DCPP VS. C.C. AND A.B.IN THE MATTER OF J.C., TI.B., AND TY.B. (FN-09-265-14 AND FG-09-256-15, HUDSON COUNTY AND STATEWIDE)(RECORD IMPOUNDED)(CONSOLIDATED) ( 2017 )


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  •                              RECORD IMPOUNDED
    NOT FOR PUBLICATION WITHOUT THE
    APPROVAL OF THE APPELLATE DIVISION
    This opinion shall not "constitute precedent or be binding upon any court."
    Although it is posted on the internet, this opinion is binding only on the
    parties in the case and its use in other cases is limited. R.1:36-3.
    SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY
    APPELLATE DIVISION
    DOCKET NO. A-4799-14T1
    A-4769-15T1
    A-5090-15T1
    NEW JERSEY DIVISION OF CHILD
    PROTECTION AND PERMANENCY,
    Plaintiff-Respondent,
    v.
    C.C.,
    Defendant-Appellant.
    ___________________________________
    IN THE MATTER OF J.C., Ti.B., and
    Ty.B., Minors.
    ___________________________________
    NEW JERSEY DIVISION OF CHILD
    PROTECTION AND PERMANENCY,
    Plaintiff-Respondent,
    v.
    C.C. and A.B.,
    Defendants-Appellants.
    ___________________________________
    IN THE MATTER OF THE GUARDIANSHIP
    OF J.C., Ti.B., and Ty.B., Minors.
    ___________________________________
    Submitted May 9, 2017 – Decided June 29, 2017
    Before Judges Ostrer, Leone and Moynihan.
    On appeal from the Superior Court of New
    Jersey, Chancery Division, Family Part, Hudson
    County, Docket Nos. FN-09-265-14 and FG-09-
    256-15.
    Joseph E. Krakora, Public Defender, attorney
    for   appellant   C.C.  (Kisha   M.  Hebbon,
    Designated Counsel, on the briefs).
    Joseph E. Krakora, Public Defender, attorney
    for appellant A.B. (Daniel DiLella, Designated
    Counsel, on the briefs).
    Christopher S. Porrino, Attorney General,
    attorney for respondent (Andrea M. Silkowitz,
    Assistant Attorney General, of counsel;
    Jonathan Villa, Deputy Attorney General, on
    the brief in A-4799-14; Lauren J. Oliverio,
    Deputy Attorney General, on the brief in A-
    4769-15 and A-5090-15).
    Joseph E. Krakora, Public Defender, Law
    Guardian, attorney for minors J.C., Ti.B. and
    Ty.B. (James J. Gross, Designated Counsel, on
    the briefs).
    PER CURIAM
    In these three children-in-court cases, we affirm the trial
    court's August 25, 2014 decision, finding that defendant-mother
    C.C. neglected her three children; and the court's June 29, 2016
    termination of C.C.'s parental rights and those of defendant-
    father A.B.   Since October 2013, the children, J.C., Ti.B. and
    2                          A-4799-14T1
    Ty.B. — born in 2010, 2012 and 2013 — have lived with their
    maternal grandmother M.C., who wishes to adopt them.1
    In summary, while C.C. was the children's sole caretaker, she
    repeatedly left the children alone or with unwilling or unnotified
    adults.    As a result, the children were removed and placed with
    M.C., after A.B. was unable to assume the role of custodial parent.
    At   the   Title   9   fact-finding   hearing,   the   Division   of     Child
    Protection and Permanency presented evidence of three separate
    incidents where C.C. left the children home alone.                 At this
    hearing, the Division called M.C.; C.C.'s adult brother, G.C.; and
    a Division caseworker.      C.C. did not testify or call witnesses.
    In the months that followed the fact-finding hearing, the
    parents were generally non-compliant with services and failed to
    complete psychological evaluations.        The parents' visitation was
    inconsistent and both parents allowed extended periods of time to
    pass without visitation.         The Division's plan for the family
    eventually changed from reunification to termination.
    The Division presented its case for termination through the
    testimony of M.C. and the caseworker.        A.B. did not appear at the
    guardianship trial and his attorney offered no witnesses.                  C.C.
