DCPP VS. A.S., IN THE MATTER OF THE GUARDIANSHIP OF J.L. (FG-13-0071-17, MONMOUTH COUNTY AND STATEWIDE) (RECORD IMPOUNDED)

RECORD IMPOUNDED
NOT FOR PUBLICATION WITHOUT THE
APPROVAL OF THE APPELLATE DIVISION
This opinion shall not "constitute precedent or be binding upon any court." Although it is posted on the
internet, this opinion is binding only on the parties in the case and its use in other cases is limited. R. 1:36-3.
SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY
APPELLATE DIVISION
DOCKET NO. A-0009-18T4
NEW JERSEY DIVISION
OF CHILD PROTECTION
AND PERMANENCY,
Plaintiff-Respondent,
v.
A.S.,
Defendant-Appellant.
____________________________
IN THE MATTER OF THE
GUARDIANSHIP OF J.L.,
a Minor.
____________________________
Submitted May 7, 2019 – Decided June 10, 2019
Before Judges Hoffman and Geiger.
On appeal from Superior Court of New Jersey,
Chancery Division, Family Part, Monmouth County,
Docket No. FG-13-0071-17.
Joseph E. Krakora, Public Defender, attorney for
appellant (Robyn A. Veasey, Deputy Public Defender,
of counsel; Adrienne Marie Kalosieh, Assistant Deputy
Public Defender, on the brief).
Gurbir S. Grewal, Attorney General, attorney for
respondent (Melissa H. Raksa, Assistant Attorney
General, of counsel; Christina Anne Duclos, Deputy
Attorney General, on the brief).
Joseph E. Krakora, Public Defender, Law Guardian,
attorney for minor (Margo E.K. Hirsch, Designated
Counsel, on the brief).
PER CURIAM
Defendant A.S. appeals from the judgment of guardianship terminating
her parental rights to her son, J.L. 1 The child's Law Guardian and the Division
of Child Protection and Permanency (the Division) urge us to affirm. Our
review of the record shows the factual findings of the trial judge are supported
by substantial credible evidence, including his evaluation of witness credibility,
and based on those findings, his legal conclusions are correct. We therefore
affirm the judgment of guardianship.
I.
Defendant gave birth to J.L. in March 2016. At the time, defendant had
already given birth to two other children: C.S., born in 2011, and R.S., born in
2012. Defendant surrendered her parental rights to C.S. in February 2013. At
1
We use initials to protect the parties' privacy.
A-0009-18T4
2
a later date, Florida Child Protective Services removed R.S. from defendant's
care, which ultimately ended with the involuntarily termination or her parental
rights to R.S. in Florida.
In January 2016, the Visiting Nurses Association contacted the Division,
reporting that defendant was pregnant, had no housing, and had stopped taking
her medication for bipolar disorder. Nonetheless, the Division closed the case
since the child was not yet born; however, the Division sent a letter to the
hospital where defendant planned to deliver, requesting the hospital notify the
Division of the child's birth.
Defendant gave birth to J.L. in March 2016. Upon learning of the birth,
the Division began its investigation. Defendant confirmed to the Division that
she lived in a motel and had no income or benefits, but assured investigators she
was prepared to care for the child. She also claimed she felt mentally stable, but
would take her medication if recommended. Despite these assurances, the
Division conducted an emergency removal of J.L. based on her history with the
Division regarding C.S., her prior heroin use, her history of mental health issues,
and a previous evaluation which determined defendant lacked the mental
capacity to care for a child.
A-0009-18T4
3
After removal, the Division attempted to provide numerous resources for
defendant, including psychological evaluations, parenting classes,
transportation assistance, supervised visitation, and assistance with housing and
other benefits. Court orders required compliance with the services provided.
Defendant attended a psychological evaluation with Dr. David Brandwein
about four months after J.L.'s removal. Dr. Brandwein reviewed defendant's
history with the Division and reports from her visits with J.L. He also conducted
several tests, such as the Child Abuse Potential Inventory (CAPI), the Millon
Clinical Multiaxial Inventory, 4th Edition (MCMI IV), and an IQ test. Dr.
Brandwein diagnosed defendant with an intellectual disability which affected
her ability to care for herself and others. The CAPI and MCMI IV tests revealed
traits Dr. Brandwein described as "very, very concerning," which could lead to
maltreatment.
During her evaluation, defendant also disclosed four psychiatric
hospitalizations: two for attempted suicides and two for failing to take her
medication. She recounted a high level of dependency on men who were
unstable, abusive, had substance abuse problems, and criminal histories. Dr.
Brandwein recommended the Division no longer provide services to defendant
A-0009-18T4
4
as he believed the efforts to be futile in correcting her inability to care for a
child.
