J.B.B. v. Alabama Department of Human Resources (Appeal from Jefferson Juvenile Court: JU-06-52318.01 and JU-06-52319.01) (Consolidated with 2110568.) Affirmed. J.W.B. v. Alabama Department of Human Resources (Appeal from Jefferson Juvenile Court: JU-06-52318.01 and JU-06-52319.01)

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REL: 01/11/2013 Notice: T h i s o p i n i o n i s s u b j e c t t o formal r e v i s i o n b e f o r e p u b l i c a t i o n i n t h e advance s h e e t s o f Southern R e p o r t e r . R e a d e r s a r e r e q u e s t e d t o n o t i f y t h e R e p o r t e r o f D e c i s i o n s , Alabama A p p e l l a t e C o u r t s , 300 D e x t e r A v e n u e , M o n t g o m e r y , A l a b a m a 3 6 1 0 4 - 3 7 4 1 ((334) 2 2 9 - 0 6 4 9 ) , o f a n y t y p o g r a p h i c a l o r o t h e r e r r o r s , i n o r d e r t h a t c o r r e c t i o n s may b e made b e f o r e t h e o p i n i o n i s p r i n t e d i n Southern R e p o r t e r . ALABAMA COURT OF CIVIL APPEALS OCTOBER TERM, 2012-2013 2110550 J.B.B. v. Alabama Department o f Human Resources 2110568 J.W.B. v. Alabama Department o f Human Resources Appeals from J e f f e r s o n J u v e n i l e Court (JU-06-52318.01 and JU-06-52319.01) PITTMAN, J u d g e . J.B.B. separately ("the m o t h e r " ) appeal and J.W.B. from judgments t e r m i n a t i n g r i g h t s t o t h e i r two s o n s : ("the f a t h e r " ) their parental J . B . , who was b o r n on F e b r u a r y 4, 2110550 a n d 2110568 2000; a n d T.B., who was b o r n consolidated the appeals, both on J u l y 19, 2002. This court a n d we now a f f i r m t h e j u d g m e n t s i n cases. F a c t s and P r o c e d u r a l H i s t o r y The p a r e n t s m a r r i e d i n 2003, a f t e r t h e b i r t h s o f J.B. a n d T.B., but the father was listed on each child's birth certificate and has acknowledged t h a t t h e c h i l d r e n a r e h i s . The has another mother relationship. biological s o n , Z.B., Z.B., who i s f o u r y e a r s adopted by t h e maternal Although Z.B. l i v e d w i t h t h e m a t e r n a l visited In grandparents by o l d e r than when a prior J . B . , was he was a baby. grandparents, he o f t e n i n t h e home o f t h e m o t h e r a n d h i s two h a l f brothers. J u l y 2006, s o c i a l workers D e p a r t m e n t o f Human R e s o u r c e s from t h e J e f f e r s o n County ("DHR") removed J . B . a n d T.B. f r o m t h e p a r e n t s ' home f o l l o w i n g r e p o r t s o f d o m e s t i c v i o l e n c e between the parents. 1 I n September 2006, the Jefferson A l t h o u g h t h e A l a b a m a D e p a r t m e n t o f Human R e s o u r c e s f i l e d t h e b r i e f s on a p p e a l i n t h i s m a t t e r , t h e J e f f e r s o n C o u n t y D e p a r t m e n t o f Human R e s o u r c e s f i l e d t h e u n d e r l y i n g d e p e n d e n c y p e t i t i o n s and p e t i t i o n s t o t e r m i n a t e t h e p a r e n t s ' p a r e n t a l r i g h t s i n t h e j u v e n i l e c o u r t a n d was t h e a g e n c y r e s p o n s i b l e for overseeing the u n d e r l y i n g cases. The c o u n t y d e p a r t m e n t s o f human r e s o u r c e s are s t a t e agencies. See Ex p a r t e D e p a r t m e n t o f Human Res., 716 So. 2d 717, 718 ( A l a . C i v . App. 1998) . 1 2 2110550 and Juvenile 2110568 Court determined that J.B. and a w a r d e d t h e i r c u s t o d y t o DHR. foster care, supervised removal by of and the DHR. the children from they also T.B. were dependent c h i l d r e n were p l a c e d were the c o m p l e t e d c o u r s e s on p a r e n t i n g a n g e r management; The parents During and allowed first their skills, underwent year visitation following custody, the the parents domestic v i o l e n c e , drug in assessments and and p s y c h o l o g i c a l e v a l u a t i o n s , and t h e y p a r t i c i p a t e d i n i n d i v i d u a l and couples' The has been a counseling. father's full-scale diagnosed psychological evaluation I.Q. of 78. with a learning revealed In elementary attention-deficit/hyperactivity obsessive-compulsive disorder. His he he had well as school, disability disorder that as ("ADHD") a d u l t diagnoses are he a b u s e s a l c o h o l , t h a t he s u f f e r s f r o m m a j o r d e p r e s s i o n , that he has a generalized anxiety disorder, an and that and impulse "The c o u n t y d e p a r t m e n t s o f human r e s o u r c e s s e r v e as a g e n t s o f t h e S t a t e D e p a r t m e n t o f Human R e s o u r c e s ; t h e S t a t e D e p a r t m e n t i s empowered t o d e s i g n a t e the c o u n t y as i t s a g e n t and t o a s s i s t t h e c o u n t i e s i n t h e i r v a r i o u s d u t i e s when n e c e s s a r y . See § 38-6-2, A l a . Code 1975; Admin. R u l e s 6 6 0 - 1 - 2 - . 0 1 ( g ) and 6601-2-.02" S t a t e Dep't o f Human Res. v. E s t a t e o f H a r r i s , 857 819 n.1 ( A l a . C i v . App. 2002). 3 So. 2d 818, 2110550 and disorder 2110568 not otherwise specified, and an antisocial- personality disorder with n a r c i s s i s t i c personality t r a i t s paranoid personality features. Security Income b e n e f i t s was i n the fifth He has received Supplemental for a learning d i s a b i l i t y grade; at the and since t i m e o f t r i a l he was 32 he years old. The has mother's p s y c h o l o g i c a l e v a l u a t i o n d i s c l o s e d t h a t a full-scale disorder I.Q. (chronic major d e p r e s s i o n ) , otherwise At the o f 82, depression, t i m e o f t r i a l , she parents' first custody, f o s t e r homes. was year J.B. and o f u r i n e ) and e n c o p r e s i s J.B. is less and avoidant than not features. years o l d . following their T.B. severity a personality disorder lived E a c h change o f r e s i d e n c e s u f f e r e d from e n u r e s i s stool). 35 s u f f e r s from d y s t h y m i c with borderline a l l e g a t i o n of f o s t e r - p a r e n t of but and t h a t she has specified, with During the t h a t she she removal in was three the different p r e c i p i t a t e d by abuse o f t h e c h i l d r e n . (the i n a b i l i t y from an Both boys to c o n t r o l the passage (the i n a b i l i t y t o c o n t r o l t h e p a s s a g e aggressive and T.B. is more docile. D u r i n g t h e c h i l d r e n ' s t h i r d p l a c e m e n t , Rowanna Woods, a c o u r t a p p o i n t e d s p e c i a l a d v o c a t e ("CASA"), was 4 assigned to the case. 2110550 a n d 2110568 In J u l y 2007, J.B. a n d T.B. were p l a c e d w i t h t h e m a t e r n a l grandparents In August and p r o v i d e d w i t h s e r v i c e s from Youth 2007, J.B. s t a r t e d t h e s c h o o l grade b u t e x p e r i e n c e d that and a g g r e s s i v e he was thereafter, was I n O c t o b e r 2007, J.B. was e x h i b i t i n g behavior to an at school alternative the j u v e n i l e court multi-needs Behavioral sent child Health diagnosed and J . B . was suffering t o such from an e x t e n t school. determined admitted Systems H o s p i t a l as i n t h e second a c a d e m i c d i f f i c u l t i e s a n d was p l a c e d back i n t h e f i r s t grade. unruly year Villages. that Shortly J.B. was a to Hill Crest ( " H i l l C r e s t " ) , where he bipolar disorder, post- t r a u m a t i c s t r e s s d i s o r d e r , i m p u l s e - c o n t r o l d i s o r d e r , and ADHD. J.B. was p r e s c r i b e d an a n t i - a n x i e t y d r u g mood s t a b i l i z e r s (clonazepam), two ( r i s p e r i d o n e and o x c a r b a z e p i n e ) , a n d an ADHD 2008, t h e j u v e n i l e c o u r t g r a n t e d the parents medication. In January unsupervised weekend v i s i t a t i o n w i t h t h e c h i l d r e n . In early A p r i l 2008, t h e j u v e n i l e c o u r t amended i t s v i s i t a t i o n o r d e r on motion o f the c h i l d r e n ' s guardian a d l i t e m , who a l l e g e d t h a t t h e c h i l d r e n h a d r e p o r t e d t h a t t h e f a t h e r was a b u s i n g d u r i n g weekend v i s i t a t i o n s . alcohol The j u v e n i l e c o u r t o r d e r e d t h e 5 2110550 a n d 2110568 p a r e n t s n o t t o have a n y a l c o h o l i c b e v e r a g e s i n t h e home w h i l e the children subject to were present, made visitation t o t h e mother's s u p e r v i s i o n , and d i r e c t e d t h e f a t h e r have negative a substance-abuse assessment. for a l l controlled Woods, t h e CASA, that sexualized behavior at school. exhibiting inappropriate When t h e t e a c h e r s questioned J . B . s t a t e d t h a t he h a d s e e n p i c t u r e s o f n a k e d women t h a t h i s f a t h e r k e p t i n a b a s e m e n t room. teachers reported that Mondays; J . B . e x p l a i n e d k e p t h i m up u n t i l rest. The t e a c h e r s late J.B. tended that parents t o be v e r y h i s father at night sleepy or h i s brother The on had a n d t h a t he d i d n o t g e t any n o t e d t h a t J . B . ' s s e x u a l i z e d b e h a v i o r was more e x t r e m