Opinion ID: 2570436
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: L. and C.L. challenge a number of the factual findings made by the superior court.

Text: First, the grandparents challenge the court's finding that J.G. had symptoms of separation anxiety and attachment disorder. The grandparents claim that this finding was clearly erroneous because there was no diagnosis of J.G. as having either separation anxiety or attachment disorder. However, the superior court did not find that there was a diagnosed condition; it only found that there were symptoms of these disorders. This is supported by evidence in the record, in the form of expert testimony concerning J.G.'s symptoms and behavior. We cannot say that this finding was clearly erroneous. Second, the grandparents challenge the court's finding that J.G.'s bond with her grandparents was not as significant as her bond with P.S. There is evidence in the record that supports the grandparents' claim that J.G. has a significant bond with her grandparents; specifically, J.G. asked to see the grandparents on at least one occasion, and J.G. was happy to visit her grandparents. However, there is also evidence in the record that supports the conclusion that J.G.'s bond with her grandparents was not as strong as her bond with P.S. Specifically, there was evidence that the grandparents have had regular but limited contact with J.G., and that J.G. has consistently maintained and expressed her desire to stay with P.S. rather than the grandparents. Moreover, there was expert testimony that P.S. was the only person with whom J.G. had formed an attachment. Because of this evidence, we cannot say that the superior court's finding that J.G.'s bond with her grandparents was not as strong as her bond with P.S. was clearly erroneous. Third, the grandparents claim that the superior court committed clear error by finding that J.G. and her sister S.G. had no significant bond. However, the superior court made no finding at all on the nature of the bond between the siblings. The superior court did find that the sisters did not bond with the same care giver, but did not find that the sisters lacked a significant bond with each other. There is, however, evidence in the record, in the expert testimony, that J.G. and S.G. were not particularly close to each other. Therefore, there is no clearly erroneous finding here. Lastly, the grandparents challenge as clearly erroneous the superior court's finding that the grandparents do not completely appreciate the adverse impact that exposure to [L.G.] has on [J.G.] and the adverse impact that exposure to alcohol, even in the slightest amount, has upon [J.G.]. There is adequate evidence in the record to support this finding. With respect to J.G.'s contact with her mother, the grandparents have previously permitted L.G. to see the children on multiple occasions, against the wishes of DFYS and the foster parents, even during the termination proceedings. Despite the harm done by contact between J.G. and her biological mother L.G., Mrs. C.L. testified that she would permit L.G. to see J.G. if L.G. remained clean and sober for a few years. With respect to the exposure to alcohol, both grandparents testified that they currently drink to the point of getting a buzz on occasion. Both grandparents were in the past convicted of driving while intoxicated and attended alcohol treatment programs. Also, there is evidence that Mrs. C.L. drank in front of J.G., and was intoxicated on occasions when social workers called and when J.G. was brought for a scheduled visit. Adequate evidence in the record supports the court's finding that the grandparents do not understand the impact on J.G. of exposure to her mother and to alcohol consumption.