In the Int. of: D. H. Appeal of: T.H. ( 2019 )

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NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
IN THE INTEREST OF: D.H., A : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
MINOR : PENNSYLVANIA
:
:
APPEAL OF: T.H. AND E.H., :
PARENTS :
:
:
: No. 3125 EDA 2018
Appeal from the Order Entered September 19, 2018
In the Court of Common Pleas of Monroe County Juvenile Division at
No(s): CP-45-DP-0000055-2016
BEFORE: SHOGAN, J., MURRAY, J., and FORD ELLIOTT, P.J.E.
MEMORANDUM BY SHOGAN, J.: FILED APRIL 29, 2019
Appellants, T.H. (“Mother”) and E.H. (“Father”) (collectively “Parents”),
appeal from the permanency review order that continued the dependency and
foster care placement of their daughter, D.H. (“Child”), born in October of
2005. The order further denied Parents’ request that Child be returned to
their care and that her primary permanency goal be changed from subsidized
permanent legal custodianship (“SPLC”) back to reunification. After careful
review, we affirm.
The trial court fully set forth the facts of this case in its Pa.R.A.P. 1925(a)
opinion, but we summarize some of the relevant factual and procedural history
as follows. Trial Court Opinion, 12/18/18, at 1-10. Child was diagnosed with
oppositional defiant disorder (“ODD”) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity
disorder (“ADHD”), for which she was prescribed several medications and for
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which she has an individualized education program (“IEP”) at her school. N.T.,
6/29/18, at 8-9.
In 2016, Parents and Child lived with Paternal Grandmother in her
home. Id. at 10. In April that same year, Child, who had been prescribed
melatonin for sleep issues, ran out of medication. Mother went to a pharmacy
and, after consultation with a clerk about non-prescription medication,
purchased Benadryl. Trial Court Opinion, 12/18/18, at 1. Although Child was
under twelve years old, Mother administered a dosage intended for a twelve-
year-old. Id. As a result, Child became unconscious. Id. Mother attempted
to wake Child by slapping her, resulting in bruising over her right eye and on
her thigh. Id. When Child did not wake, Mother placed her in a cold shower
and alerted Father and Paternal Grandmother. Id. Rather than calling 911
or taking Child to the nearest hospital, the family drove Child to a regional
hospital further away. Id. At the hospital, Child’s body temperature was
measured at 94 degrees Fahrenheit. Id. A criminal investigation was
commenced, but no charges were filed as a result. Id. Nevertheless, a Child
Protective Services (“CPS”) investigation concluded with Mother’s indication
for causing injury to Child. Id.
After a shelter care hearing on April 19, 2016, Child was removed from
Parents’ custody and placed in foster care. Child was adjudicated dependent
on April 25, 2016, with an initial permanency goal of reunification.
Permanency review hearings were held in July of 2016, October of 2016,
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January of 2017, April of 2017, July of 2017, October of 2017, January of
2018, June of 2018, and August of 2018. The October 2017 permanency
order first established a primary permanent placement goal as SPLC, although
a concurrent goal remained reunification.1
Parents originally participated in programming through Justice Works
from July of 2016 through February of 2017. N.T., 6/29/18, at 47-48. The
programming consisted of nurturing parenting, case management, and visit
coaching. Id. Services were closed out in February of 2017 because Parents
had not made significant progress, and Child was not safe in the home at that
time. Id. at 67-68, 70.
Regarding Parents’ compliance, they have worked to address their
employment issues, attended therapy and received counseling, and attended
parenting classes. N.T., 6/29/18, at 44-45. Although there are no real safety
issues with the home itself, the Monroe County Office of Children and Family
Services (“CYS”) continued to have safety concerns regarding Parents’
interactions and behaviors. Id. at 9-10.
Child is anxious around Parents to the point that she picks her skin,
causing open wounds. Id. at 31, at 37, 41-42; N.T., 8/22/18, at 43-47, 55-
56. Child expressed anxiety to her caseworker about being alone with
Parents. N.T., 6/29/18, at 40. Child’s foster mother reported that after visits
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1 Parents did not appeal the goal change at that time.
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and telephone calls from Parents, Child has a spike in negative behavior, and
that she will sometimes refuse to answer the telephone if Parents call. Id. at
43.
On March 8, 2018, Parents filed a petition seeking to terminate Child’s
care plan, return Child to Parents’ care, or alternatively, to hold a hearing to
determine whether the permanency goal should be changed. Petition, 3/8/18,
at 1. Parents argued that they complied with the family service plans and that
they were being deprived of their rights under Pennsylvania law. Id. at 2.
