’WPCģ  ß2Ū‚Ōźą•üq—qŽrVtĘnĀd(š†źū•ńėH‹ā5ż†NŠ@ˆŅ1ŚfW›ŖoŚ—Ššé^+QIo_©µ¤ņŖ“ä aŅ@Ć“ ŹŚĻōN-P }ų śdyvŖvŅJI ;Y”‚¦ā|›v aōćOߓײOē¾óŪØsM,'› ÅGF‘É’ڽÖG»w¬ŖƒZķ@œ '_–y_% i’[ź¬VlĖø¾ā䯶žę²;iŌ,5ū|óuyWšČŪc_Ś6’̐a§ĄßwuBCpŃÖCĪ>±/ac¤>§{Wöó&ĘüjĪÕ@te-¼`üõ@Ü*e¤*ĶŪžł¤F¬ćĒ<ŽEļJ­Į ®½§žbœB ±3āiŅÖįi‚®0_ƒR²W€ÜEžkIB£ q¹ŌeqV Ä>µ›¾W½L/ K$×kKnž5¢7Ž †$ĶS&•œs™*;¬žoūóZ½r„8ÓėłĄĆ«ĖͧŲ\’ū>‘@“4 !a ŻR3§¬ Žˆ#ńu°ė®ĀŁ(PtYØ„ńIŪĀ@Š}±5ö§}Hč‹®½©Ø€õģmŪ’F<“Ę®(’‰­¬3ž®Vų ŠøĄ9,b %\UNb 0ˆ°UN8N†Tˆ^ Ü zč Ņb w4 B8 4z 0DŽ ĘŅ ʘ Ę^Ę$źNłū mżE#Ébßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßß 0ėēēēē BŅŅ 0¤ļ D5“ D-Č 0Kõõ AS@ʓ 0¤Y 0Dż A«A»(@ųŠ Z‹6Times New Roman Regular(`£Ŗ$””Ń€.ŃŃ8€½­»»d»»d8ŃŃ ż ŃÓ  Ó(ķ€"  Z6Times New Roman Regular JŻ ƒR4Ū$ŻÓ  Óą  ąņņŚ  Ś2Ś  ŚóóŌ€ōę,ņ»»ŌŻ  ŻŌ_Ō€The€father,€Peter€Lewis€Jenkins,€Jr.,€has€not€appealed€and€therefore€the€order€of€the€juvenile€court€is€final€asŠ ° Što€termination€of€his€parental€Ō_Ōrights.Ō_ŌZˆc/Ļ  ˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wpt 8Ż ƒR4Ū$ŻÓ  Óą  ąņņŚ  Ś1Ś  ŚóóŌ€ōę,ņ»»ŌŻ  ŻŌ_Ō€Based€on€an€affidavit€of€Ō_ŌindigencyŌ_Ō€filed€by€Ms.€Clark,€the€court€appointed€counsel€for€her€in€an€order€enteredŠ ° Šon€September€21,€2001.lk.ź:i¢Ų+00(#Ć$ņņŚ  Ś0Ś  ŚóóLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 53|x’U‹’ĄĄĄ˜\\IB01S02\CLERKJACČČ,,,,ČČ0- ł-(|G24Ū$¤¤Ż ƒ£Ŗ!ŻŃ€.ŃŃ8€Į±»»dd8ŃŃ ż ŃÓ  ÓŻ  Żą  ąņņŚ  Ś0Ś  ŚóóŌ€ōę,ņ»»Ō d(|3w $££Ż ƒ£Ŗ!ŻŃ€.ŃŃ8€Į±»»dd8ŃŃ ż ŃÓ  ÓŻ  ŻVVVV)’’!dxdx)!ČČČČdxdx( ±ž$’’ņ ņFigure€Ś  Ś1Ś  Śó ó^_X`YEž’<<C’’ƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3w $¢¢Ż ƒ£Ŗ!ŻŃ€.ŃŃ8€Į±»»dd8ŃŃ ż ŃÓ  ÓŻ  Ż($$””ņ ņŚ  Ś1Ś  Śó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8’’’’’’’’’’C’’ HKKKKŻ ƒ£Ŗ!ŻŃ€.ŃŃ8€Į±»»ddČ8ŃŃ ż ŃÓ  ÓŻ  ŻŌ_ŌŃ  ŃŌ€¼Į±»»»ŌŃ8€ŽæXXdé»»d8ŃŃ  Ńą@ņ ņ ģąŌ‡ī 6Į±ŌIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆŠ ° Šą@ņņ%ģąAT€JACKSONŌ#†¼Į±»īī 6 #ԈŠ Ó# ŠÓ  ÓOn€Briefs€September€19,€2003€SessionŠ öF ŠŌ‡XŽæX»¼Į±ŌĢņ ņŌ#†¼Į±»XXŽæ’#ŌSTATE€OF€TENNESSEE€DEPARTMENT€OF€CHILDREN'S€SERVICESņņóó€v.Š ļ? ŠBERNADETTE€BERNICE€CLARK,€ņņet€alóó.Ō‡XŽæX»¼Į±Ōó óŠ  P ŠĢą@@½½ģąņ ņA€Direct€Appeal€from€the€Juvenile€Court€for€Gibson€CountyŠ ś J Šą@@ųųģąNo.€Ō_ŌJCŌ_Ō„17,585€€€€€€The€Honorable€Robert€W.€Ō_ŌNewellŌ_Ō,€JudgeŠ ä 4 ŠĢĢą@@ģģ*ģąßA€V) °°` d€÷E<”` Aߊ ¢ņ  ŠĢą@@TTģąNo.€W2003„00911„Ō_ŌCOAŌ_Ō„R3„PT€„€Filed€November€3,€Ō_Ō2003Ō_ŌŠ ›ė  ŠĢßA€V) °°` dE<n` Aߊ oæ  Šó óĢÓ  ÓŌ‡X6$XXXŽæŌą  ąThis€is€a€termination€of€parental€rights€case.€€The€mother€appeals€from€the€order€of€theŠ g· ŠJuvenile€Court€of€Gibson€County,€terminating€her€parental€rights.€€Specifically,€the€mother€assertsŠ P  Šthat€the€grounds€cited€for€termination€are€not€supported€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence€in€theŠ 9‰ Šrecord.€€Because€we€find€clear€and€convincing€evidence€in€the€record€to€support€the€trial€courtššsŠ "r Šfindings,€we€affirm.Š  [ ŠŌ#†XŽæXXX6$b#ŌŌ#†¼Į±»XXŽæ½#ŌŌ‡XŽæX»¼Į±ŌĢÓVÓĢņ ņTenn.€R.€App.€P.€3;€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Juvenile€Court€Affirmedó óŠ Ę ŠĢņņÓ  ÓŌ#†¼Į±»ąXŽæĻ#ŌŌ‡XŽæX.¼Į±ŌW.€Frank€Crawford,€Ō_ŌP.J.Ō_Ō,€Ō_ŌW.S.Ō_Ōóó,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€ņņAlan€E.€Ō_ŌHighersŌ_Ō,Š ™é ŠJ.óó€and€ņņDavid€R.€Farmer,€J.óó,€joined.Š ‚Ņ ŠĢJason€C.€Scott,€Trenton,€For€Appellant,€Bernadette€Bernice€ClarkŠ T¤ ŠĢPaul€G.€Summers,€Attorney€General€and€Reporter;€Pamela€A.€Hayden„Wood,€Nashville,€ForŠ & v ŠAppellee,€Tennessee€Department€of€Children's€ServicesŠ !_  ŠÓnÓĢņ ņOPINIONó óŌ#†¼Į±»XXŽæ#ŌŌ‡XŽæX»¼Į±ŌŠ į"1" ŠĢņņóóŌ#†¼Į±»XXŽæ #ŌŌ‡XŽæX»¼Į±ŌÓ  ÓŃ8€6$XdéXXdé8ŃÓÓÓÓą  ąOn€August€3,€2001,€the€State€of€Tennessee,€Department€of€Childrenššs€Services€(š šDCS,šš€orŠ “$ $ Šš šAppelleešš)€filed€a€Petition€for€Temporary€Custody€of€Ō_ŌJ.M.J.Ō_Ō€(Ō_ŌdobŌ_Ō€10/12/90),€seeking€to€removeŠ %ķ % ŠŌ_ŌJ.M.J.Ō_Ō€from€her€mother,€Bernadette€Bernice€Clark€(š šMs.€Clark,šš€š šMother,šš€or€š šAppellantšš).€€TheŠ †&Ö!& ŠPetition€alleged,€in€pertinent€part,€as€follows:Š o'æ"' ŠÓó ÓÓÓĢą8  ąą8` Š Š ą...[Ō_ŌJ.M.JŌ_Ō]€is€a€dependent€and€neglected€child€within€the€meaning€ofŠ A)‘$) Šthe€law€in€that€on€or€about€April€27,€2001,€the€child€and€her€mother,Š **z%* ŠBernadette€Clark,€spent€the€night€with€Kenny€Williams,€her€motherššsŠ +c&+ Šboyfriend.€€That€night,€Mr.€Williams€sexually€abused€[Ō_ŌJ.M.J.Ō_Ō]€byŠ ü+L', Špenetrating€her€vagina€with€his€penis.€€Her€mother€was€passed€outŠ å,5(- Šdue€to€intoxication€and€did€not€respond€to€the€childššs€pleas€for€help.€Š Ī-).żĄ ŠŌ_ŌShe€was€in€bed€with€them.€€Mr.€Williams€has€been€charged€with€RapeŠ ° Šof€a€Child€and€Ms.€Clark€has€been€charged€with€child€neglect.Š™é` x` x ŠĢą  ąWhen€the€Petition€was€filed,€J.M.J.€was€about€to€be€released€from€Timber€Springs€AdolescentŠ k» ŠCenter,€where€she€had€been€sent€for€evaluation€during€the€DCS€investigation.€€DCSšš€Petition€wasŠ T¤ Šgranted€and€a€Protective€Custody€Order€was€entered€by€the€Juvenile€Court€of€Gibson€County€onŠ =  ŠAugust€3,€2001.€€The€Protective€Custody€Order€placed€J.M.J.€in€the€temporary€care€and€custody€ofŠ & v ŠLewis€Jenkins,€her€paternal€grandfather,€and€set€a€preliminary€hearing€for€August€6,€2001.€€OnŠ  _ ŠAugust€6,€2001,€an€Amended€Protective€Custody€Order€was€entered,€placing€J.M.J.€in€the€temporaryŠ ų H Šcustody€of€DCS€and€setting€a€preliminary€hearing€for€August€13,€2001.