ÿWPCž úßlœ£vEpõ~>› Þ;ֽޣCLE|­/K $vEpÉ€I()8usÏ’Zò%^Þ£Ù| A¹ÄÍ}e§n¶ÈÚ/ ” QɃ'ijTY‹9DýºÆQ"†:šŸ€V¥þìü`¢³BL-YˆF ”WäÓv—wÏËjzLÖÄuì†X Û3­lb2ᬀºoRÐ B5  78ì-ĆLß‚“hߺÓ?G RŸYk@‚Rbîï©åV'7u Ì^,c÷ü;€¡ÚY(V@ÂÌ®Tù•às»ÖÇã24z'ÖoL¿¼|ó™[*ÃfNe#ö» ¿ "Ï^F ß Y!IåÂs†úÆ•À`ñ-KqÆ—Ôéí«V.£ñ’]H®DªÒ&} }ú3t¨X¤á…ý¾»‰àM_£™øÑ°±^ Ù õÁOî$óR\îmb…C;»`'?gz$ƒŠóø"Ï ›£ÖL&Ê¡I(»·íI¦Éꪧe4YœÑá–»Ã){i, FÒ)`½îZ háf×ë5ÝIý’–SsûàylgC8œÕ eÚ×·nœ€?›ŽMsÏ`x›aƒ?þ)µ6lʆ7ײ[/“y’¶CÌúêãÍÎb %\^ b 0ˆnUNöwD4H\ zkÒå· m¹ ÔÐ #ɤ ÆmÆ3ÆùÆ¿ 1u…Nú 72ü 0c.E‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘b““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““ 0ë›››› B†† 0¤£ D3G D-z 0K§§ ASòÆE 0¤  0D¯ A«ó»h©a1 (`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regular„‚–0B011C83|x ˜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 ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ  R.L. V.ASherlieLokugu,thebathwaterpsychotropicSwannLokujuDollis"schizoaffectiveGuerrier LulaMcClain T]heT.C.A.SantoskyDrinnonTenn.Ct.AppDept S.CtRentenbackEnggTenn.Crim.App ToofWiltcherODanielDorrisLokuguAldonyFrensley COATennCareHometiesthat thatD.D.V.i˜\\ib01s01\clerk1nasÈÈ,,,,ÈÈ0Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 53#37=CIQYag­­1.a.i.(1)(a)(i)1)a) i)(;3£$´´Ô2#ÔÚ  Ú0Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0  à- ù-(|G2o4$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€Å»»dXXdì8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô¾ò»»Ô d(|3AQ$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€Å»»dXXdì8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV'ÿÿdxd)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3AQ$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€Å»»dXXdì8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€Å»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ  ÑÔ€¼Å»»»ÔÑ8€YÑXXdì»»d8ÑÑ  Ñà@ü ü ìàÔ‡î $ÅÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@kk$ìàAT€NASHVILLEÔ#†¼Å»îî $ #ԈРÖ& ÐÓ  ÓMarch€19,€2004€SessionÐ üL Ðò ò€Ð ^ ÐIn€re:€B.L.,€R.L.,€V.A.,€and€R.A.Ô‡XYÑX»¼ÅÔó óÐ " r ÐÌAppeal€from€the€Juvenile€Court€for€Davidson€CountyÐ " r Ðà@@øøìàNos.€€2019„54147,€2019„54148,€2019„54150,€2119„59856€€€€€€€Betty€K.€Adams,€JudgeÐ  ^ ÐÌÌà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<Ñ` AßÐ Ò"  ÐÌà@@TTìàNo.€€M2003„01877„Ô_ÔCOAÔ_Ô„R3„PT€„€ò òFiled€October€1,€Ô_Ô2004ó óÔ_ÔÐ Í  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<¨` AßÐ ©ù  ÐÌÓ  ÓThis€appeal€involves€the€termination€of€a€motherððs€parental€rights€regarding€her€four€children.€€ThreeÐ ¤ô  Ðof€the€children€were€removed€in€August€2000€and€the€fourth€child€was€removed€at€birth€in€JanuaryÐ à Ðof€2001.€€A€Petition€to€Terminate€Parental€Rights€was€filed€in€March€2003,€and€after€a€hearing€onÐ |Ì ÐJune€16,€2003,€the€trial€court€terminated€motherððs€parental€rights€for€abandonment€in€failing€toÐ h¸ Ðsupport€her€children€and€pursuant€to€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€section€36„1„113(g)(3)€for€persistent€Ð T¤ Ðconditions€or€other€conditions€which€prevent€safe€return€of€the€children€in€the€near€future.€€We€findÐ @ Ðthat€there€was€clear€and€convincing€evidence€for€termination€of€motherððs€parental€rights€underÐ ,| Ðsection€36„1„113(g)(3)€of€the€Code€and€that€termination€was€in€the€best€interest€of€the€children.€€WeÐ h Ðaffirm€the€trial€courtððs€decision€to€terminate€motherððs€parental€rights.€Ð T ÐÓ…ÓÌò òTenn.€R.€App.€P.€3€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Juvenile€CourtÐ Ü, ÐAffirmed€as€Modifiedó óÐ È ÐÌòòÓ  ÓÔ#†¼Å»àXYÑ-#ÔÔ‡XYÑX.¼ÅÔWilliam€B.€Cain,óó€J.,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòóóWòòILLIAMóó€C.€KòòOCHóó,€JòòRóó.,€Ô_ÔP.J.Ô_Ô,€M.S.Ð  ð Ðand€òòóóFòòRANKóó€G.€CòòLEMENTóó,€JòòRóó.,€J.,€joined.Ð ŒÜ ÐÌÔ_ÔKelliÔ_Ô€Barr€Summers,€Brentwood,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellant,€[S.A.]Ð d!´  ÐÌPaul€G.€Summers,€Attorney€General€&€Reporter;€Russell€T.€Perkins,€Deputy€Attorney€General,€andÐ <#Œ" ÐDaniel€W.€Ô_ÔChampneyÔ_Ô,€for€the€appellee,€Tennessee€Department€of€Childrenððs€Services.Ð ($x# ÐÌThomas€H.€Miller,€Franklin,€Tennessee,€for€the€guardian€ad€litem,€Thomas€H.€Miller.Ð &P!% ÐÌÌÓW Óò òOPINIONó óÔ#†¼Å»XXYц #ÔÔ‡XYÑX»¼ÅÔÐ Ä($( ÐÌòòóóÔ#†¼Å»XXYÑÌ #ÔÓ  ÓÔ€XYÑX»¼ÅÔà  àThe€Mother€and€her€three€children€(ages€9,€3,€and€21€months€at€that€time)€came€to€theÐ œ*ì%* Ðattention€of€the€Department€of€Childrenððs€Services€(DCS)€on€March€6,€2000€after€Mother€enteredÐ ˆ+Ø&+ Ða€domestic€violence€shelter€with€her€children.€€She€was€initially€referred€to€DCS€for€numerousÐ t,Ä', Ðinstances€showing€general€neglect€of€the€children.€€Among€other€things,€Mother€failed€to€superviseÐ `-°(-ý ÐÔ_ Ôher€children,€did€not€change€diapers€in€a€timely€manner,€and€did€not€see€that€they€were€fed€properly.€Ð ° ÐThere€were€also€reports€of€improper€discipline€and€problems€with€Motherððs€temper.Ð œì ÐÌà  àA€Petition€for€Temporary€Custody€was€filed€by€DCS€on€March€21,€2000.€€This€PetitionÐ tÄ Ðalleged€general€neglect€and€inappropriate€care€of€the€children€as€well€as€failure€to€take€her€medicationÐ `° Ðfor€treatment€of€depression€affecting€her€ability€to€parent.€€The€trial€court€appointed€a€guardian€adÐ L œ Ðlitem,€ordered€intervention€of€social€services€and€rescheduled€the€hearing.€€In€the€interim,€extensiveÐ 8 ˆ Ðservices€were€provided€to€Mother.€€For€several€months€she€was€provided€with€homemaker€servicesÐ $ t Ðseveral€times€a€week€from€several€different€groups€as€well€as€€Community€Services€Agency€(CSA)Ð  ` Ðmonitoring€and€assistance.€€In€addition,€her€children€were€provided€with€daycare€and€she€receivedÐ ü L  Ðassistance€in€obtaining€a€three€bedroom€townhouse€in€which€to€live€and€necessary€furniture.