Court Opinion

ID: 4278606
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2018-05-25 16:44:40.559587+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:34:26.011905
License: Public Domain

J-S13045-18

NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37

    IN RE: J.D., A MINOR                       :   IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
                                               :         PENNSYLVANIA
                                               :
                                               :
                                               :
    APPEAL OF: K.D., BIOLOGICAL                :
    FATHER                                     :      No. 1817 WDA 2017

               Appeal from the Order Entered November 20, 2017
               in the Court of Common Pleas of Somerset County,
                 Orphans' Court at No(s): 56-DP-0000051-2017

BEFORE: GANTMAN, P.J., SHOGAN, J., and MUSMANNO, J.

MEMORANDUM BY MUSMANNO, J.:                                FILED MAY 25, 2018

       K.D. (“Father”) appeals from the Order (hereinafter, the “Dependency

Order”) adjudicating his minor son, J.D. (“Child” – born in December 2016), a

dependent child under the Juvenile Act, see 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 6301 et seq.

(hereinafter, “the Act”), and the Order finding that aggravated circumstances

exist against Father (hereinafter, the “Aggravated Circumstances Order”).1

We affirm.

       The Orphans’ Court set forth the factual background and procedural

history of this appeal as follows:

       [Somerset County Children and Youth Services (“CYS” or the
       “Agency”)] became involved with [Child] as the result of a referral
       received [in] December [], 2016, which … is the [month in which
       Child] was born, alleging that he was “showing signs of withdrawal
       of illegal drugs.” During the spring and early summer [of 2017],
       while Father [was] incarcerated and [] [C]hild was being raised by
       [his biological Mother, A.P. (hereinafter, “Mother”)], CYS received
____________________________________________

1 On November 20, 2017, the Orphans’ Court entered an Amended Order,
amending the Dependency Order and the Aggravated Circumstances Order,
from which Father timely filed a single Notice of Appeal.
J-S13045-18

       several referrals alleging that Mother was using illegal drugs,
       which was verified by a drug screen administered [on] May 13,
       201[7,] showing positive results for benzodiazepines and
       marijuana. Throughout this period, Father remained incarcerated
       until August 9, 201[7]. Following his release from jail, CYS
       attempted to conduct home visits with Father numerous times,
       but was [only] successful in visiting with Father once in September
       [2017,] and once in October [2017,] despite numerous attempts
       to contact him. According to the record, numerous attempts to
       contact Father, including phone calls and visits to his home[,]
       were unsuccessful. When Father did call [the CYS caseworker]
       back, the caseworker was unable to reach [Father] in response.

              In addition, the [c]aseworker reported that she had one
       return phone call from [Father,] seeking to have [Child] placed
       with him[,] between the time that the [voluntary] safety [p]lan
       was put in place in July [2017,2] until the date of the hearing[] [in
       November 2017]. The caseworker also reported that[,] although
       she [had] attempted to contact Father by telephone, [] when she
       would leave a message for him to call [her back], if he did return
       the call and left a message, her attempts to regain contact with
       him were unsuccessful. The [c]aseworker also testified that her
       attempts to contact Father and get a drug screen from him were
       unsuccessful[,] until October 2, 201[7]. On that date, she was
       finally able to review the [Family] Service Plan [(“FSP”)] with
       Father. In addition, despite the fact that both Mother and Father
       have a prior history of illegal drug use, neither party has
       undergone any treatment to the knowledge of CYS.

                                          ***

             [T]he [FSP] required that Father receive a drug and alcohol
       evaluation after he was released from incarceration and that,
       except for one occasion when he was tested with negative results,
       the Agency was unable to contact Father[,] and Father made no
       attempt to contact the Agency on his own to complete any
       additional drug and alcohol evaluations[,] as required by the
       [FSP]. Further, … the reason [that CYS had asked] Father … to
       undergo drug and alcohol treatment was based upon his prior
       usage of illegal drugs. … [T]here is nothing in th[e] record …

____________________________________________

2Under the safety plan, neither parent was to have unsupervised contact with
Child, and Child was temporarily placed with a relative.
                                           -2-
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      [showing] that Father made any significant effort to comply with
      the [FSP], particularly on the issue of the drug testing.

