Court Opinion

ID: 2830543
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-08-25 20:10:15.409872+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:46:02.292579
License: Public Domain

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NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37

IN RE: R.L.W., A MINOR                          IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
                                                      PENNSYLVANIA

APPEAL OF R.L.M., FATHER,

                         Appellant                   No. 583 MDA 2015

                    Appeal from the Decree March 6, 2015
               In the Court of Common Pleas of Luzerne County
                        Civil Division at No(s): A-8247

BEFORE: BOWES, JENKINS, AND PLATT,* JJ.

MEMORANDUM BY BOWES, J.:                           FILED AUGUST 25, 2015

       R.L.M. (“Father”) appeals from the decree entered on March 6, 2015,

wherein the trial court granted the petition of M.N.M. (“Mother”) to

involuntarily terminate his parental rights to their then-seven-year-old

daughter, R.L.W. We affirm.

       During July 2007, R.L.W. was born in Mecklenburg County, Virginia.

Mother and Father are both from Pennsylvania originally and the couple

resided in Pennsylvania prior to R.L.W.’s birth. After Mother discovered that

she was pregnant with R.L.W., she moved to her parents’ (“Maternal

Grandparents”) home in Bracey, Virginia. Father followed Mother to Virginia

and resided with her at Maternal Grandparents’ home for the first five

*
    Retired Senior Judge assigned to the Superior Court.
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months of R.L.W.’s life. Father’s relationship with Mother soon soured and

he moved from the Maternal Grandparents’ residence when his daughter was

approximately five months old.    He remained in Virginia for an additional

month before returning to Pennsylvania during early 2008.

      Prior to leaving Virginia, Father agreed that he would visit with R.L.W.

at least once per month.    However, he has not had any contact with his

daughter since he left Virginia when she was six months old.            Indeed,

Father’s total effort to preserve a relationship with R.L.W. consisted of a

single text that he sent to Mother during 2009, asking without any advanced

warning, that she drop off the then-two-and-one-half–year-old child at his

hotel room in Virginia. Father failed to send R.L.W. gifts, correspondence, or

financial support. He claimed to have mailed a gift on one occasion during

2012, but it was returned undeliverable. Father never instituted a custody

action or made any other concerted efforts to visit R.L.W.        While he now

complains that he could not locate Mother after she moved from Bracey and

changed   her   telephone   number,    Father   concedes   that   he   failed   to

communicate with Maternal Grandparents, whose contact information

remained unchanged.

      During 2011, Mother petitioned a Virginia court to have R.L.W.’s name

changed to match Mother’s maiden name. Father was served notice of the

petition, but he neglected to appear for the scheduled hearing or object to

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the petition.    The court granted the unopposed petition, and the Virginia

Department of Health updated the child’s birth certificate.

         Meanwhile, following Father’s departure, Mother remained in Bracey

for approximately three years before moving to Richmond, Virginia, briefly,

and then moved to Luzerne County, Pennsylvania with her current husband,

J.L.M.    Mother and R.L.W. have resided with J.L.M. since December 2011.

The couple married on May 5, 2012. R.L.W shares a close parent-child bond

with J.L.M., whom she identifies as her birth father.

         On August 28, 2014, Mother filed a petition to terminate Father’s

parental rights.    The petition identified J.L.M. as the prospective adoptive

parent who would assume Father’s legal role as a parent if the petition were

to be granted. During the ensuing evidentiary hearing, Father conceded that

he had not interacted with his daughter in any manner since she was six

months old.       However, he asserted that Mother, J.L.M., and Maternal

Grandparents erected a series of obstacles to block his efforts to maintain

communication with her.      The trial court made a credibility determination

against Father and in favor of Mother and her witnesses.      Essentially, the

court found that, even if Mother and her family thwarted Father’s initial

attempts to maintain a relationship with R.L.W., he did not make a

concerted effort to overcome those obstacles. The trial court reasoned, “The

efforts made by Father, if any, were in 2008-2009.       Subsequent to those

years, Father’s efforts were practically non-existent. Father did not continue

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to exert himself to take and maintain a place of importance in the child’s

life . . . Father essentially failed to perform his parental duties.” Trial Court

Opinion, 4/27/15, at 10.

