In Re: D.N.-1 and D.N.-2 ( 2017 )

STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA
SUPREME COURT OF APPEALS
FILED
In re: D.N.-1 and D.N.-2
June 9, 2017
RORY L. PERRY II, CLERK
No. 16-1055 (McDowell County 15-JA-19-M & 15-JA-20-M) SUPREME COURT OF APPEALS
OF WEST VIRGINIA
MEMORANDUM DECISION
Petitioner Mother C.N., by counsel Brittany R. Puckett, appeals the Circuit Court of
McDowell County’s October 25, 2016, order terminating her parental rights to D.N.-1 and D.N.­
2.1 The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (“DHHR”), by counsel S.L.
Evans, filed a response in support of the circuit court’s order. The guardian ad litem
(“guardian”), Cynthia A. Majestro, filed a response on behalf of the children in support of the
circuit court’s order. On appeal, petitioner argues that the circuit court erred in failing to rule on
her motion for a post-adjudicatory improvement period, terminating her parental rights, and
denying her post-termination visitation with the children.
This Court has considered the parties’ briefs and the record on appeal. The facts and legal
arguments are adequately presented, and the decisional process would not be significantly aided
by oral argument. Upon consideration of the standard of review, the briefs, and the record
presented, the Court finds no substantial question of law and no prejudicial error. For these
reasons, a memorandum decision affirming the circuit court’s order is appropriate under Rule 21
of the Rules of Appellate Procedure.
In June of 2015, the DHHR filed an abuse and neglect petition against petitioner and
other adult respondents. Eight days later, the DHHR filed an amended petition. According to the
DHHR, petitioner brought then seven-month-old D.N.-1 to the hospital with a crushed left femur
and a spiral break on his left ankle. The parties’ reports of how the child suffered these injuries,
per the DHHR, were “varied and uncertain.” Petitioner and the child’s grandmother suggested
that then two-year-old D.N.-2 had been caught jumping on and kicking the child on several
occasions and had likely caused the injuries. Thereafter, D.N.-1 was transported to a hospital in
Charleston, West Virginia, where a physician concluded that the child’s injuries were not
consistent with petitioner’s explanation. Moreover, the DHHR indicated that petitioner still had
1
Consistent with our long-standing practice in cases with sensitive facts, we use initials
where necessary to protect the identities of those involved in this case. See In re K.H., 235 W.Va.
254, 773 S.E.2d 20 (2015); Melinda H. v. William R. II, 230 W.Va. 731, 742 S.E.2d 419 (2013);
State v. Brandon B., 218 W.Va. 324, 624 S.E.2d 761 (2005); State v. Edward Charles L., 183
W.Va. 641, 398 S.E.2d 123 (1990). Further, because the children share the same initials, we will
refer to them as D.N.-1 and D.N.-2 throughout the memorandum decision.
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an open case with the agency due to her prior residence lacking running water and being in
deplorable condition. Petitioner moved from that residence and into the home of the children’s
grandmother. Petitioner thereafter waived the preliminary hearing.
In August of 2016, the circuit court held an adjudicatory hearing, during which the
DHHR provided testimony concerning the child’s injuries. According to the DHHR, petitioner’s
failure to obtain medical treatment for the child’s serious injuries for several days indicated a
lack of supervision in the home. The DHHR further stated that petitioner informed the agency
that she was ordered by a court in another state to undergo anger management classes because of
a prior domestic violence incident involving her ex-husband. Ultimately, the circuit court
adjudicated petitioner of neglect due to her failure to supervise the children and her failure to
timely seek medical treatment. That same month, petitioner filed a motion for a post­
adjudicatory improvement period.
In September of 2016, the circuit court held a dispositional hearing, during which a
service provider testified to petitioner’s unwillingness to visit the children. Specifically, between
May of 2016 and September 12, 2016, petitioner did not visit the children at all. In fact, when the
provider attempted to arrange visitation, petitioner refused to acknowledge the question and
accused the provider of “trying to set [her] up.” During the visits petitioner did attend, the
provider had to intervene frequently to tell petitioner to check the infant’s diaper and to keep the
children from playing with inappropriate items, such as electrical sockets and the sharp edge of
cans brought to the visits as snacks for the children. According to the provider, petitioner had no
control over the children.
