ÿWPCI …·ªâäáĤP¡F#âêĵPì"Y‚~?¥Û?Ù3­Ô3ã0&ŒŠøîÇ*⫊jý4ôš?!‡I HÇçT –£«v”g¿Uïi´;%Dðù²kNdûjiÀ“Ùµ7g µ‘Ѐ£Ì ¯ñÂ#DmÅåæ—ž.‰ßiyc§Uö|¦6Àµžþç7'Ô„©Z :KåJpçÜ/ÇšQd¢!¶IšÒk6M ¿s‘>°ÁiÞÝ£6idÿscJ'ÂSÛB¢lN´“óÊ EJ*ý$ XȷŤgÌ—C Ët¢ÏB0ëiûc–Œî6º{åÀ2püÅæª11~Æ?™éBæÝÒ¼Ê|g¤á^ž Å,ŠÇgjzÎMÅxà g]\ÿb–kpZ¹þ7Rê5>HÎEÚ´ó¼% {c¬KH2j–:i~¶Öª¥¾¬>ìGçÿ=#à.Òõ3#¿tp>'©B¬àWLðú¥'a¹ž¸ëÜëˆ#ѶܖQ=®¥@ìâu6ås8ŸüŽ4ª;^H³fJ g,̵¶ïÂÎöyX—“EÔÁ‘¯Árb *Rà€¢“;[šo¾A^TúÒå3ä¾fUSÄy(ù©wtʶ!Dz™Øi9`R^rpͽ_éÐ’{¡b %\^ b 0ˆnUNöwD4H\ zkÒå· m¹ #ÉÐ ™ Ư Æu Æ;Æ 0DÇN UN C[Ež ó  ©““““““““““““““““““““b<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< 0ëDDDD B// 0¤L D5ð D-% 0KRR ASÆð 0¤¶ 0DZ A«ž»‰y/Ï (`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regular=ƒ.FTD.tm3|x ˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wpt ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ˜\\IB01S08\KNOXCLERK4ÈÈ,,,,ÈÈ0 Ñ ° ÑLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó(ÖÃ9 Z‹6Times New Roman Regular 9Ý ƒRÉ$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôçÍò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€In€July€of€2002,€Fatherððs€parents€filed€a€motion€to€intervene€and€a€petition€for€custody€of€the€Child.€€ThisÐ ° Ðpetition€was€the€primary€focus€of€the€hearing€in€January€of€2003.€€Fatherððs€parents€eventually€dismissed€their€petition.€Ð tÄ ÐWe€will€not€discuss€testimony€or€evidence€at€the€January€hearing€to€the€extent€such€evidence€pertains€only€to€theÐ 8ˆ Ðabandoned€petition€for€custody. R.A.W. P.J.GreenevilleStameyDycusT.A.W.NanceJustisVitaleLoudonD.G.S.L.DrinnonSantosky L.EdM.W.A.ODanielRentenbachEngg Crim ToofWiltcher COAiNatl MgmtA]ppellateS.L.G.A.N.G. éÝ ƒRÉ$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôçÍò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔFather€made€these€denials€notwithstanding€the€fact€that€he€had€already€pled€guilty€to€assaulting€the€girl.€ ŸÝ ƒRÉ$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôçÍò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€DCS€also€filed€a€petition€to€terminate€the€parental€right€of€the€mother€with€regard€to€all€three€of€her€children.€Ð ° ÐThe€mother€did€not€contest€the€petition€and€has€not€appealed€the€Juvenile€Courtððs€judgment€which€terminated€her€parentalÐ tÄ Ðrights.€€- ù-(|G2É$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€VÍ»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôçÍò»»Ô d(|3?‰$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€VÍ»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV)ÿÿ!dxdx)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3?‰$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€VÍ»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€VÍ»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ  ÑÔ€¼VÍ»»»ÔÑ8€áXXdì»»d8ÑÑ  Ñà@ü ü ìàÔ‡îQtVÍÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@WW$ìàAT€KNOXVILLEÔ#†¼VÍ»îîQt #ԈРÖ& ÐÓ  ÓAssigned€on€Briefs€October€20,€2003€SessionÐ üL ÐÔ‡XáX»¼VÍÔÌò òÔ#†¼VÍ»XXá#ÔSTATE€OF€TENNESSEE,€DEPARTMENT€OF€Ð úJ ÐCHILDREN'S€SERVICES€v.€R.A.W.Ô‡XáX»¼VÍÔó óÐ  ^ ÐÌà@@½½ìàò òÔ#†¼VÍ»XXá¢#ÔÔ€XáX»¼VÍÔAppeal€from€the€Juvenile€Court€for€Greene€CountyÐ  ^ Ðà@@øøìàNo.€15766€€€€€€Thomas€J.€Wright,€JudgeÐ ú J ÐÌFILED€NOVEMBER€25,€Ô_Ô2003Ô_ÔÐ Ò"  Ðà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<½` AßÐ ¾  ÐÌà@@TTìàNo.€E2003„00847„Ô_ÔCOAÔ_Ô„R3„PTÐ ¹  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<` Aßó óÓ  ÓÐ ‘á  ÐÌÌR.A.W.€(ð ðFatherðð)€challenges€the€termination€of€his€parental€rights,€claiming€there€was€insufficientÐ xÈ Ðproof€to€establish€grounds€for€termination€or€that€it€was€in€the€best€interest€of€the€child€to€terminateÐ d´ Ðthe€parent„child€relationship.€€Father€also€claims€the€Juvenile€Court€erred€when€it€refused€to€grantÐ P  Ðhim€visitation€after€the€petition€to€terminate€his€parental€rights€had€been€filed.€€We€affirm€theÐ <Œ Ðdecision€of€the€Juvenile€Court.€€Ð (x ÐÌÌÌà@µ µ ìàò òTenn.€R.€App.€P.€3€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€theˆÐ Ø( Ðà@È È ìàJuvenile€Court€Affirmed;€Case€Remanded.ó óˆÐ Ä ÐÌòòÌÌD.€Michael€Ô_ÔSwineyÔ_Ô,€J.,€óódelivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòHouston€M.€Ô_ÔGoddardÔ_Ô,€P.J.,óóÐ t Ä Ðand€òòHerschel€P.€Franks,€J.óó,€joined.Ð `!°  ÐÌÌDouglas€L.€Payne,€Greeneville,€Tennessee,€for€the€Appellant€R.A.W.Ð $$t# ÐÌÌPaul€G.€Summers,€Attorney€General€and€Reporter,€and€Dianne€Stamey€Dycus,€Deputy€AttorneyÐ è&8"& ÐGeneral,€Nashville,€Tennessee,€for€the€Appellee€State€of€Tennessee,€Department€of€Children'sÐ Ô'$#' ÐServices.