ÿWPC ™y@ŠdÇ´e<¥}ÂG¾eŸ<Î_a•btöηp}- m™Æ`Ûµ‹÷‚ªù€R&A¶ô¡C# Ú_ZÈ©\üôFв3Ó6sJ4ôaâ(P·]×ïkßò]ê•Ý:²ËX‹Û¶ÄÓãÜ-LÞ~¥Pf©uÌÿL‹·§$ªÑgÏêÖóv]8Êœt}ïe×þïðVa¼…=8ßs¤6kMû~{йÌ̉:²ï¥‰‘S¶¢Ü®‘Ï1µýÔxbE£~”½@õ”+ðÄ{¤„ûŠÎÌj›¨5wQö ë(‘õˆÄÈéÐMb?°Ê ÜŒ}Ÿ꓂‹6ö??««âhÆÔk.[4ñ†À5©?*^}!‹* ³îîëvLŒ½ØO˜Ôʨ‘ƒÜÑÜMà¼|Fy¸+à¤74Ð:ƒ®’[E›6Š’ûÑcZXPÃX¾BþªÓ¦­Sû)JGþ¶½2ž·øpजÛJ“ØðÉžGj¨Þ÷ª÷^á̈‹¾oÓwT¦ú@T®ècøz#^´ü;ÛÇOí3¯²°ú%NõO$‚Ùù“««õàľ5€­T@AŽ8ßJ—•%¯Ô¶94Rà/ÿÛǺÍ߯‡ö`G|ºÕoRFb#É\ %% ^ + 0ˆ7 U!N¿ w 4 z% ÒŸ q € m‚ ™ Ư Æu Æ;ÆìÇN³ 0DµùEBU NEN“““2ááááááááááááááááááb 0ë B 0¤# D3Ç D-ú 0K'' ASrÆÅ 0¤‹ 0D/ A«s˜\\IB01S01\CLERK1NASÈÈ,,,,ÈÈ0»„Š—/Ï (`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regularqdj/ê:i¢×+00 ˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wpt3|xÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ Ñ e ÑLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5 âÝ ƒR^;$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôêÝò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€statutory€grounds€for€terminating€parental€rights€are€found€in€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(g).(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó  8Ý ƒR^;$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôêÝò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThese€decisions€draw€a€distinction€between€specific€facts€and€the€combined€weight€of€these€facts.€€Tenn.€R.Ð e ÐApp.€P.€13(d)€requires€us€to€defer€to€the€trial€courtððs€specific€findings€of€fact€as€long€as€they€are€supported€by€aÐ )Ä Ðpreponderance€of€the€evidence.€€However,€we€must€then€determine€whether€the€combined€weight€of€these€facts€providesÐ íˆ Ðclear€and€convincing€evidence€supporting€the€trial€courtððs€ultimate€factual€conclusion.€€The€Tennessee€Supreme€CourtÐ ±L Ðused€this€approach€in€òòIn€Re€Valentine€óówhen€it€recognized€the€difference€between€the€conclusion€that€a€biological€parentÐ u Ðhad€not€complied€substantially€with€her€obligations€in€a€permanency€plan€and€the€facts€relied€upon€by€the€trial€court€inÐ 9Ô Ðsupport€of€this€conclusion.€€òòIn€Re€Valentineóó,€79€S.W.3d€at€548„49;€òòsee€also€Jones€v.€Garrettóó,€92€S.W.3d€at€838.(ÖÃ9 Z‹6Times New Roman Regular DÝ ƒR^;$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôêÝò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔPursuant€to€the€practice€of€the€Middle€Section€of€this€Court,€the€names€of€the€parents€and€children€have€beenÐ e Ðreplaced€with€their€respective€initials€throughout€the€Final€Decree. (Ý ƒR^;$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôêÝò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔPursuant€to€the€practice€of€the€Middle€Section€of€this€Court,€the€names€of€the€parents€and€children€have€beenÐ e Ðreplaced€with€their€respective€initials.