Third District Juvenile Court, Salt Lake Department
The Honorable Monica Diaz
No. 1205462
Julie J. Nelson Attorney for Appellant
Sean D. Reyes and John M. Peterson,
Attorneys for Appellee
Martha Pierce Guardian ad Litem
Before JUDGES GREGORY K. ORME,
MICHELE M. CHRISTIANSEN FORSTER, and AMY J. OLIVER.
PER CURIAM:
¶1 L.C.G. (Mother) appeals the juvenile court’s order terminating her parental rights. We affirm.
¶2 “To terminate parental rights, a juvenile court must make two separate findings.” In re C.T., 2018 UT App 233, ¶ 12, 438 P.3d 100 (quotation simplified). First, a court must find by clear and convincing evidence that there is at least one statutory ground for termination.” Id. (quotation simplified). “Second, “a court must find that termination of the parent’s rights is in the best interest of the child.” Id. Because a parent’s rights are constitutionally protected, a court may terminate parental rights only if it finds that termination is strictly necessary for the best interest of a child. See id.
¶3 Mother does not challenge the juvenile court’s determination that there were statutory grounds supporting the termination of her parental rights, or the court’s determination that doing so was strictly necessary and in F.C.G.’s (Child) best interest. However, the record supports the juvenile court’s determination that there were statutory grounds supporting the termination of Mother’s parental rights, that termination was strictly necessary, and that terminating Mother’s rights was in Child’s best interest.
¶4 Instead, Mother asserts that the juvenile court erred by determining that she waived her right to counsel, and by permitting counsel to withdraw at trial. Specifically, Mother asserts that the juvenile court violated rule 53(c) of the Utah Rules of Juvenile Procedure and her due process rights by permitting counsel’s withdrawal. “We review waiver of a statutory right to counsel for correctness but grant the trial court a reasonable measure of discretion when applying the law to the facts.” In re A.B., 2017 UT App 99, ¶ 5, 400 P.3d 1107 (quotation simplified). The “termination of parental rights involves a statutory right to counsel, not a constitutional right to counsel. See id. Accordingly, “waiver of a statutory right to counsel is proper as long as the record as a whole reflects the parent’s reasonable understanding of the proceedings and awareness of the right to counsel.” Id. (quotation simplified).
¶5 Rule 53(c) provides that a motion to withdraw may be made orally before the court, and counsel’s request to withdraw should demonstrate a parent’s familiarity with his or her right to counsel, the withdrawal of counsel, the right to appeal, and post-judgment motions. Utah R. Juv. P. 53(c)(1). The record demonstrates that Mother was aware of the rights identified in rule 53(c). On November 30, 2021, the juvenile court appointed counsel for Mother. Based on Mother’s lack of contact with counsel, and her failure to meaningfully participate in the proceeding, the court permitted counsel to withdraw.
¶6 On October 13, 2022, Mother appeared at the termination trial. Knowing that counsel had been permitted to withdraw, Mother once again requested the appointment of counsel. The juvenile court re-appointed Mother’s counsel and continued the trial until December 12, 2022, so that Mother could participate in trial preparations and trial. The court scheduled a pretrial hearing for November 7, 2022. Mother failed to appear at the pretrial hearing. Mother also failed to appear at the December 12, 2022 trial.
¶7 The court determined that Mother received notice of both the pretrial hearing and the continued trial when she appeared on October 13, 2022. Mother failed to communicate with counsel and assist in trial preparations. Mother’s counsel attempted to contact Mother at least twelve times prior to the continued trial. Mother’s counsel received only one email from Mother, but it was not substantive, and it did not address any of counsel’s “questions or advice or anything that I had given to her.” The court determined that based on Mother’s nonappearances in court, plus her lack of contact with counsel, Mother waived her right to counsel.
¶8 Mother next argues that the court violated her due process rights. Specifically, she argues that she had a constitutional right to counsel, beyond that of a statutory right to counsel. Mother asserts that “the Utah Supreme Court determined that, under certain factual circumstances, a parent facing termination of their parental rights has a right to counsel under the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment of the federal constitution.” In re adoption of K.A.S., 2016 UT 55, ¶ 35, 390 P.3d 278. Mother argues that a constitutional right to counsel requires a heightened showing that a parent knowingly and voluntarily waived the right to counsel, rather than whether the “record as a whole reflects the parent’s reasonable understanding of the proceedings and awareness of the right to counsel.” In re A.B., 2017 UT App 99, ¶ 5.
¶9 Mother acknowledges that the Supreme Court did not hold that parents are always entitled to the constitutional right to counsel. The Supreme Court determined that “where, for example, the parent has not taken an interest in the proceedings and the weight of the evidence of the parent’s lack of interest is great—the presumption against the right to counsel will not be overcome.” In re adoption of K.A.S., 2016 UT 55, ¶ 38 (quotation simplified). Given the juvenile court’s determinations regarding Mother’s nonappearances in court, her lack of contact with counsel, and her lack of participation, the record supports the juvenile court’s determination that Mother did not take an interest in the proceedings, and the weight of the evidence of Mother’s lack of interest is great. The record does not support that Mother had a constitutional right to counsel, or that the court erred in its waiver determination and allowing counsel to withdraw.
¶10 Mother next asserts that she received ineffective assistance of counsel when counsel withdrew, rather than requesting another trial continuance or additional appointment of counsel. To prevail on an ineffective assistance of counsel claim, Appellant must show: (1) her counsel’s performance was deficient and (2) the deficient performance prejudiced the defense. See Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 669, 687 (1984); In re C.M.R., 2020 UT App 114, ¶ 19, 473 P.3d 184 (applying Strickland to an ineffective assistance of counsel claim in a child welfare proceeding). To demonstrate deficient performance, Mother must persuade this court that, considering the record as a whole, counsel’s performance was objectively unreasonable. State v. Scott, 2020 UT 13, ¶ 36, 462 P.3d 350. To demonstrate prejudice, Mother must show that “there exists a reasonable probability that the case would have had a different outcome had trial counsel not performed deficiently.” State v. Florez, 2020 UT App 76, ¶ 43, 465 P.3d 307.
¶11 Mother asserts that counsel was deficient because he did not adequately comply with rule 53(c) of the Utah Rules of Juvenile Procedure. However, as addressed above, it was apparent from the record that Mother was familiar with her rights identified in rule 53(c). See Utah R. Juv. P. 53(c)(1)(iii). Counsel had been appointed twice in Mother’s proceeding, and the court permitted counsel’s withdrawal due to Mother’s refusal to communicate with counsel, participate, and to attend court. Counsel’s decision to withdraw, rather than request yet another continuance or additional counsel was not deficient. “Because the decision not to pursue a futile motion is almost always a sound trial strategy, counsel’s failure to make a motion that would be futile if raised does not constitute deficient performance.” State v. Powell, 2020 UT App 63, ¶ 20, 463 P.3d 705. Given the required short time frames in child welfare cases, Mother’s nonappearances, lack of communication with counsel, and her lack of participation, the record does not support Mother’s claim that counsel was ineffective for declining to request yet another continuance or requesting that the court appoint another attorney.
¶12 Mother next argues that the doctrine of structural prejudice suggests that she was prejudiced when counsel withdrew at trial. See State v. Bond, 2015 UT 88, ¶ 40, 361 P.3d 104. To satisfy this part of Strickland’s test, Mother must demonstrate particularized prejudice in her specific case. See State v. Juarez, 2021 UT App 53, ¶ 27, 489 P.3d 231. “Allegations of structural prejudice, or prejudice per se, are generally insufficient in the context of an ineffective assistance claim.” Id. (quotation simplified). However, we need not address both components of the Strickland inquiry if we determine that Mother made an insufficient showing on either prong. See id. ¶ 26. Because the record does not support Mother’s claim that counsel was deficient, we need not address this claim. See id.
¶13 The juvenile court’s order terminating Mother’s parental rights is affirmed.
The elephant in the room is this: if there is no gender bias/sexual discrimination that is preventing fit, able, worthy fathers from being awarded joint equal physical custody, then why A) did so many people (not only a huge number of men, but women who sympathize with these men and with the plight of men in child custody disputes generally) and B) the overwhelming majority of Utah legislators pass a law to address and, it is hoped, eliminate that bias.
