ÿWPCˆ ²¨Ê™²&Š$*Æ*<³ÚNCPú¤ªmGøuóFŠ$•–™båµ<$3Ñ6tXN9|0-ÐHŸZ’“-n¿Ñ×Åee;ž–š3´óh·ÑØóšfÄ H ;â3ª ©Ï9;†Á›ùÏ"è{ÓŸ$öõ*¬ì\ç) ú¿ñ]ÙÛh´1Gin9ϼ Q¨1S[¶4”¨]UPi™R|'—Áç«Fñ¡ÌîÒŽ’hõÛÂð… 蟅üSÚéøè¥Å8M›Â"”k6qk¡•qÌÿË@J®Ú‘±!R˜31[ºhgŽpÔFÐY¸¸Ð®Š:ÁêFí{V"oÜxºÐTÉÅi^E²Ë³¶’¹4j^;ï» ß”²;çÚ¯åXa.<¯£â¯*6pªü=Gž|öÐÆ¢·ôuhÐ'«ióÆžyâ|ÍY ÄPÕãÉjÄ8RrgTù½ÎTí#T€i.1 B¯fñ«8#©hÄ-uÑÉ7N2GvϸÛ×aaƒwB(¥ëóÁ¶K^IËOö¥99æ’—‰¡À£ªMôçwE¶ƒ?Rž¢8,<þAŸ¨ ã)¬8Ïú'¿FàÑ´ð÷#‘-;àâžXô~·-I ;Eb %\U @b 0ˆ¢U,N* 1ux 72íU< z[ ÒÕ U:§ ^ á wí Nñ Æó ƹ Æ ÆE 4 N!0E2 m4 0cK 1‡®#Á5 1‡öööööööööööööööööööb}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}} 0ë………… Bpp 0¤ D31 D-d 0K‘‘ ASÜÆ/ 0¤õ 0D™ A«Ý»(ÈhH  Z(Times New Roman (`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regular3#37=CIQYag­­1.a.i.(1)(a)(i)1)a)i)-šBu Z‹$Arrus BT Roman ˜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,c½¬AZ‹"Arial RegularˆsJ)â Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5 ;)\Pa8JCA8ˆŠ¥3|x ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ(;3£$´´Ô2#ÔÚ  Ú0Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0  à(š½CEKQW]cioAutoList2a)a)a)a)a)a)a)a)˜HP LaserJet 4050 Series PCL 5eÈÈ,,,,ÈÈ008÷CEKQU[agmAutoList3a)a)"a)a)a)a)a)- ù-(|G2ü™$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€ }»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô´eò»»Ô d(|3ÿk$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€ }»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV'ÿÿdxd)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3ÿk$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€ }»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€ }»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ  ÑÔ€¼ }»»»ÔÑ8€PñXXdì»»d8ÑÑ  Ñà@ü ü ìàÔ‡îl }ÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@kk$ìàAT€NASHVILLEÔ#†¼ }»îîl #ԈРÖ& ÐÓ  ÓJune€14,€2000€SessionÐ üL ÐÔ‡XPñX»¼ }ÔÌò òÔ#†¼ }»XXPñò#ÔROBERT€LELAND€BRYANT,€òòet€al.óó€v.€JAMES€ASHLEY€BRYANTòòóóÔ‡XPñX»¼ }Ôó óÐ úJ ÐÌà@@½½ìàò òA€Direct€Appeal€from€the€Circuit€Court€for€Davidson€CountyÐ ú J Ðà@@øøìàNo.€97A„84€€€€€€The€Honorable€Muriel€J.€Robinson,€JudgeÐ æ 6 ÐÌÌà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<©` AßÐ ªú  ÐÌà@@TTìàNo.€M1999„01280„Ô_ÔCOAÔ_Ô„R3„CV€„€Filed€October€10,€Ô_Ô2000Ô_ÔÐ ¥õ  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<|` AßÐ }Í  Ðó óÌÓ  ÓÔ‡XPñXXXPñÔà  àPetitioners€filed€a€petition€to€terminate€the€parental€rights€of€the€biological€father€and€forÐ xÈ  Ðadoption€of€two€minor€children€based€on€abandonment€by€the€father.€€On€the€first€appeal,€this€CourtÐ d´ Ðreversed€the€trial€courtððs€order€denying€termination€of€parental€rights€and€remanded€the€case€for€theÐ P  Ðtrial€court€to€determine€whether€the€termination€of€parental€rights€is€in€the€best€interest€of€theÐ <Œ Ðchildren.€€The€trial€court€found€that€termination€of€parental€rights€is€in€the€best€interest€of€the€childrenÐ (x Ðand€granted€the€adoption.€€Father€has€appealed.Ô#†XPñXXXPñÜ#ÔÔ#†¼ }»XXPñw#ÔÔ‡XPñX»¼ }ÔÐ d ÐÓÐÓÌò òÔ_ÔTenn.R.App.P.Ô_Ô€3;€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Circuit€Court€Affirmed€andÐ ì< ÐRemandedó óÐ Ø( ÐÌòòÓ  ÓÔ#†¼ }»àXPñÜ#ÔÔ‡XPñX.¼ }ÔW.€Frank€Crawford,€P.J.,€W.S.óó,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòAlan€E.€Ô_ÔHighersÔ_ԀР° Ðand€Holly€Kirby€Ô_ÔLillardÔ_Ô,€J.óó,€joined.Ð œì ÐÌRobert€L.€Jackson,€Larry€Hayes,€Jr.,€Nashville,€For€Appellant,€James€Ashley€BryantÐ tÄ ÐÌÔ_ÔWendeÔ_Ô€J.€Rutherford,€Paul€A.€Rutherford,€Nashville,€For€Appellees,€Robert€Leland€Bryant,€LindaÐ L œ ÐKay€Wolfson€BryantÐ 8!ˆ  ÐÓÌÓÌò òOPINIONó óÔ#†¼ }»XXPñû#ÔÔ‡XPñX»¼ }ÔÐ #`" ÐÌòòóóÔ#†¼ }»XXPñq #ÔÔ‡XPñX»¼ }ÔÓ  ÓÔ‡XPñXXXPñÔà  àThis€case€is€before€the€Court€for€the€second€time.€€Petitioners,€Robert€Leland€Bryant€and€wife,Ð è$8 $ ÐLinda€Kay€Wolfson€Bryant,€filed€a€petition€for€the€termination€of€the€parental€rights€of€defendant,Ð Ô%$!% ÐJames€Ashley€Bryant€(ð ðFather,ðð€ð ðRespondentðð),€and€for€the€adoption€of€his€two€minor€children,Ð À&"& ÐMegan€Rae€Bryant€and€Devon€Michael€Bryant.