ÿWPC×/ “ûÊIçÙdá<ÂÏ/g‹|–>Ú•™Þµx•fd4£Ûná>µ³|¬w(Õ-ó‹^5÷ç” O6¬lÒñÝt`ò¥Wq,À‚#›VhL`þðæc¤‹ÆåÞ°–Í\rý?Iănex^¹‡ŒL`¥sŒÔ{B¹zýM¾3J‡¸ÎŸ7k,ÓÑ‚óĪkç+~ߟûqÏa• ¸Žw [e¾´}üç¦xseº‘¾­Øe<5 M å’£ËÇ9Äö‡ƒrQW˜ÙÎt¿Nc› SóÍTéÉG…>ý!• ó€øÌlKV†-A~üƒ¿œ‡ù¼Pâ3ëca¤ÑÑ°ìÜÒôSܤd«Àñõ±äF©B“ý“¼i™wwæM’(²«³,"a-Á:æ@XÎÆâ$4 â¿ú© íÿ‡j$KÚž¾¥Ô‰+ÕS¦ÉêJ˜i ®L«&¶¿‰j×áþáÖÒ¿UZ„gó¤&×/)5î2]!/Q4ȸ~;ß!ƒòºS°çNζ´%,@™0ÔôŽ›eŽ3=Æm|ܶªÞÂ?=~~ŸF%Ä°§¬)K@öèð?_Wv…5¶þ*+?UDÑ`}?žà‡k^»4ZØv‹b#É\ %% ^ + 0ˆ7 U$N¿ w 4 z% ÒŸ q € m‚ ™ ÆÆcÆ)Æï 0 DµNù#ûÖEôÀöĶˆz–UN«!Hù!%A#ïf$uU)U)U)U)U)U)U)U)U)U)U)U)U)U)bÊ*Ê*Ê*Ê*Ê*Ê*Ê*Ê*Ê*Ê*Ê*Ê*Ê*Ê*Ê*Ê*Ê*Ê*Ê*Ê*Ê*Ê*Ê*Ê*Ê*Ê*Ê*Ê*Ê*Ê*Ê*Ê*Ê*Ê*Ê*Ê* 0 ëÒ*Ò*Ò*Ò* B½+½+ 0¤Ú+ D5~, D-³, 0Kà,à, AS+-Æ~- 0¤D. 0Dè. A«,/˜\\IB01S01\CLERK1NASÈÈ,,,,ÈÈ0»nn51Ï (`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman RegularEbÜ0ê:i¢×+00 ˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wpt3|xÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ úÝ ƒR($ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôéEò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔFather€is€the€biological€father€of€one€of€the€children,€D.F.R.€€The€petition€also€named€Unknown€Father€as€aÐ ° Ðdefendant.€€Mother€testified€she€did€not€know€who€the€biological€father€of€T.A.R.€was€because€she€had€been€raped.€Ð tÄ ÐFather€testified€he€had€always€considered€both€children€to€be€his€and€that€he€had€been€present€when€T.A.R.€was€born.€Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó Ý ƒR($ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôéEò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€guardian€òòad€litemóó€had€previously€moved€to€join€DCS,€the€childrenððs€legal€custodian,€and€the€court€hadÐ ° Ðgranted€that€motion. ÌÝ ƒR($ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôéEò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔUnknown€Fatherððs€rights€were€terminated€by€order€entered€February€20,€2004. ¶Ý ƒR($ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôéEò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔIn€Fatherððs€brief,€his€attorney€states€that€after€the€hearing€herein,€Father€instructed€him€to€appeal€if€his€rightsÐ ° Ðwere€terminated.€€The€attorney€has€followed€Fatherððs€instruction€even€though€the€attorney€has€had€no€contact€with€FatherÐ tÄ Ðsince€the€day€of€the€hearing. ºÝ ƒR($ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú8Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôéEò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔOn€appeal,€DCS€chose€to€rely€only€on€the€persistence€of€conditions€ground.€€The€guardian€òòad€litemóó€argued€theÐ ° Ðparents€had€willfully€failed€to€visit€the€children,€but€specifically€stated€he€was€not€arguing€that€abandonment€by€willfulÐ tÄ Ðfailure€to€support€could€be€sustained. ~Ý ƒR($ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú7Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôéEò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔBoth€parents€challenge€the€trial€courtððs€holding€that€this€ground€was€proved€by€asserting€(1)€all€the€requiredÐ ° Ðstatutory€findings€were€not€made,€(2)€specific€findings€of€fact€were€not€made,€and/or€(3)€one€specific€finding€(regardingÐ tÄ Ðthe€time€the€children€lived€with€Foster€Parents)€was€incorrect.€€Having€fully€reviewed€the€trial€courtððs€order€and€theÐ 8ˆ Ðrecord€herein,€we€find€these€assertions€by€the€parents€are€without€merit.Ð üL Ð Ý ƒR($ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú10Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôéEò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThus,€whileÔ‡XYXòôéEÔ€Ô#†ôéEòXXYŠ#Ôevents€occurring€after€May€30,€2003,€may€help€explain€DCSððs€decision€to€intervene€and€file€itsÐ ° Ðown€petition€in€October€of€2003,€such€events€are€not€relevant€to€the€ground€of€willful€failure€to€visit€during€the€fourÐ œì Ðmonths€immediately€preceding€the€filing€of€the€petition.€€ ŒÝ ƒR($ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú11Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôéEò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€only€caseworker€who€testified,€Ms.€Clegg,€became€the€caseworker€in€September€of€2003,€after€theÐ ° Ðguardian€òòad€litemóóððs€petition€had€been€filed.€€She€prepared€the€fourth€set€of€plans€and€changed€the€goal€from€return€to€theÐ tÄ Ðparents€to€adoption.€€The€reason€for€the€change€was€the€lack€of€contact€by€the€parents.€€Ms.€Clegg€testified€that€sinceÐ 8ˆ Ðdevelopment€of€the€April€2003€third€plan€with€the€goal€of€reuniting€the€family,€there€had€been€only€one€contact€each€byÐ üL Ðthe€parents:€a€phone€call€from€Father€in€June€2003€and€a€caseworker€visit€to€Mother,€who€was€incarcerated€at€the€time,Ð À Ðalso€in€June€2003.€€Actually,€because€she€was€not€the€caseworker€during€that€time€and€had€no€personal€knowledge€of€theÐ „Ô Ðfacts,€she€only€testified€that€DCSððs€records€did€not€reflect€any€other€contacts.€€Of€course,€during€most€of€this€time,€MotherÐ H ˜ Ðwas€incarcerated,€and€DCS€knew€that€since€a€prior€caseworker€had€visited€her.€€Mother€was€released€in€September€ofÐ  \ Ð2003.€€Neither€Mother€nor€Father€was€given€notice€of€the€staffing€for€the€fourth€permanency€plan,€although€Ms.€CleggÐ Ð  Ðtestified€she€made€efforts€to€locate€them.(ÖÃ9 Z‹6Times New Roman Regular T.A.R.D.F.R. P.J.KelliV.R.H. B.R.Villase9orKleggC.W.W.D.L.B.L.J.C.A.L.C.J.R.C.A.D.A.had hadstaffingsin in COA Ý ƒR($ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôéEò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€probation€violation€resulted€from€charges€brought€by€Fatherððs€employer€that€the€trial€court€referred€to€asÐ ° Ða€pending€theft€charge. åÝ ƒR($ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôéEò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ‡ôéEòòôéEÔIn€its€order,€the€trial€court€refers€to€the€results€of€drug€screens€performed€on€the€day€of€trial.€€The€transcriptÐ ° Ðreflects€that€the€court€ordered€and€arranged€for€such€tests€during€a€recess€and€that€Father€had€to€re„take€his€test€after€proofÐ tÄ Ðwas€over.€€The€results€were€not€discussed€at€the€hearing,€no€written€documentation€of€those€results€was€entered€intoÐ 8ˆ Ðevidence€at€the€hearing,€and€no€testimony€was€taken€regarding€their€interpretation.€€Nonetheless,€copies€of€drug€screenÐ üL Ðresults€for€Mother€and€Father€taken€on€the€date€of€the€trial,€but€reported€a€few€days€later,€are€found€in€the€technicalÐ À Ðrecord.€€Because€those€results€are€not€properly€part€of€the€record€on€appeal,€this€court€cannot€consider€them.€€However,Ð „Ô Ðthe€trial€court€made€it€clear€in€its€order€that€the€trial€day€drug€screen€results€were€not€integral€to€its€ruling.