Ð À($( ÐÐ  ¬)ü$)ý ÐÔ_ÔÑ€ OY Ñà@66'ìàò òOPINIONˆÐ ° ÐÌà@ÛÛ%ìàòòBackgroundó óóóˆÐ ˆØ ÐÌà  àà ` àFather€appeals€the€termination€of€his€parental€rights€to€his€now€six€year€old€son,Ð `° ÐT.A.W.€(ð ðthe€Childðð),€by€the€Greene€County€Juvenile€Court.€€When€the€Child€originally€came€intoÐ L œ Ðcustody€of€the€Department€of€Childrenððs€Services€(ð ðDCSðð),€he€was€living€with€his€motherððs€aunt€andÐ 8 ˆ Ðuncle,€Mr.€and€Mrs.€Nance,€his€two€year€old€half„sister,€and€his€eight€month€old€half„brother.€€InÐ $ t ÐOctober€of€2001,€DCS€was€informed€that€the€children€were€at€a€flea€market€with€Mr.€and€Mrs.€NanceÐ  ` Ðand€that€they€were€not€dressed€appropriately€for€cold€weather.€€The€youngest€child€was€examined€byÐ ü L  ÐEMS€personnel€and€was€found€to€be€cold€and€unresponsive.€€The€Child€also€was€cold€and€stated€heÐ è 8  Ðwas€afraid€of€Mr.€Nance€who€had€hurt€his€arm.€€There€were€bruises€on€the€Childððs€arm€and€the€backÐ Ô$  Ðof€his€neck.€€All€three€children€had€active€head€lice.€€Witnesses€stated€Mr.€Nance€had€picked€up€theÐ À  ÐChild€and€thrown€him€into€a€van,€stating€he€was€going€to€ð ðbeat€the€hell€out€of€himðð€and€ð ðwould€beatÐ ¬ü  Ðhis€ass.ðð€€Mr.€and€Mrs.€Nance€were€arrested€and€charged€in€relation€to€these€events.€€The€Petition€forÐ ˜è  ÐTemporary€Custody€indicates€Fatherððs€whereabouts€were€ð ðcurrently€unknown.ðð€Ð „Ô  ÐÌà  àà ` àThe€petition€seeking€to€terminate€Fatherððs€parental€rights€alleged€Father€had€willfullyÐ \¬ Ðfailed€to€visit€or€to€engage€in€more€than€token€visitation€with€the€Child€for€a€period€of€fourÐ H˜ Ðconsecutive€months€preceding€the€filing€of€the€petition.€€It€also€was€alleged€that€Father€had€willfullyÐ 4„ Ðabandoned€the€Child€by€not€paying€any€child€support€for€a€period€of€four€consecutive€months.€€DCSÐ  p Ðasserted€it€had€made€reasonable€efforts€to€assist€Father€in€establishing€a€suitable€home€for€the€Child,Ð  \ Ðbut€he€had€not€made€a€reasonable€effort€to€accomplish€this€objective.€€DCS€claimed€FatherÐ øH Ðdemonstrated€such€a€lack€of€concern€that€it€appeared€unlikely€he€would€be€able€to€provide€a€suitableÐ ä4 Ðhome€for€the€Child.€€The€Petition€also€alleged€that€the€conditions€preventing€Father€from€providingÐ Ð  Ða€suitable€home€for€the€Child€still€remained€and€had€persisted€for€a€period€of€six€months.€€AccordingÐ ¼  Ðto€the€Petition,€continuing€the€parent„child€relationship€would€greatly€diminish€the€Childððs€chancesÐ ¨ø Ðof€early€integration€into€a€stable€and€permanent€home.€€Finally,€DCS€maintained€that€termination€ofÐ ”ä Ðthe€parent„child€relationship€was€in€the€best€interests€of€the€Child.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Ð €Ð ÐÌà  àà ` àThe€Permanency€Plan€(ð ðthe€Planðð)€developed€for€Father€contained€numerous€itemsÐ X ¨ Ðwhich€he€needed€to€complete.€€These€included:€(1)€completing€a€psychological€assessment€whichÐ D!” Ðincluded€a€parenting€capability€assessment;€(2)€attending€and€successfully€completing€a€parentingÐ 0"€  Ðclass;€(3)€paying€child€support;€(4)€remaining€drug€free€and€submitting€to€random€drug€screens;€(5)Ð #l! Ðproviding€appropriate€and€safe€housing€for€the€Child€independent€of€Fatherððs€parents€ð ðdue€toÐ $X" Ðdisclosures€of€previous€abuseðð€by€Fatherððs€father;€(6)€maintaining€adequate€transportation€in€theÐ ô$D # Ðevent€of€an€emergency;€(7)€attending€counseling€for€past/current€behavioral€issues;€and€(8)Ð à%0!$ Ðâ âmaintaining€stable€employment.€€The€Plan€was€approved€by€DCS€in€July€of€2002€and€by€the€JuvenileÐ Ì&"% ÐCourt€in€October.€€Father€apparently€refused€to€sign€the€Plan€because€he€wanted€to€discuss€the€PlanÐ ° Ðwith€an€attorney.€Ð œì Ðâ âÌà  àà ` àIn€July€of€2002,€Father€filed€a€motion€seeking€to€establish€visitation€with€the€Child.€Ð tÄ ÐOn€October€23,€2002,€a€hearing€was€held€on€this€motion€at€which€time€the€Juvenile€Court€receivedÐ `° Ðevidence€and€heard€testimony.€€After€this€hearing,€the€Juvenile€Court€entered€an€Order€and€deferredÐ L œ Ðgranting€Father€visitation€until€Father€ð ðhas€participated€significantly€in€intensive€individualÐ 8 ˆ Ðcounseling.ðð€€The€record€on€appeal€contains€neither€a€transcript€or€statement€of€the€evidence€of€thisÐ $ t Ðhearing.€Ð  ` ÐÌà  àà ` àA€trial€was€conducted€on€January€15òòthóó€and€March€12òòthóó€of€2003.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€The€first€witness€wasÐ è 8  ÐFatherððs€sister,€Toni€Malone€(ð ðMaloneðð).€€Malone€testified€Father€has€problems€with€conflict€andÐ Ô$  Ðdealing€with€ð ðreality€issues.ðð€€When€something€happens€that€Father€does€not€like,€he€has€troubleÐ À  Ðð ðfiguring€out€what€to€do€with€that€and€how€to€ventilate€ð8ð€that€anger.ðð€€Ms.