ÿWPC€ G’N6¹ëUAÓ{§íŽìQUD›²¡ÔÜ ýXäO&ÒÅásΘÃTXÃÞørˆŒW= UãgÚ'0w¶ Ž‚¾!ÈvJ})ü"@º2 —2˜#Ñ¡£Nµt¨µøöW›‰gÖµ¶4Œwò®.ücƒ‹*úÓë|)®BÔæÛü³¿R—TküS z‹VïÂñV‡‡Ä¥ãºwÓøbÉØr=·mw¾'Ç|L´ï&ÍݬMÒQ{ïƒìù¯òq¢ì~¹Bc»&Fä ñ\Ñh,:ÙâQ$°¯úaŸ}ú7zÂÊ‘±±ÓdÒcÛãX…jú=ñ¼bÅàäEv)ÎnAÜð2°³À$÷hó `(S4k4·’ âQäùÓ žÜÉÏbš˜œg·Ae¡ÔŠZ6Î'´èÚÉ‹s68ŽŒ˜‘ ¼JõïÉÞP¨û!Ã¹ÒÆl»-ñ‚xØûXŠå< ª]|76É×fîóÜpDrˆü ìµBJÝ7@±¥`p§™Ü†Ìæ•Yœc^²¼ñYË §§{ÁžBíPKÔg|ÔÏM¸¯°¦ò$)C¦XÏzpJ·ëÔçÐtµ†z?7ÜšÔÓ Œ‰©áñÆHEuºjƒ3)÷+Ä¥á~ŸBñÂb#É\ %% UN+ 0ˆy UN 1‡O ŠÖ z` ÒÚ J¬Uö 1uK 0DÀÆÆÊÆÆVtN 72’^ ÄEÐ 0cÒw549M\ m^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^buuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu 0ë}}}} Bhh 0¤… D3) D-\ 0K‰‰ ASÔÆ' 0¤í 0D‘ A«Õ˜\\IB01S02\CLERKJACÈÈ,,,,ÈÈ0»(ÖÃ9 Z‹6Times New Roman Regular(`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regular05TCEKQW]cioAutoList1I.A:I.I.I.I.I.I. €Ý ƒRY&$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô£ìò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ôà ` àChild€has€two€siblings:€Childððs€brother,€Ô_ÔJ.S.Ô_Ô€(ð ðÔ_ÔJ.S.Ô_Ôðð),€and€Childððs€half€sister,€T.B.€(ð ðT.B.ðð),€who€isÐ ° ÐMotherððs€and€Stepfatherððs€daughter. ˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wpt @Ý ƒRY&$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô£ìò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ôà ` àThough€DCS€petitioned€for€and€had€Ô_ÔJ.S.Ô_Ô€and€T.B.€brought€into€the€custody€of€the€lower€court,€they€areÐ ° Ðnot€at€issue€in€this€action. KÝ ƒRY&$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô£ìò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ôà ` àChildððs€father,€Ô_ÔJ.S.Ô_Ô,€Sr.,€died€as€a€result€of€a€hunting€accident€on€September€9,€2003,€and,€therefore,Ð ° Ðhe€is€not€a€party€to€this€action.€3#37=CIQYag­­1.a.i.(1)(a)(i)1)a)(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5 jÝ ƒRY&$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô£ìò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ôà ` àThe€reason€Child€wore€a€patch€on€his€left€eye€on€the€day€in€question€was€because€he€required€surgeryÐ ° Ðon€that€eye€from€a€self„inflicted€wound€with€a€knife,€further€evidencing€that€Child€has€special€needs.€ i)ýˆg1Ï (;3£$´´Ô2#ÔÚ  Ú0Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0  à6hö0ê:i¢×+003|xÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ- ù-(|G2Y&$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€ž »»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô£ìò»»Ô d(|3¿$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€ž »»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV'ÿÿdxd)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3¿$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€ž »»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€ž »»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ  ÑÔ€¼ž »»»ÔÑ8€Ù×XXdé»»d8ÑÑ  Ñà@ò ò ìàÔ‡îmöž ÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@òò%ìàAT€JACKSONÔ#†¼ž »îîmö #ԈРÓ# ÐÓ  ÓSEPTEMBER€21,€2004€SessionÐ öF ÐÔ‡XÙ×X»¼ž ÔÌò òÔ#†¼ž »XXÙ×õ#ÔSTATE€OF€TENNESSEE,€DEPARTMENT€OF€CHILDRENððS€SERVICESòòóó€v.Ð ï? ÐJENNIFER€SIMPSON€BLACKWELLòòóóÐ  P ÐIN€THE€MATTER€OF€J.S.,€Jr.€(DOB€6/21/96)Ô‡XÙ×X»¼ž Ôó óÐ  a ÐÌà@@½½ìàò òDirect€Appeal€from€the€Juvenile€Court€for€Henry€CountyÐ  [ Ðà@@øøìàNo.€7240€€€€€€Hansel€J.€McAdams,€JudgeÐ õ E  ÐÌÌà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<²` AßÐ ³  ÐÌà@@TTìàNo.€W2004„00509„COA„R3„PT€„€Filed€November€8,€2004Ð ¬ü  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<` AßÐ €Ð Ðó óÌÓ  ÓÔ‡X>ŽXXXÙ×ÔThis€case€involves€the€termination€of€Motherððs€parental€rights.