F.W. v. T.M. and K.M.

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REL: 08/16/2013 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 SPECIAL TERM, 2013 2120430 F.W. v. T.M. and K.M. Appeal from M a r s h a l l J u v e n i l e Court (JU-11-300223.01) DONALDSON, F.W. Court Judge. appeals from a judgment o f t h e M a r s h a l l ("the j u v e n i l e c o u r t " ) foster parents") custody Facts awarding T.M. a n d K.M. ("the o f M.S. ( " t h e c h i l d " ) . and P r o c e d u r a l Juvenile History 2120430 A.S. ("the m o t h e r " ) gave b i r t h t o t h e c h i l d a t H u n t s v i l l e H o s p i t a l on O c t o b e r 22, 2 0 1 1 . B e c a u s e o f t h e m o t h e r ' s e r r a t i c behavior the and h e r r e f u s a l hospital staff t o feed the c h i l d removed the c h i l d following birth, from the mother's h o s p i t a l room a n d c o n t a c t e d 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 . A r o u n d t h e t i m e o f t h e c h i l d ' s b i r t h , t h e c h i l d ' s f a t h e r , J.H. ("the for f a t h e r " ) , had been d e t a i n e d i n t h e M a r s h a l l County a l l e g e d l y telephoning employment. Department On of a bomb t h r e a t October Human 24, into h i s place of 2011, t h e M a r s h a l l Resources ("DHR") jail filed a County petition a l l e g i n g t h a t t h e c h i l d was d e p e n d e n t a n d r e q u e s t i n g t h a t t h e c h i l d be removed f r o m t h e c u s t o d y o f t h e m o t h e r . court granted DHR's r e q u e s t i n the l e g a l custody the child Following into The j u v e n i l e f o r removal and p l a c e d t h e c h i l d o f DHR. On O c t o b e r 25, 2 0 1 1 , DHR p l a c e d the p h y s i c a l custody a shelter-care hearing of the foster on O c t o b e r parents. 26, 2 0 1 1 , t h e j u v e n i l e court determined t h a t t h e c h i l d would remain i n t h e legal custody o f DHR. adjudicatory hearing The juvenile court conducted an on November 29, 2 0 1 1 , a n d , on November 30, 2 0 1 1 , t h e j u v e n i l e c o u r t e n t e r e d an o r d e r a d j u d i c a t i n g t h e child t o be d e p e n d e n t . The j u v e n i l e c o u r t 2 awarded legal 2120430 custody of the child t o DHR, and the child remained i n the p h y s i c a l custody of the f o s t e r p a r e n t s . F o l l o w i n g the removal of the c h i l d from the mother, sought t o l o c a t e a s u i t a b l e r e l a t i v e placement f o r the DHR child. As t h e j u v e n i l e c o u r t n o t e d i n i t s f i n a l j u d g m e n t r e n d e r e d i n this c a s e i n J a n u a r y 2013, placements, too unsuitable by unwillingness reports 2012 " [ a ] number o f d i f f e r e n t lengthy DHR, for to a accept of c h i l d to abuse." F.W. husband, child. contacted C.W., be F.W. grandmother, The from and C.W. February is with the a and/or of and the C.W. 2012, that requested that in she January and her of the placement child's maternal maternal S h o r t l y t h e r e a f t e r , DHR approved planned home foster the indicated the c h i l d ' s t h a t DHR the including prior as a s u i t a b l e r e l a t i v e p l a c e m e n t parents' determined reasons, request sister on filed the child. child 8, 2012. On a petition to I n the p e t i t i o n , the f o s t e r juvenile 3 f o r the to transfer February parents i n t e r v e n e i n the dependency case. parents were r e c o r d shows t h a t t h u s m a k i n g F.W. foster 1, of considered for relative record indicates the child The DHR here, variety the g r e a t - a u n t and g r e a t - u n c l e . F.W. list relative court enter emergency 2120430 relief t o p r e v e n t DHR f r o m r e m o v i n g parents' physical custody orders concerning temporary child and " t h a t permanent reveals i f t h e Court custody [with t h e Court interest deems t h a t F.W. such the foster a n d C.W. o f t h e minor child, a p p r o p r i a t e , temporary parents]." t h a t t h e f o s t e r parents based allegation enter and permanent c u s t o d y o f t h e minor a s may be i n t h e b e s t including, t h e c h i l d from t h e f o s t e r The r e c o r d their petition were u n a b l e and t o care on t h e for the c h i l d due t o c o n c e r n s w i t h F.W.'s a n d C.W.'s h e a l t h a n d b a s e d on F.W.'s a n d C.W.'s c l o s e a s s o c i a t i o n w i t h a n d l o c a t i o n t o f a m i l y members a n d o t h e r s who e n g a g e d i n i l l e g a l activity. or i l l i c i t The r e c o r d i n d i c a t e s t h a t , a t a h e a r i n g on F e b r u a r y 7, 2012, DHR o p p o s e d t h e f o s t e r p a r e n t s ' p e t i t i o n t o i n t e r v e n e based on t h e i r lack of standing f o s t e r p a r e n t s ' motion and t h a t DHR o p p o s e d t h e f o r an e m e r g e n c y o r d e r p r e v e n t i n g t h e removal o f t h e c h i l d from t h e i r p h y s i c a l custody. 7, 2012, F.W. a n d C.W. f i l e d they also requested a motion permanent On F e b r u a r y t o i n t e r v e n e , i n which custody of the child. record reveals that the juvenile court granted t h e i r w i t h o u t o p p o s i t i o n from any p a r t y . The petition On F e b r u a r y 2 1 , 2012, t h e f o s t e r p a r e n t s amended t h e i r p e t i t i o n t o r e q u e s t t e r m i n a t i o n 4 2120430 of t h e mother's p a r e n t a l the foster termination 2012, parents rights. also filed a o f t h e mother's p a r e n t a l the j u v e n i l e court entered parents' The r e c o r d request indicates that petition for separate rights. 