€€Petitioners€appealed€the€trial€courtððs€order€denyingÐ ¬'ü"' Ðtheir€petition€to€terminate€defendantððs€parental€rights.€€This€Court€reversed€the€order€of€the€trial€courtÐ ˜(è#( Ðstating:Ð „)Ô$) ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àÔ#†XPñXXXPñú #ÔÔ‡XPñXXXPñÔà ¸ àFrom€a€review€of€the€record,€we€find€that€the€evidenceÐ \+¬&+ Ðpreponderates€against€the€findings€of€the€trial€court.€€The€actions€byÐ H,˜', ÐRespondent€constitute€ð ðabandonmentðð€as€defined€by€the€foregoingÐ 4-„(-ý÷ Ðstatutory€provisions€in€that€he€willfully€failed€to€support€or€makeÐ ° Ðreasonable€payments€toward€the€support€of€the€children€for€a€periodÐ œì Ðof€more€than€four€consecutive€months€immediately€preceding€theÐ ˆØ Ðfiling€of€the€Petition€for€Termination€and€Adoption.€€Ô#†XPñXXXPñê#ÔÔ‡XPñXXXPñÔÐtÄ` x` x ÐÌà  àThe€case€was€remanded€to€the€trial€court€for€a€determination€of€the€best€interests€of€theÐ L œ Ðchildren.€€On€remand,€after€an€evidentiary€hearing,€the€trial€courtððs€order€entered€May€20,€1999,Ð 8 ˆ Ðgranted€the€petition€for€termination€and€adoption,€finding€that€the€termination€of€the€parental€rightsÐ $ t Ðfor€both€parents,€James€Ashley€Bryant€and€Sandra€Lynn€Todd€Bryant,€was€in€the€best€interests€of€theÐ  ` Ðchildren.€€James€Ashley€Bryant€has€appealed.Ð ü L  ÐÌà  à€Petitioners€are€the€father€and€stepmother€of€Respondent,€and€are€the€grandparents€of€theÐ Ô$  Ðminor€children€involved€in€this€action.€€Sandra€Lynn€Todd€Bryant€and€Respondent,€the€parents€ofÐ À  Ðthe€two€minor€children,€were€married€but€separated€at€the€time€the€€petition€was€filed.€€They€are€nowÐ ¬ü  Ðdivorced.€€€On€October€1,€1998,€James€Bryant€married€his€current€wife,€Joanne€Bryant.Ð ˜è  ÐÌà  à€Father,€Sandra€Bryant,€and€the€minor€children€lived€in€Colorado€Springs€until€the€coupleÐ pÀ Ðseparated€in€March€of€1996.€€Upon€their€separation,€they€requested€that€Petitioners€care€for€the€twoÐ \¬ Ðchildren€until€they€could€establish€separate€households.€€Linda€Bryant€went€to€Colorado€Springs€andÐ H˜ Ðbrought€the€children€to€Nashville.€€At€the€time€the€children€moved€to€Nashville,€James€Bryant€wasÐ 4„ Ðin€the€United€States€Army€stationed€in€Colorado.€€The€children€have€continuously€resided€with€theÐ  p ÐPetitioners€since€their€arrival€in€Nashville€in€March€of€1996.€€In€October€of€1996,€Petitioners€wereÐ  \ Ðawarded€custody€of€the€minor€children€pursuant€to€an€agreed€order€entered€in€the€Juvenile€Court€ofÐ øH ÐDavidson€County.Ð ä4 ÐÌà  àJames€Bryant€received€early€discharge€from€the€Army€in€December€1996€and€returned€toÐ ¼  ÐNashville€to€€live€in€Petitionersðð€home€from€December€1996€through€April€1997,€when€they€askedÐ ¨ø Ðhim€to€leave.€€According€to€Petitionersðð€testimony,€they€no€longer€wanted€James€Bryant€living€inÐ ”ä Ðtheir€home€because€he€was€irresponsible€and€left€pornography€out€in€the€open€in€his€room.€€€JamesÐ €Ð ÐBryant€moved€in€with€his€mother€who€also€lives€in€the€Nashville€area.€€Subsequently,€James€BryantÐ l¼ Ðmarried€Joanne,€and€currently€lives€with€her€in€Nashville.Ð X ¨ ÐÌà  àFather€has€appealed€the€final€order€terminating€his€parental€rights€and€granting€the€adoption.€Ð 0"€  ÐHe€presents€two€issues€for€review.€€Since€this€case€was€tried€by€the€court€sitting€without€a€jury,€weÐ #l! Ðreview€the€case€ò òòòde€novoó óóó€upon€the€record€with€a€presumption€of€correctness€of€the€findings€of€factÐ $X" Ðby€the€trial€court.€€Unless€the€evidence€preponderates€against€the€findings,€we€must€affirm,€absentÐ ô$D # Ðerror€of€law.€€T.R.A.P.€13(d).Ð à%0!$ ÐÌà  àThe€first€issue€presented€for€review€is€whether€there€is€clear€and€convincing€evidence€in€thisÐ ¸'#& Ðrecord€that€Mr.€Bryant€abandoned€the€minor€children.Ð ¤(ô#' ÐÌà  àAs€noted€above,€this€Court€previously€ruled€that€there€was€abandonment€of€the€children€byÐ |*Ì%) ÐRespondent.€€Thus,€on€its€face€it€would€appear€that€the€ð ðlaw€of€the€caseðð€doctrine€would€apply.