ÿWPC ˆ„Ð$F b¾Ð5¿ZQ _Bóqû|ËÏRs“O¨Ç—ÍêQÎðžO>Ýw×Ðá£Íe¾¸À5;4ΈEš¤˜Ôh¼¢û'©Ä~ë¸p¯ô:$Ž´*jî|•SÆIRß§5SF6ŠÊ @_!wæS¯'Fü£üÙºd,:ßІàðdМ ÖNV¢`Æ(/–LÖ×9KÖã°‰B}g(Œ±8[—uµmí «ÚÏAãíÅÝÆ݈~®yþ>D²I<™‘q{ôkÖ´&h•C­úìP›ÅªuGk’ï¨.”T‘÷ü®“‘¹Ä’Lðít3¼$„ÓE­ÁŸpBÉÁÝÃíwor&¬êl¾¤z4hâpRœ?¿¤„ÿdS‹jÕô,™„Œ‘xÔæÌÔ§ºeñóe@4˜®Ž.öðIªS¶íJsϼ÷²%¯O"s>ž‡hT_^ŒÉ•ZE30ºzÏ«ûÇöNÌAaëÁ??®ñ vdý­Õ“: ï] õ|¡@óÛë0¬,íÝ õmŽã+ã¼_aäS£¨—|ãº@nüFXjÁKî:ÌéÒ'N¶~Z, À> h|+ùj Iˆ’©{¦†…gHðˆB]‡‰Â²M5uP)I€b %\^ b 0ˆnU.NöwD4H\ zkÒå· m¹ #ÁÐ ‘ Æ™ Æ_ Æ% Æë ë N± 0D³³E÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷bùùùùùùùùùùùùùùùùùùùùùùùùùùùùùùùùùùùù 0ë Bìì 0¤  D3­ D-à 0K   ASXÆ« 0¤q 0D A«Y»ýnY+s (`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regularj5+¢Ø+003|x ˜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.wptÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ˜HP LaserJet 4050 Series PCL 5eÈÈ,,,,ÈÈ0 Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó- ù-(|G2â^$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€í»»dXXdì8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô´…ò»»Ô d(|3W$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€í»»dXXdì8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV'ÿÿdxd)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3W$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€í»»dXXdì8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€í»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ  ÑÔ€¼í»»»ÔÑ8€SaXXdì»»d8ÑÑ  Ñà@ü ü ìàÔ‡î,íÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@kk$ìàAT€NASHVILLEÔ#†¼í»îî, #ԈРÖ& ÐÓ  ÓAssigned€on€Briefs€August€15,€2001Ð üL ÐÔ‡XSaX»¼íÔÌò òÔ#†¼í»XXSaÿ#ÔSTATE€OF€TENNESSEE€DEPARTMENT€OF€CHILDREN'S€SERVICESòòóó€v.Ð úJ ÐÔ_ÔJ.S.Ô_Ô,€òòet€alóó.Ô‡XSaX»¼íÔó óÐ  ^ ÐÌà@@½½ìàò ò€Appeal€from€the€Chancery€Court€for€Maury€CountyÐ  ^ Ðà@@øøìàNo.€00„151€€€€€€Robert€L.€Holloway,€Jr.,€ChancellorÐ ú J ÐÌÌà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<½` AßÐ ¾  ÐÌà@@TTìàNo.€M2000„03212„Ô_ÔCOAÔ_Ô„R3„JV€„€Filed€October€25,€Ô_Ô2001Ô_ÔÐ ¹  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<` AßÐ ‘á  Ðó óÌÓ  ÓThis€case€involves€a€petition€for€termination€of€parental€rights€brought€by€the€Tennessee€DepartmentÐ ŒÜ Ðof€Childrenððs€Services€(ð ðDCSðð).€€Following€a€bench€trial,€the€court€below€terminated€the€parentalÐ xÈ Ðrights€of€Ô_ÔJ.S.Ô_Ô€(ð ðMotherðð)€and€T.P.€(ð ðFatherðð)€with€respect€to€their€minor€child,€Ô_ÔA.R.P.Ô_Ô€(DOB:Ð d´ ÐNovember€5,€1995),€finding,€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence,€(1)€that€both€Mother€and€FatherÐ P  Ðexhibited€a€wanton€disregard€for€the€child€such€as€to€constitute€abandonment€under€Ô_ÔT.C.A.Ô_Ô€ðð€36„1„Ð <Œ Ð102(1)(A)(iv),€and€(2)€that€termination€is€in€the€childððs€best€interest.€€Mother€and€Father€appealÐ (x Ðseparately,€arguing€that€the€trial€court€erred€in€terminating€their€parental€rights€because€clear€andÐ d Ðconvincing€evidence€of€abandonment€was€not€shown€at€trial.€€They€also€contend€that€the€record€doesÐ P Ðnot€contain€clear€and€convincing€evidence€that€termination€is€in€the€best€interest€of€the€child.