Court Opinion

ID: 4237115
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2018-01-17 19:26:09.983497+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:44:51.209209
License: Public Domain

J-A32026-17

NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37

IN RE: ADOPTION OF: C.J.C.                :   IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
                                          :        PENNSYLVANIA
                                          :
APPEAL OF: R.S.                           :
                                          :
                                          :
                                          :
                                          :
                                          :   No. 1166 MDA 2017

               Appeal from the Order Entered June 22, 2017
  In the Court of Common Pleas of Berks County Orphans' Court at No(s):
                                  85400

BEFORE:      OTT, J., DUBOW, J., and STRASSBURGER*, J.

MEMORANDUM BY DUBOW, J.:                           FILED JANUARY 17, 2018

        Appellant, R.S. (“Father”) appeals from the June 22, 2017 Order

involuntarily terminating his parental rights to C.J.C. (“Child”) pursuant to

the Adoption Act, 23 Pa.C.S. §§ 2511(a) and (b). After careful review, we

affirm.

SUMMARY OF FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

        Father and D.S. (“Mother”) began a relationship in the Summer of

2013.     Mother learned she was pregnant in July 2013.       Mother ended her

relationship with Father approximately one month later when she caught him

dealing drugs at his place of employment and learned that he had an

extensive history of heroin and marijuana use.       Mother testified that Child

was born in March 2014. Father was not present at Child’s birth and did not

have contact with Child for the first three months of Child’s life.

____________________________________
* Retired Senior Judge assigned to the Superior Court.
J-A32026-17

      Father initiated a custody action and in June 2014, upon agreement of

the parties, the orphans’ court granted Father joint physical custody of 3-

month-old Child and the parties agreed that Father would have physical

custody 50 percent of the time.        Father lived with his parents, Paternal

Grandparents, during this time.

      Mother    and    Father     followed   this   custody     arrangement      for

approximately 15 months, until December 2015, when Father relapsed,

which resulted in his incarceration.

      In February 2016, Paternal Grandparents filed a Petition to Intervene

in the custody action.       In March 2016, the orphans’ court entered a

Temporary Custody Order, which granted Mother primary physical custody of

Child and granted Paternal Grandparents visitation with Child on alternating

weekends. The court required Father to submit to weekly drug screens, and

permitted   Father    to   have   supervised   visits   with   Child   at   Paternal

Grandparents home if his drug screens were negative.             Although five of

Father’s drug screens were negative, the remainder of the screens were

diluted or positive for opiates and marijuana.

      On May 19, 2016, the orphans’ court entered a Final Custody Order,

which maintained the status quo concerning custody and visitation, and once

again clarified that Father was not to have any physical contact with Child if

Father tested positive for drugs. Two days later, Father testified positive for

drugs.

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        In June 2016, Mother filed a Protection from Abuse (“PFA”) Petition.

The court granted a Temporary PFA Order against Father, prohibiting contact

between Father and Child.          After a hearing, the court dismissed the PFA

Petition without prejudice and declined to enter a Final PFA Order because

the current custody order already prohibited contact between Father and

Child when Father was rendering positive drug screens.

        On March 27, 2017, Mother filed a Petition for Involuntary Termination

of Parental Rights (“TPR Petition”) seeking to involuntarily terminate Father’s

parental rights under 23 Pa.C.S. §§ 2511(1), (2), and (b).

        Father continually had positive drug screens until entering drug rehab

for the eighth time in April 2017.1 Father has only had physical contact with

Child one time since May 2016, which was a court-ordered family counseling

session that occurred at Father’s current rehab facility.2

        The orphans’ court held a hearing on June 22, 2017, and heard

testimony from Mother, Mother’s husband L.S. (“Stepfather”), Father,

Paternal Grandmother, and Paternal Grandfather.

        Mother resides with Stepfather, Child, and Child’s 18-month-old half-

sibling. Mother testified that during the 15 months that Mother and Father

shared physical custody of Child, Paternal Grandparents were the primary

____________________________________________

1We note that Father entered this rehab facility after Mother filed the instant
TPR Petition.

