In the Interest of: K.N.H., a Minor ( 2016 )

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NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
In the Interest of: K.N.H. a/k/a K.H., : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
a Minor, : PENNSYLVANIA
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APPEAL OF: S.K.D. a/k/a S.G. a/k/a :
S.K.G. a/k/a S.D., a Mother, : No. 1724 EDA 2015
Appeal from the Order May 11, 2015
in the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County,
Family Court Division, No(s): CP-51-AP-0000712-2014;
CP-51-DP-0001129-2013; FID: 51-FN-002207-2013
BEFORE: GANTMAN, P.J., MUNDY and MUSMANNO, JJ.
MEMORANDUM BY MUSMANNO, J.: FILED JANUARY 28, 2016
S.K.D. a/k/a S.G. a/k/a S.K.G. a/k/a S.D. (“Mother”) appeals from the
Order granting the Petition filed by the Department of Human Services
(“DHS”) to involuntarily terminate her parental rights to her minor child,
K.N.H. a/k/a K.H. (“Child”), a daughter born in August 2011, pursuant to 23
Pa.C.S.A. § 2511(a)(1), (2), (5), (8), and (b).1 We affirm.
The trial court aptly summarized the factual and procedural history of
this case, which we adopt for the purposes of this appeal. See Trial Court
Opinion, 9/9/15, at 1-5.
Relevantly, in May 2013, DHS received a report from General
Protective Services that Mother was found passed out in a shopping mall
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DHS also included M.H. (“Father”) in its Petition for involuntary termination
of parental rights. In May 2015, Father signed voluntary relinquishment
petitions.
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bathroom while with Child, who was two years old at the time. Mother was
transported to the hospital, and it was determined that she had overdosed
on heroin. Mother left the hospital that day against medical advice. DHS
obtained an Order of Protective Custody, and Child was temporarily placed
at Baring House before being placed with her paternal grandparents. On
June 10, 2013, the Child was adjudicated dependent.
In the approximately 2 years that followed, Mother was incarcerated
on three separate occasions. Mother refused to participate in visitations with
Child while she was in prison. While Child was in the custody of DHS,
Mother did not complete her Family Service Plan (“FSP”) objectives and only
visited Child 7 times.
In December 2014, DHS filed an Involuntary Termination of Parental
Rights (“ITPR”) Petition under 23 Pa.C.S.A. § 2511(a)(1), (2), (5), (8) and
(b).
The trial court conducted a hearing on the Petition on May 11, 2015.
As Mother was in prison awaiting trial, she participated via telephone.
After hearing the evidence, the trial court terminated Mother’s parental
rights under 23 Pa.C.S.A. § 2511(a)(1), (2), (5), (8) and (b). Mother filed a
timely Notice of Appeal and a Pennsylvania Rule of Appellate Procedure
1925(b) Concise Statement.
On appeal, Mother raises the following questions for our review:
I. Whether the trial court committed reversible error when it
involuntarily terminated Mother’s parental rights where such
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determination was not supported by clear and convincing
evidence under [] 23 Pa.C.S.A. § 2511(a)(1), (2), (5), and (8)?
II. Whether the trial court committed reversible error when it
involuntarily terminated Mother’s parental rights without giving
primary consideration to the effect that the termination would
have on the developmental, physical and emotional needs of
[C]hild as required by [] 23 Pa.C.S.A. § 2511(b)?
Mother’s Brief at 4.
We review an appeal from the termination of parental rights in
accordance with the following standard:
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
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).
Termination of parental rights is controlled by section 2511 of the
Adoption Act. See 23 Pa.C.S.A. § 2511. The burden is upon the petitioner
“to prove by clear and convincing evidence that its asserted grounds for
seeking the termination of parental rights are valid.” In re R.N.J., 985 A.2d
273, 276 (Pa. Super. 2009). “[C]lear 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.” Id. (citation and quotation marks omitted).
Further, the “trial court is free to believe all, part, or none of the evidence
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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 the 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).
Satisfaction of any one subsection of Section 2511(a), along with
consideration of Section 2511(b), is sufficient for the involuntary termination
of parental rights. In re B.L.W., 843 A.2d 380, 384 (Pa. Super. 2004) (en
banc). In this case, we will review the trial court’s decision to terminate
Mother’s parental rights based upon Section 2511(a)(1) and (b), which state
the following:
§ 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:
(1) The parent by conduct continuing for a period of at
least six months immediately preceding the filing of the
petition either has evidenced a settled purpose of
relinquishing parental claim to a child or has refused or
failed to perform parental duties.
