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AOü3ÆK4 0D5 D/U5 B„5˜HP LaserJet 4Si/4SiMX PS 600dpiPSCRIPTÀÌÀääÀÀÌ0 (ÈhH  Z ‹6Times New Roman RegularX(ô%$¡¡ÑTR[  AØ'ÿ Legal[  AØ'ÿ Legal AØ'ÿ Legal AØ'ÿ LegalTÑÑÑÑÑÒ°ÒÒ„°ÒÔ€XhXXXÔÓÓÑ7€hXXdðXXdð7Ñ, øð AZ‹"Arial Regular÷}± 3|x.(s(2j©$¤¤Ý ƒ%!ÝÑTR[¤ AØ'ÿ Legal3Ø' AØ'ÿ Legalÿ3Ø'TÑѰÑѰÑÒ°ÒÒ„°ÒÔ€XHÂXXXÔÓÓÑ7€uAXXdìdì7ÑÝ  ÝѰÑѰÑÒ°ÒÒ°„ÒÓ  ÓÔ€ò÷ òXXHÂÔà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó`"Arial Regular DU D !U"#Ó€2 ÿÿ0Indent1Ô2ÔÔ3  Ô2" ÿÿ0Indent2à0 àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô2, ÿÿ0Indent3à0 àà0 àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô26 ÿÿ0Indent4à0 àà0 àà0 àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô2@ ÿÿ0Indent5à0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô2J ÿÿ0Indent6à0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô2T ÿÿ0Indent7à0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô2^ ÿÿ0Indent8à0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô ÿÿ?AGMSYaioIndent0I.A.1.a.(1)(a)i)a)< Œ 9p`(ModernP ÿÿ8Mac DefaultMac DefaultÓ ` °šXÓ d< Œ 9p`(Monaco< Œ 9p`(&Times New Roman!!!!'ÿÿdxd< Œ 9p`(Arial< Œ 9p`(Times("ÿÿ$££Ò  ÒÒ  Ò% Line 7 d....7Border 1dd€-/Cþÿ << Gÿÿ °Ý ƒ!ÝÔ€ÔÔ€)ÔÑ\R AØ'\ÑÑ  ÑÑ  ÑÒ  ÒÒ „ ÒÔ€+ÔÓÓÑ#€d#ÑÝ  ÝÔ€+ÔÓ  ÓÔ YYY ÔFILEDÔ€+XÔÌÌò òMayÏ28,Ï1996ÌÌCecilÏCrowson,ÏJr.ÌÔ€+ôÔAppellateÏCourtÏClerkó ó ¤Ý ƒ!ÝÑ#€d#ÑÔ€ÔÔ€)ÔÑ\R AØ'\ÑÑ  ÑÑ  ÑÒ  ÒÒ „ ÒÔ€+ÔÓÓÑ#€d#ÑÝ  ÝÝ ƒ $ÝÑ ° ÑÑ ° ÑÒ ° ÒÒ ° ÒÓ  ÓÔ€+ôÔà àòòÚ  ÚÚ  ÚóóÝ  ÝDHSÓÓ€received€referrals€concerning€the€Kerseys€on€January€16,€1991,€in€May€of€1992,€and€onÏJune€24,€1992.€€After€the€January€16,€1991€referral,€the€Kerseys€agreed€to€seek€counseling€for€alcoholÏabuse;€however,€they€ceased€treatment€after€several€sessions.€€The€record€contains€no€evidence€that€theÏMay€and€June,€1992,€referrals€were€substantiated€by€DHS.€€For€the€purpose€of€this€appeal,€we€considerÏDHS's€involvement€with€the€Kerseys€beginning€on€July€2,€1992.€Ì øÝ ƒ!ÝÑ#€d#ÑÔ€ÔÔ€)ÔÑ\R AØ'\ÑÑ  ÑÑ  ÑÒ  ÒÒ „ ÒÔ€+ÔÓÓÑ#€d#ÑÝ  ÝÝ ƒ $ÝÑ ° ÑÑ ° ÑÒ ° ÒÒ ° ÒÓ  ÓÔ€+ôÔà àòòÚ  ÚÚ  ÚóóÝ  ÝÓÓDHS€took€physical€custody€of€April€and€Erica€Kersey€at€this€time,€while€Mr.€Kersey€retainedÏcustody€of€the€two€older€children.€€Mr.€Kersey€was€unable€to€care€for€the€younger€children€and€maintain€fullÏtime€employment.€€DHS€returned€April€and€Erica€to€their€parents'€home€in€November,€1992.Ì VÝ ƒ!ÝÑ#€d#ÑÔ€ÔÔ€)ÔÑ\R AØ'\ÑÑ  ÑÑ  ÑÒ  ÒÒ „ ÒÔ€+ÔÓÓÑ#€d#ÑÝ  ÝÝ ƒ $ÝÑ ° ÑÑ ° ÑÒ ° ÒÒ ° ÒÓ  ÓÔ€+ôÔà àòòÚ  ÚÚ  ÚóóÝ  ÝÓÓThe€record€reveals€no€instance€in€which€George€Kersey€tested€positive€for€alcohol€use€in€a€courtÏordered€blood€alcohol€test.€€€Ì qÝ ƒ!ÝÑ#€d#ÑÔ€ÔÔ€)ÔÑ\R AØ'\ÑÑ  ÑÑ  ÑÒ  ÒÒ „ ÒÔ€+ÔÓÓÑ#€d#ÑÝ  ÝÝ ƒ $ÝÑ ° ÑÑ ° ÑÒ ° ÒÒ ° ÒÓ  ÓÔ€+ôÔà àòòÚ  ÚÚ  ÚóóÝ  ÝCÓÓounsel€for€the€Kerseys€argues€that€due€process€was€violated€at€the€Kerseys'€terminationÏhearing.€€This€allegation€is€based€on€the€fact€that€Judge€C.€Van€€Deacon,€who€presided€over€theÏtermination€proceeding,€issued€an€order€in€this€case€on€June€1,€1993,€which€stated€that€DHS€"shall€pursueÏtermination€of€parental€rights€should€the€parents€continue€to€abuse€alcohol."€€We€agree€with€counsel€thatÏthe€fact€that€Judge€Van€Deacon€called€for€the€institution€of€termination€proceedings,€and€then€presidedÏover€the€final€termination€hearing,€may€have€been€improper.€€òòSeeóó€Code€of€Judicial€Conduct,€Rules€of€theÏSupreme€Court,€Rule€10,€Cannon€3(C).€€However,€the€record€contains€no€evidence€that€counsel€objectedÏto€Judge€Van€Deacon€presiding€over€the€termination€proceedings,€òòseeóó€òòDupis€v.€Handóó,€814€S.W.2d€340,Ï342€(Tenn.€1991),€nor€do€we€find€evidence€of€fundamental€unfairness€in€the€termination€proceeding.€Ì 'Ý ƒ!ÝÑ#€d#ÑÔ€ÔÔ€)ÔÑ\R AØ'\ÑÑ  ÑÑ  ÑÒ  ÒÒ „ ÒÔ€+ÔÓÓÑ#€d#ÑÝ  ÝÝ ƒ $ÝÑ ° ÑÑ ° ÑÒ ° ÒÒ ° ÒÓ  ÓÔ€+ôÔà àòòÚ  ÚÚ  ÚóóÝ  ÝSandra€HolderÓÓ,€a€former€Bradley€County€DHS€case€worker,€testified€that€Mrs.€Kersey€alleged€thatÏMr.