ÿWPCB' ÔÓ“Ô<ˆ­?M⛡¼ŠãLú%ã`7ÿ¿†Ðöäy¼ßñ¶€ô)ÿåkôBÊRj¶–ÖÍ‹iP[<óRe„ŽXÍ( ß‚;zê+÷–Šqm~+æ\LIL$eó¶kD¯Gù¸¦Ý¢E‚ûøÜúyš“tò²E-`? JÕ[›@×ÔÀ*³y@Sên¬­òù§'ânQÿI½ÆAm:nÖOê[BtKB`êtš³p_£ìm[LŸ-›[ÎÚæ«xdF–†“´Çb@5|<.|¼rü|*Ü9w<€M&(­†õr‹Éü@#Á†õ_ ‚níá¡ó´Ýè×cïÑó×éÿbPa©?ʨݒ‹.¹õp^Ïl¥âäTMÔkÓ¸Lç%4ê^Ɉ¨ hþ”¶ïW-cN§k ×c*&1U@É2ü%n×IFª+þ™”2(^„¡ö¡3 ÃøÚz̬*?ÿ"âñO©ãVyì¯}2þ^ü33p_ÏöðE‚™ä¢cÝ\lí‹U™ƒåˆÂøì²ãî†HgÚ €ˆÓ¡ô'Á,£ÿIqBáŒ@õÑr8.Š\µe qàìHÐ0%Õ8þ©¨†V= Ì®÷ȵ§Çvä-•¶zÒê3ºÜ]ÃNf %”^ š 0ˆ¦UN.w|4€” z£Ò ï mñ U N #ÁV Æ ÆÝ Æ£ Æiï/N 0D ¹dE 1u.H£ 72ë 72 0wO 0ŠÆ 1P 72Ý 1 72œ 1Î 72[ 1 72 1L 72Ù 1  72˜ÊîàààbÎðÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖ 1‡Æ 0cM!M!M!M!M! 1‡°!°!°!°!°!°!°!°!°!°! 0ë7"7"7"7" B"#"# 0¤?# D3ã# D-$ 0KC$C$ ASŽ$Æá$ 0¤§% 0DK& A«&&&&:'»|¦›+â (`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regular]if+K¥  Ø–¥ 3|x ˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wpt ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ(ÖÃ9 Z‹6Times New Roman Regular˜HP LaserJet 4,ü,,,,,ü0Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5 åÝ ƒRnÉ$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô‹Lò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€€At€the€final€hearing,€Presley€and€Ms.€Shadrick€provided€both€stipulated€testimony€and€live€testimony.(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó ¯Ý ƒRnÉ$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô‹Lò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€€Father,€through€counsel,€filed€a€Stipulation€and€Withdrawal€of€Counsel,€which€was€signed€by€the€parties.€Ð ° ÐThe€Stipulation€provides,€in€pertinent€part,€the€following:Ð xÈ ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àThat€on€or€about€May€14,€1998[,]€a€domestic€situation€arose€that€resulted€in€theÐ X Ðdeath€of€[Mother]€to€which€the€respondent€[Father]€plead€guilty€to€VoluntaryÐ Ð  ÐManslaughter€in€November,€1999.€€That€in€the€issuance€[sic]€of€Judicial€Economy,Ð ˜è Ðthe€respondent€is€able€and€willing€to€stipulate€to€the€fact€that€based€on€the€aboveÐ ` ° Ðmentioned€facts€the€court€will€find€that€the€minor€children€.€.€.€€are€dependent€andÐ ( x Ðneglected€under€T.C.A.€ðð€37„1„102€with€regards€to€[Father].€.€.€. Ý ƒRnÉ$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô‹Lò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€€Presley€also€contends€in€her€brief€that€the€Trial€Court€erred€in€finding€that€the€Children€were€dependent€andÐ ° Ðneglected.€€At€oral€argument,€however,€Presleyððs€attorney€conceded€that€due€to€the€entry€of€the€Fatherððs€stipulation€ofÐ xÈ Ðdependency€and€neglect€at€the€final€hearing,€this€is€not€an€issue€on€appeal.€€Fatherððs€stipulation€was€entered€withoutÐ @ Ðobjection€and€as€discussed,€was€signed€by€counsel€for€the€parties.€€Also,€Presleyððs€attorney,€in€his€opening€statement€toÐ X Ðthe€Trial€Court,€remarked€that€the€dependency€and€neglect€issue€had€been€resolved.3#37=CIQYag­­1.a.i.(1)(a)(i)1)a) >Ý ƒRnÉ$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô‹Lò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€After€Fatherððs€parents€divorced,€his€father€remarried.€€Father€had€two€step„siblings,€one€of€whom,€BrianÐ ° ÐBraden,€petitioned€the€Trial€Court€for€custody€of€the€Children.i)B(Oé;$µµà0  àÔ2#ÔÚ  ÚaÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0` (#(#à(b·¤$¶¶à0  àà0` (#(#àÔ2#ÔÚ  ÚÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0¸ ` (#` (#à(ÆÙCEMU]emu}AutoList3(1)(1)(1)(1)(1)(1)(1)(1)(1)0ÖÙCEMU]emu}AutoList4(1)(1)(1)(1)(1)(1)(1)(1) (1)(æÙCEMU]emu}AutoList5(1)(1)(1)(1)(1)(1)(1)(1)"(1)(öÙCEMU]emu}AutoList6(1)(1)(1)(1)(1)(1)(1)(1)$(1)(ÚCEMU]emu}AutoList7(1)(1)(1)(1)(1)(1)(1)(1)&(1)(ÚCEMU]emu}AutoList8(1)(1)(1)(1)(1)(1)(1)(1)((1) Ñ ° Ñ äÝ ƒRnÉ$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô‹Lò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€The€record€on€appeal€appears€to€contain€a€less€than€complete€copy€of€the€first€CASA€Report€at€issue.€- ù- æÝ ƒRnÉ$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô‹Lò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€€The€Father€was€out€of€jail€on€bond€for€sometime€during€the€pendency€of€this€matter€at€the€trial€level.0zCEKQY_ekqAutoList11.1.(1)1.1.1.1.1.(;3£$´´Ô2#ÔÚ  Ú0Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0  à(EhCEKQW]cioAutoList21.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.(|G2nÉ$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€÷ä»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô‹Lò»»Ô d(|3y4$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€÷ä»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV'ÿÿdxd)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3y4$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€÷ä»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKK Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€÷ä»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ8€ó£XXdð»»d8ÑÑ  ÑÑ€*OaÑà@¦ ¦ ìàIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@””$ìàAT€KNOXVILLEˆÐ È Ðà@44ìàOctober€17,€2001€SessionˆÐ à0 ÐÔ‡Xó£X»»ÔÌÌò òÔ#†»÷ä»XXó£ #Ôà@jjìàDONNA€SHARON€PRESLEY€v.