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(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
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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.A. § 2511.
Parental rights may be terminated pursuant to Section
2511(a)(1) if the parent either demonstrates a settled purpose
of relinquishing parental claim to a child or fails to perform
parental duties. … [P]arental duty is best understood in relation
to the needs of a child. … [T]his court has held that the parental
obligation is a positive duty which requires affirmative
performance. This affirmative duty … requires a continuing
interest in the child and a genuine effort to maintain
communication and association with the child.
In the Interest of J.T., 983 A.2d 771, 776-77 (Pa. Super. 2009) (internal
quotations and citations omitted).
In regard to incarceration and the preservation of parental rights, we
have stated the following:
[I]ncarceration of a parent does not, in itself, provide sufficient
grounds for termination of parental rights; however, an
incarcerated parent’s responsibilities are not tolled during [her]
incarceration. … [P]arental duty requires that the parent not
yield to every problem, but must act affirmatively, with good
faith interest and effort, to maintain the parent-child relationship
to the best of [her] ability, even in difficult circumstances.
In the Interest of C.S., 761 A.2d 1197, 1201 (Pa. Super. 2000) (citations
omitted); see also In re S.P., 47 A.3d 817, 828 (Pa. 2012). 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.
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In re K.Z.S., 946 A.2d 753, 759 (Pa. Super. 2008) (citations omitted).
In her first claim, Mother asserts that the trial court erred in granting
the ITPR Petition because DHS did not satisfy by clear and convincing
evidence that her parental rights should be terminated under Section
2511(a). Mother’s Brief at 9. As to the requirements of subsection (a)(1),
Mother argues that she completed her FSP objectives by participating in
parenting classes, anger management classes, and an in-patient drug and
alcohol program while she was in prison. Id. at 12. Mother claims that she
declined visitation with Child while she was in prison because she did not
think it was in Child’s best interests. Id. Mother also claims that she
maintained communication with Child by sending letters and cards, and by
asking Child’s paternal grandparents and DHS about Child’s welfare. Id. at
12-13.
The trial court appropriately applied Section 2511(a)(1) to this case,
and we adopt its Opinion as to that subsection for the purposes of this
appeal.2 See Trial Court Opinion, 9/9/15, at 7-8; see also In re B., N.M.,
856 A.2d 847, 858 (Pa. Super. 2004) (concluding that father showed a
settled purpose of relinquishing his parental rights where he sat idle for most
of child’s life while mother performed all parental duties, and that father’s
wish to not have his “parental rights terminated was insufficient to protect
2
Additionally, we note that Mother’s only explanation for her conduct was
that she “had a few bad years.” N.T., 5/11/15, at 38.
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those rights without acting affirmatively to foster a parental relationship with
[c]hild during his incarceration.”).
In her second claim, Mother argues that the trial court failed to give
proper consideration of the effect of termination of her rights on Child’s
needs and welfare according to Section 2511(b). Mother’s Brief at 14.
Mother asserts that DHS social worker Molly McNeill’s (“McNeill”) testimony
that Child had no bond with Mother was inappropriate because McNeill only
supervised one visit. Id. at 15.
The trial court set forth the relevant law regarding Section 2511(b),
and determined that it was in Child’s best interest to terminate Mother’s
parental rights. See Trial Court Opinion, 9/9/15, at 12-13; see also In re
T.S.M., 71 A.3d 251, 268 (Pa. 2013) (stating that “courts considering
termination must also consider whether the children are in a pre-adoptive
home and whether they have a bond with their foster parents.”). Upon our
review, the trial court appropriately applied Section 2511(b) to this case,
and we adopt its Opinion for the purposes of this appeal. See Trial Court
Opinion, 9/9/15, at 12-13.
Based upon the foregoing, the trial court did not err in granting the
ITPR Petition.
Order affirmed.
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Judgment Entered.
Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary
Date: 1/28/2016
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Circulated 01/08/2016 03:00 PM
THE FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA, PHILADELPHIA COUNTY
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
IN RE: K.H., a Minor FAMILY COURT DIVISION
JUVENILE BRANCH-DEPENDENCY
CP-51-DP-0001129-2013
FN-002207-2013
Superior Court# 1724 EDA2015
APPEAL OF:
S.K.D. a/kla, S.G. a/k/a, S.K.G. a/k/a, S.D., Mother
OPINION
INTRODUCTION
S.K.D. a/k/a S.G. a/k/a, S.K.G. a/k/a S.D. ("Mother") appeals from the Decree ,
and Order entered by this Court on May 11, 2015, granting the Petition filed by the
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Philadelphia Department of Human Services ('DHS") involuntarily terminating her
parental rights to her minor female child, K.H. ("Child"). After a full Hearing on the
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merits, this Court found that clear and convincing evidence was presented to terminate .
the parental rights of Mother.1 As discussed in greater detail below, the trial court I
terminated Mother's parental rights because Mother, during nearly two (2) years that the
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Child was in the custody of DHS, did not complete her Family Service Plan ("FSP")
objectives, made little effort to be involved with her Child while incarcerated nor did she I
maintain a relationship with the Child during the brief time periods when she was not in I
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Father's parental rights were also subsequently terminated pursuant to his signing voluntary
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relinquishments . I
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custody. Furthermore, the Child, who was 4 years old at the time of the hearing, was I
doing well in the pre-adoptive home of her paternal grandparents. .,
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TERMINATION HEARING I
On December 30, 2014, DHS filed a Petition to Involuntarily Terminate Mother's
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Parental Rights. On May 11, 2015, this Court heard testimony on DHS's Petition to
Terminate Mother's Parental Rights.
The City Solicitor first presented the testimony from D.H.S. social worker i
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Molly McNeill who was found to be a credible witness by this Court. Ms. McNeill I
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testified that on May 30, 2013 DHS received a General Protective Services ("GPS")
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report that Mother, while with her two year old daughter, was found passed out in a
bathroom at the Gallery Shopping Mall in Philadelphia. (N.T. 5/11/2015, p. 11). Mother : I
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was transported to Thomas Jefferson Hospital by paramedics who initially feared that
she was dead due to her being unresponsive. (N.T. 5/11/2015, p. 11). It was
determined that Mother's condition was a result of a heroin overdose, however she left
the hospital that same day against medical advice. (N.T. 5/11/2015, p. 22). The Child
was placed temporarily at the Baring House and then with her grandparents. (N.T.
5/11/2015, p. 12).
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On June 10, 2013, the Child was adjudicated Dependent. (DRO 6/10/2013, DHS
Exhibit 2). On that date, Mother was ordered to take a forthwith drug screen and
assessment with three random screens before the next court date. (DRO 6/10/2013). On
June 10, 2013, Mother tested positive for marijuana. Mother was incarcerated in Berks
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County Prison from June 21, 2013 until July 5, 2013. (N.T. 5/11/2015, p. 13). Initial FSP
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I Objectives were established for Mother in July 2013. Mother was to engage in drug and
alcohol treatment, maintain recovery and follow all recommendations for her recovery.
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i (N.T. 5/11/2015, p. 12). Ms. McNeill testified that she got in contact with Mother on
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I July 26, 2013, following her release from prison at which time Mother was offered
I supervised bi-weekly visits. (N.T. 5/11/2015, p.13). Mother failed to avail herself of the
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I opportunity to visit with her Child. (N.T. 5/11/2015, p.29). A supervised visit was
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arranged for Mother and took place on August 10, 2013. (N.T. 5/11/2015, pp.13-14). I
I! Mother did not visit her Child again until December 2, 2013. (N.T. 5/11/2015, pp.13-14). I
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Additionally, Ms. McNeill testified that Mother did not avail herself of any of the Court-
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Ordered drug screens since testing positive for marijuana in June 2013.
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On February 5, 2014, Mother was again incarcerated in Lebanon County Jail.
(N.T. 5/11/2015, p. 15). In June 2014, an FSP meeting was held in which Mother
participated in by phone. (N.T. 5/11/2015, p. 23). At that time Ms. McNeill spoke with
Mother by phone about her FSP objectives and mailed her a copy of her objectives. (N.T.
