ÿWPCQ ƒtÛâ?*ï[ПÖ+WÑZg C(ÑŸ5‚ó¹Ôõ8ù¨Àr4¢÷er œnÈ3+œ ãØ°½Ìד¹¶·Mì¸ò#Äp»Àôë¾yÛ%Gš«*”«ºà3çF\huzö`mšžñkÔ••µüdÑš<¼ÀPßNõ1áü-\(?SƧ­Ö8,ª?›*|0^ݤ²—‰":hÂ’å¡Ãê^â[7ï]·%çP4õ+ÆRìØ¢¦b›òs)*Hkj>²÷O!™{×Ð`]B ™ÛŽB¾‡q?Ck¶áÌòMFQeÑßk’ò‘r¾TÐÌ=¶Y¶.h‚ 6Y"9¢0öáßëPxxfHUŽ L¸å௴(\O´–Çî ¸ô.£4 uWè œ4¬#eƒ[Ûɸöʦû‹6¾~.l%¤K¸²|/ã˜Ô™æãšŠ’o=áë=@C¹Š ínl(ö¯CÄLX‡µ0†cU ©#dV1<œƙŸ ^œüzöŸñA§C-LjT9Ĺ¹¿·¢qûO–×…Ùé.z/Êíò ñÝ]h|ݲí6šó}G?(÷Š'~‹â`/MDsÓAϦb#Á\ % ^ # 0ˆ/ UN· w 4 z Ò— i x mz 0D‘ ÆÕ Æ› Æa Æ'UNíN;\=L™EåççpÎÎÎÎÎÎÎ>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>bFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF 0ëNNNN B99 0¤V D3ú D-- 0KZZ AS¥Æø 0¤¾ 0Db A«¦˜HP LaserJet 8000 Series PSØÚØÚÚØØÚ0»hfH+â (`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman RegularòK+bk1À  ˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wpt3|xÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(ÖÃ9 Z‹6Times New Roman Regular RÝ ƒRY4$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôà ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔChristy€Lewis,€the€childððs€mother,€chose€not€to€participate€in€this€action.€€Additionally,€Ms.€Marsh€and€TracyÐ ° ÐMarsh€separated€prior€to€trial,€and€he€chose€not€to€be€a€party€to€this€action. BÝ ƒRY4$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôà ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€TDCS€home€studies€were€filed€with€the€trial€court€clerk,€but€there€is€no€indication€the€studies€were€enteredÐ ° Ðinto€evidence.€€Thus,€we€will€not€consider€them€on€this€appeal. ÝÝ ƒRY4$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôà ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔAn€Order€of€Paternity€declared€Mr.€Sensabaugh€to€be€the€legal€father€of€Cassie€on€July€6,€1994. fÝ ƒRY4$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôà ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔPursuant€to€Rule€24€of€the€Tennessee€Rules€of€Appellate€Procedure,€the€appellant,€Mr.€Sensabaugh,€submittedÐ ° Ða€statement€of€the€evidence€without€objection€from€the€appellee,€Ms.€Marsh.€€Ms.€Marsh,€in€turn,€offered€her€ownÐ tÄ Ðevidentiary€statement€which€stipulated€to€much€of€Mr.€Sensabaughððs€statement.€€However,€Ms.€Marsh€added€to€Mr.Ð 8ˆ ÐSensabaughððs€evidentiary€statement€and€noted€areas€in€dispute.€€Mr.€Sensabaugh€did€not€object€to€Ms.€Marshððs€statementÐ üL Ðof€the€evidence.€€We€will€consider€both€parties€evidentiary€statements€and€note€the€testimony€in€dispute.