In the Interest of: Z.M.P., a Minor ( 2018 )

J-A01017-18
NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
IN THE INTEREST OF: Z.M.P., A : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
MINOR : PENNSYLVANIA
:
APPEAL OF: K.P., MOTHER :
: No. 1120 EDA 2017
Appeal from the Decree and Order Entered March 6, 2017
in the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County
Family Court at Nos.: CP-51-AP-0000-577-2016
CP-51-DP-0000131-2014
BEFORE: LAZARUS, J., OTT, J., and PLATT, J.
MEMORANDUM BY PLATT, J.: FILED APRIL 16, 2018
K.P. (Mother) appeals the decree of the Court of Common Pleas of
Philadelphia County (trial court), entered March 6, 2017, that terminated her
parental rights to her son, Z.M.P. (Child), born in March of 2013, and the
permanency review order that changed Child’s permanency goal to adoption.1
We affirm.
On April 16, 2013, Department of Human Services (DHS) received a
General Protective Services (GPS) report alleging that Mother was unable to
care for Child, who was four weeks old at the time. Mother admitted to anxiety
attacks and said she was uncomfortable caring for Child. Mother was
diagnosed as schizophrenic and bipolar and was prescribed psychotropic
 Retired Senior Judge assigned to Superior Court.
1 The trial court also terminated the parental rights of Child’s father, I.W.
(Father), on March 6, 2017. Father did not appeal that termination and he is
not a party to this appeal.
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medication, but she did not believe it was working. Mother resided with her
mother, a nurse. The report was determined valid and the reporter was
advised to contact the police if Mother was in crisis. (See DHS Exhibit 1; N.T.
Hearing, 11/29/16, at 13-14).
A safety plan had been devised with Father and Maternal Grandmother
by the staff at Friends Hospital after Mother was admitted suffering from major
depression with psychosis and hearing voices. (See DHS Exhibit 2). Maternal
Grandmother and Father did not follow the safety plan when they
subsequently left Child in Mother’s care without supervision, and Mother
attempted suicide. (See id.).
DHS implemented a new safety plan and Family Service Plan (FSP) that
required line-of-sight supervision of any contact between Mother and Child
after Mother admitted her inability to care for Child and her fear of being left
alone with him. (See N.T. Hearing, 11/29/16, at 11-12).
On December 19, 2013, DHS received a GPS report that Mother had
again been left alone with Child, now eight months old, in violation of DHS’
line-of-sight safety plan. (See id. at 9-10; DHS Exhibit 3).
The December 19, 2013 GPS report led to the removal of Child, who
was adjudicated dependent and committed to DHS on January 27, 2014, with
Child to be in the physical custody of his maternal great-cousin. Mother was
referred to Behavioral Health Services (BHS) for an evaluation and for a
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Parenting Capacity Evaluation (PCE). Visitation with Child was to be
supervised. (See N.T. Hearing, 11/29/16, at 8; DHS Exhibit 4).
The trial court placed Child with Paternal Grandmother on March 7,
2014, where he remained at the time of the termination hearings. At a hearing
on April 28, 2014, the trial court ordered Mother re-referred to BHS where she
was to avail herself of, or in the alternative, to provide documentation of, her
mental health services. The trial court also re-referred Mother for a PCE and
referred her to the Achieving Reunification Center (ARC) for parenting and
housing services.
A new FSP, established in July of 2014, required Mother to address and
to document her mental health issues and comply with all recommendations;
locate and occupy suitable housing; attend all court hearings and other
meetings; attend Child’s medical appointments; attend supervised line-of-
sight visits; comply with all court orders; comply with ARC services; and
comply with the PCE evaluation. (See N.T. Hearing, 11/29/16, at 16-17).
Mother’s whereabouts became unknown to DHS as of October 22, 2014,
when DHS was forced to do a Parent Locator Search for Mother. Once found,
Mother admitted to not visiting Child in 2014 after having “hit bottom” on
drugs and spending the year in a recovery home. (N.T. Hearing, 1/30/17, at
58).
As of January 21, 2015, Mother was not compliant with her permanency
plan. Mother had not visited Child in three months and had not signed
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releases to permit the Community Umbrella Agency (CUA) to assess her
current services. Mother remained in a recovery home as of December 2015,
and attended the Nu-Stop dual diagnosis treatment program.
Mother attended parent-child psychotherapy with Child, an evidence-
based trauma intervention aimed at enhancing the parent-child relationship.