€Malone€did€not€believeÐ ¬ü  ÐFather€was€capable€of€taking€care€of€himself,€ð ðlet€alone€anybody€else.ðð€€However,€Ms.€Malone€alsoÐ ˜è  Ðbelieved€Father€had€the€potential€to€change.€Ð „Ô  ÐÌà  àà ` àBill€Cook€(ð ðCookðð),€a€Licensed€Senior€Psychological€Examiner,€testified€that€heÐ \¬ Ðbegan€treating€Father€in€June€of€2001.€€Father€started€therapy€with€Cook€after€Father€was€releasedÐ H˜ Ðfrom€Lakeshore€Mental€Health€Institute€(ð ðLakeshoreðð).€€The€records€from€Lakeshore€indicate€FatherÐ 4„ Ðhad€been€in€his€car€for€three€days€and€refused€to€get€out€even€to€eat,€and€also€that€Father€made€aÐ  p Ðbomb€threat€against€his€employer.€€Father€denied€making€a€bomb€threat€and€claimed€he€was€framed.€Ð  \ ÐFather€apparently€told€a€crisis€worker€that€he€heard€voices€over€the€PA€system€at€work€talking€to€him,Ð øH Ðbut€Father€later€denied€making€such€a€statement.€€Cook€saw€Father€on€two€occasions€and€then€didÐ ä4 Ðnot€see€him€again€until€custody€of€the€Child€became€an€issue.€€Cook€expressed€concern€over€FatherððsÐ Ð  Ðdenial€of€his€mental€health€history.€€Cook€also€talked€with€Father€about€an€incident€where€FatherÐ ¼  Ðallegedly€assaulted€a€ten€year€old€girl.€€Father€claimed€he€was€getting€out€of€a€booth€at€a€WaffleÐ ¨ø ÐHouse€when€his€foot€ð ðtappedðð€the€girl.€€Cook€asked€Father€about€the€fact€that€the€young€girl€had€aÐ ”ä Ðbruise€of€some€size,€to€which€Father€stated€that€maybe€someone€else€had€hit€the€child.׃ ×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Ð €Ð ÐÌà  àà ` àAccording€to€Cook,€Father€thinks€in€terms€of€ð ðblack€and€white€and€wrong€and€right.ðð€Ð X ¨ ÐFather€could€give€a€ð ðpat€answerðð€when€there€was€a€clear€right€or€wrong€answer,€but€ð ðif€it€requiredÐ D!” Ðabstracting€he€had€ð8ð€a€lot€of€difficulty€with€that.ðð€€Father€explained€to€Cook€that€he€had€graduatedÐ 0"€  Ðfrom€anger€control€management€classes€and€if€he€became€angry€while€with€the€Child,€he€would€countÐ #l! Ðto€ten€or€go€walk€off€the€anger.€€If€provoked€to€anger,€Father€stated€that€he€would€ð ðlose€itðð€if€he€didÐ $X" Ðnot€count€to€ten€or€go€for€a€walk.€€Cook€had€asked€Father€to€schedule€appointments€for€every€twoÐ ô$D # Ðweeks,€but€Father€scheduled€appointments€only€for€once€a€month.€€Father€completed€approximatelyÐ à%0!$ Ðfive€therapy€sessions€with€Cook€since€October.€€Father€had€an€appointment€with€Cook€scheduled€theÐ ° Ðmorning€of€the€January€hearing.€€Father€was€late€and€when€he€showed€up,€he€informed€Cook€he€wasÐ œì Ðno€longer€employed.€€According€to€Father,€he€was€unable€to€obtain€his€work€schedule.€€He€missedÐ ˆØ Ðone€day€of€work€and€was€fired.€€Cook€stated€Father€would€have€ð ða€lot€of€difficultyðð€raising€the€Child.€Ð tÄ ÐHowever,€Father€had€improved€and€was€trying.€€Cook€saw€no€reason€why€Father€could€not€visit€withÐ `° Ðthe€Child,€although€Cook€recommended€any€initial€visits€be€supervised.€€Cook€did€not€believe€FatherÐ L œ Ðwas€dangerous€or€that€he€posed€a€threat€to€the€Child€or€others,€ð ðunless€he€were€to€go€off€hisÐ 8 ˆ Ðmedication€or€he€was€to€be€provoked€into€some€sort€of€anger.ðð€€Cook€testified€that€Father€has€beenÐ $ t Ðdiagnosed€with€mood€disorder,€not€otherwise€specified,€and€personality€disorder,€not€otherwiseÐ  ` Ðspecified.€€According€to€Cook,€the€personality€disorder€comes€from€years€of€learning€and€experienceÐ ü L  Ðand€ð ð[u]ndoing€the€personality€disorder€is€very€difficult€and€it€takes€time,€lots€of€time€sometimes.ðð€Ð è 8  ÐCook€acknowledged€Fatherððs€telling€him€that€establishing€a€residence€and€obtaining€transportationÐ Ô$  Ðmight€be€insurmountable€for€him.€Ð À  ÐÌà  àà ` àAt€the€end€of€the€hearing€in€January€of€2003,€the€Juvenile€Court€continued€the€matterÐ ˜è  Ðuntil€March.€€One€of€the€reasons€for€the€continuance€was€to€give€Father€more€time€to€comply€withÐ „Ô  Ðthe€terms€of€the€Plan.€€When€the€hearing€resumed€in€March,€Cook€testified€that€Father€had€made€noÐ pÀ Ðfurther€progress€with€regard€to€controlling€his€emotions€and€no€progress€on€his€parenting€skills.€Ð \¬ ÐAccording€to€Cook,€whenever€Fatherððs€emotions€become€involved,€he€is€ð ðunable€basically€ð8ð€toÐ H˜ Ðfunction.€€He€loses€the€ability€to€be€rational.ðð€€Cook€believed€Father€would€have€difficulty€formingÐ 4„ Ða€plan€or€doing€what€was€necessary€if€parenting€a€six€year€old€child.€€When€asked€if€Father€had€theÐ  p Ðability€to€take€proper€care€of€the€Child,€Cook€responded€Father€ð ðwould€have€a€lot€of€difficulty,€if€heÐ  \ Ðcould€at€all€ð8ð.ðð€€Cook€testified€that€if€Father€quit€taking€his€medications,€and€depending€on€his€levelÐ øH Ðof€stress,€Father€would€begin€to€regress,€become€more€depressed€and€have€mood€swings,€andÐ ä4 Ðð ðpossibly€hear€voices,€possibly€get€back€in€the€situation€where€he€was€not€bathing€and€staying€in€theÐ Ð  Ðcar.