ÿWPCK( ìÃ6K0›A³1›îü!fi0HTw"€¹y+êgá‘‹^Á|UîeÉ2”†VZ—Wøæ><>%û@:¡Kû™]?ëlÚ¤V&I{V³Þò ï?L/Ì·£†ýäÐ4OTã%§a¾¹N±º™íT¶jb†Ó«ØY­”¡_@`5X¶Šñ«JHI1Ò®Çvîì†'ǸÀnvX n>Ý`ŸË² $|0fˆW‹„H1šªÃ‚ýýâK‚Gù›{ò,ž¯ëçâ.Æ£TÌŸ¹wêÌÏøó÷«Kr{ßaM8αŸ€©ÒC0g˜þ‰AèìÙt¥,|"/rWO²ª¼X$ûÂú&bjÌ…°×Éš†{èÞq·¹²¨¬Ô+&-<…CáJçíËö_ªÇç¦4dû¦u¡Øòj̽Fƒòã>®å@w…o£¯z ûÞ67bU"N\ %ª 0ˆ°#Á8 Œù Ú… ^ _ zk Òå ü· ³ mµwÌÆÐÆ–Æ\Æ"4èNürþ &pE–˜§ b¯ ^ 0Do ³ »U Nà   ! ) 1 9  A  K  UŠ__!él lv ^â!b@#@#@#@#@#@#@#@#@#@#@#@#@#@#@#@#@#@#@#@#@#@#@#@#@#@#@#@#@#@#@#@#@#@#@#@# 0ëH#H#H#H# B3$3$ 0¤P$ D3ô$ D-'% 0KT%T% ASŸ%Æò% 0¤¸& 0D\' A« '(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regular»(`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó˜HP LaserJet 4Si,ü,,,,,ü0˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\CUSTOM~1\OPINION3.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\Custom WP Templates\opinion3.wpt —)â  ˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wpt òÝ ƒRú‰$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÔ€X¦êX»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ€ôÖåòXX¦êÔ€The€Plaintiffs€did€not€appeal€the€ruling€of€the€Trial€Court€regarding€the€petitionersðð€alternative€grounds€forÐ ° Ðtermination€of€parental€rights€based€upon€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€Ô‡ôK òòôÖåÔÔ‡XíÏ X òôKÔððÔ#†X¦êX XXíÏ^#ÔÔ#†ôÖåòXX¦ê}#Ô€36„1„113(g)(6),€termination€of€parental€rights€based€uponÐ xÈ Ðthe€respondentððs€criminal€sentence€to€a€correctional€or€a€detention€facility€for€ten€or€more€years.€€The€Trial€CourtÐ l¼ Ðexamined€the€language€of€the€statute€and€in€its€Memorandum€Opinion€stated:Ð 4„ Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àThe€Court€does€not€find€grounds€under€the€provisions€of€Tennessee€CodeÐ üL ÐAnnotated€Ô‡Â*Ú ÂòôÖåÔððÔ#†ôÖåò ÂÂ*Ú¥#Ô36„1„113(g)(6)€whereby€parental€rights€may€be€terminated€when€theÐ Ä Ðparent€is€confined€in€a€correctional€or€detention€facility€by€order€of€the€Court€as€aÐ Œ Ü Ðresult€of€òòaóó€criminal€act€under€òòa€óósentence€of€ten€or€more€years...€[sic]€The€statuteÐ T ¤ Ðseems€to€contemplate€that€a€single€criminal€act€and€sentence€has€been€committedÐ  l Ðand€imposed.€€The€Defendant€in€this€case€has€a€cumulative€sentence€of€over€10Ð ä 4  Ðyears€but€no€individual€sentence€for€a€criminal€act€of€10€or€more€years.€(emphasisÐ ¬ ü   Ðin€original).а` x` x ÐAs€this€issue€is€not€before€us€on€appeal,€we€express€no€opinion€concerning€the€Trial€Courtððs€holding€on€this€issue. ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 59?Æ(´¥¡ hÝ ƒRú‰$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÔ€X¦êX»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ€ôÖåòXX¦êÔ€€It€should€be€noted€that€the€Mother€testified€that€during€his€most€recent€imprisonment,€the€Father€called€herÐ ° Ðand€threatened€to€kill€her€and€take€the€Child€once€he€got€out€of€prison.\Opinion Summary3|x ?\Appellants Attorney Name & Appellant's Name.?\Appellees Attorney Name & Appellee's Name.(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó12(ÖÃ9 Z‹6Times New Roman Regular456789101112 Ð 6 ' ib014c130ib014c13 .    Ý ƒRú‰$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€X¦êX»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ€ôÖåòXX¦êÔ€€The€criminal€judgments€which€were€submitted€at€trial€by€the€parties€refer€to€other€criminal€case€numbers€forÐ ° Ðwhich€no€judgment€sheet€was€introduced€as€evidence€at€trial,€and,€therefore,€are€not€a€part€of€the€appellate€record.€€AsÐ xÈ Ða€result,€the€Father€has€other€criminal€convictions€and€sentences€which€may€impact€his€effective€sentence. bÑ8°ÑÑTRY,3Ø' LetterXà3Ø' Letter 3Ø' Letterÿ3Ø'TÑ bѰ°ÑÑTRY,3Ø' LetterXà3Ø' Letter 3Ø' Letterÿ3Ø'TÑ TÑTRY,3Ø' LetterXà3Ø' Letter 3Ø' Letterÿ3Ø'TÑ- ù-(|G2ú‰$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€¸Ý»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€X¦êX»»Ô d(|3Á$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€¸Ý»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV'ÿÿdxd)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3Á$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€¸Ý»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€¸Ý»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ€¼¸Ý»»»ÔÔ‡îì¾î»¼¸ÝÔÑ€-8UÑÑ€,³­ÑÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÑ€+¯íÑÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÑ8€¦êXXdð»»d8Ñà@ü ü ìàIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@WW$ìàAT€KNOXVILLEÔ#†¼¸Ý»îî쾪#ԈРÜ, ÐÔ_Ôà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_Ôà@††"ìàJune€2000€SessionˆÐ X ÐÔ_ÔÔ‡X¦êX»¼¸ÝÔà  àà ` àà ¸ àÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÌÔ_ÔÌÔ_Ôò òÔ#†¼¸Ý»XX¦êÜ#ÔÔ% ‡ ÔÔ_ÔÓ  ÓÔ_ÔG.