ÿWPC ÊRûÜídk™QûÙífI^,}ûêPÌR?Fõ’ëvÖŸ§\x@4(?^¤ü û^ƒnæŠ p§•8EÇXzú/ÈLÑ6^©ï*¯»ä~')wçgsvŠ‘A2óûÅ%$õ2}ô-B?(è ¢ò¬(‹ç|?LÚõ_’«6L&Ù”Ú*ƒÞ‹½¸jþ‹$6{c¹öâé(ÎÌ&>õϾκoЄî Yßâ”ê{ÅQ„©„”¾§Èéö»œ\w¢ ” ®Gw4Ã'Ü…Ê|÷œ†n_Ôƒs-bª`_«Š’SPwY1#LÖjŒ.V‹5Lh^D8F8ð þ°×¨áï×O& árª¶Cü®E#$´’Pm=ÿÃÏÿ\ÏÂ= j2Í#ï’Z¤¾’,Š$¾vðÇ’¡×\½#P¢¬c «©x)9K`Ž–>–z°Í9š­Ù˜KÅÛ?óüX£q« ÉÔåò½­ÃÓ¦7Ì.l•{ ¹{Ô-ÕÑÜŠ|Sh/!/aÞ?h{$û¯Q… ìÃsȦŸÛ†Î…¨àËÀp¶Ýíqm†2\qíniíñ³L%[4¬1¬ð0x`N¡Ó`I çõsU‰§yBé=MžR¶å‘Õnˆb %\UNb 0ˆ°UN8†œ†² z8 Ò² ^ „ N w’ 0D– ÆÚ Æ  Æf Æ,4òNE m#É2222222222222222222222bûûûûûûûûûûûûûûûûûûûûûûûûûûûûûûûûûûûû 0ë Bîî 0¤  D5¯ D-ä 0K AS\Ư 0¤u 0D A«]»(@øÐ Z‹6Times New Roman Regular(`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regular Ñ ° Ñ Ñ ° Ñ |Ý ƒR*›$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôòò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ôà ` àThe€childrenððs€father€is€John€Ô_ÔMcAlisterÔ_Ô.€Mr.€Ô_ÔMcAlisterÔ_Ôððs€parental€rights€were€terminated€in€a€separateÐ ° Ðproceeding,€and€he€is€not€a€party€to€this€appeal. ˜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.wptF~1Ï (#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 56hö0ê:i¢×+003|xÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ˜\\IB01S02\CLERKJACÈÈ,,,,ÈÈ0- ù-(|G2*›$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€Çá»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôòò»»Ô d(|3÷'$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€Çá»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV)ÿÿ!dxdx)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3÷'$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€Çá»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€Çá»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ  ÑÔ€¼Çá»»»ÔÑ8€šXXdé»»d8ÑÑ  Ñà@ò ò ìàÔ‡î?ÞÇáÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@òò%ìàAT€JACKSONÔ#†¼Çá»îî?Þ #ԈРÓ# ÐÓ  ÓOctober€12,€2004€SessionÐ öF ÐÔ‡XšX»¼ÇáÔÌò òÔ#†¼Çá»XXšó#ÔSTATE€OF€TENNESSEE,€DEPARTMENT€OF€CHILDREN'S€SERVICESòòóó€v.Ð ï? ÐTAMMY€ROBBINSòòóóÔ‡XšX»¼ÇáÔó óÐ  P ÐÌà@@½½ìàò òA€Direct€Appeal€from€the€Juvenile€Court€for€Ô_ÔWeakleyÔ_Ô€CountyÐ ú J Ðà@@øøìàNo.€C1149€€Ô_ÔTheÔ_Ô€Honorable€James€H.€Ô_ÔBradberryÔ_Ô,€JudgeÐ ä 4 ÐÌÌà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<¡` AßÐ ¢ò  ÐÌà@@TTìàNo.€W2004„00487„Ô_ÔCOAÔ_Ô„R3„PT€Ô_Ô„€Filed€November€18,€2004Ô_ÔÐ ›ë  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<n` AßÐ o¿  Ðó óÌÓ  ÓÔ‡X/XXXšÔà  àThis€is€a€termination€of€parental€rights€case.€Tammy€Robbins€(ð ðMs.€Robbinsðð)€appeals€fromÐ g· Ðthe€order€of€the€Juvenile€Court€of€Ô_ÔWeakleyÔ_Ô€County€terminating€her€parental€rights.€Specifically,Ð P  ÐRobbins€asserts€that€the€trial€court€erred€the€following€five€respects:€in€admitting€the€testimony€ofÐ 9‰ Ða€certain€expert€witness;€in€disregarding€the€testimony€of€another€expert€witness;€in€disregarding€theÐ "r Ðtestimony€of€Robbinsððs€fact€witnesses;€in€refusing€to€observe€Robbins€with€her€children;€and€inÐ  [ Ðconsidering,€in€the€termination€proceeding,€evidence€of€the€Stateððs€earlier€removals€of€the€childrenÐ ôD Ðfrom€Robbinsððs€custody.€Because€we€find€appellantððs€assertions€to€be€without€merit,€we€affirm.Ð Ý- Ðò òÓTÓó óÔ#†XšXXX/`#ÔÔ#†¼Çá»XXšŸ#ÔÔ‡XšX»¼ÇáÔÌÌò òTenn.€R.€App.€P.€3;€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Juvenile€Court€Affirmedó óÐ ˜è ÐÌòòÓ  ÓÔ#†¼Çá»àXšQ #ÔÔ‡XšX.¼ÇáÔW.€Frank€Crawford,€Ô_ÔP.J.Ô_Ô,€Ô_ÔW.S.Ô_Ôóó,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòDavid€R.€Farmer,Ð k» ÐJ.óó€and€òòHolly€M.€Kirby,€J.óó,€joined.Ð T¤ ÐÌWilliam€R.€Ô_ÔNeeseÔ_Ô€of€Dresden€for€Appellant,€Tammy€RobbinsÐ & v ÐÌPaul€G.€Summers,€Attorney€General€and€Reporter;€Michael€E.€Moore,€Solicitor€General;€MichaelÐ ø!H! ÐG.€Ô_ÔSchweglerÔ_Ô,€Assistant€Attorney€General€for€Appellee,€State€of€Tennessee,€Department€ofÐ á"1" ÐChildren's€ServicesÐ Ê## ÐÓà ÓÌò òÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÐ Ö-&).ý ÐÔ_ ÔOPINIONó óÔ#†¼Çá»XXš #ÔÔ‡XšX»¼ÇáÔÐ ° ÐÌòòóóÔ#†¼Çá»XXš- #ÔÔ‡XšX»¼ÇáÔÓ  Óò òÑ€OaÑÑ8€/XXdéXXdé8ÑÓÓÑ€OaÑÓ  ÓI.€€FACTSó óÐ ƒÓ ÐÓ%ÓÓÓà  àMs.€Robbins€is€the€mother€of€two€minor€children€at€issue€in€this€case,€B.L.M.€(D.O.B.Ð W§ Ð06/25/1995)€and€K.A.M.€(D.O.B.€02/27/1996).׃×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€The€record€on€appeal€shows€that€both€of€Ms.Ð @  ÐRobbinsðð€children€have€suffered€the€consequences€of€their€motherððs€tumultuous€life€from€their€earlyÐ ) y Ðinfancy.€The€state€has€overseen€multiple€removals€of€the€children,€both€voluntary€and€involuntary,Ð  b Ðfrom€the€custody€of€Ms.€Robbins€and€her€family.€While€it€is€not€necessary€to€examine€the€facts€ofÐ û K Ðeach€of€the€removals€in€detail,€a€brief€summary€of€each€removal€will€help€to€illustrate€theÐ ä 4  Ðcircumstances€in€which€B.L.M.€and€K.A.M.€have€been€raised.Ð Í   ÐÌà  àFrom€October€9,€1995€until€October€11,€1995,€Ms.€Robbins€voluntarily€placed€B.L.M.€inÐ Ÿï  Ðfoster€care€while€she€ð ðpulled€herself€togetherðð€after€an€argument€with€Mr.€McAlister,€the€childrenððsÐ ˆØ  Ðfather.Ð qÁ  ÐÌà  àFrom€December,€1995,€to€January€30,€1996,€B.L.M.€was€involuntarily€removed€from€Ms.Ð C“ ÐRobbinsðð€custody€due€to€Ms.€Robbinsðð€failure€to€keep€B.L.M.€connected€to€an€apnea€monitorÐ ,| Ðpursuant€to€the€orders€of€his€physician,€and€despite€repeated€pleas€from€Department€of€HumanÐ e ÐServices€caseworkers.€The€caseworkerððs€notes€from€this€episode,€admitted€into€evidence,€also€showÐ þN Ðthat€Ms.€Robbins€administered€CPR€to€B.L.M.€while€he€was€breathing€and€gave€Baby€Tylenol€to€himÐ ç7 Ðwhile€he€was€not€running€a€fever.Ð Ð  ÐÌà  àFrom€January€30,€1996€until€sometime€in€May€1996,€B.L.M.€was€involuntarily€removed€fromÐ ¢ò ÐMs.€Robbinsðð€custody€and€placed€in€the€care€of€Ms.€Robbinsðð€mother,€Shirley€Tatum,€due€to€Ms.Ð ‹Û ÐRobbinsðð€pregnancy€with€her€daughter€K.A.M.,€and€due€to€Ms.€Robbinsðð€inability€to€care€for€bothÐ tÄ ÐK.A.M.€and€B.L.M.€after€K.A.M.ððs€birth.Ð ]­ ÐÌà  àMs.€Robbins€voluntarily€placed€both€children€in€state€custody€from€May€24,€1996€until€MayÐ / Ð29,€1996.€From€August€or€September€1996€until€December€1996,€Ms.€Robbins€gave€custody€ofÐ h ÐK.A.M.€to€Angie€and€Jerry€Gibson.€Then,€from€January€24,€1997€until€June€2,€1998,€B.L.M.€andÐ  Q ÐK.A.M.€were€involuntarily€removed€from€Ms.€Robbinsðð€custody,€after€DCS€employees€witnessedÐ ê : ÐTammy€threatening€B.L.M.€and€shaking€K.A.M.,€who€was€still€an€infant€at€the€time.Ð Ó!#  ÐÌà  àB.L.M.€and€K.A.M.€then€lived€with€Ms.€Robbins€or€her€immediate€family€until€May€25,Ð ¥#õ" Ð2000,€when€her€mother€and€sister„in„law€contacted€DCS€and€notified€it€that€they€could€no€longerÐ Ž$Þ# Ðcare€for€the€children.€Pursuant€to€this€request,€the€state€removed€the€children€from€Ms.