- ù-(|G2^;$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€S»»dXXdì8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôêÝò»»Ô d(|3ÉN$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€S»»dXXdì8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV'ÿÿdxd)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3ÉN$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€S»»dXXdì8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€S»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ  ÑÔ€¼S»»»ÔÑ8€éXXdì»»d8ÑÑ  ÑÑ€ ïOÑà@ü ü ìàÔ‡îIôSÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@kk$ìàAT€NASHVILLEÔ#†¼S»îîIô#ԈРÖ& ÐÓ  ÓAssigned€on€Briefs€December€4,€2003Ð üL ÐÔ‡XéX»¼SÔÌÔ#†¼S»XXé#Ôò òIN€REòòóó€Ô_ÔK.N.R.Ô_Ô,€òòet€aló óóóÐ úJ ÐÔ‡XéX»¼SÔÌà@@½½ìàò ò€Appeal€from€the€Juvenile€Court€for€Robertson€CountyÐ ú J Ðà@@øøìàNo.€D20072€€€€€€Max€D.€Ô_ÔFaganÔ_Ô,€JudgeÐ æ 6 ÐÌÌà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<©` AßÐ ªú  ÐÌà@@TTìàNo.€M2003„01301„Ô_ÔCOAÔ_Ô„R3„PT€„€Filed€December€23,€Ô_Ô2003Ô_ÔÐ ¥õ  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<|` AßÐ }Í  Ðó óÌÓ  ÓFather€of€two€minor€children€appeals€the€termination€of€his€parental€rights€by€the€Robertson€CountyÐ xÈ  ÐJuvenile€Court.€€Father€generally€alleges€that€there€was€insufficient€evidence€to€terminate€his€parentalÐ d´ Ðrights.€€In€the€Final€Decree€of€Guardianship€the€trial€court€set€forth€the€following€conclusions€of€law,Ð P  Ðholding€(1)€that€the€father€abandoned€his€children;€(2)€that€he€was€substantially€noncompliant€withÐ <Œ Ðthe€permanency€plan;€and€(3)€that€the€conditions€which€led€to€the€childððs€removal€still€persist,€thereÐ (x Ðis€little€likelihood€that€these€conditions€will€be€remedied,€and€the€continuation€of€the€parent€and€childÐ d Ðrelationship€greatly€diminishes€the€childððs€chances€of€early€integration€into€a€safe,€stable€andÐ P Ðpermanent€home.€€The€final€order€failed€to€set€forth€findings€of€fact€as€required€by€Ô‡XéXXXéÔTenn.€Code€Ann.Ð ì< Ððð€36-1-113(k).€€As€a€result,€we€are€unable€to€review€the€case.€€Therefore,€we€vacate€the€final€orderÐ Ø( Ðand€remand€the€matter€to€the€trial€court€for€entry€of€an€order€that€sets€forth€findings€of€fact€òòandóóÐ Ä Ðconclusions€of€law.Ô#†XéXXXéµ#ÔÔ#†¼S»XXé®#ÔÔ‡XéX»¼SÔÐ ° ÐÓöÓÌò òTenn.€R.€App.€P.€3€Appeal€as€of€right;€Judgment€of€the€Juvenile€Courtó óÐ ˆØ Ðò òReversed€and€Remandedó óÐ tÄ ÐÌÓ  ÓòòÔ#†¼S»àXéK #ÔÔ€XéX.¼SÔFrank€G.€Clement,€Jr.,óó€J.,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòWilliam€C.€Koch,€P.J.,Ð L œ ÐM.S.,óó€joined.òò€€William€B.€Cain,€J.óó,€filed€a€concurring€opinion.Ð 8!ˆ  ÐÌLinda€S.€Ô_ÔFizerÔ_Ô,€Springfield,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellant,€David€Justin€Rice€and€Ô_ÔRebekahÔ_Ô€Diane€PittÐ #`" ÐRice.ò òòòó óóóÐ ü#L# ÐÌPaul€G.€Summers,€Attorney€General€and€Reporter;€and€Juan€G.€Ô_ÔVillasenorÔ_Ô,€Assistant€AttorneyÐ Ô%$!% ÐGeneral€for€the€appellee,€State€of€Tennessee,€Department€of€Childrenððs€Services.Ð À&"& ÐÌÐ  ˜(è#(ý ÐÑ ïOÑâ  âÑe°Ñâ  âÑ  ÑÔ_Ôà@66'ìàò òOPINIONó óˆÐ e ÐÌà  àAppellant,€D.J.R.