ÿWPC— }ŠÔ ‰ì<£DW/£AW”.ý_î‚ùz’s¥¬PwëÛÛ­è8v¦¼Åg+ûÄDmÿY?ÑŠJŽ…ˆLRýG2%8m–°X„)> @Ñ”ªþxúgf>V2<Ö›*?Fæáýÿ pÍÿ*òù]ÑéDü§…4',ô4ÎVs™*—yzŠa!éxû(½ÃÈÒ;j¸>`‚ òǰEKÓ´G™ë[ŸVµü¶ÿë¼¶xAgþw ÿ¥s€>}Û?ÏD0}pó[ƒ± Ò’”é°ŽžÓ„Jõ¢ÈQì<¬#°mþ¤K0”¸§®9é"ÕÒÒ$ÓÊÚCž‚¦ZM„–Gˆb¯Ä­¢{ ãQw`˜gOÚûQÒ‚5ÜJÈ“.ãxNåpú&Óvý¥Äù†æºV¹†¹¤‚¶+Ÿ³™W‹ò2˜Y‹{4EìW­“k *pÌsV&…ëUmzÿúœJ–ûFè{©Ž¼ô_Ûv¶<5{Š>²¡xJ1JÙä»n&Çp’ø®®¬‘{SÆj‹ë…DøåÈôß³"3“÷¦^%þÞò€VIøÊäÒbCI3¯ðÇœÎÕdGÆË@Ùs4[Fý¸© põ¡ˆ[úÛm,°é?î^¼á‰½àç”ØPÏb#É\ %% UN+ 0ˆy UN 0 cO 1u² z' Ò¡ ús ºm 72' 0DYÆÆcÆ)Æï 1‡µN<^ >wJEN4Pds muuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuubŒŒŒŒŒŒŒŒŒŒŒŒŒŒŒŒŒŒŒŒŒŒŒŒŒŒŒŒŒŒŒŒŒŒŒŒ 0ë”””” B 0¤œ D3@ D-s 0K   ASëÆ> 0¤ 0D¨ A«ì˜\\IB01S02\CLERKJACÈÈ,,,,ÈÈ0»(ÖÃ9 Z‹6Times New Roman Regular(`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regular(;3£$´´Ô2#ÔÚ  Ú0Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0  à3#37=CIQYag­­1.a.i.(1)(a)(i)1)a) ˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wpt ðÝ ƒR$[$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô®|ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ôà ` àFather€waived€his€right€to€appeal€this€decision,€and,€therefore,€he€is€not€a€party€before€this€Court.€ °Ý ƒR$[$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô®|ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ôà ` àOn€March€24,€2003,€N.P.€was€placed€in€the€physical€custody€of€Ô_ÔPfefferÔ_Ô€for€a€90„day€trial€visit€toÐ ° Ðeffectuate€N.P.ððs€transition€into€Ô_ÔPfefferÔ_Ôððs€legal€custody.€€Though€DCS€filed€a€petition€to€terminate€Motherððs€and€Ô_ÔPfefferÔ_ÔððsÐ qÁ Ðparental€rights€over€N.P.€on€May€19,€2003,€the€trial€court€awarded€Ô_ÔPfefferÔ_Ô€legal€custody€of€N.P.€on€July€10,€2003,€and,Ð 2‚ Ðsubsequently,€DCS€voluntarily€dismissed€its€petition€to€terminate€the€parental€rights€with€regard€to€N.P.€€Therefore,Ð óCý ÐÔ_ÔPfefferÔ_Ô€is€not€a€party€to€this€appeal,€and€the€parental€rights€over€N.P.€are€not€at€issue.i)(#Ã$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(5hCEKQW]cioAutoList1I.I.I.I.I.I.I.I.—1Ï 6hö0ê:i¢×+003|xÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ- ù-(|G2$[$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€€Ù»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô®|ò»»Ô d(|3?$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€€Ù»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV'ÿÿdxd)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3?$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€€Ù»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€€Ù»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ  ÑÔ€¼€Ù»»»ÔÑ8€ÌXXdé»»d8ÑÑ  Ñà@ò ò ìàÔ‡î{¾î»¼€ÙÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@òò%ìàAT€JACKSONÔ#†¼€Ù»îî{¾ #ԈРÓ# ÐÓ  ÓNOVEMBER€16,€2004€SessionÐ öF ÐÔ‡XÌX»¼€ÙÔÌò òÔ#†¼€Ù»XXÌô#ÔIN€THE€MATTER€OF€N.P.,€W.N.,€AND€C.N.,€Children€Under€the€Age€of€18Ð ï? ÐYearsòòóóÔ‡XÌX»¼€ÙÔó óÐ  P ÐÌà@@½½ìàò òDirect€Appeal€from€the€Juvenile€Court€for€Lauderdale€CountyÐ ú J ÐÓ$°, °šX°œX$Óà@@øøìàNo.€J5„961€€€€€€Rachel€Anthony,€JudgeÐ ä 4 ÐÌÌà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<¡` AßÐ ¢ò  ÐÌà@@TTìàNo.€W2004„00345„COA„R3„PT€„€Filed€December€23,€2004Ð ›ë  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<n` AßÐ o¿  Ðó óÌÓ  ÓÔ‡X VXXXÌÔThis€appeal€involves€the€termination€of€the€parental€rights€of€Mother€and€Father€to€their€children.