ÿWPC¢2 …# VUNa %¯ 0(µbÝ 0³å 0D˜ 4Ü ð 0Jø 0TB 0^– ô 0h w@k 0r« 0| 0†™ 0 1u¯ U,$ 0dPU,´U5>àB)DCG AMŠU*×8œ9 BÕ‚ò2t£¦ÚIf#G‰±Ð‚"! 0@%" D3e"%˜"%½#†â$%h'(v~¬)vÓ*+ AOý0ÆL1 0D2 D/V2 B…2˜HP LaserJet 4Si/4SiMX PS 600dpiPSCRIPTÀÌÀääÀÀÌ0 'æ() Z ‹6Times New Roman Regular¼($¡¡- ù-(c(2Ûÿ$¤¤Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  ÝÒ°ÒÒ„°ÒÓ  ÓÔ€X5)X¼¼Ôà ` àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóGav (1Ø'2 ÿÿ0Indent1Ô2ÔÔ3  Ô2" ÿÿ0Indent2à0 àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô2, ÿÿ0Indent3à0 àà0 àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô3|x 26 ÿÿ0Indent4à0 àà0 àà0 àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô     D D D ge  Ó€ 2@ 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< Œ 9p`(Monaco< Œ 9p`(&Times New Roman% Line 7 d""""7Border 1dd€2#Cþÿ << Gÿÿ< Œ 9p`(Arial .Ý ƒ!ÝÑ  ÑÑ#€d#ÑÔ€ÔÔ€!ÔÔ€!¼ÔÝ  ÝÔ€%ÔÔ€%ÔÓ  Óò òÔ YYY ÔFILEDÔ€%XÔÌÌApril€10,€1996ÌÌCecil€W.€CrowsonÌAppellate€Court€ClerkÔ  Ôó ó ’Ý ƒ!ÝÑ#€d#ÑÔ€ÔÔ€!ÔÔ€!¼ÔÝ  ÝÝ ƒ$ÝÒ  ÒÒ „ ÒÓ  ÓÔ€!XÔà àòòÚ  ÚÚ  ÚóóÝ  ÝIn€light€of€the€conduct€involved€in€this€case,€we€have€determined€that€the€childrenððsÏinterests€will€be€best€served€by€omitting€the€names€of€the€parties.€€Ì d xÝ ƒ!ÝÑ#€d#ÑÔ€ÔÔ€!ÔÔ€!¼ÔÝ  ÝÝ ƒ$ÝÒ  ÒÒ „ ÒÓ  ÓÔ€!XÔà àòòÚ  ÚÚ  ÚóóÝ  ÝThe€four€daughters€include€T.H.€(DOB€Aug.€13,€1979),€L.H.€(DOB€May€30,€1982),ÏS.H.€(DOB€Nov.€7,€1984),€and€L.H.€(DOB€July€11,€1989).Ì (Ý ƒ!ÝÑ#€d#ÑÔ€ÔÔ€!ÔÔ€!¼ÔÝ  ÝÝ ƒ$ÝÒ  ÒÒ „ ÒÓ  ÓÔ€!XÔà àòòÚ  ÚÚ  ÚóóÝ  ÝR.H.ððs€step„daughter€is€M.J.€(DOB€Dec.€19,€1976).Ì ™Ý ƒ!ÝÑ#€d#ÑÔ€ÔÔ€!ÔÔ€!¼ÔÝ  ÝÝ ƒ$ÝÒ  ÒÒ „ ÒÓ  ÓÔ€!XÔà àòòÚ  ÚÚ  ÚóóÝ  ÝM.J.€gave€birth€to€her€second€child,€a€daughter,€in€September€1991.€€Blood€testingÏlater€confirmed€that€R.H.€was€the€biological€father€of€both€of€M.J.ððs€children.Ì ÐÝ ƒ!ÝÑ#€d#ÑÔ€ÔÔ€!ÔÔ€!¼ÔÝ  ÝÝ ƒ$ÝÒ  ÒÒ „ ÒÓ  ÓÔ€!XÔà àòòÚ  ÚÚ  ÚóóÝ  ÝThe€Tennessee€Court€of€Criminal€Appeals€affirmed€R.H.ððs€convictions€in€an€opinionÏreleased€on€October€25,€1995.€€òòState€v.€Hunteróó,€App.€No.€01„C„01„9410„CR„00335,€20ÏT.A.M.€46„28€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.€Oct.€25,€1995).Ì \Ý ƒ!ÝÑ#€d#ÑÔ€ÔÔ€!ÔÔ€!¼ÔÝ  ÝÝ ƒ$ÝÒ  ÒÒ „ ÒÓ  ÓÔ€!XÔà àòòÚ  ÚÚ  ÚóóÝ  ÝD.H.ððs€parental€rights€were€terminated€in€a€separate€hearing,€and€she€has€not€appealedÏthis€decision.Ì =Ý ƒ!ÝÑ#€d#ÑÔ€ÔÔ€!ÔÔ€!¼ÔÝ  ÝÝ ƒ$ÝÒ  ÒÒ „ ÒÓ  ÓÔ€!XÔà àòòÚ  ÚÚ  ÚóóÝ  ÝA€decree€terminating€parental€rights€legally€obliterates€the€parent/child€relationship.€ÏTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€37„1„148€(1991€&€Supp.€1995)€(repealed€effective€Jan.€1,€1996).€€As€weÏhave€stated€on€previous€occasions,€ð ð[t]he€biological€parents€whose€rights€are€terminated€areÏreduced€to€the€role€of€complete€strangers€as€far€as€the€child€is€concerned.ðð€€òòOððDaniel€v.ÏMessieróó,€905€S.W.2d€at€186;€òòsee€alsoóó€òòIn€re€Knottóó,€138€Tenn.€349,€355,€197€S.W.€1097,€1098Ï(1917);€òòIn€re€Adoption€of€Dearing€(Adcock€v.€Saliba)óó,€572€S.W.2d€929,€932€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.Ï1978).€€Ì §Ý ƒ!ÝÑ#€d#ÑÔ€ÔÔ€!ÔÔ€!