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×,€father€of€two€minors€appeals€the€termination€of€his€parental€rights€by€theÐ =Ø ÐRobertson€County€Juvenile€Court.€€The€rights€of€the€mother,€R.D.P.R,€were€also€terminated;Ð )Ä Ðhowever,€she€did€not€appeal€the€termination€of€her€rights.€€As€with€all€termination€cases,€the€factsÐ ° Ðare€convoluted,€complex€and€hotly€contested.€€Following€some€three€years€of€proceedings€and€twoÐ  œ Ðoccasions€when€the€State€took€custody€of€both€children,€a€trial€was€held€following€which€the€parentalÐ í ˆ Ðrights€of€both€parents€were€terminated.€Ð Ù t ÐÌà  àThe€only€issue€presented€on€appeal€reads:€ð ðThe€trial€court€committed€reversible€error€byÐ ± L  Ðterminating€the€rights€of€D.J.R.ððÐ  8  ÐÌà@c c ìàòòStandard€of€Review€in€Termination€Casesóóò òˆÐ u  ÐÌà  àó óProceedings€to€terminate€parental€rights€are€statutory.€€Parties€seeking€to€terminate€a€parentððsÐ Mè  Ðrights€with€regard€to€his€or€her€child€must€prove€two€things.€€They€must€prove€the€existence€of€atÐ 9Ô  Ðleast€one€statutory€ground€for€termination.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(c)(1);€òòIn€re€D.L.B.óó,€118Ð %À ÐS.W.3d€360,€367€(Tenn.€2003);€òòJones€v.€Garrettóó,€92€S.W.3d€835,€838€(Tenn.€2002).€€Additionally,Ð ¬ Ðthey€must€prove€that€terminating€the€parentððs€rights€is€in€the€childððs€best€interests.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.Ð ý˜ Ððð€36„1„113(c)(2);€€òòIn€re€A.W.óó,€114€S.W.3d€541,€545€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€2003);€òòIn€re€M.W.A.,€Jr.óó,€980Ð é„ ÐS.W.2d€620,€622€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1998).€€The€factors€to€be€considered€in€a€ð ðbest€interestsðð€analysisÐ Õp Ðare€set€forth€in€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(i).€€Ð Á\ ÐÌà  àPersons€seeking€to€terminate€these€rights€must€prove€the€elements€of€their€case€by€clear€andÐ ™4 Ðconvincing€evidence.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(c);€òòIn€re€Valentineóó,€79€S.W.3d€539,€546€(Tenn.Ð …  Ð2002);€òòIn€re€A.W.óó,€114€S.W.3d€at€545.€€Evidence€that€satisfies€the€clear€and€convincing€evidenceÐ q  Ðstandard€eliminates€any€serious€or€substantial€doubt€about€the€correctness€of€the€conclusions€drawnÐ ]ø Ðfrom€the€evidence.€€òòIn€re€Valentineóó,€79€S.W.3d€at€546;€òòWalton€v.€Youngóó,€950€S.W.2d€956,€960€(Tenn.Ð Iä Ð1997);€òòIn€re€C.D.B.óó,€37€S.W.3d€925,€927€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€2000).€€It€produces€in€a€fact„finderððs€mindÐ 5Ð Ða€firm€belief€or€conviction€regarding€the€truth€of€the€propositions€sought€to€be€established.€€òòIn€reÐ !¼ ÐA.D.A.óó,€84€S.W.3d€592,€596€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€2002);€òòRay€v.€Rayóó,€83€S.W.3d€726,€733€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.Ð  ¨ Ð2001);€òòIn€re€C.W.W.