ÿWPC=  ¿€/¡y©Eõ&a€I ~„ob™²Z×½âT¶Øôvá¤+õ«ÆaP–µ¯ ¼²Ùhâ" _ì2wX–n«ä*òÖqoÚ}í[ıÿà—’Mh²ô=êCÃ^˜×ZÖŒÞE{¦½áT™-ÀÄÓÔòr%ÊG©z]ßAó0÷øÜz½¹t¹L¿¬ãÃñ«L92¶ê:ñÈȠȣ(¬ ”¹&åó+3wUi ¨ê ˜ÚEšÞt7;(vË4—§â™E|À­à: @½Še ‰í?¤l_ÁX‰'ÂK4_ Þdr¶ØvrLæØ*()*«-'ý¯]“¥j]P|-óõÁà wž£0ÊpDTa\ÌD›SÊÛø ÊÖ‰ò¾~½Ô/šû•‡ ®;oB:kªb…ö-³Ñ§6 î}ýËJ‡*0JŽÎ*-L¼våú»?·ÌadP6—áð9hÈ3»x÷øƒ\h‘|;¨à½>ò!èXE ¿éŽâÌ0á¾ÚÂ9t3/Îä²Ïˆ¾õ9‡pÄOÓí7yErqÊ¢ÓÐSsùxöäúò=>c8gÆÑ=;O;pÙ±Í^«¬jó‡S ãžÜÀ]@ç`KKPá†!_(Òb#Á\ % U@# 0ˆc U Në 0c9 0wœ z Ò 0Š_ 0 é 1‡‰ 72ÆBÆÆÎÆ” 0´ZN 0Ç 0Û×E² 0ï´ 0D£ 1uç 72\ 0DŽUFÒP0hUN˜^ æwò4ö  mb222222222222222222222222222222222222 0ë:::: B%% 0¤B D3æ D- 0KFF AS‘Æä 0¤ª 0DN A«’˜HP LaserJet 4050 Series PCL 6ÈÈ,,,,ÈÈ0»(ÆúI Z‹(Times New Roman (`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regular(;3£$´´Ô2#ÔÚ  Ú0Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0  à(Oé;$µµà0  àÔ2#ÔÚ  ÚaÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0` (#(#à ˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wpt(b·¤$¶¶à0  àà0` (#(#àÔ2#ÔÚ  ÚÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0¸ ` (#` (#à(xir$··à0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àÔ2#Ô(Ú  Ú0Ú  Ú)Ô3  Ôà0¸ (#¸ (#à h6CEIMQUY]aAutoList1i)1)a) Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(ŒÜ$¸¸à0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àà0¸ (#¸ (#àÔ2#Ô(Ú  ÚaÚ  Ú)Ô3  Ôà0h(#(#à(ŸF$¹¹à0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àà0¸ (#¸ (#àà0h(#(#àÔ2#Ô(Ú  ÚÚ  Ú)Ô3  Ôà0Àh(#h(#à(³Àô$ººà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àà0¸ (#¸ (#àà0h(#(#àà0Àh(#h(#àÔ2#ÔÚ  Ú0Ú  Ú)Ô3  Ôà0À(#À(#à(ǵ{$»»à0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àà0¸ (#¸ (#àà0h(#(#àà0Àh(#h(#àà0À(#À(#àÔ2#ÔÚ  ÚaÚ  Ú)Ô3  Ôà0p(#(#à(F$ïïà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àà0¸ (#¸ (#àà0h(#(#àà0Àh(#h(#àà0À(#À(#àà0p(#(#àÔ2#ÔÙ ÙÚ  ÚÚ  ÚÙ Ù)Ô3  Ôà0Èp(#p(#àÙ Ù3#37=CIQYag­­1.a.i.(1)(a)(i)1)a)i)(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó<4šÛ 9Z+‹.Courier New Regular FÝ ƒR4’$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôá¥ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ€ôá¥òòôá¥ÔThe€most€recent€communication€this€court€has€received€from€Mr.€Ô_ÔMakokaÔ_Ô€indicates€a€return€address€in€Harare,Ð ° ÐZimbabwe. &Ý ƒR4’$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôá¥ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ€ôá¥òòôá¥Ô€The€technical€record€in€this€case€is€445€pages€long.Ô‡ôU òòôá¥Ô€Ô#†ôá¥ò òôUÒ#ÔIt€contains€49€separate€motions,€40€of€which€were€filedÐ ° Ðby€the€father.€€He€also€filed€nine€petitions,€as€well€as€fifteen€documents€which€he€labeled€as€objections,€five€as€responsesÐ zÊ Ðand€three€as€replies.