(See N.T. Hearing, 1/10/17, at 15). Mother’s attendance in parent-child
therapy was an updated FSP goal and Mother was consistent in her
attendance. (See N.T. Hearing, 11/29/16, at 60; N.T. Hearing, 1/10/17, at
14, 28). The goal of the therapy was to permit Mother and Child to get to
know each other again after the break in their relationship. (See N.T. Hearing,
1/10/17, at 18). Mother completed her drug and alcohol program at Nu–Stop
in December of 2015. (See N.T. Hearing, 1/30/17, at 10). The goal of
treatment at the drug and alcohol program was both sobriety and to ensure
Mother kept up with her medication for depression. (See id. at 20).
Nu-Stop did not work on specific mental health treatment for Mother.
Community Behavioral Health (CBH) documented seven inpatient
hospitalizations for Mother between January of 2012 and July 2014. (See id.
at 35-36). Mother attended a medication management and treatment
program between 2014 and 2015 and then re-engaged in treatment in
January 2016. (See id. at 40-41). She did not engage in medication
management between December 2015 and January 2017. (See id. at 48,
50). Upon her re-entry to the program in January of 2016, Mother’s
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attendance was sporadic. (See id. at 37). Mother was attending therapy
monthly at the time of the termination hearing. (See id. at 77).
On July 15, 2016, Mother completed a PCE. At the time of her
evaluation, Mother was enrolled in mental health treatment, but was not
prescribed medication. Her treatment records provided inconsistent
information about her mental health history as her present diagnosis was not
in alignment with her psychiatric history. (See N.T. Hearing, 11/28/16, at
45-46; DHS Exhibit 5, at 9-10). Mother had reported significant history of
hospitalizations for her mental health problems going back to 18 years of age.
(See N.T. Hearing, 11/28/16, at 48; DHS Exhibit 5, at 7).
Mother reported a history of self-harm by cutting. (See N.T. Hearing,
11/28/16, at 52). Mother’s psychiatric records were inconsistent, showing no
predictable pattern for attendance and treatment. There was no indication
that she addressed her prior symptoms or her chronic history of
hospitalization. (See id. at 56). Mother’s substance abuse history was
inconsistent. (See id. at 57). Mother had provided different information to
different professionals, making an accurate diagnosis of her mental health
difficult. (See id. at 59). Mother’s inconsistent mental health and substance
abuse history precluded her ability to provide safety for Child according to her
permanency plan at the time of her PCE. (See id. at 59-60).
At the hearing in this matter, DHS presented the testimony of
psychologist, Erica Williams, Ph.D. Dr. Williams’s foremost recommendation
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was to address the discrepancies in Mother’s inconsistent histories across
multiple domains to discern her mental health needs and identify appropriate
treatment. A complete, comprehensive understanding of Mother’s mental
health was required. (See id. at 54-55).
In July of 2016, Dr. Williams commenced a bonding evaluation of Mother
and Child that she completed in October 2016. (See id. at 60-61). While she
found a positive bond between Mother and Child, Dr. Williams opined that
severance of the relationship would not cause irreparable harm to Child
because Child had been removed from Mother at eight months due to Mother’s
inability to care for Child. (See id. at 66-67). Thereafter, there was a
substantial period of time where Mother was not involved in Child’s life. She
returned to seeing him in 2014, but has never progressed beyond supervised
visits. (See id.) Dr. Williams testified that “[Mother has] never been in a
position to provide care to [Child] or for him to see her as a central caregiver.”
(Id. at 66). Mother and Child do not share a parent-child bond. (See id. at
67).
Child has been thriving in the care of his caregiver, Paternal
Grandmother, who fulfills the central role in Child’s life. (See id. at 73).
Child’s healthy attachment with his caregiver will preclude any harm to Child
by the termination of Mother’s parental rights and promote a healthy life for
Child. (See id.).
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On October 20, 2016, DHS filed petitions to terminate the parental rights
of Mother, and to change Child’s goal to adoption. The trial court held hearings
on those petitions on November 28, 2016, November 29, 2016, January 10,
2017, and January 30, 2017. Testifying for DHS were psychologist, Erica
Williams, Ph.D.; Paternal Grandmother, T.K.A.; DHS social worker, Juliet
Scully Bennett; Turning Points for Children case aide, Frankie Occassio; and
CUA caseworker, Desiree Rose. Mother testified on her own behalf and
presented the testimony of licensed social worker, Una Majmudar; Nu-Stop
worker, Henry Garcia; and visitation coach, Dante Adams.
Prior to the commencement of the hearing on November 28, 2016, the
trial court, after argument, denied Mother’s motion in limine to exclude the
testimony of Dr. Williams.
The trial court entered its decree terminating Mother’s parental rights
pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 2511(a)(2), (5), (8) and (b), and its order
changing Child’s goal to adoption on March 6, 2017. Mother filed her notice
of appeal and concise statement of errors complained of on appeal on April 4,
2017, and a supplemental concise statement on April 14, 2017.