e on Mondays a f t e r his was a t J.B.'s s c h o o l r e p o r t e d t o J . B . was about h i s b e h a v i o r , The a s s e s s m e n t substances. I n l a t e A p r i l 2008, t e a c h e r s J.B. the father's and t h a t such he h a d s p e n t t h e weekend behavior diminished with a s t h e week progressed. After hearing that e v i d e n c e t h a t b o t h p a r e n t s were e m p l o y e d , they had rented a two-bedroom house i n A d a m s v i l l e , and t h a t t h e y h a d c o m p l i e d w i t h a l l a s p e c t s o f DHR's s e r v i c e p l a n , t h e j u v e n i l e c o u r t , on J u n e 26, 2008, 6 returned custody of the 2110550 a n d 2110568 children to the parents, ordered family counseling, r e q u i r e d the f a t h e r t o undergo i n d i v i d u a l c o u n s e l i n g . the CASA, v i s i t e d the parents' home a f t e r t h e c h i l d r e n had been r e t u r n e d occasion, i n July and Woods, 2008, shortly t o the parents. On t h a t Woods s a i d , t h e f a t h e r h a d become v e r y a n g r y a n d h a d r e t r e a t e d t o t h e bedroom, a f t e r w h i c h J . B . h a d come o u t o f t h e bedroom mother: with a "funny l i t t l e "Daddy's you're i n t h e r e . " smile" i n t h e bedroom According and had s a i d doing what to the he does t o Woods, t h e m o t h e r a s k e d what the f a t h e r was d o i n g a n d J . B . w o u l d n o t s a y . Woods the f o l l o w i n g d a y a n d t h e m o t h e r a c k n o w l e d g e d t o Woods the father " h a d p r o b l e m s , a n d she was c h i l d r e n again help." Then, I n subsequent v i s i t s t h e mother, that to lose her t o t h e home, Woods n o t i c e d on h e r f a c e however, i n O c t o b e r 2008, the father's maternal grandparents. any a b u s e b y t h e f a t h e r . t h e mother knowledge, that a n d t h a t T.B. h a d a b l a c k denied planned t o take the c h i l d r e n , leave without going returned because o f t h a t , b u t t h a t [ t h e f a t h e r ] needed the mother had b r u i s e s eye; when informed Woods that she t h e m a r i t a l home t h a t d a y a n d go to live with the The m o t h e r c a r r i e d o u t h e r p l a n t h e 7 2110550 and 2110568 following day, and, for five months, t h e mother c h i l d r e n l i v e d w i t h t h e m a t e r n a l g r a n d p a r e n t s and In March 2009, J.B. and T.B. were m o t h e r ' s c u s t o d y a f t e r DHR r e c e i v e d a When t h e n u r s e that T.B.'s anus was asked T.B. h i s half brother, Z.B. removed from enlarged the and had sexually school irritated. what h a d h a p p e n e d , T.B. Z.B., the T.B. h a d d e f e c a t e d i n and, i n h e l p i n g h i m t o c l e a n h i m s e l f , nurse had seen t h a t the child-abuse-and-neglect r e p o r t f r o m t h e s t a f f a t T.B.'s s c h o o l . h i s pants, and reported abused him. On M a r c h 30, 2009, t h e j u v e n i l e c o u r t a w a r d e d c u s t o d y o f J.B. and T.B. t o DHR; directed that J.B., T.B., and Z.B. submit to f o r e n s i c i n t e r v i e w s a t t h e P r e s c o t t House C h i l d r e n ' s A d v o c a c y Center ("Prescott Children's Clinic; Hospital and unsupervised clinical H o u s e " ) and t o f o r e n s i c e x a m i n a t i o n s a t t h e ordered contact Intervention that J.B., and T.B., w i t h each o t h e r . d i r e c t o r of the P r e s c o t t Prevention and Z.B. Services have no M a r y B e t h Thomas, t h e House, conducted several f o r e n s i c i n t e r v i e w s w i t h J.B. and T.B. i n 2009 and 2 0 1 0 ; t h o s e i n t e r v i e w s were r e c o r d e d J.B. and T.B. on v i d e o d i s c . were p l a c e d i n separate e n r o l l e d i n t h e Alabama C l i n i c a l S c h o o l , 8 f o s t e r homes and a s p e c i a l school f o r 2110550 and 2110568 preadolescent children who are v i c t i m s or p e r p e t r a t o r s of child abuse. The mother granted sexual visitation, and the father's was visitation supervised rights were made subject to the d i s c r e t i o n of the c h i l d r e n ' s counselors. The c o u n s e l o r s d i r e c t e d t h a t t h e f a t h e r have no c o n t a c t w i t h t h e children. Alabama For the Clinical next two School; years, J.B. T.B. attended remained both the C l i n i c a l S c h o o l and t h e B o y d S c h o o l , a s i m i l a r On July 19 and 21, 2010, t h e p a r e n t s i n the Alabama facility. filed motions for f u n d s t o h i r e an i n d e p e n d e n t p s y c h o l o g i c a l e x p e r t t o examine the c h i l d r e n . court denied those motions. The j u v e n i l e November 17 and 18, 2010, t h e p a r e n t s f i l e d m o t i o n s to exclude Prescott House. interviews which to the recorded The contained hearsay statements that the recorded of the c h i l d r e n , of o p p o r t u n i t y t o r e b u t t h e s t a t e m e n t s , as r e q u i r e d by § 12-15-310(d), insisted with argued at the t h e p a r e n t s had n o t been g i v e n s u f f i c i e n t p r i o r n o t i c e a f f o r d them a f a i r the i n limine i n t e r v i e w s of the c h i l d r e n parents On that, children's funds to A l a . Code 1975. i n o r d e r t o have a f a i r recorded statements, employ an also opportunity to rebut t h e y s h o u l d be p r o v i d e d independent 9 The p a r e n t s expert to conduct a 2110550 a n d 2110568 psychological evaluation of the children. The j u v e n i l e court denied the motions i n l i m i n e . The 2010, record indicates that, on November 23 DHR a t t e m p t e d t o i n t r o d u c e a v i d e o d i s c o f t h e c h i l d r e n ' s P r e s c o t t House i n t e r v i e w s the at a hearing § rebut" abuse and t h e p a r e n t s 12-15-310(d) requirement the children's and renewing hearsay their of a " f a i r statements motions independent p s y c h o l o g i c a l expert. whom t h e c a s e was t h e n opportunity concerning f o r funds Judge A l a n granted the motion, parties t o r e a c h an a g r e e m e n t as t o t h e e x p e r t hired. When the parties the hearing, could appointed Dr. Steven Bell children. Dr. B e l l declined raising to sexual to hire an The j u v e n i l e - c o u r t j u d g e t o assigned, stopped objected, t o accept Jr., and d i r e c t e d t h e not agree, t o conduct Summers, who w o u l d b e Judge Summers evaluations of the t h e appointment and suggested that the p a r t i e s contact p s y c h o l o g i s t s a t the Sparks Clinic, who a l s o d e c l i n e d Summers then informed t o accept the appointment. the p a r t i e s that he w o u l d Judge choose a psychologist. On June 16, 2 0 1 1 , DHR f i l e d p e t i t i o n s t o terminate p a r e n t a l r i g h t s o f t h e mother and t h e f a t h e r . 10 the The c a s e s were 2110550 a n d 2110568 a s s i g n e d t o Judge S a n d r a S t o r m , a n d t h e p e t i t i o n s were on November 28-29 a n d December 19, Deegan M a l o n e , problematic a clinical sexual 2011. therapist behavior in whose s p e c i a l t y i s preadolescent conducted p s y c h o s e x u a l e v a l u a t i o n s o f J.B., February and objections, evidence. March 2009. Malone's Over clinical W i t h r e s p e c t t o J.B., Malone's c l i n i c a l report states, tried the reports children, T.B., a n d Z.B. i n parents' were hearsay admitted in who was t h e n n i n e y e a r s o l d , i npertinent part: "When a s k e d a b o u t s e x u a l t o u c h i n g , [ J . B . ] s t a t e d n o t h i n g and d e n i e d a l l q u e s t i o n s r e l a t e d t o s e x u a l a b u s e ; h o w e v e r , he d i d r e p o r t t h a t he a n d [ Z . B . ] h a d a s e c r e t a n d t h e y d i d d i r t y t h i n g s a n d i t was a secret " With r e s p e c t t o T.B., who was t h e n clinical report states, seven years o l d , Malone's i npertinent part: " [ T . B . ] i n d i c a t e d d u r i n g d r a w i n g t h a t he w a n t e d t h e cops t o come p i c k up h i s f a t h e r . As a m a t t e r o f f a c t , he e v e n a s k e d how t o s p e l l ' c o p s , ' ' c a t c h , ' and t h e n ' d a d d y . ' ... [ T . B . ] was v e r y up f r o n t a n d honest about [ Z . B . ] and [ J . B . ] d o i n g n a s t y t h i n g s . He s t a t e d t h a t [ Z . B . ] t r i e s t o do n a s t y t h i n g s w i t h h i m a t t i m e s , b u t he does n o t l e t h i m . He a l s o stated t h a t [ Z . B . ] and [ J . B . ] would look at pornography w h i l e a t [ t h e p a r e n t s ' house] He h a s seen [ J . B . ] and [ Z . B . ] a c t o u t n a s t y w i t h each o t h e r . When I a s k e d [ T . B . ] t o i n d i c a t e what ' n a s t y ' meant, he s a i d , ' Y o u know what men do t o g i r l s . ' " 11 2110550 a n d 2110568 With respect clinical t o Z.B., who was t h e n report stated, i npertinent 13 y e a r s old, Malone's part: " [ Z . B . ] r e p o r t e d t h a t he was e x p o s e d t o p o r n o g r a p h y by h i s b r o t h e r s ' b i o l o g i c a l f a t h e r , [ J . W . B . ] . [ Z . B . ] i n d i c a t