RECORD IMPOUNDED
NOT FOR PUBLICATION WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF THE APPELLATE DIVISION This opinion shall not "constitute precedent or be binding upon any court ." Although it is posted on the internet, this opinion is binding only on the parties in the case and its use in other cases is limited. R. 1:36-3.
SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY APPELLATE DIVISION DOCKET NO. A-1092-21
NEW JERSEY DIVISION OF CHILD PROTECTION AND PERMANENCY,
Plaintiff-Respondent,
v.
C.I.,
Defendant-Appellant,
and
J.M.,
Defendant. ________________________
IN THE MATTER OF THE GUARDIANSHIP OF D.D.M., a minor. ________________________
Submitted September 19, 2022 – Decided October 11, 2022
Before Judges Currier and Enright. On appeal from the Superior Court of New Jersey, Chancery Division, Family Part, Atlantic County, Docket No. FG-01-0024-21.
Joseph E. Krakora, Public Defender, attorney for appellant (Christine Olexa Saginor, Designated Counsel, on the briefs).
Matthew J. Platkin, Acting Attorney General, attorney for respondent (Sookie Bae-Park, Assistant Attorney General, of counsel; Julie B. Colonna, Deputy Attorney General, on the brief).
Joseph E. Krakora, Public Defender, Law Guardian, attorney for minor (Meredith Alexis Pollock, Deputy Public Defender, of counsel; Todd Wilson, Designated Counsel, on the brief).
PER CURIAM
Defendant C.I. (Carol)1 appeals from the November 19, 2021 judgment
terminating her parental rights to her biological son, D.D.M. (David), following
a seven-day guardianship trial.2 We affirm.
1 We refer to defendants, their son, and other adults involved in this litigation by their initials and fictitious names, to protect their privacy. R. 1:38-3(d)(12). 2 Although the trial court also terminated the parental rights of David's father, defendant J.M. (John), following the guardianship trial, John does not appeal from the guardianship judgment. Accordingly, we limit our discussion to the facts leading to the termination of Carol's parental rights. A-1092-21 2 I.
We do not repeat the facts at length because they are fully detailed in the
trial judge's opinion. Instead, we provide a summary of the evidence adduced
during the guardianship trial.
In May 2019, the Division of Child Protection and Permanency (Division)
received a referral from the childbirth center where Carol had delivered David
two days earlier. During its investigation, the Division interviewed Carol, who
disclosed she had been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and major
depression. She also revealed she had suicidal ideations in 2001 − when she
heard voices telling her to jump in front of a train. But she refused to elaborate
about the nature of her auditory hallucinations. Further, Carol acknowledged
she was hospitalized multiple times for her illnesses.
Due to the Division's concerns about Carol's mental health, how her
condition could jeopardize David's safety, and its inability to identify a
supervisor who could oversee Carol's care of her newborn, the Division removed
David and placed him in a resource home with E.F. (Ellen) and her spouse, A.F.
(Alex). Although David was subsequently placed with another resource family
for a short period of time, he returned to Ellen's and Alex's home and remained
there throughout the remainder of the litigation.
A-1092-21 3 In June 2019, at the Division's request, Carol submitted to a psychiatric
evaluation. During the evaluation, she reported a history of suicidal ideations,
suicide attempts, psychosis and delusions. The evaluator recommended Carol
take psychotropic medication to regulate her mood and diminish her psychiatric
symptoms. Carol did not consent to this treatment. The evaluator also
recommended Carol engage in individual therapy and take parenting training
classes. Although the Division made referrals for these services, Carol refused
to engage with the Division's recommended providers. Instead, she participated
in therapy every few weeks for an unspecified amount of time and attended a
three-hour parenting class which was not approved by the Division. Carol
denied the Division access to information from her treatment providers, thereby
hampering its efforts to assess whether Carol was progressing in her ability to
safely parent David.
