J-A15011-24 J-A15012-24
NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT O.P. 65.37
IN RE: ADOPTION OF: A.N.D., A : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF MINOR : PENNSYLVANIA : : APPEAL OF: A.K., MOTHER : : : : : No. 253 MDA 2024
Appeal from the Decree Entered February 6, 2024 In the Court of Common Pleas of Franklin County Orphans' Court at No(s): 50-ADOPT-2023
IN RE: ADOPTION OF: D.J.D., A : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF MINOR : PENNSYLVANIA : : APPEAL OF: A.K., MOTHER : : : : : No. 254 MDA 2024
Appeal from the Decree Entered February 6, 2024 In the Court of Common Pleas of Franklin County Orphans' Court at No(s): 51-ADOPT-2023
IN RE: ADOPTION OF: A.N.D., A : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF MINOR : PENNSYLVANIA : : APPEAL OF: D.D., FATHER : : : : : No. 339 MDA 2024
Appeal from the Decree Entered February 6, 2024 In the Court of Common Pleas of Franklin County Orphans' Court at No(s): 50-ADOPT-2023
-1- J-A15011-24 J-A15012-24
IN RE: ADOPTION OF: D.J.D., A : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF MINOR : PENNSYLVANIA : : APPEAL OF: D.D., FATHER : : : : : No. 340 MDA 2024
Appeal from the Decree Entered February 6, 2024 In the Court of Common Pleas of Franklin County Orphans' Court at No(s): 51-ADOPT-2023
BEFORE: DUBOW, J., BECK, J., and STEVENS, P.J.E.*
MEMORANDUM BY DUBOW, J.: FILED: SEPTEMBER 13, 2024
In this consolidated appeal, D.D. (“Father”) and A.K. (“Mother”) appeal
from the February 6, 2024 decrees1 entered in the Franklin County Court of
Common Pleas that involuntarily terminated their parental rights to ten-year-
old A.N.D. and eight-year-old D.J.D. (collectively, “Children”).2 Upon review,
we affirm.
Father and Mother are parents to Children and were never married. In
January 2019, the Franklin County Children and Youth Services (“the Agency”)
became involved with this family due to concerns regarding Children’s
____________________________________________
* Former Justice specially assigned to the Superior Court.
1 The decrees are dated February 1, 2024, but the prothonotary did not docket
the decrees and serve notice until February 6, 2024.
2We sua sponte consolidate the appeals at Nos. 253 MDA 2024, 254 MDA 2024, 339 MDA 2024, and 340 MDA 2024. Review indicates that these appeals involve related parties and issues. See Pa.R.A.P. 513.
-2- J-A15011-24 J-A15012-24
sexualized behavior as well as concerns that Children were being sexually
abused. At the time, Mother and Father resided separately but shared physical
custody of Children. Father lived with Children’s paternal grandfather, who
was a registered sex offender. Mother lived with her paramour, J.W., III
(“Paramour”). Parents refused to agree to a safety plan to keep Children away
from potential sexual predators. The Agency obtained emergency custody of
Children, and, on July 8, 2019, the court adjudicated Children dependent and
placed them in foster care.
From July 2019 through August 2021, Mother participated in court-
ordered services with a permanency goal of Reunification. Father initially
participated in visitation with Children, but discontinued visitation voluntarily
at some point in 2020. In August 2021, Children were reunified with Mother,
who was still living with Paramour. From March 2022 to March 2023, Father
was incarcerated for a controlled substance Driving Under the Influence
conviction as well as a parole violation.
In May 2022, the Agency once again became involved with the family
when staff at Children’s elementary school noticed that Children were
accumulating unusual bruising. On May 20, 2022, the Agency obtained
emergency custody of Children and placed them in foster care. On July 1,
2022, upon review of a motion by Children’s guardian ad litem (“GAL”) that
asserted visitation with Mother posed a grave threat to Children, the court
suspended visitation between Children and Mother. On July 7, 2022, the court
adjudicated Children dependent for the second time.
