DA 15-0199

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF MONTANA

2015 MT 292

IN THE MATTER OF

C.M., B.M., A.M., E.M., and D.M., 

 Youths in Need of Care.

APPEAL FROM: District Court of the Eighth Judicial District,

In and For the County of Cascade, Cause Nos. ADN 14-40, ADN 14-41, 

ADN 14-42, ADN 14-43, and ADN 14-44

Honorable Greg Pinski, Presiding Judge

COUNSEL OF RECORD:

For Appellant:

Elizabeth Thomas, Attorney at Law, Hebron, Ohio

Wade M. Zolynski, Chief Appellate Defender, Helena, Montana

For Appellee:

Timothy C. Fox, Montana Attorney General, C. Mark Fowler, Bureau

Chief, Helena, Montana

John W. Parker, Cascade County Attorney, Ryan Ball, Deputy County 

Attorney, Great Falls, Montana

Submitted on Briefs: September 9, 2015

 Decided: October 13, 2015

Filed:

__________________________________________

Clerk

October 13 2015
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Justice Beth Baker delivered the Opinion of the Court. 

¶1 J.M. (Mother) appeals an order entered by the Eighth Judicial District Court, 

Cascade County, terminating her parental rights to her five minor children, C.M., B.M., 

A.M., E.M., and D.M. We restate and address the following issues on appeal:

1. Whether the District Court erred in concluding that Mother’s conduct or 

condition that made her unfit to parent was unlikely to change within a 

reasonable time.

2. Whether the District Court abused its discretion in terminating Mother’s 

parental rights.

¶2 We affirm.

PROCEDURAL AND FACTUAL BACKGROUND

¶3 On January 26, 2014, following reports to the Montana Department of Public 

Health and Human Services (Department) that children were being exposed to 

methamphetamine use, law enforcement officers discovered methamphetamine and drug 

paraphernalia in Mother’s home. The officers located three “8 balls” of 

methamphetamine as well as “loaded syringes” within reach of the children. The 

Department removed the children, who ranged in age from 16 months to 9 years, from 

Mother’s care and placed them with their respective natural fathers.1 Four of the five 

children tested positively for methamphetamine exposure. 

¶4 On January 30, 2014, Child Protection Specialist Becci Dellinger interviewed 

Mother. During the interview, Mother stated that she had used methamphetamine in the 

 

1 A.M. is the natural father of C.M., B.M., and E.M. M.M. is the natural father of A.M. J.H. is

the natural father of D.M. 
3

past. When asked about the drugs and drug paraphernalia found in her home, Mother

said that she had let some people “crash” in her apartment. When asked why she had not 

kicked her boyfriend (T.B.) out of the apartment after learning of his methamphetamine 

use and distribution, Mother stated that T.B. was “slowing down” his use. Mother denied 

regularly using methamphetamine, stating that the only thing she needed help with was 

her bipolar disorder. During the interview, Dellinger noted that Mother had very 

noticeable black eyes. The next day, Dellinger interviewed five-year-old E.M. E.M.

stated that T.B. kicks her mom and yells at her and when this happens E.M. goes into the 

kitchen to hide while C.M. and B.M. cry. E.M. stated “[B.M.] cries when [T.B.] hurts 

my mom” and “[T.B.] punches mommy in the tummy until she pukes.” E.M. stated that

she got an “owie” on her forearm from the needle T.B. used to poke her in the arm. 

When Dellinger informed Mother of E.M.’s disclosures, Mother stated that E.M. is a liar 

and that T.B. had never hurt her in any way. 

¶5 After several continuances, the District Court held a show cause hearing on 

April 16, 2014. Mother stipulated to adjudication of the children as Youths in Need of 

Care and the court granted temporary legal custody to the Department pending a 

dispositional hearing. On May 7, 2014, the District Court held a dispositional hearing. 

Mother did not appear but was represented by counsel. The District Court ordered a

treatment plan for Mother and awarded temporary legal custody to the Department for a 

period of six months to allow Mother time to successfully complete her treatment plan.
4

¶6 Mother’s treatment plan required that she perform the following tasks to achieve 

the treatment plan’s goals: 1) address her chemical dependency issues; 2) demonstrate 

effective parenting skills; 3) address her mental health issues; 4) maintain a safe and 

stable home environment; 5) attend supervised visitations with her children; and 6) sign 

releases of information for the Department and attend weekly meetings with her Child 

Protective Services (CPS) worker. 

