ÿWPCÚ ÍØ'Ù‚ž 2e£K„…næ}à]3 #BtŸ,B>ÐlÖ¥7Ksó†ÒÓjíë½b©Ðc÷‡:üùžü¯)¥Kðct.Ù. *dÔþöMP\ÞtòѶ²Ò´ÒS>媺AèÛàÿCHwÚ3èWâUµ{q º•“qµîÍiÃú¥`Üž“aeíåЂò»9)øÝ+%@j5z_9F}öÃÖJiy#½:Æ%O·£U gdFª. Û+u¨¢¢#E•ÃhšGß4Pí3¥+êå0½fÎR’´ÃÃXHe/½+'ÑøRìêÊæ[Ú´50“Õî¥×²j ÿÑ(CAýÙ¦Ž°Ý”àj“[L%`:‘g¼ xç“·lQ!_ PÙ¤®mÉÚÛx{å3¾ÌF»=ê!¢’æ‰)5o4 ì$-&èêÔ™<úQ¼äë&Ú´VSÕÎè˜6#Á %Ï UNÕ 0ˆ# UN« cù ^ \ zh Òâ w´!¸4Ù 0DíÆ1Æ÷ƽƃINXZ m\Esuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuub}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}} 0ë………… Bpp 0¤ D31 D-d 0K‘‘ ASÜÆ/ 0¤õ 0D™ A«ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ D5ˆ B½˜HP LaserJet 4050 Series PCL 5eÈÈ,,,,ÈÈ0»(ÆúI Z‹6Times New Roman Regular(`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regular YÝ ƒR:°$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôí…ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€Respondent€argues€on€appeal€that€his€testimony€contained€information€that€he€did€attend€one€schoolÐ ° Ðfunction,€a€carnival,€and€submits€that€the€Petitioners€were€not€informative€of€school€functions.qw)  ˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wpt Ý ƒR:°$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôí…ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€Respondent€argues€on€appeal€that€his€testimony€contained€an€assertion€that€prior€to€March€of€1996,€he€didÐ ° Ðhave€his€own€residence.õ}|)@" k1øÝ¥(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 53|x ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ - ù-(|G2:°$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€X»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôí…ò»»Ô d(|3LJ$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€X»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV'ÿÿdxd)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3LJ$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€X»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKK€€€€)ûÿ!dxdxüÿP PdÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€X»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ  ÑÔ€¼X»»»ÔÑ8€ XXdì»»d8ÑÑ  Ñà@ü ü ìàÔ‡îOXÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@kk$ìàAT€NASHVILLEÔ#†¼X»îîO #ԈРÖ& ÐÓ  ÓMay€1,€2000€SessionÐ üL ÐÔ‡X X»¼XÔÌò òÔ#†¼X»XX ð#ÔNORMA€M.€Ô_ÔSHEUCRAFT,€òòet€al.óó€v.€DEWEY€LEE€ROBERTS,€IIIÔ‡X X»¼XÔó óÐ úJ ÐÌà@@½½ìàò ò€Appeal€from€the€Circuit€Court€for€Davidson€CountyÐ ú J Ðà@@øøìàNo.€96D„320€€€€€€Marietta€M.€Shipley,€JudgeÐ æ 6 ÐÌÌà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<©` AßÐ ªú  ÐÌà@@TTìàNo.€M1999„01645„Ô_ÔCOAÔ_Ô„R3„CV€„€Filed€December€13,€Ô_Ô2000Ô_ÔÐ ¥õ  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<|` AßÐ }Í  Ðó óÌÓ  ÓÔ‡X XXX ÔThis€is€a€custody€dispute€between€the€maternal€grandparents,€Petitioners,€and€the€biological€father,Ð xÈ  ÐRespondent.€The€child,€Lexie,€was€born€to€Dewey€and€Lisa€Roberts€in€October€of€1991€and€wasÐ d´ Ðseven€years€of€age€at€the€June€1999€trial.€€In€1995,€Dewey€Roberts€and€Lisa€Sheucraft€RobertsÐ P  Ðseparated,€and€Lisa€Roberts€and€Lexie€moved€in€with€the€Petitioners.€€Ms.€Roberts€and€the€childÐ <Œ Ðcontinued€to€reside€with€the€Petitioners€until€her€unexpected€death€in€1998€from€a€brain€aneurysmÐ (x Ðrelated€to€a€cocaine€overdose.€€The€Respondent€has€a€history€of€drug€and€alcohol€abuse€and,€at€theÐ d Ðtime€of€trial,€was€involved€in€an€abusive€relationship€with€a€female€companion.€€The€trial€court,Ð P Ðapplying€the€ð ðsubstantial€harmðð€test€of€òòBond€v.€McKenzieóó,€896€S.W.2d€546€(Tenn.€1995),€found€thatÐ ì< Ðto€change€the€residential€arrangements€from€the€grandparentsðð€home€to€the€fatherððs€home€would€beÐ Ø( Ðdevastating€to€the€child€and€would€result€in€substantial€harm€to€her.€€The€trial€court€further€found€thatÐ Ä Ðit€is€in€the€childððs€best€interests€to€spend€the€majority€of€her€time€with€the€maternal€grandparents.€Ð ° ÐRespondent€appeals€and€we€affirm€the€judgment€of€the€trial€court.Ô#†X XXX Ò#ÔÔ#†¼X»XX €#ÔÔ‡X X»¼XÔÐ œì ÐÓÆÓÌò òTenn.€R.€App.€P.€3€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Circuit€Court€Affirmedó óÐ tÄ ÐÌòòÓ  ÓÔ#†¼X»àX £ #ÔÔ‡X X.¼XÔWilliam€B.€Cain,óó€J.,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòPòòATRICIAóó€óóJ.€CòòOTTRELLóó,€J.,€joined.€Ð L œ ÐBòòENóó€H.€CòòANTRELLóó,€P.J.,€M.S.,€not€participating.Ð 8!ˆ  ÐÌRandle€W.€Hill,€Jr.,€Nashville,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellant,€Dewey€Lee€Roberts,€III.Ð #`" ÐÌPhillip€Robinson,€Nashville,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellees,€Norma€M.€Sheucraft€and€Lowell€DeanÐ è$8 $ ÐSheucraft.Ð Ô%$!% ÐÓT ÓÌò òOPINIONó óÔ#†¼X»XX ƒ #ÔÔ‡X X»¼XÔÐ ¬'ü"' ÐÌòòóóÔ#†¼X»XX ¾ #ÔÔ‡X X»¼XÔÓ  ÓÔ‡X XXX Ôà  àLexie€Roberts€was€born€on€October€11,€1991,€to€Dewey€Lee€Roberts,€III€and€Lisa€SheucraftÐ „)Ô$) ÐRoberts.€€The€Roberts€were€separated€on€July€1,€1995.€€Ms.€Roberts€and€Lexie€moved€in€with€theÐ p*À%* ÐPetitioners,€the€childððs€maternal€grandparents.€€On€August€19,€1996,€Lisa€and€Dewey€Roberts€wereÐ \+¬&+ Ðdivorced.€€The€Roberts€were€awarded€joint€custody€of€the€child€with€Lisa€Roberts€having€primaryÐ H,˜', Ðresidential€custody.