Court Opinion

ID: 4540717
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2020-06-11 18:08:52.318374+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:44:36.882897
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                                NOT FOR PUBLICATION WITHOUT THE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-4386-18T4

NEW JERSEY DIVISION
OF CHILD PROTECTION
AND PERMANENCY,

         Plaintiff-Respondent,

v.

I.A.,

         Defendant-Appellant,

and

D.E.A.,

     Defendant.
_________________________

IN THE MATTER OF THE
GUARDIANSHIP OF J.A.,
N.A., and K.A.,

     Minors.
_________________________

                   Submitted May 4, 2020 – Decided June 11, 2020

                   Before Judges Fasciale and Mitterhoff.
            On appeal from the Superior Court of New Jersey,
            Chancery Division, Family Part, Hudson County,
            Docket No. FG-09-0212-19.

            Joseph E. Krakora, Public Defender, attorney for
            appellant (Deric D. Wu, Assistant Deputy Public
            Defender, of counsel and on the briefs).

            Gurbir S. Grewal, Attorney General, attorney for
            respondent (Melissa H. Raksa, Assistant Attorney
            General, of counsel; Sara M. Gregory, Deputy
            Attorney General, on the brief).

            Joseph E. Krakora, Public Defender, Law Guardian,
            attorney for minors (Meredith Alexis Pollock, Deputy
            Public Defender, of counsel; Melissa R. Vance,
            Assistant Deputy Public Defender, of counsel and on
            the brief).

PER CURIAM

      Defendant I.A. appeals the trial court's decision entered on May 23, 2019 1

that terminated his parental rights as to his three minor children, Jimmy, Nicole,

and Kathleen.2 The Division of Child Protection and Permanency (the Division)

received a referral alleging that there had been domestic violence between I.A.

and his wife, and that the children may have witnessed the violence. Following

1
  While the order also terminated the parental rights of the children's mother,
D.E.A, she is not participating in the present appeal.
2
  We refer to the minor children with pseudonyms, and otherwise use initials to
protect the confidentiality of the participants in these proceedings. R. 1:38-
3(d)(12).
                                                                         A-4386-18T4
                                        2
a second referral and an investigation, the Division removed the children and

placed them with their paternal grandparents after it determined that the parents'

contentious relationship and unstable housing were harmful to the children. The

Division referred the parents for numerous services, but eventually, pursuant to

N.J.S.A. 30:4C-15.1, it filed a complaint seeking to terminate their parental

rights, and to facilitate the children's adoption by the grandparents.

      At trial, the court heard testimony from several witnesses called by the

Division, including a caseworker and two expert clinicians. Ultimately, the

court determined that the Division had satisfied the elements of N.J.S.A. 30:4C-

15.1(a)(1) to (4) by clear and convincing evidence, and thus terminated the

parental rights of both parents. The decision rested principally upon the parents'

failure to remediate their personal problems and their contentious relationship,

and their failure to secure stable housing

      I.A. appeals, arguing that the trial court should have instituted a kinship

legal guardianship (KLG) in lieu of terminating his parental rights, and that the

Division failed to satisfy N.J.S.A. 30:4C-15.1(a)(4).       Having reviewed the

record, and in light of the governing legal principles, we affirm.

                                                                         A-4386-18T4
                                        3
                                       I.

      Although the record in this case is extensive, we need not detail it

exhaustively here.   We summarize only the salient facts pertinent to our

discussion. On August 26, 2001, I.A. and D.E.A. had a son, Jimmy. I.A. and

D.E.A. married in September 2003. On January 14, 2004, the parents had a

second child, Nicole. On April 20, 2013, the parents had their third and youngest

child, Kathleen. It is well documented that two of the children have significant

medical ailments and require specialized care. Jimmy sustained a cancerous

brain tumor in 2012, which was treated with surgery. In December 2012, doctors

discovered a separate benign tumor located between his liver and esophagus,

which was treated with laser surgery at St. Joseph's Hospital. Additionally,

Kathleen suffered from a seizure disorder stemming from an accident that

occurred during her infancy.

      As of the time of the guardianship trial in March 2019, the Division had

been involved with the parents and their children for approximately two years.