€Ð g· ÐAfter€a€hearing,€the€Lauderdale€County€Juvenile€Court€terminated€Motherððs€parental€rights€overÐ P  ÐW.N.€and€C.N.€on€the€grounds€of€abandonment€for€failure€to€support€and€severe€child€abuse.€Ð 9‰ ÐFurther,€the€trial€court€found€that€termination€of€Motherððs€parental€rights€is€in€the€best€interest€of€theÐ "r Ðchildren.€€Mother€now€seeks€review€by€this€Court,€and€we€affirm.Ð  [ ÐÔ#†XÌXXX VÖ#ÔÔ#†¼€Ù»XXÌ#ÔÔ‡XÌX»¼€ÙÔÌÓÊÓÌò òTenn.€R.€App.€P.€3;€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Juvenile€Court€Affirmedó óÐ Æ ÐÌòòÓ  ÓÔ#†¼€Ù»àXÌq#ÔÔ‡XÌX.¼€ÙÔAlan€E.€Highers,€J.óó,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòW.€Frank€Crawford,€P.J.,€W.S.,€óóÐ ™é Ðand€òòHolly€M.€Kirby,€J.óó,€joined.Ð ‚Ò ÐÌBarbara€A.€Deere,€Dyersburg,€TN,€for€AppellantÐ T¤ ÐÌPaul€G.€Summers,€Attorney€General€&€Reporter,€Douglas€Earl€Dimond,€Senior€Counsel,€Nashville,Ð & v ÐTN,€for€AppelleeÐ !_  ÐÓÓÌò òOPINIONó óÔ#†¼€Ù»XXÌ?#ÔÔ‡XÌX»¼€ÙÔÐ á"1" ÐÌòòóóÔ#†¼€Ù»XXÌ4 #ÔÔ‡XÌX»¼€ÙÔÓ  Óò òÔ‡X VXXXÌÔà@ûûìàFacts€and€Procedural€Historyó óˆÐ ´$ $ ÐÌà  àAimee€R.€Paschall€(ð ðMotherðð€or€ð ðAppellantðð)€and€Michael€Newby€(ð ðFatherðð)€are€the€parentsÐ ‡&×!& Ðof€W.N.€(d.o.b.€3/27/1997)€and€C.N.€(d.o.b.€4/24/2000).€€Mother€and€Mark€Pfeffer€(ð ðPfefferðð)€areÐ p'À"' Ðthe€parents€of€N.P.€(d.o.b.€4/30/1995),€who€lived€with€Mother€and€Father.׃ ×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€On€September€23,€2002,Ð Y(©#(ý ÐMother€and€Father€took€C.N.€to€see€a€physician€about€an€ear€infection€and€a€medical€examination.€Ð ° ÐDuring€the€course€of€the€examination,€the€physician€discovered€C.N.€had€genital€warts,€a€rectal€tear,Ð ™é Ðand€the€skin€on€the€end€of€C.N.ððs€penis€was€red€and€irritated.€€Additionally,€C.N.€had€faded€bruisesÐ ‚Ò Ðon€his€back.€€€On€or€about€September€23,€2002,€Father€was€incarcerated,€and€he€was€found€guilty€ofÐ k» Ðone€count€of€felony€child€abuse€resulting€in€injury€and€two€counts€of€misdemeanor€child€abuse€andÐ T¤ Ðneglect€in€the€Lauderdale€County€Circuit€Court.€€He€received€one€prison€sentence€of€two€years€andÐ =  Ðtwo€prison€sentences€of€eleven€months€and€twenty„nine€days,€all€to€run€consecutively.€Ð & v ÐÌà  àSubsequently,€on€September€25,€2002,€the€Tennessee€Department€of€Childrenððs€ServicesÐ ø H Ð(ð ðDCSðð€or€ð ðAppelleeðð)€filed€a€petition€for€temporary€custody€of€N.P.,€W.N.,€and€C.N.€in€theÐ á 1  ÐLauderdale€County€Juvenile€Court.€€On€the€same€day,€the€lower€court€ordered€that€the€three€childrenÐ Ê   Ðbe€placed€in€DCSððs€protective€custody.€€On€March€17,€2003,€a€hearing€was€held€on€the€petition€forÐ ³  Ðtemporary€custody€filed€by€DCS.€€Mother,€Father,€and€Pfeffer€were€each€represented€by€counsel€and,Ð œì  Ðafter€being€informed€of€their€rights,€Mother€and€Father€stipulated€that€the€three€children€wereÐ …Õ  Ðsexually€and€physically€abused,€amounting€to€ð ðsevere€child€abuseðð€as€defined€by€section€37„1„Ð n¾  Ð102(b)(21)(B)€of€the€Tennessee€Code.€€Mother€further€stipulated€that€she€knowingly€failed€to€protectÐ W§  Ðthe€children€from€such€abuse.€Ð @ ÐÌà  àOn€May€19,€2003,€DCS€filed€its€petition€to€terminate€Motherððs€and€Fatherððs€parental€rights.€Ð b ÐPrior€to€a€hearing€on€this€petition,€on€July€10,€2003,€the€lower€court€held€a€hearing€on€PfefferððsÐ ûK Ðpetition€to€intervene€for€change€of€custody€of€N.P.