If you are a parent (particularly a father) who is worried about having child custody or parent time reduced to minimal levels in your divorce or other kind of child custody case, then for the sake of your children and your relationship with them, you need to know what S. B. 122 means for you and your children.
What will S.B. 122’s passage into law do? It will make it easier to make a case for an award of joint equal physical custody of children. Again, this is especially important to fathers who have historically faced a strong culture of bias and prejudice in the legal system.
Finally! But all is not total sunshine and roses—read on to learn why.
Bottom line: This new joint equal custody option is better than what we had in the past and should make it easier to win a joint equal custody award, but we’re still going to run into parents and commissioners and judges who simply cannot accept the idea of joint equal physical custody. So get your hands on as much proof (proof, as opposed to mere evidence; meaning: objective, independently verifiable facts) as you possibly can to satisfy § 30-3-35.2 factors if you hope to get joint equal physical custody awarded.
S.B. 122:
amends Utah Code § 30-3-34 to provide for a new “parent-time” schedule option that, if implemented, would result in the children spending equal periods of time annually with each parent.
creates a new code section, § 30-3-35.2, which, if the court orders its application in a child custody case, would result in the parents sharing overnights with the children equally on an annual basis.
Amends § 78B-12-208 to provide for how child support is calculated under a § 30-3-35.2 equal custody schedule.
Portions of the changes S.B. 122 bring to the child custody scene are highlighted (in some cases “lowlighted”) in red text because they are important to know about.
NEWLY CREATED § 30-3-35.2 READS AS FOLLOWS:
30-3-35.2.Equal parent-time schedule.
(1) (a) A court may order the equal parent-time schedule described in this section if the court determines that:
(i) the equal parent-time schedule is in the child’s best interest; (ii) each parent has been actively involved in the child’s life; and
(iii) each parent can effectively facilitate the equal parent-time schedule.
(b) To determine whether each parent has been actively involved in the child’s life, the court shall consider: (i) each parent’s demonstrated responsibility in caring for the child; (ii) each parent’s involvement in child care; (iii) each parent’s presence or volunteer efforts in the child’s school and at extracurricular activities;
(iv) each parent’s assistance with the child’s homework;
(v) each parent’s involvement in preparation of meals, bath time, and bedtime for the child;
(vi) each parent’s bond with the child; and
(vii) any other factor the court considers relevant.
(c) To determine whether each parent can effectively facilitate the equal parent-time schedule, the court shall consider:
(i) the geographic distance between the residence of each parent and the distance between each residence and the child’s school; (ii) each parent’s ability to assist with the child’s after school care;
(iii) the health of the child and each parent, consistent with Subsection 30-3-10(6); (iv) the flexibility of each parent’s employment or other schedule; (v) each parent’s ability to provide appropriate playtime with the child; (vi) each parent’s history and ability to implement a flexible schedule for the child; (vii) physical facilities of each parent’s residence; and
(viii) any other factor the court considers relevant.
(2) (a) If the parties agree to or the court orders the equal parent-time schedule described in this section, a parenting plan in accordance with Sections 30-3-10.7 through 30-3-10.10 shall be filed with an order incorporating the equal parent-time schedule.
(b) An order under this section shall result in 182 overnights per year for one parent, and 183 overnights per year for the other parent.
(c) Under the equal parent-time schedule, neither parent is considered to have the child the majority of the time for the purposes of Subsection 30-3-10.3(4) or 30-3-10.9(5)(c)(ii).
(d) Child support for the equal parent-time schedule shall be consistent with Section 78B-12-208.
(e) (i) A court shall determine which parent receives 182 overnights and which parent receives 183 overnights for parent-time.
(ii) For the purpose of calculating child support under Section 78B-12-208, the amount of time to be spent with the parent who has the lower gross monthly income is considered 183 overnights, regardless of whether the parent receives 182 overnights or 183 overnights under Subsection (2)(e)(i).
(3) (a) Unless the parents agree otherwise and subject to a holiday, the equal parent-time schedule is as follows:
(i) one parent shall exercise parent time starting Monday morning and ending Wednesday morning;
(ii) the other parent shall exercise parent-time starting Wednesday morning and ending Friday morning; and
(iii) each parent shall alternate weeks exercising parent-time starting Friday morning and ending Monday morning.
(b) The child exchange shall take place:
(i) at the time the child’s school begins; or
(ii) if school is not in session, at 9 a.m.
(4) (a) The parents may create a holiday schedule.
(b) If the parents are unable to create a holiday schedule under Subsection (4)(a), the court shall:
(i) order the holiday schedule described in Section 30-3-35; and
(ii) designate which parent shall exercise parent-time for each holiday described in Section 30-3-35.
(5) (a) Each year, a parent may designate two consecutive weeks to exercise uninterrupted parent-time during the summer when school is not in session.
(b) (i) One parent may make a designation at any time and the other parent may make a designation after May 1.
(ii) A parent shall make a designation at least 30 days before the day on which the designated two-week period beings.
(c) The court shall designate which parent may make the earlier designation described in Subsection (5)(b)(i) for an even numbered year with the other parent allowed to make the earlier designation in an odd numbered year.
(d) The two consecutive weeks described in Subsection (5)(a) take precedence over all holidays except for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.
THE AMENDMENTS TO § 30-3-34 ARE:
30-3-34.Parent-time — Best interests — Rebuttable presumption.
(1) If the parties are unable to agree on a parent-time schedule, the court may:
(a) establish a parent-time schedule [consistent with the best interests of the child.]; or
(b) order a parent-time schedule described in Section 30-3-35, 30-3-35.1, 30-3-35.2, or30-3-35.5.
(2) The advisory guidelines as provided in Section 30-3-33 and the parent-time
33 schedule as provided in Sections 30-3-35 and 30-3-35.5 shall be [presumed to be in the best interests of the child unless the court determines that Section 30-3-35.1 should apply. The parent-time schedule shall be] considered the minimum parent-time to which the noncustodial parent and the child shall be entitled [unless a parent can establish otherwise by a preponderance of the evidence that more or less parent-time should be awarded based upon one or more of the following criteria:]. (3) A court may consider the following when ordering a parent-time schedule:
(a) whether parent-time would endanger the child’s physical health or mental health, or significantly impair the child’s emotional development;
*****
(5) A court may not order a parent-time schedule unless the court determines by a preponderance of the evidence that the parent-time schedule is in the best interest of the child.
In cases of joint physical custody, the base child support award shall be determined as
follows:
(1) Combine the adjusted gross incomes of the parents and determine the base combined child support obligation using the base combined child support obligation table.
(2) Calculate each parent’s proportionate share of the base combined child support obligation by multiplying the base combined child support obligation by each parent’s percentage of combined adjusted gross income. The amounts so calculated are the base child support obligation due from each parent for support of the children.
(3) (3) [If] Subject to Subsection 30-3-35.2(2)(e)(ii), if the obligor’s time with the children exceeds 110 overnights, the obligation shall be calculated further as follows:
(a) if the amount of time to be spent with the children is between 110 and 131 overnights, multiply the number of overnights over 110 by .0027, then multiply the result by the base combined child support obligation, and then subtract the result from the obligor’s payment as determined by Subsection (2) to arrive at the obligor’s payment; or
(b) if the amount of time to be spent with the children is 131 overnights or more, multiply the number of overnights over 130 by .0084, then multiply the result by the base combined child support obligation, and then subtract the result from the obligor’s payment as determined in Subsection (3)(a) to arrive at the obligor’s payment.
Utah Family Law, LC | divorceutah.com | 801-466-9277
STATE OF UTAH, IN THE INTEREST OF H.F., A PERSON UNDER EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE.
J.F., Appellant,
v.
E.F., Appellee.
Opinion
No. 20180348-CA
Filed December 12, 2019
Third District Juvenile Court, Salt Lake Department
The Honorable Julie V. Lund
No. 1100472
Scott L. Wiggins and Lisa Lokken, Attorneys for Appellant
Joshua P. Eldredge, Attorney for Appellee
Martha Pierce, Guardian ad Litem
JUDGE MICHELE M. CHRISTIANSEN FORSTER authored this Opinion, in which JUDGES JILL M. POHLMAN and DIANA HAGEN concurred.