€€According€to€an€unsignedŠ į 1  ŠInterim€Order€filed€by€DCS€on€August€10,€2001,€the€August€6,€2001€hearing€was€continued€untilŠ Ź   ŠAugust€13,€2001€to€permit€service€on€mother,€Jeff€Smith€was€appointed€guardian€ad€litem,€andŠ ³  ŠJ.M.J.,€having€refused€to€go€to€the€home€of€her€paternal€grandparents,€remained€at€Timber€Springs.€Š œģ  ŠĢą  ąDCS€filed€its€initial€Permanency€Plan€on€August€29,€2001.€€The€Permanency€Plan€indicatesŠ n¾  Šthat,€at€that€time,€J.M.J.€was€out€of€control,€heavily€medicated,€and€required€level€III€placement.€€Š W§  ŠThe€Permanency€Plan€stated€that€J.M.J.€had€moved€from€Timber€Springs€to€Youth€VillagesŠ @ ŠDogwood€Village€on€August€27,€2001.€€According€to€the€plan,€Ms.€Clark€admitted€to€drinking€everyŠ )y Šday€and€blamed€J.M.J.ššs€rape€on€Mr.€Williams.€€The€plan€allowed€supervised€visitation€and€listedŠ b Šthe€following€as€actions€to€be€taken€by€Ms.€Clark:Š ūK ŠĢą8  ąą8` Š Š ąMs.€Bernadette€Clark€needs€to€submit€to€an€alcohol€and€drugŠ Ķ Šassessment€at€Carey€Counseling€Center€or€Pathways€and€follow€allŠ ¶ Šof€its€recommendations.€€Ms.€Clark€needs€to€write€a€letter€to€[J.M.J.]Š Ÿļ Štelling€her€that€the€sexual€abuse€was€not€her€fault€but€was€Ms.€ClarkššsŠ ˆŲ Šand€Mr.€Williamsššs.€€Ms.€Clark€needs€to€take€part€in€fully€whateverŠ qĮ Šreunification€service€is€implemented€in€[this]€case.€€She€needs€to€visitŠ ZŖ Š[J.M.J.]€regularly€and€not€have€any€men€around€[J.M.J]€when€she€isŠ C“ Šdrinking€and€let€no€men€sleep€in€her€house€with€[J.M.J.]€there.Š,|` x` x ŠĢ€The€plan€listed€alternative€goals€of€returning€home€and€relative€placement.€€The€plan€stated€thatŠ žN ŠJ.M.J.€would€live€with€her€aunt,€Helen€Clark,€if€her€mother€was€unable€to€comply€with€theŠ ē 7 ŠPermanency€Plan.€€Bernadette€Clark€signed€the€plan.€€Ms.€Clark€also€signed€and€received€a€copy€ofŠ Š!   Šher€appeal€rights€and€the€criteria€and€procedures€for€terminating€parental€rights.Š ¹" ! ŠĢą  ąBased€on€evidence€adduced€at€the€August€13,€2001€hearing,€the€trial€court€issued€an€InterimŠ ‹$Ū# ŠOrder€on€September€5,€2001.€€The€trial€court€found€probable€cause€to€believe€that€J.M.J.€was€aŠ t%Ä $ Šdependent€and€neglected€child,€placed€J.M.J.€in€temporary€DCS€custody€pending€final€appeal,€andŠ ]&­!% Šappointed€counsel€for€Ms.€Clark.׃ ׯ ƒ #ĆŻņņŚ  Ś1Ś  ŚóóŻ  Ż×  ׀€On€September€18,€2001,€the€court€approved€the€initialŠ F'–"& Šā āPermanency€Plan.Š /(#' Šą  ąOn€October€11,€2001,€the€foster€care€review€board€met€and€reviewed€the€Permanency€Plan.€Š ° Šā āThe€Periodic€Review€Summary€of€that€date€indicates€that€neither€Ms.€Clark€nor€Lewis€Jenkins,€Jr.,Š ™é ŠJ.M.Jššs€father,€participated€in€the€review,€although€they€were€both€notified.€€The€board€found€thatŠ ‚Ņ Šthe€need€for€foster€care€continued,€that€Ms.€Clark€had€only€completed€some€of€the€tasks€required€byŠ k» Šthe€plan,€and€that€her€progress€toward€reducing€the€risks€that€necessitated€foster€care€wasŠ T¤ Šš šmarginal.šš€€The€board€recommended€a€change€in€the€Permanency€Plan€goal€to€relative€placementŠ =  Šonly.€Š & v ŠĢą  ą€DCSšš€Quarterly€Progress€Report€of€November€8,€2001€included€the€change€in€goal€toŠ ų H Šrelative€placement.€€The€report€indicated€that€J.M.J.€continued€to€be€medicated,€and€noted€that€sheŠ į 1  Šwas€living€at€Youth€Villages.€€Concerning€Ms.€Clark,€the€report€states€that:€š šMother€stays€withŠ Ź   Šrelatives€as€she€is€homeless,šš€š šMother€has€not€visited€even€though€Youth€Villages€madeŠ ³  Šarrangements€for€transportation€and€a€hotel€room,šš€and€š šMother€needs€to€attend€counseling,€[and]Š œģ  Šget€an€A&D€assessment....šš€€Š …Õ  ŠĢą  ąA€hearing€was€held€on€September€18,€2001,€with€Ms.€Clark,€her€attorney,€and€DCS€inŠ W§  Šattendance.€An€Order€was€entered€on€December€21,€2001.€€The€Order€awarded€temporary€custodyŠ @ Šof€J.M.J.€to€DCS€effective€August€13,€2001,€permitted€Ms.€Clark€supervised€visitation,€authorizedŠ )y ŠDCS€to€modify€visitation€at€its€discretion€based€on€progress€toward€reunification,€approved€andŠ b Šincorporates€the€Permanency€Plan,€and€ordered€that€relative€resources€be€investigatedŠ ūK ŠĢą  ąBased€upon€evidence€adduced€at€a€hearing€on€December€18,€2001,€the€court€entered€an€orderŠ Ķ Šon€January€9,€2002,€which€ordered€that€J.M.J.€remain€in€DCS€custody€and€continued€the€case€untilŠ ¶ Šfurther€review€on€March€19,€2002.Š Ÿļ ŠĢą  ąDCSšš€Quarterly€Progress€Report€of€February€11,€2002€stated€that€J.M.J.€remained€at€YouthŠ qĮ ŠVillages,€was€still€having€anger€management€and€behavior€problems,€exhibited€violent€behavior,€hadŠ ZŖ Šbeen€aggressive€with€youth€and€staff,€and€had€had€a€serious€incident€report€filed€on€February€10,Š C“ Š2002.€€The€report€indicated€that€J.M.J.€needed€to€complete€the€level€III€program€and€step€down€toŠ ,| Štherapeutic€foster€care€while€her€mother€obtained€the€help€listed€in€the€Permanency€Plan.€€The€reportŠ e Šdescribes€J.M.J.ššs€relationship€with€her€mother€as€š šstrained€and€without€positive€communication.šš€Š žN ŠThe€report€indicated€that€Ms.€Clark€was€considering€termination€of€her€parental€rights€but€lists€returnŠ ē 7 Što€parent€as€the€Permanency€Plan€goal.Š Š!   ŠĢą  ąThe€foster€care€review€board€met€again€to€discuss€the€Permanency€Plan€on€May€9,€2002.€€Ms.Š ¢#ņ" ŠClark€was€notified€and€attended€this€meeting.€€The€board€found€that€the€need€for€foster€careŠ ‹$Ū# Šcontinued,€that€Ms.