Ô‡ôá¥òòôá¥Ô(ÖÃ9 Z‹6Times New Roman RegularOz,-s 9‚±,˜C ¡bk ô­3|xÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ- ù-(|G24’$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€Z]»»dXXdì8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôá¥ò»»Ô d(|3‰[$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€Z]»»dXXdì8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV'ÿÿdxd)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3‰[$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€Z]»»dXXdì8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€Z]»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ  ÑÔ€¼Z]»»»ÔÑ8€XXdì»»d8ÑÑ  ÑÔ€¼Z]»»¼Z]Ôà@ü ü ìàÔ‡î‡mZ]ÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@kk$ìàAT€NASHVILLEÔ#†¼Z]»îî‡m+#ԈРÖ& ÐÓ  ÓAssigned€on€Briefs€February€26,€2002Ð üL ÐÔ‡XX»¼Z]ÔÌò òÔ#†¼Z]»XX #ÔTONY€Ô_ÔMAKOKAÔ_Ôòòóó€v.€WENDY€K.€Ô_ÔMAKOKAÔ_Ô„Ô_ÔMHLANGAÔ_ÔòòóóÔ‡XX»¼Z]Ôó óÐ úJ ÐÌà@@½½ìàò ò€Appeal€from€the€Circuit€Court€for€Davidson€CountyÐ ú J Ðà@@øøìàNo.€94D„1173€€€€€€Muriel€Robinson,€JudgeÐ æ 6 ÐÌÌà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<©` AßÐ ªú  ÐÌà@@TTìàNo.€M2001„00363„Ô_ÔCOAÔ_Ô„R3„CV€„€Filed€September€12,€Ô_Ô2002Ô_ÔÐ ¥õ  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<|` AßÐ }Í  Ðó óÌÓ  ÓA€prisoner€filed€a€petition€to€enforce€an€agreed€order€that€granted€him€visitation€rights€with€his€minorÐ xÈ  Ðdaughter.€€The€childððs€mother€asked€the€trial€court€to€dissolve€the€agreed€order.€€The€court€found€thatÐ d´ Ðit€was€not€in€the€best€interests€of€the€child€to€compel€her€to€visit€her€father€in€prison,€dissolved€theÐ P  Ðagreed€order,€and€enjoined€the€father€from€engaging€in€activities€that€amounted€to€harassment€of€theÐ <Œ Ðmother.€€We€affirm€the€trial€courtÔ#†¼Z]»XXø#ÔÔ‡XX»¼Z]Ô.Ð (x ÐÓ<ÓÌò òTenn.€R.€App.€3€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Circuit€Court€Ð P ÐAffirmed€and€Remandedó óÐ ì< ÐÌòòÓ  ÓÔ#†¼Z]»àX#ÔÔ‡XX.¼Z]ÔBen€H.€Cantrell,€P.J.,€M.S.óó,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòWilliam€C.€Koch,€Jr.€óóÐ Ä Ðand€òòWilliam€B.€Cain,€JJ.óó,€joined.Ð ° ÐÌTony€Ô_ÔMakokaÔ_Ô,€Harare,€Zimbabwe,€Pro€Se.Ð ˆØ ÐÌRoger€K.€Smith,€Nashville,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellee,€Wendy€K.€Ô_ÔMakokaÔ_Ô„Ô_ÔMhlangaÔ_Ô.Ð `° ÐÓPÓÌò òOPINIONó óÔ#†¼Z]»XX#ÔÔ‡XX»¼Z]ÔÐ 8!ˆ  ÐÌÔ#†¼Z]»XXš #ÔÓ  ÓÔ€XX»¼Z]Ôà  àÓÓà@žžìàò òI.€€òòMarriage,€Crime,€Divorceóóó óˆÐ #`" ÐÓÓà  àTony€Ô_ÔAloisÔ_Ô€Ô_ÔMakokaÔ_Ô,€a€native€of€Zimbabwe,€married€Wendy€Ô_ÔKanganwiÔ_Ô€Ô_ÔMhlangaÔ_Ô€in€May€ofÐ è$8 $ Ð1985.€€The€couple€resided€in€Nashville,€where€they€both€went€to€school.€€Mr.€Ô_ÔMakokaÔ_Ô€earned€aÐ Ô%$!% Ðdegree€in€Chemistry€and€Chemical€Engineering,€and€his€wife€became€a€registered€nurse.€€TheÐ À&"& Ðaccounts€of€their€friends€and€fellow„countrymen€indicate€that€the€marriage€was€a€happy€one,€andÐ ¬'ü"' Ðperhaps€it€should€have€become€even€happier€after€the€birth€of€their€daughter,€Ô_ÔTatendaÔ_Ô€Margaret„RoseÐ ˜(è#( ÐÔ_ÔMakokaÔ_Ô,€on€July€11,€1990.