Court Opinion

ID: 8482329
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-11-08 17:06:45.286565+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:49:37.777907
License: Public Domain

J-S31001-22

NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37

    IN THE INTEREST OF: M.A.R.-K., A           :   IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
    MINOR                                      :        PENNSYLVANIA
                                               :
                                               :
    APPEAL OF: L.K., MOTHER                    :
                                               :
                                               :
                                               :
                                               :   No. 1431 EDA 2022

                 Appeal from the Decree Entered April 27, 2022
    In the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County Juvenile Division at
                       No(s): CP-51-AP-0000223-2022

BEFORE:      BOWES, J., NICHOLS, J., and STEVENS, P.J.E.*

MEMORANDUM BY BOWES, J.:                             FILED NOVEMBER 8, 2022

        L.K. (“Mother”) appeals from the April 27, 2022 decree granting the

petition filed by the Philadelphia Department of Human Services (“DHS”) to

involuntarily terminate her parental rights to her son, M.A.R.-K., born in

September 2019. We affirm.

        We summarize the factual and procedural history as follows. DHS has

been involved with this family since 2016.           In April 2016, DHS received

concerning reports that Mother failed to adequately supervise two of M.A.R.-

K.’s older siblings. The reports also noted Mother’s drug use as well as the

____________________________________________

*   Former Justice specially assigned to the Superior Court.
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incarceration of M.A.R.-K.’s father, A.K. (“Father”).1 N.T., 4/27/22, at 8-9.

The court terminated Mother’s and Father’s parental rights to these siblings

on June 2, 2017. Id. at 9. Likewise, on January 7, 2019, the court terminated

Mother’s and Father’s parental rights to an additional child that had been born

in October 2017. Id. at 9-10.

       M.A.R.-K. became known to DHS in September 2020, upon receipt of a

General Protective Services (“GPS”) report alleging that Mother, who appeared

to be intoxicated, left him in a vehicle unsupervised. Id. at 10. After hospital

evaluations of both Mother and M.A.R.-K.,2 the agency crafted a safety plan

that placed the child with a family friend. Id. at 11. However, DHS obtained

protective custody the following day because Mother attempted to remove

M.A.R.-K. in contravention of the safety plan. Id. At the time, Mother again

appeared to be under the influence and revealed that she suffered from bipolar

disorder. Id. Since December 2020, M.A.R.-K. has remained in his current

pre-adoptive kinship foster home. Id. at 16.

       The trial court adjudicated M.A.R.-K. dependent on March 23, 2021, and

found aggravating circumstances as to both Mother and Father. Exhibit DHS

____________________________________________

1  On April 27, 2022, A.K. confirmed his consent to the voluntary
relinquishment of parental rights to M.A.R.-K. He did not participate in the
instant appeal.

2 While the hospital tested Mother for the presence of drugs and alcohol,
Mother refused to release the results of those tests to DHS. N.T., 4/27/22, at
11.

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2 at 32-34. It established a placement goal of return to parent or guardian

and awarded Mother weekly supervised visitations with M.A.R.-K. Id. at 33.

The court also fashioned objectives consistent with the single case plan

(“SCP”) and referred Mother to the Clinical Evaluation Unit (“CEU”) for random

drug screens.   DHS provided Mother programming through the Achieving

Reunification Center (“ARC”) to address her problems with parenting,

employment, and anger management. Id.

      Thereafter, the trial court conducted permanency review hearings at

regular intervals.   The court characterized Mother’s compliance with the

permanency plan as minimal in July 2021 and November 2021. Id. at 35, 37.

Further, in July 2021, the court recognized Mother’s failure to visit M.A.R.-K.

since May 2021 and reduced her visitations to biweekly supervised visitation

at the agency. Id. at 36. The court anticipated further modification, noting,

      If Mother fails to confirm her . . . visit or fail[s] to appear after
      confirming, her visits are to be modified to once a month
      supervised visits with [M.A.R.-K.]. If Mother makes 4 consecutive
      visits, Mother may again have weekly supervised visits with
      [M.A.R.-K.] at the agency.

Id. In January 2022, the court found “Mother non-compliant with all single

case plan objectives and recommendations.” Id. at 38.

