ÿWPCù °„£ìÈß²=Ý¡„gÞˆ³M]ä±àøŒgbïÑ%H Xòv`þÝmŽúrkÍçä0 þ¶ëx`*_=© wûÇ–Ä ­“šîoµqŸ•s|%ÄHúÁöÎÝ“…ˆ4bJèó@F^7e.²7=J(oßÎ]<"NI„Ž…8$þ´:ç¼jàÛ"~1ÀgÏ „l”Àâž«³™‘÷w…ýÛpO.›• 8)DÞ» äQÍCkQjn‚» .ê\¥ˆ§Äé„X*áŽæ?zB^ΟòÛ3Úa<ÆÊ%ƒ×3"Ž´Mʇñ;;ÿÛÄîF¹¢–ªäØ÷0±£INŒÛ¢ ò¯ 4ದ®1Ý?ɪË9=5Xg«` ©³É' –f±{+spgh€@¹ÖQtãÛ"!M2?¶–ÐÛtÎYM õmðú…Ĥ 3{ÀÐäê­7 b²c²å¶ÀLøîà ;5x¼/î‡mz©ÓdK$uýú›ÉÙšìÃw.+,Îò³Šn:d—x”æ—¡§p¥*ñ}ýd˸j^'‚ØS".ËMò'#lýq+½\åÜ Tdt—µ,6ŒUŠ¥íÎ{}"¤ Âàö—EÔDÅi&ÕqŽNߥb#Á\ % UN# 0ˆq UNù ^ G wS zW ÒÑ 4£ §· ^ 0DmƱÆwÆ=ÆÉNË mÍÍEääææææææææææææææææææææææbîîîîîîîîîîîîîîîîîîîîîîîîîîîîîîîîîîîî 0ëöööö Báá 0¤þ D3¢ D-Õ 0K ASMÆ  0¤f 0D  A«N˜HP LaserJet 4,ü,,,,,ü0»(ÖÃ9 Z‹6Times New Roman Regular(`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regular‹l+L  ˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wpt˜L-(.bk2PF¤ Ý ƒR^W$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôËò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€petition€also€sought€to€terminate€the€parental€rights€of€Marvin€Prince€(ð ðMr.€Princeðð),€the€father€of€Ô_ÔT.L.P.Ô_Ô,Ð ° ÐSteve€Turnage€(ð ðMr.€Turnageðð),€the€putative€father€of€Ô_ÔA.V.H.,Ô_Ô€and€any€unknown€father€of€the€children.€€The€trial€courtÐ xÈ Ðterminated€the€parental€rights€of€Mr.€Prince,€Mr.€Turnage,€and€any€unknown€father€by€default€order€entered€DecemberÐ @ Ð9,€1998.€€None€of€these€persons€are€parties€to€this€appeal.3|x(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ - ù-(|G2^W$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€º$»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôËò»»Ô d(|3A$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€º$»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV'ÿÿdxd)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3A$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€º$»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€º$»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ  ÑÔ€¼º$»»»ÔÑ8€»óXXdð»»d8ÑÑ  Ñà@ü ü ìàÔ‡îç'º$ÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@õõ%ìàAT€JACKSONÔ#†¼º$»îîç' #ԈРÜ, ÐÓ  ÓJUNE€18,€2001€SessionÐ X ÐÔ‡X»óX»¼º$ÔÌò òÔ#†¼º$»XX»óð#ÔIN€THE€MATTER€OF:€T.€L.€P.€&€A.€V.€H.,€Children€Under€18€Years€of€AgeòòóóÔ‡X»óX»¼º$Ôó ó€Ð  ` ÐÔ#†¼º$»XX»ó#Ôò òGWENDOLYN€HENDERSON€v.€STATE€OF€TENNESSEE,€DEPARTMENTÐ ( x ÐOF€CHILDRENððS€SERVICESó óÔ‡X»óX»¼º$ÔÐ @  Ðò òó óÌÌà@@½½ìàò òDirect€Appeal€from€the€Juvenile€Court€for€Shelby€CountyÐ 8ˆ  Ðà@@øøìàNo.€C6901;€The€Honorable€Kenneth€Turner,€JudgeÐ (x  ÐÌÌà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<÷` AßÐ øH  ÐÌà@@TTìàNo.€W1999„01940„Ô_ÔCOAÔ_Ô„R3„CV€„€August€22,€Ô_Ô2001Ô_ÔÐ ÷G ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<Ö` AßÐ ×' Ðó óÌÓ  ÓÔ‡X¨(XXX»óÔThis€is€a€suit€for€the€termination€of€parental€rights.€€The€Appellee€filed€a€petition€to€terminate€theÐ Ö& ÐAppellantððs€parental€rights€to€two€of€her€children.€€Following€a€hearing,€the€Juvenile€Court€ofÐ Â ÐMemphis€and€Shelby€County€entered€an€order€terminating€the€Appellantððs€parental€rights.€€TheÐ ®þ ÐAppellant€appeals€the€trial€courtððs€order€terminating€her€parental€rights.€€For€the€reasons€statedÐ šê Ðherein,€we€affirm€the€trial€courtððs€decision.