¶7 The District Court held a status hearing on August 6, 2014. Mother did not appear 

but was represented by counsel. The Department indicated that Mother had been 

disengaged with her treatment plan tasks for some time but recently seemed willing to

participate. The Department stated that it also was willing to reengage with Mother. 

¶8 Two months later, Mother was arrested on federal charges for conspiracy to 

possess methamphetamine with intent to distribute and conspiracy to distribute. She 

pleaded guilty and was awaiting sentencing at the time of the termination hearing. On 

October 24, 2014, the Department filed a petition to terminate Mother’s parental rights, 

alleging that she failed to successfully complete her treatment plan and was unlikely to 

change within a reasonable amount of time. 

¶9 The District Court held a termination hearing on February 13, 2015. The 

Department presented evidence reflecting Mother’s non-compliance with her treatment 

plan. The Department presented letters written by the two oldest children, A.M. and 

D.M. In those letters, A.M. and D.M. expressed significant anger and sadness over 

Mother’s drug use. They wrote that they “do not feel safe” around their Mother and often 
5

went hungry while living with her. A.M. expressed that she often was the one to care for 

the other children. The children’s therapist, Robin Castle, testified that the children are 

traumatized from their time with Mother and did not want to live with her. Castle also 

testified that she thinks the children’s goal is to “someday [have] some kind of 

relationship with [Mother].” Mother’s attorney argued against termination and requested 

that temporary legal custody be extended or that the matter be dismissed with full custody 

granted to the fathers. 

¶10 At the conclusion of the hearing, the District Court terminated Mother’s parental 

rights. The court found that the Department made reasonable efforts to unify Mother 

with her children. Despite Mother’s disengagement, the court found that the Department 

continued to assist and motivate her in completing her treatment plan by making many 

referrals to providers and by giving her supervised visits with her children. The court 

found that the Mother’s conduct rendering her unfit was unlikely to change within a 

reasonable time because she had not completed chemical dependency treatment, had not 

addressed her mental health issues, had not changed the drug and domestic violence 

patterns within the home, had not ended her criminal activity, and had not established a 

safe and stable residence for the children. The court also considered Mother’s pending 

incarceration and sentencing in federal court as a factor in determining that she would 

remain an unfit parent and unable to parent within a reasonable time. Mother appeals.
6

STANDARDS OF REVIEW

¶11 We review a district court’s decision to terminate parental rights for abuse of 

discretion. In re L.N., 2014 MT 187, ¶ 12, 375 Mont. 480, 329 P.3d 598 (citations 

omitted). We review a district court’s findings of fact for clear error and its conclusions 

of law for correctness. L.N., ¶ 12. An appellant bears the burden of establishing that the 

district court’s factual findings are clearly erroneous. In re D.F., 2007 MT 147, ¶ 22, 337 

Mont. 461, 161 P.3d 825 (citation omitted). “A factual finding is clearly erroneous if it is 

not supported by substantial evidence, if the court misapprehended the effect of the 

evidence, or if our review of the record convinces us that a mistake has been made.” In 

re C.J.M., 2012 MT 137, ¶ 10, 365 Mont. 298, 280 P.3d 899 (citation omitted). 

DISCUSSION

¶12 1. Whether the District Court erred in concluding that Mother’s conduct or 

condition that made her unfit to parent was unlikely to change within a reasonable time.

¶13 A district court may terminate the parent-child legal relationship upon a finding 

established by clear and convincing evidence that: 1) the child has been adjudicated a 

youth in need of care, 2) an appropriate treatment plan has not been complied with or has 

not been successful, and 3) the conduct or condition of the parent rendering him or her 

unfit is unlikely to change within a reasonable time. Section 41-3-609(1)(f), MCA.

¶14 Mother first argues that she was not given a reasonable amount of time to 

complete her treatment plan and prove that she was capable of change. Mother points out 

that the Department petitioned for termination only five months after the treatment plan 

was entered; she argues that five months is an insufficient time to determine by clear and 
7

convincing evidence if someone is capable of change, “especially in light of [her] 

addiction.” Mother describes the strongly addictive nature of methamphetamine,

explaining that it “alters the way the brain functions, making recovery and attempts at 

sobriety very difficult.” 