€€The€trial€court€found€clear€andÐ xÈ Ðconvincing€evidence€to€terminate€Motherððs€parental€rights€on€the€grounds€of€(1)€persistent€conditionsÐ a± Ðand€(2)€substantial€noncompliance€with€the€permanency€plan.€€Additionally,€the€trial€courtÐ Jš Ðdetermined€that€termination€of€Motherððs€parental€rights€was€in€Childððs€best€interest.€€Mother€appealsÐ 3ƒ Ðthe€decision€of€the€trial€court.€€For€the€following€reasons,€we€affirm.Ð l ÐÔ#†XÙ×XXX>Žþ#ÔÔ#†¼ž »XXÙ×î#ÔÔ‡XÙ×X»¼ž ÔÌÓòÓÌò òTenn.€R.€App.€P.€3;€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Juvenile€Court€Affirmedó óÐ ×' ÐÌòòÓ  ÓÔ#†¼ž »àXÙ×£#ÔÔ‡XÙ×X.¼ž ÔAlan€E.€Highers,€J.óó,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòW.€Frank€Crawford,€P.J.,€W.S.,óóÐ ªú Ðandòò€David€R.€Farmer,€J.óó,€joined.Ð “ã ÐÌJim€L.€Fields,€Paris,€TN,€for€AppellantÐ eµ ÐÌPaul€G.€Summers,€Attorney€General€&€Reporter,€Juan€G.€Villaseor,€Assistant€Attorney€General,Ð 7!‡  ÐNashville,€TN,€for€AppelleeÐ  "p! ÐÓBÓÌò òÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÐ -f(-ý ÐOPINIONó óÔ#†¼ž »XXÙ×q#ÔÔ‡XÙ×X»¼ž ÔÐ ° ÐÌòòóóÔ#†¼ž »XXÙ× #ÔÔ‡XÙ×X»¼ž ÔÓ  Óò òÔ‡X>ŽXXXÙ×Ôà@ûûìàFacts€and€Procedural€Historyó óˆÐ ƒÓ ÐÌà  àJennifer€S.€Blackwell€(ð ðMotherðð€or€ð ðAppellantðð)€is€the€mother€of€J.S.,€Jr.€(ð ðChildðð),€who€wasÐ V¦ Ðborn€on€June€21,€1996.׃ ×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€On€or€about€July€6,€2002,€Mother€and€Stephen€Blackwell€(ð ðStepfatherðð)Ð ?  Ðpicked€up€Child€and€his€siblings׃×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€from€the€house€of€Royce€Bates€(ð ðGrandfatherðð),€Childððs€maternalÐ ( x Ðgrandfather,€and€Linda€Bates€(ð ðGrandmotherðð),€Childððs€maternal€grandmother.׃ \×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€After€J.S.€and€T.B.Ð  a Ðwent€to€bed,€Mother€and€Stepfather€had€to€force€Child€to€go€to€sleep€because€he€wanted€to€stayÐ ú J Ðawake.€€Subsequently,€Child€exited€Motherððs€and€Stepfatherððs€home€through€a€window€and€went€toÐ ã 3  ÐKim€Wilsonððs€(ð ðWilsonðð)€home,€who€was€a€neighbor€of€Mother€and€Stepfather.€€Child€informedÐ Ì   ÐWilson€that€Stepfather€slapped€him.€€Wilson€telephoned€local€law€enforcement,€and€Deputy€TimothyÐ µ  ÐPinson€(ð ðDeputy€Pinsonðð)€of€the€Henry€County€Sheriffððs€Department€responded€to€the€call.€Ð žî  ÐÌà  àUpon€arrival,€Child€informed€Deputy€Pinson€that€Stepfather€slapped€him,€and€Deputy€PinsonÐ pÀ  Ðnoticed€a€mark€which€appeared€to€be€a€handprint€on€the€side€of€Childððs€face.€€Child€explained€thatÐ Y©  Ðhe€went€to€Wilsonððs€house€for€food€and€had€done€so€for€the€past€two€weeks.€€Subsequently,€DeputyÐ B’ ÐPinson€went€to€the€residence€of€Mother€and€Stepfather€to€further€investigate€the€matter.€€UponÐ +{ Ðinspection€of€the€home,€Deputy€Pinson€observed€that€a€mattress€was€against€a€window€with€no€glass,Ð d Ðthe€rooms€were€full€of€trash€and€various€items€making€it€difficult€to€walk€around€in€the€home,€andÐ ýM Ðthere€were€many€dirty€dishes€with€molded€food€on€them.€€When€questioned€about€the€incident,Ð æ6 ÐStepfather€said€he€could€not€remember€hitting€Child€in€the€face€but€did€not€deny€it.€€Child€was€takenÐ Ï Ðto€the€Henry€County€Medical€Center€for€an€examination.€Ð ¸ ÐÌà  àAt€trial,€Mother€and€Stepfather€denied€that€Stepfather€ever€hit€Child€other€than€the€occasionalÐ ŠÚ Ðspanking€for€disciplinary€purposes.