ÿWPC" a¨yå—DÜóR‡ò"šl;:¢íü¥XNýJpËQäü¨"@ñâÔ¸”Ɉ‚ÙÃ2!÷z§,«vy—Zˆ¸j òqK¶ôÉCË¥ÀÐmÏ-\['i;«“’Š#}pUÑ„æ¥\žêyâBKç:åäîM\…50AlxØøŽ×ÞÖg¸™¼êÄ,šzaýŠp(BÓÖPè±eïOâ•‘þ=CM?ß#•m&æË’ò´²!^(³H0OßÇgý¯ßµ»Àé_Τp;r¡yœ®7 hDꆱ¤¢©3×/m×£×3üÊ„Ã<àZyÐë…Œžœ›E'8:?}úì»üça¶Û];ÏöµœÆw,ù‡e! ºn;ïÃëK\%­¼ší¿vŒ6‡å6¬Š¼¯ÊC—lӰн¤¦…˜Ö~° ßAůšZÜ^6ŽÑ‘ÂO®À|캚€&ÝÖ ¸øô䬲gµ‚K³Ú\þ 7ÓÉypS²<.¶†gêlC”%ø ÿÕ¤O›2¿UÜ>WKýU‹¥™]kô„@îÆ\’a½–*kƲ˜or2ýùµK½}”V•ÞcàºEølVɾsIOï7Õ__ÎëBŽHá$yû‚X b#Á\ % ^ # 0ˆ/ U%N· w 4 z Ò— i x mz UN‘ Æß Æ¥ Æk Æ1›÷N’ 0D”›ØEsöu³kHàff¨FFFFFFFFFFFFîîîîîîböööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööö 0ëþþþþ Béé 0¤ D5ª D-ß 0K   ASWƪ 0¤p 0D! A«X!˜HP LaserJet 4Si,ü,,,,,ü0»Hšõ(L (`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regularö~ì({WP}.BK1K¡ ˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wpt3|x ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ(ÖÃ9 Z‹6Times New Roman RegularLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5 ‘Ý ƒRXK$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÔ€X«ëX»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔOther€referrals€were€made€because€the€mother€picked€the€child€up€from€daycare€whileÐ ° Ðintoxicated,€failed€to€give€the€child€her€medicine€when€she€was€sick,€and€left€the€child€alone€in€a€carÐ  ð Ðwhile€she€went€to€a€bar€and€became€intoxicated.(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó ‘Ý ƒRXK$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÔ€X«ëX»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€mother€was€incarcerated€for€more€than€one€instance€of€driving€on€a€suspended€license.€Ð ° ÐShe€provided€the€police€a€false€name,€the€name€of€a€friend,€once€when€she€was€stopped.€€She€hidÐ  ð Ðfrom€authorities€after€the€friend€reported€her.€ ìÝ ƒRXK$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÔ€X«ëX»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔIn€its€Prayer€for€Relief,€DCS€also€asked€the€court€to€find€that€the€mother€had€abandoned€theÐ ° Ðchild.€€The€mother€had€not€visited€the€child€between€December€1997€and€April€1998€because€she€wasÐ  ð Ðhiding€from€authorities€and€then€incarcerated.€€DCS€did€not€argue€at€trial€that€the€mother€hadÐ à Ðabandoned€the€child. ©Ý ƒRXK$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€X«ëX»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€mother€declined€to€name€the€childððs€father.€€The€childððs€birth€certificate€is€ð ðsilent€as€toÐ ° Ðthe€name€of€the€fatherðð€and€no€person€filed€a€notice€of€intent€to€claim€paternity€or€acknowledgmentÐ  ðý Ðof€paternity€with€the€Putative€Father€Registry. >Ý ƒRXK$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú7Ú  ÚóóÔ€X«ëX»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€trial€court€found€the€motherððs€failure€to€comply€with€the€Plan€of€Care,€pursuant€to€Tenn.Ð ° ÐCode€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(g)(2),€to€constitute€an€additional€ground€for€termination€of€the€motherððsÐ  ð Ðparental€rights.€€It€is€not€necessary€for€us€to€address€that€finding€because€we€have€affirmed€the€trialÐ à Ðcourtððs€determination€that€the€ground€set€out€in€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(g)(3)(A)€has€beenÐ €Ð Ðproved€clearly€and€convincingly.€€The€motherððs€drug€and€alcohol€abuse,€the€condition€which€led€toÐ pÀ Ðthe€removal€of€the€child,€was€also€the€primary€factor€in€her€failure€to€comply€with€her€Plan€of€Care. ÖÝ ƒRXK$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÔ€X«ëX»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€mother€did€not€have€a€prescription€for€Valium.€€She€obtained€the€drug€from€a€friend. žÝ ƒRXK$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÔ€X«ëX»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔAlthough€the€trial€court€used€the€term€ð ðabandonmentðð€in€its€statement€from€the€bench€andÐ ° Ðin€its€final€decree,€we€do€not€interpret€abandonment€as€one€of€the€grounds€for€termination€of€theÐ  ð Ðmotherððs€rights€relied€upon€by€the€court.