ÿWPCf$ %”ò¬Fp‡ œz‡ œŽÐŗ푸ó˜zœ°iU€ê9C^éöÃ<£YíâCêÜ,Ìh#b a ÆÏA[FŠIœ½­q*{Øè‹µ êo @;UÿMáë ¹óÞ›€ÌbØUFŸº g*íÛ ¤æŸ.ÖUÔšÜf·žͨÞ'öió´sªÉí¸)<'[˜—||ø¼6ÊÑ]+¾þŽ«a¿î†Y~aFûþòuÜTvz å]ëÀ1ªu¸‘‡&bz3T$>êHÇE 8on+?E’³ÀlY–L3µ1¿øhÉ(ÅúÌ"¼AÞHºgû’×™CùF`JÒ™v¨`ï!­ÞO¨v¬vëÝ´"?#c¹ƒâeóš†Mâ5°X¼;SRSÀýSA%½ +iQ0h¿‹º&¯ÄLf;ƒ4`œWã¤:¦ÉÕžÛ~°C—˜s£ðH·»²¹°‘}kUñžž½!Åh®á¾¤ºþU‡Ø /öY&ûOp˜ëÔÒL/=ŒMMn5m"™¨â´›jÀ€Â X5|¼öÕ®‰)‘¼áâÙ‰: Äáõ>©ì¯|¦etqúÑ1{ŸŽK[ìLDB¨}à-F‚W(Úøb#É\ %% ^ + 0ˆ7 w¿ UNà 4 z% ÒŸ q € m‚ U N™ Æç Æ­ ÆsÆ9”ÿN“ 0Å• 0ÑZE+ 0³- 0­à 0§ 0¡4 0›Õ 0•p 1u 72zU@¬ 0cìììÜOOOOOÞ++++++b        0Y 1ejjjjjjj 0NÏÏÏÏ 0D 0ëaaaa BL L 0¤i D5 ! D-B! 0Ko!o! ASº!Æ " 0¤Ó" 0Dw# A«»#˜\\IB01S01\CLERK1NASÈÈ,,,,ÈÈ0» T/Ï (`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regularo=/ê: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(ÖÃ9 Z‹6Times New Roman RegularLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5 ŠÝ ƒRëe$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô(•ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ‡ô(•òòô(•ÔEffective€June€2,€2003,€an€enactment€of€Tennesseeððs€General€Assembly€amended€Tennessee€Code€Annotated,Ð ( ÐTitle€36,€Chapter€1,€Part€1.€€òòÔ#†ô(•òòô(•~#ÔÔ‡ ô(•òòô(•ÔSeeóó€Ô#†ô(•òò ô(•_#ÔÔ‡ô(•òòô(•ÔAct€of€May,€15,€2003,€2003€Tenn.€Pub.€Acts€231Ô#†ô(•òòô(•¨#ÔÔ‡ô(•òòô(•Ô.€€As€part€of€this€enactment,€TennesseeÐ ìÄ e ÐCode€Annotated€section€36„1„102(1)(A)(Ô_ÔiÔ_Ô)€was€amended€as€follows:Ô#†ô(•òòô(•#ÔÐ ( ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àFor€a€period€of€four€(4)€consecutive€months€immediately€preceding€the€filing€of€aÐ °ˆ Ðproceeding€or€pleading€to€terminate€the€parental€rights€of€the€parent(s)€orÐ tL Ðguardian(s)€of€the€child€who€is€the€subject€of€the€petition€for€termination€of€parentalÐ 8 Ðrights€or€adoption,€that€the€parent(s)€or€guardian(s)€either€have€willfully€failed€toÐ üÔ Ðvisit€or€have€willfully€failed€to€support€or€have€willfully€failed€to€make€reasonableÐ À ˜ Ðpayments€toward€the€support€of€the€child[.]Є \` x` x ÐÌòòId.óó*AA ÿÿ(_17Ó  ÓÓ5+° °` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ 5ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô€Ó5+° °` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ 5ÓÓ  Ó*GG ÿÿ(_16Ó ¨ý ÓÓ ° ÓÓ/%` ` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ /ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô€Ó/%` ` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ /ÓÓ ¨ý ÓÓ ° Ó*88 ÿÿ(_15Ó  ÓÓ,"¸ ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ ,ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô€Ó,"¸ ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ ,ÓÓ  Ó*55 ÿÿ(_14Ó ` ÓÓ) hÀpÈ xÐ )ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô€Ó) hÀpÈ xÐ )ÓÓ ` Ó*22 ÿÿ(_13Ó ¸ ÓÓ&hhÀpÈ xÐ &ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô€Ó&hhÀpÈ xÐ &ÓÓ ¸ Ó*// ÿÿ(_12Ó  ÓÓ#ÀÀpÈ xÐ #ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô€Ó#ÀÀpÈ xÐ #ÓÓ  Ó*,, ÿÿ(_11Ó h ÓÓ pÈ xÐ ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô€Ó pÈ xÐ ÓÓ h Ó*)) ÿÿ(_10Ó À ÓÓppÈ xÐ ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô€ÓppÈ xÐ ÓÓ À Ó3#37=CIQYag­­1.a.i.