ÿWPC .­D]JÜ?9Xeü„¾ßY{0®IO«LÒïœ62¢à'ñº’&?üö=N\:pÞn};£î{ÊGu½üm×{ŽðMD÷\ㆼäšy8‚×:³Ä$°ž!«j@÷Gñz1.Dõ™À”/™LÓÿî± AÓ‘§N:v†¹O«NÒqC¤ {²*?§cS¤Vƒ†go'ÂÙ€ Ñ ÒèËúöJ'¬«M³ æ°2Ÿ¶„hôÌ‚¥–›JÅAû!pU…^ð¨; èÙë+{L}?·±mtËé.ám«¡<]M ša„KF„éEWµØˆœ’ñ8UÞ•îɨù[¨Ý0K/a\ñHú„’ª»ñ®£Š{SJ_YX¹ÞÔÕ/>ÐÞ ð@ùQ_ÑYîŒRÏ}@¹‡e·µõ=6[…_Ô§RÖ—ÎÚœ~2Ô­Êì7Ød‡ü¬Ç'Q¹&½DPýaÒš »@Sóõ·DXE”¥ÂU€Án@! V4U½ƒ/QàB‹SÄ%h-^œÈw‹r€ä^À@ÉkÃ!±Žo•PóËx’鎽ËgMç;lUC¦Y l„[Onáh…kA[ñ£S¦ËïWSg#8Hu‚Ë)šüŸqÀ;€ßb %\^ b 0ˆnUNöwD4H\ zkÒå· m¹ #ÁÐ 1‘ Æ Æä ƪ Æp 726Nh 1uj 72ßE 0 c 0wv 0DíUN1ÛáZ; 0ŠC 1Í 72Z{ŒŒŒŒŒŒŒŒŒŒŒŒŒb 0ë Búú 0¤ D3» D-î 0K ASfƹ 0¤ 0D# A«g»œD+â (`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman RegularòK+bk2@ª 3|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.wpt ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ˜HP LaserJet 8000 Series PSØÚØÚÚØØÚ00¦ÙCEMU]emu}AutoList1(1)(1)(1)(1)(1)(1)(1)(1)Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5 (1)3#37=CIQYag­­1.a.i.(1)(a)(i)1)a)i)(;3£$´´Ô2#ÔÚ  Ú0Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0  à(Oé;$µµà0  àÔ2#ÔÚ  ÚaÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0` (#(#à(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó(ÖÃ9 Z‹6Times New Roman Regular ÑÝ ƒRP­$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôÊ ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€As€discussed€in€more€detail€òòinfraóó,€the€statutory€definition€of€ð ðabandonmentðð€referenced€in€this€statute€has€beenÐ ° Ðdeclared€unconstitutional.€€Hence,€we€have€substituted€ð ðprior€lawðð€to€reference€the€prior€law€which€is€to€be€applied€untilÐ tÄ Ðthe€statute€is€amended€by€the€legislature.€€ ×Ý ƒRP­$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôÊ ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€€Fatherððs€and€stepmotherððs€testimony€regarding€Fatherððs€income€and€work€schedule€was€scant,€at€best.€€ItÐ ° Ðappears€from€the€record€that€Father€works€part„time.€€Father€also€testified€that€he€did€not€file€federal€income€tax€returnsÐ tÄ Ðfor€a€number€of€years€and€worked€for€cash€ð ðunder€the€table.ðð (b·¤$¶¶à0  àà0` (#(#àÔ2#ÔÚ  ÚÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0¸ ` (#` (#à(¶ÙCEMU]emu}AutoList2(1)(1)(1)(1)(1)(1)(1)(1)(1) qÝ ƒRP­$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôÊ ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€€The€second€Petition€to€Terminate€essentially€made€the€same€allegations€as€the€first€but€added€the€allegationÐ ° Ðthat€Father€had€not€paid€child€support€since€being€served€with€the€first€Petition€to€Terminate€in€February€1999.- ù-(|G2P­$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€¬»»d d 8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôw`ò»»Ô d(|3Eô$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€¬»»d d 8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV'ÿÿdxd)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3Eô$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€¬»»d d 8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€$»»d dÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ8€oÔXXdê»»d 8Ñà@ü ü ìàÔ‡î®Ëî»»ÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEà@@ìì*ìàˆÐ ° ÐÑ  Ñà@WW$ìàAT€KNOXVILLEÔ#†»­º»îî®ËÕ#ԈРÖ& Ðà@ó ó ìàÔ‡¼­º»»»­ºÔAssigned€on€Briefs€August€2,€2001€SessionÔ#†»­º»»¼­ºµ#ԈРüL ÐÔ‡XçnX»»­ºÔÌÌò òÔ#†»­º»XXçn6#Ôà@é é ìàK.S.O.H.,€òòet€al.óó€v.€J.W.B.,€JR.Ô‡XçnX»»­ºÔó óˆÐ æ 6 Ðò òÔ#†»­º»XXçn´#Ôà@P P ìàIn€re:€Adoption€of€a€Male€Child,€T.J.B.ó óˆÐ ú J ÐÌò òà@« « ìàÔ‡XçnX»»­ºÔAppeal€from€the€Juvenile€Court€for€Knox€CountyˆÐ  p Ðà@k k ìàNo.€K„2692€€€€€€Carey€E.€Garrett,€JudgeˆÐ  \  ÐÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àFILED€OCTOBER€4,€2001Ð ä4  ÐßA€V) °°` d€÷E<Ï` AßÐ Ð  ÐÌà@ÏÏìàNo.€E2001„00055„COA„R3„CVˆÐ Ë  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<¢` AßÐ £ó Ðó óÌÌÔ#†»­º»XXçnz#ÔÔ€XçnX»»­ºÔÓÓÓÓThe€mother€(ð ðMotherðð)€and€stepfather€(ð ðStepfatherðð)€of€a€minor€child€(ð ðChildðð)€filed€a€Petition€toÐ ŠÚ ÐTerminate€the€parental€rights€of€the€Childððs€biological€father€(ð ðFatherðð).€€The€Petition€to€TerminateÐ vÆ Ðalleged€one€ground€for€termination€of€Fatherððs€parental€rights,€abandonment.