The Division initially removed the children from the parents ' care in September

2017 after receiving referrals alleging that the children had witnessed domestic

violence between the parents, and that D.E.A. was acting aggressively and had

hit Kathleen. At the time of the removal, the children were already staying with

                                                                        A-4386-18T4
                                       4
their paternal grandparents, and Nicole had been living with the grandparents

since September 2016 because she could not handle the constant fighting

between her parents. In addition to concerns of domestic violence, the Division

sought the removal because the parents had been evicted from their apartment

and were now living in a hotel without any current prospects for housing.

Further, the Division had referred the parents for psychological and psychiatric

evaluations, but the parents had failed to attend the scheduled evaluations

despite the Division reminding them of their appointments on multiple

occasions.

      In the latter part of 2017, Jimmy and Kathleen suffered significant medical

setbacks. As of November 2017, Jimmy had developed three inoperable tumors

between his brain and spine, and was diagnosed with terminal cancer. He had

received chemotherapy through Hackensack University Medical Center, but

treatments had proven ineffective. In September 2017, Kathleen was diagnosed

with both developmental delays and epilepsy, for which she was prescribed

medication.   She was evaluated at the Children's Specialized Hospital in

December 2017, where she presented with speech delay, lack of coordination,

and family discord. Doctors recommended that she participate in physical,

                                                                        A-4386-18T4
                                       5
speech and individual therapies; that a child study team evaluates her; and that

she participate in educational services.

      The Division filed a complaint of guardianship in the Family Part in

October 2018. The evidence presented at the three-day trial reflected that both

I.A. and D.E.A. had struggled to be effective parents. The evidence is replete

with numerous instances of domestic violence between the parents that the

children witnessed; an inability by the parents to provide a stable home for the

children; bouts of unemployment; and perhaps most concerning, an

unwillingness by both parents to address their own personal problems that

preclude either from being a viable parent. Both parents have psychological

difficulties, for which they have received some counseling.

      The Division made numerous attempts over the course of this litigation to

provide the parents with services and to reunify them with their children. The

Division's key testifying witness at trial, psychologist Antonio Burr, conducted

psychological evaluations of the parents and bonding evaluations between the

children and the grandparents. Burr ultimately concluded that the termination

of the parents' parental rights and adoption by the grandparents would not result

in more harm than good, and that it would be in the best interest of all the

children to remain with their grandparents.

                                                                        A-4386-18T4
                                           6
      The record at trial showed the Division has provided substantial services

to both parents.3 In connection with the second referral to the Division, it drafted

a family agreement in July 2017. Pursuant to the agreement, the Division

offered to conduct spot checks and to coordinate the parents' meeting with a

domestic violence liaison, and recommended that the parents attend treatment

for anger management and family counseling. The Division also referred the

parents for individual therapies at Rocio Botero Day (RBD) in February 2017, 4

and for an assessment at Bridgeway Rehab Services in May 2018, where staff

recommended that both parents attend individual therapies, and that I.A. be

prescribed antidepressants.     Psychiatrist Samiris Sostre also evaluated the

parents on two separate occasions between September 2017 and January 2019,

and Burr evaluated the parents in December 2017. The Division also scheduled

both parents for psychological reevaluations and bonding evaluations with Burr

in January 2019.

3
   Additionally, after an initial investigation by the Division stemming from a
referral made in June 2017, which concluded with no findings of abuse or
neglect by the parents, the Division provided the family with information for
community resources and miscellaneous services at Catholic Charities, Christ
Hospital, Perform Care, and Palisades Family Success Center.
4
  Individual therapies would have continued at RBD until a therapist deemed it
safe to admit the parents to couples' therapy.
                                                                           A-4386-18T4
                                         7
      In addition, up through the time of trial, the Division supported visitation

between the parents and the children through Family Advocacy Program and

through Catholic Charities. While Nicole never wanted to visit with her parents,

the parents had visitation with Jimmy and Kathleen. However, as of September

2018, Jimmy decided that he no longer wished to attend these visitations because

the parents would spend a significant amount of time questioning Kathleen about

her conditions at the grandparents' home and her interactions with her young

cousin, whom I.A. repeatedly alleged was abusing Kathleen. 5 This came at the

expense of Jimmy, who the parents interacted with only minimally.

