Case Information

*1 J-S77017-17 J-S77018-17 NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37 IN THE INTEREST OF: N.M.S., A : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF MINOR : PENNSYLVANIA

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APPEAL OF: P.S., NATURAL FATHER : : : : : No. 1187 MDA 2017

Appeal from the Order Entered June 27, 2017 In the Court of Common Pleas of Luzerne County Orphans' Court at No(s): A-8527 IN THE INTEREST OF: N.M.S., A : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF MINOR : PENNSYLVANIA

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APPEAL OF: J.L.S., NATURAL : MOTHER :

: : : No. 1164 MDA 2017

Appeal from the Order Entered June 27, 2017 In the Court of Common Pleas of Luzerne County Orphans' Court at No(s): A-8527 BEFORE: BENDER, P.J.E., LAZARUS, J., and STEVENS*, P.J.E. MEMORANDUM BY LAZARUS, J.: FILED DECEMBER 15, 2017

J.L.S. (“Mother”) and P.S. (“Father”) appeal ^[1] from the order, entered in the Court of Common Pleas of Luzerne County, terminating their parental ____________________________________________ ^[1] We have consolidated the appeals filed at 1164 MDA 2017 and 1187 MDA 2017. See Pa.R.A.P. 513 (“Where there is more than one appeal from the same order, . . . the appellate court may, in its discretion, order them to be argued together in all particulars as if but a single appeal.”). ____________________________________ * Former Justice specially assigned to the Superior Court. *2 J-S77017-17 J-S77018-17 rights to N.M.S. (“Child”), DOB 10/14, pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S. § 2511(a)(2), (a)(5), (a)(8) and (b). After our review, we affirm.

Luzerne County Children and Youth Services (CYS) became involved due to Mother’s alcohol use during pregnancy. After Child was born, both parents were involved in a domestic disturbance, and both parents were arrested. As a result of this disturbance, as well as parenting and alcohol and drug issues, Child was placed in emergency protective placement with foster parents on July 9, 2015. N.T. Termination Hearing, 5/26/17, at 5-6. Child has remained with foster parents since that time. Id. at 7. One year later, in July 2016, both parents were arrested for public drunkenness. N.T. Termination Hearing, 3/9/17, at 82.

On February 17, 2017, CYS filed petitions to involuntarily terminate Mother’s and Father’s parental rights to Child. The Honorable Jennifer L. Rogers held four hearings, from March through June of 2017. Mother and Father testified, as well as Paulette Patton, the assigned CYS caseworker, Alicia Singer, senior clinician at Community Counseling Services, Jeanne Zbierski, a therapist at Wyoming Valley Alcohol and Drug Services, Melissa Stambaugh, an outpatient counselor at Wyoming Valley Drug and Alcohol Services, Megan Kosik, a case manager in the Intensive Family Reunification Program for Family Service Association, and Maria Bertha, Esquire, Guardian ad litem for Child.

Following the hearings, the court entered an order terminating Mother’s and Father’s parental rights to Child. Both Mother and Father appealed. They - 2 - *3 J-S77017-17 J-S77018-17 both claim the trial court abused its discretion or committed an error of law in terminating parental rights and in finding that Child’s best interests would be served by termination.

In cases involving termination of parental rights, “our standard of review is limited to determining whether the order of the trial court is supported by competent evidence, and whether the trial court gave adequate consideration to the effect of such a decree on the welfare of the child.” In re Z.P. , 994 A.2d 1108, 1115 (Pa. Super. 2010) (quoting In re I.J. , 972 A.2d 5, 8 (Pa. Super. 2009)).

Absent an abuse of discretion, an error of law, or insufficient evidentiary support for the trial court’s decision, the decree must stand. . . . We 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 B.L.W. , 843 A.2d 380, 383 (Pa. Super. 2004) (en banc) (internal citations omitted).

Furthermore, we note that the trial court, as the finder of fact, is the sole determiner of the credibility of witnesses and all conflicts in testimony are to be resolved by [the] finder of fact. The burden of proof is on the party seeking termination to establish by clear and convincing evidence the existence of grounds for doing so. The standard of clear and convincing evidence means testimony that is so clear, direct, weighty, and convincing as to enable the trier of fact to come to a clear conviction, without hesitation, of the truth of the precise facts in issue. We may uphold a termination decision if any proper basis exists for the result reached. If the court’s findings are supported by competent evidence, we must affirm the court’s decision, even if the record could support an opposite result.

- 3 - *4 J-S77017-17 J-S77018-17 In re Z.P . , supra at 1115-16 (internal quotations and citations omitted).

If the court finds grounds for termination under the statute have been established by clear and convincing evidence, 23 Pa.C.S. § 2511(a), the court must then consider the developmental, physical and emotional needs and welfare of the child and determine whether severing the parent-child relationship is in the child’s best interests. See 23 Pa.C.S. § 2511(b) . See also In re: Adoption of T.B.B. , 835 A.2d 837 (Pa. Super. 2003).

Here, CYS sought involuntary termination of both Mother’s and Father’s parental rights on the following grounds: § 2511. Grounds for involuntary termination (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:

(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. (2) The repeated and continued incapacity, abuse, neglect or refusal of the parent has caused the child to be without essential parental care, control or subsistence necessary for his physical or mental well-being and the conditions and causes of the incapacity, abuse, neglect or refusal cannot or will not be remedied by the parent.

* * * (5) The child has been removed from the care of the parent by the court or under a voluntary agreement with an agency for a period of at least six months, the conditions which led to the removal or placement of the child continue to exist, the parent cannot or will not remedy those conditions within a reasonable period of time, the services or assistance

- 4 - *5 J-S77017-17 J-S77018-17

reasonably available to the parent are not likely to remedy the conditions which led to the removal or placement of the child within a reasonable period of time and termination of the parental rights would best serve the needs and welfare of the child.

* * * (8) The child has been removed from the care of the parent by the court or under a voluntary agreement with an agency, 12 months or more have elapsed from the date of removal or placement, the conditions which led to the removal or placement of the child continue to exist and termination of parental rights would best serve the needs and welfare of the child.

* * * (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(a)(1), (2), (5), (8), and (b). Parental rights may be involuntarily terminated where any one subsection of section 2511(a) is satisfied, along with consideration of the provisions in subsection 2511(b). In re Z.P. , supra at 1117. Initially, the focus is on the parent’s conduct. In re L.M. , 923 A.2d 505, 511 (Pa. Super. 2007). The party seeking termination has the burden of proving 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

- 5 - *6 J-S77017-17 J-S77018-17 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.” Id. (internal citations omitted).

Further, the statute “outlines certain irreducible minimum requirements of care that parents must provide for their children, and a parent who cannot or will not meet the requirements within a reasonable time following intervention by the state, may properly be considered unfit and have his parental rights terminated .” In re B.L.L. , 787 A.2d 1007, 1013 (Pa. Super. 2001) (emphasis added).

At the June 20, 2017 hearing, Mother testified via telephone conference; she testified that she was living in Florida and had not seen Child for two months. N.T. Termination Hearing, 6/20/17, at 76. She also stated that it was her intent to remain in Florida. Id . at 77. Prior to that, when Mother resided in Pennsylvania, her visits with Child were not consistent. Between October 2015 and June 2016, Mother had twelve positive screens for alcohol as well an abnormally diluted specimen. N.T. Termination Hearing, 6/9/17, at 16-18, 24.

Mother refused inpatient care, which, according to the testimony of Wyoming Valley Alcohol and Drug Services therapist, Zbierski, was the appropriate level of care for Mother. N.T. Termination Hearing, 3/3/17, at 23- 25. She was non-compliant with alcohol and drug screens, id. , and was ultimately unsuccessfully discharged from treatment. Id. at 26. Mother was

- 6 - *7 J-S77017-17 J-S77018-17 also unsuccessfully discharged from the parenting program. N.T. Termination Hearing, 6/20/17, at 30. At the time of the June 30, 2017 hearing, Mother had not seen Child for four months. N.T. Termination Hearing, 6/30/17, at 90.

Father attended the termination hearings; he testified that he had visited Child once a week for the year prior to the hearing and had missed only a few visits. The testimony indicated, however, that Father attended only three individual counseling sessions with his substance abuse counselor over a nine-month period. Id. at 36-37. Counselor Losavich stated that Father was essentially a “no-show.” Id. Case Manager Dorang, who worked with Father in the parenting program, testified that Father denied he had a drinking problem, and did not accept accountability or fault. N.T. Termination Hearing, 3/3/17, at 48-52.

The testimony indicated that neither Mother nor Father completed the services and programs in the Family Service Plan that CYS developed to address parents’ ongoing issues of domestic violence, alcohol abuse, and instability in the home. In particular, both Mother and Father failed to complete drug and alcohol counseling, remain sober, complete parenting courses, complete mental health evaluations, including domestic violence counseling, follow mental health recommendations, maintain consistent contact with Child, and maintain safe and stable housing. Id. at 49; N.T. Termination Hearing, 3/9/17, at 36-42; N.T. Termination Hearing, 5/26/17, at 40-41; N.T. Termination Hearing, 6/20/17, at 18-20, 30-37, 110. See In

- 7 - *8 J-S77017-17 J-S77018-17 re R.T., 778 A.2d 670 (Pa. Super. 2001) (agency is not required to provide services indefinitely if parent is either unable or unwilling to apply instruction given); see also In Interest of Lilley , 719 A.2d 327, 332 (Pa. Super. 1998) (“If a parent fails to cooperate or appears incapable of benefiting from reasonable efforts supplied over a realistic period of time, the agency has fulfilled its mandate and upon proof of satisfaction of the reasonable good faith effort, the termination petition may be granted.”).

The court also heard testimony from CYS caseworker Patton, who stated that although there was a bond between Child and both parents, foster parents had been Child’s primary caretakers for two years and Child’s bond with foster parents was stronger than that between him and his natural parents. N.T. Termination Hearing, 6/30/17, at 83-90. Child knew his foster parents as “Mommy” and “Daddy,” id . at 88, and foster parents have met Child’s every need. Id . at 90. Patton testified that the priority was permanency in Child’s life, and, in her opinion, termination would not be detrimental to Child. Id.

Following the hearings, the trial court determined that Child had been in placement for almost two years, and, during that time, both Mother and Father failed to remedy the circumstances that led to placement within a reasonable time. The court found termination was proper under sections 2511(a)(2), (a)(5), and (a)(8). Foster parents, who are an adoptive resource, provide Child with emotional, physical and financial support, and have done so for most of Child’s young life. The trial court concluded, therefore, that the overall needs and welfare of Child are best served by termination of Mother’s

- 8 - *9 J-S77017-17 J-S77018-17 and Father’s parental rights. The trial court has thoroughly detailed and evaluated the testimony in its opinion, and stated its findings of fact and conclusions of law.

After our review of the notes of testimony, the parties’ arguments, and the relevant law, we conclude that the court’s decision is supported by competent evidence in the record. B.L.W. , supra . We, therefore rely upon Judge Rogers’ thorough and well-reasoned opinion to affirm the order terminating Mother’s and Father’s parental rights. See Opinion, 6/12/15, at 10-42 (finding: at time of termination hearing, Child had been in CYS’ custody and in care of foster parents for approximately 24 months; Mother and Father had over two years to remedy conditions giving rise to placement and failed to complete services offered to address alcohol and drug issues, parenting issues, and the need to maintain stable and safe housing for Child; Child’s best interests and need for permanency are paramount concerns, and termination is in Child’s best interests). We direct the parties to attach a copy of Judge Rogers’ opinion in the event of further proceedings.

Order affirmed. Judgment Entered. Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq. Prothonotary Date: 12/15/2017

- 9 - *10 C i r c u l a t ed 12 / 12 / 2017 12 : 09 P M v

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M E M ORA N D U M I S S U E D P U R S U AN T T O P A . R . A . P . 1 q 2 5 ( a ) P R O CE D U RA L H I S T O R Y I. O n F e b r u a r y 1 7 , 2 0 1 7 , P e t i t i o n e r , Lu z e r n e C o un t y C h il d r e n a n d Y o u t h S e r v i c e s ( C h il d r e n a n d Y o u t h ) , f i l e d P e titi on s f o r t h e I n v o l u n t a r y T e r m i n a ti on o f Pa r e n t a l R i g h t s ( P e t i t i o n ) o f t h e n a t u r a l f a t h e r ( F a t h e r ) a nd t h e n a t u r a l m o t h e r ( M o t h e r ) f o r t h e m i no r c h il d , N . S . O n F e b r u a r y 23 , 2 0 1 7 , C h il d r e n a nd Y o u t h a l s o f il e d a n A m e nd e d P e t i t i o n f o r t h e I n v o l un t a r y T e r m i n a t i on o f P a r e n t a l R i g h t s o f t h e F a t h e r .

T h e f i rs t h e a r i n g w as h e l d o n M a r c h 3 , 2 0 1 7 . T e s t i m o n y a n d e v i d e n ce w as a l s o r e ce i v e d a t a s e c o nd h e a r i n g o n M a r c h 9 , 2 0 1 7 a n d a t h i r d h e a r i n g o n M a y 2 6 , 2 0 1 7 . R ec e i p t o f t e s ti m o n y c o n c l u d e d o n J un e 2 0 , 2 0 1 7 . T h e h ea r i n g s a dd r e s s e d p e r m a n e n c y goa l c h a n g e p e t i t i o n s a s w e ll a s t h e a f o r e s a i d pe t i ti o n s . T h i s C o ti r t i s s u e d d e c re e s t e r m i n a t i n g t h e p a r e n t a l r i g h t s o f t h e na t u r a l F a t h e r a n d n a t u r a l M o t h e r o n J un e 2 7 , 2 0 1 7 a n d a l s o g r a n t e d t h e p e r m a n e n c y go a l c h a n g e t o a d o p t i o n .

