ÿWPC qxU‘ä1Ûwç³ÿÍ’ö"„q¡¡šÓrc €ÍÀü<•EÀ L ‘‚F½ ôªŒïZ‘ˆ©G{ÔR‰U'U\ë~ñÐÌl»ÇVÀÎÀˆÇVtx(_|l"s+æ4Ti¥UBzÒx6?˜ð¸‹<RÙoîÍ[LHþ‚06[Ãòh]ù¼U‹+á1¡Jv E bƒ}5Œ 6¤>ØKÿ•¦î¯îwá¹pîS£‰‡b˜Âz‚®Qí¹Ð@¨’-È,—ƒ_ë‹oÑçe­_©ìË‚úÔUt„`+ÔD¬ > ö8ƒúe¡ H¦ "~Ç^ü7*üçôØBÁœÑÍÓ¹À¬‰?`‹pËé‰ÌŽj[ãN>oÌ/¹aœôõöI;oSjg´Ém ö’0 6íDûbV²¨¬=ê»vä3c×¾Ÿûj´Måû„\/1f#ÌÒKYa;¬5Ø€²ÊaØâ»ÍÝQ½AòooîƒUb2约'z‡ÂÙܲ¯+‰õþ)TÝ«÷Lp Û–ÿð/¯Z®*jjÍ8xÃZ0ŸT4ÙzàÀZŽ;W# ÂU NÍ % 04! 0ÏUb$ N, ^ . w@: 4z Ž  mŸ L¶   0D U U:X X X X X X X X X X X X X AQ’ Æã 0D© 0Dí 0D11 D/uu B¤ D3ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ Bô˜HP LaserJet 4SiHPPCL5MS,ü,,,,,ü0nLhÎ(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regular»( ¤U$¡¡Ó  Ó((2Ow$¤¤Ý ƒ¤U!ÝÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÒ°ÒÒX°ÒÔ€Xÿ{X»»ÔÑ  ÑÑÑà ` àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó- ù-ó˜O%ä –—˜™DœUDžDŸ Ó€ªÖ…#%-ÈÇ‚3|xª ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ CheathamJ.M.A.MAXEYWalkupDimondJ.L.A.B.M.A.J.D.A.A.A.A.ODanielDefriecePetroskyJ.L.AremediateB.M.AA.M.A.A.J.M.A ýÝ ƒKa$ÝÓ  ÓÒ°ÒÒX°ÒÔ€X¯vX»»ÔÑ @ ÑÑ@Ñà ` àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔòòSeeóó€òòState€v.€Adamsóó,€916€S.W.2d€471€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.€1995).(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó ùÝ ƒ"¯"ÝÝ  ÝÔ€»}¦ »»»ÔÔ€H‹  »»}¦ÔÓ  Óò òÔ Ad ÔFILEDÔ€XhD X H‹ÔÐ  ÐÌOctober€16,€1998ÌÌCecil€W.€CrowsonÌAppellate€Court€ClerkÔdAhÔó ó,@ÓÐAZ‹"Arial Regular!"#$&Cþÿ<< CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(3¯$¢¢Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  Ý(3¯$££Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó ó(('÷ÿ dxdüÿP PdVVVV'ÿÿdxd dÝ ƒ¤U!ÝÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ„°ÑÒ°ÒÒX°ÒÑTR[¤ AØ'ÿ Legal3Ø' AØ'ÿ Legalÿ3Ø'TÑÑ  ÑÑ€ÑÑ7€×z»»ddÈ7ÑÑ  ÑÔ€„ì`„»»Ôò òÑ  Ññªññ ñßr€ )<,(j 8` `€€@E ±` 8ttxPX°ð  rßñ ññªññªññªñÌÌñªñßt€ )>.*jx§ÿ=` `€€@Eǽ` 8ttxPÿõð È tßñªñà@¡ ¡ DàIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÌà@ÜÜ)DàAT€NASHVILLEó óÔ€¼Wy¼„„ì`ԈРè8 ÐÌÌÌSTATE€OF€TENNESSEE,à À àà  à)Ð ’ â ÐDEPARTMENT€OF€CHILDRENððSà  à)Ð ¨ø  ÐSERVICES,à  àà h àà À àà  à)Ð ¾  Ðà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à)à p àCheatham€JuvenileÐ Ô$  Ðà ` àPlaintiff/Appellee,à À àà  à)à p àNo.€91„516Ð ê:  Ðà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à)ÌVS.à ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à)à p àAppeal€No.Ð f  Ðà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à)à p à01A01„9709„JV„00476Ð ,| ÐN.A.A.€and€J.M.A.,à h àà À àà  à)Ð B’ Ðà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à)Ìà ` àDefendants/Appellants.à À àà  à)Ð n¾ ÐÌÌÌÌà@:: DàAPPEAL€FROM€THE€JUVENILE€COURTˆÌà@®®&DàFOR€CHEATHAM€COUNTYˆÌà@ll"DàAT€ASHLAND€CITY,€TENNESSEEˆÌÌà@§ § DàTHE€HONORABLE€PHILLIP€A.€MAXEY,€JUDGEˆÌÌÌÌÌòòFor€Plaintiff/Appelleeóó:à h àà À àà  àà p àòòFor€Defendants/Appellantsóó:Ð ¢'ò" ÐÌJohn€Knox€Walkupà h àà À àà  àà p àSam€Wallace,€Sr.