€€At€theÐ è 8  Ðsubsequent€hearing€on€May€30,€2000,€it€appeared€that€Mother€was€responding€to€these€services.€€TheÐ Ô$  Ðtrial€court€ordered€long€term€in„home€services€and€set€another€hearing€for€September€2000.€€Ð À  ÐÌà  àUnfortunately,€Mother€failed€to€make€much€further€improvement.€€Mother€failed€to€takeÐ ˜è  Ðadvantage€of€the€daycare€services€provided,€as€she€seemed€unwilling€or€unable€to€get€up€in€theÐ „Ô  Ðmorning€and€get€her€children€dressed€and€ready€to€catch€the€daycare€bus.€€She€failed€to€perform€tasksÐ pÀ Ðgiven€to€her€between€homemaker€visits.€€Also,€based€on€the€records€of€the€Community€ServicesÐ \¬ ÐAgency€(CSA)€and€the€homemaker€servicesðð€reports,€Mother€continued€to€show€signs€of€severeÐ H˜ Ðdepression€and€lack€of€motivation.€€She€made€only€modest€progress€in€improving€her€parenting€skillsÐ 4„ Ðand€showed€virtually€no€improvement€in€her€housekeeping€abilities.€€Her€behavior€demonstrated€aÐ  p Ðmental€and€emotional€inability€to€parent€her€children.Ð  \ ÐÌà  àOn€August€16,€2000,€the€guardian€ad€litem€became€concerned€for€the€childrenððs€welfare€andÐ ä4 Ðfiled€an€Expedited€Petition€for€DSC€Custody€requesting€that€the€children€be€removed.€€TheÐ Ð  Ðhomemaker€who€had€been€assisting€Mother€also€recommended€removal€of€the€children.€€AnÐ ¼  Ðemergency€hearing€was€held,€after€which€the€court€found€that€reasonable€efforts€were€not€working,Ð ¨ø Ðand€the€children€were€removed€from€Motherððs€custody.€€Permanency€Plans€were€put€into€place€thatÐ ”ä Ðrequired€the€mother€to€keep€her€scheduled€visits€and€maintain€bonding€with€her€children,€obtain€aÐ €Ð Ðpsychological€evaluation€and€parenting€assessment€in€order€to€determine€her€ability€to€care€for€herÐ l¼ Ðchildren,€keep€scheduled€medical€appointments€and€follow€medical€advice€including€taking€herÐ X ¨ Ðprescription€medication,€maintain€contact€with€DCS€by€informing€them€of€her€address€and€any€otherÐ D!” Ðchange€in€circumstances,€and€demonstrate€adequate€parenting€skills.€€Ð 0"€  ÐÌà  àAt€the€time€of€the€childrenððs€removal,€Mother€was€pregnant€with€her€fourth€child.€€This€childÐ $X" Ðwas€removed€to€the€custody€of€DCS€in€January€of€2001,€days€after€his€birth.€€A€Permanency€Plan€wasÐ ô$D # Ðdrawn€up€for€this€fourth€child,€which€was€basically€the€same€as€the€plans€for€the€previous€threeÐ à%0!$ Ðchildren€but€added€that€Mother€must€demonstrate€adequate€housekeeping€skills€and€provide€a€safeÐ Ì&"% Ðliving€environment€for€the€child.Ð ¸'#& ÐÌà  àAt€the€hearing€of€March€13,€2001,€the€trial€court€found€that€Mother€was€seeing€a€physicianÐ )à$( Ðâ âand€had€been€diagnosed€with€depression.€€However,€she€was€not€on€any€medication.€€The€courtÐ |*Ì%) Ðfurther€found€that€the€mother€was€not€making€any€progress,€and€the€court€was€concerned€with€theÐ ° Ðperiod€of€time€the€children€had€already€spent€in€state€custody.€€Ð œì Ðâ âÌà  àThe€Permanency€Plans€were€reviewed€and€revised€in€August€of€2001.€€At€this€time,€the€goalsÐ tÄ Ðwith€regard€to€Mother,€including€addressing€her€mental€health€problems,€remained€the€same.€€At€theÐ `° ÐAugust€21,€2001€permanency€hearing,€the€trial€court€found€that€Mother€was€ð ðworking€the€plan,ðð€hadÐ L œ Ðattended€counseling,€and€was€scheduled€for€a€parenting€assessment.€€However,€the€mother€had€stillÐ 8 ˆ Ðnot€made€enough€progress€to€consider€returning€her€children.€Ð $ t ÐÌà  àMotherððs€mental€health€provider€became€unable€to€treat€her€in€September€2001€due€to€leavingÐ ü L  Ðhis€practice€and€referred€her€to€another€provider.€€Mother€saw€her€new€mental€health€provider€onÐ è 8  Ðonly€two€occasions,€September€2001€and€May€2002,€then€ceased€treatment€altogether.€€At€that€time,Ð Ô$  Ðissues€with€regard€to€her€need€for€medication€and€willingness€to€take€medication€still€existed.€Ð À  ÐMother€still€refused€to€admit€any€mental€or€emotional€problems€and€rejected€the€need€for€medication.€Ð ¬ü  ÐSince€that€time,€Motherððs€mental€health€issues€continued€to€go€unaddressed.€€DCS€also€had€troubleÐ ˜è  Ðobtaining€an€adequate€psychological€evaluation€to€determine€her€mental€and€psychologicalÐ „Ô  Ðfunctioning,€(partially€due€to€DCSððs€failure€to€provide€an€interpreter€and€partially€due€to€MotherððsÐ pÀ Ðlack€of€cooperation).€€Mother€also€continued€to€have€no€permanent€or€even€adequate€housing,€as€sheÐ \¬ Ðhad€been€evicted€from€the€townhouse,€and€showed€little€improvement€in€her€parenting€skills.Ð H˜ ÐÌà  àOn€November€7,€2001,€an€Agreed€Order€of€Adjudication€was€entered€in€the€court.€€In€thisÐ  p ÐOrder,€the€parties€agreed€that€the€following€facts€were€established€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence:Ð  \ ÐÌà8  à1.à0` Ð Ð àPrior€to€March,€2000,€the€mother,€[S.A.],€separated€from€[P.L.],€the€father€ofÐ ä4 Ð[V.],€[B.]€and€[R.],€and€fled€to€a€domestic€violence€center.€€The€mother€leftÐ Ð  Ðthe€children€unattended,€used€inappropriate€corporal€punishment€and€failedÐ ¼  Ðto€attend€to€the€childrenððs€hygienic€needs.€€On€one€occasion,€she€failed€toÐ ¨ø Ðbring€formula€to€the€shelter€for€[B.].€€The€mother€was€non„compliant€with€herÐ ”ä Ðmedications€for€depression.€€The€mother€was€lacking€in€appropriate€parentingÐ €Ð Ðskills,€time€management€skills€and€organizational€skills.€€However,€sheÐ l¼ Ðdemonstrated€a€willingness€to€learn€new€skills€and€to€improve.€€TheÐ X ¨ ÐExchange€Club€Family€Center€report€of€May,€2000€indicated€that,€with€theÐ D!” Ðassistance€of€intensive€in€home€services,€the€mother€had€made€significantÐ 0"€  Ðimprovement.Ð#l!` Ð ` Ð  ÐÌà8  à2.à0` Ð Ð àHowever,€by€August,€the€in„home€services€worker€expressed€concern€that€theÐ ô$D # Ðmother€was€not€feeding€the€children€consistently;€that€a€faucet€had€been€leftÐ à%0!