Court Opinion

ID: 9945177
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2024-02-27 15:08:25.535608+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:25:24.384854
License: Public Domain

RECORD IMPOUNDED

                                NOT FOR PUBLICATION WITHOUT THE
                               APPROVAL OF THE APPELLATE DIVISION
        This opinion shall not "constitute precedent or be binding upon any court ." Although it is posted on the
     internet, this opinion is binding only on the parties in the case and its use in other cases is limited. R. 1:36-3.

                                                        SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY
                                                        APPELLATE DIVISION
                                                        DOCKET NO. A-3548-22

NEW JERSEY DIVISION OF
CHILD PROTECTION AND
PERMANENCY,

          Plaintiff-Respondent,

v.

N.D.,1

          Defendant-Appellant,

and

T.A., a/k/a B.F.,

          Defendant.

____________________________

IN THE MATTER OF THE
GUARDIANSHIP OF J.D.,

     Minor-Respondent.
____________________________

1
  We use initials for the parties to protect their privacy in accordance with Rule
1:38-3(d)(12) and N.J.S.A. 9:6-8.10a(a).
             Submitted January 17, 2024 – Decided February 27, 2024

             Before Judges Mayer and Paganelli.

             On appeal from the Superior Court of New Jersey,
             Chancery Division, Family Part, Union County, Docket
             No. FG-20-0024-20.

             Joseph E. Krakora, Public Defender, attorney for
             appellant (Adrienne Marie Kalosieh, Assistant Deputy
             Public Defender, on the briefs).

             Matthew J. Platkin, Attorney General, attorney for
             respondent (Sookie Bae-Park, Assistant Attorney
             General, of counsel; Julie Beth Colonna, Deputy
             Attorney General, on the brief).

             Joseph E. Krakora, Public Defender, Law Guardian,
             attorney for minor (Meredith Alexis Pollock, Deputy
             Public Defender, of counsel; Neha Gogate, Assistant
             Deputy Public Defender, of counsel and on the brief).

PER CURIAM

      N.D. appeals from the June 30, 2023 judgment terminating her parental

rights to J.D. We previously considered this matter and left intact the trial

court's determinations on prongs one, two and the first part of prong three.2

2
  "[T]o terminate parental rights, the New Jersey Division of Child Protection
and Permanency (Division) must prove by clear and convincing evidence all
four prongs of the 'best interests' test set forth in N.J.S.A. 30:4C -15.1(a)." N. J.
Div. of Child Prot. & Permanency v. D.C.A., 256 N.J. 4, 8 (2023). The first
prong is whether "[t]he child's safety, health, or development has been or will
continue to be endangered by the parental relationship," N.J.S.A. 30:4C-

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N.J.S.A. 30:4C-15.1(a); N. J. Div. of Child Prot. & Permanency, v. N.D., Nos.

A-1321-21 and A-1588-21 (App. Div. May 25, 2023) (slip op. at 32). We

remanded for the trial court to reconsider the analysis of the second part of the

third prong and the fourth prong under N.J.S.A. 30:4C-15.1(a)(3)-(4). Having

considered the arguments in light of the record and applicable legal standards,

we affirm.

      In our prior opinion we detailed the facts in this matter. Since we write

for the parties, we need not fully repeat the facts herein. We note that N.D. has

a history of bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety, and panic disorder. She

requires daily assistance to function due to an intellectual delay. Three days

after J.D.'s birth, the Division filed a verified complaint for custody, care, and

supervision of J.D. The court granted the Division custody of J.D. upon finding

N.D. had significant mental health issues that prevented her from safely

parenting J.D. The Division initially placed J.D. in a non-relative resource home

15.1(a)(1); the second prong is whether "[t]he parent is unwilling or unable to
eliminate the harm facing the child or is unable or unwilling to provide a safe
and stable home for the child and the delay of permanent placement will add to
the harm," N.J.S.A. 30:4C-15.1(a)(2); and the first part of prong three is whether
"[t]he [D]ivision has made reasonable efforts to provide services to help the
parent correct the circumstances which led to the child's placement outside the
home . . . ." N.J.S.A. 30:4C-15.1(a)(3).