1 On M a r c h 15, an o r d e r g r a n t i n g t h e f o s t e r to intervene. On o r a b o u t A p r i l 1, 2012, DHR removed t h e c h i l d f r o m t h e foster parents' home a n d p l a c e d c u s t o d y o f F.W. a n d C.W. April the c h i l d The j u v e n i l e c o u r t h e l d a h e a r i n g on 4, 2012, on t h e f o s t e r p a r e n t s ' relief. presented The j u v e n i l e at the hearing i n the physical court petition determined from f o r emergency the evidence that the conditions surrounding F.W. The r e c o r d i n d i c a t e s t h a t t h e j u v e n i l e c o u r t u l t i m a t e l y p l a c e d t h e p e t i t i o n t o t e r m i n a t e t h e mother's p a r e n t a l r i g h t s on i t s a d m i n i s t r a t i v e d o c k e t p e n d i n g t h e outcome o f t h e d e p e n d e n c y c a s e . DHR's r e s p o n s e t o t h e amended p e t i t i o n s t a t e d that: 1 " [ t ] h e [ f o s t e r p a r e n t s ' ] p e t i t i o n and t h e i r attempt t o amend i t i s ' p r e m a t u r e ' i n t h i s a c t i o n i n t h a t DHR h a s n o t d e t e r m i n e d t h a t t h e c h i l d w i l l n o t be r e u n i t e d w i t h h e r [ s i c ] p a r e n t s , o r t h a t any t y p e o f t e r m i n a t i o n a c t i o n s / a d o p t i o n a c t i o n s w i l l e v e r be i n i t i a t e d . U n t i l DHR h a s e x h a u s t e d t h e s t a t u t o r i l y required efforts to reunite this f a m i l y and termination efforts are indicated, the [ f o s t e r p a r e n t s ' ] p e t i t i o n t o i n t e r v e n e i s 'premature' and s h o u l d be d e n i e d u n d e r t h e p r e v i o u s l y e s t a b l i s h e d p r e c e d e n t s e t i n K.W.[ v. J . G., 856 So. 2d 859 ( A l a . C i v . App. 2 0 0 3 ) ] . " 5 2120430 and C.W. were troublesome, but d i dnot rise to a level r e q u i r i n g t h e r e m o v a l o f t h e c h i l d f r o m F.W. a n d C.W.'s home. Ore t e n u s t e s t i m o n y was t a k e n a t t h e t r i a l o f t h e c a s e on December 4, 2012, a n d J a n u a r y 2, 2 0 1 3 . I n i t s f i n a l j u d g m e n t , e n t e r e d on J a n u a r y 4, 2 0 1 3 , t h e 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 i s s u e t h a t h a d b e e n t r i e d was n a r r o w : "The s o l e i s s u e f o r t h e C o u r t ' s d e t e r m i n a t i o n w a s : (1) p u r s u a n t t o t h e A l a b a m a J u v e n i l e J u s t i c e A c t ( 2 0 0 8 ) , as amended, s h o u l d c u s t o d y o f t h e c h i l d be a w a r d e d t o [F.W. a n d C.W.], as a r e l a t i v e p l a c e m e n t ; o r s h o u l d c u s t o d y o f t h e c h i l d be a w a r d e d t o t h e [the f o s t e r p a r e n t s ] . The c h i l d was f o u n d t o b e dependent b y p r i o r Order o f t h e Court, and t h e c o n t i n u i n g d e p e n d e n c y o f t h e c h i l d was s t i p u l a t e d b y a l l p a r t i e s p r e s e n t and not a t i s s u e . " The j u v e n i l e c o u r t made t h e f o l l o w i n g f i n d i n g s o f f a c t , among others: "The C o u r t t o o k e v i d e n c e o r e t e n u s . A f t e r l o n g and c a r e f u l d e l i b e r a t i o n , t h e C o u r t f i n d s b y c l e a r and c o n v i n c i n g e v i d e n c e , m a t e r i a l a n d r e l e v a n t i n nature, the following: " "On A p r i l 5, 2012, t h i s C o u r t e n t e r e d an O r d e r w h i c h p r o v i d e d i n p a r t [ t h a t DHR was t o p l a c e t h e c h i l d w i t h F.W. a n d C.W., b u t t h a t J.D.W., M.D.W., P.B., L.H., C.H., a n d L.D. were t o have no c o n t a c t w i t h t h e c h i l d a n d were n o t t o be on o r a r o u n d t h e p r o p e r t y o f F.W. a n d C.W.'s home w h i l e t h e c h i l d was present]. 6 2120430 "[F.W. a n d C.W.] a r e b o t h f i f t y - f i v e (55) y e a r s o f a g e . [C.W.] h a s r e c e n t l y s u f f e r e d f r o m t h r e e (3) separate heart attacks, and has a surgically implanted d e f i b r i l l a t o r to regulate h i s cardiac c o n d i t i o n . [C.W.] draws S o c i a l S e c u r i t y d i s a b i l i t y in t h e amount of approximately $1,800.00 to $1,900.00 p e r month r e l a t e d t o h i s h e a r t c o n d i t i o n . ... [F.W.] s u f f e r s f r o m f i b r o m y a l g i a a n d a r t h r i t i s . She previously applied for Social Security d i s a b i l i t y , b u t h e r d i s a b i l i t y c l a i m was d e n i e d . [F.W.] h a s n o t b e e n e m p l o y e d i n r e c e n t y e a r s . [F.W. and C.W.] smoke c i g a r e t t e s . "[C.W.]'s m o t h e r , [M.W.], owns a p p r o x i m a t e l y t e n (10) acres of land located [ i n M a r s h a l l County] ...('the ... f a m i l y p r o p e r t y ' ) . [F.W. a n d C.W.] r e s i d e i n a two-bedroom home l o c a t e d upon t h e ... family property ('[F.W. a n d C.W.]'s home'). [M.W.] also lives on t h e ... f a m i l y p r o p e r t y , i n an a d j a c e n t home. A l s o l o c a t e d upon t h e ... f a m i l y p r o p e r t y a r e t h e f o l l o w i n g ; (1) a t r a i l e r c u r r e n t l y o c c u p i e d b y [J.D.W.]; (2) a camper w h i c h i s owned b y [P.C.B.], one o f [J.D.W.]'s paramours; (3) a w o o d w o r k i n g shop u s e d b y [C.W.]; a n d (4) a b a r n . "[F.W. a n d C.W.] have f i v e a d u l t c h i l d r e n : (1) d a u g h t e r , [L.W.]; (2) s o n , [J.D.W]; (3) d a u g h t e r , [M.D.W.]; (4) d a u g h t e r , [S.W.]; a n d (5) [Ch.W.]