Permanency review hearings concerning the petition were held on June 29,
2018, and August 22, 2018.2
Parents and Child’s guardian ad litem submitted briefs for the court’s
consideration. On September 18, 2018, the court entered the permanency
review order that is the subject of the instant appeal. The court found that
Child’s placement continued to be necessary and appropriate; Parents had
made moderate compliance with their permanency plan and towards
alleviating the circumstances necessitating the original placement; CYS had
made reasonable efforts to finalize Child’s permanency plan; reasonable
efforts were made to comply with the family finding requirements of
Pa.R.J.C.P. 1149; placement in the home was contrary to the welfare of Child;
____________________________________________
2 Anthony Quaranta, Amy Carr, Nancy Wenzel, and Marcia Coronata testified
for CYS. Child testified in camera. Parents called Ana Velez, Cherrell Gaynor,
and Paternal Grandmother to the stand and testified on their own behalf.
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Child’s placement was the least restrictive placement meeting the needs of
Child; and Child’s placement goal should continue as placement with a legal
custodian, with a concurrent goal of return to parent or guardian. Order,
9/18/18, at 1-3.
Parents timely appealed on October 17, 2018. Initially, they failed to
contemporaneously file their statement of errors complained of on appeal
pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 1925(a)(2)(i). The trial court issued an order on
October 18, 2018, allowing Parents ten days from the date of entry of the
order to file their statement. Parents complied and filed their statement of
errors that same day.3 The trial court filed its Pa.R.A.P. 1925(a) opinion on
December 18, 2018.
On appeal, Parents raise the following issues for our review:
A. Did the [c]ourt commit error at law or abuse its discretion by
making a finding not supported by the record when it found that
the parents’ compliance with the family services plan was
“moderate”?
B. Did the [c]ourt commit error at law or abuse its discretion by
making a finding not supported by the record when it found that
“[CYS] meets with the Parents and counselors together to discuss
concerns”?
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3 While the initial notice of appeal was defective, we need not dismiss the
instant appeal because Parents later filed their statement, there was no
allegation of prejudice from the late filing, and appellate review was not
impeded. In re K.T.E.L., 983 A.2d 745, 748 (Pa. Super. 2009); Cf. J.P. v.
S.P., 991 A.2d 904 (Pa. Super. 2010) (finding that the appellant waived issues
for appeal by failing to comply with the trial court’s order directing her to file
a Rule 1925(b) Statement within twenty-one days); cf. J.M.R. v. J.M. 1 A.3d
902 (Pa. Super. 2010) (finding the same, except as to an order of this Court).
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C. Did the [c]ourt commit error at law or abuse its discretion by
making a finding not supported by the record when it found that
“[t]here has been moderate progress toward alleviating the
circumstance which necessitated the original placement”?
D. Did the [c]ourt commit error at law or abuse its discretion by
making a finding not supported by the record when it found that
“[CYS] has satisfied the requirements of [Pa.R.J.C.P. 1149]
regarding [f]amily [f]inding”?
E. Did the [c]ourt commit error at law or abuse its discretion by
making a finding not supported by the record when it found that
visitation with [P]arents is adequate in that they have one
supervised visit weekly in the community?
F. Did the [c]ourt commit error at law or abuse its discretion by
making a finding not supported by the record by finding that
[C]hild remains dependent?
G. Did the [c]ourt commit error at law or abuse its discretion by
making a finding not supported by the record when it failed to
provide an opinion fully addressing and evaluating the body of
evidence submitted by Parents or relevant statutes, codes or legal
precedent?
H. Did the [c]ourt commit error at law or abuse its discretion by
making a finding not supported by the record or law when it found
that the “placement is the least restrictive placement that meets
the needs of the child and there is no less restrictive alternative
available, in that the child’s needs are being met[,”] where there
is another capable custodial parent (and Grandparent) available
and there was no family fact finding or family group decision
meeting held?
Parents’ Brief at 2-4.
With regard to dependency cases:
[t]he standard of review which this Court employs in cases of
dependency is broad. However, the scope of review is limited in
a fundamental manner by our inability to nullify the fact-finding of
the lower court. We accord great weight to this function of the
hearing judge because he is in the position to observe and rule
upon the credibility of the witnesses and the parties who appear
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before him. Relying upon his unique posture, we will not overrule
his findings if they are supported by competent evidence.
In re N.A., 116 A.3d 1144, 1148 (Pa. Super. 2015). Thus, we employ an
abuse of discretion standard. In re L.Z., 111 A.3d 1164, 1174 (Pa. 2015).