Ð Î)%! ÐAttorney€General€and€Reporterà À àà  àà p àNashville,€TennesseeÐ ä*4&" ÐÌDouglas€Earl€DimondÌAssistant€Attorney€GeneralÌà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àÌÌÌÌÌÌà@%DàÔ‡„ì`„¼¼WyÔò òAFFIRMED€AND€REMANDEDó óÔ#†¼Wy¼„„ì`Q #ԈРÀ51, ÐÌÌÌÌà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p àWILLIAM€C.€KOCH,€JR.,€JUDGEÐ  €;Ð61w ÐÑX„Ñò òÔ‡ GÛ ¼¼WyÔÓ€ÓÑ7€×z»»d»»d7ÑññÌññà@77)DàòòO€P€I€N€I€O€Nóóó óÔ#†¼Wy¼  GÛÏ #ԈР° ÐÌà ` àThis€appeal€involves€the€termination€of€the€parental€rights€of€the€parents€of€fourÏchildren€between€seven€and€thirteen€years€of€age.€€The€children€were€removed€fromÏtheir€parentsðð€custody€in€1991€after€their€mother€was€accused€of€physically€abusingÏtheir€infant€cousin€who€later€died€of€her€injuries.€€In€April€1997€the€TennesseeÏDepartment€of€Childrenððs€Services€petitioned€the€Cheatham€County€Juvenile€CourtÏseeking€to€terminate€the€motherððs€and€fatherððs€parental€rights.€€The€juvenile€courtÏconducted€a€bench€trial€and€terminated€the€parentsðð€parental€rights.€€On€this€appeal,Ïthe€parents€assert€that€the€decision€is€not€supported€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence.€ÏWe€affirm€the€judgment€terminating€the€parentsðð€parental€rights€because€theÏDepartment€has€presented€clear€and€convincing€evidence€establishing€the€statutoryÏgrounds€for€terminating€parental€rights€and€demonstrating€that€the€childrenððs€bestÏinterests€will€be€best€served€if€they€can€be€integrated€into€a€stable€and€permanentÏhome€as€soon€as€possible.€€ò òÐ ½  ÐÌà@ùù.DàI.ó óˆÐ ÿO  ÐÌà ` àN.A.A.€and€J.M.A.€both€grew€up€in€the€Davidson€County€area€and€wereÏmarried€in€the€mid„1980s.€€N.A.A.€has€an€eleventh€grade€education;€while€J.M.A.€quitÏschool€after€completing€the€eighth€grade.€€They€had€their€first€child,€J.L.A.,€in€1984.€Ï€Their€second€son,€B.M.A.,€was€born€in€1987,€and€their€third€son,€J.D.A.,€in€1989.€€ÏThroughout€most€of€their€marriage€N.A.A.€did€not€work€outside€the€home€but€ratherÏspent€her€days€cooking,€cleaning,€sewing,€and€performing€other€household€duties.€ÏJ.M.A.€held€several€jobs€during€their€marriage€but€at€all€times€relevant€to€this€caseÏwas€unemployed€due€to€a€back€injury.€€The€familyððs€primary€source€of€income€wasÏderived€from€government€benefits.€€ÌÌà ` àIn€1990€N.A.A.ððs€sister,€who€was€suffering€from€terminal€spinal€meningitis,Ïasked€the€couple€to€take€her€daughter€into€their€home.€€€N.A.A.€and€J.M.A.€agreed€toÏraise€their€niece,€B.C.,€who€was€less€than€two€years€old€at€the€time.€€B.C.ððs€motherÏdied€soon€thereafter,€and€N.A.A.€and€J.M.A.€were€awarded€custody€of€the€child.€€OnÏJune€4,€1991,€B.C.€died€from€severe€head€injuries.€€An€autopsy€revealed€that€the€causeÏâ âof€the€childððs€death€was€ð ðmultiple€blunt€trauma€to€the€head,ðð€and€the€coroner€equatedÐ °:6B Ðthe€childððs€injuries€to€ð ðshaken€baby€syndromeðð€or€to€injuries€caused€by€the€impactÏwhen€a€skier€hits€a€tree€at€a€remarkable€velocity.Ìâ âÌà ` à€N.A.A.€insisted€that€B.C.€sustained€her€injuries€by€hitting€her€head€on€a€dresserÏwhile€jumping€on€her€bed.