ÿWPC£5 Ø°ŽG_uÐ!èG­Ãˆ¶ë>Îë̪Nñ´X™Ö·O÷‚ìÛ¹pn±pÒSÖp$·ðºUÃ[Äxi„¹Ôƒ‡?6VÏÏ1ê$¨Ú±Ûq¦WpÓ rÊë¨!V,Ô ·éùÙ~ CìaKÕ°ú9]ê¿}©d†¿>ò^ä«_Éd†òÅ8®Àøïü “ŒÎ[+2ò=ZÖÿ)½õd#!xU/N™ %ç 0(íw 4 - < V b^ Œf Nò 0Pô ^ D P mR :i 0 Ï£ r 0 D 0DÑWUNlNº63>Ÿq$$%Ç<) B,÷ ,þ.51U:J2J2J2J2J2J2J2J2J2J2J2J2J2J2J2J2J2J2J2J2J2J2J2J2J2J2J2J2J2J2J2J2J2J2J2J2J2J2J2J2J2J2J2J2J2J2J2J2J2 0D„2„2„2„2„2„2„2 D5È2È2 Aý2 D?~3 BG½3 AQ4ÆU4 0D5 0D_5˜HP LaserJet 8000 DN PSØÚØÚÚØØÚ0(ÖÃ9 Z ‹6Times New Roman RegularX($¡¡{Z='tttttt3|xwaiver- ù- ‚Ý ƒéÎ$ÝÒ€°ÒÒ„°ÒÓ  ÓÑ @ ÑÑ@ÑÔ€¼",»XXÔà Ø àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ‡XrPX»¼",ÔOn€appeal,€Mr.€Rose€has€raised€no€issue€regarding€the€courtððs€decision€to€grant€theÐ ° Ðadoption€of€E.N.R.€by€Mr.€Reed.Ô#†¼",»XXrP¶#Ô((3/Q$««Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  ÝÔ d Ô¢”='L ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ 0Ñ#€º€»ÿÿd#ÑÑ € Ñ((2ÿî$¤¤Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  ÝÒ€°ÒÒ„°ÒÓ  ÓÑ  ÑÑÑÔ€¼»XXÔà Ø àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó Ý ƒéÎ$ÝÒ€°ÒÒ„°ÒÓ  ÓÑ @ ÑÑ@ÑÔ€¼",»XXÔà Ø àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€Ô‡XrPX»¼",Ô€€The€wording€of€the€statute€indicates€the€legislatureððs€intent€that€the€evidentiaryÐ ° Ðrequirements€of€both€prongs€of€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113€(c)€€must€be€satisfied€by€clear€andÐ Â Ðconvincing€evidence.€òòSee€also€State€Department€of€Children€Services€v.€Maloneóó,€No.€03A01„Ð ®þ Ð9706„JV„00224,€1998€WL€46461€at€*€2€(Tenn.€App.€February€5,€1998)€(Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€11Ð šê Ðapplication€denied,€June€8,€1998)€(applying€the€clear€and€convincing€standard€to€the€bestÐ †Ö Ðinterest€test);€òòState€Department€of€Children€Services€v.€Darróó,€No.€03A01„9706„JV„00213,€1998Ð r  ÐWL€128874€at€*€4€(Tenn€App.€March€24,€1998)€(no€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€11€application€filed)€Ð ^ ® Ð(same).Ô#†¼",»XXrP·#Ô(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó(3¯$©©Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  Ý MÝ ƒb¯"ÝÝ  ÝÔ€#X)ˆXXXÔÔ€#hX#X)ˆÔÓ  ÓÔ_Ôò òÔ Ad ÔFILEDÔ€#X)ˆX#hÔÐ  ÐÌSeptember€29,€1999ÌÌCecil€Ô_ÔCrowsonÔ_Ô,€Jr.ÌAppellate€Court€Ô_ÔClerkÔdAxÔó óÔ_Ô(ÖÃ9 Z‹6Times New Roman Regular DÝ ƒéÎ$ÝÒ€°ÒÒ„°ÒÓ  ÓÑ @ ÑÑ@ÑÔ€¼",»XXÔà Ø àòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ‡XrPX»¼",Ô€€The€appellate€clerkððs€file€includes€a€letter€from€an€Assistant€Attorney€General€askingÐ ° Ðto€be€removed€from€the€notice€list€in€this€case€because€ð ðthe€state€has€no€interestðð€in€it.€It€is€notÐ œì Ðclear€how€the€Assistant€Attorney€General€came€to€be€listed€to€receive€notices€regarding€thisÐ ˆØ Ðcase,€and€the€appellate€record€contains€no€indication€that€the€Attorney€General€was€providedÐ tÄ Ðnotice€that€Mr.€Rose€was€challenging€the€constitutionality€of€a€statute.€The€letter€supports€thatÐ `° Ðconclusion€since€indicating€ð ðno€interestðð€is€not€one€of€the€options€available€to€the€AttorneyÐ L œ ÐGeneral€upon€receipt€of€notice€of€a€challenge€to€the€validity€of€a€statute.€òòSee€óóTenn.€CodeÐ 8 ˆ ÐAnn.ðð8„6„109(b)(9).€€Ô#†¼",»XXrP¶#Ô ,Ý ƒéÎ$ÝÒ€°ÒÒ„°ÒÓ  ÓÑ @ ÑÑ@ÑÔ€¼",»XXÔà Ø àòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€€Ô€XrPX»¼",ÔThe€scarcity€of€cases€involving€this€situation€is€not€surprising€because€theÐ ° Ðintermediate€appellate€courts€would€have€addressed€the€lack€of€notice€to€the€Attorney€GeneralÐ Â Ðexcept€in€those€cases€wherein€the€intermediate€court€is€bypassed€pursuant€to€Tenn.€Code€Ann.Ð ®þ Ððð16„3„201(d).€ )Ý ƒéÎ$ÝÒ€°ÒÒ„°ÒÓ  ÓÑ @ ÑÑ@ÑÔ€¼",»XXÔà Ø àòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€€Ô€XrPX»¼",ÔThe€Supreme€Court€has€determined€that€in€a€action€brought€under€the€DeclaratoryÐ ° ÐJudgment€Act€challenging€the€constitutionality€of€a€statute,€the€Attorney€General€must€be€madeÐ Â Ða€party.òò€See€Cummings€v.€Ô_ÔBeelerÔ_Ôóó,€189€Tenn.€151,€223€S.W.2d€913€(1949).€òòSee€also€Ô_ÔPatyÔ_Ô€v.Ð ®þ ÐMcDanielóó,€547€S.W.2d€897,€901,€wherein€the€Court€stated€that€the€case€had€earlier€beenÐ šê Ðð ðremanded€to€cure€the€deficiency€of€failure€to€make€the€Attorney€General€a€party.ðð •Ý ƒéÎ$ÝÒ€°ÒÒ„°ÒÓ  ÓÑ @ ÑÑ@ÑÔ€¼",»XXÔà Ø àòòÚ  Ú7Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€€Ô€XrPX»¼",ÔIn€€òòCummings€v.