€€WeÐ ì< Ðaffirm.Ð Ø( ÐÓÓÌò òTenn.€R.€App.€P.€3€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Chancery€CourtÐ ° ÐAffirmed;€Case€Remandedó óÐ œì ÐÌòòÓ  ÓCharles€D.€Susano,€Jr.,Ô#†¼í»àXSaÉ#ÔÔ‡XSaX.¼íÔóó€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòHouston€M.€Ô_ÔGoddardÔ_Ô,€Ô_ÔP.J.Ô_Ôóó,Ô#†¼í»XXSaÈ #ÔÔ‡XSaX»¼íÔòòóóÐ t Ä Ðand€òòD.€Michael€Ô_ÔSwineyÔ_Ô,€J.óó,€joined.Ð `!°  ÐÌWilliam€C.€Barnes,€Jr.,€Columbia,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellant,€Ô_ÔJ.S.Ô_ÔÐ 8#ˆ" ÐÌJason€A.€Golden,€Columbia,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellant,€T.P.Ð %` $ ÐÌPaul€G.€Summers,€Attorney€General€and€Reporter,€and€Elizabeth€C.€Driver,€Assistant€AttorneyÐ è&8"& ÐGeneral,€for€the€appellee,€State€of€Tennessee€Department€of€Children's€Services.Ð Ô'$#' ÐÌÓ‚ Óò òOPINIONó óÔ#†¼í»XXSaš #ÔÔ‡XSaX»¼íÔÐ ¬)ü$) ÐÐ  ˜*è%*ý ÐÔ_ÔI.€€òòFactsÐ ° ÐÓ  Óóóà  àÌÓ  Óà  àOn€March€23,€1996,€six„month€old€A.R.P.€was€taken€into€the€custody€of€DCS.€€He€had€beenÐ ˆØ Ðleft€at€the€home€of€a€non„relative€because€Mother€had€been€arrested€and€Father€could€not€be€located.€Ð tÄ ÐOn€July€22,€1997,€an€adjudicatory€hearing€was€held,€and€it€was€ordered€that€A.R.P.€should€remainÐ `° Ðin€the€custody€of€DCS.€€At€the€time€of€the€trial€below,€on€October€6,€2000,€nearly€four€and€one„halfÐ L œ Ðyears€after€A.R.P.€had€been€removed€from€Motherððs€care,€he€was€still€in€state€custody.Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌà  àIn€March,€2000,€DCS€filed€a€petition€to€terminate€the€parental€rights€of€both€Mother€andÐ  ` ÐFather€claiming,€among€other€things,€that€abandonment€of€A.R.P.€by€his€parents€pursuant€to€Ô#†¼í»XXSa#ÔÔ‡XSaX»¼íÔT.C.A.Ð ü L  ÐððÔ#†¼í»XXSa#ÔÔ‡XSaX»¼íÔ€36„1„102(1)(A)(iv)€had€occurred;€specifically€that€the€parentsðð€drug€use€and€criminal€activity€priorÐ è 8  Ðto€their€incarceration€showed€a€wanton€disregard€for€A.R.P.ððs€welfare.€€At€the€time€of€trial€onÐ Ô$  ÐOctober€6,€2000,€Mother€was€incarcerated,€awaiting€a€release€date€sometime€in€January,€2001,€andÐ À  ÐFather€had€been€released€from€prison€in€July,€2000,€just€eight€weeks€earlier.Ð ¬ü  ÐÔ#†¼í»XXSab#ÔÔ‡XSaX»¼íÔÌà  àTestimony€at€trial€revealed€that€both€Mother€and€Father€have€extensive€criminal€histories,Ð „Ô  Ðand€both€are€admitted€drug€addicts.€€Beginning€in€1994,€Father€was€convicted€of€aggravated€robberyÐ pÀ Ðand€placed€on€supervised€probation€for€six€years.€€In€1997,€his€probation€was€revoked€when€he€wasÐ \¬ Ðfound€guilty€of€aggravated€assault€and€was€sentenced€to€three€years€in€prison€to€run€consecutivelyÐ H˜ Ðwith€his€six„year€sentence.€€Motherððs€criminal€history€also€dates€back€to€1994.€€€From€1994€untilÐ 4„ Ð1996,€she€was€placed€on€intensive€supervised€probation€for€charges€of€reckless€endangerment€andÐ  p Ðdriving€under€the€influence.€€In€1996,€her€probation€was€revoked€and€she€was€ordered€to€undergoÐ  \ Ðdrug€rehabilitation€in€a€halfway€house.€€In€1997,€she€was€charged€with€nine€counts€of€passingÐ øH Ðworthless€checks,€and€she€was€imprisoned€for€aggravated€robbery€and€facilitation€of€robbery.