FI RST DI VI SI ON

DOYLE, C. J.

, PHI PPS, P. J.

, and BOGGS, J.

N O T IC E : M otions for r e c ons i de r a tion m us t be

ph y sic a l ly r e ce iv ed i n our c le r k ’s offic e w ithin te n

da y s of the da te of de c is ion to be de e m ed tim e ly file d.

http://w w w .ga a ppe a l s .us /r ule s

Nov em ber 20, 2015



# I n th e Co u r t o f

A p p eals o f

G eo r g ia

A1 5 A1 42 7 . IN THE INTEREST OF S. B. et al

. , ch i l d ren

.

B O G G S , J u d g e.

Th e p aren t s o f fi v e-y ear-o l d S. B. an d s i x -y ear-o l d D

. L

. B. ap p eal fro m

ju v en i l e co u rt o rd ers t erm in at i n g t h ei r p aren t al ri g h t s an d s u bs eq u en t o rd ers d en y i n g

t h ei r m o t i o n s fo r n ew t r i a l

. Sp eci fi cal ly

, t h e p aren t s co n t en d t hat t h e co u rt l ack ed

cl ear an d co n v i n ci n g ev i d en ce t o s u p p ort it s fi nd i ng s t h at d ep ri v at io n was l i k el y to

co n ti n u e an d t h at co nt i n u ed d ep ri v at i on wo u ld cau s e s eri o u s p hy si cal

, m en t al o r

em ot i o n al h arm t o t h e ch i l d ren

. Th e paren ts fu rt h er as sert t h at t erm i n at i o n o f t h ei r

p aren t al ri g h t s was n o t i n th e ch i l d ren ’ s b es t i n t eres t s an d t hat t h ey recei v ed

i n effect i v e as s i s t an ce o f co un s el

. W e g ran t ed t he p aren t s ’ ap pl i cat i o n fo r

d i s cret i o n ary

rev i ew, an d

, fo r t h e reas o n s ex p l ai ned b el o w, we rev ers e.Th e reco rd s h o ws t h at t h e m ot h er an d fat h er hav e t wo ch i ld ren t o g et her o u t o f

wed lo ck

, a d au g h ter bo rn i n 2 0 1 0 an d a s o n bo rn i n 2 0 0 9

. T h e fat h er was m arri ed to

an o th er, b u t h e no t ed t h at h e h ad b een s ep arat ed fro m h i s wi fe fo r 1 5 y ears an d d id

n o t k n o w h er wh ereab o u t s s o he co u l d n o t d i v o rce h er. Al t h o u g h h e n ev er l eg i t i m at ed

t h e ch i l d ren

, h e res i d ed wi t h t h e m o t h er an d ch i l dren ex cep t wh en wo rk i n g i n No rt h

Caro l i n a t o s u p po rt t h em

. DFACS b ecam e i n v o l v ed wi t h t h e fam i l y i n March 2 0 1 1,

wh en t h e Dep art m en t su b s t an t iat ed al l eg at i o n s t h at t h e ch i l dren h ad b een n eg l ect ed

an d were recei v i n g i n ad eq u at e fo o d

, cl o t h i n g

, s h e l t er, an d m ed ical at t en t i o n

. Th e

p aren t s co ns en t ed to co u rt o rd ers

, en t ered o n Ju n e 1 1

, 2 01 2

, fi n di n g th e ch i l d ren

d ep ri v ed b u t al l o wi n g t h em t o rem ai n i n t h e p aren ts ’ cu s t o d y u n d er a p ro t ect i v e o rd er

t h at req u i red t h e p aren ts

, am o n g o t h er t h i n g s, t o m ai n t ai n s u ffi ci en t i n co m e, p ro v i d e

ad eq uat e fo o d

, k eep h o u s i ng free o f an i m al u ri ne an d feces

, m ak e an d keep n eces s ary

m ed i cal an d d en tal ap p o i n t m en t s

, an d t ak e p aren ti n g s k i ll s t rai n i n g

. In t h e o rd ers

, t h e

p aren t s s ti p u l at ed t h at co n d i t io ns i n t h e fam i l y h om e were u n s an i t ary an d u n s afe: o ld

f o o d a n d d i rt y d i s h es were pi l ed i n t h e s i n k an d o n th e co un t ers

, d o g fece s w a s

l o c at ed t h ro ug ho u t t h e h o u se, i n cl u d i n g i n t h e ch i l dren ’ s ro o m

, ci g aret t e b u t t s a n d

p i l es o f t ras h were lo cat ed t hro u gh o u t t he h o u s e, ex p i red fo o d rem ai n ed i n t h e

refri g erat o r, an d t he h o u se l ack ed el ect ri c p o w er. Fu rt h erm o re, t h e paren t s s t i p u l at ed

2t h at t h ey fai l ed o n m an y o ccas i o ns t o t a k e t h e ch i l d ren t o sch ed u l ed d o ct o r

ap p oi n t m en t s an d t h at t h e p ed i at ri ci an wo u l d n o l o n g er pro v i de wel l-b ab y ch eck s fo r

t h e ch il d ren

. Th e co u rt o rd ers were s et t o ex p i re o n No v em b er 2 3, 2 0 1 2

, u n l es s

s o o n er t erm i n at ed b y

co u rt o rd er.

On J u l y 2 5

, 2 0 1 2

, t h e ch i l d ren were rem o v ed fro m t h ei r h o m e an d p l aced in

fo s t er care b as ed on a new co m p l ai n t t h at t h ere was n o el ect ri c s erv i ce i n t h e h o m e

d u ri n g t h e s u m

m er h eat

, t h at D. B. h ad recei v ed s ev ere s u nb u rn s on at l eas t t h ree

o ccas i o n s

, an d t hat t he paren t s h ad fai led t o c o m p l y wi t h t he p ro t ect i v e o rd er: t h e

p aren t s had u n s t ab le h o u s i ng

, t h ei r h o m e c o n t i n u ed t o b e u ns an i t ary

, an d n ei t h er

p aren t h ad a s t ead y i n co m e. Th e ch i ld ren ag ai n were fo u n d t o b e d ep ri v ed aft er t h e

7 2 h ou r heari n g

, an d on Au g u s t 1 5, 2 01 2

, t h e p aren t s s t i p u l at ed t o a dep ri v at i o n

fi nd i ng b as ed u p o n m ed i cal n eg l ect (t h ree un t reat ed s ev ere s un b u rn s an d a l ack o f u p

t o d at e im

m u n i zat i o n s ), i n ad eq u at e s u p erv i s i o n

, i n a d eq u at e ho u s i n g

, i rreg u l ar

em pl o y m en t

, an d g en eral n on -co m p l i an ce w i t h th e pro t e c t i v e o rd er d i rect i v es

. Th e

co u rt o rd ers were s et t o ex p i re o n J u l y 2 5

, 2 0 1 3

, u n l e s s s o o n er t erm i nat ed b y co u rt

o rd er.

