ÿWPC6 k¯ ~3uÜ‘„äÇôð¾^s²ÅÕ#0ß(¶ÙéK<”‹Ào°4½&}gý캦“*‡•àÄâ^Ñpø¨BÒtH’X?ûÄ‹ƒº/õè?kËzt·îóß³¿R·/šÞò\p->³šâÞö ¸=”}u¬.¨tí&ëƪkòœH¸Å‚PååG}¾3R±8ÍãÖu¿ÞÜ“rŠÜÕ'HÎP)ÍT>|#à~¯_üb}”`t7ÂþI¼UjRî8ªC{LŒ ¸gs)Íèõíå£9UA¬ ,GµžÅ鞬 +¸‹¯c]ôb¤Îï Èsì]lm)bSãÒY”Kh$PïŒÕ—)Äéà{îÍÇx!u àÒõYh$â’zÄèøApµü ¸l×O¹jV?Óß[€î%Ñ©Uk:A»ܕ$¶—³>^¯¾ ô‚(ÐåÔêÙÕ>Âê…á’|k=sÝi¸ÕCÇ=°Ã‡7Äý‚zÔ‹$”n‚¥üæaú(%1DNú«Ì‰w†BÒCï”0sÌ]÷Çd¯ eéÂp¶¨ŒØ\¾¹°Ï’ÙÝ¡K…6]Ø¥p¤§ ÿÚæ:×¾p¹L¶Oãã5“ªÖ½øf1ŽÎx°ÎOÒ©n{ •f°»@(W#ÁÂUNƒ %Ñ 0:×UN ^ _ wk 4o ƒ ’ m” ,« b× /ß : H P PÑÑ 0 D!¤eE   e pppúvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv 0 ©pppp B˜HP LaserJet 4050 Series PCL 5eÈÈ,,,,ÈÈ0(ÖÃ9 Z‹6Times New Roman RegularX(üœ$¡¡ÔUSUS.,Ô(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regularu&+s ÑB+wL 3|x ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ "Ý ƒRïJ$ÝÔUSUS.,ÔÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÔ€XôøXXXÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ€ôòXXôøÔThe€children€have€been€appointed€five€successive€guardians€òòad€litemóó€during€their€time€in€the€custody€of€DCS.€- ù- %Ý ƒRïJ$ÝÔUSUS.,ÔÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÔ€XôøXXXÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ‡ôòXXôøÔTwo€men€are€alleged€to€be€fathers€of€the€children.€€One€was€personally€served€with€process.€€The€otherððsÐ ° Ðwhereabouts€were€unknown€so€he€was€notified€by€publication€in€the€local€newspaper.€€Neither€appeared€at€the€hearingÐ tÄ Ðof€this€matter.€€Their€parental€rights€were€terminated€on€the€ground€of€abandonment,€and€neither€has€appealed. 0Ñ#€Xÿÿd#ÑÑ € Ñ  wÝ ƒRïJ$ÝÔUSUS.,ÔÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÔ€XôøXXXÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ€ôòXXôøÔFor€a€time€all€four€children€were€in€the€same€therapeutic€foster€home.€€The€three€younger€children€remainedÐ ° Ðthere,€but€the€first€son€eventually€required€placement€in€a€ð ðmore€specialized€continuumðð€in€part€because€he€hadÐ tÄ Ðð ðwitnessed€and€experienced€the€majority€of€the€abuse.ðð€€Testimony€at€the€hearing€indicated€that€the€foster€family€plannedÐ 8ˆ Ðto€adopt€the€three€children€in€their€care. FÝ ƒRïJ$ÝÔUSUS.,ÔÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú7Ú  ÚóóÔ€XôøXXXÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ€ôòXXôøÔAt€the€hearing,€an€Omni€Vision€employee€described€the€visits€between€the€mother€and€children€as€ð ðprobablyÐ ° Ðthe€most€chaoticðð€she€had€seen€in€her€ten€years€of€supervising€visits,€and€that€she€felt€that€the€mother€encouraged€theÐ tÄ Ðchaos.€She€testified€that€the€mother€threatened€and€abused€the€children,€even€during€supervised€visits.€€She€stated€thatÐ 8ˆ Ðthe€mother€sometimes€picked€up€the€children€and€hit€them€against€the€wall.€€She€related€an€incident€after€a€visit€in€whichÐ üL Ðthe€mother€picked€up€a€stick€in€the€parking€lot€and€threatened€to€hit€the€children.€€The€children€ran€behind€the€fosterÐ À Ðparents€and€said,€ð ðNo,€you€canððt€whip€us€anymore;€weððre€safe€now.ðð€€She€recounted€incidents€in€which€the€motherÐ „Ô Ðallowed€the€children€to€scream,€jump€from€furniture,€and€throw€things€across€the€room.€€Eventually,€the€visits€requiredÐ H ˜ Ðposting€additional€employees€outside€the€door€of€the€room€where€the€visit€took€place€to€prevent€the€chaos€from€eruptingÐ  \ Ðinto€the€rest€of€the€building.€€The€employee€also€stated€that€the€mother€resented€any€suggestions€on€how€she€might€controlÐ Ð  Ðthe€childrenððs€behavior,€and€noted€that€the€children€sometimes€told€her€that€they€had€smelled€alcohol€on€the€motherððsÐ ” ä  Ðbreath€during€the€visit.(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó šÝ ƒRïJ$ÝÔUSUS.,ÔÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€XôøXXXÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ‡ôòXXôøÔThe€children€are€Ô_ÔL.L.W.Ô_Ô,€a€boy€born€in€1989,€Ô_ÔL.L.S.Ô_Ô,€a€boy€born€in€1990,€Ô_ÔL.L.W.Ô_Ô,€a€boy€born€in€1991,€andÐ ° ÐÔ_ÔL.S.W.Ô_Ô,€a€girl€born€in€1993.€€Because€of€the€similarity€of€their€initials,€the€boys€shall€be€referred€to€individually€as€theÐ tÄ Ðfirst,€second€or€third€son,€as€appropriate,€and€the€girl€will€be€referred€to€as€the€daughter. [Ý ƒRïJ$ÝÔUSUS.,ÔÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú8Ú  ÚóóÔ€XôøXXXÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ€ôòXXôøÔThe€trial€court€found€multiple€grounds€for€termination€of€the€motherððs€parental€rights.€€It€is€not€necessary€forÐ ° Ðus€to€address€the€other€grounds€because€we€have€affirmed€the€trial€courtððs€determination€that€the€ground€set€out€in€Tenn.Ð tÄ ÐCode€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(g)(3)(A)€has€been€proved€clearly€and€convincingly,€and€the€mother€does€not€dispute€that€groundsÐ 8ˆ Ðexist.