Orphans’ Court Opinion, 12/22/17, at 2-3 (footnote added, citations to record

omitted).   Additionally, the parental rights of both Father and Mother had

previously been involuntarily terminated relative to three other children,

within three years of Child’s birth, in March 2015. Id. at 1-2; see also N.T.,

11/2/17, at 24.

      On August 30, 2017, CYS filed a dependency Petition alleging that Child

met the definition of a “dependent child” under two subsections of the Act,

see 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 6302(1) and (10).      One day later, the Orphans’ Court

appointed Tiffany Stanley, Esquire (hereinafter, the “GAL”), as guardian ad

litem for Child.   Additionally, CYS filed a Petition seeking a finding of

aggravated circumstances against Mother and Father (hereinafter, the

“aggravated circumstances Petition”), under section 6302(5) of the Act, based

on the March 2015 involuntary terminations concerning their three other

children.

      On November 2, 2017, the Orphans’ Court held a hearing (hereinafter

“the dependency hearing”) on the dependency Petition and the aggravated

circumstances Petition (collectively “the Petitions”).   At the dependency

hearing, Mother appeared with her counsel, as did Father. The GAL appeared

on behalf of Child. The Agency presented the testimony of its caseworkers,

Amanda      Robinette    (“Caseworker   Robinette”)   and   Jennifer   Custer

(“Caseworker Custer”).

                                    -3-
J-S13045-18

       On November 15, 2017, the Orphans’ Court entered Amended Orders

granting the Petitions,3 adjudicating Child dependent under subsections

6302(1) and (10), and finding aggravated circumstances exist against Father

and Mother under section 6302(5).4

       On November 30, 2017, Father timely filed a Notice of appeal from the

Dependency Order and the Aggravated Circumstances Order, simultaneously

with a Concise Statement of errors complained of on appeal pursuant to

Pa.R.A.P. 1925(a)(2)(1) and (b).5

       Father now presents the following issues for our review:

       1. Did the [Orphans’] Court err by adjudicating [] [C]hild
       [dependent] under 42 Pa.C.S.A. [§] 6302 “Dependent Child”
       definition (1), as the Agency failed to present clear and convincing
       evidence with respect to lack of proper parental care and control,
       on the part of [] Father?

       2. Did the [Orphans’] Court err by adjudicating [] [C]hild
       [dependent] under 42 Pa.C.S.A. [§] 6302 “Dependent Child”
       definition (10), as the Agency failed to present clear and
       convincing evidence that conduct on the part of [] Father posed a
       risk to the health, safety, and welfare of [] [C]hild?
____________________________________________

3 On November 20, 2017, the Orphans’ Court amended the Orders granting
the Petitions, in order to reflect its finding that the Agency had made
reasonable efforts to prevent or eliminate the need for the removal of Child
from the parent(s) home(s). This Order also states that, in all other respects,
the prior Orders remain in full force and effect.

4The Orphans’ Court additionally ordered the removal of Child from the home
of Mother and/or Father, and that Child be placed in foster care. Further, the
Orphans’ Court ordered Child’s permanency placement goal as return to
parent or guardian, with a concurrent goal of adoption.

5 Mother did not file an appeal from the Dependency Order and/or the
Aggravated Circumstances Order.

                                           -4-
J-S13045-18

       3. Did the [Orphans’] Court err by failing to set forth findings of
       fact on the record in this case …?

       4. Did the [Orphans’ Court] err by granting the Agency’s Motion
       for Aggravated Circumstances, based upon the fact that there
       should not have been an adjudication of dependency, and
       therefore[,] a finding of aggravated circumstances should not
       have been possible?

Father’s Brief at 3-4.6 As Father’s claims are related, we will address them

together. See id. at 12 (asserting that “[a]ll four issues … essentially amount

to one issue ….”).

       In his first and second issues, Father asserts that the Orphans’ Court

incorrectly determined that Child was a “dependent child” under subsections

6302(1) and (10), arguing that the Agency failed to support its dependency

Petition with sufficient evidence to meet either subsection. See id. at 12-20.

