Court Opinion

ID: 4342408
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2018-11-16 19:07:07.419599+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:49:00.628962
License: Public Domain

J-S69037-18

NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37

 IN THE INTEREST OF: A.L., A MINOR        :   IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
                                          :        PENNSYLVANIA
                                          :
 APPEAL OF: A.M.T., NATURAL               :
 MOTHER                                   :
                                          :
                                          :
                                          :
                                          :   No. 949 MDA 2018

                Appeal from the Order Entered May 16, 2018
  In the Court of Common Pleas of Cumberland County Juvenile Division at
                          No(s): 001-Adopt-2018,
                          CP-21-DP-0000075-2017

 IN RE: ADOPTION OF: A.L., A              :   IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
 MINOR                                    :        PENNSYLVANIA
                                          :
                                          :
 APPEAL OF: A.M.T., NATURAL               :
 MOTHER                                   :
                                          :
                                          :
                                          :   No. 966 MDA 2018

                   Appeal from the Decree May 16, 2018
  In the Court of Common Pleas of Cumberland County Orphans' Court at
                         No(s): 001-Adopt-2018

BEFORE: BENDER, P.J.E., LAZARUS, J., and MURRAY, J.

MEMORANDUM BY MURRAY, J.:                       FILED NOVEMBER 16, 2018

      A.M.T. (Mother) appeals from the order which changed the permanency

goal of A.L. (Child) (born July 2016) to adoption, pursuant to the Juvenile Act,

42 Pa.C.S.A. § 6351, and the decree involuntarily terminating her parental

rights pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S.A. § 2511(a)(1), (2), (5), and (b) of the Adoption
J-S69037-18

Act.1    Additionally, Mother’s counsel, R.H. Hawn, Jr., Esquire, seeks to

withdraw his representation of Mother pursuant to Anders v. California, 87
S. Ct. 1936 (1967), Commonwealth v. Santiago, 978 A.2d 349 (Pa. 2009),

and In re V.E., 611 A.2d 1267, 1275 (Pa. Super. 1992) (extending Anders

briefing criteria to appeals by indigent parents represented by court-appointed

counsel in involuntary termination matters). After careful review, we affirm

and grant counsel’s petition to withdraw.

        We summarize the following facts from the orphans’ court opinion, and

from the record. See Orphans’ Court Opinion, 8/14/18, at 1-3; see also N.T.,

5/16/18, at 1-44. The family has a long involvement with the Cumberland

County Children and Youth Services (CYS or Agency). Prior to her involvement

with Father, Mother had three children with other men. In 2013, Mother was

driving under the influence of cocaine when she had an accident with the three

children in the car. Since that time, the older children have resided with their

respective fathers, and Mother voluntarily relinquished her parental rights to

them. Mother and Father have a total of five children together, three older

than Child and one younger than Child.           The three older children were

previously placed and adopted.2
____________________________________________

1The court terminated the parental rights of G.L. (Father) pursuant to Section
2511(a)(1), (2), (5), and (b). Father did not separately appeal and is not a
party to the instant appeal.

2 Parents’ parental rights to G.L., Jr., were terminated some time in 2012,
their parental rights to C.L. were terminated in October 2014, and their

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       In December 2016, Mother completed a Functional Assessment

Screening Tool (FAST) evaluation.              Three months of supervision was

recommended to allow Mother to demonstrate she could follow through with

medication management, counseling, stable housing, avoid domestic violence

and police involvement, maintain negative drug screens, and set up and follow

through with medical appointments for Child (including a hip specialist).

       In June 2017, CYS filed a shelter care application.      The application

alleged that Mother and Father had issues with domestic violence, drug abuse,

mental health, and a lack of stable housing. Child had not been taken to his

nine-month checkup. Additionally, CYS had received a referral indicating that

Mother and Father were living with Child in a tent in a state park. Child was

removed from the parents and placed in non-kinship foster care.

