Dept. of Human Services v. S. M. G. ( 2023 )

170
This is a nonprecedential memorandum opinion
pursuant to ORAP 10.30 and may not be cited
except as provided in ORAP 10.30(1).
Submitted on June 28, affirmed July 19, petition for review denied
October 19, 2023 (371 Or 509)
In the Matter of A. S. G.,
a Child.
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES,
Petitioner-Respondent,
and
A. S. G.,
Respondent,
v.
S. M. G.
Appellant.
Clatsop County Circuit Court
21JU04670; A179557
Beau V. Peterson, Judge.
Aron Perez-Selsky and Michael J. Wallace filed the brief
for appellant.
Ginger Fitch and Youth, Rights & Justice filed the brief
for respondent child.
Ellen F. Rosenblum, Attorney General, Benjamin Gutman,
Solicitor General, and Shannon T. Reel, Assistant Attorney
General, filed the brief for respondent Dept. of Human
Services.
Before Egan, Presiding Judge, and Lagesen, Chief Judge,
and Kamins, Judge.
LAGESEN, C. J.
Affirmed.
Nonprecedential Memo Op: 327 Or App 170 (2023) 171
LAGESEN, C. J.
Mother appeals a judgment terminating her paren-
tal rights to one child, A. The juvenile court terminated
mother’s parental rights to A upon finding that mother was
unfit on the following grounds, among others:
“a) Addictive or habitual use of intoxicating liquors,
cannabis or controlled substances to the extent that paren-
tal ability has been substantially impaired.
“b) Lack of effort or failure to obtain and maintain
a suitable or stable living situation for the child so that
return of the child to the parent is possible.
“* * * * *
“f) Lack of effort to adjust the parent’s circumstances,
conduct or conditions to make return of the child to the
parent possible.
“g) Failure to effect a lasting adjustment after reason-
able efforts by available social agencies for such extended
duration of time that it appears reasonable that no lasting
adjustment can be effected.”
On appeal, mother contends that the juvenile court erred
when it found that she was unfit on any basis. We affirm.
We review de novo the decision to terminate moth-
er’s parental rights. ORS 19.415(3)(a). Pursuant to ORS
419B.504, termination is proper if the court finds, by clear
and convincing evidence, that:
“ ‘[T]he parent or parents are unfit by reason of conduct or
condition seriously detrimental to the child or ward and
integration of the child or ward into the home of the parent
or parents is improbable within a reasonable time due to
conduct or conditions not likely to change.’ ”
Dept. of Human Services v. K. M. M., 260 Or App 34, 44,
316 P3d 379 (2013), rev den, 354 Or 837 (2014). That statute
poses a two-part test for assessing whether a parent is unfit.
State ex rel SOSCF v. Stillman, 333 Or 135, 145, 36 P3d
490 (2001). The two-part inquiry is: (1) whether mother “has
engaged in some conduct or is characterized by some condi-
tion”; and (2) whether “the conduct or condition is ‘seriously
detrimental’ to the child.” Id. When seeking termination
172 Dept. of Human Services v. S. M. G.
under ORS 419B.504, the Department of Human Services
(DHS), has the burden of proving, by clear and convincing
evidence, that mother is unfit. Dept. of Human Services v.
C. L. C., 247 Or App 445, 461, 268 P3d 808 (2011). Whether
or not a parent is fit is measured at the time of the termina-
tion proceeding. State ex rel Dept. of Human Services v. C. R.,
340 Or 436, 448-49, 134 P3d 940 (2006). We consider all
proven conduct or conditions in combination when evaluat-
ing a parent’s unfitness. Dept. of Human Services v. C. M. K.,
270 Or App 1, 18, 346 P3d 1254, rev den, 357 Or 324, cert
den, 577 US 944 (2015).
Having considered the entirety of the evidentiary
record, we conclude, as did the juvenile court, that there is
clear and convincing evidence that mother is unfit on the
grounds (a), (b), (f), and (g), identified above. Despite mother’s
recent efforts, she has made insufficient progress in address-
ing her ongoing substance abuse issues. Furthermore, the
record demonstrates that mother has no plan for A’s reinte-
gration into her care, and persuades us that, despite reason-
able efforts by DHS, mother has made no progress toward
securing a safe, stable living situation for A.
Because we conclude that the record establishes
that mother is unfit on the above grounds, we need not and
do not address other grounds for termination found by the
juvenile court. Dept. of Human Services v. B. J. B., 242 Or
App 534, 536, 256 P3d 167 (2011).
Affirmed.