Court Opinion

ID: 2716859
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-08-08 20:59:14.456104+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:22:45.573974
License: Public Domain

Supreme Court

                                                    No. 2013-291-Appeal.
                                                    No. 2013-292-Appeal.
                                                    (05-1833-1)
                                                    (05-1833-2)

In re Steven D. et al.           :

   NOTICE: This opinion is subject to formal revision before
   publication in the Rhode Island Reporter. Readers are requested to
   notify the Opinion Analyst, Supreme Court of Rhode Island,
   250 Benefit Street, Providence, Rhode Island 02903, at Telephone
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   corrections may be made before the opinion is published.
                                                                  Supreme Court

                                                                  No. 2013-291-Appeal.
                                                                  No. 2013-292-Appeal.
                                                                  (05-1833-1)
                                                                  (05-1833-2)

           In re Steven D. et al.             :

              Present: Suttell, C.J., Goldberg, Flaherty, Robinson, and Indeglia, JJ.

                                         OPINION

       Justice Goldberg, for the Court. This case came before the Supreme Court on May 6,

2014, pursuant to an order directing the parties to appear and show cause why the issues raised in

this appeal should not summarily be decided. In these consolidated appeals, the respondents,

Kathleen D. and Ronald D.1 (collectively, respondents) appeal from a Family Court decree

terminating their parental rights to their two children, Steven D. and Zachary D., for a second

time. After a careful review of the record, the memoranda submitted by the parties, and the oral

arguments of counsel, we are satisfied that cause has not been shown and that these appeals may

be decided at this time. For the reasons set forth in this opinion, we affirm the decree of the

Family Court.

1
 For the sake of clarity and privacy, the family members will be referred to by only their first
names; in so doing, we intend no disrespect.
                                               -1-
                                           Facts and Travel

          These consolidated appeals require us to revisit the sad facts of a case with which this

Court is well acquainted.2 In July 2005, the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and

Families (DCYF) filed neglect petitions against Ronald and Kathleen, seeking custody of their

two sons: Steven, who was born on September 22, 1997, and Zachary, who was born on

November 1, 2000.3 In re Steven D., 23 A.3d 1138, 1140, 1141 (R.I. 2011). The boys initially

were removed from the home when Kathleen was hospitalized and Ronald was unable to care for

the children due to his own medical issues. Id. at 1141. Subsequently, the parents admitted to

dependency, and the boys were committed to the care, custody, and control of DCYF until

further order of the Family Court. Id. at 1142. The boys were later allowed to remain in the

home, on the condition that Ronald and Kathleen cooperate with case plans developed for the

family, which included that the parents “refrain from using any illegal or intoxicating substances,

including alcohol.” Id. at 1141. They failed.

          In April 2006—eight years ago—the Family Court granted DCYF’s motion to remove

Steven and Zachary from their parents’ home. In re Steven D., 23 A.3d at 1143. On September

14, 2007—in accordance with G.L. 1956 § 15-7-7(a)(3)4—DCYF filed petitions to terminate

2
  The facts of this case were previously detailed in our opinion, In re Steven D., 23 A.3d 1138
(R.I. 2011), to which we refer. Due to the lengthy travel and the voluminous record of this case,
we will discuss only the facts and travel pertinent to the current appeals.
3
 In 1996—before Steven and Zachary were born, and while residing in Florida—Kathleen and
Ronald had their parental rights terminated to three other children based on allegations of
domestic violence and chronic substance abuse.
4
    Entitled “Termination of parental rights,” G.L. 1956 § 15-7-7(a)(3) provides in pertinent part:

                 “(a) The court shall, upon a petition duly filed by a governmental child
          placement agency or licensed child placement agency after notice to the parent
          and a hearing on the petition, terminate any and all legal rights of the parent to the
                                                  -2-
Kathleen and Ronald’s parental rights to the boys. Id. at 1146. A trial on these petitions

culminated in a decree of the Family Court, terminating the respondents’ parental rights. Id. at

1153. The decree subsequently was appealed to this Court. A majority of the members of this

Court vacated the decree after concluding that (1) DCYF had not made reasonable efforts to

reunify Kathleen and the children; (2) the determination that Ronald was an unfit parent was not

proven by clear and convincing evidence; and (3) the admission of Kathleen’s substance abuse

test results into evidence at trial, without a foundation being laid, was in error. Id. at 1161, 1163,

1165.