(1)(a)(i)1)a)i)(ÈhH  Z(Times New Roman (;3£$´´Ô2#ÔÚ  Ú0Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0  à ÒÝ ƒRëe$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô(•ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€juvenile€court€record€concerning€D.L.B.€is€not€part€of€the€record€in€this€case.€ BarbaralettePercerParrishNicklesonStameyDycus BadyNicklesonsirrebuttableD.L.B.- ù-6ÿÿ4HyperlinkóóòòÔ ÿ ÔóóÔ  Ô ÿÿ35;AGMSY_11.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.(ÍO$——ÔÿÔòòóóÔÿÔ(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó(|G2ëe$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€A»»dXXdì8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô(•ò»»Ô d(|3Qi$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€A»»dXXdì8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV)ÿÿ!dxdx)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3Qi$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€A»»dXXdì8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€A»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ(°ÑÑ(°ÑÑ  ÑÑ  ÑÔ€¼A»»»ÔÑ8€Ô©XXdì»»d8ÑÔ€ ¼A»»¼AÔà@™ ™ ìàÔ‡ îlNî» ¼AÔIN€THE€SUPREME€COURT€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ( Ðà@õõ%ìàAT€JACKSONˆÐ N& Ðà@CC!ìàHeard€at€NashvilleÔ#† ¼A»î îlNG#ԈРtL ÐÓ  ÓJune€4,€2003€SessionÐ šr ÐÔ‡ XÔ©X» ¼AÔÌò òÔ#† ¼A»X XÔ©a#ÔIn€the€Matter€of€D.L.B.,€A€MinorÔ‡ XÔ©X» ¼AÔó óÐ ˜ p ÐÌà@@½½ìàò òAppeal€by€Permission€from€the€Court€of€AppealsÐ ˜ p ÐChancery€Court€for€Shelby€CountyÐ „ \ Ðà@@øøìàNo.€CH„01„0200„2€€€€€€Kenny€W.€Armstrong,€Special€ChancellorÐ pH  ÐÔ#† ¼A»X XÔ©Ç#ÔÓ  ÓÔ‡ XÔ©X» ¼AÔÌÌà@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<3` A߈Ð 4  ÐÌà@  ìàNo.€W2001„02245„SC„R11„CV€„€Filed€October€20,€Ô_Ô2003Ô_ԈР/  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<` AßÐ ß Ðó óÌÔ#† ¼A»X XÔ©#ÔÔ€ XÔ©X» ¼AÔÓ  ÓThis€appeal€involves€an€action€to€terminate€parental€rights€filed€by€the€prospective€adoptive€parentsÐ Ú Ðof€a€child.€€The€childððs€father€asserts€that€the€chancery€court€erred€in€terminating€his€parental€rightsÐ îÆ Ðon€the€basis€that€he€abandoned€his€child€for€the€four„month€period€set€forth€in€Tennessee€CodeÐ Ú² ÐAnnotated€section€36-1-102(1)(A)(Ô_ÔiÔ_Ô).€€To€compute€the€four„month€period,€the€chancery€court€usedÐ Æž Ðthe€date€on€which€the€Court€Appointed€Special€Advocate€(ð ðCASAðð)€filed€a€petition€in€juvenile€courtÐ ²Š Ðto€terminate€the€fatherððs€parental€rights.€€CASAððs€petition€was€later€dismissed.€€The€Court€of€AppealsÐ žv Ðaffirmed€the€chancery€courtððs€termination€of€parental€rights€under€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€sectionÐ Šb Ð36-1-102(1)(A)(Ô_ÔiÔ_Ô)€and€found€an€additional€ground€for€abandonment€as€defined€by€Tennessee€CodeÐ vN ÐAnnotated€section€36-1-102(1)(A)(iii).€€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€section€36-1-102(1)(A)(iii)Ð b: Ðspecifies€that€parental€rights€may€be€terminated€if€the€father€ð ðwillfully€failed€to€make€reasonableÐ N& Ðpayments€toward€the€support€of€the€childððs€mother€during€the€four€(4)€months€immediately€precedingÐ : Ðthe€birth€of€the€child.ðð€€We€granted€permission€to€appeal.