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MichaelSwiney,JJ.,joined. w C.DouglasFields,Crossville,Tennessee,fortheAppellant,DavidL.Elmore. O! DavidHainesRotroff,Chattanooga,Tennessee,fortheAppellees,JerryRalphMonday,Brenda '#w! JoyceMonday,MelissaReneeBeaty,andDavidWayneBeaty. $c" ~  OPINION  %;!$     DavidL.Elmore( Father)andMaryRosannaElmore( Mother)weredivorcedbydecree '#& enteredMay4,2001.Thedecreeofdivorceawardedcustodyoftheparentsthreeminorchildren, (#' BrendanaM.Elmore(DOB_January__29,19_92),JonathanDavidElmore(DOB_February__15,19_94) )$( andEmilyElizabethElmore(DOB_December__18,19_98)toMother. *%)   OnSeptember4,2002,Fatherfiledapetitiontochangethechildrensprimaryresidential _,'+ parentdesignationfromMothertohimself.Hispetitionalleged,amongotherthings,thatMother K-(,  hasabandonedherroleandresponsibilityasaparentand hasdividedthe[children]amongher  relatives,leavingthecareoftheminordaughterstoherparentsandthecareofherminorsontoher  sister.    Motheranswered,denyingthatprimaryresidentialparentingresponsibilityshouldbechanged ` fromhertoFather,andmakingacounterclaimforcontemptagainstFatherforfailuretopaychild L  support.OnOctober17,2003,apetitiontointervenewasfiledbyMothersparents,JerryRalph 8  MondayandBrendaJoyceMonday( Grandparents),andhersister,MelissaReneeBeaty( Aunt) $ t andAuntshusband,DavidDewayneBeaty.  `   ThepetitiontointerveneallegedthatfromJanuaryof2001,theGrandparents havehadthe  8  exclusiveandprimaryphysicalandresidentialcareandcustodyofthetwogirls,andthattheBeatys $  havehadsimilar custodyofJonathanduringthattimeperiod.Thepetitionfurtherallegedas   follows:   8  8`   ThattheRespondent,[Mother],fromandafterJanuaryof2001,while   theoriginalcustodianofsaidminorchildren,hasabandonedherrole p andresponsibilityastheminorchildrensparentandhasallowedthe \ childrentolivewithherparents(theMondays)andhersister(Beaty). H ThatfromandafterJanuaryof2001,[Mother]hasexhibitedalackof 4 interestrelativetothenurturingandcareofthepartiesthree(3)  p minorchildrenconstitutingasubstantialandmaterialchangeinthe  \ circumstancesofthepartiesthree(3)minorchildrenjustifyinga H permanentchangeintheresidentialcareandcustodyofthese 4 children. ` x` x   AfterhearingthecaseonNovember5,2003,thetrialcourtenteredanorderawarding  custodyofBrendanaandEmilytotheGrandparents,andcustodyofJonathantoAuntandher  husband.Fatherappeals,raisingtheissueofwhetherthetrialcourterredinfailingtoawardhim l custody. X    Thetrialcourtmadenofindinginitsorderoffinaljudgmentthatamaterialchangeof 0"  circumstanceshadoccurredsincethedecreeofdivorce.However,Motherhasnotappealedthetrial #l! courtscustodydecisionandisnotapartytothisappeal.Noneofthepartiesinvolvedherearguethat $X" achangeofcircumstancesdidnotoccur.   $D #   ThisisinessenceacustodydisputebetweenthebiologicalFatherandthenonparent &"% maternalrelatives.TheSupremeCourthasprovidedguidanceastotheproperprocedureandanalysis '#& insituationssuchasthisoneonseveraloccasions.SeeInReAdoptionofFemaleChild(Bondv. (#' McKenzie),896S.W.2d546(Tenn.1995);Petroskyv.Keene,898S.W.2d726(Tenn.1995);InRe )$( Askew,993S.W.2d1(Tenn.1999).TheCourthasconsistentlystressedthatanaturalparenthasa |*%) constitutionalprivacyinterestwhichincludestheimportantandfundamentalrighttothecareand h+&* custodyofhisorherchildren.Id;seealsoHawkv.Hawk,855S.W.2d573(Tenn.1993);Nalev.  Robertson,871S.W.2d674(Tenn.1994).    