Court Opinion

ID: 4281715
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2018-06-06 16:46:25.324703+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:34:51.513081
License: Public Domain

J-S14002-18

NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37

 IN THE INTEREST OF: T.D.N.T.R.,         :   IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
 A MINOR                                 :        PENNSYLVANIA
                                         :
                                         :
 APPEAL OF: R.R., MOTHER                 :
                                         :
                                         :
                                         :
                                         :   No. 3185 EDA 2017

               Appeal from the Order Entered August 15, 2017
            In the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County
              Family Court at No(s): CP-51-AP-0000753-2017

 IN THE INTEREST OF: L.M.R., A           :   IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
 MINOR                                   :        PENNSYLVANIA
                                         :
                                         :
 APPEAL OF: R.R., MOTHER                 :
                                         :
                                         :
                                         :
                                         :   No. 3186 EDA 2017

               Appeal from the Order Entered August 15, 2017
            In the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County
              Family Court at No(s): CP-51-AP-0000754-2017

BEFORE:    OTT, J., McLAUGHLIN, J., and RANSOM*, J.

MEMORANDUM BY OTT, J.:                                  FILED JUNE 05, 2018

      R.R. (“Mother”) appeals from the decrees entered in the Court of

Common Pleas of Philadelphia County on August 15, 2017, involuntarily

terminating her parental rights to her son, T.D.N.T.R., born in February of

2015, and her daughter, L.M.R., born in April of 2011 (collectively, “Children”).

Mother’s court-appointed counsel has filed a petition for leave to withdraw as

____________________________________
* Retired Senior Judge assigned to the Superior Court.
J-S14002-18

counsel and a brief pursuant to Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738 (1967).

We grant counsel’s petition and affirm the decrees.

        In its opinion pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 1925(a), the trial court set forth the

factual and procedural history of this case, which the testimonial evidence

supports. As such, we adopt it herein. See Trial Court Opinion, 11/9/17, at

2-17.

        By way of background, on April 17, 2015, the Department of Human

Services (“DHS”) became involved with Mother, E.B. (“Father”), and the

Children upon receiving a report alleging that T.D.N.T.R. had fallen in the

home and sustained nearly fatal injuries. Trial Court Opinion, 11/9/17, at 2-

3, 5. Mother’s explanation of the incident was “while she and Father were

arguing, Father raised his hand as if to strike her while she was holding the

[c]hild and she dropped the [c]hild on a mattress to protect him[.]” Id. at 3.

On April 20, 2015, DHS met with Mother who stated, “Mother and Father

argued and Father physically assaulted her while she was holding T.D.N.T.R.;

that she dropped him onto a mattress during the incident and later fell on top

of him as Father continued to assault her[.] . . .” Id. at 4.

        T.D.N.T.R.’s   diagnosis   was   “acute   or   chronic   bilateral   subdural

hemorrhages, multilayer retinal hemorrhages in both eyes, a closed right rib

fracture, and a cervical spine injury, most likely due to abusive head trauma

in the absence of accidental trauma to account for the injuries.” Id. at 6. On

April 21, 2015, DHS received a supplemental report alleging that, “the [c]hild

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was in critical condition based on suspected abuse; that he had internal

bleeding from old and new injuries; and that it was not known at that time if

the [c]hild would survive.”    Id. at 5.   The report alleged that Mother’s

explanation did not match T.D.N.T.R.’s injuries. Id. at 3. Rather, the report

alleged that, due to his injuries, T.D.N.T.R. “would had to have fallen from a

waist-high height onto a hard surface.” Id.

      With respect to the older female child, L.M.R., who was nearly four years

old at the time of the incident involving T.D.N.T.R., DHS learned from hospital

staff on April 18, 2015, that she did not appear to have any injuries. Id. at

3. However, she “appeared to have some developmental delays and suffered

from non-verbal autism[.]” Id. at 3-4.

      The Children were placed in protective custody on April 22, 2015.

T.D.N.T.R. was discharged from the hospital on April 28, 2015, and he was

placed in a foster home separate from his sister, L.M.R. The Children were

adjudicated dependent on May 13, 2015. On November 10, 2015, the trial

court found that aggravating circumstances existed as to Mother and Father.

      The Community Umbrella Agency (“CUA”), Northeast Treatment Center

(“NET”), developed the following Single Case Plan (“SCP”) objectives for

Mother: attend the Children’s medical appointments; participate in the

supervised visitation schedule; schedule an assessment with the Behavioral

Health System (“BHS”); participate in a domestic violence program;

participate in and completing parenting classes; and comply with all court

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orders and recommended programs.                 Id. at 8.   The CUA subsequently

specified that Mother explore services for L.M.R. at Children’s Crisis Treatment

Center (“CCTC”) and participate in a domestic violence program at Women in

Transition. Id. at 9-10.

       Commencing in October of 2015, permanency review hearings occurred

approximately every three months.1 At the permanency review hearing in

May of 2016, the trial court found that T.D.N.T.R. received early intervention

services, occupational therapy, and physical therapy.          Id. at 13.   Further,

L.M.R. received occupational therapy, physical therapy, and trauma therapy.

Id. at 12-13. At the next hearing in August of 2016, the court found that

“L.M.R. receives special education.” Id. at 13.

       On April 4, 2017, DHS received another supplemental report alleging

that Father “had made a written statement that day stating that on

4/17/2015, while engaging in an incident of domestic violence with Mother,

T.D.N.T.R. was thrown from Mother’s arms and hit his head on a piece of

furniture and then the floor.” Id. at 16 (citation to record omitted).

       On July 27, 2017, DHS filed petitions for the involuntary termination of

Mother’s and Father’s parental rights to the Children pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S. §

2511(a)(1), (2), (5), (8), and (b).            A hearing occurred on the petition

____________________________________________

1The Honorable Allan L. Tereshko presided over the underlying dependency
matter and the subject involuntary termination proceeding.

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regarding Mother on August 15, 2017,2 during which the Children were

represented by a Child Advocate and a Guardian Ad Litem (“GAL”).3         DHS

presented the testimony of Erica Williams, Psy.D., the director of Forensic

Mental Health Services, who performed a parenting capacity evaluation of

Mother on February 23, 2017; and Beverly Ford-Green, the CUA case

manager.      Mother testified on her own behalf.    In addition, Mother was

represented by Anthony J. Voci, Jr., Esquire, whom she privately retained.

       Dr. Williams testified that, in conducting the parenting capacity

evaluation, she learned that Mother had participated in two different

interviews during the investigation of T.D.N.T.R.’s nearly fatal injuries, and

that she “was adamant that it was an accident.” N.T., 8/15/17, at 32. She

testified that at the time of the parenting capacity evaluation on February 23,

2017, Mother “was able to identify [the cause of the incident] [as] active

aggression [on Father’s] part, but she still is not able to fully explain the

process of events. And when she discusses it, she limits her memory of it.

She doesn’t respond to follow-up questions. She’s not able to plan differently,

____________________________________________

2 At the commencement of the proceedings, Father’s counsel requested to
withdraw his representation, which the trial court granted. Therefore, the
court re-scheduled the hearing on the petition with respect to Father for
January 30, 2018. Trial Court Opinion, 11/9/17, at 2. The record certified for
this appeal does not reveal the court’s disposition of that petition.

3 The Child Advocate and the GAL argued in support of the involuntary
termination of Mother’s parental rights to the Children during the hearing.
Neither has filed a brief in these appeals.

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just to assert that she’s learned her lesson and she would do it differently, but

she can’t explain beyond that.” Id. at 36-37.

      Dr. Williams opined that Mother “did not have the capacity for safety

and permanency at the time of the evaluation, particularly due to the ongoing

safety concerns.” Id. at 47. She summarized as follows.

      [P]rior to the precipitating event [on April 17, 2015,] [T.D.N.T.R.]
      somehow suffered injuries that were healing and nobody was able
      to identify how those injuries occurred, neither [Mother] nor
      [Father]. Then the events occurred, even though she was aware
      of his violent temper, they continued to reside together. He, I
      later found out from him, swung at her in a smacking motion and
      that’s what knocked [T.D.N.T.R.] out of her arms. She provided
      misinformation at the time of medical intervention, which
      immediately places the child at risk for her not to provide the true
      sequence of events, particularly when you’re providing emergency
      care. So that judgment to not provide the accurate information is
      a concern. And then moving on from there, she continues to
      minimize the events and not see [Father] as capable of violence
      going forward. She was unable to recall things that happened,
      was able to say that she had a role, but couldn’t identify the role
      of what she could do differently. She was comfortable with the
      [C]hildren going back with [Father] and she was not able to even
      identify any of the concerns raised by CUA regarding her behaviors
      that placed the [C]hildren[] . . . at ongoing risk.

Id. at 64-65.

      Further, with respect to L.M.R., Dr. Williams testified that, while in the

care of Mother, she presented with “gross developmental delays. However,

outside of the care of . . . [M]other, she has thrived and those delays have all

but disappeared.” Id. at 41.

      To assist her in developing the capacity to parent, Dr. Williams made

the following recommendations, in part.

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        1.     [Mother] continue in individual therapy. It is recommended
        this treatment occur with a licensed individual with training and
        experience in working with individuals involved in the physical
        abuse of a child. In addition to identification and addressing of
        mental health needs, it is important focus include supporting
        [Mother] in developing an accurate narrative of the events leading
        to her son’s near fatal injuries as well as when he obtained his
        prior injuries. Once events are identified it is imperative therapy
        focus on exploring the behavior cycles related to the events,
        identification of role in the events and plan to recognize, manage
        and prevent future behaviors.

        2.    If reunification remains the goal, it is important [Mother]
        increase her engagement in [L.M.R.]’s medical and mental health
        appointments.

Parenting Capacity Evaluation, 2/23/17, at 15 (DHS Exhibit 6).

        By decrees entered on August 15, 2017, the trial court terminated

Mother’s parental rights to the Children pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S. § 2511(a)(1),

(2), (5), (8), and (b). On September 14, 2017, Mother, acting pro se, timely

filed notices of appeal and concise statements of errors complained of on

appeal pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 1925(a)(2)(i) and (b), 4 which this Court

consolidated sua sponte.

____________________________________________

4   Mother asserted the following errors in her concise statement.

        1. The Trial Court (Family Division) erred and abused its discretion
           in denying my 6th Amendment right when I requested a
           continuance in order to have representation from another
           Attorney. This was requested so that I would have the
           opportunity to be represented by an Attorney who would
           represent my family’s best interests. The attorney, Anthony
           Voci, who represented me at the hearing, never communicated
           with me in the four months preceding my hearing;
           furthermore, he was tardy (by 2 hours) and initially reluctant

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       On October 12, 2017, this Court granted the motion to withdraw as

counsel filed by Mother’s trial attorney, Attorney Voci, and directed the trial

court to appoint substitute counsel within ten days. By order dated October

17, 2017, the trial court appointed Michael Graves, Jr., Esquire, as Mother’s

appellate counsel.      The trial court filed its opinion pursuant to Pa.R.A.P.

1925(a) on November 9, 2017.

       On January 21, 2018, Attorney Graves filed a petition for leave to

withdraw as counsel and an Anders brief, which we must address before

____________________________________________

          to represent me as he expressed this to me outside the
          courtroom. Therefore this already demonstrated a conflict of
          interest. Nevertheless, the court ignored my request to fair
          representation and proceeded with the hearing with the above
          attorney, who had not prepared to represent me for my . . .
          hearing on August 15, 2017.

       2. The Trial Court (Family Division) erred in finding that DHS, NET
          CUA 1 (Beverly Ford-Green), Support Center for Child
          Advocates, (Guardian Ad Litem Jerry Desiderato, Attorney
          Irene Levy), City Solicitor (Megan Fitzpatrick), ATA (Evaluator
          Erica Williams) met their burden of proof by clear and
          convincing evidence that terminating my parental rights
          pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S.A. § 2511(a)(1), (2), (5) and (8).

       3. The Trial Court (Family Division) erred in finding that DHS, NET
          CUA 1 (Beverly Ford-Green), Support Center for Child
          Advocates, (Guardian Ad Litem Jerry Desiderato, Attorney
          Irene Levy), City Solicitor (Megan Fitzpatrick), ATA (Evaluator
          - Erica Williams) met their burden of proof by clear and
          convincing evidence that terminating my parental rights would
          best meet to the developmental, physical and emotional needs
          and welfare of [the Children] pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S.A. §
          2511(b).

Mother’s Rule 1925(b) statement, 9/14/17.

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reviewing the merits of this appeal.    Commonwealth v. Rojas, 874 A.2d

638, 639 (Pa. Super. 2005) (quoting Commonwealth v. Smith, 700 A.2d

1301, 1303 (Pa. Super. 1997)).

      In re V.E., 611 A.2d 1267 (Pa. Super. 1992), this Court extended the

Anders principles to appeals involving the termination of parental rights. In

Commonwealth v. Santiago, 978 A.2d 349 (Pa. 2009), our Supreme Court

explained, “the major thrust of Anders . . . is to assure that counsel

undertakes a careful assessment of any available claim that an indigent

appellant might have.” Id. at 358. The Court stated that this “is achieved by

requiring counsel to conduct an exhaustive examination of the record and by

also placing the responsibility on the reviewing court to make an independent

determination of the merits of the appeal.” Id.