e d t h a t he saw i t on one o c c a s i o n a n d [ t h e f a t h e r , J.W.B.,] t o l d h i m t o l e a v e . The s e c o n d t i m e , [ t h e f a t h e r , J.W.B.,] a l l o w e d h i m t o s t a y a n d w a t c h t h e DVDs. ... He a l s o a d m i t s t o s e x u a l t a l k w i t h h i s b r o t h e r s a n d ' a c t i n g gay.' He was u n c l e a r a b o u t what t h a t a c t u a l l y m e a n t . " When M a l o n e was a s k e d w h e t h e r s h e b e l i e v e d t h a t e i t h e r J . B . o r T.B. h a d b e e n s e x u a l l y a b u s e d , she s t a t e d : " I b e l i e v e both I t o some believe a l l three sexualized behaviors. limitedness, kids were The exposed of and t h e enormity gravity type or no, s i r , I c a n n o t s p e a k t o t h a t . " She f u r t h e r s t a t e d t h a t J.B.'s b e h a v i o r was " c o n s i s t e n t w i t h a c h i l d [who had] been sexually mother's counsel abused." On cross-examination, the a s k e d M a l o n e w h e t h e r s h e was " t r y i n g t o i m p l y t h a t s e x u a l abuse i s t h e o n l y t h i n g t h a t c o u l d have c a u s e d t h e problems these children are having?" The f o l l o w i n g occurred: "A. [by M a l o n e ] : No. There's a l l kinds of psychological issues or behavioral problematic i s s u e s t h a t come up w i t h e v e r y k i d . B u t b a s e d on the a c t i o n s , t h e a c t i n g o u t t h e y o u know, t h e d e f e c a t i n g , t h e b e d w e t t i n g a n d t h o s e t h i n g s , when you have a m u l t i t u d e o f those and t h e c h i l d r e p o r t i n g s e x u a l i z e d b e h a v i o r s w i t h i n t h e home, y o u 12 then 2110550 a n d 2110568 k i n d o f go w i t h what n o t o n l y what t h e b e h a v i o r s a r e f o r s u r e , y o u know, b e c a u s e some o f t h e s i g n s o f s e x u a l abuse a r e t h e d e f e c a t i n g , t h e b e d w e t t i n g , the f i r e s t a r t i n g , the c r u e l t y t o animals, the excessive clothes, the hoarding, those kinds of t h i n g s , a g g r e s s i v e behavior. There's a long l i s t of c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s t h a t we go b y . I f i t was j u s t d e f e c a t i n g o r b e d w e t t i n g , t h e n y o u may want t o go t o [ p o s t - t r a u m a t i c s t r e s s d i s o r d e r ] o r y o u may want to look a t a n x i e t y d i s o r d e r or something l i k e t h a t . "Q. [by t h e m o t h e r ' s c o u n s e l ] : Of t h o s e f a c t o r s t h a t you j u s t m e n t i o n e d , how many w o u l d you s a y have b e e n e x h i b i t e d by [J.B.]? "A. His aggressiveness, lies, stealing, bed w e t t i n g , d e f e c a t i n g , a n d t h o s e t h i n g s . So, h e ' s g o t a l o t , I mean, as f a r as t h o s e b e h a v i o r s . He's demonstrated some of those behaviors i n the different facilities." The parties witness videodiscs w i t h T.B. Beth Thomas and August parents' father's of three interviews as an sexual expert abuse. A t Thomas h a d c o n d u c t e d i n M a r c h 2009, J a n u a r y 2010, a n d June 2010 two i n t e r v i e w s 2010 Mary on f o r e n s i c i n t e r v i e w i n g a n d c h i l d trial, of accepted she h a d c o n d u c t e d w i t h 2010 were a d m i t t e d hearsay objections. guardian ad J.B. i n January i n evidence over the Counsel f o r the parents litem acknowledged that and and t h e they had p r e v i o u s l y viewed the v i d e o d i s c s , b u t t h a t t h e i r v i e w i n g had occurred their a year e a r l i e r . counsel Judge the opportunity 13 S t o r m gave t h e p a r t i e s a n d t o view the videodiscs again 2110550 a n d 2110568 b e f o r e t h e y were a d m i t t e d i n e v i d e n c e . were p l a y e d i n c o u r t , t h e f o l l o w i n g Before the videodiscs occurred: "MR. MCMUNN [ m o t h e r ' s c o u n s e l ] : Y o u r H o n o r , my c l i e n t does n o t want t o s e e t h i s v i d e o . She h a d a p r o b l e m w i t h i t y e s t e r d a y a n d I w o u l d a s k ... t h a t she be e x c u s e d w h i l e t h e v i d e o i s b e i n g p l a y e d . "THE COURT: She c a n be e x c u s e d , She's s e e n them b e f o r e . i f she wants t o . "MR. MCMUNN: No, s h e h a s n ' t . "THE COURT: You've n e v e r s e e n them. "THE MOTHER: No, ma'am, I don't want t o see them. "THE COURT: You d o n ' t c h i l d r e n say? want I will t o s e e what "THE MOTHER: No. "THE COURT: W o u l d y o u r e a l l y ? "THE MOTHER: your I cannot be t o o u p s e t . s i t through j u s t g o i n g t o be h o n e s t w i t h y o u . this. I'm I'm s o r r y , b u t -¬ "THE COURT: T h a t ' s a l l r i g h t w i t h me. I t just i f s h e d o e s n ' t want t o you have n e v e r s e e n what y o u r c h i l d r e n s a y i n t h e s e t a p e s , c o r r e c t ? I t h o u g h t s h e h a d . You h a v e n o t . " In t h e January 2010 i n t e r v i e w , T.B. s t a t e d t h a t Z.B. h a d "put a h o l e i n h i s bottom" ( w h i c h he i n d i c a t e d b y c i r c l i n g t h e buttocks drawing), on an a n a t o m i c a l [Z.B.'s] l e g s " with " t h e t h i n g between ( w h i c h he i n d i c a t e d b y c i r c l i n g t h e p e n i s on an 14 2110550 a n d 2110568 anatomical drawing). a hole in father's] the [Z.B.'s] legs." T.B. a l s o s a i d t h a t h i s f a t h e r h a d " p u t bottom" with "the t h i n g between [the When Thomas i n q u i r e d w h e t h e r T.B. h a d s e e n f a t h e r "do t h a t " t o Z.B., T.B. s a i d t h a t he h a d n o t s e e n i t b u t t h a t h i s f o s t e r m o t h e r , M r s . F., h a d t o l d h i m . June 2010 i n t e r v i e w , hole In the T.B. s t a t e d t h a t h i s f a t h e r h a d " p u t a i n h i s bottom" w i t h " t h e t h i n g between [the f a t h e r ' s ] l e g s " when T.B. was i n h i s own b e d a n d t h a t Z.B. h a d done t h e same t h i n g t o h i m a t t h e m a t e r n a l g r a n d m o t h e r ' s house. I n J.B.'s J a n u a r y 2010 i n t e r v i e w , he s t a t e d t h a t Z.B. h a d been "humping" h i s l i t t l e b r o t h e r , T.B., o r " d i g g i n g h o l e s i n [T.B.'s] b u t t . " J.B. s t a t e d t h a t he h a d s e e n Z.B. p u l l T.B.'s pants "hump" house. not down and T.B. at the maternal grandmother's I n J.B.'s A u g u s t 2010 i n t e r v i e w , he s t a t e d t h a t he d i d get to v i s i t with h i s f a t h e r anymore b e c a u s e h i s f a t h e r h a d " p u t a h o l e i n us [ i n d i c a t i n g T.B. a n d h i m s e l f ] . " J.B. s a i d t h a t , one d a y when he was e i g h t y e a r s o l d a n d h i s m o t h e r h a d gone t o t h e g r o c e r y s t o r e , h i s f a t h e r h a d g r a b b e d h i m , h a d pulled down h i s p a n t s , and had "put a h o l e i n h i s butt" by " s t i c k i n g h i s t h i n g " ( w h i c h he i n d i c a t e d b y c i r c l i n g t h e p e n i s on an a n a t o m i c a l d r a w i n g ) " i n [ J . B . ' s ] b u t t . " 15 J.B. s t a t e d 2110550 a n d 2110568 t h a t , when t h e f a t h e r h a d h e a r d t h e m o t h e r o p e n i n g t h e f r o n t d o o r , t h e f a t h e r h a d p u l l e d up J.B.'s p a n t s . that he a n d Z.B. Finally, more J.B. s a i d t h a t than one Leslie worker time counseling, the maternal became 2009, plan testified children's that both f o r the family, with counseling. mother had a l s o s t a t e d t h a t counseling and would Heath Chancey, a c o u n s e l o r year, stated that further at t r i a l counseling ever refused foster-care parents had i n c l u d i n g undergoing Tyree t e s t i f i e d t h a t the not continue with the sessions. who h a d b e e n s e e i n g t h e p a r e n t s f o r had f a i l e d to return h i s counseling appointments. that sessions; t o continue P l a n m e e t i n g and she was n o t g e t t i n g a n y b e n e f i t the parents telephone c a l l s regarding acknowledged house. u n t i l September 2010, when, T y r e e s a i d , t h e f a t h e r refused to continue a the grandparents' " e x p l o d e d " a t an I n d i v i d u a l i z e d S e r v i c e from h i s father. DHR i n c o m p l e t i n g t h e r e q u i r e d components o f reunification had who i n October "sex movies" w i t h said Z.B. h a d "humped" b o t h T.B. a n d h i m at Tyree, cooperated with the had watched J.B. a l s o she had r e f u s e d the father with counseling. 