Court Opinion

ID: 9846982
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-09-24 03:51:40.146145+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:16:58.275224
License: Public Domain

THOMAS, Judge.
James Faircloth, Sr., respondent, appeals from an order terminating his parental rights to four children.
He contends the trial court committed reversible error (1) by denying his motion to recuse the trial judge from the termination of parental rights hearing; (2) by denying his attorney’s motion to withdraw, and his oral motion to remove his attorney, based on ineffective assistance of counsel; (3) by ejecting him from the proceedings without affording him a means to participate other than through his attorney; (4) by finding that his Alford plea was an admission of his abuse of the children; and (5) by finding he had left the children in foster care for more than twelve months without showing reasonable progress in correcting the conditions which led to the removal of the children. For the reasons discussed herein, we affirm the trial court.
Faircloth is the father of James, born 4 June 1987; Dakota, born 22 September 1990; Amanda, born 7 August 1992; and Margaret, born 26 January 1995.
Prior to the filing of the termination petition, Faircloth was charged with numerous criminal offenses involving Amanda. On 11 October 1999, he entered an Alford plea to first degree rape, two counts of first degree sexual offense, felonious child abuse, crime against nature, felonious incest, and indecent liberties. He was sentenced to a term of 384 to 470 months in prison.
A petition to terminate Faircloth’s parental rights and the parental rights of the children’s mother, Tesha Faircloth Lewis, was filed on 3 August 2000 by the Cumberland County Department of Social Services (DSS). It alleges, inter alia, that: (1) Faircloth physically abused the children by hitting them with his hands and other objects; (2) he rubbed underwear soaked in urine and feces in Amanda’s face in the presence of the other children; (3) he sexually abused Amanda and Margaret; (4) he emotionally abused the children; (5) the children were exposed to sexual activity, domestic violence, and their parents’ excessive drinking and drug use; (6) *568Faircloth willfully left the children in foster care for more than twelve months without showing to the satisfaction of the court that reasonable progress under the circumstances has been made to correct the conditions which led to the children’s removal; and (7) for six months immediately preceding the filing of the petition, Faircloth did not pay a reasonable portion of the cost of care for the children although physically and financially able to do so.
The hearing at issue did not include adjudication of the mother’s parental rights. The record is silent as to when or whether the section of the petition against the mother was heard.
The hearing on the section involving Faircloth’s parental rights occurred 26 July 2001. The trial court found by clear and convincing evidence that (a) on 11 October 1999, Faircloth entered an Alford plea to the sexual offenses committed against Amanda and was sentenced to 384 to 470 months in prison; (b) Faircloth’s incarcerátion beginning 8 January 1998 was due to willful actions on his part; (c) the children have been in DSS care continuously since 3 July 1997; and (d) Faircloth has received no treatment for his abuse of Amanda and there is a substantial likelihood that the abuse will continue.
The trial court then reached the following conclusions of law: (1) Faircloth abused Amanda within the meaning of N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-101(1); (2) he neglected the children within the meaning of N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-101(15) by not providing proper care, supervision or discipline; (3) he willfully left the children in foster care for more than twelve months without showing to the satisfaction of the Court that reasonable progress under the circumstances had been made to correct the conditions which led to the removal of the children; (4) the children have been in DSS custody since 3 July 1997, and for six months immediately preceding the filing of the petition, Faircloth failed to pay a reasonable portion of the cost of care for the children although physically and financially able to do so; (5) Faircloth is incapable of providing proper care and supervision for the children, such that the children are dependent children within the meaning of N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-101(9), and there is a reasonable probability that such incapability will continue for the foreseeable future; (6) he willfully abandoned the children for at least six consecutive months immediately preceding the filing of the petition; (7) he committed a felony assault resulting in serious bodily injury against Amanda in violation of N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-1111(8); (8) Faircloth’s rights to Amanda have been involuntarily terminated and he lacks the ability or willingness *569to establish a safe home in violation of N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-1111(9). In its eighth and final conclusion of law, the trial court used the termination of Faircloth’s parental rights to Amanda in the instant case to support a separate ground for terminating his parental rights to the other three children.