€Clark€had€only€completed€some€of€the€tasks€required€by€the€plan,€and€that€herŠ t%Ä $ Šprogress€toward€reducing€the€risks€that€necessitated€foster€care€was€š šmarginal.šš€€The€board€statedŠ ]&­!% Šthat€Ms.€Clark€needed€to€obtain€a€permanent€residence€and€to€follow€the€Permanency€Plan.€€TheŠ F'–"& Šboard€indicated€that€the€goal€of€returning€J.M.J.€home€was€not€appropriate,€and€recommended€aŠ /(#' Šchange€of€goal€to€relative€placement.Š )h$( ŠĢą  ąDCSšš€May€9,€2002€Quarterly€Progress€Report€added€relative€placement€as€a€goal.€€Otherwise,Š ź*:&* Šthe€report€was€identical€to€the€February€11,€2002€Quarterly€Progress€Report.€€A€hearing€was€heldŠ Ó+#'+ Šon€March€19,€2002.€€By€order€of€June€5,€2002,€the€trial€court€ordered€that€J.M.J.€remain€in€temporaryŠ ° Šcustody€of€DCS,€and€ordered€the€J.M.Jššs€therapist€be€present€at€the€next€hearing€to€report€on€J.M.J.ššsŠ ™é Šstatus.Š ‚Ņ ŠĢą  ąOn€June€14,€2002,€the€Permanency€Plan€was€revised.€€The€revised€plan€listed€concurrentŠ T¤ Šgoals€of€adoption€or€relative€placement.€€The€revised€plan€indicated€that€Ms.€Clarkššs€failure€to€makeŠ =  Šsignificant€progress€in€regaining€custody€of€J.M.J.€was€the€reason€for€the€change€in€goal.€€TheŠ & v Šrevised€plan€stated€that€Helen€Clark,€J.M.J.ššs€maternal€aunt,€was€willing€to€provide€a€home€andŠ  _ Šcalled€for€Helen€Clark€to€maintain€contact€with€J.M.J.€through€letters,€phone€calls,€and€visits.€€ThisŠ ų H Šrevised€plan€was€signed€by€J.M.J.,€Bernadette€Clark€and€Helen€Clark.€Š į 1  ŠĢą  ąDCSšš€August€8,€2002€Quarterly€Progress€Report€indicated€that€J.M.J.€remained€at€YouthŠ ³  ŠVillages,€where€she€continued€to€have€anger€management€and€behavior€problems,€including€tryingŠ œģ  Što€harm€herself.€€The€report€stated€that€J.M.J.€needed€to€complete€the€level€III€program€and€beŠ …Õ  Šstepped€down,€and€that€DCS€was€seeking€placement€with€her€aunt,€Helen€Clark.Š n¾  ŠĢą  ąOn€September€17,€2002,€DCS€filed€its€Petition€to€Terminate€Parental€Rights€of€BernadetteŠ @ ŠBernice€Clark€and€Peter€Lewis€Jenkins,€Jr.€€The€Petition€reads,€in€relevant€part,€as€follows:Š )y ŠÓ  ÓÓ  ÓĢą8  ąą8` Š Š ą2.€€Respondent,€Peter€Lewis€Jenkins,€Jr.,€has€willfully€abandoned€thisŠ ūK Šchild€in€that€Respondent€has€willfully€failed€to€visit€or€support€saidŠ ä4 Šchild€or€to€engage€in€more€than€token€visitation€or€support€for€fourŠ Ķ Š(4)€consecutive€months€immediately€preceding€the€filing€of€thisŠ ¶ ŠPetition.ŠŸļ` x` x ŠĢą8  ąą8` Š Š ą3.€€Respondent,€Bernadette€Bernice€Clark,€has€willfully€abandonedŠ qĮ Šthis€child€in€that€Respondent€has€willfully€failed€to€visit€or€supportŠ ZŖ Šsaid€child€or€to€engage€in€more€than€token€visitation€or€support€forŠ C“ Šfour€(4)€consecutive€months€immediately€preceding€the€filing€of€thisŠ ,| ŠPetition.Še` x` x ŠĢą8  ąą8` Š Š ą4.€€Respondent,€Bernadette€Bernice€Clark,€has€abandoned€this€childŠ ē 7 Šin€that€she€is€incarcerated€at€the€time€of€the€filing€of€this€Petition€orŠ Š!   Šhas€been€for€all€or€part€of€the€four€(4)€months€immediately€precedingŠ ¹" ! Šthe€filing€of€this€Petition€and€the€parent€has€engaged€in€conduct€priorŠ ¢#ņ" Što€incarceration€which€exhibits€a€wanton€disregard€for€the€welfare€ofŠ ‹$Ū# Šthe€child.Št%Ä $` x` x ŠĢą8  ąą8` Š Š ą5.€€This€child€was€found€to€be€dependent€and€neglected€by€this€CourtŠ F'–"& Šand€was€placed€in€the€custody€of€the€Department€of€ChildrenššsŠ /(#' ŠServices;€the€Department€made€reasonable€efforts€to€prevent€removalŠ )h$( Šor€the€childššs€situation€prevented€reasonable€efforts€from€being€madeŠ *Q%) Šprior€to€removal;€the€Department€has€made€reasonable€efforts€toŠ ź*:&* Šassist€the€parents,€Peter€Lewis€Jenkins,€Jr.€and€Bernadette€BerniceŠ Ó+#'+ ŠClark,€to€establish€a€suitable€home€for€the€child€for€a€period€of€fourŠ ° Š(4)€months€following€the€removal,€but€Respondents,€Peter€LewisŠ ™é ŠJenkins,€Jr.,€and€Bernadette€Bernice€Clark,€have€made€no€reasonableŠ ‚Ņ Šefforts€to€provide€a€suitable€home€and€has€[sic]€demonstrated€a€lackŠ k» Šof€concern€for€the€child€to€such€a€degree€that€it€appears€unlikely€thatŠ T¤ Šthey€[will]€be€able€to€provide€a€suitable€home€for€the€child€at€an€earlyŠ =  Šdate.Š& v` x` x ŠĢą8  ąą8` Š Š ą7.€€The€child€has€been€removed€by€order€of€this€Court€for€a€period€ofŠ ų H Šsix€(6)€months;€the€conditions€which€led€to€her€removal€still€persist;Š į 1  Šother€conditions€persist€which€in€all€probability€would€cause€the€childŠ Ź   Što€be€subjected€to€further€abuse€and€neglect€and€which,€therefore,Š ³  Šprevent€the€childššs€return€to€the€care€of€Respondents,€BernadetteŠ œģ  ŠBernice€Clark€or€Peter€Lewis€Jenkins,€Jr.;€there€is€little€likelihood€thatŠ …Õ  Šthese€conditions€will€be€remedied€at€an€early€date€so€that€this€childŠ n¾  Šcan€be€returned€to€Respondents,€Bernadette€Bernice€Clark€or€PeterŠ W§  ŠLewis€Jenkins,€Jr.,€in€the€near€future;€the€continuation€of€the€legalŠ @ Šparent€and€child€relationship€greatly€diminishes€the€childššs€chancesŠ )y Šof€early€integration€into€a€stable€and€permanent€home.Šb` x` x ŠĢą8  ąą8` Š Š ą8.€€Despite€frequent€explanations€of€the€statement€of€responsibilitiesŠ ä4 Šset€out€in€periodic€foster€care€plans€(permanency€plans)€prepared€forŠ Ķ Šthe€benefit€of€the€child,€[J.M.J.],€the€Respondent,€Bernadette€BerniceŠ ¶ ŠClark,€has€failed€to€comply€in€a€substantial€manner€with€thoseŠ Ÿļ Šreasonable€responsibilities€related€to€remedying€the€conditions€whichŠ ˆŲ Šnecessitate€foster€care€placement.