Mother raises the following questions for our consideration:
1. Did the trial court commit an error of law and abuse of
discretion by denying [Mother’s] Motion in Limine, where DHS
failed to prove that their expert’s methodology for the Parenting
Capacity Evaluation was “generally accepted” in the field of
psychology, as required by Pa. R.E. 702(c) and Grady v. Frito-
Lay, Inc., 839 A.2d 1038 (Pa. 2003)?
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2. Did the trial court commit an error of law and abuse of
discretion, and deny [Mother] due process, when it denied
[Mother’s] request for a hearing regarding the expert’s
methodology, and whether it was “generally accepted” in the field
of psychology?
3. Did the trial court commit an error of law and abuse of
discretion, and deny [Mother] due process of law, by denying
[Mother’s] request to retain and present the testimony of an
expert?
4. Did the trial court commit an error of law and abuse of
discretion, and deny [Mother] due process of law, by limiting
[Mother’s] cross-examination of DHS’s expert witness, including
examination of her methodology?
5. Did the trial court commit an error of law and abuse of
discretion by relying on an expert report that was not reliable and
used methodology that was not “generally accepted” in the field
of psychology, as required by Pa. R.E. 702 and Grady v. Frito-
Lay, Inc., 839 A.2d 1038 (Pa. 2003)?
6. Did the trial court commit an error of law and abuse of
discretion by involuntarily terminating [Mother’s] parental rights
under 23 Pa. C.S. § 2511 (a)(2), (a)(5) and (a)(8), where DHS
failed to prove the necessary grounds by clear and convincing
evidence?
7. Did the trial court commit an error of law and abuse of
discretion by involuntarily terminating [Mother’s] parental rights
under 23 Pa. C.S. § 2511 (a)(5) and (a)(8), where DHS failed to
prove by clear and convincing evidence that termination of the
parental rights would best serve the Child’s needs and welfare?
8. Did the trial court commit an error of law and abuse of
discretion by involuntarily terminating [Mother’s] parental rights
under 23 Pa. C.S. § 2511 (b) where DHS failed to provide clear
and convincing evidence that termination would further the
developmental, physical and emotional needs and welfare of the
child, and where all of the witnesses testified to the strong positive
bond shared between [Mother] and her child, and the evidence
established that severing the bond would be harmful to the Child.?
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9. Did the trial court commit an error of law and abuse of
discretion by involuntarily terminating [Mother’s] parental rights
under 23 Pa. C.S. § 2511 (a) and (b), where DHS failed to meet
its evidentiary burden of clear and convincing evidence?
10. Did the trial court commit an error of law and abuse of
discretion by changing the permanency goal of the Child from
reunification to adoption pursuant to the Juvenile Act, where DHS
failed to provide sufficient evidence of the continued necessity for
placement, and where the evidence showed that [Mother] was fit
to parent, was in full compliance with her single case plan goals,
and was ready, willing, and able to assume custody of her child at
the time of the hearing?
11. Did the trial court commit an error of law and abuse of
discretion by changing the Child’s permanency goal from
reunification to adoption pursuant to the Juvenile Act, when all of
the witnesses testified to the positive bond shared between
[Mother] and [Child], and where DHS failed to provide sufficient
evidence that that [sic] such a goal change would be best suited
for Child’s needs and welfare?
12. Did the trial court commit an error of law and abuse of
discretion under the Juvenile Act by failing to ensure that the
views of the [C]hild were fully ascertained and taken into
consideration when deciding to change the goal to adoption and
terminate parental rights?
13. Did the trial court commit an error of law and abuse of
discretion when it failed to appoint a separate, independent
attorney to represent the [C]hild’s legal interest in the termination
of parental rights and goal change hearing?
14. Did the trial court commit an error of law and abuse of
discretion when it terminated parental rights without ensuring that
the [C]hild’s legal interests were expressed or represented at the
termination proceeding, as guaranteed by 23 Pa. C.S. § 2313(a)?
(Mother’s Brief at 7-10).
Mother’s argument does not correspond to the questions raised. Her
brief is not “divided into as many parts as there are questions to be argued[,]”
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but rather is divided into seven sections, all with numerous subsections.
Pa.R.A.P. 2119(a); (see Mother’s Brief, at 30-62). Furthermore, many of
Mother’s listed questions are redundant. Thus, for ease of disposition, we
have rephrased Mother’s questions to remove repetition and better correlate
with the argument section of her brief. Therefore, we consider the following
six questions:
1. Whether the trial court erred or abused it discretion when it
denied Mother’s motion in limine to preclude Dr. Williams’s
testimony because Dr. Williams’s methodology in conducting a
parenting capacity evaluation was not generally accepted in the
field of psychology pursuant to Pa.R.E. 702(c) and Grady v.
