Court Opinion

ID: 4117748
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2017-01-23 20:12:29.243877+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:35:10.171721
License: Public Domain

J-S93031-16

NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37

IN THE INTEREST OF: A.J.E., A MINOR                IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
                                                         PENNSYLVANIA

APPEAL OF: S.E., MOTHER

                                                        No. 1142 EDA 2016

                     Appeal from the Decree March 2, 2016
              in the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County
                 Family Court at Nos.: CP-51-AP-0000589-2014
                            CP-51-DP-0001622-2013
                            FID# 51-FN-459064-2009

BEFORE: DUBOW, J., SOLANO, J., and PLATT, J.*

MEMORANDUM BY PLATT, J.:                             FILED JANUARY 23, 2017

        Appellant, S.E. (Mother), appeals from the decree granting the petition

filed by the Philadelphia Department of Human Services (DHS) for the

involuntary termination of her parental rights to A.J.E. (Child). We affirm on

the basis of the trial court’s opinion.

        In its opinion, the trial court fully and correctly sets forth the relevant

facts and procedural history of this case. Therefore, we have no reason to

restate them here.

        In her brief, Mother raises the following five questions for our review:

____________________________________________

*
    Retired Senior Judge assigned to the Superior Court.
J-S93031-16

             1. Whether the trial court erred by terminating the
       parental rights of [M]other pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S.A. sec.
       2511(a)(1) without clear and convincing evidence of [M]other’s
       intent to relinquish her parental claim or refusal to perform her
       parental duties[?]

            2. Whether the trial court erred by terminating the
       parental rights of [M]other pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S.A. sec.
       2511(a)(2) without clear and convincing evidence of [M]other’s
       present incapacity to perform parental duties[?]

             3. Whether the trial court erred by terminating the
       parental rights of [M]other pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S.A. sec.
       2511(a)(5) without clear and convincing evidence to prove that
       reasonable efforts were made by [the] Department of Human
       Services to provide [M]other with additional services and that
       the conditions that led to placement of the [C]hild continue to
       exist[?]

             4. Whether the trial court erred by terminating the
       parental rights of [M]other pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S.A. sec.
       2511(a)(8) without clear and convincing evidence that the
       conditions that led to placement of the [C]child continue to exist
       when [M]other presented evidence of compliance with the goals
       and objectives of her family service plan[?]

             5. Whether the trial court erred by terminating the
       parental rights of [M]other pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S.A. sec.
       2511(b) without clear and convincing evidence that there is no
       parental bond between [M]other and [C]hild and that
       termination would serve the best interest of the [C]hild[?]

(Mother’s Brief, at 7).1

____________________________________________

1
  It bears noting that counsel for Mother failed to specify which subsections
of the statute were being challenged in the statement of errors. (See
Statement of Matters [sic], 4/01/16); see also Pa.R.A.P. 1925(a)(2)(i).
“The Statement shall concisely identify each ruling or error that the
appellant intends to challenge with sufficient detail to identify all pertinent
issues for the judge.” Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b)(4)(ii). We could conclude that all
(Footnote Continued Next Page)

                                           -2-
J-S93031-16

            In reviewing an order involving termination of parental
      rights, our scope of review is broad, and all the evidence as well
      as the hearing court’s factual and legal determinations will be
      considered. In re N.C., 763 A.2d 913, 917 (Pa. Super. 2000).
      The standard of review is limited to determining whether the
      decree of the lower court is supported by competent evidence
      and whether it gave adequate consideration to the effect of such
      a decree on the welfare of the child. Id. (citing Adoption of
      Atencio, 539 Pa. 161, 650 A.2d 1064 (1994)).

                In a proceeding to terminate parental rights
          involuntarily, the burden of proof is on the party seeking
          termination to establish by clear and convincing evidence
          the existence of grounds for doing so. The standard of
          clear and convincing evidence is defined as testimony that
          is so “clear, direct, weighty and convincing as to enable
          the trier of fact to come to a clear conviction, without
          hesitance, of the truth of the precise facts in issue.” It is
          well established that a court must examine the individual
          circumstances of each and every case and consider all
          explanations offered by the parent to determine if the
          evidence in light of the totality of the circumstances clearly
          warrants termination.

      In re Julissa O., 746 A.2d 1137, 1139 (Pa. Super. 2000)
      (quoting In re Adoption of Atencio, 650 A.2d at 1066)
      (citations omitted).

In re Adoption of S.M., 816 A.2d 1117, 1122 (Pa. Super. 2003).

      In terminating the rights of a parent, the court must give
      primary consideration to the developmental, physical and
      emotional needs and welfare of the child.        23 Pa.C.S.A.
      § 2511(b); In re Adoption of Charles E.D.M., 550 Pa. 595,
      708 A.2d 88, 92 (1998). Where the hearing court’s findings are
      supported by competent evidence of record, we must affirm the
      hearing court even though the record could support an opposite
      result. In re Adoption of Atencio, supra, 650 A.2d at 1066

                       _______________________
(Footnote Continued)

such issues were waived. See Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b)(4)(vii).            However, we
decline to find waiver, in the interest of judicial economy.

