Court Opinion

ID: 2674051
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-05-14 00:03:40.575464+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:07:51.101703
License: Public Domain

NOTICE: NOT FOR PUBLICATION.
   UNDER ARIZONA RULE OF THE SUPREME COURT 111(c), THIS DECISION DOES NOT CREATE
          LEGAL PRECEDENT AND MAY NOT BE CITED EXCEPT AS AUTHORIZED.

                                    IN THE
               ARIZONA COURT OF APPEALS
                                 DIVISION ONE

                          RIGOBERTO O., Appellant,

                                        v.

         ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC SECURITY,
                  B.I., M.I., A.O., G.O., Appellees.

                             No. 1 CA-JV 13-0251
                              FILED 5-13-2014

           Appeal from the Superior Court in Maricopa County
                             No. JD510142
                The Honorable Brian K. Ishikawa, Judge

                                  AFFIRMED

                                   COUNSEL

Vierling Law Offices, Phoenix
By Thomas A. Vierling
Counsel for Appellant

Arizona Attorney General’s Office, Phoenix
By Nicholas Chapman-Hushek
Counsel for Appellee ADES
                      RIGOBERTO O. v. ADES, et al.
                         Decision of the Court

                      MEMORANDUM DECISION

Judge Kenton D. Jones delivered the decision of the Court, in which
Presiding Judge Patricia A. Orozco and Judge Diane M. Johnsen joined.

J O N E S, Judge:

¶1            Rigoberto O. (Father) appeals the trial court’s order
terminating parental rights to his four children. 1 On appeal, Father asserts
insufficient evidence supported the termination order granted under
Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S.) section 8-533(B) (2014). 2 For the
following reasons, we affirm the trial court’s decision.

                 FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

I.     Initial Family Involvement with ADES

¶2            In May 2012, the Arizona Department of Economic Security
(ADES) received a report that a mother had given birth to a substance
exposed newborn (Infant M) who tested positive for opiates.
Subsequently, ADES placed Infant M in a foster home licensed to work
with substance exposed newborns. The hospital expressed concern over
the mother’s ability to take care of herself and her children, whom ADES
identified at that time as Infant M (4 days of age); B (approximately 1.5
years of age); G (3 years of age); A (5 years of years); and A.R. (13 years of
age). A sixth child, A.Z. (10 years of age) lived on and off with her
maternal grandmother. ADES reported concern the family was living in a
motel room with a single bed.

¶3             Father reported he had not seen any issues with Mother’s
ability to take care of the children. He also indicated Mother left with the
children after he and Mother had an altercation, and he did not know
their whereabouts. After Father was served with a temporary custody

1 The trial court also terminated mother’s parental rights. Mother did not
appeal the termination order, and is not part of this appeal.
2 Absent material revisions, we cite the current version of a statute.

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                       RIGOBERTO O. v. ADES, et al.
                          Decision of the Court

notice, 3 he left the motel. Unaware of either Mother’s or Father’s
whereabouts, ADES filed a police report in search of the children.

¶4            An initial dependency hearing took place on June 6, 2012, at
which time ADES requested a continuance on the ground it was unable to
serve the parents with notice of the hearing. Accordingly, the trial court
set the dependency hearing for August 3, 2012. At the dependency
hearing, the trial court found notice was completed for the parents, and
Mother and Father failed to appear without good cause. The trial court
further found Mother was unable to parent the children due to substance
abuse issues and Father was unable to parent due to neglect and failure to
protect. The case plan at that time remained reunification of the family.

¶5             On August 9, 2012, the Tempe Police Department located B,
G, and A, but was unable to locate A.R. Subsequently, ADES petitioned
the trial court for physical custody of B, G, and A, and for a pick-up order
for A.R. On September 11, 2012, the trial court granted both orders. In its
report filed on October 17, 2012, the Foster Care Review Board reported
the parents were not participating in services, A.R. was on runaway
status, and children G, B, A, and Infant M had been placed in foster care. 4

