Case Information

*1 J-S79017-17 NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37

IN THE INTEREST OF: P.K.K., JR., A : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF MINOR : PENNSYLVANIA

: :

APPEAL OF: P.K.K. A/K/A P.K., : FATHER :

: : : No. 1933 EDA 2017

Appeal from the Order Entered May 23, 2017 In the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County Family Court at No(s): CP-51-AP-0000668-2014, CP-51-DP-0000993-2013 IN THE INTEREST OF: J.Z.K., A : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF MINOR : PENNSYLVANIA

: :

APPEAL OF: P.K.K. A/K/A P.K., : FATHER :

: : : No. 1934 EDA 2017

Appeal from the Order Entered May 23, 2017 In the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County Family Court at No(s): CP-51-AP-0000669-2014, CP-51-DP-0000994-2013 BEFORE: GANTMAN, P.J., LAZARUS, J., and OTT, J. MEMORANDUM BY LAZARUS, J.: FILED DECEMBER 18, 2017

J-S79017-17

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P.K.K. (a/k/a P.K.) (“Father”) appeals from the trial court’s orders 1 involuntarily terminating his parental rights to his minor children, P.K.K., Jr. (born 7/2008), and J.Z.K (born 3/2010), (collectively, “Children”). 2 After careful review, we affirm. Father simply has not demonstrated a willingness or capacity to undertake a parental role for Children which would provide the safety and permanency they so desperately need.

On May 11, 2013, the Philadelphia Department of Human Services (“DHS”) received a report that Mother was wandering the streets with Children while she was high on “wet,” a combination of PCP and marijuana. Because no other kin were identified, Children were taken into police custody and placed at a temporary residence. When Mother was unable to locate a viable placement for Children, DHS obtained a temporary foster home for them. Authorities later determined that Father was incarcerated on drug charges.

After an adjudicatory hearing held on May 21, 2013, Children were adjudicated dependent, committed to DHS, and placed in foster care. Mother was given a Family Service Plan (“FSP”) that consisted of continuing treatment, complying with scheduled appointments with the Clinical ____________________________________________ 1 Father filed two separate appeals at Nos. 1933 and 1934 EDA 2017 from the orders terminating his parental rights to Children. On July 11, 2017, our Court sua sponte consolidated these appeals. See Pa.R.A.P. 513. 2 Mother’s rights to Children were involuntarily terminated on March 7, 2016; she filed a pro se appeal from that order. On January 9, 2017, our Court affirmed the trial court’s decree terminating her parental rights. In re P.K.K., Jr. & J.Z.K. , 1151 EDA 2016 (Pa. Super. filed Jan. 9, 2017) (memorandum decision).

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*3 Evaluation Unit (“CEU”), and drug screening and monitoring. When Mother was non-compliant with her FSP goals and tested positive for drugs (PCP and marijuana), the court ordered that legal custody remain with DHS and that Children remain in foster care. The court also granted Father supervised visits with Children at Hoffman Hall, a halfway house, as arranged by the parties.

In May 2014, Father was given the following FSP objectives: locate adequate housing with suitable space, heat and working utilities; comply with drug and alcohol services; receive drug and alcohol assessments from the Clinical Evaluation Unit; keep and maintain regular contact with Children, meet regularly with social workers and follow through with FSP, and receive random drug screens. In June 2014, Father was permitted unsupervised day visits in the community as arranged by the parties; Father was on probation at the time for his prior drug conviction. Father continued to test positive at drug screens and was developing a pattern of missing P.K.K., Jr.’s therapy appointments. In September 2014, the court modified Father’s visits with Children to supervised. In December 2014, Father was ordered to begin parent-child interaction therapy. In March 2015, the court found that Father’s home was not suitable for Children and determined that Father was minimally compliant with his permanency goals and non-compliant with his FSP.

At the time of the next permanency review hearing in June 2015, Father was incarcerated. On March 7, 2016, the court held a goal change/permanency review hearing, at which time Mother’s parental rights were terminated. The court also determined that it was “not prepared to

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*4 terminate [F]ather’s rights at th[at] point . . . and ordered that a bonding evaluation occur.” N.T. Hearing, 3/7/16, at 40. On November 22, 2016, DHS filed a petition to involuntarily terminate Father’s parental rights to Children. After a full hearing on DHS’s petition, the trial court entered a decree on May 23, 2017, terminating Father’s rights to Children under sections 2511(a)(1), (a)(2) 3 and (b) of the Adoption Act. 4 At the hearing, the court noted that “[F]ather has no credibility before the Court [and] all of his testimony must be viewed in that light,” N.T. Termination Hearing, 5/23/7, at 87; however, the court “credit[ed] [caseworker, Burr’s] testimony and g[a]ve it great weight [as well as the testimony of] Dr. Williams[, who provided] both the parenting capacity evaluation and the bonding evaluation.” Id. at 87-88.

Father simultaneously filed a timely notice of appeal and Pa.R.A.P. 1925(a)(2) concise statement of errors complained of on appeal. Father presents the following issues for our consideration:

(1) Did the Court below err in terminating Father’s parental rights even though he had fairly consistent weekly visits and with [his] children and the visits were appropriate?

(2) Did the Court below err in terminating Father’s parental rights due to the fact that Father had appropriate housing? ____________________________________________ 3 We can affirm the trial court’s decision regarding the termination of parental rights with regard to any singular subsection of section 2511(a). In re B.L.W. , 843 A.2d 380, 384 (Pa. Super. 2004) (en banc). 4 23 Pa.C.S. §§ 2101-2910.

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*5 (3) Did the Court below err in terminating Father’s parental rights because Father was in [Drug and Alcohol] treatment[?] 5

Father’s Brief, at 3. Father argues that the court did not have legal grounds to terminate his parental rights to Children where he “had met his FSP goals of visits, housing drug and alcohol treatment, anger management and parenting.” Father’s Brief, at 5.

The argument section of Father’s brief is one page in length. He states that termination was improper where Community Umbrella Agency (“CUA”) case manager, Jared Burr, indicated Father: had completed anger management and parenting classes while incarcerated; had been compliant with substance abuse treatment; and had completed therapy with P.K.K., Jr. at Joseph J. Peters Institute. Id. at 10. Father also claims that due to an unfounded abuse allegation against him, his visits with Children were suspended and never reinstated. Father contends that mental health referrals that were indicated were never made for him, that he was an excellent participant in group and individual therapy sessions, and that there is a bond between him and Children.

In a proceeding to terminate parental rights involuntarily, 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 is defined

____________________________________________ 5 All three of Father’s issues can essentially be condensed into one inquiry, whether the court properly terminated his parental rights where he visited Children fairly consistently, had appropriate housing and was in drug and alcohol treatment.

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*6 as testimony that is so "clear, direct, weighty and convincing as to enable the trier of fact to come to a clear conviction, without hesitance, of the truth of the precise facts in issue." It is well established that a court must examine the individual circumstances of each and every case and consider all explanations offered by the parent to determine if the evidence in light of the totality of the circumstances clearly warrants termination.

In re adoption of S.M. , 816 A.2d 1117, 1122 (Pa. Super. 2003) (citation omitted). See also In re C.P. , 901 A.2d 516, 520 (Pa. Super. 2006) (party seeking termination of parental rights bears burden of proving by clear and convincing evidence that at least one of eight grounds for termination under 23 Pa.C.S. § 2511(a) exists and that termination promotes emotional needs and welfare of child set forth in 23 Pa.C.S. § 2511(b)).

We review a trial court’s decision to involuntarily terminate parental rights for an abuse of discretion or error of law. In re A.R. , 837 A.2d 560, 563 (Pa. Super. 2003). Our scope of review is limited to determining whether the trial court’s order is supported by competent evidence. Id.

We recognize that in the certified record there are two letters, dated March and May 2017, from a therapist at Sobriety Through Out Patient, Inc. (“STOP”) indicating that Father has been attending his group and individual therapy sessions without fail since January, and that he had continued to maintain sobriety throughout his admission to the program. While the therapist notes that Father’s prognosis is great, he qualifies this statement by noting his progress “can remain as such, proving that [Father] maintains and utilizes his support system and appl[ies] his knowledge of addiction to his

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*7 drug-free lifestyle.” STOP Letter, 5/1/17. However, there also is a progress report from STOP, dated March 2017, noting that Father “is not sober[,] is using marijuana as a buffer to suppress his anxiety instead [of] medication . . . [and] he needs to understand that marijuana is also [a] drug and he is on probation. He does have mental health issues he needs to deal with and he is not being truthful with himself.” STOP Preview Progress Note, 3/30/17, at 1.

At the termination hearing, Jared Burr, Father’s CUA case manager, testified that Father has been very inconsistent with his weekly, supervised visits with Children, refused to have supervised visits at DHS, and has continued to test positive for marijuana, thus necessitating that the visits be supervised. N.T. Termination Hearing, 5/23/17, at 15. Mr. Burr also testified that while Father had showed him several homes, DHS would not clear them because they lacked basic essentials for Children (i.e., smoke detectors, food, operable utilities). Id. at 23-24. Finally, Mr. Burr testified that Father continues to have anger-management issues, has failed to complete an anger- management evaluation/assessment, has not completed court-ordered mental health and substance abuse treatment at STOP, and continues to break the law. Id. at 8-14.

Erica G. Williams, PsyD, testified at the termination hearing that Father’s refusal to visit with Children due to the visits being supervised was a deleterious pattern of behavior. Id. at 46. Dr. Williams opined that Father’s chronic substance abuse, criminal behavior, constant probation violations, and

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*8 lack of financial means and housing were factors that indicate Father is not capable of providing safety and permanence for Children. 6 Id. at 46-47. Dr. Williams also performed a formal bonding evaluation, a specialized assessment with the goal of determining the nature of Children’s attachment to Father, and determined Father’s lack of presence in Children’s lives indicates he is not capable of meeting their day-to-day needs and that children in general are not able to emotionally thrive without a continuous and close relationship with their primary caregiver. Report of Forensic Evaluation: Bonding Evaluation by Erica G. Williams, PsyD, 11/17/16, at 7-8.

After carefully reviewing the parties’ briefs, relevant case law and the certified record on appeal, we conclude that the through 31-page opinion authored by the Honorable Allan L. Tereshko adequately disposes of Father’s issues on appeal. We agree that termination of Father’s parental rights to ____________________________________________ 6 Father is correct that Dr. Williams noted there was a parent-child bond between Father and Children, that Children identified him as their biological father, and that they enjoyed their time with him. N.T. Termination Hearing, 5/23/17, at 50. However, Dr. Williams also testified that, due to Father’s repeated incarcerations and continued arrests, they have only spent intermittent time with him. Id. As a result, she did not think that they would suffer irreparable harm were his rights terminated, as Father does not play a central role in their lives. Id. at 50-51. In addition, Mr. Burr testified that he could not say there is a current parent-child bond. Id. at 19. However, he also testified that the Children would not be irreparably harmed if Father’s rights were terminated. Id. Finally, Children have bonded with their foster parent, a pre-adoptive resource, and have thrived in her care while she has provided for Children’s educational, behavioral and cognitive needs. Id. at 17, 19.

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J-S79017-17

*9 Children, pursuant to sections 2511(a)(2) 7 and (b), 8 was in their best interest and is supported by record evidence. We direct the parties to attach a copy of Judge Tereshko’s opinion in the event of further proceedings in the matter.

Order affirmed. ____________________________________________ 7 Pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S. § 2511(a)(2)(a):

(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 (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.

23 Pa.C.S. § 2511(a)(2). 8 Pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S. § 2511(b):

(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.