€€However,€weÐ À Ðdo€not€consider€the€disputed€testimony€pertinent€to€our€decision. - ù-(|G2Y4$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€C¤»»d d 8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô'ò»»Ô d(|3M$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€C¤»»d d 8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV'ÿÿdxd)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3M$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€C¤»»d d 8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€V4»»d dÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ  ÑÔ€¼¿¨»»»ÔÑ8€;XXdê»»d 8ÑÑ  Ñà@ü ü ìàÔ‡îº î»¼¿¨ÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@õõ%ìàAT€JACKSONÔ#†¼¿¨»îîº #ԈРÖ& ÐÓ  ÓAugust€27,€2001€SessionÐ üL ÐÔ‡Xø$X»¼¿¨ÔÌò òÔ#†¼¿¨»XXø$ò#ÔCARRIE€JUNE€MARSHòòóó€v.€CHRISTOPHER€SENSABAUGHòòóóÔ‡Xø$X»¼¿¨Ôó óÐ úJ ÐÌà@@½½ìàò òDirect€Appeal€from€the€Juvenile€Court€for€Haywood€CountyÐ ú J Ðà@@øøìàNo.€5587€€€€€€J.€Roland€Reid,€JudgeÐ æ 6 ÐÌÌà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<©` AßÐ ªú  ÐÌà@@TTìàNo.€W2001„00016„Ô_ÔCOAÔ_Ô„R3„JV€„€October€1,€Ô_Ô2001Ô_ÔÐ ¥õ  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<|` AßÐ }Í  Ðó óÌÓ  ÓThis€is€a€child€custody€case€involving€the€childððs€natural€father€and€a€third„party,€the€maternal€aunt.€Ð xÈ  ÐThe€trial€court€held€in€favor€of€the€maternal€aunt,€upon€a€determination€the€father€was€an€unfit€parent.€Ð d´ ÐThe€court€based€its€decision€on€the€fatherððs€previous€charge€of€contempt€for€failure€to€pay€childÐ P  Ðsupport,€previous€visitation€practices,€and€lack€of€knowledge€regarding€the€childððs€educational€status,Ð <Œ Ðsuch€as€her€teachers,€grades€and€attendance€at€parent„teacher€conferences.€€Father€appeals€the€trialÐ (x Ðcourtððs€decision.€€For€the€reasons€below,€we€affirm€the€ruling€of€the€trial€court.€€Ð d ÐÌò òòòóóÔ#†¼¿¨»XXø$o#ÔÔ‡Xø$X»¼¿¨ÔÓ«ÓTenn.€R.€App.€P.€3€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Juvenile€Court€Affirmed;€andÐ ì< ÐRemandedó óÐ Ø( ÐÌòòÓ  ÓÔ#†¼¿¨»àXø$¿#ÔÔ‡Xø$X.¼¿¨ÔDavid€R.€Farmer,€J.óó,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòAlan€E.€Highersóó€and€òòHolly€K.Ð ° ÐLillard,€J.J.óó,€joined.Ð œì ÐÌDidi€Christi,€Brownsville,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellant,€Christopher€Sensabaugh.Ð tÄ ÐÌD.€Nathaniel€Spencer,€Brownsville,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellee,€Carrie€June€Marsh.Ð L œ ÐÓzÓÌò òOPINIONó óÔ#†¼¿¨»XXø$©#ÔÔ‡Xø$X»¼¿¨ÔÐ $"t! ÐÌÔ#†¼¿¨»XXø$„ #ÔÓ  ÓÔ€Xø$X»¼¿¨Ôà  àOn€August€31,€1993,€Christy€Lewis€(Ms.€Lewis)€gave€birth€to€a€child,€Cassie€LynnÐ ü#L# ÐSensabaugh€(Cassie).€€The€appellant,€Christopher€Sensabaugh€(Mr.€Sensabaugh),€is€the€father€of€theÐ è$8 $ Ðchild.׃×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Mr.€Sensabaugh€and€Ms.€Lewis€were€minors€at€the€time€of€Cassieððs€birth.€€Neither€parent€wasÐ Ô%$!% Ðâ âin€the€position€to€raise€the€child,€and€on€February€11,€1998,€Mr.€Sensabaugh€and€Ms.€Lewis€enteredÐ À&"&ý Ða€Consent€Order€whereby€they€agreed€to€vest€temporary€custody€of€Cassie€in€Tracy€Marsh€and€CarrieÐ ° ÐJune€Marsh€(Ms.€Marsh).€€Ms.€Marsh€is€Cassieððs€maternal€aunt€and€the€appellee€in€this€action.