16 The m o t h e r to attend denied that any he h a d 2110550 a n d 2110568 Tyree stated discharged from 2011, child each foster home great-aunt that, after J.B. t h e Alabama C l i n i c a l had been p l a c e d J.B. w i t h and g r e a t - u n c l e , a p a t e r n a l aunt and u n c l e . G.B. and T.B. School program i n a separate and Gl.B., had been i n May therapeutic Sr., a paternal a n d T.B. w i t h M.B. a n d G l . B . , J r . , J.B. was r e a d m i t t e d to H i l l Crest on June 27, 2 0 1 1 , a f t e r he h a d c h o k e d a young f e m a l e c h i l d a t summer camp. He r e m a i n e d a t H i l l Crest f o r two months a n d t h e n r e t u r n e d t o t h e t h e r a p e u t i c f o s t e r home. 2011, for J.B. was e n r o l l e d i n t h e B o y d S c h o o l , a month b e f o r e b e i n g d i s m i s s e d overtures t o a roommate. on t h e a c u t e - c a r e for On O c t o b e r 17, where he r e m a i n e d for sexually inappropriate T y r e e s t a t e d t h a t J.B. was c u r r e n t l y u n i t a t H i l l C r e s t a n d t h a t DHR h a d a r r a n g e d h i s admission t o the Phoenix Program at H i l l Crest (a p r o g r a m t h a t t r e a t s b o y s b e t w e e n t h e ages o f 11 a n d 17 who a c t out with sexual behaviors) after h i s release. T.B., on t h e o t h e r hand, was d o i n g w e l l i n h i s t h e r a p e u t i c f o s t e r home, a n d his f o s t e r parents wanted t o adopt him. T y r e e t e s t i f i e d t h a t she h a d n o t l o c a t e d had n o t suggested) any m a t e r n a l r e l a t i v e serve (and t h e m o t h e r resources who could as a p l a c e m e n t f o r J.B. a n d T.B., b u t t h a t t h e f a t h e r 17 2110550 a n d 2110568 had proposed termination evaluation h i s mother as of h i s parental a viable rights. alternative to the T y r e e c o n d u c t e d a home and a c r i m i n a l - b a c k g r o u n d check of the paternal g r a n d m o t h e r a n d d e t e r m i n e d t h a t she was u n s u i t a b l e b e c a u s e she had a p r i o r domestic-violence a previous c o n v i c t i o n and h e r husband had child-abuse-and-neglect said that the paternal mental-health issues c a s e w i t h DHR. grandmother had r e p o r t e d but that Tyree a l s o t h a t she had she h a d n o t b e e n seeing a doctor. At the time parents. sweeper, per of t r i a l , the father He h a d b e e n w o r k i n g f o r w h i c h , he s a i d , week i n c a s h . was f o r a year he was p a i d living as a with h i s parking-lot approximately The f a t h e r s t a t e d t h a t he d r i n k s $320 24 b e e r s d u r i n g a weekend, " l i k e a n y b o d y . " He a c k n o w l e d g e d t h a t he h a d been the influence convicted of d r i v i n g harassment, t r e s p a s s i n g , under and o t h e r of a l c o h o l , " s m a l l misdemeanors," b u t he d e n i e d t h a t he was g u i l t y o f any d o m e s t i c - v i o l e n c e against t h e mother, domestic v i o l e n c e h i t t i n g or anything a n d , when asked was, he s t a t e d : like that. somebody." 18 offense i f he u n d e r s t o o d "Domestic v i o l e n c e what ain't It's actually trying to k i l l 2110550 a n d 2110568 The house father in also denied Adamsville and having having had pornography invited Z.B. i n the to watch p o r n o g r a p h i c m o v i e s w i t h h i m i n t h e b a s e m e n t . He s p e c i f i c a l l y denied h a v i n g had p o s s e s s i o n o f a m o v i e c a l l e d "Show Girls." He c a t e g o r i c a l l y d e n i e d h a v i n g s e x u a l l y a b u s e d Z.B., J . B . , o r T.B., a n d he s t a t e d him. He that acknowledged a l l three that c h i l d r e n had l i e d J.B. h a d b e e n about "sexually acting out," b u t , he s a i d , " I do n o t know where h e ' s g e t t i n g i t f r o m ... because my pornographics." aware t h a t kids ain't never seen I n answer t o t h e q u e s t i o n J.B. a n d T.B. h a d a p r o b l e m w i t h no kind of w h e t h e r he was encopresis, the f a t h e r s t a t e d t h a t J.B. h a d t o l d h i m t h a t he " w o u l d s t o p when he came home." going great [his] house," behaved The f a t h e r a l s o i n s i s t e d t h a t " e v e r y t h i n g when [he] h a d because, and normal. he [the c h i l d r e n ] said, the When p r e s e n t e d i n Adamsville children with were evidence was at wellto the c o n t r a r y , t h e f a t h e r s i m p l y d e n i e d t h a t t h e e v i d e n c e was t r u e . At stated because the time that of t r i a l , she h a d r e c e n t l y "women were g e t t i n g particular" t h e mother residence, left raped and t h a t 19 was homeless. a Salvation there," that she s t a y e d Army She center she h a d "no with different 2110550 and 2110568 friends. She testified that she had been employed by Professional Transportation, I n c . , f o r one week, d r i v i n g a v a n f o r t h e r a i l r o a d and e a r n i n g $7.25 p e r h o u r and $.13 p e r m i l e . Before that p o s i t i o n , she h a d b e e n e m p l o y e d a t a restaurant f o r eight unemployed for a everything DHR weeks, year. She s i x years acknowledged relationship she was and she was that she "through with and the m a r k e d by numerous currently to believe" she h a d b e e n that she had separated father separations, from the counseling that." had done she w o u l d n o t b e c a u s e she h a d u n d e r g o n e g e t t i n g her c h i l d r e n back. what testified that, h a d a s k e d h e r t o do b u t t h a t c o n s i d e r more c o u n s e l i n g for and, b e f o r e fast-food The had a mother volatile b u t , she s a i d , father i n hopes of She s t a t e d t h a t she " d i d n o t know concerning the allegation that Z.B. had s e x u a l l y a b u s e d J.B. and T.B. b u t t h a t she d i d " n o t b e l i e v e " t h a t t h e f a t h e r h a d s e x u a l l y a b u s e d any o f t h e c h i l d r e n . admitted that, order during She t h e t i m e t h e f a t h e r h a d b e e n u n d e r an t o h a v e no c o n t a c t with t h e c h i l d r e n , she h a d allowed the f a t h e r t o d r i v e h e r t o a p a r k where she was t o v i s i t the children. On t h a t the vehicle, i n the view occasion, the f a t h e r had remained i n of the c h i l d r e n , while 20 with the mother 2110550 a n d 2110568 visited with the c h i l d r e n i n the park. The m o t h e r also a c k n o w l e d g e d t h a t she h a d an a u d i o r e c o r d i n g o f a message f r o m the father recording to the c h i l d r e n and that f o r the c h i l d r e n during CASA. presented Thomas s t a t e d t h a t she h a d gone t o t h e p a r e n t s ' in visitation with 2008, when the parents had t h e c h i l d r e n , and had f o u n d home i n unsupervised a movie called Girls." On February 29, judgments t e r m i n a t i n g the ad l i t e m o f C i n d y Thomas, who h a d s u c c e e d e d Woods as t h e Adamsville "Show the t h a t same p e r i o d . In r e b u t t a l , t h e c h i l d r e n ' s guardian the testimony she h a d p l a y e d 2012, the the parental juvenile court entered r i g h t s o f t h e mother and father t o both c h i l d r e n . Standard o f Review "The s t a n d a r d o f review a p p l i e d by a p p e l l a t e courts i n reviewing the p r o p r i e t y of decisions to t e r m i n a t e p a r e n t a l r i g h t s i s w e l l e s t a b l i s h e d . 'The t r i a l court's d e c i s i o n i n proceedings to terminate p a r e n t a l r i g h t s i s p r e s u m e d t o be c o r r e c t when t h e d e c i s i o n i s b a s e d upon o r e t e n u s e v i d e n c e , a n d s u c h a d e c i s i o n b a s e d upon s u c h e v i d e n c e w i l l be s e t a s i d e o n l y i f t h e r e c o r d shows i t t o be p l a i n l y a n d p a l p a b l y wrong.' Ex p a r t e S t a t e Dep't o f Human Res., 624 So. 2d 589, 593 ( A l a . 1993) . T h a t ' p r e s u m p t i o n i s b a s e d on t h e t r i a l c o u r t ' s u n i q u e p o s i t i o n t o d i r e c t l y observe t h e w i t n e s s e s and t o a s s e s s t h e i r demeanor a n d c r e d i b i l i t y . ' Ex p a r t e Fann, 810 So. 2d 631, 633 ( A l a . 2 0 0 1 ) . 21 2110550 a n d 2110568 "This c o u r t has e x p l a i n e d t h e j u v e n i l e c o u r t ' s a u t h o r i t y t o t e r m i n a t e p a r e n t a l r i g h t s as f o l l o w s : "'The right to maintain family i n t e g r i t y i s a fundamental r i g h t p r o t e c t e d by t h e due p r o c e s s requirements of the Constitution. Pursuant to this right, Alabama c o u r t s r e c o g n i z e a p r e s u m p t i o n t h a t parental custody will be i n t h e b e s t i n t e r e s t s of a c h i l d . This prima facie r i g h t of a parent t o the custody of h i s or h e r c h i l d c a n o n l y be overcome b y c l e a r a n d c o n v i n c i n g e v i d e n c e t h a t permanent removal f r o m t h e p a r e n t ' s c u s t o d y w o u l d be i n t h e c h i l d ' s b e s t i n t e r e s t . . . . I n making t h a t determination, t h e c o u r t must consider whether the parent is physically, f i n a n c i a l l y , and m e n t a l l y a b l e t o care f o r the c h i l d . I f t h e court f i n d s from c l e a r and c o n v i n c i n g e v i d e n c e t h a t t h e p a r e n t i s unable or u n w i l l i n g t o discharge h i s or her r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s t o and f o r t h e c h i l d , h i s or her parental rights can then be terminated ' "Bowman v. S t a t e Dep't o f Human R e s . , 534 So. 2d 304, 305 ( A l a . C i v . App. 1988) ( c i t a t i o n s o m i t t e d ) . The t r i a l c o u r t ' s d e c i s i o n t o t e r m i n a t e parental r i g h t s , w h i c h i s b a s e d on e v i d e n c e p r e s e n t e d o r e t e n u s , i s p r e s u m e d c o r r e c t a n d w i l l be r e v e r s e d o n l y i f the record demonstrates that the d e c i s i o n i s u n s u p p o r t e d by t h e e v i d e n c e and i s p l a i n l y and p a l p a b l y wrong. R.B. v. S t a t e Dep't o f Human R e s . , 669 So. 2d 187 ( A l a . C i v . App. 1 9 9 5 ) . "'To terminate parental r i g h t s , the t r i a l c o u r t must f i r s t d e t e r m i n e f r o m c l e a r and c o n v i n c i n g e v i d e n c e t h a t t h e c h i l d i s dependent. S.F. v. Dep't o f Human R e s . , 680 So. 2d 346 ( A l a . C i v . App. 1 9 9 6 ) . The t r i a l c o u r t must t h e n d e t e r m i n e t h a t t h e r e exists no a l t e r n a t i v e to termination. 