Following David's placement with his resource parents, the Division asked
Carol to authorize surgery for her son to remove the extra digits he was born
with on each hand. Carol would not consent to the surgery unless David was in
her custody. Subsequently, David was brought to the emergency room to
address a possible infection in one of his extra digits. Still, Carol refused to
permit the recommended surgery. Accordingly, the Division filed an emergent
A-1092-21 4 application with the court to allow the surgery to proceed. At that point, Carol
relented and agreed to the procedure.
In July 2019, Carol identified A.H. (Anna) as a potential placement for
David, claiming Anna was David's godmother. But Carol initially was unable
to provide Anna's contact information or her last name to the Division. Once
the Division located Anna, she offered to care for David, but told the Division
it should return David to Carol's custody. Anna's husband, W.P. (Wayne) also
advised the Division he was willing to accept David into his home. Although
Wayne informed the Division he lived in Pennsylvania during the work week
and only returned home to New Jersey on weekends, he refused to let the
Division assess his home in Pennsylvania.
By October 2019, the Division assessed Anna's and Wayne's New Jersey
home. Anna continued to maintain the Division mistakenly removed David
from Carol's care. Anna further suggested Carol could move into her home.
Shortly thereafter, the Division sent Anna a rule-out letter based on its concern
she did not appreciate the extent of Carol's untreated mental health issues , and
because neither Anna nor Wayne allowed the Division to assess Wayne's
Pennsylvania home. The Division did not send Wayne a separate rule-out letter.
A-1092-21 5 As the litigation progressed, the Division offered Carol weekly visits with
David on Wednesdays and Fridays. Carol only attended Wednesday visits. And
she was frequently late or left the visits early after becoming aggressive with
Division workers. Moreover, she declined virtual visits during the height of the
COVID-19 pandemic because Ellen and Alex rejected Carol's demand that she
be able to see the resource parents during her remote visits with David. Based
on her intransigence, Carol did not see David between March and December
2020.
Although the Division received and requested two ninety-day extensions
to allow Carol to achieve reunification, by November 2020, it sought and
received approval for its permanency plan to terminate Carol's and John's
parental rights to David followed by adoption. The Division filed a guardianship
complaint the following month.
Prior to trial, the Division scheduled psychological and bonding
evaluations for Carol, John, and David's resource parents. Carol did not
participate in these evaluations. Carol also refused to submit to a bonding
evaluation arranged by the Law Guardian.
Dr. Alan J. Lee conducted the bonding evaluations arranged by the
Division. He met with David and his resource parents when the child was
A-1092-21 6 twenty-two months old. By then, David had lived with Ellen and Alex for
twenty months. Dr. Lee concluded David had a significant, positive bond with
his resource parents and the child would suffer severe and enduring
psychological or emotional harm if their relationship ended.
When Dr. Michael Wiltsey conducted his bonding evaluations at the Law
Guardian's behest, he, too, found David had a strong attachment to his resource
parents and the child understood Ellen and Alex were his primary caretakers.
II.
The guardianship trial commenced in August 2021 and concluded the
following month. At times, Carol absented herself from the proceedings,
including halfway through the first day of trial and throughout the second day.
Carol also often interrupted the trial while present in the courtroom.
The Division called Dr. Lee, as well as its caseworker, David Westman,
and a Division supervisor, Megan Kellerman, to testify at trial. Additionally,
the Division called Ellen to testify. Consistent with his reports, Dr. Lee testified
David "had formed a significant and positive psychological attachment and
bond" with Ellen and Alex, and "there [was] a significant risk of the child . . .
suffering severe and enduring harm if his attachment and relationship with"
either resource parent "permanently ended."
A-1092-21 7 Dr. Lee stressed that "[p]ermanency is very important for any child, but
especially a younger child." He opined a child without permanency "is left in a
state of being . . . uncertain as to whom he can count on to protect him, to guide
him, . . . and to nurture him." Further, Dr. Lee stated if David's bond with his
resource parents was severed, the child "would be at a significant risk for
behavioral problems, impulse control problems, aggression, [and] disorganized
behaviors," as well as "depression and anxiety." Moreover, Dr. Lee testified
that if David's bond with his resource parents ended, the child's self-esteem
would likely suffer, and he could be expected to have "problems in his academic
functioning."
