Court Opinion

ID: 2729303
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-09-08 21:40:40.3671+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:33:33.489696
License: Public Domain

NO. COA13-433

                         NORTH CAROLINA COURT OF APPEALS

                             Filed: 21 January 2014

    IN THE MATTER OF:

                                          Rowan County
                                          Nos. 03 JA 275-78, 06 JA 250-51
    T.H., T.H., A.S.,
    J.S., M.W., A.W.

        Appeal by respondent from adjudication order entered 3 May

2012 by Judge Charlie Brown and disposition order entered 9 January

2013 by Judge Lillian B. Jordan in Rowan County District Court.

Heard in the Court of Appeals 8 October 2013.

        Cynthia Dry for petitioner-appellee Rowan County Department
        of Social Services.

        Jeffrey L. Miller for respondent-appellant mother.

        Administrative Office of the Courts, by Associate Counsel
        Deana K. Fleming, for guardian ad litem.

        BRYANT, Judge.

        Where respondent-mother fails to establish an immediate and

direct interest in four juveniles — Tracy, Todd, Mary, and Ann1 —

following the surrender of her parental rights as to them in a

1 Pseudonyms are used throughout this opinion to protect the
juveniles’ privacy and for ease of reading.
                                          -2-
prior    proceeding,       we    affirm       the   trial    court’s       ruling     that

respondent-mother          may    not         intervene      in      the     juveniles’

dispositional hearing as a matter of right.                        Where respondent-

mother does not come within any category of persons afforded a

right to appeal a juvenile matter arising from Subchapter I of

Chapter 7B, as such appeal relates to the four juveniles adopted

from    respondent-mother,            respondent-mother        lacks       standing     to

appeal.      Accordingly, we must dismiss respondent-mother’s appeal

as to those four juveniles.            Because there was sufficient evidence

to support the trial court’s findings of fact and those findings

support the trial court’s conclusion that Ashley and John were

dependent, we affirm that determination.                    Where respondent-mother

was on notice that the trial court would enter a permanent plan

for    her   two   children,      respondent-mother           participated       in    the

dispositional hearing to establish a permanent plan, and did not

object to the lack of notice, the trial court did not err in

establishing       a   permanent        plan.        Where     the      trial   court’s

unchallenged       findings      of     fact    support      its     conclusion       that

reunification efforts would be inconsistent with the juvenile’s

health, safety, and need for a permanent home, we affirm the trial

court’s conclusion that reunification efforts are not required at

this    time.      Where    the       trial    court   failed      to      establish    an
                               -3-
appropriate schedule for respondent-mother to visit her children,

we remand the matter to the trial court for entry of such a

schedule.

     Respondent-mother Claire Wilson (“Claire”)2, the biological

mother of the juveniles, appeals from orders: (1) adjudicating the

juveniles dependent; (2) denying her motion to intervene; (3)

ordering a permanent plan of adoption for Tracy, Todd, Mary, and

Ann; and (4) ordering a permanent plan of custody or guardianship

for Ashley and John.   After careful review, we affirm in part,

remand in part, and dismiss in part Claire Wilson’s appeal.

     On 27 January 2012, the Rowan County Department of Social

Services (“DSS”) filed a petition alleging that Tracy, Todd,

Ashley, John, Mary, and Ann were dependent juveniles.   DSS stated

that on 27 January 2012, Janice Lake (“Janice”), the maternal

grandmother of the juveniles, was murdered.    Janice had adopted

Tracy, Todd, Mary, and Ann in 2009 and in 2004 had been granted

custody of Ashley and John.    In its petition, DSS alleged that

there were no appropriate family members to care for the children

and subsequently, took custody of the juveniles by non-secure

2Pseudonyms are used to protect the identity of respondent-mother,
her adult relatives and caretakers of the children.
                                              -4-
custody order.         On 2 February 2012, the trial court appointed the

juveniles a guardian ad litem.

      An adjudicatory hearing was held on 29 March 2012.                          The trial

court adjudicated the children “dependent juveniles” and ordered

that legal custody, as well as authority over placement and

visitation, remain with DSS.               Additionally, the trial court stated

the following:

             It is in the best interests of the juveniles
             for the temporary permanent plan of [John and
             Ashley] to be custody or guardianship with a
             relative or other court approved caretaker.
             The temporary permanent plan for [Ann, Mary,
             Todd, and Tracy] should be adoption.

      On 2 October 2012, several of the juveniles’ relatives filed

a joint motion to intervene in the juvenile proceedings.                                 The

relatives stated that they were willing and able to provide care

for the juveniles and that it was in the best interests of the

juveniles to be placed with family members.                        On 8 October 2012,

Mr.   and   Mrs.       Alfred,       who   were     the    court   approved       placement

providers        for   all    of    the    juveniles,       also   filed    a   motion    to

intervene.         Mr.    and      Mrs.    Alfred    argued      that    they   should    be

“permitted to intervene because it would be in the best interests

of all the children to have [Mr. and Mrs. Alfred] involved as

parties     in    their      case,    since    [Mr.       and   Mrs.    Alfred]    []   have
                                     -5-
developed such strong bonds with the children and are providing

their daily care.”