Ô_ÔÔ_Ô€M.€Ô_ÔÔ_ÔC.,€ET€Ô%†§ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔAL.Ô_Ô€v.€Ô_ÔÔ% ‡ ÔA.Ô_Ô€Ô_ÔV.Ô_Ô€Ô_ÔI.Ô%†åÔó óÐ  P ÐÓÄÓÔ‡X¦êX»¼¸ÝÔÌÌà@S S ìàò òAppeal€from€the€Ô% ‡ ÔChancery€Court€Ô%†¹Ôfor€Ô% ‡ ÔÔ%† êÔWashington€CountyˆÐ ø H Ðà@• • ìàNo.€Ô% ‡! Ô6927Ô%†!EÔ€€€€€Ô% ‡" ÔJean€Anne€Stanley,€Judge€Ô%†"lԈРè 8  ÐÔ_Ôà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àÔ_Ôà h àFILED€AUGUST€23,€Ô_Ô2000Ô_ÔÌà@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<Ç` A߈Ð È  ÐÌà@¶¶ìàNo.€Ô% ‡# ÔE2000„00134„Ô_ÔCOAÔ_Ô„R3„CVÔ%†#ËÔ€ˆÐ Ç  Ðà@ìì*ìàˆÌßA€V) °°` dE<¦` AßÐ §÷  Ðó óÔ#†¼¸Ý»XX¦ês#ÔÌÔ% ‡ ÔÔ€X¦êX»¼¸ÝÔÓÓÓÓÌThe€natural€mother€and€stepfather€of€a€three„year„old€child€petitioned€the€Chancery€Court€ofÐ ¾ ÐWashington€County€for€an€order€terminating€the€parental€rights€of€the€child's€natural€father,€andÐ ®þ Ðallowing€the€adoption€of€the€child€by€the€stepfather.€€The€Chancery€Court€granted€the€petitionÐ žî Ðpursuant€to€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113,€€finding€that€the€father€exhibited€a€wanton€disregard€forÐ ŽÞ Ðthe€child€such€that€it€constituted€abandonment€as€defined€by€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„102(1)(A)(iv).€Ð ~Î ÐOn€appeal,€the€father€raises€two€issues:€(1)€whether€the€Chancery€Court€erred€in€finding€by€clear€andÐ n¾ Ðconvincing€evidence€that€the€father€engaged€in€conduct€that€constituted€a€wanton€disregard€for€theÐ ^® Ðwelfare€of€the€subject€child€where€there€was€contradictory€testimony€regarding€the€father's€conduct;Ð Nž Ðand€(2)€even€assuming€that€the€allegations€regarding€the€father's€conduct€are€true,€whether€hisÐ >Ž Ðconduct€amounts€to€a€wanton€disregard€for€the€welfare€of€the€child.€€We€affirm.Ô%†ÆÔÐ .~ ÐÓ ÓÓÓÌò òÔ% ‡$ Ôà@‰‰ìàTenn.€R.€App.€P.€3Ô%†$ä Ô;€Judgment€of€the€Ô% ‡% ÔChancery€Court€AffirmedÔ%†%8Ô;€case€Remanded.ó óˆÐ ^ ÐÌòòD.€Michael€Ô_ÔSwineyÔ_Ô,€J.óó,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€whichÔ% ‡& Ô€òòHouston€M.€Ô_ÔGoddardÔ_Ô,€Ô_ÔP.J.Ô_ÔóóÔ%†&ÔÔ% ‡' ÔòòóóÔ%†'}ÔÐ î > Ðòòóóandòò€Herschel€P.€Franks,€J.óó€joined.Ð Þ!.  ÐÔ% ‡ ÔÌClifton€Corker,€Johnson€City,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellant,€AVI.Ô%†ùÔÐ ¾#" ÐÌÔ% ‡ ÔÔ%†nÔStephen€L.€Ô_ÔGilleyÔ_Ô,€Kingsport,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellees,€Ô_ÔGMCÔ_Ô€and€Ô_ÔTDCÔ_Ô.Ð ž%î $ ÐÌà@ìì*ìàˆÌà@55'ìàò òOPINIONó óˆÐ n(¾#' ÐÌà@ÛÛ%ìàòòò òBackgroundóóˆÐ N*ž%) Ðó óÌà  àà ` àThis€matter€arises€from€a€petition€for€termination€of€the€parental€rights€of€the€naturalÐ .,~'+ Ðfather€(ð ðAVIðð€or€ð ðFatherðð)€of€a€three€year€old€child€("Child"),€and€for€adoption€of€the€Child€by€hisÐ -n(,ý Ðstepfather.€AVI€and€the€natural€mother€(ð ðÔ_ÔTDCÔ_Ôðð€or€ð ðMotherðð),€were€married€in€June,€1995€and€hadÐ ° Ðone€child€born€in€October,€1996.€€Thereafter,€the€parents€divorced€in€November,€1997€at€which€timeÐ  ð ÐÔ_ÔTDCÔ_Ô€was€awarded€custody€of€the€Child.€€At€the€time€of€the€parents'€divorce,€AVI€was€in€jail€inÐ à ÐSullivan€County€on€pending€charges.€The€judgment€entered€by€default€on€November€12,€1997,€alsoÐ €Ð Ðprovided€that€due€to€AVI's€incarceration,€his€visitation€privileges€with€the€Child€would€be€suspendedÐ pÀ Ðuntil€he€became€gainfully€employed€and€began€supporting€the€Child.€€€The€trial€court€further€orderedÐ ` ° ÐÔ_ÔTDCÔ_Ô€to€provide€AVI€with€correspondence€and€photographs€regarding€the€Child.€Ð P   ÐÌà  àà ` àSometime€in€January,€1998,€Ô_ÔTDCÔ_Ô€posted€bond€for€AVI€who€subsequently€fled€Ð 0 € ÐTennessee€for€South€Carolina€sometime€before€April,€1998.€€AVI€returned€to€Tennessee€and€wasÐ  p  Ðarrested€and€re„incarcerated€in€April,€1998.€€AVI€has€remained€incarcerated€since€that€date.€€TheÐ `  Ðparents'€testimony€regarding€the€extent€of€contact€between€AVI€and€Child€and€Ô_ÔTDCÔ_Ô€during€the€briefÐ P  Ðperiod€of€time€that€he€was€not€imprisoned,€January€through€April,€1998,€is€contradictory.€AVIÐ ð@  Ðtestified€that€theò ò€ó óthree€people€basically€lived€together€and€that€he€attempted€to€support€his€son€duringÐ à0  Ðthis€period€of€time.€€Ô_ÔTDCÔ_Ô€testified€that€AVI€lived€with€his€parents€and€that€he€only€occasionallyÐ Ð  Ðvisited€her€and€the€Child,€but€paid€no€support.