2   We note that this visit occurred after Mother filed the instant TPR Petition.

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caretaker for Child.   During that time, Mother had concerns about Child

being underfed, Child not receiving prescription medications, and Father

smoking around Child when Child was visiting Paternal Grandparents’ home.

      Mother testified that while Child has been in her custody, Father has

never attempted to speak with Child over the phone, Father has not sent

any cards, letters, or gifts to Child, Father has not contacted Mother to ask

about Child’s health and well-being, and Father has missed at least four

holiday visits with Child without notice or explanation. Mother testified that

Child does not recognize Father in pictures, even though Child does

recognize other individuals.

      Mother also testified that Father was court-ordered to pay $107.00 per

month in child support but Mother had only received two payments.          She

stated that the court had issued at least three bench warrants for Father’s

failure to pay child support and failure to appear at court for contempt

proceedings and support conferences.       Mother testified further that Father

would often check himself into drug rehab instead of appearing in court and

facing the consequences of his actions. When Father did appear in court, he

was often late or high on drugs. See N.T., 7/22/17, at 10-15, 18-20, 23-42,

50-52, 55-56, 58.

      Mother described the relationship between Child and Father by stating:

“There is no relationship . . . I don’t feel there is any bond.”    Id. at 26.

Mother opined that Child’s relationship with Father is not beneficial to Child,

stating, “I don’t feel that it benefits [Child] in any way due to the fact that

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[Father] has put drugs, alcohol, and crime before [Child.]           He does not

watch out, again, for his wellbeing, safety, his health, his future.” Id. at 27.

Mother testified further that she has never seen Child express love towards

Father, despite the fact that Child frequently expresses love to others.

Mother stated that she wanted the court to terminate Father’s parental

rights because she, “strongly believe[s] that it is in the best – in the best

interests of [her] son, his well[-]being, and his future.” Id. at 30.

       Stepfather testified that he has a very strong bond with Child and

Child calls Stepfather “Dad.”         Stepfather has been involved in Child’s life

since before Child was born. Stepfather does not believe that a bond exists

between Child and Father and explained, “[t]he little interaction that has

been going on, hasn’t seen him since last year of May, how can any infant

have any relationship with anybody?” Id. at 65. Stepfather testified that he

loves Child and intends to adopt Child if the court terminates Father’s

parental rights.     Stepfather further testified that he does not believe that

there would be a detrimental effect to Child if the court terminated Father’s

parental rights.

       Father testified on his own behalf.3         Father testified that he was

currently residing in a long-term treatment facility for drug and alcohol

rehabilitation, which he entered in April 2017. At the time of the hearing,

____________________________________________

3 Father’s testimony can be found on pages 67-122 of the Notes of
Testimony, 7/22/17.

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Father had completed 70 days of the prescribed stay of 90 days.        Father

testified that after 90 days, he would move to transitional housing.

      Father also testified that he was twenty-five years old and that he has

had a drug problem since he was eighteen. Father stated that he primarily

abuses heroin and marijuana but admitted that he has tested positive on

numerous occasions for opiates, morphine, and oxycodone as well. Father

has completed high school and one year of college.

      Father testified that when he had shared custody of Child for 15

months, he was Child’s primary caretaker, and stated that, “[t]he only time

my parents would really help me is if I needed to take care of something

else or work or whatever.” Id. at 72. Father testified that Child was healthy

and well cared for while in his care and that Child was always happy to see

him, would give him hugs and kisses, and called him “Daddy.”

      Father admitted that his shared custody of Child ended because of his

drug use and that the court had reduced his interaction with Child to

supervised visits at Paternal Grandparents home every other weekend.

Father further testified that after he failed several drug tests, the court

prohibited Father from visiting with Child at Paternal Grandparents’ house.

Father stated that he continued to have contact with Child through phone

calls and video chats when Child was staying with Paternal Grandparents on

alternating weekends.    However, Father did not ever contact Mother to

speak with Child while Child was in Mother’s physical custody.         Father

testified that he would call at least once, but often twice, on alternating

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weekends when Child was visiting with Paternal Grandparents, and Child

would show Father his toys and tell Father what he was doing.

      Father acknowledged that the drug rehab facility only granted him one

telephone call per week and he could not utilize video chat.        Father also

testified that he never contacted Child when he was actively using drugs.