€RobbinsððÐ w%Ç $ Ðcustody€until€August€13,€2001ð— ðthe€fourth€involuntary€removal€for€B.L.M.,€and€the€second€forÐ `&°!% ÐK.A.M..Ð I'™"& Ðâ âÐ 2(‚#' Ðà  àIn€August€2001,€the€childrenððs€father,€John€McAlister,€took€custody€of€the€children€and€aÐ ° Ðâ âð ðno„€contactðð€order€was€entered€prohibiting€Ms.€Robbins€from€contacting€or€attempting€to€contactÐ ™é Ðthe€children.€The€children€remained€with€the€father€until€April€31,€2003,€when€he€informed€the€DCSÐ ‚Ò Ðhe€could€no€longer€take€care€of€the€children€due€to€his€drug€abuse,€homelessness,€and€maritalÐ k» Ðproblems.€The€department€regained€custody€of€the€children€on€May€1,€2003.ò òó óà x àOn€June€13,€2003,Ð T¤ Ðthe€State€of€Tennessee€Department€of€Childrenððs€Services€filed€a€petition€to€terminate€the€parentalÐ =  Ðrights€of€Ms.€Robbins,€alleging€that€her€parental€rights€should€be€terminated€on€the€grounds€ofÐ & v Ðdependence,€neglect,€emotional,€physical,€and€sexual€abuse.€On€January€22,€2004,€the€court€enteredÐ  _ Ða€judgment€terminating€Ms.€Robbinsðð€parental€rights€as€to€B.L.M.€and€K.A.M..€The€order€reads,€inÐ ø H Ðits€entirety,€as€follows:Ð á 1  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àThis€cause€came€to€[be]€heard€on€the€20òòthóó€day€of€November,Ð ³  Ð2003,€before€the€Honorable€James€H.€Bradberry,€Judge€of€theÐ œì  ÐJuvenile€Court€of€Weakley€County,€Tennessee,€upon€the€swornÐ …Õ  ÐPetition€To€Terminate€Parental€Rights€filed€by€the€State€ofÐ n¾  ÐTennessee,€Department€of€Childrenððs€Services,€with€all€partiesÐ W§  Ðproperly€before€the€Court€on€service€of€process.€€Present€wereÐ @ Ðrepresentatives€of€the€State€of€Tennessee,€Department€of€ChildrenððsÐ )y ÐServices,€and€Assistant€General€Counsel,€Stephanie€J.€Hale,€TammyÐ b ÐRobbins,€her€attorney,€William€R.€Neese,€and€the€Guardian€Ad€Litem,Ð ûK ÐDonald€L.€Ruis.€€Upon€proof€introduced€at€the€hearing,€statements€ofÐ ä4 Ðcounsel,€the€recommendation€of€the€Guardian€Ad€Litem,€Donald€L.Ð Í ÐRuis,€and€the€entire€record,€the€Court€finds€upon€clear€and€convincingÐ ¶ Ðevidence€that€the€Petition€To€Terminate€Parental€Rights€filed€by€theÐ Ÿï ÐState€of€Tennessee,€Department€of€Childrenððs€Services,€is€well€takenÐ ˆØ Ðas€to€Respondent,€Tammy€Robbins,€and€should€be€sustained€andÐ qÁ Ðrelief€granted€thereunder€for€the€causes€therein€stated:ÐZª` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xà1.€€That€the€children€have€been€in€the€custody€of€theÐ ,| ÐDepartment€since€May€1,€2003,€and€placed€in€a€Ð e ÐDepartment€foster€home.ÐþN¸ ¸  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xà2.€€The€children€have€previously€been€in€foster€care€asÐ Ð!   Ðfollows:€[B.L.M.]€was€in€custody€from€October€9,Ð ¹" ! Ð1995€to€October€11,€1995;€December€20,€1995€untilÐ ¢#ò" ÐJanuary€30,€1996;€both€children€were€in€custodyÐ ‹$Û# Ðvoluntarily€from€May€24,€1996€to€May€29,€1996;€bothÐ t%Ä $ Ðchildren€were€removed€for€their€safety€from€JanuaryÐ ]&­!% Ð24,€1997€until€June€2,€1998€and€May€25,€2000€untilÐ F'–"& ÐAugust€13,€2001.€€These€were€removals€from€theÐ /(#' Ðmother.Ð)h$(¸ ¸  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xà3.€€That€by€Order€of€the€Weakley€County€JuvenileÐ ê*:&* ÐCourt€on€August€13,€2001,€the€children€were€placed€inÐ Ó+#'+ Ðthe€custody€of€their€father€and€a€no€contact€order€wasÐ ° Ðentered€as€to€the€mother€who€has€had€no€contact€uponÐ ™é Ðrecommendation€of€the€mental€health€providers€sinceÐ ‚Ò ÐOctober€of€2000€as€to€[B.L.M.]€and€February€of€2001Ð k» Ðas€to€[K.A.M.].€€The€children€were€at€that€time€placedÐ T¤ Ðwith€their€father,€John€McAlister.Ð= ¸ ¸  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xà4.€€There€was€a€continued€plan€for€contact€with€theÐ  _ Ðmaternal€side€of€the€family€as€the€children€were€toÐ ø H Ðhave€family€counseling€with€their€maternalÐ á 1  Ðgrandmother€and€then€their€mother€if€all€went€well.ÐÊ  ¸ ¸  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xà5.€€That€John€McAlister€contacted€the€Department€andÐ œì  Ðstated€he€was€unable€to€care€for€the€children€due€toÐ …Õ  Ðdrug€usage,€homelessness,€and€as€he€was€suicidal€andÐ n¾  Ðthey€have€been€in€custody€since€May€1,€2003.ÐW§ ¸ ¸  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xà6.€€That€upon€the€expert€testimony€of€theÐ )y Ðpsychological€examiner,€Dr.€Charles€Viar,€Ms.Ð b ÐRobbins,€has€a€personality€disorder€and€other€mentalÐ ûK Ðhealth€concerns€and€is€presently€unable€to€parent€theÐ ä4 Ðchildren€although€finds€her€appropriate€for€visitation.€Ð Í ÐHe€further€testified€that€it€was€unlikely€that€Ms.Ð ¶ ÐRobbins€is€mentally€competent€to€parent€the€childrenÐ Ÿï Ðand€would€require€long„term€treatment.€€BethÐ ˆØ ÐShanklin,€MS,€who€had€counseled€Ms.€Robbins€in€theÐ qÁ Ðpast€concurred€with€that€it€is€highly€unlikely€that€sheÐ Zª Ðis€able€to€currently€parent€the€children.ÐC“¸ ¸  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xà7.€€Therefore,€the€Court€finds€by€clear€and€convincingÐ e Ðevidence€that€Ms.€Robbins€is€incompetent€toÐ þN Ðadequately€provide€for€the€further€care€andÐ ç 7 Ðsupervision€of€the€children€because€her€mentalÐ Ð!   Ðcondition€is€presently€so€impaired€and€is€unlikely€[sic]Ð ¹" ! Ðto€remain€so€that€it€is€unlikely€that€she€will€be€able€toÐ ¢#ò" Ðresume€care€of€or€responsibility€for€the€children€in€theÐ ‹$Û# Ðnear€future€and€that,€as€set€forth€below,€upon€clear€andÐ t%Ä $ Ðconvincing€evidence€that€termination€is€in€the€bestÐ ]&­!% Ðinterest€of€the€children.ÐF'–"&¸ ¸  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xà8.€€That€upon€the€expert€testimony€of€Beth€Shanklin,Ð )h$( ÐMS,€the€children€have€been€traumatized,€these€areÐ *Q%) Ðspecial€needs€children,€and€visitation€with€theirÐ ê*:&* Ðmother€or€maternal€family€members€causes€theseÐ Ó+#'+ Ðchildren€severe€emotional€harm.€[B.L.M.]€has€ADHD,Ð ° ÐPost€Traumatic€Stress€Disorder€and€related€anxiety.Ð ™é Ð[K.A.M.]€has€Robinowððs€Syndrome€is€[sic]€requiresÐ ‚Ò Ðmedical€attention€and€surgeries€as€well€as€is€ADHD.Ð k» ÐThere€are€issues€of€physical,€emotional€and€sexualÐ T¤ Ðabuse.Ð= ¸ ¸  ÐÌà0  àà ° àà8(#(#àà8` (#(#àà8¸ ` Ð ` Ð à9.€€That€the€Court€finds€the€witnesses€for€the€Petitioner€areÐ  _ Ðcredible.Ðø H¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xà10.€€That€the€Court€finds€the€mother,€grandmother,Ð Ê   Ðand€witnesses€for€the€Respondent€have€a€difference€ofÐ ³  Ðperception€in€this€matter.Ðœì ¸ ¸  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xà11.€€Pursuant€to€T.C.A.