At a J an uary 2 01 3 ju d i ci al rev i ew, t h e co u rt fo u nd t h at t h e p aren t s h ad

m ai n t ai n ed a b o n d w i t h t h e ch i l d ren by at ten d i n g week l y v i s i t s

, b u t t h at t h ey n eed ed

3t o ob t ai n an d m ai n t ai n em p l oy m en t an d s t ab l e, cl ean h o us i n g

. Th e ch i ld ren rem ai n ed

i n f o s t er care, an d t h e co u rt rev i sed t h e p erm an en cy o rd er t o a co n cu rren t p l an o f

reu n i fi cat i on o r ad o p t i o n. On J u l y 1 5

, 2 01 3

, t h is p l an was ex t en d ed th ro u gh J u l y 2 5,

2 0 1 4

, u n l es s s o on er t erm i n at ed b y co u rt o rd er. In t hat co n s en t o rd er, t h e co u rt n o t ed

t h at b o t h p aren t s h ad co m pl et ed t h ei r p aren t i n g t rai n in g

, m ad e v i rt u al l y al l s ch ed u l ed

v i s i t s wi t h t h e ch i l d ren (ev en t h o u g h t h ey h ad t o wal k fi v e m i l es t o th e v i s i t at i o n

b ecau s e t h ey co u l d n ot g et a ri d e fro m fam i l y o r fri en d s ), an d m ai nt ai n ed a b on d wi th

t h e ch i l d ren

, b ut t h ey

s t i l l fai led t o m ai n t ai n s t ab l e em p l o y m en t o r h o u s i n g

.

On Oct o b er 1

, 20 1 3

, DFACS fi l ed pet i ti o n s t o t erm in at e t h e p aren t s ’ p aren t al

ri gh t s. Si n ce t h e fat h er h ad n o t l eg i t i m at ed ei th er ch i l d

, h e w a s i n fo rm ed t h at h e

wo u l d l o s e al l ri g h t s t o t h e c h i l d r e n an d wo u l d n o t b e en t i t l ed t o o b ject t o t h e

t erm i n at i o n o f h i s ri g h t s i f h e d i d n o t fi l e a p et i t i o n t o l eg i t i m at e wi t h i n 3 0 d ay s

. On

t h e s am e d ay , t h e co u rt ap p o i n t ed p u b l i c d efen d er Kat ie Park er as at t orn ey fo r b o th

t h e fat her an d t h e m o t h er.

Th e o n e-d ay t erm i n at i on o f p aren t al ri g h t s h eari n g o ccu rred o n Decem b er 1 0,

2 0 1 3

. At t h e o u t s et

, DFACS i n v o k ed t h e s t at u to ry p ro v i s i o n o f OCGA § 1 5-1 1 -9 6 (i ) 1

1 W e n o t e t hat t h i s s t at u t o ry p ro v i s i o n was su p ers ed ed o n J an u ary 1 , 2 0 1 4 b y

OCGA § 1 5-1 1 -2 8 3 (d ), s ee Ga. L. 2 01 3

, p

. 29 4 § 5 -1

, b u t i t i s u n d i s p u t ed t h at t h e o ld

s t at u te ap p l i es i n t h i s cas e.

4ex t i n g u i s h i n g t h e ri g h ts o f p u t at i v e fat h ers t o ob ject t o t erm i n at i on o f t h ei r p aren t al

ri gh t s. Park er ad m i t t ed t h at s he fai l ed t o fi l e a p et i t i o n fo r l eg it i m at io n o n b eh al f o f

t h e fat her aft er b ei n g s erv ed wi t h t he t erm i n at i on o f p aren tal ri g h ts p et it i on

.

Bev erl y Ox l ey

, a l i cen s ed ps y ch ol o g i s t, t es t i fi ed wi t h o ut o b ject i o n a t t h e

t erm i n at i o n h eari n g as an ex pert i n ch i l d p s y ch ol o gy

. In Oct o b er 20 1 2

, s h e p erfo rm ed

s ep arat e two -h o ur ev al u at i on s o f t h en th ree-y ear o l d D. B. an d t wo

- ye a r o l d S. B.

Acco rd in g t o Ox l ey

, b o t h ch i l d ren h ad s ev ere l earn i n g d e l a y s i n t h ei r s p eech an d

n eed ed a l an g u ag e-ri ch o r s t im u l at i n g en v i ro n m en t

. In ad d it i o n

, b o t h ch i l d ren

d em o n s t rat ed s y m

p t o m s o f react i v e at t ach m en t d i s ord er, wh i ch i s a d is o rd er i n wh i ch

ch i l d ren are u nab l e t o fo rm h eal t h y at t ach m en t s an d n eed s tab i l i t y

, co n s is t en cy

, an d

l o v i n g careg i v ers to fo rm h eal t h y at t ach m en t s

. O x l ey o pi n ed t h at m o v i ng t h e ch i l d ren

fro m fo st er ho m e t o fo s t e r h o m e wo u l d p u t t h em at ri s k fo r d ev el op i n g react i v e

at t ach m en t d i s o rd er. Ho wev er, sh e n o t ed t hat t he ch i l d ren ’ s sy m p t o m s d i d n ot

warran t t herap y , t h o u g h s h e d i d reco m m en d s p eech t herap y

fo r t h e ch i l dren

.

Ki m Bal l

, a s o ci al s erv i ces cas e m an ag er fo r DFACS

, c o n d u ct ed paren t i n g

cl as s es fo r t he p aren t s i n co n ju n ct i o n wi t h th ei r w e e k l y v i si t s fro m Oct ob er 2 0 1 2

t h ro u g h March 2 0 1 3

. Bal l t es t i fi ed t h at t h e p aren t s were ex t rem el y co op erat i v e an d

v ery i n t eres t ed i n t h e t rai n i n g

. In fact

, t h ey rarel y m i s s ed th ei r v i si t s an d o ft en wal k ed

5fi ve m i les fro m t h ei r h om e t o t h e v i s i t s

. Th e fat h er o ft en g o t d o wn o n th e fl o o r wi th

t h e ch i l d ren t o pl ay an d h ad a l o t o f p o s it i ve i n teract i o n

. T h e m o t h er, wh o cl ai m ed

b ack p ro b l em s p ro h i b i t ed her fro m p l ay in g o n t h e fl o o r, read t o t h e ch i l dren o r p l ay ed

v i d eo g am es wi t h t h em

. Acco rd i n g t o Bal l

, t he ch il d ren were wel l -b eh av ed d uri n g t h e

v i s i t s , b ut s h e wi s h ed t h e m o t her were m ore en gag ed

.

