ÿWPC<  ûÙ¾'\ '6".ô*VŒ%”€Ô±,\ûäÒw&Ç¢nÍ©6¸@¤+î€f9âÄåHØš“(`Ä7ÀȲVÔHpÐõ~Ý[yÑ‚îËåêPÚ³£bK·c.ÖéôâøþwÐI°ðÿ¾v‡9 ]  ¤¡‹:’S¢Ü9tÀ€Arž œU|“S£m£îñ4Ó3¸ú]93Â<±Þäf»ê]H³rú€RÇ…kÏ*ôU¦ž¨°çÉ>4ÊdN—.˜D‡Øg’ŒçÇë¬Üœÿ-¯5uYíi3›j%»«ÀÊê4}°÷^raCši=kÔV7™o«ˆ)tP>«P^¦k ‰€×h²µ­ê?‡¾$E·82ÆËʰØÒNîË¿8MÌîÓSòJ(çO–—>'Åèôl¦ÇäÅP_³=¢U#åÃÁ:ÝÉEäòáu?ä~óà•hEùfÌb#Á\ % UN# 0ˆq UNù 1uG 72¼ zî Òh ^ : wF 1‡J 4Ñ Æå Æ« ÆqÆ7ýN  mE')))))))))))))))))))))))b111111111111111111111111111111111111 0ë9999 B$$ 0¤A D3å D- 0KEE ASÆã 0¤© 0DM A«‘˜HP LaserJet 4 Plus,ð,,,,,ð0»(ÖÃ9 Z‹6Times New Roman Regular(`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regular3#37=CIQYag­­1.a.i.(1)(a)(i)1)a)i) ˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wpt¢Ž-s 05¨CEKQW]cioAutoList11.A.1.1.1.1.1.1.ä]ö,܆Ÿ2lJ¦Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 53|xÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ - ù-(|G2» $¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€·Ô»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô̬ò»»Ô d(|3($££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€·Ô»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV'ÿÿdxd)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3($¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€·Ô»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€·Ô»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ  ÑÔ€¼·Ô»»»ÔÑ8€³SXXdð»»d8ÑÑ  Ñà@ü ü ìàÔ‡îàW·ÔÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@õõ%ìàAT€JACKSONÔ#†¼·Ô»îîàW #ԈРÜ, ÐÓ  ÓMAY€21,€2002€SessionÐ X ÐÔ‡X³SX»¼·ÔÔÌò òÔ#†¼·Ô»XX³Sï#ÔIN€THE€MATTER€OF€D.L.B.,€A€MINORòòóóÔ‡X³SX»¼·ÔÔó óÐ  ` ÐÌà@@½½ìàò òDirect€Appeal€from€the€Chancery€Court€for€Shelby€CountyÐ  h Ðà@@øøìàNo.€CH„01„0200„2;€The€Honorable€Kenny€Armstrong,€Special€ChancellorÐ  X ÐÌÌà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<×` AßÐ Ø(  ÐÌà@@TTìàNo.€W2001„02245„Ô_ÔCOAÔ_Ô„R3„CV€„€August€6,€2002Ð ×'  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<¶` AßÐ ·  Ðó óÌÓ  ÓÔ‡X·ÐXXX³SÔThis€is€a€case€involving€the€termination€of€parental€rights.€€The€Appellees€filed€a€petition€in€theÐ ¶ ÐChancery€Court€of€Shelby€County€to€terminate€the€Appellantððs€parental€rights€to€his€child.€Ð ¢ò ÐFollowing€a€hearing,€the€trial€court€entered€an€order€terminating€the€Appellantððs€parental€rights€onÐ ŽÞ Ðthe€basis€of€abandonment.€€The€Appellant€appeals€the€trial€courtððs€order€terminating€his€parentalÐ zÊ Ðrights.€€For€the€reasons€stated€herein,€we€affirm€the€trial€courtððs€decision.Ð f¶ ÐÔ#†X³SXXX·Ð¡#ÔÔ#†¼·Ô»XX³S[#ÔÔ‡X³SX»¼·ÔÔÌÓ•ÓÌò òTenn.€R.€App.€P.€3;€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Chancery€Court€Affirmedó óÐ 2‚ ÐÌòòÓ  ÓÔ#†¼·Ô»àX³SK#ÔÔ‡X³SX.¼·ÔÔAlan€E.€Highers,€J.óó,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòDavid€R.€Farmer,€J.,óó€and€òòHollyÐ b ÐKirby€Lillard,€J.óó,€joined.Ð R ÐÌBarbaralette€G.€Davis,€Webb€A.€Brewer,€Nancy€Percer€Kessler,€Memphis,€TN,€for€AppellantÐ â2 ÐÌLarry€E.€Parrish,€Memphis,€TN,€for€Appellees,€Donald€Joe€Ô_ÔNicklesonÔ_Ô,€et€uxÐ Â ÐÌPaul€G.€Summers,€Attorney€General€&€Reporter,€Dianne€Stamey€Dycus,€Deputy€Attorney€General,Ð ¢!ò  ÐNashville,€for€Appellee,€Tennessee€Department€of€Childrenððs€ServicesÐ ’"â! ÐÓêÓÌò òOPINIONó óÔ#†¼·Ô»XX³S#ÔÔ‡X³SX»¼·ÔÔÐ r$Â# ÐÌòòóóÔ#†¼·Ô»XX³Så #ÔÔ‡X³SX»¼·ÔÔÓ  Óò òÔ‡X·ÐXXX³SÔà@ìàI.€€Facts€and€Procedural€Historyó óˆÐ R&¢!% ÐÌà  àThe€Appellant,€David€Moore€(ð ðMr.€Mooreðð),€and€Georgia€Smith€Bady€(ð ðMrs.€Badyðð)€are€theÐ *(z#' Ðbiological€parents€of€D.L.B.€€Mrs.€Bady€used€crack€cocaine€during€her€pregnancy€with€D.L.B.€€OnÐ )f$( ÐAugust€31,€1998,€D.L.B.€was€born€two€months€premature€and€placed€in€the€intensive€care€unit€at€theÐ *R%) ÐRegional€Medical€Center€(ð ðthe€Medðð)€in€Memphis,€Tennessee.€€No€father€was€named€on€D.L.B.ððsÐ î*>&* Ðbirth€certificate.€€On€October€20,€1998,€the€Tennessee€Department€of€Childrenððs€Services€(ð ðDCSðð)Ð Ú+*'+ Ðfiled€a€dependency€and€neglect€petition€in€the€Juvenile€Court€of€Shelby€County.€€The€dependencyÐ Æ,(, Ðand€neglect€petition€alleged€that€D.L.B.€was€a€dependent€and€neglected€child€due€to€Mrs.€BadyððsÐ ²-)-ý Ðhistory€of€drug€abuse€and€failure€to€maintain€a€stable€home.€The€juvenile€court€entered€a€protectiveÐ ° Ðcustody€order€recommending€that€D.L.B.€be€placed€in€the€custody€of€DCS.€Ð œì ÐÌà  àOn€October€29,€1998,€D.L.B.€was€discharged€from€The€Med€into€the€custody€of€DCS.€€DCSÐ tÄ Ðreferred€D.L.B.€to€the€AGAPE€agency€for€foster€care€placement.€€AGAPE€placed€D.L.B.€in€the€fosterÐ `° Ðhome€of€the€Appellees,€Donald€and€Denise€Nickleson€(ð ðthe€Nicklesonsðð).€€D.L.B.€has€lived€with€theÐ L œ ÐNicklesons€from€October,€1998€until€the€present€day.€€D.L.B.€has€respiratory€problems€as€well€asÐ 8 ˆ Ðsensory€integration€problems€which€delay€her€development€in€occupational€performance€areas€suchÐ $ t Ðas€fine€motor€skills€and€gross€motor€skills.€€Mrs.€Nickleson€is€a€licensed€physical€therapist€with€aÐ  ` Ðspecial€certification€in€sensory€integration€assessment,€evaluation,€and€treatment.€€Mrs.€NicklesonÐ ü L  Ðprivately€sees€patients€from€within€her€home€and€provides€D.L.B.€with€constant€therapy€for€herÐ è 8  Ðsensory€integration€problems.€Ð Ô$  ÐÌà  àOn€May€15,€2000,€Court€Appointed€Special€Advocate€of€Memphis€and€Shelby€CountyÐ ¬ü  Ð(ð ðCASAðð)€filed€a€petition€for€termination€of€parental€rights€of€Mrs.€Bady,€her€husband€Jessie€BadyÐ ˜è  Ð(ð ðMr.€Badyðð),€and€all€unknown€fathers€of€D.L.B.€€On€July€12,€2000,€a€hearing€on€the€petition€forÐ „Ô  Ðtermination€of€parental€rights€was€held.€€Mr.€Moore€appeared€at€the€hearing€and€claimed€to€be€theÐ pÀ Ðfather€of€D.L.B.€€The€juvenile€court€entered€an€order€terminating€the€parental€rights€of€Mr.€and€Mrs.Ð \¬ ÐBady.€€On€August€15,€2000,€CASA€filed€an€amended€petition€for€termination€of€parental€rights€toÐ H˜ Ðadd€Mr.€Moore€as€the€putative€father€of€D.L.B.€Ð 4„ ÐÌà  àDCS€filed€a€petition€in€the€juvenile€court€against€Mr.€Moore€to€establish€parentage€of€D.L.B.€Ð  \ ÐOn€August€18,€2000,€Mr.€Moore€submitted€to€a€paternity€test€which€confirmed€that€he€was€D.L.B.ððsÐ øH Ðfather.€€On€September€15,€2000,€the€juvenile€court€entered€an€order€establishing€Mr.€Moore€as€theÐ ä4 Ðnatural€father€of€D.L.B.