ÿWPCš ò˜®/ØÀPê8ù…µÔe@ï§À"êÃËÊ\?ð~ËÌCmçEc`´¢VpŠ<à:…À 2: |Æx2o>:*U¸‚ä(¿à€…€Öá%:;Så8eõyì÷¦ÁÐó#=w"vÚüJ‚r…ûî·/¬å¥7Ä@z"8^E)ê°÷ë+XP ~znRf»Ü.yŠ€1ºØ¹íÁg~íÁF¸g+¡ÆAƒ½D'*C¤õKäGÛ¦£-¹£Ç&®èœ…%!w.<1-Ë…xLŒäXZ2¾ô“u@}Îúô;)!)b•kÕq1ô%6èÑpµ}qÌ%«º²%B¤ÓV‹Ê³ˆt¬_W‹ù=\]®Á ‹×·1ï´‘ZàȪ†Ùßb޳†4æ… ÄXІâ÷ÏQ=F±È‹4$lãÞ†T.bƒ@ o˜ Òó£í-(Ú$­ 5<¢[1xm_ü¡êtÍ׌†ÝˆQ Ó¸=HåÁ¯¡mt`c½ÒÈJ4ØYɬ‚òÊzO7“~¦Ÿu˜iâig|$^~Ï ÂÍ@rBØÕs 6´$áa¢·Ã¹¡êAH2AÞ^?+eÁ^†¸§ IµÿÊÛvqˆ•ä8Ð͸ÿoŸgU“O¢½hB{NÚb %\^ b 0ˆnU)NöwD4H\ zkÒå· m¹ #ÉÐ &™ Æ¿ Æ… ÆKÆ 0D×NpEb 0ë———— B‚‚ 0¤Ÿ D3C D-v 0K££ ASîÆA 0¤ 0D« A«ï»ñp=1Ï (`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regularb\z/b014c13|x ˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wpt ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ˜HP LaserJet 4050 Series PCL 5eÈÈ,,,,ÈÈ0 speakerphoneLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó fÝ ƒR*Y$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô´ ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(g)(6)€(Supp.€2003)€provides€as€follows:Ð ° ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(g)€Initiation€of€termination€of€parental€or€guardianship€rights€may€be€based€uponÐ 8ˆ Ðany€of€the€following€grounds:ÐüL` x` x ÐÌÓ  Óà8 @ àà8@` Ð Ð à*€*€*Ð „Ô ÐÓÓÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(6)€The€parent€has€been€confined€in€a€correctional€or€detention€facility€of€any€type,Ð  \ Ðby€order€of€the€court€as€a€result€of€a€criminal€act,€under€a€sentence€of€ten€(10)€orÐ Ð  Ðmore€years,€and€the€child€is€under€eight€(8)€years€of€age€at€the€time€the€sentence€isÐ ” ä  Ðentered€by€the€court.- ù-(|G2*Y$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€-»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô±eò»»Ô d(|3g$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€-»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV'ÿÿdxd)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3g$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€-»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€Í»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ  ÑÔ€¼Í»»»ÔÑ8€U!XXdì»»d8ÑÑ  Ñà@ü ü ìàÔ‡î\ÍÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@WW$ìàAT€KNOXVILLEÔ#†¼Í»îî\ #ԈРÖ& ÐÓ  ÓAugust€13,€2004€SessionÐ üL ÐÔ‡XU!X»¼ÍÔÌò òÔ#†¼Í»XXU!ô#ÔIN€THE€MATTER€OF:€C.E.P.òòóóÐ úJ Ð(DOB:òòóó€March€19,€1994)Ô‡XU!X»¼ÍÔó óÐ  ^ ÐÌà@@½½ìàò ò€Appeal€from€the€Chancery€Court€for€Anderson€CountyÐ  ^ Ðà@@øøìàNo.€00CH0609€€€€€€William€E.€Lantrip,€ChancellorÐ ú J ÐÌÌà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<½` AßÐ ¾  ÐÌà@@TTìàNo.€E2003„02410„COA„R3„PT€Ð ¹  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<` AßÐ ‘á  Ðó óÌÓ  ÓThis€is€an€adoption€case€in€which€the€petitioners€seek€to€terminate€the€parental€rights€of€theÐ ŒÜ Ðbiological€father€of€C.E.P.€(ð ðthe€childðð).€€A.E.P.€(ð ðMotherðð),€the€biological€mother€and€custodian€ofÐ xÈ Ðthe€child,€joined€her€husband,€M.P.P.€(ð ðStepfatherðð),€in€petitioning€the€trial€court€to€terminate€theÐ d´ Ðparental€rights€of€D.L.K.€(ð ðFatherðð),€as€an€adjunct€to€Stepfatherððs€petition€to€adopt€the€child.€€TheÐ P  Ðtrial€court€granted€the€petitionersðð€motion€for€summary€judgment€and€terminated€Fatherððs€parentalÐ <Œ Ðrights€on€the€basis€of€his€incarceration.€€On€Fatherððs€initial€appeal,€we€affirmed€the€finding€ofÐ (x Ðgrounds€for€termination,€but€vacated€the€trial€courtððs€best€interest€finding.€€On€remand,€the€trial€courtÐ d Ðconducted€a€hearing€and€found€that€termination€of€Fatherððs€parental€rights€was€in€the€best€interestÐ P Ðof€the€child.€€Father€appeals.€€We€reverse€and€dismiss.Ð ì< ÐÓ{ÓÌò òTenn.€R.€App.€P.€3€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Chancery€CourtÐ Ä ÐReversed;€Case€Dismissedó óÐ ° ÐÌòòÓ  ÓÔ#†¼Í»àXU!