      On April 9, 2022, DHS filed petitions for the termination of parental

rights and goal change.     While represented by separate counsel, neither

Mother nor Father was present at the ensuing hearing.            M.A.R.-K. was

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represented by legal counsel (also referred to as a “child advocate”).3 DHS

presented Cheryl Wellington, who is the family’s case manager from

Community Umbrella Agency (“CUA”), and several exhibits, which were

admitted without objection. N.T., 4/27/22, at 5-6. Mother’s counsel did not

present any evidence.

       At the conclusion of the hearing, the trial court announced from the

bench its decision to terminate Mother’s parental rights to M.A.R.-K. pursuant

to 23 Pa.C.S. § 2511(a)(1), (2), (5), (8), and (b). Id. at 22-23. The court

memorialized this determination by decree entered on April 27, 2022. Mother

filed a timely notice of appeal and a concise statement of errors complained

of on appeal pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 1925(a)(2)(i) and (b).

       Mother raises the following issues for our review:

       1. Whether the trial court committed reversible error, when it
       involuntarily terminated Mother’s parental rights where such
       determination was not supported by clear and convincing evidence
       under the [A]doption [A]ct, 23 [Pa.C.S. § 2511(a)?]

       2. Whether the trial court committed reversible error when it
       involuntarily terminated Mother’s parental rights without giving
       primary consideration to the effect that the termination would
       have on the developmental, physical, and emotional needs of the
       child as required by the [A]doption [A]ct, 23 [Pa.C.S. § 2511(b)?]

       3. Whether the trial court erred because the evidence was
       overwhelming and undisputed that Mother demonstrated a
       genuine interest and sincere, persistent, and unrelenting effort to
       maintain a parent-child relationship with her child[?]

Mother’s brief at 4.
____________________________________________

3  We note with disfavor the failure of the child advocate to file a brief with
this Court.

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      At the outset, we observe that Mother’s third issue, concerning the

weight of the evidence, is waived because she failed to raise it in her concise

statement and the trial court did not address that contention. See In re

M.Z.T.M.W., 163 A.3d 462, 465-66 (Pa.Super. 2017) (explaining, in part, this

Court will not review an appellant’s claim unless it is included in both the

concise statement of errors complained of on appeal and statement of

questions involved). As the issue is waived, we do not address the contention

as stated in the statement of questions presented. Nevertheless, to the extent

that Mother’s remaining issues subsume this argument, we address it in that

context.

      Our standard of review is as follows. We review involuntary termination

orders for an abuse of discretion, which our Supreme Court has explained “is

limited to a determination of whether the decree of the termination court is

supported by competent evidence.” In re Adoption of C.M., 255 A.3d 343,

358 (Pa. 2021). When applying this standard, appellate courts must accept

the trial court’s findings of fact and credibility determinations if they are

supported by the record. Interest of S.K.L.R., 256 A.3d 1108, 1123 (Pa.

2021). “Where the trial court’s factual findings are supported by the evidence,

an appellate court may not disturb the trial court’s ruling unless it has

discerned an error of law or abuse of discretion.” In re Adoption of L.A.K.,

265 A.3d 580, 591 (Pa. 2021). An appellate court may reverse for an abuse

of discretion “only upon demonstration of manifest unreasonableness,

partiality, prejudice, bias, or ill-will.” Id.

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       Termination of parental rights is governed by § 2511 of the Adoption

Act.   If the trial court determines the petitioner established grounds for

termination under § 2511(a) by clear and convincing evidence, then the court

must assess the petition under § 2511(b), which focuses on the child’s needs

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

       In the case sub judice, the trial court terminated Mother’s parental rights

pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S. § 2511(a)(1), (2), (5), (8), and (b). In order to affirm

a termination of parental rights, we need only agree with the trial court as to

any one subsection of § 2511(a), as well as § 2511(b). See In re B.L.W.,

843 A.2d 380, 384 (Pa.Super. 2004). As such, while the trial court analyzes

only § 2511(a)(1) and (b) in its Rule 1925(a) opinion, we review § 2511(a)(2)

and (b) within.

       Here,    we    analyze   the   court’s   termination   decree   pursuant   to

§ 2511(a)(2) and (b), which provide as follows:

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

               ....