€Shippóó,€the€Court€held€that€service€on€the€Attorney€General,€underÐ ° Ðthe€Declaratory€Judgment€Act,€was€mandatory.€This€lawsuit€had€only€one€issue:€theÐ Â Ðconstitutionality€of€a€statute€of€statewide€application.€€The€Court€found€that€it€was€withoutÐ ®þ Ðjurisdiction€because€the€€parties€did€not€have€adverse€interests,€and€since€the€Attorney€GeneralÐ šê Ðwas€not€made€a€party,€no€adverse€interests€were€represented.€In€òòÔ_ÔPatyÔ_Ô€v.€McDanielóó,€the€onlyÐ †Ö Ðissue€before€the€Supreme€Court€was€whether€a€provision€of€Tennesseeððs€Constitution€violatedÐ r  Ðindividual€rights€guaranteed€under€the€U.€S.€Constitution.€The€Plaintiff€brought€suit€to€have€anÐ ^ ® Ðopposing€candidate€for€office€declared€ineligible€under€the€Tennessee€Constitution.€Inòò€BuenaÐ J š ÐVista€Special€School€Dist.€v.€Board€of€Election€Ô_ÔComððrsÔ_Ô€of€Carroll€Countyóó,€173€Tenn.€198,€116Ð 6 † ÐS.W.2d€1008,€(1938),€the€lower€court€had€enjoined€the€holding€of€an€election€on€the€ground€thatÐ " r  Ðthe€statute€authorizing€the€election€was€unconstitutional.€The€Supreme€Court,€while€finding€thatÐ ^  Ðthe€chancellor€was€correct€in€his€conclusion€that€the€statute€was€unconstitutional,€reversed€theÐ úJ  Ðgranting€of€the€injunction.€The€Court€then€held€that€the€lawsuit€should€proceed€under€theÐ æ6  ÐDeclaratory€Judgment€Act,€that€relief€under€that€act€seemed€proper,€and€that€the€AttorneyÐ Ò"  ÐGeneral€should€be€made€a€party€to€the€declaratory€judgment€action.€ €JENELLHUDDLESTONHILLHOUSELAWRENCEBURGCHEATWOODE.N.R.JenellE.N.R NaleO'DanielMcDanielHarlessShipp Ý ƒéÎ$ÝÒ€°ÒÒ„°ÒÓ  ÓÑ @ ÑÑ@ÑÔ€¼",»XXÔà Ø àòòÚ  Ú8Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€€Ô€XrPX»¼",ÔIn€only€one€case€has€the€procedural€defect€been€attributed€to€the€trial€court,€and€in€thatÐ ° Ðcase€the€trial€court,€òòÔ_ÔsuaÔ_Ô€Ô_ÔsponteÔ_Ôóó,€determined€a€statute€to€be€unconstitutional,€even€though€theÐ Â Ðissue€had€not€been€raised€by€the€parties.€No€notice€had€been€provided€to€the€Attorney€General.Ð ®þ ÐòòSeeóó€òòHaynes€v.€City€of€Pigeon€Forgeóó,€883€S.W.2d€619€(Tenn.€App.€1994).€This€court€found€theÐ šê Ðtrial€courtððs€ruling€ð ðprocedurally€defectiveðð,€but€Ô_ÔpretermittedÔ_Ô€the€constitutional€issue€andÐ †Ö Ðdecided€the€case€on€other€grounds€which€did€not€require€consideration€of€the€constitutionalÐ r  Ðissue.€òòIdóó€at€619. ½Ý ƒéÎ$ÝÒ€°ÒÒ„°ÒÓ  ÓÑ @ ÑÑ@ÑÔ€¼",»XXÔà Ø àòòÚ  Ú9Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€€Ô€XrPX»¼",ÔIn€òòHarlessóó,€the€plaintiff„appellant€challenged€city€ordinances.€However,€this€courtÐ ° Ðfound€that€the€claim€also€constituted€a€challenge€to€statutes€of€statewide€applicability€since€theÐ Â Ðordinances€essentially€tracked€the€language€of€the€corresponding€statutes.€Therefore,€the€courtÐ ®þ Ðfound€the€notice€provisions€of€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€29„14„107(b)€and€Tenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€24.04Ð šê Ðapplied.Ð †Ö Ð d íÝ ƒéÎ$ÝÒ€°ÒÒ„°ÒÓ  ÓÑ @ ÑÑ@ÑÔ€¼",»XXÔà Ø àòòÚ  Ú10Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€€Ô€XrPX»¼",ÔAlthough€the€court€found€that€the€issue€of€the€constitutionality€of€the€statute€was€notÐ ° Ðraised€in€the€trial€court,€it€specifically€relied€on€Tenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€24.04€in€denying€considerationÐ Â Ðof€the€question€of€the€validity€of€the€statute.€ ôÝ ƒéÎ$ÝÒ€°ÒÒ„°ÒÓ  ÓÑ @ ÑÑ@ÑÔ€¼",»XXÔà Ø àòòÚ  Ú11Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€€Ô€XrPX»¼",ÔTenn.€R.€App.€P.€36(a)€provides€that€appellate€courts€are€not€required€to€grant€reliefÐ ° Ðto€a€party€responsible€for€an€error€or€who€failed€to€prevent€or€nullify€the€harmful€effect€of€anÐ Â Ðerror.€The€Advisory€Committee€Comments€indicate€this€provision€is€a€statement€of€theÐ ®þ Ðpreviously€€accepted€principle€that€a€party€is€not€entitled€to€relief€if€the€party€invited€error,Ð šê Ðwaived€an€error,€or€failed€to€take€whatever€steps€were€reasonably€available€to€cure€an€error. +Ý ƒéÎ$ÝÒ€°ÒÒ„°ÒÓ  ÓÑ @ ÑÑ@ÑÔ€¼",»XXÔà Ø àòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ‡XrPX»¼",Ô€Mrs.€Reed€was€pregnant€at€the€time€of€the€hearing.Ô#†¼",»XXrP¶#Ô,c½¬AZ‹"Arial Regular(3¯$££Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  Ý)ÿÿ!dxdxT^yúÿ  <<= 8ÀÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ____3 TripledxdCTriple 1+| d d dabTc[Cþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(3¯$¢¢Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óÝ ƒ!ÝÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÒ€°ÒÒ„°ÒÔ‡¼»XXÔÓ'€Ð‡Xè“X°œX'ÓÑTR[° AØ'ÿ Legal3Ø' AØ'ÿ Legalÿ3Ø'TÑÑ  ÑÑ€üšÑÔ_Ôßv€`[@0,j:`  `€€@ÿEô±` 8ttxP,°ð  vßÔ_ÔÔ_Ôà@  êàò òIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@{{(êàAT€NASHVILLEˆÌÌó óÌIN€RE:€THE€ADOPTION€OFà 8 àà  à)Ð þN ÐFEMALE€CHILD,€€E.N.R.à 8 àà  à)Ð  ` Ðà Ø àà 0 àà ˆ àà à àà 8 àà  à)ÌAMY€JENELL€REED€andà0 8 àà  à)Ð4 „8T$8T$ ÐJONATHAN€LAMAR€REEDà 8 àà0  à)ÐF –T$T$ Ðà Ø àà 0 àà ˆ àà à àà 8 àà  à)ÌÓ6€ü(‚X˜‘X€Ð‡Xè“X6Óà Ø àPetitioners/Appellees,à  à)à  àAppeal€No.Ð jº  Ðà Ø àà  à)à  à01A01„9806„CH„00316Ð |Ì  Ðv.à Ø àà  à)Ð ŽÞ  Ðà Ø àà  à)à  àLawrence€ChanceryÐ  ð  ÐTIMOTHY€RAY€ROSE€à  à)à  àNo.€€8663„97Ð ² Ðà Ø àà  à)Ìà Ø àRespondent/Appellant.à  à)Ð Ö& Ðà Ø àà  àÌÔ#†Xv`X»¼G#ÔÔ‡»»XXv`ÔÓ  ÓÌAPPEAL€FROM€THE€CHANCERY€COURTÌFOR€LAWRENCE€COUNTYÌÌÌTHE€HONORABLE€ROBERT€L.€JONES€PRESIDING€ÌÓ9°,X‚Xì“X€ü(‚X˜‘X9ÓÌÓ  ÓÌANDREA€HUDDLESTONÌHILLHOUSE€&€HUDDLESTONÌP.O.€BOX€787ÌLAWRENCEBURG,€TENNESSEE€38464€ÌÌÔ#†Xv`X»»#ÔÔ‡¼»XXv`ÔATTORNEY€FOR€PETITIONERS/APPELLEESÐ ä%4! ÐÌÌJ.€JAY€CHEATWOOD€ÌP.O.€BOX€794€ÌÔ#†Xv`X»¼P#ÔÔ‡»»XXv`ÔLAWRENCEBURG,€TENNESSEE€€38464€€Ô#†Xv`X»»ë#ÔÔ‡¼»XXv`ÔÐ >+Ž&$ ÐÌATTORNEY€FOR€RESPONDENT/APPELLANTÌÌÓ  Óò òAFFIRMED€AND€REMANDEDó óÐ †/Ö*( ÐÓ  ÓÌÌÌà Ø àà ¼ àPATRICIA€J.€COTTRELL,€JUDGE€ÌÌCONCURS:ÌCANTRELL,€P.€J.ÌÌÌDISSENTS€IN€SEPARATE€OPINION:€ÌKOCH,€J.Ð N;ž63¿ ÐÑüšÑâ âÑ8€",»»ddÈ8ÑÑ€ Ñâ âÑ  ÑÔ_ÔÐ  ° ÐÓÓÓ  ÓòòÔ#†XrPX»¼",A #ÔÔ‡°±ð°XXrPÔOPINIONóóÐ ° ÐÓ  ÓÔ#†XrPX°°±ðà #ÔÓ9°,X°4ì“X°,X‚Xì“X9ÓÔ€¼",»XXrPÔà  àAppellant€Timothy€Ray€Rose,€an€inmate€of€the€Tennessee€DepartmentÐ T¤ Ðof€Correction,€seeks€reversal€of€the€trial€court's€decision€to€terminate€his€parentalÐ x È Ðrights€regarding€E.N.R.,€his€daughter€by€Amy€Jenell€Reed.€€Mr.€Rose€asserts€thatÐ œ ì ÐTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113€(g)€(6)€(Supp.€1998)€violates€the€Due€ProcessÐ À  ÐClause€of€the€Fourteenth€Amendment.€€He€also€maintains€that€termination€of€hisÐ ä4  Ðparental€rights€was€not€in€E.N.R.'s€€best€interest.€€For€the€following€reasons,€weÐ X  Ðaffirm€and€remand.Ð ,| Ðà  à€E.N.R.'s€parents€began€dating€in€January€of€1993.€€She€was€born€onÐ P  ÐDecember€21,€1993.€€Her€€parents€never€married.€€€Mr.€Rose€attended€the€birth,Ð tÄ Ðand,€in€the€ensuing€weeks,€visited€the€new„born€and€her€mother€frequently.Ð ˜è ÐAlthough€he€did€not€pay€for€pre„natal€care,€he€gave€Mrs.€Reed€$500€or€$600€ofÐ ¼  Ðhis€income€tax€refund€after€the€birth.€Ð à0 Ðà  àWhen€E.N.R.€was€seven€weeks€old,€Mr.€Rose€pleaded€guilty€to€a€lesserÐ "T Ðincluded€offense€of€rape€and€was€incarcerated€on€February€8,€1994,€under€aÐ ($x Ðtwelve„year€sentence.€€He€was€originally€charged€with€aggravated€rape€of€a€five„Ð L&œ! Ðyear„old€child.€€Mrs.€Reed€testified€that€she€did€not€learn€about€the€charges€untilÐ p(À#  ÐMay€of€1993,€after€she€got€pregnant.€€€She€stated€that€Mr.€Rose€claimed€to€beÐ ”*ä%" Ðinnocent€and€she€believed€him.€€Mr.€Rose€maintained€€that€he€told€Mrs.€Reed€ofÐ ¸,($ Ðthe€charges€shortly€after€they€began€dating.€Ð Ü.,*& Ðà  àFor€the€first€year€after€Mr.€Rose€was€incarcerated,€Mrs.€Reed€regularlyÐ 1P,( Ðtook€E.N.R.€to€visit€her€father€at€the€penitentiary.€Mrs.€Reed's€interest€inÐ $3t.* Ðmaintaining€the€relationship€waned€after€she€learned€that€Mr.€Rose€had€confessedÐ H5˜0, Ðto€the€crime€with€which€he€was€originally€charged.€€€During€his€incarceration,Ð l7¼2. ÐMr.€Rose€sent€E.N.R.€$177.09€in€child€support.€€Mrs.€Reed€returned€most€of€thisÐ 9à40 Ðmoney€at€Mr.€Rose's€request,€for€his€use€while€incarcerated.€€Mrs.€Reed€lastÐ ° Ðvisited€the€prison€in€October€1996.€Ð Ô$ Ðà  àThe€Reeds€married€in€the€summer€of€1997.€€On€August€28,€1997,€theyÐ øH Ðfiled€the€underlying€petition.€On€the€same€day,€Mr.€Rose€filed€a€petition€toÐ  l Ðlegitimate€E.N.R.€€The€Reeds€successfully€moved€to€consolidate€Mr.€Rose'sÐ @  Ðlegitimation€petition€with€this€action.€€On€November€18,€1997,€the€Reeds€movedÐ d´  Ðfor€summary€judgment.€€Mr.€Rose€filed€a€òò€pro€seóó€response,€a€motion€seekingÐ ˆØ  Ðappointed€counsel€and€a€motion€requesting€an€order€to€allow€his€personalÐ ¬ü Ðappearance€at€all€hearings.€€The€trial€court€granted€Mr.€Rose's€motions,€appointedÐ Ð  Ðcounsel,€and€issued€an€order€legitimating€E.N.R.