€CALVIN€HERMAN€SHADRICK,€òòet€alóó.ˆÐ Ø ( Ðà@  ìàIn€re:€€S.A.P.€and€Ô_ÔS.M.P.Ô_Ôó óˆÐ ð @ ÐÌÌò òÔ€Xó£X»»÷äÔà@ô ô ìàAppeal€from€the€Juvenile€Court€for€Anderson€CountyˆÐ 8ˆ  Ðà@ÙÙìàNo.€J„18032,€J„18140,€99671,€99670€and€99578€€€€€€Patricia€R.€Hess,€JudgeˆÐ (x  ÐÌÌÌßA€V) °°` d€÷E<ç` AßÐ è8 ÐÌà@ååìàNo.€E2001„00015„Ô_ÔCOAÔ_Ô„R3„JVˆÐ ç7 Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àFiled€December€27,€2001ÌÌßA€V) °°` dE<¶` AßÐ · ÐÌó óÌÓÓÓÓThis€is€a€custody€and€guardianship€suit€between€petitioners,€neither€of€whom€is€the€biological€orÐ ¦ö Ðadoptive€parent€of€the€set€of€twins€(ð ðChildrenðð)€who€are€at€the€center€of€this€dispute.€€The€parties€inÐ –æ Ðthis€appeal€are,€on€one€side,€the€Childrenððs€maternal€great€uncle€and€his€wife,€Calvin€HermanÐ †Ö ÐShadrick€and€Willie€Mae€Ô_ÔShadrickÔ_Ô€(ð ðÔ_ÔShadricksÔ_Ôðð),€and,€on€the€other€side,€the€childrenððs€paternalÐ vÆ Ðgrandmother,€Donna€Sharon€Presley€(ð ðPresleyðð).€€The€Trial€Court€granted€custody€and€guardianshipÐ f¶ Ðof€the€Children€to€the€Shadricks.€€Presley€appeals.€€We€affirm.€€Ð V¦ ÐÌ€ò òÐ 6† Ðà@]]ìàTenn.€R.€App.€P.€3€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Juvenile€Court€Affirmed;ˆÐ & v Ðà@  #ìàCase€Remanded.ó óˆÐ !f ÐÌÌòòD.€Michael€Ô_ÔSwineyÔ_Ô,€J.óó,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòHouston€M.€Goddard,€P.J.,€óóÐ æ#6" Ðand€òòCharles€D.€Susano,€Jr.,€J.óó,€joined.Ð Ö$& # ÐÌÌPhilip€R.€Crye,€Jr.,€Clinton,€Tennessee,€for€the€Appellant,€Donna€Sharon€Presley.Ð ¦'ö"& ÐÌJudith€R.€Whitfield,€Oak€Ridge,€Tennessee,€for€the€Appellees,€Calvin€Herman€Shadrick€and€WillieÐ †)Ö$( ÐMae€Shadrick.Ð v*Æ%) ÐÓÓÌÐ F-–(,ý Їà@55'ìàò òOPINIONó óˆÐ ° Ðà@ÛÛ%ìàò òòòBackgroundóóó óˆÐ à ÐÓÓà  àà ` àThis€custody€and€guardianship€matter€involves€a€set€of€twins€approximately€two€yearsÐ pÀ Ðold€at€the€time€of€the€final€hearing.€€In€May€1999,€when€the€Children€were€approximately€one€yearÐ ` ° Ðold,€the€Childrenððs€father€(ð ðFatherðð)€murdered€their€mother€(ð ðMotherðð)€during€an€apparent€domesticÐ P   Ðaltercation.€€The€investigating€police€department€placed€the€Children€in€the€care€of€their€paternalÐ @  Ðgrandmother,€Donna€Sharon€Presley.€€Shortly€thereafter,€Presley€filed€a€Petition€for€GuardianshipÐ 0 € Ðand€Custody€against€the€Father,€requesting€that€the€trial€court€issue€a€temporary€restraining€orderÐ  p  Ðprohibiting€the€Childrenððs€relatives€from€removing€the€Children€from€her€care.€€€The€record€does€notÐ `  Ðcontain€a€response€to€this€petition€or€a€petition€by€Father€seeking€custody.€€The€Trial€Court€enteredÐ P  Ða€Temporary€Restraining€Order€granting€Presleyððs€petition€and€awarding€temporary€placement€ofÐ ð@  Ðthe€Children€to€Presley.€€The€TRO€also€ordered€Father€not€to€have€any€contact€with€the€ChildrenÐ à0  Ðexcept€as€directly€supervised€by€the€Department€of€Childrenððs€Services€(ð ðDCSðð).׃/×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Ð Ð  ÐÌà  àà ` àThereafter,€Calvin€Herman€Shadrick€and€Wilma€Mae€Ô_ÔShadrickÔ_Ô,€a€married€couple,Ð ° Ðfiled€a€Petition€to€have€the€Children€Declared€Wards€of€the€Court€and€for€Emergency€Custody,Ð  ð Ðcontending€that€the€Children€were€dependent€and€neglected.€€The€Shadricks€were€the€foster€parentsÐ à Ðof€Mother,€and€Calvin€Herman€Shadrick€is€the€Childrenððs€maternal€great€uncle.€€A€third€Petition€forÐ €Ð ÐGuardianship€and€Custody€was€filed€by€Brian€and€Teresa€Kay€Braden,€who€are€not€parties€to€thisÐ pÀ Ðappeal.€€Brian€Braden€is€the€former€step„brother€of€Father.€€The€Ô_ÔBradensÔ_Ô€filed€their€petition€atÐ `° ÐFatherððs€request.€€The€record€on€appeal,€however,€shows€that€Father€testified€he€later€changed€hisÐ P  Ðmind€and€wanted€custody€of€the€Children€to€be€awarded€to€his€mother,€Presley.Ð @ ÐÌà  àà ` àThe€Trial€Court€consolidated€all€three€petitions€and€held€a€hearing€in€September€1999,Ð  p Ðto€determine€temporary€custody€(ð ðfirst€hearingðð).€€In€August€2000,€the€Trial€Court€held€a€secondÐ ` Ðhearing€(ð ðfinal€hearingðð)€to€determine€permanent€custody.Ð P ÐÌà  àà ` àThe€Trial€Court€entered€an€Interim€Order€after€the€first€hearing€in€which€it€stated€thatÐ à0 Ðit€could€not€ð ðfind€that€it€is€contrary€to€the€[C]hildrenððs€best€interest€.€.€.€to€continue€to€reside€withÐ Ð  Ð[Presley]€pending€a€final€hearing€in€this€cause,€nor€can€the€Court€find€that€[Presley]€presents€a€dangerÐ À! Ðto€the€minor€children.€.€.€.ðð€€The€Trial€Court,€pending€the€final€hearing,€granted€custody€of€theÐ °"  ÐChildren€to€Presley,€visitation€to€the€Bradens€as€agreed„upon€between€them€and€Presley,€andÐ  #ð! Ðvisitation€to€the€Shadricks.€€The€Trial€Court€further€ordered€that€none€of€the€parties€were€to€allow€Ð $à" ÐFather€any€contact€with€the€Children€and€that€if€any€of€the€parties€allowed€Father€to€have€contactÐ €%Ð # Ðwith€the€Children,€the€Trial€Court€would€take€this€into€consideration€at€the€final€hearing.€€Ð p&À!$ ÐÌà  àà ` àThe€record€on€appeal€shows€that€Father€was€under€a€suicide€watch€at€a€mental€healthÐ P( #& Ðfacility€while€being€detained€for€the€murder€of€Mother.