¼ÔÝ  ÝÝ ƒ$ÝÒ  ÒÒ „ ÒÓ  ÓÔ€!XÔà àòòÚ  ÚÚ  ÚóóÝ  ÝThese€offenses€were€for€aggravated€rape€because€the€victims€were€under€thirteen€yearsÏof€age.€€òòSeeóó€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðððð€39„13„502(a)(4)€(1991)€and€39„2„603(a)(4)€(1982).Ì xÝ ƒ!ÝÑ#€d#ÑÔ€ÔÔ€!ÔÔ€!¼ÔÝ  ÝÝ ƒ$ÝÒ  ÒÒ „ ÒÓ  ÓÔ€!XÔà àòòÚ  ÚÚ  ÚóóÝ  ÝThese€counts€involved€rapes€of€the€step„daughter€when€she€was€older€than€thirteen.€ÏòòSeeóó€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„13„503€(1991).Ì Ý ƒ!ÝÑ#€d#ÑÔ€ÔÔ€!ÔÔ€!¼ÔÝ  ÝÝ ƒ$ÝÒ  ÒÒ „ ÒÓ  ÓÔ€!XÔà àòòÚ  ÚÚ  ÚóóÝ  ÝTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€37„1„147(d)(1).Ì("ÿÿ$££Ò  ÒÒ  Ò(((('ÿÿdxd Ý ƒ!ÝÑ#€d#ÑÔ€ÔÔ€!ÔÔ€!¼ÔÝ  ÝÝ ƒ$ÝÒ  ÒÒ „ ÒÓ  ÓÔ€!XÔà àòòÚ  ÚÚ  ÚóóÝ  ÝTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€37„1„147(d)(1)(A).Ì Ý ƒ!ÝÑ#€d#ÑÔ€ÔÔ€!ÔÔ€!¼ÔÝ  ÝÝ ƒ$ÝÒ  ÒÒ „ ÒÓ  ÓÔ€!XÔà àòòÚ  ÚÚ  ÚóóÝ  ÝTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€37„1„147(d)(1)(B).ÌHunter Opinion Ì 4 ' IB011C20IB011C2 .    Ý ƒ!ÝÑ#€d#ÑÔ€ÔÔ€!ÔÔ€!¼ÔÝ  ÝÝ ƒ$ÝÒ  ÒÒ „ ÒÓ  ÓÔ€!XÔà àòòÚ  ÚÚ  ÚóóÝ  ÝTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€37„1„147(d)(1)(C).Ì Ý ƒ!ÝÑ#€d#ÑÔ€ÔÔ€!ÔÔ€!¼ÔÝ  ÝÝ ƒ$ÝÒ  ÒÒ „ ÒÓ  ÓÔ€!XÔà àòòÚ  ÚÚ  ÚóóÝ  ÝTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€37„1„147(d).ÌPtPtHHÚ(ÿáÿâùFG(üHHÚ(d'@Styl{WP}01•ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃà Ãà Ãà Ãà Ãà ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÐ ÐÐHHÐÐ  ÐÐ2ÐÐÿÿ¸æ$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€2‚ƒCþÿ<< CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó ó„„'÷ÿ dxdüÿP PdÝ ƒ!ÝÔ . ÔÔ€ÔÓ&€  X„d&ÓÑ#€  Xd#ÑÔ€!ÔÔ€!¼ÔÝ  ÝÒ  ÒÒ „ ÒÓ  ÓÑ Ü ÑÑ\R AØ'\ћрÑÑ7€?¼¼ddÈ7ÑÑ  ÑÑ  ÑÑ , ÑÑ   ÑÑ  ÑÑ€" §u` ÑÔ€!„Ôœ›à@ àò òIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEÌÙ€€ÙœßL€$&#;+'h|³V` ç `€€Lß›à@ àMIDDLE€SECTION€AT€NASHVILLEó óÌÌÔ€!¼ÔÌÌà àà àà àà àà àà à)Ìà àà àà àà àà àà à)Ìà àà àà àà àà àà à)Ìà àà àà àà àà àà à)Ìà àà àà àà àà àà à)à àDavidson€JuvenileÌà àà àà àà àà àà à)à àNos.à à07„67„53ÌIN€RE:à àà àà àà àà à)à àà à07„67„54Ìà àT.H.,€L.H.,€S.H.,€and€L.H.,à à)à àà à07„67„55Ìà àChildren€under€the€age€of€18à à)à àà à07„67„56Ìà àà àà àà àà àà à)Ìà àà àà àà àà àà à)à àAppeal€No.Ìà àà àà àà àà àà à)à à01„A„01„9412„JV„00600Ìà àà àà àà àà àà à)à à€à àÌà àà àà àà àà àà à)Ìà àà àà àà àà àà à)Ìà àà àà àà àà àà à)ÌÌÌÌà@ àAPPEAL€FROM€THE€JUVENILE€COURT€FOR€DAVIDSON€COUNTYÌà@ àAT€NASHVILLE,€TENNESSEEÌÌà@ àTHE€HONORABLE€ANDREW€J.€SHOOKHOFF,€JUDGEÌÌÌÌòòFor€the€Respondent/Appellantóó:à àà àà àà àòòFor€the€Petitioner/Appelleeóó:ÌÌWilliam€Timothy€Hillà àà àà àà àà àCharles€W.€BursonÌNashville,€Tennesseeà àà àà àà àà àAttorney€General€andÏReporterÌÌà àà àà àà àà àà àà àà àMichelle€K.€HohnkeÌà àà àà àà àà àà àà àà àAssistant€Attorney€GeneralÌÌÌÌÔ€!„Ôà@ àò òAFFIRMED€AND€REMANDEDó óÌÌÔ€!¼ÔÌÌÌÌÌà àà àà àà àà àà àà àWILLIAM€C.€KOCH,€JR.,ÏJUDGEÌÓ€ÓÔ€!„Ôà@ àò òòòO€P€I€N€I€O€Nóóó óÌÑ ° ÑÑ „ ÑÔ€!¼ÔÑ  ÑÌà àThis€appeal€involves€the€termination€of€the€parental€rights€of€a€fatherÏwho€physically€or€sexually€abused€his€four€daughters€and€his€step„daughter.