€€€At€such€hearing,€the€lower€court€awarded€PfefferÐ ä4 Ðlegal€custody€of€N.P.,€ordered€Mother€to€pay€Pfeffer€monthly€child€support,€and€stated€that€PfefferÐ Í Ðwould€supervise€Motherððs€visits€with€N.P.€€On€October€13,€2003,€the€juvenile€court€held€a€hearingÐ ¶ Ðon€DCSððs€petition€to€terminate€Motherððs€and€Fatherððs€parental€rights€over€W.N.€and€C.N.€€The€trialÐ Ÿï Ðcourt€terminated€Fatherððs€parental€rights€on€the€grounds€that€Father€committed€severe€child€abuse,Ð ˆØ Ðhe€was€sentenced€for€more€than€two€years€of€imprisonment€for€conduct€against€the€children,€andÐ qÁ Ðplacing€the€children€in€Fatherððs€legal€and€physical€custody€would€pose€a€substantial€risk€of€harm€toÐ Zª Ðthe€childrenððs€physical€or€psychological€welfare.׃ ×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€The€juvenile€court€also€terminated€MotherððsÐ C“ Ðparental€rights€on€the€grounds€that€she€abandoned€her€children€by€willfully€failing€to€pay€support€forÐ ,| Ðthem€and€for€severe€child€abuse.€€Additionally,€the€lower€court€found€that€termination€of€MotherððsÐ e Ðand€Fatherððs€parental€rights€is€in€the€best€interest€of€W.N.€and€C.N.€€€Mother€appealed€this€decisionÐ þN Ðand€presents€the€following€issues,€as€we€perceive€them,€for€our€review:Ð ç 7 ÐÌÓ€ (5h83ÓÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  Ýà  àÝ‚3£˜ÝÔ25hÔÚ  ÚIÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0 ` àÝ  ÝWhether€the€trial€court€erred€when€it€admitted€evidence€of€Motherððs€statement€toÐ ¹" ! Ðpolice€officials€on€or€about€September€23,€2002,€and€denied€evidence€of€allegedÐ ¢#ò" Ðstatements€made€by€counsel€for€DCS;݃3£˜Ñ݌Ћ$Û#` (#` (# ÐŒÝ  ÝÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  Ýà  àÝ‚3£\ÝÔ25hÔÚ  ÚIIÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0 ` àÝ  ÝWhether€the€trial€court€erred€when€it€determined€there€was€clear€and€convincingÐ t%Ä $ Ðâ âevidence€to€terminate€Motherððs€parental€rights€on€the€ground€of€severe€child€abuse;݃3£\•ÝŒÐ]&­!%` (#` (# ÐŒÝ  ÝÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  Ýà  àÝ‚3£öÝÔ25hÔÚ  ÚIIIÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0 ` àÝ  ÝWhether€the€trial€court€erred€when€it€determined€there€was€clear€and€convincingÐ ° Ðâ âevidence€to€terminate€Motherððs€parental€rights€on€the€ground€of€abandonment€forÐ ™é Ðwillfully€failing€to€support€W.N.€and€C.N.;€and݃3£ö/݌ЂÒ` (#` (# ÐŒÝ  ÝÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  Ýà  àÝ‚3£Ñ ÝÔ25hÔÚ  ÚIVÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0 ` àÝ  ÝWhether€the€trial€court€erred€when€it€determined€that€termination€of€MotherððsÐ k» Ðparental€rights€is€in€the€best€interest€of€W.N.€and€C.N.݃3£Ñ !ÝŒÐT¤` (#` (# ÐŒÝ  ÝÌFor€the€following€reasons,€we€affirm€the€decision€of€the€trial€court.Ð & v ÐÌÓ  Óò òStandard€of€Reviewó óÐ ø H ÐÌÓ  Óà  àWe€review€findings€of€fact€by€a€trial€court€sitting€without€a€jury€òòde€novoóó€upon€the€record€withÐ Ë   Ða€presumption€of€correctness,€and,€unless€the€evidence€preponderates€against€the€findings,€we€mustÐ ´  Ðaffirm,€absent€an€error€of€law.€€Tenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€13(d);€òòIn€re€Valentineóó,€79€S.W.3d€539,€546€(Tenn.Ð í  Ð2002);òò€In€re€L.J.C.,€A.L.C.,€&€J.R.C.óó,€124€S.W.3d€609,€619€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€2003).