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Õ.ÚylAe¼/{6ààø.ù/‹t黬ó®7…щåÞ Ìl×}¿ôY °»PnŸ‹ XoúR½V(¯c'3¶deäq-²±'ˆ=•¶ÆE(×±ÎYª$÷=ô=«EÞåÜ#ÆÛb+}–`EL¾ˆ`V¨êGå?‡ÐBHÑ™¨9\˜ÃeÉ †_ˆýw\KM>M޼ž?kw”2›p`-s%…/òjîsê˜}L5ªÛæ¸Ë"h²—¾Jëc ò<=ÿAO–„7o<·[r„üña3ÜèªÕÔ îÀoŒñÛ-éÀ[~ ¸G$Îrâm«ýÆa¯QF®`Ìn(ç4f’úª’1‹ò¢- 5ã‚y mç¯]#%KÙb %\UNb 0ˆ°UN8N†ðˆñx zi Òã µ ªÌ õv 0DkƯÆuÆ;ÆÇNFwH4LE`bq ms#ÉŠŠŠŠŠŠŠ^ SSSSSSSSSSSSSb____________________________________ 0ëgggg BRR 0¤o D5 D-H 0Kuu ASÀÆ 0¤Ù 0D} A«Á»(@øÐ Z‹6Times New Roman Regular(`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regular æÝ ƒRëÔ$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôíìò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€John€Shields€had€previously€been€married€to€Doris€Shields€and€had€two€children€with€her,€Roy€and€Jesse. çÝ ƒRëÔ$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôíìò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€John€Shields€and€Howell€have€two€other€male€children.€€These€children€were€not€removed€to€State€custody. ˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wpt Ý ƒRëÔ$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôíìò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€€On€July€8,€2003,€an€Order€was€entered€terminating€the€parental€rights€of€Roy€Shields€and€he€is€not€a€partyÐ ° Ðto€this€appeal  Ý ƒRëÔ$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôíìò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€Upon€motion€of€DCS,€by€Order€of€May€27,€2003,€John€Shields€was€dismissed€from€this€case€ð ðas€he€is€not€theÐ ° Ðbiological€father€of€the€minor€child€and€as€he€therefore€has€no€legal€interest€in€the€child.ðð€€John€Shields€is€not€a€party€toÐ qÁ Ðthis€appeal ëÝ ƒRëÔ$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôíìò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€As€noted€òòsupraóó,€these€findings€were€incorporated€by€reference€into€the€Final€Order€of€the€trial€court.(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5 uÝ ƒRëÔ$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôíìò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€The€foster€parents€are€of€advanced€age€and€the€testimony€indicates€that€they€are€not€able€to€adopt€Ô_ÔC.M.S.Ô_Ô€orÐ ° Ðto€provide€long„term€(i.e.€life€long)€care€for€Ô_ÔC.M.S.Ô_Ô6hö001s033|x ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ˜\\IB01S02\CLERKJACÈÈ,,,,ÈÈ0&~1Ï - ù-(|G2ëÔ$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€Ìé»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôíìò»»Ô d(|37*$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€Ìé»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV)ÿÿ!dxdx)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|37*$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€Ìé»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€Ìé»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ  ÑÔ€¼Ìé»»»ÔÑ8€„ïXXdé»»d8ÑÑ  Ñà@ò ò ìàÔ‡î+®î»¼ÌéÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@òò%ìàAT€JACKSONÔ#†¼Ìé»îî+® #ԈРÓ# ÐÓ  ÓOn€Briefs€October€28,€2004Ð öF ÐÔ‡X„ïX»¼ÌéÔÌò òÔ#†¼Ìé»XX„ïõ#ÔIN€THE€MATTER€OF€C.M.S.;€STATE€OF€TENNESSEE€DEPARTMENTÐ ï? ÐOF€CHILDREN'S€SERVICESòòóó€v.€LISA€HOWELL,€òòet€alóó.Ô‡X„ïX»¼ÌéÔó óÐ  P ÐÌà@@½½ìàò òA€Direct€Appeal€from€the€Juvenile€Court€for€Madison€CountyÐ ú J Ðà@@øøìàNo.€29„24,782€€€€€€The€Honorable€Christy€R.€Little,€JudgeÐ ä 4 ÐÌÌà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<¡` AßÐ ¢ò  ÐÌà@@TTìàNo.€W2004„00295„COA„R3„PT€„€Filed€November€19,€2004Ð ›ë  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<n` AßÐ o¿  Ðó óÌÓ  ÓÔ‡X=¬XXX„ïÔà  àThis€is€a€termination€of€parental€rights€case.€€Mother€appeals€from€the€order€of€the€JuvenileÐ g· ÐCourt€of€Madison€County,€terminating€her€parental€rights€on€the€grounds€of€persistence€ofÐ P  Ðconditions.€Specifically,€Mother€asserts€that€the€termination€of€her€parental€rights€is€not€supportedÐ 9‰ Ðby€clear€and€convincing€evidence€in€the€record,€and€that€termination€is€not€in€the€best€interest€of€theÐ "r Ðchildren.€We€reverse€and€remand.Ð  [ ÐÔ#†X„ïXXX=¬ç#ÔÔ#†¼Ìé»XX„ï¿#ÔÔ‡X„ïX»¼ÌéÔÌÓÛÓÌò òTenn.€R.€App.€P.€3;€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Juvenile€Court€Reversed€andÐ Æ ÐRemandedó óÐ ° ÐÌòòÓ  ÓÔ#†¼Ìé»àX„ïc#ÔÔ‡X„ïX.¼ÌéÔW.€Frank€Crawford,€P.J.,€W.S.óó,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòAlan€E.€Highers,Ð ƒÓ ÐJ.óó€and€òòDavid€R.€Farmer,€J.óó,€joined.Ð l¼ ÐÌRoger€Stanfield€of€Jackson€for€Appellant,€Lisa€HowellÐ >Ž ÐÌPaul€G.€Summers,€Attorney€General€and€Reporter;€Elizabeth€C.€Driver,€Assistant€Attorney€General,Ð !