Nevertheless, Father maintains that he has had constant contact with Child

except during the period that the Temporary PFA Order was in effect.

      Father conceded that he did not pay child support consistently, but

stated that he paid when he could.       Father also admitted that the court

continued more than one of his support contempt hearings because he had

entered drug rehab directly before the hearings.

      When asked if he has been able to maintain his sobriety, Father

testified, “I’ve had periods of clean time. But overall success, no.” Id. at

104. Father admitted that his history of being in and out of drug rehab does

not provide stability for Child, but asserted that his current rehab facility is

different, and more effective, than his treatment has been in the past.

Nevertheless, Father admits that he has had limited success with rehab

programs. Counsel inquired, “[y]ou can’t guarantee that you won’t end up

back in rehab, can you?” Id. at 101. Father responded, “I guess not.” Id.

      With respect to Child’s bond with him, Father testified that would

borrow money or perform side jobs so he could regularly give Child gifts on

Child’s birthday and on Christmas. Father stated that he has a very strong

bond with Child, and the bond is the same now as when he had shared

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physical custody. Father asserted that terminating his parental rights would

have a negative effect on Child because, “he wouldn’t have a chance to

know his real father.” Id. at 85.

      Paternal Grandmother testified that when Father had shared physical

custody of Child, he was the primary caretaker. She also testified that since

May 2016, Father had consistent contact with Child via telephone or video

chat on alternating weekends when Child was visiting with Paternal

Grandparents.   Paternal Grandmother admitted there were periods where

she did not know Father’s whereabouts, but maintains that he always called

Child consistently. Paternal Grandmother stated that Father would work for

her to get money to buy Child toys.     Both Paternal Grandparents testified

that Father has a loving bond with Child and that Child recognizes Father as

his parent. See id. at 122-153.

      On June 22, 2017, the orphans’ court granted Mother’s TPR Petition

and involuntarily terminated Father’s parental rights.        Father timely

appealed. Both Father and the orphans’ court complied with Pa.R.A.P. 1925.

ISSUES ON APPEAL

      Father raises the following issues on appeal:

      1. Did the [orphans’ court] err in granting Mother’s [TPR
         Petition] despite the only evidence being contested testimony
         and despite a showing by Father that a relationship existed
         and had been maintained with [Child]?

      2. Did the [orphans’ court] err failing to perform its mandatory
         analysis of whether there was a bond between [Child] and
         Father and the analysis of the impact of severing such a
         bond?

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      3. Did the [orphans’ court] err in denying Father’s request for a
         bonding evaluation in light of the contested testimony on the
         presence of a bond between [Child] and Father, after Father’s
         presentation of evidence of a bond between [Child] and
         himself and his actions to maintain it?

Father’s Brief at 2.

LEGAL ANALYSIS

      In his first two issues on appeal, Father avers that the orphans’ court

erred in granting Mother’s TPR petition and involuntarily terminating Father’s

parental rights.   Id.    Father argues that, because there was conflicting

testimony, Mother failed to meet her burden of presenting clear and

convincing evidence that Father’s parental rights should be involuntarily

terminated. Id. at 9. Father also asserts that the orphans’ court failed to

properly analyze whether a bond existed between Father and Child, and the

impact of severing that bond. Id. at 13-15.

      When we review a trial court’s decision to terminate parental rights,

“we are limited to determining whether the decision of the trial court is

supported by competent evidence. Absent an abuse of discretion, an error

of law, or insufficient evidentiary support for the trial court's decision, the

decree must stand.”      In re R.N.J., 985 A.2d 273, 276 (Pa. Super. 2009)

(citation and quotation omitted). We may reverse a decision based on an

abuse of discretion “only upon demonstration of manifest unreasonableness,

partiality, prejudice, bias, or ill-will.” In re T.S.M., 71 A.3d 251, 267 (Pa.

2013) (citation and quotation omitted).       We may not reverse, however,

“merely because the record would support a different result.” Id. (citation

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omitted). We give great deference to the trial courts “that often have first-

hand observations of the parties spanning multiple hearings.”                      Id.

