Court Opinion

ID: 2808429
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-06-15 19:57:51.471921+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:23:19.089089
License: Public Domain

STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA

                          SUPREME COURT OF APPEALS

                                                                                  FILED
In Re: H.W. & R.W.                                                               June 15, 2015
                                                                             RORY L. PERRY II, CLERK
No. 15-0019 (Nicholas County 14-JA-46 & 14-JA-47)                          SUPREME COURT OF APPEALS
                                                                               OF WEST VIRGINIA

                              MEMORANDUM DECISION
        Petitioner Mother M.W., by counsel John Anderson II, appeals the Circuit Court of
Nicholas County’s December 8, 2014, order terminating her parental rights to H.W. and R.W.
The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (“DHHR”), by counsel Michael
Jackson, filed its response in support of the circuit court’s order. The guardian ad litem
(“guardian”), Julia Callaghan, filed a response on behalf of the children in support of the circuit
court’s order and a supplemental appendix. On appeal, petitioner argues that the circuit court
erred in denying her an extension of her post-adjudicatory improvement period and in finding
that there was no reasonable likelihood that the conditions of abuse and neglect could
substantially be corrected.1

        This Court has considered the parties’ briefs and the record on appeal. The facts and legal
arguments are adequately presented, and the decisional process would not be significantly aided
by oral argument. Upon consideration of the standard of review, the briefs, and the record
presented, the Court finds no substantial question of law and no prejudicial error. For these
reasons, a memorandum decision affirming the circuit court’s order is appropriate under Rule 21
of the Rules of Appellate Procedure.

        In April of 2014, the DHHR filed an abuse and neglect petition against petitioner alleging
(1) that her drug abuse impaired her ability to provide proper care for her children; (2)
educational neglect; (3) failure to provide a safe home; and (4) domestic violence. Several
months later, petitioner entered into a stipulated adjudication wherein she admitted that her drug
abuse impaired her ability to provide proper care for her children. Subsequently, the circuit court
granted petitioner a post-adjudicatory improvement period. The terms and conditions of the
improvement period required petitioner to remain drug and alcohol free; submit to random drug
screens and a psychological evaluation; attend drug counseling and in-patient treatment; attend
Narcotics Anonymous meetings; obtain safe housing and employment; attend domestic violence
classes; and supervised visitation.

       In September of 2014, the circuit court held a review hearing. A Child Protective
Services worker testified that petitioner failed to: remain drug free; follow the recommendations

       1
         We note that West Virginia Code §§ 49-1-1 through 49-11-10 were repealed and
recodified during the 2015 Regular Session of the West Virginia Legislature. The new
enactment, West Virginia Code §§ 49-1-101 through 49-7-304, has minor stylistic changes and
became effective ninety days after the February 19, 2015, approval date. In this memorandum
decision, we apply the statutes as they existed at the time of the lower court proceedings.

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of her psychological evaluation; participate in in-patient substance abuse treatment and attend
Narcotics Anonymous meetings; attend domestic violence counseling; and to participate in
supervised visitation with her children. Despite finding that petitioner “[was] not making a good
faith effort to complete the requirements of [her] improvement period” the circuit court
continued petitioner’s post-adjudicatory improvement period.

        In October of 2014, the circuit court held a dispositional hearing. The DHHR presented
evidence that petitioner was admitted into a long-term drug treatment program but that she
withdrew from the program after one day and missed a recent drug screen. Further, Doctor
Timothy Saar testified that petitioner “has a strong tendency to minimize her substance abuse
issues” and that, based upon her multiple unsuccessful attempts to remain sober, her likelihood
of improvement was “poor.” As such, the circuit court terminated petitioner’s parental rights to
her children. It is from this order that petitioner appeals.

       The Court has previously established the following standard of review:

               “Although conclusions of law reached by a circuit court are subject to de
       novo review, when an action, such as an abuse and neglect case, is tried upon the
       facts without a jury, the circuit court shall make a determination based upon the
       evidence and shall make findings of fact and conclusions of law as to whether
       such child is abused or neglected. These findings shall not be set aside by a
       reviewing court unless clearly erroneous. A finding is clearly erroneous when,
       although there is evidence to support the finding, the reviewing court on the entire
       evidence is left with the definite and firm conviction that a mistake has been
       committed. However, a reviewing court may not overturn a finding simply
       because it would have decided the case differently, and it must affirm a finding if
       the circuit court’s account of the evidence is plausible in light of the record
       viewed in its entirety.” Syl. Pt. 1, In Interest of Tiffany Marie S., 196 W.Va. 223,
       470 S.E.2d 177 (1996).

Syl. Pt. 1, In re Cecil T., 228 W.Va. 89, 717 S.E.2d 873 (2011). Upon our review, this Court
finds no error in the circuit court’s denial of petitioner’s motion for an extension of her post­
adjudicatory improvement period or in finding that there was no reasonable likelihood that she
could substantially correct the conditions of abuse and neglect.

        Petitioner’s first assignment of error is that the circuit court erred in not extending her
post-adjudicatory improvement period. Petitioner’s assertion is belied by the record. Petitioner
was granted a post-adjudicatory improvement period in June of 2014. The circuit court held a
review hearing on petitioner’s improvement period in September of 2014, during which the
circuit court found that “the terms and conditions of the improvement period shall continue.”
Therefore, we find no error.

        Petitioner also argues that the circuit court erred in finding that there was no reasonable
likelihood that she could substantially correct the conditions of abuse and neglect. Pursuant to
West Virginia Code § 49-6-5(b)(3), a respondent parent’s failure to respond or to follow through
with a reasonable family case plan or other rehabilitative efforts constitutes circumstances in

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which there is no reasonable likelihood that the conditions of abuse or neglect can be
substantially corrected. Further, West Virginia Code § 49-6-5(a)(6) expressly provides for
termination “upon a finding that there is no reasonable likelihood that the conditions of neglect
or abuse can be substantially corrected in the near future and when necessary for the welfare of
the child.” (Emphasis added). The record clearly demonstrates that petitioner failed to
substantially correct the conditions that led to the abuse and neglect, including a post­
adjudicatory improvement period and one extension. Although petitioner argues that she took
steps towards her sobriety, the record on appeal reveals that petitioner failed to: remain drug free;
follow the recommendations of her psychological evaluation; participate in long-term substance
abuse treatment and attend Narcotics Anonymous meetings; attend domestic violence
counseling; and participate in supervised visitation with her children. As such, petitioner failed to
respond or follow through with the rehabilitative services. Therefore, we find no error in the
circuit court’s finding that there was no reasonable likelihood that petitioner could substantially
correct the conditions of abuse and neglect in the near future.

     For the foregoing reasons, we find no error in the decision of the circuit court, and its
December 8, 2014, order is hereby affirmed.

                                                                                          Affirmed.

ISSUED: June 15, 2015

CONCURRED IN BY:

Chief Justice Margaret L. Workman
Justice Robin Jean Davis
Justice Brent D. Benjamin
Justice Menis E. Ketchum
Justice Allen H. Loughry II

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