€€After€three€hearings,Ð b² Ðthe€Juvenile€Court€held€that€the€Petition€to€Terminate€should€be€dismissed€because€Mother€andÐ Nž ÐStepfather€failed€to€establish€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence€that€Father€had€abandoned€the€ChildÐ :Š Ðand€because€termination€of€Fatherððs€parental€rights€would€not€be€in€the€Childððs€best€interests.€Ð &v ÐMother€and€Stepfather€appeal.€€We€affirm.Ð b ÐÓÛÓÓÓÌÌò òà@eeìàTenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€3€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Juvenile€Court€Affirmed;€ˆÐ Ö& Ðà@!!#ìàCase€Remanded.ó óˆÐ  ÐÌòòÌD.€Michael€Swiney,€J.óó,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòHouston€M.€Goddard,€P.J.,óóÐ †!Ö  Ðand€òòHerschel€P.€Franks,€J.óó,€joined.Ð r"Â! ÐÌN.€David€Roberts,€Jr.,€Knoxville,€Tennessee,€and€Brenda€Lea€Lindsay„McDaniel,€Knoxville,Ð J$š# ÐTennessee,€for€the€Appellants,€K.S.O.H.€and€W.H.,€Jr.Ð 6%† $ ÐÌJoseph€F.€Della„Rodolfa,€Knoxville,€Tennessee,€for€the€Appellee,€J.W.B.,€Jr.Ð '^"& ÐÓ- ÓÌÌÌò òÓÓà@66'ìàOPINIONó óˆÐ ‚-Ò(-ýo Їà@ÛÛ%ìàòòò òBackgroundóóó óˆÐ ° ÐÌà  àà ` àMother,€K.S.O.H.,€and€Stepfather,€W.H.,€Jr.,€(ð ðPetitionersðð)€of€a€minor€child,€T.J.B.,€Ð ˆØ Ðfiled€a€Petition€to€Terminate€the€parental€rights€of€the€biological€father,€J.W.B.,€Jr.,€so€that€StepfatherÐ tÄ Ðcould€adopt€the€Child.€€Mother€and€Father€began€dating€while€in€high€school.€€Mother€gave€birth€toÐ `° Ðthe€Child€in€early€1995.€€Although€paternity€was€never€established€in€a€judicial€proceeding,€FatherÐ L œ Ðdoes€not€dispute€paternity€of€the€Child.€€Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌà  àà ` àMother€and€Father€never€married,€and€they€disagree€whether€they€resided€togetherÐ  ` Ðafter€the€Childððs€birth.€€While€they€were€still€dating,€Father€frequently€would€visit€the€Child€andÐ ü L  Ðprovide€some€financial€support.€€Motherððs€and€Fatherððs€relationship€ended€in€approximatelyÐ è 8  ÐSeptember€1996.€€€The€record€shows€that€Father€continued€visitation€with€the€Child€until€MotherÐ Ô$  Ðstopped€the€visitation€in€September€or€October€1997.€€Mother€testified€that€she€stopped€the€visitationÐ À  Ðdue€to€concerns€about€the€Child's€safety€with€Father.€€At€this€time,€Mother€told€Father€that€he€couldÐ ¬ü  Ðnot€visit€the€Child€without€a€court€order.Ð ˜è  ÐÌà  àà ` àThe€proof€in€the€record€shows€that€prior€to€Motherððs€halting€Fatherððs€visitation,€FatherÐ pÀ Ðhad€allowed€the€Child,€then€two€years€old,€to€shoot€a€gun€and€had€returned€the€Child€after€a€briefÐ \¬ Ðvisitation€period€with€a€cigarette€burn€on€his€arm.€€The€proof€in€the€record€shows€that€the€cigaretteÐ H˜ Ðburn€was€an€accident.€€Father€also€had€been€involved€in€a€motor€vehicle€accident€while€the€Child€wasÐ 4„ Ðwith€him€in€his€vehicle.€€On€another€occasion,€Father€had€attempted€to€pick€up€the€Child€without€aÐ  p Ðchild€safety€seat.€€Moreover,€it€is€undisputed€that€Father,€after€picking€up€the€Child€for€a€weekendÐ  \ Ðvisit,€called€Mother€and€threatened€not€to€return€the€Child.€€€Father€did€return€the€Child€after€MotherÐ øH Ðand€Father€discussed€the€issue.€€Additionally,€Mother€testified€there€were€numerous€times€Father€wasÐ ä4 Ðsupposed€to€pick€up€the€Child€but€failed€to€do€so€which€upset€the€Child.Ð Ð  ÐÌà  àà ` àNo€court€order€regarding€Father's€visitation€schedule€and€child€support€obligationÐ ¨ø Ðexisted€prior€to€Mother's€Petition€to€Terminate€being€filed.€€Previously,€Fatherððs€payment€of€childÐ ”ä Ðsupport,€from€the€record,€appears€to€have€been€sporadic.€€Father€contended€he€provided€child€supportÐ €Ð Ðprior€to€September€or€October€1997,€in€the€form€of€cash€or€supplies,€until€Mother€began€refusing€hisÐ l¼ Ðfinancial€assistance€when€she€discontinued€visitation.€€The€parties€dispute€whether€Father€offeredÐ X ¨ Ðany€child€support€after€Mother€stopped€Fatherððs€visitation.€€Father€testified€he€did€not€seek€relief€withÐ D!” Ðthe€Juvenile€Court€once€Mother€discontinued€his€visitation€because€he€could€not€afford€an€attorney.€Ð 0"€  ÐFather€testified€he€was€able€to€retain€an€attorney€once€served€with€the€Petition€to€Terminate€becauseÐ #l! Ðhe€saved€the€money€that€Mother€had€refused€for€the€Childððs€support€and€received€a€workerððsÐ $X" Ðcompensation€settlement.Ð ô$D # ÐÌò òó óà  àà ` àMother€and€Stepfather€began€living€together€in€June€1997,€and€were€married€inÐ Ì&"% ÐDecember€1997.