      On March 5, 2015, the trial court entered a decree terminating

Father’s parental rights pursuant to § 2511(a)(1) and (b).        Father filed a

timely appeal and a concomitant Rule 1925(b) statement             asserting six

redundant issues that he reiterates on appeal as follows:

      A. Did the Honorable Jennifer L. Rogers abuse her discretion and
      commit errors of law as follows: in finding that the Appellant has
      refused or failed to perform his parental duties; in finding that
      the entry of a Decree terminating the parental rights of the
      Appellant would be in the best interests of the minor child,
      R.L.W.; and in finding that the entry of a Decree terminating the
      parental rights of the Appellant would have a positive effect on
      the welfare of the minor child, R.L.W.?

      B. Was there insufficient evidentiary support for the Honorable
      Jennifer L. Rogers to find as follows: in finding that the Appellant
      has refused or failed to perform his parental duties; in finding
      that the entry of a Decree terminating the parental rights of the
      Appellant would be in the best interests of the minor child,
      R.L.W.; and in finding that the entry of a Decree terminating the
      parental rights of the Appellant would have a positive effect on
      the welfare of the minor child, R.L.W.?

Father’s brief at 4.

      We review the trial court’s order to grant or deny a petition to

involuntarily terminate parental rights for an abuse of discretion.       In re

C.W.U., Jr., 33 A.3d 1, 4 (Pa.Super. 2011). “We are limited to determining

whether the decision of the trial court is supported by competent evidence.”

In re R.L.T.M., 860 A.2d 190, 191 (Pa.Super. 2004) (quoting In re C.S.,

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761 A.2d 1197, 1199 (Pa.Super. 2000)).        However, “[w]e must employ a

broad, comprehensive review of the record in order to determine whether

the trial court's decision is supported by competent evidence.”          In re

C.W.U., Jr., supra at 4.     As the ultimate trier of fact, the trial court is

empowered to make all determinations of credibility, resolve conflicts in the

evidence, and believe all, part, or none of the evidence presented.       In re

A.S., 11 A.3d 473, 477 (Pa.Super. 2010). “If competent evidence supports

the trial court's findings, we will affirm even if the record could also support

the opposite result.” Id.

      As the party petitioning for termination of parental rights, Mother

“must prove the statutory criteria for that termination by at least clear and

convincing evidence.” In re T.R., 465 A.2d 642, 644 (Pa. 1983). Clear and

convincing evidence is defined as “testimony that is so clear, direct, weighty,

and convincing as to enable the trier of fact to come to a clear conviction,

without hesitancy, of the truth of the precise facts in issue.”      Matter of

Sylvester, 555 A.2d 1202, 1203–04 (Pa. 1989).

      Requests to involuntarily terminate a biological parent’s parental rights

are governed by 23 Pa.C.S. § 2511, which provides in pertinent part as

follows:

      (a) General rule.--The rights of a parent in regard to a child
      may be terminated after a petition filed on any of the following
      grounds:

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        (1) The parent by conduct continuing for a period of at
        least six months immediately preceding the filing of the
        petition either has evidenced a settled purpose of
        relinquishing parental claim to a child or has refused or
        failed to perform parental duties.

              ....

     (b) Other considerations.--The court in terminating the rights
     of a parent shall give primary consideration to the
     developmental, physical and emotional needs and welfare of the
     child. The rights of a parent shall not be terminated solely on
     the basis of environmental factors such as inadequate housing,
     furnishings, income, clothing and medical care if found to be
     beyond the control of the parent. With respect to any petition
     filed pursuant to subsection (a)(1), (6) or (8), the court shall not
     consider any efforts by the parent to remedy the conditions
     described therein which are first initiated subsequent to the
     giving of notice of the filing of the petition.

23 Pa.C.S. § 2511.

     The test for terminating parental rights consists of two parts. In In re

L.M., 923 A.2d 505, 511 (Pa.Super. 2007), we explained:

     Initially, the focus is on the conduct of the parent. The party
     seeking termination must prove by clear and convincing
     evidence that the parent's conduct satisfies the statutory
     grounds for termination delineated in Section 2511(a). Only if
     the court determines that the parent's conduct warrants
     termination of his or her parental rights does the court engage in
     the second part of the analysis pursuant to Section 2511(b):
     determination of the needs and welfare of the child under the
     standard of best interests of the child. One major aspect of the
     needs and welfare analysis concerns the nature and status of the
     emotional bond between parent and child, with close attention
     paid to the effect on the child of permanently severing any such
     bond.

