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ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<Î` AßÐ Ï Ðó óÌÓ  ÓÔ‡X÷KXXX÷KÔà  àThis€appeal€involves€a€petition€by€prospective€adoptive€parents€for€termination€of€parentalÐ Î Ðrights,€temporary€guardianship,€and€for€adoption€of€the€minor€child€of€the€defendant€father.€€In€a€non„Ð ¾ Ðjury€trial,€at€the€conclusion€of€petitionerððs€proof,€the€trial€court€found€that€they€had€failed€to€proveÐ ®þ Ðby€clear€and€convincing€evidence€that€the€defendant€father€had€abandoned€the€child€and€dismissedÐ žî Ðthe€petition.€€The€prospective€adoptive€parents€have€appealed.Ô#†X÷KXXX÷Kª#ÔÔ#†¼âÔ»XX÷KÙ#ÔÔ‡X÷KX»¼âÔÔÐ ŽÞ ÐÓžÓÌò òTenn.R.App.P.€3,€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Chancery€Court€Affirmed€andÐ n¾ ÐRemandedó óÐ ^® ÐÌòòÓ  ÓÔ#†¼âÔ»àX÷K:#ÔÔ‡X÷KX.¼âÔÔW.€Frank€Crawford,€P.J.,€W.S.óó,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòAlan€E.Highers,€J.óóÐ >Ž Ðand€òòDavid€R€Farmer,€J.óó,€joined.Ð .~ ÐÌDavid€Bass,€Carthage,€For€AppellantsÐ ^ ÐÌJames€B.€Dance,€Carthage,€For€AppelleeÐ î > ÐÓ ÓÌò òOPINIONó óÔ#†¼âÔ»XX÷K: #ÔÔ‡X÷KX»¼âÔÔÐ Î"! ÐÌòòóóÔ#†¼âÔ»XX÷KÆ #ÔÔ‡X÷KX»¼âÔÔÓ  ÓÔ‡X÷KXXX÷KÔà  àPlaintiffs,€Ronald€Eugene€Taylor€and€wife€Rita€Cheryl€Taylor€(hereinafter€ð ðÔ_ÔTaylorsÔ_Ôðð),€appealÐ ®$þ# Ðthe€judgment€of€the€trial€court€dismissing€their€petition€to€terminate€the€parental€rights€of€defendant,Ð ž%î $ ÐLeo€Duncan,€Jr.€(hereinafter€ð ðFatherðð),€father€of€Derrick€Douglas€Duncan€(hereinafter€ð ðthe€childðð).€Ð Ž&Þ!% ÐÌà  àOn€July€10,€1998,€Taylors€filed€a€ð ðPetition€for€Termination€of€Parental€Rights,€TemporaryÐ n(¾#' ÐGuardianship€and€Adoption€of€a€Childðð€against€defendant,€Leo€Duncan,€Jr.,€the€biological€father€ofÐ ^)®$( Ðthe€child.€€The€petition€alleges€that€the€child€was€born€April€28,€1994€in€Smith€County,€TennesseeÐ N*ž%) Ðto€defendant€Leo€Duncan,€Jr.,€and€his€wife,€Connie€Sue€McMillan€Duncan€(hereinafter€ð ðMotherðð).€Ð >+Ž&* ÐThe€petition€avers€that€Father€is€currently€incarcerated€at€the€South€Central€Correctional€Facility€inÐ .,~'+ ÐClifton,€Tennessee.€€The€petition€further€avers€that€on€April€24,€1998,€Mother€surrendered€the€childÐ -n(,ý' Ðfor€adoption€before€Chancellor€Vernon€Neal,€Chancellor€of€the€Putnam€County€Chancery€Court,€andÐ ° Ðher€parental€rights€were€terminated€on€April€24,€1998,€pursuant€to€statute.€€The€petition€alleges€thatÐ  ð ÐFather€has€abandoned€the€child€as€provided€in€T.C.A.€Ô#†X÷KXXX÷KO #ÔÔ‡XÖÅ XXX÷KÔððÔ#†X÷KX XXÖÅ;#ÔÔ‡X÷KXXX÷KÔ€36„1„102€and€Ô#†X÷KXXX÷K#ÔÔ‡XÖÅ XXX÷KÔððÔ#†X÷KX XXÖÅÑ#ÔÔ‡X÷KXXX÷KÔ€36„1„113€(1)(7)(B)(i).€Ð à ÐTaylors€aver€that€the€termination€of€parental€rights€is€in€the€best€interest€of€the€minor€child€and€thatÐ ŽÞ Ðthey€obtained€physical€custody€of€the€child€approximately€March€1,€1998,€from€Mother€and€haveÐ ~Î Ðmaintained€physical€custody€and€control€since€that€time.€€The€petition€seeks€the€adoption€of€the€child.€Ð n ¾ ÐÌ€à  àFatherððs€answer€to€the€petition€filed€on€September€16,€1998,€after€a€motion€for€default€wasÐ N ž Ðfiled€by€Taylors,€denies€the€material€allegations€of€the€petition€and€avers€that€he€has€not€abandonedÐ > Ž Ðthe€child,€and€that€the€child€is€not€a€suitable€child€for€adoption.€€Ð . ~  ÐÌà  àThe€case€was€heard€without€a€jury€on€July€15,€1998.