Court Opinion

ID: 4444281
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2019-10-04 14:08:03.411523+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:25:11.502051
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                                NOT FOR PUBLICATION WITHOUT THE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 NOS. A-2427-16T2
                                                                     A-3407-17T2
                                                                     A-3739-17T2

NEW JERSEY DIVISION
OF CHILD PROTECTION
AND PERMANENCY,

          Plaintiff-Respondent,

v.

Y.B.,

     Defendant-Appellant.
_____________________________

IN THE MATTER OF S.G., T.B.,
S.B., and J.C.,

     Minors.
_____________________________

NEW JERSEY DIVISION
OF CHILD PROTECTION
AND PERMANENCY,

          Plaintiff-Respondent,

v.
Y.B. and C.C.,

     Defendants-Appellants.
_____________________________

IN THE MATTER OF THE
GUARDIANSHIP OF J.C.,

     a Minor.
_____________________________

           Submitted September 25, 2019 – Decided October 4, 2019

           Before Judges Fuentes, Haas and Enright.

           On appeal from the Superior Court of New Jersey,
           Chancery Division, Family Part, Hudson County,
           Docket Nos. FN-09-0386-11 and FG-09-0125-17.

           Joseph E. Krakora, Public Defender, attorney for
           appellant Y.B. (Durrell Wachtler Ciccia, Designated
           Counsel, on the briefs).

           Joseph E. Krakora, Public Defender, attorney for
           appellant C.C. (Meghan K. Gulczynski, Designated
           Counsel, on the briefs).

           Gurbir S. Grewal, Attorney General, attorney for
           respondent (Jason Wade Rockwell, Assistant Attorney
           General, of counsel; Sara M. Gregory, Deputy Attorney
           General, on the brief).

           Joseph E. Krakora, Public Defender, Law Guardian,
           attorney for minors S.G., T.B., S.B., and J.C. (Danielle
           Ruiz, Designated Counsel, on the brief).

                                                                      A-2427-16T2
                                      2
             Joseph E. Krakora, Public Defender, Law Guardian,
             attorney for minor J.C. (Olivia Belfatto Crisp, Assistant
             Deputy Public Defender, on the brief).

PER CURIAM

      In these three related children-in-court cases, defendant Y.B. 1 appeals

from the Family Part's January 27, 2012 order, 2 following a fact-finding hearing,

determining that Y.B. abused or neglected her four children by permitting C.C.,

the father of one of the children, J.C. (Jenna), to have contact with the children

in violation of a previously imposed "no contact order" entered after C.C.

threatened Y.B. and the children with a knife. Y.B. and C.C. also appeal from

the court's March 14, 2018 judgment of guardianship terminating their parental

rights to Jenna. 3

      In her abuse or neglect appeal, Y.B. contends that the trial judge erred in

concluding that she placed the children at risk of serious harm by permitting

C.C. to re-enter the home. In his termination of parental rights appeal, C.C.

1
  We refer to the adult parties by initials, and to the child and resource parent
by fictitious names, to protect their privacy. R. 1:38-3(d)(12).
2
  This order became appealable as of right after the trial court entered a final
order on January 5, 2017, dismissing the litigation.
3
   For purposes of this opinion, we consolidate Y.B.'s abuse or neglect appeal
with the parents' respective termination of parental rights appeals, which were
already consolidated.
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                                        3
argues that the Division of Child Protection and Permanency (Division) failed

to prove each prong of N.J.S.A. 30:4C-15.1(a) by clear and convincing evidence,

while Y.B. limits her appeal to her allegation that the Division failed to satisfy

prong three of the statutory test. The Law Guardian supports the court 's finding

of abuse or neglect on Y.B.'s part, and the termination of both defendants'

parental rights to Jenna.

      Based on our review of the record and applicable law, we are satisfied that

the evidence in favor of both the Division's abuse or neglect complaint and its

guardianship petition overwhelmingly supports the trial court's orders.

Accordingly, we affirm substantially for the reasons set forth in the thorough

oral decisions rendered by the court in each matter.

                                        I.

      We begin with Y.B.'s abuse or neglect appeal. Y.B. is the mother of four

minor children, including Jenna, who was born in May 2010. C.C. is Jenna's

father.4

      On September 3, 2010, C.C. committed an act of domestic violence when

he chased Y.B. and the children with a knife. Y.B. locked herself in a bedroom,

4
 The record indicates that Y.B. and C.C. had been married, but it is not clear
whether they divorced prior to these proceedings.
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                                        4
and C.C. kicked down the door. As the police arrived, they saw C.C. forcing

the children out of the home. C.C. initially refused to surrender but, after the

officers drew their weapons, they were able to subdue and arrest him.

