J.M. v. Madison County Department of Human Resources

Annotate this Case

Download PDF

Rel: 08/23/2013 Notice: T h i s o p i n i o n i s s u b j e c t t o f o r m a l 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 SPECIAL TERM, 2013 2120345 J.M. v. Madison County Department o f Human Resources Appeal from Madison J u v e n i l e Court (JU-11-1853.02) THOMPSON, P r e s i d i n g J u d g e . The M a d i 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 ("DHR") filed a petition ("the m o t h e r " ) S.M. t o terminate theparental a n d J.M. ("the f a t h e r " ) ("the c h i l d " ) . The juvenile r i g h t s o f K.E.L. t o t h e i r minor court child, conducted the 2120345 termination 2012 and hearing early over the January juvenile court parental 2013. On father filed immediately f i l e d was held in motion. a a notice abeyance d a y s i n December January 15, j u v e n i l e court and the father's terminating postjudgment of appeal. pending a R u l e 4 ( a ) ( 5 ) , A l a . R. the App. a judgment two 2013, App. d e n i e d the notice on P. parents' motion, The ruling the the rights. The entered course of the On and of appeal postjudgment F e b r u a r y 4, f a t h e r ' s postjudgment a p p e a l became e f f e c t i v e . 1 he Rule 4, 2013, motion, Ala. R. P. The facts. those record The on appeal i n d i c a t e s the p a r e n t s were m a r r i e d and children, both of whom have had following two special pertinent young c h i l d r e n ; needs and are d e v e l o p m e n t a l l y d e l a y e d , were t o d d l e r s when t h e c h i l d a t i s s u e in his t h i s a p p e a l was birth, the b o r n J u l y 5, c h i l d had 2011. surgery Immediately f o l l o w i n g for omfalocele, which i s a c o n d i t i o n t h a t c a u s e s t h e i n t e s t i n e s t o be l o c a t e d o u t s i d e the body. The The child's 1 The c h i l d has a number o f o t h e r h e a l t h c o n d i t i o n s . f o s t e r m o t h e r , S.A. mother i s not ("the f o s t e r mother"), a party to t h i s 2 appeal. testified 2120345 t h a t the c h i l d was born without an unfused, and his g e n i t a l s are that addition, the child abdomen), a heart ears has and epispadias defect, and hospital a DHR at which the a f t e r the c h i l d ' s b i r t h abilities medical or initially that, in Jackson i n s t e a d , she and care. The was child months o l d the the the to j u d g m e n t , has The The the a few care two of the i s characterized f o s t e r mother testified as that 3 parents' multiple was but to place the the mother child child was properly older children. entry never r e s i d e d w i t h the child days mother of the hospital in late time the f o r adoption Jackson, take the the child father decided also parenting at DHR child's that i m m e d i a t e l y p l a c e d w i t h the f o s t e r mother. 19 t e s t i f i e d that the testified c o u l d not left 17 d u p l i c a t i o n , called address According c o n c e r n e d t h a t she she born interested in placing foster while to his mental r e t a r d a t i o n . worker, was In is in to r e p o r t concerns about the willingness needs. (his urethra and social child deformed. a Chromosome which causes developmental delays Karen Jackson, anus, t h a t h i s p e l v i s i s J u l y 2011 The of and was c h i l d , who was the termination parents. being the medically fragile. c h i l d ' s colostomy bag 2120345 must be c h a n g e d e v e r y two t o t h r e e h o u r s a n d t h a t h i s must be c l e a n e d carefully. She s t a t e d urethra she h a d b e e n warned t h a t a f a i l u r e t o do e i t h e r on a t i m e l y b a s i s c o u l d r e s u l t i n damage t o t h e c h i l d ' s k i d n e y s . The c h i l d e a t s o n l y a s p o o n f u l or so he must be f e d many two o f f o o d throughout time at a feeding, t h e day. The f o s t e r m o t h e r of the termination still hearing, i n v e s t i g a t i n g the reason properly. Tylenol In addition, or Motrin every that, for his inability takes hours t o address a s e r i e s of three surgeries first to create that The c h i l d ' s however. need t o complete an anus f o r t h e c h i l d and t o c o n n e c t h i s i n t e s t i n e s t o h i s a n u s . s u r g e r i e s was s c h e d u l e d to eat pain p e l v i s c a n n o t be s u r g i c a l l y c o r r e c t e d f o r some t i m e , f o s t e r mother s t a t e d t h a t d o c t o r s were nonprescription doctors b e l i e v e i s caused by h i s unfused p e l v i s . The at the the c h i l d ' s doctors the c h i l d four stated times The f i r s t o f t h o s e f o r t h e month a f t e r t h e t e r m i n a t i o n hearing. The f o s t e r mother e x p l a i n e d surgeries, the c h i l d ' s doctors that, would a f t e r the i n t e s t i n a l perform surgery to c o r r e c t t h e p l a c e m e n t o f t h e c h i l d ' s u r e t h r a ; she was u n s u r e how many s u r g e r i e s t h a t w o u l d e n t a i l . 