Court Opinion

ID: 4203278
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2017-09-14 07:13:20.499675+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:40:58.603397
License: Public Domain

STATE OF MICHIGAN

                            COURT OF APPEALS

                                                                     UNPUBLISHED
In re B. HADD, Minor.                                                September 12, 2017

                                                                     Nos. 337095; 337097
                                                                     Bay Circuit Court
                                                                     Family Division
                                                                     LC No. 14-011751-NA

Before: Hoekstra, P.J., and Meter and K. F. Kelly, JJ.

PER CURIAM.

        In these consolidated appeals, respondent-mother (Docket No. 337095) and respondent-
father (Docket No. 337097) appeal as of right the trial court’s orders terminating their parental
rights to a minor child pursuant to MCL 712A.19b(3)(c)(i), (c)(ii), (g), (j), and (l). We affirm in
both appeals.

                      I. STATUTORY GROUNDS FOR TERMINATION

       Both respondents argue that the trial court erred in finding that the statutory grounds for
termination were established by clear and convincing evidence. We disagree.

        “In order to terminate parental rights, the trial court must find by clear and convincing
evidence that at least one of the statutory grounds for termination in MCL 712A.19b(3) has been
met.” In re VanDalen, 293 Mich App 120, 139; 809 NW2d 412 (2011). We review for clear
error a trial court’s ruling that a statutory ground for termination has been proven by clear and
convincing evidence. In re Hudson, 294 Mich App 261, 264; 817 NW2d 115 (2011). “A
finding is clearly erroneous if, although there is evidence to support it, this Court is left with a
definite and firm conviction that a mistake has been made.” Id.

        The trial court found that grounds for terminating respondents’ parental rights were
established under MCL 712A.19b(3)(c)(i), (c)(ii), (g), (j), and (l), which authorize termination of
parental rights under the following circumstances:

               (c) The parent was a respondent in a proceeding brought under this
       chapter, 182 or more days have elapsed since the issuance of an initial
       dispositional order, and the court, by clear and convincing evidence, finds either
       of the following:

                                                -1-
              (i) The conditions that led to the adjudication continue to exist and there is
       no reasonable likelihood that the conditions will be rectified within a reasonable
       time considering the child’s age.

               (ii) Other conditions exist that cause the child to come within the court’s
       jurisdiction, the parent has received recommendations to rectify those conditions,
       the conditions have not been rectified by the parent after the parent has received
       notice and a hearing and has been given a reasonable opportunity to rectify the
       conditions, and there is no reasonable likelihood that the conditions will be
       rectified within a reasonable time considering the child’s age.

                                              ***

               (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.

                                              ***

               (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.

                                              ***

              (l) The parent’s rights to another child were terminated as a result of
       proceedings under section [MCL 712A.2] or a similar law of another state.

        Preliminarily, we note that this Court has declared § 19b(3)(l) unconstitutional because it
violates the due process protections of the federal and state constitutions. In re Gach, 315 Mich
App 83, 97; 889 NW2d 707 (2016). However, only one statutory ground for termination need be
established in order to support termination of parental rights. In re VanDalen, 293 Mich App at
139. Because we conclude that the trial court did not clearly err in finding that grounds for
termination were established under §§ 19b(3)(c)(i), (c)(ii), (g), and (j) with respect to both
respondents, any error in relying on § 19b(3)(l) was harmless.

                                 A. RESPONDENT-MOTHER

       The trial court did not clearly err in finding that termination of respondent-mother’s
parental rights was justified under § 19b(3)(c)(i). The trial court’s reliance on this ground was
based on the fact that respondent-mother had not addressed her substance-abuse issues during the
24 months that the child was under the court’s jurisdiction. The court also noted that respondent-
mother had failed to address her mental-health issues, which had plagued her for years. These
findings are supported by the evidence. In her plea of admission to allegations in the petition,
respondent-mother admitted the underlying facts supporting the earlier termination of her
parental rights to her other children. These facts included respondent-mother’s long-term
problems with mental health and substance abuse, including that she had tested positive for

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various controlled substances when she gave birth to some of her other children, and that at least
one other child tested positive for marijuana at birth. Respondent-mother admitted that, in a
prior case, she “didn’t participate [in services] or . . . just admitted that [she wasn’t ready] to
handle a baby . . . .” Respondent-mother also admitted that she tested positive for THC while
pregnant with the child at issue in the present case. Respondent-mother pleaded no contest to the
allegation that her home had a strong odor of marijuana after the birth of the child at issue.
Respondent-mother also admitted that she had been in counseling but was not currently
participating in any services.