€€Ð À ÐÌà  àà ` àAt€some€time€during€the€approximate€three€month€period€that€AVI€was€out€of€jail,Ð  ð ÐÔ_ÔTDCÔ_Ô€left€the€Child€with€AVI's€brother€and€his€girlfriend€to€babysit.€€AVI€visited€the€couple€duringÐ à Ðthis€time,€and€the€three€adults€drank€alcohol€and€smoked€marijuana.€€Ô_ÔTDCÔ_Ô€testified€that€when€sheÐ €Ð Ðreturned,€the€Child's€bottle€contained€beer.€€Ð pÀ ÐÌà  àà ` àAVI€has€an€extensive€criminal€history.€€He€is€currently€serving€time€in€prison€for€aÐ P  Ðnumber€of€convictions.€Although€the€record€is€not€clear,€AVI's€effective€sentence€appears€to€beÐ @ Ðtwelve€years€in€a€Tennessee€Department€of€Corrections€facility,€plus€four€years€in€a€community„Ð 0€ Ðbased€alternative€facility.׃*×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€€The€proof€at€trial€showed€that€AVI,€who€was€25€years€old€at€the€time€ofÐ  p Ðtrial,€has€been€out€of€jail€for€approximately€2€years€since€he€was€16€years€old.€€In€September,€1997,Ð ` ÐAVI€was€sentenced€to€serve€eight€years€for€facilitation€of€aggravated€burglary€for€an€offense€whichÐ P Ðoccurred€in€February,€1996.€€In€December,€1997,€AVI€was€sentenced€to€a€fourteen€year€prison€termÐ ð@ Ðfor€seven€counts€of€forgery,€at€two€years€for€each€offense€which€ran€concurrent€to€each€other.€TheseÐ à0 Ðoffenses€occurred€during€an€approximate€two€week€period€in€May,€1997.€€€Simultaneously,€AVIÐ Ð  Ðreceived€concurrent€sentences€for€two€counts€for€failure€to€appear€in€court€on€April€17,€1997.€€€Also,Ð À! Ðin€May,€1998,€AVI€received€concurrent€sentences€to€a€community„€based€alternative€facility€whichÐ °"  Ðtotaled€11€months,€29€days€for€convictions€for€offenses€which€occurred€on€May€26,€1997,€whichÐ  #ð! Ðincluded€evading€arrest;€theft€under€$500;€possession€of€marijuana;€and€possession€of€cocaine.Ð $à" Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p àà È àà  àÌà  àà ` àAt€trial,€Ô_ÔTDCÔ_Ô€testified€that€she€provided€monthly€correspondence€and€occasionallyÐ p&À!$ Ðsent€photographs€regarding€the€Child€to€AVI€since€April,€1998,€but€the€Child€received€nothing€fromÐ `'°"% ÐAVI€in€return.€€Ô_ÔTDCÔ_Ô€also€testified€that€during€their€relationship,€AVI€exhibited€violent€and€abusiveÐ P( #& ÐÑ+¯íÑâ +âÑ8°ÑÑTRY,3Ø' LetterXà3Ø' Letter 3Ø' Letterÿ3Ø'TÑâ +âÑ  Ñbehavior,€including€punching€her€in€the€stomach€and€threatening€to€kill€her.€Ô_ÔTDCÔ_Ô€testified€furtherÐ ° Ðthat€AVI€called€her€from€prison,€stating€that€when€he€got€out€of€prison,€he€would€kill€her€and€takeÐ  ð Ðtheir€Child.€€Ð à Ðà  àà ` àHowever,€AVI's€testimony€was€directly€counter€to€that€of€Ô_ÔTDCÔ_Ô's.€AVI€denied€makingÐ €Ð Ðthreatening€remarks€to€Ô_ÔTDCÔ_Ô.€€€AVI€testified€that€during€the€short€time€that€he€was€out€on€bondÐ pÀ Ðbetween€January€and€April,€1998,€he€cared€for€the€Child€and€attempted€to€support€Ô_ÔTDCÔ_Ô€and€Child.€Ð ` ° ÐAVI€testified€that€since€his€re„incarceration,€he€sent€handmade€items€and€correspondence€to€the€ChildÐ P   Ðand€made€regular€telephone€calls€to€the€Child.€€Still,€AVI€admitted€that€he€smoked€marijuana€on€aÐ @  Ðregular€basis€while€he€was€out€of€prison,€and€that€he€did€so€when€he€was€around€the€Child.€€Ð 0 € ÐÌà  àà ` àÔ_ÔTDCÔ_Ô€remarried€and€on€October€13,€1998,€Ô_ÔTDCÔ_Ô,€along€with€her€new€husband€(ð ðÔ_ÔGMCÔ_ÔððÐ `  Ðor€ð ðStepfatherðð),€filed€this€petition€for€the€termination€of€AVI's€parental€rights€and€for€the€adoptionÐ P  Ðof€the€Child€by€Ô_ÔGMCÔ_Ô.€€Ô_ÔTDCÔ_Ô's€and€Ô_ÔGMCÔ_Ô's€testimony€established€that€Ô_ÔGMCÔ_Ô€is€employed€and€is€ableÐ ð@  Ðto€support€Ô_ÔTDCÔ_Ô€and€Child.€€Moreover,€Ô_ÔGMCÔ_Ô€takes€good€care€of€the€Child€and€loves€him.€€Ð à0  Ðà@ìì*ìàˆÌà  àà ` àAVI€also€remarried,€and€his€wife€provided€testimony€that€AVI€was€a€good€person€andÐ À Ðvery€loving€to€her€child.€€AVIððs€wife€also€testified€that€AVI€loved€the€Child€very€much.Ð ° ÐÌà  àà ` àIn€its€Memorandum€Opinion€and€separate€Order,€the€Trial€Court€granted€the€petitionÐ à Ðto€terminate€AVI's€parental€rights,€finding€that€AVI€engaged€in€"conduct€prior€to€his€incarcerationÐ €Ð Ðwhich€Ô_Ôexhibit[edÔ_Ô]€a€wanton€disregard€for€the€welfare€of€the€[Ô_Ôc]hildÔ_Ô."€€The€Trial€Court€further€foundÐ pÀ Ðthat€the€parties'€testimony€regarding€the€issues€of€AVI's€contact€with€the€child€between€January€andÐ `° ÐApril,€1998,€and€AVI's€violent€behavior€toward€Ô_ÔTDCÔ_Ô€was€conflicting.€€Nonetheless,€the€Trial€CourtÐ P  Ðfound€that€Ô_ÔTDCÔ_Ô€was€more€credible.