    1
    For purposes of this opinion, we consolidate the abuse or neglect
    appeal with the parents' respective termination-of-parental-rights
    appeals, which were already consolidated.
    3                                A-4799-14T1
    testified in her own defense, and offered the testimony of her
    paramour.    Neither the Division nor the parents offered expert
    testimony.
    The Law Guardian now agrees with the Division that C.C.
    neglected the children. The Law Guardian also supports the finding
    that the Division met its burden under the best-interests test for
    terminating the parents' rights.
    I.
    In the abuse or neglect appeal, C.C. presents the following
    issues:
    A.   C.C.'s Due Process Rights Were Violated
    By a Lack Of Sufficient Notice Of DCPP's
    Intent To Seek a Finding Of Abuse and Neglect
    Based Upon The Children Being Left At Home
    Alone Or Unsupervised.
    B.   The Trial Court Erred In Failing To
    Exercise Its Discretion To Dismiss The Title
    Nine Action and Continue The Matter Under
    Title Thirty.
    At the Title 9 hearing, the trial judge found that C.C.
    neglected the children by leaving them "home unsupervised on
    [three] occasions [and] thereby failed to exercise a minimum degree
    of care putting the children at a substantial risk of harm."     The
    court also found C.C. at other times left the children with
    unwilling or unknowing caretakers in the home, which included her
    mother, M.C.; her adult brother, G.C.; and homemakers placed by
    4                         A-4799-14T1
    the Division in the home after C.C. had previously left the
    children.   Also in the home were C.C.'s younger siblings, who were
    then eighteen and thirteen years old.     However, the judge found
    these incidents, although inexcusable, did not constitute neglect
    because the adults' and teenagers' presence countered the risk of
    harm.
    In support of its "home alone" findings, the court credited
    the testimony of G.C., who reported finding the three children by
    themselves in the house after he returned from work; and the
    testimony of M.C., who experienced a similar incident, and also
    once found two of the children in the bathtub alone, while C.C.
    was standing outside the house on the sidewalk.
    C.C. contends that because the Division's complaint did not
    specify the three "home alone" incidents in its verified complaint
    for custody, it violated her due process right to fair notice.     We
    disagree.
    A defendant's due process rights include a right to "notice
    defining the issues and an adequate opportunity to prepare and
    respond."   J.D. v. M.D.F., 
    207 N.J. 458
    , 478 (2011) (internal
    quotation marks and citation omitted).   "There can be no adequate
    preparation [for trial] where the notice does not reasonably
    apprise the party of the charges, or where the issues litigated
    at the hearing differ substantially from those outlined in the
    5                          A-4799-14T1
    notice."    N.J. Div. of Youth and Family Servs. v. B.M., 
    413 N.J. Super. 118
    , 127 (App. Div. 2010) (internal quotation marks and
    citation omitted); see also N.J. Div. of Youth & Family Servs. v.
    P.C., 
    439 N.J. Super. 404
    , 413 (App. Div. 2015) (stating an abuse
    or neglect complaint must adequately notify the defendant of all
    charges).
    In B.M., supra, we reversed a judgment terminating parental
    rights where the Division introduced at trial, without prior
    notice, an expert report asserting the child was born with fetal
    alcohol syndrome.     
    413 N.J. Super. at 127
    .    Prior thereto, the
    Division had focused on the newborn's positive test for cocaine,
    the mother's history of drug abuse, and her inability to care for
    her other children.      
    Id. at 123
    .     Several factors led to our
    conclusion of harmful error.        We noted the evidence came as a
    surprise.     
    Id. at 127
    .   The court's repeated use of the report
    before it was offered in evidence indicated an objection would
    have been futile.     
    Id. at 128
    .   The defendant had no opportunity
    to challenge the expert's report with an expert of her own.       
    Id. at 127
    .     And the report played a significant role in the court's
    findings and the trial outcome, because the evidence of cocaine
    in the newborn's system, without more, fell short of proving harm
    to child, while proof of fetal alcohol syndrome did establish
    harm.   