. Of t h e s e , [L.W.] l i v e d w i t h i n [F.W. a n d C.W.]'s home a t t h e t i m e t h i s P e t i t i o n was f i l e d , b u t h a d moved o u t of s t a t e a t t h e time o f h e a r i n g . Throughout the p e n d e n c y o f t h i s l i t i g a t i o n , [F.W. a n d C.W.'s] s o n , [J.D.W.], h a s l i v e d i n t e r m i t t e n t l y i n t h e t r a i l e r a d j a c e n t t o [F.W. a n d C.W.'s] home a n d l o c a t e d on t h e ... f a m i l y p r o p e r t y . [F.W. a n d C.W.'s] d a u g h t e r , [M.D.W.], c u r r e n t l y r e s i d e s j u s t down t h e s t r e e t , w i t h i n w a l k i n g d i s t a n c e o f t h e ... f a m i l y p r o p e r t y . The t e s t i m o n y i s u n c l e a r where [S.W.] resides. [Ch.W.] l i v e s i n G u n t e r s v i l l e , A l a b a m a . From t h e t e s t i m o n y , i t a p p e a r s t h a t [Ch.W.] m a i n t a i n s l i t t l e c o n t a c t w i t h t h e r e s t o f t h e ... f a m i l y . 7 2120430 "[J.D.W.] was c o n v i c t e d i n April, 2012, o f felony theft of property i n t h e second degree. A d d i t i o n a l l y , [J.D.W.] grew m a r i j u a n a p l a n t s on t h e ... f a m i l y p r o p e r t y w i t h e q u i p m e n t p r o v i d e d b y , o r a t l e a s t p u r c h a s e d b y [F.W.]. F u r t h e r m o r e , [J.D.W.] has b e e n t h e s u b j e c t o f numerous o t h e r a r r e s t s a n d c r i m i n a l i n v e s t i g a t i o n s , i n c l u d i n g a l l e g e d domestic v i o l e n c e r e l a t e d t o [ P . C . B . ] , who a t t h e t i m e o f h e a r i n g , was a l s o l i v i n g on t h e ... f a m i l y p r o p e r t y on an i n t e r m i t t e n t b a s i s . A t some t i m e i n l a t e 2012 or early 2013, t h e M a r s h a l l County Sheriff's Department r e c o v e r e d a s t o l e n F o r d p i c k u p t r u c k from t h e b a r n l o c a t e d on t h e ... f a m i l y p r o p e r t y . The guardian ad l i t e m ' s testimony i n this matter i n d i c a t e s t h a t [J.D.W.] was l i k e l y i n v o l v e d i n t h e t h e f t o f t h i s v e h i c l e , o r a t l e a s t i t s concealment on t h e ... f a m i l y p r o p e r t y ; h o w e v e r , t h e c u r r e n t status o f any c r i m i n a l charge r e l a t e d t o t h i s incident i s unclear. "The Court i s convinced that [J.D.W.] i s h a b i t u a l l y i n v o l v e d i n n e f a r i o u s and/or c r i m i n a l a c t i v i t y , i n c l u d i n g drug r e l a t e d a c t i v i t y , t h e f t and domestic v i o l e n c e . "[M.D.W.] was c o n v i c t e d i n April, 2011, o f f e l o n y f r a u d u l e n t u s e o f a c r e d i t c a r d . [S.W.] h a s , i n t h e p a s t , been employed as a ' s t r i p p e r ' "In addition t o [F.W. a n d C.W.'s] adult c h i l d r e n , [C.W.'s] s i s t e r , [D.W.M.], r e c e n t l y l i v e d upon t h e ... f a m i l y p r o p e r t y f o r a p p r o x i m a t e l y two (2) t o three (3) weeks. [D.W.M.] was r e c e n t l y a r r e s t e d and charged w i t h m a n u f a c t u r i n g crystal methamphetamine i n D e K a l b C o u n t y , A l a b a m a . [D.W.M.] l i v e d upon t h e ... f a m i l y p r o p e r t y immediately f o l l o w i n g h e r making bond and b e i n g r e l e a s e d from the DeKalb County J a i l , pending t h e a b o v e - r e f e r e n c e d c h a r g e s . [D.W.M.] t e s t i f i e d a t C o u r t t h a t s h e c o u l d n o t p a s s a d r u g t e s t on t h e d a y o f h e a r i n g . 8 2120430 " S i n c e t h e t i m e o f t h i s C o u r t ' s A p r i l 5, 2012 O r d e r , w h i c h p r o v i d e d t h a t [J.D.W.] a n d [P.C.B.] were n o t t o be on o r a r o u n d t h e p r e m i s e s o f [F.W. and C.W.'s] home, b o t h have moved i n t o t h e t r a i l e r a n d / o r camper on t h e ... f a m i l y p r o p e r t y , a n d were c u r r e n t l y r e s i d i n g t h e r e a t t h e time o f t h e l a s t hearing i n t h i s matter. Furthermore, other persons who were e x c l u d e d f r o m t h e p r e m i s e s u n d e r t h e t e r m s of this Court's April 5, 2012, [ o r d e r ] have r o u t i n e l y p a r k e d i n f r o n t o f [M.W.'s] h o u s e on t h e ... f a m i l y p r o p e r t y , a n d t h e n w a l k e d t o [F.W. a n d C.W.'s] home a n d c o n v e r s e d w i t h [F.W. a n d C.W.] from t h e s u r r o u n d i n g y a r d a r e a . "On t h e o t h e r h a n d t h e [ t h e f o s t e r p a r e n t s ] a r e b o t h a p p r o x i m a t e l y t h i r t y - n i n e (39) y e a r s o l d . [K.M. and T.M. a r e e m p l o y e d ] . The [ f o s t e r p a r e n t s ] have b e e n m a r r i e d f o r o v e r t h r e e (3) y e a r s , a n d own t h e i r home [T.M.] h a s one (1) s o n b y a p r e v i o u s m a r r i a g e , who i s o v e r t h e age o f e i g h t e e n ( 1 8 ) . The [ f o s t e r p a r e n t s ] have no known h e a l t h p r o b l e m s , n o r any c r i m i n a l h i s t o r y . The [ f o s t e r p a r e n t s ] were p r e v i o u s l y i n v e s t i g a t e d a n d a p p r o v e d as l i c e n s e d f o s t e r p a r e n t s b y DHR." (Footnotes submitted omitted.) The record indicates a report to the juvenile court that i n December 2012, w h i c h s t a t e d t h a t , b a s e d on a home s t u d y c o n d u c t e d