€ÏAfter€removing€the€children€from€their€home€and€placing€them€in€foster€care,Ïthe€Department€of€Human€Services€petitioned€the€Davidson€County€JuvenileÏCourt€to€terminate€the€fatherððs€parental€rights.€€The€juvenile€court€determinedÏthat€the€father€had€committed€severe€child€abuse€and€terminated€his€parentalÏrights€with€regard€to€his€four€biological€children.€€The€father€asserts€on€thisÏappeal€that€the€juvenile€court€should€not€have€admitted€evidence€of€theÏoutcome€of€related€criminal€and€civil€proceedings€because€these€dispositionsÏwere€on€appeal€at€the€time€of€the€juvenile€court€hearing.€€We€find€that€theÏjuvenile€court€properly€admitted€and€considered€these€records€and€that€theÏrecord€contains€clear€and€convincing€evidence€supporting€the€juvenile€courtððsÏdecision€to€terminate€the€fatherððs€parental€rights.€€Accordingly,€we€affirm€theÏjudgment.€€ÌÌÓ  Óò òI.ó óÌÓ  ÓÌà àR.H.× ƒ' ××  ×€and€D.H.€have€four€daughters€who€range€in€age€from€six€toÏsixteen€years€old€at€the€present€time.× ƒ) ××  ×€€Prior€to€these€proceedings,€all€fourÏgirls€lived€with€their€parents€in€Nashville.€€Another€child,€D.H.ððs€daughterÏfrom€a€previous€relationship,× ƒ* ××  ×€also€lived€with€the€family.ÌÌà àThe€Department€of€Human€Services€received€a€report€in€early€1990,Ïthat€R.H.ððs€step„daughter,€who€was€thirteen€years€old€at€the€time,€was€pregnantÏwith€his€child.€€When€the€departmentððs€case€workers€investigated€the€report,ÏM.J.€told€them€that€the€childððs€father€was€a€boy€closer€to€her€own€age.€€TheÏinvestigation€ended€shortly€thereafter,€and€M.J.€gave€birth€to€a€son€in€AprilÏ1990.ÌÌà àThe€department€investigated€R.H.€again€in€early€1991€after€receiving€aÏreport€that€he€had€severely€beaten€his€step„daughter.€€The€departmentððsÏinvestigators€discovered€on€this€occasion€that€M.J.€was€pregnant€once€again.× ƒ+ ××  ×€ÏThey€also€learned€that€R.H.€had€been€physically€or€sexually€abusing€M.J.€asÏwell€as€his€own€daughters€for€several€years.€€Both€M.J.€and€T.H.€recountedÏhow€R.H.€repeatedly€beat€them€with€various€objects,€forced€them€to€disrobe,Ïand€sexually€abused€them€by€means€of€digital„vaginal€penetration€and€sexualÏintercourse.€€Both€girls€told€the€social€workers€that€these€incidents€began€whenÏthey€were€approximately€eight€years€old.€€They€also€stated€that€they€hadÍcomplained€to€their€mother€but€that€D.H.€had€not€intervened€to€stop€R.H.ððsÏabuse€from€continuing.ÌÌà àIn€March€1991,€the€department€filed€an€emergency€petition€in€DavidsonÏCounty€Juvenile€Court€seeking€to€remove€the€children€from€their€home€and€toÏplace€them€in€protective€custody.€€The€juvenile€court€granted€the€petition,€andÏthe€department€placed€the€children€in€foster€homes.€€Several€of€the€childrenÏrequired€hospitalization€and€placement€in€therapeutic€foster€care.€€All€four€ofÏthe€children€remain€in€foster€care€to€this€day.ÌÌà àThe€juvenile€court€conducted€a€hearing€in€August€1993€with€regard€toÏthe€departmentððs€neglect€and€abuse€petition.€€R.H.€did€not€appear€at€the€hearingÏbut€was€represented€by€counsel.€€Both€M.J.€and€T.H.