€€The€record€shows€that€the€Trial€CourtÐ @)$' Ðreceived€a€CASA€Report€at€the€first€hearing€which€states€that€during€this€period€of€time,€Father€madeÐ ° Ðstatements€that€he€had€been€abused€as€a€child€by€his€mother,€Presley.€€At€the€final€hearing,€FatherððsÐ  ð Ðformer€step„mother€testified€that€Father€had€reported€this€abuse€to€her.€€Both€Father€and€PresleyÐ à Ðdenied€this€abuse,€and€Presley€testified€that€she€and€Father€had€never€discussed€these€allegations.€Ð €Ð ÐFatherððs€former€step„mother,€however,€testified€Father€told€her€he€lied€about€not€being€abused€byÐ pÀ ÐPresley€because€he€feared€that€the€Shadricks€would€gain€custody€of€the€Children.€€Ð ` ° ÐÌà  àà ` àThe€record€also€shows€that€Fatherððs€parents€divorced€when€he€was€a€teenager€and€thatÐ @  Ðhis€father€was€awarded€custody€of€him.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€In€addition,€the€record€shows€that€after€his€parentsðð€divorceÐ 0 € Ðand€while€Father€was€still€a€minor,€Presley€and€Father€had€no€contact€for€a€period€of€approximatelyÐ  p  Ðfour€years.€€Ð `  ÐÌà  àà ` àThe€record€on€appeal€shows€that€after€the€Children€were€born,€despite€Presleyððs€andÐ ð@  ÐFatherððs€past€difficulties,€Presley€had€regular€contact€with€the€Children.€€Presley,€age€51€at€the€timeÐ à0  Ðof€the€final€hearing,€is€unmarried,€and€her€only€child€is€Father.€€Presley€has€no€physical€or€mentalÐ Ð  Ðdisabilities€and€does€not€smoke€or€drink.€Presley€is€employed€full„time€in€retail€and€also€receivesÐ À Ðincome€from€rental€property.€€Presley€has€a€three€bedroom,€one€bath€home.€€The€record€on€appealÐ ° Ðshows€that€for€childcare,€Presley€relies€upon€a€church„run€pre„school,€her€mother,€sister,€and€variousÐ  ð Ðbabysitters.€€The€record€shows€that€during€the€week,€Presley€would€drop€off€the€Children€at€pre„Ð à Ðschool€around€10:30€or€11:00€a.m.€€If€Presley€is€scheduled€to€work€until€9€p.m.,€she€picks€up€theÐ €Ð ÐChildren€from€pre„school€before€6:00€p.m.€and€takes€them€home€to€a€babysitter€before€returning€toÐ pÀ Ðwork€to€finish€her€shift.€€€Ð `° ÐÌà  àà ` àIn€addition,€at€the€time€of€the€first€hearing,€Presley€was€involved€in€a€long„term€datingÐ @ Ðrelationship.€€Presley€testified€at€the€first€hearing€that€this€boyfriend€resided€with€her€before€sheÐ 0€ Ðgained€temporary€custody€of€the€Children.€€Once€Presley€obtained€temporary€custody€of€theÐ  p ÐChildren,€the€boyfriend€stopped€living€with€her.€€Thereafter,€the€boyfriend€had€contact€with€theÐ ` ÐChildren€but€never€had€been€alone€with€them.€€Sometime€prior€to€the€final€hearing,€PresleyððsÐ P Ðboyfriend€was€arrested€for€assaulting€her.€€At€the€final€hearing,€Presley€testified€she€no€longer€wasÐ ð@ Ðinvolved€with€this€man,€and€he€would€no€longer€be€present€at€the€Presley€residence.Ð à0 ÐÌà  àà ` àLeonora€Doyle,€a€Child€Protective€Services€case€manager,€testified€on€behalf€ofÐ À! ÐPresley€at€the€first€hearing.€€Two€of€Doyleððs€reports€regarding€her€investigation€of€Presleyððs€care€ofÐ °"  Ðthe€Children€are€contained€in€the€record€on€appeal.€€Doyle€reported€that€she€made€a€home€visit€andÐ  #ð! Ðfound€Presleyððs€home€environment€suitable€and€the€Children€happy.€€Doyle€also€states€in€her€reportÐ $à" Ðthat€a€DCS€file€search€was€conducted€regarding€the€allegations€of€abuse€made€by€Father€against€Ð €%Ð # ÐPresley.€€The€file€search,€however,€did€not€result€in€any€indication€that€Presley€was€an€abuser.€€DoyleÐ p&À!$ Ðalso€stated€in€her€later€report€that€a€criminal€records€check€on€Presley€was€performed€in€threeÐ `'°"% Ðcounties€and€that€this€search€showed€nothing.€€Ð P( #& Їà  àà ` àThe€other€petitioners€involved€in€this€appeal,€the€Shadricks,€served€as€foster€parentsÐ ° Ðto€Mother€beginning€when€Mother€was€approximately€eleven€years€old.€€Mother€had€been€placed€inÐ  ð Ðfoster€care€after€suffering€from€abuse€and€neglect€at€the€hands€of€her€mother,€who€is€Calvin€HermanÐ à ÐShadrickððs€sister.€€The€Shadricks€provided€care€for€Mother€until€she€reached€approximately€ageÐ €Ð Ðeighteen.€€The€Ô_ÔShadricksÔ_Ô€testified€they€did€not€have€much€contact€with€Mother€or€the€Children€afterÐ pÀ ÐMother€married€Father€because€Father€would€not€allow€it.€€Ð ` ° ÐÌà  àà ` àThe€Shadricks€have€been€married€for€36€years€and€reside€in€a€three€bedroom€home.€Ð @  ÐThe€couple€raised€four€biological€children,€have€provided€care€for€Mother€and€two€other€fosterÐ 0 € Ðchildren€and€have€many€grandchildren.€€At€the€time€of€the€final€hearing,€Ms.€Shadrick€was€58€yearsÐ  p  Ðold,€while€Mr.€Shadrick€was€57€years€old.€€The€proof€in€the€record€shows€that€Mr.€Shadrick€is€self„Ð `  Ðemployed€and€that€Ms.€Shadrick€is€not€employed€outside€of€the€home€and€describes€herself€as€aÐ P  Ðprofessional€foster€parent.€€A€portion€of€their€income€currently€is€derived€from€providing€foster€careÐ ð@  Ðfor€one€foster€child€through€the€Omnivision€program.€€Previously,€Ms.€Shadrick€worked€outside€ofÐ à0  Ðthe€home€with€special„needs€children.€€Ms.€Shadrick€testified€that€out€of€all€the€petitioners,€sheÐ Ð  Ðspends€the€most€amount€of€the€time€with€the€Children€since€she€is€at€home€with€them.