22 2110550 a n d 2110568 L.A.G. v. S t a t e Dep't o f Human R e s . , 681 So. 2d 596 ( A l a . C i v . A p p . 1 9 9 6 ) . ' "M.W. v. H o u s t o n C n t y . Dep't o f Human Res., 2d 484, 485-86 ( A l a . C i v . App. 2 0 0 0 ) . " A.K. v. H e n r y C n t y . Dep't o f Human Res., 773 So. 84 So. 3d 68, 69-70 ( A l a . C i v . App. 2 0 1 1 ) . The out grounds in § f o r termination of parental rights 12-15-319, A l a . Code 1975, w h i c h are set provides, i n p e r t i n e n t p a r t , as f o l l o w s : "(a) I f t h e j u v e n i l e c o u r t f i n d s f r o m c l e a r a n d convincing evidence, competent, m a t e r i a l , and relevant i n nature, that the parents of a c h i l d are unable or unwilling to discharge their r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s t o and f o r t h e c h i l d , o r t h a t t h e c o n d u c t o r c o n d i t i o n o f t h e p a r e n t s r e n d e r s them unable t o p r o p e r l y care f o r t h e c h i l d and t h a t t h e c o n d u c t o r c o n d i t i o n i s u n l i k e l y t o change i n t h e f o r e s e e a b l e f u t u r e , i t may t e r m i n a t e t h e p a r e n t a l r i g h t s o f t h e p a r e n t s . In d e t e r m i n i n g whether o r not the parents are unable or u n w i l l i n g t o discharge t h e i r r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s t o and f o r t h e c h i l d and t o terminate the parental r i g h t s , the juvenile court s h a l l consider the following factors including, but not l i m i t e d t o , t h e f o l l o w i n g : "(2) Emotional illness, mental illness, or mental d e f i c i e n c y of the parent, o r e x c e s s i v e use of a l c o h o l or c o n t r o l l e d substances, of a duration or n a t u r e as t o r e n d e r t h e p a r e n t u n a b l e t o c a r e f o r [ t h e ] needs o f t h e c h i l d . 23 2110550 and 2110568 "(3) T h a t t h e p a r e n t has tortured, abused, cruelly beaten, or otherwise maltreated the child, or attempted to t o r t u r e , abuse, c r u e l l y b e a t , or o t h e r w i s e m a l t r e a t the c h i l d , or the c h i l d i s i n c l e a r and p r e s e n t d a n g e r o f b e i n g t h u s tortured, abused, cruelly beaten, or o t h e r w i s e m a l t r e a t e d as e v i d e n c e d by t h e treatment of a s i b l i n g . " "(7) T h a t r e a s o n a b l e e f f o r t s by t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f Human R e s o u r c e s o r l i c e n s e d public or p r i v a t e child care agencies l e a d i n g toward the r e h a b i l i t a t i o n of the p a r e n t s have f a i l e d . " "(12) L a c k o f e f f o r t by t h e p a r e n t t o a d j u s t h i s o r h e r c i r c u m s t a n c e s t o meet t h e needs o f t h e c h i l d i n a c c o r d a n c e with agreements reached, i n c l u d i n g agreements reached w i t h l o c a l departments o f human resources or licensed child-placing a g e n c i e s , i n an a d m i n i s t r a t i v e r e v i e w o r a j u d i c i a l review." I. A. Both p a r e n t s argue admitting, over their that hearsay the juvenile objections, court erred i n clinical r e g a r d i n g t h e p s y c h o s e x u a l e v a l u a t i o n s o f J.B., T.B., reports and Z.B. by Deegan M a l o n e i n F e b r u a r y and M a r c h 2009 and t h e v i d e o d i s c s o f f o r e n s i c i n t e r v i e w s w i t h J.B. and T.B., c o n d u c t e d by Mary B e t h Thomas a t P r e s c o t t House i n 2009 and 2010. 24 The parents 2110550 a n d 2110568 c o n t e n d , as t h e y d i d i n t h e j u v e n i l e c o u r t , t h a t t h e c l i n i c a l r e p o r t s and t h e i n t e r v i e w s c o n t a i n e d h e a r s a y s t a t e m e n t s o f t h e children t h a t they h a d h a d no f a i r opportunity t o r e b u t , as r e q u i r e d b y § 12-15-310, A l a . Code 1975. S e c t i o n 12-15-310, p r o v i d e s , i n pertinent part: " ( c ) A s t a t e m e n t made b y a c h i l d u n d e r t h e age o f 12 d e s c r i b i n g any a c t o f s e x u a l c o n d u c t p e r f o r m e d w i t h o r on t h e c h i l d b y a n o t h e r , not otherwise a d m i s s i b l e by s t a t u t e or court r u l e , i s a d m i s s i b l e i n a l l dependency cases b r o u g h t by t h e S t a t e o f Alabama a c t i n g by and t h r o u g h a l o c a l department o f human r e s o u r c e s i f : "(1) The s t a t e m e n t was made t o a s o c i a l w o r k e r , c h i l d s e x u a l abuse t h e r a p i s t or counselor, licensed psychologist, physician, or school or kindergarten teacher o r i n s t r u c t o r ; and "(2) The j u v e n i l e c o u r t f i n d s t h a t t h e time, c o n t e n t , and c i r c u m s t a n c e s of the statement provide sufficient i n d i c i a of r e l i a b i l i t y . I n making i t s d e t e r m i n a t i o n , the juvenile court may consider the p h y s i c a l a n d m e n t a l age a n d m a t u r i t y o f t h e c h i l d , t h e n a t u r e a n d d u r a t i o n o f t h e abuse or o f f e n s e , the r e l a t i o n s h i p of the c h i l d to the offender, and any o t h e r factor deemed a p p r o p r i a t e . "(d) A s t a t e m e n t may n o t be a d m i t t e d p u r s u a n t t o t h i s s e c t i o n unless the proponent of the statement makes known t o t h e a d v e r s e p a r t y t h e i n t e n t i o n o f the proponent to offer t h e statement and t h e p a r t i c u l a r s o f t h e statement s u f f i c i e n t l y i n advance of t h e proceedings t o p r o v i d e t h e adverse p a r t y w i t h a f a i r opportunity t o rebut the statement. This 25 2110550 a n d 2110568 c h i l d hearsay exception a p p l i e s t o a l l hearings i n v o l v i n g dependency i n c l u d i n g , b u t n o t l i m i t e d t o , the 72-hour h e a r i n g r e q u i r e m e n t , t h e a d j u d i c a t o r y hearing, and t h e d i s p o s i t i o n a l hearing. The exception contained i n t h i s subsection s h a l l not apply t o a c r i m i n a l proceeding o r charge." The parents rebut maintain that they the c h i l d r e n ' s statements p r o v i d e d w i t h t h e funds expert to evaluate truth. Judge whether Sandra As because they Storm the children concluded h a d n o t been h a d been a s s i g n e d were that t e l l i n g the the parents had agree. p r e v i o u s l y s t a t e d , Judge A l a n cases opportunity to t o h i r e an i n d e p e n d e n t p s y c h o l o g i c a l w a i v e d t h a t a r g u m e n t , a n d we the h a d no f a i r before Summers, J r . , t o whom they were reassigned to Judge S t o r m , h a d g r a n t e d t h e p a r e n t s ' m o t i o n f o r f u n d s t o h i r e an i n d e p e n d e n t e x p e r t t o c o n d u c t a p s y c h o l o g i c a l e v a l u a t i o n o f J.B. a n d T.B. a n d h a d d i r e c t e d t h e p a r t i e s e x p e r t t o be h i r e d . Summers a p p o i n t e d the c h i l d r e n . t o a g r e e on t h e When t h e p a r t i e s c o u l d n o t a g r e e , Dr. Steven Bell Judge t o conduct e v a l u a t i o n s of Dr. B e l l d e c l i n e d t h e appointment and suggested t h a t t h e p a r t i e s c o n t a c t p s y c h o l o g i s t s a t t h e Sparks who a l s o d e c l i n e d t h e a p p o i n t m e n t . Clinic, Judge Summers s t a t e d t h a t he w o u l d c h o o s e a p s y c h o l o g i s t , b u t he n e v e r d i d so b e f o r e t h e cases were r e a s s i g n e d t o Judge 26 Storm. The p a r e n t s d i d not 2110550 a n d 2110568 raise that issue with Judge Storm until a year later, November 2 0 1 1 , when t h e t e r m i n a t i o n - o f - p a r e n t a l - r i g h t s was u n d e r w a y . Judge S t o r m d e t e r m i n e d t h a t trial the p a r e n t s had w a i v e d t h e r i g h t t o have an i n d e p e n d e n t e x p e r t children. in evaluate the She s t a t e d : " [ I ] t i s n o t good f o r c h i l d r e n t o have t o t a l k o v e r and o v e r a n d o v e r a b o u t t h e s e k i n d s o f t h i n g s . And we're n o t g o i n g I'm n o t g o i n g t o have a n o t h e r expert. I ' l l j u s t t e l l you t h a t now. A l l right. I j u s t r u l e d f o r Judge Summers, r u l e d on my own. We a l r e a d y have an e x p e r t . We're i n t h e m i d d l e o f a t e r m i n a t i o n o f p a r e n t a l r i g h t s t r i a l a n d n o t one o f you r a i s e d t h i s i s s u e b e f o r e t h e t r i a l . We're n o t g o i n g t o r a i s e i t now." As Judge S t o r m ' s c o l l o q u y w i t h t h e p a r e n t s ' the from parents Judge waived the issue Summers by f a i l i n g counsel indicates, t o invoke o r , a f t e r reassignment a of the cases, t o b r i n g t h e m a t t e r t o t h e a t t e n t i o n o f Judge S t o r m b e f o r e Cf. Waddell v. Colbert Cnty.