      Further, neither parent has consistently taken advantage of the services

provided to them. With regard to housing, the Division urged the parents to seek

temporary shelter through welfare prior to them being evicted from their

apartment.   After their eviction, the Division provided the parents with

information about Jersey City Housing and Garden State Episcopal, a program

that caters to the homeless, while also urging them to apply for housing through

the Union City Housing Authority. 6 The parents chose not to explore any of

5
   I.A. made these allegations on numerous occasions, but they were never
substantiated.
6
  While it is unclear from the record, we may assume that this application was
for enrollment in a subsidized or low-income housing program.
                                                                         A-4386-18T4
                                        8
these opportunities. Additionally, the parents inconsistently attended visitations

with their children, eventually leading to their discharge from Catholic Charities

in January 2019 for missing too many supervised visitations. The parents were

similarly discharged from RBD in December 2018 for missing too many

individual therapy sessions, and throughout this litigation the parents attended

Division-run meetings and appointments inconsistently and showed up late on

multiple occasions.    Tellingly, Burr was unable to conduct psychological

reevaluations or bonding evaluations of the parents, as neither chose to attend

these appointments.

      As of the time of trial, the parents did not have stable housing. The judge

explained that the parents had moved between several hotels, and at one point

were even living in their car. The judge noted that this was despite the Division

offering to assist the parents with housing on multiple occasions.

      After considering this and much more extensive evidence, the trial judge

concluded that the Division had proven all four prongs of the termination statute

by the level of clear and convincing evidence required by N.J.S.A. 30:4C-

15.1(a). In particular, the judge found the expert opinions of the Division's

expert, Burr, to be persuasive, and accepted his clinical findings, which the

parents failed to counter with testimony from a competing defense expert. The

                                                                         A-4386-18T4
                                        9
judge found significant the Division's considerable efforts to stabilize the

family, and to provide services, all of which were unsuccessful in reunifying the

children with their parents.

      The judge noted the close bonds between the paternal grandparents and

the children, and she found that there was mutual interest for the grandparents

to adopt the children. The judge found the termination of the parents' rights to

enable such adoption consistent with the children's best interests. This appeal

ensued.

      On appeal, I.A. does not contest the trial judge's rulings with respect to

N.J.S.A. 30:4C-15.1(a)(1) or (2). I.A. argues on appeal that the trial judge

should have implemented a KLG in lieu of terminating his parental rights, and

that the Division failed to satisfy N.J.S.A. 30:4C-15.1(a)(4), as the termination

of his parental rights would do more harm than good for the children.

                                       II.

      We begin our discussion with the well-settled legal framework regarding

the termination of parental rights. Parents have a constitutionally protected right

to the care, custody, and control of their children. Santosky v. Kramer, 455 U.S.
745, 753 (1982); In re Guardianship of K.H.O., 161 N.J. 337, 346 (1999).

However, that right is not absolute. N.J. Div. of Youth & Family Servs. v. R.G.,

                                                                          A-4386-18T4
                                       10
217 N.J. 527, 553 (2014); N.J. Div. of Youth & Family Servs. v. A.W., 103 N.J.
591, 599 (1986). At times, a parent's interest must yield to the State's obligation

to protect children from harm. N.J. Div. of Youth & Family Servs. v. G.M., 198
N.J. 382, 397 (2009); In re Guardianship of J.C., 129 N.J. 1, 10 (1992). To

effectuate these concerns, the Legislature created a test to determine when it is

in the child's best interest to terminate parental rights. In order to secure parental

termination, N.J.S.A. 30:4C-15.1(a) requires the Division to prove four prongs

by clear and convincing evidence:

             (1) The child's safety, health, or development has been
             or will continue to be endangered by the parental
             relationship;

             (2) The 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.
             Such harm may include evidence that separating the
             child from his resource family parents would cause
             serious and enduring emotional or psychological harm
             to the child;

             (3) The [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 and the court has considered
             alternatives to termination of parental rights; and

             (4) Termination of parental rights will not do more
             harm than good.

                                                                             A-4386-18T4
                                         11
See also A.W., 103 N.J. at 604-11. The four prongs of the test "are not discrete

and separate" but "relate to and overlap with one another to provide a

comprehensive standard that identifies a child's best interests." K.H.O., 161 N.J.

at 348. "The considerations involved in determinations of parental fitness are

'extremely fact sensitive' and require particularized evidence that address the

specific circumstances in the given case." Ibid. (quoting In re Adoption of

Children by L.A.S., 134 N.J. 127, 139 (1993)).