    Id. at 128
    .
    6                        A-4799-14T1
    In J.D., supra, a case under the Prevention of Domestic
    Violence Act, N.J.S.A. 2C:25-17 to -35, the Court reversed a final
    restraining order based on a due process violation, where the
    plaintiff presented evidence of prior acts of domestic violence
    that she did not include in her complaint.          
    207 N.J. at 478-82
    .
    Notably,   the   defendant     inartfully   objected        and    sought     a
    continuance, stating he was unprepared to meet the new allegations.
    
    Id. at 468-69
    .   However, no continuance was granted.             
    Id. at 469
    .
    The Court recognized that evidence at trial may often go
    beyond that set forth in the complaint.     
    Id. at 479
    . "That reality
    is not inconsistent with affording defendants the protections of
    due process to which they are entitled."            
    Ibid.
         A court must
    recognize that if it allows expansion of the allegations in the
    complaint, "it has permitted an amendment to the complaint and
    must proceed accordingly."      
    Id. at 479-80
    .      The court must also
    consider   whether   the   expansion   prejudices   the     defendant,      and
    whether an adjournment or other remedy is warranted.
    To be sure, some defendants will know full
    well the history that plaintiff recites and
    some parties will be well-prepared regardless
    of whether the testimony technically expands
    upon the allegations of the complaint.
    Others, however, will not, and in all cases
    the trial court must ensure that defendant is
    afforded an adequate opportunity to be
    apprised of those allegations and to prepare.
    [Id. at 480.]
    7                                  A-4799-14T1
    Although neither B.M. nor J.D. addressed Rule 4:9-2, those
    decisions are consonant with the principles set forth in the rule,
    which permits the amendment of complaints to conform to the
    evidence. First, the failure to object tends to support permitting
    a party to introduce new issues or claims. "When issues not raised
    by the pleadings and pretrial order are tried by consent or without
    the objection of the parties, they shall be treated in all respects
    as if they had been raised in the pleadings and pretrial order."
    R. 4:9-2 (emphasis added).        Second, a formal amendment is not
    necessary.   "Such amendment of the pleadings and pretrial order
    as may be necessary to cause them to conform to the evidence and
    to raise these issues may be made upon motion of any party . . . ;
    but failure so to amend shall not affect the result of the trial
    of these issues."    
    Ibid.
     (emphasis added).
    Finally, if there is an objection, then the court should
    freely   allow   amendment   if   the   objecting   party   would   not    be
    prejudiced, and should grant a continuance if               that would be
    sufficient to enable the objecting party time to prepare.
    If evidence is objected to at the trial on the
    ground that it is not within the issues made
    by the pleadings and pretrial order, the court
    may allow the pleadings and pretrial order to
    be amended and shall do so freely when the
    presentation of the merits of the action will
    be thereby subserved and the objecting party
    fails to satisfy the court that the admission
    of such evidence would be prejudicial in
    8                               A-4799-14T1
    maintaining the action or defense upon the
    merits. The court may grant a continuance to
    enable the objecting party to meet such
    evidence.
    [Ibid.]
    See Kernan v. One Wash. Park Urban Renewal Assocs., 
    154 N.J. 437
    ,
    457   (1998)   (stating    power    of       amendment   should    be     liberally
    exercised absent undue prejudice).
    Applying these principles, we discern no basis to disturb the
    court's finding of neglect on due process grounds.                  The verified
    complaint did not include the three "home alone" incidents among
    the many specifically identified in the complaint and described
    in Division documents.       However, C.C. was generally apprised of
    potential proofs that the children were left alone.                In compliance
    with the court's pre-trial order, the Division advised the court
    and defendant that it sought a finding that C.C. "repeatedly failed
    to arrange appropriate supervision for her children with a willing
    caretaker" and a separate finding that "if an appropriate caretaker
    was available, [C.C.] failed to notify that individual that they
    were being left in a caretaking role . . . ."             The first requested
    finding   encompassed     leaving   the       children   home     alone    when    no
    appropriate caretaker was available.