׃×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Ð œì Ðâ âÌà  àOn€July€27,€2000,€Mr.€Sensabaugh€petitioned€the€Haywood€County€Juvenile€Court€forÐ tÄ Ðcustody€of€Cassie.€€Prior€to€the€hearing,€Mr.€Sensabaugh€and€Ms.€Marsh€entered€a€consent€orderÐ `° Ðpermitting€the€Tennessee€Department€of€Childrenððs€Services€(TDCS)€to€conduct€home€studies€of€theÐ L œ Ðparties€to€assist€the€court€in€its€custody€determination.׃×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌà  àThe€trial€court€conducted€the€child€custody€hearing€on€October€26,€2000.׃h×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€At€the€hearing,Ð  ` ÐMr.€Sensabaugh€testified€that€he€is€23€years€old€and€married€to€Tracy€Sensabaugh.€€Mr.€SensabaughÐ ü L  Ðinsisted€that€he€loves€Cassie€and€is€now€prepared€to€be€her€father.€€He€stated€that€he€has€stableÐ è 8  Ðemployment,€having€worked€for€the€same€construction€company€for€three€years.€€Mr.€SensabaughÐ Ô$  Ðalso€indicated€that€he€was€purchasing€a€mobile€home€and€stated€it€was€a€safe€residence€with€adequateÐ À  Ðspace€for€Cassie.Ð ¬ü  ÐÌà  àMr.€Sensabaugh€admitted€that€he€was€regularly€behind€in€child€support€payments€throughÐ „Ô  Ðmuch€of€Cassieððs€life.€€He€testified€that€he€spent€time€in€jail€for€non„payment€of€child€support€whenÐ pÀ Ða€court€held€him€in€contempt€in€March€2000.€€Mr.€Sensabaugh€did€state,€however,€€that€he€has€paidÐ \¬ Ðhis€court€ordered€child€support€obligation€since€his€incarceration€while€voluntarily€paying€more€toÐ H˜ Ðcatch€up€on€the€amount€in€arrears.€€Mr.€Sensabaugh€also€admitted€to€having€a€criminal€record€for€theÐ 4„ Ðillegal€possession€of€a€controlled€substance.€€€€€Ð  p ÐÌà  àMr.€Sensabaugh€testified€that€he€did€not€regularly€exercise€his€visitation€privileges€whenÐ øH ÐCassie€was€younger.€€However,€he€stated€that€he€visited€the€child€on€a€regular€basis€over€the€pastÐ ä4 Ðyear,€especially€in€the€months€preceding€trial.€€He€also€testified€that€he€did€not€know€any€of€CassieððsÐ Ð  Ðteachers€or€grades,€and€he€admitted€that€he€has€never€attended€a€parent„teacher€conference.€€Ð ¼  ÐÌà  àMr.€Sensabaugh€also€testified€that€during€his€visitation€periods€he€often€leaves€Cassie€withÐ ”ä Ðhis€wife€at€her€place€of€employment.€€He€stated€that€his€wife€works€in€a€grocery€store€that€is€adjacentÐ €Ð Ðto€a€tavern.€€After€admitting€that€the€authorities€arrested€the€tavern€keeper€for€having€Cassie€in€theÐ l¼ Ðtavern€during€business€hours,€Mr.€Sensabaugh€stated€that€he€continued€to€believe€the€store€was€anÐ X ¨ Ðadequate€place€for€Cassie.€€Ð D!” Їà  àTracy€Sensabaugh,€Mr.€Sensabaughððs€wife,€testified€that€she€has€a€good€relationship€withÐ ° ÐCassie.€€She€admitted€that€the€child€regularly€stays€at€her€place€of€employment€for€up€to€eight€hoursÐ œì Ðduring€Mr.