5/11/2015, p. 23). On September 12, 2014, Mother was released from Lebanon County
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Jail. (N.T. 5/11/2015, p.15). During her incarceration, Mother chose not to participate in
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I any visitation with her Child. (N.T. 5/11/2015, pp.15-16). After being released from
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i incarceration, Mother was admitted into an inpatient drug and alcohol detox program
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l which she completed. Mother was then admitted to a rehabilitation program on October I
\ 2 9, 2015, butleft against staff advice on November 6, 2014. (N.T. 5/1 1/2015, p. l 7.
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\ Ms. McNeill also testified that upon her release from Lebanon County Jail in I
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September 2014, Mother was offered supervised visits with the Child at the agency. (N.T.
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5/11/2015, p.16). Despite being offered this opportunity, Mother only visited her Child
two (2) times in November 2014, two (2) times in December 2014 and one (1) time in
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January 2015. (N.T. 5/11/2015, p. 17).
Ms. McNeill testified that additional FSP objectives were added for Mother which I
included parenting, housing, visitation and to comply with Court Orders and conditions
of probation. (N.T. 5/11/2015, p.18). Ms. McNeill stated that she never received any
documentation that Mother had completed any drug and alcohol programs. (N.T.
5/11/2015, pp.17-18, 20). Additionally, Ms. McNeill testified that Mother had several
different addresses and did not have stable housing. (N.T. 5/11/2015, p.18).
On January 12, 2015, Mother was again arrested and incarcerated for Aggravated
Assault, Theft by Receiving Stolen Property, Driving Under the Influence, Fleeing Police
and related offenses. (N.T. 5/11/2015, p.20).
Finally, Ms. McNeill testified that, in her opinion, the Child would not suffer any
irreparable harm if Mother's rights were to be involuntarily terminated. (N.T. 5/11/2015,
p.21). Ms. McNeill based her opinion upon the fact that the Child was well bonded with
her grandparents who were meeting all of her needs. (N.T. 5/11/2015, pp.21-23). To the
contrary, the Child had no bond with Mother who had only seen the Child seven times in
nearly two (2) years. (N.T. 5/11/2015, pp.21-24). Based upon these facts, Ms. McNeill
concluded that it would be in the Child's best interest to be adopted. (N.T. 5/11/2015, pp.
21-22).
Mother also testified via phone at which time she admitted that she never
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completed a drug and alcohol program. (N.T. 5/11/2015, p.36). She testified that she was
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in an inpatient program for about 3 weeks but left because she was angry. (N.T. I
5/11/2015, p.37). Furthermore, in reference to her Child's placement, Mother testified . '·I
that she recognized that her daughter was where she needed to be and that her Child had I
stability with her grandparents. (N.T. 5/11/2015, pp. 38-39). At the end of the Hearing,
this Court granted D HS' s Petition to Terminate Parental Rights of Mother. I
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APPELLANT'S ARGUMENTS
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In her Statement of Matters Complained of on Appeal, Mother avers the
following: I
1. The trial court abused its discretion and committed legal error in terminating
mother's parental rights since the Department of Human Services did not meet
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its burden by clear and convincing evidence of establishing sufficient grounds
that mother had evidenced a settled purpose of relinquishing a claim to her I
child or had refused or failed to perform parental duties under 23 Pa.C.S.
§2511 (a)(l). I
2. The trial court abused its discretion and committed legal error in terminating
mother's parental rights since the Department of Human Services did not meet:
its burden by clear and convincing evidence of establishing sufficient grourids ·
under 23 Pa.C.S.§2511 (a)(2).
3. The trial court abused its discretion and committed legal error in terminating
mother's parental rights under 23 Pa.C.S.§251 l(a)(5) because the Department
of Human Services to prove by clear and convincing evidence the present and
continued incapacity of mother to provide essential care necessary for her
child's physical and mental well-being.
4. The trial court abused its discretion and committed legal error in terminating
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mother's parental rights under 23 Pa.C.S.§251 l(a)(8) because the Department
of Human Services to prove by clear and convincing evidence that the
conditions which led to the child's placement continued to exist.