€€Petitioners€have€one€child€from€their€marriage.€€Despite€her€earlier€difficulties,Ð ¸'#& ÐMother€graduated€high€school,€obtained€a€bachelorððs€degree,€and€was€working€on€her€masterððs€degreeÐ ¤(ô#' Ðâ âat€the€time€of€the€hearing.€€Father€married€the€Childððs€stepmother€in€September€1998,€and€they€haveÐ )à$( Ðtwo€children.€€Fatherððs€employment€history€is€sketchy.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€He€was€employed€on€at€least€a€part„timeÐ ° Ðâ âbasis€at€the€time€of€the€hearing.€€The€Trial€Court€did€find€that€Father€was€regularly€employed.Ð œì Ðà  àà ` àÌà  àà ` àMother€and€Stepfather€filed€the€Petition€to€Terminate€in€February€1999.€€Mother€andÐ tÄ ÐStepfather€alleged€in€the€Petition€that€at€that€time€of€the€filing€of€the€Petition,€Father€had€not€soughtÐ `° Ðvisitation€with€the€Child€for€seventeen€months€and€had€not€paid€any€child€support€for€thirty€months.€Ð L œ ÐFather€filed€a€response€to€the€Petition€and€a€motion€requesting€an€order€setting€visitation€and€childÐ 8 ˆ Ðsupport€òòpendente€liteóó.€€Ð $ t ÐÌà  àà ` àThe€Juvenile€Court€held€three€hearings€regarding€the€Petition€to€Terminate.€€At€theÐ ü L  Ðtime€of€the€hearings,€Mother€was€approximately€twenty„two€years€old€and€Father€was€twenty€sixÐ è 8  Ðyears€old.€€The€Juvenile€Courtððs€Finding€of€Fact€and€Opinion€was€entered€in€March€2000,€and€Ð Ô$  Ðincorporated€by€reference€in€the€Juvenile€Courtððs€Order.€€In€his€Opinion,€the€Juvenile€Court€JudgeððsÐ À  Ðfindings€of€fact€included:Ð ¬ü  ÐÌÓ€ (¦Ù83ÓÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  Ýà8  àà8` Ð Ð àÝ‚3£ˆ"ÝÔ2¦ÙÔ(Ú  Ú1Ú  Ú)Ô3  Ôà0¸ ` x` xàÝ  ÝAfter€the€Child€was€born€in€February€1995,€Father€saw€himÐ „Ô  Ðalmost€everyday€until€September€1996,€when€Mother€andÐ pÀ ÐFather€ceased€their€dating€relationshipò òó ó.€€Father€continued€toÐ \¬ Ðvisit€the€Child€overnight€and€on€the€weekends,€having€up€toÐ H˜ Ðtwenty€overnight€visits,€until€the€Child€was€nearly€two€yearsÐ 4„ Ðold;݃3£ˆ"Õ"݌Рp¸ x¸ x ÐŒÝ  ÝÌØ! !ØÝ"‚·¤"ÝÝ  ÝÝ‚·¤2%Ýà0  àà0` (#(#àÔ2¦ÙÔ(Ú  Ú2Ú  Ú)Ô3  Ôà0¸ ` (#` (#àÝ  ÝMother€discontinued€Fatherððs€visitation€and€contact€with€the€Ýƒ·¤2%_%ÝŒÐøH¸ (#¸ (# ÐŒÝ  Ýà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xàChild€in€the€fall€of€1997€after€she€began€to€live€withÐ ä4 Ðher€current€husband,€Stepfather,€and€when€and€MotherÐ Ð  Ðand€Stepfather€decided€that€Stepfather€wanted€toÐ ¼  Ðadopt€the€Child;Шø¸ ¸  ÐÌÝ"‚·¤"ÝÝ  ÝÝ‚·¤¡'Ýà0  àà0` (#(#àÔ2¦ÙÔ(Ú  Ú3Ú  Ú)Ô3  Ôà0¸ ` (#` (#àÝ  ÝAlthough€Mother€testified€that€she€wanted€a€court€order€setting€Ýƒ·¤¡'Î'݌Ѐи (#¸ (# ÐŒÝ  Ýà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xàvisitation,€Mother€did€not€seek€such€relief€and€instead,Ð l¼ Ðfiled€the€Petition€to€Terminate€the€parental€rights€ofÐ X ¨ ÐFather;ÐD!”¸ ¸  ÐÌÝ"‚·¤"ÝÝ  ÝÝ‚·¤Æ)Ýà0  àà0` (#(#àÔ2¦ÙÔ(Ú  Ú4Ú  Ú)Ô3  Ôà0¸ ` (#` (#àÝ  ÝMotherððs€grandmother,€with€whom€Mother€had€lived€both€before€Ýƒ·¤Æ)ó)ÝŒÐ#l!¸ (#¸ (# ÐŒÝ  Ýà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xàand€after€the€birth€of€the€Child,€testified€that€the€ChildÐ $X" Ðhad€a€good€relationship€with€Father€and€that€she€hadÐ ô$D # Ðno€concerns€about€the€Fatherððs€visitation€with€theÐ à%0!$ ÐChild.€€Motherððs€grandmother,€however,€testified€thatÐ Ì&"% ÐFather,€in€1997,€kept€the€Child€for€two€days€andÐ ¸'#& Ðthreatened€to€keep€him€in€his€custody€but€returned€theÐ ° ÐChild€after€talking€with€Mother;Ðœì¸ ¸  ÐÌÝ"‚·¤"ÝÝ  ÝÝ‚·¤+-Ýà0  àà0` (#(#àÔ2¦ÙÔ(Ú  Ú5Ú  Ú)Ô3  Ôà0¸ ` (#` (#àÝ  ÝMotherððs€mother€testified€that€Father€provided€for€the€Ýƒ·¤+-X-ÝŒÐtĸ (#¸ (# ÐŒÝ  Ýà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xàChild€by€purchasing€diapers€and€that€after€FatherððsÐ `° Ðvisitation€was€discontinued,€Father€attempted€to€makeÐ L œ Ðcalls€to€arrange€for€visitation€but€no€effort€was€madeÐ 8 ˆ Ðto€accommodate€Fatherððs€requests;Ð$ t¸ ¸  ÐÌÝ"‚·¤"ÝÝ  ÝÝ‚·¤¯/Ýà0  àà0` (#(#àÔ2¦ÙÔ(Ú  Ú6Ú  Ú)Ô3  Ôà0¸ ` (#` (#àÝ  ÝFather€requested€visitation€and€offered€financial€assistance€Ýƒ·¤¯/Ü/ÝŒÐü L ¸ (#¸ (# ÐŒÝ  Ýà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xàfor€the€Child€to€Mother€more€than€Mother€andÐ è 8  ÐStepfather€had€admitted,€but€Father€exaggerated€theÐ Ô$  Ðnumber€of€times€he€has€offered€child€support;ÐÀ ¸ ¸  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(7)à8¸ ` x` xàMother€admits€that€Father€and€the€Child€bonded,€andÐ ˜è  Ðwhile€Mother€is€concerned€about€the€trauma€to€theÐ „Ô  ÐChild€that€may€occur€if€Father€is€allowed€visitation,Ð pÀ Ðthe€Juvenile€Court€believes€that€Mother€ð ðcaused€[theÐ \¬ ÐChild]€to€suffer€trauma€when€she€terminated€hisÐ H˜ Ðrelationship€with€[Father].