€€We€hold€that€the€commencement€of€theÐ &þ Ðfour„month€period€of€abandonment€under€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€section€36-1-102(1)(A)(Ô_ÔiÔ_Ô)€isÐ  ê Ðproperly€computed€from€the€date€on€which€the€petition€to€terminate€parental€rights€was€filed€inÐ þ Ö Ðchancery€court,€not€from€the€filing€date€of€the€earlier€juvenile€court€petition.€€We€further€hold€thatÐ ê!  Ðthe€Court€of€Appeals€erred€in€terminating€the€fatherððs€parental€rights€based€upon€Tennessee€CodeÐ Ö"®! ÐAnnotated€section€36-1-102(1)(A)(iii).€€Accordingly,€we€reverse€the€Court€of€Appeals€and€remandÐ Â#š" Ðthis€case€to€the€trial€court.Ð ®$†# ÐÌò òÓ  ÓTenn.€R.€App.€P.€11€Appeal€by€Permission;€Judgment€of€the€Court€of€Appeals€Reversed;Ð †&^!% ÐCase€Remanded€to€Trial€Courtó óÐ r'J"& ÐÓXÓÌòòJanice€M.€Holder,óó€J.,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòFrank€F.€Drowota,€III,€C.J.,Ð J)"$( Ðóóandòò€E.€Riley€Anderson,€Ô_ÔAdolphoÔ_Ô€A.€Birch,€Jr.,€óóand€òòWilliam€M.€Barker,€JJóó.,€joined.òòóóÐ 6*%) ÐÌBarbaralette€G.€Davis,€Webb€A.€Brewer,€and€Nancy€Percer€Kessler,€Memphis,€Tennessee,€for€theÐ ,æ&+ ÐAppellant„Respondent,€David€Moore.Ð ú,Ò',ý& ЇLarry€E.€Parrish,€Memphis,€Tennessee,€for€the€Appellees„Petitioners,€Denise€Nickleson€and€DonaldÐ ( ÐJoe€Nickleson.Ð ì ÐÌPaul€G.€Summers,€Attorney€General€and€Reporter;€Michael€E.€Moore,€Solicitor€General;€and€DianneÐ ìÄ ÐStamey€Dycus,€Deputy€Attorney€General,€for€the€Appellee„Respondent,€Tennessee€Department€ofРذ ÐChildrenððs€Services.Ð Ä œ ÐÌÔ  Ôà@66'ìàò òOPINIONó óˆÐ œ t ÐÌà@ì ì ìàI.€€Factual€and€Procedural€BackgroundˆÐ t L  ÐÌà  àThe€appellant,€David€Moore€(ð ðMr.€Mooreðð),€and€Georgia€Smith€Bady€(ð ðMrs.€Badyðð)€are€theÐ L$  Ðbiological€parents€of€a€girl,€D.L.B.,€who€was€born€prematurely€at€the€Regional€Medical€Center€inÐ 8  ÐMemphis,€Tennessee,€on€August€31,€1998.€€Mrs.€Bady€was€married€to€Jessie€Bady€at€the€time€of€theÐ $ü  Ðchildððs€conception€and€birth€but€had€been€living€from€time€to€time€with€Mr.€Moore.€€During€herÐ è  Ðpregnancy,€Mrs.€Bady€stayed€with€Mr.€Moore€a€few€days€each€month.€€During€those€visits€Mr.€MooreÐ üÔ  Ðsometimes€provided€Mrs.€Bady€with€$10€or€$20€for€food€or€clothing.€€Approximately€six€weeks€intoÐ èÀ Ðher€pregnancy,€Mrs.€Bady€told€Mr.€Moore€that€she€thought€he€was€the€childððs€father.€€Because€Mrs.Ð Ô¬ ÐBady€used€prostitution€as€a€means€of€supporting€her€addiction€to€crack€cocaine,€Mr.€Moore€wasÐ À˜ Ðuncertain€if€Mrs.€Ô_ÔBadyÔ_Ôððs€belief€was€correct.€€Mr.€Moore€encouraged€Mrs.€Bady€to€seek€prenatal€care,Ð ¬„ Ðbut€she€declined€to€do€so.Ð ˜p ÐÌà  àMr.€Moore€never€registered€as€a€putative€father.€€òòSeeóó€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð36-2-318€(2001)Ð pH Ð(providing€that€the€Tennessee€Department€of€Childrenððs€Services€(ð ðDCSðð)€shall€maintain€a€putativeÐ \4 Ðfather€registry€containing€the€names€of€persons€who€have€filed€written€notice€of€an€intent€to€claimÐ H  Ðpaternity€of€a€child€prior€to€or€within€thirty€days€after€such€childððs€birth).€€No€father€was€named€onÐ 4  ÐÔ_ÔD.L.B.Ô_Ôððs€birth€certificate.€€However,€Mr.€Moore€was€present€at€the€hospital€when€D.L.B.€was€born.€Ð  ø ÐMr.€Moore€also€visited€D.L.B.