€€Unfortunately,€it€was€not€to€be.Ð „)Ô$) ÐÌà  àIn€the€year€his€daughter€was€born,€Mr.€Ô_ÔMakokaÔ_Ô€began€an€extramarital€affair€with€a€womanÐ \+¬&+ Ðat€work.€€The€woman€tried€to€break€off€the€relationship.€€Mr.€Ô_ÔMakokaÔ_Ô€became€enraged€and€jealous,Ð H,˜', Ðand€threatened€to€kill€her.€€When€he€encountered€the€woman€and€her€new€boyfriend€in€a€vehicle,€heÐ 4-„(-ý Ðfollowed€them,€attempted€to€run€them€off€the€road,€and€ultimately€shot€them€both€with€a€.357Ð ° Ðrevolver.€€They€both€survived,€but€the€woman€suffered€severe€injuries.Ð œì ÐÌà  àMr.€Ô_ÔMakokaÔ_Ô€was€indicted€on€two€counts€of€attempted€murder.€€His€wife€testified€at€trial€thatÐ tÄ Ðhe€was€a€loving€husband€and€father,€and€that€the€acts€he€was€accused€of€were€completely€out€ofÐ `° Ðcharacter€for€him.€€Other€members€of€the€small€Zimbabwean€community€in€Nashville€and€of€Mr.Ð L œ ÐÔ_ÔMakokaÔ_Ôððs€church€testified€in€a€similar€vein€on€his€behalf.€€Mr.€Ô_ÔMakokaÔ_Ô€was€convicted€on€bothÐ 8 ˆ Ðcounts,€and€received€an€effective€prison€sentence€of€25€years.€€The€Court€of€Criminal€Appeals€laterÐ $ t Ðreduced€his€sentence€to€20€years,€in€light€of€mitigating€factors€that€it€believed€were€not€givenÐ  ` Ðsufficient€weight€by€the€trial€court.€€òòSeeóó€òòState€v.€Ô_ÔMakokaÔ_Ôóó,€885€S.W.2d€366€(Tenn.€Ô_ÔCrimÔ_Ô.€App.€1994).Ð ü L  ÐÌà  àMr.€Ô_ÔMakokaÔ_Ôððs€wife€continued€to€be€supportive€of€him.€€She€brought€Ô_ÔTatendaÔ_Ô€to€visit€herÐ Ô$  Ðfather€in€prison€on€several€occasions,€and€also€allowed€the€child€to€visit€in€the€company€of€her€uncle,Ð À  ÐAlex€Ô_ÔMhlangaÔ_Ô.€€But€the€circumstances€of€Mr.€Ô_ÔMakokaÔ_Ôððs€crimes,€and€their€effect€on€the€family€unitÐ ¬ü  Ðapparently€began€to€weigh€on€her€mind.€€€Ð ˜è  ÐÌà  àThe€mother€filed€a€petition€for€divorce€on€the€grounds€of€conviction€of€felony,€pursuant€toÐ pÀ ÐTenn.€Code.€Ann.€ðð€36„4„101(6).€€The€trial€court€granted€the€divorce€on€June€16,€1995.€€Full€legalÐ \¬ Ðand€physical€custody€of€Ô_ÔTatendaÔ_Ô€was€granted€to€the€mother,€with€the€question€of€visitation€reserved,Ð H˜ Ðpending€application€by€the€father.€€Ms.€Ô_ÔMakokaÔ_Ôððs€maiden€name€was€restored€to€her,€and€in€thisÐ 4„ Ðopinion,€we€will€henceforth€refer€to€her€as€Ms.€Ô_ÔMhlangaÔ_Ô.€€Ð  p ÐÌà@©©ìàò òII.€€òòA€Petition€for€Visitationóóó óˆÐ øH ÐÌà  àTony€Ô_ÔMakokaÔ_Ô€subsequently€filed€a€petition€for€visitation€rights,€together€with€an€affidavit€ofÐ Ð  ÐÔ_ÔindigencyÔ_Ô€and€a€motion€for€appointment€of€counsel.€€He€asked€that€his€daughter€be€allowed€to€visitÐ ¼  Ðhim€in€prison€two€weekends€a€month,€that€he€be€allowed€to€talk€to€her€on€the€phone€during€the€weekÐ ¨ø Ðat€his€own€expense,€and€that€the€two€be€allowed€to€correspond€by€United€States€Mail.