€Kersey€sexually€abused€Crystal.€This€allegation€is€completely€unsubstantiated€in€the€record.€€Ms.ÏHolder€stated€that€the€CPI€intake€unit€investigated€Mrs.€Kersey's€allegation;€however,€the€results€of€theÏinvestigation€are€not€before€us.Ì Ý ƒ!ÝÑ#€d#ÑÔ€ÔÔ€)ÔÑ\R AØ'\ÑÑ  ÑÑ  ÑÒ  ÒÒ „ ÒÔ€+ÔÓÓÑ#€d#ÑÝ  ÝÝ ƒ $ÝÑ ° ÑÑ ° ÑÒ ° ÒÒ ° ÒÓ  ÓÔ€+ôÔà àòòÚ  ÚÚ  ÚóóÝ  ÝÓÓIn€the€series€of€events€between€the€Kersey€family€and€DHS€which€lead€to€the€present€terminationÏproceeding,€the€greatest€endangerment€occurred€on€July€2,€1992,€when€Mrs.€Kersey€drove€her€car€whileÏunder€the€influence€of€alcohol,€with€her€children€as€passengers.€€€DHS€removed€the€children€for€two€daysÏafter€this€incident.€€We€realize€that€DHS€did€not€approve€of€Mrs.€Kersey's€conduct;€however,€even€after€thisÏact€of€endangerment,€DHS€did€not€find€that€the€best€interests€of€these€children€required€that€the€childrenÏremain€in€DHS's€physical€custody.€€ÌPtPtHHÚ(ÿáÿâùFG(üHHÚ(d'@Styl{WP}01•ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃà Ãà Ãà Ãà Ãà ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÐ ÐÐHHÐÐ  ÐÐ2ÐÐÿÿ¸æ$ÿÐÐHHÐÐÐÐÐÐÐÐ  ÐÐ ÐÐ ÐÑÑÑGenevaÑÑ ÑÑ € ÑÑ<Px–ÈÑÒÒÒ443!#4ÒÒ$ *$ÒÒ$*$ÒÒ ÿKK ÒÒ  Geneva ÒÒ  Geneva ÒÓ.,ÓÓÓÓ6ÓÓ ÓßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßÑMonacoÑÑ ÑÒ  BA Op Monaco ÒÒ  BA Op Monaco Ò€-‚ƒCþÿ<< CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó ó„„'÷ÿ dxdüÿP PdÝ ƒ!ÝÔ . ÔÔ€ÔÓ&€((X„d&ÓÑ#€((Xd#ÑÔ€)ÔÑ\R AØ'\ÑÑ  ÑÑ  ÑÒ  ÒÒ „ ÒÔ€+ÔÓÓÑ#€,,Xd#ÑÑ#€,,Xd#ÑÝ  ÝÒ ° ÒÒ ° ÒÓ  ÓÑ ° ÑÑ ° ÑÑ7€HÂXXdæXXdì7ÑÓÓÙ€€ÙßL€01/;+'h|` à. `€€Lßà@ àò òIN€THE€COURT€OFÏAPPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEÌà@ àWESTERN€SECTION€ATÏKNOXVILLEÌÌÌSTATE€OF€TENNESSEE,à àà àà à)ÌDEPT.€OF€HUMAN€SERVICES,à àà à)Ìà àà àà àà àà àà à)Ìà àà àó óPlaintiff/Appellee,à àà àò ò)€BradleyÏJuvenile€No.€5989Ìà àà àà àà àà àà à)ÌVS.à àà àà àà àà àà à)€Appeal€No.Ï03A01„9507„JV„00211Ìà àà àà àà àà àà à)ÌGEORGE€LEWIS€KERSEY€andà àà à)ÌTERESA€MARIE€KERSEY,à àà à)Ìà àà àà àà àà àà à)Ìà àà àó óDefendants/Appellants.à àò ò)ó óÌÌÌà@ àAPPEAL€FROM€THE€JUVENILEÏCOURT€OF€BRADLEY€COUNTYÌà@ àAT€CLEVELAND,€TENNESSEEÌà@ àTHE€HONORABLE€C.€VANÏDEACON,€JR.,€JUDGEÌÌÌÌÌò òLARRY€D.€WRIGHTÌó óCleveland,€TennesseeÌAttorney€for€AppellantsÌÌÌÌò òCHARLES€W.€BURSONÌATTORNEY€GENERAL€&€REPORTERÌÌMICHELLE€K.€HOHNKEÌASSISTANT€ATTORNEY€GENERALÌó óNashville,€TennesseeÌAttorney€for€AppelleeÌÌÌÌÌÌò òREVERSED€AND€REMANDEDó óÌÌÌÌò òÌÌÌó óà àà àà àà àà àà àà àà àà àò òALAN€E.€HIGHERS,€J.ÌÌÌÌCONCUR:ÌÌW.€FRANK€CRAWFORD,€P.J.,€W.S.ÌÌDAVID€R.€FARMER,€J.ÌÌÓÓó ó›à àGeorge€and€Teresa€Kersey€appeal€the€decision€of€the€Bradley€County€JuvenileÏÑ7€HÂXXdæXXdæ7ÑCourt€which€terminated€their€parental€rights€to€Edward€Kersey,€born€January€3,€1988;ÏCrystal€Kersey,€born€January€17,€1990;€and€twins€April€and€Erica€Kersey,€born€May€4,Ï1992.€€€The€lower€court€awarded€custody€to€the€Tennessee€Department€of€HumanÏServices€("DHS"),€Appellee.ÌÌà àThere€is€no€question€that€both€George€and€Teresa€Kersey€have€serious€drinkingÏproblems.€€There€is€also€little€question€that€the€Kerseys'€alcohol€abuse€was€the€basisÏfor€the€lower€court's€termination€of€their€parental€rights.€€George€has€been€arrestedÏthree€times€for€driving€under€the€influence€of€alcohol.€Teresa€has€been€arrestedÏseveral€times€for€public€drunkenness,€and€twice€for€driving€under€the€influence€ofÏalcohol.€€The€second€time€Mrs.€Kersey€was€arrested€for€driving€under€the€influence€ofÏalcohol,€July€2,€1992,€she€had€all€four€of€her€children€in€the€automobile.€€It€was€afterÍthis€incident€that€the€Kerseys'€extensive€involvement€with€DHS€began.× ƒ2 ××  ×Ìà àÌà àAs€a€result€of€Teresa€Kersey's€arrest€on€July€2,€1992,€DHS€received€temporaryÏcustody€of€the€four€Kersey€children.€€At€a€preliminary€hearing€held€July€9,€the€courtÏgranted€the€Kerseys€physical€custody€of€the€children€although€DHS€maintained€legalÏcustody.€€On€July€20,€1992,€DHS€developed€a€foster€care€plan.