Frito-Lay, Inc., 839 A.2d 1038 (Pa. 2003)?
2. Whether the trial court erred or abused its discretion when it
denied Mother permission to engage her own expert?
3. Whether the trial court erred or abused its discretion when it
limited Mother’s cross-examination of Dr. Williams?
4. Whether the trial court erred or abused its discretion when it
terminated Mother’s parental rights pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S.A. §§
2511(a)(2), (5), (8) and (b)?
5. Whether the trial court erred or abused its discretion when it
changed Child’s goal to adoption?
6. Whether the trial court erred or abused its discretion where it
failed to consult with Child and to ensure that Child’s legal
interests were represented?
Our standard of review for an order terminating parental rights is well
settled.
In an appeal from an order terminating parental rights, our scope
of review is comprehensive: we consider all the evidence
presented as well as the trial court’s factual findings and legal
conclusions. However, our standard of review is narrow: we will
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reverse the trial court’s order only if we conclude that the trial
court abused its discretion, made an error of law, or lacked
competent evidence to support its findings. The trial judge’s
decision is entitled to the same deference as a jury verdict.
In re L.M., 923 A.2d 505, 511 (Pa. Super. 2007) (citations omitted).
Further, we have stated:
Where the hearing court’s findings are supported by
competent evidence of record, we must affirm the hearing court
even though the record could support an opposite result.
We are bound by the findings of the trial court
which have adequate support in the record so long as
the findings do not evidence capricious disregard for
competent and credible evidence. The trial court is
free to believe all, part, or none of the evidence
presented, and is likewise free to make all credibility
determinations and resolve conflicts in the evidence.
Though we are not bound by the trial court’s
inferences and deductions, we may reject its
conclusions only if they involve errors of law or are
clearly unreasonable in light of the trial court’s
sustainable findings.
In re M.G., 855 A.2d 68, 73-74 (Pa. Super. 2004) (citations omitted).
We will first consider Mother’s issues surrounding Dr. Williams’s
testimony. Mother claims the trial court should have excluded Dr. Williams’s
testimony because her methodology was not generally accepted in her field.
(See Mother’s Brief, at 30-38). Specifically, she argues that Dr. Williams’s
parenting capacity evaluation did not meet the American Psychological
Association guidelines. Thus, she contends that the trial court violated the
Frye2 rule when it permitted Dr. Williams to testify. We disagree.
2 Frye v. U.S., 293 F. 1013 (1923).
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In reviewing the trial court’s decisions with respect to admissibility of
evidence, “the resolution of its evidentiary conflicts . . . will not be disturbed
unless they lack support in the record or represent an abuse of discretion or
error of law.” In re A.L.D., 797 A.2d 326, 338 (Pa. Super. 2002) (citation
omitted).
Pennsylvania Rule of Evidence 702(c) states: “A witness who is qualified
as an expert by knowledge, skill, experience, training, or education may testify
in the form of an opinion or otherwise if . . . (c) the expert’s methodology is
generally accepted in the relevant field.” Pa.R.E. 702(c). “Under Frye, novel
scientific evidence is admissible if the methodology that underlies the evidence
has general acceptance in the relevant scientific community.” Grady v. Frito-
Lay, Inc., 839 A.2d 1038, 1044 (Pa. 2003) (citation omitted). “Nor does the
Frye standard even require an optimal methodology, just an accepted one.”
Cassell v. Lancaster Mennonite Conference, 834 A.2d 1185, 1190 (Pa.
Super. 2003).
Here, the trial court explained that it denied Mother’s motion in limine,
and permitted Dr. Williams to testify about the parental capacity evaluation,
because the expert guidelines promulgated by the American Psychological
Association, were a suggestion, not a mandatory standard. (See N.T.
Hearing, 11/28/16, at 15, 18, 22). Dr. Williams explained that although she
performed some interviews and evaluations as recommended by the
guidelines, her decision not to perform a parenting child interaction in this
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specific evaluation would be generally accepted in her field, even though the
guidelines recommended performing one. (See id. at 30).
Upon review, we conclude that the record supports the trial court’s
decision to deny Mother’s motion in limine to exclude Dr. Williams’s testimony
about the parental capacity evaluation. Mother did not prove that the scientific
community did not generally accept the methods of obtaining and evaluating
data that Dr. Williams employed, thus she has not proven that the trial court
erred or abused its discretion. See Grady, supra at 1044; Cassell, supra
at 1190. Mother’s first issue does not merit relief.
