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2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5 łŻ ƒR¹8$ŻÓ  Óą  ąņņŚ  Ś1Ś  ŚóóŌ€ōÆeņ»»ŌŻ  ŻŌ_ŌŌ_ŌT.C.A.Ō_Ō€šš€36„1„113(g)(8)(A)€&€(B)€pertaining€to€a€parent€who€š šis€mentally€incompetent€to€provide€for€theŠ ° Šfurther€care€and€supervision€of€the€childšš€contains€a€specific€requirement€that€the€court€find€by€clear€and€convincingŠ tÄ Ševidence€š š[Ō_Ōt]hatŌ_Ō€termination...is€in€the€best€ņņinterestóó€of€the€child.šš€€Because€of€the€overriding€reach€of€Ō_ŌT.C.A.Ō_Ō€šš€36„1„Š 8ˆ Š113(c)(2),€it€would€appear€that€Ō_ŌT.C.A.Ō_Ō€šš€36„1„113(g)(8)(B)(ii)€is€redundant.(#Ć$ņņŚ  Ś0Ś  Śóó- ł-(|G2¹8$¤¤Ż ƒ£Ŗ!ŻŃ€.ŃŃ8€=»»dd8ŃŃ ż ŃÓ  ÓŻ  Żą  ąņņŚ  Ś0Ś  ŚóóŌ€ōÆeņ»»Ō d(|3æe$££Ż ƒ£Ŗ!ŻŃ€.ŃŃ8€=»»dd8ŃŃ ż ŃÓ  ÓŻ  ŻVVVV'’’dxd)!ČČČČdxdx( ±ž$’’ņ ņFigure€Ś  Ś1Ś  Śó ó^_X`YEž’<<C’’ƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3æe$¢¢Ż ƒ£Ŗ!ŻŃ€.ŃŃ8€=»»dd8ŃŃ ż ŃÓ  ÓŻ  Ż($$””ņ ņŚ  Ś1Ś  Śó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8’’’’’’’’’’C’’ HKKKKŻ ƒ£Ŗ!ŻŃ€.ŃŃ8€=»»ddČ8ŃŃ ż ŃÓ  ÓŻ  ŻŌ_ŌŃ  ŃŌ€¼=»»»ŌŃ8€@qXXdģ»»d8ŃŃ  Ńą@ü ü ģąŌ‡ī\=ŌIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆŠ ° Šą@WW$ģąAT€KNOXVILLEŌ#†¼=»īī\ #ԈŠ Ö& ŠÓ  ÓJune€25,€2002€SessionŠ üL ŠŌ‡X@qX»¼=ŌĢņ ņŌ#†¼=»XX@qņ#ŌSTATE€OF€TENNESSEE€DEPARTMENT€OF€CHILDRENššS€SERVICESņņóó€v.Š śJ ŠŌ_ŌD.G.B.Ō_Ō€and€C.B.ņņóóŌ‡X@qX»¼=Ōó óŠ  ^ ŠĢą@@½½ģąņ ņ€Appeal€from€the€Juvenile€Court€for€Bradley€CountyŠ  ^ Šą@@ųųģąNo.€7087„J€€€€€€C.€Van€Deacon,€Jr.,€JudgeŠ ś J ŠĢFILED€SEPTEMBER€10,€Ō_Ō2002Ō_ŌŠ Ņ"  Šą@@ģģ*ģąßA€V) °°` d€÷E<½` Aߊ ¾  ŠĢą@@TTģąNo.€E2001„02426„Ō_ŌCOAŌ_Ō„R3„JV€Š ¹  ŠĢßA€V) °°` dE<` Aߊ ‘į  Šó óĢÓ  ÓIn€this€termination€of€parental€rights€case,€the€trial€court€found€š!š€by€clear€and€convincing€evidenceŠ ŒÜ Šš!š€that€there€are€multiple€grounds€for€terminating€the€parental€rights€of€the€mother€(š šŌ_ŌD.G.B.Ō_Ōšš)€andŠ xČ Šfather€(š šC.B.šš)€of€Ō_ŌJ.E.B.Ō_Ō€(DOB:€October€27,€1986).€€The€trial€court,€however,€refused€to€terminateŠ d“ Štheir€parental€rights€because€it€determined€that€the€evidence€fails€to€show,€in€a€clear€and€convincingŠ P  Šmanner,€that€termination€is€in€the€š šbest€interestsšš€of€the€subject€child.€€ņņSee€óóT.C.A.€šš€36„1„113(c)(2)Š <Œ Š(2001).€€The€court€directed€the€Department€of€Childrenššs€Services€(š šDCSšš)€to€develop€a€plan€of€careŠ (x Šfor€the€removal€of€the€child€from€Bradley€County€to€Carter€County,€the€present€home€of€the€parents,Š d Šš šthen€to€be€provided€services€toward€reunification.šš€€The€Guardian€Ad€Litem€for€Ō_ŌJ.E.B.Ō_Ō€appeals,Š P Šcontending€that€the€court€erred€in€refusing€to€terminate€the€parentsšš€parental€rights€and€in€orderingŠ ģ< Šthe€transfer€of€the€child€to€Carter€County.€€We€find€the€evidence€preponderates€against€the€trialŠ Ų( Šcourtššs€determination€that€termination€is€not€in€the€best€interests€of€the€child.€€On€the€contrary,€weŠ Ä Šfind€clear€and€convincing€evidence€that€it€is€in€the€childššs€š šbest€interestsšš€to€terminate€the€parentalŠ ° Šrights€of€Ō_ŌD.G.B.Ō_Ō€and€C.B.€€Accordingly,€we€reverse€the€judgment€of€the€trial€court.Š œģ ŠÓÓĢņ ņTenn.€R.€App.€P.€3€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Juvenile€CourtŠ t Ä ŠReversed;€Case€Remandedó óŠ `!°  ŠĢņņÓ  ÓŌ#†¼=»ąX@qĀ#ŌŌ‡X@qX.¼=ŌCharles€D.€Susano,€Jr.,€J.óó,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€ņņHouston€M.€Ō_ŌGoddardŌ_Ō,Š 8#ˆ" ŠŌ_ŌP.J.Ō_Ō,€óóand€ņņHerschel€P.€Franks,€J.óó,€joined.Š $$t# ŠĢMitchell€A.€Byrd,€Chattanooga,€Tennessee,€Guardian€Ad€Litem€for€Ō_ŌJ.E.B.Ō_ŌŠ ü%L!% ŠĢPaul€G.€Summers,€Attorney€General€and€Reporter,€and€Douglas€Earl€Ō_ŌDimondŌ_Ō,€Assistant€AttorneyŠ Ō'$#' ŠGeneral,€for€the€appellee,€State€of€Tennessee€Department€of€Childrenššs€Services.Š Ą($( ŠĢArthur€Bass,€Cleveland,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellees,€Ō_ŌD.G.B.Ō_Ō€and€C.B.Š ˜*č%* ŠÓ– ÓĢņ ņOPINIONó óŌ#†¼=»XX@qÅ #ŌŌ‡X@qX»¼=ŌŠ p,Ą', ŠŠ \-¬(-żĆ ŠI.Š ° ŠĢÓ  Óą  ąŌ_ŌJ.E.B.Ō_Ō€came€into€the€custody€of€DCS€on€October€13,€1995,€at€the€age€of€almost€nine.€€DCSššsŠ ˆŲ Štemporary€custody€was€memorialized€by€an€order€of€the€Bradley€County€Juvenile€Court€entered€theŠ tÄ Šsame€date.€€Following€a€number€of€hearings€on€various€aspects€of€the€childššs€care,€the€trial€court€wasŠ `° Špresented,€on€March€23,€2000,€with€the€petition€of€DCS€to€terminate€the€parental€rights€of€Ō_ŌD.G.B.Ō_ŌŠ L œ Šand€C.B.€€At€the€time,€the€child€had€been€in€foster€care,€pursuant€to€DCSššs€custody,€for€some€fourŠ 8 ˆ Šyears€and€five€months.Š $ t ŠĢą  ąThe€evidence€below€reflects€that€DCS€was€initially€prompted€to€act€in€this€case€becauseŠ ü L  ŠŌ_ŌJ.E.B.Ō_Ō€had€been€subjected€to€severe€child€abuse€at€the€hands€of€his€parents.€€At€the€final€evidentiaryŠ č 8  Šhearing€below,€a€number€of€witnesses€testified,€touching€on€the€grounds€for€termination€alleged€inŠ Ō$  Šthe€petition.€€A€special€education€teacher€of€Ō_ŌJ.E.B.