ÿWPCb! +½k”¢Âm¥™ä.M»±{ ı’¤=IëqºàI–?¾¤™ä&Ë|(ðŒšœÁS¬] ~Þ7¾”sLiéÜu5<¦b–Á±ürrq´wèî6k[¸4´þä|'(¼óò™}^\áYÁ‡³¹q± „Úc¾ ?ªà/ÑQi®”•u$f[‘ùSä>áC>¯VÚ”{°ø0cwFÿx°[Øß¥Ø Óù·vÆwHÈÍj^ÅørðÞ8¡ÑêˆÝë/ƒš¸·ë†ûL:dù>‘¸*9ogö'²Ä<}e”w;•_m`YÚ<ËjXÕ®ÎX€Ao:¦.{:ËÆu¨=ò¾hò'b'RÐJ|Ŭ9‹;}¸h3HyLž.VöÖõV0o.Ù¬ö÷Xjs$­ÅOßä•“¨ˆz=Eíµ\ß>ö)ƒR ´3(„L1‰Ù9L±eS˜Á4×e…^Jª‰¨ŒØ)ý’†å!ßžð’u7ôèjVˆ¶Ï[…Ê/=–#Wàèhì±BZ¹¨Lâ~êzÞ¬ˆ€ÚóèëZk¡:ûË­°Àéâ*j"žrDC×ÚSÛ6ÅÆêÖfî çÔ¼MÇ{ZIíC”X©ØHÿ`¦÷.œA$e#;¶Ëaf×UÜXb %\^ b 0ˆnUNöwD4H\ zkÒå· m¹ #ÉÐ ’™ Æ+ÆñÆ·Æ} 0DCN‡‰ß—EvŽxÝrãããããããããããããããããããããbUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU 0ë]]]] BHH 0¤e D5  D-> 0Kkk AS¶Æ  0¤Ï 0Ds A«· »Wv~1Þ (`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman RegularÖƒF1ê:i¢×+003|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˜\\IB01S08\KNOXCLERK4ÈÈ,,,,ÈÈ0 ˆÝ ƒRDÖ$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôõÅò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€The€Order€entered€in€the€Juvenile€Court€apparently€was€made€an€exhibit€during€the€course€of€the€presentÐ ° Ðlitigation,€but€for€some€unknown€reason€was€not€included€in€the€record€on€appeal.€€Petitioner,€who€is€proceeding€òòpro€seóó,Ð tÄ Ðattached€a€copy€of€the€Order€to€his€brief€on€appeal.€€We€discuss€the€contents€of€the€Order€solely€because€the€JuvenileÐ 8ˆ ÐCourtððs€ultimate€conclusion€that€the€State€failed€to€prove€sexual€abuse€was€discussed€by€the€Trial€Court€in€its€decisionÐ üL Ðin€this€litigation.€€Furthermore,€while€we€assume€DCS€disagrees€with€the€Juvenile€Courtððs€conclusion,€DCS€does€notÐ À Ðcontend€the€Juvenile€Courtððs€holding€was€anything€other€than€as€set€forth€above.€€Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó WILBURNDimond RegsT.C.A.Bledsoe ALJDCScPapachristouGluckCommnC]ourtTennCarefactfinder N.O. ÕÝ ƒRDÖ$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôõÅò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€As€noted€previously,€this€is€exactly€what€the€Juvenile€Court€held€in€the€present€case. „Ý ƒRDÖ$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôõÅò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€No€one€would€seriously€argue€that€DCS€has€the€power€to€declare€that€certain€evidence€ð ðshallðð€constitute€proofÐ ° Ðbeyond€a€reasonable€doubt€or€ð ðshallðð€constitute€proof€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence€or€even€ð ðshallðð€constitute€proofÐ tÄ Ðby€a€preponderance€of€the€evidence.€€We€see€no€difference€between€these€scenarios€and€the€language€of€the€DCSÐ 8ˆ ÐRegulations€since€ultimately€the€primary€issue€is€whether€substantial€and€material€evidence€exists. ÓÝ ƒRDÖ$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôõÅò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€Tenn.€Comp.€R.€&€Regs.€0250„7„9„.08[(2)]€provides€that€when€a€hearing€is€timely€requested,€the€ð ðsole€issueÐ ° Ðfor€the€hearing€officer€to€determine€is€whether€the€standards€for€classifying€the€report€as€ððvalidatedðð€ð8ð€have€been€met.ðð€Ð tÄ ÐIn€other€words,€according€to€the€plain€language€of€the€Regulations,€the€issue€at€the€hearing€never€is€whether€any€abuseÐ 8ˆ Ðactually€took€place,€but€only€whether€there€is€substantial€and€material€evidence€(i.e.,€more€than€a€scintilla€or€glimmer)Ð üL Ðto€support€the€allegations.€€ hÝ ƒRDÖ$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôõÅò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€Immediately€prior€to€oral€argument€on€this€appeal,€Petitioner€made€a€motion€requesting€this€Court€allow€N.O.Ð ° Ðto€present€his€argument.€€Because€N.O.€was€not€a€party€or€a€licensed€attorney,€we€denied€that€request.€€- ù-(|G2DÖ$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€L}»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôõÅò»»Ô d(|3¿|$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€L}»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV)ÿÿ!dxdx)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3¿|$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€L}»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€L}»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ  ÑÔ€¼L}»»»ÔÑ8€XXdì»»d8ÑÑ  Ñà@ü ü ìàÔ‡î]\L}ÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@WW$ìàAT€KNOXVILLEÔ#†¼L}»îî]\ #ԈРÖ& ÐÓ  ÓSeptember€23,€2004€SessionÐ üL ÐÔ‡XX»¼L}ÔÌò òÔ#†¼L}»XX÷#ÔWILBURN€LEE€BROWN,€JR.,€v.€STATE€OF€TENNESSEE,€Ð úJ ÐDEPARTMENT€OF€CHILDREN'S€SERVICESÔ‡XX»¼L}Ôó óÐ  ^ ÐÌÔ#†¼L}»XX¢#ÔÔ€XX»¼L}Ôà@@½½ìàò òAppeal€from€the€Chancery€Court€for€Cumberland€CountyÐ  ^ Ðà@@øøìàNo.€8976„8„03€€€€€€Vernon€Neal,€ChancellorÐ ú J ÐÌÌà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<½` AßÐ ¾  ÐÌà@@TTìàNo.