     On 10 October 2012, Claire filed a motion to intervene.               The

motion related solely to Tracy, Todd, Mary, and Ann, the four

juveniles adopted by Janice.           Claire noted that she was the

biological mother of the juveniles and legally their sister since

the children had been adopted by Claire’s mother.             Claire denied

the material allegations made by Mr. and Mrs. Alfred in their

motion to intervene and requested that the juvenile petition be

terminated, the juveniles placed with her, or in the alternative,

members of her family, and that Mr. and Mrs. Alfred’s motion to

intervene be denied.

     A dispositional hearing was conducted on 8, 9, and 26 November

2012.   The trial court denied all motions to intervene.            The court

found   that   no   relative   was   able   to   provide   proper   care   and

supervision for the juveniles and that placement with “any of the

identified relatives” was contrary to the best interests of the

juveniles. The trial court specifically found that it was contrary

to the best interests of the juveniles for them to return to

Clarie’s home.      The trial court made findings regarding Todd’s

repeated attempts to harm himself and others, as well as his

auditory and visual hallucinations, and placed him in a residential
                                   -6-
psychiatric facility, with placement with Mr. and Mrs. Alfred if

possible once his treatment was complete.       The remaining juveniles

were placed with Mr. and Mrs. Alfred.     The court set the permanent

plan for Tracy, Todd, Mary and Ann as adoption and the permanent

plan for Ashley and John as custody or guardianship with Mr. and

Mrs. Alfred.   Claire appeals.

                   _________________________________

     On appeal, Claire raises the following issues: whether (I)

the trial court erred in denying her motion to intervene; (II)

there was sufficient grounds to support the conclusion the children

were dependent juveniles; (III) there were sufficient grounds to

cease   reunification   efforts;   (IV)   the   trial   court   erred   in

establishing a permanent plan for the juveniles; and (V) the

written order failed to establish a proper visitation plan.

                        I. Motion to Intervene

     Claire first argues that the trial court erred by denying her

motion to intervene as a matter of right, pursuant to our Rules of

Civil Procedure, Rule 24(a)(2).      We disagree.

     “This Court reviews a trial court's decision granting or

denying a motion to intervene pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1A–1,

Rule 24(a)(2), on a de novo basis.”         Bailey & Assoc., Inc. v.
                               -7-
Wilmington Bd. of Adjustment, 202 N.C. App. 177, 185, 689 S.E.2d

576, 583 (2010) (citation omitted).

     As to whether our Juvenile Code, codified in Chapter 7B of

our North Carolina General Statutes, and specifically, Subchapter

I, “Abuse, Neglect, Dependency,” address intervention, the briefs

submitted to us reference only section 7B-1103, which allows a

person or agency to “intervene in a pending abuse, neglect, or

dependency proceeding   for the purpose of filing a motion to

terminate parental rights.”   N.C. Gen. Stat. ' 7B-1103(b) (2011)

(emphasis added).3 We find no other statute within this subchapter

specifically referencing intervention.   Therefore, we look to our

Rules of Civil Procedure for authority governing intervention.

               The General Assembly has set out the
          judicial procedure to be used in juvenile
          proceedings in Chapter 7B of the General
          Statutes. This Court has previously held that
          [t]he Rules of Civil Procedure, while they are
          not to be ignored, are not superimposed upon
          these hearings. Instead, the Rules of Civil
          Procedure apply only when they do not conflict

3 We note that effective 1 October 2013, within Subchapter I,
“Abuse, Neglect, Dependency,” section 7B-401.1 states that
“[e]xcept as provided in G.S. 7B-1103(b), the court shall not allow
intervention by a person who is not the juvenile's parent,
guardian, custodian, or caretaker but may allow intervention by
another county department of social services that has an interest
in the proceeding. This section shall not prohibit the court from
consolidating a juvenile proceeding with a civil action or claim
for custody pursuant to G.S. 7B-200.” N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-401.1
(effective 1 October 2013).
                                  -8-
          with the Juvenile Code and only to the extent
          that the Rules advance the purposes of the
          legislature as expressed in the Juvenile Code.

In re L.O.K., 174 N.C. App. 426, 431—32, 621 S.E.2d 236, 240 (2005)

(citations and internal quotation omitted).

     Rule 24 of our Rules of Civil Procedure governs intervention,

both intervention of right and permissive intervention.     See N.C.

Gen. Stat. ' 1A-1, Rule 24 (2011).      Rule 24(a)(2), “Intervention

of right,” states, in pertinent part, that

          [u]pon timely application anyone shall be
          permitted to intervene in an action . . . .

          When the applicant claims an interest relating
          to the property or transaction which is the
          subject of the action and he is so situated
          that the disposition of the action may as a
          practical matter impair or impede his ability
          to   protect   that   interest,   unless   the
          applicant's     interest     is     adequately
          represented by existing parties.

N.C.G.S. ' 1A-1, Rule 24(a)(2).

