Court Opinion

ID: 9404486
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-06-23 05:07:12.205971+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:20:14.570175
License: Public Domain

If this opinion indicates that it is “FOR PUBLICATION,” it is subject to
                 revision until final publication in the Michigan Appeals Reports.

                           STATE OF MICHIGAN

                            COURT OF APPEALS

                                                                     UNPUBLISHED
In re J.D. TURNER-STONE, Minor.                                      June 22, 2023

                                                                     No. 364002
                                                                     Wayne Circuit Court
                                                                     Juvenile Division
                                                                     LC No. 2016-522564-NA

Before: SWARTZLE, P.J., and CAVANAGH and LETICA, JJ.

PER CURIAM.

        Respondent-father appeals as of right the termination of his parental rights to his child
under MCL 712A.19b(3)(g) (failure to provide proper care for child with no reasonable
expectation that parent will be able to do so within a reasonable time given child’s age) and
MCL 712A.19b(3)(j) (reasonable likelihood that child will be harmed if returned to parent’s home
based on parent’s conduct or capacity). On appeal, respondent-father argues the trial court erred
by determining that statutory grounds existed to terminate his parental rights and that it was in the
child’s best interests to do so. We affirm.

                     I. FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

       In July 2021, Children’s Protective Services received a complaint alleging that the child
was born positive for cocaine and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The following month, the
Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) petitioned for the termination of respondent-
mother’s parental rights1 and sought placement with 37-year-old respondent-father, who was not

1
  Although respondent-mother is not a party to this appeal, by way of background, we note that
she had six children. Her 17-year-old son resided with his maternal grandmother, who was his
legal guardian. In 2012 and 2013, another court terminated respondent-mother’s parental rights to
three children. The underlying issues in those matters were substance abuse, physical neglect,
threatened harm, and domestic violence. In 2016, the court ordered another child removed from
respondent-mother’s care; however, after she successfully completed court-ordered services, the
matter was closed with the child’s father providing care for her. Respondent-mother also had a

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a respondent at that time. On September 1, 2021, just nine days after the court placed the child
with respondent-father on the condition that respondent-mother’s parenting time be “supervised
by DHHS only,” respondent-father took the child to respondent-mother’s hotel room. Respondent-
mother conceded she was intoxicated on alcohol and drugs. Video from the hotel showed that the
parents had an altercation. Respondent-father physically assaulted respondent-mother and
displayed a gun. As respondent-mother fled, she noticed a bullet fly by her head. Respondent-
father placed an infant car seat carrier (“carrier”) down between two parked cars and entered the
hotel room. Respondent-father took the keys to respondent-mother’s car, placed the unsecured
carrier on the front passenger seat,2 and drove away. The car stopped briefly, corresponding with
respondent-mother’s testimony that she heard more gun fire as she hid in the hotel’s lobby.
Respondent-mother later testified that she never saw the shooter. Respondent-mother’s brother
was injured in the affray.

        Inkster Police Officers Stephon Smith and Sean Kritzer were on patrol when they heard
gunshots and saw a muzzle flash. Smith testified that he saw a black male with short hair and a
beard, who was wearing a white t-shirt, shooting from a car. As the officers approached, they
activated their lights and sirens. The car fled and a chase ensued through residential areas at speeds
of 60 to 70 miles per hour.

        When the officers caught up with the car, neither respondent-father nor the infant were
inside. Instead, the vehicle continued to roll until it crashed into a parked trailer. The officers
noticed that the car’s rear-passenger window was broken, seemingly by a bullet. The officers also
saw a semi-automatic pistol on the front-passenger seat that felt slightly warm to the touch,
indicating recent firing. The police later recovered numerous shell casings from inside the vehicle.
Subsequent forensic testing concluded that a latent fingerprint discovered on the weapon’s
magazine matched respondent-father’s right middle finger. The police also determined that the
pistol was stolen.

       A manhunt ensued and DHHS quickly filed an amended petition seeking temporary
custody over the child as to respondent-father. The petition detailed respondent-father’s lengthy
criminal history, including his numerous domestic-violence convictions. The petition also
discussed a 2017 removal of the child’s half-sibling from respondent-father’s care due to
respondent-father’s incarceration and inability to provide for him. Despite the age of that matter,
respondent-father had not completed his treatment program.