€€TestimonyÐ H ˜ Ðfrom€both€Mother€and€Father€establishes€recent€drug€use€by€both€of€them.€€Ô#†ôéEòòôéE~#Ô kÝ ƒR($ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú9Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôéEò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€guardian€òòad€litemóó€actually€argued€that€both€periods€should€be€used.€€However,€he€did€not€argue€that€theÐ ° Ðtrial€court€erred€in€using€his€petition€as€the€one€from€which€the€four€month€period€should€be€measured.- ù-(|G2($¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€K»»dXXdì8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôéEò»»Ô d(|3ÉN$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€K»»dXXdì8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV)ÿÿ!dxdx)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3ÉN$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€K»»dXXdì8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€K»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ  ÑÔ€¼K»»»ÔÑ8€YXXdì»»d8ÑÑ  Ñà@ü ü ìàÔ‡î\Œî»¼KÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@kk$ìàAT€NASHVILLEÔ#†¼K»îî\Œ #ԈРÖ& ÐÓ  ÓAssigned€on€Briefs€August€9,€2004Ð üL ÐÔ‡XYX»¼KÔÌò òÔ#†¼K»XXYþ#ÔIN€RE:€T.A.R.€òòANDóó€D.F.R.Ô‡XYX»¼KÔó óÐ úJ ÐÌà@@½½ìàò òAppeal€from€the€Juvenile€Court€for€Davidson€CountyÐ ú J Ðà@@øøìàNo.ððs€2119„64770€and€2119„64771€€€€€€Betty€Adams€Green,€JudgeÐ æ 6 ÐÌÌà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<©` AßÐ ªú  ÐÌà@@TTìàNo.€M2003„02801„Ô_ÔCOAÔ_Ô„R3„PT€„€Filed€September€20,€2004Ð ¥õ  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<|` AßÐ }Í  Ðó óÌÓ  ÓThe€trial€court€terminated€the€parental€rights€of€both€Mother€and€Father,€and€both€appealed.€€Because€Ð xÈ  Ðstatutory€grounds€were€proved€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence€and€it€was€also€shown€by€clear€andÐ d´ Ðconvincing€evidence€that€termination€of€parental€rights€was€in€the€best€interest€of€the€children,€weÐ P  Ðaffirm€the€decision€of€the€trial€court.Ð <Œ ÐÓžÓÌò òTenn.€R.€App.€P.€3€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Juvenile€Court€Affirmedó óÐ d ÐÌòòÓ  ÓÔ#†¼K»àXYb#ÔÔ‡XYX.¼KÔPatricia€J.€Cottrell,€J.óó,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòWilliam€C.€Koch,€Jr.,€P.J.,Ð ì< ÐM.S.,óó€and€òòFrank€G.€Clement,€Jr.,€J.óó,€joined.Ð Ø( ÐÌKelli€Barr€Summers,€Brentwood,€Tennessee;€J.€Stephen€Mills,€Nashville,€Tennessee,€for€theÐ ° Ðappellants,€V.R.H.€and€B.R.Ð œì ÐÌPaul€G.€Summers,€Attorney€General€and€Reporter;€Juan€G.€Villaseor,€Assistant€Attorney€General,Ð tÄ ÐÔ#†¼K»XXYý#ÔÔ‡XYX»¼KÔfor€the€appellee,€Tennessee€Department€of€Childrenððs€Services.Ð `° ÐÌThomas€H.€Miller,€guardian€òòad€litemóóÔ#†¼K»XXY #Ô.Ð 8!ˆ  ÐÓÎÓÌò òOPINIONó óÔ‡XYX»¼KÔÐ \#¬" ÐÌòòóóÔ#†¼K»XXY #ÔÓ  ÓÔ€XYX»¼KÔà  àThe€guardian€òòad€litemóó€for€the€two€children€who€are€the€subject€of€this€action,€T.A.R.€andÐ \%¬ $ ÐD.F.R.,€filed€a€petition€to€terminate€the€parental€rights€of€Mother€and€Father׃ ×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€on€May€30,€2003.€€AsÐ H&˜!% Ðgrounds,€the€petition€alleged€abandonment€by€willful€failure€to€visit€and€willful€failure€to€support,Ð 4'„"& Ðsubstantial€noncompliance€with€the€requirements€of€the€permanency€plans,€and€the€persistence€ofÐ  (p#' Ðâ âconditions€preventing€the€safe€return€of€the€children€to€the€parentsðð€home.€€The€Department€ofÐ  )\$(ý´ ÐÔ_ÔChildrenððs€Services€(DCS)€filed€an€intervening€petition€to€terminate€on€October€6,€2003,€allegingÐ ° Ðâ âthe€same€grounds.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð œì ÐÌà  àThese€two€children€were€originally€removed€from€the€custody€of€Mother€and€Father€onÐ tÄ ÐOctober€9,€2001,€when€Mother€and€Father€were€arrested€on€outstanding€warrants.€€The€children,€agesÐ `° Ð2€and€3€at€the€time,€were€living€with€Mother€and€Father€in€a€motel€room€that€was€unsanitary€andÐ L œ Ðfilled€with€trash.€€The€children€were€dirty,€and€both€had€on€soiled€diapers.€€The€police€found€drugÐ 8 ˆ Ðparaphernalia€in€a€diaper€bag.€€An€agreed€order€was€later€entered€regarding€the€removal€and€settingÐ $ t Ðforth€these€facts.€€Mother€and€Father€pled€guilty€to€child€neglect.€€In€a€subsequent€agreed€order,€theÐ  ` Ðchildren€were€found€dependent€and€neglected€due€to€the€incarceration€and€drug€use€of€Mother€andÐ ü L  ÐFather.Ð è 8  ÐÌà  àTrial€on€the€termination€petition€was€held€October€27,€2003,€and€the€trial€court€terminatedÐ À  ÐMotherððs€and€Fatherððs€parental€rights€by€order€entered€November€11,€2003.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€In€that€order,€the€trialÐ ¬ü  Ðcourt€recited€the€facts€surrounding€the€childrenððs€initial€removal€from€their€parents€and€also€foundÐ ˜è  Ðthat€the€following€had€been€proved€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence:Ð „Ô  ÐÌà8  àWhen€the€children€were€placed€in€foster€care,€they€needed€extensive€dental€work.€Ð \¬ ÐSome€teeth€had€literally€rotted€away€and€had€to€be€extracted;€many€others€wereÐ H˜ Ðcapped.€[T.A.R.]€had€significant€developmental€delays€and,€while€stillÐ 4„ Ðdevelopmentally€behind€her€peers,€she€has€made€considerable€progress€in€herÐ  p Ðbehavior,€attitude€and€communication€skills.€€She€continues€to€receive€specialÐ  \ Ðeducation€services.ÐøHÐ Ð  ÐÌà8  àInitial€permanency€plans€with€concurrent€goals€of€return€to€parent€and€relativeÐ Ð  Ðplacement€were€approved€by€the€Court€on€December€14,€2001.€€In€order€to€achieveÐ ¼  Ðreunification€with€the€children,€both€[Mother]€and€[Father]€were€required€to€completeÐ ¨ø Ða€drug€treatment€program,€follow€all€recommendations€of€the€program€therapist,€andÐ ”ä Ðsubmit€to€random€drug€screens;€obtain€stable€housing;€obtain€stable€employment;Ð €Ð Ðvisit€with€the€children€at€least€four€hours€per€month;€and€pay€child€support€as€theÐ l¼ Ðcourt€deems€necessary.€€In€addition,€[Mother]€was€required€to€actively€participate€inÐ X ¨ Ðand€complete€parenting€classes.€€Three€subsequent€revisions€of€the€permanency€plansÐ D!” Ðall€contained€this€statement€of€responsibilities.Ð0"€ Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àThe€guardian€òòad€litemóóððs€petition€was€filed€on€May€30,€2003.€€Neither€parent€has€seenÐ $X" Ðthe€children€since€July€17,€2002.€€On€that€day€[Father]€tested€positive€for€cocaineÐ ô$D # Ðafter€the€visit.€[Mother]€had€tested€positive€for€cocaine€on€June€4,€2002.€€After€theÐ à%0!$ ÐJuly€17€visit,€the€parents€were€told€that€they€would€have€to€submit€to€a€drug€testÐ Ì&"% Ðbefore€any€more€visits€would€be€scheduled.