The Law Guardian called Dr. Wiltsey to testify. Dr. Wiltsey opined David
was "positively bonded" with his resource parents and "view[ed] them as his
primary caregivers." Dr. Wiltsey also concluded Ellen and Alex provided David
with the "commitment" and "consistency" he needed.
Carol presented no witnesses and offered no exhibits at trial.
Based on the considered opinions of Drs. Lee and Wiltsey, as well as his
determination the "testimony of the witnesses [was] generally credible," the
judge concluded the Division met its burden of proof and established by clear
A-1092-21 8 and convincing evidence the four prongs under N.J.S.A. 30:4C-15.1(a). Thus,
he terminated Carol's and John's parental rights.
III.
On appeal, Carol challenges the judge's findings on the four prongs. She
raises several arguments, including: (1) the judge erred in finding she
endangered David "because there was no finding of abuse or neglect in this
matter" and no proof she could not safely care for David; (2) the judge
mistakenly concluded she could not "remediate her perceived parenting issues";
(3) the Division "did not strive to overcome barriers to services," failed to
properly consider alternative placements, and neglected to issue Wayne a rule -
out letter; and (4) the judge erroneously found termination of Carol's parental
rights would not do more harm than good and was in David's best interests
because the judge erroneously afforded "undue weight" to the experts' "biased"
opinions, and failed to recognize the Division did not "prove the first three
[statutory] prongs of the best interests test." Having considered these arguments
and others pressed by Carol, we are not persuaded.
In reviewing a decision by a trial court to terminate parental rights, we
give deference to family courts' fact-finding "[b]ecause of the family courts'
special jurisdiction and expertise in family matters." Cesare v. Cesare, 154 N.J.
A-1092-21 9 394, 413 (1998). A Family Part judge's findings of fact are not disturbed unless
"'they are so manifestly unsupported by or inconsistent with the competent,
relevant and reasonably credible evidence as to offend the interests of justice.'"
Id. at 412 (quoting Rova Farms Resort, Inc. v. Invs. Ins. Co., 65 N.J. 474, 484
(1974)).
Parents have a constitutionally protected right to raise their children. N.J.
Div. of Youth & Fam. Servs. v. A.W., 103 N.J. 591, 599 (1986); see also
Santosky v. Kramer, 455 U.S. 745, 753 (1982). That right is not absolute. N.J.
Div. of Youth & Fam. Servs. v. R.G., 217 N.J. 527, 553 (2014) (citing In re
Guardianship of K.H.O., 161 N.J. 337, 347 (1999) (citation omitted)). Parental
rights are "tempered by the State's parens patriae responsibility to protect the
welfare of children," K.H.O., 161 N.J. at 347 (citation omitted), when the child's
"'physical or mental health is jeopardized,'" A.W., 103 N.J. at 599 (quoting
Parham v. J.R., 442 U.S. 584, 603 (1979)).
Under N.J.S.A. 30:4C-15.1(a), the Division must satisfy the following
prongs by clear and convincing evidence before a parent's rights can be
terminated:
(1) The child's safety, health, or development has been or will continue to be endangered by the parental relationship;
A-1092-21 10 (2) The parent is unwilling or unable to eliminate the harm facing the child or is unable or unwilling to provide a safe and stable home for the child and the delay of permanent placement will add to the harm 3;
(3) The [D]ivision has made reasonable efforts to provide services to help the parent correct the circumstances which led to the child's placement outside the home and the [judge] has considered alternatives to termination of parental rights; and
(4) Termination of parental rights will not do more harm than good.