      C.C. was subsequently indicted for aggravated assault, possession of a

weapon for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a weapon, endangering

the welfare of a child, child abuse, and burglary. The court released C.C. on

bail on September 8, but entered a no contact order which prohibited C.C. from

being near Y.B. or the children.

      In February 2011, an assistant prosecutor advised the Division that she

had called Y.B.'s home to speak to her and the phone was answered by C.C.,

who admitted he was alone in the home with Jenna. In a later phone call, Y.B.

told the prosecutor that she was aware that C.C. was not allowed to have any

contact with the children, although she did not have a copy of the court's written

order. The Division met with Y.B., who denied that C.C. was living in the home.

      On March 25, 2011, the Division received another referral indicating that

one of the children had welts on her face. Y.B. denied striking the child.

However, during the investigation, the children reported that C.C. was living in

the home in violation of the no contact order.

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                                        5
      One week later, the Division filed a verified complaint seeking custody of

all four children, and charged Y.B. with child abuse or neglect under N.J.S.A.

9:6-8.21(c)(4)(b).   Following a fact-finding hearing, Judge Mark J. Nelson

rendered an oral decision, finding by a preponderance of the evidence that Y.B.

abused or neglected the children by placing them in harm's way when she

permitted C.C. to have contact with them in violation of the criminal court's no

contact order.

      On appeal, Y.B. contends that the Division "failed to present competent,

reliable evidence that [she] failed to exercise proper supervision or guardianship

and placed the children at a substantial risk of harm by knowingly and wil lfully

violating the no contact order previously put in place against [C.C.]." We

disagree.

      Our task as an appellate court is to determine whether the decision of the

Family Part is supported by substantial credible evidence in the record and is

consistent with applicable law. Cesare v. Cesare, 154 N.J. 394, 412 (1998). We

owe particular deference to a trial judge's credibility determinations and to "the

family courts' special jurisdiction and expertise[.]"    Id. at 413. Unless the

judge's factual findings are "so wide of the mark that a mistake must have been

made[,]" they should not be disturbed, even if we would not have made the same

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                                        6
decision if we had heard the case in the first instance. N.J. Div. of Youth &

Family Servs. v. M.M., 189 N.J. 261, 279 (2007) (quoting C.B. Snyder Realty,

Inc. v. BMW of N. Am., Inc., 233 N.J. Super. 65, 69 (App. Div. 1989)). "It is

not our place to second-guess or substitute our judgment for that of the family

court, provided that the record contains substantial and credible evidence to

support" the judge's decision. N.J. Div. of Youth & Family Servs. v. F.M., 211
N.J. 420, 448-49 (2012).

      Through the admission of "competent, material and relevant evidence,"

the Division must prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the child was

abused or neglected. N.J.S.A. 9:6-8.46(b). In pertinent part, N.J.S.A. 9:6-

8.21(c)(4)(b) defines an "abused or neglected child" as:

            a child whose physical, mental, or emotional condition
            has been impaired or is in imminent danger of
            becoming impaired as the result of the failure of his [or
            her] parent or guardian . . . to exercise a minimum
            degree of care . . . in providing the child with proper
            supervision or guardianship, by unreasonably inflicting
            or allowing to be inflicted harm, or substantial risk
            thereof, including the infliction of excessive corporal
            punishment; or by any other acts of a similarly serious
            nature requiring the aid of the court[.]

      Thus, to find abuse and neglect under N.J.S.A. 9:6-8.21(c)(4)(b), the

parent must fail to "exercise a minimum degree of care." A parent "fails to

exercise a minimum degree of care when he or she is aware of the dangers

                                                                        A-2427-16T2
                                       7
inherent in a situation and fails adequately to supervise the child or recklessly

creates a risk of serious injury to that child." G.S. v. Dep't of Human Servs.,

157 N.J. 161, 181 (1999).       "Where an ordinary reasonable person would

understand that a situation poses dangerous risks and acts without regard for the

potentially serious consequences, the law holds him responsible for the injuries

he causes." Id. at 179. In addition, "[w]hen a cautionary act by the guardian

would prevent a child from having his or her physical, mental or emotional

condition impaired, that guardian has failed to exercise a minimum degree of

care as a matter of law." Id. at 182.

      Each case of alleged abuse "requires careful, individual scrutiny" and is

"generally fact sensitive" and "idiosyncratic." N.J. Div. of Youth & Family

Servs. v. P.W.R., 205 N.J. 17, 33 (2011). Both the nature of the injury inflicted

and the conduct should be reviewed within the context of the family's

circumstances at that moment. See Dep't of Children & Families, Div. of Youth

& Family Servs. v. C.H., 416 N.J. Super. 414, 416 (App. Div. 2010).

