Court Opinion

ID: 4327073
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2018-11-02 09:11:59.687176+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:47:14.038881
License: Public Domain

STATE OF MICHIGAN

                            COURT OF APPEALS

                                                                     UNPUBLISHED
In re H. A. P. WORLDS, Minor.                                        November 1, 2018

                                                                     No. 342884
                                                                     Wayne Circuit Court
                                                                     Family Division
                                                                     LC No. 10-493130-NA

Before: O’BRIEN, P.J., and K. F. KELLY and FORT HOOD, JJ.

PER CURIAM.

       Respondent appeals as of right the trial court’s order terminating her parental rights to her
minor child, HW, under MCL 712A.19b(3)(g) (failure to provide proper care and custody),1 (i)
(parental rights to sibling terminated due to serious and chronic neglect or abuse),2 and (j)
(reasonable likelihood of harm if returned to parent). We affirm.

       Respondent first argues that the trial court erred in finding that the statutory grounds were
proven by clear and convincing evidence. We disagree.

1
  MCL 712A.19b(3)(g) has been amended, effective June 12, 2018. See 2018 PA 58. Under the
version effective at the time respondent’s case was before the trial court, termination could occur
where a parent, “without regard to intent, fails to provide proper or custody for the child and
there is no reasonable expectation that the parent will be able to provide proper care and custody
within a reasonable time considering the child’s age.” MCL 712A.19b(3)(g). Under the new
version of the statute, the “without regard to intent” language was removed and replaced with
“although, in the court’s discretion, financially able to do so.” MCL 712A.19b(3)(g) as amended
by 2018 PA 58.
2
  Effective June 12, 2018, MCL 712A.19b(3)(i) has been amended. See 2018 PA 58. Under the
version of the statute in effect at the time respondent’s case was before the trial court, a prior
termination involving serious neglect or physical or sexual abuse is a statutory ground to
terminate parental rights to a sibling when “prior attempts to rehabilitate the parents have been
unsuccessful.” MCL 712A.19b(3)(i). Under the new version of the statute, a prior termination
involving serious neglect or physical or sexual abuse is a statutory ground to terminate rights to a
sibling only when “the parent has failed to rectify the conditions that led to the prior termination
of parental rights.” MCL 712A.19b(3)(i) as amended by 2018 PA 58.

                                                -1-
        As an initial matter, we observe that respondent has waived this issue on appeal. “A
party cannot stipulate [to] a matter and then argue on appeal that the resultant action was error.”
Holmes v Holmes, 281 Mich. App. 575, 588; 760 NW2d 300 (2008), quoting Chapdelaine v
Sochocki, 247 Mich. App. 167, 177; 635 NW2d 339 (2001). To allow a respondent to assign
“error on appeal [to] something that she deemed proper in the lower court” would “permit [a]
respondent to harbor error as an appellate parachute.” In re Hudson, 294 Mich. App. 261, 264;
817 NW2d 115 (2011). Moreover, a respondent who pleads to a petition’s allegations waives the
ability to challenge on appeal the sufficiency of the evidence supporting statutory grounds for
termination, as long as his or her plea was knowingly, understandingly, and voluntarily made, as
well as accurate. See id.; MCR 3.971(C).

        Respondent stipulated to the allegations in the petition. However, respondent now argues
that the evidence to support the statutory grounds, specifically MCL 712A.19b(3)(g), (i), and (j),
was not clear and convincing. With respect to MCL 712A.19b(3)(g) and (i), this is in direct
contradiction of her stipulation.3 The record reflects that respondent’s plea was knowingly,
understandingly, and voluntarily made, as well as accurate. The trial court advised respondent of
her rights, and respondent repeatedly asserted that she understood that her plea meant
relinquishment of those rights. Moreover, respondent does not now challenge her plea on
appeal. Because respondent stipulated to the allegations in the petition, and her plea was
knowingly, understandingly, and voluntarily made, as well as accurate, respondent has waived
her challenge on appeal to the sufficiency of the evidence supporting termination under MCL
712A.19b(3)(g) and (i). See Hudson, 294 Mich. App. at 264; MCR 3.971(C). However, even
setting aside the issue of respondent’s waiver, we conclude that the trial court’s decision
terminating respondent’s parental rights was correct.

