IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF NORTH CAROLINA
No. COA20-267
Filed: 15 December 2020
Guilford County, No. 19 JA 404-06
IN THE MATTER OF: A.J.L.H., C.A.L.W., M.J.L.H.
Appeal by respondents from order entered 13 December 2019 by Judge Tonia
A. Cutchin in Guilford County District Court. Heard in the Court of Appeals 17
November 2020.
Mercedes O. Chut for petitioner-appellee Guilford County Department of Social Services.
Benjamin J. Kull for respondent-father appellant.
Tin, Fulton, Walker & Owen, PLLC, by Cheyenne N. Chambers, for respondent- mother appellant.
TYSON, Judge.
Respondent-mother and Respondent-stepfather (collectively “Respondents”)
appeal from the trial court’s adjudication and disposition order. Respondents argue
the trial court erred by adjudicating their minor children, Margaret, age ten, Chris,
age four, and Anna, age one, as abused and neglected, and by prohibiting visitation.
See N.C. R. App. P. 42(b) (permitting the use of pseudonyms to protect the identity of
the child throughout the opinion). Respondents are the biological parents of Anna. IN RE A.J.L.H., C.A.L.W., & M.J.L.H.
Opinion of the Court
Respondent-stepfather is stepfather to Respondent-mother’s daughters, Margaret
and Chris, born of previous relationships.
We vacate the adjudications of abuse and neglect and remand. We also vacate
the disposition order regarding Chris and Anna and dismiss the petitions and remand
for entry of an order to provide Respondents visitation with Margaret.
I. Background
Guilford County Department of Health and Human Services (“GDHHS”)
received a report on 21 May 2019 alleging then nine-year-old Margaret had been
disciplined with a belt, which had left marks on her skin. Social worker, Lisa Joyce
(“Joyce”) was assigned to investigate. On 22 May 2019, another report was filed of a
new injury the size of a silver dollar on Margaret’s upper back. Joyce testified
Margaret was hiding under a desk when she arrived to interview her and asserted
Margaret did not want to go home because they “were going to hurt her.”
Respondent-mother acknowledged she had disciplined Margaret for lying and
being untruthful about following directions, by having her inter alia, sleep upon the
floor, allowing her eat only crunchy peanut butter sandwiches, having her stand in
the corner at home for long periods, prohibiting her from watching TV or playing
outside, and by having Respondent-stepfather to discipline her by using corporal
punishment. Respondent-mother explained the marks were accidental, because
Margaret had moved around a lot and the belt meant for her buttocks had landed on
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her back. Joyce informed Respondent-mother that GDHHS felt the discipline was “a
little bit extreme.” Respondents immediately agreed to a safety plan. The plan placed
Margaret with her maternal grandparents, but left Chris and Anna in the home in
Respondents’ care.
During her investigation, Joyce received two reports from Randolph County
Department of Social Services (“RDSS”) filed during 2015 and 2017, involving
Respondent-mother. Respondent-mother had also been charged with misdemeanor
child abuse and Respondent-stepfather had been charged with assault on a child
under the age of twelve stemming from the actions related to the present petition.
Respondents’ charges were pending at the time of this order on appeal.
On 8 August 2019, GDHHS held a Child and Family Team meeting. At the
meeting, GDHHS decided to petition for custody of all three children, even though
GDHHS had gathered all relevant family history information in May and all home
visits with the intact family from May through August had revealed no concerns.
GDHHS case workers had made multiple home visits. No new or ongoing concerns
were raised or noted. The safety plan was never violated.
During adjudication, Joyce testified the decision resulted from “information
learned during the assessment,” RDSS records received in May; and GDHHS’
disagreement with Respondents “admitting that they did not feel . . . their
disciplinary measures and actions were unusual or cruel.”
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On 9 August 2019, GDHHS filed juvenile petitions alleging Margaret was
abused and neglected. Her siblings, four-year-old Chris, and one-year-old, Anna,
were alleged to be neglected. The court determined a need for GDHHS to take
nonsecure custody of all three children.
At the filing of the petition, Margaret remained in an out-of-home kinship
placement with her maternal grandparents and Chris and Anna remained at home
with Respondents. Subsequently Margaret was moved to foster care and then was
moved into the home of her maternal grandmother by court order, and Chris and
Anna were removed from Respondents’ home and to foster care.
The adjudication and disposition hearing was held on 8 November 2019. By
order entered 13 December 2019, the court concluded Margaret was an abused
juvenile and all three children were neglected. The court denied Respondents any
visitation with the children. Respondents timely appealed.
II. Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction lies in this Court from an appeal of the adjudication and
disposition order pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-1001(a)(3) (2019).
III. Issues
Respondents argue the trial court erred by: (1) admitting hearsay evidence,
(2) adjudicating Margaret abused and neglected, and Chris and Anna neglected and
(3) arbitrarily denying Respondents any visitation with all three children.
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IV. Respondent-stepfather’s Standing
Margaret, Chris, and Anna are children of different biological fathers.
Respondent-stepfather is not the legal or putative father of Margaret or Chris.
Respondent-stepfather is the biological father of Anna. Only Respondent-stepfather
is a party to this appeal. This Court has made a distinction between a parent and
stepparent.
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-101(8) defines caretaker as a person other than a parent, guardian, or custodian who is responsible for the health and welfare of a juvenile, and specifies that this term includes a stepparent. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-1002(4) does not authorize an appeal by a stepparent in the absence of record evidence that the stepparent has become the child’s parent through adoption or is otherwise qualified under the statute.
In re M.S., 247 N.C. App. 89, 93-94, 785 S.E.2d 590, 593 (2016) (alternations,
citations, and internal quotations omitted). Respondent-stepfather has standing to
appeal only on behalf of his biological daughter, Anna. He has no standing to appeal
the order regarding either Margaret or Chris.
V. Analysis
A. Parental Rights
We have long recognized that the [Fourteenth] Amendment’s Due Process Clause, like its Fifth Amendment counterpart, guarantees more than fair process. The Clause also includes a substantive component that provides heightened protection against government interference with certain fundamental rights and liberty interests. The liberty interest at issue in this case—the
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interest of parents in the care, custody, and control of their children—is perhaps the oldest of the fundamental liberty interests recognized by this Court.
Troxel v. Granville, 530 U.S. 57, 65, 147 L. Ed. 2d 49, 56 (2000) (alterations, internal
citations and quotation marks omitted). The Supreme Court of the United States
also held “the liberty protected by the Due Process Clause includes the right of
parents to establish a home and bring up children and to control the education of
their own.” Id.
Both of the holdings in Stanley v. Illinois, 405 U.S. 645, 31 L. Ed. 2d 551 (1972)
and Santosky v. Kramer, 455 U.S. 745, 71 L. Ed. 2d 599 (1982) also demonstrate that
under fundamental common law and Constitutional protections, “the parents’ right
to retain custody of their child and to determine the care and supervision suitable for
their child, is a ‘fundamental liberty interest’ which warrants due process protection.”
In re Montgomery, 311 NC 101, 106, 316 S.E.2d 246, 250 (1984).
[T]he child is not the mere creature of the State; those who nurture him and direct his destiny have the right, coupled with the high duty, to recognize and prepare him for additional obligations . . . . there is a constitutional dimension to the right of parents to direct the upbringing of their children. It is cardinal with us that the custody, care and nurture of the child reside first in the parents, whose primary function and freedom include preparation for obligations the [S]tate can neither supply nor hinder.
Troxel, 530 U.S. at 65, 147 L. Ed. 2d at 56.
B. Hearsay Evidence
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The North Carolina Constitution and General Statutes mandate the trial court
must protect the due process and parental rights of the juvenile’s parent and of the
juvenile throughout the adjudicatory hearing. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-802 (2019).
“Where the juvenile is alleged to be abused, neglected, or dependent, the rules of
evidence in civil cases shall apply.” N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-804 (2019).
Respondents assert inadmissible and prejudicial hearsay was admitted at the
hearing. “Hearsay is a statement, other than one made by the declarant while
testifying at the trial or hearing, offered in evidence to prove the truth of the matter
asserted.” N.C. Gen. Stat. § 8C-1, Rule 801(c) (2019) (internal quotation marks
omitted). “Hearsay is not admissible except as provided by statute or by these rules.”
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 8C-1, Rule 802 (2019).
1. Hearsay Exceptions
Hearsay may be admissible if the statement meets the requirement of a
statutory exception. “A statement is admissible as an exception to the hearsay rule
if it is offered against a party and it is (A) his own statement, in either his individual
or a representative capacity.” N.C. Gen. Stat. § 8C-1, Rule 801(d) (2019).
2. Inadmissible Hearsay
Margaret did not appear nor testify at the hearing. Nothing in the record
shows she was unavailable as a witness. Respondents assert findings of fact 12-15 of
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the adjudication and disposition order are based on inadmissible and prejudicial
hearsay and repeat parts of GDHHS’ petition’s allegations verbatim.