Ô#†X»óXXX¨(›#ÔÔ#†¼º$»XX»óE#ÔÔ‡X»óX»¼º$ÔÐ †Ö ÐÓÓÌò òTenn.€R.€App.€P.€3;€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Juvenile€Court€Affirmedó óÐ b² ÐÌòòÓ  ÓÔ#†¼º$»àX»ó#ÔÔ‡X»óX.¼º$ÔAlan€E.€Highers,€J.óó,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòDavid€R.€Farmer,€J.,óó€and€òòHollyÐ B’ ÐKirby€Lillard,€J.,óó€joined.Ð 2‚ ÐÌGregory€S.€Gallagher,€Memphis,€for€AppellantÐ  b ÐÌPaul€G.€Summers,€Attorney€General€and€Reporter;€Elizabeth€C.€Driver,€Assistant€Attorney€General,Ð ò!B  ÐNashville,€for€AppelleeÐ â"2! ÐÓÃÓÌò òOPINIONó óÔ#†¼º$»XX»óò#ÔÔ‡X»óX»¼º$ÔÐ Â$ # ÐÌòòóóÔ#†¼º$»XX»óé #ÔÔ‡X»óX»¼º$ÔÓ  Óò òÔ‡X¨(XXX»óÔà@ìàI.€€Facts€and€Procedural€Historyó óˆÐ ¢&ò!% ÐÌà  àThis€case€involves€a€petition€to€terminate€the€parental€rights€of€the€Appellant,€GwendolynÐ z(Ê#' ÐHenderson€(ð ðMs.€Hendersonðð),€to€two€of€her€children,€T.€L.€P.€(Ô_Ôd.o.b.Ô_Ô€February€19,€1993)€and€A.€V.Ð f)¶$( ÐH.€(Ô_Ôd.o.b.Ô_Ô€October€7,€1994)€(ð ðthe€childrenðð).€€On€June€22,€1995,€the€childrenððs€maternal€grandmother,Ð R*¢%) ÐRuthie€Davis€(ð ðMs.€Davisðð)€filed€a€petition€for€dependency€and€neglect€in€the€Juvenile€Court€ofÐ >+Ž&* ÐShelby€County.€€The€petition€alleged€that€the€children€had€been€living€with€Ms.€Davis€and€that€Ms.Ð *,z'+ ÐHenderson€was€incarcerated€and€a€drug€abuser.€€On€July€5,€1995,€the€Appellee,€State€of€Tennessee,Ð -f(,ý ÐDepartment€of€Childrenððs€Services€(ð ðDCSðð),€filed€a€motion€to€intervene€to€file€its€own€petition€forÐ ° Ðdependency€and€neglect.€€€The€trial€court€entered€an€order€allowing€DCS€to€intervene€as€a€partyÐ œì Ðpetitioner.€€The€trial€court€proceeded€with€the€petition€on€July€5,€1995.€€The€trial€court€ordered€theÐ ˆØ Ðchildren€be€removed€from€Ms.€Hendersonððs€custody€and€granted€temporary€custody€of€the€childrenÐ tÄ Ðto€DCS.€Ð `° ÐÌà  àOn€July€20,€1995,€DCS€held€a€staffing€to€develop€a€plan€of€care€for€the€children.€€òòóóThe€planÐ 8 ˆ Ðof€care€required€Ms.€Henderson€to€perform€the€following:€(1)€receive€substance€abuse€treatment€withÐ $ t Ðthe€desired€outcome€that€she€complete€a€substance€abuse€program€and€remain€clean€and€sober;€(2)Ð  ` Ðattend€parenting€classes€with€the€desired€outcome€that€she€complete€a€parenting€program;€(3)€followÐ ü L  Ðthe€guidelines€of€any€probation€or€parole€and€refrain€from€breaking€the€law€with€the€desired€outcomeÐ è 8  Ðthat€she€stay€out€of€trouble€with€the€criminal€justice€system;€(4)€visit€with€the€children€at€least€fourÐ Ô$  Ðhours€monthly;€and€(5)€obtain€adequate€housing€and€maintain€a€stable€household.€€€On€July€24,€1995,Ð À  ÐMs.€Henderson€was€released€from€prison.€€From€January,€1996€to€September,€1996,€DCS€providedÐ ¬ü  ÐMs.€Henderson€with€homemaking€services,€parenting€classes,€drug€treatment,€an€intercept€counselor,Ð ˜è  Ðand€a€Memphis€Housing€Authority€apartment.€€€On€August€6,€1996,€the€trial€court€recommended€thatÐ „Ô  Ðthe€children€remain€in€foster€care€pursuant€to€the€recommendation€of€the€Foster€Care€Review€Board.€Ð pÀ ÐIn€October,€1996,€Ms.€Henderson€was€evicted€from€her€apartment€by€the€Memphis€HousingÐ \¬ ÐAuthority.