`  ÐFor€Appellee,€Tennessee€Department€of€Children's€ServicesÐ ù!I! ÐÓ#ÓÌò òOPINIONó óÔ#†¼Ìé»XX„ïR#ÔÔ‡X„ïX»¼ÌéÔÐ Ë## ÐÌòòóóÔ#†¼Ìé»XX„ïy #ÔÔ‡X„ïX»¼ÌéÔÓ  ÓÑ8€=¬XXdéXXdé8Ñà  àLisa€Gail€McAnally€Howell€(ð ðHowell,ðð€ð ðMother,ðð€or€ð ðAppellantðð)€is€the€natural€mother€ofÐ ž%î % ÐC.M.S.€(d.o.b.€7/12/90).€€C.M.S.€is€mentally€retarded.€€€The€record€shows€that€C.M.S.ðð€IQ€is€aroundÐ ‡&×!& Ð49€and€that€she€functions€at€the€level€of€a€five€or€six€year€old€child.€€At€the€time€of€C.M.S.ðð€birth,Ð p'À"' ÐHowell€was€not€married€to€John€Shields€but€they€were€living€together.€€John€Shields€is€listed€as€theÐ Y(©#( Ðâ âfather€on€C.M.S.ðð€birth€certificate.€€€John€Shields€and€Howell€eventually€married.׃×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€In€theirÐ B)’$)ý Ðsubsequent€divorce,€John€Shields€was€awarded€custody€of€C.M.S.€and€Howell€continued€to€haveÐ ° Ðcontact€with€the€child.׃×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð ™é Ðâ âÌà  àC.M.S.€came€into€the€State€of€Tennessee€Department€of€Childrenððs€Servicesðð€(ð ðDCS,ðð€orÐ k» Ðð ðAppelleeðð)€custody€on€May€18,€1997,€after€DCS€received€a€report€that€C.M.S.€had€been€sexuallyÐ T¤ Ðabused€by€John€Shields.€C.M.S.€has€been€in€foster€care€continuously€since€that€time.à Ð àOn€AugustÐ =  Ð30,€2002,€DCS€filed€a€ð ðPetition€to€Terminate€Parental€Rightsðð€of€Howell€and€John€Shields€(theÐ & v Ðð ðOriginal€Petitionðð).€Ð  _ ÐÌà  àOn€December€6,€2002,€on€the€motion€of€the€guardian€ad€litem,€the€trial€court€orderedÐ á 1  Ðparentage€testing.€€A€DNA€test€conducted€in€December€2002,€and€admitted€as€Trial€Exhibit€1,Ð Ê   Ðexcluded€John€Shields€as€the€father€of€C.M.S.׃ Q×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Howell€informed€a€case€worker€that€Roy€Shields,Ð ³  Ðthe€adopted€son€of€John€Shields,€was€the€only€other€possible€father€of€C.M.S.€€On€April€1,€2003,Ð œì  ÐDCS€filed€an€ð ðAmended€Petition€to€Terminate€Parental€Rightsðð€(the€ð ðAmended€Petitionðð).€€TheÐ …Õ  ÐAmended€Petition€incorporates€the€Original€Petition€by€reference€and€asserts,€against€Roy€Shields,Ð n¾  Ðall€grounds€listed€in€the€Original€Petition.׃ \×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð W§  ÐÌà  àA€hearing€was€held€on€July€22,€2003€and€July€29,€2003.€€On€January€20,€2004,€the€trial€courtÐ )y Ðentered€its€ð ðOrder€Terminating€all€Parental€Rights€of€Lisa€Howell€and€Order€Awarding€FullÐ b ÐGuardianship€to€the€Department€of€Childrenððs€Servicesðð€(the€ð ðFinal€Orderðð).€€The€Final€Order€reads,Ð ûK Ðin€relevant€part,€as€follows:Ð ä4 ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à2.€€That€the€child€has€been€removed€from€the€parentððs€home€as€aÐ ¶ Ðresult€of€a€petition€filed€in€the€juvenile€court€in€which€the€child€wasÐ Ÿï Ðfound€to€be€dependent€and€neglected,€as€defined€in€TCA€37„1„102,Ð ˆØ Ðand€placed€in€DCS€custody€and€that€DCS€made€reasonable€efforts€toÐ qÁ Ðassist€the€parent€for€the€four€months€following€the€removal€toÐ Zª Ðestablish€a€suitable€home€for€the€minor€child€but€the€parents€made€noÐ C“ Ðreasonable€efforts€to€provide€a€suitable€home€and€ha[ve]Ð ,| Ðdemonstrated€a€lack€of€concern€for€the€child€to€such€a€degree€that€itÐ e Ðappears€unlikely€that€she€will€be€able€to€provide€a€suitable€home€forÐ þN Ðthe€child€at€an€early€date.Ðç 7` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à3.€€That€the€child€has€been€in€the€care€of€the€State€of€Tennessee,Ð ¹" ! ÐDepartment€of€Childrenððs€Services,€continuously€since€the€date€ofÐ ¢#ò" Ðremoval.Ћ$Û#` x` x Їà8  àà8` Ð Ð à4.€€That€there€is€no€reason€to€continue€the€parent„child€relationshipÐ ° Ðgiven€the€above€facts.€€The€child€needs€to€be€placed€for€adoption€asÐ ™é Ðsoon€as€possible€so€she€has€the€best€chance€of€achieving€a€stable€andÐ ‚Ò Ðpermanent€home.Ðk»` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à5.€€That€it€is€in€the€best€interest€of€the€above„named€child€that€theÐ =  ÐRespondentððs€parental€rights€be€terminated,€because:Ð& v` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àa)€Lisa€Howell€has€failed€to€make€an€adjustment€of€circumstance,Ð ø H Ðconduct,€or€conditions€as€to€make€it€safe€and€in€the€childððs€bestÐ á 1  Ðinterest€to€be€in€her€home;€and,ÐÊ  ` x` x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àb)€Lisa€Howell€has€failed€to€effect€a€lasting€adjustment€afterÐ ³  Ðreasonable€efforts€by€available€social€services€agencies€for€suchÐ œì  Ðduration€of€time€that€lasting€adjustment€does€not€reasonably€appearÐ …Õ  Ðpossible;€and,Ðn¾ ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à*€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€*€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€*Ð@` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à10.