      Contrary to Y.B.'s contentions, a court does not have to wait until a child

is actually harmed or neglected before it can act in the welfare of that minor.

N.J. Div. of Youth & Family Servs. v. V.M., 408 N.J. Super. 222, 235-36 (App.

Div. 2009) (citing In re Guardianship of D.M.H., 161 N.J. 365, 383 (1999)).

                                                                         A-2427-16T2
                                        8
Thus, "[i]n the absence of actual harm, a finding of abuse and neglect can be

based on proof of imminent danger and substantial risk of harm." N.J. Dep't of

Children & Families v. A.L., 213 N.J. 1, 23 (2013) (citing N.J.S.A. 9:6-

8.21(c)(4)(b)).

      For example, in F.M., the Supreme Court held that a "parent has an

obligation to protect a child from harms that can be inflicted by another parent."

F.M., 211 N.J. at 449. In that termination of parental rights case, the court found

that the defendant mother's failure to follow court orders barring contact with

the biological father demonstrated her inability to protect the child from harm.

Id. at 450-51. Similarly, this court has held the failure to protect a child against

a risk of harm by another can constitute abuse or neglect. N.J. Div. of Child

Prot. and Permanency v. K.N.S., 441 N.J. Super. 392, 399 (App. Div. 2015).

      Here, there was sufficient evidence in the record to support Judge Nelson's

finding that Y.B. abused or neglected the children by exposing them to a risk of

harm. The record reveals that, in September 2010, C.C. chased the children

through the home with a knife and sought to attack Y.B. After a forcible arrest,

the court issued a no contact order, and Y.B. admitted she was aware of that

order. Nonetheless, the record shows that she allowed C.C. into the home, as

                                                                            A-2427-16T2
                                         9
evidenced by his answering the home phone when the prosecutor called, and by

the children's statements acknowledging he was living in the home.

      C.C.'s presence in the home placed the children at risk, particularly due to

his history of domestic violence with Y.B. and the children. Nonetheless, Y.B.

ignored this risk and allowed him to return to the home, despite her awareness

of the no contact order. Thus, the record provides a solid basis for the court's

determination under Title 9, and we decline to set it aside.

                                       II.

      We turn next to defendants' appeals from the judgment of guardianship.

We will not recite in detail the history of the Division's involvement with

defendants from April 2011, when it took custody of Jenna, until the March 14,

2018 judgment. Instead, we incorporate by reference the factual findings and

legal conclusions contained in Judge Lois Lipton's thorough and thoughtful or al

decision rendered on that date. We add the following comments.

      After C.C. violated the no contact order with Y.B.'s permission, the

Division placed Jenna and one of her siblings in a resource home after

defendants were unable to identify any relatives qualified to care for the child.

Y.B. was granted supervised parenting time with Jenna, but she missed many of

                                                                          A-2427-16T2
                                       10
the scheduled visits. Y.B. also tested positive for benzodiazepines in September

and October 2011.

      In November 2011, Y.B. stabbed C.C. when she learned he was having an

extramarital affair, and C.C. responded by hitting Y.B. in the face with a vase

and attacking her with a screwdriver. C.C. was charged with aggravated assault,

and later sentenced to State prison, where he remained until January 2016.

While C.C. was incarcerated, the Division arranged for Jenna to visit C.C. at the

institution.

      During this period, the Division continued to provide services to Y.B. The

court ordered a reunification of Y.B. and all four of her children in March 2013,

but she continued to abuse drugs, and was eventually jailed for nine months on

outstanding assault and robbery warrants. The Division again obtained custody

of Jenna in September 2014.

      In September 2015, the Division placed Jenna and her sibling with a

maternal aunt, N.G. (Nancy). Jenna has lived with Nancy since that time and

now views her aunt as her primary parental figure. Nancy wishes to adopt Jenna.

      After Y.B. and C.C. were released from jail in 2016, the Division again

attempted to work with them. However, Y.B. continued to engage in substance

abuse, and exhibited increasingly erratic behavior due to her mental illness.

                                                                         A-2427-16T2
                                      11
C.C. fared somewhat better, but soon began to avoid mandatory urine testing.

In September 2016, he was admitted to the hospital for seizures and convulsions

arising from excessive alcohol consumption, and was diagnosed with alcohol

withdrawal seizure and delirium tremens. He continued to abuse alcohol even

though doing so was in violation of the conditions of his parole.