€€The€grounds€for€termination€were€the€persistence€ofÐ à Ðconditions€which€led€to€the€removal€of€the€child€or€other€conditions€potentially€subjecting€the€childÐ €Ð Ðto€neglect€and€the€motherððs€failure€to€comply€with€the€Plan€of€Care. - ù-(|G2XK$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€ª,»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€X«ëX»»Ô d(|3A$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€ª,»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV)ÿÿ!dxdx)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3A$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€ª,»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€ª,»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ€¼ª,»»»ÔÑ8€«ëXXdð»»d8ÑÑ  ÑÑ  Ñà@ü ü ìàÔ‡îáÿª,ÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@kk$ìàAT€NASHVILLEˆÐ Ü, Ðà@™™"ìàÔ#†¼ª,»îîáÿ #ÔJuly€2000€SessionˆÐ X ÐÔ‡X«ëX»¼ª,ÔÌò òÔ#†¼ª,»XX«ëõ#ÔÓ  ÓIN€RE:€K.€A.€H.ó óÐ  ` ÐÓ;ÓÌÔ€X«ëX»¼ª,Ôò òà@k k ìàAppeal€from€the€Juvenile€Court€for€Montgomery€CountyˆÐ @  Ðà@[ [ ìàNo.€73„155€€€€€€Wayne€C.€Ô_ÔSheltonÔ_Ô,€JudgeˆÐ 0 € Ðó óÌÌà@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<ÿ` A߈Ð P  ÐÌò òà@@ @ ìàNo.€M1999„02079„Ô_ÔCOAÔ_Ô„R3„CVó ó€ò ò„€Filed€July€21,€2000ó óˆÐ ÿO  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<Þ` AßÐ ß/  ÐÌThis€case€involves€the€termination€of€parental€rights€regarding€a€child€who€was€removed€from€theÐ Þ. Ðmotherððs€home€by€the€Department€of€Childrenððs€Services€in€1996€and€placed€in€foster€care.€€DCSÐ Î Ðdevised€a€Plan€of€Care€for€the€mother,€which,€among€other€things,€required€her€to€address€her€drugÐ ¾ Ðand€alcohol€addictions.€€During€the€two€years€between€the€removal€from€the€home€and€the€filing€byÐ ®þ ÐDCS€of€the€petition€to€terminate€parental€rights,€the€mother€made€some€efforts€to€improve€herÐ žî Ðsituation,€but€her€substance€abuse€continued.€€The€trial€court€terminated€the€motherððs€parental€rightsÐ ŽÞ Ðon€grounds€(1)€that€the€conditions€that€led€to€the€childððs€removal€continued€to€persist€with€littleÐ ~Î Ðlikelihood€of€remedy€and€(2)€that€the€mother€failed€to€comply€with€the€Statement€of€Responsibilities€Ð n¾ Ðas€provided€in€the€Plan€of€Care.€€Because€DCS€has€established€grounds€for€termination€and€hasÐ ^® Ðestablished€that€termination€is€in€the€best€interest€of€the€child,€we€affirm.Ð Nž ÐÌÓ  Óò òTenn.€R.€App.€P.€3€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Juvenile€Court€Affirmedó óÐ .~ ÐÓK ÓÌòòPatricia€J.€Cottrell,óó€J.,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòBen€H.€Ô_ÔCantrellÔ_Ô,€Ô_ÔP.J.Ô_Ô,€M.S.,óóÐ ^ Ðand€òòWilliam€B.€Cain,€J.óó,€joined.Ð þN ÐÌGregory€D.€Smith,€Clarksville,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellant,€Gail€Ann€Heller.Ð Þ!.  ÐÌPaul€G.€Summers,€Attorney€General€and€Reporter,€Douglas€Earl€Ô_ÔDimondÔ_Ô,€Assistant€AttorneyÐ ¾#" ÐGeneral,€Nashville,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellee,€Department€of€Childrenððs€Services.Ð ®$þ# ÐÌà@55'ìàò òOPINIONó óˆÐ Ž&Þ!% ÐÌà  àThe€child€who€is€the€subject€of€this€proceeding€was€taken€into€custody€in€April€1996,€afterÐ n(¾#' Ðseveral€referrals€to€the€Department€of€Childrenððs€Services€(ð ðDCSðð)€because€of€the€motherððs׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€apparentÐ ^)®$(ýŽ ÐÔ_Ôneglect.€€DCS€devised€a€Plan€of€Care,€which,€among€other€things,€required€the€mother€to€address€herÐ ° Ðdrug€and€alcohol€addictions.€€During€the€two€years€between€the€removal€of€the€child€from€the€homeÐ  ð Ðand€the€filing€by€DCS€of€the€petition€to€terminate€parental€rights,€the€mother€made€some€efforts€toÐ à Ðimprove€her€situation,€obtaining€employment€and€a€residence.€€She€continued€to€maintain€aÐ €Ð Ðrelationship€with€the€child.€€The€motherððs€substance€abuse€continued,€however.€€In€the€interest€ofÐ pÀ Ðmaking€permanent€placement€of€the€child€possible,€DCS€initiated€this€termination€proceeding.Ð ` ° ÐÌÓ  ÓI.€BackgroundÐ @  ÐÓ‰ÓÌà  àThe€child,€K.A.H.,€a€girl,€was€born€in€September€1994.€€She€came€to€the€attention€of€DCSÐ  p  Ðbecause€several€people€made€referrals€to€DCS€alleging€that€the€mother€was€neglecting€her.€€The€firstÐ `  Ðreferral€was€made€in€February€1996,€when€someone€reported€€a€baby€€crying€inside€her€home.€€PoliceÐ P  Ðinvestigated,€believing€the€child€to€be€abandoned,€and€€found€the€mother€present,€but€ð ðpassed€out.ðð€Ð ð@  ÐDCS€began€working€with€the€mother,€developing€a€ð ðPlan€of€Actionðð€to€prevent€the€necessity€ofÐ à0  Ðtaking€the€child€into€state€custody.