€€€On€October€8,€1996,€the€trial€court€again€recommended€that€the€children€remain€in€fosterÐ H˜ Ðcare.€Ð 4„ ÐÌà  àDCS€claims€that,€in€February,€1997,€Ms.€Henderson€informed€DCS€that€she€was€using€drugsÐ  \ Ðagain€and€could€not€care€for€the€children.€€On€June€2,€1997,€Ms.€Henderson€was€incarceratedÐ øH Ðfollowing€drug€charges.€€òòóóOn€August€5,€1997,€on€September€9,€1997,€and€on€March€17,€1998,€the€trialÐ ä4 Ðcourt€determined€that€it€was€in€the€best€interest€of€the€children€to€remain€in€foster€care.€€On€June€4,Ð Ð  Ð1998,€the€trial€court€appointed€a€Court€Appointed€Special€Advocate€(ð ðCASAðð)€to€serve€as€anÐ ¼  Ðadvocate€on€behalf€of€the€children.€€On€August€26,€1998,€CASA€filed€a€petition€to€terminate€Ms.Ð ¨ø ÐHendersonððs€parental€rights.׃ ×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€The€petition€alleged€three€bases€for€the€termination€of€Ms.Ð ”ä ÐHendersonððs€parental€rights.€€First,€the€petition€alleged€that€Ms.€Henderson€willfully€failed€to€visitÐ €Ð Ðand€willfully€failed€to€support€the€children€for€a€period€of€four€consecutive€months€immediatelyÐ l¼ Ðpreceding€the€filing€of€the€petition.€€Second,€the€petition€alleged€that€Ms.€Henderson€failed€toÐ X ¨ Ðsubstantially€comply€with€the€plan€of€care.€€Third,€the€petition€alleged€that€the€children€had€beenÐ D!” Ðremoved€from€the€custody€of€Ms.€Henderson€for€at€least€six€months,€the€conditions€which€led€to€theÐ 0"€  Ðremoval€of€the€children€persisted,€there€was€little€likelihood€that€the€conditions€would€be€remediedÐ #l! Ðat€an€early€date€so€that€the€children€could€be€returned€to€Ms.€Henderson€in€the€near€future,€and€theÐ $X" Ðcontinuation€of€the€parent€and€child€relationship€greatly€diminished€the€childrenððs€chances€of€earlyÐ ô$D # Ðintegration€into€a€stable€and€permanent€home.€€Finally,€the€petition€alleged€that€termination€of€Ms.Ð à%0!$ ÐHendersonððs€parental€rights€was€in€the€best€interest€of€the€children.€Ð Ì&"% Їà  àOn€February€3,€1999,€the€trial€court€appointed€an€attorney€ad€litem€to€represent€the€interestÐ ° Ðof€Ms.€Henderson.€€On€February€4,€1999,€the€trial€court€appointed€a€guardian€ad€litem€to€representÐ œì Ðthe€interest€of€the€children.€€On€May€19,€1999,€Ms.€Henderson€was€released€from€prison€after€servingÐ ˆØ Ða€two€year€sentence.€€The€hearing€on€the€petition€to€terminate€parental€rights€was€held€on€June€24,Ð tÄ Ð1999.€€The€trial€court€entered€an€order€terminating€Ms.€Hendersonððs€parental€rights.€€€The€trial€courtÐ `° Ðfound€that€Ms.€Henderson€failed€to€visit€and€failed€to€support€the€children€for€four€consecutiveÐ L œ Ðmonths€immediately€preceding€the€filing€of€the€petition.€€The€trial€court€found€that€Ms.€HendersonÐ 8 ˆ Ðfailed€to€substantially€comply€with€the€plan€of€care.€€The€trial€court€found€that€the€children€had€beenÐ $ t Ðremoved€from€the€custody€of€Ms.€Henderson€for€at€least€six€months,€the€conditions€which€led€to€theÐ  ` Ðremoval€of€the€children€persisted,€there€was€little€likelihood€that€the€conditions€would€be€remediedÐ ü L  Ðat€early€date€so€that€the€children€could€be€returned€to€Ms.€Henderson€in€the€near€future,€and€theÐ è 8  Ðcontinuation€of€the€parent€and€child€relationship€greatly€diminished€the€childrenððs€chances€of€earlyÐ Ô$  Ðintegration€into€a€stable€home.