## J

- A02004

- 22

NON

- PRECEDENTIAL DECISION

- SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37

IN RE: ADOPTION OF A.W., A

MINOR CHILD

APPEAL OF: E.W., FATHER :

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

: IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF

PENNSYLVANIA

No. 899 WDA 2021

Appeal from the Order Entered June 14, 2021

In the Court of Common Pleas of Washington County Orphans' Court at

No(s): 63

- 20

- 0700

BEFORE: OLSON, J., MURRAY, J., and PELLEGRINI, J. *



## MEMORANDUM BY OLSON, J.: FILED: APRIL 11, 2022

Appellant, E.W. (Father), appeals from an order entered on June 14,

2021 in the Orphans’ Court Division of the Court of Common Pleas of

Washington that involuntarily terminated Father’s parental rights to A.W.

(Chil d), a male born on April 4, 2018. We affirm.

On August 11, 2020, t he Washington County Children and Youth Social

Service Agency (Agency) filed a petition seeking involuntary termination of

the parental rights of Father and Child’s biological mother. The Agency’s

petition alleged multiple grounds for termination pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S.A.

§§ 2511(a)(1), (a)(2), (a)(5), (a)(8), and 2511(b).

A hearing on the Agency’s petition commenced before the trial court on

January 20, 2021. Before the hearing on the Ag ency’s petition began, Child’s

_________________ __________ ______ ____ _______

* 

## Retired Senior Judge assigned to the Superior Court.

## J

- A02004

- 22

- 2

-

biological mother voluntarily consented to termination of her parental rights

to Child. Notwithstanding voluntary termination of her parental rights, Child’s

biological mother testified as a witness at the termination procee dings, which

continued for two additional days on January 27, 2021 and February 19, 2021.

The trial court, in its opinion filed under Pa.R.A.P. 1925(a), compiled a

thorough summary of the testimony and evidence introduced at the hearing

on the Agency’s pe tition , which we now adopt

. See Trial Court Opinion,

6/14/21, at 2

- 34.

Following the conclusion of the proceedings, Father and the Agency

prepared and submitted proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law. On

June 14, 2021, the trial court entered an order and opinion terminating

Father’s parental rights to Child. See Trial Court Opinion and Order, 6/14/21.

Thereafter, Father, on July 14, 2021, filed a timely notice of appeal together

with his concise statement of errors complained of on appeal pursuant to

Pa.R.A.P. 1925(a)(2)(i). On August 19, 2021, t he trial court issued its Rule

1925(a) opinion, adopt ing its prior opinion of June 14, 2021 as its statement

of reasons for terminati on of Father’s parental rights.

In his brief, Father raises the following question for our review.

Did the trial court err in terminating Father’s parental rights as

[the] eviden ce presented did not meet the burd e n of clear and

convincing evidence [needed] under 23 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 2511(a)(1 ),

(a)(2), (a)(5), and (a)(8) and 23 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 2511(b)?

Father’s Brief at 8.

## J

- A02004

- 22

- 3

-

We have carefully reviewed the certified record, the submissions of the

parties, and the thorough and complete opinion of the trial court. Based upon

our review, we agree with the trial court that the Agency met its burden of

establishing, by clear and convincing evidence, grounds for termination

pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S .A. §§ 2511(a)(1), (a)(2), (a)(5), (a)(8), and 2511(b).

Because we believe that the trial has adequately and accurately examined the

issues raised by Father in this appeal, we adopt the opinion of the trial court

as our own

. See Trial Court Opinion, 6/14 /21, at 1

- 57. As we have adopted

the trial court’s opinion as our own, we direct the parties to include a copy of

that opinion with all future filings pertaining to the disposition of this appeal.

Order affirmed.

Judgment Entered.

Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.

Prothonotary

Date: 4/11/2022**Circul 022** **10:28 AM** **Recen ed** **8/2412021 2:56:41** **PM Su** **'e'rro'r ur** **Vl•stern District** **Filed-8/240021 2'56:41** **PM Superior** **Court Western.District** **899 WDA** **2021 IN** **THE COURT** **OF COMMON** **PLEAS OF** **WASHINGTON CPUNTY,** **PENNSYLVANIA ORPHANS** **COURT DIVISION** **IN RE:** **ADOPTION OF:** 

# .**AFCA .** **A MINOR** **CHILD. }** 

# y**y NO** **63-20-0700.**

## y

# y**r y** **ff 0** **IN►•L ORDER** **AND NOW,** **this ,** **day of** **, 202Q,** 

### upon**due notice:to.the** **father upon** **the consideration.** **of the** **facts set** **forth it** **an involuntary** **termination hearing;** **this Court** **finds that** **the Agency:has** **proven by** **clear and** **convincing evidence** **that. statutory** **grounds for** **the involuntary** **termination of** **the parental** **rights of** **ERIC L.** **WILLIAMS SR.,** **exist under .** **23 Pa.** **C. S.** **§251 1** **(a) (2)** ***(5), and** 

## (8**). This** **Court 'further** **finds, pursuant** 

### to**§2511(b) upon** **primary consideration** **-of the** **developmental, %physical,and** 

### oenotional.**needs and** **welfare of** **he child,** **that termination** **of the** 

### parental**rights of** **ERIC L.** **WILLIAMS SR,** **best. serves** **the needs** **and welfare** **of the** 

### subject**child. Accordingly,** **It Is.** **hereby ORDERED** **AND DECREED.** **that the** **parental rights** **of ERIC:** **L. WiLLIAMS** **SR., to** **the above-** 

### named**child are** **hereby ter** **minate d** **forever:**

## oe**custody of** **the minor** **chiid shall** **remain with** **the. Washington** **County C.** **ildre'n and** **Youth Social** **Service and** **the Agency** **may proceed** **with adoption** **of the** **child. BY** **THi,,jaURT t** **' McDon-`** **. Judge** **•t• IN** **THE COURT** **OF COMMON** **PLEAS OF** **WASHINGTON COUNTY,** **PENNSYLVANIA ORPHAN'S** **COURT DIVISION** **IN RE:** 

# A**... w.** **Nil: 63-20-0700** **MEMORANDUM AND.ORDER.** **Before the** **Court is** **the Petition** **and Regiaest'of** **the Washington** **County Children** **and Youth** **Social Service'Agency** **("the Agency")** **for the** **Involuntary Termination** **of Parental** **Rights of** **Ashley Turney-Jackson** **(here inafter"Mother)** **and Eric** **Williams thereinafter** **"Father") to** **mirror child,** **A:W. (h0reinafter.A.W..and/or** **"Chi Id"** **and/or "Minor** **Child"). In.the** **instant case** **the Agency** **filed a** **Petition for** **-Term ination** **of Parental** **Rights (may** **be referenced** **as'10R" hereinafter)** 

## on**August 11.;** **2.320 alleging** **multiple grounds.** **More specifically,,the.** **Agency alleges:** **(1) Parents** **have not** **had substantial** **contact with** **the Child** **for**

# a**significant period** **of time.** **(2) Parents** **have.failed.to complete** **parenting education** **and/or failed** **to demonstrate** **proper parenting** **skills; .(3)** **Parents have** **demonstrated repeated** **and continued** **incapacity, abuse,.** **neglect or** **refu sat** **toprovide essential** **parental care,** **(4) parents** **have origoing** **Agency involvement** **due to** **concerns of** **Arug and** **alcohol use** **and domestic** **violence. (5).** **Parents have** **failed to** **reach full** **compliance with** **various Court** **ordered services.** **(6) Child** **has been** **.out.of pare** **ntal.care and** **1h. placementlbr** **over 27** **month s:** **(7) Termination** **of parental.** **rights serves** **the needs** **and welfare** **of the** **minor Child.** **The Petition** **filed by** **the Agency** **asserts ground.for** **termination urider** **Sections 2511(a)(1)(2)(S•(8)** **and'(b). A** **hearing on'the** **Agency's petition** **commenced on** **January 20,** **2021.: Prior** **to the** **hearing on** **the Petition** **for Involuntary.** **Termination; Mother** **requested and** **the. Agency** **consented to** **modify the** **Petition to** **a 1laluntaryTeemination** **as to** **Mother. Despite** **such actions,** **Mother remained** **as an** **active participant** **€n the** **hearing, which** **continued for** **two (2).** **i As** **of the** **date of** **this opinion** **. Minor** **Child has** **no.w•been out** **of parental** **care in** **excess of** **36 months.** **See attached** **Copy of** **Mother.'s Exhibit** **1- Consent** **to Agency'.Annendment** **of Petition** **to Terminate** **Righ m** **Explanation ,** **Relin'odishment and** **Waiver of** **Parental Rights:** **1 additional** **days of** **testimony on** **January 27,** **2021 and** **February 19** **, 2021** **. Atthe** **conclusion of** **the hearing,** **parties.were given** **a opportunity** **to submit** **Proposed Findings** **of Fact** **and Conclusions** **of k.auv,** **for which** **both Father.and** **the Agency** **pr€ivided submissions:** **The testimony** **elicited in** **the three** **(3) day** **hearing. is** **summarized herein.:** **In addition,** **for a.complete** **evaluation of** **the Agency** **'request, a** **comprehensive. summary** **of the** **Dependency Court** **record was** **also compieted.** **The Minor.ChiId** **was. born** **In. Washington** **i County** **on April** **4, 2018,** **to Father.and** **Mother. On.** **April 6,:24.1%** **the Agency** **obtained an** **Emergency Shelter** **Order from** **the. Flonorable** **Michael J.** **Lucas, The** **Shelter Petition,** **adopted by** **the Court;** **set forth** **the following`facts** **in support.** **of the** **need for** **dependency;. •** **the child** **is "without** **proper parental** **care or** **control, subsistence,** **education as** **required**

## by**law, or** **other care** **or control** **necessary for** **his/her physical,** **mental or** **emotional health,.or:** **morals; a** **determination that** **there is** **a Lack** **of proper** **parental care** **or control** **may be** **based upon** **evidence of** **conduct by'the** **parent,. guardian** **or custodian** **that places.the** **health, safety** **or welfare** **ofthe.ChiId. at** **risk, including** **evidence of** **the parent's,** **guardiAn's-or other** **custodian's use** **of alcohol** **or a** **controlled substance** **that p** **laces. the** **health, safety** **ar welfare** **of the.** **'Child at** **risk; ®** **The child's** **two older** **siblings are** **dependent and.** **placed in** **a kinship** **faster care** **and have** **been. in** **placement since** **Jan uary.30,** **2017: Mother** **has made** **minimal progress** **to get** **the chl.ld's** **older siblings:back** **in her** **custody. The** **child's mother** **has not** **participated)n. rnental** **health services** **or in** **home services** **as ordered** **previously**

## by**the. court.** **It is** **unclear if** **the mother** **completed domestic** **violence counseling** **as recom** **mended. bythe** **courts. ..** **Mother. and** **Father live** **together with** **a roommate.** **The. parents'** **roommate is** 

## n**indicated perpetrator** **of physical** **abuse and** **has a** **criminal record.** **r: Both** **the mother** **and father** **stated that** **they would** **not sign** **releases.of information** **for the.** **Agency regarding** **the child.,** **as.they do** **not. feel** **the child** **should be** **involved with** **the Agency.** **r The** **child was** **born healthy.** **but was** **under iibservation:for** **infection due** **to .a** **lack of** **prenatal care,** **e The** **mother was** **asked to** **come to.** **the. agency** **fora drug** **screen on** **March. S.** **2018 and** **March**

## 28;**2018, but** **did not** **present. o** **Dr. •R** **osenbIum has** **recommended that** **the older** **children not** **be. returned** **to mother's** **care due** **to lack** **of bonds.** **• The** **father resides** **with the** **child's mother** **and their** **roommate..Father has** **a criminal** **record but** **nothing pertaining** **to children..** **The Agency** **requested that** **s The** **Dependency Court** **record.was entered,** **without objection,'** **as an** **exhibit at** **the TPR** **hearing, 2** **.Mr. Williams** **report to** **the Agency** **for a** **drug screen** 

### on**April .5,2018,** **but he** **reported that** **he would** **not be** **able to** 

### make**it d.ue** **to driving** 

### to**Pittsburgh to** **get his** **birth certificate** **so That** **he can** **update. his** **com me** 

### rcial**driver's license.** **The Agency** **caseworker then** **spoke with** **the**

### hospital**who stated** **that father** 

### was**still there.** 

### Following**the Emergency** **Shelter Care** **Order, Minor** **Cllild was** **placed in** **kinship**

### care**with Julianna.and** **Ashley Peterson,** **the location** **of place** **rhentof his** **half- siblings:** **On April** **9, 2018,.** **a. Sheltee.Care** **hearing was** **conducted and** 

### the**Agency was** 

### granted**continued Shelter** **with the** **Minor Child** **remaining in** **the same** **placement. Mother** **was in** **agreement with** **the need** **for shelter** **care and** **Father was.** 

## not**present for** **the hearing,** **despite having** **notice:**

## On**April.l8; 207:8,** **the**

## Minor**Child was** **adjudicated a** **dependent child.** **The`Child's placement** **remained with** **the Pete** **rsons and** **the Court** **ordered services** **for both** **parents. Father** **was ordered** **to: •** **Obtain and.maintain.a** **safe and** 

### stable**living arrangement;.** **e Participate** **in pa** 

### rentln.g**education**

### through**an appropriate** **provider and.** **follow'through with** **all recommendations;** 

### •**submit to:** **random drug** **and alcphol.screening** **at*the****discretion of** **the Agency** **within Z4** **hotirs'of'thie Agency** **requesting**

### a**test, •** **Have frequent** **contact with** **the Agency;** **4 Sign** **all requested** **release of** **information forms;** 

### •**Enjoy supervised** **visitation with** **the.child three** **times per** **week to** **be supervised.** **by the** **Blueprints or** **the Agency.** **The Adjudication** **Order made** **the specific** **finding that** **the Child** **was dependent** **'as to'** **Father" based** 

### an**the**

### following:**. At** **the.time of** **[Child's] birth,** **Father**

### was**empI6yed as** **a long** **haul truck** **driver,*****which requires** **him to** **be away** **from home.** **for extended** **period of** **tirhe. Father** **was aware** **of Mother's** **involvernefit**

### with**Wash i** **ngton.Cou nty** **CYS.and that** 

### her**children had** **been removed** **from her** **care... According** **to Father** **he and..Mother** **have. been** **in a** **reiationsh1p prior** 

### to**the removal** **of her** **other children.** **Father intended** **for Mother** **to provide** **primary care** **of the** **Child upon** **his .** 

### discharge:**from**

### the**hospital. D'espjte** 

### Mother:**not having** **custody of** **her other** **As**

### a**result of** **Mother's**

### Voluntary,**Dependency**

### Case**information and** 

### Hearing**Testimony will** **focus**

### on**Father from** **tlils point,** **3 children,** 

### Father**had no** **concerns with** **Mother providing** 

### primary**care forth** **e Minor** **Child.**

### e**Father was** **aware that** **Mother received** **no prenatal** **during bier** **pregnancy and** 

### said**he**

### could**not farce** **her to** **seek prenatal** **care. •** **Father continues** **to reside** **with an** **indicated perpetrator** **of physical** **abuse. Father's** **testimony.supports**

### a**finding (Minor** **Childl is** 

### without**proper parental** **care and** **control,**

### in**that.**

### Father**lacks the** **protective capacity** **needed to** 

### support**a finding** **Minor Child** **would be** **safe in** **his care** **and that** 

### he.is**a ready,** **willing, and** **able parent.** **Recommendation for** **Adjudication and** 

### Disposition**of April.'18,** **2012,**

### adopted**by Judge** **Lucas. .A..permanency** **review hearing** **was held** **onJuly 17,** **2018. The** **Court found** **that Father** **had no** **compliance with** **the permanency** **plan and** **no progress** **in alleviating** **the circumstances,** **which necessitated** **the original.** **placement.**

### permanency**Review'Order**

## of**Judge. Lucas,** **July 17,** 

## 2018.**The**

## Court**also made** **the**

### specific**finding that:** **Mr. Williams** **is not** **available for** **care**

## of**Minor Child** 

## on**daily basis.** **He**

### has**not visited** **with Minor** **Child. He** 

## faults**the caseworker** **for lack** **of visitation.** **Caseworker Barrett** **indicated that** **Mr. Williams.** **is very** 

### hostile**to her** **and is** **resistant to** **any services** 

### or**searching evaluation:** **Mr: Williams** **did testify** **that he** **is**

### unwilling**to work** **with Ms.** **Barrett and** **requested a** **new caseworker..** **Mr. Williams** **also questioned** **the**

### efficacy**of being** **required to** **do parenting** **by a.proVider** **who rnayhever** 

### have**parented a** **child. ld.** **atpages 3-4.** 

### in**the same.order,** **the**

### Courtto**directed Father:** **(1) obtain** **and maintain** 

### a**safe and** **stable living** **arrangement; (2)** **participate in** **parenting education;** **{3l submit** 

### to**random drug** **and alcohol** **testing; (4)** 

### have**frequent contact** **with the** **Agency. The** **Minor Child** **remained with** **the same** **kinship care** **provider, accompanied** 

### by**his two** **half siblings.** **on November** **27, 2018,.a** **review hearing** **was conducted** **wherein Father** **was found** **to have** 

### minimal**compliance*****and progress.** **Testimony was** **received from** **a Blueprints** 

### supervisor**that Mother** **and**

### Father**were attentive** **to the** **Minor Child** **during visits,** **but both.** **parents required** **re-direction when** **"openly and** **loudly" expressing** **frustration with** **CYS. Father** 

### also**testified that."he.does** **not need** **services" and** 

### further**indicated that."he** **felt like** **he has** **been treated** **like a** **`criminal' and** **that he.** **is angry.** **He reiterated** **at several** **points.in the** **hearing .4** **that he** **had no** **intention of** **doing any** **services." Permanency.Review** **Order of** **Judge,. Lucas,.** **November 27,** **20.18 at** **page 4** **and 5:** **Father indicated** **.that he** **received random** **-drug testing** **through his** **employment as** **an over** **the road** **truck driver** **and the** **Court gave** **Father the** **opportunity to** **si*n****releases to** **obtain record** **of these** **tests from** **his employer.** **id.. Father** **was Ordered** **to: (7)** **rr•aintain safe** **and stable** **housing; .(2)** **complete parenting** **education classes;** **(3) complete** **random drug** **and alcohol** **testing; .(4** **) continue** **to. have** **frequent contact** **with the** **Agency. 1d.** **at 3.** **Visitation was** **ordered for** **Father on** **Saturday afternoons.** **The next** **permanency review** **hearing was** **held on** **March 15,** **2039 before** **the Honorable** **Brandon Neuman.** **No decision** **was provided.** **regarding. compliance** **and/or progress** **duringthis hearing.** **Father was** **ordered to** **attend supervised** **visits twice.** **weeklyand further** **Ordered to:** **(1) n4aintairvsafe** **and stable** **housing; (2)** **complete an** **interactional with** **the child:** **arid. psychological** **evaluation; (81** **provide contact** **information to** **the Agency** **regarding kinship** **or other** **support persons** **for.the child** **and parents.** **Permanency Review:Order** **of Judge** **Neuman;. March** **15,.20: 9.** **May 24,** **2019, the** **next review** **hearing was** **eld at** **which. tine** **the Minor** **Child was** **in p** **lace riaent** **for 11** **rn6nthi with** **the same** **kinship care.** **providers who.** **also provided** **care for** **the two** **half-siblings of** **the Minor** **Child. All** **Cour't:Ordered ;services** **remained the** **same and** **Father, through** **counsel, indicated** **that counsel** **would no** **longer represent** **Father. The.** **Order specifically** **describes "Father,** **after being** **disruptive throughout** **the beginning.of** **the. hearing,** **starriied out** **of the** **courtroom while** **using foul** **language and** **making several** **allegations towards** **this Court** **and everyone** **within it."** **:Permanency Review** **Order of** **Judge Neuman,** **May 24,** **2039 w;th** **specific reference** **at page** **3.. The** **Dependency case** **was re-assigned** **to a** **third Judge,** **the.Undersigned, and** **on November** **12, 2019,** **the next** **review hearing** **was held.** **Followingthe hearing;** **the Court** **found minimal** **compliance with** **the permanency** **plan with** **the Minor** **Child being** **in placement** **for 19** **months. Father** **was Ordered** ***to attend** **supervised visitation** **with an** **opportunity for** **expansion ifsuch'** **visits occurred** **"without event,.** **disruption or** **concern" for** **a period** **of one** **month Father** **was.further Ordered** **to: 1)** **maintain safe,.** **stab le** **and s** **The record** **reflects that.** **Father never** **cornplied :with** **this request.** **5**

### appropriate**housing; (2)** **follo►ivthe recommendations** **of Dr.** **Bernstein; (3)** **provide contact** **information to** **the Agency** **relating to** **kinship**

### or**other**

### support**persons for** **the child** **and parents;** **(4) complete** **anger management** 

### and**/or conflict** **resolution counsellhg.** **Dependency Revi'ew** **Order**

## of**Judge McDonald,** **November 32;.2.019;** **In lieu** **of a** **progress determination,** **with the** **Minor Child** **being**

### in

### placement**for 19** **months, the** **Court took** **an in-depth** **look at** 

### the**case History** **and provided** **.a detailed** **analysis; as** **follows:**

### During**the hearing,** **the court** **examined**

### in**defail, placement** **of Minor** **Child, ,services** **ordered for** **mother and** **father;**

### and**the Agency** **proceeding to** **a filing** **of a** **termination. of** **parental**

### rights**petition. The** **Agency and** **d.AL argue** **that consistent** **with the** **Adoption and** **... Safe** 

### Families**Act ("** **ASFA") and.the** **Pennsylvania Juvenile** **Act, a** **TPR petition** **should be.filed** **in the** 

### present

### matter.**This position** **is supported** **by Dr.** 

### Bernstein**and the** **CASA assigned.** **to the.ca.se..** **Father, Eric** **Williams, through** **counsel,. Mark** **Adams, and** 

### mother**Ashley**

### Turne.**i Jackson,** **through.**

### counsel**Jennifer:Sinclair, predictably** 

### disagree**with the** **Agency position.** **In addition,** **mother and** **Father. argue** **that they** **are not** **in**

### need**of services** **and argue** **for return** **of physical** **custody of** **their minor** **child. While** **this court** 

### declines**to predict** **the**

### outcome**of**

### any**request of** **goal change** **and/or TPR,** **it is** 

### important**to begin** **with the** **legal foundation** **provided for** **the preservation** **of**

### families**and prevention** **of children** **from removal** 

### from**the home.** **But; the** **child's safety,** **health and** **welfare has** **to be** **of paramount** **concern.**

### Where**€n it** 

### is**provided**

### that**if a** **child is** **in care** **for .15** **of the** 

### most**recent 22** **months, absent.** **one of** **three exceptions,** **a petition** **for this** **term €nation** **of parental** **rights must** **be.filed. in** **the**

### present**imatter, the** **child figs** **been in** **placement 19** **of the** **last 22** **months, accordingly** **examination into** 

### any**potential. exceptions** **must be** **completed. Because** **this case'has** **made its** 

### way**through several** **)udges, to** **full] evaluate** **the circum.stan.ces,** **this**

### court**conducted**

### a**revieWv of** **the history** **and record** **of the** 

### case,**inclusive of** **testimony from** **th:e November** **12, 2819** **permanency hearing,** **pre►iious orders** **of court,** **and. the** **Dr.: Bernstein** **psychological and** **interactional evaluation** **and report.** **In this** **review this** **cou rt.** **eVaIuated both** **the.1nitial**

