9 Conn. App. 598 | Conn. App. Ct. | 1987
In this action, coterminous petitions were filed by the commissioner of the department of children and youth services (DCYS) seeking the termination of the parental rights of the parents of two minor children pursuant to General Statutes § 17-43a.
At the time of the hearing, Nicolina was ten and Ramiro was eight years of age. Throughout their young lives, they have been voluntarily committed by the respondent to the care of DCYS. Numerous placements of the children in various foster homes began in 1978 when Nicolina was three years old and Ramiro was one. These placements have lasted for periods ranging from a few days to a year.
The respondent was living in a structured transitional group home at the time of the hearing, and her chil
The petitions filed by DCYS for the termination of the parental rights of both parents with respect to each of the children alleged that the children were neglected in that they were abandoned by their father and were denied proper care and attention by their mother. As grounds for such termination, the petitions specifically alleged that the children “had been denied by reason of act or acts of commission or omission, the care, guidance or control necessary for [their] physical, educational, moral, or emotional well-being.” The petitions also alleged that there was “no ongoing parent-child relationship, as defined by law.” In granting the petitions and ordering termination of the parental rights of both parents, the trial court found by clear and convincing evidence that the children had been abandoned by their father and that each of the grounds alleged by DCYS in the petitions existed.
In her first claim of error, the respondent alleges that DCYS failed to prove by clear and convincing evidence that the termination of her parental rights was in the best interests of her children. The basis for this claim is that the petitioner failed to prove by clear and convincing evidence that the children had been denied “the care, guidance or control necessary for their physical, educational, moral or emotional well-being,” or that there was “no ongoing parent-child relationship” between the children and the respondent. See General Statutes § 17-43a (b).
The requirements for the termination of parental rights pursuant to General Statutes § 17-43a (b) are two-fold. The trial court must find by clear and convincing evidence that such termination was in the best interests of the child, and that one or more of the statutory grounds for termination exists. See In re Migdalia M., 6 Conn. App. 194, 208, 504 A.2d 532, cert. denied, 199 Conn. 809, 508 A.2d 770 (1986). In order to satisfy the statutory requirements for termination of parental rights, DCYS need only prove by clear and convincing evidence one of the statutory grounds provided in § 17-43a (b). In re Juvenile Appeal (84-BC), supra, 258; In re Migdalia M., supra. Thus, if but one of the statutory grounds alleged in the petition in the present case was proven by clear and convincing evidence, and if, by the same standard, termination was in the best interests of the children, the order of termination must stand.
The detailed and well reasoned memorandum of decision of the trial court set out the facts found and the evidence introduced during the three days of the hearing; Testimony of various witnesses indicated that both children have been exposed to various incidents relating to the manifestations of the respondent’s mental
Expert testimony was introduced by a clinical psychologist who had evaluated both children and submitted a detailed report on his findings. He testified that the respondent’s behavior had a powerful and devastating effect on both children’s social and emotional development. Nicolina was found to have a low self-esteem and emotional blockage indicative of sexual abuse. Ramiro displayed a higher degree of emotional disturbance as well as a potential visual-motor and learning problem which will require close monitoring and attention in the future. The psychologist concluded that a return of the children to the respondent would entail a significant risk of physical abuse, and would expose Nicolina to repeated sexual abuse. Moreover, he testified that such a return would expose both children to further social and emotional damage, and concluded that both children were in need of mental health attention and treatment which they had not received from their mother because of her inability to provide them with the consistency of care which they required.
Another child psychologist also evaluated both children and testified that they needed a stable and con
Testimony of a neuropsychologist was also introduced which revealed that the respondent had difficulties in everyday functioning and could not face new or unpredictable situations. The testimony of two clinical social workers who had worked with the family also indicated that the children had special needs which overwhelmed the mother. A DCYS social worker testified that the children needed a permanent, stable family with consistent and appropriate care. She further indicated that the children were living in a foster home which provided them with such care. At the time of the hearing, both the children and the foster family were in favor of adoption.
The respondent admitted at the hearing that she was not then in a position to take the children back with her. She further indicated that she had no idea how long she would be unable to take the children, or how long she would continue to reside at the transitional living facility.
The respondent disputes much of the testimony presented at the hearing, and alleges that such testimony contained many uncertainties and discrepancies. Moreover, the respondent maintains that no corroborating testimony was presented by the petitioner regarding the allegation that the children were in significant danger of physical abuse. Finally, the respondent challenges the credibility of the expert witnesses, alleging that “they had never seen the children with their mother, or had met the mother.”
