Court Opinion

ID: 9928821
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2024-01-31 22:11:00.824408+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:54:46.091188
License: Public Domain

J-S43017-23

NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT O.P. 65.37

  IN THE INTEREST OF: C.G., A                  :   IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
  MINOR                                        :        PENNSYLVANIA
                                               :
                                               :
                                               :
                                               :
                                               :
                                               :
  APPEAL OF: K.G., MOTHER                      :      No. 1010 MDA 2023

                 Appeal from the Order Entered June 30, 2023
           In the Court of Common Pleas of Northumberland County
                Juvenile Division at No(s): CP-49-DP-42-2021

  IN THE INTEREST OF: A.F., A MINOR :              IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
                                    :                   PENNSYLVANIA
                                    :
                                    :
                                    :
                                    :
                                    :
                                    :
  APPEAL OF: K.G., MOTHER           :                 No. 1011 MDA 2023

                 Appeal from the Order Entered June 30, 2023
           In the Court of Common Pleas of Northumberland County
               Juvenile Division at No(s): CP-49-DP-00043-2021

BEFORE:      McLAUGHLIN, J., KING, J., and COLINS, J.*

MEMORANDUM BY KING, J.:                              FILED: JANUARY 24, 2024

       Appellant, K.G. (“Mother”), appeals from the order entered in the

Northumberland County Court of Common Pleas, which changed the

permanency goals for C.G. and A.F. (“Children”) from reunification to adoption

____________________________________________

* Retired Senior Judge assigned to the Superior Court.
J-S43017-23

and suspended Mother’s visitation with Children. We affirm.

      The relevant facts and procedural history of this case are as follows.

A.F. was born to Mother and C.F. (“Father”) in February of 2019.              The

Northumberland County Children and Youth Services (“CYS”) became involved

with the parents on April 1, 2019, when it received a child protective services

(“CPS”) referral after A.F. was admitted to the hospital with a right femur

fracture that was ruled non-accidental.      Mother and Father were the sole

caretakers of A.F. at the time that he was injured. A.F. was not removed from

the parents’ custody at this time. CYS received another CPS referral on July

14, 2019, alleging substance abuse by Mother and Father. Upon investigation,

Father tested positive for THC and Mother tested positive for marijuana. A.F.

continued to remain in the parents’ custody following this incident.

      C.G. was born to Mother and Father in May of 2020. On May 19, 2021,

CYS received another CPS referral alleging a domestic disturbance at the

residence where Mother was staying with Children. On the night in question,

Mother returned from a bar to the residence and was very intoxicated. Mother

engaged in a physical altercation with another adult member of the household.

The adult member of the household informed CYS that she did not want

Mother or Children to continue to stay in her residence.             Father was

incarcerated and was not substantially involved in Childrens’ lives at this point.

Children were removed from Mother’s care and placed in temporary kinship

placement with Mother’s cousin and her paramour. CYS petitioned the court

                                      -2-
J-S43017-23

to adjudicate Children dependent, alleging that Children were without proper

parental care or control.

       On August 5, 2021, the court adjudicated Children dependent and

ordered that they remain in kinship placement with Mother’s cousin and

paramour. Mother was granted supervised visitation with Children. The court

set the placement goal to reunification with natural parents. In furtherance

of this goal, the court ordered Mother to obtain stable housing and

employment, participate in family treatment court and remain drug free,

undergo a behavioral health intake and follow the recommendations, and

participate in parenting classes and demonstrate those learned skills during

supervised visitation. On February 17, 2023, Children were removed from

their kinship placement and placed with a foster family.1

       The court conducted permanency review hearings on November 4,

2021, January 13, 2022, April 7, 2022, July 21, 2022, October 17, 2022, and

January 12, 2023. At each of these hearings, the court found that there was

minimal compliance with the permanency plan and Mother made minimal

progress toward alleviating the circumstances which necessitated the original

placement.