23 Pa.C.S. § 2511(b). - 9 -

J-S79017-17

*10 Judgment Entered. Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq. Prothonotary Date: 12/18/2017

- 10 - *11 C i r c u l a t ed 12 / 08 / 2017 03 : 22 P M r : T H E r m s r J UD I C I A L D I S T R I CT O F P E NN S Y L V AN I A , P H I L AD E L P H I A C O UN T Y I t � T H E C O U R T O F C O M N I O N P LE A S

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A M I L Y C O U R T D I V I S I O N I N T H E I N T E R E S T O F : JU VE NIL E B R A N C H - D E P ENDE N C Y P . K . K . , J r . , a M i n or : C P - 5 1 - A P - 00 00 66 8 - 2 0 1 4 / C P - 5 1 - D P - 0 00 0 99 3 - 2 0 1 3 d / o / b : 7 , ' / 2 0 08 J . Z . K , a M i n o r : C P - 5 1 - AP 0 0 00 66 9 - 2 0 1 4 / C P - 5 1 - D P - 0000 9 94 - 2 0 1 3 d / o / b : 3 , ' , 2 0 1 0

S u p e r i o r C o u r t N o . 1 9 3 3 ED A 2 0 1 7 / 1 9 3 4 E D A 2 0 1 7 A p p ea l of : C o n s o l i da t e d ' P . K . K .. , F a t h er

O

P I N I O N lt � T R O DUC T I O N P . K . K . ( " F a t h e r " ) , A p p ea l s fr o m t h e D ec r ee a n d O r de r s e n t e r e d b y t h i s C o u r t o n M a y 2 3 , 2 0 1 7 , g r a n t i n g t h e Pe ti t i on s t o I n vo l un t ar il y T e r m i n a t e F a t he r ' s P a r e n t a l R i g h t s t o h i s t w o m i n o r m a l e ( " C h i l d r e n " ) , P . K . K . , Jr . , ( d / o / b J u l y ' 2 00 8 ) , a nd J . Z . K , ( d / o / b M a r c h . 2 0 10 ) , a nd c h a n g i n g t h e C h i l d r e n ' s P e r m a n e n c y G o a l t o A d o p t i o n , f i l e d by t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f H u m a n S e r v i c e s ( " D H S " ) o n N o v e m b e r 2 2 , 20 1 6 , a n d s e r v e d o n a ll p a r t i e s . ' ^[1] 7 / 11 /2 017 - C o n s o li d a t e d S u a S pon t e . C o mm e n t : Re v i e w o f t he s e m a t t e rs i nd i ca t e s t ha t t h e s e a p pe a l s i n v o l v e r e l a t e d p a r t i e s a n d i s s u e s . A c c o r d i n g l y , t h e a p p e a l a t N o s . 1 9 9 3 a nd 1 9 3 4 E D A 2 0 1 7 ar e h e r e b y C O N S O L I D A T E D . S e e P a . R A P . 5 13 . ^[2] M o t he r , R . C . J . ' s par en t a l r i g h t s w e r e I n v o l u n t a r il y T e r m i n a t e d b y t h i s C o u r t o n 3/ 07 / 2 0 1 6 . M o t h e r f i l e d a n a p p e a l t o t h i s o r de r o n 4 / 06 / 2 0 1 6 : 1 152 E DA 2 0 1 6 a n d 1 1 5 2 E D A 2 0 1 6 . Th i s C o u r t ' s d e c i s i o n w a s a ff i r m ed b y Th e S u p e r i o r C o u r t o f P enn sy l va n i a o n 1 / 09 /2 0 17 .

1 *12 A f t e r a f u ll H e a r i n g o n t h e m e r i t s o f t h e P e t i ti o n s o n M ay 2 3 , 2 0 1 7 , t h i s C o u r t f o u n d t h a t c l e a r a n d c o n v i n c i n g e v i d e n c e w as p r e s e n t e d t o t e r m i n a t e t h e p a r e n t a l r i g h t s of F a t h e r .

I n r e s po n s e t o t h e D ec re e a nd O r de r of M a y 2 3 , 2 0 1 7 , t e r m i n a t i n g h i s p a r e n t a l r i gh t s , F a t h e r , by a nd t h r o ug h h i s c o un s e l, f i l e d a N o t i c e o f A pp ea l w i t h S t a t e m e n t of M a tt e r s C o m p l a i n e d o f o n A pp e a l o n J un e 2 1 , 2 0 1 7 .

S

T A T E M E N T O F M A T T E R S C O M P L A I N E D O F O N A PP E A L

I n b i s 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 of o n A pp e a l, F a t h e r r a i s e s t h e f o ll o w i n g i s s u es : · 1. T h e r e w as n o t c l e a r a n d c o n v i n c i n g e v i d e n c e t o s upp o r t t e r m i n a t i o n o f p a r e n t a l r i gh t s d u e t o t h e f a c t t h a t F a t h e r h a d f a i r l y c on s i s t e n t w e e k l y v i s i t s w it h h i s C h i l d r e n an d t h e v i s i t s w e r e a pp r o p r i a t e ;

2 . T h e r e w a s n o t c l e a r a n d c o n v i n c i n g e v i d e n c e t o s up po r t 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 du e t o t h e f a c t t h a t F a t h e r h a s a p p r o p r i a t e h o u s i n g ;

3 . T h e r e w a s n o t 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 o s up po r t t e r m i n a t i o n of p a r e n t a l r i gh t s du e t o t h e f a c t t h a t M o t h e r w a s i n t r e a t m e n t f o r M e n t a l H e a l t h a n d D r u g a n d A l c o h o l .

P

R OC E D U R A L H I S T O R Y T h e M o t h e r o f t h e t w o m a l e C h il d r e n , P . K . K . , Jr . , b o r n 7 , 7/ 20 0 8 , a n d J . Z . K . , b o r n 3 / . 2 0 1 0 , i s R . C . J . M o t h e r ' s p a r e n t a l r i g h t s w e r e i n v o l u n t a r il y t e r m i n a t e d a s t o t h e C h i l d r e n o n M a r c h 7 , 2 0 1 6 , by t h e H o n o r a b l e A l l a n L . T e r e s hk o . ( F i nd i n g s o f F ac t a n d C o n c l u s i o n s o f L a w , D H S P e t it i o n f o r I n vo l un t a r y T e r m i n a ti o n o f P a r e n t a l R i g h t s , 1 1 / 22 / 2 0 1 6 , 12 . , 3 . ) .

2 *13 T h e p u t a t i v e / n a t m a ] / p r e s u m p ti v e F a t h e r o f t h e C h il d r e n i s P . K . K . ( F i nd i n g s of F a c t a n d C o n c l u s i o n s of L a w , D R S P e t i t i o n f o r I nv o l un t a r y T e r m i n a t i o n o f P a r e n t a l R i gh t s , 1 1 / 22 / 2 0 1 6 , 14 , ) .

O n M a y 1 1 , 20 1 3 , D H S r e ce i v e d a G e n e r a l P r o t ec t i v e Se r v i c e s ( G P S ) R e po r t w h i c h a ll e g e d t h a t M o t h e r w a s w a n d e ri ng t h e s t r e e t w i t h h e r C h i l d r e n , w h i l e h i g h o n " w e t " . It w as a ll e g e d t h a t M o t h e r w a s t a k e n t o A l b e r t E i n s t e i n M e d i c a l C e n t e r ( A E M C ) a nd w h e n m e d i c a ll y c l e a r e d , s h e w o u l d b e t r a n s f e r r e d t o t h e G e r m a n t o w n C r i s i s R e s pon s e C e n t e r ( C R C ) . T h e C h i l d r e n w e r e t r a n s po r t e d t o D R S b y t he po li ce . It w as a ll e g e d t h a t w h e n M o t h e r w a s f o un d , s h e h ad n o i d e n t i f i ca t i o n ; ho w e v e r , u p o n a rr i v a l a t A E M C , s h e w a s a b l e t o be i d e n ti f i e d b y h o s p i t a l s t a ff . M o t h e r h a d a ll e g e d l y b e e n t a k e n t o A E M C p r e v i o u s l y w i t h t h e s a m e c o n d i t i o n . It w a s a ll e g e d t h e C h i l d r e n a pp ea r e d h e a lt h y a n d t h a t P . K . K . , J r . w as a b l e t o c o n f i r m I r i s n a m e a n d J . Z . K . ' s n a m e . T h e C h il d r e n p r e s e n t e d f e a r f u l a t t h e h o s p i t a l a n d J . Z . K . h a d a s o il e d d i ape r . A tt e m p t s w er e m a de t o r e ac h t h e C h il d r en ' s M a t e r n a l G r a n d m o t h e r , C . W . , h o w e v e r , t h e t e l ep h o n e ca ll s w e n t d i r ec t l y t o v o i c e m a i l . DR S l oca t e d a t e m p o r a r y r e s i d e n ce f o r t h e C h i l d r e n a t B a r i n g H ou s e un t il D B S w as a b l e t o l o c a t e a n a p p r o p r i a t e p l ac e m e n t f o r t h e C h il d r e n . .

. T h i s R e po r t i s s u b s t a n ti a t e d . ( E x h i b i t " A " S t a t e m e n t o f F a c t s , a tt a c h e d t o D R S P e ti t i o n f o r I n v o l un t a r y T e r m i n a ti on o f P a r e n t a l R i gh t s , f i l e d 1 1 /2 2 / 2 0 1 6 , 1 " a " ) .

O n M a y 1 3 , 2013 , M o t h e r a r r i ved a t D R S a f t e r h e r d i sc h a r g e fr o m t h e CR C . S h e de n i ed ill e g a l d r u g u s e . M o t h e r f u r t h e r s t a t e d t h a t s h e w as d i agno s e d a s s u ffe r i n g fr o m a n x i e t y , d e p r ess i o n , a n d b i p o l a r d i s o r d e r a n d p r e s c r i b e d c l o n az e p a m a n d l a m o t r i g i n e , M o t h e r s t a t e d t h a t s h e w a s t a k e n t o A E M C a f t e r s h e f e l t h o t i n a s t o r e w i t h t h e C h i l d r e n

3

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*14 I i I / I . / � . . /

a n d s h e l e f t t h e s t o r e s w e a t i n g . M o t h e r s t a t e d t h e n e x t t h i n g s h e r e m e m be r e d w a s t h a t s h e w a s b e i n g t r a n s p o r t e d t o t h e h o s p it a l i n t h e a m b u l an c e . M o t h e r r e po r t e d f a i n t i n g i n t he a m bu l a n c e . M o t h e r s t a t e d t h a t s h e t o o k a d r u g t e s t a t t h e h o s p i t a l a nd s h e w a s o n l y p o s i t i v e f o r h e r p r e s c ri b e d m e d i c a t i o n s . T h e C h i l d r e n ' s F a t he r , P . K . K . , c a ll e d M o t h e r w h i l e s h e w a s a t DH S . D H S a tt e m p t e d t o s p e a k w i t h F a t h e r ; h o w e v e r , w h e n D H S p i c k e d up t h e t e l e p h o n e , F a t h e r w a s n o l o n g e r o n t h e l i n e . F a t h e r d i d n o t c a ll b a c k . M o t h e r w as u n a b l e t o p r o v i d e a v i a b l e p l a ce m e n t r e s o u r c e f o r t h e C h i l d r e n . ( E xh i b i t " A ,, S t a t e m e n t of F a c t s , a tt a c h e d t o D H S P e t i t i o n f o r I n v o l un t a r y T e r m i n a ti on o f P a r e n t a l R i gh t s , f i l e d 1 1 /2 2 / 2 0 1 6 , � " b ,, ) .

O n M a y 13 , 2 0 13 , D R S o b t a i n e d a n O P C f o r t h e C h i l d r e n a f t e r l o c a t i n g a f o s t e r h o m e t h r o u g h C h i l d r e n ' s C h o i c e . T h e C h i l d r e n r e m a i n i n p l a c e m e n t . ( E xh i b i t " A ,, S t a t e m e n t of P a c t s , a tt a c h e d t o D H S P e t i t i o n f o r I n vo l un t a r y 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 , f il e d 1 1 / 22 / 20 1 6 , � " c ,, ) .

A S h e lt e r C a r e H e a r i n g w as h e l d o n M ay 1 5 , 2 0 13 , b e f o r e t h e H o n o r a b l e A l l a n L . T e r e s hk o . T h e C o u r t l i f t e d t h e t e m po r a r y O P C , o r de r e d t h e t e m po r a r y c o m m i t m e n t t o DH S t o s t a nd . C h i l d r e n t o be m e d i c a ll y a s s e ss e d f o r s e r v i ce s . D H S t o r e f e r P . K . K . , J r . , t o E l w y n f o r e v a l u a ti on a n d J . Z . K . t o C h i l d L i nk . M o t h e r r e f e rr e d t o t h e C l i n i c a l E va l u a t i o n U n i t ( C E U ) f o r a f o r t h w i t h d r u g s c r e e n , a n as s e ss m e n t , a n d m o n i t o r i n g . D H S t o do h o m e e v a l ua t i o n a s t o M o t he r a nd M a t e r n a l G r a n d m o t h e r ' s r es i d e n c e . D H S t o c o n f u m i f M o t h e r w a s t a k e n t o G e r m a n t o w n C R C . ( S h e l t e r C a r e O r d e r , 5 / 1 5 / 20 13 ) .

A n A d j ud i c a t o r y H ea r i n g w a s h e l d o n M a y 2 1 , 2 0 13 , b e f o r e t h e H o n o r a b l e A l l a n T e r es hk o . · T h e C o u r t d i s c h a r g e d t h e t e m po r a r y c o mm i t m e n t , a d j u d i c a t e d t h e C h i l d r e n D e p e n d e n t a n d c o mm i tt e d t h e m t o D H S , a n d p l a c e m e n t i n F o s t e r C a r e . T h e C o u r t

4 *15 ordered that a Family Service Plan (FSP) meeting be held within 30 days; that Mother be granted weekly supervised visits with the Children at the Agency; that Father be granted supervised visits at Hoffman Hall as arranged by the patties; that all visits may be modified by agreement of the patties; that Mother continue with her treatment through Community Organization for Mental Health and Retardation (COMHAR); that Mother comply with the scheduled appointment with CEU on June 4, 2013; and that Mother be re-referred to CEU for a forthwith drug screen and monitoring. (Orders of Adjudication and Disposition-Child Dependent, 5/21/2013).

On August 20, 2013, CEU submitted a Report of Non-Compliance as to Mother, which stated that Mother was evaluated 011 June 4, 2013 by CEU; that the treatment recommendation was for Mother to attendshort term dual diagnosis treatment; that CEUschedule Mother for an intake appointment at Gaudenzia Together House for Women on July 17, 2013; that Mother failed to attend the intake appointment; and that Mother had not contacted Guadenzia or CEU for assistance with engaging in treatment. The Report further stated Mother's drug screen on May 15, 2013, was positive for phencyclidine (PCP); that her drug screen on May 21, 2013 was positive for PCP and

' marijuana; and that her drug screen on June 4, 2013 was positive for PCP. (Exhibit "A" Statement of Facts, attached to DHS Petition for Involuntary Termination of Parental Rights, filed 11/22/2016, 1 "f').