In the second issue, Mother argues that the trial court erred when it
denied her permission to retain a rebuttal expert witness to rebut the
testimony of DHS’s expert. (See Mother’s Brief, at 30-32). Specifically, she
claims that denial of her request amounted to a denial of her right to
meaningfully participate in her defense because the expert who testified was
not neutral. We disagree.
“Generally the admission of rebuttal evidence is a matter within the
sound discretion of the trial court.” Am. Future Sys., Inc. v. BBB, 872 A.2d
1202, 1213 (Pa. Super. 2005), aff'd, 923 A.2d 389 (Pa. 2007), cert. denied,
552 U.S. 1076 (2007) (citation omitted).
In the instant case, during a hearing on November 4, 2016, counsel for
Mother explained that she had made a motion for an expert witness that the
court had denied, but was now putting such motion in writing. (See N.T.
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Hearing, 11/04/16, at 9; see also Motion for Allowance of Fees for Parenting
Capacity Assessment, 11/04/16).3 The trial court explained that it denied the
motion because at that point in the case, after the period set forth for
discovery had long since closed, and given that the reason for the expert was
to cross-examine some of the protocol offered by the parenting capacity
evaluation, an expert witness was not necessary because counsel for Mother
would simply be able to cross-examine the expert offering the evaluation.
(See N.T. Hearing, 11/04/16, at 9-10).
Upon review, we conclude that the trial court did not abuse its discretion
when it denied Mother’s request for a rebuttal witness, where the court
concluded that the purpose for which the expert would be offered could be
accomplished through cross-examination of DHS’s expert. See Am. Future
Sys., Inc., supra at 1213. Accordingly, Mother’s second issue does not merit
relief.
In her third issue, Mother claims that the trial court abused its discretion
when it limited her counsel’s cross-examination of Dr. Williams. (See Mother’s
Brief, at 37-38). We disagree.
“The admission or exclusion of evidence . . . is within the sound
discretion of the trial court.” In re K.C.F., 928 A.2d 1046, 1050 (Pa. Super.
2007), appeal denied, 936 A.2d 41 (Pa. 2007) (citation omitted); see also
3 The certified record does not contain a copy of the earlier motion for an
expert witness, or its denial.
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Pa.R.E. 611 (granting trial court authority to exercise reasonable control over
the examination and presentation of witnesses).
Here, the record reveals that, in addition to her cross-examination of
Dr. Williams about her qualifications, Mother’s counsel cross-examined Dr.
Williams at length (encompassing seventy-eight pages of testimony) before
the trial court finally intervened:
THE COURT: Your objection is on the record. So, at this point your
cross is finished. Can the doctor be excused, [directed to DHS’
counsel]?
[MOTHER’S COUNSEL]: Your Honor, this is a constitutional right
to hear me. I feel like I should have the right to present my case.
THE COURT: You have a right to present your case. There’s also
a Rule of Evidence that the [c]ourt is entitled and has discretion
to you know when we get to a certain [point] about inefficiency
you know you’ve been presenting your case, approximately, well,
you didn’t present your case yet. You’ve just been cross
examining.
[MOTHER’S COUNSEL]: I have not.
THE COURT: You’ve just been cross examining the witness.
[MOTHER’S COUNSEL]: I have not been able to. You told me
several times that I would be able to cross examine this witness.
THE COURT: You did. We’ve been here now, it’s four forty in the
afternoon --
[MOTHER’S COUNSEL]: I’m protesting.
THE COURT: -- and we started at two o’clock.
[DHS’ COUNSEL]: Your Honor, respectfully, counsel has to ask
the appropriate questions in the appropriate form.
THE COURT: Absolutely.
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[DHS’ COUNSEL]: That’s what happens in a court of law.
THE COURT: It’s cross examination. You’re allowed to cross
examine. You have to ask the questions and when --
[MOTHER’S COUNSEL]: And what I would like to do is --
THE COURT: -- there’s an objection to relevance --
[MOTHER’S COUNSEL]: -- go through this --
THE COURT: You know, the DHS has not finished presenting their
case[.] So you’re being entitled to cross examine any other
witnesses and then it’s your witnesses.
[MOTHER’S COUNSEL]: This is the witness I need to cross
examine. I would like to go through the psychological evaluations
and have Doctor Williams show me what is inconsistent.
[CHILD ADVOCATE]: And, Your Honor, respectfully, it is asked
and answered because [Mother’s Counsel’s] own response she
started with, ‘When Doctor Williams said.’ She’s asked the
question before. Doctor Williams gave her answer. She may not
be satisfied with that answer but [Doctor Williams] did answer the
question of what she thought the discrepancies were.
THE COURT: Correct. So, at this point, cross examination by
[Mother’s Counsel] and Doctor Williams is done. And your
objection is noted on the record.