C.W.'s r e s i d e n c e , placement. F.W. a n d C.W. The r e p o r t f u r t h e r were a indicated DHR h a d on F.W. a n d suitable relative t h a t DHR s t r o n g l y opposed t h e f o s t e r p a r e n t s ' p e t i t i o n f o r permanent c u s t o d y o f the child. In i t s judgment, the juvenile conclusions of law: 9 c o u r t made t h e f o l l o w i n g 2120430 " 1 . The c h i l d r e m a i n s a d e p e n d e n t c h i l d , as t h a t t e r m i s d e f i n e d u n d e r [§] 1 2 - 1 5 - 1 0 2 ( 8 ) [ , A l a . Code 1975]; "2. [F.W. a n d C.W.] are ' r e l a t i v e s ' of the child, f o r purposes of e s t a b l i s h i n g priority pursuant t o [§] 1 2 - 1 5 - 3 1 4 ( a ) ( 3 ) ( c ) [ , A l a . Code 1975]; "3. [F.W. a n d C.W.] a r e n o t ' f i t ' a n d ' a b l e ' relatives of the c h i l d, under [§] 12-15-314(a)(3)(c)[, A l a . Code 1 9 7 5 ] , a n d t h e r e f o r e not entitled to priority f o r custody and/or placement, f o rthe f o l l o w i n g reasons[:] " a . [F.W. a n d C.W.] have an u n s t a b l e home a n d h o u s i n g s i t u a t i o n , due t o t h e f a c t t h a t t h e y l i v e i n a home owned b y [M.W.], w i t h no l e a s e o r o t h e r f o r m a l a r r a n g e m e n t , and t h e r e f o r e , c o u l d be removed f r o m s a i d home a t t h e whim o f [M.W.]; "b. [F.W. a n d C.W.] reside in e x t r e m e l y c l o s e p r o x i m i t y t o , and m a i n t a i n e x t r e m e l y c l o s e c o n t a c t w i t h , t h e i r son [J.D.W.], who i s a r e c e n t l y convicted felon, a n d who[] h a s b e e n h a b i t u a l l y i n v o l v e d i n constant c r i m i n a l and n e f a r i o u s activity, including domestic violence, i n v o l v e m e n t w i t h i l l i c i t drugs, and t h e f t of p r o p e r t y ; "c. That o t h e r c h i l d r e n and r e l a t i v e s o f [F.W. a n d C.W.], b e s i d e s [J.D.W.], l i v e , stay i n t e r m i t t e n t l y , or v i s i t frequently upon t h e ... f a m i l y p r o p e r t y , including [D.W.M.]; [M.D.W.] a n d [S.W.]; "d. That the other children or relatives o f [F.W. a n d C.W.], b e s i d e s [J.D.W.], mentioned within paragraph ( 3 ) ( c ) , above, i n c l u d e c o n v i c t e d f e l o n s , 10 2120430 persons charged w i t h manufacturing c r y s t a l methamphetamine; a n d p e r s o n s e m p l o y e d as 'strippers'; "e. T h a t t h e c o n d u c t o f [F.W. a n d C.W.] throughout t h e pendency o f t h i s p r o c e e d i n g h a s shown i t i m p r a c t i c a l a n d u n l i k e l y t h a t [F.W. a n d C.W.] w i l l t a k e r e a l and s e r i o u s s t e p s t o e l i m i n a t e o r limit contact between the persons r e f e r e n c e d w i t h i n paragraphs (3)(b) through ( 3 ) ( d ) , above, a n d t h e m i n o r c h i l d ; " f . F u r t h e r m o r e , even i f [F.W. a n d C.W.] were w i l l i n g t o l i m i t s u c h c o n t a c t referenced i n paragraph (3)(e), above, b e c a u s e [M.W.] owns t h e i r home, as w e l l as the e n t i r e s u r r o u n d i n g ... f a m i l y p r o p e r t y , [F.W. a n d C.W.] do n o t have t h e l e g a l a b i l i t y t o e x c l u d e t h e s e persons from t h e family property; "g. [C.W.] s u f f e r s f r o m a s e v e r e h e a r t c o n d i t i o n , which has d i s a b l e d him; "h. [F.W. a n d C.W.] w i l l be i n t h e i r e a r l y s e v e n t i e s by t h e time t h i s child r e a c h e s t h e age o f m a j o r i t y ; " i . [F.W. a n d C.W.] have i n a d e q u a t e f i n a n c i a l means t o s u p p o r t t h e c h i l d , i n t h a t t h e [F.W. a n d C.W.'s] s o l e s o u r c e o f income i s t h e S o c i a l S e c u r i t y D i s a b i l i t y r e c e i v e d b y [C.W.]; "4. Even i f [F.W. a n d C.W.] were d e t e r m i n e d t o be ' f i t ' a n d ' a b l e ' r e l a t i v e s o f t h e c h i l d u n d e r [§] 1 2 - 1 5 - 3 1 4 ( a ) ( 3 ) ( c ) [ , A l a . Code 1 9 7 5 ] , t h e C o u r t determines that custody or placement of the c h i l d with [F.W. a n d C.W.] w o u l d n o t 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 , f o r t h e same r e a s o n s s t a t e d 11 2120430 w i t h i n paragraph(s) (3)(a) through and a l s o f o r t h e f o l l o w i n g r e a s o n s : (3)(i), above, "a. Based on this Court's o b s e r v a t i o n s , [ F . W . a n d C.W.] have a p r o v e n track record of r a i s i n g children that are i l l - a d j u s t e d , u n s u c c e s s f u l and g e n e r a l l y unproductive, demonstrated by the f a c t t h a t , o f t h e i r f i v e a d u l t c h i l d r e n , two a r e convicted felons; one works as a ' s t r i p p e r ; ' one l i v e d w i t h i n t h e i r home w i t h h e r husband u n t i l shortly before t r i a l ; a n d t h e o n l y a d u l t c h i l d who a p p e a r s s u c c e s s f u l h a s l i t t l e t o no c o n t a c t w i t h [F.W. a n d C.W.]; "b. The guardian ad litem's recommendation and t e s t i m o n y s u p p o r t s t h i s c o n c l u s i o n , and t h e C o u r t notes t h a t , from t h e t e s t i m o n y , t h e g u a r d i a n a d l i t e m went to e x t r a o r d i n a r y l e n g t h s i n c o n d u c t i n g a thorough investigation and f o r m i n g h i s recommendation; "5. The C o u r t f i n d s t h a t g r a n t i n g [ t h e f o s t e r p a r e n t s ] b o t h l e g a l and p h y s i c a l c u s t o d y o f t h e m i n o r c h i l d t o be i n t h e b