€and€requiring€Mr.€Moore€to€pay€child€support€in€the€amount€of€$210.00€perÐ Ð  Ðmonth.€€The€juvenile€court€also€ordered€Mr.€Moore€to€pay€all€medical€expenses€related€to€D.L.B.ððsÐ ¼  Ðbirth,€D.L.B.ððs€medical€insurance,€the€cost€of€the€paternity€test,€and€court€costs.€€In€October,€2000,Ð ¨ø ÐMr.€Moore€made€his€first€child€support€payment,€and€beginning€in€November,€2000,€Mr.€MooreððsÐ ”ä Ðwages€were€garnished€to€make€the€child€support€payments.€€€Mr.€Moore€never€paid€any€medicalÐ €Ð Ðexpenses€related€to€D.L.B.ððs€birth,€D.L.B.ððs€medical€insurance,€the€cost€of€the€paternity€test,€or€courtÐ l¼ Ðcosts€as€ordered€by€the€juvenile€court.€Ð X ¨ ÐÌà  àIn€November,€2000,€the€juvenile€court€appointed€Susan€Hinsley€(ð ðMs.€Hinsleyðð)€as€theÐ 0"€  Ðguardian€ad€litem.€€On€November€2,€2000,€Mr.€Moore€contacted€DCS€and€requested€visitation€withÐ #l! ÐD.L.B.€€Mr.€Mooreððs€first€supervised€visit€with€D.L.B.€occurred€on€November€13,€2000.€€OnÐ $X" ÐNovember€16,€2000,€DCS€requested€that€CASA€withdraw€its€petition€for€termination€of€parentalÐ ô$D # Ðrights€against€Mr.€Moore.€€In€its€November€28,€2000€quarterly€progress€report,€DCS€changed€itsÐ à%0!$ Ðpermanency€plan€goal€from€ð ðadoptionðð€to€ð ðreturn€to€parent.ðð€€€At€a€judicial€review€of€D.L.B.ððs€case,Ð Ì&"% ÐDCS€requested€the€juvenile€court€to€change€the€goal€from€ð ðadoptionðð€to€ð ðreturn€to€parent.ðð€€OnÐ ¸'#& ÐNovember€28,€2000,€the€juvenile€court€denied€DCSðð€request€to€change€the€goal€to€ð ðreturn€to€parentððÐ ¤(ô#' Ðbut€ordered€that€visitation€between€Mr.€Moore€and€D.L.B.€continue.€€Mr.€Moore€engaged€in€fourteenÐ )à$( Ðsupervised€visits€with€D.L.B.€from€November€13,€2000€through€January€29,€2001€and€from€MarchÐ |*Ì%) Ð29,€2001€through€April€27,€2001.€Ð h+¸&* Їà  àOn€January€12,€2001,€the€Nicklesons€filed€a€motion€to€intervene€in€the€juvenile€courtÐ ° Ðproceedings.€€On€January€29,€2001,€Mr.€Moore€filed€a€response€to€the€Nicklesonsðð€motion€toÐ œì Ðintervene.€€On€January€31,€2001,€Mr.€Moore€filed€a€motion€in€the€juvenile€court€to€modify€the€planÐ ˆØ Ðof€care€to€reflect€a€change€to€ð ðreturn€to€parentðð€and€to€have€custody€awarded€to€him.€€Also€on€JanuaryÐ tÄ Ð31,€2001,€the€Nicklesons€filed€a€petition€to€terminate€parental€rights€and€for€adoption€in€the€ChanceryÐ `° ÐCourt€of€Shelby€County.€€The€Nicklesons€then€notified€the€juvenile€court€that€they€had€filed€aÐ L œ Ðpetition€to€terminate€parental€rights€and€for€adoption€in€the€chancery€court.€Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌà  àOn€February€1,€2001,€CASA€made€an€oral€motion€to€dismiss€their€petition€to€terminateÐ  ` Ðparental€rights€of€Mr.€Moore€filed€in€the€juvenile€court.€€€The€Nicklesons€objected€to€CASAððs€motionÐ ü L  Ðto€dismiss.€€€The€juvenile€court€entered€an€order€which€suspended€ruling€on€CASAððs€motion€toÐ è 8  Ðdismiss€due€to€the€filing€of€the€Nicklesonsðð€petition€to€terminate€parental€rights€and€for€adoption€inÐ Ô$  Ðthe€chancery€court.€€The€chancery€court€then€referred€the€parties€back€to€the€juvenile€court€to€requestÐ À  Ðfurther€ruling€on€CASAððs€motion€to€dismiss.€€On€February€5,€2001,€the€Nicklesons€filed€an€amendedÐ ¬ü  Ðpetition€to€terminate€parental€rights€and€for€adoption€in€the€chancery€court€which€named€DCS€as€anÐ ˜è  Ðadditional€respondent€due€to€its€failure€to€consent€to€termination€of€Mr.€Mooreððs€parental€rights.€Ð „Ô  ÐÌà  àAlso€on€February€5,€2001,€the€Nicklesons€sent€a€letter€to€DCS€indicating€that€visitation€withÐ \¬ ÐMr.€Moore€was€not€in€D.L.B.ððs€best€interest€and€informing€DCS€that€they€were€going€to€wait€on€anÐ H˜ Ðorder€from€the€chancery€court€before€allowing€visitation€to€continue.€€The€Nicklesons€claim€thatÐ 4„ Ðvisitation€with€Mr.€Moore€had€caused€D.L.B.€to€regress€in€her€toilet€training€and€to€become€moreÐ  p Ðclingy€to€Mrs.€Nickleson€following€visitation.€€The€Nicklesons€also€claim€that€visitation€exacerbatedÐ  \ ÐD.L.B.ððs€ð ðrocking,ðð€sitting€up€in€bed€and€repeatedly€banging€her€back€against€her€bed€as€a€means€ofÐ øH Ðself„stimulation.€€On€March€6,€2001,€Mr.€Moore€filed€a€response€to€the€amended€petition€to€terminateÐ ä4 Ðparental€rights€and€for€adoption€which€included€an€application€for€injunctive€relief.€€The€applicationÐ Ð  Ðfor€injunctive€relief€alleged€that€the€Nicklesons€had€refused€to€comply€with€the€juvenile€courtððs€grantÐ ¼  Ðof€visitation€to€Mr.€Moore€since€February€5,€2001€and€requested€that€the€chancery€court€order€thatÐ ¨ø ÐD.L.B.€be€made€available€for€visitation.€€On€March€8,€2001,€DCS€filed€a€response€to€the€amendedÐ ”ä Ðpetition€to€terminate€parental€rights€and€for€adoption.€€On€March€19,€2001,€Mr.€Moore€filed€a€motionÐ €Ð Ðin€the€chancery€court€to€dismiss€the€Nicklesonsðð€petition€and€amended€petition€to€terminate€parentalÐ l¼ Ðrights€and€for€adoption.€Ð X ¨ ÐÌà  àOn€March€22,€2001,€the€juvenile€court€entered€an€order€dismissing€CASAððs€petition€toÐ 0"€  Ðterminate€parental€rights€filed€in€the€juvenile€court.€€On€March€28,€2001,€the€chancery€court€enteredÐ #l! Ðan€order€appointing€Ms.€Hinsley€as€the€temporary€guardian€ad€litem.€€€Following€her€investigation,Ð $X" ÐMs.€Hinsley€filed€an€answer€to€the€petition€to€terminate€parental€rights.€€Ms.€Hinsleyððs€answer€statedÐ ô$D # Ðthat€Mr.€Moore€had€failed€to€show€a€sufficient€willingness€and€ability€to€assume€legal€and€physicalÐ à%0!$ Ðcustody€of€D.L.B.€€The€answer€stated€that€D.L.B.€would€not€receive€the€therapy€she€needs€if€she€isÐ Ì&"% Ðplaced€with€Mr.€Moore€and€that€placing€D.L.B.€with€Mr.€Moore€would€pose€a€risk€of€substantialÐ ¸'#& Ðharm€to€the€physical€and€psychological€welfare€of€D.L.B.€€Finally,€the€answer€asserted€that€Mr.Ð ¤(ô#' ÐMoore€was€incompetent€to€adequately€provide€for€D.L.B.€because€his€mental€condition€was€soÐ )à$( Ðâ âimpaired€that€it€was€unlikely€that€Mr.€Moore€would€be€able€to€assume€care€of€D.L.B.€in€the€nearÐ |*Ì%) Ðfuture.€€Ms.€Hinsley€recommended€that€the€chancery€court€terminate€Mr.€Mooreððs€parental€rights.€Ð ° ЀÌâ âà  àOn€March€29,€2001,€the€chancery€court€held€a€hearing€on€Mr.€Mooreððs€application€forÐ ˆØ Ðinjunctive€relief.€€On€April€6,€2001,€the€chancery€court€entered€an€order€granting€supervisedÐ tÄ Ðvisitation€to€Mr.