€Ð ä4 ÐAccording€to€her€testimony,€most€of€these€crimes€were€committed€to€support€her€addiction€to€crackÐ Ð  Ðcocaine.€€In€April,€1999,€she€was€released€from€prison€and€placed€on€parole.€€However,€after€onlyÐ ¼  Ðfour€months,€she€tested€positive€for€cocaine€and€was€charged€with€disorderly€conduct€and€vandalism,Ð ¨ø Ðresulting€in€a€violation€of€her€parole€and,€ultimately,€re„incarceration€in€July,€1999.Ð ”ä ÐÌà  àFollowing€a€bench€trial,€the€court€entered€an€order€on€October€19,€2000,€granting€DCSððsÐ l¼ Ðpetition,€finding€clear€and€convincing€evidence€that€termination€of€both€parentsðð€parental€rights€wasÐ X ¨ Ðjustified.€€The€court€found€that€the€actions€of€both€Mother€and€Father€during€the€first€five€years€ofÐ D!” Ðtheir€childððs€life€ð ðdemonstrated€a€wanton€disregard€for€their€childððs€welfare,ðð€such€as€to€constituteÐ 0"€  Ðabandonment€under€T.C.A.€ðð€36„1„102€(1)(A)(iv).€€Furthermore,€the€court€found€that€termination€ofÐ #l! Ðparental€rights€was€in€the€childððs€best€interest,€according€to€the€criteria€found€in€T.C.A.€ðð€36„1„113Ð $X" Ð(i),€and€that€this€was€shown€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence.Ð ô$D # ÐÌà  àOn€appeal,€both€parents€raise€the€sole€issue€of€whether€the€trial€court€committed€error€whenÐ Ì&"% Ðit€terminated€their€parental€rights€on€the€basis€of€abandonment.Ð ¸'#& ÐÔ#†¼í»XXSao#ÔÔ‡XSaX»¼íÔÌÐ  )à$( Ðà@TTìàII.€€òòStandard€of€ReviewóóˆÐ ° ÐÌà  àIn€this€non„jury€case,€our€review€is€òòde€novoóó€upon€the€record€of€the€proceedings€below;€butÐ ˆØ Ðthe€record€comes€to€us€with€a€presumption€of€correctness€as€to€the€trial€court's€factual€determinationsÐ tÄ Ðunless€the€evidence€preponderates€otherwise.€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€13(d);€òòò òWright€v.€City€of€Knoxvilleóóó ó,Ð `° Ð898€S.W.2d€177,€181€(Tenn.€1995);€òòò òUnion€Carbide€Corp.€v.€Huddlestonóóó ó,€854€S.W.2d€87,€91€(Tenn.Ð L œ Ð1993).€€The€trial€court's€conclusions€of€law,€however,€are€given€no€such€presumption.€òòò òCampbell€v.Ð 8 ˆ ÐFlorida€Steel€Corp.óóó ó,€919€S.W.2d€26,€35€(Tenn.€1996);€òòò òPresley€v.€Bennettóóó ó,€860€S.W.2d€857,€859Ð $ t Ð(Tenn.€1993).Ð  ` ÐÌà@——&ìàIII.€€òòLawóóˆÐ è 8  ÐÌà  àIt€is€well„settled€that€ð ðparents€have€a€fundamental€right€to€the€care,€custody,€and€control€ofÐ À  Ðtheir€children.ðð€€òòò òIn€re€Drinnonóóó ó,€776€S.W.2d€96,€97€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1988)€(citing€òòò òStanley€v.€Illinoisóóó ó,Ð ¬ü  Ð405€U.S.€645,€92€S.Ct.€1208,€31€L.Ed.2d€551€(1972)).€€However,€this€right€is€not€absolute€and€mayÐ ˜è  Ðbe€terminated€if€there€is€clear€and€convincing€evidence€justifying€termination€under€the€pertinentÐ „Ô  Ðstatute.€€òòò òSantosky€v.€Krameróóó ó,€455€U.S.€745,€769,€102€S.Ct.€1388,€1403,€71€L.Ed.2d€599€(1982).€Ð pÀ ÐClear€and€convincing€evidence€is€evidence€which€ð ðeliminates€any€serious€or€substantial€doubtÐ \¬ Ðconcerning€the€correctness€of€the€conclusions€to€be€drawn€from€the€evidence.ðð€€òòò òO'Daniel€v.