€€òòSee€óóTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„Ð ôD Ð117€(b)(2)€and€(3)€(Supp.€1998).€After€a€hearing,€the€court€denied€the€ReedsððÐ h Ðmotion€for€summary€judgment.€€Ð <Œ Ðà  àThe€case€came€on€for€trial€and,€after€hearing€the€evidence,€the€trialÐ `° Ðcourt€terminated€Mr.€Rose's€parental€rights€and€granted€the€Reeds'€petition€forÐ „ Ô Ðadoption€of€E.N.R.€by€Mr.€Reed.׃ ×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€The€trial€court€found€that€Mr.€Rose€pleadedÐ ¨"ø Ðguilty€to€rape€and€received€a€12„year€sentence€when€E.N.R.€was€under€eight€(8)Ð Ì$  Ðyears€of€age,€and,€therefore,€the€Reeds€had€met€their€burden€of€proving,€by€clearÐ ð&@"  Ðand€convincing€evidence,€the€existence€of€statutory€grounds€for€termination€onÐ )d$" Ðthe€basis€of€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113€(g)€(6).€€€The€court€further€concludedÐ 8+ˆ&$ Ðthat€€the€Reeds€had€proved€that€termination€of€€Mr.€Rose's€parental€rights€andÐ \-¬(& ÐE.N.Rððs€adoption€by€Mr.€Reed€were€in€the€best€interest€of€the€child.€The€trialÐ €/Ð*( Ðcourt€also€upheld€the€constitutionality€of€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€€ðð€36„1„113€(g)€(6),Ð ¤1ô,* Ðrelying€on€òòWorley€v.€State€Department€of€Children's€Servicesóó,€No.€03A01„9708„Ð È3/, ÐJV„00366,€1998€WL€52098€(Tenn.€App.€Feb.€10,€1998)€(no€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€11Ð ì5<1. Ðapplication€filed).€€€€€Ð ° Ðà@¦¦-êàI.ˆÐ Ô$ Ðà  àTo€terminate€a€parent's€rights€to€his€or€her€child,€the€trial€court€firstÐ øH Ðmust€find€that€one€of€the€statutory€grounds€for€termination€has€been€establishedÐ  l Ðby€clear€and€convincing€evidence.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36-1-113(c)(1)€(Supp.Ð @  Ð1998).€€Once€this€finding€is€made,€the€court€must€determine€whether€it€has€alsoÐ d´  Ðbeen€shown€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€that€termination€of€the€parent'sÐ ˆØ  Ðrights€is€in€the€child's€best€interests.€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36-1-113(c)(2)€(Supp.Ð ¬ü Ð1998).Ð Ð  Ðà  àThe€grounds€for€the€termination€of€Mr.€Rose's€parental€rights€wereÐ ôD Ðthose€found€in€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(g)(6)€(Supp.€1998).€€That€subsectionÐ h Ðstates€in€pertinent€part:Ð <Œ ÐÓÓà8  àInitiation€of€termination€of€parental€or€guardianship€rightsÐ `° Ðmay€be€based€upon€any€of€the€following€grounds:€€€.€€€.€€€.Ðr Р Ð  Ðà8  àÐ  Ð  Ð  Ðà8  à(6)€€The€parent€has€been€confined€in€a€correctional€orÐ –!æ Ðdetention€facility€of€any€type,€by€order€of€the€court€as€a€resultÐ ¨"ø Ðof€a€criminal€act,€under€a€sentence€of€ten€(10)€or€more€years,Ð º#  Ðand€the€child€is€under€eight€(8)€years€of€age€at€the€time€theÐ Ì$  Ðsentence€is€entered€by€the€court.ÐÞ%.! Ð  Ð  ÐÓÓÌà  àOn€appeal,€Mr.€Rose€does€not€dispute€the€trial€court's€finding€that€theÐ )d$" Ðrequirements€set€out€in€section€113(g)(6)€were€proved.€He€does,€however,€argueÐ 8+ˆ&$ Ðthat€termination€of€his€parental€rights€is€not€in€the€best€interest€of€E.N.R.€€€€HeÐ \-¬(& Ðmaintains€that€E.N.R.€should€not€be€deprived€of€his€support€and€affection.Ð €/Ð*( Їà  àAs€stated€in€the€statute,€an€action€to€terminate€parental€rights€can€beÐ ° Ðinitiated€only€if€one€of€the€statutorily„defined€grounds€is€shown€to€exist.€€OurÐ Ô$ Ðlegislature€has€chosen€to€define€those€grounds€by€using€objective€criteria,€leavingÐ øH Ðlittle€room€for€consideration€of€other€factors,€such€as€intent€or€wilfulness€inÐ  l Ðdetermining€whether€the€grounds€exist.€€òòSee€Adoption€of€Dunawayóó,€1999Ð @  ÐWL552873€(Tenn.€App.€July€29,€1999).Ð d´  Ðà  àHowever,€the€finding€that€grounds€for€termination€exist€only€triggersÐ ˆØ  Ðthe€second€analysis€€„€€whether€termination€of€òòthisóó€parentððs€parental€rights€is€inÐ ¬ü Ðòòthisóó€childððs€best€interest.€€It€is€in€this€critical€phase€of€the€analysis€that€the€courtÐ Ð  Ðcan€and€should€consider€the€particular€circumstances€before€it,€including€theÐ ôD Ðimpact€on€the€child€of€the€termination€of€a€previously€established€and€maintainedÐ h Ðrelationship,€where€such€has€existed,€or€the€impact€on€a€young€child€of€theÐ <Œ Ðabsence€of€a€parent€for€a€foreseeably€large€portion€of€that€childððs€early€years.