€€ThisÐ h+¸&* Ðdoctrine€generally€prohibits€reconsideration€of€the€issues€that€have€already€been€decided€in€a€priorÐ ° Ðappeal€of€the€same€case.€€ò òòòMemphis€Publishing€Co.€v.€Tennessee€Petroleum€&€UndergroundÐ œì ÐStorage€Tank€Bd.ó óóó,€975€S.W.2d€303€(Tenn.€1998).€€In€this€case,€the€Supreme€Court€said:Ð ˆØ ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àThe€law€of€the€case€doctrine€is€not€a€constitutional€mandateÐ `° Ðnor€a€limitation€on€the€power€of€a€court.€€5€Ô_ÔAm.JurÔ_Ô.2d€òòAppellateÐ L œ ÐReviewóó€Ô#†XPñXXXPñu#ÔÔ‡ XÉ0 XXXPñÔððÔ#†XPñX X XÉ0""#ÔÔ‡XPñXXXPñÔ€605€(1995);€ò òòòLadd€ó óóó[ò òòòv.€Ô_ÔHondayÔ_Ô€Motor€Co.€ltd.,ó óóó€939€S.W.2dÐ 8 ˆ Ð83€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1996)]òò,€óó939€S.W.2d€at€90.€€Rather,€it€is€aÐ $ t Ðlongstanding€discretionary€rule€of€judicial€practice€which€is€based€onÐ  ` Ðthe€common€sense€recognition€that€issues€previously€litigated€andÐ ü L  Ðdecided€by€a€court€of€competition€jurisdiction€ordinarily€need€not€beÐ è 8  Ðrevisited.€€ò òòòLaddó óóó,€939€S.W.2d€at€90€€(citing€other€cases).€€This€ruleÐ Ô$  Ðpromotes€the€finality€and€efficiency€of€the€judicial€process,€avoidÐ À  Ðindefinite€Ô_ÔrelitigationÔ_Ô€of€the€same€issue,€fosters€consistent€results€inÐ ¬ü  Ðthe€same€litigation,€and€assures€the€obedience€of€lower€court€to€theÐ ˜è  Ðdecisions€of€appellate€courts.€ò òòòLaddó óóó,€939€S.W.2d€at€90;€5€Ô_ÔAm.JurÔ_Ô.2dÐ „Ô  ÐòòAppellate€Reviewóó€Ô#†XPñXXXPñh"#ÔÔ‡ XÉ0 XXXPñÔððÔ#†XPñX X XÉ0¾&#ÔÔ‡XPñXXXPñÔ€605€(1995);€1B€James€W.€Moore,€òòMooreððsÐ pÀ ÐFederal€Practiceóó,€ðð€0.404[1]€(2d€ed.1995);€18€Charles€A.€Wright,Ð \¬ ÐArthur€R.€Miller€&€Edward€H.€Cooper,€òòFederal€Practice€andÐ H˜ ÐProcedureóó€Ô#†XPñXXXPñ'#ÔÔ‡ XÉ0 XXXPñÔððÔ#†XPñX X XÉ0A(#ÔÔ‡XPñXXXPñÔ€4478,€at€790€(1981).Ð4„` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àTherefore,€when€an€initial€appeal€results€in€a€remand€to€theÐ  \ Ðtrial€court,€the€decision€of€the€appellate€court€establishes€the€law€ofÐ øH Ðthe€case€which€generally€must€be€followed€upon€remand€by€the€trialÐ ä4 Ðcourt,€and€by€an€appellate€court€if€a€second€appeal€is€taken€from€theÐ Ð  Ðjudgment€of€the€trial€court€entered€after€remand.€€Miller,€ò òòòsupraó óóó,€ððÐ ¼  Ð0.404[1].€€There€are€limited€circumstances€which€may€justifyÐ ¨ø Ðreconsideration€of€an€issue€which€was€an€issue€decided€in€a€priorÐ ”ä Ðappeal:€(1)€the€evidence€offered€at€a€trial€or€hearing€after€remand€wasÐ €Ð Ðsubstantially€different€from€the€evidence€in€the€initial€proceeding;€(2)Ð l¼ Ðthe€prior€ruling€was€clearly€erroneous€and€would€result€in€a€manifestÐ X ¨ Ðinjustice€if€allowed€to€stand;€or€(3)€the€prior€decision€is€contrary€to€aÐ D!” Ðchange€in€the€controlling€law€which€has€occurred€between€the€firstÐ 0"€  Ðand€second€appeal.€€(citations€omitted).Ð#l!` x` x ÐÌò òòòId.€ó óóóat€306.Ð ô$D # ÐÌà  àOur€previous€opinion€in€this€case€was€filed€February€1,€1999.€€We€noted€in€that€opinion€thatÐ Ì&"% Ðthe€termination€of€parental€rights€must€be€based€on€a€finding€of€clear€and€convincing€evidenceÐ ¸'#& Ðestablishing€grounds€for€the€termination€and€that€the€termination€is€in€the€best€interest€of€the€child.€Ð ¤(ô#' ÐT.C.A.€Ô#†XPñXXXPñ‡(#ÔÔ‡ XÉ0 XXXPñÔððÔ#†XPñX X XÉ0G/#ÔÔ‡XPñXXXPñÔ€36„1„113€(c)(1)(2)€(Supp.€1998).€€We€also€noted€that€pursuant€to€T.C.A.€Ô#†XPñXXXPñ/#ÔÔ‡ XÉ0 XXXPñÔððÔ#†XPñX X XÉ00#ÔÔ‡XPñXXXPñÔ€36„1„113€(g)(1),Ð )à$( Ða€ground€for€termination€of€parental€rights€is€abandonment€by€the€parent€as€defined€in€T.C.A.€Ô#†XPñXXXPñ^0#ÔÔ‡ XÉ0 XXXPñÔððÔ#†XPñX X XÉ0$1#ÔÔ‡XPñXXXPñÔ€36„1„Ð |*Ì%) Ð102.Ð h+¸&* Їà  àWe€stated:Ð ° ÐÔ#†XPñXXXPñj1#ÔÔ‡XPñXXXPñÔà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àWith€regard€as€to€what€constitutes€abandonment,€T.C.A.€ðð€36„Ð œì Ð1„102€(Supp.