### requirement**for adjudication,** **the agency.** **actions to.** **finalixe. the.** **permanency plan;** **the extent** **of progress** **toward.alleViating the** **circumstances, which** **necessitated the** **original placement** **and the** **feasihility and** **timeline of** **the plan.** **See: In** **re A.P.** **728A.2d375'(Pa. Super.** **1999). 6** **The statutory** **requirements prop** **e0Y%d1 rect** **. trial** **courts to** **make decision's** **of permanency** **n the** **best*****interest.of a** **child :** **In making** **such determination,.the** **court is** **directed .** **to look** **towards efforts** **made by** **the Agency** **and the** **Parents in** **alleviating the** **factors that** **necessitated placement** **in first** **instance: In** **additlon, the** **ASFA an.d** **the Juvenile** **Act require** **that if** **a child** **has been** **in foster** **care for** **15. of** **the most** **recent 22** **months, then** **the agency** **must petition** **for the** **termination of** **parental rights** **unless one** **of the** **three 3)** **specified exceptions** **apply: 1)** **the child** **is being** **cared for** **my a** **relative ;** **2) the** **agency has** **documented a** **compelling reason** **for determining** **that terminating** **parental rights** **would not** **be. in** **the best** **interest of** **the child** **; (3)** **The agency** **has not** **provided, cons** **ii sterit** **with the** **tirne period** **, such** **services to** **the family** **as deemed** **necessary for** **safe .** **return. Each** **of these** **exceptions is** **examined .below:** **The child** **, is** **not being** **cared for** **by a** **relative nr** **kinship care** **provi der** **e.spite multiple** **requests from** **the Agency** **and. Court** **Orders d** **i recti** **g the** **same, father** **has failed** **and or** **refused .** **to provide** **names of** **potential kinship** **placement providers** **for Minor** **Child. During** **the initial** **shelter placement** **, father** **failed to** **appear and** **mother ,** **Turney .-** **Jackson agreed** **to the** **shelter placement** **with Julianna** **and Ashley** **Peterson .** **Fat' her** **appeared in** **subsequent hearings** **on'April 18,** **2018,.July'17, 20.38,** **November 27,** **2018, March** **15, 2019,** **May 24,** **2019, and** **November 12,** **2019 :** **Throughout the** **time periods,** **no alternative** **kinship care** **provider was** **suggested by** **Ms .** **Turney****Jackson*and****or Mr** **. Williams** **. All** **parties were** **aware that** **the initial** **circumstances requiring** **pI ace** **ment .** **involved Ms.** **Turney-Jackson s** **Lack of** **progress in** **alleviating .** **problems that** **necessitated placement** **with .her** **two older** **children ,** **in addition** **to her** **lack of** **prenatal care,** **failure to** **obtain and** **maintain mental** **health and** **domestic violence** **services as** **previously ordered** **by court** **. All** **parties were** **also aware** **of concerns** **with an** **Indicated perpetratpr** **living in** **the home** **with parents** **. and** **the request** **of the** **.agency to** **drug screen** **both parents.** **Knowing such** **con cern$** **paired with** **the fact** **that father** **traveled out** **of town** **during the** **week no** **steps were** **taken*****by father** **to recommend** **and/or offer** **alternative care** **providers far** **Minor Child** **the minor** **child .** **Rather ,** **Father reiterated** **that Ms.** **Turney-Jackson would** **care forthe** **children in** **his absence.** **Recognizing ,** **as acknowledged** **by Ms** **. Turney-Jackson** **, she** **was unable** **to inde'pe'ndently** **care for** **the minor** **child, the** **child was** **placed with** **th*d****caregiver of** **his older** **siblings, who** **are Ms.`Turney** **Jacksbn s** **other children.** **It is** **noteworthy that** **, although** **the****r*ecord****. reflects** **•that Mr..Williams** **suggested no** **family memberfor** **kinship care** **to the** **Agency and/or** **the Court** **, in.his** **6 Kinship** **provider per** **Father .** **Kinship placement** **was placeri** **ont identified** **by. Mother** **and caring** **for Mother's.** **then:two older** **children. 7** **evaluation with** **Dr. Eric** **Bernstein, Mr.** **Williams suggested** **#hat he** **potentially had** **an "aunt** **or cousin"** **that may** **assist With** **Minor Child,** **given Mr.** **Williams's unavailability** **during the** **week. Mr.** **Williams never:** **provided specific** **names and/or** **contact Information** **to%the agency** **for potential** **follow-up:purposes: Further;** **in•the lastcourt** **proceeding, Mr,** **Williams suggested** **for the** **first time** **of record** **that he** **maychange his** **work schedule** **to.accommodate the:** **need for** **care of** **his child.** **This Court** **will waitfor** **documentation evidencing** **such change** **but. notes** **that Mr.** **Williams.wal.ted'l9 months** **with his** **child in** **placement priorto** **considering this** **work modification:** **The Agency** **has not** **`documented a** **compelling reason** **for de-le** **rim in** **in.g that** **terminating parental** **rights would** **not be** **in the** **best interest** **of the** **child.. To** **the contrary,** **in the** **present case;** **the opposite** **is supported** **by th.e** **testimony, evidence** **and record..** **Testimony establishes** **that the** **minor child,** **has lived** **with the** **Petersons and** **his older** **half-siblings, since** **birth. Dr.** **Bernstein opined** **that the** **minor child** **would have** **a'."significant impact** **and sense** **of perceived** **loss by** **being removed** **from fostercare** **with his** **siblings ."** **Further noting** **that the** **removal is** **not jvst** **from the,** **only home** **that Minor** **. Chi** **W knows,** **but from** **his siblings,** **fostercare parents,** **community ,** **and daily** **routine. When** **asked about** **the bond** **developed with** **his.siblings and** **fostercare providers,** **Mr..Williams:npined:that, °no** **matter whiff** **thappens, someone** **is going** **to hurt."** **He continued** **by saying,** **"either she** **{referring to** **Ms,*****Peterson )** **is going..** **to hurt** **or I** **am going** **to hurt."** **The one** **person not** **mentioned by.** **Mr. Williams** **.was inor** **Chi Id,.the** **minor child** **and'how he** **would feel** **and be** **impacted by** **removal from** **the home** **of Ms,** **Peterson. Mr.** **Williams' reaction** **.supports the** **testimony of** **Dr. Bernstein** **. that,** **Mr. Williams.** **aII6Ws his** 

## anger**to hinder** **his ability** **to progressin** **this case** **say€ng ,** **Mr. Williams** **sees being** **angry as** **his right** **.:, Withput** **regard to** 

## how**exhibition of** **his resistance** **and anger** **is impacting** **his ability** **to be** **with his** **child." In** **fact; Mr.** **Williams anger** **and resentment** **is.what has** **turned many** **aspects of** **this case.** **As noted.** **in court,** **it is** **understandable that.** **Mr. Williams** **would have** **significant frustrationwith** **the Agency** **and.the dependency** **court system,** **particularly in** **light of** **the fact** **that.the initial** **circumstances necessitating** **placerrient' in** **large part** **dealt with** **mother, Ms.** **Turney-Jackson. However,** **Mr. Williams** **had. multiple** **opportunities to** **correct and/or** **alleviate some** **of the** **Agency concerns** **but rather** **than acting'inthe** **best interest** **of his** **child; he** **appears to** **have acted** **with anger** **and resentment,** **despite the** **impact it** **would kave-on** **his child.** **The supervisor** **frorn`the Blueprints** **visitation house** **testified at** **a November** **of 243:8** **permanency hearing** **that; Mr.** **Williams and** **Ms. Turney-Jackson** **were.very attentive** **to the** **minor child** **during the** **visits site** **observed:. However,.** **the same** **8**

### supervisortestified**that, re-** **direction was** ***needed in** **the house,** **as 'a** **result of** **parents, openly** **and loudly** **ekpressing frustration** **with CYS.** **Because of** **these .actions,** **and similar** **expressions of** **anger, the** **Blueprints visitation** **house ultimately** **refused.to permit** **Mr.:WiIliams to** **attend visits** **at the** **location. Tile** **final possible** **exception involves** **whether the** **agency ha.s** **failed to** **provide such** **services to** **the family** **as'deemed necessary** **for*****safe return** **of the** **child. This** **is not** **the case** **in the** **present matter-** ***Through each** **of**

## the**multiple permanency** **review hearings,** **the agency** **has been** **found to** **provide reasonable** **efforts. Services** **and requirements** **were clearly** **defined and** **attainable.: Nevertheless,** **despite services** **recommended, ordered,** **suggested and** **referred,- the** **parents have** **refused to** **cooperate. From** **the initial** **adjudication hearing** **on April** **18, X118** **the concerns** 

### riecessitati**ng the** **need for** **placement were** **readily outlined..** **However even** **at this** **early.stage of** **the proceedings,** **Mother**

## and**father**

### failed**to recognize** 

## a**need**

## for**services**

## and**in lieu.** **of talking** **[sic] any** **and all** **steps necessary** 

## to**obtain..return**

## oft**6ei r** **child, defiantly** **refused to** **comply with** **Both Age** **ncy:requests**

## and**Court orders.** **Mother has** **failed to** **comply with** **court ordered** **services and** **father, Who** **albeit was** **not initially** **the primary** **reason f6r** **placement, has** **refused and** **faiiled to** **complete services** **and cooperate** **and has** **allowed his** **frustration a.nd.angerto** **become so** **uncontrollable that** **additional services** **and requirements** **have been** **implemented. To** **be sure,** **at the** **beginning stages** **of the** **dependency,.:had Mr.** **Williams simply** **agreed to** **be the** **primary su.ppnrt** **for his** **child, protecting** **against. Ms.** **Turney-Jackson`s independent** **care of** **Minor.Child, taken** **and passed** **a drug** **test, secured** **his home** **as safe.** **from. dangers,** **including indicated** **perpetrators, and** **agreed to** **provide identifiable** **alternatiii6 caregivers** **for his** **son, the** **minor child** **may not** **have remained** **in placement..** **Nevertheless, the** **child has** **been in** **placement 19'rnonths** **and.no:exceptions to.** 

### the**requirement of** **the agency** **to file** **Termination of** **Parental Rights** **exist.at this** **time... The** **agency should** **proceed with** **the petition,** **while in** **tandem with** **contlnuing to** **offer opportunities** **and services** **to Mr.** **Williams and** **M.s, T'urney** **Jackson that** **may negate** **the need** **for the** **same. 1d,** **of pages** **4-5.**

### On**. March** **3, 2.020,another** **permanency review** **was**

### conducted**wherein Father** **wa.s found** **to**

### have**no compliancewith** **the permanency** **plan with** **the specific** **finding that,** **"Father has** **failed to** **participate with** **any services** **court ordered.** **during this.** **review period.** **9 Father** **has also'** **failed**

### to

## visit**with minor.child'during** **the**

## review**period.' Permanency** 

## Review**Order**

## of**Judge McDonald,** **march 3,** **2020, Leith** 

## specific.reference**to,page 2.** **Father's ordered** **visitation was** **decreased**

## and**the child** 

## remained**in the** **home of** **lulianna and** **Ashley**

## Peterson,**as he** **had since** **his.birth, ..ld.** 

## Father**was ordered** **to. (1)** **maintain safe,** **stable**

### and**appropriate housing;** **(2)**

## follow**through with** **all recommendations** **of Dr.** 

## Bernstein;**and (A).** **complete anger** 

## management**an.df or** **conflict resolution** **counseling, Id** **; The** 

## Order**also notes** **that 'a** **TPR**

## ..petition**was not** **filed by** **the Agency** **due to** **concerns. regarding** **Mother's marriage** **to a** 

## person.;.**other than.** **Father,**

## *at**the**

## time**of the** **Minor Child's** **birth.**

## rcJ.**With the** **Minor Child** **in placement** **for 26** 

## months,**a difference** **was identified** **at**

## the**next permanency** 

## review**hearing on** **June 30,.2020.** 

## Father**was found** 

### to**be**

## in**moderate compliance** **with the** 

### permanency

## plan**and was** **noted to** **have participated** **With anger** **management courses** **and maintained** **housing. Concern** **was**

## voiced**over Father's** **delayed and** **only recent** **compliance. Nevertheless,** **testimony**

## was**received as** **follows:. Angela** **Franks, manager** **with**

## *Justice**lNorks Youth** **Care.**

### anger**management, testified.** **that Father'coMpleted** **anger management** **sessions 9-12** 

## with**:her and** **was compliant** **with services..Ms.** **Franks also** 

## supervised**a visit** **with the** **Minor Child.and** **Father and** **observed "Mincir`Child** **was hesitant** **at first** **but warmed** **up With** **the**

### presontationof**a lollipop."** **lbs. Franks** **opined that"Mr.** **Williams and** **Minor Child'bonded** **WelI by** **the end** **of the** **visit:" She** **also testified** **that Mr,** 

### Williams**"has.a.loud**

### personalitj"**and noted** **that is.simply** **"his personality.`** **e**

### Justice**Works Supervisor,** **Lisa Sutherland,** **also testified** 

## regarding**Father's participation** **and noted** **that Father** **showed**

### "a

## moderate**level of** **anger pathology"** 

## but**mi**

### ade*significant**improvement. Chris** **Bauhof of** **Justice Works** **testified regarding** 

## positive**interactions and** **appropriate redirection** **during three** **(3) observed** **visits`between`Father and** **MInor Child.** **Mr. Bauhaf** 

### was

### questioned**regarding.Father's behavior** **in Court** **versus that** **observed and** **acknowledged the** **difference in** **behaviors. e** 

### Caseworker**Ada Ezeh** **testified that** **neither parent** **has**

### provided**gifts; cards** **letters,**

### or

### other**financial support** 

### to**the Minor** **Child. Ezeh** 

### also**testified that,** **although Father** **indicated that** **he wanted** **visits he** **failed to** **take advantage** **of virtual** **Misfits.' Ms,** **Ezeh also** **testified that,** **"prior to** **the last.** **review period,** **Father had** **not visited** **with. [The** **Minor Child]** **for morethan** **six months,** **Ms. Ezeh** **testified that** **Father is** **"just now** **compliant."*********Father testified** **that While** **he was** **aware of** **the recommended** **psychological testing** **contained Within** **Dr. Bernstein's** **recommendation he** **did not** **implemented resultant** **of COvlD-f9'restrictions.** **1o. Participate.** **Father stated** **to the** **Court, "I'M'** **not a** **nut case."** **. Father** **acknowledged his** **lack of** **visits.with the** **Minor Child** **indicating, "Now** **I-woric construction** **and we.work** **six days** **a week."** **Father. also** **acknowledged that** **he was** **aware of** **the former** **permahenc}-review Order** **requirements and** **nearer .requested** **"clarification, mod** **ification,..reconsideraton****and/or*eliminatio****n of** **requirements." Perrnor7errcy** **Review Order** **of Judge** **mc6onafd, June** **30,. ,** **020. .A** **Hearing on** **the Agency** **Petition. for** **Aggravaf6d Circumstances,** **as to** **both :parents,** **was also** **held on** **lune'30, 2020.-T'he** **hearing;. initially.scheduled** **for March** **13; 2020,** **was delayed** **due to** **COVI❑-19 pandemic** **restrictions mandated** **nationally, statewide,** **and locally,** **The Court** **issued an** **opinion, denying** **Aggravated Circumstances** **as to.** **Father stating** **the following:** **A hearing** **tin the** **aggravated circumstances.request** **filed by** **the ' Age** **ncy, previously** **scheduled for** **March 19,** **2020 was** **delayed due** **to the** **.COVI D•1p** **pandemic. This** **delay proyided.Father** **with an** **additional%two months** **to comply** **with Court** **ordered services.** **Despite such** **additional time,** **Father failed** **to visit** **or have** **any substantial** **contact With** **minor child** **untll the** **eve of** **the Permanency** **Review Hearing.** **Father has** **not complied** **with requirements** **of the** **permanency plan** **and has** **consistently created** **new barriers** **and concerns** **with .** **reunification. Although** **father now.** **raises concerns** **with clarity** **of such** **requirements, his** **actions are** **'inconsistent with** **such approach.** **To be** **clear, throughout** **proceedings, Father** **has had** **legal representation** **and has** **never requested** **clarificatjon.and/or rnodification;** **reconsideration or** **elimination as** **to*Court****Orders. agency** **mandates or.** **Permanency Plan** **requirements,.until*5uch****time as** **the Agency's** **commencem&nt of** **aggravated circumstances** **proceedings. To** **be sure,** **during the** **most recent** **Permanency Review** **Hearing, Father** **acknowledged his** **lack of** **compliance and** **his refusal** **to complete** **a psychological** **evaluation.stating "I** **refuse to** **0o it** **... Tm** **not a** **nut case:`** **While Father** **did enroll** **and participate** **with anger** **management, said** **participation was** **only ordered** **after the** **child was** **out Of** **his custody** **in excess** **of 24** **months and** **despite such.glowing** **reports. of** **progress father** **again created** **an uproar** **both in** **and out** **of the** **present court** **. proceedings.** **Had the** **aggravated circumstances** **hearing been** **held in** **March 2020,.this** **court. would** **have.had no** **question.as to** **the granting** **of aggravated** **circumstances hecause.of** **Father's****lack*af****consistent and** **substantial contact** **with minor** **child for** **a.*period****far in** **excess of** **6 months..** **Pue to** **the COVID-19,pandernic,** **and additional** **circumstances outside** **of the** **Agency and** **Court's control,** **Father was** **i given** **more time** **and he.** **engaged in** **anger management** **and finally** **visited with** **Minor Child.** **While such** **actions come** **at a** **time'frar ne** **later than** **for which** **this court** **is regUired** **to consider** **and certainly** **ate not** **dispositive of** **whether the** **permanency goal** **in the** **preserit matter** **is appropriate,** **this Court** **denies aggravated** **circumstances,as to.Father.** **Despite this** **finding, this** **court. emphasizes** **that the** **minor child** **has been** **in placement** **in excess** **of 27** **months and.** **Father only** **recently rnade'minimal** **attempts to** **comply with** **the permanency** **plan. In** **light of** **these findings,** **the Agency** **is directed** **to -.Schedule** **a follow-up** **psychological evaluation** **for father** **to.be conducted** 

## with**results submitted** **to this** **court no'** 

## later**than August** **5, 2020.** **-immediately evaluate** **the appropriateness** **of the** **present permanency** **plan goals** **and.file petitions** **consistent with** **such evaluations** **no IaterthanAugust5,1020** **. Aggravated** **Circumstances Order** **of June** **30,**

## 2'020.**A permanency** **review hearing'was** **held on** **August 6,** **2020, however** **no finding** **was made** **regarding compliance** **and/or progress** **with Father.** **Father's supervised** **visits were** **increased and** **a provision** **was placed** **that supervision** **may modified** **with "no** **further issues.** **or problems."** **Father was** **ordered to** **complete-an interactional** **evaluation and** **to participate** **with Minor** **Child's Medical** **appointments. Permanency** **Review Order** **of Judge** **McDonald, August** **6, 2020.** **On August.** **1, 2020,** **the Agency** **filed a** **Petition for** **the Involuntary** **Termination of** **Parental Rights..On** **October 27,** **2020, the'Agehcy** **received allegations** **that the** **foster placement** **providers ,** **with whom** **the Minor** **Child resided** **since'birth ,** **Were allegedto** 

## #laye**put hot** **sauce in** **his mouth** **as a** **form of** **punishment. By** **verbal Order** **later confirmed,** **the Minor** **Child was** **placed in** **respite care** **with Father,** **implemh6t ng** **a plethora** **of services.** **The Agency** **filed a** **Motion for** **expedited hearing..for** **placement of** **the Minor** **Child an.November** **11, 2020,.** **$ Followirig** **the August** **review hearing,** **the Agency** **submitted a.Motion** **for Clarification** **of the** **Order. The** **Motion was** **based on•discovery** **by the** **Agency that,** **onJuly.29, 2020,** **the Washington** **City Police** **were called** **to Father's** **home for.** **a domestic** **disturbance. This** **Incident was.** **not.. reported** **to the** **Agerlcy:and accordingly,** **the Agency** **did not** **address the** **issue at** **the review.** **hearing. Additionally,** **it was** **noted that** **the Minor** **Ciiild was** **not present** **at the** **time .** **Fallowing a** **hearing on** **the .** **Motion, with** **lack of** **details regarding** **the incident,** **the Court** **issued a** **Rule Returnable** **to show** **cause whyFather's** **unsupervised visits'shouid** **not commence.** **An order** **of clarification** **was issued** **on Septen`ib&'9,•2020.** **12. :after** **the allegations** **of improper** **discipline were** **not validated,** **By, Order** **dated November** **23, 2020,** **the Child** **was returned** **to the** **caregiver with** **the heed** **for respite** **having expired.** 

### Another**Order dated** **December4, 2020** **modified Father's** **visitation for** 

### all**visits**

### to**take. pIace** **in his** **home. on** **December 17,** **2020, the** **final permanency** 

### review**hearing*was****held prior** **to the** **hearing on** **the Agency's** **petition for** **Termination of** **Parental Rights.** **The Court** **deferred. a** **determination as** **to compliance** **with the** **permanency**

### plan**pending results** **of the** **interactional evaluation** **between Father** **and Minor** **Child, At** **the time** **of the** **hearing,.the Child** **had been** **in placement** **31 months.** **Permanency Review.** **order of** **Judge McDonald,** **December. 17,** **2020.**

### Testimony**from**

### multipie**witnesses was** **received and** **can be** **summarized as:** 

### br.**Eric Bernstein,** **licensed psychologist-** **• Previous** **evaluation shows** **Father has** 

### lack**of discretion** **in expressing** 

### opinions**in his** **son's presence.** ***There are** 

### concerns**of child.mimicking** **his father's.** **behavior, ®** **Father and** **child have** **an: existing** **bond: and** **child sees** **father as** **an important** **figure in** **his life,** **but child** **Will mim1cfather's** **behaviors and** **his recent** 

### intensity**of ty** **outbursts is** **likely from** **observations of** **father. •** **Father identifies** **as*a****stable.adult, however** **the way** **he cohil** **unicates his** 

### view**has a** **certain impact** **on**

### others.**Father doesn't** **see his** **role: as** **dynamic**

### and**father has** **no self-awareness.in** **haw his** **behavior, impacting** **and*plays****.a role** **with his** **%son. •** **Father unwaveringlypresents'as** **a victim** **of the** **system, While** **he may** **have it** **to his** **opinions,. the** **way he** **communicates the** **p rob** **lem**

### is**with hostile:** **tone with** **staff employed** **by the** **Agency and** **this raises** **concerns. e** **Foster parents** **have a** **strong bond** **with. Minor** **ChIId-as do** **Minor Child** **and his** **siblings in** **the horne.of** **faster parents:** **• Foster** 

### parents**present as** **stable and** **loving, however** **concern was** **raised**

### oy**the disclosure** **of**

### Cayden**that hot.** **sauce on.** **the tongue** **of Minor** **Child is** **utilized as** **discipline. This** **matter was** **investigated and** 

### .closed**by Beaver** **Co. unty** ***Children and** 

### Youth.**Services. Kendra** **Toseki-Justice Works** **Youthcare.**

### e.**Provides services** 

### to**. father** 

### through**lustcare for** **book -ended** **supervision and** **with STOP** **services. •** **Notes**

### no

### concerns**throughout. period..of** **working with** **Father, noting** **that**

### all.**reports**

### are**positive; Minor** **Chid**

### is.**comfortable**

### in**the house,** **no concerns** **are**

### reported**for safety** **and father** **and child** **interact appropriately.** **13**

### She**has rece** **ived no** **reports of** **aggressive activity** **an.d father** **is very** **cooperative with** **Justice Works** **service:providers. w** **Present in** 

### the**home with** **father, Sunday,** **Monday and** **Wednesday****a*nd****then in** **October of** **2020: providing** **STOP services,.** **indicating that** **Justice Works** **abiective .is** **to be** **sure all** **needs of** **child****are*met'and****father has** **the capacity.** **to care** **for the** ***child. 0** **observed father** **and child** **a minimum** **of five** **(5.) hours.** **per week.** **Also made** **two**

### (2)**unanriounced.visits; Father's** **wark.schedule. created** **some initial** **barriers to** **unannounced [sic]visits:** **•. Notedthat** **Minor Child** **was aiways** **fully and** **properly clothed** **and using** **'potty" while** **Wthe.care of** **Mr. Williams.** **Reported to** **Supervisor incident** **of marks** **identified on** **Minor Child** **during visit** **with Father..** **Markings were** **later observed** **by'doctors at** **Children's Hospital** **of Pittsburgh** **with no** **concerns for** **abuse. •** **Reports a** **"strdng bond** **with playful** **banter between** **father and** **Minor Child,** 

### detailing**that Minor** **Child is** **sett led:** **normaIly in** **the home** **and comfortable** **in his** **surroundings. Q** **Details child.** **saying, "My** **daddy,.":while Holding** **onto father,** **noting, "as** **if I** **was there** **to take** **him. Ashley** **Blake -** **Casework Supervisof** **Childline report** **regarding .foster** **parents and** **.**

### hot**sauce was** **investigated by** **Beaver County** **Children .and** **Youth and** **determined to** **be a** **misunderstanding..**

### Foster**parents said** **Minor Child.expe.rienc.ed** **hot sauce** **on same** **chicken and** **didn't like** **it. Foster** **mothers in** **furth*erwarnings****tochiId would.** **say; "bad** **.taste" or** **"hot sauce"** **when he** **would: get** **in trouble.** **The case** **was invalidated** **by Beaver** **County:*********Aware of** **the report** 

### of**marks oh** **Minor Child** **while with** **Father, OhotosWere** **.taken but** **the lines** **and marks.** **had. faded.** **The child** **was taken** **to Children's** **Hospital and.exarmi.ned.** **!d, Resultant:of** **the man,ytwists** **and turns** **of this** **case, the** **vo.lume'o**

### f**providers, several** **Judges reviewing** **the matter,** **and the** **extensive time** **in which** **the Child** **was in** **placement; the** **case history** **must be** **evaluated in** **conjunction with** **the testimony** **and evidence** **provided at** **the hearing** **on.the T.M.** **Counsel for** **Father and** **the Agency** **provided**

### Findings:of**Fact and** **Conclusions of** **Law, which** **were. also** **reviewed. in** **this*Court's****evaluation of** **the Agency.** **request.. A** **summary of** **the TPR** **testimony reveals** **the ng-** 

### Dr.**Eric Bernstein,** **recognized as** **an expert** **In psychology** **and forensic** **psychology, testified:** **Dr. Bernstein** **conducted a.mentaI** **health and** **bonding assessment** **of Mother,.** **Father and** 

### Minor**Child. in.** **April and** 

### May**2x1:9. Hearing** **rranscrigtt, Vo1..1,** **Pg. 19.** **(Hereinafter At** **that time** **Father expressed** **a feeling** **of resentment** **toward CYS** **and voiced** **his intent** **not to** **comply with** **services. H.T,** **Vol. 1,,** **Pg. 27..** **s Father** **expressed that** **he.trusted Ashley** **furney as** **a capab** **le. parent** **.whom he'** **believed should** **not eequire** **supervised. visitation.** **N.T., Vol.** **1,.Pg. 27.** **o**

### Father**acknowledged prior** **drug usage** **approximately 13** **years prior.** **H.T, Vol.** **1, Pg.** **28. •** **Father refused** **to comp** **IVwith Dr.** **Bernstein's request** **for. psychological** 

### testing.**RT., Vol;** **:1,: Pg.** **28:.*********During**

### the**bonding assessment;** **Minor child** **appeared as** **meek and.** **despondent,**

### .presentedwith**a'frown;**

### and**appeared**

### on**the br1nk** **of tea** **rs: H:** **T., Vol.** **1, Pg.** **29.**

### ®**Father made** **an effort** **to engage** **with. h'is** **son'and shifted** **his anger** **to a''more** **enthusiastic and** **excitable disposition** **".taking his** **son into„his** **arms with** **cheer. H.T,** **Vol. 1,** **Pgs. 28-29.** **Minor Child** **was.crylog at** **the end** **of the.interactional** **evaluation with** **Father. H.T.,** **Vol. 1,.Pg;** **29. -Dr.'Bernstein** **performed a** **bonding assessment** **betweeri Minor** **Child and** **his caregivers** **Julianna and** **Ashley Peterson,** **and.his half-siblings** **Anessa and** **Cayden, on** **September. 19,** **2019. H.T.,** **Vol. Z,** **Pg. 30,.** **Minor Child** **cried when** **his half=** **siblings, Anessa** **and Cayden,.exiited** **the office** **and quickly** **recovered as:soon** **as they** **returned. H.T,** **Vol. 1,** **pg. 32:.** **In evaluating** **the sibling** **bond, Dr.** **Bernstein**