€€Nonetheless,€the€authorities€charged€N.A.A.€with€B.C.ððsÏdeath.€€On€June€11,€1991,€representatives€of€the€Department€of€Human€Services€Ïremoved€N.A.A.ððs€and€J.M.A.ððs€three€sons€from€their€home.€€Family€membersÏinitially€agreed€to€care€for€the€children,€but€the€children€were€eventually€placed€inÏfoster€homes.€€In€August€1991,€while€she€was€incarcerated€awaiting€trial€for€the€deathÏof€B.C.,€N.A.A.€gave€birth€to€the€coupleððs€fourth€child,€A.M.A.A..€€The€baby€wasÏimmediately€placed€in€a€relativeððs€home€and€later€in€foster€care.€€On€February€25,Ï1992,€N.A.A.€was€convicted€of€criminally€negligent€homicide€in€connection€with€theÏdeath€of€B.C..€€Although€the€trial€court€set€aside€the€conviction,€it€was€later€reinstatedÏon€appeal.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€N.A.A.€eventually€received€a€one„year€suspended€sentence€and€wasÐ T Ðplaced€on€probation€for€one€year.ÌÌà ` àN.A.A.ððs€and€J.M.A.ððs€children€have€lived€in€foster€homes€or€public€facilitiesÏcontinually€since€June€1991.€€They€have€seen€their€parents€only€during€periodicÏvisitation€that€has€been€supervised€by€the€Department€of€Childrenððs€Services.€€WhenÏthe€three€oldest€children€were€first€placed€in€foster€care,€they€were€developmentallyÏdelayed€and€exhibited€severe€emotional€and€behavioral€problems,€includingÏaggression€toward€others€and€inappropriate€sexual€conduct.€€The€two€oldest€boys€alsoÏalleged€that€they€had€been€sexually€abused.€€The€youngest€child,€who€has€never€livedÏwith€her€biological€parents,€is€the€only€child€who€appears€to€be€happy€and€well„¼adjusted.€ÌÌà ` àDuring€the€next€six€years,€the€Department€offered€both€N.A.A.€and€J.M.A.Ïopportunities€to€participate€in€programs€that€would€enable€them€to€regain€custody€ofÏtheir€children.€€These€opportunities€included€individual€and€family€counseling,Ïparenting€classes€that€focused€on€effective€and€appropriate€methods€of€discipliningÏtheir€children,€and€other€sessions€designed€to€heighten€their€awareness€of€theirÏchildrenððs€special€needs.€€The€Department€also€encouraged€N.A.A.€and€J.M.A.€toÏconfront€difficult€issues€such€as€the€sexual€abuse€allegations€made€by€their€two€oldestÐ 09€4@ Ðsons.€€Despite€their€attendance€at€these€sessions,€the€Department€eventually€concludedÏthat€N.A.A.€and€J.M.A.€had€failed€to€improve€their€parenting€skills€or€to€remedy€theÏconditions€that€led€to€their€childrenððs€removal€in€the€first€place.€€They€declined€toÏaccept€that€J.L.A.€is€mentally€retarded€or€that€any€of€their€children€possess€specialÏneeds.€€They€also€consistently€denied€that€their€two€oldest€sons€had€been€sexuallyÏabused€and€refused€to€even€discuss€their€sonsðð€allegations€during€counseling€sessions.€ÌÌà ` àOn€May€1,€1997,€the€Department€filed€a€petition€in€the€Cheatham€CountyÏJuvenile€Court€to€terminate€N.A.A.ððs€and€J.M.A.ððs€parental€rights€because€of€severeÏchild€abuse€and€persistence€of€the€conditions€that€caused€the€initial€removal.€€N.A.A.Ïand€J.M.A.