€€On€October€22,€2002€[Mother]€informedÐ ° Ðthe€Department€that€she€would€not€visit€the€children€because€she€had€an€outstandingÐ œì Ðarrest€warrant€for€violating€the€conditions€of€her€probation€and€she€would€have€beenÐ ˆØ Ðarrested.€€Both€parents€have€been€in€and€out€of€jail€while€the€children€have€been€inÐ tÄ Ðfoster€care,€but€they€have€never€requested€a€visit.€€Accordingly,€both€parents€haveÐ `° Ðabandoned€the€children€by€their€willful€failure€to€visit.ÐL œÐ Ð  ÐÌà8  àThe€parents€acknowledge€that€they€have€paid€no€child€support€while€the€childrenÐ $ t Ðhave€been€in€foster€care.€[Mother]€testified€that€she€continually€offered€to€pay€childÐ  ` Ðsupport€and€that€DCS€told€her€they€would€look€into€it.€[Father]€testified€that€payingÐ ü L  Ðchild€support€crossed€his€mind,€but€he€never€paid.€€Ms.€Clegg€testified€that€theÐ è 8  Ðparents€sometimes€brought€ð ðtoys€and€trinketsðð€to€visits,€but€they€did€not€bringÐ Ô$  Ðbirthday€presents€or€Christmas€gifts€to€the€children.€[Father]€testified€that€he€wasÐ À  Ðgainfully€employed€at€all€times€that€he€was€not€incarcerated.€[Mother]€was€eitherÐ ¬ü  Ðemployed€or€employable€at€all€times€that€she€was€not€incarcerated.€€Consequently,Ð ˜è  Ðboth€parents€have€abandoned€the€children€by€their€willful€failure€to€pay€child€supportÐ „Ô  Ðor€to€contribute€to€their€support.ÐpÀÐ Ð  ÐÌà8  àThe€Court€has€approved€four€permanency€plans€while€the€children€have€been€in€fosterÐ H˜ Ðcare.€€Each€plan€contained€the€identical€statement€of€responsibilities€for€the€parents.€Ð 4„ ÐThe€parents€have€not€substantially€complied€with€the€plansðð€requirements.€Ð  p ÐSpecifically,€both€parents€were€required€to€complete€a€drug€treatment€program,Ð  \ Ðfollow€all€recommendations€of€the€program€therapist€and€submit€to€random€drugÐ øH Ðscreens.€€Both€parents€were€required€to€obtain€stable€housing€and€stable€employment.€Ð ä4 ÐBoth€parents€were€required€to€visit€with€the€children€at€least€four€hours€per€monthÐ Ð  Ðand€to€pay€child€support€ð ðas€the€court€deems€necessary.ðð€[Mother]€was€required€toÐ ¼  Ðactively€participate€in€and€complete€parenting€classes.ШøÐ Ð  ÐÌà8  àThe€Court€finds€that€these€statements€of€responsibilities€are€reasonable€and€relatedÐ €Ð Ðto€remedying€the€conditions€which€necessitated€foster€care.€[Mother]€did€completeÐ l¼ Ðparenting€classes€while€incarcerated€and€[Father]€has€obtained€stable€employment,Ð X ¨ Ðbut€none€of€the€other€requirements€have€been€fulfilled.€€Neither€parent€has€completedÐ D!” Ða€drug€treatment€program€nor€submitted€to€random€drug€screens€in€more€than€a€year.€Ð 0"€  ÐSince€drug€paraphernalia€was€found€in€a€diaper€bag€when€the€parents€were€arrestedÐ #l! Ðin€2001,€the€Court€gives€this€requirement€great€weight.€€Neither€parent€has€visited€theÐ $X" Ðchildren€in€more€than€a€year.€€The€parents€testified€that€they€have€lived€in€theirÐ ô$D # Ðcurrent€residence€for€three€weeks€and€they€lease€it€on€a€month„to„month€basis.€€ThisÐ à%0!$ Ðdoes€not€constitute€stable€housing.€€The€Court,€therefore,€finds€that€neither€parent€hasÐ Ì&"% Ðsubstantially€complied€with€their€requirements€under€the€permanency€plans.€[In€aÐ ¸'#& Ðfootnote€the€court€stated,€ð ðSince€the€permanency€plan€states€that€the€parents€will€payÐ ¤(ô#' Ðchild€support€ððas€the€court€deems€necessaryðð€and€since€the€Court€never€ordered€theÐ )à$( Ðparents€to€pay€child€support,€the€Court€is€not€considering€this€requirement€in€itsÐ |*Ì%) Ðsubstantial€compliance€analysis.€€The€Court€notes,€however,€that€even€though€theÐ h+¸&* Ðparents€were€not€paying€child€support,€they€still€did€not€accomplish€most€of€the€otherÐ ° Ðtasks.ðð]ÐœìÐ Ð  ÐÌà8  àAccording€to€the€court„approved€permanency€plans,€these€children€came€into€fosterÐ tÄ Ðcare€because€of€ð ðalleged€drug€use,€criminal€activity,€and€filth€of€the€home.ðð€€TheÐ `° Ðparents€admit€that€they€have€been€in€and€out€of€jail€while€the€children€have€been€inÐ L œ Ðstate€custody;€[Father]€has€a€theft€charge€pending€now.€€Most€serious,€however,€isÐ 8 ˆ Ðboth€parentsðð€continued€drug€use.Ð$ tÐ Ð  ÐÌà8  à[Mother]€testified€at€trial€that€both€she€and€[Father]€used€crack€cocaine€19€days€ago.€Ð ü L  Ð[Father]€testified€that€he€used€it€4€days€ago.€€The€Court€ordered€both€parents€drugÐ è 8  Ðtested€on€the€day€of€trial;€both€were€positive€for€cocaine.€€Based€on€the€high€level€ofÐ Ô$  Ðcocaine€metabolite€in€[Fatherððs]€system,€it€appears€that€he€used€cocaine€within€theÐ À  Ðpast€24€hours.€€At€any€rate€both€parents€admitted€that€they€used€cocaine€very€recently.€Ð ¬ü  ÐThe€Court€finds€that€they€have€a€long€history€of€illegal€drug€use€and€that€not€onlyÐ ˜è  Ðhave€they€provided€no€proof€of€completing€drug€treatment,€they€continue€to€use€crackÐ „Ô  Ðcocaine€even€now.€€Consequently,€the€most€serious€reason€that€the€children€wereÐ pÀ Ðplaced€in€foster€care€continues€to€persist.Ð\¬Ð Ð  ÐÌà  àOn€the€basis€of€these€findings€of€fact,€the€trial€court€found,€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence,Ð 4„ Ðthat€grounds€for€termination€of€the€parental€rights€of€both€parents€existed€in€that€both€had€abandonedÐ  p Ðthe€children,€both€had€failed€to€substantially€comply€with€the€statement€of€responsibilities€in€theÐ  \ Ðpermanency€plans,€and€the€conditions€that€led€to€removal€of€the€children€from€the€parents€more€thanÐ øH Ðsix€months€earlier€still€persisted€and€prevented€the€safe€return€of€the€children€to€the€parents€in€theÐ ä4 Ðnear€future.Ð Ð  ÐÌà  àThe€court€also€found€that€termination€of€Motherððs€and€Fatherððs€parental€rights€was€in€the€bestÐ ¨ø Ðinterests€of€the€children€on€the€basis€of€specific€findings€relating€to€the€statutory€list€of€factors€to€beÐ ”ä Ðconsidered.€€Relevant€to€best€interests,€the€court€further€found€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence€thatÐ €Ð Ðthe€children€had€resided€in€their€current€foster€home€for€a€total€of€15€months,€that€the€children€wereÐ l¼ Ðclosely€bonded€to€the€foster€parents€and€their€children,€and€that€the€foster€parents€hoped€to€adoptÐ X ¨ Ðthese€children.Ð D!” ÐÌà  àMother€appeals€the€termination€of€her€rights€to€both€T.A.R.€and€D.F.R.,€and€Father€appealsÐ #l! Ðthe€termination€of€his€rights€to€D.F.R.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð $X" ÐÌÌÌÐ ¸'#& Їà@ÛÛ%ìàò òI.€€òòGroundsóóó óˆÐ ° ÐÌà  àA€court€may€terminate€a€personððs€parental€rights€only€if€(1)€the€existence€of€at€least€oneÐ ˆØ Ðstatutory€ground€is€proved€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence€and€(2)€it€is€shown,€also€by€clear€andÐ tÄ Ðconvincing€evidence,€that€termination€of€the€parentððs€rights€is€in€the€best€interest€of€the€child.€€Tenn.Ð `° ÐCode€Ann.€ðð€36„6„113(c);€òòIn€re€Valentineóó,€79€S.W.3d€539,€546€(Tenn.€2002).