      In order to be permitted to withdraw, counsel must meet three

procedural requirements: 1) petition for leave to withdraw and state that,

after making a conscientious examination of the record, counsel has

determined that the appeal is frivolous; 2) furnish a copy of the Anders brief

to the appellant; and 3) advise the appellant that he or she has the right to

retain private counsel or raise, pro se, additional arguments that the appellant

deems worthy of the court’s attention. See Commonwealth v. Cartrette,

83 A.3d 1030, 1032 (Pa. Super. 2013) (en banc) (citation omitted).         With

respect to the third requirement, this Court has held that counsel must “attach

to their petition to withdraw a copy of the letter sent to their client advising

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him or her of their rights.” Commonwealth v. Millisock, 873 A.2d 748, 752

(Pa. Super. 2005).

      Additionally, an   Anders    brief   must   comply   with the   following

requirements:

      (1) provide a summary of the procedural history and facts, with
      citations to the record;

      (2) refer to anything in the record that counsel believes arguably
      supports the appeal;

      (3) set forth counsel’s conclusion that the appeal is frivolous; and

      (4) state counsel’s reasons for concluding that the appeal is
      frivolous. Counsel should articulate the relevant facts of record,
      controlling case law, and/or statutes on point that have led to the
      conclusion that the appeal is frivolous.

Santiago, 978 A.2d at 361.

      Instantly, Mother’s counsel filed a petition to withdraw which complies

with the foregoing procedural requirements. In addition, counsel filed a brief,

which includes a summary of the history and facts of the case, potential issues

that could be raised by Mother, and his assessment of why those issues are

meritless, with citations to relevant legal authority.     Therefore, Mother’s

counsel has satisfied the requirements of Anders and Santiago.

      We next proceed to review the issue outlined in the Anders brief. In

addition, we must “conduct an independent review of the record to discern if

there are any additional, non-frivolous issues overlooked by counsel.”

Commonwealth v. Flowers, 113 A.3d 1246, 1250 (Pa. Super. 2015)

(footnote omitted).

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       In the Anders brief, counsel raises the issue of whether DHS satisfied

its burden of proof to terminate Mother’s parental rights pursuant to 23

Pa.C.S. § 2511(a)(1), (2), (5), (8), and (b).5 Specifically, counsel states that

Mother complied with some of her SCP objectives.

       We review this issue according to the following standard.

       The standard of review in termination of parental rights cases
       requires appellate courts to accept the findings of fact and
       credibility determinations of the trial court if they are supported
       by the record. If the factual findings are supported, appellate
       courts review to determine if the trial court made an error of law
       or abused its discretion. A decision may be reversed for an abuse
       of   discretion    only   upon     demonstration      of    manifest
       unreasonableness, partiality, prejudice, bias, or ill-will. The trial
       court’s decision, however, should not be reversed merely because
       the record would support a different result. We have previously
       emphasized our deference to trial courts that often have first-hand
       observations of the parties spanning multiple hearings.

In re T.S.M., 71 A.3d 251, 267 (Pa. 2013) (citations and quotation marks

omitted).

       The termination of parental rights is governed by Section 2511 of the

Adoption Act, which requires a bifurcated analysis.

       Initially, the focus is on the conduct of the parent. The party
       seeking termination must prove by clear and convincing evidence
       that the parent’s conduct satisfies the statutory grounds for
____________________________________________

5 To the extent that the Anders brief raises an issue concerning the
permanency review orders changing the Children’s goals to adoption, we
conclude that it is waived because Mother did not file a notice of appeal from
those orders, and she did not assert any errors regarding them in her concise
statement of errors complained of on appeal. See Dietrich v. Dietrich, 923
A.2d 461, 463 (Pa. Super. 2007) (stating that when an appellant filed a Rule
1925(b) statement, any issues not raised in that statement are waived on
appeal).

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     termination delineated in Section 2511(a). Only if the court
     determines that the parent’s conduct warrants termination of his
     or her parental rights does the court engage in the second part of
     the analysis pursuant to Section 2511(b): determination of the
     needs and welfare of the child under the standard of best interests
     of the child. One major aspect of the needs and welfare analysis
     concerns the nature and status of the emotional bond between
     parent and child, with close attention paid to the effect on the child
     of permanently severing any such bond.

In re L.M., 923 A.2d 505, 511 (Pa. Super. 2007) (citations omitted).          In

addition, we need only agree with the trial court as to any one subsection of

Section 2511(a), as well as Section 2511(b), in order to affirm. See In re

B.L.W., 843 A.2d 380, 384 (Pa. Super. 2004) (en banc).

     In this case, the record evidence supports the court’s decision to

terminate Mother’s parental rights pursuant to the following statutory

provisions:

     (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.

                                      ...

     (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. The rights
     of a parent shall not be terminated solely on the basis of
     environmental factors such as inadequate housing, furnishings,

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       income, clothing and medical care if found to be beyond the
       control of the parent. With respect to any petition filed pursuant
       to subsection (a)(1), (6) or (8), the court shall not consider any
       efforts by the parent to remedy the conditions described therein
       which are first initiated subsequent to the giving of notice of the
       filing of the petition.

23 Pa.C.S. § 2511(a)(2) and (b).6

       This Court has explained that the moving party must produce clear and

convincing evidence with respect to the following elements to terminate

parental rights pursuant to Section 2511(a)(2): (1) repeated and continued

incapacity, abuse, neglect or refusal; (2) such incapacity, abuse, neglect or

refusal 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. See In re Adoption of M.E.P., 825 A.2d 1266, 1272 (Pa. Super.

2003).

       Pursuant to Section 2511(a)(2), parents are required to make diligent

efforts   towards     the   reasonably     prompt   assumption   of   full   parental

responsibilities.    In re A.L.D. 797 A.2d 326, 340 (Pa. Super. 2002).             A

parent’s vow to cooperate, after a long period of uncooperativeness regarding

the necessity or availability of services, may properly be rejected as untimely

or disingenuous. Id. Further, the grounds for termination of parental rights

____________________________________________

6 Based on this disposition, we need not review the decrees pursuant to
Section 2511(a)(1), (5), and (8).

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under Section 2511(a)(2), due to parental incapacity that cannot be remedied,

are not limited to affirmative misconduct; to the contrary those grounds may

include acts of refusal as well as incapacity to perform parental duties. Id. at

337.

       With respect    to   Section 2511(b),     this   Court has   stated     that,

“[i]ntangibles such as love, comfort, security, and stability are involved in the

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

1287 (Pa. Super. 2005) (citation omitted). Further, the trial court “must also

discern the nature and status of the parent-child bond, with utmost attention

to the effect on the child of permanently severing that bond.” Id. (citation

omitted).    However, “[i]n cases where there is no evidence of any bond

between the parent and child, it is reasonable to infer that no bond exists.

The extent of any bond analysis, therefore, necessarily depends on the

circumstances of the particular case.” In re K.Z.S., 946 A.2d 753, 762-763

(Pa. Super. 2008) (citation omitted).

       In this case, the trial court stated on the record in open court at the

conclusion of the testimonial evidence, as follows.

       [T]he issue of credibility looms very large since we have conflicting
       versions of what has happened over the last 28 months.

       [A]lthough counsel says that [M]other admits that she didn’t tell
       the truth in the beginning, it was no such admission, because she
       still maintained the narrative that she fell on the child while the
       child was in the bed. And she now describes it as backed up on
       the child. Her earlier description was fell on the child.

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     That’s disturbing to the [c]ourt, because it supports a person who
     has not acknowledged the reality of what occurred and until today,
     although she voices a certain narrative, the narrative hasn’t
     changed. That presents an issue for the [c]ourt in everything else
     that [M]other says.

     And after having listened to [M]other and having had jurisdiction
     over this case from the beginning, I believe, I conducted the
     aggravated circumstances hearing, heard the testimony from the
     expert witnesses. And this child was not a child who fell onto a
     bed and parent toppled over onto the child. This child has been
     the victim of a consistent pattern of abuse and violence. No one’s
     addressed the prior issue of the healing injuries of the child, other
     than [M]other’s not credible attempt to explain that it occurred
     during an incident with the car seat.

     It’s a continued narrative, which [M]other refuses to accept the
     reality of the brutality that was inflicted upon this child while in
     her care in the care of the father. While she may not have been
     the perpetrator of the actual violence, she stood by and watched
     it occur[], knew it occurred, when it was occurring. And even
     today, attempts to paint a different picture, paint a picture of a
     man who has been found to have been abusive to a completely
     helpless infant, suggesting that he may be an appropriate
     caregiver for the child.

     It engages the question whether [M]other has the ability to
     perceive the reality of threats to her children. And being unable
     to perceive the reality of threats to her children, she certainly
     could never be in a position of being charged with the safety of
     her children.

     As to the evidence of her addressing some of the goals, while
     [M]other testified that she has been receiving this domestic
     violence [program], other than her testimony, I have no evidence
     of it. Today’s the day when you bring in your evidence. Today’s
     the day of your hearing. Today is the day you get to present all
     you have to make your case. And other than . . . what could be
     considered as self-serving testimony, I [have] seen or heard
     nothing independent of that to substantiate it.

     But it goes to the issue of her treatment for her issues, the
     domestic violence. There is no evidence that she completed the
     child abuse training. There is no evidence that she ever engaged

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     in therapy which would allow her to acknowledge the child abuse
     that brought this case in and is now one of the central reasons
     why the child[ren] remain in care.

     The evidence is clear and convincing that she has not remedied
     the issues that brought these children into care. The limited
     attempt at securing some domestic violence goes to the
     [M]other’s issues that brought the children into care. It doesn’t
     go to the issue of her putting herself in a position to care for these
     children or provide safety, well-being for these children going
     forward.

     The evidence is clear and convincing that she has no ability to
     remedy the issues that brought the children into care going
     forward. The inability to remedy the issue is premised on the fact
     that she fails to recognize what issues actually brought these
     children into care.

                                      ...

     She continued to hold out a narrative that the . . . perpetrator of
     the abuse to [T.D.N.T.R.] is now potentially able to care for these
     children and keep these children safe. That suggests a certain
     disconnect from reality. . . . The disconnect from reality in
     suggesting that as of today, even knowing that the father at some
     point admitted that the story they told originally about the child
     falling on the bed was a complete lie.

                                      ...

N.T., 8/15/17, at 124-128.

     Mother’s testimony supports the court’s findings. Mother acknowledged

that she did not previously provide full, complete, accurate, and truthful

information regarding how T.D.N.T.R. was injured in April 2015 because she

“was scared.” N.T., 8/15/17, at 102. She testified on direct examination,

     Q. What were you scared of?

     A. [B]ecause my son had injuries and I knew in my heart that it
     was an accident.

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                                     ...

     A.     I knew that when he went to get medical attention . . . [h]e
     was well-taken care of and . . . they figured it out, you know, what
     his injuries were and he was able to make medical progress.

Id. at 102-103.

     With respect to how T.D.N.T.R.’s injuries occurred, she testified as

follows on direct examination:

     Q. [Y]ou said that an argument took place between you and
     [Father], correct?

     A. Yes.

     Q. And you said in the past that he became aggressive towards
     you, correct?

     A. Yes.

     Q. What happened after [Father] became aggressive towards you
     while you were holding [T.D.N.T.R.]? What happened to your son?

     A. I remember placing him on the bed and [Father], at that time,
     . . . he wasn’t near me at the time, but at some point, I
     accidentally moved back on my son. And that’s how he got
     injured.

          THE COURT: I’m not sure I understand what you’re saying.
     You moved back on your son, what does that mean?

           [A.] That means that I had rolled back on my son in the
     bed, just perceived trying to –

            THE COURT: It’s the same story you told the [c]ourt, you
     fell on top of the child when the child was in the bed, correct?

           [A.] I wouldn’t say I fell, but I moved back on him.

Id. at 105-106.

                                    - 17 -
J-S14002-18

      In her cross-examination by the GAL, Mother testified regarding

T.D.N.T.R.’s injuries before April 17, 2015, as follows.

      Q. [T.D.N.T.R.] had injuries prior to this incident, is that correct?

      A. Yes.

      Q. Where did they come from?

      A. There was an issue with his car seat. I took him to CHOP
      [Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia] and I remember trying to take
      him out of his car seat and I didn’t realize the restraints were on
      and he fell back. But CHOP examined him and saw that there
      were no injuries.

      Q. Was he injured as a result of [F]ather’s abuse prior to this
      incident?

      A. No.

Id. at 109-110.

      In addition, Mother testified that Father should have a relationship with

the Children, and that they may be safe in his care, as follows.

      Because he is a good father and he advocates for his children. He
      loves his children and he always makes them a priority. And
      despite what happened between myself . . . and him, that we no
      longer have a romantic relationship. We -- when I say working
      relationship, we work together for the interest of the children. And
      working relationship means co-parenting.

      Q. You believe the [C]hildren would be safe in [F]ather’s care?

      A. They have been. I understand he’s been in unsupervised
      visitation for four months with no issue. He’s had them for entire
      weekends almost with no issue.