       The Agency filed a dependency petition, and on July 7, 2017, Child was

adjudicated dependent. At that time, Mother’s goals were identified as: get

out of jail; obtain a drug and alcohol evaluation and follow through with any

recommended treatment; obtain a mental health evaluation; complete

parenting classes; and break the cycle of domestic violence. In September

2017, Mother did not appear for a judicial conference, but the court found she

was making substantial progress, had obtained a drug and alcohol evaluation,

a FAST evaluation, and a mental health evaluation.

____________________________________________

parental rights to J.L. were terminated in November 2014. It appears that
these terminations were voluntary. Child’s youngest sibling, V.L., was placed
at birth with the same foster parents as Child.

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       However, during a permanency review hearing in December 2017,

Mother was found to be in minimal compliance, and had not made progress

toward achieving independent, appropriate housing.             As a result, she was

discharged from Alternative Behavioral Consultants (ABC).             Her visits with

Child were inconsistent, and since August 2017, she had not pursued domestic

violence counseling services, nor had she received mental health counseling

since October 2017.        Also, Mother stopped appearing for drug screens in

October 2017, and did not follow recommendations to pursue outpatient drug

and alcohol counseling. Further, Mother was charged with new crimes.3

       In January 2018, CYS filed a petition requesting that Child’s goal be

changed to adoption, and a petition requesting that the court involuntarily

terminate Mother’s and Father’s parental rights pursuant to Section

2511(a)(1), (2), (5), and (8).

       In   March     2018,     Mother     tested   positive   for   methylenedioxy-

methamphetamine (MDMA, more commonly known as ecstasy), and later in

the month, attempted to falsify her urine sample. After giving a true screen

sample, she tested positive for cocaine and fentanyl. In April 2018, Child’s

younger sibling V.L. was born, and Mother and V.L. tested positive for cocaine

and marijuana at V.L.’s birth. Mother was then incarcerated for approximately

____________________________________________

3 On October 5, 2017, Mother was charged with theft and receiving stolen
property. On October 24, 2017, Mother was charged with four counts of
harassment. On December 7, 2017, Mother was charged with criminal
trespass and disorderly conduct. See Permanency Review Order, 12/20/17,
at 1-2.

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three months. At the time, she was unsuccessfully discharged from her drug

treatment program, and had not obtained mental health services.

       On May 16, 2018, the court convened a hearing on the combined goal

change and termination petitions.              CYS presented the testimony of Shelly

Barrick, CYS caseworker, and T.R., Child’s foster mother. Mother, represented

by counsel, testified on her own behalf. Father, represented by counsel, did

not appear at the hearing. Child was represented by the Children’s Advocacy

Clinic as guardian ad litem and legal counsel.4

       Ms. Barrick testified that Child is doing well in foster care with his

younger sister V.L., and is very bonded to his foster parents.            See N.T.,

5/16/18, at 12-13. T.R. testified that Child is doing well in her home, and that

she and her wife, P.E.-R., wish to adopt Child. Id. at 16. He is very bonded

with both foster mothers. Id. at 17. T.R. described one visit with Mother in

prison where Child seemed happy to see Mother, but another visit where Child

clung to foster mother and refused to let go. Id. at 18. Mother visited Child

four times in 2018. Id. at 20. Foster mothers are open to Mother having

post-adoption contact with Child. Id. at 21.

____________________________________________

4 Lucy Johnston-Walsh, Esquire, appeared for the Children’s Advocacy Clinic.
See N.T., 5/16/18, at 1. This representation satisfied the representation
requirements of In re Adoption of L.B.M., 161 A.3d 172, 183 (Pa. 2017)
(plurality) and In re T.S., 192 A.3d 1080, 1092-93 (Pa. 2018). Here, counsel
noted on the record that Child was non-verbal due to his young age, but that
he appeared happy in his placement. See N.T., 5/16/18, at 39; see also
T.S., supra (noting that there is no conflict between child’s best and legal
interests if child is non-verbal due to young age).

