In Re Trejo Minors

612 N.W.2d 407, 462 Mich. 341

• Court: Michigan Supreme Court
• Decided: July 5, 2000
• Docket: 112528, Calendar No. 10
• Status: Published

Opinions

Weaver, C.J.

This case involves an order terminating parental rights pursuant to MCL 712A.19b; MSA 27.3178(598.19b). Specifically, we address, on first impression, the constitutionality and operation of subsection (5) of this statute that was enacted by 1994 PA 264.¹ Appellant-respondent contends that subsection 19b(5) violates due process and that the probate court erred in terminating her parental rights.

We hold that subsection 19b(5) makes termination mandatory if the petitioner establishes a statutory ground for termination under subsection 19b(3) unless the court finds that termination is clearly not in the child’s best interest. We hold further that subsection 19b(5) is constitutional.

For the reasons that follow, we affirm the termination of appellant-respondent’s parental rights in this case.

I. FACTS

Appellant-respondent (hereinafter respondent) was divorced in November 1994 and awarded legal custody of the couple’s three children.² Respondent soon found herself unable to provide suitable housing and care for the children. On April 28, 1995, respondent approached the Department of Social Services (hereinafter petitioner) requesting placement in foster care for two of her three minor children, then ages one and three years old. Respondent expressed concern that she might verbally abuse the children. She had already placed her five-year-old son in the care of her parents.

On May 1, 1995, respondent was interviewed by petitioner, at which time she did not agree to the suggested assistance designed to keep the family intact. Testimony also revealed that respondent did not seek or accept assistance from other family members or friends. Instead, she took the two children to their father’s place of work and left them. The father was also unable to provide suitable housing for the children.

Petitioner filed a complaint and a petition for temporary custody pursuant to MCL 712A.2(b)(l); MSA 27.3178(598.2)(b)(l) in the Oakland County Probate Court, and a preliminary hearing was held on May 2, 1995. At the preliminary hearing, the court found that probable cause existed to support the allegations in the petition and ordered that the three children be placed in the care and custody of petitioner on May 2, 1995. Petitioner placed the two younger children in foster care and allowed the eldest child to stay with his maternal grandparents.

At the pretrial hearing on May 15, 1995, both parents pleaded being responsible for allegations in an amended petition, including the allegations of failure to provide adequate housing and, as to the respondent, her fear that she would verbally abuse the children if they were left in her care.

Regular review hearings were held over the following twelve months. Pursuant to a series of parent-agency agreements,³ respondent obtained transportation and a full-time job for an extended period. However, she failed to obtain or maintain housing adequate for the children. She moved five times from the beginning of the temporary wardship until the petition for the termination of her parental rights was filed in July 1996. Respondent did complete parenting classes after a slow start and over an extended time schedule, but her reviews from the completed classes were poor. Respondent also had difficulties complying with the individual therapy requirements of the agreement. She quit her first counselor abruptly. Her attendance at sessions with her second counselor was sporadic and her progress slow.

Respondent’s visitations were supervised at first, but were ordered unsupervised after a June 1995 review hearing. At that time, all three children were placed together with the paternal grandparents. However, testimony revealed that the care of the three young children proved too difficult for the paternal grandparents. At a review hearing in September 1995, the paternal grandparents asked for assistance from respondent and other family members. Because they did not receive sufficient assistance from respondent or other relatives, the children’s guardian ad litem filed an emergency review petition. After reviewing the petition filed on October 20, 1995, the three children were placed in foster care.

Initially, the children were not in the same foster care home. The five and three year old were placed together and the one and a half year old with a different foster care family. The children were separated until the foster family that had taken the older children received licensure that allowed them to have three children. The youngest child joined her siblings in April 1996.

There was testimony from the foster parents that the older children would act out—first, after unsupervised overnight visitations, and then, with increasing intensity, after every unsupervised visitation. At a review hearing in March 1996, the court ordered that the visits again be supervised and that the parents, who fought in front of the children, visit separately. During the supervised visits that followed, the caseworker observed that respondent was unwilling or unable to control her children’s increasingly difficult and sometimes violent behavior.

Pursuant to MCL 712A.19a; MSA 27.3178(598.19a),⁴ a permanency planning hearing was held on June 12, 1996. The court found that there continued to be no viable plan for the return of the children to either parent and no compelling evidence that the matter would improve in another three months. The court further found that it had not been demonstrated that initiating termination of parental rights proceedings would be adverse to the interests of the children.