ŠqĮ` x` x ŠĢą8  ąą8` Š Š ą9.€€Awarding€legal€and€physical€custody€of€the€child€to€RespondentsŠ C“ Šwould€pose€a€risk€of€substantial€harm€to€the€physical€or€psychologicalŠ ,| Šwelfare€of€the€child.Še` x` x ŠĢÓ’6Óą8 @ ąą8@` Š Š ąV.Š ē 7 ŠĢÓ1Óą8  ąą8` Š Š ąą ø ąIt€is€in€the€best€interest€of€[J.M.J.]€and€the€public€that€thisŠ ¹" ! Šproceeding€be€brought,€that€all€of€the€parental€rights,€of€all€theŠ ¢#ņ" ŠRespondents€to€this€child€be€forever€terminated,€and€that€theŠ ‹$Ū# Šcomplete€custody,€control€and€guardianship€of€[J.M.J.]€be€awarded€toŠ t%Ä $ Šthe€State€of€Tennessee,€Department€of€Childrenššs€Services,€with€theŠ ]&­!% Šright€to€place€her€for€adoption€and€to€consent€to€such€adoption€ņņinóó€ņņlocoóóŠ F'–"& Šņņparentisóó.Š/(#'` x` x ŠÓŻGÓĢą  ąOn€September€24,€2002,€the€court€entered€an€order€approving€the€revised€permanencyŠ *Q%) Šā āplan€and€ordering€that€J.M.J.€remain€in€the€temporary€custody€of€DCS€pending€the€final€hearing.Š ź*:&* Šą  ąIn€its€Notice€of€Action,€on€October€4,€2002,€DCS€advised€that€J.M.J.ššs€needs€had€beenŠ ° Šā āmet€at€level€III,€that€she€had€made€š štremendous€improvementsšš€and€no€longer€needed€level€IIIŠ ™é Šservices,€and€that€she€would€be€discharged€from€Youth€Villages€on€October€11,€2002.€€DCSššŠ ‚Ņ Šš šStaffing€Summary€and€Placement€Justification€Formšš€of€October€11,€2002€indicated€that€J.M.J.Š k» Šhad€been€at€Youth€Villages€for€over€a€year,€that€she€had€made€tremendous€progress€in€every€area,Š T¤ Šthat€she€had€been€compliant€and€cooperative€in€school€and€with€the€staff.€€In€addition,€the€formŠ =  Šstated€that€J.M.J.€had€been€receiving€passes€every€weekend€to€her€new€home€with€Alecia€andŠ & v ŠEric€Taylor,€that€the€Taylors€had€been€cooperative€with€DCS,€and€recommended€that€J.M.J.€go€toŠ  _ Šlive€with€the€Taylors.€€The€form€was€signed€by€the€staffing€participants,€including€BernadetteŠ ų H ŠClark.Š į 1  ŠĢą  ąBased€on€evidence€adduced€at€a€September€17,€2002€hearing,€the€court€entered€an€OrderŠ ³  Šon€October€29,€2002,€setting€the€case€for€hearing€on€December€3,€2002.€€This€hearing€wasŠ œģ  Šsubsequently€reset€to€January€21,€2003.Š …Õ  ŠĢą  ąDCSšš€November€14,€2002€Quarterly€Progress€Report€indicated€that€J.M.J.€had€beenŠ W§  Šplaced€with€relatives,€Alecia€and€Eric€Taylor,€where€she€was€doing€well€and€exhibiting€noŠ @ Šbehavioral€problems.€€The€foster€care€review€board€met€again€to€discuss€J.M.J.ššs€case€onŠ )y ŠNovember€14,€2002.€€Ms.€Clark€did€not€attend€this€meeting.€The€board€found€that€the€need€forŠ b Šfoster€care€continued,€that€J.M.J.ššs€placement€was€appropriate,€that€the€goal€of€adoption€wasŠ ūK Šappropriate,€and€recommended€proceeding€with€adoption.Š ä4 ŠĢą  ąThe€hearing€on€DCSšš€Petition€to€Terminate€Parental€Rights€took€place€on€January€21€andŠ ¶ Š28,€2003,€in€the€Juvenile€Court€of€Gibson€County,€Tennessee.Š Ÿļ ŠĢą  ąFollowing€this€hearing,€an€š šOrder€Terminating€Parental€Rights€and€Final€Decree€ofŠ qĮ ŠGuardianshipšš€(the€š šFinal€Orderšš)€was€entered€on€March€7,€2003.€€The€Final€Order€reads,€inŠ ZŖ Špertinent€part,€as€follows:Š C“ ŠÓ  ÓĢą8  ąą8` Š Š ąą ø ąThis€cause€came€to€[be]€heard€January€21,€2003€and€furtherŠ e Šheard€on€January€28,€2003,€before€the€Honorable€Robert€Newell,Š žN ŠJudge€of€the€Juvenile€Court€of€Gibson€County,€Tennessee,€upon€theŠ ē 7 Šsworn€Petition€To€Terminate€Parental€Rights€filed€by€the€State€ofŠ Š!   ŠTennessee,€Department€of€Childrenššs€Services,€with€all€partiesŠ ¹" ! Šproperly€before€the€Court€on€service€of€process.€€Present€wereŠ ¢#ņ" Šrepresentatives€of€the€State€of€Tennessee,€Department€of€ChildrenššsŠ ‹$Ū# ŠServices,€Assistant€General€Counsel,€Stephanie€J.€Hale,€BernadetteŠ t%Ä $ ŠBernice€Clark,€her€attorney,€Jason€Scott,€and€the€Guardian€ad€Litem,Š ]&­!% ŠJeffrey€A.€Smith.€€The€Court€finding€that€Peter€Lewis€Jenkins,€Jr.€wasŠ F'–"& Šproperly€served€by€personal€service,€does€now€terminate€parentalŠ /(#' Šrights€by€default€as€to€him.€€Upon€proof€introduced€at€the€hearing,Š )h$( Šstatements€of€counsel,€the€stipulated€report€of€the€Guardian€Ad€Litem,Š *Q%) ŠJeffrey€A.€Smith,€and€the€entire€record,€the€Court€finds€upon€clear€andŠ ź*:&* Šconvincing€evidence€that€the€Petition€To€Terminate€Parental€RightsŠ Ó+#'+ Šfiled€by€the€State€of€Tennessee,€Department€of€Childrenššs€Services,Š ° Šis€well€taken€as€to€Respondents,€Peter€Lewis€Jenkins,€Jr.€andŠ ™é ŠBernadette€Bernice€Clark,€and€should€be€sustained€and€relief€grantedŠ ‚Ņ Šthereunder€for€the€causes€therein€stated:Šk»` x` x ŠĢą8  ąą8` Š Š ąą ø ą1.€€Respondent€Peter€Lewis€Jenkins,€Jr.€has€willfullyŠ =  Šabandoned€this€child€in€that€Peter€Lewis€Jenkins,€Jr.€has€willfullyŠ & v Šfailed€to€provide€child€support€for€the€care€of€the€child€andŠ  _ ŠRespondent€Peter€Lewis€Jenkins,€Jr.€has€willfully€failed€to€visit€or€toŠ ų H Šengage€in€more€than€token€visitation€for€four€(4)€consecutive€monthsŠ į 1  Šimmediately€preceding€the€filing€of€the€Petition.ŠŹ  ` x` x ŠĢą8  ąą8` Š Š ąą ø ą2.