€€That€it€is€in€the€best€interest€of€the€child€and€the€public€that€allÐ b Ðthe€parental€rights€of€the€Respondent€mother,€Lisa€Howell€toÐ ûK Ð[C.M.S.]€be€forever€terminated€and€that€complete€custody,€controlÐ ä4 Ðand€complete€guardianship€should€be€awarded€to€the€State€ofÐ Í ÐTennessee,€Department€of€Childrenððs€Services,€with€the€right€to€placeÐ ¶ Ðsaid€child€for€adoption€and€to€consent€to€such€adoption€in€òòòòlocoÐ Ÿï Ðparentisóóóó.ЈØ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àò òIT€IS€THEREFORE,€ORDERED,€ADJUDGED,€ANDÐ Zª ÐDECREED:ÐD”` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àó ó*€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€*€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€*Ðh` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à2.€€That€all€of€the€parental€rights€of€Lisa€Howell€to€the€said€child€be,Ð ê : Ðand€the€same,€are€hereby€forever€terminated€and€that€said€terminationÐ Ó!#  Ðis€in€the€childððs€best€interest.м" !` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à*€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€*€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€*ÐŽ$Þ#` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à5.€€The€Court€finds€that€the€Department€has€made€reasonable€effortsÐ `&°!% Ðto€achieve€the€childððs€permanency€plan€goal€by€filing€the€petition€toÐ I'™"& Ðterminate€parental€rights€and€pursuing€termination.€€Further,€thatÐ 2(‚#' Ðthere€is€no€less€drastic€alternative€at€present€to€the€continued€removalÐ )k$( Ðof€the€child€and€that€the€childððs€continued€care€and€custody€with€theÐ *T%) Ðâ âdepartment€is€necessary€and€continuation€of€the€childððs€custody€orÐ í*=&* Ðreturn€of€the€child€to€the€custody€of€her€parents€is€contrary€to€the€bestÐ ° Ðinterest€of€the€child€at€the€present€time.Йé` x` x Ðâ âÌThe€Final€Order€incorporates€by€reference€the€trial€courtððs€findings€made€at€the€hearing.€Ð k» ÐÌà  àHowell€appeals€from€the€Final€Order€and€raises€two€issues€for€review€as€stated€in€her€brief:Ð =  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à1.€€Whether€the€trial€court€erred€in€entering€an€order€of€termination€ofÐ  _ Ðparental€rights€unsupported€by€findings€of€fact.Ðø H` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à2.€€Whether€the€trial€court€erred€in€failing€to€conduct€a€ð ðbest€interestððÐ Ê   Ðanalysis.г ` x` x ÐÌà  àSince€this€case€was€tried€by€the€court€sitting€without€a€jury,€we€review€the€case€ò òòòde€novoó óóó€uponÐ …Õ  Ðthe€record€with€a€presumption€of€correctness€of€the€findings€of€fact€by€the€trial€court.€€Unless€theÐ o¿  Ðevidence€preponderates€against€the€findings,€we€must€affirm,€absent€error€of€law.€€ò òòòSeeó óóó€Tenn.€R.€App.Ð X¨  ÐP.€13(d).Ð B’ ÐÌà  àT.C.A.€ðð€36-1-113(c)(Supp.€2004)€governs€termination€of€parental€rights€and€requires€thatÐ d Ðsuch€termination€be€based€upon:€Ð ýM ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(1)€A€finding€by€the€court€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence€that€theÐ Ï Ðgrounds€for€termination€[of]€parental€or€guardianship€rights€have€beenÐ ¸ Ðestablished;€and€Ð¡ñ` x` x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(2)€That€termination€of€the€parent's€or€guardian's€rights€is€in€the€bestÐ ŠÚ Ðinterest€of€the€child.à h àThe€standard€for€the€termination€of€parentalÐ sà Ðrights€is€well€settled.€€The€United€States€Supreme€Court€hasÐ \¬ Ðrecognized€the€important€nature€of€cases€involving€the€termination€ofÐ E• Ðparental€rights,€stating€that€ð ð[f]ew€consequences€of€judicial€action€areÐ .~ Ðso€grave€as€the€severance€of€natural€family€ties.ðð€òòò òM.L.B.€v.€S.L.J.ó óóó,Ð g Ð519€U.S.€102,€119€(1996)€(quoting€òòò òSantosky€v.€Krameró óóó,€455€U.S.€745Ð  Q Ð(1982)€(Rehnquist,€J.,€dissenting)).€Accordingly,€ð ðthe€interest€ofÐ ë ; Ðparents€in€their€relationship€with€their€children€is€sufficientlyÐ Ô!$  Ðfundamental€to€come€within€the€finite€class€of€liberty€interestsÐ ½" ! Ðprotected€by€the€Fourteenth€Amendment.ðð€òòò òIdó óóó.€The€constitutionalÐ ¦#ö" Ðprotections€of€the€parent-child€relationship€require€certain€safeguardsÐ $à# Ðbefore€the€relationship€can€be€severed.€òòò òSee€O'Daniel€v.€Messieró óóó,€905Ð y%É $ ÐS.W.2d€182,€186€(Tenn.Ct.App.1995)€(rev'd€on€other€grounds,€òòò òIn€re:Ð c&³!% ÐSwansonó óóó,€2€S.W.3d€180€(Tenn.1999)).€ÐM'"&` x` x Ðà  àAs€a€safeguard,€courts€are€required€to€apply€the€heightened€ð ðclear€and€convincingðð€proofÐ 7(‡#' Ðstandard.€òòò òSee€Santoskyó óóó,€455€U.S.€at€769;€òòò òO'Danieló óóó,€905€S.W.2d€at€186.€To€justify€the€terminationÐ  )p$( Ðof€parental€rights,€the€grounds€for€termination€must€be€established€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence.Ð  *Z%) Ðòòò òSee€ó óóóTenn.Code€Ann.€ðð€36-1-113(c)(1)€(Supp.2003);€òòò òState€Dep't€of€Human€Servs.€v.€Defrieceó óóó,€937Ð ó*C&* ÐS.W.2d€954,€960€(Tenn.Ct.App.1996).€Although€it€does€not€require€as€much€certainty€as€the€ð ðbeyondÐ Ý+-'+ Ða€reasonable€doubtðð€standard,€the€ð ðclear€and€convincing€evidenceðð€standard€is€more€exacting€thanÐ ° Ðthe€ð ðpreponderance€of€the€evidenceðð€standard.€òòò òO'Daniel€v.€Messieró óóó,€905€S.W.2d€182,€188€(Tenn.Ð ™é ÐCt.€App.1995);€òòò òBrandon€v.€Wrightó óóó,€838€S.W.2d€532,€536€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.1992).€In€order€to€be€clearÐ ƒÓ Ðand€convincing,€evidence€must€eliminate€any€serious€or€substantial€doubt€about€the€correctness€ofÐ m½ Ðthe€conclusions€to€be€drawn€from€the€evidence.€òòò òHodges€v.€S.C.€Toof€&€Co.ó óóó,€833€S.W.2d€896,€901Ð V¦ Ðn.€3€(Tenn.1992);€òòò òO'Daniel€v.€Messieró óóó,€905€S.W.2d€at€188.€Such€evidence€should€produce€in€theÐ @  Ðfact-finderððs€mind€a€firm€belief€or€conviction€as€to€the€truth€of€the€allegations€sought€to€beÐ * z Ðestablished.€òòò òO'Daniel€v.€Messieró óóó,€905€S.W.2d€at€188;€òòò òWiltcher€v.€Bradleyó óóó,€708€S.W.2d€407,€411Ð  c Ð(Tenn.€Ct.€App.1985).€In€contrast€to€the€preponderance€of€the€evidence€standard,€clear€andÐ ý M Ðconvincing€evidence€should€demonstrate€that€the€truth€of€the€facts€asserted€is€ð ðhighly€probableðð€asÐ æ 6  Ðopposed€to€merely€ð ðmore€probableðð€than€not.€òòò òLettner€v.€Plummeró óóó,€559€S.W.2d€785,€787Ð Ï   Ð(Tenn.1977);€òòò òGoldsmith€v.€Robertsó óóó,€622€S.W.2d€438,€441€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.1981);€òòò òBrandon€v.Ð ¹  ÐWrightó óóó,€838€S.W.2d€at€536.òòGrounds€for€TerminationóóÐ £ó  ÐÌà  àThe€trial€court€terminated€Howellððs€parental€rights€on€the€ground€of€persistence€ofÐ vÆ  Ðconditions,€which€is€codified€at€T.C.A.€ðð€36-1-113(g)(3)(A)(Supp.2004):€Ð _¯  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(3)(A)€The€child€has€been€removed€from€the€home€of€the€parent€orÐ 1 Ðguardian€by€order€of€a€court€for€a€period€of€six€(6)€months€and:€Ðj` x` x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(i)€The€conditions€which€led€to€the€child's€removal€or€other€conditionsÐ S Ðwhich€in€all€reasonable€probability€would€cause€the€child€to€beÐ ì< Ðsubjected€to€further€abuse€or€neglect€and€which,€therefore,€prevent€theÐ Õ% Ðchild's€safe€return€to€the€care€of€the€parent(s)€or€guardian(s),€stillÐ ¾ Ðpersist;€Ð§÷` x` x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(ii)€There€is€little€likelihood€that€these€conditions€will€be€remedied€atÐ à Ðan€early€date€so€that€the€child€can€be€safely€returned€to€the€parent(s)Ð yÉ Ðor€guardian(s)€in€the€near€future;€and€Ðb²` x` x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(iii)€The€continuation€of€the€parent€or€guardian€and€child€relationshipÐ K› Ðgreatly€diminishes€the€child's€chances€of€early€integration€into€a€safe,Ð 4„ Ðstable€and€permanent€home.€Ðm` x` x ÐÌà  àThe€trial€court€made€the€following,€relevant€findings€concerning€the€grounds€forÐ ï ? Ðtermination:׃ ×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€€Ð Ø!(  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àNow,€my€Findings€of€Fact€areð!ðthe€testimony€is€clear€thatÐ ª#ú" Ð[C.M.S.]€will€never€be€able€to€return€to€live€with€her€mother.€€I€donððtÐ “$ã# Ðsee€that€her€mother€would€ever€be€able€to€put€herself€in€aÐ |%Ì $ Ðsituationð!ðand€some€of€that€is€perhaps€not€her€fault.€€But€she€is€not€inÐ e&µ!% Ða€position€to€be€a€mother€in€that€I€think€her€mentality€is€moreÐ N'ž"& Ðchildlike€than€we€even€realized€until€we€got€into€Court€and€heard€theÐ 7(‡#' Ðtestimony....Ð )p$(` x` x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àI€donððt€think€anyone€had€any€issue€about€the€groundsð!ðclearÐ ° Ðand€convincing€evidence.€€Iððm€not€going€to€find€that€there€was€anyÐ ™é Ðabandonment€because€she€never€missed€visits€with€the€child,€and€sheÐ ‚Ò Ðhas€been€veryð!ðwas€very€consciousð!ðthe€mother€was€about€makingÐ k» Ðthose€visits€with€[C.M.S.]€and€if€she€had€been€under€a€Court€Order€[toÐ T¤ Ðpay€child€support]€would€simply€not€have€been€able€to€comply€andÐ =  Ðwould€not€have€had€the€income.€€So,€Iððm€not€going€to€make€theÐ & v Ðfinding€on€abandonment,€but€I€am€on€clear€and€convincing€evidenceÐ  _ Ðthat€persistent€conditions€still€exist€and€I€think€they€always€will€existÐ ø H Ðin€regard€to€the€mother€and€her€situationð!ðand€that€being€from€oneÐ á 1  Ðman€to€the€other,€from€one€home€to€another,€no€employment,€andÐ Ê   Ðfrom€what€we€found€out€in€court€some€of€that€having€to€do€with€theÐ ³  Ðfact€that€she€[Howell]€canððt€read€and€write....