€Messieróóó ó,Ð H˜ Ð905€S.W.2d€182,€188€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1995).Ð 4„ ÐÌà  àIn€the€instant€case,€the€trial€court€terminated€the€parental€rights€of€Mother€and€Father€basedÐ  \ Ðupon€the€following€statutory€authority:Ð øH ÐÌà@ööìàòòT.C.A.€ðð€36„1„113€(2000)ˆÐ Ð  ÐóóÌÓ  ÓÓ  Óà  àà8 ` à(a)€The€chancery€and€circuit€courts€shall€have€concurrent€jurisdictionÐ ¨ø Ðwith€the€juvenile€court€to€terminate€parental€or€guardianship€rights€toÐ ”ä Ða€child€in€a€separate€proceeding,€or€as€a€part€of€the€adoptionÐ €Ð Ðproceeding€by€utilizing€any€grounds€for€termination€of€parental€orÐ l¼ Ðguardianship€rights€permitted€in€this€part€or€in€title€37,€chapter€1,€partÐ X ¨ Ð1€and€title€37,€chapter€2,€part€4.ÐD!”` x` x ÐÓa'ÓÌà@ŽŽ%ìà*€€€€*€€€€*ˆÐ #l! Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àÌÓ  Óà  àà8 ` à(c)€Termination€of€parental€or€guardianship€rights€must€be€basedÐ ô$D # Ðupon:Ðà%0!$` x` x Ðà  àà8 ` à(1)€A€finding€by€the€court€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence€that€theÐ Ì&"% Ðgrounds€for€termination€or€parental€or€guardianship€rights€have€beenÐ ¸'#& Ðestablished;€andФ(ô#'` x` x Ðà  àà8 ` à(2)€That€termination€of€the€parent's€or€guardian's€rights€is€in€the€bestÐ )à$( Ðinterests€of€the€child.Ð|*Ì%)` x` x ÐÐ h+¸&* Ðà@ŽŽ%ìà*€€€€*€€€€*ˆÐ ° ÐÌà  àà8 ` à(g)€Initiation€of€termination€of€parental€or€guardianship€rights€may€beÐ ˆØ Ðbased€upon€any€of€the€following€grounds:ÐtÄ` x` x ÐÓï)ÓÓ  Óà8  àà0` Ð Ð à(1)€Abandonment€by€the€parent€or€guardian,€as€defined€in€ðð€36„1„102,€€€€Ð`°` Ð ` Ð  Ðà  àà ` àhas€occurred€....Ð L œ ÐÓD-ÓÌà@ööìàòòT.C.A.€ðð€36„1„102€(2000)ˆÐ $ t ÐóóÌÓ  Óà  àà8 ` àAs€used€in€this€part,€unless€the€context€otherwise€requires:Ðü L ` x` x Ðà  àà8 ` à(1)(A)€"Abandonment"€means,€for€purposes€of€terminating€theÐ è 8  Ðparental€or€guardian€rights€of€parent(s)€or€guardian(s)€of€a€child€toÐ Ô$  Ðthat€child€in€order€to€make€that€child€available€for€adoption,€that:ÐÀ ` x` x ÐÓs.ÓÓ.ÓÌà@ŽŽ%ìà*€€€€*€€€€*ˆÐ ˜è  ÐÌà  àà8 ` à(iv)€A€parent€or€guardian€is€incarcerated€at€the€time€of€the€institutionÐ pÀ Ðof€an€action€or€proceeding€to€declare€a€child€to€be€an€abandoned€child,Ð \¬ Ðor€the€parent€or€guardian€has€been€incarcerated€during€all€or€part€ofÐ H˜ Ðthe€four€(4)€months€immediately€preceding€the€institution€of€suchÐ 4„ Ðaction€or€proceeding,€and€either€has€willfully€failed€to€visit€or€hasÐ  p Ðwillfully€failed€to€support€or€make€reasonable€payments€toward€theÐ  \ Ðsupport€of€the€child€for€four€(4)€consecutive€months€immediatelyÐ øH Ðpreceding€such€parent's€or€guardian's€incarceration,€or€the€parent€orÐ ä4 Ðguardian€has€engaged€in€conduct€prior€to€incarceration€which€exhibitsÐ Ð  Ða€wanton€disregard€for€the€welfare€of€the€child.м ` x` x Ðà  à€Ô#†¼í»XXSa¿#ÔÔ‡XSaX»¼íÔÐ ¨ø ÐÓ'0Óà@ƒƒ#ìàIV.€€òòDiscussionóóˆÐ ”ä ÐÌÓ  Óà  à€Ô#†¼í»XXSa&4#ÔÔ‡XSaX»¼íÔAfter€reviewing€the€evidence€presented€in€this€case,€we€find€that€clear€and€convincingÐ l¼ Ðevidence€exists€to€support€the€trial€courtððs€termination€of€Motherððs€and€Fatherððs€parental€rights€basedÐ X ¨ Ðupon€the€courtððs€finding€of€abandonment.