€€The€higher€standardÐ L œ Ðof€proof,€which€serves€to€protect€a€parentððs€fundamental€right€to€the€care,€custody,€and€control€of€hisÐ 8 ˆ Ðor€her€child,€requires€evidence€that€eliminates€any€serious€or€substantial€doubt€about€the€correctnessÐ $ t Ðof€the€conclusions€to€be€drawn€from€it.€€òòIdóó.€€Clear€and€convincing€evidence€should€produce€in€theÐ  ` Ðfact„finderððs€mind€a€firm€belief€or€conviction€as€to€the€truth€of€the€facts€sought€to€be€established;€itÐ ü L  Ðshould€demonstrate€that€the€truth€of€the€facts€asserted€is€ð ðhighly€probable.ðð€€òòIn€re€C.W.W.óó,€37€S.W.3dÐ è 8  Ð467,€474€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€2002).Ð Ô$  ÐÌà  àIn€the€case€before€us,€the€trial€court€found€that€three€grounds€for€termination€had€been€proved€Ð ¬ü  Ðby€clear€and€convincing€evidence:€(1)€abandonment;€(2)€failure€to€substantially€comply€with€theÐ ˜è  Ðpermanency€plans;€and€(3)€persistence€of€conditions€that€prevent€safe€return€of€the€children€to€theÐ „Ô  Ðparentsðð€custody.€€The€parents€challenge€the€validity€of€the€findings€as€to€each€ground€for€variousÐ pÀ Ðreasons.Ð \¬ ÐÌò òÓ  ÓA.€€òòPersistence€of€Conditionsóóó óÐ 4„ ÐÓÓ>ÓÌà  àThe€trial€court€found€that€the€ground€of€persistence€of€conditions€that€prevent€the€childrenððsÐ  \ Ðsafe€return€to€the€parentsðð€home€had€been€proved€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence.€€That€ground€isÐ øH Ðset€out€in€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(g)(3)(A)€and€allows€a€trial€court€to€terminate€the€parentalÐ ä4 Ðrights€if:Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àThe€child€has€been€removed€from€the€home€of€the€parent€or€guardian€by€order€of€aÐ ¨ø Ðcourt€for€a€period€of€six€(6)€months€and:€Ð”äÐ Ð  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(I)€The€conditions€which€led€to€the€childððs€removal€or€otherÐ l¼ Ðconditions€which€in€all€reasonable€probability€would€cause€the€childÐ X ¨ Ðto€be€subjected€to€further€abuse€or€neglect€and€which,€therefore,Ð D!” Ðprevent€the€childððs€safe€return€to€the€care€of€the€parent(s)€orÐ 0"€  Ðguardian(s),€still€persist;Ð#l!` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(ii)€There€is€little€likelihood€that€these€conditions€will€be€remedied€atÐ ô$D # Ðan€early€date€so€that€the€child€can€be€safely€returned€to€the€parent(s)Ð à%0!$ Ðor€guardian(s)€in€the€near€future;€andÐÌ&"%` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(iii)€The€continuation€of€the€parent€or€guardian€and€child€relationshipÐ ¤(ô#' Ðgreatly€diminishes€the€childððs€chances€of€early€integration€into€a€safe,Ð )à$( Ðstable€and€permanent€home.Ð|*Ì%)` x` x ÐÐ h+¸&* Ðà  àUnder€the€clear€language€of€the€statute,€the€conditions€which€prevent€the€childððs€safe€returnÐ ° Ðto€the€home€may€be€either€(1)€the€conditions€that€led€to€removal€or€(2)€other€conditions€likely€toÐ œì Ðcause€further€neglect.€€Ð ˆØ ÐÌà  àAs€a€result€of€their€arrest€in€2001,€Mother€and€Father€pled€guilty€to€child€neglect€of€the€twoÐ `° Ðchildren€who€are€the€subject€of€this€action.€€Mother€served€approximately€five€months€for€that€crime.€Ð L œ ÐShe€later€violated€probation€by€failing€to€keep€in€contact€with€her€probation€officer.€€She€avoidedÐ 8 ˆ Ðarrest€for€the€probation€violation€for€a€while,€but€finally€turned€herself€in€and€was€incarcerated€againÐ $ t Ðfrom€May€2003€until€September€2003.€€Father€admitted€to€having€been€incarcerated€in€October„Ð  ` ÐNovember€2001€and€for€probation€violation€from€January€2003€to€April€2003.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€As€the€trial€courtÐ ü L  Ðfound,€the€parentsðð€current€living€situation€was€of€very€recent€origin.€€This€€lack€of€stability€adverselyÐ è 8  Ðimpacts€the€ability€of€the€children€to€return€to€the€parentsðð€custody.Ð Ô$  ÐÌà  àAs€the€trial€court€found,€however,€it€is€the€parentsðð€pattern€of€drug€use€that€creates€the€mostÐ ¬ü  Ðsignificant€barrier€to€a€safe€return€of€the€children.€€The€children€were€originally€removed€from€theirÐ ˜è  Ðcustody€in€part€because€of€drug€paraphernalia.€€On€the€first€permanency€plan,€which€was€signed€byÐ „Ô  ÐMother€and€approved€by€the€court,€the€reason€given€for€the€childrenððs€removal€from€their€parents€wasÐ pÀ Ðthe€history€of€drug€use€by€Mother€and€Father.€€At€trial,€both€Mother€and€Father€admitted€to€frequentÐ \¬ Ðdrug€use€prior€to€the€incident€resulting€in€the€removal€of€the€children.€€Mother€testified€that€they€hadÐ H˜ Ðquit€drugs€one€month€before€their€arrest.€€Father€testified€they€were€using€drugs€during€that€time.€€Ð 4„ ÐÌà  àThe€permanency€plan€requirements€recognized€that€drug€use€was€a€serious€barrier€to€returningÐ  \ Ðthe€children€to€the€parents€and€were€designed€to€address€the€parentsðð€drug€problems.€€Nevertheless,Ð øH ÐMother€had€a€positive€drug€screen€in€June€of€2002,€and€Father€had€a€positive€drug€screen€in€July€ofÐ ä4 Ð2002.€€At€trial,€both€Mother€and€Father€admitted€to€recent€use€of€cocaine.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Mother€testified€she€hadÐ Ð  Ðquit€using€drugs€on€her€birthday€the€year€before,€October€17,€2002.€€However,€she€testified€she€hadÐ ¼  Ðused€cocaine€approximately€three€weeks€before€the€trial.€€Father€admitted€to€using€cocaine€at€theÐ ¨ø Ðsame€time€with€Mother€and€to€using€it€again€a€few€days€before€trial.€€The€trial€court€found€that€theÐ ”ä Ðparents€ð ðhave€a€long€history€of€illegal€drug€use€and€that€not€only€have€they€provided€no€proof€ofÐ €Ð Ðcompleting€drug€treatment,€they€continue€to€use€crack€cocaine€even€now.€€Consequently,€the€mostÐ l¼ Ðserious€reason€that€the€children€were€placed€in€foster€care€continues€to€persist.ðð€€Ð X ¨ Ðâ âÐ D!” Ðà  àWe€agree€with€the€trial€courtððs€conclusions€as€to€the€seriousness€of€the€continued€drug€useÐ ° Ðâ âand€the€continuation€of€this€condition€that€prevents€the€safe€return€of€the€children€home.€€We€affirmÐ œì Ðthe€trial€courtððs€holding€that€the€existence€of€the€ground€set€out€in€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð36„1„Ð ˆØ Ð113(g)(3)(A)€was€proved€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú7Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð tÄ ÐÌà  àTo€support€the€termination€of€parental€rights,€only€one€ground€need€be€proved,€so€long€as€itÐ L œ Ðis€proved€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence.€€òòIn€the€Matter€of€D.L.B.óó,€118€S.W.3d€360,€367€(Tenn.Ð 8 ˆ Ð2003).€€€Indeed,€in€this€case,€DCS€has€chosen€to€rest€its€position€on€the€validity€of€the€trial€courtððsÐ $ t Ðholding€on€the€ground€of€persistence€of€conditions.€€The€guardian€òòad€litemóó,€however,€asserts€that€theÐ  ` Ðtrial€courtððs€holdings€on€the€other€two€grounds€must€also€be€affirmed.