Opinion ID: 2165762
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: The trial court's judgment is supported by the evidence absent reliance on section 211.038

Text: The father argues that the court erred in denying him custody of A.S.W. based solely on section 211.038, RSMo Supp.2004, because the statute did not take effect until after the father's motion to modify was filed. Under that statute, a child shall not be reunited with a parent or placed in the home where the parent resides if the parent has been found guilty of certain felony offenses where a child was the victim. In 1986, the father pleaded guilty to the crimes of sexual abuse and sodomy, which are included in the statute's list of offenses. While the trial court did cite section 211.038 in its judgment concerning the father's motion to modify, it did not solely rely upon the statute. As previously noted, the overriding consideration in determining custody is the welfare of the child. Anderson at 175. Here, the trial court made significant findings with respect to the welfare of A.S.W. in its judgment in addition to its comment concerning section 211.038 and father's prior convictions. The court found that father was unfit and unable to assume the duties of guardianship. The court further found that emotional harm would come to A.S.W. if he was removed from his current home. The court found that father's physical and mental condition rendered him unable to address the specific needs of A.S.W. that would result from such emotional harm. These findings were based upon substantial evidence in the record. There was significant testimony from several clinical professionals, as well as evidence from the previous proceedings of which the court took judicial notice. As previously stated, the court recited the conclusion of Dr. Powers that his current evaluation was similar to his previous observations and his recommendations made at that time continued to be appropriate. In the termination proceeding, Dr. Powers testified that father suffered from a cognitive disorder that made it inappropriate for him to independently care for a child. He had serious questions regarding A.S.W.'s safety if father were given primary responsibility for A.S.W. Dr. Powers stated that father's condition was permanent, and while there may be small improvements with time, the overall condition would remain constant. The conclusions of Dr. Powers were echoed in the report of Michael Armour, Ph.D., a licensed psychologist who evaluated father pursuant to the efforts made by the court at reunification after the remand in A.S.W.I. Dr. Armour concluded that father was unrealistic and vague as to how he would care for A.S.W. In his report, Dr. Armour also stated that he believed father would have significant problems caring for A.S.W. because of his cognitive deficits and father would need assistance if awarded physical custody of A.S.W. Additionally there was significant testimony from the father himself. When questioned about what typical problems he expected to encounter as A.S.W. grows up, father responded, [n]one. He testified that he believed at eight years old A.S.W. would be in the fifth grade. The foster mother testified that A.S.W. had actually only just completed the second grade. The father was asked what he would be expected to do in the way of disciplining A.S.W., and he responded that he would make sure A.S.W. had his shots, was enrolled in school, and that he would buy him anything he needs or anything he wants. Additionally, father's sister testified that she believed father's judgment was good when he was with her; however, father declared his intention to move out of his sister's home and find a home of his own for himself and A.S.W. Further testimony was submitted from the foster mother, with whom A.S.W. resided, and Kimberly Steinmann, a counselor seeing A.S.W., regarding A.S.W.'s anxiety related to his visitation with father. Both testified that immediately after the visit with father in 2005, A.S.W. began suffering from nightmares and his behavior changed. He began to have problems in school and difficulty going to bed. Steinmann opined that A.S.W. should remain with the foster parents because he now sees them as his parents. While she was not certain that the anxiety exhibited by A.S.W. was related to father, she testified that A.S.W. had not exhibited these reactions to meeting other new people. Additionally, the foster mother testified that the nightmares and behavior issues began immediately following A.S.W.'s visit with father. Based upon the foregoing, the trial court's conclusion that emotional harm would come to A.S.W. if removed from the foster parents' home, the finding that father was unable to meet the specific needs of A.S.W. resulting from that emotional harm, and the finding that the father was still not able to care for A.S.W. under the current circumstances were all supported by substantial evidence. This evidence supports the trial court's judgment regardless of the application of section 211.038.