       A bonding assessment was completed by Michael Gillum on April 8,

2022. Mr. Gillum reported the following observations and impressions:

          From the time [Children] saw their mother and throughout
____________________________________________

1 The kinship home was no longer an option due to medical concerns.

                                           -3-
J-S43017-23

         the observation, they did not go to her…. In the actual
         observation, [Mother] was completely overwhelmed by
         [Children] and was unable to manage them. [Children]
         were engaging in reckless and dangerous behaviors such as
         climbing on chairs, and [Mother] did not notice or did not
         take action. She would focus on one child, allowing the
         other child to do as they pleased without supervision.
         [Children] often ran for the door, wanting to be released
         from the visitation room with [Mother]. At one point, C.G.
         actually opened the door and left the waiting room, running
         to his CYS caseworker. [Mother] was extremely loud in
         talking to [Children] and was also very immature.
         [Children] did not seem to be afraid of [Mother], however,
         did not appear to be seeking her out at all. When given a
         choice, [Children] went to everyone else except [Mother].

         About half an hour into the observation, [Mother] was
         obviously losing patience with [Children] as they did not
         respect her and continued to do as they pleased.

                                  *    *    *

         [Mother] appears to be an extremely poor parent and is
         certainly capable of injuring her children…. [Mother] said
         almost nothing about her children even when prompted to
         describe their personalities and activities. She made no
         mention of missing her children nor did she mention any
         affection or relationship details concerning her children….
         She was clearly overwhelmed simply attempting to be with
         both [Children] simultaneously. [Mother] could not manage
         [Children] at all…. [Children] were very badly behaved
         when in the visitation room with [Mother]. [Mother] did not
         demonstrate any affection toward [Children]. The degree
         of bonding appears to be very minimal.

(Psychological Evaluation and Bonding Assessment, filed 7/13/22, at 4, 7).

Additionally, the solicitor’s report filed on January 10, 2023 stated:

         [Mother] has not shown a significant transfer of learning in
         visits as she remains unable to supervise more than one
         child at a time and has a habit of video calling her paramour
         during visits and failing to monitor the minor children at all
         until her attention is brought to the minor children getting

                                      -4-
J-S43017-23

           into something that they should not by the resource worker
           or justice works worker; all despite the repeated and explicit
           instructions of both the caseworker and resource worker.

(Solicitor’s Report, filed 1/10/2023, at 3) (unpaginated).

       On June 22, 2023, the court conducted another permanency review

hearing.    At this point, CYS sought to change the permanency goal from

reunification to adoption and to terminate Mother’s visitation with Children.

Father was given notice of the hearing but did not appear.2          Mother was

present at the hearing and elected not to testify due to pending criminal

charges against her.3

       Timothy Sparta-Panarese, a CYS caseworker, testified that Children had

been in the care of CYS for almost two years and Mother’s progress in reaching

the goals set forth to return Children to her care remained stagnant for most

of that time. Mr. Sparta-Panarese stated that he was unsure about Mother’s

current employment status and Mother failed to present any evidence to

demonstrate that she had stable employment. Mother also did not undergo a

behavioral health intake to address any mental health concerns.             Mother

began treatment court in September of 2022 and participated in parenting

____________________________________________

2 Father’s attorney, who was present, informed the court that Father received

notice of the hearing while he was incarcerated but Father could not be located
prior to the hearing after he was released from prison. Father is not party to
this appeal.

3 Mother has charges pending against her related to the injury sustained by

A.F. while in Mother and Father’s care.

                                           -5-
J-S43017-23

classes. Nevertheless, Mother failed to transfer any learned skills during her

supervised visits with Children. Mr. Sparta-Panarese testified that Mother was

unable to care for both Children, failing to pay attention to safety hazards until

it was brought to her attention by another individual.           Mother did not

demonstrate that she was able to care for Children for any period of time

without supervision.