Ō_Ō€testified€that€the€child€transferred€to€her€schoolŠ Ą  Šon€October€11,€1995.€€The€next€day,€the€teacher€noticed€bruising€on€Ō_ŌJ.E.B.Ō_Ōššs€upper€thighs.€€UponŠ ¬ü  Šfurther€examination,€which€the€child€permitted,€the€teacher€discovered€extensive€bruising€on€Ō_ŌJ.E.B.Ō_ŌššsŠ ˜č  Šlegs€and€buttocks.€€The€child€told€his€teacher€that€the€bruises€were€caused€by€his€father€whipping€himŠ „Ō  Šwith€a€coat€hanger.€€At€this€point,€the€teacher€took€some€photographs€of€the€bruising€and€contactedŠ pĄ ŠDCS€regarding€her€findings.Š \¬ ŠĢą  ąŌ_ŌJ.E.B.Ō_Ōššs€DCS€case€manager€testified€that€the€child€had€described€years€of€abuse€and€neglect.€Š 4„ ŠSpecifically,€Ō_ŌJ.E.B.Ō_Ō€told€his€case€manager€that€his€parents€would€leave€him€alone€in€the€familyŠ  p Šautomobile€all€day€while€they€worked€at€a€local€flea€market.€€During€this€time,€the€child€was€left€with€Š  \ Šnothing€to€eat€or€drink,€and€he€was€unable€to€go€to€the€bathroom.€€€€€€Š ųH ŠĢą  ąThe€psychologist€who€treated€Ō_ŌJ.E.B.Ō_Ō€following€the€latterššs€removal€from€his€parentsšš€homeŠ Š  Štestified€that€the€child€has€an€I.Q.€of€53,€bordering€on€mild„to„moderate€retardation.€€In€addition,€heŠ ¼  Šsuffers€from€€visual,€auditory,€and€speech€impairments.€€The€psychologist€introduced€into€evidenceŠ Øų Šnumerous€drawings€done€by€Ō_ŌJ.E.B.Ō_Ō,€which,€according€to€the€psychologistššs€testimony,€showed€thatŠ ”ä Šthe€child€had€been€physically€abused€by€his€father€and€that€he€was€intensely€afraid€of€his€father.€Š €Š ŠAfter€approximately€one€year€of€counseling,€Ō_ŌJ.E.B.Ō_Ō€revealed€that€he€had€been€orally€Ō_ŌsodomizedŌ_Ō€byŠ l¼ Šhis€father€and€sexually€abused€by€his€mother€as€well.€€Ō_ŌJ.E.B.Ō_Ō€gave€graphic€descriptions€of€theŠ X Ø Šwhippings€he€received€at€the€hands€of€his€father.€€Š D!” ŠĢą  ąIn€her€psychological€evaluation€of€Ō_ŌJ.E.B.Ō_Ō,€the€psychologist€stated€that€the€childššs€š špoorŠ #l! Šperformance€skillsšš€with€respect€to€his€I.Q.€indicated€a€š špervasive€neurological€deficit€or€one€whoŠ $X" Šhas€had€ņņvery€littleóó€nurturing€and€enrichment,€or€who€has€been€severely€limited€in€his€access€to€hisŠ ō$D # Šenvironment.šš€€(Emphasis€in€original).€€She€further€stated€that€some€of€Ō_ŌJ.E.B.Ō_Ōššs€drawings€mightŠ ą%0!$ Šsuggest€that€the€child€is€š šņņquite€traumatizedóó€in€regard€to€the€abuse€events.šš€€(Emphasis€in€original).€Š Ģ&"% ŠAt€the€conclusion€of€her€evaluation,€the€psychologist€recommended€š šthat€on„going€visitation€withŠ ø'#& Š[Ō_ŌJ.E.B.Ō_Ōššs]€family€of€origin€be€terminated€due€[to]€the€high€level€of€trauma€that€this€child€hasŠ ¤(ō#' Šsustained,€and€the€fact€that€[the€child]€is€already€tending€to€assume€responsibility€for€the€physicalŠ )ą$( Šabusive€acts.ššŠ |*Ģ%) ŠŠ h+ø&* Šą  ąPsychological€evaluations€of€both€Ō_ŌD.G.B.Ō_Ō€and€C.B.,€performed€by€another€professionalŌ#†¼=»XX@q#ŌŌ‡X@qX»¼=Ō,€wereŠ ° Šintroduced€at€the€hearing.€€C.B.€was€diagnosed€as€having€š šmajor€depression€with€psychosisšš€andŠ œģ Šš šparanoid€personality€disorder,šš€and€it€was€recommended€that€he€receive€psychiatric€treatment.€Š ˆŲ ŠŌ_ŌD.G.B.Ō_Ō€was€diagnosed€with€š šshared€psychotic€disorder,€dominantly€paranoid.šš€€Based€upon€theseŠ tÄ Šdiagnoses,€the€evaluating€psychologist€stated€that€C.B.€was€š šnot€capable€of€parenting€in€a€safeŠ `° Šmanner€due€to€his€severe€mental€disturbancešš€and€recommended€that€š šhe€have€no€contact€withŠ L œ Š[Ō_ŌJ.E.B.Ō_Ō]€unless€the€visit€is€supervised.šš€€With€respect€to€Ō_ŌD.G.B.Ō_Ō,€the€psychologist€noted€that€š šit€isŠ 8 ˆ Šapparent€that€this€person€has€significant€psychological€problems.€€It€is€felt€that€there€is€significantŠ $ t Špotential€risk€to€[Ō_ŌJ.E.B.Ō_Ō]€if€returned€to€this€individual.šš€€Š  ` ŠĢą  ąŌ_ŌJ.E.B.Ō_Ōššs€psychologist€agreed€with€the€foregoing€assessment€and€opined€that€placing€the€childŠ č 8  Šin€the€physical€and€legal€custody€of€his€parents€would€pose€a€risk€of€substantial€harm€to€the€physicalŠ Ō$  Šand€psychological€welfare€of€the€child.Š Ą  ŠĢÓ  ÓII.Š ˜č  ŠĢÓš(Óą  ąFollowing€a€hearing€on€March€8,€2001,€the€trial€court€rendered€its€decision€from€the€bench.€Š pĄ ŠBecause€we€disagree€with€the€trial€courtššs€ultimate€decision€not€to€terminate€the€parentsšš€parentalŠ \¬ Šrights,€and€because€we€believe€those€remarks€show,€clearly€and€convincingly,€that€termination€is€inŠ H˜ Šthe€best€interests€of€Ō_ŌJ.E.B.Ō_Ō,€we€deem€it€appropriate€to€quote€extensively€from€the€trial€courtššsŠ 4„ Šremarks:Š  p ŠĢą8  ąą8` Š Š ąŌ‡ X@qXXX@qŌ...I€am€convinced€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence€that€the€parentalŠ ųH Šrights€of€[Ō_ŌD.G.B.Ō_Ō€and€C.B.]€should€be€terminated,€but€for€the€fact€thatŠ ä4 ŠI€donššt€find€it€would€be€in€the€best€interest€of€the€child.ŠŠ ` x` x ŠĢą  ąą8 ` ąThe€most€compelling€argument€is€that€which€[counsel€for€the€parents]Š Øų Šstated.