        Generally, “[t]his Court reviews for clear error the trial court’s factual findings and
ultimate determinations on the statutory grounds for termination.” In re White, 303 Mich. App.
701, 709; 846 NW2d 61 (2014). The trial court’s order terminating respondent’s parental rights
reflects that it found by clear and convincing evidence under MCL 712A.19b(3)(g), (i), and (j)
that respondent’s parental rights to HW should be terminated. In relevant part, MCL
712A.19b(3) authorizes a court to terminate parental rights if it finds by clear and convincing
evidence that any one of the following exist:

       (g) The parent, without regard to intent, fails to provide proper care or custody for
       the child and there is no reasonable expectation that the parent will be able to
       provide proper care and custody within a reasonable time considering the child’s
       age.

                                             * * *

3
 Respondent stipulated to the grounds supporting termination pursuant to MCL 712A.19b(3)(g)
and (i).

                                                -2-
       (i) Parental rights to 1 or more siblings of the child have been terminated due to
       serious and chronic neglect or physical or sexual abuse, and prior attempts to
       rehabilitate the parents have been unsuccessful.

       (j) There is a reasonable likelihood, based on the conduct or capacity of the
       child’s parent, that the child will be harmed if he or she is returned to the home of
       the parent.

“Only one statutory ground need be established by clear and convincing evidence to terminate a
respondent’s parental rights[.]” In re Ellis, 294 Mich. App. 30, 32; 817 NW2d 111 (2011).

         The trial court reviewed, and took judicial notice of, the extensive record in this case.
Respondent’s failure to complete a parent-agency agreement (PAA) and her inability to obtain
stable housing demonstrates her inability to provide proper care and custody for HW under MCL
712A.19b(3)(g). See In re White, 303 Mich. App. 701, 710; 846 NW2d 61 (2014) (“A parent’s
failure to participate in and benefit from a service plan is evidence that the parent will not be able
to provide a child proper care and custody.”) Moreover, respondent’s parental rights to her four
other children, were terminated on February 28, 2017, because of serious and chronic abuse,
neglect and cruelty toward the children. Evidence was also presented regarding respondent’s
failure to benefit from services, reflecting that prior attempts to rehabilitate respondent were
unsuccessful. Thus, we agree with the trial court that clear and convincing evidence was
presented supporting termination of respondent’s parental rights under MCL 712A.19b(3)(g) and
(i).4

        Respondent also argues that termination of her parental rights was not in HW’s best
interest. We disagree.

       “Once a statutory ground for termination has been proven, the trial court must find that
termination is in the child’s best interests before it can terminate parental rights.” In re
Olive/Metts Minors, 297 Mich. App. 35, 40; 823 NW2d 144 (2012). “[W]hether termination of
parental rights is in the best interests of the child must be proved by a preponderance of the
evidence.” In re Moss, 301 Mich. App. 76, 90; 836 NW2d 182 (2013). The trial court’s
conclusions regarding best interests are reviewed for clear error. In re Schadler, 315 Mich. App.
406, 408; 890 NW2d 676 (2016). A “finding is clearly erroneous if, although there is evidence
to support it, we are left with a definite and firm conviction that a mistake has been made.” In re
HRC, 286 Mich. App. 444, 459; 781 NW2d 105 (2009).

        “The trial court should weigh all the evidence available to determine the children’s best
interests.” In re White, 303 Mich. App. at 713. In considering the child’s best interests, the trial
court’s focus must be on the child and not the parent. In re Moss, 301 Mich. App. at 87. “In

4
   Given our determination that the trial court correctly concluded that termination of
respondent’s parental rights was warranted pursuant to MCL 712A.19b(3)(g) and (i), we need
not reach the issue whether respondent’s parental rights were properly terminated pursuant to
MCL 712A.19b(3)(j). In re Ellis, 294 Mich. App. at 32.

