ÿWPCP Œ¤ð‰€Á3 &Ja Jņî )Ø"û§7ÞH€û•!;й˜yL$!rT¾âe€pž§`u¸”ÈJÏ ïotØúRMw÷YwkÅÆiŠèÑ–UbÍî(¿c×ýÑÕ*ºxëþ Ð}©àY±êŒt ^f¤¡yØÝ¯è%L<§®gÊüÖÒê’Š!<"òcÁâürα_¯ÏXÏÍ:8²ýb@ »ÑùlCYÿ´)Ë^Ì99Ÿ¤7ƒ¥|ª2Ð4èÁ\$õ¥¥{ÄÉù Ò_5ê¡ÃTyf=EùíÛ¸·ÑVX5°¦þPŸ—£U—÷öfPOizˆ-Ž8a¯Ò‰¶šwÿªoЏ €‰‡×ž%¨lö¿v¶?´„²„I:Þöl„ì&EÅ<ýEk&ì±ÈOßt‰Õÿ‘c•c*ë¿s1„Gsh Þò6+à ¸Ãû®£‰2÷BYÒ™ùq³Î¡r±œÁÖûÕÔjW1U™g<'xUÚ´"‘Z”žW t–; @ ¢÷A’õôr&5lèÍõwÚïõwQ§Mq5WáÆóÐ?W âŽížC?áK'U¢ü§÷°.ºÙzæ‡HÆ“UK}L¹ÝRú¥èÈÒnös"P³´e¾Œ#b %\^ b 0ˆnU,NöwD4Th zwÒñà mÅ  Ü !ü Æ Æã Æ© Æo 0D5Ny¦{™!Eº#ɼ¼À………………………………………………………bEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE 0ëMMMM B88 0¤U D3ù D-, 0KYY AS¤Æ÷ 0¤½ 0Da A«¥»{©ž/Ï (`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regulare²p)/ê:i¢×+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.wpt ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ indigency Ý ƒR¢$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôå=ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔIn€her€response€to€the€petition€for€temporary€custody,€filed€February€20,€2002,€Mother€stated€that€her€husband,Ð ° ÐÔ_ÔJ.T.Ô_Ô,€abandoned€her€around€1992€and€that€she€had€been€unaware€that€she€could€obtain€a€divorce€ð ðwithout€the€presenceÐ tÄ Ðof€her€husband.ðð€€Mother€went€on€to€state€that€she€had€been€dating€Father€for€approximately€four€years.Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó œÝ ƒRoÀ$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô·ñ ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€37„1„166€(2001)€provides,€in€pertinent€part,€as€follows:Ð ° ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(a)€At€any€proceeding€of€a€juvenile€court,€prior€to€ordering€a€child€committed€to€orÐ 8ˆ Ðretained€within€the€custody€of€the€department€of€childrenððs€services,€the€court€shallÐ üL Ðfirst€determine€whether€reasonable€efforts€have€been€made€to:ÐÀ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(1)€Prevent€the€need€for€removal€of€the€child€from€such€childððs€family;€orÐH ˜` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(2)€Make€it€possible€for€the€child€to€return€home.ÐÐ ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(b)€Whenever€a€juvenile€court€is€making€the€determination€required€by€subsectionÐ X ¨  Ð(a),€the€department€has€the€burden€of€demonstrating€that€reasonable€efforts€haveÐ  l  Ðbeen€made€to€prevent€the€need€for€removal€of€the€child€or€to€make€it€possible€for€theÐ à 0  Ðchild€to€return€home. Ý ƒRoÀ$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô·ñ ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ_ÔJ.T.Ô_Ôððs€parental€rights,€as€putative€father€of€the€child,€were€terminated€on€October€29,€2002,€by€entry€of€a€defaultÐ ° Ðjudgment.€€Ô_ÔJ.T.Ô_Ô€did€not€appeal€the€termination€of€his€parental€rights.˜\\IB01S08T\knoxclerk4ÈÈ,,,,ÈÈ0 ¶Ý ƒRoÀ$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô·ñ ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔFather€agreed€to€the€termination€of€his€parental€rights.- ù-(|G2¢$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€L »»dXXdì8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôå=ò»»Ô d(|3H$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€L »»dXXdì8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV'ÿÿdxd)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3H$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€L »»dXXdì8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€L »»dXXdì8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ  ÑÔ€¼L »»»ÔÑ8€™XXdì»»d8ÑÑ  Ñà@ü ü ìàÔ‡î\ÄL ÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@WW$ìàAT€KNOXVILLEÔ#†¼L »îî\Ä #ԈРÖ& ÐÓ  Ó€Assigned€on€Briefs€October€17,€2003Ð üL ÐÔ‡X™X»¼L ÔÌò òÔ#†¼L »XX™#ÔSTATE€OF€TENNESSEE€DEPARTMENT€OF€CHILDRENððS€SERVICESòòóó€v.Ð úJ ÐÔ_ÔL.L.T.Ô_Ô€,€òòet€al.óóÔ‡X™X»¼L Ôó óÐ  ^ ÐÌà@@½½ìàò ò€Appeal€from€the€Juvenile€Court€for€Hamilton€CountyÐ  ^ Ðà@@øøìàNo.