€€Candidly,€we€are€dealing€with€a€child€who€has€a€53€IQ,€suffersŠ ”ä Šfrom€mild€retardation€and€has€visual€as€well€as€auditory€impairment.€Š €Š ŠThe€child€has€been€the€victim€of€physical€and€sexual€abuseŠ l¼ Šadministered€by€the€father,€who€has€been€described€as€mildlyŠ X Ø Šdepressed€or€psychotic,€but€whose€condition€has€apparently€improvedŠ D!” Šaccording€to€[parentsšš€expert€witness],€whose€testimony€I€accredit€andŠ 0"€  Šfor€whom€I€have€the€highest€regards.€€I€find€that€neither€of€theseŠ #l! Šparents€are€up€to€the€standards€necessary€to€provide€for€the€care€ofŠ $X" Šthis€child€on€a€day„to„day€basis.Šō$D #` x` x ŠĢą@ŽŽ%ģą*€€€€*€€€€*ˆŠ Ģ&"% ŠĢą  ąą8 ` ą...I€find€that€the€State€has€bore€[sic]€their€burden€with€regard€to€theŠ ¤(ō#' Šissues,€establishing€grounds€for€termination€and€by€clear€andŠ )ą$( Šconvincing€evidence€there€is€absolutely€no€doubt€that€by€her€aidingŠ |*Ģ%) Šand€abetting€and€her€failure€to€intervene€on€behalf€of€this€child,Š h+ø&* Š[Ō_ŌD.G.B.Ō_Ō]€is€just€as€guilty€of€abuse€as€[C.B.],€who€is€in€the€eyes€of€thisŠ ° ŠCourt€the€perpetrator€of€severe€child€abuse.Šœģ` x` x ŠĢą  ąą8 ` ą...we€all€know€there€is€a€fine€line€between€discipline€and€abuse,Š tÄ Šbetween€correction€and€child€abuse.€€And€in€this€case€there€is€noŠ `° Šdoubt€in€my€mind€that€this€child€was€the€victim€of€that€type€of€abuseŠ L œ Šby€parents€and€the€guardians,€by€[Ō_ŌD.G.B.Ō_Ō€and€C.B.],€who€wereŠ 8 ˆ Šmentally€incompetent€to€provide€the€kind€of€care€and€supervision€thatŠ $ t Šthe€child€needed€and€who€even€to€this€day€are€so€impaired€as€toŠ  ` Šremain€unlikely€to€be€able€to€provide€or€assume€or€resume€the€careŠ ü L  Šand€responsibility€for€this€child.€€I€find€those€facts€beyond€aŠ č 8  Šreasonable€doubt€and€to€a€moral€certainty.€€For€anybody€who€wantsŠ Ō$  Što€review€this,€this€is€the€standard€which€the€Court€applies.ŠĄ ` x` x ŠĢą@ŽŽ%ģą*€€€€*€€€€*ˆŠ ˜č  ŠĢą  ąą8 ` ą...But€I€find€that€there€has€been€a€persistence€of€conditions€that€led€toŠ pĄ Šthe€removal€that€has€not€been€satisfied€because€of€the€obviousŠ \¬ Šinability€of€[Ō_ŌD.G.B.Ō_Ō€and€C.B.]€to€work€at€the€same€level€ofŠ H˜ Šfunctioning€that€most€citizens€do.€€They€are€handicapped.€€That€isŠ 4„ Šnothing€to€be€ashamed€of.€€We€all€suffer€handicaps.Š p` x` x ŠĢą@ŽŽ%ģą*€€€€*€€€€*ˆŠ ųH ŠĢą  ąą8 ` ąIt€would€be€very€easy€for€me€to€find,€because€of€these€circumstancesŠ Š  Šwhich€I€find€to€be€proven€beyond€a€reasonable€doubt,€it€would€be€easyŠ ¼  Šfor€me€to€say€obviously€it€would€be€in€the€best€interest€of€this€child€toŠ Øų Šterminate€parental€rights€and€to€let€this€child€be€put€up€for€adoption,Š ”ä Šbut€given€the€record,€I€do€not€find€that€to€be€the€case.Š€Š` x` x ŠĢą  ąą8 ` ąThis€child€suffers€from€mild€retardation,€a€53€IQ€with€visual€andŠ X Ø Šauditory€impairment€problems€and€the€need€for€behavior€intervention.€Š D!” ŠThis€child€is€beyond€the€ability€of€these€parents€to€provide€for€and€toŠ 0"€  Šestablish€a€meaningful€relationship€without€the€help€of€theŠ #l! ŠDepartment€of€Childrenššs€Services.Š$X"` x` x ŠĢą  ąą8 ` ąThe€goal€is€not€to€punish€parents,€but€to€provide€for€children.€€I€findŠ ą%0!$ Šthat€a€meaningful€relationship€can€be€established€if€the€child€residesŠ Ģ&"% Šin€the€same€community€with€the€parents,€and€I€know€of€noŠ ø'#& Šimpediment€for€this€child€to€be€moved€to€Carter€County€and€providedŠ ¤(ō#' Šfor.А)ą$(` x` x Šā āŠ |*Ģ%) Šą  ąą8 ` ąAfter€all,€heššs€14€years€of€age.€€I€do€not€think€it€would€be€beneficialŠ ° Šā āfor€this€child€to€have€the€only€tie€severed€that€he€is€likely€to€have€forŠ œģ Šthe€rest€of€his€life€and€that€is€that€tie€to€father€and€mother.€€EvenŠ ˆŲ Šthough€in€the€past€heššs€been€the€victim€of€their€abuse,€I€still€find€theŠ tÄ Šefforts€that€[Ō_ŌD.G.B.Ō_Ō]€made,€even€in€the€face€of€the€voluntary€absenceŠ `° Šof€[C.B.],€her€efforts€are€such€that€I€must€accredit€them€and€I€mustŠ L œ Šfind€that€it€is€not€in€the€best€interest€of€this€child€to€have€thatŠ 8 ˆ Šrelationship€terminated.Š$ t` x` x ŠĢą  ąą8 ` ąOne€of€the€standards€is€what€the€effective€change€of€caretakers€andŠ ü L  Šphysical€environment€is€likely€to€have€on€the€childššs€medical€andŠ č 8  Šemotional€condition.€€I€think€it€will€be€much€more€traumatic€for€theŠ Ō$  Šchild€when€he€reaches€18€to€find€himself€out€on€the€street,€and€sinceŠ Ą  Šhe€is€a€special€needs€child€š!š€and€that€is€the€finding€of€this€Court,€thatŠ ¬ü  Šthe€child€is€a€special€needs€child€and€will€continually€š!š€until€hisŠ ˜č  Šconditions€have€been€improved,€until€he€can€provide€for€himself,€heŠ „Ō  Šis€going€to€be€in€the€custody€of€the€Department€of€ChildrenššsŠ pĄ ŠServices.