Court Opinion

ID: 4356905
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2019-01-08 17:08:49.367447+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:28:46.915150
License: Public Domain

J-S70016-18

NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37

 IN THE INTEREST OF: K.W., A              :   IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
 MINOR                                    :        PENNSYLVANIA
                                          :
                                          :
 APPEAL OF: T.W., FATHER                  :
                                          :
                                          :
                                          :
                                          :   No. 1086 EDA 2018

                   Appeal from the Decree March 12, 2018
    In the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County Family Court at
                      No(s): CP-51-AP-0000053-018,
                          CP-51-DP-0002087-2016

BEFORE: GANTMAN, P.J., McLAUGHLIN, J., and FORD ELLIOTT, P.J.E.

MEMORANDUM BY McLAUGHLIN, J.:                     FILED JANUARY 08, 2019

      T.W. (“Father”) appeals from the March 12, 2018 decree terminating his

parental rights to K.W. (“Child”), born September 2016, and from the order

changing Child’s permanency goal to adoption. Because the trial court did not

abuse its discretion in terminating his parental rights or in changing the

permanency goal to adoption, we affirm.

      The Philadelphia Department of Human Services (“DHS”) became

involved with Child in September 2016, after both D.M. (“Mother”) and Child

tested positive for marijuana at Child’s birth. Mother also suffered from

depression and schizophrenia. On September 21, 2016, Mother contacted DHS

and informed them she was unable to care for Child and that Father had

informed Mother he would not return Child to her. DHS learned that Father

had left Child with Child’s paternal aunt. DHS obtained an order for protective
J-S70016-18

custody for Child. On October 13, 2016, the trial court adjudicated Child

dependent. The court ordered that Father was to have liberal unsupervised

visits with Child.1 The trial court held regular permanency review hearings.

Following a January 26, 2017, permanency review hearing, the court

decreased Father’s visitation from liberal unsupervised to twice weekly

supervised visits. Father’s single case plan (“SCP”) objectives included to

participate in anger management classes, complete parenting classes, and

follow-up with the Achieving Reunification Center (“ARC”) regarding programs

offered to him.

       Following an April 24, 2017, permanency review meeting, the court

noted Father resided with Mother in a boarding home. It referred Father to

Behavioral Health Systems for an evaluation, consultation, and monitoring and

ordered him to re-engage with ARC for services. He was to have weekly

supervised visits with Child.

       On July 26, 2017, the court held another permanency review hearing.

Father did not appear at this hearing. Child was in respite care because

paternal grandmother, with whom Child had been living, had been

hospitalized. Father had been confirming and attending visits, but had

declined ARC services. Father continued to reside with Mother. He had

completed a Behavioral Health Systems evaluation, and had been referred to

____________________________________________

1The trial court found aggravated circumstances as to Mother based on prior
orders involuntary terminating her parental rights, and ordered that the DHS
need not make reasonable efforts to reunify Child with Mother.

                                           -2-
J-S70016-18

Wedge for outpatient mental health services. The trial court ordered Father to

reengage with ARC and ordered that the weekly supervised visits continue.

       On October 10, 2017, the trial court found Child was residing with

paternal grandmother in unsuitable living conditions, after she relocated. It

committed Child to DHS custody. Father failed to attend this hearing.

       Following a December 18, 2017, permanency review hearing, the trial

court again referred Father to Behavioral Health Systems and ordered him to

attend ARC for services. Father did not appear at this hearing either. During

the period before the December 18, 2017 permanency review hearing, Father

had attended only three of nine offered visits. Statement of Facts at ¶ qq.

       On January 18, 2018, DHS filed a petition to terminate Father’s parental

rights to Child and a petition to change Child’s goal to adoption. A process

server served a subpoena on Father. Father signed the return of service on

January 20, 2018. The subpoena stated that the hearing on the petitions

would occur on March 12, 2018, at 9:30 a.m., and copies of the petitions were

attached.

       On March 12, 2018, the trial court held a hearing on the termination and

goal change petitions. Father failed to appear.2 Counsel for all parties

stipulated that the case worker would testify consistent with DHS’s Statement

____________________________________________

2 Craig Sokolow, Esquire, Mother’s attorney, stood in for Father’s counsel at
the start of the hearing. Father’s counsel arrived during cross-examination of
the case manager.

                                           -3-
J-S70016-18

of Facts, to the extent he or she had knowledge. However, the parties did not

stipulate to the veracity of the Statement.

      In addition to the stipulation, DHS presented the testimony of the case-

worker currently assigned to the case, June Morrison. Morrison testified Father

did not attend the parenting and anger management courses at ARC. N.T.,

3/12/18, at 8. Although Father completed an evaluation at Behavioral Health

Systems, he did not follow through with the recommended treatment. Id.

