J-E03001-17
2018 PA Super 334
IN RE: K.R., A MINOR IN THE SUPERIOR COURT
OF PENNSYLVANIA
APPEAL OF K.R., BIRTH MOTHER
No. 692 WDA 2017
Appeal from the Order Entered April 10, 2017
In the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County
Orphans' Court at No: CP-02-AP-222-2016
IN RE: E.R., A MINOR IN THE SUPERIOR COURT
OF PENNSYLVANIA
APPEAL OF K.R., BIRTH MOTHER
No. 693 WDA 2017
Appeal from the Order Entered April 10, 2017
In the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County
Orphans' Court at No: CP-02-AP-223-2016
BEFORE: GANTMAN, P.J., BOWES, PANELLA, SHOGAN, LAZARUS, OLSON,
OTT, STABILE, and DUBOW, JJ.
OPINION BY STABILE, J.: FILED DECEMBER 10, 2018
In these consolidated appeals we address whether the Court of Common
Pleas of Allegheny County (“orphans’ court”), under orders dated April 10,
2017, properly granted the petitions of Allegheny County Children, Youth and
Families (“CYF”) to involuntarily terminate the parental rights of Appellant,
K.R. (“Mother”) to her children, K.R., born in November 2010, and E.R., born
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in March 2012 (the “Children”), pursuant to Sections 2511(a)(2), (5) and (8),
and (b) of the Adoption Act (“Act”).1 Upon docket review, this Court ordered
these matters would be considered by this Court en banc. In particular, en
banc review was ordered to determine the proper application of our Supreme
Court’s decision in In re: Adoption of L.B.M., 161 A.3d 172 (Pa. 2017), in
response to Mother’s contention the orphans’ court erred by failing to appoint
legal counsel for the Children. Mother raised these representation issues for
the first time on appeal to this Court.
Subsequent to our en banc order, our Supreme Court granted petitions
for allowance of appeal in In re: T.S., 192 A.3d 1080 (Pa. 2018), to consider
whether this Court erred in failing to require the orphans’ court to appoint
counsel for a child in a contested termination of parental rights hearing as
required by 23 Pa.C.S.A. § 2313(a) and in L.B.M. On August 22, 2018, the
Supreme Court issued its decision in T.S. resolving the representation issues
raised. For the reasons set forth below, we now affirm the termination orders
of the orphans’ court, and conclude that the orphans’ court did not commit a
reversible error on the representation issues raised by Mother for the first time
in these appeals.
The facts and procedural history underlying this case are undisputed and
supported by the record. CYF initially became involved with the family in 2009
after Mother’s release from Allegheny County Jail where she spent time on
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1 Act of October 15, 1985, P.L. 934, as amended, 23 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 2101-2938.
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various criminal charges. Mother was twenty-one years old at that time and
addicted to heroin. The Children’s biological father J.R. (“Father”) was
incarcerated. N.T. Trial, 3/24/17, at 7-8. After Mother’s release, CYF received
a report that the Children’s older stepsibling, who is not a subject of this
appeal, had a black eye and a yeast infection. CYF provided Mother in-home
services, concrete goods, random urine screens, and referrals for
Pennsylvania Organization for Women in Early Recovery (“POWER”),
SHORES,2 and mental health services. Id. at 8. CYF’s involvement with the
family lasted until February 2011.
CYF next became involved with the family on March 22, 2013 after
receiving reports of drug and alcohol abuse and medical neglect of E.R. and
the Children’s older stepsibling. Specifically, E.R. was born with a birth defect
wherein his “intestines [were] outside of his stomach[,]” resulting in the
absence of a belly button. Id. at 9, 14-15. E.R. had not been receiving the
necessary medical care for this condition. Id. at 9. CYF accepted the family
for services, and maintained contact with the parents until June 2013. Id.
From June 2013 until October 2013, and again from November 2013 until
September 2014, CYF was unable to locate the family. Id. When CYF located
the family, Mother informed them of their homelessness and admitted to
actively abusing drugs, including heroin. Father admitted to using Suboxone,
but indicated he was amenable to drug and alcohol treatment. Id. at 10.
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2SHORES is an outpatient drug and alcohol program offered through the Holy
Family Institute.
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Upon locating the family in September 2014, CYF maintained continuous
contact with them until April 2015. During this time, CYF provided the family
in-home services through Holy Family and Family Resources, transportation
for the parents, concrete goods, referred them for housing assistance, DART,
and Alliance for Infants. Id. at 10-11.
In April 2015, CYF attempted to obtain an emergency custody
authorization (“ECA”) because of “continued substance abuse,” and
“continued substance abuse in front of [the Children’s older stepsibling].” Id.
at 11. Moreover, the home “had needles present and the children were
viewing substance abuse.” Id. The juvenile court denied CYF’s request for
ECA for the Children. Id. Thereafter, CYF “continued to monitor the family,”
“supported [M]other to obtain another POWER assessment,” and conducted
frequent home visits. Id. at 11-12.
CYF’s implementation of drug and alcohol treatment services was
unsuccessful. In particular, CYF received reports that the Children’s
stepsibling was supervising them, and that the parents were abusing
Suboxone without a prescription. Id. at 12-13. As a result, CYF prepared a
safety plan pursuant to which the Children’s maternal aunt, with whom the
family was residing at the time, would support them and supervise their
interaction with Mother and Father. Id. at 13. The maternal aunt, however,
did not comply with the safety plan. Id. CYF “had indications that [the]
parents were continuing to use substances.” Id. Mother was asked to take a
random urine screen, the results of which revealed that she was positive for
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THC and cocaine. Id. Father refused to take the drug screen. Id. Based on
the foregoing, CYF requested another ECA on June 19, 2015, which the
juvenile court granted. Id. On the same date, the juvenile court issued orders
appointing KidsVoice as the Children’s guardian ad litem (“GAL”) “to represent
the legal interests and best interests of [the Children] in connection with any
proceedings related to dependency, including any proceeding before a hearing
officer, administrative hearings and reviews.” Juvenile Court Orders, 6/19/15.