€€The€Respondent€was€provided€visitation€and€ordered€to€pay€child€support.€Ð 4-„(-ý Їà  àLisa€Roberts€and€Lexie€continued€to€live€with€the€Petitioners€until€Ms.€Robertsðð€death.€€WhileÐ ° Ðat€her€boyfriendððs€residence€with€the€child,€Ms.€Roberts€suffered€a€brain€aneurysm€resulting€from€aÐ œì Ðcocaine€overdose.€€Lexie€discovered€her€mother€on€the€couch,€and€was€unable€to€awaken€her.€€TheÐ ˆØ Ðchild€called€the€Petitioners€for€assistance,€but€Lisa€Roberts€died€on€September€30,€1998,€as€a€resultÐ tÄ Ðof€the€aneurysm.€€Ð `° ÐÌà  àAt€the€time€of€her€motherððs€death,€Lexie€had€lived€with€the€Petitioners€for€over€three€yearsÐ 8 ˆ Ðand€had€been€cared€for€by€them€in€whole€or€in€part€since€her€birth.€€Following€the€funeral,€theÐ $ t ÐRespondent€thought€the€child€should€remain€with€the€Petitioners.€€Several€weeks€later,€after€no€effortÐ  ` Ðto€take€custody€of€the€child,€the€Respondent€expressed€his€intention€to€remove€his€daughter€from€theÐ ü L  ÐPetitionersðð€care.€€Ð è 8  ÐÌà  àOn€November€20,€1998,€the€Petitioners€filed€a€Petition€for€Custody€using€the€style€of€LisaÐ À  Ðand€Dewey€Robertsðð€divorce€action.€€The€petition€alleged€that€they€were€the€parents€of€Lisa€Roberts,Ð ¬ü  Ðthat€the€child€and€Ms.€Roberts€had€moved€into€their€residence€in€1995€and€stayed€there€on€a€continualÐ ˜è  Ðbasis€until€Ms.€Robertsðð€death,€that€the€child€remained€with€them€after€her€motherððs€death,€and€thatÐ „Ô  Ðthe€child€considers€the€Petitionersðð€home€as€her€own.€€Further,€the€petition€alleged€instability€on€theÐ pÀ Ðpart€of€the€Respondent,€that€he€had€a€troubled€work€history,€that€he€was€addicted€to€illegal,€narcoticÐ \¬ Ðdrugs,€that€he€abused€alcohol,€that€he€failed€to€pay€child€support,€that€he€was€unable€to€maintain€anÐ H˜ Ðindependent€residence,€that€he€was€residing€with€a€female€companion,€and€a€general€instability€inÐ 4„ Ðlifestyle.€€The€Petitioners€requested€that€temporary€and€permanent€custody€be€vested€in€them€becauseÐ  p Ðremoving€the€child€from€the€Petitioners€home€would€cause€serious€emotional€harm€and€it€was€in€theÐ  \ Ðchildððs€best€interest€to€remain€with€the€Petitioners.Ð øH ÐÌà  àIn€conjunction€with€the€Petition€for€Custody,€the€Petitioners€sought€a€restraining€orderÐ Ð  Ðenjoining€the€Respondent€from€interfering€with€the€Petitionersðð€temporary€custody.€€The€trial€courtÐ ¼  Ðgranted€the€temporary€restraining€order,€and€at€the€ensuing€show€cause€hearing,€continued€theÐ ¨ø Ðrestraining€order€on€the€basis€that€it€was€in€the€best€interest€of€the€child€that€the€status€quo€beÐ ”ä Ðmaintained.€€Ð €Ð ÐÌà  àOn€February€26,€1999,€the€Respondent€filed€a€motion€for€judgment€on€the€pleadings€inÐ X ¨ Ðconjunction€with€his€answer€to€the€Petition€for€Custody.€€The€trial€court€denied€the€motion.€€TheÐ D!” ÐRespondentððs€answer€denied€that€the€Petitioners€are€financially,€physically,€and€emotionally€able€toÐ 0"€  Ðprovide€for€the€child.€€Further,€the€Respondent€denied€that€he€is€unstable,€lacks€responsibility,€failsÐ #l! Ðto€provide€for,€visit,€or€attend€to€the€childððs€needs€or€that€he€has€personal€and€emotional€problemsÐ $X" Ðor€physical€addictionsÔ_Ô.Ô_Ô€€Ð ô$D # ÐÌà  àOn€March€26,€1999,€the€Petitioners€filed€an€Amended€Petition€for€Custody€changing€theÐ Ì&"% Ðcaption€to€reflect€their€names€and€adding€allegations€of€domestic€violence€between€the€RespondentÐ ¸'#& Ðand€his€female€companion.€€Ð ¤(ô#' ÐÌà  àThis€case€was€tried€in€June€of€1999.€€The€trial€court€made€a€dual€analysis€under€both€theÐ |*Ì%) Ðð ðsubstantial€harmðð€framework€of€òòBond€v.€McKenzieóó,€896€S.W.2d€546€(Tenn.€1995)€and€the€factorsÐ h+¸&* Ðunder€the€parenting€plan€legislation€codified€as€T.C.A.€Section€36„6„106.€€We€affirm€the€trial€courtððsÐ ° Ðfinding€under€the€substantial€harm€framework€by€placing€custody€with€the€Petitioners.€€However,€weÐ œì Ðdo€not€approach€the€issue€of€custody€under€the€parenting€plan€legislation€as€did€the€trial€court.€€SinceÐ ˆØ Ðwe€affirm€the€finding€of€substantial€harm,€there€is€no€need€to€address€the€dual€approach€method€theÐ tÄ Ðtrial€court€developed€in€its€memorandum€opinion.€€Ð `° ÐÌà  àThe€trial€court€found€Mr.€Roberts€has€a€very€uneven€employment€history,€he€has€never€hadÐ 8 ˆ Ða€residence€of€his€own׃ ×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×,€he€admitted€to€a€continuing€use€of€drugs€over€the€past€ten€years,€he€has€usedÐ $ t Ðpowder€cocaine,€marijuana,€mushrooms,€and€LSD,€he€regularly€uses€alcohol€to€excess,€he€admits€thatÐ  ` Ðhe€might€be€an€alcoholic,€his€female€companion€took€out€an€Order€of€Protection€against€him€whichÐ ü L  Ðshe€later€dropped,€his€relationship€with€his€female€companion€is€unstable,€he€did€not€attend€any€ofÐ è 8  Ðthe€childððs€school€functions€or€conferences׃×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×,€he€allowed€the€child€to€get€sunburned€so€severely€sheÐ Ô$  Ðhad€to€seek€medical€attention,€and€he€received€Social€Security€checks€for€Lexie€based€on€herÐ À  Ðdeceased€motherððs€work€record,€promptly€quit€his€job,€and€spent€the€Social€Security€for€his€ownÐ ¬ü  Ðliving€expenses.