Moreover, “[t]he trial court is free to believe all, part, or none of the

evidence   presented,    and    is   likewise    free    to   make   all    credibility

determinations and resolve conflicts in the evidence.” In re M.G., 855 A.2d
68, 73-74 (Pa. Super. 2004) (citation and quotation omitted).

      Section 2511 of the Adoption Act, 23 Pa.C.S. § 2511, governs

termination of parental rights, and requires a bifurcated analysis. “Initially,

the focus is on the conduct of the parent.”           In re Adoption of A.C., 162
A.3d 1123, 1128 (Pa. Super. 2017) (citation and quotation omitted). “The

party seeking termination must prove by clear and convincing evidence that

the parent’s conduct satisfies the statutory grounds for termination

delineated in Section 2511(a).”        Id. (citation and quotation omitted).

Provided   that   the   court   determines      the    parent’s   conduct    warrants

termination of his or her parental rights, the court then engages in “the

second part of the analysis pursuant to Section 2511(b): determination of

the needs and welfare of the child under the standard of best interests of the

child.” Id. (citation and quotation omitted).

      As stated above, the burden is upon the petitioner to prove by clear

and convincing evidence that the asserted grounds for seeking the

termination of parental rights are valid. In re R.N.J., supra at 276. We

have explained that “[t]he standard of clear and convincing evidence is

defined as testimony that is so clear, direct, weighty and convincing as to

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enable the trier of fact to come to a clear conviction, without hesitance, of

the truth of the precise facts in issue.” Id. (quotation and citation omitted).

In addition, in order to affirm the termination of parental rights, this Court

need only agree with any one subsection under Section 2511(a). See In re

B.L.W., 843 A.2d 380, 384 (Pa. Super. 2004) (en banc).           In the instant

case, we will analyze Section 2511(a)(1).

Termination Pursuant to Section 2511(a)

      Section 2511(a)(1) provides that the trial court may terminate

parental rights if the Petitioner establishes that “the parent by conduct

continuing for a period of at least six months immediately preceding the

filing of the petition either has evidenced a settled purpose of relinquishing

parental claim to a child or has refused or failed to perform parental duties.”

23 Pa.C.S. § 2511(a)(1). The focus of the TPR hearing is on the conduct of

the parent and whether that conduct justifies a termination of parental

rights. In re B.L.L., 787 A.2d 1007, 1013 (Pa. Super. 2001). Although the

statute focuses on an analysis of the six months immediately preceding the

filing of the petition, “the court must consider the whole history of a given

case and not mechanically apply the six-month statutory provision.” In re

K.Z.S., 946 A.2d 753, 758 (Pa. Super. 2008) (citation and quotation

omitted).   Rather, “[t]he court must examine the individual circumstances

of each case and consider all explanations offered by the parent facing

termination of his parental rights, to determine if the evidence, in light of the

totality of the circumstances, clearly warrants the involuntary termination.”

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Id. (citation and quotation omitted). Finally, a court “may not consider any

effort by the parent to remedy the conditions described in subsections

(a)(1), (a)(6) or (a)(8) if that remedy was initiated after the parent was

given notice that the termination petition had been filed.” In re D.W., 856
A.2d 1231, 1234 (Pa. Super. 2004). See 23 Pa.C.S. §2511(b).

      This Court has repeatedly defined “parental duties” in general as the

affirmative obligation to provide consistently for the physical and emotional

needs of a child:

         There is no simple or easy definition of parental duties.
         Parental duty is best understood in relation to the needs of
         a child. A child needs love, protection, guidance, and
         support. These needs, physical and emotional, cannot be
         met by a merely passive interest in the development of the
         child.   Thus, this Court has held that the parental
         obligation is a positive duty which requires affirmative
         performance.      This affirmative duty . . . requires
         continuing interest in the child and a genuine effort to
         maintain communication and association with the child.
         Because a child needs more than a benefactor, parental
         duty requires that a parent exert himself to take and
         maintain a place of importance in the child’s life.

In re B., N.M., 856 A.2d 847, 855 (Pa. Super. 2004) (citations and internal

paragraph breaks omitted).