€36„1„113(I)€the€children€haveÐ n¾  Ðno€meaningful€relationship€with€their€mother,€thereÐ W§  Ðare€past€issues€of€abuse€and€neglect,€that€the€childrenÐ @ Ðto€this€day€are€fearful€of€their€mother€and€maternalÐ )y Ðrelatives€and€suffer€emotional€and€psychologicalÐ b Ðharm,€that€these€are€special€needs€children,€that€theÐ ûK ÐDepartment€has€exercised€all€reasonable€efforts€toÐ ä4 Ðassist€this€family,€and€due€to€the€concerns€of€theÐ Í Ðmotherððs€mental€status,€the€Court€finds€by€clear€andÐ ¶ Ðconvincing€evidence€that€termination€of€parentalÐ Ÿï Ðrights€is€in€the€best€interest€of€the€children.Јظ ¸  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xà12.€€The€children€have€been€removed€by€order€of€thisÐ Zª ÐCourt€for€a€period€of€six€(6)€months€from€theirÐ C“ Ðmother;€the€conditions€which€led€to€their€removal€stillÐ ,| Ðpersist€as€their€mother€is€unable€to€resume€care;€otherÐ e Ðconditions€persist€which€in€all€probability€wouldÐ þN Ðcause€the€children€to€be€subjected€to€further€abuse€andÐ ç 7 Ðneglect€and€in€addition€due€to€the€special€needs€of€theÐ Ð!   Ðchildren€and€which,€therefore,€prevent€the€childrenððsÐ ¹" ! Ðreturn€to€the€care€of€the€Respondent;€there€is€littleÐ ¢#ò" Ðlikelihood€that€these€conditions€will€be€remedied€at€anÐ ‹$Û# Ðearly€date€so€that€these€children€can€be€returned€toÐ t%Ä $ ÐRespondent€in€the€near€future;€and€the€continuation€ofÐ ]&­!% Ðthe€legal€parent€and€child€relationship€greatlyÐ F'–"& Ðdiminishes€the€childrenððs€chances€of€early€integrationÐ /(#' Ðinto€a€stable€and€permanent€home.Ð)h$(¸ ¸  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xà13.€€That€it€is€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence€that€itÐ ê*:&* Ðis€in€the€best€interest€of€the€children€that€the€parentalÐ Ó+#'+ Ðrights€of€their€mother€to€the€children€be€foreverÐ ° Ðterminated€and€that€the€complete€custody,€control,€andÐ ™é Ðguardianship€of€the€children€be€awarded€to€the€StateÐ ‚Ò Ðof€Tennessee,€Department€of€Childrenððs€Services,Ð k» Ðwith€the€right€to€place€the€children€for€adoption€and€toÐ T¤ Ðconsent€to€such€adoption€in€òòlocoóó€òòparentisóó€subject€toÐ =  Ðany€parental€rights€of€the€father.Ð& v¸ ¸  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xà14.€€That€the€Department€of€Childrenððs€Services€hasÐ ø H Ðexercised€reasonable€efforts€to€prevent€removal€andÐ á 1  Ðreunify€the€family€including€CETAC€counseling,Ð Ê   Ðseveral€psychological€evaluations,€Home€Ties,Ð ³  ÐPEACH,€counseling€from€several€sources,€supervisedÐ œì  Ðvisitation,€case€management€and€numerous€custodialÐ …Õ  Ðplacements.Ðn¾ ¸ ¸  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xà15.€€That€this€Decree€of€guardianship€shall€have€theÐ @ Ðeffect€of€terminating€all€the€rights€and€obligations€ofÐ )y Ðthe€Respondent(s)€to€the€children€and€of€the€childrenÐ b Ðto€the€Respondent(s)€arising€from€the€parentalÐ ûK Ðrelationship,€and€the€Respondent(s)€are€not€hereafterÐ ä4 Ðentitled€to€notice€of€proceedings€for€the€adoption€ofÐ Í Ðthe€children€by€another€nor€have€any€right€to€object€toÐ ¶ Ðsuch€adoption€or€otherwise€to€participate€in€suchÐ Ÿï Ðproceedings.Јظ ¸  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xà16.€€Awarding€legal€and€physical€custody€to€theÐ Zª Ðmother€would€post€a€risk€of€substantial€harm€to€theÐ C“ Ðchildren.Ð,|¸ ¸  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àIT€IS,€THEREFORE,€ORDERED,€ADJUDGED,€AND€DECREED:ÐþN` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xà1.€€That€this€Decree€of€Guardianship€shall€have€theÐ Ð!   Ðeffect€of€terminating€all€the€rights€and€obligations€ofÐ ¹" ! Ðthe€Respondent,€Tammy€Robbins,€to€the€children€andÐ ¢#ò" Ðof€the€children€to€the€Respondent€arising€from€theÐ ‹$Û# Ðparental€relationship,€and€the€Respondent€is€notÐ t%Ä $ Ðhereafter€entitled€to€notice€of€proceedings€for€theÐ ]&­!% Ðadoption€of€the€children€by€another€nor€have€any€rightÐ F'–"& Ðto€object€to€such€adoption€or€otherwise€to€participateÐ /(#' Ðin€such€proceedings.Ð)h$(¸ ¸  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xà2.€€That€all€parental€rights€of€Tammy€Robbins,€to€theÐ ê*:&* Ðchildren€...€are€hereby€forever€terminated;€that€theÐ Ó+#'+ ÐÑ OaOaÑâ âѰ°Ñâ âѰ°Ñâ âÑ  Ñcomplete€custody,€control,€and€guardianship€of€saidÐ ° Ðchildren€is€hereby€awarded€to€the€State€of€Tennessee,Ð ™é ÐDepartment€of€Childrenððs€Services,€with€the€right€toÐ ‚Ò Ðplace€the€children€for€adoption€and€consent€to€suchÐ k» Ðadoption€in€òòlocoóó€òòparentisóó€subject€to€any€parental€rightsÐ T¤ Ðof€the€father.Ð= ¸ ¸  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xà3.€€That€the€fee€of€the€Guardian€Ad€Litem,€Don€Ruis,Ð  _ Ðand€appointed€counsel,€William€R.€Neese,€shall€beÐ ø H Ðpaid€upon€submission€of€the€appropriate€claim€form.Ðá 1 ¸ ¸  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xà4.€€That€if€any€indigent€Respondent€proceeds€onÐ ³  Ðappeal€to€the€Court€of€Appeals,€the€costs€of€theÐ œì  Ðtranscript€of€the€trial€of€this€matter€shall€beÐ …Õ  Ðreimbursed€by€the€Administrative€Director€of€theÐ n¾  ÐSupreme€Court,€not€to€exceed€two€dollars€and€fiftyÐ W§  Ðcents€($2.50)€per€page.€€Any€costs€of€the€transcriptÐ @ Ðexceeding€two€dollars€and€fifty€cents€($2.50)€perÐ )y Ðpage,€but€not€to€exceed€the€maximum€amount€of€theÐ b ÐDelegated€Purchase€Authority,€shall€be€paid€by€theÐ ûK ÐDepartment€of€Childrenððs€Services.Ðä4¸ ¸  ÐÓCÓÌÓ#SÓà  àOn€January€23,€2004,€Ms.€Robbins€filed€a€motion€to€alter€or€amend€the€judgment.€OnÐ Ÿï ÐFebruary€6,€2004,€the€State€of€Tennessee€filed€an€answer€to€Ms.€Robbinsðð€motion€to€alter€or€amend.Ð ˆØ ÐOn€February€20,€2004,€Ms.€Robbins€timely€filed€her€notice€of€appeal.€The€motion€to€alter€or€amendÐ qÁ Ðwas€heard€on€March€23,€2004,€and€was€denied€by€an€order€entered€on€April€20,€2004.€Ms.€RobbinsÐ Zª Ðfiled€a€motion€for€additional€time€within€which€to€file€a€record€in€this€appeal.€This€motion€wasÐ C“ Ðgranted€by€an€ordered€entered€on€May€21,€2004.Ð ,| Ðò òÓ  ÓÌII.€€ISSUESÐ ÿO Ðó óÓáUÓÌà0  àAppellant€states€the€issues€on€appeal€as€follows:ÐÒ!" (#(# ÐÌà  àò òIssue€1:€ó óð ðWhether€the€Trial€Court€erred€in€allowing€a€person€not€a€qualified€expert€to€offerÐ ¤#ô" Ðexpert€opinions€in€testimony€at€trial€and€in€considering€that€testimony€in€making€its€decision.ððÐ $à# ÐÌò òà  àIssue€2:€ó óð ðWhether€the€Trial€Court€erred€in€basing€its€decision€on€inaccurate,€incorrect€andÐ b&²!% Ðuntrue€testimony€of€a€proffered€expert€witness€while€disregarding€the€testimony€of€a€much€moreÐ N'ž"& Ðhighly€qualified€expert€witness€without€basis€or€reason.ððÐ 7(‡#' ÐÌà  àò òIssue€3:€ó óð ðWhether€the€Trial€Court€erred€in€disregarding€the€testimony€of€Defendant€and€theÐ  *Y%) Ðfact€witnesses€she€presented€in€deciding€to€terminate€her€parental€rights.ððÐ õ*E&* ÐÐ Þ+.'