                                            -3-
J-S93031-16

        (Pa. 1994); In re Adoption of B.D.S., 494 Pa. 171, 431 A.2d
        203, 206 (1981).

Id. at 1123.

        After a thorough review of the record, the briefs of the parties, the

applicable law, and the well-reasoned opinion of the trial court we conclude

that there is no merit to the issues Mother has raised on appeal. The trial

court opinion properly disposes of the questions presented. (See Trial Court

Opinion, 6/02/16, at 4-13) (concluding: (1) trial court properly terminated

Mother’s parental rights where record contains clear and convincing evidence

that Mother is not ready, willing or able to parent Child, and has failed to do

so for a period of at least six months immediately preceding the filing of the

petition; (2) testimony of DHS witnesses was unwavering and credible; (3)

clear and convincing evidence established that there was no parental bond,

and termination of Mother’s parental rights would not destroy an existing

beneficial   relationship;      and   (4)   change   of   permanency   goal   from

reunification to adoption was proper.). Accordingly, we affirm on the basis

of the trial court’s opinion.

        Decree affirmed.

        Judge Dubow did not participate in the consideration or decision of this

case.

                                            -4-
J-S93031-16

Judgment Entered.

Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary

Date: 1/23/2017

                          -5-
                                                                                           Circulated 01/03/2017 04:47 PM

                           IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
                          FOR THE COUNTY OF PHILADELPHIA
                               FAMILY COURT DIVISION

    In the Interest of A.E., a Minor                        CP-5l-DP-0001622-2013
                                                            CP-51-AP-0000589-2014
                                                                                                          ·-=-·
                                                            FID: 51-FN-459064-2009

    APPEAL OF: S.E., Mother                                 1142 EDA 2016

    OPINION

    Fernandes, J.:

    Appellant S.E. ("Mother") appeals from the order entered on March 2, 2016, granting the petition
    filed by the Philadelphia Department of Human Services ("DHS"), to involuntarily terminate
    Mother's parental rights to A.E. ("Child") pursuant to the Adoption Act, 23 Pa.C.S.A. §251l(a)(l),
    (2), (5), (8) and (b). Lawrence O'Connor, Esq., counsel for Mother, filed a timely Notice of Appeal
    with a Statement of Matters Complained of on Appeal pursuant to Rule l 925(b). 1

Factual and Procedural Background:
The family in this case became known to DHS on March 25, 2013, when DHS received a General
Protective Services ("GPS") report that Mother was neglecting Child. DHS visited Mother on
April 1, 2013, and Mother admitted to drinking alcohol and using marijuana and cocaine. On April
25, 2013, DHS implemented In-Home Protective Services ("IHPS") in Mother's home. On June
    14, 2013, DHS received a GPS report that Mother used crack cocaine in Child's presence, that
Child had been left home alone at night, and that Child slept on the floor. On July 9, 2013, DHS
visited the home and found Child alone. DHS recommended that Mother place Child in the care
of Q.M., ("Godmother") Child's godmother and Mother's paramour. Child was adjudicated
dependent on August 15, 2013, fully committed to DHS and placed in the care of Godmother. In
January 2014, Child was removed from Godmother's home and placed in foster care. The court
ordered that Child not be returned to Godmother's care. On March 20, 2014, Mother was arrested

1The trial court requested the Notes of Testimony on April 4, 2016. Subsequent requests were made on May 12,
2016, May 17, 2016 and May 24, 2016. The trial court received Notes of Testimony on May 26, 2016.

                                                 Page 1 of 13
and charged with a number of burglary-related offenses.         Mother plead guilty to burglary and
forgery on June 17, 2014, and was incarcerated.       Mother was sentenced to twenty-three months
imprisonment    and five years' probation.      On November 3, 2014, DHS filed a petition to
involuntarily terminate Mother's parental rights.