€€Further,€weÐ †Ö  Ðreview€issues€of€law€òòde€novoóó€with€no€presumption€of€correctness.€€òòValentineóó,€79€S.W.3d€at€546Ð o¿  Ð(citing€òòUnion€Carbide€Corp.€v.€Huddlestonóó,€854€S.W.2d€87,€91€(Tenn.€1993)).Ð X¨  Ðà  àWe€also€note€that€a€trial€court€judge€holds€a€special€position:Ð A‘ ÐÌÓ XÓà0  àWhere€the€trial€judge€has€seen€and€heard€the€witnesses,€especially€if€issues€ofÐ c Ðcredibility€and€weight€to€be€given€oral€testimony€are€involved,€considerableÐ üL Ðdeference€must€be€accorded€those€circumstances€on€review,€because€it€is€the€trialÐ å5 Ðcourt€which€had€the€opportunity€to€observe€the€witnessesðð€demeanor€and€to€hear€theÐ Î Ðin„court€testimony.зРР ÐÌÓ X&ÓòòMoore€v.€Shoneyððs,€Inc.óó,€No.€M2002„02635„WC„R3„CV,€2003€Tenn.€LEXIS€1123,€at€*2„3€(Tenn.Ð ‰Ù ÐNov.€20,€2003)€(citing€òòLong€v.€Tri„Con€Indus.,€Ltd.óó,€996€S.W.2d€173,€178€(Tenn.€1999));€òòsee€alsoÐ r ÐState€v.€Blackwellóó,€No.€W2004„00509„COA„R3„PT,€2004€Tenn.€App.€LEXIS€739,€at€*11„12€(Tenn.Ð [« ÐCt.€App.€Nov.€8,€2004).€€In€this€case,€the€trial€court€found€that€only€Mother€was€not€credible.€Ð D” ÐÌÓ  Óò òEvidentiary€Issuesó óÐ f ÐÌÓ  Óà  àMother€argues€that€the€trial€court€erred€when€it€admitted€evidence€of€a€report€allegedly€takenÐ é 9 Ðby€a€police€officer€on€or€about€September€23,€2002,€which€included€a€statement€made€by€Mother,Ð Ò!"  Ðconcerning€her€knowledge€of€whether€the€children€were€abused€by€Father.€€Additionally,€MotherÐ »" ! Ðappears€to€argue€that€the€trial€court€erred€when€it€refused€to€permit€certain€testimony€by€BurnettÐ ¤#ô" ÐAlby€(ð ðAlbyðð),€a€clinical€therapist€for€Professional€Counseling€Services€in€Dyersburg,€Tennessee.€Ð $Ý# Ð(Appellantððs€Brief€p.€9).€€We€begin€by€noting€that€ð ðthe€admission€or€exclusion€of€evidence€at€trialÐ v%Æ $ Ðis€within€the€sound€discretion€of€the€trial€court€and€will€not€be€overturned€absent€a€finding€of€abuseÐ _&¯!% Ðof€such€discretion.ðð€€òòEvans€v.€Evansóó,€No.€W2001„03037„COA„R3„CV,€2003€Tenn.€App.€LEXIS€25,Ð H'˜"& Ðat€*23€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Jan.€14,€2003)€(citing€òòOtis€v.€Cambridge€Mut.€Fire€Ins.€Co.óó,€850€S.W.2d€439,Ð 1(#' Ð442€(Tenn.€1992)).€€Additionally,€ð ð[a]ppellate€courts€should€permit€a€discretionary€decision€to€standÐ )j$( Ðif€reasonable€judicial€minds€can€differ€concerning€its€soundness.ðð€€òòWhite€v.€Vanderbilt€Univ.óó,€21Ð *S%) ÐS.W.3d€215,€223€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1999)€(citing€òòOverstreet€v.€Shoneyððs,€Inc.óó,€4€S.W.3d€694,€695Ð ì*<&* Ð(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1999));€òòsee€also€Evansóó,€2003€Tenn.€App.€LEXIS€25,€at€*23.€€Ð Õ+%'+ Їà  àFirst,€with€respect€to€the€police€report,€we€note€that€such€a€report€is€hearsay€and€does€not€fallÐ ° Ðwithin€the€hearsay€exception€outlined€in€Tenn.€R.€Evid.€803(8),€which€allows€the€admission€ofÐ ™é Ðcertain€public€records€and€reports.€€òòSee€McBee€v.€Williamsóó,€405€S.W.2d€668,€670„71€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.Ð ‚Ò Ð1966).€€After€reviewing€the€record,€it€appears€that€such€report€was€never€admitted€into€evidence€andÐ k» Ðit€is€not€in€the€record.€€However,€we€note€that€there€was€testimony€concerning€Motherððs€statementÐ T¤ Ðin€the€police€report,€and,€additionally,€the€trial€court€relied€upon€a€portion€of€Motherððs€statement€toÐ =  Ðestablish€that€termination€of€Motherððs€parental€rights€is€in€W.N.