€€Because€both€Mother€and€Father€were€incarcerated€forÐ D!” Ðfour€months€immediately€preceding€the€filing€of€the€petition€to€terminate€their€parental€rights€onÐ 0"€  ÐMarch€10,€2000,€the€court€relied€upon€the€statutory€definition€of€abandonment€found€in€T.C.A.€ðð€36„Ð #l! Ð1„102(1)(A)(iv).Ð $X" ÐÓ¨4ÓÌÓ  Óà  àIn€this€case,€the€evidence€presented€at€trial€shows€that€Mother€was€in€and€out€of€jail€and€drugÐ à%0!$ Ðtreatment€facilities€from€1994,€until€she€was€incarcerated€in€November,€1997.€€Furthermore,€she€wasÐ Ì&"% Ðparoled€in€April,€1999,€re„incarcerated€in€July,€1999,€and,€at€the€time€of€trial,€was€scheduled€forÐ ¸'#& Ðrelease€in€January,€2001.€€The€evidence€also€shows€that€Father€was€incarcerated€from€April€24,€1997,Ð ¤(ô#' Ðuntil€July€28,€2000.€€Thus,€since€both€Mother€and€Father€were€incarcerated€during€all€of€the€fourÐ )à$( Ðmonths€immediately€preceding€the€institution€of€the€action€to€terminate€their€parental€rights,€theyÐ |*Ì%) Ðboth€satisfy€the€first€prong€of€T.C.A.€ðð€36„1„102€(1)(A)(iv).Ð h+¸&* ÐÓ‘7ÓÌÓ  Óà  àAfter€satisfying€the€first€prong€of€the€statute,€a€parent€is€subject€to€having€his€or€her€parentalÐ œì Ðrights€terminated€if€he€or€she€willfully€fails€to€visit€or€support€the€child€for€four€months€prior€toÐ ˆØ Ðincarceration,€òòorò ò€óóó óif€his€or€her€conduct€prior€to€incarceration€exhibits€a€wanton€disregard€for€theÐ tÄ Ðchildððs€welfare.€òò€Seeóó€T.C.A.€ðð€36„1„102(1)(A)(iv).Ð `° ÐÌà  àLike€the€trial€court,€we€conclude€that€the€criminal€activity€and€drug€abuse€of€both€Mother€andÐ 8 ˆ ÐFather€during€the€four€months€prior€to€incarceration,€and€for€many€months€before€incarceration,Ð $ t Ðconstitute€a€wanton€disregard€for€the€welfare€of€their€child.€€This€conclusion€is€supported€byÐ  ` Ðdecisions€of€this€Court€finding€that€a€parentððs€drug€abuse€and€related€criminal€activity€demonstratesÐ ü L  Ða€parentððs€wanton€disregard€for€their€child.€€òòSee€ò òIn€re€C.W.W.ó óóó,€37€S.W.3d€467,€475€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.Ð è 8  Ð2000)€òòperm.€app.€deniedóó€November€20,€2000.€€In€òòò òIn€re€C.W.W.óóó ó,€this€Court€discussed€another€caseÐ Ô$  Ðreaching€this€same€conclusion:Ð À  ÐÓÚ:ÓÌÓ  Óà  àà8 ` àIn€òòDepartment€of€Childrenððs€Services€v.€Wileyóó,€No.€03A01„9903„JV„Ð ˜è  Ð0091,€1999€WL€1068726,€at€*7€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Nov.€24,€1999),Ð „Ô  Ðòòperm.€app.€deniedóó€(Tenn.€Apr.€24,€2000),€for€example,€the€fatherÐ pÀ Ðð ðadmitted€that€he€was€addicted€to€cocaine€and€that€his€need€for€moneyÐ \¬ Ðto€support€his€habit€led€him€to€commit€several€burglaries€and€theftsððÐ H˜ Ðthat€resulted€in€his€incarceration.€€This€court€held€that€the€FatherððsÐ 4„ Ðconduct€demonstrated€his€wanton€disregard€for€the€welfare€of€hisÐ  p Ðchildren.ðð€òòSee€Wileyóó,€1999€WL€1068726,€at€*7.Ð \` x` x ÐÓì?ÓÌòòò òÓ  ÓIn€re€C.W.W.óóó ó,€37€S.W.3d€at€475;€òòsee€alsoóó€òòò òIn€re€Shipleyóóó ó,€C/A€No.