€1998),€as€pertinent€to€our€inquiry,€provides:ЈØ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xàà  à(1)(A)€ð ðAbandonmentðð€means,€for€purposes€ofÐ `° Ðterminating€the€parental€or€guardian€rights€of€parent(s)Ð L œ Ðor€guardian(s)€of€a€child€to€that€child€in€order€to€makeÐ 8 ˆ Ðthat€child€available€for€adoption,€that:Ð$ t¸ ¸  Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xàà  à(i)€For€a€period€of€four€(4)€consecutive€monthsÐ  ` Ðimmediately€preceding€the€filing€of€a€proceeding€orÐ ü L  Ðpleading€to€terminate€the€parental€rights€of€theÐ è 8  Ðparent(s)€or€guardian(s)€of€the€child€who€is€the€subjectÐ Ô$  Ðof€the€petition€for€termination€of€parental€rights€orÐ À  Ðadoption,€that€the€parent(s)€or€guardian(s)€either€haveÐ ¬ü  Ðwillfully€failed€to€visit€or€have€willfully€failed€toÐ ˜è  Ðsupport€or€make€reasonable€payments€toward€theÐ „Ô  Ðsupport€of€the€child;ÐpÀ¸ ¸  Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  à*à h àà À à*à  àà p à*Ð H˜ ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xàà  à(B)€For€the€purposes€of€this€subdivision€(1),Ð  p Ðð ðtoken€supportðð€means€that€the€support,€under€theÐ  \ Ðcircumstances€of€the€individual€case,€is€insignificantÐ øH Ðgiven€the€parentððs€means;Ðä4¸ ¸  ÐÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  à*à h àà À à*à  àà p à*Ð ¼  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xàà  à(D)€For€purposes€of€this€subdivision€(1),Ð ”ä Ðð ðwillfully€failed€to€supportðð€or€ð ðwillfully€failed€toÐ €Ð Ðmake€reasonable€payments€toward€such€childððsÐ l¼ Ðsupportðð€means€that,€for€a€period€of€four€(4)Ð X ¨ Ðconsecutive€months,€no€monetary€support€was€paid€orÐ D!” Ðthat€the€amount€of€support€paid€is€token€support;Ð0"€ ¸ ¸  ÐÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  à*à h àà À à*à  àà p à*Ð $X" ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xàà  à(G)€ð ðAbandonmentðð€and€ð ðabandonment€of€anÐ à%0!$ Ðinfantðð€do€not€have€any€other€definition€except€thatÐ Ì&"% Ðwhich€is€set€forth€in€this€section,€it€being€the€intent€ofÐ ¸'#& Ðthe€general€assembly€to€establish€the€only€grounds€forÐ ¤(ô#' Ðabandonment€by€statutory€definition.€€Specifically,€itÐ )à$( Ðshall€not€be€required€that€a€parent€be€shown€to€haveÐ |*Ì%) Ðevinced€a€settled€purpose€to€forego€all€parental€rightsÐ h+¸&* Ðand€responsibilities€in€order€for€a€determination€ofÐ ° Ðabandonment€to€be€made.€€Decisions€of€any€court€toÐ œì Ðthe€contrary€are€hereby€legislatively€overruled;Јظ ¸  ÐÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  à*à h àà À à*à  àà p à*Ð `° ÐÌÔ#†XPñXXXPñ 2#ÔÔ‡XPñXXXPñÔò òòòBryant€v.€Bryantó óóó,ò òòò€ó óóóNo.€01A01„9806„CV„00337,€1999€WL€43282,€*4€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Feb.€1,€1999)Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌà  àAs€noted€above,€we€found€that€there€was€an€abandonment€by€Respondent€as€defined€by€theÐ  ` Ðstatutory€provision.Ð ü L  ÐÌà  àSubsequent€to€our€decision€and€subsequent€to€the€evidentiary€hearing€in€the€trial€court€onÐ Ô$  Ðremand,€our€Supreme€Court€decided€the€case€of€ò òòòIn€Re:€Swansonó óóó,€2€S.W.3d€180€(Tenn.€1999),€inÐ À  Ðwhich€the€Supreme€Court€held€that€the€definitions€in€the€statute€of€ð ðwillfully€failed€to€support,ðð€andÐ ¬ü  Ðð ðwillfully€failed€to€make€reasonable€payments€toward€such€child€supportðð€would€be€unconstitutionalÐ ˜è  Ðbecause€they€ð ðin€effect€create€an€irrebuttable€presumption€that€the€failure€to€provide€monetaryÐ „Ô  Ðsupport€for€the€four€months€preceding€the€petition€to€terminate€parental€rights€constitutesÐ pÀ Ðabandonment€irrespective€of€whether€that€failure€was€intentional.ðð€€ò òòòSwansonó óóó€at€188.€€The€SupremeÐ \¬ ÐCourt€further€held€that€the€definition€of€abandonment€under€the€prior€law€should€be€applied€beforeÐ H˜ Ðthe€legislature€made€any€other€provision.€€ò òòòSwansonó óóó€at€189.Ð 4„ ÐÌà  àUnder€the€law€prior€to€ò òòòSwansonó óóó,€T.C.A.€Ô#†XPñXXXPñÍ?#ÔÔ‡ XÉ0 XXXPñÔððÔ#†XPñX X XÉ0ªE#ÔÔ‡XPñXXXPñÔ€36„1„102€(1)(A)(i)€(Supp.