        After this Court issued its opinion on June 29, 2011, new case plans were developed for

Ronald and Kathleen. Nothing changed; the parents made no progress and continued their

alcoholic lifestyle. On November 28, 2012, DCYF filed new petitions, again requesting that the

Family Court terminate both parents’ rights to Steven and Zachary. A second trial, spanning ten

days, commenced on March 27, 2013, and produced over 1,300 pages of trial transcripts and

culminated in a 129-page written decision issued by a second Family Court justice on June 26,

2013, thereby terminating, for a second time, Kathleen and Ronald’s parental rights to Steven

and Zachary.

        In his written decision, the Family Court justice provided a thorough review of all the

        child, including the right to notice of any subsequent adoption proceedings
        involving the child, if the court finds as a fact by clear and convincing evidence
        that:

               “* * *

                “(3) The child has been placed in the legal custody or care of the
        department for children, youth, and families for at least twelve (12) months, and
        the parents were offered or received services to correct the situation which led to
        the child being placed; provided, that there is not a substantial probability that the
        child will be able to return safely to the parents’ care within a reasonable period
        of time considering the child’s age and the need for a permanent home * * *.”
                                                -3-
testimony and exhibits introduced at trial, and made eighty separate findings of fact regarding

Ronald’s parental unfitness. Specifically, he noted that, after a substance abuse evaluation was

performed, Ronald was provided with a substance abuse treatment plan and services to effectuate

that plan. However, the trial justice cataloged Ronald’s failure to achieve sobriety despite the

numerous referrals for treatment at various service providers. The trial justice found that Ronald

consistently denied that he had a problem with alcohol, denied that he needed help, and refused

to acknowledge that his behavioral choices impacted the children. In support of this finding, the

trial justice itemized sixteen instances where Ronald had tested positive for alcohol on either a

urine or breathalyzer screen, and another eleven instances where Ronald had failed to appear for

court-ordered alcohol screens.

       The Family Court justice accepted the conclusion of the caseworker assigned to Ronald,

“that the parents made a decision not to change their lifestyle with respect to drinking,” despite

the caseworker’s insistence that failure to change would present a barrier to reunification with

the children. The trial justice determined that “[t]he totality of the evidence clearly establishes

that [Ronald] did, in fact, suffer from an alcohol problem for which treatment was provided by

DCYF through substance abuse providers.” He noted that “[t]he evidence clearly establishes that

[Ronald] did not fully comply with the services provided, nor with the goals set forth in the case

plans with respect to his alcohol problems,” and concluded that Ronald “has failed and refused to

comply with the various recommendations made by the service providers with respect to his

refusal to acknowledge an alcohol problem and to cease taking alcohol during this entire period

since the children were in DCYF custody.”

       The Family Court justice also made forty separate findings of fact specifically concerning

Kathleen’s unfitness as a parent. He found that a case plan had been developed by DCYF for

                                               -4-
Kathleen which was similar to the one established for Ronald, and that Kathleen was also

advised as to what was expected in order for her to be reunited with the children. She did not

comply. Kathleen was discharged from treatment at the Providence Center—where she was

receiving assistance with substance abuse, anger management, and mental health issues—after

thirteen months because of her lack of progress and her failure to cooperate. The Family Court

justice noted that Kathleen had told her caseworker that “the only time she didn’t drink was

because DCYF was making her not drink,” and that she would continue to consume alcohol once

she was reunited with the children. Kathleen continued to have positive urine screens for

alcohol, refused to submit to some alcohol screens, and appeared at counseling sessions while

visibly intoxicated.5 Although DCYF referred Kathleen to additional providers for substance

abuse and mental health counseling, the Family Court justice determined that she had made no

progress with substance abuse treatment as a result of her refusal to admit that her alcohol

consumption was problematic or that her behavioral choices impacted the children.