€€Ms.€Ô_ÔMhlangaÔ_ÔÐ ”ä Ðasked€the€court€to€dismiss€the€petition,€contending€that€it€would€not€be€in€the€best€interest€of€a€five„Ð €Ð Ðyear„old€child€to€be€exposed€to€a€prison€environment.€Ð l¼ ÐÌà  àDuring€the€ensuing€months,€Mr.€Ô_ÔMakokaÔ_Ô€filed€an€unceasing€barrage€of€pleadings€and€motionsÐ D!” Ðwhich€he€deemed€necessary€to€obtain€his€rights.€€These€included€a€petition€for€Ô_ÔpendenteÔ_Ô€liteÐ 0"€  Ðvisitation,€a€petition€for€appointment€of€a€guardian€ad€litem€for€Ô_ÔTatendaÔ_Ô,€and€a€petition€for€writ€ofÐ #l! Ðhabeas€corpus€ad€testificandum€so€Mr.€Ô_ÔMakokaÔ_Ô€could€appear€in€person€at€the€visitation€hearing.Ð $X" ÐThere€were€also€numerous€motions€objecting€to€the€taking€of€his€deposition,€a€renewed€motion€forÐ ô$D # Ðappointment€of€counsel,€and€a€request€that€an€audiotape€be€made€of€the€visitation€hearing,€as€wellÐ à%0!$ Ðas€many€motions€for€default,€when€Ms.€Ô_ÔMhlangaÔ_Ô€failed€to€respond€to€his€other€motions€in€a€timelyÐ Ì&"% Ðway.Ð ¸'#& ÐÌà  àThe€trial€court€denied€virtually€all€these€petitions€and€motions.€€The€court€did€grant€theÐ )à$( Ðpetition€for€appointment€of€a€guardian€ad€litem€for€Ô_ÔTatendaÔ_Ô,€but€only€on€the€condition€that€Mr.Ð |*Ì%) ÐÔ_ÔMakokaÔ_Ô€deposit€$500€with€the€court€to€pay€the€guardianððs€fee.€€€Mr.€Ô_ÔMakokaÔ_Ô€objected€to€the€feeÐ h+¸&* Ðrequirement,€and€to€the€courtððs€choice€of€a€guardian€ad€litem,€but€the€court€denied€his€motion€to€haveÐ ° Ðthe€state€pay€the€fee,€so€no€appointment€was€made.€€€Ð œì ÐÌà  àOn€August€23,€1996,€the€trial€court€filed€an€order€dismissing€Mr.€Ô_ÔMakokaÔ_Ôððs€petition€forÐ tÄ Ðvisitation€rights.€€The€court€stated€that€it€found€visitation€not€to€be€in€the€best€interest€of€the€child,Ð `° Ðand€recited€that€it€had€relied€upon€the€deposition€of€the€father,€the€sworn€testimony€of€the€mother,Ð L œ Ðthe€arguments€of€the€motherððs€counsel,€and€the€entire€record€of€the€case€to€reach€its€conclusion.€Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌà@Œ Œ ìàò òIII.€€òòThe€Parties€Reach€Agreementóóó óˆÐ  ` ÐÌà  àMr.€Ô_ÔMakokaÔ_Ô€filed€a€notice€of€appeal€of€the€trial€courtððs€order,€together€with€a€motion€toÐ è 8  Ðproceed€on€appeal€as€a€poor€person,€a€motion€for€transcription€of€evidence€at€state€expense,€and€aÐ Ô$  Ðstatement€of€fifteen€issues€to€be€presented€for€review.€€Ms.€Ô_ÔMhlangaÔ_Ôððs€attorney€responded,€perhapsÐ À  ÐÔ_ÔinadvisedlyÔ_Ô,€with€a€motion€to€strike€the€appeal€on€numerous€grounds.€€This€led€to€a€further€flurry€ofÐ ¬ü  Ðmotions€from€Mr.€Ô_ÔMakokaÔ_Ô,€and€finally,€to€an€order€of€the€trial€court,€filed€October€28,€1997,Ð ˜è  Ðdismissing€all€motions€and€orders€subsequent€to€August€23€as€ð ðincomprehensible€and€frivolous.ððÐ „Ô  ÐÌà  àDespite€the€trial€courtððs€order€dismissing€his€petition€for€visitation,€Mr.