The four prongs are not "discrete and separate" but "relate to and overlap
with one another to provide a comprehensive standard that identifies a child's
best interests." K.H.O., 161 N.J. at 348. "The considerations involved in
determinations of parental fitness are 'extremely fact sensitive' and require
particularized evidence that address the specific circumstances in the given
case." Ibid. (quoting In re Adoption of Child. by L.A.S., 134 N.J. 127, 139
(1993)).
3 On July 2, 2021, the Legislature enacted L. 2021, c. 154, deleting the last sentence of N.J.S.A. 30:4C-15.1(a)(2), which read, "[s]uch harm may include evidence that separating the child from [the child's] resource family parents would cause serious and enduring emotional or psychological harm to the child." To the extent the judge here referenced David's risk for "severe and enduring harm" if his relationship with his resource parents ended, we are satisfied the judge did so in the context of summarizing Dr. Lee's opinion and that he did not mistakenly rely on this aspect of the expert's opinion to conclude the Division satisfied its burden under N.J.S.A. 30:4C-15.1(a)(2). A-1092-21 11 Here, it is evident the trial judge carefully reviewed the proofs presented
before concluding the Division satisfied all the legal requirements to sustain a
judgment of guardianship. Moreover, the judge's written opinion painstakingly
tracks the four prongs of the best interests of the child test, N.J.S.A. 30:4C-
15.1(a), and his findings are well supported by substantial and credible evidence
in the record. Thus, we affirm substantially for the reasons set forth in his
comprehensive and well-reasoned decision. We add the following comments.
A. First Prong
Carol contends the judge erred in finding the Division satisfied prong one
under N.J.S.A. 30:4C-15.1(a). We disagree.
The first prong of the best interests test requires the Division demonstrate
that the "child's safety, health, or development has been or will continu e to be
endangered by the parental relationship." N.J.S.A. 30:4C-15.1(a)(1); see
K.H.O., 161 N.J. at 352. The concern is not only with actual harm to the child
but also the risk of harm. In re Guardianship of D.M.H., 161 N.J. 365, 383
(1999). The focus is not on a single or isolated event, but rather "on the effect
of harms arising from the parent-child relationship over time on the child's
health and development." K.H.O., 161 N.J. at 348. However, a judge does not
need to wait "until a child is actually irreparably impaired by parental inattention
A-1092-21 12 or neglect" to find child endangerment. D.M.H., 161 N.J. at 383. The Court has
explained that a parent's withdrawal of nurture and care for an extended period
is a harm that endangers the health of a child. Id. at 379 (citing K.H.O., 161
N.J. at 352-354). When children "languish in foster care" without a permanent
home, their parents' failure to provide "a safe and stable home" may itself
constitute harm. Id. at 383.
Here, the judge found Carol was "admittedly . . . diagnosed with paranoid
schizophrenia and was prescribed medication, but she . . . neglected to take [the
medication], instead continuing to express and act on paranoid thoughts to the
Division, in court, and to [David's] resource parents." Further, the judge
concluded Carol's behavior "inhibit[ed] her interactions with her own child" and
her refusal to engage in services recommended by the Division "prolonged
[David's] time in foster care." Moreover, he found that due to her "distrust and
paranoia," Carol "originally refused to give doctors consent to operate on
[David's] extra digits" in his hand, and because this medical issue was "left
unaddressed for too long," David's digits "became infected," causing the court
to conduct "an emergency proceeding so . . . the Division could get
authorization for [the child's] surgery, and only then did [Carol] consent to it."
A-1092-21 13 These findings are amply supported by the record. Accordingly, there is
no basis for us to disturb the judge's determination regarding prong one.
B. Second Prong
Carol next challenges the judge's finding on prong two of the best interests
test, arguing she engaged in services "sufficient to address [the Division's]
concerns." We are not convinced.
The second prong of the best interest determination "in many ways,
addresses considerations touched on in prong one." N.J. Div. of Youth & Fam.