Nonetheless, the Division continued to offer services to defendant.
Defendant planned on seeing a psychiatrist, yet she did not resume taking her
medications. The Division also referred her to the Mental Health Association
(MHA) for help applying for food stamps and disability benefits. The efforts
were voided when defendant moved out of the county. She failed to complete
any mental health program during the entire period between J.L.'s removal and
the guardianship trial. During the same time, she worked only for a short period,
first at Dunkin Donuts, before quitting when her training for the job proved "too
stressful," and then selling Christmas trees, in 2017.
For a period, defendant lived in a tent in the woods and refused to go to a
shelter. At one visit, defendant appeared without a coat or gloves; she made no
attempt to find a warm place to stay despite offers of assistance from the
Division and MHA. Eventually, defendant stated she planned to move out of
state to live with a man she met online; however, she remained in New Jersey.
In August 2017, defendant moved into a motel with L.F., a man she had
recently met. After defendant told the Division she would be marrying L.F. and
buying a house, L.F. underwent a psychological evaluation. Dr. Brandwein did
A-0009-18T4
5
not endorse L.F. as an independent caregiver and could "not find feasible any
plan by which [L.F.] would supervise [Defendant] with [J.L.]" as he did not
know defendant well enough to understand the risks she presented to the child.
Further, he feared that should the relationship end, J.L. would be left solely with
defendant, which Dr. Brandwein could not endorse.
The Division arranged for supervised visits between J.L. and defendant
each week. Defendant did not appear comfortable feeding J.L., burping him, or
changing him. One Division worker noted defendant's discomfort and noted
defendant "cannot be left alone for even a moment with the baby." Another
commented "in 16 [years] of supervising visits [the worker] has never been this
uncomfortable and/or worried that a parent could possibly drop the child."
Defendant became easily stressed and frustrated during the visits. She showed
little interest in her son and his development. She also spent a lot of time on her
phone during her visits, rather than focusing on her son. During one visit,
defendant hit J.L.'s arm when he did not listen.
The Division recommended parenting skills classes to defendant;
however, she did not complete them until February 2018, nearly two years later.
In October 2017, Dr. Brandwein again evaluated defendant. He conducted
the same tests as before, with one additional test: the Adult Adolescent Parenting
A-0009-18T4
6
Inventory, Second Edition. The results showed defendant struggles with
parenting stresses, lacks nurturing skills, and lacks empathy, while exhibiting
an expectation of strict obedience and a tendency for using the child to meet her
own needs. Defendant advised she had not seen a psychiatrist in seven months,
had started drinking, and was on and off her medication. She admitted to not
having completed any Division services since July 2016.
Dr. Brandwein's ultimate conclusion remained essentially the same as
with his prior evaluation. Despite defendant achieving permanent housing with
L.F., Dr. Brandwein stated "a roof over one's head does not a safe parent make."
He concluded defendant was "one of the most ill-suited candidates for parenting
this examiner has ever evaluated. Placing a child back in [her] care would be
socially irresponsible" and it would only be "a matter of when, not if, that child
would be physically or psychologically harmed."
Dr. Brandwein also conducted a bonding evaluation between J.L. and
defendant. J.L. showed minimal desire to interact with defendant, but kept
asking for his resource parents, referring to them as "mommy" and "daddy."
Defendant and J.L. had no bond, he concluded, and J.L. would experience no
harm or grief if the relationship was severed. However, if J.L. were removed
A-0009-18T4
7
from his resource parents, he would suffer harm in the form of "psychological
distress, anxiety, grief, [and] possible reversion in development skills."
At a fact-finding hearing, defendant stipulated to findings that she had
abused or neglected J.L. In April and July 2018, the court conducted a trial over
the course of three days. In August 2018, the court issued its decision
terminating defendant's parental rights. 2 This appeal followed.
On appeal, defendant raises the following arguments:
I. THE JUDGEMENT OF GUARDIANSHIP SHOULD
BE REVERSED BECAUSE DCPP'S EVIDENCE DID
NOT SUPPORT THE FOUR PRONGS OF N.J.S.A.
30:4C-15.1(A) TO TERMINATE THE MOTHER'S
PARENTAL RIGHTS.
A. REVERSAL IS WARRANTED BECAUSE THE
COURT ERRED IN CONCLUDING THAT
[DEFENDANT] COULD NOT PROVIDE A SAFE
HOME PURSUANT TO PRONG ONE BASED UPON
PRIOR INSTABILITY.
B. THE COURT ERRED IN CONCLUDING THAT
[DEFENDANT] WAS UNWILLING OR UNABLE TO
ALLEVIATE THE HARM TO J.L. WHEN SHE
COMPLETED SERVICES PROVIDED AND WAS
ALWAYS WILLING TO FOLLOW UP WITH
MENTAL HEALTH CARE BUT PREVIOUSLY
LACKED THE RESOURCES TO DO SO.
