Dodd v. Arkansas Department of Human Services , 2016 Ark. App. LEXIS 69 ( 2016 )

Cite as 2016 Ark. App. 64
ARKANSAS COURT OF APPEALS
DIVISION II
No. CV-15-747
JOSEPH DODD Opinion Delivered February 3, 2016
APPELLANT
APPEAL FROM THE PULASKI
V. COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT,
TENTH DIVISION
[NO. 60JV-13-1947]
ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF
HUMAN SERVICES AND S.D., HONORABLE JOYCE WILLIAMS
MINOR CHILD WARREN, JUDGE
APPELLEES
AFFIRMED
RAYMOND R. ABRAMSON, Judge
Joseph Dodd appeals from the June 16, 2015 Pulaski County Circuit Court order
terminating his parental rights to his daughter, S.D. (DOB: 7-31-13). On appeal, Dodd
argues that insufficient evidence existed to support termination of his rights and that the trial
court erred in finding that termination was in the child’s best interest. A review of the record
does not show that the circuit court’s decision was clearly erroneous. As such, we affirm.
An order forever terminating parental rights must be based on clear and convincing
evidence that termination is in the child’s best interest. Ark. Code Ann. § 9-27-341(b)(3)(A)
(Supp. 2015). In determining whether termination is in the child’s best interest, the circuit
court must consider the likelihood that the child will be adopted if the termination petition
is granted and the potential harm, specifically addressing the effect on the health and safety of
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the child, caused by returning the child to the custody of the parent, parents, or putative
parent or parents. Ark. Code Ann. § 9-27-341(b)(3)(A)(i) and (ii).
Additionally, the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) must prove at least
one statutory ground for termination by clear and convincing evidence. Ark. Code Ann. §
9-27-341(b)(3)(B). It is well settled that these cases are reviewed de novo on the record, but
we do not reverse a termination order unless the circuit court’s findings of clear and
convincing evidence were clearly erroneous. Meriweather v. Ark. Dep’t of Health & Human
Servs., 98 Ark. App. 328, 255 S.W.3d 505 (2007). A finding is clearly erroneous when,
although there is evidence to support it, the reviewing court, on the entire evidence, is left
with a definite and firm conviction that a mistake has been committed. Id.
On December 1, 2013, DHS received a call from the hotline stating that there had
been a report for “Abuse Threat of Harm.” The child’s mother, Brandi Galley, had been
admitted to UAMS for having suicidal and homicidal ideations. The child’s father, appellant
Joseph Dodd, had tested positive for THC, methamphetamine, and benzodiazepine. On
December 4, 2013, DHS petitioned for ex parte emergency custody and dependency-neglect,
which the court granted. On December 11, 2013, the parties stipulated to probable cause.
Dodd was allowed to visit S.D. but was also ordered to immediately complete a psychological
evaluation and to submit to random drug screens. DHS was ordered to make a referral for
DNA testing.
On February 19, 2014, the court adjudicated S.D. dependent-neglected due to neglect
and parental unfitness. On February 27, 2014, Dodd was ordered to follow the
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recommendations of the psychological evaluation, participate in individual and/or family
counseling, take medication as prescribed, refrain from the use of illegal drugs, submit to a
drug-and-alcohol assessment, submit to drug screens, attend AA/NA meetings at least twice
a week, complete parenting classes, obtain safe and stable housing, maintain stable
employment and income, and obtain a court order of paternity.
At the hearings on both May 22, 2014 and on September 11, 2014, the court found
that Dodd had substantially complied by submitting to DNA testing, clean drug testing, drug
treatment, stable housing, income, and visitation. The court noted the only thing he was
lacking was the AA/NA sign-in sheets. At the permanency-planning hearing, the trial court
found that Dodd had complied with the case plan and court orders, and the court authorized
a plan to place custody of the juvenile with Dodd since he had been complying and making
significant measurable progress. Dodd’s visitation increased while the court ordered that the
mother have no visitation with the juvenile pending the termination of her parental rights
adjudication hearing.
On December 22, 2014, Dodd was awarded temporary custody of S.D. On January
20, 2015, a petition for termination of parental rights was filed against Brandi Galley only.
On March 9, 2015, DHS filed a motion for emergency change of custody after Dodd had
allowed Galley to visit his home and spend the night with S.D. present, and Dodd had also
tested positive for marijuana. The court granted the motion and held a probable-cause hearing
on March 12, 2015. The court found that probable cause existed because Dodd had tested
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positive for marijuana, and he admitted that he had allowed Galley to spend the night despite
the fact he knew that she had been ordered to have no contact with the minor child.
Finding that Dodd was not credible and that he had continued using marijuana on a
regular basis, the court changed the goal to termination in his case. DHS filed an amended
petition for termination of parental rights alleging multiple grounds. A termination hearing
was held on May 28, 2015, and Dodd testified that he had learned his lesson and would not
speak to Galley again. On June 16, 2015, the circuit court entered an order terminating
Dodd’s parental rights to S.D. on the basis of subsequent factors and aggravated circumstances,
specifically due to his continued drug use and contact with Galley, which was in direct
violation of a court order. Dodd timely filed a notice of appeal.