óó,€37€S.W.3d€467,€474€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€2000).Ð ù ” ÐÌÔ‡XéXXXéÔà  àAs€a€consequence€of€the€clear€and€convincing€burden€of€proof€standard,€this€Court€found€itÐ Ñ"l! Ðnecessary€to€adapt€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€13(d).€€òòIn€Re€Adoption€of€Muiróó,€No.€2002„02963„COA„R3„CV,Ð ½#X" Ð2003€WL€22794524,€*2€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Nov.€25,€2003)Ô#†XéXXXé#ÔÔ‡XéXXXéÔ€explained€the€adaptation€in€detail.Ô#†XéXXXé|#ÔÐ ©$D # ÐÌà8  àà ` àBecause€of€the€heightened€burden€of€proof€required€by€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„Ð &"% Ð1„113(c),€we€must€adapt€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€13(d)ððs€customary€standard€of€review€forÐ m'#& Ðcases€of€this€sort.€€First,€we€must€review€the€trial€courtððs€specific€findings€of€fact€deÐ e Ðnovo€in€accordance€with€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€13(d).€€Thus,€each€of€the€trial€courtððsÐ Qì Ðspecific€factual€findings€will€be€presumed€to€be€correct€unless€the€evidenceÐ =Ø Ðpreponderates€otherwise.€€Second,€we€must€determine€whether€the€facts,€either€asÐ )Ä Ðfound€by€the€trial€court€or€as€supported€by€the€preponderance€of€the€evidence,€clearlyÐ ° Ðand€convincingly€establish€the€grounds€for€terminating€the€biological€parentððsÐ  œ Ðparental€rights.€€òòJones€v.€Garrettóó,€92€S.W.3d€at€838;€òòIn€re€Valentineóó,€79€S.W.3d€atÐ í ˆ Ð546;€òòRay€v.€Rayóó,€83€S.W.3d€at€733;€òòIn€re€L.S.W.óó,€No.€M2000„01935„COA„R3„JV,Ð Ù t Ð2001€WL€1013079,€at€*5€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Sept.€6,€2001),€òòperm.€app.€denied€óó(Tenn.Ð Å ` ÐDec.€27,€2001).ò ò׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×б L Ð Ð  Ðó óÔ‡XéXXXéÔÌÔ#†XéXXXé"#ÔòòÔ‡XéXXXéÔIn€Re€Adoption€of€Muiróó,€at€*2€.Ô#†XéXXXéc"#ÔÐ ‰$  ÐÌÔ‡XéXXXéÔà@ ìàòòFindings€of€Fact€and€Conclusions€of€Law€in€Termination€CasesóóˆÐ aü  ÐÌà  àOver€the€past€couple€of€years,€this€Court€has€presided€over€a€number€of€important€terminationÐ 9Ô  Ðcases€that€present€a€myriad€of€procedural€difficulties.€€A€recurrent€problem,€which€impedes€thisÐ %À ÐCourt€in€proceeding€with€its€appellate€duties€and€unnecessarily€delays€the€resolution€of€the€rights€ofÐ ¬ Ðall€concerned,€pertains€to€the€failure€of€trial€courts€(and€counsel€who€prepare€and€present€final€ordersÐ ý˜ Ðto€the€trial€judges)€to€follow€the€express€wording€of€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36-1-113(k)€which€explicitlyÐ é„ Ðrequires€trial€courts€to€"enter€an€order€which€makes€specific€findings€of€fact€òòandóó€conclusions€of€law"Ð Õp Ðin€termination€cases.€(emphasis€added)€€This€Court€succinctly€analyzed€this€mandatory€step€in€a€mostÐ Á\ Ðrecent€case,€Ô#†XéXXXéÝ"#ÔÔ‡XéXXXéÔòòIn€Re€Adoption€of€Muir.