€ üÝ ƒRïJ$ÝÔUSUS.,ÔÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÔ€XôøXXXÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ€ôòXXôøÔAt€the€time€the€petition€was€filed,€the€children€were€ages€four€through€nine. ðÝ ƒRïJ$ÝÔUSUS.,ÔÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÔ€XôøXXXÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ€ôòXXôøÔThe€mother€left€the€drug€treatment€program€without€completing€it.(:G2ïJ$¤¤Ý ƒüœ!ÝÔUSUS.,ÔÝ  ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€XôøXXXÔ dÝ ƒüœ!ÝÔUSUS.,ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ‡¼ªT»XXÔÑ€¶]Ñà@¦ ¦ ìàÔ#†XôøX»¼ªT=#ÔÔ€¼ªT»XXôøÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@§§$ìàAT€NASHVILLEˆÐ  Ðà@_ _ ìàAssigned€On€Briefs€August€1,€2001ˆÐ Ô$ ÐÌò òÓ  ÓIN€RE:€L.S.W.,€et€al.ó óÐ øH ÐÓ|ÓÌò òà@Ø Ø ìàÔ€XôøX»¼ªTÔAppeal€from€the€Juvenile€Court€for€Robertson€CountyˆÐ  n Ðà@ð ð ìàNo.€D17234€€€€€Max€D.€Fagan,€JudgeˆÐ  Z Ðó óÌÌà@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<Í` A߈Ð Î  ÐÌò òà@v v ìàNo.€M2000„01935„Ô_ÔCOAÔ_Ô„R3„JVó ó€ò ò„€Filed€September€6,€Ô_Ô2001ó óÔ_ÔˆÐ É  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<¤` AßÐ ¥õ  ÐÌòòÓ  ÓóóThis€case€involves€the€termination€of€parental€rights€of€the€mother€of€four€children€who€wereÐ  ð  Ðremoved€from€the€motherððs€home€by€the€Department€of€Childrenððs€Services€in€1998€and€placed€inÐ ŒÜ Ðfoster€care.€€DCS€devised€a€Plan€of€Care€for€the€mother,€which,€among€other€things,€required€her€toÐ xÈ Ðaddress€her€drug€and€alcohol€addictions.€€During€the€two€and€one„half€years€between€the€removal€ofÐ d´ Ðthe€children€from€the€home€and€the€hearing€on€the€petition€to€terminate€parental€rights,€the€motherÐ P  Ðmade€token€efforts€to€improve€her€situation,€but€her€substance€abuse€continued.€€The€trial€courtÐ <Œ Ðterminated€the€motherððs€parental€rights€on€multiple€grounds,€including€the€ground€that€the€conditionsÐ (x Ðthat€led€to€the€childrenððs€removal€continued€to€persist€with€little€likelihood€of€remedy.€€Because€DCSÐ d Ðhas€established€grounds€for€termination€and€has€established€that€termination€is€in€the€best€interestÐ P Ðof€the€children,€we€affirm.Ð ì< ÐÌÓ  Óò òTenn.€R.€App.€P.€3€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Juvenile€CourtÐ Ä ÐAffirmedó ó€ò òand€Remandedó óÐ ° ÐÓxÓÌòòPatricia€J.€Cottrell,óó€J.,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòBen€H.€Cantrell,€P.J.,€M.S.,óóÐ ŒÜ Ðand€òòWilliam€C.€Koch,€Jr.,€J.óó,€joined.Ð x È ÐÌJoe€R.€Johnson,€II,€Springfield,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellant,€K.L.S.Ð P" ! ÐÌPaul€G.€Summers,€Attorney€General€and€Reporter,€Douglas€Earl€Dimond,€Assistant€AttorneyÐ ($x# ÐGeneral,€Nashville,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellee,€Department€of€Childrenððs€Services.Ð %d $ ÐÌà@66'ìàò òOPINIONó óˆÐ ì&<"& ÐÌà  àIn€February€1998,€the€Department€of€Childrenððs€Services€(ð ðDCSðð)€filed€a€petition€forÐ Ä($( Ðtemporary€custody€of€the€four€children׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€who€are€the€subject€of€this€proceeding,€alleging€that€theÐ °)%) ÐѶ]Ñâ âÑ8€ôøXXdìdÈ8ÑÑ€ Ñâ âÑ  Ñchildren€were€dependent€and€neglected€and€that€the€mother€was€ð ðunable€to€properly€provide€for€theÐ ° Ðchildren€due€to€her€own€drug€use€and€lack€of€parenting€skills.ðð€€In€that€petition,€DCS€stated€that€theÐ œì Ðdepartment€had€been€involved€in€the€case€since€July€1997€and€had€Ð ˆØ ÐÌà8  àprovided€homemaking€services,€arranged€counseling€for€[the€first€son],€offered€drugÐ `° Ðtreatment€to€the€mother,€arranged€day€care€for€all€of€the€children,€assisted€[theÐ L œ Ðmother]€in€applying€for€Department€of€Human€Services€assistance,€providedÐ 8 ˆ ÐChristmas€gifts€for€the€children,€and€.€.€.€[provided]€consistent€monitoring€of€theÐ $ t Ðhome€situation.€€The€mother€has€refused€to€accept€some€of€the€services€and€hasÐ  ` Ðrefused€to€cooperate€with€others.€€The€mother€has€refused€to€cooperate€with€theÐ ü L  ÐDepartment€for€Human€Services,€the€school€system€officials,€therapists€and€day€careÐ è 8  Ðproviders.€€Her€refusal€to€avail€herself€of€the€services€places€these€children€at€risk€ofÐ Ô$  Ðharm€and€neglect.€.€.€.€ÐÀ Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  à[Ô_ÔT]hereÔ_Ô€are€no€less€drastic€alternatives€to€removal€from€the€care,€custody,€or€controlÐ ˜è  Ðof€the€childrenððs€parent€which€will€reasonably€and€adequately€protect€the€childrenððsÐ „Ô  Ðhealth€and/or€safety.€.€.€.€€ÐpÀÐ Ð  ÐÌà8  à[Ô_ÔI]tÔ_Ô€is€contrary€to€the€childrenððs€best€interest€to€remain€in€the€care,€custody,€and€Ð H˜ Ðcontrol€of€their€parent,€[and]€reasonable€efforts€.