Court Opinion

ID: 3156866
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-11-23 19:20:23.835025+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:58:25.883802
License: Public Domain

STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA
                                                                                          FILED
                           SUPREME COURT OF APPEALS
                                                                                     November 23, 2015
                                                                                     RORY L. PERRY II, CLERK

                                                                                   SUPREME COURT OF APPEALS

In re: L.P.-1, R.P., J.P. Jr., N.P., I.P., & L.P.-2,                                   OF WEST VIRGINIA

No. 15-0638 (Mingo County 14-JA-108, 14-JA-109, 14-JA-110, 14-JA-111, 14-JA-112, & 14­
JA-113)

                               MEMORANDUM DECISION
        Petitioner Mother S.P., by counsel Jerry M. Lyall, appeals the Circuit Court of Mingo
County’s May 29, 2015, order terminating her parental rights to fifteen-year-old L.P.-1, fourteen­
year-old R.P., twelve-year-old J.P. Jr., eleven-year-old N.P., nine-year-old I.P., and six-year-old
L.P.-2.1 The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (“DHHR”), by counsel
S.L. Evans, filed its response in support of the circuit court’s order. The guardian ad litem
(“guardian”), Susan J. Van Zant, filed a response on behalf of the children also in support of the
circuit court’s order. On appeal, petitioner argues that the circuit court erred in (1) finding that
there was no reasonable likelihood that the conditions of abuse or neglect could be substantially
corrected in the near future based on the evidence presented; (2) denying petitioner post-
termination visitation with the children; (3) “apparently adopting” the DHHR’s determination
that this case constituted “aggravated circumstances”; and (4) agreeing to the DHHR’s position
that the goal for this case was termination and not reunification between petitioner and the
children.2

        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 November of 2014, the DHHR filed an abuse and neglect petition against petitioner
alleging that she neglected her children by failing to protect them from the physical abuse of her
live-in boyfriend. The DHHR claimed that one of the children reported that petitioner’s

       1
       Because two of the children share the same initials, we have distinguished them using
numbers 1 and 2. The Circuit Court of Mingo County’s case numbers also serve the distinguish
them.
       2
         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 during the pendency of the proceedings below.
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boyfriend grabbed her by the throat, choked her, has a “bad temper,” slapped another child, made
at least one child drink “pickle juice” as punishment, and generally made the children feel
unsafe. As to petitioner, the DHHR alleged in the petition that she admitted her knowledge of
this physical abuse but claimed to be too afraid to stop him. According to the DHHR, petitioner
filed a petition for an emergency protective order (“EPO”) for the children in October of 2014
based on the physical abuse, but, at the subsequent hearing on that petition, she recanted and
claimed her contentions against her boyfriend were not true. The DHHR further asserted that her
boyfriend was back in her home with the children by November 10, 2014. The DHHR further
alleged that, when petitioner or her boyfriend determined that a child’s room was “dirty,” that
child was given only crackers to eat and water to drink.

        Soon thereafter, the circuit court held a preliminary hearing. At that hearing, the circuit
court found that petitioner had been a party to and received services in prior abuse and neglect
proceedings, which included periods of parental improvement and prior allegations of domestic
violence with men other than her then-boyfriend;3 that all of the children disclosed physical
abuse by petitioner’s boyfriend; and that prior to filing the underlying petition, the DHHR and
petitioner agreed to an in-home protection plan in order to prevent her boyfriend from being
around the children but petitioner violated that plan by permitting him to return to the home. The
court found probable cause for removal of the children and set the matter for adjudication.

        Between December of 2014 and February of 2015, the circuit court held several
adjudicatory hearings to complete in-camera review of interviews conducted with the children.
At the conclusion of these hearings, the circuit court found that “the children revealed horrible
abuse at the hands of [petitioner’s boyfriend]”; that petitioner neglected the children by failing to
protect them from such abuse; and that it was in the children’s best interests to remain in the
DHHR’s custody pending a dispositional hearing. The circuit court also denied visitation for
petitioner or her boyfriend.