*11 P a r t i c u l a r l y , M o t h e r ' s p a r e n t a l r i g h t s a n d F a t h e r ' s p a r e n t a l r i g h ts w ere b o t h t e r m i n a t e d p u rs u a n t t o 2 3 P a . C . S . A . § 2 5 11 ( a ) ( 2 ) , § 25 11 ( a ) ( 5 ) a n d § 2 5 11 ( a ) ( 8 ) . I n e n t e r i n g t h e t e r m i n a t i o n d ec r e e s , t h e C o u r t ga v e p r i m a r y c o n s i d e r a t i o n t o t h e d e v e l o p m e n t a l , p h y s i c a l, a n d e m o ti o n a l n e e d s a n d w e l f a r e o f t h e c h il d p u r s u a n t t o 2 3 P a . C . S . A . § 25 11 ( b ) .

O n J u l y 2 7 , 2 0 1 7 , F a t h e r , b y a n d t h r o u g h h i s C o u r t - A p po i n t e d C o u n s e l , f il e d a N o t i c e o f A p p e a l, N un c P r o T u n e , t o t h e S u p e r i o r C o u r t a n d t h e re qu i s i t e S t a t e m e n t o f M a tt e r s C o m p l a i n e d o f o n a p p ea l . M o t h e r a l s o f i l e d h e r N o t i c e o f A p p e a l o n J u l y 2 5 , 2 0 1 7 . M o t h e r ' s S t a t e m e n t o f M a tt e rs C o m p l a i n e d o f o n A p pe a l i s a s f o ll o w s :

T h e T r i a l C o u r t a bu s e d i ts d i s c r e t i o n , c o m m i tt e d a n e r r o r o f l a w , 1 . a n d / o r t h e r e w a s i n s u ff i c i e n t s u ppo r t i n t e r m i n a t i n g t h e pa r e n t a l r i g h ts o f t h e N a t u r a l M o t h e r o f N . M . S . , as t h e g r o u nd s p u r s u a n t t o 2 3 P a . C . S . A . § 2 5 11 ( a ) ( 2 ) , ( 5 ) , a n d ( 8 ) w e r e n o t es t a b li s h e d b y c l e a r a n d co n v i n c i n g e v i d e n c e , a n d s u c h g r a n t i n g o f a p e t i t i o n t o t e r m i na t e p a r e n t a l r i g h t s w a s a g a i n st t h e w e i g h t o f t h e e v i d e n ce p r e s e n t e d by t h e pa r t i e s .

T h e T r i a l C o u r t a b u s e d i t s d i s c r e t i o n , c o mm i tt e d a n e r r o r o f l a w , 2 . a n d / o r t h e r e w a s i n s u ff i c i e n t e v i d e n t i a r y s u p p o r t f o r t h e C o u r t ' s d e c i s i o n t h a t t h e b e s t i n t e r es t s o f t h e m i n o r c h il d , N . M . S . w o u l d b e s e r v e d b y t er m i n a t i n g N a t u r a l M o t h e r ' s p a re n t a l r i g h t s as r e qu i r e d b y 2 3 P a . C . S . A . § 2 5 11 ( b ) . 3 . C o un se l f o r N a t u r a l M o t h e r r e s e r v e s t h e r i gh t t o a m e n d t h i s d o c u m e n t w i t h i n a r e a s o n a b l e t i m e a f t e r r ec e i p t o f t h e c o m p l e t e a nd f i n a l

2 *12 t r a n sc r i p t a n d / o r t h e T r i a l C o u r t ' s O p i n i o n i n S u pp o r t o f t h e J u n e 2 7 , 2 0 1 7 D e c r ee .

F a t h e r ' s S t a t e m e n t o f M a tt e rs C o m p l a i n e d o f o n A p p e a l i s as f o ll o w s : 1 . T he T r i a l C o u r t e r r e d i n g r a n t i n g vo l u n t a r y r e li nqu i s h m e n t o f r i gh t s p u r s u a n t t o t h e r e q u i r e m e n t s o f t h e A d o p t i o n A c t o f 1 9 80 , O c t ob e r 1 5 , P . L . 9 34 , N o . 1 6 3 § 1 , e t . s e q .

T h e T r i a l C o u r t a b u s e d i t s d i s c r e t i o n , c o mm i tt e d a n err o r o f 2 . l a w , a nd / o r t h e r e w a s i n s u ff i c i e n t e v i d e n t i a r y s up p o r t f o r t h e C ou r t ' s d e c i s i o n i n t e r m i n a t i n g p a r e n t a l r i g h t s i n s o f a r a s t h e na t u r a l f a t h e r h a s n o t c a u s e d t he c h il d t o b e w i t ho u t e s s e n t i a l p a r e n t a l c a r e , c o n t r o l , o r s u b s i s t e n c e n e c e s s a r y f o r h i s p h y s i c a l w e ll - b e i n g .

3 . T h e T r i a l C o u r t a b u s e d i t s d i s c r e t i on , c o mm i tt e d a n e r r o r o f l a w , a n d / o r t h e r e w a s i n s u ff i c i e n t e v i d e n ti a r y s up po r t f o r t h e C o u r t ' s d e c i s i o n t h a t t h e b e s t i n t e r e s t s o f t h e m i n o r c h il d w o u l d b e s e r v e d b y t e r m i n a t i n g A pp e ll a n t ' s p a r e n t a l r i g h t s .

4 . T h e T r i a l C o u r t a b u s e d i t s d i s c r e t i on , co m m i tt e d a n e rr o r o f l a w , a n d / o r t h e r e w a s i n s u f f i c i e n t e v i d e n t i a r y s u pp o r t f o r t h e C o u r t ' s d e c i s i on i n s o f a r as t h a t t h e c o n d i t i o n s t h a t g a v e r i s e t o p l a ce m e n t h a v e c h a n g e d a nd n o l o n g e r e x i s t , a nd t h a t t h e n a t u r a l f a t h e r h a s r e m e d i e d t h o s e c i r c u m s t a n ces .

5 . T h e T r i a l C o u r t a b u s e d i t s d i s c r e t i on , c o m m i tt e d a n e rr o r o f l a w , a n d / o r t h e r e w a s i n s u ff i c i e n t e v i d e n t i a r y s u p p o r t f o r t h e C o u r t ' s 3 *13 · ^[1] d ec i s i on i n s o f a r a s t h a t a s t r o n g p a r e n t - c h il d ( s i c ) w as es t a b li s h e d b y t e s t i m on y p r e s e n t e d a t t r i a l .

6 . C h il d r e n a n d Y o u t h ac t e d i m p r o p e r l y i n s e e k i n g t o t e r m i n a t e A pp e ll a n t ' s p a r e n t a l r i g h t s . II . F I N D I N G S O F F A C T T h e r e i s o n e m i n o r c h il d i n t h i s ca s e . N . S . w a s bo r n o n O c t o b e r ^[1] 2 0 1 4 ,

a n d h e i s c u r r e n tl y f o u r ( 4 ) y e a r s o l d . T h i s c a s e i n v o l v e s t h e p r o p o s e d t e r m i n a t i o n o f F a t h e r ' s p a r e n t a l r i g h t s a n d M o t h e r ' s pa r e n t a l r i g h t s .

It i s un r e b u tt e d t h a t t h e m i n o r c h il d h a s b ee n i n p l a c e m e n t i n f o s t e r c a r e s i n ce J u l y 9 , 2 0 1 5 . T h e re a s o n s f o r p l a ce m e n t i n c l u d e d po li ce i n vo l v e m e n t r e ga r d i n g a d o m e s t i c d i s p u t e b e t w e e n t h e pa r e n t s w i t h t h e c h il d p r e s e n t w h il e t h e pa r e n t s w e r e i n t ox i c a t e d . F a t h e r w a s a r re s t e d a n d M o t h e r b eca m e a g i t a t e d a n d a gg re s s i v e r es u l t i n g i n M o t h e r ' s a r r e s t . T h u s , d r u g a nd a l c o h o l a b u s e , m e n t a l h e a l t h i s s u e s a n d p a r e n t i n g i s s u e s w e r e t h e r e a s o n s f o r p l a c e m e n t .

I n m ee t i n g i t s r e q u i s i t e bu r d e n o f p r oo f by c l ea r a nd c o n v i n c i ng e v i d e n c e r e g a r d i n g t h e t e r m i n a t i o n o f p a r e n t a l r i g h t s o f M o t h e r , P e t i t i o n e r o ff er e d t h e t e s ti m o n y o f J e s s e M ill e r , c li n i ca l s u p e r v i s o r f o r W y o m i n g V a l l ey D r u g a n d A l c o h o l S e r v i c es ; J e a nn e Z b i e r s k i, t h e r a p i s t f o r W y o m i n g V a ll e y D r u g a n d A l c o h o l S e r v i c e s , M e li s s a S t a m b a u g h , o u t pa t i e n t c o u n s e l o r f o r W y o m i n g V a ll ey D r u g a n d A l co h o l Se r v i c e s ; M ega n K os i k , c a s e m a n a g e r f o r F a m il y Se r v i c e A s s o c i a t i o n ; Pa u l e tt e P a tt o n , ca s e w o r k e r f o r C h il d r e n a n d Y o u t h L u z e r n e C o un t y ; a nd A l i c i a S i n g e r , s e n i o r c l i n i c i a n f o r C o m m un i t y Cou n s e li n g Se r v i ce s .

A d d i t i o n a l l y , M o t h e r a n d F a t h e r t e s t i f i e d o n t h e i r o w n b e h a l f . 4 *14 II I . C O N C L U S I ON S O F L A W A f t e r c o n s i d e r a t i o n o f t h e c r e d i b l e e v i d e n ce a s s u mm a r i z e d a b o v e a n d m o r e d e t a il e d b e l o w , t h e C o u r t c o n c l ud e s :

( 1) C h il d r e n a n d Y o u t h h a s s h o w n by c l e a r a n d c o n v i n c i n g e v i d e n ce t h a t t h e p a r e n t a l r i g h t s o f t h e F a t h e r t o t h e m i n o r c h il d , N . S . , s h o u l d b e t e r m i n a t e d p u rs u a n t t o 23 P a . C . S . A . S ec ti o n 2 5 1 1 ( a ) ( 2 ) , 2 3 P a . C . S . A . Sec t i o n 2 5 11 ( a ) ( 5 ) a n d 2 3 P a . C . S . A . S ec t i o n 2 5 11 ( a ) ( 8 ) .

( 2 ) C h il d r e n a n d Y o u t h h a s s h o w n b y c l ea r a nd c o n v i n c i n g e v i d e n c e t h a t t h e pa r e n t a l r i g h t s o f t h e M o t h e r t o t h e m i n o r c h il d , N . S . , s h ou l d b e t e r m i n a t e d p u r s u a n t t o 2 3 P a . C . S . A . Sec t i o n 2 5 11 ( a ) ( 2 ) , 2 3 P a . C . S . A . S e c ti on 2 5 11 ( a ) ( 5 ) a nd 2 3 P a . C . S . A . Sec t i o n 2 5 11 ( a ) ( 8 ) . ( 3 ) C h il d r e n a nd Y o u t h h a s s h o w n b y c l ea r a n d c o n v i n c i n g e v i d e n c e t h e t e r m i n a t i o n o f t h e p a r e n t a l r i g h t s o f t h e F a t h e r , t o t h e m i n o r c h il d , N . S . , b e s t s e r v e s t h e n ee d s a n d w e l f a r e o f t h e c h il d pu r s u an t t o 2 3 P a . C . S . A . S e c ti o n 2 5 11 ( b ) .

I V . D I S C U S S I O N : G R O UN D S F O R TE R M I N A T I O N F O R M O T H E R

AN

D F A T HE R

T h e s t a t u t e pe r m i t t i n g i n v o l u n t a r y t e r m i n a t i o n o f pa r e n t a l r i g h t s i n P e nn s y l v a n i a , 2 3 Pa . C . S . A . Se c t i o n 2 5 11 , s e t s f o r t h t h e c e r t a i n i r r e du c i b l e m i n i m u m r e q u i r e m e n t s o f c a r e t ha t p a r e n t s m u s t p r o v i d e t o t h e i r c h il d r e n . A p a r e n t w ho c a n n o t o r w i ll n o t m ee t t h e r e qu i r e m e n t s w i t h i n a r e a s o n a b l e t i m e f o ll o w i n g t h e i n t e r v e n t i o n by t h e S t a t e m a y p r op e r l y b e c o n s i d e r e d u n f i t a n d m ay

5 *15 p r op e r l y ha v e h i s o r h e r r i g h t s t e r m i n a t e d . I n R e : J . T . a n d R . T . , 8 1 7 A . 2 d 5 0 5 ( P a . S u p e r . 2 0 0 2 ) .

T er m i n a t i o n o f pa r e n t a l r i g h t s i s a n i s s u e o f c o n s t i t u t i on a l d i m en s i o n s b e c a u s e o f t h e f u n d a m e n t a l r i gh t o f a n i n d i v i d u a l t o r a i s e h i s o r h e r o w n c h il d . T h e r e f o r e , i n p r o ce ed i n g s t e r m i n a ti ng pa r e n t a l r i g h t s , t h e P e t i t i o n e r m u s t p r ov e b y c l e a r a n d c o n v i n c i n g e v i d e n ce t h a t t h e s t a t u t o r y c r i t e r i a h a ve b ee n m e t . S a n t o s k y u , K r a m er , 4 5 5 U . S . 7 4 5 ( 1 9 8 2 ) , I n R e : T . R . , 5 0 2 P a . 1 6 5 , 4 6 5 A . 2 d 6 4 2 ( 1 98 3 ) . H o w e v e r , a s t h e P e n n s y l v a n i a S u p r e m e C o u r t h a s s t a t e d " a pa r e n t ' s ba s i c c o n s t i t u t i o n a l r i gh t t o c u s t o d y a nd r e a r i n g o f h i s o r h e r c h il d i s c o n v e r t e d u p o n t h e f a il u r e t o f u l f i ll h i s o r h e r p a r e n t a l d u t i e s t o t h e c h il d ' s r i g h t t o h a ve p r o p e r pa r e n t i n g i n f u l f i ll m e n t o f h i s o r h e r p o t e n t i a l i n a pe r m an e n t , h e a l t h y , s a f e e n v i r o n m e n t . " I n R e : J . A . S . , J r . , 2 0 0 3 P a . S up e r . 11 2 , c i ti n g I n t h e I n t er e st o f L illi e , 7 1 9 A . 2 d 3 2 7 ( P a . S u p e r 1 9 9 8 ) .