Inlightofthisconstitutionalright,theBondCourtsetforththefollowingtwopartanalysis: t 8  8`   [I]nacontestbetweenaparentandanonparent,aparentcannotbe L  deprivedofthecustodyofachildunlesstherehasbeenafinding, 8  afternoticerequiredbydueprocess,ofsubstantialharmtothechild. $ t Onlythenmayacourtengageinageneral bestinterestofthechild  ` evaluationinmakingadeterminationofcustody. L ` x` x InReAdoptionofFemaleChild(Bondv.McKenzie),896S.W.2dat548. $    Further,thisCourthasheldthattherequiredshowingofriskofsubstantialharmtothe   childrenmustbedemonstratedbyclearandconvincingevidence.Rayv.Ray,83S.W.3d726,733   34(Tenn.App.2001);Hall_v.Bookout,87S.W.3d80,86(Tenn.App.2002);Hendersonv.Mabry,   838S.W.2d537,540(Tenn.App.1992). p   AstheSupremeCourtdiscussedinBlairv.Badenhope,77S.W.3d137(Tenn.2002),the H applicableanalysisissomewhatdifferentwhenanaturalparentisseekingtomodifyavalidorder 4 grantingcustodytoanonparent.Butinthepresentcase,thereisnopriordecreegrantingcustody  p toanonparent,andsotheGrandparentsandAuntwererequiredtomakeashowing,byclearand  \ convincingevidence,thatgrantingcustodytoFathersubjectedthechildrentoariskofsubstantial H harm. 4   Initswrittenorder,thetrialcourtdidnotmakeafindingofsubstantialharm,nordiditfind   Fathertobeanunfitparent.Thetrialcourtsorderstatedasfollowsinrelevantpart:  8  8`   [U]ponthesworntestimonyofthewitnessesandparties,theexhibits,  andtheentirerecord,theCourtisoftheopinionthatitisinthe l manifestbestinterestoftheoriginalpartiesthree(3)childrenthat X  theirprimaryresidentialandphysicalcustodybeawardedtothe D! Interveningpetitioners.0" ` x` x   Atthecloseofthehearing,presentedwiththeargumentbyFatherscounselthatthe $X" GrandparentsandAunthadfailedtoshowariskofsubstantialharm,thetrialcourtstatedthe $D # following: %0!$ 8  8`   Iguessthegooddecisionthatwasmadewastoallowthechildrento '#& golivewiththeauntandthegrandparents.Ithinktheressome (#' substantialriskofharmforthechildrentobemovedfromthis )$( environment.Ithinkitsinthebestinterestofthechildrenforthem |*%) tostaywiththegrandparentsandtheaunt.h+&*` x` x ЇSS S M !"#(03U?+ ` hp x X?    Itisalongrecognizedrulethata% Q %Q+Courtspeaksonlythroughitswrittenjudgments,dulyentered S uponitsminutes.Therefore,nooralpronouncementisofanyeffectunlessanduntilmadeapartof ? awrittenjudgmentdulyentered.Statev.Bough,2004WL2481367at*6(Tenn.filedNov.1,2004) + (internalquotationsandbracketsomitted).Inthiscase,thetrialcourtsordermadenoreferenceto  oralpronouncementsfromthebench.Furthermore,itisapparentfromthetrialcourtsremarkabout   somesubstantialriskofharmthatitwaslikelymadeinanattemptto shoehornwhatwasclearly   abestinterestsanalysistofitintoariskofsubstantialharmanalysis.Thecourtmadenofactual   findings,oralorwritten,insupportofaconclusionofsubstantialharm. w  +    Notwithstandingthelackoffindings,thepartiespresentedevidenceandargumenttothetrial  E  courtthattherewas(accordingtoGrandparentsandAunt)orwasnot(accordingtoFather)proof 1  supportingaconclusionofriskofsubstantialharmifcustodywasawardedtoFather.Wetherefore   reviewtherecordtodetermineifitsupportstheconclusion,byclearandconvincingevidence,ofrisk   ofsubstantialharm.     TheGrandmothertestifiedasfollowsaboutherconcernswithtransferringcustodytoFather: #s 8  8`   Q:Isthereanythingthatyouknowabout[Father]thatpresentsitself  orshouldbepresentedtothisCourtastowhythesechildrenshould  notbetransferredtohiminfullresidentialcustody?y` x` x 8  8`   A:Ijustdontthinkhesgoingtobecapableoftakingcareofthree  children,working,becauseitisafulltimejob.Myhusbandis  retired.Imean,youknow,hetakesthemtoschool.Hegoesand  picksthemup.Hebabysitsthemwhentheresnoschool,youknow. | Anditsgoingtobehardon[Father]toworkafulltimejobandtake h careofthreekids,twokidsthathasboocoosofhomeworkevery T night.@` x` x 8  8`      *0h` x` x0hxhx*0xx0pxx*!pxpx 8  8`   Q:Haveyoueverbeento[Fathers]house?<$` x` x 8  8`   A:Theonehesinnow?{% ` x` x 8  8`   Q:Yes.& " ` x` x 8  8`   A:No.'I#!` x` x 8  8`   Q:Well,youallegeinyourpetitionthathejustdoesnthaveadequate 8)$" physicalaccommodations.$*t%#` x` x 8  8`   A:IwasgoingbywhatMichelletoldme.c+&$` x` x 8  8`   Q:Soshesbeentohishouse?` x` x 8  8`   A:Michelle,hisdaughter,yes.?` x` x 8  8`   Q:Soyoureallydonthaveanyknowledgeofwhatyouveallegedin .