€€Respondent€Bernadette€Bernice€Clark€has€willfullyŠ œģ  Šabandoned€this€child€in€that€Bernadette€Bernice€Clark€has€willfullyŠ …Õ  Šfailed€to€provide€child€support€for€the€care€of€the€child€andŠ n¾  ŠRespondent€Bernadette€Bernice€Clark€has€willfully€failed€to€visit€orŠ W§  Što€engage€in€more€than€token€visitation€for€four€(4)€consecutiveŠ @ Šmonths€immediately€preceding€the€filing€of€the€Petition.Š)y` x` x ŠĢą8  ąą8` Š Š ąą ø ą3.€€The€child€was€found€to€be€dependent€[and]€neglected€byŠ ūK Šthis€Court€and€was€placed€in€the€custody€of€the€Department€ofŠ ä4 ŠChildrenššs€Services;€the€Department€made€reasonable€efforts€toŠ Ķ Šprevent€removal€or€the€childššs€situation€prevented€reasonable€effortsŠ ¶ Šfrom€being€made€prior€to€removal;€the€Department€has€madeŠ Ÿļ Šreasonable€efforts€to€assist€the€parents,€Peter€Lewis€Jenkins,€Jr.€andŠ ˆŲ ŠBernadette€Bernice€Clark,€to€establish€a€suitable€home€for€the€childŠ qĮ Šfor€a€period€of€four€(4)€months€following€removal,€but€Respondents,Š ZŖ ŠPeter€Lewis€Jenkins,€Jr.€and€Bernadette€Bernice€Clark,€have€made€noŠ C“ Šreasonable€efforts€to€find€a€suitable€home€and€has€[sic]€demonstratedŠ ,| Ša€lack€of€concern€for€the€child€to€such€a€degree€that€it€appearsŠ e Šunlikely€that€they€will€be€able€to€provide€a€suitable€home€for€the€childŠ žN Šat€an€early€date.Šē 7` x` x ŠĢą8  ąą8` Š Š ąą ø ą4.€€The€child€has€been€removed€by€order€of€this€Court€for€aŠ ¹" ! Šperiod€of€six€(6)€months;€the€conditions€which€led€to€her€removal€stillŠ ¢#ņ" Špersist;€other€conditions€persist€which€in€all€probability€would€causeŠ ‹$Ū# Šthe€child€to€be€subjected€to€further€abuse€and€neglect€and€which,Š t%Ä $ Štherefore,€prevent€the€childššs€return€to€the€care€of€the€Respondents,Š ]&­!% ŠPeter€Lewis€Jenkins,€Jr.€and€Bernadette€Bernice€Clark;€there€is€littleŠ F'–"& Šlikelihood€that€these€conditions€will€be€remedied€at€an€early€date€soŠ /(#' Šthat€this€child€can€be€returned€to€Respondents,€Peter€Lewis€Jenkins,Š )h$( ŠJr.€and€Bernadette€Bernice€Clark,€in€the€near€future;€and€theŠ *Q%) Šā ācontinuation€of€the€legal€parent€and€child€relationship€greatlyŠ ź*:&* Šdiminishes€the€childššs€chances€of€early€integration€into€a€stable€andŠ ° Špermanent€home.Š™é` x` x Šā āĢą8  ąą8` Š Š ąą ø ą5.€€Despite€frequent€explanations€of€the€Statement€ofŠ k» ŠResponsibilities€set€out€in€the€periodic€foster€care€plans€prepared€forŠ T¤ Šand€signed€by€Respondent,€Bernadette€Bernice€Clark,€she€has€failedŠ =  Što€comply€in€a€substantial€manner€with€those€reasonableŠ & v Šresponsibilities€related€to€remedying€the€conditions€that€necessitatedŠ  _ Šfoster€care€placement.Šų H` x` x ŠĢą8  ąą8` Š Š ąą ø ą6.€€Respondent€father,€Peter€Lewis€Jenkins,€Jr.,€has€failed€toŠ Ź   Šmanifest€an€ability€and€willingness€to€assume€legal€and€physicalŠ ³  Šcustody€of€the€child.€€The€father€has€not€sought€a€relationship€with€theŠ œģ  Šchild.€€Awarding€legal€and€physical€[custody]€of€the€child€to€saidŠ …Õ  ŠRespondent€Peter€Lewis€Jenkins,€Jr.€would€pose€a€risk€of€substantialŠ n¾  Šharm€to€the€physical€and€psychological€welfare€of€the€child.ŠW§ ` x` x ŠĢą8  ąą8` Š Š ąą ø ą7.€€That,€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence,€it€is€in€the€bestŠ )y Šinterest€of€the€child,€[J.M.J.],€that€the€parental€rights€of€Peter€LewisŠ b ŠJenkins,€Jr.€and€Bernadette€Bernice€Clark€to€the€child€be€foreverŠ ūK Šterminated€and€that€the€complete€custody,€control,€and€guardianshipŠ ä4 Šof€the€child€be€awarded€to€the€State€of€Tennessee,€Department€ofŠ Ķ ŠChildrenššs€Services,€with€the€right€to€place€the€child€for€adoption€andŠ ¶ Što€consent€to€such€adoption€ņņinóó€ņņlocoóó€ņņparentisóó.ŠŸļ` x` x ŠĢą8  ąą8` Š Š ąą ø ą8.€€That€the€Department€of€Childrenššs€Services€has€exercisedŠ qĮ Šreasonable€efforts€to€prevent€removal€and€reunify€the€family.ŠZŖ` x` x ŠĢą8  ąą8` Š Š ąą ø ą9.€€That€this€Decree€of€Guardianship€shall€have€the€effect€ofŠ ,| Šterminating€all€the€rights€and€obligations€of€the€Respondents€to€theŠ e Šchild€and€of€the€child€to€the€Respondents€arising€from€the€parentalŠ žN Šrelationship,€and€the€Respondents€are€not€hereafter€entitled€to€noticeŠ ē 7 Šof€proceedings€for€the€adoption€of€the€child€by€another€nor€have€anyŠ Š!   Šright€to€object€to€such€adoption€or€otherwise€to€participate€in€suchŠ ¹" ! Šproceedings.Š¢#ņ"` x` x ŠĢą8  ąą8` Š Š ąą ø ą10.€€Awarding€legal€and€physical€custody€to€RespondentsŠ t%Ä $ ŠPeter€Lewis€Jenkins,€Jr.€and€Bernadette€Bernice€Clark€would€pose€aŠ ]&­!% Šrisk€of€substantial€harm€to€the€child.ŠF'–"&` x` x ŠĢą8  ąą8` Š Š ąą ø ą11.€€That€the€judgment€by€default€shall€enter€as€to€the€father,Š )h$( ŠPeter€Lewis€Jenkins,€Jr.Š*Q%)` x` x Šā āŠ ź*:&* Šą8  ąą8` Š Š ąą ø ą12.€€The€Court€further€finds€that€there€has€been€littleŠ ° Šā ācooperation€by€the€parents€in€this€cause.Š™é` x` x ŠĢą8  ąą8` Š Š ąą ø ą13.€€The€child€has€been€in€custody€since€August€13,€2001€andŠ k» Šhas€continually€been€in€the€custody€of€the€State€of€Tennessee,Š T¤ ŠDepartment€of€Childrenššs€Services.Š= ` x` x ŠĢą8  ąą8` Š Š ąą ø ą14.€€The€parents€have€a€substantial€criminal€record.Š _` x` x ŠĢą8  ąą8` Š Š ąą ø ą15.€€The€transcript€of€the€Findings€of€Fact€and€Conclusions€ofŠ į 1  ŠLaw€shall€be€incorporated€by€reference€as€if€set€forth€herein€verbatim.ŠŹ  ` x` x ŠĢą8  ąą8` Š Š ąIT€IS,€THEREFORE,€ORDERED,€ADJUDGED,€AND€DECREED:Šœģ ` x` x ŠĢą8  ąą8` Š Š ąą ø ą1.