     Permissive intervention pursuant to Rule 24(b)(2), states, in

part, that

          anyone may be permitted to intervene in an
          action.

          When an applicant's claim or defense and the
          main action have a question of law or fact in
          common. When a party to an action relies for
          ground of claim or defense upon any statute or
          executive order administered by a federal or
          State governmental officer or agency or upon
          any   regulation,   order,   requirement,   or
                                     -9-
          agreement issued or made pursuant to the
          statute or executive order, such officer or
          agency   upon  timely   application   may be
          permitted to intervene in the action.

N.C.G.S. ' 1A-1, Rule 24(b)(2).

     Statute 7B-100, entitled “Purpose,” of our Juvenile Code,

Subchapter I, states that Subchapter I “shall be interpreted and

construed so as to implement the following purposes and policies

. . . [t]o develop a disposition in each juvenile case that

reflects consideration of the facts, the needs and limitations of

the juvenile, and the strengths and weaknesses of the family.”

N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-100(2) (2011).        We construe this provision to

permit intervention pursuant to Rule 24.           See generally, In re

Baby Boy Scearce, 81 N.C. App. 531, 541, 345 S.E.2d 404, 410 (1986)

(where this Court, when considering permissive intervention under

Chapter 7A, the predecessor to Chapter 7B, sanctioned the use of

permissive intervention where it determined that intervention “was

necessary to elicit full and accurate information pertaining to

the welfare of the child.” (citation omitted)).

     In its 9 January 2011 disposition order, the trial court

acknowledges    that   prior    to   receiving    evidence      as   to   the

dispositional   hearing,   it    considered      motions   to    intervene,

including the motion filed by Claire.         The trial court concluded
                               -10-
that “[n]o person seeking to intervene may be allowed to intervene

as of right.”

          This Court has stated that where no other
          statute confers an unconditional right to
          intervene, the interest of a third party
          seeking to intervene as a matter of right
          under N.C.G.S. § 1A–1, Rule 24(a)

                must be of such direct and immediate
                character that he will either gain or
                lose by the direct operation and effect
                of the judgment.... [sic] One whose
                interest in the matter in litigation is
                not a direct or substantial interest, but
                is an indirect, inconsequential, or a
                contingent one cannot claim the right to
                defend.

Virmani v. Presbyterian Health Servs. Corp., 350 N.C. 449, 459,

515 S.E.2d 675, 682—83 (1999) (citations and quotations omitted).

     In her brief to this Court, Claire contends that

          [t]o the extent [I] [am] considered only as a
          legal ‘sister’ of [the] four children, [I] was
          entitled to intervene as a party in the
          proceedings as a matter of right so that [I]
          could adequately present and represent the
          otherwise    unrepresented    family    member
          interest and arguments for maintaining a
          family placement, family relationship, and
          potential for a family reunification with the
          four juveniles . . . and so as to assure [I]
          may have a proper legal voice in this appeal
          and any subsequent juvenile court proceedings.

          [I] [have] a direct interest in the family
          relationships with each of the juveniles which
          can be protected and represented adequately
          only if [I] (or some family member) is allowed
          to participate as a full party to the juvenile
                                 -11-
          proceedings. The adoption of the juveniles by
          strangers to the family would forever sever
          the family ties and legal relationships of
          [me] and [my] relatives with the children.

     Initially, we note Claire’s acknowledgment that as to four of

the children subject to this action, she has no parental rights.

In an unchallenged finding of fact, the trial court stated that

Janice adopted Tracy, Todd, Mary, and Ann in 2009.     See Koufman v.

Koufman, 330 N.C. 93, 97, 408 S.E.2d 729, 731 (1991) (“Where no

exception is taken to a finding of fact by the trial court, the

finding is presumed to be supported by competent evidence and is

binding on appeal.”) (citations omitted).       Pursuant to N.C. Gen.

Stat. § 48-1-106,

          [a] decree of adoption severs the relationship
          of parent and child between the individual
          adopted and that individual’s biological or
          previous adoptive parents. After the entry of
          a decree of adoption, the former parents are
          relieved of all legal duties and obligations
          due from them to the adoptee, . . . and the
          former parents are divested of all rights with
          respect to the adoptee.

N.C. Gen. Stat. § 48-1-106(c) (2011).         Thus, Claire’s parental

rights to Tracy, Todd, Mary, and Ann — the four juveniles adopted

by Janice — have been severed.     Claire has also been divested of

all rights and relieved of all legal duties and obligations with

respect to these four juveniles.    See id.

     Furthermore, Claire’s motion to intervene fails to provide
                                         -12-
any indication that she has the authority to defend or assert “the

otherwise unrepresented family member interest [or can present] .

.     .    arguments   for    maintaining       a   family   placement,   family

relationship, and potential for a family reunification with the

four juveniles[.]”           See Virmani, 350 N.C. at 459, 515 S.E.2d at

683 (holding that a party cannot directly intervene where its

interest is at best indirect).             We find that Claire’s motion to

intervene failed to assert a claim or defense that can act as a

basis for intervening in this action.                Pursuant to our Rules of

Civil Procedure, Rule 24, “[a] person desiring to intervene shall

serve a motion to intervene upon all parties affected thereby.