A Permanency Review Hearing was held on August 22, 2013 before Juvenile Master Carson. An Order was issued that legal custody to remain with DRS, and placement of the Children shall remain in Foster Care through Children's Choice. Mother was referred to the Achieving Reunification Center (ARC); that she attend mental

5 *16 h e a lt h t h e r a p y ; a n d t h a t t h e C E U R e po r t o f N o n - C o m p li a n c e a s t o M o t h e r w a s i n c o rp o r a t e d i n t o t h e R e c o r d b y r e f e r e n c e . P . K . K . , J r . , w ill b e s t a r i n g k i n de r g a r t e n a t H o w e Sc h o o l , a n d M o t h e r t o r e q u e s t a n I B P . J . Z . K . w ill ha v e a n ev a l ua ti o n o n 1 0 / 1 4 / 2 0 13 , f o r s pe e c h t h e r a p y , a n d M o t h e r t o r e qu e s t a n I B P . M o t h e r ' s v i s i t s m o d i f i e d t o t w i c e w e e k l y f o r t w o h o u rs , i f a pp r o p r i a t e , a nd t h a t M o t h e r be r e f e rr e d t o CE U . ( P e r m a n e n c y R e v i e w O r d e rs , 8 / 2 2 / 20 13 ) .

O n N o v e m b e r 4 , 2 0 13 , AR C s ub m i tt e d a C l o s i n g L e tt e r r e g a r d i n g F a t h e r . T h e l e t t e r s t a t e d t h a t F a t h e r h a d m i s se d O r i e n t a t i on a n d I n t a k e a ppo i n t m e n t; t h a t h e h a d be e n n o n - r e s p o n s i v e t o a ll AR C o u t r ea c h e f f o r t s ; t h a t o n O c t ob e r 2 8 , 20 1 4 , h e s c h e du l e d a n I n t a k e a ppo i n t m e n t f o r N o v e m b e r 2 , 2 0 1 3 ; t h a t F a t h e r d i d n o t r e p o r t as s c h e d u l e d t o t h i s a p po i n t m e n t ; a n d t h a t A R C w as c l o s i n g o u t r e a c h e ff o r t s t o F a t h e r . ( E xh i b i t " A " S t a t e m e n t of F a c t s , a tt a c h e d t o · D H S P e t i ti o n f o r I n v o l un t a r y 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 , f i l e d 1 1 / 2 2 / 2 0 1 6 , � " h " ) .

O n N o v e m b e r 1 9 , 20 1 3 , C E U s u b m i tt e d a R e po r t a s t o M o t h e r , w h i c h s t a t e d t h a t M o t h e r w a s s u cc e s s f u ll y d i s c h a r g e d fr o m t r e a t m e n t a t G a u d e n z i a o n Sep t e m be r 20 , 20 1 3 ; t h a t s h e h a d b ee n t r a n s f e rr e d t o t h e W o m e n ' s C o - o cc u rr i n g p r o g r a m ; a nd t h a t CE U h a d b e e n un a b l e t o ob t a i n a n y f u r t h e r i n f o r m a t i o n r e g a r d i n g M o t h e r ' s t r e a t m e n t p r o g r e ss . T h e R e p o r t a l s o s t a t e d t h a t M o t h e r ' s d r u g . s c r e e n o n A u gu s t 2 2 , 2 0 1 3 , w a s p o s i t i v e f o r P C P . ( E xh i b i t " A ' ' S t a t e m e n t o f F a c t s , a tt a c h e d t o D R S P e t i t i o n f o r I n v o l un t a r y T e r m i n a ti o n o f P a r e n t a l R i g h t s , f i l e d 1 1 / 22 / 20 1 6 , � " i " ) ,

A P e r m a n e n c y R e v i e w H e a r i n g w a s h e l d o n N o v e m be r 2 1 , 20 1 3 , b e f o r e M a s t e r C a rs o n . It w a s o r d e r e d t h a t l eg a l c u s t o dy o f t h e C h i l d r e n t o r e m a i n w i t h D B S , a n d p l a c e m e n t t o r e m a i n i n F o s t e r C a r e t h r ou gh C h il d r e n ' s C h o i c e . P . K . K . , J r . , a tt e n d s H o w e

6 *17 E l e m e n t a r y Sch o o l a n d a tt e nd s J J P I f o r t h e r a py . H e i s s t r ug g li n g a c a d e m i ca ll y a nd w as r e f e r re d f o r a n I E P o n 1 1 / 13 / 2 0 13 . J . Z . K . a l s o a tt e n ds H o w e E l e m e n t a r y S c h o o l a n d r e c e i v e s s p ee c h t h e r a p y t h r o ugh E l w y n . B o t h C h i l d r e n a r e s a f e a s of 1 1 / 1 9 / 2 0 1 3 . M o t h e r t o r e t u r n t o A R C , a n d r e - r e f e rr e d t o CE U f o r a f o r t h w it h d r u g s c r e e n , ass e s s m e n t, a n d m o n i t o r i n g i f ap p r o p r i a t e . M o t h e r t o co n t i nu e w ee k l y s up e r v i s e d v i s i t s a t t h e A g e n c y . F a t he r r e f e rr e d t o C EU f o r a f o r t h w i t h d r u g s c r e en , ass e ss m e n t a n d m o n i t o r i n g , i f a p p r o p r i a t e . P a r e n t ' s v i s i t s a r e t o c o n t i n u e a s a rr a n g e d . D H S t o e xp l o r e P a t e r n a l G r a n dp a r e n t s as v i s i t i n g s o u r c e s . P a r e n t s a u t h o r i z e d t o h a v e e x t e n d e d v i s it s f o r T h a nk s g i v i n g a n d C h r i s t m a s . ( P e r m a n e n c y R e v i e w O r d e r s , 1 1 / 2 1 / 2 0 1 3 ) .

O n F e b r u a r y 1 7 · , 20 1 4 , C E U s ub m i tt e d a R e p o r t o f N o n - C o m p li a n ce as t o M o t h e r , w h i c h st a t e d t h a t M o t h e r w as u n ab l e t o s t ay f o r h e r c o u r t o r d e r e d d r u g a n d a l c o h o l a s s e s s m e n t o n N ov e m be r 2 1 , 2 0 13 ; t h a t M o t h e r r e s c h e d u l e d t h e a p p o i n t m e n t f o r D e c e m b e r 3 0 , 2 013 ; � n d t h a t M o t h e r · w a s a n o c a ll / n o s h o w f o r h e r D e c e m b e r 3 0 , 20 13 a ppo i n t m e n t . M o t h e r ' s d r u g s c r e e n o n N o v e m b e r 2 1 , 20 13 w a s a g a i n p o s i t i v e f o r P C P . ( E xh i b i t " A " S t a t e m e n t o f F ac t s , a tt ac h e d t o D H S P e t i t i o n f o r I n v o l un t a r y T e r m i n a ti o n o f P a r e n t a l R i g h t s , f il e d 1 1 / 2 2 / 2 0 1 6 , � " k ,, ) .

O n F e b r u a r y 1 7 , 2 0 1 4 , C E U s u b m i tt e d a R e p o r t o f N o n - C o m p l i a n c e as t o F a t h e r , w h i c h s t a t e d t h a t F a t h e r w a s u n a b l e t o s t ay f o r h i s c o u r t o r de r e d d r u g a n d a l c o h o l a s s e s s m e n t o n N o v e m be r 2 1 , 20 1 3 ; t h a t Fa t h e r r e s c h e d u l e d t h e a p po i n t m e n t f o r D e c e m be r 3 0 , 2 0 13 ; a n d t h a t F a t h e r w a s a n o c a l l/ n o s h o w f o r h i s D e c e m b e r 3 0 , 2 0 13 appo i n t m e n t . F a t h e r ' s d r u g s c r e e n o n N o v e m b e r 2 1 , 2 0 1 3 w a s po s iti v e f o r P C P a n d m a r ij u a n a . ( E xh i b i t " A " S t a t e m e n t o f F a c t s , a tt ac h e d t o D H S P e tit i on f o r 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 , f il e d 1 1 / 2 2 / 2 0 1 6 , 1 " I " ) .

7 *18 A continuance was granted on February 20, 2014, as no Master was available to hear the case. (Continuance Orders, 2/20/2014). A continuance was granted on February 28, 2014, for case to be heard by a Judge. Status quo remains. (Continuance Orders, 2/28/2014). A Permanency Review Hearing was held on March 18, 2014, before the Honorable Allan L. Tereshko. Legal custody of the Children to remain with DHS, and placement to continue in Foster Care through Children's Choice. Both Children doing well. Mother had made· 17 out of22 visits, and Father had made 19 out of22 visits. Mother and Father's visits were not to be separate. If Father's drug screen is negative prior to next court date, his visits may be modified to unsupervised day community visits. Mother re-referred to ARC, and referred to CEtJ for an assessment and forthwith drug screen. Father referred to CEU for a forthwith drug screen and one random drug screen prior to the next court date. (Permanency Review Orders, 3/18/2014).

On May 14, 2014, DHS held an FSP meeting. The parental objectives established for Mother were to locate and occupy suitable housing for family with suitable space, heat, and all other operable utilities; to participate in a mental healthevaluation; to comply with all treatment recommendations including therapy and or medication as prescribed; to sign an authorization to allow DHS to obtain copies of evaluations and progress reports; to participate in an evaluation for drug and alcohol abuse; to comply with all treatment recommendations of the provider; to keep all visits and maintain regular contact with the Children; to meet regularly with the agency social worker and follow through with her Individual Service Plan (ISP); to meet with an instructor on a weekly basis to learn expected behavior for the Children; to set age appropriate

8 *19 expectations; to participate in the evaluation and recommended treatment for the Children; and to sign an authorization to allow DHS to obtain medical records and reports regarding the Children. The parental objectives established for Father were to locate and occupy suitable housing for family with suitable space, heat, and all other operable utilities; to participate in an evaluation for drng and alcohol abuse; to comply with all treatment recommendations of the provider; to keep all visits and maintain regular contact with the Children; to meet regularly with the agency social worker and follow through with his ISP; to participate in the evaluation and recommended treatment for the Children; and to sign an authorization to allow DHS to obtain medical records and reports regarding the Children. Both Mother and Father failed to participate in the FSP meeting. (Exhibit "A" Statement of Facts, attached to DHS Petition for Involuntary Termination of Parental Rights, filed 11/22/2016, 1 "n").

On June 9, 2014, CEU submitted a Report as to Mother, which stated that Mother was unable to stay for her court ordered drug and alcohol assessment on March 18, 2014; that Mother rescheduled the appointment for April 4, 2014 and May 6, 2014; and that Mother was a no call/no show for her May 6, 2014 appointment. Mother's drug screen on March 18, 2014 was positive again for PCP. (Exhibit "A" Statement of Facts, attached to DHS Petition for Involuntary Termination of Parental Rights, filed 11/22/2016, ,r "o").

A Permanency Review Hearing was held on June 10, 2014> before the Honorable Vincent L. Johnson. Legal custody of the Children remains with DHS, and placement to continue in Foster Care through Children's Choice. Both Children doing well. Father -is permitted unsupervised day visits in the community as arranged by the parties, which

9 *20 may be modified to overnights once Father participates in P.K.K., Jr.'s therapy. Father receives mental health services, and drug and alcohol counseling through STOP. Father to participate in P.K.K, Jr.'s therapy. DHS to do home assessment on Father's house. Mother receives mental health services through COMHAR, and she was referred to Sobriety Through Out Patient, Inc. (STOP) for drug and alcohol counseling. Mother attended the STOP Intake Appointment on May 14, 2014, and had not returned to STOP since the Intake Appointment. Mother re-referred to CEU for an evaluation and a forthwith full drng screen. Mother and Father to comply with all FSP objectives, services, and recommendations. (Permanency Review Orders, 6/10/2014).

Father is currently on probation as a result of his arrest on drug-related charges on May 16, 2012, to which he pied guilty on November 1, 2012, and sentenced to 6-23 months of confinement followed by 3 years of probation. (Exhibit "A'' Statement of Facts, attached to DHS Petition for Involuntary Termination of Parental Rights, filed 11/22/2016, 'if "q").

On August 18, 2014, DBS learned that Father's drug screen on July 14, 2014, was positive for high levels of marijuana and that he had missed his scheduled office visit on August 11, 2014 with his Probation Officer and was currently in Violation Status with Probation. (Exhibit "N' Statement of Facts, attached to DI-IS Petition for Involuntary Termination of Parental Rights, filed 11/22/2016, � "r").

On August 28, 2014, CEU submitted a Report as to Mother, which stated that Mother was unable to stay for her court ordered drug and alcohol assessment on June 10, 2014. Mother rescheduled the appointment for July 2, 2014, and that Mother was a no call/no show for her July 2, 2014, appointment. Mother's drug screen on June 10, 2014,

10 *21 was positive for PCP. (Exhibit "A" Statement of Facts, attached to DHS Petition for Involuntary Termination of Parental Rights, filed 11/22/2016, � "s").