ððÐ4„¸ ¸  ÐÌÓ€ (¶Ù88 ÓØ! !ØÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  Ýà8  àà8` Ð Ð àÝ‚3£h4ÝÔ2¶ÙÔ(Ú  Ú8Ú  Ú)Ô3  Ôà0¸ ` x` xàÝ  ÝAlthough€when€younger,€both€Mother€and€Father€had€aÐ  \ Ðð ðrather€rough€unstable€and€unhealthy€lifestyle€.€.€.[,]ðð€theyÐ øH Ðhave€both€ð ðsettled€down€and€both€are€apparently€making€goodÐ ä4 Ðparents€to€their€childrenðð;€and݃3£h4µ4ÝŒÐÐ ¸ x¸ x ÐŒÝ  ÝÌÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  Ýà8  àà8` Ð Ð àÝ‚3£p6ÝÔ2¶ÙÔ(Ú  Ú9Ú  Ú)Ô3  Ôà0¸ ` x` xàÝ  ÝFather€is€regularly€employed€and€has€a€rather€large,€extendedÐ ¨ø Ðfamily.݃3£p6½6ÝŒÐ”ä¸ x¸ x ÐŒÝ  ÝÌà  àà ` àThe€Juvenile€Court€denied€the€Petition€to€Terminate,€holding€that€Father€had€notÐ l¼ Ðabandoned€the€Child€and€that€it€would€not€be€in€the€best€interests€of€the€Child€to€terminate€FatherððsÐ X ¨ Ðparental€rights.€€The€Juvenile€Court€also€held€that€custody€was€to€remain€with€Mother€and€that€FatherÐ D!” Ðwould€have€reasonable€visitation€rights€to€be€determined€at€a€later€hearing.€€Child€support€and€a€childÐ 0"€  Ðsupport€arrearage€also€were€awarded.€€Ð #l! ÐÌà  àà ` àThe€Juvenile€Courtððs€Finding€of€Fact€and€Opinion€was€entered€on€March€13,€2000,Ð ô$D # Ðand€was€incorporated€by€reference€into€the€Juvenile€Courtððs€Order€entered€on€May€18,€2000.€€ThisÐ à%0!$ ÐOrder€reserved€the€visitation€issue€for€a€further€hearing.€€Mother€and€Stepfather€filed€their€Notice€ofÐ Ì&"% ÐAppeal,€however,€in€April€2000,€before€the€Order€was€entered€and€before€the€visitation€issue€wasÐ ¸'#& Ðâ âresolved.€€Mother€and€Stepfather€also€filed€a€second€Petition€to€Terminate€in€February€2000,€beforeÐ ¤(ô#' Ðthe€Juvenile€Courtððs€Finding€of€Fact€and€Opinion€was€entered.׃!×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€The€Juvenile€Court€entered€a€secondÐ ° Ðâ âOrder€in€September€2000,€resolving€all€remaining€issues,€including€visitation,€and€dismissingÐ œì ÐMotherððs€and€Stepfatherððs€second€Petition€to€Terminate.€€Although€Petitionersðð€Notice€of€Appeal€wasÐ ˆØ Ðfiled€prematurely,€under€these€circumstances,€we€will€treat€it€as€timely€filed.€€òòSeeóó€Tenn.€R.€Civ.€P.Ð tÄ Ð54;€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€4(d).€€Due€to€the€date€of€filing€of€Petitionerððs€Notice€of€Appeal,€it€furtherÐ `° Ðappears€that€only€the€dismissal€of€the€first€Petition€to€Terminate€is€at€issue.€Ð L œ ÐÌà  àà ` àà@))%ìàò òòòDiscussionóóó óˆÐ $ t ÐÌà  àà ` àOn€appeal€and€although€not€exactly€stated€as€such,€Mother€and€Stepfather€contend€Ð ü L  Ðthe€Juvenile€Court€erred€in€dismissing€their€Petition€to€Terminate€because€they€established,€by€€clearÐ è 8  Ðand€convincing€proof,€that€Father€had€abandoned€the€Child€since€Father:€(1)€willfully€failed€to€visitÐ Ô$  Ðthe€Child€as€shown€by€Fatherððs€failure€to€seek€visitation€until€after€the€Petition€to€Terminate€€wasÐ À  Ðfiled,€eighteen€months€after€his€last€visit;€and€(2)€willfully€failed€to€provide€support€for€the€Child.€Ð ¬ü  ÐMoreover,€Mother€and€Stepfather€contend€that€the€Juvenile€Court€erred€in€determining€thatÐ ˜è  Ðtermination€of€Fatherððs€parental€rights€would€not€be€in€the€Childððs€best€interests.Ð „Ô  ÐÌà  àà ` àOur€review€is€òòde€novoóó€upon€the€record,€accompanied€by€a€presumption€of€correctnessÐ \¬ Ðof€the€findings€of€fact€of€the€Trial€Court,€unless€the€preponderance€of€the€evidence€is€otherwise.Ð H˜ ÐTenn.€Rule€App.€P.€13(d);òò€Alexander€v.€Inman,€óó974€S.W.2d€689,€692€(Tenn.€1998).€€A€Trial€CourtððsÐ 4„ Ðconclusions€of€law€are€subject€to€a€òòde€novoóó€review€with€no€presumption€of€correctness.€€òòGanzevoortÐ  p Ðv.€Russell,€óó949€S.W.2d€293,€296€(Tenn.€1997).Ð  \ ÐÌà  àà ` àWe€first€address€Petitionersðð€issue€regarding€the€Juvenile€Courtððs€determination€thatÐ ä4 ÐFatherððs€parental€rights€should€not€be€terminated.€€It€is€well„established€that€"parents€have€aÐ Ð  Ðfundamental€right€to€the€care,€custody,€and€control€of€their€children."