CHRISTIANSEN FORSTER, Judge:
¶1 J.F. (Mother) appeals from the juvenile court’s termination of her parental rights to H.F. (Child). We reverse and remand for further proceedings.
BACKGROUND
¶2 Child was born in December 2012. Soon after Child’s birth, Mother discovered that her husband, E.F. (Father), had been using drugs. Suffering from postpartum depression, Mother also began using drugs with Father as a means of self-medicating.
¶3 In March 2014, the Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS) removed Child from Mother and Father’s home as a result of their drug use. Upon removal, DCFS placed Child with Mother’s parents (Grandparents). During this time, Grandparents facilitated visitation between Child and Father, as well as Father’s extended family.
¶4 Soon after Child was removed from the parents’ home, Mother began a relationship with “a really bad guy.” She left Utah with him, and they began committing crimes together. Eventually, the pair were arrested, convicted of multiple crimes, and incarcerated.
¶5 Conversely, Father began participating in drug treatment in June 2014. After completing treatment, he became involved in various peer support groups to help others with drug addiction and even obtained a full-time job as a peer recovery coach for a nonprofit addiction-recovery agency. In March 2015, Father filed for divorce from Mother and was granted a default divorce awarding him full legal and physical custody of Child. In May 2015, upon the State’s motion, the juvenile court terminated its jurisdiction and DCFS involvement. After Father regained custody of Child, Grandparents continued to provide regular daycare for Child.
¶6 In July 2016, Father moved the juvenile court to terminate Mother’s parental rights. Father was engaged to be married, and his fiancée (Fiancée) wanted to adopt Child, but they had not yet set a wedding date and were not yet living together.[1] Grandparents “had a heated conversation with” Father about his termination petition, and subsequently, he put Child in full-time daycare and did not permit Grandparents to see Child as often.
¶7 At Mother’s termination trial in December 2017, her former criminal attorney expressed his belief that Mother’s criminal actions had been “very much influenced by” her codefendant but that she “was a model defendant”; continually showed concern for her family and a desire to take care of her children;[2] had come to understand, through participation in counseling, her responsibilities and the detrimental effects of her co-dependent relationship with her co-defendant; and ultimately told the truth about the criminal incidents even though her codefendant was damaged by her admissions. Mother was still incarcerated at the time of the termination trial but was due to be released in April 2019. She had been participating in a voluntary drug-treatment program. She testified that prior to Child’s removal, she was his “sole care provider.” She testified that she has a bond with Child, that she has had regular telephone and video calls with him since losing custody and sends him letters, that Child had expressed his desire to be reunited with Mother, and that she wants to have “visitation as much as possible” and to “be in [Child’s] life as much as [she] can.” She testified that she regrets her past decisions and their effect on her children, but she also could not rule out the possibility of a relationship with her co-defendant when he is released from prison in eight or nine years.
¶8 Father testified that he was willing to support a continuing relationship between Child and Mother following termination of her rights so long as it was “safe” for Child. Although Father did not discourage Child’s contact with Mother, he did not directly facilitate Mother and Child’s contact; rather, this contact took place when Child visited Grandparents. Both Father and Fiancée testified that Child has a very good relationship with Fiancée, that she treats him like her own child, and that Child sees her as his mom. Father testified that he believed Child’s relationship with Mother’s family was “beneficial.” He claimed that Child’s relationship with Mother’s family would not change if Mother’s rights were terminated. He admitted that he “could make a better effort in . . . communicating to set” up time between Child and Mother’s extended family but explained that he had felt a need to set “boundaries” because the termination petition had “put a strain” on his relationship with Mother’s family.
¶9 Grandparents expressed fear that termination would “have a very negative impact on [their] relationship with [Child]” and that Father “would move on” and “find a way to take [Child] away from” Grandparents. Mother’s brother, who also had a close relationship with Father, expressed his belief that Father had become uninterested in Mother’s side of the family and that Father would not let Mother’s family see Child anymore if Mother’s rights were terminated. Another of Mother’s brothers likewise testified that the family’s contact with Child had been less frequent during the preceding year and that he believed Father would cut off contact between Child and Mother’s family if the court terminated Mother’s rights.
¶10 Following trial, the juvenile court found two grounds for termination: (1) that Mother was an unfit parent because she was unable to care for Child as a result of her incarceration and (2) that she had neglected child through her habitual and excessive use of controlled substances. See Utah Code Ann. § 78A-6-507(1)(b), (c) (LexisNexis 2018); id. § 78A-6-508(2)(c), (e) (Supp. 2019). The court further found that termination was in Child’s best interest.
¶11 In reaching its conclusion regarding Child’s best interest, the juvenile court limited its analysis to three factors—Child’s “bond with his caregivers,” his “need for permanence and stability,” and “the potential risk of harm if returned to [Mother’s] care.” The court found that there was not an intact parental relationship between Mother and Child because she had not acted as his caregiver for an extended period of time. It observed that although Child recognizes that Mother is his mom, he has developed a mother–child bond with Fiancée as well. The court also found that Fiancée intended “to adopt [Child] should he be legally free.” The court concluded that “[t]hese facts support the need for permanence and stability and that [Child] does have a bond with his caregivers.” The court further found that there was “a potential risk of harm to” Child from Mother because she could not rule out the possibility of a future relationship with her co-defendant, who had been described as a “really bad guy.” Finally, the court found that termination of Mother’s rights was “strictly necessary for [Child] to achieve permanency and stability.” Based on these findings, the court determined that it was in Child’s best interest that Mother’s parental rights be terminated. Mother now appeals.
ISSUE AND STANDARD OF REVIEW
¶12 Mother argues that the juvenile court exceeded its discretion in terminating her parental rights. “The ultimate decision about whether to terminate a parent’s rights presents a mixed question of law and fact.” In re B.T.B., 2018 UT App 157, ¶ 8, 436 P.3d 206 (quotation simplified), cert. granted, 440 P.3d 692 (Utah 2019). We review the court’s factual findings for clear error and its legal conclusions for correctness, “affording the court some discretion in applying the law to the facts.” Id. (quotation simplified). Nevertheless, “the proper interpretation and application of a statute is a question of law which we review for correctness.” In re A.M., 2009 UT App 118, ¶ 6, 208 P.3d 1058 (quotation simplified).
ANALYSIS
¶13 In assessing whether termination of parental rights is appropriate, a court must employ a “two-part test.” In re B.T.B., 2018 UT App 157, ¶ 13, 436 P.3d 206, cert. granted, 440 P.3d 692 (Utah 2019). “First, a trial court must find that one or more of the statutory grounds for termination are present,” and second, “a trial court must find that termination of the parent’s rights is in the best interests of the child.” Id. (quotation simplified). Mother does not contest the juvenile court’s determination that grounds existed to support termination, but she maintains that termination was not in Child’s best interest and that the court did not adequately consider all factors relevant to that determination.
¶14 “The ‘best interest’ test is broad, and is intended as a holistic examination of all the relevant circumstances that might affect a child’s situation.” Id. ¶ 47; see also In re G.J.C, 2016 UT App 147, ¶ 24, 379 P.3d 58 (“Determining a child’s best interest in termination of parental rights proceedings is a subjective assessment based on the totality of the circumstances.”). Utah courts have identified numerous factors that may be relevant to this determination. For example, a court may consider “the physical, mental, or emotional condition and needs of the child”; “the effort the parent has made to adjust their circumstances, conduct, or conditions to make restoring the parent–child relationship in the child’s best interest”; “the child’s bond with caregivers”; the child’s “need for permanency and stability”; and “the potential risk of harm if returned to the parents’ care.” See In re G.J.C., 2016 UT App 147, ¶ 24 (quotation simplified). It may consider the parent’s “demeanor,” “attitude toward his or her child,” and “attitude in fulfilling parental obligations,” see In re T.E., 2011 UT 51, ¶ 44, 266 P.3d 739, and it may weigh the benefits of the child continuing a relationship with an unfit parent even where reunification is not an option, examine the child’s prospects for adoption, and even consider the child’s preferences in some circumstances, In re D.R.A., 2011 UT App 397, ¶¶ 19, 21, 266 P.3d 844; see also In re B.T.B., 2018 UT App 157, ¶ 56. Moreover, as part of the best interest analysis, Utah law requires courts to “analyze whether termination of a child’s parent’s rights is ‘strictly necessary,’” that is, the court must “explore whether other feasible options exist that could address the specific problems or issues facing the family, short of imposing the ultimate remedy of terminating the parent’s rights.” In re B.T.B., 2018 UT App 157, ¶¶ 50, 55; see also Utah Code Ann. § 78A-6-507(1) (LexisNexis 2018) (“Subject to the protections and requirements of Section 78A-6-503, and if the court finds strictly necessary, the court may terminate all parental rights with respect to a parent if the court finds any one of the following [statutory factors] . . . .” (emphasis added)).