€E2004„01272„Ô_ÔCOAÔ_Ô„R3„CV€„€FILED€NOVEMBER€30,€Ô_Ô2004Ô_ÔÐ ¹  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<` Aßó óÐ ‘á  ÐÓ  ÓÌThis€appeal€involves€allegations€of€sexual€abuse€brought€against€Wilburn€Lee€Brown,€Jr.,Ð ŒÜ Ð(ð ðPetitionerðð)€by€his€stepdaughter.€€After€the€allegations€were€investigated,€DCS€concluded€there€wasÐ xÈ Ðsubstantial€and€material€evidence€to€support€the€allegations€and€the€report€of€abuse€would€beÐ d´ Ðð ðvalidatedðð€pursuant€to€Tenn.€Comp.€R.€&€Regs.€0250„7„9„.02.€€Because€Petitioner€was€employedÐ P  Ðat€a€youth€development€center,€he€was€notified€that€his€employer€would€be€informed€that€he€was€theÐ <Œ Ðindicated€perpetrator€in€a€ð ðvalidatedðð€report€of€child€sexual€abuse€and€that€Petitioner€was€no€longerÐ (x Ðallowed€to€have€access€to€children.€€After€exhausting€his€administrative€appeals,€Petitioner€appealedÐ d Ðto€the€Trial€Court.€€The€Trial€Court€concluded€there€was€substantial€and€material€evidence€to€supportÐ P Ðthe€allegations€of€abuse€and€affirmed.€€Petitioner€appeals€and€we,€likewise,€affirm.€€Ð ì< ÐÌÌò òà@µ µ ìàTenn.€R.€App.€P.€3€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€theˆÐ ° Ðà@¥ ¥ ìàChancery€à@@« « ìàCourt€Affirmed;€Case€RemandedˆÐ œì Ðòòó óÌÌD.€Michael€Ô_ÔSwineyÔ_Ô,€J.,€óódelivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòCharles€D.€Susano,€Jr.,óó€andÐ `!°  ÐòòSharon€G.€Lee,€JJ.,€óójoined.Ð L"œ! ÐÌÌWilburn€Lee€Brown,€Jr.,€òòpro€seóó€Appellant.Ð %` $ ÐÌÌPaul€G.€Summers,€Attorney€General€and€Reporter,€and€Douglas€Earl€Dimond,€Senior€Counsel,Ð Ô'$#' ÐNashville,€Tennessee,€for€the€Appellee€State€of€Tennessee,€Department€of€Childrenððs€Services.Ð À($( ÐÐ  ¬)ü$)ý ÐÔ_Ôà@66'ìàò òOPINIONˆÐ ° ÐÌà@ÛÛ%ìàòòBackgroundó óóóˆÐ ˆØ ÐÌà  àà ` àThis€appeal€involves€Chapter€0250„7„9€of€the€Rules€of€the€Tennessee€Department€ofÐ `° ÐChildrenððs€Services€titled€ð ðDue€Process€Procedures€for€Release€of€Child€Abuse€Records.ðð€€The€scopeÐ L œ Ðof€these€Rules€is€set€forth€in€Tenn.€Comp.€R.€&€Regs.€0250„7„9„.01€and€is€as€follows:€Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àThe€rules€in€this€chapter€apply€to€individuals€whom€theÐ  ` ÐDepartment€of€Children's€Services€identifies€or€proposes€to€identifyÐ ü L  Ðas€a€perpetrator€of€physical,€severe,€or€sexual€abuse,€as€defined€inÐ è 8  ÐParts€1,€4,€or€6€of€Chapter€I€of€Title€37€of€the€Tennessee€CodeÐ Ô$  ÐAnnotated.€€These€rules€shall€further€apply€only€when€suchÐ À  Ðidentification€is€released€or€proposed€to€be€released€to:€€(1)€theÐ ¬ü  Ðindividual's€employer€whether€the€individual€is€a€paid€employee€orÐ ˜è  Ðunder€contract;€(2)€the€licensing€authority€of€the€employer€or€theÐ „Ô  Ðindividual;€or€(3)€any€other€organization€with€which€the€individual€isÐ pÀ Ðassociated€as€a€paid€employee€or€contractor,€or€volunteer;€whetherÐ \¬ Ðsuch€individual€is€providing€instruction,€care,€supervision,€orÐ H˜ Ðtreatment€(a)€in€a€child€welfare€agency€as€defined€in€T.C.A.€ððÐ 4„ Ð71-3-501€òòet€seq.óó;€(b)€in€a€public€or€private€school€for€children;€(c)€inÐ  p Ða€residential€or€institutional€child€caring€organization;€(d)€through€self€Ð  \ Ðemployment;€or€(e)€in€any€other€organization.€€Such€release€shall€beÐ øH Ðfor€the€purposes€of€protecting€children€from€further€abuse€and€for€theÐ ä4 Ðpurposes€directly€connected€with€the€administration€of€T.C.A.Ð Ð  Ððððð37-1-101€òòet€seq.óó;€37-1-401€òòet€seq.óó;€37-1-601€òòet€seq.óó;€71-3-530.м ` x` x ÐÌà  àà ` àThe€next€section,€0250„7„9„.02,€involves€the€process€for€classifying€certain€reportsÐ ”ä Ðof€child€abuse€as€ð ðvalidated.ðð€€This€section€provides€that€a€report€of€child€abuse€may€be€classifiedÐ €Ð Ðas€ð ðvalidatedðð€if€there€is€substantial€and€material€evidence€to€indicate€that€the€perpetrator€committedÐ l¼ Ðphysical,€severe€or€child€sexual€abuse€as€defined€in€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðððð€37„1„102€or€37„1„602.€€TheÐ X ¨ ÐRegulations€then€set€forth€five€factors€which€DCS€deems€will€constitute€substantial€and€materialÐ D!” Ðevidence€and€another€three€factors€which€are€to€be€considered€only€as€corroborative€evidence.€Ð 0"€  ÐSpecifically,€the€Regulations€provide€that€any€one€of€the€following€five€factors€ð ðshallðð€constituteÐ #l! Ðsubstantial€and€material€evidence€that€the€abuse€has€occurred:Ð $X" ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(1)à0¸ ` x` xàMedical€and/or€psychological€information€from€a€licensedÐ à%0!$ Ðphysician,€medical€center,€or€other€treatment€professional,€thatÐ Ì&"% Ðsubstantiates€that€child€abuse€occurred.и'#&¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(2)à0¸ ` x` xàAn€admission€by€the€perpetrator,Ð)à$(¸ x¸ x Ðâ âÐ |*Ì%) Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(3)à0¸ ` x` xàThe€statement€of€a€credible€witness€or€witnesses€to€theÐ ° Ðâ âabusive€act.