ðð€€If€that€were€to€happen,€Father€could€pose€a€danger€to€himself€or€others.€Ð ¼  ÐÌà  àà ` àFather€testified€at€the€initial€hearing€in€January€that€he€was€living€with€his€parents.€Ð ”ä ÐFather€had€completed€a€parenting€class€and€he€explained€how€that€class€helped€him€interact€with€hisÐ €Ð Ðniece€and€be€more€tolerant€toward€her.€€Father€was€current€on€child€support€payments.€€AccordingÐ l¼ Ðto€Father,€he€had€been€recently€discharged€from€his€job€at€a€grocery€store€after€he€unsuccessfullyÐ X ¨ Ðattempted€to€obtain€his€work€schedule,€but€no€one€at€work€would€answer€the€phone.€€When€he€missedÐ D!” Ðone€day€of€work,€he€was€discharged.€€Father€had€a€vehicle€but€it€was€not€driveable€because€the€engineÐ 0"€  Ðhad€caught€on€fire.€€Father€claimed€he€was€taking€his€medication€in€the€prescribed€doses.€€FatherÐ #l! Ðbelieved€it€would€be€best€for€the€Child€if€Fatherððs€parents€had€custody€at€first€because€Father€couldÐ $X" Ðnot€financially€support€the€Child.€€Father€stated€he€would€like€for€his€parents€to€have€custody€untilÐ ô$D # Ðhe€could€get€back€on€his€feet.€€If€his€parents€had€custody,€he€would€assist€them€in€caring€for€theÐ à%0!$ ÐChild.€€Father€testified€to€an€incident€where€his€father€had€been€drinking€too€much€and€pulled€a€gunÐ Ì&"% Ðon€Father€and€his€mother.€€His€father€was€arrested€for€aggravated€assault€and€pled€guilty€to€simpleÐ ¸'#& Ðassault.€€Father€admitted€the€last€time€he€saw€the€Child€was€in€April€of€2001.€Ð ¤(ô#' ÐÌà  àà ` àFather€testified€further€when€the€hearing€was€concluded€in€March.€€By€that€time,Ð |*Ì%) ÐFather€was€staying€with€a€friend€and€sleeping€on€a€couch.€€Father€had€remained€unemployed€sinceÐ h+¸&* ÐJanuary€and€was€now€behind€on€child€support€payments.€€Father€testified€he€was€attempting€to€findÐ ° Ðemployment.€€Father€still€has€no€reliable€transportation.€€Fatherððs€driverððs€license€was€revoked€afterÐ œì Ðhe€received€a€speeding€ticket€and€failed€to€show€proof€of€insurance.€Father€had€quit€taking€hisÐ ˆØ Ðmedication€for€approximately€one€month€due€to€lack€of€funds.€€Father€has€noticed€a€ð ðslightðð€changeÐ tÄ Ðin€his€emotional€state,€but€ð ðnothing€major.ðð€€Father€admitted€that€he€has€visited€the€Child€only€tenÐ `° Ðtimes€since€the€Child€was€six€months€old.€€Ð L œ ÐÌà  àà ` àThe€Childððs€biological€mother,€K.H.€was€called€as€a€witness.€€K.H.€acknowledged€thatÐ $ t Ðthe€Juvenile€Court€already€had€terminated€her€parental€rights€to€the€Child.€€K.H.€stated€that€for€aÐ  ` Ðperiod€of€time,€Father€questioned€whether€he€was€the€biological€father€of€the€Child.€€K.H.€testifiedÐ ü L  Ðthat€Father€has€seen€the€Child€approximately€three€times€since€she€and€Father€quit€seeing€each€otherÐ è 8  Ðapproximately€five€months€after€the€Child€was€born.€€She€also€claimed€Father€did€not€spend€muchÐ Ô$  Ðtime€at€all€with€the€Child€for€the€first€five€months€after€he€was€born.€Ð À  ÐÌà  àà ` àThe€next€witness€was€Lana€Justis€(ð ðJustisðð),€the€DCS€caseworker€assigned€to€thisÐ ˜è  Ðcase.€€Justis€identified€the€Plan€and€stated€she€discussed€its€requirements€with€Father,€but€FatherÐ „Ô  Ðrefused€to€sign€the€Plan.€€The€Plan€required€Father€to€complete€a€psychological€assessment€and€aÐ pÀ Ðparenting€class,€both€of€which€he€did€accomplish.€€Justis€testified€Father€was€current€on€his€childÐ \¬ Ðsupport€payments€until€he€lost€his€job€in€January€of€2003.€€The€Plan€also€required€Father€to€secureÐ H˜ Ðappropriate€housing€for€the€Child€independent€of€his€parents.€€The€reason€for€this€was€the€assaultÐ 4„ Ðconviction€against€Fatherððs€father€and€Fatherððs€claim€that€his€father€had€abused€him€as€a€child.€€JustisÐ  p Ðtestified€that€to€her€knowledge,€Father€still€was€living€with€his€parents.€€The€Plan€also€required€FatherÐ  \ Ðto€obtain€suitable€transportation.€€Justis€stated€Fatherððs€vehicle€was€not€operational€due€to€a€fire.€Ð øH ÐJustis€further€testified€that€to€her€knowledge,€Father€remained€unemployed.€€Ð ä4 ÐÌà  àà ` àFather€called€Michael€Vitale,€Sr.€(ð ðVitaleðð)€as€a€witness.€€Vitale€testified€he€droveÐ ¼  ÐFather€to€visit€the€Child€on€the€Childððs€fourth€birthday.€€Vitale€testified€to€the€positive€interactionÐ ¨ø Ðhe€observed€between€Father€and€the€Child.€€Father€was€living€with€Vitale€and€Vitaleððs€fiancee€at€theÐ ”ä Ðtime€of€this€hearing.€€Father€was€sleeping€on€Vitaleððs€couch.€Ð €Ð ÐÌà  àà ` àAfter€the€proof€was€completed,€the€Juvenile€Court€concluded€the€State€failed€to€proveÐ X ¨ Ðby€clear€and€convincing€evidence€that€Father€had€abandoned€the€Child€because€of€his€willful€failureÐ D!” Ðto€pay€child€support.