      Mr. Sparta-Panarese acknowledged that Mother has consistently visited

Children and participated in some of the goals set forth by CYS. Nevertheless,

in the extended time that Children have been in the care of CYS, Mother made

no meaningful progress in alleviating the issues that resulted in Children’s

placement. Mr. Sparta-Panarese opined that Mother’s parenting is unlikely to

progress in the near future such that Children are not in danger in her care,

given that Mother has attended months of parenting classes and shown

minimal improvement. He further testified that Children are happy and doing

well in their foster home. They are well cared for and residing in a stable and

safe environment.

      The guardian ad litem (“GAL”) informed the court that she was in favor

of CYS’s recommendations, noting there were legitimate concerns about

Mother’s ability to keep Children safe in her care. The GAL further opined that

continued visitation would not be in Children’s best interests as Mother has

demonstrated minimal progress in her ability to parent them, and continued

contact would hinder Children’s ability to move forward and have permanency

                                      -6-
J-S43017-23

in their lives.

      On June 30, 2023, the court entered an order changing the permanent

placement goal to adoption and suspended all further visitation between

Mother and Children. On July 13, 2023, Mother timely filed separate notices

of appeal from the orders concerning each child, and concise statements of

errors complained of on appeal. This Court consolidated Mother’s appeals sua

sponte on August 4, 2023.

      Mother raises the following issues for our review:

          Did the trial court abuse its discretion in granting [CYS]’s
          request for a goal change from reunification to adoption?

          Did the trial court abuse its discretion in terminating all
          visitation of Mother?

(Mother’s Brief at 6).

      In her issues combined, Mother contends that the court failed to

consider all factors listed in 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 6351(f), relevant to the court’s

approval of a goal change. Mother asserts that she has substantially complied

with all of CYS’s directives, including participating in treatment court,

maintaining her sobriety, and participating in parenting classes.        Mother

maintains that CYS failed to demonstrate that Children were not safe in

Mother’s care because the only example provided by Mr. Sparta-Panarese to

support his opinion was one instance where Mother did not notice that Children

were running away at the park.        Mother claims CYS and the court are

essentially punishing her for the pending criminal charges against her related

                                     -7-
J-S43017-23

to A.F.’s past injuries. Mother insists that the ongoing criminal matter is an

inappropriate basis to support a goal change and the court erred in considering

the criminal matter.

      Additionally, Mother asserts that the court failed to address the

suspension of Mother’s visitation in any meaningful way. Mother contends

that CYS failed to present any evidence that continued visitation would pose

a grave threat to Children.      Mother concludes that the court abused its

discretion in approving the goal change to adoption and suspending all of

Mother’s visitation rights, and this Court should grant relief. We disagree.

      On appeal, goal change decisions are subject to an abuse of discretion

standard of review. In re N.C., 909 A.2d 818, 822 (Pa.Super. 2006).

         In order to conclude that the trial court abused its discretion,
         we must determine that the court’s judgment was
         “manifestly unreasonable,” that the court did not apply the
         law, or that the court’s action was “a result of partiality,
         prejudice, bias or ill will,” as shown by the record. We are
         bound by the trial court’s findings of fact that have support
         in the record. The trial court, not the appellate court, is
         charged with the responsibilities of evaluating credibility of
         the witness and resolving any conflicts in the testimony. In
         carrying out these responsibilities, the trial court is free to
         believe all, part, or none of the evidence. When the trial
         court’s findings are supported by competent evidence of
         record, we will affirm, “even if the record could also support
         an opposite result.”

Id. at 822–23 (internal citations omitted).

      The Juvenile Act controls the disposition of dependent children. In re

R.P., 957 A.2d 1205, 1217 (Pa.Super. 2008).           Section 6351 provides in

relevant part:

                                      -8-
J-S43017-23

       § 6351. Disposition of dependent child

                                 *    *    *

          (f) Matters to be determined at permanency
          hearing.—At each permanency hearing, a court shall
          determine all of the following:

              (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.

              (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.