Ðœì¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(4)à0¸ ` x` xàThe€child€victim's€statement€that€the€abuse€occurred.€TheÐ tÄ Ðfollowing€elements€are€typical€of€sexually€abusive€situations,Ð `° Ðand€should€be€considered€in€assessing€the€weight€to€be€givenÐ L œ Ðto€the€child's€statement€in€cases€where€sexual€abuse€is€alleged:Ð8 ˆ¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà0¸ ` x` xà(a)à0¸ x¸ xàHistory€of€Relationship.Ð `xx ÐÌÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà0¸ ` x` xàà0¸ x¸ xà1.à0hxxà€Multiple€incidents€occurring€over€a€period€ofÐ Ô$  Ðtime.€This€situation€is€most€common€whereÐ À  Ðthe€alleged€perpetrator€is€a€relative,€friend,€orÐ ¬ü  Ðcaretaker€of€a€victim.Иè hxhx ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà0¸ ` x` xàà0¸ x¸ xà2.à0hxxàProgression€of€physical€touching,€fromÐ pÀ Ðactivities€that€appear€acceptable€at€first,€butÐ \¬ Ðbecome€sexual€in€nature.ÐH˜hxhx ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà0¸ ` x` xà(b)à0¸ x¸ xàDetails€of€Abuse.Ð pxx ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà0¸ ` x` xàà0¸ x¸ xà1.à0hxxàExplicit€knowledge€of€sexual€activity.€TheÐ øH Ðvictim€relates€explicit€details€of€the€sexualÐ ä4 Ðexperience.€This€is€especially€relevant€whereÐ Ð  Ðthe€details€are€beyond€the€knowledge€typicalÐ ¼  Ðof€a€child€of€the€victim's€age.Шøhxhx ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà0¸ ` x` xàà0¸ x¸ xà2.à0hxxàRichness€of€details,€such€as€a€location€and/orÐ €Ð Ðtime,€even€if€a€specific€date€is€not€given,€orÐ l¼ Ðother€details€of€the€environment.€For€aÐ X ¨ Ðpreschool€age€child,€such€detail€is€notÐ D!” Ðexpected.€As€a€child's€developmental€ageÐ 0"€  Ðincreases,€more€detail€is€expected.Ð#l!hxhx ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà0¸ ` x` xàà0¸ x¸ xà3.à0hxxàConsistency.€If€the€child€is€interviewed€moreÐ ô$D # Ðthan€once,€the€responses€and€statements€areÐ à%0!$ Ðgenerally€consistent€from€one€interview€to€theÐ Ì&"% Ðnext.€Parts€of€the€story€are€corroborated€byÐ ¸'#& Ðother€circumstances€and/or€witnesses.Ф(ô#'hxhx Ðâ âÐ )à$( Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà0¸ ` x` xà(c)à0¸ x¸ xàSecrecy.€The€child€indicates€that€he/she€wasÐ ° Ðinstructed,€asked,€and/or€threatened€to€keep€the€abuseÐ œì Ðsecret.ЈØxx Ðâ âÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà0¸ ` x` xà(d)à0¸ x¸ xàCoercion.€Elements€of€coercion,€persuasion,€or€threatsÐ `° Ðto€get€the€child€to€engage€in€the€activity.ÐL œxx ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(5)à0¸ ` x` xàPhysiological€indicators€or€signs€of€abuse,€including,€but€notÐ $ t Ðlimited€to,€cuts,€bruises,€burns,€or€broken€bones.Ð `¸ x¸ x ÐÌTenn.€Comp.€R.€&€Regs.€0250„7„9„.02(1)€„€(5).Ð è 8  ÐÌà  àà ` àWhen€a€report€of€child€abuse€is€ð ðvalidatedðð€and€the€alleged€perpetrator€is€employedÐ À  Ðin€one€of€the€categories€listed€in€the€section€titled€Scope€of€Rules,€òòsupraóó,€then€the€alleged€perpetratorÐ ¬ü  Ðis€provided€notice€that€his€or€her€employer€will€be€notified€that€they€are€a€perpetrator€in€a€validatedÐ ˜è  Ðreport€of€physical,€severe,€or€sexual€child€abuse.€€The€Regulations€also€provide€certain€appeal€rightsÐ „Ô  Ðto€the€alleged€perpetrator.€€Ð pÀ ÐÌà  àà ` àIn€2002,€Petitionerððs€stepdaughter€alleged€Petitioner€had€sexually€abused€her€on€fourÐ H˜ Ðoccasions€over€a€two€year€period.€€According€to€Petitionerððs€stepdaughterððs€allegations,€these€fourÐ 4„ Ðoccasions€involved€Petitioner€twice€rubbing€the€outside€of€his€stepdaughterððs€panties,€on€oneÐ  p Ðoccasion€rubbing€her€buttocks,€and€on€another€fondling€one€of€her€breasts.€€Petitioner€steadfastly€hasÐ  \ Ðdenied€ever€sexually€abusing€his€stepdaughter.€€We€will€summarized€briefly€some€of€the€proofÐ øH Ðregarding€whether€the€alleged€abuse€actually€occurred.€€Ð ä4 ÐÌà  àà ` àAfter€the€allegations€were€made,€a€DCS€investigator€interviewed€the€stepdaughterÐ ¼  Ð(hereafter€referred€to€by€her€initials,€ð ðN.O.ðð),€who€described€each€of€these€four€incidents€as€well€asÐ ¨ø Ðwhere€she€and€Petitioner€were€living€at€the€time€each€abusive€act€allegedly€happened.€€DCS€alsoÐ ”ä Ðinterviewed€N.O.ððs€mother,€who€is€Petitionerððs€wife,€and€she€stated€that€N.O.€earlier€had€disclosedÐ €Ð Ðtwo€of€the€alleged€incidents€to€her.€€However,€N.O.ððs€mother€did€not€believe€N.O.€and€attributed€theÐ l¼ Ðallegations€to€tension€between€her,€N.O.,€and€Petitioner.€€Petitionerððs€brother„in„law€stated€that,€toÐ X ¨ Ðhis€knowledge,€the€relationship€between€N.O.€and€Petitioner€appeared€to€be€a€normalÐ D!” Ðstepparent/stepchild€relationship.€€He€went€on€to€add€that€shortly€after€N.O.€initially€made€theÐ 0"€  Ðallegations,€he€saw€her€in€church€and€she€insisted€that€the€allegations€were€true.€€Ð #l! ÐÌà  àà ` àAs€a€result€of€the€claimed€sexual€abuse,€N.O.