4 According to the foster 2120345 m o t h e r , as t h e c h i l d g r o w s , a n d p a r t i c u l a r l y d u r i n g he will have t o have m u l t i p l e puberty, additional surgeries on h i s anus, i n t e s t i n e s , and u r e t h r a t o a d j u s t f o r h i s g r o w t h . Thus, t h e c h i l d ' s e x t e n s i v e m e d i c a l needs w i l l c o n t i n u e t h r o u g h much of h i s l i f e . The child s e e s 10 d i f f e r e n t d o c t o r s The f o s t e r mother t e s t i f i e d and eight doctor's on a r e g u l a r b a s i s . that the c h i l d appointments each has between month. The four child's p e d i a t r i c i a n and h i s c a r d i o l o g i s t a r e l o c a t e d i n H u n t s v i l l e , n e a r t h e homes o f t h e f o s t e r m o t h e r a n d t h e f a t h e r , b u t t h e child's other doctors and his physical, speech, o c c u p a t i o n a l t h e r a p i s t s a r e l o c a t e d i n Birmingham. mother t e s t i f i e d t h a t i t i s i m p o r t a n t each medical appointment because and The f o s t e r f o rthe c h i l d to attend he i s medically fragile. A n o t h e r reason c i t e d by t h e f o s t e r mother f o r t h e i m p o r t a n c e of t h e c h i l d ' s a t t e n d i n g each scheduled that the child i s on Medicaid, t h e r a p i s t s do n o t have t o p r o v i d e medical appointment i s and the the c h i l d treatment; p r o v i d e r s c o u l d d i s m i s s t h e c h i l d from treatment a t t e n d t h e a p p o i n t m e n t s as scheduled. 5 hospitals and those i f he d i d n o t 2120345 The f o s t e r m o t h e r t e s t i f i e d t h a t she r e c e i v e s total o f a p p r o x i m a t e l y $1,000 care of the c h i l d . spends $400 child's to medical 2 f r o m DHR p e r month i n s t i p e n d s a f o r the She s t a t e d , h o w e v e r , t h a t e a c h month she $600 more than supplies. the The stipend f o s t e r mother amount also on the admitted t h a t she i s o f t e n " o v e r w h e l m e d " by t h e l e v e l o f c a r e t h e c h i l d needs. She stated that she has been able t o manage the c h i l d ' s c a r e b e c a u s e h e r h u s b a n d and h e r two o l d e s t c h i l d r e n , who are i n c o l l e g e , help her care and h e r 6 - y e a r - o l d c h i l d for her. The foster f o r her 14-year-old and do some o f t h e h o u s e h o l d mother stated that she also child chores has s u p p o r t o f h e r s i s t e r , who s t e p s i n t o a s s i s t t h e o t h e r family members i f a n e e d a r i s e s and t h e f o s t e r m o t h e r i s u n a b l e address reunification their services visitation training to t h o s e needs b e c a u s e she must t a k e c a r e o f t h e c h i l d . J a c k s o n t e s t i f i e d t h a t DHR weekly the to prepare custody. with such the i n i t i a l l y o f f e r e d the parents as psychological child, the parents and evaluations, in-home parenting f o r the c h i l d ' s return to J a c k s o n t e s t i f i e d t h a t she w a n t e d t o s c h e d u l e DHR p a y s t h e f o s t e r p a r e n t s a $ 4 3 2 - p e r - m o n t h s t i p e n d f o r t h e c a r e o f a f o s t e r c h i l d , and i t p a y s them an a d d i t i o n a l $600 p e r month b e c a u s e t h e c h i l d i s m e d i c a l l y f r a g i l e . 2 6 2120345 that in-home training f o r both parents but that the parents i n f o r m e d h e r t h a t t h e f a t h e r w o r k e d a l o t and t h a t t h e r e no way to schedule the training around his was schedule. T h e r e f o r e , J a c k s o n s t a t e d , t h e in-home s e r v i c e s were p r o v i d e d t o t h e m o t h e r f r o m A u g u s t 2011 t h r o u g h November 2011, when t h e m o t h e r r e q u e s t e d t h a t DHR After parents a November notified voluntarily stop p r o v i d i n g 6, 2011, Jackson relinquishing visit that with they custody of declined in their home to v i s i t on November and s e n t J a c k s o n services. the child, were the t e s t i f i e d t h a t , when she t o o k t h e c h i l d parents those the considering child. Jackson f o r a v i s i t with the 20, 2011, the and t h e c h i l d parents away. In F e b r u a r y 2012, t h e m o t h e r and t h e f a t h e r e x e c u t e d documents i n which they v o l u n t a r i l y r e l i n q u i s h e d t h e i r p a r e n t a l the child. The father t e s t i f i e d t h a t he e x e c u t e d t h a t document rights to at the termination because the mother hearing threatened t o l e a v e h i m and t h e o t h e r two c h i l d r e n i f he d i d n o t s i g n t h e document. I n e a r l y M a r c h 2012, t h e m o t h e r s e p a r a t e d f r o m t h e f a t h e r and left testified t h e two that he older has children not heard 7 i n h i s care. from the mother The father since she 2120345 l e f t , and he was u n s u r e w h e t h e r t h e y were d i v o r c e d a t t h e of the t e r m i n a t i o n h e a r i n g . termination The had testified employment and decreased. father was At child the room w i t h car family. he had being care time of had the two been p a i d a p p e a r s t o have r e c l a i m e d the that The a single difficult, the r e n t i n g a room i n t h e shared that parents' mother d i d not appear at the hearing. father finding The time his made income hearing, apartment of the the who left a vehicle had mother that t h a t t h e v e h i c l e was termination he The mother's mother, the v e h i c l e a f t e r the a friend; c h i l d r e n i n h i s custody. f a t h e r t e s t i f i e d t h a t he at the time of the and termination f o r by r e c e n t l y r e p a i r e d and parent operational hearing. A f t e r t h e m o t h e r l e f t t h e f a t h e r and t h e f a t h e r a n n o u n c e d his desire to parental set