Ð ˜è  ÐÌà  àThese€findings€of€fact€by€the€trial€court€are€based€in€large€part€on€the€testimony€of€theÐ pÀ Ðrespondent€which€testimony€is€hardly€short€of€amazing.€€Excerpts€from€the€testimony€of€Dewey€LeeÐ \¬ ÐRoberts,€III€disclose:Ð H˜ ÐÌà8  àà ` àQ.à ¸ àOkay.€€All€right.€€Mr.€Roberts,€letððs€talk€just€a€second€about€yourÐ  p Ðemployment.€€When€you€and€Ms.€Roberts€were€living€together,€you€had€your€ownÐ  \ Ðinsurance€agency;€is€that€correct?€ÐøHÐ Ð  Ðà  àà ` àA.à0 ¸ àThatððs€correct,€sir.Ðä4¸ (#¸ (# Ðà  àà ` àQ.à0 ¸ àAnd€you€had€that€for€how€many€years?ÐÐ ¸ (#¸ (# Ðà  àà ` àA.à0 ¸ à12„years,€sir.м ¸ (#¸ (# Ðà0  àà ` àQ.à ¸ àNow,€in€1996€the€State€Insurance€Commission€took€your€license€away€fromÐ ¨ø Ðyou,€they€suspended€it,€correct?Дä(#(# Ðà  àà ` àA.à0 ¸ àI€turned€my€license€in,€sir.Ѐи (#¸ (# Ðà  àà ` àQ.à0 ¸ àAt€their€request,€though,€correct?Ðl¼¸ (#¸ (# Ðà  àà ` àA.à0 ¸ àYes,€sir.€€I€guess€you€could€say€that.ÐX ¨¸ (#¸ (# Ðà0  àà ` àQ.à ¸ àNow,€the€reason€that€that€happened€is€you€were€taking€premium€paymentsÐ D!” Ðfrom€your€clients€„€„€customers€„€„€and€you€werenððt€buying€their€insurance,€correct?Ð0"€ (#(# Ðà  à.€.€.€Ô_Ô.Ô_ÔÐ #l! Ðà  àà ` àQ.à0 ¸ àAnd€the€result€is,€some€people€ended€up€without€insurance;€isnððt€that€correct?Ð$X"¸ (#¸ (# Ðà8  àà ` àA.à ¸ àYes,€sir.€€Or€they€had€a€lapse€between€the€time€they€paid€it€and€theÐ ô$D # Ðâ âtime€I€took€it€in.Ðà%0!$Ð Ð  Ðà0  àà ` àQ.à ¸ àAnd,€as€Ms.€Reese€said€in€her€opening€statement,€you€had€to€settle€up€withÐ ° Ðâ âsome€of€those€people,€didnððt€you?Мì(#(# Ðà0  àà ` àA.à ¸ àI€had€to€send€the€premiums€in€that€were€paid€to€me,€which€was€deposited€inÐ ˆØ Ðmy€account,€and€I€wrote€checks€on€those€and€sent€them€„€„€sent€them€to€the€insuranceÐ tÄ Ðcompany,€yes,€sir.Ð`°(#(# Ðà0  àà ` àQ.à ¸ àNow,€Mr.€Roberts,€during€this€period€of€time€„€„€and€I€think€that€occurred€afterÐ L œ Ðyou€and€your€wifeððs€separation€and€before€the€divorce.€€The€truth€is,€a€year€or€so€before€that,Ð 8 ˆ Ðand€even€during€this€period,€was€the€period€that€you€were€using€cocaine,€correct?Ð$ t(#(# Ðà  àà ` àA.à0 ¸ àCan€you€state€the€time€period€again,€sir?Ð `¸ (#¸ (# Ðà0  àà ` àQ.à ¸ àFrom€early€ðð96€ðð95,€94€and,€in€fact,€all€of€ðð96,€were€periods€that€were€usingÐ ü L  Ðcocaine,€correct?Ðè 8 (#(# Ðà  àà ` àA.à0 ¸ àYes,€sir.ÐÔ$ ¸ (#¸ (# Ðà0  àà ` àQ.à ¸ àAnd€the€fact€of€the€matter€is,€sometimes€you€used€money€inappropriately€andÐ À  Ðyou€used€it€for€the€drugs,€didnððt€you,€sir?Ьü (#(# Ðà  àà ` àA.à0 ¸ àI€deposited€the€money€in€into€my€account,€sir.Ð˜è ¸ (#¸ (# Ðà0  àà ` àQ.à ¸ àAnswer€my€question.€€Did€you€not€use€the€money€that€you€were€supposed€toÐ „Ô  Ðbe€using€in€your€insurance€business€for€drugs?ÐpÀ(#(# Ðà  àà ` àA.à0 ¸ àYes,€sir.Ð\¬¸ (#¸ (# Ðà  àà ` àÌà  àAs€to€his€long„standing€addiction€to€drugs€and€alcohol,€Mr.€Roberts€testified:Ð 4„ ÐÌà  àà ` àQ.à0 ¸ àDuring€this€time,€you€were€still€using€cocaine;€is€that€correct?Ð \¸ (#¸ (# Ðà  àà ` àA.à0 ¸ àDuring€what€time?ÐøH¸ (#¸ (# Ðà  àà ` àQ.à0 ¸ àDuring€this€„€„€January;€February;€March;€April€of€1998?Ðä4¸ (#¸ (# Ðà  àà ` àA.à0 ¸ àNo,€sir.ÐÐ ¸ (#¸ (# Ðà  àà ` àQ.à0 ¸ àWhen€did€you€stop€using€cocaine?м ¸ (#¸ (# Ðà  àà ` àA.à0 ¸ àSometime,€I€think,€around€the€first€of€January.Шø¸ (#¸ (# Ðà  àà ` àQ.à0 ¸ àOf€1998€„€„€1998?Ð”ä¸ (#¸ (# Ðà  àà ` àA.à0 ¸ àYes,€sir.Ѐи (#¸ (# Ðà  àà ` àQ.à0 ¸ àAbout€ten€years,€hadnððt€you?Ðl¼¸ (#¸ (# Ðà  àà ` àA.à0 ¸ àAbout€ten€years.ÐX ¨¸ (#¸ (# Ðà  àà ` àQ.à0 ¸ àUsed€cocaine;€and€thatððs€snorting€it€up€your€nose,€correct?ÐD!”¸ (#¸ (# Ðà  àà ` àA.à0 ¸ àYes,€sir.Ð0"€ ¸ (#¸ (# Ðà  àà ` àQ.à0 ¸ àDid€you€smoke€crack€cocaine?Ð#l!¸ (#¸ (# Ðà  àà ` àA.à0 ¸ àNo,€sir.Ð$X"¸ (#¸ (# Ðà  àà ` àQ.à0 ¸ àYouððve€never€done€that?Ðô$D #¸ (#¸ (# Ðà  àà ` àA.à0 ¸ àNo,€sir.Ðà%0!$¸ (#¸ (# Ðà  àà ` àQ.à0 ¸ àHave€you€ever€tried€LSD?ÐÌ&"%¸ (#¸ (# Ðà  àà ` àA.à0 ¸ àMushrooms?€€Yes,€sir.и'#&¸ (#¸ (# Ðà0  àà ` àQ.à ¸ àSo€psychedelic€mushrooms.€€Have€you€ever€taken€Val[i]um€that€wasnððtÐ ¤(ô#' Ðprescribed€for€you?Ð)à$((#(# Ðà  àà ` àA.à0 ¸ àNo,€not€much€on€pills?Ð|*Ì%)¸ (#¸ (# Ðà  àà ` àQ.à0 ¸ àSo€your€answer€is€ð ðNoðð?Ðh+¸&*¸ (#¸ (# Ðà  àà ` àA.à0 ¸ àI€probably€have,€but€at€the€time€„€„€I€canððt€remember€back€that€far.а¸ (#¸ (# Ðà  àà ` àQ.à0 ¸ àYou€have€smoked€marijuana€„€„Ðœì¸ (#¸ (# Ðà  àà ` àA.à0 ¸ àYes,€sir.Јظ (#¸ (# Ðà  àà ` àQ.à0 ¸ à„€„€for€some€period€of€time,€correct?Ðtĸ (#¸ (# Ðà  àà ` àA.à0 ¸ àYes,€sir.Ð`°¸ (#¸ (# Ðà0  àà ` àQ.à ¸ àAnd€the€truth€of€the€matter€is,€Derrek€Sheucraft€„€„€you€and€DerrekÐ L œ ÐSh[e]ucraft,€on€a€regular€basis,€would€meet€over€on€West€End€and€go€back€to€the€insuranceÐ 8 ˆ Ðagency€and€you€all€would€use€drugs€there,€didnððt€you?Ð$ t(#(# Ðà  àà ` àA.à0 ¸ àYes,€sir,€thatððs€correct.Ð `¸ (#¸ (# Ðà  àà ` àQ.à0 ¸ àAnd€that€went€on€for€a€long€period€of€time,€correct?Ðü L ¸ (#¸ (# Ðà  àà ` àA.à0 ¸ àYes,€sir.Ðè 8 ¸ (#¸ (# Ðà0  àà ` àQ.