Petitioner filed a petition to terminate parental rights on July 12, 1996. The petition alleged three statutory grounds for termination.⁵ The hearing on the petition to terminate parental rights commenced September 25, 1996, and was continued on September 27, October 27 and November 20. The court determined at the outset that it would consider the alleged grounds and the best interest evidence separately.⁶

Petitioner presented one witness regarding the alleged grounds for termination, the family’s case worker, who was examined and cross-examined by the parties. Respondent did not call any witnesses regarding the alleged grounds for termination. After hearing the case worker’s testimony, the court found that petitioner had proven subsections 19b(3)(c)(i) and 19b(3)(g) by clear and convincing evidence. Following this conclusion, the court asked to hear testimony regarding the best interests of the children. Two days of testimony regarding the children’s best interests followed. On November 20, 1996, the court concluded that the evidence had clearly and convincingly demonstrated that termination was in the children’s best interests, and it entered an order terminating respondent’s parental rights on December 2, 1996.

Respondent filed her claim of appeal on January 13, 1997. The Court of Appeals affirmed in a unpublished opinion per curiam on June 12, 1998 (Docket No. 200486). We granted leave to appeal. 459 Mich 1001 (1999).

H

Under MCL 712A.19b(3); MSA 27.3178(598.19b)(3), it is well established that the petitioner for the termination of parental rights bears the burden of proving at least one ground for termination. In re Sours Minors, 459 Mich 624; 593 NW2d 520 (1999). The question presented by this case is how to apply subsection 19b(5), which was enacted by 1994 PA 264. Subsection 19b(5) provides in pertinent part that the court “shall” terminate parental rights if one statutory ground for termination is found, “unless” termination is clearly not in the child’s best interests.

Before the amendments to chapter XIIA of 1939 PA 288 enacted by 1994 PA 264, a court’s decision to terminate parental rights was discretionary once the court found clear and convincing evidence that one or more statutory grounds for termination existed. The prior statute did not expressly require consideration of the child’s best interests.⁷ The amendments to the law addressing the termination of parental rights enacted by 1994 PA 264 reflected ongoing concern that children were languishing indefinitely in the temporary custody of the court.⁸ The statute, as amended by 1994 PA 264, requires that, if the court finds clear and convincing evidence that the petitioner has proven one or more grounds for termination,

the court shall order termination of parental rights and order that additional efforts for reunification of the child with the parent not be made, unless the court finds that termination of parental rights to the child is clearly not in the child’s best interests. [MCL 712A.19b(5); MSA 27.3178(598.19b)(5).]

The amended court rule, MCR 5.974, similarly mandates termination once one or more grounds for termination is proven, unless “termination is clearly not in the best interest of the child.”⁹ MCR 5.974(E)(2).

This Court has not directly addressed the operation of subsection 19b(5). The prevailing interpretation of subsection 19b(5) at the Court of Appeals is that the statute creates “a mandatory presumption that can only be rebutted by a showing that termination is clearly not in the child’s best interest.” In re Hall-Smith, 222 Mich App 470, 472; 564 NW2d 156 (1997). As to the best interest provision of 19b(5), Hall-Smith held:

Although the burden of proof remains with the petitioner to show that a statutory ground for termination has been met by clear and convincing evidence, MCR 5.974(A)(3) and (F)(3), we believe that the burden of going forward with evidence that termination is clearly not in a child’s best interest rests with the respondent. [Id., pp 472-473.]

While we acknowledge Hall-Smith’s attempt to give meaning to the mandatory language of subsection 19b(5), we reject the notion that the best interest clause of subsection 19b(5) imposes a burden of production on the party opposing termination. Nor does the best interest provision of subsection 19b(5) impose any further burden of proof on the petitioner once the petitioner has carried its burden of establishing one or more grounds for termination.

Subsection 19b(5) unambiguously provides that once the petitioner proves at least one ground for termination by clear and convincing evidence, the court “shall order termination.” Absent any further language, the statute would create a legally binding rule. However, reading subsection 19b(5) in its entirety, we conclude that subsection 19b(5) preserves to the court the opportunity to find that termination is “clearly not in the child’s best interests” despite the establishment of one or more grounds for termination.