At the time the Children were removed from the house and taken into custody,
they were dirty, underweight and behind on their immunizations. N.T. Trial,
3/24/17, at 14. Additionally, E.R. “appeared to have a burn mark on his
head.” Id. The Children were placed temporarily with D.S., who was not a
relative. Id.
Following a shelter hearing, the juvenile court transferred the Children’s
legal and physical custody to CYF and the Children remained in the care of
D.S. Id. at 15-16. On June 25, 2015, CYF filed dependency petitions, which
the juvenile court granted on September 23, 2015. In so doing, the juvenile
court adjudicated the Children dependent because of parental drug use,
medical neglect, improper supervision and housing instability. The juvenile
court directed Mother to seek drug and alcohol treatment, obtain appropriate
housing, and take random urine screens. The permanent placement goal for
the Children was to “return to parent or guardian.” Orders of Adjudication,
9/23/15.
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Since April 2015, Mother has been enrolled in various maintenance
programs to treat her drug addiction. From April 2015 until June 2015, Mother
received treatment at Hutton Health. Id. at 26. In July 2015, Mother enrolled
in a program at Turning Point to seek treatment for drug and alcohol abuse.
N.T. Trial, 3/24/17, at 16-17, 26. She, however, left the program without
completing it. Id. at 18. From April 2015 until March 24, 2017, Mother was
scheduled for forty-one weekly random urine screens, but attended only nine.
Id. at 28.
Since December 2015, Mother has attended the Alliance Medical
Services Methadone maintenance program. Id. at 27, 29. In October 2016,
Mother informed a CYF caseworker that “she would test positive for opiates,
but that she did have a prescription.” Id. at 30. In February 2017, Mother
was convicted of possession of a controlled substance for an incident that
occurred in September 2016. Id.
Although CYF provided Mother information for Allegheny Link, a referral
to Urban League, and other assistance, she failed to obtain stable housing.
Id. at 34. As of March 2017, Mother was residing with her mother. Id. CYF
maintained regular contact with Mother, except for October and December
2015, when she “relapsed on heroin.” Id. at 35.
Mother also had a history of mental health problems, specifically,
depression and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (“ADHD”). Id. To
address the mental health concerns, Mother was referred to Mercy Behavioral
Health (“Mercy”). Id. at 35-36. Mother cancelled two intake appointments
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at Mercy, on August 22, 2016 and September 13, 2016. Id. at 36. She,
however, enrolled at Mercy on January 2017, when she attended four sessions
there. Id. Prior to treatment at Mercy, Mother received services for mental
health at Staunton Clinic and Crossroads. Id. at 35-36. Additionally, in the
summer of 2016, Mother was instructed to participate in a parenting program
at the Three Rivers Adoption Council. Id. at 38-39. She, however, failed to
complete it because she was discharged from the program, in part, because
of her irregular attendance. Id. at 39, 68, 70.
Starting in April 2015, Mother was permitted to have supervised visits
with the Children weekly. Id. at 41. In June 2016, Mother’s visitation rights
were increased to twice weekly. Id. Even though CYF provided Mother
increased visitation with the Children per week, she failed to avail herself of
that opportunity. Id. at 67. In fact, of the seventy scheduled visits with the
Children since June 2015, Mother attended only thirty-five. Id. at 42. CYF
was unaware of Mother’s whereabouts from October to December 2015. Id.
at 67-68. On December 6, 2016, CYF petitioned the orphans’ court to
terminate Mother’s and Father’s parental rights to the Children under Section
2511(a)(2), (5) and (8), and (b) of the Act. KidsVoice continued to represent
the Children as their GAL in the termination proceedings. On March 24, 2017,
the orphans’ court held a hearing on CYF’s involuntary termination petitions,
at which CYF presented the testimony of two witnesses. CYF first called
Athena Wight to the stand, who testified that CYF employed her as a
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caseworker and had assigned her to the instant case. N.T. Trial, 3/24/17, at
5-6. In pertinent part, Ms. Wight testified that Mother
has issues staying on track, following directives, maintaining
appointments. She can be argumentative. She can be
uncooperative. She becomes highly emotional when discussing
her family plan goals, as to alleviate the circumstances of the
[C]hildren’s placement. She has difficulty remembering to be on
time for appointments and to follow up with caseworker.
Id. at 37. Describing the Children’s interaction with Mother, Ms. Wight
testified that, in the summer of 2016, they would “speak to [M]other,” but
“often” referred to her using her first name. Id. at 43. Ms. Wight further
testified that the Children “called their foster mother at that point mommy in
front of [Mother]. They don’t become upset when it is time to leave. Mother
will prompt them to engage with her and they will, but they don’t get upset
when it is time to leave.” Id. at 43-44.
Describing K.R., Ms. Wight remarked:
[K.R.] is shy and quiet sometimes. At the beginning of the case
she had difficulty even speaking. She couldn’t spell her own
name. She displayed a lot of sexual acting out behaviors, like
humping things that were inappropriate objects. She also would
eat objects that weren’t food. When she was fed, she would eat
so much that she would get sick. Now, there hasn’t been any
sexual acting out behavior since her most recent placement. She
grooms herself very well. She talks more. She feels comfortable
to share her thoughts and feelings with her current foster parents
and she doesn’t fight with her brother, which was a really big issue
as well.