Pau l et t e T u rn er, a DFACS p aren t ai d e, p r o v id ed p aren ti n g ed u cat i o n an d

o b s erv ed v is i ts fro m J u l y 2 0 1 3 t h ro u g h No v em b er 2 0 1 3

. Sh e t es t i fi ed t h at t h e p aren t s

an d t h e c h i l d r e n were al way s h ap p y t o see each o t h er, o n v i s i t d ay s th e ch i l d ren

wo u l d “ al way s ” as k

, “ A re we g o i n g t o s ee M am a an d Dad d y ? ” an d at t h e v i s i t ’ s en d

“ ev ery b o d y ju s t h u gs an d k i s s es an d s ay s

, ’ By e, s ee y ou n ex t w eek .’ ” Tu rn er, t es t i fi ed

,

h o wev er, t hat t h e ch i l d ren ap p eared t o b e h ap p y to ret u rn t o t h ei r f o s t er h om e aft er

v i s i t s

. Acco rd i n g t o Tu rn er, bo t h paren t s were en g ag ed i n t h e v i s i t s

, b ro u g h t a b ag

wi t h cl ean d i ap ers an d sn ack s t o each v i s i t

, an d o ccas i o n al l y b r o u g h t t h e ch i l d ren

cray o n s

, co l o red p en ci ls

, o r to y s

. Th e fat h er h ad t o s t o p v i s i t i n g aft er h e l eft to res u m e

h i s o l d jo b i n No rt h Caro l i n a.

Cas e m an ag er As h l ey Bu ch an an al s o n o t ed t h e p aren ts ’ rem ark ab l e v i s i t at i o n

reco rd

, an d s h e t es t i fi ed t h at t h e p aren t s co o perat ed wi t h h o m e v i s i t s

, p h o n e cal l s

, an d

m ai l

. Reg ard i n g t h e m o t h er, Bu c h a n a n t es t i fi ed t h at s h e reg ul arl y at t en d ed m en t al

6h e a l t h care co u n s el i n g

, co o p erat ed wi t h DFACS i n h o m e vi s i t s an d p ho n e c a l l s

,

p art i ci p at ed in paren t i n g cl as ses

, an d h ad n o fu rt h er m ed i cal i s s u es wi t h t he ch i l d ren

.

Th e m o t her wal k ed t o vari o u s b u s in es s es s eek in g jo b s

, b u t h ad m i n i m al s u cces s

fi nd i ng em

p l o y m en t

. An d

, al t h o u g h t h e ho u s e was cl ean er t h an ev er, t h ere was s t i l l

a b u g p r o b l e m a n d t h e h o u s in g s i tu at i o n rem ai n ed u n st ab l e p en d i n g a m o v e to

Ch arl o tt e, wh ere h er h us b an d h ad b een reh ired at th e co m p an y wh ere h e wo rk ed fo r

2 3 y ears b efo re b ei ng lai d o ff i n 2 0 1 3

. Bu ch an an al s o o b s erv ed s o m e v i s i t s wi t h t h e

ch i l d ren an d ag reed t h at t h e fat h er d em o ns t rat ed m o re p aren t i n g s k i l l s an d n u rt u ri n g

b eh av i o rs t h an th e m o th er, b ut ack n o wl ed g ed t hat t h e m o t h er’ s p as s i v e p aren t i n g i s

m o re a d i fferen ce i n s ty l e t h a n b ad p aren t i n g

. T h e p aren t s h ad n o t p ai d an y ch i ld

s u p p ort wh i le t h e ch il d ren were i n DFACS cu s t o d y

.

Th e fat h er t es t ifi ed t h at he h ad wo rk ed fo r 2 3 y ears as a t i l e an d s to ne m as o n

w i t h t h e s am e co m

p an y i n N o rt h Caro l i n a u n t i l t h e reces s i o n res u l ted in h i s l ay o ff.

He h ad recen t l y

b een re-h i red an d was m ak i n g $ 1 6.0 0 p er h o u r wo rk in g 4 0 h o u rs a

week

. Acco rd i n g t o t h e fat h er, h e co u l d n o t g et o ff wo rk o n W ed n es d ay s t o s ee h i s

ch i l d ren

, an d h e wan t ed t o t ran s i t i o n t h em t o Ch arl o t t e. Un t il t h en

, t h e ch il d ren an d

t h e m ot h er co u l d s t ay i n th e h o m e h e was ren t i n g th ro u gh t h e m on ey h e was s en d i n g

h er.

7Th e m ot h er t es t ifi ed t h at i n No rt h Caro l i n a t h e ch i l d ren w ere i nv o lv ed i n a

p ro g ram cal l ed Bab i es Can ’ t W ai t

. Sh e co n t act ed t h e p ro g ram h ere i n Geo rg i a wh en

t h ey m o v ed

, an d D

. B. was s tart ed o n s p eech t h erap y ; S. B. d i d n o t n eed s erv i ces at

t h e t im e o f t h e as s es s m en t

. Th e m o t h e r n o t ed t h at s h e h ad p u t o u t ro ach t rap s to

el i m i n at e t h e l as t o f t h e b u g s, h ad b ag g ed o l d cl o t hi n g, an d h ad beg u n t ak i n g t h e d o g

o u t s i d e s o d o g feces was n o l o n g er an is s u e in t h e h o us e. S h e a d m i t t e d t h at s h e

p rev i o u s l y was u n aware o f t he d an g ers as s o ci at ed wi th d o g fece s

, a n d s h e h as

s cru b b ed t h e fl o o rs an d ru g s i n t h e h o u s e t o get ri d o f t h e p et feces an d o d o r. Th e

m o th er ad m i tt ed o n t w o o ccas i on s t o l eav i n g t h e d og in th e ho m e wi t h fo o d an d wat er

wi t h o u t l et t i n g i t o u t t o rel iev e i t s el f, b u t ex p l ai n ed t h at o n t h o se o ccas i o n s s h e h ad

fo rg o t t en t o gi v e h er b ro t h er a k e y t o l et t h e d o g o u t. Th e m o t h er d es cri b ed h er

p aren t i n g s t y l e as m o re wat ch in g a n d t a l k i n g t h an d oi n g

, l i k e her m o t h er. Sh e al s o

ac k n o w l ed g ed t h at s h e was i n co u n s el i n g

, b u t had n o t b een p res cri b ed an y

m ed i cat i o n s

. An d s h e t es t i f i e d t hat wh en t h e fam i l y rel ocat ed t o Ch arl o t t e s h e

ex p ect ed t o fi n d w o rk b ecau s e t h ere was m o re wo rk th ere an d t h e b u s on l y co s t s

$ 2 .0 0

.