€€òòIn€re€Drinnonóó,€776€S.W.2dÐ ¼  Ð96,€97€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1988)€(citing€òòStanley€v.€Illinoisóó,€405€U.S.€645,€92€S.Ct.€1208,€31€L.Ed.2d€551Ð ¨ø Ð(1972)).€€"However,€this€right€is€not€absolute€and€parental€rights€may€be€terminated€if€there€is€clearÐ ”ä Ðand€convincing€evidence€justifying€such€termination€under€the€applicable€statute."€€òòId.óó€(citingÐ €Ð ÐòòSantosky€v.€Krameróó,€455€U.S.€745,€102€S.Ct.€1388,€71€L.Ed.2d€599€(1982)).€€Ð l¼ ÐÌà  àà ` àTermination€of€parental€or€guardianship€rights€must€be€based€upon€a€finding€by€theÐ D!” Ðcourt€that:€(1)€the€grounds€for€termination€of€parental€or€guardianship€rights€have€been€establishedÐ 0"€  Ðby€clear€and€convincing€evidence;€and€(2)€termination€of€the€parentððs€or€guardianððs€rights€is€in€theÐ #l! Ðbest€interests€of€the€child.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(c).€€Before€a€parentððs€rights€can€beÐ $X" Ðterminated,€there€must€be€a€showing€that€the€parent€is€unfit€or€that€substantial€harm€to€the€child€willÐ ô$D # Ðresult€if€parental€rights€are€not€terminated.€€òòIn€re€Swanson,€óó2€S.W.3d€180,€188€(Tenn.€1999);€òòIn€reÐ à%0!$ ÐM.W.A.,€Jr.,€óó980€S.W.2d€620,€622€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1998).€€Ð Ì&"% Ðâ âÐ ¸'#& Ðà  àà ` àBefore€the€court€may€inquire€as€to€whether€termination€of€parental€rights€is€in€the€bestÐ ° Ðâ âinterest€of€the€child,€the€court€first€must€determine€that€the€grounds€for€termination€have€beenÐ œì Ðestablished€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(c)(1).€€This€CourtÐ ˆØ Ðdiscussed€the€ð ðclear€and€convincing€evidenceðð€standard€in€òòOððDaniel€v.€Messier,€óó905€S.W.2d€182Ð tÄ Ð(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1995),€as€follows:Ð `° ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àThe€ð ðclear€and€convincing€evidenceðð€standard€defies€preciseÐ 8 ˆ Ðdefinition.€€òòMajors€v.€Smith,óó€776€S.W.2d€538,€540€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.Ð $ t Ð1989).€€While€it€is€more€exacting€than€the€preponderance€of€theÐ  ` Ðevidence€standard,€òòSantosky€v.€Kramer,€óó455€U.S.€at€766,€102€S.€Ct.Ð ü L  Ðat€1401;€òòRentenbach€Engððg€Co.€v.€General€Realty€Ltd.,€óó707€S.W.2dÐ è 8  Ð524,€527€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1985),€it€does€not€require€such€certainty€asÐ Ô$  Ðthe€beyond€a€reasonable€doubt€standard.€€òòBrandon€v.€Wright,€óó838Ð À  ÐS.W.2d€532,€536€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1992);€òòState€v.€Groves,€óó735€S.W.2dÐ ¬ü  Ð843,€846€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.€1987).Иè ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àClear€and€convincing€evidence€eliminates€any€serious€or€substantialÐ pÀ Ðdoubt€concerning€the€correctness€of€the€conclusions€to€be€drawn€fromÐ \¬ Ðthe€evidence.€€òòSee€Hodges€v.€S.€C.€Toof€&€Co.,€óó833€S.W.2d€896,€901Ð H˜ Ðn.€3€(Tenn.€1992).€€It€should€produce€in€the€fact„finderððs€mind€a€firmÐ 4„ Ðbelief€or€conviction€with€regard€to€the€truth€of€the€allegations€soughtÐ  p Ðto€be€established.òò€€In€re€Estate€of€Armstrongóó,€859€S.W.2d€323,€328Ð  \ Ð(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1993);€òòBrandon€v.€Wright,€óó838€S.W.2d€at€536;Ð øH ÐòòWiltcher€v.€Bradley,€óó708€S.W.2d€407,€411€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1985).Ðä4` x` x ÐÌòòOððDaniel€v.€Messier,€óó905€S.W.2d€at€188.Ð ¼  ÐÌà  àà ` àAlthough€initiation€of€termination€of€parental€or€guardianship€rights€may€be€basedÐ ”ä Ðupon€any€of€the€statutory€grounds€outlined€in€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(g),€Petitioners€sought€toÐ €Ð Ðterminate€Fatherððs€parental€rights€using€only€one€of€the€statutory€grounds:Ð l¼ ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(1)à0¸ ` x` xàAbandonment€by€the€parent€or€guardian,€as€defined€in€[priorÐ D!” Ðlaw],€has€occurred;׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð0"€ ¸ x¸ x ÐÌTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(g)(1).€€In€the€current€form€of€the€statute,€the€term€ð ðabandonmentðð€hasÐ $X" Ðfour€statutory€definitions€found€at€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðððð€36„1„102(1)(A)(i)€„€(A)(iv).