Court Opinion

ID: 1049662
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2013-10-08 19:52:59.121477+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:06:23.584232
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF TENNESSEE
                            AT NASHVILLE
                            Assigned on Briefs July 6, 2010

           IN RE: APRIL P-C, JENNIFER P-C, AND KENNETH P-C

                Appeal from the Juvenile Court for Rutherford County
                   No. TC1054     Donna Scott Davenport, Judge

                No. M2010-00043-COA-R3-PT - Filed August 26, 2010

Father appeals the termination of his parental rights to three children, asserting that the
findings of the juvenile court that he had abandoned his children by failure to support and
that the conditions which led to the children’s removal persisted were not supported by clear
and convincing evidence. Father also asserts that the court erred in finding that the
termination of his parental rights was in the best interests of his children. We affirm the
judgment of the trial court.

  Tenn. R. App. P. 3 Appeal as of Right; Judgment of the Juvenile Court Affirmed

R ICHARD H. D INKINS, J., delivered the opinion of the court, in which F RANK G. C LEMENT,
J R., and A NDY D. B ENNETT, J.J., joined.

Thomas H. Castelli, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, for the appellant, Ray C.

Robert E. Cooper, Jr., Attorney General and Reporter, and Lauren S. Lamberth, Assistant
Attorney General; and Susan H. Hubbard, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, for the appellee, the
Tennessee Department of Children’s Services.

                                        OPINION

I. Factual and Procedural Background

        This appeal involves the termination of parental rights to three children, April P-C,
Jennifer P-C, and Kenneth P-C, who initially came into custody of the Department of
Children’s Services (“DCS”) on June 5, 2007, pursuant to a Protective Custody Order entered
in the Juvenile Court for Rutherford County. DCS had filed a Petition to have the children
declared dependent and neglected based on a referral from a physician expressing concerns
for the health of the children. The record of the dependent and neglect proceeding reveals
that the mother of the children took Kenneth, who was born January 19, 2007, to a hospital
emergency room on April 3, 2007, after noticing that he was lethargic, blue, and cold to the
touch; the other two children, ages two and three, were with her during the hospital stay.
Kenneth had been admitted to the hospital several times previously and, at this admission,
was diagnosed with “non organic failure to thrive” 1 and admitted for treatment. After
determining the cause of Kenneth’s weight loss to be gastroesophageal reflux, appropriate
treatment was undertaken to increase his weight and he was released on April 5 with
instructions on the measures to be taken to continue his weight gain.

        On April 11, Dr. Johnson, Kenneth’s pediatrician, saw him for a routine check-up.
Dr. Johnson was concerned that Kenneth had suffered weight loss since his discharge on
April 5 and discussed the matter with Mother, who advised Dr. Johnson that she had also
taken Kenneth to the emergency room between April 5 and April 11 because he had been
spitting up formula. Dr. Johnson changed the ratio of milk to formula for Kenneth and told
Mother to bring him back in the next few days and that, if Kenneth had not gained weight,
Kenneth would be admitted to the hospital. Dr. Johnson also posted in his treatment notes
that he intended to call DCS “if I had to.”

       Mother returned Kenneth to Dr. Johnson’s office on April 13, at which time Kenneth
had gained weight but had a malnourished appearance. Dr. Johnson started Kenneth on
medication for his gastroesophageal reflux and began to monitor his weight weekly. Dr.
Johnson testified that, although he was concerned about the care Kenneth was receiving he
delayed calling DCS in order to “give the parents every chance I could.” Dr. Johnson made
a referral to DCS on May 30, 2007. When asked why he made the referral to DCS, Dr.
Johnson stated:

       Well, a lot of things had changed. He had been admitted to Vanderbilt and had
       shown weight gain at Vanderbilt; he had been admitted to Middle Tennessee
       Medical Center and had shown weight gain. But every time he had gone back
       home, there was a problem with his weight gain. He would gain a little --
       maybe lose a little; gain a little.