     Herein, the certified record supports the trial court’s determination

that Mother established the statutory grounds to terminate Father’s parental

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rights pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S. § 2511(a)(1) and (b).          As it relates to

§2511(a)(1), the pertinent inquiry for our review follows:

      To satisfy Section 2511(a)(1), the moving party must produce
      clear and convincing evidence of conduct sustained for at least
      the six months prior to the filing of the termination petition,
      which reveals a settled intent to relinquish parental claim to a
      child or a refusal or failure to perform parental duties. . . .
      Section 2511 does not require that the parent demonstrate both
      a settled purpose of relinquishing parental claim to a child and
      refusal or failure to perform parental duties.      Accordingly,
      parental rights may be terminated pursuant to Section
      2511(a)(1) if the parent either demonstrates a settled purpose
      of relinquishing parental claim to a child or fails to perform
      parental duties.

In re D.J.S., 737 A.2d 283, 285 (Pa.Super. 1999) (quoting Matter of

Adoption of Charles E.D.M., II, 708 A.2d 88, 91 (Pa. 1998)) (internal

citations omitted). Although the six months immediately preceding the filing

of the petition are the most critical to the analysis, the trial court must

consider the whole history of a given case and not mechanically apply the

six-month statutory provision.    In re B.,N.M., 856 A.2d 847 (Pa.Super.

2004). Additionally, to the extent that the trial court based its decision to

terminate parental rights pursuant to subsection (a)(1), “the court shall not

consider any efforts by the parent to remedy the conditions described

therein which are first initiated subsequent to the giving of notice of the

filing of the petition.” In In re C.M.S., 832 A.2d 457, 462 (Pa.Super. 2003),

we explained, “A parent is required to exert a sincere and genuine effort to

maintain a parent-child relationship; the parent must use all available

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resources   to   preserve   the   parental    relationship   and   must   exercise

‘reasonable firmness’ in resisting obstacles placed in the path of maintaining

the parent-child relationship.”

      Once the evidence establishes a failure to perform parental duties or a

settled purpose of relinquishing parental rights, the court must then engage

in three additional lines of inquiry: (1) the parent's explanation for his or her

conduct; (2) the post-abandonment contact between parent and child; and

(3) consideration of the effect of termination of parental rights on the child

pursuant to Section 2511(b). In re Z.S.W., 946 A.2d 726, 730 (Pa.Super.

2008).

      Instantly, Father’s arguments focus on the alleged impediments that

Mother used to thwart his efforts to maintain a relationship with R.L.W.

Father asserts that, as early as 2009, Mother adopted the position that she

would not permit him to be involved in their child’s life. He also notes that

Mother moved from Virginia to Pennsylvania without informing him of her

new address or telephone number.             Finally, Father challenges Mother’s

decision to forgo informing R.L.W. of his existence or revealing to R.L.W.

that he was her birth parent.

      After a thorough review of the parties’ briefs, pertinent law, and the

certified record, we conclude that the Honorable Jennifer L. Rogers cogently

and accurately addressed Father’s arguments in her well-reasoned opinion

entered on April 27, 2015. Therefore, we affirm on the basis of that opinion.

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     Decree affirmed.

Judgment Entered.

Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary

Date: 8/25/2015

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INRE:                                              IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
                                                        OF LUZERNE COUNTY.
R.L.W.
                                                      ORPHAN'S COURT DMSION
                                                       Adoption Nos: 8247

                                                          583 MDA2015

              MEMORANDUM ISSUED PURSUANT TO PA. R.A.;e. 1925 {a)

I.      PROCEDURAL HISTORY

        Petitioner Megan N. Matthews (Mother) is the natural mother of the child,

R.L.W., and Petitioner, John L. Matthews, is Mother's husband and step-father of the

child. On August 28, 2014, Mother and Mr. Matthews filed aPetition for Inv.oluntary

Termination of Parental Rights (Petition) addressing Ryan Lee McCrum, (Father) the

child's natural father. A bearing was held on February 4, 2015, and on March 5, 2015,

the Court entered a decree terminating the parental rights of Father. Particularly,

Father's parental rights were terminated pursuant     to 23 Pa.C.S.A. § 2511(a)(1).   In

entering the decree, the Court gave primary considerationto the developmental,

physical, and emotional needs and welfare of the child pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S.A. §

2511(b).

