Opinion ID: 1314674
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: emotional instability

Text: The appellant also contends that the lower court erred by finding, as part of its determination that her parental rights should be terminated, that she suffered an emotional illness of such duration or nature as to render her incapable of exercising proper parenting skills or sufficiently improving the adequacy of such skills. See W.Va.Code § 49-6-5(b)(6). [19] The appellant argues that only one alleged incident of physical abuse, the hand print on the child caused by a slap, occurred during the one and one-half year period during which the appellant had exclusive care of Carlita. The appellant further contends that the reports of Dr. Maceiko and Dr. Hewitt do not prove, by clear and convincing evidence, that she suffers an emotional illness of such nature or duration as to render her incapable of exercising proper parenting skills or sufficiently improving the adequacy of such skills. Dr. Maceiko indicated in his October 5, 1988, report that Carlita should not be returned to the appellant due to the appellant's unstable psychological and emotional condition, exacerbated by her limited intelligence. Dr. Hewitt, however, recommended in his final report that Carlita be reintegrated into the household. The appellant encourages us to rely more heavily upon the report of Dr. Hewitt and argues that Dr. Hewitt's report is more thorough and exhaustive than the report of Dr. Maceiko. [20] The evidence reflects that the appellant suffers violent mood swings which have manifested themselves in both verbal and physical abuse. The appellant kicked the D.H.S. worker in the stomach, was incarcerated for assaulting her own mother, threw Carlita on a bed when the child was five months of age, slapped Carlita, causing a red hand print, when the child was thirteen months of age, has allegedly hit Robert B. on several occasions and has such a turbulent domestic situation that frequent calls to law enforcement authorities are necessary. The record also reflects several instances in which the appellant demonstrated her unwillingness to seek treatment or therapy for her condition. Dr. Hewitt explained in his April 30, 1988, report that the appellant suffers from serious personality difficulties with noticeable abusiveness and insensitivity. In his October 5, 1988, report, Dr. Maceiko noted the appellant's anger, poor impulse control, difficulty dealing with stress, and a low frustration tolerance level. Based upon these reports and the testimony contained in the record, we cannot conclude that the lower court erred in finding that the appellant suffers from an emotional disorder of such nature as to render her incapable of exercising proper parenting skills or sufficiently improving the adequacy of such skills.