Id. at 49. Ms. Wight testified that K.R. was enrolled at a therapeutic program
for children at Matilda Theiss. Id. at 49-50. Next, describing E.R., Ms. Wight
stated:
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[E.R.] became really anxious. He would have a lot of stomach
issues. He got a lot of motion sickness. Some of that was related
to his medical issues, but it was also related to anxiety. He would
refuse to get in the car for visits sometimes or just in general. He
fought with his sister a lot. He would sometimes bang his head.
He became angry and aggressive. Now, he does have some anger
still, but he is in a place where he feels comfortable and safe. They
have a plan for him in school, so that he can take breaks and
relax. He also is participating in therapy with Matilda Theiss. He
knows that he will be fed and clothed in the home that he is in
now and that is the one thing he punctuated that he wanted to
have. He is happier. He talks a whole lot more.
Id. at 50. Ms. Wight testified that the Children were with a new foster family
since December 2016, even though they initially were placed with D.S. Id. at
51. The new foster family was described as “an adoptive resource.” Id. Since
being placed in the care of the new foster family, according to Ms. Wight,
the [C]hildren aren’t fighting, which they were fighting still in the
previous placement. [E.R.] was acting out. He cut the cord on
the previous caregiver’s alarm system. They would attempt to hit
each other, knock things over, especially [E.R.]. They were
having night terrors ongoing. They are not having any nighttime
terrors at all. They sleep in their beds and they don’t wake up.
They also report to me that they enjoy the fact that the house is
clean. [K.R.] most recently stated that she wants to be adopted.
She said to me that she knows that she came out of [Mother’s]
belly, but she wishes that she came out of [foster mom’s]. [E.R.]
calls his foster father dad. He doesn’t refer to [Father]. He hasn’t
spoken to me about [Father] in some time. I have spoken with
the [C]hildren about what kind of home life they would like and
they tell me – most notably, [K.R.] told me that she wants to be
in a place where she is fed and clothed and bathed regularly. That
is all occurring in that home.
Id. at 52-53. Ms. Wight opined that Mother continues to be unable to meet
the essential needs of the Children. Id. at 55. Moreover, Ms. Wight also
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opined that Mother is unable to remedy the conditions that “caused [her]
incapacity, any abuse, neglect or refusal to parent the [C]hildren.” Id.
[Mother’s] continued inability to sustain mental health treatment,
the ongoing criminal activity, the inability to find appropriate
housing, to schedule appointments to ensure that her needs are
met, and to maintain contact to even come to her visitation and
to confirm it continues to be an issue, and her continued non-
compliance with the random urine screens.
Id. at 57.
CYF next presented the testimony of Dr. Neil Rosenblum, a licensed
clinical psychiatrist at Allegheny Forensic Associates, who evaluated Mother
and the Children several times since 2016. Dr. Rosenblum testified that he
conducted two individual evaluations of Mother, one in June 2016 and the
other in March 2017. Id. at 81. Discussing the difference between the two
evaluations, Dr. Rosenblum opined:
Well, I have to say that not a great deal has changed. When
I first met with [M]other, she was living with her mother in McKees
Rocks to the best of my knowledge. That was in June of 2016.
And when I conducted my more recent evaluation with her this
month, March 7, 2017, she was still living with her mother. She
was still involved with a new boyfriend by the name of Zach, who
she’s been involved with now for approximately two years on and
off, give or take rather.
She was in methadone treatment at the time of the initial
evaluation and was still in methadone treatment at the time of the
second evaluation. Mother does have a long-standing and
acknowledged history of substance abuse problems that started
initially as a late teenager using marijuana and she indicates that
she was introduced to opioids when she started a relationship with
[Father] in her early twenties, I believe.
She acknowledges that use of initially pain pills and then
later heroin became a long-standing problem that she has
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struggled with throughout her adult life. She would typically go
off of the heroin when she got pregnant. I don’t believe either
[K.R.] or [E.R.] were born drug-exposed, but sometimes she
would take Subutex, buy it on the street, which is typically the
opioid blocker that is used for pregnant women or would
sometimes use Suboxone, which is a variation of the same. But
she acknowledges that it has been very challenging for her to
remain drug free. She has been attending methadone [sic] at the
Alliance program, I believe for over a year or possibly a little bit
longer than that.
[Mother] also does have a very acknowledged history of
mental health problems. She was diagnosed with ADHD as a child
and actually continues to display signs of inattention and
restlessness and difficulty concentrating. She has also been
diagnosed with a mood disorder, a form of bipolar disorder, with
mood swings and some symptoms of hypomania such as racing
thoughts and rapid speech. She has a lot of sleep difficulties,
which is also characteristic of that disorder.
And she has been prescribed psychotropic medication in
different programs, but has had difficulty staying in programs. I
believe she was kicked out of Staunton Clinic for missing
appointments. She was asked to leave the Crossroads counseling
program because she was non-compliant with the Adderall and
tried to get a larger prescription or forge a prescription, something
of that nature. Then, she did more recently discontinue her last
mental health treatment within the past year at Mercy . . .,
because she felt that she didn’t like the medications that they were
prescribing for her and they wouldn’t prescribe the stimulant
medication, Adderall, because of her problems in regulating that
in the past.
[Mother] is a young woman who has struggled with self-
esteem problems throughout her life. She has difficulty with her
personal identity, with feeling good about herself. She certainly
carries a lot of guilt about what she has put herself and her
children through over the years. And she recognizes that she has
made a lot of bad decisions and used poor judgment. She has
largely been dependent on men, primarily [Father]. She got
involved with him when he was married. She indicated that when
his wife found out, she forced her to have an abortion, but later
did go on to have two children with him. But he would go to jail
and she’d sometimes feel abandoned. Then, broke off with him
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about two years ago around the time the [C]hildren were
removed. Again, now, is in another relationship with someone
who I believe is in recovery. I have not met her current paramour.