€€The€foster€care€planÏrequired€the€Kerseys€to€attend€alcohol€and€drug€counseling€at€Turning€PointÏcounseling€center,€to€refrain€from€having€alcohol€in€the€house,€to€refrain€fromÏconsuming€alcohol,€to€develop€a€support€system,€and€to€attend€therapy€sessions€Ïaddressing€marital€problems,€stress€relief,€and€parenting€skills.€ÌÌà àIn€late€August,€1992,€Mrs.€Kersey€began€a€45€day€jail€sentence€as€a€result€of€Ïœher€July›€1992€conviction€for€driving€under€the€influence€of€alcohol.× ƒ3 ××  ×€€€During€her€jailÏterm,€Mrs.€Kersey€completed€a€five€week€drug€and€alcohol€rehabilitation€programÏthrough€the€Council€for€Alcohol€and€Drug€Abuse€Services,€Inc.€("CADAS").€ÌÌà àAs€a€result€of€allegations€that€Mrs.€Kersey€was€consuming€alcohol,€DHS€againÏtook€physical€custody€of€April€and€Erica€on€February€19,€1993.€€DHS€permitted€theÍolder€children,€Edward€and€Crystal,€to€remain€in€the€home€under€a€safety€plan.€€€TheÏsafety€plan€required€Mr.€and€Mrs.€Kersey€to€refrain€from€the€use€of€alcohol,€to€send€theÏchildren€to€day€care,€œto›€accept€Home€Ties€and€homemaker€services,€and€to€attendÏweekly€counseling€and€Alcoholics€Anonymous€€meetingsÌÌà àOn€May€11,€1993,€DHS€removed€Edward€and€Crystal€from€the€home€due€to€aÏneighbor's€allegation€that€Mrs.€Kersey€had€been€drinking.€€On€May€23,€1993,€Mr.ÏKersey€was€arrested€for€driving€under€the€influence€of€alcohol.€€€At€a€hearing€held€JuneÏ1,€1993,€the€court€found€that€Mr.€and€Mrs.€Kersey€had€failed€to€comply€with€the€court'sÏorder€of€February€26,€1993,€prohibiting€alcohol€œuse.€›The€court€granted€DHS€temporaryÏphysical€custody€of€all€four€children.€ÌÌà àBetween€June€1993,€and€February€1994,€DHS€gradually€increased€œthe€Kersey›Ïchildren's€home€visits,€eventually€permitting€overnight€visits€in€December€of€1993.€ÏHowever,€on€February€10,€1994,€DHS€filed€a€motion€to€terminate€unsupervised€visitsÏbased€on€two€allegations€that€Mrs.€Kersey€was€drinking.€€€DHS's€motion€was€heard€onÏMarch,€18,€1994,€at€which€time€the€court€ordered€that€DHS€request€random€bloodÏalcohol€testing.€€The€court€permitted€the€Kerseys€to€have€three€hours€of€unsupervisedÏvisitation€per€week,€subject€to€the€requirement€that€the€Kerseys'€blood€alcohol€testsÏshowed€no€alcohol€use.€€Mrs.€Kersey€tested€zero€on€a€blood€alcohol€test€administeredÏApril€8,€1994,€but€her€blood€alcohol€test€administered€April€27,€1994,€showed€a€resultÍof€.164.€€€DHS€did€not€request€that€Mr.€Kersey€undergo€blood€alcohol€tests€at€this€time.× ƒ4 ××  ×€ÏAs€a€consequence€of€Mrs.€Kersey's€positive€blood€alcohol€test,€DHS€reduced€theÏKersey's€time€with€their€children€to€one€hour€of€supervised€visitation€per€week.ÌÌà àOn€August€8,€1994,€Mrs.€Kersey€voluntarily€entered€Reality€House,€a€drug€andÏalcohol€halfway€house,€as€recommended€by€her€counselor€at€Turning€Point.€€€At€thisÏtime,€DHS€increased€Mr.€Kersey's€visitation€with€the€children.€On€August€19,€1994,Ïafter€smelling€alcohol€on€Mrs.€Kersey,€a€Reality€House€counselor€asked€Mrs.€Kersey€toÏsubmit€to€a€urine€test.€€She€œrefused,€and€left›€the€house.€€Mrs.€Kersey€called€RealityÏHouse€two€days€later€and€attempted€to€re„enter€the€program.€€However,€she€deniedÏthat€she€had€been€drinking€on€August€19.€€Mrs.€Kersey's€denial€œled›€to€an€argument,Ïwhich€caused€the€counselor€to€terminate€their€conversation.€€Mrs.€Kersey€did€not€returnÏto€Reality€House.€€ÌÌà àOn€September€30,€1994,€DHS€filed€a€motion€to€stop€visitation€between€Mr.€andÏMrs.€Kersey€and€their€children.€€This€motion€was€based€on€Mr.€Kersey's€arrest€forÏdriving€under€the€influence€of€alcohol,€third€offense,€on€September€16,€1994,€andÏallegations€that€Mrs.€Kersey€smelled€of€alcohol€during€a€September€28,€1994€visit€withÏthe€children.€€The€court€granted€DHS's€motion.€€On€October€5,€1994,€DHS€filed€aÏpetition€to€terminate€the€Kerseys'€parental€rights.€€ÌÌà àMrs.