€Ô_ÔMakokaÔ_Ô€filed€aÐ \¬ Ðpleading€styled€as€a€Petition€for€Parental€Rights€on€November€7,€1997,€the€contents€of€which€wereÐ H˜ Ðvirtually€identical€to€the€petition€dismissed€by€the€trial€court.€€A€memorandum€of€law€accompaniedÐ 4„ Ðthe€new€petition.€€Meanwhile,€Ms.€Ô_ÔMhlangaÔ_Ôððs€attorney€passed€away,€and€so€she€did€not€respond€toÐ  p Ðthe€petition.€€Mr.€Ô_ÔMakokaÔ_Ô€then€filed€a€motion€for€default€judgment,€followed€by€a€set€of€writtenÐ  \ Ðinterrogatories€directed€to€himself,€which€he€both€propounded€and€answered.€€In€March€of€1998,€Mr.Ð øH ÐÔ_ÔMakokaÔ_Ô€obtained€pro€bono€counsel.€€On€March€31,€the€court€granted€the€motion€for€default.Ð ä4 ÐÌà  àMs.€Ô_ÔMhlangaÔ_Ô€found€a€new€attorney,€who€filed€a€motion€to€set€aside€the€default.€€The€trialÐ ¼  Ðcourt€agreed€and€scheduled€a€hearing€on€the€petition.€€Astonishingly,€the€parties€and€their€attorneysÐ ¨ø Ðmanaged€to€reach€agreement,€and€the€trial€court€signed€their€agreed€order€on€November€2,€1998.€€TheÐ ”ä Ðnew€order€included€provisions€for€the€father€to€call€the€child€twice€a€week,€and€send€her€two€lettersÐ €Ð Ða€month.€€The€father€was€also€granted€visitation€once€a€month,€with€the€child€to€be€transported€to€theÐ l¼ Ðprison€by€members€of€the€Belmont€United€Methodist€Church.€€€Ð X ¨ ÐÌà  àThe€agreement€worked€for€a€while.€€Mr.€Ô_ÔMakokaÔ_Ô€enjoyed€visitation€with€his€daughter€inÐ 0"€  ÐNovember€and€December€of€1998,€and€in€January,€February€and€April€of€1999.€€But€visitationÐ #l! Ðstopped€after€that€date.€€In€a€letter€to€her€former€husband,€Ms.€Ô_ÔMhlangaÔ_Ô€explained€that€Ô_ÔTatendaÔ_Ô€hadÐ $X" Ðnot€wanted€to€visit€in€March€or€April,€but€that€she€had€forced€the€child€to€go,€that€the€little€girl€wasÐ ô$D # Ðbecoming€increasingly€hysterical€over€upcoming€visits,€and€that€although€she€would€continue€toÐ à%0!$ Ðencourage€visitation,€she€would€not€force€her€again.Ð Ì&"% ÐÌà@q q ìàò òIV.€€òòThe€Agreed€Order€is€Dissolvedóóó óˆÐ ¤(ô#' ÐÌà  àOn€January€10,€2000,€Mr.€Ô_ÔMakokaÔ_Ô€filed€a€pro€se€petition€for€contempt€against€Ms.€Ô_ÔMhlangaÔ_Ô.Ð |*Ì%) ÐHe€alleged€numerous€violations€of€the€agreed€order,€including€the€lack€of€visitation,€problems€withÐ h+¸&* Ðtelephone€privileges,€and€derogatory€remarks€allegedly€made€about€him.€€The€petition€also€allegedÐ ° Ðthat€Ô_ÔTatendaÔ_Ô€had€been€exposed€to€improper€sexual€conduct€by€her€mother€and€was€in€danger€of€beingÐ œì Ðabused.€€The€source€of€Mr.€Ô_ÔMakokaÔ_Ôððs€anxieties€was€apparently€an€anonymous€letter€which€he€filedÐ ˆØ Ðwith€the€court,€laced€with€profanities€and€including€scurrilous€accusations€of€a€sexual€nature€againstÐ tÄ ÐMs.€Ô_ÔMhlangaÔ_Ô.€€The€letter€contained€no€details€to€confirm€any€of€the€allegations,€or€to€indicate€thatÐ `° Ðthe€writer€had€any€actual€knowledge€of€the€motherððs€household.