Š\¬` x` x ŠĢą  ąą8 ` ąAnd€given€the€testimony€of€[DCSššs€expert€witness]€and€[parentsššŠ 4„ Šexpert€witness],€it€would€be€more€beneficial€for€him€to€have€aŠ  p Šrelationship€supervised€by€the€State€in€an€appropriate€manner€andŠ  \ Šlevel€of€conduct,€than€it€would€be€to€terminate€the€relationship€andŠ ųH Šnot€be€able€to€be€adopted€and€not€have€a€father€and€mother,€but€to€beŠ ä4 Šplaced€in€limbo€and€tossed€upon€that€sea€of€neglect€that€we€often€findŠ Š  Šamong€young€adults,€adults€who€are€handicapped€and€receivingŠ ¼  Šbenefits€from€the€government,€but€none€of€the€milk€of€humanŠ Øų Škindness,€which€I€think€[Ō_ŌD.G.B.Ō_Ō]€really€genuinely€has€for€her€child.Š”ä` x` x ŠĢą  ąą8 ` ąSo€with€all€that€having€been€said,€I€find€that€grounds€exist,€but€I€doŠ l¼ Šnot€find€it€in€the€best€interest€of€this€child€given€his€age€and€conditionŠ X Ø Što€have€that€relationship€terminated€by€order€of€this€Court,€and€IŠ D!” Šrefuse€to€do€so.€€But€I€do€order€the€Department€to€develop€a€plan€forŠ 0"€  Šthis€child€to€be€transferred€to€the€care€of€the€Department€in€CarterŠ #l! ŠCounty€and€there€to€be€provided€those€services€necessary€to,€ifŠ $X" Špossible,€effectuate€a€reunification,€because€that€wasnššt€done€inŠ ō$D # ŠBradley€County.Ō#†X@qXX X@qn+#ŌŌ#†¼=»XX@q5##ŌŌ‡X@qX»¼=ŌŠą%0!$` x` x ŠĢThe€trial€court€reiterated€its€rulings€following€a€later€hearing€on€December€17,€2001:Š ø'#& ŠĢą8  ąą8` Š Š ąŌ‡ X@qXXX@qŌThat€the€child€had€been€a€victim€of€physical€and€sexual€abuse€in€theŠ )ą$( Špast.€€I€found€that€neither€of€the€parents€and€I€ruled€on€those€standardsŠ |*Ģ%) Šnecessary€to€provide€the€kind€of€care€that€the€child€needed€on€a€day„Š h+ø&* Što„day€basis.€€However,€I€further€found€that€she€had€aided€and€abettedŠ ° Šin€failing€to€provide€and€protect€her€child,€and€was€in€fact€a€party€toŠ œģ Šthe€child€abuse€as€a€result€of€that.ŠˆŲ` x` x ŠĢą  ąą8 ` ąHowever,€I€also€found€that€they€were€incompetent€to€provide€care€andŠ `° Šsupervision€for€the€child,€and€that€they€are€impaired€to€š!š€probably€toŠ L œ Šthis€day,€at€least€on€March€29ņņthóó,€I€believe,€or€March€the€8ņņthóó,€and€thatŠ 8 ˆ ŠŌ_ŌthatŌ_Ō€impairment€was€going€to€continue,€and€that€they€would€never€beŠ $ t Šable€to€provide€or€be€responsible€for€the€child.€€However,€I€found€thatŠ  ` Šthe€Department€of€Childrenššs€Services€had€failed€in€itššs€[sic]€dutiesŠ ü L  Što€provide€the€kind€of€management€services€that€this€case€needed.Šč 8 ` x` x ŠĢą  ąą8 ` ąThat€the€abandonment,€that€they€sought€to€use€as€the€basis€forŠ Ą  Šterminating€parental€rights€or€at€least€aided€and€abetted€by€theŠ ¬ü  ŠDepartment,€simply€because€of€the€lack€of€sufficient€caseŠ ˜č  Šmanagement€services.€€And€the€overload€situation€that€was€used€toŠ „Ō  Škeep€upon€those€case€managers.€€And€I€did€not€find€that€they€wereŠ pĄ Šgoing€to€born€[sic]€the€burden€with€regard€to€sustaining€that€petitionŠ \¬ Što€terminate€parental€rights.€€The€termination€of€parental€rightsŠ H˜ Šrequires€a€finding€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence.€€But€first€of€all,Š 4„ Šthat€there€are€grounds€that€exist€for€termination.Š p` x` x ŠĢą  ąą8 ` ąAnd€secondly,€before€you€can€actually€terminate€it€has€to€be€š!š€thatŠ ųH Štermination€has€to€be€in€the€best€interest€of€the€child.€€And€given€theŠ ä4 Šfactual€situation€in€this€case,€I€found€that€they€had€not€born€[sic]€thatŠ Š  Šburden;€that€it€was€not€in€the€best€interest€of€that€child€to€have€thoseŠ ¼  Šrights€terminated.€€Even€though€the€years€of€the€child€are€beyond€theŠ Øų Šability€for€the€parents€to€provide€or€to€do€without€the€support€of€theŠ ”ä ŠDepartment€of€Children€Services€to€establish€a€meaningfulŠ €Š Šrelationship.Šl¼` x` x ŠĢą  ąą8 ` ąHowever,€I€did€find€a€meaningful€relationship€and€probably€the€onlyŠ D!” Šrelationship€š!š€father€and€mother,€child€relationship€could€beŠ 0"€  Šestablished€if€the€child€resided€in€the€same€community€with€theŠ #l! Šparents.€€I€found€that€I€knew€of€no€impediment€to€the€child€removedŠ $X" Šby€the€Department€to€the€County,€to€Carter€County,€I€should€say,Š ō$D # Šwhere€the€parents€lived€and€were€in€fact€receiving€support€from€theirŠ ą%0!$ Šchurch€community.€€And€with€that€kind€of€support€there€was€at€leastŠ Ģ&"% Šan€opportunity€for€there€to€be€a€meaningful€relationship€in€the€future.Šø'#&` x` x ŠĢą  ąą8 ` ąWe€said€this€child€was€a€special€needs€child€and€would€continue€toŠ )ą$( Šneed€that€kind€of€a€relationship.€€I€made€a€finding€that€it€was€in€theŠ |*Ģ%) Šbest€interest€of€the€child€and€beneficial€to€him€to€have€a€relationshipŠ h+ø&* Šsupervised€by€the€State€in€opposition€to€what€had€been€approved€inŠ ° Šthis€case.€€I€know€that€he€needed€to€be€in€a€[sic]€appropriate€mannerŠ œģ Šand€as€far€as€the€contact,€I€made€this€finding:€š šThe€Court€finds€it€to€beŠ ˆŲ Šin€the€best€interest€of€this€child€and€beneficial€to€him€to€have€aŠ tÄ Šrelationship€supervised€by€the€State€in€an€appropriate€manner€andŠ `° Šlevel€of€contact.ššŠL œ` x` x ŠĢą  ąą8 ` ąNow,€that€rather€than€terminating€the€relationship€and€not€being€ableŠ $ t Što€be€adopted,€and€not€having€a€father€and€mother,€that€would€beŠ  ` Šnothing€more€than€placing€this€child€in€limbo€and€subjecting€him€toŠ ü L  Ša€sea€of€neglect€as€an€adult.