II.      Reunification Plan

¶6            In its October 25, 2012 report, ADES identified the case plan
goal as family reunification, and described the behavioral changes Father
would be required to exhibit in order to resolve the safety threats and risk
factors preventing family reunification. ADES said Father must
demonstrate: 1) he had procured stable housing as indicated by a
consistent address for at least 6 months; 2) he had stable income, meaning
regular employment for 6 months or more; 3) he did not use illegal
substances, as illustrated through clean drug test results for at least 6
months; 4) he appropriately addressed substance abuse issues by
consistently participating in the Terros Family First Program; 5) he was
able to appropriately care for children, demonstrated by enrolling in
community parenting class and/or parent aide parenting skills class; 6) he
actively participated while visiting his children with a case aide; 7) he was
able to be an effective and stable parent by participating in a psychological

3   Ariz. Rev. Stat. (A.R.S.) § 8-823(A) (2014).
4   A severance hearing was ultimately held on August 16, 2013.

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                       RIGOBERTO O. v. ADES, et al.
                          Decision of the Court

evaluation and complying with its recommendations; 8) he was actively
involved in the children’s lives and activities; and 9) he cooperated with
and remained in consistent contact with ADES regarding changes in his
circumstances, including changes in address and missed appointments.

¶7             To assist Father in his reunification efforts with his children,
ADES offered substance abuse testing, substance abuse assessment,
parenting classes, parent aide for parenting skills, case aide services for
visitation, a psychological consultation session, psychological evaluation,
and transportation services in the form of cab services and bus passes.

III.   Father’s Efforts Toward Reunification

       A.     Stable Housing and Income

¶8            As indicated in the reunification plan, Father was required
to provide stable income and housing as demonstrated by a consistent
address and regular employment for at least six months. At the time of
the severance hearing in August 2013, the ADES case manager testified
Father had not demonstrated he had secured stable housing for the
children. Corroborating the case worker’s testimony, Father testified he
had been living in a three-bedroom apartment with two roommates for
the six weeks preceding the hearing, and when the four children were
returned to him, there would be space for another mattress for the
children in his bedroom though he currently did not possess a crib. The
case worker also noted that although Father indicated he was employed at
a local carwash, he had not provided paystubs or employment
verification. Father also testified he was scheduled for an interview at a
convenience store, where he intended to work the 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
shift.

       B.     Drug Testing

¶9           The reunification plan also required Father to demonstrate
he was drug free by providing clean drug test results for six months, and
to address substance abuse issues by participating in Terros Family First
Program. To assist Father, ADES offered substance abuse testing and
assessment.

¶10           ADES reported Father missed 50-60% of the scheduled drug
tests. Although Father tested negative for the tests he did undertake,
ADES remained concerned for substance abuse issues as ADES considers
missed tests as positive results. In addition, Father arrived at a supervised
visitation smelling of alcohol and admitted to consuming alcohol prior to

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                      RIGOBERTO O. v. ADES, et al.
                         Decision of the Court

the visit. Due to Father’s missed substance abuse testing and admission of
alcohol consumption prior to a scheduled visitation, ADES concluded
Father failed to demonstrate his sobriety necessary to the reunification
plan.

¶11           Father testified he was unable to undergo substance abuse
testing 100% of the time due to ADES’ failure to provide him with bus
passes. The case worker confirmed ADES did not have bus passes to give
Father on at least three occasions, but also advised the court he had
missed substance abuse testing on at least thirty occasions, and ADES had
informed Father to contact their office when he needed transportation
assistance. In a prior report dated October 25, 2012, ADES stated it had
offered transportation to Father in the form of bus passes and cab services.

¶12           In November 2012, Father attended his first scheduled
appointment with the Terros Family First Program. Based upon the
intake appointment, Terros concluded Father did not qualify for substance
abuse treatment and did not recommend him for further services. Terros
did recommend, however, Father receive individual counseling, and
Father expressed his intention to seek counseling with his tribe. When
Father did not provide documentation to ADES that he was receiving
counseling from his tribe, ADES offered to request individual counseling
services for him.

      C.     Parenting Classes

¶13            Father’s reunification plan further included he demonstrate
the ability to care for his children by attending parenting classes. ADES
initially referred Father to parenting classes in the community. However,
in October 2012, Father informed the case manager he preferred taking
parenting skills sessions through the assigned parenting aide. Due to
changes in service delivery rules, ADES provided a parent aide to Father
several months later in June 2013. While waiting for an aide to be
assigned to him, Father contacted his tribe for parenting classes in
February and March of 2013, only to find the tribe did not provide
parenting classes. ADES informed Father of parenting classes in the
community but Father never signed up.