-3- J-A15011-24 J-A15012-24
On December 9, 2022, after a hearing, the trial court entered orders
finding aggravated circumstances pursuant to 42 Pa.C.S. § 6341(c.1) with
respect to Mother and Children, changed Children’s permanency goals from
Reunification to Adoption, and ordered the Agency to cease reasonable efforts
to reunify Children with Mother.3 Among the evidence considered by the court
was testimony from Trisha Goshorn, L.P.N., school nurse; Kathryn Crowell,
M.D., member of the Child Protection Team of the Penn State Hershey
Children’s Hospital and expert in child abuse injuries; as well as the Children’s
forensic interviews with the Children’s Advocacy Center, where Children
disclosed that both Mother and Paramour physically abused them. The court
found that Mother and Paramour were both perpetrators of physical abuse
against Children and additionally found that Mother failed to protect Children
from physical abuse.4 Agency Ex. 11, Aggravated Circumstances Order, at
¶¶ 27, 46. Notably, the court found that A.N.D.’s injuries included bruising to
her right and left upper eyelids, her left cheek, the area under her chin, the
angle of the right side of her jaw, both of her buttocks, her left lower back,
her right outer upper arm, her right outer thigh, her bilaterial inner thighs,
and the top of her left foot; abrasions to the right side of her forehead and ____________________________________________
3 Mother appealed the aggravated circumstances order, and this Court affirmed; Father appealed the goal change order, and this Court affirmed. See Interest of A.D., 303 A.3d 775 (Pa. Super. 2023) (non-precedential decision); Interest of A.D., 303 A.3d 779 (Pa. Super. 2023) (non- precedential decision).
4 Mother and Paramour both have criminal charges pending regarding Children’s injuries.
-4- J-A15011-24 J-A15012-24
left cheek; and a large coalescent bruise to her mons pubis. Id. at ¶ 17.
Additionally, the court found that D.J.D.’s injuries included bruising to his right
and left upper eyelids, the area beneath his right eye, his right forearm, his
left anterior thigh, his left and right knees, his right anterior shin, his right
anterior thigh, his right outer hip and thigh, his penis, and both of his buttocks;
abrasions to his right temple, the right side of his forehead, his left and right
knee, his right anterior shin, his outer right lower leg, the outer aspect of his
right ankle, his right outer hip and thigh, and both of his buttocks; erythema
under the right side of his chin; curvilinear abrasion near his left elbow; and
possible bruising on the right side of his scrotum. Id. at ¶ 16.
Children are placed in pre-adoptive foster homes. After the second
adjudication of dependency, Children returned to the foster home (“Foster
Family 1”) that they were placed in when they were first adjudicated
dependent, but behavioral issues consistent with traumatic abuse required
Children to be separated. A.N.D. expressed an interest to live with Foster
Family 1’s adult son and daughter-in-law (“Foster Family 2”), who agreed to
be a placement resource for her. Foster Family 1 and Foster Family 2 live
approximately three miles apart, often eat dinner together, and Children see
each other almost every day. Children attend the same school and church.
Foster Family 1 and Foster Family 2 both take Children to all their medical,
dental, and therapy appointments and provide for all their emotional and
physical needs.
-5- J-A15011-24 J-A15012-24
On October 24, 2023, the Agency filed petitions to terminate Mother and
Father’s parental rights to Children. The trial court appointed Kristin B.
Hamilton, Esq., to serve as Children’s GAL and legal counsel after finding that
the dual role did not pose a conflict of interest. On November 14, 2023, and
December 29, 2023, the trial court held a hearing on the Agency’s petitions.
The Agency presented testimony from Nicole Weller, Agency Deputy Director;
Danae Nowell, A.N.D.’s foster mother; and Patti Nowell, D.J.D.’s foster
mother. Father and Mother both testified on their own behalf.
The Agency’s witnesses testified in accordance with the above-stated
facts. In addition, Ms. Weller testified that she does not believe there is any
way that Mother could have visitation with Children without causing severe
emotional harm to Children. N.T. TPR Hr’g, 11/14/23, 38. Ms. Weller
explained that Children attend the permanency review hearings and get
interviewed at a separate location to avoid having contact with Mother during
the review hearings. Id. at 42-44.
Danae Nowell testified that A.N.D. lives with her, her husband, and her
two younger children. Danae explained that A.N.D. is a “great big sister” who
“loves her siblings” and is “very motherly at heart and loves to help, loves to
play with them [and] takes great pride in being the oldest in our family right
now.” Id. at 56. Danae testified that she and her husband take A.N.D. to all
her medical and therapy appointments. She informed the court that A.N.D. is
doing well in fourth grade, tries really hard, is social, and is excited to go to
school. Danae described her relationship with A.N.D. and stated, “I’ve known
-6- J-A15011-24 J-A15012-24
her for a couple of years and now that she’s in our home and being her foster
mom, I mean, she’s just like our other kids. We love her just like a daughter,
and it’s been fun to grow that bond and enjoy life with her and be able to
teach her things and walk alongside her.” Id. at 56. Danae testified that she
“absolutely” would like to adopt A.N.D. Id. at 62.