€€So€I€made€a€finding€that€[Ō_ŌD.G.B.Ō_Ō]Š č 8  Šgenuinely€cared€for€the€child,€and€she€would€be€given€the€benefit€ofŠ Ō$  Šthose€services€that€the€State€should€have€been€offering€over€theŠ Ą  Šprevious€six€year€term€that€this€child€has€been€in€State€custody.€Ō#†X@qXX X@qŌJ#ŌŌ#†¼=»XX@q J#ŌŌ‡X@qX»¼=ŌŠ¬ü ` x` x ŠĢÓ  ÓIII.Š „Ō  ŠĢÓ ^Óą  ąMost€appellate€decisions€in€this€state€dealing€with€the€issue€of€termination€of€parental€rightsŠ \¬ Šstate€the€well„recognized€constitutional€principle€that€a€parent€has€a€non„absolute€right€to€the€care,Š H˜ Šcustody€and€control€of€a€minor€child.€ņ ņņņIn€re€Ō_ŌDrinnonŌ_Ōó óóó,€776€S.W.2d€96,€97€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1988).€€WeŠ 4„ Šsay€š šnon„absolutešš€because€it€is€clear€beyond€any€doubt€that€these€rights€are€subject€to€terminationŠ  p Šif€a€ground€for€such€action€is€established€under€the€statutory€scheme€pertaining€to€termination.€Š  \ Šņ ņņņŌ_ŌSantoskyŌ_Ō€v.€Krameró óóó,€455€U.S.€745,€102€S.€Ct.€1388,€71€L.€Ed.€2d€599€(1982).€€Our€statutory€schemeŠ ųH Šon€the€subject€requires€two€distinct,€if€related,€findings,€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence:Š ä4 ŠĢą  ąą8 ` ą(c)€Termination€of€parental€or€guardianship€rights€must€be€basedŠ ¼  Šupon:ŠØų` x` x ŠĢą  ąą8 ` ą(1)€A€finding€by€the€court€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence€that€theŠ €Š Šgrounds€for€termination€or€[sic]€parental€or€guardianship€rights€haveŠ l¼ Šbeen€established;€andŠX Ø` x` x ŠĢą  ąą8 ` ą(2)€That€termination€of€the€parentššs€or€guardianššs€rights€is€in€the€bestŠ 0"€  Šinterests€of€the€child.Š#l!` x` x ŠĢŌ#†¼=»XX@qa^#ŌŌ‡X@qX»¼=ŌŌ_ŌT.C.A.Ō_Ō€ššŌ#†¼=»XX@qäd#ŌŌ‡X@qX»¼=Ō€36„1„113(c)(1)€š!š€(2)€(2001).Š ō$D # ŠĢą  ąSince€a€decision€to€terminate€parental€rights€affects€fundamental€constitutional€rights,€we€areŠ Ģ&"% Šrequired€to€apply€a€higher€standard€of€proof€than€in€the€typical€civil€proceeding.€€ņņSee€ņ ņŌ_ŌOššDanielŌ_Ō€v.Š ø'#& ŠMessieró óóó,€905€S.W.2d€182,€186€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1995).€€Before€a€court€can€terminate€a€parentššsŠ ¤(ō#' Šparental€rights,€the€court€must€make€the€required€findings€š šby€clear€and€convincing€evidence.ššŠ )ą$( ŠŌ#†¼=»XX@qQe#ŌŌ‡X@qX»¼=ŌŌ_ŌT.C.A.Ō_Ō€ššŌ#†¼=»XX@qŻg#ŌŌ‡X@qX»¼=Ō€36„1„113(c).€€The€š šclear€and€convincing€evidencešš€standard€š šeliminates€any€serious€orŠ |*Ģ%) Šsubstantial€doubt€concerning€the€correctness€of€the€Ō_ŌconclusionsŌ_Ō€to€be€drawn€from€the€evidence.šš€Š h+ø&* Šņ ņņņŌ_ŌOššDanielŌ_Ōó óóó,€905€S.W.2d€at€188.€€š šThis€heightened€standard...serves€to€prevent€the€unwarrantedŠ ° Štermination€or€interference€with€the€biological€parentsšš€rights€to€their€children.šš€€ņ ņņņIn€re€Ō_ŌM.W.A.Ō_Ōó óóó,€980Š œģ ŠS.W.2d€620,€622€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1998).Š ˆŲ ŠĢą  ąIn€the€instant€case,€the€evidence€and€the€trial€courtššs€findings€bring€the€following€statutoryŠ `° Šgrounds€for€termination€into€play:Š L œ ŠĢą  ąą8 ` ą(3)(A)€€The€child€has€been€removed€from€the€home€of€the€parent€orŠ $ t Šguardian€by€order€of€a€court€for€a€period€of€six€(6)months€and:Š `` x` x ŠĢą  ąą8 ` ą(Ō_ŌiŌ_Ō)€The€conditions€which€led€to€the€childššs€removal€or€otherŠ č 8  Šconditions€which€in€all€reasonable€probability€would€cause€the€childŠ Ō$  Što€be€subjected€to€further€abuse€or€neglect€and€which,€therefore,Š Ą  Šprevent€the€childššs€safe€return€to€the€care€of€the€parent(s)€orŠ ¬ü  Šguardian(s),€still€persist;Š˜č ` x` x ŠĢą  ąą8 ` ą(ii)€There€is€little€likelihood€that€these€conditions€will€be€remedied€atŠ pĄ Šan€early€date€so€that€the€child€can€be€safely€returned€to€the€parent(s)Š \¬ Šor€guardian(s)€in€the€near€future;€andŠH˜` x` x ŠĢą  ąą8 ` ą(iii)€The€continuation€of€the€parent€or€guardian€and€child€relationshipŠ  p Šgreatly€diminishes€the€childššs€chances€of€early€integration€into€a€safe,Š  \ Šstable€and€permanent€home.ŠųH` x` x ŠĢŌ#†¼=»XX@qJh#ŌŌ‡X@qX»¼=ŌŌ_ŌT.C.A.Ō_Ō€ššŌ#†¼=»XX@qp#ŌŌ‡X@qX»¼=Ō€36„1„113(g)(3)(A)€(2001).Š Š  ŠĢą  ąą8 ` ąThe€parent...is€found€by€the€court€hearing€the€petition€to€terminateŠ Øų Šparental€rights...to€have€committed€severe€child€abuse€[as€defined€inŠ ”ä ŠŌ#†¼=»XX@q q#ŌŌ‡X@qX»¼=ŌŌ_ŌT.C.A.Ō_Ō€šš€Ō#†¼=»XX@qGr#ŌŌ‡X@qX»¼=Ō37„1„102(b)(21)]€against€the€child€who€is€the€subject€of€theŠ €Š Špetition...Šl¼` x` x ŠĢŌ#†¼=»XX@qµr#ŌŌ‡X@qX»¼=ŌŌ_ŌT.C.A.Ō_Ō€ššŌ#†¼=»XX@qss#ŌŌ‡X@qX»¼=Ō€36„1„113(g)(4)€(2001).Š D!” ŠĢą  ąą8 ` ą(21)€€š šSevere€child€abusešš€means:Š#l!` x` x ŠĢą  ąą8 ` ą(A)€The€knowing€exposure€of€a€child€to€or€the€knowing€failure€toŠ ō$D # Šprotect€a€child€from€abuse€or€neglect€that€is€likely€to€cause€greatŠ ą%0!