¶15 In conducting its best interest analysis, the juvenile court did not take the holistic approach that has been prescribed by this court. Rather than examining the totality of all circumstances affecting Child’s best interest, the court erroneously interpreted In re G.J.C., 2016 UT App 147, 379 P.3d 58, as articulating a best interest test composed of only three specific factors: (1) “bond with caregivers,” (2) “need for permanence and stability,” and (3) “the potential risk of harm if returned to the parent’s care.” See id. ¶ 24. Further, the court’s finding that termination was “strictly necessary” was conclusory and did not include an examination of feasible alternatives to termination, as required by In re B.T.B., 2018 UT App 157, 436 P.3d 206.[3]
¶16 The court’s reliance on only the three specific factors gleaned from In re G.J.C. unduly narrowed the “broad,” “holistic” best interest test, see In re B.T.B., 2018 UT App 157, ¶ 47, and its order did not accurately represent the direction given by this court in In re G.J.C.[4] The three factors identified in In re G.J.C. were not given as a definitive list of factors; rather the court stated that those three factors were “proper” factors to consider “in the context of a best-interest determination.” 2016 UT App 147, ¶ 24. Indeed, the court explicitly instructed that a best interest determination must be “based on the totality of the circumstances.” Id. This court reaffirmed and elaborated on this “holistic” approach in In re B.T.B., when it instructed “courts to examine all of the relevant facts and circumstances surrounding the child’s situation” and, in particular, “to explore whether other feasible options exist that could address the specific problems or issues facing the family, short of imposing the ultimate remedy of terminating the parent’s rights,” in order to satisfy the legislature’s requirement that termination be limited to circumstances where it is “strictly necessary.” 2018 UT App 157, ¶¶ 47, 54–55.
¶17 Because of the court’s narrow focus on only three factors pertaining to the best interest analysis, its findings do not reveal whether the court considered a number of additional factors relevant to determining if termination of Mother’s rights was in Child’s best interest, including the fact that Child’s prospects for adoption by Fiancée were speculative, Child’s bond with Mother and any benefits of him continuing a relationship with Mother, and the effect of termination on Child’s relationship with his extended family, including his half-sister.[5] Further, while the court’s analysis emphasized Child’s need for stability, it is unclear how terminating Mother’s parental rights would achieve that goal. Child was not in DCFS custody or a short-term placement with a foster family with an unsettled future. Rather, Father had permanent sole legal and physical custody of Child. Child would continue to be raised primarily by Father and Fiancée, regardless of whether Mother’s parental rights were terminated. And while termination would free Child for adoption by Fiancée, Fiancée was not in an immediate position to adopt Child, and it was not certain that she would ever be in such a position, as she and Father were not actually married. Even the danger anticipated by the juvenile court if Mother eventually resumed her relationship with her co-defendant was mostly speculative, as the co-defendant would not be released from prison for many years. See In re D.R.A., 2011 UT App 397, ¶ 21 (determining that the State had failed to establish that termination was in a child’s best interest in part because “the benefits of severing” the parent–child relationship were “too speculative”). Finally, the court’s determination that termination was strictly necessary was not supported by an appropriate exploration of feasible alternatives to termination. See In re B.T.B., 2018 UT App 157, ¶ 55. Therefore, the juvenile court’s findings do not support its determination that termination was in Child’s best interest.
CONCLUSION
¶18 Because the juvenile court did not employ the correct holistic analysis in assessing whether termination of Mother’s parental rights was in Child’s best interest and its findings do not support such a determination, we vacate the court’s order terminating Mother’s parental rights and remand for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.[6]
Utah Family Law, LC | divorceutah.com | 801-466-9277
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[1] Utah law requires a prospective adoptive stepparent to be married to the child’s custodial parent and to have lived with the custodial parent and the stepchild for at least one year prior to entry of the final decree of adoption. Utah Code Ann. § 78B-6¬ 117(2)(a) (LexisNexis Supp. 2019); id. § 78B-6-136.5(2)(a) (2018). Thus, as of the termination trial, Fiancée was at least one year away from being able to adopt Child.
[2] Mother has another child who was not included in the termination proceedings.
[3] Father argues that the juvenile court was not required to engage in the “strictly necessary” analysis prescribed by In re B.T.B. because that case was decided after the court issued its oral ruling in this case. However, Father makes no effort to explain why we should not apply this analysis. The “strictly necessary” language has been part of the statute since 2012, Act of March 7, 2012, ch. 281, § 6, 2012 Utah Laws 1331, 1334; In re B.T.B. merely interpreted that statutory language. And upon interpreting the language, the In re B.T.B. court sent that case back to the trial court for reconsideration: “Because we clarify and partially reformulate the test for termination of parental rights, we remand this case to the juvenile court for reconsideration in light of this opinion.” 2018 UT App 157, ¶ 2, 436 P.3d 206, cert. granted, 440 P.3d 692 (Utah 2019). Father also fails to acknowledge that the juvenile court’s final written order was actually signed one month after In re B.T.B. was issued. We therefore reject Father’s assertion that the court’s failure to engage in a more thorough “strictly necessary” analysis should be ignored on appeal.
[4]In re G.J.C. has limited utility in any event because it employed the now-disavowed principle that “where grounds for termination are established, the conclusion that termination will be in a child’s best interest follows almost automatically.” 2016 UT App 147, ¶ 25, 379 P.3d 58 (quotation simplified); see also In re B.T.B., 2018 UT App 157, ¶¶ 22–44 (disavowing the “almost automatically” line of cases).
[5] Our analysis should not be construed as prohibiting courts from focusing on those factors that it finds to be most probative in a particular case; not every factor will be relevant in every case, and even where evidence of a particular factor is present, a court may reasonably discount the factor and decline to discuss it in detail in its findings. The court’s ruling in this case is problematic not because it focused on limited relevant factors but because it misconstrued the best interest test as being limited to those factors and because it did not examine the feasibility of less-drastic alternatives to termination.
[6] Our decision should not be read as dictating any particular result on remand. Indeed, any number of circumstances may have changed since trial, and the court should take such changes into account in reconsidering its decision. On remand, the court should expand its analysis of best interest to consider the totality of the circumstances, examine the feasibility of alternatives to termination, supplement its findings, and assess whether termination is in Child’s best interest in light of any such supplemental findings.
DARIO ARTHUR VELASQUEZ,
Appellant,
v.
STACY L. CHAVEZ,
Appellee.
Opinion
No. 20180451-CA
Filed November 15, 2019
Third District Court, Salt Lake Department
The Honorable Matthew Bates
The Honorable Patrick Corum
No. 154901302
Marsha M. Lang, Attorney for Appellant
Michael P. Studebaker, Attorney for Appellee
JUDGE DIANA HAGEN authored this Opinion, in which JUDGES GREGORY K. ORME and DAVID N. MORTENSEN concurred.
HAGEN, Judge:
¶1 Dario Arthur Velasquez appeals the district court’s decision to hyphenate the surname of his biological son (the child). Velasquez argues that the court did not address the six-factor test articulated in Hamby v. Jacobson, 769 P.2d 273 (Utah Ct. App. 1989), for determining whether changing the child’s surname from Chavez to Velasquez-Chavez was in the child’s best interest. Because we conclude the district court properly considered all the relevant factors and provided sufficient findings to support its decision, we affirm.