€€The€Plan€of€Action€included€a€provision€that€the€mother€remainÐ Ð  Ðdrug€and€alcohol€free.€€The€motherððs€difficulties€with€drugs€and€alcohol€continued,€and€additionalÐ À Ðreferrals€of€her€neglect€were€made€to€DCS.׃p×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€The€Department€filed€a€petition€to€take€the€child€intoÐ ° Ðstate€custody€in€April€1996,€when€the€mother,€having€left€the€child€with€a€babysitter,€was€jailed€forÐ  ð Ðseveral€days€after€being€arrested€while€ð ðwalking€in€the€rain€while€intoxicated€and/or€high€on€drugs.ðð€Ð à ÐÌà  àAfter€the€motherððs€release€from€jail,€DCS€began€working€with€her,€attempting€to€improve€herÐ pÀ Ðparenting€skills€so€that€the€child€could€be€returned€to€her.€€€DCS€developed€a€ð ðPlan€of€Care,ððÐ `° Ðoutlining€the€steps€the€mother€needed€to€take€before€she€could€regain€custody€of€her€daughter.€€TheÐ P  Ðsteps€included€visiting€the€child€regularly,€having€a€drug€and€alcohol€assessment,€undergoing€randomÐ @ Ðdrug€and€alcohol€tests,€and€attending€substance€abuse€treatment€programs,€€counseling€sessions,€andÐ 0€ Ðparenting€classes.Ð  p ÐÌà  àThe€mother€maintained€a€job€in€food€service€throughout€most€of€the€time€the€child€was€inÐ P Ðfoster€care,€except€when€she€was€in€jail€or€hiding€from€authorities.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Her€visits€with€the€child€wereÐ ð@ Ðconsistent,€with€the€same€two€exceptions.€€No€one€disputed€that€the€mother€loved€her€daughter€andÐ à0 Ðthat€the€two€had€ð ðbonded.ðð€€Early€in€the€process,€the€mother€was€allowed€unsupervised€visitation,Ð Ð  Ðbut€her€continued€drug€use€made€such€visits€impossible,€so€all€later€visits€were€supervised.€€TheÐ ° Ðmother€consistently€took€toys€and€clothes€to€the€child€at€the€visits,€even€though€the€foster€care€workerÐ  ð Ðsuggested€that€she€could€better€spend€the€money€improving€her€situation€so€the€child€could€returnÐ à Ðto€her.€€The€motherððs€interaction€with€the€child€was€described€as€ð ðappropriate.ððÐ €Ð ÐÌà  àDCS€personnel€worked€with€the€mother€consistently€throughout€the€two€and€one€half€yearsÐ ` ° Ðthe€child€was€in€custody.€€The€foster€care€workers€encouraged€the€mother€to€attend€counselingÐ P   Ðsessions,€parenting€classes,€and€alcohol€and€narcotics€usersðð€support€groups,€even€providingÐ @  Ðtransportation€and€financial€assistance€when€needed€and€appropriate.€€They€described€the€motherððsÐ 0 € Ðtearful€promises€to€do€better€in€her€efforts€to€stop€abusing€drugs,€but€the€mother€never€followedÐ  p  Ðthrough€on€her€promises.€She€never€had€a€drug€and€alcohol€assessment,€and€did€not€inquire€aboutÐ `  Ðobtaining€one€until€immediately€prior€to€the€hearing.€She€went€to€a€few€Alcoholics€Anonymous€andÐ P  ÐNarcotics€Anonymous€meetings,€but€refused€to€attend€€any€more.€€She€consistently€failed€the€drugÐ ð@  Ðtests,€testing€positive€for€cocaine€and€marijuana,€until€shortly€before€the€hearing.€€Even€three€weeksÐ à0  Ðprior€to€the€hearing,€the€mother€tested€positive€for€Valium.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€She€admitted€to€having€taken€the€drug,Ð Ð  Ðbut€claimed€that€she€did€not€realize€that€Valium€would€show€up€on€the€drug€test.€€Ð À ÐÌà  àThe€mother€attended€four€sessions€of€a€parenting€class,€but€did€not€complete€the€program.€Ð  ð ÐShe€began€counseling€sessions€with€a€psychologist,€but€stopped€going€to€her€sessions.€TheÐ à Ðpsychologist€had€referred€her€to€a€psychiatrist€for€her€depression.€€The€psychiatrist€prescribedÐ €Ð Ðantidepressant€drugs€for€the€mother,€but€DCS€refused€to€pay€for€additional€prescriptions€after€theÐ pÀ Ðmother€took€all€of€the€pills€remaining€in€the€bottle€at€one€time.€Ð `° ÐÌà  àDCS€filed€the€petition€to€terminate€the€motherððs€parental€rights€in€March€1998€based€on€theÐ @ Ðpersistence€of€the€conditions€which€led€to€the€removal€of€the€child€from€the€home,€and€the€motherððsÐ 0€ Ðfailure€to€comply€with€the€Plan€of€Care.׃€×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€After€learning€of€the€petition,€the€mother€claimed€she€wasÐ  p Ðð ðserious€this€timeðð€about€following€the€plan.€€She€resumed€the€Alcoholics€Anonymous€meetings€inÐ ` ÐMay€1998.