€was€removed€from€the€home€and€placedÐ ô$D # Ðin€foster€care.€€While€in€foster€care,€N.O.€informed€her€foster€care€mother€that€Petitioner€had€abusedÐ à%0!$ Ðher€sexually,€but€N.O.€gave€no€details€about€the€abuse.€€The€foster€care€mother€later€overheard€aÐ Ì&"% Ðtelephone€conversation€between€N.O.€and€her€mother.€€At€the€beginning€of€this€conversation,€N.O.Ð ¸'#& Ðtold€her€mother€that€the€abuse€did€not€happen€and€she€was€ð ðgoing€to€tell€them€that€it€did€not€happen.ðð€Ð ¤(ô#' ÐAccording€to€the€foster€care€mother,€N.O.ððs€mother€ð ðdid€not€lead€her€into€that€she€did€it€all€on€herÐ )à$( Ðown.ðð€Ð |*Ì%) ÐÐ h+¸&* Ðà  àà ` àN.O.€recanted€the€allegations€of€sexual€abuse.€€According€to€N.O.,€she€and€PetitionerÐ ° Ðare€ð ðbest€friendsðð€and€go€fishing,€watch€wrestling,€cook€together,€etc.€€N.O.€now€claims€thatÐ œì ÐPetitioner€never€sexually€abused€her€and€she€lied€about€the€allegations€because€she€was€afraidÐ ˆØ ÐPetitioner€would€take€her€motherððs€affections€away€from€her.€€N.O.€stated€she€got€the€idea€of€makingÐ tÄ Ðallegations€of€sexual€abuse€from€a€friend€and€because€she€had€been€sexually€abused€in€the€past€byÐ `° Ða€stepuncle€and€one€of€her€motherððs€previous€husbands.€€N.O.€stated€that€this€earlier€abuse€got€herÐ L œ Ðmotherððs€attention.€€N.O.€claimed€that€she€was€mad€at€Petitioner€when€she€made€the€false€allegationsÐ 8 ˆ Ðbecause€he€would€not€let€her€boyfriend€and€another€friend€into€the€house€while€her€mother€was€notÐ $ t Ðpresent.€€N.O.€stated€she€decided€to€tell€the€truth€after€attending€a€church€service€where€the€topic€ofÐ  ` Ðthe€sermon€was€lying.Ð ü L  ÐÌà  àà ` àDebbie€Ward,€a€DCS€Team€Leader,€testified€that€there€are€five€factors€to€look€at€whenÐ Ô$  Ðvalidating€a€childððs€statement€regarding€abuse.€€These€factors€are€consistency,€opportunity€for€theÐ À  Ðabuse€to€have€occurred,€medical€evidence,€progression€of€incidents,€and€secrecy.€€According€toÐ ¬ü  ÐWard,€N.O.ððs€statements€of€abuse€met€four€of€these€five€criteria.€€Ward€further€testified€that€sheÐ ˜è  Ðbelieved€N.O.€recanted€because€N.O.ððs€mother€may€have€to€move€out€of€Tennessee€if€Petitioner€losesÐ „Ô  Ðhis€job€because€of€N.O.ððs€allegations€of€sexual€abuse.€€Ð pÀ ÐÌà  àà ` àSeparate€and€apart€from€the€present€litigation,€on€August€28,€2002,€a€dependency€andÐ H˜ Ðneglect€hearing€was€conducted€in€the€Cumberland€County€Juvenile€Court.€€After€a€trial,€the€JuvenileÐ 4„ ÐCourt€entered€an€Order€on€October€2,€2002,€which€provides,€òòinter€aliaóó,€as€follows:Ð  p ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àAll€parties€and€the€minor€child€were€present€and€represented€byÐ øH Ðcounsel,€the€Court€having€taken€testimony,€having€admitted€exhibitsÐ ä4 Ðand€having€heard€the€argument€of€counsel,€the€Court€holding€that€theÐ Ð  ÐState€failed€to€meets€(sic)€its€burden€of€proof€regarding€the€specificÐ ¼  Ðallegations€of€sexual€assault€by€[Petitioner],€the€Court€further€holdingÐ ¨ø Ðthat€[N.O.ððs€mother]€was€unaware€of€her€daughterððs€drug€and€alcoholÐ ”ä Ðuse,€sexual€activity€and€other€conduct€inappropriate€for€[N.O.ððs]€age,Ð €Ð Ðand€holding€that€[N.O.ððs€mother]€failed€to€properly€supervise€herÐ l¼ Ðdaughterððs€conduct€and€her€education,€the€Court€[declares€N.O.]Ð X ¨ Ðdependent€and€neglected€due€to€these€facts.׃ ×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×ÐD!”` x` x ÐÌà  àà ` àNotwithstanding€these€conclusions€by€the€Juvenile€Court,€DCS€nonethelessÐ #l! Ðdetermined,€based€on€N.O.ððs€allegations€and€the€subsequent€investigation€and€in€reliance€on€Tenn.Ð $X" ÐComp.€R.€&€Regs.€0250„7„9„.01€òòet€seqóó.,€that€Petitioner€was€the€indicated€perpetrator€in€a€ð ðvalidatedððÐ ô$D # Ðcase€of€child€sexual€abuse.€€Because€Petitioner€was€employed€at€the€Taft€Youth€Development€Center,Ð à%0!$ Ðhe€was€notified€that€his€employer€would€be€informed€that€he€was€the€perpetrator€in€a€validated€claimÐ ° Ðof€child€sexual€abuse€and€that€he€no€longer€would€be€permitted€to€have€any€access€to€children.€€Ð œì ÐÌà  àà ` àPetitioner€timely€availed€himself€of€the€appeal€procedures€contained€in€theÐ tÄ ÐRegulations,€eventually€resulting€in€a€hearing€before€an€Administrative€Law€Judge€(ð ðALJðð)€on€AprilÐ `° Ð8,€2003.€€At€this€hearing,€the€ALJ€heard€testimony€from€the€various€witnesses€as€discussed€above€andÐ L œ Ðthereafter€issued€an€order€affirming€DCSððc€classification€of€Petitioner€as€ð ðthe€indicated€perpetratorÐ 8 ˆ Ðin€a€validated€case€of€child€abuse€involving€N.O.ðð€€In€reaching€this€conclusion,€the€ALJ€stated€thatÐ $ t Ðð ðRule€0250„7„9„.02€requires€proof€of€only€one€of€the€eight€Validation€Factors€linking€the€allegedÐ  ` Ðperpetrator€to€the€abusive€act€in€order€to€constitute€the€necessary€substantial€and€material€evidenceÐ ü L  Ðthat€the€abuse€occurred.