In re the Parental Rights to J.L.A.C.M. & H.A.M.M. ( 2019 )

FILED
FEBRUARY 28, 2019
In the Office of the Clerk of Court
WA State Court of Appeals, Division III
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
DIVISION THREE
In the Matter of the Parental Rights to ) No. 35902-6-III
) (consolidated with
J.L.A.C.M. and H.A.M.M.† ) No. 35903-4-III)
)
) UNPUBLISHED OPINION
)
LAWRENCE-BERREY, C.J. — James McCarthy appeals the termination of his
parental rights to J.L.A.C.M. (J.C.M.) and H.A.M.M. (H.M.). He asserts the State did not
prove that “all necessary services, reasonably available, capable of correcting the parental
deficiencies within the foreseeable future” were offered or provided to him. Specifically,
he argues the services were not tailored to meet his specific needs, he was not offered
disability services, and he was not offered anger management treatment. Mr. McCarthy
also alleges he received ineffective assistance of counsel when his trial counsel failed to
object to hearsay testimony that he did not complete chemical dependency treatment.
Finding no error, we affirm.
† We have changed the case title in accordance with an amendment to RAP 3.4
and the General Order for the Court of Appeals, In Re Changes to Case Title (Wash. Ct.
App. 2018), both effective September 1, 2018.
No. 35902-6-III; No. 35903-4-III
Parental Rights to J.L.A.C.M. & H.A.M.M.
FACTS
On July 11, 2014, the Department of Social and Health Services (Department)
received an allegation that the home in which one-year-old J.C.M. and two-year-old H.M.
were living was unsanitary. After receiving Mr. McCarthy’s permission, Child Protective
Services (CPS) social worker James Hatley entered the home. Mr. Hatley described the
home as “very cluttered, unsanitary” with “garbage and food throughout, dirty laundry,
moldy dishes.” Report of Proceedings (RP) at 56. Garbage was “[l]ayered throughout
the house, almost in every area to the point where you were almost wading through it.”
RP at 56. H.M. was “walking around the house eating out of a trash can or a pile of
garbage” while J.C.M. was “in the parents’ room in a bassinet crying and reaching out to
me to hold him.” RP at 65. The children were dirty, as it was clear they had not been
bathed in some time, with food on their face and dirt on their extremities. J.C.M. had a
rash in his groin area. Mr. McCarthy’s children were removed and placed into protective
custody.
After the two children were taken into protective custody, Mr. McCarthy agreed
that they were dependent. The dispositional order required Mr. McCarthy to: (1) submit
to random urinalysis (UA) tests, (2) participate in a drug and alcohol assessment and its
treatment recommendations, (3) acquire and maintain appropriate housing, (4) sign
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releases of information, (5) participate in a psychological evaluation, and (6) participate
in parent education to learn new parenting techniques.
1. Chemical Dependency Services and Drug Testing
The Department referred Mr. McCarthy to Serenity Point for UAs and chemical
dependency treatment. This was an initial focal point because Mr. McCarthy stated he
would use so much marijuana that he would be unable to care for his children.
Serenity Point recommended intensive outpatient treatment only after Mr.
McCarthy obtained medical marijuana by a pill form with a doctor’s oversight. To the
Department’s knowledge, Mr. McCarthy never obtained medical marijuana in a pill form
with a doctor’s oversight. Despite this, Mr. McCarthy began intensive outpatient
treatment in June 2015. The treatment required him to attend three weekly three-hour
group sessions and a 12-step support group.
Mr. McCarthy struggled with the requirement that he provide random UAs. Mr.
McCarthy provided UAs during September and October 2014. He did not provide any
UAs from November 2014 through January 2015. He began providing UAs in February
2015, but stopped in March 2015. He then provided UAs consistently from late April
through July 2015.
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Mr. McCarthy’s parental rights to his two children were first terminated on
July 12, 2016. In October 2015, the Department received reports that Mr. McCarthy was
missing group sessions, was refusing to provide UAs, and would be discharged for
noncompliance. The social worker testified that Mr. McCarthy failed to complete
intensive outpatient services.
By agreement of the parties, the termination orders were reversed on December 2,
2016, and the matter was remanded for a new termination trial. Mr. McCarthy’s
subsequent termination trial occurred on January 31 and February 1, 2018. He failed to
provide any UAs between the initial trial and the subsequent trial.
2. Housing
In April 2015, Mr. McCarthy secured an apartment through a local program that
helps convicted felons obtain housing. One of the program’s requirements is that the
tenant submit to random drug testing. In October 2015, Mr. McCarthy vacated the
apartment.