Servs. v. F.M., 211 N.J. 420, 451 (2012). Often, evidence supporting the first
prong may also support the second prong. D.M.H., 161 N.J. at 379. This prong
"relates to parental unfitness," K.H.O., 161 N.J. at 352, and "the inquiry centers
on whether the parent is able to remove the danger facing the child," F.M., 211
N.J. at 451 (citing K.H.O., 161 N.J. at 352). The Division can satisfy this inquiry
by showing the parent cannot provide a safe and stable home and the child will
suffer substantially from a lack of stability and permanent placement. N.J. Div.
of Youth & Fam. Servs. v. M.M., 189 N.J. 261, 281 (2007) (citing K.H.O., 161
N.J. at 352).
Here, the judge concluded Carol "withheld parental attention and care by
not engaging with the Division and failing to comply with recommended
A-1092-21 14 services." He also found Carol's "inaction allowed [David] to form a significant
and secure bond with his resource parents." As the judge noted, not only did
Carol "refuse[] to take medications prescribed to her or go to the therapeutic
services offered to her by the Division," but after she engaged in "services
through her own providers, she refused to sign releases or permit disclosure
concerning any progress she may have made." The judge also concluded Carol's
"hostile preoccupation with the Division and [David's] resource parents . . . kept
her from visiting with [the child] consistently and meaningfully. She went
months without visiting him and cut visits short because of her aggression
toward others." Accordingly, the judge found Carol was "unable to offer
[David] stability and a sense of permanency that he will need" and it was not in
the child's "best interests to continue delaying his stability."
Because the record clearly supports the judge's conclusion that Carol was
unable or unwilling to provide a safe and stable home for David and the delay
of permanent placement would add to the harm, there is no basis to disturb his
findings on the second prong.
A-1092-21 15 C. Third Prong
Carol also contends the Division's proofs fell short on the third prong
because the Division "did not strive to overcome barriers to services," and the
Division failed to explore alternatives to termination. Again, we disagree.
The third prong requires evidence "[t]he [D]ivision has made reasonable
efforts to provide services to help the parent correct the circumstances which led
to the child's placement outside the home and the [judge] has considered
alternatives to termination of parental rights." N.J.S.A. 30:4C-15.1(a)(3).
"Reasonable efforts may include consultation with the parent, developing a plan
for reunification, providing services essential to the realization of the
reunification plan, informing the family of the child's progress, and facilitating
visitation." M.M., 189 N.J. at 281 (internal quotation marks and citations
omitted). The reasonableness of the Division's efforts regarding the provision
of services to a parent is not measured by the success of the services. D.M.H.,
161 N.J. at 393.
Here, the Division coordinated numerous services for Carol, including
visits — many of which she missed — and an expedited psychiatric referral so
Carol could begin the process of reunification sooner. Further, the Division
A-1092-21 16 arranged for Carol to participate in psychological and bonding evaluations and
recommended other service providers for her benefit.
The Division was not obliged to offer programs and services chosen by
Carol. Instead, it was required to offer programs and services best suited to
address her needs. As the judge recognized, the Division met its burden in this
regard, yet Carol "consistently and aggressively thwarted any of the Division's
attempts to work with her and help her reunite with" David.
Regarding Carol's argument that the judge erred in finding no alternative
to termination of her parental rights existed, again, we disagree. As the judge
observed in his written opinion, the Division explored kinship legal
guardianship for David, but Ellen testified she and Alex preferred adoption over
a kinship legal guardianship. Additionally, the judge found the Division
assessed both Anna and Wayne. Anna was ruled out after she repeatedly
claimed the Division mistakenly removed David from Carol, and she stated
Carol could live with her, thus demonstrating her lack of understanding about
the extent of Carol's mental health issues. Also, Anna and Wayne were ruled
out because they would not allow the Division to assess Wayne's home in
Pennsylvania. Anna did not appeal from the rule-out letter or indicate she was
interested in being a long-term placement option for David.