      Our review of a family judge's factual findings is limited. Cesare v.

Cesare, 154 N.J. 394, 411-12 (1998).        "When a biological parent resists

termination of his or her parental rights, the [judge's] function is to decide

whether that parent has the capacity to eliminate any harm the child may already

have suffered, and whether that parent can raise the child without inflicting any

further harm." N.J. Div. of Youth & Family Servs. v. R.L., 388 N.J. Super. 81,

87 (App. Div. 2006). The factual findings that support such a judgment "should

not be disturbed unless 'they are so wholly insupportable as to result in a denial

of justice,' and should be upheld whenever they are 'supported by adequate,

substantial and credible evidence.'" In re Guardianship of J.T., 269 N.J. Super.
172, 188 (App. Div. 1993) (quoting Rova Farms Resort, Inc. v. Inv'rs Ins. Co.

of Am., 65 N.J. 474, 483-84 (1974)). "[T]he conclusions that logically flow

                                                                         A-4386-18T4
                                       12
from those findings of fact are, likewise, entitled to deferential consideration

upon appellate review." R.L., 388 N.J. Super. at 89.

                                       III.

      First, I.A. argues that the trial judge failed to consider KLG as a viable

alternative to terminating his parental rights. I.A. also contends that the Division

pressured and coerced the grandparents to adopt the children, when the

grandparents' initial desire was to act as kinship legal guardians.

      We briefly summarize, in chronological form, the relevant facts drawn

from the record that relate to the use of KLG in lieu of adoption. On June 6,

2018, Division Caseworker Collazo Milagros met with the grandmother and

discussed the differences between adoption and KLG. Milagros explained the

terms and provided an informational packet, asking that the grandmother share

the information with the grandfather.           The grandmother affirmed her

understanding and that she remained "100 percent committed to the children."

      The following day, the grandmother called Milagros asking for additional

information about the differences between KLG and adoption, and expressed the

grandparents' belief that the best option under these circumstances for the family

would be KLG. She also stated that the grandfather felt guilty, because he felt

as though the grandparents were "taking the kids away from [I.A.]" Milagros

                                                                           A-4386-18T4
                                        13
responded that the Division was still seeking to terminate the parental rights of

I.A. and D.E.A., but that she would speak to her supervisor to inquire about

other options.

      Thereafter, on December 27, 2018, Division Caseworker Teresa Espinal

met with the grandparents during an oncology appointment for Jimmy. At the

meeting, the grandmother inquired whether there was an alternative to adoption

in which the grandparents would retain custody. The grandmother made the

request based on concerns that the grandparents would be unable to pay the

mounting costs for school and medical care for Jimmy and Nicole. Espin al

informed the grandmother that if the grandparents could not care for the children

long term, the Division would need to find separate resource parents to adopt

the children or place the children in a foster home, as the Division was seeking

guardianship of the children and to terminate the parents' parental rights.

Espinal added that although the Division was considering subsidizing the

children's care, nothing was guaranteed. The grandmother stated that she did

not want the Division to remove the children or to place them in foster care, and

reiterated that she wanted to care for the children.

      At trial, two of the Division's witnesses offered testimony clarifying the

grandparents' position on adoption. Espinal testified on direct that she had last

                                                                         A-4386-18T4
                                       14
spoken to the grandparents on March 1, 2019, during which time she provided

them with information regarding the prospects of KLG versus adoption. Espinal

stated that the grandparents had initially preferred KLG because they wanted to

preserve the parents' parental rights, even though the grandparents and children

had mutual interest in adoption.       However, Espinal explained that the

grandparents fully understand why the parents are unable to care for the

children, and have since changed their plans because of their grandchildren.

Thus, Espinal confirmed that although the grandparents idealistically did not

want the court to terminate the parents' parental rights based on their personal

relationships with the parents, they were now seeking to adopt the child ren.

Neither parents' attorney chose to cross-examine Espinal as to this testimony.

      Burr also testified on direct that the grandmother had initially wanted to

retain custody of the children under circumstances that would be amicable to the

parents, particularly to preserve their relationship with I.A. However, Burr

explained that while the grandparents said at the bonding evaluation that they

would adopt "if there's no other way," this initial apprehension was legitimate

based on their relationship with the parents.         According to Burr, the

grandparents' main concern was the best interests of the children, and they would

                                                                        A-4386-18T4
                                      15
be willing to do everything necessary to care for the children, which overrides

any initial reluctance or apprehension on their part.