€Moore.€€On€April€19,€2001,€the€Nicklesons€filed€a€motion€to€amend€the€orderÐ `° Ðgranting€supervised€visitation.€€On€April€24,€2001,€the€Nicklesons€filed€a€motion€for€leave€to€file€aÐ L œ Ðsecond€amended€petition€to€terminate€parental€rights€and€for€adoption€to€allege€additional€groundsÐ 8 ˆ Ðfor€termination€of€parental€rights.€€€On€April€27,€2001,€the€chancery€court€held€a€hearing€on€theÐ $ t Ðmotion€to€amend€the€order€granting€supervised€visitation.€€On€May€24,€2001,€the€chancery€courtÐ  ` Ðgranted€the€Nicklesonsðð€motion€for€leave€to€file€a€second€amended€petition€to€terminate€parentalÐ ü L  Ðrights€and€for€adoption.€€The€chancery€court€also€granted€the€motion€to€amend€the€order€grantingÐ è 8  Ðsupervised€visitation€and€terminated€the€supervised€visitation€upon€a€finding€that€the€visitation€wasÐ Ô$  Ðadversely€affecting€D.L.B.ððs€psychological€well€being€and€was€not€in€her€best€interest.€€TheÐ À  ÐNicklesons€filed€the€second€amended€petition€to€terminate€parental€rights€and€for€adoption.€Ð ¬ü  ÐÌà  àOn€May€25,€2001,€the€Nicklesons€filed€a€motion€to€appoint€them€as€the€temporary€guardiansÐ „Ô  Ðof€D.L.B.€and€suspend€the€authority€of€DCS€over€D.L.B.€€On€June€5,€2001,€the€Nicklesons€filed€aÐ pÀ Ðmotion€to€require€Mr.€Moore€to€be€professionally€evaluated.€€On€June€11,€2001,€the€chancery€courtÐ \¬ Ðheld€a€hearing€on€the€two€motions.€€The€chancery€court€entered€an€order€denying€the€NicklesonsððÐ H˜ Ðmotion€to€appoint€them€as€the€temporary€guardians€of€D.L.B.€and€suspend€the€authority€of€DCS€overÐ 4„ ÐD.L.B.€and€the€Nicklesonsðð€motion€to€require€Mr.€Moore€to€be€professionally€evaluated.€€€On€JuneÐ  p Ð19„27,€2001,€the€trial€on€the€Nicklesonsðð€petition€to€terminate€parental€rights€was€held.€€On€June€20,Ð  \ Ð2001,€Mr.€Moore€filed€a€response€to€the€second€amended€petition€to€terminate€parental€rights€andÐ øH Ðfor€adoption.€€On€June€25,€2001,€the€Nicklesons€made€a€motion€for€a€directed€verdict.€€€The€chanceryÐ ä4 Ðcourt€denied€the€motion€for€a€directed€verdict.€Ð Ð  ÐÌà  àFollowing€the€trial,€the€chancery€court€directed€the€parties€to€submit€proposed€findings€ofÐ ¨ø Ðfact.€€On€July€12,€2001,€the€Nicklesons€submitted€their€proposed€findings€of€fact€and€conclusions€ofÐ ”ä Ðlaw.€€On€July€23,€2001,€Mr.€Moore€submitted€his€proposed€findings€of€fact.€€On€August€8,€2001,€theÐ €Ð Ðchancery€court€entered€an€order€terminating€Mr.€Mooreððs€parental€rights.€€The€chancery€court€foundÐ l¼ Ðthat€Mr.€Moore€abandoned€D.L.B.€because€for€a€period€of€four€consecutive€months€immediatelyÐ X ¨ Ðpreceding€CASAððs€petition€to€terminate€parental€rights€filed€in€the€juvenile€court,€Mr.€MooreÐ D!” Ðwillfully€failed€to€visit€and€make€payments€toward€the€support€of€D.L.B.€€The€chancery€court€alsoÐ 0"€  Ðfound€that€it€was€in€D.L.B.ððs€best€interest€to€terminate€Mr.€Mooreððs€parental€rights.€This€appealÐ #l! Ðfollowed.Ð $X" ÐÌÌà@ìàò òII.€€Standard€of€Reviewó óˆÐ Ì&"% ÐÌà  àParents€have€a€fundamental€right€to€the€care,€custody,€and€control€of€their€children.€€òòSeeÐ ¤(ô#' ÐStanley€v.€Illinoisóó,€405€U.S.€645,€651€(1972).€€This€right€is€not€absolute,€however,€and€parental€rightsÐ )à$( Ðmay€be€terminated€upon€a€finding€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence€that€the€grounds€for€terminationÐ |*Ì%) Ðof€parental€rights€have€been€established€and€that€termination€is€in€the€best€interest€of€the€child.€€òòSeeóóÐ h+¸&* ÐòòTenn.€Code€Ann.óó€ðð€36-1-113(c)€(2001).€€Clear€and€convincing€evidence€is€evidence€whichÐ ° Ðð ðeliminates€any€serious€or€substantial€doubt€concerning€the€correctness€of€the€conclusion€to€be€drawnÐ œì Ðfrom€the€evidence.€€It€should€produce€in€the€factfinderððs€mind€a€firm€belief€or€conviction€with€regardÐ ˆØ Ðto€the€truth€of€the€allegations€sought€to€be€established.ðð€€òòOððDaniel€v.€Messieróó,€905€S.W.2d€182,€188Ð tÄ Ð(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1995)€(citations€omitted).Ð `° Ðà  àÌà  àUnder€this€heightened€standard€of€review,€we€must€first€review€the€trial€courtððs€findings€inÐ 8 ˆ Ðaccordance€with€section€13(d)€of€the€Tennessee€Rules€of€Appellate€Procedure.€€That€review€is€òòdeÐ $ t Ðnovoóó€with€a€presumption€of€correctness€as€to€the€trial€courtððs€factual€findings,€unless€theÐ  ` Ðpreponderance€of€the€evidence€is€otherwise.€€òòSeeóó€òòTenn.€R.€App.€P.€óó13(d).€€For€issues€of€law,€theÐ ü L  Ðstandard€of€review€is€òòde€novoóó,€with€no€presumption€of€correctness.€€òòSee€Ridings€v.€Ralph€M.€ParsonsÐ è 8  ÐCo.óó,€914€S.W.2d€79,€80€(Tenn.€1996).€€We€must€then€determine€whether€the€facts€make€out€a€clearÐ Ô$  Ðand€convincing€case€in€favor€of€terminating€parental€rights.€€òòSee€In€re€Drinnonóó,€776€S.W.2d€96,€100Ð À  Ð(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1988).Ð ¬ü  ÐÌà@00ìàò òIII.€€Law€and€Analysisó óˆÐ „Ô  ÐÌà  àThe€following€issues,€as€we€perceive€them,€are€presented€for€our€review:Ð \¬ ÐÌ1.€€Whether€the€trial€court€erred€by€terminating€Mr.€Mooreððs€parental€rights€on€the€basis€of€willfulÐ 4„ Ðabandonment€under€section€36„1„102(1)(A)(i)€of€the€Tennessee€Code;Ð  p ÐÓ€ (5¨03ÓØ! !Ø2.€€Whether€other€grounds€to€support€termination€of€Mr.€Mooreððs€parental€rights€exist;€andÐ  \ Ð3.€€Whether€termination€of€parental€rights€is€in€the€best€interest€of€D.L.B.Ð øH ÐWe€will€examine€each€issue€in€turn.Ð ä4 ÐÌà  àThe€first€issue€presented€for€our€review€is€whether€the€trial€court€erred€by€terminating€Mr.Ð ¼  ÐMooreððs€parental€rights€on€the€basis€of€willful€abandonment€under€section€36„1„102(1)(A)(i).€€UnderÐ ¨ø Ðthe€provisions€of€section€36„1„113(g)(1)€of€the€Tennessee€Code,€termination€of€parental€rights€mayÐ ”ä Ðbe€based€upon€a€parentððs€abandonment€of€his€or€her€child.€€òòSeeóó€òòTenn.€Code€Ann.óó€ðð€36„1„113(g)(1)Ð €Ð Ð(2001).€€Section€36„1„102€defines€abandonment,€in€pertinent€part,€as:Ð l¼ ÐÌà  àà ` à(1)(A)(i)€For€a€period€of€four€(4)€consecutive€months€immediatelyÐ D!” Ðà  àà ` àpreceding€the€filing€of€a€proceeding€or€pleading€to€terminate€theÐ 0"€  Ðà  àà ` àparental€rights€of€the€parent(s)€or€guardian(s)€of€the€child€who€isÐ #l! Ðà  àà ` àthe€subject€of€the€petition€for€termination€of€parental€rights€orÐ $X" Ðà  àà ` àadoption,€that€the€parent(s)€or€guardian(s)€either€have€willfullyÐ ô$D # Ðà  àà ` àfailed€to€visit€or€have€willfully€failed€to€support€or€make€Ð à%0!