        Father filed a Notice of Appeal to the.Superior Court on March 30, 2015. Father's

Statement of Matters Complained of on Appeal, states that the Trial Court abused its

discretion and committed errors of law as follows:

        (1)     In finding that the Respondent bas refused or failed to perform his

        parental duties;

        (2)     In finding that the entry of a Decree terminating the parental rights of the

        Respondent would be in the best interests of the minor child, R.L.W.
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<
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                (3)   In finding that the entry of a Decreeterminating the parental rights of the

               Respondent would have a positive effect on the minor child, R.L.W.

               In addition, Father avers that there was insufficient evidence to support the

        findings in (1}·(3} in the above paragraphs.

        II,    FINDINGS OF FACT

               The minor child, R.L.W. was born on July 17, 2007. R.L.W.is currently seven (7)

        years old. The appeal involves the proposed termination of Father's parental rights.

               It is unrebutted that the Father has not seen R.L.W.since the child was six (6)

        months old. The child has been residing with Mother and the maternal grandparents

        since birth until 2011 and with Mother and the step-father, John L. Matthews from

        Decernber of zo n untilthepresent. N.T. 2/4/2015at 6,.95, 169.

               In meeting their requisite burden of proof by clear and convincing evidence

        regarding the termination of Father's parental rights, Mother and Mr. Mathews testified

        on their own behalf, in addition to the maternal grandmother, Linda Lewis testifying on

        their behalf. Father testified on his own behalf.

        III.   CONCLUSIONS OF LAW

               After consideration of the credible evidence as summarized above and more

        detailed below, the Court concludes:

                      (1) Petitioners have shown by clear and convincing evidence that the

                         parental rights of the Father to the minor child, R.L.W: should be

                         terminated pursuant to 23 Pa. C.S.A. Section 25n(a)(1).

                      (2) Petitioners have shown by clear and convincing evidence that the

                         termination of the parental rights of Father, to his minor child, R.L.W.,

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                   best serves the needs and welfare of the child pursuant to 23 Pa. C.S.A.

                   Section 2511(b).

 IV.      DISCUSSION; GROUNDS FORTERMINATION

        The General rule under Pa.RAP. 1925(a)(1) entitled "Opinion in Support of

 Order" states:

        "Except as otherwise prescribed by this rule, upon receipt of the notice of appeal,
 the judge who entered the order giving rise to the notice of appeal, if the reasons for
 the order do not already appear of record, shall forthwith file of record at least a
 brief opinion of the reasons for the order, or for the rulings or other errors
 complained of, or shall specify in writing the place in the record where such
 reasons may be found." (emphasis added)

        The statute permitting involuntary termination of parental rights in

Pennsylvania, 23 Pa. C.S.A. Section 2511, sets forth the certain irreducible minimum

requirements of care that parents must provide to their children. Termination of

parental rights is an issue of constitutional dimensions because of the fundamental right

of an individual to raise his or her own child. Therefore, in proceedings terminating

parental rights, the Petitioner must prove by clear and convincing evidence that the

statutory criteria have been met. Santosky v. Kramer, 455 U.S. 745 (1982), In Re:

T.R., 502 Pa. 165, 465 A.2d 642 (1983). However, as the Pennsylvania Supreme Court

has stated "a parent's basic constitutional right to custody and rearing of his or her child

is converted upon the failure to fulfill his or her parental duties to the child's right to

have proper parenting in fulfillment of his or her potential in a permanent, healthy, safe

environment." In Re: J .A.S., Jr., 2003 Pa. Super. 112, (citing In the interest           of
Lillie, 719 A.2d 327 (Pa. Super 1998))
       A court may terminate parental rights under Section 2511(a)(1) when:

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       The parent by conduct continuing for a period of at least six mouths immediately
preceding the filing of the Petition has either evidenced a settled purpose of
relinquishing parental clairri to a child OR has refused or failed to perform parental
duties. (emphasis added)

       Parental duties are multifaceted. The Pennsylvania Superior Court has addressed

the issue in In re Shives, 363 Pa. Super. 225, 525 A.2d. 801, 802 (1987) (citing In re

Burns, 474 Pa. 615, 379 A.2d.535 (1977)):
       There is no simple or easy definition of parental duties. Parental duty is best
       understood in relation to the needs of a child ... These needs, physical and
       emotional, cannot be met by a merely passive interest in the development of the
       child ... the pa.rental obligation is a positive duty which requires affirmative
       performance.              '

       This affirmative duty encompasses more than a financial obligation; it requires
       continuing interest in the child and a genuine effort to maintain communication
       and association with the child.              ·

      · Because a child needs more than a benefactor, parental duty requires that a
        parent 'exert himself to take and maintain a place of importance in the child's
        life/

      Id.