€Sensabaughððs€visitation€period.€€Ms.€Sensabaugh€stated€that€she€does€not€allow€CassieÐ ˆØ Ðto€enter€the€portion€of€the€store€that€sells€beer,€but€she€does€permit€Cassie€to€play€behind€the€cashÐ tÄ Ðregister€near€the€door€which€connects€the€store€to€the€tavern.€€Ð `° ÐÌà  àMs.€Marsh€stated€that€she€has€a€loving,€caring€relationship€with€Cassie.€€She€testified€thatÐ 8 ˆ ÐCassie€is€well„adjusted€and€has€a€good€home€life.€€Ms.€Marsh€claimed€that€she€is€primarilyÐ $ t Ðresponsible€for€the€childððs€medical€and€dental€care,€as€well€as€Cassieððs€education.Ð  ` ÐÌà  àMs.€Marsh€stated€that€she€often€encouraged€Mr.€Sensabaugh€to€visit€the€child.€€She€testifiedÐ è 8  Ðthat€he€rarely€visited€in€the€past,€but€when€he€did€exercise€his€visitation€rights,€he€would€often€leaveÐ Ô$  ÐCassie€with€another€party.€€She€further€stated€that€Mr.€Sensabaugh€is€irresponsible€and€has€exhibitedÐ À  Ðonly€slight€interest€in€the€child.€€Finally,€Ms.€Marsh€stated€that€she€feels€Mr.€Marsh€is€only€seekingÐ ¬ü  Ðcustody€as€retaliation€for€the€child€support€contempt€petition.€€The€record€is€disputed€as€to€whetherÐ ˜è  ÐMs.€Marsh€thinks€Mr.€Sensabaugh€is€an€unfit€parent€or€a€danger€to€the€child.Ð „Ô  ÐÌà  àAfter€hearing€the€above€evidence,€the€trial€court€postponed€ruling€on€the€case€until€each€partyÐ \¬ Ðsubmitted€briefs€detailing€their€legal€positions.€€On€November€27,€2000,€the€court€entered€an€orderÐ H˜ Ðdenying€Mr.€Sensabaughððs€custody€petition.€€The€trial€courtððs€order€states€as€follows:Ð 4„ ÐÌà8  àà ` àThis€cause€came€on€to€be€heard€the€26òòthóó€day€of€October,€2000,€upon€petitionÐ  \ Ðof€Christopher€Sensabaugh,€natural€father,€of€Cassie€Sensabaugh,€for€change€ofÐ øH Ðcustody,€upon€answer€of€Cassie€June€March€[sic],€maternal€aunt€and€current€legalÐ ä4 Ðcustodian,€the€record€and€exhibits€admitted,€testimony€of€witnesses€from€which€theÐ Ð  Ðcourt€finds:м Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àà ` àIn€custody€disputes€the€proper€standard€of€review€is€clear€and€convincingÐ ”ä Ðevidence€of€parental€unfitness€or€substantial€risk€of€harm€to€the€child€where€theÐ €Ð Ðdispute€involves€a€contest€between€parent€and€non„parent.€€(Citations€omitted).€€Ðl¼Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àà ` àThe€proof€in€the€record€shows€the€petitioner€is€presently€unfit€to€care€for€theÐ D!” Ðchild.€€The€court€bases€itððs€[sic]€decision€upon€his€previous€contempt€for€failure€toÐ 0"€  Ðpay€child€support,€only€taken€[sic]€visitation,€lack€of€knowledge€of€the€childððsÐ #l! Ðeducational€status,€i.e.€teachers,€grades,€attendance€at€parent„teacher€conferences,€etc.Ð$X"Ð Ð  ÐÌò òà8  àà ` àIT€IS€THEREFORE€ORDERED€ó ó€that€the€petition€for€custody€be€andÐ à%0!$ Ðhereby€is€denied.€€ÐÐ& "%Ð Ð  ÐÌà  àFrom€this€order,€Mr.€Sensabaugh€now€appeals.