      Y.B. and C.C. did not testify at trial. The Division's expert psychologist,

Dr. Karen Wells evaluated both defendants. Dr. Wells concluded that placing

Jenna with Y.B. would expose the child to harm due to Y.B.'s refusal to complete

substance abuse treatment and mental health treatment. Similarly, Dr. Wells

found that C.C. had not displayed the stability needed to provide a safe home

for Jenna and would not be able to do so in the foreseeable future.

      Dr. Wells conducted a bonding evaluation between Jenna and C.C. and

between Jenna and Nancy. Dr. Wells found that although C.C. and Jenna had a

bond, any harm from severing it would not be severe or enduring, and Nancy

would be able to mitigate that harm. On the other hand, Jenna viewed Nancy as

her primary parental figure and, as a result, Dr. Wells opined that breaking their

bond would severely harm the child. Judge Lipton found Dr. Wells's testimony

to be credible and persuasive.

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                                       12
      Two psychologists testified on C.C.'s behalf. Dr. Andrew Brown found

that although Jenna was "very comfortable" with Nancy, she was "more

animated" during her time with C.C. However, he acknowledged that Jenna saw

Nancy as her psychological parent. Although Dr. Brown opined that C.C. could

provide Jenna with stability, safety, and security, he admitted on cross-

examination that he had not reviewed any of C.C.'s treatment records for the

seizures he experienced due to his excessive consumption of alcohol. Therefore,

Judge Lipton found Dr. Brown's testimony to be less credible than that of Dr.

Wells.

      Judge Lipton reached a similar conclusion concerning the weight to be

given to C.C.'s other expert, Dr. Barry Katz. Like Dr. Brown, Dr. Katz testified

that Jenna showed an "increased level of enthusiasm" when seeing C.C., and he

opined that if C.C. was ever able to achieve one year of sobriety, and complied

with services during that period, he could safely parent the child. However,

Judge Lipton rejected the expert's conclusion that Jenna could be placed in

C.C.'s care because Dr. Katz acknowledged that he had failed to consider various

facts, including the negative inference arising from C.C.'s missed urine tests, his

lack of compliance with urine tests, and the amount of time Jenna had already

been waiting for permanency.

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                                       13
      In her extensive oral opinion, Judge Lipton reviewed the evidence

presented at the multi-day trial, and concluded that (1) the Division had proven

all four prongs of the best interests test by clear and convincing evidence,

N.J.S.A. 30:4C-15.1(a); and (2) termination of defendants' parental rights was

in the child's best interests. In this appeal, our review of the trial judge's decision

is limited. We defer to her expertise as a Family Part judge, Cesare, 154 N.J. at

413, and we are bound by her factual findings so long as they are supported by

sufficient credible evidence. M.M., 189 N.J. at 279 (citing In re Guardianship

of J.T., 269 N.J. Super. 172, 188 (App. Div. 1993)).

      After reviewing the record, we conclude that Judge Lipton's factual

findings are fully supported by the record and, in light of those facts, her legal

conclusions are unassailable. We therefore affirm substantially for the reasons

that the judge expressed in her comprehensive opinion.

      In so ruling, we reject defendants' contentions that they should have been

given more time to demonstrate that they could safely parent Jenna at some

undefined point in the future. Children are entitled to a permanent, safe and

secure home. We acknowledge "the need for permanency of placements by

placing limits on the time for a birth parent to correct conditions in anticipation

of reuniting with the child." N.J. Div. of Youth & Family Servs. v. C.S., 367

                                                                               A-2427-16T2
                                         14
N.J. Super. 76, 111 (App. Div. 2004). As public policy increasingly focuses on

a child's need for permanency, "[t]he emphasis has shifted from protracted

efforts for reunification with a birth parent to an expeditious, permanent

placement to promote the child's well-being." Ibid. (citing N.J.S.A. 30:4C-

11.1). That is because "[a] child cannot be held prisoner of the rights of others,

even those of his or her parents. Children have their own rights, including the

right to a permanent, safe and stable placement." Ibid.

      The question then is whether the parent can become fit in time to meet the

needs of the children. N.J. Div. of Youth & Family Servs. v. P.P., 180 N.J. 494,

512 (2004) (indicating that even if a parent is trying to change, a child cannot

wait indefinitely).   After carefully considering the record, Judge Lipton

reasonably determined that neither defendant was able to parent Jenna, and

would not be able to do so for the foreseeable future.              Under those

circumstances, we agree with the judge that any further delay of permanent

placement would not be in the child's best interests.

      Affirmed.

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                                       15