Opinion ID: 2524632
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: N.A.'s General Background

Text: N.A. is the biological mother of five children: three girls, currently ages thirteen, seven, and five; and two boys, ages eleven and ten. At various times between 1988 and 1997, doctors have diagnosed N.A. with alcohol dependency, borderline personality disorder, organic brain disorder, and alcohol amnestic disorder. Paul Craig, Ph.D., a neuropsychologist who diagnosed N.A. with alcohol amnestic disorder, stated that N.A. may not be capable of learning the skills necessary to function adequately as a parent. At least once, N.A. admitted to physically and verbally assaulting her sons. In the past ten years, N.A. has entered substance abuse treatment programs three times. She completed the first program successfully, staying sober during her 1993 pregnancy. The last two attempts were unsuccessful: one program discharged her for disruptive behavior, and N.A. left the other. While N.A. had some periods of sobriety, she had at least three relapses between May 1998 and the termination hearing in November 1999. N.A. lived with Reginald Smith, a convicted sex offender. Their relationship began in 1988. At that time, Smith was on probation after serving a year in jail on the felony charge of second degree sexual abuse of a minor. One condition of Smith's probation prohibited him from being alone with children. Smith is the father of N.A.'s last four children. At one time, N.A. alleged that Smith sexually abused her youngest daughter, but N.A. has since recanted that statement. N.A. and Smith's relationship has been marked by violent episodes. N.A. alleged that Smith struck her with his fist and broke her jaw in 1990. In 1992 N.A. stabbed Smith in the chest; Smith was hospitalized for several weeks but recovered. In a later argument with Smith, N.A. broke the windshield of Smith's car and tried to slash his tires.