      Moreover, “[p]arental duty requires that the parent act affirmatively

with good faith interest and effort, and not yield to every problem, in order

to maintain the parent-child relationship to the best of his or her ability,

even in difficult circumstances.” Id.    (citation omitted).   “A parent must

utilize all available resources to preserve the parental relationship, and must

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exercise reasonable firmness in resisting obstacles placed in the path of

maintaining the parent-child relationship.” Id. (citation omitted). And most

importantly, “[p]arental rights are not preserved by waiting for a more

suitable or convenient time to perform one’s parental responsibilities while

others provide the child with his or her physical and emotional needs.” Id.

(citation omitted).

      Our review of the record supports the orphans’ court’s determination

that, because Father has refused or failed to perform parental duties for

more than six months prior to the filing of the petition in order to preserve

the parent-child relationship, Mother met her burden under 23 Pa.C.S. §

2511(a)(1). Father has neither cared for nor provided financial support for

Child since Child was eighteen months old. The orphans’ court opined:

      During Child’s entire life, Father has not been able to hold a job,
      he has not had money to buy gifts or provide support for Child,
      and he has not properly cared for Child. Father has not been
      able to exercise custody rights because he had not been able to
      stay off drugs. Father is unable to provide a stable and secure
      environment for Child. . . . Father acknowledged that his being
      in and out of rehab has not been fair to Child and has not
      provided stability for him. Although Father seems to think things
      will be different in a few months, he does not have the right to
      wait for a more suitable time to be a parent. Child is three years
      of age. So far, Father has not been there for him and has not
      provided the essential parental care necessary for Child’s
      physical or mental well-being, and the [c]ourt does not believe
      Father can remedy his failures in the foreseeable future.

Orphans’ Ct. Op., dated 8/9/17, at 6.

      Significantly, after relapsing and losing shared custody of Child, Father

has had limited contact with Child, only via phone calls and video chats twice

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a month. Because of his positive drug screens, Father has only physically

seen Child one time since May 2016, at a court-ordered family therapy

session in his current drug rehab facility.4       Father has failed to contact

Mother to inquire about Child’s well-being and has failed to send Child gifts,

letters, and cards while Child is in Mother’s custody. While Father testified

that he sent gifts to Child at Paternal Grandparents home, the orphans’ court

did not find that testimony to be credible.        Instead, the orphans’ court

concluded “[Paternal Grandparents] are the ones who have provided care

and gifts for Child when he has not been in the custody of Mother.”

Orphans’ Ct. Op., dated 8/9/17, at 6.

       While Father argues that contested testimony cannot meet the clear

and convincing burden, he fails to cite any case law to support this.

Contrary to his assertion, “[t]he trial court is free to believe all, part, or none

of the evidence presented, and is likewise free to make all credibility

determinations and resolve conflicts in the evidence.” In re M.G., supra at

73-74 (citation and quotation omitted).

       In light of the evidence, the orphans’ court properly concluded that

Father failed to perform his parental duties for more than six months

____________________________________________

4 This visit occurred after Mother filed the TPR Petition and, consequently,
the orphans’ court is barred from considering this effort. See In re D.W.,
supra at 1234; 23 Pa.C.S. §2511(b).

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preceding the filing of the TRP Petition.       Accordingly, the orphans’ court

properly exercised its discretion in terminating Father’s parental rights

pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S. § 2511(a)(1).

Termination Pursuant to Section 2511(b)

      We agree with the orphans’ court’s determination that the Mother met

her burden under 23 Pa.C.S. § 2511(b), and that terminating Father’s

parental rights is in the best interest of Child.

      With respect to Section 2511(b), our analysis shifts focus from

parental actions in fulfilling parental duties to the effect that terminating the

parental bond will have on the child. Section 2511(b) “focuses on whether

termination of parental rights would best serve the developmental, physical,

and emotional needs and welfare of the child.” In re Adoption of J.M., 991
A.2d 321, 324 (Pa. Super. 2010). It is well settled that “[i]ntangibles such

as love, comfort, security, and stability are involved in the inquiry into needs

and welfare of the child.” In re C.M.S., 884 A.2d 1284, 1287 (Pa. Super.