+ Ðà  àò òIssue€4:€ó óð ðWhether€the€Trial€Court€erred€in€refusing€to€observe€Defendant€with€her€children,Ð ° Ðas€requested€by€Defendant,€in€order€to€properly€evaluate€and€determine€the€truth€of€Plaintiffððs€claimÐ œì Ðthat€Defendantððs€children€feared€her.ððÐ …Õ ÐÌà  àò òIssue€5:ó ó€ð ðWhether€the€Trial€Court€erred€in€terminating€Defendantððs€parental€rights€based€onÐ W§ Ðthe€false€claim€that€Plaintiff€had€removed€Defendantððs€children€from€her€and€taken€custody€of€themÐ C “ Ðon€many€occasions€when,€in€fact,€Defendant€had€been€forced€to€seek€the€assistance€of€Plaintiff€byÐ , | Ðcircumstances€beyond€her€control€and€only€did€so€in€the€best€interest€of€her€children.ððÐ  e ÐÌò òÓCÓÓ  ÓIII.€€STANDARD€OF€REVIEWó óÐ ç 7  ÐÓ ]ÓÓó\Óà  àSince€this€case€was€tried€by€a€court€sitting€without€a€jury,€we€review€the€case€òòde€novo€óóuponÐ »  Ðthe€record€with€a€presumption€of€correctness€of€the€findings€of€fact€by€the€trial€court.€Unless€theÐ ¤ô  Ðevidence€preponderates€against€the€findings,€we€must€affirm,€absent€error€of€law.€òòSeeóó€Tenn.€R.€App.Ð Ý  ÐP.€13(d).Ð vÆ  Ðò òÓ  ÓÌIV.€ANALYSISó óÐ I™ ÐÓ_ÓÌà  àò òIssue€1:€ð ðWhether€the€Trial€Court€erred€in€allowing€a€person€not€a€qualified€expert€toÐ l Ðoffer€expert€opinions€in€testimony€at€trial€and€in€considering€that€testimony€in€making€itsÐ V Ðdecision.ððó óÐ ð@ ÐÌà  àMs.€Robbins€contends€that€the€trial€court€erred€in€allowing€Elizabeth€Shanklin,€a€counselorÐ Ã Ðwith€Pathways€of€Tennessee,€to€testify€as€an€expert€witness€at€trial.€Ms.€Robbins€argues€that€sinceÐ ¬ü ÐMs.€Shanklin€was€not€a€licensed€counselor€at€the€time€of€trial,€she€ð ðcannot€independently€[form€andÐ •å Ðexpress€an€expert€opinion]€as€a€matter€of€law.ððÐ ~Î Ðò òó óÌà  àOn€voir€dire,€Ms.€Shanklin€testified€about€her€professional€qualifications.€She€holds€aÐ P  Ðbachelorððs€degree€in€psychology€with€a€minor€in€biology€from€the€University€of€Tennessee,€and€sheÐ 9‰ Ðholds€a€masterððs€degree€in€clinical€psychology€from€Murray€State€University.€At€the€time€of€trial,Ð "r Ðshe€was€three€hours€short€of€having€a€Licensed€Professional€Counselor€certification.€She€had€beenÐ  [ Ðemployed€by€Pathways€of€Tennessee€for€approximately€fourteen€years,€where€the€majority€of€herÐ ô D Ðpractice€was€providing€treatment€to€children€who€have€been€physically,€sexually,€and€emotionallyÐ Ý!-  Ðabused.€Because€Ms.€Shanklin€was€not€a€Licensed€Professional€Counselor,€she€worked€under€theÐ Æ"! Ðsupervision€of€licensed€clinical€social€workers.€In€her€work€at€Pathways,€Ms.€Shanklin€counseledÐ ¯#ÿ" Ðand€diagnosed€patients,€subject€to€the€review€of€a€licensed€clinical€social€worker.€Ð ˜$è# ÐÌà  àAt€the€time€of€trial,€Ms.€Shanklin€had€substantial€experience€rendering€opinions€as€an€expertÐ j&º!% Ðin€other€court€proceedings.€She€had€already€testified€in€eighteen€other€cases€in€2003,€prior€to€herÐ S'£"& Ðtestimony€in€the€Robbins€termination€hearing.Ð <(Œ#' ÐÌà  àIn€general,€questions€regarding€the€admissibility,€qualifications,€relevancy€and€competencyÐ *^%) Ðof€expert€testimony€are€left€to€the€discretion€of€the€trial€court.ò ò€òòMcDaniel€v.€CSX€Transportationóó,Ð ÷*G&* ÐInc.,€955€S.W.2d€257,€263-264€(Tenn.1997).€ó óTo€assist€the€trier€of€fact€in€this€ð ðgatekeepingððÐ ã+3'+ Ðfunction,€Tennessee€Rule€of€Evidence€702€permits€an€expert€to€testify€ð ðin€the€form€of€an€opinion€orÐ ° Ðotherwise,ðð€only€where€the€ð ðscientific,€technical,€or€other€specialized€knowledgeðð€offered€by€theÐ ™é Ðwitness€will€substantially€assist€the€trier€of€fact.€Tenn.€R.€Evid.€702.€Tennessee€Rule€of€EvidenceÐ ‚Ò Ð703€requires€an€expert's€opinion€to€be€supported€by€trustworthy€facts€or€data€ð ðof€a€type€reasonablyÐ k» Ðrelied€upon€by€experts€in€the€particular€field€in€forming€opinions€or€inferences€upon€the€subject.ððÐ T¤ ÐTenn.€R.€Evid.€703.€The€determinative€factor€is€ð ðwhether€the€witnessððs€qualifications€authorize€himÐ =  Ðor€her€to€give€an€informed€opinion€on€the€subject€at€issue.ðð€ò òòòState€v.€Stevensóó,€78€S.W.3d€817,€834Ð & v Ð(Tenn.2002)ó ó.€A€trial€courtððs€ruling€on€the€admissibility€of€such€evidence€may€be€overturned€onÐ  b Ðappeal€only€if€the€discretion€is€exercised€arbitrarily€or€is€abused.€òòò òId.óó€at€832.Ð þ N Ðó óÌà  àWe€conclude€that€the€trial€court€did€not€abuse€its€discretion€in€ruling€that€Ms.€Shanklin€wasÐ Ó #  Ðcompetent€to€render€expert€testimony€in€the€case€at€bar.€It€is€clear€from€the€record€that€Ms.€ShanklinÐ ¼  Ðhad€substantial€professional€experience€both€diagnosing€and€treating€children€who€had€beenÐ ¥õ  Ðsexually,€emotionally€and€physically€abused.€The€fact€that€she€was€not€a€licensed€counselor€isÐ ŽÞ  Ðimmaterial€to€whether€she€was€qualified€to€render€an€expert€opinion€in€this€matter.€Ms.€Robbins€hasÐ wÇ  Ðdirected€us€to€no€case€law,€nor€have€we€found€any,€that€provides€authority€for€her€€view€that€anÐ `°  Ðunlicensed€counselor€is,€as€a€matter€of€law,€incompetent€to€render€expert€testimony.€The€record€ofÐ I™ ÐMs.€Shanklinððs€educational€and€professional€accomplishments€provided€an€ample€basis€on€whichÐ 2‚ Ðthe€trial€court€could€find€that€Ms.€Shanklin€was€competent€to€render€an€expert€opinion;€indeed,€inÐ k Ðearlier€proceedings,€many€other€courts€had€found€Ms.€Shanklin€to€be€a€competent€expert€witness.Ð T ÐTherefore,€we€conclude€that€this€issue€is€without€merit.Ð í= Ðò òÌà  àIssue€2:€ð ðWhether€the€Trial€Court€erred€in€basing€its€decision€on€inaccurate,€incorrectÐ À Ðand€untrue€testimony€of€a€proffered€expert€witness€while€disregarding€the€testimony€of€a€muchÐ ªú Ðmore€highly€qualified€expert€witness€without€basis€or€reason.ððó óÐ ”ä ÐÌà  àWe€construe€Ms.€Robbinsðð€second€issue€on€appeal€as€a€challenge€to€the€respective€weightsÐ g· Ðthat€the€trial€court€gave€to€the€testimony€of€Elizabeth€Shanklin€(discussed€òòsupraóó,€with€reference€toÐ P  ÐIssue€1),€the€counselor€at€Pathways€of€Tennessee€who€counseled€B.L.M.,€K.A.M.,€and€Ms.€Robbins,Ð 9‰ Ðand€to€the€testimony€of€Dr.€Charles€Viar,€a€licensed€senior€psychological€examiner€with€PathwaysÐ "r Ðof€Tennessee€who€evaluated€Ms.€Robbins€before€trial.€It€is€Ms.€Robbinsðð€contention€that€Dr.€ViarÐ  [ Ðwas€ð ðthe€only€real€expert,€certainly€the€most€qualified€expertðð€to€testify€at€Ms.€Robbinsðð€terminationÐ ô D Ðof€parental€rights€hearing,€and€that€since€ð ðDr.€Viar€is€so€much€more€qualified€than€Ms.€Shanklin€...Ð Ý!-  Ðthere€is€no€basis€for€accepting€her€opinion€over€Dr.€Viarððs€and€the€Trial€Court€erred€in€doing€so.ðð€InÐ Æ"! Ðorder€to€evaluate€the€merit€of€this€issue,€it€is€necessary€to€review€both€Dr.€Viarððs€expertÐ ¯#ÿ" Ðqualifications€as€well€as€the€substance€of€his€testimony€at€trial.€Ð ˜$è# ÐÌà  àBoth€Ms.€Robbins€and€DCS€stipulated€that€Dr.€Viar€was€qualified€to€render€an€expertÐ j&º!