T h e C o u r t no t e s t h a t i n F a t h e r ' s c o n c i s e S t a t e m e n t o f M a tt e r s C o m p l a i n e d o f o n A p p ea l , i n er r o r 1 , F a t h e r a ll e g e s t h a t t h e T r i a l C o u r t e rr e d i n g r a n t i n g v o l un t a r y r e li nq u i s h m e n t o f r i g h t s o f t h e F a t h er . T h e F a t h e r i n t h i s c a s e d i d no t vo l un t a r il y r e li n qu i s h h i s p a r e n t a l r i g h t s a n d t h e C o u r t d i d n o t e n t e r a n O r d e r o n t h a t i s s u e . T h e r e f o r e , t h e C o u r t w i l l no t b e a d d r e s s i n g e r r o r 1 a l l e g e d by t h e F a t h e r .

A . 2 3 P a . C . S . A . Se c ti o n 2 5 11 ( a ) ( 2 ) A C o u r t m ay t e r m i n a t e p a r e n t a l r i g h t s u n d e r S e c t i o n 2 5 11 ( a ) ( 2 ) w h e n : T he r e p e a t e d a nd c o n t i n u e d i n ca p a c i t y , a bu s e , n eg l e c t , o r r e f u s a l o f t h e p a re n t h a s c au s e d t h e c h i l d t o b e w i t h o u t e s s e n t i a l pa r e n t a l c a r e , c o n t r o l o r s u b s i s t e n ce n e c e s s a r y f o r h i s p h y s i c a l o r m e n t a l w e ll b e i n g a n d t h e c o n d i t i o n s o f t h e i n c a p a c i t y , a b u s e , n e g l e c t o r r e f u s a l c a nn o t o r w i ll no t be r e m e d i e d b y t h e pa r e n t .

*16 6 A c c o r d i n g l y , M o t h e r ' s p a r e n t a l r i g h t s a nd F a t h e r ' s p a re n t a l r i gh t s t o t h e c h il d , N . S ., c a n be t e r m i na t e d un d e r Sec t i o n 2 5 11 ( a ) ( 2 ) o f t h e s t a t u t e . C r e d i b l e t e s t i m o n y a t t h e t e r m i n a t i on h e a r i n g w a s p r e s e n t e d t o s h o w b y c l ea r a n d c o n v i n c i n g e v i d e n c e t h a t b o t h M o t h e r a n d F a t h e r c o n t i n u e d t o s t r u g g l e w i t h t h e i r a l co h o l a d d i c ti o n . Bo t h p a r e n t s f a il e d t o c o m p l e t e t h e i r m en t a l h e a l t h t r ea t m e n t , t h e i r d r ug a n d a l c o ho l t r ea t m e n t a n d f a il e d t o p r o v i d e a d e q u a t e a nd s t a b l e hou s i n g f o r t h e c h il d ov e r a t w o y e a r p e r i o d .

B o t h M o t h e r ' s s t r u g g l e a n d F a t h e r ' s s t r u g g l e w i t h a l c oh o l i s a r e p ea t e d a n d c o n t i n u e d i n c a p a c i t y t h r o u g h ou t t h e p e r i o d o f t h e c h il d ' s p l a ce m e n t . Bo t h M o t h e r a n d F a t h e r w e r e n o t c o m p li a n t w i t h s e r v i c e s o ff e r e d b y t h e a g e nc y . A s a r e s u l t o f M o t h e r ' s i ss u e s a n d F a t h e r ' s i ss u e s w i t h a l c o h o l a n d t h e i r i n a b ili t y t o m a i n t a i n a d e qu a t e a n d s t a b l e h o u s i ng f o r t h e c h il d , M o t h e r a nd F a t he r a r e u n a b l e t o p r o v i d e t h e pro p e r a n d ess e n t i a l ca r e f o r N . S . t h a t i s n ec e ss a r y f o r N . S . ' s w e ll b e i n g .

F a c t s p e r t a i n i n g t o M o t h e r : 1 . M s . P au l e tt e Pa tt o n t e s t i f i e d t h a t s h e i s t h e a s s i gn e d c a s e w o rke r f o r C h il d r e n a n d Y o u t h Lu z e r n e C o u n t y . M s . P a tt o n t e s ti f i e d t h a t t h e c h il d w as b o r n o n O c t ob e r 1 , 2 0 1 4 . M s . P a tt o n t es t i f i e d t h a t s h e b e c a m e i n v o l v e d i n t h e c a s e du e t o M o t h e r ' s a l c oho l u s e w h il e s h e w a s p r e g n a n t w i t h t h e c h il d a n d t h e n do m e s t i c v i o l e n c e . N . T . 5 / 2 6 /1 7 ( a f t er n oo n t e s ti m o n y ) a t 3 , 5 , M s . P a tt o n t e s t i f i e d t h a t t h e c h il d w a s p l a ce d o n Ju l y 9 , 2 0 1 5 du e t o t h e p a r e n t s b e c o m i ng i n v o l v e d i n a do m e s t i c d i s p u t e . A c c o r d i n g t o M s . P a tt o n , w h il e F a t h e r w a s b e i n g p l a c e d u n d e r a r r e s t , M o t he r b e c a m e a g i t a t e d a n d a g g r e s s i v e a n d w a s a l s o ar r e st e d . T h e c h il d w a s

*17 7 t h e n t a k e n i n t o p r o t e c t i v e c u s t o d y . I d . a t 5 - 6 . M s . P a tt o n t e s t i f i e d t h a t C h il d r e n a nd Y o u t h d ev e l o p e d a f a m il y s e r v i c e p l a n f o r t h e f a m il y . T h e s e r v i c e s p r o v i d e d f o r t h e f a m il y w e r e d r u g a n d a l c o h o l e va l u a ti o n , m e n t a l h e a l t h e v a l u a t i o n , p a r e n t i n g s e r v i c e s , c o u p l es c o u n s e li n g a n d m a i n t a i n i n g s a f e a � d s t a b l e ho u s i n g . T h e p l a n w a s a d o p t e d b y t h e c o u r t a s a c o u r t O r d e r . I d . a t 6 - 7 ; N . T . 6 / 2 0 / 1 7 , a t 2 5 , 2 6 .

M s . P a tt o n t es t i f i e d t h a t M o t h e r d i d no t c o m p l e t e t h e c o u r t o r d e r e d s e r v i c e s . F o r i n s t a n c e , M o t he r w a s r e f e r r e d f o r d r u g a n d a l c o h o l e v a l u a t i o n s e v e r a l t i m e s . S h e w a s r e f e rr e d f o r m e n t a l h e a l t h s e r v i c es . S h e c o m m e n c e d s e r v i ce s a n d t h e n s t o pp e d . C h il d r e n a n d Y o u t h f i r s t a tt e m p t e d t o r e f e r t h e p a re n t s t o " C o n c e r n " f o r a p a r e n t i n g e du c a t i o n p r og r a m ; ho w ev e r , p a r e n t s w e r e r e qu i r e d t o h a v e " c l e a n " t o x i c o l og y s c r ee n s . M o t h e r a n d F a t h e r c o u l d no t m a i n t a i n " c l e a n " s c r ee n s . T h e r e f o re , M o t h e r a nd F a t h e r w e r e r e f e rr e d t o F a m il y S e r v i c es A s s o c i a t i o n f o r p a r e n t i n g e du c a t i o n . H o w e ve r , M o t h e r w as d i sc h a r g e d un s u c c es s f u ll y fr o m p a r e n t i n g o n D e ce m b e r 5 , 2 0 1 6 . M s . P a tt o n ex p l a i n e d t h a t M o t h e r w a s n o t p r o g r e s s i n g w i t h t h e g o a l s s e t f o r h e r . S h e w a s m i ss i ng a p po i n t m e n t s a n d no t f o ll o w i n g r ec o m m e n d a t i o n s . N . T . 6 / 2 0 / 2 0 1 7 a t 3 7 .

W i t h r e s p e c t t o r e l a t i o n s h i p c o u n s e li n g , M s . Pa tt o n s t a t e d t h a t M o t h e r a n d F a t h e r t o l d t h e c ou n s e l o r t h a t t h e y d i d n o t n ee d c o un s e li n g . W i t h r e s p e c t t o m e n t a l h e a l t h , M o t h e r s a w a p s y c h i a t r i s t a nd a l s o a p h y s i c i a n ' s a ss i s t a n t f o r m e d i c i n e m a n a g e m en t . M s . Pa tt o n t es t i f i e d t ha t a t f i r s t , M o t h e r pa r t i c i p a t e d i n h e r m e n t a l h e a l t h p r o g r a m , b u t t h e n s t o p p e d p a r t i c i pa t i n g . M o t h e r re - e n g a g e d a nd t h e n f u r t h e r ce a s e d p a r t i c i pa t i o n . I n J a n u a r y 2 0 1 7 , M s . P a tt o n s p ok e t o *18 M o t h e r a b o u t e nd i n g h e r s e r v i ce s w i t h C o m m un i t y C o un s e li n g . A t f i r s t , M s .

8 - , ·

P a tt on st a t e d t ha t M o t h e r d e n i e d s t o pp i n g t h e s e r v i c e s . T h e n M o t h e r a s s u r e d M s . P a tt o n s h e w o u l d r e t u r n t o C o m m u n i t y C o un s e li n g . H o w e v e r , M s . P a tt o n s t a t e d t h a t C o m m u n i t y C o un s e l i n g a d v i s e d h e r t h a t M o t h e r d i d no t r e t u r n . I d . 7 - 9 .

M s . P a tt o n f u r t h e r t e s ti f i e d t h a t s h e r e f e rr e d M o t h e r t o a d r u g a n d a l c o h o l e v a l u a ti o n a t W y o m i n g V a ll e y A l c o h o l a n d D r u g S e r v i c e s ; h o w eve r , M o t h e r d i d n o t c o m p l e t e t h a t e v a l u a t i o n . M s . P a tt o n t e s ti f i e d t h a t und e r t h e p e r m a n e n cy p l a n , M o t h e r w as r e q u i r e d t o c o m p l y w i t h d r u g s c r ee n s ; h o w ev e r , M o t h e r w as no t f u l l y c o m p li a n t w i t h t o x i c o l o gy s c r ee n s . A c c o r d i n g t o M s . P a tt o n , i n J u l y 2 0 1 6 , M o t h e r t w i ce r e f u s e d t o s ub m i t t o t ox i c o l o gy s c r ee n s . I n A ugu s t 2 0 1 6 , M o t h e r r e f u s e d f o u r ( 4 ) ti m es t o s u b m i t t o t o x i c o l o gy s c r e e n s . I n S e p t e m b e r a n d O c t ob e r o f 2 0 1 6 , s h e r e f u s e d s c r e e n i n g o n ce e a c h m o n t h . I n N ov e m b e r 2 0 1 6 , s h e r e f u se d s e v e n ( 7 ) t i m e s a n d i n D e c e m b e r 2 0 1 6 , s h e r e f u se d f o u r ( 4 ) t i m e s . I d . a t 9 -1 0 .

W i t h r es p ec t t o M o t h e r ' s v i s i t a t i o n s c h e d u l e , M s . Pa tt o n t e s t i f i e d t h a t M o t h e r ' s s c h e d u l e c on s i s t e d o f M o nd a y a n d W e dn e s d ay v i s i t s eac h w e e k . M o t h e r w a s a tt e nd i n g t h e v i s i t s un t il M a r c h of 2 0 1 7 . I n M a r c h o f 2 0 1 7 , M o t h e r c a l l e d a n d c a n c e ll e d c l a i m i n g s h e w a s il l . M o t h e r d i d no t ca ll M s . P a tt o n ag a i n t o s c h e d u l e a n y v i s it s . I d . a t 1 0 - 11 .

M s . Pa tt o n t es t i f i e d t h a t M o t h e r ' s a dd i c t i o n f o r a l c o h o l a nd t h e i ss u e o f d o m e s t i c v i o l e n c e w i t h h e r h u s ba n d c a u s e s s a f e t y c o n ce r n s f o r t h e c h il d . D e s p i t e t h e e n t r y o f a P r o t e c t i o n fr o m A bu s e O r d e r w h i c h a dd r e ss e d c o n t ac t b e t w e e n t h e pa r e n t s , M o t h e r r e t u r n e d t o r es i d e w i t h t h e F a t h e r a nd t h e c h il d . M s . Pa tt on *19 t e s t i f i e d t h a t s i n c e p l a c e m e n t , M o t h e r w a s i n vo l v e d i n p h y s i ca l a l t e r c a t i o n s w i t h

9 . , t h e F a t h e r i n F e b r u a r y , A p r il , a n d J u l y o f 2 0 1 6 . P o li c e r e s po nd e d t o e a c h a lt e r c a t i on . I d . a t 1 3 . I n 2 0 1 7 , M s . P a tt o n i nd i ca t e d t h a t F a t h e r v i o l a t e d t h e P r o t e c t i o n fr o m A b u s e O r d e r b y a tt e m p ti n g t o ha ve c o n t ac t w i t h t h e M o t h e r N . T . 6 / 9 / 2 0 1 7 a t 3 0 - 3 1 .