€.€.€were€made€to€prevent€removal€ofÐ 4„ Ðthe€children.€Ð pÐ Ð  ÐÌà  àAn€affidavit€of€a€DCS€case€manager€was€attached€to€the€petition,€which€included€the€aboveÐ øH Ðbehaviors€on€the€part€of€the€mother,€and€added:Ð ä4 ÐÌà8  àThe€mother€has€not€complied€with€counseling€for€[the€first€son]€to€deal€with€hisÐ ¼  Ðbehaviors€.€.€.€.€€The€mother€does€not€comply€with€the€DCS€Safety€Plan€in€which€theÐ ¨ø Ðgrandmother€is€not€to€care€for€the€kids€as€she€was€charged€with€child€neglect€forÐ ”ä Ðbeing€intoxicated€while€watching€the€children.€€The€mother€has€admitted€to€usingÐ €Ð Ðmarijuana€and€cocaine€on€a€regular€basis€and€to€having€drug€traffic€in€the€home.€€TheÐ l¼ Ðmother€admits€to€leaving€the€children׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€alone€in€the€home.€€The€mother€has€beenÐ X ¨ Ð[indicted]€for€physical€abuse€on€[the€second€son]€in€November€of€1997.ÐD!”Ð Ð  ÐÌà  àThe€following€day,€an€attorney€was€appointed€to€represent€the€mother׃T×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€and€a€guardian€òòadÐ #l! Ðlitem€óówas€appointed€for€the€children.׃ h×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€One€month€later,€the€court€ordered€that€the€children€remainÐ $X" Ðin€state€custody.€€The€court€reviewed€the€situation€over€the€next€few€months,€and€in€August€1998Ð ô$D # Ðentered€an€order€allowing€the€mother€to€have€unsupervised€visits€with€the€children.€€Ð ° ÐÌà  àIn€January€1999,€an€order€on€review€stated,€ð ðReview€to€be€made€to€assess€progress€towardÐ ˆØ Ðplan€of€care€compliance.€€If€òòsignificantóó€efforts€are€not€made€within€6€months,€petition€for€terminationÐ tÄ Ðshall€be€instituted.ðð€€The€following€month,€on€February€25,€1999,€one€year€after€the€children€wereÐ `° Ðtaken€into€DCS€custody,€the€court€again€reviewed€the€case€and€noted,€ð ð[The€mother]€with€counselÐ L œ Ðstates€that€plan€is€ððsomewhatðð€reasonable,ðð€but€reaffirmed€its€order€that€termination€proceedingsÐ 8 ˆ Ðshould€begin€within€six€months€if€ð ðsignificant€progress€is€not€apparent.ðð€€Further,€the€court€ordered:Ð $ t ÐÌà8  àSupervised€visitation€only€with€children.€€If€incident€of€corporal€punishment€orÐ ü L  Ðaltercation€during€visit€with€children€or€supervisor(s)€occurs,€visitation€may€beÐ è 8  Ðimmediately€terminated€and€future€visitation€suspended€until€such€time€as€the€courtÐ Ô$  Ðmay€review€the€situation.ÐÀ Ð Ð  ÐÌà  àAlso,€in€February€1999,€the€daughter€was€referred€to€Omni€Vision€Therapeutic€Foster€CareÐ ˜è  Ðand€Adoption€(ð ðOmni€Visionðð)€for€placement€in€a€therapeutic€foster€home,€in€which€theÐ „Ô  Ðð ðprofessional€parentsðð€had€received€extensive€training.€€The€three€sons€were€referred€to€Omni€VisionÐ pÀ Ðin€June€1999,€and€all€four€children€remained€with€Omni€Vision€at€the€time€of€the€July€2000€hearing.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð \¬ ÐÌà  àIn€June€1999,€DCS€filed€a€Notice€of€Permanency€Plan€Hearing,€in€which€it€notified€theÐ 4„ Ðmother€that€a€hearing€would€be€held€ð ðto€determine€the€future€status€of€the€Ô_Ôchild[renÔ_Ô],€including,€butÐ  p Ðnot€limited€to,€whether€the€Ô_Ôchild[renÔ_Ô]€should€be€returned€to€the€parent,€should€be€continued€in€fosterÐ  \ Ðcare€for€a€specified€period,€should€be€placed€for€adoption,€or€should,€because€of€the€childððs€specialÐ øH Ðneeds€or€circumstances,€be€continued€in€foster€care€on€a€permanent€or€long„term€basis,€and€shallÐ ä4 Ðdetermine€the€extent€of€compliance€of€parties€with€the€terms€of€permanency€plan€.€.€.€.ðð€€In€theÐ Ð  Ðattached€ð ðAffidavit€of€Reasonable€Efforts,ðð€the€case€manager€repeated€the€problems€that€existed€atÐ ¼  Ðthe€time€of€removal,€and€added€that€ð ðServices€have€been€offered€since€7„97€to€no€avail,€with€noÐ ¨ø Ðprogress€made.€.€.€.€[and]€the€mother€has€not€complied€with€court„ordered€drug€testing€and€still€hasÐ ”ä Ðnot€provided€housing€for€the€children.ððÐ €Ð ÐÌà  àThe€hearing€was€held€on€June€9,€1999€before€a€referee€of€the€juvenile€court.€€A€subsequentÐ X ¨ Ðorder€stated€that€it€was€in€the€best€interest€of€the€children€for€custody€to€remain€with€DCS,€and€thatÐ D!” Ðreunification€had€not€been€achieved€because€ð ðthe€mother€has€only€recently€entered€into€drugÐ 0"€  Ðtreatment€which€has€been€a€long„time€requirement.ðð׃ ×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€The€referee€ordered€that€the€children€remain€Ð #l! Ðin€foster€care,€and€set€the€case€for€review€in€three€months.€€Shortly€before€the€scheduled€review,€aÐ $X" Ðnew€guardian€òòad€litemóó€was€appointed€for€the€children.