€€In€view€of€our€SupremeÐ ü L  ÐCourtððs€admonishment€in€òòIn€the€Matter€of€D.L.B.,óó€118€S.W.3d€at€367,€that€trial€courts€should€makeÐ è 8  Ðfindings€of€fact€and€conclusions€of€law€as€to€each€ground€alleged€in€order€to€avoid€delay€in€a€childððsÐ Ô$  Ðpermanent€placement,€we€will€address€the€other€two€grounds€found€to€exist€by€the€trial€court.Ð À  ÐÌò òòòÓ  ÓB.€€Abandonmentó óóóÐ ˜è  ÐÓ"YÓÌà  àAbandonment,€for€purposes€of€termination€of€parental€rights,€means€the€willful€failure€to€visitÐ pÀ Ðor€willful€failure€to€support,€or€make€reasonable€payments€toward€support,€for€a€period€of€fourÐ \¬ Ðconsecutive€months€immediately€preceding€the€filing€of€the€termination€petition.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.Ð H˜ Ððððð€36„1„113(g)(1)€and€36„1„102(1)(A).€€Although€the€trial€court€found€that€Mother€and€Father€hadÐ 4„ Ðabandoned€their€children€on€the€basis€of€both€failure€to€visit€and€failure€to€support,€neither€DCS€norÐ  p Ðthe€guardian€òòad€litemóó€argues€that€the€failure€to€support€finding€should€be€upheld.׃d×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú8Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Consequently,€weÐ  \ Ðwill€not€consider€that€ground.Ð øH ÐÌà  àThat€the€failure€to€visit€must€be€willful€is€both€a€statutory€and€constitutional€requirement.€Ð Ð  ÐòòIn€re€Swansonóó,€2€S.W.3d€180€(Tenn.€1999).€€An€element€of€intent€must€be€applied.€€òòIn€re€D.L.B.óó,€118Ð ¼  ÐS.W.3d€at€367.€€The€concept€of€willfulness€or€intent€is€often€the€determining€factor€in€whether€theÐ ¨ø Ðexistence€of€that€ground€has€been€shown€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence.€€òòSee,€e.g.,€In€re€L.J.C.,Ð ”ä ÐA.L.C.,€and€J.R.C.óó,€124€S.W.3d€609,€621€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€2003)€(holding€that€the€record€did€notÐ €Ð Ðprovide€clear€and€convincing€evidence€that€an€indigent€mother€intended,€rather€than€was€simplyÐ l¼ Ðunable,€to€pay€child€support);€òòIn€re€A.D.A.óó,€84€S.W.3d€592€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€2002)€(holding€that€theÐ X ¨ Ðproof€did€not€show€that€the€motherððs€failure€to€visit€was€intentional€rather€than€the€result€of€a€numberÐ D!” Ðof€circumstances€including€DCSððs€placement€of€the€child€in€another€county).Ð 0"€  ÐÐ #l! Ðà  àThe€question€of€intent€or€willfulness€is€fact€specific€and€depends€on€the€totality€ofÐ ° Ðcircumstances.€€It€is€a€question€of€fact€that€the€trial€court€is€in€the€best€position€to€make.€€òòIn€re€D.L.B.óó,Ð œì Ð118€S.W.32d€at€367.€€However,€those€facts€must€be€applied€to€a€standard€definition€of€willfulness.Ð ˆØ ÐÌà8  àWillful€conduct€consists€of€acts€or€failure€to€act€that€are€intentional€or€voluntaryÐ `° Ðrather€than€accidental€or€inadvertent.€€Conduct€is€ð ðwillfulðð€if€it€is€the€product€of€freeÐ L œ Ðwill€rather€than€coercion.€€Thus,€a€person€acts€ð ðwillfullyðð€if€he€or€she€is€a€free€agent,Ð 8 ˆ Ðknows€what€he€or€she€is€doing,€and€intends€to€do€what€he€or€she€is€doing.Ð$ tÐ Ð  ÐÌòòIn€re€Adoption€of€Muiróó,€No.€M2002„02963„COA„R3„CV,€2003€WL€22794524,€at€*5€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.Ð ü L  ÐNov.€25,€2003)€(no€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€11€application€filed)€(citations€omitted).Ð è 8  ÐÌà  àThe€willful€failure€to€visit€must€have€occurred€in€the€four€consecutive€months€immediatelyÐ À  Ðpreceding€the€filing€of€the€petition€to€terminate€that€is€before€the€court.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„Ð ¬ü  Ð102(1)(A)(i);€òòIn€re€D.L.B.óó,€118€S.W.3d€at€366.Ð ˜è  ÐÌà  àThe€evidence€clearly€established€that€from€December,€2001,€and€July,€2002,€Father€andÐ pÀ ÐMother€attended€almost€all€of€the€supervised€visits€that€were€arranged€by€DCS.€€The€parents€attendedÐ \¬ Ð10€of€13€scheduled€visits.€€The€last€supervised€visit€occurred€July€17,€2002.€€The€evidence€alsoÐ H˜ Ðclearly€shows€that€there€were€no€visits€between€Mother€and€Father€and€the€children€after€July€17,Ð 4„ Ð2002,€well€over€four€months€prior€to€the€filing€of€the€petition,€and€neither€parent€disputes€that€fact.€Ð  p ÐÌà  àThe€parents€and€DCS€differ€somewhat€in€their€explanations€of€the€reasons€for€the€failure€toÐ øH Ðvisit,€all€of€which€relates€to€the€issue€of€willfulness.€€Mother€attributed€the€cessation€of€visits€toÐ ä4 ÐDCSððs€unwillingness€to€ð ðwork€withðð€the€parents€and€give€them€information€about€ð ðwhat€we€wereÐ Ð  Ðsupposed€to€do.ðð€€Both€parents€testified€as€to€problems€with€communication€from€DCS,€exacerbatedÐ ¼  Ðby€the€fact€that€four€different€caseworkers€were€assigned€to€their€case€during€the€two€years€theÐ ¨ø Ðchildren€were€in€state€custody.€€Mother€and€Father€both€testified€to€many€attempts€to€contact€DCSÐ ”ä Ðand€many€messages€left€unreturned.€They€testified€that€they€had€left€contact€numbers€and€informedÐ €Ð ÐDCS€of€changes€in€contact€information.€€They€were€not€informed€of€various€developments,€such€asÐ l¼ Ðthe€childrenððs€placement€with€their€aunt,€permanency€plan€staffings€and€court€hearings€on€the€plans,Ð X ¨ Ðand€changes€in€their€caseworkers.€€Essentially,€they€blamed€poor€communication€and€lack€of€effortÐ D!” Ðby€DCS€for€their€failure€to€visit€the€children€after€July€of€2002.Ð 0"€  ÐÌà  àDCSððs€only€proof€on€these€issues€consisted€of€the€testimony€of€Ms.€Clegg,€who€had€been€theÐ $X" Ðcaseworker€for€these€children€for€less€than€two€months€before€the€trial,€òòi.eóó.,€since€September€of€2003.Ð ô$D # ÐMost€of€her€testimony€was€based€upon€her€review€of€the€DCS€records€compiled€by€the€threeÐ à%0!$ Ðcaseworkers€who€preceded€her€in€the€two€years€these€children€were€in€DCSððs€custody.€€Ms.€CleggÐ Ì&"% Ðobviously€had€no€personal€knowledge€of€many€of€the€relevant€events€testified€to€by€the€parents.€Ð ¸'#& ÐNone€of€the€other€caseworkers€were€called€as€witnesses.€Ð ¤(ô#' ÐÌà  àMother€testified€that€after€the€last€visit€there€had€been€confusion€about€the€exact€locationÐ |*Ì%) Ð(which€McDonaldððs)€of€the€visitation.€€She€stated€that€after€July,€2002,€there€were€three€instancesÐ h+¸&* Ðwhere€DCS€took€the€children€to€the€wrong€location.€€After€that,€Mother€testified,€she€continued€toÐ ° Ðcall€DCS€regularly,€although€she€began€to€call€less€frequently.Ð œì ÐÌà  àAt€some€point,€another€reason€for€the€lack€of€visits€developed.€€According€to€DCS€records,Ð tÄ ÐMother€had€had€a€positive€drug€screen€in€June€of€2002€which€was€reported€to€DCS€by€MotherððsÐ `° Ðprobation€officer.€€Father€was€given€a€drug€screen€the€day€of€the€last€visit,€July€17,€2002,€and€theÐ L œ Ðresults€were€positive€for€cocaine.