She’s also had a loving relationship with her mother and actually
grew up with her mother, according to [Mother], abusing drugs at
times. I believe her father drank excessively. So she’s admittedly
had a very challenging life.
I think [Mother] is someone who can really love her children.
During my most recent evaluation, she was often tearful and she
admittedly is very distressed about the prospect of the possibility
of losing her children, who she truly cares about. But she does
admit that it was very challenging for her to get off drugs and
acknowledges that there were some very rough times and some
very bad situations for her and the [C]hildren prior to their being
removed from her care.
Unfortunately, she has found it difficult to achieve
independence in her life. She continues to reside in her mother’s
home with her paramour. She works different part-time jobs. But
she’s not really compliant with her mental health treatment. She
has not really been able to do much with her methadone
treatment other than go for the daily dosages that she is required.
She has trouble participating due to social anxiety.
So her overall adjustment remains very compromised and I
would say that [Mother] is just psychologically stuck, if I can use
that word, in terms of wanting to do better, wanting to feel better
about herself and achieve independence, but really at this point
has [not] been able to do so.
Id. at 81-85. Discussing his evaluations of the Children, Dr. Rosenblum stated
that the Children “have bonded very, very strongly to their new foster
parents.” Id. at 88. In particular, he opined, “I’ve been doing these
evaluations for over thirty years. I’d have to say that they have become very
strongly attached in an extremely short period of time.” Id. at 88-89. Dr.
Rosenblum attributed the Children’s rapid attachment to the new foster family
to a “combination of the [C]hildren’s desire for love and affection, as well as
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very definite strong skills and unusual demonstration of affection, love and
commitment to the [C]hildren by [the foster parents].” Id. at 89. He further
opined that the Children love their foster parents and speak about “being in
their forever home with their foster parents and they are very committed to
this family and to the life that they’ve started to experience in their new family
environment.” Id. Dr. Rosenblum opined that the Children finally “are getting
the attention and the emotional support that they need and that they desire.”
Id.
With respect to their connection with Mother, Dr. Rosenblum opined that
the Children’s “relationship with her and their attachment to her has lessened
and waned” in the two years since their removal from her care. Id. at 89-90.
The Children spoke about [Mother], at least their memories of
[her], not always taking good care of her. They know that she
used drugs, or that she did bad things. They have some
recollection whether real or partially created by faded memories,
they feel they didn’t always have a lot of food in the home, et
cetera.
They don’t seem to really have a strong desire to visit with
[Mother]. Actually, [K.R.] said she’d prefer not to visit, because
she gets home late. Again, over time, their relationship has not
remained as strong as one might expect. Both children are very
eager to be adopted.
Id. at 90. Dr. Rosenblum testified that the Children’s connection with the new
foster family is “genuine” and that the connection “does have a highly strong
probability of being honest and lasting and a placement that is going to be
exceptionally supportive and conducive to providing appropriate care of the
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[C]hildren on a long-term basis.” Id. at 93. The Children have developed
close relationships with the extended families of both foster parents. Id.
On cross-examination, Dr. Rosenblum explained that when he evaluated
Mother and the Children, the Children did not interact much with Mother. Id.
at 96. In fact, they
played and were much independent in their play. They did not
seek out attention from [M]other. Mother tried to be affectionate
with the children. She tried to give them kisses and playfully tickle
[] them and get them to laugh. But I would say that the [C]hildren
were more distant from [M]other than [their older stepsibling].
Id. Dr. Rosenblum opined that the Children would benefit “from at least
limited contact with” Mother “as long as [it is] not disruptive to the lives of
the [C]hildren and [does not] interfere with the primary relationships that they
are establishing to the new caregivers.” Id. at 100.
On April 10, 2017, the orphans’ court granted CYF’s petitions to
involuntarily terminate Mother’s and Father’s3 parental rights to the Children
under Section 2511(a)(2), (5) and (8) and (b) of the Act. Mother timely
appealed. Following Mother’s filing of a Pa.R.A.P. 1925(a)(2)(i) and (b)
statement of errors complained of on appeal, the trial court issued a Pa.R.A.P.
1925(a) opinion.
On appeal, Mother raises three issues for our review, which we repeat
verbatim:
[I.] Did the trial court abuse its discretion and/or err as a matter
of law in granting the petition to involuntarily terminate
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3 Father has not contested termination of his parental rights to the Children.
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Mother’s parental rights pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S.A.
§ 2511(a)(1), (2), (5,) and (8)?
[II.] Did the trial court abuse its discretion and/or err as a matter
of law in concluding that CYF met its burden of proving by
clear and convincing evidence that termination of Mother’s
parental rights would best serve the needs and welfare of
the children pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S.A. § 2511(b)?
[III.] Did the trial court abuse its discretion and/or err as a matter
of law by failing to appoint legal counsel for the children?
Mother’s Brief at 7.4
Our standard of review for an order involuntarily terminating parental
rights is well established.
The standard of review in termination of parental rights cases
requires appellate courts to accept the findings of fact and
credibility determinations of the trial court if they are supported
by the record. If the factual findings are supported, appellate
courts review to determine if the trial court made an error of law
or abused its discretion. A decision may be reversed for an abuse
of discretion only upon demonstration of manifest
unreasonableness, partiality, prejudice, bias, or ill-will. The trial
court’s decision, however, should not be reversed merely because
the record would support a different result. We have previously
emphasized our deference to trial courts that often have first-hand
observations of the parties spanning multiple hearings.