Following a number of continuances requested by Mother, the court heard the termination and goal
change trial on March 2, 2016. The previously-assigned         DHS social worker testified that DHS
had developed a Family Service Plan ("FSP") for Mother with objectives of taking parenting
classes, attending drug and alcohol and mental health treatment, obtaining appropriate housing and
attending scheduled visits with Child.     (N.T. 3/2/16, pgs. 8-9).     Child had been adjudicated
dependent because Mother was about to lose her transitional housing for non-compliance with the
transitional program, and Child would have been left homeless.       (N.T. 3/2/16, pg. 7) .. The prior
DHS social worker had referred Mother for parenting classes, dual diagnosis assessment at the
Clinical Evaluation Unit ("CEU") and housing services at the Achieving Reunification Center
("ARC").    (N.T. 3/2/16, pgs. 8-9).     Mother had originally had liberal visits supervised by
Godmother, but after Child was removed because Godmother struck Child, visits were changed to
weekly supervised at the agency. (N.T. 3/2/16, pgs. 10-12). Child was then placed with maternal
great-aunt ("Aunt"). Mother was imprisoned from April 2014 onwards. Mother was always able
to arrange visits at the prison. Aunt set up some visits for Mother and Child, and Mother attended
several of these visits. For other scheduled visits, Mother rejected the visitation.    (N.T. 3/2/16,
pgs. 12, 14, 15). While in prison Mother began parenting classes as well as drug and alcohol and
mental health treatment, but never completed any of these programs.       (N.T. 3/2/16, pgs. 19, 26-
27). Mother never completed housing or parenting, and did not have employment necessary to
support Child. (N.T. 3/2/16, pgs. 22, 23). The current DHS social worker testified that Child was
removed from Aunt's care in July 2015, because Aunt was striking Child. Child was placed with
unrelated Foster Parents. (N.T. 3/2/16, pg. 32). Mother's FSP goals upon her release from prison
were the same as before, with the addition of domestic violence counselling.     Mother re-engaged
in drug and alcohol treatment on December 18, 2014, but soon stopped attending and was
discharged in July 2015. Following Mother's discharge Mother claimed to the social worker that
she was still attending.   (N.T. 3/2/16, pgs. 34-36).       Mother re-engaged in drug and alcohol
treatment on December 1, 2015. (N.T. 3/2/16, pg. 44). Mother's CEU report showed that she had

                                             Page 2 of 13
 attended and taken three drug screens. which were all negative. Howeverone of these negative
 screens showed extremely high truces of cocaine: 258 nyml, just below the 300       ow'ml cutoff level.
(N.T. 3f2/16, pgs, 45-46). Mother did not have appropriate housing. She had lost her apartment
 because she could not afford     10   make rent payments, and had moved into a shelter. While living
at the shelter Mother continued to tell OHS she was living in theapar1ment. When OHS discovered
this, they made a referral to ARC for housing. (N.T. 312/16, pgs. 39-41). Mother did not complete
domestic violence counselling. She had only a few classes remaining before completion, but
became upset at the outcome of a permanency review hearing and did not return to complete the
counselling. (N.T. 3f2/16, pgs. 42, 64, 68). The OHS social worker testified that Mother may
have recently gained employment, but had never provided any documentary proof. (N.T. 3f2/16,
pgs. 43-44). Mother has not gone to CEU for a dual diagnosis assessment, has not shown proof of
her employment, and will soon become homeless when her time in the shelter runs out. (N.T.
3/2/16, pgs. 48, 71-73).    Mother has weekly supervised visits, but has never been consistent in
attending. (N.T. 312116, pgs, 49, 65). Child is not bonded whh Mother, and does not have feelings
for Mother. It would not cause Child any irreparable harm to terminate Mother's parental rights.
lt is in Child's best interest   10   be adopted by Foster Parents. (N.T. 3/2/16, pgs. 56-57). Child is
bonded with Foster Parents and calls them "morn" and "dad". Foster Parents care for all Child's
needs. (N.T. 312/16, pgs. 51, 57, 67). The agency visitation social worker testified that Mother
was never consistent in visiting Child. Mother made twenty-nine visits from January 13, 2014, to
December 24, 2015. (N.T. 3/2/16, pgs. 77-78). At visits Mother does not engage with Child.
(N.T. 312/16, pg. 80). Child has no bond with Mother and does 001 ask for her. Child is only
excited about visits because Mother brings food during visits. (N.T. 312116, pg. 84). The agency
social worker took Mother and Child on outings during visits,           Mother became angry that the
agency social worker would not pay for Mother's meals during visits, and did not attend several
visits.   (N.T. 3/2/16, pgs. 82-83).       The agency social worker stopped supervising visits after
December 24, 2015, because Mother engaged in a racist tirade against the social worker, calling
her an "African B" with a "dirty mouth" and telling her to "go back to the jungle".       (N.T. 312/16,
pgs. 80-81).   Mother testified that she started a new job two weeks before the termination trial.
(N.T. 312/16, pg. 87). Mother icstified tha< she had only one class remaining in her domestic
violence counselling, that she was in a 12-Step program, was sober and was in a recovery house.
(N.T. 3121!6, pgs. 88-89). Mother testified that she had missed visits with Child because ofber