€1994)€defined€anÐ  \ Ðabandoned€child€as:€Ð øH ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à[a]€child€whose€parents€have€willfully€failed€to€visit€or€have€willfullyÐ Ð  Ðfailed€to€support€or€make€reasonable€payments€toward€such€childððsÐ ¼  Ðsupport€for€four€(4)€consecutive€months€immediately€precedingÐ ¨ø Ðinstitution€of€an€action€or€proceeding€to€declare€the€child€to€be€anÐ ”ä Ðabandoned€child.ЀÐ` x` x ÐÌà  àThere€is€no€definition€of€ð ðwillfully€failed€to€support€.€.€.ðð€as€contained€in€the€current€statute.€Ð X ¨ ÐTherefore,€under€the€prior€law,€as€noted€in€ò òòòSwansonó óóó,€the€definition€of€an€abandoned€child€containedÐ D!” Ðan€element€of€intent.€€ò òòòIn€Re:€Swansonó óóó,€2€S.W.3d€180,€fn€14.€€Because€of€the€change€in€the€lawÐ 0"€  Ðbetween€the€time€of€the€first€appeal€and€the€second€appeal,€we€must€reconsider€the€issue€ofÐ #l! Ðabandonment.Ð $X" ÐÌà  àWhile€we€premised€our€previous€decision€on€the€statutory€definition€of€ð ðwillfully€failed€toÐ à%0!$ Ðsupport,ðð€we€also€reviewed€the€record€concerning€the€respondentððs€activities€with€regard€to€supportÐ Ì&"% Ðof€his€children.€€The€previous€opinion€states:Ð ¸'#& ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àThe€record€reflects€a€father€who€has€failed€to€provideÐ )à$( Ðmonetary€support€for€his€children€and€who€has€irresponsibly€reliedÐ |*Ì%) Ðupon€others€to€raise€and€support€his€children.€€As€previouslyÐ h+¸&* ÐÔ_Ômentioned,€Respondent€sent€his€children€to€live€with€his€father€andÐ ° Ðstepmother€in€March€1996€while€he€and€his€wife€were€having€maritalÐ œì Ðdifficulties.€€At€no€time€while€the€children€resided€with€PetitionersÐ ˆØ Ðand€he€resided€in€Colorado€did€Respondent€send€any€monetaryÐ tÄ Ðsupport€to€his€children.€€While€the€children€resided€with€PetitionersÐ `° Ðand€during€the€time€that€his€wife€had€ceased€residing€in€the€sameÐ L œ Ðhousehold€with€him,€Respondent,€as€part€of€his€service€in€the€military,Ð 8 ˆ Ðcontinued€to€receive€extra€military€benefits€for€the€support€of€hisÐ $ t Ðfamily.€€Rather€than€send€this€money€to€Petitioners€to€support€hisÐ  ` Ðchildren,€Respondent€spent€the€money€on€himself.€€Furthermore,Ð ü L  ÐRespondent€also€received€Social€Security€benefits€because€of€his€son'sÐ è 8  Ðcongenital€birth€defects.€€As€with€the€military€benefits,€RespondentÐ Ô$  Ðdid€not€send€this€money€to€Petitioners.€€Rather,€Respondent€used€thisÐ À  Ðmoney€for€his€own€benefit.€€Respondent's€excuse€for€not€sending€suchÐ ¬ü  Ðmoney€to€support€his€children€is€that€Petitioners€did€not€ask€for€anyÐ ˜è  Ðmoney.Ð„Ô ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àAs€previously€noted,€in€December€1996,€Respondent€wasÐ \¬ Ðdischarged€from€the€military.€€Upon€being€discharged,€RespondentÐ H˜ Ðmoved€back€to€Nashville€and€moved€in€with€Petitioners€and€hisÐ 4„ Ðchildren.€€Petitioners€allowed€this€so€Respondent€could€get€back€onÐ  p Ðhis€feet€in€order€to€be€able€to€support€himself€and€his€children.€Ð  \ ÐRespondent€soon€after€became€gainfully€employed.€€However,€thereÐ øH Ðis€not€one€episode€from€the€time€he€moved€in€Ô_ÔinÔ_Ô€December€1996€untilÐ ä4 Ðthe€time€he€was€requested€to€move€out€in€May€1997€€(footnoteÐ Ð  Ðomitted)€that€Respondent€provided€any€reasonable€monetary€supportÐ ¼  Ðfor€his€children,€purchased€any€groceries€for€the€children,€purchasedÐ ¨ø Ðany€diapers€or€clothing€for€his€children,€or€purchased€any€ChristmasÐ ”ä Ðor€birthday€presents€for€them.€€In€addition,€when€asked€if€he€wouldÐ €Ð Ðhelp€with€Devon's€medical€bills,€Respondent,€on€one€occasion,€statedÐ l¼ Ðhe€could€not€afford€to€pay,€and,€on€another€occasion,€he€simply€pickedÐ X ¨ Ðup€the€bill€and€threw€it€down.€€However,€the€evidence€reveals€thatÐ D!” ÐRespondent€had€the€money€to€purchase€a€computer,€software,€and€aÐ 0"€  Ðguitar€for€himself€and€to€maintain€monthly€Internet€service€forÐ #l! Ðhimself.Ð$X"` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àFurthermore,€Respondent€admits€that€he€failed€to€provide€anyÐ à%0!$ Ðmonetary€support€to€Petitioners€for€his€children.