Opinion ID: 2371536
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Consideration of L.J.'s Preference As to Placement

Text: Finally, appellant contends that the trial court failed to give weighty consideration to her preference of a relative placement for B.J. and Br.J. Appellant relies on our decisions recognizing that the availability of a fit family member willing to assume legal custody of the child is an important consideration in the court's decision whether to terminate the parent-child relationship, see In re Baby Girl D.S., 600 A.2d 71, 83-84 (D.C.1991), and In re C.T., 724 A.2d 590, 598 (D.C.1999); and that `a parent's choice of a fit custodian must be given weighty consideration that can be overcome only by a showing, by clear and convincing evidence, that the custodial arrangement and preservation of the parent-child relationship is clearly contrary to the child's best interest.' In re F.N.B., 706 A.2d 28, 31 (D.C.1998) (quoting In re T.J., 666 A.2d 1, 11 (D.C.1995)). While we have applied these principles even in cases involving termination of parental rights for neglect, see, e.g., FNB, 706 A.2d at 29-31, we have also said that a biological parent's choice of related caretakers should not be afforded the same weighty consideration where the neglected child had been in the custody of foster care for a considerable length of time before the biological parent demonstrated any interest in exploring possible familial placement options. In re A.T.A., 910 A.2d 293, 297 n. 4 (D.C.2006) (citing In re An.C., 722 A.2d 36, 40-41 (D.C.1998)). In In re An.C., we applied that rule where  similar to the facts here  the neglected children had lived with their foster mother for more than two years before the biological parents suggested that the children should be placed with a relative. 722 A.2d at 40. We agree with Judge Christian that the trial judge carefully considered whether placement with Le.J. would be in the best interests of B.J. and Br.J., and we are satisfied that, however weighty the consideration to be given to L.J.'s desire that Le.J. be permitted to care for B.J. and Br.J., there was ample evidence that placement with Le.J. would not have been in the children's best interests. Judge Christian referred to the trial court's observations that at the time of the TPR hearing, B.J. and Br.J. had been in foster care for six years and that, during those years, Le.J. took no steps to take custody of the children. As the trial court found and Judge Christian repeated, the presentation of Le.J. at this late date appears to be an attempt by [appellant] to prevent a TPR rather than the suggestion of a placement that would be in the best interests of [B.J. and Br.J.]. Judge Christian also noted the trial court's finding that Stephanie Gittinger, the children's social worker at the time of the TPR proceeding, testified that she had identified Le.J. as a potential placement, but after speaking with Le.J., found her to be palpably hesitant about being the sole primary care-giver of two more children when, as a single mother, she was already caring for two children of her own (including a special needs child) and one of appellant's other children. Most important in our view, Judge Christian relied on the trial judge's findings that placement with [Le.J.] would likely mean regular contact by [appellant] with B.J. and Br.J., and this contact presents the substantial risk of exposure to the harmful impact of drug abuse, domestic violence, and general emotional instability that are unfortunately a constant presence in their mother's life, and that [p]lacement with a non-relative is clearly in the best interests of the children since they do not at this time have a substantial bond with any family members. Just as we concluded in In re An.C., we conclude here that although appellant's wishes as to the custody of her children appropriately were an important factor in the judge's calculus, the TPR judge could rationally find, and [he] did find, that in this case the [mother's] statement of preference came far too late, that the proposed alternative placement [was] unrealistic, and that further delay would be detrimental to the children's well-being. 722 A.2d at 41. For the foregoing reasons, we affirm the order terminating L.J.'s parental rights with respect to E.J., B.J. and Br.J. and denying L.J.'s request that B.J. and Br.J. be placed with Le.J. So ordered.