On August 29, 2014, the Joseph J. Peters Institute (JJPI) submitted a letter to DHS stating that there were concerns regarding P.K.K., Jr's., therapy and Father's developing a pattern of either missing appointments without notification (no call/no show), or of rescheduling appointments. The letter stated that Father cancelled the appointment on August 4, 2014; that it was rescheduled for August 6, 2014, which he and P.K.K., Jr. attended; that Father was no call/no show for the appointment on August 11, 2014; that JJPI telephoned Father regarding this no call/no show, and that Father requested that the appointment be rescheduled; appointment was rescheduled to August 14, 2014; that Father was no call/no show for the appointment on August 14, 2014; that JJPI telephoned Father regarding this no call/no show, and that Father stated he was in a lot of pain and would not be able to attend therapy that day; that Father and Child did attend the appointment on August 18, 2014; that Father was no call/no show for the appointment on August 25, 2014; the appointment be rescheduled to August 29, 2014, which was then rescheduled to August 28, 2014, which Father was a no call/no show for that appointment; that JJPI telephoned Father regarding this no call/no show, and that Father stated he was in a lot of pain. The letter further stated that JJPI was concerned about the Child, as it is essential for the Child to maintain consistency in therapy in order to ensure therapeutic progress. (Exhibit "A" Statement of Facts, attached to DHS Petition for Involuntary Termination of Parental Rights, filed 11/22/2016, � "t").

A Permanency Review Hearing was held on September 2, 2014, before Master Campbell. Legal custody of the Children to remain with DHS, and placement remains in 11 *22 Foster Care through Wordsworth. Father's visits are now modified to supervised at the Agency. Mother's visits supervised at the Agency. Mother and Father re-referred to CEU for a drug screen and monitoring, when they avail themselves. (Permanency Review Orders, 9/02/2014).

On September 19, 2014, DBS and Community Umbrella Agency (CUA) Wordsworth held a Single Case Plan (SCP) meeting. The parental objectives established for Mother were to continue to attend weekly supervised visits and contact the Case Manager if she will be late or unable to attend; to re-engage with STOP or other Behavioral Health Services (BHS), to have her drug and alcohol counseling and/or therapeutic needs met; and to continue to attend ARC and complete parenting and anger managementcourses, The parental objectives established for Father were to schedule times with the Case Manager to conduct home assessments and clearances of any individuals currently living in the home; to continue to attend JJPI therapy sessions with P .K.K., Jr.; and to continue to meet with his Probation Officer on a weekly basis. Both Mother and Father participated in the SCP meeting. (Exhibit «A" Statement of Facts, attached to DBS Petition for Involuntary Termination of Parental Rights, filed 11/22/2016, � "v"),

A Permanency Review Hearing was held on December 16, 2014, before the Honorable Allan L. Tereshko. Legal custody of the Children remains with DBS, and placement remains in Foster Care. Pending a negative drug screen, Father shall have unsupervised community visitation with the Children. Supervised visitation with Mother shall continue at the Agency. Father is to begin parent child interaction therapy once

12 *23 s c h e d u l e d . F a t h e r i s r e f e r r e d t o C E U f o r a n a ss e ss m e n t a nd a f o r t h w i t h d r u g s c re en . ( P e r m a n e n c y R e v i e w O r d e r s , 1 2 / 1 6 / 2 0 1 4 ) .

A P e r m a n e n c y R e v i e w H ea r i ng w a s h e l d o n M a r c h 1 7 , 2 0 1 5 , be f o r e t h e H o n o r a b l e A l l a n L . T e r e s hk o . L e g a l c u s t o d y of t h e C h i l d r e n r e m a i n s w it h D H S , a n d p l a c e m e n t r e m a i n s i n F os t e r C a r e t h r o u gh C h i l d r e n ' s C h o i ce . B o t h C h i l d r e n d o i n g w e ll i n p l a c e m e n t . C U A W o r d s w o r t h d i d e xp l o r e F a t h e r ' s h o m e a n d f o un d i t w as n o t a pp r o p r i a t e . M o t h e r w a s r e f e r r e d t o A R C f o r s e r v i c e s a n d d i d n o t c o m p l y . M o t h e r i s c o m p l y i n g w i t h M e n t a l H e a lt h S e r v i c e s t h r o u g h C O H M A R a n d c o m p l y i n g w it h s u p e r v i se d v i s i t a t i on s c h e d u l e . F a t h e r i s i n m i n i m a l c o m p li a n c e w i t h p e r m a n e n c y p l a n , i n t h a t F a t h e r r e ce i v es i n d i v i d u a l a n d g r o u p t h e r a p y t h r o ug h S T O P , a nd i s c o m p l y i n g w i t h t ho s e s e r v i c e s . F a t h e r i s n o n - c o m p l i a n t w i t h o t h e r S i n g l e C a s e P l a n s , O b j e c ti v e s a nd R e c o m m e n d a t i o n s . R e po r t s u b m i tt e d t o t h e C o u r t fr o m C E U f o r F a t h e r . T h e C o u r t . a l s o f o un d t h a t J . Z . K . i s d o i n g w e ll, r e c e i v i n g D e v e l o p m e n t a l D e l a y / Sp ee c h T h e r a p y . P . K . K . , Jr . , r e c e i v e s c u r r e r i t l e a r n i n g s up p o r t f o r r e ad i n g a n d m a t h . ( P e r m a n e n c y R e v i e w O r d e rs , 3 / 1 7 / 2 0 1 5 ) .

A P e r m a n e n c y R e v i e w H ea r i n g w a s h e l d o n J un e 3 0 , 2 0 1 5 , be f o r e t h e H o n o r a b l e A l l a n L . T e r e s hk o . L eg a l c u s t od y o f t h e C h i l d r e n r e m a i n s w i t h D H S , a n d p l ac e m e n t r e m a i n s i n F o s t e r C a r e t h r o u gh C h i l d r e n ' s C h o i c e . C h i l d r e n a r e d o i n g w e ll i n p l a c e m e n t .

. . P . K . K . , J r . , h a s a c u r re n t I B P . J . Z . K r e c e i v e s s peec h t h e r a p y . F a t h e r i s c u r r e n tl y i n c a r c e r a t e d a t H ou s e of C o rr e c ti o n s . T h e C o u r t g r a n t e d r e q u e s t f o r m a tt e r s t o b e c o n t i n u e d t o a ll o w F a t h e r t o be b r o u g h t d o w n f o r n e x t li s t i n g . M o t h e r i s r ef e r r ed t o C E U f o r f o r t h w i t h c h u g s c r e e n p r i o r t o t h e n e x t c o u r t d a t e . ( P e r m a n e n c y R e v i e w O r d e r s , 6 / 3 0 / 2 0 1 5 ) .

1 3 *24 On August 26, 2015, CUA held an SCP meeting. Father's parental objectives were to work with CUA regarding scheduling time for CUA to assess the safety of his home and to obtain clearances for any individuals other than Father residing in the home; to complete PI-IMC application for household furniture; to enroll in and participate with the Children in Parent Child interaction therapy and comply with all recommendations; to cooperate with his Probation Officer in order to remain out of incarceration; to coordinate with CUA regarding supervised visitation; to continue attending individual and group therapy at STOP; and to sign all releases and provide documentation of therapy at STOP. Father participated in the meeting. (Exhibit "A" Statement of Facts, attached to OHS Petition for Involuntary Termination of Parental Rights, filed 11/22/2016, iJ "y").

A Permanency Review Hearing was held on November 17, 2015, before the Honorable Allan L. Tereshko. Legal custody of the Children remains with OHS, and placement remains in Foster Care. After four successful supervised visits with the Children, Father's visits may then be modified back to unsupervised before next court date. Case remains status quo, and next listing is 3/07/2016. (Permanency Review Orders, 11/17/2015).

A Contested Goal Change and Permanency Review Hearing was held on March 7, 2016, before the Honorable Allan L. Tereshko. ·Legal custody of the Children remains with OHS, and placement remains in Foster Care. Mother's parental rights were involuntarily terminated, Father's visitation to continue as arranged, and Father's wife's home to be evaluated and clearances to be conducted. If appropriate, then visitation with the Children can take place in home of F.B., � N. 7th St., Philadelphia, PA. A bonding evaluation is ordered for Father. (Permanency Review Orders, 3/07/2016).

*25 14 A P e r m a n e n c y R e v i e w H e a r i n g w a s h e l d o n M ay 2 6 , 20 1 6 , b e f o r e t h e H o n o r a b l e A ll a n L . T e r e s hk o . L e g a l c u s t o d y of t he C h i l d r e n r e m a i n s w i t h D H S , a n d p l a ce m e n t r e m a i n s i n Fo s t e r C a r e . S t a t u s Q u o t o r e m a i n , a n d ca s e c on t i n u e d . ( Pe r m an e n c y R e v i e w O r d e rs , 5 / 26 / 2 0 1 6 ) .

O n A u g u s t 9 , 20 1 6 , C UA h e l d a n S C P m ee t i n g . T h e pa r e n t a l ob j e c t i v e s f o r F a t h e r w e r e t o p a r t i c i p a t e i n P a r e n t C h i l d I n t e r a c t i on T h e r a p y ; t o u t il i z e t e c hn i q ue s a n d s k i ll s t a u g h t t o i m p r o ve i n t e r a c ti o n a n d p a r e n t i n g ; t o p r o v i de CU A w i t h p r o g r e s s r e p o r t ; t o c o m p l e t e P ff i v f C a nd p r o v i d e C U A w i t h d o c u m e n t a t i o n t o s ec u r e f u n d s t o o b t a i n a l a r ge r h o m e ; t o c o n t i n u e t o m e e t w i t h P r o b a ti o n O ff i c e r a n d m a i n t a i n c o m p li a n c e w i t h t h e t e r m s o f h i s p r o b a t i on ; t o c o n t i n u e i n d i v i du a l a n d g r o u p t h e r a p y a t S T O P ; t o s i gn r e l e a s e s o f i n f o r m a t i o n a nd p r o v i d e d o c u m e n t a t i o n o f d r u g t r e a t m e n t t h e r a p y a t S TO P ; a n d t o c o o r d i n a t e w i t h C UA r e g a r d i n g un s up e r v i s e d c o mm un i t y v i s i t a t i on . F a t h e r p a r t i c i pa t e d i n t h e m ee t i n g v i a t e l e pho n e . ( E xh i b i t " A " S t a t e m e n t of F ac t s , a tt ac h e d t o D H S P e t it i o n f o r I n v o l un t a r y T e r m i n a ti o n of P a r e n t a l R i g h t s , f i l e d 1 1 / 2 2 / 20 1 6 , � " b b " ) .

A P e r m a n e n c y R e v i e w H ea r i n g w as h e l d o n A u g u s t 2 5 , 20 1 6 , b e f o r e t h e H on o r a b l e R i c h a r d J . G o r don . L e g a l c u s t o d y o f t h e C h il d r e n r e m a i n s w it h D R S , a n d p l a c e m e n t r e m a i n s i n F os t e r C a r e . F a t h e r t o h ave l i n e of s i g h t/ l i n e o f h e a r i n g s u pe r v i s e d v i s i t s w i t h C h il d r e n a s a r r a ng e d . · F a t h e r h a s a b o n d i ng e v a l ua t i o n s c h e du l e d f o r 9 / 0 6 / 2 0 1 6 , a n d h e i s r e ce i v i n g d r u g a n d a l c o h o l t r e a t m e n t a t S T O P . F a t h e r i s r e f e r r e d t o C E U f o r t h w i t h f o r d r u g s c r e e n , m o n i t o r i n g a n d 3 r a n d o m d r u g s c r ee n s p r i o r t o n e x t c ou r t d a t e . F a t h e r t o c o m p l y w i t h b o n d i ng e v a l u a t i on . C U A t o e n s u r e C h i l d r e n a tt e n d m e d i c a l a p p o i n t m e n t s . ( P e r m a n e n c y R e v i e w O r d e r s , 8 / 2 5 / 20 1 6 ) .

*26 1 5 A CUA Permanency Review hearing was listed on November 17, 2016, before a Master. Forensic Mental Health Services, LLC, submitted a Parenting Capacity Evaluation (PCE) as to Father, conducted by Dr. Erica G. Williams and Samantha Peterson, M.A. The PCE stated that, at this time, based on the available information, Father does not present with the capacity to provide safety and/or permanency to the Children. The PCE noted that there are currently multiple barriers to Father demonstrating the capacity to provide safety and/or permanency to the Children; Father has a chronic history of ongoing criminal behaviors resulting in contact with law enforcement, arrests, violation of supervision, and incarceration; that this includes engaging in criminal behavior resulting in his an-est while the Children were in his care; that he does not take responsibility for his criminal behaviors, projects blame on others, and reports he "beat» his cases; that he was a general and provided minimal details when queried about recent criminal violations; that records indicate he has a history of non compliance with objectives identified to support reunification, despite being in the community and able to complete them; that there is a history of Father missing and not complying with the therapy set up for P .K.K., Jr. and him; and that he has not reengaged in the therapy despite being requested to do so. The evaluation further noted that Father admitted to a history of using marijuana only; that records indicate he has a history of using PCP; that Father stated he used marijuana as a coping mechanism; that he has not attended his last three visits with the Children, despite confirming the visits; that he does not currently have housing secured and there are reports he has been misleading regarding housing in the past; that the Children have been in placement for over three years; that during this time, he has not demonstrated an ability and/or willingness to

*27 16 r e fr a i n fr o m c r i m i n a l be ha v i o r , d r u g u s e , o r t o c o m p l y w it h o b j ec t i v e s i d e n t i f i e d f o r h i m , a n d / o r de m o n s t r a t e c o n s i s t e n t v i s i t a t i o n w h e n i n t h e c o mm u n it y a nd a b l e t o v i s i t ; a n d t h a t h e c o n ti n u e s t o e n g a g e i n be h a v i o r , s u c h as u s e o f m a r ij u a n a , t h a t v i o l a t es h i s c u rr e n t s u pe r v i s i on a n d c a n a g a i n r e s u l t i n h i s i n c a r c e r a t i on . ( E xh i b i t " A " S t a t e m e n t o f F a c t s , a tt ac h e d t o D H S P e t i ti o n f o r I n v o l u n t a r y T e r m i n a t i o n of P a r e n t a l R i g h t s , f il e d 1 1 / 2 2 / 2 0 1 6 , 1 " d d " ) .