€€The€Trial€Court€stated€in€its€Memorandum€Opinion€as€follows:Ð @ Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àHopefully,€[AVI]€has€changed€during€his€incarceration€and€whenÐ  p Ðreleased€will€start€a€new€and€very€different€life.€€However,€the€CourtÐ ` Ðhas€no€hesitation€in€finding€that€his€conduct€prior€to€incarceration€andÐ P Ðhis€conduct€during€such€incarceration€towards€Ô_ÔTDCÔ_Ô€exhibits€a€wantonÐ ð@ Ðdisregard€for€the€welfare€of€[the€Child].Ðà0` x` x ÐÌAVI€appeals€this€ruling.׃ ×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð À! ÐÑ,³­Ñâ ,âѰ8ÑÑTRY,3Ø' LetterY,3Ø' Letter 3Ø' Letter 3Ø' LetterTÑâ ,âÑ  ÑÌÌÌÐ €Ð Ðà  àà@))%ìàò òòòDiscussionóóó óˆÐ pÀ ÐÌà  àà ` àAVI€appeals€and€asks€the€Court€to€address€the€following€issues:Ð P   ÐÌà  àà ` à1.à0 ¸ àWhether€the€Chancery€Court€erred€in€finding€by€clear€andÐ0 €¸ (#¸ (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àconvincing€evidence€that€the€Defendant€engaged€in€conduct€Ð p ¸ (#¸ (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àthat€constituted€a€wanton€disregard€for€the€welfare€of€the€Ð` ¸ (#¸ (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àsubject€child€where€there€was€contradictory€testimony€ÐP ¸ (#¸ (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àregarding€Defendant's€conduct.Ðð@ ¸ (#¸ (# ÐÌà  àà ` à2.à0 ¸ àEven€assuming€the€allegations€regarding€Defendant's€conduct€ÐÐ ¸ (#¸ (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àare€true,€his€conduct€does€not€amount€to€a€wanton€disregard€ÐÀ¸ (#¸ (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àfor€the€welfare€of€Defendant's€minor€child.а¸ (#¸ (# ÐÌà  à€à0 ` àÔ_ÔTDCÔ_Ô€and€Ô_ÔGMCÔ_Ô€state€the€issue€on€appeal€as€follows:Ðà` (#` (# ÐÌà  àà ` à1.à0 ¸ àWhether€the€Chancery€Court€was€correct€in€finding€by€clearÐpÀ¸ (#¸ (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àand€convincing€evidence€that€the€Defendant€engaged€Ð`°¸ (#¸ (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àin€conduct€that€constituted€a€wanton€disregard€for€the€ÐP ¸ (#¸ (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àwelfare€of€the€parties'€child,€justifying€termination€of€Ð@¸ (#¸ (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àhis€parental€rights.Ð0€¸ (#¸ (# ÐÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àÌà  àà ` àOur€review€of€the€findings€of€fact€by€the€Trial€Court€is€€òòde€novoóó€upon€the€record,Ð P Ðaccompanied€by€a€presumption€of€the€correctness€of€the€findings€of€fact€of€the€Trial€Court,€unlessÐ ð@ Ðthe€preponderance€of€the€evidence€is€otherwise.€€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€13(d);òò€Alexander,€et€al.€v.€Ô_ÔInmanÔ_Ôóó,Ð à0 Ð974€S.W.2d€689,€692€(Tenn.€1998).€€The€Trial€Court's€conclusions€of€law€are€subject€to€a€òòde€novoóóÐ Ð  Ðreview€with€no€presumption€of€correctness.€€òòÔ_ÔGanzevoortÔ_Ô€v.€Russellóó,€949€S.W.2d€293,€296€(Tenn.Ð À! Ð1997)€(citing€òòUnion€Carbide€Corp.€v.€Ô_ÔHuddlestonÔ_Ôóó,€854€Ô_ÔS.W.Ô_Ô€2d€87,€91€(Tenn.€1993)).Ð °"  ÐÌà  àà ` àIt€is€well„established€that€"parents€have€a€fundamental€right€to€the€care,€custody,€andÐ $à" Ðcontrol€of€their€children."€€òòIn€re€Ô_ÔDrinnonÔ_Ôóó,€776€S.W.2d€96,€97€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1988)€(citing€òòStanleyÐ €%Ð # Ðv.€Illinoisóó,€405€U.S.€645,€92€Ô_ÔS.CtÔ_Ô.€1208,€31€Ô_ÔL.EdÔ_Ô.2d€551€(1972)).€€"However,€this€right€is€not€absoluteÐ p&À!$ Ðand€parental€rights€may€be€terminated€if€there€is€clear€and€convincing€evidence€justifying€suchÐ `'°"% Ðtermination€under€the€applicable€statute."€€òòIn€re€Ô_ÔDrinnonÔ_Ôóó,€776€S.W.2d€at€97€(citing€òòÔ_ÔSantoskyÔ_Ô€v.Ð P( #& ÐÑ-8UÑâ -âÑTRY,3Ø' LetterY,3Ø' Letter 3Ø' Letter 3Ø' LetterTÑâ -âÑ  ÑKrameróó,€455€U.S.€745,€102€Ô_ÔS.CtÔ_Ô.€1388,€71€Ô_ÔL.EdÔ_Ô.2d€599€(1982)).€€The€statute,€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„Ð ° Ð1„113,€sets€forth€the€proof€needed€to€justify€the€termination€of€parental€rights€as€follows:Ð  ð ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àTermination€of€parental€or€guardianship€rights€must€Ð€Ð¸ (#¸ (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àbe€based€upon:ÐpÀ¸ (#¸ (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#à(1)€à0¸ (#¸ (#àA€finding€by€the€court€by€clear€and€convincing€ÐP  (#(# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àà0¸ (#¸ (#àevidence€that€the€grounds€for€termination€or€parental€Ð@ (#(# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àà0¸ (#¸ (#àor€guardianship€rights€have€been€established;€andÐ0 €(#(# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#à(2)€à0¸ (#¸ (#àThat€termination€of€the€parent's€or€guardian's€rights€is€Ð p (#(# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àà0¸ (#¸ (#àin€the€best€interests€of€the€child.