e s t i n t e r e s t o f t h e m i n o r child; "6. I n m a k i n g t h i s d e t e r m i n a t i o n , t h e C o u r t i s m i n d f u l t h a t t h e minor c h i l d has d e v e l o p e d a bond w i t h [F.W. a n d C.W.]; h o w e v e r , t h e C o u r t d e t e r m i n e s t h a t t h e u p r o o t i n g e f f e c t o f a change i n c u s t o d y i s o u t w e i g h e d b y t h e p o s i t i v e g o o d w h i c h w i l l come about by p l a c i n g custody w i t h the [the f o s t e r parents]; "7. B a s e d upon t h e f o r e g o i n g , i t i s t h e r e f o r e ORDERED, ADJUDGED a n d DECREED t h a t t h e [ t h e f o s t e r parents] are hereby g r a n t e d l e g a l and p h y s i c a l custody o f [the c h i l d ] ; 12 2120430 "8. No f u r t h e r r e v i e w i s s e t i n t h i s u n l e s s r e q u e s t e d b y one o f t h e p a r t i e s . matter, "9. DHR i s h e r e b y O r d e r e d t o d e l i v e r c u s t o d y o f the minor c h i l d over t o t h e [the f o s t e r parents] w i t h i n t w e n t y - f o u r (24) h o u r s o f t h e d a t e o f t h i s Order." F o l l o w i n g e n t r y o f t h e j u d g m e n t on J a n u a r y 4, 2 0 1 3 , F.W. a timely appeal t o t h i s court. filed 2 Standard o f Review " I n Ex p a r t 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 , 682 So. 2d 459 ( A l a . 1 9 9 6 ) , t h e A l a b a m a Supreme Court s t a t e d the a p p l i c a b l e p r i n c i p l e s of a p p e l l a t e review i n the context of a challenge t o a j u v e n i l e c o u r t ' s c u s t o d i a l d i s p o s i t i o n o f a dependent c h i l d : " ' A p p e l l a t e review i s l i m i t e d i n cases where t h e e v i d e n c e i s p r e s e n t e d t o t h e t r i a l court ore tenus. In a c h i l d custody c a s e , an a p p e l l a t e c o u r t p r e s u m e s t h e t r i a l c o u r t ' s f i n d i n g s t o be c o r r e c t a n d w i l l n o t r e v e r s e w i t h o u t p r o o f o f a c l e a r abuse o f d i s c r e t i o n or p l a i n error. R e u t e r v. N e e s e , 586 So. 2d 232 ( A l a . C i v . App. 1 9 9 1 ) ; J . S . v. D.S., 586 So. 2d 944 ( A l a . Civ. App. 1 9 9 1 ) . This presumption i s e s p e c i a l l y a p p l i c a b l e where t h e e v i d e n c e i s c o n f l i c t i n g . Ex p a r t e P.G.B., 600 So. 2d 259, 261 ( A l a . 1992) . An a p p e l l a t e c o u r t w i l l n o t r e v e r s e t h e t r i a l c o u r t ' s judgment b a s e d on t h e t r i a l c o u r t ' s f i n d i n g s o f f a c t u n l e s s t h e f i n d i n g s a r e so p o o r l y s u p p o r t e d by t h e e v i d e n c e as t o be p l a i n l y a n d T h e n o t i c e o f a p p e a l i n d i c a t e s t h a t o n l y F.W. a p p e a l e d t h e j u v e n i l e c o u r t ' s j u d g m e n t . A l s o , DHR d i d n o t p a r t i c i p a t e in t h i s appeal. 2 13 2120430 p a l p a b l y w r o n g . See Ex p a r t e W a l t e r s , So. 2d 1352 ( A l a . 1 9 9 1 ) . ' "682 580 So. 2d a t 460." J . J . v. J.H.W., 27 So. 3d 519, 522 ( A l a . C i v . App. 2 0 0 8 ) . Analysis F.W. contends t h a t the f o s t e r parents i n t e r v e n e i n t h e case. Code 1975, a codified part F.W. a s s e r t s t h a t § 12-15-307, A l a . o f t h e Alabama a t § 12-15-101 e t s e q . , foster parents lacked standing to Juvenile A l a . Code Justice Act, 1975, p r o h i b i t s f r o m b e i n g made a p a r t y t o a j u v e n i l e c a s e . 12-15-307 p r o v i d e s : " R e l a t i v e c a r e g i v e r s , p r e a d o p t i v e p a r e n t s , and f o s t e r p a r e n t s o f a c h i l d i n f o s t e r care under t h e r e s p o n s i b i l i t y o f t h e s t a t e s h a l l be g i v e n n o t i c e , v e r b a l l y o r i n w r i t i n g , o f t h e date, time, and p l a c e of any j u v e n i l e c o u r t p r o c e e d i n g b e i n g h e l d w i t h respect t o a c h i l d i n t h e i r care. "Foster parents, preadoptive parents, and r e l a t i v e c a r e g i v e r s o f a c h i l d i n f o s t e r care under t h e r e s p o n s i b i l i t y o f t h e s t a t e have a r i g h t t o be h e a r d i n any j u v e n i l e c o u r t p r o c e e d i n g b e i n g h e l d with respect t o a c h i l d i n t h e i r care. "No f o s t e r p a r e n t , preadoptive p a r e n t , and r e l a t i v e c a r e g i v e r o f a c h i l d i n f o s t e r care under t h e r e s p o n s i b i l i t y o f t h e s t a t e s h a l l be made a p a r t y t o a j u v e n i l e c o u r t p r o c e e d i n g s o l e l y on t h e b a s i s o f t h i s n o t i c e a n d r i g h t t o be h e a r d p u r s u a n t to t h i s s e c t i o n . " 14 § 2120430 F.W. also contends that the Foster Parents' Bill of Rights A c t , c o d i f i e d a t § 38-12A-1 e t s e q . , A l a . Code 1975, p r o h i b i t s the f o s t e r parents juvenile court. f r o m b e i n g made p a r t i e s t o an a c t i o n i n t h e § 38-12A-2 s t a t e s , i n p e r t i n e n t p a r t : "The D e p a r t m e n t o f Human R e s o u r c e s s h a l l e n s u r e t h a t each f o s t e r parent s h a l l have a l l o f t h e following rights: "(14) The r i g h t t o n o t i c e a n d an o p p o r t u n i t y t o be h e a r d , i n c l u d i n g t i m e l y information concerning a l l court hearings. T h i s n o t i f i c a t i o n may i n c l u d e , b u t i s n o t l i m i t e d t o , n o t i c e o f t h e date and time o f t h e c o u r