Father argues that “the Agency failed to present any evidence whatsoever to

indicate that … the conduct of [Father] posed a risk to the health, safety, and

welfare of [] [C]hild.” Id. at 13. Father further maintains that “there was

____________________________________________

6 Father raises an additional issue in the Argument section of his brief, namely,
that the Orphans’ Court erroneously admitted hearsay statements concerning
anonymous referrals made to caseworkers who were not present at the
dependency hearing. See Father’s Brief at 16-17. However, he waived this
claim for his failure to raise it in his Rule 1925 Concise Statement and in the
Statement of Questions Involved section of his brief. See Krebs v. United
Ref. Co., 893 A.2d 776, 797 (Pa. Super. 2006) (holding that an appellant
waives issues that are not raised in both his or her concise statement of errors
complained of on appeal and the statement of questions involved section of
his or her brief on appeal); see also Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b)(4)(vii) (stating that
“[i]ssues not included in the Statement and/or not raised in accordance with
the provisions of this paragraph (b)(4) are waived.”).
                                           -5-
J-S13045-18

simply no evidence to suggest that [he] could not have parented if the Agency

… [had] allowed him to do so.” Id. at 14.

      In his third issue, Father contends that the Orphans’ Court erred by

failing to set forth findings of fact on the record to support its Dependency

Order. See id. at 20-22; see also id. at 20-21 (asserting that “[a]s the trial

court did not make specific findings of fact, it is not clear what the trial court

[had] specifically determined [that] [] Father had ‘done wrong.’”).

      In his fourth issue, Father argues that, since the Orphans’ Court erred

in adjudicating Child dependent, it therefore also erred in finding aggravating

circumstances exist in this matter. See id. at 22-23.

      Our standard of review in a dependency case is as follows:

      The standard of review in dependency cases requires an appellate
      court to accept findings of fact and credibility determinations of
      the [Orphans’] court if they are supported by the record, but does
      not require the appellate court to accept the [Orphans’] court’s
      inferences or conclusions of law.       We review for abuse of
      discretion[.]

In Interest of: L.Z., A Minor Child, 111 A.3d 1164, 1174 (Pa. 2015)

(citation and quotation marks omitted).

      The definitions provision of the Act, section 6302, defines a “dependent

child,” in relevant part, as a child who

      (1) is without proper parental care or control, subsistence,
      education as required by law, or other care or control necessary
      for his physical, mental, or emotional health, or morals. A
      determination that there is a lack of proper parental care or
      control may be based upon evidence of conduct by the parent,
      guardian or other custodian that places the health, safety or
      welfare of the child at risk[.]

                                      -6-
J-S13045-18

                                     ***

      (10) is born to a parent whose parental rights with regard to
      another child have been involuntarily terminated under 23 Pa.C.S.
      § 2511 (relating to grounds for involuntary termination) within
      three years immediately preceding the date of birth of the child[,]
      and conduct of the parent poses a risk to the health, safety or
      welfare of the child.

42 Pa.C.S.A. § 6302(1), (10).

      This Court has clarified the definition of “dependent child” further:

      The question of whether a child is lacking proper parental care or
      control so as to be a dependent child encompasses two discrete
      questions: whether the child presently is without proper parental
      care and control, and if so, whether such care and control are
      immediately available.

In re G., T., 845 A.2d 870, 872 (Pa. Super. 2004) (quotation marks and

citations omitted); see also In re J.C., 5 A.3d 284, 289 (Pa. Super. 2010).

             [A] court is empowered by 42 Pa.C.S. § 6341(a) and (c) to
      make a finding that a child is dependent if the child meets the
      statutory definition by clear and convincing evidence. If the court
      finds that the child is dependent, then the court may make an
      appropriate disposition of the child to protect the child’s physical,
      mental and moral welfare, including allowing the child to remain
      with the parents subject to supervision, transferring temporary
      legal custody to a relative or public agency, or transferring custody
      to the juvenile court of another state. 42 Pa.C.S. § 6351(a).

In re D.A., 801 A.2d 614, 617 (Pa. Super. 2002) (en banc). Regarding the

disposition of a dependent child, 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 6351(e), (f), (f.1), and (g)

provide an Orphans’ Court with the criteria for its permanency plan for the

subject child.

                                      -7-
J-S13045-18

      Further, the Act defines “aggravated circumstances” as including the

following:   “The parental rights of the parent have been involuntarily

terminated with respect to a child of the parent.” 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 6302(5).