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      Mother testified that she is on the housing authority’s list for Section 8

housing, and that her name is near the top of the list. Id. at 25. She averred

that she had taken parenting classes, but services were discontinued until she

could find housing. Id. at 26-27. Mother continued visitation with Child while

incarcerated; she averred that Child, who calls her “mom mom,” recognizes

and loves her. Id. at 29-30, 36-37. Mother denied testing positive for drugs

at V.L.’s birth. Id. at 30-31. She testified that she was attending Narcotics

Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings while in the prison, receiving

dialectical behavior therapy, and attending domestic violence counseling. Id.

at 30-34. Mother stated she had not seen Father for close to three months

and that she was no longer in a relationship with him. Id. at 32-33.

      Child’s counsel noted that Child was too young to verbalize his desires

but that, after observation, counsel concluded that Child was happy and well-

adjusted with foster family. Id. at 39. At the conclusion of the hearing, the

court changed Child’s permanency goal to adoption, and terminated Mother’s

parental rights. Id. at 43-44.

      Mother appealed and filed a concise statement of errors complained of

on appeal pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 1925(a)(2)(i) and (b). In this Court, Mother’s

counsel has filed an Anders brief, asserting two issues that Mother might seek

to raise:

      1. Did the [orphans’] court abuse its discretion and commit an
      error of law when it found, despite a lack of clear and convincing
      evidence, that the child’s permanent placement goal of
      reunification [was] neither appropriate, nor feasible and ordered

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       a goal change to adoption, thus contravening section 6351(f) of
       the Juvenile Act, 42 Pa.C.S. § 6351(f)?

       2. Did the [orphans’] court abuse its discretion and commit an
       error of law when it found, despite a lack of clear and convincing
       evidence, that sufficient grounds existed for a termination of
       [Mother’s] parental rights [to] her child, and when it failed to
       primarily consider the child’s developmental, physical, and
       emotional needs and welfare, thus contravening sections 2511(a)
       and 2511(b) of the Adoption Act, 23 Pa.C.S. §§ 2511(a) and
       2511(b)?

Anders Brief at 4 (suggested answers omitted).5

       When faced with a purported Anders brief, this Court may not review

the merits of any possible underlying issues without first examining counsel’s

request to withdraw. Commonwealth v. Goodwin, 928 A.2d 287, 290 (Pa.

Super. 2007) (en banc).         Prior to withdrawing as counsel on direct appeal

under Anders, counsel must file a brief that meets the requirements

established by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in Santiago, namely:

       (1) provide a summary of the procedural history and facts, with
       citations to the record;

       (2) refer to anything in the record that counsel believes arguably
       supports the appeal;

       (3) set forth counsel’s conclusion that the appeal is frivolous; and

       (4) state counsel’s reasons for concluding that the appeal is
       frivolous. Counsel should articulate the relevant facts of record,
       controlling case law, and/or statutes on point that have led to the
       conclusion that the appeal is frivolous.

Santiago, 978 A.2d at 361.

____________________________________________

5Mother has not pro se filed a response to the Anders brief or retained new
counsel.

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      Counsel also must provide a copy of the Anders brief to his client.
      Attending the brief must be a letter that advises the client of his
      right to: “(1) retain new counsel to pursue the appeal; (2) proceed
      pro se on appeal; or (3) raise any points that the appellant deems
      worthy of the court[’]s attention in addition to the points raised
      by counsel in the Anders brief.” Commonwealth v. Nischan,
      928 A.2d 349, 353 (Pa. Super. 2007), appeal denied, 594 Pa.
704, 936 A.2d 40 (2007).

Commonwealth v. Orellana, 86 A.3d 877, 879-880 (Pa. Super. 2014).

After determining that counsel has satisfied these technical requirements of

Anders and Santiago, only then may this Court “conduct an independent

review of the record to discern if there are any additional, non-frivolous issues

overlooked by counsel.” Commonwealth v. Flowers, 113 A.3d 1246, 1250

(Pa. Super. 2015) (citations and footnote omitted).