Findings of facts 12 and 13 relayed the reports made to Child Protective
Services (CPS) asserting Margaret had bruises on 21 May 2019, and new bruises on
22 May 2019. Margaret did not want to state who had disciplined her. GDHHS
points out these findings are intended as recitations of historical accounts of the
background events leading up to the filing of the juvenile petition.
Respondents assert finding of fact 14 and portions of finding 15 rest upon
hearsay. Respondents assert Margaret’s out-of-court statements were inadmissible
hearsay. The trial court found:
14. On May 22, 2019, [Joyce] interviewed [Margaret] . . . [Margaret] informed . . . Joyce that she got up early after Respondent-stepfather, went to work . . . She said that she did not know if she missed the bus, so she started walking to school . . . [Margaret said] the neighbor took her to school . . . [and] she was afraid to go home yesterday because she took (sic) her head wrap off because it was hurting her. Margaret stated that her mother told her if she took her head wrap off, she would get a whipping . . . She said that the marks on her back were from getting a whipping from her stepfather, who whipped her with a belt buckle . . . She said normally she gets whipped on her legs and back . . . marks are left every time. . . . [Joyce] observed the juvenile had marks on her lower back and a mark near her neck area.
15. . . . . She was told that [Margaret] was afraid to go home and that there were marks on her back from physical discipline. [Respondent-mother] confirmed that she did physically discipline [Margaret] by whipping her and
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[Respondent-stepfather] also physically disciplined her because of her lying. [Respondent-mother] stated that the bruises were an accident (sic) because [Margaret] was moving around while [Respondent-stepfather] was trying to discipline her. She confirmed that she disciplines [Margaret] by making her eat crunchy peanut butter sandwiches as a form of punishment for lying because [Margaret] does not like crunchy peanut butter sandwiches. [Respondent-mother] further stated that she takes the juvenile’s bed privileges away for lying, and she stands in the corner from 3:30pm until dinner-around 6:00pm, then after eating she makes the juvenile stand in the corner until time to go to bed at 8:00pm; the juvenile has to sleep on the floor. [Respondent-mother] indicated that these disciplinary acts are used when the juvenile lies; however, that did not normally occur every day, but had been occurring every day lately. She indicated that [Margaret] had been lying about her headwrap. [Respondent-mother] stated that [Margaret’s] hair is hard to manage, and she makes her wear a headwrap to keep from pulling at her hair. She informed [Joyce] that she did not see anything wrong with her means of discipline. [Joyce] informed [Respondent-mother] that the Department could not condone her disciplinary practices[.]
At adjudication, Respondents objected to the introduction of hearsay evidence
eleven times. Ten of those objections were overruled without any finding or ruling on
a proper hearsay exception to allow their admission. Here, the issues are whether
abuse and neglect of the minor children had occurred. Respondents assert the trial
court’s findings on the alleged abuse are based upon out-of-court statements offered
to prove the matter asserted and these statements did not meet any exception to be
admitted.
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The findings of fact rely upon out-of-court statements used to prove the truth
of purported abuse and neglect of Margaret and piggyback those inadmissible
hearsay statements to show purported neglect of Chris and Anna. No competent
evidence whatsoever was presented to support the purported finding in finding of fact
that Margaret was afraid to go home or fearful of retaliation.
GDHHS argues both respondents admitted to the details Margaret shared
about their discipline. As such, GDHHS asserts the Respondents’ statements are
permitted as admissions of a party-opponent pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 8C-1, Rule
801 (permitting hearsay if a statement is offered against a party and it is his own
statement).
Respondents’ statements may be admissible as a statement by a party
opponent pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 8C-1, Rule 801(d). However, finding 14 is
replete with the out-of-court statements purportedly made by Margaret to Joyce.
Margaret was not found to be unavailable as a witness. GDHHS never argued any
hearsay exception applied to prevent Margaret from appearing and testifying as a
witness based upon her age, competency, or otherwise.
Finding of fact 14 and portions of finding of fact 15 are based upon inadmissible
hearsay statements attributed to Margaret. These findings are erroneous and
unsupported by clear and convincing evidence.
Here, the trial court’s finding that GDHHS had asserted inappropriate
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discipline of Margaret is arguably supported by Respondents’ statements, to
overcome the prejudice of incompetent evidence. See In re McMillon, 143 N.C. App.