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and subsequently, about a month after her birth, placed her with T.C., N.D.'s

first cousin. J.D. has been with T.C. ever since.

        Upon remand, the trial judge listened to T.C.'s prior testimony 3 and

conducted his own hearing where had the opportunity to observe her testify and

demeanor in person in the courtroom. He found her testimony "sincere and

credible." He observed that she: was "quite clear" in her understanding of the

differences between Kinship Legal Guardianship (KLG) and adoption;

understood N.D.'s rights under either scenario; and held the opinion that

"adoption was the only option she was interested in pursuing."

        The judge noted T.C. remained steadfast in her quest for adoption

because: (1) the relationship between N.D. and T.C. went from "good," at the

time of initial placement, to "chaotic"; (2) T.C. was "exasperated" by N.D.'s

"irrational behaviors toward her and J[.D.]"; (3) T.C. perceived N.D. as

believing T.C. was not an "ally" and, instead, an "enemy"; and (4) T.C. was

"unwilling to tolerate" being N.D.'s "verbal punching bag."

        Moreover, he observed that T.C. thought N.D. made false promises to J.D.

including: (1) J.D.'s room was ready; (2) J.D. was coming home next week; and

(3) J.D was coming home soon; despite those promises having no "basis in truth

3
    The remand judge was not the judge who initially tried the matter.
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or reality." The judge credited T.C.'s opinion that N.D.'s "unrealistic beliefs

would have only resulted in [her] having to [go] to court repeatedly," something

T.C. "was unwilling to do because it was contrary to what she felt w[as] in

J[.D.]'s best interests."

       In addition, the judge credited the Division's expert's testimony that N.D.'s

conflicts with T.C. were so magnified that T.C. would use others as buffers

during visits between N.D. and J.D. The judge noted the expert expressed

concern that KLG would expose J.D. to the intense conflict between N.D. and

T.C.

       Further, the judge credited the Division's expert's opinion that N.D. would

"not be able to parent [J.D.] now or at any time in the foreseeable future, and

probably never." Indeed, the judge concluded J.D. could not adequately meet

her own needs, let alone J.D.'s needs. He found N.D. unable to satisfy J.D.'s

needs for "permanency and stability."

       The judge noted the Division's expert conducted bonding evaluations of

N.D. and J.D., and T.C. and J.D. The judge credited the expert's observations

and opinion that, as and between N.D. and J.D., J.D.: (1) had "absolutely no

attachment to" N.D.; (2) "did not view [N.D.] as a maternal figure"; (3) "would

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suffer little to no harm if her relationship with [N.D.] were to be severed"; and

(4) any harm caused by termination could be mitigated by T.C.

      Further, the judge credited the expert's observations and opinion that, as

and between J.D. and T.C., J.D.: (1) "would suffer great harm if her meaningful

bond with [T.C.] was severed"; (2) "perceive[d T.C.] as her psychological parent

and was extremely attached to her"; and (3) would have her "basic needs" met

and would have a "stable and loving home" with T.C.

      Ultimately, finding KLG was not an alternative to adoption and

termination of N.D.'s parental rights to J.D. would not do more harm than good,

the judge entered a judgment terminating N.D.'s parental rights to J.D.

      N.D. raises the following issues on appeal:

            POINT I.

            THE REMAND COURT ERRED TO HOLD DCPP
            OFFERED    SUFFICIENT   PROOF      THAT
            TERMINATION WOULD DO NO MORE HARM
            THAN GOOD SUFFICIENT TO MEET PRONG
            FOUR AND GAVE DR. KANEN'S PRIOR OPINION
            UNDUE WEIGHT.

            POINT II.

            EVIDENCE THAT T.C. PREFERS ADOPTION
            OVER KLG, NO MATTER HOW CLEAR, DOES
            NOT SATISFY DCPP'S CLEAR AND CONVINCING
            BURDEN TO SHOW TERMINATION IS IN J.D.'s
            BEST INTERESTS.