Patti Nowell testified that D.J.D. has lived in her home with her husband
and five of her children for a total of thirty-four months, seventeen months
after the first adjudication of dependency and seventeen months additional
months after the most recent adjudication of dependency. Patti explained
that he has a “great” relationship with the other children in the home, “just
like brothers and sisters.” Id. at 70. Patti informed the court that D.J.D.
participates in therapy and medication management and has improved his
prior “out of control behaviors.” Id. at 72. Patti testified that D.J.D. is doing
well in first grade and has turned his behaviors around to be one of the best
kids in his class. Patti explained that Foster Family 1 and Foster Family 2 are
“one family unit” and that they have a shared farm, eat dinner together every
night, go on vacation together, and look out for each other. Patti testified that
she is “very excited to have [D.J.D. and] he’s very excited.” Id. at 75. Patti
testified that she wants to adopt D.J.D. and that “he would be my son just like
my other children.” Id.
Father testified that, when Children were first adjudicated dependent,
he participated in an assessment with ABC House and they recommended that
he “go get mentally seen about anger and other things” but that he did not
-7- J-A15011-24 J-A15012-24
follow up with a parental fitness evaluation. Id. at 89. Father testified that
he participated in supervised visits with Children for about a year. Father
testified that the last time he saw Children “was in 2020 and I told [] ABC
House that I was done doing visits because I got tired of lying to my daughter.”
Id. at 91. Father further explained that Children would ask about his parents,
their grandparents, and he was told he was not allowed to discuss the
allegations against Children’s paternal grandfather with Children. Father
admitted that he did not attempt to contact Children while he was
incarcerated. He testified that when he was released from jail in March 2023,
he contacted the Agency three times to arrange visits with Children. Father
testified that he “found my religion again,” exercises, has new employment,
is sober, and complies with parole requirements. Id. at 95. Father stated
that he moved back in with Mother a week before the hearing. Father testified,
“I regret it every day when I walked out and told ABC House I’m not coming
back.” Id. at 96. Father explained, “I love my kids. I want to reunify with
them. I messed up. I admit it. I found God. I’m trying to do the best I can
in my life.” Id. at 111.
In her testimony, Mother denied physically abusing Children and denied
being aware that Paramour physically abused Children. Mother testified that
she currently has a protection from abuse (“PFA”) order against Paramour and
would be able to protect Children from physical harm if they were reunited
with her. Mother stated that she and Children had a bond and that “if given
the opportunity, we would still have that bond.” N.T. TPR Hr’g, 12/29/24, at
-8- J-A15011-24 J-A15012-24
7. Mother testified that she is willing to participate in mental health treatment
for her and Children, is not using illegal substances, and can get Children to
their required psychiatric appointments, medical appointments, and school
activities. Mother further testified that, during the two visits she was allowed
to have with Children prior to visits being suspended, they were excited to see
her and asked when they could come home. Mother denies that Children are
fearful of her. Mother testified that she “should have seen the signs. Yes, I
do take blame for that. I should have pushed my kids harder to tell where
they got the bruises.” Id. at 50. Mother testified that she does not know if
Paramour abused the kids “[b]ut if the kids are saying that he did and the
evidence is there, I have to believe it.” Id. at 51. Mother stated that Children
told their maternal grandmother about the physical abuse by Paramour a
month before the Agency removed the Children from the home, but she still
did not see the signs because “over discipline was not an issue. . . . I never
punished my children. I was too lenient on them[.]” Id. at 52. Mother
admitted that she has not performed parental duties for the past six months
but explained that the Agency did not allow her to perform parental duties or
offer her services. Mother further admits that she had been informed on
multiple occasions that she could pursue reunification services on her own.
Mother believes that it is in Children’s best interest “[t]o go home with their
parents.” Id. at 18. Mother testified that she intends to raise the kids with
Father and that “[h]e has always been a good dad.” Id. Mother testified that
“[w]e are proceeding as a family.” Id. at 45.
-9- J-A15011-24 J-A15012-24
On February 6, 2024, the trial court terminated Mother and Father’s
parental rights to Children pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S. §§ 2511(a)(1), (2), (5), (8),
and (b). Mother and Father timely appealed. Mother, Father, and the trial
court all complied with Pa.R.A.P. 1925.
