Court Opinion

ID: 4112275
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-12-29 21:13:49.162126+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:46:21.171823
License: Public Domain

J-A28002-16

NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37

IN RE: J.L.S., A MINOR                     :   IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
                                           :        PENNSYLVANIA
                                           :
APPEAL OF: T.L.S., FATHER                  :
                                           :
                                           :
                                           :
                                           :
                                           :   No. 1513 EDA 2016

                      Appeal from the Decree April 18, 2016
              In the Court of Common Pleas of Montgomery County
                      Orphans’ Court at No(s): 2015-A0140

BEFORE: PANELLA, J., SHOGAN, J., and PLATT*, J.

MEMORANDUM BY PANELLA, J.                           FILED DECEMBER 29, 2016

        T.L.S. (“Father”) appeals from the decree entered on April 18, 2016,

granting the petition filed by A.S.L. (“Maternal Aunt”); E.S.L., 1 the husband

of A.S.L.; and R.S. (“Maternal Grandfather”) (collectively, “Petitioners”) for

the involuntary termination of his parental rights to J.L.S., (“Child”), born in

February 2011, pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S.A. § 2511(a)(1) and (2).2

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

facts and procedural history of this case, which we incorporate herein. See
____________________________________________

* Retired Senior Judge assigned to the Superior Court.
1
 While the trial court opinion, filed 6/16/16, refers to Maternal Aunt as A.S.,
and her husband as L.L., a review of the trial court record reveals that the
correct initials for Maternal Aunt are A.S.L., and her husband is E.S.L.
2
    L.S. (“Mother”) filed her consent to termination.
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Trial Court Opinion, 6/16/16, at 1-5. On July 21, 2015, Petitioners filed a

petition seeking the involuntary termination of the parental rights of Father

to Child. A hearing on the petition was held on April 13, 2016. The trial court

heard testimony from Father, and Stephen Miksic, Ph.D., a licensed

psychologist. On April 18, 2016, the trial court entered a decree terminating

Father’s parental rights to Child pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S.A. § 2511(a)(1) and

(b).

       Father   timely   appealed.   He   has    duly   complied   with   Pa.R.A.P.

1925(a)(2)(i) and (b).

       Our standard of review is well-settled:

       The standard of review in termination of parental rights cases
       requires appellate courts to accept the findings of fact and
       credibility determinations of the trial court if they are supported
       by the record. If the factual findings are supported, appellate
       courts review to determine if the trial court made an error of law
       or abused its discretion. A decision may be reversed for an
       abuse of discretion only upon demonstration of manifest
       unreasonableness, partiality, prejudice, bias, or ill-will. The trial
       court’s decision, however, should not be reversed merely
       because the record would support a different result. We have
       previously emphasized our deference to trial courts that often
       have first-hand observations of the parties spanning multiple
       hearings.

In re T.S.M., 71 A.3d 251, 267 (Pa. 2013) (citations and quotation marks

omitted).

       Section 2511 of the Adoption Act, 23 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 2101-2938, governs

termination of parental rights. That section requires a bifurcated analysis.

       Initially, the focus is on the conduct of the parent. The party
       seeking termination must prove by clear and convincing

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     evidence that the parent’s conduct satisfies the statutory
     grounds for termination delineated in Section 2511(a). Only if
     the court determines that the parent’s conduct warrants
     termination of his or her parental rights does the court engage in
     the second part of the analysis pursuant to Section 2511(b):
     determination of the needs and welfare of the child under the
     standard of best interests of the child. One major aspect of the
     needs and welfare analysis concerns the nature and status of the
     emotional bond between parent and child, with close attention
     paid to the effect on the child of permanently severing any such
     bond.

In re L.M., 923 A.2d 505, 511 (Pa. Super. 2007) (citations omitted).

     In this case, the trial court terminated Father’s parental rights

pursuant to § 2511(a)(1), (2), and (b). We need only agree with the trial

court as to any one subsection of (a), as well as subsection (b), to affirm.

See In re B.L.W., 843 A.2d 380, 384 (Pa. Super. 2004) (en banc). We

choose to analyze the court’s decision to terminate under subsections (a)(1)

and (b), which provide as follows.

      § 2511. Grounds for involuntary termination

     (a) General rule.--The rights of a parent in regard to a child
     may be terminated after a petition filed on any of the following
     grounds:

         (1) The parent by conduct continuing for a period of at
         least six months immediately preceding the filing of the
         petition either has evidenced a settled purpose of
         relinquishing parental claim to a child or has refused or
         failed to perform parental duties.

                                     * * *

     (b) Other considerations.--The court in terminating the rights
     of a parent shall give primary consideration to the
     developmental, physical and emotional needs and welfare of the
     child. The rights of a parent shall not be terminated solely on the
     basis of environmental factors such as inadequate housing,

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       furnishings, income, clothing and medical care if found to be
       beyond the control of the parent. With respect to any petition
       filed pursuant to subsection (a)(1), (6) or (8), the court shall not
       consider any efforts by the parent to remedy the conditions
       described therein which are first initiated subsequent to the
       giving of notice of the filing of the petition.