       With respect to reasonable efforts, there were many; however, the record reflects that

both parents chose alcohol over their children. The Family Court justice found that DCYF had

referred Kathleen and Ronald to various facilities for substance abuse evaluations and

counseling, as well as to additional facilities which provide family counseling services. The

Family Court justice noted that taxicab services were provided to Kathleen and Ronald to

transport them to and from each service provider, and to and from planned visits with the

children, and that this transportation, as well as the services provided at the facilities, was paid

for by the taxpayers. He determined that “[t]he clear and convincing evidence establishes that

DCYF took all proper action in making referrals for the benefit of each parent,” which, he noted

5
 After admitting at trial that testing conducted weeks earlier showed a .30 blood-alcohol level,
Kathleen claimed she had “no idea why it was that high.”
                                               -5-
was primarily to address the issue of the parents’ alcohol abuse. Nonetheless, he concluded that

“the parents refused to comply with the requirements of the case plans and continued to drink

alcohol beverages, notwithstanding the implications explained to them with respect to the

reunification process.”    As a result, the Family Court justice declared that “[a]ny lack of

reunification falls squarely at the feet of these recalcitrant parents.”

        Finally, the Family Court justice addressed the best interests of the children. He first

found that—because Steven and Zachary had last been removed from their parents’ home by

DCYF on April 26, 2006—the children had not only been in DCYF custody for well over twelve

consecutive months, but in fact, for more than half of their lifetimes. The trial justice found that

the boys had been living in their pre-adoptive home for over two years, and “were attached to the

pre-adoptive family and their needs were being met by them.” He noted that “[t]he children are

happy and bonded with their foster parents who wish to adopt them and they wish to be adopted

by them.” The trial justice found that the boys “repeatedly told their counselor, Ms. Brackley,

that they did not want to return to live with their biological parents and wanted to be adopted by

the family that they were, in fact, living with,” the pre-adoptive parents. The trial justice also

found that the boys were afraid to tell Ronald and Kathleen that they wanted to be adopted. He

accepted the conclusion of the boys’ social worker, who had determined that, based upon a

reasonable degree of clinical certainty, “the best interests of the children were to live with and be

adopted by the family they were living with now so that they may grow.”

        In conclusion, the Family Court justice declared that, in accordance with § 15-7-7(3),

“the children have been placed in the legal custody of [DCYF] for at least twelve months,” and

that Ronald and Kathleen “were offered or received services to correct the situation which led to

the children being placed,” but that there was “not a substantial probability that the children will

                                                  -6-
be able to return safely to the parents’ care within a reasonable period of time considering the

children’s age and the need for a permanent home.” Moreover, he determined that, pursuant to

§ 15-7-7(a)(2)(iii),6 Ronald and Kathleen were “unfit by reason of conduct or conditions

seriously detrimental to the children,” namely that “the parents have a chronic substance abuse

problem and that all of the credible testimony and documentary evidence clearly indicates * * *

that the children will not be able to return to the custody of the parents within a reasonable period

of time.” The decision concluded by terminating Kathleen and Ronald’s parental rights to

Steven and Zachary, and a decree reflecting this termination was entered on July 8, 2013.

                                           Standard of Review

          This Court is cognizant that “[n]atural parents have a fundamental liberty interest in the

‘care, custody, and management’ of their children.” In re Destiny D., 922 A.2d 168, 172 (R.I.

