Court Opinion

ID: 4430399
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2019-08-20 19:40:50.787358+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:50:57.388740
License: Public Domain

RECORD IMPOUNDED

                            NOT FOR PUBLICATION WITHOUT THE
                           APPROVAL OF THE APPELLATE DIVISION
    This opinion shall not "constitute precedent or be binding upon any court." Although it is posted on the
 internet, this opinion is binding only on the parties in the case and its use in other cases is limited. R. 1:36-3.

                                                     SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY
                                                     APPELLATE DIVISION
                                                     DOCKET NO. A-4793-16T3

NEW JERSEY DIVISION
OF CHILD PROTECTION
AND PERMANENCY,

       Plaintiff-Respondent,

v.

N.N.M.,

     Defendant-Appellant.
_____________________________

IN THE MATTER OF THE
GUARDIANSHIP OF T.M.,

     a Minor.
_____________________________

                Submitted September 17, 2018 – Decided October 2, 2018

                Before Judges Haas and Sumners.

                On appeal from Superior Court of New Jersey,
                Chancery Division, Family Part, Hudson County,
                Docket No. FG-09-0115-17.
            Joseph E. Krakora, Public Defender, attorney for
            appellant (Jennifer M. Kurtz, Designated Counsel, on
            the briefs).

            Gurbir S. Grewal, Attorney General, attorney for
            respondent (Jason W. Rockwell, Assistant Attorney
            General, of counsel; Chanel J. Van Dyke, Deputy
            Attorney General, on the brief).

            Joseph E. Krakora, Public Defender, Law Guardian,
            attorney for minor (Toya Davis, Designated Counsel,
            on the brief).

PER CURIAM

      Defendant N.N.M. (Nina)1 appeals from a June 1, 2017 order by Judge

Anthony V. D'Elia terminating her parental rights to her then two-year-old

daughter T.M. (Tracy). 2 We reject Nina's contentions that the Division of Child

Protection and Permanency (Division) failed to meet its statutory burden under

each prong of the best interests test, N.J.S.A. 30:4C-15.1(a), by clear and

convincing evidence.

      Our review of trial judges' decisions are limited. We defer to the expertise

of Family Part judges, Cesare v. Cesare, 154 N.J. 394, 413 (1998), and we are

1
   We use acronyms and pseudonyms to protect the identities of the parties
involved.
2
   The order also terminated the parental rights of defendant T.R., Tracy's
putative father, who repeatedly failed to attend paternity testing scheduled by
the Division and did not file an appeal.
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                                        2
bound to their factual findings when supported by sufficient credible evidence.

N.J. Div. of Youth & Family Servs. v. M.M., 189 N.J. 261, 279 (2007) (citing

In re Guardianship of J.T., 269 N.J. Super. 172, 188 (App. Div. 1993)). "[T]he

conclusions that logically flow from those findings of fact are, likewise, entitled

to deferential consideration upon appellate review."       N.J. Div. of Youth &

Family Servs. v. R.L., 388 N.J. Super. 81, 89 (App. Div. 2006).

      Judge D'Elia carefully reviewed the evidence presented and explained in

an oral decision rendered the same day as his order that the Division had met,

by clear and convincing evidence, all of the legal requirements for a judgment

of guardianship. The decision tracks the statutory requirements of N.J.S.A.

30:4C-15.1(a), accords with In re Guardianship of K.H.O., 161 N.J. 337 (1999),

In re Guardianship of DMH, 161 N.J. 365 (1999), and New Jersey Division of

Youth & Family Services v. F.M., 211 N.J. 420 (2012), and is supported by

substantial and credible evidence in the record.          We, therefore, affirm

substantially for the reasons the judge expressed in his well-reasoned decision.

We add the following remarks as to each prong.

      As to prong one, the Division must prove that "[t]he child's safety, health,

or development has been or will continue to be endangered by the parental

relationship[.]" N.J.S.A. 30:4C-15.1(a)(1). "[T]he relevant inquiry focuses on

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                                        3
the cumulative effect, over time, of harms arising from the home life provided

by the parent." M.M., 189 N.J. at 289.

      "Serious and lasting emotional or psychological harm to children as the

result of the action or inaction of their biological parents can constitute injury

sufficient to authorize the termination of parental rights." In re Guardianship of

K.L.F., 129 N.J. 32, 44 (1992) (citing In re Guardianship of J.C., 129 N.J. 1, 18

(1992)). As a result, "courts must consider the potential psychological damage

that may result from reunification[,] as the 'potential return of a child to a parent

may be so injurious that it would bar such an alternative.'" N.J. Div. of Youth

& Family Servs. v. L.J.D., 428 N.J. Super. 451, 480-81 (App. Div. 2012)

(quoting N.J. Div. of Youth & Family Servs. v. A.W., 103 N.J. 591, 605 (1986)).