A c o n ti n ua n c e w as g r a n t e d o n N o v e m b e r 1 7 , 2 0 1 6 , a s p a r t i es r e q u e s t e d a h e a r i n g b e f o r e a J udg e . ( C o n ti n u a n c e O r d e r s , 1 1 / 1 7 / 2 0 1 6 ) . A c o n ti n u a n c e w a s g r a n t e d o n D e ce m b e r 8 , 2 0 1 6 , d u e t o t i m e c o n s tr a i n t s . F a t h e r r e f e r r e d t o C EU f o r t h w i t h f o r a f u ll d r u g a n d a l c o h o l s c r ee n , d u a l d i a gn o s i s , m o n i t o r i n g a n d 3 r a n do m s p r i o r t o n e x t c o u r t d a t e . ( C o n ti n ua n c e O r d e r s , 1 2 / 0 8 / 2 0 1 6 ) .

A c o n t i n u a n ce w as g r a n t e d o n J a n ua r y 20 , 2 0 1 7 , as c ase w o r ke r d i d no t a p p e a r a n d w i t n e ss e s w e r e n o t a v a il ab l e . C a s e t o r e m a i n s t a t u s q u o . ( S t a t us R e v i e w O r d e r s , 1 / 2 0 / 2 0 1 7 ) . T E R M I N A T I ON H E A R I N G

O n M ay 2 3 , 2 0 1 7 , t h i s C ou r t h e l d a G o a l C h a n g e / T e r m i n a t i o n H e a r i n g a n d h e a r d t e s t i m o n y o n D H S ^[1] s P e t i t i o n t o T e r m i n a t e F a t h e r ' s P a t e r n a l R i g h t s as t o h i s C h i l d r e n , a n d C h a ng e t h e Pe r m an e n cy G oa l t o A d o p t i o n . F a t h e r w a s p r e s e n t a n d r e p r e s e n t e d b y h i s a tt o r n e y , S h a n es e J o hn s o n . ( N . T . 5 / 2 3 / 2 0 1 7 , p . 3 a t 1 2 -1 4 ) .

M i c ha e l P r a t t , t h e A s s i s t an t C i t y S o li c i t o r , ca ll e d h i s f i r st w i t n e ss , J a r e d B u r r , t h e C U A C a s e M an a g e r f r o m W o r d s w o r t h 5 . H e t e s t i f i e d t h e C h i l d r e n c a m e i n t o c a r e on M a y 1 1 , 2 0 1 3 , b e cau s e M o t h e r w a s f o und u n d e r t h e i n f l u e n c e o f P C P i n t h e c o m m un i t y

1 7 *28 w h i l e s h e w as h av i n g o n e o f h e r v i s i t s w it h t h e b oy s . N o k i n w e r e i d e n ti f i e d a n d t h u s t h e C h i l d r e n w e r e p l a c e d i n ge n e r a l f o s t e r c a r e : A t t h a t po i n t F a t h e r ' s w h e r e ab ou t s w e r e u n kn o w n . ( N . T . 5 / 2 3 / 2 0 1 7 , p . 6 a t 13 - 2 5 ; p . 7 a t 1 - 2 ) .

H e t e s t i f i ed a n O P C w a s o b t a i n e d on 5 / 13 / 2013 , a n d F a t h e r w a s m a d e a w a r e o f t h e s i t u a t i o n a t t h a t ti m e b y M o t h e r ' s t e l e p h o n e c a ll . It w as l a t e r l e a r n e d t h a t F a t h e r w as i n c a r c e r a t e d a t t h a t t i m e . ' ( N . T . 5/ 2 3 / 2 0 1 7 , p . 7 a t 4 - 1 0 ) .

M r . B u r r t e s t i f i e d t h e c a s e w a s a d j u d i c a t e d o n 5 / 2 1/2 0 13 , a n d F a t h e r p a r t i c i p a t e d i n m a n y s i ng l e case p l an m ee t i n g s . F a t h e r h a d a s a n ob j e c t i ve t o c o m p l y w i t h d r n g a n d a l c o h o l s e r v i c e s , a n d h e w as r e f e rr e d t o C E U f o r a s se s s m e n t a n d r a nd o m s c r e e n s . M r . B u rr l i s t e d d a t e s t h a t F a t h e r w a s c o u r t o r d e r e d f o r d r u g s c r e e n t h a t h e d i d n o t a tt e n d : 1 1 / 2 1 / 2 0 13 , 3 /1 8 / 2 0 1 4 , 9 / 2 / 2 0 1 4 , 1 2 /1 6 / 2 0 1 4 , a n d 8 / 2 5 / 2 0 1 6 . F a t h e r d i d a tt e n d f o r t h w i t h d r u g s c r ee n s o n 1 1 / 1 2 / 2013 ( t e s t e d po s it i v e f o r P C P a n d m a r i j u a n a ) , 7 / 1 4 / 2 0 1 4 ( t e s t e d p o s i t i v e f o r m a r ij u a n a ) , 8 / 2 5 / 2 0 1 6 ( t e s t e d po s i t i v e f o r m a r i j u a n a ) , 9 / 2 0 / 2 0 1 6 ( t e s t e d p o s it i v e f o r m a r i j u a n a ) , a n d 1 2 / 08 / 2 0 1 6 ( t e s t e d p o s i t i v e f o r m a r i j u a n a ) . M r . B u rr ' s p r o g r es s n o t e d a t e d 3 / 3 0 / 2 0 1 7 no t e d t h a t F a t h e r i s n o t s ob e r a n d i s u s i n g m a r i j u a na t o s up p r e ss h i s a n x i e t y r e g a r d l e s s o f be i n g on p r o ba ti o n . F a t h e r d o e s n o t b e li e v e h e h a s a n i s s u e a n d i s i n d e n i a l . F a t h e r h a s ne v e r c o m p l e t e d s u b s t a n c e a b u s e t r e a t m e n t a n d t h a t i t r e m a i n s a n ou t s t a n d i n g o b j e c ti v e . ( N . T . 5 / 2 3 / 2 0 1 7 , p . 7 a t 4 - 1 4 ; p . 8 a t 1 2 - 2 5 ; p . 9 a t 1 - 2 5 ; p . 10 a t 1 - 2 5 ; p . 11 a t 1 -1 7 ) .

M r . B u r r a l s o t e s t i f i ed F a t h e r w as o r d e re d t o a tt e n d p a r e n t c h i l d i n t e r a c t i on t h e r a py a s o f 1 2 / 07 / 2 0 1 4 . F a t h e r c o m p l e t e d J J P I t h e r a p y , a n d t h e d i s c h a r g e ^[3] S e c u r e C o u r t S u m m a r y , p . 2 : CP - 5 1 - C R - 00 0 92 1 9 - 2 0 1 2 - D i s p o s i t i on 1 1 / 01 / 2 0 1 2 : M a n u f a c t u r e , De li v e r , o r P o ss e ss i o n W i t h I n t e n t t o M anu f a c t u r e o r D e li ve r , 3 5 § 78 0 - 11 3 § § A 3 0 - G u i l t y P l e a s - N ego t i a t e d : *29 Co n f i n e m en t: 6 - 2 3 m o n t h s .

1 8 r e c o mm e n d a t i o n w as f o r p a r e n t c h i l d i n t e r a c ti o n t h e r a p y . F a t h e r d i d n o t pa r t i c i p a t e i n t h a t t h e r a p y un t i l A u gu s t 2 0 1 6 . ( N . T . 5 / 2 3 / 2 0 1 7 , p . 1 1 a t 1 8 - 25 ; p . 1 2 a t 1 - 9 ) .

M r . B u n n o t e d F a t h e r do e s n o t t a k e a cc o un t a b ili t y f o r h i s ac ti o n s , b l a m i n g h i m a n d o t h e r s f o r h i s l a c k of p r o g r e s s t h r o ug h o u t t h i s w h o l e c a s e . F a t h e r w a s de m a n d i n g , un c o o p e r a t i ve , r u d e , a n d a l s o h as a l o ng c r i m i n a l h i s t o r y . R e c e n t l y F a t h e r b l a m e d h i m f o r h i s m a r i j u a n a u s e a n d a d m i tt e d t h a t h e s till p r e s e n t l y s m ok e s m a r i j u ana . ( N . T . 5 / 2 3 / 20 1 7 , p . 8 a t 4 - 1 1 ; p . 1 2 a t 1 3 - 2 5 ) .

F a t h e r c o n t i n u e s t o b e u n e m p l o y e d , a nd c o n t i n u e s t o r e s i d e w i t h h i s P a t e r n a l G r a n d m o t h e r . R e g a r d i n g w e e k l y s up e r v i se d v i s i t a t i on a t t h e A g e n c y , F a t h e r h as b e e n v e r y i n c o n s i s t e n t . H e h as s t r i n g s of c o m p li a n c e a n d a tt e n d a n ce , t h e n h e m i s s e s q u i t e a f e w v i s i t s . f a Sep t e m b e r 20 1 6 , F a t h e r r e f u s e d t o h a v e t h e s u pe r v i s e d v i s i t s a t t h e A g e n c y , b e c a u s e h e w a n t e d t o h a v e u n s u p e r v i s e d c o mm un i t y v i s i t s b a c k , h o w e v e r , h e a l w a y s t e s t e d po s it i v e f o r m a r i j u a n a a nd s u p e r v i s e d v i s i t s w e r e o r d e r e d . ( N . T . 5 / 2 3 / 2 0 1 7 , p . 1 4 a t 3 - 25 ; p . 1 5 a t 1 - 5 ) .

M r . B u r r o p i n e d t h a t t h e b e s t o u t c o m e f o r t h e C h i l d r e n i s f o r t h e m t o be ad o p t e d b ec au s e F a t h e r d o e s n o t h a v e t h e c a p a c i t y t o p r o v i d e f o r t h e s a f e t y of h i s C h i l d r e n . T h r ou gh o u t t h e f o u r y e a r s t h a t t h e C h i l d r e n h ave b e e n i n c a r e , F a t h e r h a s f a il e d t o c o n s i s t e n tl y v i s i t , p l a n f o r , p r o v i d e f o r t h e b o y s , a nd f a il e d t o s ho w t h r o u g h o u t t h i s t i m e t o b e s e l f - s u f f i c i e n t e n o u g h t o b e a p r i m a r y c a r e g i v e r . H e i s f a r t o o d e p e n d e n t o n o t h e rs t o do t h i n g s f o r h i m . H e l a c k s u r g e n c y , a s se r t i v e n e s s , a n d l a c k s a n a w a r e n e s s o f h i s C h i l d r e n . H e c a nn o t e x p l a i n w h a t t h e i r n e e d s a r e , n o r w h a t s e r v i c e s a r e n e e d e d . H e m i n i m i z e s h i s c r i m i n a l b e h a v i o r . ( N . T . 5 / 2 3 / 2 0 1 7 , p . 1 6 a t 1 - 2 5 ) .

*30 1 9 R e g a r d i n g t he f o s t e r pa r e n t , R . C ., M r . B u r r n o t ed t ha t t h e C h i l d r e n w e r e p l a ce d w i t h h e r i n M a y 2 0 13 , a n d s h e h a s b ee n t h e p r i m a r y c a r e g i v e r f o r t h e m . S h e h a s b e en a s t r o n g a d v oca t e f o r t h e b oy s , a nd h a s b r o u gh t t h e C h i l d r e n ' s p h y s i c a l a i l m e n t s a n d i s s u e s t o m y a tt e n t i o n . S h e h a s s h o w n t h e as s e r t i v e n e s s a nd t h e a b i l i t y t o c a r e f o r t h e m . B o t h b o y s h a ve s h o w n a g r ea t d e a l o f p r o g r e ss , e du ca t i o n a ll y , a n d t h e r a p e u t i c a ll y . H e b e li e v es t h e C h i l d r e n w o u l d n o t s u ff e r i r r e p a r ab l e h a r m i f F a t h e r ' s p a r e n t a l r i g h t s w e r e t e r m i n a t e d be c au s e t h e Ch il d r e n a r e b o n d e d t o t h e f o s t e r p a r e n t a n d h a v e s h o w n m u c h p r o g r es s i n h e r c a r e . H e o p i n e d i t i s i n t h e C h i l d r e n ' s b e s t i n t e r e s t t o b e ad o p t e d . ( N . T . 5 / 2 3 / 20 1 7 , p . 1 7 a t 7 - 2 5 ; p . 1 8 a t 1 - 2 5 ; p . 1 9 a t 7 - 25 ) .

