Court Opinion

ID: 9371920
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-02-17 06:05:27.417364+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:16:31.024748
License: Public Domain

If this opinion indicates that it is “FOR PUBLICATION,” it is subject to
                   revision until final publication in the Michigan Appeals Reports.

                            STATE OF MICHIGAN

                             COURT OF APPEALS

                                                                     UNPUBLISHED
In re S. L. WARD-BEY, Minor.                                         February 16, 2023

                                                                     No. 362227
                                                                     Wayne Circuit Court
                                                                     Family Division
                                                                     LC No. 2020-001059-NA

Before: GADOLA, P.J., and BORRELLO and HOOD, JJ.

PER CURIAM.

       Respondent appeals as of right the trial court’s order terminating her parental rights to her
minor child, SW, under MCL 712A.19b(3)(c)(i), (3)(c)(ii), (g), and (j). We affirm.

                                             I. FACTS

        SW tested positive at birth for cocaine, morphine,1 methadone, and hydromorphone. He
thereafter suffered severe withdrawal symptoms and remained hospitalized for two months in the
hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit. Respondent admitted that during the pregnancy she used
heroine and also used methadone as a treatment for her addiction. SW was removed from
respondent’s custody by the trial court one month after his birth while he was still hospitalized.
The trial court assumed jurisdiction over the child in January 2021. At that time, respondent lacked
a verified source of income and stable housing, and respondent was unable to identify the child’s
father.

        The trial court also entered an initial dispositional order in January 2021, ordering
respondent to participate in parenting classes, individual therapy with a substance abuse
component, weekly random drug screens, the parent partner program, and a psychological
evaluation. She also was directed by petitioner, the Department of Health and Human Services
(DHHS), to demonstrate proof of adequate housing and a legal source of income, and to participate
in parenting time with the child.

1
    The record indicates that hospital personnel gave morphine to respondent during delivery.

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        Respondent thereafter failed to participate in most of the services offered by petitioner to
assist her in regaining custody of the child, and failed to benefit from the services in which she
participated. Respondent completed a parenting class, a psychological evaluation, and a
psychiatric evaluation. However, she did not appear to benefit from her parenting class; she did
not consistently exhibit appropriate skills during parenting time, missed 36 of the 54 offered
parenting times with SW, and failed to establish a bond with the child. Respondent participated
in only one drug screen, refused to participate in additional drug screens, and did not complete the
offered substance abuse therapy. Although respondent consistently claimed that she was attending
inpatient therapy, she failed to provide proof of her participation. Shortly before the termination
hearing, respondent participated in a “rapid detox” program, but failed to make further progress in
overcoming her substance addiction. Respondent also failed to demonstrate that she had obtained
suitable housing or to provide proof of a legal source of income.

        In March 2022, petitioner sought termination of respondent’s parental rights, asserting that
respondent had failed to participate in and benefit from her court-ordered services, including
failing to participate in substance abuse treatment and drug screens, failing to obtain suitable
housing and a legal source of income, failure to maintain contact with the foster care worker, and
failure to participate regularly in parenting time with the child. The trial court held a hearing on
the termination petition in April and May 2022, at the conclusion of which the trial court
terminated respondent’s parental rights under MCL 712A.19b(3)(c)(i), (c)(ii), (g), and (j).
Respondent now appeals.

                                         II. DISCUSSION

                                     A. STATUTORY BASIS

       Respondent contends that the trial court clearly erred by finding a statutory basis
warranting termination of her parental rights to SW. We disagree.

        To terminate parental rights, the trial court must find that at least one basis for termination
under MCL 712A.19b(3) has been proven by clear and convincing evidence. In re Sanborn, 337
Mich App 252, 272; 976 NW2d 44 (2021). Although termination may be warranted under more
than one statutory basis, only one statutory basis under MCL 712A.19b(3) must be established by
clear and convincing evidence to warrant termination of parental rights. In re Martin, 316 Mich
App 73, 90; 896 NW2d 452 (2016). In this case, the trial court terminated respondent’s parental
rights under MCL 712A.19b(3)(c)(i), (ii), (g), and (j). That statute provides, in relevant part:

       (3) The court may terminate a parent’s parental rights to a child if the court finds,
       by clear and convincing evidence, 1 or more of the following:

                                               * * *

       (c) The parent was a respondent in a proceeding brought under this chapter, 182 or
       more days have elapsed since the issuance of an initial dispositional order, and the
       court, by clear and convincing evidence, finds either of the following:

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              (i) The conditions that led to the adjudication continue to exist and there is
       no reasonable likelihood that the conditions will be rectified within a reasonable
       time considering the child’s age.

               (ii) Other conditions exist that cause the child to come within the court’s
       jurisdiction, the parent has received recommendations to rectify those conditions,
       the conditions have not been rectified by the parent after the parent has received
       notice and a hearing and has been given a reasonable opportunity to rectify the
       conditions, and there is no reasonable likelihood that the conditions will be rectified
       within a reasonable time considering the child’s age.