The       motion   shall   state   the    grounds     therefor   and   shall   be

accompanied by a pleading setting forth the claim or defense for

which intervention is sought.” N.C. Gen. Stat. ' 1A-1, Rule 24(c)

(2011).

          Given that Claire’s parental rights to the four adopted

juveniles have been severed,              her   motion to intervene in the

juvenile’s dispositional hearing failed to present any direct or

immediate interest such that she was entitled to intervene in the

juvenile’s dispositional hearing as a matter of right.                         See

N.C.G.S. ' 1A-1, Rule 24(a)(2); Virmani, 350 N.C. at 459, 515

S.E.2d at 682-83.          Moreover, Claire’s motion was defective for
                                -13-
failure to include a pleading asserting a claim or defense as

required by Rule 24(c).   See Kahan v. Longiotti, 45 N.C. App. 367,

371, 263 S.E.2d 345, 348 (1980) (“[A] motion to intervene . . .

must be accompanied by a proposed pleading.”), overruled on other

grounds by Love v. Moore, 305 N.C. 575, 291 S.E.2d 141 (1982).

Accordingly, we affirm the trial court’s denial of Claire’s motion

to intervene as a matter of right.

     We also note that in addition to its conclusion denying

intervention as a matter of right, the trial court denied Claire’s

motion to intervene on the basis of permissive intervention.    In

considering the use of permissive intervention as authorized under

the juvenile code as codified in Chapter 7A, the predecessor to

the juvenile code as codified in Chapter 7B, this Court has

sanctioned its use where it “was necessary to elicit full and

accurate information pertaining to the welfare of the child.”   In

re Baby Boy Scearce, 81 N.C. App. at 541, 345 S.E.2d at 410

(citation omitted).

     In Baby Boy Scearce, the foster parents sought to intervene

in an action in which a biological father sought physical and legal

custody of a child.    The trial court concluded that the foster

parents’ right to intervene “derives from the child’s right to

have his or her best interests protected.”     Id.   Other factors
                                   -14-
considered by this Court included that intervention “was necessary

to elicit full and accurate information pertaining to the welfare

of the child,” id. at 541, 345 S.E.2d at 410 (citation omitted),

and that “intervention by the foster parents would not ‘prejudice

the adjudication of the rights of the original parties.’”             Id.

     Nevertheless, while Claire did not challenge on appeal the

trial court’s ruling that permissive intervention should be denied

as a matter of law, we do not believe the trial court abused its

discretion in denying Claire’s motion to intervene on the basis of

permissive intervention.

     While the trial court’s order denied Claire’s motion to

intervene    and   participate    as   a   party   to    the   dispositional

proceedings, we acknowledge the trial court’s findings regarding

the participation of the juvenile’s family members in determining

their individual best interests: “from the representations of

counsel and the presence of all interested relatives in the

courtroom,   the   court   is   comfortable   that      sufficient   evidence

regarding all possible relative placements will be offered for the

court’s consideration in determining the best interests of each of

the children”; and “[t]he proposed intervenors’ interests will not

be adversely affected by denying their motions to intervene since

they may participate indirectly in the proceedings through their
                                 -15-
status as witnesses in the disposition and suggested relative

placements.”

                                Standing

     We next consider a motion to dismiss Claire’s appeal as to

the four juveniles to whom Claire has surrendered her parental

rights.   Before the Court, the guardian ad litem (“GAL”) asserts

that Claire lacks standing to bring forward her appeal in relation

to Tracy, Todd, Mary and Ann.    We agree, and grant the GAL’s motion

to dismiss Claire’s appeal as to Tracy, Todd, Mary and Ann.

     A juvenile matter based on Subchapter I, “Abuse, Neglect,

Dependency” of General Statutes Chapter 7B may be appealed by the

following parties:

          (1) A juvenile acting through the juvenile’s
          guardian ad litem previously appointed under
          G.S. 7B-601.

          (2) A juvenile for whom no guardian ad litem
          has been appointed under G.S. 7B-601. If such
          an appeal is made, the court shall appoint a
          guardian ad litem pursuant to G.S. 1A-1, Rule
          17 for the juvenile for the purposes of that
          appeal.

          (3) A county department of social services.

          (4) A parent, a guardian appointed under G.S.
          7B-600 or Chapter 35A of the General Statutes,
          or a custodian as defined in G.S. 7B-101 who
          is a nonprevailing party.

          (5) Any party that sought but failed to obtain
          termination of parental rights.
                                  -16-

N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-1002 (2011); see N.C. Gen. Stat. ' 7B-1001

(2011) (Right to appeal); see also In re A.P., 165 N.C. App. 841,

600 S.E.2d 9 (2004) (holding that a step-grandfather had no

standing to appeal even though his name was listed on the petition

seeking   to   adjudicate   the   child   neglected   where   the   step-

grandfather was not a caregiver, custodian, or parent of the

child).