               (2) The repeated and continued incapacity, abuse,
               neglect or refusal of the parent has caused the child
               to be without essential parental care, control or
               subsistence necessary for his physical or mental well-
               being and the conditions and causes of the incapacity,
               abuse, neglect or refusal cannot or will not be
               remedied by the parent.

                      ....

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        (b) Other considerations.--The court in terminating the
        rights of a parent shall give primary consideration to the
        developmental, physical and emotional needs and welfare
        of the child. The rights of a parent shall not be terminated
        solely on the basis of environmental factors such as
        inadequate housing, furnishings, income, clothing and
        medical care if found to be beyond the control of the parent.
        With respect to any petition filed pursuant to subsection
        (a)(1), (6) or (8), the court shall not consider any efforts by
        the parent to remedy the conditions described therein which
        are first initiated subsequent to the giving of notice of the
        filing of the petition.

23 Pa.C.S. § 2511(a)(2), (b).

     With regard to termination of parental rights pursuant to § 2511(a)(2),

we have indicated:

     In order to terminate parental rights pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S.A.
     § 2511(a)(2), the following three elements must be met: (1)
     repeated and continued incapacity, abuse, neglect or refusal; (2)
     such incapacity, abuse, neglect or refusal has caused the child to
     be without essential parental care, control or subsistence
     necessary for his physical or mental well-being; and (3) the
     causes of the incapacity, abuse, neglect or refusal cannot or will
     not be remedied.

In re Adoption of M.E.P., 825 A.2d 1266, 1272 (Pa.Super. 2003) (citation

omitted). “The grounds for termination due to parental incapacity that cannot

be remedied are not limited to affirmative misconduct. To the contrary, those

grounds may include acts of refusal as well as incapacity to perform parental

duties.” In re S.C., 247 A.3d 1097, 1104 (Pa.Super. 2021) (citation omitted).

“Parents are required to make diligent efforts towards the reasonably prompt

assumption of full parental responsibilities.” Matter of Adoption of M.A.B.,

166 A.3d 434, 443 (Pa.Super. 2017) (citation omitted). As such, “A parent’s

vow to cooperate, after a long period of uncooperativeness regarding the

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necessity or availability of services, may properly be rejected as untimely or

disingenuous.” In re S.C., supra at 1105 (citation omitted).

      In challenging grounds for termination pursuant to § 2511(a)(2), while

acknowledging past difficulties, Mother baldly asserts a present capacity to

care for M.A.R.-K. In full, she states,

            As outlined by the Superior Court in the matter of In Re
      Adoption of A.N.D., 520 A.2d 31 (Pa.Super. 1086), past
      incapacity alone is not sufficient for involuntary termination, there
      must be evidence of a parent’s incapacity. Here, though Mother
      has struggled with substance abuse, Mother has worked to meet
      her objectives to the best of her abilities. Grounds do not exist to
      terminate Mother’s rights under § 2511(a)(2) because it is clear
      that Mother has the present capacity to care for her child.

Mother’s brief at 11.

      Mother’s three-sentence argument fails to identify anything to support

her assertions of progress and present capacity. However, in other sections

of her brief, Mother highlights that she attended five of the weekly supervised

visitations scheduled since March 2021, completed parenting classes, and

obtained suitable housing. Id. at 11, 12-13. However, even considering these

claimed accomplishments, the certified record belies Mother’s contention that

she complied with her SCP objectives and is has the present capacity to care

for her son.

      Stated simply, Mother neglected to rebuff the evidence that she failed

complete her court-ordered goals aimed at reunification. Cheryl Wellington,

CUA case manager, recounted Mother’s SCP objectives as: (1) complying with

mental health counseling; (2) participating in a drug and alcohol treatment,

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as well as random drug screening; (3) completing domestic violence and anger

management programs; (4) and attending visitation. N.T., 4/27/22, at 12-

14. Ms. Wellington further made clear that Mother was aware of these goals

which remained the same throughout the case. Id. at 12, 14-15. She also

noted Mother’s failure to provide current documentation regarding attendance

at mental health counseling and her refusal to sign new releases once prior

executed releases expired. Id. at 12. Ms. Wellington explained, “She attends

Community Counsel [sic]. However, she has not signed releases for me to

obtain the information. . . . [S]he signed consents for me last year. . . . They

expired.”   Id.   Ms. Wellington also highlighted Mother’s failure to provide

documentation as to her completion of the required drug and alcohol

treatment, domestic violence counseling, and anger management. Id. at 13-

14.   She also confirmed Mother’s lack of compliance with random drug

screens. Id. at 13. Ultimately, Ms. Wellington opined succinctly, “Mom has

not complied with any of the objectives. And [M]om hasn’t seen [M.A.R.-K.]

since May of last year.” Id. at 15.

