Opinion ID: 1886607
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The Family Court's Findings and Reasoning

Text: The facts underlying the Family Court's finding that terminating Tara's parental rights served Trevor Jr.'s best interests were as follows: 1. ... Mother is opposed to the termination of her parental rights. Father is deceased. The other parties in this litigation [DFS and OCA] are in favor of a termination of parental rights. 2. ... Because [Trevor Jr.] is less than two years of age, the [c]ourt did not speak with him.... [I]nterview[ing] a child of such young age would not be helpful to the [c]ourt. 3. ... As a result of mother's accident, [Trevor Jr.] has been in the care of [DFS] since he was approximately seven months old. He visited with mother on a weekly basis through early 2008. Once mother was incarcerated, he visited with her on a monthly basis through July of 2008. Since then, there has been no contact between mother and child. Due to his young age, it is difficult for the [c]ourt to imagine that [Trevor Jr.] would have much recollection of mother at this time. [Trevor] seems to be doing very well with his foster family, with whom he has now lived [ ] for over a year. His foster mother is his paternal aunt, and the foster father is her husband. Other children within the home are his paternal cousins. The [Vincent] home is appropriate, with sufficient bedrooms. The [Vincents] are addressing [Trevor Jr.'s] medical needs. The child maintains a relationship with other paternal relatives. The [Vincents] desire that [Trevor Jr.] become a permanent member of their family, through adoption. Yet, they are hopeful that the child can maintain contact with maternal relatives. There is no indication that members of mother's family have attempted to contact the child. 4. ... Due to his young age, [Trevor Jr.] is not yet involved in school or community activities. He seems well adjusted to his home. 5. ... Mother has a history of substance abuse and mental health issues. Substance abuse played a significant role in the motor vehicle accident, which resulted in [Trevor Jr.'s] father's death and mother's incarceration, and which caused the child to be placed in State custody. Mother claims to be receiving treatment for substance abuse and mental health issues while incarcerated.... 6. ... Mother is a natural custodian of her minor child ... [and] is charged with the child's support, care, nurture, welfare, and education. Mother's incarceration makes it impossible for her to fulfill this responsibility. 7. ... There is evidence of domestic violence between mother and [Trevor Jr.'s] deceased father. Mother was convicted of Offensive Touching, a misdemeanor, in June of 2007. Mother admitted that she is borderline manic depressive, and that when she does not take her prescribed medication, she can become enraged, if provoked. 8. ... [M]other is currently incarcerated on charges of Criminally Negligent Homicide ..., Vehicular Assault in the First Degree, and Driving While Under the Influence.... Mother's criminal record indicates a conviction of Offensive Touching ... in June of 2007, a Disorderly Conduct charge, for which she received probation before judgment, in August of 2004; a violation of probation in June of 2004; and a Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol conviction in April of 2003. Applying the relevant legal standard to those findings, the Family Court held that all but one of the best interests factors favored terminating the mother's parental rights: The [c]ourt has considered mother's wishes under factor one ... [but] the position of the OCA, an independent agency that is focused on the best interests of the child, is particularly beneficial to the [c]ourt in determining that a termination of mother's parental rights is appropriate. Factor two is not of assistance to the [c]ourt, due to the child's young age. Factor three is particularly significant. Due to mother's arrest and incarceration, there is no longer a relationship between mother and the child, nor is there a relationship between [Trevor Jr.] and mother's family. There is a close relationship between the child and father's family, who have assumed the obligation of raising the child. The [c]ourt's findings with respect to this factor support the [c]ourt's determination to terminate mother's parental rights. With respect to factor four, [Trevor Jr.] is appropriately adjusted to his home. The Court's findings with respect to this factor support the [c]ourt's determination to terminate mother's parental rights. With respect to factor five, it is mother's substance abuse issues which are the primary reason why mother is incarcerated for an extended period of time, and is unable to parent her son. The [c]ourt's findings with respect to this factor support the determination that mother's parental rights should be terminated. With respect to factor six, mother's actions have prevented her from caring for her child. The [c]ourt's findings with respect to this factor support the [c]ourt's determination to terminate mother's parental rights. With respect to factor seven, mother has a history of domestic violence, and admits that failure to take medication can cause her to become enraged. The [c]ourt is concerned that mother's behavior in this regard may place [Trevor Jr.] in a dangerous situation. The [c]ourt's findings with respect to this factor support the [c]ourt's determination to terminate mother's parental rights. With respect to factor eight, mother's criminal activity has resulted in the death of [Trevor Jr.'s] father, injury to herself, and injury to another son.... It has resulted in mother receiving an extended period of incarceration, and left her in the position that she is unable to care for [Trevor Jr.]. The [c]ourt's findings with respect to this factor support the determination that mother's parental rights should be terminated. [Trevor Jr.] is doing well with his foster family, who are also his paternal relatives. He has now lived with them for over a year. The [Vincents] are an adoptive resource. He seems to be living a very normal life. It is not in his best interests to change that.    It is in the best interests of [Trevor Jr.] that mother's parental rights be terminated, so that he can be adopted.