In the Interest of: S.L.L., a Minor ( 2019 )

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NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
IN THE INTEREST OF: S.L.L., A MINOR IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
PENNSYLVANIA
APPEAL OF: J.L., FATHER
No. 2967 EDA 2018
Appeal from the Decree Entered September 11, 2018
In the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County
Family Court at No(s): CP-51-AP-0000039-2018
IN THE INTEREST OF: S.L.L., A MINOR IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
PENNSYLVANIA
APPEAL OF: J.L., FATHER
No. 2969 EDA 2018
Appeal from the Decree Entered September 11, 2018
In the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County
Family Court at No(s): CP-51-DP-1000206-2016
BEFORE: BENDER, P.J.E., KUNSELMAN, J., and STEVENS, P.J.E.*
MEMORANDUM BY BENDER, P.J.E.: FILED APRIL 17, 2019
J.L. (Father) appeals from the September 11, 2018 decrees that granted
the petitions filed by the Philadelphia Department of Human Services (DHS)
to involuntarily terminate Father’s parental rights to S.L.L. (Child) (born in
January of 2013) and to change the goal for Child to adoption.1, 2 After review,
we affirm.
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* Former Justice specially assigned to the Superior Court.
1 These appeals were consolidated sua sponte by per curiam order of this
Court, as all of these matters involve related parties and issues. Order,
1/10/19.
2 The parental rights of Child’s mother, L.W. (Mother), were terminated by
separate decree on September 11, 2018. Mother has not filed an appeal.
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The trial court provided the following factual and procedural background
of this case, stating:
The family became known to [DHS] on January 10, 2013
when DHS received a substantiated General Protective Services
(“GPS”) report, which alleged that Mother and Child [tested]
positive for cocaine at Child’s birth. On May 24, 2016, DHS
received a GPS report alleging that Father had custody of [] Child
after being removed from Mother’s care. The GPS report also
alleged that Father used drugs and allegedly sexually assaulted a
female relative. On May 26, 2016, DHS attempted to visit
[F]ather’s home but could not locate Father and Child. On May
31, 2016, DHS located Father and determined that he was
homeless and that [] Child stayed nights with Father’s maternal
grandmother. On June 10, 2016, an Adjudicatory Hearing was
held and Child was adjudicated dependent. On August 4, 2016,
Dr. Kai Syversten, PhD[,] conducted a psychological evaluation of
Father. Father was lethargic and nonresponsive during this
evaluation. As a result of the evaluation, Dr. Syversten
recommended that Father (1) receive outpatient psychotherapy
and psychiatric medication to treat depression; (2) Father submit
to drug testing; (3) Father obtain housing and (4) that Father
comply with DHS recommendations. On September 7, 2016, the
Community Umbrella Agency (“CUA”) held a Single Case Plan
(“SCP”) meeting. The goals identified for Father were to (1)
comply with visits; (2) to complete three random drug screens;
(3) to make visits with the Child and (4) receive mental health
treatment. The underlying Petition to Terminate [F]ather’s
Parental Rights was filed on January 16, 2018 due to Father[’s]
failing to meet his SCP objectives. On September 11, 2018, the
court ruled to terminate Father’s parental rights to Child pursuant
to 23 Pa.C.S.[] § 2511(a)(1)(2)(5)(8) and found that termination
of Father’s parental rights was in the best interest of Child
pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S.[] § 2511(b). Father filed the instant Notice
of Appeal on October 11, 2018.
Trial Court Opinion (TCO), 10/31/18, at 2-3 (citations to record omitted).
In its opinion, the court noted that although Father did not attend the
September 11, 2018 hearing that resulted in both the termination of his
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parental rights and the goal change for Child to adoption, he was represented
by counsel, who stipulated to the facts set forth in the termination/goal change
petitions. The court further identified Emily Cherniack, Esquire, as the Child
Advocate and Rebecca Mainor, Esquire, as the Guardian Ad Litem (GAL). The
court also set out a synopsis of the testimony provided by Tyrone King, the
DHS Representative, stating:
At the termination hearing, Mr. Tyrone King, the assigned
DHS Representative, testified that Father had failed to achieve his
SCP objectives[,] which included receiving mental health
treatment and visits with [] Child. Mr. King testified that Child
was well bonded to her pre-adoptive foster parent and that Child
had spent a significant period of time with her foster parent. Mr.