€€That€this€Decree€of€Guardianship€shall€have€the€effect€ofŠ n¾  Šterminating€all€the€rights€and€obligations€of€the€Respondents€to€theŠ W§  Šchild€and€of€the€child€to€the€Respondents€arising€from€the€parentalŠ @ Šrelationship,€and€the€Respondents€are€not€hereafter€entitled€to€noticeŠ )y Šof€proceedings€for€the€adoption€of€the€child€by€another€nor€have€anyŠ b Šright€to€object€to€such€adoption€or€otherwise€to€participate€in€suchŠ ūK Šproceedings.Šä4` x` x ŠĢą8  ąą8` Š Š ąą ø ą2.€€That€all€parental€rights€of€Peter€Lewis€Jenkins,€Jr.€andŠ ¶ ŠBernadette€Bernice€Clark,€to€the€child,€[J.M.J.],€are€hereby€foreverŠ Ÿļ Šterminated;€that€the€complete€custody,€control,€and€guardianship€ofŠ ˆŲ Šsaid€child€is€hereby€awarded€to€the€State€of€Tennessee,€DepartmentŠ qĮ Šof€Childrenššs€Services,€with€the€right€to€place€the€child€for€adoptionŠ ZŖ Šand€consent€to€such€adoption€ņņinóó€ņņlocoóó€ņņparentisóó.ŠC“` x` x ŠÓ,UÓĢą  ąMs.€Clark€filed€a€Notice€of€Appeal€on€April€7,€2003.׃ׯ ƒ #ĆŻņņŚ  Ś2Ś  ŚóóŻ  Ż×  ׀€She€raises€the€following€issue€forŠ e Šreview,€as€stated€in€her€brief:€Whether€the€trial€court€erred€in€finding€that€the€State€had€met€itsŠ žN Šburden€of€proof€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence€to€terminate€the€parental€rights€of€the€mother?Š ē 7 ŠĢą  ąSince€this€case€was€tried€by€a€trial€court€sitting€without€a€jury,€we€review€the€case€ņ ņņņdeŠ ¹" ! Šnovoó óóó€upon€the€record€with€a€presumption€of€correctness€of€the€findings€of€fact€by€the€trial€court.€Š £#ó" ŠUnless€the€evidence€preponderates€against€the€findings,€we€must€affirm,€absent€error€of€law.€€ņ ņņņSeeó óóóŠ $Ż# ŠTenn.€R.€App.€P.€13(d).Š w%Ē $ ŠĢą  ąT.C.A.€šš€36„1„113(c)(Supp.€2003)€governs€termination€of€parental€rights€and€requiresŠ I'™"& Šā āthat€such€termination€must€be€based€upon:Š 2(‚#' ŠÓ  Óą8  ąą8` Š Š ą(1)€A€finding€by€the€court€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence€that€theŠ ° Šā āgrounds€for€termination€[of]€parental€or€guardianship€rights€have€beenŠ ™é Šestablished;€andŠ‚Ņ` x` x Šą8  ąą8` Š Š ą(2)€That€termination€of€the€parentššs€or€guardianššs€rights€is€in€the€bestŠ k» Šinterest€of€the€child.ŠT¤` x` x ŠÓhÓĢą  ąThe€trial€court€terminated€Ms.€Clarkššs€parental€rights€on€the€following€grounds,€which€Š & v Šare€found€in€T.C.A.€šš€36„1„113(g)(5)(Supp.€2003),€to€wit:Š  _ ŠĢÓ  Óą8  ąą8` Š Š ą(1)€Abandonment€by€the€parent€or€guardian,€as€defined€in€šš€36„1„102,Š į 1  Šhas€occurred;ŠŹ  ` x` x ŠĢą8  ąą8` Š Š ą(2)€There€has€been€substantial€noncompliance€by€the€parent€orŠ œģ  Šguardian€with€the€statement€of€responsibilities€in€a€permanency€planŠ …Õ  Šor€a€plan€of€care€pursuant€to€the€provisions€of€title€37,€chapter€2,€partŠ n¾  Š4;ŠW§ ` x` x ŠĢą8  ąą8` Š Š ą(3)(A)€The€child€has€been€removed€from€the€home€of€the€parent€orŠ )y Šguardian€by€order€of€a€court€for€a€period€of€six€(6)€months€and:Šb` x` x Šą8  ąą8` Š Š ąą ø ą(i)€The€conditions€which€led€to€the€childššs€removal€or€otherŠ ūK Šconditions€which€in€all€reasonable€probability€would€cause€the€childŠ ä4 Što€be€subjected€to€further€abuse€or€neglect€and€which,€therefore,Š Ķ Šprevent€the€childššs€safe€return€to€the€care€of€the€parent(s)€orŠ ¶ Šguardian(s),€still€persist;ŠŸļ` x` x Šą8  ąą8` Š Š ąą ø ą(ii)€There€is€little€likelihood€that€these€conditions€will€beŠ ˆŲ Šremedied€at€an€early€date€so€that€the€child€can€be€safely€returned€toŠ qĮ Šthe€parent(s)€or€guardian(s)€in€the€near€future;€andŠZŖ` x` x Šą8  ąą8` Š Š ąą ø ą(iii)€The€continuation€of€the€parent€or€guardian€and€childŠ C“ Šrelationship€greatly€diminishes€the€childššs€chances€of€earlyŠ ,| Šintegration€into€a€safe,€stable€and€permanent€home.Še` x` x ŠÓ„ÓĢą  ąT.C.A.€šš36„1„102(1)(A)(Supp.€2003)€defines€š šAbandonmentšš€as€follows:Š ē 7 ŠĢÓ  Óą8  ąą8` Š Š ą(1)(A)€š šAbandonmentšš€means,€for€purposes€of€terminating€theŠ ¹" ! Šparental€or€guardian€rights€of€parent(s)€or€guardian(s)€of€a€child€toŠ ¢#ņ" Šthat€child€in€order€to€make€that€child€available€for€adoption,€that:Š‹$Ū#` x` x ŠĢą8  ąą8` Š Š ąą ø ą(i)€For€a€period€of€four€(4)€consecutive€months€immediatelyŠ ]&­!% Špreceding€the€filing€of€a€proceeding€or€pleading€to€terminate€theŠ F'–"& Šparental€rights€of€the€parent(s)€or€guardian(s)€of€the€child€who€is€theŠ /(#' Šsubject€of€the€petition€for€termination€of€parental€rights€or€adoption,Š )h$( Šthat€the€parent(s)€or€guardian(s)€either€have€willfully€failed€to€visit€orŠ *Q%) Šhave€willfully€failed€to€support€or€have€willfully€failed€to€makeŠ ź*:&* Šreasonable€payments€toward€the€support€of€the€child;ŠÓ+#'+` x` x Їą8  ąą8` Š Š ąą ø ą(ii)€The€child€has€been€removed€from€the€home€of€theŠ ° Šparent(s)€or€guardian(s)€as€the€result€of€a€petition€filed€in€the€juvenileŠ ™é Šcourt€in€which€the€child€was€found€to€be€a€dependent€and€neglectedŠ ‚Ņ Šchild,€as€defined€in€šš€37„1„102,€and€the€child€was€placed€in€theŠ k» Šcustody€of€the€department...that€the€juvenile€court€found...that€theŠ T¤ Šdepartment...made€reasonable€efforts€to€prevent€removal€of€the€childŠ =  Šor€that€the€circumstances€of€the€childššs€situation€prevented€reasonableŠ & v Šefforts€from€being€made€prior€to€the€childššs€removal;€and€for€a€periodŠ  _ Šof€four€(4)€months€following€the€removal,€the€department...has€madeŠ ų H Šreasonable€efforts€to€assist€the€parent(s)€or€guardian(s)€to€establish€aŠ į 1  Šsuitable€home€for€the€child,€but€that€the€parent(s)€or€guardian(s)€haveŠ Ź   Šmade€no€reasonable€efforts€to€provide€a€suitable€home€and€haveŠ ³  Šdemonstrated€a€lack€of€concern€for€the€child€to€such€a€degree€that€itŠ œģ  Šappears€unlikely€that€they€will€be€able€to€provide€a€suitable€home€forŠ …Õ  Šthe€child€at€an€early€date;Šn¾ ` x` x ŠÓw‹ÓĢą  ąT.C.A.