C. THE COURT ERRED IN CONCLUDING THAT
DCPP MADE REASONABLE EFFORTS TO
2
J.L.'s birth father voluntarily surrendered his parental rights.
A-0009-18T4
8
PROVIDE SERVICES TO [DEFENDANT]. AS IT
ADMITTED IT DEFERRED TO AN OUTSIDE
AGENCY THAT THEN DID NOTHING TO HELP IN
THE TWO TASKS NEEDED – SOCIAL SECURITY
DISABILITY FOR INCOME AND INSURANCE
AND HOUSING.
D. THE COURT ERRED IN CONCLUDING THAT
DCPP MET ITS BURDEN TO PROVE
TERMINATION OF [DEFENDANT'S] PARENTAL
RIGHTS WOULD NOT DO MORE HARM THAN
GOOD.
II.
We exercise limited review of a decision terminating a parent's rights.
N.J. Div. of Youth & Family Servs. v. M.M., 189 N.J. 261, 278-79 (2007).
Factual findings supporting such a judgment "should not be disturbed unless
'they are so wholly insupportable as to result in a denial of justice,' and should
be upheld whenever they are 'supported by adequate, substantial[,] and credible
evidence.'" In re Guardianship of J.T., 269 N.J. Super. 172, 188 (App. Div.
1993) (quoting Rova Farms Resort, Inc. v. Inv'rs Ins. Co. of Am., 65 N.J. 474,
483-84 (1974)). The Family Part's findings should stand unless "they are so
manifestly unsupported by or inconsistent with the competent, relevant[,] and
reasonably credible evidence as to offend the interests of justice." Rova Farms
Resort, 65 N.J. at 484 (citing Fagliarone v. Twp. of N. Bergen, 78 N.J. Super.
154, 155 (App. Div. 1963)). However, we accord no special deference to the
A-0009-18T4
9
Family judge's interpretation of the law and the legal consequences that flow
from established facts. See N.J. Div. of Youth & Family Servs. v. I.S., 202 N.J.
145, 183 (2010).
Defendant argues the Division failed to establish the required elements to
succeed in a termination proceeding. To obtain termination of parental rights,
the Division must satisfy all four prongs of the following test:
(1) The child's safety, health or development has been
or will continue to be endangered by the parental
relationship;
(2) The parent is unwilling or unable to eliminate the
harm facing the child or is unable or unwilling to
provide a safe and stable home for the child and the
delay of permanent placement will add to the harm.
Such harm may include evidence that separating the
child from his resource family parents would cause
serious and enduring emotional or psychological harm
to the child;
(3) The Division has made reasonable efforts to
provide services to help the parent correct the
circumstances which led to the child's placement
outside the home and the court has considered
alternatives to termination of parental rights; and
(4) Termination of parental rights will not do more
harm than good.
[N.J.S.A. 30:4C:15.1(a).]
These four prongs are neither discrete nor separate, but overlap "to
A-0009-18T4
10
provide a comprehensive standard that identifies a child's best interests." N.J.
Div. of Youth & Family Servs. v. F.M., 211 N.J. 420, 448 (2012) (citing N.J.
Div. of Youth & Family Servs. v. G.L., 191 N.J. 596, 606-07 (2007)). "The
considerations involved are extremely fact sensitive and require particularized
evidence that address[es] the specific circumstance in the given case." N.J. Div.
of Youth & Family Servs. v. R.G., 217 N.J. 527, 554 (2014) (alteration in
original) (citing N.J. Div. of Youth & Family Servs. v. M.M., 189 N.J. 261, 28
(2007)). The Division must prove by clear and convincing evidence all four
statutory prongs. Ibid. We will not overturn a family court's findings unless
they were "so wide of the mark that the judge was clearly mistaken." G.L., 191
N.J. at 605.
The first prong of the best interest test requires the judge to determine
whether "the child's safety, health, or development has been or will continue to
be endangered by the parental relationship." N.J.S.A. 30:4C-15.1(a). The
analysis examines the impact of harm caused by the parent-child relationship on
the child's health over time. N.J. Div. of Youth & Family Servs. v. P.P., 180
N.J. 494, 506 (2004). The analysis does not "concentrate on a single or isolated
harm or past harm" but rather focuses on "the effect of harms" arising over time.
In re Guardianship of K.H.O., 161 N.J. 337, 348 (1999). The court is not
A-0009-18T4
11
concerned only with actual harm to the children, but also with the risk of future
harm. In re Guardianship of DMH, 161 N.J. 365, 383 (1999). Further, the harm
need not be physical, as emotional or psychological harm may suffice. In re
Guardianship of K.L.F., 129 N.J. 32, 44 (1992).