Morrison noted Father changed the appointment for treatment numerous

times, but never attended. Id.

      Morrison testified that, after missing several visits, Father had resumed

visits with Child on January 29, 2018, and had attended two visits since that

date. Id. at 9, 11.

      Morrison also testified regarding her observations when Father visited

with Child. Id. at 9, 14. She noted that Father played with and fed Child. Id.

at 14. However, Morrison did not believe Child would suffer irreparable harm

if Father’s rights were terminated, noting that Father had not taken on a

parental role in Child’s life. Id. at 9, 14-15.

      Morrison testified that Child was in a pre-adoptive home, where she had

been since October 2017, after she was removed from paternal grandmother’s

care. Id. at 9. Child’s foster parent provided Child with her daily needs. Id.

Child was doing fine, was bonding with foster parent, and was safe. Id. at 9-

10.

                                       -4-
J-S70016-18

      Counsel for Father cross-examined Morrison, but did not present any

witnesses or evidence.

      The trial court found DHS established by clear and convincing evidence

that termination of Father’s parental rights was proper under 23 Pa.C.S.A. §§

(a)(1), (2), (5), and (8), and that termination would be in Child’s best interest

under section 2511(b). The trial court also changed Child’s permanency goal

to adoption.

      On March 22, 2018, Father filed a motion to reconsider the termination

order, and to open the record. Father claimed that although he had signed a

return receipt for a subpoena on January 20, 2018, stating the date and time

of the March, 12, 2018 hearing, he had subsequently traveled to California for

a 30-day army reserve military training. Upon returning to Philadelphia he

claims he “mis-remembered” the date, and allegedly arrived at the courthouse

a day late, on March 13, 2018. Motion for Reconsideration, filed Mar. 22, 2018,

at ¶ 2. He requested an opportunity to testify regarding his military training

and relationship with Child. Id. at ¶ 3. The court denied the motion. On April

10, 2018, Father filed a timely notice of appeal.

      Father raises the following issues on appeal:

         1. Did the Trial court err and/or abuse its discretion by
         denying [Father’s] Motion For Reconsideration of its Order
         and Decree of goal change and termination of his parental
         rights; given the totality of the circumstances of the case,
         should [Father] have been afforded an opportunity to be
         heard on Petitioner DHS’s petitions to terminate and change
         the goal to adoption?

                                      -5-
J-S70016-18

         2. Did the Department of Human Services (DHS) sustain its
         burden under 23 Pa.C.S.A. §2511(a)(1), (2), (5) or (8) that
         Father's rights should be terminated when there was
         evidence that Father had completed and/or had been
         actively completing his permanency goals? (Summarizing
         [Father’s] 1925(a) items 2 through [sic])

         3. Was there was sufficient evidence presented to establish
         under 23 Pa.C.S.A. §2511(b) that it was in the best interests
         of the Child to terminate Father’s parental rights?

         4. Was there was sufficient evidence presented to establish
         that DHS had met its burden of proof under the Juvenile Act,
         42 Pa.C.S.A. §6351 that changing the child’s permanency
         goal to adoption best serve the needs and welfare of the
         child?

Father’s Br. at 4.

      In his first issue, Father argues the trial court erred in denying his

request to open the record to allow his testimony.

      Father cites no case law in support of his contention that the court erred

in denying his motion to reconsider the order or re-open the record and,

therefore, waived the claim. See Commonwealth v. Delvalle, 74 A.3d 1081,

1086–87 (Pa. Super. 2013) (finding “[f]ailure by the appellant to discuss

pertinent facts or cite legal authority will result in waiver”); Pa.R.A.P. 2119(a)

(providing “[t]he argument shall . . . have . . . the particular point treated

therein, followed by such discussion and citation of authorities as are deemed

pertinent”).

      Furthermore, an order denying a motion for reconsideration is not

reviewable. Huntington Nat’l Bank v. K–Cor, Inc., 107 A.3d 783, 787

(Pa.Super. 2014) (“Pennsylvania case law is absolutely clear that the refusal

of a trial court to reconsider, rehear, or permit reargument of a final decree is

                                      -6-
J-S70016-18

not reviewable on appeal.”). Therefore, even if he had preserved the claim,

we would be unable to review it. Further, if we were able to review it, we

would conclude the trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying

reconsideration. Although Father stated he had been in California for training

for 30 days, he does not assert he was not in Philadelphia on the date of the

hearing. Rather, he states he “misremembered” the date.