€€The€recordÐ À Ðshows€that€the€Trial€Court€received€a€second€CASA€Report€at€the€final€hearing€which€was€ratherÐ ° Ðextensive€and€contained€an€interview€of€Ms.€Shadrickððs€Omnivision€supervisor.€€The€OmnivisionÐ  ð Ðsupervisor€had€worked€with€the€Shadricks€for€a€number€of€years€and€stated€that€the€Shadricks€wereÐ à Ðð ðgood€people€and€good€parents.ððÐ €Ð ÐÌà  àà ` àThe€proof€in€the€record€on€appeal€shows€that€Ms.€Shadrick€has€a€smoking€habit€of€oneÐ `° Ðto€two€packs€per€day;€regularly€smokes€inside€the€house;€smokes€while€the€Children€are€visiting€her;Ð P  Ðand€allows€visitors€to€smoke€in€the€house€in€the€presence€of€the€Children.€€The€record€also€shows€thatÐ @ ÐMs.€Shadrick€acknowledged€that€cigarette€smoke€is€harmful€to€the€Children.€€Furthermore,€Ms.Ð 0€ ÐShadrick,€although€not€diagnosed€with€a€sleeping€disorder,€testified€that€unless€she€stays€busy,€sheÐ  p Ðfalls€asleep€and€cannot€watch€television€or€drive€long€distances€because€of€this€problem.€€TheÐ ` ÐShadricks€denied€this€sleeping€problem€would€interfere€with€Ms.€Shadrickððs€ability€to€care€for€theÐ P ÐChildren.€€Ð ð@ ÐÌà  àà ` àIn€addition,€the€record€on€appeal€shows€that€the€Shadricksðð€current€foster€child€is€anÐ Ð  Ðeighteen€year€old€mentally€disabled€male€who,€according€to€Ms.€Shadrick,€functions€at€the€level€ofÐ À! Ða€young€child.€€Ms.€Shadrick€testified€she€and€her€husband€anticipate€caring€for€this€foster€child€forÐ °"  Ðthe€rest€of€his€life.€€The€record€on€appeal€shows€that€Ms.€Shadrick€denied€that€the€foster€child€wasÐ  #ð! Ða€threat€to€the€Children€or€that€she€had€any€reason€to€believe€that€anything€inappropriate€would€occurÐ $à" Ðbetween€the€foster€child€and€the€Children.€€The€record€contains€a€CASA€Report€which€states€that€theÐ €%Ð # ÐShadricksðð€Omnivision€supervisor€reported€that€this€foster€child€had€ð ðno€sexual€problems€and€hadÐ p&À!$ Ðnot€been€aggressive€while€living€with€the€Shadricks.ðð€€However,€Ms.€Ô_ÔShadrickÔ_Ô€testified€that€the€fosterÐ `'°"% Ðchild€had€broken€into€the€home€of€the€Shadricksðð€son€and€had€taken€some€personal€property.€Ð P( #& ÐMoreover,€Ms.€Shadrick€testified€at€the€final€hearing€that€when€the€Children€have€visitation€withÐ @)$' Ðthem,€she€sleeps€on€the€couch.€€Ms.€Shadrick€explained€that€while€she€trusts€the€foster€child,€ð ðIððmÐ 0*€%( Ðnot€a€fool,€anything€can€happen,€but€he€would€have€to€pass€that€door€to€get€to€the€[C]hildrenððs€roomÐ  +p&) Ðand€Iððm€a€very€light€sleeper.ððÐ ,`'* Їà  àà ` àThe€record€on€appeal€shows€that€Presley€complained€about€the€care€and€supervisionÐ ° Ðthe€Ô_ÔShadricksÔ_Ô€provided€the€Children€due€to€the€presence€of€diaper€rashes,€insect€bites,€cuts€andÐ  ð Ðbruises€which€Presley€discovered€upon€the€Childrenððs€return€from€the€Shadricksðð€home.€€At€the€finalÐ à Ðhearing,€these€complaints€were€corroborated€by€one€of€the€Childrenððs€pre„school€teachers.€Ð €Ð ÐMoreover,€Presley€and€the€pre„school€teacher€both€testified€that€after€returning€from€their€four„dayÐ pÀ Ðvisitation€period€with€the€Shadricks,€the€Children€exhibited€changes€in€their€personalities€and€wouldÐ ` ° Ðhave€nightmares.€€Ð P   ÐÌà  àà ` àThe€Shadricks€denied€the€Children€were€not€supervised€while€in€their€care.€€TheÐ 0 € ÐShadricks,€however,€expressed€concern€that€Presley€was€allowing€the€Father€visitation€with€theÐ  p  ÐChildren€despite€the€Trial€Courtððs€no„contact€order.€€At€the€first€hearing,€Presley€testified€that€whileÐ `  Ðshe€would€follow€the€Trial€Courtððs€no„contact€order€regarding€Fatherððs€visitation,€she€would€like€forÐ P  ÐFather€to€see€the€Children.€€While€Presley€and€Father€both€denied€that€Presley€allowed€Father€to€visitÐ ð@  Ðthe€Children€at€her€home,€Presley€admitted€she€allowed€the€Children€to€talk€to€Father€on€theÐ à0  Ðtelephone.€€Presley€testified€she€did€not€realize€that€the€Interim€Order€prohibited€telephone€contact.€Ð Ð  ÐIn€addition,€when€Father€was€asked€at€the€final€hearing€if€he€had€visited€the€Children€while€they€wereÐ À Ðat€the€home€of€his€maternal€grandmother,€Presleyððs€mother,€he€invoked€his€Fifth€Amendment€rightÐ ° Ðagainst€self„incrimination.€€€€The€Shadricks€also€expressed€concern€about€Presleyððs€willingness€toÐ  ð Ðallow€them€visitation€with€the€Children.Ð à ÐÌà  àà ` àAt€the€final€hearing€in€August€2000,€in€addition€to€the€testimony€of€the€partiesÐ pÀ Ðthemselves,€many€witnesses€provided€testimony€regarding€each€petitionerððs€fitness€as€custodians€of€Ð `° Ðthe€Children.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€The€Trial€Court,€in€its€Order,€stated€the€parties€stipulated€that€the€issue€of€dependencyÐ P  Ðand€neglect€was€not€at€issue€and€that,€therefore,€the€only€remaining€issue€for€its€determination€wasÐ @ Ðthe€placement€of€the€Children.׃X×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€The€Trial€Court€held€that€while€all€of€the€parties€could€physicallyÐ 0€ Ðand€emotionally€provide€for€the€well„being€of€the€Children,€the€best€interests€of€the€Children€wouldÐ  p Ðbe€met€by€placing€them€in€the€Shadricksðð€custody.