$ Šbodily€harm€or€death€and€the€knowing€use€of€force€on€a€child€that€isŠ Ģ&"% Šlikely€to€cause€great€bodily€harm€or€death;Šø'#&` x` x ŠĢą  ąą8 ` ą(B)€Specific€brutality,€abuse€or€neglect€towards€a€child€which€in€theŠ )ą$( Šopinion€of€qualified€experts€has€caused€or€will€reasonably€be€expectedŠ |*Ģ%) Što€produce€severe€psychosis,€severe€neurotic€disorder,€severeŠ h+ø&* Šdepression,€severe€developmental€delay€or€retardation,€or€severeŠ ° Šimpairment€of€the€childššs€ability€to€function€adequately€in€the€childššsŠ œģ Šenvironment,€and€the€knowing€failure€to€protect€a€child€from€suchŠ ˆŲ Šconduct;€or€ŠtÄ` x` x ŠĢą  ąą8 ` ą(C)€The€commission€of€any€act€towards€the€child€prohibited€by€Ō#†¼=»XX@qąs#ŌŌ‡X@qX»¼=ŌššŌ#†¼=»XX@qÅx#ŌŌ‡X@qX»¼=Ōšš€Ō#†¼=»XX@q y#ŌŌ‡X@qX»¼=Ō39„Š L œ Š13„502€š!š€39„13„504,€39„13„522,€39„15„302,€and€39„17„1005€or€theŠ 8 ˆ Šknowing€failure€to€protect€the€child€from€the€commission€of€any€suchŠ $ t Šact€towards€the€child;Š `` x` x ŠĢŌ#†¼=»XX@qRy#ŌŌ‡X@qX»¼=ŌŌ_ŌT.C.A.Ō_Ō€ššŌ#†¼=»XX@q’z#ŌŌ‡X@qX»¼=Ō€37„1„102(b)(21)€(2001).Š č 8  ŠĢą  ąą8 ` ą(8)(A)€The€chancery€and€circuit€courts€shall€have€jurisdiction€in€anŠ Ą  Šadoption€proceeding,€and€the€chancery,€circuit,€and€juvenile€courtsŠ ¬ü  Šshall€have€jurisdiction€in€a€separate,€independent€proceedingŠ ˜č  Šconducted€prior€to€an€adoption€proceeding€to€determine€if€the€parentŠ „Ō  Šor€guardian€is€mentally€incompetent€to€provide€for€the€further€careŠ pĄ Šand€supervision€of€the€child,€and€to€terminate€that€parentššs€orŠ \¬ Šguardianššs€rights€to€the€child.ŠH˜` x` x ŠĢą  ąą8 ` ą(B)€The€court€may€terminate€the€parental€or€guardianship€rights€ofŠ  p Šthat€person€if€it€determines€on€the€basis€of€clear€and€convincingŠ  \ Ševidence€that:ŠųH` x` x ŠĢą  ąą8 ` ą(Ō_ŌiŌ_Ō)€The€parent€or€guardian€of€the€child€is€incompetent€to€adequatelyŠ Š  Šprovide€for€the€further€care€and€supervision€of€the€child€because€theŠ ¼  Šparentššs€or€guardianššs€mental€condition€is€presently€so€impaired€andŠ Øų Šis€so€likely€to€remain€so€that€it€is€unlikely€that€the€parent€or€guardianŠ ”ä Šwill€be€able€to€assume€or€resume€the€care€of€and€responsibility€for€theŠ €Š Šchild€in€the€near€future,€andŠl¼` x` x ŠĢą  ąą8 ` ą(ii)€That€termination€of€parental€or€guardian€rights€is€in€the€bestŠ D!” Šinterest€of€the€child.Š0"€ ` x` x ŠĢŌ#†¼=»XX@q’z#ŌŌ‡X@qX»¼=ŌŌ_ŌT.C.A.Ō_Ō€ššŌ#†¼=»XX@q®#ŌŌ‡X@qX»¼=Ō€36„1„113(g)(8)(A)€š!š€(B)€(2001).Š $X" ŠĢÓ  ÓIV.Š ą%0!$ ŠĢÓs‚Óą  ąThe€trial€court€found€that€each€of€the€aforesaid€three€grounds€for€termination€is€shown€byŠ ø'#& Šclear€and€convincing€evidence.€€The€evidence€does€not€preponderate€against€these€findings.€€ņņSeeóóŠ ¤(ō#' ŠTenn.€R.€App.€P.€13(d).€€In€fact,€Ō_ŌD.G.B.Ō_Ō€and€C.B.€do€not€argue€strenuously€to€the€contrary.€€TheyŠ )ą$( Šfocus€their€attention€on€the€second€of€the€two€required€findings,€ņņi.e.óó,€clear€and€convincing€evidenceŠ |*Ģ%) Šš š[Ō_Ōt]hatŌ_Ō€termination€of€the€parentššs...rights€is€in€the€best€interests€of€the€child.šš€€Ō#†¼=»XX@q‚#ŌŌ‡X@qX»¼=ŌŌ_ŌT.C.A.Ō_Ō€ššŌ#†¼=»XX@qU…#ŌŌ‡X@qX»¼=Ō€36„1„Š h+ø&* Š113(c)(2).׃ׯ ƒ#ĆŻņņŚ  Ś1Ś  ŚóóŻ  Ż×  ׀€Since€this€is€the€real€issue€in€this€case,€we€will€now€address€the€concept€of€the€š šbestŠ ° Šinterestsššof€Ō_ŌJ.E.B.Ō_ŌŠ œģ ŠĢÓ  ÓV.Š tÄ ŠÓ‡ÓņņóóŌ#†¼=»XX@qĀ…#ŌŌ€X@qX»¼=ŌĢą  ąThe€concept€of€the€š šbest€interestsšš€of€a€child€as€set€forth€in€Ō_ŌT.C.A.Ō_Ō€šš€36„1„113(c)(2)€as€wellŠ L œ Šas€the€identical€concept€found€at€Ō_ŌT.C.A.Ō_Ō€šš€36„1„113(g)(8)(B)(ii)€are€addressed€in€the€statutory€schemeŠ 8 ˆ Šas€follows:Š $ t ŠĢą  ąą8 ` ą(Ō_ŌiŌ_Ō)€In€determining€whether€termination€of€parental€or€guardianshipŠ ü L  Šrights€is€in€the€best€interest€of€the€child€pursuant€to€this€part,€the€courtŠ č 8  Šshall€consider,€but€is€not€limited€to,€the€following:ŠŌ$ ` x` x ŠĢą  ąą8 ` ą(1)€Whether€the€parent€or€guardian€has€made€such€an€adjustment€ofŠ ¬ü  Šcircumstance,€conduct,€or€conditions€as€to€make€it€safe€and€in€theŠ ˜č  Šchildššs€best€interest€to€be€in€the€home€of€the€parent€or€guardian;Š„Ō ` x` x ŠĢą  ąą8 ` ą(2)€Whether€the€parent€or€guardian€has€failed€to€effect€a€lastingŠ \¬ Šadjustment€after€reasonable€efforts€by€available€social€servicesŠ H˜ Šagencies€for€such€duration€of€time€that€lasting€adjustment€does€notŠ 4„ Šreasonably€appear€possible;Š p` x` x ŠĢą  ąą8 ` ą(3)€Whether€the€parent€or€guardian€has€maintained€regular€visitationŠ ųH Šor€other€contact€with€the€child;Šä4` x` x ŠĢą  ąą8 ` ą(4)€Whether€a€meaningful€relationship€has€otherwise€been€establishedŠ ¼  Šbetween€the€parent€or€guardian€and€the€child;ŠØų` x` x ŠĢą  ąą8 ` ą(5)€The€effect€a€change€of€caretakers€and€physical€environment€isŠ €Š Šlikely€to€have€on€the€childššs€emotional,€psychological€and€medicalŠ l¼ Šcondition;ŠX Ø` x` x ŠĢą  ąą8 ` ą(6)€Whether€the€parent€or€guardian,€or€other€person€residing€with€theŠ 0"€  Šparent€or€guardian,€has€shown€brutality,€physical,€sexual,€emotionalŠ #l! Šor€psychological€abuse,€or€neglect€toward€the€child,€or€another€childŠ $X" Šor€adult€in€the€family€or€household;Šō$D #` x` x Šā āŠ ą%0!