€testified€about€theÏmultiple€incidents€of€sexual€and€physical€abuse€perpetrated€by€R.H.,€and€theÏjuvenile€court€also€admitted€into€evidence€the€out„of„court€statements€of€L.H.Ïand€S.H.€describing€the€abuse€they€had€suffered€from€their€father.€€Based€onÏthis€evidence,€the€juvenile€court€determined€that€the€department€hadÏestablished€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence€that€the€children€were€dependent,Ïneglected,€and€abused.€€It€also€determined€that€D.H.€had€committed€severeÏchild€abuse€by€failing€to€protect€her€daughters.ÌÌà àR.H.,€who€had€by€then€been€arrested€on€sexual€abuse€charges,€sought€aÏde€novo€trial€in€the€circuit€court€on€the€departmentððs€neglect„abuse€petition.€ÏWhile€the€circuit€court€proceedings€were€pending,€the€Davidson€County€grandÏjury€indicted€R.H.€on€six€counts€of€aggravated€rape€and€three€counts€of€rapeÏfor€his€conduct€with€regard€to€M.J.€and€T.H.€€A€criminal€court€jury€convictedÏR.H.€on€all€counts€in€March€1994,€and€R.H.€was€sentenced€to€serve€oneÍhundred€years€in€the€state€penitentiary.€€R.H.€will€not€be€eligible€to€beÏconsidered€for€parole€until€he€has€served€more€than€one„half€of€his€sentence.× ƒ, ××  ×€ÌÌà àOn€May€11,€1994,€the€department€filed€a€petition€to€terminate€R.H.ððsÏand€D.H.ððs€parental€rights.€€The€juvenile€court€conducted€a€hearing€on€theÏdepartmentððs€petition€in€August€1994.€€The€departmentððs€evidence€at€thisÏhearing€included€certified€copies€of€R.H.ððs€indictments€and€judgments€ofÏconviction€and€the€juvenile€courtððs€own€September€20,€1993€findings€andÏorder€in€the€neglect„abuse€proceeding.€On€October€17,€1994,€the€juvenileÏcourt€entered€an€order€finding€that€R.H.€had€committed€severe€child€abuse€andÏterminating€his€parental€rights€with€regard€to€his€four€biological€daughters.× ƒ- ××  ×€ÏR.H.€has€appealed.€€ÌÌà@ àò òII.ó óÌÌà àR.H.€presents€two€relatively€narrow€evidentiary€issues€on€this€appeal.€ÏHe€asserts€that€the€juvenile€court€should€not€have€considered€the€certifiedÏcopies€of€the€judgments€of€his€criminal€convictions€or€its€own€order€in€theÏearlier€neglect„abuse€proceeding€because€these€cases€were€on€appeal€when€theÏjuvenile€court€conducted€the€evidentiary€hearing€on€the€departmentððs€petitionÏto€terminate€his€parental€rights.€€We€have€determined€that€the€fact€that€theseÏjudgments€were€on€appeal€goes€to€their€weight,€not€to€their€admissibility.ÌÌà@ àò òA.€ó óÌÌà àWe€turn€first€to€R.H.ððs€argument€that€the€juvenile€court€improperlyÏadmitted€into€evidence€the€certified€copies€of€the€nine€judgments€of€convictionÏin€his€criminal€case.€€He€asserts€that€these€judgments€were€not€final€at€the€timeÏof€the€hearing€in€the€juvenile€court€because€they€were€on€appeal€and,Ïtherefore,€that€they€were€inadmissible.€ÌÌà àR.H.ððs€argument€concerning€the€admissibility€of€the€nine€judgments€ofÏconviction€overlooks€Tenn.€R.€Evid.€803(22)€which€governs€the€admissibilityÏof€final€judgments€of€conviction.