      A parent must demonstrate a continuing interest in the child and make a genuine

effort to maintain communication and association with the child .. In re Adoption of

McCray, 460 Pa. 210, 331 A.2d 652 (1975). Appellate courts have set forth a very strict

standard for measuring a parent's performance of parental duties. A parent must exert

himself to take and maintain a place of importance in a child's life and a continuing duty

to love, protect and support his child and to maintain communication and association

with the child even after separation. He must pursue a course of conduct consistently

aimed at maintaining the pa.rental relationship. In.re-Adoption     of M.J.H·., 501 A.2d
648 (Pa. Super. 1985); In re V.E. 611-A. ad 1267 (Pa. Super. 1992); and Adoption          Qf
S.H., 383 A.2d. 529 (Pa. 1978).

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        Mother testified that Father has not seen the child since the child was six ( 6)

 months old. Mother also testified that R.W. is seven (7) years old and her date of birth

 is July 17, 2007. N.T. 2/4/15. Mother stated that in 2007, sheand Father resided with

 R.L.W. and the maternal grandparents in Bracey, Virginia for a period of five (5) months

 after the child's birth. Id. at   5-6.   Mother further testified that when Father resided with

· the maternal grandparents, he did not help in taking care of the baby. Id. at 6. Mother

 stated that her parents offered Father a job and provided food and shelter for Father;

 however, Father did not appreciate herparents' generosity. Id. at 36. ·

        Mother then testified that five (5) months after the child's birth, Father moved

 out of her parents' residence and remained in Virginia for one additional month Id. at 8. She testified

in January 2008, Father saw the child a total of 4-5 times. Id. at 31. Also, Mother

testified that she believed that Father had an alcohol problem and did not trust him to

· drive with the child; therefore, she always transported the child for visitation with

Father. Mother also testified that Father was arrested twice for driving under the

influence of alcohol, the first time, prior to the child's birth, and the second time in or

around 2011. Id. at 56.

       Father disputed Mother's testimony by stating that Mother did not bring the

child to him for visits in January of 2008. Instead, Father testified that he saw the child

three (3) times after he moved out. He stated the first time he took the child to the mall

to take pictures with San ta Claus. The second time; he had the child for one hour on

Christmas day and the third time, he met Mother and the child at Denny's restaurant,

He subsequently moved to Pennsylvania. Id. at 138-139

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       Father further testified that a reason his relationship with Mother failed was

Mother and the maternal grandmother did not want Father's family to visit the child in

Virginia. He testified that his father and stepmother came to visit for a weekend and

subsequent to said visit, when they were still an intact family, Mother and grandmother

complained every time his family members wanted to return. Id. at 130-133 Mother

testified that her problem with Father's family was that when they visited in Virginia,

they drank alcohol excessively and were inebriated all weekend. Id. at 204

       After the child was six (6) months old, Mother testified that Father moved to

Pennsylvania and had an agreement with Mother that he would see the child every

weekend, in addition to sending financial support to the child. Father also admitted that

he had not seen the child since she was six (6) months old; however, Father averred that

he told Mother he would visit once per month not every weekend. Id. at 145-46~

Assuming arquendo, that Father did tell Mother that he would only see the child once

per month, Father did not visit the child one weekend per month, nor did Father send

any financial support for the child. Mother testified that Father left Mother without

giving Mother his cell phone number or providing Mother with his new address. Id. at

8. Mother testified that in or around March of 20081 she received a text message from

Father asking for the child's social security number for health insurance purposes.

However, Mother did not provide Father with the child's social security number. Id. at

9. In 2009i when the child was 2112 years old (after Father has not seen the child in two

(2) years) Mother stated she received a text message from Father, without any advance

warning, requesting that she bring the child and drop off the child at his hotel room in

Virginia. Mother refused to drop off the child and leave the child with Father in light of

the fact that the child would not have recognized Father as a parent. Id. at 10.

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        In December of 2011, Mother filed a name change petition requesting to have the

child's last name changed to her Maiden name. Although Father was served with the

Petition, Father did not appear for the hearing.   Id. at 12. ~er   Father moved from

Virginiato Pennsylvania in January of 2008, Father did not send any gifts, cards or

money to the child. Father did not further attempt to contact the child on holidays and

on the child's birthdays. As stated above, Father has not seen the child from 2008 until

the present. Id. at 17. Father testified that once in 2012, he sent Christmas gifts to the

child in SuffolkVirginia, believingthat Mother resided at that address, but the gifts were

returned to him. Id. at 173.