ðð€€Initially,€we€point€out€that€this€is€incorrect.€€The€Regulations€do€set€forthÐ è 8  Ðeight€validation€factors,€but€specifically€provide€that€only€the€first€five€ð ðshallðð€be€consideredÐ Ô$  Ðsubstantial€and€material€evidence,€with€the€other€three€being€only€corroborative€evidence.€€In€anyÐ À  Ðevent,€the€ALJ€discussed€the€testimony€and€the€fact€that€N.O.€described€to€the€DCS€investigator€theÐ ¬ü  Ðdetails€of€each€of€the€four€events€and€an€outline€of€the€progression€of€physical€activity€whichÐ ˜è  Ðeventually€resulted€in€the€fondling€of€N.O.ððs€buttocks€and€breast.€€Although€N.O.€could€not€giveÐ „Ô  Ðexact€dates€on€which€the€alleged€events€occurred,€she€was€able€to€state€where€she€and€Petitioner€wereÐ pÀ Ðliving€when€each€incident€allegedly€took€place.€€The€ALJ€also€concluded€that€N.O.ððs€statements€thatÐ \¬ Ðthe€abuse€occurred€remained€consistent€from€her€initial€disclosure€to€her€mother,€to€the€statementsÐ H˜ Ðmade€to€the€police€and€DCS,€and€finally€to€the€statements€made€to€her€uncle€and€foster€mother,€allÐ 4„ Ðof€which€were€made€before€N.O.€recanted€her€allegations.€€The€ALJ€concluded€that€validation€factorÐ  p Ðnumber€4€had€been€met,€and€that€this€constituted€substantial€and€material€evidence€sufficient€toÐ  \ Ðaffirm€the€classification€of€Petitioner€as€the€indicated€perpetrator€in€a€validated€report€of€child€sexualÐ øH Ðabuse.Ð ä4 ÐÌà  àà ` àPetitioner€appealed€the€decision€of€the€ALJ€to€the€Cumberland€County€ChanceryÐ ¼  ÐCourt€(the€ð ðTrial€Courtðð).€€Petitioner€filed€a€motion€asking€the€Trial€Court€for€leave€to€presentÐ ¨ø Ðadditional€evidence.€€This€additional€evidence€was€the€affidavit€of€C.C.,€who€was€N.O.ððs€boyfriendÐ ”ä Ðat€the€time€the€allegations€were€made.€€According€to€C.C.,€he€and€N.O.€would€sneak€into€herÐ €Ð Ðmotherððs€and€Petitionerððs€house€when€they€were€at€work€and€have€sex.€€Petitioner€suffered€a€workÐ l¼ Ðrelated€injury€requiring€him€to€miss€work€and€stay€home,€thereby€preventing€C.C.€and€N.O.€fromÐ X ¨ Ðhaving€sex€in€the€house.€€C.C.€stated€that€one€of€N.O.ððs€friends€told€N.O.€that€if€she€wanted€to€moveÐ D!” Ðout€of€the€house,€she€would€have€to€say€that€Petitioner€was€sexually€molesting€her.€€Not€long€afterÐ 0"€  Ðthat,€N.O.€ran€away€from€home€and€went€to€C.C.ððs€house.€€C.C.ððs€parents€took€N.O.€home,€butÐ #l! ÐN.O.ððs€mother€already€had€filed€a€missing€personððs€report€so€they€proceeded€to€the€Justice€Center.€Ð $X" ÐAt€the€Justice€Center,€N.O.ððs€friend€told€her€that€she€had€better€file€molestation€charges€againstÐ ô$D # ÐPetitioner€or€the€police€would€lock€her€up€for€running€away.€€N.O.€then€made€the€allegations€ofÐ à%0!$ Ðsexual€abuse.€€€The€Trial€Court€denied€Petitionerððs€motion€for€leave€to€present€this€additionalÐ Ì&"% Ðevidence€because€it€was€ð ðnot€material,ðð€it€was€cumulative€because€N.O.€already€had€attempted€toÐ ¸'#& Ðrecant€her€allegations€of€abuse,€and€Petitioner€had€not€shown€why€this€evidence€was€not€presentedÐ ¤(ô#' Ðat€the€hearing€before€the€ALJ.€Ð )à$( Ðâ âÐ |*Ì%) Ðà  àà ` àThe€Trial€Court€eventually€entered€an€Order€upholding€the€decision€of€the€ALJ.€€TheÐ ° Ðâ âTrial€Court€observed€that€ð ð[t]he€proof€necessary€to€show€substantial€and€material€evidence€is€ððlessÐ œì Ðthan€the€preponderance€of€the€evidence€[but]€more€than€a€scintilla€or€glimmer.ðð€€òòWayne€County€vs.Ð ˆØ ÐTennessee€Solid€Waste€Disposal€Control€Boardóó,€756€S.W.2d€274€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1988).ðð€€The€TrialÐ tÄ ÐCourt€then€reviewed€in€detail€the€evidence€presented€at€the€administrative€hearing€and€concludedÐ `° Ðthere€was€substantial€and€material€evidence€to€support€the€decision€upholding€PetitionerððsÐ L œ Ðclassification€as€an€indicated€perpetrator€of€child€sexual€abuse.€€The€Trial€Court€went€on€to€add€thatÐ 8 ˆ Ðthe€Juvenile€Courtððs€finding€that€the€State€had€failed€to€meet€its€burden€of€proof€regarding€theÐ $ t Ðspecific€allegations€of€sexual€abuse€did€not€estop€DCS€from€classifying€Petitioner€as€an€indicatedÐ  ` Ðperpetrator€in€a€validated€claim€of€child€sexual€abuse.€€According€to€the€Trial€Court:Ð ü L  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àThe€burden€of€proof€placed€on€the€State€in€a€dependency€and€neglectÐ Ô$  Ðcase€before€the€juvenile€court€is€clear€and€convincing€evidence.ð8ð€Ð À  ÐBecause€of€the€different€burdens€of€proof€and€the€different€nature€ofÐ ¬ü  Ðthe€two€proceedings,€the€juvenile€courtððs€findings€are€not€bindingÐ ˜è  Ðupon€the€administrative€agency€or€this€reviewing€court.€€By€analogy,Ð „Ô  Ðan€acquittal€in€a€criminal€case€would€not€even€be€admissible€in€a€civilÐ pÀ Ðcase,€because€of€the€difference€in€the€burden€of€proof.