                                                 P,geJoflJ
    work and the weather. (N.T. 3/2/16, pg. 91). Mother had reported suspected abuse by Aunt and
    Godmother, and felt bonded with Child. (N.T. 3/2/16, pgs. 92-93). Mother denied that she had
    been discharged from her drug and alcohol treatment program for non-attendance.                      She then
    testified that she had been "dropped from the roll" of the program for non-attendance.                   (N.T.
    3/2/16, pgs. 96-97). Mother testified that she has not provided documents to prove her current
    employment. Mother then testified that she had been employed from the start of the case, andhad
    always provided DHS documentation of her employment.               (N.T. 3/2/16, pgs. 102-103). Mother
    was imprisoned from March 2014 to November 2014. (N.T. 3/2/16, pg. 105). Mother testified
    that she completed parenting classes in jail and had never been inconsistent in her visitation. (N.T.
    3/2/16, pg. 106). Mother testified that she was ready, willing and able to parent Child now, and if
    reunified she would take Child to the shelter where she currently lived. (N.T. 3/2/16, pg. 107).
    The court found clear· and convincing evidence to terminate Mother's parental rights and change
    Child's permanency goal to adoption, finding that Child would not suffer any irreparable harm and
that it was in Child's best interest to be adopted.            (N.T. 3/2/16, pg. 115). On April 1, 2016,
Lawrence O'Connor, Esq., counsel for Mother, filed this appeal.2

Discussion:
Mother raises the following errors on appeal:
       1. The evidence was insufficient for the Court to find, by clear and convincing evidence, to
           change the goal to adoption and terminate Mother's parental rights under 251 l(a).
       2. The evidence was insufficient for the Courts to find, by clear and convincing evidence, that
           changing the goal to adoption and termination best serves the child's physical and
           emotional needs and welfare under 2511 (b ).

Mother has appealed the involuntary termination of her parental rights.                       The grounds for
involuntary termination of parental rights are enumerated in the Adoption Act at 23 Pa.C.S.A.
§251 l(a), which provides the following grounds for §251 l(a)(l):
           (a) General rule - The rights of a parent, in regard to a child, may be terminated after a
           petition is filed on any of the following grounds:

2
 The trial court also terminated the parental rights of unknown putative fathers to Child. No unknown fathers have
made themselves known in order to appeal the termination.

                                                  Page 4 of 13
         (1) The parent, by conduct continuing for a period of at least six months immediately
        preceding the filing of the petition, has either evidenced a settled purpose of relinquishing
        parental claim to a child or has refused or failed to perform parental duties.
 In proceedings to involuntarily terminate parental rights the burden of proof is on the party seeking
termination, which must establish the existence of grounds for termination by clear and convincing
evidence.   In re Adoption o(Atencio, 650 A.2d 1064 (Pa. 1994). To satisfy section (a)(l), the
moving party must produce clear and convincing evidence of conduct sustained for at least six
months prior to the filing of the termination petition, which reveals a settled intent to relinquish
parental claim to a child or a refusal or failure to perform parental duties. However, the six-month
time period should not be applied mechanically; instead, the court must consider the whole history
of the case. In re B.NM. 856 A.2d 847, 855 (Pa. Super. 2004).              The standard of clear and
convincing evidence is defined as testimony that is so clear, direct weighty and convincing as to
enable the trier of fact to come to a clear conviction without hesitance of the truth of precise facts
m issue.    A parent's incarceration     does not preclude termination      of parental rights if the
incarcerated parent fails to utilize the given resources and to take affirmative steps to support a
parent-child relationship. In re DJS., 737 A.2d 283 (Pa. Super. 1999).

The petition for involuntary termination in this case was filed on November 3, 2014. Mother's
FSP objectives were to take parenting classes, attend drug and alcohol and mental health treatment,
obtain appropriate housing and attend visits with Child. (N. T. 3/2/16, pgs. 8-9). Mother did not
complete any of these objectives during the six months prior to the filing of the petition.       (N. T.
3/2/16, pgs. 10-11). Mother was imprisoned for the entire six-month period.          (N.T. 3/2/16, pg.
105). Parenting classes as well as drug and alcohol and mental health treatment were all available
to Mother in prison, but she did not complete them during her time in prison. (N.T. 3/2/16, pgs.
19, 26-27). Mother was allowed to have visits with Child at the prison. Aunt, who was caretaker
for Child during this time, set up a number of visits. Mother attended some of these visits, but
rejected others and did not visit Child consistently. Later, Mother's own actions caused her to be
placed in solitary confinement, where she was unable to visit Child. (N.T. 3/2/16, pgs. 14-15, 18,
30). Mother's FSP goals have been the same since the start of this case, and she completed none
of them prior to the filing of the petition. She failed to use the resources available to her in prison
to support a parent-child relationship or advance her ability to parent Child upon release. Even

                                             Page 5 of 13
 considering the whole history of the case, Mother has failed to successfully complete her
 objectives. (N.T. 3/2/16, pgs. 12, 14, 19, 26-27, 34-36, 45-46, 65, 68). As a result the trial court
did not abuse its discretion by finding clear and convincing evidence that Mother, by her conduct,
had refused and failed to perform parental duties, so termination under this section was proper.