King testified that he had observed interactions between the
Foster Parent and Child, which indicated a parent/child bond. Mr.
King testified that the termination of Father’s parental rights
would not cause irreparable harm to Child and that termination of
[] Father’s parental rights was in [] Child’s best interest. At the
hearing, Rebecca Mainor, Esquire, the [GAL], proffered that []
Child wanted to remain with her foster parent and that she did not
believe that there would be any conflict between [] Child’s legal
interest and adoption. Emily Cherniak, Esquire, as Child
Advocate, made no indication that [] Child did not want to be
adopted. The testimony of Mr. King was deemed credible and
accorded great weight. In addition, the Child Advocate and [the
GAL] were diligent in their determination that there was no conflict
between the legal interest and the best interest of [] Child.
Consequently, documents and testimony presented at the
Termination of Parental Rights Hearing provided the [c]ourt clear
and convincing evidence to terminate Father’s parental rights and
rule that the termination of these rights would be in the best
interest of Child….
Id. at 4-5 (citations to record omitted). Based on this record, the court
concluded that Father demonstrated an “ongoing inability to provide care for
or control of Child resulting in his failure to remedy the conditions that brought
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[] Child into care. Specifically, Father failed to satisfy his SCP objectives.” Id.
at 4.
On appeal, Father presents the following issues for our review:
1. Did the [t]rial [c]ourt err in terminating [Father’s] parental
rights under [23] Pa.C.S.[] [§] 2511(a)(1), (a)(2), (a)(5), and
(a)(8)?
2. Did the [t]rial [c]ourt err in finding that termination of
Father’s parental rights best served [] [C]hild’s developmental,
physical and emotional needs under [23] Pa.C.S.[] [§] 2511(b)?
3. Did the [t]rial [c]ourt err in changing [] [C]hild’s goal to
adoption?
Father’s brief at vi.
We begin by setting forth the applicable standard of review relating to
Father’s first and second issues.
When reviewing an appeal from a decree terminating
parental rights, we are limited to determining whether the
decision of the trial court is supported by competent evidence.
Absent an abuse of discretion, an error of law, or insufficient
evidentiary support for the trial court’s decision, the decree must
stand. Where a trial court has granted a petition to involuntarily
terminate parental rights, this Court must accord the hearing
judge’s decision the same deference that we would give to a jury
verdict. We must employ a broad, comprehensive review of the
record in order to determine whether the trial court’s decision is
supported by competent evidence.
In re R.N.J., 985 A.2d 273, 276 (Pa. Super. 2009) (quoting In re S.H., 879
A.2d 802, 805 (Pa. Super. 2005)). Moreover, we have explained that:
The standard of clear and convincing evidence is defined 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.”
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Id. (quoting In re J.L.C. & J.R.C., 837 A.2d 1247, 1251 (Pa. Super. 2003)).
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. In re M.G., 855 A.2d 68, 73-74 (Pa. Super. 2004). If
competent evidence supports the trial court’s findings, we will affirm even if
the record could also support the opposite result. In re Adoption of T.B.B.,
835 A.2d 387, 394 (Pa. Super. 2003).
We are guided further by the following: Termination of parental rights
is governed by Section 2511 of the Adoption Act, which requires a bifurcated
analysis.
Our case law has made clear that under Section 2511, the court
must engage in a bifurcated process prior to terminating parental
rights. Initially, the focus is on the conduct of the parent. The
party seeking termination must prove by clear and convincing
evidence that the parent’s conduct satisfies the statutory grounds
for termination delineated in Section 2511(a). Only if the court
determines that the parent’s conduct warrants termination of his
or her parental rights does the court engage in the second part of
the analysis pursuant to Section 2511(b): determination of the
needs and welfare of the child under the standard of best interests
of the child. One major aspect of the needs and welfare analysis
concerns the nature and status of the emotional bond between
parent and child, with close attention paid to the effect on the child
of permanently severing any such bond.