€€Taylors€testified€that€the€child€had€beenÐ ^  Ðwith€them€for€about€15€months€and€during€that€time€Father€had€not€tried€to€contact€the€child€nor€hadÐ þN  Ðhe€sent€any€money€for€the€childððs€support.€€They€testified€concerning€their€desire€to€have€the€childÐ î>  Ðas€their€own€and€their€ability€financially€and€physically€to€take€care€of€the€child.€€Ð Þ.  ÐÌà  àThe€Reverend€Steve€Warren,€the€Taylorsðð€pastor,€testified€concerning€their€character,€theirÐ ¾ Ðactivities€with€the€child,€and€their€ability€to€take€care€of€the€child.€€Jane€Forcum€testified€that€she€isÐ ®þ Ða€case€worker€with€the€Midcumberland€Childrenððs€Services.€€She€had€done€a€home€study€of€theÐ žî ÐTaylorsðð€home€and€found€that€they€were€suitable€as€adoptive€parents.€€Angie€Bass,€social€counselorÐ ŽÞ Ðwith€the€Department€of€Human€Services,€testified€that€Mother€was€removed€from€the€home€ofÐ ~Î ÐFatherððs€parents€where€she,€Father€and€the€child€were€living.€€At€that€time,€Mother€was€mentally€illÐ n¾ Ðand€in€need€of€medical€attention.€€Bass€also€testified€that€the€grandmother€of€the€child,€FatherððsÐ ^® Ðmother,€had€been€the€primary€care€provider€for€the€child€while€the€child€resided€in€her€home.€€At€theÐ Nž Ðtime€of€the€trial,€Janice€Duncan,€Fatherððs€mother,€had€died.€€Ms.€Bass€also€testified€that€Mr.€and€Mrs.Ð >Ž ÐDuncan,€Jr.,€lived€with€Duncan,€Jr.ððs€mother€and€father€from€shortly€after€the€childððs€birth,€and€atÐ .~ Ðsome€point€in€time€when€the€child€was€approximately€18€months€to€2€years€of€age,€she€was€calledÐ n Ðto€the€home€and€found€the€childððs€mother€in€a€comatose€state.€€She€and€a€deputy€sheriff€removedÐ ^ ÐMother€from€the€home,€and€the€child€was€left€in€the€home€to€be€cared€for€by€the€primary€care€giver,Ð þN ÐLeo€Duncan,€Jr.ððs€mother.€€At€some€point,€approximately€18€months€after€that,€the€childððs€motherÐ î> Ðwas€allowed€to€take€the€child€from€the€Duncan,€Sr.€home€to€reside€with€her€until€she€surrendered€theÐ Þ . Ðchild€for€adoption.Ð Î! ÐÌà  àFather€was€called€to€testify€by€Taylors.€€He€testified€that€he€was€incarcerated€on€April€10,Ð ®#þ! Ð1996,€and€is€due€for€release€in€July,€1999,€shortly€after€the€trial.€€He€explained€that€his€criminalÐ ž$î" Ðconvictions€were€burglary€and€introduction€of€a€controlled€substance€into€a€penal€institution.€€HeÐ Ž%Þ # Ðtestified€that€prior€to€his€incarceration€in€1996,€he€had€made€about€$700.00.€€Prior€to€that€he€hadÐ ~&Î!$ Ðrather€sporadic€employment€in€1994€and€1995.€€Father€testified€that€he€tried€to€work€when€he€couldÐ n'¾"% Ðand€that€while€he€was€living€in€the€home€with€his€parents€and€the€child,€he€helped€support€and€careÐ ^(®#& Ðfor€the€child.€€When€Father€was€incarcerated€in€the€county€jail,€his€parents€brought€the€child€to€theÐ N)ž$' Ðjail€for€visitation.€€At€the€time€the€child€was€removed€from€his€motherððs€home,€Father€had€beenÐ >*Ž%( Ðtransferred€to€the€state€prison.€€Father€testified€that€his€mother€told€him€that€the€child€had€beenÐ .+~&) Ðremoved€from€the€home,€and€he€believed€that€the€child€was€in€the€custody€of€the€Department€ofÐ ,n'* ÐHuman€Services.€€Father€further€testified€that€when€he€received€the€service€of€process€in€July€ofÐ ° Ð1998,€he€contacted€his€mother€and€asked€her€to€call€his€attorney€to€protect€his€rights.€€He€was€inÐ  ð Ðcontact€with€his€attorney€through€his€mother.