C o un s e l f o r C h il d r e n a nd Y o u t h a n d c o un s e l f o r M o t h e r s ti p u l a t e d t h a t b e t w e e n O c t o b e r o f 2 0 1 5 a n d J u ne of 2 0 1 6 , M o t h e r h a d t w e l v e ( 1 2 ) po s i t i v e s c r e e n s f o r a l c o h o l . M s . P a tt on t e s t i f i e d t ha t b e t w e e n J u l y 1 3 , 2 0 1 6 a n d N ov e m b e r 9 , 2 0 1 6 , M o t h e r h a d t h i r t ee n ( 1 3 ) n e ga t i v e s c r ee n s f o r a l c o h o l . H o w e ve r , o n J u l y 2 5 , 2 0 1 6 , a n d O c t o b e r 4 , 2 0 1 6 , M o t he r t e s t e d po s i t i v e f o r e t h y l g l u c u r o n i d e , a n a l c o h o l b y - p r o d u c t . O n O c t ob e r 11 , 2 0 1 6 , M o t h e r ' s s c r ee n i n d i c a t e d a n a b no r m a ll y d il u t e d s p ec i m e n . I d . a t 1 6 - 1 8 , 2 4 . T h u s , M o t h e r t e s t e d p o s i ti v e f o r a l c o h o l d u r i n g t h e a f o re s a i d a p p li c a b l e t i m e p e r i o d a nd d i d n o t s ho w a c o n s i s t e n t ti m e pe r i o d o f s o b r i e t y . F u r t h e r m o r e , M o t h e r d i d n o t c o m p l e t e t h e d r u g a n d a l c o h o l s e r v i c e s p r o v i d e d t o h e r w h i c h w e r e e s s e n t i a l t o h e l p h e r w i t h he r s ob r i e t y . F u r t h e r m o r e , a s o f t h e f il i n g o f t h e P e ti t i o n f o r T e r m i n a t i o n o f M o t h e r ' s P a r e n t a l r i gh t s , M o t h e r d i d no t hav e s t a b l e hou s i n g f o r t h e c h il d . H o u s i n g a ss i s t a n ce w a s o ff er e d t o h e r a nd t h e c h il d s ev e r a l t i m e s , y e t s h e d ec li n e d a nd r e t u r n e d t o h e r h u s b a n d .

T h e r e f o r e , a cc o r d i n g t o M s . Pa tt o n , M o t h e r h a s no t r e m e d i e d t h e c i r c u m s t a n c e s t h a t l e d t o t h e m i n o r c h il d ' s p l a c e m en t . M s . P a tt o n e m ph a s i ze d t h a t a lt h o u g h M o t he r w a s r e f e r r e d f o r c o u n s e li n g nu m e r o u s t i m e s , s h e d i d no t f o ll o w t h r o u g h w i t h t h e p r og r a m . S h e a l s o d i d no t f o ll o w t h r o u g h w i t h p a r e n t i n g . Fu r t h e r m o r e , a f t e r t h e c h il d w as p l a c e d on J u l y 9 , 2 0 1 5 , M o t h e r c o n t i n u e d t o *20 h a ve c o n t a c t w i t h F a t h e r a n d c o n t i nu e d t o b e i n v o l v e d i n do m e s t i c d i s pu t e s w i t h

1 0 h i m . M s . Pa tt o n t e s t i f i e d t h a t C h il d r e n a nd Y o u t h ' s c o n ce r n s w e r e t h a t M o t h e r d i d n o t c o m p l e t e a n y o f t h e s e r v i c e s o ff e r e d t o h e r : d r u g a n d a l c o h o l , m e n t a l h e a lt h , p a r e n t i n g a nd t h a t s h e d i d no t o b t a i n o r m a i n t a i n s a f e a n d s t a b l e h o u s i n g . I d . a t 3 2 .

J e ss e M ill e r t e s t i f i e d t h a t h e i s t h e c li n i ca l s upe r v i s o r f o r W y o m i ng V a ll e y A l c o h o l a nd D r u g S e r v i c e s a n d h a s b e e n a n e m p l o y e e o f t h a t f a c ili t y f o r a p p r o x i m a t e l y 1 0 y e a r s . M r . M ill e r t e s t i f i e d t h a t M o t h e r w a s r e f e r r e d t o W y o m i n g V a l l ey A l c o h o l a nd D r u g b y Ch il d r e n a n d Y o u t h i n t h e f a ll o f 2 0 1 4 . M r . M ill e r t es t i f i e d t h a t M o t h e r w a s r e co mm e n d e d t o p a r t i c i p a t e i n " S t e p p i n g S t o n e s " , a p a r t i a l ho s p i t a li z a ti on p r o g r a m , d u e t o M o t h e r ' s o n go i n g a l c o h o l u s e . M r . M ill e r d e s c r i bed S t e pp i n g S t o n e s a s a n i n t e n s i v e o u t pa ti e n t p r og r a m f o r s i x ( 6 ) w e e k s c o n s i s t i ng o f e i g h t ee n ( 1 8 ) s e s s i o n s , t h r e e ( 3 ) d a y s p e r w e e k , f o u r ( 4 ) h o u r s pe r d a y . N . T . 5 / 2 6 / 17 , p . 11 . M o t h e r d i d n o t e n g a g e i n a n y o f t h e r e c o m m e n d e d s e r v i ce s . M o t h e r d i d c o m p l e t e a n e va l u a ti o n o n A p r il 6 , 2 0 1 5 a n d w a s r ec o m m e n d e d t o p a r t i c i pa t e i n a p a r t i a l h o s p it a l i z a ti o n p r o g r a m ; h o w e v e r , M o t he r r e f u se d . T h e n M o t h e r w a s r e c o mm en d e d t o p a r ti c i p a t e i n i nd i v i d u a l c o un s e li n g . I d . a t 8 . M r . M ill e r t e s t i f i e d t h a t M o t h e r pa r ti c i p a t e d i n t w o ( 2 ) e v a l u a t i o n s a n d bo t h ti m e s s h e w a s r e c o m m e n d e d t o p a r t i c i p a t e i n a p a r t i a l h o s p i t a li z a t i o n p r o g r a m . M o t h e r r e f u s e d t o pa r t i c i p a t e i n t h e p r og r a m s . I d . a t 9 - 10 .

M s . J e a n n e Z b i e r s k i t es ti f i e d f o r C h il d r e n a nd Y o u t h . M s . Z b i e r s k i t e s t i f i e d t h a t s h e i s e m p l o y e d a s a t h e r a p i s t a t W y o m i n g V a ll e y A l c o h o l a n d D r u g *21 S e r v i ce s . M s . Z b i e r s k i s t a t e d t h a t s h e ha s w o r k e d i n t ha t c a p a c i t y f o r t h i r t y - e i g h t ( 3 8 ) yea r s . M s . Z b i e r s k i t e s t i f i e d t h a t s h e s a w M o t h e r f o r t w o ( 2 ) s e s s i o n s o n

11 S e p t e m b e r 9 , 2 0 1 5 a n d D e c e m b e r 31 , 2 0 1 5 . I d . a t 1 5 . M o t h e r w a s r e f e r r e d t o M s . Z b i e r s k i f o r a s s e ss m e n t a n d t r ea t m e n t . M s . Z b i e r s k i i n d i c a t e d t h a t M o t h e r w a s s c h e d u l e d t o s e e h e r s ev e n ( 7 ) ti m e s , b u t o n l y s a w h e r t w i c e . I d . a t 2 3 . M s . Z b i e r s k i f u r t h e r s t a t e d t h a t M o t h e r w a s f i r s t s c h e d u l e d f o r a n · a p p o i n t m e n t o n A p r il 2 9 , 2 0 1 5 . M o t h e r r e s che d u l e d t o J u n e 1 , 2 0 1 5 . H o w e v er , M o t h e r d i d n o t a p p ea r f o r t h a t a pp o i n t m e n t . M o t h e r a tt e n d e d t h e r e s c h e du l e d a p p o i n t m e n t o n S ep t e m b e r 9 , 2 0 1 5 . I d . a t 1 6 . A t t h e f i r s t a p p o i n t m e n t , M o t h e r s t a t e d s h e w a s s t ill c o n s u m i n g a l c o h o l a n d w as a rr es t e d as a r e s u l t o f he r c o n s u m p ti o n f o r c h il d e n d a n ge r m e n t . M o t h e r w a s t he n re f e r r e d t o o u t p a ti e n t c ou n s e li n g s e r v i c e s ; h o w e v e r , M o t h e r r e f u s e d t o a tt e n d . I d . a t 1 6 - 1 7 . M s . Z b i e r s k i t e s t i f i e d t h a t M o t he r w as t h e n s c h e d u l e d f o r a no t h e r a p p o i n t m e n t o n O c t o b e r 2 7 , 2 0 1 5 ; h o w e v er , M o t h e r d i d no t a pp e a r f o r h e r a p po i n t m e n t . M o t h e r w as l a t e r s e e n on D e ce m b e r 3 1 , 2 0 11 . M s . Z b i e r s k i t e s t i f i e d t h a t M o t h e r s t a t e d t ha t s h e w as s ti ll c on s u m i n g a l co h o l t o t he po i n t o f i n t ox i c a t i o n . I d . a t 1 7 , 2 1 . M s . Z b i e r s k i s t a t e d t ha t s h e s t r o ng l y r ec o m m e nd e d t h a t M o t h e r p a r ti c i p a t e i n a h i g h e r l e v e l o f c a r e s u c h a s t h e a d u l t p a r t i a l p r og r a m , d u e t o h e r i n a b ili t y t o r e fr a i n fr o m c o n s u m i n g a l c o h o l . H o w e ve r , M o t h e r r e f u se d t o p a r t i c i p a t e i n t h e p r o g r a m . I d . a t 1 7 . M s . Z b i e r s k i t e s t i f i e d t h a t M o t h e r w a s s c h e d u l e d f o r a n o t h e r a p p o i n t m e n t o n J a n u a r y 5 , 2 0 1 6 ; h o w e ve r , M o t h e r d i d n o t a p p ea r . M o t h e r w a s g i v e n a f i n a l a p po i n t m e n t f o r F e b r u a r y 9 , 2 0 1 6 a nd M o t h e r a g a i n d i d n o t a p p ea r . M s . Zb i e r s k i st a t e d t h a t s h e c o u l d no t g i v e a n y u p d a t e o n M o t h e r ' s p r o g r e s s d u e t o M o t h e r ' s i n co n s i s t e n t a tt e nd a n c e a n d h e r r e s i s t a n c e t o t r ea t m e n t . I d . M s . Z b i e rs k i t e s ti f i e d o n c r o s s *22 exa m i n a t i o n t h a t i t i s po ss i b l e f o r s o m e o n e t o b e r e f e rr e d t o t h e A du l t P a r ti a l P r o g r a m f o r o n l y o n e i n c i d e n t w i t h a l c o ho l a n d a ll e g e d d o m e s t i c v i o l e n c e ;

1 2 h o w e v e r , M s . Z b i e rs k i e m ph a s i ze d t h a t M o t h e r d i d n o t j u s t h a v e o n e i n c i d e n t i n v o l v i n g a l c o h o l . M s . Z b i e r s k i s t a t e d t h a t M o t h e r a d m i tt e d a t h e r m e e t i n g s t o c o n s u m i n g a l c o h o l t o t h e l e v e l o f i n t ox i c a t i on . Id . a t 2 1 .

M s . M e li ss a S t a m b a u g h t es ti f i e d t ha t s h e i s e m p l o ye d p a r t t i m e a s a n o u t p a t i e n t c o u n se l o r a t W yo m i n g V a ll e y D r ug a n d A l c o h o l S e r v i c es . M s . S t a m b a u g h t e s t i f i e d t h a t s h e m e t M o t h e r o n J u l y 2 1 , 2 0 1 6 . S h e w a s w o r k i n g w i t h M o t h e r o n a n o u t p a t i e n t l ev e l a n d h a d r e gu l a r o u t p a t i e n t s e ss i o n s w i t h M o t h e r . M s . S t a m b a u g h t es t i f i e d t h a t s h e r ec o m m e n d e d M o t h e r t o R e l a p s e P r e v e n t i o n G r o u p . I d . a t 2 6 . M s . S t a m ba u g h e x p l a i n e d t h a t M o t h e r h a d p r o b l e m s w i t h h e r a l c oho l u s ag e a n d s h e w a s l o o k i n g t o e du c a t e M o t h e r i n t h e p r o g r a m t o r e m a i n s u b s t a n c e fr ee . Id . a t 2 7 .

M s . S t a m b a u g h t e s ti f i e d t h a t o n Se p t e m b e r 9 , 2 0 1 6 , O c t o be r 4 , 2 0 1 6 a n d O c t ob e r 11 , 2 0 1 6 , s h e s e n t M o t h e r f o r r a n do m u r i n e s c r ee n s . O n Se p t e m b e r 9 , 2 0 1 6 , M o t h e r f a il e d t o a tt e n d t h e r a n d o m u r i n e s c r ee n . O n O c t o b e r 4 , 2 0 1 6 , M o t h e r s u b m i tt e d t o t h e u r i n e s c r e e n a n d t e s t e d po s i t i v e f o r a l c o h o l . O n O c t o b e r 11 , 2 0 1 6 , M o t h e r s u b m i tt e d t o t h e u r i n e s c r ee n a n d he r s a m p l e w a s d il u t e d . M s . S t a m b a u gh t e s ti f i e d t h a t o n O c t o b e r 1 3 , 2 0 1 6 , s h e r e - e va l u a t e d M o t h e r a n d r e c o m m e n d e d h e r t o a h i g h e r l ev e l o f c a r e s u c h a s a n i n p a t i e n t d 111 g a n d a l c o h o l f a c ili t y . I d . H o w e v e r , M o t h e r r e f u se d t o e n t e r i n t o a n i n p a t i e n t d r u g a n d a l c o ho l f a c ili t y . T h e r e f o r e , a c c o r d i n g t o M s . S t a m b a u g h , M o t h e r w a s p l a ce d i n t o a n A d u l t P a r t i a l P r o g r a m , a l o w e r l e ve l o f c a r e . M s . S t a m b a ugh e m ph a s i z e d , *23 ho w e v er , t h a t M o t he r n e e d e d t h e i n p a t i e n t l ev e l o f ca r e . I d . a t 2 8 .