                                     - 18 -
J-S14002-18

Id. at 112.7

       Ms. Ford-Green’s testimony likewise supports the trial court’s findings

regarding Mother’s failure to complete her domestic violence and child abuse

SCP goals.     Ms. Ford-Green testified that Mother completed the parenting

program at ARC, and that she was consistent with her weekly two-hour

supervised visits at the agency.         Id. at 77, 79.   However, Mother did not

permit Ms. Ford-Green to assess her home. Id. at 85. In addition, although

Mother attended a domestic violence program at Temple University, Ms. Ford-

Green testified that Mother refused to tell her whether she was consulting with

a licensed therapist as recommended by Dr. Williams.            Id. at 90-91, 93.

Therefore, Ms. Ford-Green testified that Mother did not comply with obtaining

domestic violence and child abuse services. Id. at 77, 85.

       Mother testified that, for the past two years, she has attended the

requisite domestic violence program at Women in Transition. Id. at 99. On

cross-examination by DHS, Mother acknowledged that Dr. Williams reviewed

documentation from Women in Transition in conducting the parenting capacity

evaluation. Id. at 108. Mother testified that she is “not sure” if she provided

____________________________________________

7 Ms. Ford-Green, the CUA caseworker, testified that Father never had
unsupervised visits with the Children. N.T., 8/15/17, at 115. She explained
that the visits were supervised at his sister’s house. However, since April
2017, Father’s supervised visits have occurred at the agency because, as
discussed above, he “finally confessed” that he “hit [Mother] and that
[T.D.N.T.R.] fell from her hand and on a hard surface.” Id. at 115-116.

                                          - 19 -
J-S14002-18

Ms. Ford-Green with the information she requested regarding her domestic

violence therapy. Id. at 110-111.

      In addition, Mother acknowledged that she has not complied with her

SCP objective to attend the Children’s medical appointments. Id. at 111, 114.

Specifically, Mother testified on cross-examination by the Child Advocate:

      Q. Have you ever attended any of [T.D.N.T.R.’s] medical
      appointments?

      A. I have in the past when my work schedule allowed. Just
      because of my schedule, I pretty much allow his father to take
      over, because he has more flexible time.

Id. at 114. In addition, Mother testified on cross-examination by the GAL:

      Q. Did you attend any of [L.M.R.’s] medical appointments?

      A. No, I couldn’t make it because of my work schedule.

      Q. Did you attend any of her educational appointments?

      A. Because of my work schedule, I couldn’t make it, but I did
      speak with the teacher or the counselor afterwards.

Id. at 111-112.

      Based on the foregoing, we conclude that the testimonial evidence

supports the trial court’s findings, and we discern no abuse of discretion by

the court in terminating Mother’s parental rights pursuant to Section

2511(a)(2).   The record demonstrates that the repeated and continued

incapacity, abuse, and/or refusal of Mother to (1) reveal the full truth about

the manner in which T.D.N.T.R. sustained his nearly fatal injuries; (2)

acknowledge Father’s risk to the safety of the Children; and (3) obtain

                                    - 20 -
J-S14002-18

domestic violence and child abuse counseling from a licensed therapist, have

caused the Children to be without essential parental care, control or

subsistence necessary for their physical or mental well-being. Further, with

respect to L.M.R., in light of her gross developmental delays while in Mother’s

custody and her significant improvement while in foster care, Mother’s

repeated and continued incapacity and/or refusal to attend any of L.M.R.’s

medical or educational appointments has caused her to be without essential

parental care, control or subsistence necessary for her physical or mental well-

being. Finally, the causes of Mother’s incapacity, abuse, and/or refusal cannot

or will not be remedied insofar as the Children have been in placement since

April of 2015, and Mother’s parental incapacity continued to persist up through

and including the termination hearing 28 months later.

      With respect to Section 2511(b), we are governed by the following

settled principles.

      While a parent’s emotional bond with his or her child is a major
      aspect of the subsection 2511(b) best-interest analysis, it is
      nonetheless only one of many factors to be considered by the
      court when determining what is in the best interest of the child.
      In re K.K.R.S., 958 A.2d 529, 533-536 (Pa. Super. 2008). The
      mere existence of an emotional bond does not preclude the
      termination of parental rights. See In re T.D., 949 A.2d 910 (Pa.
      Super. 2008) (trial court’s decision to terminate parents’ parental
      rights was affirmed where court balanced strong emotional bond
      against parents’ inability to serve needs of child). Rather, the
      orphans’ court must examine the status of the bond to determine
      whether its termination “would destroy an existing, necessary and
      beneficial relationship.” In re Adoption of T.B.B., 835 A.2d 387,
      397 (Pa. Super. 2003). As we explained in In re A.S., 11 A.3d
      473, 483 (Pa. Super. 2010),

                                     - 21 -
J-S14002-18

          [I]n addition to a bond examination, the trial court can
          equally emphasize the safety needs of the child, and should
          also consider the intangibles, such as the love, comfort,
          security, and stability the child might have with the foster
          parent. Additionally, this Court stated that the trial court
          should consider the importance of continuity of
          relationships and whether any existing parent-child bond
          can be severed without detrimental effects on the child.

In re N.A.M., 33 A.3d 95, 103 (Pa. Super. 2011).

      Furthermore, our Supreme Court has stated that, “[c]ommon sense

dictates that courts considering termination must also consider whether the

children are in a pre-adoptive home and whether they have a bond with their

foster parents.” In re T.S.M., supra at 268. The Court directed that, in

weighing the bond considerations pursuant to Section 2511(b), “courts must

keep the ticking clock of childhood ever in mind.” Id. at 269. The T.S.M.

Court observed that, “[c]hildren are young for a scant number of years, and

we have an obligation to see to their healthy development quickly.       When

courts fail . . . the result, all too often, is catastrophically maladjusted

children.” Id.

      At the time of the subject proceedings, the Children were two and a half

and six years old, respectively. As best we can discern, they were in separate

foster homes.     The testimony of Ms. Ford-Green supports the following

findings by the trial court.

      This [c]ourt heard credible evidence by CUA [c]ase [m]anager,
      Ms. Ford-Green, who testified that the Children were positively
      bonded to the Foster Parents. They both look to their foster
      parents for safety and to meet their needs. She also observed
      that a bond exists between Mother and [L.M.R.], but it is not a

                                     - 22 -
J-S14002-18

      parental bond, [and] instead resembles a bond with an aunt who
      visits and brings food and gifts. She opined that Mother is not
      bonded to [T.D.N.T.R.], at all. She has also observed Mother’s
      interaction with the Children at the supervised visits, noting that
      Mother would pay more attention to her daughter than her son,
      and she had to be prompted to attend to the Children. Ms. Ford-
      Green noted that the Children need the safety and security that
      Mother cannot provide, and they would not suffer irreparable
      harm if Mother’s parental rights were terminated. . . .

      The [c]ourt found credible the evidence that the Children were not
      bonded to Mother and do not ask to be reunited with her.
      Therefore, this [c]ourt reasoned that the Children would not suffer
      irreparable harm if Mother’s parental rights were terminated. . . .

Trial Court Opinion, 11/9/17, at 33-34. Accordingly, we discern no abuse of

discretion pursuant to Section 2511(b).

      Finally, we observe that Mother alleged in her concise statement that

the trial court violated her rights under the Sixth Amendment of the United

States Constitution by denying her request for a continuance on the day of

the hearing for the purpose of retaining another attorney. We review the trial

court’s denial of Mother’s request for a continuance for an abuse of discretion.

See Commonwealth v. Boxley, 948 A.2d 742, 746 (Pa. 2008).

      In    its   Rule   1925(a)   opinion,   the   trial   court   properly   stated,

“Constitutional rights in proceeding[s] to terminate parental rights derive from

[the] due process clause of [the] Fourteenth Amendment, rather than from

[the] Sixth Amendment.”        Trial Court Opinion, 11/9/17, at 28 (citations

omitted).    We have explained, “Due process requires nothing more than

adequate notice, an opportunity to be heard, and the chance to defend oneself

                                       - 23 -
J-S14002-18

in an impartial tribunal having jurisdiction over the matter.” In re J.N.F., 887

A.2d 775, 781 (Pa. Super. 2005).

      The trial court aptly explained that, at the beginning of the subject

proceedings, Mother sought to replace Attorney Voci, “stating she had not

been able to reach him by telephone and he had not responded to her last

text to him in April, so she fired him that morning.”        Trial Court Opinion,

11/9/17, at 29.    In response, Attorney Voci stated to the court, “When I

arrived this morning, I greeted her and she indicated that she no longer

wished me to represent her in this case. As an officer of this [c]ourt, I can

also tell the [c]ourt that I have not been paid in full, but I’m ready, willing and

able to proceed if the [c]ourt wishes to today.” Id. (citing N.T., 8/15/17, at

19-20). We further observe that Attorney Voci stated to the court, “At the

last listing of this case . . ., we met in the room and [I] made very clear [to

Mother] as to what was being proposed in terms of the termination of parental

rights. I also made it clear what I believed was the proper course of action.

My client [has] had no contact with me whatsoever since the last listing of the

case. . . .” N.T., 8/15/17, at 19.

      The court found on the record in open court that Mother’s request was

an “unmasked attempt[] to delay and obfuscate these proceedings. There

was a representation at the last listing that there would be certain witnesses,

certain documents [presented at the hearing]. . . . [W]e’re now four months

out from the original listing and there was enough time and enough

                                      - 24 -
J-S14002-18

consideration to allow this case to be prepared for trial. The [C]hildren have

been in placement for 28 months. The matter will proceed.”8 N.T., 8/15/17,

at 24-25. Upon careful review, we discern no abuse of discretion.

       Based upon our independent review of Mother’s claims in light of the

record evidence, we conclude that she is not entitled to relief. Moreover, the

record does not reveal any non-frivolous issues overlooked by counsel. See

Flowers, 113 A.3d at 1250.             Accordingly, we grant counsel’s motion to

withdraw, and we affirm the decrees involuntarily terminating Mother’s

parental rights.

       Motion to withdraw granted. Decrees affirmed.

       Judge McLaughlin joins the memorandum.

       Judge Ransom concurs in the result.

Judgment Entered.

Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary

Date: 6/5/18

____________________________________________

8 In its Rule   1925(a) opinion, the court further emphasized that, “during the
entire term     of this dependency case regarding her Children, Mother was
represented     by three attorneys,” including Attorney Voci, and that she was
represented     in a competent manner by them. Trial Court Opinion, 11/9/17,
at 29.

                                          - 25 -
                                                                                                                                f
                                                                  Received 1/23/2018 8:54:50 A�i�(ffdtii'v�6:Blisf?�

                                                                      Filed 1/23/2018 8:54:50 AM Superior Court Eastern District!
                                                                                                                3185 EDA 201�

                  THE FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA, PHILADELPIIlA COUNTY
                                   IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS

      I       JN THE INTEREST OF:                          FAMILY COURT DIVISION
                                                           JUVENILE BRANCH-DEPENDENCY
      Iij     L.M.R., a Minor                            : CP-51-AP-0000754-2017/CP�Sl-DP-0001030-2015
      I       d/o/b: 04/28/201 l
      i
      I       T.D.N.T.R., a Minor                          CP-51-AP-0000753-2017/CP-51-DP-0001031-2015
      I       d/o/b: 02/12/2015

      I
      l
          Appeal of:                                       Superior Court Nos. 3185 EDA 2017,
      ' · R.E .. R., Mother                              : 3186 EDA 2017- Consolidated1
      i
      !J
    d!                                                   OPINION

t '�- i
    <.::�;;
     ,:;j ')--
0    ·i-l         :r:

                        R.E.R. ("Mother"), Appeals from the Decrees and Orders entered by this Court on

�1 [�Atst 15, 20 I 7, granting the Petitions to lnvol untari Iy Terminate Mother's Parental
      j   !�1lights to her two minor children: a female, L.M.R., (d/ofb April 38, 2011 ), and a male,
      i;
              T.D.N.T.R., (d/o/b February 12, 2015), and changing the Children's Permanency Goal to

              Adoption, filed by the Department of Human Services ("OHS") on July 27, 2017, and

              served on all parties.
          '
                        After the Termination/Goal Change Hearing on August 15, 2017, this Court found

      !       that clear and convincing evidence was presented to terminate the parental rights of
      11
              Mother as to both Children. In response to the Order of August 15, 2017, terminating her

              parental rights, Mother, filed appeals on September 14, 2017.

              1
                10/10/2017·Consolidated Sua Sponte-Comment: Review of these matters indicates that these appeals
              involve related parties and issues. Accordingly, the appeals at Nos. 3185 and 3186 EDA 2017 are hereby
              CONSOLIDATED. See Pa.R.A.P. 513.

                                                                                                                       1
!�
.;
.:
: I
r ,
                               OHS also filed Petitions to Involuntarily Terminate Father, E.B. 's Parental Rights
I!
lI
':
                        to both Children. This Court scheduled a Termination/Goal Change Hearing for Father
ii
                        on January 30, 2018.
ii
':
.           .
                                 STATEMENTS OF MATTERS COMPLAINED OF ON APPEAL
;           [
                               In her Statement of Matters Complained of on Appeal, Mother raises the
Ii
!I                      following issues:
!I
    iI
    :
            j
                                   1. The Trial Court erred and abused its discretion in
    i:
    1 ·                               denying Mother's 6th Amendment right when
    1.
    I:                                Mother requested a continuance in order to have
    . '
      I                               representation from another attorney. This was
    i
    !
                I
                I
                                      requested so Mother would have the opportunity to
                                      be represented by an attorney who would represent
                !
                                      the family's best interests. This attorney
                                      demonstrated a conflict of interest. The Court
                                      ignored Mother" s request for fair representation and
    ii
    !