€€ItÐ `° Ðis€in€the€best€interest€analysis€phase€of€the€termination€determination€that€theÐ „ Ô Ðcourt€must€engage€in€individualized€consideration€of€the€situation€before€it€andÐ ¨"ø Ðmake€that€often„difficult€decision€as€to€the€childððs€best€interest.Ð Ì$  Ðà  àIn€making€this€best-interest€determination,€the€trial€court€is€required€toÐ ð&@"  Ðconsider,€but€is€not€limited€to,€the€following€factors:€€Ð )d$" ÐÓÓà8  à(1)€Whether€the€parent€or€guardian€has€made€such€anÐ 8+ˆ&$ Ðadjustment€of€circumstance,€conduct,€or€conditions€as€toÐ J,š'% Ðmake€it€in€the€child's€best€interest€to€be€in€the€home€of€theÐ \-¬(& Ðparent€or€guardian;€€Ðn.¾)' Ð  Ð  Ðà8  àÐ  Ð  Ð  Ðà8  à(2)€Whether€the€parent€or€guardian€has€failed€to€effect€aÐ ’0â+) Ðlasting€adjustment€after€reasonable€efforts€by€available€socialÐ ¤1ô,* Ðservices€agencies€for€such€duration€of€time€that€lastingÐ ¶2.+ Ðadjustment€does€not€reasonably€appear€possible;€€ÐÈ3/, Ð  Ð  Ðà8  àÐ  Ð  Ð  Ðà8  à(3)€Whether€the€parent€or€guardian€has€maintained€regularÐ ì5<1. Ðvisitation€or€other€contact€with€the€child;€€Ðþ6N2/ Ð  Ð  Ðà8  àÐ  Ð  Ð  Ðà8  à(4)€Whether€a€meaningful€relationship€has€otherwise€beenÐ "9r41 Ðestablished€between€the€parent€or€guardian€and€the€child;€€Ð° Ð  Ð  Ðà8  àÐ  Ð  Ð  Ðà8  à(5)€The€effect€a€change€of€caretakers€and€physicalÐ Ô$ Ðenvironment€is€likely€to€have€on€the€child's€emotional,Ð æ6 Ðpsychological€and€medical€condition;€€ÐøH Ð  Ð  ÐÌà8  à(6)€Whether€the€parent€or€guardian,€or€other€person€residingÐ  l Ðwith€the€parent€or€guardian,€has€shown€brutality,€physical,Ð . ~ Ðsexual,€emotional€or€psychological€abuse,€or€neglect€towardÐ @  Ðother€children€in€the€family€or€household;€€ÐR¢  Ð  Ð  ÐÌà8  à(7)€Whether€the€physical€environment€of€the€parent's€orÐ vÆ  Ðguardian's€home€is€healthy€and€safe,€whether€there€is€criminalÐ ˆØ  Ðactivity€in€the€home,€or€whether€there€is€such€use€of€alcoholÐ šê  Ðor€controlled€substances€as€may€render€the€parent€or€guardianÐ ¬ü Ðconsistently€unable€to€care€for€the€child;€€Ð¾ Ð  Ð  ÐÌà8  à(8)€Whether€the€parent's€or€guardian's€mental€and/orÐ â2 Ðemotional€status€would€be€detrimental€to€the€child€or€preventÐ ôD Ðthe€parent€or€guardian€from€effectively€providing€care€andÐ V Ðsupervision€for€the€child;€or€€Ðh Ð  Ð  ÐÌà8  à(9)€Whether€the€parent€or€guardian€has€paid€child€supportÐ <Œ Ðconsistent€with€the€child€support€guidelines€promulgated€byÐ Nž Ðthe€department€pursuant€to€ðð€36-5-101.€€Ð`° Ð  Ð  ÐÌÓÓTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36-1-113(i)€(Supp.€1998).€€€Our€review€of€the€trial€court'sÐ „ Ô Ðdecision€is€òòde€novoóó€upon€the€record€with€a€presumption€of€correctness€of€the€trialÐ ¨"ø Ðcourt's€findings€of€fact,€unless€a€preponderance€of€the€evidence€dictates€Ð Ì$  Ðotherwise.€€òòSee€óóTenn.€R.€App.€P.€13(d).€€The€trial€court€herein,€however,€applied€Ð ð&@"  Ðthe€generally€applicable€preponderance€of€the€evidence€standard€to€the€bestÐ )d$" Ðinterest€analysis.€Our€task,€then,€is€to€determine€whether€the€record€shows€byÐ 8+ˆ&$ Ðclear€and€convincing€evidence€that€termination€of€Mr.€Roseððs€parental€rights€isÐ \-¬(& Ðin€E.N.R.ððs€best€interest.€à ¼ àÐ €/Ð*( Ðà  à€The€record€shows€that€Mr.€Rose€was€charged€with€the€aggravated€rapeÐ ¤1ô,* Ðof€a€five€year€old€child,€the€daughter€of€his€cousin's€girlfriend.€€He€confessed€andÐ È3/, Ðentered€a€plea€to€the€lesser€included€offense€of€rape.€€Mr.€Rose€was€denied€paroleÐ ì5<1. Ðin€1996€based€on€the€seriousness€of€the€offense.€€He€has€obtained€no€psychiatricÐ 8`30 Ðtreatment€during€his€incarceration.€€E.N.R.€was€€conceived€while€the€chargesÐ ° Ðwere€€pending€against€Mr.€Rose,€raising€questions€regarding€Mr.€Rose'sÐ Ô$ Ðforethought€as€€to€and€interest€in€maintaining€a€presence€in€E.N.R.'s€life.€€Further,Ð øH Ðprior€to€the€court€granting€his€petition€to€legitimate€E.N.R.€and€setting€of€childÐ  l Ðsupport,€Mr.€Rose€provided€minimal€child€support,€and€actually€requested€theÐ @  Ðreturn€of€funds€he€sent€to€Mrs.€Reed.€€He€sent€no€birthday€or€Christmas€gifts€orÐ d´  Ðgreetings.€Mr.€Roseððs€family€has€not€maintained€ties€with€E.N.R.€through€visits,Ð ˆØ  Ðtelephone€calls,€support,€or€any€communication.Ð ¬ü Ðà  àE.N.R.€has€been€living€with€her€mother€and€her€stepfather,€Mr.€Reed,Ð Ð  Ðsince€their€marriage€in€May€of€1997.€Mr.€Reed€has€cared€for€and€supportedÐ ôD ÐE.N.R.