    Furthermore, C.C.'s counsel did not object to G.C.'s or M.C.'s
    testimony about the "home alone" incidents.               C.C. claims she did
    9                                  A-4799-14T1
    object, mistakenly relying on her trial counsel's objection to a
    line of questioning involving an incident when one of the children
    apparently fell out of bed and M.C. had to assist in C.C.'s
    absence.   First, the questioning did not involve one of the "home
    alone" incidents.    Second, defense counsel objected on relevance,
    not due process, grounds.      The Division defended the line of the
    questioning, contending it demonstrated that an unwilling adult's
    presence did not obviate all risk of harm.
    Unlike in J.D., C.C. did not seek an adjournment, nor did she
    assert that she was unprepared to respond to the allegations.
    Although C.C. did not testify or call witnesses, her counsel
    vigorously cross-examined the two witnesses, noting that neither
    had previously conveyed these allegations to the Division.                 Also,
    unlike the defendant in B.M., C.C. did not need help from an expert
    to meet unanticipated testimony.          In sum, absent proper objection
    and a showing of undue prejudice, we reject C.C.'s contention that
    the neglect finding should be set aside on due process grounds.
    C.C.'s   remaining    argument       that    there     was    insufficient
    evidence to support the neglect finding lacks sufficient merit to
    warrant extended discussion.        R. 2:11-3(e)(1)(E).       We defer to the
    trial   judge's   fact   findings    that   are    rooted    in    the   judge's
    familiarity   with   the   case,     opportunity     to     make   credibility
    judgments based on live testimony, and expertise in family matters.
    10                                  A-4799-14T1
    Cesare v. Cesare, 
    154 N.J. 394
    , 411-13 (1998).            We will affirm a
    Family Part's decision when substantial credible evidence in the
    record supports the court's findings.              N.J. Div. of Youth and
    Family Servs. v. E.P., 
    196 N.J. 88
    , 104 (2008).             When reviewing
    abuse   and    neglect   cases,   we    consider    the   totality   of    the
    circumstances.       N.J. Div. of Youth and Family Servs. v. P.W.R.,
    
    205 N.J. 17
    , 39 (2011).       However, we are not bound by the trial
    court's legal conclusions.        N.J. Div. of Youth & Family Servs. v.
    I.S., 
    202 N.J. 145
    , 183 (2010).
    Given that deferential standard of review, we conclude there
    was ample support for the trial judge's finding that C.C. failed
    to exercise "a minimum degree of care . . . in providing [her
    children]     with   proper   supervision,"    and     thereby   created     a
    "substantial risk" of harm.       See N.J.S.A. 9:6-8.21(c)(4)(b).         C.C.
    left her three children, all under five and the youngest under a
    year old, home alone and, in one case, two of them alone in the
    bathtub.      That C.C. may have done so briefly, or had been close
    by, but outside the residence, did not mitigate the risk.
    C.C.'s actions are far more egregious than those of the parent
    in Department of Children and Families v. T.B., 
    207 N.J. 294
    (2011), upon which she misplaces reliance.            In a single isolated
    incident, the mother in T.B. presumed — negligently — that the
    child's grandparents were in the home, based on the presence of
    11                            A-4799-14T1
    their car in the driveway and their typical schedule.    
    Id. at 309
    .
    By contrast, there is no evidence that C.C. presumed the presence
    of adults.    Furthermore, unlike in T.B., C.C.'s actions were not
    "totally out of the ordinary."   
    Id. at 310
    .   She left the children
    home alone on three occasions, she repeatedly left the children
    home with unwilling or unnotified adults, and she continued to
    violate the Division's safety protection plan.
    Under the totality of these circumstances, the trial court
    was justified in finding that C.C.'s conduct was "willful and
    wanton" so as to support a finding of neglect.    See G.S. v. Dep't
    of Human Servs., 
    157 N.J. 161
    , 178 (1999); N.J. Div. of Youth and
    Family Servs. v. A.R., 
    419 N.J. Super. 538
    , 543 (App. Div. 2011).
    II.