                                      proceeded with the hearing, who had not prepared
    I           I                     to represent Mother for the hearing held on
                                      8/15/2017.
        I''I                       2. The Trial Court erred in finding that OHS, NET
        '
        ; :                           CUA, Support Center for Child Advocates, City
                    '                 Solicitor, AT A evaluator Dr. Williams met their
                    '
        : Ii                          burden of proof by clear and convincing evidence
        II                            that terminated Mother's parental rights pursuant to
                                      23 Pa.C.S.A. §2511 (a}(l), (2), (5), and (8).
        !l:I                       3. The Trial Court erred and abused its discretion in
        :!                             finding that OHS, NET CUA, Support Center for
        ! '.                           Child Advocates, City Solicitor, AT A Evaluator,
                                       Dr. Williams met their burden of proof by clear and
                                       convincing evidence that terminating Mother's
                                       parental rights would best meet the developmental,
        [!                             physical and emotional needs and welfare of the
                                       Children pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S.A.§2511 (b).
        !I:!
            i PROCEDURAL HISTORY
            i

            ! I
            . !                 On April 17, 2015, the Department of Human Services (OHS), received a Child

                        Protectives Services (CPS) Report alleging that Emergency Medical Services (EMS) was
            I
            i·
            I

                                                                                                                     2
I
I
i
i
I

\
I:              dispatched to the family's home because the Children's Mother, R.E.R., had called and
'
                reported that the younger Child, T.O.N.T.R., had fallen. The Report alleged that EMS

: 1             knocked on the door for several minutes before receiving a response; that Mother refused

lI              to allow EMS into the home when she answered the door; that the living room of the

II
i :

    ''
                home appeared to be unkempt; that Mother muttered under her breath, closed the door

                and then brought the Child outside in a car seat; that the Children's Father, E.B., did not

                come outside while EMA was present; that Mother stated that while she and Father were
. I
.,
ii
    ; [ arguing, Father raised his hand as if to strike her while she was holding the Child and she
    I
    l
    · ' dropped the Child on a mattress to protect him; that EMA observed that the Child did not
    ..

    I!
    'I
                have any visible injuries but displayed signs of intracranial injury, including a rightward
    .i

    l\          stare and lack of response to stimuli; that in order for the Child to have the type of injury

    I!'
    r •
            I
                which he displayed, he would had to have fallen from a waist-high height onto a hard

                surface; and that Mother's explanation of the incident did not match the injury. The

                Report alleged that Mother stated that there had been a prior incident in which the Child
    :I
    l       I
        ·: was dropped or had fallen, but she did not elaborate. The Report further alleged that the

        I:
        !:
                Child was transported to St. Christopher's hospital for Children and that Mother

        ;I      accompanied the Child to the hospital but appeared agitated and did not appear
        I•

            I
        1
    1

                appropriately concerned for the Child's well-being. This Report was indicated based on
        I,
        11
                medical evidence, and Mother and Father were named as the perpetrators. (Exhibit ·•A"
        !
                Statement of Facts, attached to OHS Petition for Involuntary Termination of Parental
        1

        I       Rights, filed 7/27/2017, 1··a").
        I
        I.·             On April 18, 2015, OHS spoke with hospital staff who stated that the older Child.

                L.M.R., did not appear to have any injuries; that she appeared to have some

                                                                                                                3
-,       ,
:,
''

: j developmental delays and suffered from non-verbal autism; and that the younger Child,
 i:
 I       I T.O.N.T.R., had been diagnosed with multi-retinal hemorrhaging in both eyes. (Exhibit
 I!
 I1
 I .. A" Statement of Facts, attached to OHS Petition for Involuntary Termination of Parental
 I
                  Rights, filed 7/27(2017, 1"b").
 lt,''i                   On April 18, 2015, OHS went to the hospital. A Safety Plan was implemented
 ;.·
 t;
         i        with a family friend whom Mother identified as, S.P., and stated that S.P. would meet

                  L.M.R. 's basic food, medical, and shelter needs while OHS conducted an investigation of

                  the CPS Report allegations. T.O.N.T.R. remained hospitalized at that time. (Exhibit ··A"
     I,
     I: Statement of Facts. attached to OHS Petition for Involuntary Termination of Parental
     Ii
     i

                  Rights, filed 7/27/2017, 1''c'').

                          On April 20, 2015, OHS went to the hospital. T.O.N.T.R., was undergoing

                  surgery at that time to place a shunt in his head to help evacuate subdural bleeding. OHS

                  met with Mother, who stated that she and L.M.R. had visited a neighbor's home while

                  Father was caring for T.O.N. T.R., and packing the family's belongings for their move the

                  following day; that when Mother and daughter returned to the home, Mother and Father

                  argued and Father physically assaulted her while she was holding T.O.N.T.R.; that she

                  dropped him onto a mattress during the incident and later fell on top of him as Father
             .
             ''

             i!   continued to assault her; that after the incident, she notice that T.0.N.T.R., was no longer

             ! crying and his eyes were rolling backward in his head; and she called EMS. (Exhibit "A"
             I
              i
                  Statement of Facts, attached to DHS Petition for Involuntary Termination of Parental

                  Rights, filed 7/27/20 I 7, �"d").

                          On April 21, 2015, OHS received a supplemental Report alleging that

                  T.D.N.T.R., had been taken to the Emergency Room at St. Christopher's Hospital on

                                                                                                              4
                 4/17/2015, after Mother stated that she had dropped him on a mattress; that EMS

                 determined that the Child's injuries were consistent with a fall from a waist-high height

                 onto a hard surface; and that Mother's explanation was not consistent with his injuries.

, , The Report further alleged that on 4/21/20 l 5, Dr. Maria McColgan certified the incident

Ii               as a "near fatality": that the Child was in critical condition based on suspected abuse; that

I l he had internal bleeding from old and new injuries; and that it was not known at that time
,·
f if the Child would survive. {Exhibit ··A·' Statement of Facts, attached to OHS Petition for

                 Involuntary Termination of Parental Rights, filed 7/27/2017, i]''e.. ).

                         On April 21, 2015, OHS received a second supplemental Report alleging that on

                 4/17/2015, Father hit Mother repeatedly while she was holding T.D.N. T.R.; that she
:
        iI
                 dropped the baby and Father continued to hit Mother until she fell on the Child; and that
:
Ii the Child subsequently became unresponsive, with limp arms and his eyes rolling toward
:i
()
                 the back of his head. {Exhibit ''A" Statement of Facts, attached to OHS Petition for
    :
                 Involuntary Termination of Parental Rights, filed 7/27/2017, ,·•f').

                         OHS learned that T.D.N.T.R., had also been treated at Children's Hospital of

    ,            Philadelphia {CHOP) on 4/5/2015 after Mother and Father reported that the Child had

                 fallen several inches back into his car seat when Mother was attempting to remove him

                 from the car seat without first removing the restraint. CHOP staff determined that the

    i 1 Child did not have any injuries at that time, and he was discharged to his parents' care.

             • Mother subsequently provided a different explanation for the Child's 4/05/2015 injuries.

             '
        , · stating to St. Christopher's Hospital staff in late April 2015 that the Child's car seat had

             ' overturned and he had hit his head. (Exhibit ·'A" Statement of Facts, attached to DHS
             i
             , Petition for Involuntary Termination of Parental Rights. filed 7/27/2017, �'"g").

             I
                                                                                                                 5
         At St. Christopher's Hospital in late April 2015, T.D.N.T.R., was diagnosed with

acute or chronic bilateral subdural hemorrhages. multi layer retinal hemorrhages in both

eyes, a closed right rib fracture, and a cervical spine injury, most likely due to abusive

head trauma in the absence of accidental trauma to account for the injuries. The Child

underwent surgery to place a drain in his head to help evacuate the subdural bleeding and

also required a cervical collar for his neck for several weeks. (Exhibit "A'' Statement of

Facts, attached to OHS Petition for lnvoluntary Termination of Parental Rights, filed

7/27!1017, , .. h.. ).

         Mother's explanation for the incident continued to not match the nature of the

Child's past or present injuries. Father provided no explanation for the Child's past or

present injuries to either OHS or hospital staff. DBS had received different accounts of

the nature of the 4/5/2015 incident, for which the Child was examined at CHOP, and

OHS had also received accounts alleging that Father had displayed disruptive behavior at

the Child's medical appointments in the past. Furthermore, OHS learned that Mother had

full-time employment and that Father was unemployed and cared for the Children alone

at home while Mother worked. (Exhibit '·A" Statement of Facts, attached to OHS

Petition for Involuntary Termination of Parental Rights, filed 7/27/2017, 1··i").

         On April 22, 201 S, OHS obtained an Order of Protective Custody (OPC), for both

Children. On 4/23/2015, L.M.R., was placed at Baring House, and T.D.N.T.R., was

discharged from the hospital on 4/28/20 I 5. and placed in a Bethany foster home.

(Exhibit "A" Statement of Facts, attached to OHS Petition for Involuntary Termination of

Parental Rights, filed 7/27/2017, f"j").

                                                                                             6
,II,
l !.

i
II
i                        Shelter Care Hearings were held for both Children on April 24, 2015, before
!'
ii
Ii Juvenile Hearing Officer, William T. Rice. The Court ordered temporary legal custody

          1       be transferred to OHS, and placement of the Children was to be in foster care. L.M.R.,

                  receives Elwynn services, and is safe as of 4/23/2015. T.D.N.T.R. has head trauma and is

                  currently at St. Christopher's Hospital and is safe as of 4/23/2015. Mother has signed

                  releases. Mother and Father reside at 1844 McClellan St., Philadelphia PA 19145.

                  OHS/CUA to explore family/friends for placement. Mother and Father have line-of-sight

     Ii           supervised visits at the Agency weekly, separate from each other. (Shelter Care Orders,
     ';
                  4/24/2015).

                         Adjudicatory Hearings for both Children were held on May 13, 2015, before the
     ! �

     \: Honorable Allan L. Tereshko. Legal custody of the Children remains with OHS.

                  Placement of the Children remains in Foster Care. Children adjudicated dependent.

                  Parents are to have supervised line-of-sight only visits at separate times, until

                  investigations are completed. Both Children are safe as of 5/06/2015. Mother is referred
     ; !
     !!
     ,1           to ARC and to a Domestic Violence Program, and also to BHS for an evaluation and
     '!
              i
                  consultation. Father is to continue to attend parenting and nurturing classes at Congresso.

     j I
      ;
              l   Children may be moved to sibling's foster home prior to next court listing. Next hearing

                  is listed as a Contested Child Abuse Hearing. Both parents were present at the hearings.

                  (Orders of Adjudication and Disposition-Child Dependent, 5/13/2015).
      Ii_

                          On June 9, 2015, the 5/13/201 S, Court Order was amended to reflect that Father

      i!          was to be referred for anger management counseling. domestic violence counseling, and
          I
      \           to Behavior Health Sciences (BHS). (Exhibit ..A" Statement of Facts. attached to OHS
          Ii
          ii
          '.
            '
          i
          I                                                                                                  7

          l
          I
          iI
            Petition for Involuntary Termination of Parental Rights, filed 7/27/2017, f•m") (Detailed

            Docket, CP-51-000l031-2015, p.4.)
Ir
                       On June 9, 2015. Community Umbrella Agency (CUA), Northeast Treatment
,I
' Center (NET), staff developed the initial CUA Single Case Plan (SCP). Mother's
Ii          objectives included complying with the Children's medical appointments, if she attends;

.1   !:·_

            complying with the visitation schedule; scheduling her BHS assessment; participating in
:

            a domestic violence program; participating in and completing parenting classes; and

i;          complying with all court orders and recommended programs. The plan further stated that
�!
     i
! ! visits between the parents and the Children would be held with line-of-sight supervision

            and that Father was required to leave the building before Mother's visits could begin.

            Both Mother and Father were present at the meeting. (Exhibit "'A" Statement of Facts,

            attached to DHS Petition for Invol untary Termination of Parental Rights, filed 7/2712017,

            �--n")
             I,    •

                       On June 24, 2015, Dana P. Reinhold, Ph.D., completed a Psychological

            Evaluation of Mother. During the evaluation, Mother explicitly refused to answer

;l          questions regarding how T.D.N.T.R., had been injured. Dr. Reinhold stated, "It appears
:i
            possible that Mother is minimizing the domestic violence in her relationship with Father,

            that she is minimizing the nature of her son ts near fatal injuries and that she may be in a

 ' state of denial about their causation." The Evaluation noted that if vshe cooperated with

            social services and separated from her partner [E.B.. Father], she could have regained

            custody of her Children in a domestic violence shelter fairly soon after the incident, but

            has instead continued to cohabit with Father and become less cooperative and

            forthcoming with authorities, while the Father has refused to be interviewed by police ...