¶15 We consistently have held that “a parent who does not object to a treatment plan’s 

goals or tasks waives the right to argue on appeal that the plan was not appropriate.” In 

re C.B., 2014 MT 4, ¶ 16, 373 Mont. 204, 316 P.3d 177 (citing In re D.S.B., 2013 MT 

112, ¶ 10, 370 Mont. 37, 300 P.3d 702) (holding that mother waived any argument 

regarding whether her treatment plan took into account the pain that was the root cause of 

her addiction because she failed to explicitly object to the plan below); In re T.S., 2013 

MT 274, ¶ 27, 372 Mont. 79, 310 P.3d 538 (holding that father waived any argument 

regarding whether treatment plan adequately addressed his hearing disability because he 

failed to object to the plan either at its inception or when the issue arose). 

¶16 Mother did not raise any objection to the treatment plan’s goals or tasks 

concerning her drug addiction. The plan provided a six-month deadline for completion of 

each task. To the extent that Mother challenges the amount of time the treatment plan 

allowed for her to address her drug addiction, she does so for the first time on appeal. 

Mother thus waived her claim of the treatment plan’s inappropriate timeline and we 

decline to consider the issue.

¶17 Mother’s second argument is that there was not clear and convincing evidence that 

she was unlikely to change within a reasonable time. 
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¶18 In order to conclude that the conduct or condition rendering a parent unfit is 

unlikely to change within a reasonable time, the district court must find that continuing 

the parent-child legal relationship “will likely result in continued abuse or neglect or that 

the conduct or the condition of the parents renders the parents unfit, unable, or unwilling 

to give the child adequate parental care.” Section 41-3-609(2), MCA. In making this 

determination, the court must consider the following non-exclusive factors: emotional 

illness, mental illness, or mental deficiency of the parent; a history of violent behavior by 

the parent; excessive use of drugs or alcohol by the parent; and any present judicially 

ordered long-term confinement of the parent. Section 41-3-609(2), MCA. The court also 

must consider “past and present conduct of the parent.” In re J.C., 2003 MT 369, ¶ 11, 

319 Mont. 112, 82 P.3d 900. A parent’s past behavior may be considered in determining 

whether the parent would become a fit parent in the future. In re Custody and Parental 

Rights of D.A., 2008 MT 247, ¶ 26, 344 Mont. 513, 189 P.3d 631. 

¶19 Mother claims that despite her failed treatment plan, she was beginning the “road 

to recovery.” She had completed two chemical dependency evaluations and applied for 

admission to the Montana Chemical Dependency Center (MCDC). Mother contends that 

it would have been appropriate to dismiss the petition and extend legal custody to allow 

her to continue her attempts at sobriety. 

¶20 The State asserts that there was substantial evidence establishing that the condition 

rendering Mother unfit to parent was unlikely to change within a reasonable time. The 

State explains that Mother’s failure to participate fully in chemical dependency treatment 
9

and counseling has a negative effect on her ability to safely and appropriately parent. 

The State also argues that it was proper for the District Court to consider Mother’s 

pending incarceration and its effect on her ability to parent. Finally, the State claims that

the District Court appropriately considered the children’s needs for a permanent, stable, 

and loving home in determining whether Mother’s condition was likely to change within

a reasonable time. 

¶21 The District Court concluded that continuation of the parent-child relationship 

between Mother and her children likely will result in continued abuse and neglect of the 

children. In reaching its conclusion, the court relied on Mother’s failure to address the 

issues outlined in her treatment plan. The court also considered Mother’s pending federal 

criminal sentence. The court noted that federal drug crimes carry mandatory minimum 

sentences of several years and that Mother’s upcoming confinement renders her unable to 

provide a residence, food, other necessities, and care for her children. 

¶22 Mother’s first tasks in her treatment plan required that she complete a chemical 

dependency evaluation, follow the evaluator’s recommendations, and comply with 

random drug and alcohol testing. Mother was referred to random urinalysis (UA) 

sampling. Between January and October 2014, Mother was scheduled for 35 UAs. 

Mother failed to appear at 31 UAs. The other four UAs produced positive 

methamphetamine results. Theresa McCracken, a licensed addictions counselor, 

completed Mother’s evaluation and recommended that she complete intensive outpatient 

treatment. Mother attended five group sessions between mid-May and mid-June 2014. 
10

She also attended one individual session. Mother did not attend any treatment with 

McCracken after mid-June 2014. In August 2014, Julie Messerly, a licensed addictions 

counselor, diagnosed Mother with amphetamine, opiate, and alcohol dependence. She 

also recommended that Mother complete intensive outpatient treatment. Mother attended 

one individual session and one group session in September. Mother’s UA test during that

time was positive for amphetamine. Messerly referred Mother to inpatient treatment at 

MCDC. Mother had a bed date for September 29, 2014, but did not go because she 

complained of an ear infection. Mother had not, however, seen a doctor to have the ear 

infection diagnosed. Mother had another bed date for MCDC in October 2014. She 

attended inpatient treatment for four days, and was discharged early from the program for 

reasons that do not appear in the record. 

