Opinion ID: 1940813
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: the children's appeal from the termination of parental rights

Text: We next turn to the appeal brought by Melody, Jenira, Jaime and Neri Jasmin (children) [11] challenging the judgments of the trial court terminating the parental rights of the respondent. On appeal, the children claim that the trial court improperly: (1) admitted expert opinion testimony by Rogers; and (2) concluded that termination of the parental rights of the respondent was in the best interests of Melody and Jaime. [12] Neri Jasmin also claims that the termination of the respondent's parental rights without a jury trial violated her rights under our state constitution.
Our appellate courts have not had the opportunity to determine specifically whether a child may properly appeal from the termination of the parental rights of his or her parent. Accordingly, the threshold issue in the children's appeal is whether the children have standing to bring this appeal. We begin, therefore, with our well settled principles dictating the nature of that inquiry. The issue of standing implicates this court's subject matter jurisdiction.... Standing is the legal right to set judicial machinery in motion. One cannot rightfully invoke the jurisdiction of the court unless he [or she] has, in an individual or representative capacity, some real interest in the cause of action, or a legal or equitable right, title or interest in the subject matter of the controversy.... When standing is put in issue, the question is whether the person whose standing is challenged is a proper party to request an adjudication of the issue.... Standing requires no more than a colorable claim of injury; a [party] ordinarily establishes ... standing by allegations of injury. Similarly, standing exists to attempt to vindicate arguably protected interests.... Standing is established by showing that the party claiming it is authorized by statute to bring an action, in other words statutorily aggrieved, or is classically aggrieved.... The fundamental test for determining [classical] aggrievement encompasses a well-settled twofold determination: [F]irst, the party claiming aggrievement must successfully demonstrate a specific, personal and legal interest in [the challenged action], as distinguished from a general interest, such as is the concern of all members of the community as a whole. Second, the party claiming aggrievement must successfully establish that this specific personal and legal interest has been specially and injuriously affected by the [challenged action].... Aggrievement is established if there is a possibility, as distinguished from a certainty, that some legally protected interest ... has been adversely affected. (Citations omitted; internal quotation marks omitted.) Eder Bros., Inc. v. Wine Merchants of Connecticut, Inc., 275 Conn. 363, 368-70, 880 A.2d 138 (2005). Although this court has not had the opportunity to decide whether a child may bring an appeal from the termination of the rights of his or her parent, we addressed a similar issue in In re Christina, M., 280 Conn. 474, 486-87, 908 A.2d 1073 (2006). The issue in that case was whether parents who are respondents to a termination of parental rights petition have standing to assert the constitutional rights of their children who are the subject of the termination action. Id., at 476, 908 A.2d 1073. We concluded that parents can assert the constitutional rights of their children because the rights of the [parents] are inextricably intertwined with those of their children. Id., at 487, 908 A.2d 1073. In doing so, we relied on Wright v. Alexandria Division of Social Services, 16 Va.App. 821, 433 S.E.2d 500 (1993), cert. denied, 513 U.S. 1050, 115 S.Ct. 651, 130 L.Ed.2d 555 (1994). In that case, the Virginia Court of Appeals, concluded that [i]n cases involving parental rights, the rights of the child coexist and are intertwined with those of the parent. The legal disposition of the parent's rights with respect to the child necessarily affects and alters the rights of the child with respect to his or her parent. [The child] ha[d] a `personal stake in the outcome' of the proceeding to terminate her mother's parental rights and, therefore, ha[d] standing to challenge the propriety of the trial judge's decision to terminate those rights. Id., at 825, 433 S.E.2d 500. We find this reasoning to be even more persuasive and directly applicable in the present case, for the issue in Wright, as in the present case, was whether the child had standing to appeal from the termination of her mother's parental rights. The rights of the children here are inextricably intertwined with those of the respondent. As we recognized in In re Christina M., supra, 280 Conn. at 485, 908 A.2d 1073, both the [parents] and the children have a mutual interest in the preservation of family integrity, and the termination of parental status is irretrievably destructive of that most fundamental family relationship. Accordingly, we conclude that the children have established standing to appeal from the judgments terminating the parental rights of the respondent.