€03A01„9611„JV„00369,€1997€WLÐ ä4 Ð596281,€at€*5€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€E.S.,€filed€September€29,€1997)€(finding€fatherððs€drug€and€alcoholÐ Ð  Ðproblems€and€criminal€activity€showed€a€wanton€disregard€for€child).Ð ¼  ÐÔ#†¼í»XXSaä4#ÔÓôBÓÔ‡XSaX»¼íÔÌÓ  Óà  àIn€the€instant€case,€both€Mother€and€Father€have€extensive€criminal€histories€and€admittedÐ ”ä Ðdrug€addictions.€€Like€the€father€in€òòò òWileyóóó ó,€Mother€testified€that€most€of€her€crimes€were€committedÐ €Ð Ðto€support€her€addiction€to€crack€cocaine.€Father€admitted€using€illegal€drugs€prior€to€hisÐ l¼ Ðincarceration€for€robbery€and€aggravated€assault.€€He€also€testified€that€his€drug€use€resulted€in€aÐ X ¨ Ðviolation€of€his€probation€in€1996.€Furthermore,€Father€testified€that€his€drug€use€after€A.R.P.€wasÐ D!” Ðborn€was€neglectful€because€he€knew€that€drug€use€was€wrong.Ð 0"€  ÐÓ­DÓÌÓ  Óà  àBefore€terminating€a€parentððs€rights€to€his€or€her€child,€the€trial€court€must€make€twoÐ $X" Ðfindings.€€First,€the€court€must€find€that€one€of€the€grounds€for€termination€has€been€established€byÐ ô$D # Ðclear€and€convincing€evidence.€€òòSeeóó€T.C.A.€ðð€36„1„113(c)(1).€€In€the€instant€case,€the€trial€courtÐ à%0!$ Ðfound,€and€we€agree,€that€there€was€clear€and€convincing€evidence€of€abandonment,€on€the€basis€ofÐ Ì&"% Ða€wanton€disregard€for€the€child.€Once€the€court€has€made€this€finding,€the€court€must€also€find€thatÐ ¸'#& Ðtermination€of€parental€rights€is€in€the€best€interest€of€the€child.€€òòSeeóó€T.C.A.€ðð€36„1„113€(c)(2).Ð ¤(ô#' ÐÓ|GÓÌÓ  Óà  àWhen€making€a€best€interest€determination,€the€trial€court€must€consider€the€followingÐ |*Ì%) Ðfactors:Ð h+¸&* ÐÓJÓÌÓ  Óà  àà8 ` à(1)€Whether€the€parent€or€guardian€has€made€such€an€adjustment€ofÐ œì Ðcircumstance,€conduct,€or€conditions€as€to€make€it€safe€and€in€theÐ ˆØ Ðchild's€best€interest€to€be€in€the€home€of€the€parent€or€guardian;ÐtÄ` x` x ÐÌà  àà8 ` à(2)€Whether€the€parent€or€guardian€has€failed€to€effect€a€lastingÐ L œ Ðadjustment€after€reasonable€efforts€by€available€social€servicesÐ 8 ˆ Ðagencies€for€such€duration€of€time€that€lasting€adjustment€does€notÐ $ t Ðreasonably€appear€possible;Ð `` x` x ÐÌà  àà8 ` à(3)€Whether€the€parent€or€guardian€has€maintained€regular€visitationÐ è 8  Ðor€other€contact€with€the€child;ÐÔ$ ` x` x ÐÌà  àà8 ` à(4)€Whether€a€meaningful€relationship€has€otherwise€been€establishedÐ ¬ü  Ðbetween€the€parent€or€guardian€and€the€child;Иè ` x` x ÐÌà  àà8 ` à(5)€The€effect€a€change€of€caretakers€and€physical€environment€isÐ pÀ Ðlikely€to€have€on€the€child's€emotional,€psychological€and€medicalÐ \¬ Ðcondition;ÐH˜` x` x ÐÌà  àà8 ` à(6)€Whether€the€parent€or€guardian,€or€other€person€residing€with€theÐ  p Ðparent€or€guardian,€has€shown€brutality,€physical,€sexual,€emotionalÐ  \ Ðor€psychological€abuse,€or€neglect€toward€the€child,€or€another€childÐ øH Ðor€adult€in€the€family€or€household;Ðä4` x` x ÐÌà  àà8 ` à(7)€Whether€the€physical€environment€of€the€parent's€or€guardian'sÐ ¼  Ðhome€is€healthy€and€safe,€whether€there€is€criminal€activity€in€theÐ ¨ø