      D.     Visitation and Active Involvement with Children

¶14            Father’s reunification plan required his active participation
in visitation with the children and that he demonstrate involvement in the
children’s lives and activities. In October 2012, ADES assigned a case aide
to Father, and he began visitation sessions with his children two days

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                      RIGOBERTO O. v. ADES, et al.
                         Decision of the Court

later. In November 2012, Father asked to end visitations with the two
youngest children, as he felt the two year old and six month old children
did not share a bond with him. At the time of trial, Father had not visited
the two youngest children since November 2012. However, Father
consistently visited with the two older children until July 2013, when
Parent Aide Services denied visitation to Father for not contacting the
parent aide assigned to him for visitation and parenting skills sessions.

¶15           According to ADES, Father’s active involvement with the
children was particularly necessary given that two of the children had
special needs. Infant M had been referred for speech therapy and was
anticipated to need physical and occupational therapies. The case worker
testified Father had not attended Infant M’s therapy sessions while
acknowledging ADES had not asked Father to attend these sessions. In
addition, A received special education and attended kindergarten for the
third time. Although Father was aware of A’s special education needs,
Father had not asked to meet with A’s teachers or participated in
development of her IEP.

      E.     Psychological Evaluation          and    Compliance       with
             Recommendations

¶16          Finally, the reunification plan required Father to
demonstrate the ability to be an effective and stable parent by
participating in a psychological evaluation and complying with its
recommendations. In September 2012, ADES referred Father for a
psychological consultation. Following that consultation, the psychologist
recommended Father undergo a psychological evaluation. As a result,
ADES referred Father for that evaluation, which he received in March
2013. The psychological evaluation determined Father suffered a
depressive disorder that, if left untreated, would impair his ability to
parent his children. As it was imperative that Father manage his
depressive symptoms to avoid placing his children at risk of neglect, the
psychologist recommended a psychiatric evaluation and individual
therapy.

¶17           The evaluation also observed that, due to Father’s
inconsistent compliance with his drug testing, and in the event Father was
using drugs, the children remained at risk of endangerment and neglect.
Accordingly, the evaluating psychologist recommended Father
demonstrate twelve months of verified abstinence from drugs and alcohol
to minimize the possibility of his neglect of the children. In addition, the
psychologist recommended Father participate in parenting classes and

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                     RIGOBERTO O. v. ADES, et al.
                        Decision of the Court

individualized counseling. Finally, it was the psychologist’s clinical
opinion the children would be at risk in Father’s care unless Father
successfully completed all the recommended services.

¶18          Although Terros similarly recommended Father seek
individualized counseling, Father decided to obtain psychiatric evaluation
and counseling services from his tribe. When Father did not provide
documentation of counseling with his tribe, ADES again offered to
provide counseling. Based upon Father’s failure to document either a
psychiatric evaluation or counseling, ADES concluded Father did not
receive the psychiatric services recommended in the psychological
evaluation report and required by the reunification plan.

IV.   Termination of Parental Rights

¶19           Based upon the foregoing, on February 8, 2013, ADES
moved to terminate Father’s parent-child relationship with the two
youngest children, Infant M and B, on the ground he had substantially
neglected or willfully refused to remedy the circumstances that had
caused the children to be in out-of-home placement for a cumulative
period of six months or longer. A.R.S. § 8-533(B)(8)(b). On March 11,
2013, ADES filed a similar motion to terminate Father’s parent-child
relationship with the older children, A and G, alleging Father had
substantially neglected or willfully refused to remedy the circumstances
that caused the children to be in an out-of-home placement for a
cumulative period of nine months or more. A.R.S. § 8-533(B)(8)(a). ADES
asserted termination of the parent-child relationship was in the best
interests of the four children as they could then be allowed to gain
permanency through adoption.

¶20          The trial court held a contested hearing on both motions on
August 16, 2013. In its subsequent September 18, 2013 order, the trial
court found Father had substantially neglected or willfully refused to
remedy the circumstances leading to the placement of the children for the
required statutory periods although ADES had offered sufficient services
aimed at reuniting the family. In addition, the trial court determined
termination was in the best interests of the children as it would allow
them to be adopted. Father timely appealed. We have jurisdiction
pursuant to A.R.S. §§ 8-235(A) (2014), 12-120.21(A)(1) (2014), and 12-
2101(A) (2014).