t h e a r i n g , t h e name o f t h e j u d g e o r h e a r i n g o f f i c e r a s s i g n e d t o t h e case, t h e guardian ad l i t e m , t h e l o c a t i o n o f t h e h e a r i n g , a n d t h e c o u r t d o c k e t number. The n o t i f i c a t i o n s h a l l be made upon r e c e i p t o f this information by the department. Although not a p a r t y t o t h e case, t h e f o s t e r p a r e n t may a t t e n d c o u r t h e a r i n g s a t the d i s c r e t i o n o f t h e judge." These s t a t u t e s , h o w e v e r , do n o t c o n t a i n l a n g u a g e t h a t c a n be c o n s t r u e d for as b a r r i n g a b s o l u t e l y a g a i n s t f o s t e r p a r e n t s , o r that matter r e l a t i v e intervening custody. in a Rather, caregivers like dependency case F.W. a n d C.W., to assert a from claim f o r t h e p l a i n l a n g u a g e o f § 12-15-307 p r o h i b i t s the c o u r t from making a f o s t e r parent o r a r e l a t i v e c a r e g i v e r , like F.W. o r C.W., a party solely 15 based on the rights 2120430 established foster by parents the s t a t u t e . Section 38-12A-2 a r e n o t t o be deemed a p a r t y states to the a c t i o n b a s e d on t h e f a c t t h a t t h e y a r e r e q u i r e d t o be p r o v i d e d o f , and a r i g h t t o be h e a r d a t , a j u v e n i l e p r o c e e d i n g , plain language parent of statute does f o s t e r parents but the not p r o h i b i t a Stated otherwise, foster both statutes provide on the that a r e e n t i t l e d t o n o t i c e and a r i g h t t o be h e a r d a r e n o t t o be c o m p e l l e d t o be p a r t i e s t o t h e based notice f r o m p e t i t i o n i n g t o i n t e r v e n e i n an a c t i o n b e f o r e juvenile court. but the that these rights. Similarly, we note proceedings that § 1 2 1 ( a ) , A l a . Code 1975, a l l o w s " [ a ] j u v e n i l e p e t i t i o n 12-15- alleging ... d e p e n d e n c y [ t o ] be s i g n e d by any p e r s o n 18 y e a r s o f age o r older," which would include a f o s t e r parent or a relative caregiver. Under R u l e 24, A l a . R. C i v . P., petition a court to intervene which governs p e r m i s s i v e an i n t e r e s t e d p a r t y in a civil case. intervention, provides Rule that may 24(b), "[u]pon t i m e l y a p p l i c a t i o n anyone may be p e r m i t t e d t o i n t e r v e n e i n an action ... when an a p p l i c a n t ' s c l a i m o r d e f e n s e and t h e m a i n a c t i o n have a q u e s t i o n o f l a w o r f a c t i n common." has r o u t i n e l y r e c o g n i z e d that relative 16 This court c a r e g i v e r s and f o s t e r 2120430 p a r e n t s may s e e k a n d be g r a n t e d i n t e r v e n t i o n i n a d e p e n d e n c y action. 3d 171, See B.V. v . Macon C n t y . 175 ( A l a . C i v . App. Dep't o f Human Res., 14 So. 2009)(finding that foster parents f a i l e d t o s u c c e s s f u l l y i n t e r v e n e i n t h e c a s e ) ; J.P. v . 989 So. 2d 591 ( A l a . C i v . A p p . 2 0 0 8 ) ( a u n t physical custody of child were a n d u n c l e who h a d allowed to intervene t o p e t i t i o n f o r p e r m a n e n t c u s t o d y ) ; S.P. v . E.T., ( A l a . C i v . App. of the child's S.S., 957 So.2d 1127 2005)(the j u v e n i l e c o u r t granted the p e t i t i o n s aunt and f o s t e r parent d e p e n d e n c y p r o c e e d i n g i n i t i a t e d b y DHR). t o intervene ina We c o n c l u d e t h a t t h e j u v e n i l e c o u r t c o r r e c t l y granted the f o s t e r p a r e n t s ' p e t i t i o n to intervene i n this correct case, i n g r a n t i n g F.W. just as t h e j u v e n i l e a n d C.W.'s m o t i o n c o u r t was to intervene. Thus, b o t h s e t s o f p a r t i e s had s t a n d i n g t o s e e k c u s t o d y o f t h e c h i l d before the j u v e n i l e c o u r t . F.W. denying juvenile next contends h e r a n d C.W.'s court's that the juvenile request judgment supported by the evidence. f o r custody and f i n d i n g s court erred i n and t h a t t h e of fact "Whether a r e l a t i v e are not i s suitable t o assume c u s t o d y o f a c h i l d and w h e t h e r s u c h p l a c e m e n t serves the best i n t e r e s t s o f the c h i l d are both q u e s t i o n s o f f a c t t o 17 2120430 be determined by t h e j u v e n i l e c o u r t . " C n t y . Dep't o f Human Res., R.L.M.S. v. E t o w a h 37 So. 3d 805, 812 ( A l a . C i v . App. 2009) ( c i t i n g T.B. v. C u l l m a n C n t y . Dep't o f Human Res., 3d 1195, 1204-05 ( A l a . C i v . App. 6 So. 2008)). "A r e l a t i v e s e e k i n g c u s t o d y o f a d e p e n d e n t c h i l d has no v e s t e d r i g h t , c o n s t i t u t i o n a l o r o t h e r w i s e , t o t h e c h i l d ; r a t h e r , a r e l a t i v e may o b t a i n c u s t o d y o f a d e p e n d e n t c h i l d o n l y b y p r o v i n g t h a t he o r she i s s u i t a b l e , f i t , and q u a l i f i e d t o r e c e i v e and care f o r the c h i l d and t h a t t h e b e s t i n t e r e s t s o f t h e c h i l d w o u l d be s e r v e d b y a w a r d i n g c u s t o d y o f t h e c h i l d t o t h e r e l a t i v e . See J.B. v . C l e b u r n e C o u n t y Dep't o f Human Res., 991 So. 2d 273, 282-83 ( A l a . C i v . App. 2 0 0 8 ) . N a t u r a l l y , a r e l a t i v e may a p p e a l a j u d g m e n t r e j e c t i n g h i s or her p e t i t i o