% Ðopinion.€Dr.€Viar€holds€bachelorððs€and€masterððs€degrees€in€educational€psychology€from€theÐ S'£"& ÐUniversity€of€Tennessee€at€Martin,€and€a€doctorate€in€counseling€from€Memphis€State€University.Ð <(Œ#' ÐHe€is€a€licensed€senior€psychological€examiner.€€At€the€time€of€his€testimony€in€this€case,€Dr.€ViarÐ %)u$( Ðhad€been€employed€with€Pathways€of€Tennessee€for€ten€or€eleven€years.Ð *^%) Ðâ âÐ ÷*G&* Ðà  àDr.€Viar€had€met€with€Ms.€Robbins€once,€for€approximately€three€hours,€on€October€27,Ð ° Ðâ â2003,€before€the€November€2003€termination€proceeding.€In€his€testimony€on€direct€examination€atÐ ™é Ðthe€termination€proceeding,€Dr.€Viar€described€Ms.€Robbinsðð€demeanor€as€he€observed€it€during€theirÐ ‚Ò Ðmeeting:Ð k» ÐÌà8  àQ.à0` Ð Ð àWhen€discussing€her€children,€did€you€have€any€observations€about€herÐ =  Ðdemeanor€that€raised€some€issues€with€you?Ð& v` Ð ` Ð  Ðà8  àÐ Ð Ð  Ðà8  àA.à0` Ð Ð àShe€did€not€seem€as€upset€about€that€as€I€expected€her€to€be,€Iððll€put€it€thatÐ ø H Ðway.€Usually,€when€we€have,€especially€a€mother€in€a€situation€like€this,€theyÐ á 1  Ðare€generally€beside€themselves,€and€I€did€not€pick€up€on€that€demeanor€atÐ Ê   Ðall.€Ð³ ` Ð ` Ð  ÐÌDuring€his€October€27€meeting€with€Ms.€Robbins,€Dr.€Viar€administered€several€tests€to€her,Ð …Õ  Ðincluding€the€Minnesota€Multi„Phasic€Personality€Inventory„2€(MMPI„2).€Based€on€the€results€ofÐ n¾  Ðthe€MMPI„2,€Dr.€Viar€drew€several€conclusions€about€Ms.€Robbinsðð€personality€and€about€herÐ W§  Ðfitness€to€have€custody€of€her€children.€He€testified€about€these€conclusions€upon€direct€examinationÐ @ Ðat€the€termination€hearing.Ð )y ÐÌà8  àQ.à0` Ð Ð àDescribe€Ms.€Robbinsðð€personality€to€us€based€on€the€MMPI„2,€what€did€youÐ ûK Ðfind€there?Ðä4` Ð ` Ð  Ðà8  àÐ Ð Ð  Ðà8  àA.à0` Ð Ð àOn€the€MMPI„2€we€had€indications€of€impulse€disorder,€we€had€indicationsÐ ¶ Ðof€a€personality€disorder.€There€were€areas€on€the€MMPI„2€that€wereÐ Ÿï Ðsignificant.€One€thing€was,€one€thing€I€would€suspect€would€be€a€rise€on€theÐ ˆØ Ðhysteria€scale.€On€her€validity€scores€thereððs€a€rise€on€the€L„scale,€and€the€L„Ð qÁ Ðscale€is€a€validity€scale€measurement€that€was€done€for€the€MMPI„2,€andÐ Zª Ðwhat€she€was€trying€to€do€in€that€test€was€present€herself€in€the€best€possibleÐ C“ Ðlight€and€that,€in€effect,€suppressed€some€of€the€other€scales.Ð,|` Ð ` Ð  Ðà8  àÐ Ð Ð  Ðà8  àQ.à0` Ð Ð àYou€actually€made€diagnosis€of€impulse€control€disorder,€personalityÐ þN Ðdisorder,€N.O.S.,€and€then€of€course,€the€lower€intellectual€functioning.€ThatÐ ç 7 Ðall€being€said,€how€did€you€feel€about€her€parenting€skills,€her€ability€to€haveÐ Ð!   Ðcustody€of€her€children?й" !` Ð ` Ð  Ðà8  àÐ Ð Ð  Ðà8  àA.à0` Ð Ð àMy€area€or€my€impression€of€concern€was€that€there€was€a€lack€of€concern.Ð ‹$Û# ÐIððm€not€saying€sheððs€a€bad€person.€What€Iððm€saying€is€that€I€really€wonder€ifÐ t%Ä $ Ðshe€would€pay€the€appropriate€attention€in€providing€for€her€kids€on€a€day„in,Ð ]&­!% Ðday„out€basis.€That€was€basically€my€concern.ÐF'–"&` Ð ` Ð  Ðà8  àÐ Ð Ð  Ðà8  àQ.à0` Ð Ð àLetððs€go€back€to€impulse€control€disorder.€What€would€you€expect€fromÐ )h$( Ðherð"ðÐ*Q%)` Ð ` Ð  Ðâ âà8  àÐê*:&*Ð Ð  Ðà8  àA.à0` Ð Ð àSomeone€to€do€things€impulsively€without€thinking€about€them€andÐ ° Ðâ âsometimes€regretting€what€they€did€afterwards.€Impulse€control€disorderÐ ™é Ðdisplays€instability,€if€you€will.€It€displays€not€planning€ahead€in€time,€usingÐ ‚Ò Ðresources€that€shouldnððt€be€used€for€particular€things.€If€a€childððs€needs€wereÐ k» Ðapparent€and€she€made€them€impulsively€and€did€not€satisfy€those€needs€andÐ T¤ Ðtended€to€her€own€needs€at€the€time,€those€types€of€things.Ð= ` Ð ` Ð  Ðà8  àÐ Ð Ð  Ðà8  àQ.à0` Ð Ð àPersonality€disorder€again,€that€goes€to€somebodyððs€personality,€thatððs€notÐ  _ Ðsomething€that€can€be€changedð"ðÐø H` Ð ` Ð  Ðà8  àÐ Ð Ð  Ðà8  àA.à0` Ð Ð àPersonality€disorder€is€not€like€a€neurosis€or€psychosis€or€anything€to€thatÐ Ê   Ðeffect.€Personality€disorder€is€a€pervasive€type€of€behavior€that€occasionallyÐ ³  Ðinjures€other€people,€sometimes€without€intent€and€makes€life€very€difficultÐ œì  Ðfor€people€around€them.Ð…Õ ` Ð ` Ð  ÐÌà8  àQ.à0` Ð Ð àBasically,€within€your€expertise€as€a€psychological€examiner€for€the€State€ofÐ W§  ÐTennessee,€you€found€that€she€is€not€mentally€competent€to€have€custody€ofÐ @ Ðher€children?Ð)y` Ð ` Ð  ÐÌà8  àA.à0` Ð Ð àI€cannot€in€good€conscience€recommend€that€she€have€custody,€although€I€didÐ ûK Ðrecommend€that€supervised€visitation€may€be€appropriate,€depending€on€theÐ ä4 Ðreaction€of€the€children.€I€think€itððs€important€for€the€children€to€know€whoÐ Í Ðtheir€mother€was.ж` Ð ` Ð  Ðà8  àÐ Ð Ð  Ðà8  àQ.à0` Ð Ð àI€asked€you€about€this€earlier,€but€based€on€all€this,€you€would€want€to€knowÐ ˆØ Ðwhat€....€the€children€thought€about€visitation?ÐqÁ` Ð ` Ð  Ðà8  àÐ Ð Ð  Ðà8  àA.à0` Ð Ð àYes,€I€think€thatððs€important€how€the€children€react€to€visitation.€I€think€thatððsÐ C“ Ðvery€important.Ð,|` Ð ` Ð  ÐÌDr.€Viar€went€on€to€note€that€he€had€never€met€B.L.M.€or€K.A.M.,€nor€had€he€reviewed€theirÐ þN Ðcounseling€records.€Further€on€in€his€testimony€on€direct€examination,€Dr.€Viar€was€questionedÐ ç 7 Ðabout€the€susceptibility€of€personality€disorders€to€treatment:Ð Ð!   ÐÌà8  àQ.à0` Ð Ð àWhen€we€talk€about€personality€disorder,€thatððs€not€something€that€can€beÐ ¢#ò" Ðfixed€with€counseling€over€the€next€three€months€orð"ðЋ$Û#` Ð ` Ð  Ðà8  àÐ Ð Ð  Ðà8  àA.à0` Ð Ð àPersonality€disorders€are€very€pervasive,€theyððre€very€resistant€to€treatment.Ð ]&­!% ÐOne€of€the€main€problems€with€personality€disorder€is€that€these€people€donððtÐ F'–"& Ðthink€anything€is€wrong€with€them.€Inadvertently€they€can€hurt€other€people,Ð /(#' Ðnot€intentionally€sometimes,€and€I€believe€thatððs€the€type€she€has.€I€donððtÐ )h$( Ðbelieve€she€is€malicious€in€what€sheððs€doing,€but€I€do€think€she€has€aÐ *Q%) Ðpervasive€personality€disorder.€I€think€maybe€she€would€like€to€solve€thatÐ ê*:&* Ðsituation,€and€obviously,€it€would€take€long€term€therapy€to€do€that.ÓÚZÓÐÓ+#'+` Ð ` Ð  Ðà8  à*à0` Ð Ð à*à0¸ ` Ð ` Ð à*а¸ Ð ¸ Ð  Ðà8  àQ.à0` Ð Ð àThere€has€to€be€treatment€through€all€this€as€well?ЂÒ` Ð ` Ð  ÐÓ_–Óà8  àA.à0` Ð Ð àRight.€If€she€goes€into€treatment,€she€is€going€to€have€to€be€willing€to€changeÐ T¤ Ðand€thatððs€very€tough€for€people€because€people€donððt€like€changing.Ó.`ÓÐ= ` Ð ` Ð  ÐÓD˜ÓLater,€under€cross„examination,€Dr.€Viar€stated€that€his€recommendation€of€supervised€visitationÐ  _ Ðshould€be€re„evaluated€if€Ms.€Robbinsðð€children€were€strongly€resistant€to€visitation:Ð ø H ÐÌà8  àQ.