At t h e t i m e o f t h e h eari n g

, t h e fo s ter p aren t s h ad fo u r b i ol o g i cal ch il d ren l i v i n g

i n th ei r h o u s e, ag ed ei g h t t o ni n et een

, an d t h e m o t her o f t h e fo s t er m o t h er. A cco rd i n g

8t o t h e fo s t er m o th er, S. B. an d D. B. are v ery affect i o n at e, h av e i m p ro ved a lo t wh i l e

u n d er th ei r care, an d t h e fo st er p aren t s are wi l l i ng t o p ro v i d e a “ fo rev er h o m e” t o t h e

ch i l d ren

.

Th e g u ard i an ad l i t em t es t i fi ed t h at t h e paren t s “ h av e d em o n st r a t ed

. . . t h ei r

c o m m i tm en t, th ei r l o v e fo r t h ei r ch i l d ren t h ro u gh t h ei r v i s it at io n s t h at to o k s o m e

s t ren uo u s effo rt s o n t h ei r p art .” Ho wev er, h e s ti l l reco m m en d ed t erm i n at i o n b as ed o n

t h e paren t s ’ i n ab i l i t y t o pro v i de s afe, s t ab l e h ou s in g an d t o d em o n st rat e l earn ed

p aren t i n g s k i l l s.

Fo l l owi n g th e h eari n g

, t he ju v en i l e co u rt n o t ed t h at t h e p aren t s h av e wo rk ed

“ real l y h ard ,” an d h e h as nev er h ad an y bo d y co m e t o co u rt an d s ay t h ey ’ v e wa l k ed

fi ve m i les fo r a v i s i t

. Ho wev er, t h e co u rt fo u nd “ a g en eral i n ab i l it y ” on th e p art o f t h e

p are n ts t hat wi l l em o t i o n al l y h arm t he ch i ld ren

, an d

, th erefo re, t h e co u rt fo u n d t h e

ch i l d ren d ep ri v ed

. Th e co u r t ci t ed t he fo s t er p aren t s ’ care, ad eq uat e t ran sp o rt at i o n

an d fi n an ces

, an d “ i m

p o rt an t l y ” t h e fact t h at t h e fo s t er p aren ts were wi l l i n g t o ad o pt

t h e ch i l d ren as s u pp o rt fo r i t s f i n d i n g t h at t erm i nat i o n o f p aren t al ri g h t s was i n t h e

ch i l d ren ’ s b es t i n teres t

. In i t s wri t t en o rd ers

, prep ared by D FACS, t he j u v en i l e co u rt

fo u n d t h at DFACS h ad m et t h e req u i rem en t s fo r t erm i n at i n g th e p aren ts ’ ri g h t s an d

t h at t erm i n at i o n o f th e p aren t s’ ri g h t s was i n t h e ch i l d ren ’ s b es t i n t eres t s

. Th e o rd ers

9s t at ed t h at al t h ou g h t h e fat h er h ad s ecu red em p l o y m en t i n No rt h Caro l i n a, h e h ad n ot

m ai n t ai n ed t h e em

pl o y m en t fo r a s u ffi ci en t l en g th of t i m e t o i n s u re t h at h e can

p ro v id e fi n an ci al l y fo r t he ch i l d ren

. Th e o rd ers fu rt h er n ot ed t h at t h e fat h er’ s fai l u re

t o leg i ti m at e t h e ch i l d ren wi t h i n 3 0 d ay s fro m t he n o t i ce p ro vi d ed fo r i n OCGA § 1 5

-

1 1 -9 6 req u i red t erm i nat i o n o f h i s p aren t al ri g h ts

. See In t h e In t er es t o f T. B

. R.

, 3 0 4

Ga. Ap p

. 7 7 3

, 7 8 6 (4 ) (6 9 7 SE2 d 8 7 8 ) (2 0 1 0 ) (fat h er wh o fai l s to leg i t i m at e l ack s

s t an d i n g t o ch al len g e t erm i nat i o n ).

Th e p aren t s fi led m o t i o n s fo r n ew t ri al

. On J u l y 1 2

, 2 0 1 4

, pri o r t o a h eari n g o n

t h e m o t io n s fo r n ew t ri al

, th e f o s t e r f a t h er d i ed s ud d en l y

. Th e p aren t s t h en fi l ed

am en d ed m o t i o n s fo r new tr i al an d m o t i o n s t o set as id e t h e ju d g m en t b as ed o n t h i s

ch an ged ci rcu m s t an ce an d t h ei r as s ert i o n t h at t h ei r at t o rn ey h ad ren dered i n effect i v e

as s i s tan ce b y

fai l in g t o fi l e a l eg i t im at i o n p et i t io n fo r t he fat h er.

At t h e A u g u s t 5, 20 1 4 m o t i o n s h eari n g

, t h e cas ewo rk er t es t i fi ed t h at t h e

ch i l d ren s p en t s i x d ay s i n an o t h er h o m e fo l l o wi n g t h e fo st er fat her’ s d eat h, an d t h e

fo s t er m o t h er was t ry i n g t o d et erm in e i f s h e co u ld s t i l l ad o pt t h em as a s i n g l e m o t h er

o f fo ur ch i l d ren

, bu t h ad no t m ad e a fi n al d eci si on

. In ad d i t io n

, t h e fat her’ s at t o rn ey

t es t i fi ed t h at s h e k n ew t h e p aren t s were n ot m arri ed an d real i zed a few d ay s b efo re

t ri al t h at s h e s h o u l d h av e fi l ed a p et it i o n t o l eg i t im at e, b u t fai l ed t o d o s o. Sh e b o re

10s o l e res p o n s i b i l i t y fo r fa i li n g t o fi le t h e pet i t i o n

, n o t i n g t h ere was n o t h i ng s t rat eg i c

i n n o t fi l i n g an d n o b en efi t t o t h e fat h er in no t l eg i t i m at in g

. T h e ju v en il e co u r t

n o n et h el es s d en i ed t h e m ot io n s fo r n ew t ri al o r t o s et as id e.

1

. Th e p aren ts as s ert t h at t h e tri al co u rt erred in t erm in at i n g t h ei r p aren t al ri g h t s

b ecau s e t h ere was n o cl ear an d co n v i n ci n g ev i d en ce t h at d ep ri v at i on was l i k el y to

co n ti n u e o r t o cau se s eri ou s h arm t o t h e ch il d ren

, an d th e ev i d en ce fai led to sh o w t h at

t erm i n at i o n was i n th e ch il d ren ’ s b es t in t eres t s

. “ On ap peal f r o m a ju ven i l e co urt ’ s

d eci s i o n t o t erm i n at e p aren t al ri g h t s

, we rev i ew th e e v i d e n c e i n t h e l i g h t m o s t

fav o rab l e t o th e co u rt ’ s d eci s i o n an d d et erm i n e wh et her an y rat i o n al t ri er of fact co u ld

h av e fo un d b y cl ear an d co n v i n ci n g ev i den ce t h at t h e paren t al ri g h t s sh o u l d b e

t erm i n at ed .” (Ci t at i on an d p un ct u at i o n o m it t ed .) In t he In t er es t o f C. S.