aside rights Individualized reunification provided to the Service goals t h a t the his voluntary child, Plan f o r the father. f a t h e r o b t a i n and to support the the of the conducted ("ISP") w o u l d a l l o w him majority DHR 8 meeting a to Those g o a l s maintain child, child's relinquishment May his 2012 establish of the employment t h a t the medical of father ISP that attend appointments to 2120345 f a m i l i a r i z e h i m s e l f w i t h t h e c h i l d ' s c o n d i t i o n s and care, and that the father contribute to the support 2012 children ISP to meeting, the ISP so DHR that t h o s e c h i l d r e n ; t h o s e two caseload the before May added DHR the could c h i l d r e n had 2012. DHR Jackson testified that both of father's c u s t o d y have s p e c i a l n e e d s . father's oldest child had the the father's provide other two services for n o t b e e n p a r t o f DHR's p a i d f o r day c h i l d r e n so t h a t t h e f a t h e r c o u l d of Also during c h i l d by p r o v i d i n g d i a p e r s on a w e e k l y b a s i s . May necessary care f o r each of work. the She children in that explained developmental delays the the such t h a t q u a l i f i e d f o r the E a r l y I n t e r v e n t i o n program. A f t e r the he child t u r n e d t h r e e y e a r s o f a g e , he was no l o n g e r e l i g i b l e f o r E a r l y Intervention transferred administered to should have an appointment for eligibility Therefore, the father's for into oldest the more t h a n s i x months b e f o r e that she had the oldest school child s e r v i c e s to address h i s educational stated to a program by t h e s c h o o l s y s t e m . H o w e v e r , t h e f a t h e r f a i l e d schedule evaluated and the 9 system's failed to father to hearing. several be program. receive or t h e r a p e u t i c the t e r m i n a t i o n reminded child any needs f o r Jackson times to 2120345 schedule resume the evaluation for that appointment. during child, w h i l e he was the 2013 and Intervention not has located termination 2012 at h i s father t h a t he and not never made t h e taken place at could made the with custody received her appointment scheduled f o r the time of J a c k s o n t e s t i f i e d t h a t the younger services the child from Early father stated school. works as a day laborer. The he had or of the I t i s u n d i s p u t e d t h a t between e a r l y May secured hearing. late such December 2012 the May 2012 f o s t e r mother s t a t e d t h a t father services s e a r c h e d f o r more s t a b l e e m p l o y m e n t , b u t compliance with provided father ISP m e e t i n g , she had father's The the that i n h e r o f f i c e ; t h a t a p p o i n t m e n t was termination hearing. in but so J a c k s o n s t a t e d t h a t when t h e f a t h e r met a November 2012 February appointment only enough provided no on employment the father ISP goals t h o s e two diapers other to support at the provided only two occasions time diapers times. the 10 The father last for four days. The for the child other than p r o v i d i n g some c l o t h e s f o r t h e c h i l d s h o r t l y a f t e r t h e birth. in child's 2120345 D u r i n g t h e 19 months t h a t the c h i l d had been i n f o s t e r c a r e , t h e f a t h e r h a d a t t e n d e d o n l y two o f t h e c h i l d ' s m e d i c a l appointments, one o f w h i c h was f o r an e x p l o r a t o r y surgery; b o t h o f those appointments o c c u r r e d b e f o r e t h e mother l e f t t h e father. Jackson meeting, she n o t i f i e d appointments Many of testified that, after the father of a t o t a l s c h e d u l e d between August those appointments B i r m i n g h a m , b u t a few were t h e May were o f 11 d o c t o r ' s 2012 a n d O c t o b e r 2 0 1 2 . f o r doctors located f o r doctors i n H u n t s v i l l e . f a t h e r f a i l e d t o a t t e n d any o f t h o s e a p p o i n t m e n t s , one i n which father that d o c t o r s hoped t o o b t a i n would assist 2012 I S P them disorder. a DNA i n better Jackson including understanding the genetic addition t o t h o s e 11 a p p o i n t m e n t s , the c h i l d doctor's appointments time. that The sample from t h e child's during also in stated that, in a l s o had o t h e r However, Jackson e x p l a i n e d t h a t t h o s e a p p o i n t m e n t s were n o t l i s t e d as ones t h e f a t h e r h a d f a i l e d t o a t t e n d b e c a u s e t h e y were a r r a n g e d on s u c h s h o r t n o t i c e t h a t J a c k s o n was u n a b l e t o n o t i f y t h e f a t h e r i n advance o f t h o s e a p p o i n t m e n t s . The attend father testified that he h a d l a c k e d the d o c t o r ' s appointments 11 and t h a t , t h e money t o on a t l e a s t one 2120345 occasion, At he l a c k e d the termination transportation to attend hearing, the father members o f h i s c h u r c h w o u l d h e l p any doctor's support. presented testified him t r a n s p o r t appointments and c o n t r i b u t e The f a t h e r an a p p o i n t m e n t . the c h i l d to financially the testimony Toussant service provider met t h e f a t h e r identified by chance to h i s o f Rosa T o u s s a n t , who w o r k s a s an a d v o c a t e a t a c h i l d r e n ' s center; that the Maria advocacy a n d was n o t a f o r t h e f a t h e r b y DHR. Toussant