6
    Section 15-7-7(a)(2)(iii) states, in pertinent part:

                  “(a) The court shall, upon a petition duly filed by a governmental child
          placement agency or licensed child placement agency after notice to the parent
          and a hearing on the petition, terminate any and all legal rights of the parent to the
          child, including the right to notice of any subsequent adoption proceedings
          involving the child, if the court finds as a fact by clear and convincing evidence
          that:

                  “* * *

                 “(2) The parent is unfit by reason of conduct or conditions seriously
          detrimental to the child; such as, but not limited to, the following:

                  “* * *

                  “(iii) The child has been placed in the legal custody or care of the
          department for children, youth, and families and the parent has a chronic
          substance abuse problem and the parent’s prognosis indicates that the child will
          not be able to return to the custody of the parent within a reasonable period of
          time, considering the child’s age and the need for a permanent home. The fact
          that a parent has been unable to provide care for a child for a period of twelve
          (12) months due to substance abuse shall constitute prima facie evidence of a
          chronic substance abuse problem * * * .”
                                                    -7-
2007) (quoting Santosky v. Kramer, 455 U.S. 745, 753 (1982)). As such, “due process requires

that ‘a Family Court trial justice * * * find, by clear and convincing evidence, that a parent is

unfit before terminating his or her rights to a child.’” In re Lauren B., 78 A.3d 752, 759 (R.I.

2013) (quoting In re Evelyn C., 68 A.3d 70, 77 (R.I. 2013)).

       We therefore review “termination of parental rights rulings by examining the record to

establish whether the [Family Court] justice’s findings are supported by legal and competent

evidence.” In re Amiah P., 54 A.3d 446, 451 (R.I. 2012) (quoting In re Victoria L., 950 A.2d
1168, 1174 (R.I. 2008)). Conducting this review requires us to engage in a three-step process in

which we (1) review the trial justice’s finding of parental unfitness; (2) consider whether

reasonable efforts at reunification were made by DCYF; and (3) evaluate the finding that

termination of parental rights is, in fact, in the best interest of the child. In re Pricillion R., 971
A.2d 599, 604 (R.I. 2009) (citing In re Brooklyn M., 933 A.2d 1113, 1122 (R.I. 2007)). In so

doing, we are mindful that the Family Court justice’s findings in a termination proceeding “are

accorded great weight on appeal and will not be disturbed unless it can be shown that they are

clearly wrong or the [Family Court] justice overlooked or misconceived material evidence.” In

re Lauren B., 78 A.3d at 759 (quoting In re Charles L., 6 A.3d 1089, 1093 (R.I. 2010)).

                                              Analysis

       Before this Court, each parent filed a separate appeal and corresponding memoranda.

First, Ronald argues that the Family Court justice erred in finding that (1) he was an unfit parent;

(2) that DCYF made reasonable efforts to correct the situation that led to the children’s

placement outside of the home; and (3) that the termination of his parental rights was in the best

interests of the children. We reject these contentions.

       In accordance with § 15-7-7(a)(2)(iii), a court may terminate parental rights upon finding,

                                                 -8-
by clear and convincing evidence, that:

               “The parent is unfit by reason of conduct or conditions seriously
               detrimental to the child; such as, but not limited to * * * [that] [t]he
               child has been placed in the legal custody or care of [DCYF] and
               the parent has a chronic substance abuse problem and the parent’s
               prognosis indicates that the child will not be able to return to the
               custody of the parent within a reasonable period of time,
               considering the child’s age and the need for a permanent home.
               The fact that a parent has been unable to provide care for a child
               for a period of twelve (12) months due to substance abuse shall
               constitute prima facie evidence of a chronic substance abuse
               problem * * *.”