### testified,**"the measure** **of bond** **of a** **relationship is** **more than** **just the** **observation of** **the interaction** **alone, but** **is reflected.** **in the** **level of** **investment by** **the caregivers,** **their consistericy** **to .establish** **trust, the** **stability of** **the environment** **itself, and** **of course,** **the. quality** **of care** **provided. H.T.,** **Vol. 1,** **Pg .** **32-33. Dr.** **Bernstein testified** **that Father** **did. not** **take advantage** **of all** **court ordered** **visitation. Father** **never visited** **on Mondays,** **and instead** **visited on** **Fridays from** **3:00 until** **10;0€7 .p.m.,.only** **10 to** **15 percent** **of the** **allowed time.** **H:T., Vol.** **Pg. 34.** **Dr. Bernstein** **testified, "[F** **]or younger** **children, especially** **nonverbal children,** **who are** **in**

### the**minds of** **development of.their** **brain and** **development****i*n****all..res.pects, really,** **having a.sense** 

### of**connection and** **constant and'predictabie** **access to** **the parents** **.is' paramount.** **for them** **to be** **able to** **make a** **healthy con** **naction.**

### Where**there is** **inconsistency or** **unpredictability or.** **sporadIc contact,** **it corhpramises** **the quality** **of that** **bond. That,is,** **the child** **comes to** **accept that** **this person** **is not** **reliable, or** **somebody upon** **whom they** **can depend** **for their** **needs, and** **they became** **a less** **significant factor** **in their** **lives." H.T.,** **Vol. 1,** **Pg. 34.** **® Dr.** **Bernstein did** **not feel** **termination of** **parental rights** **would detrimentally** **impact -M!.nor** **Ch iId's** **well-being. After** **the bonding** **assessment in** **September 2019** **Dr. Bernstein** **recommended the** **court move** **forward with** **termination of** **both parents'.** **15 right,** **and for** **the foster** **parents to** **be considered** **as an** **adoptive resource** **: H..T:,** **Vol. .pg..35.** **• Dr.** **Bernstein testified** **that he** **received information** **from CASA** **volunteer ,** **Ms. Osowski,** **indicating that** **all criteria** **had been** **met for** **Father s** **home and** **it was** **safe an.d** **appropriate. H.T.,** **Vol. 1,** 

## Pg.**39 s** **Father voiced'** **frustration in** **attendingIhe assessments,.** **stating,."I feel.** **it is** **a waste** **of time** **coming here** **, Nothing** **is wrong** **with me:** **I won't** **be treated** **like a.** **common criminal:** **H.T., Val:** **1, Pg.** **4Q. •** **'In his** **testimony ,** **Bernstein described** **Father voicing** **with "intensity** **and volume"** **his frustration** **with &S,** **while in** **front of** **the Minor** **Child. H.T.,** **Vol..1,.Pg. 42.** **• Dr:** **Bernstein testified** **that ,** **every parent** **ma*yat****one point** **in time** **have a** **gaffe or** **say something** **that they** **probably shouldn** **t say** **in front** **of a** **child ..** **And more** **often than** **not again,** **in general** **, that** **s not** **goingto emotlonally** **scar a** **child. Thi0ssue,** **however; is** **when that** **1s co** **nducted on:** **a repeated** **basis, and** **the child** **comes to'accept** **that that** **is .the•'message** **coming from** **that adult** **, whom** **they revere.....** **When the.chiId** **is repeatedly** **exposed to.** **open ly** **expressed disdain** **for the** **Agency ,** **for the** **system ;** **and the** **father's openly** **. claiming** **to have** **been .** **discriminated'against,.the child** **is likely** **to hear** **the underlying** **aggression and/or** **anger behind** **that ..** **Maybe not** **so much** **to process** **the information** **, but** **certainly the** **intensity ,** **the.gesticulations ,** **the mannerisms,** **the behavior,** **and accept** **that as** **normal and** **expect .it** **. H.T.,** **Vol.,*****1, Pg.** **44. o** **Dr. Bernstein** **testified that,.** **Over time;** **!Minor Child** **WiII model** **and mirnic** **his father's** **behaviors of** **hostility and** **outbursts .-** **This was** **supported during** **the bonding.** **assessment between** **the Peterson** **. placement** **family and** **Minor Child** **when the** **Petersons told** **Dr. Bernstein** **that*Minor****Child was** **mimicking his** **Father's outbursts** **and displayed** **aggressive behaviors** **towards them** **and his** **siblings .** **This was** **observed by** **the doctor** **during the** **assessment .** **H. T.,** **Va1. 1,** **Pgs .** **45-46 and** **159.. m** **During his** **evaluation ,** **r. Bernstein** **Wit nessed** **the Minor** **Child; ":struggle** **with self** **control and** **his behavior** **and even** **despite redirection** **.." H,T„** **Vol. ,** **Pgs .** **45;159, ■** **Dr. Bernstein** **testified that** **Minor Child** **has been** **raised with** **Cayden and** **Ariessa, he.** 

## embraces**them in** **his day-to** **day environment,** **they are** **part of** **his world** **that he** **understands and** **experiences ,** **and which** **. he** **has come** **to accept** **as his** **family .** **H.****T..*-****Vol. •** **Dr. Bernstein** **conducted a** **mental health** **evaluation of** **Father on** **December .** **14, 2020.** **H.T., Vol.** **1,.**

## Pg.**45.. From** **which Dr.** **Bernstein .** **opined thatTather's** **position. was** **consistent with** **his position** **in Apri12413** **that he's** **been a** **victim of** **the system,** **a victim** **of discrimination** **, and,** **that he's** **entitled to** **have his** **son in** **his care.** 

## Id..**s. During** **the December** **2U20 evaluation** **, Father** **disclosed tliat** **he had..been** **in a** **28 day** **drug and** **alcohol rehabilitation.facility,.info** **ern ation** **not disclosed** **in theearller** **evaluation. RT.,** **Vol. 1,** **Pg. 51.** **Dr. Bernstein** **testified that** **when answering** **relatively benign** **questions ,** **Father provided** **vague and** **less than** **helpful responses** **that really** **led to** **rndre questions** **than he** **provided answers** **for..[Transcript Vol.** **1, Page** **52}: 16** **■ Father** **reported that.** **he had** **caused a."few** 

## stitches"**in response** 

## to**whether**

## he's**ever tau** **sedserious'injury**

## to**others,**

## acknowledging**a knife** **in.cideht. H.T.,** **Vol. 1,** **Pg, 53,** **1n**

## addltioh,**although Father** **reported that** **he had** **never been** **served with.** **a Protection** 

## from**Abuse {".** **FA**

## "j,**a copy** **of PFA** **naming Fat** **heras the** **-Defendant H.T.,** **VOL I,** **Pg.. 5L** **■. Dr.** **Bernstein testified** **that**

### Father**presents with** **an oppositional** **and defiant** **nature. He** **has a** **history of** **criminal activity,** **legal difficulties,** **a history** **of**

### questionable**aggression, threatening** **behavior to** **the Agencies,** **and a** **History of** **addiction, Finding** **these constant** **themes 'rise** **to level** **of concern** **for Father's** **psychological disposition,** **H.T, Vol** **1,. Pg..** **55, ■** **Dr. Bernstein** **testified that** **he never** **doubted him** **as a.loving** **Father. H,** **T, .VoL1,** **Pg, 69.** **And further** **testified that** **he could** **not'identify a** **safety concern** **within the** **visitation logs** **or through** **the evaluation** **of Dr.** **Crabtree; H:** **T., Vol.** **1, Pg.** **95.**

### e**In response** **to cross** **examination, Dr..** **Bernstein acknowledged** **thaf Father** **"can be** **capable, and** **is capable,** **of being** **loving and** **giving, the** **capacity to** **provide"****for*the****Minor Child.** **H.. T.,** **Vol. 1,** **Pg. 11** **, 2.** 

### m**Dr. Bernstein** **testified,_ "The** **issue with** **[Father) is** **the way** **in which** **he communicates** **those opinions** **without any** **hesitation orlimits** **in his** **son's presence.** **And .the** 

### ir{tensity;**the volatility,** **and the** **hatefulness that** **is behind** **his communication** **is the.** **issue. So** **its the** **vulgarity, it's** **the Hatred,** **it's the** **threatening remarks,** **that is** **the problem.** **He can** **be angry** **at whatever** **the situation** **may be,** **but it's** **how he** **conveys it** **th at'** **is the** **problem..." H.T,** **Vol. 1,** **Pg. 130:** **• Dr.** **Bernstein testifies[** **based upon** **his observation,** **Father has** **not internalized.** **what he** **would.have learned** **in anger** **management. Father,** **"has consistent)** ***.conveyed that** **he has** **never had** 

### an**anger**

## problem,**that**

### he's**never been** **violent towa** **rd s** **wome n.** **So his** **position of** **''innocence" to.** **an extent** **precludes him** **from identifying** **as part.** **of that** **group. H.T.,** **VdL 1,** **Pg. 164.** **Stating that** **fie did** **not get** **th*e****sense from** **Father that** **he made** **efforts`to change** **because he** **saw no** **need to** **change. Id.** **■ Father** **has never** **conveyed any** **understanding that** **his behaviors** 

## that.**he has** **in front** **of the** **chlid would** **have any.impact** 

## on**the chiild.-** **H.T.; Vol.** **1, Pg.** **164. e** **Dr: Bernstein** **also testified.** **(egard1ng a** **mental health.** **assessment that** **he conducted** **on Norma.** **Welsh, Father's** **current paramour.** **H.T,.Vol..1, Pg'** **55.**

### a**While collateral** **testimony and.** **evidence was** **unclear*as****to whether** **Father and** **Ms. Welsh** **currently co-habitat,** **Ms. Welsh** **reported to** **Dr. Bernstein** **that she** **was in** **an intact,** **healthy and** **stable*relationship****With` Father,** **but she** **moved ta** **a different** **residence as** **a result** **of being** **h,arassed.*by****Mother. H.T,** **Vol. 1,** **Pg. 57.** **■. Ms.** **Welsh detailed** **her history** **of****being*a..victim****of Physical** **and. emotional** **domestic violence** **and. described** **her first** **husband tNot** 

### Father)**as "pretty** **cruel, over-controlling,** **and who** **fractured mywhole** **body twice.** **H.T.,*:****VW. 1,.** **Pg, 61.** **■ Dr,:Bernstein** **o{ainedthat if** **the Minor** **Child Was.** **pl aced** **wit h** **Father; he** **would have** 

### concerns**over Ms.** **Welsh's.protective capacity** **for the** **Child, worrying** **that Ms:** **Welsh would** **not contact** **appropriate authorities** **in the** **event the** **Child was** **at a** **risk.of harm** **or if** **his safety** **was.*compromised:****H. 7.,** **Vol: 1,.Pg.** **64. 17** 

### ■**Dr. BernsteinopIned** **that foster** ***paireht.s meet** **the**

### needs**and welfare** **of Minor** **Child and** **that Father's.parental** **rights shciuld.** **be terminated.** **H.T., Vol.** **1, Pg.** **64. ■** **Dr. Bernstein** **testified that** **Permanency Legal** **Custodianship is** **not a** **viable goal** **in this** **case. Going** **further to** **descri be.** **sit uations** **where PLC** 

### is**appropriate as** 

### being**Where. there** **"is a** **modicum of** **co-parenting communication** **and/or relationship** **between the** **providers*af****care and** **the parerit** **in question,** **and.**

### a**level of** **shared**

## respect**and openness."** **H.T., Vol..1,** **Pg. 126.** 

### Noting**as an** **additional factor,** **that a** **parent is** **working toward** **putting themselves** **:in position** **of eventually** **parenting the** **child, but** **needs a'** **bit more** **time to** **establish whatever.** **goal they** **are working** **on. Id.** **■ When** **pressed on** **the issue** **of PLC,** **Dr. Bernstein** **stated, "€** **know you've** **made rnention** **about [Father'sl'progress,** **the re.are** **areas in** **which I** **.have not.** **seen progress** **that gives** **nie the** **impression .that** **he's going:to.** **continue having** **certain outbursts:of** **behavior. And** **he's never,** **shown.discretion in** **conveying his** **upset and** **frustrations in** **this child's** **presence. I** **have not** **seen progress** **[sic) that** **respect: His.** **personality**

### is**such that** 

### €**can't help** **but question** **if he's** **going to.continue** **having diffitulties** **managing his** **frustration, as** **exemplified by** **reports I've** **received of** **shouting of** **profanity and** **threatening behavior** **and insults** **to**

## others,**and the** **blaming of** **others for** **.h.is respective** **difficulties. H.** **T, VoL** **1, Pp.** **'126-127 ®** **Dr. Bernstein** **opined thatterminating** **Father's rights** **will have** **some measure** **of negative** **effect upon** **Minor Child,** **that he** **will experience** **some separation.** **or loss.** **But that** **loss will** **not be** **so overwhelming** **that'it can** **'t otherwise** **be. compensated** **for, should** **the Court** **move forward** **and.support the.** **adoption process.** **i- Vol.** **1; g.** **X65 Testimony** **was elicited** **from ar.** **Bernstein that** **the Child** **and Father** **have'an existing** **bond. Dr.** **Bernstein stated** **.the Child** **recognizes him.** **and enjoys** **Father's company** **when he** **isn't working.** **However,. the** **doctor understood** **Ms. Welsh** **as the** **main caregiver** **during Father's** 

## absence;**® Dr.** **Bernstein testified** **that Fattier** **shows the** **necessary caretaking** **ability; but** **his**

### concerns**are on** **how Father** **models. and** **"that**

### is**an aspect:of** **parenting." H.T,** **Vat. 1,** **Pg.**

### 93..**a Dr.** **Bernste€n testifi** **ed'. the** **sibling band** **is absolutelysignif€cant,,and** **if that** **were to** **be compromised** **it could** **have a** **negative 'impact** **on Child** **in****the*short****term and** **long term.** **H.T., Vol,** **1, Pg.** **17.2. Findin.gthat** **remov€ngthe Minor** **Child from** **the caregivers** **home**

### would**be tantamount** **to compromising** **and negatively** **impacting his** **identify and.** **his world,** **and Dr.** **Bernstein opined** **it would** **be traumatic** **to remove** **hirri from** **that environment;** **potentially having** **long-terra implications** **with respect** **to identify,** 

### emotional**regulation; cognitive** **development, social** **skills,.and relationships.** **H.T., VoL** **1, Pg..** **74. s** **Dr. Bernstein** **testified that** **in his** **professional opinion,** **term €nation** **of father's** **parental rights** **would best** **serve the** **needs and** **welfare of** **Minor Child.** **H.T.,.:Voi; 1,** **Pg. 66-67:** **■ Upon.** **further questioning** **regarding whether** **Father should** **have'continued'contact if** **termination was** **granted, ❑r.** **Bernstein opined** **that, it** **was a** **complicated question** **and. should** **be based** **on "t[ie** **level of** **predictability; that** **is, whatever** **is established** **it not** **be' -sporadic** **or inconsistent."** **Testifying further,** **that there** **should also** **he some** **18 contingency** 

### upon**[Father) and,** **his behaVim".** **in response** **to the** **reported outbursts** **related to** **Father's disapproval** **of their** **sexual orientation** **or identity.** **Noting that** **;. "his** 

### op**Won should** **be left** **outside of** **their co-parenting** **relationship and** **it should** **be focused** **just upon** **[.the Minor'Ch.ild].** **H.T., Vol..** **, pgs:** **118.1:19. •** **Or. Bernstein** **testified that** **he observed** **mare of** **a bond** **between the** **Minor Child** **and Father** **and attributed** **this to** **more time.** **• Dr.** **Bernstein also** **testified that** **he saw** **no progress.in** **Father showing** **discretion in** **r.estra.'ining his** **upset. in** **the Child's** **presence. Furthie:r,** **Dr. Bernstei** **n. noted** **that Father's** **cu rre** **nt p** **a ra** **mou r,** **Ms: Welsh** **complicated. matters,** **• When** 

### evalua'**tingthe potential.return** **to Father,.** **Dr. Bernstein** 

### testified**thatthe Minor** **Child's**

### sibling**relationships sh.auld** **not.be underestimated,** **commenting thiat.this** **was concerning** 

### with**the level** **of tension** **with Father** **and the** **fosterparents_ •** **Dr. Bernstein** **testified that** **the. Minor.Child** **looks****to*his**

### foster**mom as** **his**

### psychological**parent that** **he looks.** **to for** **everyday needs** **a.nd.to**

### remove**the*child****is tantamount.to** 

### impacting**his identity** **and his** **world'.**

### •**Finally, Dr:** 

### Bernstein**testified that** **he Is.** 

### con**cerned that** **Father cannot** **meet the** **Child's**

### psychological**needs: Ashiev** **Slane, Caseworker** **Supervisor- Washington** **County thiidren** **and youth** **Social Services,** **Testified*********Casework supervisor** **with the** **case since** 

### October**2619. H.T,** **Vol. 1,** **Pg. 188.** 

### Ms.**Blake testified** **that when** **Case commenced** **with****Court*Activity;****the Agency** **had concerns** **over Father's** **protective capacity** **due to** **his**

## inability**to. recognize** **issues of** **the biological** **Mother caring** **for the** **Child considering** **her**

## mental**health issues.** **The Agency** **wasals❑ concerned** **regarding parents** **living**

## with**an*adjudicated****perpetrator. ®** **Nis. Blake** **testified that** **the Chili** **has been** **a Dependent.Child** **for 33** **months and** **is in** **kinship placement** **with Julianne** **Peterson, a** **pre-adoptive resource.** **.T., Vol.** **1, Pgs.** **190-192. •** **Upon review** **of.the history** **of Court** **Ordered conditions** **and services,** **Ms. BIake** 

## testified**that Father** **had appropriate** **housing; noting** **that since** **the December** **2024 review** **hearing, Father:ch.anged** **his address** **to art** **apartrrrent in** **Canonsburg. H.** **T., Vol.** **1, Pg.** **202, •.** **Ms. Blake** **later**

### testified**that,**

### Father**recently**

### moved**into. his** 

### current**home and** **"is**

### indicating*that**he is** **going to** **move into** **a'larger apartment** **in the** **near future,** **so is** **his house** **safe, -stable,** **I don't** **know if** **we can** **assess it** **to be** **stable qu** **ite yet:"** **H. T,** **Vol: 1,** **Pg. 246.** **s Blake** **testifier! that** **Father reported** **he was.** **no longer** **in a** **relationship. with** **Norma. Welsh.** **Id. o** **Ms. Blake** **testified that** **the Agency** **referred Father** **for parenting** **education in** **April of** **2018,****but*he****refused to** **participate. He** **was re-referred** **in July.** **of 2018,** **again refused,** **and cons!** **stehtlj refused** **throughout the** **dependency iu** **se. ..H.T.,** **1Col. 1,** **Pg. 203:** **• Blake** **testified the** **iri March** **of 207.9,** **Father was** **no.longer ordered** **to participate** **in parenting** **education: Id..** **19**

### o**Blake testified** 

### that**Father**

### was:ordered**to participate** **in random** **drug and** **alcohol screenings** **when**

### the:Minor**Child was** **adjudicated Dependent** **and Father** **did not** 

### comply...**Blake indicated** **that Father** 

### participated,**"in .one** **drug test,** **which wasn't** **random, on** **April 19,-2018;** **at which** **time he** **was negative** **for all** **substances." N.T.;** **Vol. 1,** **Pgs. 203-204.** **Father refused.** **to participate** **with additional** **drug tests.** **Id. Ms.** **Blake testified** **that,.when anger** **management was** **initially ordered,** **Father was** **working out** **of state** **and he** **was sent** **letters identifying** **places that** **he could** **participate with** **services. Father** **did not** **initially comply,** **however, in** **March of** **2020., Father** **began anger'nianagement** **services with** **Justice Works** **and.carnpleted the** **programming on.** **June 15,.** **- 2020.** **H. ,** **Vol: 1,** **pgs. 204=205,** **o**

### Ms.**Blake testified** **that, upon** **review of** **the Court** **orders, Father** **was "causing** **uproars" in** **and out** 

### of**the courtroom.** **H. T.,.** **Vol. I,** **lag. 206.** **Further detailing** **a: personal.** **interaction with** **Father on** **October 1,** **2020, following** **his completion** **of r** **ange management.** **Blake described** **going, unannounced,** **to Father's** **home to** **confiyrri his** **residence and** **Father ;.** 

### "**[a]sked who** **it**

### was**and came.** **outside: He** **stood maybe** **six inches** **from myself** **and the** **caseworker**

## proceeded**to scream,.** **cuss, yell** **profanities, racial** **sluts (sic),** **said that** **we were** **harassing him:"** **Father eventually** **permitted****Blake's..eritry,*but****she further** **testified tliat,** **"while we** **were asking** **about, you** **know, where** **does he** **keep his** **clothes, those** **type of** **things, he** **threw clothes** **and other** **items around** **the bedroom.** **And then** **proceeded to** **yell that** **we needed** **to get** **the<eff out** **of his** **house. After** **we left** **the Home,** **he proceeded** **to follow** **us outside** **and continued** **to yell** **and scream** **profanities those** **types of** **things." H;T:,** **Vol, 1,** **pgs. 206=207.** **s Blake** **acknowledged that.Father`s** **actions of** **October 1,** **2024, gave** **her concern** **that Father** **had not** **internalized the** **skills taught** **to him** **in. anger** **management.**

### .T.,**Vol, 1,** **pg.- 207.** **d**

### When**asked to,** **provide a** **history of.** **Father's visits** **with.Mlnor Child,** **Ms. Blake** **testified: o** ***From ad]udication.in.April** **of 2418** **until July** **of 2019,** **Father. did** **not participate** **in visitation.** **o From** **July**

### of**2018 through** **November of** **2018, Father** **participated in** **14**

### out**of.17 .visits.** **o From** **November 20.18-** **March. 2019,** **Father participated** **in 9** **out of** **10 visits** **with Minor** **Child. o** **From March** **2419- April** **2019, Father** **visited regularly** **at the** **Blueprints visitation** **house. o.** **:on April** **10, 2019,** **Father was** **"removed from** **the Blueprints** **visitation house** **schedule, after** **he had** **made threats** **to.staff and** **his visits** **were then.** **change to** **the Agency** **for supervision."** **o. From** **April 2013-** **November 2019,** **Father was** **inconsistent with** **visits.. but** **a specific** **number of** **attendance andlor** **absences 'was** **not maintained.** **o From** **July 26,** **2019 until** **June 30,** **.2020; Father** **did riot** **participate in** **any visits** **with the** **Minor Child.** **o From** **June 30,** **2020 until** **the preser3t** **date, Father** **has been** **consistent with** **his visitation.** **H. T.,** **Vol. 1,** **pgs. 208-209..** **20 o** **Ms.-Blake testified** **that Agency** **COVID visitation** **procedures were** **imp lernented** **by the** **Agency from** **March 14,** **2020 until** **June 2020.** **During this** **time, Father** **was.contacted, on** **a# feast** **three (3).** **occasions; with** **an offering** **of virtual** **visitation and** 

### he**declined any** **offers. Id.** **a**

### Ms.**Blake indicated** **that the** **Age ncy.filed** **a petition** **for'Aggravated Circumstances** **and Father** **began engaging** **with visitation** **and participating** **with services** **immediately prior** **to the** **hearing on** **Aggravated. Circumstance.** **H, T.,** **Vol. 1,.** **pgs. 210-211.** **e Blake** **testified that** **the highest** **level**

### of**compliance a:n.d** **.progress Father** **achieved. throughout** **the dependency** **case was** **moderate, on** **two (2)** **.separate occasions.** **Id. ■** **Blake testified** **that in** **the x..(6)** **months and.twelve** 

### (12)**months preceding** **the filing** **of the.** **Age ncy's** **peiition for** **termination of** **parental rights** **on. August** **11, 2024,** **Fatherdid not** **remedy the** **circumstances leading** **to dependency** **of the** **Minor Child.** **H.T, Vol.** **1,**

### pg.**218: Ms.** **Blake testified** **that the.** **Agency position** **is. that** **termination of** **Father's parental.** **rights is** **in the** **best interest** **of the.Minor** **Child. H:T.,.VoL** **1, pg.** **219. ■** 

### Father**only participated** **in Child's** **medicaVappo'rntments after** **being Court** **Ordered to** **participate. H..T:,** **Vol. 1,** **pg. 218.** **• IVIs,** **Blake testified** **that Father,** **"has made** **progress in** **his anger** **management," but** **noted concetriswith** **his*ongoing****behaviors and** **the impact** **they have** **on the** **•Minor Child.** **H.T., Vol.** **1, pg.** **19. •** **Bl.ake. testified** **that Father** 

### hAitorhpleted**an. inte** **ractio nal** **evaluation, has** **not provided** **kinship information,** **and has** **not missed** **visitation since** **June of** **2020. Additionally,** **Blake testified** **that*he****Agency has** 

### 'n.61concerns**with his** **parenting! and** **no coricerns** **with Father** **and his** **use of** **illicit substances.** **H. T.,** **VdL 1,** **p4..-222,228, 230.** **• Ms.** **Blake testified** **that although.** **Father never** **participated with** **parenting.education, after** **May**

### 24,**2019, `the** **court Qrders** **in the** **Dependency Review** **case never** 

### contained***the requirement** **of parenting** **education. H.** **T, Vol.** **1, pg.** **237: ■** **Ms. Blake** **also testified** **thatall of** **Minor Child's** **"basic needs** **were met** **while he.was** **in**