€€The€parties€toÐ \¬ Ðthe€civil€proceeding€are€entitled€to€have€the€issue€decided€upon€theÐ H˜ Ðpreponderance€of€the€evidence.€€òòWheat€v.€Continental€CasualtyÐ 4„ ÐCompanyóó,€652€S.W.2d€345€(Tenn.€1983).Ð p` x` x ÐÌà  àà ` àPetitioner€filed€a€òòpro€seóó€appeal€to€this€Court.€€While€Petitioner€makes€severalÐ øH Ðarguments,€each€one€centers€around€his€claim€that€the€proof€established€he€did€not€commit€theÐ ä4 Ðalleged€sexual€abuse€and€his€classification€as€the€indicated€perpetrator€in€a€validated€claim€of€sexualÐ Ð  Ðabuse€was,€therefore,€in€error.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ׀Р¼  ÐÌà@))%ìàò òòòDiscussionó óóóˆÐ ”ä ÐÌà  àà ` àTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€4„5„322(h)€addresses€the€narrow€scope€of€judicial€review€of€anÐ l¼ Ðadministrative€agency€decision€as€follows:Ð X ¨ ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àThe€court€may€affirm€the€decision€of€the€agency€or€remand€the€caseÐ 0"€  Ðfor€further€proceedings.€€The€court€may€reverse€or€modify€theÐ #l! Ðdecision€if€the€rights€of€the€petitioner€have€been€prejudiced€becauseÐ $X" Ðthe€administrative€findings,€inferences,€conclusions€or€decisions€are:Ðô$D #` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ à(1)€In€violation€of€constitutional€or€statutory€provisions;ÐÌ&"%` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xà(2)€In€excess€of€the€statutory€authority€of€the€agency;Ф(ô#'¸ ¸  Їà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xà(3)€Made€upon€unlawful€procedure;а¸ ¸  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xà(4)€Arbitrary€or€capricious€or€characterized€by€abuseÐ ˆØ Ðof€discretion€or€clearly€unwarranted€exercise€ofÐ tÄ Ðdiscretion;€orÐ`°¸ ¸  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xà(5)€Unsupported€by€evidence€which€is€both€substantialÐ 8 ˆ Ðand€material€in€the€light€of€the€entire€record.Ð$ t¸ ¸  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àIn€determining€the€substantiality€of€evidence,€the€court€shall€take€into€Ð ü L  Ðaccount€whatever€in€the€record€fairly€detracts€from€its€weight,€but€theÐ è 8  Ðcourt€shall€not€substitute€its€judgment€for€that€of€the€agency€as€to€theÐ Ô$  Ðweight€of€the€evidence€on€questions€of€fact.ÐÀ ` x` x ÐÌà  àà ` àThe€term€ð ðsubstantial€and€material€evidenceðð€has€been€defined€as€ð ðððsuch€relevantÐ ˜è  Ðevidence€as€a€reasonable€mind€might€accept€to€support€a€rational€conclusion€and€such€as€to€furnishÐ „Ô  Ða€reasonably€sound€basis€for€the€action€under€consideration.ðððð€€òòPapachristou€v.€Univ.€of€Tennesseeóó,Ð pÀ Ð29€S.W.3d€487,€490€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€2000)€(quoting€òòClay€Co.€Manor,€Inc.€v.€Stateóó,€849€S.W.2d€755,Ð \¬ Ð759€(Tenn.€1993)).€€As€noted€by€the€Trial€Court,€this€Court€also€has€described€it€as€requiringÐ H˜ Ðð ðsomething€less€than€a€preponderance€of€the€evidence€.€.€.€but€more€than€a€scintilla€or€glimmer.ðð€Ð 4„ ÐòòGluck€v.€Civil€Serv.€Commððnóó,€15€S.W.3d€486,€490€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1999)€(quoting€òòWayne€Co.€v.Ð  p ÐTennessee€Solid€Waste€Disposal€Control€Bd.óó,€756€S.W.2d€274,€280€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1988)).€€Ð  \ ÐÌÒe°Òà ½ àà  àWhen€reviewing€a€trial€courtððs€review€of€an€administrative€agencyððs€decision,€thisÐ ä4 ÐCourt€essentially€is€to€determine€ð ðwhether€or€not€the€trial€court€properly€applied€the€.€.€.€standard€ofÐ Ð  Ðreviewðð€found€at€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€4„5„322(h).€òòóó€€òòPapachristou€v.€Univ.€of€Tennesseeóó,€29€S.W.3d€atÐ ¼  Ð490.€€This€Court€addressed€its€judicial€review€of€evidence€contained€in€the€administrative€record€asÐ ¨ø Ðfollows:Ð ”ä ÐÌà8 ½ àà8 ½Ð ½Ð àWhile€this€Court€may€consider€evidence€in€the€record€that€detractsÐ l¼ Ðfrom€its€weight,€[this]€[C]ourt€is€not€allowed€to€substitute€its€judgmentÐ X ¨ Ðfor€that€of€the€agency€concerning€the€weight€of€the€evidence.€.€.€.€ÐD!” x x ÐÌòòJones€v.€Bureau€of€TennCareóó,€94€S.W.3d€495,€501€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€2002)(quoting€òòGluck€v.€Civil€Serv.Ð #l! ÐCommððnóó,€15€S.W.3d€at€490€(citations€omitted)).€€òòSee€also€McClellan€v.€Board€of€Regents€of€StateÐ $X" ÐUniv.óó,€921€S.W.2d€684,€693€(Tenn.€1996)€(holding€that€this€Court€ð ðis€not€at€liberty€to€reevaluate€theÐ ô$D # Ðevidence€or€substitute€our€judgment€for€that€of€the€factfinderðð).€Ð à%0!$ ÐÌà ½ àà  àIn€light€of€our€very€limited€standard€of€review,€the€issue€before€this€Court,€as€was€itÐ ¸'#& Ðbefore€the€Trial€Court,€is€not€whether€Petitioner€sexually€abused€N.O.,€but€only€whether€there€isÐ ¤(ô#' Ðsubstantial€and€material€evidence€to€support€the€decision€reached€by€the€ALJ.