The trial court also terminated Mother's parental rights under 23 Pa.C.S.A.       §251 l(a)(2).   This
 section of the Adoption Act includes, as a ground for involuntary termination of parental rights,
the repeated and continued incapacity, abuse, neglect or refusal of the parent that causes the child
to be without essential parental care, control or subsistence necessary for his physical or mental
well-being; and the conditions and causes of the incapacity, abuse, neglect or refusal cannot or will
not be remedied by the parent. This ground is not limited to affirmative misconduct. It may include
acts of refusal to perform parental duties, but focuses more specifically on the needs of the child.
Adoption o[C.A. W, 683 A.2d 911, 914 (Pa. Super. 1996).

Mother has demonstrated a pattern of noncompliance with her FSP objectives. Mother's FSP
objectives were to take parenting classes, attend drug and alcohol and mental health treatment,
obtain appropriate housing and attend scheduled visits with Child. (N.T. 3/2/16, pgs. 8-9). After
she was released from prison these objectives were updated to include domestic violence
counselling. (N.T. 3/2/16, pgs. 34-36). Mother did not complete any objectives prior to her
imprisonment. (N.T. 3/2/16, pgs. 10-11). Mother began parenting classes as well as drug and
alcohol and mental health treatment in prison, but did not complete them before her release. (N.T.
3/2/16, pgs. 19, 26-27). Mother re-engaged in drug and alcohol treatment on December 18, 2014,
but soon stopped attending and was discharged in July 2015. Mother told DHS that she was still
attending the program. (N.T. 3/2/16, pgs. 34-36). Mother testified both that she had completed
the program and had been discharged for non-attendance. (N.T. 3/2/16, pgs. 96-97). Mother re-
engaged in drug and alcohol treatment on December 1, 2015, but subsequently took a random drug
screen showing extremely high traces of cocaine: 258 ng/ml, just below the 300 ng/ml cutoff level.
(N.T. 3/2/16, pgs. 44, 45-46). Mother did not complete domestic violence counselling. She had
only a few classes remaining before completion, but became upset at the outcome of a permanency
review hearing and did not return to complete the counselling. (N.T. 3/2/16, pgs. 42, 64, 68).
Mother needs income in order to support Child, but DHS does not have any documentation of
Mother's employment. (N.T. 3/2/16, pgs. 43-44). Mother testified that she had not provided any

                                            Page 6 of 13
proof of her current employment, but also testified that she had always been employed and had
provided DHS documentation of every job she had held. (N.T. 3/2/16, pgs. 102-103). Mother has
never been consistent with her visitation.     When she was in prison, she rejected a number of
scheduled visits.   (N.T. 3/2/16, pgs. 12, 14, 15). Following Mother's release, she had weekly
supervised visits but never attended consistently. (N.T. 3/2/16, pgs. 49, 65). Mother testified that
she missed some visits because of the weather and conflicts with her work schedule, but also
testified that she had always consistently attended visits. (N.T. 3/2/16, pgs. 91, 106). Mother has
only sporadically had appropriate housing. When Mother lost her apartment just prior to the start
of the termination trial, she continued to tell DHS that she was living there. (N.T. 3/2/16, pgs. 39-
41). Mother currently lives in a shelter, and testified that she wants to reunify with Child in the
shelter. The shelter will only provide housing for ninety days. At the time of the trial .Mother had
been there for ten weeks, and will soon be homeless.           (N.T. 3/2/16, pgs. 48, 71-73, 107).
Throughout the life of this case DHS has provided timely referrals and re-referrals to appropriate
services, but Mother has never successfully availed herself of those services. (N.T. 3/2/16, pgs. 8-
9, 18, 39-40, 42-43, 63). Mother has failed to take affirmative steps to place herself in a position
to parent Child. Mother's failure to engage with services and complete her FSP objectives shows
that Mother would be unable to remedy the causes of her incapacity in order to provide Child with
essential parental care, control or subsistence necessary for his physical and mental well-being.
Child needs permanency, which Mother cannot provide. Termination under this section was also
proper.

Mother also appeals the trial court's termination of parental rights under 23 Pa.C.S.A. §251 l(a)(5),
which permits termination when a child was removed, by court or voluntary agreement, and placed
with an agency if, for at least six months, the conditions which led to the placement of the child
continue to exist, the parent cannot or will not remedy those conditions within a reasonable period ·
of time, the services reasonably available to the parent are not likely to remedy the conditions
leading to placement, and termination best serves the child's needs and welfare. DHS, as a child
and youth agency, cannot be required to extend services beyond the period of time deemed as
reasonable by the legislature or be subjected to herculean efforts. A child's life cannot be put on
hold in hope that the parent will summon the ability to handle the responsibilities of parenting. In
re J T. 817 A.2d 509 (Pa. Super. 2001). As a consequence, Pennsylvania's· Superior Court has

                                             Page 7 of 13
 recognized that a child's needs and welfare require agencies to work toward termination of parental
 rights when a child has been placed in foster care beyond reasonable temporal limits and after
 reasonable efforts for reunification have been made by the agency, which have been ineffective.
 This process should be completed within eighteen months. In re NW, 851 A.2d 508 (Pa. Super.
2004).