€€At€some€point€thereafter,€DCS€determined€that€a€clean€drug€screenÐ 8 ˆ Ðwould€be€required€for€any€future€visitation.€€It€is€not€clear€how€or€when€this€pre„condition€wasÐ $ t Ðcommunicated€to€Mother€and€Father.€€(Ms.€Clegg€testified€that€in€2002€further€visits€wereÐ  ` Ðconditioned€on€drug€screens,€but€did€not€explain€how€the€information€was€transmitted€to€the€parents).Ð ü L  ÐHowever,€both€acknowledged€they€knew€of€this€requirement€sometime€after€the€third€missed€visit,Ð è 8  Ðwhich€occurred€in€September€of€2002.Ð Ô$  ÐÌà  àAt€some€point,€Mother€learned€there€was€an€outstanding€arrest€warrant€for€her€for€violatingÐ ¬ü  Ðher€probation€that€was€part€of€her€sentence€for€child€neglect.€€It€is€not€clear€whether€DCS€told€MotherÐ ˜è  Ðor€she€learned€about€the€warrant€some€other€way.€€In€any€event,€Mother€testified€she€was€told€by€herÐ „Ô  ÐDCS€caseworker€that€to€get€visitation€she€needed€to€come€to€the€DCS€office€and€get€a€drug€screen,Ð pÀ Ðbut€if€she€showed€up€there€she€would€be€arrested.€€Mother€testified€she€did€not€want€to€be€arrested,Ð \¬ Ðbut€wanted€to€turn€herself€in.€€Ms.€Clegg€testified€that€the€records€reflected€that€on€October€22,€2002,Ð H˜ ÐMother€telephoned€DCS€and€refused€to€visit€because€of€the€outstanding€warrant€for€her€arrest.Ð 4„ ÐÌà  àMother€also€testified€that€the€caseworker€then€assigned€to€them€urged€her€to€turn€herself€inÐ  \ Ðand€told€her€if€she€did€so,€she€would€just€be€getting€done€what€she€needed€to€get€done.€€Mother€alsoÐ øH Ðtestified€that€this€caseworker€told€her,€a€week€before€she€surrendered€herself,€that€DCS€was€not€thenÐ ä4 Ðconsidering€terminating€her€rights.€€Father€testified€that€on€April€18,€2003,€the€day€after€he€wasÐ Ð  Ðreleased€from€jail,€he€went€to€the€DCS€office.€€He€eventually€met€with€a€supervisor,€Ms.€Bell,€whoÐ ¼  Ðtold€him€that€Mother€needed€to€turn€herself€in€so€that€DCS€would€have€an€ð ðoutletðð€within€which€toÐ ¨ø Ðwork€with€her.€€Ð ”ä ÐÌà  àMother€turned€herself€in€on€the€probation€violation€warrant€and€began€serving€her€sentenceÐ l¼ Ðin€May€of€2003.€€Interestingly,€the€third€set€of€permanency€plans€for€the€children€was€staffed€AprilÐ X ¨ Ð16,€2003,€apparently€without€notice€to€the€parents,€and€those€plans€changed€the€single€goal€toÐ D!” Ðreunification€with€the€parents.Ð 0"€  ÐÌà  àMeanwhile,€Father€had€been€incarcerated€from€January€of€2003€until€April€17,€2003,€also€onÐ $X" Ðcharges€of€violating€his€probation.€€Father€testified€that€the€day€after€his€release€he€went€to€the€DCSÐ ô$D # Ðoffice,€took€a€drug€test,€attempted€to€find€out€about€the€children,€and€tried€to€re„establish€visitation.€Ð à%0!$ ÐHe€met€with€Ms.€Bell.€€He€continued€to€call€the€DCS€office€regularly.€€He€learned€about€a€hearingÐ Ì&"% Ðscheduled€for€May€1€for€the€purpose€of€moving€the€children€from€their€auntððs€custody€back€to€fosterÐ ¸'#& Ðcare.€€He€went€to€that€hearing€and€asked€DCS€representatives€who€were€present€about€visitation.€€HeÐ ¤(ô#' Ðcontinued€to€call€and€ask€DCS€for€visitation€in€June.€€His€efforts€prompted€the€DCS€caseworker€toÐ )à$( Ðâ âvisit€Mother,€who€had€since€been€incarcerated€in€May,€having€turned€herself€on€the€outstandingÐ |*Ì%) Ðwarrant.€€The€DCS€records€reflected€that€a€case€manager€visited€Mother€and€reviewed€the€status€ofÐ ° Ðthe€case€while€Mother€was€incarcerated€on€June€17,€2003.€Ð œì Ðâ âÌà  àMother€testified€she€had€not€wanted€the€children€to€visit€while€she€was€in€jail€from€May€toÐ tÄ ÐSeptember€2003,€because€there€was€a€staph€infection€in€the€correctional€facility.€€Ð `° ÐÌà  àIn€contrast€to€the€specific€testimony€of€the€parents,€Ms.€Clegg€testified€that€the€main€reasonÐ 8 ˆ Ðfor€the€change€in€planning€goals€to€adoption€in€the€fourth€permanency€plan,€prepared€in€SeptemberÐ $ t Ðof€2003,€was€the€lack€of€contact€from€the€parents.€€She€stated€that,€again€according€to€DCS€records,Ð  ` Ðthe€last€time,€and€the€only€time€since€April€of€2003,€that€the€parents€contacted€DCS€was€a€telephoneÐ ü L  Ðcall€from€Father€on€June€2,€2003,€and€a€caseworker€visit€to€Mother€in€jail€on€July€17,€2003.€Ð è 8  ÐÌà  àFather€argues€that€any€failure€to€visit€on€his€part€during€the€four€months€prior€to€May€30,Ð À  Ð2003,€was€not€willful€since€he€was€incarcerated€from€January€of€2003€through€April€17,€2003,€andÐ ¬ü  Ðthat€upon€his€release,€he€immediately€took€steps€to€reinstate€visitation.€€Similarly,€the€proof€showsÐ ˜è  Ðthat€Mother€was€jailed€after€she€turned€herself€in€in€May€of€2003,€after€encouragement€from€DCSÐ „Ô  Ðcaseworkers€that€such€action€would€provide€her€the€opportunity€to€do€the€things€necessary€for€theÐ pÀ Ðreturn€of€her€children.€€She€remained€incarcerated€until€September€of€2003.€€Apparently,€as€of€AprilÐ \¬ Ð6,€2003,€DCS€did€not€consider€the€lack€of€visitation€prior€to€that€date€to€be€an€impediment€toÐ H˜ Ðreturning€the€children€to€the€parents,€as€evidenced€by€the€permanency€plan€prepared€then.Ð 4„ ÐÌà  àAs€set€out€earlier,€the€ground€at€issue€is€defined€as€the€willful€failure€to€visit€in€the€fourÐ  \ Ðconsecutive€months€immediately€preceding€the€filing€of€the€petition.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„Ð øH Ð102(1)(A)(i).€€That€statute€has€been€interpreted€as€referring€to€the€petition€to€terminate€that€is€beforeÐ ä4 Ðthe€court€in€the€proceeding€resulting€in€the€termination€order€under€appeal.€€òòSee€In€re€D.L.B.óó,€118Ð Ð  ÐS.W.3d€at€366.€€In€the€case€before€us,€there€were€two€petitions€filed.€€The€guardian€òòad€litemóó€filed€theÐ ¼  Ðpetition€that€initiated€the€proceeding€€on€May€30,€2003.€€He€alleged€abandonment€by€willful€failureÐ ¨ø Ðto€visit€in€the€four€month€period€immediately€preceding€the€filing€of€his€petition.Ð ”ä ÐÌà  àDCS€filed€an€ð ðIntervening€Petitionðð€on€October€6,€2003,€and€alleged€a€willful€failure€to€visitÐ l¼ Ðin€the€four€months€immediately€preceding€the€filing€of€its€petition.€€The€trial€courtððs€final€order€statesÐ X ¨ Ðthat€the€matter€was€heard€upon€both€petitions€to€terminate.€Pursuant€to€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„Ð D!” Ð113(h),€where€a€party€who€has€standing€to€bring€a€petition€to€terminate€the€parental€rights€of€a€childÐ 0"€  Ðfiles€such€a€petition,€DCS€must,€in€circumstances€set€out€in€the€statute,€or€may€not,€in€otherÐ #l! Ðenumerated€circumstances,€ð ðseek€to€be€joined€as€a€party€as€a€party€to€the€petition.ðð€€Whether€DCSÐ $X" Ðintended€the€ð ðIntervening€Petitionðð€filed€herein€as€seeking€to€be€joined€as€a€party€is€not€clear.€€Ð ô$D # ÐÌà  àThis€set€of€circumstances€leads€to€questions€regarding€whether€DCSððs€petition€authorized€theÐ Ì&"% Ðuse€of€an€additional€four€month€period€for€determination€of€the€ground€of€abandonment.