    We turn next to the guardianship appeal.     "A parent's right
    to enjoy a relationship with his or her child is constitutionally
    protected."    In re Guardianship of K.H.O., 
    161 N.J. 337
    , 346
    (1999).   In order to overcome this fundamental right, the Division
    must satisfy the four-factor best interests test, as set forth
    under Title 30, by clear and convincing evidence:
    (1) The child's safety, health, or development
    has been or will continue to be endangered by
    the parental relationship;
    (2) The parent is unwilling or unable to
    eliminate the harm facing the child or is
    unable or unwilling to provide a safe and
    12                          A-4799-14T1
    stable home for the child and the delay of
    permanent placement will add to the harm.
    Such harm may include evidence that separating
    the child from his resource family parents
    would cause serious and enduring emotional or
    psychological harm to the child;
    (3) The division has made reasonable efforts
    to provide services to help the parent correct
    the circumstances which led to the child's
    placement outside the home and the court has
    considered alternatives to termination of
    parental rights; and
    (4) Termination of parental rights will not
    do more harm than good.
    [N.J.S.A. 30:4C-15.1(a).]
    See also N.J. Div. of Youth & Family Servs. v. A.W., 
    103 N.J. 591
    ,
    604-11 (1986) (setting forth the standards of proof for termination
    of parental rights cases).     The four factors are interrelated.
    K.H.O., supra, 
    161 N.J. at 348
    .    Factors one and two in particular
    overlap.   In re Guardianship of DMH, 
    161 N.J. 365
    , 378-79 (1999).
    In their appeal from the June 2016 judgment terminating their
    parental rights, C.C. and A.B. challenge the trial court's findings
    regarding each of the four elements of the best interests test.
    N.J.S.A. 30:4C-15.1(a)(1)-(4).    Applying our deferential standard
    of review, we reject these arguments and affirm substantially for
    the reasons set forth in Judge Bernadette DeCastro's written
    opinion.   We limit ourselves to the following additional comments.
    13                         A-4799-14T1
    In challenging the court's findings under factors one and
    two, both defendants contend the Division failed to prove actual
    or significant risk of harm.            C.C. contends the court erred in
    depreciating her trial testimony that she had obtained stable
    housing and employment.         A.B. argues the court gave undue weight
    to his use of marijuana, housing instability, and poverty.                        We
    disagree.
    "Serious and lasting emotional [and] psychological harm to
    children    as   [a]   result    of    the   action   or   inaction   of     their
    biological parents can constitute injury sufficient to authorize
    the termination of parental rights." In re Guardianship of K.L.F.,
    
    129 N.J. 32
    , 44 (1992). "A parent's withdrawal of that solicitude,
    nurture, and care for an extended period is in itself a harm that
    endangers the health and development of the child."                 DMH, supra,
    161 N.J. at 379.       In particular, "[t]he lack of a permanent, safe,
    and stable home" may warrant termination of parental rights.                    Id.
    at   383.    The   absence      of    physical   abuse     or   neglect   is    not
    conclusive; the court must also consider the potential for serious
    psychological damage.       A.W., supra, 
    103 N.J. at 605
    ; N.J. Div. of
    Youth & Family Servs. v. A.G., 
    344 N.J. Super. 418
    , 440 (App. Div.
    2001), certif. denied, 
    171 N.J. 44
     (2002); In re Guardianship of
    R.G. and F., 
    155 N.J. Super. 186
    , 194 (App. Div. 1977).
    14                                 A-4799-14T1
    Prong two focuses on parental unfitness.          K.H.O., supra, 161
    N.J. at 352.    This factor "is aimed at determining whether the
    parent has cured and overcome the initial harm that endangered the
    health, safety, or welfare of the child, and is able to continue
    a parental relationship without recurrent harm to the child."                Id.
    at 348.   "[T]he second prong may be met by indications of parental
    dereliction and irresponsibility, such as the parent's continued
    or recurrent drug abuse, the inability to provide a stable and
    protective home, [and] the withholding of parental attention and
    care . . . ."   Id. at 353.