ððs€and€C.N.ððs€best€interest.€€ItÐ & v Ðappears€that€such€testimony€relates€to€the€issue€of€whether€Mother€knew€or€should€have€known€thatÐ  _ ÐFather€was€physically€and€sexually€abusing€the€children.€€The€trial€court€found€that€such€statementÐ ø H Ðwas€written€by€Mother€to€the€police€department.€€Such€a€statement€would€not€constitute€a€policeÐ á 1  Ðreport€but€an€admission€by€a€party€opponent,€which€would€make€it€admissible€under€Tenn.€R.€Evid.Ð Ê   Ð803(1.2).€€Therefore,€we€cannot€say€the€trial€court€abused€its€discretion€when€it€admitted€testimonyÐ ³  Ðconcerning€the€statement€written€by€Mother.€€Ð œì  ÐÌà  àEven€if€the€evidence€at€issue€involved€an€inadmissible€police€report,€we€note€that,€pursuantÐ n¾  Ðto€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€36(b),€such€error€would€not€constitute€reversible€error,€because€the€admissionÐ W§  Ðof€testimony€concerning€the€statement€did€not€ð ðmore€probably€than€not€affect[]€the€judgment€or€.€.Ð @ Ð.€result€in€prejudice€to€the€judicial€process.ðð€€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€36(b)€(2004).€€In€this€case,€there€wasÐ )y Ðample€evidence€to€establish€that€Mother€knew€or€should€have€known€that€Father€was€physically€andÐ b Ðsexually€abusing€the€children.€€First,€Yolanda€Lynch€(ð ðLynchðð),€one€of€the€childrenððs€foster€parents,Ð ûK Ðand€Lynchððs€daughter,€Rheay€Crowder€(ð ðCrowderðð),€testified€that€N.P.€and€W.N.€said€that€FatherÐ ä4 Ðhad€physically€and€sexually€abused€them€and€that€they€both€alerted€Mother€to€this€abuse.€Ð Í ÐSpecifically,€N.P.€and€W.N.€each€told€Lynch€Crowder€that€Father€would€pull€down€his€pants€andÐ ¶ Ðtheir€pants,€lay€them€down€on€their€stomachs,€put€a€pillow€on€their€faces,€put€socks€on€the€ends€ofÐ Ÿï Ðtheir€hands,€and€then€lie€on€top€of€each€of€them.€€Further,€N.P.€stated€that€he€told€Mother€about€theÐ ˆØ Ðabuse€inflicted€by€Father.€€The€trial€court€properly€determined€that€such€testimony€was€admissibleÐ qÁ Ðpursuant€to€Tenn.€R.€Evid.€803(25).€€Additionally,€Mother€stipulated€in€a€prior€court€order€that€sheÐ Zª Ðð ðknowingly€failed€to€protect€the€children€from€[severe]€abuseðð€as€defined€by€section€37„1„Ð C“ Ð102(b)(21)(B)€of€the€Tennessee€Code.€€Therefore,€even€if€testimony€concerning€Motherððs€statementÐ ,| Ðto€the€police€were€excluded,€the€testimony€of€Lynch€and€Crowder€and€the€prior€trial€court€orderÐ e Ðestablish€that€Mother€knew€of€the€physical€and€sexual€abuse€of€the€children.Ð þN ÐÌà  àSecond,€Mother€argues€that€the€trial€court€erred€when€it€excluded€portions€of€AlbyððsÐ Ð!   Ðtestimony.€€When€counsel€for€Mother€called€Alby€to€the€stand,€a€sidebar€conference€was€heldÐ ¹" ! Ðwherein€counsel€for€DCS€argued€that€Alby€should€not€be€permitted€to€testify€to€any€allegedÐ ¢#ò" Ðstatements€made€by€counsel€for€DCS€to€Mother€in€the€proceedings€which€led€to€the€prior€trial€courtÐ ‹$Û# Ðorder,€dated€April€17,€2003,€finding€Mother€committed€severe€child€abuse.€€After€our€review€of€theÐ t%Ä $ Ðrecord,€we€cannot€say€that€the€trial€court€abused€its€discretion€when€it€narrowed€Albyððs€testimonyÐ ]&­!% Ðto€relevant€evidence€concerning€the€issue€of€whether€Motherððs€failure€to€pay€support€was€willful€andÐ F'–"& Ðwhether€Mother€made€a€positive€adjustment€of€circumstances.