A-1092-21 17 To the extent Carol argues the Division failed to send a rule-out letter to
Wayne, the record reflects the judge considered this argument, as well as the
Division's position it followed the applicable procedures for ruling out Anna's
and Wayne's placement. Citing N.J. Div. of Youth & Fam. Servs. v. K.L.W.,
419 N.J. Super. 568, 581 (App. Div. 2011), the judge observed, "even if the
Division fails to comply with the statutory obligation to assess relatives, the
court should only delay permanency for the child if it is in the child's best
interest." Thus, the judge found any purported failure on the part of the Division
to provide a rule-out letter for Wayne did "not preclude [him] from determining
that delaying permanency to remedy this perceived oversight [was] not in
[David's] best interests."
We agree with the judge's analysis. Not only did the Division assess Anna
and Wayne, but it ruled out placement in their home given Anna's interest in
having David returned to Carol as soon as possible, her refusal to acknowledge
the safety concerns Carol posed to David, and the Division's inability to secure
consent from Anna and Wayne to assess Wayne's Pennsylvania home. Also, the
record lacks any evidence Anna asked the Division to consider her as a
placement again after she was ruled out. More importantly, as we have
cautioned, "[d]elay of permanency or reversal of termination based on the
A-1092-21 18 Division's noncompliance with its statutory obligations is warranted only when
it is in the best interests of the child." Ibid. (citations omitted). Thus, we
conclude the judge did not err in finding the Division satisfied the third prong.
D. Fourth Prong
Finally, Carol's contention the judge erred in finding termination of
Carol's rights would not do more harm than good is without merit. R. 2:11-
3(e)(1)(E).
The fourth prong of N.J.S.A. 30:4C-15.1(a)(4) serves as "a 'fail-safe'
inquiry guarding against an inappropriate or premature termination of parental
rights." F.M., 211 N.J. at 453 (citations omitted).
[T]he fourth prong of the best interests standard cannot require a showing that no harm will befall the child as a result of the severing of biological ties. The question to be addressed under that prong is whether, after considering and balancing the two relationships, the child will suffer a greater harm from the termination of ties with [the child's] natural parents than from the permanent disruption of [the] relationship with [the child's] foster parents.
[K.H.O., 161 N.J. at 355.]
"The crux of the fourth statutory subpart is the child's need for a
permanent and stable home, along with a defined parent-child relationship."
N.J. Div. of Youth & Fam. Servs. v. H.R., 431 N.J. Super. 212, 226 (App. Div.
A-1092-21 19 2013) (citing N.J. Div. of Youth & Fam. Servs. v. C.S., 367 N.J. Super. 76, 119
(App. Div. 2004)). "If one thing is clear, it is that the child deeply needs
association with a nurturing adult. Since it seems generally agreed that
permanence in itself is an important part of that nurture, a court must carefully
weigh that aspect of the child's life." A.W., 103 N.J. at 610 (citations omitted).
Here, as the judge noted, Carol deprived him of the opportunity to
consider expert testimony regarding her bond with David because "she refused
to participate in either [Dr. Lee's or Dr. Wiltsey's] bonding evaluation[s]."
Nevertheless, the judge considered the testimony of both experts before finding
David viewed his resource parents "as his mothers, referring to them [both] as
'mommy'" and crediting the testimony of "[b]oth psychologists [who]
determined that there existed a secure and positive bond between [David] and
the resource parents." The judge also found Carol's "consistent choice to flout
Division recommendations and failure to adequately care for herself show that
she is incapable of putting the best interests of her child over her own self-
interests." Further, the judge concluded David's resource parents were willing
to adopt David, they were "[t]he only people who can provide for the needs of
this child now or in the foreseeable future," and "[a]doption by the current
resource parents will allow [David] to achieve the permanency he deserves."
A-1092-21 20 These findings under prong four are amply supported by credible evidence in
the record.
In sum, we perceive no basis to disturb the guardianship judgment. To
the extent we have not addressed Carol's remaining arguments, we conclude they
are without sufficient merit to warrant further discussion in a written opinion.
R. 2:11-3(e)(1)(E).
Affirmed.
A-1092-21 21