€šš€36„1„113€(c)€allows€for€termination€of€parental€rights€if€any€one€of€the€groundsŠ @ Šoutlined€in€T.C.A.€šš€36„1„113(g)€are€found€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence,€and€termination€isŠ )y Šin€the€best€interest€of€the€child.€€We€have€reviewed€the€entire€record€in€this€case,€and€we€find€thatŠ b Šthe€record€is€replete€with€evidence€to€support€the€trial€courtššs€finding€that€termination€of€Ms.Š ūK ŠClarkššs€parental€rights€is€warranted€on€any€and€all€of€the€grounds€listed€in€the€Final€Order.€€WeŠ ä4 Šfurther€find,€in€accordance€with€the€trial€court,€€that€termination€of€Ms.€Clarkššs€parental€rights€isŠ Ķ Šin€the€best€interest€of€this€child.Š ¶ ŠņņĢAbandonment€GroundsóóŠ ˆŲ ŠĢą  ąPursuant€to€T.C.A.€šš36„1„102(1)(A)(i)€abandonment€occurs€when€a€parent€has€willfullyŠ ZŖ Šfailed€to€visit€or€support€the€child€for€a€period€of€four€(4)€consecutive€months€ņ ņimmediatelyŠ C“ Špreceding€ó óthe€filing€of€a€proceeding€or€pleading€to€terminate€the€parental€rights€of€the€parent.€€InŠ / Šthe€instant€case,€J.M.J.€was€removed€from€her€motherššs€custody€on€August€13,€2001.€€DCS€filedŠ k Šits€Petition€to€Termination€Parental€Rights€on€September€17,€2001.€€€Clarissa€Pipkin,€homeŠ  T Šcounty€case€manager€for€DCS,€testified€as€follows€concerning€Ms.€Clarkššs€visitationŠ ķ = Šš šimmediately€precedingšš€the€filing€of€the€Petition€to€Terminate€Parental€Rights:Š Ö!&  ŠÓ  ÓĢą8  ąą8` Š Š ąQ.€€So€from€August€29,€šš01€until€June€14,€šš02€you€[Ms.€Pipkin]€donšštŠ Ø#ų" Šhave€a€record€of€any€visits€during€that€period€of€time?Š‘$į#` x` x ŠĢą8  ąą8` Š Š ąA.€Not€visits€with€mom€and€child.€€I€have€visits€between€mom€and€meŠ c&³!% Šbut€that€is€it€as€far€as€the€child.ŠL'œ"&` x` x ŠĢą8  ąą8` Š Š ąQ.€€So€it€is€your€understanding€for€10€months€she€[Ms.€Clark]€didnšštŠ )n$( Šsee€her€[J.M.J.]€at€all?Š*W%)` x` x Šā āŠ š*@&* Šą8  ąą8` Š Š ąA.€€Out€of€the€time€frame€that€I€have€that€would€be€correct.€€I€amŠ ° Šā ātrying€to€count€the€months.€€I€have€the€months€listed€here.€€I€donšštŠ ™é Šhave€them€listed€1€through€12.Š‚Ņ` x` x ŠĢą8  ąą8` Š Š ąQ.€€From€August€šš01€until€June€2002,€you€donššt€show€any€visits?ŠT¤` x` x ŠĢą8  ąą8` Š Š ąA.€€No.€€€Š& v` x` x ŠÓ›ÓĢą  ąAlthough€there€is€some€evidence€that€Ms.€Clark€has€visited€approximately€six€(6)€timesŠ ų H Šņ ņņņsinceó óóó€the€filing€of€the€Petition€to€Terminate,€the€statutory€language€of€T.C.A.€šš36„1„102(1)(A)(i),Š į 1  Šsee€ņņsupraóó,€clearly€indicates€that€visitation,€for€purposes€of€determining€whether€a€parent€hasŠ Ė   Šabandoned€the€child,€is€measured€for€the€period€of€four€(4)€months€ņ ņņņimmediately€precedingó óóó€theŠ “  Šfiling€of€the€Petition€to€Terminate.€€€The€only€evidence€adduced€at€the€hearing€in€this€caseŠ žī  Šindicates€that€Ms.€Clark€failed€to€visit€with€J.M.J.€for€some€ten€(10)€months€prior€to€theŠ ‡×  ŠSeptember€17,€2001€filing.€€Grounds€of€abandonment€are,€therefore,€met€by€clear€and€convincingŠ pĄ  Ševidence.Š Y©  ŠņņĢCompliance€with€the€Permanency€PlanóóŠ +{ ŠĢą  ąUnder€the€Permanency€Plan,€Ms.€Clark€was€required€to€submit€to€an€alcohol€and€drugŠ żM Šassessment,€to€write€letters€to€J.M.J.€telling€her€that€the€sexual€abuse€was€not€J.M.J.ššs€fault,€andŠ ę6 Što€take€part€fully€in€whatever€reunification€services€were€implemented€in€the€case.€€There€isŠ Ļ Šdispute€in€the€record€as€to€whether€Ms.€Clark€complied€with€the€A&D€assessment.€€Ms.€PipkinŠ ø Štestified€that€referrals€were€made€for€Ms.€Clark€and€that€Ms.€Clark€was€aware€of€these€referralsŠ ”ń Šand€of€her€obligation€to€follow€through.€€Witnesses€for€DCS€testified€that€Ms.€Clark€neverŠ ŠŚ Šcompleted€the€required€assessment;€however,€Ms.€Clark€testified€that€she€did€complete€theŠ sĆ Šassessment€but€was€unaware€that€she€was€to€provide€documentation€of€that€completion€to€DCS.€Š \¬ ŠNo€documentation€was€provided€at€the€hearing.€€Š E• ŠĢą  ąEven€if€we€allow€that€Ms.€Clark€completed€her€A&D€assessment,€we€cannot€overlook€theŠ g Šfact€that,€by€Ms.€Clarkššs€own€admission,€she€failed€to€comply€with€perhaps€the€simplest€task€inŠ  P Šthe€Permanency€Planš!šwriting€a€letter€to€J.M.J.:Š é 9 ŠÓ  ÓĢą8  ąą8` Š Š ąQ.€€Have€you€[Ms.€Clark]€talked€with€[J.M.J.]š!šthe€permanency€planŠ »" ! Šsays€you€are€supposed€to€write€a€letter€to€[J.M.J.]€talking€about€theŠ ¤#ō" Šsexual€abuse?Š$Ż#` x` x ŠĢą8  ąą8` Š Š ąA.€€Right.Š_&Æ!%` x` x ŠĢą8  ąą8` Š Š ąQ.€€Have€you€done€that?Š1(#'` x` x ŠĢą8  ąą8` Š Š ąA.€€No.€€I€wrote€a€letter€but€I€never€mailed€if€off€but€I€did€go€downŠ *S%) Šthere€and€talk€to€her.Šģ*<&*` x` x ŠÓ$ØÓŠ Õ+%'+ Šą  ąAdditionally,€there€is€substantial€evidence€that,€despite€DCSšš€attempts€to€work€with€Ms.€Š ° ŠClark€on€the€process€of€reunification,€those€efforts€were€stymied€due€to€Ms.€Clarkššs€failure€toŠ ™é Šparticipate€in€any€meaningful€way.€€Š ‚Ņ ŠĢą  ąConsequently,€we€find€that€there€is€clear€and€convincing€evidence€to€support€the€trialŠ T¤ Šcourtššs€finding€that€Ms.€Clark€has€been€in€substantial€noncompliance€with€the€requirements€ofŠ =  Šthe€Permanency€Plan.