i on m

us t be ba s e d upon c l e a r a nd c onvi nc i ng e vi de nc e t ha t e a c h r e qui r e m e nt f or t e r m

i na t i on i nT. C. A

. § 37- 1- 147( d) ( 1) ( 1991) ha s be e n m e t . W e l e a ve t ha t de c i s i on t o t he J uve ni l e C our t upon r e m

a nd of t hi s c a us e . The j udgm

e nt of t he t r i a l c our t i s va c a t e d. C os t s on a pp eal ar e as s e s s e dag a i n s t t he app e l l ee. Thi s cas e i s r e m a nde d t o t he t r i a l c our t f or s uc h f ur t he r pr oc e e di ngs a s m a y be ne c e s s a r y, c ons i s t e nt w i t h t hi s opi ni on.

_________________________ C h a r l e s D

. Su s a n o , J r ., J . CONC UR:

________________________ H ous t on M

. G odda r d, P. J .

________________________ H e r s c he l P. Fr a nk s , J .19 

# FILED October 4, 1996 Cecil Crowson, Jr. App ellate C ou rt Clerk I N THECOUR

TOFAPPEALSOFTENNES SEE EA STER N SEC TI O N

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AN SER VI C ES ) ) Pe t i t i o ne r - A

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) a nd ) ) ) W I LLI AM D. GAR

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- 00150 ) ) v. ) ) ) ) DANA D. DEFR

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) R e s ponde nt - A

ppe l l a nt . )

) I N TH E M A TTER O F: )

) J OHN DEFR

I EC E, ) a m i nor . )

CONC UR R I NG OPI NI ON I c onc ur i n t he m aj or i t y opi ni on t ha t not a l l of t he c i r c um s t a nces necess a r yt ot e r m i n a t e p a r e nt a l r i ght s h a v e b een s how n by c l e a r a nd c onvi nc i ng e vi de nc e . I w r i t e s e pa r a t e l y t o e m pha s i z e t ha t I do not

- - a nd I a m s ur e t he m

aj or i t y of t he m

e m be r s of t he C

our t do not

- - c ondone t he unm a r r i e d M

ot he r l i vi ng w

i t h M r . Bl a c kw

e l l , a nd s ugge s t t ha t20

c ont i nua nc e of s uc h a r e l a t i ons hi p doe s not a dva nc e he r goa l t o be r e uni t e d w

i t h he r c hi l d.

_______________________________ H ous t on M

. G odda r d, P. J .