$ Ðà  àà ` àreasonable€payments€toward€the€support€of€the€child;Ð Ì&"% Ðà  àà ` à(B)€For€purposes€of€this€subdivision€(1),€ð ðtoken€supportðð€meansÐ ¸'#& Ðà  àà ` àthat€the€support,€under€the€circumstances€of€the€individualÐ ¤(ô#' Ðà  àà ` àcase,€is€insignificant€given€the€parentððs€means;Ð )à$( ÐÌà  àà ` à(C)€For€purposes€of€this€subdivision€(1),€ð ðtoken€visitationððÐ h+¸&* Ðà  àà ` àmeans€that€the€visitation,€under€the€circumstances€of€theÐ ° Ðà  àà ` àindividual€case,€constitutes€nothing€more€than€perfunctoryÐ œì Ðà  àà ` àvisitation€or€visitation€of€such€an€infrequent€nature€or€of€suchÐ ˆØ Ðà  àà ` àshort€duration€as€to€merely€establish€minimal€or€insubstantialÐ tÄ Ðà  àà ` àcontact€with€the€child;Ð `° ÐÌà  àà ` à(D)€For€purposes€of€this€subdivision€(1),€ð ðwillfully€failed€toÐ 8 ˆ Ðà  àà ` àsupportðð€or€ð ðwillfully€failed€to€make€reasonable€paymentsÐ $ t Ðà  àà ` àtoward€such€childððs€supportðð€means€that,€for€a€period€of€Ð  ` Ðà  àà ` àfour€(4)€consecutive€months,€no€monetary€support€was€paidÐ ü L  Ðà  àà ` àor€that€the€amount€of€support€paid€is€token€support;Ð è 8  ÐÌà  àà ` à(E)€For€purposes€of€this€subdivision€(1),€ð ðwillfully€failed€toÐ À  Ðà  àà ` àvisitðð€means€the€willful€failure,€for€a€period€of€four€(4)Ð ¬ü  Ðà  àà ` àconsecutive€months,€to€visit€or€engage€in€more€than€tokenÐ ˜è  Ðà  àà ` àvisitation.Ð „Ô  ÐÌòòTenn.€Code€Ann.óó€ðð€36„1„102(1)(A)„(E)€(2001).Ð \¬ ÐÌà  àIn€òòIn€re€Swansonóó,€2€S.W.3d€180€(Tenn.€1999),€the€Tennessee€Supreme€Court€found€the€aboveÐ 4„ Ðdefinitions€of€ð ðwillfully€failed€to€supportðð€and€ð ðwillfully€failed€to€make€reasonable€payments€towardÐ  p Ðsuch€childððs€supportðð€to€be€unconstitutional€because€they€ð ðin€effect€create€an€irrebuttableÐ  \ Ðpresumption€that€the€failure€to€provide€monetary€support€for€the€four€months€preceding€the€petitionÐ øH Ðto€terminate€parental€rights€constitutes€abandonment,€irrespective€of€whether€that€failure€wasÐ ä4 Ðintentional.ðð€€òòId.óó€at€188.€€òòóóThe€òòSwansonóó€court€held€that€the€definition€as€it€existed€under€the€priorÐ Ð  Ðstatute€should€be€applied€until€the€legislature€amends€the€statute.€€òòSee€id.óó€at€189.€€ð ðUnder€the€priorÐ ¼  Ðstatute,€the€definition€of€ððabandoned€childðð€contained€an€element€of€intent€both€in€failures€to€visit€andÐ ¨ø Ðfailures€to€support.ðð€€òòId.óó€at€189€n.14€(citing€òòTenn.€Code€Ann.óó€ðð€36„1„102(1)(A)(i)€(Supp.€1994)).Ð ”ä ÐÌà  àTennessee€courts€have€defined€abandonment€as€ð ðany€conduct€on€the€part€of€the€parent€whichÐ l¼ Ðevinces€a€settled€purpose€to€forego€all€parental€duties€and€relinquish€all€parental€claims€to€the€child.ðð€Ð X ¨ ÐòòEx€parte€Wolfendenóó,€348€S.W.2d€751,€755€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1961)€(citations€omitted).€€The€evidenceÐ D!” Ðof€abandonment€must€show€ð ðan€actual€desertion,€accompanied€with€an€intention€to€entirely€sever,Ð 0"€  Ðso€far€as€it€is€possible€to€do€so,€the€parental€relationship€and€throw€off€all€obligations€growing€outÐ #l! Ðof€the€same.ðð€€òòFancher€v.€Mannóó,€432€S.W.2d€63,€65€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1968)€(citation€omitted)òòóó.€Ð $X" ÐAbandonment€may€be€found€only€when,€given€the€benefit€of€every€controverted€fact,€an€inferenceÐ ô$D # Ðof€abandonment€follows€as€a€matter€of€law.€€òòSee€id.óó€at€66.Ð à%0!$ ÐÌà  àIn€the€case€at€bar,€the€chancery€court€found€that€Mr.€Moore€willfully€abandoned€D.L.B.€inÐ ¸'#& Ðthat€he€willfully€failed€to€visit€and€willfully€failed€to€support€D.L.B.€during€the€four€monthsÐ ¤(ô#' Ðimmediately€preceding€the€filing€of€CASAððs€petition€to€terminate€parental€rights€in€the€juvenileÐ )à$( Ðcourt.€€Mr.€Moore€argues€that€the€chancery€court€erred€by€looking€to€the€four€months€immediatelyÐ |*Ì%) Ðpreceding€the€filing€of€CASAððs€petition€to€terminate€parental€rights€in€the€òòjuvenile€courtóó€rather€thanÐ h+¸&* Ðthe€four€months€immediately€preceding€the€filing€of€the€Nicklesonsðð€petition€to€terminate€parentalÐ ° Ðrights€in€the€òòchancery€courtóó.€€We€must€determine€the€relevant€four€month€period.Ð œì ÐÌà  àAt€the€trial€on€the€Nicklesonsðð€petition€to€terminate€parental€rights,€the€chancery€courtÐ tÄ Ðdiscussed€why€it€considered€the€four€months€immediately€preceding€the€filing€of€CASAððs€petitionÐ `° Ðto€terminate€parental€rights€by€stating€the€following:Ð L œ ÐÌà  àà ` à[I]n€regard€to€the€grounds€of€abandonment,€I€read€that€statute€Ð $ t Ðà  àà ` àliterally€in€terms€of€what€date€Iððm€supposed€to€look€at.€€And€in€Ð  ` Ðà  àà ` àthe€statute€it€says€the€filing€of€any€petition.€€And€it€says€a€petition.€€Ð ü L  Ðà  àà ` àSo€Iððm€using€the€triggering€date€as€the€date€that€an€action€was€Ð è 8  Ðà  àà ` àfiled€in€Juvenile€Court,€and€not€when€the€adoption€petition€was€Ð Ô$  Ðà  àà ` àfiled€in€Chancery.€€Now,€I€think,€I€may€read€and€interpret€thatÐ À  Ðà  àà ` àdifferently€than€you.€€I€think€you€were€using€the€January€dateÐ ¬ü  Ðà  àà ` àwhen€the€adoption€proceeding€was€filed€in€Chancery€Court.€€ButÐ ˜è  Ðà  àà ` àas€I€read€the€statute,€it€talks€about€the€filing€of€a€petition€and€itÐ „Ô  Ðà  àà ` àtalks€about€any€petition,€so€I€read€it€just€as€it€appears.€€And€theÐ pÀ Ðà  àà ` àfirst€petition€to€terminate€was€filed€in€Juvenile€Court,€and€I€thinkÐ \¬ Ðà  àà ` àthat€was€back€in€May€of€2000.€€So€that€is€the€trigger,€and€I€willÐ H˜ Ðà  àà ` àbe€looking€at€his€conduct€and€his€activities€before€May€of€2000Ð 4„ Ðà  àà ` àin€making€a€determination€about€whether€or€not€he€abandonedÐ  p Ðà  àà ` àthis€child.Ð  \ ÐThe€trial€courtððs€discussion€of€the€phrases€ð ða€petitionðð€and€ð ðany€petitionðð€refer€to€section€36„1„Ð øH Ð102(1)(A)(i)€and€section€36„1„102(F),€respectively.€€Section€36„1„102(1)(A)(i)€defines€abandonmentÐ ä4 Ðas:€Ð Ð  Ðà  àà ` àFor€a€period€of€four€(4)€consecutive€months€immediately€Ð ¼  Ðà  àà ` àpreceding€the€filing€of€òòa€proceeding€or€pleadingóó€to€terminate€Ð ¨ø Ðà  àà ` àthe€parental€rights€of€the€parent(s)€or€guardian(s)€of€the€child€Ð ”ä Ðà  àà ` àwho€is€the€subject€of€the€petition€for€termination€of€parental€Ð €Ð Ðà  àà ` àrights€or€adoption,€that€the€parent(s)€or€guardian(s)€either€have€Ð l¼ Ðà  àà ` àwillfully€failed€to€visit€or€have€willfully€failed€to€support€or€Ð X ¨ Ðà  àà ` àmake€reasonable€payments€toward€the€support€of€the€child.