A.
Mother raises a sole issue for our review: “Did the trial court err by
determining that the parental rights of [Mother] should be terminated?”
Mother’s Br. at 3.
Father raises multiple issues for our review:
1. [] Father argues that the record does not support the trial court's finding that [] Father had “either a settled purpose of relinquishing parental claim” to [Children] or that he has “refused or failed to perform parental duties.” Trial Court Opinion page 12. [] Father testified that he attempted to set up supervised visits and enroll in other services but was advised by the ABC House that he could not without a referral from [the Agency].
2. [] Father argues that the record does not support the trial court’s finding that his “repeated and continued incapacity, abuse, neglect, or refusal” caused [Children] “to be without essential parental care, control or subsistence necessary for their physical or mental wellbeing and the conditions and causes of the incapacity, abuse, neglect, or refusal cannot or will not be remedied by” [] Father. Trial Court Opinion page 12. It is uncontroverted that [] Father was not the perpetrator of the alleged abuse against [Children]. The record is void of any evidence that [] Father cannot or will not be able to provide safe and stable housing for [Children] and meet [Children]’s physical and emotional needs.
3. [] Father argues that the record does not support the trial court’s finding that “the conditions which led to the removal of [C]hildren from Mother continue to exist; nothing suggests any possible services which would make reunification safe for
- 10 - J-A15011-24 J-A15012-24
[C]hildren.” Trial Court Opinion page 10. The record is void of any evidence that [] Father has never lived independently, cannot provide safe housing for [Children], and that the only people that [] Father has lived with were unsuitable for the [C]hildren. [] Father also intends to argue that he testified that he is willing to complete any services necessary to facilitate reunification and that this could be achieved in way such that it is safe for [Children].
4. [] Father argues that the record does not support the trial court’s finding that ”there is no present bond between the Child[ren] and either parent” and that it would be “destabilizing for Father to suddenly take-on a role which he has not performed.” Trial Court Opinion page 11. [] Father expressly denies that there was any evidence that showed that there is no bond between him and [Children]. Further, [] Father testified that prior to his incarceration and [Children]’s first placement into foster care, the parties shared physical custody of [C]hildren. Father intends to argue that it is not [in] the [Children]’s best interests that his parental rights be terminated
Father’s Br. at 5-7.
B.
In cases involving the involuntary termination of parental rights, this
Court’s review is limited to determining whether the trial court’s conclusion is
supported by competent evidence. In re Adoption of L.A.K., 265 A.3d 580,
591 (Pa. 2021). When we review a trial court’s decision to grant or deny a
petition to involuntarily terminate parental rights, we must accept the findings
of fact and credibility determinations of the trial court if the record supports
them. In re T.S.M., 71 A.3d 251, 267 (Pa. 2013). “If the factual findings
are supported, appellate courts review to determine if the trial court made an
error of law or abused its discretion.” Id. (citation omitted). “Absent an abuse
of discretion, an error of law, or insufficient evidentiary support for the trial
- 11 - J-A15011-24 J-A15012-24
court’s decision, the decree must stand.” In re R.N.J., 985 A.2d 273, 276
(Pa. Super. 2009) (citation omitted). We may not reverse merely because
the record could support a different result. T.S.M., 71 A.3d at 267. We give
great deference to the trial courts “that often have first-hand observations of
the parties spanning multiple hearings.” Id. Moreover, “[t]he trial court is
free to believe all, part, or none of the evidence presented, and is likewise
free to make all credibility determinations and resolve conflicts in the
evidence.” In re M.G., 855 A.2d 68, 73-74 (Pa. Super. 2004) (citation
omitted).
It is axiomatic that “[p]arents enjoy a fundamental right to make
decisions regarding the care, custody and control of their children. It cannot
be denied that significant and permanent consequences for both the parent
and child can follow the termination of parental rights, as there is an
undeniable importance in a child’s relationship with a biological parent.”
L.A.K., 265 A.3d at 591 (internal citations omitted). Accordingly, “[i]n
recognition of the gravity attendant to the termination of parental rights, the
moving party must establish the statutory grounds by clear and convincing
evidence; that is, evidence that is so clear, direct, weighty and convincing as
to enable a trier of fact to come to a clear conviction, without hesitance, of
the truth of the precise facts in issue.” Id. at 592 (citations and quotation
marks omitted).