O n c r o ss - ex a m i n a ti o n b y J a m e s M a r t i n , a tt o m e y f o r t h e C h i l d r e n , M r . B u n n o t e d t h a t F a t h e r w a s c o u r t o r de r e d t o ob t a i n a p a r e n t i n g c ap a c i t y e v a l u a t i o n , w h i c h r e s u l t e d i n t h e c o n c l u s i o n t h a t F a t h e r n e e d e d m e n t a l h e a l t h t r ea t m e n t . H e a l s o n o t e d t ha t F a t h e r h a s p r e s e n t e d a pp r o x i m a t e l y f o u r h o m e s t h a t t h e A g e n c y h a s t r i e d t o c l e a r , h o w e v e r , w e f o und o u t h e l e f t t h o s e h o m es o r s o m e l a c k e d t h e b a s i c e s s e n t i a l s s u c h as o pe r a b l e u tili t i e s , s m o k e d e t e c t o r s , f o o d , e t c . H e n o t e d F a t h e r w a s o n d i s ab ili t y a n d t h a t w as h i s s o u r c e o f i n c o m e . ( N . T . 5 / 23 / 2 0 1 7 , p . 2 0 a t 2 1 - 2 5 ; p . 2 1 a t 1 - 2 5 ; p . 2 2 a t 1 - 1 ; p . 2 4 a t 1 - 1 2 ) .

M r . B u rr n o t e d t h a t F a t h e r o b t a i n e d c e r t i f i c a t e s f o r a n g e r m a n a g e m e n t a n d p a r e n t i n g i n 2 013 w h i l e h e w as · i n c a r ce r a t e d , h o w e v e r , h e be li e v e s F a t h e r c o n t i n u e s t o h a v e a n g e r m a n a g e m e n t i s s u e s . H e f u r t h e r n o t e d t h a t F a t h e r w a s r e f e r re d t o CE U f o r e v a l u a t i on f i ve t i m es , bu t F a t h e r n e v e r c o m p l e t e d a n a s s e s s m e n t , a n d h e h a d a t l e a s t 5 po s i t i v e d r u g r es u l t s . F u r t h e r , F a t h e r c o n t i n u e s t o ac t i v e l y u s e d r u g s as o f M a r c h 3 0 , 20 1 7 , w h i c h w a s do c u m e n t e d o n a p r og r e s s n o t e fr o m S T O P . H e n o t e d t h a t F a t h e r w a s

*31 2 0 r e f e rr ed t o S T O P f o r m e n t a l h e a l t h a n d s u b s t a n c e a b u s e , bu t F a t h e r n e v e r c o m p l e t e d t ha t t r e a t m e n t . ( N . T . 5 / 2 3 / 2 0 1 7 , p . 2 6 a t 4 - 2 5 ; p . 2 7 a t 1 - 1 8 ; p . 2 8 a t 1 -1 2 ) .

E r i c a W illi a m s , P s y c h o l o g i s t , fr o m F o r e n s i c M e n t a l H ea l t h S e r v i ce s , w a s n e x t t o t e s t i f y . S h e t e s t i f i e d s h e c o n d u c t e d a P a r e n t i n g C a p ac i t y E v a l u a ti o n o n N o v e m b e r 1 7 , 2 01 6 , a n d r e v i e w e d c a s e s u mm a r i e s fr o m C U A , c o u r t r e c o r d s , a n I B P e v a l u a ti o n f o r o n e o f t h e C h il d r e n , n a rr a t i v es t h a t b r o u gh t t h e c a s e i n t o c a r e , a n d t he s t a t e m e n t of f a c t s t h a t w a s p r o du c e d . ( N . T . 5 / 2 3 / 2 0 1 7 , p . 4 3 a t 4 - 2 3 ) .

D r . " W ill i a m s t e s t i f i e d w h e n c o m p l e ti n g a P a r e n t i n g C a p a c i t y E v a l u a t i o n , s h e i s f o cu s e d · o n t h e s a f e t y a nd pe r m a n e n c y f o r t h e C h i l d r e n . I n t h i s ca s e , s h e r e v i e w e d a ll t h e d a t a p r o v i d e d as w � ll a s F a t h e r ' s c r i m i n a l h i s t o r y , h i s s ub s t a n c e a bu s e h i s t o r y , a n d h i s i n t e r a c ti o n s a n d un d e r s t a n d i n g of t h e C h i l d r e n ' s n e e d s . ( N . T . 5 / 2 3 / 2 0 1 7 , p . 45 a t 3 - 1 8 ) .

· · F a t h e r i d e n t i f i e d a h i s t o r y AD I-I D a s w e ll a s a d i a gn o s i s o f d e p r e s s i o n . H e r e po r t e d c h r o n i c u s e of m a r i j u a n a , w i t h i n s t a n ces o f u s e o f P C P . S h e de t e r m i n e d t h a t F a t h e r d i d n o t p r e s e n t w i t h t h e c a pac i t y t o p r o v i d e s a f e t y o r p e r m a n e n c e f o r h i s C h il d r e n . T h e r e w e r e m u l ti p l e l aye r s o f c o n c e r n , t h e m o s t b e i n g h i s c r i m i n a l b e h a v i o r , s u b s t a n ce ab u s e , a n d c o n s i s t e n t v i o l a ti o n o f p r o ba ti o n . T h e s e f a c t o rs l e d h i m t o b e i n c o n s i s t e n t i n t h e c o n t a c t w i t h h i s C h i l d r e n , a nd a l s o c au s e d h i m t o be a r r e s t e d i n t h e i r p r e s e n ce . F a t h e r i d e n t i f i es d r u g u s e a s a c o p i n g m e c h a n i s m . ( N . T . 5 / 2 3 / 2 0 1 7 , p . 4 6 a t 2 - 2 5 ; p . 4 7 a t 1 - 2 ) .

D r . W ill i a m s t e s ti f i e d s h e w a s c o n ce r n e d t h a t F a t h e r r e f u s e d t o v i s i t w i t h h i s C h il d r e n b e c a u s e h e d i s a g r ee d w i t h t h e l e v e l of s u p e r v i s i o n . H e w o u l d c o n f i r m b u t n o t s h o w u p f o r t h e v i s i t s . T h i s w as a n o t h e r p a tt e r n o f b e h a v i o r w h i c h c a u s e d h i m t o n o t be p r e s en t i n t h e C h i l d r e n ' s li v e s , w h i c h c au s e s i gn i f i c a n t c o n c e r n s f o r p e r m a n e n c y as w e ll *32 a s o v e r - a r c h i n g s a f e t y c o n c e r n s . ( N . T . 5 / 2 3 / 2 0 1 7 , p . 47 a t 6 -1 9 ) .

2 1 I ; D r . W illi a m s a l s o d i s c u s s e d a p r i o r b o n d i n g e v a l u a t i o n , w h i c h s h e c on d u c t e d a f t e r a r ev i e w of a ll m a t e r i a l s , a n i n t e r v i e w w i t h F a t h e r , a n d a n o b s e r v a ti o n o f t h e C h i l d r e n w i t h h i m . S h e o b s e r v e d t h a t t h e C h il d r e n w e r e c o m f o r t a b l e w i t h t h e i r F a t h e r , t h e y e n j o y e d h i s p r e s e n c e . T h e y w e r e a b l e t o i n t e r a c t t h r o u g h o u t t h e v i s i t w i t h o u t a n y o b s e r v e d c on ce r n s . S h e n o t e d s h e o b s e r v e d a bo n d w it h t h e C h il d r e n a t t h e t i m e , a nd t h e y i d e n t i f i e d h i m as t h e i r F a t h e r . H o w e v e r , t h e c o n t ac t b e t w e e n t h e m w as a l w a y s i n t e r m i tt e n t . F a t h e r w a s n e v e r t h e c e n t r a l c a r e g i v e r , a n d h i s c o n t a c t w a s un p r e d i c t a b l e a n d i n c o n s i s t e n t t h r o ug h o u t t h e y e a rs . ( N . T . 5 / 2 3 / 2 0 1 7 , p . 48 a t 1 8 - 25 ; p . 4 9 a t 1 0 - 2 5 ) .

D r . W ill i a m s o p i n e d t h a t t h e r e w as n o r e a s o n t o t h i nk t h a t t h e C h i l d r e n n o t h a v i n g c o n t a c t w i t h t h e i r F a t h e r w o u l d c a u s e t h e m t o be i n c ap a b l e o f a tt a c h m e n t w it h a n o t h e r a d u l t o r h a v i n g ' h e a l t h y r e l a t i o n s h i p s as t h e y g r o w up . If c o n t a c t w i t h F a t h e r w e r e t o c e a s e , t h e C h i l d r e n w o u l d n o t s u ff e r i r r e p a r a b l e h a r m . ( N . T . 5 / 2 3 / 2 0 1 7 , p . 5 1 a t 2 - 2 5 ) .

O n c r o s s - ex a m i n a t i on b y J a m e s M a r t i n , t h e GA L , D r . W ill i a m s o p i n e d t h a t F a t h e r c a nn o t e n s u r e s a f e t y b e c a u se h e i s a b u s i n g s ub s t a n ce s a n d p e r m a n e n c y i s t h r e a t e n e d . F a t h e r d i s m i s s e d a n d m i n i m i z e d t h e m a j o r i t y of h i s c r i m i n a l h i s t o r y . H e h a d a s u b s t a n t i a l j uv e n i l e c r i m i n a l h i s t o r y a n d i t c a rr i e d o v e r i n t o h i s a d u lt li f e . T h e r e w e r e n o t i m e s o f fr e e d o m w he n h e w as n o t i n ca r c e r a t e d , o u t o n p r o b a t i on , a n d t h e r e w a s n o s ub s t a n t i a l a m o un t of ti m e t h a t h e w a s n o t e n g a g e d i n c r i m i n a li z e d b e h av i o r s . F a t h e r p r e s e n t e d as c o n f u s e d a n d n o t q u i t e un d e r s t a n d i n g w hy t h e C h i l d r e n w e r e n o t r e t u r n e d t o h i m , a nd c ou l d n o t s e e t h a t h i s b e h a v i o r w a s t h e c au s e . ( N . T . 5 / 2 3 / 2 0 1 7 , p . 5 3 a t 5 - 2 5 ; p . 54 a t 1 - 2 0 ) .

*33 D r . W i l l i a m s n o t e d i n t h e E v a l u a t i o n w h i c h w a s c o n d u c t e d o n N o v e m be r 1 7 , 2 0 1 6 , s h e r ec o mm e nd e d F a t h e r ob t a i n f u r t h e r t r e a t m e n t f o r m e n t a l h e a lt h , a n d 2 2

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r e c o mm e n de d F a t h e r a b s t a i n fr o m d r u g s , c r i m i n a l be ha v i o r , a n d n o t t o v i o l a t e h i s p r o b a t i on . A f t e r M r . M a r t i n n o t e d t h a t F a t h e r h a d t e s t e d po s i t i v e f o r d r u g s o n 1 2 / 8 / 2 01 6 ba s i ca ll y r i g h t a f t e r t h e P a r e n t i n g C a pa c i t y E v a l u a t i o n , D r . W ill i a m s s t a t e d t h a t a ll o f h e r c o n c e r n s r e g a r d i n g F a t h e r r e m a i n t o t h i s d a y . ( N . T . 5/ 23 / 20 1 7 , p . 55 a t 5 - 2 5 ; p . 5 6 a t 1 - 1 2 ) .

O n c r o ss � ex a m i n a t i o n b y L e e Sc h w a r t zbe r g , t h e C h i l d A d v o c a t e , D r . W illi a m s o p i n e d t h a t F a t h e r i s n o t e x e c u t i n g t h e n e c e ss a r y s k i ll s t o c a r e f o r h i m s e l f , h e i s n o t a b l e t o de m o n s t r a t e s u b s t a n c e fr e e t i m e , a nd h e i s n o t a b l e t o e n s u r e h i s o w n s a f e t y a n d p e r m a n e n c y . T h e r e f o r e , h e c o u l d n o t a b s o l u t e l y p r o v i d e f o r t h e de v e l o p m e n t a l , phy s i c a l a n d e m o t i o n a l s a f e t y a n d p e r m a n e n c y o f h i s C h i l d r e n . ( N . T . 5 / 23 / 2 0 1 7 , p . 5 6 a t 1 5 - 2 5 ; p . 5 7 a t 1 - 2 5 ) .