These claims relate to the weight to be given to the testimony, and are not appropriately directed to an
In this case, there was a plenitude of expert testimony in support of the conclusions reached by the trial court. The psychological testimony from professionals is rightly accorded great weight in termination proceedings. In re Juvenile Appeal (Anonymous), 177 Conn. 648, 667, 420 A.2d 875 (1979). We have previously recognized that the testimony of child psychologists is a factor which may properly be considered by the trial court when determining whether a parent’s mental deficiency interferes with the parenting functions necessary to deal effectively with a child. In re David E., 4 Conn. App. 653, 657, 496 A.2d 229 (1985).
Termination has been consistently recognized as being in the best interest of the child when the parent has a mental deficiency or illness which renders her unable to provide the child with necessary care. In re Theresa S., 196 Conn. 18, 29-30, 491 A.2d 355 (1985); In re David E., supra.
The trial court concluded that the children had been denied the care, guidance or control necessary for their physical, educational, moral or emotional well being, and that termination was in the children’s best interests. Our thorough review of the entire trial record indicates that the findings of the trial court are supported by clear and convincing evidence.
The guaranty of equal protection of the laws ensures that the laws apply alike to all in the same situation, or that similar treatment is afforded to those in similar circumstances. The trial court’s decision to terminate the respondent’s parental rights was made pursuant to the statutory requirements of General Statutes § 17-43a (b), which makes no distinction between mentally ill and other persons.
In considering the statutory criteria of General Statutes § 17-43a (b), the trial court did not terminate the respondent’s parental rights solely because of her mental condition. In its memorandum of decision, the trial court specifically stated that “[cjhronic schizophrenia is not a ground for termination of parental rights. The condition is significant only as it impacts upon the individual’s ability to function as a parent.” (Emphasis added.) Termination is warranted under General Statutes § 17-43a (b) when the parent’s mental illness manifests itself in conduct demonstrative of an inability to care for her children. It was the respondent’s conduct and relationship to her children, and not her status as a mentally ill person, which predicated the trial court’s decision to terminate her parental rights.
There is no error.
In this opinion the other judges concurred.
Although both the trial court and the respondent refer to the applicable statute in this case as General Statutes § 45-61f (f), the record reflects that the petition for termination of parental rights was actually brought pursuant to General Statutes § 17-43a. Section 17-43a (b) provides for the filing of a petition for termination of parental rights in the Superior Court, and enables the Superior Court to grant such petition. Section 45-61f, on the other hand, provides for the filing of such petition in the Probate Court. Both statutes use the same criteria for granting such termination.
Section 17-43a (b) provides in pertinent part that “[t]he superior court upon hearing and notice, as provided in [section] . . . 45-61f, may grant such petition if it finds, upon clear and convincing evidence, that the termination is in the best interest of the child and that . . . with respect to any nonconsenting parent, over an extended period of time ... (1) The child has been abandoned by the parent in the sense that the parent has failed to maintain a reasonable degree of interest, concern or responsibility as to the welfare of the child; or (2) the parents of a child who has been found by the superior court to have been neglected or uncared for in a prior proceeding have failed to achieve such degree of personal rehabilitation as would encourage the belief that within a reasonable time, considering the age and needs of the child, they could assume a responsible position in the life of the child; or (3) the child has been denied, by reason of an act or acts of parental commission or omission, the care, guidance or control necessary for his physical, educational, moral or emotional well-being ... or (4) there is no ongoing parent-child relationship . . . . ”
The respondent father did not appear at the hearing and did not appeal from the judgment terminating his parental rights. The word “respondent” as used in this decision refers to the mother. The attorney representing the minor children in this appeal concurs with the position of DCYS.
On appeal, the respondent raised six additional claims of error. Pour of these issues were not included in the respondent’s preliminary state
The present whereabouts of the children’s father is unknown. The father made regular child support payments until 1980, after which both payments and visitation have been either sporadic or nonexistent. The father has not seen the children since December, 1982, and his last contact with them was in November, 1983.
Our conclusion that one of the statutory grounds provided in General Statutes § 17-43a (b) (3) was supported by clear and convincing evidence
The equal protection clause of the Connecticut constitution was amended by article XXI of the amendments in 1984 to provide: “No person shall be denied the equal protection of the law nor be subjected to segregation or discrimination in the exercise or enjoyment of his or her civil or political rights because of religion, race, color, ancestry, national origin, sex or physical or mental disability.”
General Statutes § 17-43a was amended in 1984 to delete mental deficiency as grounds for termination of parental rights. Prior to the 1984 amendment, § 17-43a (a) (3) provided that the court could grant a petition for termination of parental rights upon a finding “that over an extended period of time . . . the parents, by reason of continuing physical or mental deficiency have, and for such period of time as will be detrimental to the best interest of the child, will be unable to provide him with the care, guidance and control necessary to his physical, educational, moral and emotional well-being . . . .’’In construing this statute, our Supreme Court