3. Psychological Evaluation
The Department referred Mr. McCarthy for a psychological evaluation. Dr.
Ronald Page evaluated Mr. McCarthy in 2003, 2008, and again on November 5, 2014. In
2008, Dr. Page diagnosed Mr. McCarthy with polysubstance abuse, cannabis dependence,
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and antisocial personality disorder. In 2014, Dr. Page diagnosed Mr. McCarthy with
cannabis use disorder, polysubstance dependence, antisocial personality disorder, and
mild mental retardation.1 Dr. Page opined, “[i]n my opinion, the greatest mismanagement
of this man’s rehabilitation program would be to start at any point other than a focus on
chemical dependency and an expectation of abstinence, monitored.” Ex. 2 at 8. He
further elaborated that it is an addiction for Mr. McCarthy, it’s not recreational, and “until
he could be abstinent of everything, then his behavior and his life course, his stability
would not change.” RP at 33-34. Dr. Page believed that attempting mental health
treatment on patients with antisocial personality disorder actually makes them worse.
During cross-examination, Dr. Page testified that Mr. McCarthy discussed anger
management treatment with him. Dr. Page described anger management treatment as
potentially “helpful” for Mr. McCarthy. RP at 51.
Mr. McCarthy requested the Department to provide him anger management
services. But the Department did not assess this service as being necessary nor was it
ordered. The social worker “felt pretty strongly that [Mr. McCarthy] had chemical
1
Dr. Page calculated Mr. McCarthy’s IQ (intelligence quotient) at 67. Dr. Page
cautioned that Mr. McCarthy’s poor performance “undoubtedly was encumbered by the
ongoing history of active heavy cannabis use, including probable partial intoxication even
during administration of the instrument. Given one month’s abstinence, this man’s
performance very well might be improved significantly.” Ex. 2 at 6; see also RP at 45.
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dependency issues that overshadowed” any potential anger management issues, and he
needed to establish sobriety “in order to assess what was really going on underneath.” RP
at 109. During the summer of 2015, Mr. McCarthy established a period of sobriety.
“[D]uring that time he was a little bit easier to get along with. He did not have those
outbursts.” RP at 109.
4. Parenting Education
The Department referred Mr. McCarthy for parenting services on October 28,
2014. Mr. McCarthy was assigned to Nancy Riggle, a parenting educator who contracts
with the Department. Ms. Riggle specialized in assisting people with developmental
disabilities. As part of the formal assessment, Ms. Riggle and Mr. McCarthy discussed
goals for him. Because Ms. Riggle knew from the referral that he was developmentally
disabled, she brought up Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) services. Ms.
Riggle testified, “we did discuss about developmental disabilities services. He wasn’t too
open with it. He said he didn’t need it, was willing to look into it, but that’s something
we did try to get him involved with.” RP at 139. Ms. Riggle spoke with Mr. McCarthy
about DDA services on several occasions, but “[h]e was not very positive about having
developmental disabilities services.” RP at 163.
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Visitation was initially scheduled for two visits per week, two hours per visit. In
December 2014, each visit was increased to four hours because Mr. McCarthy was
marginally participating, he had a positive interaction with the children, and he had
requested more time. Ms. Riggle monitored some sessions; however, Mr. McCarthy did
not follow or participate in Ms. Riggle’s parenting instructions.
For instance, Ms. Riggle attempted to have Mr. McCarthy read to his children to
improve their communication skills. Because their skills were not well developed, there
was a lot of screaming instead of using words. Ms. Riggle believed that if Mr. McCarthy
would read to his children, it would help engage them and develop good rapport with
them. Ms. Riggle assessed Mr. McCarthy’s reading level as third grade and attempted to
have Mr. McCarthy read children’s books to his children. Ms. Riggle told him she
“didn’t care if he even read the words . . . [she] just wanted him to have that interaction
and for the children to develop some skills because of it.” RP at 144. She worked with
him on interactive reading and modeled it for two weeks because he refused to do it.
Ms. Riggle provided 16 one-on-one meetings and offered 19 visitation/parenting
services with the children. After the referral expired in June 2015, Ms. Riggle did not
recommend obtaining another referral because Mr. McCarthy resisted doing what she
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asked him to do. Nonetheless, in July 2015, the Department increased his visitation to
three times per week for two to six hours per visit.
Visits at Mr. McCarthy’s apartment were largely supervised by visitation specialist
Barbara Coble, who supervised approximately 30 such visits. During these visits, Ms.