                                                                                                           8
Ii:i
11

'I
     I
              The Evaluation recommended that Mother complete a domestic violence counseling

              program, that she complete a parenting program at the Achieving Reunification Center

!
      1
              (ARC), and that she participate in individual counseling or psychotherapy to incorporate

              what she learns in the two programs to enable her to achieve "insight into her own
                                          ,
1•            victimization, its effects on her ability to be supportive of her Children ... and teaming
! :

              how to appropriately be supportive of her Children's mental health and safety." (Exhibit

              ··A" Statement of Facts, attached to DHS Petition for Involuntary Termination of Parental

              Rights, filed 7/27/2017, �··o·").

                      During mid-to-late 201 S, both parents exhibited inappropriate behavior during

              visits with the Children, including using their mobile telephone during visits rather than

              focusing on visiting with their Children, making false allegations regarding the

              Children's treatment in their foster homes, making inappropriate statements to the

              Children, and harassing and intimidating the foster parents, staff, and other foster

              children in the foster parents' homes, necessitating the relocation of their visits to a

              location where more security was available. Both parents continue to reside together and

              to refuse to discuss the cause(s) ofT.D.T.N.R.'s injuries and to admit that he is a victim

              of abuse. (Exhibit ··A" Statement of Facts, attached to DHS Petition for Involuntary

              Termination of Parental Rights, filed 7/27/2017, �··p.. ).
    it
    Ii;               On September 30, 2015. CUA revised the SCP. Mother's objectives included
     i;
    :!
              complying with the Children's medical appointments; confirming her anticipated
          I
    ,I

    l i attendance at the medical appointments by contacting CUA staff 24-48 hours in advance
    . i
          I
    , I

      I       of the appointment; complying with the visitation schedule and visiting the Children

              separately from the Father, as ordered by the Court; participating in a domestic violence

      j
:         :

                                                                                                           9
        program at Women In Transition; participating in and completing parenting classes at

        ARC; and complying with her weekly therapy; exploring services for L.M.R., at

        Children's Crisis Treatment Center (CCTC); and complying with all court orders and

        recommended programs. The plan further stated that visits between the parents and the

        Children would be held with line-of-sight supervision and that Father was required to

        leave the building before Mother's visits could begin. Both Mother and Father were

        present at the meeting on 9/30/2015. (Exhibit ··A" Statement of Facts, attached to DHS

        Petition for Involuntary Termination of Parental Rights. filed 7/27/2017, r·q").

               Permanency Review Hearings were held for both Children on October 7.2015.

        before the Honorable Allan L. Tereshko. Legal Custody remains with DHS, and

        placement remains in Foster Care through Bethany. Case continued as Father retained

        private counsel. (Permanency Review Orders. 10/07/2015).

               Permanency Review and Aggravated Circumstances Hearings were held on
: i

l;
    · November I 0, 2015 before the Honorable Allan L. Tereshko. The Court found clear and
    i
I'

    ' convincing evidence was presented that the alleged aggravated circumstances exist as to

i,      both Mother and Father. The Child or another Child of the parent has been the victim of
Ii ·    physical abuse resulting in serious injury, sexual violence or aggravated neglect by the
''
I       parent; proven as to Mother and Father. Legal custody of the Children remains with
1
    •   DHS, placement of L.M.R., remains in Foster Care through Bethany, and placement of
    J
        T.D.N.T.R., remains in Medical Foster Care through Bethany. Parental visits are to

I. \ remain line-of-sight supervised with the Children on a weekly basis, and to be held
I! separately. CUA to make forthwith referral to ATA for therapeutic visits for parents       and
1:
, ' the Children. Visits to be modified once A TA is in place (however A TA visits are to be

                                                                                                   10
        in addition to the parents' supervised visits). Visits may be further modified by

        recommendations of A TA therapist. L.M.R., receives early intervention services for

        speech through CCTC. T.D.N.T.R. receives Child Link services for Physical Therapy.

        He is medically followed up on through St. Christopher's Hospital. Court vacates

        attorney Jennifer Santiago for Mother as she has retained private counsel. All services

        for the Children to continue. Parents to sign all necessary consents for their mental

        health, and are allowed to attend the Children's medical appointments and confirm their

    ' visits with CUA. CUA to conduct a home assessment on parent's residence and are

        allowed access. Parents are to be referred for Parenting Capacity Evaluations. L.M.R.,

        may be placed in the home of her sibling, T.D.N.T.R., prior to next court date and by

        agreement of CUA/OHS and Child Advocate. Both parents were present at the hearings.
    !

1J      (Aggravated Circumstances Orders, 11/10/2015) (Permanency Review Orders,

; ; l I/l0/2015).
    '
               Permanency Review Hearings were held for both Children on February 9, 2016,

        before the Honorable Allan L. Tereshko. Legal Custody remains with DHS, and

        placement remains in Foster Care. Parents are permitted to continue attending supervised

I       medical appointments for the Children. Referral to AT A to begin supervised therapeutic
    1
! ! visits for parents without receiving mental health documentation. Parental visits are
''

I
    J

        modified to 2 hours forthwith. Court orders psychological evaluations and mental health
j
    '. records to CUASW forthwith. CUA to evaluate Mother and Father's home before next
;1
i · court date. (Permanency Review Orders, 2/09/2016).
!

               On February 16, 2016, CUA revised the SCP. Mother's objectives included

        complying with the Children's medical appointments; confirming her anticipated

                                                                                                  11
!I       attendance at the medical appointments by contacting CUA staff 24-48 hours in advance

1' of the appointment; complying with the visitation schedule and visiting the Children

j        separately from the Father, as ordered by the Court; participating in a domestic violence
     I
'I
I: program at Women In Transition; participating in and completing parenting classes at
�!
I!
'I
         ARC; comply with her weekly therapy; comply with CCTC services for LM.R.;
� ! participate in therapeutic visits at ATA; and
                                                  comply with all court orders and
l
)    .
1 ·

         recommended programs. The plan further stated that visits between the parents and the

         Children would be held with line-of-sight supervision and that Father was required to

         leave the building before Mother's visits could begin. Both parents were present at the
I:
Il       'meeting. (Exhibit ··A" Statement of Facts, attached to OHS Petition for Involuntary

I! Termination of Parental Rights, filed 7/27/2017, its").
Ii               In early-to-mid 2016, Father moved from the home which he had been sharing
I
    !,

         with Mother and began residing with his sister in Levittown, PA. (Exhibit ··A" Statement
11

I!       of Facts, attached to DHS Petition for Involuntary Termination of Parental Rights, filed
I  I
I;:I     112112011, 1··1").
ii
 Ij              Permanency Review Hearings were held for both Children on May 10, 2016,

         before the Honorable Allan L. Tereshko. Legal custody of the Children remains with

         OHS, placement of L.M.R .• remains in Foster Care through Bethany, and placement of

I:
I
         T.D.N.T.R., remains in Medical Foster Care through Bethany. Mother has weekly 2 hour

         supervised visits with the Children at the Agency. Mother is scheduled to PCE on

I        6/ 15/2016. Father may begin supervised community visits with the Children as arranged

         by the parties, and supervised by Paternal Aunt residing with Father. Father's PCE is
/:
J: scheduled for 6/17/2016.        L.M.R., receives physical therapy, occupational and trauma

I
                                                                                                    12
!I
1 ·

I
!I
11                therapy and special instruction services. She is medically up to date and scheduled to

         I        conduct genetic testing. T.D.N.T.R., receives services followed up by St. Christopher's

             I    Hospital, and early intervention services, 0.T.P.T., and special instruction. All Services

                  for Children to continue. Parents are to comply with their PCE's and follow any
i.
i :
i                 recommendations. Parents are to continue attending the Children's medical

                  appointments. Father referred to BHS for monitoring. (Permanency Review Orders,

                  5/10/2016).

                         Permanency Review Hearings were held for both Children on August 9, 2016,

                  before the Honorable Allan L. Tereshko. Legal custody of the Children remains with

j; DHS. placement of Children remains in Foster Care through Bethany. Mother and
    I:
    ! I
             \ Children to have visits supervised by the Agency. Children are doing well. and receive

                  early intervention services. L.M.R.. receives special education. Mother is engaged with
    -1       j
             l,
                  therapy services. Parents are to continue to attend Children "s medical appointments as
         I

                  arranged. Mother to provide documentation of mental health compliance to CUA. CUA
     I
     Ii           to continue to monitor Mother's mental health. Mother to attend PCE part 2, once

                  scheduled. (Permanency Review Orders, 8/09/2016),
         j:

                          Continuances were granted on November 4, 2016. for both Children by Juvenile

                  Court Hearing Officer, Carol A. Carson. Father's counsel requests that matter be heard

                  by a Judge. (Continuance Orders, 11/04/2016).

         ··               Permanency Review Hearings were held for both Children on December 1, 2016
         1

                 · before the Honorable Jonathan Q. Irvine. Legal custody of the Children remains with

         .        DHS, placement of Children remains in Foster Care through Bethany. Mother to

                  continue with weekly supervised visits by CUA. Father's visits are expanded to

                                                                                                               13
i'
f: overnights in the Paternal Aunt's home where he resides. Mother wishes to proceed
!i
:   .

        without her attorney present. Mother attends Temple for individual therapy, and part 2 of

i PCE is scheduled for 12/7/2016. Father's PCE is scheduled for 12/12/2016.
I
        (Permanency Review Orders. 12/01/2016 ).
Ii'             On February 23, 2017, CUA revised the SCP. Mother's objectives included
[
        complying with the Children's medical appointments: complying with the visitation

        schedule, as ordered by the Court; comply with CCTC services for L.M.R.; comply with

        all court orders and recommended programs. The plan further stated that visits between

        the parents and the Children would be held with line-of-sight supervision and that Father

: ! was required to leave the building before Mother's visits could begin. Both parents were

        present at the meeting. Copies of the plan were mailed to both parents on 2/28/2017.

        (Exhibit "A"' Statement of Facts, attached to DHS Petition for [nvoluntary Termination of

        Parental Rights, filed 7/27/2017, �··w"). ·

               On February 23. 2017, Erica G. Williams, Psy.D., and Samantha Peterson, M.A.,

,       of A TA completed a Parenting Capacity Evaluation (PCE) for Mother. As part of the

        PCE, Dr. Williams asked Mother how T.D.T.N.R., had sustained his injuries which led to

        DHS involvement with the family. Mother stated during the interview that the Child

        sustained an "accidental head injury" during "an argument between herself and her

        significant other" on 4/17/2015, and offered no explanation for his prior injuries. Mother

        declined to speak further about the incident without her lawyer present at the interview.
'''
  '
        She returned to meet with the interviewers on a subsequent date, after she reportedly has

        spoken with her lawyer, and again stated that he Child was "accidentally injured because

        she may have tripped or something and fallen on a bed', but she stated on several

                                                                                                    14
          occasions that day that she did not recall details of the incident or events of that day. She

          stated that she and Father had been arguing on the day the Child was injured, and she

          specifically denied that there had been physical violence between them. Mother stated

          during the interview that she has a positive relationship with Father and that although she

          did not plan to reside with him in the future. she planned to co-parent the Children with

          Father via telephone and wanted the Children to be returned either to her care or to

          Father's care. The evaluation noted that Mother had been diagnosed with Persistent
  i
          Depressive Disorder in the past and recommended that she continue with individual
  I
. , therapy with a licensed individual who has training and experience working with
'·.'
: l

          individuals involved with child physical abuse in order to develop an accurate sequence

          of events that led to T.D.T.N.R. 's various injuries and how to prevent her future behavior

          that put the Children at risk of harm. The evaluation also recommended that Mother

          participate in L.M.R."s medical and mental health appointments and that she maintain her

          housing and employment. (Exhibit -A'' Statement of Facts, attached to OHS Petition for

      J
          Involuntary Termination of Parental Rights, filed 7/27/2017, i!'Y') .
. !
                  In both Mother and Father's PCE, the evaluators noted that neither parent was

          forthcoming or honest during the test portions of the Evaluation. They stated .. that given

          the extreme nature of the injuries and the unwillingness and/or inability of either parent to

          identify the cause of the injury, the evaluators cannot endorse capacity for safety of the

          Children at this time." (Exhibit '·A'' Statement of Facts. attached to DHS Petition for

          involuntary Termination of Parental Rights, flied 7/27/2017. i!'"z"").

                  Permanency Review Hearings were held for the Children on February 28, 2017.

          before the Honorable Allan L. Tereshko. The ACS requested a continuance because the

                                                                                                       15
        PCE just received. Status Quo remains and continuance is granted. (Status Review

        Orders, 2/28/2017).

                On March 31, 2017, Mother's therapist, Susan Murray of Temple University

,       Psychological Services Center, wrote a Report in which she stated that in recent therapy
'
l
!
ii.     sessions, Mother had stated that on 4/17/2015, Father came upstairs while she was caring
    j
;
    I

        for T.D.T.N.R., and began yelling at her. She stated that she turned and shoved Father,

        who then approached her and reached for her as though to hit her. She said that she

        began moving away from Father, lost her balance while holding the Child, slipped, and

        dropped the Child, whose body hit a nightstand and then the floor. She stated she placed

!.      the Child on the bed in a panic, but the shoving match continued, during which she fell

!i
. i
        on the bed, and that when Mother returned to the room, she found the Child was no
I

I       longer crying and was unresponsive, and she called an ambulance. (Exhibit .. A,.
1.
        Statement of Facts, attached to DHS Petition for Involuntary Termination of Parental
.!
        Rights, filed 7/27/2017, �taa").