       DCS filed a petition to have the children declared dependent and neglected on June
5, 2007; the petition also sought temporary custody of the children. In the Affidavit of
Reasonable Efforts filed in support of the petition, Shannon Kozimor, DCS Family Service
Worker, identified Kenneth’s medical condition and history as well as the fact that Mother
had multiple cases with DCS involving her other children as specific risks necessitating
removal. The affidavit also detailed efforts DCS had made to secure services to the family.
Following a hearing the court entered a Protective Custody Order, granting DCS temporary
custody of the three children. The court also entered an order finding probable cause to
believe the children were dependent and neglected, appointing a guardian ad litem for them,
appointing counsel for the parents and setting a further hearing on ratification of the
permanency plan for July 3.
        1
         His diagnosis was “non organic failure to thrive” because it was characterized by weight loss caused
by his social situation rather than any medical condition. He weighed 7 pounds and 2 ounces when born on
January 19, 2007, and weighed only 9 pounds on April 29.

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       The initial permanency plan listed actions for the parents to take in order to achieve
the desired outcome of either reunification or placement with a relative, including: a parental
assessment; development of a plan for transportation to get children to medical appointments;
anger and stress management; and drug and alcohol counseling for the father. Because he
had tested positive for drugs, he was not allowed visitation with the children; the plan
required him to submit to drug testing with visitation being restricted until he had a negative
drug screen history. Both parents received an explanation of the plan and signed it on June
25, 2007; the plan was approved by the court on August 1, 2007.

       A revised permanency plan was drafted on January 17, 2008. This plan retained the
desired outcomes in the existing plan, included further actions for the parents to take in order
to regain custody of their children and required on-going parent-child bonding and
attachment assessments. Under this plan, Father was allowed supervised visitation with his
children as long as he continued to test negative for drugs and attend at least three AA or NA
meetings each week. The court approved this plan on May 22, 2008.

       DCS drafted another permanency plan at a child and family team meeting on March
31, 2008. Under this plan, in addition to the requirements of the previous plans, the parents
were required to maintain a stable income and to develop a budget. This plan also listed
adoption as an outcome since no relative had been identified as a possible guardian. Though
both parents signed this permanency plan, they objected to the possibility of adoption.2 This
plan was approved by the court on June 5, 2008.

        On August 29, 2008, a fourth permanency plan was drafted by DCS. Substantively,
this plan was similar to the previous plans, however, the plan noted that the parents continued
to make only minimal progress despite the services being offered to them by DCS and that
they were still unable to demonstrate their ability to care for the children independently.
Both parents signed this permanency plan; even though it also contained a provision for the
possibility of adoption, neither parent objected as they had with the third permanency plan.
The court approved this plan on November 11, 2008.

       Following hearings on October 29 and November 26, the court entered a Dispositional
Order, inter alia, noting progress the parents were making in improving their parenting skills
and allowing the parents to have unsupervised weekly visitation from 10:00 a.m. on
Wednesday to 1:00 p.m. Friday beginning December 3. This order also contained a provision
prohibiting visitors other than DCS, providers of DCS services, the guardian ad litem and
representatives of CASA from being at the house when the children were present. On
February 11, 2009, after noting that the parents had substantially complied with the
permanency plans, DCS filed a Motion for a Trial Home Pass which would have placed the
children in the parents’ home for ninety days. DCS withdrew this motion, however, after a
       2
         Under Section 10: Agreements and Signatures, both parents responded “No or NA” when asked if
they agreed with the Permanency Plan. In the box to explain No or NA answers, both parents wrote “Do not
agree with adoption.”

                                                  -3-
Child Protective Services Investigator conducted a surprise inspection during an
unsupervised visit and discovered a barefoot man hiding in the girls’ closet on February 19,
2009.

       On February 23, 2009, DCS met with the parents to discuss the violation of the
Dispositional Order; at this time, a fifth permanency plan was drafted. The plan listed
several reasons why the children were still unable to leave DCS custody including: that the
parents continued to make decisions that put their children at risk; that the parents were not
demonstrating the skills or ability to care for their children independently; that the parents
depended on an inconsistent income and budgeted poorly; and that the parents intentionally
violated court orders. Reunification was still listed on this plan as a possible outcome,
however, DCS acknowledged that once parental rights were terminated, adoption would be
the sole outcome desired.3 Both parents signed this plan and the court approved it on May
8, 2009.