We have further noted:
[w]hen a child is adjudicated dependent, the child’s proper
placement turns on what is in the child’s best interest, not on what
the parent wants or which goals the parent has achieved.
Moreover, although preserving the unity of the family is a purpose
of the [Juvenile] Act, another purpose is to “provide for the care,
protection, safety, and wholesome mental and physical
development of children coming within the provisions of this
chapter.” 42 Pa.C.S. § 6301(b)(1.1). Indeed, “[t]he relationship
of parent and child is a status and not a property right, and one
in which the state has an interest to protect the best interest of
the child.”
In re K.C., 903 A.2d 12, 14-15 (Pa. Super. 2006) (some citations omitted).
When the court removes a child from his or her home, our Rules of Juvenile
Court Procedure provide that the court must determine whether “the child’s
placement is the least restrictive placement that meets the needs of the child,
supported by reasons why there are no less restrictive alternatives
available[.]” Pa.R.J.C.P. 1242(C)(3)(c); see also Pa.R.J.C.P. 1514(A)(2).
During a child’s dependency:
[t]he standard against which visitation is measured . . . depends
upon the goal mandated in the family service plan. Where . . .
reunification still remains the goal of the family service plan,
visitation will not be denied or reduced unless it poses a grave
threat. If . . . the goal is no longer reunification of the family,
then visitation may be limited or denied if it is in the best interests
of the child or children.
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In re C.B., 861 A.2d 287, 293 (Pa. Super. 2004) (quoting In re B.G., 774
A.2d 757, 760 (Pa. Super. 2001)).
Regarding the disposition of dependent children, the Juvenile Act (“the
Act”), 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 6351(e)-(g), provides the criteria for a permanency plan
and the review thereof. The Act provides that permanency review hearings
should be conducted within six months of removal from the parents’ care, and
within six months of each prior permanency hearing until the child is returned
to her parents or removed from the jurisdiction of the court. 42 Pa.C.S.
§ 6351(e)(3)(i). The purpose of these hearings is to review the permanency
plan of the child, determine the date by which the goal of permanency might
be achieved, and consider whether placement continues to be best suited to
the safety, protection, and physical, moral, and mental welfare of the child.
42 Pa.C.S. § 6351(e)(1). At the conclusion of the permanency review
hearings, the court must issue an order determining a disposition best suited
to the safety and protection, as well as the physical, mental, and moral welfare
of the child. 42 Pa.C.S. § 6351(g).
The Act provides, in relevant part, that the trial court should determine
the following at each permanency hearing:
(1) The continuing necessity for and appropriateness of the
placement.
(2) The appropriateness, feasibility and extent of compliance with
the permanency plan developed for the child.
(3) The extent of progress made toward alleviating the
circumstances which necessitated the original placement.
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(4) The appropriateness and feasibility of the current placement
goal for the child.
(5) The likely date by which the placement goal for the child might
be achieved.
(5.1) Whether reasonable efforts were made to finalize the
permanency plan in effect.
(6) Whether the child is safe.
* * *
(9) If the child has been in placement for at least 15 of the last 22
months or the court has determined that aggravated
circumstances exist and that reasonable efforts to prevent or
eliminate the need to remove the child from the child’s parent,
guardian or custodian or to preserve and reunify the family need
not be made or continue to be made, whether the county agency
has filed or sought to join a petition to terminate parental rights
and to identify, recruit, process and approve a qualified family to
adopt the child unless:
(i) the child is being cared for by a relative best suited to
the physical, mental and moral welfare of the child;
(ii) the county agency has documented a compelling reason
for determining that filing a petition to terminate parental
rights would not serve the needs and welfare of the child;
or
(iii) the child’s family has not been provided with necessary
services to achieve the safe return to the child’s parent,
guardian or custodian within the time frames set forth in the
permanency plan.
* * *
(12) If the child has been placed with a caregiver, whether the
child is being provided with regular, ongoing opportunities to
participate in age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate
activities. In order to make the determination under this
paragraph, the county agency shall document the steps it has
taken to ensure that:
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(i) the caregiver is following the reasonable and prudent
parent standard; and
(ii) the child has regular, ongoing opportunities to engage in
age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate activities.
The county agency shall consult with the child regarding
opportunities to engage in such activities ... .