       On September 3, 2021, respondent-father appeared at the court hearing via Zoom. DHHS
sought removal of the infant. DHHS attempted to reach respondent-father via phone, but its calls
were not returned, even though respondent-father had phone contact with the police.

lengthy criminal history, including a drug-related conviction and numerous convictions for
operating while intoxicated.
2
    The base for the carrier was in the rear seat of respondent-mother’s car.

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        Respondent-father admitted that he was aware the authorities wanted him to turn himself
in. However, he insisted that the allegations made against him were untrue.3 He urged further
investigation, referencing the hotel cameras, and he vehemently denied that the infant was at the
hotel. Respondent-father further denied shooting at anyone and asserted that he could not run from
the police due to a prior injury. Respondent-father reported contacting both the police and DHHS
after he learned of news reports pertaining to the incident and search.

       Respondent-father also voiced his opposition to placing the infant with respondent-
mother’s relatives. Instead, respondent-father proposed his sister and cousin. Respondent-mother
proposed her sister, who was a registered nanny.

        At the conclusion of the hearing, the trial court credited DHHS’s testimony and determined
that the child was at risk with respondent-father. The court ordered the child to be placed with
DHHS and respondent-father said that he would bring the infant to the agency.

        Thereafter, respondent-father was arrested on numerous felony charges and remained
incarcerated throughout these proceedings.4 On September 27, 2021, DHHS filed a second
amended petition, seeking termination of respondent-father’s parental rights. In December 2021,
the child was moved from a nonrelative foster care placement into the home of a maternal relative.

         After a hearing on the termination petition, the trial court determined that DHHS had
proven two statutory grounds, MCL 712A.19b(3)(g) and (j), to terminate respondent-father’s
parental rights. Although the trial court acknowledged that respondent-mother never saw
respondent-father shoot the gun, drive the car, or take the child, it determined that “there [was] a
lot of circumstantial evidence that points towards [respondent-father] as being the individual who
fired [the] shots in question.” A best-interests hearing followed and the trial court terminated
respondent-father’s parental rights, but not respondent-mother’s parental rights.              More
specifically, the trial court recognized respondent-mother’s continuous efforts during the pendency
of the case to address her parenting barriers and concluded that the parents were “differently
situated.” As to respondent-father, the court recognized the child’s placement with a relative, but
decided that the “severity and serious nature of the circumstances that night, really call[ed] into

3
  Respondent-father told the police that he went to respondent-mother’s hotel room, finding her,
her brother, and another gentleman smoking crack cocaine. An argument ensued and respondent-
father left the hotel room. While walking up Michigan Avenue, respondent-father heard several
gunshots and saw a police car pass him. One of the videos presented contradicted respondent-
father’s claim that others were present in respondent-mother’s hotel room. Moreover, a key to
respondent-mother’s hotel room was found on the driver’s side floorboard of the crashed car.
4
  Respondent-father was charged with assault with the intent to commit murder, MCL 750.83,
assault with the intent to commit great bodily harm, MCL 750.84, three counts of felonious assault,
MCL 750.82, intentional discharge of a firearm from a motor vehicle, MCL 750.234a, carrying a
concealed weapon, MCL 750.227, third-degree fleeing and eluding a police officer,
MCL 257.602a(1) and (3)(a), second-degree child abuse, MCL 750.136b(3), domestic violence,
MCL 750.81(2) and (5), and five counts of felony-firearm, MCL 750.227b. Wayne County Circuit
Court Docket No. 2022-000721-01-FC.

                                                -3-
question [respondent-father’s] ability to be an effective parent for his child.” The trial court
entered an order terminating respondent-father’s parental rights on November 8, 2022, and
respondent-father appealed.

                                          II. ANALYSIS

        Respondent-father argues the trial court erred when it determined statutory grounds existed
for the termination of his parental rights and it was in the child’s best interests to do so. We
disagree.

                                  A. STATUTORY GROUNDS

       “This 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 factual findings are clearly erroneous if the evidence
supports them, but we are definitely and firmly convinced that it made a mistake.” Id. at 709-710.

        “To terminate parental rights, a trial court must find by clear and convincing evidence that
at least one statutory ground under MCL 712A.19b(3) has been established.” In re Moss, 301
Mich App 76, 80; 836 NW2d 182 (2013). “Only one statutory ground need be established by clear
and convincing evidence to terminate a respondent’s parental rights, even if the court erroneously
found sufficient evidence under other statutory grounds.” In re Ellis, 294 Mich App 30, 32; 817
NW2d 111 (2011). Clear and convincing evidence “produces in the mind of the trier of fact a firm
belief or conviction as to the truth of the allegations sought to be established, evidence so clear,
direct and weighty and convincing as to enable the factfinder to come to a clear conviction, without
hesitancy, of the truth of the precise facts in issue.” In re Martin, 450 Mich 204, 227; 538 NW2d
399 (1995) (quotation marks, citation, and brackets omitted).