(N.T. Hearing, 11/28/16, at 148-50).
Upon review, we conclude that the trial court did not abuse its discretion
when it finally ended Mother’s counsel’s cross-examination of Dr. Williams.
See In re K.C.F., supra at 1050; Pa.R.E. 611. Mother’s counsel was
permitted ample time to cross-examine Dr. Williams. Mother’s third issue
does not merit relief.
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In her fourth issue, Mother claims that the trial court erred when it
terminated her parental rights pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 2511(a)(2), (5),
(8) and (b). (See Mother’s Brief, at 38-54). We disagree.
The trial court terminated Mother’s parental rights pursuant to 23
Pa.C.S.A. §§ 2511(a)(2), (5), (8), and (b). In order to affirm the termination
of parental rights, this Court need only agree with any one subsection of
Section 2511(a). See In re B.L.W., 843 A.2d 380, 384 (Pa. Super. 2004)
(en banc), appeal denied, 863 A.2d 1141 (Pa. 2004). Requests to have a
natural parent’s rights terminated are governed by 23 Pa.C.S.A. § 2511, which
provides, in pertinent part:
§ 2511. Grounds for involuntary termination
(a) General rule.—The rights of a parent in regard to a child may
be terminated after a petition filed on any of the following
grounds:
* * *
(8) The child has been removed from the care of the parent by
the court or under a voluntary agreement with an agency, 12
months or more have elapsed from the date of removal or
placement, the conditions which led to the removal or placement
of the child continue to exist and termination of parental rights
would best serve the needs and welfare of the child.
* * *
(b) Other considerations.—The court in terminating the rights
of a parent shall give primary consideration to the developmental,
physical and emotional needs and welfare of the child. The rights
of a parent shall not be terminated solely on the basis of
environmental factors such as inadequate housing, furnishings,
income, clothing and medical care if found to be beyond the
control of the parent. With respect to any petition filed pursuant
to subsection (a)(1), (6) or (8), the court shall not consider any
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efforts by the parent to remedy the conditions described therein
which are first initiated subsequent to the giving of notice of the
filing of the petition.
23 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 2511(a)(8), (b).
It is well-settled that a party seeking termination of a parent’s rights
bears the burden of proving the grounds to so do by “clear and convincing
evidence,” a standard which requires evidence 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.” In re
T.F., 847 A.2d 738, 742 (Pa. Super. 2004) (citation and internal quotation
marks omitted). Further,
A parent must utilize all available resources to preserve the
parental relationship, and must exercise reasonable firmness in
resisting obstacles placed in the path of maintaining the parent-
child relationship. Parental rights are not preserved by waiting for
a more suitable or convenient time to perform one’s parental
responsibilities while others provide the child with his or her
physical and emotional needs.
In the Interest of K.Z.S., 946 A.2d 753, 759 (Pa. Super. 2008) (citations
omitted).
Furthermore, the Adoption Act provides that a trial court “shall give
primary consideration to the developmental, physical and emotional needs
and welfare of the child.” 23 Pa.C.S.A. § 2511(b). The emotional needs and
welfare of the child have been properly interpreted to include “[i]ntangibles
such as love, comfort, security, and stability.” In re T.S.M., 71 A.3d 251,
267 (Pa. 2013) (citation omitted). The Act does not make specific reference
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to an evaluation of the bond between parent and child but our case law
requires the evaluation of any such bond. See In re E.M., 620 A.2d 481, 485
(Pa. 1993). However, this Court has held that the trial court is not required
by statute or precedent to order a formal bonding evaluation performed by an
expert. See In re K.K.R.-S., 958 A.2d 529, 533 (Pa. Super. 2008).
Here, at the time of the hearing, Child had been in placement and living
with Paternal Grandmother since he was eight months old, some thirty-six
months. (See N.T. Hearing, 11/29/16, at 49). Mother’s FSP goals were: 1)
participate in and complete individual and parent-child therapy; 2) obtain
appropriate housing; 3) visit with Child consistently. (See id. at 60).
Mother completed parent-child therapy but Ms. Rose testified her
individual therapy was, “ongoing.” (Id.). According to Dr. Williams, Mother
“has been provided multiple diagnosis [sic] reflective of the symptoms she
reports at that time[,]” and though she denied any symptoms during the PCE,
“[i]t is imperative she begin to attend treatment on a consistent basis to help
support the development of an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment
recommendations.” (DHS Exhibit 5, Parenting Capacity Evaluation, 7/15/16,
at 13). Dr. Williams recommended that Mother engage in weekly therapy that
focused “beyond her experiences of being court[-]involved with her son and
include developing an accurate narrative of her history.” (Id.). She also
recommended that Mother’s therapy focus on “the role [Mother] played in her
son’s removal and the role she continues to play in his ongoing placement.”