à ¸ àAnd€the€fact€of€the€matter€is,€you€and€your€wife,€Lisa€Sheucraft,€used€drugsÐ Ô$  Ðduring€your€marriage,€didnððt€you,€sir?ÐÀ (#(# Ðà  àà ` àA.à0 ¸ àDerrek,€Lisa€and€myself,€all€did.Ьü ¸ (#¸ (# ÐÓ  Ó.€.€.Ð ˜è  ÐÓ  Óà0  àà ` àQ.à ¸ àAll€right.€€Now,€youððve€told€„€„€Letððs€go€back€to€the€drug€incident.€€You€toldÐ „Ô  Ðme€that€you€stopped€using€drugs€in€January€of€1998,€but€thatððs€not€true.€€You€started€usingÐ pÀ Ðthem€again,€didnððt€you?Ð\¬(#(# Ðà  àà ` àA.à0 ¸ àThere€was€sometime€in€ðð98€that€sporadically€maybe€I€used€them.ÐH˜¸ (#¸ (# Ðà0  àà ` àQ.à ¸ àAnd€there€was€particular€incident€you€know€about€ððcause€you€admittedÐ 4„ Ðyourself€in€September€„€„€Ð p(#(# Ðà  àà ` àA.à0 ¸ àRight.Ð \¸ (#¸ (# Ðà0  àà ` àQ.à ¸ à„€„€where€C.C.€caught€you€using€drugs€at€the€Seventh€Avenue€apartment,Ð øH Ðcorrect?Ðä4(#(# Ðà  àà ` àA.à0 ¸ àI€„€„€yes,€sir.ÐÐ ¸ (#¸ (# Ðà0  àà ` àQ.à ¸ àAnd€that€incident,€you€were€in€the€bathroom€and€C.C.€came€in€and€you€hadÐ ¼  Ðthe€cocaine€on€her€make„up€mirror€„€„€her€round€make„up€mirror;€do€you€remember€that?Шø(#(# Ðà  àà ` àA.à0 ¸ àYes,€sir€I€do.Ð”ä¸ (#¸ (# Ðà  àà ` àQ.à0 ¸ àAnd€C.C.€was€outraged€and€blew€it€all€over€the€floor,€didnððt€she?Ѐи (#¸ (# Ðà  àà ` àA.à0 ¸ àShe€threw€it€away.Ðl¼¸ (#¸ (# ÐÌà  àFollowing€the€death€of€his€wife,€Mr.€Roberts€began€a€relationship€with€Connie€Ô_ÔCourseyÔ_Ô€Ô_ÔSeayÔ_ÔÐ D!” Ð(ð ðÔ_ÔC.C.Ô_Ôðð),€which€can€only€be€described€as€stormy€and€unstable.€€Mr.€Roberts€admitted€that€in€OctoberÐ 0"€  Ð1998€he€had€assaulted€Ms.€Seay€and€in€December€1998,€during€an€argument€with€Ms.€Seay,€he€hadÐ #l! Ðkicked€down€the€Christmas€tree€in€her€apartment.€€He€further€admitted€that€on€March€8,€1999,€heÐ $X" Ðpulled€the€television€set€out€of€the€wall€and€cut€his€hand.€€He€further€admitted€that€in€March€1999,Ð ô$D # Ðin€a€display€of€anger,€he€struck€the€windshield€of€his€vehicle€with€his€fist,€breaking€the€windshieldÐ à%0!$ Ðwith€Ms.€Seay€present.€€He€admitted€that€he€and€Ms.€Seay€had€numerous€arguments€and€fights€andÐ Ì&"% Ðthat€they€yelled,€cursed€one€another,€and€called€each€other€various€names.Ð ¸'#& ÐÌà  àThe€total€irresponsibility€of€Mr.€Roberts€is€no€where€better€evidenced€than€by€his€use€ofÐ )à$( ÐSocial€Security€money€intended€for€Lexie.Ð |*Ì%) ÐÐ h+¸&* Ðà  àTestifies€Mr.€Roberts:Ð ° ÐÌà0  àà ` àQ.à ¸ àNow,€Sometime€in€November,€you€went€to€Social€Security.€€What€did€youÐ ˆØ Ðfind€out€that€you€were€entitled€to€as€a€result€of€your€wifeððs€death€„€„€Lexie€was€entitled€toÐ tÄ Ðpayments,€correct?Ð`°(#(# Ðà0  àà ` àA.à ¸ àThere€was€„€„€when€I€first€went,€they€gave€me€a€booklet€and€gave€me€someÐ L œ Ðinformation€to€fill€out.€€It€was€kind€of€explained€to€me€vocally,€there€wasnððt€any€paperworkÐ 8 ˆ Ðlike€this.€€There€was€„€„€the€way€she€explained€to€me€was€$750€that€was€applied€to€SocialÐ $ t ÐSecurity€and€it€was,€like,€$255,€for€which€„€„€which€„€„€she,€obviously€said€something€aboutÐ  ` Ðhow€I€was€going€to€get€the€$255.€€I€think€it€was€only€a€one„time€payment,€though,€after€„€„Ð ü L  Ðafter€I€found€out€and€researched€a€little€bit.Ðè 8 (#(# Ðà0  àà ` àQ.à ¸ àNow,€the€truth€is,€Mr.€Roberts,€the€$250€that€you€received€as€the€one„timeÐ Ô$  Ðpayment€was€supposed€to€go€to€your€wifeððs€burial;€youððre€aware€of€that,€arenððt€you?ÐÀ (#(# Ðà  àà ` àA.à0 ¸ àNo,€sir,€I€was€not.Ьü ¸ (#¸ (# Ðà  àà ` àQ.à0 ¸ àYou€never€heard€that€before?Ð˜è ¸ (#¸ (# Ðà  àà ` àA.à0 ¸ àNo,€sir.Ð„Ô ¸ (#¸ (# Ðà0  àà ` àQ.à ¸ àOkay.€€Now,€coincidentally€„€„€This€was€in€November€„€„€coincidentally,€thatÐ pÀ Ðwas€the€same€month€that€you€decided€that€you€were€going€to€quit€your€job€at€Mattress€Firm,Ð \¬ Ðcorrect?ÐH˜(#(# Ðà0  àà ` àA.à ¸ àI€donððt€recall€what€date€„€„€what€„€„€actually€„€„€what€date€it€we€went€to€theÐ 4„ ÐSocial€Security.Ð p(#(# Ðà0  àà ` àQ.à ¸ àAll€right.€€Now,€let€me€ask€you€this:€When€did€you€get€your€first€check€forÐ  \ ÐLexie?ÐøH(#(# Ðà  àà ` àA.à0 ¸ àI€think€sometime€in€December.Ðä4¸ (#¸ (# Ðà  àà ` àQ.à0 ¸ àOkay.ÐÐ ¸ (#¸ (# Ðà  àà ` àA.à0 ¸ àIððm€not€correct€on€the€date.à  à€€Ð¼ ¸ (#¸ (# Ðà0  àà ` àQ.à ¸ àAnd€you€got€that€check€„€„€it€was€really€retroactive€through€October,€wasnððtÐ ¨ø Ðit?Дä(#(# Ðà  àà ` àA.à0 ¸ àI€believe€it€was€two€payments.Ѐи (#¸ (# Ðà  àà ` àQ.à0 ¸ àAll€right.€€How€much€did€you€get€in€the€total€check?Ðl¼¸ (#¸ (# Ðà  àà ` àA.à0 ¸ àI€think€it€was€like€$2,000.ÐX ¨¸ (#¸ (# Ðà0  àà ` àQ.à ¸ àNow,€the€truth€is,€that€in€deposition,€I€asked€you€about€„€„€that€on€Page€73€„€„Ð D!” ÐI€asked€you€what€you€were€doing€with€that€money;€do€you€remember€what€you€told€me?Ð0"€ (#(# Ðà  àà ` àA.à0 ¸ àNo,€sir,€I€do€not.Ð#l!¸ (#¸ (# Ðà0  àà ` àQ.à ¸ àAll€right.€€Do€you€remember€telling€me€that€you€put€it€in€a€savings€for€LexieÐ $X" Ðand€you€put€all€of€it€in€a€savings€account?Ðô$D #(#(# Ðà  àà ` àA.à0 ¸ àYes,€sir,€I€do.Ðà%0!$¸ (#¸ (# Ðà0  àà ` àQ.à ¸ àAnd€the€fact€of€the€matter€is,€you€havenððt€put€it€in€any€savings€account€forÐ Ì&"% ÐLexie,€have€you?и'#&(#(# Ðà0  àà ` àA.à ¸ àIt€was€deposited€in€there.€€Itððs€on€the€paperwork,€if€you€want€to€look€for€theÐ ¤(ô#' Ðdeposit€on€the€amount€of€the€check,€I€believe.