Court Opinion

ID: 2717191
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-08-11 21:06:09.505416+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:26:47.705002
License: Public Domain

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                                                                    ZOIUUG II AH 10: 27

           IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
                                         DIVISION ONE

In the Matter of the Dependency of                    No. 71000-1-1
A.G., dob 2/7/97, and
D.G., dob 2/21/98,                                    (Consolidated with No. 71001-0-1)

                          Minor children,

STATE OF WASHINGTON,
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL AND
HEALTH SERVICES,                                      UNPUBLISHED OPINION

                          Respondent,

               v.

ANNE MARIE BUTCHER,

                          Appellant.                  FILED: August 11, 2014

       Schindler, J. — Anne Marie Butcher appeals the decision to terminate her

parental rights with her two teenage children on the grounds that her attorney provided
ineffective assistance of counsel by introducing a psychological/parenting evaluation

into evidence. Because Butcher cannot establish ineffective assistance, we affirm.

                                              FACTS

       Anne Marie Butcher is the mother of 17-year-old A.G. and 16-year-old D.G.1
A.G. was born in 1997 and D.G. was born in 1998. Butcher and her children lived in

       1By the time oftrial, Butcher had changed her name toAnne Marie Luke. But the parties refer to
the appellant as Anne Marie Butcher. Forconsistency, we referto her as Butcher.
No. 71000-1 (Consol. with No. 71001-0-l)/2

Spring Hill, Florida. In 1999, 19-year-old Butcher was convicted of possession of a

controlled substance. In 2002, Butcher pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud and served

10 months in prison.

       In 2010, Butcher married Steven Butcher.2 In January 2011, Butcher, Steven,

and her children moved to Oak Harbor, Washington in order to be near one of Steven's

children from a prior marriage. Steven physically abused Butcher, resulting in at least

one hospitalization. The couple separated in June 2011. In July 2011, Butcher began

dating Brad Crockett.

       On September 27, 2011, 13-year-old D.G. was locked out of the house and did

not know how to contact his mother. A neighbor called the Oak Harbor Police

Department. D.G. told Detective Sergeant Terri Gardner that he was often locked out of
the house, there was no food, and his mother often got home late or did not come home

at all. D.G. told the detective that he had been staying with friends since September 21.

The police department referred the case to the Washington State Division of Children

and Family Services (DCFS).

       The next day, a social worker and Detective Sergeant Gardner spoke to 14-year-

old A.G. A.G. said her mother was rarely home, there was little food at the house, that

her mother drank alcohol, and her mother struggled with drug use.

       DCFS took A.G. and D.G. into protective custody. On September 30, 2011, the

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) filed a
dependency petition. The dependency petition asserts, in pertinent part:
       DCFS remains seriously concerned at the mother's inability to provide the
       basic needs of her children (i.e. medical and food). In addition, the mother
       reports significantly differing accounts of her children's behavior in
       2We refer to Steven Butcher by his first name for clarity.

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No. 71000-1 (Consol. with No. 71001-0-l)/3

       comparison to the consistent disclosures of her children and community
       members. The mother's lack of basic parenting, general supervision, and
       disregard for the basic safety of her teen boy, is both alarming and
       detrimental to the children's development.

       On November 30, 2011, Butcher entered into an agreed order of dependency.

Butcher admitted a history of substance abuse and agreed to obtain a drug and alcohol

evaluation. Butcher stipulated to the following facts:

       Mother acknowledges ... her history of substance abuse. Mother agrees
       to obtain a drug/alcohol evaluation. Mother also acknowledges a history
       of [child protective services] involvement in the State of Florida when she
       was a child.

The children remained in out-of-home care. The court ordered supervised visitation a

minimum of one hour per week.

       The November 30 disposition order required Butcher to engage in a drug and

alcohol evaluation, obtain random urinalyses (UAs), obtain a psychological evaluation

with a parenting component, and follow all recommendations.

       In January 2012, Butcher moved to Glendive, Montana with Crockett. Butcher

did not tell A.G. or D.G. that she was moving to Montana. Butcher kept in "[s]poradic"

contact with A.G. and D.G., mostly initiated by the children.

       In April 2012, DSHS assigned social worker Debra Antetomaso to the case.

Antetomaso contacted Butcher and provided her with contact information for service

providers closest to where Butcher was living in Montana.