    Here, the record contains ample evidence supporting the trial
    court's   determination   that    the    children   will    continue    to    be
    endangered by the parental relationship, and that neither parent
    is able to eliminate that danger and provide a safe and stable
    home.     For almost three years, the children remained in their
    grandmother's   care   and    custody,    while   neither    C.C.   nor    A.B.
    provided even "minimal parenting" to their children.                See DMH,
    supra, 161 N.J. at 379.        A.B. declined to present himself as a
    custodial parent when the children were first removed from C.C.'s
    care in October 2013.        Both parents allowed extended periods of
    time to pass without seeing their children at all.           M.C. testified
    about the emotional impact that defendants' inconsistent visits
    have had on the children.        For instance, one child became upset
    15                                  A-4799-14T1
    when C.C. left his birthday party, allegedly to get a gift from
    her car, and never returned; and when A.B. failed to appear as
    promised for a child's school field trip.      Both C.C. and A.B.
    failed to complete psychological evaluations or substance abuse
    evaluations, despite numerous appointments.      C.C. completed a
    parenting skills program, but she did so more than a year-and-a-
    half after it was ordered.
    We defer to Judge DeCastro's credibility determination, which
    gave little weight to C.C.'s assertion that she achieved stability.
    Notably, neither C.C. nor A.B. provided documentary proof of
    employment, despite multiple court orders requiring it.    We also
    reject A.B.'s argument that the court placed undue weight on his
    drug use and financial circumstances.    The court's focus was on
    A.B.'s inability to provide a safe and stable home.
    As for prong three, the record clearly supports the court's
    determination that the Division made diligent efforts to provide
    services for the parents.    The court must assess the adequacy of
    the Division's efforts "in light of all the circumstances of a
    given case."   DMH, supra, 161 N.J. at 393.   The Division is only
    required to provide reasonable services; a parent's failure to
    become fit to care for his or her children "is not determinative
    of the sufficiency of [the Division's] efforts . . . ."   Ibid.
    16                          A-4799-14T1
    The Division provided numerous services for the parents, but
    defendants    were    largely     non-compliant.         In    addition       to    the
    parenting skills training that C.C. eventually completed, the
    Division offered homemaker services to A.B., which he refused, and
    to C.C., which she misused; substance abuse evaluations, which the
    parties failed to complete or follow; and psychological and bonding
    evaluations, which the parties failed to attend or complete.                        The
    Division also provided each with monthly bus passes and case-aides
    to personally drive them to scheduled appointments, and assisted
    them in visiting their children.
    We discern no merit in C.C.'s argument that the Division was
    obliged to increase visits or grant unsupervised visits, once she
    secured stable housing.          Before the children's removal in October
    2013, C.C. repeatedly left them alone, or with unwilling or
    unnotified adults.         She failed to complete psychological and
    substance abuse evaluations to demonstrate she was ready and fit
    for unsupervised visits.          She also failed to present documentary
    proof   of   employment     or    her   living      situation.        Under     these
    circumstances,       the   Division     was   not    obliged     to   offer        C.C.
    unsupervised, overnight parenting time as part of its reasonable
    efforts.
    We are also unpersuaded by A.B.'s argument that the Division
    failed to consider his sisters as alternative caregivers to M.C.
    17                                    A-4799-14T1
    The Division is obliged to search for, and assess "relatives who
    may be willing and able to provide the care and support required
    by the child."       N.J.S.A. 30:4C-12.1(a).       However, "there is no
    presumption favoring the placement of a child with such relatives."
    N.J. Div. of Youth and Family Servs. v. J.S., 
    433 N.J. Super. 69
    ,
    82   (App.    Div.   2013),   certif.    denied,   
    217 N.J. 587
       (2014).
    Moreover, there is no evidence to suggest that either sister was
    willing and able to care for the children.
    Lastly, both parents challenge the court's prong four finding
    that termination of parental rights would not cause more harm than
    good.   Both highlight the fact that the Division did not offer an
    expert opinion that compared their bonds with the children against
    M.C.'s.      Generally, "the [Division] should offer testimony of a
    'well qualified expert who has had full opportunity to make a
    comprehensive, objective, and informed evaluation' of the child's
    relationship with both the natural parents and the foster parents."