€óó€The€pertinent€part€of€the€opinion€reads:Ô#†XéXXXéø&#ÔÐ ­H ÐÌà8  àà ` àA€trial€court's€responsibility€to€make€findings€of€fact€and€conclusions€of€lawÐ …  Ðin€termination€cases€differs€materially€from€its€responsibility€in€other€civil€cases.Ð q  ÐGenerally,€trial€courts,€sitting€without€juries,€are€not€required€to€make€findings€of€factÐ ]ø Ðor€conclusions€of€law€unless€requested€in€accordance€with€Tenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€52.01.Ð Iä ÐTermination€cases,€however,€are€another€matter.€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36-1-113(k)Ð 5Ð Ðexplicitly€requires€trial€courts€to€"enter€an€order€which€makes€specific€findings€of€factÐ !¼ Ðand€conclusions€of€law"€in€termination€cases.€Thus,€trial€courts€must€prepare€and€fileÐ  ¨ Ðwritten€findings€of€fact€and€conclusions€of€law€with€regard€to€every€disposition€of€aÐ ù ” Ðpetition€to€terminate€parental€rights,€whether€they€have€been€requested€or€not.€Ðå!€ Ð Ð  Ðà8  àÐ Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` àTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36-1-113(k)€reflects€the€Tennessee€General€Assembly'sÐ ½#X" Ðrecognition€of€the€necessity€of€individualized€decisions€in€these€cases.€òòIn€re€Swansonóó,Ð ©$D # Ð2€S.W.3d€180,€188€(Tenn.1999)€(holding€that€termination€cases€requireÐ e Ð"individualized€decision€making").€It€also€reflects€the€General€Assembly'sÐ Qì Ðunderstanding€that€findings€of€fact€and€conclusions€of€law€facilitate€appellate€reviewÐ =Ø Ðand€promote€the€just€and€speedy€resolution€of€appeals.€òòBruce€v.€Bruceóó,€801€S.W.2dÐ )Ä Ð102,€104€(Tenn.Ct.App.1990).€€Because€of€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36-1-113(k),€trialÐ ° Ðcourts€cannot€follow€the€customary€practice€of€making€oral€findings€from€the€benchÐ  œ Ðand€later€adopting€them€by€reference€in€their€final€order.Ðí ˆÐ Ð  ÐÌà8  àà ` àWhen€a€trial€court€has€not€complied€with€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36-1-113(k),€weÐ Å ` Ðcannot€simply€review€the€record€de€novo€and€determine€for€ourselves€where€theÐ ± L  Ðpreponderance€of€the€evidence€lies€as€we€would€in€other€civil,€non-jury€cases.€InÐ  8  Ðaccordance€with€òòIn€re€D.L.B.óó,€118€S.W.3d€at€„„„,€2003€WL€22383609,€at€*6,€we€mustÐ ‰$  Ðremand€the€case€for€the€preparation€of€appropriate€written€findings€of€fact€andÐ u  Ðconclusions€of€law.€In€this€case,€the€trial€court€made€no€specific€findings€of€fact€toÐ aü  Ðsupport€its€conclusion€that€Mr.€Dalton€had€not€willfully€abandoned€William€DrewÐ Mè  ÐMuir.€Therefore,€we€must€vacate€the€December€2,€2002€order€and€remand€the€caseÐ 9Ô  Ðto€the€trial€court€for€preparation€of€the€findings€of€fact€and€conclusions€of€lawÐ %À Ðrequired€by€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36-1-113(k).ЬРР ÐÌòòÔ‡XéXXXéÔIn€Re€Adoption€of€Muiróó,€at€*3.Ô#†XéXXXé$3#ÔÐ é„ ÐÌà  àThe€Juvenile€Court€entered€a€Final€Decree€of€Guardianship€and€an€Amended€Final€DecreeÐ Á\ Ðof€Guardianship,€the€content€of€which€is€critical€to€this€courtððs€review.