Ð D!” Ѐ€òòÐ 0"€  ÐTenn.€Code€Ann.óó€ðð€36„1„1„2(1)(A)(i)€(emphasis€added).Ð #l! ÐÌSection€36„1„102(1)(F)€states:€ð ðAbandonment€may€not€be€repented€of€by€resuming€visitation€orÐ ô$D # Ðsupport€subsequent€to€the€filing€of€òòanyóó€òòpetitionóó€seeking€to€terminate€parental€or€guardianship€rightsÐ à%0!$ Ðor€seeking€the€adoption€of€a€child.ðð€€òòTenn.€Code€Ann.óó€ðð€36„1„102(1)(F)€(emphasis€added)òòò òóóó ó.Ð Ì&"% ÐÌà  àWhen€called€upon€to€interpret€a€statute,€this€Courtððs€primary€objective€is€to€effectuate€theÐ ¤(ô#' Ðintent€and€purpose€of€the€legislature.€€òòSee€Lipscomb€v.€Doeóó,€32€S.W.3d€840,€844€(Tenn.€2000).€€ThisÐ )à$( ÐCourt€should€determine€the€intent€of€the€legislature€by€looking€to€the€natural€and€ordinary€meaningÐ |*Ì%) Ðof€the€words€used€in€the€statute,€and€not€by€a€construction€that€is€forced€or€which€limits€or€extendsÐ h+¸&* Ðthe€meaning.€€òòSee€id.óó€€ð ðWhen€the€language€of€the€statute€is€clear€and€unambiguous,€then€this€CourtÐ ° Ðusually€applies€the€plain€language€of€the€statute€to€resolve€the€issue.ðð€€òòId.óó€€When€approachingÐ œì Ðstatutory€text,€this€Court€must€presume€that€the€legislature€says€in€a€statute€what€it€means€and€meansÐ ˆØ Ðin€a€statute€what€it€says€there.€€òòSee€Worley€v.€Weigelððs,€Inc.óó,€919€S.W.2d€589,€593€(Tenn.€1996)Ð tÄ Ð(citation€omitted).€€Accordingly,€we€must€construe€statutes€as€they€are€written,€òòóóand€our€search€for€theÐ `° Ðmeaning€of€statutory€language€must€always€begin€with€the€statute€itself.€€òòSee€Neff€v.€Cherokee€Ins.Ð L œ ÐCo.óó,€704€S.W.2d€1,€3€(Tenn.€1986);€òòJackson€v.€Jacksonóó,€210€S.W.2d€332,€334€(Tenn.€1948).€€€€Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌà  àSection€36„1„102(1)(A)(i)€defines€abandonment,€in€pertinent€part,€as€the€parentððs€willfulÐ  ` Ðfailure€to€visit€or€to€support€or€make€reasonable€payments€toward€the€support€of€the€child€for€a€periodÐ ü L  Ðof€four€months€immediately€preceding€the€filing€of€ð ða€proceeding€or€pleadingðð€to€terminate€parentalÐ è 8  Ðrights.€€The€statute€does€not€refer€to€ð ðòòtheóó€proceeding€or€pleadingðð€which,€in€the€case€at€bar,€wouldÐ Ô$  Ðreference€the€chancery€court€to€the€particular€petition€to€terminate€parental€rights€filed€by€theÐ À  ÐNicklesons.€€Rather,€under€the€plain€and€ordinary€meaning€of€the€words€ð ða€proceeding€or€pleading,ððÐ ¬ü  Ðthe€statute€references€the€chancery€court€to€CASAððs€petition€to€terminate€parental€rights€filed€in€theÐ ˜è  Ðjuvenile€court.€€More€importantly,€however,€section€36„1„102(1)(F)€states€that€a€parent€may€notÐ „Ô  Ðrepent€of€abandonment€by€resuming€visitation€or€support€subsequent€to€the€filing€of€ð ðany€petitionððÐ pÀ Ðto€terminate€parental€rights.€€Thus,€under€the€plain€and€ordinary€meaning€of€section€36„1„102(1)(F),Ð \¬ Ðonce€òòany€petitionóó€to€terminate€parental€rights€has€been€filed,€a€parent€may€not€then€repent€of€his€orÐ H˜ Ðher€abandonment.€€This€means€that€for€purposes€of€the€case€at€bar,€though€Mr.€Moore€beganÐ 4„ Ðvisitation€and€support€following€the€filing€of€CASAððs€amended€petition€to€terminate€parental€rights,Ð  p ÐMr.€Moore€could€not€repent€of€his€prior€abandonment€because€this€occurred€subsequent€to€the€filingÐ  \ Ðof€òòany€petitionóó€to€terminate€parental€rights.€€Because€we€construe€the€statute€according€to€its€plainÐ øH Ðand€ordinary€meaning,€we€find€that€the€relevant€four€month€period€is€the€four€months€immediatelyÐ ä4 Ðpreceding€the€filing€of€CASAððs€petition€to€terminate€parental€rights€in€the€juvenile€court.Ð Ð  ÐÌà  àMr.€Moore€admitted€that€he€knew€that€D.L.B.€was€in€the€custody€of€DCS€beginning€inÐ ¨ø ÐDecember,€1998,€but€he€failed€to€contact€DCS€to€request€visitation€until€November,€2000,€six€monthsÐ ”ä Ðfollowing€the€filing€of€CASAððs€petition€to€terminate€parental€rights€in€the€juvenile€court.€€Mr.€MooreÐ €Ð Ðnever€paid€any€support€to€D.L.B.€until€October,€2000,€five€months€following€the€filing€of€CASAððsÐ l¼ Ðpetition€to€terminate€parental€rights€in€the€juvenile€court.€€As€a€result,€the€evidence€supports€theÐ X ¨ Ðchancery€courtððs€finding€that€Mr.€Moore€willfully€failed€to€visit€and€willfully€failed€to€support€orÐ D!” Ðmake€reasonable€payments€toward€the€support€of€D.L.B.€during€the€four€months€immediatelyÐ 0"€  Ðpreceding€the€filing€of€CASAððs€petition€to€terminate€parental€rights€in€the€juvenile€court.€Ð #l! ÐAccordingly,€we€affirm€the€trial€courtððs€order€terminating€Mr.€Mooreððs€parental€rights€on€the€basisÐ $X" Ðof€willful€abandonment€under€section€36„1„102(1)(A)(i).Ð ô$D # ÐÌà  àThe€second€issue€presented€for€our€review€is€whether€other€grounds€to€support€terminationÐ Ì&"% Ðof€Mr.€Mooreððs€parental€rights€exist.€€Though€the€Nicklesonsðð€asserted€several€grounds€upon€whichÐ ¸'#& Ðto€base€termination€of€parental€rights,€the€chancery€court€only€addressed€the€ground€of€willfulÐ ¤(ô#' Ðabandonment€under€section€36„1„102(1)(A)(i).€€We€will€address€each€ground€for€termination€ofÐ )à$( Ðparental€rights€as€asserted€by€the€Nicklesons.Ð |*Ì%) ÐÐ h+¸&* Ðà  àThe€Nicklesons€claim€that€Mr.€Mooreððs€parental€rights€should€be€terminated€upon€anÐ ° Ðadditional€ground€for€abandonment€as€defined€by€section€36„1„102(1)(A)(iii)€of€the€Tennessee€Code.€Ð œì ÐSection€36„1„102(1)(A)(iii)€defines€abandonment,€in€pertinent€part,€as:Ð ˆØ ÐÌà  àà ` à(1)(A)(iii)€A€biological€or€legal€father€has€either€willfully€failedÐ `° Ðà  àà ` àto€visit€or€willfully€failed€to€make€reasonable€payments€towardÐ L œ Ðà  àà ` àthe€support€of€the€childððs€mother€during€the€four€(4)€monthsÐ 8 ˆ Ðà  àà ` àimmediately€preceding€the€birth€of€the€child;€provided,€that€in€noÐ $ t Ðà  àà ` àinstance€shall€a€final€order€terminating€the€parental€rights€of€a€Ð  ` Ðà  àà ` àparent€as€determined€pursuant€to€this€subdivision€(iii)€be€enteredÐ ü L  Ðà  àà ` àuntil€at€least€thirty€(30)€days€have€elapsed€since€the€date€of€theÐ è 8  Ðà  àà ` àchildððs€birth;Ð Ô$  ÐÌòòTenn.€Code€Ann.óó€ðð€36„1„102(1)(A)(iii)€(2001).