     The trial court’s finding of fact that Janice adopted four of

Claire’s biological children — Tracy, Todd, Mary and Ann — in 2009

is uncontested.    See Koufman, 330 N.C. at 97, 408 S.E.2d at 731

(“Where no exception is taken to a finding of fact by the trial

court, the finding is presumed to be supported by competent

evidence and is binding on appeal.”) (citations omitted).           As a

consequence, Claire’s parental rights to those four juveniles have

been severed.     See N.C.G.S. § 48-1-106 (“[a] decree of adoption

severs the relationship of parent and child between the individual

adopted and that individual’s biological or previous adoptive

parents.”).    Claire was not appointed by the court as a guardian

for the four adopted juveniles following Janice’s death and no

findings of fact support a conclusion that Claire acted as a

custodian for the juveniles.        See N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-101(8)

(2011) (A “Custodian” is defined as “[t]he person or agency that
                                  -17-
has been awarded legal custody of a juvenile by a court or a

person, other than parents or legal guardian, who has assumed the

status and obligation of a parent without being awarded the legal

custody of a juvenile by a court.); see also In re T.B., 200 N.C.

App. 739, 685 S.E.2d 529 (2009) (holding that the respondent was

not a custodian to the child where the record reflected no order

awarding either legal or physical custody of the juvenile to the

respondent and no evidence supported a finding that the respondent

stood in loco parentis in relation to the child).

     Because Claire does not come within any category of persons

afforded a     statutory   right to appeal   from a juvenile matter

pursuant to N.C.G.S. '' 7B-1001 and 7B-1002, Claire lacks standing

to appeal the trial court’s 3 May 2012 adjudication order and 9

January 2013 juvenile disposition order as those orders pertain to

Tracy, Todd, Mary, and Ann — the four children Claire surrendered

to adoption.     See N.C.G.S. § 7B-1002.     As a result, we address

Claire’s arguments arising from her appeal of the 3 May 2012

adjudication order and 9 January 2013 juvenile disposition order

only as those orders relate to Ashley and John.

                    II.    Adjudication of Dependency

     Claire argues that the trial court erred by adjudicating

Ashley and John dependent juveniles within the meaning of N.C.
                                -18-
Gen. Stat. § 7B-101.   Claire contends that there was insufficient

evidence presented at the adjudicatory hearing to meet the clear

and convincing standard necessary to conclude the juveniles were

dependent.    We disagree.

                 In all actions tried upon the facts
            without a jury ... [sic] the court shall find
            the facts specifically and state separately
            its conclusions of law thereon[.] . . . The
            resulting   findings   of    fact   must   be
            sufficiently specific to enable an appellate
            court to review the decision and test the
            correctness of the judgment.

In re J.S., 165 N.C. App. 509, 510—11, 598 S.E.2d 658, 660 (2004)

(citations and quotations omitted).     “The role of this Court in

reviewing a trial court’s adjudication of [dependency] is to

determine (1) whether the findings of fact are supported by clear

and convincing evidence, and (2) whether the legal conclusions are

supported by the findings of fact[.]”   In re T.H.T., 185 N.C. App.

337, 343, 648 S.E.2d 519, 523 (2007) (citation and quotation

omitted).    “If such evidence exists, the findings of the trial

court are binding on appeal, even if the evidence would support a

finding to the contrary.”    Id. (citation omitted).

     “Dependent juvenile” is defined in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-

101(9) as:

            [a] juvenile in need of assistance or
            placement because the juvenile has no parent,
            guardian, or custodian responsible for the
                                    -19-
            juvenile’s care or supervision or whose
            parent, guardian, or custodian is unable to
            provide for the care or supervision and lacks
            an   appropriate   alternative   child   care
            arrangement.

N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-101(9) (2011).           “In determining whether a

juvenile is dependent, the trial court must address both (1) the

parent’s ability to provide care or supervision, and (2) the

availability     to     the    parent   of     alternative      child   care

arrangements.”    In re B.M., 183 N.C. App. 84, 90, 643 S.E.2d 644,

648 (2007) (citation and quotation omitted).            “Findings of fact

addressing both prongs must be made before a juvenile may be

adjudicated as dependent, and the court’s failure to make these

findings will result in reversal of the court.”              Id. (citation

omitted).

     In the instant case, it is not disputed that the legal

custodian of the juveniles, Janice, is deceased.          The trial court

further found that “[a]t the time that the juvenile petition was

filed,   there   were   no    appropriate    family   members   immediately

available to care for the children long-term.”            This finding is

supported by the uncontradicted testimony of Kris Tucker, a DSS

social worker, who testified at the adjudicatory hearing that there

were no appropriate family members to care for the juveniles.

Tucker further testified that although the juveniles were in the
                               -20-
care of an aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Chase, “they are not able

to provide ongoing care and are not interested in establishing

permanence for [the juveniles].”      Claire did not present herself

as a potential caregiver at the adjudicatory hearing, nor were any

alternative caregivers presented.     Accordingly, we conclude that

the trial court did not err by adjudicating Ashley and John as

dependent juveniles.