Coble had many safety concerns. The children would jump on the tables, jump on the
couches, were left unattended, walked unattended up concrete stairs, and Mr. McCarthy
often would fall asleep. Ms. Coble testified that she witnessed Mr. McCarthy sleeping
during 20 to 30 times during these visits. Ms. Coble terminated more than 10 visits
because of noncompliance with directions. On one occasion, J.C.M. walked out of the
home, unnoticed by Mr. McCarthy. Because of these safety concerns, the visits were
reduced and moved back to the Department.
The Department sent another referral to Ms. Riggle on September 14, 2015. Ms.
Riggle set up six different appointments with Mr. McCarthy and he failed to show for all
of them.
The Department attempted to re-engage Mr. McCarthy, but it was difficult. His
phone was not set up to receive voicemail messages, there was no address listed in the
welfare system, and there was no forwarding address after he moved out of his studio
apartment. In late 2016, Mr. McCarthy heard that the Department would agree to
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Parental Rights to J.L.A.C.M. & H.A.M.M.
reverse the termination orders and contacted the Department. His social worker answered
the phone and explained that the orders were reversed and that she needed his contact
information. Mr. McCarthy cursed at the social worker, asked for a new social worker,
and refused to provide a telephone number where he could be reached.
In March 2017, Mr. McCarthy’s social worker learned that he had been arrested
and was in jail on a charge of possession of methamphetamine. The social worker visited
Mr. McCarthy at the jail and provided him an updated court report with recommended
services. She explained the termination orders had been reversed, that he still had
parental rights, and made sure he had contact information for his attorney.
Later that month, Mr. McCarthy pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine.
He was sentenced to 12 months of community custody. One result of his conviction was
the requirement that he obtain a chemical dependency evaluation within 30 days and
complete all program requirements. Mr. McCarthy repeatedly tested positive for
marijuana. In July 2017, he had his judgment and sentence amended to permit him to use
marijuana for pain and personal issues.
Mr. McCarthy failed to appear at either of his termination trials. The subsequent
termination trial occurred on January 31 and February 1, 2018. The trial court considered
the evidence and terminated Mr. McCarthy’s parental rights to J.C.M. and H.M.
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No. 35902-6-III; No. 35903-4-III
Parental Rights to J.L.A.C.M. & H.A.M.M.
Mr. McCarthy now appeals.
ANALYSIS
A. THE DEPARTMENT PRESENTED SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE THAT IT EXPRESSLY
AND UNDERSTANDABLY OFFERED ALL NECESSARY SERVICES, REASONABLY
AVAILABLE
Mr. McCarthy alleges that the State failed to prove statutory element
RCW 13.34.180(1)(d) by clear, cogent, and convincing evidence. His argument is three-
fold: (1) the Department failed to tailor the services to Mr. McCarthy’s specific
necessities, (2) the Department did not offer him services through the DDA as required,
and (3) the Department failed to provide him anger management treatment.
Parents have a fundamental liberty interest in the care, custody, and
companionship of their children. Santosky v. Kramer, 455 U.S. 745, 753, 102 S. Ct.
1388, 71 L. Ed. 2d 599 (1982) (plurality opinion). To deprive a parent of this
fundamental right is a two-step process. In re Welfare of A.B., 168 Wash. 2d 908, 911, 232
P.3d 1104 (2010). First, the Department must prove six termination factors set forth in
RCW 13.34.180(1) by clear, cogent, and convincing evidence. Id. If that is satisfied, the
court then determines whether, by a preponderance of the evidence, termination is in the
best interests of the child. In re Dependency of K.N.J., 171 Wash. 2d 568, 576-77, 257 P.3d
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522 (2011). The trial court is afforded great deference on review. In re Dependency of
K.S.C., 137 Wash. 2d 918, 925, 976 P.2d 113 (1999).
This court reviews a trial court’s decision on any of the six termination factors for
substantial evidence. In re Parental Rights to B.P., 186 Wash. 2d 292, 313, 376 P.3d 350
(2016); In re Parental Rights to I.M.-M, 196 Wash. App. 914, 921, 385 P.3d 268 (2016).
The trial court’s findings “must be upheld if supported by substantial evidence from
which a rational trier of fact could find the necessary facts by clear, cogent, and
convincing evidence.” In re Welfare of M.R.H., 145 Wash. App. 10, 24, 188 P.3d 510
(2008). Clear, cogent, and convincing evidence means “highly probable.” Id.
The only termination factor challenged on appeal is that the Department
failed to offer or provide Mr. McCarthy with “all necessary services, reasonably
available, capable of correcting the parental deficiencies within the foreseeable future.”