        In March of 2015, the circuit court held a dispositional hearing. At the outset, petitioner
stated that she had not completed her psychological evaluation due to her need to attend a court

       3
          The DHHR pursued abuse and neglect actions against petitioner on two prior
occasions—2001 and 2008—but it is unclear whether the 2001 investigation resulted in the filing
of an abuse and neglect petition against petitioner. Throughout this memorandum decision, we
consider only the evidence presented below as reflected in the record on appeal. Based on the
record before us, it appears that in 2001 and extending into 2002, there were allegations against
petitioner of domestic violence, sexual abuse, mental health issues, and failure to provide
appropriate medical care for at least one of the children (several of the children were born after
2002). She retained custody of her children following the 2001 and 2002 allegations. Thereafter,
in 2008, there were additional allegations against petitioner (and the children’s father) of
domestic violence, which resulted in the DHHR filing an abuse and neglect petition. It appears
that, at that time, petitioner obtained a domestic violence order against the children’s father, but
later had the same dismissed. Ultimately, in the 2008 proceeding, the children’s father’s parental
rights were terminated and the children were returned to petitioner. As noted by the guardian,
petitioner spent significant time during those timeframes in services related to domestic violence
issues and other aspects of parental improvement.
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hearing that apparently conflicted with her evaluation time. When asked by the circuit court
whether she wished to proceed, she answered that she did. At that hearing, a Child Protective
Services (“CPS”) worker testified that petitioner failed to recognize any wrongdoing on her part
and that she failed to protect the children and demonstrated other at-risk behaviors that endanger
the children. The CPS worker further testified that no services could correct the problems
demonstrated by petitioner. Ultimately, the circuit court found that petitioner failed to protect the
children from the emotional and physical abuse of her boyfriend and that she participated in
other at-risk behaviors that endangered the children, such as developing and maintaining
relationships with abusive men. Importantly, the circuit court found that petitioner failed to
recognize any wrongdoing and was unlikely to protect each child from further abuse in the
future. Finding that there was no reasonable likelihood that petitioner could substantially correct
the conditions of neglect in the near future and that the children’s welfare required termination,
the circuit court terminated petitioner’s parental rights to the children. The circuit court denied
petitioner post-termination visitation with the children. This appeal followed.

       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). Further, our case law is clear that
“in the context of abuse and neglect proceedings, the circuit court is the entity charged with
weighing the credibility of witnesses and rendering findings of fact.” In re Emily, 208 W.Va.
325, 339, 540 S.E.2d 542, 556 (2000) (citing Syl. Pt. 1, in part, In re Travis W., 206 W.Va. 478,
525 S.E.2d 669 (1999)); see also Michael D.C. v. Wanda L.C., 201 W.Va. 381, 388, 497 S.E.2d
531, 538 (1997) (stating that “[a] reviewing court cannot assess witness credibility through a
record. The trier of fact is uniquely situated to make such determinations and this Court is not in
a position to, and will not, second guess such determinations.”).

        On appeal, petitioner’s first assignment of error is that the circuit court erred in finding
that there was no reasonable likelihood that the conditions of abuse or neglect could be
substantially corrected in the near future. West Virginia Code § 49-6-5(a)(6) requires circuit
courts to terminate the parental rights of a respondent parent “[u]pon 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[.]” West Virginia Code § 49-6­

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5(b)(3) provides that “no reasonable likelihood that conditions of neglect or abuse can be
substantially corrected” exists when a respondent parent fails to respond or follow through with a
reasonable family case plan or other rehabilitative efforts.

         In this case, the circuit court found that it was unlikely that petitioner would protect each
of her children from abuse in the future and that she failed to recognize any wrongdoing in her
behavior. It is clear from the record on appeal that the circuit court heard evidence to support
these findings from the CPS worker who testified at the dispositional hearing. Further, while
petitioner argues that she “has provided adequately for her children’s needs since November
2009[,]” it is clear from her failure to protect these children from her boyfriend’s continued
abuse that she has not “provided adequately” for the children’s safety. Petitioner demonstrated a
prolonged history of domestic violence. She previously completed services with the DHHR to
learn how to properly parent her children. Notably, however, after undergoing those prior
services, she had her petition for an EPO against her abusive boyfriend dismissed and welcomed
him back into her home. These actions clearly amount to a failure to respond to rehabilitative
efforts. Based on the circumstances of this case, we find no merit to petitioner’s first assignment
of error.