$ Ðrunning€in€a€bathroom,€causing€the€downstairs€to€flood€and€the€mother€wasÐ Ì&"% Ðnot€aware€of€the€condition;€that€the€toilet€was€clogged;€that€feces€wereÐ ¸'#& Ðfloating€in€the€bathwater€where€the€children€bathed.€€As€a€result,€the€childrenÐ ¤(ô#' Ðwere€taken€into€custody€on€August€16,€2000.Ð)à$(` Ð ` Ð  Ðâ âÐ |*Ì%) Ðà8  à3.à0` Ð Ð àOn€January€14,€2001,€[S.A.]€gave€birth€to€another€child,€[R.A.].€€At€that€time,Ð ° Ðâ âthe€homemaker€services€working€with€the€mother€believed€that€she€had€madeÐ œì Ðsome€improvement,€but€that€her€improvement€was€not€such€to€warrant€returnÐ ˆØ Ðof€her€children.ÐtÄ` Ð ` Ð  ÐÌà8  à4.à0` Ð Ð àA€recent€psychological€report€indicates€that€she€functions€within€a€mildÐ L œ Ðmental€retardation€range€and€appears€to€have€an€ð ðinstrumental€understandingÐ 8 ˆ Ðof€parenting,ðð€and€that€it€is€ð ðunclear€that€she€is€capable€of€addressing€theÐ $ t Ðdiffering€developmental€needs€of€her€children€at€different€developmentalÐ  ` Ðperiods.ðð€€The€psychologist€recommended€extensive€case€managementÐ ü L  Ðservices€and€structured€supervised€visitation€focusing€on€her€functioning€asÐ è 8  Ðthe€primary€parent.ÐÔ$ ` Ð ` Ð  ÐÌà  àThe€childrenððs€Permanency€Plans€were€updated€again€in€June€of€2002.€€At€this€time,€the€goalÐ ¬ü  Ðof€adoption€was€added.€€The€updated€Permanency€Plans€required€that€Mother€maintain€bonding€withÐ ˜è  Ðher€children,€address€her€need€to€improve€parenting€skills€through€a€parenting€assessment,€keep€allÐ „Ô  Ðmedical€appointments,€maintain€contact€with€DCS€and€provide€them€with€any€change€of€information,Ð pÀ Ðdemonstrate€adequate€parenting€skills,€maintain€stable€living€environment€and€employment,€stabilizeÐ \¬ Ðher€mental€health€condition,€and€pay€court€ordered€child€support.€€Ð H˜ ÐÌà  àAt€the€August€30,€2002€permanency€hearing,€the€trial€court€found€that€there€continued€to€beÐ  p Ðproblems€in€obtaining€an€adequate€parenting€assessment€and€mental€health€evaluation.€€AlthoughÐ  \ ÐMother€was€exhibiting€some€parenting€skills,€she€was€still€in€need€of€extensive€assistance.€€Further,Ð øH ÐMother€shared€a€small€apartment€that€was€not€suitable€for€the€children.Ð ä4 ÐÌà  àThe€November€2002€quarterly€progress€report€showed€that€problems€obtaining€theÐ ¼  Ðpsychological€evaluations€still€existed.€€Previous€psychological€evaluations€had€been€unacceptableÐ ¨ø Ðdue€to€language€barriers,€and€Mother€had€failed€to€attend€an€appointment€scheduled€for€NovemberÐ ”ä Ð1.€€Mother€had€also€recently€married€a€man€she€met€only€weeks€before€who€lived€in€Massachusetts.€Ð €Ð ÐHowever,€she€had€no€plans€to€move€to€Massachusetts€to€live€with€him,€and€she€was€continuing€toÐ l¼ Ðlive€at€her€friendððs€apartment€€in€Nashville.€€Her€living€situation€had€not€changed,€and€she€still€didÐ X ¨ Ðnot€have€suitable€housing€or€a€suitable€living€environment€for€her€children.€€The€issue€of€herÐ D!” Ðdepression€and€her€need€for€medication€also€remained€unaddressed.Ð 0"€  ÐÌà  àIn€December€of€2002,€while€still€married€to€her€husband€in€Massachusetts,€Mother€movedÐ $X" Ðto€Florida€after€becoming€interested€in€a€man€living€there.€€She€also€failed€to€complete€herÐ ô$D # Ðpsychological€evaluation€prior€to€moving€to€Florida€and€failed€to€inform€DCS€of€her€decision€toÐ à%0!$ Ðmove€or€provide€them€with€her€address€and€phone€number€in€Florida.€€According€to€the€JanuaryÐ Ì&"% Ðquarterly€progress€report,€ð ð[S.A.]€has€not€completed€a€psychological,€obtained€health€insurance,Ð ¸'#& Ðattended€a€mental€health€program,€maintained€employment,€and€she€does€not€have€a€stable€livingÐ ¤(ô#' Ðenvironment.ðð€€The€Petition€to€terminate€her€parental€rights€was€filed€on€March€18,€2003.€€From€theÐ )à$( Ðtime€she€moved€to€Florida€in€December€of€2002€until€her€court€date€in€June€of€2003,€Mother€saw€herÐ |*Ì%) Ðchildren€on€only€three€occasions.€Ð h+¸&* Їà  àAfter€the€hearing€of€June€16,€2003,€the€trial€judge€made€the€following€findings:Ð ° ÐÌà8  àà ` à[V.],€[R.]€and€[B.]€first€came€to€the€Courtððs€attention€on€March€21,€2000€whenÐ ˆØ Ðthe€Department€of€Childrenððs€Services€(DCS)€filed€a€petition€alleging€that€theÐ tÄ Ðchildren€were€dependent€and€neglected€and€asking€that€they€be€placed€in€theÐ `° ÐDepartmentððs€legal€custody.€€€The€petition€alleged€that€the€mother€had€repeatedlyÐ L œ Ðneglected€the€children€by€leaving€them€unattended,€by€failing€to€feed€them€properly,€Ð 8 ˆ Ðby€using€inappropriate€discipline,€by€failing€to€change€their€diapers€and€clean€them,Ð $ t Ðby€failing€to€take€her€psychotropic€medication,€and€by€refusing€to€enter€into€a€safetyÐ  ` Ðplan.€€By€the€time€the€petition€was€filed€the€mother€and€the€children€were€residing€inÐ ü L  Ða€domestic€violence€shelter.€€The€Department€believed€that€the€children€would€be€atÐ è 8  Ðimminent€risk€of€serious€harm€when€the€mother€no€longer€had€the€structure€andÐ Ô$  Ðsupervision€afforded€by€the€shelter.ÐÀ Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` àThe€appearance€hearing€on€the€Departmentððs€petition€for€custody€has€(sic)Ð ¬ü  Ðheld€on€April€10,€2000.€€At€that€time€DCS€reported€that€the€mother€would€leave€theÐ ˜è  Ðshelter€with€her€children€on€April€15€to€move€into€an€apartment.€€DCS€asked€theÐ „Ô  ÐCourt€to€put€its€petition€ð ðon€holdðð€while€it€continued€to€evaluate€the€motherððsÐ pÀ Ðprogress€and€the€degree€of€risk€to€the€children.€€A€review€was€set€for€May€30.Ð\¬Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` àOn€May€30,€2000€DCS€reported€that€the€mother€was€making€progress€inÐ H˜ Ðimproving€her€parenting€skills.€€The€Court€set€the€case€for€further€review.€€Long„termÐ 4„ Ðservices€were€to€be€provided€to€the€family.Ð pÐ Ð  Ðà8  àà ` àOn€August€16,€2000€the€guardian€ad€litem€filed€an€expedited€petition€forÐ  \ Ðcustody.