- 12 - J-A15011-24 J-A15012-24
Section 2511 of the Adoption Act, 23 Pa.C.S. § 2511, governs
termination of parental rights, and requires a bifurcated analysis. “Initially,
the focus is on the conduct of the parent.” In re Adoption of A.C., 162 A.3d
1123, 1128 (Pa. Super. 2017) (citation omitted). As discussed above, “[t]he
party seeking termination must prove by clear and convincing evidence that
the parent’s conduct satisfies the statutory grounds for termination delineated
in Section 2511(a).” Id. (citation omitted). If the court determines that the
parent’s conduct warrants termination of his or her parental rights, the court
then engages in “the second part of the analysis pursuant to Section 2511(b):
determination of the needs and welfare of the child under the standard of best
interests of the child.” Id. (citation omitted). Notably, we need only agree
with the court’s decision as to any one subsection of Section 2511(a), as well
as Section 2511(b), to affirm the termination of parental rights. In re K.Z.S.,
946 A.2d 753, 758 (Pa. Super. 2008). With regards to Mother, we concentrate
our analysis on Section 2511(a)(2). With regards to Father, we concentrate
our analysis on Section 2511(a)(1).
C.
As stated above, with regards to Mother, we concentrate our analysis
on Section 2511(a)(2). Section 2511(a)(2) provides for termination of
parental rights where the petitioner demonstrates by clear and convincing
evidence that “[t]he repeated and continued incapacity, abuse, neglect or
refusal of the parent has caused the child to be without essential parental
- 13 - J-A15011-24 J-A15012-24
care, control or subsistence necessary for his physical or mental well-being
and the conditions and causes of the incapacity, abuse, neglect or refusal
cannot or will not be remedied by the parent.” 23 Pa.C.S. § 2511(a)(2); In
re Adoption of S.P., 47 A.3d 817, 827 (Pa. 2012). The grounds for
termination of parental rights under Section 2511(a)(2) due to parental
incapacity are not limited to affirmative misconduct; those grounds may also
include acts of refusal as well as incapacity to perform parental duties. In re
Adoption of C.D.R., 111 A.3d 1212, 1216 (Pa. Super. 2015), abrogated on
other grounds by In re K.T., 296 A.3d 1085 (Pa. 2023). “Parents are required
to make diligent efforts toward the reasonably prompt assumption of full
parental duties.” In re C.M.K., 203 A.3d 258, 262 (Pa. Super. 2019).
Notably, a “parent’s vow to cooperate, after a long period of
uncooperativeness regarding the necessity or availability of services, may
properly be rejected as untimely or disingenuous.” In re Z.P., 994 A.2d 1108,
1118 (Pa. Super. 2010).
Finally, sincere efforts to perform parental duties may still be insufficient
to remedy an incapacity. Id. at 1117. This is because subsection (a)(2)
“emphasizes the child’s present and future need for essential parental care,
control or subsistence necessary for his physical or mental well-being[,]”
especially “where disruption of the family has already occurred and there is
no reasonable prospect for reuniting it.” Id. (citation omitted).
D.
- 14 - J-A15011-24 J-A15012-24
The crux of Mother’s argument is that she was limited in her ability to
provide essential parental care to Children because of the trial court’s no-
visitation orders and because the Agency was not required to provide
reunification services. Mother’s Br. at 7-9. Mother admits that she failed to
provide parental care but blames the court and the Agency for refusing her
the opportunity to do so. Id. Mother emphasizes that “the [c]ourt
acknowledged that Mother was not the person who physically abused
[Children], but took exception to the fact that Mother was ‘solely responsible
for the safety of [C]hildren’ at the time they were harmed.” Id. at 10 (citing
Decree, 2/6/23, at 8). Mother argues that the trial court failed to consider
that she has obtained a PFA against Paramour, that she has obtained
appropriate housing and employment, and that she is willing and able to
participate in any reunification counseling that the Agency provides. Id. at
10-11. Mother’s arguments merit no relief.
First and foremost, Mother mischaracterizes the trial court’s findings
regarding abuse, which renders her argument disingenuous at best. In its
February 6, 2023 decree, the trial court emphasized that the Agency
presented a forensic pediatric evaluation as well as Children’s forensic
interviews to support the abuse allegations, and unequivocally made a finding
that Mother was the perpetrator of child abuse against Children:
Here, the Juvenile Court made a finding that Mother is a perpetrator of child abuse against the Child and her brother in May 2022. The abuse was physical, as graphically described in the Juvenile Court's findings. The Juvenile Court also made a finding
- 15 - J-A15011-24 J-A15012-24
that Mother’s paramour is a perpetrator of child abuse against the Child and her brother. There is no reason to discount the findings of the Juvenile Court, especially considering they have been upheld on appeal.