Alternatively, parental rights may also be terminated pursuant to § 15-7-7(a)(3), upon a finding

that the child has been in DCYF custody for at least twelve months, that the parent has been

offered or received services to correct the situation, and that “there is not a substantial probability

that the child will be able to return safely to the parents’ care within a reasonable period of time

considering the child’s age and the need for a permanent home[.]”                 Notably, a court’s

termination of parental rights may be based on the grounds enumerated in either provision. See

In re Lyric P., 90 A.3d 132, 140 (R.I. 2014) (“A termination of rights may be supported on either

ground, that [the] respondent was unfit or that the child was unlikely to be able to return to [the]

respondent’s care within a reasonable period.”).

       In the case at bar, we are satisfied that the Family Court justice made sufficient findings

of unfitness—in accordance with § 15-7-7(a)(2)(iii)—to stand independently, and we also hold

that sufficient findings were made to support the termination of Ronald’s parental rights on either

ground. Concerning the finding that Ronald was an unfit parent, the Family Court justice noted

that Ronald had undergone a clinical evaluation which concluded that he had a substance abuse

problem and that treatment was necessary. The trial justice then detailed the plethora of services

provided to Ronald to remedy this situation, but found that these services were ineffective solely

due to Ronald’s own recalcitrance. After noting that the children had been in foster care for
                                                 -9-
more than half of their lives and that Ronald refused to achieve sobriety, the trial justice

concluded that Ronald’s prognosis indicated that Steven and Zachary would not be able to return

to the home within a reasonable time. We are satisfied that the trial justice did not err in

reaching this conclusion and therefore refuse to disturb this finding.

       We also disagree with Ronald’s contention that the trial justice erred by finding that

DCYF had made reasonable efforts at reunification. The record reflects that the failure in this

case was Ronald’s, and not that of DCYF. When reviewing whether or not DCYF has made

reasonable efforts at reunification, “we employ a ‘totality of the circumstances approach,’

pursuant to which ‘the efforts required from DCYF to satisfy the reasonable efforts standard vary

with the differing capacities of the parents involved.’” In re Gabrielle D., 39 A.3d 655, 666 (R.I.

2012) (quoting In re Kayla N., 900 A.2d 1202, 1209 (R.I. 2006)). Thus, “[t]he criterion of

‘reasonable efforts’ is ‘subject to a case-by-case analysis [that takes] into account, among other

things, the conduct and cooperation of the parents.’” Id. (quoting In re Nicole B., 703 A.2d 612,

618 (R.I. 1997)).

       Furthermore, reasonable efforts must be made by DCYF, “regardless of the unlikelihood

of their success.” In re Natalya C., 946 A.2d 198, 203 (R.I. 2008) (quoting In re Manuel P., 889
A.2d 192, 198 (R.I. 2006)). As such, “[w]e have recognized that reunification may not always

be possible even when DCYF has made the requisite ‘reasonable efforts.’” In re Lauren B., 78
A.3d at 760 (quoting In re Gabrielle D., 39 A.3d at 666). Therefore, “we do not fault [DCYF]

when the treatment received does not resolve the underlying problem or when a parent’s

recalcitrance to treatment precludes reunification.” Id. (quoting In re Gabrielle D., 39 A.3d at

666); see also In re Jose Luis R.H., 968 A.2d 875, 882 (R.I. 2009) (noting that DCYF “need not

undertake extraordinary efforts to reunite parent and child”) (quoting In re Diamond Y., 915

                                               - 10 -
A.2d 1283, 1288 (R.I. 2007)).

       In this case, the trial justice detailed how DCYF not only referred Ronald and Kathleen to

various facilities for substance abuse evaluation and treatment, parent and child evaluations, and

mental health counseling, but also provided them with transportation to and from the

appointments. Our review of the record reveals that despite Ronald’s consistent denials that he

has a substance abuse problem or that he was in need of services, DCYF met its obligation by

offering ample services to address his chronic drinking. Thus, we are confronted with yet

another case where DCYF’s efforts—undertaken over a course of seven years—“were

consistently undermined, however, by the parents’ reticence, their seemingly blind support of

each other, and their collective allegiance to utter denial.” In re Nicole B., 703 A.2d at 618-19

