Opinion ID: 1608537
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Termination of C.R.B.'s Parental Rights

Text: The State sought termination of C.R.B.'s parental rights under La.Ch.Code art 1015(5). However, unlike R.D.L., C.R.B. strongly contest having her parental rights terminated. The evidence presented at trial clearly establishes that C.R.B. loves her children and the evidence is unequivocal that she is unable to care for her children as a result of her mental illness. This court recognizes that parents have a fundamental liberty interest to share a relationship with their children; however, such a right is not absolute especially when the parents' behavior could jeopardize the health or safety of the child. See e.g. Wisconsin v. Yoder, 406 U.S. 205, 233-34, 92 S.Ct. 1526, 32 L.Ed.2d 15 (1971); State in Interest of J.A., supra. Testimony of various witnesses indicate that the children require and would function more effectively in a stable environment. The evidence also establishes that the children have been continuously subjected to the erratic behavior and exhibition of poor judgement by their mother. Dr. Alfred Buxton, Ph.D. examined C.R.B on two separate occasions. First in 1993 and a second time in 1997. After the 1993 examination, Dr. Buxton concluded that C.R.B. had a dependent personality and also a dysthymic disorder. [5] He determined that C.R.B. would require ongoing mental health intervention and noted that if the children remained in her care she would require supervision and the children would need in-home services. While Dr. Buxton could not testify as to the length of mental care required by C.R.B., he explained that the care would be long-term. Subsequently, in 1997, Dr. Buxton again had the occasion to examine C.R.B. Dr. Buxton testified that his impressions of C.R.B. changed. He dropped the dysthymic disorder and characterized C.R.B's condition as a bi-polar disorder. He believed that the mood disorder was more than dysthymia, and that her condition was moving towards one of the major affective disorders. Dr. Buxton testified that C.R.B.'s bad judgments and failure to make decisions for herself and her children could prove to be detrimental to the children's welfare. He pointed out that at the age of seven G.J.L. was responsible for making extremely complex and mature decisions. He stated that C.R.B.'s cognitive limitations, through no fault of her own, precluded her from making the necessary judgments which parents are required to make to insure the well being of their children. Dr. Buxton conclusively opined, based on his evaluation of C.R.B, that C.R.B. could function only as a secondary care-giver to her children. In other words, he believed that C.R.B. would need another competent primary care-giver present if she was going to have the children on a permanent basis. Testimony was also elicited from Michael Levinstone, a board certified social worker and therapist. Mr. Levinstone testified that he has worked closely with the children for the past two years. He testified that C.R.B. possesses parenting deficiencies which he believes are directly related to her mental disabilities as well as prior sexual abuse and rejection issues which C.R.B. faced with her own mother. As to G.J.L., Mr. Levinstone stated that G.J.L. loves his mother very much and has taken on the role as her protector and cares very much for her well being. He pointed out that this protective role which G.J.L. has taken on has often created problems in C.R.B.'s household with her husband as G.J.L. often believes and behaves as though he is the father of the household. Mr. Levinstone testified that G.J.L. misses his mother but enjoys the bonds which he has established with his foster parents and his foster parents' extended family. In fact, Mr. Levinstone stated that G.J.L. indicated that he wanted to be adopted by his foster parents or one of their daughters if he could not return to his mother's care. Mr. Levinstone seemed very concerned about M.M.L. He testified that she was very withdrawn while in C.R.B.'s home and stated that during his home visits he would notice how withdrawn M.M.L. appeared. He attributed her behavior to a host of factors including the allegations of physical and sexual abuse. [6] Mr. Levinstone stated that M.M.L. would comment about missing her mother during the first year while she was in foster care but became more distant towards returning to her mother and was not committed to continuing contact with her brother, G.J.L. Mr. Levinstone often focused his visits with M.M.L. on the sexual abuse and feelings of anger that M.M.L. had towards her mother. He believed that M.M.L. felt as though her mother should have protected her and exhibited feelings of anger when her mother refused to believe the allegations. [7] Mr. Levinstone stated that M.M.L. is happy with her foster parents and often talks about being adopted. While Mr. Levinstone believed it would be ideal for the children to be placed in an adoptive home together, he recognized that placement together was probably not feasible. Dr. Ed Bergeron also testified. Dr. Bergeron evaluated C.R.B. in response to a request by the Office of Community Service. Specifically, Dr. Bergeron assessed C.R.B.'s psychological functioning as it relates to her parenting abilities. Based on the test performed, Dr. Bergeron concluded that C.R.B. is relatively limited on an intellectual level. As for her parenting abilities, C.R.B. was diagnosed as being at a high risk to engage in abusive behavior and/or more likely to provide an environment conducive for abuse and neglect. In addition, C.R.B.'s parenting profile indicated that she could not deal effectively with daily stress and was not able to meet the daily requirements and demands of being a parent. Dr. Bergeron, after conducting all of the assessments, determined that it would be very, very difficult for C.R.B. to successfully parent her children. At the conclusion of the hearing, the trial court recognized that C.R.B. will never be able to be a primary care giver to her children and refused to terminate C.R.B.'s parental rights on the basis that it is not in the best interest of the children to do so. The court decided that it is best to leave the children in their respective foster homes; continued to allow the children visitation and determined that he could revisit the situation at a later date. Moreover, the court was of the opinion that the best scenario was to allow the children to be adopted by the same parents. After careful review of the record, we believe the trial court erred in refusing to terminate C.R.B.'s parental rights. As stated above, the best interest of the children is paramount. The experts and the lower courts all agree that C.R.B. can never provide a stable home for her children. While this court is cognizant that C.R.B.'s inability to care for her children is due to her mental illness and is of no fault of her own, we must examine very closely the needs of the children. As we stated in In Re: Interest of J.A., we are not creating a bright line rule that mental illness in and of itself should serve as a sole basis for terminating parental rights, but is it important to consider the parent's mental state as it relates to the parent's ability to care for their children. M.M.L. and G.J.L. are at a tender age, they require stability and should be afforded the ability to enjoy being children. The children have undergone emotional challenges while within the care of their mother. M.M.L. has been sexually assaulted and G.J.L. believes that he is responsible for the care of his mother. Clearly, the problems which these children have faced would challenge any well adjusted adult. As Dr. Bergeron testified, children are resilient and can overcome many disadvantages. However, in order to overcome such adversities, the children should be placed in a stable living environment which is free from turmoil. The record establishes that both children are doing well in their respective foster home and there is a strong likelihood that G.J.L. will be adopted by his foster parent. Although no specific request for adopting M.M.L. is in place, the expert testimony established that it would be in the best interest for both children to be in a position to be adopted. Therefore, based on the testimony and evidence, we find that the best interest of the children requires that the court terminate C.R.B's parental rights as to both M.M.L. and G.J.L.