€€Further,€Stepfather,€Mother,€Grandfather€and€GrandmotherÐ sà Ðtestified€that€the€red€mark€on€Childððs€face€on€that€day€was€from€the€tape€holding€on€an€eye€patchÐ \¬ ÐChild€was€wearing€as€a€result€of€a€recent€eye€surgery€Child€underwent.׃¦×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€The€testimony€of€Mother,Ð E• ÐStepfather,€Grandfather,€and€Grandmother€explained€that,€earlier€that€day,€Child€was€staying€at€hisÐ .~ Ðgrandparentsðð€home€and€wanted€to€play€in€a€wading€pool.€€€They€further€testified€that,€as€a€result€ofÐ g Ðthis€water€activity,€the€patch€and€tape€came€off€Childððs€face,€leaving€red€marks.€€The€physicians€atÐ  P Ðthe€Henry€County€Medical€Center€could€not€state€for€certain€that€such€red€marks€were€caused€by€aÐ é 9 Ðslap€to€the€face.€Ð Ò!"  Їà  àSubsequently,€Stepfather€was€charged€with€aggravated€child€abuse.€€Stepfather€pled€guiltyÐ ° Ðto€a€lesser€charge€of€reckless€endangerment.€€As€a€result,€Stepfather€was€sentenced€to€eleven€monthsÐ ™é Ðand€twenty„nine€days€in€the€county€jail€but€was€granted€probation€after€serving€ten€days.€Ð ‚Ò ÐÌà  àShortly€after€Childððs€removal,€the€Tennessee€Department€of€Childrenððs€Services€(ð ðDCSðð)Ð T¤ Ðpetitioned€the€Henry€County€Juvenile€Court€for€temporary€custody€of€Child€and€his€siblings€on€JulyÐ =  Ð11,€2002.€€That€same€day,€the€lower€court€brought€all€three€children€into€the€protective€custody€ofÐ & v Ðthe€court.€€Subsequently,€Child€was€placed€in€the€custody€of€his€great€uncle€and€great€aunt,€KennethÐ  _ Ðand€Charlene€Davis€(collectively€the€ð ðDavisðððð).€€However,€because€Child€is€a€special€needs€childÐ ø H Ðwho€is€emotionally€disturbed,€the€Davisðð€were€unable€to€care€for€Child€for€more€than€a€few€months,Ð á 1  Ðand€Child€returned€to€the€lower€courtððs€protective€custody€on€November€13,€2002.€€Specifically,Ð Ê   ÐChild€has€been€diagnosed€with€ADHD€and€bipolar€disorder.€€Additionally,€Child€acts€out€sexuallyÐ ³  Ðtowards€other€children.€€On€December€5,€2002,€DCS€and€Mother€entered€into€a€permanency€plan,Ð œì  Ðsetting€goals€that€Mother€and€Stepfather€would€need€to€meet€in€order€to€have€Child€returned€to€theirÐ …Õ  Ðcustody.€€On€June€11,€2003,€Child€was€placed€in€the€custody€of€Jo€Curtis€(ð ðCurtisðð),€who€is€aÐ n¾  Ðspecially€trained€foster€mother€with€Youth€Villages.€Ð W§  ÐÌà  àDuring€the€period€of€over€a€year€that€Mother€and€Stepfather€did€not€have€custody€of€Child,Ð )y ÐMother€visited€Child€sporadically,€and,€after€the€two€visits€in€May€and€July€2003,€Child€became€veryÐ b Ðdisruptive€for€a€period€of€time€and€experienced€nightmares€and€depression.€€However,€there€was€noÐ ûK Ðevidence€that€anything€abnormal€or€inappropriate€occurred€at€either€one€of€these€visits.€Ð ä4 ÐÌà  àLess€than€a€month€after€Child€was€removed€in€July€2002,€Mother€and€Stepfather€married€onÐ ¶ ÐAugust€3,€2002.€€Mother€currently€works€at€a€local€fast€food€restaurant€while€Stepfather€is€employedÐ Ÿï Ðby€the€Dynamic€Plastic€Molding€Company.€€Mother€recently€obtained€her€legal€assistant€degree€fromÐ ˆØ Ðthe€Tennessee€Technology€Center€and€Stepfather€holds€an€associateððs€degree€in€electronics.€€MotherÐ qÁ Ðadmitted€that€Stepfather€has€abused€her€in€the€past,€but€that€he€did€not€hit€Child.€€Additionally,Ð Zª ÐGrandfather€testified€that€Mother€and€Stepfather€had€ð ðsmacking€sessions,ðð€but€the€mark€on€ChildððsÐ C“ Ðface€was€from€the€surgical€tape€and€Child€was€known€to€tell€lies€in€the€past.