Opinion ID: 2780452
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: sufficiency of the evidence

Text: [¶21] In his final issue, Appellant claims that Appellees presented insufficient evidence to support the termination of his parental rights. We apply traditional principles of evidentiary review when a party challenges the sufficiency of the evidence supporting termination. R.L.A. v. State Dep’t of Family Services (In re L.A.), 2009 WY 109, ¶ 12, 215 P.3d 266, 268 (Wyo. 2009). We examine the evidence in the light most favorable to the party prevailing below, assume all favorable evidence to be true, and disregard conflicting evidence presented by the unsuccessful party. Id. Because the right to associate with one’s family is fundamental, however, we strictly scrutinize petitions to terminate parental rights. M.L. v. Laramie County Dep’t of Family Servs. (In the Interest of L.L.), 2007 WY 92, ¶ 9, 159 P.3d 499, 501 (Wyo. 2007). As part of our strict scrutiny standard, we require that a case for termination of parental rights must be established by clear and convincing evidence. Id. Clear and convincing evidence is that kind of proof that would persuade a trier of fact that the truth of the contention is highly probable. Id. ZMETS v. State, 2012 WY 68, ¶ 8, 276 P.3d 392, 394-95 (Wyo. 2012). [¶22] Appellees petitioned to terminate Appellant’s parental rights under Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 14-2-309(a)(iv) (LexisNexis 2013). That statute provides as follows: § 14-2-309. Grounds for termination of parent-child relationship; clear and convincing evidence. (a) The parent-child legal relationship may be terminated if any one (1) or more of the following facts is established by clear and convincing evidence: 9 ... (iv) The parent is incarcerated due to the conviction of a felony and a showing that the parent is unfit to have the custody and control of the child[.] Appellant does not dispute that he was incarcerated for a felony conviction at the time of the termination hearing. Appellant claims that the evidence was insufficient to establish by clear and convincing evidence that he was unfit to have custody and control of ARW. The termination statutes do not define the term “unfit.” However, we have previously held that [F]itness includes the ability to meet the ongoing physical, mental and emotional needs of the child. Whether a parent is fit to have custody and control of a child is a decision that must be made within the context of a particular case and depends upon the situation and attributes of the specific parent and child. AJJ v. State (In re KMJ), 2010 WY 142, ¶ 15, 242 P.3d 968, 971 (Wyo. 2010). A parent’s fitness is measured at the time of the termination proceedings. That does not mean, however, that the district court must ignore evidence of a parent’s previous unfitness. Id., ¶ 17, 242 P.3d at 971. [¶23] We find ample evidence in the record to support the conclusion that Appellant is not fit to have custody and control of ARW. The fact that Appellant is incarcerated, by itself, is not sufficient to establish unfitness. NLT v. State (In re KAT), 2012 WY 150, ¶ 26, 288 P.3d 1217, 1224 (Wyo. 2012). “[I]ncarceration is, however, a reality that severely impacts the parent-child relationship and therefore cannot be ignored.” Id. (quoting CDB v. DJE, 2005 WY 102, ¶ 6, 118 P.3d 439, 441 (Wyo. 2005)). Ultimately, Appellant’s ability to meet ARW’s ongoing physical, mental, and emotional needs will be severely restricted during the period in which he is incarcerated. Further, the reason for Appellant’s incarceration is also evidence that he is unfit to care for ARW. NLT, ¶ 27, 288 P.3d at 1224. Appellant was convicted of two counts of sexual abuse of a minor. While this behavior may not have been physically directed toward ARW, his crimes indicate extreme moral delinquency, and suggest that he is not fit to care for ARW. Id. (citing In re Adoption of JLP, 774 P.2d 624, 632 (Wyo. 1989)). [¶24] Additionally, the evidence indicated that Appellant was unable to provide a clean or safe home environment for ARW. While Appellant had custody of ARW, Appellees 10 were called by various parties on numerous occasions to care for ARW due to the condition of Appellant’s home and his level of intoxication. During ARW’s childhood, Appellant consumed alcohol to the point of inebriation on a daily basis. As a result of exposure to Appellant’s alcohol and drug use, ARW knew what a marijuana pipe was and had learned how to mix Appellant’s drinks when she was five years old. [¶25] The evidence also indicated that Appellant took no responsibility for ARW’s schooling or medical needs. Appellant did not transport ARW to or from school, did not participate in parent-teacher conferences, and did not plan or pay for extracurricular activities. Appellant also did not schedule, attend, or transport ARW to doctor’s appointments with her pediatrician, dentist, optometrist, or primary care physician. Finally, the evidence indicated that Appellant has not respected the recommendation of ARW’s counselor that Appellant have no contact with ARW. All of this evidence, in addition to Appellant’s convictions for sexual abuse of a minor, indicates that he is unable to meet ARW’s ongoing physical, mental, and emotional needs. We conclude that Appellees presented clear and convincing evidence that Appellant is unfit to have custody and control of ARW. [¶26] Affirmed. 11