€€He€alleged,€that€although€intensive€services€had€been€provided€to€theÐ øH Ðmother€for€many€months,€she€had€made€little€progress€in€acquiring€and€practicing€theÐ ä4 Ðbasic€skills€necessary€to€care€for€her€children€and€to€keep€them€safe.€€The€CourtÐ Ð  Ðplaced€the€children€in€DCS€custody;€they€have€remained€in€foster€care€since€then.м Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` à[R.]€was€placed€in€DCS€custody€shortly€after€he€was€born€on€January€14,Ð ¨ø Ð2001.€€He€has€been€in€foster€care€continuously€since€then.ДäÐ Ð  Ðà8  àà ` àThe€parties€entered€into€an€agreed€order€of€adjudication€of€all€pendingÐ €Ð Ðpetitions€in€November,€2001.€.€.€.Ðl¼Ð Ð  ÐÌà  àà ` à.€.€.€.Ð D!” ÐÌà8  àBy€agreement€[V.],€[R.]€and€[B.]€were€found€to€be€dependent€and€neglected€childrenÐ #l! Ðas€a€result€of€their€motherððs€failure€to€adequately€supervise€and€parent€them.€[R.]€wasÐ $X" Ðfound€to€be€a€dependent€and€neglected€child€due€to€his€motherððs€failure€to€adequatelyÐ ô$D # Ðsupervise€and€parent€his€siblings.Ðà%0!$Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` àThe€three€oldest€children€have€been€in€foster€care€for€almost€three€years.€Ð Ì&"% ÐDuring€that€time€the€mother€has€made€little,€if€any,€progress€in€remedying€theÐ ¸'#& Ðconditions€that€caused€her€children€to€be€placed€in€foster€care.€€In€fact€when€she€wasÐ ¤(ô#' Ðasked€what€she€had€learned€from€parenting€classes,€she€replied,€ð ðNothing.ðð€€AlthoughÐ )à$( Ðshe€says€she€wants€her€children€back,€her€actions€belie€that€claim.€€Ms.€Swann,€whoÐ |*Ì%) Ðsupervised€some€of€the€visits,€described€the€motherððs€lack€of€supervision€and€lack€ofÐ h+¸&* Ðinteraction€with€her€children€during€those€visits.€€[Mother]€testified€that€she€marriedÐ ° Ða€social€worker€who€lives€in€Boston€because€she€thought€that€would€help€her€get€herÐ œì Ðchildren€back.€€She€stated€that€they€never€lived€together€and€within€a€few€weeks€sheÐ ˆØ Ðrealized€that€marrying€him€had€been€wrong.€€Most€troubling€of€all€was€her€decisionÐ tÄ Ðto€move€to€Florida€in€December,€2002€without€telling€her€case€manager.€€She€livesÐ `° Ðthere€with€[R.D.],€whom€she€met€through€a€friend.€€Both€of€them€testified€that,Ð L œ Ðalthough€[Mother]€works€at€McDonaldððs,€[R.D.]€is€responsible€for€all€of€the€expensesÐ 8 ˆ Ðexcept€the€cable€bill.€€The€automobile€and€the€lease€for€the€house€are€in€his€name.€Ð $ t Ð[Mother]€testified€that€she€has€saved€some€money€but€that€she€does€not€know€howÐ  ` Ðmuch.€€During€this€same€period,€no€child€support€has€been€paid.Ðü L Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` àDavid€Frensley€is€a€senior€psychological€examiner€who€recently€performedÐ è 8  Ða€psychological€evaluation€on€the€mother.€€He€has€performed€thousands€of€suchÐ Ô$  Ðevaluations€over€a€16„year€period.€€Although€he€did€not€do€enough€testing€to€makeÐ À  Ða€definite€Axis€I€or€Axis€II€diagnosis,€he€testified€that€her€profile€is€consistent€withÐ ¬ü  Ða€possible€diagnosis€of€either€major€depressive€disorder,€schizophrenia,€orÐ ˜è  Ðschizoaffective€disorder.€€He€found€indications€of€significant€psychological€problemsÐ „Ô  Ðand€believes€that€[Motherððs]€primary€need€is€a€commitment€to€her€mental€healthÐ pÀ Ðtreatment.€€Regardless€of€the€clinical€diagnosis€and€treatment€setting,€three€issuesÐ \¬ Ðneed€to€be€addressed€in€therapy:€her€problems€with€interpersonal€relationships,Ð H˜ Ðdifficulties€in€controlling€her€emotions€and€expressing€anger€appropriately,€and€socialÐ 4„ Ðisolation€and€withdrawal.€€The€parenting€implications€are€obvious€and€are€consistentÐ  p Ðwith€the€finds€of€fact€in€the€agreed€order€of€adjudication€from€November,€2000.€€ButÐ  \ Ðafter€hearing€Mr.€Frensleyððs€testimony€and€reviewing€his€report,€[Mother]€continuesÐ øH Ðto€deny€that€anything€is€wrong€or€that€she€could€benefit€from€therapy.Ðä4Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àà ` à.€.€.€.м Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àà ` à[V.],€[R.]€and€[B.]€have€lived€with€[L.M.]€since€they€first€came€into€fosterÐ ”ä Ðcare.€€The€children€[have]€adapted€extremely€well€to€[L.M.]€and€her€husband,€whoÐ €Ð Ðwant€to€adopt€them.€[R.]€has€lived€with€[L.R.]€his€entire€life,€and€she€wants€to€adoptÐ l¼ Ðhim.€€If€the€children€are€adopted,€the€adoptive€parents€would€make€sure€that€[R.]€andÐ X ¨ Ðhis€siblings€see€each€other€frequently.ÐD!”Ð Ð  ÐÌà  àThe€trial€court€terminated€her€parental€rights€for€abandonment€for€failure€to€support€herÐ #l! Ðchildren€and€pursuant€to€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€section€36„1„113(g)(3)€stating:Ð $X" ÐÌà8  à[T]he€children€have€been€removed€from€the€home€of€the€respondents€by€order€of€aÐ à%0!$ Ðcourt€for€a€period€of€six€(6)€months€and€(i)€the€conditions€which€led€to€the€childrenððsÐ Ì&"% Ðremoval€or€other€conditions€which€in€all€reasonable€probability€would€cause€the€childÐ ¸'#& Ðto€be€subjected€to€further€abuse€or€neglect€and€which,€therefore,€prevent€the€childððsÐ ¤(ô#' Ðsafe€return€to€the€care€of€the€parents€still€persist;€(ii)€there€is€little€likelihood€thatÐ )à$( Ðthese€conditions€will€be€remedied€at€an€early€date€so€that€the€child€can€be€safelyÐ |*Ì%) Ðreturned€to€the€parents€in€the€near€future;€and€(iii)€the€continuation€of€the€parent€andÐ h+¸&* Ðchild€relationship€greatly€diminishes€the€childððs€chances€of€early€integration€into€aÐ ° Ðsafe,€stable€and€permanent€home.€€It€is€apparent€to€the€Court,€and€the€Court€so€finds,Ð œì Ðthat€the€motherððs€mental€health€condition€contributed€to€the€removal€of€the€childrenÐ ˆØ Ðand€that€it€remains€untreated.€€There€has€been€no€progress€made€in€addressing€herÐ tÄ Ðmental€health€issues€since€the€removal€of€the€children.€€The€Court€finds€that€theÐ `° Ðmother€appears€confused€at€best€or€incredible€at€worst€when€she€states€that€she€knowsÐ L œ Ðof€no€mental€health€condition€and€that€she€had€never€been€on€medication.