                                               * * *

       (g) The parent, although, in the court’s discretion, financially able to do so, fails to
       provide proper care or custody for the child and there is no reasonable expectation
       that the parent will be able to provide proper care and custody within a reasonable
       time considering the child’s age.

                                               * * *

       (j) There is a reasonable likelihood, based on the conduct or capacity of the child’s
       parent, that the child will be harmed if he or she is returned to the home of the
       parent. [MCL 712A.19b(3)(c)(i), (ii), (g), and (j).]

        We review for clear error the trial court’s decision that a statutory basis to terminate
parental rights was proven by clear and convincing evidence, as well as the trial court’s factual
findings. In re Keillor, 325 Mich App 80, 85; 923 NW2d 617 (2018). The trial court’s decision
to terminate parental rights is clearly erroneous if “although there is evidence to support it, the
reviewing court on the entire evidence is left with the definite and firm conviction that a mistake
has been made.” In re JK, 468 Mich 202, 209-210; 661 NW2d 216 (2003). We will not conclude
that a finding by the trial court is clearly erroneous unless it is more than possibly or probably
incorrect, In re Ellis, 294 Mich App 30, 33; 817 NW2d 111 (2011), and we afford the trial court’s
dispositional orders “considerable deference on appellate review.” In re Sanders, 495 Mich 394,
406; 852 NW2d 524 (2014).

        In this case, the record supports the trial court’s finding under MCL 712A.19b(3)(c)(i) that
more than 182 days had elapsed after the issuance of the first dispositional order, the conditions
that led to the adjudication continued to exist, and there was no reasonable likelihood that the
conditions would be rectified within a reasonable time considering the child’s age. Termination
of parental rights under subsection (c)(i) is warranted when “the totality of the evidence amply
supports” the finding that the parent has not achieved “any meaningful change in the conditions”
that led to the trial court assuming jurisdiction of the child. In re Williams, 286 Mich App 253,
272; 779 NW2d 286 (2009). Here, the conditions that led to adjudication were respondent’s
substance abuse, housing and income instability, and lack of parenting skills. The child was
removed from respondent’s care shortly after birth while still hospitalized as he underwent
substance withdrawal. Respondent was offered numerous services to enable her to reunite with
the child, but failed to participate in and benefit from the services. Although respondent completed

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a parenting program, she did not consistently participate in parenting time with the child, did not
consistently demonstrate parenting skills while with the child, and never established a bond with
the child. Respondent did not participate in substance abuse treatment or drug screening, and as a
result did not remove the barrier that her substance abuse posed to reunification. She also failed
to demonstrate that she had obtained stable housing and a stable, adequate source of income.

        Respondent argues that the trial court should have given her additional time to demonstrate
compliance with the case service plan because she was making progress in her drug treatment and
was participating in the service plan at the time her parental rights were terminated. Contrary to
respondent’s assertions, however, the record indicates that respondent made little progress in her
service plan although services were offered to her for approximately 18 months. Despite knowing
that sobriety was the primary factor necessary for reunification with SW, respondent repeatedly
failed to demonstrate that she had complied with substance abuse treatment.

         Respondent argues that DHHS should have referred her to inpatient substance abuse
treatment, though it was not part of her agreed upon treatment plan and despite the fact she never
requested inpatient services. To preserve a challenge to the adequacy of services provided by
petitioner, respondent was required to object to the services before the trial court or to indicate to
the trial court that the services provided were inadequate, typically when the initial case service
plan was adopted by the trial court. See In re Atchley, ___ Mich App ___, ___; ___ NW2d ___
(2022) (Docket Nos. 358502; 358503); slip op at 1-2. Here, respondent did not claim that the
services provided to her were inadequate until after her parental rights were terminated, leaving
that issued unpreserved for appeal. We review unpreserved issues in a case involving the
termination of parental rights for plain error affecting substantial rights. In re Beers, 325 Mich
App 653, 677; 926 NW2d 832 (2018). An error affects substantial rights if it causes prejudice,
meaning that it affected the outcome of the proceedings. Id.

        Under Michigan’s Probate Code, the DHHS is required to make reasonable efforts to
reunify a family before seeking to terminate a parent’s parental rights, which includes creating a
service plan outlining the steps that both the DHHS and the parent will take to rectify the issues
that led to court involvement and to achieve reunification. In re Hicks, 500 Mich 79, 85-86; 893
NW2d 637 (2017). However, although the DHHS has a responsibility to make reasonable efforts
to provide services with the goal of reunification, the parent has a commensurate responsibility to
participate in the offered services. In re Frey, 297 Mich App 242, 248; 824 NW2d 569 (2012). In
addition, to demonstrate a lack of reasonable efforts by the DHHS, the parent must show that she
would have fared better if the additional service had been offered. In re Fried, 266 Mich App 535,
543; 702 NW2d 192 (2005). In this case, respondent was offered numerous services including
substance abuse treatment and drug screening, but respondent failed to participate in those offered
services. Respondent has not demonstrated that the offer of additional substance abuse treatment
services would have overcome her unwillingness to participate in those services.