Decree at 7-8. The trial court made an additional finding that Mother was
also responsible for protecting Children from Paramour:
Mother was the sole parent with custody in May of 2022, and therefore was solely responsible for the safety of her children. As Mother takes no responsibility, either directly for the abuse, or indirectly for failing to prevent the abuse, nothing prevents recurrence should the children be returned to her.
Id. The trial court’s finding that Mother was likewise responsible for protecting
her Children from Paramour’s physical abuse does not negate the trial court’s
clear finding that Mother was directly responsible for perpetrating child abuse
against Children.
In In re A.D., 93 A.3d 888 (Pa. Super. 2014), an analogous case, a
father was ordered to have no-contact with the child that he abused and, in
affirming the termination of his parental rights pursuant to Section
2511(a)(2), this Court concluded, “parental incapacity caused by a no-contact
order is not only relevant to a court’s conclusion that grounds for termination
exist under § 2511(a)(2), but where, as here, the order is required to protect
the children from further [] abuse at the hands of the excluded parent, we
find that it is dispositive.” Id. at 897. Instantly, we find A.D. to be instructive.
Here, the trial court emphasized the exceptional nature of this case and
the fact that the court prohibited all contact between Mother and Children and
found Ms. Weller’s testimony credible that there was no way to ensure
- 16 - J-A15011-24 J-A15012-24
Children’s safety if they were to have contact with Mother. The court opined,
“[t]he Deputy Director of [the Agency] testified that this case . . . is the only
case where, in her experience, the Juvenile Court prohibited all contact
between a parent and a child. The Deputy Director also testified that there
was no way to ensure the emotional safety of [C]hildren if allowed contact
with Mother.” Decree at 7. The court further emphasized that “Mother has
not undertaken any form [of] treatment, such as anger-management classes,
which could remediate the potential for repeated abuse.” Id.
The trial court concluded that Mother’s physical abuse of Children, the
resulting no-contact order, Mother’s failure to take responsibility for that
abuse, and Mother’s failure to engage in services to remediate the potential
for repeated abuse has prevented Mother from providing essential parental
care to Child. Id. at 7-8. While Mother argues that the no-contact order was
to blame for her inability to parent Children, the no-contact order was in place
to ensure Children’s safety. Pursuant to A.D., the no-contact order was not
only relevant to the trial court’s analysis but is dispositive. Our review of the
record supports the trial court’s findings, and we decline to reweigh the
evidence or usurp the trial court’s credibility determinations.
E.
With regards to Father, we concentrate our analysis on Section
2511(a)(1), which provides that the trial court may terminate parental rights
if the Petitioner establishes that “[t]he parent by conduct continuing for a
period of at least six months immediately preceding the filing of the petition
- 17 - J-A15011-24 J-A15012-24
either has evidenced a settled purpose of relinquishing parental claim to a
child or has refused or failed to perform parental duties.” 23 Pa.C.S.
§ 2511(a)(1). The focus of involuntary termination proceedings is on the
conduct of the parent and whether that conduct justifies a termination of
parental rights. In re B.L.L., 787 A.2d 1007, 1013 (Pa. Super. 2001).
Although the statute focuses on an analysis of the six months immediately
preceding the filing of the petition, the court must consider the whole history
of a given case and may consider a parent’s inaction before the six-month
statutory provision. In re K.Z.S., 946 A.2d 753, 758 (Pa. Super. 2008).
“Although courts are to avoid the mechanical application of the Adoption Act,
we may not ignore that the General Assembly has drawn focus to the six
months immediately preceding the filing of the termination petition [and] the
most critical period for evaluation is the six months immediately preceding the
filing of the termination petition.” L.A.K., 265 A.3d at 592.
Our Supreme Court has repeatedly defined “parental duties” in general
as the affirmative obligation to provide consistently for the physical and
emotional needs of a child:
Parental duties are not defined in the Adoption Act, but our courts long have interpreted parental duties in relation to the needs of a child, such as love, protection, guidance and support. Parental duties are carried out through affirmative actions that develop and maintain the parent-child relationship. The roster of such positive actions undoubtedly includes communication and association. The performance of parental duties requires that a parent exert himself to take and maintain a place of importance in the child’s life. Fortitude is required, as a parent must act with reasonable firmness to overcome obstacles that stand in the way of
- 18 - J-A15011-24 J-A15012-24
preserving a parent-child relationship and may not wait for a more suitable time to perform parental responsibilities.