€€In€this€matter,Ð ô$D # Ðthe€Petition€to€Terminate€alleged€that€Mother€and€Stepfather€were€seeking€to€terminate€FatherððsÐ à%0!$ Ðparental€rights€under€only€one€of€the€definitions€of€abandonment€as€follows:Ð Ì&"% ÐÐ ¸'#& Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(i)€€€For€a€period€of€four€(4)€consecutive€months€immediatelyÐ ° Ðpreceding€the€filing€of€a€proceeding€or€pleading€to€terminate€theÐ œì Ðparental€rights€of€the€parent(s)€or€guardian(s)€of€the€child€who€is€theÐ ˆØ Ðsubject€of€the€petition€for€termination€of€parental€rights€or€adoption,Ð tÄ Ðthat€the€parent(s)€or€guardian(s)€either€have€willfully€failed€to€visit€orÐ `° Ðhave€willfully€failed€to€support€or€make€reasonable€payments€towardÐ L œ Ðthe€support€of€the€child€.€.€.€.Ð8 ˆ` x` x ÐÌTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„102(1)(A)(i).€€The€ð ðwillful€failure€to€visitðð€and€ð ðwillful€failure€to€supportððÐ  ` Ðdefinitions€are€found,€under€the€current€form€of€the€statute,€at€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðððð€36„1„102(1)(D)Ð ü L  Ðð!ð€(1)(E).Ð è 8  ÐÌà  àà ` àOur€Supreme€Court€in€òòIn€re€Swansonóó,€2€S.W.3d€180€(Tenn.€1999),€held€that€theÐ À  Ðð ðwillful€failure€to€supportðð€definition€of€abandonment€found€at€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„102(1)(D),Ð ¬ü  Ðwas€unconstitutional€because€it€created€an€ð ðirrebuttable€presumption€that€the€failure€to€provideÐ ˜è  Ðmonetary€support€for€the€four€months€preceding€the€petition€to€terminate€parental€rights€constitutesÐ „Ô  Ðabandonment,€irrespective€of€whether€that€failure€was€intentional€.€.€.€.ðð€€òòId.€óóat€188.€€The€CourtÐ pÀ Ðfurther€held€that€ð ðuntil€otherwise€amended€by€our€legislature,€the€definition€that€was€in€effect€underÐ \¬ Ðprior€law€shall€be€applied.ðð€€òòId.€óóat€189;€òòsee€also€id.óó€n.€14€(stating€that€ð ð[w]e€wish€to€make€it€clear€thatÐ H˜ Ðthe€definition€previously€in€effect€was€the€definition€as€it€existed€in€1994.€€Under€the€prior€statute,Ð 4„ Ðthe€definition€of€ððabandoned€childðð€contained€an€element€of€intent€both€in€failures€to€visit€and€failuresÐ  p Ðto€supportðð).€€Ð  \ ÐÌà  àà ` àThereafter,€this€Court,€citing€òòIn€re€Swansonóó,€used€the€prior€statutory€law€from€1994Ð ä4 Ðfor€the€definition€of€the€term€ð ðabandonment.ðð€€òòIn€re€Adoption€of€Copelandóó,€43€S.W.3d€483,€488Ð Ð  Ð(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€2000).€€This€Court€held:Ð ¼  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àUnder€the€law€as€it€existed€prior€to€òòIn€re€Swansonóó,€an€ð ðabandonedÐ ”ä Ðchildðð€was€defined€asЀÐ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð ààH` ` ` àˆà8¸ ` x` xà[a]€child€whose€parents€have€willfully€failed€to€visit€orÐ X ¨ Ðhave€willfully€failed€to€support€or€make€reasonableÐ D!” Ðpayments€toward€such€childððs€support€for€four€(4)Ð 0"€  Ðconsecutive€months€immediately€preceding€theÐ #l! Ðinstitution€of€an€action€or€proceeding€to€declare€theÐ $X" Ðchild€to€be€an€abandoned€child.Ðô$D #¸ ¸  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àT.C.A€ðð€36„1„102(1)(A)(i)€(Supp.€1994).€€ð ðWillfully€failed€to€visitððÐ Ì&"% Ðis€defined€as€ð ðthe€willful€failure,€over€four€(4)€consecutive€months,€toÐ ¸'#& Ðvisit€or€to€engage€in€more€than€token€visitation.ðð€€T.C.A.€ðð€36„1„Ð ¤(ô#' Ð102(1)(B)(ii)€(Supp.€1994).€€There€is€no€separate€definition€ofÐ )à$( Ðð ðwillfully€failed€to€support€or€make€reasonable€payments€toward€suchÐ |*Ì%) Ðchildððs€supportðð.€€Thus,€under€the€1994€law,€which€is€to€be€applied€inÐ h+¸&* Ðlight€of€the€Supreme€Courtððs€decision€in€òòIn€re€Swansonóó,€both€theÐ ° Ðfailure„to„visit€and€the€failure„to„support€definitions€contain€anÐ œì Ðelement€of€intent.ЈØ` x` x ÐÌòòId.€óó(alterations€in€original).Ð `° ÐÌà  àà ` àThe€Juvenile€Court€held€that€Mother€and€Stepfather€failed€to€establish€by€clear€andÐ 8 ˆ Ðconvincing€evidence€that€Father€had€abandoned€the€Child.€€In€neither€its€Finding€of€Fact€and€OpinionÐ $ t Ðnor€its€Order€did€the€Juvenile€Court€state€whether€it€was€applying€the€current€statutory€definition€ofÐ  ` Ðð ðabandonmentðð,€which€has€been€found€to€be€unconstitutional,€or€ð ðprior€law.ðð€€òòSeeóó€òòid.óó;€òòIn€re€Swansonóó,Ð ü L  Ð2€S.W.3d€at€188.