Child in this case has been in DHS custody since August 15, 2013. Child was placed because
Mother used drugs and neglected Child. Mother's main obstacle to reunification is that she has
not successfully completed any of her FSP objectives. Mother's FSP objectives were to take
parenting classes, attend drug and alcohol and mental health treatment, attend domestic violence
counselling, obtain appropriate housing and attend scheduled visits with Child. (N.T. 3/2/16, pgs.
8-9, 34-35). Mother began parenting classes as well as drug and alcohol and mental health
treatment in prison, but did not complete them before her release. (N.T. 3/2/16, pgs. 19, 26-27).
Mother claims she completed parenting classes, but has not provided DHS documentary proof.
(N.T. 3/2/16, pgs. 10-11, 48, 106). Mother re-engaged in drug and alcohol treatment on December
18, 2014, but soon stopped attending and was discharged in July 2015. Mother told DHS that she
was still attending the program. (N.T. 3/2/16, pgs. 34-36). Mother testified both that she had
completed the program and had been discharged for non-attendance. (N.T. 3/2/16, pgs. 96-97).
Mother re-engaged in drug and alcohol treatment on December 1, 2015, but subsequently took a
random drug screen showing extremely high traces of cocaine: 258 ng/ml, just below the 300 ng/ml
cutoff level.   (N.T. 3/2/16, pgs. 44, 45-46).     Mother did not complete domestic violence
counselling. She had only a few classes remaining before completion, but became upset at the
outcome of a permanency review hearing and did not return to complete the counselling. (N.T.
3/2/16, pgs. 42, 64, 68). Mother did not provide DHS does with any documentation of Mother's
employment. (N.T. 3/2/16, pgs. 43-44). Mother testified that she had not provided any proof of
her current employment, but also testified that she had always been employed and had provided
DHS documentation of every job she had held. (N.T. 3/2/16, pgs. 102-103). Mother has never
been consistent with her visitation. When she was in prison she rejected a number of scheduled
visits. (N.T. 3/2/16, pgs. 12, 14, 15). Following Mother's release, she had weekly supervised
visits but never attended consistently. (N.T. 3/2/16, pgs. 49, 65). Mother testified that she missed
some visits because of the weather and conflicts with her work schedule, but also testified that she

                                           Page 8 of 13
had always consistently attended visits. (N.T. 3/2/16, pgs. 91, 106). Mother got into an argument
with the agency social worker supervising her visitation and denigrated the social worker with
racist language. After the argument Mother did not attend several visits. (N.T. 3/2/16, pgs. 80-
83). Mother has only sporadically had appropriate housing. When Mother lost her apartment just
prior to the start of the termination trial, she continued to tell DHS that she was living there. (N.T.
3/2/16, pgs. 39-41). Mother testified that she would reunify with Child at the transitional shelter
where she currently lives, but Mother will soon be homeless and does not have alternative housing.
(N.T. 3/2/16, pgs. 48, 71-73, 107). Throughout the life of this case DHS has provided timely
referrals and re-referrals to appropriate services.   (N.T. 3/2/16, pgs. 8-9, 18, 39-40, 42-43, 63).
                                                           .                              .
The court found that DHS made reasonable efforts to reunify Child and Mother. (N.T. 3/2/16, pgs.
84, .115). Because of Mother's pattern of not availing herself of services or completing her
objectives, the trial court found that Mother was not able to remedy the conditions which led to
Child's placement within a reasonable time. Child is currently placed with Foster Parents, who
have cared for him for a year. Foster Parents are bonded with Child and provide for all his needs.
The court heard testimony that it would be in Child's best interest to remain with Foster Parents
and be adopted by them. (N.T. 3/2/16, pgs. 51, 56-57, 67). Mother has been given ample time to
place herself in a position to parent Child. Child cannot wait for Mother to decide to parent. The
court heard testimony that termination of Mother's parental rights would be in the best interest of
the Children. (N.T. 3/2/16, pg. 56). As a result the trial court found that termination of Mother's
parental rights was in the best interest of Child for his physical, intellectual, moral and spiritual
well-being. Because the trial court made this determination on the basis of clear and convincing
evidence, termination under this section was also proper.

The trial court also terminated Mother's parental rights under 23 Pa.C.S.A. §251l(a)(8), which
permits termination when:
       The child has been removed from the care of the parent by the court or under a voluntary
       agreement with an agency, 12 months or more have elapsed from the date of removal or
       placement, the conditions which led to the removal or placement of the child continue to
       exist and termination of parental rights would best serve the needs and welfare of the child.