Ð8 ˆÐ Ð  ÐÌThe€trial€court€further€found€that€termination€was€in€the€best€interests€of€the€children€pursuant€to€ððÐ  ` Ð36„1„113(i)€of€the€Code.Ð ü L  ÐÌà  àMother€appeals€and€presents€three€issues€for€review:€€(1)€ð ðThe€trial€court€erred€in€finding€thatÐ Ô$  Ðthere€was€persistence€of€conditions€that€prevented€the€childrenððs€return€to€the€mother.ðð€€(2)€ð ðThe€trialÐ À  Ðcourt€erred€in€finding€that€the€mother€abandoned€the€children€by€willfully€failing€to€support€them.ðð€Ð ¬ü  Ð(3)€ð ðThe€trial€court€erred€in€finding€that€termination€of€parental€rights€is€in€the€best€interests€of€theÐ ˜è  Ðchildren.ðð€€We€affirm€the€trial€courtððs€decision€to€terminate€Motherððs€parental€rights€finding€that€theÐ „Ô  Ðchildren€had€been€in€foster€care€for€over€six€months,€that€there€were€persistent€conditions€or€otherÐ pÀ Ðconditions€which€prevented€the€childrenððs€return€to€their€mother€in€the€near€future€and€thatÐ \¬ Ðtermination€was€in€the€best€interests€of€the€children.Ð H˜ ÐÌà  àAlthough€parents€have€a€well„settled€fundamental€right€to€the€care,€custody,€and€control€ofÐ  p Ðtheir€children,€òòStanley€v.€Illinoisóó,€405€U.S.€645€(1972),€these€rights€are€not€absolute.€€Courts€mayÐ  \ Ðterminate€parental€rights€upon€a€showing€of€clear€and€convincing€evidence€that€one€of€the€groundsÐ øH Ðfor€terminating€parental€rights€has€been€proven€and€that€termination€would€be€in€the€best€interest€ofÐ ä4 Ðthe€child.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð36„1„113(c)€(Supp.€2003);€òòsee€also€Santosky€v.€Krameróó,€155€U.S.€745Ð Ð  Ð(1982);€òòIn€re:€Drinnonóó,€776€S.W.2d€96€(Tenn.Ct.App.€1988);€òòDepððt€of€Human€Services€v.€Rileyóó,€689Ð ¼  ÐS.W.2d€164€(Tenn.Ct.App.€1984).€€Clear€and€convincing€evidence€is€a€heightened€standard€of€proofÐ ¨ø Ðreflecting€the€importance€of€the€parental€rights€involved.Ð ”ä ÐÌà8  àà ` àThe€ð ðclear€and€convincing€evidenceðð€standard€defies€precise€definition.€Ð l¼ ÐòòMajors€v.€Smithóó,€776€S.W.2d€538,€540€(Tenn.Ct.App.€1989).€€While€it€is€moreÐ X ¨ Ðexacting€than€the€preponderance€of€the€evidence€standard,€òòSantosky€v.€Krameróó,€455Ð D!” ÐU.S.€at€766,€102€S.Ct.€at€1401;€òòRentenback€Engððg€Co.€v.€General€Realty€Ltd.óó,€707Ð 0"€  ÐS.W.2€524,€527€(Tenn.Ct.App.€1985),€it€does€not€require€such€certainty€as€the€beyondÐ #l! Ða€reasonable€doubt€standard.€€òòBrandon€v.€Wrightóó,€838€S.W.2d€532,€536Ð $X" Ð(Tenn.Ct.App.€1992);€òòState€v.€Grovesóó,€735€S.W.2d€843,€846€(Tenn.Crim.App.€1987).Ðô$D #Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àà ` àClear€and€convincing€evidence€eliminates€any€serious€or€substantial€doubtÐ Ì&"% Ðconcerning€the€correctness€of€the€conclusions€to€be€drawn€from€the€evidence.€€òòSeeÐ ¸'#& ÐHodges€v.€S.C.€Toof€&€Co.óó,€833€S.W.2d€896,€901€n.€3€(Tenn.€1992).€€It€shouldÐ ¤(ô#' Ðproduce€in€the€fact„finderððs€mind€a€firm€belief€or€conviction€with€regard€to€the€truthÐ )à$( Ðâ âof€the€allegations€sought€to€be€established.€€òòIn€re€Estate€of€Armstrongóó,€859€S.W.2dÐ |*Ì%) Ð323,€328€(Tenn.Ct.App.€1993);€òòBrandon€v.€Wrightóó,€838€S.W.2d€at€536;€òòWiltcher€v.Ð ° ÐBradleyóó,€708€S.W.2d€407,€411€(Tenn.Ct.App.€1985).МìÐ Ð  Ðâ âÌòòOððDaniel€v.€Messieróó,€905€S.W.2d€182,€188€(Tenn.Ct.App.€1995).Ð tÄ ÐÌà  àOne€of€the€grounds€found€by€the€trial€court€to€warrant€termination€of€parental€rights€wasÐ L œ Ðpersistence€of€conditions€or€other€conditions€as€provided€in€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€section€36„1„Ð 8 ˆ Ð113(g)(3)(A)(i„iii).€€This€section€provides€for€termination€of€parental€rights€if:Ð $ t ÐÌà8  à(3)(A)€The€child€has€been€removed€from€the€home€of€the€parent€or€guardian€by€orderÐ ü L  Ðof€a€court€for€a€period€of€six€(6)€months€and:Ðè 8 Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` à(i)€The€conditions€which€led€to€the€childððs€removal€or€other€conditions€whichÐ Ô$  Ðin€all€reasonable€probability€would€cause€the€child€to€be€subjected€to€further€abuseÐ À  Ðor€neglect€and€which,€therefore,€prevent€the€childððs€safe€return€to€the€care€of€theÐ ¬ü  Ðparent(s)€or€guardian(s),€still€persist;òòИè Ð Ð  Ðà8  àóóà ` à(ii)€There€is€little€likelihood€that€these€conditions€will€be€remedied€at€an€earlyÐ „Ô  Ðdate€so€that€the€child€can€be€safely€returned€to€the€parent(s)€or€guardian(s)€in€the€nearÐ pÀ Ðfuture;€andÐ\¬Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` à(iii)€The€continuation€of€the€parent€or€guardian€and€child€relationship€greatlyÐ H˜ Ðdiminishes€the€childððs€chances€of€early€integration€into€a€safe,€stable€and€permanentÐ 4„ Ðhome.òòÐ pÐ Ð  ÐÌà  àóóThe€children€in€this€matter€were€initially€removed€from€Motherððsòò€óócustody€in€August€of€2000Ð øH Ðfor€numerous€reasons.€€There€was€general€neglect€of€the€children€in€that€she€did€not€feed€themÐ ä4 Ðproperly,€failed€to€change€diapers€in€a€timely€manner,€used€wrong€size€diapers,€left€the€childrenÐ Ð  Ðunattended,€used€inappropriate€punishment,€and€failed€to€attend€to€the€childrenððsòò€óóhygienic€needs.€Ð ¼  ÐMother,€in€general,€showed€poor€parenting€skills,€poor€time€management€skills,€poor€organizationalÐ ¨ø Ðskills,€poor€housekeeping€skills,€and€evidenced€a€general€mental€and€emotional€inability€to€parentÐ ”ä Ðher€children€such€that€the€juvenile€court€felt€that€these€children€were€in€danger.€€These€conditionsÐ €Ð Ðpersisted€even€after€many€months€of€extensive€in„home€servicesòò€óóprior€to€the€childrenððs€removal€onÐ l¼ ÐAugust€16,€2000.€€Over€the€next€two€and€a€half€years€Mother€showed€little,€if€any,€significantÐ X ¨ Ðimprovement€in€any€of€the€areas€initially€necessitating€removal€of€the€children,€particularly€withÐ D!” Ðregard€to€her€mental€and€emotional€health.