WPC H:mm'GE @0@nk? кD"ib>.5f;QHxX/=e|Y,?&k^-&F^//(^C?Tάޕ=8i sjLG ,ZSR 4ƔD)顓&~ٸUpT{|b)g,MyiBVV`:J:\ =!-\bkUi%,l652Iuj%|AI!:Q@Se3Խ]O O]bz:LhAH5͡aj2X ^7<5rʡRyal-pʯ>%׏90o|KX V0> g9ׇd\;?5woO9,w2vJlx_u6U>2 0n 0<. 0nj B 0C^ 8 D+D Ao @  o @ o UJ> > > 0  0E 0< 0(3 AQ[[[""""w4"8"Z"|"""" 0D& B-j B 0#U Ni %M(N4 m\  `&Times New Roman'  AOCUSER0AOCUSER .   <:Default ParaXXX<:Footnote Ref< :Footnote TexXXX d($    󊝪0 'dxd &Draw Object <<=8C HKKKK  WPC i K513%)+-51d~ - WPC i K513%)+-51d~ -kIA`2WP TypographicSymbols(2@$ *!..      B.` hp x (#XB,XXX,XXXX,X  ݃ Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5(2@$ *!..      B.` hp x (#XB,XXX,XXXX,X  (2@$ *!..      B.` hp x (#XB,XXX,XXXX,X  ($ C<< c                                          e          e   (2[:$ *!..      B.` hp x (#XB,XXX,XXXX,X  XXX  0  )Hairline d  d#|x($..      B.` hp x (#XB,XXX,XXXX,X\\IB01S02\CLERKJAC,,,,0(9 Z6Times New Roman Regular,XJ00:i+00U  &[:$..      B.` hp x (#XB,XXX,XXXX,XXXX  1    _XAtoralargumentofthiscase,thisCourtraisedtheissueofwhethertherewasafinalorderfromwhichappellant  couldappeal.Counselforappelleerespondedthattheterminationorderwasfinalonlyastoappellantbutnotasto o allofthechildrensfathers.Ratherthanremandingthecase,thisCourtaskedtheattorneystopetitionthetrialcourt .~ pursuanttoTennesseeRuleofCivilProcedure54.02todirecttheentryofafinaljudgmentastotheappellantin = ordertoexpeditetheterminationproceeding.OnApril19,2004,appelleefiledamotiontosupplementtherecord  withanorder,enteredMarch31,2004,fromthetrialcourtstatedthat,pursuanttoTennesseeRuleofCivil k Procedure54.02,theappealedterminationorderisafinaljudgmentastotheterminationofappellantsparental * z rights.ByorderenteredApril21,2004,thisCourtgrantedappelleesmotiontosupplementtherecordanddirected  9 thetrialcourtclerktotransmitacertifiedsupplementalrecordtothisCourtwithinsevendaysofthisordersentry.   OnApril28,2004,acertifiedsupplementalrecordwasfiledwiththisCourt.#X,#  COA P.J. W.S.DyersburgDimond J.S. J.G.T.C.A. T.R.C.W.W. J.L. A.L. K.L.P]ursuantVaughnMcElrath *!..      B.` hp x (#XB,XXX,XXXX,X  _         3p x (#X(#3^XX8,,XXdd8Q ¨^INTHECOURTOFAPPEALSOFTENNESSEE  Q%ATJACKSON^¨Ԉ   l<`   H.` hp x (#X(#HFebruary17,2004Session4   1       > XX^^XX INTHEMATTEROF:K.G.,etal.XX.^  0  DirectAppealfromtheJuvenileCourtforDyerCounty  " No.3250CharlesV.Moore,Jr.,Judge   -  XX  k[W$~ Kp@0 dd`  KEj K Kj2 -  XX No.W200300809_COA_ԄR3PTFiledMay10,_2004_ _  -  XX  k[W$~ Kp@0 dd`  KE+ K K+2 -  XX    Motherappealsthetrialcourtsorderterminatingparentalrightsanddecreeofguardianship.  p  Weaffirmandvacate,inpart. V   Tenn.R.App.P.3AppealasofRight;JudgmentoftheJuvenileCourtAffirmedinpart; " Vacatedinpart;andRemanded     DavidR.Farmer,J.,deliveredtheopinionofthecourt,inwhichW.FrankCrawford,P.J.,  W.S.,andHollyM.Kirby,J.,joined. j BarbaraA.Deere,Dyersburg,Tennessee,fortheappellant,JoyceSpain. 6 PaulG.Summers,AttorneyGeneralandReporterandDouglasEarlDimond,AssistantAttorney R General,fortheappellee,TennesseeDepartmentofChildrensServices. 