€€The€rule€embodies€an€exception€to€theÏhearsay€rule€for€ÌÓÓà8 àà8 àà àEvidence€of€a€final€judgment€adjudging€aÏperson€guilty€of€a€crime€punishable€by€death€orÏimprisonment€in€excess€of€one€year€to€prove€any€factÏessential€to€sustain€the€judgment,€but€not€including,Ïwhen€offered€by€the€prosecution€in€a€criminal€caseÏfor€purposes€other€than€impeachment,€judgmentsÏagainst€persons€other€than€the€accused.€€TheÏpendency€of€an€appeal€may€be€shown€but€does€notÏaffect€admissibility.ÌÌÌÓ€Óà àThere€may€have€been€some€question€about€the€admissibility€of€previousÏjudgments€of€conviction€prior€to€the€adoption€of€the€Tennessee€Rules€ofÏEvidence.€òòSeeóó€òòSmith€v.€Phillips,óó€43€Tenn.€App.€364,€374,€309€S.W.2d€382,Ï387€(1956).€€Following€the€adoption€of€Tenn.€R.€Evid.€803(22),€however,Ïjudgments€of€conviction€are€routinely€admitted€to€ð ðprove€any€fact€essential€toÏsustain€the€judgment.ðð€€The€effect€of€the€rule€is€to€allow€the€admission€ofÏfelony€convictions€but€to€prohibit€the€admission€of€misdemeanor€convictionsÏwhere€the€motivation€to€defend€is€often€minimal€or€nonexistent.€€òòSeeóó€Fed.€R.ÏEvid.€803(22)€advisory€committeeððs€note;€4€Jack€B.€Weinstein€&€Margaret€A.ÍBerger,€òòWeinstein's€Evidenceóó€ðð€803(22)[01],€at€803„408€(Joseph€M.ÏMcLaughlin€general€ed.,€1995)€["òòWeinstein's€Evidenceóó"].€€ÌÌà àTenn.€R.€Evid.€803(22)€does€not€establish€judgments€of€priorÏconvictions€as€conclusive€evidence€of€the€facts€necessarily€determined€in€theÏunderlying€criminal€proceeding.€€4€òòWeinstein's€Evidenceóó€ðð€803(22)[01],€atÏ803„410.€€The€defendant€may€still€attempt€to€rebut€the€evidence€by€offering€toÏexplain€the€circumstances€surrounding€the€conviction€or€the€underlying€eventsÏor€by€offering€mitigating€evidence€in€response.€€òòLloyd€v.€American€ExportÏLinesóó,€580€F.2d€1179,€1190€(3d€Cir.),€òòcert.€deniedóó,€439€U.S.€969€(1978);ÏMichael€H.€Graham,€òòFederal€Practice€and€Procedure:€Evidenceóó€ðð€6773,€at€728Ï(interim€ed.€1992).€€In€the€final€analysis,€the€trier€of€fact€must€determine€theÏweight€to€be€given€to€the€judgment€of€conviction.€€Graham,€òòsupraóó,€at€728;ÏDavid€F.€Binder,€òòHearsay€Handbookóó€ðð€24.01,€at€378€(3d€ed.€1991).€€ÌÌà àTenn.€R.€Evid.€803(22)€states€that€the€ð ðpendency€of€an€appeal€may€beÏshown€but€does€not€affect€admissibility.ðð€€The€fact€that€an€appeal€is€pendingÏdoes€not€affect€admissibility€because€this€rule€is€based€on€the€assumption€thatÏlegal€proceedings€are€correct€and€therefore€inherently€reliable.€€4€òòWeinstein'sÏEvidenceóó€ðð€803(22)[01],€at€803„413.€€Furthermore,€given€the€strongÏmotivation€to€defend€a€felony€indictment,€an€indicia€of€trustworthiness€existsÏin€a€judgment€of€conviction€for€a€felony.€€òòSeeóó€Binder,€òòsupraóó,€ðð€24.04,€at€386.€ÏThus,€even€though€a€judgment€of€conviction€may€not€be€final€for€purposes€ofÏres€judicata,€the€conviction€is€still€admissible€for€"what€it€is€worth."€€òòBenhamÏv.€Plotneróó,€795€P.2d€510,€512„13€(Okla.€1990);€Fed.€R.€Evid.€803(22)Ïadvisory€committeeððs€note.€€The€pendency€of€an€appeal€may€affect€the€weightÏto€be€afforded€to€the€judgment€as€evidence,€but€this€is€for€the€trier€of€fact€toÍdetermine.€€òòSeeóó€òòBenham€v.€Plotneróó,€795€P.2d€at€513;€Binder,€òòsupraóó,€ðð€24.01,Ïat€379.€ÌÌà àThe€fact€that€R.H.