        Throughout the case, respondent-mother continued to test positive for marijuana, she
never obtained a recommended psychiatric evaluation, and she refused to release her
psychological-evaluation records to her therapist. While she half-heartedly participated in
counseling efforts, she stopped attending counseling in August 2016. Respondent-mother also
was hostile and aggressive throughout the case. Respondent-mother appears to dispute that the
minor child was born with marijuana in her system. Respondent-mother relies on a court-
ordered blood-serum test that was performed more than four months after the child’s birth in
order to determine the extent of the child’s marijuana exposure. Although that test was negative
for the continued presence of marijuana in the child’s system, review-hearing exhibits indicated
that marijuana was present in the child’s system at the time of the child’s birth. Moreover, we
note that respondent-mother failed to take the child for testing on two prior occasions before
doing so in January 2015. Considering respondent-mother’s failure to resolve her marijuana
abuse, and her lack of progress with services after approximately two years, the trial court did
not clearly err in finding that termination of respondent-mother’s parental rights was justified
under § 19b(3)(c)(i).

        In support of its reliance on § 19b(3)(c)(ii), the trial court referred to the fact that
respondent-mother made no progress throughout the case, and failed to benefit from services.
Although the court did not identify any specific new condition, respondent-mother certainly had
fair notice and the opportunity to rectify the conditions set forth in her treatment plan. That plan
recommended a psychological evaluation, which respondent-mother obtained. However, the
evaluation recommended that respondent-mother complete a psychiatric evaluation to determine
her medication needs, which she never completed. Considering respondent-mother’s history and
the fact that the minor child had spent virtually her entire life in care, the trial court did not
clearly err in finding that this condition would not be rectified within a reasonable time.

        The same evidence also supports the trial court’s reliance on §§ 19b(3)(g) and (j). The
trial court noted that respondent-mother never acknowledged that her marijuana use might be
unhealthy or harmful for the child, that she refused to take the child to have the serum test done,
and that she had not progressed beyond supervised parenting time after two years of services.
The trial court also cited respondent-mother’s failure to consistently attend scheduled services,
and respondent-mother’s failure to address her anger issues. The court found that due to
respondent-mother’s failure to address the barriers to parenting, she was not in a position to
provide the stability and protection necessary to keep the child safe from harm. The evidence
supports the trial court’s findings. After more than two years, respondent-mother failed to make
more than minimal progress with her treatment plan. She continued to use marijuana, did not
fully participate in counseling, and canceled or was late to visitations. “A parent’s failure to
participate in and benefit from a service plan is evidence that the parent will not be able to

                                                -3-
provide a child proper care and custody.” In re White, 303 Mich App 701, 710; 846 NW2d 61
(2014). “Similarly, a parent’s failure to comply with the terms and conditions of his or her
service plan is evidence that the child will be harmed if returned to the parent's home.” Id. The
trial court did not clearly err in finding that grounds for terminating respondent-mother’s parental
rights were established under §§ 19b(3)(g) and (j).

                                   B. RESPONDENT-FATHER

         Respondent-father does not make a specific challenge for each ground for termination.
Instead, he challenges some of the court’s underlying factual findings in general and its
justifications for determining that petitioner had established the statutory grounds for
termination.

        Respondent-father argues that the trial court violated his rights under the Michigan
Medical Marihuana Act (MMMA), MCL 333.26371 et seq., by terminating his parental rights to
the child. Citing MCL 333.26424(a),1 he contends that he could not be denied custody or have
his parental rights terminated because of his continued medical use of marijuana. However, a
parent’s right to custody or visitation when the parent holds a valid medical-marijuana card is
addressed in MCL 333.26424(d), which provides:

                A person shall not be denied custody or visitation of a minor for acting, in
         accordance with this act, unless the person’s behavior is such that it creates an
         unreasonable danger to the minor that can be clearly articulated and substantiated.

We reject respondent-father’s reliance on the MMMA for two reasons.

       First, respondent-father is not currently entitled to claim protection under the MMMA
because the record discloses that his medical-marijuana registry card expired in February 2016.
Respondent-father never presented any evidence that his card was renewed or that he continued
to have a medical need for marijuana.