In regard to services the DHHR offered to remedy the conditions of abuse and neglect, a
service provider testified that petitioner had not been cooperative for over ten months. The
DHHR attempted to locate petitioner on multiple occasions to provide services, but petitioner
could not be located. Another DHHR employee testified to petitioner’s inability to be located
during the proceedings, as petitioner moved to various residences, some of which she shared
with individuals with open Child Protective Services cases. Petitioner’s parenting and adult life
skills provider testified that petitioner missed over thirty classes and struggled with the materials.
The provider specifically testified that petitioner would not consider “non-physical punishment
techniques” because she saw nothing wrong with physical punishment for the children. The
provider further testified to an incident in which petitioner yelled at her when the provider
attempted to provide services, which prompted the DHHR to suspend those services for a period
of time. According to the provider, petitioner failed to comply with services until September of
2016, the same month as the dispositional hearing. The provider also testified to concerns with
petitioner’s inability to properly parent the children. Finally, the circuit court heard testimony
concerning regressions in the children’s behavior following visits with petitioner. Ultimately, the
circuit court terminated petitioner’s parental rights.2 It is from this order that petitioner appeals.
2
According to the DHHR, the children’s father voluntarily relinquished his parental rights
during the proceedings. Petitioner’s parental rights were terminated below. The children
currently reside in a foster home. According to both the guardian and the DHHR, the
(continued . . . )
2
The Court has previously established the following standard of review:
“Although conclusions of law reached by a circuit court are subject to de
novo review, when an action, such as an abuse and neglect case, is tried upon the
facts without a jury, the circuit court shall make a determination based upon the
evidence and shall make findings of fact and conclusions of law as to whether
such child is abused or neglected. These findings shall not be set aside by a
reviewing court unless clearly erroneous. A finding is clearly erroneous when,
although there is evidence to support the finding, the reviewing court on the entire
evidence is left with the definite and firm conviction that a mistake has been
committed. However, a reviewing court may not overturn a finding simply
because it would have decided the case differently, and it must affirm a finding if
the circuit court’s account of the evidence is plausible in light of the record
viewed in its entirety.” Syl. Pt. 1, In Interest of Tiffany Marie S., 196 W.Va. 223,
470 S.E.2d 177 (1996).
Syl. Pt. 1, In re Cecil T., 228 W.Va. 89, 717 S.E.2d 873 (2011). Upon our review, the Court finds
no error in the proceedings below.
First, the Court finds no error in the circuit court’s failure to rule on petitioner’s motion
for a post-adjudicatory improvement period because it was clear that termination of her parental
rights was necessary. Pursuant to West Virginia Code § 49-4-610(2)(B), a circuit court may grant
a parent a post-adjudicatory improvement period when “[t]he [parent] demonstrates, by clear and
convincing evidence, that the [parent] is likely to fully participate in the improvement period . . .
.” Here, the record is clear that petitioner could not satisfy this burden. While it is true that the
circuit court heard testimony about petitioner’s recent compliance with services, the
overwhelming evidence below established petitioner’s failure to comply with services
throughout the majority of the proceedings. In fact, the circuit court specifically found that
petitioner “continuously refused to cooperate with services provided by the” DHHR. As such, it
is clear that petitioner’s minimal compliance with services shortly before the dispositional
hearing was insufficient to establish that she was likely to fully participate in a post-adjudicatory
improvement period. Accordingly, we find no error in the circuit court’s failure to grant
petitioner the same.
Next, the Court finds no error in the circuit court’s termination of petitioner’s parental
rights. On appeal, petitioner argues that the circuit court erred in imposing disposition because
termination of her parental rights was not the least-restrictive dispositional alternative. Again,
petitioner argues that she should have been entitled to an improvement period. We do not agree.
permanency plan for the children is adoption, either by the current foster family or recently
identified relatives in the State of New York.
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Based upon the evidence regarding petitioner’s failure to comply with services offered and the
persistence of the underlying conditions of abuse and neglect, including petitioner’s failure to
properly supervise the children, the circuit court found that there was no reasonable likelihood
the conditions of abuse and neglect could be substantially corrected.
Pursuant to West Virginia Code § 49-4-604(c)(3), a situation in which there is no
reasonable likelihood the conditions of abuse and neglect can be substantially corrected includes
one in which
[t]he abusing parent . . . [has] not responded to or followed through with a
reasonable family case plan or other rehabilitative efforts of social, medical,
mental health or other rehabilitative agencies designed to reduce or prevent the
abuse or neglect of the child, as evidenced by the continuation or insubstantial
diminution of conditions which threatened the health, welfare or life of the child .