       In August 2012, Butcher visited the children at the DSHS office in Oak Harbor.
Butcher told Antetomaso and the children that she was going to try to move back to Oak

Harbor. Butcher never moved back to Washington.
No. 71000-1 (Consol. with No. 71001-0-l)/4

        On September 19, the State filed a petition for termination of Butcher's parental

rights. The petition alleged, in pertinent part:

        The parenting deficiencies that led to the dependency of this child
        centered on the mother's domestic violence relationship, substance abuse
        history, lack of parenting skills, lack of stable residence and suspicion that
        there may be some mental health issues. Services offered to the mother
        have included the drug/alcohol evaluation and treatment, random UA
        testing, parenting classes, psychological evaluation, and casework
        management.

The petition also alleged that there was little likelihood that conditions would be

remedied in the near future: "The mother has failed to participate in a drug/alcohol

evaluation and treatment, random UA testing, or a psychological evaluation. She has

not demonstrated the ability [to] care for her children."

        Butcher contacted a psychologist in Montana, Dr. F. Tom Peterson, to comply

with the requirement to obtain the court-ordered psychological/parenting evaluation. Dr.

Peterson met with Butcher on October 3, 2012. In the "Psychological/Parenting

Evaluation," Dr. Peterson states that if Butcher pursues treatment, she would likely be

able to parent.

        Should Ms. Butcher seek treatment as recommended, there is a very good
        chance that she will develop parenting skills not subject to unpredictable
        disruption within a few months.

        Dr. Peterson recommended mental health counseling and medication, including

treatment for attention deficit hyperactive disorder. Dr. Peterson states, in pertinent

part:

        Intervention must include medical treatment for dysregulated, depressed
        mood if Ms. Butcher is to be able to consistently and adequately discharge
        parental responsibilities in the foreseeable future. It is not enough that
        she stay in contact with the children's social worker.... Psychomedical
        treatment is required.
No. 71000-1 (Consol. with No. 71001-0-l)/5

       Dr. Peterson also states in the Psychological/Parenting Evaluation that Butcher is

"genuinely desirous of regaining custody," and that "Ms. Butcher's motivation for

custody appears to be the love she has for each of her children."

      Ms. Butcher possesses strong average intellect and appears physically
      capable. Despite appearing somewhat emotionally detached from her
      children, she impressed this examiner as genuinely desirous of regaining
      custody. Examination procedures determined that she possesses a
      strong knowledge of each of their developmental histories and aware of
      their interests.

      Butcher divorced Steven Butcher sometime in the spring of 2013. In April 2013,

Butcher moved to Atlantic Beach, Florida to live with her mother. Butcher did not tell

A.G., D.G., or DSHS that she was moving to Florida.

      On May 15, 2013, the court entered a permanency planning hearing order. The

order states that Butcher had not provided documentation of participation in domestic

violence support services through Citizens Against Domestic and Sexual Abuse

(CADA), obtained a drug and alcohol evaluation, or provided random UAs. The court

ordered Butcher to participate in a drug and alcohol evaluation, provide random UAs,

participate in domestic violence services through CADA, and pursue mental health

counselling and medication management as recommended by Dr. Peterson in the

Psychological/Parenting Evaluation.

      On June 3, 2013, after Antetomaso learned Butcher had moved back to Florida,

Antetomaso sent Butcher a letter asking whether she needed any assistance in

obtaining domestic violence services or a drug and alcohol evaluation. Antetomaso

spoke with Butcher on the phone in late June. According to Antetomaso, Butcher was

aware of the services she needed to engage in but did not ask for any assistance in

obtaining those services.
No. 71000-1 (Consol. with No. 71001-0-l)/6

       The termination trial began on June 25, 2013. Butcher appeared by telephone

from Florida. The State introduced into evidence the dependency petitions, the orders

of dependency, and the permanency planning hearing orders as to each child.

Butcher's attorney offered, and the court admitted into evidence, the Psychological/

Parenting Evaluation.

       Butcher testified the children had Sioux Indian heritage. The court continued the

trial to August 27, 2013 in order to determine whether the Indian Child Welfare Act

(ICWA), 25 U.S.C. ch. 21, applied.3 After sending notices to several tribes, the State

determined the ICWA did not apply. At the end of July, Butcher moved back to

Montana with Crockett.

       When the trial resumed on August 27, the State called social worker Antetomaso,

Butcher, A.G., and D.G. to testify. Butcher appeared by telephone from Montana.