        Mother testified that Father left Virginia in January of 2008, and that she had the

same cell phone number until December 0{2011. Thereafter, she and her husband

decided to obtain a new phone number with a family plan. Mother testified that

between 2008 and    2011   (other than the one request made by Father to see the child in

2009)   Father did not request to see the child. Id. at 49-50. Mother testified that in

December of 2011, she did not advise Father of her new cell phone number; however,

she testified that Father knew her parents' address in Virginia and their phone number

which has not been changed. Id. at 51-52

        Ms. Lewis,the maternal grandmother, corroborated Mother's testimony. Ms.

Lewistestified that Father lived with Mother and the child for five (5) months after the

child's birth. Id. at 69 Ms. Lewistestified that while Mother was pregnant, Mother

moved from Pennsylvania to Virginia. Afterwards, Father quit his job in Pennsylvania

and followed Mother to Virginia to stay at the maternal grandparents' home. According

to the maternal grandmother, the maternal grandparents allowed Mother.and Father to

reside with them and helped Father obtain employment. Ms. Lewis testified that while .

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  Father was residing in her residence, he would wake up at 6:30 a.m. for work and return

 home by 5:30 p.m. However, Father was not involved with the child and did not help

 Mother in taking care of the child. Ms. Lewis described Father as an "absent" father.

 Ms. Lewis testified that Motl~er was the one that took care of the babyat night and

 during the day. Id. at 70.

        ·Ms. Lewis further corroborated Mother's testimony by stating that after Father

 moved out of their residence, Mother remained residing with them for 3-4 years until

 Mother moved to Richmond, Virginia to commence school. Id. at 73 Ms. Lewis testified

 that two and one half years after Father moved to Pennsylvania, Father texted Mother to

 have the child dropped off at his hotel room. Ms. Lewis testified that she saw the text

 message sent by Father. Id. at 74, 92. Ms. Lewis further testified that over the years,

 she-and the maternal grandfather were never contacted by Father requesting Mother's

 address or contact information. The maternal grandparents have always resided at the

. same address. Id. at 76. Father further admitted that over the years; he did not contact

 the maternal grandparents' residence in attempt to locate Mother and the child. Id. at

 172.

        Based on the testimony given, the Court finds that Father has refused or failed to

perform his parental duties six (6) months prior to the filing of the Petition for

Termination of Parental Rights. Once the evidence establishes a failure to perform

parental duties or a settled purpose of relinquishing parental rights, the court must

engage in three lines of inquiry: (1) the parent's explanation for his or her conduct; (2)

the post-abandonment contact between parent and child; and (3) consideration of the

effect of termination of parental rights on the child pursuant to Title 23 Pa.C.S.A § 2511

(b). In re: z.s. W., 946 A.2d 726, 730 (Pa. Super. 2008)

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           With grounds for termination under Title 23 Seetionagn (a)(1), the first line

ofinquh:y as aforementioned, is the parent's explanation for his or her conduct

Father testified that in 2008 after he moved to Pennsylvania, he attempted on three (3)

occasions in February, March and April of 2008 to contact Mother in effort to see the

child; however, in February 2008, Mother refused to let him see the child. On the other

two occasions, he claimed that he went to the maternal grandparents' residence in

Virginia and both times, the maternal grandmother told him to leave the residence. Id.

at 153.)

           Father then averred that in 2009, when the child was 2112 years old, he texted

Mother and asked if he could see the child and Mother agreed by text. Father alleged

that he drove to Virginia and went to a hotel and texted Mother to bring the child to the
                                                 .         .
hotel. However, Mother would not reply to his text messages. Id. at 154-155. As stated

above, Mother disputed Father's testimony and claimed that Father did not contact her

in advance to see the-child, but called her and wanted her to bring the child to a hotel in

Virginia, when Father had not seen the child since she 1NBS six (6) months old.

       Father claimed that he texted Mother mostly once per month and Mother would

reply that he would never see the child. Id. at 153. Mother denied that she was

contacted by Father to see the child other than one time in 2009. Id. at 202-203.