ˆ#ÔÔ‡XU!X.¼ÍÔCharles€D.€Susano,€Jr.,€J.óó,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòD.€Michael€Swiney,€J.,óóÐ ˆØ Ðand€òòWilliam€H.€Inman,€Sr.J.óó,€joined.Ð t Ä ÐÌDavid€S.€Clark,€Oak€Ridge,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellant,€D.L.K.Ð L"œ! ÐÌN.€David€Roberts,€Jr.,€Knoxville,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellees,€M.P.P.€and€A.E.P.Ð $$t# ÐÓb ÓÌò òOPINIONó óÔ#†¼Í»XXU!‘ #ÔÔ‡XU!X»¼ÍÔÐ ü%L!% ÐÌòòóóÔ#†¼Í»XXU!i #ÔÔ‡XU!X»¼ÍÔÓ  ÓÓ  ÓI.Ð Ô'$#' ÐÌÓò Óà  àThe€child€was€born€out€of€wedlock€to€Mother€and€Father€on€March€19,€1994.€€Shortly€afterÐ ¬)ü$) Ðthe€childððs€first€birthday,€Father€was€arrested,€and€on€August€28,€1995,€he€was€convicted€of€bankÐ ˜*è%* Ðrobbery€and€sentenced€to130€months€in€prison.€€Sometime€in€1996,€Mother€married€Stepfather,€andÐ „+Ô&+ Ðover€the€next€five€years,€they€had€two€children€together.Ð p,À', ÐÐ \-¬(-ý Ðà  àOn€July€25,€2000,€Mother€joined€Stepfather€in€his€petition€to€adopt€the€child.€€Both€requestedÐ ° Ðthe€trial€court€to€terminate€Fatherððs€parental€rights€to€the€child,€on€the€basis€of,€òòinter€aliaóó,Ð œì Ðabandonment€due€to€incarceration.€€Father€answered€the€petition,€denying€that€grounds€forÐ ˆØ Ðtermination€existed.€€Mother€and€Stepfather€then€filed€a€motion€for€summary€judgment.Ð tÄ ÐÌÓÓà  àThe€trial€court€granted€the€petitionersðð€motion€on€March€1,€2001,€finding€as€follows:Ð L œ ÐÓÉÓà8  àà8` Ð Ð àThe€Court€finds€that€there€exists€a€basis€to€terminate€[Fatherððs]€rights.€Ð $ t ÐSince€at€the€time€of€this€hearing€he€was€incarcerated€in€prison€for€aÐ  ` Ðperiod€of€130€months€the€statutory€basis€for€termination€exists.€€IÐ ü L  Ðfurther€find€that€termination€of€[Fatherððs]€rights€would€be€in€the€bestÐ è 8  Ðinterest€of€this€child.€.€.€.ÐÔ$ ` x` x ÐÌà  àFather€appealed€these€findings,€and€we€released€our€decision€on€March€26,€2002,€finding€thatÐ ¬ü  Ðð ðthe€undisputed€material€facts€establish€the€ground€for€termination€of€Fatherððs€parental€rights€underÐ ˜è  ÐTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(g)(6).ðð׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€ò òòòM.P.P€v.€D.L.Kó óóó,€No.€E2001„00706„COA„R3„CV,€2002€WLÐ „Ô  Ð459010,€at€*5€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€E.S.,€filed€March€26,€2002).€€However,€with€respect€to€the€trial€courtððsÐ pÀ Ðbest€interest€finding,€we€opined€as€follows:Ð \¬ ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àSince€Motherððs€and€Fatherððs€affidavits€create€a€genuine€issue€ofÐ 4„ Ðmaterial€fact€regarding€whether€termination€of€Fatherððs€parental€rightsÐ  p Ðwould€be€in€the€best€interest€of€the€Child,€the€Motion€for€SummaryÐ  \ ÐJudgment€should€have€been€denied.€€Accordingly,€we€hold€it€wasÐ øH Ðerror€to€grant€partial€summary€judgment€as€a€matter€of€law€to€MotherÐ ä4 Ðand€Stepfather€on€the€issue€of€whether€the€Childððs€best€interestsÐ Ð  Ðwould€be€served€by€terminating€Fatherððs€parental€rights.€€We€vacateÐ ¼  Ðthe€Trial€Courtððs€grant€of€partial€summary€judgment€as€a€matter€ofÐ ¨ø Ðlaw€to€Mother€and€Stepfather€on€this€issue€only.€€On€remand,€the€TrialÐ ”ä ÐCourt€is,€through€appropriate€proceedings,€to€determine€whetherÐ €Ð Ðterminating€Fatherððs€parental€rights€would€be€in€the€Childððs€bestÐ l¼ Ðinterests,€and€to€enter€an€order€within€30€days€of€the€hearingððsÐ X ¨ Ðconclusion€containing€specific€findings€of€fact€and€conclusions€of€lawÐ D!” Ðas€required€by€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(k).Ð0"€ ` x` x Їò òòòId.ó óóó,€at€*7.Ð ° ÐÌà  àUpon€remand,€the€trial€court€conducted€a€hearing€on€March€20,€2003,€at€which€Mother,Ð ˆØ ÐStepfather,€and€Father€all€testified.