...
Based upon the evidence outlined above, including petitioner’s willful refusal to participate in
services until shortly before the dispositional hearing and the persistence of the conditions of
abuse and neglect that necessitated the petition’s filing, it is clear that the circuit court had
sufficient evidence upon which to make this finding. The circuit court further found that
termination of petitioner’s parental rights was necessary for the children’s welfare. Pursuant to
West Virginia Code § 49-4-604(b)(6), circuit courts are directed to terminate a parent’s parental
rights upon such findings. Moreover, we have previously held that
“[t]ermination of parental rights, the most drastic remedy under the
statutory provision covering the disposition of neglected children, W. Va.Code [§]
49-6-5 [now West Virginia Code § 49-4-604] . . . may be employed without the
use of intervening less restrictive alternatives when it is found that there is no
reasonable likelihood under W. Va.Code [§] 49-6-5(b) [now West Virginia Code
§ 49-4-604(c)] . . . that conditions of neglect or abuse can be substantially
corrected.” Syllabus point 2, In re R.J.M., 164 W.Va. 496, 266 S.E.2d 114 (1980).
Syl. Pt. 5, In re Kristin Y., 227 W.Va. 558, 712 S.E.2d 55 (2011). For these reasons, we find no
error in the circuit court’s termination of petitioner’s parental rights.3
3
In her brief, petitioner also mentions in passing under her argument section generally,
but not in relation to any specific assignment of error, that she believes the circuit court “allowed
its judgment to be clouded by the fact that the children would have a better life with the foster
family . . . and used that in its decision to terminate [her] parental rights.” Petitioner bases this
argument entirely on the circuit court’s finding in its dispositional order that “the children are
receiving specialized foster care and are able to be together. This continuity of care is essential to
these children.” We have previously held as follows:
(continued . . . )
4
Finally, we find no error in the circuit court’s denial of post-termination visitation.
According to petitioner, the circuit court failed to consider the strong emotional bond between
her and the children. In regard to post-termination visitation, we have held as follows:
“When parental rights are terminated due to neglect or abuse, the circuit
court may nevertheless in appropriate cases consider whether continued visitation
or other contact with the abusing parent is in the best interest of the child. Among
other things, the circuit court should consider whether a close emotional bond has
been established between parent and child and the child’s wishes, if he or she is of
appropriate maturity to make such request. The evidence must indicate that such
visitation or continued contact would not be detrimental to the child’s well being
and would be in the child’s best interest.” Syl. Pt. 5, In re Christina L., 194 W.Va.
446, 460 S.E.2d 692 (1995).
Syl. Pt. 11, In re Daniel D., 211 W.Va. 79, 562 S.E.2d 147 (2002). There is no evidence in the
record that the circuit court failed to consider petitioner’s bond with her children. However, the
record shows that the children experienced behavioral issues after visits with petitioner. In fact,
one provider testified that D.N.-2 experienced regressions in his behavior after visitations with
petitioner. According to this provider, visitations with petitioner caused D.N.-2 to believe he was
going to be moved again, which prompted the child “to run to his bedroom to look around almost
as if to check to see if his stuff is still there . . . .” Accordingly, it is clear that continued contact
with petitioner would be detrimental to the children’s wellbeing. As such, we find no error in the
circuit court’s denial of post-termination visitation.
For the foregoing reasons, we find no error in the decision of the circuit court, and its
October 25, 2016, order is hereby affirmed.
Affirmed.
“While courts always look to the best interests of the child in controversies
concerning his or her custody, such custody should not be denied to a parent
merely because some other person might possibly furnish the child a better home
or better care.” Syllabus point 3, Hammack v. Wise, 158 W.Va. 343, 211 S.E.2d
118 (1975).
Syl. Pt. 8, In re Antonio R.A., 228 W.Va. 380, 719 S.E.2d 850 (2011) (citations omitted). The
Court does not agree that the circuit court’s inclusion of information regarding the children’s
current foster placement and its impact on their wellbeing constitutes an improper consideration
of the foster family’s ability to provide the children a better home than petitioner. On the
contrary, the circuit court had ample evidence upon which to terminate petitioner’s parental
rights. As such, we find no error in this regard.
5
ISSUED: June 9, 2017
CONCURRED IN BY:
Chief Justice Allen H. Loughry II
Justice Robin Jean Davis
Justice Margaret L. Workman
Justice Menis E. Ketchum
Justice Elizabeth D. Walker
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