M s . S t a m ba u g h t e s t i f i e d t h a t M o t h e r w as n o t i n c o m p li a n c e w i t h he r t r ea t m e n t a s s h e r e f u s e d t o e n t e r i n t o a n i n p a t i e n t d r u g a nd a l c oho l t r e a t m e n t 13 facility. Ms. Stambaugh further testified that on November 11, 2016, she met with Mother for an outpatient session and sent Mother for a random urine screen. However, Mother failed to submit to the screen. Ms. Stambaugh also testified that Mother did not return to her last group on November 30, 2016. Mother left treatment. Therefore, according to Ms. Stambaugh, Mother was not in compliance with treatment. Id. On December 9, 2016, Ms. Stambaugh testified that she scheduled a follow-up appointment with Mother; however, Mother failed to show up for the appointment. Also, Ms. Stambaugh further added that Mother did not appear for an intake appointment on March 2, 2017. Ms. Stambaugh stated that between November 2016 and March 2017, Mother did not attend any sessions with Wyoming Valley Alcohol & Drug. However, according to Ms. Stambaugh, on March 2, 2017, Mother referred herself for care. She did not appear for her appointment. Ms. Stambaugh testified that Mother did not complete any level of care in order to address drug and alcohol use concerns. Ms. Stambaugh testified that Mother related to her that she was excessively consuming alcohol several times per week. ,Mother was drinking to the point where she needed to be detoxed in an inpatient facility. Mother refused to comply. Id. at 29.

Ms. Megan Kosik testified that she is a case manager for Family Service Association in the Intensive Family Reunification Program. Id. at 36. Ms. Kosik testified that she began working with Mother in September of 2016. Ms. Kosik *24 described Mother's attendance with the program as sporadic. Mother was required to attend twelve (12) sessions. According to Ms. Kosik, Mother attended five (5) sessions. Ms. Kosik stated that Mother missed a session on

14 September 1, 2016 and another session on November 10, 2016. Then Mother lost contact with Ms. Kosik from November 10, 2016 to December 5, 2016. Jd. at 37- 38.

AB part of the Intensive Family Reunification Program, Mother was required to meet four (4) goals: 1) parenting effectively; 2) maintaining her sobriety and understanding the impact of her sobriety upon her parenting; 3) seeking employment and 4) maintaining safe and stable housing. Ms. Kosik testified that during Mother's sessions, Mother would seem to understand her issues with alcohol and the steps she needed to take for treatment; however, Mother would not apply what she learned in the sessions to address her issues with alcohol. Therefore, Mother did not allow herself to benefit from the program. Id. 38.

Ms. Kosik testified that she observed four (4) visits between Mother and the child. Overall, Ms. Kosik testified that Mother was able to achieve the first goal which involved applying the parental skills she learned in the sessions. However, according to Ms. Kosik, Mother was not successful with the second goal which involved gaining knowledge on healthy relationships and understanding how Mother's decisions affect her ability to parent her child. According to Ms. Kosik, Mother stated to her multiple times during a session on September 15, 2016 that she would choose her husband over her children and had already done so several times. Id. 39-40. Ms. Kosik testified that Mother was also not *25 successful with the third goal which involved maintaining Mother's sobriety and understanding its effects. Ms. Kosik testified that Mother had several relapses with alcohol while she had a Protection from Abuse Order from her husband and

15 he r hu s ban d a l s o had a r ec i p r o ca l P r o t ec t i o n fr o m A bu s e O r d e r . M s . K o s i k t es t i f i e d t ha t M o t h e r a n d F a t h e r w o u l d c on s u m e a l c o h o l t o g e t h e r . M s . K o s i k a l s o s t a t e d t h a t M o t h e r r e l a t e d t o h e r t h a t t h e r e w a s a p h y s i c a l a l t e r ca t i o n t h a t o cc u rre d o n S ep t e m b e r 1 5 , 2 0 1 6 a t a b a r i n w h i c h M o t h er w as c o n s u m i n g a l c o ho l a n d t h e po li c e w e r e i n v o l v e d . M s . K o s i k s t a t e d t ha t M o t he r , o n a m o n t h l y b a s i s , w o u l d l e av e f a t h e r a n d t h e n r e t u r n t o h i m . F o r i n s t a n c e , M o t h e r s t a t e d s h e w o u l d s e e k s e r v i ce s fr o m a D o m e s t i c V i o l e n c e C e n t e r a n d t he n a m o n t h l a t e r , s h e w o u l d r e t u r n t o h e r h u s b a n d . I d . 4 0 - 4 1 .

M s . K os i k f u r t h e r s t a t e d t h a t M o t h e r d i d n o t m ee t t h e f o u r t h g o a l w h i c h i n vo l v e d s ee k i n g e m p l o y m e n t a nd s ec u r i n g h o u s i n g . M s . K o s i k t es t i f i e d t h a t M o t h e r w a s i n a D o m e s t i c V i o l e n c e C e n t e r a nd a B r i d g e P r o g r a m w as s e t up f o r M o t h e r t o s e c u re h o u s i n g . H o w e v e r , M o t h e r d e c li n e d t h a t o pp o r t u n i t y a n d l e f t w i t ho u t no ti ce a n d r e t u r n e d t o h e r hu s b a n d . M o t h e r w as a l s o i n t h e d o m e s ti c v i o l e n c e s h e l t er a ga i n a n d s h e a pp li e d f o r h o u s i n g a t S h e r m a n H ill s A p a r t m e n t s . M o t h e r w a s a p p r o v e d f o r hou s i n g ; h o w e ve r , M o t h e r d e c l i n e d a ga i n a n d l e f t t o r e t u r n t o h e r h u s b a n d . I d . a t 4 1 - 42 ; N . T . 5 / 2 6 /1 6 ( a f t e r no o n t e s t i m o n y ) a t 11 - 1 2 . M s . K o s i k , t h e r e f o r e , c l o se d M o t h e r ' s c a s e f o r n o n - c o m p li a n c e o n D e c e m b er 5 , 2 0 1 6 . M s . K o s i k e x p l a i n e d t h a t a s p a r t o f t h e i n t e n s i v e p r o g r a m , t h e r e m u s t b e a m i n i m u m o f w e e k l y v i s i t s . M s . K o s i k r e i t e r a t e d t h a t M o t h e r c a n ce ll e d h e r a p p o i n t m e n t o n S ep t e m b e r 1 , 2 0 1 6 a n d N o v e m b e r 1 , 2 0 1 6 a n d t h e r e w a s n o t c o n t a c t b e t w e e n N o v e m b e r 8 , 2 0 1 6 a n d N o v e m b e r 1 7 , 2 0 1 6 . M s . K o s i k s t a t e d *26 t h a t M o t h e r d i d n o t r e t u r n a n y o f h e r t e l e p h o n e c a ll s o r m e s s a g es . T h e r e f o r e , M o t h e r w as n o t c o m p li a n t w i t h t h e p r og r a m d u e t o h e r l a c k o f c o n t ac t .

1 6 A c co r d i n g t o M s . K o s i k , M o t h e r d i d n o t s u cce ss f u ll y c o m p l e t e t h e s e r v i c e s w i t h t h e p r o g r a m . N . T . 5/ 2 6 / 1 6 ( m o r n i n g t e s ti m o n y ) a t 42 .

O n c r o s s e xa m i na t i o n b y t h e G u a r d i a n A d L i t e m , M s . K os i k t e s t i f i e d t ha t w h e n M o t h e r r e t u r n e d t o F a t h e r , s h e p l ac e d t h e c h il d i n a d a n ge r ou s s i t u a ti o n . M s . K o s i k ex p l a i n e d t h a t t h e i n i t i a l r e f e r r a l w a s a d o m e s t i c d i s p u t e w h i c h i n v o l v e d t h e po li ce a r r i v i n g a t t h e p a r e n t s ' r e s i d e n ce a nd f i nd i n g M o t h e r a n d F a t h e r i n t o x i ca t e d , t h e c h il d w i t ho u t p r op e r h y g i e n e a nd t h e r e s i d e n c e i n f i l t h y c o n d i t i o n . I d . 4 8 .

A l i c i a S i n g e r t e s t i f i e d t h a t s h e i s e m p l oy e d a t C o m m un i t y C o un s e li n g S e r v i c e s a s a s e n i o r c li n i c i a n . M s . S i n ge r i n d i c a t e d t h a t M o t h e r h a s no t b ee n c o m p li a n t w i t h t h e s e r v i c e s fr o m 2 0 1 5 t o t h e t i m e o f t h e h e a r i n g . N . T . 6 / 2 0 , 2 0 1 7 . M s . S i n g e r t e s t i f i e d t ha t M o t h e r a p p ea r e d f o r a n i n t a k e o n M a r c h 2 7 , 2 0 1 5 a n d c o m p l e t e d t h e a ss e s s m e n t . M s . S i n g e r i n d i c a t e d t h a t i n 2 0 1 5 , M o t h e r w a s s c h e d u l e d f o r e l ev e n ( 11 ) a p p o i n t m e n t s t h a t y e a r . M o t h e r o n l y a tt e nd e d f i v e ( 5 ) a p po i n t m e n t s , f o u r o f t h e m w e r e d o c t or ' s a pp o i n t m en t s a n d t h e o t h e r w a s a t h e r ap y a p p o i n t m e n t . S h e f a il e d t o a tt e n d s i x ( 6 ) a ppo i n t m e n t s , f i v e ( 5 ) o f t h e m w e r e p h y s i c i a n a p p o i n t m e n t s a n d t h e o t h e r w a s a t h e r a p y a ppo i n t m e n t . M o t h e r f a il e d t o a pp ea r f o r h e r a p po i n t m e n t s w i t ho u t ca lli n g t o c a n c e l . T h e r e f o r e , ac c o r d i n g t o M s . S i n g e r , M o t h er w a s n o t c o m p l i a n t i n 2 0 1 5 . I d . a t 1 8 - 1 9 .

M s . S i n g e r t e s t i f i e d t h a t M o t h e r w a s a l s o no t c o m p li a n t i n 2 0 1 6 . M o t h e r w a s r e q u i r e d t o a tt e n d t w e l v e ( 1 2 ) a p po i n t m e n t s f o r t h a t y e a r . M o t h e r o n l y *27 a tt e n d e d s i x ( 6 ) a p p o i n t m e n t s , t w o t h e r a p y a p po i n t m e n t s a n d f o u r p h y s i c i a n a p p o i n t m e n t s . S h e f a il e d t o a tt e n d t w o ( 2 ) t h e r a p y a pp o i n t m en t s a nd t h r ee ( 3 ) p h y s i c i a n a ppo i n t m e n t s . O n A p r il 1 3 , 2 0 1 6 , M o t h e r c a n c e ll e d a p h y s i c i a n

1 7 a p p o i n t m e n t . A c c o r d i ng t o M s . S i n g e r , t h e l a s t s c h e d u l e d a ppo i n t m e n t M o t h e r h a d w i t h C o mm un i t y Co u n s e li n g Se r v i ce s w as A p r il 2 1 , 2 0 1 7 . H o w e v er , M o t h e r c a n ce ll e d t h e a p p o i n t m e n t . I d . a t 1 9 - 2 0 . M s . S i n g e r t e s t i f i e d t h a t M o t h er r ec e i v e d m e d i c a t i o n m a n a g e m e n t a nd i n d i v i d ua l t h e r a py s e r v i c es . H o w e v e r , a cc o r d i n g t o M s . S i ng e r ' s r eco r d s , t h e l a s t a p po i n t m e n t M o t h e r h ad w i t h he r p s yc h i a t r i s t f o r he r m e d i ca t i o n m a n a g e m e n t w a s Ju n e 2 , 2 0 1 6 . S i n ce t h a t d a t e , M s . S i n g e r t es t i f i e d t ha t M o t h e r f a il e d t o k ee p a n y o t h e r a ppo i n t m e n t s . Id . a t 2 0 - 2 1 . M s . S i n g e r s t a t e d t h a t M o t h er d i d no t h a v e a n y a p po i n t m e n t s i n 2 0 1 7 . M s . S i ng e r i n d i ca t e d t h a t t h e r eco r d s do n o t s ho w t h a t M o t h e r s u cce ss f u ll y c o m p l e te d t r e a t m e n t , n o r d o t h e r eco r d s s ho w t h a t M o t h e r w a s co m p li a n t w i t h t h e s e r v i c e s .

M o t h e r t e s t i f i e d t h a t s h e c u r r e n t l y r e s i d e s w i t h h e r m o t h e r a nd t h e c h il d ' s h a l f s i b li n g i n F l o r i d a . S h e t e s t i f i e d t h a t t h e h o m e h a s f o u r ( 4 ) b e d r o o m s a nd i s c l e a n a n d a pp r op r i a t e f o r li v i n g . N . T . 6/ 2 0 / 1 7 a t 63 . M s . S · / . , h o w ev e r , d i d n o t o ffer a n y t e s t i m o n y on s t e p s s h e h a d t a k e n t o re m e dy h e r a d d i c t i o n t o a l c o h o l a n d h e r m e n t a l h e a l t h . A l t h ou g h s h e m a y h a v e r e m e d i e d h o u s i n g c on ce r n s b y r e s i d i n g w i t h h e r m o t h e r i n F l o r i d a , t h e r e w e r e a d d i t i o n a l g r a v e c o n c e r n s t h a t M o t h e r h a d t o o v e r c o m e i n o r d e r t o s a f e l y p a re n t t h e c h il d . S h e d i d no t .

F a c t s p e r t a i n i n g t o F a t h e r : 2 . M s . P a u l e tt e P a tt o n , a n o n go i n g ca s e w o r k e r f o r C h il d r e n a nd Y o u t h ,

t e s t i f i e d t h a t a c c o r d i n g t o t h e p e r m a n e n c y p l a n , F a t h e r w a s o r d e r e d t o 1 ) u nd e r g o a m e n t a l h ea l t h e v a l u a t i o n a n d f o ll o w a l l r e c o m m e nd a t i o n s ; 2 ) un d e r g o a d r u g *28 a nd a l c o h o l e v a l u a t i on a nd f o ll o w a ll r e c o m m e n d a ti o n . g ) a tt e n d pa r e n ti n g s e ss i o n s a n d 4 ) m a i n t a i n s a f e a n d s t a b l e ho u s i n g . M s . P a tt o n t e s t i f i e d t h a t F a t h e r w as r e f e r r e d t o C o m m un i t y C o u n s e li n g ; h o w e v e r , h e ne ve r c o m p l e t e d

1 8 s e r v i c es . F a t h e r w as r e f e r r e d i n O c t o b e r o f 2 0 1 4 . H e w a s r e f e r r e d a g a i n i n M a r c h o f 2 0 1 5 , b u t h e d i d n o t m ee t w i t h a p s y c h i a t r i s t . N . T . 3 / 9 / 1 7 a t 4 1 .