      Hence, the certified record substantiates the trial court’s conclusion that

Mother’s repeated and continued incapacity, abuse, neglect, or refusal has

caused M.A.R.-K. to be without essential parental control or subsistence

necessary for his physical and mental well-being. Notwithstanding Mother’s

claimed achievements relating to the parenting program and housing goal,

DHS established that she still has not complied with the requirements relating

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to mental health counseling, substance abuse, domestic violence, or anger

management.

      Furthermore, Mother’s attendance at five of the weekly supervised

visitations during the three and one-half months between March 23, 2021,

and July 8, 2021, is scarcely evidence of progress toward the visitation goal.

This inadequacy is heightened by the fact that, subsequent to this claimed

period of achievement, the trial court found that Mother failed to visit M.A.R.-

K. since May 2021 and reduced the visitation schedule from weekly visits to

once every two weeks. See N.T., 4/27/22, at 5-6 (Exhibit DHS 2 at 36).

Thus, contrary to Mother’s protestations, DHS presented clear and convincing

evidence that Mother failed to complete her court-ordered goals and cannot

or will not remedy the causes of her parental incapacity. As we discern no

abuse of discretion, we do not disturb the trial court’s findings.

      Next, we address whether termination was proper under §2511(b) and

conclude that that it was. As to § 2511(b), our Supreme Court has stated as

follows:

      [I]f the grounds for termination under subsection (a) are met, a
      court “shall give primary consideration to the developmental,
      physical and emotional needs and welfare of the child.” 23 Pa.C.S.
      § 2511(b). The emotional needs and welfare of the child have
      been properly interpreted to include “[i]ntangibles such as love,
      comfort, security, and stability.” In re K.M., 53 A.3d 781, 791
      (Pa.Super. 2012). In In re E.M., [620 A.2d 481, 485 (Pa. 1993)],
      this Court held that the determination of the child’s “needs and
      welfare” requires consideration of the emotional bonds between
      the parent and child. The “utmost attention” should be paid to
      discerning the effect on the child of permanently severing the
      parental bond. In re K.M., 53 A.3d at 791. However, as

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      discussed below, evaluation of a child’s bonds is not always an
      easy task.

In re T.S.M., supra at 267. “In cases where there is no evidence of any bond

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

The extent of any bond analysis, therefore, necessarily depends on the

circumstances of the particular case.” In re K.Z.S., 946 A.2d 753, 762-63

(Pa.Super. 2008) (citation omitted). When evaluating a parental bond, “[T]he

court is not required to use expert testimony. Social workers and caseworkers

can offer evaluations as well. Additionally, [§] 2511(b) does not require a

formal bonding evaluation.”    In re Z.P., 994 A.2d 1108, 1121 (Pa.Super.

2010) (internal citations omitted).    Nevertheless, “the mere existence of a

bond or attachment of a child to a parent will not necessarily result in the

denial of a termination petition.” T.S.M., supra at 267. In weighing the bond

considerations pursuant to § 2511(b), “courts must keep the ticking clock of

childhood ever in mind.” Id. at 269. The T.S.M. Court observed, “[c]hildren

are young for a scant number of years, and we have an obligation to see to

their healthy development quickly. When courts fail . . . the result, all too

often, is catastrophically maladjusted children.” Id.

      Moreover,

      While a parent’s emotional bond with his or her child is a major
      aspect of the [§] 2511(b) best-interest analysis, it is nonetheless
      only one of many factors to be considered by the court when
      determining what is in the best interest of the child.