      In his second and third issues, Father argues DHS failed to present clear

and convincing evidence that termination was proper under 23 Pa.C.S.A. §§

2511(a) and (b). He argues he did not evidence a settled purpose to

relinquish, or fail to perform, his parental duties, noting his “military

obligations and [Child’s] placement away from his family.” Father’s Br. at 15.

      When reviewing orders terminating parental rights, we must “accept the

findings of fact and credibility determinations of the trial court if they are

supported by the record.” In re Adoption of S.P., 47 A.3d 817, 826 (Pa.

2012). Where “the factual findings are supported,” we review the decision “to

determine if the trial court made an error of law or abused its discretion.” Id.

We will reverse a decision “for an abuse of discretion only upon demonstration

of manifest unreasonableness, partiality, prejudice, bias, or ill-will.” Id.

      The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has explained the reason for applying

an abuse of discretion standard to termination decisions:

         [U]nlike trial courts, appellate courts are not equipped to
         make the fact-specific determinations on a cold record,
         where the trial judges are observing the parties during the
         relevant hearing and often presiding over numerous other
         hearings regarding the child and parents. Therefore, even

                                      -7-
J-S70016-18

         where the facts could support an opposite result, as is often
         the case in dependency and termination cases, an appellate
         court must resist the urge to second guess the trial court
         and impose its own credibility determinations and
         judgment; instead we must defer to the trial judges so long
         as the factual findings are supported by the record and the
         court’s legal conclusions are not the result of an error of law
         or an abuse of discretion.

Id. at 826-27 (citations omitted).

      A trial court may terminate parental rights only after finding grounds for

termination existed under Section 2511(a) and that termination is in the

child’s best interest under Section 2511(b). Although the trial court terminated

Father’s parental rights pursuant to several subsections of Section 2511(a),

we need only conclude that its decision was proper under any one subsection

of Section 2511(a). In re B.L.W., 843 A.2d 380, 384 (Pa.Super. 2004) (en

banc). Here, we conclude that the trial court properly terminated Father’s

parental rights pursuant to Section 2511(a)(2).

      Section 2511(a)(2) provides:

         (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.

23 Pa.C.S.A. § 2511(a)(2).

                                      -8-
J-S70016-18

       To terminate parental rights pursuant to Section 2511(a)(2), the moving

party must produce clear and convincing evidence of the following: “(1)

repeated and continued incapacity, abuse, neglect or refusal; (2) such

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

essential parental care, control or subsistence necessary for his physical or

mental well-being; and (3) the causes of the incapacity, abuse, neglect or

refusal cannot or will not be remedied.” In re Adoption of M.E.P., 825 A.2d
1266, 1272 (Pa.Super. 2003).

       Here, the trial court found the following:

          The case history revealed Father’s ongoing inability to
          provide care for or control of Child due to his failure to
          remedy the conditions that brought the Child into care.
          Specifically, Father failed to meet specific SCP objectives.
          These SCP objectives included attendance at anger
          management and parenting classes and maintaining
          consistent visitation with Child. The record demonstrates
          that this court, DHS and [the community umbrella agency
          (“CUA”)] consistently reminded Father of the importance of
          taking advantage of services to be reunited with his Child.
          This message was further reinforced to the Father in[] Dr.
          Kai    Syvertensen’s        psychological   evaluation   and
          recommendations. Father, nevertheless, had either refused
          or proved unable to follow these basic recommendations.
          His refusal or inability to co-operate with CUA and the court
          has made it impossible for this court to order that he be
          reunited with his Child.

          At the Termination of Parental Rights Hearing, [Ms.
          Morrison][3] testified that Child was originally brought into
          care due to Mother’s drug use. Ms. Morrison testified that
          Father had failed his SCP Objectives which included (1)

____________________________________________

3The trial court found Morrison’s testimony credible and accorded it “great
weight.” Trial Court Opinion, filed May 11, 2018, at 6.

                                           -9-
J-S70016-18

         attending anger management classes; (2) parenting
         classes; and (3) that Father follow the recommendations of
         Dr.    Syvertsten’s   psychological    examination,     which
         recommended that he receive mental health counseling. Ms.
         Morrison testified that Father never attended parenting
         classes or anger management classes. Ms. Morrison also
         testified that Father was inconsistent with visitation set up
         for Child.

Trial Court Opinion, filed May 11, 2018, at 5-6 (citations omitted) (“1925(a)

Op.”). The court concluded Father was unable to remedy the conditions that

brought Child into care. Id. at 7.