### the**care**

### of**Mr.**

### Williams."**H.T, Vol,l,.pg,** **241. e** **When responding** **to questions** **regarding Father's** **delayed engagementwith** **the Minor** **Child's medical** **appointments due** **to Father's** **Inability to** **get.along with** **the Foster** **Parents, iMs.** **Blake acknowledged,** 

### "it**is a** **parent's duty** **to overcome** **any obstacles** **that may** **prevent reunification,** **whether they** **are real** **❑r perceived:"** **H.T, Vol.** **1, Pg.** **247. Lori** **Huey- Blueprints** **Foster care** **Caseworker ■** **Ms, Huey** **has been** **the.foster care** **caseworker with** **the Minor** **Child and.i=,ather.since** **the. day** **ihe Minor** **Child was** **placed: N.7:;** **Vol. 2,** **pg" 282.** **e Ms.** **Huey testified** **regarding*an****incident she** **observed. with** **Father in** **September of** **2020' during** **a.time when** **she had** **recently arrived** **with the** **Minor Child** **and stood** **with him** **on the'sidewalk** **waiting for** **other providers** **to arrive..** **H. ,** **VoL 2,** **pg. 284:** **a Specifically,** **Nis: Huey** **testified that** **an employee** **from J** **u stice.Works** **arrived shortly.** **after and** **she heard** **gentleman tell** **the worker** **n.otto park** **where she** **was. .Ms.** **Huey 21** **said the** **worker came** **over and** **they stood** **and .talked** **for a** **couple of** **minutes. Ms..** **Huey then** **testified Father** **came to** **get the** **Ch':id; and** **she went** **to her** **car. She** **watched Father** **coma across** **the street,** **and thinking** **he was** **coming to** **talk.to her,** **she put** **her window** **down. She** **then testified** **that, "it** **turns out,** **he wasn't** **coming to** **talk to** **me. He** **was yelling** **at the** ***neighbor; about** **telling her** **not*to****park there.** **H.T., Vol,.** **2,. pg:** **284. Ms..** **Huey testified** **that Father** **yelled, ."You** **:can park** **wherever the** **eff you** **want, it's** **none of.** **his business** **where you** **park," She** **a[so heard** **Father state,** **"i****know*ek.actly****who said** **that shit.** **It's that** **effing.N-word, the** **bald-headed black** **guy."**

### .T.,**Vol: 2,** **Pg. Z84.** **a Ms.** **Huey testified** **that Father** **then.walked over** **to the** **Justice Works.worker** **and said,** **You can** **park whereverthe** **eff you** **want, you're** **here. to** **work. All** **he does** **is sit** **on his** **effing black** **ass all** **the. day."** **Huey stated** **that Father** **then "scooped.up** **Minor ChiId.and** **went into1hehouse."** **H.., Vol.** **2, Pg.** **285.. Ms:** **Huey acknowledged** **upon cross-** **examination that** **she, has** **heard "a** **member of** **the black.community** **refer to.** **another.member of** **the black.community** **as**

### the**N-work, even** **in**

### a**friendly connotation:"** **H.7., Vol.** **2, Pg.** **289: However,** **Huey further** **testified.that. during** **her observation.in** **September of** **2020, Father** **was loud** **ve*ryangry,****pointing his** **finger and** **not using** **a friendly** **tone: H.** **T., Vol.** **2, Pg.** **290. Liz** **Knapp, Children** **and Youth** **Social:Service.Agenry Caseworker:** **e Caseworker** **assigned in** **the matter** **since**

### June.:of**2020. H.T,** **Vb1. 2,** 

### Pg.**3Q 1.** **o Ms.** **Knapp testified** **that when** **she was** **assigned the** **case with** 

### Father,**he had** **just finished** **his anger** **management. Id..** **e Ms.** **Knapp testified** **that although** **Father had** **completed anger** **management, his** **actions against** **her and** **others. esta61ished** **that he:** **was not** **utilizing the** **things he** **learned in** **anger management.** **H.T., Vok-2;** **Pg.:341. Knapp** **testified that** **a Family** **Group decision** **Making**

### meeting**was.convened in** **August of** **2020.. "Five** **minutes into'the** **family's portion** **of the** **discussing the** **issues arti.d** **concerns, we** **started to** **hear:that [Father]** **became loud.** **S6 we** **did go.into'the** **room and** **intervene, and** **at that** **point, the** **group wasn't** **making any** **progress, so** **we stopped** **the meeting."** **H:T, Vol.** **2, Pg.** **362. •** **A follow-up** **meeting Was** **scheduled in** **Qctobbe of** **2020; however,** **Ms. Knapp** **testified that** **the meeting** **ended early** **because Father** **was upset** **that CASH** **was. participating.** **The focus** **of discussion** **for the** **meeting was** **on "sibling** **visitation if** **reunification were** **to happen:"** **Id. o** **Ms. Knapp** **testified that** **on S'epternber'3a,** **2020, she** **wentto****Father's*home****that he** **.shared. with** **Norma Welsh** **to perform** **a home** **safety check.** **Knapp described** **Father as:** **"quite frustrated** **and noted;** **"He did** **raise his** **voice slightly;"** **at which** **point. Knapp** **observed the** **Minor Child.** **put his** **hands over** **his ears.** **H. T.,** **Vol: 2,** **Pg. 303.** **Y Ms:** **Knapp testified** **that. Ms..** **Welsh threatened** **to "film** **her".as she** **left and** **noted that** **.she'did see** **Ms. Welsh** **with the** **phone after** **the comment,** **but was** **unsure what** **she was** 

### doing:.**Knapp testified** **that as** **she went** **outside.; she** **observed. the** **M.irior Child** **driving in** **22 his** **"little remote** **controlled car"** **and Father** **commented, "If** **I was** **white E** **would: have** **my kid..back** **by how."** **H.T, Vol..2,** **Pg. 304.** 

### m**Nis. Knapp** 

### testified**that during** **the September** **30 visit,** **she was** **unable to** **complete her** **safety check:** **because she** **was alone** **and she** **became "uncomfortable"** **due to** 

### Father**following her** 

### around**and "getting** **Ioud:" Accordingly,** 

### Knapp**testified,that sh`e** 

### returned

### the**next day** **with hersiapervisor,.** 

### unannounced.**H.T:,*Vdk****2, Pg.** **305. ®** **Ms. Knapp** **testified that** **l=ather, "came** **down the** 

## stairs**and was** **screaming and** **yelling, right'close** **to our** **faces, about** **wanting to** **know why** **we were** **there;,**

## calling**us names.** **Iike white,** **effing C-word,** **honkies,**

## and**screamed the`only** **reason CYS** **was**

## involved**in**

### this**was because** **of that** **dumb,. effing,** **white, B-word** **[Mother] ,,** 

### .**.T., Vol.** 

## 2,**Pg;.306.**

### a

### Knapp**testified that** **Father eventually** **calmed down,** 

### allowing**her and-her** 

### supervisor**to**

### enter**the house** **and proceed** **upstairs to** **check his.** **room. Knapp** **testified**

### that,**"at that** **point, he** **started throiwirig** **items [saying],** **whose effing** **stuff is** **this, whose** **stuff is** **this?**

### And**then he** **said, now,** **get the** **eff out** **of my** **house..". Id.** **a**

### Ms.**Knapp indicated** **that Father** **specifically**

### told**her; "You** **better never** 

### bring**your fat** **A ward** **back to** **my**

### house,**ever.again:" Id.** **Ms. Knapp** **testified.thatshe made** **another unannounced** **visit to** 

### Father**on November** **12,.2020. AT:,** **Val. 2,** **Pgg, 306.** **Ms..Knapp described** **Father as** **calm du`ring`the** **visit:but noted** **that he** **openly, and** **in**

### front**of the** **Minor Child,** **discussed and** **cursed about** **CY5 and** **CASA**

### saying,,**"Effthat effing** **13-ward Vivian."** **H.T., Vol,** **2, Pg.** **307. Knapp** **testified that** **Father**

### continued**by referring.to.the** **p:.revious caseworker** **with "a** 

### very**inappropriate**

### name;"

### Knapp**describing Father** **as calling** **the caseworker** **a "big-lipped,** 

### Aunt**Jemima**

### looking**effer," and** **using the** **"N-word." Id.** **Father**

### making**these.**

### comments**W.close**

## proximity**to**

### the**Minor.Child. Id.** **and**

## at**308. ®** **Ms.**

## Knapp**testified that,** **"since she** **took over** **the case,** **June 29,** **00; [Father]** **had been** **active and** **involved with** **the. case** **and**

## with**his child."** 

## N:T,**V01.2,.Pg. 314.** **s.**

## Ms.**Knapp testified.that.she.pbser-ved,** **"in tier** 

## few**interactions with** **[Father] aiid** **[Ch'ild],.good parenting** **skills,*as****far**

## as**going over** 

## letters,**numbers, things** **like that** **nature."**

## Id.**• Nis.** **Knapp testified** **that on** **November l..,** **2020, the** **Agency.placed Minor** **Child. in** **respite care** 

### with**Fatherfor a** 

### little**aver a** **month. ld.** **through 315.** **• Nis.** 

### Knapp**testified that,** **during the** 

### time**the Minor** **Child**

### was**placed with** **Father 1n** **respite, there** **were no** **significant safety** **concerns with** **Father, but** **crisis services** **were put** **16 place** **the ensure** **that there** **Were 'no** **safety concerns.** **H. T.,** **Val.. 2,** **Pg, 315** **and**

### 335.**® U2** **Knapp testified** **she has** **not observed** **any safety** **concerns since** **the last** **review hearing,** **H.T.; Vol:2,** **Pg, 326.** 

### ®**When placed** **in respite** **care with** **Father, the** **Agency felt.** **Father could** **meet the** **needs, emotion,** **psychological and** **physical of** **Minor Child.** **H.T.; Vol.** **2, Pg:** **361. However,** **when the.** **Agency placed** **the Child** **in respite** **with his** **Father, the** **Agency did** **not have** **Dr.**

### Bermtein's**updated opinion** **regarding Father's** **ability to** **meet the.psychologicaI** **and emotional** **needs of** **the Child.** **H.T., Vol..** **2, Pg.** **364. .** **, Liz** **Knapp testified** **that she** **believes Father** **loves his** **son' very** **much. 23** **■ Liz.** **Knapp testified** **that there** **are no** **negative.reports in.** **the visitation** **logs. Vivian** **Osowski, Court** **Appointed Special** **Advodate: Testified** **that she** **has been** **the assigned** **CASA for** **the Minor** **Child since** **2018. H.T.,** **Vol. 2,** **Pg. 268.** **■ Ms.** **Osowski testified** **that**

### Father**has been** **uncooperative with** 

### her**and "unhappy"with** **her reports.** **-Providing further** **testimony that** **she**

### has**seen no** **change in** **Father's disposition** 

### since**his completion** **of anger** **management. Id.** **• Testified** **regarding a** **November 12,** **2020 voice** **maII left** **for.her by** 

### Father**wherein, amongst** **other**

### things;**Father referred** **to Ms.** **Osowski as'a** **"racist white** **bi***:" Ms.** **Osowski .testified** **that following** **Father's . vol** **cema110. she** **was unable** **to further** **engage with** **him because** **he would** **not let** **her into** **his home,** **including the.** **next day** **when she** **attempted an** **unannounced visit.** **H.T; Vol.** **2; Pg.** **373: ■** **Ms. Osowski** **testified, "1** **think [Father]** **can care** **for his** **son in** **terms of** **physical needs.** **He has** **no concept** **of how** **his anger** **affects Minor** **Child. So** **yes, that** **is :a** **huge concern.** **My tither** **concern is** **the sibiing.4ond,** **and how** 

### strong**it is,** **[Minor.Child]**

### and**his siblings.** **And I** **do not** **believe [Father]** **would be** **receptive to** **allowing [Minor** **Child] to** **continue**

### visiting**his siblings.** **I have** 

### that**opiniorn**

### because**of the** **statements**

### he's**made in** 

### family

### group**meetings, as** 

### well

### as**haw he** **has presented** **himself to** **foster parents,** **in**

### terms**of**

### being**combative, disrespectful,** **and uncooperative.** **H.T., Val:** **2; pg.** **374.**

### •**Father has** **told. Dr.** **Bern stein** **that he** **hates the** **CASA. id..** **• Ms.** **Osowski..testified.that she** **thinks that** **Father can** 

### engage**in**

### a.positive**way with** **the Minor** **Child,**

### including**engaging in** 

### play**and encouragement.** **H.T, Vol.** **2, pg.** **389. However,.** **Osowski felt** **that Father's.** **behaviors, specifically** **citing his** 

### "Bevel**of anger,"** **:use of** **derogatory remarks,** **could "very** **adversely affect** **[Minor Child]** 

### in**his development..** **Id. ■** **Ms. Osowski** **testified that** **she has** **advocated for** **the. Minor** **Child to.be** **with.'the foster** **family becauseJor** **a "large:portion** 

### of**Minor Child's** **life, father** 

### waS**not involved** **at all** **and father** **only recently** **became involved** **after going** **months without** **seeing the** **Child.. V61,** **JuIianna Peterson-** **Foster Mother** **for Minor** **Child: 'Testified** **that Minor** **Child.was placed** **in her** **care right** **after his** **birth. H.** **T., Vol.** **2, Pg.** **426..**

### Mirror**Child**

### lives**in her** 

### home**with**

### her,**Tier sister** **and**

### Minor**Child's**

### two***{2} half** 

### siblings.**Id. and** **of 427:** **■ Testlfle6** **that Father** **did not** **visit with** **the Minor** **Child from** **July of** **2019 until** **June of** **2020. H.-T.,** **Vol. .2** **Pg. 427.** **• Testified** **that he:** **has been** **consistent with** **his visits.** **since June** **2020. Id.** 

### ■**Testified that** **she heard** **Father and** **his paramour,** **Ms. Welsh** **yelling inside** **their home** **when she** **went****to*pick****up Minor** **Ch.ild.from a** **visit.:H.T, Vol.** **2, Pg.** **428.**

### •**Testified that** **Father yeIletl** **at Minor** **Child When** **Minor Ch** **11 d.** **addressed her** **as "Mummy."** **.H.T,-Vol- 2,** **Pg. 431.** **Including testimony** **that Minor** **Child acted** **with**

### confusion**due to** **the encounter.** **Id. 24** 

### i**.Nis. Peterson** 

### testified**that during** **exchanges for** **visitation, Father** **rarely talks** **to her,** **despite. her** **efforis to** **attempt to** **talk with** **him. Id.** **-Through further** **testimony, Ms.** **.Peterson indicated** **that similarly,** **Father rarely** **greets Minor** **Child durin** ***the exchange** **saying, "he'll** **just take** **him from** **rn6 ;take** **hIin out** **of the** **car, and** **.go into** **the house......** **There**

### was**one**

### particular**occasion, where'l** **got.out of** **the car;** **and [Minor** **Child]**

### said,**'hi daddy.'** **And there** **was no** **response from.** **[Father],. he** **just took** **him**

### and**put him** 

### inthe**car." N..T.,** **Vo1.2, Pg.** **432. a** 

### Ms..Peterson**testified that** **MirnorChild**

## rnimics**his Father's.anger,.stating** **that**

## Minor**Child will** **walk**

## around**the**

## house**stomping and** **saying; "I'm** 

## mad,**I'm mad."** **[d, 9** **e**

### Ms.**Peterson testified** 

## that**Minor Child** **calls-her mommy** **and has.** 

### developed**a relationship** **with he** **parents; calling** **them grandma** **and.grandpa. H.T,** **Vol. 2,.Pg.** **433- 434.** **e Ms.** 

### Peterson**testified that,.** **throughout the** **time that:she** **has cared** **for the** **Minor Child,.** **Father has** **not made** **calls to** **`her home** **to ask** **about Minor** **Child, H.T.,** **Vol. 2;** **Pg.-445. She** **further testified** **that**

### Father**has not** **video chatted** **with Child** **and has** **not provided** **gifts, cards-or** **letters to** **Minor Child.** **ld..and at** **445.**

### a**Ms. Peterson** **testified that.** **Father has** **made derogatory** **comments to** **her, including.** **calling her.a** 

## "white**dyke" and** **referdrig to** **her as** **part ofthe** **"fat girls** **club." H.** **T., Vdl.:2,.** **Pg: 449-450.** **.Kendra**

### Taseki-**Justice Works** 

### Youth.Care,**Supervisor:**

### a**Testified that** **she reviews** **progress "motes** **of other** **employees and** **puts**

### together**a summary** **and has** **supervised the** **case since** **June 2020:** **H.T. Vol.** **.3, Pgs.** **480-481 ;.** 

### 494**and 499.** **Ms. Toseki** **testified that** **she observed** **on.e visit.in** **.octoher N[** **b, which** **was not** **designated as** **asupervised**

### visit**and Minor.** **Child appeared** **comfortable with** **her observing** **no safety** **concerns. H.T.,** **Vol: 3,** **Pgs. 489=49.x.** **® Ms.** **Toseki testified** **that she:diredly** **observed Father** **for approximately** **an hour** **and saw** **Father piaywith** **Minor child** **and assist** **with his** **toys: H.T.,** **Val, 3,** **Pg. 492:** 

### e**Ms. T.oseki** **observed Minor** **Child saying;** **"Daddy,') love** **you."**

### a**M5: Toseki** **testified that** **Father**

### is**observed**

### as**having**

### positive**interaction with** **the Minor** 

### Child.**Id. Ms.** **Toseki testified** **that. Father** **is cooperative** **with Justice** **Works, al►ivay$** **0ermitted staff** **to corne** **into the** **home with** **no issues.** **7d. a** **Ms. Toseki.** **Was asked** **about the** **incident involving** **Father swearing** **at; a** **neighbor that** **was n** **ot docu** **me nted** **in the.** **Justice Works** **reports, Ms.** **Toseki testified** **that her** **staff% s** **Cross-reference made** **to Hearing** **Transcript, Volume** **2, Pages** **417-419, wherein** **du ping** **examlriatlon of** **witness osowski„Father** **stood and** **requested to** **be heard,** **after which** **an extended** **discussion was** **had regarding** **the role.** **of Father's** **behavior. and** **Father's con.cer.n.regarding** **racism. Father** **began saying;** **"But; here's** **the only** **.thing .that** **i have** **to say,** **I'm just:a** **big, bad** **rn o** **nster,.. right?** **.But ---** **and it** **'.s all** **because I'm** **just angry** **and. nasty."** **Father. continued** **by noting,** **"I'm the** **only black** **one in** **here, and** **everyone's attacking** **me: Do** **you .know** **what I'm** **saying?" The** **Presiding. Judge** **noted that** **she too** **was African-American,** **however, l=ather** **continued by.sayiri9** **that the** **Judge only** **recently:hecame involved** **in the** **case. zs** **had a** **different recollection** 

### of**the**

### event,**H. T.,** **Vol. 3,** **Pg., 497.** **Further testimony** **established that** **the worker** **present during** **the incident** **was new** **with the** **visit.**

### being**only herfirst** **or second** **week**

### in**the field.** 

### .T,**Vol.. 3,** **Pg. 504.** **Lisa Sutherland,** **SupervisorJustice Works** **Youthcare: +** **M5. Sutherland** **testified that** 

### she**is**

### a**supervisor with** **Justice Workers** **Youthcare and** **has**

### served**in th** **at. cap** **acity for** **the last** **3-4 years.** **H. Ti,** **Vol. 3,** **Pg.. 506..** **® Ms.** **Sutherland**

### testified**that Father** **is good** 

### with**Minor Child** **and she** **has no** **conceals with** **his parenting.** **H.7:, Vol:3,** **Pgs, 507-6** **. 08.** 

### Testifying**further th6t** **both**

### she**and her** 

### staff**have reported** **positive interactions** **between Father** **and Child.** **!d. o** **Ms. Sutherland** 

### testified**that Father** **acted politely** **with her** **staff; noting,** **"We actually** **had staff** **that reported** **that he** **[Fattier]**

### walked**therm to** 

### their**cars at** **night when** **they were** **leaving his** **home, because** **of the** **area that** **he lived** **in, acid** **that they** **didn't feel** **comfortable. H:7,** **Vbl.*3,*Pg.****508.**

### Ms.**Sutherland testified** **that there** **has been** **an improvementvyith.Fathe** **'s anger** **management. H.** **T., Vol.** **3, Pg.** **509. Ms.** **Sutherland said** **this opinion** **Was based** **on her** **observations of** **Father where,.p** **rev! ouMy** **in Court** **hearings Father** **was "incredibly** **angry, and** **oftentimes'uncontrollable." Id.** 

### She**continued that,** **"you weren't** **ble****to*get****him**

### to**not to,** 

### and**he would** **continue to** **talk over** 

### you;**talk**

### over**the judge,** **talk to** **other members** **of the.Court,** **whereas now,** **when you** **ask him** **to*not****say anything,** **or remain** **silent, he** **actually does** **that:" !d.** **and at** **510. +** **Ms. Sutherland** **testified that** **with regard** **to Fattier** **and his** **anger,."there. have** **been less** 

### outbursts**in court,** **less outbursts** **in public** **settings, as** **to. where** **he is** **containing himself** **and conducting** **himself better** **in those** **situations." !d.** **"You know** **even though** **he [Father]** **is upset,** **he's taking** **Ihat*dov+rn****a degree** **or taking** **that down** **a notch** **and not** **going to** **that next** **level or** **going to** **that immediate** **response of** **anger and** **hostility." R** **T., Vol..** **3, Pg.** **511.. v** **Ms. Sutherland** **testified that** **Minor Child** **interacted naturally** **and normally** **with Father.** **H.T., ►lol3,** **Pg. 512:** **She further** **testified thatthe** **child would** **climb.on his** **Father's lap** **and ask** **him to** **play with** **him. The** **Minor Child** **would say,.** **"Daddy bite** **my ear,"** **and Father** **would nuzzle** **up with** **the. Child** ***and. kiss** **his ear.** **Id. m** **Ms, Sutherland** **opined thet** **Father and** **Child had** **a "normal,** **natural'father=son brand** **and interaction:"** **Sutherland observed** **the two** **eating together** **playing together** **and` doing** **educational activities** **together. H.T.,** **Vol. 3,** **Pg. 513.** **+ Ms..** **Sutherland has** **not observed** **any problems.** **with Father's** **ability to** **parent. H.T..,** **Vol. 3,** **Pg. 516.** **On cross-examination,'Ms.** **Sutherland acknowledged** **observing.different behaviors** **of Father** **in Court,** **including acknowledgement** **of Father** **creating an.** **"uproar in** **court" following** **his completion** **of anger** **management with** **her agency:** **H. T.,** **Vol.` 3,** **Pg. 51.7.** **+ Upon** **further cross** **examination, Ms..SutherlaridviWas** **questioned about** **two distinct** **incidents fallowing** **Father's completion** **of anger** **management; including:** **(1) Caseworker** **testimony regarding** **interactions with** **l=ather when** **she was** ***at his** **home and** **Father Was** **storming toward** **a caseworker** **ranting, angry,** **and..loud while** **the Child** **26**

### covered.**his ears;** 

### and**(2) When** **Father reportedly** 

### was**yelling:at caseworkers** **in**

### his**horse calling** **thenn "white,** **effing bitch.es"** **and screaming** **six inches** **from their** **faces. HT.,** **Vol. 3,** **Pgs, 518** **-559.. In** **response Ms.** **Sutherland testified** **that anger** **managemennt is** **a continuing** **process and** **not something** **that can** **be "completely** **cured;' that** **Father will** **have relapses,** **but he** **still has** **mad**

### e.progress..**H. T.,** **Vol. 3,** **Pg. 520.** **m**

### 'Ms:.Suth,erland**testified that** **Father has** **made improvements** **with .his** **anger management,** **but not** **drastic improvements.** **H:T:, Vol.** **3, Pg..523.** **a: Despite'stated** **concerns, Ms.** **Sutherland is** **of the** **opinion that** **Father can** **still work** **on. his** **anger. Ms.** **Sutherland. opines** **that she** **thinks father's.** **anger i5** **triggered due** **to his** **feeling that** **he was** **racially profiled** **by the** **Agency and** **the Courts,** **however, Sutherland** **acknowledges.she has** **limited interaction** **with Father** **interacting With** **persons outside.** **of the** **Agency and** 

## Court..**.T., Vol.** **3, Pgs.** **529-538:**

## ®**Ms, Sutherland** **supported her** 

## position**of Father's** **ability**

## to**parent Minor** **Child and** **control his** **anger based** **on her** **observations, observations** **of her** **staff and** **the success** **of re-direction** **for*Father.****However, upon** **cross-examination, Ms.** **Sutherland acknowledged** **that. if.** 

### Minor**Child was** **in**

### Father's**care. and** **there were** **no court** 

### ordered**supervision, there** **would be** **no one** **to de-escalate** **Father's anger.** **N; T.,** **Vol. 3,** **Pgs. 539-** **540. Torn** **Thomas, paternal** **Grandmother:.**

## ®**Ms. Thomas** **testified regarding** **her recent** **interactions and** **observations of** **Father and** **Minor Child.** **& Ms:** **Thomas testified** **that Father** **and foster** **mother, "don't** 

### really**communicate," saying:** **that foster** 

### mother.**just "hands** **Minor Child** **over;"'ar€d Father** **just takes** **him arid,** 

### goes..**H. T,** **Vol. 3,** **Pg. 553.** **When asked.about** **potential:proble►ns with** **Minor Child** **visiting with** **his..h.a.lf-$Iblings in** **the.foster**

### hoine'if**Minor**

### Child**was returned** **to the** **care. of** **Father, Ms.** **Thoi•nas.testified that** **she didn't** **believe**

### there**would be** **any**

### problem,**but was** 

### unable**to support** **this position** **with fu** **rther testimony.** **H. T.,** **Vpl..3, Pg,** **553=554: Nis.** **Thomas acknowledged** **knowing that** **Minor Child** **was in** **foster care** **since his** **birth and** **further ackhowledged** **only first** **becoming involved.** **with the** **Agency case** **in August** **of 2020.** **M.T, Vol..3,** **Pg. 555.** **® Ms.** **Thomas testified** **that she** **got involved** **when she** **came.back from** **vacation and** **"Eric**