€€I€know€I€saw€a€„€„€possibly€$1,020€on€severalÐ )à$( Ðdifferent€bank€statements.Ð|*Ì%)(#(# Ðà  à.€.€.€.Ð h+¸&* Ðà0  àà ` àQ.à ¸ àNow,€the€fact€of€the€matter€is,€you€were€just€putting€these€checks€into€yourÐ ° Ðpersonal€checking€account,€werenððt€you?Мì(#(# Ðà  àà ` àA.à0 ¸ àThey€were€deposited€in€my€account,€sir.Јظ (#¸ (# Ðà0  àà ` àQ.à ¸ àAll€right.€€And€you€continued€to€get€checks€all€the€way€up€through,€what,Ð tÄ ÐMarch?Ð`°(#(# Ðà  àà ` àA.à0 ¸ àI€believe€the€last€check€was€March€„€„€end€of€February€„€„€I€think€March.ÐL œ¸ (#¸ (# Ðà  àà ` àQ.à0 ¸ àAnd€all€of€those€were€deposited€in€your€personal€account,€correct?Ð8 ˆ¸ (#¸ (# Ðà  àà ` àA.à0 ¸ àYes,€sir.Ð$ t¸ (#¸ (# Ðà0  àà ` àQ.à ¸ àNow,€Mr.€Roberts,€the€fact€of€the€matter€is,€you€have€now€spent€all€of€thatÐ  ` Ðmoney,€havenððt€you,€sir?Ðü L (#(# Ðà  àà ` àA.à0 ¸ àI€believe€you€have€the€paperwork€on€that,€sir,€in€the€deposition.Ðè 8 ¸ (#¸ (# Ðà  àà ` àQ.à ¸ àAll€right.€€Is€it€your€testimony€you€still€have€some€of€it€left,€or€you€spent€it€all?Ð Ô$  Ðà  àà ` àA.à0 ¸ àNo,€sir.ÐÀ ¸ (#¸ (# Ðà  àà ` àQ.à0 ¸ àð ðNoðð€what?Ьü ¸ (#¸ (# Ðà  àà ` àA.à0 ¸ àNo,€sir.€€Which€„€„€which€question€were€you€answering?Ð˜è ¸ (#¸ (# Ðà  àà ` àQ.à0 ¸ àDo€you€still€have€any€of€the€money€left?Ð„Ô ¸ (#¸ (# Ðà  àà ` àA.à0 ¸ àNo,€sir,€I€do€not.ÐpÀ¸ (#¸ (# Ðà0  àà ` àQ.à ¸ àAll€right.€€The€total€amount€that€you€received,€as€per€your€interrogatoryÐ \¬ Ðanswer,€was€$6,068?ÐH˜(#(# Ðà  àà ` àA.à0 ¸ àYes,€sir.Ð4„¸ (#¸ (# Ðà0  àà ` àQ.à ¸ àAnd€at€that€time€you€testified€„€„€and€these€were€dated€„€„€letððs€see€„€„€datedÐ  p ÐMay€the€19th€„€„€Is€that€your€signature€on€those€interrogatories?€€(Document€passed€toÐ  \ Ðwitness.)ÐøH(#(# Ðà  àà ` àA.à0 ¸ àThatððs€correct.Ðä4¸ (#¸ (# Ðà  àà ` àQ.à0 ¸ àMay€the€19th?ÐÐ ¸ (#¸ (# Ðà  àà ` àA.à0 ¸ àYes,€sir.м ¸ (#¸ (# Ðà0  àà ` àQ.à ¸ àAnd€you€show€what€some€of€the€payments€were.€€Incidentally,€you€said€that€„Ð ¨ø Є€you€said€at€that€time€you€really€had€$522€left;€do€you€remember€that?Дä(#(# Ðà  àà ` àA.à0 ¸ àRight.Ѐи (#¸ (# Ðà0  àà ` àQ.à ¸ àThe€total€amount€youððre€currently€holding€on€behalf€of€your€daughter,€you€putÐ l¼ Ð$522.€€But€when€we€asked€the€balance€in€your€Tennessee€Teacherððs€Credit€account,€it€showsÐ X ¨ Ða€zero?ÐD!”(#(# Ðà  àà ` àA.à0 ¸ àYeah.€€Thereððs€no€longer€a€balance€there.Ð0"€ ¸ (#¸ (# Ðà0  àà ` àQ.à ¸ àNow,€you€say€on€here€that€you€had€paid€Ms.€Sheucraft€$740€of€that€money,Ð #l! Ðcorrect?Ð$X"(#(# Ðà  àà ` àA.à0 ¸ àOkay.Ðô$D #¸ (#¸ (# Ðà0  àà ` àQ.à ¸ àThe€truth€is,€you€really€didnððt.€€You€made€payments€to€them€in€October€andÐ à%0!$ ÐNovember,€but€you€didnððt€pay€them€any€o€this€money,€ððcause€you€didnððt€get€this€money€ððtilÐ Ì&"% ÐJanuary?и'#&(#(# Ðà  àà ` àA.à0 ¸ àYeah,€thatððs€correct.€€Ð¤(ô#'¸ (#¸ (# ÐÌà  àThis€graphic€testimony€of€Dewey€L.€Roberts,€III€is€coorborated€in€great€measure€by€theÐ |*Ì%) Ðtestimony€of€his€girlfriend,€Connie€Ô_ÔCourseyÔ_Ô€Ô_ÔSeayÔ_Ô,€particularly€in€relation€to€drug€and€alcohol€abuseÐ h+¸&* Ðby€Dewey€Roberts€and€the€many€incidents€of€violent€behavior€of€both€herself€and€Dewey€Roberts.Ð ° Ðà0  àà ° àÐ (#(# ÐÌà  àIt€is€well€to€keep€in€mind€that€this€is€a€contest€between€a€parent€and€a€non„parent€over€custodyÐ tÄ Ðof€a€child€and€at€this€point,€we€are€concerned€with€neither€comparative€fitness€nor€a€ð ðbest€interest€ofÐ `° Ðthe€childðð€analysis.€€The€Supreme€Court€has€held:Ð L œ ÐÌà8  àTennessee€courts€have€historically€held€that,Ð$ tÐ Ð  Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àa€parent€is€entitled€to€the€custody,€companionship,€and€care€of€theÐ  ` Ðchild,€and€should€not€be€deprived€thereof€except€by€due€process€ofÐ ü L  Ðlaw.€€It€is€a€natural€right,€but€not€an€inalienable€one.€€The€parents€areÐ è 8  Ðtrusted€with€the€custody€of€the€child€upon€the€idea€that€under€theÐ Ô$  Ðinstincts€of€parental€devotion€it€is€best€for€the€child.ÐÀ ` x` x ÐÌà8  àòòHawk€v.€Hawkóó,€855€S.W.2d€573,€577€(Tenn.€1993)€(quoting€òòState€ex€rel.€Bethell€v.Ð ˜è  ÐKilvingtonóó,€100€Tenn.€227,€236,€45€S.W.€433,€435€(1898)).€€In€òòNale€v.€Robertsonóó,€871Ð „Ô  ÐS.W.2d€674,€680€(Tenn.€1994),€the€Court€stated:ÐpÀÐ Ð  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àThis€Court€found€in€òòDavis€v.€Davisóó,€842€S.W.2d€588,€600€(Tenn.Ð H˜ Ð1992),€that€ð ðthere€is€a€right€of€individual€privacy€guaranteed€underÐ 4„ Ðand€protected€by€the€liberty€clauses€of€the€Tennessee€Declaration€ofÐ  p ÐRights.ðð€€This€constitutional€right€of€privacy€includes€parental€rights.€Ð  \ ÐIn€light€of€this€right€to€privacy,€we€believe€that€when€no€substantialÐ øH Ðharm€threatens€a€childððs€welfare,€the€state€lacks€a€sufficientlyÐ ä4 Ðcompelling€justification€for€the€infringement€on€the€fundamental€rightÐ Ð  Ðof€parents€to€raise€their€children€as€they€see€fit.€Ð¼ ` x` x ÐÌà8  àòòHawk€v.€Hawkóó,€855€S.W.2d€573,€577€(Tenn.€1993);€òòsee€also€Broadwell€v.€Holmesóó,Ð ”ä Ð871€S.W.2d€471€(Tenn.€1994).