42 Pa.C.S. § 6351(f). Based upon the analysis made under Subsection (f),
the trial court should determine the appropriate placement for the child. 42
Pa.C.S. § 6351(f)(.1). A trial court is not required to itemize its findings as
long as it considers the various factors of Section 6351(f), concludes that
reunification is not the appropriate placement goal, and provides reasons for
its conclusion that are supported by the record. In re R.J.T., 9 A.3d 1179,
1190 (Pa. 2010). During permanency reviews, the statute mandates a focus
on the child’s best interests, and the safety, permanency, and well-being of
the child take precedence over all other considerations. In re S.B., 943 A.2d
973, 978 (Pa. Super. 2008); In Interest of: T.J.J.M., 190 A.3d 618, 623-
624 (Pa. Super. 2018).
With regard to the definition of “reasonable efforts,”
[b]ecause the focus of the Juvenile Act is on the dependent child,
as opposed to parents, any services for parents must directly
promote the best interests of the child. In re J.R., 875 A.2d
[1111, 1118 (Pa. Super. 2005]. “By requiring only ‘reasonable
efforts’ to reunify a family, the statute recognizes that there are
practical limitations to such efforts.” Id. at 1118, n. 5 (citing 43
Pa.C.S. §§ 6351(e) & (f)). “It is not sufficient for the court to find
simply that an action will promote family reunification; the court
must also determine whether the action constitutes a reasonable
effort towards reunification.” Id. (emphasis in original). This
Court has stressed that the agency is not expected to do the
impossible and is not a “guarantor of the success of the efforts to
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help parents assume their parental duties.” In re A.L.D., 797
A.2d 326, 340 (Pa. Super. 2002) (citing In re J.W., [578 A.2d
952, 959 (Pa. Super. 1990)]).
In Interest of C.K., 165 A.3d 935, 942 (Pa. Super. 2017). The first eighteen
months of a child’s placement is crucial for establishing services. Id. at 944.
Additionally, during dependency cases, the Rules of Juvenile Court
Procedure require that the trial court engage in family finding, in relevant part,
in the following manner:
A. Court’s inquiry and determination.
(1) The court shall inquire as to the efforts made by the county
agency to comply with the family finding requirements pursuant
to 62 P.S. § 1301 et seq.
(2) The court shall place its determinations on the record as to
whether the county agency has reasonably engaged in family
finding.
Pa.R.J.C.P. 1149. The official comment to the rule further explains that
efforts by the county agency may include, but are not limited to
whether the county agency is or will be: a) searching for and
locating adult relatives and kin; b) identifying and building positive
connections between the child and the child’s relatives and kin; c)
when appropriate: i) supporting the engagement of relatives and
kin in social service planning and delivery of services; and ii)
creating a network of extended family support to assist in
remedying the concerns that led to the child becoming involved
with the county agency; d) when possible, maintaining family
connections; and e) when in the best interests of the child and
when possible, keeping siblings together in care.
The extent to which the county agency is involved in the case
when a child is still in the home is dependent on several variables
and specific to each case. In some instances, the county agency
is more involved and actively engaged in family finding because
the child needs support services or could be removed from the
home. The search in these instances is used to find resources to
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help keep the child in the home by preventing removal, or to find
resources if removal becomes necessary.
Id., cmt. (emphasis added).
With a goal change petition, the trial court
considers the continuing necessity for and appropriateness of the
placement; the extent of compliance with the service plan
developed for the child; the extent of progress made towards
alleviating the circumstances which necessitated the original
placement; the appropriateness and feasibility of the current
placement goal for the child; and, a likely date by which the goal
for the child might be achieved.
In Interest of A.N.P., 155 A.3d 55, 67 (Pa. Super. 2017) (quoting In re
A.K., 936 A.2d 528, 533 (Pa. Super. 2007)).
Here, Parents raise eight issues challenging the trial court’s
permanency-review order and the determinations made therein. Parents’
Brief at 2-4. Essentially, they argue that continued dependency and a
permanency goal of SPLC is not warranted where Parents were making
progress in addressing the issues that led to Child’s dependency, that CYS did
not make reasonable efforts at reunification, and that placement was not the
least restrictive alternative available. Id. at 30-59. Many of these arguments
repeat and rephrase previous issues. Further, we note that many of Parents’
arguments contain no citation to any legal authority, and accordingly risk
waiver. S.M.C. v. W.P.C., 44 A.3d 1181, 1189 (Pa. Super. 2012); Pa.R.A.P.
2119(a). However, we decline to find waiver in this instance. Nevertheless,
Parents’ claims do not merit relief.