### would**tail and** **tell me** **what was** **goiing'on, but** **f got** **involved when** **1 came** **to the** **first }nearing..** **And. if** **you, really** **want to** **know the** **truth, and** **tine fact** **that 1** **walked in** **the courtroom** **full of** **nothing but** **Caucasians. And** **my so** **was being** **attacked. by** **a bunch** **of vicious** **white women.** **So that.is.why** **I got** **involved." H:** **T., Vol.** **3, Pg.** **555-556. Ms..Thomas** **testified that** **her son,** **`Father, doesn't** **like the** **Minor Child's** **foster mother** **and her** **sister and** **further testified** **that.sh& isn't** **"that fond** **of them** **either;" H.** **T., Vol:** **3, Pg.** **556 and** **558. Eric** **.Wi11iams, Father** **of Ninor** **Child 27** **Father discussed** **is initial** **1 istory** **with the** **Agency ai** **nd the** **Minor Child.** **H. Vol** **3, Pgs..** **59i-593, ®** **Me, Williams** **acknowledged that** **the Agency** **expressed concerns** **with the** **Child's Mother** **atthe time** **of birth,** **expressed concerns** **with.a roommate** **at the** **time of** **the Child's** **birth,. acid** **requested a.drug** **test from** **Father at** **the time** **of birth.** **H. ,** **Vol. 3,** **Pgs, 594** **595. o.** **Fathe r** **testified that** **foster mother** **didn't.[Ike:him. because,** **foster mother,** **and "doesn't** **like men,"** **H.T, Vol.** **Pg. 595.** **Father testified** **that he-would** **do everything** **in his** **:power to** **be sure** **the Minor** **Child had** **visits with** **his siblings** **if the** **Child was** **returned****to*his.****care. H.T.,** **Vol. 3;** **Pg. 596.** **® When** **questioned as** **to why** **he felt** **racial1y.discrimInated in** **the case,.Fathertestified** **that when** **the CASH** **worker first** **met him,** **she.looked at** **him and** **"she looked** **right down** **her nose** **at*****me. She** **gave*****me that** **look. I'll** **say that** **look. And** **that look.l•** **know, because** **I'm black.** **l know** **when somebody** **you could-tell** **by their..gestures** **towards you;** **when they** **don't like.that'interracial** **couple stuff."** **H: T.,** **Vol: 3,** **Pg, 000.** **Father testified** **that the** **incident where** **he anus** **claimed to** **have made** **racially discriminatory** **remarks while** **yelling ata** **neighbor.were misunderstood** **testifying, "there's** **no way** **that she** **heard every** **word I.** **was saying,** **or what** **I was** **saying. I'm** **loud, but** **I'm naturally** **loud. I'm** **a big** **dude. But** **I would** **look like** **a fairy** **if l** **had. a** **little squeaky** **voice." H.T.,.Vol.** **3, Pg.** **602. ®** **Father testified** **that his** **behavior was** **norm al** **for the** **area in** **.which: he** **lives. and** **he felt** **that he** **was defend!** **ngth6 honor** **of the** **worker involved.** **Father stated,** **"Project life** **is a** **lot different** **than normal** **fife. Like,** **project life** **is like** **being iin** **the jungle** **in Africa:.** **You're a** **predator or** **you're prey** **So I.** **walked over** **there,*to****let him** **know that** **that was** **going to** **be the** **last time** **that any_** **body carne** **to visit** **me that** **he said** **something to** **them." H.T.,** **Vol. 3,** **Pg. 604.** **m In** **response to** **questions regarding** **his use** **of racia** **Fepith ets,** **f=ather testified** **that it** **is common** **in the** **black community** **for individuals** **to refer** **to.one another.** **as "raigga,"** **explaining f urther,** **'`its all** **in the** **spelling: If** **it's spelled** **with an** **A, it's** **okay." H.T.,** **Vol..3 Pg..** **605: Father** **further explained** **that this** **conduct did** **not occur** **in'the presence** **of the** **Minor Child.** **Id. and** **at 607.** **a Father** **testified. that** **he was** **asked by** **the Agency** **to engage** **in'a parenting** **class but** **that****Judge*Lucas****removed that** **requirement. Father** **also acknowledged.th.at** **he has** **a drug** **history n** **, but** **testified that** **that..was Izehf** **d hire.** **RT., Vol.** **3, Pg.** **613. m** **Father testified** **that he** **apologized to** **caseworkers because.** **he reallied** **his behavior** **with themW'as** **wrong. -H,-T.,** **Vol. 3,** **Pg. 655:** **e When** **questioned regarding** **his feelings** **of racism** **by the** **Agency when** **his initial** **caseworker was** **African-American Father** **described the** **worker as** **a "token."** **H. T,.** **Vol.3, Pgs.** **615-6,16. Father** **further illustrated** **that, "in** **the day;.** **there was** **three types.** **of niggers;** **there was.** **the house** **riigger,.there was** **the field** **nigger: and** **there was** **the dead** **nigger: Me,** **back in** **the clay,** **I would** **have been** **the dead** **nigger. B.** **rittany. Be** **rkl ey** **(the caseworker)** **would have** **been.in the.** **house." Id.** **•as*********Father testified** **that he.l.oved** **the Minor** **Ch iId** **and wished** **for him** **to. be** **returned.to his** **care. H.** **T. Vol..** **3, Pgs.** **618-617.*********'Fat heir** **commended foster** **parents for** **raisingthe. Minor** **Child and.** **re- asserted** **that he** **would work** **with the** **foster mother** **to enable** **!Minor Child** **to visit** **his siblings** **if Child** **was returned** **to*****his.'care. H.** **T.,*****Val. 3;** **Pgs. 619=620.** 

### r**Father testified** **that he** **is*able****to provide** **all necessities** **to the** 

## Minor**Child and** **noted that** **he was** **equipped to** **also "provide.him** **with the** 

## mental**stuff that** 

## lie**would need** **to make** **it in** **life. See,** **because believe** **it or** 

## not,**[Minor Child]** **is black.** **Right now,** **he's**

## light=skinned,**but I'm** **a Very** **dark black** **man, and** **[Minor Child]** **is going** **to become** **a kit.** **darker. He'II** **probably be** **darker than** **both [his** **siblings].. He's** **going to** **be cohsWerod** **a black** **man in** **white America.** **Who's going** **to teach** **him to** **deal. with.** **that?." H.** **T., Vol..** **3, ;Pgs.** **620 =621.** **® Father** **acknowledged that** **although he** **was Court** **ordered to** **participate in** **parenting education;** **he did.** **not participate** **in parenting** **ed,ucation.. H.** **T. Vol..** **3, Pg.** **626. 4** **Father acknowledged** **that he** **did not** **comply with** **the drug** **scree ni** **hg. or** **parenting that** **was Court.** **ordered by** **Judge Lucas,** **WT., Vo1..3,** **Pgs. 627-628.** 

### m**Father testified** **that, despite** **his. child.** **being in** **foster care** **he was** **not doing** **the services** **and further** **testified, "I'm** ***.not going** 

### to

## do**the services** **today." H.** **T,. VoL** **3; Pg.** **629. •** **When asked** **if he** **recognized that** **the year** **he refused** **services his** **chi Id.** **was developinga** **bond with** **the. faster** **family; Father** **testified, "That.doesn't:matter,** **it doesn't** **matter how** **long**

### my**child**

### is**in foster** 

### care,**okay They** **signed up** **to be** **foster parents.** **They know** **that**

### any**day, that** **child**

### can**beta ke** 

### n**away from** **that home.** **The bond** **that is** 

### formed**between a** **foster parent.and** **a child** **does not** **matter. Thatis** **irrelevant." H.T.,** **Vol. 3,** **Pg. 629..** **® Father** **testified that** **he felt** **that Judge** **Neuman was** **the only** **fair:judge that** **he. had** **and noted** **that he** **wasn't a** **bad parent** **sayir<g, "I** **wasn't a** **bad parent..** **I. hadn't** **been proven** **to be.a** **bad parent.** **And l.was** **6ot*going****to******do the** **bad parent** **steps. That** **would be** **admitting that** **I. was** **a bad** **parent." N.** **T., Vol.** **3, Pg.:630.** **Father acknowledge** **that although** **Judge Neuman** **ordered':th.at he** **participate in** **an interactional** **and individual** **evaluation. that** **he refused** **to participate,** **Father stated** **he refused** **because,."].didn't; at** **that time'.l** **didn't. He...** **I was** **under; the** **impression that** **r .had** **to do** **an interaction,** **a.psychological evaluation** **for what?** **l wasn't** **crazywhen`this starteo.."** **H: ,** **Vol: 3;** **Pg. 631.** **Father also** **acknowledged storming** **out of** **Judge Neuman's** **courtroorn while.** **using foul** **language but** **explained that** **he was** **frustrated because** **be had** **fired his** **attorney in** **the. middle** **of****th*e****proceedings and** **the Court** **was continuingwith** **the hearing.** **H.T., Vol.** **3, Pg.** **631-632.*********Father acknowledged** **that he** **did .not** **participate with** **drug testing;** **testifying that** **Judge Neuman** **and Judge** **McDonald did** **not order** **drug testing.** **H. T,** **Vo1.:3, Pgs.** ***632-633. Father** **continued by** **stating: that** **the Agencydoesn't** **Have the** **power to** **drug test.** **Fattier stated;** **"Do you** **know how** **come I.** **know they** **don't? Because** **when 1** **made the** **stink about** **people in** **Children &Youth** **not having** **a. certification** **to take** **drug tests,.** **ail of** **a sudden** **you gotta** **go to** **the probation** **office to:** **take drug** **tests. See,** **you think** **all black** **.2.9 people:** **are dumb,** **but I'm** **a little** **more educated** **that you** **think l** **ani:" H.T.** **VoL.3, Pg.** **633,**

### Father**test€fled that** **from April** **of 2018** **until March** **of 2.020** **when he.** **began anger** **management .** 

### all**while Minor** **Child was** **in foster** **care., he** **failed to** **participate.€n*any*****services,*.H.T,****VOL 3,** **Pg. 637.** **® Father** **says that** **he does** **not speak:** **with**

### foster**mother during** **the*****exchange for** **visitation with.Minor** **Child because** **he learned** **that. in** **anger management** **class. H.T.,** **VoU 3,.Pg.** **644.**

### a.**In response** **to**

### questions**regarding whether** **his****anger*aiid****aggression. could** **have a** **negative impact** **on the** **Minor Child,** **Father testified,** **"anger and** **aggression in** **this world** **sometimes is** **necessary. H.** **T., VoL** **3; Pg.** **646. ■** **Father testified** **that he** **does**

### not**think the** 

### Minor**Child's bond** **with his** **foster parents** 

### is**irrelevant. H.** **T., Vol.** **3;-Pg. 65,2.** **Further testifying** **that, "if** **the bond,With** **the [foster** **parents].is not** **important, the** **one with** 

### hiss**€filings is.** **And l** **will make** **sure they** **stay together."** **H, T.,** **VOL $,** **Pg. 553.** **• Father** **acknowl edged** **ih his** **testimony taking** **Minor Child's** **sibl€ng around** **the corner** **from Mother** **and Maternal** **Grandmother and** **disciplining him,** **H.T.., Vol.** **3,.Pg. 682.** 

### Adding**further**

### that**this action** **was taken** **by request** **of Mother** **and Maternal** **G ra** 

### n**d moth'e** **r. 1d:** **e. Father** **clarif€ed that** **the discipline:** **€nyalved**

### a**spanking performed** **with**

### Father's**hand;**

### following**which the** **child cried.** **H.T.,.Val. 3,.Pg.** **683: •** **Father acknowledged** **that, when** **Minor Child** **was born,** **he lived** **with a** **person who** **was -an'accused** **"predator" but** **further testified** **that charges** **ago**

### €nst:said**individual were** **"unfounded:" H:7'.,** **Vol. 3,** **Pg: 684.** 

### e**Father acknowledged** **that he** **also.lived with** 

### Mother**at the** **time &** **the.birth of** **Minor Child.** **1d. He** **further acknowledged** **that Mother's** **other two** **children had** **been removed** **from. her** **care by.CYSAuringthis** **time period,** **H.T. Vol.** **3, Pg.** **685. Carol** **Glass; Maternal** **Grandmother: B** **Ms: Glass** **testified. regarding** **her recollection** **of Father** **disciplining Minor** **Child's sibIjn'** **g. Ms.** **Glass testified** **that, Father,** **"grabbed"**

### up**the child** **by the** **arm and** **"dragged him** **around like** 

### a**column, like** 

### on**the end** **of the** 

### wall."**Ms. Glass** **testified that** **before Father** 

### got**around the** **wall, "Father** **removed his** **belt and** **was hitting** **the child** **more than** **five [5]** **times. H.** **T, Vol.** **3, Pg..** **70.6. Ms:** **Glass testified** **that the** **chiId'was.scr.eaming when** **this happened.** **1d. .0** **Ms.. Glass** **acknowledged that** **she only** **heard. and** **did not:seethe** **inci.d:ent; but'indicated,** 

### "it**didn't sound.like** **a hand."** **1d. ■** **Ms. Glass** **testified that** **she.wanted to** **intervene during** **the incident,** **but she** **was concerned** **that after** **she left** **the house,..Father** **would take** **it out** **on Mother.** **H. T.',,** **Vol. 3,** **Pg..710-711, 30** **Ms. Glass** **testified that** 

### she**observed injuries** **on Mother** **during a** **time that** **Motherwas living** 

## with**Father, but** 

### came**to stay** **with Ms.** **Glass for** **a couple** 

### days.**H.T, Vol.** **3, Pg.** **717. Julianna** **Peterson, Foster.Mothe.r** **for Miner** **Child •** **Ms. Peterson** **testified fhat** **she resides** **with her** **sister Ashley,** **the Minor** **Child.and two** **otherchildren. (half-siblings** **of Minor** **Child). H.T,** **Vol. 3,** **Pg:;720.**

### o**Ms; Peterson`testified** **that.she does** **%a lot** **of the** **transportation for** **the Minor** **Child's visits** **with Father.** **Id.. •** **Ms. Peterson** **testified-that she** **does**

### not**have a** **lot of** **communication****with*Father**

### because**he**

### has**been hostile'to.her.** **ld, When** **asked to** **provide examples** **of hostility,** **Ms.**

### Peterson**testified, ."most** 

### recently,**there was** **an Incid** **e nt.** **wh e** **re I** **was picking** **up [Minor** **Child] from** **a visit,** **and**

## [Minor**Child] started** **jumping up** **and**

### down**and saying** 

## mom***mi**

### mommy.'**And he** **yelled at.** **[Minor Child)** 

## and**told him;** **`that is** **not your** **mother."' H.** **T., Vol.** **3, Pg;** **721. Ms.** **Peterson testified** **that.the. Minor** **ChiId . looked.** 

## ."**visibly upset"** **9. n** ***d "confuse** 

## d".because.**of hearing** **the' statement.** **Id.**

### a.**Ms. Peterson** **described an6ther** **incident where** **she was** 

### buckling**Minor Child** **in the** **car and** **Father was** 

## talking**to a** **Justice Works** **caseworker and** 

### using**cuss words.** **Id. and** **at 722-723.** **Upon further.questloning,** 

### Peterson**indicated that** **Father was** **using the** **F- .word.** **Id. Ms.** **Peterson testified** **that Minor** **Child gets** **"very upset"** **when. he** 

### is**going for** **a**

### visit**and :she** **is**

### not**doingthe transport:** **H.T; Vol.** **Pg. 724.** **Nis.**

### Peterson**testified that,.** **With*****the**

### most**recent`visits,**

### she**was**

### at**school with** 

### Minor**Child and'he** **was "oddly** **aggressive, just,.you** **know, doing** **a lot.of** **yelling throwing** **toys." Id.** **Peterson continued** **that when** **she askecl.Minor** **Child what** **was going** **on, he.** 

### "'wrapped**his**

### arms**around**

### my**neck and** **he said,** **1.**

### don't**want to** **see .dad.** **"' Id.** 

### Ms.**Peterson testified** **that Minor.** **Child has** **a.close relationship** **with his** **brother and.** **sister that** **live ►n+ith.her.** **Id. Ms.** **Peterson testified** **that she** **does not** **believe Father** **would 'maintain** **a relationship** 

### between**Minor Child** **and his** **siblings if** **Minor Child** **was reunited** **with Father,** **H.. T,** **Vol. :3,** **Pgs. 725-726.** **e_ In** **response to** **questioning regarding** **whattype.of care** **she provides.** **for the** **Minor Child** **Ms. Peterson** **testified that,she** **provides "24f7.basic** **care, feeding,** **diaper changes,** **potty 'training.** ***Teaching him** **his colors** **and numbers** **and loving** **him." Id.** **at 727..** 

### Ashley**Turney-Jackson, Mother** **of Minor** **Child: lMs.** **Turney-Jackson testified** **that the** **photographs offered** **by GAL** **Hathaway were.** **.photos of** **her with** **a black** **eye and** **the black** **eye on** **her body** **was perpetrated,by** **Father. H.T:.,** **Vol. 3,** **Pgs. 741-742** **and 747.** **31**

### Ms:**Turney-Jackson testified** **that another** **p hotogra** **p h** **'with an** **eiboW bruise** **was a** **photograph of** **her that** **was perpetrated** **by Father.** **H. T.,** **VoO, Pg.** **747. m** **Ms. Turney-Jackson** **testified that** 

### another**photograph with** **a bruise** **on a** 

### leg;**was a** **photograph of** **her of** 

### an**injury:that was** **perpetrated.by Father.** **H. T.,** **V61. 3,** **Pg. 748..** **• Ms;** 

### Turney-**Jackson testified** **that. two** **(2) other** **photographs of.bruising** **on her** **leg and** **of bruising** **near her.** **rib area** **rep resented.her** **body,:also caused** **by**

### Father.**H. T.,** **Vol. 3;** **Pgs, 749=M.** **Ms: Turney-Jackson** **indicates.that she** **was the** **victim of** **domestic wole.nce.by** **Father:and**

### further**testified, "And** 

### here's**the whole** **thing'is**

### when**this occurred,** **l was.still** **livingwith**

### [Father]**so of.** **course, l'.m** **not**

### going**to lje,** 

### like,**oh, yeah,** **he beats** **me up..** 

### l3ecause**at the** **end of** **the day.** **1 still** **had to** **go home** **with.this man.** **H.T.,*Vol.****3, Pg.** **751.. When** **asked her** **recollection of** **the incident** **involving Father's** 

### discipline**of her** **.other child** **described by** **Ms. Glass** **Turney- Jackson** **testified as** **follows: 'So** **[Father]. snatched** **my****son.u*p****in his** **arm: and** **drug him** **into the.kitchen** **in front** **of my** **mother and** **me, and** **took his** **belt off** **and started** **beating*the****hell out** **of {the** **child] in** **the**

### kitchen,"**1-1- Vol.** **3, Pg.** **75 .3** **. Turney-Jackson** **continued, "'my** **mother and** **myself were** **both -in** **the living** **room. But** **we could.** **hearthe beat** **slapping against.[the** **child!sj rear** **end: 1d.** **® Ms.** **Turney-Jackson testified.** **that she** **told Ms.** **Glass to.say** **nothing because,** **"as soon** **as: you** **leave, then,** **do you** **knovv what** **'l mean?** **I'm basically** **going to** **get shit** **for it** **is.what l** **told her"** **.1d. e** **Ms. Turney-Jackson** **testified that** 

### she**was the** **Victim of** **domestic violence** **at the** **hands of** **Father "more** **than ten,** **less than** **a hundred"** **times.****H.T.,*Vol.**

### .**Pgs. 754** **-755. W** 

### Ms.**Turney-Jackson was** **`q uestio** **n ed** **why she:previously** **denied domestic** **violence to** **the .Court** **and she** **testified: "See,** **what a** **lot of** **people don't** **understand is** **that if** **you're in** **a .domestically** **violent situation,** **you'll do** **whatever you** **canto prevent** **that domestic** **violence. 5o** **I know** **I'm 0utt'ing** **myself at** **risk, I'm** **absolutely fine** **with it,** **beca use.** **I now** **live. alone.** **But. at** **the time,** **I was** **not going** **to**

### sit**in the** **courtroom and** **say Oh,** **[Father] is-domestically.** **Violent with** **me, this** **and that.** **Because at** **the end** **of.the day** **.you didn't** **haVe*to****go home** **to hire,** **l did.:►4nd** **l knew** 

### what**1. would.** **be**

### in**for;,.Basically rheaning** **that*l****knew that** **it would** **be another** **shit**

### storm**when I'got** **home: of** **course, I'rn** **not**

### going**to sit** **there and** **be,.like,.0h yeah** **he puts** **his hands** **on me..** **Because,..you know,** **like I** **said,. when** **you're a,** 

### victim**of abuse,** **you'll do** **anything to** **prevent that** **from further** **happening:" H.** **T., Vol.** **3,, Pgs.** **754-755. ®** **Ms. Turney-** 

### Jackson**testified that** **both she** **and. Father** **are "a** 

### mess"**and "neither** **one of** **us, right** **now, are** **in any** **position to** **raise a** **child;**

### especiallybnethat**is very** 

### vulnerable,.**you know** **being the** 

### age**that he** **is." H:T..1** **Vol.. 3,** **Pg. 757..** **Mother continued** **by saying:** **that she** **"firmly believes"** **that Minor** **Child wouid.benefit** **from staying** **with his** **foster**

### parents**and brother** **and sister..** **Id.*********Ms,.Turney-Jackson testified** **that Minor** **Child calls** **foster morn,** **"mama,.mommy, Plum."** **H. T.,** **Vol. 3,.** **Pg. 758.** **Ms. Turney-Jackson** **testified that** **Father and** **she discussed:coritinuing** **contact with** **Minor Child's** **'siblings if** **Child was** **returned to** **Father. Turney-Jackson** **testified. .that** **'he**

### said**he didn`t** **have a** **problem with** **[siblings] seeing** **[Minor Child].** **However; when** **it 32** 

### came**to [foster** **morn], basically,** 

### to**quote'hi.rn**

### directly,**he said** **that; 'that** **white bitch** **would never** **see his.** **child." Id.** **Ms. Turney-Jacksontestifed** **that she** **is relinquishing** **her rights** **to her** **children because.** **she cares** **about there** **and thinks** **it.would be** **selfish to** **put them** **in an** **unhealthy SJ** 

### tuation.'H.T.,**Vol.. 3,** **Pg.*****70Z.****Ms.*T&hey-lackson.testified****that when** **she and** **Father were** **in Dependency** 

### Court**in**

### early**faI1,of 2020** **the re'was** **an Incident** **were she** **and Father** 

### were'arguing.**Tu rney** **Jackson testifle.d.that** **as gather** **sat at** **the table,** **he said,** **"I wish** **I had** 

### a:**gun,. I** **would shoot** **your**

### fucking**head off** **right how."** **.H. T.,** **Vol. 3,** **Pg. 765:** **° Turney-Jackson** **testified :at** **that**

### time**she requested** **that Father** **be drug** **tested because,** **" I** **felt like** **he**

### was**thi^owing me** **under the** **bus:and constantly** **making me** **look like** **a bad** **guy: What** **I.had**

### said**1n one.** **way ar** **another is,** ***not everybody** **in this** **courtroom's perfect..** **If you** **drug test** **him right** **now, guarantee** **that he'll:** **fail:'` H..T.,** **Vol. 3,** **pg. 756.** **Turney- Jackson`** **testified that.** **she made** **the statement** **because: she** **was doing** **drugs with** **him*****at the** **time and** 

### they**were "both.** **on cocaine."** **Id.**

### e.**Ms.**

### Turney**-Jackson testified** **that Father** 

### domestically**abused her** **before and** **after the** **birth of** **Minor Child** **and during** **her pregnancy..** **H. T,** **Val. 3,** **Pg. 768.** 

### ►**hen asked.** **why she** **didn't report** **domestic violence** **at times** **in the.** **Dependency Court** **hea ring** **when she** **didn't 1** **W with** 

### Father,**Ms. Turney-Jackson** 

### indicated**at**

### first**that no** **one asked** **her**

### about**domestic.vio.lence, but** **when**

### asked.**specifically regarding** **a hearing** **in November** **of 2019,** **Turney-Jackson*****indicated that** 

### she

### and**Father were** **still sexually** **active at** **the time.** **See; -** **H.T., Vol.** **3, 'Pgs.** **7fi9-775, generally** **• Ms.** 

### Turney

### -Jackson**testified that** 

### she**believes that** 

### Father**truly loves** **his**

### son.**H.T,,**

### Vol.**3, Pg.** **789. •** **Ms. Turney-Jackson** **testified in** **confirmation of** **her request** **to voluntarily** **terminate her** **parental rights.to** **Minor Child.** **H.t, Vol.** **3,.Pgs. 8.24-828:** **shel[isa.Chandler, daughter** **o€ Norma** **Welsh****and*cousin****to Mother** **and Minor** **Child: •** **Ms.'Chandler testified** **that she** **has. observed** **Father with** **Minor Child** **and the** **visits were** 

### going**very well:** **FI.T.., Vol..** **3, Pg.** **0M. •** **Ms. Chandler** **indicated that.the** **Visit occurred** **with.a relative** **that was** **also:a caseworker** 

### for**Father. H.T,** **VoJ.3, Pg.** **$0.9. Upon** **further questioning,** **Ms. Chandler** **indicated that** **she was** **not. present** **for this** **visit, but** **identified:the individual,** **.a Patience** **Frazier, worked** **for lustice** **Works. H.** **T., Vol.** **Pgs. 812** **and 816.** **10 Following** **this exchange;** **the participant.seats** **were modified** **in Court** **so that** **the*****Agency solicitor** **was placed** **between Father** **and Mother.** **33**