       Social worker Antetomaso testified that "there is little likelihood that her parental

deficiencies could be remedied by allowing the children to return" and Butcher was "unfit

to parent."

       The State also called Butcher to testify. Butcher admitted that she did not

contact the service providers Antetomaso referred her to in Florida or Montana, and she

made no attempt to contact anyone about a drug and alcohol evaluation. Butcher

acknowledged she read the Psychological/Parenting Evaluation, understood that it told

her to seek counselling and medication, but said she did not believe she needed either

treatment or medication.

       Fifteen-year-old D.G. testified that "I would rather be with a foster family that I'm

living with right now because they're a lot more stable" and he's "happy there." Sixteen-

       3 The court entered an order terminating the parental rights of the father, Daniel Gilman.

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No. 71000-1 (Consol. with No. 71001-0-l)/7

year-old A.G. testified that her life with the foster family was "very stable. ... I am

provided for. I have all of my needs met. I'm happy." A.G. said that the "most

important thing" to her was "[stability. A good home to come back to."

       A.G. testified that when she lived with her mother, they moved around a lot, and

she did not spend a full year at the same school until she moved to Washington. A.G.

said that she and her brother would often live with relatives for several months at a time.

A.G. testified that food was "pretty scarce" at the end of the month after food stamps ran

out. A.G. said she had been locked out of the house and her mother would often leave

without telling A.G. where she was going. A.G. testified that she had witnessed

violence between her mother and the men in her mother's life.

       A.G. testified she did see her mother use drugs "[b]ut there were signs," such as

"[t]he bong in the bathroom, and sometimes like a towel in the door." A.G. said that she
did not want to live with her mother and wanted to be adopted.

       The court admitted the reports submitted by the guardian ad litem/court-

appointed special advocate (CASA). The CASA recommends that the court terminate
Butcher's parental rights to both A.G. and D.G. The reports state that A.G. and D.G.
are "happy and secure" in their foster homes.

       The CASA report as to D.G. states that D.G's "mother resides in Florida and is
not able to provide a home for [D.G.]" The report also states that Butcher has not
communicated with D.G. in one month. As to A.G., the CASA report states that A.G.'s

"mother resides out of state and is not able to provide a home for [A.G.]," and that

A.G.'s foster family wishes to adopt her. The reports state that while the children are in
No. 71000-1 (Consol. with No. 71001-0-l)/8

different homes, the caregivers communicate regularly, and the children see each other

"at least once every two weeks" and speak to each other "frequently."

       The court entered an order terminating Butcher's parental rights to A.G. and D.G.

The order contains detailed findings of fact and conclusions of law.4 The court found

that termination of Butcher's parental rights was in the best interests of A.G. and D.G.

and that Butcher was unfit to parent the children. Butcher appeals.

                                                ANALYSIS

       Butcher contends she is entitled to reversal of the termination orders because

her attorney provided ineffective assistance of counsel by introducing into evidence the

Psychological/Parenting Evaluation.

        In order to terminate parental rights, the six statutory elements set forth in RCW

13.34.180(1) must be established by clear, cogent, and convincing evidence. RCW

13.34.190(1 )(a)u): In re Dependency of K.R.. 128Wn.2d 129, 140-41, 904 P.2d 1132

(1995).5 Proof of the six statutory elements establishes that the parents are currently

       4 Butcher does not challenge the findings of fact. Therefore, they are verities on appeal. In re
Marriage of Possinaer. 105 Wn. App. 326, 338, 19 P.3d 1109 (2001).
       5 RCW 13.34.180(1) provides, in pertinent part:
                (a) That the child has been found to be a dependent child;
               (b) That the court has entered a dispositional order pursuant to RCW 13.34.130;
               (c) That the child has been removed or will, at the time of the hearing, have been
        removed from the custody of the parent for a period of at least six months pursuant to a
       finding of dependency;
               (d) That the services ordered under RCW 13.34.136 have been expressly and
       understandably offered or provided and all necessary services, reasonably available,
       capable of correcting the parental deficiencies within the foreseeable future have been
        expressly and understandably offered or provided;
                (e) That there is little likelihood that conditions will be remedied so that the child
        can be returned to the parent in the near future. A parent's failure to substantially
        improve parental deficiencies within twelve months following entry of the dispositional
        order shall give rise to a rebuttable presumption that there is little likelihood that
        conditions will be remedied so that the child can be returned to the parent in the near
        future. . . .