$ Šą  ąą8 ` ą(7)€whether€the€physical€environment€of€the€parentššs€or€guardianššsŠ ° Šā āhome€is€healthy€and€safe,€whether€there€is€criminal€activity€in€theŠ œģ Šhome,€or€whether€there€is€such€use€of€alcohol€or€controlled€substancesŠ ˆŲ Šas€may€render€the€parent€or€guardian€consistently€unable€to€care€forŠ tÄ Šthe€child€in€a€safe€and€stable€manner;€Š`°` x` x ŠĢą  ąą8 ` ą(8)€Whether€the€parentššs€or€guardianššs€mental€and/or€emotional€statusŠ 8 ˆ Šwould€be€detrimental€to€the€child€or€prevent€the€parent€or€guardianŠ $ t Šfrom€effectively€providing€safe€and€stable€care€and€supervision€for€theŠ  ` Šchild;€orŠü L ` x` x ŠĢą  ąą8 ` ą(9)€Whether€the€parent€or€guardian€has€paid€child€support€consistentŠ Ō$  Šwith€the€child€support€guidelines€promulgated€by€the€departmentŠ Ą  Špursuant€to€šš€36„5„101.Ьü ` x` x ŠĢŌ_ŌT.C.A.Ō_Ō€šš€36„1„113(Ō_ŌiŌ_Ō)(1)„(9)€Ō_Ō(2001).Ō_Ō€€While€the€š šbest€interestsšš€concept€is€distinct€and€separate€fromŠ „Ō  Šthat€of€the€concept€of€a€ground€for€termination,€it€is€clear€that€the€concepts€are€related€and€thatŠ pĄ Ševidence€bearing€on€one€tends€to€š šbleed€overšš€into€the€other.Š \¬ ŠĢą  ąWe€now€proceed€to€examine€the€evidence€in€light€of€the€relevant€š šbest€interestsšš€provisions.Š 4„ ŠĢą  ąIn€its€order,€the€trial€court€found€that,€as€of€the€date€of€the€termination€hearing,€the€parentsŠ  \ Šof€Ō_ŌJ.E.B.Ō_Ō€were€so€impaired€that€it€was€unlikely€that€they€would€ever€be€able€to€properly€care€andŠ ųH Šprovide€for€their€child.€€ņņSee€óóŌ_ŌT.C.A.Ō_Ō€šš€36„1„113(Ō_ŌiŌ_Ō)(1).€€Further,€the€court€opined€that€the€conditionsŠ ä4 Šwhich€led€to€the€childššs€removal€still€persisted€and€that€the€child€would€remain€in€state€custody€untilŠ Š  Šhe€was€able€to€provide€for€himself.€€ņņSee€óóŌ_ŌT.C.A.Ō_Ō€šš€36„1„113(Ō_ŌiŌ_Ō)(2).Š ¼  ŠĢą  ąThe€parentsšš€right€to€visitation€with€the€child€was€terminated€by€court€order€dated€NovemberŠ ”ä Š7,€1996.€€ņņSee€óóŌ_ŌT.C.A.Ō_Ō€šš€36„1„113(Ō_ŌiŌ_Ō)(3).€€The€trial€court€found€that€a€meaningful€relationship€betweenŠ €Š Šthe€parents€and€the€child€could€not€be€established€without€the€assistance€of€DCS.€€ņņSeeóó€Ō_ŌT.C.A.Ō_Ō€šš€36„1„Š l¼ Š113(Ō_ŌiŌ_Ō)(4).€€Indeed,€the€trial€testimony€revealed€that€the€child€was€afraid€of€his€parents.Š X Ø ŠĢą  ąŌ_ŌJ.E.B.Ō_Ō€has€now€been€in€foster€care€for€almost€seven€years.€€He€has€been€the€victim€of€severeŠ 0"€  Šchild€abuse,€as€found€by€the€trial€court.€€Therefore,€it€is€unlikely€that€a€further€change€in€caretakersŠ #l! Šand€physical€environment€would,€at€this€point,€negatively€impact€his€emotional,€psychological,€orŠ $X" Šmedical€condition.€€ņņSeeóó€Ō_ŌT.C.A.Ō_Ō€šš€36„1„113(Ō_ŌiŌ_Ō)(5).Š ō$D # ŠĢą  ąIn€addition€to€the€physical€and€sexual€abuse€of€the€child€at€the€hands€of€his€father,€the€courtŠ Ģ&"% Šfound€that€the€childššs€mother€was€equally€guilty€of€the€abuse,€as€she€failed€to€intervene€on€the€childššsŠ ø'#& Šbehalf.€€ņņSee€óóŌ_ŌT.C.A.Ō_Ō€šš€36„1„113(Ō_ŌiŌ_Ō)(6).€€As€for€the€ability€of€the€parents€to€effectively€provide€for€theŠ ¤(ō#' Šchild,€the€trial€court€found€that€the€father€had€been€diagnosed€as€š šmildly€depressed€or€psychotic.šš€Š )ą$( Šā āAlthough€the€court€noted€that€the€father€had€appeared€to€improve€with€counseling,€it€stated€that€bothŠ |*Ģ%) Šparents€are€mentally€incompetent€to€provide€for€the€care€and€supervision€of€the€child.€€ņņSee€óóŌ_ŌT.C.A.Ō_ŌŠ ° Ššš€36„1„113(Ō_ŌiŌ_Ō)(7)€&€(8).Š œģ Šā āĢą  ąThe€trial€court€did€not€address€š š[Ō_Ōw]hetherŌ_Ō€the€Ō_Ōparent[sŌ_Ō]€...€[had]€paid€child€support,šš€and€thereŠ tÄ Šis€no€evidence€in€the€record€before€us€regarding€this€matter.€€ņņSee€óóŌ_ŌT.C.A.Ō_Ō€šš€36„1„113(Ō_ŌiŌ_Ō)(9).Š `° ŠĢą@ll)ģąVI.ˆŠ 8 ˆ ŠĢą  ąThe€trial€court€found,€š šbeyond€a€reasonable€doubt€and€to€a€moral€certainty,šš€that€the€parentsŠ  ` ŠĢą  ąą8 ` ąwere€mentally€incompetent€to€provide€the€kind€of€care€andŠ č 8  Šsupervision€that€the€child€needed€and€who€even€to€this€day€are€soŠ Ō$  Šimpaired€as€to€remain€unlikely€to€be€able€to€provide€or€assume€orŠ Ą  Šresume€the€care€and€responsibility€for€[Ō_ŌJ.E.B.Ō_Ō]Ьü ` x` x ŠĢThe€court€stated€š šthat€neither€of€these€parents€are€up€to€the€standards€necessary€to€provide€for€theŠ „Ō  Šcare€of€this€child€on€a€day„to„day€basis.ššŠ pĄ ŠĢą  ąThe€trial€court€later€opined€š šthat€[the€parents]€would€ņņneveróó€be€able€to€provide€or€beŠ H˜ Šresponsible€for€[Ō_ŌJ.E.B.Ō_Ō].šš€€(Emphasis€added).€€The€evidence€does€not€preponderate€against€theseŠ 4„ Šfindings.€€There€is€nothing€in€the€record€to€suggest€that€this€child,€on€the€one€hand,€and€his€parentsŠ  p Šš!š€who€apparently€are€still€together€š!š€will€ever€ņņlive€togetheróó€in€a€parent„child€relationship.€€The€trialŠ  \ Šcourt€found€as€much€and€the€evidence€does€not€preponderate€to€the€contrary.Š ųH ŠĢą  ąThe€trial€court€concluded€that,€because€of€Ō_ŌJ.E.B.