€responded€to€the€petition€by€denying€that€they€ever€abused,€neglected,€orÏabandoned€their€children.€€On€July€30,€1997,€almost€six€years€after€the€children€hadÏbeen€removed€from€their€parentsðð€custody,€the€childrenððs€guardian€ad€litem€filed€aÏreport€with€the€Juvenile€Court€concluding€that€the€children€were€improving€in€fosterÏcare€and€that€N.A.A.€and€J.M.A.€had€not€yet€acquired€the€necessary€parenting€skillsÏand€knowledge€to€care€for€their€children.€€Accordingly,€the€guardian€recommendedÏthat€the€childrenððs€interests€would€be€best€served€by€terminating€N.A.A.ððs€andÏJ.M.A.ððs€parental€rights€and€by€allowing€J.L.A.€to€remain€in€therapeutic€foster€careÏand€by€allowing€the€remaining€children€to€be€adopted€by€their€respective€fosterÏfamilies.€ÌÌà ` àFollowing€a€bench€trial,€the€juvenile€court€terminated€N.A.A.ððs€and€J.M.A.ððsÏparental€rights€on€four€grounds:€(1)€N.A.A.ððs€conviction€for€criminally€negligentÏhomicide,€(2)€the€unsuccessful€effort€to€reunite€the€family,€(3)€the€psychological€testsÏindicating€that€both€N.A.A.€and€J.M.A.€exhibited€traits€of€potential€child€abusers,€andÏ(4)€N.A.A.ððs€and€J.M.A.ððs€refusal€to€deal€with€the€sexual€abuse€allegations€of€theirÏtwo€oldest€sons.€€The€juvenile€judge€also€concluded€that€all€four€children,€after€sixÏyears€of€instability,€deserved€an€opportunity€to€be€placed€in€a€permanent€home€andÏthat€the€foster€families€of€the€three€youngest€children€desired€to€adopt€them.ÌÌñžññœñÌñœññœñÌñœññœñÌñœññžñà@ËË.Dàò òII.ó óˆÐ è581< ÐÌà ` àBecause€the€decision€to€terminate€parental€rights€involves€fundamentalÏconstitutional€rights,€òòsee€OððDaniel€v.€Messieróó,€905€S.W.2d€182,€186€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.Ð :ß5B Ð1995),€the€courts€must€find€that€the€Department€has€established€by€ð ðclear€andÐ 3<ƒ7D Ðconvincing€evidenceðð€the€statutory€grounds€required€to€terminate€the€parentsðð€parentalÏrights.€€òòSeeóó€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð36„1„113€(c)(1)€(Supp.€1998);€òòState€Dept.€of€HumanÐ T¤ ÐServices€v.€Defrieceóó,€937€S.W.2d€954,€960€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1996).€€This€heightenedÐ øH Ðstandard€of€review€serves€to€prevent€the€unwarranted€termination€or€interference€withÏthe€biological€parentsðð€rights€to€their€children.ÌÌà ` àParental€rights€can€be€terminated€in€only€a€limited€number€of€statutorilyÏdefined€circumstances€and€then,€only€if€a€court€determines€that€termination€is€in€theÏchildððs€best€interests.€€òòSee€óóTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113€(c)(2)€(Supp.€1998).€€ParentalÐ Ð  Ðrights€may€be€terminated€only€when€continuing€the€parent„child€relationship€posesÏa€substantial€threat€of€harm€to€the€child.€€òòSee€Petrosky€v.€Keeneóó,€898€S.W.2d€726,€728Ð h Ð(Tenn.€1995).