€€The€Trial€Court€also€appointed€the€Shadricks€asÐ ` Ðguardians€of€the€Children.€€The€Trial€Court€granted€visitation€to€Presley€but€denied€visitation€to€theÐ P ÐBradens.€€Presley€appeals.€€We€affirm.Ð ð@ ÐÌà@))%ìàò òòòDiscussionóóˆÐ Ð  ÐÐ À! Ðà  àà ` àó óOn€appeal€and€although€not€exactly€stated€as€such,€Presley€raises€the€following€issues:Ð ° Ð(1)€the€Trial€Court€erred€in€admitting€a€CASA€Report€and€a€1991€Department€of€Childrenððs€ServicesÐ  ð Ðhome€study€of€the€Ô_ÔShadrickÔ_Ôððs€home€at€the€first€hearing€and€a€second€CASA€Report€at€the€finalÐ à ÐÔ_ÔhearingÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_Ô;Ô_Ô€(2)€the€Trial€Court€erred€in€refusing€to€grant€her€Petition€for€Guardianship€and€Custody;€Ô_ÔandÐ €Ð Ð(3)Ô_Ô€the€evidence€preponderates€against€the€Trial€Courtððs€finding€that€it€is€in€the€best€interests€of€theÐ pÀ ÐChildren€to€place€them€in€the€custody€of€the€Ô_ÔShadricks.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€The€Shadricks,€of€course,€do€not€disputeÐ ` ° Ðthe€Trial€Courtððs€award€of€custody€of€the€Children€to€them€and€raise€no€further€issues€on€appealÔ_ÔÐ P   ÐÌà  àà ` àÔ‡ XyS XXXó£ÔOur€review€is€òòde€novoóó€upon€the€record,€accompanied€by€a€presumption€of€correctnessÐ 0 € Ðof€the€findings€of€fact€of€the€Trial€Court,€unless€the€preponderance€of€the€evidence€is€otherwise.Ð  l  ÐTenn.€Rule€App.€P.€13(d);òò€Alexander€v.€Inman,€óó974€S.W.2d€689,€692€(Tenn.€1998).€€A€Trial€CourtððsÐ X  Ðconclusions€of€law€are€subject€to€a€òòde€novoóó€review€with€no€presumption€of€correctness.€€òòGanzevoortÐ ôD  Ðv.€Russellóó,€949€S.W.2d€293,€296€(Tenn.€1997).€€With€respect€to€Presley's€issues€on€appeal€regardingÐ à0  Ðthe€Trial€Courtððs€evidentiary€rulingsÔ#†Xó£X X XySÌN#ÔÔ‡ XyS XXXó£Ô€and€the€Trial€Court's€determination€of€custody,€our€standard€ofÐ Ì  Ðreview€is€an€abuse€of€discretion€review.€€òòOtis€v.€Cambridge€Mut.€Fire€Ins.€Co.,€óó850€S.W.2d€439,€442Ð ¸  Ð(Tenn.€1992)€(holding€ð ðadmissibility€of€evidence€is€within€the€sound€discretion€of€the€trial€judgeÔ#†Xó£X X XyS“Q#Ôðð);Ð ¤ô  ÐòòVarley€v.€Varleyóó,€934€S.W.2d€659,€665€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1996)€(holding€ð ððð[t]rial€courts€are€vestedÐ ¤ô Ðwith€wide€discretion€in€matters€of€child€custodyðððð)€(quoting€òòKoch€v.€Kochóó,€874€S.W.2d€571,€575Ð ”ä Ð(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1993)).€€Ô‡ XyS XXXó£ÔWe€should€not€reverse€for€ð ðððabuse€of€discretionðð€a€discretionary€judgmentÐ „Ô Ðof€a€trial€court€unless€it€affirmatively€appears€that€the€Trial€Courtððs€decision€was€against€logic€orÐ „Ô Ðreasoning,€and€caused€an€injustice€or€injury€to€the€party€complaining.ðððð€€òòMarcus€v.€Marcus,óó€993Ð pÀ ÐS.W.2d€596,€601€(Tenn.€1999)€(quoting€òòBallard€v.€Herzkeóó,€924€S.W.2d€652,€661€(Tenn.€1996)).Ô#†Xó£X X XySAT#ÔÔ‡ XyS XXXó£ÔÐ \¬ ÐÌÔ#†Xó£X X XySHV#Ôà  àà ` àPresley's€first€issues€on€appeal€concern€the€Trial€Court's€admission€into€evidence€ofÐ 4„ Ðtwo€CASA€Reports€and€a€1991€DHS€home€study€regarding€the€Shadricks'€foster€care€of€Mother.׃+x×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ׀Р$t ÐThe€transcript€of€the€first€hearing€shows€that€a€CASA€Report€(ð ðfirst€CASA€Reportðð)€and€the€1991Ð d ÐDHS€Report€were€entered€over€the€objection€of€Presley's€attorney.€€With€respect€to€the€first€CASAÐ T ÐReport,€Shadricks'€counsel€cited€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€37„1„129(d)€as€the€basis€for€her€request€that€theÐ ôD ÐTrial€Court€enter€the€report€into€evidence.€€Presley's€attorney€objected,€arguing€that€the€makers€ofÐ ä4 Ðthe€report€were€present€to€testify€about€their€findings€and€that€the€reportððs€recommendationsÐ Ô$ Ðregarding€custody€were€based€upon€an€incomplete€investigation.€€Presley€also€argued€ð ðthe€law€is€veryÐ Ä  Ðspecific€that€the€report€itself,€any€report€is€not€admissible€unless€under€some€exception.ðð€€On€appeal,Ð ´! ÐPresley€contends€that€this€report€should€not€have€been€admitted€into€evidence€because€it€containsÐ ¤"ô  Ðmultiple€layers€of€hearsay€and€because€the€second€author€of€the€report€did€not€sign€it.€€Ð ”#ä! ÐÐ „$Ô" Ðà  àà ` àThe€statute€cited€by€Shadricks'€counsel€as€the€basis€for€the€admission€of€the€firstÐ ° ÐCASA€Report,€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€37„1„129(d),€provides:Ð  ð ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àIn€hearings€under€subsections€(b)€and€(c),€all€evidence€helpful€inÐ €Ð Ðdetermining€the€questions€presented,€including€oral€and€writtenÐ pÀ Ðreports,€may€be€received€by€the€court€and€relied€upon€to€the€extent€ofÐ ` ° Ðits€probative€value€even€though€not€otherwise€competent€in€theÐ P   Ðhearing€on€the€petition.€€The€parties€or€their€counsel€shall€be€affordedÐ @  Ðan€opportunity€to€examine€and€controvert€written€reports€so€receivedÐ 0 € Ðand€to€cross„examine€individuals€making€the€reports.€€Sources€ofÐ  p  Ðconfidential€information€need€not€be€disclosed.Ð` ` x` x ÐÌTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€37„1„129(c)€concerns€hearings€to€determine€whether€a€child€is€"dependent,Ð ð@  Ðneglected€or€unruly.€.€.€.