€€She€managed€a€few€negative€drug€tests,€but€also€tested€positive€for€cocaine€and€ValiumÐ P Ðin€the€months€after€the€petition€was€filed.€€The€hearing€for€the€termination€of€parental€rights€was€heldÐ ð@ ÐAugust€31,€1998.€€Following€the€presentation€of€the€evidence,€and€noting€the€trial€courtððs€concernÐ à0 Ðabout€the€continued€drug€use,€the€mother€asked€the€court€for€ð ðmore€time.ððÐ Ð  ÐÌà  àAfter€hearing€the€evidence,€the€trial€court€terminated€the€motherððs€parental€rights,€statingÐ °"  Ðfrom€the€bench:Ð  #ð! ÐÐ $à" Ðà8  àYouððve€had€two„and„a„half€years.€€Itððs€not€a€matter€of€fun€and€games€with€the€childÐ ° Ðan€hour€a€week.€€Itððs€a€matter€of€not€being€on€crack€cocaine,€not€being€on€marijuana,Ð  ð Ðnot€being€high€on€alcohol,€but€being€there€at€night€when€that€child€is€sick;€taking€thatÐ à Ðchildððs€temperature€when€she€has€a€fever;€fixing€supper€for€that€child;€fixingÐ €Ð Ðbreakfast€for€that€child.€€Itððs€those€things€of€being€a€parent.€€Itððs€not€just€the€fun€andÐ pÀ Ðgames.€€Itððs€the€work.€€€Itððs€the€dedication.€€Itððs€the€sacrifice.€€And€thatððs€what€youððreÐ ` ° Ðnot€willing€to€make.€€Your€sacrifice€is€dedicated€totally€to€your€use€of€chemicals,Ð P   Ðyour€getting€high,€your€party,€your€fun€is€much€more€important€than€that€child.€.€.€.Ð @  ÐPermanency€for€that€child€is€what€the€Court€has€to€look€to.€€Whatððs€the€bestÐ 0 € Ðpermanent€arrangement€for€that€child€to€grow€up€and€be€a€productive€member€ofÐ  p  Ðsociety.€€Depending€on€a€mother€for€another€six€months,€another€two„and„a„half€yearsÐ `  Ðand€then€five€years€of€care€have€gone€by€hoping€that€some€day€she€gets€off€theÐ P  Ðchemicals€.€.€.€If€after€two„and„a„half€years€you€canððt€change,€itððs€called€constructiveÐ ð@  Ðabandonment.Ðà0 Ð Ð  ÐÌà  àThe€trial€courtððs€order€terminating€the€motherððs€parental€rights€stated:Ð À ÐÌà8  à[the€mother]€has€abandoned€the€child,€[K.A.H.],€pursuant€to€T.C.A.€ðð€36„1„Ð  ð Ð113(g)(3)(A)€òòet€seq.óó,€in€that€said€child€has€been€removed€from€the€custody€of€[theÐ à Ðmother]€for€more€than€six€(6)€months,€and€that€the€conditions€which€led€to€theÐ €Ð Ðremoval€of€said€child€from€said€Defendant,€and€would€in€all€reasonable€probabilityÐ pÀ Ðcause€said€child€to€be€further€abused€or€neglected,€still€persist;€that€there€is€littleÐ `° Ðlikelihood€that€these€conditions€will€be€remedied€in€the€near€future;€and,€that€saidÐ P  Ðchild€is€of€such€an€age€that€the€continuation€of€the€legal€parent€and€child€relationshipÐ @ Ðgreatly€diminishes€said€childððs€chances€of€early€integration€into€a€stable€andÐ 0€ Ðpermanent€home;€and€further,€that€pursuant€to€T.C.A.€ðð€36„1„113(g)(2),€[the€mother]Ð  p Ðhas€failed€to€comply€with€the€Statement€of€Responsibilities€as€provided€in€the€PlanÐ ` Ðof€Care€.€.€.€ÐPÐ Ð  ÐÌà  àThe€mother€appeals€the€trial€courtððs€termination€of€parental€rights.Ð à0 ÐÔ‡ X6 XXX«ëÔÌÓ  ÓII.€Standard€of€ReviewÐ ¼!  ÐÓÀ3ÓÌà  àòòóóÔ#†X«ëXX X6  3#ÔBecause€the€decision€to€terminate€parental€rights€affects€fundamental€constitutional€rights,Ð ”#ä! Ðcourts€apply€a€higher€standard€of€proof€when€adjudicating€termination€cases.€€òòSee€O'Daniel€v.Ð „$Ô" ÐMessieróó,€905€S.W.2d€182,€186€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1995).€To€justify€the€termination€of€parental€rights,Ð t%Ä # Ðthe€grounds€for€termination€must€be€established€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence.€òòSee€óóTenn.€Code.Ð d&´!$ ÐAnn.€ðð€36-1-113(c)(1)€(Supp.€1999);€òòState€Depððt€of€Human€Servs.€v.€Defrieceóó,€937€S.W.2d€954,€960Ð T'¤"% Ð(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1996).€Evidence€which€satisfies€the€clear€and€convincing€standard€"eliminates€anyÐ D(”#& Ðserious€or€substantial€doubt€concerning€the€correctness€of€the€conclusion€to€be€drawn€from€theÐ 4)„$' Ðevidence."€òòO'Danielóó,€905€S.W.2d€at€188.€€€"This€heightened€standard€.€.€.€serves€to€prevent€theÐ $*t%( Ðunwarranted€termination€or€interference€with€the€biological€parents'€rights€to€their€children."€€òòIn€reÐ +d&) ÐM.W.A.óó,€980€S.W.2d€620,€622€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1998).Ð ,T'* Їà8  àÔ‡ X6 XXX«ëÔThe€ð ðclear€and€convincing€evidenceðð€standard€defies€precise€definition.