Opinion ID: 1986881
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Reactive Attachment Disorder

Text: The trial court found that the twins suffered from Reactive Detachment Disorder in Partial Remission, a major mental disorder, suffered by `The Twins' as a result of the multiple placements and resulting instability. This opinion was rendered by only one of the several physicians who evaluated the twinsDr. Luby. Dr. Luby actually diagnosed the twins with Reactive Attachment Disorder in Partial Remission. The trial court also omitted a modifier used by Dr. Luby: moderate (Dr. Luby testified that the condition can be severe, moderate or mild). Dr. Luby asked to be allowed to see the twins interact with Mother, but the request was deniedsignificantly undermining the reliability of the diagnosis. The two experts who evaluated the twins in the presence of Mother did not agree with Dr. Luby's diagnosis. Furthermore, Dr. Luby acknowledged that she did not document any of the standard diagnostic criteria for Reactive Attachment Disorder. Even DFS showed little confidence in Dr. Luby's assessment. DFS did not arrange for treatment and did not inform the foster parents of the diagnosis. Moreover, despite the diagnosis, even Dr. Luby acknowledged that she could see no harm in placing the twins back with Mother. The two psychologists who evaluated the twins and witnessed their interaction with Mother strongly disagreed with Dr. Luby's diagnosis. Dr. Dean Rosen, a clinical psychologist, found that the twins were comfortable with Mother, paying little or no attention to others when their mother was in the room. He observed no signs of Reactive Attachment Disorder. Dr. Rosen found a good indication there was a bond with [their] mother and that Mother demonstrated appropriate parenting skills. Dr. Rosen testified that there would be no harm in returning the twins to their mother. Dr. Daniel Cuneo, a clinical psychologist, was also allowed to observe the twins with their mother. He concluded that the twins showed no signs of Reactive Attachment Disorder. He found that the twins played with and appropriately modeled their mother's behavior, that the children were comfortable and that Mother set limits for the twins while showing affection toward them. Dr. Cuneo observed that the twins showed affection for their mother. He also found no reason to expect the twins to be harmed by being returned to their mother. A primary focus of a proceeding to terminate parental rights is the relationship between the parent and the child. The findings of experts who have had the opportunity to observe and evaluate that relationship should be given great weight. The trial court's finding that the twins suffer from Reactive Detachment [sic] Disorder in Partial Remission, a major mental disorder that would be worsened by their being placed in Mother's custody, is not supported by clear, cogent and convincing evidence. The evidence only supports a conclusion that the twins may have been emotionally harmed by having been placed multiple times, but that such harm has been ameliorated and that the continuation of Mother's parental rights does not pose a threat of future harm. Therefore, this finding does not support a termination of Mother's parental rights.