€They€have€developed€a€close€relationship,€and€he€considers€her€hisÐ h Ðdaughter.€He€reads€to€her,€plays€with€her,€and€the€family€enjoys€many€activitiesÐ <Œ Ðtogether.€€E.N.R.€calls€Mr.€Reed€ð ðdaddyðð,€and€he€introduces€her€as€his€daughter.€Ð `° ÐE.N.R.€has€also€developed€a€familial€relationship€with€Mr.€Reedððs€mother.€Mr.Ð „ Ô ÐReed€testified€that€he€would€obviously€continue€to€love€E.N.R.€and€take€care€ofÐ ¨"ø Ðher€if€he€were€not€allowed€to€adopt€her.€However,€he€wanted€to€adopt€her€so€thatÐ Ì$  Ðshe€could€share€a€last€name€with€him,€her€mother,€and€her€new€sibling.׃"×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€He€alsoÐ ð&@"  Ðtestified€that€he€understood€the€obligations€for€future€support€he€would€undertakeÐ )d$" Ðif€the€adoption€were€granted.Ð 8+ˆ&$ Ðà  àE.N.R.€was€seven€weeks€old€when€Mr.€Rose€was€incarcerated.€HerÐ \-¬(& Ðmother€and€Mr.€Rose€had€never€established€a€home€together.€During€€the€nextÐ €/Ð*( Ðtwo€years,€E.N.R.€was€brought€by€her€mother€to€visit€Mr.€Rose€in€prisonÐ ¤1ô,* Ðapproximately€twenty„five€times.€At€the€time€of€the€hearing,€E.N.R.€was€almostÐ È3/, Ðfour€and€one„half€years€old€and€had€had€no€contact€with€Mr.€Rose€or€his€familyÐ ì5<1. Ðfor€approximately€two€years.€She€has€formed€close€relationships€with€herÐ ° Ðstepfather€and€his€family.€She€has€been€living€in€a€stable€home€environment€withÐ Ô$ Ða€nurturing€family€unit€and€has€prospered.€The€trial€court€found,€ð ðthis€child€forÐ øH Ðthe€last€two€or€three€years€has€really€not€had€a€father€figure€other€than€JonathanÐ  l ÐReed.ðð€We€find,€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence,€that€four„year„old€E.N.R.ððsÐ @  Ðbest€interests€lie€in€maintaining€a€nurturing,€stable€environment€where€she€feelsÐ d´  Ðsecure€and€feels€she€is€part€of€a€family€group.€€€à @ à€Ð ˆØ  Ðà  àòòóó¹Ó  ÓII.Ð Ð  ÐÓJÓ€à  àAlthough€he€agrees€that€the€statutory€grounds€set€out€in€Tenn.€CodeÐ ôD ÐAnn.€ðð€36„1„113€(g)€(6)€were€proved,€Mr.€Rose€asserts€that€that€provisionÐ h Ðunconstitutionally€deprives€him€of€his€fundamental€liberty€interest€in€his€parentalÐ <Œ Ðrelationship€without€due€process€of€law.€According€to€Mr.€Rose,€the€statuteððsÐ `° Ðfatal€flaw€is€its€failure€to€consider€all€relevant€circumstances,€including€€paroleÐ „ Ô Ðpossibilities€or€an€early€release€date€from€prison.€Ð ¨"ø Ðà  àBefore€appellate€review€of€an€attack€on€the€constitutionality€of€a€statuteÐ Ì$  Ðis€appropriate,€€the€record€must€reflect€compliance€with€Tenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€24.04,Ð ð&@"  ÐTenn.€R.€App.€P.€32,€and€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€29„14„107€(b).€à ð àÐ )d$" Ðà  àRule€24.04€of€the€Tennessee€Rules€of€Civil€Procedure€states€inÐ 8+ˆ&$ Ðpertinent€part:Ð \-¬(& ÐÓÓà8  àWhen€the€validity€of€a€statute€of€this€state€€.€€.€€.€€is€drawn€inÐ €/Ð*( Ðquestion€in€any€action€to€which€the€State€or€an€officer€orÐ ’0â+) Ðagency€is€not€a€party,€the€court€shall€require€that€notice€beÐ ¤1ô,* Ðgiven€the€Attorney€General,€specifying€the€pertinent€statute...€Ð¶2.+ Ð  Ð  ÐÌÓÓà  àIn€proceedings€in€which€a€statute€of€statewide€effect€is€alleged€to€beÐ Ú4*0- Ðunconstitutional,€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€29„14„107€(b)€mandates€that€"the€attorneyÐ þ6N2/ Ðgeneral€of€the€state€shall€also€be€served€with€a€copy€of€the€proceeding€and€beÐ "9r41 Ðentitled€to€be€heard."€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€29„14„107€(b).€€€€Ð ° Ðà  àNothing€in€the€trial€court€record€demonstrates€that€the€Attorney€GeneralÐ Ô$ Ðreceived€the€requisite€notice€of€this€action€challenging€the€constitutionality€of€Ð øH ÐTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113€(g)€(6).€€€Such€notice€is€€mandatory.€€€òòSeeóó€òòCummingsÐ  l Ðv.€Shipp,€óó156€Tenn.€595,€597,€3€S.W.2d€1062,€1063€(Tenn.€1928);€òòHarless€v.€CityÐ @  Ðof€Kingsportóó,€No.€03A01„9707„CH„00289,€1998€WL€131519€at€*€7€(Tenn.€App.Ð d´  ÐMarch€25,€1998)€(no€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€application€filed).€€€Thus,€theÐ ˆØ  Ðconstitutional€issue€is€not€properly€before€us.Ð ¬ü Ѐà  àIn€addition,€the€€Rules€of€Appellate€Procedure€also€require€such€notice.€Ð Ð  ÐRule€32€states:Ð ôD ÐÓÓà8  à(a)€Service;€When€Required.