€€As€pertinent€in€this€case,€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð36„1„113€(g)(3)(A)€allowsÏthe€termination€of€parental€rights€if€(1)€the€child€has€been€removed€from€the€home€ofÏthe€parent€by€court€order€for€six€months€and€(2)€the€conditions€which€led€to€theÏremoval€or€other€similar€conditions€still€persist,€are€unlikely€to€be€remedied€in€theÏnear€future,€and€the€continuation€of€the€parent„child€relationship€greatly€diminishesÏthe€childððs€chances€of€early€integration€into€a€stable€and€permanent€home.€€InÏaddition,€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113€(g)(4)€permits€termination€of€parental€rightsÏif€the€parent€has€committed€severe€child€abuse.ÌÌà ` àThe€juvenile€court€found€that€the€Department€established€by€clear€andÏconvincing€evidence€two€grounds€for€terminating€N.A.A.ððs€and€J.M.A.ððs€parentalÏrights€„€persistence€of€conditions€and€severe€abuse€of€B.C.€€We€agree.€€The€evidenceÏpresented€to€the€juvenile€court€shows€that€B.C.€was€abused€and€that€removal€ofÏN.A.A.ððs€and€J.M.A.ððs€four€children€from€the€home€was€proper.ÌÌÓ™€Óà@¶¶.Dàò òA.€ó óˆÐ X/¨*4 Ðò òà@LL DàòòEvidence€of€Severe€Child€Abuseóóó óˆÐ Y0©+5 ÐÓ€™i0ÓÌà ` àN.A.A.€stands€convicted€of€the€criminally€negligent€homicide€of€her€fifteen„¼month„old€niece€who€was€living€with€N.A.A.€and€J.M.A€at€the€time€of€her€death.€ÏDespite€her€continuing€protestations€that€she€is€not€responsible€for€B.C.ððs€death,ÏN.A.A.ððs€culpability€has€been€fully€and€finally€adjudicated€by€the€Court€of€CriminalÏAppeals.€€This€proceeding€does€not€provide€an€occasion€to€collaterally€attack€thatÏconviction.€€N.A.A.ððs€conduct€clearly€amounts€to€severe€child€abuse€under€Tenn.Ð 2;‚6B ÐCode€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113€(g)(4),€and€thus€the€Department€has€proved€by€clear€andÏconvincing€evidence€that€N.A.A.€has€engaged€in€conduct€warranting€termination€ofÏher€parental€rights€under€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113€(g)(4).€€ÌÌÓ™€Óà@ÙÙ.Dàò òB.ó óˆÐ @  Ðòòà@ee%Dàò òPersistent€Conditionsó óóóˆÐ A ‘  ÐÓ€™ 4ÓÌà ` àThe€Department€has€also€presented€clear€and€convincing€evidence€that€N.A.A.Ïand€J.M.A.€have€been€unable€to€acquire€the€parenting€skills€and€knowledge€necessaryÏto€care€for€their€children.€€Despite€the€Departmentððs€efforts,€the€parents€continue€toÏrefuse€to€believe€that€J.L.A.€is€mentally€retarded€or€that€any€of€their€children€possessÏspecial€needs.€€They€have€not€learned€to€discipline€the€children€effectively.€€N.A.A.Ïcontinues€to€deny€any€involvement€with€her€nieceððs€death€and€refuses€to€deal€with€theÏissue€in€counseling.€€J.M.A.€admits€that€he€feels€distant€from€his€children€and€doesÏnot€interact€with€them€during€visitation.€ÌÌà ` àThe€two€psychological€evaluations€administered€to€N.A.A.€and€J.M.A.€in€1992Ïand€1995€demonstrate€that€they€have€not€made€progress€in€improving€their€parentingÏabilities€under€the€Departmentððs€plan€of€care.€€The€initial€evaluation€classified€bothÏparents€as€risks€for€dysfunctional€parenting€and€as€poor€candidates€for€therapy.€€ItÏindicated€that€N.A.A.€possessed€characteristics€signifying€tendencies€toward€childÏabuse€and€that€J.M.A.