                                 *    *    *

              (9) If the child has been in placement for at least 15
              of the last 22 months or the court has determined that
              aggravated circumstances exist and that reasonable
              efforts to prevent or eliminate the need to remove the
              child from the child’s parent, guardian or custodian or
              to preserve and reunify the family need not be made
              or continue to be made, whether the county agency
              has filed or sought to join a petition to terminate
              parental rights and to identify, recruit, process and
              approve a qualified family to adopt the child unless:

                                     -9-
J-S43017-23

                    (i) the child is being cared for by a relative best
                    suited to the physical, mental and moral welfare
                    of the child;

                    (ii) the county agency has documented a
                    compelling reason for determining that filing a
                    petition to terminate parental rights would not
                    serve the needs and welfare of the child; or

                    (iii) the child’s family has not been provided with
                    necessary services to achieve the safe return to
                    the child’s parent, guardian or custodian within
                    the time frames set forth in the permanency
                    plan.

              (10) If a sibling of a child has been removed from his
              home and is in a different placement setting than the
              child, whether reasonable efforts have been made to
              place the child and the sibling of the child together or
              whether such joint placement is contrary to the safety
              or well-being of the child or sibling.

              (11) If the child has a sibling, whether visitation of
              the child with that sibling is occurring no less than
              twice a month, unless a finding is made that visitation
              is contrary to the safety or well-being of the child or
              sibling.

              (12) If the child has been placed with a caregiver,
              whether the child is being provided with regular,
              ongoing opportunities to participate in age-appropriate
              or developmentally appropriate activities. In order to
              make the determination under this paragraph, the
              county agency shall document the steps it has taken
              to ensure that:

                    (i) the caregiver is following the reasonable and
                    prudent parent standard; and

                    (ii) the child has regular, ongoing opportunities
                    to engage in age-appropriate or developmentally
                    appropriate activities. The county agency shall
                    consult with the child regarding opportunities to
                    engage in such activities.

                                    - 10 -
J-S43017-23

          (f.1) Additional determination.—Based upon the
          determinations made under subsection (f) and all
          relevant evidence presented at the hearing, the court
          shall determine one of the following:

              (1) If and when the child will be returned to the
              child’s parent, guardian or custodian in cases where
              the return of the child is best suited to the safety,
              protection and physical, mental and moral welfare of
              the child.

              (2) If and when the child will be placed for adoption,
              and the county agency will file for termination of
              parental rights in cases where return to the child’s
              parent, guardian or custodian is not best suited to the
              safety, protection and physical, mental and moral
              welfare of the child.

              (3) If and when the child will be placed with a legal
              custodian in cases where the return to the child’s
              parent, guardian or custodian or being placed for
              adoption is not best suited to the safety, protection
              and physical, mental and moral welfare of the child.

              (4) If and when the child will be placed with a fit and
              willing relative in cases where return to the child’s
              parent, guardian or custodian, being placed for
              adoption or being placed with a legal custodian is not
              best suited to the safety, protection and physical,
              mental and moral welfare of the child.

                                 *     *      *

          (f.2) Evidence.—Evidence of conduct by the parent that
          places the health, safety or welfare of the child at risk,
          including evidence of the use of alcohol or a controlled
          substance that places the health, safety or welfare of the
          child at risk, shall be presented to the court by the county
          agency or any other party at any disposition or
          permanency hearing whether or not the conduct was the
          basis for the determination of dependency.

          (g)    Court order.—On the basis of the determination

                                     - 11 -
J-S43017-23

            made under subsection (f.1), the court shall order the
            continuation, modification or termination of placement or
            other disposition which is best suited to the safety,
            protection and physical, mental and moral welfare of the
            child.

42 Pa.C.S.A. § 6351(f), (f.1), (f.2), (g).

      “When the child welfare agency has made reasonable efforts to return a

[dependent] child to his or her biological parent, but those efforts have failed,

then the agency must redirect its efforts towards placing the child in an

adoptive home.” In re N.C., supra at 823.