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We address Parents’ first, third, and sixth issues together for ease of
analysis. Parents contend that the court abused its discretion in finding that
Child remained dependent. Parents’ Brief at 46. Parents claim that they are
in substantial, not moderate, compliance with their family services plan; that
the circumstances leading to the original placement were alleviated; that CYS
did nothing to further the concurrent goal of reunification; and that even if
their compliance was only “moderate,” compliance is not the sole factor the
court must consider. Id. at 30-34, 36-43, 46-53.4 Essentially, Parents
disagree with the trial court’s interpretation of the evidence of record and the
credibility determinations made regarding Parents’ testimony. Id. at 52.
The trial court addressed its finding of dependency and the placement
goal in the following manner:
In this case, we continued [Child’s] dependency and foster
placement and retained the current placement goal because the
evidence convinced us that doing so was in her best interests. In
summary, as of the date the most recent review hearing
concluded, [Child] had continuously been dependent and in care
for 28 months. During the first 18 months, despite the services
provided by CYS and Justice Works, Parents made little progress.
As a result, the goal was changed to SPLC in October of 2017.
Over the next 10 months or so, Parents have made some
progress. However, their progress has not been enough for them
to demonstrate, even at a visit, that they are currently ready to
parent [Child] properly and safely. In this regard, Parents still
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4 Parents raise additional arguments, namely, that their due process rights
were violated and that they were not given a fair hearing. However, because
Parents fail to cite any legal authority in support of this position, or further
elaborate upon the alleged due process violations, they have waived the
arguments for purpose of appeal. S.M.C., 44 A.3d at 1189; Pa.R.A.P.
2119(a).
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fight at visits, are not yet on the same page regarding co-
parenting, and are still developing their parenting and coping
skills. Despite their testimony and belief to the contrary, Parents
have not been able to transfer what they have learned, or what
they are learning, to visits or other settings outside of their
counseling sessions.
Very significantly, given the history of this case and the
conduct of Parents during visits, anticipation of upcoming visits
causes [Child] anxiety to the point that she picks at her skin,
[Child] has concerns about being alone with Parents, there is a
spike in [Child’s] negative behaviors after both visits and phone
calls, and that [Child] sometimes does not want to answer the
phone when she sees that it is Parents who are calling.
Additionally, Parents have not progressed to the point where
they are self-sufficient, generally or in their ability to parent
[Child]. Parents currently rely on Paternal Grandmother for
housing, for guidance, and, apparently, at least in part for
financial support. There is no question that Paternal Grandmother
is the support that Parents would need to parent [Child], at least
at any time in the foreseeable future. Nonetheless, Parents still
argue with Paternal Grandmother during or resent her presence
at visits and at times recoil against her parenting advice.
During the two and one-third years that [Child] has been
dependent, foster families, not Parents, have cared for her. While
[Child]’s behaviors at first necessitated two or three placement
changes, she has now been in her current foster home for more
than 18 months with a family in whose care she has made great
strides, that cares for her, and who want to be a permanent
resource for her. In this regard, although [Child] still has
behavioral issues and emotional and educational needs, while in
her current foster placement her behaviors have “subsided
tremendously” and she is being transitioned out of a partial
hospitalization program into a less restrictive special education
classroom in her home school. [Child] still loves her parents and
wants to continue to see and have a relationship with them, but
has also expressed that she would like to be adopted by her foster
family and, in any event, realizes that she will need to remain in
her foster home.5
5 According to Parents and their attorney, [Child] has
also stated that she wants to go home to Parents. It
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is interesting that Parents and their attorney point this
out since counsel argued at [the] hearing that [Child]
was not competent to testify and even took the
position that the [c]ourt should not speak with her.
Not surprisingly, when we spoke with [Child] she had
trouble staying focused or on point. For clarification,
we did not base our finding that interaction and
anticipated interaction with Parents causes [Child]
anxiety and increases negative behaviors on our in
camera discussion with [Child]. Rather, we based
those findings on the evidence presented by others,
including the testimony of the CYS caseworker, the
CYS visit supervisor, and [Child’s] therapist, reports
from the foster parents, and the observations and
arguments of the GAL.
Simply put, on paper, Parents have checked off most of the
boxes regarding their service plan goals. However, Parents’
recent compliance has not been accompanied by progress which,
when viewed in context of the history of this case, objectively
demonstrates their ability to properly and safely parent [Child], to
ensure her mental, physical, and emotional well-being, and to
promote her best interests. Moreover, while most boxes have
been checked, interaction with Parents still causes [Child] anxiety.
In contrast, [Child] is doing well in her foster home where she is
improving behaviorally and her safety, well-being, and everyday
needs are being met.