BACKGROUND
¶2 Velasquez and Stacy L. Chavez were in a relationship and living together when Chavez became pregnant with their child. A few months into the pregnancy, Chavez ended the relationship and moved in with a former boyfriend who was the father of her daughter.
¶3 When Chavez gave birth to the child, she left the birth certificate blank as to the child’s father and gave the child the surname “Chavez.” A few weeks after the birth, Velasquez filed a Verified Petition for Decree of Paternity (the petition). Relevant to this appeal, Velasquez petitioned the court to change the child’s surname to “Velasquez.”
¶4 At the trial on the petition, the parties were present and stipulated to proffers of testimony before the court. Velasquez’s attorney argued that the child’s surname should be “Velasquez” because Velasquez believes that the child is confused as to who his “real father” is because he calls both Velasquez and Chavez’s significant other “daddy.” Velasquez’s attorney argued that the child will be stigmatized and embarrassed to have his mother’s surname because children at school “are very cruel” and will conclude he is “illegitimate.” His attorney anticipated that a hyphenated surname might be an option and expressed concerns that the name “Velasquez will be dropped off” if the child’s surname was changed to “Chavez-Velasquez.” There was also concern that the child would just go by “Chavez” if the last name was changed to “Velasquez-Chavez.” But Velasquez did not “have any objection to Chavez being a middle name.” Velasquez’s attorney argued that “for inheritance purposes, for the idea of carrying on the last name of Velasquez, for the heritage of his family, [the child] should have [Velasquez’s] last name.” At this point, the district court asked Velasquez directly, “[S]hare with me your heritage, where does your family come from?” Velasquez responded that he and his mother are from Texas and that his father was born in Mexico but has spent most of his life in Texas.
¶5 In response, Chavez’s attorney argued that Velasquez’s arguments with respect to the child’s confusion, embarrassment, and “stigmas in schools” were based on “a lot of speculation” without any support. Chavez disagreed that the child would suffer embarrassment or lack of identity without his father’s surname. Chavez’s attorney proffered that the child shared Velasquez’s middle name and that Chavez was “not opposed to the offer of the child’s last name being Velasquez-dash-Chavez.” Chavez’s attorney further explained that he had “spent a lot of time researching and trying to find any sociological or psychological literature” to make sure the child was not harmed by a hyphenated surname. The court asked Chavez where her family came from, and she responded that her family was from Colorado and that she lived in Utah. The court commented that “it is common in certain Latin cultures for a person’s last name to be the father’s last name hyphenated with the mother’s last name” and then asked if either family followed that tradition. Velasquez and Chavez each responded, “No.”
¶6 Following the proffered testimony, the district court gave its oral ruling, following the six-factor test articulated in Hamby v. Jacobson, 769 P.2d 273 (Utah Ct. App. 1989), for determining whether changing the child’s surname is in the child’s best interest. The court concluded that it was in the child’s best interest to have the surname Velasquez-Chavez to “make sure that the child understands that he has two parents that don’t live together but they’re both his parents.” The court also explained that “although this isn’t common in the heritage of the two families here, it is . . . very common in the heritage of many Latin and Hispanic families, in Utah and outside of Utah . . . [and] it’s very common in . . . other cultures in this community.”
¶7 Velasquez objected to the hyphenated last name. He personally addressed the court, arguing that it had erroneously based its decision on “Latin countries and stuff,” despite the fact that he and Chavez were both born in the United States and “the ways here in America is [to use] one last name.” The court clarified that it “mentioned that particular cultural tradition only to demonstrate that [it] found little basis to find that a hyphenated name is going to cause the child any embarrassment simply because that is so prevalent in our community today, regardless of where it comes from.”
¶8 Following the trial, the court entered findings of fact and conclusions of law and ordered that the child’s surname be changed to Velasquez-Chavez. Velasquez now appeals.
ISSUE AND STANDARD OF REVIEW
¶9 Velasquez contends the district court erred in determining that it was in the child’s best interest to hyphenate the child’s name to Velasquez-Chavez. “We review the trial court’s findings under a clearly erroneous standard and will not disturb those findings unless they are against the clear weight of the evidence . . . .” Hamby v. Jacobson, 769 P.2d 273, 279 (Utah Ct. App. 1989). But “when the evidence consists only of proffers to the trial court, the appellate court is in as good a position to review the proffer as was the trial court, as no assessment of witness credibility occurred below.” Id. at 278 (cleaned up). “Therefore, we review the facts and draw our own legal conclusions therefrom,” id. (cleaned up), and will reverse only if we “reach[] a definite and firm conviction that a mistake has been made,” id. at 279.
ANALYSIS
¶10 This court has previously held that “the best interests of the child is the paramount consideration in determining whether a child’s name should be changed.” Hamby v. Jacobson, 769 P.2d 273, 277 (Utah Ct. App. 1989). There are six factors that are relevant for determining the best interests of the child in this regard:
1) the child’s preference in light of the child’s age and experience, 2) the effect of a name change on the development and preservation of the child’s relationship with each parent, 3) the length of time a child has used a name, 4) the difficulties, harassment or embarrassment a child may experience from bearing the present or proposed name, 5) the possibility that a different name may cause insecurity and lack of identity, and 6) the motive or interests of the custodial parent.
¶11 Velasquez argues that the district court “did not correctly apply the [Hamby] factors in this matter in determining that the [c]hild’s name should be hyphenated and not just Velasquez after his father.” Velasquez asserts that the court improperly “used its belief that the parties have a culture and heritage from Latin or Central America because of the root of their surnames to support its decision.” Essentially, Velasquez argues that there are no facts apparent in the record to support the court’s decision to hyphenate the child’s surname and appears to challenge four of the Hamby factors: “the effect of a name change on the development and preservation of the child’s relationship with each parent”; “the difficulties, harassment or embarrassment a child may experience from bearing the present or proposed name”; “the possibility that a different name may cause insecurity and lack of identity”; and “the motive or interests of the custodial parent.” See id. (cleaned up). We address each factor in turn.
¶12 We first address the district court’s findings related to “the effect of a name change on the development and preservation of the child’s relationship with each parent.” Id. (cleaned up). The district court found that this was the most “important factor” in this case. The court noted that the child lives in “a blended family where the child has a mother and a stepfather that the child lives with,” that “the child has a half sibling” with the last name of the stepfather, and that the child has visitation with Velasquez “outside of the home.” The court explained that, under such circumstances, “the child’s last name becomes somewhat important in helping the child to identify [with] his heritage, who his parents are[,] and to understand the difference between stepfather and natural father.” Thus, the court determined that this factor weighed in favor of “making sure . . . the child does have a last name that helps the child identify with [Velasquez].” Based on these findings, we see no error in the court’s determination that a blended family supports a hyphenated surname, and Velasquez has not persuaded us otherwise.[1]
¶13 Next, we address whether the hyphenated surname will result in “difficulties, harassment or embarrassment” to the child. Id. (cleaned up). Velasquez argues that the child could suffer “possible harassment by not being considered an American by bearing a hyphenated name in the manner of a heritage and ethnicity that neither side of his family affiliates or associates themselves with.”[2] In response to the court’s questions, Chavez and Velasquez made clear that they do not identify with Latin culture, and the court recognized that there are many “blended families” and children “from various backgrounds,” including those “who are of European ancestry,” with hyphenated names, “regardless of where [the practice of hyphenated names] comes from.” Velasquez does not challenge this finding, only arguing that the court improperly based its decision on its “belief that the parties have a culture and heritage from Latin or Central America.” But the court took care to clarify that it “mentioned [the Latin or Hispanic] cultural tradition only to demonstrate that [it] found little basis to find that a hyphenated name is going to cause the child any embarrassment simply because [such a practice] is so prevalent in our community today, regardless of where it comes from.” We cannot say that the court’s determination was against the clear weight of the evidence, nor can we say that we are left with a firm and definite conviction that the court erred in weighing this factor.