, 31 9 Ga. Ap p.

1 3 8

, 1 39 (7 3 5 SE 2 d 1 4 0 ) (2 0 1 2 ). “ W e d o n o t wei g h t h e ev i d en ce o r res o l v e

cred i b i l i t y i s s u es

, b u t m e rel y d et erm i n e wh et her a rat i o nal t ri er o f fact co u l d h av e

fo u n d b y cl ear an d co n v i nci n g ev i d en ce t h at t h e n at u ral p aren t ’ s ri g h t t o c u s t o dy

s h o u ld b e t erm i n at ed .” (Ci t at io n an d fo ot n o te o m it t ed .) In t he In t er es t o f K. A

. B.

, 2 8 5

Ga. Ap p . 5 3 7 , 5 3 7 (6 4 6 SE2 d 7 3 6 ) (2 0 0 7 ). Ho wev er,

[w] e p ro ceed i n a t erm in at i on cas e wi th t h e k n owl ed g e t h at t h ere i s n o

ju d i ci al d et erm i n at io n wh i ch h as m o re d ras t i c s i g n i fi can ce t h an t hat o f

p erm an en t l y s ev eri n g a n at u ral p aren t -ch i l d rel at i o ns h ip

. It m us t be

11s cru ti n i zed d el i b erat el y an d ex erci sed m os t cau t i o u s l y

. Th e ri g h t to rai s e

o n e’ s ch i l d ren i s a fi ercel y g u a r d e d r i gh t i n o ur s o ci et y an d l aw, an d a

ri gh t t h at s ho u l d b e i nfri n g ed u p o n o n l y u n d er t h e m o s t co m p el l i n g

ci rcu m s t an ces

.

(Ci t at i o n s an d p u nct u at i o n om i t t ed .) In t h e In t er es t of C. A. , 3 16 Ga. Ap p

. 18 5

, 1 8 9

(7 2 8 SE2 d 8 1 6 ) (2 0 1 2 ); s ee al s o In t h e In t er es t o f C. S.

, s u p ra, 3 1 9 Ga. Ap p

. at 1 4 4

-

1 4 5 (1 ).

As a t h res h o l d m at t er

, w e m u s t d et erm i ne w h et h er t o ap p l y t he new o r o ld

ju v en i l e co d e. Th e n ew ju v en i l e Co d e, wh ich b ecam e effect iv e o n J an u ary 1 , 2 0 1 4,

ap p li es t o t h o s e ju v e n i l e p ro ceed i n g s co m m en ced o n o r aft er t h at d at e. See Ga. L.

2 0 1 3 , p . 2 9 4 § 5 -1 . Th u s, al t h ou g h t h e t erm in at io n o rd er i n t h i s cas e was en t ered i n

M a r c h 2 0 1 4

, th e o l d Co d e ap p l i es b ecau s e th e d ep ri v at i o n p et i ti o n was fi l ed in

Oct o b er 2 0 1 3

. See In t h e In t er es t of F. A. G. R.

, 3 2 8 Ga. Ap p

. 8 8

, 89 n.1 (7 6 1 SE2 d

5 1 2 ) (2 0 1 4 ).

U n d er t he o l d Co de, a t erm i nat i o n o f p aren t al ri g h t s cas e i n v ol v es a t wo -s t ep

an al y s i s. Fi rs t

, t h ere m

us t b e a fi n d i n g o f p aren t al m i s co nd u ct or in ab i l i t y

, wh i ch

req u i res cl ear an d co n v i n ci ng ev i d en ce t h at : (1 ) t h e ch i l d ren are d ep ri ved ; (2 ) t h e l ack

o f p ro p er p aren t al care o r co n t ro l is t h e cau se o f t h ei r d ep ri vat i o n ; (3 ) t h e cau s e o f

t h ei r d ep ri v at i o n i s l i k el y t o co nt i n u e; an d (4 ) co n t i n u ed d ep ri v at i o n i s l i kel y t o cau s e

12s eri ou s p h y s i cal

, m en t al

, em o t i o n al

, o r m o ral h arm t o t h e ch i l d ren

. See fo rm er OCGA

§ 1 5 -1 1-9 4 (b ) (4 ) (A) (i )-(i v ). If t h es e fo ur fact o rs are f o un d t o ex i s t

, t h en t h e

j u v e n i l e co u rt m

u s t as cert ai n wh et h er t erm in at i o n o f paren t al ri g ht s i s i n t h e bes t

i n t eres t o f t h e ch il d ren

, co ns i deri ng t h ei r p h y s i cal

, m e n t al

, em o t i on al

, an d m o ral

co n di t i o n an d n eed s, in cl u d in g t h e n eed fo r a s ecu re, s t ab le h o m e. See In t h e In t er es t

o f A. G. , 2 9 3 Ga. Ap p. 3 83 (6 6 7 SE2 d 1 7 6 ) (2 0 0 8 ).

Here, th ere we r e n o al l eg at i o n s o f p h y s i cal ab u s e, d ru g u s e, o r cri m i n al

co n du ct

. In fact

, t he ju v en i l e co u rt an d DFACS em p l o y ees al l co m

m en d ed t h e p aren t s

o n t h ei r rem ark ab le v i si t at i on reco rd an d t h ei r co o p erat i o n wi th h o m e v is it s , p h o n e

cal l s, an d p aren t in g cl as ses

. Th e ch i l d ren were ex ci t ed ab o ut vi s i t s an d wel l -b eh av ed

d u ri n g t h e v i s i t s , an d , al t h o u g h t h e m o t h er d i d n o t en g ag e wi t h t he ch i l d ren as wel l

as s h e co ul d h av e, at l eas t o n e DFACS em p l o y ee t es t i fi ed t h at h er act i o n s m ay h av e

rep res en t ed a d i fferen t p aren t i n g s t y l e rat her t h an b ad p aren t i n g

. G ran t ed

, t he p aren t s

were s l ov en l y an d p oo r, b ut o t h er t h an g en eral s t at em en t s t h at fi l t h i s d an g ero u s

,

DFACS p res en t ed n o ev id en ce t h at t h e s q u al i d l iv i ng co nd i t i o ns p o s ed a t h reat t o t h e

ch i l d ren o r t hat t h e ch i l d ren were u n h eal t h y o r s i ck d u e to t he un s an i t ary co n d i t i o n s

.