€€Finally,€the€trial€court€found€that€termination€of€Ms.€HendersonððsÐ À  Ðparental€rights€was€in€the€best€interest€of€the€children.€€€This€appeal€followed.Ð ¬ü  ÐÌà@ìàò òII.€€Standard€of€Reviewó óˆÐ „Ô  ÐÌà  àParents€have€a€fundamental€right€to€the€care,€custody,€and€control€of€their€children.€€òòSeeÐ \¬ ÐStanley€v.€Illinoisóó,€405€U.S.€645,€651€(1972).€€This€right€is€not€absolute,€however,€and€parental€rightsÐ H˜ Ðmay€be€terminated€upon€a€finding€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence€that€the€grounds€for€terminationÐ 4„ Ðof€parental€rights€have€been€established€and€that€termination€is€in€the€best€interest€of€the€child.€€òòSeeóóÐ  p ÐòòTenn.€Code€Ann.óó€ðð€36-1-€113(c)€(2000).€€Clear€and€convincing€evidence€is€evidence€whichÐ  \ Ðð ðeliminates€any€serious€or€substantial€doubt€concerning€the€correctness€of€the€conclusion€to€be€drawnÐ øH Ðfrom€the€evidence.€€It€should€produce€in€the€factfinderððs€mind€a€firm€belief€or€conviction€with€regardÐ ä4 Ðto€the€truth€of€the€allegations€sought€to€be€established.ðð€€òòOððDaniel€v.€Messieróó,€905€S.W.2d€182,€188Ð Ð  Ð(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1995)€(citations€omitted).à À àÐ ¼  Ðà  àÌà  àUnder€this€heightened€standard€of€review,€we€must€first€review€the€trial€courtððs€findings€inÐ ”ä Ðaccordance€with€section€13(d)€of€the€Tennessee€Rules€of€Appellate€Procedure.€€That€review€is€òòdeÐ €Ð Ðnovoóó€with€a€presumption€of€correctness€as€to€the€trial€courtððs€factual€findings,€unless€theÐ l¼ Ðpreponderance€of€the€evidence€is€otherwise.€€òòSeeóó€òòTenn.€R.€App.€P.€óó13(d).€€For€issues€of€law,€theÐ X ¨ Ðstandard€of€review€is€òòde€novoóó,€with€no€presumption€of€correctness.€€òòSee€Ridings€v.€Ralph€M.€ParsonsÐ D!” ÐCo.óó,€914€S.W.2d€79,€80€(Tenn.€1996).€€We€must€then€determine€whether€the€facts€make€out€a€clearÐ 0"€  Ðand€convincing€case€in€favor€of€terminating€parental€rights.€€òòSee€In€re€Drinnonóó,€776€S.W.2d€96,€100Ð #l! Ð(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1988).Ð $X" ÐÌà@00ìàò òIII.€€Law€and€Analysisó óˆÐ à%0!$ ÐÌà  àThe€sole€issue€presented€for€our€review€is€whether€the€trial€courtððs€decision€to€terminateÐ ¸'#& Ðparental€rights€was€supported€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence.€€In€order€to€terminate€parental€rights,Ð ¤(ô#' Ðthe€court€must€find€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence€that€grounds€for€termination,€as€set€forth€byÐ )à$( Ðsection€36„1„113(g)€of€the€Tennessee€Code,€have€been€established,€and€the€court€must€determine€thatÐ |*Ì%) Ðtermination€is€in€the€best€interest€of€the€child.€€òòSeeóó€òòTenn.€Code€Ann.€óóðð€36„1„113(c)€(2000).€€òòóóAsÐ h+¸&* Ðpertinent€in€the€case€at€bar,€section€36„1„113(g)€of€the€Tennessee€Code€provides€that€a€terminationÐ ° Ðof€parental€rights€may€be€based€upon€any€of€the€following€grounds:€abandonment€pursuant€to€sectionÐ œì Ð36„1„113(g)(1),€substantial€noncompliance€by€the€parent€with€the€statement€of€responsibilities€in€aÐ ˆØ Ðplan€of€care€pursuant€to€section€36„1„113(g)(2),€or€failure€to€remedy€conditions€pursuant€to€sectionÐ tÄ Ð36„1„113(g)(3)(A).