We reject Hall-Smith’s characterization of subsection 19b(5) as creating a rebuttable presumption, because the plain language of subsection 19b(5) does not expressly assign any party the burden of producing best interest evidence. Although Hall-Smith and its progeny specifically require the parent to put forth some evidence that termination is clearly not in the child’s best interest,¹⁰ subsection 19b(5) does not specify that it is the parent who carries the burden of producing best interest evidence opposing termination. While we recognize that the party opposing the established grounds for termination will almost always be a parent, we hold that under subsection 19b(5), the court may consider evidence introduced by any party¹¹ when determining whether termination is clearly not in a child’s best interest. Further, even where no best interest evidence is offered after a ground for termination has been established, we hold that subsection 19b(5) permits the court to find from evidence on the whole record that termination is clearly not in a child’s best interests. Thus, we expressly reject the dicta of In re Boursaw, 239 Mich App 161, 180; 607 NW2d 408 (2000), that, “[i]f the parent does not put forth any evidence addressing the issue [of the child’s best interests], termination is automatic.”¹²

Subsection 19b(5) attempts to strike the difficult balance between the policy favoring the preservation of the family unit and that of protecting a child’s right and need for security and permanency. While the operation of subsection 19b(5) imbues the court with some discretion, that discretion is significantly diminished from the prior law, which permitted the court to not terminate, even where at least one ground for termination was established. Once a ground for termination is established, the court must issue an order terminating parental rights unless there exists clear evidence, on the whole record, that termination is not in the child’s best interests.

m

Respondent first contends that once a ground for termination has been established, the best interest clause of subsection 19b(5) violates due process because it imposes the “impossible” burden of proving a negative, i.e., that “termination ... is clearly not in the child’s best interests.” We conclude that subsection 19b(5) is constitutional and that the subsection 19b(5)’s best interest provision, in fact, provides an opportunity for the court to find that termination is clearly not in the child’s best interest, despite the establishment of one or more grounds for termination.

Statutes must be construed in a constitutional manner if possible, and the burden of proving that a statute is unconstitutional is on the party challenging it. Gora v City of Ferndale, 456 Mich 704, 711; 576 NW2d 141 (1998). In determining the constitutionality of the best interest provision of subsection 19b(5), a review of the procedural requirements once a petition to terminate parental rights is filed is helpful. A respondent must be afforded written notice of a hearing on the petition to terminate parental rights. MCL 712A.19b(2); MSA 27.3178(598.19b)(2). As we have stated, MCL 712A.19b(3); MSA 27.3178(598.19b)(3) requires that the petitioner prove by clear and convincing evidence at least one ground for termination. A respondent is afforded the opportunity to present evidence and witnesses at a hearing on the termination of parental rights and to confront and cross-examine evidence and witnesses used against the respondent. MCL 712A.19b(l); MSA 27.3178(598.19b)(l), see also MCR 5.974. The court must state its findings and conclusions on the record or in writing. MCL 712A.19b(l); MSA 27.3178(598.19b)(l).

Once the petitioner has presented clear and convincing evidence that persuades the court that at least one ground for termination is established under subsection 19b(3), the liberty interest of the parent no longer includes the right to custody and control of the children. See In re LaFlure, 48 Mich App 377, 387; 210 NW2d 482 (1973). In re LaFlure, supra, upheld the constitutionality of 1972 PA 59, subsection 19a®, because the Court held that subsection 19a(f) required the petitioner to prove at least one ground for termination by clear and convincing evidence. Similarly, once at least one ground for termination is proven under subsection 19b(3), we hold that the parent’s interest in the companionship, care, and custody of the child gives way to the state’s interest in the child’s protection.

The best interest provision of subsection 19b(5) provides the court the opportunity to find that termination is clearly not in the child’s best interest. The primary beneficiary of this opportunity is intended to be the child. Secondarily, the provision affords respondents additional protection by permitting the court to consider evidence, within the whole record, that termination is clearly not in a child’s best interests. Again, the court must state its findings and conclusions regarding any best interest evidence on the record or in writing. MCL 712A.19b(l); MSA 27.3178(598.19b)(l).

