Court Opinion

ID: 4469277
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2020-01-03 15:06:30.585273+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:48:53.320263
License: Public Domain

RECORD IMPOUNDED

                                NOT FOR PUBLICATION WITHOUT THE
                               APPROVAL OF THE APPELLATE DIVISION
        This opinion shall not "constitute precedent or be binding upon any court." Although it is posted on the
     internet, this opinion is binding only on the parties in the case and its use in other cases is limited. R. 1:36-3.

                                                         SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY
                                                         APPELLATE DIVISION
                                                         DOCKET NO. A-1864-18T4

NEW JERSEY DIVISION
OF CHILD PROTECTION
AND PERMANENCY,

          Plaintiff-Respondent,

v.

J.P.,

          Defendant,

and

J.H.,

     Defendant-Appellant.
_____________________________

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

     a Minor
_____________________________

                    Submitted December 12, 2019 – Decided January 3, 2020

                    Before Judges Alvarez and DeAlmeida.
           On appeal from the Superior Court of New Jersey,
           Chancery Division, Family Part, Bergen County,
           Docket No. FG-02-0041-18.

           Joseph E. Krakora, Public Defender, attorney for
           appellant (Robyn A. Veasey, Deputy Public Defender,
           of counsel; Albert Manuel Afonso, Designated
           Counsel, on the brief).

           Gurbir S. Grewal, Attorney General, attorney for
           respondent (Jane C. Schuster, Assistant Attorney
           General, of counsel; Viviane Cristina Sullivan, Deputy
           Attorney General, on the brief).

           Joseph E. Krakora, Public Defender, Law Guardian,
           attorney for the minor (Melissa R. Vance, Assistant
           Deputy Public Defender, on the brief).

PER CURIAM

      Defendant J.H. (John 1) appeals from the December 17, 2018 order of the

Chancery Division terminating his parental rights to his son, J.H. (Jake). We

affirm.

                                     I.

      Jake was born in October 2011 to defendants John and J.P. (Joan). 2 In

August 2015, the Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCPP or

1
  Pseudonyms are used to avoid confusion of the parties and to protect the
anonymity of the child. R. 1:38-3(d).
2
   For simplicity, much of Joan's history with Jake is omitted because Joan
voluntarily surrendered her parental rights to Jake before trial.
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                                      2
Division) received a referral regarding an incident where Jake's maternal

grandmother refused to give Jake to Joan. The maternal grandmother was

concerned Joan's instability and possible drug use were a danger to the child.

Joan became hostile with the maternal grandmother and police officers who

were called to the scene.

      The Division investigated the family and sought information regarding

John's criminal record and substance abuse history. At the time, John was on

probation and was required to attend substance abuse services. He refused to

submit to a substance abuse evaluation and would not sign releases allowing the

Division to contact his probation officer to determine his compliance with

substance abuse restrictions. As a result, the Division filed a complaint in the

Chancery Division for an order to obtain substance abuse assessments and

releases from both parents. The court ordered the parents to undergo substance

abuse evaluations, psychological examinations, domestic violence counseling,

parenting skills training, and random urine screenings.

      On November 16, 2015, the Division filed an order to show cause for care

and supervision of Jake, which the trial court granted to ensure the parents

engaged in services. Despite an order to comply, John missed five substance

abuse evaluations between November 2015 and January 2016.

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         In February 2016, after a urine screen positive for tetrahydrocannabinol

(THC), the active ingredient in marijuana, Oxycodone, and benzodiazepines, a

psychologist evaluated John. He admitted he took Oxycodone prescribed for

someone else, smoked marijuana daily, and had two prescriptions for Percocet

from different physicians.        The psychologist recommended John attend

substance abuse treatment and parenting classes, and submit to urine screens.

         On February 9, 2016, the court approved the Division's continued care and

supervision of Jake based on the parents' inability to parent the child due to

substance abuse and ordered the parents to undergo substance abuse treatment.

         On April 13, 2016, John entered a substance abuse treatment program,

where he also received parenting and anger management training. He refused,

however, to cooperate with the Division's random urine testing and tested

positive for THC in a court-ordered test. In April 2016, after being granted

temporary custody of Jake, the Division placed him with his maternal

grandmother, with John retaining visitation rights. Prior to that time, the parents

repeatedly left the child in the care of his maternal grandmother.

         During both his April and May 2016 visits with Jake, John wanted to leave

early.     He tested positive for THC twice in May 2016.         Also, John was

discharged from his treatment program in June 2016 for non-attendance.