-Northwest ruling Alabama trial. Healthcare A u t h . , 97 So. 3d 178, 183 ( A l a . C i v . App. 2012) ( r e j e c t i n g a party's appeal " a t t e m p t t o 'sandbag' t h e t r i a l an i s s u e that the party c o u r t " b y r a i s i n g on had o s t e n s i b l y abandoned by t a k i n g a c t i o n a t odds w i t h h i s p r i o r p o s i t i o n a n d b y failing ever t o b r i n g the issue t o the t r i a l court's a t t e n t i o n again). 27 2110550 a n d 2110568 B. The f a t h e r a r g u e s t h a t t h e r e c o r d e d interviews of the c h i l d r e n a t P r e s c o t t House were e r r o n e o u s l y admitted because t h e y f a i l e d t o s a t i s f y t h e c o r r o b o r a t i o n r e q u i r e m e n t o f § 15¬ 25-34, A l a . Code 1975. P h y s i c a l and S e x u a l et o f "The C h i l d A b u s e V i c t i m P r o t e c t i o n A c t , " § 15-25-30 s e q . , A l a . Code procedure, That s e c t i o n , a p a r t 1975, a statute relating to criminal provides: " B e f o r e a s t a t e m e n t may be a d m i t t e d p u r s u a n t t o t h i s a r t i c l e on t h e g r o u n d s t h a t t h e c h i l d d e c l a r a n t i s u n a v a i l a b l e as a w i t n e s s , s u c h s t a t e m e n t may be admitted only i f there i s c o r r o b o r a t i v e evidence of the a c t . " (Emphasis because pursuant added.) the statements to § 310(c). exception Section Cf^ were not et seq., but pursuant 12-15-310(d) contained has no a p p l i c a t i o n h e r e o f J.B. a n d T.B. 15-25-30 § 15-25-34 i n this (by providing subsection shall admitted to § 12-15- that "[t]he not apply to a c r i m i n a l proceeding o r c h a r g e , " t h e l e g i s l a t u r e has g i v e n each s t a t u t e a separate field of operation). II. The father argues a u t h o r i t y to terminate adjudicated that the juvenile court had no h i s p a r e n t a l r i g h t s b e c a u s e he was n o t the c h i l d r e n ' s " l e g a l " 28 father. The f a t h e r b a s e s 2110550 a n d 2110568 t h a t argument on t h e f a c t t h a t , e a r l y on i n t h e s e p r o c e e d i n g s , the juvenile paternity testing court test. had ordered The f a t h e r him t o submit to a d i d s o , b u t he n e v e r f e e a n d no DNA t e s t was p e r f o r m e d . DNA paid the When t h e f a t h e r was a s k e d a t t r i a l why he h a d n o t p a i d t h e f e e , t h e f o l l o w i n g occurred: A. [by t h e f a t h e r ] : I t w a s n ' t i m p o r t a n t a t t h e t i m e b e c a u s e I know t h e y ' r e my k i d s . T h a t ' s l i k e k i n d o f a c t u a l l y w a s t i n g money. T h a t ' s s o m e t h i n g I r e a l l y a i n ' t g o t . I mean, I g o t two t w i n s . "THE COURT: You g o t what? "THE WITNESS: me. I g o t two t w i n s "THE COURT: certificate? Are you that on look their just like birth "THE WITNESS: Y e s , ma'am." No f o r m a l adjudication of paternity was n e c e s s a r y c a s e s b e c a u s e , as t h e j u v e n i l e c o u r t the presumed f a t h e r 204(a)(4)(B), recognized, of the children. i n these J.W.B. was P u r s u a n t t o § 26-17- A l a . Code 1975, " [ a ] man i s p r e s u m e d t o be t h e f a t h e r o f a c h i l d i f ... a f t e r t h e c h i l d ' s b i r t h , he a n d t h e c h i l d ' s m o t h e r have m a r r i e d , ... a n d ... w i t h h i s c o n s e n t , he is father named as the child's certificate." 29 on the child's birth 2110550 and 2110568 III. The p a r e n t s m a i n t a i n parental rights consistent juvenile with court are t h a t the judgments t e r m i n a t i n g neither applicable supported law. In by the facts nor i t s judgments, the stated: "The c o u r t h e a r d t e s t i m o n y o f w i t n e s s e s who were f i r s t d u l y s w o r n . The c o u r t r e c e i v e d i n t o e v i d e n c e c e r t a i n p r o p e r l y a u t h e n t i c a t e d e x h i b i t s . A f t e r due c o n s i d e r a t i o n o f same, t h e c o u r t f i n d s f r o m c l e a r and c o n v i n c i n g e v i d e n c e , c o m p e t e n t , m a t e r i a l , and r e l e v a n t i n n a t u r e , t h a t t h e c h i l d [ r e n ] named h e r e i n [ a r e ] d e p e n d e n t c h i l d [ r e n ] , p u r s u a n t t o § 12-15-102, A l a . Code 1975. "The mother has been involved in a violent r e l a t i o n s h i p w i t h the f a t h e r of [these c h i l d r e n ] . The c h i l d [ r e n were] o r i g i n a l l y removed f r o m t h e m o t h e r and f a t h e r due t o t h i s v i o l e n c e and an u n s t a b l e r e l a t i o n s h i p . The c h i l d [ r e n ] were r e t u r n e d t o t h e m o t h e r and f a t h e r two y e a r s l a t e r . " N i n e months later, [ t h e c h i l d r e n were] again removed f r o m t h e p a r e n t s due t o a l l e g a t i o n s o f s e x u a l a b u s e by a h a l f b r o t h e r who i s t h e s o n o f t h e [mother]. There are a l s o a l l e g a t i o n s of s e x u a l abuse by t h e f a t h e r . "The c h i l d [ r e n r e p o r t ] half brother and by occasions b e i n g s e x u a l l y a b u s e d by t h e [ t h e i r ] f a t h e r on numerous "The child[ren] ... have Alabama Clinical Schools sexualized behavior. been i n t r e a t m e n t a t f o r sexual abuse and "The f a t h e r has n o t been a l l o w e d v i s i t a t i o n w i t h t h e c h i l d [ r e n ] due t o t h e a l l e g a t i o n s made t o s o c i a l 30 their 2110550 and 2110568 w o r k e r s and t o t h e P r e s c o t t House i n B i r m i n g h a m . The e x p e r t w i t n e s s f r o m t h e P r e s c o t t House t e s t i f i e d t h a t she f i n d s t h e a b u s e r e p o r t s o f t h e c h i l d r e n t o be c r e d i b l e . "The m o t h e r has f a i l e d t o p r o t e c t h e r c h i l d r e n i n this matter. She has a v i o l e n t and abusive r e l a t i o n s h i p w i t h t h e f a t h e r b u t has c o n t i n u e d t o r e u n i t e w i t h him over t i m e [ , t ] h e r e b y p l a c i n g h e r c h i l d r e n i n harm's way. "At t h e t i m e o f t h e t r i a l i n t h i s termination-ofp a r e n t a l - r i g h t s p e t i t i o n , t h e m o t h e r i s u n c l e a r as t o who t o b e l i e v e r e g a r d i n g t h e s e x u a l a b u s e o f h e r c h i l d r e n and c h o o s e s t o r e m a i n i n a d e p e n d e n t r e l a t i o n s h i p with the f a t h e r . "The c h i l d [ r e n ] h e r e i n [have] been i n t h e c u s t o d y o f t h e JCDHR s i n c e 2009 and [have] been p l a c e d i n r e l a t i v e p l a c e m e n t s , f o s t e r homes, and a t r e a t m e n t facility. "The C o u r t does f i n d , p u r s u a n t t o § 12-15-319, Code o f A l a b a m a 1975, t h a t t h e m o t h e r a n d f a t h e r a r e unwilling and unable to discharge their r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s t o and f o r t h e c h i l d [ r e n ] ; t h a t t h e c o n d u c t and c o n d i t i o n o f t h e m o t h e r and f a t h e r i s s u c h as t o r e n d e r them u n w i l l i n g and u n a b l e t o p r o p e r l y c a r e f o r and p r o t e c t t h e c h i l d [ r e n ] , and t h a t s u c h c o n d u c t and c o n d i t i o n a r e u n l i k e l y t o change i n t h e f o r e s e e a b l e f u t u r e . "The m o t h e r and f a t h e r have f a i l e d t o a d j u s t t h e i r circumstances t o meet the child[ren's] needs, p u r s u a n t t o § 12-15-319, Code o f A l a b a m a 1975, and § 12-15-301, Code o f A l a b a m a 1975. "The C o u r t a l s o f i n d s t h a t t h e r e a r e no s u i t a b l e relative resources willing or able to receive custody of the c h i l d [ r e n ] . 