Rather than imposing an impermissible burden on respondent, the best interest provision of subsection 19b(5) actually provides an opportunity to avoid termination, despite the establishment of one or more grounds for termination. Because this opportunity effectively serves respondent’s interests, we reject respondent’s argument that it violates her due process.

iv

Respondent argues that the probate court erred by terminating her parental rights. We review decisions terminating parental rights for clear error: “a decision must strike us as more than just maybe or probably wrong . . . .” Sours, supra, p 633 (citations omitted). We review for clear error both the court’s decision that a ground for termination has been proven by clear and convincing evidence and, where appropriate, the court’s decision regarding the child’s best interest.

Our review reveals that the probate court’s conclusion that two grounds for termination had been established is supported by the record. Further, we conclude that the evidence did not establish that termination was clearly not in the children’s best interests. We note that the court, in fact, went beyond the statutory best interest inquiry by concluding that termination was in the children’s best interests. Subsection 19b(5) allows the court to find that termination is “clearly not in the child’s best interests” despite the establishment of one or more grounds for termination. The statute does not require that the court affirmatively find that termination is in the child’s best interest.

A

As to the grounds for termination, the probate court found that petitioner had proven by clear and convincing evidence that two of the three alleged grounds for termination existed.

The first ground found to be established was subsection 19b(3)(c)(i), which states:

The parent was a respondent in a proceeding brought under this chapter, 182 or more days have elapsed since the issuance of an initial dispositional order, and the court, by clear and convincing evidence, finds [that] [t]he conditions that led to the adjudication continue to exist and there is no reasonable likelihood that the condition will be rectified within a reasonable time considering the child’s age. [MCL 712A. 19b(3)(c)(i); MSA 27.3178(598.19b)(3)(c)(i).]

As to this ground, the probate court found that, although the respondent had apparently overcome her ambivalence to the custody of her children that had in part led to the initial adjudication, she had never resolved the housing issue or produced a viable custodial plan for the care of her children.¹³ The court noted that respondent had had five addresses since her children were placed in the temporary custody of the court and that none had been suitable. The court also found that respondent had failed to produce a custodial plan for the care of children, a condition that initially led respondent to leave one child with grandparents and the others with her ex-husband. Thus, the court concluded that subsection 19b(3)(c)(i) had been proven by clear and convincing evidence.

Our review of the record for clear error reveals that the respondent was given lists of low income housing by the caseworker. It appears respondent was required to obtain and maintain a two- or three-bedroom apartment from the testimony. Respondent may have obtained or nearly obtained potentially suitable housing on two occasions, but was unable to maintain those accommodations, allegedly for financial reasons. Further, the caseworker was unable to determine the suitability of the accommodations because of respondent’s frequent moves.¹⁴ The respondent did not dispute that her living situations from the time the children were adjudicated temporary wards of the state through the date the petition to terminate her parental rights was filed were unsuitable for the children. As of the date of the court’s findings regarding the grounds for termination, respondent was allegedly on the waiting list for a two-bedroom apartment, but had not in fact obtained a two-bedroom apartment. The record also reveals that the respondent did not produce a custodial plan for the care of her children from the time she first contacted the Department of Social Services in the spring of 1995 through to the initial days of the termination hearing in September 1996.

On the evidence presented, we cannot conclude that the court clearly erred by finding that the respondent’s inability to obtain and maintain housing and her failure to offer a viable custodial plan were conditions that led to the adjudication, and were conditions that continued to exist as of September 27, 1996.¹⁵ The dissent’s assertion that the court lacked information regarding the suitability of respondent’s living situation as of that date is incorrect. The undisputed testimony revealed that respondent acknowledged her current housing situation was unsuitable. Further, given respondent’s inability to maintain housing and her frequent moves, we can find no error in the court’s finding that there appeared no reasonable likelihood that these conditions would be rectified within a reasonable time considering the children’s ages. More than a year had passed since the children had become temporary wards of the state. That respondent held merely a place on a waiting list for a two-bedroom apartment on the date of the termination hearing reinforces the conclusion that her living conditions would not likely be rectified within a reasonable time considering the age of the children.

Given our conclusion that subsection 19b(3)(c)(i) was established by clear and convincing evidence, it is technically unnecessary to address the second ground for termination alleged in the petition because the petitioner need only establish one ground for termination under subsection 19b(3)(g). However, because our review of this allegation may provide a more complete understanding of this case, we offer the following analysis. The second ground found to be established was subsection 19b(3)(g):

The parent, without regard to intent, fails to provide proper care or custody for the child and there is no reasonable expectation that the parent will be able to provide proper care and custody within a reasonable time considering the child’s age. [MCL 712A.19b(3)(g); MSA 27.3178(598.19b)(3)(g).]