€€Father,€who€was€still€incarcerated,€was€allowed€to€fullyÐ tÄ Ðparticipate€in€the€hearing€telephonically€via€speakerphone.€€On€May€8,€2003,€the€trial€court€filed€itsÐ `° Ðopinion,€finding€as€follows:Ð L œ ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àI€have€reviewed€the€briefs€and€argument€submitted€by€both€theÐ $ t Ðpetitioners€and€defendant.€€I€find€that€termination€of€[Fatherððs]Ð  ` Ðparental€rights€and€the€adoption€of€this€child€by€[Stepfather]€is€in€theÐ ü L  Ðchildððs€best€interest.Ðè 8 ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àI€specifically€find€that€[Father]€has€had€no€contact€whatsoever€withÐ À  Ðthe€child€since€shortly€prior€to€August,€1995€when€[Father]€wasÐ ¬ü  Ðsentenced€to€prison€for€bank€robbery.€€There€is€further€no€relationshipÐ ˜è  Ðwith€any€of€[Fatherððs]€family.€€In€fact€there€has€existed€no€meaningfulÐ „Ô  Ðrelationship€except€for€a€brief€period€immediately€following€theÐ pÀ Ðchildððs€birth.€€Ð\¬` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àI€find€that€[Stepfather]€married€[Mother]€and€has€essentially€raisedÐ 4„ Ð[the]€child€since€his€marriage€to€[Mother].€€This€marriage€hasÐ  p Ðproduced€two€other€children.€€I€find€that€there€exists€a€lovingÐ  \ Ðrelationship€between€[the]€child€and€[Stepfather].€[The€child]€isÐ øH Ðbonded€with€him€and€supported€both€emotionally€and€financially.Ð ä4 Ð[Mother€and€Stepfather]€have€demonstrated€their€ability€to€provide€aÐ Ð  Ðpermanent€and€loving€home.м ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àFor€these€reasons€I€find€that€termination€of€[Fatherððs]€parental€rightsÐ ”ä Ðare€justified€by€the€evidence€and€would€be€further€in€the€childððs€bestÐ €Ð Ðinterest.€.€.€.€Ðl¼` x` x ÐÌOn€the€day€the€trial€courtððs€opinion€was€filed,€the€trial€court€entered€its€judgment€terminatingÐ D!” ÐFatherððs€parental€rights€and€granting€Stepfatherððs€petition€to€adopt€the€child.€€In€that€judgment,€theÐ 0"€  Ðtrial€court€made€very€few,€if€any,€findings€of€fact;€instead,€the€judgment€was€replete€with€summariesÐ #l! Ðof€the€partiesðð€testimony.€€For€the€most€part,€the€testimony€of€Father€was€in€opposition€to€that€ofÐ $X" ÐMother€and€Stepfather.€€The€court€did,€however,€state€that,€based€upon€the€proof€presented€by€theÐ ô$D # Ðparties€at€the€hearing,€it€found€ð ðclear€and€convincing€evidence€that€termination€of€[Fatherððs]€parentalÐ à%0!$ Ðrights€[was]€in€the€best€interest€of€the€child€as€required€by€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€[ðð]€36„1„113(c)(2).ððÐ Ì&"% ÐÌà  àFollowing€the€entry€of€the€trial€courtððs€order,€Father€filed€a€motion€to€alter€or€amend,€andÐ ¤(ô#' Ðmoved€the€court€to€make€additional€findings€of€fact.€€On€September€2,€2003,€the€trial€court€filed€anÐ )à$( Ðopinion€in€which€it€made€the€following€findings€of€fact:Ð |*Ì%) ÐÐ h+¸&* Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àThat€[Mother€and€Stepfather]€never€refused€any€mail€or€telephoneÐ ° Ðcalls€from€[Father].Мì` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àThat€[Father]€sent€Birthday€and€Christmas€cards€to€the€child€for€theÐ tÄ Ðfirst€couple€of€years€that€were€given€to€the€child.Ð`°` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àThat€[Father]€last€spoke€to€[Mother]€in€the€October„November€timeÐ 8 ˆ Ðperiod€of€1995.Ð$ t` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àThat€[Mother€and€Stepfather]€do€have€an€unlisted€telephone€numberÐ ü L  Ðbut€no€proof€existed€that€[Father]€sought€this€number€at€any€time.Ðè 8 ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àThat€[Father]€did€make€calls€from€prison€to€the€parents€of€[Mother]Ð À  Ðthat€were€refused.