8   OPINION    X  OnFebruary15,2001,theStateofTennessee(State)andtheDepartmentofChildrens    Services(DCS,orcollectivelywiththeStateastheAppellees)filedapetitionfortemporary f!! custodyagainstJ.S.(Mother)allegingthatK.G.,M.G.,S.G.,J.G.,andA.G.werevictimsof L"" physicalabuse.Asallegedinthepetition,DCSbeganinvestigatingthisfamilyinNovemberof 2## 2000afterareferenceofchildabusefromadoctorwhohadrecentlyseenthechildren.Onthe $h$ samedayofthefilingofthepetition,theAppelleesplacedthechildreninitstemporarycareand  custodypursuanttoaprotectivecustodyorderwhichfoundprobablecauseofdependencyand  neglect. |  X XOnFebruary20,2001,inahearingontheAppelleespetitionfortemporarycustody,a H reportfromthedoctorwhoinitiallycontactedDCSwaspresentedtothecourtalongwitha . ~ reportfromtheHomeTiesprogramdetailingthestepsthattheMotherhadtakensincetheinitial  d referenceofabuse.OnMarch6,2001,thetrialcourtenteredaninterimorderfinding thatthere  J isprobablecausetobelievethatthechildrenaredependentandneglected,underT.C.A.371  0 102(b)(12)(B),(G),and(F),duetobruisingoneormoreofthemhavesufferedfromwhippings    withabeltand/orextensioncord.TheinterimorderalsoprovidedMotherwithsupervised    visitationandappointedhercounsel.Inaddition,thecourtappointedaguardianadlitem.In   Marchof2001,twosetsofpermanencyplansweredevelopedforeachofthechildrenand x  approvedbythecourtinMayof2001.InAprilof2001,theguardianadlitemfiledhisreport ^  withthecourt.Thereportstatedthatthechildrentoldtheguardianthattheyhadbeenspanked D  withswitches,belts,andextensioncords. *z   ` ByorderenteredMay11,2001,thetrialcourtallowedthepetitionfortemporarycustody F tobecontinuedbecauseMotherwasindictedforchildabuseandneglectbyagrandjury.On , December4,2001,Motherpledguiltytotwofelonychargesofabuseandneglectofachild  undersixandthreemisdemeanorchargesofchildabuseandneglect.Shereceivedasentenceof  fouryearswhichwassuspendedandplacedonprobationforfouryears.   X XOnJanuary22,2002,thetrialcourtenteredaconsentorderwhichmemorializeda Z November2001hearingwhereMotheradmittedthatthechildrenweredependantandneglected. @ OnMay28,2002,theAppelleesfiledapetitiontoterminateMothersparentalrights.Inthe &v petition,BobbyMcElrath,allegedfatherofK.G.,LeroyRodgers,allegedfatherofM.G.,Alan  \ Oliver,allegedfatherofA.G.andS.G.,andAnthonyVaughn,allegedfatherofJ.G.,wereadded B asrespondents. (  X XOnJanuary10,2003,Motherfiledamotiontodismisscitingproceduraldefectsinthe  proceedings.Onesuchdefect,asallegedbyMother,wasthefilingofthereportoftheguardian   adlitembecauseitcontainedinadmissiblehearsayandhearsaywithinhearsay.Thetrialon p!  AppelleespetitiontoterminateparentalrightsoccurredonJanuary10,17,and31of2003.A V"! hearingonMothersmotiontodismisswasconductedonthefinaldayoftrial.Motherargued <#" thatthereportalongwiththeattachedmedicalchartswereinadmissiblehearsay.Thetrialcourt "$r# dismissedMothersmotionbecausethereportandaccompanyingchartshadalreadybeen %X $ admittedwithoutobjectionandwerereliablehearsay.Initsorderterminatingtheparentalrights %>!