                 (f) That continuation of the parent and child relationship clearly diminishes the
        child's prospects for early integration into a stable and permanent home.

                                                       8
No. 71000-1 (Consol. with No. 71001-0-l)/9

unfit and satisfies due process. In re Dependency of K.N.J.. 171 Wn.2d 568, 576-77,

257 P.3d 522 (2011). If DSHS establishes the statutory elements of RCW 13.34.180(1)

by clear, cogent, and convincing evidence, the court then considers whether termination

of the parent-child relationship is in the best interests of the child. RCW

13.34.190(1)(b). Whether termination is in the best interests of the child must be proved

by a preponderance of the evidence. In re Welfare of Aschauer, 93 Wn.2d 689, 695,

611 P.2d 1245 (1980). Where the needs of the child and the rights of the parent

conflict, the needs of the child must prevail. In re Dependency of J.W.. 90 Wn. App.

417, 427, 953P.2d 104(1998).

        Parents have a statutory right to representation by counsel at all stages of a

dependency proceeding. RCW 13.34.090(2); In re Dependency of V.R.R.. 134 Wn.

App. 573, 581, 141 P.3d 85 (2006). This right includes the right to effective legal

representation. V.R.R., 134 Wn. App. at 580.

        To prevail on her claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, Butcher must show

(1) deficient performance by counsel and (2) resulting prejudice. In re Dependency of

S.M.H.. 128 Wn. App. 45, 61, 115 P.3d 990: Strickland v. Washington. 466 U.S. 668.

687, 104 S. Ct. 2052, 80 L. Ed. 2d 674 (1984).6

        There is a strong presumption of effective representation of counsel, and Butcher

has the burden to show that based on the record, there are no legitimate strategic or

        6 The parties assert that Washington law is unsettled as to the standard that applies in
determining whether a parent received effective assistance of counsel in a termination proceeding. See
In re Welfare of J.M.. 130 Wn. App. 912, 920, 125 P.3d 245 (2005) (applying standard from In re
Moseley. 34 Wn. App. 179, 184, 660 P.2d 315 (1983)). However, because this court applied the
Strickland standard to determine ineffective assistance of counsel in termination cases in S.M.H., we
adhere to that approach. S.M.H., 128 Wn. App. at 61. We also note that this approach is not inconsistent
with the decision in In re Dependency of G.A.R.. 137 Wn. App. 1, 150 P.3d 643 (2007). GAR, did not
clearly adopt either the Moseley or Strickland standard. G.A.R., 137 Wn. App. at 7.
No. 71000-1 (Consol. with No. 71001-0-l)/10

tactical reasons for the challenged conduct. State v. McFarland. 127 Wn.2d 322, 335-

36, 899P.2d 1251 (1995).

              Judicial scrutiny of counsel's performance must be highly
       deferential. It is all too tempting for a defendant to second-guess
       counsel's assistance after conviction or adverse sentence, and it is all too
       easy for a court, examining counsel's defense after it has proved
       unsuccessful, to conclude that a particular act or omission of counsel was
       unreasonable. Cf. Enqle v. Isaac. 456 U.S. 107, 133-134[, 102 S. Ct.
       1558, 71 L Ed. 2d 783] (1982). A fair assessment of attorney
       performance requires that every effort be made to eliminate the distorting
       effects of hindsight, to reconstruct the circumstances of counsel's
       challenged conduct, and to evaluate the conduct from counsel's
       perspective at the time. Because of the difficulties inherent in making the
       evaluation, a court must indulge a strong presumption that counsel's
       conduct falls within the wide range of reasonable professional assistance;
       that is, the defendant must overcome the presumption that, under the
       circumstances, the challenged action "might be considered sound trial
       strategy." See Michel v. Louisiana. [350 U.S. 91, 101, 76 S. Ct. 158, 100
       L. Ed. 83(1955)].

Strickland. 466 U.S. at 689. If counsel's conduct can be characterized as legitimate trial

strategy, it cannot provide the basis for a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel.

State v. Aho. 137 Wn.2d 736, 745, 975 P.2d 512 (1999).

       Butcher contends there was no strategic reason to introduce into evidence the

Psychological/Parenting Evaluation. The record does not support Butcher's argument.