€€Ðœì ` x` x ÐÌà  àWe€have€reviewed€the€entire€record€in€this€case€and€we€find€that€there€is€clear€and€convincingÐ n¾  Ðevidence€to€support€the€trial€courtððs€finding€on€persistence€of€conditions.€€The€persistence€ofÐ W§  Ðconditions€in€this€case€is€two„fold.€€On€the€one€hand,€we€have€a€child€who,€in€all€likelihood,€willÐ @ Ðnever€be€able€to€live€independently.€€The€record€indicates€that€C.M.S.€needs€constant€supervisionÐ )y Ðbecause€she€has€low€impulse€control€and€often€puts€inappropriate€items€in€her€mouth.€€Furthermore,Ð b ÐC.M.S.€cannot€be€left€alone€with€other€children€because€she€has€acted€out€inappropriately€on€childrenÐ ûK Ðin€the€past.€€C.M.S.ðð€low€IQ,€coupled€with€her€mental,€emotional,€and€behavioral€problems,€indicatesÐ ä4 Ðthat€there€is€little€likelihood€that€she€will€grow€out€of€these€behaviors.€€On€the€other€hand,€we€haveÐ Í Ða€Mother€who€has€an€eighth€grade€education,€who€cannot€read€or€write,€who€has€not€been€able€toÐ ¶ Ðprocure€employment,€and€who€has€no€stable€housing.€€By€her€own€testimony,€Howell€lives€most€ofÐ Ÿï Ðthe€time€in€John€Shieldsðð€home€and€spends€weekends€with€her€boyfriend.€€The€photos€in€record€andÐ ˆØ Ðthe€testimony€concerning€the€condition€of€John€Shieldsðð€house€evince€that€it€is€not€a€suitableÐ qÁ Ðenvironment€for€C.M.S.€€First,€John€Shields,€the€person€accused€of€molesting€C.M.S.,€resides€there.€Ð Zª ÐThe€record€shows€that€€Howell€has€a€history€with€abusive€men.€€There€is€no€indication€that€thisÐ C“ Ðpattern€has€been€arrested€or€that€Howell€has€been,€or€will€be,€able€to€protect€not€only€herself€but€alsoÐ ,| ÐC.M.S.€from€physical€abuse.€€Also,€C.M.S.ðð€two€half„brothers,€John€and€Chris,€live€in€John€ShieldsððÐ e Ðhome.€€As€noted€above,€C.M.S.€has€acted€inappropriately€with€other€children€in€the€past.€€Ð þN ÐConsequently,€to€place€C.M.S.€back€in€that€environment,€would€be€to€put€these€two€children€inÐ ç 7 Ðjeopardy€as€well.€€In€addition,€the€photos€show€a€home€and€yard€that€are€cluttered€with€trash€andÐ Ð!   Ðdebris.€€Given€C.M.S.ðð€proclivity€to€put€items€in€her€mouth,€it€is€likely€that€she€would€harm€herselfÐ ¹" ! Ðif€left€unsupervised€in€this€environment.€€However,€even€if€Howell€was€living€in€a€stable€and€cleanÐ ¢#ò" Ðenvironment,€there€is€no€indication€in€this€record€that€she€has€the€skills€or€training€necessary€to€careÐ ‹$Û# Ðfor€a€child€with€such€advanced€special€needs€as€C.M.S.€€The€record€supports,€by€clear€andÐ t%Ä $ Ðconvincing€evidence,€the€trial€courtððs€findings€that€conditions€are€such€that€C.M.S.€would€beÐ ]&­!% Ðsubjected€to€further€harm,€abuse€and/or€neglect€if€placed€in€the€care€and€custody€of€Howell.€€GivenÐ F'–"& ÐC.M.S.ðð€limitations€and€the€fact€that€Howell€has€not€been€able€to€maintain€stability€in€her€own€life,Ð /(#' Ðthere€is€little€probability€that€these€conditions€will€be€remedied€at€any€time€in€the€near€future.òòÐ )h$( ÐÌBest€InterestÐ ê*:&* ÐóóÐ Ó+#'+ Ðà  àAfter€a€finding€that€the€grounds€for€termination€have€been€established€by€clear€andÐ ° Ðconvincing€evidence,€the€court€must€then€determine€if€termination€is€in€the€best€interests€of€the€child.Ð ™é ÐT.C.A.€ðð€36-1-113(c)(2).€Section€36-1-113(I)€(Supp.€2004)€enumerates€the€following€factors€courtsÐ ‚Ò Ðare€to€consider€in€making€the€best€interests€determination:€Ð k» ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(1)€Whether€the€parent€or€guardian€has€made€such€an€adjustment€ofÐ =  Ðcircumstance,€conduct,€or€conditions€as€to€make€it€safe€and€in€theÐ & v Ðchild's€best€interest€to€be€in€the€home€of€the€parent€or€guardian;€Ð _` x` x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(2)€Whether€the€parent€or€guardian€has€failed€to€effect€a€lastingÐ ø H Ðadjustment€after€reasonable€efforts€by€available€social€servicesÐ á 1  Ðagencies€for€such€duration€of€time€that€lasting€adjustment€does€notÐ Ê   Ðreasonably€appear€possible;€Ð³ ` x` x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(3)€Whether€the€parent€or€guardian€has€maintained€regular€visitationÐ œì  Ðor€other€contact€with€the€child;€Ð…Õ ` x` x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(4)€Whether€a€meaningful€relationship€has€otherwise€been€establishedÐ n¾  Ðbetween€the€parent€or€guardian€and€the€child;€ÐW§ ` x` x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(5)€The€effect€a€change€of€caretakers€and€physical€environment€isÐ @ Ðlikely€to€have€on€the€child's€emotional,€psychological€and€medicalÐ )y Ðcondition;€Ðb` x` x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(6)€Whether€the€parent€or€guardian,€or€other€person€residing€with€theÐ ûK Ðparent€or€guardian,€has€shown€brutality,€physical,€sexual,€emotionalÐ ä4 