€€The€issue,€as€we€perceive€it,€is€whether€theÐ ¨(ø#' Ðtrial€court€erred€in€its€determination€that€custody€of€Cassie€should€remain€in€Ms.€Marsh€€because€Mr.Ð ”)ä$( ÐSensabaugh€is€an€unfit€parent.Ð €*Ð%) ÐÐ l+¼&* Ðà  àTo€the€extent€these€issues€involve€questions€of€fact,€our€review€of€the€trial€courtððs€ruling€isÐ ° Ðòòò òde€novoó óóó€with€a€presumption€of€correctness.€€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€13(d).€€We€may€not€reverse€the€trialÐ œì Ðcourtððs€factual€findings€unless€they€are€contrary€to€the€preponderance€of€the€evidence.€€òòò òId.óóó ó€€WithÐ ˆØ Ðrespect€to€the€trial€courtððs€legal€conclusions,€our€review€is€ò òòòde€novoóóó ó€with€no€presumption€ofÐ tÄ Ðcorrectness.€€ò òòòBain€v.€Wellsóóó ó,€936€S.W.2d€618,€622€(Tenn.€1997).Ð `° ÐÌà  àUnder€the€United€States€and€Tennessee€Constitutions,€parents€have€a€fundamental€libertyÐ 8 ˆ Ðinterest€regarding€the€custody€of€their€children.€€ò òòòSantosky€v.€Krameróóó ó,€455€U.S.€745,€753€(1982);€òòò òInÐ $ t Ðreó óóó€ò òòòAskewóóó ó,€993€S.W.2d€1,€3€(Tenn.€1999);€ò òòòBond€v.€McKenzieóóó ó,€896€S.W.2d€546,€547€(Tenn.€1995).€Ð  ` ÐA€court€may€not€deprive€a€natural€parent€of€custody€of€their€child€in€favor€of€a€third€party€unless€theÐ ü L  Ðcourt€determines€the€parent€is€unfit€or€there€is€a€danger€of€substantial€harm€to€the€child.ò òòò€€In€reÐ è 8  ÐSwansonóóó ó,€2€S.W.3d€180,€188€(Tenn.€1999);€ò òòòIn€re€Askew,óóó ó€993€S.W.2d€at€4;€ò òòòStephenson€v.€Westóóó ó,€No.Ð Ô$  ÐW1998„00668„COA„R3„CV,€2000€WL€52899,€at€*3€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Jan.€13,€2000)€(òòò òno€perm.€app.Ð À  Ðfiledóóó ó).€€As€the€natural€parent€has€superior€rights€against€third€parties,€a€third€party€seeking€custodyÐ ¬ü  Ðcarries€the€burden€of€proof.€€òòò òIn€re€Askew,ó óóó€993€S.W.2d€at€4„5.€€The€third€party€must€show€the€dangerÐ ˜è  Ðof€substantial€harm€or€the€unfitness€of€a€parent€by€a€ð ðclear€preponderance€of€convincing€proof.ðð€Ð „Ô  Ðò òòòStubblefield€v.€State€ex€rel.€Fjelstadó óóó,€106€S.W.2d€558,€560€(Tenn.€1937);€ò òòòHenderson€v.€Mabryóóó ó,€838Ð pÀ ÐS.W.2d€537,€540€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1992).€€Accordingly,€in€order€to€prevail€in€a€child€custody€actionÐ \¬ Ðin€Tennessee,€third€parties€must€overcome€a€strong€presumption€in€favor€of€the€childððs€naturalÐ H˜ Ðparents.€€Ð 4„ ÐÌà  àIn€the€present€case,€the€trial€court€used€the€correct€legal€standard€stating€that€ð ð[i]n€custodyÐ  \ Ðdisputes€the€proper€standard€of€review€is€clear€and€convincing€evidence€of€parental€unfitness€orÐ øH Ðsubstantial€risk€of€harm€to€the€child€where€the€dispute€involves€a€contest€between€parent€and€non„Ð ä4 Ðparent.ðð€€Therefore,€we€must€determine€if€the€record€supports€a€finding€that€Mr.€Sensabaugh€is€anÐ Ð  Ðunfit€parent.€€Ms.