€€Father€introduced€into€evidence€a€letter€he€wrote€toÐ à Ðthe€attorney€from€prison€which€states:Ð €Ð ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àDear€Mr.€Dance:Ð` °` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àThis€is€Leo€Duncan,€Jr.,€Derrick€Douglas€Duncanððs€dad.€I€would€likeÐ @  Ðfor€you€to€be€my€lawyer€to€defend€my€rights€as€a€father€and€put€a€stopÐ 0 € Ðto€the€adoption€of€my€son.€€I€do€not€want€this€to€happen.€€Derrick€isÐ  p  Ðthe€only€son€I€have€and€I€love€him€with€all€of€my€heart,€so€I€want€youÐ `  Ðto€stop€this€adoption€of€my€son€and€send€him€home€with€his€grandmaÐ P  Ðand€grandpa€where€he€belongs.€€I€have€just€got€seven€months€left€andÐ ð@  ÐI€will€be€home.Ðà0 ` x` x ÐÌà  àTaylorsðð€proof€closed€with€Fatherððs€testimony,€and€Father€made€a€motion€to€dismiss€whichÐ À Ðwas€granted€by€the€trial€court.€€In€so€ruling,€the€court€stated:Ð ° ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à[Ô_ÔY]ouÔ_Ô€have€failed€to€carry€the€burden€of€proof€here€that€there€has€beenÐ à Ðany€type€of€abandonment€whatsoever€under€any€of€those€statues€thatÐ €Ð Ðyou€cited,€under€any€section.ÐpÀ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àI€donððt€think€ð!ð€you€havenððt€convinced€the€court€that€the€fatherÐ P  Ðwas€engaged€in€conduct€prior€to€incarceration€which€exhibit[s]€aÐ @ Ðwanton€disregard€for€the€welfare€of€the€child.Ð0€` x` x ÐÌà  àThe€Taylors€have€appealed€and€present€two€issues€for€review,€as€stated€in€their€brief:Ð ` ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àI.€€Whether€the€trial€court€was€in€error€when,€at€the€close€of€à8@` x` xàà8@ƒàtheÐ ð@ ÐTaylorsðð€proof,€it€granted€Duncanððs€motion€to€dismiss€on€the€basisÐ à0 Ðthat€the€Taylors€failed€to€establish€abandonment€by€clear€andÐ Ð  Ðconvincing€evidence?ÐÀ!` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àII.€€Whether€the€Taylors€are€entitled€to€a€new€trial€due€to€theР#ð!` x` x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àfact€that€the€portion€of€the€€statute€on€which€this€cause€was€tried€hasÐ $à" Ðsince€been€declared€unconstitutional,€and€therefore€the€prior€lawÐ €%Ð # Ðshould€be€applied€to€the€instant€set€of€facts?Ðp&À!$` x` x ÐÌà  àSince€this€case€was€tried€by€the€trial€court€sitting€without€a€jury,€we€review€the€case€òòde€novoóóÐ P( #& Ðupon€the€record€with€a€presumption€of€correctness€of€the€findings€of€fact€by€the€trial€court.€€UnlessÐ @)$' Ðthe€evidence€preponderates€against€the€findings,€we€must€affirm,€absent€error€of€€law.€€Tenn€R.€App.Ð 0*€%( ÐP.€13(d).Ð  +p&) ÐÐ ,`'* Ðà  àA€parent€has€a€fundamental€right€to€the€care,€custody,€and€control€of€their€children.€€ò òòòStanleyÐ ° Ðv.€Illinois,€ó óóó405€U.S.€645,€92€S.Ct.€1208,€31€L.€Ed.€2d€551€(1972).€€However,€this€parental€right€is€notÐ  ð Ðabsolute,€and€can€be€terminated€where€there€is€clear€and€convincing€evidence€justifying€suchÐ à Ðtermination€under€the€applicable€statute.€€òòò òSantosky€v.€Krameró óóó,€455€U.S.€745,€102€S.Ct.€1388,€71Ð €Ð ÐL.Ed.€2d€599€(1982).€€The€Tennessee€Supreme€Court€has€held€that€the€Tennessee€ConstitutionÐ pÀ Ðprotects€a€parental€right€to€privacy€to€care€for€oneððs€children€absent€unwarranted€intervention€by€theÐ ` ° Ðstate€unless€there€is€a€substantial€danger€of€harm€to€the€child.€€ò òòòIn€Re:€€Swanson,€óóó ó2€S.W.€3d€180,€187Ð P   Ð(citing€ò òòòHawk€v.