€€While€it€isÐ ° Ðmore€exacting€than€the€preponderance€of€the€evidence€standard,€it€does€not€requireÐ œì Ðsuch€certainty€as€the€beyond€a€reasonable€doubt€standard.€€Clear€and€convincingÐ ˆØ Ðevidence€eliminates€any€serious€or€substantial€doubt€concerning€the€correctness€of€theÐ tÄ Ðconclusions€to€be€drawn€from€the€evidence.€€It€should€produce€in€the€fact„finderððsÐ `° Ðmind€a€firm€belief€or€conviction€with€regard€to€the€truth€of€the€allegations€sought€toÐ L œ Ðbe€established.Ð8 ˆÐ Ð  ÐÌòòOððDanielóó,€905€S.W.2d€at€186.Ô#†X«ëXX X6 Ò8#ÔÐ  ` ÐÌà  àUnder€this€heightened€standard€of€review,€we€must€first€review€the€trial€courtððs€findings€inÐ ì <  Ðaccordance€with€Tenn.€R.€App.€13(d).€€€Ô‡ X6 XXX«ëÔThat€review€€is€òòde€novoóó,€with€a€presumption€of€correctnessÐ Ü,  Ðfor€the€trial€courtððs€findings€of€fact,€unless€the€preponderance€of€the€evidence€is€otherwise.€€òòSee€óóTenn.Ð Ü,  ÐR.€App.€P.€13(d).€€Ô#†X«ëXX X6 Ÿ<#ÔThen,€we€must€determine€whether€the€facts€make€out€a€clear€and€convincing€caseÐ È  Ðin€favor€of€terminating€the€parentsðð€parental€rights.€€€òòSeeóó€òòIn€re€Drinnonóó,€776€S.W.2d€96,€97€(Tenn.Ð È  ÐCt.€App.€1988).Ð ¸ ÐÔ‡ X6 XXX«ëÔÌà  àParental€rights€may€be€terminated€in€only€a€limited€number€of€statutorily€definedÐ ”ä Ðcircumstances.€€Before€termination,€one€or€more€of€the€asserted€statutory€grounds׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ô#†X«ëXX X6 Þ>#ÔÔ‡ X6 XXX«ëÔ€must€be€provedÐ €Ð Ðby€clear€and€convincing€evidence€and€the€court€must€determine,€also€using€the€clear€and€convincingÐ l¼ Ðevidence€standard,€that€termination€is€in€the€childððs€best€interest.€€òòSee€óóTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„Ð X¨ Ð113(c)(2)€(Supp.€1999).€Ô#†X«ëXX X6 7@#Ô€Ô‡ X6 XXX«ëÔÐ D” ÐÌÓ  ÓIII.€€€€The€Conditions€Which€Led€to€Removal€PersistÐ 0€ ÐÓäAÓÌà  àThe€trial€court€based€the€termination€of€parental€rights€on€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„Ð X Ð113(g)(3)(A),€which€provides€the€following€as€grounds€for€seeking€termination:Ð ôD ÐÌà8  àThe€child€has€been€removed€from€the€home€of€the€parent€or€guardian€by€order€of€aÐ Ì Ðcourt€for€a€period€of€six€(6)€months€and:иРР Ðà8  à(i)€The€conditions€which€led€to€the€child's€removal€or€other€conditions€which€in€allÐ ¤ ô Ðreasonable€probability€would€cause€the€child€to€be€subjected€to€further€abuse€orÐ !à Ðneglect€and€which,€therefore,€prevent€the€child's€safe€return€to€the€care€of€theÐ |"Ì  Ðâ âparent(s)€or€guardian(s),€still€persist;Ðh#¸!Ð Ð  Ðà8  à(ii)€There€is€little€likelihood€that€these€conditions€will€be€remedied€at€an€early€dateÐ ° Ðso€that€the€child€can€be€safely€returned€to€the€parent(s)€or€guardian(s)€in€the€nearÐ œì Ðfuture;€andЈØÐ Ð  Ðâ âà8  à(iii)€The€continuation€of€the€parent€or€guardian€and€child€relationship€greatlyÐ tÄ Ðdiminishes€the€child's€chances€of€early€integration€into€a€safe,€stable€and€permanentÐ `° Ðhome.ÐL œÐ Ð  ÐÌà  àWe€find€that€the€elements€of€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(g)(3)(A)€have€been€met.€€The€childÐ $ t Ðhad€been€removed€from€the€home€by€order€of€a€court€for€six€months.€òòóó€She€had€been€in€foster€care€forÐ  ` Ðtwo€and€one€half€years€at€the€time€of€the€hearing.€òòóóÔ#†X«ëXX X6 ¯A#ÔÔ‡ X6 XXX«ëÔ€The€condition€which€led€to€the€childððs€removalÐ ü L  Ðwas€the€neglect€caused€primarily€by€the€motherððs€drug€and€alcohol€use.€€That€drug€and€alcohol€useÐ è 8  Ðpersists.òòóóÔ#†X«ëXX X6 ÙH#ÔÔ‡ X6 XXX«ëÔ€€The€mother€tested€positive€on€her€drug€screens€throughout€the€period€when€the€child€wasÐ Ô$  Ðin€foster€care,€including€a€positive€test€just€before€the€hearing.€€Similarly,€there€is€little€likelihood€thatÐ À  Ðthe€condition€will€be€remedied€at€an€early€date€so€that€the€child€can€be€safely€returned€to€the€mother.Ô#†X«ëXX X6 êI#ÔÔ‡ X6 XXX«ëԀР¬ü  ÐThis€mother€has€had€more€than€two€years,€and€assistance,€to€deal€with€her€drug€problem.€€She€wasÐ ˜è  Ðtold,€even€before€the€child€was€removed€from€her€care,€that€her€drug€use€created€a€problem€for€theÐ „Ô  Ðchild.€€She€did€not€take€steps€to€remedy€the€situation,€and€the€child€was€taken€into€state€custody.€Ð pÀ ÐEven€after€the€child€was€in€foster€care,€the€mother€resisted€DCS€efforts€to€help€her€overcome€herÐ \¬ Ðdependency.