      As to the prospect that KLG would be more appropriate than adoption, the

judge determined that based on the evidence adduced at trial, it would not be a

viable option under the circumstances. The judge explained in her written

opinion that although the grandparents were initially open to KLG because they

were sympathetic towards their son and did not want to feel as though they were

taking the children from him, their overriding concern was the best interests of

the children. The judge accepted Espinal's testimony that the grandparents

eventually decided to adopt the children, "as the children and their needs take

priority." The judge found that this change of heart was influenced by the

grandparents' discussions with Jimmy and Nicole, who expressed that they

wanted to be adopted.       The judge also accepted the testimony of Burr,

determining that the grandparents ultimately understood that their protective

responsibilities to the children take precedence over their wishes to maintain an

amicable relationship with the biological parents, and that they wanted to do

what is necessary to protect the children. The judge also concluded that KLG

would not be in the best interests of the children.

                                                                        A-4386-18T4
                                       16
      Based on these facts, we disagree with I.A.'s argument that KLG was a

viable option in lieu of terminating the parents' parental rights. "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 (App.

Div. 2019). "The Legislature has made it clear that relative caretakers who

might be candidates for KLG must be adequately informed of the nature of such

arrangements and the financial and other services for which they may be

eligible." Id. at 261. To accomplish this objective, the Legislature enacted the

KLG Notification Act, N.J.S.A. 30:4C-89 to -92, in 2005. The Legislature

enacted the KLG Notification Act "to ensure that individuals who may be

eligible to become kinship legal guardians are aware of the eligibility

requirements for, and the responsibilities of, [KLG] and . . . [also] the services

available to kinship legal guardians in the State." N.J.S.A. 30:4C-90(e). To

accomplish this goal, the Division shall, in easily understandable language:

            a. inform individuals, of whom the department is
            aware, who may be eligible to become kinship legal
            guardians of:

            (1) the eligibility requirements         for,   and   the
            responsibilities of, [KLG]; and

            (2) the full-range of services for which kinship legal
            guardians may be eligible and the eligibility
            requirements for those services; and

                                                                         A-4386-18T4
                                       17
            b. inform current kinship legal guardians of the full-
            range of services for which kinship legal guardians may
            be eligible and the eligibility requirements for those
            services.

            [N.J.S.A. 30:4C-91.]

            A logical implication of the Notification Act is that the
            caregiver must be fully informed of the potential
            benefits and burdens of KLG before deciding whether
            he or she wishes to adopt. Once he or she is provided
            with that comparative information, the caretaker's
            preference between the two alternatives should matter
            . . . . The caregiver's consent to adopt should be not
            only informed, but also unconditional, unambiguous,
            and unqualified.

            [M.M., 459 N.J. Super. at 263-64.]

However, "a caregiver's preference, if any, of KLG over adoption [is] a relevant

but not dispositive consideration." M.M., 459 N.J. Super. Id. at 264.

      We have previously said that a KLG "is not intended as an equally

available alternative to termination that must be considered in order to satisfy

the third element of N.J.S.A. 30:4C-15.1[(a)]." N.J. Div. of Youth & Family

Servs. v. S.V., 362 N.J. Super. 76, 88 (App. Div. 2003). In that regard, N.J.S.A.

3B:12A-6(d), which establishes the proof required for the court to appoint a

caregiver as a kinship legal guardian, specifies that where the Division is

involved, a kinship legal guardian shall only be appointed where "adoption of

the child is neither feasible nor likely." N.J.S.A. 3B:12A-6(d)(3); see N.J. Div.

                                                                        A-4386-18T4
                                      18
of Youth & Family Servs. v. P.P., 180 N.J. 494, 512 (2004) ("[KLG is] a more

permanent option than foster care when adoption 'is neither feasible nor likely'

and '[KLG] is in the child's best interest.'") (quoting N.J.S.A. 3B:12A-6d(3)-

(4)).

        In S.V., where caregivers were initially reluctant to adopt, we nonetheless

found that adoption was appropriate instead of instituting KLG where the

Division later presented evidence showing that all such caregivers were now

interested in adoption. 362 N.J. Super. at 81, 88-89. We stressed that all

elements of N.J.S.A. 30:4C-15.1 had been met, and that adoption was both

feasible and likely. Id. at 88.