€€On€May€27,€1998,Ð Ì&"% ÐRespondent€testified€as€follows€at€the€proceedings€below:и'#&` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€Since€March€of€1996,€have€you€paid€any€monetary€support€toÐ )à$( ÐRobert€or€Linda€Bryant€for€the€support€of€your€minor€children?€€Ð|*Ì%)` x` x ÐÐ h+¸&* Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€No,€I€have€not.€€Ð°` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€Have€you€paid€one€dime?€€ÐˆØ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€No,€I€have€not.Ð`°` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àHowever,€Respondent€contends€that€he€did€provide€supportÐ 8 ˆ Ðfor€his€children.€€As€support€for€this€contention,€he€testified€asÐ $ t Ðfollows:Ð `` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€Tell€the€Court€some€of€the€ways€that€you€spent€money€on€yourÐ è 8  Ðchildren€during€that€period€of€December€'96€to€May€of€'97.€€ÐÔ$ ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€I€took€my€kids€to€Discovery€Zone,€paid€for€everything€there.€€I€hadÐ ¬ü  Ðtaken€them€out€to€eat€on€occasion.€€I€remember€one€time€I€was€at--IÐ ˜è  Ðwas€coming€back€from€Georgia,€I€stopped€in€Cracker€Barrel,€I€boughtÐ „Ô  ÐMegan€a€kaleidoscope,€I€bought€Devon€a€harmonica€and€broughtÐ pÀ Ðthose€home€to€them.€€Ð\¬` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àAccording€to€the€plain€terms€of€the€statute,€this€Court€viewsÐ 4„ ÐRespondent's€assertions€of€support€to€constitute,€at€best,€mere€tokenÐ  p Ðsupport.Ð \` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àIn€addition€to€failing€to€provide€monetary€support€for€hisÐ ä4 Ðchildren,€Respondent€failed€to€provide€any€other€type€of€support€forÐ Ð  Ðhis€children.€€For€example,€he€left€the€day-to-day€care€of€his€childrenÐ ¼  Ðin€the€hands€of€Petitioners,€he€spent€more€time€on€the€computer€thanÐ ¨ø Ðwith€his€children,€he€only€attended€one€of€Devon's€speech€therapyÐ ”ä Ðsessions€and€only€one€of€Devon's€numerous€doctor's€appointmentsÐ €Ð Ðand€did€so€only€at€the€insistence€of€Petitioners,€and€he€briefly€madeÐ l¼ Ðan€appearance€at€the€hospital€after€one€of€Devon's€surgeries.ÐX ¨` x` x ÐÌòòò òÓÓBryant,€supra,€ó óóóat€*4„*5.€Ð 0"€  ÐÓÓà  àThe€requirement€of€intent€does€not€invalidate€our€finding€of€abandonment€of€the€minorÐ $X" Ðchildren€by€the€Respondent,€because€the€record€reflects€that€Respondent€had€the€means€to€provideÐ ô$D # Ðsupport€for€his€children€but€willfully€failed€to€do€so.€€The€record€evidences€an€intent€on€RespondentððsÐ à%0!$ Ðpart€to€avoid€his€parental€responsibilities.€€€Accordingly,€we€find,€as€we€did€in€our€previous€opinion,Ð Ì&"% Ðthat€there€is€clear€and€convincing€evidence€that€Respondent€has€abandoned€his€minor€children,Ð ¸'#& Ðthereby€establishing€grounds€for€termination€of€his€parental€rights.Ð ¤(ô#' Ðà  àThe€second€issue€presented€for€review€as€stated€in€respondentððs€brief€is:Ð )à$( Ðâ âÐ |*Ì%) Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð à2.€€Whether€there€is€clear€and€convincing€evidence€in€this€record€thatÐ ° Ðâ âit€is€in€the€best€interests€of€the€minor€children€to€Ô_ÔtermianteÔ_Ô€Mr.Ð œì ÐBryantððs€parental€rights.ЈØ` x` x ÐÌà  à€Parents€have€a€fundamental€right€to€the€care,€custody€and€control€of€their€children.€€ò òòòStanleyÐ `° Ðv.€Illinoisóóó ó,€405€U.S.€645,€92€S.€Ct.€1208,€31€Ô_ÔL.EdÔ_Ô.2d€551€(1972);€ò òòòand€Ô_ÔO'DanielÔ_Ô€v.€Messieró óóó,€905Ð L œ ÐS.W.2d€182,€186€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.1995)€.€€However,€this€right€is€not€absolute€and€€may€be€terminatedÐ 8 ˆ Ðif€there€is€clear€and€convincing€evidence€justifying€such€termination€under€the€applicable€statute.€Ð $ t Ðò òòòÔ_ÔSantoskyÔ_Ô€v.€Krameró óóó,€455€U.S.€745,€102€S.€Ct.€1388,€71€Ô_ÔL.EdÔ_Ô.2d€599€(1982).€€€Termination€ofÐ  ` Ðparental€rights€must€also€be€in€the€best€interests€of€the€children.€€à È àÐ ü L  ÐÌà  àClear€and€convincing€evidence€"eliminates€any€serious€or€substantial€doubt€concerning€theÐ Ô$  Ðcorrectness€of€the€conclusion€to€be€drawn€from€the€evidence."