€€She€was€offered€transportation€to€Alcoholics€Anonymous€and€Narcotics€AnonymousÐ H˜ Ðmeetings,€but€after€a€few€meetings,€refused€to€attend€any€more.€€She€never€had€a€drug€and€alcoholÐ 4„ Ðassessment,€as€required€by€her€Plan€of€Care.€€Three€weeks€prior€to€the€hearing,€knowing€that€her€drugÐ  p Ðabuse€was€an€important€issue€in€the€termination€proceedings,€the€mother€ingested€drugs.€€HerÐ  \ Ðprotestations€that€she€did€not€know€that€that€particular€drug€would€show€up€on€a€drug€test€simplyÐ øH Ðaffirm€the€foster€care€workerððs€assessment€that€the€mother€ð ðmanipulat[es]€the€system.ðð€€She€claimsÐ ä4 Ðto€want€her€child€back,€but€she€is€simply€unwilling€or€unable€to€put€the€childððs€needs€above€her€ownÐ Ð  Ðchemical€dependency.€Ð ¼  ÐÌà  àThe€final€element,€ð ð[t]he€continuation€of€the€parent€or€guardian€and€child€relationship€greatlyÐ ”ä Ðdiminishes€the€child's€chances€of€early€integration€into€a€safe,€stable€and€permanent€homeðð€has€alsoÐ €Ð Ðbeen€met.€€òòSee€óóTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€Ô#†X«ëXX X6 „K#ÔÔ‡ X6 XXX«ëÔ36„1„113(g)(3)(A)Ô#†X«ëXX X6 NR#ÔÔ‡ X6 XXX«ëÔ(iii).€€This€child€was€four€years€old€at€the€timeÐ l¼ Ðof€the€hearing,€and€had€been€in€foster€care€for€more€than€half€of€her€life.€€She€needs€a€permanentÐ X ¨ Ðhome€where€she€can€ð ðgrow€up€and€be€a€productive€member€of€society.ðð€€The€mother€cannot€provideÐ D!” Ða€permanent€stable€home€for€the€child€and€is€unlikely€to€be€able€to€do€so€in€the€near€future.€€AbsentÐ 0"€  Ðtermination€of€the€motherððs€rights,€the€child€cannot€hope€for€a€permanent,€stable€home.Ð #l! ÐÔ#†X«ëXX X6 ¡R#ÔÔ‡ X6 XXX«ëÔÌà  àThe€mother€does€not€argue€that€the€elements€have€not€been€met.€€She€argues€that€DCS€hasÐ ô$D # Ðnot€proved€ð ðvia€clear€and€convincing€evidence,€that€this€parent/child€relationship€could€not€beÐ à%0!$ Ðsalvaged,€nor€that€the€relationship€between€[K.A.H.]€and€her€mother€is€currently€harmful€toÐ Ì&"% Ð[K.A.H.ððs]€safety€.€.€.€or€future€emotional€stability.ððÐ ¸'#& ÐÌà  àThe€mother€misunderstands€the€requirements€for€termination€of€parental€rights.€€DCS€is€notÐ )à$( Ðrequired€to€prove€that€a€parent„child€relationship€cannot€be€salvaged.€€Nor€is€DCS€required€to€showÐ |*Ì%) Ðthat€a€parent€is€ð ðcurrently€harmfulðð€to€a€childððs€safety€or€future€emotional€stability.€Ô#†X«ëXX X6 U#Ô€The€questionÐ h+¸&* Ðherein€is€the€likelihood€that€the€child€can€be€safely€returned€to€the€custody€of€the€mother,€not€whetherÐ ° Ðthe€child€can€safely€remain€in€foster€care€with€weekly€visits€with€the€mother.€€Our€termination€ofÐ  ð Ðparental€rights€statutes€recognize€a€childððs€need€for€a€permanent,€stable€environment€which€thisÐ à Ðmother€has€demonstrated€she€is€unwilling€or€unable€to€provide.€€€DCS€has€proved,€through€clear€andÐ €Ð Ðconvincing€evidence,€that,€pursuant€to€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(g)(3)(A),€the€child€has€beenÐ pÀ Ðremoved€from€the€home€of€the€parent€by€order€of€a€court€for€a€period€of€six€months,€and€theÐ ` ° Ðconditions€which€led€to€the€childððs€removal€from€the€home€continue€to€persist€and€prevent€the€childððsÐ P   Ðreturn€to€the€home,€that€there€is€little€likelihood€that€the€conditions€will€be€remedied€in€the€nearÐ @  Ðfuture,€and€that€continuation€of€the€parent„child€relationship€greatly€diminishes€the€childððs€chancesÐ 0 € Ðof€being€placed€in€a€permanent€home.€€€Thus,€statutory€grounds׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú7Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€for€termination€have€been€provedÐ  p  Ðand€we€turn€to€whether€termination€of€parental€rights€is€in€the€best€interest€of€the€Ô‡ X6 XXX«ëÔchild.Ð `  ÐÌÔ#†X«ëXX X6 È]#ÔÔ‡ X6 XXX«ëÔÓ  ÓIV.€€Termination€of€Parental€Rights€is€in€the€Childððs€Best€InterestòòÐ üL  ÐÓE^ÓÌà  àóóOnce€statutory€grounds€for€termination€have€been€established,€the€court€must€determine,Ð Ô$  Ðbased€on€clear€and€convincing€evidence,€that€termination€of€parental€rights€is€in€the€best€interest€ofÐ À Ðthe€child.€See€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(c)(2)€(Supp.€1999).€€The€mother€argues€that€a€strongÐ ¬ü Ðbond€exists€between€the€child€and€herself,€and€that€she€should€be€given€ð ða€true€chance€to€regainÐ ˜è Ðcustody€of€her€child.