In re T.S.M., 71 A.3d 251, 267 (Pa. 2013) (citations and quotation marks
omitted). Involuntary termination of parental rights (“TPR”) is governed by
Section 2511 of the Act, 23 Pa.C.S.A. § 2511, which requires a bifurcated
analysis.
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4 Contrary to Mother’s first issue, the orphans’ court did not terminate Mother’s
parental rights under Section 2511(a)(1). As noted earlier, CYF sought
termination only on the basis of Section 2511(a)(2), (5) and (8) and (b).
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Initially, the focus is on the conduct of the parent. The party
seeking termination must prove by clear and convincing evidence
that the parent’s conduct satisfies the statutory grounds for
termination delineated in Section 2511(a). Only if the court
determines that the parent’s conduct warrants termination of his
or her parental rights does the court engage in the second part of
the analysis pursuant to Section 2511(b): determination of the
needs and welfare of the child under the standards of the best
interests of the child. One major aspect of the needs and welfare
analysis concerns the nature and status of the emotional bond
between parent and child, with close attention paid to the effect
on the child of permanently severing any such bond.
In re L.M., 923 A.2d 505, 511 (Pa. Super. 2007) (citations omitted). “The
standard of clear and convincing evidence is defined as testimony that is so
‘clear, direct, weighty, and convincing as to enable the trier of fact to come to
a clear conviction, without hesitance, of the truth of the precise facts in issue.’”
In re Adoption of G.L.L., 124 A.3d 344 (Pa. Super. 2015) (quoting In re
Adoption of S.M., 816 A.2d 1117, 1122 (Pa. Super. 2003) (additional
citations omitted)).
In the matter sub judice, the orphans’ court found that clear and
convincing evidence was presented for terminating Mother’s parental rights
under 23 Pa.C.S.A. § 2511(a) (2), (5), and (8). These subsections provide
for termination of parental rights if:
(2) The repeated and continued incapacity, abuse, neglect or
refusal of the parent has caused the child to be without essential
parental care, control or subsistence necessary for his physical or
mental well-being and the conditions and causes of the incapacity,
abuse, neglect or refusal cannot or will not be remedied by the
parent.
...
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(5) The child has been removed from the care of the parent by
the court or under a voluntary agreement with an agency for a
period of at least six months, the conditions which led to the
removal or placement of the child continue to exist, the parent
cannot or will not remedy those conditions within a reasonable
period of time, the services or assistance reasonably available to
the parent are not likely to remedy the conditions which led to the
removal or placement of the child within a reasonable period of
time and the termination of the parental rights would best serve
the needs and welfare of the child.
...
(8) The child has been removed from the care of the parent by
the court or under a voluntary agreement with an agency, 12
months or more have elapsed from the date of the removal or
placement, the conditions which led to the removal or placement
of the child continue to exist and termination of parental rights
would best serve the needs and welfare of the child.
23 Pa.C.S.A. § 2511(a)(2), (5), and (8). To affirm the trial court’s termination
of Mother’s parental rights, we need only agree with the trial court as to any
one subsection of Section 2511(a), as well as Section 2511(b). In re B.L.W.,
843 A.2d 380, 384 (Pa. Super. 2004) (en banc), appeal denied, 863 A.2d
1141 (Pa. 2004). Without considering the orphans’ court determinations
under Section 2511(a)(2) and (5), we shall proceed to review whether the
orphans’ court erred in terminating Mother’s parental rights to the Children
under Section 2511(a)(8). “[T]he analysis under Section 2511(a)(8) accounts
for the needs of the child in addition to the behavior of the parent.” In re
C.L.G., 956 A.2d 999, 1008-09 (Pa. Super. 2008).
To terminate parental rights under Section 2511(a)(8), the trial court
must find by clear and convincing evidence that:
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(1) [t]he child has been removed from parental care for 12 months
or more from the date of removal; (2) the conditions which led to
the removal or placement of the child continue to exist; and (3)
termination of parental rights would best serve the needs and
welfare of the child.
In re C.W.U., Jr., 33 A.3d 1 (Pa. Super. 2011) (quoting In re Adoption of
M.E.P., 825 A.2d 1266, 1275-75 (Pa. Super. 2003) (additional citations
omitted)).
As of December 6, 2016, the date the termination petitions were filed,
the Children had been outside of Mother’s care for more than 12 months.
As of the time of Mother’s termination hearings, the conditions that led
to the Children being removed from Mother’s care continued to exist.
The Children’s family initially came to the attention of CYF in July 2009,
following Mother’s release from jail. Trial Court Findings of Fact, 4/10/17 at
#13. CYF again became involved with the family after receiving reports an
older step-sibling suffered a black eye and experienced other physical
ailments. Id. CYF also received reports that Mother and Father suffered
homelessness, and the Children were experiencing neglect. Id. On March 22,
2013, CYF became involved with the family again after receiving reports of
drug and alcohol abuse at the home and medical neglect of the Children. Id.
When the family was again able to be found in approximately September
2014, Mother admitted at that time to homelessness and heroin abuse. Id.
at #14.
In April 2015, CYF sought an ECA because of ongoing substance abuse
which was denied. Id. at #15. Subsequently, CYF received reports that the
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older children were caring for the younger children and that Mother was using
suboxone without a prescription. Id. at #16. The Children were placed with
relatives with visits by the parents. Id. Nonetheless, the parents’ substance
abuse continued with Mother testing positive for THC and cocaine. Id. On
June 9, 2015, CYS applied for and was granted an ECA. Id. at #17. The
Children were placed in foster care with a nonrelative. At that time, the
Children were dirty, underweight, behind on their immunizations and E.R.
appeared to have a burn mark on his head. Id. Following removal, the
juvenile court ordered Mother and Father to receive drug and alcohol
evaluations and treatment, random urine screens, to complete parenting
classes, and to visit with the Children upon confirmation 24 hours in advance.