        Second, the record does not indicate that the trial court denied respondent-father custody
or terminated his parental rights because he obtained a medical-marijuana card or because of his
actions in accordance with the MMMA. First, contrary to respondent-father’s assertion that the
child was removed from his home primarily due to his marijuana use, testimony was presented
that respondents repeatedly failed or refused to take the child to have her blood serum tested for
marijuana exposure. The trial court focused on the child’s marijuana exposure, rather than
respondent-father’s marijuana use, as a circumstance that led to the child’s removal. Second, in

1
    MCL 333.26424(a) provides, in pertinent part:
                 A qualifying patient who has been issued and possesses a registry
         identification card is not subject to arrest, prosecution, or penalty in any manner,
         or denied any right or privilege . . . for the medical use of marihuana in
         accordance with this act . . . .

                                                 -4-
its findings after the termination hearing, the trial court emphasized respondent-father’s
marijuana use despite the expiration of his MMMA card. Moreover, in terminating respondent-
father’s parental rights, the trial court relied on respondent-father’s utter failure to cooperate with
and complete the terms of his treatment plan. The court found that respondent-father had
“continually refused to accept responsibility for [the child] coming into care,” and that his lack of
participation in services and testing was indicative of a lack of judgment and an inability to
comprehend the gravity of the situation and behaviors. The court also found that one of the
significant issues in the case was the aggressive and destructive behavior of both respondents.2
The court found that respondent-father had not demonstrated any significant change in this
regard, and that his aggressive and destructive behavior throughout the case continued to
demonstrate a lack of control. These findings, unrelated to respondent-father’s marijuana use
under the MMMA, are not clearly erroneous and support the trial court’s determination that
termination of respondent-father’s parental rights was justified under § 19b(3)(c)(i).

       The court found that respondent-father repeatedly rejected the recommendation in his
psychological evaluation that he explore alternative treatment options. Although the caseworker
and respondent-mother’s counsel found another psychologist to reevaluate respondent-father
after he expressed disagreement with his initial evaluation, respondent-father was never re-
evaluated because he refused to cooperate with the new evaluator. Respondent-father also failed
to present evidence of his condition justifying a medical need for marijuana or that marijuana
was a recommended treatment for it. This evidence supports the trial court’s reliance on
§ 19b(3)(c)(ii).

        In addition, respondent-father’s refusal to participate in his treatment plan is evidence of
his failure to provide proper care and custody for the child, and evidence that the child would
likely be harmed if returned to respondent-father’s care, thereby supporting termination under
§§ 19b(3)(g) and (j). In re White, 303 Mich App 710. Respondent-father’s abandonment of
counseling further supports the trial court’s finding that he would not be able to care for the child
within a reasonable time. In addition, respondent-father’s home was found unsuitable, and he
and his mother did not attempt to schedule a second home visit. Respondent-father intimates that
it was petitioner’s fault that a new home study was not completed after the home was initially
found unsuitable. However, the caseworker testified that licensing workers tried to reschedule a
home visit after respondent-father’s mother cancelled the previous one due to a death in the
family, but respondent-father’s mother never called to reschedule.

       In sum, the trial court did not clearly err in finding that grounds for terminating
respondent-father’s parental rights were established under §§ 19b(3)(c)(i), (c)(ii), (g), and (j).

2
  At the plea hearing leading to the adjudication, the court “incorporated by reference” the
allegations in the petition that a prior termination had been based, in part, on the parties’ violent
tendencies. The parties admitted that “what [had] happened” with regard to the prior termination
was that they released their parental rights after the various allegations.

                                                 -5-
                                      II. BEST INTERESTS

         Both respondents also argue that the trial court erred in finding that termination of their
parental rights was in the child’s best interests. We disagree. MCL 712A.19b(5) provides that
“[i]f the court finds that there are grounds for termination of parental rights and that termination
of parental rights is in the child’s best interests, the court shall order termination of parental
rights and order that additional efforts for reunification of the child with the parent not be made.”
We review for clear error a trial court’s determination whether termination of parental rights is in
a child’s best interests. In re Payne/Pumphrey/Fortson, 311 Mich App 49, 63; 874 NW2d 205
(2015). Factors to be considered in determining a child’s best interests 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.” In re Olive/Metts, 297
Mich App 35, 41-42; 823 NW2d 144 (2012). (Citations omitted). A court may also consider
whether it is likely “that the child could be returned to her parents’ home within the foreseeable
future, if at all.” In re Frey, 297 Mich App 242, 248-249; 824 NW2d 569 (2012).