Ō_Ōššs€age€and€his€mental€and€physicalŠ Š  Šimpairments,€he€was€not€adoptable.€€There€is€no€direct€evidence€to€support€the€courtššs€finding€ofŠ ¼  ŠŌ_ŌunadoptabilityŌ_Ō.€€Certainly,€it€is€likely€to€be€considerably€more€difficult€to€place€Ō_ŌJ.E.B.Ō_Ō€with€adoptiveŠ Øų Šparents€than€say€an€infant€with€no€mental€or€physical€problems;€but€this€does€not€mean€that€suchŠ ”ä Šplacement€is€impossible.€€We€all€know€from€our€life€experiences€that€there€are€people€who,€becauseŠ €Š Šof€religious€€faith€or€simply€because€of€the€goodness€of€their€humanity,€are€willing€to€adopt€a€childŠ l¼ Šsuch€as€Ō_ŌJ.E.B.Ō_Ō,€even€with€all€his€problems€and€despite€his€relatively€advanced€age.€€This€record€doesŠ X Ø Šnot€support€a€finding€that€adoption€is€not€ņņpossibleóó€in€Ō_ŌJ.E.B.Ō_Ōššs€case.Š D!” ŠĢą  ąThe€trial€court€was€of€the€opinion€that€a€š šmeaningful€relationshipšš€could€be€developedŠ #l! Šbetween€Ō_ŌJ.E.B.Ō_Ō€and€his€parents€with€the€help€of€DCS.€€The€court€apparently€believed€that€even€as€badŠ $X" Šas€these€parents€have€been,€a€š šrelationshipšš€with€them€was€better€than€terminating€the€parent„childŠ ō$D # Šconnection.€€However,€it€is€clear€from€the€courtššs€remarks€that€it€did€not€contemplate€Ō_ŌJ.E.B.Ō_Ō€wouldŠ ą%0!$ Šever€again€live€with€his€parents€during€his€minority,€despite€the€š šreunificationšš€language€of€theŠ Ģ&"% Šjudgment€appealed€from.Š ø'#& ŠĢą  ąThe€legislature€has€expressed€a€clear€intent€with€respect€to€children€such€as€Ō_ŌJ.E.B.Ō_Ō:Š )ą$( Šā āŠ |*Ģ%) Šą  ąą8 ` ą(a)€€The€primary€purpose€of€this€part€is€to€protect€children€fromŠ ° Šā āunnecessary€separation€ņņfrom€parents€who€will€give€them€good€homesŠ œģ Šand€loving€careóó,€to€protect€them€from€needless€prolonged€placementŠ ˆŲ Šin€foster€care€and€the€uncertainty€it€provides,€and€to€provide€them€aŠ tÄ Šreasonable€assurance€that,€if€an€early€return€to€the€care€of€their€parentsŠ `° Šis€not€possible,€they€will€be€placed€in€a€permanent€home€at€an€earlyŠ L œ Šdate.Š8 ˆ` x` x ŠĢŌ_ŌT.C.A.Ō_Ō€šš€37„2„401(a)(2001)€(emphasis€added).€€In€the€instant€case,€the€trial€court€found€š!š€and€theŠ  ` Ševidence€does€not€preponderate€to€the€contrary€š!š€that€š šan€early€return€to€the€ņņcareóó€of€their€parentsššŠ ü L  Šwas€not€possible.€€ņ ņņņIdó óóó.€€This€it€seems€to€us€is€the€key€to€this€issue.€€The€legislative€intent€is€not€simplyŠ č 8  Što€establish€a€š šmeaningful€relationshipšš€between€a€child€and€his€or€her€parents;€it€is€much€more€thanŠ Ō$  Šthat.€€It€is€to€return€the€child€to€the€ņņcareóó€of€his€parents.€€This€goal€is€clearly€reflected€throughout€theŠ Ą  Šstatutory€scheme.€€ņņSee,€e.g.,óó€Ō_ŌT.C.A.Ō_Ō€šššš€36„1„113(g)(3)(A)(Ō_ŌiŌ_Ō)€(š šsafe€return€to€the€care€of€theŠ ¬ü  Šparent(s)šš),€36„1„113(g)(3)(A)(ii)€(š šcan€be€safely€returned€to€the€parent(s)šš),€36„1„113(g)(8)(A)€(š štoŠ ˜č  Šprovide€for€the€further€care€and€supervision€of€the€childšš),€36„1„113(g)(8)(B)(Ō_ŌiŌ_Ō)€(š šprovide€for€theŠ „Ō  Šfurther€care€and€supervision€of€the€childšš€and€š šable€to€assume€or€resume€the€care€of€andŠ pĄ Šresponsibility€for€the€childšš),€36„1„113(Ō_ŌiŌ_Ō)(1)€(š što€be€in€the€home€of€the€parentšš),€36„1„113(Ō_ŌiŌ_Ō)(7)€(š štoŠ \¬ Šcare€for€the€child€in€a€safe€and€stable€manneršš),€and€36„1„113(Ō_ŌiŌ_Ō)(8)€(š šsafe€and€stable€care€andŠ H˜ Šsupervision€for€the€childšš).Š 4„ ŠĢą  ąWe€conclude€that€the€trial€court€utilized€the€wrong€legal€standard€in€determining€whether€itŠ  \ Šwas€in€the€š šbest€interestsšš€of€Ō_ŌJ.E.B.Ō_Ō€to€terminate€the€parent„child€relationship.€€When€the€evidenceŠ ųH Šis€evaluated€in€the€context€of€Ō_ŌT.C.A.Ō_Ō€šš€36„1„113(Ō_ŌiŌ_Ō)(1)„(9),€we€find€clear€and€convincing€proof€thatŠ ä4 Štermination€is€in€the€š šbest€interestsšš€of€Ō_ŌJ.E.B.Ō_Ō€€Since€the€proof€shows€that€Ō_ŌJ.E.B.Ō_Ō€will€never€beŠ Š  Šreturned€to€the€š šcarešš€of€his€parents€during€his€minority,€the€development€of€a€š šrelationship,šš€withoutŠ ¼  Šmore,€is€an€insufficient€basis€to€support€a€finding€that€it€is€not€in€the€best€interest€of€Ō_ŌJ.E.B.Ō_Ō€toŠ Øų Šterminate€his€parentsšš€parental€rights.€€Furthermore,€termination€will€permit€DCS€to€use€its€bestŠ ”ä Šefforts€to€place€this€child€in€a€loving€home€with€adoptive€parents.Š €Š ŠĢą@MM(ģąVII.ˆŠ X Ø ŠĢą  ąThe€issue€raised€by€the€Guardian€Ad€Litem€with€respect€to€the€trial€courtššs€judgment€directingŠ 0"€  Šthe€transfer€of€Ō_ŌJ.E.B.Ō_Ō€from€Bradley€County€to€Carter€County€is€rendered€moot€by€our€decision.€Š #l! ŠAccordingly,€we€do€not€reach€it.Š $X" ŠĢą@..(ģąVIII.ˆŠ ą%0!$ ŠĢą  ąThe€judgment€of€the€trial€court€is€reversed.€€Costs€on€appeal€are€taxed€to€Ō_ŌD.G.B.Ō_Ō€and€C.B.€Š ø'#& ŠThis€case€is€remanded€to€the€trial€court€for€such€proceedings,€if€any,€as€may€be€necessary,€consistentŠ ¤(ō#' Šwith€this€opinion.Š )ą$( ŠĢŠ  h+ø&* ŠĢĢą  ąą ` ąą ø ąą  ąą h ąą Ą ąą  ą_______________________________€Š ˆŲ Šą  ąą ` ąą ø ąą  ąą h ąą Ą ąą  ąCHARLES€D.€SUSANO,€JR.,€JUDGE