Opinion ID: 1316607
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: severe and repetitious abuse

Text: The family court found the children had been physically harmed in the home and, due to the severity or repetition of the abuse or neglect, it was not reasonably likely appellant could make the home safe within twelve months. See S.C.Code Ann. § 20-7-1572(1). Appellant argues the record does not support that conclusion. She also asserts that repeatedly dunking a child in bath water does not constitute physical injury as defined in S.C.Code § 20-7-490(6) (Supp. 1997) (physical injury means death or permanent or temporary disfigurement or impairment of any bodily organ or function). In reaching its conclusion, the family court relied upon the testimony of law enforcement officers who found Anthony frightened, dripping wet, and bruised when they were called to appellant's home in April 1991. One officer testified that appellant admitted she had dunked Anthony to punish him. Three clinical psychologists, a psychiatrist, and a professional counselor testified they believed Anthony, Candice, and Shannon had been physically abused. The children were extremely anxious about life generally, they were frightened and angry when appellant visited them, and they did not want to return home. All agreed that returning the children to appellant's home would be the wrong decisiona devastating occurrence in the counselor's words. All believed adoption by the Hoopers was the right decision. We conclude that clear and convincing evidence supports the family court's decision to terminate appellant's parental rights on this ground. Furthermore, repeatedly dunking a seven-year-old child in icy bath water constitutes physical injury under Section 20-7-490(6) because it temporarily impairs the child's ability to breathe and, if it continued, would drown the child. Cf. Florence County Dep't of Social Services v. Ward, 310 S.C. 69, 425 S.E.2d 61 (Ct.App. 1992) (affirming family court's finding that foster parent did not physically abuse or mentally injure child as result of punishing child by splashing cool or cold water on him; there was no evidence that child suffered any permanent or lasting physical damage from the isolated incident, and record reflected that manner of punishment had been recommended by authority in field of child discipline).