On appeal, the children first claim that the trial court improperly admitted and relied on expert opinion testimony from Rogers. Specifically, the children claim that Rogers lacked the requisite expertise with sexual abuse to testify as an expert in the present case and that his testimony was based on insufficient information about the parties involved. In addition, the children also assert that the trial court improperly allowed Rogers to testify as to the ultimate issue in the case. In response, the department claims that the trial court properly admitted testimony from Rogers and did not abuse its discretion in relying on his testimony. We first set forth the applicable standard of review. The applicable standard of review for evidentiary challenges is well established. Unless an evidentiary ruling involves a clear misconception of the law, the [t]rial court has broad discretion in ruling on the admissibility ... of evidence.... The trial court's ruling on evidentiary matters will be overturned only upon a showing of a clear abuse of the court's discretion.... We will make every reasonable presumption in favor of upholding the trial court's ruling.... (Internal quotation marks omitted.) State v. Grant, 286 Conn. 499, 532, 944 A.2d 947 (2008). In the present case, Rogers had conducted five evaluations of the respondent and the children from March, 2003, through May, 2006. At the time the commissioner petitioned for termination of the respondent's parental rights, the parties agreed that Rogers would conduct another evaluation and answer a series of questions, including, inter alia, [c]onsidering the age and needs of the children ... whether the [respondent] can achieve such a degree of personal rehabilitation as would encourage the belief that, within a reasonable period of time, [she] could resume a responsible position in the [lives] of the child[ren]. At trial, the department introduced testimony from Rogers and sought to qualify him as an expert in the areas of clinical psychology, court-ordered evaluations in Juvenile Court and sexual abuse trauma. The respondent and the children objected to Rogers' qualification as an expert in the area of sexual abuse trauma, but did not object to his qualification as an expert in the other two areas. Indeed, the children's attorney acknowledged that Rogers, obviously, has good qualifications as a clinical psychologist and as a court-ordered evaluator.... Thereafter, the trial court qualified Rogers as an expert in the areas of clinical psychology and court-ordered evaluations in Juvenile Court and denied without prejudice the department's motion to qualify him in the area of sexual abuse trauma, indicating that the parties might not get to any issue involving expertise in that area. Rogers thereafter testified as to the results of his evaluation, including his opinion that the respondent had not rehabilitated herself sufficiently to be able to assume a responsible position in the lives of the children. In its memorandum of decision, the trial court credited Rogers' testimony and his report of the May, 2006 evaluation, which was also admitted into evidence, wherein he concluded that the respondent had failed to achieve sufficient personal rehabilitation. On appeal, the children first claim that the trial court's admission of testimony and documentary evidence from Rogers was improper because he was not qualified as an expert in sexual abuse trauma and did not spend an adequate amount of time with the family. We disagree. As we explained previously herein, Rogers was appointed by the court to conduct evaluations of the family on five separate occasions during the relevant time period. In this capacity, Rogers met with the respondent and each of the children on numerous occasions. In this capacity, Rogers' role was to assess the psychological functioning of the respondent and the children and to answer several questions posed by the court. The undisputed evidence demonstrates that Rogers had conducted approximately 1000 court-ordered evaluations of families in Juvenile Court and had extensive experience in the field of clinical psychology. Throughout this time, the respondent and the children never asserted that Rogers was not qualified or was not adequately conducting these evaluations. To the contrary, Rogers' continuing appointment was by the agreement of the parties. At trial, the court acted consistent with the children's objection and did not qualify Rogers as an expert in the field of sexual abuse trauma. The children do not point to, and we cannot find, any instance in which Rogers' testified as to issues specifically related to sexual abuse. Instead, Rogers testified as to the findings of his evaluations, an area in which the court had properly recognized him as an expert without objection from the respondent or the children. The children further claim that the trial court improperly allowed Rogers to testify as to the ultimate issue in the case, namely, whether the respondent had achieved sufficient personal rehabilitation or if more time or services would allow her to assume a responsible position in the lives of the children if they were to return home. The children claim that such expert testimony was improper because it called for legal conclusions and was not necessary to help or to inform the court. In response, the department asserts that Rogers' testimony as to the ultimate issue in the case was consistent with ง 7-3(a) of the Connecticut Code of Evidence and common practice in Juvenile Court proceedings. Furthermore, the department also asserts that, in the present case, all of the parties, including the children's attorney, agreed that a court-appointed evaluator was needed in this case to assist the court in making determinations about the family. We agree with the department. This court repeatedly has held that, [e]xperts can ... sometimes give an opinion on an ultimate issue where the trier, in order to make intelligent findings, needs expert assistance on the precise question on which it must pass. (Internal quotation marks omitted.) State v. Vilalastra, 207 Conn. 35, 41, 540 A.2d 42 (1988), cert. denied, 349 U.S. 926, 75 S.Ct. 775, 99 L.Ed. 1257 (1955). This understanding has been codified in ง 7-3(a) of the Connecticut Code of Evidence, which provides in relevant part that [t]estimony in the form of an opinion is inadmissible if it embraces an ultimate issue to be decided by the trier of fact, except that ... an expert witness may give an opinion that embraces an ultimate issue where the trier of fact needs expert assistance in deciding the issue. As the Appellate Court aptly has recognized, [t]he trial court's exercise of discretion in admitting expert testimony is not to be disturbed unless it has been abused or the error is clear and involves a misconception of the law.... Furthermore, [c]ourts are entitled to give great weight to professionals in parental termination cases. (Citation omitted; internal quotation marks omitted.) In re Tabitha P., 39 Conn.App. 353, 364-65 n. 8, 664 A.2d 1168 (1995); id. (concluding that trial court had not abused its discretion in admitting into evidence testimony of court-appointed evaluator's conclusions where there was no evidence that court failed to consider any other evidence in rendering its decision). In the present case, the parties agreed in the order for evaluation that Rogers should evaluate and make a finding as to whether the respondent had achieved sufficient personal rehabilitation, presumably because such information would be useful to the court in making its decision on the termination petition. Moreover, the memorandum of decision demonstrates that the trial court considered other evidence as well, but ultimately concluded that the respondent had failed to achieve sufficient rehabilitation, based in part on her difficulty in reunification with Marcus and her failed attempt at reunification with Jaime in 2005. Accordingly, we conclude that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in admitting Rogers' testimony regarding whether the respondent had achieved sufficient personal rehabilitation.