€had€been€convicted€of€aggravated€rape€and€rape€wasÏrelevant€in€the€termination€proceeding€because€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€37„1„147(d)(3)€(1991)€permits€terminating€the€parental€rights€of€a€parent€ð ðwho€hasÏbeen€sentenced€to€more€than€two€(2)€yearsðð€imprisonment€for€conduct€whichÏhas€been€or€is€found€to€be€severe€child€abuse.ðð€€Severe€child€abuse€has€beenÏdefined€to€include€aggravated€rape€and€rape.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€37„1„102(b)(19)(C)€(1991).€€Based€on€Tenn.€R.€Evid.€803(22),€we€find€that€theÏjuvenile€court€properly€admitted€and€considered€the€evidence€of€R.H.ððs€nineÏjudgments€of€conviction€for€rape€and€aggravated€rape€even€though€theseÏconvictions€were€on€appeal€at€the€time€of€the€termination€of€parental€rightsÏproceeding.ÌÌà@ àò òB.ÌÌó óà àR.H.€also€argues€that€the€juvenile€court€improperly€admitted€andÏconsidered€its€own€September€30,€1993€order€in€the€neglect„abuse€proceeding.€ÏUsing€a€similar€lack„of„finality€rationale,€he€asserts€that€this€order€wasÏinadmissible€in€the€termination€of€parental€rights€proceeding€because€he€hadÏfiled€a€notice€of€his€intent€to€pursue€a€de€novo€trial€of€the€neglect„abuseÏcharges€in€circuit€court.€€The€juvenile€court€overruled€R.H.ððs€objection€on€theÏground€that€he€had€not€taken€steps€to€perfect€his€appeal.ÌÌà àThe€fact€that€R.H.€had€appealed€the€juvenile€courtððs€decision€in€theÏneglect„abuse€case€does€not€annul€or€destroy€the€juvenile€courtððs€judgment.€ÏThe€judgment€was€only€suspended€while€the€appeal€was€pending€and€wouldÍhave€continued€in€full€force€if€the€appeal€was€not€pursued€for€any€reason.€ÏòòTaylor€v.€Ottinger,óó€193€Tenn.€688,€693,€249€S.W.2d€899,€901€(1952).€€UntilÏreversed€or€modified€in€the€circuit€court,€the€juvenile€court€judgmentÏcontinues€to€exist€and€is€presumptively€correct.€€ÌÌà àThe€continuing€validity€of€the€juvenile€courtððs€judgment€in€the€neglect„abuse€case€is€not€really€a€controlling€issue€in€this€case.€€Neither€the€departmentÏnor€the€juvenile€court€were€seeking€to€treat€the€findings€in€the€neglect„abuseÏcase€as€conclusive€in€the€termination€of€parental€rights€proceeding€and€wereÏnot€using€the€juvenile€courtððs€September€30,€1993€order€as€evidence€of€theÏaction€taken€on€that€date.€€The€juvenile€court€referred€to€its€earlier€order€inÏthe€neglect„abuse€proceeding€simply€to€explain€that€it€had€already€heardÏevidence€that€R.H.€had€physically€or€sexually€abused€his€four€daughters€andÏthat€this€conduct€amounted€to€severe€child€abuse€for€the€purpose€of€Tenn.ÏCode€Ann.€ðð€37„1„147(d)(2).€€R.H.€had€the€opportunity€but€failed€to€presentÏevidence€to€rebut€the€proof€presented€at€the€earlier€hearing.ÌÌà àThe€fact€that€the€neglect„abuse€case€might€have€been€appealed€does€notÏprevent€the€juvenile€court€from€relying€on€evidence€presented€in€an€earlierÏproceeding€involving€the€same€parties€and€the€same€issues.€€The€trial€court€wasÏnot€relying€on€its€order€as€evidence€of€R.H.ððs€conduct€but€rather€on€the€directÏtestimony€and€other€evidence€it€had€already€heard.