¶23 Mother’s second task in her treatment plan required her to successfully complete 

parenting classes, demonstrate the skills learned, and learn about the effects drug 

exposure has on children. She also had to demonstrate an understanding of how to keep 

her children safe, and she had to successfully complete an in-home parenting program if 

the case progressed to reunification. Dellinger testified that she was unable to refer 

Mother for parenting classes because Mother’s mental and chemical dependency issues 

were so severe that they needed to be addressed first. Mother never completed chemical 

dependency treatment and therefore was never referred for an in-home parenting

program. 
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¶24 Mother’s third task required that she obtain a mental health evaluation and follow 

all recommendations once she achieved 30 days of sobriety. She was required to obtain 

domestic violence education and demonstrate an ability to keep her children safe from 

exposure to domestic violence. Mother did not achieve 30 days of sobriety but was 

referred to Angela Meyers, a licensed clinical professional counselor and licensed 

addictions counselor, for a mental health evaluation on March 12, 2014. Meyers was 

unable to make any diagnoses because of Mother’s drug use. Meyers recommended that 

Mother attend the domestic violence women’s group and individual counseling and 

complete a chemical dependency evaluation. Mother attended three appointments with 

Meyers, all of which were related to evaluations instead of counseling. She did not 

attend any appointments with Meyers after May 1, 2014. 

¶25 Mother’s fourth task in her treatment plan required that she have a stable 

residence, not allow drugs or paraphernalia in her home, and seek employment or 

otherwise have adequate income to meet her children’s needs. Mother indicated that she 

had been living in an apartment rented to her by her mother. However, she was arrested 

in October 2014 on federal criminal drug charges and had been incarcerated for several 

months at the time of the hearing. Dellinger testified that most of the jobs Mother 

claimed to have held prior to her arrest were unverified and of unknown duration. 

¶26 Mother’s fifth and sixth tasks in her treatment plan required that she attend 

supervised visitations with her children, that she sign releases of information for the 

Department, and that she attend weekly meetings with her CPS worker. Prior to her 
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October 2014 incarceration, Mother attended most visits with her children. Dellinger 

testified that following one of Mother’s visits, Dellinger found a syringe and 9-millimeter 

ammunition in Mother’s coat. Mother’s October 2014 incarceration made it impossible 

for her to attend subsequent supervised visitations with her children. CPS worker 

Dellinger testified that Mother’s contact with Dellinger, aside from the visitations, was 

“poor.” 

¶27 Castle testified that the children were transitioning well into their fathers’ homes. 

She stated that there remains significant trauma from when they lived with Mother and 

that they are afraid of living with her. Dellinger testified that continued custody by 

Mother would be damaging to the children and that termination of Mother’s rights would 

be in the children’s best interest. 

¶28 It is the policy of the State of Montana to provide for the protection of children 

whose health and welfare are or may be adversely affected and further threatened by the 

conduct of those responsible for the children’s care and protection. Section 

41-3-101(1)(a), MCA. In determining whether to terminate a parent’s rights, the courts 

give precedence to a child’s best interests over parental rights. In re Matter of E.K., 2001 

MT 279, ¶ 33, 307 Mont. 328, 37 P.3d 690. 

¶29 Our review of the record convinces us that the District Court appropriately gave 

primary consideration to the needs of the children. There is substantial evidence of 

Mother’s infrequent and inconsistent efforts in completing the required tasks in her 

treatment plan. The District Court did not misapprehend the effect of the evidence in 
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reaching its conclusion that Mother is unlikely to change within a reasonable time. We 

acknowledge that methamphetamine addiction poses a steep challenge for parents trying 

to avoid termination of parental rights. A district court has discretion under the law to 

afford a parent more time to achieve sobriety where the parent is making progress. 

Sections 41-3-442(4)(a)(i), (6), MCA. In this case, however, Mother did not show 

meaningful signs of engaging in treatment, and then was arrested for additional drug 

offenses. Mother’s pending incarceration and the substantial evidence of her continued 

drug use support the court’s conclusion that continuing the parent-child legal relationship 

likely will result in continued abuse or neglect. We therefore affirm the District Court on 

this point. 