~ hereyourself,right?j` x` x 8  8`   A:No.Y ` x` x 8  8`   Q:Youveneverlookedatit? ` x` x 8  8`   A:Nottheonehesinnow.No. '` x` x 8  8`   Q:Eventhoughyousayhesnotafitorproperperson,reallywhat  f youjusttestifiedtoisyoujustdontthinkhesuptodoingeverything R  thatyoufeelisnecessarytoraisethesechildren.8@`` x` x >  8   ` A:Idontthinkitsgoingtobeaneasytaskforhim.No.-}      Mothertestifiedthatpriortotheirdivorce,Fatherwasphysicallyabusivetoherinfrontof   thechildren.Motheralsoadmittedhavingbeenchargedwithassault,theftanddrugpossession,the   firsttwochargesalsooccurringbeforethedivorce.Motherfurthertestifiedthatshesufferedfrom  amethamphetamineandmarijuanaaddiction,andshefreelyadmittedgivingfalseanswerson o interrogatoriespropoundedtoherinthiscase.Thereisnootherevidenceintherecordsuggesting [ Fatherhadbeenphysicallyabusive;FathertestifiedthatMother putsomethinglike11stitchesin G meonetime. 3   TherecordisnotentirelyclearregardinghowmuchvisitationFatherhadwiththechildren  priortoFebruary2003.Hetestifiedthat IdidasmuchasIpossiblycould,andGrandmotherand  Aunttestifiedthathisvisitationwassporadic.#TW}XTX#TXXTW}#XWXXTX #TXXXXWHowever,theevidencepresentedwhichcausesthe  mostconcernwasFatherstestimonythatfromFebruary2003untilAugust2003,hehadnocontact u withhischildren.Hetestifiedthatthereasonforthisabsencewasthathe wastryingtocatch a Mother,tofindevidencesupportinghispetitionforcustody.Duringthistime,Motherwasliving M withGrandparentssomeofthetimeandwithherfianceeattimes.Fathertestifiedasfollows 9  regardinghisilladvisedstrategy: %!u 8  8`   Itsbeenliketwoandahalfyearsnow.Imean,andIvedone # everythingtotryandgetevidenceon[Mother]andthatsbeenreal $ hard.Anditcametoapointwhere,youknow,yousaid,youknow, {%  weregoingtohavetodosomething.Imean,somethingstinks.And g&!  Iranoutofideas.Igotdesperate.S'"!` x` x 8  8`    Jerry[Grandfather]overthere,hesagoodgrampa.Imean, (#" Icantsaynothingbadabouttheman.IthinkalotofJerry.But ~)$# whenIquitcomingaround,theyjustseenmenolongerasathreat j*%$ andtheyquitkeepingsuchatightreinon[Mother].AndIknewin V+&% myheartiftheythoughtthatIwasntathreatthat[Mother]wouldgo  backtoheroldways,backintothepartyingandstuff,heavy,andit  worked.` x` x   ItisundisputedthatFatherfellbehindonhischildsupportpayments.Hetestifiedwithout  V contradictionthathewasunabletomakethemafterhelosthisjobandhadtofilebankruptcy.Father  B ispresentlyworkingatan$8.00perhourjobasamechanic.HetestifiedthatsinceApril2003,  . roughlyonehalfofhispaycheckhasbeengarnishedforchildsupport,andthathereceivedand   acceptedthegarnishmentnoticewithoutobjection.ThetrialcourtfoundthatFathersfailuretomake   thefullamountofchildsupportpaymentswasnotwillful.      Atthetimeofthehearing,Fatherlivedinatwobedroomtrailer.Hetestifiedthathewas  p  preparedandabletomovetoathreebedroomifheshouldreceivecustodyofthechildren.Father  \  livesinthesameschooldistrictthatthechildrenareinpresently,sotheywillnothavetochange H  schools. 4     WebelievetherecordisclearthatFatherhasexercisedpoorjudgment,particularlyinhis b tacticalefforttotrytogaincustodyinaparadoxicalandmisguidedway.Butweareoftheopinion N thattheevidencepresenteddoesnotrisetoashowing,byclearandconvincingevidence,thatthe : childrenwillbesubjectedtoariskofsubstantialharmbygrantinghimcustody.Therefore,his &v constitutionalparentalrighttothecareandcustodyofhisnaturalchildrenmustprevailinthiscase. b   Fortheaforementionedreasons,thejudgmentofthetrialcourtgrantingtheGrandparentsand  Auntandherhusbandcustodyisreversed.Fatherisherebydesignatedastheprimaryresidential | parentofhisthreeminorchildren.Thismatterisremandedtothetrialcourtforsuchfurther h proceedingsasmaybenecessaryconsistentwiththisopinion,saidfurtherproceedingstoinclude T considerationoftheissueofMotherschildsupportobligation.Costsonappealareassessedtothe @ Appellees,JerryRalphMonday,BrendaJoyceMonday,MelissaReneeBeaty,andDavidDewayne , | Beaty. !h    `     h   _____________________________________ #    `     h   SHARONG.LEE,JUDGE#TW}XTXrA## =TW}A#