Ðor€psychological€abuse,€or€neglect€toward€the€child,€or€another€childÐ Í Ðor€adult€in€the€family€or€household;€Ð¶` x` x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(7)€Whether€the€physical€environment€of€the€parent's€or€guardian'sÐ Ÿï Ðhome€is€healthy€and€safe,€whether€there€is€criminal€activity€in€theÐ ˆØ Ðhome,€or€whether€there€is€such€use€of€alcohol€or€controlledÐ qÁ Ðsubstances€as€may€render€the€parent€or€guardian€consistently€unableÐ Zª Ðto€care€for€the€child€in€a€safe€and€stable€manner;€ÐC“` x` x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(8)€Whether€the€parent's€or€guardian's€mental€and/or€emotional€statusÐ ,| Ðwould€be€detrimental€to€the€child€or€prevent€the€parent€or€guardianÐ e Ðfrom€effectively€providing€safe€and€stable€care€and€supervision€forÐ þN Ðthe€child;€or€Ðç 7` x` x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(9)€Whether€the€parent€or€guardian€has€paid€child€support€consistentÐ Ð!   Ðwith€the€child€support€guidelines€promulgated€by€the€departmentÐ ¹" ! Ðpursuant€to€ðð€36-5-101.€Ð¢#ò"` x` x ÐÌT.C.A.€ðð€36-1-113(i).€Ð t%Ä $ ÐÌà  àIn€its€findings€from€the€bench,€the€trial€court€made€the€following,€relevant€statementsÐ F'–"& Ðconcerning€C.M.S.ðð€best€interest:Ð /(#' ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àIn€the€case€at€hand,€there€is€no€doubt€that€the€initial€grounds€haveÐ *Q%) Ðbeen€met,€which€are€persistent€conditions.€€This€is€very€difficultð!ðveryÐ ê*:&* Ðdifficult.€€The€Court€feels€that€it€has€to€give€[C.M.S.]€an€opportunityÐ Ó+#'+ Ðto€have€a€permanent€home€with€these€caveats.€€The€Court€would€askÐ ° Ðthe€Department€to€continue€visits€with€the€mother€on€a€regular€basisÐ ™é Ðuntil€an€adoptive€placement€can€be€found€and€hopefully€even€afterÐ ‚Ò Ðplacement€if€that€family€is€willing.€€That€the€Department€will€makeÐ k» Ðevery€effort€humanly€possible€to€find€a€family€willing€to€adopt€aÐ T¤ Ðspecial€needs€child€with€the€understanding€that€she€has€a€veryÐ =  Ðsupportive€foster€family€and€a€mother€who€regularly€visits€prior€toÐ & v Ðthis€termination€and€will€hopefully€continue,€includeð!ðencourage€theÐ  _ Ðadoptive€family€to€allow€the€child€to€be€with€her€mother€although€IÐ ø H Ðdonððt€even€know€that€at€this€time€[C.M.S.]€understands€that€herÐ á 1  Ðmotherð!ðher€natural€mother€is€actually€her€biological€mother....ÐÊ  ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à*€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€*€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€*Мì ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àIt€is€further€the€Finding€of€The€Court€that€it€is€in€the€bestÐ n¾  Ðinterest€of€the€child€that€she€have€an€advocate€at€eighteen,€and€itÐ W§  Ðcertainly€will€not€be€her€mother.€€So,€if€she€is€eighteen€and€there€is€noÐ @ Ðadoptive€family,€her€mother€could€certainly€not€be€her€advocate.€€AndÐ )y Ðthat€is€another€best€interest€of€the€child€argument.€€Therefore,€TheÐ b ÐCourt€finds€that€it€is€in€the€best€interest€of€the€child€that€[C.M.S.]€beÐ ûK Ðallowed€to€be€placed€in€full€guardianship....Ðä4` x` x ÐÌà  àAlthough€this€Court€recognizes€that€much€of€the€evidence€in€record€is€not€favorable€toÐ ¶ ÐHowell€in€some€particulars,€including€the€fact€that€she€has€no€prospects€of€employment€in€the€nearÐ Ÿï Ðfuture,€her€past€failure€to€provide€a€safe€and€suitable€home€for€the€minor€child€in€the€face€of€abuse,Ð ˆØ Ðher€lack€of€education,€and€the€fact€that€Howell€had€no€suitable€residence€for€the€child€at€the€time€ofÐ qÁ Ðtrial.€However,€this€court€must€balance€this€evidence€with€the€situation€as€it€pertains€to€C.M.S.Ð Zª ÐC.M.S.€is€a€special€needs€child€who€has€specific€learning,€emotional,€and€behavioral€problems.€AllÐ C“ Ðreports€indicate€that€C.M.S.€is€in€need€of€continued€counseling,€therapy,€and€supervision.€Under€theÐ ,| Ðcurrent€arrangement,€C.M.S.€resides€in€a€therapeutic€foster€home€under€the€care€of€trained€fosterÐ e Ðparents.€This€foster€home€had€served€as€a€stable€and€supportive€environment€for€the€minor€child€forÐ þN Ðnearly€six€years€at€the€time€of€the€trial.׃×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€€In€addition€to€the€care€C.M.S.€receives€from€her€fosterÐ ç 7 Ðparents,€the€child€is€also€enrolled€in€a€local€school€where€she€benefits€from€a€special€educationÐ Ð!   Ðcurriculum.€The€positive€and€stable€influence€C.M.S.€receives€from€her€foster€home€and€specialÐ ¹" ! Ðeducation€classes€is€further€strengthened€through€regular€supervised€visitations€with€Howell.Ð ¢#ò" ÐPat€Wiley,€the€DCS€case€manager,€testified€that€Howell€has€maintained€regular€visitation€withÐ ‹$Û# ÐC.M.S,€and€further€noted€that€Mother€and€daughter€share€a€bond:Ð t%Ä $ ÐÌà0  àà ° àà8(#(#àà8` (#(#àQ.