      Attorney Hawn’s Anders brief complies with these requirements. He

includes a summary of the relevant factual and procedural history; he refers

to the portions of the record that could arguably support Mother’s claim; and

he sets forth a conclusion that the appeal is frivolous and no other issues could

be raised. He explains his reasoning and supports his rationale with citations

to the record and pertinent legal authority. Additionally, Attorney Hawn has

supplied Mother with a copy of the Anders brief and letter explaining the

rights enumerated in Nischan, supra. Thus, counsel has complied with the

technical requirements for withdrawal.      We now independently review the

record to determine if the issues raised are frivolous and to ascertain whether

there are non-frivolous issues Mother may pursue on appeal.

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      We review cases involving the termination of parental rights according

to the following:

      The standard of review in termination of parental rights cases
      requires appellate courts to accept the findings of fact and
      credibility determinations of the trial court if they are supported
      by the record. If the factual findings are supported, appellate
      courts review to determine if the trial court made an error of law
      or abused its discretion. A decision may be reversed for an abuse
      of   discretion    only   upon     demonstration      of    manifest
      unreasonableness, partiality, prejudice, bias, or ill-will. The trial
      court’s decision, however, should not be reversed merely because
      the record would support a different result. We have previously
      emphasized our deference to trial courts that often have first-hand
      observations of the parties spanning multiple hearings.

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

omitted).

      Termination requires a bifurcated analysis:

      Initially, the focus is on the conduct of the parent. 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). Only if the court
      determines that the parent’s conduct warrants termination of his
      or her parental rights does the court engage 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. One major aspect of the needs and welfare analysis
      concerns the nature and status of the emotional bond between
      parent and child, with close attention paid to the effect on the child
      of permanently severing any such bond.

In re L.M., 923 A.2d 505, 511 (Pa. Super. 2007) (citations omitted). As CYF

argues that it proved by clear and convincing evidence that grounds for

termination existed under 23 Pa.C.S.A. § 2511(a)(2), we focus our analysis

on subsection (a)(2) and (b).

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      The relevant subsections of 23 Pa.C.S. § 2511 provide:

      (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.

                                     ***

      (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.A. § 2511.

      To satisfy the requirements of § 2511(a)(2), the moving party must

prove “(1) repeated and continued incapacity, abuse, neglect or refusal; (2)

that such incapacity, abuse, neglect or refusal caused the child to be without

essential parental care, control or subsistence; and (3) that the causes of the

incapacity, abuse, neglect or refusal cannot or will not be remedied.” See In

Interest of Lilley, 719 A.2d 327, 330 (Pa. Super. 1998). The grounds for

termination are not limited to affirmative misconduct, but concern parental

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incapacity that cannot be remedied. In re Z.P., 994 A.2d 1108, 1117 (Pa.

Super. 2010).    Parents are required to make diligent efforts toward the

reasonably prompt assumption of full parental duties. Id.

     Here, Mother contends that there was insufficient evidence to support

the termination of her parental rights because she was in compliance with and

making progress towards her objectives, and the court failed to assess her

progress in light of what would be expected of a similarly situated adult. See

Anders Brief at 14. Mother claims that she only needed a few months to

complete her prison sentence, return to the community, and resume parenting

responsibilities, and that she had maintained sobriety and attended substance

abuse intervention programs while incarcerated. Id. at 14-15.

     In the instant case, the orphans’ court explained:

     We made it clear to Mother what she needed to do to reunify with
     [Child] when we met with her in July, 2017. As stated at the
     conclusion of the adjudication hearing,

           “[I]t is clear to this [c]ourt that the root of
           dependency here is, among other things, but most
           importantly, the history of domestic violence in the
           household.     The domestic violence leads to the
           instability that has plagued the parents throughout
           their lengthy involvement with Children and Youth.
           Mother has indicated that she is committed to
           reunification with [Child]. We have indicated to her
           that we hope that will be accomplished, but in order
           to do so, she must . . . obtain a drug and alcohol
           evaluation and follow through . . . obtain a mental
           health evaluation . . . and [] most importantly, break
           the cycle of domestic violence between her and her
           paramour and Father of [Child].”