31 2110550 a n d 2110568 "The c o u r t f i n d s t h a t t h e r e i s no v i a b l e a l t e r n a t i v e to t e r m i n a t i o n o f p a r e n t a l r i g h t s i n t h i s case. "In a d d i t i o n , the court f i n d s that the State of Alabama [DHR] i s w i l l i n g and a b l e to accept p e r m a n e n t l e g a l c u s t o d y , as p r o v i d e d i n § 12-15-320, Ala. Code 1975. " I n a c c o r d a n c e w i t h P u b l i c l a w 96-272, as amended b y P u b l i c Law 105-89 a n d § 12-15-319, A l a . Code 1975, t h i s c o u r t f i n d s t h a t i t w o u l d be i n t h e b e s t i n t e r e s t o f t h e c h i l d [ r e n ] named h e r e i n t o t e r m i n a t e the p a r e n t a l r i g h t s o f t h e c h i l d r e n ' s mother and father. " "This court f i n d s that reasonable e f f o r t s t o r e u n i t e s a i d c h i l d [ r e n ] w i t h f a m i l y have been made b y t h e [DHR], a n d t h a t s u c h e f f o r t s a t r e u n i f i c a t i o n have f a i l e d b a s e d on t h e e v i d e n c e p r e s e n t e d a t t r i a l . F u r t h e r , t h e c o u r t f i n d s t h a t t h e [DHR] h a s made reasonable efforts to finalize t h e permanency p l a n [ s ] f o r [J.B. and T.B.], and concurs w i t h t h e plan f o r the child[ren] o f : adoption b y an i d e n t i f i e d resource." The juvenile court's law and f u l l y judgment i s c o n s i s t e n t w i t h supported by t h e e v i d e n c e p r e s e n t e d The j u v e n i l e c o u r t was p r e s e n t e d applicable at t r i a l . w i t h evidence from which i t could reasonably have been c l e a r l y c o n v i n c e d t h a t t h e mother and are f i n a n c i a l l y , and the father unable t o care f o r t h e i r c h i l d r e n . mother parents. was homeless Although mentally, A t the time of t r i a l , the and t h e f a t h e r both parents 32 emotionally were was then living with h i s employed, their 2110550 and 2110568 employment h i s t o r y i s c h e c k e r e d a t b e s t . from cognitive prevent them deficits from and taking safe environment. See The juvenile court clearly convinced c h i l d r e n and to the that also the to protect protecting 319(a)(3), A l a . Code 1975. the their she was financially was authorized to in father a reasonably had healthy she abused that abuse. A fortiori, f a t h e r had the m i n i m i z e d her See § that, because c h i l d r e n from the abused the the mother 334 ( A l a . C i v . App. 2004) See 12-15- injuries and because The the doubt juvenile mother r i s k o f harm by refused c h i l d r e n , she was c h i l d r e n from the abuse. or no him, d e p e n d e n t upon him. because blind abuse B.M. court the believe not capacity father. that the unable to p r o t e c t the v. S t a t e , (holding that 33 to his could p r o t e c t h e r s e l f f r o m t h e f a t h e r , she d i d n o t have t h e to p r o t e c t the mother i s a v i c t i m of p h y s i c a l reconciled with find been e i t h e r been w i l l f u l l y from a 1975. have sexually children The that children thrive in them f r o m t h e f a t h e r , yet repeatedly themselves could the of and that disturbances § 1 2 - 1 5 - 3 1 9 ( a ) ( 2 ) , A l a . Code incapable fault, of t h a t t h e m o t h e r had need abuse by emotional care manner, much l e s s e n s u r i n g Both parents s u f f e r 895 father's So. 2d 319, r e f u s a l to 2110550 a n d 2110568 b e l i e v e t h a t mother had p e r p e t r a t e d Munchausen's-syndrome-by- p r o x y a b u s e on c h i l d i n d i c a t e d t h a t he c o u l d n o t p r o t e c t t h e child from abuse and t h a t u n w i l l i n g to discharge he was, t h e r e f o r e , [his] responsibilities "unable or t o and f o r t h e child"). Although the parents completed DHR's s e r v i c e - p l a n r e q u i r e m e n t s on p a r e n t i n g they apply skills, failed made i f n o t most, o f including attending classes a n g e r management, a n d d o m e s t i c v i o l e n c e e i t h e r t o absorb the lessons the lessons having many, to their reasonable efforts or to Thus, d e s p i t e own l i v e s . presented DHR's f o r over five r e h a b i l i t a t e t h e p a r e n t s , those e f f o r t s had f a i l e d . 15-319(a)(7), A l a . Code 1975. with individual t h a t m i g h t have h e l p e d the classes described to See § 12- Moreover, the j u v e n i l e court c o u l d p r o p e r l y have d e t e r m i n e d t h a t t h e p a r e n t s ' continue years and c o u p l e s ' counseling, them t o a p p l y what t h e y refusal to a service had heard i n above, i n d i c a t e s a l a c k o f e f f o r t t o adjust t h e i r circumstances t o meet t h e needs o f t h e c h i l d r e n . See § 1 2 - 1 5 - 3 1 9 ( a ) ( 1 2 ) , A l a . Code 1975. 34 2110550 a n d 2110568 The juvenile court's supported by termination clear judgments s t a t e s u f f i c i e n t and convincing of both parents' evidence, grounds, f o r the rights. IV. The parents presented with alternatives Clear evidence evidence of the t r i e r of parental a i s "'[e]vidence firm of the conclusion.'" 179 ( A l a . C i v . App. 2002) was n o t rights existed. i n opposition, w i l l of fact court e v i d e n c e t h a t no v i a b l e that, when produce i n t h e conviction element o f t h e c l a i m and a h i g h the c o r r e c t n e s s 2d 171, the j u v e n i l e c l e a r and c o n v i n c i n g and c o n v i n c i n g essential that to the termination weighed a g a i n s t mind contend as t o e a c h p r o b a b i l i t y as t o L.M. v . D.D.F., 840 So. ( q u o t i n g A l a . Code 1975, § 6-11-20(b) ( 4 ) ) . The the father paternal termination insists that placement of the c h i l d r e n grandmother of his rights. was a viable DHR's r e a s o n s p a t e r n a l g r a n d m o t h e r as a r e l a t i v e r e s o u r c e alternative with to f o r rejecting the -- t h a t s h e h a d a p r i o r domestic-violence o f f e n s e , t h a t h e r husband had a p r i o r child-abuse-and-neglect c a s e w i t h DHR, a n d t h a t t h e p a t e r n a l grandmother herself suffered from 35 mental-health issues f o r 2110550 a n d 2110568 w h i c h she was n o t s e e i n g a d o c t o r -- c o u l d p r o p e r l y have b e e n d e t e r m i n e d b y t h e j u v e n i l e c o u r t t o be v a l i d . To have p l a c e d t h e c h i l d r e n w i t h a c u s t o d i a n whose d e f i c i t s m i r r o r e d t h o s e o f the parents have b e e n f r o m whose custody they had been removed would unthinkable. C i t i n g L.R. v . C.G., 78 So. 3d 436 ( A l a . C i v . App. 2 0 1 1 ) , t h e m o t h e r c o n t e n d s t h a t she was m a k i n g p r o g r e s s toward being a b l e t o t a k e c a r e o f t h e c h i l d r e n , a n d , she s a y s , b e c a u s e b o t h children with were currently placed relatives, continued maintenance t o make p r o g r e s s termination of her r i g h t s . i n therapeutic of the status foster quo while was a v i a b l e a l t e r n a t i v e L.R. i s i n a p t . homes she to the In t h a t case, the m o t h e r h a d r e c e i v e d a s u s p e n d e d s e n t e n c e a n d was on p r o b a t i o n f o r a d r u g c o n v i c t i o n ; she was e m p l o y e d a n d h a d e s t a b l i s h e d a stable residence. with the maternal she be a l l o w e d The c h i l d r e n were i n a s t a b l e e n v i r o n m e n t grandparents, to continue and t h e mother " d e s i r e d t h a t to v i s i t with t h e c h i l d r e n and d e v e l o p h e r r e l a t i o n s h i p w i t h them as she c o n t i n u e d t o i m p r o v e her circumstances." the mother employment. 78 So. 2d a t 443. had a s p o t t y A t t h e time to nonexistent of t r i a l , 36 In the present history case, of regular she h a d b e e n e m p l o y e d f o r 2110550 a n d 2110568 o n l y one week a n d h e r most r e c e n t p r i o r employment h a d l a s t e d only eight homeless, weeks. stayed The m o t h e r , with b y h e r own f r i e n d s , and l i v e d admission, a t "no was particular residence." A t the time of t r i a l , J.B. was n o t i n a s t a b l e environment; he was h o s p i t a l i z e d i n t h e a c u t e - c a r e unit at H i l l C r e s t , a n d any i m p r o v e m e n t i n h i s c o n d i t i o n w o u l d result only center i n h i s being within the same hospital. r e s i d i n g w i t h M.B. who were w i l l i n g M.B. and Gl.B., l e g a l custody" t r a n s f e r r e d t o another Although and Gl.B., T.B. was currently J r . , a p a t e r n a l aunt and u n c l e t o adopt him, L e s l i e J r . , were n o t w i l l i n g Tyree testified to "tak[e] that permanent o f T.B. b e c a u s e " t h e y d i d n o t want t o have any i n t e r a c t i o n with the b i o l o g i c a l Finally, treatment family." t h e j u v e n i l e c o u r t was p r e s e n t e d with evidence f r o m w h i c h i t c o u l d have f o u n d , c l e a r l y a n d c o n v i n c i n g l y , t h a t t h e m o t h e r h a d f a i l e d t o make any a p p r e c i a b l e p r o g r e s s being able to parent her c h i l d r e n . The e v i d e n c e t h a t t h e mother had n o t o n l y c o n s i s t e n t l y d e n i e d the f a t h e r ' s p h y s i c a l abuse refused abused of her, but also to e n t e r t a i n the idea the c h i l d r e n that indicated or that minimized she h a d t h e f a t h e r had s e x u a l l y and, c o n s e q u e n t l y , 37 toward that she h a d been 2110550 and derelict 2110568 i n a d h e r i n g to the safety plan the no-contact order under which the The f o r the r e c o r d s u g g e s t s t h a t Judge S t o r m was children f a t h e r had been and placed. t a k e n a b a c k when she l e a r n e d t h a t t h e m o t h e r had n e v e r s e e n o r h e a r d t h e children's P r e s c o t t House i n t e r v i e w s y e t d e c l i n e d t o w a t c h t h e videodiscs of those interviews. The concluded that, unless and the the the future. father At a l l o w the trial, "still could properly the p a r e n t a l r i g h t s of both the m o t h e r were t e r m i n a t e d , the mother would not in j u v e n i l e court get the there was no mother t e s t i f i e d and she said t o " t r y and of stated she was she was children. benefit from counseling -- She counseling and that a service provided a d i f f e r e n c e i n her The and that life and by DHR i n the she and they that to a l l o w her had get not custody" getting "through demonstrated l i v e s of her that there alternatives to termination of supported the record, i t s judgments by and upheld. 