The trial court’s conclusions of law are in part findings of fact based on clear and convincing evidence that statutory grounds for termination exist. That these findings are mislabeled conclusions of law is not fatal to the trial court’s adjudicatory order. Cf. Highway Church of Christ v. Barber, 72 N.C. App. 481, 483-84, 325 S.E.2d 305, 307 (1985) (as long as findings of fact and conclusions of law are clearly stated and easily distinguishable, the mere fact they are not separately and properly labeled, does not violate N.C. R. Civ. P. 52(a)(1)).
At disposition, the trial court found no evidence that it would be in the best interests of the children not to terminate Faircloth’s parental rights and thus ordered Faircloth’s parental rights to the four children terminated. Faircloth appeals.
By his first assignment of error, Faircloth contends Judge John W. Dickson erred in refusing to recuse himself from the términation hearing. He argues that Judge Dickson had a personal bias or prejudice and/or personal knowledge of disputed evidentiary facts and therefore should not have been the hearing judge. We disagree.
Judge Dickson presided over an earlier hearing on allegations that the four children were abused and neglected. Judge Dickson adjudicated the four children abused and neglected; however, on appeal, this Court reversed the order. In re Faircloth, 137 N.C. App. 311, 527 S.E.2d 679 (2000). The ground for reversal was that the trial court applied an erroneous legal standard in denying Faircloth’s request to call three of the children as witnesses. Id. at 318, 527 S.E.2d at 684. The matter was remanded for a new hearing but it did not occur.
Faircloth contends Judge Dickson was biased and could not be impartial because he heard evidence against Faircloth in the previous abuse and neglect proceeding without hearing from the three children Faircloth sought to call as witnesses. Faircloth further contends Judge Dickson’s bias is evidenced by his failure to hold a new hearing in the abuse and neglect proceeding before hearing the petition to terminate.
*570The Code of Judicial Conduct provides in pertinent part:
C. Disqualification
(1) A judge should disqualify himself in a proceeding in which his impartiality might reasonably be questioned, including but not limited to instances where:
(a) He has a personal bias or prejudice concerning a party, or personal knowledge of disputed evidentiary facts concerning the proceedings;
Code of Judicial Conduct Canon 3(C)(1)(a), 2002 Ann. R. N.C. 306-07.
When a party requests such a recusal by the trial court, the party must “ ‘demonstrate objectively that grounds for disqualification actually exist.’ ” In re LaRue, 113 N.C. App. 807, 809, 440 S.E.2d 301, 303 (1994) (quoting State v. Kennedy, 110 N.C. App. 302, 305, 429 S.E.2d 449, 451 (1993) (citations omitted)). The requesting party has the burden of showing through substantial evidence that the judge has such a personal bias, prejudice or interest that he would be unable to rule impartially. See State v. Fie, 320 N.C. 626, 627, 359 S.E.2d 774, 775 (1987); State v. Honaker, 111 N.C. App. 216, 219, 431 S.E.2d 869, 871 (1993). If there is sufficient force to the allegations contained in a recusal motion to proceed to find facts, or if a reasonable man knowing all of the circumstances would have doubts about the judge’s ability to rule on the motion to recuse in an impartial manner, the trial judge should either recuse himself or refer the recusal motion to another judge. See State v. Poole, 305 N.C. 308, 320, 289 S.E.2d 335, 343 (1982); Bank v. Gillespie, 291 N.C. 303, 311, 230 S.E.2d 375, 380 (1976).
In the instant case, Faircloth’s claim of bias and prejudice is based on Judge Dickson having presided over the earlier abuse and neglect hearing. However, this Court has held that knowledge of evi-dentiary facts gained by a trial judge from an earlier proceeding does not require disqualification. In re LaRue, 113 N.C. App. at 810, 440 S.E.2d at 303 (holding that a trial judge who had conducted an earlier review hearing, concluded that three children should remain with DSS, and recommended that DSS pursue termination of parental rights, was not subject to disqualification based on personal bias or prejudice in the subsequent termination proceeding). Furthermore, we reject any contention that Judge Dickson should be disqualified *571because he earlier adjudicated the four children abused and neglected. See id.
Finally, Faircloth has failed to show error arising from the trial court’s failure to hold a rehearing in the abuse and neglect proceeding prior to the instant case. An adjudicatory hearing on abuse and neglect allegations is not a condition precedent to a termination hearing. In fact, N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-1111 provides grounds for terminating parental rights which are not conditioned on a determination that a child is abused or neglected. N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 7B-1111(3), (5), (6) (2001). We further note that N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-1102 allows parties to file motions to terminate parental rights in pending child abuse or neglect proceedings and gives the trial court authority to consolidate the actions pursuant to N.C. R. Civ. P. 42. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-1102(a), (c) (2001). A review of N.C.G.S. § 1102, as well as the rest of Chapter 7B, Article 11, reveals no requirement as suggested by Faircloth. Here, such a hearing on abuse and neglect may well have been merely redundant with parts of the termination hearing. Further, considering the length of delay resulting from the earlier appeal, the status of the children and the need to determine permanency may well have changed.