ðð€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(i)€states:€ò òÐ „Ô ÐÌó óà8  àà ` àIn€determining€whether€termination€of€parental€or€guardianship€rights€is€in€theÐ \¬ Ðbest€interest€of€the€child€pursuant€to€this€part,€the€court€shall€consider,€but€is€notÐ H˜ Ðlimited€to,€the€following:à h à€ò òÐ4„Ð Ð  Ðà8  àó óà ` à(1)€Whether€the€parent€or€guardian€has€made€such€an€adjustment€ofÐ  p Ðcircumstance,€conduct,€or€conditions€as€to€make€it€safe€and€in€the€child's€best€interestÐ  \ Ðto€be€in€the€home€of€the€parent€or€guardian;ÐøHÐ Ð  Ðà8  àà ` à(2)€Whether€the€parent€or€guardian€has€failed€to€effect€a€lasting€adjustmentÐ ä4 Ðafter€reasonable€efforts€by€available€social€services€agencies€for€such€duration€of€timeÐ Ð  Ðthat€lasting€adjustment€does€not€reasonably€appear€possible;м Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` à(3)€Whether€the€parent€or€guardian€has€maintained€regular€visitation€or€otherÐ ¨ø Ðcontact€with€the€child;Д äÐ Ð  Ðà8  àà ` à(4)€Whether€a€meaningful€relationship€has€otherwise€been€establishedÐ €!Ð Ðbetween€the€parent€or€guardian€and€the€child;à p àÐl"¼ Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` à(5)€The€effect€a€change€of€caretakers€and€physical€environment€is€likely€toÐ X#¨! Ðhave€on€the€child's€emotional,€psychological€and€medical€condition;ÐD$”"Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` à(6)€Whether€the€parent€or€guardian,€or€other€person€residing€with€the€parentÐ ° Ðor€guardian,€has€shown€brutality,€physical,€sexual,€emotional€or€psychological€abuse,Ð œì Ðor€neglect€toward€other€children€in€the€family€or€household;ЈØÐ Ð  Ðà8  àà ` à(7)€Whether€the€physical€environment€of€the€parent's€or€guardian's€home€isÐ tÄ Ðhealthy€and€safe,€whether€there€is€criminal€activity€in€the€home,€or€whether€there€isÐ `° Ðsuch€use€of€alcohol€or€controlled€substances€as€may€render€the€parent€or€guardianÐ L œ Ðconsistently€unable€to€care€for€the€child€in€a€safe€and€stable€manner;Ð8 ˆÐ Ð  Ðà8  àà ` à(8)€Whether€the€parent's€or€guardian's€mental€and/or€emotional€status€wouldÐ $ t Ðbe€detrimental€to€the€child€or€prevent€the€parent€or€guardian€from€effectivelyÐ  ` Ðproviding€safe€and€stable€care€and€supervision€for€the€child;€€orÐü L Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` à(9)€Whether€the€parent€or€guardian€has€paid€child€support€consistent€with€theÐ è 8  Ðchild€support€guidelines€promulgated€by€the€department€pursuant€to€ðð€36-5-101.ÐÔ$ Ð Ð  ÐòòÌà  àò òó óóóOur€own€review€of€the€evidence,€in€light€of€those€factors,€compels€our€agreement€with€theÐ ¬ü  Ðtrial€court€that€the€termination€of€the€motherððs€rights€is€in€the€best€interest€of€this€child.€ò ò€ó óThe€motherÐ ˜è  Ðhas€not€made€an€adjustment€of€conditions,€specifically€her€use€of€drugs€and€alcohol,€which€wouldÐ ˆØ  Ðmake€it€safe€and€in€the€childððs€best€interest€to€be€in€her€home.€€òòSeeóó€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„Ð tÄ Ð113(i)(1).€€She€has€failed€to€make€the€adjustment,€despite€reasonable€efforts€byòò€óóDCS,€and€suchÐ `° Ðadjustment€does€not€reasonably€appear€possible.€€òòSeeóó€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(i)(2).€€Certainly,Ð Lœ Ðthere€is€ð ðsuch€use€of€alcohol€or€controlled€substances€as€may€render€the€parent€or€guardianÐ 8ˆ Ðconsistently€unable€to€care€for€the€child€in€a€safe€and€stable€manner.ðð€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„Ð $t Ð113(i)(7).€€Considering€the€above€factors,€and€the€childððs€need€for€permanency,€we€agree€with€theÐ ` Ðtrial€court€that€termination€of€the€motherððs€parental€rights€is€in€the€best€interest€of€the€child.òòÐ üL ÐÌà  àóóIn€a€similar€case,€a€mother€who€could€not€overcome€her€addiction€argued€that,€while€theÐ Ô$ Ðstatutory€grounds€existed,€termination€of€her€parental€rights€was€not€in€the€childrenððs€best€interest.€Ð À ÐòòSee€State€Depððt.€of€Childrenððs€Servs.€v.€Hunteróó,€No.€1999„02606„COA„R3„CV,€2000€WL€313549Ð ¬ü Ðat€*1€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Mar.€29,€2000)€(no€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€11€application€filed).