            [I]n addition to a bond examination, the trial court can
            equally emphasize the safety needs of the child, and
            should also consider the intangibles, such as the love,

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            comfort, security, and stability the child might have
            with the foster parent. . . .

In re Adoption of C.D.R., supra at 1219 (quoting In re N.A.M., 33 A.3d

95, 103 (Pa.Super. 2011)) (quotation marks and citations omitted).

     Instantly, in determining that terminating Mother’s parental rights would

serve M.A.R.-K.’s needs and welfare pursuant to § 2511(b), the trial court

emphasized M.A.R.-K.’s relationship with his kinship foster parent. The court

reasoned:

           In this case, this [c]ourt had adequate evidence of the
     status of the parent-child bond to examine and determine whether
     terminating Mother’s parental rights would destroy a necessary
     and beneficial relationship.

            This [c]ourt heard credible, persuasive testimony from
     Ms. Wellington who testified [M.A.R.-K.] has been in the current
     foster home with his [a]unt, N.P., since December 2020. She
     noted that N.P. was interested in [a]doption and noted [M.A.R.-
     K.] looks to his [a]unt to meet all his needs, as well as love,
     protection, and support. Ms. Wellington opined [M.A.R.-K.] would
     not suffer irreparable harm if Mother’s parental rights were
     terminated and [M.A.R.-K.] were to be adopted by his pre-
     adoptive resource parent. She opined [M.A.R.-K.] has a parent-
     child bond with his [a]unt.

           Based on the clear and convincing evidence presented, this
     [c]ourt found that termination of Mother’s parental rights met the
     developmental, physical, and emotional needs and welfare of
     [M.A.R.-K.]. . . .

           Here, the totality of the evidence supports this [c]ourt’s
     conclusion that termination of Mother’s parental rights is in the
     best interests of this [c]hild. This [c]ourt found that this [c]hild’s
     bond with his [m]other exists in form only and not in substance.
     To sever such a relationship would not destroy any existing
     necessary and beneficial union.

Trial Court Opinion, 6/30/22, at 16-17.

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        Mother, however, argues that the certified record did not sustain the

court’s findings regarding the lack of a parent-child bond or that her

relationship with M.A.R.-K. was detrimental to the child. Mother’s brief at 15.

She further maintains, baldly and without reference to the certified record,

that the court erred in terminating parental rights without affording her an

opportunity to bond with M.A.R.-K. Id.

        Contrary to Mother’s protestations, the certified record supports the

court’s finding that DHS established the absence of a meaningful parent-child

bond.     Indeed, Ms. Wellington testified that no parent-child bond exists

between Mother and M.A.R.-K. N.T., 4/27/22, at 15. She described that when

Mother did sporadically attend the scheduled visitations with M.A.R.-K., the

child “[became] very aggressive with his mother. He hit [her], he pull[ed] her

hair.” Id. at 15. Ms. Wellington similarly recounted whining and crying by

M.A.R.-K. during supervised visits. Id. at 16.

        Instead, Ms. Wellington expressed that [M.A.R.-K.] shares a bond with

his foster parent, whom he calls “mom.” Id. at 16-17. Notably, the three-

year-old child has lived in his current pre-adoptive kinship foster home for the

past two years. Id. at 16. As such, Ms. Wellington opined that there would

be no irreparable harm if Mother’s parental rights were terminated. Id. at 17.

When asked why, Ms. Wellington explained, “Mom has not visited [M.A.R.-K.]

in about a year. There’s no bond between the two of them, and [M]om’s

inability to give clean drug screens.” Id. Ms. Wellington further confirmed

that it would be in M.A.R.-K.’s best interest to be available for adoption,

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stating, “Mom has not been involved for a year. Taking him from the only

place he knows as . . . stable would cause harm for him, and putting him with

someone who is -- we don’t know if they’re still using drugs. It would be

harmful. . . .” Id. at 18. Accordingly, the certified record supports the trial

court’s finding that the termination of Mother’s parental rights serves M.A.R.-

K.’s developmental, physical, and emotional needs and welfare pursuant to

§ 2511(b).

      For all of the foregoing reasons, we affirm the decree terminating

Mother’s parental rights.

      Decree affirmed.

Judgment Entered.

Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary

Date: 11/8/2022

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