      If the court finds[,] from clear and convincing evidence[,] that
      aggravated circumstances exist, the court shall determine
      whether or not reasonable efforts to prevent or eliminate the need
      for removing the child from the home[,] or to preserve and reunify
      the family[,] shall be made or continue to be made[,] and
      schedule a hearing as required in section 6351(e)(3) (relating to
      disposition of dependent child).

42 Pa.C.S.A. § 6341(c.1).

      After a careful review of the record, we find competent, clear and

convincing evidence to support the Orphans’ Court’s determination that Child

is a “dependent child” under subsections 6302(1) and (10). Both Mother and

Father have a history of drug abuse, and Child showed signs of withdrawal

from drugs immediately after his birth.     See N.T., 11/2/17, at 7, 42-43.

Father was incarcerated at the time that Child was born. Id. at 14. After

Father was released from jail in early August 2017, the Agency could not

locate him to participate in the voluntary safety plan, despite making efforts

to locate him, until after September 2017. See N.T., 11/2/17, at 14, 18-19,

22-23, 34-35. One of the goals of the FSP was for Father to undergo a drug

and alcohol evaluation; however, Father never completed an evaluation. Id.

at 21, 59.    The Agency was unable to conduct an assessment of Father,

especially relative to his illegal drug use, as he did not submit to random drug

                                     -8-
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screens or confirm that he was participating in drug treatment. 7 Id. at 18-

21, 36-40.     Father was never the primary caretaker of Child.      Id. at 22.

Caseworker Custer testified that it would be contrary to Child’s needs and

welfare for him to remain in the care of Mother or Father. Id. at 59-60. The

Agency attempted, unsuccessfully, to locate a family member to provide long-

term kinship care. Id. at 60.

       Concerning the definition of “dependent child” at subsection 6302(1),

the record contains competent evidence to support the Orphans’ Court’s

determination that Child is without proper parental care or control, and that

the conduct of Father regarding his drug history and inability to care for Child

places the health, safety or welfare of Child at risk.

       Concerning the definition of “dependent child” at subsection 6302(10),

there is competent evidence in the record to support the Orphans’ Court’s

determination that Child was born to parents whose parental rights with

regard to three other children have been involuntarily terminated under 23

Pa.C.S.A. § 2511 (relating to grounds for involuntary termination) within three

years immediately preceding the date of birth of Child, and the conduct of the

parents poses a risk to the health, safety or welfare of Child.

       As to Father’s third issue, challenging the Orphans’ Court’s failure to

support its Orders with findings of fact, he has waived this issue by failing to

____________________________________________

7 Father had a drug screen on October 2, 2017, which was negative. See
N.T., 11/2/17, at 36, 47. Caseworker Robinette was unable to contact Father
after this date. Id. at 38.
                                           -9-
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set forth any legal authority that would require the court to have entered into

a discussion on the record of its factual findings. See In re W.H., 25 A.3d

330, 339 n.3 (Pa. Super. 2011) (stating that “where an appellate brief fails to

provide any discussion of a claim with citation to relevant authority or fails to

develop the issue in any other meaningful fashion capable of review, that claim

is waived.”); see also Pa.R.A.P. 2119(a).

       With regard to Father’s fourth and final issue, the record contains

competent evidence to support the Orphans’ Court’s determination that

aggravated circumstances exist under section 6302(5), as (1) the court did

not err in adjudicating Child dependent; and (2) it is undisputed that Father’s

parental rights to his three other children were involuntarily terminated in

2015.8 Moreover, the record belies Father’s claim that the Agency did not

make a good faith effort to avoid placing Child with a non-parent. See Father’s

Brief at 23. The record reveals that Father was not a potential placement

resource for Child, as Father did not sufficiently communicate with the Agency

or make himself available for evaluation.

       Accordingly, as none of Father’s claims of error entitle him to relief, we

affirm the Dependency Order and the Aggravated Circumstances Order.

       Orders affirmed.

____________________________________________

8 See Father’s Brief at 13 (wherein Father concedes that he had his “parental
rights to different, other children terminated within three [] years immediately
prior to the birth of [] [C]hild.”).
                                          - 10 -
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Judgment Entered.

Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary

Date: 5/25/2018

                          - 11 -