     She did none of those things.

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      Mother was offered numerous services to assist her in doing what
      she needed to do to resume her parenting of her child. Instead
      of taking advantage of those services, she continued to abuse
      drugs and stayed in her toxic relationship with her abuser. In
      addition, her contact with [Child] became increasingly sporadic
      until her re-incarceration in April of this year.

      The above facts yield the hallmarks of someone who refuses to
      carry out her parental duties or is incapable of remedying the
      cause of her incapacity with the resources at her disposal. She
      has not put any investment into her addiction treatment, mental
      health services, domestic violence services, or her child. Mother
      has long refused to put her child (in fact, children) before drugs
      and her abusive paramour. Her addiction is the source of her past
      and present parental incapacity, and her current instability is a
      foreseeable consequence of her inability to lead a life free from
      illegal drugs and her toxic relationship with Father. Thus, Mother’s
      issues continued to impact [Child] and precluded her from
      providing essential parental care, control or subsistence necessary
      for his physical or mental well-being. Whether Mother’s failure to
      provide parental care is the result of true incapacity or is simply
      her refusal, differentiating is not important; the result is the
      same—the Child is without essential parental care.

Trial Court Opinion, 8/16/18, at 4-6. Upon review, we discern no error in this

analysis and, accordingly, agree with the orphans’ court that CYS proved by

clear and convincing evidence that Mother evinced parental incapacity, the

causes of which could not be remedied. Lilley, 719 A.2d at 330; Z.P., 994
A.2d at 1117.

      Accordingly, we consider next whether Child’s needs and welfare will be

met by termination pursuant to Subsection (b). Z.P., 994 A.2d at 1121. “In

this context, the court must take into account whether a bond exists between

child and parent, and whether termination would destroy an existing,

necessary and beneficial relationship.” Id. The court is not required to use

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expert testimony, and social workers and caseworkers may offer evaluations

as well. Id. Ultimately, the concern is the needs and welfare of a child. Id.

Where there is no evidence of a bond between the parent and child, it is

reasonable to infer that no bond exists. In re: K.Z.S., 946 A.2d 753, 763

(Pa. Super. 2008).

     We have noted:

     [b]efore granting a petition to terminate parental rights, it is
     imperative that a trial court carefully consider the intangible
     dimension of the needs and welfare of a child—the love, comfort,
     security, and closeness—entailed in a parent-child relationship, as
     well as the tangible dimension. Continuity of relationships is also
     important to a child, for whom severance of close parental ties is
     usually extremely painful. The trial court, in considering what
     situation would best serve the child’s needs and welfare, must
     examine the status of the natural parental bond to consider
     whether terminating the natural parents’ rights would destroy
     something in existence that is necessary and beneficial.

Z.P., 994 A.2d at 1121 (quoting In re C.S., 761 A.2d 1197, 1202 (Pa. Super.

2000)).

     The orphans’ court observed:

     We found little to no evidence that severing the ties between
     Mother and [Child] would have any detrimental effect on [Child].
     Furthermore, we are satisfied that if there would be any adverse
     effect, it could be easily overcome by the love and support of his
     foster family. [Child] is thriving in the foster home. He is an
     integral part of the foster family. They love him and want to adopt
     him. With his foster family he has stability, and most importantly,
     permanency. Consequently, we are satisfied that the needs and
     welfare of [Child] would be best served by terminating parental
     rights and allowing him to be adopted by his foster parents.

Trial Court Opinion, 8/16/18, at 6. Again, we agree with the orphans’ court;

although there was some testimony that Child recognizes Mother, and despite

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Mother’s testimony that Child loves her, we are mindful that “a child’s life

cannot be held in abeyance.” See In re R.J.S., 901 A.2d 502, 513 (Pa. Super.

2006).

     Accordingly, we conclude that clear and convincing evidence of record

supports the termination of Mother’s parental rights under Section 2511(a)(2),

and Section 2511(b), where termination would best serve Child’s needs and

welfare. See Z.P., 994 A.2d at 1126-27.