Id. at #18.
The Children were adjudicated dependent on September 23, 2015. Id.
at #19. At that time, Mother lacked appropriate housing, the Children
appeared to be suffering from medical neglect, and both Mother and Father
continued to abuse controlled substances. Id. The Children continued to lack
appropriate supervision. Id. Following removal of the Children, Mother began
to participate in a methadone maintenance program and remained in
compliance with that program, but was not successful in stepping down or
decreasing her methadone use. Id. at #20. Since April 2015, Mother was
scheduled for 41 urine screens, of which she only attended 9. Id.
In February 2017, after having incurred new criminal charges for
possession of controlled substance, Mother received a sentence of probation.
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Id. at #21. This conviction is evidence of her failing to resolve her drug abuse.
See In re C.L.G., 956 A.2d at 1006-07 (finding that appellant’s incarceration
for a drug offense is a direct consequence of her drug abuse, and such drug-
related issues continued to impede her ability to care for her children).
To address Mother’s homelessness, CYF referred her for services. Id. at
#22. However, Mother continued to reside in her mother’s home. Id.
Mother admitted to suffering depression and ADHD symptoms. Id. CYF
offered her mental health treatment services, but Mother was not compliant
or otherwise chose to discontinue treatment and has not reported successful
completion of a mental health program. Id. Although Mother succeeded with
the requirements she attend a parenting program, Mother acknowledged her
problems with substance abuse, and the challenge of maintaining a drug-free
lifestyle. Id. Mother also recognizes her shortcomings in providing the
Children with adequate parental supervision and care. Id. at #23. Since June
2016, Mother was scheduled for 70 visits with the Children of which she
attended only 35. Id. at #24. The Children have been removed from their
initial placement as of December 23, 2016, and continue to reside with a foster
family.
The orphans’ court found Mother failed to provide the Children with
stability and security, parental supervision and care. She failed to comply
with the goals to obtain stable housing, to successfully complete drug and
alcohol treatment, and regularly attend urine screens. Mother additionally
attended only half of her scheduled visits with the Children since June 2016.
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She has been unable to sustain mental health treatment and suffers ongoing
difficulty maintaining housing. The orphans’ court found that Mother’s failure
to give priority to parenting and to provide a stable, secure environment for
the Children has caused the Children to remain in care. Id. at #33. In
summary, the reasons that caused the Children to be removed from Mother
continued to exist as of the time of the TPR proceedings.
The orphans’ court also found that terminating Mother’s rights would
best serve the needs and welfare of the Children. As more fully discussed,
supra, K.R. and E.R. have been thriving with their foster family, their
behavioral problems have become less pronounced, and their needs are being
met. The record supports these findings.
Upon consideration of the foregoing, we conclude CYF met it burden to
prove by clear and convincing evidence that Mother’s parental rights should
be terminated under Section 2511(a)(8). The orphans’ court did not abuse
its discretion or err as a matter of law by so finding.
We now address whether the orphans’ court committed an abuse of
discretion or error of law by concluding CYS met its burden of proof by clear
and convincing evidence that termination of Mother’s parental rights would
best serve the needs and welfare of the Children under Section 2511(b).
Section 2511(b) provides:
The court in terminating the rights of a parent shall give primary
consideration to the developmental, physical and emotional needs
and welfare of the child. The rights of a parent shall not be
terminated solely on the basis of environmental factors such as
inadequate housing, furnishings, income, clothing and medical
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care if found to be beyond the control of the parent. With respect
to any petition filed pursuant to subsection (a)(1), (6), or (8), the
court shall not consider any efforts by the parent to remedy the
conditions described therein which are first initiated subsequent
to the giving of notice of the filing of the petition.
23 Pa.C.S.A. § 2511(b). Moreover, we have held that:
Section 2511(b) “focuses on whether termination of parental
rights would best serve the developmental, physical, and
emotional needs and welfare of the child.” In re Adoption of
J.M., 991 A.2d 321, 324 (Pa. Super. 2010). As this Court has
explained, “Section 2511(b) does not explicitly require a bonding
analysis and the term ‘bond’ is not defined in the Adoption Act.
Case law, however, provides that analysis of the emotional bond,
if any, between parent and child is a factor to be considered as
part of our analysis.” In re K.K.R.-S., 958 A.2d 529, 533 (Pa.
Super. 2008). “While a parent’s emotional bond with his or her
child is a major aspect of the subsection 2511(b) best-interest
analysis, it is nonetheless only one of many factors to be
considered by the court when determining what is in the best
interest of the child.” In re N.A.M., 33 A.3d 95, 103 (Pa. Super.
2011) (citing K.K.R.-S., 958 A.2d at 533-36).
[I]n addition to a bond examination, the trial court can
equally emphasize the safety needs of the child, and
should also consider the intangibles, such as the love,
comfort, security, and stability the child might have
with the foster parent. Additionally, this Court stated
that the trial court should consider the importance of
continuity of relationships and whether any existing
parent-child bond can be severed without detrimental
effects on the child.
In re Adoption of C.D.R., 111 A.3d 1212, 1219 (Pa. Super. 2015) (quoting
N.A.M., 33 A.3d at 103). As discussed above, the Children are thriving while
being cared for by their foster family. The foster family is providing the
Children a support system and meeting their emotional, physical, and
psychological needs. The Children’s behavioral problems have improved since
they have been in the care of the foster family. Testimony at the hearing
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further established that the Children have bonded with the foster family, and
do not look to Mother to provide for their needs. While Dr. Rosenblum testified
that the Children would benefit from some contact with Mother, and the
Children have some lingering affection for Mother, there was overwhelming
testimony that it is in the Children’s best interests to terminate Mother’s
parental rights. Thus, we find that the orphans’ court did not abuse its
discretion when it terminated Mother’s parental rights pursuant to Section
2511(b).