As he fails to advance any further argument to substantiate his claim of personal bias or prejudice on the part of Judge Dickson, Faircloth’s first assignment of error is rejected.
In his next assignment of error, Faircloth contends the trial court erred in not removing his attorney from the case. We disagree.
N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 7B-1101 and 7B-1109(b) guarantee a parent’s right to counsel, including appointed counsel in cases of indigency, in all proceedings related to the termination of parental rights. See In re Oghenekevebe, 123 N.C. App. 434, 436, 473 S.E.2d 393, 396 (1996) (recognizing these rights under former N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-289(23)). Implicit in this right to counsel is the right to effective assistance of counsel. Id. at 436, 473 S.E.2d at 396; In re Bishop, 92 N.C. App. 662, 665, 375 S.E.2d 676, 678 (1989). To prevail on a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, Faircloth “must show that counsel’s performance was deficient and the deficiency was so serious as to deprive [him] of a fair hearing.” In re Bishop, 92 N.C. App. at 665, 375 S.E.2d at 679.
Counsel was appointed for Faircloth and has represented him in the instant case, the earlier abuse and neglect proceeding, and the *572prior appeal. Faircloth claims evidence of counsel’s deficient performance can be found in the failure to schedule a new hearing in the abuse and neglect proceeding, the failure to issue subpoenas and file pre-trial motions prior to the termination hearing as requested by Faircloth, and the failure to object to testimony offered by the prosecutor of Faircloth’s criminal case. Faircloth, however, does not show prejudice arising from there being no rehearing in the abuse and neglect proceeding prior to the termination hearing. As noted earlier, such a hearing was not required. He also fails to indicate the nature of the pre-trial motions counsel should have filed or the identity of witnesses counsel should have subpoenaed. Thus, we cannot hold that counsel’s failure to do so resulted in prejudice to Faircloth or denied him a fair hearing.
The record actually shows counsel objected at several points during the testimony of the State’s prosecutor, including when hearsay evidence was being offered by the prosecutor regarding reports by two of the children that had not been offered at Faircloth’s criminal trial. Counsel also cross-examined the State’s prosecutor concerning the details of Faircloth’s Alford plea. In sum, Faircloth fails to demonstrate that counsel’s conduct at trial was so deficient as to deprive him of a fair hearing. The trial court did not err in failing to remove counsel from the case.
By his third assignment of error, Faircloth contends the trial court abused its discretion in removing him from the hearing while not providing a means for him to testify when called by counsel. We disagree.
The record shows Faircloth repeatedly disrupted the proceedings. Following the denial of his attorney’s motion to withdraw and Faircloth’s oral motion to remove counsel, Faircloth told the judge, “You can’t force me to have that man for my damn attorney.” He then argued with the trial court concerning the judge’s decision not to recuse himself. During this exchange, Faircloth repeatedly cursed and acted in a belligerent fashion. At one point, he was told by the bailiff to turn around and keep his feet under the table, to which Faircloth responded, “Take me out of this motherfucker.” He refused to be affirmed prior to questioning by counsel for DSS. He was then asked whether he had pled guilty to the sexual offenses committed against Amanda and he denied it. His counsel then declined an opportunity to question him. He continuously interrupted the testimony of the State’s prosecutor with the trial court telling him to direct any questions he had for witnesses to his attorney. Nevertheless, *573Faircloth continued interrupting and using profane language. The trial court finally warned Faircloth he would be removed from the courtroom if he used “one more bit of profanity.” Faircloth responded by yet again cursing the judge. The trial court then stated:
All right. The court having warned Mr. Faircloth that if there was any more profanity from him he would be removed from this courtroom; that within less than 60 seconds, more profanity issued from him. He is ordered removed from this courtroom. He may be returned to the Department of Corrections.
Following the presentation of DSS’ case, counsel for Faircloth attempted to call Faircloth as a witness. Faircloth was not present and no steps were taken to secure his testimony.