€Ð ,| ÐÌà  àDCS€filed€a€petition€to€terminate€Motherððs€parental€rights€with€respect€to€Child€on€AugustÐ þN Ð5,€2003,€on€the€grounds€of€willful€abandonment€for€failing€to€visit€or€support,€persistent€conditions,Ð ç 7 Ðand€substantial€noncompliance€with€the€permanency€plan.€€After€a€hearing€on€December€1,€2003,Ð Ð!   Ðthe€trial€court€issued€an€order€terminating€Motherððs€parental€rights€on€the€grounds€of€persistentÐ ¹" ! Ðconditions€and€substantial€noncompliance€with€the€permanency€plan.€€Mother€appeals€to€this€CourtÐ ¢#ò" Ðand€presents€the€following€issues€for€our€review:Ð ‹$Û# ÐÌÓ€ (5T03 ÓÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  Ýà  àÝ‚3£'(ÝÔ25TÔÚ  ÚIÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0 ` àÝ  ÝWhether€the€trial€court€erred€when€it€determined€that€there€was€clear€and€convincingÐ ]&­!% Ðevidence€of€the€grounds€of€persistent€conditions€or€substantial€noncompliance;€and݃3£'(`(ÝŒÐF'–"&` (#` (# ÐŒÝ  ÝÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  Ýà  àÝ‚3£·)ÝÔ25TÔÚ  ÚIIÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0 ` àÝ  ÝWhether€the€trial€court€erred€when€it€determined€that€termination€of€MotherððsÐ /(#' Ðparental€rights€was€in€Childððs€best€interest.݃3£·)ð)ÝŒÐ)h$(` (#` (# ÐŒÝ  ÝÌFor€the€following€reasons,€we€affirm€the€decision€of€the€trial€court.Ð ê*:&* ÐÓ  Óò òStandard€of€Reviewó óÐ Ó+#'+ ЇÓ  Óà  àThe€findings€of€fact€by€a€trial€court€sitting€without€a€jury€are€reviewed€by€this€Court€òòde€novoóóÐ ° Ðupon€the€record€with€a€presumption€of€correctness,€and,€unless€the€evidence€preponderates€againstÐ ™é Ðthe€findings,€we€must€affirm,€absent€an€error€of€law.€€Tenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€13(d);€òòIn€re€Valentineóó,€79Ð ‚Ò ÐS.W.3d€539,€546€(Tenn.€2002);òò€In€re€L.J.C.,€A.L.C.,€&€J.R.C.óó,€124€S.W.3d€609€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.Ð k» Ð2003).€€Further,€we€review€issues€of€law€òòde€novoóó€with€no€presumption€of€correctness.€€òòValentineóó,€79Ð T¤ ÐS.W.3d€at€546€(citing€òòUnion€Carbide€Corp.€v.€Huddlestonóó,€854€S.W.2d€87,€91€(Tenn.€1993)).Ð =  ÐÌÓ  Óò òGrounds€for€Terminationó óÐ  _ ÐÌÓ  Óà  àBefore€a€trial€court€may€terminate€parental€rights,€it€must€find€that€one€of€the€grounds€forÐ â 2  Ðtermination€have€been€established€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence€and€that€termination€is€in€theÐ Ë   Ðbest€interest€of€the€child.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(c)(1)„(2)€(2003).€€ð ðClear€and€convincingÐ ´  Ðevidenceðð€is€defined€as€ð ðevidence€in€which€there€is€no€serious€or€substantial€doubt€about€theÐ í  Ðcorrectness€of€the€conclusions€drawn€from€the€evidence.ðð€€òòValentineóó,€79€S.W.3d€at€546€(quotingÐ †Ö  ÐòòHodges€v.€S.C.€Toof€&€Co.óó,€833€S.W.2d€896,€901€n.3€(Tenn.€1992)).€€In€the€instant€action,€the€trialÐ o¿  Ðcourt€found€that€termination€of€Motherððs€parental€rights€with€respect€to€Child€was€proper€on€theÐ X¨  Ðgrounds€of€(1)€the€conditions€which€led€to€Childððs€removal,€or€other€conditions€which€would€in€allÐ A‘ Ðreasonable€probability€cause€Child€to€be€subjected€to€further€abuse€or€neglect,€still€persist€and€(2)Ð *z Ðsubstantial€noncompliance€with€the€permanency€plan.€€Because€only€one€ground€is€required€toÐ c Ðsupport€the€termination€of€parental€rights,€Mother€must€demonstrate€that€DCS€failed€to€carry€itsÐ üL Ðburden€of€proving€either€one€of€these€grounds.€€òòIdóó.€(citing€òòIn€re€C.W.W.óó,€37€S.W.3d€467,€473€(Tenn.Ð å5 ÐCt.€App.€2000)).€€Additionally,€pursuant€to€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(c)(2)€(2003),€the€trial€courtÐ Î Ðdetermined€that€termination€of€Motherððs€parental€rights€was€in€Childððs€best€interest.