€Marsh€had€the€burden€to€demonstrate€Mr.€Sensabaugh€is€an€unfit€parent€by€clearÐ ¼  Ðand€convincing€evidence.€€This€Court€addressed€this€evidentiary€standard€in€òòò òOððDaniel€v.€Messieró óóó,Ð ¨ø Ð905€S.W.2d€182,€187„88€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1995).€€In€ò òòòOððDanielóóó ó€we€stated:Ð ”ä ÐÌà8  àà ` àThe€ð ðclear€and€convincing€evidenceðð€standard€defies€precise€definition.€Ð l¼ ÐWhile€it€is€more€exacting€than€the€preponderance€of€the€evidence€standard,€it€doesÐ X ¨ Ðnot€require€such€certainty€as€the€beyond€a€reasonable€doubt€standard.ÐD!”Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àà ` àClear€and€convincing€evidence€eliminates€any€serious€or€substantial€doubtÐ #l! Ðconcerning€the€correctness€of€the€conclusions€to€be€drawn€from€the€evidence.€€ItÐ $X" Ðshould€produce€in€the€fact„finderððs€mind€a€firm€belief€or€conviction€with€regard€to€theÐ ô$D # Ðtruth€of€the€allegations€sought€to€be€established.€€Ðà%0!$Ð Ð  ÐÌòòò òId.ó óóó€at€188€(citations€omitted).Ð ¸'#& ÐÌà  àThe€trial€court€decided€there€was€clear€and€convincing€evidence€demonstrating€Mr.Ð )à$( Ðâ âSensabaugh€is€ð ðpresently€unfitðð€to€care€for€Cassie.€€The€court€based€its€decision€on€Mr.€SensabaughððsÐ |*Ì%) Ðð ðprevious€contempts€for€failure€to€pay€child€support,€only€taken€[sic]€visitation,€lack€of€knowledgeÐ ° Ðof€the€childððs€educational€status,€i.e.€teachers,€grades,€attendance€at€parent„teacher€conferences,€etc.ððÐ œì Ðâ âÌà  àThis€Court€addressed€the€issue€of€parental€unfitness€in€previous€cases.€€In€ò òòòIn€re€Crawfordóóó ó,Ð tÄ ÐNo.€02A01„9405„CH„00124,€1995€WL€72615,€at€*6€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Feb.€22,€1995)€(òòò òno€perm.€app.Ð `° Ðfiledóóó ó),€we€reversed€the€trial€court,€concluding€the€record€failed€to€demonstrate€parental€unfitness.€Ð L œ ÐThe€trial€court€based€much€of€its€ruling€on€the€natural€parentððs€alcohol€troubles€in€the€past€and€theÐ 8 ˆ Ðparentððs€past€inability€to€properly€care€for€the€child.€€òòò òIdó óóó.€€This€Court€stated€the€parent€was€previouslyÐ $ t Ðunfit,€but€determined€the€proof€in€the€record€related€to€the€six€months€preceding€trial€indicated€theÐ  ` Ðparent€had€a€stable€home€life€and€was€presently€in€position€to€care€for€his€daughter.€€ò òòòIdóóó ó.€Ð ü L  ÐÌà  àIn€ò òòòWood€v.€Woodóóó ó,€No.€M1999„00341„COA„R3„CV,€2000€W.L.€1156619,€at€*6€(Tenn.€Ct.Ð Ô$  ÐApp.€Aug.€16,€2000)€(òòò òno€perm.€app.€filedóóó ó),€we€ruled€the€trial€court€failed€to€use€the€correct€legalÐ À  Ðstandard€and€remanded€the€case€for€a€determination€of€whether€the€parent€is€unfit€or€whetherÐ ¬ü  Ðsubstantial€harm€would€result€if€the€parent€won€custody€of€his€daughter.€€òòò òIdó óóó.