€€We€needÐ ¸'#& Ðnot€address€those€questions€in€this€case,€however,€because€DCS€has€not€relied€on€the€abandonmentÐ ¤(ô#' Ðground€in€this€appeal€and€does€not€assert€that€visitation€before€October€6,€2003,€must€be€consideredÐ )à$( Ðin€addition€to€or€in€the€alternative€to€the€four€months€before€May€30,€2003.€€Additionally,€the€trialÐ |*Ì%) Ðcourt€order€considered€the€four€month€period€to€be€measured€from€the€initial€petition.€€No€party€hasÐ h+¸&* Ðchallenged€that€ruling€on€appeal.׃ ×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú9Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Consequently,€we€conclude€that€in€this€case€the€guardian€òòadÐ ° Ðlitemóóððs€petition€is€the€relevant€one.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú10Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Ð œì ÐÌà  àAn€additional€factor€in€pinpointing€the€correct€four€month€period€must€be€considered,Ð tÄ Ðhowever.€€The€statutory€definition€of€abandonment€applicable€to€termination€of€parental€rights€casesÐ `° Ðincludes€the€situation€where:Ð L œ ÐÌà8  àA€parent€or€guardian€is€incarcerated€at€the€time€of€the€institution€of€an€action€orÐ $ t Ðproceeding€to€declare€a€child€to€be€an€abandoned€child,€or€the€parent€or€guardian€hasÐ  ` Ðbeen€incarcerated€during€all€or€part€of€the€four€(4)€months€immediately€preceding€theÐ ü L  Ðinstitution€of€such€action€or€proceeding,€and€either€has€willfully€failed€to€visit€or€hasÐ è 8  Ðwillfully€failed€to€support€or€has€willfully€failed€to€make€reasonable€payments€towardÐ Ô$  Ðthe€support€of€the€child€for€four€(4)€consecutive€months€immediately€preceding€suchÐ À  Ðparentððs€or€guardianððs€incarceration,€or€the€parent€or€guardian€has€engaged€in€conductÐ ¬ü  Ðprior€to€incarceration€which€exhibits€a€wanton€disregard€for€the€welfare€of€the€child;Иè Ð Ð  ÐÌTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„102(1)(A)(iv).Ð pÀ ÐÌà  àMother€was€incarcerated€in€May€of€2003;€consequently,€the€time€period€applicable€to€herÐ H˜ Ðfailure€to€visit€is€the€four€months€preceding€that€incarceration.€€Father€was€incarcerated€from€JanuaryÐ 4„ Ðthrough€part€of€April,€2003;€therefore,€the€four€month€period€applicable€to€him€is€September€throughÐ  p ÐDecember,€2002.€€Ð  \ ÐÌà  àWhile€it€is€clear€there€was€no€visitation€during€the€relevant€time€period,€or€any€of€the€otherÐ ä4 Ðtime€periods€that€could€have€applied,€the€question€is€whether€the€failure€to€visit€was€willful.€€TheÐ Ð  Ðparentsðð€testimony€regarding€the€initial€missed€visits€and€their€efforts€to€contact€DCS€to€arrangeÐ ¼  Ðvisitation€was€not€directly€contradicted€since€the€only€evidence€presented€was€Ms.€Cleggððs€testimonyÐ ¨ø Ðbased€solely€on€records.€€Having€reviewed€the€entire€record€in€this€case,€we€conclude€that€willfulÐ ”ä Ðfailure€to€visit€for€the€applicable€time€period€was€not€proved€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence.€€WeÐ €Ð Ðreverse€the€trial€courtððs€finding€as€to€that€ground.€€Ð l¼ ÐÌà@ ìàò òC.€€òòCompliance€With€Permanency€Plansóóó óˆÐ D!” ÐÌà  àThe€third€ground€for€the€termination€of€Motherððs€and€Fatherððs€parental€rights€was€failure€toÐ #l! Ðsubstantially€comply€with€the€Permanency€Plans.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(g)(2).€€The€parentsÐ $X" Ðargue€that€DCS€did€not€prove€this€ground€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence.€€To€the€contrary,€theyÐ ô$D # Ðargue,€they€substantially€complied€with€the€Plans.Ð à%0!$ Їà  àPrior€to€terminating€parental€rights€based€on€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(g)(2),€the€trialÐ ° Ðcourt€must€find€that€the€requirements€of€the€permanency€plan€that€the€parent€allegedly€did€not€satisfyÐ œì Ðare€ð ðreasonable€and€are€related€to€remedying€the€conditions€which€necessitate€foster€care€placement.ðð€Ð ˆØ ÐòòIn€re€Valentineóó,€79€S.W.3d€at€547€(quoting€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€37„2„403(a)(2)(C)).€€DeterminingÐ tÄ Ðwhether€substantial€noncompliance€has€been€shown€is€a€question€of€law€that€must€also€be€reviewedÐ `° Ðwithout€a€presumption€of€correctness.€€òòIdóó.€at€548.Ð L œ ÐÌà  àIn€order€for€noncompliance€to€justify€the€termination€of€parental€rights,€it€must€beÐ $ t Ðð ðsubstantial.ðð€€òòIdóó.€at€548.€€In€other€words,€mere€technical€noncompliance€alone€is€not€sufficient€toÐ  ` Ðjustify€the€termination€of€parental€rights.€€òòIdóó.€€Noncompliance€with€requirements€in€a€permanencyÐ ü L  Ðplan€that€are€neither€reasonable€nor€related€to€remedying€the€conditions€that€led€to€the€removal€of€theÐ è 8  Ðchild€from€the€parentððs€custody€is€not€relevant€for€purposes€of€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(g)(2).€Ð Ô$  ÐòòIdóó.€at€548„49.€€Additionally,€the€parentððs€degree€of€noncompliance€with€a€reasonable€and€relatedÐ À  Ðrequirement€must€be€assessed.Ð ¬ü  ÐÌà  àDCS€prepared€an€initial€permanency€plan€which€was€agreed€to€by€Mother€at€a€staffing€onÐ „Ô  ÐNovember€1,€2001.€€The€initial€plan€had€concurrent€goals€of€return€to€the€parents€and€relativeÐ pÀ Ðplacement.€€A€second€plan€was€staffed€on€September€30,€2002,€but€neither€parent€was€present.€€ThisÐ \¬ Ðplan€reflected€the€goals€of€relative€placement€or€adoption.€€A€third€plan€was€staffed€April€6,€2003,Ð H˜ Ðwith€neither€parent€present,€which€had€the€goal€of€return€to€the€parents.€€A€fourth€plan€was€staffedÐ 4„ Ðon€September€24,€2003,€and€reflected€adoption€as€a€goal.€€All€the€plans€had€the€same€statement€ofÐ  p Ðresponsibilities€for€the€parents.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú11Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð  \ ÐÌà  àMother€used€her€time€in€jail€to€work€on€her€permanency€plan€requirements.€€She€completedÐ ä4 Ða€second€parenting€class,€completed€the€first€phase€of€a€drug€treatment€program,€which€was€all€theÐ Ð  Ðlength€of€her€sentence€would€allow,€and€took€some€educational€classes.€€Nonetheless,€Ms.€CleggÐ ¼  Ðtestified€that€in€her€opinion€neither€Mother€nor€Father€had€substantially€complied€with€theÐ ¨ø Ðrequirements€of€the€permanency€plan.€€She€based€this€opinion€primarily€on€the€fact€that€there€wasÐ ”ä Ðno€certificate€or€other€documentation€in€the€file€to€show€that€either€parent€had€completed€a€drugÐ €Ð Ðtreatment€program€even€though€both€had€attended€programs.€€Additionally,€she€relied€on€the€failureÐ l¼ Ðof€visitation,€since€visitation€with€the€children€4„5€hours€per€month€was€a€requirement€of€the€plan.Ð X ¨ Ðâ âÐ D!” Ðà  àThe€parents€were€required€to€address€their€drug€problem€through€several€of€the€specific€planÐ ° Ðâ ârequirements:€completion€of€a€drug€treatment€program;€compliance€with€recommendations€from€theÐ œì Ðprogram€therapist;€and€random€drug€screens.