                                                 -3-
deciding whether termination is in the child’s best interests, the court may consider the child’s
bond to the parent, the parent’s parenting ability, the child’s need for permanency, stability, and
finality, and the advantages of a foster home over the parent’s home.” In re Olive/Metts Minors,
297 Mich. App. at 41-42 (citations omitted). “The trial court may also consider a parent’s history
of domestic violence, the parent’s compliance with his or her case service plan, the parent’s
visitation history with the child, the children’s well-being while in care, and the possibility of
adoption.” In re White, 303 Mich. App. at 713-714 (citations omitted). Under the doctrine of
anticipatory neglect, “[h]ow a parent treats one child is certainly probative of how that parent
may treat other children.” In re LaFrance Minors, 306 Mich. App. 713, 730; 858 NW2d 143
(2014) (quotation marks and citation omitted).

        The trial court terminated respondent’s parental rights on the basis that her rights to her
other four children were terminated and because she could not successfully complete a PAA.
The record evidence demonstrated that respondent did not and could not benefit from a PAA,
and the trial court expressed concern that giving respondent the chance to plan for HW would
simply delay respondent’s inevitable return to court for noncompliance with her PAA. The trial
court was also concerned that respondent would not have time to focus on her PAA because of a
busy work schedule where she was juggling two jobs. The trial court also observed that
respondent was flouting an earlier order of the trial court by continuing to live with her mother,
where her other four children, to whom her parental rights had been terminated, also resided.
The trial court believed that HW deserved to be raised in a safe, stable and secure environment,
free from exposure to the abuse, neglect and cruelty that KM, ZM, CM, and MM had
experienced. The trial court felt that respondent could not provide such an environment and,
unwilling to risk HW’s well-being, found that termination of respondent’s parental rights was in
HW’s best interest.

         The trial court did not clearly err in finding that termination of respondent’s parental
rights was in HW’s best interest. Nicole Miller, a Child Protective Services (CPS) employee,
testified about respondent’s failure to benefit from her two previous treatment plans in 2010 and
2016. Miller noted that although respondent successfully completed the 2010 treatment plan,
and her other four children were returned to her care, they were subsequently subjected to further
abuse and neglect by respondent in 2015. After the abuse in 2015, respondent was given another
treatment plan in 2016, but did not successfully complete it. Specifically, respondent did not
complete parenting classes or therapy services. While the record reflects that respondent was
attending counselling at the time of the February 6, 2018 hearing, she had not shared any of the
pertinent documentation or records with Miller.

        Miller also testified about the physical abuse that KM and ZM suffered at the hands of
respondent and her then-boyfriend, which included being kicked and punched in the stomach,
thrown down stairs, and instructed to sleep in the basement of their home, which was flooded,
had wet mattresses, and contained 27 cats. Moreover, Miller indicated that respondent had either
duct taped or placed socks in the mouths of ZM and KM to prevent them from talking too much
or snoring when sleeping. Respondent conceded during her testimony at the best interests
hearing that KM and ZM suffered severe trauma while under her care. Miller believed that,
based on respondent’s prior parenting history, it was in HW’s best interests to have respondent’s
parental rights to HW terminated. Miller reasoned that respondent failed to benefit from
previous services, and was not financially secure enough to obtain suitable housing as of the best

                                                -4-
interest hearing. Miller also believed that termination was in HW’s best interests because of the
events that led to the termination of respondent’s parental rights to KM, ZM, CM, and MM, and
respondent had not resolved the issues that caused the previous termination. The trial court
found that termination was “absolutely necessary” here to protect HW and prevent her from
being “possibly exposed to what the other children were exposed to.” Given that “[h]ow a parent
treats one child is certainly probative of how that parent may treat other children,” combined
with the other record evidence in this case, the trial court’s best interest determination is not
clearly erroneous. In re LaFrance Minors, 306 Mich. App. at 730.

       Affirmed.

                                                           /s/ Colleen A. O'Brien
                                                           /s/ Kirsten Frank Kelly
                                                           /s/ Karen M. Fort Hood

                                               -5-