### Having**reviewed the** **extensive:**

### history**of this** **case, an** **analysis of** **the general** **IegaI standards** **a.nd application** **of each** 

### section**alleged**

### by**the Agency** **will. be** **examined. Review** **of Relevant** **Legal. Standards** **and**

### Application**to Present** **Lase "In** **'a**

### proceeding**td involuntarily** **terminate parental** 

### rights,**the burden** **of proof** **J§ upon** 

### the**party seeking** **termination to** 

### establish**by clear** 

### and**convincing evidence** **the existence** **of**

### grounds**for doing** **so." In** 

### re**M W.,** **859 A,** **2d 501** **506 (Pa.** **Super, 2004).** **The standard** **of clear** **and convincing** **evidence is** **defined as,"testimony** **that is** **so clear,** **direct,**

### weighty:a.nd**convincing as** **to enable** **the trier** **of factto** **corhe.to a** **clear conviction** **without hesitance** **of the** **truth of** **the precise** **facts in** **issue." In** **Re C.M:S.,** **83.Z.A.2d 457,** **461-642 (Pa.** **Super. 2003);** **The focus** **of 'a** **termination proceeding,.is** **the conduct** **of the** **parents with** **"adequate consideration"** **being given** **to the** **heeds and** **welfare of** **the child.** **Id. at** **508..**

### Further,**under the** **Adoption and** **Safe**

### Families**Act,*"when****a.child is** **placed infoster** **care, after** **reasonable**

### efforts**have been** **made to** **establish**

### the**biological relationship,** **the needs** **and welfare** **of**

### the**child require** **CYS and** **foster care** **institutions to** **work toward** **termination of** **parental**

### .rights**placing the** **child with** **adoptive parents.** **it**

### is**contemplated this** **process realistically** **should be** **completed within** **18 months"** **Id. citing** **42 U.S.C.** **§571, etse.q.** **() mphas,is** **added). Termination** **of parental** **rights**

### is**a'bifurcated**

### analysis.**First,. analysis** 

### is**made under** **.Section**

### 2511(a)**to determine** **if the** 

### parents'**conduct**

### merits**termination of** **parental. rights.** **The Court** **need only** **agree with** **any ane** **subsection**

### of**2511(a), in** **addition to** **§ 25-11(b),.** **in order.to** **grant the** **termination of** **parental rights,** **In re** **B.L.W., 843.A.zd** **38.0, 384** **(Pa ,** **Super. 2004)'(en** **banc). If** **the analysis** **of Section** 

### (a)**leads to** **an affirmative** **response, the** **court must** **then**

### snake**an analysis** 

### under**Section 2511(h),** **a determination.** **of the** 

### needs**and welfare** **of the** **child, under** **the**

### standard**of best** **interests,**

### where**one major** **inquiry**

### is**the bond** **between the** **parent and** 

### child**and the** **effect of** 

### severing**any bond.** **In re** **Adoption**

### of**C.D.R., 111A.3d** **1212 (1** **a. Super.** **2015). Absent:a** **showing.bycleair**

### and**convincing:evidence that** **a parent's.rights** **should be** **terminated;**

### no**such termination** **rriay occur.** **In re** 

### Adoption**34 of** **M,A.R.; 591** **A.'2d 1133** **(Pa. Super.** **1991), In** **the instant** **case before** **the Court;** **the Agency** **filed a.** **Petition for** **Termination of** **Parental Rights** **under 23** **Pa. C.S.A.** **§ 11(0)(1** 

### ),**)(2), (a)(5),** **(a**

### )(8),**and 2513(6** 

### ).**Each statutory** **section Will** **be evaluated,** **however, because** **it provides** **for the** **most comprehensive** **review, Sections** **2511(a)(5) and** **(8) will** **be reviewed** **first. Section.2511(a)m** **.1 Section** **2511(a){5) requires** **thaf the** **parents' rights** **be terminated** **if the** **ch Hd** **(ren) ''h** **ave been** **removed from** **the care** **ofthe parents** **for a** **period of•at** **least six** **months; the** **conditions which** **led to** **the rernoval** **or placement** **of the.children** **continue to** **exist; the** **parents cannot** **or will** **not remedy** **those conditions.** **within a.** **reasonable period** **of time;** **the services** **or assistance** **reasonably available** **to the** **parents are** **not likely** **to remedy** **the:conditions which** **led to.the** **removal or** **placement of** **the children** **Within a** **reasonable period** **of time;** **and termination** **of the..parental** **rightsmould best** **serve the** **needs and** **welfare of** **the children."** **Section 25** **U (a** **Ha} Pursuant** **to. Section** **2511(a)(8), parental** **rights. maybe** **terminated if** **a child** **h,as. been** **removed. from** **the. care** **of the** **parent by** **the. court.or** **under a** **voluntary.agreernent with-an** **agency 12** **months. or** **more have** **elapsed from'the** **date of** **rem.ova1.or placement,.** **the conditions** **which led** **to the** **removal****or*placement****of the** **child continue** **to exist** **and termination** **of parental** **rights would** **best serve** **the needs** **and welfare..of** **the child.** **Because this** **Section. contemplates** **a longer** **time frame** **of the** **Child's removal;** **there.are only** **three (3)** **factors that.** **must be** **evaluated in** **determining whether:term!nation** **is appropriate** **Lind er** **25I1(a)(8). Bath** **Section (a)(5)** **and.(a.)(8) require** **a finding** **regarding the** **amount of** **time the** **Minor Child** **has been** **removed from** **care of** **the parent** **by the;** **Court: in** **the present** **matter, the** **Minor Child** **has been** **in placement** **since April** **18,.2418,. and** **remains. in** **placement to** **elate, At** **the time** **of the** **first directive** **of the** **Court for** **the Agency** **to file** **the Petition** **for Termination** **of Parental** **Rights, the** **Minor Child** **was removed** **from care** **nineteen (19)** **months, When:the** **Agency filed** **the Petition** **for Termination,** **the Minor** **Child had** **been.removed from** **parental 35** 

### care**twenty**

## -seven**and one.** **half (27'Y2)** **months. At** **the commencement** **of.the TPR.** **Proceeding, Minor** **Child was** **out of** **care thirty-four** **{34j months.** **Additionally, with** **the**

### exception**of'a few** **weeks wh** **ere. the** **Minor Child** **was in** **respite with** **intensive in** 

### -home**servicesli, the_ChiId** **was never** **returned to** 

### Father's**care.. Minor** **Child**

### has**remained with** **his foster** 

### family,**and his** **half siblings,.from** **birth until** **the present** **date..**

## Accordinglv,the**first prong** **of 2511(al(51,requiring.** **Minor*Child****be out** **of care** 

## six.**(61 months** **and the** **first**

## prong.of**2511 f** **a)(81, requiring** **the Minor** **Child be** **out of** **care twelve** **(12)**

## months**has been** ***established by** **-clear,convincing and** **uncantroverted evidence.** **The: next** **requirement of** **both Section.2512(a)(5)** **and 2511** **(a)(8) requires** **a**

### funding**that the** **conditions that** **led to** **the removal** **or placement** **of the** **child**

## continue**to**

### exist,**At the** **time of** **the initial** **adjudication, the** **Agency alleged** **that the** **Minor Child** **was**

### without**proper parental** **care or** **control, subsistence,** 

### education**as:required. by** **law or** **other**

## ca**r6 or** **control necessary** **far his** **physical,**

### mental**or emotional** **heath or** **morals: Continuing,** **as legally** 

## mandated,.that**a. determination** **that there** **is a** **lack**

### of**proper**

## parental**care or** **control**

## .may**be based** **upon.**

### evidence**of**

### conduct**by the** **parent that** **places the** **health, safety** **or welfare** **of the** **child at** **risk including** **the use** **of alcohol** 

## or**controlled**

## substances.**The Adjudication** **order raises** **concerns**

## with**the home** **environment, including** **Father's protective** **capacity and.** **parenting judgment.** **Emphasizing Father's** **awareness of** **Mother's `involvement** **with the** **Agency and** **his relationship** **.with Mother;** **prior to** 

### the.Agency**removal of** **her other** **children; Father's** **co- habitation** **with an** **indicated perpetrator;.** **concerns with** **criminal histories** **of Mother** **and Father;** 

### and**substance abuse** **inIhe home.** **As the.** **case progressed.** **through the** **Dependency proceedings,** **additional concerns** 

### )were**raised regarding** **the**

## safety**of the** **home**

### due**to allegations** **of domestic** 

### violence,**substance**

### abuse;**and Father's** **behaviors." At** **the ti** **me.**

### of**the**

### hearing**on the** **Petition for** **Termination of** **Parental Rights,** **concerns remained** **regarding the** **Manor Child** **having proper** **parental care** **or control,** 

### subsistence,**education or** **other care** **or.control necessary** **for his** 

### physical,

## mental***or**

### emotional**health within** **Father's care** **and home:** **Specifically, questions** **of Minor** **Child's safety** **were raised** **over See** **totirnony of** **Liz Knapp,** **summarized herein** **and contained** **in Hearing** **Teanscript'at Vol.** **2, Pg.** **315. ix.** **At. the** **time of** **adjudication, Mather** **was known** **to the** **Agency.. Fathee** **had**

### no**known involvement** **with Agency..** **36 conduct.of** **Father that** **potentially placed** **the Minor** **Child's health** **mental and** ***emotional health,** **safety and** **welfare at** 

### risk,**Additionally, because** **of Father's** **historical refusal** **and non** **compliance with** **court orders** **and Agency** **requests, previously** **unsubstantiated concerns** **were 'raised** **duringthe hearing.** 

### Including**concerns raised.** **by.testirnohy of** **Mother*atthe****hearing on** **the TPR.** **More specifically,** **Mother's testified.that** **she was** **the victim** 

### of**domestic violence** 

### perpetrated.by**Father. H.T.,** **Vol. 5** **Pgs.*747-755:****Mother also** **testified that** **during a** **Permanency Review** **Nearing, both** **she and** 

### Father**were on** **Cocaine. -3** **H.T.; Vol.** **3, pg.** **766. As** **outlined above,** **the history** **of the** **Dependency case** **establishes the** **following:. •** **Father was** **ordered`to*obtaln****and maintain** **a safe** 

### and**stable living** **arrangement. Although** **Father moved** **many times** **throughout.**

### the**Dependency case** 

### and**mentioned another** **anticipated move** **at the** **time:of the** **TPR.hearing, Father** **has obtained** **and maintained** **structurally safe** **and appropriate.** **living conditions:** **14 Nevertheless,** **thi'e**

### safety**phd stability** **of housing** 

### is**also contingent** **upon the** **activities in** **and surrou.ncl.ing** **a household.** **Due to** **Father's refusal** **and/or non-completion** **of serVices,.** **the Court** **is unable** **to establish** **that Father's** **home is** **safe from.domestic** **violence and** **/or illegal** **drugs, This** **is ba[stered** **by Father's** **crirninal histdry,** **corn ments** **regardid prior** **violent'acts, testimony** **.regarding a** **history of** **domestic violence,** **including a** **previously dismissed** **but unfiled** **protection from** 

### abuse**with paternal** **grandmother,**

### questions**regarding police** **reports**

### involving**domestic situations.** **with Father's** **most recent** 

### and/or.current**paramour, and.** **testimony re** **'a rdingthe.questionable** **form of** **discipline of** **another Child** **by**

### Father.ls**® Father** **was:ord.ered. t❑** **participate' in.** **parenting education** **and fellow** **through with`aII** **recommendations. Despite.** **such Court** **Orders, Father** **did**

### not**complete parenting** 

### education**The Agency** **caseworker supervisor** **testified that** 

### Father

### was**referred to** **parenting education** **froPrm.April until** **July of** **2018 and** **was re-referred** **for parent..education** **ig Notably,** **a€though. recalled** **for rebuttal** **testimony,****Father*never****denied and/or** **clarif€ed either.** **allegation.: 14** **See testimony** **of Ashley** **Blake contained** **herein and** **found in** 

### Hearing**Transcript, Vol..** **1, Pg.** **246. is** **See above** **testimony as** **fo4ows:' Testimony** **of Dr.** **Bernstein, contained** **at H.T.,** **Val.-1, Pg;** **$1,. and** **64; Blake.** **testimony, contained** **at H.T.,** **Vol. 1,** **Pg. 246;** **Peterson testimony,** **contained at** **H.T., Vol.** **2, Pg.** **432; Sutherland** **testimony, contained** **at -T.,** **Vol: 3,** **Pg.508; Glass** **testlmon.y, contained** **at HX.** **Vol: 3;** **Pg: 706** **acid 717;** **Turney J.ackson** **test€mony; contalned:at** **H.T., Vol.** **3,`Pgs. 7540755** **and 755** **-766.. 1fi** **See above** 

### testimony**of Blake,** **contained**

### at**H.T.,**

### Vol.**1, Pg.** ***203. See.** 

### also**Father's acknowledgement** **of not** 

### completing.parenting.education.**,Found at'H.T.,** **Vof. 3,** **Rg. 6,26.** **3.7**

### through**Justice Works** **in July** **of 2018.** **H.. T.,** **Vol. .1,** **Pg. 203..** 

### Father**refused to** **work with:** **the**

### providers**and was** **discharged for** **noncompliance on** **December 4,** **2018: As** **testified by** **the**

### casework.**supervisor, father** 

### consistently**refused to** **participate. in** **parenting education:** **H.T.,**

### Vol.**1; Pg.** **203. Father** 

### has***repeated ly** **acknowledged his** **refusal to** **participate with.** **this service** **and points** **to his** **work with** **Justicevllorks. and** **positive**

### reports**of the** **Agency. -While** **this.Court recognizes** **Father's improved** **reports,.as provided** **byJustice Works** 

### With**regard to** **Father's visitation,** **these**

### evaluations**and**

### reports,**in large** **part, only** **detail activity** **occurring after** **the**

### Agency**filing of** **the TPR** **petition with** **the**

### Minor**Child in** **placebient h.** **excess of** **two (2).** 

### Years:**In addition,** **the: reports** **of the** **JusticeWorks providers** **must be** **balanced with** **the entire** **case history,** **including reports** 

### fro**other providers** **received during** **the same** **period." e** **Father was** **ordered****to*sul****niitto**

### random**drug and** 

### alcohol**screenings at** **the discretion** **of the** **Agency.within 24** **hours of** **the Agencyrequesting** **a test.** **The Casework** **Supervisor**

### testified**that Father,** **despite such** 

### Cotart**Orders, refused** 

### acid**failed to** **participate in** **randon7**

### drug**a d** **alcohol screen']]ngs.** **During the** **pendency of** **the case;** **Father participated** 

### in**one (1)** **drug test;** **which**

### Was**negative for** **all sobstances,** **but.the test,** **conducted on** **April A,** **2018, was** **not random.** **Father was** **requested. to** **participate in** **additional drug.tests** **on August** **2018, September:17,** **2018, and** **October 24,.2018,** **and Father** **refused all.testing.** **H.T., Vol.** **I;Pg, 264.'a** **The**

### dependency**Court reco** **rd.**

### establishes.that**Father claimed** **he. Was** **'drugtested byhis'er** 

### iployer.**However, despite** 

### such**assertion, when** **repeatedly asked** 

### to**sign**

### releases**for the** **provision*of****such results,** **Father failed** 

### to**do so.** **Father has** **never .provided** **the Agency** **and/or this** **Court with** 

### these**reported employer** 

### drug:test.**resu Its:** **19**

### During**an initial** **psychological evaluation** **with Dr..Eric** **Bernstein, Father** **provided a** 

### history**of THC,** **cocaine, and** **acid,use, but** **denied.receht**

### usage.**See report** 

### of**Bernstein, April** **23, 17** **AIthaugh not** **explored**

### by**any party** **in detail,** **questions regarding** **the .validity:Of** **the.JusticeWorks reporting** 

### were**amplified**

### in**the**

### imind**of this** **Court due** **to a** **reporting. by** **one of** **Father's witnesses** **she observed** **.a visit** 

### between**Minor Child** **a6d Father** **which .was** **being monItbred** **by:a JusticeWorks.** **worker who** **was also** **a relative** **of Father's..** **is see** **Father's acknowledgement** **that he** **was cobra** **ordered to.drug** **test and** **refused to** **comply. H.T.,** **Vo.l. 3,.Pgs.** 

### 627-628.**'s See** **November 27,.2019** **perman&cy review** **order. 38** **2019**

### orad**May ?,** **2019 at** **pg, 9.** **Due to** 

### Father's**non. compliance** **the Agency** **could not** **confirm his** **reports of** **no recent** **use**

### of

### illegal**substances. This** **concern of** **the..Dep.endency petition** **never fully** **euplored due** **to'Father's refusal** **and non-compliance** **was compouhded** **by the** **testimony of** **Mother at** 

### the**TPR. Mother** **testified that** **she and** **Father**

### were**using cocaine** **together prior** **to a** **review hearing** **in the** **Fall of** **2020. 2°** **q. Father** 

### was**ordered-to have** **frequent contact** 

### with**the Agency.** **No specific.** **evidence or** 

### testir6ony**focused on** **this provision.** **However a:review** **of the** **summary of** **record above** **establishes many** **of the** **contacts between** **Father**

### and:Agency.**b Father** **was court** **ordered to** **sign.ail requested.** **release**

### of.information**forms. As.** **discussed above,** **Father failed** **to provide** **a**

### release**of information** **for the** **Agency to** **obtain drug-testing** **results**

### from*Father's**employer.. Father** **was Court** **Ordered to** **enjoy supervised** **visitation with** **his Minor** **Child, initially** **three (3)** **times per** **week, with** **supervision' by** **Blueprints****a'ndjor*the****Agericy. Father** **initially engaged** **in sporadic** **visitation with.** **the Minor** **Child. Visitation** **was modified** **in November** **of 2018.,** **to take** **place on** **Saturdays and** **to accommodate** **Father's work** **schedule. Father** **then begaq** **more regular** **visits, although** **not a** **full exercise.** **of his** **Court Ordered,tiime,.** **until he** 

### was**prohibited**

### from**using the.** **Blueprints visitation** 

### home**after conceehs** **were raised** **with his** **behaviors in** **the presence** **of the** **Minor Child.** **See PermranencyRev►ew** **Order**

### of**November 12,** **2019. From** 

### July**2019 through** **June of** **2020, Father** **failed to** **visit with** **the N1'inor:Child,** **attributing the.** **missed visitation** ***to his** **work schedule.** **1d. After** **the Agency.** 

### .filed**a request** **for:Aggravated Circumstances,** **which was** **ultimately denied,** **Father resumed** 

### visits**with the** **Minor Child.** **Father was** **ordered to** **complete an** **interactional with** **the Minor-Child** **and a** **psychological*****evaluation through** **an appropriate** **provider. Father** **presented for** **a psychological** **evaluation with.Dr.** **Eric.Bern.stein on** **April 23,.** **2019 and** **May. 7,** **2019 but** **presented as** **"guarded, defensive** **and to** **an extent** **uncooperative" and** **"refused to** **comply with.the** **completion of** **the psychological** **testing" for** **the****evaluation*:****See**

### Bernstein**Report 9** **Turn**

### ey**Jackson**

### testified**that she** 

### requested**Father be..drug** 

### test**ed.at the** **permanency review** **hearing because** **she knew** **he WouId** **fail becausethey** **were doing.** **drugs together** **and the** **time and** **bothwere an** **cocaine: HX.,** **vol.**

### 3,**Pg. 766.** **-39 of** **April 23,** **2019 and** **Moy 7,** **20.19, Pg.** **12. See** **also,. See** **Pertiianency Review** **Order.**

## of**N6vember.12, 2019,** **wherein Father** **1s noted** **tp have** **testified. that** **he was** **aware of** **the recommendation** **for'psychologica1.. testing** **and doubled** **down. on'his** **refusal to** **do the** **same. Father** **stating, "I** **refused to** **dg it,** **I'm noVa** **nut case,"** 

## d:**Father also** **acknowledged his** **refusal in** **his testimony** **at the** **TPR hearing.** **H.T, Vol,** **3; Pg,** **631.. g** **Father was** **ordered to** **provide kinship** **and other** **support. Father** **was found** **to not** **have provided** **names of** **potential kinship** **placement providers** **for the.** **Minor Child** **despite repeated** **requests. See** **Permanency Review** **.Ord& of** **November 12,** **2019. See** **also, testimony** **of Caseworker,** **H.T.,. Vol:** **i,. Pg.** **221, ®** **.Father****was*pidered****to comp** **lete anger** **management and/or** **conflict resolution** **counseling: Father** **did engage** **in anger** **management; albeit** **not when** **initially Court** **ordered.. Despite** **such com0letion** **of. service,** **Father's behaviors** **following completion** **are devoid** **of any** **supporrt.that Father** **internalized What** **he learned** **zP Although** **Father claims** **to be** **using what** **he learned** **in anger** **management and** **the 1usticeCare.Casework** **Supervisor, Lisa** **Sutherland, noted** **progress in** **Father.,****the*record****is ripe** **With examples** **of Father's** **outbursts rants,** **erratic and** **disruptive behaviors** **and uncontrollaple** **displays of** **frustration and** **anger, all** **foIloWing his** **completion of** **this service.** **As noted** **by Dr.** **Bernstein, Father** **has not** **internalized what** **he would** **have learned** **in anger** **management and** **"has consistently** **conveyed that** **he has** **never had** **an anger** **pr:oblem• that** **he's. never** **been violent** **towards. women..** **So his** **position of** **"innocence" to** **an extent** **precludes him** **from identifying.as** **part of** **thatgroup."' H.T.,** **Vol. Pg:.164.** **Stating*****that he** **did npt** **get the** **sense from** **Father that** **he made** **effprts to** **change because** **he saw** **no need** **to change.** **Id. 6** **In August** **of 2020,** **immediately prior** **to the** **filing of** **the*TPR****petition, Father** **was ordered** **to participate** **with Minor** **Child's medical** **appoint ments,Tather** **attended one** **visit and** **attempted to** **attend one:othe.r** **but was** **unable through** **no fault** **of Father.** **Notably this** **zi See** **Bernstein. testimony** **summarized above** **and contained'at-H'J.,** **Vol. Pgs.'126-127** **and 164** **Blake testimony'** **summarized above** **and contained** **at'H.T., Vol:** **1, Pgs.** **204-207; Knapp** **testimony at** **H.T., Vol.** **2, Pg.** **341;.Osowskl testimony** **at H.T..,** **Vol. 2,** **Pg. 268.** **Further, see** **5utherlan.d testimony** **summarized above,** **found at** **H.T., Vol.** **•3, Pg.** **39-54D, wherein** **Sutherland.acknowledges..that.if Minor** **Child was** **in Father's** **care, without** **court ordered** **pe NiSiOrl** **, there** **ould be** **no one** **preseni to.de** **escalate Father** **'s anger.** **40**

### is**the only** **recorded attendance** **and**

### attempted**attendance*****of Fatherfoe** **medical appointments** **for Minor** **Chil& 11** 

### A**review of** **the record** **establishes that** **the conditions** 

### that**led to.** **placement in** 

### the**present matter** **continue to** **exist and** 

### have**persisted, if** **not**

### aggravated,**during the** **thirty-four (3** **4) month** **historyof the** **case, prior** **to the** **hearing on** **the Termination** **of Parental** 

### Rights.**At**

### :Fathers

### highest**level of** **compliance, moderate,** **such assessment** **was based** **on Father** **"maintaining housing"** **and participating** **in anger.management.** **13 See** 

### Permanency**Review Order** 

### of**June 20,** **2020.**

### White**Father visited** **consistently**

### after**a nearly** **yearlong hiatus** 

### and**completed anger** **management o.n** **the eve** **of the** **hearing for** **Aggravated Circumstances,** **Father**

### has*failed**to Complete** 

### and/or**accomplish any** 

### other**goal necessary** **for:reunification. In** **fact,. Father** **completed absolutely** **no goals** **required for** ***reunification duringthe** 

### retluisite'six**(6) and** **twelve'(12) month** **time frames** **contemplated under** **25.11(a)(5) and** **(a)(8).**

### Although**not contemplating** **actions.under 2511(a)(5),** **"with**

### respect.**to'any petition** **filed pursuant** **to subsection** **(Aj(j), (b),** **or (8),** **the Court** **shall not** **consider**

### any**efforts by** **the parent** **i6 remedy** **the! con** **ditions described** **therein Whi** **ch. are** **first initiated** **subsequent to** **the. giving** **of notice** 

### of**the filing** **of the** **petition."**

### Adoption**of CJP,** **114 A.3d** **1046 1053** **(Pa. Super.** **2015),**

### citing**TSM 71** **A.3d at** **257. 24** **Accoedinglj, this** **Court f!** **rids thatthe** **second. pro.n.g.under** **Sections 251.1(a)(S)** **and 2511(a)(8)** **has been** **established by** **clear**

### and

### convincing**evi.de rice.** **.More specificaIly,.the** **conditionsthat led** **to the** **removal**

### or**placement of** **the child** **continue to** **exist. While** **additional. analysis.** **rust be** **explored**

### under**2511(a)(5),**

### Section**2511(a)(8) requires** **no further:inquiry** **before a** 

### needs**and welfare** **analysis, Seer** **In the** **Interest**

### pf**T.M..T., 54** **A.3d 1.119:** **See surnmary** **of Blake** **testimony:above, reference** **at H.** **T,, Vol.** **'. pg.** **218. 23** **Testimony at** **this review** **hearing established** **that Father** **moved. quickly** **ihro6gh `the** **anger management** **program and** **Father asked** 

### to**"double up** **on. sessions."** **Illustrates: typeofsta.nce** **and det&mination** 

### Father**could have** **taken:throaghaut the** **case-history, but.** **chose not** **to pursue:** **24 if** **constructive**

### notice,**Father would** **have been** 

### on**notice.at . the** **time of.the** **November 2019** **Permanency Review** **order, wherein** **the Court** **instructed. the** **Agency to** **file a** **Petition for** **Termination. ,Father** **would also** **have had** **constructivanotice of** **the Agency's** **' intent** **to file** **a Petition** **for Termination** **during the.December** **2020 Review** 