Ð` (#(# ÐÌTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(c).€€The€clear€and€convincing€standard€of€proof€required€by€the€statuteÐ ð@  Ðwas€examined€by€this€Court€in€òòÔ_ÔO'DanielÔ_Ô€v.€Messieróó,€905€S.W.2d€182€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1995)€asÐ à0  Ðfollows:òòóó€Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àThe€ð ðclear€and€convincing€evidenceðð€standard€defies€preciseÐ ° Ðdefinition.€€òòMajors€v.€Smith,óó€776€Ô‡XíÏ XXX¦êÔS.W.2dÔ#†X¦êX XXíÏM#Ô€538,€540€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.Ð  ð Ð1989).€€While€it€is€more€exacting€than€the€preponderance€of€theÐ  ð Ðevidence€standard,€òòÔ_ÔSantoskyÔ_Ô€v.€Kramer,€óó[455€U.S.€745,€766,€102€Ô_ÔS.CtÔ_Ô.Ð à Ð1388,€1401,€71€Ô_ÔL.EdÔ_Ô.€2d€599€(1982)];€òòÔ_ÔRentenbachÔ_Ô€Ô_ÔEngððgÔ_Ô€Co.€v.Ð €Ð ÐGeneral€Realty€Ltd.,€óó707€Ô‡XíÏ XXX¦êÔS.W.2dÔ#†X¦êX XXíÏÌO#Ô€524,€527€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1985),€itÐ pÀ Ðdoes€not€require€such€certainty€as€the€beyond€a€reasonable€doubtÐ pÀ Ðstandard.€€òòBrandon€v.€Wright,€óó838€Ô‡XíÏ XXX¦êÔS.W.2dÔ#†X¦êX XXíÏÉP#Ô€532,€536€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.Ð `° Ð1992);€State€v.€Groves,€735€Ô‡XíÏ XXX¦êÔS.W.2dÔ#†X¦êX XXíÏ[Q#Ô€843,€846€(Tenn.€Ô_ÔCrimÔ_Ô.€App.Ð `° Ð1987).Ð`°` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àClear€and€convincing€evidence€eliminates€any€serious€or€substantialÐ @ Ðdoubt€concerning€the€correctness€of€the€conclusions€to€be€drawn€fromÐ 0€ Ðthe€evidence.€€òòSee€Hodges€v.€S.€C.€Ô_ÔToofÔ_Ô€&€Co.,€óó833€Ô‡XíÏ XXX¦êÔS.W.2dÔ#†X¦êX XXíÏCS#Ô€896,€901Ð  p Ðn.€3€(Tenn.€1992).€€It€should€produce€in€the€fact„finderððs€mind€a€firmÐ  !p Ðbelief€or€conviction€with€regard€to€the€truth€of€the€allegations€soughtÐ "` Ðto€be€established.€€òòIn€Re€Estate€of€Armstrongóó,€859€Ô_ÔS.W.Ô_Ô€2d€323,€328Ð #P  Ð(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1993);€òòBrandon€v.€Wright,€óó838€Ô‡XíÏ XXX¦êÔS.W.2dÔ#†X¦êX XXíÏU#Ô€[532,€536Ð ð#@! Ð(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1992)];€òòÔ_ÔWiltcherÔ_Ô€v.€Bradley,€óó708€Ô‡XíÏ XXX¦êÔS.W.2dÔ#†X¦êX XXíÏÓU#Ô€407,€411Ð ð$@ " Ð(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1985).Ðð%@!#` x` x ÐÌòòÔ_ÔOððDanielÔ_Ô€v.€Messier,óó€905€S.W.2d€at€188.Ð Ð' #% ÐÌà  àà ` àAVI€raises€on€appeal€the€question€of€whether€the€Plaintiffs€€established€by€clear€andÐ °)%' Ðconvincing€evidence€that€AVI€engaged€in€conduct€that€constituted€a€wanton€disregard€for€the€welfareÐ  *ð%( Ðof€the€Child€where€the€parties'€testimony€was€contradictory.€€In€its€Memorandum€Opinion,€the€TrialÐ +à&) ÐCourt€acknowledged€the€extreme€differences€in€the€testimony€and€specifically€found€that€Ô_ÔTDCÔ_Ô€wasÐ ° Ða€more€credible€witness€than€AVI.€€Since€the€trial€judge€has€the€opportunity€to€see€first„hand€theÐ  ð Ðwitnesses€and€hear€their€testimony,€the€trial€judge's€decisions€on€issues€of€credibility€and€the€weightÐ à Ðgiven€to€that€testimony€are€given€considerable€deference.€€òòTenn„Tex€Properties€v.€Ô_ÔBrownellÔ_Ô„Electro,Ð €Ð ÐInc.,€et€al.óó,€778€S.W.2d€423,€425„26€(Tenn.€1989)€(citing€òòHumphrey€v.€David€Ô_ÔWitherspoonÔ_Ô,€Inc.óó,€734Ð pÀ ÐS.W.2d€315€(Tenn.€1987));€òòTennessee€Dept.€of€Human€Serv.€v.€Purcellóó,€955€S.W.2d€607,€609€(Tenn.Ð ` ° ÐCt.€App.€1997)€(citing€òòÔ_ÔMcCalebÔ_Ô€v.€Saturn€Corp.,óó€910€S.W.2d€412€(Tenn.€1995)).€€It€is€apparent€fromÐ P   Ðthe€Trial€Court's€Memorandum€Opinion€that,€in€large€part,€it€based€its€finding€that€AVI€showed€aÐ @  Ðwanton€disregard€for€the€welfare€of€the€Child€upon€the€testimony€of€the€Mother.€€Our€Supreme€CourtÐ 0 € Ðhas€held€that:Ð  p  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xàWhere€the€issue€for€decision€depends€on€theÐ P  Ðdetermination€of€the€credibility€of€witnesses,€the€trialÐ ð@  Ðcourt€is€the€best€judge€of€the€credibility€and€itsÐ à0  Ðfindings€of€credibility€are€entitled€to€great€weight.€Ð Ð  ÐThis€is€true€because€the€trial€court€alone€has€theÐ À Ðopportunity€to€observe€the€appearance€and€theÐ ° Ðdemeanor€of€the€witnesses.