To support this ground, the petition for termination alleged that respondent had not sufficiently complied with court-ordered requirements in the parent-agency agreements.¹⁶ Of the eight parent-agency agreement requirements with which respondent allegedly failed to comply, the court found clear and convincing evidence to support two. The first requirement again involved respondent’s failure to obtain and maintain appropriate housing for three consecutive months discussed above. The second involved respondent’s failure to demonstrate progress toward the provision of proper care and custody for the children. In this regard, the court focused on respondent’s failure to follow through with and progress in the required individual therapy. In light of respondent’s failure to meet these two requirements, the court concluded that there was clear and convincing evidence to support subsection 19b(3)(g).¹⁷

Our review of the record for clear error reveals that some delay in respondent’s progress in individual therapy may well have been attributable to bureaucratic delays in the referral process. The record nonetheless reflects that respondent quit her first referral because she did not like the counselor. While in certain circumstances, the failure to attend further sessions with a counselor may be excusable, it appears clear in this case that it was the process of counseling, as much as the personality of the counselor, that respondent found difficult. Respondent had attended ten sessions with her second counselor, but had simply failed to attend six sessions and canceled one. The excuse on the record for her sporadic attendance with the second counselor was that counseling proved too depressing, and on a few of those occasions, she could not get transportation. Further, the second therapist testified that she had to reinitiate contact with respondent after missed sessions, because respondent did not attempt to reschedule appointments on her own.¹⁸ We agree that the evidence of respondent’s inability to obtain and maintain suitable housing supports the court’s conclusion that respondent, without regard to her intent, had failed to provide proper care or custody of her children as alleged under subsection 19b (3) (g). Further, we conclude that the court did not clearly err by finding that the evidence of respondent’s slow progress in counseling established the alleged ground for termination under subsection 19b(3)(g).

B

Respondent presented best interest evidence following the court’s conclusion that two statutory grounds were supported by clear and convincing evidence. Respondent testified that she would be moving into an appropriate two bedroom apartment on October 26, 1996, the day following the first day of testimony regarding whether termination was clearly not in the children’s best interests. She had remarried on October 3, 1996, to a man she had been seeing since mid-1995, approximately the time the children were made temporary wards of the court, and whom she had been seriously considering marrying since February 1996. She testified that she would be able to handle having the children back within three months and that she planned to gradually introduce them to her new husband over the following three months before moving the children into his three bedroom home. Respondent also presented testimony of friends regarding their observations of her parenting before and after the children were made temporary wards of the court.

While the court acknowledged that respondent had shown progress since the petition to terminate her parental rights had been filed in July 1996, the court questioned her ability to successfully execute her reunification plan, given her history of false starts and resistance to outside guidance. The court was troubled by respondent’s failure to share information regarding her relationship with her new husband with caseworkers and noted the seeming impulsiveness of her recent marriage. There was serious question whether respondent’s plans “would just add to the chaos and the confusion” the children were exhibiting after over a year in temporary foster care. The court concluded that to place the children with their mother, only to remove them again, would be devastating for the children and that there was “clear and convincing evidence” that termination was in the children’s best interests.¹⁹

On our review of the entire record, we cannot conclude that the court’s assessment of the children’s best interests was clearly erroneous. The evidence that respondent may have acquired an apartment in October 1996 suitable for the children, during the pendency of the permanent custody hearing, does not clearly overwhelm the respondent’s failure over the year the children had been in the court’s temporary custody to obtain or maintain suitable housing. The court did not clearly err by refusing to further delay permanency for the children, given the uncertain potential for success and extended duration of respondent’s reunification plan.

v

We hold that subsection 19b(5) mandates termination once a petitioner establishes at least one statutory ground for termination under subsection 19b(3), unless the court finds that termination is clearly not in the child’s best interest. This interpretation of subsection 19b(5) imposes no additional burden of production upon a respondent-parent and is constitutional.

In this case, the court’s finding that two statutory grounds for termination were established by clear and convincing evidence was not clearly erroneous. Nor was the court’s finding regarding the children’s best interests clearly erroneous. For these reasons, the termination of respondent’s parental rights is affirmed.

Kelly, Taylor, Corrigan, and Young, JJ., concurred with Weaver, C.J.