€€òòò òÔ_ÔO'DanielÔ_Ôó óóó,€905€S.W.2d€at€186.€Ð À  ÐParental€rights€may€be€terminated€only€when€continuing€the€parent-child€relationship€poses€aÐ ¬ü  Ðsubstantial€threat€of€harm€to€the€child.òòò ò€€See€Baker,€In€re,€ó óóóNo.€€W1998„00606„Ô_ÔCOAÔ_Ô„R3„CV,€1999Ð ˜è  ÐWL€1336044€*3òòò ò€ó óóó(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€€Dec.€28,€1999)€(citing€òòò ò€Ô_ÔPetroskyÔ_Ô€v.€Keene,€ó óóó898€S.W.2d€726,€728Ð „Ô  Ð(Tenn.1995)).€€With€regard€to€whether€termination€of€parental€rights€is€in€the€best€interest€of€the€childÐ pÀ ÐÔ_ÔT.C.A.Ô_Ô€ðð€36„1„113€(Ô_ÔiÔ_Ô)€(Supp.€1999)€states:Ð \¬ ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ à(Ô_ÔiÔ_Ô)€In€determining€whether€termination€of€parental€orÐ 4„ Ðguardianship€rights€is€in€the€best€interest€of€the€child€pursuant€to€thisÐ  p Ðpart,€the€court€shall€consider,€but€is€not€limited€to,€the€following:Ð \` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ à(1)€Whether€the€parent€or€guardian€has€made€such€anÐ ä4 Ðadjustment€of€circumstance,€conduct,€or€conditions€as€to€make€it€safeÐ Ð  Ðand€in€the€child's€best€interest€to€be€in€the€home€of€the€parent€orÐ ¼  Ðguardian;Шø` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ à(2)€Whether€the€parent€or€guardian€has€failed€to€effect€aÐ €Ð Ðlasting€adjustment€after€reasonable€efforts€by€available€social€servicesÐ l¼ Ðagencies€for€such€duration€of€time€that€lasting€adjustment€does€notÐ X ¨ Ðreasonably€appear€possible;ÐD!”` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ à(3)€Whether€the€parent€or€guardian€has€maintained€regularÐ #l! Ðvisitation€or€other€contact€with€the€child;Ð$X"` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ à(4)€Whether€a€meaningful€relationship€has€otherwise€beenÐ à%0!$ Ðestablished€between€the€parent€or€guardian€and€the€child;ÐÌ&"%` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ à(5)€The€effect€a€change€of€caretakers€and€physicalÐ ¤(ô#' Ðenvironment€is€likely€to€have€on€the€child's€emotional,€psychologicalÐ )à$( Ðand€medical€condition;Ð|*Ì%)` x` x ÐÐ h+¸&* Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ à(6)€Whether€the€parent€or€guardian,€or€other€person€residingÐ ° Ðwith€the€parent€or€guardian,€has€shown€brutality,€physical,€sexual,Ð œì Ðemotional€or€psychological€abuse,€or€neglect€toward€other€children€inÐ ˆØ Ðthe€family€or€household;ÐtÄ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ à(7)€Whether€the€physical€environment€of€the€parent's€orÐ L œ Ðguardian's€home€is€healthy€and€safe,€whether€there€is€criminal€activityÐ 8 ˆ Ðin€the€home,€or€whether€there€is€such€use€of€alcohol€or€controlledÐ $ t Ðsubstances€as€may€render€the€parent€or€guardian€consistently€unableÐ  ` Ðto€care€for€the€child€in€a€safe€and€stable€manner;Ðü L ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ à(8)€Whether€the€parent's€or€guardian's€mental€and/or€emotionalÐ Ô$  Ðstatus€would€be€detrimental€to€the€child€or€prevent€the€parent€orÐ À  Ðguardian€from€effectively€providing€safe€and€stable€care€andÐ ¬ü  Ðsupervision€for€the€child;€€orИè ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ à(9)€Whether€the€parent€or€guardian€has€paid€child€supportÐ pÀ Ðconsistent€with€the€child€support€guidelines€promulgated€by€theÐ \¬ Ðdepartment€pursuant€to€ðð€36-5-101.ÐH˜` x` x ÐÌThe€trial€court€formed€the€basis€for€its€termination€of€the€parental€rights€of€Sandra€Bryant€andÐ  p ÐRespondent€€as€follows:Ð  \ ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àa.)à0¸ ` x` xàThe€father,€James€Ashley€Bryant,€cannot€be€considered€aÐ ä4 Ðcustodial€parent€to€the€two€children,€as€the€Court€has€been€andÐ Ð  Ðcontinues€to€be€concerned€about€his€parenting€skills€reflectedÐ ¼  Ðby€his€character,€attitude€and€demeanor;Шø¸ x¸ x ÐÌÓ€ (š½83ÓØ! !ØÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  Ýà8  àà8` Ð Ð àÝ‚3£Ï}ÝÔ2š½ÔÚ  ÚbÚ  Ú)Ô3  Ôà0¸ ` x` xàÝ  ÝRespondent€admits€that€he€paid€no€child€support€in€DecemberÐ €Ð Ðof€1998,€despite€the€litigation€in€this€matter.