t e s t i f i e d t h a t t h e f a t h e r a t t e n d e d h e r c h u r c h and t h a t she and other c h u r c h members were a v a i l a b l e t o a s s i s t h i m w i t h for h i s family, including the c h i l d . the f a t h e r had not e x p l a i n e d child's medical The and the Toussant admitted needs. f a t h e r t e s t i f i e d t h a t he w a n t e d c u s t o d y o f t h e c h i l d f o r the c h i l d . c h i l d while child that to her the exact nature of the t h a t he w o u l d do t h e b e s t he c o u l d t o p r o v i d e care caring cannot Toussant he w o r k e d ( t h e attend would When a s k e d a b o u t h i s p l a n s hire c h i l d ' s doctors day c a r e ) , two nurses the father to care appropriate t o care f o r have s a i d t h e testified f o r the that child. However, t h e f a t h e r a d m i t t e d t h a t he d i d know who w o u l d p a y for those nurses. When asked 12 whether he w o u l d have t h e 2120345 financial pay for resources the to t r a v e l to the d o c t o r s ' appointments c h i l d ' s medical supplies, the t h a t h i s c h u r c h members w o u l d a s s i s t him that, s h o r t l y before father and was appealing the receive help in providing The disability benefits f o r the note f o r the oldest d e n i a l of those b e n e f i t s f o r younger c h i l d i n h i s custody. also We the f a t h e r began receiving Social Security d i s a b i l i t y benefits child responded financially. the t e r m i n a t i o n h e a r i n g , and the f a t h e r s t a t e d t h a t he would f o r the would child. The child, record which indicates that t h e c h i l d r e c e i v e s a p p r o x i m a t e l y $700 p e r month i n d i s a b i l i t y benefits. The 3 father also stated that he expected i m m i g r a t e t o t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s t o a s s i s t him children. for The father explained a s i x - m o n t h v i s a and States soon. allowing stated that planned to mother her the the h i s m o t h e r had immigrate to the f a t h e r ' s m o t h e r had entry into f a t h e r had the applied United time of not yet r e c e i v e d United informed her to i n c a r i n g f o r the However, i t i s u n d i s p u t e d t h a t , a t t h e the c h i l d ' s b i r t h , visa that his States. at the time a Jackson of the DHR, w h i c h i s t h e c h i l d ' s l e g a l c u s t o d i a n , r e c e i v e s t h e $700 i n f e d e r a l b e n e f i t s . DHR pays the f o s t e r p a r e n t s a p p r o x i m a t e l y $1,000 p e r month i n f o s t e r - c a r e s t i p e n d s . 3 13 2120345 child's birth, and since then, mother t o a r r i v e i n the U n i t e d The all he soon expected doctor's concern that, based child's doctor's on the necessary father and failed, Jackson failure the take Jackson the also attend therapeutic to pointed a f t e r repeated reminders, eligible services after for Early Intervention's J a c k s o n a l s o s t a t e d t h a t she apply for However, public the termination housing father hearing, but testified the older that child has 2012 ISP May a l l of out to child that schedule e v a l u a t i o n so t h a t t h e o l d e s t c h i l d c o u l d r e c e i v e and the time the child to expressed to e s p e c i a l l y a f t e r the would not appointments. f a t h e r had father's appointments during i n f o s t e r care, meeting, appointments. the his States. f a t h e r a l s o t e s t i f i e d t h a t he w o u l d t a k e t h e c h i l d necessary been that his the an educational was no longer services. had reminded the father he done that that, had not shortly children's before pediatrician to so. the had c o m p l e t e d and t u r n e d i n t h e a p p l i c a t i o n f o r p u b l i c h o u s i n g f o r him and The birth. the children. father The has regularly visited f o s t e r mother s t a t e d t h a t 14 the the child since f a t h e r has his bonded 2120345 well with the child. s u p e r v i s i o n , the She father b a g , b u t she e x p r e s s e d perform the necessary for child's and medical attorney change obtained insisted needs. he child's child's testimony m u l t i p l e medical and colostomy independently The father could l e a r n to care cross-examination, On the f r o m the f o s t e r mother and J a c k s o n t h a t t h e f a t h e r c o u l d be the the t a s k s f o r the c h i l d ' s care. that testimony father's could instruction c o n c e r n w h e t h e r he c o u l d disputed the stated t h a t , with t r a i n e d to take needs. Jackson care of pointed out, h o w e v e r , t h a t t h e c h i l d needs v i r t u a l l y c o n s t a n t c a r e and that t h e f a t h e r needs f u l l - t i m e employment and has two o t h e r special-needs The for children. father exhibits. young, submitted Although into evidence the f a t h e r d e s i g n a t e d i n c l u s i o n i n the a the total of entire record r e c o r d on a p p e a l , t h e f a t h e r ' s e x h i b i t s were o m i t t e d f r o m t h e record. A f t e r requests from the o f t h i s c o u r t , on J u l y 1 5 , 2 0 1 3 , t h e p a r t i e s s u b m i t t e d court a " j o i n t five s t i p u l a t i o n of t r i a l e x h i b i t s " that clerk to t h i s included, i n a d d i t i o n t o DHR's e x h i b i t s a l r e a d y c o n t a i n e d i n t h e record, two to of juvenile the five