€176,037€€€€€€Suzanne€Bailey,€JudgeÐ ú J ÐÌññFiled€Ô_ÔññññDecember€30,€2003ññÔ_ÔÐ Ò"  Ðà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<½` AßÐ ¾  ÐÌà@@TTìàNo.€E2003„00501„Ô_ÔCOAÔ_Ô„R3„JV€Ð ¹  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<` AßÐ ‘á  Ðó óÌÓ  ÓThe€trial€court€terminated€the€parental€rights€of€Ô_ÔL.L.T.Ô_Ô€(ð ðMotherðð)€with€respect€to€her€minor€child,Ð ŒÜ ÐÔ_ÔJ.C.T.Ô_Ô€(DOB:€January€31,€2002),€a€male.€€Mother€appeals,€arguing€that€the€evidence€preponderatesÐ xÈ Ðagainst€the€trial€courtððs€findings,€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence,€(1)€that€statutory€grounds€forÐ d´ Ðtermination€exist€and€(2)€that€termination€is€in€the€best€interest€of€the€child.€€We€affirm.Ð P  ÐÓ9ÓÌò òTenn.€R.€App.€P.€3€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Juvenile€CourtÐ (x ÐAffirmed;€Case€Remandedó óÐ d ÐÌòòÓ  ÓÔ#†¼L »àX™Ñ#ÔÔ‡X™X.¼L ÔCharles€D.€Susano,€Jr.,€J.óó,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòHerschel€P.€Franksóó€andÐ ì< ÐòòD.€Michael€Ô_ÔSwineyÔ_Ô,€JJ.óó,€joined.Ð Ø( ÐÌCara€C.€Welsh,€Chattanooga,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellant,€Ô_ÔL.L.T.Ô_ÔÐ ° ÐÌPaul€G.€Summers,€Attorney€General€and€Reporter,€and€Juan€G.€Ô_ÔVillaseðñ ðorÔ_Ô,€Assistant€AttorneyÐ ˆØ ÐGeneral,€for€the€appellee,€State€of€Tennessee€Department€of€Childrenððs€Services.Ð t Ä ÐÓÓÌò òOPINIONó óÔ#†¼L »XX™6#ÔÔ‡X™X»¼L ÔÐ L"œ! ÐÌI.Ð $$t# ÐÌÓ  Óà  àOn€February€6,€2002,€the€Tennessee€Department€of€Childrenððs€Services€(ð ðDCSðð)€filed€aÐ ü%L!% Ðpetition€for€temporary€custody€of€six„day„old€Ô_ÔJ.C.T.Ô_Ô€€The€petition€alleges€that€Ô_ÔJ.C.T.Ô_Ô€was€a€dependentÐ è&8"& Ðand€neglected€child€ð ðbecause€medical€tests€revealed€that€he€had€cocaine€in€his€blood€upon€birth.ðð€Ð Ô'$#' ÐThe€petition€goes€on€to€state€that€Mother€had€tested€positive€for€cocaine€and€that€she€admitted€toÐ À($( Ðâ âusing€cocaine€while€she€was€pregnant.€€In€addition,€the€petition€states€that€Mother€claimed€herÐ ¬)ü$)ý ÐÔ_Ôboyfriend,€M.S.€(ð ðFatherðð),€is€the€biological€father€of€the€child,€rather€than€her€husband,€J.T.׃ ×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€UponÐ ° Ðâ âthe€filing€of€the€petition,€the€juvenile€court€entered€an€order€placing€temporary€care€and€custody€ofÐ œì Ðthe€child€with€DCS.€€The€child€has€remained€in€foster€care€since€his€custody€was€first€granted€toÐ ˆØ ÐDCS.Ð tÄ ÐÌà  àOn€June€18,€2002,€DCS€filed€a€petition€to€terminate€the€parental€rights€of€Mother,€Father,€andÐ L œ ÐÔ_ÔJ.T.Ô_ÔÔ_Ô׃Ü×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ô_Ô€€At€or€about€the€time€of€the€filing€of€the€petition,Ô#†¼¥»XX_ù #ÔÔ‡X_ùX»¼¥Ô€Mother€was€incarcerated€in€Chattanooga€forÐ 8 ˆ Ðwriting€a€bad€check.€€A€bench€trial€was€held€in€the€instant€case€on€January€22,€2003;€Mother€was€stillÐ $ t Ðincarcerated€at€the€time€of€trial.€€At€the€conclusion€of€the€trial,€the€court€terminated€the€parental€rightsÐ  ` Ðof€Mother,׃,×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€finding,€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence,€that€grounds€for€terminating€MotherððsÐ ü L  Ðparental€rights€existed€and€that€termination€was€in€the€best€interest€of€the€child.Ð è 8  ÐÌà  àOnce€Mother€was€released€from€jail€in€Chattanooga,€she€was€extradited€to€Georgia€to€serveÐ À  Ðtime€for€an€unpaid€$3,000€fine.€€A€DCS€quarterly€progress€report€dated€November€5,€2002,€signedÐ ¬ü  Ðby€Motherððs€DCS€case€manager€and€a€DCS€supervisor,€states€that€Motherððs€Georgia€probation€officerÐ ˜è  Ðð ðis€recommending€[that€Mother]€be€placed€in€detention€until€such€time€[as€the€$3000€fine€is]€workedÐ „Ô  Ðoff.ðð€€The€report€goes€on€to€state€that€the€probation€officer€indicated€that€it€could€take€from€six€toÐ pÀ Ðeight€months€for€Mother€to€work€off€the€fine.€€A€uniform€affidavit€of€indigency,€filed€with€MotherððsÐ \¬ Ðnotice€of€appeal€on€February€27,€2003,€lists€Motherððs€current€address€as€a€detention€facility€inÐ H˜ ÐTrenton,€Georgia.Ð 4„ ÐÌÓ  ÓII.