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5. The trial court did err in terminating mother's parental rights since the
Department of Human Services did not meet its burden by clear and
convincing evidence of showing that the best interest of the child was served
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by terminating mother's parental rights pursuant to Section 2511 (b) of the J
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Adoption Act. I
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! STANDARD OF REVIEW
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I When reviewing an Appeal from a Decree terminating parental rights, an I
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I Appellate Court is limited to determining whether the decision of the Trial Court is I
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I' supported by competent evidence. Absent an abuse of discretion, an error of law, or
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i insufficient evidentiary support for the Trial Court's decision, the Decree must stand.
i' Where a Trial Court has granted a Petition to Involuntarily Terminate Parental Rights, an
Appellate Court must accord the hearing judge's decision the same deference that it
would give to a jury verdict. The Pennsylvania Superior Court need only agree with a·
Trial Court's decision as to any one subsection under 23 Pa.C.S.A. §251 l(a) in order to
I' affirm a termination of parental rights. In re D.A.T., 91 A.3d 197 (Pa. Super. 2014).
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i A. The Trial CourtProperlyFound that the Departmentof HumanServices
Met Its Burden by Clearand Convincing Evidence To TerminateMother's
ParentalRights Pursuantto 23 Pa.C.S.A. §2511(a)(l), (2), (5) and (8).
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I Termination of parental rights is governed by 23 Pa.C.S.A. §2511. In termination
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cases, the burden is upon DHS to prove by clear and convincing evidence that its asserted •·
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I! grounds for seeking termination of parental rights are valid. In the Interest ofB.C. ,36.
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i A.3d 601, (Pa. Super. 2012). In the instant case, DHS's Petition asked the Court to
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II terminate Mother's parental rights under §251 l(a)(l),(2), (5), and (8). In light of
I Mother's failure for two (2) years to meet her FSP objectives, her decision not to be
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involved in the life of the Child while incarcerated, and her minimal efforts to establish
and maintain a relationship with the Child during the brief period time that she was not I
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incarcerated, the Trial Court properly granted DHS's Petition to Terminate.
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1. The Trial Courtproperlygrantedthe Petition pursuantto 23 Pa.C.S.A
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§2511(a)(l). l
Section 2511(a)(l) provides that "parental rights may be terminated, if, for a period of I
at least six months, a parent either demonstrates a settled purpose of relinquishing -I
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parental claim to a child or fails to perform parental duties." In the Interest of J.T., 983
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A.2d 771 (Pa. Super. 2009).
The Trial Court found clear and convincing evidence that Mother demonstrated a
settled purpose of relinquishing parental claim to the Child and failed to perform any
parental duties. Mother was incarcerated for half of the Child's life during which times -1
she chose not to be involved in her Child's life. Mother was offered supervised visits with
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her Child when she was not incarcerated. Despite being offered supervised visits at the
agency, Mother only visited her Child seven (7) times.
Mother's refusal to parent was also demonstrated by the fact that Mother failed to
comply with her FSP objectives. Mother failed to obtain suitable housing for her Child.
Most importantly, Mother, by her own admission, never completed her major goal of
completing drug and alcohol treatment. Mother completed a detox program but then left
an inpatient rehabilitation program after 3 weeks because she was angry. Also, as stated
above, Mother failed to participate in visitation with her Child. These minimal objectives
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would have demonstrated Mother's interest in caring for her Child. However, Mother
made little if any effort to fulfill these objectives.
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Mother was incarcerated during half of the lifetime of the Child. While !
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incarceration alone is not sufficient to support termination under any subsection,
"parental responsibilities are not tolled during incarceration." In re: D.J.S., 1999 PA
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Super 214, 737 A.2d 283, 286 (Pa. Super. 1999). Further, "[a] parent desiring to retain
parental rights must exert himself to take and maintain a place of importance in his
child's life." Adoption of Baby Boy A., 512 Pa 517, 517 A.2d 1244, 1246 (Pa. 1986).
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With respect to failure to perform parental duties under subsection (a)(l), as well as
incapability under subsection (a)(2), the Court must inquire whether the parent, while
incarcerated, utilized those resources available while he or she was in prison to maintain
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a close relationship with the child. Id.
Mother did not utilize any resource available to her to maintain a relationship with
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her Child. Mother's refusal to comply with her minimal FSP objectives and to maintain a
relationship with the Child demonstrated incapacity, abuse, neglect, or refusal which
caused the Child to be without essential parental care. See In re: Adoption of W.J.R., I
2008 Pa. Super. 131, 952 A.2d 680, 682-683 (Pa. Super. 2008)(affirming trial court's
decision to terminate parental rights of incarcerated father).