% ofMother,thetrialcourtstated: &$"&  X  X X XB+ ` hp x X(#B1.TheCourtfinds,pursuantto361113(g)(5),that[Mother]hasbeen (#( sentencedtomorethantwo(2)yearsimprisonmentforconductagainstthe )$) childrenwhichhasbeenorisfoundtobeseverechildabuse.[Mother]pledguilty l*%* totwo(2)felonycountsofchildabuseandthree(3)misdemeanorcountsofchild R+&+ abuse,withasentenceofmorethantwo(2)yearsimposed.... 8,',       _ X XE.` hp x (#X E   X XB+ ` hp x X(#B2.TheCourtfindsthatthejudgmentin[Mothers]criminalcaseisfinal  andtheguiltypleawasnotwithdrawnby[Mother]asprovidedbyTennessee | RulesofCriminalProcedure32(f).TheCourtfurtherfindsthat[Mother]was b representedbycounselinthatmatter. H  X XE.` hp x (#X E . ~  X....  d  X  J  X XB+ ` hp x X(#B5.TheCourthasnotmadeafindingregardingothergroundsfor  0 terminationofparentalrightsallegedinthePetitionastheCourthasfound[that]    onegroundhasbeenprovenbyclearandconvincingevidence....     X XE.` hp x (#X E    X.... x   X ^   X XB+ ` hp x X(#B9.ThatthebestinterestofthechildrenisservedbytheCourtsrulingand D  thefindingofbestinterestisbyclearandconvincingevidence. *z   X XE.` hp x (#X E `  X XB+ ` hp x X(#B10.Thatitisinthebestinterestof[K.G.,M.G.,S.G.,J.G.,A.G.]andthe F publicthatallof[Mothers]parentalrightstothesechildrenbeterminatedandthe , completecustody,control,andfullguardianshipof[thesechildren]beawardedto  theStateofTennessee,DepartmentofChildrensServices,withtherighttoplace  themforadoption....   X XE.` hp x (#X E t  X.... Z   X XB+ ` hp x X(#BITISTHEREFORE,ORDERED,ADJUDGED,ANDDECREED: &v  X X XE.` hp x (#X E  \  X X XB+ ` hp x X(#B ` 1.Thatalloftheparentalrightswhich[Mother]hasto[K.G.,M.G.,S.G., B J.G.,A.G.]areherebyforeverterminated. (  X X XE.` hp x (#X E   ` ....      X X XB+ ` hp x X(#B ` 3.That[Mother]shallhavenofurtherrighttonoticeofproceedingsfor p!  theadoptionofthesechildren,shallhavenorighttoobjecttothechildrenXP XXX=XX XXP s V"! adoption,andshallhavenorelationship,legalorotherwise,withthechildren. >#"  X X XE.` hp x (#X E $$t#  X X XB+ ` hp x X(#B ` 4.Thatthecompletecustody,controlandfullguardianshipof[K.G.,  %Z $ M.G.,S.G.,J.G.,A.G.]isherebyawardedtotheStateofTennessee,Department %@!% ofChildrensServices,withtherighttoplacethemforadoptionandtoconsentto &&"& suchadoptioninlocoparentis. ' #'  X XE.` hp x (#X E X   (#( InFebruaryof2003,thetrialcourtenteredadefaultjudgmentagainstLeroyRodgers )$) therebyterminatinghisparentalrightsofM.G.ThedefaultjudgmentalsostatedthatLeroy n*%* Rodgers shallhavenofurtherrighttonoticeofproceedingsfortheadoptionofthischild,shall T+&+ havenorighttoobjecttothechildXP XXX=XX XXP sadoption,andshallhavenorelationship,legalorotherwise, :,',     withthechild.OnFebruary19,2003,thetrialcourtcontinuedtheterminationproceedings  regardingBobbyMcElrathsparentalrightsofK.G.becauseofMcElrathsincarcerationandhis  requesttoworktowardsthereturnofhisdaughteruponrelease.ByorderenteredMarch31, | 2004,thetrialcourtdesignatedtheorderterminatingtheparentalrightsofmotherafinalorder b pursuanttoTennesseeRuleofCivilProcedure54.02. p  H  X  IssuesPresented  d    XMotherappealsandraisesthefollowingissues,aswerestatethem,forourreview:  0  X   XB+` ` hp x X(#B1. ` Whetherthetrialcourterredinfindingthatclearandconvincingevidence    wasestablishedasgroundsforterminationof[Mothers]parentalrights   andwhethertheterminationwasinthebestinterestsofthechildren. x     XE.