This section does not require the court to evaluate a parent's willingness or ability to remedy the
conditions which initially caused placement or the availability or efficacy of DHS services offered
to the parent, only the present state of the conditions. In re: Adoption o(KJ. 938 A.2d 1128, 1133

                                            Page 9 of 13
 (Pa. Super. 2009).    The party seeking termination must also prove by clear and convincing
 evidence that the termination is in the best interest of the child. The best interest of the child is
 determined after consideration of the needs and welfare of the child such as love comfort, security
 and stability. In re Bowman. A.2d 217 (Pa. Super. 1994). See also In re Adoption o(TTB.. 835
A.2d 387, 397 (Pa. Super. 2003).

 Child in this case has been in DHS custody since August 15, 2013. Child was placed because
Mother used drugs and neglected Child. Since Child's removal Mother has not completed any of
her FSP objectives and has not placed herself in a position to parent Child. Mother's FSP
objectives were to take parenting classes, attend drug and alcohol and mental health treatment,
attend domestic violence counselling, obtain appropriate housing and attend scheduled visits with
Child. (N.T. 3/2/16, pgs. 8-9, 34-35). Mother began, but did not complete, parenting' classes.
(N.T. 3/2/16, pgs. 11, 19, 26-27, 48, 106). Mother began drug and alcohol and mental health
treatment in prison, but did not complete the program there. After her release she re-engaged but
was discharged for non-attendance. Following a DHS referral she recently re-engaged,. but has
not completed the program and recently gave a drug screen with extremely high trace levels of
cocaine. (N.T. 3/2/16, pgs. 19, 26-27, 34-36, 44-46, 96-97). Mother engaged with domestic
violence counselling, but stopped attending after the result of a permanency review hearing upset
her. (N.T. 3/2/16, pgs. 42, 64, 68). Mother did not show DHS proof that she is employed and can
financially support Child if they are reunified. (N.T. 3/2/16, pgs. 43-44, 102-103). Mother has
only sporadically had appropriate housing, and has misinformed DHS about where she is living.
This prevented DHS from supplying Mother with a timely ARC referral for housing. (N.T. 3/2/16,
pgs. 39-43). Mother is currently living at a transitional shelter, and will soon be homeless. (N.T.
3/2/16, pgs. 48, 71-73, 107). Mother does not visit consistently. She rejected scheduled visits in
prison. She attended twenty-nine of her weekly supervised visits over a two-year period. (N.T.
3/2/16, pgs. 12, 14, 15, 78). Mother engaged in a racist argument with the social worker
supervising visitation, and did not attend several visits. (N.T. 3/2/16, pgs. 80-83). Termination of
Mother's parental rights is in Child's best interest. (N.T. 3/2/16, pgs. 56). Child has been in care
for thirty-one months, and needs permanency. Child is currently placed with Foster Parents, who
have cared for him for a year. Foster Parents are bonded with Child and provide for all his needs.
Child calls Foster Parents "mom" and "dad". The court heard testimony that it would be in Child's

                                           Page 10 of 13
 best interest to remain with Foster Parents and be adopted by them. (N.T. 3/2116, pgs, 51, 56-57).
 The conditions leading to removal continue 10 exist, as Mother has failed to successfully complete
 herFSP objectives. The testimony of OHS witnesses was unwavering and credible, Motheris net
 ready, willing orable as of today to parent Child. Because the record contains clear and convincing
 evidence, the trial court did not abuse its discretlon and termination under this section was also
 proper.

 Aller a finding of any grounds fortermination under section (a), the court must, under 23 Pa.C.S.A.
 §2511 (b), also consider what • if any - bond exists between parent and child. In re /11110/unwry
 Tem1inatio11 of C. W.S.M. and KA.L,IJ.. 839 A.2d 410, 415 (Pa. Super. 2003). The trial court must
examine the status of the bond to determine whetherits termination "would destroy an existing.
 necessary and beneficial relationship". /11 re Adoption o(T.B.B. 835 A.2d 387, 397 (Pa. Super.
2003). In assessing the parental bond, the trial court is permined to rely upon the observations and
evaluations of social workers. In re K.ZS., 946 A.2d 753, 762·763 (Pa. Super. 2008). In cases
wbere there is no evidence of any bond between the parent and child. it is reasonable to infer that
no bond exists. The extent of any bond analysis depends on the circumstances of Ille particular
case.   In re KZS, at 762-763. However under 23 Pa.C.S.A. §2511 (b), the rights of a parent shall
not be terminated solely on the basis of environmental factors such as inadequate housing,
furnishings, income, clothing WJdmedical, if Iound to be beyond lhe control of the parent.