€-€When€the€validity€of€a€statuteÐ h Ðof€this€state€or€an€administrative€rule€or€regulation€of€thisÐ *z Ðstate€is€drawn€in€question€in€any€appeal€to€which€the€state€orÐ <Œ Ðan€officer€or€agency€is€not€a€party,€the€party€raising€suchÐ Nž Ðquestion€shall€serve€a€copy€of€the€party's€brief€on€theÐ `° ÐAttorney€General.Ðr Р Ð  Ѐ€Ð „ Ô Ðà8  à(b)€Proof€of€Service.€Proof€that€service€has€been€made€on€theÐ –!æ ÐAttorney€General€shall€be€filed€with€the€brief€of€the€partyÐ ¨"ø Ðraising€such€question.к#  Ð  Ð  Ѐ€Ð Ì$  Ðà8  à(c)€Right€to€Respond.€The€Attorney€General€is€entitled,Ð Þ%.! Ðwithin€the€time€allowed€for€the€filing€of€a€responsive€brief€byÐ ð&@"  Ða€party,€to€file€a€brief.€The€Attorney€General€is€also€entitledÐ (R#! Ðto€be€heard€orally,€regardless€of€whether€he€or€she€files€aÐ )d$" Ðbrief.Ð&*v%# Ð  Ð  Ѐ€Ð 8+ˆ&$ Ðà8  à(d)€Consequence€of€Failure€to€Comply.€Except€by€order€ofÐ J,š'% Ðthe€court,€in€the€absence€of€notice,€the€appellate€court€willÐ \-¬(& Ðnot€dispose€of€an€appeal€until€notice€has€been€given€and€theÐ n.¾)' ÐAttorney€General€has€been€given€such€opportunity€to€respondÐ €/Ð*( Ðas€shall€be€set€by€the€court.€Ð’0â+) Ð  Ð  ÐÌÓÓà  àSubsection€(d)€of€this€rule€would€allow€this€Court€to€direct€that€noticeÐ ¶2.+ Ðand€the€opportunity€to€respond€be€provided€to€the€Attorney€General€and€toÐ Ú4*0- Ðâ âsuspend€disposition€of€an€appeal€pending€such€response€where€the€requisiteÐ þ6N2/ Ðnotice€has€been€provided€in€the€trial€courtððs€proceedings€but€not€on€appeal׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×.Ð ° Ðâ âHowever,€we€do€not€interpret€the€rule€to€allow€us€to€order€the€notice€and€hear€theÐ Ô$ Ðappeal€where€notice€was€not€provided€in€the€trial€court€which€considered€theÐ øH Ðconstitutional€challenge.Ð  l Ðà  àThe€failure€to€provide€notice€to€the€Attorney€General€precludes€ourÐ @  Ðreview€of€the€constitutional€issue€raised€by€Mr.€Rose.€€When€this€court€has€facedÐ d´  Ða€situation€where€the€Attorney€General€was€not€properly€given€notice€in€the€trialÐ ˆØ  Ðcourt,€we€have€interpreted€our€authority€as€including€the€discretion€either€toÐ ¬ü Ðremand€the€case€or€to€decide€the€other€issues€and€refuse€to€consider€theÐ Ð  Ðconstitutional€issue.€òò€See€Wallace€v.€Knoxvilleððs€Community€Development€Corp.óó,Ð ôD Ð568€S.W.2d€107€at€110€(Tenn.€App.€1978)(ð ðin€the€exercise€of€our€discretion,€weÐ h Ðhave€entered€an€order€declining€to€remand€the€cause€for€the€purpose€of€notifyingÐ <Œ Ðthe€Attorney€General.ðð)€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€36€gives€this€court€authority€to€ð ðgrantÐ `° Ðany€reliefðð€on€the€law€and€the€facts,€and€the€Advisory€Committeeððs€CommentsÐ „ Ô Ðstate€that€the€rule€ð ðmakes€clear€that€the€appellate€courts€are€empowered€to€grantÐ ¨"ø Ðwhatever€relief€an€appellate€proceeding€requires.ðð€€We€find€no€language€in€€Tenn.Ð Ì$  ÐCode€Ann.€ðð€29„14„107(b)€Tenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€24.04€which€limits€this€courtððsÐ ð&@"  Ðdiscretion€to€grant€appropriate€relief.€Similarly,€we€find€no€such€language€in€anyÐ )d$" Ðopinions€of€the€Supreme€Court€or€any€language€indicating€that€our€interpretationÐ 8+ˆ&$ Ðâ âas€to€the€scope€of€our€discretion€has€been€incorrect.Ð \-¬(& ÐÔ‡¼",»»¼",Ôà  àIn€the€few€cases׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€where€the€Supreme€Court€has€faced€a€situation€whereÐ ° Ðâ âa€constitutional€challenge€to€a€statute€was€raised€and€the€Attorney€General€hadÐ Ô$ Ðnot€been€properly€notified€at€the€trial€level,€the€lawsuits€were€brought€under€theÐ øH ÐDeclaratory€Judgment€Act׃f×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€and€the€only€issue€in€the€case€was€theÐ  l Ðconstitutionality€question.׃ð ×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú7Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€In€those€cases,€the€Supreme€Court€had€no€option€toÐ @  Ðdisregard€the€procedurally€defective€constitutionality€issue€and€decide€the€caseÐ d´  Ðon€the€remaining€grounds.€Ð ˆØ  Ðòòóóà  àIn€a€number€of€cases,€this€courtððs€analysis€of€the€relief€appropriateÐ ¬ü Ðwhere€no€notice€has€been€given€to€the€Attorney€General€has€been€based€on€twoÐ Ð  Ðgeneral€principles:€(1)€the€burden€of€providing€the€required€notice€lies€with€theÐ ôD Ðparty€bringing€the€constitutional€challenge,€and€(2)€that€partyððs€failure€to€provideÐ h Ðnotice€constitutes€a€failure€to€properly€proceed€below€which€can€prelude€thatÐ <Œ Ðparty€from€the€relief€sought€in€this€court,€i.e.,€a€holding€that€the€statute€isÐ `° Ðunconstitutional.