€€òòSeeóó€òòTenn.€Code€Ann.óó€ðð€36„1„113(g)(1),€(2),€(3)€(2000).€€In€reviewingÐ `° Ðtermination€decisions,€Tennessee€courts€have€recognized€that€the€existence€of€any€one€of€theseÐ L œ Ðgrounds€will€support€a€termination€of€parental€rights.€€òòSee€In€re€C.W.W.,€N.W.W.,€Z.W.W.,€&Ð 8 ˆ ÐA.L.W.óó,€37€S.W.3d€467,€473„74€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€2000)€(citations€omitted).€€òòóóIn€the€present€case,Ð $ t Ðtherefore,€we€must€affirm€the€trial€courtððs€judgment€terminating€Ms.€Hendersonððs€parental€rights€ifÐ  ` Ðthe€record€contains€clear€and€convincing€evidence€to€support€either€abandonment,€substantialÐ ü L  Ðnoncompliance€with€the€plan€of€care,€or€failure€to€remedy€conditions.€€òòSee€id.óó€€We€shall€address€eachÐ è 8  Ðof€these€grounds€for€termination€in€turn.Ð Ô$  ÐÌà@‰‰%ìàò òAbandonmentó óˆÐ ¬ü  ÐÌà  àUnder€the€provisions€of€section€36„1„113(g)(1)€of€the€Tennessee€Code,€termination€ofÐ „Ô  Ðparental€rights€may€be€based€upon€a€parentððs€abandonment€of€his€or€her€child.€€òòSeeóó€òòTenn.€CodeÐ pÀ ÐAnn.óó€ðð€36„1„113(g)(1)€(2000).€€Section€36„1„102€of€the€Tennessee€Code€defines€abandonment,€forÐ \¬ Ðpurposes€of€terminating€parental€rights,€as:Ð H˜ ÐÌà  àà ` à(1)(A)(i)€For€a€period€of€four€(4)€consecutive€months€immediatelyÐ  p Ðà  àà ` àpreceding€the€filing€of€a€proceeding€or€pleading€to€terminate€theÐ  \ Ðà  àà ` àparental€rights€of€the€parent(s)€or€guardian(s)€of€the€child€who€isÐ øH Ðà  àà ` àthe€subject€of€the€petition€for€termination€of€parental€rights€orÐ ä4 Ðà  àà ` àadoption,€that€the€parent(s)€or€guardian(s)€either€have€willfullyÐ Ð  Ðà  àà ` àfailed€to€visit€or€have€willfully€failed€to€support€or€make€Ð ¼  Ðà  àà ` àreasonable€payments€toward€the€support€of€the€child;Ð ¨ø Ðà  àà ` à(B)€For€purposes€of€this€subdivision€(1),€ð ðtoken€supportðð€meansÐ ”ä Ðà  àà ` àthat€the€support,€under€the€circumstances€of€the€individualÐ €Ð Ðà  àà ` àcase,€is€insignificant€given€the€parentððs€means;Ð l¼ ÐÌà  àà ` à(C)€For€purposes€of€this€subdivision€(1),€ð ðtoken€visitationððÐ D!” Ðà  àà ` àmeans€that€the€visitation,€under€the€circumstances€of€theÐ 0"€  Ðà  àà ` àindividual€case,€constitutes€nothing€more€than€perfunctoryÐ #l! Ðà  àà ` àvisitation€or€visitation€of€such€an€infrequent€nature€or€of€suchÐ $X" Ðà  àà ` àshort€duration€as€to€merely€establish€minimal€or€insubstantialÐ ô$D # Ðà  àà ` àcontact€with€the€child;Ð à%0!$ ÐÌà  àà ` à(D)€For€purposes€of€this€subdivision€(1),€ð ðwillfully€failed€toÐ ¸'#& Ðà  àà ` àsupportðð€or€ð ðwillfully€failed€to€make€reasonable€paymentsÐ ¤(ô#' Ðà  àà ` àtoward€such€childððs€supportðð€means€that,€for€a€period€of€Ð )à$( Ðà  àà ` àfour€(4)€consecutive€months,€no€monetary€support€was€paidÐ |*Ì%) Ðà  àà ` àor€that€the€amount€of€support€paid€is€token€support;Ð h+¸&* Їà  àà ` à(E)€For€purposes€of€this€subdivision€(1),€ð ðwillfully€failed€toÐ ° Ðà  àà ` àvisitðð€means€the€willful€failure,€for€a€period€of€four€(4)Ð œì Ðà  àà ` àconsecutive€months,€to€visit€or€engage€in€more€than€tokenÐ ˆØ Ðà  àà ` àvisitation.