38 the any with" t h a t m i g h t have made children. j u v e n i l e c o u r t ' s c o n c l u s i o n t h a t the evidence convincingly that children that separated only i n order the father guarantee f a t h e r access to the along," have were parents' are no clearly viable rights is due be to 2110550 a n d 2110568 2110550 AFFIRMED. 2110568 AFFIRMED. Thompson, P . J . , and B r y a n , J . , c o n c u r . Moore, J . , c o n c u r s i n p a r t a n d c o n c u r s i n t h e r e s u l t i n part, with writing. Thomas, J . , r e c u s e s herself. 39 2110550 a n d 2110568 MOORE, J u d g e , c o n c u r r i n g in part. I i n p a r t and c o n c u r r i n g concur as t o p a r t s I.B. and I I . o f t h e main I concur i n t h e r e s u l t as t o t h e o t h e r p a r t s The record shows t h a t , d u r i n g November 2010, Judge A l a n children") December 21, 2010, so t h a t opportunity regarding interviewed t o rebut" dependency p r o c e e d i n g s i n b y an i n d e p e n d e n t the parents the statements the father's alleged sexual C o u n t y D e p a r t m e n t o f Human R e s o u r c e s a g r e e on t h e e x p e r t . Summers a p p o i n t e d and 15, ordered would the have a abuse, c o n s i s t e n t by "fair with and t h e J e f f e r s o n ("DHR"), h o w e v e r , could i n May 2 0 1 1 , Judge to interview the children t h e p a r t i e s t o s u b m i t b a c k g r o u n d r e p o r t s b y June t o review before Instead of complying with that order, rights expert t h e c h i l d r e n h a d made After a hearing Dr. Steven B e l l 2011, f o r Dr. B e l l parents, the motion of t o have J . B . , T.B., a n d Z.B. § 1 2 - 1 5 - 3 1 0 ( d ) , A l a . Code 1975. The p a r e n t s not opinion. of the opinion. Summers, J r . , g r a n t e d J.B.B. a n d J.W.B. ("the p a r e n t s " ) ("the i nthe result filed petitions the interviews. DHR, u n b e k n o w n s t t o t h e t o terminate the parents' on June 16, 2 0 1 1 . I n t h e meantime, D r . B e l l appointment a n d Judge choose and a p p o i n t Summers a psychologist 40 indicated that parental refused he w o u l d t o perform the interviews. 2110550 a n d 2110568 Before Judge Summers could select a psychologist, S e p t e m b e r 13, 2 0 1 1 , DHR s e r v e d t h e p a r e n t s to terminate petitions t o Judge S a n d r a S t o r m and were s e t f o r t r i a l November 22, 2011. as a r e s u l t from t h e case, on On O c t o b e r 24, 2011, t h e a t t o r n e y f o r t h e f a t h e r , who h a d p r e v i o u s l y b e e n a p p o i n t e d father with the p e t i t i o n s t h e i r parental r i g h t s ; the termination were a s s i g n e d on of h i s being citing as c o u n s e l f o r the i n d i g e n t , moved t o w i t h d r a w his inability to represent the father b e c a u s e o f t h e f a i l u r e o f DHR a n d Judge Summers t o p r o v i d e t h e parents with children. The Neither an independent psychologist T h a t m o t i o n was g r a n t e d f a t h e r was subsequently t h e f a t h e r ' s new a t t o r n e y order requesting that psychologist. a petition such an terminate file to appoint an Judge appointed appoint The a t t o r n e y s f o r t h e p a r e n t s f o r a w r i t o f mandamus w i t h t h i s appointment before the t r i a l their parental rights. a motion i n limine the attorney. attorney Judge Summers's psychologist an or independent also d i dnot f i l e court to require of the p e t i t i o n s The a t t o r n e y s t o exclude 41 a new nor the mother's independent Storm examine on O c t o b e r 25, 2 0 1 1 . f i l e d any m o t i o n s w i t h Judge S t o r m t o e n f o r c e earlier to to also d i d not the statements of the 2110550 a n d 2110568 children, which would have a l e r t e d Judge S t o r m b e f o r e t h e commencement o f t h e t r i a l . parents first brought Storm a t t h e t r i a l the issue of the issue The a t t o r n e y s f o r t h e to the attention o f Judge d u r i n g t h e e x a m i n a t i o n o f Deegan M a l o n e , a s e x u a l - a b u s e e x p e r t who was t e s t i f y i n g on b e h a l f o f DHR. At t h a t p o i n t , Judge S t o r m o v e r r u l e d o b j e c t i o n s t o t h e s t a t e m e n t s coming i n t o evidence, reasoning that the parents had waived any o b j e c t i o n t o t h e t e s t i m o n y b y f a i l i n g t o r a i s e t h e i s s u e before then. I believe that the parents timely asserted their o b j e c t i o n s t o the admission of the statements of the c h i l d r e n . O b j e c t i o n s must be " r a i s e d a t t h e p o i n t d u r i n g t r i a l when t h e offering o f improper Gamble a n d R o b e r t 426.01(3) evidence i s clear." J . Goodwin, M c E l r o y ' s (6th ed. 2009). See I I C h a r l e s W. Alabama E v i d e n c e I n L.A.C. v. S t a t e D e p a r t m e n t o f Human R e s o u r c e s , 890 So. 2d 1026 ( A l a . C i v . App. 2 0 0 3 ) , court t h e mother held that § i n that case h a d made a this timely o b j e c t i o n t o hearsay statements of a c h i l d regarding a l l e g e d sexual trial abuse when t h e m o t h e r a s s e r t e d h e r o b j e c t i o n when statements. an expert witness was S e c t i o n 12-15-310(d), 42 asked to relay at the those A l a . Code 1 9 7 5 , does n o t 2110550 and 2110568 provide t h a t a p a r e n t must r a i s e h i s o r h e r o b j e c t i o n s t o s u c h hearsay statements before objections for t r i a l . the that extent she trial i n order to preserve T h u s , I b e l i e v e Judge S t o r m e r r e d concluded that the parents t h e i r o b j e c t i o n s by f a i l i n g t o r a i s e them b e f o r e the p e t i t i o n s to t e r m i n a t e Nevertheless, parents had known p l a n n e d t o use those their parental had waived the t r i a l at least November 2010 that the c h i l d r e n ' s statements a g a i n s t the parents. from the a t t o r n e y s the the Summers had opinions. regarding the steps t a k e n t o s e c u r e an e x p e r t t o o b t a i n an e x p e r t Storm e s s e n t i a l l y adequate statements and t o r e b u t DHR's opportunity of the to the parents obtain c h i l d r e n but to f i l e any Judge u n f a i r at f o r the purpose of a l l o w i n g the parents an had had expert not been to availed Given the f a i l u r e of the for expert's to i n t e r v i e w the c h i l d r e n . ruled that f u l l y of t h a t o p p o r t u n i t y . for parents Judge S t o r m d e t e r m i n e d t h a t i t w o u l d be t h a t p o i n t to recess the t r i a l parents that the DHR Judge S t o r m a l s o r e c e i v e d i n f o r m a t i o n parents on rights. Judge S t o r m c o r r e c t l y d e t e r m i n e d t h a t since to the Judge given rebut an the themselves attorneys motions or p e t i t i o n s w i t h e i t h e r t h e j u v e n i l e c o u r t o r t h i s c o u r t t o compel t h e s e l e c t i o n o f 43 an 2110550 and 2110568 independent p s y c h o l o g i s t , d e s p i t e two trial November was scheduled for a g r e e w i t h Judge S t o r m and fair opportunity that their to 2011, I reluctantly the must f i n d t h a t t h e p a r e n t s were g i v e n rebut the objections, months' n o t i c e t h a t statements of although not the waived, children were due a so to be intention of overruled. I Judge nevertheless Summers psychologist, 12-15-310(d). variety of conduct, to point provide w h i c h he The reasons, and most the parents none of that which of c o u n s e l . As fair c o n t e m p l a t e d by with obtained which can the an independent n e c e s s a r y t o comply w i t h never of i t was parents considered assistance trial out be an resulted blamed expert from on a r e s u l t , they d i d not Judge Summers. We for their § a own ineffective receive cannot the reverse t h e j u d g m e n t s on t h a t g r o u n d , h o w e v e r , b e c a u s e t h e p a r e n t s d i d n o t move t h e j u v e n i l e court to set aside i n e f f e c t i v e a s s i s t a n c e of counsel us on this appeal. 44 i t s j u d g m e n t s due and t h a t i s s u e i s n o t to before

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