Ð  \ ÐÓ%ÓÌà  àOur€review€of€this€non„jury€case€is€òòde€novoóó;€however,€the€record€comes€to€us€accompaniedÐ ä4 Ðby€a€presumption€of€correctness€that€we€must€honor€unless€the€evidence€preponderates€against€theÐ Ð  Ðtrial€courtððs€findings.€€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€13(d).€€No€presumption€of€correctness€attaches€to€the€lowerÐ ¼  Ðcourtððs€conclusions€of€law.€€ò òòòÔ_ÔJahnÔ_Ô€v.€Ô_ÔJahnÔ_Ôó óóó,€932€S.W.2d€939,€941€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1996).€Ô#†¼¥»XX_ù#ÔÔ‡X_ùX»¼¥ÔÐ ¨ø ÐÌÓ  ÓIII.Ð €Ð ÐÌÓÈÓà  àThe€law€is€well„settled€that€ð ðparents€have€a€fundamental€right€to€the€care,€custody,€andÐ X ¨ Ðcontrol€of€their€children.ðð€€ò òòòIn€re€Ô_ÔDrinnonÔ_Ôó óóó,€776€S.W.2d€96,€97€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1988)€(citing€ò òòòStanleyÐ D!” Ðv.€Illinoisó óóó,€405€U.S.€645,€92€S.€Ct.€1208,€31€L.€Ed.€2d€551€(1972)).€€However,€this€right€is€notÐ 0"€  Ðabsolute€and€may€be€terminated€if€there€is€clear€and€convincing€evidence€justifying€termination€underÐ #l! Ðthe€pertinent€statute.€€ò òòòÔ_ÔSantoskyÔ_Ô€v.€Krameró óóó,€455€U.S.€745,€102€S.€Ct.€1388,€71€L.€Ed.€2d€599€(1982).€Ð $X" 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€€ò òòòÔ_ÔOððDanielÔ_Ô€v.€Messieró óóó,Ð œì Ð905€S.W.2d€182,€188€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1995).Ð ˆØ ÐÌà  àThe€issues€raised€in€the€pleadings,€the€evidence€presented€at€trial,€and€the€trial€courtððsÐ `° Ðfindings,€implicate€the€following€statutory€provisions:Ð L œ ÐÌÔ#†¼¥»XX_ù“#ÔÔ‡X_ùX»¼¥ÔÓ  ÓòòTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113€(Supp.€2003)óóÔ#†¼¥»XX_ù #ÔÔ‡X_ùX»¼¥ÔÐ $ t ÐÌ*€*€*Ð ü L  ÐÓ  Óà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(c)€Termination€of€parental€or€guardianship€rights€must€be€basedÐ è 8  Ðupon:ÐÔ$ ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(1)€A€finding€by€the€court€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence€that€theÐ ¬ü  Ðgrounds€for€termination€[of]€parental€or€guardianship€rights€have€beenÐ ˜è  Ðestablished;€andÐ„Ô ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(2)€That€termination€of€the€parentððs€or€guardianððs€rights€is€in€the€bestÐ \¬ Ðinterests€of€the€child.€ÐH˜` x` x ÐÌÓ  Ó*€*€*Ð  p ÐÓ?"ÓÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(g)€Initiation€of€termination€of€parental€or€guardianship€rights€may€beÐ øH Ðbased€upon€any€of€the€following€grounds:Ðä4` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(1)€Abandonment€by€the€parent€or€guardian,€as€defined€in€[Tenn.Ð ¼  ÐCode€Ann.]€ðð€36„1„102,€has€occurred;Шø` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(2)€There€has€been€substantial€noncompliance€by€the€parent€orÐ €Ð Ðguardian€with€the€statement€of€responsibilities€in€a€permanency€planÐ l¼ Ðor€a€plan€of€care€pursuant€to€the€provisions€of€title€37,€chapter€2,€partÐ X ¨ Ð4;ÐD!”` x` x ÐÌÓ  Ó*€*€*Ô#†¼¥»XX_ù‹#ÔÔ‡X_ùX»¼¥ÔÐ #l! ÐÌòòTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„102€(Supp.€2003)óóÐ ô$D # ÐÌÓ@%Óà8  àà8` Ð Ð àAs€used€in€this€part,€unless€the€context€otherwise€requires:ÐÌ&"%` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(1)(A)€ð ðAbandonmentðð€means,€for€purposes€of€terminating€theÐ ¤(ô#' Ðparental€or€guardian€rights€of€parent(s)€or€guardian(s)€of€a€child€toÐ )à$( Ðthat€child€in€order€to€make€that€child€available€for€adoption,€that:Ð|*Ì%)` x` x ÐÐ h+¸&* Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(Ô_ÔiÔ_Ô)€For€a€period€of€four€(4)€consecutive€months€immediately€precedingÐ ° Ðthe€filing€of€a€proceeding€or€pleading€to€terminate€the€parental€rightsÐ œì Ðof€the€parent(s)€or€guardian(s)€of€the€child€who€is€the€subject€of€theÐ ˆØ Ðpetition€for€termination€of€parental€rights€or€adoption,€that€theÐ tÄ Ðparent(s)€or€guardian(s)€either€have€willfully€failed€to€visit€or€haveÐ `° Ðwillfully€failed€to€support€or€have€willfully€failed€to€make€reasonableÐ L œ Ðpayments€toward€the€support€of€the€child;Ô#†¼¥»XX_ùt%#ÔÔ‡X_ùX»¼¥ÔÐ8 ˆ` x` x ÐÌÔ#†¼¥»XX_ùm*#ÔÔ‡X_ùX»¼¥Ôà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(ii)€The€child€has€been€removed€from€the€home€of€the€parent(s)€orÐ  ` Ðguardian(s)€as€the€result€of€a€petition€filed€in€the€juvenile€court€inÐ ü L  Ðwhich€the€child€was€found€to€be€a€dependent€and€neglected€child,€asÐ è 8  Ðdefined€in€[Tenn.