€€However,€the€Juvenile€Court€found€the€State€had€proven€by€clear€andÐ 0"€  Ðconvincing€evidence€that€Father€abandoned€the€Child€by€willfully€failing€to€visit€the€Child€for€aÐ #l! Ðperiod€of€four€consecutive€months€preceding€the€filing€of€the€petition.€€The€Juvenile€Court€observedÐ $X" Ðthat€after€the€Child€had€reached€the€age€of€six€months,€for€the€next€four€year€period,€Father€onlyÐ ô$D # Ðvisited€the€Child€from€three€to€ten€times,€depending€on€whose€testimony€was€credited.€€After€theÐ à%0!$ ÐChild€was€placed€in€State€custody,€Father€did€not€visit€or€attempt€to€visit€the€Child€until€after€theÐ Ì&"% Ðpetition€to€terminate€his€parental€rights€was€filed€in€June€of€2002.€€Ð ¸'#& ÐÌà  àà ` àThe€Juvenile€Court€also€concluded€the€State€made€a€reasonable€effort€to€assist€FatherÐ )à$( Ðwith€establishing€a€suitable€home€for€the€Child.€€Father,€however,€had€made€no€reasonable€effort€toÐ |*Ì%) Ðprovide€a€suitable€home€for€the€Child€and€demonstrated€a€lack€of€concern€to€such€a€degree€that€itÐ h+¸&* Ðappeared€unlikely€he€would€be€able€to€provide€a€suitable€home€at€an€early€date.€€According€to€theÐ ° ÐJuvenile€Court,€Father,€who€at€that€point€was€sleeping€on€a€friendððs€couch,€did€not€have€a€suitableÐ œì Ðhome€for€the€Child.€€Father€made€little€to€no€progress€with€regard€to€his€parenting€skills€or€his€angerÐ ˆØ Ðmanagement.€€Father€had€no€transportation€or€a€valid€driverððs€license,€and€was€unemployed.€€In€short,Ð tÄ ÐFather€was€unable€to€provide€for€the€Child.€€The€Juvenile€Court€then€concluded€the€State€had€provenÐ `° Ðby€clear€and€convincing€evidence€that€these€ð ðother€conditionsðð€which,€in€all€reasonable€probabilityÐ L œ Ðwould€cause€the€Child€to€be€subjected€to€further€abuse€or€neglect,€continued€to€persist€and€preventedÐ 8 ˆ Ðawarding€custody€to€Father.€€The€Juvenile€Court€determined€there€was€little€likelihood€that€theseÐ $ t Ðconditions€would€be€remedied€at€an€early€date.€€Ð  ` ÐÌà  àà ` àThe€Juvenile€Court€stated€that€between€the€January€and€March€hearings,€Father€hadÐ è 8  Ðð ðgone€backwards€because€now€he€doesnððt€even€have€a€room€or€a€car€or€a€driverððs€license€or€a€job.€Ð Ô$  ÐHeððs€not€taking€his€medication€admittedly€and€has€had€some€regression€in€his€emotional€control.ðð€Ð À  ÐBased€on€these€facts,€the€Juvenile€Court€concluded€that€continuation€of€the€parent„child€relationshipÐ ¬ü  Ðwould€diminish€the€Childððs€chances€of€an€early€integration€into€a€safe€and€stable€home.€€The€JuvenileÐ ˜è  ÐCourt€then€thoroughly€reviewed€each€of€the€statutory€factors€relevant€to€whether€it€was€in€the€ChildððsÐ „Ô  Ðbest€interests€to€terminate€the€parent„child€relationship.€€After€so€doing,€the€Juvenile€Court€concludedÐ pÀ Ðthe€evidence€was€clear€and€convincing€that€it€was€in€the€best€interests€of€the€child€to€terminate€theÐ \¬ Ðparent„child€relationship.€€Ð H˜ ÐÌà  àà ` àFather€appeals,€claiming€he€did€not€have€ð ðan€adequate€opportunity€to€complete€hisÐ  p Ðpermanency€planðð€and,€therefore,€the€Juvenile€Court€erred€when€it€terminated€his€parental€rights.€Ð  \ ÐAlternatively,€Father€argues€that€he€had€sufficiently€complied€with€the€terms€of€the€Plan€and€hisÐ øH Ðparental€rights€should€not€have€been€terminated.€€According€to€Father,€the€State€did€not€prove€byÐ ä4 Ðclear€and€convincing€evidence€either€that€grounds€for€termination€existed€or€that€it€was€in€the€bestÐ Ð  Ðinterest€of€the€child€to€terminate€the€parent„child€relationship.€€Father€also€claims€the€Juvenile€CourtÐ ¼  Ðerred€when€it€prohibited€him€from€visiting€with€the€Child.€Ð ¨ø ÐÌà@))%ìàò òòòDiscussionó óóóˆÐ €Ð ÐÌà  àà ` àThe€factual€findings€of€the€Juvenile€Court€are€accorded€a€presumption€of€correctness,Ð X ¨ Ðand€we€will€not€overturn€those€factual€findings€unless€the€evidence€preponderates€against€them.€€òòSeeóóÐ D!” ÐTenn.€R.€App.€P.€13(d);€òòBogan€v.€Boganóó,€60€S.W.3d€721,€727€(Tenn.€2001).€€With€respect€to€legalÐ 0"€  Ðissues,€our€review€is€conducted€ð ðunder€a€pure€òòde€novoóó€standard€of€review,€according€no€deferenceÐ #l! Ðto€the€conclusions€of€law€made€by€the€lower€courts.ðð€€òòSouthern€Constructors,€Inc.€v.€Loudon€CountyÐ $X" ÐBd.€Of€Educ.óó,€58€S.W.3d€706,€710€(Tenn.€2001).Ð ô$D # ÐÌà  àà ` àIn€òòState€v.€D.G.S.L.óó,€No.€E2001„00742„COA„R3„JV,€2001€Tenn.€App.€LEXIS€941Ð Ì&"% Ð(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Dec.€28,€2001),€òòno€appl.€perm.€appeal€filedóó,€this€Court€discussed€the€relevant€burdenÐ ¸'#& Ðof€proof€in€cases€involving€termination€of€parental€rights.