F a t h e r w a s t h e n e x t t o t e s t i f y , c a ll e d a s a n ad v e r s e w it n e s s by M r . M a r t i n , t h e G A L . F a t h e r no t e d t h e case h a s be e n o pen f o r f o u r y ea r s . H e s t a t e d h e l i v e s a t , · · j W . S il v e r S t r e e t , h i s G r e a t G r a n d m o t h e r ' s hou s e . H e s t a t es t h i s h o u s e i s a p p r o p r i a t e f o r r e un i f i c a t i o n w it h h i s C h i l d r e n . F a t h e r c l a i m s t h e d r u g s c r e e n o n N o v e m b e r o f 2 0 1 3 w a s t a m p e r e d w it h b ec au s e h e n e v e r u s e d P C P . H e d i d s t a t e h e t e s t e d p o s it i v e f o r m a r ij u a n a i n A u gu s t 20 1 6 , h o w ev e r , c o u l d n o t r ec a ll d r u g t e s t s i n N o v e m be r o r D e c e m b e r o f 2 0 1 6 . F a t h e r c l a i m s h e w a s c o m p li a n t w i t h t h e c h u g p r o g r a m t h a t h e e n t e r e d i n 2 0 1 5 ; a f t e r h e d r o p p e d o u t t h e n r e t u r n e d . F a t h e r c l a i m s h e w as i n c o m p li an c e w i t h t h e m e n t a l h e a lt h p r o g r a m a t S T O P fr o m Ja n u a r y t h r ou g h J un e 2 0 1 6 , a n d w as t a k i ng W e ll bu tr i n f o r *34 d e p r e s s i on . ( N . T . 5 / 2 3 / 2 0 1 7 , p . 6 1 a t 1 - 1 1 ; p . 6 4 a t 2 1 - 2 5 ; p . 6 9 a t 7 - 2 5 ; p . 7 0 a t 1 1 . - 1 3 ; p . 7 1 a t 6 - 1 9 ; p . 72 a t 2 0 - 2 2 ) .

2 3 I / ! F a t h e r t e s t i f i e d h e r e ce i v e s f u ll d i s ab il i t y p a y m e n t s , a n d w o r k s 20 ho u r s p e r w e e k . f o r 1 0 h o u r s p e r w e e k , a n d a t T : · T . · , f o r 6 h o u r s P : . . P : · H e w o r k s a t E : pe r w e e k . H e s t a t e d h e h a s b e d d i n g r e a d y f o r t h e C h i l d r e n a t h i s h o u s e . ( N . T . 5/ 2 3 / 2 0 1 7 , p . 7 4 a t 2 0 - 25 ; p . 7 5 a t 1 -1 9 ; p . 7 6 a t 1 8 - 2 5 ) .

O n d i r e c t e x a m i n a ti o n b y h i s a tt o r n e y , M s . J o hn s o n , F a t h e r no t e d t h a t h e a tt en d s S TO P t w i c e a w e e k , a n d h as b e d d i n g av a il a b l e a t t h e ho u s e w h e r e h e li v e s . H e st a t es he i s i n c o m p l i a n c e w i t h h i s p r o b a ti o n . F a t h e r s t a t e d h e d oe s n o t w a n t h i s r i g h t s t e r m i n a t e d b e c a u s e h e b a s d on e e v e r y t h i n g t h a t w a s a s k e d o f h i m . ( N . T . 5 / 2 3 / 2 0 1 7 , p . 7 8 a t 1 0 - 2 5 ; p . 79 a t 1 - 6 ; p . 8 3 a t 1 7 - 2 5 ; p . 84 a t 1 8 - 1 9 ) .

O n c r o ss - e xa m i n a t i o n by M r . P r a tt , c o u n s e l f o r D H S , F a t h e r a g r ee d h e a p pe a r e d f o r c o u r t o n D e c e m b e r 8 , 2 0 1 6 ; a nd t h e c a s e w as c o n t i n u e d . H e d i d no t a g r e e w i t h t h e d o c u m e n t p r e s e n t e d by D H S t h a t s h o w e d F a t h e r h a d t e s t e d p o s i ti v e f o r m a r ij u a n a o n t h a t da t e . F a t h e r s a i d t h e r e p o r t w a s i n a c c u r a t e . ( N . T . 5 / 2 3 / 2 0 1 7 , p . 8 5 a t 9 - 2 5 ; p . 8 6 a t 1 - 2 5 ; p . 8 7 a t 1 ) .

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T AN D A R D OF R E V I K W AND LE G A L AN A L Y S I S

W h e n r e v i e w i n g a n a pp ea l fr o m a d e c r e e 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 , a n a p p e l l a t e C ou r t i s li m i t e d t o d e t e r m i n i n g w h e t h e r t h e d e c i s i o n o f t h e t r i a l c o u r t i s s u ppo r t e d b y c o m p e t e n t e v i d e n c e . A b s e n t a n a bu s e of d i s c r e ti o n , a n e rr o r o f l a w , o r i n s u ff i c i e n t *35 e v i de n t i a r y s u pp o r t f o r t he t r i a l c o u r t ' s de c i s i o n , t h e de c r e e m u s t s t a nd . W h e r e a t r i a l c o u r t h a s g r a n t e d a pe t i t i o n t o i n vo l u n t a r il y t e r m i n a t e p a r e n t a l r i gh t s , a n a p p e ll a t e c o u r t m u s t ac co r d t h e h e a r i n g j u d g e ' s d e c i s i o n t h e s a m e d e f e r en c e t h a t i t w o u l d g i v e t o a j u r y v e r d i c t . T h e P e n n s y l v a n i a S u p e r i o r C ou r t n e e d o n l y a g r e e w i t h a t r i a l c o u r t ' s d e c i s i o n as

2 4 j ! I I / �

t o a n y on e s u b s e c t i o n un d e r 2 3 P . C . S . A . § 2 5 1 1 ( a ) i n o r de r t o a ff i r m a t e r m i n a t i on o f p a r e n t a l r i gh t s . I n r e D . A . T . 9 1 A . 3d 1 9 7 P a . S u p e r . 2 0 1 4 ) .

T h e s t a n d a r d o f r e v i e w i n t e r m i n a t i o n o f p a r e n t a l r i gh t s c a s e s r e q u i r e s a p p e ll a t e C o u r t s t o a cc ep t t h e f i n d i ng s o f f a c t a n d c r e d i b ili t y d e t e r m i n a t i o n s o f t h e t r i a l c ou r t i f t he y a r e s u p p o r t e d b y t h e r ec o r d . If t h e f a c t u a l : f i n d i n g s a r e s up po r t e d , a pp e ll a t e c o u r t s r e v i e w t o d e t e r m i n e i f t h e t r i a l c o u r t m a d e a n e rr o r o f l a w o r a b u s e d i t s d i s c r e t i o n . A d e c i s i o n m a y b e r e v e r s e d f o r a n a b u se o f d i sc r e t i o n o n l y upo n d e m o n s t r a ti o n o f m a n i f e s t u n r e a s o n a b l e n e s s , p a r t i a li t y , p r e j u d i c e , b i a s , o r ill - w ill . W e h a v e p r e v i o u s l y e m ph a s i z e d ou r de f e r e n c e t o t r i a l c o u r ts t h a t o f t e n h a v e f i r s t - h a nd ob s e r v a t i o n s of t h e p a r t i e s s p a nn i n g m u lti p l e h e a r i n g s . I n r e T . S . M . , 6 20 P a . 6 0 2 , 7 1 A . 3 d 25 1 , 2 6 7 ( 2 0 13 ) ( c i t a t i o n s an d q u o t a t i on m a r k s o m i tt e d ) I n r e A d op t i o n of C . D . R . , 20 1 5 P A S u pe r 5 4 , 1 11 A . 3 d 1 2 12 , 1 2 1 5 ( 20 1 5 ) .

T e r m i n a t i o n of pa r e n t a l r i gh t s i s go v e r n e d b y S e c ti o n 2511 o f t h e A d o p t i on A c t 2 3 P a . C . S . A . § § 2 1 0 1 - 2 9 3 8 , w h i c h r e q u i r e s a b i f u r c a t e d a n a l y s i s . I n i ti a ll y , t h e f o c u s i s o n t h e c o n d u c t o f t h e p a r e n t . T h e p a r t y s e e k i n g t e r m i n a ti o n m u s t p r o v e by c l ea r a n d c on v i n c i n g e v i d e n c e t h a t t h e p a r e n t ' s c ondu c t s a t i s f i e s t h e s t a t u t o r y g r o u n d s f o r t e r m i n a ti o n d e l i n e a t e d i n S e c t i o n 2 5 1 l ( a ) . O n l y i f t h e c o u r t d e t e r m i n e s t h a t t h e p a r e n t ' s c on d u c t w a rr a n t s t e r m i n a t i o n of h i s o r h e r p a r e n t a l r i gh t s do e s t h e c o u r t e n g a g e i n t h e s e c o n d p a r t o f t h e a n a l y s i s p u r s u a n t t o Sec t i o n 25 1 l ( b ) : d e t e r m i n a t i o n o f t h e n ee d s a n d *36 w e l f a r e o f t h e c h i l d un d e r t h e s t a n da r d o f b e s t i n t e r e s t s o f t h e c h i l d . O n e m a j o r a s p e c t of t h e n ee d s a nd w e l f a r e a n a l y s i s c o n c e r n s t h e n a t u r e a nd s t a t u s o f t h e e m o ti o n a l b o n d be t w e e n p a r e n t a n d c h i l d , w i t h c l o s e a tt e n t i o n p a i d t o t h e e ff e c t o n t h e c h i l d of p e r m a n e n t l y s e v e r i ng a n y s u c h b o n d . I n re L . l v l . , 9 2 3 A . 2d 5 0 5 , 5 1 1 ( Pa . S u p e r . 2 0 0 7 )

2 5 ; l

. / . / ( c i t a ti on s o m i tt e d ) . I n r e A d o p t i o n of C . J . P . , 20 1 5 P A S u p e r 8 0 , 1 1 4 A . 3 d 1 0 46 , 1 0 4 9 - 5 0 ( 2 0 1 5 ) . T h e C o u r t n ee d o n l y a g r e e w i t h t h e o r p h a n s ' c o u r t a s t o a ny o n e s ub s e c t i o n o f S ec t i on 25 1 l ( a ) , as w e ll as S ec t i o n 25 1 l ( b ) , i n o r de r t o a ff i r m . I n r e A dop t i o n o f C . J . P ., 2 0 1 5 P A Sup e r 8 0 , 11 4 A . 3 d 10 4 6 , 10 5 0 ( 2 0 1 5 ) .

A . T h e T r i a l C o u r t P r o p er l y F o u n d t h e D ep a r t m e n t of H u m a n Ser v i c e s M e t I t s B u r d e n b y C l e a r a nd C o n v i n c i n g E v i d e n ce T o T e r m i n a t e F a t h e r ' s P ar e n t a l R i g h t s Pu r s u a n t t o 23 P a . C . S . A . § 251 l ( a ) ( l ) , a n d ( 2 ) 4

T h i s C o u r t f o u nd c l e a r a n d c o n v i n c i n g e v i d e n c e t o t e r m i n a t e F a t h e r ' s p a r e n t a l r i gh t s p u r s u a n t t o 23 P a . C . S . A . § 2 5 1 l ( a ) ( l ) , a n d ( 2 ) . F a t h e r a ll e g e s t h a t h e b ad f a i r l y c o n s i s t e n t w ee k l y v i s i t s w i t h h i s C h il d re n , a nd t h e v i s it s w e r e a pp r o p r i a t e . T h e R e c o r d r e f l ec t s a d i ff er e n t r e a li t y . D r . E r i ca W ill i a m s , P s y c h o l o g i s t fr o m F o r e n s i c M e n t a l H e a l t h Se r v i c e s , t e s ti f i e d s he w as c o n c e r n e d t h a t ^[4] l ( a ) G e n e r a l R u l e . - t he r i gh t s o f a p a r e n t i n r e g a r d t o a c h il d m a y be t e r m i n a t e d a f t e r a p e t i t i on f il e d o n a ny o f t h e f o ll o w i n g g r oun d s : ( 1 ) T h e p a r e n t by c ond u c t c on ti nu i n g f o r a pe r i od o f a t l e a s t s i x m o n t h s i mm e d i a t e l y p r e ce d i n g t h e f i li n g o f t he p e t i t i o n e i t h er h a s e v i d e n c e d a s e ttl e d p u r p o s e o f r e l i n qu i s h i n g p a r en t i n g c l a i m t o a c h il d o r h a s r e f u s e d o r f a il e d t o pe rf o r m p a r e n t a l du ti e s .

( 2 ) T h e r e p e a t e d a n d c on t i n u e d i n c a p ac i t y , a b u s e , ne g l ec t o r r e f u s a l o f t h e p a r e n t h a s cause d t h e c h il d t o b e w i t h o u t e ss en t i a l p a r e n t a l c a r e , c on t r o l o r s u b s i s t e n c e n ece 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 - be i n g a n d t h e c o n d i ti o n s a n d ca u s es o f t h e i n ca p a c i t y , a bu 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 ill n o t be r e m e d i e d b y t h e p a r e n t .