1 MCL 712A.19b(5); MSA 27.3178(598.19b)(5) states:

If the court finds that there are grounds for termination of parental rights, the court shall order termination of parental rights and order that additional efforts for reunification of the child with the parent not be made, unless the court finds that termination of parental rights to the child is clearly not in the child’s best interests.

2 The father has not appealed the Court of Appeals affirmance of the order terminating his parental rights. We, therefore, address only the facts and issues relevant to respondent’s appeal.

3 In this case, the court ordered that respondent comply with the parent agency agreement in its July 14, 1995, dispositional order. Parent-agency agreements are voluntary agreements between the caseworker and the parent that obligate each to steps specifically tailored to the family’s needs. However, as in this case, the requirements of parent-agency agreements often become part of the court order that implements the case service plan. MCR 5.973(A)(5)(b). Case service plans provide guidance to the agency, parent, and court in assessing a parent’s progress toward reunification. They typically outline the services that will be provided and the expectations of the parents regarding services and visitations. MCL 712A.19; MSA 27.3178(598.19). Failure to substantially comply with a court-ordered case service plan “is evidence that return of the child to the parent may cause a substantial risk of harm to the child’s life, physical health, or mental well being.” MCR 5.973(C)(4)(b).

4 The requirement for a permanency planning hearing is triggered if a child remains in foster care and the parental rights have not been terminated within 364 days of the original petition.

5 The alleged grounds included subsections 19b(3)(c)(i), 19b(3)(c)(ii) and 19b(3)(g):

(c) The parent was a respondent in a proceeding brought under this chapter, 182 or more days have elapsed since the issuance of an initial dispositional order, and the court, by clear and convincing evidence, finds either of the following:

(i) The conditions that led to the adjudication continue to exist and there is no reasonable likelihood that the conditions will be rectified within a reasonable time considering the child’s age.

(ii) Other conditions exist that cause the child to come within the court’s jurisdiction, the parent has received recommendations to rectify those conditions, the conditions have not been rectified by the parent after the parent has received notice and a hearing and has been given a reasonable opportunity to rectify the conditions, and there is no reasonable likelihood that the conditions will be rectified within a reasonable time considering the child’s age.

* *

(g) The parent, without regard to intent, fails to provide proper care or custody for the child and there is no reasonable expectation that the parent will be able to provide proper care and custody within a reasonable time considering the child’s age.

6 The children’s guardian ad litem filed a motion to combine the “best interest phase with fact finding phase” of the termination hearing pursuant to MCR 5.973(A)(2). The respondent argued that MCR 5.974(E) required that the two “phases” be separately argued. We note that neither party cited the correct court rule, given the status of this case. The applicable court rule when, as here, the children have been in foster care in the temporary custody of the court is MCR 5.974(F).

The referee concluded on the facts of this case that “there really is not a provision ... on the amended court rule for a best interest hearing.” Despite this correct conclusion, the referee determined that it would first consider the alleged grounds to support termination and, if a ground was established, proceed to separate consideration of best interest testimony. The dissent incorrectly characterizes this decision as a procedural error that led the parties to wait to produce witnesses at the best interest hearing. The referee’s conclusion regarding the scheduling of the proceeding, in fact, gave both parties the notice and opportunity to present witnesses on each issue. Electing to save witnesses for the best interest hearing is a tactical decision, as is the decision to present only one or zero witnesses regarding the grounds for termination. That only one witness was called with respect to the grounds for termination does not compel the conclusion that the evidence is “plainly insufficient” to support the court’s findings as suggested by the dissent.

Under the court rule applicable in this case, MCR 5.974(F), there need not be a separate hearing regarding the grounds for termination and whether termination is clearly not in the child’s best interest, because under (F)(2) the admissible evidence for both issues includes “all relevant and material evidence, including oral and written reports . . . even though such evidence may not be admissible at trial." (Emphasis added.) In contrast, we note that under MCR 5.974(D) and (E) separate hearings are a practical necessity because evidence to support the grounds for termination must be legally admissible while the evidence regarding whether the termination is clearly not in the child’s best interest is governed by (F)(2).

7 The corresponding court rule, however, required the court to further find that “termination is in the best interest of the child.” MCR 5.974(E)(2), amended in 1995 in response to 1994 PA 264.