RCW 13.34.180(1)(d). “A service is ‘necessary’ if it is needed to address a condition that
precludes reunification of the parent and child.” I.M.-M., 196 Wash. App. at 921 (citing In
re Welfare of C.S., 168 Wash. 2d 51, 56 n.3, 225 P.3d 953 (2010)). The service must be
tailored to the individual’s needs. Id.
“‘Where the record establishes that the offer of services would be futile, the trial
court can make a finding that the Department has offered all reasonable services.’” C.S.,
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168 Wash. 2d at 56 n.2 (quoting M.R.H., 145 Wash. App. at 25). “The provision of services is
futile where a parent is unwilling or unable to participate in a reasonably available service
that has been offered or provided.” In re Parental Rights to K.M.M., 186 Wash. 2d 466,
483, 379 P.3d 75 (2016).
1. Tailoring of services
Mr. McCarthy argues that services were not tailored to fit his specific needs. We
disagree. At every stage, the Department focused on his specific needs.
The Department referred Mr. McCarthy to Dr. Page for a psychological evaluation.
According to the evaluation, Mr. McCarthy’s primary obstacle was his addiction to
marijuana. Dr. Page opined, “the greatest mismanagement of this man’s rehabilitation
program would be to start at any point other than a focus on chemical dependency and an
expectation of abstinence, monitored.” Ex. 2 at 8. For this reason, the Department’s
primary focus was on obtaining treatment for Mr. McCarthy’s marijuana addiction.
Mr. McCarthy argues that Ms. Riggle was uninformed of his deficits and failed to
structure parenting services in an appropriate manner. We disagree. The evidence
establishes that Ms. Riggle was well aware of Mr. McCarthy’s deficits, had significant
experience and training working with people with similar deficits, and structured
parenting services appropriately. Specifically, Ms. Riggle assessed Mr. McCarthy’s
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reading level as third grade and chose children’s books for him to read to his children.
She even said that he did not have to read the words as long as he interacted with his
children using the books. She spent two weeks patterning this simple skill with him and
his children, yet he refused to follow her instructions. She also sought to have him play
with his children. His deficits did not prevent him from playing with his children. Yet,
he refused and elected to sleep during most of his visits.
2. Offering of DDA services
Mr. McCarthy also argues he was not offered or provided DDA services. We
disagree.
RCW 13.34.136(2)(b)(i)(B) provides:
If a parent has a developmental disability according to the definition
provided in RCW 71A.10.020, and that individual is eligible for services
provided by the department of social and health services developmental
disabilities administration, the department shall make reasonable efforts to
consult with the department of social and health services developmental
disabilities administration to create an appropriate plan for services.
“‘Developmental disability’ means a disability attributable to intellectual disability,
cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism, or another neurological or other condition . . . which
constitutes a substantial limitation to the individual.” RCW 71A.10.020(5).
First, Mr. McCarthy has not shown that he has a disability that constitutes a
“substantial limitation” to him under RCW 71A.10.020(5). Dr. Page attributed Mr.
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McCarthy’s poor IQ test performance to his long-term use of marijuana and thought that
Mr. McCarthy was possibly under the effects of marijuana during the examination. Dr.
Page also believed that if Mr. McCarthy abstained from marijuana for a month, his testing
might be improved significantly.
Second, the Department offered Mr. McCarthy DDA services. Ms. Riggle
testified, “[S]o we did discuss about developmental disabilities services. He wasn’t too
open with it. He said he didn’t need it, was willing to look into it, but that’s something
we did try to get him involved with.” RP at 139. Ms. Riggle spoke with Mr. McCarthy
about DDA services on several occasions, but “[h]e was not very positive about having
developmental disabilities services.” RP at 163. The evidence is clear: DDA services
were offered to Mr. McCarthy, but he refused them.
3. Anger management treatment
Mr. McCarthy argues he was not provided anger management treatment. Under
RCW 13.34.180(1)(d), the Department must establish that “all necessary services,
reasonably available, capable of correcting the parental deficiencies within the
foreseeable future have been expressly and understandably offered or provided.”
First, there is no evidence that anger management treatment was a necessary
service. Dr. Page testified on cross-examination that Mr. McCarthy asked about anger
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management treatment. Dr. Page testified that anger management treatment would have
been potentially “helpful” to Mr. McCarthy. RP at 51. He did not testify that the
treatment was necessary.
Second, there is no evidence (or allegation) that Mr. McCarthy had an anger issue
that contributed to his parental deficiencies. Although Dr. Page believed anger
management treatment would have been potentially helpful for Mr. McCarthy, the record
is unclear what Dr. Page meant. Dr. Page could have meant that anger management
treatment would have been potentially helpful for Mr. McCarthy as a person, as opposed
to helpful for remedying his parental deficiencies.