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      In July 2016, Jake was returned to Joan's custody. In August 2016, John

failed to show for three visits with Jake and tested positive for THC twice. In

September 2016, John failed to attend two visits with Jake and refused to

undergo a urine screening twice.

      On September 23, 2016, the trial court granted the Division custody of

Jake. The Division returned him to his maternal grandmother. The trial court

ordered both parents to undergo substance abuse evaluations.

      On November 28, 2016, John attended a substance abuse evaluation where

he reported using marijuana daily from age sixteen to a few months before the

evaluation. The evaluation found John suffered from "severe cannabis use

disorder."

      On December 7, 2016, John received an updated psychological evaluation

from his initial psychologist, who recommended the same services as the prior

assessment. On December 12, 2016, John failed to show for Jake's visit and

refused to submit to a random urine screen. Later that month, John provided a

urine screen, which came back negative.

      On January 13, 2017, John was unable to visit Jake because he was

remanded to jail for four days after violating probation. In February and March

2017, John failed to attend three visits with Jake.

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      On May 9, 2017, John was referred to the Bergen Family Center to receive

therapy, and he attended an intake session. On May 25, 2017, John failed to

undergo a hair and nail drug test. On July 12, 2017, John was arrested for

possession of marijuana. On September 26, 2017, the Bergen Family Center

closed John's case because of his failure to attend.

      John violated probation in February, March, April, June, August, and

September 2017. He spent several days in jail for each violation.

      On October 12, 2017, the court approved the Division's permanency plan

for termination of John's parental rights, followed by adoption by Jake's

maternal grandmother. The court had previously granted two extensions of the

permanency plan to afford the parents an opportunity to demonstrate stability.

On November 22, 2017, the Division filed a complaint for guardianship.

      In November and December of 2017, John failed to appear for four drug

tests. On January 24, 2018, John was incarcerated for a week after violating

probation.

      On February 5, 2018, John began attending treatment through another

substance abuse provider. As part of this program, a psychologist evaluated

John in April and May 2018. After interviewing him, the psychologist found

John "lack[ed] in empathy, especially for [Jake], and [was] markedly self-

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                                        6
centered." Moreover, the psychologist found John to be a "highly evasive,

manipulative individual with a history of antisocial behavior and drug abuse, "

who presented as "highly narcissistic and self-absorbed," and "emotionally

blunted . . . ."

       John violated probation for testing positive for illegal substances in

January, February, March, and April 2018. He served several days in jail for

each violation.

       Trial commenced on July 26, 2018. Because Joan entered an identified

surrender of her parental rights to Jake's maternal grandmother, only John's

parental rights were at issue. At the time of trial, John had recently been arrested

for possession of marijuana. He had also been noncompliant with court-ordered

random screens sought by the Division.            His visitation with Jake was

inconsistent and disengaged.      John relied on his mother for housing and

transportation, had an inconsistent employment history, and no realistic plan to

provide for the care and supervision of Jake.

       Two Division caseworkers recounted John's failure to refrain from

substance abuse, repeated incarceration, failed efforts at rehabilitation, and

noncompliance with drug testing.

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      A psychologist called by the Division offered the opinion Jake exhibited

signs of post-traumatic stress disorder. According to the expert, stability was

the most important objective for Jake's well-being. The child needed to stop

worrying about visits with his parents and to see the world as a "safe, predictable

place." The expert testified Jake's maternal grandmother had the ability to

provide for Jake's needs, while John lacked that ability and would not have it in

the foreseeable future.

      On December 17, 2018, Judge Jane Gallina-Mecca issued a sixty-four-

page written opinion terminating John's parental rights to Jake. The judge found

the Division's three witnesses to have been credible and concluded the agency

established the four statutory prongs for terminating parental rights by clear and

convincing evidence. See N.J.S.A. 30:4C-15.1(a).

      As to the first prong, the judge found the Division had established Jake's

safety and health has been and will continue to be endangered by John's

substance abuse, lack of interest in Jake, failure to complete therapy, criminal

behavior, inconsistent employment history, and inability to provide for the

child's safety and security.

      As to the second prong, the judge found the Division established John had

not ameliorated the harm he posed to Jake and would be unable to continue a

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                                        8
parental relationship with the child without harming him. The court accepted

the expert's testimony Jake has symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder

resulting from his parents' acts, and permanency was vital to his well-being. The

judge found "it [] abundantly clear that [John] has not established a sufficiently

safe and stable lifestyle to be able to eliminate or avoid the harm that would

threaten [Jake] were [Jake] to be placed in his custody." The judge continued,

"[t]here [was] not a scintilla of evidence to suggest that [John] is able to

eliminate the harm facing [Jake] and provide him a safe a stable home within a

reasonable time."