Consequently, this Court concluded that Mother demonstrated a settled purpose of
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relinquishing parental claim to the Child and failed to perform her parental duties. For
these reasons, the trial court found that DHS met its burden under 23 Pa.C.S.A. §2511 (a)
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2. The Trial Court properly granted the Petition to Terminate Parental Rights
pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S.A. § 251l(a) (2).
Section 251 l(a) (2) requires that "repeated and continued incapacity, abuse, neglect
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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, abuse, neglect or refusal cannot or will not be remedied by the
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parent." 23 Pa.C.S.A. §251 l(a) (2). These grounds are not limited to affirmative
misconduct; "to the contrary those grounds may include acts of refusal as well as I
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incapacity to perform parental duties." In Re: N.A.M., 33 A.3d 95 (Pa. Super. 2011). I
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The Supreme Court, in In re Geiger, 459 Pa. 636, 331 A.2d 172, 174 (1975), l
enunciated the fundamental test in termination of parental rights under what is now
251 l(a)(2) as requiring the Petitioner to prove "(l ) repeated and continued incapacity,
abuse, neglect or refusal; (2) that such incapacity, abuse, neglect or refusal caused the
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child to be without essential parental care, control or subsistence; and (3) that the causes
of the incapacity, abuse, neglect or refusal cannot or will not be remedied." See also In
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re: Adoption of K.J., 938 Pa. Super at 1133.
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The grounds for termination of parental rights under 23 Pa.C.S.A. 2511 (a) (2), due to
parental incapacity that cannot be remedied, are "not limited to affirmative misconduct."
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Unlike §2511( a)(l ), §2511( a)(2) does not emphasize a parent's refusal or failure to I
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perform parental duties, but instead emphasizes the child's present and future need for I
essential parental care, control or subsistence necessary for his physical or mental well-
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being. In re Z.P ., 994 A.2d 1108 (Pa. Super. 2010). I
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Parental duty requires that the parent act affirmatively with a good faith interest and
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effort, and not yield to every problem, in order to maintain the parent-child relationship to
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the best of his or her ability, even in difficult circumstances. In re E.M., 908 A.2d 297
(Pa. Super. 2006). In other words, a trial court can find an incapacity to parent by finding
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affirmative misconduct, acts of refusal to parent as well as an incapacity to parent. In re:
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S.C.B., 990 A.2d 762 (Pa. Super. 2010). I
As discussed above, the Trial Court found that Mother evidenced both an incapacity I
and refusal to parent. The Mother's failure to maintain a relationship with the Child 'l
when the Child was in foster care demonstrated her incapacity and refusal to parent. In lI
addition, there is no question that Mother's failure to maintain contact with the Child
demonstrated that Mother left her young Child without parental care necessary for her
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physical or mental well-being.
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Finally, the Court was not persuaded that Mother could resolve her dependency issues
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in the near future. Mother had never obtained suitable housing for the Child and was not
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receiving necessary drug and alcohol treatment. Further, Mother never demonstrated that
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she was able to provide proper parental care for her Child. At the time of the Termination ,I
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Hearing, Mother was back in prison awaiting Trial on charges of Aggravated Assault,
Theft by Receiving Stolen Property, Driving Under the Influence, Fleeing Police and
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related offenses.
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A child's life may not be put on hold in the hope that the parent will summon the
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ability to handle the responsibilities of parenting. In re: Adoption of M.E.P ., 825 A.2d
1266 (Pa.Super. 2003). Mother has shown a "repeated and continued incapacity and
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refusal" to parent the Child. This Court finds that Mother will not be able to resolve the
dependency issues in the near future. Consequently, for all of the above reasons this
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Court terminated Mother's parental rights pursuant to §251 l(a) (2).
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3. The Trial Courtproperly grantedthe Petition to TerminateParentalRights J
Pursuantto 23 Pa.C.S.A. §251l(a)(S) and (a)(8).
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Termination of Parental Rights under Section 2511(a)(5) requires that: (1) the child
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has been removed from parental care for at least six months; (2) the conditions which led
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to removal and placement of the child continue to exist; and (3) termination of parental l
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rights would best serve the needs and welfare of the child. 23 Pa.C.S.A. §251 l(a)(5).