Ьü ` x` x Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p àà È àà  àà x àÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àThat€[Father]€had€little€contact€with€the€child€prior€to€his€arrest€andÐ „Ô  Ðincarceration.ÐpÀ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àThat€[Father]€had€developed€relationships€with€other€women€andÐ H˜ Ðwould€briefly€reside€with€[Mother]€and€[the]€child€when€[Mother]Ð 4„ Ðassisted€[Father]€and€provided€him€with€a€place€to€stay€when€he€hadÐ  p Ðno€other€place€to€stay.€€Such€occasions€resulted€in€[Mother]€and€theirÐ  \ Ð11€month€child€being€forced€by€[Father]€to€vacate€her€own€apartment.ÐøH` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àThat€there€existed€no€meaningful€relationship€between€[the]€child€andÐ Ð  Ð[Father]€except€for€a€brief€period€of€time€dating€back€to€November,Ð ¼  Ð1995.Шø` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àThat€the€child€has€essentially€been€raised€by€[Stepfather]€andÐ €Ð Ðconsiders€him€to€be€her€father.Ðl¼` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àThat€[Stepfather]€is€clearly€capable€to€provide€a€permanent€and€lovingÐ D!” Ðhome€for€this€child.Ð0"€ ` x` x ÐÌ(Numbering€in€original€omitted).€€Thereupon,€Father€appealed.Ð $X" ÐÌÐ  à%0!$ ÐÓ  ÓII.Ð ° ÐÌÓ†0Óà  àOur€review€of€this€non„jury€case€is€òòde€novoóó;€however,€the€record€comes€to€us€accompaniedÐ ˆØ Ðby€a€presumption€of€correctness€that€we€must€honor€unless€the€evidence€preponderates€against€theÐ tÄ Ðtrial€courtððs€findings.€€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€13(d).€€No€presumption€of€correctness€attaches€to€the€lowerÐ `° Ðcourtððs€conclusions€of€law.€€ò òòòJahn€v.€Jahnó óóó,€932€S.W.2d€939,€941€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1996).€Ð L œ ÐÔ#†¼Í»XXU!Ç #ÔÔ‡XU!X»¼ÍÔÌÓ  ÓIII.Ð $ t ÐÌÓé2Óà  àð ð[P]arents€have€a€fundamental€right€to€the€care,€custody,€and€control€of€their€children.ðð€€òòò òInÐ ü L  Ðre€Drinnonó ó,€óó776€S.W.2d€96,€97€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1988)€(citing€ò òòòStanley€v.€Illinoisó óóó,€405€U.S.€645,€92Ð è 8  ÐS.€Ct.€1208,€31€L.€Ed.€2d€551€(1972)).€€However,€this€right€is€not€absolute€and€may€be€terminatedÐ Ô$  Ðif€there€is€clear€and€convincing€evidence€justifying€termination€under€the€pertinent€statute.€€ò òòòSantoskyÐ À  Ðv.€Krameró óóó,€455€U.S.€745,€102€S.€Ct.€1388,€71€L.€Ed.€2d€599€(1982).€€Clear€and€convincing€evidenceÐ ¬ü  Ðis€evidence€which€ð ðeliminates€any€serious€or€substantial€doubt€concerning€the€correctness€of€theÐ ˜è  Ðconclusions€to€be€drawn€from€the€evidence.ðð€€ò òòòOððDaniel€v.€Messieró óóó,€905€S.W.2d€182,€188€(Tenn.€Ct.Ð „Ô  ÐApp.€1995).Ð pÀ ÐÌà  àThe€issues€raised€in€the€pleadings,€and€the€trial€courtððs€findings,€cause€us€to€focus€on€theÐ H˜ Ðfollowing€statutory€provisions:Ð 4„ ÐÌòòÓ  ÓTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113€(Supp.€2003)óóÐ  \ ÐÌÓ}7Óà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(c)€Termination€of€parental€or€guardianship€rights€must€be€basedÐ ä4 Ðupon:ÐÐ ` x` x ÐÌà8  ààHàˆà8` Ð Ð à(1)€A€finding€by€the€court€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence€that€theÐ ¨ø Ðgrounds€for€termination€of€parental€or€guardianship€rights€have€beenÐ ”ä Ðestablished;€andЀÐ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(2)€That€termination€of€the€parentððs€or€guardianððs€rights€is€in€the€bestÐ X ¨ Ðinterests€of€the€child.ÐD!”` x` x ÐÌÓ  Óà8 @ àà8@` Ð Ð à*€*€*€Ð #l! ÐÌÓE:Óà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(i)€In€determining€whether€termination€of€parental€or€guardianshipÐ ô$D # Ðrights€is€in€the€best€interest€of€the€child€pursuant€to€this€part,€the€courtÐ à%0!$ Ðshall€consider,€but€is€not€limited€to,€the€following:ÐÌ&"%` x` x ÐÔ#†¼Í»XXU!