       On April 7, 2009, DCS filed a petition to terminate the parental rights of Mother,
Father, Wayne D., and the Unknown Father of April P-C 4 to all three children, on the
grounds of abandonment by failure to support, abandonment by failure to provide a suitable
home, persistence of conditions, and failure to comply with the permanency plans. DCS also
contended that the termination of parental rights was in the best interests of all three children.

      After a trial held on August 12, 2009, August 14, 2009, September 23, 2009, and
October 9, 2009, the court terminated the parental rights of Mother and Father on the grounds
of abandonment by failure to support and persistence of conditions, finding also that the
termination of parental rights was in the best interest of the children.5

        Father appeals the order terminating his parental rights, raising the following issues:

        1. Whether the juvenile court erred in finding the grounds for termination of
        the Father’s parental rights were supported by clear and convincing evidence
        and
        2. Whether the juvenile court erred in finding, by clear and convincing
        evidence that the termination of the Father’s parental rights was in the best
        interests of the children.

        3
            This was noted in the handwritten Child and Family Team Meeting Summary notes.
        4
        April P-C’s paternity is unknown, but Wayne D. was believed to be a possible father. Father signed
a Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity as to April making him her legal father. Both Jennifer and
Kenneth were born during Father’s marriage to Mother and their paternity is not an issue.
        5
        The parental rights of Wayne D. and the Unknown Father of April P-C were terminated on the
grounds of failure to establish and exercise paternity and are not at issue in this appeal.

                                                   -4-
II. Standard of Review

       The Supreme Court held in Stanley v. Illinois, 405 U.S. 645, 651 (1972), that parents
have the fundamental right to the care, custody, and control of their children. Parental rights,
however, are not absolute and can be terminated by clear and convincing evidence that
termination is justified. Santosky v. Kramer, 455 U.S. 745, 748 (1982). Termination of
parental rights must be premised on the best interests of the child in question. Tennessee
Department of Human Services v. Riley, 689 A.W.2d 164, 169 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1984).

       As a threshold matter, there must be proof that a least one statutorily defined ground
for termination exists. Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-1-113(c)(1). Because the termination of
parental rights makes the relationship between parent and child nonexistent, a higher standard
of proof is required. The petitioner must prove a basis for the termination of parental rights
by clear and convincing evidence. Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-1-113(c). A “clear and
convincing” standard requires that the truthfulness of the facts asserted be highly probable,
eliminating any substantial doubt. In Re M.J.B., 140 S.W.3d 643, 654 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2004).
After a ground for termination has been established by clear and convincing evidence, the
court must then determine whether termination of parental rights is in the best interest of the
child. Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-1-113(c)(2); Riley, 689 A.W.2d 164, 169. Clear and
convincing evidence is also required to establish that termination is in the best interest of the
child. In re Valentine, 79 S.W.3d 539, 549 (Tenn. 2002).

      On appeal, findings of fact by the trial court are reviewed de novo and carry a
presumption of correctness, unless the preponderance of the evidence suggests otherwise.
Tenn. R. App. P. 13(d). In a parental termination case, the preponderance of the evidence
must show that there is clear and convincing evidence of a ground for termination and that
termination is in the best interests of the child. In Re M.J.B., 140 S.W.3d 643, 654 (Tenn.
Ct. App. 2004).

III. DISCUSSION

       A. Abandonment by Failure to Support

       Father contends that DCS did not provide clear and convincing evidence that he
abandoned his children by failing to support them. Father does not argue that he paid support
as ordered, but, rather, asserts that he supported the children by purchasing of food, clothing,
and furniture during their visits.