€Hawk,€óóó ó855€S.W.2d€573,€579€(Tenn.€1993)).€€ð ðIt€is€therefore€beyond€question€thatÐ @  Ðbefore€a€parentððs€rights€can€be€terminated,€there€must€be€a€showing€that€the€parent€is€unfit€or€thatÐ 0 € Ðsubstantial€harm€to€the€child€will€result€if€parental€rights€are€not€terminated.ðð€€€ò òòòId.€óóó óat€187„88€€€€Ð  p  ÐÌà  àPursuant€to€T.C.A.€ðð€36„1„113€(c)(1)(2)€€(Supp.€1999),€termination€of€parental€rights€mustÐ P  Ðbe€based€on:Ð ð@  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(1)€A€finding€by€the€court€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence€that€theÐ Ð  Ðgrounds€for€termination€of€parental€or€guardianship€rights€have€beenÐ À Ðestablished;€and€Ð°` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(2)€That€termination€of€the€parentððs€or€guardianððs€rights€is€in€the€bestÐ à Ðinterest€of€the€child.ЀÐ` x` x ÐÌTherefore,€a€finding€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence€that€grounds€for€termination€exist€is€theÐ `° Ðthreshold€issue€that€must€be€addressed;€and€the€issue€of€the€best€interest€of€the€child€is€not€reachedÐ P  Ðunless€grounds€for€termination€are€first€established.Ô#†X÷KXXX÷K#ÔÔ‡X÷KXXX÷KÔÔ#†¼âÔ»XX÷K$ #ÔÔ‡X÷KX»¼âÔÔÐ @ ÐÌà  àAs€to€the€first€issue,€Taylors€assert€that€the€trial€court€erred€in€finding€that€the€Taylors€failedÐ  p Ðto€establish€abandonment€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence.€€They€argue€that€the€proof€shows€thereÐ ` Ðwas€only€token€support€by€Father€inasmuch€as€he€made€only€$700.00€in€the€few€months€in€1996Ð P Ðbefore€he€was€in€prison€and€he€did€not€have€enough€money€to€provide€more€than€token€support.€TheyÐ ð@ Ðfurther€argue€that€there€was€no€proof€in€the€record€that€Father€couldnððt€work€full€time€or€be€moreÐ à0 Ðgainfully€employed.€€They€also€assert€that€the€proof€shows€that€there€was€only€token€care€by€FatherÐ Ð  Ðbecause€all€of€the€proof€showed€that€the€primary€care€giver,€except€for€the€time€that€the€child€wasÐ À! Ðwith€his€birth€mother,€was€by€Fatherððs€mother,€Janice€Duncan.€€Finally,€Taylors€assert€that€hisÐ °"  Ðconduct€prior€to€incarceration€exhibited€a€wanton€disregard€for€the€welfare€of€the€child.Ð  #ð! ÐÌà  àFather€testified€that€during€the€time€prior€to€his€incarceration,€he€helped€with€caring€for€theÐ €%Ð # Ðchild€and€helped€pay€support€for€the€child€as€well€as€he€was€able€with€the€money€that€he€had.€€HeÐ p&À!$ Ðfurther€testified€that€his€incarceration€in€April€of€1996€was€for€a€Ô_ÔDUIÔ_Ô€offense€that€violated€probationÐ `'°"% Ðfor€a€conviction€of€burglary€which€occurred€prior€to€the€birth€of€the€child.€€T.C.A.€Ô#†X÷KXXX÷Ka8#ÔÔ‡XÖÅ XXX÷KÔððÔ#†X÷KX XXÖÅ?#ÔÔ‡X÷KXXX÷KÔ€36„1„102Ð P( #& Ðprovides€in€pertinent€part:Ð N)ž$' ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àò ò36„1„102.€€Definitions.€„ó ó€As€used€in€this€part,€unless€the€contextÐ .+~&) Ðotherwise€requires:Ð,n'*` x` x Їà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(1)(A)(iv)€A€parent€or€guardian€is€incarcerated€at€the€time€of€theÐ ° Ðinstitution€of€an€action€or€proceeding€to€declare€a€child€to€be€anÐ  ð Ðabandoned€child,€or€the€parent€or€guardian€has€been€incarceratedÐ à Ðduring€all€or€part€of€the€four€(4)€months€immediately€preceding€theÐ €Ð Ðinstitution€of€such€action€or€proceeding,€and€either€has€willfully€failedÐ pÀ Ðto€visit€or€has€willfully€failed€to€support€or€make€reasonable€paymentsÐ ` ° Ðtoward€the€support€of€the€child€for€four€(4)€consecutive€monthsÐ P   Ðimmediately€preceding€such€parentððs€or€guardianððs€incarceration,€orÐ @  Ðthe€parent€or€guardian€has€engaged€in€conduct€prior€to€incarcerationÐ 0 € Ðwhich€exhibits€a€wanton€disregarding€for€the€welfare€of€the€child.