¶14 With respect to “insecurity or lack of identity,” Christensen, 941 P.2d at 624, 626, the court again expressed the “need to make sure that the child properly identifies with both parents and particularly, that he understands that [Velasquez] is . . . his father.” Velasquez does not directly challenge this finding, and instead argues that with a hyphenated name the child “will likewise face many throughout his life who think he is not a third-generation American but rather a Latin American, which raises the possibility that it may cause insecurity and lack of identity.” Velasquez did not provide any support for this assertion below or on appeal and relies on mere speculation. We therefore find no error in the court’s findings with respect to this factor.
¶15 Finally, Velasquez argues that the court “overlooked” the “exhibits and evidence indicating [Chavez’s] ulterior motives.” In support of his argument, Velasquez points to Chavez’s answer to his petition. But like the district court, we discern nothing in Chavez’s answer that suggests an ulterior motive. Velasquez also complains that, in proceeding by proffer, the court deprived him of the opportunity to present evidence relating to Chavez’s motive. But both parties agreed at the outset to proceed by proffer. Nevertheless, after the court made its ruling, Velasquez claimed that the record was insufficient for purposes of appeal and asked for an evidentiary hearing. The court denied the request, noting that it had “accepted the facts [he] offered almost verbatim” and took issue only with “[his] suggestion that there was maybe some ill motive on Ms. Chavez’s part.” In fact, Velasquez never proffered any facts relating to Chavez’s motives. Instead, his attorney merely speculated that “[t]here seems to be some motive here that I don’t know” and hoped to find one by asking Chavez “on the stand . . . why in the world she wouldn’t want [the child] to have the last name Velasquez.” The district court acted well within its discretion in denying an evidentiary hearing to conduct such a fishing expedition. Because Velasquez proffered no facts to support his claim of an ulterior motive, the court properly concluded that this factor did not bear on the best interest of the child.
¶16 In light of the district court’s findings with respect to the four factors Velasquez challenges on appeal, we conclude the district court did not err in determining that it was in the child’s best interest to change his surname from Chavez to Velasquez-Chavez.
CONCLUSION
¶17 The district court’s determination that it was in the child’s best interest to change his surname to Velasquez-Chavez was not against the clear weight of the evidence and does not leave us with a firm and definite conviction that a mistake was made. Accordingly, we affirm.
Utah Family Law, LC | divorceutah.com | 801-466-9277
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[1] On appeal, Velasquez makes much of the fact that he is “the only male heir in his family” and that the child, as his only issue, “will be the only one who can carry on the surname Velasquez.” Thirty years ago, this court firmly rejected relying on the outdated notion “that a father has a protectible or primary interest in having his children bear his surname.” Hamby v. Jacobson, 769 P.2d 273, 276 (Utah Ct. App. 1989). As this court recognized, “a paternal preference for a child’s surname is improper, just as would be a preference for the maternal surname.” Id. at 277. We fail to see how Velasquez’s own interest in having the child carry on his family name bears on the child’s best interest, which is the “paramount consideration in determining whether a child’s name should be changed.” Id.
[2] Velasquez insinuates that the prospect of a hyphenated surname was generated by the court’s own misguided assumptions about the parties’ ethnicities and cultural backgrounds. But it was the parties themselves who identified a hyphenated surname as an option. Velasquez’s attorney was the first to broach the possibility of a hyphenated name in proffering that Velasquez worried that the child might drop Velasquez and use only Chavez if his surname was hyphenated. And Chavez’s attorney proffered that Chavez was “not opposed to the offer of the child’s last name being Velasquez-dash-Chavez.”
STATE OF UTAH, IN THE INTEREST OF C.R.C., A PERSON UNDER EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE. S.C. AND D.C.,
Appellants,
v.
STATE OF UTAH,
Appellee.
Opinion
Nos. 20190233-CA and 20190234-CA
Filed September 19, 2019
Eighth District Juvenile Court, Vernal Department
The Honorable Ryan B. Evershed
No. 1142757
Emily Adams and Jeffry K. Ross, Attorneys for Appellant S.C.
Erin Bradley, Attorney for Appellant D.C.
Sean D. Reyes, Carol L.C. Verdoia, and John M. Peterson, Attorneys for Appellee
Martha Pierce, Guardian ad Litem
JUDGE KATE APPLEBY authored this Opinion, in which JUDGES RYAN M. HARRIS and DIANA HAGEN concurred.
APPLEBY, Judge:
¶1 S.C. (Mother) and D.C. (Father) (collectively, Parents) appeal the juvenile court’s termination of their parental rights as to C.R.C. (Child).[1] Mother argues that insufficient evidence supported the juvenile court’s determination that grounds existed to terminate her rights. Parents also argue that terminating their rights is not in Child’s best interest. We affirm.
BACKGROUND
¶2 In early 2017, police discovered that Father had downloaded hundreds of photographs and videos of child pornography. Many of the images involved children as young as newborns and toddlers. Father admitted to downloading the images and was arrested. He has been incarcerated since. Police informed Mother of the allegations against Father and warned her that Child, who was born shortly after Father’s arrest, was not safe around him. Mother was advised to seek a protective order for Child against Father, but she never sought one. Police eventually obtained an ex parte protective order on Child’s behalf. The protective order prohibited Father from having contact with Child unless the visit was supervised by the Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS). Despite this court order, Mother took Child to the prison to see Father. This incident was reported to DCFS and Mother was reminded not to allow contact between Child and Father.
¶3 In March 2017, Father was temporarily released from jail to obtain a psychosexual evaluation. Mother asked if Father could see Child during his release, but DCFS again instructed her not to allow contact between them. Mother ignored these instructions and allowed Father to spend “unfettered and unsupervised” time with Child. Mother told DCFS she permitted the contact because Father was not a risk to Child. After this incident came to light, DCFS removed Child from Mother’s custody and Child was placed in foster care.
¶4 While Child was in foster care, Mother was required to complete a reunification plan (Plan), which included, among other things, (1) establishing safe and stable housing for herself and Child, (2) maintaining contact with her caseworker so she could have parent time with Child, (3) completing a parental fitness evaluation, (4) completing a parenting class and working with a “peer parent,” and (5) complying with the no-contact order by preventing Father from contacting Child.
¶5 In accordance with the Plan, Mother sought a parental fitness evaluation. But the juvenile court concluded that she was unable to complete it because she “could not understand many of the questions, even when they were read to her” and that the “evaluation raised many concerns regarding Mother’s ability to adequately parent” Child. The evaluation report concluded that Mother has an intelligence quotient “in the extremely low range of intellectual classification” and that Mother has an overall intellectual capacity of a ten- or eleven-year-old child. But the court noted that Mother improved her housework and parenting skills after attending behavioral therapy. Overall, the court concluded that Mother could not be a successful parent without “maintaining firm boundaries and obtaining a support system.”
¶6 Mother attempted to obtain an adequate support system. First, she identified her own mother (Grandmother) as a potential supervisor. Grandmother participated in a parental fitness evaluation, but this demonstrated that she, too, suffered from serious intellectual deficiencies. The court found that Grandmother and Mother frequently undermined each other and that Grandmother had a boyfriend who could not pass a background check. The court concluded that Grandmother was an inappropriate supervisor for Mother and Child. Next, Mother identified her father (Grandfather) as a potential supervisor. Grandfather resided in Colorado and therefore was not an option as a long-term supervisor. Finally, Mother identified a friend (Friend) as a potential supervisor. Friend agreed to supervise Mother’s parent-time with Child and Friend was found to be an adequate supervisor. Friend testified that the get-togethers went well. Friend began attending family team meetings with Mother and provided her support “in many ways.”
¶7 But in early 2018, Friend discovered that Mother had been dishonest with DCFS regarding her contact with Father and became concerned about Child’s safety. At trial, Friend’s daughter testified that she was driving with Mother one day and asked Mother whether she had any overnights planned with Child. Mother responded, “[N]o, I think [DCFS personnel] know if I had overnights then I would call [Grandfather] to come get us and I would leave with them.” Mother added that she “couldn’t wait until she had her family back together” and she wanted to have “more kids” with Father. After this, Friend stopped providing support to Mother. The court concluded that Mother was never able to establish the long-term support system she needed to be reunited with Child.