        We find that the trial judge properly determined that KLG was not viable

in this matter.7 While I.A. disputes the testimony of the Division's witnesses

that the grandparents ultimately wanted to adopt the children, the trial judge was

permitted to rely on this testimony based on her finding that those witnesses

were credible, see J.T., 269 N.J. Super. at 188, and we defer to those findings.

7
   We also find no evidence in the record supporting I.A.'s position that the
Division pressured or persuaded the grandparents to adopt the children. When
the grandmother expressed reservations about adopting, Espinal conveyed the
Division's position that it still intended to terminate the parents' parental rights
and place the children with resource parents who would be able to care for the
children. We discern no wrongful intent from such conduct, nor do we find that
this information pressured the grandparents to adopt.
                                                                           A-4386-18T4
                                        19
See R.L., 388 N.J. Super. at 89. I.A. was free to offer contrary testimony at trial

or to cross-examine the Division's witnesses on this issue, but did not do so.

      Based on her findings of credibility, the judge properly determined that

the grandparents' decision was informed, unconditional, unambiguous, and

unqualified. See M.M., 459 N.J. Super. at 263-64. Regardless, the grandparents'

preference is not dispositive as to whether KLG would have been a viable

alternative to adoption, see id. at 264, and the availability of such an

arrangement has no bearing on the judge's finding that there is an alternative to

adoption.   See S.V., 362 N.J. Super. at 88.         Burr's testimony adequately

supported both that adoption was feasible based on the relationships between

the grandparents and the children, and that adoption by the grandparents would

be in the children's best interests, and the judge accepted this testimony. See

P.P., 180 N.J. at 512.

      Further, we have recognized that resource parents may naturally have

reservations to adopting, see M.M., 459 N.J. Super. at 274 (citing S.V., 362 N.J.

Super. at 81, 87-88), and such reluctance is likely present where the biological

parents are closely related to the resource parents. Here, the grandparents' initial

reservations were almost entirely related to their desire to maintain an amicable

relationship with their son, who could harbor resentment towards them for wh at

                                                                           A-4386-18T4
                                        20
he may perceive as stealing his children.         The record supports that the

grandparents' overriding concern was the children's best interest, and that they

were committed to adopting the children. As the judge found that N.J.S.A.

30:4C-15.1 had been met, and that adoption was both feasible and likely, we

affirm the trial judge's finding that a KLG was not a suitable option under the

circumstances. See S.V., 362 N.J. Super. at 88.

      Next, I.A. argues that the Division failed to satisfy N.J.S.A. 30:4C-

15.1(a)(4), claiming that the termination of his parental rights would be harmful

to Kathleen, and would provide little benefit to Jimmy or Nicole.

      We summarize the facts relevant to this prong as follows. On December

12, 2017, psychologist Antonio Burr evaluated both parents. Burr concluded

that because the parents share a highly dysfunctional relationship, it would be

unlikely that they could establish a viable parenting plan at any point in the

foreseeable future.      He determined that their marital relationship was not

sustainable, and that this precluded them from being able to plan jointly or

parent their children as a family. Burr thus concluded that the children should

remain with the grandparents, and recommended that the parents both attend

couple's counseling so that they could either jointly or independently improve

their parenting plans.

                                                                        A-4386-18T4
                                       21
      As to I.A., Burr found that the domestic violence between the parents

arose from arguments caused by his beliefs that D.E.A. was acting unfaithfully,

even though she denied cheating on him. Burr also found that I.A. seemingly

had no expectation that he would need to independently procure housing for

himself or the children, and that he solely blamed D.E.A. for the family 's

situation. Burr recommended that I.A. continue with the Division's services at

the time.

      On January 17, 2019, Espinal explained to the parents that they were

scheduled for psychological reevaluations and bonding evaluations with Burr on

January 30, 2019. However, both parents failed to attend these evaluations on

the scheduled date. This limited Burr's ability to evaluate the parents' progress

after attending services, as well as his ability to determine whether the children

were bonded with their parents.