€€Mother€has€completely€failed€to€address€her€mentalÐ 0"€  Ðhealth€problems€and€continues€to€demonstrate€a€detrimentally€unstable€personal€life.Ð #l! ÐÌà  àThere€is€evidence€that€Mother€sought€some€mental€health€treatment€and€took€prescribedÐ ô$D # Ðmedication€for€a€period€of€time.€€However,€based€on€medical€records€and€testimony,€she€apparentlyÐ à%0!$ Ðreceived€little€treatment€after€June€of€2001€and€ceased€taking€any€medication.Ð Ì&"% ÐÌà  àHer€first€case€manager,€Dorris€Dodd,€testified€that€Mother€initially€showed€someÐ ¤(ô#' Ðimprovement€in€her€depressive€symptoms€as€well€as€her€parenting€skills.€€However,€when€Ms.€DoddÐ )à$( Ðleft€in€January€of€2002,€a€year€and€a€half€after€these€children€were€taken€into€custody,€MotherððsÐ |*Ì%) Ðsituation€was€such€that€she€was€still€only€allowed€supervised€visitation.€€At€that€time,€Ms.€Dodd€wasÐ h+¸&* Ðjust€considering€unsupervised€visitation€once€Mother€received€a€psychological€evaluation,€and€sheÐ ° Ðthought€that€the€children€òòmight€óóbe€returned€to€Mother€by€Christmas€of€2002.Ð œì ÐÌà  àThe€case€worker€who€handled€Motherððs€case€from€January€of€2002€until€May€of€2002€did€notÐ tÄ Ðtestify.€€However,€Connie€Swann,€case€manager€beginning€May€1,€2002,€testified€to€her€observationsÐ `° Ðduring€her€eight€months€of€case€management.€€From€May€1,€2002€until€Mother€left€for€Florida€inÐ L œ ÐDecember€of€2002,€she€lived€with€a€roommate€in€an€apartment€that€would€not€accommodate€any€ofÐ 8 ˆ Ðher€four€children.òò€€óóIn€late€2002,€Mother€married€a€man€who€lived€in€Boston,€Massachusetts.€Ð $ t ÐHowever,òò€óóshe€has€never€lived€€with€her€husband.òò€€óóDuring€this€time,€Ms.€Swann€observed€a€generalÐ  ` Ðlack€of€supervision€over€the€children€during€visits.€€Although€she€attended€the€majority€of€herÐ ü L  Ðscheduled€visits€with€the€children€during€this€period,€she€continued€to€show€poor€parenting€skills,Ð è 8  Ða€lack€of€understanding€of€their€needs,€and€an€inability€to€control€the€children.€€The€record€alsoÐ Ô$  Ðcontains€no€evidence€that€Mother€recognized€the€childrenððs€birthdays€or€other€holidays€with€gifts€orÐ À  Ðcards€of€any€kind€during€their€time€in€state€custody,€nor€has€she€sent€her€children€any€cards€or€lettersÐ ¬ü  Ðbetween€visits.Ð ˜è  ÐÌà  àSometime€around€November€or€December€of€2002€she€met€her€current€boyfriend,€[R.D.],Ð pÀ Ðwith€whom€she€was€residing€at€the€time€of€the€hearing.€€In€late€December€2002,€Mother€decided€toÐ \¬ Ðmove€to€Miami,€where€her€boyfriend€lived,€without€considering€the€effect€of€this€move€on€herÐ H˜ Ðchildren€and€without€notifying€DCS€or€her€roommate.Ð 4„ ÐÌà  àAt€the€time€of€the€hearing,€Mother€was€still€not€prepared€to€have€her€children€returned€to€her,Ð  \ Ðand€had€still€not€obtained€a€suitable€living€environment€for€her€children.€€She€was€living€with€herÐ øH Ðboyfriend€in€a€one€bedroom€apartment€provided€by€him.€€She€was€working€at€McDonaldððs€makingÐ ä4 Ð$5.50€an€hour€but€could€not€state€how€much€money,€if€any,€€she€had€saved,€although€her€boyfriendÐ Ð  Ðpaid€almost€all€of€her€living€expenses.€€She€continued€to€deny€any€mental€health€problems€and€hadÐ ¼  Ðmade€no€effort€to€seek€treatment,€even€though€she€had€obtained€health€insurance€through€the€stateÐ ¨ø Ðsince€moving€to€Florida.€€She€further€stated€that€she€had€no€intention€of€leaving€Miami€and€movingÐ ”ä Ðback€to€Nashville€for€any€reason.€€Her€plan€was€to€travel€every€week€from€Miami,€Florida€toÐ €Ð ÐNashville,€Tennessee€to€visit€her€children€until€they€could€be€returned.Ð l¼ ÐÌà  àThe€evidence€is€more€than€clear€and€convincing€that,€after€three€years,€the€conditions€whichÐ D!” Ðled€to€her€childrenððs€removal€or€other€conditions€which€would€subject€the€children€to€further€neglectÐ 0"€  Ðcontinue€to€prevent€the€childrenððs€safe€return€to€Mother.€€Mother€continues€to€demonstrate€mentalÐ #l! Ðand€emotional€instability,€poor€judgment€and€poor€parenting€skills.€€Most€disturbing€is€where€theÐ $X" Ðchildren€obviously€fall€in€the€order€of€priorities€in€her€life,€as€demonstrated€by€her€decision€to€moveÐ ô$D # Ðto€Miami€and€stay€there,€even€if€it€meant€losing€her€children.€€Based€on€Motherððs€steadfast€denial€ofÐ à%0!$ Ðany€mental€health€problems€and€her€unwillingness€to€consider€leaving€Miami,€as€well€as€the€amountÐ Ì&"% Ðof€assistance€previously€provided€to€her€without€substantial€progress€and€the€length€of€time€MotherÐ ¸'#& Ðhas€been€given€to€effect€the€necessary€life€changes,€we€see€clear€and€convincing€evidence€that€thereÐ ¤(ô#' Ðis€little€likelihood€that€these€conditions€will€be€remedied€at€an€early€date€so€that€the€children€can€beÐ )à$( Ðreturned€to€Mother€in€the€near€future.€€We€also€agree€that€any€continued€relationship€with€MotherÐ |*Ì%) Ðwould€greatly€diminish€the€childrenððs€chances€of€integration€into€a€safe,€stable€and€permanent€home.€Ð h+¸&* ÐAfter€three€years,€Mother€did€not€come€into€court€ready€to€have€her€children€returned,€or€even€withÐ ° Ðany€evidence€that€she€would€be€ready€at€a€foreseeable€time€in€the€future.€€She€came€to€court€askingÐ œì Ðfor€ð ðanother€chance.ðð€€All€four€children€are€currently€living€with€loving€families€that€wish€to€adoptÐ ˆØ Ðthem.€€The€record€in€this€case€provides€no€evidence€that€Mother€is€capable€of€remedying€the€manyÐ tÄ Ðproblems€preventing€the€return€of€her€children€or€that€she€is€even€willing€to€put€forth€the€effort€to€try.€Ð `° ÐòòSee€In€Re:€T.S.€and€M.S.óó,€No.€M1998„01286„COA„R3„CV,€2000€WL€964775€(Tenn.Ct.App.€JulyÐ L œ Ð13,€2000).Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌà  àOne€primary€argument€asserted€by€Mother€in€her€appeal€was€that€DCS€had€not€madeÐ  ` Ðreasonable€efforts€toward€helping€Mother€with€her€various€problems.