¶30 2. Whether the District Court abused its discretion in terminating Mother’s 

parental rights.

¶31 Section 41-3-604(1), MCA, establishes a presumption that if a child has been in 

foster care for 15 of the most recent 22 months, the best interests of the child will be 

served by termination of parental rights. In such cases, the Department must file a 

petition to terminate parental rights unless:

(a) the child is being cared for by a relative;

(b) the department has not provided the services considered necessary for 

the safe return of the child to the child's home; or

(c) the department has documented a compelling reason, available for court 

review, for determining that filing a petition to terminate parental rights 

would not be in the best interests of the child.

Section 41-3-604(1), MCA. 
14

¶32 Mother argues that, “when looking at the situation as a whole,” the District Court 

abused its discretion by terminating her parental rights. Mother asserts that the 

requirement that the State file a petition to terminate under § 41-3-604(1), MCA, does not 

apply because the children were placed with their respective fathers and not in the 

physical custody of the State. Mother relies on the discretionary language of 

§ 41-3-609(1), MCA, to argue that because the court was not required to terminate her 

rights, it should have focused on the “totality of the circumstances and a balance of 

competing interests in determining if termination is appropriate when children are placed 

with a parent.” Mother contends that because the children were doing well and thriving 

with their fathers, the District Court’s finding that continuation of the parent-child 

relationship would result in continued abuse and neglect was speculative and unsupported 

by the evidence. 

¶33 Mother urges that re-establishing the relationship between her and her children 

would be in their best interest “once she received treatment.” Mother explains that her 

criminal sentence would require her to complete treatment “under the watchful eye of her 

federal probation officer” and create the potential to re-establish a safe and healthy 

relationship with her children. Mother refers to testimony from two of the fathers 

conceding that, before she became involved with drugs, Mother had done a “great job 

with the kids,” provided a “great foundation,” and was an “excellent mother.” Mother 

also referred to therapist Castle’s testimony that the children someday may want to 
15

re-establish a relationship with Mother. For the foregoing reasons, Mother concludes that 

dismissal of the case with custody to the fathers was in the children’s best interest. 

¶34 The State argues that the District Court properly exercised its discretion in 

terminating Mother’s parental rights. The State asserts that the law does not negate the 

basis to terminate Mother’s parental rights simply by virtue of the children’s placement 

with kin. The State argues that it was required to place the children with their 

non-offending parents under § 41-3-101(3), MCA, and that doing so “had no bearing on 

the Mother or her parental rights.” The State contends that it sought to terminate 

Mother’s rights because it proved that Mother failed to comply with her treatment plan 

and that her conduct or condition was unlikely to change within a reasonable time. 

¶35 While Mother is correct that § 41-3-604, MCA, did not mandate that the 

Department seek termination, it does not follow that the court abused its discretion in 

terminating Mother’s rights under § 41-3-609(1)(f), MCA. Mother acknowledges that 

the law did not require dismissing the petition once the children were placed with their 

fathers. See In re L.V-B., 2014 MT 13, ¶ 19, 373 Mont. 344, 317 P.3d 191. When the 

circumstances set forth in § 41-3-609(1)(f), MCA, exist, the statute’s permissive language 

gives district courts discretion in deciding whether to terminate parental rights. In this 

case, the facts warranted the State’s petition under § 41-3-609(1)(f), MCA. It is 

undisputed that the children were adjudicated youths in need of care; Mother does not 

argue that she successfully completed her treatment plan; and there is clear and 

convincing evidence that the conduct or condition rendering Mother unfit to parent is
16

unlikely to change within a reasonable time. Given these circumstances, and giving 

paramount importance to the best interests of the children, the court was within its 

discretion in deciding to terminate Mother’s rights. The court made factual findings 

supported by substantial evidence and correctly applied the law based on those findings. 

As such, there was no abuse of discretion. We therefore affirm. 

CONCLUSION

¶36 We conclude that the District Court did not abuse its discretion in terminating 

Mother’s parental rights. The District Court’s factual findings are supported by the 

record, and the court did not err in finding that the conduct or condition rendering Mother 

unfit to parent was unlikely to change within a reasonable time. We affirm the District 

Court’s decision and order. 

/S/ BETH BAKER

We concur: 

/S/ JAMES JEREMIAH SHEA

/S/ MICHAEL E WHEAT

/S/ PATRICIA COTTER

/S/ JIM RICE