                         III. Permanent Plan

     Claire next argues that the trial court erred when, in the

adjudicatory order, it made findings of fact and conclusions of

law regarding a “temporary permanent plan” for the juveniles.

However, we conclude that any alleged error was rendered harmless

by the trial court’s entry of a permanent plan in its dispositional

order.   See In re J.P., ___ N.C. App. ___, ___ S.E.2d ___        (19

November 2013) (COA13-35-2).

     Claire additionally argues that the trial court erred by

entering a permanent plan for the juveniles at disposition when

she did not have the statutorily required notice that the trial

court would consider a permanent plan.     We disagree.

     Claire was provided notice that the trial court intended to

consider a permanent plan for the juveniles at disposition when it

made a “temporary permanent plan” at adjudication.    See id.   Thus,
                                   -21-
as in In re J.P., Claire and her attorney attended and participated

in the trial court’s dispositional hearing and did not object to

the lack of formal notice.     Id. at ___, ___ S.E.2d at ___ (citing

In re J.S., 165 N.C. App. 509, 514, 598 S.E.2d 658, 662 (2004)

(where this Court stated that a party waives its right to notice

under section 7B–907(a) by attending the hearing in which the

permanent plan is created, participating in the hearing, and

failing to object to the lack of notice). Accordingly, we conclude

that Claire waived any objection to lack of formal notice of a

hearing on a permanent plan when she made a pre-trial motion to

intervene in the dispositional hearing, made arguments before the

trial court, was allowed to present witnesses regarding the best

interest of the child, and failed to object to the lack of formal

notice.

                     IV.   Dispositional Conclusions

     Claire   next    challenges    several   of   the   trial   court’s

conclusions of law.     Claire does not challenge any of the trial

court’s findings of fact and, accordingly, they are binding on

appeal.   See Koufman, 330 N.C. at 97, 408 S.E.2d at 731.            Our

review is therefore limited to whether the trial court’s findings

of fact support its conclusions of law and disposition.           In re

Shepard, 162 N.C. App. 215, 221-22, 591 S.E.2d 1, 6 (2004).
                                     -22-
       Claire first challenges the trial court’s conclusions of law

2 and 7.

              2. No relative of the juveniles is able to
              provide proper care and supervision of all the
              juveniles in a safe home. Placement with any
              of the identified relatives is contrary to the
              best interests of the juveniles.

                   . . . .

              7. The [DSS] has made reasonable and diligent
              efforts to secure relative placements for the
              children. The three relatives identified were
              not completely able to provide for the
              children.

       Pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-903(a)(2)(c), when placing

a juvenile outside of the home,

              [i]n placing a juvenile in out-of-home care
              under this section, the court shall first
              consider whether a relative of the juvenile is
              willing and able to provide proper care and
              supervision of the juvenile in a safe home. If
              the court finds that the relative is willing
              and   able   to  provide   proper   care   and
              supervision in a safe home, then the court
              shall order placement of the juvenile with the
              relative unless the court finds that the
              placement is contrary to the best interests of
              the juvenile.

N.C.   Gen.    Stat.   §   7B-903(a)(2)(c)     (2011).    This   Court   has

recognized that our statutes give a preference, where appropriate,

to relative placements over non-relative, out-of-home placements.

In re L.L., 172 N.C. App. 689, 701, 616 S.E.2d 392, 399 (2005).

However,   before      determining   whether   relative   or   non-relative
                                     -23-
placement is in the best interest of the juvenile, the statute

first requires the trial court to determine whether the relative

in   question   is   willing   and   able   to   provide   proper   care   and

supervision in a safe home.          N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-903(a)(2)(c).

We review a dispositional order only for abuse of discretion.               In

re Pittman, 149 N.C. App. 756, 766, 561 S.E.2d 560, 567 (2002).

      Here, the trial court found as fact:

           8. On March 29, 2012, [Ann, Mary and John]
           were moved from the home of [Mr. and Mrs.
           Chase] at the request of the placement. [Mr.
           and Mrs. Chase] indicated to [DSS] that they
           thought the placement would be a temporary one
           and that they could not provide for the
           children long term. At the time placement was
           needed . . . the only identified and approved
           placement was with . . . the younger
           children’s school principal, and her fiancé
           [Mr. Alfred]. Placement with [Kimberly Chase,
           an aunt] was not approved at the time because
           a fire in her home in late February 2012 had
           left her without a home, because she had
           several   identified   medical    issues   and
           medications, and because she had fallen asleep
           on two occasions while talking with Social
           Worker Hardison about the children. The [DSS]
           was concerned that [Kimberly Chase] could not
           provide the supervision needed for the
           children.   [Claire Wilson] was unable to be
           approved for placement of the children because
           she was under investigation by the [DSS]
           regarding the two children in her home
           following positive drug screens for cocaine on
           February 16, 2012 and March 8, 2012.