ðð€€As€discussed,€the€Ô_ÔShadricksÔ_Ô€originally€raised€the€issue€of€dependency€andÐ à0  Ðneglect€in€their€petition.€€Also,€Presleyððs€attorney€had€the€opportunity€to€cross„examine€the€makersÐ Ð  Ðof€the€report.Ð À ÐÌà  àà ` àBalanced€against€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€37„1„129(d)€is€Tenn.€R.€Evid.€802€whichÐ  ð Ðprohibits€the€admission€of€hearsay€into€evidence,€subject€to€certain€exceptions.€€In€light€of€the€recordÐ à Ðbefore€us,€it€is€not€necessary€that€we€resolve€this€apparent€conflict€as€our€resolution€of€this€appealÐ €Ð Ðis€not€dependent€upon€whether€the€report€was€or€was€not€properly€considered€by€the€Trial€Court.€Ð pÀ ÐAlthough€it€is€difficult€to€determine€from€the€Final€Order€what€proof€the€Trial€Court€specificallyÐ `° Ðrelied€upon€in€awarding€custody€and€guardianship€to€the€Shadricks,€the€record€on€appeal€containsÐ P  Ða€considerable€amount€of€proof,€besides€this€report,€regarding€Presleyððs€and€the€Shadricksðð€fitnessÐ @ Ðto€serve€as€custodians€of€the€Children.€€Accordingly,€we€hold€that€since€the€record€contains€otherÐ 0€ Ðtestimony€and€proof€more€than€sufficient€to€support€the€Trial€Courtððs€findings,€the€admission€of€theÐ  p Ðfirst€CASA€Report,€if€error,€was€harmless€error.€€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€36(b);€òòsee€alsoóó€òòHerrera€v.Ð ` ÐHerreraóó,€944€S.W.2d€379,€384„85€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1996)€(holding€that€it€was€harmless€error€to€admitÐ P Ðthe€report€of€a€guardian€òòad€litemóó€which€contained€inadmissible€hearsay€because€the€trial€courtÐ ð@ Ðconsidered€other€evidence€in€determining€the€appellantððs€fitness€as€a€custodial€parent).Ð à0 ÐÌà  àà ` àNext,€Presley€contends€the€Trial€Court€erred€in€admitting€into€evidence€a€DHS€ReportÐ À! Ðfrom€1991€regarding€a€home€study€of€the€Shadricks€while€Mother€was€staying€with€them€as€a€fosterÐ °"  Ðchild.€€The€transcript€contained€in€the€record€on€appeal€shows€that€Presleyððs€attorneyððs€objection€wasÐ  #ð! Ðð ðI€would€object€to€a€home€study€being€done€in€ðð91,€eight€years€ago.ðð€€While€Presleyððs€statedÐ $à" Ðobjection€at€the€first€hearing€appears€to€be€a€relevance€objection,€based€upon€Tenn.€R.€Ô_ÔEvidÔ_Ô.€402,Ð €%Ð # ÐPresley€also€contends€on€appeal€that€the€1991€Ô_ÔDHSÔ_Ô€Report€is€inadmissible€hearsay€under€Tenn.€R.Ð p&À!$ ÐÔ_ÔEvidÔ_Ô.€802.€€We€will€not€address€the€merits€of€Presleyððs€hearsay€argument€because€he€did€not€timelyÐ `'°"% Ðraise€it€at€the€hearing.€€"Objections€to€the€introduction€of€evidence€must€be€timely€and€specific€.€.€.Ð P( #& Ð[and]€[Ô_Ôf]ailureÔ_Ô€to€object€[to]€evidence€in€a€timely€and€specific€fashion€precludes€taking€issue€onÐ @)$' Ðappeal€with€the€admission€of€the€evidence."€€òòÔ_ÔGrandstaffÔ_Ô€v.€Hawksóó,€36€S.W.3d€482,€488€(Tenn.€Ct.Ð 0*€%( ÐApp.€2000).Ô‡ô‹LòXXó£Ô€Ô#†Xó£Xòô‹Lm#Ô€We€do€not€find€reversible€error€in€the€Trial€Courtððs€allowing€this€evidence€to€beÐ  +p&) Ðpresented€over€the€relevance€objection.€€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€36(b).Ð ,`'* Їà  àà ` àWith€respect€to€the€second€CASA€Report€entered€into€evidence€at€the€final€hearing,Ð ° Ðwe€hold€that€Presley€waived€any€objection€to€its€admission.€€The€record€on€appeal€shows€thatÐ  ð ÐPresley's€attorney€lodged€an€objection€only€against€the€admission€of€the€CASA€Report's€òòfinalÐ à Ðrecommendationóó€for€custody,€instead€of€the€report€as€a€whole.€The€transcript€of€the€final€hearingÐ €Ð Ðshows€that€Presley's€attorney€stated€that€"[w]e€would€stipulate€that€if€[the€maker€of€the€report]€wereÐ pÀ Ðcalled€to€the€stand€he€would€testify€as€to€the€statements€that€he€has€made€in€his€report.€.€.€.€"€€TheÐ ` ° ÐTrial€Court€then€stated€that€"having€[Presley's€attorney]€made€that€comment€on€the€record,€it€is€myÐ P   Ðintent€to€mark€this€as€a€stipulated€exhibit.€.€.€."€€Thereafter,€Presley€did€not€object.€€We€hold€that€reliefÐ @  Ðis€not€available€to€Presley€since€Presley€"failed€to€take€whatever€action€was€reasonably€available€toÐ 0 € Ðprevent€or€nullify€the€harmful€effect€of€an€error."€€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€36(a).€Ð  p  ÐòòóóÌÔ‡ XyS XXXó£Ôà  àà ` àWe€now€address€the€predominant€issue€on€appeal€Ô_Ôregarding€Ô_ÔÔ_ÔtheÔ_Ô€Trial€Courtððs€awardÐ P  Ðof€custody€and€guardianship€of€the€Children.€€This€suit€involves€competing€petitions€for€custody€andÐ ì<  Ðguardianship€filed€by€parties€who€are€not€the€biological€or€adoptive€parents€of€the€Children.€€ThisÐ Ø(  ÐCourt€has€held€that€ð ðbased€upon€the€statutory€right€of€[biological€or€adoptive]€Ô#†Xó£X X XySÌr#ÔÔ‡ XyS XXXó£Ôparents€to€custody€andÐ Ä  Ðcontrol€of€their€minor€children,€Tennessee€law€does€not€provide€for€any€award€of€custody€.€.€.€to€aÐ ° ÐÔ_ÔnonparentÔ_Ô€òòexcept€as€may€be€otherwise€provided€by€our€legislatureóó.ðð€€òòIn€re€Thompsonóó,€11€S.W.3dÐ œì Ð913,€919€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1999).€€This€Court€has€applied€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„6„106(a)€to€custodyÐ ˆØ Ðmatters€involving€non„biological€parents.