É2#ÔÔ‡XU!X»¼ÍÔÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(1)€Whether€the€parent€or€guardian€has€made€such€an€adjustment€ofÐ ¤(ô#' Ðcircumstance,€conduct,€or€conditions€as€to€make€it€safe€and€in€theÐ )à$( Ðchildððs€best€interest€to€be€in€the€home€of€the€parent€or€guardian;Ð|*Ì%)` x` x ÐÐ h+¸&* Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(2)€Whether€the€parent€or€guardian€has€failed€to€effect€a€lastingÐ ° Ðadjustment€after€reasonable€efforts€by€available€social€servicesÐ œì Ðagencies€for€such€duration€of€time€that€lasting€adjustment€does€notÐ ˆØ Ðreasonably€appear€possible;ÐtÄ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(3)€Whether€the€parent€or€guardian€has€maintained€regular€visitationÐ L œ Ðor€other€contact€with€the€child;€Ð8 ˆ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(4)€Whether€a€meaningful€relationship€has€otherwise€been€establishedÐ  ` Ðbetween€the€parent€or€guardian€and€the€child;Ðü L ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(5)€The€effect€a€change€of€caretakers€and€physical€environment€isÐ Ô$  Ðlikely€to€have€on€the€childððs€emotional,€psychological€and€medicalÐ À  Ðcondition;€Ð¬ü ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(6)€Whether€the€parent€or€guardian,€or€other€person€residing€with€theÐ „Ô  Ðparent€or€guardian,€has€shown€brutality,€physical,€sexual,€emotionalÐ pÀ Ðor€psychological€abuse,€or€neglect€toward€the€child,€or€another€childÐ \¬ Ðor€adult€in€the€family€or€household;€ÐH˜` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(7)€Whether€the€physical€environment€of€the€parentððs€or€guardianððsÐ  p Ðhome€is€healthy€and€safe,€whether€there€is€criminal€activity€in€theÐ  \ Ðhome,€or€whether€there€is€such€use€of€alcohol€or€controlled€substancesÐ øH Ðas€may€render€the€parent€or€guardian€consistently€unable€to€care€forÐ ä4 Ðthe€child€in€a€safe€and€stable€manner;ÐÐ ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(8)€Whether€the€parentððs€or€guardianððs€mental€and/or€emotional€statusÐ ¨ø Ðwould€be€detrimental€to€the€child€or€prevent€the€parent€or€guardianÐ ”ä Ðfrom€effectively€providing€safe€and€stable€care€and€supervision€for€theÐ €Ð Ðchild;€orÐl¼` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(9)€Whether€the€parent€or€guardian€has€paid€child€support€consistentÐ D!” Ðwith€the€child€support€guidelines€promulgated€by€the€departmentÐ 0"€  Ðpursuant€to€ðð€36„5„101.Ð#l!` x` x ÐÔ#†¼Í»XXU!ì;#ÔÔ‡XU!X»¼ÍÔà@ìì*ìàˆÌÓ  ÓIV.Ð ô$D # ÐÌÓ%GÓà  àFather€essentially€raises€three€issues€for€our€consideration:€(1)€whether€the€trial€court€erredÐ Ì&"% Ðin€finding,€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence,€that€termination€of€Fatherððs€parental€rights€was€in€theÐ ¸'#& Ðbest€interest€of€the€child;€(2)€whether€the€trial€court€abused€its€discretion€in€denying€Fatherððs€requestÐ ¤(ô#' Ðto€appear€at€the€hearing€in€person;€and€(3)€whether€Fatherððs€release€from€incarceration€ð ðbefore€theÐ )à$( Ðentry€of€a€final€order€renders€moot€that€basis€for€terminating€[his]€parental€rights.ððÐ |*Ì%) ÐÐ h+¸&* ÐÓ  ÓA.Ð ° ÐÌÓÙIÓà  àFather€first€contends€that€the€trial€court€erred€in€finding,€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence,Ð ˆØ Ðthat€terminating€Fatherððs€parental€rights€was€in€the€childððs€best€interest.Ð tÄ ÐÌà  àThe€termination€of€parental€rights€requires€a€two„part€analysis.€€In€addition€to€finding€thatÐ L œ Ðgrounds€for€termination€were€proven€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence,€the€trial€court€must€find€ð!ðÐ 8 ˆ Ðagain€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence€ð!ð€that€termination€is€in€the€best€interest€of€the€child,€whenÐ $ t Ðthat€evaluation€is€made€in€light€of€the€factors€set€forth€in€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(i).