      As to the third prong, the judge found the Division had made reasonable

efforts to provide services to correct the circumstances which led to Jake's

placement outside of the home and considered alternatives to termination of

John's parental rights.

      As to the fourth prong, the court found termination would not do more

harm than good based on the "uncontroverted expert testimony and evidence

adduced at trial." The judge relied on the psychologist's testimony that Jake's

maternal grandmother was the most stable and consistent adult in Jake's life.

The court also found that although losing a parental relationship would impact

Jake negatively, his need for stability was more critical to his well-being, and

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                                        9
his maternal grandmother could mitigate the harm caused by termination of

John's parental rights. Finally, the court concluded it would be traumatic for

Jake to be separated from his maternal grandmother.

      This appeal followed.     John raises the following arguments for our

consideration:

            THE JUDGMENT OF GUARDIANSHIP SHOULD
            BE    REVERSED   BECAUSE    THE  COURT
            MISAPPLIED THE LAW IN FINDING THAT DCPP
            MET ITS BURDEN OF PROOF UNDER THE
            SECOND AND FOURTH PRONGS OF THE "BEST
            INTEREST" STANDARD PURSUANT TO N.J.S.A.
            30:4C-15.1.

                  A. THE TRIAL COURT MISAPPLIED
                  THE      PREVAILING      LEGAL
                  STANDARDS UNDER THE SECOND
                  PRONG OF THE "BEST INTEREST"
                  STANDARD AND [SIC] WHERE JOHN
                  DEMONSTRATED THAT HE COULD
                  PROVIDE SAFE CARE FOR HIS SON.

                  B. THE COURT ERRED IN HOLDING
                  THAT      DCPP'S     EVIDENCE
                  ESTABLISHES THAT TERMINATION
                  OF PARENTAL RIGHTS WILL NOT DO
                  MORE HARM THAN GOOD.

                                       II.

      Our scope of review on appeal from an order terminating parental rights

is limited. N.J. Div. of Youth & Family Servs. v. G.L., 191 N.J. 596, 605 (2007).

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We will uphold a trial judge's factfindings if they are "supported by adequate,

substantial, and credible evidence." N.J. Div. of Youth & Family Servs. v. R.G.,

217 N.J. 527, 552 (2014). "We accord deference to factfindings of the family

court because it has the superior ability to gauge the credibility of the witnesses

who testify before it and because it possesses special expertise in matters related

to the family." N.J. Div. of Youth & Family Servs. v. F.M., 211 N.J. 420, 448

(2012); see Cesare v. Cesare, 154 N.J. 394, 413 (1998). "Only when the trial

court's conclusions are so 'clearly mistaken' or 'wide of the mark' should an

appellate court intervene and make its own findings to ensure that there is not a

denial of justice." N.J. Div. of Youth & Family Servs. v. E.P., 196 N.J. 88, 104

(2008) (quoting G.L., 191 N.J. at 605). No deference is given to the court's

"interpretation of the law" which is reviewed de novo. D.W. v. R.W., 212 N.J.
232, 245-46 (2012).

      When terminating parental rights, the court focuses on the "best interests

of the child standard" and may grant a petition when the four prongs set forth in

N.J.S.A. 30:4C-15.1(a) are established by clear and convincing evidence. In re

Guardianship of K.H.O., 161 N.J. 337, 347-48 (1999).           "The four criteria

enumerated in the best interests standard are not discrete and separate; they

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                                       11
relate to and overlap with one another to provide a comprehensive standard that

identifies a child's best interests." Id. at 348.

      N.J.S.A. 30:4C-15.1(a) requires the Division to prove:

             (1)   The child's safety, health, or development has
                   been or will continue to be endangered by the
                   parental relationship;

             (2)   The parent is unwilling or unable to eliminate the
                   harm facing the child or is unable or unwilling to
                   provide a safe and stable home for the child and
                   the delay of permanent placement will add to the
                   harm. Such harm may include evidence that
                   separating the child from his resource family
                   parents would cause serious and enduring
                   emotional or psychological harm to the child;

             (3)   The division has made reasonable efforts to
                   provide services to help the parent correct the
                   circumstances which led to the child's placement
                   outside the home and the court has considered
                   alternatives to termination of parental rights; and

             (4)   Termination of parental rights will not do more
                   harm than good.