à0` Ð Ð à[Y]our€information€that€these€children€have€a€resistance€to€their€motherÐ Ê   Ðwould€be€hearsay,€you€have€no€personal€knowledge€of€that?г ` Ð ` Ð  ÐÌà8  à*à0` Ð Ð à*à0¸ ` Ð ` Ð à*Ð…Õ ¸ Ð ¸ Ð  ÐÌà8  àA.à0` Ð Ð àI€have€no€personal€knowledge.€I€havenððt€had€any€contact€with€the€children€orÐ W§  Ðanything€else.Ð@` Ð ` Ð  ÐÌà8  à*à0` Ð Ð à*à0¸ ` Ð ` Ð à*Ðb¸ Ð ¸ Ð  ÐÌà8  àQ.à0` Ð Ð àSo€then€youððre€not€necessarily€making?Ðä4` Ð ` Ð  ÐÌà8  àA.à0` Ð Ð àIððm€not€aware€of€any€resistance.€I€have€absolutely€no€contact,€nothing.ж` Ð ` Ð  ÐÌà8  àQ.à0` Ð Ð àSo€your€recommendation€is€this€supervised€visitation€unless€there€is€someÐ ˆØ Ðstrong€level€of€resistance€and€if€there€is,€then€we€need€to€re„evaluate€it€at€thatÐ qÁ Ðpoint?ÐZª` Ð ` Ð  ÐÌà8  àA.à0` Ð Ð àAbsolutely.ÓåbÓÐ,|` Ð ` Ð  ÐÓÞÓAlthough€Ms.€Robbins€claims€that€the€trial€court€erroneously€gave€less€weight€to€Dr.€ViarððsÐ þN Ðtestimony€than€it€did€to€Elizabeth€Shanklinððs€testimony,€it€must€be€noted€that€Dr.€Viar€did€not€in€anyÐ ç 7 Ðway€endorse€Ms.€Robbinsðð€fitness€as€a€parent.€His€recommendation€of€supervised€visitation€wasÐ Ð!   Ðexpressly€not€premised€upon€any€interaction€with€B.L.M.€and€K.A.M.,€but€rather€was€based€uponÐ ¹" ! Ðhis€assumption€that€B.L.M.€and€K.A.M.ð— ðwith€whom€he€had€had€no€contact€and€whose€records€heÐ ¢#ò" Ðhad€not€reviewedð— ðwould€not€be€resistant€to€such€visitation.Ð ‹$Û# ÐÌà  àIn€contrast€with€Dr.€Viarððs€testimony€that€was€based€entirely€upon€his€evaluation€of€Ms.Ð ]&­!% ÐRobbins,€Ms.€Shanklinððs€testimony€was€based€largely€upon€her€counseling€sessions€with€B.L.M.€andÐ F'–"& ÐK.A.M.€on€a€weekly€or€biweekly€basis€for€almost€three€years.€Ms.€Shanklin€related,€in€tragic€detail,Ð /(#' Ðthe€disclosures€made€by€B.L.M.€and€K.A.M.€that€led€Ms.€Shanklin€to€conclude€that€the€children€hadÐ )h$( Ðbeen€severely€traumatized€by€their€mother:Ð *Q%) ÐÌà8  àQ.à0` Ð Ð àWhat€was€the€presenting€problem€for€[B.L.M.]?ÐÓ+#'+` Ð ` Ð  Їà8  àA.à0` Ð Ð à[B.L.M.]€was€living€in€a€foster€home;€he€had€been€placed€there.€There€wereÐ ° Ðallegations€that€he€had€been€sexually€abused.€He€was€withdrawn,€havingÐ ™é Ðproblems€sleeping,€he€was€distrustful,€destructive€with€toys,€inattentive,Ð ‚Ò Ðhyper,€argumentative,€refused€to€comply,€he€blamed€others€and€he€wouldÐ k» Ðstart€fights.ÐT¤` Ð ` Ð  ÐÌà8  àQ.à0` Ð Ð àIn€your€course€of€assessing€him,€what€determinations€did€you€make?€WhatÐ & v Ðdid€he€tell€you€regarding€his€situation?Ð _` Ð ` Ð  Ðà8  àÐ Ð Ð  Ðà8  àA.à0` Ð Ð àHe€started€talking€about€some€of€the€incidents€that€had€happened€in€his€homeÐ á 1  Ðwith€his€biological€mother€and€the€treatment€that€he€had€received,€the€wayÐ Ê   Ðthat€she€had€disciplined€him.г ` Ð ` Ð  Ðà8  àÐ Ð Ð  Ðà8  àQ.à0` Ð Ð àWhat€did€he€tell€you€about?Ð…Õ ` Ð ` Ð  Ðà8  àÐ Ð Ð  Ðà8  à*à0` Ð Ð à*à0¸ ` Ð ` Ð à*ÐW§ ¸ Ð ¸ Ð  Ðà8  àÐ Ð Ð  Ðà8  àA.à0` Ð Ð àHe€had€made€comments€that€Tammy€has€told€him€to€report€that€John€touchedÐ )y Ðhim€inappropriately,€John€being€his€biological€father.€Heððs€made€commentsÐ b Ðthat€Tammy€has€whipped€him€and€that€she€has€taken€a€sword€and€stabbed€theÐ ûK Ðceiling;€that€she€has€forced€him€to€say€things€like€ð ðtell€me€that€you€love€me,ððÐ ä4 Ðð ðgive€me€a€hug,ðð€ð ðIððm€not€going€to€let€you€leave€until€you€give€me€a€hug.ððÐ Í ÐHe€reported€that€she€had€hit€him€on€the€ear€and€on€the€leg.€He€reportedÐ ¶ Ðinitially€that€Tammy€held€his€penis€when€he€was€going€to€the€bathroom.€ThatÐ Ÿï Ðwas€when€he€was€six€years€old.€He€stated€that€she€had€played€with€his€penis,Ð ˆØ Ðthat€she€had€had€[K.A.M.]€lick€[B.L.M.]ððs€penis.€Tammy€had€had€[B.L.M.]Ð qÁ Ðlick€her€private€parts.€He€reported€that€Tammy€had€put€a€stick€in€his€butt€andÐ Zª Ðblood€came€out.€He€also€stated€that€his€grandmother€was€pregnant€when€thatÐ C“ Ðoccurred.€He€reported€that€Tammy€had€put€handcuffs€on€him€and€describedÐ ,| Ðthat€she€had€ð ðmy€arms€around€a€treeðð€and€she€chopped€the€tree€down€with€anÐ e Ðax.€He€reported€that€she€would€drink€beer€and€whiskey€out€of€a€baby€bottle,Ð þN Ðthat€she€would€in€his€words,€ð ðhump€Geneðð€[Ms.€Robbinsðð€husband€at€theÐ ç 7 Ðtime]€and€they€would€have€to€watch.€He€reported€that€she€had€humped€a€lotÐ Ð!   Ðof€other€men€and€he€had€seen€that.€He€reported€that€Tammy€had€put€ants€inÐ ¹" ! Ðhis€sisterððs€underpants€when€they€were€outside€in€the€yard€playing.€HeÐ ¢#ò" Ðreported€that€he€had€seen€Tammy€kiss€Geneððsð— ðwhat€he€called€winky,€inÐ ‹$Û# Ðregard€to€his€penis.€He€reported€that€Tammy€had€cut€his€wrist€and€even€moreÐ t%Ä $ Ðrecently€he€showed€me€the€scars€that€were€on€his€wrist€from€what€he€said€wasÐ ]&­!% Ðthat.€He€reported€that€she€had€slapped€him€in€the€mouth€and€hit€him€in€theÐ F'–"& Ðstomach,€and€at€this€time€I€would€say€that€by€my€standards,€thatððs€physical,Ð /(#' Ðemotional,€and€sexual€abuse.€€Ð)h$(` Ð ` Ð  ÐÌà8  àQ.à0` Ð Ð àThese€were€all€disclosures€that€he€made€at€the€age€of€five?Ðê*:&*` Ð ` Ð  Ðà8  àÐÓ+#'+Ð Ð  Ðà8  àA.à0` Ð Ð àYes.€These€have€been€consistent€through€almost€three€years€that€Iððve€workedÐ ° Ðwith€him.Йé` Ð ` Ð  Ðà8  àÐ Ð Ð  Ðà8  àQ.à0` Ð Ð àYouððve€dealt€with€children€that€have€been€coachedð"ðÐk»` Ð ` Ð  Ðà8  àÐ Ð Ð  Ðà8  àA.à0` Ð Ð àYes.Ð= ` Ð ` Ð  Ðà8  àÐ Ð Ð  Ðà8  àQ.à0` Ð Ð àð"ðmanipulated?€Is€this€consistent€with€a€child€who€has€been€manipulated€orÐ  _ Ðcoached?Ðø H` Ð ` Ð  ÐÌà8  àA.à0` Ð Ð àNo.€[B.L.M.]€as€well€as€[K.A.M.]€have€consistently€reported€the€same€eventsÐ Ê   Ðoccurring€at€different€times€in€different€settings.€They€have€been€individuallyÐ ³  Ðin€my€office€and€reported€the€same€incidents.€I€donððt€believe€these€childrenÐ œì  Ðwere€coached.€There€was€some€real€traumatic€event€that€occurred€to€them.€IÐ …Õ  Ðdonððt€know€that€I€believe€all€the€details,€but€I€believe€there€was€enoughÐ n¾  Ðtrauma€in€their€lives€that€it€has€traumatized€them.ÐW§ ` Ð ` Ð  ÐÌMs.€Shanklin€went€on€to€testify€that€the€children€had€made€progress€in€her€counseling€sessions€withÐ )y Ðthem,€stating,€ð ð[t]hey€are€doing€very€well€because€they€feel€safe€in€the€environment€theyððre€in.ðð€Ms.Ð b ÐShanklin€testified€that€past€visitation€with€their€mother€had€resulted€in€ð ðdeteriorationðð€of€theÐ ûK Ðchildrenððs€behavior.€Ms.€Shanklin€was€then€questioned€about€whether€she€believed€therapeuticÐ ä4 Ðvisitation€would€be€appropriate:Ð Í ÐÌà8  àQ.à0` Ð Ð à[W]hat€is€your€opinion€of€therapeutic€visitation€at€this€point?Пï` Ð ` Ð  Ðà8  àÐ Ð Ð  Ðà8  àA.à0` Ð Ð àAt€this€point€I€feel€it€would€be€extremely€destructive€to€the€childrenððs€wellÐ qÁ Ðbeing.€It€would€erode€all€sense€of€trust€that€the€children€have€in€adults€thatÐ Zª Ðthey€have€contact€with.€It€would€be€traumatizing€and€we€would€basically€beÐ C“ Ðback€to€where€we€were€in€2000.