A c c o r d i n g t o M s . A l i c i a S i n g e r , t h e s e n i o r c l i n i c i a n , a t C o m m u n i t y C ou n s e li n g S e r v i ce s , F a t h e r f a il e d a n i n t a k e a p p o i n t m e n t o n Ja nu a r y 6 , 2 0 1 5 . H e a p p ea r e d f o r a n i n t a k e a p p o i n t m e n t on Ja nu a r y 2 9 , 2 0 1 5 . O n A p r il 2 2 , 2 0 1 5 , h e c a n ce l e d a n a p po i n t m e n t f o r h i s e v a l u a t i o n w i t h a p s y c h i a t r i s t . O n A u gu s t 1 2 , 2 0 1 5 , F a t he r m i s s e d a n o t h e r ph y s i c i a n a p po i n t m e n t . T h e r e f o r e , p u r s u a n t t o M s . S i n g e r ' s r e c o r d s , F a t h e r a tt e n d e d o n e a p po i n t m e n t a t C o mm un i t y C ou n s e li n g w h i c h w a s t h e i n t a k e a p p o i n t m e n t o n J a nu a r y 2 9 , 2 0 1 5 . I d . a t 27 - 2 8 .

M s . P a tt o n t e s t i f i e d t h a t F a t h e r w as r e f e r r e d t o a p a r e n t i n g e d u ca t i o n c o u r s e i n N o v e m b e r o f 2 0 1 5 ; ho w e v e r , h e w a s n o t a b l e t o p a r t i c i p a t e b e ca u s e h e w a s r e q u i r e d t o b e s u b st a n c e fr ee t o r e m a i n i n t h e p r o g r a m . F a t h e r w a s t h e n r e f e r r e d t o t h e I n t e n s i v e F a m il y R e un i f i ca t i on p r og r a m i n 2 0 1 6 , b u t a c c o r d i n g t o M s . P a tt o n , h e w a s d i s c h a r g e d fr o m t h e p r o g r a m . M s . Pa tt o n t e s t i f i e d t h a t w i t h r e s p e c t t o u r i n e s c r e e n s , F a t h e r w a s a l s o no t c o m p li a n t . M s . P a tt o n t e s t i f i e d t h a t F a t h e r w o u l d b e g i v e n a d r u g s c r e e n r e q u e s t w h e n e v e r h e ca m e f o r a v i s i t ; h o w e v e r , F a t h e r r e f u s e d t o go . F a t h e r , a t t i m e s , r e f u s e d t o t a k e t h e d r ug s c r ee n s li p w h e n i t w a s g i v e n t o h i m . I d . a t 4 1 - 4 2 , 4 4 - 4 5 . M s . P a tt o n d i d i nd i ca t e t h a t b e t w e e n J u n e a n d Ja nu a r y o f 2 0 1 7 , F a t h e r d i d s u b m i t t o s o m e t o x i c o l o gy s c r ee n s . Id . a t 4 3 . M s . P a tt o n t e s t i f i e d t h a t F a t h e r a tt e n d e d d r u g a nd a l c o h o l s e s s i o n s *29 s p o r a d i ca ll y , b u t s t o p p e d p a r t i c i p a t i n g a t t h e e n d o f 2 0 1 5 . I d . a t 4 1 .

F a t h e r t e s t i f i e d t ha t m a n y t i m e s , h e w a s no t g i v e n p a p e r w o r k t o s u b m i t t o a t o x i co l o gy s c r e e n . H e t es t i f i e d t h a t h e b e li e v e d h e d i d no t h a v e a s u b s t a n c e a b u s e i s s u e . F a t h e r a l s o d e n i e d b e i n g i n t o x i c a t e d a t t h e t i m e o f p l a c e m e n t a n d

1 9 p l ac e d c o m p l e t e b l a m e o n t he M o t he r . F a t h e r a l s o t es t i f i e d t h a t s i n ce h e d i d n o t h a v e a s ub s t a n ce a bu s e i s s u e a n d h e d i d n o t r e q u i r e t h e d r u g a n d a l c o h o l s e r v i c es . N . T . 6 / 2 0 / 1 7 a t 77 - 7 8 E v e n t h o u gh F a t he r t e s t i f i e d t ha t h e d i d n o t h a v e a s ub s t a n ce a b u s e i s s u e , he t h e n c ha n g e d h i s t e s ti m o n y a nd s t a t e d t h a t h e d i d h av e a p r o b l e m w i t h a l c oho l d u e t o s t r es s , bu t t ha t h e n o w ha s i t u n d e r c o n t r o l . I d . a t 9 4 - 1 0 1 - 10 2 . T h i s C o u r t f i n d s F a t h e r ' s t e s t i m o ny i n c o n s i s t e n t a n d no t cr e d i b l e .

M s . Pa tt o n t e s t i f i e d t h a t F a t h e r w a s a l s o r e f e r r e d t o r e l a t i o n s h i p c o un s e li n g . F a t h e r w a s r e f e r r e d t o C o m m u n i t y C o un s e li n g f o r t h a t p u r p o s e ; h o w e v e r , F a t h e r a pp ea re d w i t h M o t h er a t C o m m u n i t y C o un s e li n g a n d s t a t e d t h a t h e d i d no t n e e d r e l a t i on s h i p c o u n s e li n g e v e n t h o ug h h e a nd M o t h e r w e r e b o t h a r r e s t e d f o r a n i n c i d e n t r e l a t i n g t o d o m e s t i c v i o l e n ce t h a t s a m e y e a r . C h il d r e n a n d Y o u t h r e f e rr e d t h e pa r e n ts f o r r e l a t i o n s h i p c ou n s e li n g a t C o mm un i t y C o un s e li n g Se r v i ces ; h o w e v e r , C o mm u n i t y C o un s e li n g w o u l d n o l o n g e r p e r m i t t h e m t o a tt e n d a s p a r e n t s s t a t e d t h ey d i d n o t n e e d c o u n s e li n g . M s . Pa tt o n t e s t i f i e d t ha t C h il d r e n a n d Y o u t h r e f e r r e d t h e p a r e n t s t o F a m il y Se r v i c e s A s s o c i a t i o n . H o w eve r , t ha t age n c y o n l y a g r e e d t o s ee t h e m s e pa r a t e l y d ue t o t h e i n c i d e n ce o f d o m e s t i c v i o l e n ce i n t h e i r r e l a t i on s h i p . F a t h e r p a r t i c i pa t e d i n o n e a p p o i n t m en t . F a t h e r d i d n o t a p p e a r f o r h i s n e x t a ppo i n t m e n t a n d t h e n d i d n o t r e s c h e d u l e f o r a n o t h e r a p p o i n t m e n t . I d . a t 4 5 - 46 .

*30 M s . P a tt o n t e s t i f i e d t h a t s h e w a s c o n ce r n e d t h a t F a t h e r h a s no t r e m e d i e d a n y o f t h e i s s u e s t h a t l e d t o p l a c e m e n t o f h i s c h il d . D o m e s t i c v i o l e n c e w a s o n e o f t h e r e a s o n s f o r p l a ce m e n t , y e t F a t h e r d i d n o t pa r t i c i pa t e i n a n y o f t h e s e r v i c e s . M s . P a tt o n t e s ti f i e d t h a t M o t h e r i n f o r m e d t h e a ge n c y t h a t s h e h a d a P r o t ec t i o n

2 0 fr o m A b u s e O r d er a ga i n s t F a t h e r a n d t ha t h e h a d a r e c i p r o c a l O r d e r a g a i n s t h e r . B o t h pa r e n t s w er e a r r e s t e d i n 2 0 1 5 , d u e t o a n i n c i d e n t i nv o l v i ng do m e s t i c v i o l e n c e . I d . a t 4 6 . A c c o r d i n g t o M s . P a tt o n , F a t h e r v i o l a t e d t h e P r o t e c t i o n fr o m A b u s e O r d e r i n 2 0 1 6 a nd 2 0 1 7 .

W i t h r e s p ec t t o bo t h M o t h e r a n d F a t h e r , b a s e d o n t h e t e s t i m on y o f v a r i ou s w i t n e s s e s , s u m m a r i z e d a bov e , a n d ba s e d o n t h e e v i d e n c e p r e s e n t e d t o t h e C o u r t , t h e C o u r t f i n d s t h a t s u b s e q u e n t t o t h e p l a c e m en t o f t h e c h il d o n J u l y 9 , 2 0 1 5 , bo t h M o t h e r a n d F a t h e r d i d no t c o m p l e t e t h e r e q u i re d s e r v i c e s f o r m e n t a l h e a l t h t r e a t m e n t a n d d r u g a n d a l c o h o l t r e a t m e n t . A l s o , a s o f t h e d a t e o f f il i n g o f t he P e t iti o n f o r T e r m i na t i o n o f P a r e n t a l R i g h t s b o t h M o t h e r a nd F a t h e r w e r e n o t a b l e t o m a i n t a i n a d e q ua t e s a f e h o u s i n g f o r t he c h il d d ue t o t h e i r d o m e s ti c a b u s e t o w a r d o n e a no t h e r a n d c o n t i n u i n g t o r e s i d e t o g e t h e r d e s p i t e t h e a b u s e . T h e r e f o r e , t h e C o u r t f i n d s t h a t bo t h M o t h e r a n d F a t h e r h a v e n o t b ee n a b l e t o r e m e dy t h e c o n d i t i o n s t h a t g a v e r i s e t o t h e p l a c e m en t o f t h e c h il d .

U n li k e 2 3 P a . C . S . A . § 2 5 11 ( a ) (1 ) , s u b se c ti o n ( a ) ( 2 ) d o e s no t e m p h a s i ze a p a r e n t ' s r e f u s a l o r f a il u r e t o p e r f o r m p a r e n t a l du t i e s , b u t i n s t e a d e m ph a s i z e s t h e ch il d ' s p r e s e n t a n d f u t u r e ne e d f o r e ss e n t i a l pa r e n t a l c a r e , c o n t r o l o r s u b s i s t e n ce n e c e s s a r y f o r h i s ph y s i c a l o r m e n t a l w e l l - b e i n g . T h e r e f o re , t h e l a n gu a g e i n s u b s ec ti o n ( a ) ( 2 ) s h o u l d no t b e r e a d t o c o m p e l c o u r t s t o i g n o r e a c h il d ' s n ee d f o r a s t a b l e ho m e a n d . . . t h i s i s p a r t i c u l a r l y s o w h e r e d i sr up t i o n o f t h e f a m i l y h a s *31 a l re a d y oc c u r r e d a nd t h e r e i s n o r e a s o n a b l e p r o s p e c t f o r r e u n i t i n g i t . " ( o u r e m p h a s i s a d d e d ) I n r e E . A . P . , 9 44 A . 2 d 7 9 ( P a . S u p e r 2 0 0 8 ) .

G i v e n t h e o v er w h e l m i n g e v i d e n ce a n d t e s t i m o n y , i t i s c l ea r t h a t bo t h M o t h e r a n d F a t h e r h av e r ece i v e d a nd / o r h a s b e e n o ff e r e d e x t e n s i v e s e r v i c es o v e r 2 1 t h e y e a rs a nd t h e y h av e f a il e d t o c o m p l e t e t h e s e r v i c e s o r ev e n be n e f i t fr o m t h e s e r v i ce s .

A t t h i s j un c t u r e , t h e c h il d ' s r i g h t t o h a v e p r op e r p a r e n t i n g i n f u l f i ll m e n t o f h i s po t e n t i a l i n a p e r m a n e n t , h ea l t h y , s a f e e n v i r o n m e n t o u t w e i g h s M o t h e r ' s a n d F a t h e r ' s i n t e r e s t .. I n R e : J . A . S . , J r . , 2 0 0 3 P a . S u p e r . 11 2 , c i ti n g I n t h e I n t e re s t o f L i l li e , 7 1 9 A . 2 d 3 27 ( P a . S up e r 1 9 9 8 ) .