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                       RIGOBERTO O. v. ADES, et al.
                          Decision of the Court

                                DISCUSSION

¶21            In termination proceedings, the trial court, as the trier of fact,
“is in the best position to weigh the evidence, observe the parties, judge
the credibility of witnesses, and make appropriate findings.” Jesus M. v.
Ariz. Dep’t of Econ. Sec., 203 Ariz. 278, 280, ¶ 4, 53 P.3d 203, 205 (App.
2002). Therefore, “[w]e will not disturb the juvenile court’s order severing
parental rights unless its factual findings are clearly erroneous, that is,
unless there is no reasonable evidence to support them.” Audra T. v. Ariz.
Dep’t of Econ. Sec., 194 Ariz. 376, 377, ¶ 2, 982 P.2d 1290, 1291 (App. 1998).
The juvenile court may terminate a parent-child relationship only upon
finding clear and convincing evidence supports at least one statutory
ground for termination under A.R.S. § 8-533(B), and a preponderance of
the evidence shows severance to be in the child’s best interests. Lawrence
R. v. Ariz. Dep’t of Econ. Sec., 217 Ariz. 585, 587, ¶ 7, 177 P.3d 327, 329 (App.
2008); Mary Lou C. v. Ariz. Dep’t of Econ. Sec., 207 Ariz. 43, 47, ¶ 8, 83 P.3d
43, 47 (App. 2004).

¶22            On appeal, Father asserts: 1) ADES did not make diligent
efforts to provide appropriate reunification services; 2) Father’s
participation in reunification services remedied the circumstances existing
at the time ADES assumed custody of his children; 3) Father did not
willfully refuse or substantially neglect to participate in reunification
services; and 4) termination of Father’s parental rights was not in the best
interests of the children.

       A.     Father’s Assertion ADES Failed to Make Diligent Efforts to
              Provide Reunification Services

¶23           Under A.R.S. § 8-533(B)(8), the agency responsible for the
child’s care must have made a “diligent effort” to provide reunification
services. The State is not required to offer every possible service or “to
ensure that a parent participates in each service it offers.” In re Appeal in
Maricopa Cnty. Juvenile Action No. JS-501904, 180 Ariz. 348, 353, 884 P.2d
234, 239 (App. 1994). However, the State is obligated to undertake
rehabilitative measures offering a reasonable possibility of success. Mary
Ellen C. v. Ariz. Dep’t of Econ. Sec., 193 Ariz. 185, 192, ¶ 34, 971 P.2d 1046,
1053 (App. 1999) (finding the State failed to make a reasonable
rehabilitative effort to preserve a family before seeking a severance on
mental illness grounds).

¶24         ADES made diligent efforts to provide reunification services
to Father. ADES provided substance abuse testing and assessment by

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                       RIGOBERTO O. v. ADES, et al.
                          Decision of the Court

referring Father to Terros Family First Program. In addition, ADES
offered urinalysis testing as well as transportation to the testing site in the
form of bus passes and cab rides in order to assist Father to demonstrate
he was substance free as required by the reunification plan and by
Father’s evaluating psychologist.

¶25            Toward reuniting the children with Father, ADES also
offered community and individual parenting classes, and supervised
visitation services through a case aide. To assist Father in demonstrating
his ability to be an effective and stable parent, ADES referred Father for a
psychological consultation and provided the recommended follow-up
psychological      evaluation.    When     the    evaluating   psychologist
recommended a psychiatric evaluation and individualized counseling to
address Father’s depression, which could potentially impact his ability to
parent and place his children at risk of neglect, ADES offered the requisite
mental health services. The record is well established that ADES made
numerous and diligent efforts to provide substantial and appropriate
reunification services to Father and thereby met its obligation to make
diligent efforts to provide Father with a reasonable likelihood of success
toward reuniting with his children.