¶8 Mother’s parental fitness evaluation report also noted Mother struggled to maintain firm boundaries and observed that this made her “an easy target to be taken advantage of due to her [intellectual] difficulties.” Friend reported to DCFS that Mother had “significant secret contact with Father in prison.” DCFS asked Mother about this and Mother “adamantly denied any contact” and expressed her desire to divorce Father because any contact would be harmful to Child. Nevertheless, Mother continued to contact Father. In September 2017, a caseworker again asked Mother if she had spoken with Father, and Mother said she had not. But in the two months following this conversation, Mother spoke with Father on the telephone for 443 minutes and deposited $632 in his prison account. After this, Mother met with a caseworker and again denied having any contact with Father. That same day, Mother had a 27-minute phone call with him. At a family team meeting several months later, Mother stated she had no contact with Father even though she made four separate phone calls to Father that day for a total of 58 minutes. From the first time Mother told her caseworker she had no contact with Father until the family team meeting, Mother had 428 phone calls with Father and deposited $2,358 in his prison account. At another family team meeting, Mother was again warned not to have any contact with Father. Between that time and the permanency placement hearing one month later, Mother spoke to Father on the telephone 32 times for a total of 307 minutes. Over the next several months, Mother had 16 in-person prison visits with Father, had approximately 650 phone conversations with him, and deposited $1,135 in his prison account.
¶9 The court found Mother’s continual contact with Father “very concerning” on many levels because “Father [was] a danger to [Child] and Mother was made aware of this.” It stated, “Mother has demonstrated that she is committed to Father and does not believe he is a risk to [Child]” and has “demonstrated that she will be deceitful with DCFS and the Court in an attempt to continue the relationship.” Mother and Father were also “aware that ongoing contact between the two of them undermined Mother’s potential for success.” Based on the court’s many concerns, it concluded that Mother would not be able to protect Child from Father or other potential abusers. It also found that Mother was “an easy target to be taken advantage of” and that Child was an “easy target[] for abuse and neglect if Mother is the sole caretaker.” The parental fitness evaluation report also described Mother as “unwilling” to stay away from Father and stated that she “made the conscious decision to continue contact with [him] knowing it would be detrimental to her success.”
¶10 At the termination trial, the court concluded that Mother made significant progress on the Plan by keeping in contact with her caseworker and seeing Child on a regular basis, obtaining a parental fitness evaluation, completing the parenting class, complying with the peer-parenting program, and establishing housing. But it concluded that she “was never able to complete the goals of the Plan by providing an appropriate home for [Child] where [Child] would be safe from abuse and neglect.” In point of fact, the court was concerned with Mother’s continual contact with Father, her belief that he was not a threat to Child, and her lack of a support system.
¶11 The juvenile court found that several grounds supported terminating Parents’ parental rights. First, it concluded that they were “unwilling or unable to avoid their parental incompetence” and neglect. It found that Father was incarcerated as a result of multiple felony convictions and that the sentence was long enough that Child would be deprived of a normal home for more than one year. Further, the fact that Father was convicted for possessing child pornography indicated his unfitness to provide adequate care to Child. It also found that Mother suffered “from an emotional illness, mental illness, or mental deficiency” that rendered “her unable to care for the immediate and continuing physical or emotional needs of [Child] for extended periods of time.” While Mother “may be able to complete up to ninety percent of the parenting required to take care of [Child],” “[Child] is not safe with [Mother] on a longterm basis without ongoing support from a third party” and “[n]o ongoing third party support was ever established.” Finally, the court found that Mother had failed to make parental adjustment[2] and was unwilling or unable to remedy the circumstances that led to Child being placed in foster care.
¶12 Next, the court determined that terminating Parents’ rights was in Child’s best interest. It found that Child was placed in foster care before she was two months old and was never returned to Mother’s care.[3] Also, Mother never reached the point where she was allowed overnight parent time during the reunification period. When Child was placed in foster care she was “very dirty,” looked “extremely sick and underweight,” and was diagnosed with failure to thrive.
¶13 Conversely, the court found that Child’s foster parents “have provided the care and stability that she never received while under the care of [Mother].” Child was “part of a permanent foster family where the parents have been married for almost 16 years, have successfully raised other children,” have “lived in the same area for years,” and have expressed a willingness to adopt Child. Further, Child and her foster parents “developed bonds of love and affection for one another.” Child has “thrived in the foster parents’ home” and “has made remarkable strides . . . both emotionally and physically.” The court stated that there “is no comparison [between] the two homes as far as parenting ability.” Child’s foster parents “significantly altered their lives to care for [Child]” and “have taken multiple steps to improve [Child’s] life and ability to function in society.” The court compared these efforts to those of Parents, who were “unwilling or unable to do the same.” Ultimately, the court concluded that Child is “settled” in the foster parents’ home, she has stronger emotional ties with them than she does with Parents, and moving her from that home would be detrimental to Child’s well-being. The court noted Mother’s “respectable effort to adjust her circumstances,” but found it was not enough to consider it in Child’s best interest to return Child to her. Ultimately, the court concluded that it was strictly necessary to terminate Parents’ rights and that adoption was in Child’s best interest because it would satisfy her need for safety, stability, and permanency.
¶14 Parents appeal.
ISSUES AND STANDARDS OF REVIEW
¶15 Parents raise two main issues on appeal. First, Mother contends insufficient evidence supports the juvenile court’s finding that statutory grounds existed to terminate her parental rights.[4] “We apply a clearly erroneous standard in determining whether the juvenile court’s findings are based upon sufficient evidence.” In re A.W., 2018 UT App 217, ¶ 23, 437 P.3d 640 (quotation simplified). Under this standard, we will not overturn the court’s determination unless the result is “against the clear weight of the evidence” or leaves us “with a firm and definite conviction that a mistake has been made.” In re B.T.B., 2018 UT App 157, ¶ 8, 436 P.3d 206 (quotation simplified), cert. granted, 440 P.3d 692 (Utah 2019).
¶16 Second, Parents argue that insufficient evidence supports the juvenile court’s determination that it was in Child’s best interest to terminate their parental rights. “Due to the factually intense nature of the analysis, a [juvenile] court’s final decision regarding termination of parental rights should be afforded a high degree of deference,” and this court will overturn a termination decision only when the result is “against the clear weight of the evidence” or leaves us “with a firm and definite conviction that a mistake has been made.” Id. (quotation simplified).
ANALYSIS
¶17 “To terminate parental rights, a juvenile court must make two separate findings.” In re C.T., 2018 UT App 233, ¶ 12, 438 P.3d 100 (quotation simplified). First, the court must find “that there is at least one statutory ground for termination.” Id. (quotation simplified); see also Utah Code Ann. § 78A-6-507 (LexisNexis 2018). “Second, a court must find that termination of the parent’s rights is in the best interests of the child.” In re C.T., 2018 UT App 233, ¶ 12 (quotation simplified).
¶18 Mother argues that the juvenile court erred in terminating her parental rights because there was insufficient evidence to support a finding that there are statutory grounds for termination. Parents also argue that termination was not in Child’s best interest. We address each issue in turn.
I. Grounds for Termination
¶19 Mother argues that the evidence presented at trial did not support the grounds the juvenile court found for terminating her rights. We disagree. A court may terminate parental rights on any one of the grounds articulated in Utah Code section 78A-6-507. “Among other things, a juvenile court may terminate parental rights if the court finds that a parent has either abandoned a child, neglected a child, or is an unfit or incompetent parent.” In re A.W., 2018 UT App 217, ¶ 35, 437 P.3d 640 (quotation simplified). Further, “when a foundation for such findings exists in the evidence, we do not engage in” reweighing the evidence on appeal. Id. (quotation simplified).
¶20 The juvenile court terminated Mother’s parental rights on several grounds. First, it found Mother was unwilling or unable to remedy her parental incompetence and neglect. See Utah Code Ann. § 78A-6-507(1)(b)–(c) (LexisNexis 2018). Second, it found that Child was being cared for in an “out-of-home placement under the supervision of the court” and Mother had “substantially neglected, willfully refused, or ha[d] been unable or unwilling to remedy the circumstances that cause[d] [Child] to be in an out-of-home placement; and . . . there is a substantial likelihood that [Mother] will not be capable of exercising proper and effective parental care in the near future.” See id. § 78A-6-507(1)(d). Finally, the court found Mother failed to make her parental adjustment. See id. § 78A-6-507(e).