Fu rt h erm o re, t he ev id en ce s h ow e d tha t the pa r e nts’ l i vi n g co n d i t i o ns w ere i m p ro v i n g.

Th e p aren t s were ed u cat ed reg ar d i n g t h e i s s u es wi t h d o g feces an d had t ak en s t ep s

13t o rect i fy t h e p ro b l em

, an d t h e p aren t s were at tem pt i ng t o res o lv e t h e ro ach

i n fes tat i o n

. Th e p are n t s ’ h o m e m ay n o t h av e b een perfect

, b u t it was cl ean er t h an

ev er, an d t h e fat h er h ad b een re-h i red b y t h e co m p an y fo r wh i ch h e h ad wo rk ed fo r

2 3 y ears

.

It i s wel l -s et t l ed t hat “ [a] co u r t i s n o t al lo wed t o t erm i n at e a p aren t ’ s n at u ral

ri gh t b ecau s e i t h as d et erm i n ed t h at t h e ch i l d m i g h t h av e b et t er fi n an ci al

, ed u cat i o n al

,

o r ev en m o re ad v an t ag es el s ewh ere.” (Ci t at i o n, p un ct u at i o n

, an d fo ot n o t e o m i t t ed .)

In t h e In t er es t o

f D. L. T. C.

, 2 9 9 Ga. Ap p

. 7 6 5

, 7 6 9 (1 ) (6 8 4 SE2 d 2 9 ) (2 0 0 9 ). “ Th i s

i s n o t a cas e wh ere t h e ‘ ev i den ce’ co n s i st ed o f m erel y ‘ p os i t i v e p ro m is es ’ fro m t h e

p aren t [s ] t h at [t h ey ] wo u ld ch an g e an d rect i fy p as t fai lu res s o as t o av o i d t erm i n at i o n

o f [t h ei r] p aren t al ri g h ts

, an d t h e j u v en il e co u rt ap p ears t o h av e p rem at u rel y

d i s co u n ted t h e [p aren t s’ ] p ro g res s t o ward m eet in g t hei r go al s .” In t h e In ter es t o f C.

J. V.

, 3 2 3 Ga. Ap p

. 28 3

, 2 8 7 (7 4 6 SE2 d 7 8 3 ) (2 0 1 3). G i v en t h e s t ep s t h e p aren t s t o o k

t o m ai n tai n co n t act w i t h t h ei r ch i l dr e n

, th ei r i m p ro v em en t d u ri n g th e t i m e t h ey

wo rk ed wi t h DFACS, an d t h e fat h er’ s recen t re-em p l oy m en t wi th h i s f

o r m e r l o n g

t erm em pl o y er, t he ju v en i l e c o u r t l i k el y erred i n fi n d in g cl ear an d co n v i n ci n g

ev i d en ce t h at an y d ep ri v at i on was l i kel y t o co n ti nu e.

14M o reo v er, ev en i f t h e ev i d en ce was s u ffi ci en t t o s h o w th a t d ep ri v at i o n was

l i kel y t o co n t in u e, we h av e ex p res s ed co n cern an d u rg ed cau t i o n

, n o t i ng t hat i t i s n ot

au t o m at i cal l y t ru e t h at a fi n d in g t h at d ep ri v at i o n i s l i k el y to co n ti n u e wi l l s u p p o rt a

fi nd i ng t h at co n t i n u ed d ep ri vat i o n wi l l h arm t h e ch i l d : “ Th e [p aren ts ’ ] i n ab i l i t y to

care fo r [t h ei r] ch i l d ren d o es no t n eces s ari l y m ean t h at [t h ei r] cu rren t r el at i o n s h ip

wi t h t h em i s d et ri m en t al .” In t h e In t er es t o f D. F.

, 2 5 1 Ga. A p p

. 8 5 9

, 86 2 (5 5 5 SE2 d

2 2 5 ) (2 0 0 1 ). H e r e

, t h e ju v en i le co urt fo u n d

, “ T h e [ch i l d ren ] h ad al read y s u ffered

h arm as a res ul t of t h e p aren t s ’ act i o n s

, an d th e Co u rt can ju s t p res u m e t h at t h e ch i ld

wo u l d b e s u b

ject t o a l i k el i h o o d o f fu rt h er h arm b y b ei n g ret u rn ed to t h e cu s t o d y o f

t h e p aren t s .” It d o es n o t ap p ear t h at t h e co u rt co n s i dered m ai n t ai n i n g th e s t at u s q u o

t o p ro v i d e t h e p aren t s ad d i t i o n al t i m e t o s h o w an i m p ro v em en t i n t h ei r l i v i n g

co n di t i o n s an d ab i l i t y to p aren t

, ev en t h o u g h t h e fat h er pres en t ed ev i d en ce t h at h e h ad

b een re-h i red b y h i s fo r m e r e m p l o y er an d was wo rk in g fu l l t i m e at t wi ce t h e

m i n i m u m wag e, wh i ch wo u l d i m

p ro v e t h ei r l i v i n g co nd i ti o ns

.

Fu rt herm o re, wh i le t here was t es t i m on y th at t h e y o u n g ch il d ren h ad

ex p eri en ced s o m e dev el o p m en t al d el ay s an d s h o wed s o m e s y m p t o m s o f react i v e

at t ach m en t d i s o rd er, t h ey were n o t d i ag n o s ed wi t h t h i s d i s o rd er an d w e r e n ot

recei v i ng an y co un s el i n g o t h er t h an s p eech t h erap y

, wh i ch th e m o t her h ad b eg u n wi th

15o n e o f t h e ch i l dren b efo re m ov i n g t o Geo rg i a. Al t h o u gh t h e p aren t s m ay h av e p o o r

p aren t i n g s k i l ls an d l i v e i n l es s t h an ad m i rab l e ci rcu m s t an ces

, t h ere i s no t h i n g i n t h e

reco rd t o s h o w t hat co n t in ui n g t h e l eg al rel at i o n s h i p o f p aren t an d ch i l d i s i n h eren t l y

h arm fu l t o t h e ch i l d ren . See In t h e In t er es t o f D. F. , s up ra.