         Petitioner next argues that the circuit court erred in denying her post-termination
visitation. We have held that

                “[w]hen parental rights are terminated due to neglect or abuse, the circuit
       court may nevertheless in appropriate cases consider whether continued visitation
       or other contact with the abusing parent is in the best interest of the child. Among
       other things, the circuit court should consider whether a close emotional bond has
       been established between parent and child and the child’s wishes, if he or she is of
       appropriate maturity to make such request. The evidence must indicate that such
       visitation or continued contact would not be detrimental to the child’s well being
       and would be in the child’s best interest.” Syl. Pt. 5, In re Christina L., 194 W.Va.
       446, 460 S.E.2d 692 (1995).

Syl. Pt. 11, In re Daniel D., 211 W.Va. 79, 562 S.E.2d 147 (2002). We have also held that the
word “may” is permissive and connotes discretion. See Gebr. Eickhoff Maschinenfabrik Und
Eisengieberei mbH v. Starcher, 174 W.Va. 618, 626 n. 12, 328 S.E.2d 492, 500 n. 12 (1985)
(providing that “[a]n elementary principle of statutory construction is that the word ‘may’ is
inherently permissive in nature and connotes discretion.”) (citations omitted). In the case sub
judice, while petitioner argues that post-termination visitation was required due to her bond with
the children and the children’s wishes, those factors alone do not warrant the granting of post-
termination visitation in every circumstance. Based on the underlying acts of physical abuse at
issue, petitioner’s failure to protect the children against that abuse despite her knowledge of the
same, and the children’s need for permanency, we find that the circuit court did not abuse its
discretion in denying petitioner’s motion.

       Petitioner’s remaining two assignments of error are that the circuit court erred in adopting
the DHHR’s determination that this case constituted “aggravated circumstances” and in
“agreeing” with the DHHR’s position that the goal in this case was termination and not

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reunification. However, petitioner fails to indicate where in the record the circuit court found that
“aggravated circumstances” applied to this case and where in the record the circuit court agreed
that termination was a predetermined goal here. She further fails to cite to any motion or
objection on these grounds in the record on appeal. Rule 10(c)(7) of the Rules of Appellate
Procedure clearly provides that a petitioner’s brief to this Court

       must contain an argument exhibiting clearly the points of fact and law presented,
       the standard of review applicable, and citing the authorities relied on, under
       headings that correspond with the assignments of error. The argument must
       contain appropriate and specific citations to the record on appeal, including
       citations that pinpoint when and how the issues in the assignments of error were
       presented to the lower tribunal. The Court may disregard errors that are not
       adequately supported by specific references to the record on appeal.

We have also held that we “will not consider an error which is not properly preserved in the
record nor apparent on the face of the record.” Syl. Pt. 4, State v. Browning, 199 W.Va. 417, 485
S.E.2d 1 (1997); see also State v. Larry A.H., 230 W.Va. 709, 716, 742 S.E.2d 125, 132 (2013)
(stating that “[a]n appellant must carry the burden of showing error in the judgment of which he
complains. This Court will not reverse the judgment of a trial court unless error affirmatively
appears from the record. Error will not be presumed, all presumptions being in favor of the
correctness of the judgment.”). As petitioner points to no portion of the record on appeal to
support these claims, and based upon our review of the record on appeal and arguments of the
parties, we decline to find reversible error on petitioner’s remaining two assignments of error.

       For the foregoing reasons, we find no error in the circuit court’s May 29, 2015, order, and
we hereby affirm the same.

                                                                                          Affirmed.

ISSUED: November 23, 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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