Р𸠸  Ðà8  àÐ Ð Ð  ÐòòTenn„Tex€Propertiesóó,€778€S.W.2d€at€426€(citing€òòRoyal€Ins.€Co.€v.€Alliance€Ins.€Co.óó,€690€S.W.2d€541,Ð €Ð Ð543€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1985)).€€Here,€the€Trial€Court€resolved€the€issue€of€credibility€in€favor€of€Ô_ÔTDCÔ_Ô.€Ð pÀ ÐÌà  àà ` àAVI€argues€that€where€there€is€a€conflict€between€the€testimony€of€the€natural€parentsÐ P  Ðregarding€the€conduct€of€the€parent€whose€rights€are€at€issue,€the€proof€in€favor€of€terminatingÐ @ Ðparental€rights€cannot€meet€the€clear€and€convincing€standard.€€It€is€true€that€when€deciding€whetherÐ 0€ Ða€parent's€rights€should€be€terminated€for€abandonment,€the€court€is€directed€to€"give[]€benefit€ofÐ  p Ðevery€controverted€fact€.€.€.ðð€to€the€natural€parent€whose€parental€rights€are€being€terminated.€òò€In€reÐ ` ÐGordonóó,€980€S.W.2d€372,€375€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1998)€(citing€òòEx€Parte€Ô_ÔWolfendenÔ_Ôóó,€348€S.W.2d€751,Ð P Ð756€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1961)).€€Nevertheless,€a€conflict€in€testimony€between€the€parties€does€notÐ ð@ Ðcompel€the€Court€to€find€that€the€petitioners€did€not€establish€their€proof€by€clear€and€convincingÐ à0 Ðevidence.€€€òòSeeóó€òòIn€re€Gordonóó,€980€S.W.2d€at€374„75€(holding€that€the€trial€court€was€correct€inÐ Ð  Ðfinding€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence€that€the€mother€abandoned€her€child€where€the€mother'sÐ À! Ðand€paternal€grandmother's€testimony€regarding€the€mother's€visitation€of€the€child€conflicted€andÐ °"  Ðwhere€the€record€showed€that€the€trial€court€did€not€find€the€mother€credible).Ð  #ð! ÐÌà  àAs€did€the€Trial€Court,€we€find€that€the€proof€submitted€at€trial€constitutes€clear€andÐ €%Ð # Ðconvincing€evidence€that€AVI's€conduct€prior€to€his€latest€incarceration€was€abandonment€of€theÐ p&À!$ ÐChild€as€defined€by€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„102(1)(A)(iv),€and€that€the€Trial€Court€correctly€heldÐ `'°"% Ðthat€AVI's€parental€rights€should€be€terminated€pursuant€to€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(g)(1).€€ò òó óTheÐ P( #& Ðtermination€statute€provides€the€following:Ð @)$' ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àInitiation€of€termination€of€parental€or€guardianship€rightsÐ +p&)¸ (#¸ (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àmay€be€based€upon€any€of€the€following€grounds:Ð,`'*¸ (#¸ (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#à(1)à0¸ (#¸ (#àAbandonment€by€the€parent€or€guardian,€as€definedа(#(# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àà0¸ (#¸ (#àin€ðð€36„1„102,€has€occurred€.€.€.€.Рð(#(# ÐÌTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(g)(1).€€A€parent€or€guardian€may€be€found€to€have€abandoned€the€childÐ €Ð Ðwhere:Ð pÀ ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA€parent€or€guardian€is€incarcerated€at€the€time€of€the€institution€of€anÐ P   Ðaction€or€proceeding€to€declare€a€child€to€be€an€abandoned€child,€orÐ @  Ðthe€parent€or€guardian€has€been€incarcerated€during€all€or€part€of€theÐ 0 € Ðfour€(4)€months€immediately€preceding€the€institution€of€such€actionÐ  p  Ðor€proceeding,€and€either€has€willfully€failed€to€visit€or€has€willfullyÐ `  Ðfailed€to€support€or€make€reasonable€payments€toward€the€support€ofÐ P  Ðthe€child€for€four€(4)€consecutive€months€immediately€preceding€suchÐ ð@  Ðparent's€or€guardian's€incarceration,€or€the€parent€or€guardian€hasÐ à0  Ðengaged€in€conduct€prior€to€incarceration€which€exhibits€a€wantonÐ Ð  Ðdisregard€for€the€welfare€of€the€child.€ÐÀ` x` x ÐÌ€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„102(1)(A)(iv).€€Ð  ð ÐÌà  àà ` àIn€this€matter,€AVI€was€apprehended€by€the€local€authorities€€in€April,€1998,€€and€hasÐ €Ð Ðremained€incarcerated€since€that€time.€€The€evidence€established€that€AVI€was€incarcerated€at€theÐ pÀ Ðtime€of€the€filing€of€the€petition€for€termination€and€adoption€on€October€13,€1998.Ð `° ÐÌà  àà ` àAVI€has€been€sentenced€to€time€in€prison€and€a€community„based€alternative€facilityÐ @ Ðfor€a€number€of€criminal€convictions.€€The€record€shows€that€AVI€committed€most€of€these€criminalÐ 0€ Ðoffenses€before€the€Child€was€even€a€year€old,€including€seven€counts€of€forgery;€two€counts€forÐ  p Ðfailure€to€appear€in€court;€possession€of€marijuana;€possession€of€cocaine;€and€evading€arrest.