€€We€stated€the€recordÐ ˜è  Ðdid€not€indicate€the€parent€was€unfit€when€there€was€undisputed€testimony€that€the€parent€ð ðno€longerÐ „Ô  Ðconsumes€alcohol,€does€not€smoke€cigarettes€in€his€home,€and€that€he€now€has€a€stable€homeÐ pÀ Ðenvironment.ðð€€òòò òIdó óóó.Ð \¬ ÐÌà  àMr.€Sensabaugh€asserts€that€much€of€the€proof€served€only€to€illustrate€that€he€was€previouslyÐ 4„ Ðan€unfit€parent.€€He€maintains€he€is€currently€able€to€raise€Cassie€and€argues€the€evidence€at€trialÐ  p Ðfailed€to€establish€he€is€presently€unfit€as€a€parent.€€We€cannot€agree.€€It€is€our€determination€that€theÐ  \ Ðproof€at€trial€was€sufficient€to€warrant€the€trial€courtððs€ruling€in€the€case€at€bar.€€Ð øH ÐÌà  àAt€trial,€Mr.€Sensabaugh€admitted€that€his€failure€to€pay€child€support€led€to€his€incarcerationÐ Ð  Ðin€March€2000.€€He€petitioned€the€court€for€custody€of€Cassie€four€months€later,€and€the€court€heardÐ ¼  Ðthe€case€in€October€2000.€€The€trial€court€listed€the€contempt€charge€as€one€of€its€reasons€in€denyingÐ ¨ø ÐMr.€Sensabaugh€custody€of€Cassie.€€We€conclude€the€trial€court€permissibly€relied€on€the€evidenceÐ ”ä Ðin€making€its€determination.€€The€contempt€charge€was€sufficiently€close€in€time€to€indicate€Mr.Ð €Ð ÐSensabaughððs€parental€fitness.€€Not€only€is€it€troubling€that€it€took€incarceration€to€compel€Mr.Ð l¼ ÐSensabaugh€to€care€for€Cassie,€it€is€difficult€to€imagine€Mr.€Sensabaugh€transformed€from€a€parentÐ X ¨ Ðwho€often€neglected€to€provide€for€his€child€to€one€who€is€prepared€to€constantly€care€for€Cassie€inÐ D!” Ðseven€months.€€Moreover,€it€is€apparent€that€Mr.€Sensabaugh€had€the€resources€to€support€CassieÐ 0"€  Ðwhen€the€court€held€him€in€contempt.€€Proof€at€trial€indicated€Mr.€Sensabaugh€worked€for€the€sameÐ #l! Ðcompany€for€three€years€preceding€the€contempt€charge.€€Financial€resources,€or€lack€thereof,€are€notÐ $X" Ðindicative€of€parental€fitness,€but€a€clear€disregard€of€parental€responsibilities€when€one€is€capableÐ ô$D # Ðof€performance€indicates€one€may€not€be€ready€for€the€duties€of€a€custodial€parent.€€€€Ð à%0!$ ÐÌà  àThe€trial€court€also€relied€on€Mr.€Sensabaughððs€past€visitation€habits€in€reaching€itsÐ ¸'#& Ðconclusion.€€Evidence€at€trial€established€that€Mr.€Sensabaugh€rarely€visited€Cassie€for€much€of€herÐ ¤(ô#' Ðlife.€€We€acknowledge€that€Mr.€Sensabaugh€fathered€Cassie€at€a€young€age€and€his€immaturity€playedÐ )à$( Ða€role€in€his€lack€of€visitation.€€We€are€also€aware€that€he€now€visits€Cassie€on€a€regular€basis€andÐ |*Ì%) Ðhad€done€so€for€many€of€the€months€preceding€trial.€€We€are€of€the€opinion,€however,€that€Mr.Ð h+¸&* ÐSensabaughððs€visitation€practices€indicate€he€is€unfit€as€a€parent.€€Though€Mr.€Sensabaugh€currentlyÐ ° Ðexercises€his€visitation€privileges,€he€admits€to€leaving€Cassie€with€his€wife€at€her€place€ofÐ œì Ðemployment,€a€convenience€store€adjacent€to€a€tavern.€€When€Mr.