(citing In re Kristen B., 558 A.2d 200, 204 (R.I. 1989) (explaining that termination was proper

when the parents consistently denied existence of abuse and were unwilling to work toward

reunification)). Nonetheless, “[w]hen the welfare of a child is concerned, [DCYF] and the

[Family] [C]ourt have the duty to request compliance with services offered and the completion of

programs to be certain that respondents have, in fact, addressed their problems.” In re Michael

F., 665 A.2d 880, 882 (R.I. 1995). Thus, it is clear to this Court that, despite the fact that DCYF

provided each parent with the services necessary for reunification, both Ronald and Kathleen

either failed or refused to comply with each and every case plan and squandered a second

opportunity to meaningfully engage in the services provided.

       We now turn to Ronald’s final contention that the trial justice erred in finding that the

termination of his parental rights were in the best interests of the children. It is well settled that,

after a trial justice makes a determination of parental unfitness, “the best interests of the child

outweigh all other considerations.” In re Destiny D., 922 A.2d at 173 (quoting In re Kristen B.,

                                                - 11 -
558 A.2d at 203). Accordingly, a trial justice’s determination of the best interests of a child

includes “the right of a minor child to reasonable care and maintenance, freedom from abuse or

neglect, and the right to be given an opportunity to spend the remainder of his or her childhood

in a family setting in which the child may grow and thrive.” In re Christopher B., 823 A.2d 301,

317 (R.I. 2003) (quoting In re Stephanie, 456 A.2d 268, 271 (R.I. 1983)).

       We are satisfied that the Family Court justice appropriately considered the relevant

factors before coming to the conclusion that the children’s best interests would be served by

remaining in the care of their pre-adoptive family. The trial justice indicated that Steven and

Zachary had spent more than half their lives outside of the custody of their biological parents.

He detailed the boys’ frustration—as testified to by their counselor, Ms. Brackley—at the lack of

permanency of their placement, as well as the fact that their scheduled visits with Ronald and

Kathleen repeatedly were canceled due to medical issues or because the parents were drunk

when they arrived for the visits. He noted that Zachary had been diagnosed with fetal alcohol

syndrome, and that both children had been diagnosed with ADHD and post-traumatic stress

disorder. He also gave credence to the children’s concern that “they would be returned to an

atmosphere that was counter-productive to their growth, particularly with respect to the mother’s

attitude and actions with respect to drinking, yelling and screaming.”7

       In contrast, the Family Court justice found that Steven and Zachary “were quite well

adjusted in their foster home,” and were happy and bonded with their foster parents, and that the

boys’ needs were being met by the foster parents. The trial justice also deemed it prudent to

consider Steven’s interest in remaining with his current placement, given his age and need for

7
  The trial justice specifically accepted Steven’s concerns that, if he were to be returned to his
parents, Kathleen and Ronald would “go back to doing what they were doing to get us taken
away. We’d just get taken away again like before. * * * My mom would go back to drinking,
and I would have to take care of Zachary.”
                                              - 12 -
permanency. Finally, the trial justice accepted the expert testimony of Ms. Brackley, who opined

that, based upon a reasonable degree of clinical certainty, “the boys would be best served by

remaining in the safe and nurturing environment of the pre-adoptive family.” After careful

review of the record, we are satisfied that the trial justice’s findings are not clearly wrong and

that he did not overlook or misconceive material evidence. We refuse to disturb the Family

Court justice’s conclusion that termination of Ronald’s parental rights was in the best interests of

the children.

       Lastly, Kathleen raises a single issue before this Court—namely, that the Family Court

justice erred in arriving at his findings, as set forth in the decision, because DCYF did not

include as part of its case plan any interaction between Kathleen and the children’s foster

parents. Thus, Kathleen argues that DCYF’s “failure to incorporate interaction with the foster

parents” should result in this Court’s vacating of the Family Court decree. We note that

Kathleen has not cited any law in support of this contention. We deem this argument to be

without merit.