court e x h i b i t s submitted and admitted into 15 by the evidence. father The the father's 2120345 exhibit one was a pediatrician for the stating that those appointments w i t h December two signed by "Ms. the father from takes s u b s t a n c e , as other the father's not missed any good Director," care other day-care letter the custody scheduled 2012. The s t a t i n g that the custody appeared w e l l cared f o r p a r t i e s s t i p u l a t e d t h a t the letters in the from an u n s w o r n l e t t e r f r o m a d a y - c a r e Kathy, c h i l d r e n i n the f a t h e r ' s that had letter p e d i a t r i c i a n s i n c e June 1, f a t h e r ' s s e c o n d e x h i b i t was worker, 2012, children children the 12, of those three workers children. omitted that submitted to t h i s and are The exhibits the are same, in court. I n i t s judgment t e r m i n a t i n g the p a r e n t s ' p a r e n t a l rights, t h e j u v e n i l e c o u r t d e t e r m i n e d t h a t t h e p a r e n t s were u n w i l l i n g o r u n a b l e t o meet t h e was not likely to c h i l d ' s needs and change in the that that foreseeable future. j u v e n i l e c o u r t n o t e d t h a t t h e f a t h e r had repeatedly attend missed could doctor's be fatal appointments for the and child. that The f a m i l y s u p p o r t t o a s s i s t him failed court to also resources i n p r o p e r l y c a r i n g f o r the 16 The appointments juvenile determined t h a t the f a t h e r l a c k e d the f i n a n c i a l condition and child, 2120345 and i t concluded t h a t the i n the c h i l d ' s best termination r i g h t s of was interests. When a n o n p a r e n t , s u c h as DHR, parental of p a r e n t a l r i g h t s a parent, p e t i t i o n s to terminate a j u v e n i l e court the must a p p l y two-pronged t e s t to determine whether to terminate a parental rights: "A j u v e n i l e court i s required to apply a two-pronged t e s t i n determining whether to terminate p a r e n t a l r i g h t s : ( 1 ) c l e a r and c o n v i n c i n g e v i d e n c e must s u p p o r t a f i n d i n g t h a t t h e c h i l d i s d e p e n d e n t ; and ( 2 ) t h e c o u r t must p r o p e r l y c o n s i d e r and r e j e c t a l l v i a b l e a l t e r n a t i v e s to a t e r m i n a t i o n of p a r e n t a l rights." B.M. v. State, (citing The Ex On that parte statutory r i g h t s are failed to So. 2d Beasley, grounds 319, 564 for So. 950, the f a t h e r a s s e r t s , as is not child consider dependent, his success t h a t he maintained and he attempted, occasions, 2d (Ala. Civ. terminating children, that 331 954 a had to provide in part the raising regular v i s i t s by f o r the f a t h e r i s c o r r e c t t h a t the that providing 2004) (Ala. 1990)). parental 1975. of h i s argument juvenile his with child's material court other the diapers j u v e n i l e c o u r t d i d not 17 App. parent's f o u n d a t § 12-15-319, A l a . Code appeal, the 895 two child, on needs. two The explicitly 2120345 mention those f a c t s i n i t s judgment. However, t h e failure to m e n t i o n t h o s e c o n s i d e r a t i o n s does n o t e q u a t e w i t h a conclusion t h a t the fact, does j u v e n i l e court not dispute d i d not those consider f a c t s , and a p p e a r s t o have a c k n o w l e d g e d them. the them. In juvenile court However, as t h e DHR also juvenile c o u r t noted, the p e r t i n e n t i n q u i r y i n t h i s case i s whether f a t h e r can meet t h e child's nearly constant m e d i c a l needs i n a d d i t i o n t o w o r k i n g and c a r i n g f o r t h e o t h e r two children in his With regard the special-needs custody. f a t h e r argues t h a t DHR d i d n o t make s u f f i c i e n t e f f o r t s t o w a r d r e u n i f y i n g him w i t h the child. The him to care DHR to that i n q u i r y , the f a t h e r c o n t e n d s t h a t DHR f o r the c h i l d . provided in-home t r a i n i n g f o r t h e p a r e n t s . services. At the train However, a f t e r t h e c h i l d ' s b i r t h , work s c h e d u l e p r e v e n t e d t h e those d i d not attempt to father May 2012 The from t a k i n g ISP father's advantage meeting, the of father agreed to a t t e n d the c h i l d ' s m e d i c a l appointments i n order to f a m i l i a r i z e h i m s e l f w i t h t h e c h i l d ' s h e a l t h c o n d i t i o n s and to l e a r n to p r o p e r l y address those c o n d i t i o n s . t o a t t e n d any of those appointments. The making appointments f o r s e r v i c e s f o r the 18 The father failed father also delayed two children in his 2120345 c u s t o d y , t h u s i n d i c a t i n g t h a t he m i g h t n o t be w i l l i n g t o make, o r be c a p a b l e o f m a k i n g , a p p r o p r i a t e treatment father's for the juvenile dependent. medical The a d d r e s s , and, court that could The not the father and in his At the he t h a t the the child c h i l d has cannot or was severe will not the dependency the or the provide care for n o t l i k e l y t o change i n t h e time of the financial home. We termination hearing, w o u l d be the w o r k i n g as a d e p e n d e n t on day church b u r d e n s i n c u r r e d by h a v i n g that the evidence the j u v e n i l e c o u r t ' s existed warranting See f a t h e r was conclude j u v e n i l e court rights. The s t a t e d t h a t he r e c o r d on a p p e a l s u p p o r t s parental the s h a r i n g a room i n a f r i e n d ' s a p a r t m e n t w i t h members t o meet t h e grounds in also determined that support c h i l d r e n i n h i s custody. child placed that either j u v e n i l e court properly future. t h e f a t h e r was and determined t h a t t h a t s i t u a t i o n was foreseeable laborer, were t h e r e f o r e , the evidence supports determination. two child evidence i n d i c a t e s t h a t the issues c h i l d and i f the medical custody. The father child arrangements f o r d i d not the T.L.S. v. 19 in Lauderdale the determinations err i n determining termination the of the Cnty. that father's Dep't of 2120345 Human R e s . , (Ala. [Ms. 2111073, J a n . 