ЀÐÐ Ð  ÐÌà8  àà ` àTherefore,€in€a€contest€between€a€parent€and€a€non„parent,€a€parent€cannot€beÐ X ¨ Ðdeprived€of€the€custody€of€a€child€unless€there€has€been€a€finding,€after€noticeÐ D!” Ðrequired€by€due€process,€of€substantial€harm€to€the€child.€€Only€then€may€a€courtÐ 0"€  Ðengage€in€a€general€ð ðbest€interest€of€the€childðð€evaluation€in€making€a€determinationÐ #l! Ðof€custody.Ð$X"Ð Ð  ÐÌòòIn€re€Adoption€of€Female€Child€óó(òòBond€v.€McKenzie)óó,€896€S.W.2d€546,€547„48€(Tenn.€1995);€òòsee€alsoÐ à%0!$ ÐIn€re€Askewóó,€993€S.W.2d€1€(Tenn.€1999).Ð Ì&"% ÐÌà  àThus,€as€held€by€the€trial€court,€the€first€and€foremost€issue€is€under€a€ð ðsubstantial€harm€toÐ ¤(ô#' Ðthe€childðð€analysis.Ð )à$( Ðâ âÐ |*Ì%) Ðà  àWith€Lexie€facing€the€trauma€of€the€death€of€her€mother,€together€with€the€drug€and€alcoholÐ ° Ðâ âabuse€of€her€father,€and€the€violent€and€confrontational€behavior€of€Dewey€Lee€Roberts,€III€and€hisÐ œì Ðgirlfriend,€Connie€Seay,€the€Sheucrafts€sought€professional€help€for€her€in€the€person€of€Dr.€JayÐ ˆØ ÐWoodman,€a€practicing€clinical€psychologist€in€Nashville.€€Dr.€Woodman€met€with€Ô_ÔLexieÔ_Ô€twenty„twoÐ tÄ Ð(22)€times,€from€September€of€1998€until€the€time€of€the€trial,€also€meeting€with€the€Sheucrafts,Ð `° ÐDewey€Roberts,€III,€and€Connie€Seay.€€Dr.€Woodman€opined:Ð L œ ÐÌà8  àà ` àThe€impact€of€the€loss€of€Lexieððs€mother€is€profound.€€This€has€emotionalÐ $ t Ðimplications€for€her€well€into€her€adult€years.€€The€dramatic€nature€of€the€loss€andÐ  ` Ðpossible€change€in€her€life€circumstances€cannot€be€taken€lightly€due€to€the€seriousÐ ü L  Ðimplications€for€her.Ðè 8 Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` àThe€relationship€with€her€grandparents,€the€Sheucrafts,€is€of€primaryÐ Ô$  Ðimportance€in€maintaining€her€development€and€emotional€stability.€.€.€.€Ô_ÔLexieÔ_Ô€viewsÐ À  Ðtheir€relationship€as€the€central€one€in€her€life.€€Lexieððs€relationship€with€her€fatherÐ ¬ü  Ðis€strained.€€I€have€serious€questions€as€to€his€ability€to€consistently€follow„with€herÐ ˜è  Ðneeds€and€Lexieððs€current€emotional€connection€to€him.Ð„Ô Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` àThe€impact€of€moving€Lexie€from€the€Sheucraftððs€will€result€in€seriousÐ pÀ Ðemotional€harm€that€would€not€likely€be€reversible€under€the€current€circumstances.€Ð \¬ ÐThe€Sheucraftððs€continued€connection€in€the€role€of€being€a€parent€is€essential€to€thisÐ H˜ Ðchildððs€mental€health.Ð4„Ð Ð  ÐÌà  àAfter€a€four€day€non„jury€trial,€in€which€all€parties€had€full€notice€and€ample€opportunity€toÐ  \ Ðpresent€proof€and€argument,€the€trial€court€applied€the€ð ðsubstantial€harmðð€standard€holding:Ð øH ÐÌà8  àà ` àThe€court€reluctantly€finds€that€under€all€standards€of€unfitness,€substantialÐ Ð  Ðharm,€presumption€of€natural€father€over€any€third€party,€giving€Mr.€Roberts€ð ðsoleÐ ¼  Ðcustodyðð€at€this€time€in€Lexieððs€life,€would€produce€substantial€emotional€harm€forÐ ¨ø Ðher€future€and€would€put€her€at€risk,€preventing€her€from€becoming€a€healthyÐ ”ä Ðproductive€adult.€€The€court€cannot€experiment€with€this€child.ЀÐÐ Ð  Ðà  à.€.€.€.Ð l¼ Ðà8  àà ` àThe€court€finds€that€even€using€the€extreme€standard€of€ð ðsubstantial€harmðð€aÐ X ¨ Ðdecision€to€place€the€child€with€the€father€would€be€devastating€for€the€child.ÐD!”Ð Ð  ÐÌà  àOur€review€of€this€finding€is€òòde€novoóó€upon€the€record€of€the€trial€court,€accompanied€by€aÐ #l! Ðpresumption€of€correctness,€unless€the€preponderance€of€the€evidence€is€otherwise.€€Tenn.€R.€App.Ð $X" ÐP.€13(d).€€A€trial€courtððs€conclusions€of€law€are€subject€to€a€òòde€novoóó€review€with€no€presumption€ofÐ ô$D # Ðcorrectness.€€òòGanzevourt€v.€Russellóó,€949€S.W.2d€293€(Tenn.€1997).Ð à%0!$ ÐÌà  àThe€evidence€in€this€case€certainly€does€not€preponderate€against€the€finding€of€the€trial€courtÐ ¸'#& Ðthat€ð ðsubstantial€Ô_ÔharmððÔ_Ô€would€threaten€this€childððs€welfare€if€custody€were€awarded€to€the€naturalÐ ¤(ô#' Ðfather,€Dewey€Lee€Roberts,€III.Ð )à$( Ðâ âà  àÐ |*Ì%) Ðà  àHaving€decided€the€threshold€ð ðHawk„Bond€Agnewðð€issue€against€the€natural€father,€the€trialÐ ° Ðâ âcourt€then€proceeded€with€the€ð ðbest€interest€of€the€childðð€analysis€mandated€by€the€same€cases.Ð œì ÐÌà  àAs€to€Mr.€and€Mrs.€Sheucraft,€the€trial€court€found:Ð tÄ ÐÌà8  àà ` àMs.€Sheucraft€is€56.€€She€most€recently€worked€at€Nashville€Tech€until€herÐ L œ Ðdaughter€died.€€She€felt€it€was€important€to€stay€home€with€Lexie.€€The€SheucraftsÐ 8 ˆ Ðhave€four€remaining€children,€triplet€daughters€and€a€son.€€All€of€them€had€at€leastÐ $ t Ðthree€years€of€college€and€have€good€jobs.€[Lisa,€the€deceased€mother,€had€been€firedÐ  ` Ðat€her€last€job€due€to€a€bad€drug€screen.]€Mrs.€Sheucraft€is€healthy.€€She€takes€bloodÐ ü L  Ðpressure€medicine,€Ô_ÔPremarinÔ_Ô,€Ô_ÔZoloftÔ_Ô€and€Synthroid.€€She€had€a€foot€operation€lastÐ è 8  Ðsummer.€€The€worst€accusation€that€can€be€leveled€against€the€Sheucrafts€was€thatÐ Ô$  ÐLisa€took€drugs€and€Derrick€procured€and€used€drugs€with€Lisa€and€Dewey€Roberts.€Ð À  ÐEither€the€Sheucrafts€didnððt€know,€did€not€take€such€behavior€seriously€or€believedÐ ¬ü  Ðtheir€children€without€checking€other€sources€for€credibility.