A termination of parental rights hearing is a civil rather than criminal action, with the right to be present, to testify, and to confront witnesses subject to “due limitations.” In re Murphy, 105 N.C. App. 651, 658, 414 S.E.2d 396, 400, aff'd, 332 N.C. 663, 422 S.E.2d 577 (1992); In re Barkley, 61 N.C. App. 267, 270, 300 S.E.2d 713, 715 (1983). In Murphy, this Court held that an incarcerated parent’s presence at a termination of parental rights hearing was not required as a matter of law, but rather was a matter for determination by the trial court subject to appellate review. Murphy, 105 N.C. App. at 654, 414 S.E.2d at 398. The Court further held that the three-factor balancing test set forth in Mathews v. Eldridge, 424 U.S. 319, 47 L. Ed. 2d 18 (1976), was the appropriate measure for determining if the process afforded in a parental termination proceeding meets the “rigors of the due process clause.” Id. at 653, 414 S.E.2d at 397. The Mathews/Eldridge factors are: “[1] the private interests affected by the proceeding; [2] the risk of error created by the State’s chosen procedure; and [3] the countervailing governmental interest supporting use of the challenged procedure.” Santosky v. Kramer, 455 U.S. 745, 754, 71 L. Ed. 2d 599, 607 (1982).
Analysis of the Mathews/Eldridge factors shows Faircloth’s due process rights were not violated. The first factor, his private interest, weighs against the trial court’s decision to remove him from the courtroom without providing a means through which he could testify. The importance of a natural parent’s right to the care, custody and management of his or her children cannot be denied and “[a] parent’s interest in the accuracy and justice of the decision to terminate his or her parental status is, therefore, a commanding one[.]” Id. at 758-59, *57471 L. Ed. 2d at 610 (citations omitted). One faced with the possible dissolution of parental rights has a strong interest in being present at the hearing and having the opportunity to testify.
However, the third factor, the countervailing governmental interest, weighs in support of the trial court’s decision. The State has an interest in ensuring a fair hearing and a correct decision and protecting the dignity of the courtroom. Faircloth’s conduct here severely disrupted the proceeding. He refused to respond to the clerk’s attempts to take his oath of affirmation when called to testify by DSS. He was repeatedly warned by the trial court to direct questions to his attorney after he verbally harassed and attempted to question a witness. Finally, he was warned by the court he would be removed for continued use of profanity. Faircloth persisted and only then was taken from the courtroom. Clearly, there was an adequate basis for the trial court to determine that Faircloth’s disruptive behavior prevented a proper adjudicatory hearing and demonstrated contempt for court.
The second Mathews/Eldridge factor, the risk of error created by the State’s procedure, also weighs in favor of the State. On this record, the risk of error created by Faircloth’s removal from the courtroom without being provided means through which to testify was slight. Although Faircloth was called to testify, and his counsel objected to Faircloth’s inability to testify, Faircloth has made no argument that his testimony would have provided a defense to the termination, nor does he indicate how he was prejudiced by not being present and not being allowed to testify. Further, his actions during the hearing undermine any claim that he was prejudiced by removal. His disregard for the procedure of the court and failure to be affirmed when called to testify by DSS indicate he did not value his right to testify. His disruptive behavior following repeated warnings clearly demonstrates he did not value his right to be present for the remainder of the hearing.
In sum, the strength of the governmental interest in assuring a fair and just adjudication and protecting the dignity of the courtroom, and the low risk of error created by Faircloth’s inability to testify, lead to the conclusion his due process rights were not violated. The trial court did not abuse its discretion in removing Faircloth from the courtroom without providing a means for him to personally participate in the remainder of the hearing.
*575By his remaining two assignments of error, Faircloth attacks some of the grounds on which the trial court based its order terminating his parental rights.