€Okay.€€Now,€throughout€the€years,€has€Lisa€[Howell]€exercised€regularÐ F'–"& Ðvisitation€with€[C.M.S.]?Ð/(#'` Ð ` Ð  ÐÐ )h$( Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€€Yes.а` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€€What€have€you€observed€about€that€visitation€at€first€and€thenÐ ‚Ò Ðlater€on?Ðk»` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€€Well,€initially€they€started€visiting,€her€and€John€[Shields]€and€theÐ =  Ðboys€[C.M.S.ðð€half„brothers],€they€would€visit.€€She€[Howell]€reallyÐ & v Ðdidnððt€interact€too€much€with€[C.M.S.],€initially.€€We€had€to€kind€ofÐ  _ Ðcoach€her€to€spend€some€time€with€[C.M.S.]€because€she€[Howell]Ð ø H Ðwould€be€doing€other€things€besides€visiting€with€her,€she€would€doÐ á 1  Ðthings€with€John.€€But€she€really€wouldnððt€bond€or€spend€time€orÐ Ê   Ðinteract€with€[C.M.S.].г ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€€And€has€that€situation€changed?Ð…Õ ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€€Yes,€it€has€changed.ÐW§ ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€€How€has€that€changed?Ð)y` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€€After€we€started€coaching€her€[Howell],€pretty€much€encouragingÐ ûK Ðher€to€spend€a€little€more€time€with€[C.M.S.],€then€she€started€doingÐ ä4 Ðthat€and€she€started€bringing€her€gifts€to€the€visits€and€just€reallyÐ Í Ðstarted€bonding€with€her.ж` x` x ÐÌà  àThe€testimony€of€Paula€Poole,€Resource€Coordinator€with€therapeutic€foster€care€for€OmniÐ ˆØ ÐVision,€indicates€that€C.M.S.€also€has€a€bond€with€her€younger€half„brother,€Chris:Ð qÁ ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€And€what€did€you€observe€as€far€as€the€interaction€betweenÐ C“ Ð[C.M.S.]€and€Mr.€Shields€and€Ms.€Howell€during€those€visits?Ð,|` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€[C.M.S.]€enjoys€playing€with€her€brothers.€€She€has€moreÐ þN Ðinteraction€with€Chris.€€Her€and€John€[Jr.]€have€more€conflictsÐ ç 7 Ðbetween€each€other;€that€Ms.€Howell€would€bring€stuff€to€play€with€Ð Ð!   Ð[C.M.S.],€do€the€makeup,€do€the€hair;€that€she€[Howell]€wouldÐ ¹" ! Ðinteract€with€her€[C.M.S.]...Т#ò"` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à*€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€*€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€*Ðt%Ä $` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€€Have€the€brothers€come€along€[to€visitation]?ÐF'–"&` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€€The€brothers€have€come....€[C.M.S.]€mainly€played€with€Chris.€Ð )h$( ÐJohn€[Jr.]€would€join€in€but€there€would€be€conflict,€and€that€Ms.Ð *Q%) ÐHowell€would€go€and€interact€with€the€kids€and€play€with€them.Ðê*:&*` x` x Ðà  àÐ Ó+#'+ Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð à*€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€*€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€*а` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€€I€think€you€said€that€she€[C.M.S.]€gets€along€really€well€withÐ ‚Ò ÐChris?Ðk»` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€€Yes.Ð= ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€€I€think€she€refers€to€Chris€as€ð ðMy€Chris.ððÐ _` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€€Right.Ðá 1 ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€€She€loves€him€very€much?г ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€€Yes.Ð…Õ ` x` x ÐÌà  àThere€is€no€evidence€to€suggest€that€C.M.S.€is€overly€upset€when€these€visits€end.€€InÐ W§  Ðaddition,€when€C.M.S.€was€question€by€the€trial€judge€òòin€cameraóó,€she€indicated€that€she€would€notÐ @ Ðbe€upset€if€she€could€no€longer€visit€with€Howell.€€However,€given€this€childððs€IQ,€and€testimonyÐ )y Ðin€the€record€to€indicate€that€C.M.S.€does€not€always€grasp€the€nature€and/or€gravity€of€terminationÐ b Ðand€adoption,€this€Court€is€not€convinced€that€C.M.S.ðð€testimony€should€be€given€a€great€deal€ofÐ ûK Ðcredence€or€weight€in€deciding€the€issue€of€best€interest.€€This€is€especially€true€when€C.M.S.ððÐ ä4 Ðtestimony€is€coupled€with€the€testimony€of€the€foster€mother€and€the€case€workers€that€C.M.S.€veryÐ Í Ðmuch€enjoys€the€time€she€spends€with€Howell.Ð ¶ ÐÌà  àThe€care,€supervision,€and€training€provided€in€the€foster€home€and€school€programs,Ð ˆØ Ðcombined€with€the€documented€fulfillment€and€joy€the€child€experiences€through€regular€visitationsÐ qÁ Ðwith€her€mother€and€half„brothers,€has€created€a€stable€"home"€environment€that€serves€as€anÐ Zª Ðemotional€anchor€for€this€child.