18, 2013] C i v . App. placement with termination clear 2013) the father of parental needs best of juvenile parental efforts, had was a viable rights and stating that in a could safe sufficient that a l t e r n a t i v e to the testimony that, the f a t h e r the c h i l d r e n court , ( r e j e c t i n g t h e m o t h e r ' s argument from the f a t h e r ' s wife's So. 3d despite " [ i ] ti s h i s and h i s n o t meet t h e s p e c i a l e n v i r o n m e n t and grounds to that the terminate his rights"). With regard t o whether there exists a viable alternative to the t e r m i n a t i o n of h i s p a r e n t a l r i g h t s , the f a t h e r contends that the c h i l d should the have b e e n p l a c e d c h i l d c o u l d have b e e n l e f t i n h i s custody or that i n foster The f a c t s o f t h i s c a s e a r e t r a g i c . father loves care. I t i s c l e a r that the t h e c h i l d and wants t o p a r e n t him. i s e q u a l l y c l e a r t h a t t h e c h i l d has c o m p l i c a t e d that require testified she still occasion. and nearly that constant attention. she has an e x t e n s i v e becomes overwhelmed by The However, i t medical issues foster mother s u p p o r t s y s t e m and the child's that needs on The f a t h e r s t a t e d t h a t he has t h e s u p p o r t o f R o s a h i s c h u r c h members, b u t none o f t h o s e p e o p l e t e s t i f i e d 20 on 2120345 the father's behalf that they would support the f i n a n c i a l l y o r meet o t h e r needs o f t h e f a m i l y f o r any length of time. The concluded that logistical support juvenile court dependence was not on could others father specific reasonably for have financial a v i a b l e p l a n under which o f t h e c h i l d m i g h t be p l a c e d w i t h t h e f a t h e r . custody father has two o t h e r s p e c i a l - n e e d s c h i l d r e n he i s r e a r i n g b y h i m s e l f , and t h e e v i d e n c e i n d i c a t e s t h a t he has stamps t o lapse on one occasion allowed and has the The and family's failed to schedule a p p o i n t m e n t s f o r e d u c a t i o n a l a s s i s t a n c e f o r one o f t h o s e children. the The e v i d e n c e i n t h e r e c o r d i n d i c a t e s t h a t , father i s w i l l i n g to attempt to provide is determination c a r e and indicated t h a t the the evidence f a t h e r c o u l d not f i n a n c i a l support f a t h e r i s not situation. supports provide care a appropriate the a v i a b l e a l t e r n a t i v e to the t e r m i n a t i o n of the father f o r the c h i l d . although Placement w i t h father's parental The above, older appropriate f o r t h e c h i l d , he i s u n a b l e t o do so i n h i s c u r r e n t As food rights. cites Human R e s o u r c e s , 972 So. M.E. v. Shelby 2d 89, 103 the p r o p o s i t i o n t h a t "[p]lacement 21 County Department ( A l a . C i v . App. of 2007), f o r w i t h t h i r d p a r t i e s , s u c h as 2120345 ... f o s t e r parents may be a r e a s o n a b l e and l e s s d r a s t i c a l t e r n a t i v e to termination of parental r i g h t s . " was a plurality precedent. opinion Further, a n d does the opinion However, M.E. not constitute i n M.E. acknowledged contrary authority standing for the proposition that a indefinitely child in foster care binding i s not a leaving viable a l t e r n a t i v e t o t e r m i n a t i o n , e s p e c i a l l y when t h e p a r e n t h a s n o t attempted t o adjust h i s or her circumstances o r has f a i l e d t o a d d r e s s t h e i s s u e s t h a t c a u s e d DHR t o s e e k t h e t e r m i n a t i o n o f parental rights. 4 See R.L.B. v. Morgan C n t y . Dep't o f Human The f a t h e r c i t e s Ex p a r t e T.V., 971 So. 2d 1, 8 ( A l a . 2 0 0 7 ) , f o r t h e g e n e r a l p r o p o s i t i o n t h a t a p a r t y must p r o v e b y c l e a r and c o n v i n c i n g evidence that there a r e no v i a b l e alternatives to termination. The f a t h e r does n o t a r g u e t h a t t h e f a c t s o f Ex p a r t e T.V. a r e s i m i l a r t o t h o s e o f t h i s c a s e . In t h a t case, t h e c h i l d ' s f o s t e r mother sought 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 ' s mother, and t h e j u v e n i l e court granted the p e t i t i o n . Our supreme c o u r t reversed, n o t i n g t h a t t h e e v i d e n c e i n d i c a t e d t h a t t h e m o t h e r "has s t o p p e d u s i n g d r u g s , t h a t she has r e c o n c i l e d w i t h h e r f a m i l y , t h a t she p a r t i c i p a t e s i n r a i s i n g and s u p p o r t i n g h e r o