402, 411, 546 S.E.2d 169, 175 (holding the admission of incompetent evidence is not
prejudicial where there is other competent evidence to support the district court’s
findings), disc. review denied, 354 N.C. 218, 554 S.E.2d 341 (2001).
C. Remaining Findings of Fact
Respondents assert that two sentences of finding of fact 17 are unsupported.
Respondents assert no evidence identifies the names of all attendees at the Child and
Family Team meeting or that Respondents had required Margaret to do her
homework on one leg. GDHHS concedes no evidence supports the challenged
statements. These two statements of finding of fact are unsupported by any evidence.
Respondent-mother also challenges finding of fact 20 that she has an extensive
CPS history in Randolph County and Guilford County. Finding of fact 20 lists three
previous reports involving Margaret. Respondent-mother argues finding 20 details
GDHHS’ process and is hearsay and cannot be used for the truth of the matter
asserted.
GDHHS argues these reports are permitted pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 8C-
1 Rule 803(6) (business records of regularly conducted activity are not excluded by
the hearsay rule). A business record may be admitted when:
[A] proper foundation . . . is laid by . . . a witness who is familiar with the . . . records and the methods under which
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they were made so as to satisfy the court that . . . the sources of information, and the time of preparation render such evidence trustworthy.
In re S.D.J., 192 N.C. App. 478, 482, 665 S.E.2d 818, 821 (2008).
At the adjudication, Joyce testified to the proper foundation of receipt of these
records and Respondent-mother’s records in Randolph County fall within the
business records exception to the hearsay rule. Respondent-mother’s challenge to
this finding is overruled.
Findings 23 and 24 are the alleged criminal histories of Margaret’s and Chris’
putative fathers, but no records were provided or presented to the court to support
these findings. These criminal histories are presumably presented to prove the
children are neglected by proxy, by actions of non-party “caretaker[s] [who do] not
provide proper care, supervision, or discipline . . . or who lives in an environment
injurious to the juvenile’s welfare.” N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-101(15)( ii) (2019). Findings
23 and 24 are irrelevant as neither of these men are parties in the appeal before us.
Finding 26 states Respondent-stepfather did not believe the disciplinary
actions were inappropriate, and he never disclosed he would not discipline Chris and
Anna in the same manner he had disciplined Margaret. Finding 26 is an arbitrary
presumption of a forecast of how Respondent-stepfather may discipline Chris and
Anna in the future and is unsupported by testimony or other evidence.
The statements and hearsay which support findings of fact 14, 17, 23-24 and
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26 were improperly allowed. Findings 15 and 20 are based upon hearsay but may be
properly admitted with proper foundations under established exceptions.
D. Abuse and Neglect
1. Standard of Review
The role of this Court in reviewing a trial court’s adjudication of neglect and abuse is to determine whether the findings of fact are supported by clear and convincing evidence, and whether the legal conclusions are supported by the findings of fact. If such evidence exists, the findings of the trial court are binding on appeal, even if the evidence would support a finding to the contrary.
In re T.H.T., 185 N.C. App. 337, 343, 648 S.E.2d 519, 523 (2007) (alterations, internal
citations and quotation marks omitted).
2. Juvenile Code
An abused juvenile is one whose parent “inflicts or allows to be inflicted upon
the juvenile a serious physical injury by other than accidental means [or] creates or
allows to be created a substantial risk of serious physical injury to the juvenile by
other than accidental means.” N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-101(1)(a)-(b) (2019). A neglected
juvenile “whose parent, guardian, custodian, or caretaker does not provide proper
care, supervision, or discipline; . . . or who lives in an environment injurious to the
juvenile’s welfare.” N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-101 (15).
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“In determining whether a child is neglected, the determinative factors are the
circumstances and conditions surrounding the child, not the fault or culpability of the
parent.” In re Montgomery, 311 N.C. at 109, 316 S.E.2d at 252.
“In order to adjudicate a juvenile neglected, our courts have additionally
required that there be some physical, mental, or emotional impairment of the juvenile
or a substantial risk of such impairment as a consequence of the failure to provide
proper care, supervision, or discipline.” In re Stumbo, 357 N.C. 279, 283, 582 S.E.2d
255, 258 (2003) (emphasis supplied).
3. Margaret
a. Serious Physical Injury
GDHHS alleged and asserted Margaret had suffered “serious physical injury
by other than accidental means” or faced “a substantial risk” of suffering it. N.C. Gen.
Stat. § 7B-101(1)(a)-(b). GDHHS provided evidence tending to show: (1) Joyce
observed marks on Margaret’s lower back and a mark near her neck, and (2)
Respondent-mother admitted the bruises were an accident prompted by Margaret’s
movement while being disciplined with a belt.