€€We€begin€byÐ · Ðreviewing€whether€the€trial€court€erred€when€it€found€that€grounds€for€termination€exist.€€Ð  ð ÐÌò òÓ  ÓPersistent€Conditionsó óÐ r ÐÌÓ6Óà  àMother€argues€that€the€trial€court€erred€when€it€determined€the€ground€of€persistentÐ E• Ðconditions€was€established€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence.€€The€Tennessee€Code€provides:Ð .~ ÐÌÓ XÓà0  à(g)€Initiation€of€termination€of€parental€or€guardianship€rights€may€be€based€upon€anyÐ  P Ðof€the€following€grounds:Ðé 9Ð Ð  ÐÌà  à.€.€.€.Ð »" ! ÐÌà0  à(3)(A)€The€child€has€been€removed€from€the€home€of€the€parent€or€guardian€by€orderÐ $Ý# Ðof€a€court€for€a€period€of€six€(6)€months€and:Ðv%Æ $Ð Ð  Ðà0  à(i)€The€conditions€which€led€to€the€childððs€removal€or€other€conditions€which€in€allÐ _&¯!% Ðreasonable€probability€would€cause€the€child€to€be€subjected€to€further€abuse€orÐ H'˜"& Ðneglect€and€which,€therefore,€prevent€the€childððs€safe€return€to€the€care€of€theÐ 1(#' Ðparent(s)€or€guardian(s),€still€persist;Ð)j$(Ð Ð  Ðà0  à(ii)€There€is€little€likelihood€that€these€conditions€will€be€remedied€at€an€early€dateÐ *S%) Ðso€that€the€child€can€be€safely€returned€to€the€parent(s)€or€guardian(s)€in€the€nearÐ ì*<&* Ðfuture;€andÐÕ+%'+Ð Ð  Ðà0  à(iii)€The€continuation€of€the€parent€or€guardian€and€child€relationship€greatlyÐ ° Ðdiminishes€the€childððs€chances€of€early€integration€into€a€safe,€stable€and€permanentÐ ™é Ðhome.ЂÒÐ Ð  ÐÌÓ XÓTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(g)(3)(A)€(2003).€€Ð T¤ Ðà  àIt€is€undisputed€that€Child€had€been€removed€from€Mother€by€a€court€order€for€more€than€sixÐ =  Ðmonths.€€In€this€case,€Stepfatherððs€actions€and€the€environmental€neglect€by€Mother€and€StepfatherÐ & v Ðwere€the€conditions€resulting€in€Childððs€removal.€€The€trial€court€determined€that€the€currentÐ  _ Ðcircumstances€of€Mother€and€Stepfatherð!ðthat€Mother€failed€to€accept€responsibility€for€her€role€inÐ ø H ÐChildððs€abuse,€Mother€failed€to€understand€or€educate€herself€about€Childððs€needs,€and€Mother€andÐ á 1  ÐStepfather€failed€to€appreciate€the€effects€of€domestic€violence€between€themselves€onÐ Ê   ÐChildð!ðestablish€the€ground€of€persistent€conditions.€€Additionally,€the€trial€court€appears€to€giveÐ ³  Ðweight€to€the€fact€that€Mother€married€Stepfather€and€continued€her€relationship€with€him.€Ð œì  ÐSpecifically,€in€its€ruling,€the€court€stated:Ð …Õ  ÐÌÓ XÓà0  à[A]fter€the€child€was€removed€in€July€of€ðð02,€[Stepfather]€was€charged€and€[Mother]Ð W§  Ðproceeded€to€continue€to€have€a€relationship€with€[Stepfather],€continued€to€state€thatÐ @ Ðthe€problems€were€with€the€child€and€not€[Stepfatherððs]€doings,€the€Court€finds€sheÐ )y Ðmarried€[Stepfather]€soon€thereafter€the€filing€of€criminal€charges€for€child€abuse.ÐbÐ Ð  ÐÌÓ X×@ÓThe€trial€courtððs€ruling€is€predicated€upon€a€finding€that€Stepfather€abused€Child.€€After€our€reviewÐ ä4 Ðof€the€record€as€a€whole,€we€cannot€say€that€the€evidence€preponderates€against€this€finding.€€DeputyÐ Í ÐPinson€stated€that€Child€had€a€red€mark€on€his€face€which€appeared€to€be€a€handprint.€€Additionally,Ð ¶ Ðthere€was€testimony€that€Child€told€Wilson,€a€neighbor,€and€Deputy€Pinson€that€Stepfather€slappedÐ Ÿï ÐChild€in€the€face.€€Though€there€is€testimony€flatly€denying€Stepfather€hit€Child,€we€cannot€say€thatÐ ˆØ Ðthe€evidence€preponderates€against€a€finding€that€abuse€occurred.