Ð tÄ ÐÌòòTenn.€Code€Ann.óó€ðð€36„1„102(1)(A)„(E)€(2000).Ð L œ ÐÌà  àIn€òòIn€re€Swansonóó,€2€S.W.3d€180€(Tenn.€1999),€the€Tennessee€Supreme€Court€found€the€aboveÐ $ t Ðdefinitions€of€ð ðwillfully€failed€to€supportðð€and€ð ðwillfully€failed€to€make€reasonable€payments€towardÐ  ` Ðsuch€childððs€supportðð€to€be€unconstitutional€because€they€ð ðin€effect€create€an€irrebuttableÐ ü L  Ðpresumption€that€the€failure€to€provide€monetary€support€for€the€four€months€preceding€the€petitionÐ è 8  Ðto€terminate€parental€rights€constitutes€abandonment,€irrespective€of€whether€that€failure€wasÐ Ô$  Ðintentional.ðð€€òòId.óó€at€188.€€òòóóThe€òòSwansonóó€court€held€that€the€definition€as€it€existed€under€the€priorÐ À  Ðstatute€should€be€applied€until€the€legislature€amends€the€statute.€€òòSee€id.óó€at€189.€€ð ðUnder€the€priorÐ ¬ü  Ðstatute,€the€definition€of€ððabandoned€childðð€contained€an€element€of€intent€both€in€failures€to€visit€andÐ ˜è  Ðfailures€to€support.ðð€€òòId.óó€at€189€n.14€(citing€òòTenn.€Code€Ann.óó€ðð€36„1„102(1)(A)(i)€(Supp.€1994)).Ð „Ô  ÐÌà  àIn€the€case€at€bar,€the€trial€court€found€that€Ms.€Henderson€abandoned€the€children€in€that,Ð \¬ Ðfor€the€four€months€immediately€preceding€the€filing€of€the€petition€to€terminate€parental€rights,€Ms.Ð H˜ ÐHenderson€failed€to€visit€and/or€failed€to€support€the€children.€€The€petition€for€termination€ofÐ 4„ Ðparental€rights€was€filed€on€August€26,€1998.€€Ms.€Henderson€was€incarcerated€from€June€2,€1997Ð  p Ðuntil€May€19,€1999.€€Because€Ms.€Henderson€was€incarcerated€during€the€four€months€immediatelyÐ  \ Ðpreceding€the€filing€of€the€petition,€we€find€the€element€of€intent€òòóólacking€in€Ms.€Hendersonððs€failureÐ øH Ðto€visit€and/or€support€the€childrenòòóó.€€Absent€intent,€we€cannot€uphold€the€termination€of€Ms.Ð ä4 ÐHendersonððs€parental€rights€on€the€ground€of€abandonment€under€the€standard€articulated€by€theÐ Ð  ÐòòSwansonóó€court.€€Accordingly,€we€find€that€the€trial€court€erred€by€terminating€Ms.€HendersonððsÐ ¼  Ðparental€rights€on€the€ground€of€abandonment.€Ð ¨ø ÐÌò òÓ  ÓSubstantial€Noncompliance€with€Plan€of€Careó óÐ €Ð ÐÌÓzKÓà  àUnder€the€provisions€of€section€36„1„113(g)(2)€of€the€Tennessee€Code,€termination€ofÐ X ¨ Ðparental€rights€may€be€based€upon€a€parentððs€substantial€noncompliance€with€a€plan€of€care.€€òòSeeóóÐ D!” ÐòòTenn.€Code€Ann.óó€ðð€36„1„113(g)(2)€(2000).€€In€the€case€at€bar,€DCS€developed€a€plan€of€care€on€JulyÐ 0"€  Ð20,€1995.€€First,€the€plan€of€care€required€Ms.€Henderson€to€receive€substance€abuse€treatment€withÐ #l! Ðthe€desired€outcome€that€she€complete€a€substance€abuse€program€and€remain€clean€and€sober.€€TheÐ $X" Ðrecord€reflects€that€DCS€referred€Ms.€Henderson€to€substance€abuse€treatment;€however,€we€areÐ ô$D # Ðunable€to€determine€from€the€record€whether€Ms.€Henderson€completed€a€substance€abuse€program.€Ð à%0!$ ÐThe€record€reflects,€however,€that€Ms.€Henderson€did€not€remain€clean€and€sober.€€DCS€claims€that,Ð Ì&"% Ðin€February,€1997,€Ms.€Henderson€informed€DCS€that€she€was€having€problems€with€drug€abuse.€Ð ¸'#& ÐIn€June,€1997,€Ms.