€€Petitioners€do€not€argue€on€appeal€that€the€Juvenile€Court€applied€theÐ è 8  Ðunconstitutional€definition€of€ð ðabandonmentðð€in€making€its€determination.€Application€of€theÐ Ô$  Ðunconstitutional€definition€of€ð ðabandonmentðð€would€have€benefitted€Petitioners,€and€almost€certainlyÐ À  Ðwould€have€resulted€in€a€finding€that€Father€had€abandoned€the€Child.€€We€hold€that€both€the€òòIn€reÐ ¬ü  ÐSwansonóó€and€òòIn€re€Adoption€of€Copelandóó€decisions€apply€to€this€matter.€Ð ˜è  ЀÌà  àà ` àWe€also€acknowledge€that€in€making€its€factual€findings€and€concluding€that€theÐ pÀ ÐPetition€to€Terminate€should€not€be€granted,€the€Juvenile€Court€had€heard€the€testimony€of€the€partiesÐ \¬ Ðand€their€witnesses€and€had€assessed€their€credibility.€€ð ðUnlike€this€Court,€the€[Juvenile€Court],Ð H˜ Ðobserved€the€manner€and€demeanor€of€the€witnesses€and€was€in€the€best€position€to€evaluate€theirÐ 4„ Ðcredibility.ðð€€òòUnion€Planters€Natððl€Bank€v.€Island€Mgmt.€Auth.,€Inc.óó,€43€S.W.3d€498,€502€(Tenn.€Ct.Ð  p ÐApp.€2000).€€The€Trial€Courtððs€determinations€regarding€credibility€are€accorded€deference€by€thisÐ  \ ÐCourt.€€òòId.óó;òò€Davis€v.€Liberty€Mutual€Ins.€Co.óó,€38€S.W.3d€560,€563€(Tenn.€2001).€€ð ððð[A]ppellate€courtsÐ øH Ðwill€not€re„evaluate€a€trial€judgeððs€assessment€of€witness€credibility€absent€clear€and€convincingÐ ä4 Ðevidence€to€the€contrary.ðððð€òòWells€v.€Tennessee€Bd.€of€Regentsóó,€9€S.W.3d€779,€783€(Tenn.€1999).€€Ð Ð  ÐÌà  àà ` àApplying€the€prior€statutory€definition€of€the€term€ð ðabandonmentðð€found€in€the€1994Ð ¨ø Ðversion€of€the€statute,€we€hold€that€the€Juvenile€Court€did€not€err€in€determining€that€Father€had€notÐ ”ä Ðabandoned€the€Child€for€failure€to€visit€or€failure€to€support€the€Child.€€With€respect€to€the€allegationÐ €Ð Ðthat€Father€failed€to€visit€the€Child,€the€evidence€in€the€record€before€us€does€not€preponderateÐ l¼ Ðagainst€the€Juvenile€Courtððs€findings€that€the€Child€and€Father€had€bonded€during€their€visits€togetherÐ X ¨ Ðand€that€no€effort€was€made€to€accommodate€Fatherððs€requests€for€visits€after€Mother€discontinuedÐ D!” Ðhis€visitation.€€òòSeeóó€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€13(d);€òòAlexander€v.€Inmanóó,€974€S.W.2d€at€692.€€The€proof€inÐ 0"€  Ðthe€record€shows€that€prior€to€Motherððs€discontinuance€of€Fatherððs€visitation€in€September€orÐ #l! ÐOctober€1997,€Father€visited€the€Child€on€a€fairly€regular€basis.€€Thereafter,€Father€attempted€to€visitÐ $X" Ðthe€Child,€but€Mother€thwarted€his€efforts.€€€Under€the€facts€and€circumstances€presented€by€theÐ ô$D # Ðrecord€on€appeal€and€given€the€deference€we€must€provide€the€Juvenile€Courtððs€determinations€ofÐ à%0!$ Ðcredibility,€we€hold€that€although€Father€did€not€visit€the€child€for€four€consecutive€months€prior€toÐ Ì&"% Ðthe€filing€of€the€Petition€to€Terminate€in€1999,€Petitioners€failed€to€prove€by€clear€and€convincingÐ ¸'#& Ðevidence€that€Fatherððs€failure€to€visit€the€Child€was€intentional.€€òòSeeóó€òòHickman€v.€Hickmanóó,€No.Ð ¤(ô#' ÐE2000„00927„COA„R3„CV,€2000€WL€1449853,€at€*€1€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Sept.€28,€2000),€òòno€appl.Ð )à$( Ðperm.€app.€filedóó€(holding€that€mother€did€not€intentionally€fail€to€visit€her€children€where€both€fatherÐ |*Ì%) Ðand€stepmother€admitted€that€they€had€interfered€with€motherððs€visitation).€€Accordingly,€we€affirmÐ h+¸&* Ðthe€Juvenile€Courtððs€determination€that€the€Petition€to€Terminate€should€not€be€granted€on€thisÐ ° Ðground.Ð œì ÐÌà  àà ` àWe€next€review€Petitionersðð€argument€that€the€Juvenile€Court€erred€in€determiningÐ tÄ Ðthey€failed€to€prove€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence€that€Father€abandoned€the€Child€by€failing€toÐ `° Ðsupport€him.€€Petitioners€correctly€argue€on€appeal€that€the€Juvenile€Court€did€not€make€a€specificÐ L œ Ðdetermination€that€Fatherððs€failure€to€support€was€not€willful.€€As€discussed,€to€succeed€on€thisÐ 8 ˆ Ðground,€however,€Petitioners€had€the€burden€to€prove€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence€that€FatherÐ $ t Ðð ðððwillfully€failed€to€support€or€make€reasonable€payments€toward€such€childððs€support€for€four€(4)Ð  ` Ðconsecutive€monthsðððð€prior€to€the€filing€of€the€Petition€to€Terminate.