Opinion ID: 2622689
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Competent Evidence

Text: ¶ 21 While there is no evidence that Mother intentionally abused or harmed her children, the record contains competent evidence that she did not provide an appropriate level of care and resisted attempts to provide services to help her improve the situation even as she admitted that she needed help. There is competent evidence that WEL was deprived because of abuse and neglect, that JDH was deprived because of abuse, neglect, and failure to provide necessary medication, and that KMH was deprived because of neglect, all as defined by 10 O.S. Supp.2005 § 7001-1.3(A)(14)(b-c). Although there is no direct evidence that JH was abused or neglected, the existence of significant issues of neglect as to the older three children supports the conclusion that Mother's capacity to care for JH was similarly compromised. [4] See 10 O.S.2001 § 7003-8.5 (allowing immediate action if a child or a sibling of a child is in immediate danger). We are directed by statute to liberally construe the Children's Code to carry out its purpose that [t]he paramount consideration in all proceedings concerning a child alleged or found to be deprived is the health and safety and the best interests of the child. 10 O.S.2001 § 7001-1.2 (right to family integrity, preservation or reunification limited by children's right to be protected from abuse and neglect); see also State ex rel. Dep't of Human Servs. v. Colclazier, 1997 OK 134, ¶ 9, 950 P.2d 824, 828, In re C.T., 1999 OK CIV APP 55, ¶ 7, 983 P.2d 523, 525 (focus of adjudication proceeding is on child's status, not parents'). ¶ 22 The testimony by the three professionals hereDHS's investigator, the therapist, and the probation counselorindicated an initial and overriding compassion for Mother and an understanding that she was having real difficulties coping with four children, including one child with behavioral issues. At the same time, they each indicated that Mother's tendency was to blame WEL for all of the family's problems (without considering the possible source of those problems) and to resist their efforts to involve her in addressing the problems in the family as a whole. They also testified to a growing systemic concern about the well-being of the children and Mother's ability to cope. ¶ 23 Mother's attorney argues that the State should have called Mother as a witness to allow her to give a better account of the circumstances, but the State was under no obligation to do so. Mother chose not to testify or offer any evidence to explain her situation or provide a better context for the State's evidence. Having done so, she cannot complain on appeal that the State's evidence did not present the whole story. In re K.L.H., 1993 OK CIV APP 127, ¶ 15, 858 P.2d 1296, 1298.