€€We€willÐ  ` Ðexamine€each€of€these€factors€in€turn.Ð ü L  ÐÌà  àThe€first€factor€addresses€the€parentððs€adjustment€of€circumstances€so€as€to€make€it€safe€andÐ Ô$  Ðin€the€childððs€best€interest€to€be€in€the€home€of€the€parent.€€òòSee€óóðð€36„1„113(i)Ô#†¼Í»XXU!òF#ÔÔ‡XU!X»¼ÍÔ(1).€€Our€review€of€theÐ À  Ðevidence€in€the€instant€case€reveals€a€dearth€ofòò€óóclear€and€convincing€evidence€that€Father€has€notÐ ¬ü  Ðmade€adjustments€in€his€life€so€as€to€make€it€safe€for€the€child€to€be€in€his€home.€€On€the€contrary,Ð ˜è  Ðthere€is€ample€evidence€in€support€of€the€positive€changes€Father€has€made,€as€stated€in€the€trialÐ „Ô  Ðcourtððs€final€judgment:Ð pÀ ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à[Father]€testified€that€while€incarcerated€that€he€has€obtained€sevenÐ H˜ Ðyears€of€vocational€education,€he€has€received€treatment€for€hisÐ 4„ Ðsubstance€abuse€issues,€he€has€received€mental€health€counseling€andÐ  p Ðthat€he€is€a€changed€person€as€a€result.€€Ð \` x` x ÐÌMother€and€Stepfather€offered€nothing€to€refute€this€testimony.€€Upon€Fatherððs€motion€before€thisÐ ä4 Ðcourt,€we€allowed€Father€to€submit€a€supplementary€brief€to€address€appropriate€post„judgment€facts.€Ð Ð  ÐIn€that€brief€and€Fatherððs€accompanying€affidavit,€Father€states€that€he€was€released€from€prison€onÐ ¼  ÐMarch€9,€2004,€ð ðat€the€earliest€possible€date€owing€to€good€behavior.ðð€€Father€requested€to€beÐ ¨ø Ðreleased€to€a€halfway€house€in€Knoxville,€so€that€he€could€be€close€to€the€child;€this€request€wasÐ ”ä Ðgranted.€€According€to€Fatherððs€affidavit,€he€was€given€permission€to€leave€the€halfway€house€andÐ €Ð Ðestablish€a€private€residence€in€June,€2004.€€In€addition,€Father€obtained€employment€as€a€fabricÐ l¼ Ðcutter€for€menððs€custom€suits€with€Cole€Rich€Custom€Clothes€at€the€John€H.€Daniels€Company.€€TheÐ X ¨ Ðowner€of€another€company€who€was€visiting€the€Cole€Rich€facility€took€an€interest€in€Fatherððs€work:Ð D!” ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àHe€thought€I€had€the€ability€to€manage€other€employees€in€theÐ #l! Ðoperation€of€a€sophisticated€fabric€cutting€machine€and€has€offeredÐ $X" Ðme€employment€beginning€May€17,€2004€on€a€salary€basis€and€at€aÐ ô$D # Ðsubstantial€raise€supervising€cutting€operations€and€other€employees.€Ð à%0!$ ÐI€have€accepted€this€employment€and€provided€notice€to€my€employerÐ Ì&"% Ðof€the€pending€change€in€employment.и'#&` x` x ÐÌFinally,€Father€points€out€that€he€has€paid€and€is€continuing€to€pay€debts€that€he€incurred€before€hisÐ )à$( Ðincarceration,€ð ðeven€though€[he]€could€have€claimed€insolvency€or€bankruptcy,ðð€choices€that€FatherÐ |*Ì%) Ðhas€never€made.€€Based€upon€all€of€this€evidence,€we€find€that€there€is€overwhelming€proof€thatÐ h+¸&* ÐFather€has€made€positive€adjustments€in€his€life,€and€such€adjustments€leave€no€reason€to€believe€thatÐ ° Ðit€would€not€be€safe€for€the€child€to€be€in€Fatherððs€home,€to€the€extent€that€visitation€may€be€allowedÐ œì Ðthere.€€Ð ˆØ ÐÌà  àThe€second€factor,€whether€the€parent€has€failed€to€make€a€lasting€adjustment€after€theÐ `° Ðreasonable€efforts€of€social€services€agencies,€is€not€applicable€in€this€case,€as€social€services€wereÐ L œ Ðnever€involved€with€Father€or€the€child.€€òòSee€óóðð€36„1„113(i)(2).€€The€third€factor€is€likewiseÐ 8 ˆ Ðinapplicable,€as€it€relates€to€the€parent€maintaining€regular€visitation€with€the€child.€€òòSee€óóðð€36„1„Ð $ t Ð113(i)(3).€€Due€to€Fatherððs€incarceration,€he€was€unable€to€seek€or€exercise€regular€visitation€withÐ  ` Ðthe€child.