€€Within€two€weeks€of€his€appointment,€theÐ ô$D # Ðguardian€òòad€litemóó,€moved€for€termination€of€even€supervised€visitation,€stating:Ð à%0!$ Їà8  à[The€children]€have€been€examined€by€a€licensed€psychological€examiner€[whoÐ ° Ðrecommends]€that€in€the€best€interest€of€the€children,€termination€of€visitation€by€theÐ œì Ðmother€be€requested€to€the€Court.€€The€children€after€visitation€become€confused€andÐ ˆØ Ðagitated€and€cause€quite€a€behavioral€problem.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú7Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×ÐtÄÐ Ð  ÐÌà  àThe€supervised€visits€were€ð ðterminated€temporarily€until€further€review,ðð€in€October€1999.€Ð L œ ÐThe€petition€for€termination€of€parental€rights€was€filed€on€March€23,€2000,€more€than€two€yearsÐ 8 ˆ Ðafter€the€children€were€taken€into€state€custody,€and€a€hearing€was€held€on€July€12,€2000.Ð $ t ÐÌà  àBy€the€time€of€the€hearing,€the€mother€had€made€no€progress€toward€regular€employment,Ð ü L  Ðsuitable€housing€or€improvement€in€conditions.€€The€mother€testified€that€she€was€currentlyÐ è 8  Ðincarcerated,€but€that€she€intended€to€seek€drug€rehabilitation€after€she€was€released.€€She€had€madeÐ Ô$  Ðan€appointment€just€before€trial€for€an€assessment,€but€had€been€unable€to€attend€because€she€wasÐ À  Ðincarcerated.€€She€said€she€had€not€seen€the€children€in€about€ten€months,€and€that€she€missed€them.€Ð ¬ü  ÐThe€mother€acknowledged€that€the€drugs€were€a€serious€problem€for€her,€and€that€the€drugs€kept€herÐ ˜è  Ðð ðout€of€a€job€and€from€being€able€to€focus€on€doing€what€a€parent€should€be€doing€.€.€.€.ðð€€The€motherÐ „Ô  Ðhad€been€warned€and€had€known€since€1998€that€she€would€lose€her€children€if€she€continued€to€useÐ pÀ Ðdrugs.€€She€conceded€that€conditions€were€no€different€at€the€time€of€trial€from€those€at€the€time€ofÐ \¬ Ðthe€childrenððs€removal.€€She€acknowledged€that€it€could€be€years€before€she€was€capable€of€takingÐ H˜ Ðthe€children€back.€€She€asked€the€court€to€keep€the€children€in€long„term€foster€care,€so€that€she€mightÐ 4„ Ðretain€the€possibility€of€getting€her€children€back.Ð  p ÐÌà  àEmployees€from€Omni€Vision€testified€that€the€children€had€improved€greatly€in€foster€careÐ øH Ðand€that€the€children€had€stated€that€they€did€not€want€to€visit€with€their€mother.€€They€had€no€desireÐ ä4 Ðto€be€reunited€with€their€mother€and€feared€that€prospect.€€One€child€had€been€beaten€while€livingÐ Ð  Ðwith€the€mother;€another€had€been€left€without€food€so€long€he€was€hospitalized€for€dehydration.€Ð ¼  ÐOne€employee€testified€that€the€foster€parents€wanted€to€adopt€the€three€children€in€their€care.Ð ¨ø ÐÌà  àAfter€hearing€the€evidence,€the€trial€court€terminated€the€motherððs€parental€rights€findingÐ €Ð Ðmultiple€grounds,€and€stating€in€its€order:€Ð l¼ ÐÌà8  àà ` àThe€children€have€been€removed€by€order€of€this€Court€for€a€period€of€six€(6)Ð D!” Ðmonths;€the€conditions€which€led€to€their€removal€still€persist;€.€.€.€there€is€littleÐ 0"€  Ðlikelihood€that€these€conditions€will€be€remedied€at€an€early€date€so€that€theseÐ ° Ðchildren€can€be€returned€to€[the€mother]€in€the€near€future;€the€continuation€of€theÐ œì Ðlegal€parent€and€child€relationship€greatly€diminishes€the€childrenððs€chances€of€earlyÐ ˆØ Ðintegration€into€a€stable€and€permanent€home.ÐtÄÐ Ð  ÐÌà8  àà ` à.€.€.€Specifically,€the€mother€has€failed€to€adequately€address€her€drugÐ L œ Ðaddiction€and€she€has€failed€to€cooperate€with€the€services€and€programs€that€theÐ 8 ˆ ÐDepartment€has€set€up€for€her.€€She€continues€to€abuse€drugs€and€has€not€rehabilitatedÐ $ t Ðherself€to€the€point€that€she€can€care€for€her€children.Ð `Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àà ` àAt€the€time€of€the€removal,€the€mother€admitted€her€drug€addiction€and€herÐ è 8  Ðinability€to€care€for€her€children.€€She€also€admitted€to€repeatedly€leaving€them€aloneÐ Ô$  Ðor€leaving€them€in€the€care€and€supervision€of€her€mother€who€is€an€alcoholic.€[TheÐ À  Ðmotherððs]€home€was€filthy€and€her€four€children€were€severely€neglected.€€She€hasÐ ¬ü  Ðnot€cooperated€with€any€of€the€services€that€the€Department€has€provided,€and€she€hasÐ ˜è  Ðnot€completed€drug€treatment.€€She€has€not€been€able€to€meet€her€childrenððs€mostÐ „Ô  Ðbasic€physical€needs,€let€alone€their€emotional€and€psychological€needs,€and€there€isÐ pÀ Ðlittle€likelihood€that€she€will€ever€be€able€to€be€a€good€or€even€adequate€mother€to€herÐ \¬ Ðchildren.ÐH˜Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àà ` à.€.€.€DCS€became€involved€in€the€case€back€in€July€of€1997€and€the€motherÐ  p Ðrefused€to€cooperate€with€the€services€that€were€offered€and€the€children€came€intoÐ  \ Ðstate€custody.