n f o r custody of a c h i l d on t h e g r o u n d o f i n s u f f i c i e n c y o f t h e e v i d e n c e s u p p o r t i n g t h a t j u d g m e n t . See, e . g . , B.H. v . M a r i o n C o u n t y Dep't o f Human R e s . , 998 So. 2d 475 ( A l a . C i v . App. 2 0 0 8 ) . T h a t a p p e a l w o u l d c o n c e r n s o l e l y whether t h e r e c o r d c o n t a i n s s u f f i c i e n t evidence t o support a f i n d i n g that the r e l a t i v e i s u n f i t , a finding that the r e l a t i v e i s u n q u a l i f i e d to receive and c a r e f o r t h e c h i l d , o r a f i n d i n g t h a t t h e b e s t i n t e r e s t s o f t h e c h i l d w o u l d n o t be s e r v e d b y p l a c e m e n t w i t h t h e r e l a t i v e .... I d . " G.P. v. H o u s t o n C n t y . Dep't o f Human Res., ( A l a . C i v . App. 2 0 0 9 ) ( o p i n i o n The goals "preserv[ing] on a p p l i c a t i o n f o r r e h e a r i n g ) . o f t h e Alabama Juvenile and s t r e n g t h e n [ i n g ] whenever p o s s i b l e " and p r o v i d i n g for the preservation 42 So. 3d 112, 123 the family of the c h i l d "a p r e f e r e n c e a t a l l times of the family." 18 Justice Act include § 12-15-101(b)(1) and 2120430 (8), A l a . Code provides 1975. F u r t h e r a statutory dependent c h i l d . § 12-15-314, preference That s t a t u t e A l a . Code 1975, f o r r e l a t i v e placement of a states: "(a) I f a c h i l d i s f o u n d t o be d e p e n d e n t , t h e j u v e n i l e c o u r t may make a n y o f t h e f o l l o w i n g o r d e r s of d i s p o s i t i o n t o p r o t e c t t h e w e l f a r e o f t h e c h i l d : " the "(3) T r a n s f e r l e g a l c u s t o d y following: t o any o f " "c. A relative or other i n d i v i d u a l who, a f t e r s t u d y b y the Department of Human Resources, i s found by t h e j u v e n i l e c o u r t t o be q u a l i f i e d t o r e c e i v e and care f o r t h e c h i l d . Unless the j u v e n i l e court finds i t not i n the best i n t e r e s t s of the c h i l d , a w i l l i n g , f i t , and a b l e r e l a t i v e s h a l l have p r i o r i t y f o r placement o r custody over a non-relative." Despite the statutory preference fora willing, f i t , and a b l e r e l a t i v e , t h e l a w does n o t r e q u i r e t h e j u v e n i l e c o u r t t o a w a r d custody interest t o a r e l a t i v e caregiver "without o f t h e c h i l d and w i t h o u t permanency f o r t h e c h i l d . " regard t o the best an e y e t o w a r d achieving B.H. v . M a r i o n C n t y . Dep't Human 19 2120430 Res. , 998 So. 2d 475, 480 ( A l a . C i v . App. 2008) . this court I n B.H., held: "[A] related caregiver may, in some c i r c u m s t a n c e s , be a s u i t a b l e p e r m a n e n t a l t e r n a t i v e f o r a c h i l d ; h o w e v e r , t h e r e l a t i v e p r e f e r e n c e does n o t r e q u i r e an a u t o m a t i c a w a r d o f c u s t o d y t o a ' f i t and willing' relative or supplant the j u v e n i l e c o u r t ' s r e s p o n s i b i l i t y t o determine whether t h a t r e l a t e d c a r e g i v e r i s , i n f a c t , t h e most a p p r o p r i a t e placement t o e n s u r e permanency and s t a b i l i t y i n t h e child's l i f e . " Id. a t 481 ( c i t i n g In the present 42 U.S.C. § 6 7 1 ( a ) ( 1 5 ) ( C ) case, F.W. contends c o u r t made e r r o n e o u s f i n d i n g s o f f a c t , determination that F.W. a n d C.W. relatives of the c h i l d . Those following the presentation and ( E ) ( i i ) ) . that the j u v e n i l e on w h i c h i t b a s e d i t s were n o t " f i t " a n d " a b l e " f i n d i n g s , h o w e v e r , were made of ore tenus evidence and a f t e r " l o n g and c a r e f u l d e l i b e r a t i o n . " "'"[T]he t r i a l c o u r t has t h e advantage o f o b s e r v i n g the witnesses' demeanor and has a superior opportunity t o assess their c r e d i b i l i t y , [and, t h e r e f o r e , an a p p e l l a t e c o u r t ] c a n n o t a l t e r t h e t r i a l c o u r t ' s j u d g m e n t u n l e s s i t i s so u n s u p p o r t e d by t h e e v i d e n c e as t o be c l e a r l y a n d p a l p a b l y w r o n g . " ' Ex p a r t e Fann, 810 So. 2d 631, 636 ( A l a . 2001) ( q u o t i n g Ex p a r t e D W W , 717 So. 2d 793, 795 . . . (Ala. 1 9 9 8 ) ) . The t r i e r o f f a c t , a n d n o t t h i s c o u r t , has t h e d u t y o f r e s o l v i n g c o n f l i c t s i n t h e e v i d e n c e . E t h r i d g e v . W r i g h t , 688 So. 2d 818, 820 ( A l a . C i v . App. 1 9 9 6 ) . 20 2120430 "'"[The appellate court i s not] allowed t o reweigh t h e evidence i n t h i s c a s e . T h i s [ i s s u e ] ... t u r n s on t h e t r i a l court's perception o f t h e e v i d e n c e . The t r i a l court i s i n the better p o s i t i o n t o evaluate the c r e d i b i l i t y of the witnesses ... a n d t h e t r i a l c o u r t i s i n t h e b e t t e r p o s i t i o n t o consider a l l of the evidence, as w e l l as t h e many i n f e r e n c e s t h a t may be drawn f r o m t h a t e v i d e n c e "' "Ex p a r t e P a t r o n a s , 693 So. 2d 473, 475 ( A l a . 