           9. On May 3, 2012, [Tracy, Todd and Ashley]
           were moved from [Lisa Chase’s, an aunt] home
           because of concerns identified by the [DSS].
                    -24-
These concerns included a lack of sufficient
space in the home for the children, the fact
that [Lisa Chase] was out of compliance with
Rowan Housing Authority regulations by having
the children in the home, issues with
supervision, excessive tardiness and absences
in school, reports from the school . . . that
the children would come to school hungry,
[Lisa Chase’s] tendency to minimize the school
behavioral problems of the children, and [Lisa
Chase’s] transporting of the children in her
car without having them properly restrained in
safety   seats.     Social   Worker   Hardison
witnessed the children in the car not properly
restrained on three occasions. [Tracy, Todd,
and Ashley] were placed with their siblings in
the home of [Mr. and Mrs. Alfred].         The
children were happy and excited to be placed
together in one home again.

     . . . .

23.   On May 17, 2012, the [DSS] received a
request from [Claire Wilson’s attorney] to
consider certain relatives and family friends
for placement of the juveniles.     Since the
juveniles were all placed together by this
time, keeping them together was an important
goal of [DSS] in its decision-making.     The
[DSS] made diligent efforts to study and
become familiar with each option presented to
it for placement of the children.

     . . . .

27. [Lisa Chase] continued to be ruled out as
a placement option because of the concerns
that led to the removal of the three youngest
children from her home on May 3, 2012. . . .
[Terra Roberts (Godmother to the juveniles)]
was ruled out as a placement because of her
inability to provide proper [care and]
supervision of the children and because of
inadequate space for the children in her home.
                     -25-

28. [Mr. and Mrs. Miles], who live in Guilford
County,    submitted   to    a   pre-placement
assessment by Guilford Count DSS.          The
assessment was positive, and [they were]
willing to have all six children placed with
them. The children were not moved to [their]
home for several reasons. One, several of the
children indicated that they did not know
[them] and did not want to move to Greensboro.
Two, . . . [a]lthough a past investigation of
neglect was not substantiated, it was of some
concern to the [DSS] that [Mrs. Miles] told
Social Worker Williams on September 5, 2012
that she had no past history with any DSS.
Three, the [DSS] has been unable to ascertain
after speaking with [Mr. and Mrs. Miles] and
other family members exactly how [Mr. Miles]
is related to the children. [Mr. Miles] could
only indicate that he was somehow related on
“his father’s side.”     A few other kinship
options . . . were individually ruled out as
placement options for failing to return the
kinship assessment packets mailed to them by
the [DSS] or because they were 19 and 20 years
old, too young to take on the responsibility
of raising six children.

29.    The most positive relative placement
option for the children [was Jenetta Thomas].
[Jenetta Thomas is] the children’s second
cousin. . . . [Jenetta Thomas] stated that
she is willing to provide a home for all of
the children, but at the time Social Worker
Williams visited her she could accommodate
only two or three additional children in her
home. . . . [Ashley, Mary, and John] were asked
about   possible   placement    with   [Jenetta
Thomas], and they indicated that they do not
know [her] well and do not want to live with
her in a different county “out in the
country.”
                               -26-
          30. [Betsy Monroe, Jenetta Thomas’ sister].
          . . was found by [DSS to be] willing and able
          to take two or three of the children based on
          space limitations. . . . The children only
          have an acquaintance relationship with [Betsy
          Miller] at this time.

     It is apparent from the trial court’s exhaustive findings of

fact that the trial court considered several relative placements

but no suitable option was available; where potentially available,

the court considered it not in the juveniles’ best interests to

place the juveniles with the relative. Thus, we conclude the trial

court did not abuse its discretion by placing the juveniles in a

non-relative placement.   Accordingly, we hold that the trial court

did not err in making conclusions of law 2 and 7.

     Claire next challenges conclusions of law 5 and 6:

          5.    Efforts to eliminate the need for
          placement   of   the   juveniles   would be
          inconsistent with the juveniles’ health,
          safety, and need for a safe permanent home
          within a reasonable period of time.

          6. Reunification efforts are not required in
          this matter . . . [as to John and Ashley
          because] significant safety issues make
          reunification  with   a   parent   within  a
          reasonable time unlikely.    [Claire], their
          mother, has not asked to have the children
          live with her.

     Pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-507,

          [i]n any order placing a juvenile in the
          custody or placement responsibility of a
          county department of social services, whether
                              -27-
         an order for continued nonsecure custody, a
         dispositional order, or a review order, the
         court may direct that reasonable efforts to
         eliminate the need for placement of the
         juvenile shall not be required or shall cease
         if the court makes written findings of fact
         that:

              (1) Such efforts clearly would be
              futile or would be inconsistent with
              the juvenile’s health, safety, and
              need for a safe, permanent home
              within a reasonable period of
              time[.]

N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-507(b) (2011).

    Here, the trial court found as fact:

         17. All of the children have been diagnosed
         with PTSD and anxiety disorder. . . [Ashley]
         has low cognitive functioning and a language
         disorder. All of the children . . . receive
         weekly counseling services for trauma-based
         disorders.