Ð ¬ü  ÐÌà  àMr.€Moore€met€Mrs.€Bady€when€he€solicited€her€for€a€prostitution€date€and€paid€her€twentyÐ „Ô  Ðdollars.€€Mr.€Moore€claimed€that€he€developed€a€relationship€with€Mrs.€Bady,€and€she€stayed€at€hisÐ pÀ Ðhouse€approximately€once€a€month€for€two€or€three€days€each€month.€€Six€weeks€into€her€pregnancyÐ \¬ Ðwith€D.L.B.,€Mrs.€Bady€notified€Mr.€Moore€that€he€was€the€father€of€her€child.€€At€the€trial€on€theÐ H˜ Ðpetition€to€terminate€parental€rights,€the€Nicklesonsðð€attorney€questioned€Mr.€Moore€as€follows:Ð 4„ ÐÌà  àQ.€€And€you€testified€today€and€you€testified€at€a€previous€time€I€believe€as€to€you€would€giveÐ  \ Ð[Mrs.€Bady]€$10€or€$20€sometimes€if€she€was€going€to€buy€food€or€clothes;€is€that€correct?Ð øH Ðà  àA.€€Correct.€€Ð ä4 Ðà  àQ.€€And€when€she€was€at€your€house,€you€were€having€a€sexual€relationship,€were€you€not?Ð Ð  Ðà  àA.€€Correct.Ð ¼  Ðà  àQ.€€And€that€was€while€she€was€pregnant€with€[D.L.B.]?Ð ¨ø Ðà  àA.€€Correct.Ð ”ä Ðà  àQ.€€And€isnððt€it€true€that€when€youððre€saying€that€she€was€living€at€your€house,€what€wasÐ €Ð Ðhappening€was€she€was€staying€two€or€three€days€and€going€away€for€a€month€and€coming€back€andÐ l¼ Ðstaying€two€or€three€more€days€and€going€away€for€a€month?€€Sometimes€longer€than€month€andÐ X ¨ Ðsometimes€she€would€stay€a€little€longer€than€two€or€three€days?Ð D!” Ðà  àA.€€Correct.Ð 0"€  Ðà  àQ.€€And€you€call€that€living€there?Ð #l! Ðà  àA.€€Yes.Ð $X" Ðà  àQ.€€And€thatððs€the€support€you€were€giving€her€was€the€place€to€sleep€and€food€while€she€wasÐ ô$D # Ðthere?Ð à%0!$ Ðà  àA.€€Correct.Ð Ì&"% Ðà  àQ.€€And€did€you€not€also€testify€that€on€the€occasions€that€she€was€there€for€two€or€three€daysÐ ¸'#& Ðand€be€absent€for€this€additional€time€that€you€didnððt€give€her€money€every€time€she€was€there,€didÐ ¤(ô#' Ðyou?Ð )à$( Ðâ âà  àA.€€Not€every€time€she€was€there.Ð |*Ì%) Ðà  àQ.€€Okay.€€So€it€was€only€some€of€the€two€or€three„day€periods€she€would€be€there€that€youÐ ° Ðâ âgave€her€$10€or€$20?Ð œì Ðà  àA.€€Correct.Ð ˆØ Ðà  àQ.€€And€part€of€that€$10€or€$20€you€were€expecting€her€to€use€for€food,€right?Ð tÄ Ðà  àA.€€Correct.Ð `° ÐÌà  àAfter€reviewing€the€record,€we€find€that€the€support€Mr.€Moore€provided€Mrs.€Bady€duringÐ 8 ˆ Ðthe€four€months€immediately€preceding€D.L.B.ððs€birth€was€unreasonable.€€Mr.€Moore€provided€Mrs.Ð $ t ÐBady€with€a€place€to€stay€approximately€once€per€month€for€two€or€three€days€each€month€andÐ  ` Ðsometimes€gave€Mrs.€Bady€$10€or€$20€which€he€expected€her€to€use€for€food.€€Under€section€36„1„Ð ü L  Ð102(1)(A)(iii),€abandonment€constitutes€the€willful€failure€to€make€òòreasonableóó€payments€toward€theÐ è 8  Ðsupport€of€the€childððs€mother€during€the€four€months€immediately€preceding€the€childððs€birth.€€WeÐ Ô$  Ðfind€nothing€reasonable€about€the€payments€Mr.€Moore€made€to€Mrs.€Bady€during€the€four€monthsÐ À  Ðprior€to€D.L.B.ððs€birth.€€Accordingly,€we€find€that€Mr.€Mooreððs€parental€rights€should€be€terminatedÐ ¬ü  Ðunder€section€36„1„102(1)(A)(iii).Ð ˜è  ÐÌà  àThe€Nicklesons€also€argue€that€Mr.€Mooreððs€parental€rights€should€be€terminated€under€theÐ pÀ Ðgrounds€stated€in€section€36„1„113(g)(3)(A)€of€the€Tennessee€Code.€€Section€36„1„113(g)(3)(A)Ð \¬ Ðstates:Ð H˜ Ðà  àà ` à(3)(A)€The€child€has€been€removed€from€the€home€of€the€parent€orÐ 4„ Ðà  àà ` àguardian€by€order€of€a€court€for€a€period€of€six€(6)€months€and:Ð  p ÐÌà  àà ` à(i)€The€conditions€which€led€to€the€childððs€removal€or€other€conditionsÐ øH Ðà  àà ` àwhich€in€all€reasonable€probability€would€cause€the€child€to€be€Ð ä4 Ðà  àà ` àsubjected€to€further€abuse€or€neglect€and€which,€therefore,€preventÐ Ð  Ðà  àà ` àthe€childððs€safe€return€to€the€care€of€the€parent(s)€or€guardian(s)€stillÐ ¼  Ðà  àà ` àpersist;Ð ¨ø ÐÌà  àà ` à(ii)€There€is€little€likelihood€that€these€conditions€will€be€remediedÐ €Ð Ðà  àà ` àat€an€early€date€so€that€the€child€can€be€safely€returned€to€the€parent(s)Ð l¼ Ðà  àà ` àor€guardian(s)€in€the€near€future;€andÐ X ¨ ÐÌà  àà ` à(iii)€The€continuation€of€the€parent€or€guardian€and€child€relationshipÐ 0"€  Ðà  àà ` àgreatly€diminishes€the€childððs€chances€of€early€integration€into€a€safe,Ð #l! Ðà  àà ` àstable€and€permanent€home.Ð $X" ÐÌòòTenn.€Code€Ann.óó€ðð€36„1„113(g)(3)(A)€(2001).Ð à%0!$ ÐÌSection€36„1„113(g)(3)(A)€applies€only€in€the€case€of€a€child€that€has€been€removed€from€the€homeÐ ¸'#& Ðof€a€parent.€€D.L.B.€was€not€removed€from€the€home€of€Mr.€Moore.€€Accordingly,€we€find€that€Mr.Ð ¤(ô#' ÐMooreððs€parental€rights€should€not€be€terminated€on€the€basis€of€section€36„1„113(g)(3)(A).€€Ð )à$( Ðâ âÐ |*Ì%) Ðà  àThe€Nicklesons€assert€that€Mr.€Mooreððs€parental€rights€should€be€terminated€under€theÐ ° Ðâ âgrounds€stated€in€section€36„1„113(g)(8)€of€the€Tennessee€Code.€€Section€36„1„113(g)(8)€states:Ð œì ÐÌà  àà ` à(8)(A)€The€chancery€and€circuit€courts€shall€have€jurisdiction€in€Ð tÄ Ðà  àà ` àan€adoption€proceeding,€and€the€chancery,€circuit,€and€juvenileÐ `° Ðà  àà ` àcourts€shall€have€jurisdiction€in€a€separate,€independent€proceedingÐ L œ Ðà  àà ` àconducted€prior€to€an€adoption€proceeding€to€determine€if€theÐ 8 ˆ Ðà  àà ` àparent€or€guardian€is€mentally€incompetent€to€provide€for€theÐ $ t Ðà  àà ` àfurther€care€and€supervision€of€the€child,€and€to€terminate€that€Ð  ` Ðà  àà ` àparentððs€or€guardianððs€rights€to€the€child.Ð ü L  ÐÌà  àà ` à(B)€The€court€may€terminate€the€parental€or€guardianship€rights€ofÐ Ô$  Ðà  àà ` àthat€person€if€it€determines€on€the€basis€of€clear€and€convincing€Ð À  Ðà  àà ` àevidence€that:Ð ¬ü  ÐÌà  àà ` à(i)€The€parent€or€guardian€of€the€child€is€incompetent€to€adequatelyÐ „Ô  Ðà  àà ` àprovide€for€the€further€care€and€supervision€of€the€child€because€theÐ pÀ Ðà  àà ` àparentððs€or€guardianððs€mental€condition€is€presently€so€impaired€andÐ \¬ Ðà  àà ` àis€so€likely€to€remain€so€that€it€is€unlikely€that€the€parent€or€guardianÐ H˜ Ðà  àà ` àwill€be€able€to€assume€or€resume€the€care€of€and€responsibility€forÐ 4„ Ðà  àà ` àthe€child€in€the€near€future;€andÐ  p ÐÌà  àà ` à(ii)€That€termination€of€parental€or€guardian€rights€is€in€the€bestÐ øH Ðà  àà ` àinterest€of€the€child.