€€Ð qÁ ÐÌà  àWe€are€also€mindful€of€the€special€position€a€trial€court€judge€holds:Ð C“ ÐÌÓ XÓà0  àWhere€the€trial€judge€has€seen€and€heard€the€witnesses,€especially€if€issues€ofÐ e Ðcredibility€and€weight€to€be€given€oral€testimony€are€involved,€considerableÐ þN Ðdeference€must€be€accorded€those€circumstances€on€review,€because€it€is€the€trialÐ ç 7 Ðcourt€which€had€the€opportunity€to€observe€the€witnesses'€demeanor€and€to€hear€theÐ Ð!   Ðin„court€testimony.й" !Ð Ð  ÐÌÓ XÚEÓòòMoore€v.€Shoneyððs,€Inc.óó,€No.€M2002„02635„WC„R3„CV,€2003€Tenn.€LEXIS€1123,€at€*2„3€(Tenn.Ð ‹$Û# ÐNov.€20,€2003)€(citing€òòLong€v.€Tri„Con€Indus.,€Ltd.óó,€996€S.W.2d€173,€178€(Tenn.€1999)).€€Ð t%Ä $ ÐÌà  àIn€this€case,€though€there€was€evidence€supporting€the€findings€that€Mother€and€StepfatherÐ F'–"& Ðhad€created€a€safe€physical€environment,€there€was€clear€and€convincing€evidence€that€Mother€andÐ /(#' ÐStepfather€did€not€accept€responsibility€for€the€physical€abuse€inflicted€upon€Child,€that€MotherÐ )h$( Ðfailed€to€appreciate€Childððs€special€needs,€and€that€Mother€and€Stepfather€were€violent€to€each€€otherÐ *Q%) Ðand€failed€to€understand€the€detrimental€effect€such€violence€would€have€on€Child.€€The€evidenceÐ ê*:&* Ðpresented€showed€that€Mother€and€Stepfather€blamed€Child€for€Childððs,€J.S.ððs,€and€T.B.ððs€removalÐ Ó+#'+ Ðby€telling€falsehoods€to€Wilson€and€Deputy€Pinson.€€Later,€at€trial,€Mother€stated€that€she€no€longerÐ ° Ðblamed€Child€but€instead€blamed€DCS€and€its€employees€for€her€current€situation.€€At€no€point€didÐ ™é ÐMother€or€Stepfather€accept€responsibility€for€Childððs€abuse.€€Ð ‚Ò ÐÌà  àFurther,€while€there€was€evidence€that€Mother€was€taught€certain€parenting€skills€by€AndreaÐ T¤ ÐChase,€a€counselor€with€the€Carey€Counseling€Center,€and€that€Mother€attempted€to€use€some€ofÐ =  Ðthose€skills,€there€was€no€evidence€that€Mother€understood€and€appreciated€the€needs€of€Child,€whoÐ & v Ðwas€diagnosed€with€ADHD€and€bipolar€disorder.€€Two€different€county€case€managers€for€DCS,Ð  _ ÐRaymond€Jenkins€and€Elane€Hart,€were€both€of€the€opinion€that€Mother€and€Stepfather€were€unableÐ ø H Ðto€parent€Child.€€€Hart€also€testified€that€Mother€and€Stepfather€do€not€understand€Childððs€mental€andÐ á 1  Ðemotional€needs,€though€both€Mother€and€Stepfather€have€been€provided€parenting€and€mentalÐ Ê   Ðhealth€counseling.€Ð ³  ÐÌà  àFinally,€there€was€evidence€that€Stepfather€continued€to€abuse€Mother€and€that€neither€oneÐ …Õ  Ðappreciated€the€detrimental€effects€this€environment€would€have€on€Child.€€Mother€testified€that€sheÐ n¾  Ðknew€Stepfather€had€been€convicted€of€domestic€violence€in€the€State€of€Florida€prior€to€theirÐ W§  Ðmarriage€on€August€3,€2003,€and€that€Stepfather€has€hit€her€but€ð ðitððs€not€his€faultðð€becauseÐ @ Ðsometimes€she€ð ðneeded€it.ðð€€After€reviewing€the€record€as€a€whole,€we€cannot€say€the€trial€courtÐ )y Ðerred€when€it€found€that€conditions€which€led€to€the€childððs€removal,€or€other€conditions€which€inÐ b Ðall€reasonable€probability€would€cause€the€child€to€be€subjected€to€further€abuse€or€neglect,€stillÐ ûK Ðpersist.Ð ä4 ÐÌà  àFurther,€the€evidence€supports€the€trial€courtððs€finding€that€there€is€little€likelihood€that€suchÐ ¶ Ðconditions€will€be€remedied€at€an€early€date.€€From€the€record,€it€appears€that€Mother€has€had€aÐ Ÿï Ðhistory€of€abusive€relationships€with€companions,€and€such€abuse€is€a€situation€she€has€come€toÐ ˆØ Ðaccept€and€condone.