* * *
As noted, Parents and their attorney spent significant time
attempting to relitigate and downplay the initial overdose incident.
However, the time for doing so is long past. The incident occurred
and [Child] was adjudicated dependent in April of 2016. Any
challenge to the initial dependency determination should have
been made long ago.
Trial Court Opinion, 12/18/18, at 13-16.
Here, while the trial court did indeed find Parents in only moderate
compliance with the permanency plan, this finding was not the sole reason
Child’s dependency was continued and Parents’ request for a placement
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change denied. Although the trial court did not itemize its findings, it
examined the relevant, mandated statutory factors in depth, including the
continuing necessity for and appropriateness of placement, the extended
length of time Child had been in care, and the extent of progress Parents made
towards alleviating the circumstances that led to the placement – namely,
Parents’ poor judgment regarding medical and parenting decisions of Child.
R.J.T., 9 A.3d at 1190; 42 Pa.C.S. § 6351(f). Additionally, Parents’ goals
were to obtain stable employment and housing, but Parents have been unable
to achieve this goal without the assistance of Paternal Grandmother.
Although Parents argue that the trial court’s findings are not supported
by the record and that the court did not make specific credibility
determinations, a thorough examination of the notes of testimony provides
otherwise. Essentially, Parents disagree with the fact that the trial court
credited the testimony of caseworkers rather than the testimony of Parents,
particularly with regard to certain contested issues such as the cause of Child’s
anxious habit of picking her skin. This, however, is a credibility determination,
and where the trial court’s findings are supported by the record, we will not
disturb them on appeal. N.A., 116 A.3d at 1148. Accordingly, we discern no
error or abuse of discretion in the trial court’s thorough analysis and
conclusions regarding dependency and placement goals.
Parents’ second issue challenges the court’s findings that CYS had made
reasonable efforts to finalize the permanency plan. Parents’ Brief at 24. In
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so arguing, Parents contend that the court erred in determining that “the
Agency meets with the Parents and counselors together to discuss concerns”
because there was minimal record evidence to support this conclusion. Id. at
34. Parents argue that they were not informed of medical, dental, and school
appointments related to their daughter, and that CYS caseworkers did not
meet with their counselors. Id. at 35.
However, as noted above, CYS is not expected to “do the impossible” as
long as the services provided are reasonable efforts and such services are
provided within an appropriate period. C.K., 165 A.3d at 942. Here, CYS did
indeed provide services promptly to assist Parents, including supervised
visitation, caseworker services, visit coaching, case management services,
and parenting classes. Trial Court Opinion, 12/18/18, at 4. The trial court
noted that in the first fifteen to eighteen months of Child’s placement – a
critical time after which a termination petition may be filed – Parents had made
little substantive progress to the point that services were discontinued. Id.
Parents have provided no definition of “reasonable efforts” or case law to
suggest that the services provided to them did not rise to the level of
reasonable efforts. At this juncture, reunification is no longer the primary
goal. Accordingly, the trial court did not commit an error of law or abuse of
discretion in finding that CYS made reasonable efforts towards reunification.
N.A., 116 A.3d at 1148; L.Z., 111 A.3d at 1174.
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In their fourth issue, Parents argue that CYS did not satisfy the
requirements of Pa.R.J.C.P. regarding family finding. Parents’ Brief at 43.
Parents assert that there was evidence that Child’s relatives were present in
the courtroom and were willing to serve as a placement resource, but they
had never been contacted for a meeting with CYS, nor was any evidence
presented that CYS had engaged in family finding as mandated by “best
practices” under law. Id. at 43-44.5 Essentially, Parents contend that the
trial court’s determination that CYS had engaged in family finding was
contradicted by the record and testimony. Id. at 44.
As noted above, the Rules of Juvenile Court Procedure require that the
court engage in family finding, including inquiry into the efforts made by the
county agency to comply with the family finding requirements pursuant to 62
P.S. § 1301 et seq. Pa.R.J.C.P. 1149. These efforts may include, but are not
limited to, searching for and locating adult relatives and kin, identifying and
building positive connections among the child, child’s relatives, and kin, and
____________________________________________
5 Parents point to their letters to CYS sent in July of 2018 and August of 2018,
requesting family group decision-making meetings, as proof that CYS did not
engage in family finding. Parents’ Brief at 44. The July 27, 2018, and August
7, 2018, letters addressed to CYS are included in Parents’ reproduced record,
but they do not appear in the certified record. Although the letters were
admitted as R-26 and R-27 into evidence, the responsibility rests upon Parents
to ensure that the record certified on appeal is complete. In re G.T., 897
A.2d 1197, 1198 (Pa. Super. 2006). Here, it appears that none of the exhibits
entered into evidence during the hearings were included in the certified
record.