€€That€mother,€like€Ð ˜è Ðthe€one€in€the€case€before€us,€visited€her€children€frequently,€testified€that€she€and€her€children€hadÐ „Ô Ðbonded€as€a€family,€and€claimed€to€be€making€progress€in€the€treatment€of€her€drug€abuse.€òòSee€id.óóÐ pÀ Ðat€*3.€€That€mother€also€used€illegal€drugs€shortly€before€the€hearing€on€the€petition€to€terminate€herÐ \ ¬ Ðparental€rights.€€This€court€affirmed€the€trial€courtððs€termination€of€parental€rights,€stating:Ð H!˜ ÐÌà8  à[T]he€judge€felt€compelled€to€recognize€.€.€.€that€despite€having€a€considerableÐ  #p! Ðamount€of€support€from€DCS€for€almost€nineteen€months,€[the€mother]€had€madeÐ  $\" Ðvery€little€progress€towards€the€goals€she€had€to€reach€before€being€reunited€with€herÐ ø$H # Ðchildren;€that€the€children€were€getting€older€and€that€they€needed€stability€in€theirÐ ä%4!$ Ðlives;€that€being€an€effective€parent€involves€far€more€than€visiting€.€.€.€[W]e€believeÐ Ð& "% Ð[the€motherððs]€failure€to€make€fundamental€adjustments€in€her€life€makes€theÐ ¼' #& Ðtermination€of€her€parental€rights€an€inescapable€conclusion.€.€.€.€Continuation€of€theÐ ¨(ø#' Ðparental€relationship€would€eliminate€any€realistic€possibility€of€the€children€beingÐ ”)ä$( Ðintegrated€into€a€stable€and€permanent€home.€€It€is€in€their€best€interest€that€herÐ €*Ð%) Ðparental€rights€be€terminated.€òòÐl+¼&*Ð Ð  ЇIdóó.€at€*3„4.òòÐ ° ÐÌà  àóóFully€aware€of€the€gravity€of€the€decision€to€terminate€a€parentððs€rights,€we€think€theÐ ˆØ Ðreasoning€in€òòHunteróó€applies€here€with€equal€force.€€This€mother€states€that€she€would€like€to€regainÐ tÄ Ðcustody€of€her€daughter,€but€she€has€shown€that€she€is€simply€unable€to€overcome€her€dependencyÐ `° Ðon€drugs€and€alcohol.€€Two€and€one€half€years€have€passed,€as€stated€by€the€trial€court,€ð ðhoping€thatÐ L œ Ðsome€day€she€gets€off€the€chemicals.ðð€Ô#†X«ëXX X6 &^#ÔÔ‡ X6 XXX«ëÔThe€child€needs€stability€in€her€life,€and€the€mother€has€provedÐ 8 ˆ Ðherself€unable€to€provide€that€stability.€€To€do€other€than€affirm€the€termination€of€parental€rightsÐ $ t Ðwould€leave€the€child€in€foster€care€indefinitely.€€ò òó óÐ  ` ÐÌÓ  ÓV.€Court€Appointed€PsychologistÐ è 8  ÐÌÓR|Óà  àThe€mother€also€argues€that€the€trial€court€erred€in€denying€her€motion€for€a€court€appointedÐ À  Ðpsychologist.€€The€motion€before€the€trial€court€asked€for€a€ð ðpsychologist€to€evaluate€the€relationshipÐ ¬ü  Ðnow€existing€between€[the€mother€and]€the€minor€child,ðð€and€estimated€the€cost€at€$500€to€$600.Ð ˜è  ÐDCS€argued€against€the€motion,€stating,€ð ðThe€case€doesnððt€have€anything€to€do€with€the€parent/childÐ „Ô  Ðrelationship.€.€.€.€This€is€a€case€about€the€parent€and€her€neglect€of€the€child.€€And€her€ownÐ pÀ Ðfunctioning€or€lack€of€functioning,€itððs€based€on€her€alcohol,€drug,€substance€abuse€problems.€.€.€.ðð€Ð \¬ ÐThe€trial€court€denied€the€motherððs€motion.Ð H˜ ÐÌà  àWe€must€agree€with€DCS.€€The€motion€asked€for€a€psychologist€to€evaluate€the€relationshipÐ  p Ðbetween€the€mother€and€child.€€The€relationship€between€the€mother€and€the€child€was€not€€the€issueÐ  \ Ðin€this€case.€€DCS€foster€care€workers€admitted€that€the€visits€between€the€mother€and€child€wentÐ øH Ðwell,€and€that€a€bond€existed€between€them.€€It€is€quite€possible€that€a€psychologist€would€haveÐ ä4 Ðreached€a€similar€€conclusion,€but€the€outcome€would€have€been€the€same.€€The€issue€in€the€caseÐ Ð  Ðbefore€us€was€the€motherððs€inability€to€overcome€the€obstacles€in€her€life€which€caused€her€to€neglectÐ ¼  Ðthe€child.€€We€find€no€merit€in€the€motherððs€argument€that€the€court€erred€in€denying€her€motion€toÐ ¨ø Ðappoint€a€psychologist€to€evaluate€her€relationship€with€her€daughter.Ð ”ä ÐÌÓ  ÓVI.€ConclusionÐ l¼ ÐÓsƒÓÌò òó óà  àWe€affirm€the€order€terminating€the€motherððs€parental€rights€and€remand€the€case€to€the€trialÐ D!” Ðcourt€for€such€further€proceedings€as€may€be€required.€€Costs€of€this€appeal€are€taxed€to€the€mother,Ð 0"€  Ðfor€which€execution€may€issue€if€necessary.òòÔ#†X«ëXX X6 {#ÔÔ‡ X6 XXX«ëÔÐ #l! ÐÌÔ#†X«ëXX X6 …#ÔóóÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à____________________________________Ð Ô&$"% Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àPATRICIA€J.€COTTRELL,€JUDGE