      The trial court’s factual findings are supported by the record, and it did

not abuse its discretion when it determined that DHS established by clear and

convincing evidence that Father’s incapacity, neglect or refusal caused the

child to be without essential parental care, control or subsistence necessary

for his physical or mental well-being and that Father could not remedy the

causes of the incapacity, neglect or refusal. Father failed to meet his objectives

and frequently did not attend offered visits. Although in his brief he mentions

military training as a potential reason to deny the petition for termination, this

service was not mentioned at the hearing or anywhere else in the record. Nor

does it contradict the clear and convincing evidence of his failure to parent

Child, or stand as evidence of his ability to remedy the situation.

      Father next challenges the trial court’s findings under Section 2511(b),

arguing the trial court did not have sufficient evidence from which it could

conclude termination was in Child’s best interest.

      Section 2511(b) provides:

                                     - 10 -
J-S70016-18

         (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.

23 Pa.C.S.A. § 2511(b).

      The focus under Section 2511(b) is not on the parent, but on the child.

In re Adoption of C.L.G., 956 A.2d 999, 1008 (Pa.Super. 2008) (en banc).

Pursuant to Section 2511(b), the trial court must determine “whether

termination of parental rights would best serve the developmental, physical

and emotional needs and welfare of the child.” In re C.M.S., 884 A.2d 1284,

1286 (Pa.Super. 2005). This Court has explained that “[i]ntangibles such as

love, comfort, security, and stability are involved in the inquiry into [the]

needs and welfare of the child.” Id. at 1287.

      Here, the trial court found the following:

         Ms. Morrison testified that Child was doing well in her pre-
         adoptive foster home and that the Child’s foster parent
         provide[s] the Child with her daily needs. Ms. Morrison
         testified that the last time she had visited the pre-adoptive
         home was on March 6, 2018 and that she found the pre-
         adoptive home to be safe and Child bonded to her foster
         parent. Ms. Morrison also testified that the termination of
         Father’s parental rights would not cause irreparable harm to
         the Child and that it would be in Child’s best interest.

1925(a) Op. at 6 (citations omitted).

      Contrary to Father’s suggestion, the record supports the trial court’s

findings and its conclusion that termination would be in Child’s best interest,

considering Child’s “developmental, physical and emotional needs and

welfare.” See 23 Pa.C.S.A. § 2511(b). The testimony supported that Child was

                                    - 11 -
J-S70016-18

bonded with Foster parent and that although Father played with and fed Child

during visits, Child would not suffer irreparable harm if Father’s parental rights

were terminated.

       In his final issue, Father maintains the trial court erred in changing

Child’s permanency goal to adoption.4 He argues the court did not question

the appropriateness of Father’s objectives, and stated that “Father’s absence

contributed to the court’s inability to ascertain the extent of his progress

toward    alleviating    the   circumstances       which   necessitated   the   original

placement.” Father’s Br. at 21.

       We review a court’s order changing the placement goal to adoption for

an abuse of discretion. In re N.C., 909 A.2d 818, 822 (Pa.Super. 2006).

Section 6351(f) of the Juvenile Act, in pertinent part, requires a court to

review, inter alia, the following at permanency review hearings:

          (1) The continuing necessity for and appropriateness of the
          placement.

          (2) The appropriateness, feasibility and extent of
          compliance with the permanency plan developed for the
          child.

          (3) The extent of progress made toward alleviating the
          circumstances which necessitated the original placement.

          (4) The appropriateness and feasibility of the current
          placement goal for the child.
____________________________________________

4 “Questions regarding the propriety of an order granting or denying a goal
change petition are . . . discrete inquiries requiring an analysis of interests
exquisitely separable from those interests reviewed in questions relating to
the involuntary termination of parental rights.” In re R.I.S., 36 A.3d 567, 575
(Pa. 2011).

                                          - 12 -
J-S70016-18

            (5) The likely date by which the placement goal for the child
            might be achieved.

            (5.1) Whether reasonable efforts were made to finalize the
            permanency plan in effect.

            (6) Whether the child is safe.

42 Pa.C.S.A. § 6351(f). When determining whether to change the goal, the

trial court must focus on the child and determine the goal with reference to

the child’s best interests, not those of the parents. In re N.C., 908 A.2d at

823. “Safety, permanency, and well-being of the child must take precedence

over all other considerations.” Id. (emphasis deleted); see also In re A.K.,

906 A.2d 596, 599 (Pa.Super. 2006) (finding statutory factors “clearly place

the trial court’s focus on the best interests of the child” (quoting In re C.V.,

882 A.2d 481, 484 (Pa.Super. 2005)).

      Similar to the court’s findings under Section 2511(b), its conclusion that

a change in the permanency goal to adoption would be in Child’s best interest

is supported by the record. The court did not abuse its discretion in changing

the goal.

      Decree affirmed.

Judgment Entered.

Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary

Date: 1/8/19

                                       - 13 -