               On April 4, 2017, OHS received a Supplemental Report to the April 17, 2015,

        CPS Report alleging that Father had made a written statement that day stating that on

        4/17/2015, while engaging in an incident of domestic violence with Mother, T.D.N.T.R.,

        was thrown from Mother's arms and hit his head on a piece of furniture and then the

        floor. (Exhibit "A'' Statement of Facts, attached to DHS Petition for Involuntary

        Termination of Parental Rights. filed 7127/2017, ,r•·cc").

               Permanency Review Hearings were held for both Children on April 11, 2017,

        before the Honorable Allan L. Tereshko. Legal custody of the Children remains with

        DHS. placement of Children remains in Foster Care through Bethany. Mother and Father

                                                                                                  16
 to have supervised visits at the Agency to occur as arranged. Children are safe in the

  current placement as of 4/03/2017. DHS commitment stands, all appropriate services to

  continue. Next Court date is contested goal change termination hearing on 8/15/20 l 7.

  (Permanency Review Orders, 4/11/2017).

         On May 18, 2017, CUA revised the SCP. Mother's objectives included

  complying with the Children's medical appointments; complying with the weekly

  visitation schedule. as ordered by the Court; participating in therapy that addresses child

  abuse at ATA, Temple University, or another appropriate provider; and participate in the

  Individual Education Planning for L.M.R. The plan further stated that visits between the

' parents and the Children would be held with line-of-sight supervision and that Father was

  required to leave the building before Mother's visits could begin. Both parents were

  present at the meeting. Copies of the plan were mailed to both parents on 7/07/2017.

  (Exhibit '·A'. Statement of Facts, attached to DHS Petition for Involuntary Termination of

  Parental Rights, filed 7/27/2017, �··ee").

  TERMINATION HEARING

          This Court held the Contested Termination and Goal Change Hearing for both

  Children on August 15, 2017, regarding Mother's parental rights. Mother was present at

  the hearing, and represented by counsel, Anthony Voci, Jr. (N.T. 8/15/2017, p.6 at 8-9;

  p.18 at 23-25).

          Counsel for DHS. Megan Fitzpatrick, called the first witness, Dr. Erica Williams,

  Psychologist, Forensic Mental Health Services, and all parties stipulated to her

  qualifications as an Expert in Forensic Psychology. She testified she conducted the

                                                                                                17
           Parent Capacity Evaluations on both Mother and Father. Mother participated in the

           MMPI in June 2016, a clinical interview and completed the child abuse potential

           inventory in December 2016. Mother returned for a follow-up clinical interview in

           January 2017. {N.T. 8/15/2017, p.27 at 21-25� p.28 at 1-20).
lI
l[         Dr. Williams testified the circumstances that brought the two Children into care
;i
;I
, , occurred when T.D.N.T.R., required ambulance intervention and then subsequent
ii
:i
;l
. I
           emergency room intervention due to injuries that were later classified as near-fatality to

           include head, and neck injuries, possible issues with his cervical bone, and concerns

           about bruising. And throughout the investigation and the subsequent interventions that

           the Child required, they found healing injuries as well. They were classified as non-

           accidental. At that time, Mother reported that they were due to abuse by Father and her

           subsequently dropping the infant onto a bed and falling on him. It was ruled that could

           not cause his injuries and that he had to have fallen from at least waist-high and hit a hard

           surface. (N.T. 8/15/2017, p.31 at 6-23).
Ii

i!i
                   She further testified that Mother was unable to provide an explanation that was

           consistent with medical documentation. Mother was adamant that it was an accident.
      j,
 ,          the interview, Mother wanted to discuss the interview with her attorney and
 . ! During
 I'

 II.I      rescheduled her appointment. During the follow-up interview, Mother did not report the
 ! I

 !I
 ! ;
           incident as accidental, however, she stated she was unable to recall what happened and
 q
 Il        did later admit that Father had acted aggressively towards her before the injuries to the
 !; I
 . J
       i Child occurred. Mother was in therapy at the time at the request of the Court, and
 ii! :     continued to deny any other instances or concerns and a belief that it would never occur

 l I again. Mother related to her that the communication between herself and the Father was
 ;l
                                                                                                        18
         only for the Children and that their focus and goal was for the Children to be returned to

         herself or to the Father. Both parents denied a romantic relationship, stating they only

         maintained contact for the Children. (N.T. 8/J 5/2017, p.32 at 3-25; p.33 at l-25� p.34 at

         19-25; p 35 at 1-9).
I
I               Dr. Williams' concern was Mother's inability or unwillingness to admit to the

I.       violence and the pattern of violence, despite her awareness of the data. Her awareness

         that Father stopped EMS from getting to the Child when he needed care. Father has been
i
!.
I

         aggressive and intimidating to her, yet Mother still felt that he could parent the Children

         safely. She was not able to connect this pattern of his behavior that resulted in the near-

         fatality of her Child and the fact that it would be concerning for her to support and

         endorse him to provide care forthe Children. (N.T. 8/15/2017, p.34 at 5-18).

                 Dr. Williams testified that Mother's ongoing support and collaboration with

         Father, while asserting that the injuries were accidental, not intentional and kind of

         abdicating any understanding of the abuse, it is a concern that the collaboration continues

    !I   and the support for him continues given the fact that he perpetrated this abuse and she

         should be in a position to provide safety and prevent further abuse for her Children, but

         does not see the risk for what it is. Mother is able to identify Father's actions as

         aggression on his part, but she still is not able to fully explain the process of events.

         When Mother discusses the incident, she limits her memory of it, and does not respond to

         follow up questions. Mother was present for this negative event that caused injuries to

         her Child, yet is unable or unwilling to discuss it in detail, plan for future safety of her

         Children. and has complete willingness, not only to stay connected to Father. but also to

     : allow him to independently care for her Children. (N.T. 8/15/2017, p.37 at 1-18).

                                                                                                        19
\I
11
I;               Regarding visitation. Dr. Williams noted that the Court ordered the supervised
':'!
 ! l visits be changed from the parents seeing the Children together to visits occurring
;I
i I
i l separately. The visits were moved to the Agency for the safety of CUA and other
:i
!I        individuals and security was involved in the visits because when the parents were
    l

          together they behaved in aggressive manners and the resource parents felt threatened.

          The parents continued to engage in behaviors that disrupt the Children and do not support

i     I   their safety and permanency. Even with the intervention, the parents are not

I!        demonstrating any change or progress to help support the Children to do well or function

!:I       well. (N.T.8/15/2017,p.37at 19-25;p.38at l-25;p.39at 1-4).
I:
!.               Dr. Williams noted L.M.R. 's diagnosis related to developmental disorder

I,
 I•
          spectrum. At the time L.M.R., was in the care of her Mother, she presented with gross

          developmental delays. However, outside of the care of her Mother, the Child has thrived

    Ii and those delays have all but disappeared. Dr. Williams opined that it is relevant that
    j;
    i' L.M.R., rapidly improved outside the care of Mother. (N.T. 8/15/2017, p.40 at 12-25;

          p.41 at 1-18).

    Ii            Dr. Williams noted that Mother is not in a caregiving role to the Children, and

          therefore. there is not a parent-child bond. The Children have been out of her care over

          two years, and her visitation has been limited on a weekly basis. The fact that the

          visitation has been limited creates a question point as to why parent's visitation was not

          moved forward. (N.T. 8/15/2017, p.42 at 1-25; p.43 at 1-8).

                  Dr. Williams administered the Child Abuse Potential Inventory (CAPI) test to

          Mother. Mother was not able to provide responses that allowed her to further explore her

          potential due to her level of faking good which means that there is a specific scale that

                                                                                                       20
            pulls for any inability or unwillingness to respond. It finds whether the individual is not

    I       willing to even admit to what every individual would engage in. It is potential deception,
i
Ii          and in cases such as this, Mother is hyperaware of what we consider high stakes for her,

1 \·        the custody of the Child, she overtly presents herself in a light of absolutely doing no
!'
11          harm. So in effort to best support herself in their case, she is misguided and ends up
Il          presenting an invalid protocol that does not allow us to look further. (N.T. 8/15/2017,
11
            p.44 at 15-25; p.45 at l-20).
Ii

I
ii
    j              Dr. Williams administered the MMPI2 test and Mother did show some strengths:
I;

: i         able to maintain appropriate and consistent housing; had substantial employment; has

            financial ability to provide for the Children; she attends mental health treatment; and is

i '.        consistent with her visitation with the Children. Despite these strengths, however. Dr.

. , Williams' opined that Mother did not have the capacity for safety and permanency at the

            time of the evaluation, particularly due to the safety concerns. (N.T. 8/15/2017, p.45 at

            23-25; p.46 at 25; p.4 7 at 1-25).

                    Dr. Williams stated the ongoing safety concerns are about Mother's continued

        1   misrepresentation of the events leading to T.D.T.N.R.'s injuries. her own inability or
        I

        ' unwillingness to see the events for how they occurred, and her ongoing willingness and

        I   support for the Father, the perpetrator of the abuse, to parent the Children in her absence.
        I
        j

        : (N.T. 8/15/2017, p.47 at23-25; p.48 at 1-9).

                    Based on her ultimate opinion that Mother did not have the capacity for safety and

        : permanency to care for her Children. Dr. Williams made recommendations for Mother in
        i

            order to assist her with developing the capacity to parent her Children. The

            recommendations were to participate in therapy with an individual who is actually

                                                                                                          21
                 licensed and experienced in working with child abuse, particularly physical child abuse

                 cases, to go beyond her effects of being involved with OHS and to look at. very

                 specifically, the events leading into the abuse, the role she played in the events, and the

                 role that she would need to play in confirming that her Children could be sate going

                 forward and coming up with a plan to include helping herself. (N.T. 8/15/2017, p.48 at

                 10-25; p.49 at 1-7).

                         Beverly Ford-Green, CUA-NET Case Manager, was the next witness to testify.

                 She testified the Children came into care on April 17, 2015, when DHS received a CPS

                 Report stating T.D.N.T.R., was injured, nearly fatally, during an altercation between the
        '
        i        parents. A single case plan {SCP) was developed for Mother, initially in 2015 and
        .
        ''
        i
                 updated in 2017. Mother's objectives were to participate in therapy to address domestic
   1
• i   violence; attend line-of-sight-supervised visitation at the Agency with her Children;
!• iI
iI
I: comply with the Children's medical appointments; and to attend L.M.R.'s individual
I!
iiil             education plan. Later she was ordered to attend parenting classes and to schedule a
:I
                 BHRS assessment. (N.T. 8/15/2017, p.73 at 6-25; p.74 at 15-25; p.75 at 1-25; p.76 at
. 'I
11
                 1-6).
I,

                         Ms. Ford-Green testified she became the Case Manager in March of 2017, and
11
!!
1;
                 Mother completed her PCE with Dr. Williams. One of the recommendations of the PCE

                 �as that Mother needed to continue with individual therapy, so she referred Mother to

                 ARC for parenting services. Mother completed the program. She further testified Mother

    j:           did not participate in any type of therapeutic services. Ms. Ford-Green attempted to
    !

    l!           contact Mother various times regarding her need to find a therapist to address domestic

    I!
    I
                 violence and child abuse, but Mother would not return her telephone calls. She then sent

    ii
    I'
                                                                                                               22
    11
    I!
    I;:      .
            Mother a letter dated June 30, 2017. outlining the goals and that she needed to move

            forward on those goals. However. she has never received documentation from Mother

            confirming that she is engaged in this type of therapy, and that this objective is still

            outstanding in the plan. (N.T. 8/15/2017, p. 76 at 7-25; p. 77 at 1-25; p. 78 at 1-25; p.79 at

            l-2).

                    Ms. Ford-Green testified Mother's current visitation with her Children is on

            Sundays from 4:00-6:00 p.m .• and is supervised line-of-sight at the Agency. She noted

    ; that Mother has not had unsupervised visits with her Children because she has still to
    '

i           complete her various objectives. She noted she has observed the visitations and stated
    I

    ! Mother favors her older Child and tends to ignore the younger son during the visits.
    '
    i
    : Mother must be prompted to engage with both Children at every visit. Both Children

j:          show no adverse reactions when the visits are over and are happy to be reunited with their

!
        1

            resource parents. (N.T. 8/15/2017, p.79 at 3-25; p.80 at 1-25; p.81 at 1-14).

I:  I
          Ms. Ford-Green testified she has also observed the relationship between the

I! Children and their foster parents. L.M.R., refers to her foster parent, Ms. McDonald as
'I
[. "mom", and has a very positive and loving relationship with her. The foster mother
I
            meets the Child's daily needs, and appears to be happy. Regarding T.D.N.T.R., the Child
::
            has been with the same foster parents almost all of his life, and refers to them as "morn"

            and "dad", and has a loving relationship with them. (N.T. 8/15/2017, p.81 at 15-25� p.82

            at 1-25; p.83 at 1-7).