The children also claim that the trial court improperly determined that the termination of the parental rights of the respondent was in the best interests of Melody and Jaime. [13] Specifically, the children assert that the trial court ignored substantial evidence that Melody and Jaime were bonded with the respondent and that the termination of the respondent's parental rights would be detrimental to them. [14] In response, the department asserts that the trial court's determination that the termination of the respondent's parental rights was in the best interests of Melody and Jaime is supported by the record and was not clearly erroneous. We agree with the department. We first set forth the applicable standard of review. The legal framework for deciding termination petitions is well established. [A] hearing on a petition to terminate parental rights consists of two phases: the adjudicatory phase and the dispositional phase. During the adjudicatory phase, the trial court must determine whether one or more of the ... grounds for termination of parental rights set forth in ง 17a-112 [(j)(3)] exists by clear and convincing evidence.... If the trial court determines that a statutory ground for termination exists, then it proceeds to the dispositional phase. During the dispositional phase, the trial court must determine whether termination is in the best interests of the child.... The best interest determination also must be supported by clear and convincing evidence. (Citations omitted; internal quotation marks omitted.) In re Davonta V., 285 Conn. 483, 487-88, 940 A.2d 733 (2008). It is axiomatic that a trial court's factual findings are accorded great deference. Accordingly, an appellate tribunal will not disturb a trial court's finding that termination of parental rights is in a child's best interest unless that finding is clearly erroneous.... A finding is clearly erroneous when either there is no evidence in the record to support it, or the reviewing court is left with the definite and firm conviction that a mistake has been made.... On appeal, our function is to determine whether the trial court's conclusion was factually supported and legally correct.... In doing so, however, [g]reat weight is given to the judgment of the trial court because of [the court's] opportunity to observe the parties and the evidence.... We do not examine the record to determine whether the trier of fact could have reached a conclusion other than the one reached.... [Rather] every reasonable presumption is made in favor of the trial court's ruling. (Citation omitted; internal quotation marks omitted.) Id., at 488, 940 A.2d 733. The children assert that the trial court improperly found that the termination of the parental rights of the respondent was in the best interests of Melody and Jaime because the evidence established that those children shared a bond with the respondent. Our courts consistently have held that even when there is a finding of a bond between parent and a child, it still may be in the child's best interest to terminate parental rights. In re Rachel J., 97 Conn.App. 748, 761, 905 A.2d 1271, cert. denied, 280 Conn. 941, 912 A.2d 476 (2006); see also In re Tyqwane V., 85 Conn.App. 528, 536, 857 A.2d 963 (2004) (The Appellate Court has concluded that a termination of parental rights is appropriate in circumstances where the children are bonded with their parent if it is in the best interest of the child to do so.... This is such a case. [Internal quotation marks omitted.]); In re Ashley S., 61 Conn.App. 658, 667, 769 A.2d 718 ([A] parent's love and biological connection ... is simply not enough. [The department] has demonstrated by clear and convincing evidence that [the respondent] cannot be a competent parent to these children because she cannot provide them a nurturing, safe and structured environment.), cert. denied, 255 Conn. 950, 769 A.2d 61 (2001). In the present case, on the basis of our careful review of the record, we conclude that the trial court's finding that termination of the respondent's parental rights was in the best interests of Melody and Jaime was not clearly erroneous. At trial, the department introduced an evaluation report prepared by Rogers in May, 2006. In this report, Rogers stated that Melody did not display evidence of an ongoing parent-child relationship with the respondent, but had positive sentiments regarding [the respondent] ... as a component of their ongoing visitation.... Rogers also pointed out that [t]he long period outside [the respondent's] care [approximately four years] has effectively precluded an ongoing parent/child relation for Melody.... Moreover, Rogers further opined that Melody did not see the respondent as her psychological parent. The evidence further established that Melody, who had been the victim of substantial sexual abuse by the respondent's boyfriend, had negative feelings toward the respondent and that she was afraid of returning to the respondent's custody. Melody's foster mother testified at trial that Melody had told her on several occasions that she's afraid of going with [the respondent] because