` hp x (#` X E   XB+` ` hp x X(#B2. ` Whetherthetrialcourterredinadmittingintoevidencethereportofthe D  guardianadlitem. *z     XE.` hp x (#` X E  Ӏ StandardofReview F    XE.` hp x (#X(#E Ourstandardofreviewfortheterminationofparentalrightshasbeenenumeratedin   XE.` hp x (#X(#Epreviouscases:   X X X  B+ ` hp x X(#BAdependentorneglectedchildincludesachildwhoseparentorguardian, t byreasonofcruelty,mentalincapacity,immoralityordepravity,isunfittocare Z forthechild;achildwhoisunderunlawfulorimpropercareorsupervision;ora @ childwhoissufferingfromabuseorneglect.Tenn.CodeAnn.371 &v 102(b)(12)(B)(C)(G)(2001).Atrialcourtsdeterminationthatachildis  \ dependentandneglectedmustbesupportedbyclearandconvincingevidence. B Tenn.CodeAnn.371129(c)(2001).The clearandconvincingevidence ( standardismoreexactingthanthe preponderanceoftheevidencestandard,  althoughitdoesnotdemandthecertaintyrequiredbythe beyondareasonable  doubtstandard.InreC.W.W.,37S.W.3d467,474(Tenn.Ct.App.2000)(perm.   app.denied)(internalcitationsomitted).Tobeclearandconvincing,the p!  evidencemusteliminateanysubstantialdoubtandproduceinthefactfinder's V"! mindafirmconvictionastothetruth.Id.Ourreviewofthetrialcourts <#" determinationsonquestionsoffactisdenovowithapresumptionofcorrectness, "$r# unlesstheevidencepreponderatesotherwise.Tenn.R.App.P.13(d).Insofaras %X $ thetrialcourtsdeterminationsrestuponanassessmentofcredibility,theywill %>!% notbeoverturnedabsentclearandconvincingevidencetothecontrary.Wellsv. &$"& TennesseeBd.ofRegents,9S.W.3d779,783(Tenn.1999).  ' #'  X X XE.` hp x (#X E  InreD.L.,P.C.,J.L.,A.L.,andK.L.,No.M200300088COAR3CV,2003WL22955942,at*1 )$) (Tenn.Ct.App.Dec.15,2003).  l*%*  8,',       GroundsforTerminationandBestInterest     XE.` hp x (#X(#ETennesseeCodeAnnotated361113(c)(2001)governstheterminationofparental |  XE.` hp x (#X(#Erightsandprovides: b  X X  B+ ` hp x X(#B(c)Terminationofparentalorguardianshiprightsmustbebasedupon: H  X X XE.` hp x (#X E . ~  X XB+ ` hp x X(#B(1)Afindingbythecourtbyclearandconvincingevidencethatthe  d groundsforterminationorparentalguardianrightshavebeenestablished;and  J  X XE.` hp x (#X E  0  X XB+ ` hp x X(#B(2)Thatterminationoftheparentsorguardiansrightsisinthebest    interestsofthechild.     X X XE.` hp x (#X E  T.C.A.361113(c).ThegroundsforterminationofparentalrightsarefoundinTenn.Code x  Ann.113(g)(2001).OfimportancetothiscaseisthegroundfoundinTenn.CodeAnn.36 ^  1113(g)(5)whichprovides: D   X *z   X X  B+ ` hp x X(#B(g)Initiationofterminationofparentalorguardianshiprightsmaybe ` baseduponanyofthefollowinggrounds: F  X XE.` hp x (#X E ,  X....   