       The termination trial brief submitted on behalf of Butcher argues that she could

"remedy her parental shortcomings in a period of time reasonably in the near future." In

support, the brief quotes the conclusion of Dr. Peterson in the Psychological/Parenting

Evaluation that "[sjhould Ms. Butcher seek treatment as recommended, there is a very

good chance that she will develop parenting skills not subject to unpredictable

disruption within a few months." The brief also relies on the Psychological/Parenting

Evaluation to argue that if Butcher pursued treatment, "she is probably able to provide

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No. 71000-1 (Consol. with No. 71001-0-l)/11

marginally adequate care" to her teenage children, and that "other solutions short of

termination such as guardianship and third party custody" were appropriate.

       Butcher also cannot show there is a reasonable probability that but for admission

of the Psychological/Parenting Evaluation, the result of the proceeding would have been

different. To establish prejudice, the defendant must show "counsel's errors were so

serious as to deprive the defendant of a fair trial, a trial whose result is reliable."

Strickland. 466 U.S. at 687. A defendant shows prejudice when there is a reasonable

probability that, but for counsel's errors, the result of the proceeding would have been

different. State v. Hendrickson. 129 Wn.2d 61, 78, 917 P.2d 563 (1996). A "reasonable

probability" is a probability sufficient to undermine confidence in the outcome.

Strickland. 466 U.S. at 694.

       The first three factors under RCW 13.34.180(1), that the children were

dependent, that the court entered disposition orders, and that the children had been

removed for at least six months, were not in dispute. RCW 13.34.180(1)(a)-(c). As to

the fourth factor, whether DSHS offered services, Butcher acknowledged Antetomaso

offered her services. RCW 13.34.180(1 )(d). The dispute at the termination hearing

focused on the fifth and sixth statutory factors, whether conditions would be remedied

so that the children could be returned in the near future, and whether continuation of the

parent-child relationship diminished the children's prospects for early integration into a

stable and permanent home. RCW 13.34.180(1 )(e), (f).

       Butcher claims trial counsel's decision to introduce the Psychological/Parenting

Evaluation resulted in prejudice because the court quoted the report in its written

findings. But it is clear from the record that the decision to terminate Butcher's parental

                                               11
No. 71000-1 (Consol. with No. 71001-0-l)/12

rights relied heavily on the testimony of social worker Antetomaso, the CASA reports,

and the testimony of Butcher's two children, A.G. and D.G.

       Antetomaso testified that termination of parental rights was in the best interest of

the children based on:

       The mother's lack of motivation to engage in services, to make herself
       available to her children and to provide for them their basic needs, and to
       address her domestic violence relationships, her mental health, need for
       medication management, and to address any drug/alcohol issues.

Antetomaso also testified that continuing Butcher's parental rights "would interfere with

[the children's] stability, ongoing well-being and ability to have a good childhood." The

CASA also recommended that the court terminate Butcher's parental rights

       Further, both A.G. and D.G. testified they preferred to remain in their current,

more stable placements rather than live with their mother. The court found A.G. and

D.G.'s testimony credible. The oral ruling states, in pertinent part:

                I believe the testimony of [D.G.] and [A.G.] concerning what they
       believe to be in their best interests, and they're correct. They've shown a
       lot of insight into these proceedings over the course of time and in their
       testimony. I appreciated that they attended this trial today to show their
       interest and provide valuable information to the Court. They're remarkable
       young people.

       The cases Butcher relies on, In re Welfare of J.M.. 130 Wn. App. 912, 125 P.3d

245 (2005), and In re Dependency of G.A.R.. 137 Wn. App. 1, 150 P.3d 643 (2007), to

argue her attorney provided ineffective assistance of counsel are distinguishable. In

J.M.. the court held that counsel's failure to object to the admission of a damaging

expert report prejudiced the parent. JJVL, 130 Wn. App. at 922-23. In JJVL. there was

no strategic reason for the failure to object to the admission of the report, and no

evidence other than the report supported the court's findings. J.M.. 130 Wn. App. at

                                             12
No. 71000-1 (Consol. with No. 71001-0-l)/13

925, 923. In G.A.R.. counsel did not object to the admission of expert reports. GAR..

137 Wn. App. at 4. But again, there was no strategic reason for failing to object, and

the social worker was the only witness to testify for the State. G.A.R.. 137 Wn. App. at
4-8.

       Because Butcher cannot establish ineffective assistance of counsel, we affirm.

                                              Y^mWPJ?                   «-«=-

WE CONCUR:

         -^J^i

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