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(Id.). Dr. Williams cautioned, “Given her history of providing inconsistent
information, it is recommended her therapist collaborate with CUA/DHS and
any behaviors of concern, child related events or positive experiences/changes
are communicated to the therapist.” (Id.). Dr. Williams’ recommendations
make it clear to us that Mother’s individual therapy is, indeed, still ongoing,
and that, far from having completed it, Mother has yet to be diagnosed
consistently and has yet to engage in consistent treatment. The state of
Mother’s mental health remains a primary concern.
Mother did not have appropriate housing for herself and Child at the
time of the termination hearing. Mother resided with her mother at the time
of the hearing. The CUA referred Mother to housing for herself and Child but
Mother rejected the offer because she would have to abide by certain rules
and Mother “just didn’t want to be living under rules and regulations.” (N.T.
Hearing, 11/29/16, at 62). Mother’s lack of housing also remains an ongoing
concern.
Mother did not see Child for approximately a year after he went into
placement. Her visitation has been consistent since she came back into his
life in 2014, but visits have never progressed beyond two line-of-sight
supervised visits per week. (See N.T. Hearing, 11/28/16, at 66).
We are persuaded that the termination of Mother’s parental rights will
best serve Child’s needs and welfare. Dr. Williams testified:
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. . . [I]n this case[,] there’s no question that [Child] and
[Mother] have a bond and that [Child] enjoys his time with
[Mother].
However, when you look at the history of the case[,] [Child]
had DHS involvement very early on. And it was determined at
that time that [Mother] could not be the sole caretaker of [Child].
That at any given time another adult had to be affecting the care
[of Child] and have line of sight supervision.
* * *
She did return to being involved in his life in 2014 and since that
time her relationship with him had not progressed past
supervised visits. She’s never been in a position to provide care
to him or for him to see her as a central caregiver. Rather[,] her
contact with him whether it’s in the kinship home or in the
visitation or the child[-]parent project is always with another
adult assuring that his needs are met and that he’s being taken
care of.
(Id.).
Dr. Williams testified that there is a bond between Mother and Child but,
“though positive, is not one of a caregiver child bond.” (Id. at 67). Dr.
Williams reported that Child, “[is] doing very well in his current
environment[,]” and that “[t]here[ are] no concerns in his current placement.”
(Id.). She noted, “[Mother] herself identified that the [P]aternal
[G]randmother was a good place for him.” (Id.). Dr. Williams concluded,
“And all of those different things build into the fact that though [Child] would
know that the bond was over, with appropriate support and structure and
therapy[,] if needed[,] there would not be irreparable harm if he no longer
had contact with [Mother] two hours a week.” (Id.).
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Paternal Grandmother is and has been Child’s sole caregiver since he
was eight months of age. Mother has been a recent visitor and, though she
has been a consistent and apparently welcome visitor, she has been no more
than that. The termination of Mother’s parental rights will best serve Child’s
needs and welfare by providing Child with a safe, permanent home.
Our review of the record reveals that DHS presented sufficient credible
evidence to permit the trial court to terminate Mother’s parental rights
pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S.A. § 2511(a)(8). There is no question that Child has
been in placement in excess of twelve months. The conditions that led to
Child’s placement still exist in that Mother has failed to secure appropriate
housing and has failed to address her mental health. Finally, Child’s needs
and welfare will be served by the termination of Mother’s parental rights in
that he will be assured of a safe, permanent home with Paternal Grandmother
who has demonstrated that she is an appropriate and loving caregiver for
Child. Accordingly, we conclude that the trial court did not abuse its discretion
when it terminated Mother’s parental rights pursuant to subsection (a)(8).
Much of what we have said and quoted above about the needs and
welfare of Child also informs our analysis under 23 Pa.C.S.A. § 2511(b), where
we consider the developmental, physical and emotional needs and welfare of
a child. Child has been residing with Paternal Grandmother and the record
demonstrates that he is thriving in that environment. (See id. at 65-67). The
absence of a parent-child bond between Mother and Child, and Child’s close
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caregiver-child relationship with Paternal Grandmother both show that
termination will serve his emotional needs and welfare. We are also
persuaded by Dr. Williams’ opinion of the effect on Child if he were to be
removed from Paternal Grandmother’s care. According to Dr. Williams, “[I]f
[Mother] was removed from [Child’s] life, he already has an established,
healthy relationship. He’s been thriving in the care of [Paternal Grandmother].
And that disruption[,] though it may affect him[,] it would not [irreparably]
harm him to the point he could not recover and live a healthy life[.]” (Id. at
73).