€€Although€both€parents€attended€a€drug€treatmentÐ ˆØ Ðprogram,€neither€completed€one.€€Their€efforts€to€complete€a€program€and€to€continue€follow„upÐ tÄ Ðrequirements€to€avoid€relapse€were€non„existent€to€sporadic.€€While€they€underwent€a€few€drugÐ `° Ðscreens,€there€is€no€evidence€they€regularly€submitted€to€them.€€It€should€be€noted€that€those€specificÐ L œ Ðrequirements€were€designed€to€ensure€that€Mother€and€Father€stop€using€illegal€drugs.€€That€was€theÐ 8 ˆ Ðreal€goal,€and€parents€understood€they€were€expected€to€refrain€from€drug€use.€€They€did€not.Ð $ t ÐÌà  àWe€agree€with€the€trial€court€that€these€requirements€were€reasonable€and€were€related€to€theÐ ü L  Ðconditions€that€led€to€removal€of€the€children€and€their€continued€placement€in€foster€care.€€We€alsoÐ è 8  Ðagree€that€clear€and€convincing€evidence€shows€that€Mother€and€Father€failed€to€substantially€complyÐ Ô$  Ðwith€the€requirements.€€The€parentsðð€drug€use€was€the€most€serious€barrier€to€their€regaining€custodyÐ À  Ðof€the€children.Ð ¬ü  ÐÌà  àWhile€Mother€completed€parenting€classes€and€Father€obtained€stable€employment,€weÐ „Ô  Ðcannot€conclude€these€steps€outweigh€their€failure€to€address€the€most€serious€problem€that€kept€theÐ pÀ Ðchildren€in€state€custody.€€Consequently,€we€affirm€the€trial€courtððs€holding€that€the€ground€of€failureÐ \¬ Ðto€substantially€comply€with€the€permanency€plan€requirements€was€proved€by€clear€and€convincingÐ H˜ Ðevidence.Ð 4„ ÐÌòòÓ  Óò òII.€€Best€Interestsó óóóÐ  \ ÐÓµÓÌà  àSince€the€removal€from€the€parentsðð€custody,€the€children€have€developed€a€relationship€withÐ ä4 Ða€foster€family,€and€Foster€Parents€want€to€adopt€them.€€The€children€were€placed€with€Foster€ParentsÐ Ð  Ðfrom€June€through€December€of€2002.€€The€children€then€went€to€live€with€an€aunt€in€Kentucky,€butÐ ¼  Ðvisited€Foster€Parents€frequently.€€The€children€were€returned€to€the€Foster€Parentsðð€home€in€AugustÐ ¨ø Ðof€2003,€and€remained€there€at€the€time€of€trial.€€T.A.R.€and€D.F.R.€have€become€part€of€the€family.€Ð ”ä ÐBoth€children€receive€the€health€care,€educational,€and€other€services€they€need.€€When€she€first€cameÐ €Ð Ðinto€custody,€T.A.R.€was€developmentally€delayed€in€the€areas€of€speech€and€motor€skills.€€She€hasÐ l¼ Ðreceived€needed€services€and€has€improved.Ð X ¨ ÐÌà  àAmong€the€factors€to€be€considered€in€determining€whether€termination€of€parental€rights€isÐ 0"€  Ðin€the€childððs€best€interest€are€the€following:Ð #l! ÐÌà8  à(1)€€Whether€the€parent€or€guardian€has€made€such€an€adjustment€of€circumstance,Ð ô$D # Ðconduct,€or€conditions€as€to€make€it€safe€and€in€the€childððs€best€interest€to€be€in€theÐ à%0!$ Ðhome€of€the€parent€or€guardian;ÐÌ&"%Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  à(2)€Whether€the€parent€or€guardian€has€failed€to€effect€a€lasting€adjustment€afterÐ ¤(ô#' Ðreasonable€efforts€by€available€social€services€agencies€for€such€duration€of€time€thatÐ )à$( Ðlasting€adjustment€does€not€reasonably€appear€possible;Ð|*Ì%)Ð Ð  ÐÐ h+¸&* Ðà8  à(3)€€Whether€the€parent€or€guardian€has€maintained€regular€visitation€or€other€contactÐ ° Ðwith€the€child;ÐœìÐ Ð  ÐÌà8  à(4)€€Whether€a€meaningful€relationship€has€otherwise€been€established€between€theÐ tÄ Ðparent€or€guardian€and€the€child;Ð`°Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  à(5)€€The€effect€a€change€of€caretakers€and€physical€environment€is€likely€to€have€onÐ 8 ˆ Ðthe€childððs€emotional,€psychological€and€medical€condition;Ð$ tÐ Ð  ÐÌà8  à(6)€€Whether€the€parent€or€guardian,€or€other€person€residing€with€the€parent€orÐ ü L  Ðguardian,€has€shown€brutality,€physical,€sexual,€emotional€or€psychological€abuse,€orÐ è 8  Ðneglect€toward€the€child,€or€another€child€or€adult€in€the€family€or€household;ÐÔ$ Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  à(7)€€Whether€the€physical€environment€of€the€parentððs€or€guardianððs€home€is€healthyÐ ¬ü  Ðand€safe,€whether€there€is€criminal€activity€in€the€home,€or€whether€there€is€such€useÐ ˜è  Ðof€alcohol€or€controlled€substances€as€may€render€the€parent€or€guardian€consistentlyÐ „Ô  Ðunable€to€care€for€the€child€in€a€safe€and€stable€manner;ÐpÀÐ Ð  ÐÌà8  à(8)€€Whether€the€parentððs€or€guardianððs€mental€and/or€emotional€status€would€beÐ H˜ Ðdetrimental€to€the€child€or€prevent€the€parent€or€guardian€from€effectively€providingÐ 4„ Ðsafe€and€stable€care€and€supervision€for€the€child;€or€Ð pÐ Ð  ÐÌà8  à(9)€€Whether€the€parent€or€guardian€has€paid€child€support€consistent€with€the€childÐ øH Ðsupport€guidelines€promulgated€by€the€department€pursuant€to€ðð€36„5„101.Ðä4Ð Ð  ÐÌTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(I).Ð ¼  ÐÌà  àThe€trial€court€made€specific€findings€as€to€the€statutory€factors,€including€specifically€findingÐ ”ä Ðthat€Mother€and€Father€had€failed€to€make€an€adjustment€of€circumstances,€conduct€or€conditionsÐ €Ð Ðso€as€to€make€it€safe€for€the€children€to€return€home;€that€lasting€adjustment€does€not€reasonablyÐ l¼ Ðappear€possible;€that€no€meaningful€relationship€had€been€established€between€the€parents€and€theÐ X ¨ Ðchildren€and€the€parents€had€not€visited€the€children€or€maintained€contact€with€them;€that€a€changeÐ D!” Ðof€caretakers€would€likely€adversely€affect€the€children;€and€that€Mother€and€Father€had€continuedÐ 0"€  Ðto€engage€in€criminal€conduct.€€The€evidence€does€not€preponderate€against€the€specific€factualÐ #l! Ðfindings.€€Additional,€the€totality€of€these€findings€and€other€evidence€regarding€the€childrenððsÐ $X" Ðwellbeing€shows€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence€that€termination€of€the€parental€rights€of€MotherÐ ô$D # Ðand€Father€is€in€the€best€interest€of€T.A.R.€and€D.F.R.€€They€are€in€a€stable€home€where€their€needsÐ à%0!$ Ðare€met,€and€they€have€the€opportunity€to€have€that€situation€made€permanent€through€adoption€byÐ Ì&"% ÐFoster€Parents.Ð ¸'#& ÐÌÌÌÐ h+¸&* ЇÓ  Óò òòòIII.€€Conclusionó óóóÐ ° ÐÓèÈÓÌà  àBecause€there€are€statutory€grounds€for€termination€and€such€termination€is€in€the€bestÐ ˆØ Ðinterest€of€the€children,€both€having€been€shown€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence,€we€affirm€theÐ tÄ Ðjudgment€of€the€trial€court€terminating€the€parental€rights€of€Mother€and€Father.€€Costs€are€taxed€toÐ `° ÐAppellants.Ð L œ ÐÌÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à___________________________________€Ð ü L  Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àPATRICIA€J.€COTTRELL,€JUDGE