€€Accordingly,€the€entirety€ofÐ ­H Ðthe€later€of€the€two€final€orders€is€restated€below:Ð ™4 ÐÌà@‡ ‡ ìàAMENDED€FINAL€DECREE€OF€GUARDIANSHIPˆÐ q  ÐÌà8  àà ` àThis€cause€came€on€to€be€heard€on€Wednesday,€April€9,€2003,€before€theÐ Iä ÐHonorable€Max€D.€Fagan,€Judge€of€the€Juvenile€Court€of€Robertson€County,Ð 5Ð ÐTennessee€at€Springfield,€upon€the€sworn€Petition€of€the€State€of€Tennessee,Ð !¼ ÐDepartment€of€Childrenððs€Services;€with€all€parties€properly€before€the€Court,Ð  ¨ Ðincluding€the€Defendant,€R.D.P.R.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×,€her€counsel,€Mark€Walker,€the€Defendant,Ð ù ” ÐD.J.R.,€his€counsel,€Linda€S.€Fizer,€the€Guardian€ad€Litem,€Lisa€S.€Richter,€counselÐ å!€  Ðfor€the€Department€of€Childrenððs€Services,€William€C.€Lebo,€Jr.,€and€representativeÐ Ñ"l! Ðof€said€agency,€Claude€Williams.€€Upon€proof€introduced€at€the€hearing€and€the€entireÐ ½#X" Ðrecord,€from€all€of€which€the€Court€finds,€based€upon€clear€and€convincing€evidence,Ð ©$D # Ðas€follows:Е%0!$Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àà ` àThat€the€Petition€filed€by€the€State€of€Tennessee,€Department€of€ChildrenððsÐ m'#& ÐServices,€is€well€taken€and€should€be€sustained€and€relief€granted€thereunder€for€theÐ Y(ô#' Ðcauses€as€therein€stated€in€that€the€Defendants,€R.D.P.R.€and€D.J.R.,€have€abandonedÐ e Ðthe€children,€K.N.R.€and€H.A.R.,€pursuant€to€òòT.C.Aóó.€ðð€36„1„113(g)(3)(A)€òòet.seq.óó,€inÐ Qì Ðthat€said€children€have€been€removed€from€the€custody€of€the€Defendants,€R.D.P.R.Ð =Ø Ðand€D.J.R.,€for€more€than€six€(6)€months,€and€that€the€conditions€which€led€to€theÐ )Ä Ðremoval€of€said€children€or€other€conditions€which€in€all€reasonable€probabilityÐ ° Ðwould€cause€said€children€to€be€subjected€to€further€abuse€or€neglect€and€which,Ð  œ Ðtherefore,€prevent€said€childrenððs€safe€return€to€the€care€of€said€Defendants,€stillÐ í ˆ Ðpersist;€that€there€is€little€likelihood€that€these€conditions€will€be€remedied€at€an€earlyÐ Ù t Ðdate€so€that€said€children€can€be€safely€returned€to€said€Defendants€in€the€near€future;Ð Å ` Ðand,€that€said€children€are€of€such€an€age€that€the€continuation€of€the€legal€parent€andÐ ± L  Ðchild€relationship€greatly€diminishes€said€childrenððs€chances€of€early€integration€intoÐ  8  Ða€stable€and€permanent€home;€and,€that€pursuant€to€òòT.C.Aóó.€ðð36„1„113(g)(2),€theÐ ‰$  ÐDefendants,€R.D.P.R.€and€D.J.R.,€have€failed€to€substantially€comply€with€theÐ u  ÐStatement€of€Responsibilities€as€provided€in€the€Permanency€Plan€entered€into€byÐ aü  Ðsaid€Defendants€with€the€State€of€Tennessee,€Department€of€Childrenððs€Services;€andÐ Mè  Ðfurther,€that€following€the€removal€of€the€children,€K.N.R.€and€H.A.R.,€from€theÐ 9Ô  ÐDefendants,€R.D.P.R.€and€D.J.R.,€the€State€of€Tennessee,€Department€of€ChildrenððsÐ %À ÐServices,€made€reasonable€efforts€to€assist€the€Defendants,€R.D.P.R.