€was€defensive€and€mildly€paranoid€and€that€he€harbored€intenseÏanger.€€The€second€evaluation€revealed€that€N.A.A.€and€J.M.A.€continued€toÏdemonstrate€risk€factors€for€abuse€and€had€not€benefitted€from€the€parenting€skillsÏthey€had€been€taught.€ÌÌà ` àThe€most€serious€failure€to€address€and€remediate€problems€similar€to€thoseÏthat€led€to€the€childrenððs€original€removal€from€the€home€involves€N.A.A.ððs€andÏJ.M.A.ððs€continuing€ambivalence€about€their€eldest€sonsðð€sexual€abuse€complaints.€ÏIn€spite€of€strikingly€similar€accounts€of€abuse€given€by€J.L.A.€and€B.M.A.,€who€haveÏnot€lived€together€since€leaving€their€parentsðð€custody,€N.A.A.€and€J.M.A.€refuse€toÏacknowledge€that€any€abuse€could€have€occurred€or€to€even€discuss€these€allegationsÏin€counseling.€€Instead,€they€continue€to€assert€that€their€sons€were€induced€to€makeÏâ âthese€allegations€by€representatives€of€the€State.€€The€parentsðð€unwillingness€to€dealÐ Ž9Þ4@ Ðwith€this€serious€problem€is€a€condition€that€prevents€their€children€from€beingÏreturned€to€their€custody.€€Ìâ âÌà ` àThe€reactions€of€the€children€regarding€visitation€with€their€parents€alsoÏprovide€a€basis€for€concluding€that€N.A.A.€and€J.M.A.€have€not€remedied€theÏproblems€that€caused€the€children€to€be€removed€from€their€home.€€J.L.A.€and€B.M.A.Ïbecome€noticeably€anxious€and€agitated€when€informed€of€their€parentsðð€plannedÏvisits,€and€their€agitation€continues€sometimes€for€three€weeks€following€visitation.€ÏBoth€boys€have€expressed€fear€of€their€parents€and€have€expressed€fear€that€N.A.A.Ïand€J.M.A.€might€discover€where€they€were€living.€€B.M.A.€has€made€frequentÏreferences€to€B.C.€and€has€expressed€concern€that€he€too€might€be€harmed.€€VisitationÏhas€only€reinforced€B.M.A.ððs€fears€because€N.A.A.€has€told€him€that€€he€would€beÏcoming€home€soon€and€that€he€would€be€punished€if€he€did€not€stop€talking€about€herÏand€if€he€did€not€recant€the€allegations€of€abuse.€€A.M.A.A.€also€became€anxious€afterÏvisits€due€to€inappropriate€conversations€with€her€mother.€ÌÌà ` àWe€acknowledge€that€N.A.A.€and€J.M.A.€have€tried€to€cooperate€as€best€theyÏcan€with€the€Department€during€the€past€six€years.€€They€have€visited€their€childrenÏand€have€submitted€to€tests€and€counseling.€€However,€we€concur€with€the€juvenileÏcourtððs€conclusion€that€their€efforts€have€been€insufficient.€€Therefore,€we€find€thatÏthe€record€contains€clear€and€convincing€evidence€that€N.A.A.€and€J.M.A.€have€notÏadequately€improved€the€conditions€that€led€to€the€childrenððs€removal€and€that€it€isÏunlikely€that€they€will€be€able€to€do€so€in€the€near€future.ÌÌà@-Dàò òIII.ó óˆÐ ,`'0 ÐÌà ` àThe€juvenile€court€also€determined€that€J.L.A.ððs€interests€would€be€served€bestÏby€enabling€him€to€remain€in€state€custody.€€It€also€determined€that€the€interests€ofÏB.M.A.,€J.D.A.,€and€A.M.A.A.€would€be€best€served€by€enabling€them€to€be€adoptedÏby€their€foster€families.€€We€find€that€the€record€contains€clear€and€convincingÏevidence€to€support€this€conclusion.