      On February 7, 2019, Burr conducted a bonding evaluation between the

grandparents and the children. Jimmy and Nicole both expressed that they did

not seek regular visitation with their parents and wished to be adopted by their

grandparents. While Kathleen expressed that she enjoys seeing her parents, Burr

did not seek her opinion on the termination of her parents' parental rights or the

                                                                         A-4386-18T4
                                       22
prospect of adoption, given her young age and developmental hindrances. 8

Based on the interactions between the children and the grandparents, Burr

concluded that the "grandparents are committed and are able to provide these

children with an adequately structured and ordered home environment."

      Burr also determined that the grandparents are attentive to the children 's

emotions and reactions, and "are capable of meeting the children's needs for

attention, soothing, and nurturing care." Specifically as to Jimmy, he found that

the grandparents "attend effectively to his ample medical needs." As such, Burr

opined that the children are attached to the grandparents and view them as their

"primary parental figures on whom they depend to have their physical and

emotional needs met." He thus concluded that the children have a greater

likelihood for permanency with the resource parents than with their biological

parents.

      As the parents had declined to undergo bonding evaluations, Burr

determined from their psychological evaluations, as well as his bonding

evaluation between the grandparents and the children, that the termination of the

parents' parental rights and adoption by the grandparents would not result in

8
  At trial, Burr testified that Kathleen nonetheless views the grandparents as
"benign parental figures," and still relies upon them for daily care.
                                                                         A-4386-18T4
                                      23
more harm than good. Specifically as to Kathleen, Burr commented that to

remove her from the grandparents would result in confusion, loss of focus, and

unstable emotionality, and that there was no evidence that either I.A. or D.E.A.

were equipped to address these concerns. In contrast, Burr opined that the

grandparents would be able to resolve any immediate or long-term negative

effects Kathleen would suffer from the termination of the parental rights of the

parents, and that her older siblings could assist her during this process.

      Here, based on Burr's clinical evaluations, we disagree with I.A.'s

argument that the Division failed to show that the termination of his parental

rights would do more harm than good. To satisfy N.J.S.A. 30:4C-15.1(a)(4), the

Division need not "show[] that no harm will befall the child as a result of the

severing of biological ties." K.H.O., 161 N.J. at 355. Instead, the issue "is

whether, after considering and balancing the two relationships, the child will

suffer a greater harm from the termination of ties with her natural parents than

from the permanent disruption of her relationship with her foster parents." Ibid.

The underlying concern of the fourth prong is the child's need for permanency

within a reasonable amount of time. J.C., 129 N.J. at 26.

      To satisfy this prong, "[the Division] must 'offer testimony of a well-

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

                                                                             A-4386-18T4
                                       24
objective, and informed evaluation of the child's relationship with both the

natural parents and the foster parents.'" N.J. Div. of Youth & Family Servs. v.

A.R., 405 N.J. Super. 418, 442 (App. Div. 2009) (quoting N.J. Div. of Youth &

Family Servs. v. M.M., 189 N.J. 261, 281 (2007)). A comparative bonding

evaluation between a child and her natural parent is generally required because

the child's relationship with foster parents "must be viewed not in isolation but

in a broader context that includes . . . the quality of the child's relati onship with

his or her natural parents." Id. at 439 (alteration in original) (quoting J.C., 129
N.J. at 18).

      We find that the trial judge properly concluded that the termination of

I.A.'s parental rights would not do more harm than good to the children, and

affirm for substantially the same reasons expressed by the judge. In reaching

her conclusion, the judge correctly found that the children would suffer more

harm from the disruption of their relationship with their grandparents than they

would with the severing of their relationship with their parents. See K.H.O.,
161 N.J. at 355. While I.A. contends that to sever his relationship with the

children is also harmful, particularly for Kathleen, this is not the controlling

standard. See ibid.

                                                                             A-4386-18T4
                                        25
      The judge correctly emphasized the need for permanency and stability in

the children's lives, see J.C., 129 N.J. at 26, and based her conclusions on Burr's

findings, which he rendered after conducting bonding and psychological

evaluations. See A.R., 405 N.J. Super. at 439, 442. In this regard, the trial

judge's conclusion was based on ample credible evidence in the record, see J.T.,
269 N.J. Super. at 188, and we thus defer to the judge's determination that to

terminate I.A.'s parental rights would not do more harm than good to the

children. See R.L., 388 N.J. Super. at 89.

      Affirmed.

                                                                          A-4386-18T4
                                       26