Ðhome,€or€whether€there€is€such€use€of€alcohol€or€controlled€substancesÐ ”ä Ðas€may€render€the€parent€or€guardian€consistently€unable€to€care€forÐ €Ð Ðthe€child€in€a€safe€and€stable€manner;Ðl¼` x` x ÐÌà  àà8 ` à(8)€Whether€the€parent's€or€guardian's€mental€and/or€emotional€statusÐ D!” Ðwould€be€detrimental€to€the€child€or€prevent€the€parent€or€guardianÐ 0"€  Ðfrom€effectively€providing€safe€and€stable€care€and€supervision€for€theÐ #l! Ðchild;€€orÐ$X"` x` x ÐÌà  àà8 ` à(9)€Whether€the€parent€or€guardian€has€paid€child€support€consistentÐ à%0!$ Ðwith€the€child€support€guidelines€promulgated€by€the€departmentÐ Ì&"% Ðpursuant€to€ðð€36-5-101.и'#&` x` x ÐÌT.C.A.€ðð€36„1„113€(i)€(2000).Ð )à$( Ðâ âÓ0KÓÐ |*Ì%) ÐÓ  Óà  àIn€concluding€that€termination€of€Mother€and€Fatherððs€parental€rights€was€in€the€childððs€bestÐ ° Ðâ âinterest,€the€trial€court€relied€upon€factors€(3),€(4),€(5),€(7),€and€(9).€€The€trial€court€found:Ð œì ÐÓôUÓÌÓ  Óà  àà8 ` àBecause€of€the€criminal€problems€neither€parent€has€maintainedÐ tÄ Ðregular€visitation€or€contact€with€the€child.€€A€meaningful€relationshipÐ `° Ðhas€not€been€established.€€Changing€the€caretakers€and€physicalÐ L œ Ðenvironment€of€the€child€at€this€time€would€likely€have€a€significantÐ 8 ˆ Ðand€negative€emotional€and€physiological€effect.€€There€has€been€aÐ $ t Ðhistory€of€criminal€activity€by€both€parents.€€There€has€been€alcoholÐ  ` Ðand€controlled€substance€abuse€by€both€parents.€€Neither€parent€hasÐ ü L  Ðfinancially€supported€their€child.Ðè 8 ` x` x Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p àà È àà  àÌà  àWe€conclude€that€the€evidence€contained€in€the€record€supports€the€trial€courtððs€findings.€AsÐ À  Ða€result€of€incarceration,€neither€parent€has€maintained€regular€contact€or€visitation€with€A.R.P.€Ð ¬ü  ÐWhile€in€prison,€Mother€was€denied€visitation€with€A.R.P.€by€court€order;€however,€Father€was€not.€Ð ˜è  ÐNevertheless,€he€did€not€take€any€actions€to€obtain€visitation€with€his€son,€and€his€only€contact€withÐ „Ô  ÐA.R.P.€while€incarcerated€was€two€birthday€cards.€€Mother€did€attempt€to€maintain€contact€withÐ pÀ ÐA.R.P.€by€sending€him€cards,€letters,€toys,€and€tape€recordings€of€stories;€however,€when€she€wasÐ \¬ Ðreleased€in€April,€1999,€and€given€an€opportunity€to€regain€regular€contact€with€her€son,€she€wastedÐ H˜ Ðthat€opportunity€by€using€drugs€and€violating€her€parole,€and€she€was€re„incarcerated€in€July,€1999.€Ð 4„ ÐÓWÓÌÓ  Óà  àIn€the€past€four€and€one„half€years€of€A.R.P.ððs€life,€neither€parent€has€established€aÐ  \ Ðmeaningful€relationship€with€their€son.€€However,€during€the€past€three€years,€A.R.P.€has€establishedÐ øH Ða€meaningful€relationship€with€his€current€foster€parents,€with€whom€he€has€lived€since€February,Ð ä4 Ð1998.€€He€is€now€in€a€stable,€steady€home€with€foster€parents€who€wish€to€adopt€him.€€During€his€stayÐ Ð  Ðwith€his€foster€parents,€A.R.P.€has€seen€both€his€Father€and€Mother,€yet€he€considers€his€fosterÐ ¼  Ðparents€his€family.€€As€a€result€of€A.R.P.