      John challenges only the court's determination the Division satisfied the

second and fourth prong of the statutory test. As to the second prong, John

argues, because the court's decision was issued five months after trial, the judge

did not consider his post-trial compliance with drug treatment. John argues a

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remand for further factfinding is warranted.      He also argues there was no

indication in the record his drug use threatens to harm Jake.

      As to the fourth prong, in addition to arguing the court erred for failing to

consider his post-trial compliance with drug treatment, John argues his

relationship with Jake in July 2018 was not necessarily the same as it was at the

time of the court's decision, warranting a remand. Finally, John argues the judge

erred in relying on the psychologist's May 2018 opinion because the passage of

time between the trial and issuance of the court's decision made the expert's

opinion unreliable.

      After carefully reviewing John's arguments in light of the record and

applicable legal principles, we are convinced there is adequate, substantial,

credible evidence supporting Judge Gallina-Mecca's findings of fact. We also

agree with her legal conclusion the Division satisfied all of the statutory

requirements for termination of John's parental rights to Jake. We therefore

affirm the December 17, 2018 order for the reasons stated in Judge Gallina-

Mecca's comprehensive written opinion. We add the following comments.

      Under the second statutory prong, the trial court was required to determine

whether it is "reasonably foreseeable that the parents can cease to inflict harm

upon the [child] . . . ." N.J. Div. of Youth & Family Servs. v. A.W., 103 N.J.

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                                       13
591, 607 (1986). The court considers "whether the parent is fit, but also whether

he or she can become fit within time to assume the parental role necessary to

meet the child's needs." N.J. Div. of Youth & Family Servs. v. R.L., 388 N.J.

Super. 81, 87 (App. Div. 2006) (citing In re Guardianship of J.C., 129 N.J. 1, 10

(1992)).

      We find no error in the trial court's determination based on the unrebutted

testimony of the fact witnesses and the expert psychologist that John was unable

or unwilling to eliminate the harms that caused Jake to be removed. John was

uncooperative with substance abuse treatment for several years prior to trial.

His frequent incarceration greatly inhibited his inability to provide a safe, stable,

and predictable home for Jake. John offered no realistic plan for providing such

a home for Jake in the foreseeable future.          Moreover, the record firmly

establishes Jake's maternal grandmother is the only consistent parental figure he

knows and has provided him with a stable and secure home. Removing Jake

from that supportive environment for the uncertainty of a future with his father

would be contrary to the child's best interests.

      We also find no merit in John's argument the trial court erred because it

did not consider his post-trial drug treatment compliance and relationship with

Jake. John's argument is based on speculation. He offers no evidence of his

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                                        14
successful completion of a substance abuse treatment program, consistent

refraining from the use of illegal substances, or a realistic plan to provide a

stable and secure home for Jake. Nor does John explain why, after Jake has

waited years for his father to provide him with a secure home, the child's

interests would be served by a further delay in permanency.

      Under the fourth statutory prong, the question before the court is whether

"[t]ermination of parental rights will not do more harm than good." N.J.S.A.

30:4C-15.1(a)(4). "Prong four 'serves as a fail-safe against termination even

where the remaining standards have been met.'" E.P., 196 N.J. at 108 (quoting

G.L., 191 N.J. at 609). "It has been 'suggested that [a] decision to terminate

parental rights should not simply extinguish an unsuccessful parent-child

relationship without making provision for . . . a more promising relationship

. . . [in] the child's future.'" Ibid. (quoting A.W., 103 N.J. at 610 (alterations in

original) (quotation omitted)).

      "[P]ermanent placement with a loving family" is the goal where

"reunification is improbable . . . ." Ibid. However, "courts have recognized that

terminating parental rights without any compensating benefit, such as adoption,

may do great harm to a child." Id. at 109 (citing A.W., 103 N.J. at 610–11). As

the Court observed in A.W., "th[is] detriment may be greater than keeping the

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                                        15
parent-child relationship intact since the child's psychological and emotional

bond to the parent may have been broken with nothing substituted in its place."
103 N.J. at 611.

      We find no error in Judge Gallina-Mecca's conclusion that termination of

John's parental rights would not do more harm than good. During the years John

was struggling with his drug use and frequent incarcerations, Jake's maternal

grandmother took care of the child. The court accepted the expert's opinion that

if Jake's bond with his maternal grandmother was severed, he would suffer

"long[-]lasting, intense negative reactions" similar to "a death of a parent." John

offered no reasonably likely plan to ameliorate that harm by providing a secure

and supportive home for Jake. We are satisfied with the trial court's finding that

the fourth prong was satisfied by clear and convincing evidence.

      Affirmed.

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