€€The€facts€set€forthÐ )à$( Ðabove€lead€this€Court€to€the€inevitable€conclusion€that€there€was.€€When€a€report€of€abuse€is€made,Ð |*Ì%) ÐDCS€is€in€the€unenviable€position€of€trying€to€determine€whether€the€report€is€valid€or€unfounded.€Ð h+¸&* ÐDCS€certainly€is€in€a€position€to€establish€factors€to€be€considered€when€making€this€determination.Ð ° ÐThe€factors€listed€in€the€Regulations€unquestionably€are€relevant€in€making€this€determination.€Ð œì ÐHowever,€we€are€troubled€by€the€Regulations€insofar€as€DCS€has€taken€it€upon€itself€to€insist€thatÐ ˆØ Ðproof€of€any€one€of€the€five€factors€set€forth€previously€ð ðshallðð€constitute€substantial€and€materialÐ tÄ Ðevidence.€€It€seems€to€this€Court€that€what€constitutes€evidence€sufficient€to€be€ð ðsubstantial€andÐ `° Ðmaterialðð€is€a€matter€best€to€be€decided€initially€by€the€factfinder€based€on€whatever€relevant€andÐ L œ Ðadmissible€evidence€is€presented€in€that€particular€case,€not€DCS€Regulations.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Nevertheless,€evenÐ 8 ˆ Ðif€we€consider€the€various€factors€as€nothing€more€than€factors€to€be€considered€in€determiningÐ $ t Ðwhether€substantial€and€material€evidence€was€presented,€we€still€conclude€that€such€evidence€wasÐ  ` Ðpresented€in€this€case€as€already€discussed,€and€this€is€so€even€given€N.O.ððs€recanting€of€herÐ ü L  Ðallegations.€€Ð è 8  ÐÌà ½ àà  àIn€short,€Petitioner€has€been€branded€as€a€pedophile€by€DCS.€€After€the€ALJ€issued€itsÐ À  Ðruling,€DCS€sent€a€letter€to€Petitionerððs€employer€stating:€Ð ¬ü  ÐÌà8 ½ àà8 ½Ð ½Ð àIn€accordance€with€a€Final€Order€issued€by€[the€ALJ]€ð8ð€theÐ „Ô  ÐDepartment€is€notifying€you€that€the€report€that€named€[Petitioner]€asÐ pÀ Ðthe€perpetrator€of€child€sexual€abuse€was€properly€classified€asÐ \¬ Ðindicated.€€The€indicated€classification,€which€represents€the€finalÐ H˜ Ðclassification€decision€of€the€Department,€will€require€you€to€continueÐ 4„ Ðto€assure€[Petitioner]€non„access€to€children€served€by€your€facility,€asÐ  p Ðprovided€in€State€Rule€1240„7„.09(5)(a).ð8ðÐ \ x x ÐÌAs€already€noted,€Petitioner€works€at€the€Taft€Youth€Development€Center.€€The€consequences€toÐ ä4 ÐPetitionerððs€job€as€well€as€his€chosen€occupation€undoubtedly€will€be€enormous.€Ð Ð  ÐÌà ½ àà  àThe€Trial€Court€held€that€the€decision€of€the€Juvenile€Court€was€not€binding€in€theÐ ¨ø Ðpresent€litigation€because€of€the€differing€burdens€of€proof.€€Although€we€agree€with€this€conclusion,Ð ”ä Ðwe€believe€it€merits€further€examination€by€way€of€a€hypothetical€example.€€Letððs€assume,€for€presentÐ €Ð Ðpurposes€only,€that€John€Doeððs€minor€stepdaughter€claims€he€sexually€molested€her€and€criminalÐ l¼ Ðcharges€are€pursued€by€the€local€district€attorney.€€At€the€criminal€trial,€the€stepdaughter€testifies€inÐ X ¨ Ðdetail€about€the€molestation,€and€her€statements€about€the€abuse€have€been€consistent€throughout€theÐ D!” Ðentire€process.€€John€Doe,€however,€adamantly€denies€engaging€in€any€improper€behavior.€€After€aÐ 0"€  Ðlengthy€and€hard„fought€trial,€€the€jury€concludes€the€State€failed€to€prove€its€case€beyond€a€reasonableÐ #l! Ðdoubt€and€John€Doe€is€acquitted.€€Because€of€the€differing€burdens€of€proof,€the€criminal€acquittalÐ $X" Ðwould€not€be€binding€on€a€juvenile€court€dependency€and€neglect€hearing€since€it€utilizes€the€lowerÐ ô$D # Ðclear€and€convincing€burden€of€proof.€€Undaunted€by€the€result€in€the€criminal€trial,€DCS€claims€inÐ à%0!$ Ða€juvenile€court€proceeding€that€the€stepdaughter€is€dependent€and€neglected€because€she€was€sexuallyÐ Ì&"% Ðmolested.€€After€another€trial,€the€juvenile€court€judge€concludes€that€the€State€failed€to€prove€theÐ ° Ðallegations€of€sexual€abuse€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€While€John€Doe€certainly€is€pleasedÐ œì Ðwith€the€outcomes€of€the€two€trials,€he€nevertheless€is€served€with€a€summons€and€complaint€in€a€civilÐ ˆØ Ðlawsuit€brought€by€his€stepdaughter€seeking€compensatory€damages€arising€from€the€alleged€sexualÐ tÄ Ðassault.€€Because€a€civil€lawsuit€of€this€nature€would€require€the€stepdaughter€to€prove€her€case€by€theÐ `° Ðlower€preponderance€of€the€evidence€standard,€both€the€criminal€acquittal€and€the€holding€of€theÐ L œ Ðjuvenile€court€would€not€bar€the€civil€lawsuit.€€A€third€trial€now€takes€place,€and€the€civil€juryÐ 8 ˆ Ðconcludes€that€the€stepdaughter€failed€to€prove€her€case€by€a€preponderance€of€the€evidence€andÐ $ t Ðrenders€a€verdict€in€favor€of€John€Doe.€€Ð  ` ÐÌà ½ àà  àEven€after€the€results€in€the€three€trials,€DCS€in€good€faith€remains€convinced€that€JohnÐ è 8  ÐDoe€molested€his€stepdaughter.€€Although€he€believes€his€legal€woes€have€ended€having€successfullyÐ Ô$  Ðdefended€three€trials,€John€Doe€receives€a€notice€from€DCS€stating€he€has€been€indicated€as€theÐ À  Ðperpetrator€in€a€validated€claim€of€child€sexual€abuse.