X   X XB+ ` hp x X(#B(5)Theparentorguardianhasbeensentencedtomorethantwo(2)years  imprisonmentforconductagainstthechildwhoisthesubjectofthepetition,or t forconductagainstanysiblingorhalfsiblingofthechildoranyotherchild Z residingtemporarilyorpermanentlyinthehomeofsuchparentorguardian, @ whichhasbeenfoundunderanypriororderofacourtorwhichisfoundbythe &v courthearingthepetitiontobeseverechildabuse,asdefinedin371  \ 102(b)(21).Unlessotherwisestated,forpurposesofthissubdivision, B  sentencedshallnotbeconstruedtomeanthattheparentorguardianmusthave ( actuallyservedmorethantwo(2)yearsinconfinement,butshallonlybe  construedtomeanthatthecourthadimposedasentenceoftwo(2)ormoreyears  upontheparentorguardian.   Ѐ X  X XE.` hp x (#X ETenn.CodeAnn.361113(g)(5).Thetrialcourtfound: V"!  X XB+ ` hp x X(#B[P]ursuantto361113(g)(5),that[Mother]hasbeensentencedtomorethantwo "$r# (2)yearsimprisonmentforconductagainstthechildrenwhichhasbeenoris %X $ foundtobeseverechildabuse.[Mother]pledguiltytotwo(2)felonycountsof %>!% childabuseandthree(3)misdemeanorcountsofchildabuse,withasentenceof &$"& morethantwo(2)yearsimposed.... ' #'  X XE.` hp x (#X E  Motherdoesnotdisputehercriminalconvictionbutratherarguesthatclearandconvincing )$) evidencedoesnotexistbecauseshewasnotinformedthataguiltypleatotwofelonychargesof l*%* childabusewouldprovideautomaticgroundsforterminatingherparentalrights.Motherfailsto R+&+ citeanysupportforherargumentandthisCourtsimilarlyfailstofindany.Further,thisCourt 8,',          notesthatMotherwasrepresentedbycounselinhercriminaltrial.Accordingly,thisCourtholds  thatMotherXP XXX=XX XXP sguiltypleatotwofelonychargesofabuseandneglectofachildundersixand  threemisdemeanorchargesofchildabuseandneglectprovidesclearandconvincingevidence ~ thatMotherwas sentencedtomorethantwo(2)yearsimprisonmentforconductagainstthe d [children]who[are]thesubjectofthepetition,...whichhasbeenfoundunderanypriororder J ofacourtorwhichisfoundbythecourthearingthepetitiontobeseverechildabuse.Tenn. 0  CodeAnn.361113(g)(5).  f  X!Motheralsoraisestheissueofwhetherterminatingherparentalrightsisinthebest  2 interestsofthechildren.InitsorderterminatingMothersparentalrights,thetrialcourtfound    thatMotherhadpledguiltytotwofelonychargesofabuseandneglectofachildundersixand    threemisdemeanorchargesofchildabuse,thathercriminalcasewasfinal,andthatherguilty   pleawasnotwithdrawnbyMother.Further,thetrialcourtenteredaconsentorderwhereby z  Motherhadadmittedthatherchildrenwereneglectedanddependent.Baseduponthisevidence `  andtherecordasawhole,wefindthattheevidencesupportsthetrialcourtsfinding,provenby F  clearandconvincingevidence,thatitwasinthebestinterestofthechildrentoterminate ,|  Mothersparentalrights. b  X    ReportofGuardianAdLitem .   X Mothernextcontendsthatthetrialcourtcommittedprejudicialerrorbyadmittingthe  reportoftheguardianadlitemandaccompanyingmedicalchartsbecausetheywerehearsay.  