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The requirements to terminate pursuant to section 251 l(a)(8) are similar. "[T]o I
terminate parental rights pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S.A. §251 l(a)(8), the following factors must
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be demonstrated: ( 1) the child has been removed from parental care for 12 months or
more from the date of removal; (2) the conditions which led to the removal or placement
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of the child continue to exist; and (3) termination of parental rights would best serve the
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needs and welfare of the child." In re: K.T.E.L., 983 A.2d 745 (Pa. Super. 2009).
The Court found clear and convincing evidence to terminate Mother's parental
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rights pursuant to Sections 251 l(a)(5) and (a)(8) for the same reasons discussed above. I
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In addition, the Court found it was in the Child's best interests to terminate Mother's
rights because the Child was residing in a pre-adoptive home for nearly two (2) years and
was bonded with her grandparents who were meeting all her needs.
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B. The Trial CourtProperlyFound That Terminationof Mother'sParental II
Rights was in the Child'sBest Interestsand That OHS Met Its Burden
Pursuantto 23 Pa.C.S.A. §251l(b). I!
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After the Trial Court finds that the statutory grounds for termination have been
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satisfied, it must then determine whether the termination of parental rights serves the best i
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interests of the child pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S.A. §251 l(b). In the Matter of the Adoption of
C.A.W. and A.A.W .. 453 Pa. Super. 277, 683 A.2d 911, 917-18 (Pa. Super. 1996). In
terminating the rights of a parent, the Court "shall give primary consideration to the
developmental, physical and emotional needs and welfare of the child." 23 Pa.C.S.A. 1
§2511(b). "Section 2511(b) centers judicial inquiry upon the welfare of the child rather l
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than the fault of the parent." In re K.Z.S., 946 A.2d 753 (Pa.Super. 2008). Further, I
"[ojne major aspect of the needs and welfare analysis concerns the nature and status of
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the emotional bond between parent and child. In re: C.T. and G.T.F., 944 A.2d 779 I
(Pa.Super. 2008). II
The Child was two years old at the time of the hearing, and had resided in a pre- I
adoptive home with her grandparents nearly her entire life. Ms. McNeill testified that, in
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her opinion, the Child would not suffer any irreparable harm if Mother's rights were to· I
be involuntarily terminated. Ms. McNeill based her opinion upon the fact that the Child 1
was well bonded with her grandparents who were meeting all of her needs. To the
contrary, the Child had no bond with Mother who was incarcerated and had only seen the
Child seven times in nearly two years. Based upon these facts, this Court concluded that
it would be in the Child's best interest to be adopted. Additionally, Mother
acknowledged that her child was in a stable environment with her grandparents. Mother
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went so far as to say that when she got out of prison it was not her intention to remove .1
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Child from the grandparents care. I'
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Since the Child has spent approximately two (2) years in foster care, Mother has
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never cared for the Child, and the Child is in a nurturing and loving foster home, the
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developmental physical and emotional needs and welfare of the Child are best served by
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terminating Mother's parental rights.
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CONCLUSION
This Court finds that DHS met its burden by clear and convincing evidence for
terminating Mother's parental rights pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S.A. §25ll(a) and (b) and for I
the foregoing reasons, this Court respectfully requests that the Decree and Order of I
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May 11, 2015 terminating Mother's Parental Rights be Affirmed. I
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BY THE COURT:
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ALLANL~.~ i
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DATE
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CERTIFCATE OF SERVICE
I hereby certify that a true and correct copy of the foregoing Opinion is served
upon the following parties by the manner as designated: Family CourtDelivery Mail
Box.
Neal Masciantonio, Esq.
1 806 Callowhill Street
Philadelphia, PA 19130
Counsel for Mother, Appellant
Carlin Saafir. Esquire
Beggin & Greshes
1218 Chestnut si. Ste. 500
Philadelphia. PA 19107
Counsel for Father
Cynthia Keller, Esq.
Caitlin Dunston. Esq.
Phila Solicitor's Office
One Parkway, 1515 Arch St. 16111 flr.
Philadelphia, PA 19102
DHS Counsel
Regina Tuchinsky, Esq.
Patricia A. Korey, Esq.
Defenders Association
Child Advocacy Unit
1441 Sansom St
Philadelphia, PA
For Minor Child
ALLAN L. TERESHKO, Sr. J.
DATE