€Kersey€voluntarily€became€an€outpatient€at€Greenleaf€Center,€a€psychiatricÏand€chemical€dependency€hospital,€on€October€20,€1994.€€€William€Westerfield,€theÏcounselor€who€treated€Mrs.€Kersey€at€Greenleaf,€testified€that€Mrs.€Kersey€faithfullyÏattended€the€intensive€outpatient€program,€eventually€graduating€to€aftercare.€€WhenÏshe€was€released€on€November€29,€1994,€the€Greenleaf€Center€gave€Mrs.€Kersey€aÏprognosis€of€"good."€€€€Ìà àPrior€to€a€scheduled€Christmas€visit€with€their€children,€George€and€Teresa€tookÏa€court€ordered€blood€alcohol€test€on€December€21,€1994.€€Mrs.€Kersey€tested€.033.€ÏMr.€Kersey's€test€result€indicated€no€alcohol€use.€ÌÌà àOn€January€25€and€26,€1995,€a€final€hearing€was€held€to€determine€whether€theÏKerseys'€parental€rights€should€be€terminated.€€The€court€found€that€termination€was€inÏthe€best€interests€of€the€four€minor€children.€€ÌÌà@ àò òLAWó óÌà àThe€lower€court€determined€that€the€evidence€supported€termination€of€parentalÏrights€pursuant€to€T.C.A.€ðð€37„1„147(d)€(Michie€œ1991).›€That€section€provides,€inÏpertinent€part:ÌÓÓà8 àà8 àAfter€hearing€evidence€on€a€termination€petition,€the€courtÏmay€terminate€parental€rights€if€it€finds€on€the€basis€of€clearÏand€convincing€evidence€that€termination€is€in€the€child'sÏbest€interest€and€that€one€(1)€or€more€of€the€followingÏconditions€exist:ÌÌà8 àà8 àà8 à(1)€€The€child€has€been€removed€from€theÏcustody€of€the€parent€by€the€court€for€at€leastÏone€year€and€the€court€finds€that:ÌÌà8 àà8 àà8 àà8 à(A)€€The€conditions€which€led€toÏthe€removal€or€other€conditionsÏwhich€in€all€€reasonableÏprobability€would€cause€the€childÏto€be€subjected€to€further€abuseÏor€neglect€and€which,€therefore,Ïprevent€the€child's€return€to€theÏcare€of€the€parent(s)€still€persists;€ÌÌà8 àà8 àà8 àà8 à(B)€€There€is€little€likelihood€thatÏthese€conditions€will€beÏremedied€at€an€early€date€so€thatÏthe€child€can€be€returned€to€theÏparent€in€the€near€future;€andÌÌà8 àà8 àà8 àà8 àœ(C)›€The€continuation€of€the€legalÏparent€and€child€relationshipÏgreatly€diminished€the€child'sÏchances€of€early€integration€intoÏa€stable€and€permanent€home€.€.Ï.€ÌÌÌÓÓà àThe€trial€court€also€found€that€termination€of€parental€rights€was€proper€underÏT.C.A.€€ðð€37„2„403(a)(2)€(Michie€1991€&€Supp.€1995).That€statute€provides,€in€pertinentÏpart:ÌÓÓà8 àà8 àThe€plan€for€any€child€in€foster€care€shall€include€aÏstatement€of€responsibilities€between€the€parents,€theÏagency€and€the€caseworker€of€such€agency.€€SuchÏstatement€shall€include€the€responsibilities€of€each€party€inÏspecific€terms€and€shall€be€reasonably€related€to€theÏachievement€of€the€goal€[of,€in€the€present€œcase,€returning›Ïthe€child€to€the€œparent]€.›€.€.€.€Substantial€œnoncompliance€by›Ïthe€parent€with€the€statement€of€responsibilities€providesÏgrounds€for€the€termination€of€parental€rights,€andÏnotwithstanding€other€statutory€provisions€for€termination€ofÏparental€rights,€and€notwithstanding€the€failure€of€the€parentÏto€sign€or€to€agree€to€such€statement€if€the€court€finds€the€Ïparent€was€informed€of€its€contents,€and€that€theÏrequirements€of€the€statement€are€reasonable€and€areÍrelated€to€remedying€the€conditions€which€necessitate€fosterÏcare€placement.€ÌÓÓÌà àThe€standard€of€review€of€a€trial€court's€decision€terminating€parental€rights€is€òòdeÏnovoóó€upon€the€record€with€the€presumption€of€correctness€of€the€findings€of€fact€by€theÏtrial€court.€€òòIn€re€Drinnonóó,€776€S.W.2d€96,€97€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1988);€òòDep't€of€HumanÏServs.€v.€Rileyóó,€689€S.W.2d€164,€170€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1984).€Because€the€rights€ofÏparents€to€the€companionship,€care,€custody€and€management€of€their€children€are€aÏfundamental€liberty€interest€warranting€great€deference€and€[vigilant]€protection€underÏthe€law,€€òòStanley€v.€Illinoisóó,€405€U.S.€645,€92€S.€Ct.1208,€31€L.€Ed.2d€551€(1972);ÏòòPierce€v.€Society€of€Sistersóó,€268€U.S.