Ð ü L  ÐÌà  àWith€respect€to€the€fourth€factor,€whether€a€meaningful€relationship€has€been€establishedÐ Ô$  Ðbetween€the€parent€and€the€child,€òòseeóó€ðð€36„1„113(i)(4),€the€trial€court€specifically€found€that€ð ðthereÐ À  Ðhas€existed€no€meaningful€relationship€[between€Father€and€the€child]€except€for€a€brief€periodÐ ¬ü  Ðimmediately€following€the€childððs€birth.ðð€€While€this€is€true,€it€is€due€to€Fatherððs€incarceration,€whichÐ ˜è  Ðhas€prevented€him€from€developing€a€relationship€with€the€child.Ô#†¼Í»XXU!N#ÔÔ‡XU!X»¼ÍÔÐ „Ô  ÐÌà  àFactor€number€five€contemplates€the€effect€that€a€change€of€caretakers€would€have€on€theÐ \¬ Ðchild.€€òòSeeóó€ðð€36„1„113(i)(5).€€Our€decision€does€not€contemplate€a€change€in€caretakers€and€we€areÐ H˜ Ðnot€suggesting€that€Father€be€awarded€custody€of€the€child.€€Indeed,€Father€makes€it€abundantly€clearÐ 4„ Ðthat,€at€this€time,€he€is€seeking€only€visitation€rights€with€the€childÔ#†¼Í»XXU!@_#ÔÔ‡XU!X»¼ÍÔ.€€Accordingly,€the€fifth€factor€isÐ  p Ðnot€applicable€in€this€case.Ð  \ ÐÌà  àThe€sixth€factor€relates€to€the€parent€abusing€or€neglecting€the€child€in€some€manner.€€òòSeeóó€ððÐ ä4 Ð36„1„113(i)(6).€€There€is€absolutely€no€clear€and€convincing€evidence€that€Father€has€ever€physically,Ð Ð  Ðsexually,€emotionally,€or€psychologically€abused€the€child,€or€any€other€child€or€adult€in€FatherððsÐ ¼  Ðfamily€or€home.€€Ô#†¼Í»XXU!Ra#ÔÔ‡XU!X»¼ÍÔWith€respect€to€the€seventh€factor,€there€is€no€proof€whatsoever€that€Fatherððs€homeÐ ¨ø Ðis€unhealthy€or€unsafe,€that€there€is€any€criminal€activity€in€the€home,€or€that€there€is€any€abuse€ofÐ ”ä Ðalcohol€or€a€controlled€substance€in€Fatherððs€home.€€òòSee€óóðð€36„1„113(i)(7).€€Ð €Ð ÐÌà  àThe€eighth€factor€addresses€the€mental€and/or€emotional€state€of€the€parent€and€whether€it€isÐ X ¨ Ðsuch€that€it€would€be€detrimental€to€the€child€and€would€prevent€the€parent€from€properly€caring€forÐ D!” Ðthe€child.€€òòSee€óóðð€36„1„113(i)(8).€€Ô#†¼Í»XXU!Œc#ÔÔ‡XU!X»¼ÍÔòòò òó óóóAgain,€there€is€no€clear€and€convincing€evidence€that€the€FatherÐ 0"€  Ðsuffers€from€any€mental€or€emotional€health€problems€that€would€interfere€with€his€care€andÐ #l! Ðsupervision€of€the€child.€€Finally,€the€ninth€factor,€which€relates€to€the€payment€of€child€support,€isÐ $X" Ðnot€applicable€in€the€instant€case,€due€to€Fatherððs€incarceration.€€òòSeeóó€ðð€36„1„113(i)(9).Ô#†¼Í»XXU!Ef#ÔÔ‡XU!X»¼ÍÔÐ ô$D # ÐÌà  àIn€its€opinion,€it€appears€that€the€only€factors€the€trial€court€focused€on€were€Fatherððs€lack€ofÐ Ì&"% Ða€relationship€with€the€child€and€his€failure€to€have€any€contact€with€the€child.€€In€fact,€it€seems€that,Ð ¸'#& Ðin€making€its€best€interest€determination,€the€trial€court€was€more€focused€on€the€loving€andÐ ¤(ô#' Ðsupportive€relationship€the€child€had€with€Stepfather.€€While€the€nine€aforementioned€factors€are€notÐ )à$( Ðâ âexhaustive€and€while€the€statute€contemplates€the€consideration€of€other€factors,€the€simple€fact€thatÐ |*Ì%) Ðthe€child€is€bonded€with€the€stepparent€is€not€enough,€without€more,€to€justify€the€termination€of€herÐ ° Ðbiological€fatherððs€parental€rights.€€Ð œì Ðâ âÌà  àIn€short,€we€find€that€the€evidence€preponderates€against€the€trial€courtððs€determination€thatÐ tÄ Ðthere€is€clear€and€convincing€evidence€that€termination€of€Fatherððs€parental€rights€is€in€the€bestÐ `° Ðinterest€of€the€child.€€Ð L œ ÐÌÓ  ÓB.Ð $ t ÐÌÓÑlÓà  àNext,€Father€contends€that€the€trial€court€abused€its€discretion€in€denying€Fatherððs€request€toÐ ü L  Ðappear€at€the€hearing€in€person.€€Ð è 8  ÐÌà  àTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(f)€(Supp.€2003)€provides,€in€pertinent€part,€as€follows:Ð À  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àBefore€terminating€the€rights€of€any€parent€or€guardian€who€isÐ ˜è  Ðincarcerated€.€.