2005) (citation omitted).      This Court has emphasized that although a

parent’s emotional bond with her child is a “major aspect of the subsection

2511(b) best-interest analysis, it is nonetheless only one of many factors to

be considered by the trial court when determining what is in the best

interest of the child.”   In re A.D., 93 A.3d 888, 897 (Pa. Super. 2014)

(citation omitted).   Finally, “[i]n cases where there is no evidence of any

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

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exists. The extent of any bond analysis, therefore, necessarily depends on

the circumstances of the particular case.” In re K.Z.S., supra at 762–63.

      The orphans’ court opined:

      Turning to the best interests of the Child, it is clear that
      termination of Father’s parental rights is appropriate. . . . Mother
      said that she never saw Child express love for Father and that
      Child does not recognize him in photographs. Child does not ask
      about Father and does not talk about him after visits with
      Paternal Grandparents. Mother believes neither Child nor Father
      has shown much interest in the other, that there is no
      relationship between Father and Child, and that no bond exists.
      Father has been and is unable to meet the Child’s developmental
      and emotional needs. On the other hand, Child recognizes
      [Stepfather] as his daddy and gets fatherly support from him.

      Father and [Mother] naturally disagree that Child is not bonded
      to Father and that Child does not remember him. Child’s counsel
      was of the opinion that there was no significant relationship
      between Child and Father. . . . Counsel was of the opinion that
      there would be no lasting negative effect on Child if Father’s
      parental rights were terminated.      The Court agreed with
      Counsel, finding that throughout the hearing Mother’s testimony
      was more credible than that presented by Father and [Paternal
      Grandmother].

Orphans’ Ct. Op., dated 8/9/17, at 7-8. Our review of the record supports

the orphans’ court’s conclusions.

      Father argues that the orphans’ court erred when it failed to consider

and analyze Father’s testimony regarding the bond that exists between

Father and Child. On the contrary, the orphans’ court did consider Father’s

testimony, but did not find that testimony to be credible. It is the orphans’

court role to make all credibility determinations and resolve conflicts in the

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evidence.   In re M.G., supra at 73-74.      The orphans’ court’s failure to

analyze testimony that it deemed not credible does not constitute error.

Bonding Evaluation

      In his last issue, Father avers that the orphans’ court erred in denying

his request for a bonding evaluation in light of conflicting testimony on the

presence of a bond between Child and Father. See Father’s Brief at 2. He

asserts that a bonding evaluation was particularly appropriate in light of

Father and Paternal Grandmother’s testimony regarding the existence of a

bond between Father and Child. See id. This issue lacks merit.

      This Court has concluded, “[i]n analyzing the parent-child bond, the

orphans' court is not required by statute or precedent to order a formal

bonding evaluation be performed by an expert.” In re K.K.R.-S., 958 A.2d
529, 533 (Pa. Super. 2008).     Moreover, as stated above, in cases where

there is no evidence of a bond, it is reasonable for a court to infer that no

bond exists.   In re K.Z.S., supra at 762-63.      “The extent of any bond

analysis, therefore, necessarily depends on the circumstances of the

particular case.” Id. at 763.

      Instantly, Father has had extremely limited telephone and video chat

contact with child twice a month since May 2016. While Father and Paternal

Grandmother testified that a bond existed between Father and Child, the

orphans’ court did not find this testimony to be credible.    In light of the

limited contact between Father and Child, it was reasonable for the court to

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infer that no bond exists and the court was not required to order a formal

bonding evaluation. Accordingly, we find no error.

      Moreover, we agree with the orphans’ court that it was disingenuous

for Father’s counsel to request a bonding evaluation at the conclusion of the

TPR hearing. The orphans’ court opined, “[t]he [c]ourt viewed the request

as nothing more than a delay tactic, contrary to Child’s right to fulfillment of

his potential in a permanent, healthy, safe environment with proper

parenting.” Orphans’ Ct. Op., dated 8/9/17, at 8. We agree.

CONCLUSION

      In sum, our review of the record reveals that Mother provided clear

and convincing evidence to support the termination of Father’s parental

rights pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S. §§ 2511(a)(1) and (b).

      Order affirmed.

Judgment Entered.

Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary

Date: 01/17/2018

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