€€Stepfather€also€has€a€history€of€being€an€abusive€partner€in€relationships,€asÐ qÁ Ðevidenced€by€his€conviction€for€domestic€violence€in€the€State€of€Florida.€€Neither€Mother€norÐ Zª ÐStepfather€appears€to€understand€the€detrimental€effects€marital€abuse€has€on€a€child.€€Additionally,Ð C“ Ðit€does€not€appear€that€Mother€and€Stepfather€will€accept€responsibility€for€their€role€in€Childððs€abuseÐ ,| Ðat€any€point€since€they€first€blamed€Child€and,€at€trial,€blamed€DCS€employees€for€Childððs€removal.€Ð e ÐFinally,€even€though€Mother€and€Stepfather€received€various€services€from€DCS€to€educateÐ þN Ðthemselves€about€Childððs€needs,€there€is€little€evidence€that€they€understand€the€needs€of€anÐ ç 7 Ðemotionally€disturbed€child€with€ADHD€and€bipolar€disorder€who€acts€out€sexually€against€otherÐ Ð!   Ðchildren.€€After€reviewing€the€record,€we€agree€with€the€trial€court€that€there€is€little€likelihood€thatÐ ¹" ! Ðsuch€conditions€will€be€remedied€at€an€early€date.Ð ¢#ò" ÐÌà  àFinally,€we€agree€with€the€trial€courtððs€finding€that€the€continuation€of€the€relationshipÐ t%Ä $ Ðbetween€Mother€and€Child€greatly€diminishes€Childððs€chances€of€early€integration€into€a€safe,€stableÐ ]&­!% Ðand€permanent€home.€€Francine€Hooten€(ð ðHootenðð),€Childððs€special€education€teacher,€DavidÐ F'–"& ÐWhitlow€(ð ðWhitlowðð),€a€case€manager€for€the€Carey€Counseling€Center,€and€Andrea€ChaseÐ /(#' Ð(ð ðChaseðð),€another€counselor€at€the€Carey€Counseling€Center,€stated€that€it€is€important€that€ChildÐ )h$( Ðhave€structure,€consistency,€and€stability€in€his€life.€€After€working€with€Child,€Chase€stated€that€ifÐ *Q%) ÐChild€did€not€receive€such€stabilizing€elements,€he€would€become€disruptive,€continue€to€haveÐ ê*:&* Ðproblems€at€home€and€in€school,€and€be€unhappy.€€Though€there€was€evidence€that€Child€was€stillÐ Ó+#'+ Ðexperiencing€problems€while€in€foster€care,€Francine€Hooten€stated€that€Child€is€progressing€inÐ ° Ðschool€and€consistently€finishing€his€homework.€€Additionally,€Jo€Curtis,€Childððs€current€fosterÐ ™é Ðmother,€testified€that€Childððs€behavior€is€progressing,€but€Child€became€disruptive€and€depressedÐ ‚Ò Ðafter€his€visits€with€Mother.€€After€reviewing€the€record€as€a€whole,€we€agree€with€the€trial€court€thatÐ k» Ðthe€continuation€of€the€relationship€between€Mother€and€Child€greatly€diminishes€Childððs€chancesÐ T¤ Ðof€early€integration€into€a€safe,€stable€and€permanent€home.€€Because€only€one€ground€is€requiredÐ =  Ðfor€termination€of€parental€rights,€the€issue€of€whether€the€ground€of€substantial€noncomplianceÐ & v Ðexists€as€a€ground€for€termination€is€pretermitted.€€We€must€address€whether€termination€of€MotherððsÐ  _ Ðparental€rights€is€in€Childððs€best€interest.Ð ø H ÐÌÓ  Óò òBest€Interest€of€the€Childó óÐ Ê   ÐÌÓ  Óà  àFinally,€before€a€trial€court€may€terminate€a€personððs€parental€rights,€in€addition€to€findingÐ í  Ða€ground€for€termination€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence,€it€must€also€find€that€such€terminationÐ †Ö  Ðis€in€the€best€interest€of€the€child.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(c)€(2003).