V . D I S C U S S I O N : G RO UND S F O R TE R M I N A T I O N F O R M O T H E R A , N D F A T H E R A . 2 3 P a . C . S . A . Se c ti on 2 5 1 1 ( a ) ( 5 )

A C o u r t m ay t e r m i n a t e t h e p a r e n t a l r i gh t s u n d e r S e c t i o n 2 5 11 ( a ) ( 5 ) w he n : T h e c h il d h a s be e n r e m o v e d fr o m t h e c a r e o f t h e p a r e n t b y t h e C o u r t o r u n d e r v o l u n t a r y a g r e e m e n t w i t h a n a g e n c y f o r a pe r i o d o f a t l e a s t s i x m o n t h s , t h e c o nd i t i o n s o f w h i c h l e d t o t h e r e m o v a l o r p l a ce m e n t o f t h e c h il d c o n t i nu e t o e x i s t , t h e p a r e n t c a n n o t o r w i ll n o t r e m e d y t h o s e c o nd i t i o n s w i t h i n a r e a s o n a b l e p e r i o d o f t i m e , t h e s e r v i c e s o r a ss i s t a n c e r e a s on a b l y a v a il a b l e t o t h e p a r e n t a r e no t li k e l y t o r e m e d y t h e c o n d i ti o n s w h i c h l e d t o t h e r e m ov a l o r p l a c e m en t o f t h e c h il d w i t h i n a r ea s o n a b l e pe r i o d o f t i m e a n d t e r m i n a t i on o f t h e p a r e n t a l r i g h t s w o u l d b e s t s e r v e t h e n e e d s a n d w e l f a r e o f t h e c h il d . M o t h e r ' s p a r e n t a l r i g h t s a n d F a t h e r ' s p a r e n t a l r i g h ts m a y a l s o b e

t e r m i na t e d u nd e r t h i s p r o v i s i o n o f t h e S t a t u t e . U n d e r 2 3 P a . C . S . A . S e c t i o n 25 11 ( a ) ( 5 ) , t h e a g e n c y m u s t s h o w : ( 1) t h e c h i l d h a s b ee n r e m o v e d f r o m t h e c a r e o f t h e p a r e n t b y t h e C ou r t f o r a p e r i o d o f a t l e a s t s i x m o n t h s ; ( 2 ) T h e c o n d i ti o n s *32 g i v i n g r i s e t o p l a c e m e n t c o n t i n u e t o e x i s t , ( 3 ) T h o s e c o n d i t i o n s w i ll n o t be r e m e d i e d i n a r e a s o n a b l e p e r i o d o f t i m e , a n d ( 4 ) T e r m i n a t i on o f p a r e n t a l r i g h t s w o u l d b e s t s e r v e t he n ee d s a n d w e l f a r e o f t h e c h il d . ( 1 ) ( 2 ) C H I L D R E M O V E D B Y T H E C O U R T F O R A P E R I O D OF A L E A S T S I X

M

O N T H S AN D C O N D I T I O N S C O N T I N U I N G T O E X I S T

2 2 T h e c h il d w a s o r i g i n a ll y p l a c e d o n J u l y 9 , 2 0 1 5 du e t o a n e m e r ge n c y s h e lt e r care o r d e r i ss u e d by t h e C o u r t . T h e r e f o r e , t h e c h il d ha s b ee n r e m o v e d fr o m h i s M o t h e r a n d F a t h e r f o r a t l ea st s i x ( 6 ) m on t h s . It i s a l s o c l ea r t h r o ugh t h e t e s t i m on y o u t li n e d ab ov e , t h a t t h e na t u r a l M o t h er a n d F a t h e r ha v e b e e n u n a b l e t o r es o l v e t h e i s s u e s t ha t gav e r i s e t o t h e p l a ce m en t o f t h e m i n o r c h il d , N . S . , i . e . i n a b ili t y t o s t a y d r u g fr e e , i n ab ili t y t o c o m p l e t e m e n t a l h ea l t h s e r v i c e s a n d i n a b ili t y t o c o m p l e t e p a r e n t i n g s e ss i on s . A l t hou g h F a t he r t es t i f i e d t h a t h e ha s b ee n s o b er a n d n o l o n g e r h a s a n i s s u e w i t h a l c o ho l . F a t h e r d i d n o t p r e s en t i n d e p e n d e n t e v i d e n c e ve r i f y i n g h i s s t a t e m e n t s . T he e v i d en ce t h e C o u r t h a s i s F a t h e r ' s r e f u s a l t o a tt e n d d r u g s c r e e n s . F u r t h e r m o r e , a l t h o u gh M o t h er s t a t e d s h e m o v e d t o F l o r i d a a nd r e s i d e s i n a ho m e w i t h h e r M o t h e r t h a t i s a p p r op r i a t e f o r t h e c h il d , M o t h e r n ev e r p r o v i d e d e v i d e n c e t o s u pp o r t t h e c o n t e n t i o n . M o t h e r l e f t f o r F l o r i d a a n d o n l y n o ti f i e d h e r c o u n s e l o f h e r c h an g e i n r e s i d e n c e . D e s p i t e t h e c h a n ge i n r e s i d e n ce , M o t h e r ' s i s s u e w i t h a l c o h o l a b u s e i s a s i g n i f i c a n t f a c t o r i n t h i s c a s e w h i c h M o t h e r h a s y e t t o r e m e d y . T h e o v e r w h e l m i n g e v i d e n c e s h o w s t h a t a ll o f t h e s e i s s u es h av e y e t t o b e r e m e d i e d b y M o t h e r a n d F a t h e r a s bo t h p a r e n t s n e v e r c o m p l e t e d t h e s e r v i c es o r d e r e d by t h e C o u r t t o a dd r e ss t h e i r a l c o h o l a n d d r u g i s s u e , t h e i r m e n t a l h ea l t h i s s u e , p a r e n t i n g i ss u e s a n d t h e n ee d t o m a i n t a i n s a f e a nd s t a b l e h o u s i n g f o r t h e c h il d .

*33 T h e C o u r t h a s r e co g n i z e d t h i s i ss u e a b ov e i n i t s a n a l y s i s o f Se c t i o n 2 5 11 ( a ) ( 2 ) a n d f i n d s t he s a m e c o n s i d e r a t i o n s a pp l y f o r 25 11 ( a ) ( 5 ) t h a t h a v e a l r e a d y b ee n d i s c u s s e d e x t e n s i v e l y i n t h i s m e m o r a n du m . Fu r t h e r m o r e , t h e C o u r t a pp li es t h i s s a m e r e a s o n i n g i n c o n c l u d i n g t h a t t h e na t u r a l M o t h e r a nd n a t u r a l F a t h e r f a il e d

2 3 t o r e m e d y t he co n d i t i on s t h a t o r i g i n a ll y ga v e r i s e t o p l a ce m e n t o f t h e i r m i n o r c h il d , N . S . ( 2 ) R E M E DY OF C O N D I T I O N S I N R E A S O N A B L E T I M E

Bo t h M o t he r a n d F a t h e r h a ve had o v e r t w o ( 2 ) y ea rs t o r e m e d y t h e c o n d i ti o n s w h i c h ga ve r i s e t o p l a ce m e n t , y e t t h e e v i d e n c e s h o w s t h a t t h e y h a v e b e en un a b l e t o m a k e a n y p r og r e s s . M o t h e r a tt e m p t e d t o r ec t i f y s a f e a n d s t ab l e hou s i n g b y i nd i c a t i n g t h a t s h e m o v e d t o F l o r i d a a n d t ha t s he i s no l o n g e r r e s i d i n g w i t h F a t h er . D e s p i t e M o t h e r ' s a t t e m p t t o r ec t i f y s a f e a n d s t a b l e h o u s i n g f o r t h e c h il d , t he f a c t r e m a i n s t h a t M o t h e r d i d no t r e m ed y h e r i ss u e w i t h d r u g a nd a l c o h o l a n d m e n t a l h ea l t h . F a t h e r a tt e m p t e d t o r ec t i f y h i s i s s u e w i t h a l c o h o l b y s t a ti n g t h a t h e i s no l ong er c o n s u m i n g a l c o ho l , ye t p r o d u ce d n o e v i d e n c e v er i f y i n g h i s s t a t e m e n t s . T h i s C o u r t f i n d s t h a t F a t h e r h a s be en a nd i s u n ab l e t o r e m e d y t h e c o nd i t i o n s t h a t ga v e r i s e t o p l a c e m e n t o f t h e m i n o r c h il d w i t h i n a r ea s on ab l e t i m e p e r i o d . ( 3 ) N E E D S AN D v \ T EL F A R E OF T H E C H I L D

T h e t e r m " n ee d s a n d w e l f a r e " o f a c h il d r e f e rs t o b o t h t a n g i b l e a nd i n t a n g i b l e n ee d s . T h e i n t a n g i b l e ne e d s o f a c h il d i n c l u d e l o v e , c o m f o r t , s ec u r i t y a n d c l o s e n e s s . I n r e M a t s o c k , 4 1 6 P a . S u p e r . 5 20 , 6 11 A . 2d 7 3 7 , 7 47 ( 1 9 9 2 ) . T h e r e *34 i s no t h i n g i n t h e r e c o r d t h a t s h o w s t h a t t h e na t u r a l M o t he r a n d F a t h e r a r e p r e s e n t l y c a p a b l e o f p r o v i d i n g a s a f e , s e c u r e e n v i r o n m e n t f o r t h e m i n o r c h il d .

Pa r e n t a l d u t y i s b e s t u nd e rs t o o d i n r e l a t i o n t o t h e ne e d s o f a c h il d . T h es e n e e d s , bo t h phy s i ca l a n d e m o t i on a l , c a nn o t b e m e t b y a m e r e pa s s i v e i n t e r e s t i n t h e d e v e l o p m e n t o f t h e c h il d . M e e t i n g a c h il d ' s n e ed s i s a po s i t i v e d u t y t h a t

2 4 • • t r e q u i r e s a ff i r m a t i v e p e r f o r m a n ce . I n r e S h i v e s , 3 63 P a . S u p e r . 2 2 5 , 5 2 5 A . 2 d 8 0 1 , 8 0 2 ( 1 9 87 ) .

A pa re n t i s no t r e li ev e d o f h i s o r h e r r e s p o n s i b ili t y r e l a t i n g t o t h e nee d s o f a c h il d w h e n a c h il d h a s b ee n p l a c e d i n f o s t e r ca r e . A no n - cu s t o d i a l p a r e n t ha s a d u t y t o e xe r t h i m s e l f t o t a k e a n d m a i n t a i n a p l a ce of i m p o r t a n ce i n t h e c h il d ' s li f e . I n r e A d o p ti o n of M . J . H . , 3 4 8 P a . S up e r . 65 , 5 0 1 A . 2d 6 4 8 ( 1 9 8 5 ) . A p a r e n t m u s t d e m on st r a t e a c o n t i n u i n g i n t e r e s t i n t h e c h il d a nd m ak e a ge nu i n e e ff o r t t o m a i n ta i n c o mm u n i c a t i o n a n d a ss o c i a ti o n w i t h t h e c h il d . I n r e A d o p ti o n o f M c C r ay , 3 3 1 A . 2 d 652 ( P a . 1 9 7 5 ) . M o r e o ve r , a p a r e n t w i t h a c h il d i n f o s t e r c a r e ha s a n a ff i r m a t i v e d u t y t o w o r k t o w a r d t h e r e t u r n o f t h e c h il d . I n R e : W i ll i a m L . , 4 77 Pa . 32 2 , 3 8 3 A . 2d 1 2 28 (1 97 8 ) .

W h e n c o n s i d e r i ng t h e n e e d s a nd w e l f a r e o f t h e c h il d , i t i s a l s o i m p o r t a n t f o r t h e c o u r t t o c o n s i d e r t h e b o nd b e t w e e n t h e p a r e n t a n d t h e c h il d b e ca u s e s e v e r a n c e o f a s t r o n g p a r e n t a l b o n d ca n h a ve a d e t r i m e n t a l i m p a c t o n t h e c h il d . M a t s o c k , s up r a .

T h e P e ti t i o n e r p r e s e n t e d t e s ti m o n y r eg a r d i n g t h e b e st i n t e r e s t o f t h e c h il d . M s . P a u l e tt e Pa tt o n t e s t i f i e d t h a t t h e c h il d h a s b e e n p l a ce d w i t h t h e B r . _ _ . ^[1] f a m il y s i n c e A u g u s t o f 2 0 1 5 . T h e f a m il y c o n s i s t s o f f o s t e r m o t h e r a nd f o s t er *35 f a t h e r , t h e i r b i o l o g i ca l c h il d a n d o n e o t h e r a dop ti v e c h il d . T h e c h il d h a s b ee n as s i m il a t e d i n t o t h e f a m il y . H e i s a c c e p t e d a s a f a m il y m e m b e r . H e c e l e b r a t e s h i s b i r t hd a y s a n d a ll h o li da y s w i t h t h e f a m il y . H e v a ca t i o n s w i t h t h e f a m il y . M s . P a tt o n t e s t i f i e d t h a t t h e c h il d i s i n v o l v e d i n gy m n a s ti c c l a ss c a ll e d " M o mm y & M e G y m na s t i c s . " N . T . 6 / 2 0 / 2 0 1 7 a t 83 .

2 5 M s . P a tt o n t e s t i f i e d t h a t s h e h a s o b s e r v e d t h e f a m il y w i t h t h e c h il d o n a m o n t h l y b a s i s s i n ce A u g u s t o f 2 0 1 5 . M s . P a tt o n t e s t i f i e d t h a t t he f o s t er p a r e n t s m ee t t h e c h il d ' s phy s i c a l n e e d s . T hey o ff e r h i m a h o m e , c l o t h i n g , f o od a n d t r a n s po r t h i m t o phy s i c i a n a p p o i n t m en t s . T h e f o s t e r p are n t s a l s o m e e t t he c h il d ' s d e v e l op m e n t a l n e e d s . T h e y i n s u re d t ha t h i s s p e e c h w a s w e l l d e v e l o p e d . T h e y t o il e t tr a i ned h i m a n d t a u g h t h i m t o d e v e l op fr o m b o tt l e f e e d i n g t o r e g u l a r f o od . M s . P a tt o n t es ti f i e d t h a t t h e f o s t e r p a r e n t s a l s o m ee t t h e c h il d ' s e m o t i o n a l n e e d s . T h e f o s t e r p a r e n t s a n d t h e c h il d a r e v e r y a ff e c t i o n a t e t o w a r d e a c h o t h e r . T h e y h u g e a c h o t h e r . M s . P a tt o n f u r t h e r a d d e d t h a t w h e n t h e c h il d i s u p s e t , t h e f o s t e r p a r e n t s c o m f o r t h i m . A l s o , i f t h e c h il d m i s be h a v es , t h ey p r o v i d e d a p p r o p r i a t e d i s c i p li n e m e a s u r e s s u c h a s " ti m e - o u t " . I d . a t 8 4 - 85 .

M s . P a tt o n t es t i f i e d t ha t s h e d i d o b s e r v e t h e n a t u r a l m o t h e r ' s i n t e r a c t i o n w i t h t h e c h il d . M s . P a tt o n i n d i c a t e d t h a t a t t h e l a s t v i s i t s h e h a d w i t h t h e c h il d , t h e M o t h e r p u t t h e c h il d t o s l e e p s o t ha t s h e c o u l d s p e n d t h e t i m e u s i n g h e r c e ll p ho n e . M s . P a tt o n t es t i f i e d t h a t s h e t h ou gh t t h a t t h e c h il d h a s a b o n d w i t h h i s M o t h e r i n t h a t he i s h a p p y t o s e e he r . H o w e v e r , t h e c h il d ca n a l s o e a s il y m o v e a w a y fr o m h i s M o t h e r a n d g o w i t h t h e f o s t er p a r e n t s . M s . Pa tt o n t e s ti f i e d t ha t *36 s h e w as a b l e t o o b s e r v e t h e i n t e r ac t i o n b e t w e e n t h e n a t u ra l f a t h e r a n d t h e c h il d . M s . Pa tt o n s t a t e d t h a t t h e r e i s a bo n d b e t w e e n t h e m ; h o w e v e r , t h e c h il d d o e s n o t r ea c h f o r h i m o r s e e m e x c i t e d t o s e e h i m . M s . P a tt o n a l s o t e s ti f i e d t h a t a t t h e l a s t v i s it i n J u n e o f 2 0 1 7 , F a t h e r d i d n o t s h o w u p f o r a v i s i t w i t h t h e c h il d . T h e c h il d w a s n o t up s e t w h e n t h e F a t h e r d i d no t a p p ea r . I d . a t 8 6 - 8 7 .