€€He€has€discussedÐ l¼ Ðthis€case€with€his€young€daughter€and€readily€admits€that€€heÐ X ¨ Ðwill€violate€the€retraining€order€prohibiting€suchÐ D!” Ðcommunication€if€he€thinks€it€necessary.€€He€has€violated€thisÐ 0"€  ÐCourtððs€Order€on€at€least€two€occasions,€one€occasion€beingÐ #l! Ðwith€his€present€wife;݃3£Ï}~ÝŒÐ$X"¸ x¸ x ÐŒÝ  Ýà8  àà8` Ð Ð àÐ ` x` x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àc)à8¸ ` x` xàThe€children€virtually€do€not€thrive€with€their€father,Ð à%0!$ Ðthe€Respondent.€€To€allow€further€interference€of€this€Ð Ì&"% Ðbirth€father€in€the€way€he€conducts€his€life€and€€hisÐ ¸'#& Ðirresponsibilities€to€the€children€confirm€thatÐ ¤(ô#' Ðtermination€of€his€parental€rights€is€in€the€best€interestÐ )à$( Ðof€the€children;€and€Ð|*Ì%)¸ ¸  ÐÐ h+¸&* ÐÓ€ (8÷08ÓØ! !ØÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  Ýà8  àà8` Ð Ð àÝ‚3£ˆƒÝÔ28÷ÔÚ  ÚdÚ  Ú)Ô3  Ôà0¸ ` x` xàÝ  ÝThe€mother€of€these€children,€Petitioner€Sandra€Bryant,€givesÐ ° Ðher€consent€to€her€rights€being€terminated,€as€she€does€notÐ œì Ðdesire€to€parent€her€children.à  à݃3£ˆƒÕƒÝŒÐˆØ¸ x¸ x ÐŒÝ  ÝÌà  àFrom€a€review€of€the€record,€we€find€that€the€trial€court€did€not€err€in€finding€clear€andÐ `° Ðconvincing€evidence€that€the€termination€of€the€Respondentððs€parental€rights€is€in€the€best€interestÐ L œ Ðof€the€children.€€It€is€in€the€best€interests€€of€the€children€that€they€establish€a€permanent€home€withÐ 8 ˆ Ðthe€adoptive€parents.€€The€children€currently€have€a€home€that€appears€to€be€substantially€better€thanÐ $ t Ðthe€home€that€Respondent€provided€for€them€prior€to€their€move€from€Colorado.€€Respondent€arguesÐ  ` Ðthat€he€has€rehabilitated€himself€as€a€parent,€in€part,€because€he€has€remarried€and€now€lives€in€aÐ ü L  Ðthree€bedroom€home€in€a€crime€free€neighborhood.€€However,€the€mere€fact€that€a€parent€has€movedÐ è 8  Ðto€a€new€home€does€not€mandate€a€finding€that€he€has€made€adequate€adjustments€to€conduct€orÐ Ô$  Ðconditions.€€ò òòòSee€Baker,€ó óóóat€*4€(citing€ò òòòIn€the€Matter€of€M.W.A.,€Jr.,€Ô_ÔC.D.A.Ô_Ô,€Ô_ÔP.C.A.Ô_Ô,€Ô_ÔK.M.A.Ô_Ô,€andÐ À  ÐA.K.A.,€óóó ó980€S.W.2d€620,€623€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1998)€(ð ðAlthough€the€parents€have€improved€theirÐ ¬ü  Ðliving€conditions€with€a€clean,€well„furnished€home,€they€have€not€demonstrated€that€their€parentingÐ ˜è  Ðskills€have€improved€or€will€likely€improve€in€the€near€future€even€with€additional€supportðð)).€Ð „Ô  ÐAdditionally,€the€testimony€of€Dr.€Clayton,€Devonððs€treating€physician,€and€the€testimony€ofÐ pÀ ÐPetitioners€indicates€that€Respondent€continues€to€be€neglectful€of€Devonððs€substantial€and€ongoingÐ \¬ Ðmedical€needs.€€Respondent€himself€testified€that€he€was€unaware€of€Devonððs€last€surgery.€€A€Ð H˜ Ðpermanent€home€with€the€adoptive€parents,€who€have€been€consistent€in€their€attention€to€the€medicalÐ 4„ Ðneeds€of€Devon,€and€to€the€daily€and€emotional€needs€of€both€of€the€children,€is€in€their€bestÐ  p Ðinterests.€€€€€ò òòò€€óóó ó€€€€€€€€€€€€Ð  \ ÐÌà  àAccordingly,€we€find€that€Respondent€has€€abandoned€the€minor€children€as€defined€by€theÐ ä4 Ðforegoing€Tennessee€law.€€€We€further€find€that€the€evidence€does€not€preponderate€against€the€trialÐ Ð  Ðcourtððs€finding€of€clear€and€convincing€evidence€that€the€€termination€of€Respondentððs€parental€rightsÐ ¼  Ðis€in€the€best€interest€of€the€children.Ð ¨ø ÐÌà  àAccordingly,€the€judgment€of€the€trial€court€is€affirmed.€€The€case€is€remanded€to€the€trialÐ €Ð Ðcourt€for€such€further€proceedings€as€are€necessary.€€Costs€of€appeal€are€assessed€against€theÐ l¼ ÐAppellant,€James€Ashley€Bryant,€and€his€surety.Ô#†XPñXXXPñðE#ÔÔ#†¼ }»XXPñÏ #ÔÔ€XPñX»¼ }ÔÐ X ¨ ÐÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à__________________________________________Ð 0"€  Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àW.€FRANK€CRAWFORD,€PRESIDING€JUDGE,€W.S.