she's afraid that whatever happened to her before, if [the respondent] did not believe her, what makes her think [the respondent] will believe her now. And also that [the respondent] had moved from [the home she shared with the boyfriend] but only two blocks away. The testimony at trial also demonstrated that Melody still remained fearful that the boyfriend would return, and began screaming and crying on at least one occasion when she saw a man who resembled him. The foster mother further testified that Melody did not ask for the respondent or talk about her between visits. The trial court also relied on Rogers' report of his consultation with Ellen Pharr, the coordinator of the safe home program in which Melody had recently stayed before being placed in a foster home and who served as Melody's individual therapist. Pharr reported that Melody shared little about her biological family and spoke of missing her previous foster mother, but made no mention of the respondent. Pharr also reported that she never had the impression that [Melody] had a strong bond with the respondent and had never heard Melody speak about wanting to return to live with the respondent. Pharr indicated that although Melody initially had been eager to attend family visits, her enthusiasm for such visits waned when Marcus and Melinda stopped attending. On the basis of this evidence, we cannot conclude that the trial court's determination that the termination of the parental rights of the respondent was in Melody's best interests was clearly erroneous. In his May, 2006 report, which was introduced as a full exhibit at trial, Rogers opined that Jaime also did not display evidence of an ongoing parent-child relationship with the respondent, but had positive sentiments regarding [the respondent]... as a component of their ongoing visitation.... Moreover, Rogers further indicated that Jaime's age, placement apart from [the respondent] and limited contact with her do not support an ongoing mother/son relation. Rogers also reported that Jaime did not convincingly articulate his allegiances, but his emotional connection to [the respondent] was not compelling. Moreover, the evidence at trial demonstrated that when Jaime was returned to the respondent's care for several months in 2005, the respondent became overwhelmed, physically abused her older child Marcus and left Jaime in Marcus' supervision against the department's clear instructions, refused to comply with the department's request for drug testing, stopped seeing her psychiatrist and stopped taking her prescription medications. As a result, the department had to halt Jaime's reunification with the respondent and remove him from her care once again. Accordingly, on the basis of all this evidence, we cannot conclude that the trial court's determination that termination of the parental rights of the respondent was in the best interests of Jaime was clearly erroneous.
Neri Jasmin claims on appeal that the termination of the respondent's parental rights without a jury trial violated the state constitutional rights of both the respondent and Neri Jasmin. The state correctly points out, and Neri Jasmin seems to concede in her brief, that she failed to raise her constitutional claim in the trial court. As we acknowledged previously herein, a party may prevail on an unpreserved constitutional claim pursuant to State v. Golding, supra, 213 Conn. at 239-40, 567 A.2d 823, if the party affirmatively requests and adequately briefs [her] entitlement to Golding review. Lebron v. Commissioner of Correction, 274 Conn. 507, 532, 876 A.2d 1178 (2005); see also State v. Waz, 240 Conn. 365, 371 n. 11, 692 A.2d 1217 (1997) (party who seek[s] consideration of unpreserved constitutional claims [on appeal] ... bear[s] the burden of establishing their entitlement to such review under the guidelines enumerated in Golding ). In the present case, Neri Jasmin claims that her constitutional claim is subject to Golding review, but fails in her brief to provide any analysis of her claim under the four-pronged Golding test. To the contrary, Neri Jasmin merely asserts in one sentence that her claim is subject to Golding review without providing any analysis of the four prongs. See Lebron v. Commissioner of Correction, supra, 274 Conn. at 532, 876 A.2d 1178. We conclude therefore, that Neri Jasmin has failed to establish her entitlement to Golding review of her constitutional claim. Moreover, we note that Neri Jasmin has failed to provide an independent analysis of her state constitutional claim under State v. Geisler, 222 Conn. 672, 684-86, 610 A.2d 1225 (1992). We have repeatedly apprised litigants that we will not entertain a state constitutional claim unless the defendant has provided an independent analysis under the particular provisions of the state constitution at issue.... Without a separately briefed and analyzed state constitutional claim, we deem abandoned the defendant's claim. (Internal quotation marks omitted.) State v. Randolph, 284 Conn. 328, 375 n. 12, 933 A.2d 1158 (2007). Accordingly, we decline to review Neri Jasmin's state constitutional claim.