¶21 We conclude that a sufficient foundation exists for each of the grounds the court relied on to terminate Mother’s parental rights. With respect to neglect and incompetence, the court found that Mother suffers from “emotional illness, mental illness, or mental deficiency . . . that renders [her] unable to care for the immediate and continuing physical or emotional needs of [Child] for extended periods of time.” See id. § 78A-6-508(2)(a) (Supp. 2019). Specifically, the court found that although Mother may be able to complete a majority of the tasks necessary to care for Child, Child “is not safe with [Mother] on a long-term basis without ongoing support from a third party” and a third-party caregiver was never established. Here, the court relied on the evidence that, without a support system, Mother’s mental deficiencies rendered her unable to adequately care for Child and protect her from Father. The court also found that Mother demonstrated that she valued her relationship with Father above caring for and protecting Child. The court and the parental evaluation report concluded that Mother had the ability to refrain from contacting Father and to focus on reuniting with Child, but she continued to express her desire to reunite with Father and contacted him almost daily. We conclude that this evidence provides sufficient support for the court’s finding that Mother was unwilling or unable to remedy her parental incompetence and neglect.
¶22 The court also found that Mother refused to remedy the circumstances that caused Child to be in an out-of-home placement and failed to meet the Plan’s goals. The court noted that this case was initiated because “Father has a perverse and unhealthy sexual attraction to young children and Mother was unwilling to protect [Child] from Father.” However, Mother maintained throughout the juvenile court proceedings, and on appeal, that Father is not a threat to Child and attempts to downplay her contact with Father. Mother continues to argue that she was never told, nor was it part of the Plan, that she could not be in contact with Father. The court found this argument unpersuasive and concluded, “[T]he issue of contact with Father was both implicitly and explicitly prohibited. But more importantly, Mother should know better, she should not have to be told that contact with Father, making plans to get back with Father, and reconstruct[ing] the family after he gets out of prison is a terrible and dangerous idea for [Child].” It found Mother was aware that she should not have contact with Father through her numerous discussions with DCFS, her family team, and the court. A DCFS caseworker testified that Mother “was aware from the beginning that her ongoing contact with Father would interfere with successful reunification.” Mother also demonstrated she was aware of the restriction by repeatedly lying to DCFS and others about her contact with Father.
¶23 Ultimately, the court found sufficient evidence supporting the grounds for termination. Mother failed to appreciate the risk Father posed to Child, routinely expressed her interest in reuniting with him after he got out of prison, and consistently lied about her contact with him. The extent of Mother’s contact with Father demonstrated to the court that she valued her relationship with him over establishing a support system to regain custody of Child. The court found that Mother was unable or unwilling to remedy the situation that caused Child to be placed in foster care and was unable or unwilling to remedy her parental incompetence and neglect. We conclude that ample evidence supports these findings.
II. Best Interest of Child
¶24 Parents argue that terminating their parental rights is not in Child’s best interest. We disagree. When considering terminating parental rights, a court must consider whether “termination is strictly necessary to the best interest of the child.” In re C.T., 2018 UT App 233, ¶ 12, 438 P.3d 100 (quotation simplified); see also Utah Code Ann. § 78A-6-507(1) (LexisNexis Supp. 2019). For termination to be “strictly necessary,” the court must find it “absolutely essential” after examining “all of the relevant facts and circumstances surrounding the child’s situation” and “whether other feasible options exist that could address the specific problems or issues facing the family.” In re C.T., 2018 UT App 233, ¶ 14 (quoting In re B.T.B., 2018 UT App 157, ¶¶ 52–55, 436 P.3d 206, cert. granted, 440 P.3d 692 (Utah 2019)). But “a trial court’s final decision regarding termination of parental rights should be afforded a high degree of deference,” and this court will overturn a termination decision only when the result is “against the clear weight of the evidence” or leaves us “with a firm and definite conviction that a mistake has been made.” In re B.T.B., 2018 UT App 157, ¶ 8 (quotation simplified).
¶25 Father argues that terminating his parental rights is not in Child’s best interest because his child pornography possession does not make him a danger to her. But possessing child pornography is prima facie evidence of unfitness.[5] Utah Code Ann. § 78A-6-508(7)(a) (LexisNexis Supp. 2019). Father failed to demonstrate to the court why he should be considered a fit parent and why it was not in Child’s best interest to terminate his rights.[6] We conclude that the juvenile court did not err in concluding that it was in Child’s best interest to terminate Father’s rights.
¶26 Mother also argues that it was not in Child’s best interest to terminate her parental rights. Again, the court did not err in concluding this was in Child’s best interest. The court found that it was strictly necessary to terminate Mother’s rights after it weighed the safety, stability, and permanency that Child received from her foster parents, who planned on adopting her, against Mother’s unwillingness and inability to remedy her situation preventing her from taking care of Child. The court found that Child had bonded with her foster family and did not have a “great connection” with Mother. It also found that although “Mother ha[d] made a respectable effort to adjust her circumstances, conduct[,] and condition, she ha[d] not done so to a degree sufficient to make it in Child’s best interest to return her to her care.” As a result, the court found it “strictly necessary” to terminate Mother’s parental rights.
¶27 The court also considered other placement options for Child, “including placement with a family member, guardianship with foster parents[,] and returning [Child] to Mother,” but “no option satisfie[d] [Child’s] need for safety, stability and permanency more than adoption” by her foster parents. The court found that DCFS made “reasonable efforts to provide reunification services” to Mother. Specifically, the court found that DCFS complied with the Americans with Disabilities Act and accommodated Mother’s intellectual disability, helped her obtain disability insurance, gave her travel assistance for exercising parent time with Child, helped her with the peer-parenting program, and directly supervised and assisted her with parent time. The court ruled that Mother “was able to avail herself” of these services and that her “failure in this case” was not for lack of services “but a result of her dishonesty, her unwillingness to maintain boundaries for the benefit of [Child], her unwillingness to separate herself from Father, and her inability to obtain an ongoing support [system] for herself and [Child].” We conclude the court did not err in finding that it was in Child’s best interest to terminate Mother’s parental rights.
CONCLUSION
¶28 The evidence was sufficient to support a finding that grounds existed to terminate Mother’s parental rights. Further, the juvenile court did not err in finding that terminating Parents’ parental rights was in Child’s best interest. Affirmed.
Utah Family Law, LC | divorceutah.com | 801-466-9277
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[1] Father filed a separate appeal but did not file an opening brief and instead joined in Mother’s brief. We therefore resolve both cases together in this opinion.
[2] “‘Failure of parental adjustment’ means that a parent or parents are unable or unwilling within a reasonable time to substantially correct the circumstances, conduct, or conditions that led to placement of their child outside of their home, notwithstanding reasonable and appropriate efforts made by the Division of Child and Family Services to return the child to that home.” See Utah Code Ann. § 78A-6-502(2) (LexisNexis 2018).
[3] Child has never lived with Father; he has been incarcerated since before her birth.
[4] Father concedes statutory grounds existed to terminate his rights under Utah Code section 78A-6-508(2)(e) because he is “incarcerated as a result of conviction of a felony, and the sentence is of such length that [Child] will be deprived of a normal home for more than one year.” See Utah Code Ann. § 78A-6-508(2)(e) (LexisNexis Supp. 2019).
[5] Utah Code section 78A-6-508(7)(a) articulates that sexual abuse or exploitation is prima facie evidence of unfitness. “Sexual exploitation” is defined as, among other things, “engaging in any conduct that would constitute an offense under Section 76-5b-201, sexual exploitation of a minor, regardless of whether the individual who engages in the conduct is actually charged with, or convicted of, the offense.” Utah Code Ann. § 78A-6-105(52)(c) (LexisNexis Supp. 2019). Sexual exploitation of a minor includes knowingly possessing child pornography. Id. § 76-5b-201(1). Father was charged with ten counts of sexual exploitation of a minor in 2017.
[6] Reunification was never set as a goal for Father because he “pled guilty to several felony charges of sexual exploitation of a minor.” Father does not challenge this finding on appeal.