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when appropriate, supporting the engagement of relatives and kin in social
service planning. Id., cmt.
The record reflects the court found that CYS satisfied the requirements
of Pa.R.J.C.P. 1149 regarding family finding in orders dated July 7, 2016;
October 13, 2016; January 12, 2017; April 6, 2017; July 13, 2017;
October 12, 2017; January 4, 2018; June 29, 2018; and September 18, 2018.
In each of these orders, the court directed CYS to continue to engage in family
finding until ordered otherwise. There is no evidence that CYS did not comply
with these orders.
The first indication in the record that Parents challenged this contention
was in their proposed permanency review order, filed with the court
September 7, 2018. In that proposed order, Parents averred that there were
“two” relatives that could have served as potential resources, but did not name
said relatives, nor did they elaborate upon CYS’ failure to contact them, or cite
to any relevant statutory authority or law in their memorandum of law.
Memorandum of Law, 9/7/18, at 1-25; Proposed Order, 9/7/18, at 1-2. At
the hearings, Parents’ counsel did not raise the issue of family finding, either
as placement resources or as a potential family group, and counsel asked
Parents no questions regarding potential family members, either as placement
resources or as members of a desired family group. On cross-examination,
when questioned regarding additional “family group members,” Father
responded, “Possibly my brother . . . he lives in Nazareth or has a Nazareth
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address. I’m not sure exactly what county.” N.T., 8/22/18, at 137-138.
Additionally, on cross-examination, Mother stated that an additional family
member she would want present at family group as “my Aunt [B.]” Id. at
156. Mother added, “There’s not a whole lot of family members that I consider
blood family members but we do have family friends that we consider
blood . . . .” Id.
Parents raise the issue specifically, and for the first time, in their
Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b) statement of errors complained of on appeal. Concise
Statement of Errors Complained of on Appeal, 10/18/18, at ¶ 4. Based on the
above, we conclude that Parents failed to properly raise this issue before the
trial court, and have accordingly waived it for purposes of appeal. See
Pa.R.A.P. 302(a) (providing that “[i]ssues not raised in the lower court are
waived and cannot be raised for the first time on appeal”).
In their fifth issue, Parents argue that the trial court committed an error
of law and abuse of discretion when it found that once-weekly supervised
visitation was adequate. Parents’ Brief at 45. Parents argue that because the
reason for Child’s placement has been eliminated, there is no reason Child
cannot return to Parents’ home for weekly visits. Id. Parents contend that
this treatment does not allow them to show “they can put what they have
learned in parenting class into practice.” Id. at 45-46.
Here, while Child’s goal remained reunification, visitation was provided.
In July of 2016, Parents had once-weekly supervised visitation with Child.
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Permanency Review Order, 7/7/16, at 2. In October of 2016, Parents had
supervised visitation with Child in the community. Permanency Review Order,
10/13/16, at 2. In January of 2017, Parents had once-weekly visitation with
Child in their home. Permanency Review Order, 1/12/17, at 2. In April of
2017, Parents had once-weekly supervised visitation, location unspecified.
Permanency Review Order, 4/6/17, at 2. In July of 2017, Parents had twice-
weekly supervised visits in the community. Permanency Review Order,
7/13/17, at 2-3. At no time during the pendency of this case is there any
indication of record that Parents objected to or filed a request for a change in
visitation.
As noted supra, if the goal is no longer reunification, then visitation may
be limited or denied if it is in the best interests of Child. C.B., 861 A.2d at
293. In October of 2017, Child’s goal was changed from reunification to
placement with a legal custodian. Permanency Review Order, 10/12/17, at 1-
2. At that time, Parents’ visitation remained twice-weekly supervised visits in
the community. Id. Insofar as orders following the goal change show,
visitation remained twice-weekly supervised visits in the community and at a
minimum once per week. Permanency Review Order, 1/4/18, at 1-2;
Permanency Review Order, 6/29/18, at 1-2; Permanency Review Order,
9/18/18. Here, visitation was not substantially altered from what it had been
during the pendency of the case. Further, it was in the best interest of Child
for visitation to be limited to supervised and outside of the home, as evidence
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was presented that showed that visits caused Child anxiety, to the point that
she would pick at her skin and occasionally refuse to answer telephone calls
from Parents. C.B., 861 A.2d at 293. Accordingly, the trial court did not
commit an error of law or abuse its discretion in setting visitation as
“supervised visitation with [Child] at a minimum once per week in the
community.” Permanency Review Order, 6/29/18, at 1-2; Permanency
Review Order 9/18/18, at 1-2; N.A., 116 A.3d at 1148; L.Z., 111 A.3d at
1174.