Here, defendant's mental health and instability in terms of job security and
housing prior to moving in with L.F. presented a risk. Defendant has not
completed any mental health services and has only irregularly taken her
medication for bipolar disorder. In fact, she stated she no longer needs
medication because she lives with L.F. During her visitations, defendant seemed
preoccupied by her phone and showed little interest J.L.; instead, she became
easily frustrated with him and even hit him on the arm. Dr. Brandwein opined
that placing the child into defendant's care would be socially irresponsible, as it
would only be a matter of time before J.L. suffered some form of psychological
or physical harm. The record contains substantial support for the trial court's
conclusion that the Division satisfied prong one.
Under prong two, the Division must demonstrate "not only that the child's
health and development have been and continue to be endangered, but also that
the harm is likely to continue because the parent is unable or unwilling to
overcome or remove the harm." K.H.O., 161 N.J. at 348. The Division may
A-0009-18T4
12
satisfy this prong by demonstrating the parent's inability or unwillingness to
resolve issues that are detrimental to the child. See N.J. Div of Youth & Family
Servs. v. B.G.S., 291 N.J. Super. 582, 592 (App. Div. 1996). This prong
determines whether "the parent has cured and overcome the initial harm that
endangered the health, safety, or welfare of the child, and is able to continue a
parental relationship without recurrent harm to the child." K.H.O., 161 N.J. at
348 (citing In re Guardianship of J.C., 129 N.J. 1, 10 (1992)).
While defendant appears to have found stable housing with L.F., she has
not taken appropriate steps to alleviate the other issues surrounding J.L.'s
removal. She stopped participating in mandatory therapy in January 2017. She
failed to undergo treatment for her mental health disorders, and regularly fails
to take her medication, claiming she does not need it any longer. When she
received help applying for food stamps, she moved out of the county, voiding
the application. Thus, the trial court correctly determined the Division has also
satisfied this prong.
Regarding the third prong, the Division must prove it "has made
reasonable efforts to provide services to help the parent correct the
circumstances which led to the child's placement outside the home and the court
has considered alternatives to termination of parental rights." N.J.S.A. 30:4C -
A-0009-18T4
13
15.1(a). The analysis "contemplates efforts that focus on reunification of the
parent with the child and assistance to the parent to correct and overcome those
circumstances that necessitated the placement of the child into foster care."
K.H.O., 161 N.J. at 354.
The Division placed defendant with the MHA, which offered assistance
with mental health services, medication management, and applying for disability
and food stamps. Defendant failed to accept assistance in transitioning into
stable housing. She also refused the Division's assistance in applying for
housing benefits, and instead chose to live in the woods in a tent. The Division
also offered psychological treatment and evaluations, which defendant also
declined. All of these instances reflect the reasonable efforts the Division made
to try and help defendant have J.L. returned to her. Thus, the trial court correctly
determined the Division had satisfied this prong.
Lastly, the Division must demonstrate that "termination of parental rights
will not do more harm than good." N.J.S.A. 30:4C-15.1(a). The issue "is not
whether a biological mother or father is a worthy parent, but whether a child's
interest will best be served by completely terminating the child's relationship
with that parent." N.J. Div. of Youth & Family Servs. v. E.P., 196 N.J. 88, 108
(2008).
A-0009-18T4
14
To satisfy this prong of the analysis, the Division must "offer testimony
of a 'well-qualified expert who has had full opportunity to make a
comprehensive, objective, and informed evaluation' of the child's relationship
with both the natural parents and the foster parents." N.J. Div. of Youth &
Family Servs. v. A.R., 405 N.J. Super. 418, 442 (App. Div. 2009). The Division
"must prove by clear and convincing evidence that separating the child from his
or her foster parents would cause serious and enduring emotional or
psychological harm." J.C., 129 N.J. at 19.
Here, Dr. Brandwein testified about J.L.'s bonds with both his resource
parents and with defendant. He found J.L. had not bonded with defendant at all,
but had bonded with the resource family as much as a child his age could. He
looked to them for guidance, stability, and safety. As such, Dr. Brandwein
concluded J.L. would suffer serious harm if removed from the resource parents,
including grief, distress, anxiety, and a potential reversion in his development .
Conversely, J.L. would not suffer any harm from severing the relationship with
defendant.
Dr. Brandwein found no improvement in defendant, and found her an unfit
parent both in the present and in the future, going so far as to state he found her
A-0009-18T4
15
to be the most unsuitable parent he had evaluated. Accordingly, we conclude
the Division provided sufficient evidence to satisfy prong four.
Affirmed.
A-0009-18T4
16