€Sensabaugh€has€weekendÐ ˆØ Ðvisitation,€Cassie€stays€at€the€store€almost€every€Saturday€for€up€to€eight€hours.€€Mr.€Sensabaugh€isÐ tÄ Ðaware€that€the€environment€is€not€suitable€for€a€child,€as€the€authorities€arrested€Mr.€Sensabaughððs€Ð `° Ðmother€and€the€tavern€keeper€for€allowing€Cassie€in€the€tavern€during€business€hours.€€Even€after€thisÐ L œ Ðincident,€Mr.€Sensabaugh€stated€he€continues€to€believe€this€is€an€appropriate€environment€forÐ 8 ˆ ÐCassie.€€We€are€of€the€opinion€the€circumstances€and€facts€associated€with€Mr.€Sensabaughððs€Ð $ t Ðvisitation€support€the€trial€courtððs€decision.€€Ð  ` ÐÌà  àThe€trial€court€also€listed€Mr.€Sensabaughððs€lack€of€knowledge€regarding€Cassieððs€educationÐ è 8  Ðas€a€factor€in€denying€Mr.€Sensabaugh€custody€of€the€child.€€While€this€alone€is€not€enough€toÐ Ô$  Ðestablish€parental€unfitness,€the€court€permissibly€relied€on€it€as€a€contributing€element€in€reachingÐ À  Ðits€ultimate€conclusion.€€Additionally,€the€court€heard€evidence€that€Mr.€Sensabaugh€was€arrestedÐ ¬ü  Ðfor€the€illegal€possession€of€a€controlled€substance.€€It€was€also€proper€for€the€trial€court€to€considerÐ ˜è  Ðthis€arrest€in€reaching€its€decision.€€Ð „Ô  ÐÌà  àMr.€Sensabaughððs€situation€is€in€contrast€to€our€decisions€inò òòò€Crawfordóóó ó€and€ò òòòWoodóóó ó.€€While€aÐ \¬ Ðparent€who€has€a€present€drug€or€alcohol€abuse€problem€may€be€unfit€to€care€for€a€child,€pastÐ H˜ Ðsubstance€abuse€problems€do€not€directly€reflect€the€parentððs€attitudes,€sense€of€responsibility€andÐ 4„ Ðdedication€toward€raising€a€child.€€The€facts€and€circumstances€in€this€case€directly€bear€on€Mr.Ð  p ÐSensabaughððs€parental€fitness.€€Mr.€Sensabaughððs€recent€failures€to€pay€child€support,€when€heÐ  \ Ðclearly€had€the€means€to€do€so,€tend€to€indicate€he€is€presently€unable€to€responsibly€care€for€Cassie.€Ð øH ÐFurther,€his€visitation€practices€point€negatively€toward€his€present€attitudes€and€dedication€in€raisingÐ ä4 ÐCassie.€€We€conclude€the€combination€of€Mr.€Sensabaughððs€failures€to€pay€child€support,€hisÐ Ð  Ðvisitation€practices,€his€lack€of€knowledge€regarding€Cassieððs€education,€and€his€arrest€for€possessionÐ ¼  Ðof€a€controlled€substance€clearly€show€he€is€an€unfit€parent.€€Thus,€the€trial€court€correctly€decidedÐ ¨ø Ðthis€child€custody€case€in€favor€of€the€appellee,€Ms.€Marsh.Ð ”ä ÐÌà@ÇÇ$ìàò òòòConclusionóóó ó€€€ˆÐ l¼ ÐÌà  àFor€the€foregoing€reasons,€we€affirm€the€decision€of€the€trial€court.€€The€costs€of€this€appealÐ D!” Ðare€taxed€to€the€appellant,€Christopher€Sensabaugh,€and€his€surety,€for€which€execution€may€issueÐ 0"€  Ðif€necessary.€Ð #l! ÐÌÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à___________________________________€Ð Ì&"% Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àDAVID€R.€FARMER,€JUDGE