€€Ð /(#' Ðò òÓ  ÓGrounds€for€Terminationó óÐ )h$( ÐÌÓÅAÓà  àIn€order€to€terminate€parental€rights,€a€trial€court€must€find,€by€clear€and€convincingÐ ë*;&* Ðevidence,€that€one€of€the€grounds€for€termination€exists€and€that€such€termination€is€in€the€bestÐ Ô+$'+ Ðinterest€of€the€child.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(c).€€ð ðClear€and€convincing€evidenceðð€is€definedÐ ° Ðas€ð ðevidence€in€which€there€is€no€serious€or€substantial€doubt€about€the€correctness€of€theÐ ™é Ðconclusions€drawn€from€the€evidence.ðð€€òòValentineóó,€79€S.W.3d€at€546€(quoting€òòHodges€v.€S.C.€ToofÐ ‚Ò Ð&€Co.óó,€833€S.W.2d€896,€901€n.3€(Tenn.€1992)).€€In€this€case,€the€trial€court€found€that€terminationÐ k» Ðwas€proper€on€the€grounds€of€(1)€severe€child€abuse,€and€(2)€abandonment€by€willfully€failing€toÐ T¤ Ðsupport€W.N.€and€C.N.€€Mother€challenges€the€trial€courtððs€finding€that€DCS€carried€its€burden€ofÐ =  Ðproof€on€these€grounds.€€In€order€to€prevail,€Mother€must€demonstrate€that€DCS€failed€to€carry€itsÐ & v Ðburden€of€proving€both€of€these€grounds€since€proof€of€one€statutory€ground€will€support€theÐ  _ Ðtermination€of€parental€rights.€€òòIdóó.€(citing€òòIn€re€C.W.W.óó,€37€S.W.3d€467,€473€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€2000)).€Ð ø H ÐWe€will€address€these€grounds€and€the€factors€determining€the€best€interest€of€W.N.€and€C.N.€in€turn.Ð á 1  ÐÌÓ  Óò òSevere€Child€Abuseó óÐ ³  ÐÌÓ  Óà  àMother€first€argues€that€DCS€failed€to€prove€the€ground€of€severe€child€abuse€by€clear€andÐ †Ö  Ðconvincing€evidence.€€Section€36„1„113(g)(4)€of€the€Tennessee€Code€states€that€a€ground€forÐ o¿  Ðtermination€of€parental€rights€includes€the€following:Ð X¨  ÐÌÓ XÓà0  àà ` à(4)€The€parent€or€guardian€has€been€found€to€have€committed€severe€childÐ *z Ðabuse€as€defined€in€ðð€37„1„102,€under€any€prior€order€of€a€court€or€is€found€by€theÐ c Ðcourt€hearing€the€petition€to€terminate€parental€rights€or€the€petition€for€adoption€toÐ üL Ðhave€committed€severe€child€abuse€against€the€child€who€is€the€subject€of€the€petitionÐ å5 Ðor€against€any€sibling€or€half„sibling€of€such€child,€or€any€other€child€residingÐ Î Ðtemporarily€or€permanently€in€the€home€of€such€parent€or€guardian.€.€.€.зРР ÐÌÓ XÓTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(g)(4)€(2003).€€In€this€case,€Mother€stipulated€in€a€prior€proceedingÐ ‰Ù Ðbefore€the€Lauderdale€County€Juvenile€Court€on€DCSððs€petition€for€temporary€custody€that€N.P.,Ð r ÐW.N.,€and€C.N.€were€sexually€and€physically€abused,€amounting€to€severe€child€abuse€under€sectionÐ [« Ð37„1„102(b)(21)(B)€of€the€Tennessee€Code.€€That€section€provides€that€ð ðsevere€child€abuseðð€means:Ð D” ÐÌÓ XÓà0  àà ` à(B)€Specific€brutality,€abuse€or€neglect€towards€a€child€which€in€the€opinionÐ f Ðof€qualified€experts€has€caused€or€will€reasonably€be€expected€to€produce€severeÐ ÿO Ðpsychosis,€severe€neurotic€disorder,€severe€depression,€severe€developmental€delayÐ è 8 Ðor€retardation,€or€severe€impairment€of€the€childððs€ability€to€function€adequately€inÐ Ñ!!  Ðthe€childððs€environment,€and€the€knowing€failure€to€protect€a€child€from€suchÐ º" ! Ðconduct.€.€.€.У#ó"Ð Ð  ÐÌÓ  ÓÓ XÓTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€37„1„102(b)(21)(B)€(2003).€€Mother€stipulated€that€she€knowingly€failed€toÐ u%Å $ Ðprotect€the€children€from€this€abuse.