€Code€Ann.]€ðð€37„1„102,€and€the€child€was€placedÐ Ô$  Ðin€the€custody€of€the€department€or€a€licensed€child„placing€agency,Ð À  Ðthat€the€juvenile€court€found,€or€the€court€where€the€termination€ofÐ ¬ü  Ðparental€rights€petition€is€filed€finds,€that€the€department€or€a€licensedÐ ˜è  Ðchild„placing€agency€made€reasonable€efforts€to€prevent€removal€ofÐ „Ô  Ðthe€child€or€that€the€circumstances€of€the€childððs€situation€preventedÐ pÀ Ðreasonable€efforts€from€being€made€prior€to€the€childððs€removal;€andÐ \¬ Ðfor€a€period€of€four€(4)€months€following€the€removal,€the€departmentÐ H˜ Ðor€agency€has€made€reasonable€efforts€to€assist€the€parent(s)€orÐ 4„ Ðguardian(s)€to€establish€a€suitable€home€for€the€child,€but€that€theÐ  p Ðparent(s)€or€guardian(s)€have€made€no€reasonable€efforts€to€provideÐ  \ Ða€suitable€home€and€have€demonstrated€a€lack€of€concern€for€the€childÐ øH Ðto€such€a€degree€that€it€appears€unlikely€that€they€will€be€able€toÐ ä4 Ðprovide€a€suitable€home€for€the€child€at€an€early€date;ÐÐ ` x` x ÐÌÓ  Ó*€*€*Ð ¨ø ÐÌÓû0Óà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(iv)€A€parent€or€guardian€is€incarcerated€at€the€time€of€the€institutionÐ €Ð Ðof€an€action€or€proceeding€to€declare€a€child€to€be€an€abandoned€child,Ð l¼ Ðor€the€parent€or€guardian€has€been€incarcerated€during€all€or€part€ofÐ X ¨ Ðthe€four€(4)€months€immediately€preceding€the€institution€of€suchÐ D!” Ðaction€or€proceeding,€and€either€has€willfully€failed€to€visit€or€hasÐ 0"€  Ðwillfully€failed€to€support€or€has€willfully€failed€to€make€reasonableÐ #l! Ðpayments€toward€the€support€of€the€child€for€four€(4)€consecutiveÐ $X" Ðmonths€immediately€preceding€such€parentððs€or€guardianððsÐ ô$D # Ðincarceration,€or€the€parent€or€guardian€has€engaged€in€conduct€priorÐ à%0!$ Ðto€incarceration€which€exhibits€a€wanton€disregard€for€the€welfare€ofÐ Ì&"% Ðthe€child;€.€.€.и'#&` x` x ÐÌÓ  Óà8 @ àà8@` Ð Ð à*€*€*€Ð )à$( Ðâ âÐ |*Ì%) ÐÓý4Óà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(B)€For€purposes€of€this€subdivision€(1),€ð ðtoken€supportðð€means€thatÐ ° Ðâ âthe€support,€under€the€circumstances€of€the€individual€case,€isÐ œì Ðinsignificant€given€the€parentððs€means;ЈØ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(C)€For€purposes€of€this€subdivision€(1),€ð ðtoken€visitationðð€means€that€Ð `° Ðthe€visitation,€under€the€circumstances€of€the€individual€case,Ð L œ Ðconstitutes€nothing€more€than€perfunctory€visitation€or€visitation€ofÐ 8 ˆ Ðsuch€an€infrequent€nature€or€of€such€short€duration€as€to€merelyÐ $ t Ðestablish€minimal€or€insubstantial€contact€with€the€child;Ð `` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(D)€For€purposes€of€this€subdivision€(1),€ð ðwillfully€failed€to€supportððÐ è 8  Ðor€ð ðwillfully€failed€to€make€reasonable€payments€toward€such€childððsÐ Ô$  Ðsupportðð€means€the€willful€failure,€for€a€period€of€four€(4)€consecutiveÐ À  Ðmonths,€to€provide€monetary€support€or€the€willful€failure€to€provideÐ ¬ü  Ðmore€than€token€payments€toward€the€support€of€the€child;Иè ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(E)€For€purposes€of€this€subdivision€(1),€ð ðwillfully€failed€to€visitððÐ pÀ Ðmeans€the€willful€failure,€for€a€period€of€four€(4)€consecutive€months,Ð \¬ Ðto€visit€or€engage€in€more€than€token€visitation;ÐH˜` x` x ÐÌÓ  Ó*€*€*Ð  p ÐÓ›;ÓÌòòÓ  ÓTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€37„2„403€(Supp.€2003)Ð øH ÐÓÕ;ÓóóÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(a)(1)€Within€thirty€(30)€days€of€the€date€of€foster€care€placement,€anÐ Ð  Ðagency€shall€prepare€a€plan€for€each€child€in€its€foster€care.€.€.