€€Tennessee€CodeÐ o¿  ÐAnnotated€ðð€36„1„113(i)€provides:Ð X¨  ÐÌÓ XÓà0  à(i)€In€determining€whether€termination€of€parental€or€guardianship€rights€is€in€theÐ *z Ðbest€interest€of€the€child€pursuant€to€this€part,€the€court€shall€consider,€but€is€notÐ c Ðlimited€to,€the€following:ÐüLÐ Ð  Ðà0  à(1)€Whether€the€parent€or€guardian€has€made€such€an€adjustment€of€circumstance,Ð å5 Ðconduct,€or€conditions€as€to€make€it€safe€and€in€the€childððs€best€interest€to€be€in€theÐ Î Ðhome€of€the€parent€or€guardian;зРР Ðà0  à(2)€Whether€the€parent€or€guardian€has€failed€to€effect€a€lasting€adjustment€afterÐ  ð Ðreasonable€efforts€by€available€social€services€agencies€for€such€duration€of€time€thatÐ ‰Ù Ðlasting€adjustment€does€not€reasonably€appear€possible;ÐrÂÐ Ð  Ðà0  à(3)€Whether€the€parent€or€guardian€has€maintained€regular€visitation€or€other€contactÐ [« Ðwith€the€child;ÐD”Ð Ð  Ðà0  à(4)€Whether€a€meaningful€relationship€has€otherwise€been€established€between€theÐ -} Ðparent€or€guardian€and€the€child;ÐfÐ Ð  Ðà0  à(5)€The€effect€a€change€of€caretakers€and€physical€environment€is€likely€to€have€onÐ ÿO Ðthe€childððs€emotional,€psychological€and€medical€condition;Ðè 8Ð Ð  Ðà0  à(6)€Whether€the€parent€or€guardian,€or€other€person€residing€with€the€parent€orÐ Ñ!!  Ðguardian,€has€shown€brutality,€physical,€sexual,€emotional€or€psychological€abuse,Ð º" ! Ðor€neglect€toward€the€child,€or€another€child€or€adult€in€the€family€or€household;У#ó"Ð Ð  Ðà0  à(7)€Whether€the€physical€environment€of€the€parentððs€or€guardianððs€home€is€healthyÐ Œ$Ü# Ðand€safe,€whether€there€is€criminal€activity€in€the€home,€or€whether€there€is€such€useÐ u%Å $ Ðof€alcohol€or€controlled€substances€as€may€render€the€parent€or€guardian€consistentlyÐ ^&®!% Ðunable€to€care€for€the€child€in€a€safe€and€stable€manner;ÐG'—"&Ð Ð  Ðà0  à(8)€Whether€the€parentððs€or€guardianððs€mental€and/or€emotional€status€would€beÐ 0(€#' Ðdetrimental€to€the€child€or€prevent€the€parent€or€guardian€from€effectively€providingÐ )i$( Ðsafe€and€stable€care€and€supervision€for€the€child;€orÐ*R%)Ð Ð  Ðà0  à(9)€Whether€the€parent€or€guardian€has€paid€child€support€consistent€with€the€childÐ ë*;&* Ðsupport€guidelines€promulgated€by€the€department€pursuant€to€ðð€36„5„101.ÐÔ+$'+Ð Ð  ÐÓ XFcÓÌÓÓTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(i)€(2003).€€Ð ™é ÐÓÓà  àAfter€a€hearing,€the€trial€court€found€that€termination€of€Motherððs€parental€rights€was€in€theÐ k» Ðbest€interest€of€Child.€€We€agree.€€Child€was€removed€from€Motherððs€home€in€July€2002.€€DuringÐ T¤ Ðthis€time,€Mother€and€Stepfather€have€participated€in€some€programs€offered€by€DCS.€€However,Ð =  Ðneither€Mother€nor€Stepfather€accept€any€responsibility€for€Childððs€abuse.€€In€addition,€eachÐ & v Ðcontinues€to€accept€abuse€and€violence€between€themselves€as€something€that€is€ð ðneededðð€in€theirÐ  _ Ðrelationship.€€Child€refers€to€Mother€as€ð ðJennifer,ðð€and€Curtis,€Childððs€current€foster€Mother,Ð ø H Ðtestified€that€Child€has€not€expressed€any€interest€in€returning€to€Mother.€€While€in€foster€care,€CurtisÐ á 1  Ðstated€that€Child€is€progressing€though€he€is€still€experiencing€many€problems,€presumably€becauseÐ Ê   Ðhe€has€been€diagnosed€with€ADHD€and€bipolar€disorder.€€Under€these€circumstances,€we€cannot€sayÐ ³  Ðthe€trial€court€erred€when€it€determined€that€termination€of€Motherððs€parental€rights€is€in€Childððs€bestÐ œì  Ðinterest.Ð …Õ  ÐÓ  Óò òÌConclusionó óÐ X¨  ÐÌÓ  Óà  àFor€the€reasons€stated€above,€we€affirm€the€decision€of€the€lower€court.€€Costs€of€this€appealÐ +{ Ðare€taxed€to€Appellant,€Jennifer€S.€Blackwell,€for€which€execution€may€issue€if€necessary.Ô#†XÙ×XXX>Ž #ÔÔ#†¼ž »XXÙ×ë #ÔÔ€XÙ×X»¼ž ÔÐ d ÐÌÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à___________________________________€Ð ¸ Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àALAN€E.€HIGHERS,€JUDGE