Š & v ŠņņĢConditions€That€Led€to€J.M.Jššs€RemovalŠ ų H ŠóóĢą0  ąJ.M.J.€was€removed€from€Ms.€Clarkššs€home€on€August€13,€2001€because€of€the€sexual€ŠŹ  (#(# Šabuse€perpetrated€upon€her€by€her€motherššs€boyfriend€while€her€mother€was€passed€out€fromŠ ³  Šdrinking.€€Concerning€Ms.€Clarkššs€sobriety,€Ms.€Pipkin€testified€that€she€had€seen€Ms.€ClarkŠ œģ  Šsome€two€or€three€months€prior€to€the€hearing€and,€at€that€time,€Ms.€Clark€appeared€to€be€underŠ …Õ  Šthe€influence.€€Although€Ms.€Clark€testified€that€she€had€not€consumed€any€alcohol€for€five€or€sixŠ n¾  Šmonths€prior€to€the€hearing,€when€she€was€questioned€about€Ms.€Pipkinššs€observation,€Ms.€ClarkŠ W§  Štestified€as€follows:Š @ ŠÓ  ÓĢą8  ąą8` Š Š ąQ.€€Ms.€Pipkin€testified€that€you€had€been€drinking€aboutš!šshe€sawŠ b Šyou€about€2€months€ago€and€you€appeared€to€be€under€the€influence.€Š ūK ŠThat€is€not€correct?Šä4` x` x ŠĢą8  ąą8` Š Š ąA.€€Just€one€beer.ж` x` x ŠÓ°ÓĢBy€her€own€testimony,€Ms.€Clark€has€not€completely€stopped€drinking.Š ˆŲ ŠĢą  ąConcerning€her€present€living€conditions,€Ms.€Clark€testified,€in€pertinent€part,€as€Š ZŖ Šfollows:ą ` ąŠ C“ ŠĢÓ  Óą8  ąą8` Š Š ąQ.€€Ms.€Clark,€where€are€you€currently€residing?Še` x` x ŠĢą8  ąą8` Š Š ąA.€€I€live€in€a€trailer€park€in€Humbolt.Šē 7` x` x ŠĢą8  ąą8` Š Š ąQ.€€In€Humbolt?й" !` x` x ŠĢą8  ąą8` Š Š ąA.€€Yeah.Š‹$Ū#` x` x ŠĢą8  ąą8` Š Š ąQ.€€Who€are€you€residing€with?Š]&­!%` x` x ŠĢą8  ąą8` Š Š ąA.€€A€friend,€guy€man.Š/(#'` x` x ŠĢą8  ąą8` Š Š ąQ.€€Iššm€sorry.Š*Q%)` x` x ŠĢą8  ąą8` Š Š ąA.€€My€boyfriend.ŠÓ+#'+` x` x Їą8  ąą8` Š Š ąQ.€€A€boyfriend€of€yours?а` x` x ŠĢą8  ąą8` Š Š ąA.€€Yes.Š‚Ņ` x` x ŠĢą8  ąą8` Š Š ą*€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€*€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€*ŠT¤` x` x ŠĢą8  ąą8` Š Š ąQ.€€How€long€have€you€been€dating€him?Š& v` x` x ŠĢą8  ąą8` Š Š ąA.€€About€6€months€now.Šų H` x` x ŠĢą8  ąą8` Š Š ąQ.€€You€have€been€residing€in€that€same€trailer€for€6€months?ŠŹ  ` x` x ŠĢą8  ąą8` Š Š ąA.€€Yes.Šœģ ` x` x ŠÓ²ÓĢą  ąThe€circumstances€that€existed€at€the€time€of€J.M.J.ššs€removal€from€her€motherššs€homeŠ n¾  Šhave€obviously€not€been€remedied€as€Ms.€Clark€is€still€residing€with€a€boyfriend.€€Although€theŠ W§  Šcurrent€boyfriend€is€not€Kenny€Williams€and,€although€there€is€no€testimony€that€the€currentŠ @ Šboyfriend€will€abuse€J.M.J.,€the€circumstances€are,€nonetheless,€too€similar€to€risk€placing€thisŠ )y Šchild€back€with€her€mother.€€This€is€particularly€true€since€the€evidence€indicates€that€Ms.€ClarkŠ b Šis€still€drinking€to€some€extent.€€In€addition,€there€is€nothing€in€this€record€to€indicate€that€theseŠ ūK Šcircumstances€will€be€remedied€at€any€time€in€the€foreseeable€future.€€Consequently,€there€isŠ ä4 Šclear€and€convincing€evidence€in€the€record€to€support€the€trial€courtššs€finding€that€theŠ Ķ Šcircumstances€that€led€to€J.M.J.ššs€removal€on€August€13,€2001€have€not€and€will€not€beŠ ¶ Šremedied.Š Ÿļ ŠņņĢBest€Interest€of€J.M.J.Š qĮ ŠóóĢą0  ąHaving€found€that€all€of€the€grounds€for€termination€listed€in€the€Final€Order€are€well€ŠC“(#(# Šsupported€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence€in€this€record,€we€now€turn€to€the€question€ofŠ ,| Šwhether€the€evidence€clearly€and€convincingly€evinces€termination€to€be€in€J.M.J.ššs€best€interest.€Š e ŠĢ€€€€€€€€€€€€The€uncontested€testimony€is€that€J.M.J.€is€a€special€needs€child.€€She€has€been€diagnosedŠ ē 7 Šwith€major€depressive€disorder,€opposition€defiance€disorder,€and€a€learning€disorder.€€She€isŠ Š!   Šcurrently€taking€Clonidene€for€mood€stabilization,€Respidal€for€psychosis,€Topamax,€an€anti„Š ¹" ! Šconvulsant,€for€mood€disorder,€Paxil,€an€anti„depressant,€and€DDADP€for€bed€wetting.€€At€theŠ ¢#ņ" Štime€of€the€hearing,€J.M.J.€was€twelve€(12)€years€old.€€Testimony€in€record€indicates€that€J.M.JššsŠ ‹$Ū# Šcondition€is€exacerbated€by€instability.€€Š t%Ä $ ŠĢą  ąThe€fact€that€Ms.€Clark€is€currently€living€with€a€boyfriend,€the€fact€that€she€is,€by€herŠ F'–"& Šown€admission,€currently€unemployed,€and€the€fact€that€she€is€still€drinking€to€some€extent,€doŠ /(#' Šnot€bode€well€for€a€stable€environment€for€J.M.J.€€At€the€time€of€the€hearing,€J.M.J.€had€beenŠ )h$( Šplaced€with€relatives,€Alecia€and€Eric€Taylor,€where€she€was€doing€well€and€exhibiting€noŠ *Q%) Šā ābehavioral€problems.€€We€find€that€the€continuation€of€the€parent€and€child€relationship€in€thisŠ ź*:&* Šcase€would€greatly€diminish€J.M.J.ššs€chances€of€early€integration€into€a€safe,€stable€andŠ ° Špermanent€home.€€Š ™é Šā āĢą  ąFor€the€foregoing€reasons,€we€find€that€there€is€clear€and€convincing€evidence€in€theŠ k» Šrecord€to€support€the€termination€grounds€cited€by€the€trial€court.€€Furthermore,€the€recordŠ T¤ Šadequately€establishes€that€termination€of€parental€rights€is€in€the€best€interest€of€this€child.€€We,Š =  Štherefore,€affirm€the€Final€Order€of€the€juvenile€court,€terminating€the€parental€rights€ofŠ & v ŠBernadette€Bernice€Clark.€€Costs€of€this€appeal€are€assessed€to€the€Appellant,€Bernadette€BerniceŠ  _ ŠClark,€and€her€surety.Š ų H ŠŌ#†¼Į±»XXŽæ~ #ŌŌ€XŽæX»¼Į±ŌĢą  ąą ` ąą ø ąą  ąą h ą__________________________________________Š Ź   Šą  ąą ` ąą ø ąą  ąą h ąW.€FRANK€CRAWFORD,€PRESIDING€JUDGE,€W.S.