This Court, when determining whether a “serious physical injury” exists in the
context of an abuse adjudication, has held “the nature of the injury is dependent on
the facts of each case.” In re L.T.R., 181 N.C. App. 376, 383, 639 S.E.2d 122, 126
(2007).
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This Court has previously and repeatedly declined to find spanking that
resulted in a temporary bruise constitutes abuse. See Scott v. Scott, 157 N.C. App.
382, 387, 579 S.E.2d 431, 435 (2003) (no conclusive evidence of abuse where spanking
with a belt left temporary red marks on child’s back and buttocks).
This Court is bound by these precedents. In re Civil Penalty, 324 N.C. 373, 384,
379 S.E.2d 30, 36 (1989). No evidence was presented to show Margaret suffered
anything other than temporary marks or bruising from the spanking. The evidence
and findings mandate the same conclusion here that spanking with temporary marks
and bruises are not “serious physical injury” under the statute to support an
adjudication of abuse. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-101.
Clear and convincing evidence must support a finding and conclusion that
Margaret suffered or will suffer “serious physical injury” to support an adjudication
of abuse or neglect under either the statute or our precedents. Scott, 157 N.C. App.
at 387, 579 S.E.2d at 435. Presuming the juvenile was corporally punished, forced to
eat crunchy peanut butter sandwiches, stands in the corner for a lengthy time or upon
one leg while doing homework, or sleeps upon the floor as punishments for lying, none
of those actions, standing alone or taken together, are sufficient to show clear and
convincing evidence of abuse or neglect.
b. Grossly Inappropriate Procedures
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The Juvenile Code includes in its definition of abuse that the parent “uses or
allows to be used upon the juvenile cruel or grossly inappropriate procedures or cruel
or grossly inappropriate devices to modify behavior.” N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-101(1)(c)
(2019).
The trial court received into evidence the Guardian ad Litem’s exhibit number
one, a letter purportedly written by Margaret stating she wanted to stay with her
grandmother, and “only once my mom tried to choke me.” As noted above, Margaret
was not found to be unavailable and was not called as a witness. “[P]recedent requires
that the trial court enter sufficient findings of fact to support its conclusion of
unavailability.” In re B.W., ___ N.C. App. ___, ___, ___ S.E.2d ___, ___, 2020 WL
6733479, at *5 (2020); see also State v. Fowler, 353 N.C. 599, 610, 548 S.E.2d 684, 693
(2001); State v. Clonts, 254 N.C. App. 95, 115, 802 S.E.2d 531, 545, aff’d, 371 N.C.
191, 813 S.E.2d 796 (2018).
No argument was asserted that a hearsay exception applied to prevent her
from appearing and testifying as a witness based on her age or competency. This
exhibit is inadmissible hearsay presented to prove the truth of a matter asserted in
the form of a purported letter from Margaret addressed to the trial court. This letter
is inadmissible hearsay and should not have been received into evidence.
Inadmissible hearsay cannot support a finding and certainly is not clear and
convincing evidence to show Margaret had been choked or subjected to “cruel or
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grossly inappropriate” discipline by Respondents. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-101(1)(c). See
Rholetter v. Rholetter, 162 N.C. App. 653, 656-61, 592 S.E.2d 237, 239-42 (2004).
While the trial court’s remaining findings which are supported by competent,
admissible evidence contain discussion of other alleged disciplinary measures
imposed upon Margaret, it is also apparent the trial court’s abuse adjudication is
heavily reliant and intertwined with its findings based on inadmissible evidence.
Consequently, we vacate the adjudication of Margaret as an abused juvenile and
remand this matter for a new hearing at which the trial court should make findings
on properly admitted clear and convincing evidence and make new conclusions of
whether Margaret is an abused juvenile under the statute.
c. Neglect of Margaret
Based on the same findings, the trial court also adjudicated Margaret as a
neglected juvenile. This adjudication of neglect was also a product of the trial court’s
reliance, in significant part, on its findings based on inadmissible evidence. We also
vacate the adjudication of Margaret as a neglected juvenile and remand the matter
to the trial court for a new hearing following which the trial court should make
findings of fact supported by competent, admissible evidence found to be clear and
convincing and, further, to make a new conclusion whether or not Margaret is a
neglected juvenile.