€€To€a€dispassionate€observer,€theÐ L œ Ðletter€would€appear€to€be€a€cruel€practical€joke,€perhaps€written€by€another€inmate,€but€Mr.€Ô_ÔMakokaÔ_ÔÐ 8 ˆ Ðtook€it€seriously.Ð $ t ÐÌà  àMs.€Ô_ÔMhlangaÔ_Ô€filed€a€response€and€counter„claim€to€the€petition€for€contempt.€€She€denied€thatÐ ü L  Ðshe€was€guilty€of€any€impropriety,€and€stated€that€Mr.€Ô_ÔMakokaÔ_Ô€had€twice€telephoned€the€DepartmentÐ è 8  Ðof€Childrenððs€Services€(DCS)€with€allegations€of€child€abuse€which€the€Department€found€to€beÐ Ô$  Ðgroundless,€and€that€he€had€also€filed€two€false€reports€with€the€Metro€Police€Department€based€onÐ À  Ðthe€same€allegations.€€While€these€reports€were€likewise€found€to€be€groundless,€she€claimed€that€theÐ ¬ü  Ðinvestigations€resulting€from€them€were€very€disruptive€and€upsetting€to€both€mother€and€daughter.Ð ˜è  ÐShe€also€claimed€that€Mr.€Ô_ÔMakokaÔ_Ô€used€his€telephone€privileges€to€verbally€abuse€her.Ð „Ô  ÐÌà  àMs.€Ô_ÔMhlangaÔ_Ô€asked€for€a€restraining€order€to€prevent€Mr.€Ô_ÔMakokaÔ_Ô€from€threatening,€harassingÐ \¬ Ðor€intimidating€her€in€any€way.€€She€also€asked€to€court€to€dissolve€the€agreed€order€of€NovemberÐ H˜ Ð2,€1998.€€In€response,€Mr.€Ô_ÔMakokaÔ_Ô€denied€all€of€Ms.€Ô_ÔMhlangaÔ_Ôððs€allegations,€and€filed€his€ownÐ 4„ Ðpetition€for€a€restraining€order,€a€motion€for€sanctions€against€Ms.€Ô_ÔMhlangaÔ_Ô€for€violating€the€agreedÐ  p Ðorder,€and€a€virtual€blizzard€of€additional€motions,€which€we€do€not€believe€necessary€to€set€out€inÐ  \ Ðdetail.Ð øH ÐÌà  àThe€hearing€on€the€petition€for€contempt€and€the€counterclaim€was€conducted€on€July€20,Ð Ð  Ð2000.€€The€trial€court€noted€that€Ms.€Ô_ÔMhlangaÔ_Ô€testified,€but€that€Mr.€Ô_ÔMakokaÔ_Ô€failed€to€avail€himselfÐ ¼  Ðof€his€right€to€give€testimony€by€deposition€or€interrogatory,€that€he€had€filed€voluminous,€frivolousÐ ¨ø Ðpleadings€with€the€Court,€that€defending€against€these€pleadings€was€creating€a€tremendous€burdenÐ ”ä Ðfor€Ms.€Ô_ÔMhlangaÔ_Ô,€and€that€it€was€in€the€best€interest€of€Ô_ÔTatendaÔ_Ô€to€terminate€the€visitation€schedule.Ð €Ð ÐMr.€Ô_ÔMakokaÔ_Ô€was€enjoined€from€contacting€the€childððs€school,€making€further€telephone€calls€to€hisÐ l¼ Ðformer€wifeððs€household,€contacting€DCS€or€the€police€department€to€make€reports€or€complaintsÐ X ¨ Ðabout€the€mother€and€child,€and€filing€any€further€pleadings€in€court€unless€represented€by€counsel.Ð D!” ÐÌà  àThe€order€also€stated€that€Ô_ÔTatendaÔ_Ô€could€write€to€her€father€if€she€wished,€but€was€under€noÐ #l! Ðobligation€to€do€so,€and€that€Ms.€Ô_ÔMhlangaÔ_Ô€should€continue€to€send€him€progress€reports€about€theÐ $X" Ðchildððs€schoolwork€and€to€inform€him€as€to€any€major€illnesses€or€hospitalizations€that€occurred.€€Mr.