Ð p ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(B)€For€purposes€of€this€subdivision€(1),€ð ðtoken€supportðð€means€thatÐ P  Ðthe€support,€under€the€circumstances€of€the€individual€case,€isÐ ð@  Ðinsignificant€given€the€parentððs€means;Ðà0 ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(C)€For€purposes€of€this€subdivision€(1),€ð ðtoken€visitationðð€means€thatÐ À Ðthe€visitation,€under€the€circumstances€of€the€individual€case,Ð ° Ðconstitutes€nothing€more€than€perfunctory€visitation€or€visitation€ofÐ  ð Ðsuch€an€infrequent€nature€or€of€such€short€duration€as€to€merelyÐ à Ðestablish€minimal€or€insubstantial€contact€with€the€child;ЀÐ` x` x ÐÌÓ€  (àÈx3 Óà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(D)€For€purposes€of€this€subdivision€(1),€ð ðwillfully€failed€to€supportððÐ `° Ðor€ð ðwillfully€failed€to€make€reasonable€payments€toward€such€childððsÐ P  Ðsupportðð€means€that,€for€a€period€of€four€(4)€consecutive€months,€noÐ @ Ðmonetary€support€was€paid€or€that€the€amount€of€support€paid€is€tokenÐ 0€ Ðsupport;Ð p` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(E)€For€purposes€of€this€subdivision€(1),€ð ðwillfully€failed€to€visitððÐ P Ðmeans€the€willful€failure,€for€a€period€of€four€(4)€consecutive€months,Ð ð@ Ðto€visit€or€engage€in€more€than€token€visitation;Ðà0` x` x ÐÌÓ€  (ðÈxx Óà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  à*à0 h àà0Àh(#h(#à*à0À(#À(#àà0p(#(#à*ÐÀ!p(#p(# ÐÌà  àSubsequent€to€the€decision€in€this€case,€the€Supreme€Court€on€October€4,€1999,€held€that€theÐ  #ð! Ðdefinition€of€ð ðwillfully€failed€to€supportðð€and€ð ðwillfully€failed€to€make€reasonable€payments€towardÐ $à" Ðsuch€childððs€supportðð€are€unconstitutional€and€stated€that€the€definition€that€was€in€effect€under€theÐ €%Ð # Ðprior€law€should€be€applied.€€The€definition€under€the€prior€law€of€both€failure€to€visit€and€failure€toÐ p&À!$ Ðsupport€contain€an€element€of€intent.€€ò òòòIn€Re:€Swansonó óóó,€2€S.W.3d€180€(Tenn.€1999).Ð `'°"% ÐÌà  àIn€the€instant€case,€the€trial€court€found€that€under€the€above€definition€of€"willfully€failedÐ @)$' Ðto€support"€and€"willfully€failed€to€visit,"€Father€had€not€abandoned€the€child.€€This€finding€is€basedÐ 0*€%( Ðprimarily€on€the€testimony€of€Father.€€In€this€nonjury€case,€the€trial€judge€as€the€trier€of€fact€had€theÐ  +p&) Ðopportunity€to€observe€the€manner€and€demeanor€of€the€witnesses,€including€Father,€as€they€testifiedÐ ,`'* Ðfrom€the€witness€stand.€€The€weight,€faith,€and€credit€to€be€given€to€any€witnessððs€testimony€lies€inÐ ° Ðthe€first€instance€with€the€trier€of€fact,€and€the€credibility€accorded€will€be€given€great€weight€by€theÐ  ð Ðappellate€court.€€ò òòòTown€of€Alamo€v.€Forcum„James€Co.ó óóó,€205€Tenn.€478,€327€S.W.2d€47€(1959);€ò òòòSiskÐ à Ðv.€Valley€Forge€Ins.€Co.ó óóó,€640€S.W.2d€844€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1982).