8 Amendments made to the law by 1988 PA 223 through 225 were intended to address barriers that delayed the placement of children in permanent loving homes once those children entered the juvenile justice system. 1994 PA 264, which became effective January 1, 1995, addressed additional barriers.

9 MCR 5.974 defines three procedures, depending on the particular circumstances of the termination proceeding. MCR 5.974(D) addresses terminations that occur at the initial disposition hearing, MCR 5.974(E) addresses terminations involving children already within the jurisdiction of the court and where termination is sought on the basis of one or more circumstances different from the offense that led the court to take jurisdiction over the children, and MCR 5.974(F) addresses the termination of parental rights over children that have been in foster care in the temporary custody of the court.

10 Id., p 473; see also In re Hamlet (After Remand), 225 Mich App 505; 571 NW2d 750 (1997), In re Huisman, 230 Mich App 372; 584 NW2d 349 (1998), In re JS & SM, 231 Mich App 92; 585 NW2d 326 (1998), In re EP, 234 Mich App 582; 595 NW2d 167 (1999), and In re Boursaw, 239 Mich App 161; 607 NW2d 408 (2000).

11 MCR 5.903(A)(13)(b) defines “party” in a protective proceeding to include “petitioner, child, respondent parent, or other parent or guardian in a protective proceeding.”

12 We also reject In re Boursaw’s dicta that after a parent presents any best interest evidence the petitioner must “again meet its burden of proof with regard to the matter.” Id. We reiterate, the petitioner carries its burden of proof, and need prove nothing more, once one or more grounds for termination is found.

13 These tasks were among the requirements of the court’s original order of disposition when the children were removed to foster care. See n 3.

14 The parent-agency agreements obligated the caseworker to “monitor and assist parent in obtaining/maintaining suitable, safe housing for self and children by providing referrals for housing, furniture and household items, advocating for utilities, assessing home for cleanliness and providing guidance to improve housekeeping conditions.”

15 As will be discussed below, the respondent did present a plan for the reunification of her children during the termination hearing on October 27, 1996. However, this information was based on events that had not occurred at the time the court found the grounds for termination established on September 27, 1996.

16 Because the court had ordered that respondent comply with the requirements of the parent-agency agreements in the July 14, 1995, dispositional order, the dissent’s argument that subsection 19b(3)(g) does not require compliance with the parent-agency agreement misses the point. The parent-agency agreements in this case were part of the court order, and respondent’s failure to comply with those requirements was indicative of neglect. See n 3.

17 In an effort to discredit the court’s conclusion, the dissent attempts to make it appear that the court leapt straight from a purportedly “vague explanation” of its conclusions regarding respondent’s difficulty with therapy to a discussion of the father’s lack of housing. To clarify the court’s rationale, we offer the following quotation of the court’s analysis and conclusion on the therapy issue:

There has been some effort on the part of the mother to follow through with therapy, although she did stop originally and that may have been a result of confusion on her part or part of her psychological distress in not being able to connect with the therapist.

It also may have been may have been a result of her ambivalence, which was very clear in the beginning, and in fact, not even ambivalence. In the very beginning she clearly indicated that she did not want the children back.

So it’s not clear why exactly the therapy was so slow to start. Part of it, of course, was the bureaucratic requirement that was made reference to that slowed this down, but once it started, the mother stopped therapy extensibly [sic] because she didn’t like the therapist. The exact reason, perhaps, is less important than the fact that it stopped, it slowed down for a while and that delayed this situation.

The end result, however, is that even after a year, even discounting any intent on the mother’s part, there has not been a provision of proper care or custody for these children at ages five, three and one and a half, a little bit older than that now, but at young ages, because of the lack of progress here, that this Court is not satisfied that there is a reasonable expectation that Miss Trejo will be able to provide care and custody within the foreseeable future.

18 We note that while the court had before it and understood the substance of respondent’s lack of progress while in counseling at the hearing regarding the grounds for termination, see n 17, the specifics of respondent’s sporadic attendance cited here are derived from the testimony of the second counselor regarding respondent’s progress in counseling between May 1996 and September 1996. This testimony was presented after the court had already concluded that the grounds were established by clear and convincing evidence.

19 We reiterate, the court went beyond the statutory best interest inquiry by concluding that termination was in the children’s best interests. The statute does not require that the court affirmatively find that termination is in the child’s best interest. Ante at 357.