       Whether a petition to terminate rights is based on grounds enumerated in § 15-7-

7(a)(3)—that the child was unlikely to return to the parent’s care within a reasonable period—or

§ 15-7-7(a)(2)(iii)—that a parent is unfit by reason of conduct or conditions seriously detrimental

to the child, such as chronic substance abuse—reasonable efforts toward reunification must be

made by DCYF before parental rights may be terminated. This Court previously has held that

“[r]easonable efforts toward reunification must be demonstrated by clear and convincing

evidence and may be substantiated by attempts to provide the family with services, case plans,

visitation, and furnishing the parent with information of the child’s well being.” In re Isabella

C., 852 A.2d 550, 559 (R.I. 2004) (citing In re John W., 682 A.2d 930, 932 (R.I. 1996)). The

                                               - 13 -
stated purpose for such efforts, however, is to “encourage and strengthen the parental

relationship so that the child can safely return to the family.” Section 15-7-7(b)(1).

       Accordingly, DCYF’s efforts are aimed at accomplishing reunification, so that

termination proceedings may be circumvented, and are solely for the benefit of the parent and

child. As such, we see no basis in law for Kathleen’s contention that DCYF is required to

provide interaction between a biological parent and a foster parent. 8 The placement of neglected

or abused children in foster homes is designed to protect and nurture the children during this

difficult period in their young lives.      Foster parents have no role in DCYF’s efforts at

reunification.

       We are satisfied that the trial justice did not err in finding, by clear and convincing

evidence, competent proof to support the termination of Ronald and Kathleen’s parental rights in

accordance with § 15-7-7(a)(3) and § 15-7-7(a)(2)(iii). It is clear to this Court that, after having

been provided with a second chance at parenting, the parents have forfeited yet another

opportunity to achieve sobriety and reunification with their children. Nonetheless, “[c]hildren

‘are entitled to permanency; they should not have to wait for an indeterminate period of time to

find out if their parents will successfully obtain and maintain a substance free lifestyle.’” In re

Amiah P., 54 A.3d at 454 (quoting In re Shawn M., 898 A.2d 102, 108 (R.I. 2006)).

                                            Conclusion

       For the reasons set forth in this opinion, we deny and dismiss the respondents’ appeals

and affirm the decree of the Family Court terminating the respondents’ parental rights to Steven

and Zachary. The papers in this case may be returned to the Family Court.

8
  The record discloses that Kathleen was given—and vehemently refused—the option of having
an open adoption with Steven and Zachary’s foster parents. As a result, the termination of
respondents’ parental rights to Steven and Zachary also includes termination of “the right to
notice of any subsequent adoption proceedings involving the child[ren].” Section 15-7-7(a).
                                               - 14 -
                            RHODE ISLAND SUPREME COURT CLERK’S OFFICE

                                  Clerk’s Office Order/Opinion Cover Sheet

TITLE OF CASE:        In re Steven D. et al.

CASE NO:              No. 2013-291-Appeal.
                      No. 2013-292-Appeal.
                      (05-1833-1)
                      (05-1833-2)

COURT:                Supreme Court

DATE OPINION FILED: June 27, 2014

JUSTICES:             Suttell, C.J., Goldberg, Flaherty, Robinson, and Indeglia, JJ.

WRITTEN BY:           Associate Justice Maureen McKenna Goldberg

SOURCE OF APPEAL:     Providence County Family Court

JUDGE FROM LOWER COURT:

                      Associate Justice Howard I. Lipsey

ATTORNEYS ON APPEAL:

                      For DCYF: Karen A. Clark
                                Department of Children, Youth & Families

                      For CASA: Shella R. Katz
                                Court Appointed Special Advocate

                      For Respondents: William J. Delaney, Esq.
                                       Susan B. Iannitelli, Esq.