€€The€mother€acknowledged€the€need€to€address€her€drug€addiction€andÐ øH Ðrelated€issues€as€early€as€January€of€1999,€and€yet€she€did€not€do€so.€€She€has€askedÐ ä4 Ðthe€Court€today€for€more€time€to€address€these€issues,€but€the€Court€must€note€thatÐ Ð  Ðthe€mother€has€made€no€meaningful€effort€to€ever€address€these€problems€and€thereÐ ¼  Ðis€no€reason€to€believe€that€she€would€at€this€late€date.€€She€is€asking€that€the€lives€ofÐ ¨ø Ðthese€children€be€held€in€limbo€while€she€decides€whether€or€not€she€will€addressÐ ”ä Ðthese€issues.€€This€approach€is€not€acceptable€to€the€Court€in€that€it€is€contrary€to€theÐ €Ð Ðbest€interests€of€the€children.€€The€mother€has€already€had€years€to€address€herÐ l¼ Ðproblems€and€the€children€cannot€be€asked€to€wait€any€longer.€€The€Court€finds€thatÐ X ¨ Ðthe€mother€has€not€complied€with€the€plan€of€care€and€there€is€no€reason€to€believeÐ D!” Ðthat€she€would€comply€[if]€given€additional€time.Ð0"€ Ð Ð  ÐÌà@=='ìà.€.€.€.ˆÐ $X" ÐÌà8  àà ` àIt€is€in€the€best€interest€of€the€children€and€the€public€that€all€of€the€parentalÐ à%0!$ Ðrights€of€Respondents€to€these€children€be€forever€terminated,€and€the€completeÐ Ì&"% Ðcustody€of€[the€children]€be€awarded€to€the€State€of€Tennessee,€Department€ofÐ ¸'#& ÐChildrenððs€Services,€with€the€right€to€place€them€for€adoption€and€to€consent€to€suchÐ ¤(ô#' Ðadoption€òòin€loco€parentisóó.Ð)à$(Ð Ð  ÐÌÐ h+¸&* Їà  àOn€appeal,€the€mother€challenges€the€trial€courtððs€termination€of€parental€rights.€€She€doesÐ ° Ðnot€dispute€that€grounds€for€termination€exist,€but€argues€that€termination€is€not€in€the€best€interestÐ œì Ðof€the€children.Ð ˆØ ÐÌÓ  ÓI.€Standard€of€ReviewÐ `° ÐÓ¶EÓÌà  àòòóóBecause€the€decision€to€terminate€parental€rights€affects€fundamental€constitutional€rights,Ð 8 ˆ Ðcourts€apply€a€higher€standard€of€proof€when€adjudicating€termination€cases.€€òòÔ_ÔO'DanielÔ_Ô€v.€Messieróó,Ð $ t Ð905€S.W.2d€182,€186€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1995).€To€justify€the€termination€of€parental€rights,€theÐ  ` Ðgrounds€for€termination€must€be€established€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence.òò€óó€Tenn.€Code.€Ann.Ð ü L  Ððð€36-1-113(c)(1);€òòState€Ô_ÔDepððtÔ_Ô€of€Human€Ô_ÔServsÔ_Ô.€v.€Ô_ÔDefrieceÔ_Ôóó,€937€S.W.2d€954,€960€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.Ð è 8  Ð1996).€Evidence€which€satisfies€the€clear€and€convincing€standard€ð ðeliminates€any€serious€orÐ Ô$  Ðsubstantial€doubt€concerning€the€correctness€of€the€conclusion€to€be€drawn€from€the€evidence.ððÐ À  ÐòòÔ_ÔO'DanielÔ_Ôóó,€905€S.W.2d€at€188.€€€ð ðThis€heightened€standard€.€.€.€serves€to€prevent€the€unwarrantedÐ ¬ü  Ðtermination€or€interference€with€the€biological€parentsðð€rights€to€their€children.ðð€€òòIn€re€Ô_ÔM.W.A.Ô_Ôóó,€980Ð ˜è  ÐS.W.2d€620,€622€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1998).Ð „Ô  ÐÌà  àUnder€this€heightened€standard€of€review,€we€must€first€review€the€trial€courtððs€findings€inÐ \¬ Ðaccordance€with€Tenn.€R.€App.€13(d).€€That€review€is€òòde€novoóó,€with€a€presumption€of€correctness€forÐ H˜ Ðthe€trial€courtððs€findings€of€fact,€unless€the€preponderance€of€the€evidence€is€otherwise.€€òòSee€óóTenn.Ð 4„ ÐR.€App.€P.€13(d).€€Ô‡XôøXXXôøÔThen,€we€must€determine€whether€the€facts€make€out€a€clear€and€convincing€caseÐ  p Ðin€favor€of€terminating€the€parentsðð€parental€rights.€€€òòIn€re€Ô_ÔDrinnonÔ_Ôóó,€776€S.W.2d€96,€97€(Tenn.€Ct.Ð  \ ÐApp.€1988).Ð øH ÐÔ#†XôøXXXôøçL#ÔÌà  àParental€rights€may€be€terminated€in€only€a€limited€number€of€statutorily€definedÐ Ð  Ðcircumstances.€€Before€termination,€one€or€more€of€the€asserted€statutory€grounds€must€be€provedÐ ¼  Ðby€clear€and€convincing€evidence€and€the€court€must€determine,€using€the€clear€and€convincingÐ ¨ø Ðevidence€standard,€that€termination€is€in€the€childððs€best€interest.€€òòóóTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(c)(2).€Ô‡XôøXXXôøÔÐ ”ä ÐÔ#†XôøXXXôøP#ÔÌÓ  ÓII.€€€€The€Conditions€Which€Led€to€Removal€PersistÐ l¼ ÐÓsPÓÌà  àThe€trial€court€based€the€termination€of€parental€rights€in€part€on€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„Ð D!” Ð113(g)(3)(A),€which€provides€the€following€as€grounds€for€seeking€termination:Ð 0"€  ÐÌà8  àThe€child€has€been€removed€from€the€home€of€the€parent€or€guardian€by€order€of€aÐ $X" Ðcourt€for€a€period€of€six€(6)€months€and:Ðô$D #Ð Ð  Ðà8  à(Ô_ÔiÔ_Ô)€The€conditions€which€led€to€the€child's€removal€or€other€conditions€which€in€allÐ à%0!