t h e r s o n , and t h a t she r e g u l a r l y a t t e n d s c h u r c h . " Ex p a r t e T.V., 971 So. 2d a t 10. The f a c t s o f t h i s c a s e i n d i c a t e t h a t , u n l i k e t h e m o t h e r i n Ex p a r t e T.V., t h e f a t h e r h a s n o t made p r o g r e s s i n t h e a r e a s t h a t have c a u s e d DHR t o s e e k t h e t e r m i n a t i o n o f his parental rights. A l t h o u g h t h e f a t h e r i n t h i s case i s s u c c e s s f u l l y r e a r i n g h i s o t h e r c h i l d r e n , he h a s n o t a t t e n d e d t h e c h i l d ' s m e d i c a l a p p o i n t m e n t s o r d e m o n s t r a t e d t h a t he h a s t h e t i m e o r f i n a n c i a l a b i l i t y t o meet t h e c h i l d ' s s p e c i a l needs. Accordingly, we c o n c l u d e t h a t Ex p a r t e T.V. i s d i s t i n g u i s h a b l e from t h e f a c t s o f t h i s case. 4 22 2120345 Res., the 805 So. 2d 721, 725 child i n f o s t e r care ( A l a . C i v . App. i s not a t e r m i n a t i o n . " ) ; see a l s o G.P. Res., 42 continued, So. 3d 112, indefinite 120 2001) ("Retaining 'viable alternative' to v. H o u s t o n C n t y . Dep't o f Human ( A l a . C i v . App. placement 2009) i n f o s t e r care (rejecting as a v i a b l e a l t e r n a t i v e t o t e r m i n a t i o n when " t h e c h i l d w o u l d be f o r c e d t o remain i n f o s t e r care circumstances awaiting t h e mere p o s s i b i l i t y t h a t t h e would permit the f a t h e r t o take custody of the c h i l d a t some p o i n t i n t h e f u t u r e " ) . In t h i s case, the j u v e n i l e c o u r t p r o p e r l y c o n s i d e r e d rejected the proposed alternatives to termination, and and i t f o u n d t h a t t e r m i n a t i o n was i n t h e c h i l d ' s b e s t i n t e r e s t s . The f a t h e r c o n t e n d s i n h i s b r i e f on a p p e a l t h a t t h e t e r m i n a t i o n o f his parental r i g h t s i s not i n the c h i l d ' s best interests. O t h e r t h a n a d i s c u s s i o n o f c a s e l a w , t h e f a t h e r ' s a r g u m e n t on t h i s i s s u e i s l i m i t e d t o a s t a t e m e n t t h a t DHR d i d n o t meet i t s b u r d e n o f p r o v i n g u n f i t n e s s , as i s r e q u i r e d by Ex p a r t e Terry, 494 So. 2d 628 ( A l a . 1986) . However, t h e c u s t o d y s t a n d a r d s e t f o r t h i n Ex p a r t e T e r r y i s n o t a p p l i c a b l e i n a t e r m i n a t i o n - o f parental-rights case. W.T.H. v. M.M.M., 915 23 So. 2d 64, 70 2120345 ( A l a . C i v . App. So. 2d 584, We 586 are not 2 0 0 5 ) ; M.S. v. S t a t e Dep't o f Human Res., ( A l a . C i v . App. unsympathetic 1994). to the h i s d e s i r e to parent the c h i l d . demonstrates 648 father's s i t u a t i o n and However, t h e r e c o r d clearly t h a t the f a t h e r i s unable t o f i n a n c i a l l y support t h e c h i l d and t h a t he i s unable to provide the l e v e l of r e q u i r e d by t h e c h i l d ' s i n t e n s i v e m e d i c a l n e e d s . The care child's f o s t e r parents are p r o v i d i n g the almost around-the-clock care the child conclude needs, that the and they juvenile wish to court's adopt the child. determination that We the t e r m i n a t i o n of p a r e n t a l r i g h t s i s i n the b e s t i n t e r e s t s of the child i s s u p p o r t e d by f a i l e d t o demonstrate the r e c o r d e r r o r on on a p p e a l . The appeal. AFFIRMED. P i t t m a n , Thomas, and D o n a l d s o n , J J . , concur. Moore, J . , d i s s e n t s , w i t h w r i t i n g . 24 father has 2120345 MOORE, J u d g e , d i s s e n t i n g . J.M. ("the f a t h e r " ) a p p e a l s from a judgment h i s p a r e n t a l r i g h t s t o S.M. ("the the record, terminated the i t appears the parental that child"). t h e Madison From my r e v i e w o f Juvenile rights of the father solely f a t h e r c a n n o t meet t h e s p e c i a l i z e d m e d i c a l child, who was b o r n terminating with numerous birth Court because needs o f t h e defects, despite reasonable e f f o r t s b y t h e M a d i s o n C o u n t y D e p a r t m e n t o f Human Resources ("DHR") to assist the father i n that U n d o u b t e d l y , a p a r e n t owes a r e s p o n s i b i l i t y t o p r o v i d e care for his or her child, Alabama, 541 Weatherford, So. 2d s e e Ex p a r t e 535 medical U n i v e r s i t y o f South ( A l a . 1989); and 27 A l a . App. 258, 170 So. 95 ( 1 9 3 6 ) , Osborn medical a j u v e n i l e c o u r t w o u l d have g r o u n d s t o t e r m i n a t e parent's rights to the c h i l d under § 12-15-319, v. and, i f a p a r e n t shows an i r r e m e d i a b l e i n a b i l i t y t o p r o v i d e s u c h care, regard. Ala. that Code 1975. However, a j u v e n i l e c o u r t can terminate parental rights o n l y when i t h a s e x h a u s t e d a l l o t h e r v i a b l e a l t e r n a t i v e s . Ex parte Beasley, 564 So. 2d 950, in reveals the record that 954 ( A l a . 