     Mother additionally challenges the goal change to adoption, pursuant to

the Juvenile Act, 42 Pa.C.S. § 6351, and contends that the court did not give

appropriate weight to Mother’s recent compliance with her objectives and did

not properly weigh the evidence of her progress towards alleviating the

circumstances underlying Child’s dependency. Anders Brief at 12.

     With regard to dependency cases:

     [t]he standard of review which this Court employs in cases of
     dependency is broad. However, the scope of review is limited in
     a fundamental manner by our inability to nullify the fact-finding of
     the lower court. We accord great weight to this function of the
     hearing judge because he is in the position to observe and rule
     upon the credibility of the witnesses and the parties who appear
     before him. Relying upon his unique posture, we will not overrule
     his findings if they are supported by competent evidence.

In re N.A., 116 A.3d 1144, 1148 (Pa. Super. 2015). Thus, we employ an

abuse of discretion standard. In re L.Z., 111 A.3d 1164, 1174 (Pa. 2015).

     Regarding the disposition of dependent children, the Juvenile Act, 42

Pa.C.S. §§ 6351(e)-(g), provides the criteria for a permanency plan.        The

court must determine a disposition best suited to the safety and protection,

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as well as the physical, mental, and moral welfare of the child. See 42 Pa.C.S.

§ 6351(g). With a goal change petition, the trial court:

      considers the continuing necessity for and appropriateness of the
      placement; the extent of compliance with the service plan
      developed for the child; the extent of progress made towards
      alleviating the circumstances which necessitated the original
      placement; the appropriateness and feasibility of the current
      placement goal for the child; and, a likely date by which the goal
      for the child might be achieved.

In Interest of A.N.P., 155 A.3d 55, 67 (Pa. Super. 2017) (quoting In re

A.K., 936 A.2d 528, 533 (Pa. Super. 2007).

      We have further noted:

      [w]hen a child is adjudicated dependent, the child’s proper
      placement turns on what is in the child’s best interest, not on what
      the parent wants or which goals the parent has achieved.
      Moreover, although preserving the unity of the family is a purpose
      of the [Juvenile] Act, another purpose is to “provide for the care,
      protection, safety, and wholesome mental and physical
      development of children coming within the provisions of this
      chapter.” 42 Pa.C.S. § 6301(b)(1.1). Indeed, “[t]he relationship
      of parent and child is a status and not a property right, and one
      in which the state has an interest to protect the best interest of
      the child.”

In re K.C., 903 A.2d 12, 14-15 (Pa. Super. 2006) (some citations omitted).

      As noted above, the orphans’ court determined that Child’s needs and

welfare would be best served by adoption. Additionally, although Mother had

made some progress while incarcerated, she had not shown any progress

while not incarcerated.   Essentially, Mother’s argument requests that we –

impermissibly – re-weigh the orphans’ court’s findings and conclusions. N.A.,
116 A.3d at 1148.

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      Thus, we find no error of law or abuse of discretion in the orphans’

court’s finding that Mother failed to make appropriate progress to alleviate the

circumstances necessitating placement; finding that it was in the best

interests of Child to be adopted; and changing Child’s permanency goal to

adoption. N.A., 116 A.3d at 1148; A.N.P., 155 A.3d at 67; K.C., 903 A.2d at

14-15.

      In sum, we agree with Attorney Hawn that Mother’s issues are frivolous.

We have independently reviewed the record and find no other issues of

arguable merit that he or Mother could pursue on appeal. Accordingly, we

grant counsel’s petition to withdraw and conclude that clear and convincing

evidence of record supports the termination of Mother’s parental rights under

Sections 2511(a)(2) as well as the Section 2511(b) findings that severing the

bond between Mother and Child would not cause harm to Child; that adoption

would best serve Child’s needs and welfare; and that Child’s permanency goal

should be changed to adoption. See Z.P., 994 A.2d at 1126-27.

      Order affirmed. Decree affirmed. Petition to withdraw granted.

Judgment Entered.

Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary

Date: 11/16/2018

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