                                  A. RESPONDENT-MOTHER

        The trial court did not clearly err in finding that termination of respondent-mother’s
parental rights was in the child’s best interests. At the time of the termination hearing,
respondent-mother had made only minimal progress with her treatment plan, she continued to
have substance-abuse issues, she had not scheduled a home visit, she had been sporadic in
attending therapy, and she had not obtained a psychiatric assessment. The case had been
pending for approximately two years, with little progress. Although the caseworker admitted
that the child’s continued placement in her foster home was not guaranteed, that home had
provided the child with stability and it appeared that it would do so for the foreseeable future.
The foster mother answered “[y]es” when asked if she was willing to provide a stable
environment for the child “from here on out.” In contrast, the caseworkers agreed that,
considering respondent-mother’s lack of progress, she would not be able to provide a stable
home for the child within a reasonable time. The trial court’s reliance on respondent-mother’s
past unsuccessful history with services and the prior terminations to find that she would not be
able to provide the child with a stable home within the foreseeable future is supported by the
evidence, and thus is not clearly erroneous.

                                  B. RESPONDENT-FATHER

        The trial court also did not clearly err in finding that termination of respondent-father’s
parental rights was in the child’s best interests. Respondent-father was minimally compliant
with his treatment plan. Although he may have had a medical basis for using marijuana, he let
his marijuana card lapse and provided no underlying documentation substantiating his continued
medical need for marijuana. He also stopped participating in therapy. He minimizes the fact that
he would not let the caseworker into a room of his home during the first home visit and did not
follow through with arranging a second one. Although he contends that this situation could have
been remedied, he made little effort to do so. Respondent-father’s minimal participation in
services during the two years the child remained under the court’s jurisdiction supports the trial
court’s finding that he was not particularly interested in acting as a full-time parent to the child.
In contrast, the foster home was meeting the child’s needs and providing the stability the child

                                                -6-
required. Respondent-father contends that apart from his marijuana use, there was no other
evidence of neglect throughout the case. Although he relies on testimony that he acted
appropriately with the child during visits, those visits were in a controlled, supervised setting.
After more than two years, respondent-father never progressed beyond supervised visitation.
The fact that respondent-father did not neglect the child while with her for short periods of time
does not render the trial court’s best-interests determination erroneous.

      III. RESPONDENT-FATHER’S REMAINING ISSUES IN DOCKET NO. 337097

                  A. RESPONDENT-FATHER’S PLEA TO JURISDICTION

       Respondent-father argues that the trial court violated MCR 3.971(B)(4) by failing to
advise him at the time of his plea that the plea could be used as evidence in a later proceeding to
terminate his parental rights. Respondent-father acknowledges that he failed to preserve this
issue by challenging the validity of his plea in the trial court. This Court generally reviews
unpreserved issues for plain error affecting substantial rights. In re TK, 306 Mich App 698, 703;
859 NW2d 208 (2014). In this case, however, we conclude that appellate review of this issue is
foreclosed because respondent-father is not permitted to collaterally attack the trial court’s
exercise of jurisdiction following the termination of his parental rights pursuant to a
supplemental petition.

        Absent certain exceptions, a trial court’s exercise of jurisdiction over a child must be
challenged in a direct appeal from the initial dispositional order. See MCR 3.993(A)(1). The
court’s jurisdictional decision cannot be collaterally attacked when “termination occurs
following the filing of a supplemental petition for termination after the issuance of the initial
dispositional order.” In re SLH, 277 Mich App 662, 668; 747 NW2d 547 (2008); see also In re
Hatcher, 443 Mich 426, 439; 505 NW2d 834 (1993), and In re Kanjia, 308 Mich App 660, 667;
866 NW2d 862 (2014). Exceptions have been recognized when a trial court exercises
jurisdiction under the “one-parent doctrine,” id. at 669, and when the trial court fails to both
timely appoint counsel and “to advise the respondent that his plea could later be used in a
proceeding to terminate his parental rights,” In re Mitchell, 485 Mich 922; 773 NW2d 663
(2009), but none of these exceptions apply in the instant case. Because respondent-father cannot
collaterally attack the trial court’s exercise of jurisdiction in the instant appeal, we reject this
claim of error.