M s . P a tt o n t es ti f i e d t h a t t h e r e i s a v e r y s t r o n g b o n d b e t w e e n t h e f o s t e r p a r e n t s a nd t h e c h il d . T h e c h il d b e c o m e s u p s e t i f h e i s s e p a r a t e d fr o m t h e m a n d 2 6 c a ll s t h e m M o m m y " a nd " D a dd y " . T h e y ar e a l w a y s h a pp y t o o n e a n o t h e r . W h e n ev e r t h e f o s t e r p a r e n t s s e e t h e c h il d , t h e y p i c k h i m up a n d h u g h i m . M s . P a tt o n t e s t i f i e d t ha t t h e bon d b e t w e e n t h e f o s t e r p a r e n ts a n d t h e c h il d i s m u c h s t r o n g e r t h a n t h e bo nd b e t w e e n t h e n a t u r a l pa r e n t s a nd t he c h il d . M s . P a tt o n e x p l a i n e d t h a t t he f o s t e r p a r e n t s hav e b een t h e p r i m a r y c a r e t a k e r s o f t h e c h il d f o r t h e p a s t t w o y e a r s a n d h e l ook s t o t h e m f o r a ll h i s n e e d s . I d . a t 8 8 - 9 0

M s . P a tt o n f u r t h e r t es ti f i e d t h a t s h o u l d t h e p a r e n t a l r i g h ts be t e r m i n a t e d , t h e r e w o u l d n o t b e a n y d e t r i m e n t a l e ff e c t o n t h e c h il d . T h e c h il d w o u l d h av e pe r m a n e n c y . M s . P a tt o n f u r t h e r b e li e v e d t h a t a d o p t i on o f t h e c h il d b y t h e f o s t e r p a r e n t s w o u l d be i n t h e b e s t i n t e r e s t o f t h e c h il d . I d . a t 9 0 - 9 1 . T h e f o s t e r p a r e n t s a l s o u nd e r s t a n d t ha t s h o u l d t h e y a d o p t t h e c h il d , h e w o u l d b e c o m e t h e i r f u ll r es p o n s i b ili t y a nd w o u l d s u p p o r t t h e c h il d f i n a n c i a l l y . I d . a t 1 09 - 11 0 .

E v e n i f t he C ou r t w er e t o c o n s i d e r F a t h e r ' s t e s t i m o n y o n bo n d i n g , t h e C o u r t no t e s t h e f o ll o w i ng l a n gu ag e o f t h e S u p e r i o r C o u r t i n R e : K . K . R . - 8 . , 9 5 8 A . 2 n d 5 29 , 5 35 ( P a . S u pe r 2 0 08 ) .

H A c h il d ' s f e e li n g s t o w a r d a pa r e n t a r e r e l ev a n t t o t h e s e c t i o n 2 5 11 ( b ) a n a l y s i s . N o ne t h e l e ss , c o n c l u d i n g a c h il d h a s a b e n e f i c i a l b o n d w i t h a p a r en t *37 s i m p l y b e c a u s e t h e ch il d h a r bo r s a ff e c t i o n f o r t h e p a r e n t i t n o t o n l y d a n g e r o u s , i t i s l o g i c a ll y u n s o u n d . I f a c h i l d ' s f e e li n g s w e r e t h e d i s p o s i t i v e f a c t o r i n t h e b on d i n g a n a l y s i s , t h e a n a l y s i s w o u l d be r e d u c e d t o a n e xe r c i s e i n s e m a n t i c s a s i t i s t h e r a r e c h il d w h o , a f t er b e i n g s u b j e c t t o n eg l ec t a nd a b u s e , i s a b l e t o s i f t t h r o u g h t h e e m o t i on a l w r e c k a g e a nd c o m p l e t e l y d i sa v o w a p a r e n t . " T h e c o n t i n u e d a tt ac h m e n t t o t h e n a t u r a l p a r e n t s , d es p i t e s e r i o u s p a r e n t a l r e j e c ti o n t h r o u g h a b u s e a n d n e g l e c t , a n d f a il u r e t o c o rr e c t p a r e n t i n g a n d b e h a v i o r d i s o r d e r s w h i c h a r e h a r m i n g t h e c h il d r e n c a n n o t b e m i sc o n s t r u e d a s bon d i n g " .

I n t h e c a s e s u b j u d i ce M o t h e r a nd F a t h e r h a v e f a il e d t o c o rr ec t t he i r b e h a v i o r i n t h e i r i n a b il i t y t o r e m a i n d r u g a n d a l c o h o l f r e e , t h e i r i n a b i l i t y t o c o m p l y w i t h m e n t a l h e a l t h t r e a t m en t a n d t h e i r l a c k o f p r o o f i n d e m o n s t r a t i n g

2 7 c • • that they have safe and stable housing for the child. The overwhelming evidence shows that all of these issues have yet to be remedied by both Mother and Father. The Court finds that the termination of Mother's parental rights and Father's parental rights would best serve the needs and welfare of the child.

Accordingly, the court finds that the termination of Father's parental rights would best serve the needs and welfare of the child.

VI. DISCUSSION: GROUNDS FOR TERMINATION FOR FATHER.

A, 23 Pa. C.S.A. Section 2511 (a) (8) A Court may terminate the parental rights under Section 2511(a) (8) when: The child has been removed from the care of the parent by the Court or

under Voluntary agreement with an agency, twelve (12) months or more have elapsed from the date of removal or placement, the conditions which led to the removal or placement of the child continue to exist and termination would best serve the needs and welfare of the child.

Parental rights may be terminated under this provision of the Statute. Under 23 Pa.C.S.A. Section 2511(a)(8), the agency must show: (1) The child has been removed for at least twelve (12) months, (2) The conditions that gave rise to placement continue to exist, and (3) Termination of parental rights would best *38 serve the needs and welfare of the child.

(1) TIME PERIOD OF REMOVAL OF CHILD It is undisputed that minor child, N.S., have been removed from the

custody of Mother and Father, since July 9, 2015. Accordingly, this removal has persisted well in excess of the statutorily required twelve (12) months since the date of the child's placement. Thus, the requisite minimum of at least 12 months

28

·J

from removal of minor child from Mother and Father have elapsed so as to comply with this section of 2511(8).

(2) CONDITIONS CONTINUING TO EXIST The conditions that led to the child's removal from Mother's care and

Father's care and into placement were Mother's inability and Father's inability to remain drug free during treatment, their inability to provide and maintain safe, stable and adequate housing due to the domestic violence between them, their inability to complete the drug and alcohol treatment and mental health treatment and their inability to complete parenting sessions. The Court has performed the above extensive analysis in taking testimony and finding credible evidence. The Court thus concludes that Mother and Father failed to derive any benefit from services offered to them. Therefore, the conditions that gave rise to placement continue to exist.

In discussing and finding that conditions which led to placement continue to exist, the Court incorporates its reasoning and the testimony of all witnesses already discussed in this Memorandum found in the section addressing 23 PA. *39 C.S. Section 2511 (a) (2). (3) NEEDS AND WELFARE OF THE CHILD

Once the Court has found that involuntary termination 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. I}

The Court has done this and finds the same considerations apply that have already been discussed extensively in this memorandum. Furthermore, the Court 29 ·I I \· applies the same reasoning for concluding that these needs will be served by the termination of Mother's parental rights and Father's parental rights.

VII. ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS UNDER 23 P.A.C.S.A.

SECTION 2511(b)

FOR MOTHER AND FATHER A, ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS

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." In fact, in this case, Mother more than once was offered housing with the child, yet Mother declined and returned to reside with the Father resulting in more domestic abuse issues.

As "environmental factors beyond the control of Father" was not the linchpin in the placement of the minor child and because of the presence of other, independent factors utilized in the placement of N.S., this consideration does not apply and will not be addressed.

B.

*40 NEEDSANDWELFAREOFTHECHILD Once the Court has found that involuntary termination 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).

30 T h e C o u r t h a s d o n e t h i s a n d f i n d s t h e s a m e c o n s i d e r a t i o n s a pp l y t h a t ha v e a l r e a d y b e e n d i s c u ss e d e x t e n s i v e l y i n t h i s m e m o r a ndu m . F u r t h e r m o r e , t h e C o u r t a pp li e s t h e s a m e r e a s o n i n g f o r c o n c l u d i n g t h a t t h e s e n e e d s w i ll be s e r v e d b y t h e t e r m i n a t i o n o f M o t h e r ' s p a r e n t a l r i gh t s a n d F a t h e r ' s p a r e n t a l r i g h t s . V I II . AD O P T I O N AN D S A F E F A M I L I E S A C T ( A S F A )

C

O N S I D E R A T I O N S

R ec e n tl y , t h e P e n n s y l v a n i a S u p e r i o r C o u r t r e li e d u p o n t h e A d o p t i o n a nd S a f e F a m ili e s A c t ( A S F A ) i n I n re Z . P . , 9 9 4 A . 2 d 1 1 08 ( P a . S up e r . 2 0 1 0 ) . T h e go a l o f A S FA w a s d e s c r i b e d a s f o ll o w s :

S u c c i n c tl y , t h i s m e a n s t h a t w h e n a c h il d i s p l ace d i n f o s t e r c a r e , a f t e r r ea s o n a b l e e ff o r t s h a v e b e e n m a d e t o r ee s t a b li s h t h e b i o l og i c a l r e l a t i o n s h i p , t h e n e e d s a n d w e l f a r e o f t h e c h il d r e q u i r e C Y S a nd f o s t e r c a r e i n s t i t u t i on s t o w o r k t o w a r d t e r m i n a ti o n o f pa r e n t a l r i g h t s , p l a c i n g t he c h il d w i t h a d o p ti v e p a r e n t s . I t i s c o n t e m p l a t e d t h i s p r o ce s s r e a li s t i c a ll y s h ou l d b e c o m p l e t e d w i t h i n 1 8 m o n t h s .

I d . a t 11 1 9 - 11 2 0 c i t i n g I n r e G . P . , 8 5 1 A . 2d 967 , 9 7 5 - 9 76 ( P a . Sup e r . 2 0 0 4 ) T h e C o u r t a l s o p r o v i d e d t h a t " a b o v e a ll e l s e a d e q u a t e c o n s i d e r a t i o n m u s t b e g i v e n t o t h e n e e d s a n d w e l f a r e o f t h e c h il d A p a r en t ' s o w n f e e li n g s o f *41 l o v e a n d a ff e c t i o n f o r a c h il d , a l o n e , d o no t p r e v e n t t e r m i n a t i o n o f pa r en t a l r i g h t s . " I d . a t 11 2 1 ( i n t e r n a l c i t a ti o n s o m i tt e d ) .

I n r eve r s i n g t h e t r i a l c o u r t a n d t e r m i n a ti n g t h e n a t u r a l p a r e n t ' s p a r e n t a l r i g h t s , t h e S u p e r i o r C o u r t h e l d : " A S F A - r e l a t e d p o li c i e s no w d e m a nd r ea s o n a b l e e ff o r t s w i t h i n a r e a s o n a b l e ti m e t o r e m e d y pa r e n t a l i n c a p a c i t y . Z . P . h a s a l r e a d y b ee n i n f o s t e r c a r e f o r t h e f i r s t t w o y e a r s o f h i s li f e , a n d h i s n e e d f o r p e r m a n e n c y s h o u l d n o t b e s u s p e n d e d , w h e r e t h e r e i s li tt l e r a t i o n a l p r o s p e c t o f t i m e l y r e un i f i ca t i o n . "

I d . a t 11 2 5 - 26 . 3 1 These ASFA·related policies are applicable in the present case of minor child, N.S. The child has been in placement since July 9, 2015, twenty-three (23) months, as of the conclusion of the last hearing on June 20, 2017. Accordingly, a reasonable time of 18 months has long expired to remedy parental incapacity and there is little rational prospect of the timely reunification of N.S. to his Mother and Father.

IX. CONCLUSION

Finally, the Court notes that the Guardian Ad Litem expressed on the record, after having been present for all the testimony and evidence, her belief that the Petitioner has sustained its burden of proof by clear and convincing evidence and that the parental rights of Mother and Father be terminated as it is in the minor child's best interest to be free for adoption.

This court agrees with the Guardian Ad Litem's position and finds that Mother and Father cannot offer to their child the basic physical, developmental and emotional needs that their child requires and should have throughout his future life. Mother and Father have been given ample time to address and *42 remedy their problems but have failed to successfully do so. The Court finds that they are not able to meet their child's needs. In stark contrast, the foster parents have amply demonstrated they meet the physical, developmental and emotional needs of the minor child, N.S. and he has thrived under their care. The child needs consistency and deserves a permanent home with loving capable parents. The only way to provide this is to terminate the rights of Mother andFather.

32 Clearly it is in the child's best interest to do so. Respectfully submitted, BY THE COURT,

COPIES TO: Jena Braunsberg, Esquire Children & Youth Services of Luzerne County 111 North Pennsylvania Boulevard Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701 Stephen Palubinski, Esquire Attorney for Mother P.O. Box 656 Nuremberg, PA 18241 Robert L, Kobilinski, Esquire *43 Attorney for Father 4940 Birney Avenue Moosic, PA 18507 Maria M. Bertha, Esquire. Guardian Ad Litem 421 South State Street Clarks Summit, PA 18411

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