€€Specifically,€we€observed:€€Ð ¤(ô#' ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àIt€is€well€established€that€"parents€have€a€fundamental€right€to€theÐ |*Ì%) Ðcare,€custody,€and€control€of€their€children."€€òòIn€re€Drinnonóó,€776Ð h+¸&* ÐS.W.2d€96,€97€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1988)€(citing€òòStanley€v.€Illinoisóó,€405Ð ° ÐU.S.€645,€92€S.€Ct.€1208,€31€L.Ed.2d€551€(1972)).€€"However,€thisÐ œì Ðright€is€not€absolute€and€parental€rights€may€be€terminated€if€there€isÐ ˆØ Ðclear€and€convincing€evidence€justifying€such€termination€under€theÐ tÄ Ðapplicable€statute."€€òòId.óó€(citing€òòSantosky€v.€Krameróó,€455€U.S.€745,€102Ð `° ÐS.€Ct.€1388,€71€L.Ed.2d€599€(1982)).€ÐL œ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àTermination€of€parental€or€guardianship€rights€must€be€basedÐ $ t Ðupon€a€finding€by€the€court€that:€(1)€the€grounds€for€termination€ofÐ  ` Ðparental€or€guardianship€rights€have€been€established€by€clear€andÐ ü L  Ðconvincing€evidence;€and€(2)€termination€of€the€parentððs€or€guardianððsÐ è 8  Ðrights€is€in€the€best€interests€of€the€child.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„Ð Ô$  Ð113(c).€€Before€a€parentððs€rights€can€be€terminated,€it€must€be€shownÐ À  Ðthat€the€parent€is€unfit€or€substantial€harm€to€the€child€will€result€ifÐ ¬ü  Ðparental€rights€are€not€terminated.€€òòIn€re€Swanson,€óó2€S.W.3d€180,€188Ð ˜è  Ð(Tenn.€1999);€òòIn€re€M.W.A.,€Jr.,€óó980€S.W.2d€620,€622€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.Ð „Ô  Ð1998).€€Similarly,€before€the€court€may€inquire€as€to€whetherÐ pÀ Ðtermination€of€parental€rights€is€in€the€best€interests€of€the€child,€theÐ \¬ Ðcourt€must€first€determine€that€the€grounds€for€termination€have€beenÐ H˜ Ðestablished€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„Ð 4„ Ð1„113(c).€€This€Court€discussed€the€ð ðclear€and€convincing€evidenceððÐ  p Ðstandard€in€òòOððDaniel€v.€Messier,€óó905€S.W.2d€182€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.Ð  \ Ð1995),€as€follows:ÐøH` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xàà  àThe€ð ðclear€and€convincing€evidenceðð€standardÐ Ð  Ðdefies€precise€definition.€€òòMajors€v.€Smith,óó€776Ð ¼  ÐS.W.2d€538,€540€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1989).€€While€it€isÐ ¨ø Ðmore€exacting€than€the€preponderance€of€the€evidenceÐ ”ä Ðstandard,€òòSantosky€v.€Kramer,€óó455€U.S.€at€766,€102€S.Ð €Ð ÐCt.€at€1401;€òòRentenbach€Engððg€Co.€v.€General€RealtyÐ l¼ ÐLtd.,€óó707€S.W.2d€524,€527€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1985),€itÐ X ¨ Ðdoes€not€require€such€certainty€as€the€beyond€aÐ D!” Ðreasonable€doubt€standard.€€òòBrandon€v.€Wright,€óó838Ð 0"€  ÐS.W.2d€532,€536€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1992);€òòState€v.Ð #l! ÐGroves,€óó735€S.W.2d€843,€846€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.Ð $X" Ð1987).Ðô$D #¸ ¸  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xàà  àClear€and€convincing€evidence€eliminates€anyÐ Ì&"% Ðserious€or€substantial€doubt€concerning€theÐ ¸'#& Ðcorrectness€of€the€conclusions€to€be€drawn€from€theÐ ¤(ô#' Ðevidence.€€òòSee€Hodges€v.€S.€C.€Toof€&€Co.,€óó833Ð )à$( ÐS.W.2d€896,€901€n.€3€(Tenn.€1992).€€It€should€produceÐ |*Ì%) Ðin€the€fact„finderððs€mind€a€firm€belief€or€convictionÐ h+¸&* Ðwith€regard€to€the€truth€of€the€allegations€sought€to€beÐ ° Ðestablished.òò€€In€re€Estate€of€Armstrongóó,€859€S.W.2dÐ œì Ð323,€328€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1993);€òòBrandon€v.€Wright,Ð ˆØ Ðóó838€S.W.2d€at€536;€òòWiltcher€v.€Bradley,€óó708€S.W.2dÐ tÄ Ð407,€411€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1985).ð8ðÐ`°¸ ¸  ÐÌòòState€v.€D.G.S.L.óó,€2001€Tenn.€App.€LEXIS€941€at€**16„18€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Dec.€28,€2001).Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌà  àà ` àTermination€of€parental€rights€may€be€based€upon€a€number€of€statutory€grounds.