€€òòÔ#†Xó£X X XySu#ÔÔ‡ XyS XXXó£ÔWard€v.€Turneróó,€No.€M1999„00719„Ô_ÔCOAÔ_Ô„R3„CV,€2000Ð tÄ ÐWL€1532987,€at€*€2€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Oct.€18,€2000),€òòno€appl.€perm.€app.€filedóó.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ððÐ `° Ð36„6„106(a)€provides:Ð Lœ ÐÌà8  ààHàˆà8` Ð Ð àIn€.€.€.€any€other€proceeding€requiring€the€court€to€make€a€custodyÐ $t Ðdetermination€regarding€a€minor€child,€such€determination€shall€beÐ ` Ðmade€upon€the€basis€of€the€best€interest€of€the€child.€€The€court€shallÐ üL Ðconsider€all€relevant€factors€including€the€following€where€applicable:Ðè8` x` x Ðà  àÌÓ€ (ÆÙ83ÓÝ"‚C3£"ÝÝ  Ýà8  àà8` Ð Ð àÝ‚C3£ŸzÝÔ2ÆÙÔ(Ú  Ú1Ú  Ú)Ô3  Ôà0¸ ` x` xàÝ  ÝThe€love,€affection€and€emotional€ties€existing€between€theÐ À Ðparents€and€child;݃C3£Ÿzìz݌Ьü¸ x¸ x ÐŒÝ  ÝÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àÝ"‚C3£"ÝÝ  ÝÝ‚C3£|ÝÔ2ÆÙÔ(Ú  Ú2Ú  Ú)Ô3  Ôà0¸ ` x` xàÝ  ÝThe€disposition€of€the€parents€to€provide€the€child€with€food,Ð „ Ô Ðclothing,€medical€care,€education€and€other€necessary€care€andÐ p!À Ðthe€degree€to€which€a€parent€has€been€the€primary€Ô_ÔcaregiverÔ_Ôà8@H` Ð ` Ð àà8@Hndicatioà;݃C3£|A|ÝŒÐ\"¬ ¸ x¸ x ÐŒÝ  ÝÌÝ"‚C3£"ÝÝ  Ýà8  àà8` Ð Ð àÝ‚C3£~ÝÔ2ÆÙÔ(Ú  Ú3Ú  Ú)Ô3  Ôà0¸ ` x` xàÝ  ÝThe€importance€of€continuity€in€the€childððs€life€and€the€lengthÐ 4$„" Ðof€time€the€child€has€lived€in€a€stable,€satisfactoryÐ  %p # Ðenvironment;€.€.€.݃C3£~^~݌Р&\!$¸ x¸ x ÐŒÝ  ÝÌÝ"‚C3£"ÝÝ  Ýà8  àà8` Ð Ð àÝ‚C3£·ÝÔ2ÆÙÔ(Ú  Ú4Ú  Ú)Ô3  Ôà0¸ ` x` xàÝ  ÝThe€stability€of€the€family€unit€of€the€parents;݃C3£·€ÝŒÐä'4#&¸ x¸ x ÐŒÝ  ÝÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àÝ"‚C3£"ÝÝ  ÝÝ‚C3£ú€ÝÔ2ÆÙÔ(Ú  Ú5Ú  Ú)Ô3  Ôà0¸ ` x` xàÝ  ÝThe€mental€and€physical€health€of€the€parents;݃C3£ú€'݌м) %(¸ x¸ x ÐŒÝ  Ýà8  àà8` Ð Ð àÐ ` x` x ÐÓ€ ((Ú88ÓØ! !ØÝ"‚C3£"ÝÝ  Ýà8  àà8` Ð Ð àÝ‚C3£Ó‚ÝÔ2ÚÔ(Ú  Ú6Ú  Ú)Ô3  Ôà0¸ ` x` xàÝ  ÝThe€home,€school€and€community€record€of€the€child;݃C3£Ó‚ ƒÝŒÐ”+ä&*¸ x¸ x ÐŒÝ  ÝÌà@CC%ìà*€*€*€*€*€*ˆÐ œì ÐÓ€ $(öÙ88(ÓØ! !Øà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(9)à8¸ ` x` xàThe€character€and€behavior€of€any€other€person€whoÐ ˆØ Ðresides€in€or€frequents€the€home€of€a€parent€and€suchÐ tÄ Ðpersonððs€interactions€with€the€child.Ð`°¸ ¸  ÐÌÓ€ &(Ú88$ÓØ! !ØÝ"‚C3£ "ÝÝ  Ýà8  àà8` Ð Ð àÝ‚C3£€†ÝÔ2ÚÔ(Ú  Ú10Ú  Ú)Ô3  Ôà0¸ ` x` xàÝ  ÝEach€parentððs€past€and€potential€for€future€performance€ofÐ 8 ˆ Ðparenting€responsibilities,€including€the€willingness€andÐ $ t Ðability€of€each€of€the€parents€to€facilitate€and€encourage€aÐ  ` Ðclose€and€continuing€parent„child€relationship€between€theÐ ü L  Ðchild€and€the€other€parent,€consistent€with€the€best€interest€ofÐ è 8  Ðthe€child.à8h¸ x¸ xà݃C3£€†Í†ÝŒÐÔ$ hÈhÈ ÐŒÝ  ÝÌà  àà ` àTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€34„2„103,€sets€forth€the€priority€of€persons€to€be€considered€byÐ ¬ü  Ðthe€court€when€determining€a€guardianship€petition,€as€follows:Ð ˜è  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àSubject€to€the€courtððs€determination€of€what€is€in€the€best€interests€ofÐ pÀ Ðthe€minor,€the€court€shall€consider€the€following€persons€in€the€orderÐ \¬ Ðlisted€for€appointment€of€the€guardian:ÐH˜` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xà(1)€The€parent€or€parents€of€the€minor;Ð p¸ ¸  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xà(2)€The€person€or€persons€designated€by€the€parent€orÐ øH Ðparents€in€a€will€or€other€written€document;Ðä4¸ ¸  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xà(3)€Adult€siblings€of€the€minor;м ¸ ¸  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xà(4)€Closest€relative€or€relatives€of€the€minor;€andÐ”ä¸ ¸  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð ààH` ` ` àˆà8¸ ` x` xà(5)€Other€person€or€persons.Ðl¼¸ ¸  ÐÔ#†Xó£X X XyS>w#ÔÌà  àà ` àPresley€argues€that€the€Trial€Court€erred€in€awarding€custody€and€guardianship€to€theÐ H!˜ ÐÔ_ÔShadricksÔ_Ô€because€Father€wishes€for€the€Children€to€be€placed€with€his€mother,€Presley.€€PresleyÐ 8"ˆ  Ðcontends€that€since€Father,€as€the€Children's€surviving€biological€parent,€has€a€right€to€custody€andÐ (#x! Ðcontrol€of€the€Children,€Father's€wishes€should€be€granted€by€the€Trial€Court€so€long€as€that€decisionÐ $h" Ðdoes€not€substantially€endanger€the€welfare€of€the€Children.€€Presley€also€contends€that€since€she€isÐ %X # Ða€closer€relative€than€the€Ô_ÔShadricksÔ_Ô,€Presley€should€be€given€priority€for€guardianship€according€toÐ ø%H!$ ÐTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€34„2„103.€€Moreover,€Presley€argues€that€it€was€not€in€the€Children's€bestÐ è&8"% Ðinterests€to€be€placed€in€the€custody€of€the€Ô_ÔShadricksÔ_Ô€because€the€Children€had€been€in€PresleyððsÐ Ø'(#& Ðcustody€for€a€period€of€15€months,€from€May€1999€until€August€2000,€and€because€of€Ms.€Ô_ÔShadrickÔ_Ô'sÐ È($' Ðcigarette€smoking.Ð ¸)%( ÐÌà  àà ` àIn€determining€custody€and€guardianship€of€the€Children,€the€Trial€Court€used€theÐ ˜+è&* Ðfactors€provided€by€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„6„106(a)€and€ðð€34„2„103,€both€of€which€direct€that€theÐ ° ÐTrial€Court's€decision€be€based€upon€the€best€interest€of€the€Children.