In re L.M., 923 A.2d 505, 511 (Pa. Super. 2007) (citing 23 Pa.C.S. § 2511,
other citations omitted). The burden is upon the petitioner to prove by clear
and convincing evidence that the asserted grounds for seeking the termination
of parental rights are valid. R.N.J., 985 A.2d at 276.
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With regard to Section 2511(b), we direct our analysis to the facts
relating to that section. This Court has explained that:
Subsection 2511(b) focuses on whether termination of parental
rights would best serve the developmental, physical, and
emotional needs and welfare of the child. In In re C.M.S., 884
A.2d 1284, 1287 (Pa. Super. 2005), this Court stated, “Intangibles
such as love, comfort, security, and stability are involved in the
inquiry into the needs and welfare of the child.” In addition, we
instructed that the trial court must also discern the nature and
status of the parent-child bond, with utmost attention to the effect
on the child of permanently severing that bond. Id. However, in
cases where there is no evidence of a bond between a parent and
child, it is reasonable to infer that no bond exists. In re K.Z.S.,
946 A.2d 753, 762-63 (Pa. Super. 2008). Accordingly, the extent
of the bond-effect analysis necessarily depends on the
circumstances of the particular case. Id. at 763.
In re Adoption of J.M., 991 A.2d 321, 324 (Pa. Super. 2010).
In this case, the trial court terminated Father’s parental rights pursuant
to Section 2511(a)(1), (2), (5), (8) and (b). We need only agree with the trial
court as to any one subsection of Section 2511(a), as well as Section 2511(b),
in order to affirm. In re B.L.W., 843 A.2d 380, 384 (Pa. Super. 2004) (en
banc). Here, we analyze the court’s decision to terminate under Sections
2511(a)(2) and (b), which provide as follows.
(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,
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abuse, neglect or refusal cannot or will not be remedied by the
parent.
***
(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
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. § 2511(a)(2), (b).
We first address whether the trial court abused its discretion by
terminating Father’s parental rights pursuant to Section 2511(a)(2).
In order to terminate parental rights pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S.[] §
2511(a)(2), the following three elements must be met: (1)
repeated and continued incapacity, abuse, neglect or refusal; (2)
such incapacity, abuse, neglect or refusal has caused the child to
be without essential parental care, control or subsistence
necessary for his physical or mental well-being; and (3) the
causes of the incapacity, abuse, neglect or refusal cannot or will
not be remedied.
In re Adoption of M.E.P., 825 A.2d 1266, 1272 (Pa. Super. 2003) (citation
omitted). “The grounds for termination due to parental incapacity that cannot
be remedied are not limited to affirmative misconduct. To the contrary, those
grounds may include acts of refusal as well as incapacity to perform parental
duties.” In re A.L.D., 797 A.2d 326, 337 (Pa. Super. 2002) (citations
omitted).
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The main thrust of Father’s argument centers on his allegation that DHS
failed to provide clear and convincing evidence to support the termination of
his parental rights, namely, that the “causes of the incapacity, abuse, neglect
or refusal [were] not … remedied.” Father’s brief at 6. Rather, he claims that
he completed parenting classes, healthy relationship classes, and a housing
workshop. He also asserts that he attended mental health treatment, was
employed, visited with Child and that because he had negative drug screens,
he did not need any drug or alcohol treatment.
What Father fails to note is that he, through his attorney, stipulated to
the facts alleged in the termination/goal change petitions, which together with
the testimony of Mr. King was the basis for the trial court’s findings. The brief
filed by DHS cites two cases that support the trial court’s reliance on the
stipulation of facts. Specifically, DHS’s brief states:
“A stipulation of facts is binding upon the hearing tribunal
as well as the parties to the stipulation. As a general rule, once a
stipulation of facts has been effectively entered into, there can be
no valid contention or conclusion that facts within the scope of the
stipulation are unsupported by substantial evidence. In sum, facts
effectively stipulated to are controlling and conclusive.”
Kostecky v. Mattern, 452 A.2d 100, 104 (Pa. Cmwlth. 1982)
(internal citations omitted). “Evidence admitted by stipulation or
consent of both parties is fully competent and accorded full
weight.” Jones v. Spidle, 286 A.2d 366, 367-68 (Pa. 1971)
(internal citations omitted).