$ Ðreasonable€probability€would€cause€the€child€to€be€subjected€to€further€abuse€orÐ Ì&"% Ðneglect€and€which,€therefore,€prevent€the€child's€safe€return€to€the€care€of€theÐ ¸'#& Ðparent(s)€or€guardian(s),€still€persist;Ф(ô#'Ð Ð  Ðà8  à(ii)€There€is€little€likelihood€that€these€conditions€will€be€remedied€at€an€early€dateÐ )à$( Ðso€that€the€child€can€be€safely€returned€to€the€parent(s)€or€guardian(s)€in€the€nearÐ |*Ì%) Ðfuture;€andÐh+¸&*Ð Ð  Ðà8  à(iii)€The€continuation€of€the€parent€or€guardian€and€child€relationship€greatlyÐ ° Ðdiminishes€the€child's€chances€of€early€integration€into€a€safe,€stable€and€permanentÐ œì Ðhome.ЈØÐ Ð  ÐÌà  àOn€appeal,€the€mother€does€not€dispute€that€statutory€grounds€were€proved€to€exist.€€We€findÐ `° Ðthat€the€elements€of€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(g)(3)(A)€have€been€met.€€The€children€had€beenÐ L œ Ðremoved€from€the€home€by€order€of€a€court€for€more€than€six€months.€òòóó€They€had€been€in€foster€careÐ 8 ˆ Ðfor€two€and€one€half€years€at€the€time€of€the€hearing.€òòóó€The€conditions€which€led€to€the€childrenððsÐ $ t Ðremoval€were€the€abuse€and€neglect€caused€primarily€by€the€motherððs€drug€and€alcohol€use.€€At€theÐ  ` Ðtime€of€trial,€that€drug€and€alcohol€use€persisted.€€Similarly,€there€is€little€likelihood€that€theÐ ü L  Ðcondition€will€be€remedied€at€an€early€date€so€that€the€children€can€be€safely€returned€to€the€mother.€Ð è 8  ÐThis€mother€has€had€more€than€two€years,€and€assistance,€to€deal€with€her€drug€problem.€€She€wasÐ Ô$  Ðtold,€even€before€the€children€were€removed€from€her€care,€that€her€drug€use€created€a€problem€forÐ À  Ðthe€children.€€She€did€not€take€steps€to€remedy€the€situation,€and€the€children€were€taken€into€stateÐ ¬ü  Ðcustody.€€Even€after€the€children€were€in€foster€care,€the€mother€made€only€token€efforts€to€overcomeÐ ˜è  Ðher€dependency.€€At€trial,€she€claimed€to€want€her€children€back.€€However,€she€had€been€simplyÐ „Ô  Ðunwilling€or€unable€to€put€the€childrenððs€needs€above€her€own€dependency.€€She€had€made€noÐ pÀ Ðdemonstrable€efforts€to€provide€these€children€with€a€safe€environment.Ð \¬ ÐÌà  àThe€final€element€of€the€statute,€ð ð[Ô_Ôt]heÔ_Ô€continuation€of€the€parent€or€guardian€and€childÐ 4„ Ðrelationship€greatly€diminishes€the€child's€chances€of€early€integration€into€a€safe,€stable€andÐ  p Ðpermanent€home,ðð€has€also€been€met.€€òòóóTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(g)(3)(A)(iii).€€These€childrenÐ  \ Ðneed€a€permanent€home€where€they€can€receive€proper€care€and€feel€safe.€€The€mother€cannot€provideÐ øH Ða€permanent€stable€home€for€the€children€and€is€unlikely€to€be€able€to€do€so€in€the€near€future.€Ð ä4 ÐAbsent€termination€of€the€motherððs€rights,€the€children€cannot€hope€for€a€permanent,€stable€home.€Ð Ð  ÐEven€the€mother€acknowledged€it€might€be€years€before€she€could€provide€a€safe€and€stable€homeÐ ¼  Ðfor€the€children.€€Her€lack€of€effort€after€the€childrenððs€removal€makes€that€possibility€even€moreÐ ¨ø Ðremote.Ð ”ä ÐÌà  àÔ‡XôøXXXôøÔDCS€has€proved,€through€clear€and€convincing€evidence,€that,€pursuant€to€Tenn.€Code€Ann.Ð l¼ Ððð€36„1„113(g)(3)(A),€the€children€have€been€removed€from€the€home€of€the€parent€by€order€of€a€courtÐ X ¨ Ðfor€a€period€of€six€months,€and€the€conditions€which€led€to€the€childrenððs€removal€from€the€homeÐ D!” Ðcontinue€to€persist€and€prevent€the€childððs€return€to€the€home,€that€there€is€little€likelihood€that€theÐ 0"€  Ðconditions€will€be€remedied€in€the€near€future,€and€that€continuation€of€the€parent„child€relationshipÐ #l! Ðgreatly€diminishes€the€childrenððs€chances€of€being€placed€in€a€permanent€home.€€€Thus,€statutoryÐ $X" Ðgrounds׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú8Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€for€termination€have€been€proved€and€we€turn€to€whether€termination€of€parental€rights€isÐ ô$D # Ðin€the€best€interest€of€the€Ô#†XôøXXXôø±`#Ôchildren.Ð à%0!$ ÐÐ Ì&"% ÐÓ  ÓIII.€€Termination€of€Parental€Rights€is€in€the€Childrenððs€Best€InterestòòÐ ° ÐÓÞdÓÌà  àóóOnce€statutory€grounds€for€termination€have€been€established,€the€court€must€determine,Ð ˆØ Ðbased€on€clear€and€convincing€evidence,€that€termination€of€parental€rights€is€in€the€best€interest€ofÐ tÄ Ðthe€children.€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(c)(2).€€Although€the€mother€admits€she€is€not€presentlyÐ `° Ðfit€to€parent€the€children,€and€may€not€be€so€for€a€number€of€years,€she€argues€that€it€would€be€in€theÐ L œ Ðbest€interests€of€the€children€to€have€the€children€placed€in€long„term€foster€care€ð ðuntil€such€time€asÐ 8 ˆ Ðshe€could€become€drug€free€and€able€to€support€her€children€in€a€stable€home€environment.