The agency social worker supervising visitation testilled that Motherdocs not engaged with Child
during visits. (N.T. 3/2/16, pg. 80). Mother had only attended twenty-nine of her weekly
supervised visits, and has never attended consistently. (N.T. 3/2116, pgs. 15, 49, 77-78). Child
does not ask for Mother when she misses visits. (N.T. 3/2116, pg. 84). The OHS social worker
testified that Mother and Child do nor have a bond, and there would be no irreparable harm to
Child if Mother's parentalrights were terminated. (N.T. 3/2/16, pgs. 56-57). It would be in Child's
best interest to be adopted by Foster Parents, who have cared for Child for a year and provide a
safe and permanent home. They take care of nil of Child's needs. Child is bonded with Foster
Parents, and calls them "mom" and "dad". (N.T. 3/2116, pgs. 51, 56-57, 67). Consequently, the
court did not abuse its discretion when it found that it was clearly and convincingly established
that there was no parental bond. and that termination of Mother'sparental rights would not destroy
an existing beneficial relationship.

                                           Page 11 ofl3
Mother also alleges that the court erred in changing Child's permanency goal from reunification
to adoption. In a change of goal proceeding, the child's best interest must be the focus of the trial
 court's determination, The child's safety and health are paramount considerations.    In re A.H, 763
A.2d 873 (Pa. Super. 2000). Pennsylvania's Juvenile Act recognizes family preservation as one
of its primary purposes. In the Interest O(R.P. a Minor, 957 A.2d 1205 (Pa. Super. 2008). As a
result, welfare agencies must make efforts to reunify the biological parents with their child.
Nonetheless, if those efforts fail, the agency must redirect its efforts toward placing the child in an
adoptive home.      Agencies are not required to provide services indefinitely when a parent is
unwilling or unable to apply the instructions received. In re R. T, 778 A.2d 670 (Pa. Super. 2001 ).
The trial court should consider the best interest of the child as it exists presently, rather than the
facts at the time of the original petition.

The court heard credible testimony that Mother is not currently ready or able to parent Child. (N. T.
3/2/16, pg. 56). Mother has not completed any of her FSP objectives.        (N.T. 3/2/16, pgs. 10-11,
34, 41, 42, 48, 49, 77). She does not have appropriate housing. (N.T. 3/2/16, pgs. 39-41, 48). She
does not consistently attend visits.     (N.T. 3/2/16, pgs. 15, 49, 65, 77-78, 91). Mother stopped
attending visits for several weeks because of her anger at the agency social worker, placing her
own feelings above the needs of Child. (N.T. 3/2/16, pgs. 80-83). There is no bond between
Mother and Child. (N.T. 3/2/16, pgs. 56-57). Child has been in a safe and permanent home with
Foster Parents for a year. Foster parents care for all of Child's needs. Child is bonded with them
and calls them "mom" and "dad". It would be in Child's best interest to remain with Foster Parents
and be adopted by them.       (N.T. 3/2/16, pgs. 51, 56-57, 67). The record established clear and
convincing evidence that the change of permanency goal from reunification to adoption was
proper.

                                              Page 12 of 13
Conclusion:
For the aforementioned reasons, the court properly found that DHS met its statutory burden by
clear and convincing evidence regarding termination of Mother's parental rights pursuant to 23
Pa.C.S.A. §251l(a)(l), (2), (5), (8) and (b) since it would best serve Child's emotional needs and
welfare. The court also properly found that changing Child's permanency goal from reunification
to adoption was in Child's best interest. The trial court's termination of Mother's parental rights
and change of goal to adoption was proper and should be affirmed.

                                          Page 13 of 13
                         IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
                        FOR THE COUNTY OF PHILADELPHIA
                              FAMILY COURT DIVISION

In the Interest of A.E., a Minor                           CP-51-DP-0001622-2013
                                                           CP-51-AP-0000589-2014

                                                           FID: 51-FN-459064-2009

APPEAL OF: S.E., Mother                                   1142 EDA 2016

                                          PROOF OF SERVICE
I hereby certify that this court is serving, today, June 2, 2016, the foregoing Opinion, by regular mail,
upon the following persons:

Courtney Norella, Esq.                                    James Martin, Esq.
City of Philadelphia Law Dept.                            1800 JFK Blvd. Suite 300
1515 Arch Street, 161" Floor                              Philadelphia PA 19103
Philadelphia, PA 19102                                    Child Advocate
Attorney for D.H.S.
                                                          Clair Stewart, Esq.
Lawrence O'Connor, Esq.                                   21 South 12111 Street
2301 Cherry Street #6A                                    Philadelphia PA 19107
Philadelphia PA 19103                                     Counsel for Father
Counsel for Mother

                                                   By:CZ:?.
                                                   Turner N. Falk
                                                   Law Clerk to the Hon. Joseph L. Fernandes
                                                   Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, Family Division
                                                   1501 Arch St, Room 1431
                                                   Philadelphia, Pa. 19102 T: (215) 686-2660