                    Ms. Ford-Green opined that the Children would not suffer irreparable harm if

            Mother's parental rights were terminated. L.M.R.. is more bonded to her Mother. but like

            an aunt who comes to visit and brings toys, food and gifts. Further, regarding

                                                                                                        23
         T.D.N.T.R., she does not observe any bond between Mother and this Child. Mother is

         more bonded to her daughter than her son. Ms. Green opined that both Children's best

         interests would be served if Mother's rights were terminated and they were adopted

         because Mother has not completed her objectives, and has not been truthful or faced what

         occurred to her son. (N .T. 8/15/201 7, p.84 at 12-25; p.85 at 1-25; p.86 at 1-14 ).

                 On re-direct examination by Ms. Fitzpatrick, Ms. Ford-Green testified that Father

         never had unsupervised visits with his Children. The visits were always supervised by

         the Paternal Aunt. whom he lived with. However, since April 2017, the visitation was

•I       changed to supervised at the Agency because Fat her, on April 4, 2017, disclosed to CUA
iI       that he hit the Mother and that T.D.N.T.R., fell from her hands and onto a hard surface.
I,
II
11
         Father had confessed to the incident, and that is when the supervised visits with the

!    I   Children were returned to the Agency. (N .T. 8/15/2017, p.115 at 15-25; p.116 at l-22}.

                 Mother was the next witness to testify. She presented a letter dated August 7,

         2017, noting that she has been attending domestic violence therapy once a week for three

         hours per month with counselor Vanessa Martin at Women In Transition. She claimed

         she has provided documentation in the past to CUA representatives confirming her

         attendance. (N.T. 8/15/2017, p.97 at 17-25; p.98 at 1-25; p.99 at 1-21; p.100 at 15-25:

         p.l Ol at I-19).
I
I
I
!i               Mother admitted she lied about the incident in the beginning because she was
!
I
I scared. She stated she did not lie to protect the Father, but she did not believe the truth
II
i;       was important because her son was hospitalized and being cared for, and she knew in her
il,
         heart that the Child's injury was an accident. She noted there came a time when she
ll
  I
     !

                                                                                                    24
: I
! t
I;
JI

Ii
     I   acknowledged that her son was injured as a result of domestic violence. {N.T. 8/I 5/2017,
     I
, I p.l02 at      l8-25; p.103 at 1-25; p.104 at 17-24).

Ii               However, upon cross-examination by Ms. Fitzpatrick, the DHS attorney, once
'I
I I again Mother made the same statements she made prior, that she remembers placing the
It
I [ Child on the bed, Father was not near her at that point, and she accidentally moved back
Ii       on him, or rolled back on him while he was on the bed. During cross-examination,

!    I   Mother confirmed that medical testimony presented in 2015 in court by Dr. McColgan

I' included his opinion that the injuries to T.D.N.T.R., could not have occurred while laying
:

!        on a soft surface of a bed. (N.T. 8/15/2017, p. l 06 at 1-18; p. l 09 at l-I 0).

[                Further on cross-examination, Ms. Fitzpatrick confirmed with Mother that Dr.
I
         Williams had completed her PCE in April 2017, and that the doctor had reviewed the

         documentation from Women In Transition. So despite the fact that Mother was involved

         with Women ln Transition, Dr. Williams still recommended Mother obtain treatment for

         domestic violence   as well as child abuse. (N .T. 8/15/2017, p. l 07 at 17-25; p. l 08 at 1-
         25).

                 On cross-examination by Irene Levy, GAL, Mother acknowledges that her son

! . had prior injuries to the near fatal incident. Mother again reiterated that there was an
II·      issue with the Child's car seat. She attempted to take him out of the car seat, did not

         realize the restraints were still on, and the Child fell back. She took the Child to CHOP

         and they concluded there were no injuries. She denied that prior incident was the result
t    I
'.: of domestic violence perpetrated by Father. Again, Mother stated she lied to the hospital
    i.

         because she was scared and knew in her heart it was an accident. (N.T. 8/15/2017, p. l 09

         at 16-25;p.110at 1-24).

                                                                                                         25

I
I!
              Mother also confirmed that she had not attended any of L.M.R:s medical and

       educational appointments because of her work schedule and she could not make it.

       Mother claimed she was no longer in a romantic relationship with Father, however she

       knows he is a good father, loves his Children, and believes they would be safe in Father's

       care. (N.T. 8/15/2017, p.111 at 18-25� p.112 at 1-24).

               Mother also testified that she has attended some of T.D.N.T.R.'s medical

       appointments in the past when her work scheduled allowed. However, has allowed the

:t     Father to take over because he has a more flexible schedule. She estimated she attended

.1 at least 10-15 appointments after the surgery. (N.T. 8/15/2017, p.114 at 3-18).

l;

'i     STANDARD OF REVIEW AND LEGAL ANALYSIS

               When reviewing an appeal from a decree terminating parental rights, an appellate
.. t
i      Court is limited to determining whether the decision of the trial court is supported by

       competent evidence. Absent an abuse of discretion. an error of law, or insufficient

       evidentiary support for the trial court's decision, the decree must stand. Where a trial

       court has granted a petition to involuntarily terminate parental rights, an appellate court

       must accord the hearing judge's decision the same deference that it would give to a jury

       verdict. The Pennsylvania Superior Court need only agree with a trial court's decision as

       to any one subsection under 23 P .C.S.A. §2511 (a) in order to affirm a termination of

       parental rights. in re D.A.T. 91 A.3d 197 Pa.Super.2014).

              The standard of review in termination of parental rights cases requires appellate

       Courts to accept the findings of fact and credibility determinations of the trial court if

       they are supported by the record. If the factual findings are supported, appellate courts

                                                                                                     26
        review to determine if the trial court made an error of law or abused its discretion. A

        decision may be reversed for an abuse of discretion only upon demonstration of manifest

        unreasonableness, partiality, prejudice, bias, or ill-will. We have previously emphasized

ti our deference to trial courts that often have first-hand observations of the parties

ij      spanning multiple hearings. In re T.S.M., 620 Pa. 602, 71 A.3d 251, 267 (2013) (citations
jj
        and quotation marks omitted) In re Adoption ofC.D.R., 2015 PA Super 54, 111 A.3d

ll
ii
        1212, 1215 (2015).

ii             Termination of parental rights is governed by Section 2511 of the Adoption Act
l'
,I
: 23 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 2101-2938, which requires a bifurcated analysis. Initially, the focus is
i
11
        on the conduct of the parent. The party seeking termination must prove by clear and
11
        convincing evidence that the parent's conduct satisfies the statutory grounds for
    I
    j termination delineated in Section 251 l(a). Only if the court determines that the parent's

        conduct warrants termination of his or her parental rights does the court engage in the

        second part of the analysis pursuant to Section 2511 (b): determination of the needs and

        welfare of the child under the standard of best interests of the child. One major aspect of

        the needs and welfare analysis concerns the nature and status of the emotional bond

        between parent and child, with close attention paid to the effect on the child of

        permanently severing any such bond. in re L.M, 923 A.2d 505, 511 (Pa.Super.2007)

        (citations omitted). In re Adoption of C.J.J.P., 2015 PA Super 80, 114 A.3d 1046, 1049-

        50 (2015). The Court need only agree with the orphans' court as to any one subsection of

        Section 2511 (a), as well as Section 2511 (b), in order to affirm. In re Adoption of

        C.J.J.P., 2015 PA Super 80, 114 A.3d 1046, 1050 (2015).

                                                                                                   27
!'

:I
1 1              These Children became known to DHS in April 2015, when DHS received a CPS
: i'
.
    '
'.j' Report alleging that EMS was dispatched to the family's home because the Children's

: i Mother had called and reported that T.D.N.T.R., who was two months old at that time,

        had fallen. The Child was transported to St. Christopher's Hospital for Children and

        underwent surgery to place a shunt in his head to help evacuate the subdural bleeding. At

    i
        the time, Mother stated she was physically assaulted by Father while holding the Child,
•   j

l. i
. !
    '   and she dropped him onto the mattress and fell on top of him. The health care providers

    ! noted that the Child's injuries were consistent with a fall from a waist high height onto a

'l hard surface and Mother's explanation was not consistent with the Child's near fatal

        injuries. On April 22, 2015, OHS obtained an OPC for both Children, then ages two

i months and four years old, and they were placed in foster care. The Children are now 6
    I
    J
        �   and 2 Y2 years old, are safe and all of their needs are being met by their Foster Parents.

i •
                 A. The Trial Court Found that Mother's Sixth Amendment and Due Process
                    Rights were not violated, and Mother Received Competent Assistance of
                    Counsel.

                Mother's first assertion of judicial error is that she was denied her Sixth

        Amendment Rights when she requested a continuance on the day of the hearing to retain

        another attorney, This Court heard from both Mother and her attorney, Anthony Voci,

        and declined to continue the matter.

                Constitutional rights in proceeding to terminate parental rights derive from due

        process clause of Fourteenth Amendment, rather than from Sixth Amendment. U.S.C.A.

    ' Const. Amends. 6, 14. In Interest of A.P., 692 A.2d 240 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1997) The

        Superior Court summarized constitutional due-process in the context of proceedings to

                                                                                                    28
        terminate parental rights. "Due process requires nothing more than adequate notice, an

        opportunity to be heard, and the chance to defend oneself in an impartial tribunal having

        jurisdiction over the matter." In re J.N.F., 887 A.2d 775, 781 (Pa.Super, 2005) ... Due

        process is flexible and calls for such procedural protections as the situation demands." In

        re Adoption of Dale A., II, 683 A.2d 297, 300 (Pa.Super. 1996) (quoting Sullivan v.

        Shaw, 650 A.2d 882, 884 (Pa.Super. l 994).

                In this matter, Mother received adequate notice for all hearings, had an

        opportunity to be heard. and was represented in a competent manner by various attorneys.

        The Court docket reflects that during the entire term of this dependency case regarding
'.11·
  11
        her Children, Mother was represented by three attorneys: Jennifer Santiago, David

        Michael Kaplan, and finally, Anthony Joseph Voci, Jr.

                At the hearing on August 15, 2017, Mother sought to replace Mr. Voci as her
.'
! '
   I

    I
        attorney, stating she had not been able to reach him by telephone and he had not

        responded to her last text to him in April, so she fired him that morning. Mr. Voci

        addressed the Court stating, ·•1 was greeted by her this morning and she indicated that she

        no longer wished me to represent her in this case. As an officer of this Court, I can also

        tell the Court that I have not been paid in full, but I'm ready, willing and able to proceed

        if the Court wishes to today." (N.T., 8/15/2017, p.19 at 5-25; p.20 at 1-21.)

                The Court ruled that Mother v.,115 never denied the opportunity to participate,

        testify, and present evidence on her own behalf. She participated, with representation of

        counsel, in various permanency review hearings and also testified at the August 15, 2017

        parental rights termination hearing.

                                                                                                     29
                 B. The Trial Court Properlv Found the Department of Human Services Met
                    lts Burden bv Clear and Convincing Evidence to Terminate Mother's
                    Parental Rights Pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S.A. §251 l(a)(l), and (2), (5), and
                     00:
I                Mother alleges OHS did not meet its burden by clear and convincing evidence to
1:
I
I
        terminate her parental rights. She claims to have achieved some of her objectives and can

I!l
t
        be a parent to her Children. The Court disagrees, and found clear and convincing

ii
: '
        evidence that Mother failed and refused to perform parental duties, failed to address the

Il i:   conditions which brought the Children into placement, and lacks the capacity to

        adequately provide care and control and a stable environment necessary for the

I!      Children's well-being.

I                This Court relied on credible testimony by CUA Case Manager, Ms. Beverly

    I Ford-Green, who testified that the SCP objectives for Mother were to participate in

        2
         (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:

                 (I) The parent by conduct continuing for a period ofat least six months immediately preceding
                     the filing of the petition either has evidenced a settled purpose of relinquishing parenting
                     claim to a child or has refused or failed to perform parental duties.
                 (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.

                 (5) The child has been removed from the care of the parents by the court or under a voluntary
                 agreement with an agency for a period ofat least six months, the conditions which led to the
                 removal or placement of the child continue to exist, the parent cannot or will not remedy those
                 conditions within a reasonable period of time, the services or assistance reasonably available to the
                 parent are not likely to remedy the conditions which led to the removal or placement of the child
                 within reasonable period of time and termination of the parental rights would best serve the needs
                 and welfare of the child.

                 (8} The child has been removed from the care of the parent by the court or under voluntary
                 agreement with an agency, 12 months or more have elapsed from the date of removal or
                 placement. the conditions which led to the removal or placement of the child continue to exist and
                 termination of the parental rights would best serve the needs and welfare of the child.