€€€InÐ ` ÐFebruary,€1996,€approximately€eight€months€before€the€Child€was€born,€AVI€committed€an€offenseÐ P Ðfor€which€he€received€a€conviction€for€facilitation€of€aggravated€burglary.€AVI€was€re„incarcerated€Ð ð@ Ðwhen€the€Child€was€only€one€and€a€half€years€old,€and€he€has€an€effective€sentence€of€twelve€years€Ð à0 Ðin€a€Tennessee€Department€of€Corrections€facility,€plus€four€years€in€a€community„based€alternativeÐ Ð  Ðfacility.Ð À! ÐÌà  àà ` àThe€proof€at€trial€established€that€prior€to€being€re„incarcerated€in€April,€1998,€AVIÐ  #ð! Ðenjoyed€only€extremely€brief€periods€of€time€that€he€was€not€imprisoned€after€the€Child€was€bornÐ $à" Ðin€October,€1996,€but€did€not€have€much€contact€with€the€Child€even€during€that€time.€€In€fact,€AVI,Ð €%Ð # Ðsometime€after€bond€was€posted€for€him€by€Ô_ÔTDCÔ_Ô€in€January,€1998,€fled€Tennessee€for€SouthÐ p&À!$ ÐCarolina.€€While€AVI€was€free€on€bond,€Ô_ÔTDCÔ_Ô€testified€that€he€did€not€regularly€visit€Ô_ÔTDCÔ_Ô€and€theÐ `'°"% ÐChild€and€did€not€provide€any€financial€support.€€Ð P( #& ÐÌà  àà ` àAdditionally,€the€Trial€Court€also€heard€evidence€that€AVI€admittedly€used€marijuanaÐ 0*€%( Ðâ âon€a€regular€basis€and€did€so€in€front€of€the€Child.€€Moreover,€AVI€exhibited€violent€conduct€whenÐ  +p&) Ðhe€was€with€Ô_ÔTDCÔ_Ô,€including€punching€her€in€the€stomach€and€threatening€to€kill€her.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Ô_ÔTDCÔ_Ô€alsoÐ ° Ðâ âtestified€that€she€left€the€Child€with€AVI's€brother€and€his€girlfriend€to€babysit.€€During€that€time,Ð  ð ÐAVI€visited€the€couple,€and€upon€Ô_ÔTDCÔ_Ô's€return,€she€found€beer€in€the€Child's€bottle.Ð à ÐÌà  àà ` àAccordingly,€the€record€in€this€matter€contains€clear€and€convincing€evidence€thatÐ pÀ Ðprior€to€his€re„incarceration,€AVI€had€a€long€history€of€criminal€activity,€was€a€regular€drug€user€andÐ ` ° Ðexhibited€violent€behavior€towards€the€Child's€Mother.€€This€Court€has€held€that€a€parent's€criminalÐ P   Ðactivity,€substance€abuse€and€violent€conduct€toward€the€child's€mother€prior€to€incarceration€mayÐ @  Ðconstitute€conduct€that€shows€"a€wanton€disregard€for€the€welfare€of€the€child."€€òòIn€re€Ô_ÔShipleyÔ_Ôóó,€No.Ð 0 € Ð03A01„9611„JV„00369,€1997€WL€596281,€at€*4„5€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Sept.€29,€1997);€Tenn.€Code€Ann.Ð  p  Ððð€36„1„102(1)(A)(iv).Ð `  ÐÌà  àà ` àWith€respect€to€the€issue€of€whether€termination€of€AVI's€parental€rights€is€in€the€bestÐ ð@  Ðinterests€of€the€Child,€we€look€to€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(Ô_ÔiÔ_Ô),€which€states€as€follows:Ð à0  Ðà8  àÐ Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àIn€determining€whether€termination€of€parental€or€guardianship€rightsÐ À Ðis€in€the€best€interest€of€the€child€pursuant€to€this€part,€the€court€shallÐ ° Ðconsider,€but€is€not€limited€to,€the€following:Рð` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(1)à0¸ ` x` xàWhether€the€parent€or€guardian€has€made€such€an€adjustmentÐ €Ð Ðof€circumstance,€conduct,€or€conditions€as€to€make€it€safe€andÐ pÀ Ðin€the€childððs€best€interest€to€be€in€the€home€of€the€parent€orÐ `° Ðguardian;ÐP ¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(2)à0¸ ` x` xàWhether€the€parent€or€guardian€has€failed€to€effect€a€lastingÐ 0€ Ðadjustment€after€reasonable€efforts€by€available€socialÐ  p Ðservices€agencies€for€such€duration€of€time€that€lastingÐ ` Ðadjustment€does€not€reasonably€appear€possible;ÐP¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(3)à0¸ ` x` xàWhether€the€parent€or€guardian€has€maintained€regularÐ à0 Ðvisitation€or€other€contact€with€the€child;ÐÐ ¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(4)à8¸ ` x` xàWhether€a€meaningful€relationship€has€otherwise€beenÐ °"  Ðestablished€between€the€parent€or€guardian€and€theÐ  #ð! Ðchild;Ð$à"¸ ¸  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(5)à0¸ ` x` xàThe€effect€a€change€of€caretakers€and€physical€environment€isÐ p&À!