       Father also testified that in 2012, he mailed Christmas presents to the child in

Suffolk Virginia, believing the address to be Mother's residence, but the presents were

returned. Father further admitted that he did not mail any letters or cards to the child

at any other time. Father admitted that from 2009 until the present, he did not contact

the maternal grandparents to inquire about the Mother and R.L.W. Id. at 172-173

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        Father also testified that he did not institute a custody action because he did not

have the financial means to do so. However, Father admitted that in 2011 when he was

arrested for Driving Under the Influence, he hired an att?rney and paid him     $1,000.00

to represent him in that matter. Father claimed that he was forced to hire an attorney

because the judge instructed him to do so. Id. at 184-186. On the other hand, with

respect to his own child, Father merely had a passive interest in seeing the child over a

period of seven (7) years. Although Father may have originally made a genuine effort to

maintain communication and interaction with RL. W., Father gave up quickly. The

efforts made by Father, if any, were in   2008-2009.   Subsequent to those years, Father' s

efforts were practically non-existent. Father did not continue to exert himself to take

and maintain a place of importance in the child's life. It was Father's parental duty to do

so. It is not Mother's duty to insure that Father maintains interest in his child. Father

essentially failed to perform his parental duties.

      The Court further agrees with the Guardian Ad Litem's rationale as follows:

              I do believe that there was some efforts made by Dad after the
         initial break-up in trying to see R.L.W. (initial used) and, perhaps,
         even though those efforts might have been thwarted by Mom and her
         family; but, I still think that too much time has passed and not
         enough has been done by Dad; and, I do believe that if this Petition
         for Terminationwasn't filed, be'd still just be out there and R.L.W.
         (initial used) would have no knowledge of who her father was,
         because there would be no efforts made to reunite himself with her.

      When Father was asked why he did not attempt to contact his child between 2011

and August-of   2014,   Father's response was that he was working and saving money. He

further stated that after-aoiz, he was textingandcalling Mother on her cellphone

number. However, Mother .testified that at the end of 2011, Mother changed her cell

phone number and her number was no longer operative. Therefore, Father could not

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 have been trotting and calling Mother after 2012, This Court does not find Father

 credible in his testimony and believes that Father slept on his rights as a Father.

        Furthermore, when given a chance to appear at the hearing and oppose the

 child's name change in 2011, Father did not appear, claiming that he did not have a

 driver's license to drive to the bearing. However, when questioned as to the reason he

 did not use public transportation, Father did not have an adequate response. Father

also did not write to the Court to oppose the name change. He stated he believed that it

was simply a petition that would not result in the child's name change. Id. at 195.

       The   s«ond line ofinquicy      is the post-abandonment    contact between parent

and child. It was established on the record by both Mother and Father that Father bas

not had any contact with the minor child since the child was six (6) months old. Thus,

there was a gross excess of six months post last contact between Father and the minor

child. N.T. 2/4/2015 at 169.

       The   third line ofinQuiry, as stated in In re: Z.S. W.    requires the Court to

review the evidence in support of termination under Title 23 Pa.C.S.A Section 2511 (b).

The Court must determine whether the terminationof'parental rights would best serve

the developmental, physical and emotional needs and welfare of the child. In re

C.M.S., 884 A.2d 1284, 1286-87 (Pa. Super. 2005). "Intangibles such as love, comfort,

security and stability are involved in the inquiry into the needs and welfare of the child/

Id. at 1287. The court must also discern 'the nature and status of the parent-child bond,

with utmost attention to the effect of permanently severing that bond. Id.

       The Court finds that the child's physical needs are met by Mr. Mathews. Mother

testified that she does not work outside the home and Mr. Matthews is the sole provider

for the household. Mother and Mr. Matthews were married on May 5, 2012 and they

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 have been residing together with the child since December of 2011. N.T. 2/ 4/ 2015 AT

 207. Ms. Lewis, the maternal grandmother, described Mr. Mathews as an "excellent"

 caregiver. She testified that be provides a good home, food and clothing for the family.

Id. at 77.

       The Court finds that Father also meets the child's developmental needs. Mother

testified that when Mr. Matthews is home, he helps R.L.W. with her homework,

especially with Math. Id. at 209. The child also helps Mr. Matthews and Mother with

planting in the garden. Mr. Matthews testified that he takes R.L.W. with him to the

office where she plays and colors with her crayons. Id. at 221-222.

       The Court also finds that Mr. Matthews meets the chfld's emotional needs.