€510,€45€S.€Ct.€571,€69€L.€Ed.€1070€(1925);€òòMeyerÏv.€Nebraskaóó,€262€U.S.€390,€43€S.€Ct.€625,€67€L.€Ed.€1042€(1923),€proceedings€whichÏwould€irreversibly€terminate€a€parent's€rights€must€comport€with€the€highest€standard€ofÏdue€process.× ƒ5 ××  ×€€òòLassiter€v.€Department€of€Social€Servicesóó,€452€U.S.€18,€101€S.€Ct.Ï2153,€68€L.€Ed.€2d€640€(1981).ÌÌà àThis€Court€will€only€terminate€parents'€rights€to€the€care€and€custody€of€theirÏchildren€if€there€is€clear€and€convincing€evidence€justifying€such€termination.€€T.C.A.€ððÏ37„1„147(d);€òòRileyóó,€689€S.W.2d€at€165€(citing€òòSantosky€v.€Krameróó,€455€U.S.€745,€102ÍS.€Ct.€1388,€71€L.€Ed.2d€599€(1982)).€€Clear€and€convincing€evidence€is€evidenceÏwhich€is€more€exacting€than€the€€preponderance€of€the€evidence€standard,€but€whichÏdoes€not€require€the€level€of€certainty€necessary€for€the€beyond€a€reasonable€doubtÏstandard.€€òòO'Daniel€v.€Messieróó,€905€S.W.2d€182,€188€(Tenn.€App.€1995).€€€It€is€evidenceÏwhich€"eliminates€any€serious€or€substantial€doubt€concerning€the€correctness€of€theÏconclusions€to€be€drawn€from€the€evidence."€€òòIdóó.€ÌÌà àThe€overriding€consideration€in€cases€concerning€termination€of€parental€rightsÏis€what€is€in€the€best€interest€of€the€child.€€òòRileyóó,€689€S.W.2d€at€169.€€T.C.A.€ðð€37„1„147(e)€(Michie€1991)€provides€guidelines€to€assist€this€Court€in€determining€whetherÏtermination€is€in€a€child's€best€interests:ÓÓÌÌà8 àà8 à(1)€€Whether€the€parent€has€made€such€an€adjustment€ofÏcircumstances,€conduct€or€conditions€as€to€make€it€in€theÏchild's€best€interests€to€return€home€in€the€foreseeableÏfuture;€ÌÌà8 àà8 à(2)€Whether€the€parent€has€failed€to€effect€a€lastingÏadjustment€after€reasonable€efforts€by€available€socialÏagencies€for€such€duration€of€time€that€lasting€adjustmentÏdoes€not€reasonably€appear€possible;€ÌÌà8 àà8 à(3)€€Whether€there€is€brutality,€abuse€or€neglect€toward€otherÏchildren€in€the€family;ÌÌà8 àà8 à(4)€€Whether€there€is€such€use€of€alcohol€or€controlledÏsubstances€as€may€render€the€parent€consistently€unable€toÏcare€for€the€child;€ÌÌà8 àà8 à(5)€€Whether€the€parent€has€paid€a€reasonable€portion€ofÏsubstitute€physical€care€and€maintenance€when€financiallyÏable€to€do€so;€ÌÌà8 àà8 à(6)€€Whether€the€parent€has€maintained€regular€visitation€orÍother€contact€with€the€child€which€was€designed€andÏimplemented€in€a€plan€to€reunite€the€child€with€the€parent.ÌÌÓÓÌà@ àò òI.ó óÌà àWe€first€consider€the€trial€court's€ruling€that€termination€of€parental€rights€wasÏproper€pursuant€to€T.C.A.€ðð€37„1„147(d).€€DHS€initially€removed€the€Kersey€children€Ïnot€because€George€and€Teresa€Kersey€are€alcoholics,€but€because€they€€endangeredÏtheir€children€as€a€result€of€alcohol€impaired€judgment.€€€We€recognize€that€alcoholismÏis€a€very€serious€disease;€however,€we€are€not€willing€to€find€that€an€alcoholic€parentÏis,€òòper€seóó,€an€unfit€parent.€€Thus,€while€alcoholism€itself€does€not€provide€a€statutoryÏbasis€for€termination€of€parental€rights,€the€potential€effects€of€a€parent's€alcoholism,Ïsuch€as€neglect€or€abuse,€may€provide€grounds€for€termination.€€Under€T.C.A.€ðð€37„1„147(d),€we€must€determine€whether€the€effects€of€the€Kersey's€alcoholism,€whichÏcaused€the€children's€removal,€persist€and,€if€so,€whether€it€is€likely€that€the€prohibitedÏbehavior€will€cease€in€the€near€future.€€ÌÌà àTestimony€at€trial€indicated€that,€despite€Mr.€and€Mrs.€Kerseys'€problems€withÏalcohol,€these€parents€cared€for€their€children's€physical€environment,€medical€needs,Ïand€educational€needs.€€€The€record€reveals€that€the€children€were€attached€to€theirÏparents,€even€after€long€periods€in€foster€care.€€Several€DHS€employees€testified€thatÏMrs.€Kersey€was€a€good€parent€who€related€well€to€her€children.€The€testimony€wasÏclear€that,€despite€her€drinking€problem,€Mrs.€Kersey€had€good€housekeeping€skillsÏand€her€children€were€well€nourished€and€properly€clothed.