23 Pa.C.S. § 2511(a)(1), (b).

       This Court has found, concerning review of the statutory requirements

that

       [t]o satisfy the requirements of section 2511(a)(1), the moving
       party must produce clear and convincing evidence of conduct,
       sustained for at least the 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. In addition,

            Section 2511 does not require that the parent
            demonstrate both a settled purpose of relinquishing
            parental claim to a child and refusal or failure to perform
            parental duties. Accordingly, parental rights may be
            terminated pursuant to [S]ection 2511(a)(1) if the parent
            either demonstrates a settled purpose of relinquishing
            parental claim to a child or fails to perform parental
            duties.

            Once the evidence establishes a failure to perform
            parental duties or a settled purpose of relinquishing
            parental rights, the court must engage in three lines of
            inquiry: (1) the parent’s explanation for his or her
            conduct; (2) the post-abandonment contact between
            parent and child; and (3) consideration of the effect of
            termination of parental rights on the child pursuant to
            [S]ection 2511(b).

In re Z.S.W., 946 A.2d 726, 730 (Pa. Super. 2008) (internal citations

omitted).

       Regarding the definition of “parental duties,” this Court has stated:

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     There is no simple or easy definition of parental duties. Parental
     duty is best understood in relation to the needs of a child. A child
     needs love, protection, guidance, and support. These needs,
     physical and emotional, cannot be met by a merely passive
     interest in the development of the child. Thus, this Court has
     held that the parental obligation is a positive duty which requires
     affirmative performance.

     This affirmative duty encompasses more than a financial
     obligation; it requires continuing interest in the child and a
     genuine effort to maintain communication and association with
     the child.

     Because a child needs more than a benefactor, parental duty
     requires that a parent exert himself to take and maintain a place
     of importance in the child’s life.

     Parental duty requires that the parent act affirmatively with good
     faith interest and effort, and not yield to every problem, in order
     to maintain the parent-child relationship to the best of his or her
     ability, even in difficult circumstances. A parent must utilize all
     available resources to preserve the parental relationship, and
     must exercise reasonable firmness in resisting obstacles placed
     in the path of maintaining the parent-child relationship. Parental
     rights are not preserved by waiting for a more suitable or
     convenient time to perform one’s parental responsibilities while
     others provide the child with his or her physical and emotional
     needs.

In re B., N.M., 856 A.2d 847, 855 (Pa. Super. 2004).

Furthermore,

     [a]lthough it is the six months immediately preceding the filing
     of the petition that is most critical to the analysis, the court must
     consider the whole history of a given case and not mechanically
     apply the six-month statutory provision. The court must examine
     the individual circumstances of each case and consider all
     explanations offered by the parent facing termination of his
     parental rights, to determine if the evidence, in light of the
     totality of the circumstances, clearly warrants the involuntary
     termination.

In re K.Z.S., 946 A.2d 753, 758 (Pa. Super. 2008) (citations omitted).

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      We can address Father’s first two and final issues together. Father

argues that the trial court erred when it failed to consider evidence of the

history of the case as to his efforts beyond the six-month period of time

preceding the filing of the petition to terminate his parental rights to Child;

that the trial court erred in mechanically applying the six-month period; and

that there was insufficient evidence to terminate his parental rights under §

2511(a). See Appellant’s Brief, at 6.

      The trial court considered the case in its entirety; it did not

mechanically focus solely on the six-month statutory period.

      At the hearing, Father testified that, while he did not know where Child

went to school, he never attempted to learn what school Child attended.

See N.T., 4/13/16, at 28. Father further testified that he never contacted

Petitioners to ask how he could help raise Child. See id. at 40. Father stated

that he has not sent Child any cards, presents, letters, or requests for

pictures since February 1, 2016. See id. at 50.

      The trial court found that “by his actions within the six months prior to

the filing of the instant [p]etition and beyond, [Father] has exhibited a

settled intent to relinquish a parental claim to [Child], as well as failed to

perform his parental duties to [Child].” Trial Court Opinion, filed 6/16/16, at

8. Further, the trial court stated, “Father repeatedly accused Petitioners of

obstructing his visits with Child. Yet other than enlisting the aid of his sister,

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Father made no affirmative efforts to address or remedy the perceived

obstacles.” Id.

        After our careful review of the record in this matter, we find that the

trial   court’s   credibility   and   weight   determinations   are   supported   by

competent evidence in the record. See In re M.G., 855 A.2d 68, 73-74 (Pa.

Super. 2004). Accordingly, we find that the trial court’s determinations

regarding § 2511(a)(1) are supported by sufficient, competent evidence in

the record.