€.,€it€must€be€affirmatively€shown€to€the€court€that€suchÐ „Ô  Ðincarcerated€parent€or€guardian€received€actual€notice€of€theÐ pÀ Ðfollowing:Ð\¬` x` x ÐÌÓ  Óà8 @ àà8@` Ð Ð à*€*€*Ð 4„ ÐÓ…oÓÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(3)€That€the€incarcerated€parent€or€guardian€has€the€right€to€participateÐ  \ Ðin€the€hearing€and€contest€the€allegation€that€the€rights€of€theÐ øH Ðincarcerated€parent€or€guardian€should€be€terminated,€and,€òòat€theÐ ä4 Ðdiscretion€of€the€courtóó,€such€participation€may€be€achieved€throughÐ Ð  Ðpersonal€appearance,€teleconference,€telecommunication€or€otherÐ ¼  Ðmeans€deemed€by€the€court€to€be€appropriate€under€theÐ ¨ø Ðcircumstances;Дä` x` x ÐÌ(Emphasis€added).€€Ð l¼ ÐÌà  àIn€the€instant€case,€the€trial€court,€exercising€its€discretion,€determined€that€Father€wouldÐ D!” Ðparticipate€in€the€hearing€via€teleconference.€€In€order€to€accommodate€Father,€the€trial€court€movedÐ 0"€  Ðthe€hearing€from€Clinton€to€Maryville,€apparently€due€to€the€fact€that€the€Maryville€courtroom€hadÐ #l! Ðstate„of„the„art€teleconferencing€equipment.€€This€court€has€previously€held€that€the€decision€ofÐ $X" Ðwhether€to€allow€a€prisoner€to€be€physically€present€at€a€hearing€lies€within€the€sound€discretion€ofÐ ô$D # Ðthe€trial€court.€€òòSee€ò òDavis€v.€Jensenó óóó,€No.€M2001„00973„COA„R3„CV,€2002€WL€31528525,€at€*7Ð à%0!$ Ð(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€M.S.,€filed€November€15,€2002);€ò òòòRice€v.€Bradberryó óóó,€No.€02A01„9809„CH„00239,Ð Ì&"% Ð1999€WL€86980,€at€*2„*3€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€W.S.,€filed€February€23,€1999).€€We€find€no€abuse€ofÐ ¸'#& Ðdiscretion€in€the€trial€courtððs€decision€to€order€the€participation€of€Father€via€teleconference,€and€weÐ ¤(ô#' Ðtherefore€find€this€issue€adverse€to€Father.Ð )à$( ÐÌÔ_ÔÐ  h+¸&* ÐÓ  ÓC.Ð ° ÐÓwÓÌà  àFatherððs€final€issue€addresses€itself€to€this€Courtððs€previous€finding€that€the€trial€courtÐ ˆØ Ðproperly€found€grounds€to€terminate€his€parental€rights.€€Father€contends€that,€as€grounds€forÐ tÄ Ðtermination€were€based€upon€his€receiving€a€prison€sentence€of€at€least€ten€years,€and€because€FatherÐ `° Ðwas€released€from€prison€after€serving€only€eight€and€one„half€years,€the€finding€that€grounds€forÐ L œ Ðtermination€existed€should€be€overturned.€€We€disagree.€€In€ò òòòHarrison€v.€Ô_ÔLaursenÔ_Ôó óóó,€128€S.W.2d€204Ð 8 ˆ Ð(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€2003),€we€opined€as€follows:Ð $ t ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àThe€ruling€of€an€appellate€court€becomes€the€law€of€the€case€that€isÐ ü L  Ðbinding€on€the€parties€and€the€trial€court€on€remand.€€The€law€of€theÐ è 8  Ðcase€doctrine€generally€prohibits€reconsideration€of€issues€actuallyÐ Ô$  Ðdecided€or€necessarily€decided€by€implication€in€a€prior€appeal€in€theÐ À  Ðsame€case.Ьü ` x` x ÐÌò òòòId.ó óóó€at€208€(internal€citations€omitted).€€In€the€instant€case,€because€we€upheld€the€trial€courtððs€findingÐ „Ô  Ðof€grounds€for€termination€in€the€first€appeal,€our€decision€became€the€law€of€the€case€and€that€issueÐ pÀ Ðcannot€now€be€revisited€on€this€subsequent€appeal.€€Fatherððs€final€issue€is€without€merit.€€Ð \¬ ÐÌÓ  ÓV.Ð 4„ ÐÓ0}ÓÌà  àThe€judgment€of€the€chancery€court€is€reversed€and€the€adoption€petition€is€hereby€dismissedÐ  \ Ðwith€costs€at€the€trial€court€level€assessed€to€the€appellees,€Ô_ÔM.P.P.Ô_Ô€and€Ô_ÔA.E.P.Ô_Ô€€Costs€on€appeal€areÐ øH Ðtaxed€to€the€appellees,€Ô_ÔM.P.P.Ô_Ô€and€Ô_ÔA.E.P.Ô_ÔÔ#†¼Í»XXU!9h#ÔÔ€XU!X»¼ÍÔÐ ä4 ÐÌÌÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à_______________________________Ð €Ð Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àCHARLES€D.€SUSANO,€JR.,€JUDGE