€The€record€contains€noÍsubstantiated€evidence€of€physical€or€sexual€abuse.× ƒ6 ××  ×€€€€Although€DHS€employeesÏtestified€that€the€Kersey€children€have€been€traumatized,€the€evidence€indicates€thatÏthe€children's€emotional€problems€are€œdue›€to€their€removal€by€DHS€œas€well€as›€to€theirÏparents'€alcoholism.€€Any€abuse,€in€the€form€of€endangerment€or€neglect,€that€theseÏchildren€suffer€results€not€from€direct€mistreatment€by€their€parents,€but€from€theirÏparents€self„abuse,€caused€œby›€alcohol€addiction.ÌÌà àThe€Kerseys€have€participated€in€a€number€of€alcohol€rehabilitation€programs.€ÏIt€is€apparent€to€this€Court,€as€it€was€to€Judge€Van€Deacon,€that€the€Kerseys,€Ïparticularly€Teresa€Kersey,€were€not€immediately€successful€in€defeating€theirÏalcoholism.€€However,€the€evidence€shows€that€the€Kerseys€have€made€attempts€atÏsobriety.€€They€have€attended€Alcoholics€Anonymous€meetings€since€August,€1992,Ïthough€at€times€sporadically.€€Both€George€and€Teresa€participated€in€alcohol€abuseÏcounseling€at€Turning€Point€counseling€center.€Their€counselor€reported€slow€progressÏinitially,€with€periods€of€significant€improvement€as€well€as€periods€of€relapse.€€Mrs.ÏKersey€attempted€three€long€term€alcohol€rehabilitation€programs,€completing€two.ÏMrs.€Kersey€testified€at€trial€that€she€was€a€recovering€alcoholic.€€However,€her€bloodÏalcohol€test€little€more€than€a€month€earlier€indicated€that€she€had€been€drinkingÏ(positive€result€of€.033).€At€the€time€of€trial,€Mrs.€Kersey€was€active€in€an€outpatientÏalcohol€rehabilitation€program€through€Greenleaf€counseling€center.ÌÌà àGeorge€Kersey€also€testified€that€he€was€a€recovering€alcoholic.€€He€testifiedÏthat€he€had€not€consumed€alcohol€since€September,€1994.€€Mr.€Kersey€participated€inÏa€30€day€inpatient€alcohol€treatment€program€through€CADAS.€At€the€time€of€trial,€Mr.ÏKersey€was€involved€in€outpatient€alcohol€rehabilitation€counseling€at€AnotherÏChance.€€His€counselor,€Patricia€Miller,€testified€that€Mr.€Kersey€put€a€great€deal€ofÏeffort€into€the€rehabilitation€program.€€ÌÌà àAfter€carefully€reviewing€the€extensive€record€in€this€case,€we€find€that€theÏevidence€is€not€clear€and€convincing€that€the€best€interests€of€these€children€requireÏtermination€of€the€Kerseys'€parental€rights.€€€We€emphasize€that€"[t]here€is€no€judicialÏdetermination€which€has€more€drastic€significance€than€that€of€permanently€severing€aÏnatural€parent„child€relationship.€€It€must€be€scrutinized€deliberately€and€exercisedÏmost€cautiously.€€When€we€do€this,€we€make€a€decision€on€human€frailties€and€theirÏconsequences."€€òòMcCormick€v.€Dep't€of€Human€Resourcesóó,€161€Ga.€App.€163,€164,Ï288€S.E.2d€120€(1982).€€ÌÌà àWe€do€not€find,€nor€does€counsel€cite€us€to,€any€Tennessee€decision€Ïconcerning€termination€of€parental€rights€with€facts€similar€to€the€case€at€bar.€€Unlike€soÏmany€of€the€cases€involving€termination€of€parental€rights,€this€case€does€not€involveÏparents€who€have€sexually€or€physically€abused€their€children,€nor€is€there€a€questionÏof€significant€neglect.€òòSee,€e.g.óó€€òòDep't€of€Human€Servs.€v.€Hauckóó,€872€S.W.2d€916Ï(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1993);€òòIn€re€Drinnonóó,€776€S.W.2d€98€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1989);€òòDep't€ofÍHuman€Servs.€v.€Rileyóó,€689€S.W.2d€164€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1984);€òòDep't€of€Human€Servs.Ïv.€Tateóó,€No.€01„A„01„9409„CV„00444,€1995€WL€138858€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.,€W.S.€Mar.€31,Ï1995);€òòDep't€of€Human€Servs.€v.€Robertsóó,€No.€03A01„9408„CV„00282,€1995€WLÏ129189€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.,€E.S.€Mar.€28,€1995);€òòDep't€of€Human€Serv.€v.€Adamsóó,€No.Ï03A01„9403„CV„00114,€1994€WL€€579911€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.,€E.S.€Oct.€24,€1994).