€€The€trial€court€apparentlyÐ €Ð Ðdetermined€from€Father's€testimony€that€he€did€provide€monetary€support€within€his€means€duringÐ pÀ Ðthe€period€of€time€prior€to€incarceration.€Ô#†X÷KXXX÷KX?#ÔÔ‡X÷KXXX÷KÔÔ#†¼âÔ»XX÷K£8#ÔÔ‡X÷KX»¼âÔÔÐ ` ° ÐÌà  àòòò òIn€Wilson€v.€McDonaldó óóó,€1996€WL€307497€No.€03A01„9509„CV„00332€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€JuneÐ @  Ð10,€1996),€the€trial€court€was€affirmed€in€terminating€the€parental€rights€of€a€mother€who€had€beenÐ 0 € Ðincarcerated€at€the€time€of€the€birth€of€her€child.€€In€reviewing€Tennessee€case€law€with€regard€to€theÐ  p  Ðtest€for€abandonment,€the€Court€stated:Ð `  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àWhen€an€adoption€petition€alleges€that€a€biological€parent€hasÐ ð@  Ðabandoned€his€or€her€child,€the€test€of€abandonment€€(FN€omitted)€€isÐ à0  Ðwhether€"any€conduct€on€the€part€of€the€parent€...€evinces€a€settledÐ Ð  Ðpurpose€to€forego€all€parental€duties€and€relinquish€all€parental€claimsÐ À Ðto€the€child"€sought€to€be€adopted.€€€ò òòòWolfenden,óóó ó€349€S.W.2d€713,€714Ð ° Ð(Tenn.€Ct.€App.1959).€€€òòò òSee€also€Adoption€of€Bowling€v.€Bowlingó óóó,Ð  ð Ð631€S.W.2d€386,€389€(Tenn.1982);€€òòò òKoivu€v.€Irwin,€ó óóó721€S.W.2d€803,Ð à Ð807€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.1986);ò òòò€€Fancher€v.€Mann,óóó ó€432€S.W.2d€63,€66Ð €Ð Ð(Tenn.€Ct.€App.1968).€€ð ðTo€[show€abandonment]€we€do€notÐ pÀ Ðnecessarily€look€to€the€protestations€of€affections€and€intentionsÐ `° Ðexpressed€by€the€natural€parent€but€must€look€at€the€past€course€ofÐ P  Ðconduct."€€ò òòòFancher,€óóó ó432€S.W.2d€at€65.€€ò òòòSee€also€Koivu,€óóó ó721€S.W.2dÐ @ Ðat€807.€€€In€order€to€warrant€the€forfeiture€of€parental€rights€andÐ 0€ Ðobligations,€a€court€must€findðð€a€conscious€disregard€or€indifferenceÐ  p Ðto€the€parental€obligations."€€òòò òId.ó óóóÐ`` x` x ÐÌà  àà8 ` àà ¸ àAn€abandonment€must€be€shown€by€clear€and€convincingÐ ð@ Ðevidence.ò òòò€€Id;€€Fancheróóó ó,€432€S.W.2d€at€66;òòò ò€€€O'Daniel€v.€Messier,ó óóóÐ à0 Ð905€S.W.2d€182,€187€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.1995).€€The€concept€of€clear€andÐ Ð  Ðconvincing€evidence€is€examined€in€theò òòò€O'Daniel€óóó ócase:ÐÀ!` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xàClear€and€convincing€evidence€eliminates€any€seriousÐ  #ð! Ðor€substantial€doubt€concerning€the€correctness€of€theÐ $à" Ðconclusions€to€be€drawn€from€the€evidence.€€[citationÐ €%Ð # Ðomitted]€It€should€produce€in€the€fact-finder's€mind€aÐ p&À!$ Ðfirm€belief€or€conviction€with€regard€to€the€truth€of€theÐ `'°"% Ðallegations€sought€to€be€established.€€[citationÐ P( #& Ðomitted].Ð@)$'¸ ¸  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àò òòòId.óóó ó€at€188.€€There€are€a€number€of€matters€considered€by€courts€inÐ  +p&) Ðdeciding€whether€an€abandonment€has€occurred:Ð,`'*` x` x Їà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xà...€the€courts€consider€the€following€matters€whenÐ ° Ðdetermining€whether€an€abandonment€has€occurred:€Ð  ð Ð(1)€the€parent's€ability€to€support€the€child;€€(2)€theÐ à Ðamount€of€support€the€parent€has€provided€to€theÐ €Ð Ðchild;€€(3)€the€extent€and€nature€of€the€contact€betweenÐ pÀ Ðthe€parent€and€the€child;€€(4)€the€frequency€of€gifts€onÐ ` ° Ðspecial€occasions;€€(5)€whether€the€parent€voluntarilyÐ P   Ðrelinquished€custody€of€the€child;€€(6)€the€length€ofÐ @  Ðtime€the€child€has€been€separated€from€the€parent;€Ð 0 € Ðand€(7)€the€home€environment€and€conduct€of€theÐ  p  Ðparent€prior€to€the€removal€of€the€child.