Opinion ID: 2168029
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 10

Heading: The quality of the interaction and interrelationship of the child with his or her parent, siblings, relative and/or caretakers, including foster parent;

Text: T.M. has had very little contact with her natural mother and extended family since T.M. went to live with J.T. Witnesses who have seen R.M. with T.M. described their relationship as loving, and it is clear from the testimony that R.M. cares for her child very much. However, it is also clear that T.M. is not bonded to her mother and natural family to the extent she is with J.T. and her foster family. T.M. has had sporadic visits with R.M. and her family over the years, and has spent some holidays with her extended family. She has met her siblings, a fourteen year old brother, who lives with his father, and a seven year old sister who lives with R.M.'s aunt. [2] She has met her aunt and great aunt, with whom she also briefly lived, and she has also met her uncles. All seem to express an interest in the welfare of the respondent. R.M. urges the court to place T.M. with her sister T.J. who has had at most, eight visits with the respondent over the last three years, and who has only come forward and expressed interest in obtaining custody of T.M. since the petition for termination was filed. R.M.'s extended family has not been a consistent part of T.M.'s life and it is unlikely that T.M. has developed any bond with them given the scant number of visits between the parties over the years. They have not been a constant source of support and nurturance as have J.T. and her family. T.M. has developed a strong bond and close relationship with her foster family. T.M. considers J.T. to be her mother, and calls J.T.'s husband, Pop-pop. In addition, she is close with J.T.'s daughter, son and grandson. She also gets along well with J.T.'s great aunt. T.M. considers J.T. to be her mother, and J.T. performs all maternal functions. The court finds that T.M. would be damaged rather than helped if she were removed from her current placement. (3A) The child was left by his or her parent, guardian, or custodian in a hospital located in the District of Columbia for at least 10 calendar days following the birth of the child, despite a medical determination that the child was ready for discharge from the hospital, and the parent, guardian or custodian of the child has not taken any action or made any effort to maintain a parental, guardianship, or custodial relationship or contact with the child; T.M. was not left in a hospital by her parent or guardian following her birth.