€€TheseÏchildren€are€well€fed€and€properly€clothed.€€€When€DHS€initially€became€involved€withÏthe€Kerseys,€all€four€children€were€on€a€developmental€level€commensurate€with€theirÏrespective€ages.€The€Kerseys'€home€is€adequate€and€properly€furnished.€€Mr.€KerseyÏmaintains€full€time€employment.ÌÌà àWe€do€not€question€that,€as€a€result€of€their€parents'€alcoholism,€these€childrenÏhave€been€harmed€and,€on€at€least€one€occasion,€endangered.× ƒ7 ××  ×€€However,€T.C.A.€€€ððÏ37„1„147(e)(4)€indicates€that€termination€is€proper€where€a€parent(s)€is€òòconsistentlyóóÏunable€to€care€for€their€children€because€of€alcohol€abuse.€€Additionally,€T.C.A.€ðð€37„1„147(e)(2)€states€that€termination€is€warranted€where€a€lasting€adjustment€"does€notÏreasonably€appear€possible."€€The€testimony€presented€by€the€State€fails€to€establishÏthat€the€Kerseys,€particularly€George€Kersey,€€were€òòconsistentlyóó€unable€to€care€for€theirÏchildren€due€to€their€alcoholism.€€We€are€also€unable€to€conclude,€based€on€the€effortsÏthe€Kerseys€have€made€to€overcome€their€alcohol€addiction,€that€a€lasting€adjustmentÍis€"not€reasonably€possible."€ÌÌà àWe€hold€that€the€record€before€us€does€not€present€the€statutory€elementsÏrequired€to€terminate€parental€œrights.›€€We€have€"serious€and€substantial€doubt"Ïconcerning€the€lower€court's€decision€that€these€children€would€be€best€served€byÏbeing€separated€from€their€parents€and,€in€all€likelihood,€each€other.€€€The€evidence€isÏnot€clear€and€convincing€that€there€is€"little€hope€for€improvement,"€nor€are€weÏconvinced€that€this€family€cannot€be€reunited€in€the€near€future.ÌÌà@ àœò òII.ó ó›Ìà àThe€lower€court€found€that€the€Kerseys€failed€œsubstantially€to›€comply€with€theÏfoster€care€plan€established€by€DHS.€€To€the€contrary,€we€find€that€the€Kerseys€madeÏsubstantial€efforts€œto€fulfill›€the€requirements€of€their€foster€care€plan.€€The€Kerseys'Ïefforts€to€overcome€their€addiction€to€alcohol€are€discussed€òòsupraóó.€€€We€reiterate€thatÏthe€Kerseys€inability€to€cure€their€addiction€immediately,€as€required€by€DHS's€fosterÏcare€plan,€does€not€convince€us€that€George€and€Teresa€Kersey€will€not€be€able€toÏovercome€their€problem€in€œthe›€œÌfuture.›€€ÌÌà àIn€addition€to€refraining€from€alcohol€use,€the€foster€care€plan€required€theÏKerseys€to€establish€a€support€system.€€There€was€testimony€at€trial€that€Mrs.€KerseyÏreceived€counseling€from€her€pastor€at€Saint€Therese€Catholic€Church,€as€well€as€fromÏa€church€counselor.€€Mrs.€Kersey€also€receives€spiritual€counseling€from€the€FamilyÍWorship€Center.€€Mr.€Kersey€testified€that,€since€the€children€have€been€removed€fromÏtheir€home,€he€and€Mrs.€Kersey€have€become€closer,€relying€more€on€each€other€forÏsupport.€The€Kerseys€attended€parenting€classes,€as€required€by€the€foster€care€plan.€ÏThe€Kerseys€also€took€part€in€family€counseling,€another€plan€requirement,€œthrough›ÏCADAS.ÌÌà àCounsel€œfor€DHS›€cites€this€Court€to€two€unpublished€cases€in€which€parentsÏfailed€œsubstantially›€œto€comply›€with€a€foster€care€plan€established€by€DHS.€€We€find€bothÏcases€distinguishable€from€the€case€at€bar.€€In€òòDepartment€of€Human€Services€v.ÏHimesóó,€1988€Tenn.€App.€LEXIS€465€(July€22,€1988),€only€the€children's€fatherÏappealed€the€lower€court's€decision€to€terminate€parental€rights.€€In€òòHimesóó,€the€fosterÏcare€plan€called€for€the€father€to€visit€his€children,€to€contribute€money€for€their€support,Ïto€maintain€communication€with€DHS,€to€find€adequate€housing€and€supervision€forÏthe€children,€and€to€maintain€regular€employment.€€Mr.€Himes€never€obtainedÏadequate€housing.€€He€changed€employment€often€and€failed€to€keep€in€contact€withÏDHS.€€Mr.€Himes€rarely€visited€his€children€and€paid€very€little€support.€€When€DHS€firstÏcame€into€contact€with€the€Himes'€children,€they€were€unclean€and€had€matted€hairÏand€soiled€clothes.