         Although the agency has the burden to show a goal change
         would serve the child’s best interests, “[s]afety,
         permanency, and well-being of the child must take
         precedence over all other considerations” under Section
         6351. In re D.P., 972 A.2d 1221, 1227 (Pa.Super. 2009),
         appeal denied, 601 Pa. 702, 973 A.2d 1007 (2009)
         (emphasis in original); In re S.B., … 943 A.2d 973, 978
         [(Pa.Super. 2008)], appeal denied, 598 Pa. 782, 959 A.2d
         320 (2008). “[T]he parent’s rights are secondary” in a goal
         change proceeding. In re D.P., supra.

         Because the focus is on the child’s best interests, a goal
         change to adoption might be appropriate, even when a
         parent substantially complies with a reunification plan. In
         re N.C., supra at 826-27.         Where a parent’s “skills,
         including her judgment with regard to the emotional well-
         being of her children, remain problematic[,]” a goal change
         to adoption might be appropriate, regardless of the parent’s
         compliance with a permanency plan. Id. at 825. The
         agency is not required to offer services indefinitely, where a
         parent is unable to properly apply the instruction provided.
         In re A.L.D., 797 A.2d 326, 340 (Pa.Super. 2002). See
         also In re S.B., supra at 981 (giving priority to child’s
         safety and stability, despite parent’s substantial compliance
         with permanency plan); In re A.P., 728 A.2d 375, 379
         (Pa.Super. 1999), appeal denied, 560 Pa. 693, 743 A.2d 912
         (1999) (holding where, despite willingness, parent cannot
         meet “irreducible minimum parental responsibilities, the

                                     - 12 -
J-S43017-23

         needs of the child must prevail over the rights of the
         parent”). Thus, even where the parent makes earnest
         efforts, the “court cannot and will not subordinate
         indefinitely a child’s need for permanence and stability to a
         parent’s claims of progress and hope for the future.” In re
         Adoption of R.J.S., 901 A.2d 502, 513 (Pa.Super. 2006).

In re R.M.G., 997 A.2d 339, 347 (Pa.Super. 2010).

      Additionally, the standard by which the court must determine whether

to grant visitation to a parent is dependent upon the placement goal mandated

in the family service plan.         See In re C.B., 861 A.2d 287, 293

(Pa.Super.2004), appeal denied, 582 Pa. 692, 871 A.2d 187 (2005). “Where

reunification still remains the goal of the family service plan, visitation will not

be denied or reduced unless it poses a grave threat.” Id. (internal citation

omitted). “If the goal is no longer reunification of the family, then visitation

may be limited or denied if it is in the best interests of the child or children.”

Id. “The ‘best interests’ standard, in this context, is less protective of parents’

visitation rights than the ‘grave threat’ standard.” In re B.G., 774 A.2d 757,

760 (Pa.Super. 2001) (citation omitted).

         To determine whether visitation is in the child’s best interest
         the court may consider all evidence relating to the child’s
         best interest including but not limited to the following
         factors: (1) length of separation from natural parents; (2)
         effect of visitation on the child; (3) the age, sex and health
         of the child; (4) the emotional relationship between child
         and parents; (5) the special needs of the child; and (6) the
         effect on the child’s relationship with the current caregiver,
         usually the foster parents. Most importantly, the focus must
         be on the best interests of the child, in light of the fact that
         the natural family is not likely to be reunited.

In Int. of M.B., 674 A.2d 702, 706 (Pa.Super. 1996).

                                      - 13 -
J-S43017-23

      Instantly, the court determined that a goal change to adoption was in

Children’s best interests. Contrary to Mother’s assertion, the court specifically

evaluated each factor listed in Section 6351(f) in its June 30, 2023,

permanency review order. (See Permanency Review Order, filed 6/30/23, at

1-2). Significant to its goal change determination, the court explained:

         At the time of the hearing twenty-two months had elapsed
         since placement of the child. While Mother has participated
         in parenting classes and visitation the uncontroverted
         testimony is that she fails to apply skills from the parenting
         class and the children remain at risk even during a two-hour
         supervised visitation. Mother presented no evidence that
         she was employed or had suitable housing for her children.
         There is also the issue of the pending criminal charges
         against her stemming from the abuse that was part of the
         need for placement. While Mother is presumed innocent the
         [c]ourt remains mindful that if convicted, she could face
         imprisonment and further separation from the children.