Ð ä4 ÐÌà  àà ` à(C)€In€the€circumstances€described€under€subdivisions€(A)€and€(B),€Ð ¼  Ðà  àà ` àno€willfulness€in€the€failure€of€the€parent€or€guardian€to€establishÐ ¨ø Ðà  àà ` àthe€parentððs€or€guardianððs€ability€to€care€for€the€child€need€be€shownÐ ”ä Ðà  àà ` àto€establish€that€the€parental€or€guardianship€rights€should€be€Ð €Ð Ðà  àà ` àterminated.Ð l¼ ÐÌòòTenn.€Code€Ann.óó€ðð€36„1„113(g)(8)€(2001).€€Ð D!” ÐÌWe€find€no€evidence€in€the€record€that€Mr.€Moore€is€mentally€incompetent€or€mentally€impaired.€Ð #l! ÐAccordingly,€we€find€that€Mr.€Mooreððs€parental€rights€should€not€be€terminated€on€the€basis€ofÐ $X" Ðsection€36„1„113(g)(8).Ð ô$D # ÐÌà  àFinally,€the€Nicklesons€argue€that€Mr.€Mooreððs€parental€rights€should€be€terminated€underÐ Ì&"% Ðthe€grounds€stated€in€section€36„1„113(g)(9)(A)€of€the€Tennessee€Code.€€Section€36„1„113(g)(9)(A)Ð ¸'#& Ðstates:Ð ¤(ô#' Ðà  àà ` à(9)(A)€€The€parental€rights€of€any€person€òòwho€is€not€the€legal€Ð )à$( Ðà  àà ` àparentóó€or€guardian€of€a€child€or€who€is€described€in€ðð€36„1„117Ð |*Ì%) Ðà  àà ` à(b)€or€(c)€may€also€be€terminated€based€upon€any€one€(1)€or€more€Ð h+¸&* Ðà  àà ` àof€the€following€additional€grounds:Ð ° ÐÌà  àà ` à(i)€The€person€has€failed,€without€good€cause€or€excuse,€to€payÐ ˆØ Ðà  àà ` àa€reasonable€share€of€prenatal,€natal,€and€postnatal€expensesÐ tÄ Ðà  àà ` àinvolving€the€birth€of€the€child€in€accordance€with€the€personððsÐ `° Ðà  àà ` àfinancial€means€promptly€upon€the€personððs€receipt€of€notice€ofÐ L œ Ðà  àà ` àthe€childððs€impending€birth;Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌà  àà ` à(ii)€The€person€has€failed,€without€good€cause€or€excuse,€to€makeÐ  ` Ðà  àà ` àreasonable€and€consistent€payments€for€the€support€of€the€child€inÐ ü L  Ðà  àà ` àaccordance€with€the€child€support€guidelines€promulgated€by€theÐ è 8  Ðà  àà ` àdepartment€pursuant€to€ðð€36„5„101;Ð Ô$  ÐÌà  àà ` à(iii)€The€person€has€failed€to€seek€reasonable€visitation€with€theÐ ¬ü  Ðà  àà ` àchild,€and€if€visitation€has€been€granted,€has€failed€to€visitÐ ˜è  Ðà  àà ` àaltogether,€or€has€engaged€in€only€token€visitation,€as€defined€inÐ „Ô  Ðà  àà ` àðð36„1„102(1)(C);Ð pÀ Ðà  àà ` àÌà  àà ` à(iv)€The€person€has€failed€to€manifest€an€ability€and€willingnessÐ H˜ Ðà  àà ` àto€assume€legal€and€physical€custody€of€the€child;Ð 4„ ÐÌà  àà ` à(v)€Placing€custody€of€the€child€in€the€personððs€legal€and€physicalÐ  \ Ðà  àà ` àcustody€would€pose€a€risk€of€substantial€harm€to€the€physical€andÐ øH Ðà  àà ` àpsychological€welfare€of€the€child;€orÐ ä4 Ðà  àà ` à(vi)€The€person€has€failed€to€file€a€petition€to€establish€paternityÐ Ð  Ðà  àà ` àof€the€child€within€thirty€(30)€days€after€notice€of€alleged€paternityÐ ¼  Ðà  àà ` àby€the€childððs€mother,€or€as€required€by€ðð€36„2„318(j),€or€afterÐ ¨ø Ðà  àà ` àmaking€a€claim€of€paternity€pursuant€to€ðð€36„1„117(c)(3).Ð ”ä ÐÌòòTenn.€Code€Ann.óó€ðð€36„1„113(g)(9)(A)€(2001)€(emphasis€added).Ð l¼ ÐÌà  àMr.€Moore€argues€that€section€36„1„113(g)(9)(A)€is€inapplicable€to€him€because€this€sectionÐ D!” Ðonly€applies€to€non„legal€parents.€€Legal€parent€is€defined€by€section€36„1„102(28)€of€the€TennesseeÐ 0"€  ÐCode,€in€pertinent€part,€as:Ð #l! ÐÌà  àà ` à(D)€A€man€who€has€been€adjudicated€to€be€the€legal€father€of€the€Ð ô$D # Ðà  àà ` àchild€by€any€court€or€administrative€body€of€this€state€or€any€otherÐ à%0!$ Ðà  àà ` àstate€or€territory€or€foreign€country€or€who€has€signed,€pursuant€toÐ Ì&"% Ðà  àà ` àðððð€24„7„113,€68„3„203(g),€68„3„302,€and€68„3„305(b),€an€unrevokedÐ ¸'#& Ðà  àà ` àand€sworn€acknowledgment€of€paternity€under€the€provisions€of€Ð ¤(ô#' Ðà  àà ` àTennessee€law,€or€who€has€signed€such€a€sworn€acknowledgment€Ð )à$( Ðà  àà ` àpursuant€to€the€law€of€any€other€state,€territory,€or€foreign€country;Ð |*Ì%) ÐÐ h+¸&* ÐòòTenn.€Code€Ann.óó€ðð€36„1„102(28)€(2001).Ð ° ÐÌWe€find€that€Mr.€Moore€was€adjudicated€to€be€D.L.B.ððs€legal€parent€following€the€juvenile€courtððsÐ ˆØ ÐSeptember€15,€2000€order€establishing€D.L.B.€as€a€legitimate€child€of€Mr.€Moore€for€all€lawfulÐ tÄ Ðpurposes.€€Section€36„1„113(g)(9)(A)€specifically€states€that€it€only€applies€to€persons€who€are€notÐ `° Ðlegal€parents.€€Accordingly,€we€find€that€Mr.€Mooreððs€parental€rights€cannot€be€terminated€underÐ L œ Ðsection€36„1„113(g)(9)(A)€because€Mr.€Moore€is€a€legal€parent.Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌà  àWe€note€that€the€eastern€section€of€this€court€recently€decided€a€case€that€is€factually€similarÐ  ` Ðto€the€case€at€bar.€€In€òòJones€v.€Garrettóó,€No.€E2000„00196„COA„R3„CV,€2001€Tenn.€App.€Lexis€840,Ð ü L  Ð*1€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Nov.€9,€2001),€Amy€Penland€(ð ðMs.€Penlandðð)€notified€Pierce€Garrett€(ð ðMr.Ð è 8  ÐGarrettðð)€on€October€7,€1997,€that€she€was€pregnant€with€his€child.€€òòSee€id.óó€at€*3.€€On€January€30,Ð Ô$  Ð1998,€C.L.J.€was€born,€and€Ms.€Penland€surrendered€C.L.J.€to€the€Joneses€for€adoption.€€òòSee€id.óó€atÐ À  Ð*1„2.€€In€March,€1998,€a€paternity€test€revealed€that€Mr.€Garrett€was€the€father€of€C.L.J.€€òòSee€id.óó€atÐ ¬ü  Ð*3.€€On€May€26,€1998,€Mr.€Garrett€filed€a€petition€to€establish€paternity.€€òòSee€id.óó€€The€trial€courtÐ ˜è  Ðsustained€the€petition€to€establish€paternity.€€òòSee€id.óó€€On€August€13,€1998,€the€trial€court€found€thatÐ „Ô  ÐMr.€Garrett€failed€to€file€a€petition€to€establish€paternity€within€thirty€days€after€receiving€notice€andÐ pÀ Ðterminated€Mr.€Garrettððs€parental€rights€on€the€basis€of€section€36„1„113(g)(9)(A)(iv).€€òòóóMr.€GarrettÐ \¬ Ðappealed.€€Ð H˜ ÐÌà  àOn€appeal,€Mr.€Garrett€argued€that€because€in€the€proceeding€on€the€petition€to€establishÐ  p Ðpaternity,€he€was€found€to€be€the€legal€father€of€C.L.J.,€section€36„1„113(g)(9)(A)€did€not€apply€toÐ  \ Ðhim.€€òòSee€id.óó€at€*5.€€In€response€to€this€argument,€the€court€of€appeals€stated,€ð ðWe€see€nothing€in€theÐ øH ÐStatute€that€supports€this€insistence.ðð€€òòId.óó€€The€court€of€appeals€affirmed€the€trial€court€on€this€issueÐ ä4 Ðbut€remanded€this€case€to€the€trial€court€for€a€determination€that€termination€of€parental€rights€wasÐ Ð  Ðin€the€best€interest€of€C.L.J.