$ Ðlikely€to€have€on€the€childððs€emotional,€psychological€andÐ `'°"% Ðmedical€condition;ÐP( #&¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àÐ Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(6)à8¸ ` x` xàWhether€the€parent€or€guardian,€or€other€personÐ  ð Ðresiding€with€the€parent€or€guardian,€has€shownÐ à Ðbrutality,€physical,€sexual,€emotional€or€psychologicalÐ €Ð Ðabuse,€or€neglect€toward€other€children€in€the€familyÐ pÀ Ðor€household;Ð` °¸ ¸  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(7)à8¸ ` x` xàWhether€the€physical€environment€of€the€parentððs€orÐ @  Ðguardianððs€home€is€healthy€and€safe,€whether€there€isÐ 0 € Ðcriminal€activity€in€the€home,€or€whether€there€is€suchÐ  p  Ðuse€of€alcohol€or€controlled€substances€as€may€renderÐ `  Ðthe€parent€or€guardian€consistently€unable€to€care€forÐ P  Ðthe€child€in€a€safe€and€stable€manner;Ðð@ ¸ ¸  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(8)à8¸ ` x` xàWhether€the€parentððs€or€guardianððs€mental€and/orÐ Ð  Ðemotional€status€would€be€detrimental€to€the€child€orÐ À Ðprevent€the€parent€or€guardian€from€effectivelyÐ ° Ðproviding€safe€and€stable€care€and€supervision€for€theÐ  ð Ðchild;€orÐภ¸  Ðà8  àÐ Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(9)à8¸ ` x` xàWhether€the€parent€or€guardian€has€paid€child€supportÐ pÀ Ðconsistent€with€the€child€support€guidelinesÐ `° Ðpromulgated€by€the€department€pursuant€to€Ô‡XíÏ XXX¦êÔððÔ#†X¦êX XXíϪ‹#Ô€36„5„Ð P  Ð101.ÐP ¸ ¸  ÐÌà  àà ` àThe€evidence€in€this€case€is€clear€and€convincing€that€the€best€interests€of€the€ChildÐ 0€ Ðrequire€terminating€AVI's€parental€rights.€€Given€AVI's€admitted€regular€use€of€marijuana;€longÐ  p Ðcriminal€history;€extensive€criminal€sentences;€violent€behavior€towards€Ô_ÔTDCÔ_Ô;€and€sporadic,€at€best,Ð ` Ðcontact€with€the€Child€prior€to€his€re„incarceration€in€April,€1998,€the€circumstances€of€this€case€meetÐ P Ðat€least€four€of€the€nine€criteria€set€forth€in€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(Ô_ÔiÔ_Ô).€€AVI€has€beenÐ ð@ Ðincarcerated€for€most€of€the€Child's€life,€and€for€the€brief€period€of€time€that€he€was€out€of€prison,Ð à 0 ÐAVI€engaged€in€numerous€criminal€offenses€immediately€before€the€Child€was€born€and€within€theÐ Ð!  Ðfirst€year€of€the€Child's€life.€€As€a€result,€AVI,€through€his€own€criminal€conduct,€has€not€"maintainedÐ À"  Ðregular€visitation€or€other€contact€with€the€child"€and€has€not€otherwise€established€a€meaningfulÐ °#! Ðrelationship€with€the€Child.€€òòSeeóó€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(Ô_ÔiÔ_Ô)(3)€&€(4).€€Ð  $ð" ÐÌà  àà ` àIn€addition,€the€proof€at€trial€established€that€AVI,€during€the€brief€period€of€time€thatÐ €&Ð!$ Ðhe€was€free€on€bond€in€1998,€used€marijuana€with€his€brother€and€girlfriend€who€were€keeping€theÐ p'À"% ÐChild,€and€that€the€Mother€found€beer€in€the€Child's€bottle.€€AVI€also€violated€his€bond€and€fledÐ `(°#& ÐTennessee€for€South€Carolina.€€This€evidence€clearly€shows€that€while€AVI€was€out€of€jail€and€whileÐ P) $' Ðhe€was€with€his€Child,€he€failed€to€make€"such€an€adjustment€of€circumstance,€conduct,€or€conditionsÐ @*%( Ðas€to€make€it€safe€and€in€the€[Ô_ÔC]hildÔ_Ô's€best€interest€to€be€in€the€home€of€the€[Father]."€€òòSeeóó€Tenn.Ð 0+€&) ÐCode€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(Ô_ÔiÔ_Ô)(1).€€Moreover,€AVI€admitted€that€he€regularly€used€marijuana€while€freeÐ  ,p'* Ðand€that€he€used€the€drug€while€he€was€with€the€Child.€€When€coupled€with€the€Father's€numerousÐ ° Ðcriminal€offenses€and€his€violent€behavior€toward€Ô_ÔTDCÔ_Ô,€the€Trial€Court€found€more€than€clear€andÐ  ð Ðconvincing€evidence€that€AVI's€home€was€not€€healthy€and€safe,€had€criminal€activity€and€that€AVI'sÐ à Ðregular€drug€use€"may€render€the€[AVI]€consistently€unable€to€care€for€the€child€in€a€safe€and€stableÐ €Ð Ðmanner."€€€òòSeeóó€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(Ô_ÔiÔ_Ô)(7).€€Therefore,€since€the€best€interests€of€the€ChildÐ pÀ Ðwould€be€met€by€the€termination€of€AVI's€parental€rights,€the€Trial€Court€correctly€granted€theÐ ` ° Ðpetition€for€termination€and€adoption.Ð P   ÐÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà@FF%ìàò òòòCONCLUSIONó óóóˆÐ 0 € ÐÌà  àThe€judgment€of€the€Trial€Court€is€affirmed,€and€this€matter€remanded€for€further€proceedingsÐ `  Ðas€may€be€required,€if€any,€consistent€with€this€Opinion,€and€for€collection€of€the€costs€below.€€CostsÐ P  Ðof€this€appeal€are€taxed€to€the€Appellant.Ð ð@  ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àà0¸ (#¸ (#àà0h(#(#àà0Àh(#h(#àà0À(#À(#àÐ (#(# Ðà  àà ` àÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌà  àÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à___________________________________€Ð P Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àD.€MICHAEL€Ô_ÔSWINEYÔ_Ô,€JUDGE