“There is a two-step process in a termination of parental rights proceeding.” In re Blackburn, 142 N.C. App. 607, 610, 543 S.E.2d 906, 908 (2001). The two stages are distinct. In re Lambert-Stowers, 146 N.C. App. 438, 440, 552 S.E.2d 278, 280 (2001). At the adjudicatory stage, the petitioner has the burden of establishing by clear and convincing evidence that at least one of the statutory grounds listed in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-1111 exists. In re Anderson, 151 N.C. App. 94, 97, 564 S.E.2d 599, 602 (2002); In re Blackburn, 142 N.C. App. at 610, 543 S.E.2d at 908. We note that Chapter 7B, Article 11 interchangeably uses the “clear, cogent and convincing” and the “clear and convincing” standards. Compare N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-1109 (“The burden in such proceedings shall be upon the petitioner or movant and all findings of fact shall be based on clear, cogent, and convincing evidence.”) with N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-1111 (“The burden in such proceedings shall be upon the petitioner or movant to prove the facts justifying such termination by clear and convincing evidence.”). These two standards are synonymous. In re Montgomery, 311 N.C. 101, 109, 316 S.E.2d 246, 252 (1984).
If a ground for termination is so established, the trial court must proceed to the second stage and hold a dispositional hearing. In re Lambert-Stowers, 146 N.C. App. at 440, 552 S.E.2d at 280. There, the trial court must consider whether termination is in the best interests of the child. In re Anderson, 151 N.C. App. at 98, 564 S.E.2d at 602. Unless the trial court determines that the best interests of the child require otherwise, the termination order shall be issued. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-1110; In re Blackburn, 142 N.C. App. at 610, 543 S.E.2d at 908.
Here, the trial court determined the following statutory grounds for termination existed: (1) Faircloth abused Amanda within the meaning of N.C.G.S. § 7B-101(1); (2) he neglected the children within the meaning of N.C.G.S. § 7B-101(15) by not providing proper care, supervision or discipline; (3) he willfully left the children in foster care for more than twelve months without showing to the satisfaction of the Court that reasonable progress under the circumstances had been made to correct the conditions which led to the children’s removal; (4) the children have been placed in DSS custody and for six months immediately preceding the filing of the petition Faircloth failed to pay a reasonable portion of the cost of care for the children *576although physically and financially able to do so; (5) Faircloth is incapable of providing proper care and supervision for the children, such that they are dependent children within the meaning of N.C.G.S. § 7B-101(9), and there is a reasonable probability that such incapability will continue for the foreseeable future; (6) he willfully abandoned the children for at least six consecutive months immediately preceding the filing of the petition; (7) he committed a felony assault resulting in serious bodily injury against Amanda in violation of N.C.G.S. § 7B-1111(8); and (8) his parental rights to Amanda have been involuntarily terminated and he lacks the ability or willingness to establish a safe home in violation of N.C.G.S. § 7B-1111(9).
In his brief, Faircloth only presents argument against the following statutory grounds for termination: (1) that he abused Amanda; (2) that he willfully left the children in foster care for twelve months without showing reasonable progress in correcting the conditions which led to removal; and (3) that he is incapable of providing proper care and supervision such that the juveniles are dependent children under N.C.G.S. § 7A-10I(9), and there is a reasonable probability that such incapability will continue for the foreseeable future.
He presents no argument against the following grounds for termination: (1) that he neglected the children; (2) that for a period of six months immediately preceding the filing of the petition he failed a pay a reasonable portion of the children’s cost of care although able to do so; arid (3) that he willfully abandoned the children for at least six consecutive months immediately preceding the filing of the petition.
The trial court need only find one of the statutory grounds for termination. N.C.G.S. § 7B-1111(a). Furthermore, this Court’s appellate review is limited to those assignments of error set out in the record on appeal and properly presented and discussed in the party’s brief. N.C. R. App. P. 10(a) (2002); N.C. R. App. P. 28(a) (2002). Questions not so raised and presented are deemed abandoned. Since Faircloth has failed to present argument against several of the statutory grounds for termination found by the trial court, we do not review those grounds. In addition, by failing to deny in his answer certain allegations contained in the petition, Faircloth, in fact, admitted he willfully left the children in foster care for more than twelve months without showing reasonable progress and failed to pay a reasonable portion of the children’s cost of care for a period of six months immediately preceding the filing of the petition although able to do so. See N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 7B-1107, 7B-1108(a) (2001). Accordingly, even as*577suming Faircloth’s two remaining assignments of error have merit, any such errors are not prejudicial in this case since other substantial grounds for termination were established.
We hold that the trial court did not err in failing to recuse itself, did hot err in failing to remove Faircloth’s counsel from the case, did not abuse its discretion in removing Faircloth from the proceedings and did find sufficient grounds for termination. We affirm the trial court’s order terminating Faircloth’s parental rights to the four children.
Affirmed.
Judge MARTIN concurs.
Judge TYSON concurs in the result only.