        While Father does not discuss § 2511(b) in the argument section of his

brief, we will nonetheless consider this issue, as our case law requires us to

engage in such an analysis. See In re C.L.G., 956 A.2d 999, 1010 (Pa.

Super. 2008) (en banc) (considering § 2511(b) despite the appellant’s

failure to challenge the trial court’s analysis).

        The trial court must also consider how terminating Father’s parental

rights would affect the needs and welfare of Child pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S.

§ 2511(b). Pursuant to § 2511(b), the trial court is specifically directed to

engage in a consideration of whether termination of parental rights would

best serve the developmental, physical and emotional needs of the child.

See In re C.M.S., 884 A.2d 1284, 1286-87 (Pa. Super. 2005). “Intangibles

such as love, comfort, security, and stability are involved in the inquiry into

the needs and welfare of the child.” Id., at 1287 (citation omitted). We have

instructed that the court must also discern the nature and status of the

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parent-child bond, with utmost attention to the effect on the child of

permanently severing that bond. See id.

      Here, the trial court found

      []a bond has developed between Petitioners and [Child] that has
      been described as healthy and in [Child’s] best interests due to
      the stability it provides. Based on the evidence and testimony
      presented at trial, termination of the parental rights of [Father]
      will best serve the needs and welfare of [Child] and will not
      irreparably harm him.

Trial Court Opinion, 6/16/16, at 10.

      Our review of the record reveals no evidence of a bond between Father

and Child. We have stated, “In cases where there is no evidence of any bond

between the parent and child, it is reasonable to infer that no bond exists.”

In re K.Z.S., 946 A.2d 753, 763 (Pa.Super. 2008).         At the hearing, Dr.

Miksic testified that Child refers to A.S.L. and E.S.L. “mama and daddy” and

that Child indicated that they provide him with the most affection and

comfort. N.T., Hearing, 4/13/16, at 146. Dr. Miksic further testified when he

asked Child if he wanted to see Father, Child said no. Id., at 147. Dr. Miksic

opined “there isn’t any basis for [Child] to have any concept of a relationship

with [Father], let alone any type of emotional attachment to [Father] that

would affect [Child] if his contact with [F]ather was to continue as it is,

basically no contact.” Id., at 151.

      We find that the competent evidence in the record supports the trial

court’s determination that there was no bond between Father and Child

which, if severed, would be detrimental to Child, and that the termination of

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Father’s parental rights would best serve the needs and welfare of Child.

Thus, we will not disturb the trial court’s determinations. See In re M.G.,
855 A.2d at 73-74.

      In his third issue, Father contends that the court abused its discretion

“when it excluded evidence of the Maternal Grandfather’s actions and

prospective adoptive parents’ actions in creating obstacles to Father’s

contacts with the subject minor child, vis-à-vis the custody with the Paternal

Aunt.” Appellant’s Brief, at 6. This, however, is not what he argues in his

brief. Instead, in the argument section of his brief, he focuses on the trial

court’s refusal to permit inquiry into how Child came to live with the

prospective adoptive parents. See id., at 20.

      The section of the transcript from the hearing that Father cites is

during his cross-examination of the bonding expert, Stephen Miksic, Ph.D.

Father, through counsel, sought to ask why a change in custody resulted in

his placement in the prospective adoptive parents’ home. See N.T., Hearing,

4/13/16, at 171. There was an objection from opposing counsel that such

inquiry “has nothing in the world to do with the connection, the attachment,

the bond….” Id., at 171-172. The trial court sustained the objection,

observing, “We are not concerned – my understanding of this whole bonding

thing with the [prospective adoptive parents] and [Child] does not involve

how he got there, but what is there now, what bond there is now.” Id., at

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172. The trial court’s sustaining of the objection was eminently proper for

the reasons it articulated. Father’s question sought irrelevant evidence.

      Father also argues that the trial court sustained an objection by

opposing counsel when his counsel attempted to ask Paternal Aunt why she

had not seen Child. See Appellant’s Brief, at 21. Father, however, fails to

provide a citation to the notes of testimony. We refuse to comb through the

record to find the trial court’s alleged error. Accordingly, we find this claim

waived. See Pa.R.A.P. 2119(c); Commonwealth v. Hetzel, 822 A.2d 747,

765 (Pa. Super. 2003).

      In his fourth issue, Father maintains that the trial court deprived him

of his due process rights when it did not permit him to present witnesses to

testify on his behalf. Father, however, provides no citation to the record

where he sought to present such witnesses and the trial court refused to

allow their testimony. He alludes to this throughout his brief, but fails to

provide any concrete citation to the record. This claim is, therefore, waived.

See id.

      After a careful review, we affirm the decree terminating Father’s

parental rights on the basis of § 2511(a)(1) and (b).

      Decree affirmed.

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Judgment Entered.

Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary

Date: 12/29/2016

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