Ð,|` Ð ` Ð  ÐÌQuestioned€further€about€Dr.€Viarððs€testimony,€Ms.€Shanklin€stated,€ð ðI€concurred€with€everythingÐ þN Ðhe€said€until€the€last€few€sentences.ðð€She€was€then€asked€to€explain€how€she€differed€with€hisÐ ç 7 Ðtestimony:Ð Ð!   ÐÌà8  àQ.à0` Ð Ð àWhat€is€your€problem€with€that€part€[of€Dr.€Viarððs€testimony]?Т#ò"` Ð ` Ð  ÐÌà8  àA.à0` Ð Ð àI€believe€that€these€children€would€be€once€again€traumatized€if€they€had€anyÐ t%Ä $ Ðcontact€with€their€mother.€They€know€that€Tammy€is€their€biological€motherÐ ]&­!% Ðbut€at€this€point€they€do€not€seek€to€have€a€relationship€with€her,€and€with€theÐ F'–"& Ðpost„traumatic€stress€disorder,€I€donððt€think€they€could€emotionally€orÐ /(#' Ðphysically€handle€having€any€kind€of€contact€with€her.Ð)h$(` Ð ` Ð  ÐÌà8  àQ.à0` Ð Ð àDo€you€see€that€in€the€near€future?Ðê*:&*` Ð ` Ð  ÐÐ Ó+#'+ Ðà8  àA.à0` Ð Ð àI€see€that€continuing€for€the€rest€of€their€life.Ó;#Óа` Ð ` Ð  ÐÓz¿ÓConcluding€her€testimony€on€direct€examination,€Ms.€Shanklin€was€asked€one€more€time€whetherÐ ‚Ò Ðshe€would€recommend€visitation€with€any€members€of€the€maternal€side€of€the€childrenððs€family:Ð k» ÐÌà8  àA.à0` Ð Ð àNo,€no€visitation€at€all.€The€kids€need€a€stable,€secure,€nonabusive€home,€andÐ =  Ðfrom€the€contact€that€Iððve€had€with€the€maternal€family,€they€canððt€provideÐ & v Ðthat€kind€of€environment€for€the€children.Ð _` Ð ` Ð  Ðà8  àÐ Ð Ð  Ðà8  àQ.à0` Ð Ð àAnd€if€forced€to€visit,€what€would€be€the€harm€to€the€children?Ðá 1 ` Ð ` Ð  Ðà8  àÐ Ð Ð  Ðà8  àA.à0` Ð Ð àThey€would€be€emotionally€traumatized.€They€would€be€angry,€aggressive,Ð ³  Ðand€they€would€be€acting€out€in€school,€their€grades€would€suffer.€TheirÐ œì  Ðsocial€interactions€with€everyone€would€also€be€destroyed.€I€donððt€think€theyÐ …Õ  Ðcould€ever€form€a€trusting€relationship€with€anyone€ever€again.ÓlŠÓÐn¾ ` Ð ` Ð  ÐÓ&ÄÓThe€weight,€faith,€and€credit€to€be€given€to€any€witnessððs€testimony€lies€in€the€first€instance€with€theÐ @ Ðtrier€of€fact,€and€the€credibility€to€be€accorded€will€be€given€great€weight€by€the€appellate€court.€òòSeeÐ )y Ðò òIn€re€Estate€of€Walton€v.€Youngóó,€950€S.W.2d€956,€959€(Tenn.€1997)òò;€Whitaker€v.€Whitakeróó,€957Ð b ÐS.W.2d€834,€837€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1997)òòóóó ó.€We€conclude,€from€reviewing€both€Dr.€Viarððs€and€Ms.Ð üL ÐShanklinððs€testimony,€that€the€evidence€does€not€preponderate€against€the€factual€findings€made€byÐ è8 Ðthe€trial€court.€Indeed,€it€appears€to€this€Court,€from€a€thorough€review€of€the€trial€transcript,€that€Ms.Ð Ñ! ÐShanklinððs€testimony€supplied€the€trial€court€with€evidence€that€was€lacking€from€Dr.€ViarððsÐ º  Ðtestimony€given€his€lack€of€knowledge€about€the€childrenð— ðnamely,€evidence€of€the€abuse€sufferedÐ £ó Ðby€B.L.M.€and€K.A.M.€and€the€likely€effects€of€such€abuse€should€they€continue€to€have€contact€withÐ ŒÜ ÐMs.€Robbins€or€Ms.€Robbinsðð€family.€This€issue€is€without€merit.Ð uÅ Ðà  àò òÌà  àIssue€3:€ð ðWhether€the€Trial€Court€erred€in€disregarding€the€testimony€of€DefendantÐ H˜ Ðand€the€fact€witnesses€she€presented€in€deciding€to€terminate€her€parental€rights.ððó óÐ 2‚ ÐÌà  àAppellant€contends€that€the€trial€court€erroneously€disregarded€the€testimony€of€DefendantÐ  U Ðand€her€fact€witnesses€in€rendering€its€judgment€in€this€matter.€In€its€Order€Terminating€ParentalÐ î > ÐRights€and€Partial€Decree€of€Guardianship,€the€trial€court€stated,€in€relevant€part,€as€follows:Ð ×!'  ÐÌà8  àUpon€proof€introduced€at€the€hearing,€statements€of€counsel,€the€recommendation€ofÐ ©#ù" Ðthe€Guardian€Ad€Litem,€Donald€L.€Ruis,€and€the€entire€record,€the€Court€finds€uponÐ ’$â# Ðclear€and€convincing€evidence€that€the€Petition€to€Terminate€Parental€Rights€filed€byÐ {%Ë $ Ðthe€State€of€Tennessee,€Department€of€Childrenððs€Services,€is€well€taken€as€toÐ d&´!% ÐRespondent,€Tammy€Robbins,€and€should€be€sustained€and€relief€granted€thereunderÐ M'"& Ðfor€the€causes€therein€stated:Ð6(†#'Ð Ð  Ðà8  àÐ Ð Ð  Ðà8  à*à0` Ð Ð à*à0¸ ` Ð ` Ð à*Ð*X%)¸ Ð ¸ Ð  Ðà8  àÐ Ð Ð  Ðà8  à9.à0` Ð Ð àThat€the€Court€finds€the€witnesses€for€the€Petitioner€are€credible.ÐÚ+*'+` Ð ` Ð  Ðà8  àÐ Ð Ð  Ðà8  à10.à0` Ð Ð àThat€the€Court€finds€the€mother,€grandmother,€and€witnesses€for€theÐ ™é ÐRespondent€have€a€difference€of€perception€in€this€matter.ЂÒ` Ð ` Ð  Ðà8  àÐ Ð Ð  Ðà8  à11.à0` Ð Ð àPursuant€to€T.C.A.€36„1„113(i)€the€children€have€no€meaningful€relationshipÐ T¤ Ðwith€their€mother,€there€are€past€issues€of€abuse€and€neglect,€that€the€childrenÐ =  Ðto€this€day€are€fearful€of€their€mother€and€maternal€relatives€and€sufferÐ & v Ðemotional€and€psychological€harm,€that€these€are€special€needs€children,€thatÐ  _ Ðthe€Department€has€exercised€all€reasonable€efforts€to€assist€this€family,€andÐ ø H Ðdue€to€the€concerns€of€the€motherððs€mental€status,€the€Court€finds€by€clearÐ á 1  Ðand€convincing€evidence€that€termination€of€parental€rights€is€in€the€bestÐ Ê   Ðinterest€of€the€children.Ó%Óг ` Ð ` Ð  ÐÓêÒÓWe€first€note€that,€contrary€to€Ms.€Robbinsðð€contention,€the€trial€courtððs€order€indicates€that€it€didÐ …Õ  Ðnot€ð ðdisregardðð€the€testimony€of€Ms.€Robbins€or€her€fact€witnesses.€The€trial€courtððs€finding€of€fact,Ð n¾  Ðto€the€effect€that€Ms.€Robbins€and€her€witnesses€had€ð ða€difference€of€perception€in€this€matter,ðð€leadsÐ W§  Ðus€to€conclude€that€the€trial€court€properly€evaluated€the€truthfulness€and€credibility€of€theseÐ @ Ðwitnesses.€When€the€resolution€of€issues€in€a€case€depends€upon€the€truthfulness€of€witnesses,€theÐ )y Ðtrial€judge,€who€has€the€opportunity€to€observe€the€witnesses€in€their€manner€and€demeanor€whileÐ b Ðtestifying,€is€in€a€far€better€position€than€this€Court€to€decide€those€issues.òò€ò òMcCaleb€v.€Saturn€Corpóó.,Ð ûK Ð910€S.W.2d€412€(Tenn.€1995);€òòWhitaker€v.€Whitakeróó,€957€S.W.2d€834,€837€(Tenn.Ct.App.€1997).Ð ç7 Ðó óThe€weight,€faith€and€credit€to€be€given€to€any€witnessððs€testimony€lies€in€the€first€instance€with€theÐ Ñ! Ðtrier€of€fact,€and€the€credibility€accorded€will€be€given€great€weight€by€the€appellate€court.€ò òòòId.óó;€òòInÐ º  Ðre€Estate€of€Walton€v.€Youngóó,€950€S.W.2d€956,€959€(Tenn.€1997)ó ó.Ð ¦ö ÐÌà  àHaving€reviewed€the€record€on€appeal,€we€note€that,€at€trial,€the€State€presented€a€great€dealÐ {Ë Ðof€testimonial€evidence€from€different€witnessesð— ðincluding€counselors,€caseworkers,€communityÐ d´ Ðmembers,€and€foster€parentsð— ðthat€consistently€supported€the€Stateððs€assertion€that€B.L.M.€andÐ M ÐK.A.M.€were€neglected€and€abused€while€in€the€care€of€Ms.€Robbins€and€her€family.€Indeed,€aÐ 6† Ðstriking€consistency€in€the€testimony€offered€by€the€Stateððs€witnesses€concerned€the€childrenððsÐ o Ðintense€fear€of€their€mother€and€maternal€family€members.