Mother testified that Mr. Matthews plays with the child many times and takes her to the

"Bounce House". He also has taken the child to "Chuck E. Cheese" and played video

games with the child. Id. at 208. Mr. Matthews also that testified in the summer time,

he plays Frisbee and soccer with the child. He also takes the child to bit some golf balls,

In the winter, he and the child sleigh ride and build snowmen. Id. at 220 Mr. Matthews

also testified that be-takes the child horseback riding. Id. at 222.

       Mother testified that Mr. Matthews and the child have a close bond and that they

love each other. Mother testified that R.L. W. calls Mr. Mathews "Daddy" Mother

testified that she and Mr. Matthews have another child together and Mr. Matthews

treats RL.W. and their son equally. Id. at 217 The maternal grandmother testified that

she accompanies Mother, Mr. Matthews and the children on vacation. She testified that

Mr. Matthews interacts with R.L.W. while on vacation and does many things with her.

Ms. Lewis testified that Mr. Matthews has assumed the role of a father for R.L.W. Id, at

78._

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       Mr. Matthews testified that if he is permitted, he would be willing to adopt

R.L.W. He also recognizes that he would be legally obligated to R.L.W. if the adoption is

granted. Id. at 223 . Mother also understands that R.L.W. would
                                                            , have the right to

inherit from Mr. Matthews and should Mr. Matthews adopt R.L.W., the child would be

considered the same as his natural born child. Id. at 217

       Father's counsel spent a significant amount of time cross
                                                             .
                                                                 examining Mother and.

Mr. Matthews on their decision at the time of the hearing not to tell R.L.W. that Mr.

McCrum is her natural Father. The Court places no weight on Mother's and Mr.

Matthew's decision on whether to advise R.L.W. of her biological father. The Court

views this issue as a parental decision that has no bearing on the merits of the case.

Mother and Mr. Matthews are not obligated by law to inform R.L.W. of her biological

Father. ~hould they decide to do so, that is their decision and the Court 'Nill not·

interfere with their choice.

       The Court further recognizes that in light of the fact that Father has not seen the

now seven (7) year old child since she was six (6) months old, there is no bond existing

between R.L.W. and Father.

V.     ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS. -UNDER 23 P.A.C.S.A. SECTION
       2511(b)

       A.     ENVIRONMENTALFACTORS

     Title 23 Pa. C.S.A. Section 2511(b) specifies that a court may not terminate the

parental rights "solely on the basis of environmental factors such as inadequate housing,

furnishings, income, clothing, and medical care if found to be beyond the control of the

parent."

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      As "environmental factors beyond the control of "Father" was not the linchpin in

granting the termination of Father's parentalrights and because of the presence of

other, independent factors utilized, this consideration does not apply and will not be

addressed.

      B.       NEEDS AND WELFARE OF THE CHILD

      Once the Court has found that involuntarytermination of parental rights is

warranted under the Act, the court must then "give primary consideration to the

developmental,physical and emotional needs and welfare of the child." This is to be a

separate inquiry and even where the court has already considered the needs and the

welfare of the child under one of the grounds of termination, the court must do so again.

In re Matsock, 611 A.2d 738 (1992).

       The Court has done this and finds the same considerations apply that have

already been discussed extensively in this memorandum. Furthermore, the Court

applies the same reasoning for concluding that these needs will be served by the

termination of Father's parental rights.

VI.    CONCLUSION

       Finally,the Court t}otes that the GuardianAdLitem for the child reconunended

that it is in the child's best interest to terminate the parental rights ofFather to the

minor child.

       ·The Court finds that Father is not able to meet the child's best interests or needs

as
 .
   he has failed to perform parental duties. as it relates to the minor child for a period far

exceeding the statutory requirement. In stark contrast, Mr. Matthews has amply

demonstrated that he continues to meet the child's physical, developmental and

emotional needs and that the minor child has thrived under his care. The minor child

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 needs and deserves a permanent and stable father figure and terminating the parental

 lights of biological father serves the best interest of R.L.W.

                                     Respectfully submitted,

       ~                             JENNI
                                                                          J.
 DATE:~                     :)1-/ 8
 COPIES TO:

Gregory Skibitsky, Esq.
457 North Main Street
Suite 101
Pittston, PA 18640

Kristopher J. Januzzi.Esquire
46 Public Square
Suite 101
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701

  Lori Bowen, Esquire
· 216 N. River Street
  Suite560
  Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702