€€Since€the€evidence€wasÏpresented€in€court€and€was€subject€to€cross„examination€by€R.H.ððs€lawyer,€it€isÏnot€hearsay€and€bears€sufficient€indicia€of€reliability€to€warrant€itsÏconsideration€in€a€later,€related€proceeding.€€ÌÌà@ àò òIII.ó óÌÌà àThe€goal€of€every€termination€of€parental€rights€proceeding€is€to€renderÏa€decision€that€will€ultimately€prove€to€be€in€the€best€interests€of€the€child€orÏchildren€involved.€€òòTennessee€Depððt€of€Human€Servs.€v.€Rileyóó,€689€S.W.2dÏ164,€169€(Tenn.€App.€1984).€€While€the€courtsðð€primary€focus€is€on€theÏchildren,€we€cannot€disregard€the€constitutionally€protected€liberty€interests€ofÏthe€biological€parents.€€òòSantosky€v.€Krameróó,€455€U.S.€745,€753,€102€S.€Ct.Ï1388,€1394„95€(1982);€òòIn€re€Adoption€of€Female€Child€(Bond€v.€McKenzie)óó,Ï896€S.W.2d€546,€547€(Tenn.€1995);€òòOððDaniel€v.€Messieróó,€905€S.W.2d€182,Ï186€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1995).€€Accordingly,€we€must€consider€the€interests€ofÏthe€children€in€the€context€of€the€biological€parentsðð€fundamental€interests.ÌÌà àThe€gravity€of€the€consequences€of€decisions€in€termination€of€parentalÏrights€cases× ƒ. ××  ×€requires€the€courts€to€employ€the€ð ðclear€and€convincingÏevidenceðð€standard€of€proof.€€òòSeeóó€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€37„1„147(d);€òòIn€reÏDrinnon€(Kilpatrick€v.€Brown)óó,€776€S.W.2d€96,€97€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1988);ÏòòTennessee€Depððt€of€Human€Servs.€v.€Rileyóó,€689€S.W.2d€at€165.€€This€elevatedÏstandard€is€the€level€minimally€required€to€achieve€the€subjective€certainty€thatÏdue€process€commands.€€òòOððDaniel€v.€Messieróó,€905€S.W.2d€at€187„88;€òòLee€v.ÏHolderóó,€App.€No.€84„152„II,€slip€op.€at€9,€10€T.A.M.€38„14€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.ÏAug.€20,€1985).€€Employing€any€less€rigorous€standard€of€review€will€notÏadequately€balance€the€interests€of€the€child€with€those€of€his€or€her€parentsÏand€the€State.€€òòSantosky€v.€Krameróó,€455€U.S.€at€769„70,€102€S.€Ct.€at€1403.€€ÌÌà àThe€record€paints€a€sordid€picture€of€R.H.ððs€physical€or€sexual€abuse€ofÏhis€four€children,€as€well€as€his€step„daughter€and€a€niece.€€Far€from€beingÏisolated€incidents,€this€abuse€was€repeated€and€continuous€over€several€years.€ÏThree€of€R.H.ððs€children€described€the€abuse€they€suffered€at€their€fatherððsÏhands,€and€their€testimony€was€buttressed€by€the€testimony€of€their€step„sisterÏand€a€cousin.€€As€a€result€of€this€conduct,€a€criminal€court€jury€convicted€R.H.Ïof€six€counts€of€aggravated€rape€involving€his€oldest€daughter€and€step„daughter× ƒ/ ××  ×€and€three€additional€counts€of€rape€involving€his€step„daughter.× ƒ0 ××  ×€€ÌÌà àSevere€child€abuse€includes€the€commission€of€any€act€toward€a€childÏprohibited€by€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„13„502€(aggravated€rape)€or€Tenn.€CodeÏAnn.€ðð€39„13„503€(rape).€òò€Seeóó€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€37„1„102(b)(19)(C).