€€òòIn€re€Adoption€of€Copelandóó,Ð ü L  Ð43€S.W.3d€at€488€(quoting€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„102(1)(A)(i)€(Supp.€1994)).€€Ð è 8  ÐÌà  àà ` à€We€hold€that€the€Juvenile€Court€did€not€err€€in€holding€that€the€Petition€to€TerminateÐ À  Ðshould€not€be€granted€on€the€ground€of€Fatherððs€alleged€willful€failure€to€support€the€Child.€Ð ¬ü  ÐPetitioners€correctly€note€that€the€Juvenile€Court€failed€to€determine€specifically€that€Fatherððs€failureÐ ˜è  Ðto€pay€support€was€not€intentional.€€The€Juvenile€Court€did€determine,€however,€that€the€Petition€toÐ „Ô  ÐTerminate€was€not€well„taken,€and€it€follows€that€the€Juvenile€Court€found€that€Petitioners€failed€toÐ pÀ Ðestablish€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence€this€ground€for€termination€of€Fatherððs€parental€rights.€Ð \¬ ÐThe€Juvenile€Court€did€make€a€factual€finding€that€although€Fatherððs€testimony€was€somewhatÐ H˜ Ðexaggerated,€Father€offered€money€more€than€Petitioners€would€admit.€€The€proof€contained€in€theÐ 4„ Ðrecord€on€appeal€does€not€preponderate€against€this€finding.€òòSee€óóTenn.€R.€App.€P.€13(d);€òòAlexanderÐ  p Ðv.€Inmanóó,€974€S.W.2d€at€692.€€The€testimony€shows€that€Father€did€provide€Mother€with€cash€andÐ  \ Ðsupplies,€although€infrequently,€prior€to€the€time€she€discontinued€Fatherððs€visitation.€€The€partiesÐ øH Ðdispute€whether€Father€offered€financial€assistance€to€Mother€after€she€discontinued€his€visitation.€Ð ä4 ÐIt€is€clear,€however,€from€the€Juvenile€Courtððs€dismissal€of€the€Petition€to€Terminate€that€it€foundÐ Ð  ÐFather€to€be€more€credible€on€this€issue.€€Petitioners,€not€Father,€had€the€burden€on€this€issue.€€BasedÐ ¼  Ðon€the€proof€contained€in€the€record€and€the€Juvenile€Courtððs€assessment€of€the€credibility€of€theÐ ¨ø Ðwitnesses€and€parties,€we€affirm€the€Juvenile€Courtððs€determination€that€Petitioners€failed€to€proveÐ ”ä Ðby€clear€and€convincing€evidence€this€ground€for€termination€of€Fatherððs€parental€rights.Ð €Ð ÐÌà  àà ` àWe€acknowledge€that€Fatherððs€relationship€with€the€Child,€when€he€was€allowed€byÐ X ¨ ÐMother€to€visit€the€Child,€was€not€perfect€and€that€Mother€became€frustrated€with€Fatherððs€behaviorÐ D!” Ðover€time.€€These€circumstances,€as€presented€by€the€proof€in€the€record,€do€not€justify€under€theÐ 0"€  Ðstatute€the€termination€of€Fatherððs€parental€rights.€€Due€to€Fatherððs€ð ðfundamental€right€to€the€care,Ð #l! Ðcustody,€and€control€of€[the€Child,]"€Petitioners€must€prove€circumstances€justifying€the€terminationÐ $X" Ðof€Fatherððs€rights€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence,€a€heightened€standard.€€òòIn€re€Drinnonóó,€776Ð ô$D # ÐS.W.2d€96,€97€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1988)€(citing€òòStanley€v.€Illinoisóó,€405€U.S.€645,€92€S.Ct.€1208,€31Ð à%0!$ ÐL.Ed.2d€551€(1972)).€€The€proof€in€the€record€before€us€does€not€show€that€Petitioners€establishedÐ Ì&"% Ðgrounds€for€termination€of€Fatherððs€parental€rights€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence.€€Accordingly,Ð ¸'#& Ðwe€affirm€the€Juvenile€Courtððs€dismissal€of€the€Petition€to€Terminate.€Ð ¤(ô#' ÐÌà  àà ` àHaving€held€that€the€alleged€ground€for€termination€of€Fatherððs€parental€rights,Ð |*Ì%) Ðabandonment,€was€not€proven€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence,€the€remaining€issue€on€appeal,Ð h+¸&* Ðwhether€the€Juvenile€Court€erred€in€holding€that€termination€of€Fatherððs€parental€rights€would€notÐ ° Ðbe€in€the€best€interests€of€the€Child,€is€pretermitted.€€òòSeeóó€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(c);€òòIn€reÐ œì ÐSwansonóó,€2€S.W.3d€at€188;€òòIn€re€M.W.A.óó,€90€S.W.2d€at€622.Ð ˆØ ÐÌà@  %ìàòòò òConclusionó óóóˆÐ `° ÐÌà  àà ` àThe€judgment€of€the€Juvenile€Court€is€affirmed€and€this€cause€is€remanded€to€theÐ 8 ˆ ÐJuvenile€Court€for€such€further€proceedings€as€may€be€required,€if€any,€consistent€with€this€Opinion,Ð $ t Ðand€for€collection€of€the€costs€below.€€The€costs€on€appeal€are€assessed€against€the€Appellants,Ð  ` ÐK.S.O.H.,€and€W.H.,€Jr.,€and€their€surety.Ð ü L  ÐÌÌÌÌÌÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à___________________________________€Ð \¬ Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àD.€MICHAEL€SWINEY,€JUDGEÐ H˜ ЀÌ