€€While€Presley€correctlyÐ  ð Ðcontends€on€appeal€that€she€is€a€closer€relative€of€the€Children€than€the€Ô_ÔShadricksÔ_Ô,€this€factor€alone€Ð à Ðis€not€determinative€of€this€matter€as€the€best€interest€of€the€Children€is€the€Ô_ÔdispositiveÔ_Ô€consideration.€Ð €Ð ÐMoreover,€the€interest€of€continuity€of€the€Childrenððs€placement€is€but€one€of€a€number€of€factorsÐ pÀ Ðto€be€considered€in€determining€the€Childrenððs€custody.€€òòSeeóó€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„6„106(a).€€InÐ ` ° Ðaddition,€while€the€Trial€Court€did€not€state€as€such€in€its€Order,€the€Father's€wishes€do€not€controlÐ P   Ðthe€Trial€Court's€determination,€especially€in€light€of€the€fact€that€Father's€murder€of€MotherÐ @  Ðprecipitated€this€matter.Ð 0 € ÐÌà  àà ` àFurthermore,€since€the€Trial€Court's€determination€was€fact„intensive,€the€TrialÐ `  ÐCourt's€decision€was€based,€in€large€part,€upon€the€credibility€of€the€witnesses.€While€the€Trial€CourtÐ P  Ðheld€in€its€Order€that€both€Presley€and€the€Ô_ÔShadricksÔ_Ô€were€physically€and€emotionally€capable€ofÐ ð@  Ðcaring€for€the€Children,€it€is€clear€from€the€record€on€appeal€that€Presley,€herself,€raised€an€issueÐ à0  Ðabout€her€credibility€when€she€testified€about€Father's€contact€with€the€Children.€€The€record€showsÐ Ð  Ðthat€Presley€testified€at€the€first€hearing€that€while€she€would€comply€with€the€Trial€Court's€no„Ð À Ðcontact€order,€she€wished€that€Father€could€have€contact€with€the€Children.€€At€the€second€hearing,Ð ° ÐPresley€admitted€allowing€Father€telephone€contact€with€the€Children€in€violation€of€the€Trial€Court'sÐ  ð Ðorder.€€ð ðUnlike€this€Court,€the€[Ô_ÔT]rialÔ_Ô€[Ô_ÔC]ourtÔ_Ô€observed€the€manner€and€demeanor€of€the€witnessesÐ à Ðand€was€in€the€best€position€to€evaluate€their€credibility.ðð€€òòUnion€Planters€Ô_ÔNatððlÔ_Ô€Bank€v.€IslandÐ €Ð ÐÔ_ÔMgmtÔ_Ô.€Auth.,€Inc.óó,€43€S.W.3d€498,€502€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€2000).€€The€Trial€Courtððs€determinationsÐ pÀ Ðregarding€credibility€are€accorded€deference€by€this€Court.€€òòId.óó;òò€Davis€v.€Liberty€Mutual€Ins.€Co.óó,€38Ð `° ÐS.W.3d€560,€563€(Tenn.€2001).€€ð ð[Ô_ÔA]ppellateÔ_Ô€courts€will€not€re„evaluate€a€trial€judgeððs€assessmentÐ P  Ðof€witness€credibility€absent€clear€and€convincing€evidence€to€the€contrary.ðð€òòWells€v.€Tennessee€Bd.Ð @ Ðof€Regentsóó,€9€S.W.3d€779,€783€(Tenn.€1999).Ð 0€ ÐÌà  àà ` àWe€hold€that€the€evidence€contained€in€the€record€on€appeal€does€not€preponderateÐ ` Ðagainst€the€Trial€Court's€finding€that€the€Childrenððs€best€interest€is€served€by€awarding€custody€andÐ P Ðguardianship€to€the€Ô_ÔShadricksÔ_Ô.€€The€proof€shows€that€the€Ô_ÔShadricksÔ_Ô,€compared€to€Presley,€are€ableÐ ð@ Ðto€provide€a€more€stable€home€environment€and€have€more€parenting€skills€and€experience€as€shownÐ à0 Ðby€their€track€record€with€their€four€biological€children,€Mother,€and€two€foster€children.€€òòSeeóó€Tenn.Ð Ð  ÐCode€Ann.€ðððð€36„6„106(a)(4)€&€(10).€€In€addition,€compared€to€Presley,€the€Ô_ÔShadricksÔ_Ô€are€less€likelyÐ À! Ðto€place€the€Children€in€contact€with€Father€or€others€who€are€potentially€abusive.€€òòSeeóó€Tenn.€CodeÐ °"  ÐAnn.€ðððð€36„6„106(a)(9).€€Presley€allowed€Father€to€have€telephone€contact€with€the€Children€inÐ  #ð! Ðviolation€of€the€Trial€Court's€no„contact€order.€€It€also€is€unclear€whether€Presley's€mother€allowedÐ $à" ÐFather€to€visit€the€Children€in€her€home.€€Moreover,€the€proof€shows€that€Presley€was€assaulted€byÐ €%Ð # Ðher€former€boyfriend€who€had€contact€with€the€Children€prior€to€the€final€hearing.€€Ô‡ XyS XXXó£ÔDue€to€theÐ p&À!$ Ðdeference€we€must€provide€the€Trial€Court€regarding€the€credibility€of€the€partiesÔ#†Xó£X X XySö¤#ÔÔ‡ XyS XXXó£Ô€and€since€the€TrialÐ p'À"% ÐCourt€had€the€opportunity€to€assess€the€parties'€demeanor€at€the€two€hearings,€we€find€no€error€in€theÐ \(¬#& ÐTrial€Courtððs€award€of€guardianship€to€the€Ô_ÔShadricksÔ_Ô€and€no€abuse€of€discretion€in€the€Trial€CourtððsÐ H)˜$' Ðaward€of€custody€to€the€Ô_ÔShadricksÔ_Ô.Ô#†Xó£X X XyS©¥#Ô€€Accordingly,€we€hold€that€the€record€does€not€preponderateÐ 4*„%( Ðagainst€the€Trial€Courtððs€determination€that€the€Ô_ÔChildrenððs€bestÔ_Ô€interest€is€served€by€awardingÐ 4+„&) Ðcustody€and€guardianship€to€the€Ô_ÔShadricksÔ_Ô.€Ô‡ XyS XXXó£Ô€Ô#†Xó£X X XyS¦¨#ÔÔ‡ XyS XXXó£ÔÐ $,t'* ÐÔ#†Xó£X X XySé¨#Ôò òòòÔ‡ XyS XXXó£ÔÌÌà@  %ìàConclusionóóó óˆÐ ˆØ ÐÌà  àà ` àThe€judgment€of€the€Trial€Court€is€affirmed,€and€this€cause€is€remanded€to€the€TrialÐ `° ÐCourt€for€such€further€proceedings€as€may€be€required,€if€any,€consistent€with€this€Opinion,€and€forÐ L œ Ðcollection€of€the€costs€below.€€The€costs€on€appeal€are€assessed€against€the€Appellant,€Donna€SharonÐ 8 ˆ ÐPresley,€and€her€surety.Ð $ t ÐÔ#†Xó£X X XySF©#ÔÌà0  àà ° àÐ (#(# Ðòòóóà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à___________________________________€Ð ð @  Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àD.€MICHAEL€SWINEY,€JUDGE