MotherreliesuponTomsv.Toms,98S.W.3d140(Tenn.2003)assupportforherargument.In v Toms,theTennesseeSupremeCourtheldthattheguardianadlitemXP XXX=XX XXP sreport,standingalone,was \ hearsay.Id.at144.Further,thecourtreversedtheimmediatetransferofthechildbecauseof D thetrialcourtXP XXX=XX XXP sexclusiverelianceoftheguardianadlitemXP XXX=XX XXP sreportasitsbasisfortransfer.Id.at *z 14445.Inthiscase,thetrialcourtstatedthatit hadnotmadeafindingregardingothergrounds b forterminationofparentalrightsallegedinthePetitionastheCourthasfound[that]one H ground[,T.C.A.361113(g)(5)]hasbeenprovenbyclearandconvincingevidence.... . Therefore,thetrialcourthadsufficientgroundsintheMothersguiltypleatochildabuse,apart  fromtheguardianadlitemXP XXX=XX XXP sreport,foritsterminationofMothersparentalrights.    X  AdoptionProceedingsfortheRemainingFathers x!  "# X  InitsorderterminatingtheMothersparentalrights,thetrialcourtdecreed: D#"  *$z#  X X X  B+ ` hp x X(#B ` 3.That[Mother]shallhavenofurtherrighttonoticeofproceedingsfor %` $ theadoptionofthesechildren,shallhavenorighttoobjecttothechildrens %F!% adoption,andshallhavenorelationship,legalorotherwise,withthechildren. &,"&  X XB.` hp x (#XB X X XB+ ` hp x X(#B4.Thatthecompletecustody,controlandfullguardianshipof[M.G., (#( S.G.,J.G.,A.G.]isherebyawardedtotheStateofTennessee,Departmentof )$) ChildrensServices,withtherighttoplacethemforadoptionandtoconsentto t*%* suchadoptioninlocoparentis. Z+&+  X X XB.` hp x (#XB @,', !"# ! "! #"e #    InsofarastheterminationofBobbyMcElraths,AlanOlivers,andAnthonyVaughnsparental e rightsarenotfinal,thedecisionofthecourttocommencetheadoptionproceedingsofS.G.,J.G., K andAG.,asstatedintheabovequotedparagraphsoftheterminationorder,isvacateduntilsuch 1 timeastheparentalrightsofBobbyMcElrath,AlanOliver,andAnthonyVaughnhavebeen  determined.However,astherecordreflectsafinaldefaultjudgmentagainstLeroyRodgers,his  parentalrightsareterminatedandtheadoptionproceedingsforM.G.mayproceedinaccordance ~ withabovequotedparagraphsoftheorderterminatingMothersparentalrights.  d  XThetrialcourtfurtherdecreed:  0  X XB+ ` hp x X(#B  5.Thatthecompletecustody,controlandpartialguardianshipof[K.G.]is {   herebyawardedtotheStateofTennessee,DepartmentofChildrensServices, a   withtherighttoplaceherforadoptionandtoconsenttosuchadoptioninloco G  parentis,subjecttoanyparentalrightsofthefather. -   X X X  E.` hp x (#X E $%  ThetrialcourtcontinuedtheterminationofparentalrightsproceedingsagainstBobbyMcElrath,   fatherofK.G.,becauseofhisincarceration.Therefore,thecustodyandadoptiondetermination, z  asquotedintheaboveparagraph,isaffirmed.  `   Conclusion  ,  X  Inlightoftheforegoing,weaffirmthetrialcourtsterminationofMothersparental ] rightsbutvacatetheportionofthecourtsdecisionconcerningtheadoptionproceedingsofS.G., C J.G.,andA.G.untilsuchtimeastheparentalrightsofBobbyMcElrath,AlanOliver,and ) AnthonyVaughnhavebeendetermined.CostsofthisappealaretaxedtotheAppellant,Mother,  andhersurety,forwhichexecutionmayissueifnecessary.   v  \  B  ` 0 0 (# (#0h(#(#0h(#h(#0(#(#____________________________________((#(#  ` 0 0 (# (#0h(#(#0h(#h(#0(#(#DAVIDR.FARMER,JUDGEs(#(#