In Re Stephanie P., (Jun. 21, 1999)

1999 Conn. Super. Ct. 6574
CourtConnecticut Superior Court
DecidedJune 21, 1999
StatusUnpublished

This text of 1999 Conn. Super. Ct. 6574 (In Re Stephanie P., (Jun. 21, 1999)) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Connecticut Superior Court primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
In Re Stephanie P., (Jun. 21, 1999), 1999 Conn. Super. Ct. 6574 (Colo. Ct. App. 1999).

Opinion

MEMORANDUM OF DECISION
I. INTRODUCTION

This case presents a petition filed on August 17, 1998 by the Department of Children and Families (hereinafter referred to as the "petitioner" or "DCF") which seeks the termination of the parental rights of Jeanne P. and Shane P. to their now eight and one half year old daughter, Stephanie P.

At the commencement of trial, Shane executed an affidavit consenting to the termination of his parental rights which, after a full canvass in the presence of his attorney, resulted in a finding by the court that said consent was knowingly and voluntarily made and was a valid ground for terminating his parental rights. The father then requested permission to return to the correctional institution from whence he came as he had no desire to remain in attendance during the trial. The court, therefore, excused Shane although his attorney did fully participate in the subsequent proceedings.

II. HISTORY OF PROCEEDINGS CT Page 6575

Court proceedings originated on August 30, 1995 when the petitioner filed a petition against Stephanie's mother and father alleging that said child was neglected in that she was being permitted to live under conditions, circumstances or associations injurious to her health. Connecticut General Statutes §46b-120 (8). On September 8, 1995, an order of temporary custody was issued by the court (Doherty, J.) which was confirmed on September 15, 1995. On August 23, 1996 the court (Dennis, J.) adjudicated the child as a neglected child and committed Stephanie to the care and custody of the petitioner. Extensions of that commitment were granted by the court on July 25, 1997 (Dennis, J.) and July 1, 1998 (Swienton, J.). The current commitment order will expire on August 23, 1999.

The court finds that the mother and father have appeared and have court-appointed attorneys, as does the child. The court has jurisdiction in this matter. There is no pending action affecting the custody of Stephanie in any other court.

Although father has consented to the termination, mother remains steadfastly opposed to the termination of her parental fights. The petitioner has proceeded against the mother on the ground that she is the parent of a child who in a prior proceeding was found to be neglected and has failed to achieve such degree of personal rehabilitation as would encourage the belief that, within a reasonable time, considering the age and needs of the child, she could assume a responsible position in the life of the child: Connecticut General Statutes § 17a-112 (c)(3)(B)(1).

The court, having read the verified petitions, the social studies and the various documents entered into evidence, and having heard the testimony of the witnesses, does hereby make the following findings:

III. FACTS

Stephanie is one of three children born to Jeanne P., all of whom were the subject of the neglect petition, order of temporary custody and order of commitment previously referred to herein.2 Carissa was born November 6, 1981, Stephanie born January 20, 1991 and Destiny on August 3, 1995 each of whom were fathered by different men. CT Page 6576

The neglect petition was filed twenty-seven days after Destiny's birth due to, inter alia, Jeanne's abuse of cocaine evidenced by the fact that Destiny was born with cocaine in her system. DCF was also concerned about information that Jeanne's boyfriend was selling drugs from the residence and that he, as was the case with all three children's fathers, was also prone to engage in the verbal and physical abuse of Jeanne. The order of temporary custody was sought and obtained by DCF only eight days after the petition was filed as a consequence of a fire which engulfed Jeanne's residence and which was started by then four-year old Stephanie at approximately 11:00 a.m. while Jeanne was sound asleep due to the apparent influence of "Nyquill". The infant Destiny inhaled so much smoke that she had to be transported to the hospital by Life Star helicopter with life-threatening symptoms which fortunately were successfully treated by emergency room personnel.

Her three children having been removed from her custody, Jeanne followed DCF's recommendation and participated in a substance abuse evaluation at the McCall Foundation which resulted in her successful completion of a thirty-day inpatient program at the Carnes-Weeks Center. At discharge on December 1, 1995, the program providers recommended that Jeanne stay abstinent and avoid abusive relationships. She was then referred to McCall's for outpatient follow-up and to the Susan B. Anthony program for abused women. (Respondent's Exhibit #1). By August 1996, Jeanne was making significant progress in attaining the goal of reunification with her children. She had several negative tests for substance use, had found an apartment adequate for the children's needs and was regularly attending substance abuse group meetings. DCF had contracted with N.O.W. Inc. of Waterbury to implement a full-service intensive reunification program on Jeanne's behalf. On August 19, 1996, however, a DCF social worker spotted Henry S. on Jeanne's couch, a person known to the petitioner to have a criminal record to include convictions for domestic violence and who was a drug user and suspected dealer.

At the hearing on August 23. 1996 which resulted in the neglect adjudication and commitment order, the court (Dennis, J.) issued certain expectations to Jeanne which she then signed (State's Exhibit 1) and specifically ordered her to have no contact with Henry S.3 It is important to note that below Stephanie's signature is the following advisement:

"Note to Parents: CT Page 6577 If you fulfill the court's expectations, you will improve your chances of regaining, or keeping, guardianship of your child permanently. Failure to achieve these goals will increase the chance that a petition may be filed to terminate your parental rights permanently so that your child may be placed in adoption. If you need help in reaching any of these expectations, contact your lawyer and/or DCF worker." (Emphasis added.)

Among the expectations that Jeanne needed to fulfill were attendance at parenting classes, continued participation in substance abuse counseling and treatment and submission to random drug tests. Jeanne also agreed to follow the recommendations of DCF and the service providers and was obligated to keep her whereabouts known to the department. In October, 1996, due to the suspected involvement of mother with Henry S. and the subsequent commitment of the children, the N.O.W. reunification program was suspended, pending follow thru on the expectations and the outcome of a court-ordered psychological evaluation. The N.O.W. report, while noting that Jeanne did well in the program and did regain the ability to parent her children, recommended that she complete parenting classes and the physical abuse program at Susan B. Anthony as prerequisites for the return of her children. (Respondent's Exhibit #8).

On December 5, 1996 Dr. David M. Mantel, a clinical psychologist, performed his first of three court ordered evaluations. The initial evaluation was of Jeanne and all three children. (State's Exhibit #9). Noting mother's transient residential pattern, her abuse of cocaine and her past physically abusive relationships with the father's of the children and her boyfriends, Dr. Mantel testified that Jeanne had no insight as to the danger to the children posed by her relationships and her behavior.

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Bluebook (online)
1999 Conn. Super. Ct. 6574, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/in-re-stephanie-p-jun-21-1999-connsuperct-1999.