€€(citationÐ `  Ðomitted).€€No€single€factor€is€controlling.€Ð P  ÐAbandonment€inquiries€are€heavily€fact-oriented,€soÐ ð@  Ðthe€courts€may€consider€any€fact€that€assists€inÐ à0  Ðdeciding€whether€the€parent's€conduct€demonstrates€aÐ Ð  Ðconscious€or€willful€disregard€of€all€of€his€or€herÐ À Ðparental€duties.€€(citation€omitted).€€Ð°¸ ¸  ÐÌà  àò òòòIdóóó ó.€at€187.€€€à ¸ àÐ à ÐÌò òòòÓÓWilson,€óóó óat€*2€„€*3.Ô#†¼âÔ»XX÷KúR#ÔÔ‡X÷KX»¼âÔÔÔ#†X÷KXXX÷K¸R#ÔÔ‡X÷KXXX÷KÔÐ pÀ ÐÓÓà  àThe€Taylors€also€assert€that€Fatherððs€conduct€showed€a€wanton€disregard€for€the€welfare€ofÐ P  Ðthe€child,€and€liken€the€facts€of€the€instant€case€to€the€facts€found€in€ò òòòIn€re€Shipleyóóó ó,€1997€WL€596281,Ð @ ÐNo.€03A01„9611„JV„00369€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Sept.€29,€1997)€where€the€trial€court€terminated€theÐ 0€ Ðparental€rights€of€the€father.€€On€appeal,€the€trial€court€was€affirmed€with€regard€to€its€finding€of€clearÐ  p Ðand€convincing€evidence€of€ð ðwanton€disregard€for€the€welfare€of€[his]€child[ren]ðð€ò òòòId€óóó óat€**4,€priorÐ ` Ðto€incarceration€stating:Ð P ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àThere€was€compelling€evidence€that€prior€to€his€incarceration,Ð à0 ÐFather€had€a€drug€and€alcohol€problem.€€In€fact,€Father€admitted€thatÐ Ð  Ðit€was€this€problem€that€led€to€his€violent€conduct€toward€his€formerÐ À! Ðwife--the€mother€of€these€children--which€in€turn€prompted€the€trialÐ °"  Ðcourt€to€place€the€children€with€the€State€in€1992.€€There€was€alsoÐ  #ð! Ðevidence€that€while€undergoing€counseling€for€his€drug€and€alcoholÐ $à" Ðaddiction€or€abuse,€he€was€still€using€these€substances.€€His€counselorÐ €%Ð # Ðrecommended€inpatient€treatment€when€he€reported€to€her€in€the€lateÐ p&À!$ Ðwinter€of€1994€that€he€had€passed€out€from€drinking€the€night€before.€Ð `'°"% ÐHe€failed€drug€screens€in€July,€1993,€May,€1994,€and€September,Ð P( #& Ð1994.€€In€the€year€before€his€incarceration,€he€resisted€the€suggestionÐ @)$' Ðthat€he€attend€meetings€of€Alcoholics€Anonymous.€€His€drug€andÐ 0*€%( Ðalcohol€counselor€closed€his€case€in€December,€1994,€concluding€thatÐ  +p&) Ðhe€was€just€"going€through€the€motions."Ð,`'*` x` x Їà  àà8 ` àà ¸ àThe€record€even€contains€evidence€from€which€one€couldÐ ° Ðreasonably€conclude€that€Father€was€still€using€drugs€and€abusingÐ  ð Ðalcohol€in€prison.€€When€interviewed€there€on€about€January€25,Ð à Ð1996,€Father€was€evasive€about€the€subject.€€In€response€to€theÐ €Ð Ðinterviewer's€comment--that,€of€course,€he€wasn't€using€theseÐ pÀ Ðsubstances€in€prison--he€said,€"Well,€who€says€I€don't."Ð` °` x` x ÐÌà  àà8 ` àà ¸ àBy€his€own€admission,€Father€has€engaged€in€criminalÐ @  Ðconduct€to€the€extent€that€he€now€finds€himself€in€prison€for€the€thirdÐ 0 € Ðtime.€€His€most€recent€criminal€activity€took€place€while€heÐ  p  Ðsupposedly€was€trying€to€put€his€life€in€order€so€that€he€could€againÐ `  Ðhave€the€care€and€custody€of€his€children.€€This,€coupled€with€his€drugÐ P  Ðand€alcohol€problems,€is€very€significant€evidence€that€all€of€theÐ ð@  Ðconditions€for€termination€set€forth€in€T.C.A.