1997) ( q u o t i n g Ex p a r t e B r y o w s k y , 676 So. 2d 1322, 1326 (Ala. 1996))." D.C.S. v . L.B., 84 So. 3 d 954, 961-62 In i t s judgment, evidence established have b e e n w i l l i n g ( A l a . C i v . App. 2011). the j u v e n i l e court that concluded that the F.W. a n d C.W., t o accept custody although t h e y may of the child, were n o t "fit" and " a b l e " and t h a t placement w i t h them w o u l d n o t have been i n the child's The j u v e n i l e best interest. expressed concern with various lived i n close proximity visited the family court r e l a t i v e s o f F.W. a n d C.W. who t o t h e i r residence property. o r who f r e q u e n t l y The e v i d e n c e supports the f i n d i n g t h a t J.D.W., who h a d a h i s t o r y o f d r u g c o n v i c t i o n s a n d domestic v i o l e n c e , proximity contends trailer r e s i d e d i n a camper o r a t r a i l e r t o F.W. that were a n d C.W.'s the testimony located next residence. indicated that i n close Although F.W. t h e camper a n d t o M.W.'s home, a n d n o t i n c l o s e 21 2120430 proximity issue t o h e r a n d C.W.'s home, t h e e v i d e n c e i s disputed. Testimony also as t o t h i s indicates that J.D.W.'s t r a i l e r was o n l y a f e w d o z e n s t e p s f r o m F.W. a n d C.W.'s home. The record F.W. also assisted supports J.D.W. the juvenile court's i n purchasing finding a mechanism that t h a t she b e l i e v e d he w o u l d u s e t o grow t o m a t o e s b u t t h a t he u l t i m a t e l y used to cultivate juvenile court's marijuana finding on t h e f a m i l y that property. D.W.M., C.W.'s " r e c e n t l y l i v e d on t h e f a m i l y p r o p e r t y s i s t e r , had f o r a p p r o x i m a t e l y two t o t h r e e weeks" f o l l o w i n g an a r r e s t f o r m a n u f a c t u r i n g methamphetamine i s s u p p o r t e d the The by the testimony. crystal F.W. d i s p u t e s f i n d i n g t h a t S.W. h a d r e c e n t l y b e e n e m p l o y e d a s an a d u l t d a n c e r , b u t F.W.'s own t e s t i m o n y a t t r i a l supports the finding t h a t S.W. h a d b e e n e m p l o y e d i n s u c h a c a p a c i t y . There e x i s t e d a d d i t i o n a l e v i d e n c e t o support t h e j u v e n i l e c o u r t ' s c o n c l u s i o n s t h a t t h e F.W. a n d C.W. l i v e i n a home w i t h no lease or other formal a r r a n g e m e n t w i t h M.W., the property owner, t h u s c a l l i n g i n t o q u e s t i o n t h e i r l e g a l r i g h t t o e x c l u d e others from t h e p r o p e r t y . Further, the j u v e n i l e court questioned physical a b i l i t y t o raise the c h i l d . 22 F.W. a n d C.W.'s B o t h C.W. a n d F.W. a r e 2120430 55 y e a r s o l d and have h e a l t h i s s u e s . suffers that from f i b r o m y a l g i a and a r t h r i t i s , she has b o t h under control. drives and t h a t the influence. three recent implanted The r e c o r d attacks reveals and t h a t reveals t h a t the the t r i e r of fact, that he h a d a C.W. h a d h a d defibrillator B o t h F.W. and t o o b s e r v e 15 w i t n e s s e s testimony. The w i t n e s s e s of the w i t n e s s e s C.W.'s parenting presented skills." hadthe over 2 days o f r e c e i v i n g The j u v e n i l e c o u r t f o ri t s e l f children], for i n c l u d e d F.W., C.W., a n d s e v e r a l o f c h i l d r e n and r e l a t i v e s . t o judge court how t h e w i t n e s s e s t h e m s e l v e s and " t o j u d g e , b a s e d on t h e a p p e a r a n c e and and C.W. payments. the juvenile opportunity position her driver's s o l e s o u r c e o f income F.W. a n d C.W. was C.W.'s d i s a b i l i t y their she had t o smoking a t l e a s t h a l f a pack o f c i g a r e t t e s p e r The r e c o r d As that for a conviction ofdriving to regulate h i s heart c o n d i t i o n . admitted day. heart she s t a t e d She t e s t i f i e d t h a t she no s h e h a s n o t renewed l i c e n s e s i n c e i t was r e v o k e d 1991 under although She s t a t e d s u f f e r e d p a n i c a t t a c k s i n the p a s t . longer F.W. t e s t i f i e d t h a t s h e to i t , which i n c l u d e d the results of presented demeanor [some o f F.W. [F.W. a n d C.W.'s] B.H., 998 So. 2 d a t 482 ( c i t i n g 23 was i n a J.W. v . 2120430 C.H., 963 So. 2d 114, 119 (Ala. Civ. juvenile court c a r e f u l l y considered all parties, interest of and the i t determined child to be That i s a f i n d i n g of make, and a finding that f r o m m a k i n g . Ex 2000) (noting parte that fact-finding or judgment that for discretionary "any the "reweigh of parents court. The is within The afforded presented. awarding record to that We So. to must and award not So. custody 2d 793, to to the court was abused, a is the the e s t a b l i s h that d e n y i n g F.W.'s p e t i t i o n to f o r custody. AFFIRMED. 24 the in court's i f i t i s supported nor to (Ala. engage trial not child court substitute i t s A discretion afforded the foster 476-77 does of best is prohibited 475, court"). the foster by 795 foster juvenile discretion plain t h e r e f o r e a f f i r m the j u v e n i l e c o u r t ' s custody The the trial Ex p a r t e D W W , 717 . . . decision the 2d court affirmed of court evidence trial in custody appellate the the i t was f a c t f o r the appellate r u l i n g must be 1998). the R.T.S., 771 c r e d i b l e evidence." (Ala. the 2007)). a l l a r g u m e n t s a d v a n c e d by that in parents. App. error judgment parents and 2120430 Thompson, P . J . , and Pittman, concur. 25 Thomas, and Moore, J J .

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