€and€D.J.R.,€inÐ ¬ Ðestablishing€a€suitable€home€for€the€children,€K.N.R.€and€H.A.R.,€for€a€period€of€fourÐ ý˜ Ð(4)€months,€but€the€Defendants,€R.D.P.R.€and€D.J.R.,€have€made€no€reasonableÐ é„ Ðefforts€to€provide€a€suitable€home€and€have€demonstrated€a€lack€of€concern€for€saidÐ Õp Ðchildren€to€such€a€degree€that€it€appears€unlikely€that€they€will€be€able€to€provide€aÐ Á\ Ðsuitable€home€for€said€children€at€an€early€date.à8@ÌÐ Ð àÐ ­H ÐÌà8  àà ` àThe€Court€further€finds€that€termination€of€the€parental€rights€of€theÐ …  ÐDefendants,€R.D.P.R.€and€D.J.R.,€to€the€children,€K.N.R.€and€H.A.R.,€is€in€the€bestÐ q  Ðinterest€of€said€children,€who€have€spent€the€majority€of€their€lives€in€custody.€Ð ]ø ÐMoreover,€while€not€alleged,€the€Defendants,€R.D.P.R.€and€D.J.R.,€have€furtherÐ Iä Ðabandoned€the€children,€K.N.R.€and€H.A.R.,€in€that€neither€parent€has€made€an€effortÐ 5Ð Ðto€support€said€children€while€in€custody.Ð!¼Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àà ` àThis€Decree€shall€have€the€effect€of€terminating€all€the€rights€and€obligationsÐ ù ” Ðof€said€Defendants€to€said€children€and€of€said€children€to€said€Defendants€arisingÐ å!€  Ðfrom€the€parental€relationship,€and€said€Defendants€are€not€hereafter€entitled€to€noticeÐ Ñ"l! Ðof€any€proceedings€for€the€adoptions€of€said€children€by€another€nor€have€they€anyÐ ½#X" Ðright€to€object€to€such€adoptions€or€otherwise€to€participate€in€such€proceedings.Щ$D #Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àIT€IS,€THEREFORE,€ORDERED,€ADJUDGED€AND€DECREEDò ò:€Ð&"%Ð Ð  Ðà8  àó óÐ Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` àThat€pursuant€to€òòT.C.A.óó€ðð€36„1„113(g)(1),€the€Defendants,€R.D.P.R.€andÐ ](ø#' ÐD.J.R.,€have€willfully€abandoned€the€children,€K.N.R.€and€H.A.R.,€for€more€than€fourÐ I)ä$( Ð(4)€consecutive€months€next€preceding€the€filing€of€this€Petition€in€that€theÐ 5*Ð%) ÐDefendants,€R.D.P.R.€and€D.J.R.,€have€willfully€failed€to€support€or€make€reasonableÐ !+¼&* Ð[sic]€toward€the€support€of€said€children;€and,€that€the€Defendants,€R.D.P.R.€andÐ  ,¨'+ ÐD.J.R.,€have€abandoned€the€children,€K.N.R.€and€H.A.R.,€pursuant€to€òòT.C.Aóó.€ðð€36„1„Ð e Ð113(g)(3)(A)€òòet.seq.óó;€and€that€pursuant€to€òòT.C.Aóó.€ðð€36„1„113(g)(2),€the€Defendants,Ð Qì ÐR.D.P.R.€and€D.J.R.,€have€failed€to€substantially€comply€with€the€Statement€ofÐ =Ø ÐResponsibilities€as€provided€in€the€Permanency€Plan€entered€into€by€said€DefendantsÐ )Ä Ðwith€the€State€of€Tennessee,€Department€of€Childrenððs€Services;€and€further,€that€theÐ ° ÐState€of€Tennessee,€Department€of€Childrenððs€Services,€has€made€reasonable€effortsÐ  œ Ðto€assist€the€Defendants,€R.D.P.R.€and€D.J.R.,€in€establishing€a€suitable€home€for€theÐ í ˆ Ðchildren,€K.N.R.€and€H.A.R..