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                   A.    The termination statute does not
                   mention caregiver preference when
                   requiring the court consider alternatives to
                   termination.

                   B. Without expert evidence that continued
                   parental contact would harm a child, a
                   testimonial proffer of inconvenience to the
                   caregiver does not meet DCPP'S clear and
                   convincing burden to terminate parental
                   rights.

       More particularly, as to the second part of prong three, N.D. argues the

judge was "uninformed and unprepared to draw legal conclusions as to whether

alternatives to termination of parental rights exist." She contends he "for[sook]

his parens patriae power and hand[ed] off the responsibility to consider[]

alternatives to [the Division] the very party who is to petition for the relief of"

TPR.

       N.D. also contends, with respect to prong four, the trial judge erred

because: (1) the Division "failed to show termination of parental rights was

necessary for J.D. to achieve permanency" and instead established termination

was necessary "only to avoid inconvenience" to T.C.; (2) there was no evidence

"of animosity or irrational behavior with or toward J.D."; (3) he gave

impermissible weight to the Division's expert's opinion; (4) the "harm of

separation [from T.C.] is a red herring, because KLG does not require or

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envision any separation from" T.C.; and (5) he "punish[ed] N.D. for being, and

acting, mentally ill."

      Our scope of review in appeals from orders terminating parental rights is

limited. N.J. Div. of Child Prot. & Permanency v. T.D., 454 N.J. Super. 353,

379 (App. Div. 2018). "[W]e apply a deferential standard in reviewing the

family court's findings of fact because of its superior position to judge the

credibility of witnesses and weigh the evidence . . . ." N.J. Div. of Child Prot.

& Permanency v. JR-R., 248 N.J. 353, 368 (2021) (internal citations omitted).

In such cases, we will generally uphold the trial court's factual findings, so long

as they are "supported by adequate, substantial, and credible evidence." N.J.

Div. of Youth & Fam. Servs. v. R.G., 217 N.J. 527, 552 (2014). Such a decision

should only be reversed or altered on appeal if the trial court's findings were "so

wholly unsupportable as to result in a denial of justice." N.J. Div. of Youth &

Fam. Servs. v. P.P., 180 N.J. 494, 511 (2004) (quoting In re Guardianship of

J.N.H., 172 N.J. 440, 472 (2002) quoting In re Guardianship of J.T., 269 N.J.

Super. 172, 188 (App. Div. 1993)).

      Moreover, as "[t]he factfinder, [the judge] may accept some of [an]

expert's testimony and reject the rest." Torres v. Schripps, Inc., 342 N.J. Super.

419, 430 (App. Div. 2001) (citing Todd v. Sheridan, 268 N.J. Super. 387, 401

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(App. Div. 1993)). "[T]he weight to be given to the evidence of experts is within

the competence of the" judge. LaBracio Fam. P'ship v. 1239 Roosevelt Ave.,

Inc., 340 N.J. Super. 155, 165 (App. Div. 2001).

      "A trial court's interpretation of the law and the legal consequences that

flow from established facts are not entitled to any special deference."

Manalapan Realty, L.P. v. Twp. Comm. of Manalapan, 140 N.J. 366, 378 (1995).

      Under prongs three and four, the State must prove by clear and convincing

evidence each of the following:

      (3) [T]he court has considered alternatives to [TPR]; and

      (4) [TPR] will not do more harm than good.

      [N.J.S.A. 30:4C-15.1(a).]

      Under the second part of the third prong, the judge considered whether

KLG could provide an "alternative[] to termination of parental rights." N.J.S.A.

30:4C-15.1(a)(3). KLG, "[u]nlike a judgment terminating parental rights, . . .

does not sever the legal relationship between the child and the parent." R.G.,

217 N.J. at 558. For instance, "the birth parent of the child retains the right to

visitation or parenting time with the child, as determined by the court," N.J.S.A.

3B:12A-6(e)(4); and can apply to have the child returned, N.J.S.A. 3B:12A-6(f).