€€That€is€a€seriousÐ ˜è  Ðaccusation€and€one€that€the€Sheucrafts€have€paid€for€with€the€loss€of€their€daughter.Ð„Ô Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` àLexie€and€the€Sheucrafts€were€strongly€attached€before€and€during€the€deathÐ pÀ Ðof€their€daughter.€€Lexie€called€them€first€to€tell€them€her€mother€would€not€wake€up.€Ð \¬ ÐWhen€they€eventually€found€out€where€Lexie€was,€their€first€thought€was€of€Lexie.€Ð H˜ Ð[Mr.€Ô_ÔSheucraftÔ_Ô]€went€directly€to€find€Lexie€and€his€comatose€daughter.€€Ms.Ð 4„ ÐSheucraft€stayed€on€the€phone€until€[Mr.€Ô_ÔSheucraftÔ_Ô]€got€to€the€scene.€€Once€he€lookedÐ  p Ðin€on€the€medics€to€see€that€his€daughter€was€in€good€hands,€he€went€directly€toÐ  \ ÐLexieððs€side€and€was€more€concerned€about€her€than€dealing€with€his€own€grief€andÐ øH Ðhorror.€€When€it€appeared€that€her€daughter€was€dying,€Ms.€Sheucraft€talked€to€LexieÐ ä4 Ðabout€whether€her€mother€should€be€buried€or€cremated,€realizing€that€Lexie€wouldÐ Ð  Ðhave€to€live€with€the€decision.€€When€Lexie€asked€if€she€could€keep€the€ashes,€thenÐ ¼  Ðthe€decision€was€made.ШøÐ Ð  Ðà8  àà ` àLexie€and€her€mother€lived€with€the€Sheucrafts€from€the€date€of€the€separationÐ ”ä Ðuntil€the€date€of€her€motherððs€death,€almost€half€of€Lexieððs€seven€years.€€TheÐ €Ð ÐSheucrafts€were€very€involved€in€Lexieððs€life€prior€to€that€death.€€Prior€to€theÐ l¼ Ðseparation,€Lexie€and€Lisa€stayed€at€their€house€often.€€After€the€separation,€they€wereÐ X ¨ Ðeven€more€involved.€€Mr.€or€Ms.€Sheucraft€bathed€her€most€evenings,€took€her€toÐ D!” Ðschool€most€every€day,€purchased€all€her€clothing.€€She€had€her€own€room€which€theÐ 0"€  ÐSheucrafts€furnished€lavishly€with€her€toys.€€She€was€allowed€to€have€five€cats€atÐ #l! Ðtheir€house.€€The€three€of€them€took€trips€quite€often.Ð$X"Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` àSince€the€death€of€their€daughter,€Ms.€Sheucraft€has€been€the€primary€parentalÐ ô$D # Ðfigure€in€Lexieððs€life.€€She€went€to€school€and€stayed€with€her€for€the€first€four€to€sixÐ à%0!$ Ðweeks€following€her€motherððs€death.€€She€and€Mr.€Sheucraft€and€the€family€membersÐ Ì&"% Ðwere€totally€involved€in€the€school,€from€room€parties€to€the€fairs€to€the€schoolÐ ¸'#& Ðconferences.€€She€and€Mr.€Sheucraft€have€somehow€shepherded€her€during€thisÐ ¤(ô#' Ðdifficult€time,€so€that€at€least€outwardly€she€has€done€well€at€school€and€appears€toÐ )à$( Ðbe€as€happy€as€she€can.€€They€have€followed€her€emotional€lead€as€she€moves€fromÐ |*Ì%) Ðone€grief€stage€to€another.€€It€appears€that€she€is€doing€relatively€well.€€Ms.€SheucraftÐ h+¸&* Ðdid€nothing€to€prevent€her€father€from€seeing€her.€€In€fact€Mr.€Roberts€was€grateful€Ð ° Ðthat€the€Sheucrafts€had€done€so€much€for€Lexie.€€Even€after€suit€was€filed,€Ms.Ð œì ÐSheucraft€invited€Mr.€Roberts€and€CC€Seay€into€their€home€for€the€holidays.€€SheÐ ˆØ Ðtook€Lexie€to€see€her€paternal€grandparents€when€they€would€not€talk€to€their€son.€Ð tÄ ÐIt€is€likely€that€even€after€this€hearing€is€over,€that€the€Sheucrafts€will€continue€toÐ `° Ðcreate€a€bridge€between€the€two€families.ÐL œÐ Ð  Ðà8  àà ` àMr.€Sheucraft€is€a€kind€man.€€He€is€60+€and€is€presently€retired.€€It€is€clearÐ 8 ˆ Ðthat€the€Sheucrafts€are€very€devoted€to€each€other€and€to€Lexie.€€He€has€a€very€lovingÐ $ t Ðmanner€about€him€and€is€not€easily€riled.€€M[r].€Sheucraft€is€clearly€the€leader€in€theÐ  ` Ðfamily,€but€he€has€a€quiet€gentleness€about€him,€which€is€a€good€foil€for€the€energeticÐ ü L  ÐMs.€Sheucraft.€€The€Sheucrafts€have€received€money€from€Social€Security€since€AprilÐ è 8  Ð1999.€€These€funds€have€been€placed€in€a€separate€account€for€Lexie.€€They€do€notÐ Ô$  Ðintend€to€derive€a€financial€benefit€from€having€Lexie€live€with€them.ÐÀ Ð Ð  ÐÌà  àà ` àConclusion.Ð ˜è  ÐÌà8  àà ` àThere€is€not€one€good€reason€to€remove€Lexie€from€the€Sheucrafts€at€thisÐ pÀ Ðtime.€€Her€father€has€not€earned€the€right€to€assert€his€constitutional€rights€to€wrenchÐ \¬ ÐLexie€out€of€the€only€real€home€she€has€ever€had.€€She€has€done€well.€€She€needs€theÐ H˜ Ðemotional€and€physical€security€and€predictability€of€the€Sheucraft€home.€€Mr.Ð 4„ ÐÔ_ÔSheucraftÔ_Ô€has€definitely€flunked€the€Solomon€test.€€He€has€the€right€to€assert€hisÐ  p Ðconstitutional€right€of€fatherhood€to€claim€Lexie€as€his€child.€€A€true€father€would€Ô#†X XXX G#ÔÔ‡X XXX ÔÔ#†¼X»XX #ÔÔ‡X X»¼XÔà8@® ances€caàÐ  \ Ðfirst€get€his€own€life€straight€and€then€seek€to€establish€a€strong€bond€with€hisÐ øH Ðdaughter,€rather€than€seeking€to€take€away€Lexieððs€only€present€security.€€There€isÐ ä4 Ðmore€to€raising€a€child€to€be€a€productive€adult€than€fathering€one.ÐÐ Ð Ð  ÐÌà  àThese€findings€by€the€trial€court,€made€after€four€days€of€almost€entirely€in„court€testimony,Ð ¨ø Ðare€reviewed€under€a€time€honored€rule:Ð ”ä ÐÌà8  àà ` àThe€findings€of€the€trial€judge€in€a€non„jury€case€are€entitled€to€great€weightÐ l¼ Ðwhere€the€trial€judge€saw€and€heard€the€witnesses€and€observed€their€manner€andÐ X ¨ Ðdemeanor€on€the€stand€and€was€therefore€in€much€better€position€than€the€appellateÐ D!” Ðcourt€to€judge€the€weight€and€value€of€their€testimony.