       The statutory grounds at issue in this case are:

               (3) The court may terminate a parent’s parental rights to a child if the court
       finds, by clear and convincing evidence, 1 or more of the following:

                                              * * *

               (g) The parent, although, in the court’s discretion, financially able to do so,
       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.

                                              * * *

               (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. [MCL 712A.19b(3)(g) and (j).]

       Respondent-father contends there was insufficient evidence to terminate his parental rights
because this was a single incident, he had not been convicted of the criminal charges, and it was

                                                -4-
unknown whether the child was in the car. Respondent-father also argues that respondent-mother
was a poor witness, who, due to her intoxication, did not recall whether the child was present,
whether respondent-father shot the gun at her or whether respondent-father was even in her car.
Furthermore, the gun discovered in respondent-mother’s car only contained respondent-father’s
fingerprint on the magazine, not the gun itself.

       Because neglect and criminal proceedings are distinct, respondent-father’s lack of a
criminal conviction for the events arising from the incident is unavailing.5 See People v Gates,
434 Mich 146, 162-163; 452 NW2d 627 (1990); In the Matter of Stricklin, 148 Mich App 659,
662-666; 384 NW2d 833 (1986). Moreover, this Court has previously held that termination of
parental rights under MCL 712A.19b(3)(j) “is permissible even in the absence of definitive
evidence regarding the identity of the perpetrator when the evidence does show that the
respondent . . . must have either caused or failed to prevent the child’s injuries.” Ellis, 294 Mich
App at 35-36. Moreover, “ ‘[i]t is not necessary that every fact be proven directly by a witness or
an exhibit.’ ” Moody v Pulte Homes, Inc, 423 Mich 150, 171; 378 NW2d 319 (1985) (quoting
SJI2d 3.10). Rather, “ ‘[a] fact may be proven indirectly by other facts or circumstances, from
which it usually and reasonably follows according to common experience and observation of
mankind.’ ” Id.

       In this case, video evidence showed respondent-father holding a carrier and arguing with
respondent-mother outside her hotel room. In our review, the infant is plainly visible in the carrier,
and, in fact, can be seen moving his arm. But, even accepting respondent-father’s view that
evidence of the baby’s presence was entirely circumstantial, it was sufficient. Certainly, there
would be no reason for respondent-father to have the carrier with him if it was empty.

        And despite any weaknesses in respondent-mother’s testimony, the video showed
respondent-father leaving the carrier unattended between two cars in the parking lot, going into
respondent-mother’s room, coming out, placing the infant carrier in the front-passenger seat
unsecured, and getting himself into the car before driving away. Officer Smith later accurately
described respondent-father’s appearance and clothing in recounting the driver’s appearance
during the ensuing police chase. The police also found a blanket in the carrier of the abandoned
car, again suggesting the presence of the infant. The abandoned car’s rear passenger window was
broken and the vehicle contained numerous bullet casings and the recently fired pistol on its front
passenger seat. Respondent-father’s fingerprint was on the gun’s magazine. And, in direct
contradiction to the video, respondent-father, albeit not under oath, denied driving respondent-
mother’s vehicle and bringing the infant with him to the hotel. The evidence further demonstrated
that respondent-father assaulted respondent-mother and fired multiple shots out of the back
passenger-side window of her vehicle. Thereafter, respondent-father led the police on a chase,

5
 In Docket No. 2022-000721-01-FC, a jury convicted respondent-father of two counts of felonious
assault, two counts of felony-firearm, intentional discharge of a firearm from a motor vehicle,
carrying a concealed weapon, fleeing and eluding a police officer, domestic violence, and second-
degree child abuse. MRE 201(b), (c), and (e). The trial court imposed a sentence of 9 to 20 years’
imprisonment for respondent-father’s child-abuse conviction. Id.