€Henderson€was€incarcerated€for€two€years€following€drug€charges.€€Second,€theÐ ¤(ô#' Ðplan€of€care€required€Ms.€Henderson€to€attend€parenting€classes€with€the€desired€outcome€that€sheÐ )à$( Ðcomplete€a€parenting€program.€€The€record€reflects€that€Ms.€Henderson€did€comply€with€thisÐ |*Ì%) Ðrequirement€by€attending€parenting€classes€and€completing€a€parenting€program.€€Third,€the€plan€ofÐ h+¸&* Ðcare€required€Ms.€Henderson€to€follow€the€guidelines€of€any€probation€or€parole€and€refrain€fromÐ ° Ðbreaking€the€law€with€the€desired€outcome€that€she€stay€out€of€trouble€with€the€criminal€justiceÐ œì Ðsystem.€€The€record€reflects€that€Ms.€Henderson€was€incarcerated€in€June,€1997€on€drug€charges.€Ð ˆØ ÐFourth,€the€plan€of€care€required€Ms.€Henderson€to€visit€with€the€children€at€least€four€hours€monthly.€Ð tÄ ÐThe€record€reflects€that€Ms.€Henderson€visited€with€the€children€on€seven€occasions€betweenÐ `° ÐFebruary€and€September,€1996.€€Ms.€Henderson€failed€to€visit€the€children€from€October,€1996€untilÐ L œ ÐJune,€1997€when€she€was€incarcerated.€€Ms.€Henderson€failed€to€visit€the€children€following€herÐ 8 ˆ Ðrelease€from€prison€in€May,€1999.€€Fifth,€the€plan€of€care€required€Ms.€Henderson€to€obtain€adequateÐ $ t Ðhousing€and€maintain€a€stable€household.€€The€record€reflects€that€DCS€provided€Ms.€HendersonÐ  ` Ðwith€an€apartment;€however,€Ms.€Henderson€was€evicted€from€the€apartment€shortly€thereafter.€€Ms.Ð ü L  ÐHenderson€was€subsequently€incarcerated.€€Following€her€release€from€prison,€the€record€reflects€thatÐ è 8  ÐMs.€Henderson€was€living€with€her€sister€and€nephew€in€a€two€bedroom€home€and€had€failed€toÐ Ô$  Ðobtain€employment.€€From€the€foregoing€evidence,€we€conclude€that€Ms.€Henderson€failed€toÐ À  Ðsubstantially€comply€with€the€plan€of€care.€€Accordingly,€we€find€that€the€trial€court€did€not€err€byÐ ¬ü  Ðfinding€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence€that€Ms.€Henderson€failed€to€substantially€comply€with€theÐ ˜è  Ðplan€of€care.€€Ð „Ô  ÐÌà@ìì*ìàˆÌà@èèìàò òFailure€to€Remedy€Conditionsó óˆÐ H˜ ÐÌà  àUnder€the€provisions€of€section€36„1„113(g)(3)(A)€of€the€Tennessee€Code,€termination€ofÐ  p Ðparental€rights€may€be€based€upon€a€failure€to€remedy€conditions€whenÐ  \ ÐÌà  àà ` à(3)(A)€The€child€has€been€removed€from€the€home€of€the€parentÐ ä4 Ðà  àà ` àor€guardian€by€order€of€a€court€for€a€period€of€six€(6)€months€and:Ð Ð  Ðà  àà ` à(i)€The€conditions€which€led€to€the€childððs€removal€or€otherÐ ¼  Ðà  àà ` àconditions€which€in€all€reasonable€probability€would€cause€theÐ ¨ø Ðà  àà ` àchild€to€be€subjected€to€further€abuse€or€neglect€and€which,Ð ”ä Ðà  àà ` àtherefore,€prevent€the€childððs€safe€return€to€the€care€of€the€parent(s)Ð €Ð Ðà  àà ` àor€guardian(s),€still€persist;Ð l¼ Ðà  àà ` à(ii)€There€is€little€likelihood€that€these€conditions€will€be€remediedÐ X ¨ Ðà  àà ` àat€an€early€date€so€that€the€child€can€be€safely€returned€to€theÐ D!” Ðà  àà ` àparent(s)€or€guardian(s)€in€the€near€future;€andÐ 0"€  Ðà  àà ` à(iii)€The€continuation€of€the€parent€or€guardian€and€child€relationshipÐ #l! Ðà  àà ` àgreatly€diminishes€the€childððs€chances€of€early€integration€into€a€Ð $X" Ðà  àà ` àsafe,€stable€and€permanent€home.