                        B. DIFFERENT EVIDENTIARY STANDARDS

        Respondent-father observes that the rules of evidence generally do not apply to
termination proceedings, MCR 3.977(H)(2), but that legally admissible evidence is required
when termination of parental rights is requested on the basis of one or more circumstances new
or different from the circumstances that led the court to take jurisdiction, MCR 3.977(F). On
appeal, respondent-father argues that because some of the requested statutory grounds for
termination were based on the same circumstances that led the court to take jurisdiction, and
some were based on new or different circumstances, the trial court erred by failing to hold
separate hearings to consider the different grounds, and by basing its decision on certain
evidence that was not legally admissible. Respondent-father did not object below to the trial
court holding a single hearing to decide the various requested statutory grounds for termination,

                                                -7-
nor did he object to the admission of any challenged evidence or to the trial court’s consideration
of any evidence. Therefore, this issue is unpreserved. Polkton Twp v Pellegrom, 265 Mich App
88, 95; 693 NW2d 170 (2005). We review unpreserved issues for plain error affecting
substantial rights. In re TK, 306 Mich App at 703.

       MCR 3.977(F) provides, in pertinent part:

               The court may take action on a supplemental petition that seeks to
       terminate the parental rights of a respondent over a child already within the
       jurisdiction of the court on the basis of one or more circumstances new or
       different from the offense that led the court to take jurisdiction.

              (1) The court must order termination of the parental rights of a respondent,
       and must order that additional efforts for reunification of the child with the
       respondent must not be made, if

              (a) the supplemental petition for termination of parental rights contains a
       request for termination;

               (b) at the hearing on the supplemental petition, the court finds on the basis
       of clear and convincing legally admissible evidence that one or more of the facts
       alleged in the supplemental petition

               (i) are true; and

                 (ii) come within MCL 712A.19b(3)(a), (b), (c)(ii), (d), (e), (f), (g), (i), (j),
       (k), (l ), (m), or (n); and

               (c) termination of parental rights is in the child’s best interests.

Conversely, if termination of parental rights is not requested on the basis of different
circumstances pursuant to subrule (F), the admissibility of evidence is governed by MCR
3.977(H)(2), which provides:

               The Michigan Rules of Evidence do not apply, other than those with
       respect to privileges, except to the extent such privileges are abrogated by MCL
       722.631. At the hearing all relevant and material evidence, including oral and
       written reports, may be received by the court and may be relied upon to the extent
       of its probative value. The parties must be afforded an opportunity to examine
       and controvert written reports received by the court and shall be allowed to cross-
       examine individuals who made the reports when those individuals are reasonably
       available.

        Contrary to what respondent-father argues, the court rules do not require a trial court to
conduct separate hearings when termination is requested under multiple grounds, some based on
the circumstances that led the court to take jurisdiction, and some based on new or different
circumstances. Rather, the court rule merely prescribes different evidentiary standards for

                                                  -8-
certain types of evidence. Thus, the trial court’s failure to conduct separate hearings on the
different requested grounds for termination was not plain error.

        Respondent-father identifies his psychological report as an example of the type of
evidence he contends was required to be legally admissible. However, respondent-father’s
counsel expressly stated at a review hearing that he had “no objection” to the admission of this
report. Respondent-father’s counsel also stipulated to the introduction of various court reports
discussing respondent-father’s failure to participate in mental-health services. By affirmatively
approving the admission of this evidence, counsel waived any claim of error related to the
substance of this evidence. People v Carter, 462 Mich 206, 215; 612 NW2d 144 (2000). To the
extent any in-court testimony concerning respondent-father’s mental-health status or lack of
participation in counseling could be considered inadmissible hearsay, because it was cumulative
of the information in the unchallenged reports, its introduction was harmless. See People v
Gursky, 486 Mich 596, 620-621; 786 NW2d 579 (2010).

        Respondent-father suggests that any stipulations at the review hearings should not apply
to the termination hearing under the circumstances of this case, where “new circumstances” were
at issue. However, the legally admissible evidence standard applies only to evidence intended to
establish one or more circumstances new or different from the circumstances that led the court to
take jurisdiction. Thus, it does not apply to evidence intended to establish a basis for termination
under § 19b(3)(c)(i), which is concerned with a respondent’s failure to rectify the conditions that
led to the adjudication. In light of our determination that there was clear and convincing
evidence to terminate respondent-father’s parental rights under § 19b(3)(c)(i), and because only
one statutory ground for termination is necessary, respondent-father cannot demonstrate that the
trial court’s failure to hold separate hearings, or its failure to consider only legally admissible
evidence, resulted in an outcome-determinative plain error. In re TK, 306 Mich App at 703.

       Affirmed.

                                                             /s/ Joel P. Hoekstra
                                                             /s/ Patrick M. Meter
                                                             /s/ Kirsten Frank Kelly

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