         18.   Therapist Jill [Hill] specializes in
         working with children who have experienced
         trauma.    She has been seeing [Ann, John,
         Ashley,   and   Tracy]  weekly   since   early
         September 2012. Ms. [Hill] has been working
         with the children on trust-building and
         establishing a rapport with them. Ms. [Hill]
         feels that all the children need ongoing
         counseling based on the traumatic death of
         [Janice Lake] and the past history of multiple
         placements, chaos, separation from siblings,
         and instability. Ms. [Hill]’s focus with the
         children is on stability and helping them to
         feel safe.    [Ann, John, Ashley, and Tracy]
         have expressed to Ms. [Hill] that they like
         where they are living, they feel safe there,
         they want to stay together, and they want to
         stay with [Mr. and Mrs. Alfred]. The children
                                -28-
          speak of each other often during therapy with
          Ms. [Hill] and appear to have a strong
          connection with each other.    Ms. [Hill] is
          concerned that moving the children at this
          point would be very disruptive to their
          pathway of feeling safe.      The children’s
          issues cannot be fixed quickly, and their
          nervous systems are very fragile.

               . . . .

          24. [Claire Wilson] continued to be ruled out
          as a placement because of her positive drug
          screens and her failure to follow up with drug
          and mental health treatment.

          25. Also relevant to the inquiry of whether
          or not [Claire Wilson] may be an appropriate
          long-term placement for the children is the
          prior neglect and DSS history of the children.
          [Claire Wilson] has a total of ten children,
          with only two of those children in her care.
          Her oldest two children [] were in foster care
          due to neglect on two separate occasions and
          eventually were adopted by their maternal
          great-grandmother . . . in 2009. Custody of
          [John and Ashley] was granted to [Janice
          Lake], their maternal grandmother, in 2004[;]
          [Mary and Ann] were in foster care from 2003
          until 2005 and from 2006 until 2009 pursuant
          to petitions filed and adjudicated for neglect
          by [Claire Wilson]. [Todd and Tracy] were in
          the legal custody of the [DSS] due to neglect
          by [Claire Wilson] from 2006 to 2009. [Mary,
          Ann, Todd, and Tracy] were adopted by their
          maternal grandmother, [Janice Lake], in 2009.
          [Claire Wilson] is not requesting that the
          court consider placing the six children with
          her.    She is in treatment with Daymark
          Recovery Services[.]

    We conclude the uncontested findings of fact support the trial

court’s   conclusions    that   reunification   efforts    would   be
                                      -29-
inconsistent with the juveniles’ health, safety and need for a

permanent home within a reasonable period of time and were not

required.    Accordingly, we hold that the trial court did not err

in making conclusions of law 5 and 6.

                                VI. Visitation

     Claire next argues that the trial court erred regarding its

visitation plan for Ashley and John because it failed to specify

the time, place, and conditions under which visitation may be

exercised.   In re E.C., 174 N.C. App. 517, 521—23, 621 S.E.2d 647,

651—52   (2005)   (holding    that    a    trial   court     must   include   “an

appropriate visitation plan in its dispositional order”).                      We

agree.

     North Carolina General Statutes, section 7B-905(c) provides

that any dispositional order which leaves the minor child in a

placement    “outside   the    home       shall    provide    for   appropriate

visitation as may be in the best interests of the juvenile and

consistent with the juvenile’s health and safety.” N.C. Gen. Stat.

§ 7B-905(c) (2011).     This Court has stated that:

            [i]n the absence of findings that the parent
            has forfeited their right to visitation or
            that it is in the child’s best interest to
            deny visitation “the court should safeguard
            the parent’s visitation rights by a provision
            in the order defining and establishing the
            time, place[,] and conditions under which such
            visitation rights may be exercised.”
                                    -30-

In re E.C., 174 N.C. App. 517, 522-23, 621 S.E.2d 647, 652 (2005)

(citation omitted).

     Here,   the   trial   court    made    no   finding    that    Claire    had

forfeited her right to visitation or that it was in the best

interests of Ashley or John to deny visitation.               Therefore, the

trial court was required to provide a plan containing a minimum

outline of visitation, such as the time, place, and conditions

under which visitation may be exercised.           Id.     The court provided

the following order governing visitation: “The juveniles shall

visit regularly with their siblings who live with [Ms. Wilson] and

[Ms. Chase], [Kimberly Chase], and [Claire Wilson].                These visits

shall begin as soon as possible and shall be supervised by a

caregiver selected by the [DSS], including some visits at [Ms.

Chase]’s home if possible.”          The order does not contain the

“minimum outline” required by In re E.C.                 As such, the plan

constitutes an impermissible delegation of the court’s authority

under N.C.G.S. § 7B-905.       See In re Stancil, 10 N.C. App. 545,

552, 179 S.E.2d 844, 849 (1971) (discussing how the award of

visitation   rights,   which   is    a     judicial   function,      cannot   be

delegated to a child’s custodian).          Therefore, we remand for entry

of an order of visitation which clearly defines and establishes

“the time, place[,] and conditions” under which Claire may exercise
                               -31-
her visitation rights.   In re E.C., 174 N.C. App. at 522—23, 621

S.E.2d at 652.

     Affirmed in part, remanded in part, and appeal dismissed in

part.

     Judges McGEE and STROUD concur.