      A court may terminate parental rights when abandonment, as defined by Tenn. Code
Ann. § 36-1-102, has occurred. Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-1-113(g)(1). A child is abandoned
when:

                                               -5-
       (i) For a period of four (4) consecutive months immediately preceding the
       filing of a proceeding or pleading to terminate the parental rights of the
       parent(s) or guardian(s) of the child who is the subject of the petition for
       termination of parental rights or adoption, that the parent(s) or guardian(s)
       either have willfully failed to visit or have willfully failed to support or have
       willfully failed to make reasonable payments toward the support of the child.

Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-1-102(I)(A)(i).

Under this statute, “willful failure to support” is failing to make monetary support or failure
to provide more than token payments toward the support of a child during a period of four
consecutive months. Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-1-102(1)(D). Failure to support is “willful”
when a person, who knows of his or her duty to support and has the capacity to do so, makes
no attempt to pay support and is unable to provide justifiable excuse for not doing so. In re
M.J.B., 140 S.W.3d at 654. Support is deemed to be “token” when it is insignificant given
the individual parents’ means. Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-1-102(1)(B). Furthermore, the
occasional gifts of food or clothing cannot substitute for support. In re J.D.C., No. E2007-
02371-COA-R3-PT, 2008 WL 1899987, at *12 (Tenn. Ct. App. Apr. 30, 2008).

        The petition for the termination of parental rights was filed on April 7, 2009;
therefore, the relevant four-month period began on December 7, 2008. Father had been
ordered to pay twenty-five dollars per week in support of his children since the entry of the
order approving the first permanency plan on August 1, 2007. In addition, Father
acknowledged his responsibility to comply with all court orders by signing the permanency
plan on June 25, 2007. At the time he signed the initial permanency plan, Father was also
presented with a copy of the Criteria and Procedure for Termination of Parental Rights which
stated that willful failure to make child support payments would justify the termination of his
parental rights.

        At trial, Father acknowledged that he did not make support payments as required by
the court’s order; he also testified that “while he was working, he was making enough
sufficiently to take care of himself and the kids” but that he put child support payments “on
the back burner so I can actually try to make money and do everything I can.” There is no
proof that Father tried, at any time, to make the payments. The evidence is clear that his
failure to make support payments in accordance with the order was willful.

        Father contends that, even though he did not make regular child support payments, he
supported his children by providing them with food, clothes, and shelter during visitations.
This type of expenditure, however, is not a substitute for the monetary support required by
the statute. Furthermore, this court has previously held that providing meals and like
activities do not constitute support, but rather only serve the purpose of facilitating visitation.
In re J.D.C., No. E2007-02371-COA-R3-PT, 2008 WL 1899987, at *12 (Tenn. Ct. App. Apr.
30, 2008).

                                                -6-
       B. Persistence of Conditions

        Father appeals the finding of clear and convincing evidence that the conditions which
led to the removal of his children persisted. Father argues that the juvenile court failed to
acknowledge the efforts he made to comply with all that was asked of him.

      Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-1-113(g)(3) allows for the termination of parental rights on the
grounds of persistent conditions if:

       (3) The child has been removed from the home of the parent or guardian by
       order of a court for a period of six (6) months and:
              (A) The conditions that led to the child's removal or other
              conditions that in all reasonable probability would cause the
              child to be subjected to further abuse or neglect and that,
              therefore, prevent the child's safe return to the care of the
              parent(s) or guardian(s), still persist;
              (B) There is little likelihood that these conditions will be
              remedied at an early date so that the child can be safely returned
              to the parent(s) or guardian(s) in the near future; and
              (C) The continuation of the parent or guardian and child
              relationship greatly diminishes the child's chances of early
              integration into a safe, stable and permanent home.

A showing of clear and convincing evidence of every factor is needed in order to terminate
parental rights on the grounds of persistent conditions. In re Valentine, 79 S.W.3d at 549.

       When DCS filed the petition for the termination of parental rights, the children had
been in custody for twenty-two months pursuant to court order. DCS initially sought removal
of the children because the parents did not demonstrate the necessary skills to care for the
children or their medical and emotional needs. DCS then provided Father with numerous
services to improve his parenting skills, including counseling to provide him with the skills
necessary to be a successful parent and bonding and attachment sessions to facilitate a closer
relationship between Father and children. In addition, Father was ordered to attend medical
appointments for the children in order for him to understand their special medical needs.