Th i s i s es p eci al l y t ru e i n l i g h t o f t h e fo s t er fat h er’ s recen t d eat h

. Term i n at i o n

o f p aren t al ri g h t s at t h e p r e s e n t t i m e co u l d s eri o u s l y harm th e ch i l d ren an d cau s e

fu rt her s y m

p t o m s o f react i v e at t ach m en t d i s o rd er g i v en t h e ab s en ce of a fo s ter fat h er

an d th e fo s t er m o t h er’ s ex p res s ed co n cern t h at ad o p t i on o f t h e ch il d ren m ay n o l o n g er

b e an o p t i o n fo r h er. Th e ju v en i l e co u rt st at ed t h at i t “ can n ot l eg al l y co n s i d e r ”

ev i d en ce o f t he fo s t er fat h er’ s d eat h o r t h e fat her’ s re-h i re wi t h h i s o l d em p l o y er as

a b as i s fo r a m o ti o n fo r n ew t ri al o r m o t i o n t o s et as i d e t h e ju d g m en t o f th e co u rt

b ecau s e i t “ m

u st co n s i d er th e ev i d en ce t hat was av ai l ab le at t h e t i m e o f t h e t ri al o f t h e

m at t er.” H o wev er, ev i d en ce o f t h e fat h er’ s re-h ire was i n t h e reco rd at th e t i m e o f t h e

t ri al

. In ad d i t i o n

, t h e ju v en i l e co u rt m i s i n t erp ret ed t h e t wo cas es up o n wh ich i t rel i ed

.

In In t h e In t er es t o

f K. C.

, 2 4 9 Ga. Ap p. 6 80

, 6 8 1 (1 ) (5 4 9 SE2 d 7 3 7 ) (2 0 0 1 ),

t h i s Co urt n o t ed i n d i ct a t h a t “ we k n o w o f n o s tat u t e o r co u rt ru l e t hat p erm i t s a d e

n o v o ev i d en t i ary h eari n g t o b e h el d on [m o t i o n fo r] reco n s id erat i o n .” In In t h e

In t er es t o f C. M. , 2 82 Ga. Ap p . 5 0 2

, 5 0 7-5 0 8 (3 ) (6 3 9 SE2 d 3 2 3 ) (2 0 0 6 ), we fo u n d

16t h at a t ri al co urt d i d n ot ab u se i t s d i s cret i on i n decl i ni n g t o ad m i t i rrel ev an t ev i d en ce

d u ri n g a h eari n g o n a m o t i o n fo r n ew t ri al wh en t h e n ew ev i d en ce d i d n o t ch an g e t h e

ci rcu m s t an ces s u p p o rt i n g t erm i n at i o n

. Nei t h er o f th es e cas es h o l d

, as a m at t er o f l aw,

t h at a ju v en i le co u rt i s p recl u d ed fro m ex erci s i n g i t s d i s cret i o n t o co n s i d er ad d i t i o n al

ev i d en ce o n a m ot io n fo r n ew tri al i f ci rcu m s t an ces req u i re s u ch co n s i derat io n

. Gi v en

a ju v en i l e co u rt ’ s p len ary au t h o ri ty t o m o di fy i t s o rd er bas e d o n c h a n g ed

ci rcu m s t an ces

, t h e t ri al co u rt ab u s ed i t s d i s cret i o n as a m at t er of l aw i n r e f u s i n g to

co n si d er t h e i m

p act o f th e fo s t er fat h er’ s d eat h an d t h e fat h er’ s recen t re-em p l o y m en t

i n i t s ru l in g o n t h e p aren t s ’ m o t i o n fo r n ew t ri al

. See, e. g

., I n t h e In t er es t of A. M.,

3 2 4 G a

. A p p

. 5 12

, 5 16 (3 ) (7 5 1 SE2 d 1 4 4) (2 0 1 3 ) (ju ven i l e co u rt m ay set as i d e o r

m o di fy deci s io n i f n ewl y d i s co v e r e d ev i d en ce o r ch an g ed ci rcu m s t an ces req u i re in

b es t i n t eres t o f ch i l d ); In t h e In t e r e s t o f J. N. F.

, 3 0 6 Ga. Ap p

. 3 13

, 31 5 (7 0 1 SE2 d

9 2 5 ) (2 0 1 0 ) (ju ven i l e co u rt m ay ch an g e, m o d i fy

, o r v acat e o rd e r o n g ro u n d t h at

ch an ged ci rcu m s t an ces req ui re i n b es t i n t eres t o f ch il d ).

I n t h e i n s t an t cas e, t h e ev i d en ce i s n o t cl ear an d co n v i nci n g

, at l eas t at t h i s

t i m e, t hat t h e d ep ri vat i o n i s li k el y t o co n t in u e, t h a t c o n t i n u ed d ep ri v at i o n wi l l

s eri ou s l y h arm t h e ch i l d ren

, o r th at t erm in at i o n of t h e p aren t s’ p aren tal ri g h t s i s i n t h e

b es t i nt eres t s o f t h e ch i l d ren

. “ W h i l e we are rel u ct an t t o rev ers e t he ju v en il e co urt ’ s

17d et erm i n at i o n

, n o ju d i ci al d et erm i n at i o n i s m o re dras t i c t h an th e p erm an en t s ev eri n g

o f t h e paren t-ch i l d rel at i o ns h i p .” (Ci t at i o n an d p u n ct u at i o n o m i t ted .) In t h e In t er es t

o f A

. A.

, 2 5 2 Ga. Ap p

. 1 6 7

, 1 7 3 (2 ) (c) (5 5 5 SE2 d 8 2 7 ) (2 0 0 1 ). T erm i n at i o n o f

p aren t al ri g h t s “ i s a re m e d y o f l as t res ort .” In t he In t er es t o f C. S

. , s u p ra, 3 1 9 Ga.

Ap p . at 1 4 8 (1 ). Acco rd i n g ly , we rev ers e t h e ju v en i l e co u rt ’ s o rd er.

2

. Th e p aren t s al s o co n t en d t hat t h e t ri al co urt erred i n d en y in g t h ei r m o t i o n fo r

n ew tri al b ecau se t ri al co un s el ’ s fai l ure t o fi l e a l eg i t i m at i o n p et i t i o n ren dered h er

as s i s tan ce i n effect i v e. Becau se t h e i ss u e o f th e fat her’ s fai l u re t o t i m el y l eg i t im at e t h e

ch i l d ren m ay

ari s e u po n an y

ret ri al o f t h e cas e, we ad d res s i t h ere.

“ [T] h e ri g h t t o t h e cu s t od y an d co n t ro l of o ne’ s ch i l d i s a fi ercel y g u ard ed ri g ht

i n ou r so ci et y an d i n o u r law. It i s a ri g h t t h at s ho u l d b e in fri n g ed u p o n o n l y u n d er t h e

m o st co m p el l i n g ci rcu m s t an ces .” (Ci t at i o n s , p u nct u at i o n , an d fo o tn o t e o m i t t ed .) In

t h e In t er es t o

f H. S

. , 2 8 5 Ga. Ap p

. 8 3 9

, 8 43 -8 4 4 (6 4 8 SE2 d 1 4 3 ) (2 0 07 ). Acco rd i n g l y

,

we h av e reco g n i zed t h at a p aren t h as a ri g h t to effect iv e as s i s t an ce o f co u n s el in

d efen d in g ag ai n s t a t erm i n at i on p et i t i o n

. See In t h e In t er es t o f S

. N. H.