                                                                                                                   30
: I
·' therapy to address domestic violence; attend line-of-sight-supervised visitation at the

; I
     i              agency with her Children; comply with the Children's medical appointment; and to attend
! :

                    L.M.R. 's individual education plan. Later she was ordered to attend parenting classes

        i           and to schedule a BHRS assessment. In addition, Mother's PCE recommendation was

        I           for her to attend domestic violence therapy.
1\11,
 .

t '

                           Credible evidence was presented that Mother failed to complete, and still has not
I
                    completed the objectives in the SCP. Ms. Ford-Green testified she attempted to contact

                    Mother various times regarding her need to find a therapist to address domestic violence

                    and child abuse, but Mother would not return her telephone calls. She then sent Mother a

                    letter dated June 30, 2017, outlining the goals and that she needed to move forward on

 i                  those goals. However, she has never received documentation from Mother confirming

 II:; that she is engaged in this type of therapy, and that this objective is still outstanding in the
 I

 1
            ·       plan. She also noted that Mother has not had unsupervised visits with her Children
    ;!
            ! because she has still to complete her various objectives. She noted she has observed the

    1
     !1
            !       visitations and stated Mother favors her older Child and tends to ignore the younger son

     ! ; during the visits. Mother must be prompted to engage with both Children at every visit.
     !I                    The Court also reJied on the pertinent and credible testimony of Dr. Erica

     I! Williams. She testified she conducted the Parent Capacity Evaluations on both Mother
     !              and Father. Mother participated in the MMPI in .Tune 2016, a clinical interview and
     I:
     · ' completed the child abuse potential inventory in December 2016. Mother returned for a

     ! i follow-up clinical interview in January 2017. Dr. Williams' concern was Mother's
     i

     t:
     i\
                !   inability or unwillingness to admit to the violence and the pattern of violence, despite her

     t              awareness of the data. Her awareness that Father stopped EMS from getting to the Child

     !i
     11
     11

     II                                                                                                        31

     i! I!
        .       ;
        :

        I
        ; when he needed care. Father has been aggressive and intimidating to her, yet Mother still
        I
        ! felt that he could parent the Children safely. She was not able to connect this pattern of

        I his behavior that resulted in the near-fatality of her Child and the fact that it would be
        '

        t

: i concerning for her to support and endorse him to provide care for the Children. She

                further testified that Mother's ongoing support and collaboration with Father, while
i
j               asserting that the injuries were accidental, not intentional and kind of abdicating any

\ . understanding of the abuse, it is a concern that the collaboration continues and the
I:

I; support for him continues given the fact that he perpetrated this abuse.                   Mother should be

                in a position to provide safety and prevent further abuse for her Children, but she does

                not see the risk for what it is. Mother is able to identify Father's actions as aggression on

                his part, but she still is not able to fully explain the process of events.
I
    I
I       I
!I      1
        I               Dr. Williams observed that outside of the care of her Mother, the older Child has
Ii
    I; thrived and the initial developmental delays have all but disappeared. Dr. Williams
    i           opined that it is relevant that L.M. R., rapidly improved outside the care of Mother.

            I
                        Dr. Williams also administered the Child Abuse Potential Inventory (CAPI) test
!           i
!           I

i11I            to Mother. Mother was not able to provide responses that allowed her to further explore

                her potential due to her level of faking good, which means that there is a specific scale

    I,!I that pulls for any inability or unwillingness to respond.           Finally, Dr. Williams stated the
    i

    ! ongoing safety concerns are about Mother's continued misrepresentation of the events
    II
    i I
    , '. leading to T.D.T.N.R.'s injuries, her own inability or unwillingness to see the events for

    f           how they occurred, and her ongoing willingness and support for the Father. the

    I: perpetrator of the abuse, to parent the Children in her absence. Her ultimate opinion was
    I!
    Ii
                that Motlier did not have the capacity for safety and permanency to care for her Children.

    'I

    i
    !
    I                                                                                                           32
    i
    1.
    ii
             C. Trial Court Properlv Found that Termination of Mother's Parental
                Rights was in the Children's Best Interest and that DHS Met Its Burden
                Pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S.A. §251 l(b).3
 I
II            After the Court finds that the statutory grounds for termination have been
i

!i    satisfied, it must then determine whether the termination of parental rights serves the best

'· '. interests of the children pursuant to 2511 (b) In re Adoption of C.L.G., 956 A2d 999
     ; (Pa.Super 2008). In terminating the rights of a parent, the Court 'shall give primary

      consideration to the development, physical and emotional needs and welfare of the

      child." 23 Pa.C.S.A. §251 l(b). One major aspect of the needs and welfare analysis

      concerns the nature and status of the emotional bond between parent and child. In re
J:
! ' T.S.M., 71 A3d.

              This Court heard credible evidence presented by CUA Case Manager, Ms. Ford-

      Green. who testified that the Children were positively bonded to the Foster Parents. They

     · both look to their foster parents for safety and to meet their needs. She also observed that

     ! a bond exists between Mother and the older Child, but it is not a parental bond, instead

     ; resembles a bond with an aunt who visits and brings food and gifts. She opined that

      Mother is not bonded to her son, at all. She has also observed Mother's interaction with

 : ! the Children at the supervised visits, noting that Mother would pay more attention to her

 i'   4
      Other Considerations.-The court in terminating the rights of a parent shall glve primary consideration
: · to the developmental, physical and emotional needs and welfare of the child. The rights of a parent shall
, ! not be terminated solely on the basis of environmental factors such as inadequate housing, furnishings,
    income, clothing and medical care if found to be beyond the control of the parent. With respect to any
I   petition filed pursuant to subsection {a){l),{6) or (8), the court shall not consider any efforts by the parent
1, to remedy the conditions descrlbed therein which are first initiated subsequent to the giving of notice of
1

, · the filing of the petition.

                                                                                                                33
t :

'i
· 1           daughter than her son, and she had to be prompted to attend to the Children.   Ms. Ford-
i;
j
      i       Green noted that the Children need the safety and security that Mother cannot provide,

! j and they would not suffer irreparable harm if Mother's parental rights were terminated
!i;!
I'
1 :           and it would be in their best interest to be adopted.
!I

                     The Court found credible the evidence that the Children were not bonded to

              Mother and do not ask to be reunited with her. Therefore, this Court reasoned that the

, Children would not suffer irreparable harm if Mother's parental rights were terminated.

I;
ji
              and it would be in their best interests to be adopted.
i l
    ''
    ; i                                            CONCLUSION:
:     ;
    ! :

                        At the conclusion of the Hearing the Court stated:

                             The issue of credibility looms very large since we have
                             conflicting versions of what has happened over the last 28
                             months. Although counsel says that Mother admits that she
                             didn ·1 tell the truth in the beginning, it was no such
                             admission, because she still maintained the narrative that
                             she fell on the Chi Id while the Child was in the bed. And
                             she now describes it as backed up on the Child. Her earlier
                             description was she fell on the Child.

    : !
    .,                       That's disturbing to the Court, because it supports a person
    'i                       who has not acknowledged the reality of what occurred and
; l
    : i                      until today, although she voices a certain narrative, the
:.        ;
          '                  narrative has not changed. That presents an issue for the
                             Court in everything else that Mother says. And after having
If                           listened to Mother and having had jurisdiction over this
    I;
    iIr   I                  case from the beginning, I believe, I conducted the
                             aggravated circumstances hearing, heard the testimony
    'J
                             from the expert witnesses. And this Child was not a Child
                             who fell onto a bed and a parent toppled over onto the
                             Child. This Child has been the victim of a consistent
                             pattern of abuse and violence. No one's addressed the prior
                             issue of the healing injuries of the Child. other than
                             Mother's incredible attempt to explain that it occurred

                                                                                                       34
during an incident with a car seat. It's a continued
narrative, which Mother refuses to accept the reality of the
brutality that was inflicted upon this Child while in her care
and the care of the Father. While she may not have been
the perpetrator of the actual violence, she stood by and
watched it occur, knew it occurred, when it was occurring.
And even today. attempts to paint a different picture of a
man who has been found to have been abusive to a
completely helpless infant, suggesting that he may be an
appropriate caregiver for the Child. It engages the question
whether Mother has the ability to perceive the reality of
threats to her Children. And being unable to perceive the
reality of threats to her Children, she certainly could never
be in a position of being charged with the safety of her
Children.

As to the evidence of her addressing some of the goals,
while Mother testified that she has been receiving this
domestic violence, other than her testimony, I have no
evidence of it. Today's the day when you bring in your
evidence. Today's the day of the hearing. Today is the day
when you get to present all you have to make your case.
And other than her what would be considered as self-
serving testimony, I've seen or heard nothing independent
of that to substantiate it. But it goes to the issue of her
treatment for her issues. the domestic violence. There's no
evidence that she completed the child abuse training.
There's no evidence that she ever engaged in therapy which
would allow her to acknowledge the child abuse that
brought this case in and is now one of the central reasons
why the Child remains in care.

The evidence is clear and convincing that she has not
remedied the issues that brought these Children into care.
The limited attempt at securing some domestic violence
goes to the Mother's issues that brought the Children into
care. It doesn't go the issue of her putting herself in a
position to care for these Children or provide safety, well·
being for these Children going forward.

The argument was made that Mother has a limited child-
parent bond. And it's because of the limited visitation that
this bond is of a limited nature. The reality is that Mother
has the key and the ability to change that relationship and
always had the ability to change that relationship going
forward. This case has been well-supervised through DHS,

                                                                 35
l
i
'
11
I\
11J                      ongoing communication with Mother, ongoing attempt to
I                        engage Mother in furthering her relationship with the
                         Children. For reasons only known to Mother, she
11i :                    disengaged from that process. She continued to hold on to
                         a narrative that the abuser of these Children, the perpetrator
:. 'I
    'I
                         of the abuse to these Children is now potentially able to
             i           care for these Children and keep these Children safe. That
.;
'i
    ; I                  suggests a certain disconnect from reality, but after hearing
    I            I       Dr. Williams, it is an understandable disconnect, because
                         Mother engages in another type of reality, a reality that
    iI                   says a child abuser can now take care of the Children
    I                    safely. The disconnect from reality in suggesting that as of
    i
    I,!                  today, even knowing that the Father at some point admitted
                 j
     1,                  that the story they told originally about the Child falling on
     iI                  the bed was a complete lie. The fact that the Child fell onto
     !i I:
     1 �
                         a hard surface, although that's never been identified. The
     : i                 Child had preexisting injuries that were in the process of
     il                  healing. And the expert testimony at the aggravated
     !!
     I•                  circumstances hearing completely rejecting that
         i1              explanation. Even today, Mother says, well, I just backed
         !           I

         I!:l             up on the Child. And when asked what that meant, she was
                          unable to provide an answer.

                         As to the bond, the word bond is used frequently, but the
                         issue is there is a parent-child bond. I think the case
                         worker described it accurately. It's as if a friend or well-
                         intentioned nice aunt comes into the room with gifts and
                         goodies and the Children respond accordingly. It has never
                         been described as one where there is a parent-child bond.
                         It's a friend bond. It's a child-adult friend bond.
                         Consistently, the bond between the foster care parents is
             '
                         expressed in clear words that it is a parent-child bond that
         ii              exists. So in thinking about whether or not there would be
         I,              irreparable harm to the bond, the evidence is clear and
                         convincing, if the bond is severed, that there would be no
         l               irreparable harm, because the bond is minimal.

                         The evidence is clear, although not lengthy, but listening 10
                         the evidence, it was clear that the emotional needs are
                         being met by the foster parents, not the Mother.
                         The issue of well-being of the Children, the issue of the
                         Children perceiving where their safety lies is, again, clear
                         and convincing that they believe that their safety lies with
                         their foster care parent. When the issue ofFather's
                         visitation arises and the misconception as to the actual
                         visitation where Mother believed that Father had

                                                                                          36
                    unsupervised visits with the Children, when it was quite
                    clear that the supervision was to occur in the household of
                    the paternal aunt.

                    For these reasons, considering the record as a whole, the
                    evidence satisfies the sections under 2511 (a)(l ), (2), (5),
                    and (8). Five and eight are established because the
                    Children were removed from Mother's care and the
                    placement has been in excess of one year. 2511 (b) is
                    established because there would be no irreparable harm if
                    this marginal relationship, non-parental relationship, is
                    terminated, Mother's rights are terminated under these
t                   sections and I reiterate 2511 (a)( 1 ), (2), (5), (8), and 2511
I,
t'                  (b).
            (N.T., 8/15/2017,p.124at 10-25;p.125at 1-25;p.126at 1-25;
             p. 27at l-25;p.128at l-25;p.129at 1-25;p.130at 1-25;p.131 at
             1-3 ).

            For the foregoing reasons, this Court respectfully requests that the Decrees and
i:
t · Orders of August 15, 2017, Terminating Mother, R.E.R 's Parental Rights to both

'
t    Children and changing the Children's Permanency Goals to Adoption be AFFIRMED.

                                                    BY THE COURT:

                                                    ALLAN L. TERESHKO, Sr. J.

     DATE

                                                                                               37
                             CERTIFCATE OF SERVICE

       I hereby certify that a true and correct copy of the foregoing OPINION has been
served upon the following parties by the manner as designated:

Family Court Delivery Mail Box

Michael J. Graves, Jr., Esq.
1 700 Market St, Ste 1005
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Counsel for Appellant, Mother R.R.

Meagan Fitzpatrick, Esq. ACS,
Phila Solicitor's Office
One Parkway, 1515 Arch St, 16th flr.
Philadelphia, PA 19102
DHS Counsel

Marguerite C. Gualtieri, Esq.
Support Center forChild Advocates
1617 JFK Blvd., Ste 1200
Philadelphia, PA 1910
GAL for Children

Jerry R. DeSiderato, Esq.
Dilworth Paxson LLP
1500 Market St., Ste 3500
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Co-GAL

Irene Levy, Esq.
1700 Market St., Ste. 1005
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Child Advocate

Emily Cherniak, Esq.
1500 JFK, 2 Penn Center
Suite 1010
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Counsel for Father, E.B.

                                           ALLAN L. TERESHKO, Sr. J.

DATE