€€InÐ  ` Ðthe€present€case,€the€two€grounds€upon€which€the€Juvenile€Court€based€its€ruling€are:Ð ü L  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(1)à0¸ ` x` xàAbandonment€by€the€parent€or€guardian,€as€defined€in€ðð€36„1„Ð Ô$  Ð102,€has€occurred;€[and]ÐÀ ¸ x¸ x ÐÌà@ÙÙ'ìà*€*€*€*ˆÐ ˜è  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(3)(A)à0¸ ` x` xàThe€child€has€been€removed€from€the€home€of€the€parent€orÐ pÀ Ðguardian€by€order€of€a€court€for€a€period€of€six€(6)€monthsÐ \¬ Ðand:ÐH˜¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà0¸ ` x` xà(i)à0¸ x¸ xàThe€conditions€which€led€to€the€childððs€removal€orÐ  p Ðother€conditions€which€in€all€reasonable€probabilityÐ  \ Ðwould€cause€the€child€to€be€subjected€to€further€abuseÐ øH Ðor€neglect€and€which,€therefore,€prevent€the€childððsÐ ä4 Ðsafe€return€to€the€care€of€the€parent(s)€or€guardian(s),Ð Ð  Ðstill€persist;м xx ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà0¸ ` x` xà(ii)à0¸ x¸ xàThere€is€little€likelihood€that€these€conditions€will€beÐ ”ä Ðremedied€at€an€early€date€so€that€the€child€can€beÐ €Ð Ðsafely€returned€to€the€parent(s)€or€guardian(s)€in€theÐ l¼ Ðnear€future;€andÐX ¨xx ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà0¸ ` x` xà(iii)à0¸ x¸ xàThe€continuation€of€the€parent€or€guardian€and€childÐ 0"€  Ðrelationship€greatly€diminishes€the€childððs€chances€ofÐ #l! Ðearly€integration€into€a€safe,€stable€and€permanentÐ $X" Ðhome.Ðô$D #xx ÐÌTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðððð€36„1„113(g)(1)€and€(g)(3)€(Supp.€2003).€€Ð Ì&"% ÐÌà  àà ` àThe€Juvenile€Court€found€there€was€clear€and€convincing€evidence€that€both€of€theseÐ ¤(ô#' Ðstatutory€grounds€for€termination€of€Fatherððs€parental€rights€had€been€met.€€In€making€thisÐ )à$( Ðdetermination,€the€Juvenile€Court€heard€the€testimony€of€numerous€witnesses,€including€Father,Ð |*Ì%) ÐJustis,€and€Cook.€€ð ðUnlike€this€Court,€the€[Juvenile€Court]€observed€the€manner€and€demeanor€ofÐ h+¸&* Ðthe€witnesses€and€was€in€the€best€position€to€evaluate€their€credibility.ðð€€òòUnion€Planters€Natððl€BankÐ ° Ðv.€Island€Mgmt.€Auth.,€Inc.óó,€43€S.W.3d€498,€502€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€2000).€€The€trial€courtððsÐ œì Ðdeterminations€regarding€credibility€are€accorded€considerable€deference€by€this€Court.€€òòId.óó;òò€DavisÐ ˆØ Ðv.€Liberty€Mutual€Ins.€Co.óó,€38€S.W.3d€560,€563€(Tenn.€2001).€€ð ððð[A]ppellate€courts€will€not€re„Ð tÄ Ðevaluate€a€trial€judgeððs€assessment€of€witness€credibility€absent€clear€and€convincing€evidence€to€theÐ `° Ðcontrary.ðððð€òòWells€v.€Tennessee€Bd.€of€Regentsóó,€9€S.W.3d€779,€783€(Tenn.€1999).€€Ô‡Xf% XXXáÔÐ L œ ÐÔ#†XáX XXf%\z#ÔÌà  àà ` àBased€on€our€review€of€the€record,€including€the€facts€detailed€above,€we€do€notÐ $ t Ðbelieve€the€Juvenile€Court€committed€any€reversible€error€in€reaching€its€conclusion€that€clear€andÐ  ` Ðconvincing€evidence€existed€to€terminate€Fatherððs€parental€rights€pursuant€to€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„Ð ü L  Ð1„113(g)(3)(A)(i)€through€(iii).€€There€is€clear€and€convincing€evidence€that€ð ðother€conditions€whichÐ è 8  Ðin€all€reasonable€probability€would€cause€the€child€to€be€subjected€to€further€abuse€or€neglect€andÐ Ô$  Ðwhich,€therefore,€prevent€the€childððs€safe€return€to€the€care€of€ð8ð€[Father]€still€persist.ðð€€Tenn.€CodeÐ À  ÐAnn.€ðð€36„1„113(g)(3)(A)(i).€€Specifically,€Father€is€not€and€apparently€never€has€had€a€suitableÐ ¬ü  Ðhome€for€the€Child.€€At€the€time€of€the€final€hearing€in€March,€Father€was€sleeping€on€a€friendððsÐ ˜è  Ðcouch.€€Father€has€not€had€suitable€transportation€for€some€time.€€Father€was€unemployed€and€hadÐ „Ô  Ðno€source€of€income€with€which€to€raise€a€young€child.€€Equally€important€is€the€fact€that€Father€hadÐ pÀ Ðstopped€taking€his€medication€and€his€emotional€capacity€was€beginning€to€regress.€€There€wasÐ \¬ Ðabsolutely€no€proof€offered€at€trial€that€any€of€these€conditions€would€be€remedied€in€the€near€future,Ð H˜ Ðor€if€ever.€€Father€had€approximately€eight€months€after€the€Planððs€requirements€were€explained€toÐ 4„ Ðhim€to€substantially€comply€with€those€requirements.€€During€that€eight€month€period,€not€only€hasÐ  p ÐFather€made€no€reasonable€effort€to€undertake€what€was€necessary€in€order€for€him€to€be€able€toÐ  \ Ðproperly€support€the€Child,€but€he€has€gone€ð ðbackwards.ðð€€We€believe€Father€had€sufficient€time€toÐ øH Ðestablish€that€he€could€or€would€make€progress€to€the€point€where€he€would€be€able€to€care€for€theÐ ä4 ÐChild,€and€he€made€no€such€showing.€€We€likewise€agree€with€the€Juvenile€Court€that€the€evidenceÐ Ð  Ðis€clear€and€convincing€that€continuation€of€the€parent„child€relationship€would€greatly€diminish€theÐ ¼  ÐChildððs€chances€of€early€integration€into€a€safe,€stable€and€permanent€home.Ð ¨ø ÐÌà  àà ` àHaving€affirmed€that€at€least€one€statutory€ground€for€termination€was€proven€by€clearÐ €Ð Ðand€convincing€evidence,€we€next€address€Fatherððs€claim€that€it€was€not€proven€by€clear€andÐ l¼ Ðconvincing€evidence€that€termination€of€his€parental€rights€was€in€the€best€interests€of€the€Child.