, 3 0 0 Ga. Ap p.

3 2 1 , 3 2 9 (5 ) (6 8 5 SE2 d 2 90 ) (2 0 0 9 ).

In o rd er t o p rev ai l o n a c l ai m o f i n effect i v e as s i s t an ce o f co u n sel [t he

fat h er] m u s t s h o w t h at [h i s ] co u n s el ’ s p e r f o r m an ce was d efi ci en t an d

t h at t h e defi ci en t p erfo rm an ce was p reju di ci al to [h i s ] d efen s e. To m eet

18t h e fi rs t pro ng o f t h i s t es t

, [t h e fat h er] m u s t o v erco m e t h e st ro n g

p r e s u m p t io n t h at co un s el ’ s p erfo rm an ce fel l wi t h i n a wi d e ran g e o f

p ro fes s io nal co n d u ct an d t h at co u n s el ’ s d eci s i o n s w e r e [] m ad e i n th e

ex erci s e o f reas o n ab l e p ro fes s i o n al ju d g m en t

. Th e reas o n ab l en es s o f

co u n s el ’ s co n d u ct i s ex am i n ed fro m co u n s el ’ s p ers p ect i v e at t he t i m e o f

t ri al an d u n der th e ci rcu m s t an ces o f t h e cas e. Th e seco n d p ro n g req u i res

[t he fat her] t o sh o w t h ere is a reas o n ab l e p ro bab i l i t y t h at

, ab s en t

co u n s el ’ s u n p ro fes si o n al erro rs

, t h e res u l t o f t h e t ri al wo u l d hav e b een

d i fferen t

.

(Ci t at i o n s an d p u nct u at i o n om i t t ed .) In In t er es t o f A

. H. P. , 2 3 2 Ga. Ap p

. 3 3 0

, 3 3 4

-

3 3 5 (2 ) (5 0 0 SE2 d 4 18 ) (1 9 9 8 ).

Here, t h e ev i den ce p res en t ed b y t he p aren t s at t h e heari n g o n t h e m o t i o n fo r

n ew t ri al m eet s th i s s t a n d ard

. Un d er t h e o ld Co d e, a n on -l eg i t i m at ed fat h er l o s t al l

ri gh t s t o h i s ch i l d ren an d was n o t al l o wed t o o b ject to th e t erm i n at i o n o f h is p aren t al

ri gh t s. Fo rm er OCGA § 1 5 -1 1 -9 6 (h ) an d (i ). Term i n at io n of h i s p aren tal ri g h t s was

m an d at o ry

. 2 In t he In ter es t o f T. B. R.

, s u p ra, 3 0 4 Ga. A p p

. at 7 8 6 (4 ); In t he In t er es t

o f D

. W

. , 26 4 Ga. Ap p

. 8 3 3

, 83 4 -8 3 5 (1 ) (5 9 2 SE2 d 6 7 9 ) (2 00 3 ). T ri al co u n s el fo r t h e

p aren t s i n t h is cas e t o o k res p o n s i b i l i t y fo r fai l i n g to fi l e a l eg i t i m a t i o n pet i t i o n an d

n o t ed t h at t h i s fai l u re was d u e to o v ers i g ht on h er p art an d n o t t o an y tri al s t rat eg y o r

reas on ab l e p ro fes s io n al ju d g m en t. Gi ven t hat t h e f a i l u r e res u l t ed i n t h e fat h er’ s

2 Th e n ew Co d e n o w g i v es t he ju v en i l e co u rt d i scret i o n wh et h er t o t erm i n at e

t h e p aren t al ri g h t s o f n on -l eg i t i m at ed fat h ers . OCGA § 1 5 -1 1 -2 8 3 (b ).

19i n ab i l i t y t o ch al l en g e t h e t erm i n at i o n o f h i s paren t al ri g ht s

, t he fi rs t pro n g o f t h e tes t

cl earl y i s m et . See In t h e In ter es t o f T. B. R. , s u p ra.

R e g a r d i ng t he s eco n d p ro ng

, t h e j u v en i l e co u rt s t at ed t h at i t wo u l d h a v e

t erm i n at ed t h e fat h er’ s p aren tal r ig h t s o n g ro un d s t h at were n o t i m p act ed b y t h e

fai l u re o f t h e fat h er’ s co u n sel

, an d t h us t h e fat h er i s u n ab le t o es t ab l i s h p reju d i ce.

Ho wev er, u n d er t h e o l d C o d e

, t h e ju ven i l e co u rt had n o au t ho ri t y t o co n s i d er an y

b as i s o t h er t h an t h e fat her’ s l ack o f s t an d i n g t o t erm i nat e h i s p aren t al ri g h t s . See In

t h e In t er es t o

f T. B. R

. , s up ra, 3 04 Ga. Ap p

. at 7 8 6 (4 ); In t h e In ter es t o f D. W

. , s u p ra,

2 6 4 Ga. Ap p . at 8 34 -8 3 5 (1 ). An d

, g i v en t h e fat her’ s u n u s u al l y p ers i s t en t effo rt s t o

m ai n t ai n h i s rel at i o n sh i p wi t h hi s ch i l d ren

, h i s o b v i o u s bo n d an d p o si t iv e i n t eract i o n

wi t h th e ch i l d ren

, hi s recen t re-em p l o ym e n t w i th t h e co m

p an y fo r wh ich h e h ad

wo rk ed fo r 2 3 y ears

, an d DFACS’ s fai l u re t o s ho w ei t her co n t i n u e d d ep ri v at i o n o r

t h at s u ch d ep ri v at io n wo u l d li k el y cau s e seri o us h arm t o t h e ch il d ren

, t h e fat h er h as

s h o wn t here i s a reas o n ab l e p ro b ab i l i t y t hat

, ab sen t co un s el ’ s u n p ro fes s i o n al erro rs

,

t h e res u l t o f t h e t ri al wo ul d h av e b een d ifferen t.

Bas ed o n tri al co u n sel ’ s i n effect i v e as s is t an ce o f co u n s el

, we rem an d t h e cas e

wi t h d i rect i o n t h at t he fat h er b e g i v en 3 0 d a ys f r o m th e d at e o f t hi s o rd er t o fi l e a

20p et i t i o n t o l eg it i m at e t h e ch i l d ren o r an ack n o wl ed g m en t of l eg i t i m at i o n co n s i s t en t

wi t h t h e p ro v i s i on s o f t h e o l d Co d e.

Ju d g men t r ever

s ed a n d r ema n d

ed wi t h d i rect i o n

. Do

yl e, C. J., an d Ph i

p p s

, P.

J., co n cu r.

21