( 5 ) T h e c h il d h a s be e n r e m ov e d fr o m t h e c a r e of t he p a r e n t s b y t h e c o u r t o r un de r a v o l un t a r y a g r e e m e n t w it h a n a g e n c y 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 , 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 *37 r e m ov a l o r p l ac e m e n t of t h e c h il d c o n ti n u e t o e x i s t, t h e p a r e n t c a nn o t o r w ill n o t r e m e dy t ho s e c o n d it i o n s w it h i n a r e a s o n a b l e pe r i o d o f t i m e , t h e s e r v i c e s o r a s s i s t a n c e re a s o nab l y a v a il a b l e t o t h e p a r e n t a r e n o t l i k e l y t o r e m e d y t h e c on d i ti o ns w h ic h l e d t o t h e r e m ov a l o r p l a c e m e n t o f t h e c h il d w i t h i n re a s on a b l e p e r i o d o f t i m e a nd t e r m i n a ti o n of t h e p a r e n t a l r i gh t s w o u l d b e s t s e r v e t h e n e e d s an d w e l f a r e of t h e c h il d . ( 8 ) T h e c h i l d b a s be e n r e m ov e d f r o m t h ec a r e o f t h e p a r e n t by t h e c o u r t o r un d e r vo 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 , 1 2 m o n t h s o r m o r e h a v e e l a p s e d fr o m t h e da t e o fr e m o v a l o r p l ac e m e n t , t h e c o nd it i o n s w h i c h l e d t o t h e r e m o v a l o r p l ace m e n t of t h e c h il d c on ti n u e t o e x i s t a n d 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 w o u l d b e st 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 i l d .

2 6 : i J /

/ / · F a t h e r r e f u s e d t o v i s i t w it h h i s C h i l d r e n b ecau s e h e d i s a g r e e d w i t h t h e l e v e l of s u pe r v i s i o n . H e w o u l d c o n f i r m bu t n o t s h o w u p f o r t h e v i s it s , T h i s w a s a n o t h e r p a t t e r n o f be h a v i o r w h i c h c a u s e d h i m t o n o t b e p r e s en t i n t h e C h il d r e n ' s li v e s , a n d w h i ch c a u s e d si gn i f i c a n t c o n c e r n s f o r p e r m a n e n c y a s w e ll a s o v e r - a r c h i n g s a f et y c o n c e r n s .

F a t h e r n e x t a ll ege s h e h a d a pp r o p r i a t e h o u s i n g f o r b i s C h il d r e n . A g a i n , t h e R e c o r d r e f l e c t s a d i ff er e n t s t o r y . M r . B u n , t h e C UA C a s e M a n a g e r , t e s t i f i e d t h a t d u r i n g h i s s up e r v i s i o n , F a t h e r c on t i n u e d t o b e u n e m p l o y e d , a n d li v e d w i t h b i s P a t e r n a l G r a n d m o t h e r . F a t h e r w as i n c a r ce r a t e d a t t h e t i m e t h e C h il d r e n c a m e i n t o c a r e , a n d w a s a l s o i n a nd o u t o f j a il d u r i n g t h e f o u r - y ea r p e ri o d s i n c e t h a t ti m e . F a t h e r , h i m s e l f , t e s t i f i e d h e c u rr e n t l y l i v e s w i t h h i s G r e a t G r a n d m o t h e r .

F a t h e r ' s f i n a l a s s e r t i o n o f t r i a l c o u r t e r r o r as s e r t s " M o t h e r ' s ) ' t r e a t m e n t f o r M e n t a l H e a l t h a n d D r u g a n d A l c o h o l i ss u es . T h i s C o u r t w ill a d d r ess F a t h e r ' s o ng o i n g i n a b ili t y t o r e s o l v e h i s s ub s t a n c e a bu s e a n d m e n t a l h e a lt h i s s u e s , n o t M o t h e r ' s . C l e a r a n d c o n v i n c i n g e v i d e n c e w a s c r e d i b l y p r e s e n t e d t h a t c o n f i r m s F a t h e r ' s i n a b ili t y t o r e fr a i n fr o m d r u g u s e . F a t h e r c o n s i s t e n tl y t e s t e d po s i ti v e f o r m a r i j u a na u se . H e de n i e d t h e u se of P C P , w h i c h h e t e s t e d p o s it i v e f o r , a n d e v e n d e n i e d t h e p o s i t i v e r e s u l t s o f a d r u g t e s t w h i c h w a s c ond u c t e d a f t e r a c o u r t h e a r i n g o n D e c e m b e r 8 , 2 0 1 6 .

A f t e r h e a r i n g t h e c r e d i b l e t e s t i m o n y of M r . B u n , t h e C ou r t f o u nd b y c l e a r a n d *38 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 o b s e r v a ti o n s a n d c o n c l u s i o n s r e g a r d i n g F a t h e r ' s n o n - c o m p li a n c e w i t h t h e FS P o b j e c t i v e s , a nd l ac k o f a b il i t y a n d o r r e f u s a l t o f u l f i ll h i s p a r e n t a l r e s p o n s i b ili t i es w e r e p e r s u a s i v e .

T h e C o u r t a l s o f o un d c r e d i b l e t h e e xp e r t t e s t i m o n y o f D r . W i l l i a m s , t h e P s y c h o l og i s t fr o m F o r e n s i c M e n t a l H ea l t h Se r v i c e s , w ho c o n d u c t e d b o t h a B o n d i n g 2 7 E v a l u a t i on a n d a P a r e n t i n g C a pa c i t y E v a l ua ti o n of F a t h e r . S h e o p i n e d t h a t F a t h e r w a s c o n s i s t e n tl y a n d c o n t i n uo u s l y u s i n g d r u g s , a n d w a s i n ca pab l e o f m e e t i n g h i s o w n n e ed s a n d c a r i ng f o r h i m s e l f , l e t a l o n e p r o v i d i n g s a f e t y a n d p e r m a n e n c e f o r h i s C h i l d r e n . S h e n o t e d t h e C h i l d r e n r e co gn i z e F a t h e r a s t h e i r p a r e n t , a nd e n j o y h i s c o m p a n y du r i n g v i s i t s , h o w e v e r , he i s i n ca p a b l e o f p r o v i d i n g t h e c o n s i s t e n c y a n d s t ab ili t y t h a t t h e C h i l d r e n r e q u i r e ,

A t t h e h e a r i n g o n M a r c h 7 , 2 0 1 6 , t h i s C o u r t o r d e r e d a B on d i n g E v a l u a t i o n , a n d w a s n o t i n c li n e d t o t e r m i n a t e F a t h e r ' s p a r e n t a l r i gh t s a t t h a t t i m e . T h e C o u r t w a s a w a r e o f F a t h e r ' s d r u g i s s u e s , a nd ga v e F a t h e r a n o p po r t un i t y t o b u il d o n t h e r e l a t i on s h i p h e h a d w i t h h i s C h i l d r e n . H o w e v e r , i n o v e r a y e a r ' s t i m e , F a t h e r h a s do n e no t h i n g t o r e m e dy t h e s i t u a t i o n a n d t h es e i ss u e s r e m a i n t h e s a m e t o day .

B . T r i a l C o u r t P ro p e d y F o und t h a t T e r m i n a t i o n o f F a t h er ' s P a r e n t a l R i gh t s w a s i n t h e C h il d r e n ' s B e st I n t e r es t a n d t h a t D H S M e t I t s B u r d e n P u r s u a n t t o 2 3 P a . C . S . A . § 2 S ll ( b ) . 5

A f t e r t h e C o u r t f i n ds t h a t t h e s t a t u t o r y g r o un d s f o r t e r m i n a t i o n h a v e be e n s a t i s f i e d , i t m u s t t h e n d e t e r m i n e w h e t h e r t h e 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 s e r ve s t h e b es t i n t e r e s t s of t he c h i l d r e n p u r s u a n t t o 2 5 1 l ( b ) I n r e A d o p t i o n o f C . L . G . , 95 6 A 2 d 9 9 9 *39 ( P a . Su pe r 2008 ) . I n t e r m i n a ti n g t h e r i g h t s of a p a r en t , t h e C o u r t ' s h a ll g i 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 de v e l o p m e n t , p h y s i ca l a n d e m o t i o n a l n e e d s a n d w e l f a r e o f t h e ^[5] O t he r Con s i de r a t i o n s . - T h e c ou r t i n t e r m i n a t i n g t h e r i g h ts o f a pa r en t s h a ll g i v e p r i m a r y c o n s i de r a t i on t o t he d e v e l o p m en t a l , p h y s i c a l a n d e m o t i 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 i l d . T h e r i g h t s o f a p a r e n t s h a l l n o t b e t e r m i n a t ed s o l e l y o n t h e b as i s o f e n v i r on m e n t a l f a c t o rs s u c h a s i n a d equ a t e h ou s i ng , f u r n i s h i ng s , i n c o m e , c l o t h i ng a nd m ed i c a l c a r e i f f o u nd t o b e b ey o n d t h e c o n t r o l o f t h e p a r en t. W i t h r e s pe c t t o a n y p e t i t i o n f il e d p u rs u a n t t o s ub s e c t i o n ( a )( l ) , ( 6 } o r ( 8 ) , t h e c ou r t s h a ll n o t c on s i d e r a ny e ff o r t s by t h e pa r e n t t o r e m edy t he c on d i t i on s d e sc r i b ed t he r e i n w h i c h ar e f i r s t i n i t i a t ed s ub s e q uen t t o t he g i v i n g o f n o t i c e o f t h e f i li n g o f t h e p e t i t i on .

2 8 s: child." 23 Pa.C.S.A. §251 l(b). One major aspect of the needs and welfare analysis concerns the nature and status of the emotional bond between parent and child. In re T.S.M., 71 A3d.

The Court found credible the evidence of the CUA Case Manager that the Children were bonded to the foster parent and look to her for safety and to meet their needs. The Court also found credible the testimony of the Psychologist who opined that the Children needed the safety and security that Father cannot provide, and it would be in . their best interest to be adopted. Therefore, this Court reasoned that the Children would not suffer irreparable harm if Father's parental rights were terminated, and it would be in their best interests to be adopted.

CONCLUSION:

At the conclusion of the hearing the Court stated: There's a few things.that at the outset I must resolve, and one of them obviously is the issue of credibility since there are major contradictions between the testimony of Father and the testimony of the witnesses, and some of those contradictions were pointed out during cross examination. And it appears that where there's an inconvenient fact *40 facing Father he has a poor memory such as the one most recently alluded to where he came to court on a day where the goal change hearing was expected to be tried with marijuana in his bloodstream as indicated by the document admitted into evidence. Father's testimony is rife with these kinds of denials and inconsistencies such that Father has no credibility before the Court, And all of his testimony must be viewed in that light. On the other side of the equation I credit the case worker's testimony, give it great weight because he has been the case worker throughout the life of this case as I understand it.

29 And his testimony and record keeping was consistent. It was not shaken during cross examination. And I credit his testimony and give it great weight. As I do with Dr. Williams who was very insightful into Father's character and how that character effects his ability to parent these Children going forward. Both the parenting evaluation and bonding evaluation support a finding by this Court that Father has no ability to parent these Children going forward because of his numerous personal issues and because of other factors that affect his ability to appreciate the needs of these Children both in the past and the needs of the Children going forward will prevent him from being able to parent these Children as their needs grow with age. He's not able to provide safety for the Children, he was not able to provide safety in the past, not able to appreciate the needs of the Children other than the limited needs of some fun during limited visitation which by the way has remained consistent for almost four years without change. The issue of predictability in the Children's lives, the issue of providing for the future, the ability to plan, Father does not have that ability. He hasn't had it in the past and will mostly [likely] not be able to gain that skill going forward, Father speaks of having three jobs and three separate incomes yet looks to the social services to provide him with tirings that would be necessary for the Children. He speaks of having a home but that home has never been provided as a resource, and the home was never cleared as a resource. The inconsistencies are rife throughout his testimony. As to the bond, this was the issue that gave the Court pause at the last listing but I find that Father has done nothing in the intermediate term to remedy that issue. The bond stayed as it was, just a father figure, not able to provide *41 parenting, in real time, will not be able to provide parenting going forward, and does not even appreciate what parenting means. So that considering the evidence as a whole, the record clearly and convincingly supports a finding pursuant to 2511 (a) (1), and (2). The Children were not in his care when they were taken into care by DHS. Further, the finding under 2511 (b) is established clearly and convincingly that it would be in the best interest of

30 t h es e C h il d r e n t o r ec e i v e p e r m a n e n c y , p r e d i c t a b i li t y , c a r e , gu i d a n c e , g o i n g f o r w a r d w h i c h c a nn o t b e p r o v i d e d by F a t h e r , F a t h er ' s r i g h t s a r e t e r m i n a t e d a cc o r d i n g l y , u n d e r 2 5 11 ( a ) ( l ) a n d ( 2 ) , a n d 25 1 l ( b ) .

( N . T . 5 / 2 3 / 2 0 1 7 , p . 8 7 a t 7 - 25 ; p . 8 8 a t 1 - 2 5 ; p . 89 a t 1 - 2 5 ; p . 9 0 a t 1 - 1 2 ) . F o r t h e f o r e go i n g r ea s o n s , t h i s C o u r t r e s p e c t f u ll y r e q u e s t s t h a t t h e O r de r o f M a y

23 , 20 1 7 , T e r m i n a t i n g F a t h e r , P . K . K . ' s P a r e n t a l R i gh t s a n d c h a n g i n g t h e C h i l d r e n ' s P e r m a n e n c y G oa l s t o A d o p t i o n b e A F F I R r v f E D .

B Y T i ff i C O U R T : A L L AN L . TE R E S HK O , S r . J .

D

A T E *42 3 1