€.м ` x` x ÐÌÓ  Óà8 @ àà8@` Ð Ð à*€*€*Ð ”ä ÐÓ=ÓÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(2)(A)€The€permanency€plan€for€any€child€in€foster€care€shall€includeÐ l¼ Ða€statement€of€responsibilities€between€the€parents,€the€agency€and€theÐ X ¨ Ðcaseworker€of€such€agency.€.€.€.ÐD!”` x` x ÐÌÓ  Óà8 @ àà8@` Ð Ð à*€*€*Ð #l! ÐÓ>ÓÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(C)€Substantial€noncompliance€by€the€parent€with€the€statement€ofÐ ô$D # Ðresponsibilities€provides€grounds€for€the€termination€of€parentalÐ à%0!$ Ðrights,€notwithstanding€other€statutory€provisions€for€termination€ofÐ Ì&"% Ðparental€rights,€.€.€.€.и'#&` x` x ÐÔ#†¼¥»XX_ùÏ*#ÔÔ‡X_ùX»¼¥Ôà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àÌÔ#†¼¥»XX_ùX@#ÔÔ‡X_ùX»¼¥ÔÐ  )à$( ÐÓ  ÓIV.Ð ° ÐÌÓAÓà  àMother€raises€four€issues€for€our€consideration:€(1)€whether€the€evidence€supports€the€trialÐ ˆØ Ðcourtððs€finding€of€abandonment;€(2)€whether€the€evidence€supports€the€trial€courtððs€finding€thatÐ tÄ ÐMother€failed€to€substantially€comply€with€the€permanency€plan;€(3)€whether€the€evidence€supportsÐ `° Ðthe€trial€courtððs€finding€that€DCS€made€reasonable€efforts€to€reunify€Mother€with€the€child;€and€(4)Ð L œ Ðwhether€the€evidence€supports€the€trial€courtððs€finding€that€termination€of€Motherððs€parental€rightsÐ 8 ˆ Ðis€in€the€best€interest€of€the€child.Ð $ t ÐÌÓ  ÓA.Ð ü L  ÐÓðCÓÌà  àWith€respect€to€Motherððs€abandonment€of€the€child,€the€trial€court€found€as€follows:Ð Ô$  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à[Mother]€willfully€abandoned€the€child€for€more€than€four€(4)Ð ¬ü  Ðconsecutive€months€next€preceding€the€filing€of€the€petition€in€thatÐ ˜è  Ð[Motherððs]€visits€could€only€be€considered€token€and€[Mother]€failedÐ „Ô  Ðto€pay€child€support.€€[Mother€and€Father]€missed€many€visits€andÐ pÀ Ðarrived€late€for€others.€[Mother]€spent€most€of€her€visits€talking€toÐ \¬ Ðothers€or€in€the€restroom€.€.€.€.ÐH˜` x` x ÐÌà  àMother€admitted€that€she€paid€no€child€support€during€the€entire€time€her€child€was€in€theÐ  p Ðcustody€of€DCS,€which,€at€the€time€of€trial,€amounted€to€almost€one€year.€€We€recognize€that€MotherÐ  \ Ðwas€incarcerated€from€June,€2002,€through€the€time€of€trial€in€January,€2003,€and€that€she€probablyÐ øH Ðhad€no€resources€to€pay€child€support.€€However,€in€the€more€than€four€months€preceding€MotherððsÐ ä4 Ðincarceration€that€the€child€was€in€the€custody€of€DCS,€Mother€paid€absolutely€nothing€toward€theÐ Ð  Ðsupport€of€her€child,€even€though€she€was€working€part„time.€€When€questioned€about€this€matterÐ ¼  Ðat€trial,€Mother€responded€that€she€ð ðnever€knew€[she]€had€toðð€pay€child€support.€€However,€this€CourtÐ ¨ø Ðhas€previously€held€that€ð ðthe€support€of€oneððs€children€should€not€be€conditioned€upon€whether€oneÐ ”ä Ðhas€been€placed€under€a€court€order€to€do€so.ðð€€ò òòòState€Ô_ÔDepððtÔ_Ô€of€Human€Ô_ÔServsÔ_Ô.€v.€Ô_ÔManierÔ_Ôó óóó,€C/A€No.Ð €Ð Ð01A01„9703„JV„00116,€1997€WL€675209,€at€*5€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Ô_ÔW.S.Ô_Ô,€filed€October€31,€1997).€Ð l¼ ÐMother€asserts€that,€while€she€did€not€pay€any€money€toward€the€support€of€the€child,€she€did€provideÐ X ¨ Ðthe€child€with€ð ðclothes€and€odds€and€Ô_Ôend[sÔ_Ô]€thingsðð€when€she€visited€him€prior€to€her€incarceration.€Ð D!” ÐSuch€gifts,€however,€constitute€nothing€more€than€token€support,€pursuant€to€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„Ð 0"€  Ð1„102(1)(B).€€Ð #l! ÐÌà  àWith€respect€to€the€allegation€of€willful€failure€to€visit€the€child€for€four€consecutive€months,Ð ô$D # ÐMother€testified€that€she€attended€all€but€one€of€the€visitation€sessions€allowed€to€her€by€DCS€priorÐ à%0!$ Ðto€her€incarceration.€€Mother€stated€that€she€notified€DCS€of€her€inability€to€attend€one€session€dueÐ Ì&"% Ðto€an€injury.€€However,€the€childððs€original€DCS€caseworker€testified€that€Mother€missed€twoÐ ¸'#& Ðvisitation€sessions€and€that€Mother€always€arrived€late€for€visitation.