€Ms.€Robbins€and€her€family€denied€thatÐ  X Ðthere€were€any€problems€with€Ms.€Robbinsðð€parenting€skills.€Under€these€circumstances,€it€wasÐ ñ A Ðincumbent€upon€the€trial€court€to€evaluate€the€truthfulness€and€credibility€of€the€witnesses.€OurÐ Ú!*  Ðreview€of€the€record€on€appeal€shows€that€the€trial€court€could€have€reasonably€doubted€theÐ Ã"! Ðcredibility€of€Ms.€Robbinsðð€fact€witnesses.€Therefore,€we€hold€that€the€evidence€does€notÐ ¬#ü" Ðpreponderate€against€the€trial€courtððs€evaluation€of€the€truthfulness€and€credibility€of€the€witnessesÐ •$å# Ðin€this€case.Ð ~%Î $ Ðò òÌà  àIssue€4:€ð ðWhether€the€Trial€Court€erred€in€refusing€to€observe€Defendant€with€herÐ Q'¡"& Ðchildren,€as€requested€by€Defendant,€in€order€to€properly€evaluate€and€determine€the€truth€ofÐ ;(‹#' ÐPlaintiffððs€claim€that€Defendantððs€children€feared€her.ððó óÐ %)u$( ÐÌà  àMs.€Robbinsðð€next€issue€on€appeal€concerns€the€refusal€of€the€trial€court€to€observe€Ms.Ð ø*H&* ÐRobbins€with€her€children€in€order€to€evaluate€the€truth€of€the€Stateððs€claim€that€Ms.€RobbinsððÐ á+1'+ Ðchildren€feared€her.€Assuming,€for€the€sake€of€argument,€that€such€an€observation€would€constituteÐ ° Ðrelevant€evidence,€we€conclude€that,€in€light€of€the€broad€range€of€evidence€admitted€at€trial€thatÐ ™é Ðtended€to€show€the€nature€of€B.L.M.€and€K.A.M.ððs€feelings€for€Ms.€Robbins,€the€trial€court€properlyÐ ‚Ò Ðrefused€to€conduct€such€an€observation.€Much€testimonial€and€documentary€evidence€was€admittedÐ k» Ðat€trial€that€was€relevant€to€the€question€of€the€childrenððs€feelings€toward€Ms.€Robbins.€Given€theÐ T¤ Ðemotional€nature€of€the€issues€involved,€and€the€ages€of€B.L.M.€and€K.A.M.,€it€is€likely€that€any€suchÐ =  Ðobservation€would€have€to€be€conducted€under€carefully€controlled€conditions€in€order€to€have€anyÐ & v Ðsignificant€probative€value.€Such€measures€would€be€time„consuming€in€the€setting€of€a€trial.€UnderÐ  _ Ðthese€circumstances,€the€trial€court€could€reasonably€have€concluded€that€an€observation€by€the€trialÐ ø H Ðcourt€would€cause€undue€delay€and€waste€of€time,€and€that€it€would€constitute€unnecessaryÐ á 1  Ðcumulative€evidence.€Tenn.€R.€Evid.€403€states,€ð ðAlthough€relevant,€evidence€may€be€excluded€ifÐ Ê   Ðits€probative€value€is€substantially€outweighed€by€the€danger€of€unfair€prejudice,€confusion€of€theÐ ³  Ðissues,€or€misleading€the€jury,€or€by€considerations€of€undue€delay,€waste€of€time,€or€needlessÐ œì  Ðpresentation€of€cumulative€evidence.ðð€Therefore,€we€conclude€that€this€issue€is€without€merit.Ð …Õ  ÐÌà  àò òIssue€5:ó ó€ò òð ðWhether€the€Trial€Court€erred€in€terminating€Defendantððs€parental€rightsÐ W§  Ðbased€on€the€false€claim€that€Plaintiff€had€removed€Defendantððs€children€from€her€and€takenÐ C“ Ðcustody€of€them€on€many€occasions€when,€in€fact,€Defendant€had€been€forced€to€seek€theÐ -} Ðassistance€of€Plaintiff€by€circumstances€beyond€her€control€and€only€did€so€in€the€best€interestÐ g Ðof€her€children.ððó óÐ Q ÐÓÓÌÓÓà  àMs.€Robbinsðð€fifth€issue€on€appeal€is€her€contention€that€the€trial€court€erred€in€basing€itsÐ ½  Ðdecision€to€terminate€her€parental€rights€on€the€ð ðfalse€claimðð€that€the€State€of€Tennessee,€DepartmentÐ ¦ö Ðof€Childrenððs€services€had€removed€Defendantððs€children€from€her€on€ð ðmany€occasions.ðð€Ms.Ð ß ÐRobbins€asserts€that,€in€fact,€Defendant€was€forced€to€seek€the€Stateððs€assistance€by€circumstancesÐ xÈ Ðbeyond€her€control.Ð a± ÐÌà  àThe€trial€court€found,€in€its€Order€Terminating€Parental€Rights€(reproduced€in€its€entiretyÐ 3ƒ Ðòòsupraóó),€that€the€State€removed€one€or€both€of€the€children€involuntarily€on€four€occasions,€andÐ l Ðvoluntarily€on€one€occasion.€Ms.€Robbins€contests€the€trial€courtððs€finding€that€the€four€involuntaryÐ  U Ðremovals€were€in€fact€involuntary,€and€further€contends€that€the€trial€court€erroneously€based€itsÐ î > Ðdecision€to€terminate€her€parental€rights€based€on€these€multiple€removals.€We€will€address€each€ofÐ ×!'  Ðthese€two€points€in€turn.Ð À"! ÐÌà  àThe€record€on€appeal€overwhelmingly€supports€the€trial€courtððs€finding€that€there€were€fourÐ ’$â# Ðinvoluntary€removals€of€one€or€both€of€Ms.€Robbinsðð€children.€The€voluminous€documentation€ofÐ {%Ë $ Ðthese€removals,€admitted€into€evidence€during€the€termination€hearing,€was€essentiallyÐ d&´!% Ðuncontradicted€by€Ms.€Robbins.€We€conclude€that€the€evidence€does€not€preponderate€against€theÐ M'"& Ðtrial€courtððs€findings€concerning€the€circumstances€of€these€removals.Ð 6(†#' ÐÌà  àWe€further€conclude€there€is€no€merit€in€Ms.€Robbinsðð€contention€that€the€trial€courtÐ *X%) Ðerroneously€based€its€decision€to€terminate€the€parental€rights€of€Ms.€Robbins€on€these€removals.Ð ñ*A&* ÐFirst,€we€note€that€a€review€of€the€Order€itself€contains€no€indication€that€the€termination€was€basedÐ Ú+*'+ Ðsolely€upon€the€fact€of€these€removals.€Rather,€the€court€based€its€judgment€on€a€totality€of€evidence,Ð ° Ðincluding€evidence€of€Ms.€Robbinsðð€incompetency€as€a€parent€due€to€her€mental€condition;€evidenceÐ ™é Ðof€the€trauma€suffered€by€the€B.L.M.€and€K.A.M.€while€in€the€care€of€their€mother€and€her€family;Ð ‚Ò Ðthe€lack€of€a€meaningful€relationship€between€the€children€and€their€mother;€the€childrenððs€fear€ofÐ k» Ðtheir€mother€and€their€motherððs€family;€and€the€persistence€of€conditions€that€led€to€their€removal;Ð T¤ Ðand€the€fact€that€any€remedy€of€these€conditions€was€unlikely.€All€of€these€factors€were€cited€by€theÐ =  Ðtrial€court€in€concluding€that€the€termination€was€in€the€best€interest€of€the€children.Ð & v ÐÌà  àWe€conclude€that€the€trial€court€based€its€decision€to€terminate€Ms.€Robbinsðð€parental€rightsÐ ø H Ðupon€a€range€of€testimonial€and€documentary€evidence,€not€solely€upon€the€fact€of€the€removals€ofÐ á 1  Ðthe€B.L.M.€and€K.A.M.€from€her€custody€on€several€occasions.€We€further€conclude,€upon€aÐ Ê   Ðthorough€review€of€the€record,€that€the€evidence€does€not€preponderate€against€the€trial€courtððsÐ ³  Ðfactual€findings€that€served€as€a€basis€for€the€termination€of€Ms.€Robbinsðð€parental€rights.€Therefore,Ð œì  Ðthis€issue€is€without€merit.Ð …Õ  Ðò òÓ  ÓÌV.€CONCLUSIONó óÐ X¨  ÐÓ½öÓÌà  àFor€the€foregoing€reasons,€we€affirm€the€judgment€of€the€trial€court.€Costs€of€this€appeal€areÐ +{ Ðassessed€to€the€Appellant,€Tammy€Robbins,€and€her€surety.Ô#†¼Çá»XXš‹ #ÔÔ€XšX»¼ÇáÔÐ d ÐÌÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à__________________________________________Ð ¸ Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àW.€FRANK€CRAWFORD,€PRESIDING€JUDGE,€W.S.