ÌÌà ` àWhen€J.L.A.€€was€initially€placed€in€foster€care,€he€was€developmentallyÏdelayed€and€behaved€aggressively€and€violently.€€It€was€quickly€determined€that€heÏhad€a€low€I.Q.€€stemming€from€the€lack€of€intellectual€stimulation€rather€than€anÐ 3<ƒ7D Ðinability€to€learn.€€He€was€extremely€aggressive€toward€other€children€and€adults€andÏengaged€in€self„mutilation,€including€injuring€himself€with€household€objects€andÏscratching€himself€with€his€fingernails€until€he€bled.€€He€was€eventuallyÏinstitutionalized€after€being€removed€from€two€foster€homes€because€of€his€aggressiveÏbehavior€toward€the€other€children€in€the€home.€€Sadly,€J.L.A.€has€spent€the€majorityÏof€his€life€being€moved€between€nine€separate€foster€homes€and€public€care€facilities.ÌÌà ` àThe€two€younger€boys,€J.D.A.€and€B.M.A,€were€also€developmentally€delayed,Ïhostile,€and€aggressive€when€they€were€first€removed€from€their€parentsðð€home.€€TheÏDepartment€placed€them€in€the€same€foster€home€where€they€have€lived€ever€since.€ÏB.M.A.€displayed€inappropriate€sexual€behavior€toward€dolls€indicating€that€he€hadÏwitnessed€or€been€made€a€party€to€sexual€acts€by€one€of€his€parents.€€J.D.A.€sufferedÏfrom€stress„related€eating€and€drinking€disorders,€although€these€have€improved€overÏtime.€€ÌÌà ` àThe€behavior€of€the€three€oldest€children€€has€improved€significantly€since€JuneÏ1991.€€€J.L.A.€currently€resides€in€a€therapeutic€foster€home€where€he€is€receiving€theÏcare€and€attention€necessary€for€his€continuing€psychological€problems.€€He€has€madeÏsignificant€progress€in€that€environment.€€With€the€help€of€nurturing€foster€parentsÏand€therapy,€both€B.M.A.€and€J.D.A.€have€improved€significantly€and€have€becomeÏmuch€more€well€adjusted€children.€€Both€boys€are€doing€well€in€school.€€B.M.A.€playsÏfootball€for€his€elementary€school,€where€his€younger€sister,€A.M.A.A.,€is€aÏcheerleader€for€his€team.€€Their€foster€parents€are€eager€to€adopt€the€two€brothers.€ò òÐ È($, Ðó óÌà ` àA.M.A.A.€has€lived€with€her€foster€family€since€she€was€less€than€three€monthsÏold.€€She€is€the€only€child€who€has€grown€up€to€be€happy,€outgoing,€and€well„¼adjusted.€Supervised€visits€are€the€only€exposure€that€A.M.A.A.€has€had€to€herÏbiological€parents.€€The€record€indicates€that€she€has€required€some€psychiatric€careÏbecause€of€inappropriate€conversations€she€has€had€with€her€mother€during€theseÏvisits.€€A.M.A.A.ððs€foster€parents€are€eager€to€adopt€her,€and€A.M.A.A.€has€expressedÏa€desire€to€live€with€them€permanently.ÌÌà ` àSix€years€have€passed€since€these€four€children€were€removed€from€theirÏparentsðð€home.€€Since€1991,€the€children€have€had€the€opportunity€to€be€integratedÐ Ô:$6B Ðinto€stable€and€healthy€homes.€€Based€on€our€review€of€the€record,€we€concur€with€theÏtrial€courtððs€conclusion€that€it€is€time€these€children€live€in€permanent€homes€and€thatÏtheir€interests€will€be€served€best€by€permitting€them€to€be€adopted€by€their€respectiveÏfoster€families.€ÌÌà@¥¥.Dàò òIV.