Id. (internal citations and quotation marks omitted).
It is well-settled that “a parent’s efforts are always considered in light
of existing circumstances.” Id. (citations and internal quotation marks
omitted). “To that end, even where the evidence clearly establishes a parent
has failed to perform affirmative parental duties for a period in excess of six
months as required by Section 2511(a)(1), the court must examine the
individual circumstances and any explanation offered by the parent to
determine if that evidence, in light of the totality of circumstances, clearly
warrants permitting the involuntary termination of parental rights.” Id. at
593 (citations and internal quotation marks omitted).
Our Supreme Court has explained:
Consideration of the totality of the circumstances includes evaluation of the following: (1) the parent’s explanation for his or her conduct; (2) the post-abandonment contact between the parent and child, if any, including any efforts made by the parent to reestablish contact with the child; and (3) the effect that termination of parental rights would have on the child pursuant to Section 2511(b). . . . It is within this framework that a court determines whether a parent has faced barriers that prevented the parent from maintaining the parent-child relationship. What constitutes a “barrier” in the context of a Section 2511(a)(1) analysis is a finding within the discretion of the trial court, and what may constitute a barrier necessarily will vary with the circumstances of each case. In some instances, obstructive behavior by the child’s custodian presents a barrier to the parent’s ability to perform parental duties, which mitigates the parent’s failure to maintain the parent-child relationship.
Id. at 593. Notably, “a parent’s efforts to enforce his or her legal custody
rights unquestionably establishes the affirmative performance of a positive
- 19 - J-A15011-24 J-A15012-24
parental duty, and that when such action is taken in the face of a custodial
parent’s efforts to thwart access to the child, the attempts to enforce custodial
rights provide evidence that is highly relevant to the question of whether the
requirements of Section 2511(a)(1) have been met.” Id. at 594.
F.
With respect to Section 2511(a)(1), Father avers that the record is void
of evidence that Father had a settled purpose of relinquishing parental claim
to Children or that he refused to perform parental duties. Father’s Br. at 12.
Father argues that he and Mother shared custody of Children for
approximately seven months prior to them being placed in foster care for the
first time and, after they were placed, Father attended supervised visits for
approximately one year. Id. at 12. Father further argues that, once Children
were returned to Mother’s care in 2022, Father wanted to have shared custody
and/or parental involvement with Children, but Mother refused. Id. at 13.
Finally, Father asserts that once he was released from incarceration in March
2023, he attempted to set up visitation with Children three times,
demonstrating his commitment to be a parent to Children. Id. at 14-15.
Father’s arguments lack merit.
In terminating Father’s parental rights pursuant to Section 2511(a)(1),
the trial court placed great weight on the fact that Father has not had contact
with Children since 2020, and that he voluntarily ceased visitation with them.
The trial court opined:
- 20 - J-A15011-24 J-A15012-24
Father has not visited or otherwise communicated with [C]hildren since 2020. Although Father has been incarcerated off and on, incarceration was not the reason for the lack of contact. Rather, Father testified that he told ABC House that he was “done doing visits”. Father testified on cross examination that he had made a conscious decision to “disappear” so that Mother could get [C]hildren out of foster care during their first dependency. After [C]hildren were returned to Mother and the dependency was terminated, there is no evidence that Father interacted with [C]hildren in any way. During Father’s incarceration, Father did not attempt to communicate with [C]hildren by sending gifts or letters, nor request any form of visitation. Father admitted that he had the ability to conduct video conferences with [] Child[ren] while he was incarcerated in the county jail; he offered no explanation for his lack of doing so.
Father’s testimony regarding his disappearing from [C]hildren’s lives in 2020 is clear and convincing evidence of a settled purpose to relinquish his parental claims. Additionally, Father has not performed parental duties, whether by refusal or failure, in almost three years.
Decree at 9. Our review of the record supports the trial court’s findings, and we
decline to reweigh the evidence or usurp the trial court’s credibility
determinations. Father’s own testimony is compelling. By his own admission,
he voluntarily ceased visitation with Children and did not attempt to
communicate with Children while he was incarcerated. At the time of the
hearing, Father had not seen Children in over three years. Moreover, Father’s
attempt to set up visitation three times once released from incarceration does
not fulfill his affirmative obligation to provide for the physical and emotional
needs of Children on a consistent basis. Accordingly, we find no abuse of
discretion in the trial court’s conclusion that Father had refused to perform
parental duties.