€€John€Doe€files€an€administrative€appeal,€andÐ ¬ü  Ðafter€a€fourth€trial,€the€ALJ€concludes€the€previous€three€trials€have€no€estoppel€effect€because€of€theÐ ˜è  Ðdiffering€burdens€of€proof.€€The€ALJ€further€concludes€that€because€the€stepdaughter€has€beenÐ „Ô  Ðconsistent€from€the€very€beginning€regarding€the€details€of€the€alleged€sexual€abuse,€there€isÐ pÀ Ðsubstantial€and€material€evidence€that€the€sexual€abuse€occurred€pursuant€validation€factor€numberÐ \¬ Ð4,€Tenn.€Comp.€Rules€&€Regs€0250„7„9„.02(4).€€John€Doeððs€employer€is€notified€that€he€is€anÐ H˜ Ðindicated€perpetrator€in€a€validated€claim€of€sexual€abuse€and€that€he€can€no€longer€have€access€toÐ 4„ Ðchildren.€€John€Doeððs€employment€then€is€terminated.€€Ð  p ÐÌà ½ àà  àThe€point€of€the€foregoing€hypothetical€situation€is€to€show€why€this€Court€has€veryÐ øH Ðserious€concerns€about€the€constitutionality€of€the€DCS€Regulations€which€permit€an€individual€toÐ ä4 Ðbe€indicated€as€the€perpetrator€in€a€validated€claim€of€child€sexual€abuse,€along€with€the€attendantÐ Ð  Ðconsequences€of€that€classification,€based€solely€upon€a€showing€of€only€substantial€and€materialÐ ¼  Ðevidence.€€We€express€our€concerns€even€being€fully€aware€of€the€legitimate€and€necessary€goal€ofÐ ¨ø Ðthe€DCS€Regulations€which€is€to€protect€helpless€children€from€such€abuse.€€Substantial€and€materialÐ ”ä Ðevidence€is€a€very€low€threshold€and€can€be€achieved€merely€with€evidence€which€is€considered€toÐ €Ð Ðbe€only€just€more€than€a€scintilla€or€glimmer€as€defined€in€applicable€case€law.€€Our€concern€aboutÐ l¼ Ðthe€use€of€the€substantial€and€material€standard€centers€around€that€standard€being€the€one€used€whenÐ X ¨ Ðmaking€the€initial€determination.€€We€have€no€such€concerns€about€that€standard€being€the€one€usedÐ D!” Ðon€appellate€review.€€Ð 0"€  ÐÌà ½ àà  àWe€express€no€opinion€whatsoever€on€whether€Petitioner€committed€the€alleged€sexualÐ $X" Ðabuse.€€Indeed,€there€never€has€been€any€finding€that€Petitioner€actually€committed€the€alleged€acts;Ð ô$D # Ðand€there€still€is€no€such€finding.€€In€fact,€an€ALJ€in€this€type€of€proceedings€could€find€that€theÐ à%0!$ Ðpreponderance€of€the€evidence€weighs€òòagainstóó€a€conclusion€that€any€abuse€occurred,€but€at€the€sameÐ Ì&"% Ðtime€conclude€substantial€and€material€evidence€is€present.€€Simply€because€DCS,€the€ALJ,€or€evenÐ ¸'#& Ðâ âthis€Court€finds€that€substantial€and€material€evidence€exists,€this€in€no€way€is€a€determination€thatÐ ¤(ô#' Ðany€abuse€actually€was€committed.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€In€the€present€case,€the€only€tribunal€which€actually€addressedÐ ° Ðâ âwhether€Petitioner€committed€the€alleged€acts€was€the€Juvenile€Court,€which€held€that€the€State€failedÐ œì Ðto€prove€its€case€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence.€Ð ˆØ ÐÌà ½ àà  àBecause€of€the€applicable€standard€of€review€and€given€the€sole€issue€raised€on€appealÐ `° Ðby€Petitioner,€once€the€Trial€Court€and€this€Court€concluded€there€was€substantial€and€materialÐ L œ Ðevidence,€Petitionerððs€appeal€essentially€was€over.€€Neither€this€Court€nor€the€Trial€Court€is€permittedÐ 8 ˆ Ðto€undertake€an€examination€of€where€the€preponderance€of€the€evidence€lies€or€whether€the€evidenceÐ $ t Ðis€clear€and€convincing,€etc.€€Because€the€Trial€Court€was€prohibited€from€weighing€or€reevaluatingÐ  ` Ðthe€evidence,€the€Trial€Courtððs€stating€that€C.C.ððs€affidavit€was€ð ðnot€materialðð€is€understandable,€andÐ ü L  Ðwe€find€no€error€by€the€Trial€Court€in€that€ruling.€Ð è 8  ÐÌ€à ½ àà  àPetitioner€has€not€challenged€the€constitutionality€of€the€DCS€Regulations€in€thisÐ À  Ðappeal.€€We€are€aware€that€it€is€unusual€for€this€Court€to€go€to€such€length€to€discuss€an€issue€that€isÐ ¬ü  Ðnot€properly€raised€on€appeal.€€Nevertheless,€given€our€concerns€over€the€validity€of€the€DCSÐ ˜è  ÐRegulations,€we€felt€compelled€to€do€so.€€However,€because€we€conclude€there€was€substantial€andÐ „Ô  Ðmaterial€evidence€to€support€the€decision€of€the€ALJ,€and€as€that€is€the€only€issue€properly€raised€onÐ pÀ Ðappeal,€we€reluctantly€affirm€the€decision€of€the€Trial€Court.€€Ð \¬ ÐÌà@çç%Æàò òòòConclusionó óóóˆÐ 4„ ÐÌà ½ àà  àThe€Judgment€of€the€Trial€Court€is€affirmed€and€this€cause€is€remanded€to€the€TrialÐ  \ ÐCourt€for€collection€of€the€costs€below.€€Costs€on€appeal€are€assessed€against€the€Appellant,€WilburnÐ øH ÐLee€Brown,€Jr.,€and€his€surety,€if€any.€€Ð ä4 ÐÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌà ½ àà  àà m àà Å àà  àà u àà Í à____________________________________Ð 0"€  Ðà ½ àà  àà m àà Å àà  àà u àà Í àD.€MICHAEL€SWINEY,€JUDGE