Opinion ID: 1309086
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: part i. the first evidentiary hearing

Text: The evidence adduced at the first hearing showed that the parents abused drugs and alcohol, encountered employment instability and were lacking in financial responsibility. For example, they were evicted from their apartment, Cherise Bush wrote bad checks, and according to the grandmother and her minor son, both Bud and Cherise abused alcohol and used drugs, including the injection of crank, a form of amphetamine. They also used cocaine and marijuana. On a grandmother's visit to the marital home, the parents admitted they were using drugs. At that time the child was in her bedroom crying; she had hives and white blisters on her buttocks. The grandmother took her to a local doctor, who reported that her throat was stressed from prolonged screaming. Two weeks later Bud Bush brought the child to the grandmother and relinquished possession to her. He stated: Mama, take custody. We will destroy her. The grandmother further testified that she told Bud Bush that the court would not award custody merely because the house was dirty and the child's diapers were not changed. He replied: My God, Mama, are you blind? Look at my arms. I have needle tracks up and down my arms. Look at Cherise. She has them too. Other testimony was that Bud Bush, while driving threw the child against the dashboard, bruising her. A social worker from the Department of Health & Welfare (DHW) submitted a report which concluded, based on interviews with the parents, grandparents, and collateral contacts, that Bud and Cherise Bush failed to afford their daughter a stable home environment and that the circumstances offered no promise of change. The worker further stated that due to the parents' financial instability, adequate food or needed medical care was not available. In February 1985, the magistrate filed his decision, concluding that the parents had neglected their daughter within the meaning of the Idaho Termination of Parental Rights Act. The magistrate found that termination was not in the best interest of the child only if: a) the parents submit to urinalysis, breath or blood tests on a spot check basis; b) the parents abstain completely from alcohol consumption and use of illegal drugs; c) the parents submit to reasonable supervision, direction, and training from DHW to improve their parenting skills. The parents signed an acceptance of the court order, agreeing to abide by the conditions. [1]