    N.J. Div. of Youth and Family Servs. v. M.M., 
    189 N.J. 261
    , 281
    (2007) (citation omitted).         However, defendants should not be
    heard to complain about the absence of expert testimony, as they
    obstructed the presentation of such evidence by their repeated
    failure to submit to psychological evaluations.           Cf. N.J. Div. of
    Youth & Family Servs. v. A.R., 
    405 N.J. Super. 418
    , 440 (App. Div.
    18                                A-4799-14T1
    2009) (stating "we can envision very few scenarios in which
    comparative evaluations would not be required").
    Some background here is necessary.       C.C. appeared for an
    initial session as part of a psychological evaluation by the
    Division's expert, Robert J. Miller, II, Ph.D., but failed to
    return for its completion or for a bonding evaluation.     A.B. may
    have appeared for a bonding evaluation, but not for a psychological
    evaluation.2 M.C. appeared for the bonding evaluation. Dr. Miller
    explained in his report that he could not offer opinions regarding
    the parents' psychological or parental functioning due to their
    lack of cooperation.
    At a pretrial hearing, the Division offered the report for
    the sole purpose of demonstrating at trial the parents' lack of
    cooperation.   C.C.'s counsel objected to the admission of Dr.
    Miller's opinions.     A.B.'s counsel joined in a general objection
    to any embedded hearsay in Division documents, which included Dr.
    Miller's opinions.     See N.J.R.E. 808.   However, on the first day
    2
    We note a discrepancy in the documentary record. According to
    a January 13, 2016 contact sheet, a caseworker transported the
    three children and A.B. to Dr. Miller's office for an evaluation
    on January 7, 2016. However, Dr. Miller's April 9, 2016 "Forensic
    Psychological and Bonding Evaluation" report listed A.B. as a "no
    show" for January 7, 2016.
    19                          A-4799-14T1
    of trial, the deputy attorney general stated she did not intend
    to offer Dr. Miller's report into evidence after all.3
    Notwithstanding this background, A.B. relies on Dr. Miller's
    recorded impressions of the bonding evaluation with M.C. to support
    his challenge of the Division's prong four showing.        We reject the
    argument because Dr. Miller's impressions were not in evidence.
    Indeed, one way or another, both defense counsel objected to the
    admission of Dr. Miller's opinions.
    In the absence of expert testimony, Judge DeCastro credited
    the testimony of the Division's caseworker that the children were
    well-adjusted, well-cared for, and happy in their grandmother's
    home.   The court gave little weight to the testimony of C.C.'s
    paramour that the children became upset when their visits with
    their mother ended, and that they wanted to go home with her.           The
    court found more credible that the parents had "over and over
    again   disappointed   their   children   by   missing   visits,   leaving
    visits without explanation, and not showing up when their children
    needed them the most."
    3
    C.C.'s attorney then responded that the report was admissible as
    a consultant's report under Rule 5:12-4(d), apparently for the
    purpose of introducing the hearsay statements C.C. made to the
    evaluator, but "not the diagnostics." The court reserved decision.
    Notably, in its list of items admitted into evidence accompanying
    her order, the court included the report, but there is no
    indication that it was ever offered for the purpose of introducing
    Dr. Miller's opinions or "diagnostics."
    20                               A-4799-14T1
    In any event, the court need not, and Judge DeCastro did not,
    find that there was no bond or emotional connection between the
    children and their parents. Prong four does not require "a showing
    that no harm will befall the child as a result of the severing of
    biological ties."        K.H.O., supra, 161 N.J. at 355.          The court's
    prong four determination involved the choice between two options:
    (1)   terminating      parental   rights   followed   by   adoption     by    the
    grandmother who had served as a capable, loving caregiver in a
    stable   home;    or   (2)   continuing    the   uncertainty     and   lack    of
    permanency   in   the    children's   lives,     without   any   demonstrated
    likelihood that C.C. or A.B. would become fit to parent in the
    foreseeable future.       We discern no error in the court's conclusion
    that termination would not do more harm than good.
    Affirmed.
    21                                A-4799-14T1