- 21 - J-A15011-24 J-A15012-24
G.
With respect to Section 2511(b), our analysis focuses on the effect that
terminating the parental bond will have on the child. This Court reviews
“whether termination of parental rights would best serve the developmental,
physical, and emotional needs and welfare of the child.” In re Adoption of
J.M., 991 A.2d 321, 324 (Pa. Super. 2010). It is well settled that
“[i]ntangibles such as love, comfort, security, and stability are involved in the
inquiry into needs and welfare of the child.” In re C.M.S., 884 A.2d 1284,
1287 (Pa. Super. 2005).
“One major aspect of the needs and welfare analysis concerns the
nature and status of the emotional bond” that the child has with the parent,
with close attention paid to the effect on the child of permanently severing
any such bond.” In re Adoption of N.N.H., 197 A.3d 777, 783 (Pa Super.
2018) (citation omitted). The fact that a child has a bond with a parent does
not preclude the termination of parental rights. A.D., 93 A.3d at 897. Rather,
the trial court must examine the depth of the bond to determine whether the
bond is so meaningful to the child that its termination would destroy an
existing, necessary, and beneficial relationship. Id. at 898. Moreover, the
trial court may consider intangibles, such as the love, comfort, security, and
stability the child might have with the adoptive resource. In re N.A.M., 33
A.3d 95, 103 (Pa. Super. 2011). Ultimately, the concern is the needs and
welfare of the child. Z.P., 994 A.2d at 1121.
- 22 - J-A15011-24 J-A15012-24
Mother and Father both aver that the trial court erred when the court
found that termination of parental rights was in Children’s best interest.
Mother’s Br. at 12-13; Father’s Br. at 19-20. Both parents argue that the
record does not support the trial court’s conclusion that there is no bond
between Children and parents. Mother’s Br. at 12-13; Father’s Br. at 19. We
disagree.
While both parents testified that they had a bond with Children, the trial
court did not find this testimony to be credible. Indeed, in this case, the trial
court concluded that actions speak louder than words. In finding that there
was no bond between parents and Children, the court placed great weight on
the fact that Father has been absent from Children’s lives for over three years
and that Children suffered physical abuse and ongoing trauma at the hands of
Mother. Further, the trial court emphasized Children’s wishes to not have any
contact with Mother or Father and noted that Children do not even want to be
in the same building as Mother. The court opined: There is no present bond between [Children][5] and either parent. [Children have] not asked to contact either Mother or Father. Rather, due to observed distress, during permanency review hearings [C]hildren are interviewed in a separate building from Mother to prevent accidental contact. Although Father’s visitation was never suspended by the [c]ourt, Father has not sought any form of visitation in the Juvenile Court. Neither parent has sent letters or gifts to [C]hildren, in an effort to maintain a relationship.
Therefore, considering that: 1) [Children]’s developmental, emotional, and physical needs are met by [their] Foster ____________________________________________
5 The trial court issued identical findings for A.N.D. and D.J.D. Accordingly, we have changed references from “Child” to “Children.”
- 23 - J-A15011-24 J-A15012-24
Famil[ies]; 2) Father has been absent for the most-recent third of [Children]’s life and it would be destabilizing for Father to suddenly take-on a role which he has not performed; 3) Mother had a chance to remediate her deficiencies as a parent and it led to [Children] suffering traumatic abuse; and 4) there is no evidence of a bond between [Children] and either parent, it is in the best interest of [Children] that Mother and Father’s parental rights be terminated.
Decree at 11.
The record supports the trial court’s findings and, thus, we discern no
abuse of discretion. As always, we decline to reweigh the evidence or usurp
the trial court’s credibility findings.
H.
In conclusion, our review of the record supports the trial court’s findings.
We discern no error of law or abuse of discretion with respect to the trial
court’s conclusion that the Agency presented clear and convincing evidence to
terminate Mother’s parental rights pursuant to Section 2511(a)(2) and (b) and
Father’s parental rights pursuant to Section 2511(a)(1) and (b). In light of
our disposition, we decline to address Mother and Father’s arguments as they
relate to other subsections of Section 2511.
Decrees affirmed.
- 24 - J-A15011-24 J-A15012-24
Judgment Entered.
Benjamin D. Kohler, Esq. Prothonotary
Date: 9/13/2024
- 25 -