Ð ô$D # ÐÌòòTenn.€Code€Ann.óó€ðð€36„1„113(g)(3)(A)€(2000).Ð Ì&"% ÐÌÌÌÌÐ h+¸&* ÐWe€find€that€the€elements€of€section€36„1„113(g)(3)(A)€of€the€Tennessee€Code€have€been€met€in€theÐ ° Ðcase€at€bar.€€It€is€undisputed€that€the€children€have€been€removed€from€Ms.€Hendersonððs€custody€forÐ œì Ðover€six€months.€€The€children€were€removed€from€Ms.€Hendersonððs€custody€as€a€result€of€herÐ ˆØ Ðincarceration€and€drug€abuse.€€Shortly€after€the€children€were€placed€in€foster€care€in€July,€1995,€Ms.Ð tÄ ÐHenderson€was€released€from€prison.€€DCS€claims€that,€in€February,€1997,€Ms.€Henderson€informedÐ `° ÐDCS€that€she€was€having€problems€with€drug€abuse.€€Ms.€Henderson€was€subsequently€incarceratedÐ L œ Ðfor€two€years€on€drug€charges€and€released€shortly€before€the€hearing€on€the€petition€for€terminationÐ 8 ˆ Ðof€parental€rights.€The€record€reflects€that€Ms.€Henderson€failed€to€maintain€a€stable€household€orÐ $ t Ðobtain€employment€by€the€time€of€the€hearing.€€Thus,€the€conditions€which€led€to€removal€of€theÐ  ` Ðchildren€still€persist,€and€there€is€little€likelihood€that€the€conditions€will€be€remedied€at€an€early€dateÐ ü L  Ðso€that€the€children€could€be€safely€returned€to€Ms.€Hendersonððs€custody€in€the€near€future.€€Finally,Ð è 8  Ðthe€continuation€of€the€parent€and€child€relationship€prevents€the€childrenððs€integration€into€aÐ Ô$  Ðpermanent€home.€€The€children€were€nine€months€old€and€two€years€old€at€the€time€they€were€placedÐ À  Ðin€foster€care.€€The€children€had€been€in€foster€care€for€four€years€at€the€time€of€the€hearing€on€theÐ ¬ü  Ðpetition€for€termination€of€parental€rights.€€The€children€need€the€stability€and€security€of€aÐ ˜è  Ðpermanent€home€which€cannot€be€provided€absent€termination€of€Ms.€Hendersonððs€parental€rights.€Ð „Ô  ÐAccordingly,€we€find€that€the€trial€court€did€not€err€by€finding€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence€thatÐ pÀ ÐMs.€Henderson€failed€to€remedy€the€conditions€which€led€to€the€removal€of€the€children.Ð \¬ ÐÌà  àTermination€of€Ms.€Hendersonððs€parental€rights€is€warranted€under€either€the€ground€ofÐ 4„ Ðsubstantial€noncompliance€with€the€plan€of€care€or€the€ground€of€failure€to€remedy€conditions.€Ð  p ÐFurthermore,€we€find€that€the€trial€court€did€not€err€by€finding€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence€thatÐ  \ Ðtermination€of€Ms.€Hendersonððs€parental€rights€is€in€the€childrenððs€best€interests.€Ð øH Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p àÌà@SS#ìàò òIV.€€Conclusionó óˆÐ Ð  ÐÌà  àFor€the€foregoing€reasons,€the€decision€of€the€trial€court€is€affirmed.€€Costs€of€this€appeal€areÐ ¨ø Ðtaxed€against€the€Appellant,€Gwendolyn€Henderson,€for€which€execution€may€issue€if€necessary.Ð ”ä Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p àà È àÔ#†X»óXXX¨(u #ÔÔ#†¼º$»XX»óG #ÔÔ€X»óX»¼º$ÔÌÌÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à___________________________________€Ð $h" Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àALAN€E.€HIGHERS,€JUDGE