### Hearing,**Wherein the** **Agency discussed** **it's delay** **due-to Mother'.s.marriage..However,** **it is** **6hcontroverted that** **despite which** **"n.otice" time** **frame, Father** **falled.to complete** **all .court.ordered** **services at** **the time** **.of the** **filing:of the** **TPA and** **at the** **time of.theTPR** **hearing.**

### 41

### Section**(A)(8) sets** **a 12** **month ti** **rile frame.for** **a parent** **to remedy** **the conditions** **that led** **to the** **children's removal** **by the** 

### court.**Vince the** **12 month** **period has** **been established,** **the**

### Court**must next.** **determine whether** **the conditions** **that led** **to the** **child(ren)'s removal** 

### continue**to exist** **despite good.** **faith efforts** **of ©H5** 

### supplied**over a** **realistic**

### tune**period. Termination** **under:Secti0*****h 2511.(A).(S)** **does'not require** **the court** **to evaluate** **a parent's** **current wiIIingness** **or ability** **to remedy** **the co** **dditions that** **'Initially caused** **piacemeni.or the.:avail.abil.ity** **of the** **efficacy of** **DHS Services.** **At .1125-1126** **quoting In** **re K.-Z5.,** **94.5 A.2d** **753,759.(Pa.**

### Super.**2008), The** **analysis under** **Section 2s1** **(a)(5)"next requires** **the Court** **to'determine if** **the parents** **cannot or** **will not** **remedy the** **conditions within** **a reasonable** **period of** **time. Here,** **4s illustrated** **above, Father** **failed and** **refused to** **comply with** **most of** **the Court** **ordered.services**

### and:**recoriirriendatiohs. Father's** **outright refusal.is** **well documented** **of record** **and acknowledged** **by Father;** **s Upon** **review of** **the circumstances** **in this** **case, this** 

### Court**finds Father's** **delay in** **participation inexcusable,** **"A parent** **is required** **to exert** **a sincere** **and genuine** **effort to** **maintain a** **parent child** **relationship: The** **parent must** **use all** **available resources** **to preserve** **the**

### parentalrelationship**.and must** **exercise reasonable** **firmness in** **resisting obstacles** **placed in** **the path** **of maintainingthe** **parent**

### -child**relationship." 4n** **Re-C M.S.,.** **832 A,2d** **457, 452** **(Pa. Super..** **2003), Parental** 

### duty**is an** **affirmative duty,** **which requires'affirmatiive** **performance. "Parental** **rights are** **not preserved** **while a** **parent waits** **for a'suitable** 

### or**convenient time.** **to perform.** **parental duties** **while:others'provide the** **child with** **the immediate** **physical and** **emotional needs."** **Id. .:As.** **stated by** **the Court** **[n Re** **V.E. an.d** **J.P., when** **children have** **been removed** **from the** **parental home** **and placed** **in foster** **care, the** **parent has** **'an affirmative** 

### duty**to**

### work**toward the** **return**

### of**his children."** **611 A:2d** **1267,**

### 12.71**-12.72 (P.O.** 

### Super.**1992). "At** **a minimum** **that affirmative** **duty requires** **the parent** **show a** **willingness to** **cooperate. with** **CYS to** **obtain****the*rehabilitatiVe****services*necessary****to enable** **the parent** **to. meet** **. the** **'duties and** **obligations inherent** **in parenthood."** **id: 25** 

### See**SUMn)ary of** **testimony herein,** **w1th references** **to Hearing** **Transcript as** **follows: Testimony** **of Dr.** **Bernstein,. H:T„** **Vo1..1, 0g.** **29, and.** **Father's testimony** **of H.T..** **Vol: 3,.** **Pg. 616-628,** **relating .to** **parenting education.** **and drug.** **screening; Pg.** **631, relating** **to psychological** **evaluation: 42** **In review** **of**

### Fath.er's**failure to** **comply with** **Court0rdered**

### and**Agency recommended** **services, the** **Court cannot** **ignore****Father's*claims****regardirig racism..** **More specifically;** **Father has** **alleged that** **his race** **has played** **'a role** **in his** **treatment by** **both the** **Agency, caseworkers,** **Service providers,** **evaluators, and** **the Court.** **Despite such** **broad claims,** **Father has** **never pointed** **to a** **specific incident** **of racially** **motivated behavior,** **racial animus** **racially insensitivity** **or racial** **hostility.. Although** **outlined above,** **it bears** **repeating.,: When** **asked about** **his claims** **during the** **TPR hearing,** **Father stated,.** **amongst other** **comments, that** **when the** **.CASH worker** **first rnet** **him "she** **looked****right*doWn****her nose** **at me.** **She gave** **me that** **look. T'II** **say that** **look. And** 

## that**took l** **know, because** **I'm**

### )lack.-**l.know when** **somebody you** **could**

### tall**by their** **gestures towards** **you, when.** **they**

## don't**like that** 

## interraclal**couple stuff."** **H. T,** **Vol: 3,** **Pg. 600.** **Father based** **his feelings** **on "a** **look." Although** **Father may:** **have**

## legitimately**believed that** **he**

## wr a**§ discri.rhinated** **against as** **a result** **of his** **race, or** 

## based**on his** 

## race**plus an** 

## additionaI.factor,**,no evidence,** **testimony and/or** **witness supported** **this theory,** **with the** **exception of** **Paternal Grandmother's** **reference to** **"vicious white** **w6men attacking** **Tier son"** **when she** **attended a** **hearing. While** 

### multiple**Witnesses testified** **regarding concerns** **with Father-and** **Father's non** 

### compliance**and refusals,** **such testimony** **vwas corroborated,** **oftentimes through** **Father's own** **testimony. Nothing** **gives any** 

### indication**that.race played** **any factor** **in the** **actions and** **recommendations of** **the Agency** **and/or Court.** **In addition,** **it'is important** **to note** **that a** **camprehensive review** **of the** **record establishes** **that Father** **is the** **only participant** **who ever** **injects race** **into the** **record and** **the only** **person with** **documented racially** 

### insensitive,**derogatory, or** **diversity charged** **and/or bigoted** **comments z6.** **26. See** **references, summarized** **herein and** **contained within** **the Hearing** **Transcript as** **noted: Blake** **testimony that** **Father stood** **"six inches"** **from her** **and screamed;** **cussed,: yelled** **profanities and** **call them.** **"racial sluts** **(H.T., Vol::1,** **Pgs.'2a6-2071; Huey** **testimony that** **she heard** **Father say,** **°l know** **exactly. who** **said that** **shit.. It's** **that effing** **N word,** **the bald** **headed black:..guy:** **(H.T., Vol.** **2, Pg.** **285); Knapp** **testimony that** **Father c.a.me** **down the** **stairs "screaming** **and yelling,** **right.close to** **our fates,..aboutwanting** **to.know why** **we were** **there; calling** **us: names** **like white,** **effing C.-** **word,.honkies, and** **screamed the** 

### only**reason CYS** 

### was**Imblved. in** **th**

### is**was because** **of that** **.d6..mb,. effing,** **white, B-ward."** **(H.T., Val.** **2; Pg.** **3D6);. Peterson** **testimony that** **l=ather called** **her "white.dyke"** **and made** **reference to** **her as** **part.of the** **'fat girls** **club:' (H.T.** **Vo1..2, Pg.** **444=450); Father's** **testIm.ony,."I'm Loud,** **but I`m** **naturally loud.** **I'm a** **big dude.** **But.l Would** **look like** **a fairy** **if I** **had.a:little squeaky** **voice." (H.T.,** **Vol. 3,** **Pg;.6Q2); Father's** **test Imonythat** **African-American caseworker** **was a** **"token," illustrating** **what he** **described as.** **"three types.** **of nlggers:"** **(H.T:, Vol.** **3, Pgs.** **615=616); Turney-Jackson** **testimony when** **discussing the** **potential of** **Father**

### fostering**sibling visits** **if reunited** **with Minor** **Child, "he** **said that** **White bitch** **would never** **see his** **child." (.H** **X., Vol.** **$.; Pg.** **758). 43** 

### Services**were offered** **to**

### Father**over**

### a**thirty-four (34).** **month period** 

### and**Father failed** 

### and**refused to-comply.** **He did** **not resist** **barriers, but** **rather erected** **barriers:**

### Accordinglwthis.**Court finds** **that the** **Apencv**

### has**established by** **clear and** **convincing. evidence** **that despite** 

### efforts**of the** **Agency, Father** **cannot or** **wilt not** **remedy those** 

### conditions**that led** **to the** **removal and** **placement of** **Minor Child** **in a** **reasonable period** **of time.** **Alth6ugh**

### discussed**in detail** **above, this** **Court. also** **finds.t.hat the** **services or** 

### assistance**reasonably**

### available**to Father** 

### are**not likely** 

### to**remedy the.** **con dit** **ion s,** **which led** **to th** **a removal.** **of placement** **of the** **Minor Child,** 

### within**a reasonable** 

### time:**Here, we.known** **that Father** **has failed** **and refused** **to comply** **with an'y** **services offered** **by the.** **Agency, except** **for the** **visitation provision,** **the anger** **management provision** **and the** **evaluation bV** **Dr. Bernstein.** **The services** **offered**

### were**to address** **specific concerns** **raised:'bythe Agency.** **After an** **extended period** **of non-compliance,** **services were.** **removed from** **later orders** **and replaced** **by other** **services. Father** **stlll,. admittedly** **failed**

### to**comply or** **severely delayed** **his cooperation** **and participation.** **Father ultimately** **did the** **anger*management****on the** **eve of** **the Aggravated** **Circumstances**

### hearing**and renewed** **his interest** **in visits** **with Minor** **Child**

### shortly**after that** **time: But** **concerns were** **not alleviated..** **Father's behaviors** **continue and** **Father continues** **to require** **services and** **redirection with** **his visits.** **Although he** **delayed**

### for**a.peNod. of** **nearly two** **¢2)**

### years**in cooperating** **with.**

### services,**Father**

### completed**anger management** **relatively quickly.** **Hdwever,**

### despite**such.comp{etiQn, the** **angel' management** 

### appears.to**have limited** **impact on** **Father. lbr.** **'Be.rnstein.testified at** **the P.R** **heaHngtkiat, based** **on his** **o.bservatiori's,**

### "Father**has not** **internalized**

### what**he**

### would**have learned** 

### in**anger management"** **H. T.,** **Vol. 0.** **Pg. .164.** **In**

### addition,**the record** **is**

### littered**with references** **of. Father** **engaging in** **behaviors inconsistent** **with having** 

### internalised**or benefitted** **from the** **anger management.** **Had Father** **not Waited** **nearly'two (2)** 

### years**to begin** **commencing**

### services,**the Agency** **and Court** **would #laye** **had an** **opportunity tp** **evaluate the** **effectiveness of** 

### services**in alleviating.** **concerns**

### and**the potential.** **need for** **additional and/or** **advanced services.** 

### Fathees**unwillingness to** **cooperate, erection** **of barriers** **to compliance,** **and stance** **of non** **compliance prp..hibited** **this from** 

### happening**in a** 

### reasonable**.time-**

### period,**ln.short, this** **Court finds** **that the** **services or** **assistance reasonably** **available to** **Father are** **not lik.elu** **to remedv** **the 44** **conditions, which** **led to** **the removal** **or placement** **of the** **Minor Child** **within a** **reasonable period** **of time.** **Finally, this** **Court will** **evaluate the** **last element** **of**

### Sections**2511(a)(5) and..(a** 

## }(8),**whether termi** **nation. best** **se rvesA** **he needs** **and welfare** **of the** **Minor Child:** **Here there** **is. no** **doubt that** **Father loves:** **jtis Chiid.and** **the. Chi** **Id has** **geown.to**

## love**his Father** **and now** **enjoys. his** **time**

## with**Father.?' Nevertheless,** **a**

## review**of the** **record as** **a whole** 

## establishes.**that this** **Child, asWith** **all**

## children,**requires permanency,** **consistency, safety** **and stability** **and the** **Minor Child** **is unable** **to achieve** **this.with**

## Father.**rroi-h birth.to** **the present** **date, with** **the exception** **of a** **few weeks** **in' respite** **several.mont.hs.**

## after**the filing,** **of the** **TPR Petition,** **the Min..or** **Child**

## has.**resided with** **his fostee** 

## family**and half** **siblings, The** **Foster Mather** 

## attends**tothe Minor** 

## Child's**daily needs,** **basic needs,** **medical needs,** **educational needs,** **and social.rieeds.** **While Father** 

## delayed**l6taking actions** **to reunite** 

## with.his**Minor Child,** **the Child's** **bond and** **security grew** **within the** **home: of** **his foster** **family,,**

## particularly**with his** **siblings. After** **a significant** **period, Father** **has been** 

### able

## to**establish that** **he can** **provide for** **the basic** **needs of** **the:Minor Child.** **In**

## fact,**there is** 

### no**dispute in** **the**

### record**that,**

## once**Father resumed** **visits with** **the Child** 

## he**was ab[e** **to feed,** **clothe, play** **and educate** **the ch1Id.** **g However,** **the**

### majority

### of**these lhteractlons** **occurred following** **the filing.of** **the TPR.** **In light** **of the** **history of** **the**

### case,**this Court** **evaluates these** **connections akin** **to a** 

### child's**fondness of** **a teacher** **or babysitter** **or distant** **relative**

### following**a period** ***of absence..** **When Dr.** **Bernstein conducted** **the. interactional** **of the** 

### Minor**Child a.nd** **Father in** **the spring.of** **2019, the** **Minor Child** **iaras "crying** **at the** **end of** **the interactional** **evaluation with'Father."** **N:T: Vol.** **1, Pp.** **29: Following** **the assessment,** **Father**

## stopped**visiting with** **the Minor** **Child**

## for**nearly**

## a**year. In** **comparison, in** **the*fall****of 2019,** **Dr. Bernstein** **conducted an** **interactional evaluation** 

## with**the Minor** **Child and** **his caregiiiers** 

### and**his half_** 

## siblings**and rioted** **how "Minor** **Child cried** **when his** **half-siblings left** **the office** **and. "quicltly:recovered.** **as soon** **as they** **returned." H;T.,** **Vol.j, pg.** **27 See** **testimony. of** **Kendra Toseki,** **Father observed** **Mlrior Child** **saying, ".Daddy,** **I. love** **you." H.** **T:,.VcO, Pg,** **492, Toseki'also** **testified she** **saw Father** **play.w"ith .Minor** **Child and** **assist with** **his toys.** **Id. 2s** **Knapp testimanysu** **mmarlaed.above acid** **found in** **hearingtranscriptthat she.observed** **"in her** **few interactions** **with:lFather] and** **lChild].good parenting** **skills, as** **far as** **going over** **letters; numbers** **things like** **that nature.** **(H.T., vol.2,.** **Pg. 314.);** **Sutherland testimonythat** **Father is** **good with** **JAI;; Wnd** **she has** **no concerns** **with his** **parenting. (H** **T., Vo** **I: 3,:** **Pgs: 507_508** 

### y.**Chi A** **45 32.** **Dr. Bernstein** **testified that,-** **"the measure** **of the** **bond of** **a.relatio.nship is.morethan** **just the.** **observation of** **the interaction** **alone, but** **is reflected** **in the** **level of** **investrrient by** **the caregivers,** **their,consistencyto estabiish:trust,** **the stab'ilityof** **the environment** **itself, arid'of** **course, the:** **qu al** **ity.of care** **provided." H.** **T., Vol.** **1> pg.** **32 33.** **Conslderingthis definition;** **this Court** **recogniies*that****white Father** **has engaged** **in basic** **parenting ski** **IIs*****With in** **his hoirme,** **he has** **taken no** **other steps** **to develop** **and cultivate.** **his relationship** **as a** **provider for** **the Minor** **Child's needs** **and welfare.** **Father has** **only engaged** **with the** **Child to** **a limited'extent.** **He,has failed** **to provide** **cards, gifts** **or.nates,z to** **attend medical** **appointments for** **the Child** **outsid6of being.** **Court. ordered** **and failed** **to temper** **his. anger** **and hostility** **to. enable** **a quicker.reunificati.on.** **This cohduct:is** **compared with** **that of** **the foster** **family, wherein** **foster mother** **testified that** **she .pravides** **for the** **24/7 care** **of Minor** **Child and** **has done** **so since** **his birth.** **Peterson*****testified she** **provides "24/7** **basic.care, feeding,** **draper changes,** **potty training.** **Teaching him** **his colors** **and numbers,** **and loving** **him." H,T,** **Vol. 3,** **Pg 727.** **Furthermore, this** **Court•cannot emphasize** **enough the** **relationship of** **the Minor.** **Child and** **his siblings** **when making** **a needs** **and welfare** **analysis. As** **summarized above,** **Dr. Bernstein** **testified that** **Minor Child** **had been** **raised with** **his siblings** **and "embraces** **therm in** **his day-** **to-day environment,"** **noting that** **"they are** **}cart of** **his worid.that** **he understands** **and experiences,** **and which** **he has** **come to** **accept. as** **his.farnily." H.T.,.** **Va1. 1,** **Pg. 47.** **Bernstein later** **testified that** **11he sibling** **bond is:absolutely** **significant, and** **if that** **were to.** **be compromised;** **it could** **have a:** **negative impact** **on the** **Child. in.** **th.e.short term** **and long** **term," H.T.,** **Vol. 1,..Pg,** **1.74. Evert** **Father has** **acknowledged the** **sighificarice of** **the Mirror** **Child's bond** **with hissiblings:stating,:** **"lfthe bond** **with his** **[foster parents]** **is notimpo.rtaht,** **the orie** **with his** **siblings is"** **H..T., Vol.** **3, Pg.** **653. ..Father** **has testified** **that, if** **reunlfied with** **Minor Child,.** **he will:** **take efforts** **to ensure** **sibling visits** **30 Respite** **Father's claims,** **this Court** **believes that** **the record** **and history** **of the** **case*establish****the opposite.** **Specifically focusing** **on the** **testimony of** **rs Nearrirg** **Transcript, Val.** **2,.Pgs. 433-434.** **° See.** **Father's te.5timony;** **summarized above** **and contained** **in hearing** **transcript as** **referenced "I** **will.mak.e sure** **they. stay:wgether.** **(H.T., VoL3,** **Pg. 653);** **Father states** **he will** **do everything** **in his** **power to** **be sure** **the Minor** **Child visits** **with his** **siblings:.(H..L, Vol..3,** **Pg.. 596);** **Father corninending** **foster parents** **for raising** **the.Minor Child** **and asserting** **that he** **would worlrwith** **foster mother** **to enable** **Mirror Child** **to visit** **siblings. (H.T.,** **Vol. 3,** **Pg. 619-** **620). .46** **Mather that** **when she** **and Father** **discussed continuing** **contact with** **siblings if** **the Minor** **Child was** **returned to** **Father Father** **indicated. no** **problem with** **the Child:** **visiting but:** **stated in** **reference to** **foster rnom,** **"that white** **bitch wi11** **never see** **his child:"** **H.T. Vol.** **3,. Pg.** **758. Also** **looking to** **testimony of** **lulianna Peterson,** **foster mother,** **that during** **custody exchanges,** **Father rarely** **talks to** **her, despite** **her'efforts to** **the contrary.** **As referenced** **earlier, Father** **acknowledged this** **response as** **what he** **learned in** **anger management.** **Evaluating testimony** **of paternal** **grandmother stating** **hprson ;.** **"doesn't.like [Minor** **Child's] foster** **mother aind'** **her sister.** **H_T, Vol.** **3; Pgs.** **555-558. Finally;** **evaluatiing Father's** **behaviors during** **a family** **group decision** **making session** **in October** **2420; corivened** **specifically to** **address issues** **and: concerns** **of sibling** **visitation al** **if reunification** **were to** **occur,..where the** **meeting had** **to be** **stopped due** **to lack** **of progress** **because l=ather** **was upset.** **H.T., Vol.** **2, Pg.** **302.' 12** **As with** **many other** **points in** **this case,** **Father has** **chosen his** **own anger** **and need** **for displays.** **of indignation** **over the** **best: interest** **and needs** **of his** **child. Dr.** **Bernstein' opined** **that that** **foster parents** **meet the_needs.and** **Welfare of** **Minor Child** **and that** **Father's parental** **rights should** **be terminated.** **H.T., Vo.l.** **1; Pg.** **64 and** **6667. Bernstein** **further testified** **that. the** **Minor Child,** **"Igo.ks to** **his foster** **mom as** **his psychological** **pai ent.that** **h6 looks** **to for** **everyday needs.and** **to remove** **the child** **is tantamount** **to compromising** **and negatively** **impacting is:identity** **and his** **world." H.T.,** **Vol, .1,** **Pg. 174.** **This Court** **agrees and** **finds.that the** **needs and** **welfare of** **the. Minor** **Child will** **be best** **seri+ed with** **the Terrninatiori** **of Father's** **parental rights.** **In short,** **the Court** **is*aware****that the** **Chiiid,.Minor Child** **Wil[iams,.has been** **in placement** **for an** **extended period** **.of time** **— in** **excess of** **34 months** **-- far** **in excess** **of the** **mInimaI six** **months 3i** **Foster mo;her,** **sulianna Peterson,** **has adopted** **Child's siblings.** **12 -Even** **when evaluating** **th.e potential** **of a** **Permanent Legal..Custodia.nship,** **Dr. Bernsteln** **found it** **not to** **be a** **viable goal** **statine,..a:PLC is.appropriate** **where there** **is a** **"modicum of** **co-parenting communication** **and/or relationship** **between the** **providers of** **care and** **the .parent** **in question,** **and a** **level of** **shared respect** **and openness:"** **H,T.,. V6** **1. 3:** **P0.126. Bernstein** **continued, 1** **know you've** **made men€ion.** **about !Father's]** **progress, there** **are areas** **in which** **l have** **not seen** **progress that** **gives me** **the Impr.ess?on** **that he's** **going to** **continue having'autbursts** **of behavior.** **And. he's** **never s** **h ow** **n d** **I s** **c r** **eti on** **In.conveying his** **upset.and.frustratlons 'in.this** **child's presence:** **1 have** **hot progress** **[sic] in** **that:respect. His** **personality is** **such that** **i can't** **help but,question** **If he's** **going to** **continue having** **.di fficulties** **managing his** **fru'stration,'as.exempllfied by.** **reports. I've** **received of** **shouting.and profanity** **and threatening** **hehaviorand insults** **to others,** **and the•bla.ming** **of.others for** **his respective** **difficulties:" H.T,** **Vol. 1,** **Pgs. 326-.127.** **47 express** **ly.stated in** **the §** **2511(a)(5) and** **the twelve** **(12) months** **contemplated in** **§25 1160).** **The conditions** **leading td** **removal and** **placement and** **amplified during** **the pendency** **of the.** **case continue** **to persist.** **Father, by** **his own** **conduct and** **lack thereof,** **is not** **11kely to** **remedy the** **conditions that** **ied to** **the removal** **or placement** **of the** **Child, despite** **reasonable efforts.of** **theAgency. Fath'er's** **refusal and'failure** **to comply** **has left** **the Minor** **Child in** **placemerit with** **his Foster** **family virtually** **his entire** **life. Father's** **delays have** **allowed the** **Minor Child** **to develop** **safety and** **security within** **they home** **of the** **Foster parents** **and to** **rely on** **the consistency** **and bond** **established with** **his half** **siblings: Therefore;** **the Agency** **has. established** **grounds for** **the termination** **of Father** **s parental** **rights under** **moth Sections** **2511 a)(S)** **and' 2511•a)t8).** **As rioted** **above, the** **Agency has** **filed a** **petition requesting** **termination. of** **parental rights** **under Section** **2511(1) and** **Section 2511{2}** **as well.** **.section 2511f** **mm Linder** **§****2511(a)(1),*the****rights of** **a parents)** **may be** **terminated. if** **it is** **proven by** **clear and** **convincing evidence** **that the** **"parents by** **conduct, continuing** **fora period** **of at** **leash six** **months immediately** **preceding the** **filing of** **the petition** **either has,evidenced** **a settled** **purpose_of relinquishing** **parental claim** **to a** ***child or** **has****refused*orfailed****to perform** **parental duties."** **In support** **of its** **petition under** **§ 2511(a)(1),'the** **Agency arguesthat** **Father has** **"failed to** **perform parental** **duties." To** **support its** **claim., the.** **Agency asserts** **that the:Ch'ild** **was adjudicated** **dependent on.** **April 18,** **2018, and** **placed in** **kinship care** **with the** **same family** **that*adopted****the Chiid'.s** **half siblings.** **The Father** **had, not** **visited `with** **the. Child** **for a** **period of** **eleven months;** **specifically; from** **July 27,** **2019 through** **June 28;** **2620. The** **Agency #i** **led its** **petition for** **Involuntary Termination** **of Parental** **Rights on** **August 11.,** **2020. Parental** **duties are** **difficult to** **define: `It** **irivolves basic** **care of** **feeding and** **dressing a** **child, spendingtime** **with a** **child and.** **helping a** **child to** **learn and** **grow educationally** **and 49** **emoti❑.naily. See:** 

### in**Re C.** **'93j. A.2d** **45 7,4** **61 462** **(Pa. Super.** **6.03). Our** **court**

### have**said; "these** **needs, physicai** 

### and**emotional, cannot** **be met** **by a.** **merely passive** 

### interest**in the** **developrnent.of the** **child.." ld.** **at462. Parental** **duty is.an** **affirrna*tiv.e**

### duty**'whiich requires** **affirmative performance.** **Further, parental** **rights are** **riot preserved** **while a** **parent waits** 

### for**a suitable** **or more** **conveni'enttime to** **perform parental** **duties .while** **others provide** **a child** **with**

### 'their**immediate physicala** **m nd** **eotional needs.** **Id. The** **Agency filed** **foraggravated circumstances** **in. March** **of**

### 2020;**and; on** **June X20,** **2026, .a** **finding of** **aggravated circumstances** **was denied** **as to** **the**