€€Because€Mother€was€found€to€have€committed€severe€childÐ ^&®!% Ðabuse€as€defined€in€section€37„1„102€ð ðunder€[a]€prior€order€of€a€court,ðð€in€this€case€theÐ G'—"& ÐLauderdale€County€Juvenile€Court,€this€ground€for€termination€applies€and€is€established€by€clearÐ 0(€#' Ðand€convincing€evidence.€€Because€DCS€must€prove€only€one€ground€to€terminate€a€personððsÐ )i$( Ðparental€rights,€the€issue€of€whether€DCS€proved€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence€that€MotherÐ *R%) Ðabandoned€her€children€by€willfully€failing€to€support€them€is€pretermitted.Ð ë*;&* ÐÐ Ô+$'+ ÐÓ  Óò òBest€Interest€of€the€Childrenó óÐ ° ÐÌÓ  Óà  àFinally,€before€a€trial€court€may€terminate€a€personððs€parental€rights,€in€addition€to€findingÐ ƒÓ Ða€ground€for€termination€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence,€it€must€also€find€that€such€terminationÐ l¼ Ðof€parental€rights€is€in€the€best€interest€of€the€child.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(c)€(2003).€Ð U¥ ÐTennessee€Code€Annotated€ðð€36„1„113(i)€provides:Ð > Ž ÐÌÓ XÓà0  à(i)€In€determining€whether€termination€of€parental€or€guardianship€rights€is€in€theÐ  ` Ðbest€interest€of€the€child€pursuant€to€this€part,€the€court€shall€consider,€but€is€notÐ ù I Ðlimited€to,€the€following:Ðâ 2 Ð Ð  Ðà0  à(1)€Whether€the€parent€or€guardian€has€made€such€an€adjustment€of€circumstance,Ð Ë   Ðconduct,€or€conditions€as€to€make€it€safe€and€in€the€childððs€best€interest€to€be€in€theÐ ´  Ðhome€of€the€parent€or€guardian;Ðí Ð Ð  Ðà0  à(2)€Whether€the€parent€or€guardian€has€failed€to€effect€a€lasting€adjustment€afterÐ †Ö  Ðreasonable€efforts€by€available€social€services€agencies€for€such€duration€of€time€thatÐ o¿  Ðlasting€adjustment€does€not€reasonably€appear€possible;ÐX¨ Ð Ð  Ðà0  à(3)€Whether€the€parent€or€guardian€has€maintained€regular€visitation€or€other€contactÐ A‘ Ðwith€the€child;Ð*zÐ Ð  Ðà0  à(4)€Whether€a€meaningful€relationship€has€otherwise€been€established€between€theÐ c Ðparent€or€guardian€and€the€child;ÐüLÐ Ð  Ðà0  à(5)€The€effect€a€change€of€caretakers€and€physical€environment€is€likely€to€have€onÐ å5 Ðthe€childððs€emotional,€psychological€and€medical€condition;ÐÎÐ Ð  Ðà0  à(6)€Whether€the€parent€or€guardian,€or€other€person€residing€with€the€parent€orÐ · Ðguardian,€has€shown€brutality,€physical,€sexual,€emotional€or€psychological€abuse,Ð  ð Ðor€neglect€toward€the€child,€or€another€child€or€adult€in€the€family€or€household;ЉÙÐ Ð  Ðà0  à(7)€Whether€the€physical€environment€of€the€parentððs€or€guardianððs€home€is€healthyÐ r Ðand€safe,€whether€there€is€criminal€activity€in€the€home,€or€whether€there€is€such€useÐ [« Ðof€alcohol€or€controlled€substances€as€may€render€the€parent€or€guardian€consistentlyÐ D” Ðunable€to€care€for€the€child€in€a€safe€and€stable€manner;Ð-}Ð Ð  Ðà0  à(8)€Whether€the€parentððs€or€guardianððs€mental€and/or€emotional€status€would€beÐ f Ðdetrimental€to€the€child€or€prevent€the€parent€or€guardian€from€effectively€providingÐ ÿO Ðsafe€and€stable€care€and€supervision€for€the€child;€orÐè 8Ð Ð  Ðà0  à(9)€Whether€the€parent€or€guardian€has€paid€child€support€consistent€with€the€childÐ Ñ!!  Ðsupport€guidelines€promulgated€by€the€department€pursuant€to€ðð€36„5„101.к" !Ð Ð  ÐÓ XeUÓÌTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(i)€(2003).