€€During€visitation,€theÐ ¤(ô#' Ðcaseworker€testified€that€she€ð ðwould€have€to€go€get€[Mother]€out€of€the€bathroom€[because€MotherÐ )à$( Ðwould]€be€putting€makeup€on.ðð€€The€caseworker€also€testified€that€Mother€fell€asleep€during€at€leastÐ |*Ì%) Ðthree€of€the€sessions€and€that€she€could€smell€alcohol€on€Motherððs€breath€on€at€least€two€occasions.€Ð h+¸&* ÐMoreover,€on€at€least€four€of€the€sessions€attended€by€Father,€the€caseworker€stated€that€Mother€andÐ ° ÐFather€would€get€into€loud€arguments€in€the€presence€of€the€child.Ð œì ÐÌà  àWe€hold€this€visitation€by€Mother€amounts€to€nothing€more€than€token€visitation,€pursuantÐ tÄ Ðto€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„102(1)(C).€€While€Mother€may€have€attended€all€but€one€or€two€visitationÐ `° Ðsessions,€the€concept€of€ð ðvisitationðð€is€much€more€than€a€mere€physical€presence.€€The€testimony€ofÐ L œ Ðthe€caseworker,€which€was€believed€by€the€trial€court,€indicates€that€Mother€spent€her€visitationÐ 8 ˆ Ðsessions€applying€makeup,€sleeping,€and€arguing€with€Father,€rather€than€properly€focusing€herÐ $ t Ðattention€on€and€caring€for€the€child.€€Such€ð ðperfunctoryðð€presence€with€the€child€does€not€precludeÐ  ` Ða€finding€of€abandonment€under€the€statute.€€Accordingly,€we€find€that€the€evidence€does€notÐ ü L  Ðpreponderate€against€the€trial€courtððs€finding€that€there€was€clear€and€convincing€evidence€ofÐ è 8  ÐMotherððs€abandonment€of€the€child.€€òòSeeóó€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„102(1)(C).Ð Ô$  ÐÌÓ  ÓB.Ð ¬ü  ÐÌÓwVÓà  àThe€trial€court€found€that€Mother€ð ðfailed€to€comply€in€a€substantial€manner€on€the€reasonableÐ „Ô  Ðresponsibilitiesðð€of€the€permanency€plan.€€The€plan,€dated€February€14,€2002,€required€Mother€to€doÐ pÀ Ðthe€following:€(1)€pay€child€support;€(2)€complete€parenting€classes;€(3)€undergo€and€complete€anÐ \¬ Ðalcohol€and€drug€assessment€and€participate€in€any€necessary€treatment;€(4)€stop€the€use€of€all€alcoholÐ H˜ Ðand€non„prescribed€medications;€(5)€submit€to€random€drug€and€alcohol€tests;€(6)€visit€the€childÐ 4„ Ðregularly;€(7)€obtain€a€clean,€safe,€and€adequate€home€of€her€own;€and€(8)€obtain€and€maintainÐ  p Ðemployment€or€apply€for€public€assistance.Ð  \ ÐÌà  àThe€evidence€is€clear€and€convincing€that€Mother€failed€to€substantially€comply€with€herÐ ä4 Ðobligations€as€set€forth€in€the€permanency€plan.€€Mother€admitted€that€she€paid€no€child€support.€Ð Ð  ÐWhile€Mother€testified€that€she€attended€all€but€one€of€the€parenting€classes,€she€did€not€completeÐ ¼  Ðthe€parenting€classes€as€required€under€the€plan.€€Mother€never€completed€the€required€alcohol€andÐ ¨ø Ðdrug€assessment,€missing€seven€of€nine€appointments€in€a€three„week€period.€Mother€failed€to€submitÐ ”ä Ðto€eight€requested€drug€tests.€€On€the€two€occasions€that€Mother€did€comply€with€the€request€for€drugÐ €Ð Ðscreening,€she€tested€positive€for€cocaine.€€Mother€missed€two€visitation€sessions€with€the€child.€Ð l¼ ÐPrior€to€being€incarcerated€in€June,€2002,€Mother€made€no€attempt€to€find€a€home€of€her€own,€livingÐ X ¨ Ðinstead€with€Fatherððs€parents.€€Mother€did€have€part„time€employment€up€until€the€time€of€herÐ D!” Ðincarceration,€and€Mother€did€attend€Alcoholics€Anonymous€meetings€while€she€was€incarcerated.Ð 0"€  ÐÌà  àThe€evidence€does€not€preponderate€against€the€trial€courtððs€findings€with€respect€to€theÐ $X" Ðallegations€that€Mother€failed€to€substantially€comply€with€the€permanency€plan.€€Ð ô$D # ÐÌÐ  Ì&"% ÐÓ  ÓC.Ð ° ÐÌÓe_Óà  àMother€next€contends€that€the€trial€court€erred€in€determining€that€DCS€made€reasonableÐ ˆØ Ðefforts€to€ð ðreunify€[Mother]€with€her€child€as€required€by€[Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð]€37„1„166.ðð׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€ThisÐ tÄ Ðcourt€has€previously€held€that,€with€respect€to€the€reasonable€efforts€of€DCS€in€a€termination€case,Ð `° Ðthe€proper€code€provision€is€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(Ô_ÔiÔ_Ô)(2)€(Supp.