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      "The decision of a resource parent to choose adoption over KLG must be

an informed one." N.J. Div. of Child Prot. & Permanency v. M.M., 459 N.J.

Super. 246, 260-61 (App. Div. 2019) (citing N.J. Div. of Youth & Fam. Servs.

v. H.R., 431 N.J. Super. 212, 232-33 (App. Div. 2013)). "[T]he caregiver must

be fully informed of the potential benefits and burdens of KLG before deciding

whether he or she wishes to adopt." Id. at 263. "The caregiver's consent to

adopt should be . . . unconditional, unambiguous, and unqualified." Id. at 264.

The caretaker does not act "as the 'ultimate decision-maker,'" id. at 262; but their

"preference between the two alternatives should matter," id. at 263.

      In conducting his analysis, the judge was satisfied T.C. understood the

differences between KLG and adoption and noted she "repeatedly and

unequivocally expressed her desire to adopt." He assessed T.C.'s willingness to

petition to be a KLG "guardian," and therefore whether KLG was an alternative

to termination. Moreover, the judge's consideration of the interaction between

N.D. and T.C. was essential, considering N.D.'s continued right to visitation or

parenting time with J.D. under KLG. Finally, the judge's consideration of N.D.'s

"false promises," made with no "basis in truth or reality," and T.C.'s concern

with having to repeatedly go to court was reasonable, considering N.D. would

retain the right to apply to have J.D. returned.

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      We are satisfied the judge independently considered alternatives to TPR,

and determined there were none. The judge's findings are amply supported by

competent evidence in the record and his legal conclusion is unassailable.

      Under the fourth prong, the analysis is whether "[TPR] will not do more

harm than good." N.J.S.A. 30:4C-15.1(a)(4). The fourth prong, serves as "a

'fail-safe' inquiry guarding against an inappropriate or premature termination of

parental rights." N.J. Div. of Youth & Fam. Servs. v. F.M., 211 N.J. 420, 453

(2012) (quoting N.J. Div. of Youth & Fam. Servs. v. G.L., 191 N.J. 596, 609

(2007)).

            [T]he fourth prong of the best interests standard cannot
            require a showing that no harm will befall the child as
            a result of the severing of biological ties. The question
            to be addressed under that prong is whether, after
            considering and balancing the two relationships, the
            child will suffer a greater harm from the termination of
            ties with [the child's] natural parents than from the
            permanent disruption of [the] relationship with [the
            child's] foster parents.

            [In re Guardianship of K.H.O., 161 N.J. 337, 355
            (1999).]

      In N.J. Div. of Child. Prot. & Permanency v. D.C.A., 256 N.J. 4, 26-28

(2023), the New Jersey Supreme Court reiterated the importance of considering

evidence of the bond between child and resource parents under the fourth prong.

"[T]o satisfy the fourth prong, the State should offer testimony of a 'well

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qualified expert who has had full opportunity to make a comprehensive,

objective, and informed evaluation' of the child's relationship with both the

natural parents and the foster parents." M.M., 189 N.J. at 281 (quoting In re

Guardianship of J.C., 129 N.J. 1, 19 (1992)).

      Here the judge determined that N.D. is unable, now or in the future, to

parent J.D. and N.D. does not offer J.D. permanency. In contrast, he found T.C.

provides J.D. a sensitive, caring and nurturing environment and has incorporated

J.D. into her family unit.

      Relying on the Division expert's bonding evaluation, the judge found

absolutely no attachment between N.D. and J.D. and any harm in terminating

their relationship could be mitigated by J.D.'s strong relationship with T.C. In

turn, he found J.D. perceived T.C. as her psychological parent to whom she was

extremely attached; and J.D. would suffer great harm if her meaningful bond

with T.C. was severed. The judge's finding that termination of N.D.'s parental

rights would not do more harm than good, is amply supported in the record and

his legal conclusion is indisputable.

      Any remaining arguments raised by N.D. are without sufficient merit to

warrant discussion in a written opinion. R. 2:11-3(e)(1)(E).

      Affirmed.

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