Ð0"€ Ð Ð  ÐòòÌDuncan€v.€Duncanóó,€Ô_Ô686Ô_Ô€S.W.2d€568,€571€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1984).Ð $X" ÐÌà  àReview€of€this€record€presents€some€cause€for€concern€relative€to€the€Sheucrafts€but€in€itsÐ à%0!$ Ðð ðbest€interestðð€analysis€the€trial€court€did€not€have€a€choice€between€the€Sheucrafts€and€somethingÐ Ì&"% Ðbetter,€but€rather€a€choice€between€Mr.€and€Mrs.€Sheucraft€and€something€far€worse.€€The€evidenceÐ ¸'#& Ðdoes€not€preponderate€against€the€decision€of€the€trial€court€that€the€best€interest€of€Lexie€RobertsÐ ¤(ô#' Ðis€served€by€vesting€custody€of€her€in€her€maternal€grandparents.Ð )à$( Ðâ âÐ |*Ì%) Ðà  àThe€Respondent€maintains€that€the€trial€court€erred€in€issuing€an€exparte€restraining€orderÐ ° Ðâ âenjoining€the€Respondent€from€interfering€with€the€temporary€custody€of€the€Petitioners.€€Tenn.€RuleÐ œì ÐCiv.€P.€Rule€65.07€provides€that€ð ð[i]n€domestic€relations€cases,€restraining€orders€or€injunctions€mayÐ ˆØ Ðbe€issued€upon€such€terms€and€conditions€and€remain€in€force€for€such€time€as€shall€seem€just€andÐ tÄ Ðproper€to€the€judge€to€whom€application€therefor€is€made,€and€the€provisions€of€this€Rule€shall€beÐ `° Ðfollowed€only€insofar€as€deemed€appropriate€by€such€judge.ðð€€Ð L œ ÐÌà  àThis€Court€has€interpreted€the€language€of€Rule€65.07€as€permitting€broad€discretion€by€a€trialÐ $ t Ðcourt€when€issuing€a€temporary€restraining€order€in€domestic€relations€cases.€€òòSee€Wilson€v.€Wilsonóó,Ð  ` Ð987€S.W.2d€555,€565€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1998).€€In€the€present€case,€the€Petitioners€made€a€properÐ ü L  Ðapplication€for€a€restraining€order€with€the€trial€court€and€the€trial€court€granted€the€request€andÐ è 8  Ðupheld€it€after€a€show€cause€hearing.€€This€was€clearly€within€the€trial€courtððs€broad€discretion.€€ItÐ Ô$  Ðis€true€that€the€Respondent€was€the€joint€custodian,€however,€the€child€lived€with€the€PetitionersÐ À  Ðcontinually€for€over€three€years€and€allowing€the€child€to€be€removed€from€the€Petitionersðð€homeÐ ¬ü  Ðafter€the€unexpected€death€of€her€mother,€would€have€been€devastating.€€The€trial€court€did€notÐ ˜è  Ðchange€custody€of€the€child€by€granting€the€restraining€order,€rather,€the€trial€court€simply€maintainedÐ „Ô  Ðthe€status€quo€to€prevent€further€harm€to€the€child.€€We€find€the€issuance€of€the€restraining€order€justÐ pÀ Ðand€proper.€€Ð \¬ ÐÌà  àNext,€the€Respondent€maintains€that€the€trial€court€erred€in€denying€the€Respondentððs€motionÐ 4„ Ðfor€judgment€on€the€pleadings.€€The€Respondentððs€motion€alleged€that€the€Petition€for€CustodyÐ  p Ðshould€have€been€dismissed€pursuant€to€Tenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€Rule€17.01€because€the€Petitioners€wereÐ  \ Ðnot€real€parties€interest€and€it€was€void€of€any€allegations€of€fact€which€supported€the€likelihood€ofÐ øH Ðsubstantial€harm.€€The€trial€court€allowed€the€Petitioners€to€file€amended€pleadings€with€a€modifiedÐ ä4 Ðstyle€of€the€case€to€reflect€the€maternal€grandparents€as€Petitioners.€€The€trial€court€did€not€abuse€itsÐ Ð  Ðdiscretion€in€allowing€amended€pleadings€to€be€filed€by€the€petitioners€making€clear€that€they€wereÐ ¼  Ðin€fact€the€real€parties€in€interest.Ð ¨ø ÐÌÓ  ÓConclusion.Ð €Ð ÐÓÿ·ÓÌà  àIn€this€case,€the€trial€court€faced€the€difficult€prospect€of€denying€a€natural€parent€custody€ofÐ X ¨ Ðhis€child€in€a€contest€with€a€non„parent€wherein€òòHawk,€Bondóó€and€òòAgnewóó€provide€controlling€law.€Ð D!” ÐGiven€the€facts€established€in€this€record€the€trial€court€felt€compelled€to€repel€the€natural€parent€inÐ 0"€  Ðfavor€of€the€non„parent.€€Our€review€of€the€evidence€convinces€us€that€in€this€respect€the€trial€courtÐ #l! Ðjudgment€was€the€correct€one€and€certainly€the€evidence€does€not€preponderate€against€the€judgmentÐ $X" Ðof€the€trial€court.€€Under€these€circumstances€we€deem€it€unnecessary€to€discuss€the€alternative€basisÐ ô$D # Ðfor€the€action€of€the€trial€court€under€the€parenting€plan€legislation€provided€in€Tennessee€CodeÐ à%0!$ ÐAnnotated€section€36„6„106.€€The€trial€court€has€given€Dewey€Lee€Roberts,€III€ample€opportunityÐ Ì&"% Ðto€earn€a€substantial€place€in€the€life€of€his€daughter.€€The€trial€court€will€retain€jurisdiction€in€thisÐ ¸'#& Ðcase€to€address€any€future€development€in€this€respect.€€Whether€Mr.€Roberts€has€an€expanded€roleÐ ¤(ô#' Ðin€the€future€of€Lexie€Roberts€is€up€to€him.Ð )à$( Ðâ âÐ |*Ì%) Ðà  àThe€judgment€of€the€trial€court€is€affirmed€and€costs€of€this€cause€are€assessed€to€Dewey€LeeÐ ° Ðâ âRoberts,€III.Ð œì ÐÌà  àThe€case€is€remanded€to€the€trial€court€for€such€further€proceedings€as€the€trial€court€mayÐ tÄ Ðdeem€to€be€proper.Ð `° ÐÌÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àÔ#†X XXX Ø¥#ÔÔ#†¼X»XX ¦#Ôà h àà À à___________________________________€Ð  ` Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àWILLIAM€B.€CAIN,€JUDGEÐ " r  ÐÌ