ðð€SheÐ $ t Ðcontends,€ð ðThe€best€interests€of€the€children€are€served€by€them€having€an€opportunity€at€some€pointÐ  ` Ðand€time€to€have€a€meaningful€relationship€with€their€mother.€€If€her€rights€are€terminated,€she€hasÐ ü L  Ðno€chance€at€all€to€ever€build€such€a€relationship.ðð€Ð è 8  ÐÌà  àTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(Ô_ÔiÔ_Ô)€states:€ò òÐ À  ÐÌó óà8  àIn€determining€whether€termination€of€parental€or€guardianship€rights€is€in€the€bestÐ ˜è  Ðinterest€of€the€child€pursuant€to€this€part,€the€court€shall€consider,€but€is€not€limitedÐ „Ô  Ðto,€the€following:ÐpÀÐ Ð  Ðò òÌà8  àó óà ` à(1)€Whether€the€parent€or€guardian€has€made€such€an€adjustment€ofÐ H˜ Ðcircumstance,€conduct,€or€conditions€as€to€make€it€safe€and€in€the€child's€best€interestÐ 4„ Ðto€be€in€the€home€of€the€parent€or€guardian;Ð pÐ Ð  Ðà8  àà ` à(2)€Whether€the€parent€or€guardian€has€failed€to€effect€a€lasting€adjustmentÐ  \ Ðafter€reasonable€efforts€by€available€social€services€agencies€for€such€duration€of€timeÐ øH Ðthat€lasting€adjustment€does€not€reasonably€appear€possible;Ðä4Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` à(3)€Whether€the€parent€or€guardian€has€maintained€regular€visitation€or€otherÐ Ð  Ðcontact€with€the€child;м Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` à(4)€Whether€a€meaningful€relationship€has€otherwise€been€establishedÐ ¨ø Ðbetween€the€parent€or€guardian€and€the€child;à p àДäÐ Ð  Ðà8  àà ` à(5)€The€effect€a€change€of€caretakers€and€physical€environment€is€likely€toÐ €Ð Ðhave€on€the€child's€emotional,€psychological€and€medical€condition;Ðl¼Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` à(6)€Whether€the€parent€or€guardian,€or€other€person€residing€with€the€parentÐ X ¨ Ðor€guardian,€has€shown€brutality,€physical,€sexual,€emotional€or€psychological€abuse,Ð D!” Ðor€neglect€toward€the€child€or€another€child€or€adult€in€the€family€or€household;Ð0"€ Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` à(7)€Whether€the€physical€environment€of€the€parent's€or€guardian's€home€isÐ #l! Ðhealthy€and€safe,€whether€there€is€criminal€activity€in€the€home,€or€whether€there€isÐ $X" Ðsuch€use€of€alcohol€or€controlled€substances€as€may€render€the€parent€or€guardianÐ ô$D # Ðconsistently€unable€to€care€for€the€child€in€a€safe€and€stable€manner;Ðà%0!$Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` à(8)€Whether€the€parent's€or€guardian's€mental€and/or€emotional€status€wouldÐ Ì&"% Ðbe€detrimental€to€the€child€or€prevent€the€parent€or€guardian€from€effectivelyÐ ¸'#& Ðproviding€safe€and€stable€care€and€supervision€for€the€child;€€orФ(ô#'Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` à(9)€Whether€the€parent€or€guardian€has€paid€child€support€consistent€with€theÐ )à$( Ðchild€support€guidelines€promulgated€by€the€department€pursuant€to€ðð€36-5-101.Ð|*Ì%)Ð Ð  ÐòòÐ h+¸&* Ðà  àò òó óóóOur€own€review€of€the€evidence,€in€light€of€those€factors,€compels€our€agreement€with€theÐ ° Ðtrial€court€that€the€termination€of€the€motherððs€rights€is€in€the€best€interest€of€these€children.€ò ò€ó óTheÐ œì Ðmother€has€not€made€an€adjustment€of€conditions,€specifically€her€use€of€drugs€and€alcohol,€whichÐ ŒÜ Ðwould€make€it€safe€and€in€the€childrenððs€best€interest€to€be€in€her€home.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„Ð xÈ Ð113(i)(1).€€She€has€failed€to€maintain€employment€or€suitable€housing.€€Her€interactions€with€herÐ d´ Ðchildren€at€even€supervised€visits€were€harmful€to€the€children€and€had€to€be€stopped.€€She€has€failedÐ P   Ðto€make€adjustments,€despite€reasonable€efforts€byòò€óóDCS,€and€such€adjustment€does€not€reasonablyÐ < Œ Ðappear€possible.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(i)(2).€€Certainly,€there€is€ð ðsuch€use€of€alcohol€orÐ ( x Ðcontrolled€substances€as€may€render€the€parent€or€guardian€consistently€unable€to€care€for€theÐ  d Ðchildren€in€a€safe€and€stable€manner.ðð€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(i)(7).€€Further,€the€motherððsÐ  P  Ðmental€and€emotional€status€would€be€detrimental€to€the€children€and€would€prevent€the€mother€fromÐ ì <  Ðproviding€safe€and€stable€care€and€supervision€for€the€children.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(i)(8).€Ð Ø(  ÐConsidering€the€above€factors,€and€the€childrenððs€need€for€permanency,€we€agree€with€the€trial€courtÐ Ä  Ðthat€termination€of€the€motherððs€parental€rights€is€in€the€best€interest€of€the€children.