€It€is€this€Courtððs€concern€that€termination€of€Howellððs€parental€rightsÐ C“ Ðcould€severely€disrupt€C.M.S.ðð€life.€Although€there€is€no€proof€in€the€record€as€to€whetherÐ ,| Ðtermination€would€have€such€an€effect,€a€psychological€evaluation€of€C.M.S.€is€desirable€andÐ e Ðnecessary€to€determine€if€termination€would€cause€the€child€to€regress.Ð þN ÐÌà  àFurthermore,€the€concerns€regarding€the€instability€of€Howellððs€living€arrangement€and€herÐ Ð!   Ðinability€to€properly€care€for€C.M.S.€are€somewhat€diminished€under€the€present€circumstances€ofÐ ¹" ! Ðsupervised€visitation.€There€is€no€evidence€in€the€record€that€Howellððs€visits€hinder€C.M.S.€or€haveÐ ¢#ò" Ða€negative€impact€on€C.M.S.ðð€emotional€status.€Moreover,€because€C.M.S.€resides€in€the€exclusiveÐ ‹$Û# Ðphysical€custody€of€her€foster€parents,€the€physical€or€permanent€condition€of€Mother's€home,€underÐ t%Ä $ Ðthese€particular€circumstances,€is€irrelevant.Ð ]&­!% ÐÌà  àThe€trial€courtððs€conclusion€that€termination€is€in€C.M.S.ðð€best€interest€because€theÐ /(#' Ðcontinuation€of€the€parent/child€relationship€would€hinder€DCSðð€efforts€to€find€a€suitable€adoptiveÐ )h$( Ðhome€for€C.M.S.€is€not€well€founded.€€It€would€appear€from€the€trial€courtððs€statements€concerningÐ *Q%) Ðthe€post„termination€visits€by€Mother€that€the€trial€court€has€misgivings€about€the€best€interest€of€theÐ ê*:&* Ðchild€in€an€absolute€termination€of€parental€rights.€While€it€is€reasonable€to€assume€that€as€a€childÐ Ó+#'+ Ðages,€her€chances€of€adoption€generally€diminish,€we€stress€that€C.M.S.€is€fourteen€years€old,€andÐ ° Ðnote€that€there€is€nothing€in€the€record€to€indicate€that€she€is€a€subject€for€adoption€or€currently€hasÐ ™é Ðreasonable€prospects€for€adoption.€Based€on€C.M.S.ðð€advanced€age,€and€her€learning,€emotional€andÐ ‚Ò Ðbehavioral€difficulties,€this€Court€is€not€optimistic€that€the€child€is€or€would€be€a€likely€candidateÐ k» Ðfor€adoption.€Therefore,€under€the€exceptional€circumstances€of€this€case,€to€deprive€C.M.S.€of€herÐ T¤ Ðonly€natural€family€relationships,€without€any€evidence€of€adoption€prospects,€may€not€be€in€her€bestÐ =  Ðinterest.Ð & v ÐÌà  àConsidering€all€of€these€factors€and€the€effect€that€Howell's€parental€termination€at€this€timeÐ ø H Ðwould€have€on€the€child,€we€believe€that€it€is€in€the€best€interest€of€the€child€that€the€present€situationÐ á 1  Ðof€supervised€visitation€be€continued.€€However,€to€be€perfectly€clear,€this€Court€does€not€concludeÐ Ê   Ðthat€C.M.S.€should€be€removed€from€her€current€foster€home€to€Howell's€custody.€However,€givenÐ ³  Ðthe€grave€and€permanent€nature€of€this€proceeding,€the€fact€that€some€level€of€bonding€has€occurredÐ œì  Ðbetween€C.M.S.€and€Howell,€and€the€fact€that€the€psychological€effects€of€a€permanent€severanceÐ …Õ  Ðof€the€Mother/child€relationship€on€this€child€have€not€been€fully€explored,€we€find€that€the€evidenceÐ n¾  Ðpreponderates€against€the€trial€court's€finding€of€clear€and€convincing€evidence€that€termination€isÐ W§  Ðin€the€best€interest€of€the€child.€This€is€not€to€say€that€termination€of€Howell's€parental€rights€at€someÐ @ Ðfuture€time€is€foreclosed.Ð )y ÐÌà  àThis€Court,€in€no€way,€advocates€a€return€of€custody€to€Howell€at€this€time,€or€any€time,Ð ûK Ðunless€she€makes€a€vast€improvement€in€correcting€the€conditions€reflected€in€this€record.€However,Ð ä4 Ðwe€cannot€overlook€the€possible€effect€on€C.M.S.€in€the€termination€of€her€Mother's€parental€rights.Ð Í ÐThis€child€is€fourteen€years€old€with€a€multitude€of€problems€and€no€prospects€for€adoption€into€aÐ ¶ Ðstable€family€environment.€She€has€very€few€positive€things€in€her€life€and€the€evidence€is€clear€thatÐ Ÿï Ðshe€enjoys€visiting€with€her€Mother€and€half„brother.€Without€further€evidence€as€to€what€effect€theÐ ˆØ Ðsevering€of€the€bond€with€Mother€and€half„brother€will€have,€we€cannot€say€that€it€is€in€C.M.S.ðð€bestÐ qÁ Ðinterest€to€take€these€relationships€away€from€her.€€Therefore,€a€psychological€evaluation€of€C.M.S.€Ð Zª Ðshould€be€required€to€assist€in€making€this€determination.Ð C“ ÐÌà  àAccordingly,€we€reverse€the€trial€courtððs€Final€Order,€terminating€the€parental€rights€ofÐ e ÐHowell.€€We€remand€this€matter€for€such€further€proceedings€as€may€be€necessary€consistent€withÐ þN Ðthis€Opinion.€€Costs€of€this€appeal€are€assessed€one„half€to€the€Appellant,€Lisa€Howell,€and€herÐ ç 7 Ðsurety,€and€one„half€to€Appellee,€Tennessee€Department€of€Children's€Services.Ð Ð!   ÐÌÔ#†¼Ìé»XX„ï× #ÔÔ€X„ïX»¼ÌéÔÌÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à__________________________________________Ð ]&­!% Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àW.€FRANK€CRAWFORD,€PRESIDING€JUDGE,€W.S.