### Father.**However, this** **Court found** **that "had** **the aggravated** **circumstances hearing** **been. held** **in March** **2Q2.0,111is court** **would have.had** 

### no**question as** **to the** **granting of** **aggravated circumstances** **.:. Due** **to COVID-19** **pandemic, and** **additional circumstances** 

### outside

### of**the Agency** **and Court's** **control,- Father** **was given** **more**

### time**and.he engaged** **in anger** **management and** **finally visited** **with Minor** **Child,"**

### Nevertheless,**the fact** **remains that** **l=ather failed** **to**

### visit**far an** **extended period** **of**

### time,**failed to<participate** **in Court`** **ordered services** **to take** **action**

### to**reunify with** **his child,** **failed to** **provide gifts** 

### cards;**and/or.financial suppoftforthe** **Child, and** **failed**

### to**attend and/or** **even**

### `request**information regarding ..** **hild's medical** **appointment, until** **the month** **when the** **TPR**

### petition**was filed,** **See earlier** **discussion under** **Sections 2511(5)** **and 2511(8).** **However, once** 

### he**re=established contact,** **Father has** **been consistent** **with his** **visits: As** **Father's**

### time**With the** **Child has** **grown, there** **N no** **doubt that** **Father loves** **the Minor** **Child and** **the Minor** **Child knows** 

### Father**and loves** 

## him..**However, the** **Minor Child** **also loves** **his Faster** **Family'and,his Brother** **and sister** **with whom:** **his has** **lived consistently** **since birth.** **Father's delay** **in stepping** **up with** **parental**

### duties**only served** **to. soli.di.fy** **the Minor** **Child's**

### comfort**in the** 

### foster**home. :Once** 

### evidence**establishes a** **failure to.** **perform parental** 

### duties,**the Court** **is instructed** **to**

### engage**in three** 

### lines**of inquiry:** **(1)**

### the**parent's explanation** 

### for**his or** **her**

### conduct;.**(2) the** **past-abandonment contact** **between the** **parent and** **child; and** **(3) consideration** **of the** **effect of** **termination under** **§2511(b). See** **In Re** **C: M.S.** **at 464-465.** **Add ressi** **n.g. e** **a ch** **of the** **above: IInes** **of inquiry,** **the Court** **will ₹irst** **look to** **Fat heir's** **explanation for** **his conduct.** **With regard** **to his** **explanation,. other** **than. citing** **work conflicts** **(that both** **the. Court** **and Agency** **attempted to** **accommodat&, without** **cooperation); Father** **has 49** **offered no** **ekplariation for** **his failure** **to perform** **parental duties** **. and** **his seeming** **desire to** **relinquish his** **parental claim.** **Father failed** **and refused** **to visit** **with the** **Minor Child** **for a** **period of** **eleven 1:1)** **months and'failed** **and refused** **to participate** **in Court** **ordered and** **Agency recommended** **services throughout** **the. case** **. In** **March of** **2020, l=ather** **finally began** **to engage** **and complete.anger** **management :** **In:Jun'e of** **2020 ,** **Father resumed** **visits with** **the Minor** **Child d** **remai d** **consistent up** **until the** **time of** **the TPR** **Hearing .** **Here .as** **in In** **re: 8.,.** **N.M., father** **initiated na** **action to** **assert his** **parental rights** **to the** **Child until** **e was** **faced with** **losing his** **legal stratus** **as the** **Father .** **855 A.2d** **847 (Po.** **Super. 2004).** **A court** **can consider** **actions of** **a parent** **to rehabilitate** **their parental** **status after** **the expiration** **of a.** **period of** **time; however** **, this** **is:not an** **unlimited exception..** **"It is** **well estal5iished** **that once** **the six** **month statutory** **period of** **abandonment. has** **passed, mei'e.renewal** **of interest** **and expression:** **of the** **desire for** **return bf** **a discarded** **child do** **not negate** **abandonment." in** **re: E.S.M.** **622A.2d 388..(Pa.** **Super.. 1993).** **So the** **question becomes** **, were** **Fathees.acts in** **attending anger** **management and** **resurning a** **consistent schedule** **of visitation** **suffici•ntto rehabilitate** **his earlier** **abandonment of** **his child** **and parental** **. duties.** **This Court** **would suggest** **that it** **does not** **; but** **declines to** **further evaluate** **this question** **because an** **additional inquiry** **must first** **be completed** **. The** **language of** **Section 2511(a)(1)** **associates the** **time of** **abandonment around** **two words** **, immediately** **preceding ."** **In the** **present case,** **although the** **Court ordered** **the filing** **of****the*petition****in November** **of 2020,** **the petition** **for termination** **of parental** **rights Was** **not filed** **until August** **of 2020** **, At** **the time** **of the** **filing of** **petition, Father** **had resumed** **visits and** **attended and** **completed anger** **management. Because** **this Court** **finds thatthe** **Agency has** **established by** **clear and** **convi.nci.n.g evidence** **other grounds** **upon which** **termination of** **Father s** **parental rsghts** **,. the** **Court declines** **to evaluate** **whether lather's** **post-abaridonnient contact** **is sufficient** **.to :offset.or** **negate a** **finding of** **Father having** **a settled** **purpose of** **relinquishing his** **parental clairn** **and refusal** **to perform** **parental uties..** **50**

### Section**2511(a)(2) Under§** **2511(a).(2), the** **rights of** **a parents)** **may beterm** **inated`if "the.repeated** **and. continued** **incapacity, abuse,** **neglect. or** **refusal of** **the parent** **has caused** **the child** **to. b6** **without essential** **parental care,** **control ors** **n.e.cessary for** **their physical** **or mental.** **well**

### -being**and the** **conditions and** **causes of** **the incapacity,.abuse,** **neglect**

### or**refusal cannot** **or will** **riot be** **remedied by** **the parents."** **This Court** **is well** **aware that** **"a parent** **who'cannot or** **will not** **meet the** **irreducible minimum** **requirements set** **by the** **Juvenile Act** 

### within**a reasonable** **time**

### following**state intervention** **may properly** **be considered** **`unfit,' and** **may properly** **have parental** **rights terminated:"** **In re:** **J. W.,** **A. W.;** **V.11i1., ohdJ.W.,** **578 A.-2d** **952, 958;** **(Pa. Super.** **1990). Here,** **the Agency** **was granted** **emergency custody** **of the.Child** **on April** **6, 2018** 

### because

### of**ongoing concerns** **with**

### the'parents'**inabitity to** **dare and.** **protective**

### capa**city for** **the**

### Minor**Child. Services** **were Court** 

### ordered**to alleviate** **concerns,**

## has**discussed**

### more**fully above),** **and Father** 

### refused**and/or failed** **to**

### cooperate.**Father's refusal** **to cooperate** **with'the.Agency,**

### oftentimes**fueled by** **his anger** **and upset** **with their** **involvement,. has** **left the** **Minor Child** **in .placement** **his entire** **life. Father** 

### has**noted on** **many*occasions****that the.** **Court ordered** **services and** **requests were** **for**

### "bad**parents" and** **he****has.*not****be shown** **to be** **a "bad** **parent." See** **H. T.,** **Vol. .3;** **Pg. 630..** **Under Section** **2511(a)(2), grounds** **for termination** **due**

### to**parental incapacity** 

### that**cannot be** **remedied,. "are** **not limited** **to affirmative** **misconduct; to** **the contrary** **those.**

### .grounds**may include** **acts*****of refusal** **as well** ***as. incapacity** **to perform** **parental duties,"** **.In Re:** **Adoption of** **k. i.,** **936 A.2d** **IT28, ,1132** **(Pa. Super.** **2007). Failure** **of a** **parent**

### to**remedy the** **conditions within** **a. reasonable** **period of** **time provides** 

### clear**and convincing** **evidence that** **termination of** **parental rights** **of the** **parent(s) should** **occur.. In** **re: Adoption** 

### of**B.I R.,** **297 Pa.** **Super. .11,..15,** **.1 7,** **$79 A.2d** **906; 9019,** **913 (199O);"In** **re ;Adoption.** 

## of**M.A.R., 405** **Pa: Super.** **131,**

### 1;91**A.2d 1133** **(1991). A** **parent is** **required to** **make concerted,** **diligent efforts** **towards the** **reasonable prompt** **assuniption:.of fu** **It parental** **responsibilities, "A** **parent's vow** **to cooperate,** **and nothing** **more,. after** **a long** **period of** 

### undooperativeriess**regarding the** 

### necessity

### of**or ay.a** **1**

### la**b i** **I ity** **of services,** 

### 51**may properly** **be rejected'as** **untimely and** **disingenuous. In** **re: A.L:b.,** **797 A.2d** **32-5: (Pa.** **Super. 2002).** **Here, Father** **displayed opposition** **and lridignation** **forvvhat.was happening`to** **"him" as** **opposed to** **taking affirmative** **actionsto do** **what was** **hest for** **the Minor** **Child. and** **his**

### reunification.**A: parent** **must**

### "exhibit**reasvhable firmness** **in attempting** **to*overcorn.e****barrlers,... He.** **must affirmatively** **demonstrate love,** **protection and** **concern for** **the. child."** **1n. Re** **ES..M., 62** **A.2c1388, 39** **[Po. Soper.** **1993), The** **action of** **Father*showirig****his upset** **and anger** **overshadowed his.** **interest in** **taking steps** **to get** **his child** **back. into.** **his care.** **Father****has*been****more interested** **in making** **his.point,.showing he** 

### is**right and** **chastising others** **for any** **suggestion to** **the contrary** **than affirmatively** **acting*in****the best.interest** **of his** **child. This** **Court has** **set forth** **in detail** **the'h.umber of** **Court oedered'services** **and Father's** **response in** **the**

### analysis**under §2511(a)(5.)** **and (a)(8)** **above and** **incorporates the** **sarne*analysis****here, noting,** **Father's continUeid.refusal.and** **failure.tdcomplete services:** **Although Father** **began engaging** 

### in**"a service"** **and finally** **visited the** 

### Minor**Child, Father** **remained non** **gaging**

### in**including**

### on***July 31,.2020,** **wherein Father** **presented himself** **for an** **updated psychological** **evaluation.as court** **ordered, but** **refused to** **particip.ate:to allowthe.** **doctor to** **make recorr** **mendations to:the** **Court The** **evidence-add uc6d** **during the** **hearings has** **established that** **the Father** **has .continually** **'and reoeatediv** **taken action** **and/or refused** **actions that** **have caused** **the Minor** **Child to** **be without** **essential parental** **care, control** 

### or**subsistence necessary** **for his** **physical and** **mental'Well-bein'g. This** **Court further** **finds that** **Father has** **failed to** **remedv'the conditions** **and causes,** **which led** **to the** **Child's placement** **outside of** **the parental** **home.*The:testimony****provided dur'ingthe** **hearings confirmsthat,** **notwithstanding all** **efforts to** **ensure reunification** **Father has** **failed to** **display the** **level: of** **commitment and** **understanding necessary** **to fulfill** **the parental.duti.es** **needed iO.y'the** **Minor'ChlId. Accordingly.;** **this.Court.finds that** **t hat** **-Age ncv** **has established** **clear and** **convincing evidence>that** **Father's parental** **rights should** **be terminated** **under:5ection 2511(a)(2].** **52. Section** **2511461 Title** **23 Pa:C:S.** **§..2511(b) is** **the second** **step in** **the analysis** **of consiclering** **termi nation** **of parental** **rights. .As** **such, §** **2511(b) requires** **"the court** **in terminatingthe** **rights of** **a parenf[to]** **give primary** **consideration to.** **the developmental,.physicaI** **and emotional** **needs and** **welfare of** **the. child."** **While Section** **2511(6). requires** **a focus** **on the** **parent when** **terminating parental** **rights §** **251.1(b) requ€res** **a focus** **on the** **child,. .In** **re Adoption** **of C.LG:,.956** **A. 2d** **999, 1008** **(Pa: Super.** **2008) (en** **bans). Section** **2511(6) has** **been interpreted** **by the** **Courts.ty be** **a "best** **interests" and** **"bond" analysis;.** **although bond;** **is not** **explicitly defined.** **See In** **Re::G.M.S., 19.3** **A.3d 395,** **401 {Pa:-.Super.** **2018). Bond** **is not** **.the only** **consideration to** **be evaluated** **in this.** **analysis. As** **stated by** **the Courtin** **G.M.Si, case** **law "provides** **that analysis** **of the** **emotional bond,** **if any,.** **between parent** **and child** **is a** **factor t6be** **considered as** **part of** **our analysis:"** **Id. The** **Court continues,** **While a** **parent's emotional•bondmith** **his.or her** **child. is** **a major** **aspect of** **the subsection** **25.11(b) best-interest** **an_alysis,.i.t.i.s nonetheless** **only one** **of many** **#acts to** **be considehid** **by the** **court when** **determining what** **is in** **the: best** **interest of** **the child."** **Id. "in** **addition to** **a bond.** **examination, the** **trial court** **can equally** **emphasize the** **safety needs** **of the'** **child, .and** **should also** **consider. the** **intangibles, such** **as.the love,** **comfort security** **and stabi.l.ity** **that the** **child might** **have with** **the foster** **parent, Additiohally;.this** **Court .stated** **that the** **trial court.** **should consider** **the importance** **of continuity** **of relationships** **and whether** **any existing:parent-child** **bond can** **be severed** **without detrimental** **effects on** **the child.** **Id., quoting** **in re** **Adoption of** **C.D.R:, 1S3** **A:3d 1212** **(Pa. Super.** **2035)..****Because*bond****is considered** **a****"major*aspect"****of a** **Section 2511(b).analysis,** **this Court** **will first** **evaluate bond** **in the** **facts of** **this case.** **As noted** **above, there** **is no** **question that** **father loves** **the Minor** **Child and** **the Minor** **Child has** **learned to** **love and** **enjoy time.with** **Father. Many** **professionals involved** **with this** **case have** **dQscribed the** **"bond" that** **has developed** **between Father'and** **Child during** **the post=abandonment** **contact period,** **as describes!** **herein. The** **question becomes** **whether the** **bond is** **sufficient to** **rise to** **the Ieve€** **contemplated under.Secti6h** **2511(6) and** **whether severing** **of any** **such hands** **outweighs other** **considerations and** ***factors****to*be****evaluated in** **the analysis** **of Sect€on** **2511(6): As** **discussed by** **the Court** **1n In** **the IntOrest** **of T.M.** **T,: 53** 

### "Father**testified that** **he loges** **his children** **very much** **and Ms.** **Convey testified** **on cross-examination** **that the** **children were** **excited to** **see him.** **Father's words,** **however, are** **not enough,** **as we** **have held** **that a** **parent's own** **foe lings** **of:love and** **affection.for a** **child alone** **Ao****n6t*preverit****termination. of** **parental**

## rights.**Moreover, while** **the children** **may enjoy** **eating snacks** **and.having fun** **time during** **a supervised** **visit, this** **does not** **rise to** **the**

## level**of a** **parent child** **bond." 64** **A.3d 1** **T 19,** **1125 (Po.** **Soper. 2013).** **Admittedly, here,** **the Minor** **Child has** **been observed** **saying, "paddy,** **l love** **you. See** **testimony of** 

## Kendra**Toseki at** **H.T., Vol.** **3, Pg.** **492. In** **addit'ion,'testimony was** **received iscussingobservations** **of the** **Minorchild climbing** **into his** **Fathes lap** **and asking** **Father to** **play with** **hirri. See** **testimony of** **Sutherland at:** **H. T,** **Vol 3,** **Pg. 512-513.** **Even Dr.** **Bernstein acknowledges** **that Minor** **Child and** **father have** **an existing** **bond, stating,** **the "Child'** **recognizes. him** **and*****enjoys Father's** **company when** **he isn't** **working." H.T.,** **Vol. 1,** **Pg..65.. Bernstein** **noted. this** **bond was** **greater than** **observed in** **his earlier** **interactional and** **attributed It** 

### to**more time** **with Father..** **H. T.,** **Vol. 1,** **Pgs: 118-119.** **Accordingly, this** **Court finds** 

### that**there is** **an existing** **bond between** **Father and** **the Minor** **Child a.nd** **must look** **to whether** **preservation of** **th is** **bond**

## best**serves the** **needs and** **welfare of** **the Minor** **Child. This** **Court next** **turns to** **the other** **factors to** **be evaluated** **under**

## Sectlon**2511(b). More** **specifically, the** **Court**

## will**evaluate the** **safety:needs of** **the. child** **and other** **intangibles such** **as love,** **comfort, security,** **stability, and** **the continuity** **of relationships.** **As stated,** **it is** **undisputed that** **the M!nor.** **ChiId,loves Father** **and is** **now comfortable** **with Visits** **in his** **home;****however,*the****Minor Child** **also loves** **his foster.family,.which** **includes his** **half-siblings with** **whom he** **has lived** **his ,entire** **life. This** **must be** **compared to** **his relationship** **with Father,** **which was** **only re** **kindled, after** **Father.. resu** **med visits** **with the** **Minor Ch** **lid and** **began engagerrient** **with: Court** **ordered services.** **Whlle this** **Court never** **wishes to** **compare.the quality** **of'a 'fositer.family** **versus*****the quality** **of a** **birth parent** **as a** **measure of** **best interests** **alone, when** **considering the** **factors of** **love, comfort,** **security, stability** **and continuity** **of relationships** **fora. best** **interest determination,** **given the** **hlstory:vfthis case,** **this evaluation** **is inevitable.** **While Father** **was**

## non-compliant**with Court:Drders** **and choosing** **anger, upset** **and uncaoperativeriess** **over visits** **with the** **Minor Child,** **the child** **was developing** **his stability** **and consistency** **within his** **foster 54** **.home. Dr.** **Bernstein has** **testified that** **the Minor** **Child looks** **to his** **foster mother** **and his** **siblings far** **his primary** **sense of** **love, safety** **and security.** **Surprisingly, Father's** **test'srhony suggests** **th at.** **he does** **not even** **1reGognize this** **impact. When** **Father was** **asked if** **he recognized** **that the** **year that** **he refused** **services his** **child was** **developing a** **bond, with** **the foster** **family, Father** **testified. That** **doesn't natter,** **it doesn't** **matter how.** **long my** **child is** **in foster** **care okay?.** **They signed** **up to** **be faster** **parents. They** **know that** **any day,** **that child** **can be** **taken. away** **from that•horime,** **The bond** **that is** **farMed between** **a foster** **parent and** **a child** **does not** **matter. Thais** **irrelevant: W.T.,Vol.** **3, Pg.** **629. This** **Court noted** **in a** **Dep endency** **proceeding and** **reiterates now,** **Father fails** **to' .** **take into** **accountthe impact** **on the** **Minor ChIIId:of** **bonds formed** **within his** **foster home** **that only•strengthened** **and deepened** **during Father's** **absence and** **defiance. Eather** **views the** **proceedings as'a** **competition between** **himself an.d.** **foster mother** **as opposed** **to considering** **the impacts** **and pest** **Welfare-of the** **Minor Child'•s** **physical.and mental** **needs for** **consistency, safety,** **security, and** **permanence.. As** **testified by** **Or. Bernsteih:** **[F]or younger•children...especiall.y** **nonverbal children.** **who are** **lathe mfnds** **of development** **of their** **brain and.** **development in** **al{respects ,** **really, having** **a sense** **of connection** **and constant** **and,predictable access** **to the** **parents is** **paramount for.tliem** **to be** **able to** **make a** **healthy connection.** **VtCf sere** **there's inconsistency** **or unpredictability** **or sporadic** **contact, it** **compromises the** **quality of** **that bond.** **That . s,** **the child** **comes to** **accept that** **this*****person is** **not reliable,** **or somebody** **upon whom** ***they Cori** **depend for** **their needs,** **and they** **become a** **less signlficant:** **fact or** **1n their** **lives. H:** **T., Vol..** **1, Pg.** **34. Bernstein** **testifying further** **that, although** **Father has** **made. some** **positive. progress,** **"the Minor** **Child looks** **to his** **foster morn** **as. his** **psychological parentthat** **he looks** **to for** **everyday needs** **and .to** **rernoVe the.** **child is** **tantamount to** **impacting his** **identity and** **his world."** **-H..7:, Vol:** **1, Pg.** **118 1.19.** **Bernstein testified.** **that the** **Minot Child** **has been** **raised with** **hi.s siblings** **and lie** **Mbraces them** **in his** **day- to-day.environment,** **they are** **part of** **his world** **that `he.understands** **and experiences,** **arid which** **he has** **come to** **accept as** **hisfarnily.• H.T„•Vvl.** **'1, Pg.** **47. Even** **33 See** **also, Testlmbhyofiuiianna.** **Peterson rega.rding.Father** **yelling afthe** **Minor Child** **for:calling her** **"mummy' and** **further description'of** **Child's confusion.** **H.7; .V61.•2.** **Pg: 43I:** **See also** **further testlmony:that** **Minor Child** **has developed** **a relationship** **with Petersons** **parents :** **and calls** **them grandma** **acid grandpa** **. H.T,** **Vol: 2,** **Pg. 433-43.4.** **55 considering** **this connection,** **Dr. Bernstein** **recognized that** **the Minor** **Child would** **have some** 

### impact**from**

### .-a

### termination**of Father's** **rights, but** **opined that** **the Minor** **Child's best** **interests would** **be best** **served.. Bernstein** 

### opined.**that terminating** **Father's rights** **will have** **some measure** **of negative** **effect upon** **Mirror Child,** **and he** **will experience** **separation**

### ar**loss, but** **the loss** **is not"so** **overwhelming-that it** **can't**

### otherwise**be compensated** **for, should** **the court** **move forward** **and support** **the adoption** 

### process.**H.T., VOL** **.1, P4.65.** **Termination as** **in the** **best interests** 

### of**the developmental;** **physical and** **emotion needs** **and welfare** **of the.Minor.Ch'ild** **is further** **buttressed when** **evaluating continued** **concerns regarding** **Father's protective** **capacity, drug** **use and.** **domestic violence** **in and** **around Father's** **home and** **concerns with** **the Minor** **Child's**

### mental**and e.motional'development** **.and security** 

### With**Father's continuing** **behaviors. Considering** **Father's ;response** 

### to**services historically** **this*****Court .is** **left to** **conclude these** **cdricerns cannot:** **b rectifled** **to ensure** **the safety** **and securitj** **.of the** 

### Minor**Childin his** **care**

### within**a reasonable** **period of** 

### time.**Accordingly, as** **noted by** **the Court** **In Re:** **Adoption**

### of**C.J.P., 11** **A. 3d** **.1346, 1054'1055** **(Pa. Super.** **80), eye** **if Father** **and Child** **are handed,** **the. bond.** **is .outweighed.** **by**

### Father's**inabiIity to.** **remedy the** **causes of** **Child's placement** **and by** 

### Child's**need far** **permanence anal** 

### stability,.**Wherein the** **Court quoted** 

### fire**Adoption of** **R:J.S.,**

### go;**A.2d 502,513** **(Pa. Suver_:2006),** **stating, "The** **court cannot** **and will** **not subordinate** **ihdefinitely.a child's** **need for** **performance and** 

### stability**to parent's** **clairns 6U** **progress**

### and**hope**

### far**the**

### future.'**In this:case,** **the**

### Agericy**position is** **that termination** **of**

### Father's**parental rights** **is in** **the best** **interest of** **the Minor** **Child. H.** **T., Vol..** **,. Pg.** **219. CA5A** **has advocated** 

### for**adoption of** **the Minor** **Child in** **the.foster family:** **" Mather** **of Minor** **Child supports** **the Minor** **Child staying** **with the** **foster parents.** **Mothertestified she,** **"firmly believes"** **that Minor** **Child would** **benefit from** **staying with** **his foster** **parents and** **brother: nd** **sister. H.T:,** **Bol. 3,** **Pg. 758,** **Dr. Bernstein** **testified that** **in his** **professional opinion,** **termination of** **Father's parehtal** **rights would** **best serve** **the needs** **and welfare** **of the** **Minor Child..** **H. T.,** **VoL;1, Pg.** **66-67.. Based** **on the** **foregoing, 34** **see testimony** **of Vivian** **osowskl indicating** **that she:** **has advocated** **for the:.Minor** **Child to** **be with** **the foster** **family.because, "fora** **large portion** **of the** **Mirror Child's** **life father** **was not** **involved at** **alf" and** **Father only** **recently became** **involved after** **going months** **without seeing** **.the Child.** **56 this** **Court agrees** **and finds** **that,*pursuant****to Section** **251,1(b), the** **needs and** **welfare of** **the Minch** **Child are** **best.served.with th&** **term! n** **at! on** **bf Fath'er's** **parental rights.** **This Court** **finding that** **the Agency** **has established** **by clear** **and convincing** **evidence ground.s'for** **the termination** **of Father's** 

## parental**rights under** **23 Pa:** **C.S. §251.1** 

## (a)(2),**(a) (5),** **(a)(8) and** **§2511(b), it** **is hereby** **ORDERED, ADJUDGED** **and DECREED,** **that the** **parental rights.of** **Father**

### RI:C**L. WILLIAMS,** **SR., to** **the above-named** **Minor Child** **are hereby** **terminated 'forever.** **Having accepted** **the modified** **petition and** **Voluntary Termination** **submitted by** **Mother as** **knowingly, willingly** **and. voluntarily** **made, it** **is'further ORDERED.,** **ADJUDGED, and** **DECREED*that****the Voluntary** **Termination of** **Parental Rights** **by Mother** **is accepted** **and Mother's** **rights to** **the above-named** **M.inor*Chiid:are****hereby terminated** **foreverf. Legal** **and Physical** **custody of.the** **Minor Child** **will remain** **with the** **Washington County** **Children and** **Youth Social** **Service.Agency. -and** **the Agency** 

## may**proceed With** 

## adoption.**Cc; Barbara** **Ten nilIe** 

## Newsome**Boyles, Esq.** **. M** **a.riAnn Hathaway,** **EO, Jennifer** **Sinclair, Esq:** **Mark Adams,** **Esq.. 57** **Q _** **J.**