1990) . the c h i l d 25 The e v i d e n c e i s currently receiving 2120345 adequate medical care pursuant to mother"), a former p e d i a t r i c nurse, a t t e n d s to the c h i l d . which through the a foster foster-care mother, arrangement, S.A. ("the foster The f o s t e r mother a s s u r e s t h a t the c h i l d i s t r a n s p o r t e d t o a l l of h i s m e d i c a l a p p o i n t m e n t s and, w i t h a s s i s t a n c e f r o m h e r f a m i l y , provides daily a l l the basis. n o n s p e c i a l i z e d care The 5 foster w o u l d soon be u n d e r g o i n g designed future state mother the child testified state-sponsored that was needs. Thus, a t t h e adequately deficiency for addressing which the time the juvenile area court a child procedures to lessen h i s of the one on the surgical t o i m p r o v e h i s p h y s i c a l c o n d i t i o n and medical needs trial, of the parental terminated the father's parental rights. Although this circumstances, remain C i v . App. has noted that, i t i s not a v i a b l e a l t e r n a t i v e indefinitely Morgan C n t y . court in foster care, Dep't o f Human R e s . , 805 see, So. some for a child e.g., 2d in 721, R.L.B. 725 to v. (Ala. 2 0 0 1 ) , o u r supreme c o u r t has more r e c e n t l y h e l d t h a t a juvenile court should maintain f o s t e r care or other third- T h e r e c o r d c o n t a i n s no e v i d e n c e i n d i c a t i n g t h a t the f o s t e r - c a r e arrangement would cease i f the f a t h e r ' s p a r e n t a l r i g h t s were n o t t e r m i n a t e d . 5 26 2120345 party custodial arrangements without terminating parental r i g h t s when a c h i l d s h a r e s a b e n e f i c i a l e m o t i o n a l b o n d w i t h a p a r e n t and t h e c u s t o d i a l a r r a n g e m e n t a m e l i o r a t e s any t h r e a t o f harm f r o m t h e p a r e n t . 3d 1223 (Ala. (Ala. 2007) 2011); see also (reversing Ex See Ex p a r t e A.S., parte T.V., judgment t e r m i n a t i n g e n a b l e r e h a b i l i t a t e d mother to supreme c o u r t has s t a t u s quo of the apparently 73 So. 971 So. parental forge 2d r i g h t s i n order bond w i t h recognized child). to Our that maintaining the i n those s i t u a t i o n s would serve the b e s t i n t e r e s t s c h i l d more t h a n t e r m i n a t i o n of the parent's parental r i g h t s and the c o r r e s p o n d i n g l o s s of a s s o c i a t i o n between p a r e n t and the child. In loves this the case, child, the that record the clearly father v i s i t s w i t h t h e c h i l d and has has shows t h a t maintained the the father consistent d e v e l o p e d a bond w i t h the child, and t h a t the c h i l d b e n e f i t s from t h a t e m o t i o n a l r e l a t i o n s h i p . The f a t h e r has any t h r e a t o f harm t o t h e c h i l d d u r i n g v i s i t s ; at a l l times, The father siblings, n e v e r harmed t h e child d i s p l a y e d c o n c e r n and is currently raising and has not exhibited r a t h e r , he normal p a r e n t a l the child's behavior. two b o t h o f whom have s p e c i a l n e e d s , w i t h o u t 27 has, older incident 2120345 and with reports from others, i n c l u d i n g workers t h a t , d e s p i t e some f a i l i n g s , he i s a g o o d f a t h e r . with DHR, The r e c o r d c o n t a i n s no e v i d e n c e i n d i c a t i n g t h a t t h e f a t h e r a b u s e s d r u g s or a l c o h o l , engages i n c r i m i n a l behavior, violence, or otherwise endanger the morals condition united domestic c o n d u c t s h i m s e l f i n a manner t h a t w o u l d of the c h i l d . of the c h i l d , today without commits Absent the father t h e need the unfortunate and t h e c h i l d w o u l d be f o r DHR's i n v o l v e m e n t or the c h i l d ' s placement i n f o s t e r care. Our supreme parental egregious 952. civil Shelby Cnty. App. i s a drastic needs remedy of f o r t h e most 564 So. 2d a t such simply known as these, i n which do n o t w a r r a n t t o Alabama 2007) ( p l u r a l i t y o p i n i o n ) an l a c k s t h e a b i l i t y t o meet law. t h e most See M.E. v. Dep't o f Human R e s . , 972 So. 2d 89 ( A l a . p a r e n t a l r i g h t s as " c i v i l Civ. (characterizing termination of death penalty") ( c i t i n g Tammila G. v. N e v a d a, 122 Nev. 1418, 148 P.3d 759 ( 2 0 0 6 ) ; 133 termination reserved of h i s c h i l d , sanction that Ex p a r t e B e a s l e y , circumstances q u a l i f i e d parent medical extreme has admonished of circumstances. Tragic otherwise the rights court I n r e K.A.W., S.W.3d 1 (Mo. 2 0 0 4 ) ; a n d S t a n n v. L e v i n e , 180 N.C. App. 1, 28 2120345 636 S.E.2d strive more 214 to prevent tragic biological The the (2006)). those outcome Rather, they circumstances for the child current while preserving not need t o t e r m i n a t e The judgment reversed, and juvenile court decides -- the to an even of his loss the beneficial continued of the cause to the aspects of the The j u v e n i l e c o u r t d i d t o r e c e i v e adequate juvenile remanded maintain arrangement. otherwise, protects the f a t h e r ' s p a r e n t a l r i g h t s i n order to t h a t the c h i l d visitation law from c a u s i n g f o s t e r - c a r e arrangement adequately c h i l d ' s r e l a t i o n s h i p w i t h the f a t h e r . care. the family. child assure require the Because with court to be i n s t r u c t i o n s f o r the current foster-care a majority I respectfully dissent. 29 i s due medical of this and court

Some case metadata and case summaries were written with the help of AI, which can produce inaccuracies. You should read the full case before relying on it for legal research purposes.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.