òòÐ °  ÐÌà  àóóThe€General€Assembly€has€determined€that€one€of€the€primary€purposes€for€our€statutoryÐ ˆØ  Ðsystem€of€child€removal,€foster€care,€and€adoption€is€ð ðto€protect€[children]€from€needless€prolongedÐ tÄ Ðplacement€in€foster€care€and€the€uncertainty€it€provides,€and€to€provide€them€a€reasonable€assuranceÐ `° Ðthat,€if€an€early€return€to€the€care€of€their€parents€is€not€possible,€they€will€be€placed€in€a€permanentÐ Lœ Ðhome€at€an€early€date.ðð€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€37„2„401(a).€€Our€courts€have€recognized€theÐ 8ˆ Ðsignificance€of€permanency€as€the€goal€of€decisions€involving€future€placement€of€children€andÐ $t Ðtermination€of€parental€rights.€€òòSee,€e.g.,€State€Dept.€of€Human€Ô_ÔServs.v.Ô_Ô€Smithóó,€785€S.W.2d€336,€338Ð ` Ð(Tenn.€1990)€(The€consequence€of€denying€termination€of€parental€rights€of€parents€who€were€unfitÐ üL Ðdue€to€mental€illness€would€be€ð ðto€condemn€a€child€.€.€.€to€a€life€in€serial€foster€homes€without€anyÐ è8 Ðpossibility€of€a€stable,€permanent€home.ðð)òòÐ Ô$ ÐÌò òà  àó óóóIn€a€similar€case,€a€mother€who€could€not€overcome€her€addiction€argued€that,€while€theÐ ¬ü Ðstatutory€grounds€existed,€termination€of€her€parental€rights€was€not€in€the€childrenððs€best€interest.€Ð ˜è ÐòòState€Depððt.€of€Childrenððs€Servs.€v.€Hunteróó,€No.€1999„02606„COA„R3„CV,€2000€WL€313549,€at€*1Ð „Ô Ð(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Mar.€29,€2000)€(no€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€11€application€filed).€€That€mother€visited€herÐ pÀ Ðchildren€frequently,€testified€that€she€and€her€children€had€bonded€as€a€family,€and€claimed€to€beÐ \ ¬ Ðmaking€progress€in€the€treatment€of€her€drug€abuse,€but€had€€used€illegal€drugs€shortly€before€theÐ H!˜ Ðhearing€on€the€petition€to€terminate€her€parental€rights.òò€€Id.óó€at€*3.€€This€court€affirmed€the€trial€courtððsÐ 4"„  Ðtermination€of€parental€rights,€stating:Ð  #p! ÐÌÌà8  à[Ô_ÔT]heÔ_Ô€judge€also€felt€compelled€to€recognize€.€.€.€that€despite€having€a€considerableÐ ä%4!$ Ðamount€of€support€from€DCS€for€almost€nineteen€months,€[the€mother]€had€madeÐ Ð& "% Ðvery€little€progress€towards€the€goals€she€had€to€reach€before€being€reunited€with€herÐ ¼' #& Ðchildren;€that€the€children€were€getting€older€and€that€they€needed€stability€in€theirÐ ¨(ø#' Ðlives;€that€being€an€effective€parent€involves€far€more€than€visiting.€.€.€.€€[Ô_ÔW]eÔ_Ô€believeÐ ”)ä$( Ð[the€motherððs]€failure€to€make€fundamental€adjustments€in€her€life€makes€theÐ €*Ð%) Ðtermination€of€her€parental€rights€an€inescapable€conclusion.€€Continuation€of€theÐ l+¼&* Ðparental€relationship€would€eliminate€any€realistic€possibility€of€the€children€beingÐ ° Ðintegrated€into€a€stable€and€permanent€home.€€It€is€in€their€best€interest€that€herÐ œì Ðparental€rights€be€terminated.€òòЈØÐ Ð  ÐÌIdóó.€at€*3„4;€òòsee€also€In€re€K.A.H.óó,€No.€M1999„02079„COA„R3„CV,€2000€WL€1006959,€at€*6„7Ð `° Ð(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€July€21,€2000)€(no€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€11€application€filed)€(quoting€òòHunteróó€for€theÐ L œ Ðsame€proposition).òòÐ 8 ˆ ÐÌà  àóóWe€are€fully€aware€of€the€gravity€of€the€decision€to€terminate€a€parentððs€rights,€but€we€thinkÐ  ` Ðthe€reasoning€in€òòHunteróó€and€òòIn€re€K.A.H.€óóapplies€here€with€equal€force.€€This€mother€states€that€sheÐ ü L  Ðwould€like€to€regain€custody€of€her€children€ð ðat€some€point,ðð€but€she€has€shown€that€she€is€simplyÐ è 8  Ðunable€to€overcome€her€dependency€on€drugs€and€alcohol€or€to€make€improvements€in€her€livingÐ Ô$  Ðconditions€or€her€ability€to€parent€her€children.€€Three€years€passed€between€the€time€DCS€becameÐ À  Ðinvolved€with€the€mother€and€the€termination€hearing.€€The€fact€that€she€now€admits€she€has€aÐ ¬ü  Ðproblem€and€two€weeks€before€the€hearing€asked€her€counselor€how€to€get€back€into€drugÐ ˜è  Ðrehabilitation,€is€truly€too€little,€too€late.€€The€children€need€stability€in€their€lives,€and€the€motherÐ „Ô  Ðhas€proved€herself€unable€to€provide€that€stability.€€To€do€other€than€affirm€the€termination€ofÐ pÀ Ðparental€rights€would€leave€these€children€ð ðin€limboðð€indefinitely,€and€we€cannot€agree€that€long„Ð \¬ Ðterm€foster€care€is€in€the€childrenððs€best€interest.€Ð H˜ ÐÌÓ  ÓIV.€ConclusionÐ  p ÐÓmŽÓÌò òó óà  àWe€affirm€the€order€terminating€the€motherððs€parental€rights€and€remand€the€case€to€the€trialÐ øH Ðcourt€for€such€further€proceedings€as€may€be€required.€€Costs€of€this€appeal€are€taxed€to€the€mother,Ð ä4 Ðfor€which€execution€may€issue€if€necessary.òòÐ Ð  ÐÌÔ‡XôøXXXôøÔóóÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à____________________________________Ð €Ð Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àPATRICIA€J.€COTTRELL,€JUDGEÔ#†XôøXXXôøò#Ô