€Ð X ¨ ÐTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(i)€describes€the€standard€for€determining€whether€termination€is€in€theÐ D!” Ðbest€interests€of€the€child€in€such€cases:Ð 0"€  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(I)à0¸ ` x` xàIn€determining€whether€termination€of€parental€orÐ $X" Ðguardianship€rights€is€in€the€best€interest€of€the€child€pursuantÐ ô$D # Ðto€this€part,€the€court€shall€consider,€but€is€not€limited€to,€theÐ à%0!$ Ðfollowing:ÐÌ&"%¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà0¸ ` x` xà(1)à  àWhether€the€parent€or€guardian€has€made€such€anÐ ¤(ô#' Ðadjustment€of€circumstance,€conduct,€or€conditions€as€to€makeÐ )à$( Ðit€safe€and€in€the€childððs€best€interest€to€be€in€the€home€of€theÐ |*Ì%) Ðparent€or€guardian;Ðh+¸&*¸ x¸ x Їà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà0¸ ` x` xà(2)à  àWhether€the€parent€or€guardian€has€failed€to€effect€aÐ ° Ðlasting€adjustment€after€reasonable€efforts€by€available€socialÐ œì Ðservices€agencies€for€such€duration€of€time€that€lastingÐ ˆØ Ðadjustment€does€not€reasonably€appear€possible;Ðtĸ x¸ x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà0¸ ` x` xà(3)à  àWhether€the€parent€or€guardian€has€maintained€regularÐ L œ Ðvisitation€or€other€contact€with€the€child;Ð8 ˆ¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà0¸ ` x` xà(4)à  àWhether€a€meaningful€relationship€has€otherwise€beenÐ  ` Ðestablished€between€the€parent€or€guardian€and€the€child;Ðü L ¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà0¸ ` x` xà(5)à  àThe€effect€a€change€of€caretakers€and€physicalÐ Ô$  Ðenvironment€is€likely€to€have€on€the€childððs€emotional,Ð À  Ðpsychological€and€medical€condition;Ьü ¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà0¸ ` x` xà(6)à  àWhether€the€parent€or€guardian,€or€other€personÐ „Ô  Ðresiding€with€the€parent€or€guardian,€has€shown€brutality,Ð pÀ Ðphysical,€sexual,€emotional€or€psychological€abuse,€or€neglectÐ \¬ Ðtoward€the€child,€or€another€child€or€adult€in€the€family€orÐ H˜ Ðhousehold;Ð4„¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà0¸ ` x` xà(7)à  àWhether€the€physical€environment€of€the€parentððs€orÐ  \ Ðguardianððs€home€is€healthy€and€safe,€whether€there€is€criminalÐ øH Ðactivity€in€the€home,€or€whether€there€is€such€use€of€alcoholÐ ä4 Ðor€controlled€substances€as€may€render€the€parent€or€guardianÐ Ð  Ðconsistently€unable€to€care€for€the€child€in€a€safe€and€stableÐ ¼  Ðmanner;Шø¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà0¸ ` x` xà(8)à  àWhether€the€parentððs€or€guardianððs€mental€and/orÐ €Ð Ðemotional€status€would€be€detrimental€to€the€child€or€preventÐ l¼ Ðthe€parent€or€guardian€from€effectively€providing€safe€andÐ X ¨ Ðstable€care€and€supervision€for€the€child;€orÐD!”¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà0¸ ` x` xà(9)à  àWhether€the€parent€or€guardian€has€paid€child€supportÐ #l! Ðconsistent€with€the€child€support€guidelines€promulgated€byÐ $X" Ðthe€department€pursuant€to€ðð€36„5„101.Ðô$D #¸ x¸ x ÐÌTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(i)€(Supp.€2003).€€After€considering€all€relevant€statutory€factors€in€lightÐ Ì&"% Ðof€the€testimony€of€the€witnesses€at€trial,€we€do€not€believe€the€Juvenile€Court€committed€reversibleÐ ¸'#& Ðerror€when€it€concluded€that€clear€and€convincing€evidence€established€that€it€was€in€the€best€interestÐ ¤(ô#' Ðof€the€Child€to€terminate€Fatherððs€parental€rights.Ð )à$( Ðâ âÐ |*Ì%) ÐÑ OY Ñâ  âѰ°Ñâ  âÑ  Ñà  àà ` àBecause€we€affirm€the€termination€of€Fatherððs€parental€rights€pursuant€to€Tenn.€CodeÐ ° Ðâ âAnn.€ðððð€36„1„113(g)(3)(A)(i)€through€(iii),€we€need€not€decide€whether€there€was€clear€andÐ œì Ðconvincing€evidence€that€Father€abandoned€the€Child€by€willfully€failing€to€visit€him€for€a€period€ofÐ ˆØ Ðfour€consecutive€months€immediately€preceding€the€filing€of€the€petition.€€Due€to€our€resolution€ofÐ tÄ Ðthe€preceding€issues,€all€remaining€issues€are€pretermitted€as€they€would€not€affect€the€outcome€ofÐ `° Ðthis€appeal.€€Ð L œ ÐÌò òòòà@  %ìàConclusionóóó óˆÐ $ t ÐÌà  àà ` àThe€judgment€of€the€Juvenile€Court€is€affirmed,€and€this€cause€is€remanded€to€theÐ ü L  ÐJuvenile€Court€for€such€further€proceedings€as€may€be€required,€if€any,€consistent€with€this€Opinion,Ð è 8  Ðand€for€collection€of€the€costs€below.€€The€costs€on€appeal€are€assessed€against€the€Appellant€R.A.W.Ð Ô$  Ðand€his€surety.€€Ð À  ÐÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à___________________________________€Ð  \ Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àD.€MICHAEL€SWINEY,€JUDGE€Ð øH Ð