We now address Mother’s final issue that was the basis for this Court to
consider these matters for en banc consideration; whether in these TPR
proceedings, the orphans’ court abused its discretion when it failed to appoint
legal counsel for the Children under Section 2313(a) of the Act. Section
2313(a) provides as follows:
(a) Child.--The court shall appoint counsel to represent the
child in an involuntary termination proceeding when the
proceeding is being contested by one or both of the parents. The
court may appoint counsel or a guardian ad litem to represent any
child who has not reached the age of 18 years and is subject to
any other proceeding under this part whenever it is in the best
interests of the child. No attorney or law firm shall represent both
the child and the adopting parent or parents.
23 Pa.C.S.A. § 2313(a) (emphasis added). With respect to appointment of
counsel, our review of the record reveals the following.
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On June 19, 2015, the juvenile court entered separate orders appointing
KidsVoice as guardian ad litem (“GAL”) in dependency proceedings for K.R.
and E.R. 5 Its orders provided that:
KidsVoice is hereby appointed Guardian ad litem (GAL) for the
above-named minor child (Child), to represent the legal interests
and best interests of Child in connection with any proceedings
related to dependency, including any proceeding before a hearing
officer, administrative hearings and reviews.
If the grounds for dependency DO NOT fall within paragraph
(1), (2), (3), (4) or (10) of the definition of Dependent Child in 42
Pa.C.S.A. § 6302, KidsVoice is appointed as attorney for child.
Juvenile Court Orders, 6/19/15, at 1.
On September 23, 2015, the juvenile court entered orders of
adjudication and disposition finding, by clear and convincing evidence, the
Children dependent pursuant to the Pennsylvania Juvenile Act at 42 Pa.C.S.A.
§ 6302. Almost one year later, on September 15, 2016, the juvenile court
entered orders granting motions to schedule hearings on requests by CYF for
goal changes and TPR hearings. Goal change and termination proceedings
began on March 24, 2017. At that time, KidsVoice, through its counsel,
indicated that it was appearing as guardian ad litem for the Children. N.T.
Trial, 3/24/17, at 2-3. During the course of cross-examination, counsel for
____________________________________________
5 A guardian ad litem also was appointed for the Children’s stepsibling. At the
termination proceedings, Mother withdrew her contest with respect to the
stepsibling, indicating that she was happy with the stepsibling’s current
placement. N.T., 3/24/17, at 105. Accordingly, we concern ourselves only
with the matter of representation for K.R. and E.R.
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KidsVoice indicated that she was the “attorney” for the Children. Id. at 101.
At the conclusion of the termination proceedings, counsel for KidsVoice
indicated that the Children expressed their wish to be adopted by their foster
care family, or as the younger child indicated, “their forever home,” id. at
112-13, and agreed that CYS met its burden to terminate parental rights by
clear and convincing evidence. The orphans’ court docket does not indicate
that the court ever entered a separate order appointing counsel for Children
for the goal change and termination proceedings. In fact, the record is silent
in this regard.
Since we conclude that our Supreme Court’s decision in T.S. controls
the representation issues raised by Mother’s appeals, we proceed first to
discuss that decision.
In T.S., CYF sought in July 2015 an emergency custody authorization to
remove children, T.S. and E.S., from their mother’s care, as it believed it no
longer could ensure the safety of the children in mother’s care. At that time,
T.S. and E.S. were approximately 2 and 1 years old, respectively.6 The
children were adjudicated dependent and placed with foster parents. For the
placement and permanency review period that followed, the court appointed
KidsVoice to represent the Children’s best and legal interests in compliance
with Section 6311 of the Juvenile Code.7 In late 2016, CYS filed a petition to
____________________________________________
6 T.S. was born in June 2013 and E.S. was born in August 2014.
7 See 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 6311; Pa.R.J.C.P. 1154.
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terminate mother’s parental rights. CYF and mother were represented by
counsel, and as reflected on the hearing transcript and TPR docket sheet, the
children were represented by counsel from KidsVoice. The orders appointing
KidsVoice to represent the children in the dependency proceedings stated it
was to represent their legal and best interests, and it was undisputed that the
dual function carried over into the termination proceedings. The children
therefore, had continuity of representation between dependency and
termination proceedings. However, no independent counsel represented
solely the children’s legal interests in the termination proceedings. Upon
conclusion of the termination proceedings on February 3, 2017, the court
terminated mother’s parental rights to both children. Mother appealed to this
Court.
While mother’s appeal in T.S. was pending in this Court, our Supreme
Court decided L.B.M. on March 28, 2017. In her appellate brief, mother
claimed for the first time that children should have been represented by
appointed counsel separate from the GAL at the termination proceeding. She
argued the failure to do so was structural error and her failure to raise the
issue previously should be excused because our Supreme Court had not yet
ruled in L.B.M. at the time of the February 3, 2017 hearing. Both CYS and
the GAL maintained mother waived this issue.
Before reaching the merits of mother’s representation claim, the T.S.
Court addressed whether the issue of the children’s right to counsel under
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Section 2313(a) was waivable. The Court first noted that while the failure to
appoint counsel implicates structural error, that does not in itself resolve the
waiver question. Structural error means only that no harmless-error analysis
is relevant. T.S., 192 A.2d at 1087. Structural error does not always imply
non-waivability. Id. Nonetheless, the Court concluded that the particular
type of alleged error was non-waivable. The statutory right to counsel under
Section 2313(a) belongs to the child, not the parent. The issue was non-
waivable as there was no attorney representing solely the children’s legal
interests who could have raised their rights in the trial court, and the children
plainly could not have done so themselves. Id. As important, the Court also
concluded that the failure of any party, including mother, to affirmatively
request separate counsel for the children cannot constitute waiver. Id.