      "The absence of physical abuse or neglect is not conclusive." A.W., 103

N.J. at 605 (quoting In re Guardianship of R., 155 N.J. Super. 186, 194 (App.

Div. 1977)). "A parent's withdrawal of . . . solicitude, nurture, and care for an

extended period of time is in itself a harm that endangers the health and

development of the child." DMH, 161 N.J. at 379. "Courts need not wait to act

until a child is actually irreparably impaired by parental inattention or neglec t."

Id. at 383.

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                                         4
      Nina argues the judge's finding that Tracy's safety, health, or development

has been or will continue to be endangered by her relationship with her mother

is not supported by substantial credible evidence. She claims the judge did not

apply the statutory requirements of N.J.S.A. 30:4C-15.1(a), but instead applied

the standard for termination of parental rights applicable in private adoption

cases. She also argues there was no evidence that her drug use ever harmed

Tracy or might cause her future harm. We disagree.

      The Division introduced sufficient documentary evidence and the

testimony of Nina's caseworker and its psychological/bonding expert, Dr.

Robert Kanen, to support its contention that Nina's long-standing substance

abuse history harmed Tracy. This credible evidence supports the judge's finding

that Nina harmed Tracy by prioritizing her substance abuse at the expense of

parenting.

      Although Tracy did not display withdrawal at birth, her positive test for

PCP resulted in her being removed from Nina two days thereafter. In fact, Nina

admitted to using PCP during her pregnancy. This was of no surprise because

prior to Tracy's birth, Nina had an extended history with the Division pertaining

to her inability and unwillingness to address her substance abuse that had

previously led to the Division being awarded custody of her three older

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daughters,3 and eventually the termination of parental rights to the youngest of

the three.

       Between Tracy's birth on August 4, 2015, and the two-day guardianship

trial in late May 2016, Nina completed a twenty-eight-day substance abuse

inpatient program at Turning Point. However, she continued to abuse substances

and not comply with the plan that could have led to her reunification with Nina.

The Division made repeated efforts to contact her, but she failed to respond and

repeatedly missed re-referrals for treatment by her certified alcohol and drug

counselor.    Indeed, Nina tested positive for PCP immediately following a

compliance hearing five months before the guardianship trial, despite claiming

to have last used substances three months prior.

       Thus, we agree with Judge D'Elia's finding that Nina's "inattentiveness

and inability or unwillingness to properly parent [Tracy] as a result of her

substance abuse will likely have continuing deleterious effects on [Tracy.]" In

applying the best interests standard under N.J.S.A. 30:4C-15.1(a) to evaluate the

harm caused to Tracy by Nina's substance abuse, he properly found that Nina

failed to maintain a parental relationship with Tracy and that Nina's positive

drug screens throughout her five-year involvement with the Division evinced

3
    They were born January 14, 2001, January 29, 2013, and October 18, 2013.
                                                                         A-4793-16T3
                                       6
her unwillingness or inability to place the needs of Tracy over her own want for

substances.

      As to prong two, the Division must prove that the parent is "unwilling or

unable to eliminate the harm facing the child[ren] or is unable or unwilling to

provide a safe and stable home . . . and the delay of permanent placement will

add to the harm." N.J.S.A. 30:4C-15.1(a)(2). That harm may include evidence

that separating the children from their resource parents "would cause serious and

enduring emotional or psychological harm . . . ." Ibid.

      The Division can establish the second prong by proving that a "child will

suffer substantially from a lack of stability and a permanent placement[,] and

from the disruption of" a bond with the resource parents. K.H.O., 161 N.J. at

363. Because they are related, evidence supporting the first prong may also

support the second prong "as part of the comprehensive basis for determining

the best interests of the child." DMH, 161 N.J. at 379.

      Nina contends the record is devoid of substantial credible evidence that

she is unable or unwilling to eliminate harm to Tracy. She maintains she is abl e

to provide a safe and stable home but needs time to complete proper inpatient

treatment. We disagree.

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                                       7
      Judge D'Elia found that Nina was "unable or unwilling to deal with her

issues," as evidenced by her long history of allowing her continued drug use to

take propriety over any parenting skills or responsibilities, her "fail[ure] to

maintain any kind of regular relationship with [Tracy] despite being offered

numerous opportunities to do so," and her "fail[ure] to stay in contact with the

Division." The judge found that despite losing custody of her three older

daughters due to her drug habit, Nina's "still couldn't beat the . . . habit." The

judge's findings were, therefore, well-supported by credible evidence in the

record.