€€This€is€particularly€allegedÐ ü L  Ðwith€regard€to€obtaining€a€psychological€evaluation€and€parenting€assessment,€as€there€were€severalÐ è 8  Ðfailed€attempts€and€an€adequate€report€was€not€obtained€until€just€a€few€days€before€the€hearing.€Ð Ô$  ÐHowever,€Mother€was€well€aware€that€obtaining€assistance€for€her€mental€and€psychologicalÐ À  Ðproblems€was€a€primary€issue€to€be€resolved€prior€to€her€regaining€custody€of€her€children€from€theÐ ¬ü  Ðbeginning€of€DCSððs€involvement.€€Mother€even€attended€psychological€treatment€for€approximatelyÐ ˜è  Ðone€year€beginning€in€September€of€2000,€but€failed€to€continue€treatment.€€DCS€also€tried€to€assistÐ „Ô  ÐMother€with€getting€insurance€through€TennCare€so€that€psychological€treatment€would€be€moreÐ pÀ Ðeasily€obtained.€€However,€Mother€failed€to€follow€through€with€that€too.Ð \¬ ÐÌà  àOne€major€problem€in€obtaining€an€adequate€psychological€evaluation€and€parentingÐ 4„ Ðassessment€was€Motherððs€poor€English€skills,€as€Mother€is€from€Haiti€and€English€is€not€her€primaryÐ  p Ðlanguage.€€Although€DCS€was€responsible€for€assisting€Mother€in€obtaining€a€psychologicalÐ  \ Ðevaluation€and€parenting€assessment€to€provide€all€parties€involved€with€an€understanding€ofÐ øH ÐMotherððs€needs,€Mother€also€bears€some€responsibility€for€obtaining€these€necessary€evaluations.€Ð ä4 ÐDCS€referred€Mother€to€four€different€psychologists€on€at€least€six€different€occasions.€€At€the€firstÐ Ð  Ðof€these€appointments€in€March€2001,€Mother€was€accompanied€by€her€attorney.€€Certainly€from€thatÐ ¼  Ðtime€forward,€Mother€and€her€attorney€were€aware€of€the€need€for€interpretive€services,€yet€other€thanÐ ¨ø Ðbringing€her€roommate€to€one€appointment,€neither€Mother€nor€her€attorney€assisted€DCS€withÐ ”ä Ðfinding€an€appropriate€interpreter€to€help€further€the€process.€€Additionally,€Mother€failed€to€showÐ €Ð Ðup€for€several€appointments,€and€during€the€time€Mother€was€receiving€treatment€for€her€mentalÐ l¼ Ðhealth€problems,€she€steadfastly€disregarded€her€doctorððs€recommendations€and€refused€to€take€herÐ X ¨ Ðmedication.Ð D!” ÐÌà  àAlthough€it€can€certainly€be€said€that€DCS€could€have€done€more€to€obtain€the€psychologicalÐ #l! Ðevaluation€and€parenting€assessment€sooner,€on€the€question€of€whether€DCS€made€reasonableÐ $X" Ðefforts,€the€record€reflects€that€they€did.€€They€provided€her€with€appointments€to€obtainÐ ô$D # Ðpsychological€evaluations€in€March€2001,€August€and€September€2001,€November€and€December€Ð à%0!$ Ð2002,€and€May€2003.€€Further,€the€requirement€of€the€psychological€evaluation€and€parentingÐ Ì&"% Ðassessment€was€for€the€purpose€of€assessing€Motherððs€problems€to€determine€what€measures€neededÐ ¸'#& Ðto€be€taken€to€address€these€problems.€€The€final€psychological€evaluation€stated€what€Mother€hadÐ ¤(ô#' Ðknown€for€several€years,€as€evidenced€by€her€own€medical€records€as€far€back€as€September€of€2000,Ð )à$( Ðthat€she€has€significant€psychological€problems€and€is€in€need€of€extensive€mental€health€treatment.€Ð |*Ì%) ÐMother€was€ultimately€responsible€for€obtaining€the€necessary€treatment.€€She€has€continually€deniedÐ h+¸&* Ðher€need€for€treatment,€up€to€and€including€the€date€of€trial,€failed€to€take€prescribed€medication,€andÐ ° Ðfailed€to€obtain€necessary€medical€help.€€There€is€no€reason€to€think€that€one€more€person€telling€herÐ œì Ðto€get€help€would€have€changed€anything.€€Ð ˆØ ÐÌà  àMother€was€also€provided€numerous€types€of€assistance€for€her€home€and€parenting€skillsÐ `° Ðthrough€Hometies,€Homemaker€Services,€and€CAP€supervision.€€The€evidence€in€the€record€reflectsÐ L œ Ðthat€Motherððs€attitude€and€level€of€cooperation€never€improved.€€Mother€has€shown€repeatedly€thatÐ 8 ˆ Ðshe€does€not€believe€she€needs€any€assistance€and€that€she€is€unwilling€to€do€her€part€when€assistanceÐ $ t Ðis€provided.€€Ð  ` ÐÌà  àClear€and€convincing€evidence€has€established€the€persistence€of€conditions€which€led€to€theÐ è 8  Ðchildððs€removal€in€the€first€place,€and€the€parental€rights€of€the€Mother€were€properly€terminatedÐ Ô$  Ðpursuant€to€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€section€36„1„113(g)(3)(A)(i„iii).Ð À  ÐÌà  àWithout€making€a€finding€of€fact€that€the€failure€of€Mother€to€pay€child€support€within€theÐ ˜è  Ðfour€consecutive€months€immediately€prior€to€the€filing€of€the€Petition€to€Terminate€was€willful€andÐ „Ô  Ðintentional,€the€trial€court€terminated€Motherððs€parental€rights€on€the€ground€of€abandonment€byÐ pÀ Ðfailure€to€support.€€òòSeeóó€T.C.A.€ðð€36„1„102(A).€€The€proof€establishes,€without€credible€contradiction,Ð \¬ Ðthat€Mother€was€required€by€the€June€2002€Permanency€Plan€to€pay€court€ordered€child€support€andÐ H˜ Ðthat€the€August€30,€2002€order€of€the€court€required€her€to€pay€such€child€support€in€the€amount€ofÐ 4„ Ð$40€per€week.€€Clear€and€convincing€evidence€also€establishes,€her€protestations€to€the€contraryÐ  p Ðnotwithstanding,€that€she€knew€where€she€was€to€make€her€child€support€payments.€€The€difficultyÐ  \ Ðlies€in€trying€to€determine€from€this€record€whether€or€not€she€had€the€financial€means€to€pay€suchÐ øH Ðsupport€which€finding€is€critical€in€determining€whether€or€not€her€failure€to€pay€child€support€wasÐ ä4 Ðintentional€and€willful.€€òòSee€In€re€Swansonóó,€2€S.W.3d€180€(Tenn.€1999).€€The€record€shows€thatÐ Ð  Ð[Mother]€earned€$6€an€hour€in€Tennessee€working€as€a€restaurant€employee€and€after€her€removalÐ ¼  Ðto€Florida€earned€$5.50€an€hour€as€a€McDonaldððs€employee.€€Beyond€this€there€is€sparse€evidenceÐ ¨ø Ðin€the€record€as€to€her€basic€living€expenses€and€the€consistency€of€her€work.