The Court next addressed whether an attorney-GAL may represent a
child’s best and legal interests simultaneously in a termination proceeding, or
whether the failure to appoint separate counsel to represent a child’s legal
interests constitutes error. At the outset of its decision, the Court summarized
those points upon which a majority of the L.B.M. Court agreed: (a) in a TPR
proceeding, the first sentence of Section 2313(a) requires a common pleas
court to appoint an attorney to represent the child’s legal interests, i.e., the
child’s preferred outcome; (b) where there is a conflict between a child’s legal
and best interests, an attorney-GAL, who advocates for the child’s best
interests, cannot simultaneously represent the child’s legal interests; and (c)
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in such a circumstance, the failure to appoint a separate attorney to represent
the child’s legal interests constitutes structural error not subject to a
harmless-error analysis. T.S., 192 A.3d at 1082. The Court then expressly
reaffirmed what four Justices in L.B.M. agreed upon; where a child’s legal and
best interests do not diverge in a termination proceeding, an attorney-GAL
representing a child’s best interests can also fulfill the role of the attorney
appointed under Section 2313(a) to represent the child’s legal interests. T.S.
192 A.3d at 1088. Building further upon its analysis, the Court then concluded
that where a child’s legal interests are not ascertainable during termination
proceedings, such as when a child is of a very young age and unable to express
a preference, no conflict can exist for an attorney-GAL appointed under
Section 2313(a) to represent simultaneously the child’s legal and best
interests. Id. at 1090, 1092. As a matter of logic, there can be no conflict
between an attorney’s duty to advance a subjective preference on a child’s
part that is incapable of ascertainment, and an attorney’s concurrent
obligation to advocate for a child’s best interests, as counsel understands
them to be. Id. at 1090. The Court therefore, affirmed this Court’s order that
concluded the common pleas court did not err in failing to appoint separate
counsel to represent the legal interests of the children, T.S. and E.S., who
both, due to age, were not able to express their preference in connection to
the TPR proceedings.
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Returning now to the present consolidated appeals, we initially note
similarity in several facts to those in T.S. Both cases present instances where
the common pleas court appointed an attorney-GAL to represent the children’s
best and legal interests in dependency proceedings. That dual representation
carried over into TPR proceedings without the issuance of a separate
appointment order under Section 2313(a). Both cases also present
circumstances where mothers raised the issue of representation for the first
time on appeal. Factually, the cases are distinguishable in that the children
in T.S. were not capable of expressing their preference due to their young
age, whereas here, at the time of TPR proceedings, K.R. and E.R. were
approximately 10 and 5 years old, respectively, and were able to express their
preferences.
Based upon our Supreme Court’s decision in T.S., and its clarification
and reaffirmation of principles agreed upon by a majority of Justices in L.B.M.,
we are able to come to the following conclusions with respect to these
consolidated appeals. First, Mother did not waive the issue of whether the
orphans’ court erred in appointment of counsel for Children in these TPR
proceeding by raising the issue for the first time on appeal. This issue is non-
waivable. T.S. 192 A.3d at 1087. Second, Mother, as well as any other party,
can raise the non-waivable issue of the Children’s legal representation. Id.
Third, under the circumstances of these appeals, the orphans’ court did not
commit reversible error by not entering a separate order appointing counsel
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under Section 2313(a) for the Children’s legal interests. We come to this
latter conclusion because the Children were able to express their preferences
to counsel, counsel expressed those preferences, as well as the Children’s best
interests to the orphans’ court, and there was no conflict in these positions.
Although the orphans’ court did not enter a separate order of counsel
appointment for the TPR proceedings, we conclude this was not reversible
error, as the Children’s legal interests were adequately represented.
In closing, we too would like to echo our Supreme Court’s view that it
would be a better practice for a court to place an order on the record
formalizing a GAL’s role in termination proceedings. T.S. 192 A.3d at n.19.
As appointment of counsel to represent a child’s legal interests is mandatory
under Section 2313(a), clarifying a GAL’s role in TPR proceedings ensures that
simultaneous representation of a child’s legal and best interests is properly
considered. When counsel possesses information that gives rise to a conflict
that may be detrimental to a child’s legal interests, counsel should move the
court for appointment of a separate counsel. Doing so is consistent with
counsel’s ethical obligations under our rules governing the attorney/client
relationship. See Rule of Professional Conduct 1.7, Conflict of Interest:
Current Clients. When a child has a preferred outcome that is ascertainable,
counsel representing a child’s legal interests, after appropriate consultation
with the child, should place on the record the child’s preferred outcome. See
T.M.L.M., 184 A.3d 585, 591 (Pa. Super. 2018). Where a court appoints an
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attorney, but the attorney never attempts to ascertain the child’s position and
advocates solely for the child’s best interests, the child has been deprived
impermissibly of his or her statutory right to counsel serving his legal
interests. Id. citing L.B.M., 161 A.3d at 174, 180. Effective representation
of a child requires, at a bare minimum, attempting to ascertain the client's
position and advocating in a manner designed to effectuate that position.
T.M.L.M. at 590.
For the foregoing reasons, we affirm the orphans’ court orders
terminating Mother’s parental rights to the Children, K.R. and E.R.
Orders affirmed.
Judges Bowes, Shogan, and Olson join this opinion.
Judge Dubow files a concurring statement in which Judges Panella,
Lazarus, and Ott join.
President Judge Gantman, Judges Panella, Lazarus, and Ott concur in
the result.
Judgment Entered.
Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary
Date: 12/10/2018
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