4. Neglect of Chris and Anna
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Respondents argue Chris and Anna are not neglected juveniles because there
was no indication they had ever been harmed or were at any risk of harm. Standing
alone, the unsupported adjudication of abuse of Margaret cannot support
adjudications for her younger siblings in the absence of evidence of their neglect.
[I]n determining whether a juvenile is a neglected juvenile, it is relevant whether that juvenile . . . lives in a home where another juvenile has been subjected to abuse or neglect by an adult who regularly lives in the home . . . . [T]he fact of prior abuse, standing alone, is not sufficient to support an adjudication of neglect. Instead, this Court has generally required the presence of other factors to suggest that the neglect or abuse will be repeated.
In re J.C.B., 233 N.C. App. 641, 644, 757 S.E.2d 487, 489 (2014) (emphasis supplied)
(internal quotation marks and citations omitted).
Nothing in the record indicates Chris or Anna had been harmed or were at risk
of being harmed. Joyce testified there were no concerns with Chris or Anna while
they had remained in Respondents’ care. The trial court concluded Chris and Anna
were neglected based solely on its conclusion Margaret was purportedly abused and
neglected. We reverse the trial court’s conclusion that Chris and Anna are neglected
juveniles and dismiss those petitions.
VI. Dispositional Order
A. Standard of Review
A dispositional order is reviewed for abuse of discretion. “[A]buse of discretion
occurs when the trial court’s ruling is so arbitrary that it could not have been the
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result of a reasoned decision.” In re T.N.G., 244 N.C. App. 398, 408, 781 S.E.2d 93,
100 (2015) (quotation omitted). Dispositional findings must be supported by
competent evidence. In re B.C.T., 265 N.C. App. 176, 185, 828 S.E.2d 50, 57 (2019).
“The court may prohibit visitation or contact by a parent when it is in the juvenile’s
best interest consistent with the juvenile’s health and safety.” In re J.L. 264 N.C.
App. 408, 421, 826 S.E.2d 258, 268 (2019).
B. Visitation Prohibition
The trial court concluded GDHHS had “made reasonable efforts to prevent the
assumption of custody of the juveniles” pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-903(a)(3).
This conclusion was based upon GDHHS’ interview with Margaret, contact with
formerly involved police departments, contact with the school and interviews with
the Respondent-mother and Respondent-stepfather.
Based on those factors, the trial court denied Respondents any contact with
any of their children. Anna was eight months-old when this order was filed, and she
spent her first birthday apart from her parents. Chris was not yet four when the
order denying visitation was filed. This lack of contact occurred despite the absence
of any evidence to support Chris or Anna had been abused or neglected.
The trial court concluded it was in the children’s best interest, consistent with
their health and safety, for them to be denied any visitation with their parents,
relying on incompetent and inadmissible evidence concerning Margaret presented
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during adjudication. The trial court failed to follow North Carolina statutes, and the
rules of evidence. Further, the court abused its discretion by denying any contact
between the children and their mother and Anna with her father, and an unsupported
finding it is in “the best interest of the juvenile consistent with the juvenile’s health
and safety.” N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-905.1(a) (2019).
We vacate the prohibition of visitation and remand to the trial court to order
generous and increasing visitation between Margaret and her mother. See N.C. Gen.
Stat. § 7B-905.1(b) (2019) (permitting the court to arrange visitation by court order).
The dispositional no contact order for Chris and Anna is vacated and those petitions
are dismissed.
VII. Conclusion
Respondent-stepfather maintains standing to challenge the finding and
conclusions regarding his daughter, Anna. The trial court failed to follow the rules
of evidence regarding inadmissible hearsay evidence and used unsupported findings
of fact to sustain findings 12-14, 17, 23-24 and 26, which do not support its
conclusions. The trial court failed to properly find and conclude Chris and Anna were
abused and neglected. Further, the trial court failed to admit or find clear and
convincing evidence that the discipline of Margaret rose to the level of a “serious
physical injury” as a result of the corporal punishment or other means of parental
discipline.
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We vacate the adjudication and disposition order and remand for dismissal of
the petitions concerning Chris and Anna. Chris and Anna are to be immediately
returned to their mother and stepfather.
We also vacate the denial of visitation for Respondent-mother and remand for
entry of an order of increasing visitation for Respondent-mother and Margaret. Any
new hearing on remand must be conducted in accordance with the Constitutional and
due process rights of the Respondents as parents, including live testimony of
witnesses in the absence of a supported finding of unavailability in accordance with,
the applicable statutes, the rules of evidence, and our precedents. It is so ordered.
VACATED AND REMANDED.
Judges STROUD and HAMPSON concur.
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