      We acknowledge that trying to arrest a long-standing substance abuse is

an arduous task and not in and of itself a basis to terminate parental rights. N.J.

Div. of Youth & Family Servs. v. V.T., 423 N.J. Super. 320, 331 (App. Div.

2011) ("[a]ddiction is not easy to successfully remediate; a failure to

successfully defeat drug addiction does not automatically equate to child abuse

or neglect.") However, as the judge tellingly recognized, the record shows that

Nina did not take her drug addiction very seriously.          Her drug addiction

consumed her ability to care for Tracy as well as her other daughters. There is

no reasonable indication that she has taken steps to change her behavior. Hence,

we have no concern with the judge's determination that the Division proved Nina

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                                        8
is unwilling or unable to eliminate the harm facing Tracy, and that a permanent

placement was needed for her daughter's healthy development.

      As to prong three, the Division is required to make "reasonable efforts to

provide services to help the parent correct the circumstances which led to the

child's placement outside the home[,] and the court [will] consider[] alternatives

to termination of parental rights[.]" N.J.S.A. 30:4C-15.1(a)(3). This third

"prong of the [best interests of the child] standard contemplates efforts that focus

on reunification of the parent with the child and assistance to the parent to

correct and overcome those circumstances that necessitated the placement of the

child into foster care." K.H.O., 161 N.J. at 354.

      Nina again contends the judge's decision is not supported by substantial,

credible evidence as the Division failed to refer her to the treatment programs

she needed, and did not consider Kinship Legal Guardian (KLG) alternatives

such as Tracy's grandmothers and maternal aunt before terminating her parental

rights. We disagree.

      Judge D'Elia found that the Division made reasonable efforts to help Nina

achieve reunification with Tracy by correcting the unfortunate circumstances

that led the agency to take custody of Tracy. Based upon our review of the

record, the judge's finding is supported by credible, substantial evidence that the

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                                         9
Division offered Nina necessary services – substance abuse counseling and

inpatient/outpatient   treatment programs, psychological counseling, and

visitation with Tracy – which she failed to take advantage of.

      As to avoiding the termination of parental rights by placing Tracy with

family members as a KLG, the judge correctly found the Division established

that there were no family members in a position to properly care for Tracy and

raise her in a safe and stable environment. The Division ruled out Nina's mother

and sister because they lacked the capability to care for Tracy; not because they

were not presented with an option for daycare as Nina contended. Tracy's

paternal grandmother was ruled out because two adults with parole and

probation records for drug-related convictions were listed as residing in her

household.

      Finally, as to prong four, the Division must prove by sufficient credible

evidence that "[t]ermination of parental rights will not do more harm than good."

N.J.S.A. 30:4C-15.1(a)(4). The prong "serves as a fail-safe against termination

even where the remaining standards have been met." N.J. Div. of Youth &

Family Servs. v. G.L., 191 N.J. 596, 609 (2007).

      Nina argues the Division failed to prove that the termination of her

parental rights will do more harm than good to Tracy. Citing N.J. Div. of Youth

                                                                         A-4793-16T3
                                      10
& Fam. Servs. v. I.S., 202 N.J. 145 (2010), she maintains the Division created

Tracy's connection with her foster parent by disregarding the family members

who were willing to care for Tracy from the outset of her removal. Again, we

disagree.

       We agree with the Division's position that Nina's reliance on I.S. is

misplaced.    There, unlike here, the Court found that the DYFS'4 parenting

visitation plan was inadequate and, as a result, the bonding assessment was a

foregone conclusion.      I.S., 202 N.J. at 181-82. Moreover, contrary to the

defendant in I.S., Nina made no effort to maintain a relationship with Tracy

because she repeatedly failed to attend visitation sessions that were arranged by

the Division. See ibid.

       Relying on the Kanen's unrefuted expert testimony, Judge D'Elia found

that the severe harm by removing Tracy from her resource parent, who had

raised her since she was two days old, could neither be mitigated nor eliminated

by Nina. Hence, we see no reason to disturb the judge's prong four finding

given: Kanen's opinion; the absence of any bond between Nina and Tracy; the

lack of any factual basis for Nina's argument; and the strong bond that Tracy has

with her resource parent.

4
    The predecessor agency for the Division.
                                                                         A-4793-16T3
                                      11
Affirmed.

                 A-4793-16T3
            12