Rickman v. Ark. Dep't of Human Servs.

548 S.W.3d 861
CourtCourt of Appeals of Arkansas
DecidedApril 25, 2018
DocketNo. CV–17–710
StatusPublished
Cited by9 cases

This text of 548 S.W.3d 861 (Rickman v. Ark. Dep't of Human Servs.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Court of Appeals of Arkansas primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Rickman v. Ark. Dep't of Human Servs., 548 S.W.3d 861 (Ark. Ct. App. 2018).

Opinion

RITA W. GRUBER, Chief Judge

Sherry Rickman appeals from the Crittenden County Circuit Court's order terminating *863her parental rights to K.R., born August 23, 2007. Appellant does not challenge the grounds for her termination. Her sole point on appeal is that the evidence was insufficient to support the circuit court's decision that termination was in K.R.'s best interest because appellant does not pose a potential harm to K.R. We find no error and affirm the circuit court's order.

The case began on May 13, 2014, when the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) took emergency custody of K.R. based on Rickman's illegal drug use. K.R. had been in foster care for over three years when the court terminated appellant's parental rights to K.R. in an order entered on June 5, 2017. The court terminated on the ground of aggravated circumstances, based on its previous finding that there was little likelihood that further services to appellant would result in successful reunification. The court had entered an order less than three months earlier terminating further reunification services to appellant, finding by clear and convincing evidence that aggravated circumstances existed because there was little likelihood that further services to the family would result in successful reunification; finding that it was not possible to return K.R. to appellant; and determining that K.R. "desperately need[ed] stability and continuity." This court affirmed that decision in Rickman v. Ark. Dep't of Human Servs. , 2017 Ark. App. 610, 534 S.W.3d 180. A more complete rendition of the procedural history in this case is set forth in that opinion. Id.

In its finding that it was in K.R.'s best interest for appellant's parental rights to be terminated, the court specifically considered the testimony of the foster parent that she was interested in adopting K.R. and the testimony of the caseworker that there was a substantial likelihood that K.R. would be adopted. The court also found by clear and convincing evidence that there was potential harm to K.R. if she were to be returned to appellant's custody, specifically stating the following:

The court further finds by clear and convincing evidence that there is potential harm if [K.R.] is returned to the custody of the mother, based on the Court's findings in subparagraphs J, K, and L of the No Reunification Services order issued by the Court on [February] 9, 2017, and filed for record on March 6, 2017, and that those findings are incorporated hereto. Specifically, the Court held after the hearing that it was contrary to the health, safety and welfare for [K.R.] to be returned home, and that there had been a lack of stability in Sherry Rickman's home, with significant ongoing issues with clutter and trash that would be harmful to the child, and there was a lack of stability in the home in Sherry Rickman's relationship with Johnny Underwood, when there had been two incidents of domestic violence within the past six months and evidence of alcohol abuse by Mr. Underwood, as well as Mr. Dow's testimony on that date that was based on Ms. Rickman's statements to him, she was in an emotionally and physically abusive relationship. The Court notes despite Ms. Rickman's testimony on that date that he had moved out of the home, he was visiting the home two to three times per week and had spent the night before the hearing in the home. Further Ms. Rickman's own testimony on that date was that she had an addiction to Adderall and had tried to get Adderall by means other than from medical providers. There was further testimony that Ms. Rickman suffered from borderline functioning, and had issues taking her medication regularly and had issues with parenting.

*864On appeal, appellant argues that the evidence was insufficient to support the court's best-interest finding because appellant does not pose a potential harm to K.R. Specifically, appellant contends that the court's reliance on its no-reunification order for evidence of potential harm was not sufficient. She argues that DHS was required to present proof of potential harm at the termination hearing and claims that there was no evidence regarding appellant's "current situation" as it existed after the no-reunification order was entered and at the time of the termination hearing.

We review termination-of-parental-rights cases de novo. Dinkins v. Ark. Dep't of Human Servs. , 344 Ark. 207, 40 S.W.3d 286 (2001). At least one statutory ground must exist, in addition to a finding that it is in the child's best interest to terminate parental rights; these must be proved by clear and convincing evidence. Ark. Code Ann. § 9-27-341 (Supp. 2017). The appellate inquiry is whether the circuit court's finding that the disputed fact was proved by clear and convincing evidence is clearly erroneous. Shawkey v. Ark. Dep't of Human Servs. , 2017 Ark. App. 2, at 4, 510 S.W.3d 803, 806. Credibility determinations are left to the fact-finder. Id. Finally, the intent behind the termination-of-parental-rights statute is to provide permanency in a child's life when it is not possible to return the child to the family home because it is contrary to the child's health, safety, or welfare, and a return to the family home cannot be accomplished in a reasonable period of time as viewed from the child's perspective. Ark. Code Ann. § 9-27-341(a)(3).

In finding that termination is in the best interest of the child, the circuit court is required to consider the potential harm to the health and safety of the child that might result from returning the child to the parent's custody. Ark. Code Ann. § 9-27-341(b)(3)(A)(ii). The circuit court is not required to find that actual harm would result or to affirmatively identify a potential harm. Dowdy v. Ark. Dep't of Human Servs. , 2009 Ark. App. 180, 314 S.W.3d 722.

Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI

Related

Dylan Hise v. Arkansas Department of Human Services and Minor Child
2026 Ark. App. 125 (Court of Appeals of Arkansas, 2026)
Melissa Crosier v. Arkansas Department of Human Services and Minor Children
2025 Ark. App. 512 (Court of Appeals of Arkansas, 2025)
Jessica Ann Tibado v. Arkansas Department of Human Services and Minor Child
2025 Ark. App. 82 (Court of Appeals of Arkansas, 2025)
Summer Kazzee v. Arkansas Department of Human Services and Minor Child
2024 Ark. App. 78 (Court of Appeals of Arkansas, 2024)
John Cullum v. Arkansas Department of Human Services and Minor Child
2022 Ark. App. 34 (Court of Appeals of Arkansas, 2022)
Bradley Snider v. Arkansas Department of Human Services and Minor Child
2020 Ark. App. 508 (Court of Appeals of Arkansas, 2020)
Katiana Cole v. Arkansas Department of Human Services and Minor Children
2020 Ark. App. 481 (Court of Appeals of Arkansas, 2020)
Shelby Phillips v. Arkansas Department of Human Services and Minor Children
2020 Ark. App. 169 (Court of Appeals of Arkansas, 2020)
Patricia Bratton v. Arkansas Department of Human Services and Minor Children
2019 Ark. App. 392 (Court of Appeals of Arkansas, 2019)

Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
548 S.W.3d 861, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/rickman-v-ark-dept-of-human-servs-arkctapp-2018.