ððs€connection€with€his€foster€parents,€the€trial€court€foundÐ ¨ø Ðthat€changing€caretakers€would€have€a€negative€effect€on€A.R.P.,€and€we€agree.€€According€to€theÐ ”ä Ðtestimony€of€his€foster€mother,€A.R.P.€experienced€increased€nightmares€after€his€two€visits€withÐ €Ð ÐFather,€following€the€latterððs€release€in€July.Ð l¼ ÐÓ4^ÓÌÓ  Óà  àThe€trial€court€also€found€that€the€homes€of€Mother€or€Father€may€be€inappropriate€becauseÐ D!” Ðof€prior€criminal€activity.€€At€the€time€of€trial,€Mother€was€still€incarcerated€and€could€not€provideÐ 0"€  Ða€home€for€her€child,€and€Father€had€only€been€out€on€parole€approximately€eight€weeks.€€Ô#†¼í»XXSaD#ÔÔ‡XSaX»¼íÔBothÐ #l! Ðparents€have€used€drugs€and€alcohol€in€the€past,€and€both€parents€have€extensive€criminal€histories.€Ð $X" ÐFurthermore,€both€parents€have€been€through€drug€treatment€programs€and€relapsed.€Ð ô$D # ÐÌà  àLastly,€the€court€found€that€neither€parent€has€paid€support€consistent€with€the€child€supportÐ Ì&"% Ðguidelines.€€Father€was€incarcerated€from€March€1997€to€July€2000,€and€Mother€was€incarceratedÐ ¸'#& Ðfrom€August€1997,€until€the€time€of€trial.€€During€that€time,€both€Mother€and€Father€held€jobs€whileÐ ¤(ô#' Ðin€prison.€€Even€though€their€income€was€minimal,€neither€parent€made€any€effort€to€provide€anyÐ )à$( Ðmonetary€support€for€A.R.P.Ð |*Ì%) ÐÔ#†¼í»XXSaØc#ÔÓZbÓÔ‡XSaX»¼íÔÐ h+¸&* ÐÓ  Óà  àUnder€these€circumstances,€we€decline€to€disturb€the€trial€courtððs€conclusion€that€terminationÐ ° Ðof€Motherððs€and€Fatherððs€parental€rights€is€in€the€childððs€best€interest.€€The€trial€court€accuratelyÐ œì Ðcaptured€the€essence€of€this€case€when€it€said€the€following€in€its€termination€order:Ð ˆØ ÐÌà  àà8 ` àAlthough€both€parents€appear€to€love€their€child€and€both€parentsÐ `° Ðappear€to€have€taken€advantage€of€the€available€educationalÐ L œ Ðopportunities€in€prison€in€an€effort€to€turn€their€life€around,€theyÐ 8 ˆ Ðcannot€erase€their€past€criminal€problems€and€substance€abuse,€andÐ $ t Ðthe€damage€caused€by€same€to€their€relationship€with€their€son.€€TheyÐ  ` Ðhave€been€absent€physically,€emotionally€and€financially€for€fifty„twoÐ ü L  Ð(52)€of€the€fifty„eight€(58)€months€of€their€childððs€life.€€The€childÐ è 8  Ðshould€not€be€uprooted€and€have€his€life€turned€upside€down€becauseÐ Ô$  Ðhis€parents€now€claim€they€are€ready€to€act€like€parents.ÐÀ ` x` x ÐÓhgÓÌà@‘‘#ìàV.€€òòConclusionóóˆÐ ˜è  ÐÌÓ  Óà  àThe€judgment€of€the€trial€court€is€affirmed€for€the€reasons€stated.€€This€case€is€remanded€forÐ pÀ Ðenforcement€of€the€trial€courtððs€judgment€and€for€collection€of€costs€assessed€below,€all€pursuant€toÐ \¬ Ðapplicable€law.€€Costs€of€this€appeal€are€taxed€to€the€appellants,€J.S.€and€T.P.Ô#†¼í»XXSa4g#ÔÔ‡XSaX»¼íÔÐ H˜ ÐÓclÓÌÔ#†¼í»XXSaÞm#ÔÔ‡XSaX»¼íÔÌà  à€Ô#†¼í»XXSaFn#ÔÔ‡XSaX»¼íÔÐ  \ ÐòòóóÔ#†¼í»XXSa–n#ÔÔ€XSaX»¼íÔà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p àà È àà  àÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à_______________________________Ð ä4 Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àCHARLES€D.€SUSANO,€JR.,€JUDGE