€€Mother€argues€that€termination€of€her€parental€rights€overÐ Œ$Ü# ÐW.N.€and€C.N.€is€not€in€the€childrenððs€best€interest.€€We€disagree.Ð u%Å $ ÐÌà  àThough€there€was€proof€that€Mother€received€counseling€after€N.P.,€W.N.,€and€C.N.€wereÐ G'—"& Ðremoved€by€DCS,€she€continued€to€deny€that€she€had€knowledge€of€any€physical€or€sexual€abuse€byÐ 0(€#' ÐFather,€despite€the€testimony€of€Yolanda€Lynch€regarding€statements€made€by€N.P.€and€W.N.€andÐ )i$( ÐMotherððs€stipulation€in€the€juvenile€court€order€dated€April€17,€2003,€that€she€knew€of€the€severeÐ *R%) Ðchild€abuse€committed€against€the€children.€€Such€evidence€supports€the€trial€courtððs€determinationÐ ë*;&* Ðthat€Mother€failed€to€make€an€adjustment€of€circumstance.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð36„1„113(i)(1)€(2003).€Ð Ô+$'+ ÐAdditionally,€Mother€failed€to€obtain€employment€until€approximately€two€weeks€before€the€hearingÐ ° Ðon€DCSððs€petition€to€terminate€parental€rights€in€October€2003.€€Further,€various€witnesses€testifiedÐ ™é Ðthat€Mother€changed€residences€between€two€and€four€occasions€in€the€year€prior€to€the€hearing.€Ð ‚Ò ÐThe€trial€court€also€found,€supported€by€the€testimony€at€trial,€that€W.N.€and€C.N.€have€been€in€stateÐ k» Ðcustody€for€over€a€year€and€are€thriving€in€their€current€environment.€€The€court€determined€thatÐ T¤ ÐW.N.€and€C.N.€had€stabilized€in€their€current€environment€and€that€a€change€of€caretakers€wouldÐ =  Ðhave€a€detrimental€effect€on€W.N.ððs€and€C.N.ððs€emotional,€psychological,€and€medical€condition.€Ð & v ÐTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(i)(5)€(2003).€€Next,€the€trial€court€found,€and€it€was€undisputed,€thatÐ  _ ÐMother€paid€no€child€support€for€the€children€while€they€were€in€DCSððs€custody.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.Ð ø H Ððð€36„1„113(i)(9)€(2003).€€Finally,€the€trial€court€found€that€Motherððs€mental€or€emotional€state€ofÐ á 1  Ðmind€would€be€detrimental€to€W.N.€and€C.N.€and€prevent€Mother€from€effectively€providing€safeÐ Ê   Ðand€stable€care€and€supervision€for€W.N.€and€C.N.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(i)(8)€(2003).€Ð ³  ÐYolanda€Lynch€testified€that€N.P.€and€W.N.€indicated€to€her€that€they€both€told€Mother€of€theÐ œì  Ðphysical€and€sexual€abuse€by€Father.€€Additionally,€Mother€stipulated€in€a€prior€court€order€of€theÐ …Õ  Ðjuvenile€court€that€she€knew€of€the€severe€child€abuse€committed€against€the€children.€€However,Ð n¾  ÐMother€continued€to€deny€that€she€had€any€knowledge€of€any€abuse€and€did€nothing€at€any€point€inÐ W§  Ðtime€prior€to€removal€to€prevent€any€abuse.€€We€cannot€say€that€the€trial€court€erred€when€itÐ @ Ðdetermined€that€termination€of€Motherððs€parental€rights€over€W.N.€and€C.N.€is€in€the€best€interestÐ )y Ðof€the€children.Ð b ÐÌÓ  Óò òConclusionó óÐ ä4 ÐÌÓ  Óà  àFor€the€reasons€stated€above,€we€affirm€the€decision€of€the€trial€court.€€Costs€of€this€appealÐ · Ðare€taxed€to€Appellant,€Aimee€R.€Paschall,€and€her€surety€for€which€execution€may€issue€ifÐ  ð Ðnecessary.Ô#†XÌXXX VÀ #ÔÔ#†¼€Ù»XXÌ’ #ÔÔ€XÌX»¼€ÙÔÐ ‰Ù ÐÌÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à___________________________________€Ð -} Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àALAN€E.€HIGHERS,€JUDGE