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traveling at excessive speeds, before fleeing on foot with the baby while respondent-mother’s car
continued rolling until it crashed into a parked trailer. Although this was a single incident,
respondent-father’s actions posed a serious risk of physical harm to the baby. Given the life-
threatening nature of this incident as well as respondent-father’s history, the trial court did not
clearly err in concluding that there was a reasonable likelihood, based on respondent-father’s
conduct, that the child would be harmed if returned to respondent-father’s home.6
MCL 712A.19b(3)(j).

                                     B. BEST INTERESTS

        “Once a statutory basis for termination has been shown by clear and convincing evidence,
the court must determine whether termination is in the child’s best interests.” In re LaFrance, 306
Mich App 713, 732-733; 858 NW2d 143 (2014). “Best interests are determined on the basis of
the preponderance of the evidence.” Id. at 733.

        “The trial court should weigh all the evidence available to determine the child[]’s best
interests.” White, 303 Mich App at 713. “[T]he focus at the best-interest stage has always been
on the child, not the parent.” In re Payne/Pumphrey/Fortson Minors, 311 Mich App 49, 63; 874
NW2d 205 (2015) (quotation marks and citation omitted, alteration in original). Factors to be
considered include:

       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. 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 child[]’s well-being while in care, and the
       possibility of adoption. [White, 303 Mich App at 713-714 (quotation marks,
       footnotes, and citations omitted).]

        This Court reviews a trial court’s determination regarding whether termination is in a
child’s best interests for clear error. White, 303 Mich App at 713. “The trial court’s factual
findings are clearly erroneous if the evidence supports them, but we are definitely and firmly
convinced that it made a mistake.” Id. at 709-710.

        Respondent-father makes two arguments about why it was not in the child’s best interests
to terminate his parental rights. He first incorporates his earlier sufficiency argument. But, where
the evidence supported a finding that respondent-father placed the infant at severe risk of harm
under the clear-and-convincing standard, it was certainly sufficient to satisfy the preponderance-
of-the-evidence standard applicable to a best-interests determination. Compare Griffin v Griffin,
323 Mich App 110, 123 n 8; 916 NW2d 292 (2018), with In re LaFrance, 306 Mich App at 733.
Moreover, respondent-father had a history of domestic violence. In this case, he engaged in
domestic violence against respondent-mother and assaulted her brother, repeatedly firing a semi-
automatic pistol in the child’s presence. Respondent-father also had an open neglect matter

6
 In light of our conclusion, we need not address the alternate ground for termination. See Ellis,
294 Mich App at 32.

                                                -6-
pertaining to the child’s half-sibling and the record suggested that he had not completed his
treatment plan for that matter even though it began in 2017. The child involved in this case was
approximately two months old at the time of the incident, was removed shortly after, and had
minimal contact with respondent-father, indicating there was little bond between them.
Considered in conjunction with the other factors enumerated in White, 303 Mich App at 713-714,
we conclude that the trial court’s best-interests determination was not clearly erroneous.

       Respondent-father also contends that the trial court acted prematurely because the child
was placed with a relative, the child’s maternal aunt, and respondent-father could complete
services while incarcerated.

       Although the trial court may terminate parental rights in lieu of placement with
       relatives if it finds that termination is in the child’s best interests, the fact that the
       children are in the care of a relative at the time of the termination hearing is an
       explicit factor to consider in determining whether termination was in the children’s
       best interests[.] [In re Olive/Metts, 297 Mich App 35, 43; 823 NW2d 144 (2012)
       (quotation marks and citations omitted).]

“A trial court’s failure to explicitly address whether termination is appropriate in light of the
children’s placement with relatives renders the factual record inadequate to make a best-interest
determination and requires reversal.” Id.

        In this case, however, the trial court addressed the child’s placement with his maternal aunt,
recognizing that she was willing to adopt the child. Notably, respondent-father was opposed to
placing the child with the child’s maternal relatives and offered his relatives for consideration
before the child was placed with a maternal relative in December 2021. Given respondent-father’s
violent assaults on her relatives, it is understandable that the maternal relative would not feel safe
around respondent-father and would not want to have contact with him. See In re
Gonzales/Martinez, 310 Mich App 426, 434-435; 871 NW2d 868 (2015). In light of this, the trial
court did not clearly err in determining that it was in this young child’s best interests to terminate
respondent-father’s parental rights, especially considering the severity of the incident along with
respondent-father’s documented history of domestic violence and long-term involvement in an
earlier neglect proceeding.

       Affirmed.

                                                                /s/ Brock A. Swartzle
                                                                /s/ Mark J. Cavanagh
                                                                /s/ Anica Letica

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