       Evidence that Father continued to lack appropriate parenting skills included his own
testimony in which he admitted occasionally sleeping in the car during parental counseling
sessions as well as testimony from the expert who conducted the bonding and attachment
assessments that Father seemed more interested in the computer or television than his
children during these sessions. Though Father argues that he made progress, he testified that
conditions had not changed enough for him to regain custody of his children. Further, there
was no proof to support a finding of a likelihood that the conditions which led to the

                                             -7-
children’s removal would be soon remedied. Father was given sufficient time and assistance
to address the challenges these children faced.6 While Father admittedly made some
progress, the evidence supports a clear finding that the conditions which led to the children’s
removal persisted.

        C. Best Interests of the Children

       Once a ground for termination has been established, the court must make the
determination that termination of parental rights is in the best interest of the child. Tenn.
Code Ann. § 36-1-113(I) outlines a non-exhaustive list of considerations when making this
decision:

        (1) Whether the parent or guardian has made such an adjustment of
        circumstance, conduct, or conditions as to make it safe and in the child's best
        interest to be in the home of the parent or guardian;
        (2) Whether the parent or guardian has failed to effect a lasting adjustment
        after reasonable efforts by available social services agencies for such duration
        of time that lasting adjustment does not reasonably appear possible;
        (3) Whether the parent or guardian has maintained regular visitation or other
        contact with the child;
        (4) Whether a meaningful relationship has otherwise been established between
        the parent or guardian and the child;
        (5) The effect a change of caretakers and physical environment is likely to
        have on the child's emotional, psychological and medical condition;
        (6) Whether the parent or guardian, or other person residing with the parent or
        guardian, has shown brutality, physical, sexual, emotional or psychological
        abuse, or neglect toward the child, or another child or adult in the family or
        household;
        (7) Whether the physical environment of the parent's or guardian's home is
        healthy and safe, whether there is criminal activity in the home, or whether
        there is such use of alcohol or controlled substances as may render the parent
        or guardian consistently unable to care for the child in a safe and stable
        manner;
        (8) Whether the parent's or guardian's mental and/or emotional status would
        be detrimental to the child or prevent the parent or guardian from effectively
        providing safe and stable care and supervision for the child; or

        6
           Indeed, in its order terminating parental rights, the court recognized the long delay between the
grant of temporary custody, the order declaring the children to be dependent and neglected and the order of
termination. The court acknowledged that the delay was a consequence of the court’s belief that with more
services the parents would eventually demonstrate safer and appropriate parenting skills, a belief the court
characterized as “mistaken.”

                                                    -8-
       (9) Whether the parent or guardian has paid child support consistent with the
       child support guidelines promulgated by the department pursuant to § 36-5-
       101.

The statute does not require that every one of these factors be present before a court can
make the determination that termination of parental rights is in the child’s best interests.
State of Tennessee Dep't of Children's Servs. v. T.S.W., No. M2001-01735-COA-R3-CV,
2002 WL 970434, at *3 (Tenn. Ct. App. May 10, 2002).

       The juvenile court found first that the parents failed to make lasting adjustments in
order to make their home safe for their children, even after reasonable efforts were made by
DCS to aid the parents in doing so. The court next found that the parents failed to maintain
a meaningful relationship with their children or support their children financially while they
were in DCS custody. The court examined the lasting effect that the continuation of parental
rights would have on the children, taking into consideration the length of time the children
had been in DCS custody and that there was a family wanting to adopt them. Taking all these
factors into consideration, the court found that termination of parental rights was in the best
interests of the children in order for them to be successfully integrated into a safe, stable, and
permanent home with their foster parents. We have reviewed the record and it fully supports
the determination that termination was in the best interest of the children.

IV. Conclusion

     For the foregoing reasons, the judgment terminating Father’s parental rights is
AFFIRMED.

                                                     _________________________________
                                                     RICHARD H. DINKINS, JUDGE

                                               -9-