€ððÐ à0  Ð36-1-113(g)(3)(A)(i)-(iii)€were€shown€in€this€case.€€All€of€thisÐ Ð  Ðconduct€also€shows€"a€wanton€disregard€for€the€welfare€of€[his]Ð À Ðchild[ren]"€prior€to€his€incarceration.òòò ò€€See€ó óóóT.C.A.€ððÐ ° Ð36-1-102(1)(A)(iv).Рð` x` x ÐÌÓÓòòò òIn€re€Shipleyó óóó,€at€**5.Ô#†X÷KXXX÷Kºd#ÔÔ‡X÷KXXX÷KÔÔ#†¼âÔ»XX÷Kxd#ÔÔ‡X÷KX»¼âÔÔÐ €Ð ÐÓÓà  àEvidence€of€Fatherððs€conduct€does€not€display€the€level€of€culpability€and€repeated€failureÐ `° Ðto€avoid€abuse€of€drugs€and€alcohol€that€evidence€in€the€òòò òShipleyó óóó€case€reveals€concerning€that€fatherððsÐ P  Ðconduct.€€Also,€there€was€not€a€clear€and€convincing€showing€of€ð ða€conscious€disregard€orÐ @ Ðindifference€to€the€parental€obligations.ðð€€ò òòòKoivu€v.€Irwin,óóó ó€721€S.W.2d€at€807.€€€€We€think€that€thereÐ 0€ Ðexists€€ð ðserious€or€substantial€doubt€concerning€the€correctness€of€the€conclusions€to€be€drawn€fromÐ  p Ðthe€evidence,ðð€ò òòòsee€O'Daniel€v.€Messier,ó óóó€905€S.W.2d€at€188Ô#†¼âÔ»XX÷Kñr#ÔÔ‡X÷KX»¼âÔÔÔ#†X÷KXXX÷K¯r#ÔÔ‡X÷KXXX÷KÔ.€€We€cannot€say€from€our€review€of€theÐ ` Ðrecord€that€the€evidence€preponderates€against€the€trial€courtððs€finding€that€there€was€not€anÐ P Ðabandonment€by€Father€within€the€meaning€of€the€statute.Ð ð@ ÐÌà  àAs€to€the€second€issue,€the€trial€court€decided€the€case€prior€to€the€release€of€ò òòòIn€Re:€óóó óÐ Ð  Ðò òòòSwansonó óóó,€2€S.W.3d€180€(Tenn.€1999).€€The€evidence€does€not€preponderate€against€the€trial€courtððsÐ À! Ðfinding€of€no€abandonment€under€the€statutory€definition€declared€unconstitutional€by€ò òòòSwansonó óóó.€Ð °"  ÐSuch€a€finding€by€the€trial€court€must€necessarily€include€a€finding€that€there€was€no€intent€on€theÐ  #ð! Ðpart€of€Father€to€not€provide€support.€€We€fail€to€see€how€the€Taylors€were€prejudiced€by€theÐ $à" Ðproceeding€guided€by€the€pre„òòò òSwansonó óóó€definition.€€This€issue€is€without€merit.€€Ô#†¼âÔ»XX÷K!v#ÔÔ‡X÷KX»¼âÔÔÔ#†X÷KXXX÷Kcv#ÔÔ‡X÷KXXX÷KÔÐ €%Ð # ÐÌà  àThis€Court,€like€the€trial€court,€could€not€take€the€second€step€in€the€process€to€determineÐ `'°"% Ðwhether€the€termination€of€the€parental€rights€would€be€in€the€best€interest€of€the€child.€€From€theÐ P( #& Ðrecord,€it€would€appear€that€the€child€would€be€given€a€warm,€friendly,€and€loving€home€andÐ @)$' Ðadequately€cared€for€by€the€Taylors.€€This€is€not€to€say€that€the€same€circumstances€could€not€existÐ 0*€%( Ðwith€Father.€€However,€that€is€an€unknown€at€this€time.€€Therefore,€before€a€change€of€custody€isÐ  +p&) Ðmade,€this€case€should€be€remanded€to€the€trial€court€for€further€proceedings€to€determine€whetherÐ ,`'* Ða€change€of€custody€at€this€time€would€be€harmful€to€the€child€and,€if€necessary,€to€provide€for€a€planÐ ° Ðfor€the€childððs€return€to€Father€that€would€minimize€any€harm€to€the€child€in€the€transfer.€€Ð  ð ÐÌà  àThe€judgment€of€the€trial€court€is€affirmed,€and€the€case€is€remanded€to€the€trial€court€forÐ €Ð Ðfurther€proceedings€consistent€with€this€Opinion.€€Costs€of€the€appeal€are€assessed€against€theÐ pÀ Ðappellants,€Ronald€Eugene€Taylor€and€Rita€Cheryl€Taylor.Ô#†X÷KXXX÷K¸z#ÔÔ#†¼âÔ»XX÷Kvz#ÔÔ€X÷KX»¼âÔÔÐ ` ° ÐÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à__________________________________________Ð 0 € Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àW.€FRANK€CRAWFORD,€PRESIDING€JUDGE,€W.S.