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú8Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€òòÔ#†¼",»»¼",×c#ÔSee€Ô‡¼",»»¼",ÔLaue€v.€Richardsonóó,€(Appeal€No.€not€given)€1987€WLÐ ° Ð9374€at€*3€(Tenn.€App.€April€14,€1987)€(ð ðplaintiff€[the€party€asserting€theÐ Ô$ Ðunconsitutionality€of€a€statute]€failed€to€comply€with€the€notice€requirement€ofÐ øH ÐRule€24.04,€T.R.C.P.ðð.)Ô#†¼",»»¼",kj#Ôòò;Harless€v.€City€of€Kingsportóó׃*×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú9Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×,€No.€03A01„9707„CH„Ð  l Ð00289,€1998€WL€131519€at€*€7€(Tenn.€App.€March€25,€1998)€(no€Tenn.€R.€App.Ð @  ÐP.€application€filed)€(finding€that€the€party€bringing€the€constitutionalityÐ d´  Ðchallenge€ð ðfailed€to€comply€with€T.€C.€A.€ðð€29„14„107(b),€which€requires€that€aÐ ˆØ  Ðparty€who€seeks€to€challenge€the€constitutionality€of€a€statute€of€statewide€effectÐ ¬ü Ðmust€give€notice€to€the€State€Atttorney„Generalðð,€Ô‡¼",»»¼",Ôand€also€failed€to€comply€withÐ Ð  Ðsimilar€notice€requirements€in€Tenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€24.04€and€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€32,Ð ôD Ðand€in€such€absence€of€compliance,€the€constitutionality€issue€ð ðis€not€properlyÐ h Ðbefore€us.ðð).€In€òòWallace€v.€Knoxvilleððs€Community€Development€Corp.óó,€568Ð <Œ ÐS.W.2d€107€at€110,€this€court€found€that€the€appellants,€who€were€challenging€theÐ `° Ðconstitutionality€of€a€statute,€ð ðdid€not€properly€proceed€belowðð€by€failing€to€giveÐ „ Ô Ðnotice€to€the€Attorney€General.€òòSee€also€Neill€v.€Neillóó,€(no€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€11Ð ¨"ø Ðapplication€filed)òò€óóAppeal€No.€02A01€„€9109„GS„00201,€1992€WL€41697€at€*6Ð Ì$  Ð(Tenn.€App.€March€6,€1992)€(ð ðSince€appellant€[the€party€challenging€theÐ ð&@"  Ðconstitutionality€of€the€statute]€did€not€properly€proceed€below,€we€will€notÐ )d$" Ðconsider€this€issue.ðð)€€Similarly,€inòò€€McDaniel€v.€General€Care€Corpóó.,€627Ð 8+ˆ&$ ÐS.W.2d€129€(Tenn.€App.€1981),€this€court€found€that€the€party€seeking€toÐ ° Ðchallenge€a€statute€was€ð ðnot€at€liberty€to€raise€the€constitutional€question€at€thisÐ Ô$ Ðstage€of€the€proceeding.ðð€òòIdóó.€at€133.׃ ×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú10Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð øH Ðà  àIn€òòWallace,óó€in€explaining€its€decision€not€to€remand,€the€courtÐ  l Ðexplained€that€the€appellants€were€not€in€a€position€to€assert€theÐ @  Ðunconstitutionality€of€the€statute€on€appeal.€The€court€indicated€that€it€wouldÐ d´  Ðmore€than€likely€have€remanded€the€case€if€the€trial€court€had€found€the€statuteÐ ˆØ  Ðunconstitutional.€€This€reasoning€is€implicitly€based€on€the€courtððs€often„appliedÐ ¬ü Ðanalysis€that€the€challenging€party€had€the€burden€of€providing€the€requiredÐ Ð  Ðnotice€and,€therefore,€was€not€entitled€to€relief€on€appeal€because€of€itsÐ ôD Ðresponsibility€for€the€error€below.׃!z×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú11Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð h Ðà  àWe€are€of€the€opinion€that,€as€stated€in€òòWallaceóó,€the€question€ofÐ <Œ Ðwhether€to€remand€a€case€to€the€trial€court€for€reconsideration€of€theÐ `° Ðconstitutional€issue€after€notice€to€the€Attorney€General€is€a€matter€within€ourÐ „ Ô Ðdiscretion.€In€view€of€this€courtððs€recent€ruling€on€the€constitutionality€of€theÐ ¨"ø Ðsame€statutory€provision,€and€in€the€interest€of€providing€stability€to€the€childÐ Ì$  Ðinvolved€in€these€proceedings,€we€decline€to€remand.Ô#†¼",»»¼",?n#ÔÐ ð&@"  Ðà  àTherefore,€for€the€reasons€stated€above,€we€affirm€the€order€of€the€trial€Ð  )d$" Ðcourt€in€terminating€the€parental€rights€of€Mr.€Rose.€Costs€of€this€appeal€areÐ ° Ðtaxed€to€Appellant,€for€which€execution€may€issue€if€necessary.Ð Ô$ ÐÓÓÌÌà0  àà0¼ T$ T$à_____________________________Ð l¼T$¼T$ Ðà  àà ¼ àPATRICIA€J.€COTTRELL,€JUDGEÐ . ~ ÐÌCONCURS:Ð R¢  ÐÌÌ_______________________________________Ð ˆØ  ÐBEN€H.€CANTRELL,€P.€J.,€M.S.Ð šê  ÐÌÌÌDISSENTS€IN€SEPARATE€OPINION:Ð â2 ÐÌÓ?SÏû× »“Xÿÿ°,X°4ì“X?ÓWILLIAM€C.€KOCH,€€JR.,€JUDGEÐ V ÐÌÌÌÌÌà  àÌ