In the absence of any evidence that anger management was reasonably necessary
for correcting Mr. McCarthy’s parental deficiencies, the Department had no obligation to
provide the service.
B. INEFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL
Mr. McCarthy argues that he received ineffective assistance of counsel when trial
counsel failed to object to hearsay testimony that he did not complete chemical
dependency treatment.
An ineffective assistance of counsel claim can be raised for the first time on
appeal. State v. Kyllo, 166 Wash. 2d 856, 862, 215 P.3d 177 (2009). This court reviews
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such claims de novo. State v. Sutherby, 165 Wash. 2d 870, 883, 204 P.3d 916 (2009).
Parents are guaranteed the right to counsel in dependency and termination cases.
RCW 13.34.090(2). However, Washington courts have applied two standards—
Strickland2 and Moseley3—to allegations of ineffective assistance of counsel claims in
dependency and termination actions.4 Because Mr. McCarthy’s claim fails under either
standard, we express no opinion as to which standard is proper.
Strickland commands a heightened level of judicial review, compared to Moseley.
Applying the heightened Strickland standard, an appellant must establish both prongs of
the following test: (1) was counsel’s performance deficient, and (2) if so, did counsel’s
deficient performance prejudice the defendant to an extent that changed the result of the
trial. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 687. We can address the second prong initially “[i]f it is
2
Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 104 S. Ct. 2052, 80 L. Ed. 2d 674
(1984).
3
In re Moseley, 34 Wash. App. 179, 660 P.2d 315 (1983).
4
This court has acknowledged the two different standards but has not adopted one
in a published opinion. See, e.g., In re Welfare of A.K.J.M.W., No. 32084-7-III, No.
32089-8-III, slip op. at *9 (Wash. Ct. App. Apr. 23, 2015 (unpublished),
http://www.courts.wa.gov/opinions/pdf/320847.unp.pdf (recognizing that Division One
adopted the Strickland test and adhering to that approach); but see In re Dependency of
I.W., No. 33786-3-III, slip op. at *3 (Wash. Ct. App. Feb. 21, 2017) (unpublished),
http://www.courts.wa.gov/opinions/pdf/337863_unp.pdf (not definitively applying either
standard); In re Parental Rights to M.S., No. 34105-4-III, No. 34106-2-III, slip op. at *1
n.2 (Wash. Ct. App. Jan. 3, 2017) (unpublished),
http://www.courts.wa.gov/opinions/pdf/341054_unp.pdf (recognizing the Moseley test
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easier to dispose of an ineffectiveness claim on the ground of lack of sufficient
prejudice.” Id. at 697.
The prejudice prong requires the appellant to show that “counsel’s errors were so
serious as to deprive the defendant of a fair trial, a trial whose result is reliable.” Id. at
687. The appellant must show that without the errors of counsel, there is a “reasonable
probability” that the result of the proceeding would have been different. Id. at 694.
“Reasonable probability” is “probability sufficient to undermine confidence in the
outcome.” Id.
Mr. McCarthy argues that the social worker’s hearsay testimony was the only
evidence that he failed to complete chemical dependency treatment. He further argues,
had trial counsel objected to this testimony, there would have been insufficient evidence
to sustain this finding. We disagree.
Here, the trial court admitted several orders it had previously entered. These
orders established that Mr. McCarthy was generally noncompliant with his court-ordered
drug testing and chemical treatment requirements. In addition to those orders, Mr.
McCarthy was arrested for possession of methamphetamine in March 2017. He pleaded
guilty later that month and was required to submit to random drug testing. He repeatedly
but labeling the difference between the two tests “immaterial.”).
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tested positive for marijuana. In July 2017, he had his sentence amended to permit him to
use manJuana.
The central purpose of Mr. McCarthy's chemical treatment was for him to
overcome his chronic addiction to marijuana so he could parent his two children. There is
ample evidence that Mr. McCarthy failed in this goal. Had defense counsel objected to
the social worker's hearsay testimony, the trial court still had substantial evidence to
support the Department's more central assertion: Mr. McCarthy's continued addiction to
marijuana rendered him unable to parent his children. We conclude that Mr. McCarthy
was not prejudiced by his trial counsel's failure to object to the social worker's hearsay
testimony.
Affirmed.
A majority of the panel has determined this opinion will not be printed in the
Washington Appellate Reports, but it will be filed for public record pursuant to
RCW 2.06.040.
Lawrence-Berrey, C.J.
WE CONCUR:
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