€ÏParental€rights€may€be€terminated€when€a€parent€commits€severe€child€abuseÏ[Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€37„1„147(d)(2)],€when€a€parent€is€convicted€and€sentencedÏto€more€than€two€years€imprisonment€for€conduct€amounting€to€severe€childÏabuse€[Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€37„1„147(d)(3)],€or€when€a€parent€is€found€to€haveÏcommitted€one€or€more€acts€of€aggravated€rape€against€a€child€under€the€ageÏof€thirteen€[Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€37„1„147(d)(5)].€€R.H.ððs€convictions€for€sixÏcounts€of€aggravated€rape€against€his€step„daughter€and€oldest€daughter€whenÏthey€were€under€the€age€of€thirteen€provide€sufficient€grounds€for€terminatingÏhis€parental€rights.€€In€addition,€T.H.ððs,€L.H.ððs€€and€S.H.ððs€testimonyÏconcerning€sexual€abuse€by€their€father€when€they€were€under€eleven€years€ofÏage€also€provides€grounds€for€terminating€R.H.ððs€parental€rights€with€regardÏto€his€youngest€child€under€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€37„1„147(d)(4).ÌÌà àThe€record€contains€clear€and€convincing€evidence€requiring€theÏtermination€of€R.H.ððs€parental€rights€without€considering€his€criminalÏconvictions.€€Parental€rights€may€also€be€terminated€under€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ððÏ37„1„147(d)(1)€if€a€child€has€been€removed€from€his€or€her€parentsðð€home€forÏat€least€one€year× ƒ1 ××  ×€and€if€the€conditions€that€led€to€the€removal€still€persist,× ƒ6 ××  ×Ïif€there€is€little€likelihood€that€these€conditions€will€be€remedied€at€an€earlyÏdate,× ƒ7 ××  ×€if€continuing€the€parentsðð€relationship€will€hinder€the€childððs€chances€ofÏearly€integration€into€a€stable€and€permanent€home,× ƒ: ××  ×€and€if€terminating€theÏparentsðð€parental€rights€is€in€the€childððs€best€interests.× ƒ; ××  ×ÌÌà àR.H.ððs€children€were€removed€from€their€parents€and€have€been€inÏfoster€care€continuously€since€March€6,€1991.€€R.H.€has€not€received€treatmentÏfor€his€inclination€to€sexually€abuse€his€children€and€is€now€serving€a€100„yearÏsentence€for€his€crimes.€€Thus,€the€reasons€for€removing€the€children€fromÏtheir€home€still€persists,€and€there€is€little€likelihood€that€they€will€beÏremedied€at€an€early€date.€€Two€of€the€children€had€been€placed€in€possibleÏadoptive€homes€at€the€time€of€the€juvenile€court€hearing,€and€thus€the€recordÏcontains€clear€and€convincing€evidence€that€terminating€R.H.ððs€parental€rightsÏwill€improve€the€chances€of€their€placement€in€a€stable€and€permanent€homeÍand€that€his€daughtersðð€best€interests€will€be€best€served€by€terminating€hisÏparental€rights.€€ÌÌà@ àò òIV.ó óÌÌà àWe€affirm€the€judgment€terminating€R.H.ððs€parental€rights€and€remandÏthe€case€to€the€juvenile€court€for€whatever€additional€proceedings€may€beÏrequired.€€We€also€tax€the€costs€of€this€appeal€to€the€Tennessee€Department€ofÏHuman€Services.ÌÌÓÓà àà àà àà àà àà à__________________________________Ìà àà àà àà àà àà àWILLIAM€C.€KOCH,€JR.,€JUDGEÌÌÌCONCUR:ÌÌ__________________________________ÌHENRY€F.€TODD,€P.J.,€M.S.ÌÌ__________________________________ÌSAMUEL€L.€LEWIS,€JUDGEÌÌÌÌÑ  ÑÔ€!èÔœ›œ›