ó óˆÐ ä 4  ÐÌà ` àWe€affirm€the€judgment€terminating€the€parental€rights€of€N.A.A.€and€J.M.A.Ïand€remand€the€case€to€the€juvenile€court€for€whatever€further€proceedings€may€beÏrequired.€€We€tax€costs€of€this€appeal€to€N.A.A.€and€J.M.A.,€jointly€and€severally,€andÏtheir€surety€for€which€execution,€if€necessary€may€issue.ÌÓ€ÓÌà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p à____________________________Ìà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p àWILLIAM€C.€KOCH,€JR.,€JUDGEÌÌCONCUR:ÌÌÌ________________________________________ÌBEN€H.€CANTRELL,€PRESIDING€JUDGE,€M.S.€ÌÌÌ________________________________________ÌWILLIAM€B.€CAIN,€JUDGEñŸñ€Ð  —#ç" ÐÔ€ '«!»¼;mÔÑ8€;m»»d»»d8Ñà@  Dàò òIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@ZZ)DàAT€NASHVILLEó óˆÐ ¼  ÐÌÔ‡¼;m»»¼;mÔÌSTATE€OF€TENNESSEE,à À àà  à)Ð " r ÐDEPARTMENT€OF€CHILDRENððSà  à)Ð : Š ÐSERVICES,à  àà h àà À àà  à)Ð R ¢ Ðà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à)à p àCheatham€JuvenileÐ j º Ðà ` àPlaintiff/Appellee,à À àà  à)à p àNo.€91„516Ð ‚ Ò Ðà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à)ÌVS.à ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à)à p àAppeal€No.Ð ²  Ðà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à)à p à01A01„9709„JV„00476Ð Ê  ÐN.A.A.€and€J.M.A.,à h àà À àà  à)Ð â2  Ðà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à)Ìà ` àDefendants/Appellants.à À àà  à)Ð b ÐÌÌÔ#† '«!»¼;mÁT#Ôò òà@cc(DàòòJ€U€D€G€M€E€N€Tóóó óˆÐ Zª ÐÌÌÔ€Šp  ‹! '«ÔÓ€Óà ` àThis€cause€came€on€to€be€heard€upon€the€record€on€appeal€from€the€Cheatham€CountyÐ ê: ÐJuvenile€Court,€the€briefs€of€the€parties,€and€arguments€of€counsel.€€Upon€consideration€ofÏthe€entire€record,€this€court€finds€and€concludes€that€the€trial€judgeððs€judgment€should€beÏaffirmed.ÌÌà ` àIn€accordance€with€the€opinion€filed€contemporaneously€with€this€judgment,€it€is,Ïtherefore,€ordered,€adjudged,€and€decreed€that€the€trial€courtððs€judgment€be€and€is€herebyÏaffirmñ”ñed,ñ”ñ€and€that€the€cause€be€remanded€to€the€trial€court€for€further€proceedings€consistentÏwith€this€courtððs€opinion.ÌÌà ` àIt€is€further€ordered€that€the€costs€of€this€appeal€be€taxed€ñ•ñto€ñ•ññ–ñNora€Añ–ññ—ñnn€Adamsñ—ññŸññ–ññ•ñN.A.A.ñ•ññ–ññŸññ•ñ€andÏñ•ññ˜ñJames€M.€Adamsñ˜ññŸññ™ññ•ñJ.M.A.ñ•ññ™ññŸññ•ñ,€jointly€and€severally,€and€to€Sam€Wallace,€Sr.,€surety,€for€which€executionÏmay€issue€if€necessary.ñ•ññŸññ•ñ___.ñ•ññŸñÌÌÓ€ÓÌÌà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à______________________________________Ìà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àBEN€H.€CANTRELL,€PRESIDING€JUDGE,€M.S.€¼à ` àÌÌÌà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à______________________________________Ìà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àWILLIAM€C.€KOCH,€JR.,€JUDGE€ÌÌÌà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à______________________________________Ìà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àWILLIAM€B.€CAIN,€JUDGEñŸñ