€2003).€€òòSee€ò òState€Ô_ÔDepððtÔ_Ô€ofÐ L œ ÐChildrenððs€Ô_ÔServsÔ_Ô.€v.€Maloneó óóó,€No.€03A01„9706„JV„00224,€1998€WL€46461,€at€*1€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.Ð 8 ˆ ÐÔ_ÔE.S.Ô_Ô,€filed€February€5,€1998).€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(Ô_ÔiÔ_Ô)€provides,€in€pertinent€part,€as€follows:Ð $ t ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àIn€determining€whether€termination€of€parental€or€guardianship€rightsÐ ü L  Ðis€in€the€best€interest€of€the€child€pursuant€to€this€part,€the€court€shallÐ è 8  Ðconsider,€but€is€not€limited€to,€the€following:ÐÔ$ ` x` x ÐÌÓ  Óà8 @ àà8@` Ð Ð à*€*€*Ð ¬ü  ÐÓšdÓÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(2)€Whether€the€parent€or€guardian€has€failed€to€effect€a€lastingÐ „Ô  Ðadjustment€after€reasonable€efforts€by€available€social€servicesÐ pÀ Ðagencies€for€such€duration€of€time€that€lasting€adjustment€does€notÐ \¬ Ðreasonably€appear€possible;ÐH˜` x` x ÐÌà  àThe€evidence€in€the€record€is€clear€that€DCS€made€reasonable€efforts€to€assist€Mother€withÐ  p Ðher€parenting€skills€and€with€her€drug€addiction€in€order€to€facilitate€the€return€of€the€child€to€Mother.€Ð  \ ÐDCS€provided€Mother€and€Father€with€a€list€of€community€services€available€to€them,€whichÐ øH Ðincluded€contact€information€on€parenting€classes,€alcohol€and€drug€counseling€and€assessments,Ð ä4 Ðhousing€assistance,€and€employment€assistance.€€Mother€admitted€at€trial€that€she€knew€she€had€aÐ Ð  Ðnumber€of€responsibilities€under€the€permanency€plan€that€she€had€to€fulfill€in€order€to€regainÐ ¼  Ðcustody€of€the€child,€including€parenting€classes,€alcohol€and€drug€treatment,€a€stable€home,€and€part„Ð ¨ø Ðtime€or€full„time€employment.€€However,€as€was€repeatedly€noted€by€DCS,€Mother€failed€to€complyÐ ”ä Ðwith€these€requirements.€€As€this€court€has€held,€ð ð[Ô_Ôt]heÔ_Ô€statute€does€not€require€a€herculean€effort€onÐ €Ð Ðthe€part€of€DCS,ðð€but€rather€the€statute€requires€that€DCS€ð ðmake€ððreasonable€efforts.ðððð€òòò òMaloneó óóó,€1998Ð l¼ ÐWL€46461,€at€*2.€€Accordingly,€the€evidence€does€not€preponderate€against€the€trial€courtððs€findingÐ ° Ðthat€€DCS€made€reasonable€efforts€to€reunite€Mother€with€the€child.Ð œì ÐÌÓ  ÓD.Ð tÄ ÐÓ lÓÌà  àFinally,€Mother€argues€that€there€is€ð ðno€clear€and€convincing€evidenceðð€that€termination€ofÐ L œ ÐMotherððs€parental€rights€is€in€the€best€interest€of€the€child.€€The€factors€a€court€must€consider€whenÐ 8 ˆ Ðdeciding€whether€termination€is€in€a€childððs€best€interest€are€set€forth€in€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„Ð $ t Ð113(Ô_ÔiÔ_Ô)€(Supp.€2003):Ð  ` ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(1)€Whether€the€parent€or€guardian€has€made€such€an€adjustment€ofÐ è 8  Ðcircumstance,€conduct,€or€conditions€as€to€make€it€safe€and€in€theÐ Ô$  Ðchildððs€best€interest€to€be€in€the€home€of€the€parent€or€guardian;ÐÀ ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(2)€Whether€the€parent€or€guardian€has€failed€to€effect€a€lastingÐ ˜è  Ðadjustment€after€reasonable€efforts€by€available€social€servicesÐ „Ô  Ðagencies€for€such€duration€of€time€that€lasting€adjustment€does€notÐ pÀ Ðreasonably€appear€possible;Ð\¬` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(3)€Whether€the€parent€or€guardian€has€maintained€regular€visitationÐ 4„ Ðor€other€contact€with€the€child;€Ð p` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(4)€Whether€a€meaningful€relationship€has€otherwise€been€establishedÐ øH Ðbetween€the€parent€or€guardian€and€the€child;Ðä4` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(5)€The€effect€a€change€of€caretakers€and€physical€environment€isÐ ¼  Ðlikely€to€have€on€the€childððs€emotional,€psychological€and€medicalÐ ¨ø Ðcondition;€Ð”ä` x` x ÐÌÓ  Óà8 @ àà8@` Ð Ð à*€*€*Ð l¼ ÐÓsÓÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(7)€Whether€the€physical€environment€of€the€parentððs€or€guardianððsÐ D!” Ðhome€is€healthy€and€safe,€whether€there€is€criminal€activity€in€theÐ 0"€  Ðhome,€or€whether€there€is€such€use€of€alcohol€or€controlled€substancesÐ #l! Ðas€may€render€the€parent€or€guardian€consistently€unable€to€care€forÐ $X" Ðthe€child€in€a€safe€and€stable€manner;Ðô$D #` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(8)€Whether€the€parentððs€or€guardianððs€mental€and/or€emotional€statusÐ Ì&"% Ðwould€be€detrimental€to€the€child€or€prevent€the€parent€or€guardianÐ ¸'#& Ðfrom€effectively€providing€safe€and€stable€care€and€supervision€for€theÐ ¤(ô#' Ðchild;€orÐ)à$(` x` x Ðâ âÐ |*Ì%) Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(9)€Whether€the€parent€or€guardian€has€paid€child€support€consistentÐ ° Ðâ âwith€the€child€support€guidelines€promulgated€by€the€departmentÐ œì Ðpursuant€to€[Tenn.€Code€Ann.]€ðð€36„5„101.ЈØ` x` x ÐÌà  àThere€is€no€question€that€Mother€has€failed€to€make€a€lasting€adjustment€of€her€circumstancesÐ `° Ðsuch€that€it€would€be€safe€for€the€child€to€be€in€Motherððs€home.€€òòSee€óóTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„Ð L œ Ð113(Ô_ÔiÔ_Ô)(1).€€Mother€failed€to€complete€the€required€parenting€classes€and€the€required€alcohol€and€drugÐ 8 ˆ Ðassessment.€€Mother€failed€two€drug€screens,€testing€positive€for€cocaine€ð!ð€the€very€substance€thatÐ $ t Ðled€to€the€removal€of€the€child€in€the€first€place.€€Mother€failed€to€obtain€proper€housing€as€requiredÐ  ` Ðby€the€plan€in€the€months€prior€to€her€incarceration.€€Ð ü L  ÐÌà  àAs€we€have€previously€noted,€Mother€failed€to€make€a€lasting€adjustment€to€herÐ Ô$  Ðcircumstances€following€the€reasonable€efforts€of€DCS.€€òòSeeóó€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(Ô_ÔiÔ_Ô)(2).€Ð À  ÐWhile€Mother€attended€all€but€two€of€her€visitation€sessions€with€the€child,€she€consistently€arrivedÐ ¬ü  Ðlate€and€engaged€in€nothing€more€than€token€visitation.€€òòSee€óóTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(Ô_ÔiÔ_Ô)(3).€Ð ˜è  ÐThere€is€no€absolutely€no€evidence€that€a€meaningful€relationship€was€ever€established€betweenÐ „Ô  ÐMother€and€the€child.€€The€childððs€original€caseworker€testified€that€Mother€spent€her€ð ðvisitationððÐ pÀ Ðsessions€applying€makeup€in€the€bathroom,€sleeping,€or€arguing€with€Father.€€òòSee€óóTenn.€Code€Ann.Ð \¬ Ððð€36„1„113(Ô_ÔiÔ_Ô)(4).€€Because€of€Motherððs€failure€to€establish€a€safe€home€environment€for€the€child,Ð H˜ Ðthe€return€of€the€child€to€Mother€would€certainly€have€a€profoundly€negative€physical,€psychological,Ð 4„ Ðand€emotional€impact€on€the€child.€€òòSee€óóTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(Ô_ÔiÔ_Ô)(5).Ð  p ÐÌà  àAs€the€trial€court€found,€Motherððs€ð ðhome€environment€is€not€safe€for€the€child,€due€to€theÐ øH Ðcriminal€activity€or€the€use€of€drugs€and€alcohol.ðð€€òòSee€óóTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(Ô_ÔiÔ_Ô)(7)€&€(8).€Ð ä4 ÐThere€is€no€question€that€Mother€has€failed€to€pay€child€support.€€òòSee€óóTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„Ð Ð  Ð113(Ô_ÔiÔ_Ô)(9).Ð ¼  ÐÌà  àWe€conclude€that€the€evidence€contained€in€the€record€does€not€preponderate€against€the€trialÐ ”ä Ðcourtððs€finding€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence€that€the€termination€of€Motherððs€parental€rights€isÐ €Ð Ðin€the€best€interest€of€the€child.Ð l¼ ÐÔ#†¼¥»XX_ùã@#ÔÔ‡X_ùX»¼¥ÔÌÓ  ÓV.Ð D!” ÐÓ8ƒÓÌà  àThe€judgment€of€the€trial€court€is€affirmed.€€This€case€is€remanded€for€enforcement€of€the€trialÐ #l! Ðcourtððs€judgment€and€for€collection€of€costs€assessed€below,€all€pursuant€to€applicable€law.€€CostsÐ $X" Ðon€appeal€are€taxed€to€the€appellant,€Ô_ÔL.L.T.Ô_ÔÐ ô$D # ÐÌòòóóÔ#†¼¥»XX_ùƒ#ÔÔ€X_ùX»¼¥ÔÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à_______________________________Ð ¤(ô#' Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àCHARLES€D.€SUSANO,€JR.,€JUDGE