(Trial Court Opinion, filed 8/31/23, at 3) (unpaginated).

      The record supports the court’s determination.        Mr. Sparta-Panarese

testified that although Mother participated in parenting classes, Mother has

not demonstrated any learned skills in her interactions with Children and has

made minimal progress in doing so during the time that Children have been

in placement. He further stated that safety concerns persist while Children

are in Mother’s care during the supervised visits such that Children should not

be in Mother’s unsupervised care. While Mother is correct that Mr. Sparta-

Panarese only testified to one specific example of Mother’s inattentiveness

during visitation at the June 22, 2023 permanency review hearing, the record

is replete with other examples of Mother’s inability to parent Children during

                                     - 14 -
J-S43017-23

her supervised visits. Multiple solicitor’s reports have noted that Mother is

unable to supervise both Children at the same time, is prone to being

distracted by her phone, fails to monitor Children until prompted by another

adult, and is largely unable to manage or control Children.     Similarly, the

bonding assessment report notes that Children were engaging in reckless and

dangerous behavior and Mother failed to notice or take action to keep Children

safe.   The record supports Mr. Sparta-Panarese’s testimony and the court

further found it to be credible. See In re N.C., supra. Accordingly, the court

did not err in finding that Mother had made insufficient progress towards

alleviating the issues that necessitated Children’s placement and a goal

change to adoption was in Children’s best interests. See In re R.M.G., supra.

        Additionally, the record belies Mother’s allegation that her pending

criminal charges were the “true” basis for the goal change. The record shows

that Children were not removed from Mother’s care following the incident

underlying the pending criminal charges. Rather, Children were removed from

Mother’s care after an unrelated domestic disturbance when Mother and

Children were asked to leave the home in which they were residing. Following

this incident, CYS determined that Mother was unable to adequately care for

Children and placed them in kinship care.    CYS did not at any point raise

Mother’s criminal charges a basis to support the goal change, and there was

no evidence presented at the permanency hearing pertaining to the criminal

charges or the underlying factual basis concerning those charges. The only

                                    - 15 -
J-S43017-23

mention of the criminal charges was from Mother’s counsel, who argued that

Mother was making progress towards her goals despite the stress and

pressure of the pending criminal charges. Although the court mentioned in its

opinion that Mother has pending charges against her, the court specifically

noted that Mother is presumed innocent, and the court did not base its goal

change decision on these pending charges. Thus, there is no merit to Mother’s

claim that the court impermissibly considered her pending criminal charges.

      Further, the bonding assessment concluded that there was a minimal

bond between Mother and Children, noting that Children consistently went to

others over Mother during their visitation and Mother did not display

significant affection toward Children. Mr. Sparta-Panarese also testified that

Children were doing well in the care of their foster family. The GAL further

opined that suspending visitation would be in Children’s best interests so that

they could move forward with their lives and work towards permanency and

consistency with their foster family. The record provides ample support for

the court’s determination that suspending Mother’s visitation with Children

was in Children’s best interests. See In re C.B., supra; In Int. of M.B.,

supra. Consistent with the goal change to adoption, the court was no longer

limited by the “grave threat” standard concerning restriction of visitation. See

In re C.B., supra. On this record, we see no abuse of discretion concerning

the court’s order. See In re N.C., supra. Accordingly, we affirm.

                                     - 16 -
J-S43017-23

Order affirmed.

Judgment Entered.

Benjamin D. Kohler, Esq.
Prothonotary

Date: 1/24/2024

                           - 17 -