Termination of parental rights is an extreme remedy and in derogation of the natural
rights of the parents. Albright v. Ark. Dep’t of Human Servs., 97 Ark. App. 277, 248 S.W.3d
498 (2007). However, courts are not to enforce parental rights to the detriment or
destruction of the health and well-being of a child. Id. An order terminating parental rights
must be based upon a finding by clear and convincing evidence that (1) termination of
parental rights is in the best interest of the children, considering the likelihood that the
children will be adopted if the parents’ rights are terminated and the potential harm caused
by returning the children to the parents’ custody, and (2) at least one ground for termination
exists. See Ark. Code Ann. § 9-27-341(b)(3)(A) and (B).
We review termination-of-parental-rights cases de novo. Lee v. Ark. Dep’t of Human
Servs., 102 Ark. App. 337, 285 S.W.3d 277 (2008). However, we will not reverse the circuit
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court’s finding of clear and convincing evidence unless that finding is clearly erroneous. See
Albright, supra. A finding is clearly erroneous when, although there is evidence to support it,
the reviewing court, considering the entire evidence, is left with a definite and firm
conviction that a mistake has been made. Id. When determining the clearly erroneous
question, the appellate court gives due deference to the opportunity of the trial court to judge
the credibility of witnesses. Id.
Dodd challenges the court’s findings and argues that the evidence does not support any
statutory ground for termination. The juvenile code provides nine different grounds that
warrant termination. See Ark. Code Ann. § 9-27-341(b)(3)(B). But only one ground is
needed to terminate parental rights. Albright, supra.
Here, the circuit court terminated Dodd’s parental rights under Ark. Code Ann. § 9-
27-341(b)(3)(B)(vii), which provides as a ground for termination that other factors or issues
arose subsequent to the filing of the original petition for dependency-neglect that demonstrate
the return of the juvenile to the custody of the parent is contrary to the juvenile’s health,
safety, or welfare and that, despite the offer of appropriate family services, the parent has
manifested the incapacity or indifference to remedy the subsequent issues or factors or
rehabilitate the parent’s circumstances that prevent return of the juvenile to the custody of the
parent.
Dodd’s failure to follow the circuit court’s orders and his continued drug use were the
subsequent factors. His failure to follow the orders designed to achieve S.D.’s permanent
placement demonstrated an incapacity or indifference to remedy the situation. These failures,
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coupled with his continued illegal drug use, are sufficient to support a subsequent-factors
finding. Cotton v. Ark. Dep’t of Human Servs., 2012 Ark. App. 455, at 11–12, 422 S.W.3d
130, 137–38.
The circuit court also terminated Dodd’s rights pursuant to the aggravated-
circumstances ground. For termination on that ground, the court must find that
(ix)(a) The parent is found by a court of competent jurisdiction, including the
juvenile division of circuit court, to:
....
(3)(A) Have subjected any juvenile to aggravated circumstances.
(B) “Aggravated circumstances” means:
(i) A juvenile has been abandoned, chronically abused, subjected to extreme or
repeated cruelty, sexually abused, or a determination has been or is made by a
judge that there is little likelihood that services to the family will result in
successful reunification;
Ark. Code Ann. § 9-27-341(b)(3)(B)(ix)(a)(3)(A),(B)(i).
In support of his argument for reversal on this ground, Dodd relies on the failure of
DHS to provide appropriate services. However, based on the record before us, Dodd never
challenged the appropriateness of any DHS-offered reunification service. Also, he never
argued below that there were particular reunification services that DHS should have provided.
As such, Dodd failed to preserve this argument. We have long held that we will not consider
arguments raised for the first time on appeal. See Ark. Dep’t of Health & Human Servs. v. Jones,
97 Ark. App. 267, 248 S.W.3d 507 (2007).
Dodd further challenges the circuit court’s finding that the termination of his parental
rights was in S.D.’s best interest. The two factors to consider in determining best interest are
the likelihood of adoption and potential harm caused by returning the child to the custody
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of the parent. Ark. Code Ann. § 9-27-341(b)(3)(A). Dodd does not challenge the trial court’s
finding that S.D. is adoptable. He does, however, argue that the court erred in finding that
his child would be subject to potential harm if returned to his custody. Dodd contends that
there was no evidence presented that he had ever harmed S.D. nor was there any threat that
he would do so in the future.
In considering potential harm caused by returning the child to the parent, the trial
court is not required to find that actual harm would result or affirmatively identify a potential
harm. Welch v. Ark. Dep’t. of Human Servs., 2010 Ark. App. 798, 378 S.W.3d 290. The
potential-harm analysis must be conducted in broad terms, including the harm the child suffers
from the lack of stability in a permanent home. See Lunon v. Ark. Dep’t of Human Servs., 2010
Ark. App. 647.
The circuit court found that Dodd’s continued illegal drug use and the fact that he
allowed Galley to visit S.D., even though such visits had been prohibited by court order,
were enough to show potential harm. While the court noted that Dodd had made measurable
improvements, he also blatantly disregarded and violated the circuit court’s orders. We
cannot say the trial court’s findings with regard to potential harm were clearly erroneous.
Accordingly, we affirm.
Affirmed.
GLADWIN, C.J., and BROWN, J., agree.
Dusti Standridge, for appellant.
Jerald A. Sharum, County Legal Operations, for appellee.
Chrestman Group, PLLC, by: Keith L. Chrestman, attorney ad litem for minor child.
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