DHS’s brief at 19. We have not found any cases that contradict these
statements of the law. Moreover, based on our review of the record, we
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conclude that the trial court’s decision was supported by competent evidence
and Father’s arguments to the contrary are without merit.
Next, we address Father’s second issue, wherein he argues that the
termination of his parental rights was not in Child’s best interest as delineated
under Section 2511(b). We have discussed the required analysis under
Section 2511(b) previously in this memorandum. See In re Adoption of
J.M., 991 A.2d at 324. However, Father’s sole contention is that because he
consistently visited with Child, the trial court erred in terminating his parental
rights. This statement is contrary to the court’s finding, based on Mr. King’s
testimony that Father “failed to achieve his SCP objectives which included …
visits with [] Child.” TCO at 4. Moreover, our review of the record reveals
that Father’s visits with Child decreased over time from frequent,
unsupervised periods to supervised, bi-weekly, line-of-sight and line-of-
hearing visits. Furthermore, Mr. King testified that Child would not be
irreparably harmed if Father’s parental rights were terminated and that Child
had a good bond with the pre-adoptive kinship parent. Again, we conclude
that based upon the record, Father is not entitled to any relief.
Lastly, we turn to Father’s issue concerning the goal change to adoption
for Child. Father’s brief contains a recitation of the law relating to a goal
change and then he simply argues then he has consistently visited Child and
was receiving mental health treatment. The transcript of the termination/goal
change hearing shows that Child, who was five years old at the time of the
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hearing, had been in care approximately 2½ years. N.T., 9/11/18, at 4.
Moreover, based upon Mr. King’s testimony, Father was “not fully compliant
with his [SCP] objectives, including mental health, housing, supervised
visitation and remaining out of incarceration[.]” Id. at 6. Mr. King also
concluded that it would be in Child’s best interests to be adopted. Id. at 7.
Based on the stipulation of facts and this testimony, the court concluded that
under the circumstances, it was appropriate to order a goal change to
adoption. Id.
This Court’s standard of review involving a goal change for a dependent
child is as follows:
In cases involving a court’s order changing the placement
goal … to adoption, our standard of review is abuse of discretion.
In re N.C., 909 A.2d 818, 822 (Pa. Super. 2006). To hold that
the trial court abused its discretion, we must determine its
judgment was “manifestly unreasonable,” that the court
disregarded the law, or that its action was “a result of partiality,
prejudice, bias or ill will.” Id. (quoting In re G.P.-R., 851 A.2d
967, 973 (Pa. Super. 2004)). While this Court is bound by the
facts determined in the trial court, we are not tied to the court’s
inferences, deductions and conclusions; we have a “responsibility
to ensure that the record represents a comprehensive inquiry and
that the hearing judge has applied the appropriate legal principles
to that record.” In re A.K., 906 A.2d 596, 599 (Pa. Super. 2006).
Therefore, our scope of review is broad. Id.
In re S.B., 943 A.2d 973, 977 (Pa. Super. 2008).
Pursuant to the Juvenile Act, 42 Pa.C.S. § 6351(f), when considering a
petition for goal change for a dependent child, the juvenile court is to consider,
inter alia: (1) the continuing necessity for and appropriateness of the
placement; (2) the extent of compliance with the family service plan; (3) the
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extent of progress made towards alleviating the circumstances which
necessitated the original placement; (4) the appropriateness and feasibility of
the current placement goal for the children; and (5) a likely date by which the
goal for the child might be achieved. In re S.B., 943 A.2d at 977. The best
interests of the child, and not the interests of the parent, must guide the trial
court. Id. at 978.
Our review of the record in this case and the statutory directives
governing a goal change support the conclusion that reunification of Child with
Father is not a realistic goal. Father is primarily seeking to have this Court
reweigh the evidence in a light more favorable to him. However, it is beyond
our purview to disturb the credibility determinations of the trial court when
the testimony relied upon is supported in the record. The trial court was free
to conclude that Father was unlikely to remedy the issues in the near future;
thus, the permanency needs of Child dictate changing her goal to adoption.
We are compelled to conclude that the trial court did not err in ordering the
change of goal to adoption.
Decrees affirmed.
Judgment Entered.
Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary
Date: 4/17/19
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