        Here, respondent’s substance abuse was unresolved at the time of the termination. In
addition, respondent failed to improve her parenting skills. Despite completing a parenting course,
respondent has failed to establish a bond with SW, has failed to visit regularly with SW, and did
not consistently exhibit the ability to parent the child during parenting time. Respondent’s lack of
commitment to improving her skills by spending time with SW lends additional support to the trial
court’s conclusion that respondent’s parenting skills were not likely to be corrected within a

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reasonable time. The trial court therefore did not clearly err by finding that the conditions that led
to adjudication continued to exist and there was no reasonable likelihood that the conditions would
be rectified within a reasonable time considering the child’s age.

        Similarly, the record supports the trial court’s finding that termination of respondent’s
parental rights was warranted under MCL 712A.19b(3)(g) and (j). Termination of parental rights
under subsection (g) requires a finding that although in the court’s discretion respondent was
financially able to do so, she failed to provide proper care or custody for the child and there is no
reasonable expectation that she would be able to provide proper care and custody within a
reasonable time considering the child’s age. A parent’s failure to participate in and benefit from a
service plan is evidence that the parent will not be able to provide the child with proper care and
custody, warranting termination under MCL 712A.19b(3)(g). In re Kaczkowski, 325 Mich App
69, 77; 924 NW2d 1 (2018). Likewise, a parent’s failure to comply with a service plan is evidence
that the child will be harmed if returned to the parent’s home. Id. In this case, respondent was
offered numerous services to enable her to reunite with the child, but failed to participate in and
benefit from the services. Respondent did not consistently participate in parenting time with the
child, did not consistently demonstrate parenting skills with the child, and never established a bond
with the child. She failed to participate in substance abuse treatment or drug screening, and also
failed to demonstrate that she had obtained stable housing or income. In addition, the trial court
observed that although respondent was employed and was asked to bring supplies for SW during
her visit, she provided no financial support, gifts, or necessities for SW while he was in foster care.
The trial court therefore did not clearly err by finding that clear and convincing evidence supported
termination under MCL 712A.19b(3)(g) and (j). Having found that termination was warranted
under MCL 712A.19b(3)(c)(i), (g), and (j), we decline to review the remaining statutory basis the
trial court relied upon in making its termination decision.

                                       B. BEST INTERESTS

        Respondent contends that the trial court did not properly consider whether under MCL
712A.19b(5) terminating her parental rights was in SW’s best interests, and erred in concluding
that termination of her parental rights was in the child’s best interest. We disagree.

         Once a statutory basis for termination of parental rights has been demonstrated, the trial
court is required to terminate the parent’s parental rights if a preponderance of the evidence
establishes that termination is in the best interests of the child. MCL 712A.19b(5); In re Medina,
317 Mich App 219, 236-237; 894 NW2d 653 (2016). When determining whether termination is
in a child’s best interests, the trial court should weigh all evidence available to it, considering a
wide variety of factors that may include the child’s bond to the parent, the parent’s parenting
ability, the child’s need for permanency, stability, and finality, the advantages of the foster home
over the parent’s home, the length of time the child was in care, the likelihood that the child could
be returned to the parent’s home in the foreseeable future, and the parent’s compliance with the
case service plan. See In re Payne/Pumphrey/Fortson, 311 Mich App 49, 63-64; 874 NW2d 205
(2015). The trial court also should consider the child’s safety and well-being, including the risk
of harm to the child if returned to the parent’s care. See In re VanDalen, 293 Mich App 120, 142;
809 NW2d 412 (2011). We review for clear error the trial court’s decision regarding a child’s best
interests. In re Atchley, ___ Mich App at ___; slip op at 5.

                                                 -5-
        In this case, the trial court did not clearly err when it concluded that terminating
respondent’s parental rights was in the best interests of the child. SW started his life in the neonatal
intensive care unit, then moved to foster care where he has developed a bond with his foster parent
who is willing to adopt him. SW never residing with respondent and respondent did not develop
a bond with him; she missed 36 of 54 scheduled parenting times and did not visit SW in the
approximately four months leading up to the termination of her parental rights. Respondent failed
to comply with her service plan, failed to bring supplies for SW when asked, and failed to provide
proof of safe and stable housing. The trial court did not clearly err in determining that termination
of respondent’s parental rights was in SW’s best interests.

       Affirmed.

                                                               /s/ Michael F. Gadola
                                                               /s/ Stephen L. Borrello
                                                               /s/ Noah P. Hood

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