Opinion ID: 2183121
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Efforts of the Mother

Text: [¶ 12] While in Germany, the mother received her general education diploma. She took college courses and worked at a steady job. She also completed a parenting course at the military base. The mother decided, in Spring 1998, to begin the process of reunifying with Breauna. The mother arrived in Portland in August 1998. She obtained a full-time job and an apartment. At the time of the termination hearing, the mother was attending parenting classes and counselling at the YMCA. [¶ 13] The GAL commended the mother for the progress that she had made: She appears to be a totally different person than the person described in the reports from when Breauna first came into care. The mother is articulate, reasonably mature, somewhat naive and intelligent. A doctor at Spurwink, however, described the mother as a rigid and defensive person. She does not suffer from any personality disorders. [¶ 14] The GAL questioned the mother's commitment to rearing Breauna because the mother had minimal contact with her. While living in Europe, the mother visited Breauna in July and October 1996, when she saw her child three times; in April and August 1997, when she visited Breauna almost daily between April 5, and April 12; and in January 1998. The court held the first day of the termination hearing in September 1998 and the next two days of the hearing in November 1998. Between the September and November termination hearings, the mother only visited Breauna twice. Although the mother left about twenty-five messages for the foster mother to set up visits with Breauna between September and November 1998, the foster mother failed to return her calls. [¶ 15] The mother testified that she was not ready to assume custody of Breauna. She could not estimate when she would be ready. She also acknowledged that Breauna received excellent care from her foster mother.