€€That€all€of€said€Defendantsðð€parental€rights€to€saidÐ Ù t Ðchildren€be€and€the€same€are€hereby€forever€terminated€and€that€the€completeÐ Å ` Ðcustody,€control€and€guardianship€of€said€children€be€and€the€same€are€herebyÐ ± L  Ðawarded€to€the€State€of€Tennessee,€Department€of€Childrenððs€Services,€with€the€rightÐ  8  Ðto€place€said€children€for€adoption€and€to€consent€to€such€adoptions€òòòòin€loco€parentisóóóó.Љ$ Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àEntered€this€the€òò1stóó€day€of€òòMarchóó,€2003.Ðaü ` x` x Ðà8  àÐ Ð Ð  Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à________òò/sóó/______________Ð 9Ô  Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àMAX€D.€FAGAN,Ð %À Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àòòóóà8 @À àà  àJUVENILE€COURT€JUDGEÐ ¬ ÐÌà8  àòòAPPROVED€FOR€ENTRYóó:Ðé„Ð Ð  ÐÌÌà  à____________òò/s/óó_________________Ð ­H Ðà8  àWILLIAM€C.€LEBO,€JR.€Attorney€forЙ4Ð Ð  Ðà8  àthe€State€of€Tennessee,Ð… Ð Ð  Ðà8  àDepartment€of€Childrenððs€ServicesÐq Ð Ð  ÐÌSee€Technical€Record,€Volume€II,€pp.€193„197.Ð Iä ÐÌà  àAn€examination€of€the€final€order€reveals€the€repetitious€restatement€of€conclusions€of€lawÐ !¼ Ðand€the€repetitious€recitations€of€the€statutory€grounds;€however,€there€are€no€findings€of€fact€in€theÐ  ¨ Ðfinal€order,€as€required€by€Ô‡XéXXXéÔto€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36-1-113(kÔ#†XéXXXé¦T#Ô),€for€our€review.€€It€must€be€understoodÐ ù ” Ðthat€a€recitation€in€a€final€order€that€a€parent€has€ð ðabandoned€the€childðð€is€a€conclusion€of€law,€notÐ å!€  Ða€finding€of€fact.€€Moreover,€placing€the€statement€(abandoned€the€child)€following€the€popularÐ Ñ"l! Ðphrase€ð ðthe€Court€therefore€findsðð€does€not€transform€a€conclusion€of€law€into€a€finding€of€fact.€€Ð ½#X" ÐÌà  àSince€the€Final€Decree€of€Guardianship€and€the€Amended€Final€Decree€of€Guardianship€failÐ •%0!$ Ðto€set€forth€the€findings€of€fact€that€underlie€the€conclusions€of€law,€we€are€unable€to€proceed€withÐ &"% Ðour€review€for€the€reasons€set€forth€in€òòÔ‡XéXXXéÔIn€Re€Adoption€of€Muiróó.€€Accordingly,€we€vacate€the€FinalÐ m'#& ÐDecree€of€Guardianship€Ô#†XéXXXéÚW#ÔÔ‡XéXXXéÔand€the€Amended€Final€Decree€of€Guardianship€and€remand€the€matter€toÐ Y(ô#' Ðthe€trial€court€to€enter€an€order€pursuant€to€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36-1-113(k)€which€recites€specificÐ E)à$( Ðfindings€of€fact€in€addition€toòòóó€conclusions€of€law.€€Ð 1*Ì%) Ðâ âÐ +¸&* Ðà  àWe€tax€costs€to€the€Appellee,€State€of€Tennessee€Department€of€Childrenððs€Services,€for€itÐ e Ðâ âwas€the€prevailing€party€at€trial€and€its€counsel€prepared€the€final€order;€therefore,€it€had€theÐ Qì Ðopportunity€to€assure€that€the€order€contained€the€mandatory€provisions.Ô#†XéXXXé„X#ÔÐ =Ø ÐÌÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à___________________________________€Ð í ˆ Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àFRANK€G.€CLEMENT,€JR.,€JUDGEÐ Ù t ÐÌÌ