In Parents’ seventh issue, they argue that the court erred and abused
its discretion by failing to provide an opinion fully addressing and evaluating
“the body of evidence” submitted by Parents or relevant statutes. Parents’
Brief at 53. They contend that they were deprived of due process and did not
receive a fair hearing. Id. at 53-54. Parents argue that they were not
adequately notified of what they must do to satisfy CYS, pointing to the trial
court’s observation that Parents had not completed psychological evaluations
as proof of a due process violation. Id. at 56. Initially, we note that Parents
have, again, failed to cite any case law discussing due process claims.
Accordingly, they have risked waiver of this argument. S.M.C., 44 A.3d at
1189; Pa.R.A.P. 2119(a). Regardless, this issue is without merit.
As noted above, in dependency cases, after permanency review
hearings the court must issue orders continuing, modifying, or terminating
placement or other disposition best suited to the safety, protection and
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physical, mental and moral welfare of the child. 42 Pa.C.S. § 6351(g). The
statute also provides the findings of fact necessary for such orders. 42 Pa.C.S.
§ 6351 (e), (f), (f.1). In the instant case, the trial court’s permanency review
order comports with the statute. A permanency review order is not the avenue
through which Parents may obtain an extensive discussion of the evidence,
relevant case law and statutory authority, or claims of error. To this end, the
Pa.R.A.P. 1925(a) opinion on appeal is the appropriate avenue for more
through discussions of the court’s order and the reasoning behind it. A
thorough Pa.R.A.P. 1925(a) opinion was issued in this case that discussed and
weighed the evidence, made credibility determinations, and set forth the
appropriate case law. Parents, of course, disagree with the court’s findings
and credibility determinations. As the trial court notes, “it is clear that Parents
take issue with [the court’s] findings and conclusions because [it] did not view
the evidence in the manner they advocated and [the trial court’s] findings do
not agree with their proposed findings. This does not allege, much less
establish, error.” Trial Court Opinion, 12/18/18, at 18.
As discussed above, we do not discern an error of law or abuse of
discretion in the trial court’s conclusion that continued dependency and a
permanency goal of SPLC best suited Child’s interests. N.A., 116 A.3d at
1148; L.Z., 111 A.3d at 1174.
Finally, Parents argue that the trial court committed an error of law or
abused its discretion by finding that SPLC is the least restrictive placement
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available to Child. Parents’ Brief at 58. Parents argue that because Mother
offered to move out of the house for six months, Child should be allowed to
return to the home. Id. Parents argue that CYS did not prove that Child
remained dependent from March 2018 through August 2018, and that it did
not consider any other alternatives to foster care. Id. at 59.
Parents’ contention is without merit. As discussed extensively above,
Child was adjudicated dependent and remained dependent throughout the
proceedings of this case. Regardless, we address Parents’ contention that
SPLC is not the least restrictive placement available to Child. Here, the
evidence established that Parents were unable to pass a parenting class
through Justice Works. Although Parents have been attending counseling,
visitation supervisors and caseworkers have not seen any application of
parenting skills or the results of said counseling during Parents’ visitation.
Parents still argue with each other and Paternal Grandmother, resort to
physical discipline too quickly, and Mother is still too controlling of Child and
dismissive of Father. Child exhibits signs of anxiety before and after visits
with Parents, and seems ambivalent about her own placement preferences.
Finally, we note the following observations of the trial court:
Parents have offered to have Mother move out of Paternal
Grandmother’s home if [Child] is returned. They believe this
ameliorates any safety concerns. For the reasons set forth above,
we did not and do not view this as a viable option at this time.
Parents, individually or collectively, need to make more progress,
internalize what they have learned and are learning, and
ameliorate, if not completely erase, the conduct that causes
[Child] anxiety before return in any context may be considered.
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This is especially true given the length of time this case has been
open and the stability [Child] has and the progress she is making
in her current foster home.
Trial Court Opinion, 12/18/18, at 18-19. We discern no abuse of discretion in
the trial court’s reasoning or in its conclusion that SPLC is the least restrictive
alternative available to Child at this time. N.A., 116 A.3d at 1148; L.Z., 111
A.3d at 1174.
Order affirmed.
Judgment Entered.
Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary
Date: 4/29/19
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