€€These€children€"described€their€life€with€their€father€in€such€termsÏas€having€to€cook€for€themselves,€being€dirty,€with€people€laughing€at€them€.€.€.€œand›Ïhave€made€it€clear€that€they€do€not€want€to€return€to€their€father."€€òòId.óó€at€*2.€€ÌÌà àIn€òòDepartment€of€Human€Services€v.€Griffithóó,€No.€01A01„9303„CV„00128,€1993ÏTenn.€App.€LEXIS€636€(Sept.€29,€1993),€DHS€established€a€foster€care€plan€thatÍrequired€the€defendant€to€receive€mental€health€counseling,€obtain€housing,€findÏemployment,€cooperate€with€homemaker€services,€and€visit€her€children€regularly.€€ÏThe€foster€care€plan€also€required€the€defendant€to€attend€her€children's€ChildÏIntervention€Program€("CHIPS")€classes,€which€focus€on€behavior€modification.€€ÌÌà àThe€defendant€attended€22€of€55€scheduled€mental€health€sessions.€€SheÏtestified€that€her€failure€to€attend€these€sessions€was€due€to€a€"lack€of€effort."€òòIdóó.€at€*2.€ÏThe€defendant€attended€36€out€of€129€œCHIPs€sessions€with€one€daughter,€and€36€outÏof€97€›CHIPs€sessions€with€another€daughter.€€The€defendant€failed€to€cooperate€withÏhomemaker€services,€and€visited€with€her€children€68€times€in€close€to€three€and€oneÏhalf€years,€missing€45€scheduled€visits.€€òòIdóó.€€ÌÌà àUnlike€the€parents€in€òòHimesóó€and€òòGriffithóó,€the€Kerseys€have€made€marked,€ifÏimperfect,€efforts€to€comply€with€their€foster€care€plan.€€Pursuant€to€T.C.A.€ðð€37„2„403(a)(2),€òòsubstantial€noncomplianceóó€with€the€terms€of€a€foster€care€plan€establishesÏgrounds€for€termination€of€parental€rights.€€We€hold€that€òòsubstantialóó€noncomplianceÏdoes€not€exist€in€the€present€case.€ÌÌà@ àò òCONCLUSIONó óÌà àThis€Court€is€not€convinced€that€George€and€Teresa€Kerseys'€parental€rightsÏshould€be€terminated.€€We€emphasize€that€"it€is€one€thing€to€say€to€parents€that€theyÏare€deprived€of€custody;€but€it€is€an€altogether€different€thing€to€say€that€they€are€noÏlonger€parents."€€òòRileyóó,€689€S.W.2d€at€172€(Nearn,€J.,€dissenting€opinion).€€€ÌÌà àThe€lives€of€George€and€Teresa€Kersey,€as€well€as€the€lives€of€their€youngÏchildren,€have€been€seriously€damaged€by€œthe€affliction›€of€œalcoholism.›€œ€We›€admonishÏthese€parents,€however,€that€alcoholism€œis€an€affliction›€which€many€œhave›€overcome.€ÏœWhile›€this€court€does€not€find,€at€present,€that€the€Kerseys'€alcohol€addiction€warrantsÏtermination€of€their€parental€rights,€we€would€not€hesitate€so€to€find€at€a€later€dateÏshould€their€behavior,€affected€by€alcohol€abuse,€continue€to€endanger€the€lives€ofÏtheir€children.€€œÌÌ›œ›à àUpon€remand,€we€direct€the€trial€court€to€hold€a€hearing€to€determine€whatÏprogress,€if€any,€the€Kerseys€have€made€in€overcoming€their€alcoholism.€€If€Mr.€andÏMrs.€Kersey,€together€or€individually,€have€made€no€attempt€to€end€their€abuse€ofÏalcohol,€œthen€DHS›€may€institute€termination€proceedings€as€to€either€one€€or€bothÏparents.€€If,€however,€the€lower€court€finds€that€these€parents€have€made€reasonableÏefforts€to€combat€their€addiction,€then€DHS€shall€formulate€a€new€foster€care€plan€andÏcontinue€to€make€all€reasonable€efforts€to€reunite€this€family.€€€Should€DHS€implementÏa€new€foster€care€plan,€we€direct€the€trial€court€to€set€a€date€for€review€of€this€caseÏwithin€three€months€of€the€plan's€implementation,€and€periodically€thereafter,€as€isÏnecessary€to€determine€what€progress€is€being€made€in€reuniting€these€children€withÏeither€or€both€of€their€parents.ÌÌœ›à àFor€the€reasons€stated€herein,€we€hereby€reverse€the€judgment€of€the€trial€courtÏand€remand€this€case€for€further€proceedings€consistent€with€this€opinion.€€œCosts€areÍadjudged€against€the€appellee.›ÌÓӜ̛̜›à àà àà àà àà àà àà àà àòò€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€Ïóóà àà àà àà àà àà àà àà àHIGHERS,€J.ÌÌÌCONCUR:ÌÌÌòò€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€óóÌCRAWFORD,€P.J.,€W.S.ÌÌÌòò€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€óóÌFARMER,€J.ÌÌà àà àà àà àà àà àà àà à