€€While€we€are€hesitant€to€hold€contrary€to€a€decision€by€another€sectionÐ ¼  Ðof€this€court,€we€note€that€the€òòJonesóó€opinion€is€not€controlling,€as€it€has€not€been€reported€in€theÐ ¨ø Ðofficial€reporter.€òòSeeóó€òòTenn.€S.Ct.R.óó€4(H)(1)€&€(2).€€Furthermore,€the€Tennessee€Supreme€CourtÐ ”ä Ðgranted€Mr.€Garrettððs€permission€to€appeal€this€case€on€April€1,€2002.€€As€of€the€date€of€this€opinion,Ð €Ð Ðthe€supreme€court€had€not€yet€decided€this€matter.€€€€€Ð l¼ ÐÌà  àThe€third€issue€presented€for€our€review€is€whether€termination€of€parental€rights€is€in€theÐ D!” Ðbest€interest€of€D.L.B.€€Section€36„1„113(i)€of€the€Tennessee€Code€provides€courts€with€the€followingÐ 0"€  Ðfactors€to€consider€when€making€a€best€interest€determination:Ð #l! ÐÌà  àà ` à(i)€In€determining€whether€termination€of€parental€or€guardianshipÐ ô$D # Ðà  àà ` àrights€is€in€the€best€interest€of€the€child€pursuant€to€this€part,€the€Ð à%0!$ Ðà  àà ` àcourt€shall€consider,€but€is€not€limited€to,€the€following:Ð Ì&"% ÐÌà  àà ` à(1)€Whether€the€parent€or€guardian€has€made€such€an€adjustmentÐ ¤(ô#' Ðà  àà ` àof€circumstance,€conduct,€or€conditions€as€to€make€it€safe€and€inÐ )à$( Ðà  àà ` àthe€childððs€best€interest€to€be€in€the€home€of€the€parent€or€guardian;Ð |*Ì%) ÐÐ h+¸&* Ðà  àà ` à(2)€Whether€the€parent€or€guardian€has€failed€to€effect€a€lastingÐ ° Ðà  àà ` àadjustment€after€reasonable€efforts€by€available€social€servicesÐ œì Ðà  àà ` àagencies€for€such€duration€of€time€that€lasting€adjustment€does€notÐ ˆØ Ðà  àà ` àreasonably€appear€possible;Ð tÄ ÐÌà  àà ` à(3)€Whether€the€parent€or€guardian€has€maintained€regular€visitationÐ L œ Ðà  àà ` àor€other€contact€with€the€child;Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌà  àà ` à(4)€Whether€a€meaningful€relationship€has€otherwise€been€establishedÐ  ` Ðà  àà ` àbetween€the€parent€or€guardian€and€the€child;Ð ü L  ÐÌà  àà ` à(5)€The€effect€a€change€of€caretakers€and€physical€environment€isÐ Ô$  Ðà  àà ` àlikely€to€have€on€the€childððs€emotional,€psychological,€and€mentalÐ À  Ðà  àà ` àcondition;Ð ¬ü  ÐÌà  àà ` à(6)€Whether€the€parent€or€guardian,€or€other€person€residing€withÐ „Ô  Ðà  àà ` àthe€parent€or€guardian,€has€shown€brutality,€physical,€sexual,Ð pÀ Ðà  àà ` àemotional€or€psychological€abuse,€or€neglect€toward€the€child,€orÐ \¬ Ðà  àà ` àanother€child€or€adult€in€the€family€or€household;Ð H˜ ÐÌà  àà ` à(7)€Whether€the€physical€environment€of€the€parentððs€or€guardianððsÐ  p Ðà  àà ` àhome€is€healthy€and€safe,€whether€there€is€criminal€activity€in€theÐ  \ Ðà  àà ` àhome,€or€whether€there€is€such€use€of€alcohol€or€controlled€substancesÐ øH Ðà  àà ` àas€may€render€the€parent€or€guardian€consistently€unable€to€careÐ ä4 Ðà  àà ` àfor€the€child€in€a€safe€and€stable€manner;Ð Ð  ÐÌà  àà ` à(8)€Whether€the€parentððs€or€guardianððs€mental€and/or€emotionalÐ ¨ø Ðà  àà ` àstatus€would€be€detrimental€to€the€child€or€prevent€the€parent€orÐ ”ä Ðà  àà ` àguardian€from€effectively€providing€safe€and€stable€care€and€Ð €Ð Ðà  àà ` àsupervision€for€the€child;€orÐ l¼ ÐÌà  àà ` à(9)€Whether€the€parent€or€guardian€has€paid€child€support€Ð D!” Ðà  àà ` àconsistent€with€the€child€support€guidelines€promulgated€by€theÐ 0"€  Ðà  àà ` àdepartment€pursuant€to€ðð€36„5„101.Ð #l! ÐÌòòTenn.€Code€Ann.óó€ðð€36„1„113(i)€(2001).€€Ð ô$D # ÐÌà  àIn€reviewing€the€aforementioned€factors,€we€agree€with€the€chancery€court€that€terminationÐ Ì&"% Ðof€Mr.€Mooreððs€parental€rights€is€in€D.L.B.ððs€best€interest.€€D.L.B.€is€a€special€needs€child€whoÐ ¸'#& Ðrequires€constant€treatment€and€supervision€to€progress€developmentally€due€to€her€sensoryÐ ¤(ô#' Ðintegration€problems.€€The€record€reveals€that€Mr.€Moore€has€made€no€effort€to€educate€himselfÐ )à$( Ðconcerning€D.L.B.ððs€sensory€integration€problems€or€to€arrange€for€training€to€meet€her€needs.€Ð |*Ì%) ÐD.L.B.ððs€sensory€integration€problems€cause€her€to€have€problems€with€transition€and€change.€Ð h+¸&* ÐD.L.B.€has€lived€with€the€Nicklesons€for€almost€four€years€and€considers€the€Nicklesons€her€family.€Ð ° ÐMrs.€Nickleson€provides€D.L.B.€with€twenty„four€hour€treatment€for€her€sensory€integrationÐ œì Ðproblems€due€to€Mrs.€Nicklesonððs€certification€in€this€field.€€As€a€result,€the€expert€proof€at€trialÐ ˆØ Ðshowed€that€D.L.B.€would€likely€regress€developmentally€and€have€a€major€setback€if€taken€out€ofÐ tÄ Ðher€present€environment€in€that€she€would€become€withdrawn,€demonstrate€more€sensory€integrationÐ `° Ðproblems,€and€lose€the€progress€she€has€made.€€Ð L œ ÐÌà  àWe€find€that€it€is€highly€unlikely€that€Mr.€Moore€could€provide€D.L.B.€with€the€constantÐ $ t Ðtreatment€and€supervision€she€requires€to€progress€developmentally.€€Mr.€Moore€works€five€to€sixÐ  ` Ðdays€a€week€for€seven€to€ten€hours€per€day.€€Mr.€Mooreððs€sister€testified€that€she€would€care€forÐ ü L  ÐD.L.B.€while€Mr.€Moore€was€at€work,€but€she€is€already€a€caretaker€for€her€mother,€threeÐ è 8  Ðgrandchildren,€and€roommate.€€Mr.€Moore€stated€that€if€his€sister€did€not€care€for€D.L.B.,€then€heÐ Ô$  Ðwould€place€D.L.B.€in€daycare€while€he€was€at€work.€€The€expert€testimony€showed,€however,€thatÐ À  Ðdaycare€was€not€an€option€for€D.L.B.€due€to€her€sensory€integration€problems.€€The€expert€proof€alsoÐ ¬ü  Ðshowed€that€it€would€be€detrimental€to€D.L.B.ððs€respiratory€problems€to€live€with€Mr.€Moore€whoÐ ˜è  Ðsmokes€cigarettes.€€Finally,€the€record€reveals€that€Mr.€Moore€failed€to€develop€a€meaningfulÐ „Ô  Ðrelationship€with€D.L.B.€during€their€visitation.€€Accordingly,€we€find€that€termination€of€parentalÐ pÀ Ðrights€is€in€the€best€interest€of€D.L.B.Ð \¬ ÐÌà@SS#ìàò òIV.€€Conclusionó óˆÐ 4„ ÐÌà  àFor€the€foregoing€reasons,€the€decision€of€the€trial€court€is€affirmed.€€We€remand€this€caseÐ  \ Ðto€the€trial€court€for€further€proceedings€consistent€with€this€opinion.€€Costs€of€this€appeal€are€taxedÐ øH Ðagainst€the€Appellant,€David€Moore,€and€his€surety,€for€which€execution€may€issue€if€necessary.Ô#†X³SXXX·Ðq #ÔÔ#†¼·Ô»XX³SC #ÔÔ€X³SX»¼·ÔÔÐ ä4 ÐÌÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à___________________________________€Ð  ð Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àALAN€E.€HIGHERS,€JUDGE