       B.     Father’s Failure to Remedy Circumstances Existing at the
              Time of Out-of-Home Placement

¶26           Father next asserts he did not willfully refuse or
substantially neglect to remedy the circumstances that caused the children
to be in out-of-home placement, or failed to participate in reunification
services. Evidence in support of termination of the parent-child
relationship may be established when a “child who is under three years of
age has been in an out-of-home placement for a cumulative total period of
six months or longer” and “the parent has substantially neglected or
wilfully refused to remedy the circumstances that cause the child to be in
an out-of-home placement, including refusal to participate in reunification
services offered by the department.” A.R.S. § 8-533(B)(8)(b). Evidence in
support of termination of the parent-child relationship for children (older
than three years of age) who have been in out-of-home placement for a
cumulative total period of nine months or longer may be established
when “the parent has substantially neglected or willfully refused to
remedy the circumstances that cause the child to be in an out-of-home
placement.” A.R.S. § 8-533(B)(8)(a).

¶27         The trial court found, and review of the record substantiates,
Father substantially neglected or willfully refused to remedy the

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                       RIGOBERTO O. v. ADES, et al.
                          Decision of the Court

circumstances that caused the children to be in out-of-home placement by
refusing to participate in reunification services offered by ADES. See
A.R.S. § 8-533(B)(8)(a);A.R.S. § 8-533(B)(8)(b). At the time of the August
2013 hearing, Father failed to demonstrate stable housing or employment;
consistent substance abuse testing; participation in parenting classes;
appropriate involvement in special education or therapy needs of his
children; or the reception of recommended mental health services. Based
upon the record, we conclude reasonable evidence supported the trial
court’s determination.

       C.     Father’s Assertion that Termination Was Not in the Best
              Interests of the Children

¶28             Finally, Father argues termination was not in the best
interests of the children as they should be given the opportunity to
continue to have a relationship with him. A parent-child relationship may
only be terminated upon a showing by a preponderance of the evidence
that severance is in the best interests of the child. Lawrence R. v. Ariz. Dep’t
of Econ. Sec., 217 Ariz. at 587, ¶ 7, 177 P.3d at 329. Such a showing may be
made by evidence that the child “would derive an affirmative benefit from
termination or incur a detriment by continuing in the relationship.” Ariz.
Dep’t of Econ. Sec. v. Oscar O., 209 Ariz. 332, 334, ¶ 6, 100 P.3d 943, 945
(App. 2004).

¶29           The trial court found termination was in the children’s best
interests as termination allowed the children permanency through
adoption. In addition, the trial court identified the children’s placement
with licensed foster parents as the least restrictive placement consistent
with the children’s needs. We agree.

¶30            At the time of the August 2013 hearing, ADES placed Infant
M and A together in a licensed foster home. Likewise, child B and G were
placed in a licensed foster home, and the foster parents coordinated visits
between the siblings once or twice a month. Regarding permanent
placement for the children, ADES reported Infant M’s current foster
parents were a potential adoptive home for the infant, and the remaining
children in foster care were also adoptable. The maternal grandparents
expressed interest in becoming a permanent placement for A and G, and a
paternal great aunt was interested in providing a permanent placement
for B.

¶31            Importantly, ADES reported the foster homes were meeting
all the children’s basic, educational, and developmental needs, which was

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                      RIGOBERTO O. v. ADES, et al.
                         Decision of the Court

particularly necessary for the two children with special needs. In weighing
the best interests of the children in relation to maintaining the parent-child
relationship, the trial court “also may consider whether the current
placement is meeting the child’s needs, and may take into account that
‘[i]n most cases, the presence of a statutory ground will have a negative
effect on the children.’” Bennigno R. v. Ariz. Dep’t of Econ. Sec., 233 Ariz.
345, 350, ¶ 23, 312 P.3d 861, 866 (App. 2013) (citing In re Maricopa Cnty.
Juvenile Action No. JS−6831, 155 Ariz. 556, 559, 748 P.2d 785, 788 (App.
1988)) (internal citation omitted).

¶32           Having determined ADES had made diligent efforts to
reunite the family but that Father had substantially neglected or willfully
refused to remedy the circumstances causing the children to be in out-of-
home placement, we conclude the court’s termination of the parent-child
relationship between Father and the children was in the children’s best
interests.

                              CONCLUSION

¶33          For the foregoing reasons, we affirm the trial court’s
termination order.

                                    :MJT

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