€€Like€the€other€elementsÐ ”ä Ðof€abandonment€the€burden€rests€upon€the€state€to€prove,€not€by€a€preponderance€of€the€evidence,Ð €Ð Ðbut€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence€that€her€failure€to€support€her€children€was€intentional€andÐ l¼ Ðwillful.€€òòIn€re:€€D.D.V.óó,€No.€M2001„02282„COA„R3„JV,€2002€WL€225891€(Tenn.Ct.App.€2002),€inÐ X ¨ Ðconsidering€the€entire€record€before€the€court€we€cannot€say€that€the€clear€and€convincing€evidenceÐ D!” Ðstandard€of€òòOððDaniel€v.€Messieróó,€905€S.W.2d€182€(Tenn.Ct.App.€1995)€has€been€met€in€this€case€asÐ 0"€  Ðto€the€required€intent€and€willfulness€of€Mother€in€failing€to€pay€court€ordered€child€support.Ð #l! ÐÌà  àOnce€at€least€one€statutory€ground€for€terminating€parental€rights€has€been€established€byÐ ô$D # Ðclear€and€convincing€evidence,€it€must€also€be€determined€that€termination€is€in€the€best€interests€ofÐ à%0!$ Ðthe€children.€€òòSeeóó€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(c)(2)(Supp.€2001).€€With€regard€to€determining€theÐ Ì&"% Ðbest€interest€of€the€children,€the€Code€provides:Ð ¸'#& ÐÌà8  àà ` à(i)€€In€determining€whether€termination€of€parental€or€guardianship€rights€isÐ )à$( Ðin€the€best€interest€of€the€child€pursuant€to€this€part,€the€court€shall€consider,€but€isÐ |*Ì%) Ðnot€limited€to,€the€following:Ðh+¸&*Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` à(1)€Whether€the€parent€or€guardian€has€made€such€an€adjustment€ofÐ ° Ðcircumstance,€conduct,€or€conditions€as€to€make€it€safe€and€in€the€childððs€best€interestÐ œì Ðto€be€in€the€home€of€the€parent€or€guardian;ЈØÐ Ð  Ðà8  àà ` à(2)€Whether€the€parent€or€guardian€has€failed€to€effect€a€lasting€adjustmentÐ tÄ Ðafter€reasonable€efforts€by€available€social€services€agencies€for€such€duration€of€timeÐ `° Ðthat€lasting€adjustment€does€not€reasonably€appear€possible;ÐL œÐ Ð  Ðà8  àà ` à(3)€Whether€the€parent€or€guardian€has€maintained€regular€visitation€or€otherÐ 8 ˆ Ðcontact€with€the€child;Ð$ tÐ Ð  Ðà8  àà ` à(4)€Whether€a€meaningful€relationship€has€otherwise€been€establishedÐ  ` Ðbetween€the€parent€or€guardian€and€the€child;Ðü L Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` à(5)€The€effect€a€change€of€caretakers€and€physical€environment€is€likely€toÐ è 8  Ðhave€on€the€childððs€emotional,€psychological€and€medical€condition;ÐÔ$ Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` à(6)€Whether€the€parent€or€guardian,€or€other€person€residing€with€the€parentÐ À  Ðor€guardian,€has€shown€brutality,€physical,€sexual€emotional€or€psychological€abuse,Ð ¬ü  Ðor€neglect€toward€the€child,€or€another€child€or€adult€in€the€family€or€household;Иè Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` à(7)€Whether€the€physical€environment€of€the€parentððs€or€guardianððs€home€isÐ „Ô  Ðhealthy€and€safe,€whether€there€is€criminal€activity€in€the€home,€or€whether€there€isÐ pÀ Ðsuch€use€of€alcohol€or€controlled€substances€as€may€render€the€parent€or€guardianÐ \¬ Ðconsistently€unable€to€care€for€the€child€in€a€safe€and€stable€manner;ÐH˜Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` à(8)€Whether€the€parentððs€or€guardianððs€mental€and/or€emotional€status€wouldÐ 4„ Ðbe€detrimental€to€the€child€or€prevent€the€parent€or€guardian€from€effectivelyÐ  p Ðproviding€safe€and€stable€care€and€supervision€for€the€child;€orÐ \Ð Ð  ÐÌà  àà ` à.€.€.€.Ð ä4 ÐÌTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(i)(Supp.€2001).Ð ¼  ÐÌà  àThe€trial€court€considered€these€factors€and€determined€that€termination€was€in€the€bestÐ ”ä Ðinterests€of€the€children€finding:Ð €Ð ÐÌà8  àà ` à1.à ¸ àRespondents€have€failed€to€make€such€an€adjustment€of€circumstance,Ð X ¨ Ðconduct,€or€conditions€as€to€make€it€safe€and€in€the€childrenððs€best€interests€to€be€inÐ D!” Ðthe€home€of€the€respondents.Ð0"€ Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` à2.à ¸ àRespondents€have€failed€to€effect€a€lasting€adjustment€after€reasonableÐ #l! Ðefforts€by€available€social€services€agencies€for€such€duration€of€time€that€lastingÐ $X" Ðadjustment€does€not€reasonably€appear€possible.Ðô$D #Ð Ð  ÐÌà  àà ` à.€.€.€.Ð Ì&"% ÐÌà8  àà ` à4.à ¸ àA€meaningful€relationship€has€not€otherwise€been€established€betweenÐ ¤(ô#' Ðthe€respondents€and€the€children.Ð)à$(Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` à5.à ¸ àA€change€of€caretakers€and€physical€environment€would€likely€haveÐ |*Ì%) Ða€seriously€adverse€effect€on€the€childrenððs€emotional€condition.Ðh+¸&*Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` à6.à ¸ àThe€mother€neglected€the€oldest€three€children€when€they€lived€withÐ ° Ðher€before€they€were€placed€in€foster€care.МìÐ Ð  Ðà8  àà ` à7.à ¸ àThe€motherððs€mental€and/or€emotional€status€would€be€detrimental€toÐ ˆØ Ðthe€children€and€would€prevent€the€mother€from€effectively€providing€safe€and€stableÐ tÄ Ðcare€and€supervision€for€the€children.Ð`°Ð Ð  ÐÌà  àà ` à.€.€.€.Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌà8  àà ` àà8¸ Ð Ð àà  àIt€is€in€the€best€interest€of€the€child€and€theÐ  ` Ðpublic€that€the€parental€rights€of€the€respondents€beÐ ü L  Ðforever€terminated€and€that€the€complete€custody,Ð è 8  Ðcontrol,€and€guardianship€of€these€children€beÐ Ô$  Ðawarded€to€the€Department€of€Childrenððs€Services.ÐÀ ¸ ¸  ÐÌWe€agree€with€the€trial€court€that€termination€was€clearly€and€convincingly€shown€to€be€in€the€bestÐ ˜è  Ðinterests€of€the€children.Ð „Ô  ÐÌà  àThe€ruling€of€the€trial€court€terminating€Motherððs€parental€rights€is€affirmed.€€Costs€of€thisÐ \¬ Ðcause€are€assessed€to€the€State€of€Tennessee,€Department€of€Childrenððs€Services.Ð H˜ ÐÌÌÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à___________________________________€Ð ä4 Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àWILLIAM€B.€CAIN,€JUDGE