Ð ô$D # ÐÔ_ÔMakokaÔ_Ô€filed€a€notice€of€appeal€of€the€courtððs€order,€followed€by€yet€another€series€of€motions,Ð à%0!$ Ðpetitions€and€other€pleadings.Ð Ì&"% ÐÌà@ÕÕìàò òV.€€òòThe€Standard€of€Reviewóóó óˆÐ ¤(ô#' ÐÌà  àWe€must€note€at€the€outset€that€Mr.€Ô_ÔMakokaÔ_Ôððs€circumstances€have€changed€since€he€filed€hisÐ |*Ì%) Ðnotice€of€appeal.€€He€was€apparently€paroled€by€the€Department€of€Correction,€and€subsequentlyÐ h+¸&* Ðtaken€into€the€custody€of€the€United€States€Immigration€and€Naturalization€Service.€€At€the€time€hisÐ ° Ðbrief€was€filed,€he€was€being€held€in€the€INS€detention€facility€in€Ô_ÔOakdaleÔ_Ô,€Louisiana€to€faceÐ œì Ðdeportation€proceedings.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€€Thus,€even€if€we€found€the€trial€court€to€be€in€error,€we€could€not€reinstateÐ ˆØ Ðthe€agreed€order€as€it€was,€but€would€have€to€fashion€a€new€visitation€order€to€meet€the€changedÐ tÄ Ðconditions.€€We€do€not€believe,€however,€that€the€trial€court€erred.Ð `° ÐÌà  àIn€deciding€child€custody€and€visitation€cases,€our€courts€have€ruled€that€the€welfare€and€bestÐ 8 ˆ Ðinterests€of€the€children€must€be€the€primary€considerations,€while€the€rights,€desires,€and€interestsÐ $ t Ðof€the€parents€must€take€a€secondary€role.€òò€Whitaker€v.€Whitakeróó€957€S.W.2d€834€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.Ð  ` Ð1997);€òòÔ_ÔNeelyÔ_Ô€v.€Ô_ÔNeelyÔ_Ôóó,€737€S.W.2d€539€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.1987).€€The€trial€court€in€this€case€found€thatÐ ü L  Ðit€was€in€the€best€interest€of€the€child€to€terminate€the€visitation€schedule€previously€agreed€to€by€theÐ è 8  Ðparties.€Findings€of€fact€by€the€trial€court€are€presumed€to€be€correct€unless€the€evidenceÐ Ô$  Ðpreponderates€otherwise.€€Rule€13(d),€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.Ð À  ÐÌà  àMs.€Ô_ÔMhlangaÔ_Ô€testified€at€trial€that€the€little€girlððs€last€visit€with€her€father€was€traumatic€forÐ ˜è  Ðher,€that€she€cried€when€she€was€told€that€she€needed€to€go,€continued€to€cry€when€she€came€back,Ð „Ô  Ðand€had€nightmares€after€that.€€Mr.€Ô_ÔMakokaÔ_Ô€argues€on€appeal€that€the€mother€was€lying,€that€Ô_ÔTatendaÔ_ÔÐ pÀ Ðwas€always€playful€and€cheerful€when€she€visited€him,€and€that€this€could€have€been€confirmed€byÐ \¬ ÐDr.€Ô_ÔHazviperiÔ_Ô€Ô_ÔChinodaÔ_Ô,€who€accompanied€Ô_ÔTatendaÔ_Ô€for€several€of€her€visits.€€He€claims€that€Dr.Ð H˜ ÐÔ_ÔChinodaÔ_Ô€was€prepared€to€so€testify,€but€that€he€was€unable€to€appear€at€the€hearing€because€ofÐ 4„ Ðchanges€in€the€courtððs€schedule.€€Perhaps€an€affidavit€by€Dr.€Ô_ÔChinodaÔ_Ô€would€have€been€helpful€in€thisÐ  p Ðregard,€but€no€such€affidavit€appears€in€the€record.€€Mr.€Ô_ÔMakokaÔ_Ô€claims€that€he€tried€to€file€theÐ  \ Ðaffidavits€of€certain€unnamed€witnesses€in€the€trial€court,€but€that€these€were€not€accepted€for€filing.