When asked the effect on Child if he were to be removed from Paternal
Grandmother’s care, however, Dr. Williams saw the matter quite differently:
It’s a much larger concern if you were to reverse the
question in the roles because the caregiver he is with now is a
central role to [Child]. It is his central caregiver[,] unlike the role
of [Mother,] which is a visitor weekly.
So, it would be a completely different evaluation, completely
different contacts and much larger concerns regarding the impact
on [Child] if [Paternal Grandmother] was to be removed from his
life permanently.
(Id. at 73-74).
For all the reasons stated above, we conclude that DHS presented
sufficient credible evidence to demonstrate that the termination of Mother’s
parental rights will best serve Child’s emotional needs and welfare. The trial
court did not abuse its discretion when it terminated Mother’s parental rights
pursuant to subsection (b). Mother’s fourth issue does not merit relief.
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In her fifth issue, Mother claims that the trial court abused its discretion
when it permitted DHS to change Child’s goal form reunification to adoption.
(See Mother’s Brief, at 54-57). We disagree.
We note our standard of review of a change of goal:
When we review a trial court’s order to change the
placement goal for a dependent child to adoption, our standard is
abuse of discretion. In order to conclude that the trial court
abused its discretion, we must determine that the court’s
judgment was manifestly unreasonable, that the court did not
apply the law, or that the court’s action was a result of partiality,
prejudice, bias or ill will, as shown by the record. . . .
In re S.G., 922 A.2d 943, 946 (Pa. Super. 2007) (citation omitted).
In addressing the issue of a change of goal, this Court has said:
By allowing [an agency] to change its goal to adoption, the trial
court has decided that [the agency] has provided adequate
services to the parent but that he/she is nonetheless incapable of
caring for the child and that, therefore, adoption is now the
favored disposition.
In the Matter of N.C., 909 A.2d 818, 824 (Pa. Super. 2006) (citation
omitted).
The record before us demonstrates that DHS has provided services to
Mother since December of 2013. In spite of DHS’ efforts, however, the
testimony of Dr. Williams, cited above, and the parental capacity evaluation,
(see DHS Exhibit 5), make it clear that Mother is incapable of caring for Child
independently and that a change of goal to adoption is now the favored
disposition in this case. The trial court did not abuse its discretion when it
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changed Child’s goal to adoption. See In re S.G., supra at 946. Mother’s
fifth issue does not merit relief.
In her final issue, Mother contends that the trial court abused its
discretion when it failed to consider Child’s preferences and failed to appoint
an attorney to represent Child’s legal interests.4 (See Mother’s Brief, at 57-
62). She claims that based on our Supreme Court’s decision in In re
Adoption of L.B.M., 161 A.3d 172 (Pa. 2017), the court was required to
appoint separate, independent counsel to represent Child’s interest. 5 We
disagree.
This Court has explained that, with respect to termination of parental
rights proceedings, the focus of the proceeding is on whether the parent is
able to parent the child. Thus, “[t]he testimony or preference of the child(ren)
is not required or permitted in an involuntary proceeding as the child cannot
4 Although not pertinent to our decision, we observe that Mother did not
request that the trial court appoint an attorney to represent Child’s legal
interests during the pendency of the proceedings before the trial court.
5 Initially, we note that the portion of In re Adoption of L.B.M. that overruled
In re K.M., 53 A.3d 781 (Pa. Super. 2012), and held “that Section 2313(a)
requires the appointment of counsel who serves the child’s legal interests in
contested, involuntary [termination of parental rights] proceedings[.]” did not
garner a majority of joinders. In re Adoption of L.B.M., supra at 180
(footnote omitted). Thus, it is not binding precedent and we do not apply its
holding in the instant case. See MacPherson v. Magee Mem'l Hosp. for
Convalescence, 128 A.3d 1209, 1223 (Pa. Super. 2015), appeal denied, 161
A.3d 789 (Pa. 2016), cert. dismissed, 138 S. Ct. 354 (2017) (“[A] plurality
opinion is not binding precedent.”) (citation omitted).
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cede his right to minimal proper nurturing.” In re B.L.L., 787 A.2d 1007,
1014 (Pa. Super. 2001). Furthermore, “[t]he protection of the parents’ and
child’s legal interests is assured by the mandatory requirement that they be
represented throughout the proceedings by counsel; which is not a
requirement in custody proceedings.” Id.
Thus, we conclude that, based on the law in effect at the time of the
termination proceeding, the trial court did not abuse its discretion or commit
an error of law when it permitted Child’s guardian ad litem to represent Child’s
legal interests during the proceeding and did not require Child, then four years
old, to testify. Mother’s final issue does not merit relief.
Decree and order affirmed.
Judgment Entered.
Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary
Date: 4/16/18
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