Ð øH ÐÌà  àWe€are€aware€that€a€prisoner€seeking€to€maintain€a€relationship€with€his€child€stands€at€aÐ Ð  Ðdistinct€disadvantage€with€our€court€system€when€the€custodial€parent€is€opposed€to€such€aÐ ¼  Ðrelationship.€€But€there€is€evidence€in€the€record€that€Ms.€Ô_ÔMhlangaÔ_Ô€gave€Mr.€Ô_ÔMakokaÔ_Ô€substantialÐ ¨ø Ðcooperation€on€visitation€and€other€matters,€at€least€until€his€unceasing€legal€activities€wore€downÐ ”ä Ðher€good€will.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ׀Р€Ð ÐÌà  àWhen€a€prisoner€subjects€a€custodial€parent€to€an€a€unceasing€blizzard€of€motions€andÐ X ¨ Ðpleadings€which€are€filed€at€taxpayer€expense,€almost€all€of€which€require€the€filing€of€a€response,Ð D!” Ðit€imposes€a€serious€financial€and€emotional€burden€on€the€childððs€custodian,€and€as€a€consequenceÐ 0"€  Ðupon€the€child€herself.€€Mr.€Ô_ÔMakokaÔ_Ô€states€in€his€pleadings€numerous€times€that€he€loves€Ô_ÔTatendaÔ_Ô,Ð #l! Ðand€we€have€no€reason€not€to€believe€him.€€He€also€states€that€ð ðpetitioner€is€simply€seeking€to€doÐ $X" Ðwhat€is€best€for€his€daughter,ðð€but€his€desperate€attempts€to€assert€his€rights€have€obviously€notÐ ô$D # Ðhelped€her.Ð à%0!$ Їà  àMr.€Ô_ÔMakokaÔ_Ô€also€argues€that€the€trial€courtððs€decision€contradicts€this€courtððs€opinion€in€theÐ ° Ðcase€of€òòÔ_ÔHelsonÔ_Ô€v.€Cyrusóó,€989€S.W.2d€704€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1998).€€In€that€case,€we€held€among€otherÐ œì Ðthings€that€the€preference€of€a€nine„year„old€child€cannot€be€the€only€factor€to€consider€in€decidingÐ ˆØ Ðvisitation€privileges.€€But€the€situation€before€us€is€significantly€different.€€Mr.€Ô_ÔHelsonÔ_Ôððs€son€did€notÐ tÄ Ðhave€to€enter€the€gates€of€a€prison€in€order€to€visit€his€father.€€Mr.€Ô_ÔMakokaÔ_Ô€has€argued€that€familyÐ `° Ðvisitation€in€prison€can€be€a€very€positive€experience,€and€he€has€explained€his€own€role€as€PresidentÐ L œ Ðof€the€Parents€in€Prison€group.€€But€we€do€not€believe€that€any€of€this€erases€the€negative€impressionsÐ 8 ˆ Ðthat€a€visit€to€a€penal€institution€can€in€some€instances€create€within€the€mind€of€a€sensitive€andÐ $ t Ðintelligent€child.€€We€have€thoroughly€reviewed€the€record€of€this€case,€and€we€do€not€believe€theÐ  ` Ðevidence€preponderates€against€the€finding€of€the€trial€court.Ð ü L  ÐÌà@dd)ìàò òVI.ó óˆÐ Ô$  ÐÌà  àThe€order€of€the€trial€court€is€affirmed.€€Remand€this€cause€to€the€Circuit€Court€of€DavidsonÐ ¬ü  ÐCounty€for€further€proceedings€consistent€with€this€opinion.€€Tax€the€costs€on€appeal€to€the€appellant,Ð ˜è  ÐTony€Ô_ÔMakokaÔ_Ô.Ð „Ô  ÐÌÌÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à_________________________________________€Ð  p Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àBEN€H.€CANTRELL,€PRESIDING€JUDGE,€M.S.