€in€the€hospitalððs€Intensive€Care€Unit€on€September€4,€1998;Ð  ä ÐSeptember€11,€1998;€September€24,€1998;€and€October€9,€1998,€and€telephoned€the€hospital€onÐ øÐ ÐSeptember€8,€1998.Ð ä¼ ÐÌà  àMrs.€Bady€admitted€using€crack€cocaine€during€her€pregnancy€with€D.L.B.€€On€October€16,Ð ¼!” Ð1998,€a€Childrenððs€Services€Referral€Form€was€completed€by€a€member€of€the€hospital€staff.€€TheÐ ¨"€  Ðform€included€statements€that€Mrs.€Bady€was€using€drugs,€that€she€failed€to€follow€a€drug€treatmentÐ ”#l! Ðprogram,€and€that€she€had€no€family€support,€no€income,€and€no€stable€home.€€Mr.€Moore€was€listedÐ €$X" Ðas€the€putative€father€on€this€form,€and€his€address€was€provided.Ð l%D # ÐÌà  àOn€October€20,€1998,€DCS€filed€a€petition€in€the€Juvenile€Court€of€Shelby€County€allegingÐ D'"% Ðâ âthat€D.L.B.€was€a€dependent€and€neglected€child€due€to€Mrs.€Ô_ÔBadyÔ_Ôððs€history€of€drug€abuse€and€herÐ 0(#& ÐÔ_Ôfailure€to€maintain€a€stable€home.׃#×Ý ƒP#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€The€juvenile€court€entered€a€protective€custody€orderÐ ( Ðâ ârecommending€that€D.L.B.€be€placed€in€the€custody€of€DCS.€€On€October€29,€1998,€D.L.B.€wasÐ ì Ðdischarged€to€the€custody€of€DCS.€€She€was€immediately€placed€in€the€foster€home€of€Donald€JoeÐ Ø ÐNickleson€and€his€wife,€Denise€Nickleson,€the€appellees.€€This€placement€was€made€through€theÐ ìÄ ÐAGAPE€Agency,€which€has€a€contract€with€DCS€for€the€placement€of€children€in€DCS€custody€intoРذ Ðfoster€homes.€€D.L.B.€has€remained€in€the€Nicklesonsðð€care€since€her€release€from€the€hospital.Ð Ä œ ÐÌà  àAbout€two€weeks€after€his€last€visit€with€D.L.B.,€Mr.€Moore€returned€to€the€hospital.€€He€wasÐ œ t Ðtold€that€D.L.B.€was€gone.€€When€he€asked€one€of€the€nurses€about€her€location,€he€was€told€thatÐ ˆ ` Ðð ðtheyðð€came€and€got€her.€€He€was€not€told€who€ð ðtheyðð€were€or€where€D.L.B.€was€taken.Ð t L  ÐÌà  àMr.€Moore€testified€that€he€spoke€to€a€DCS€caseworker€in€November€of€1998€and€theÐ L$  Ðcaseworker€refused€to€give€him€any€information€about€D.L.B.€until€he€legitimated€the€child.€€InÐ 8  ÐDecember€of€1998€and€in€November€of€1999,€Mr.€Moore€€attempted€to€establish€paternity€of€D.L.B.Ð $ü  Ðin€the€juvenile€court.€€However,€no€petition€to€establish€parentage€was€filed€on€either€of€these€dates.€Ð è  ÐAn€employee€of€the€Shelby€County€Juvenile€Court€testified€that€it€was€the€juvenile€courtððs€policy€notÐ üÔ  Ðto€use€its€resources€to€file€actions€in€cases€in€which€biological€fathers€seek€to€establish€paternity€ofÐ èÀ Ðchildren€born€during€a€marriage.€€In€December€of€1999,€Mr.€Moore€was€contacted€by€an€attorneyÐ Ô¬ Ðregarding€the€establishment€of€parentage€for€the€purposes€of€support.€€The€attorneyððs€office€told€Mr.Ð À˜ ÐMoore€that€a€DNA€test€would€be€scheduled.Ð ¬„ ÐÌà  àIn€May€of€2000,€CASA€filed€a€petition€in€the€Juvenile€Court€of€Shelby€County€seeking€toÐ „\ Ðterminate€the€parental€rights€of€Mrs.€Bady,€her€husband,€and€any€unknown€fathers.€€In€July€of€2000,Ð pH Ðthe€juvenile€court€held€a€hearing€on€CASAððs€petition€to€terminate€parental€rights.€€Mr.€Moore€wasÐ \4 Ðpresent€at€this€hearing,€but€Mr.€and€Mrs.€Bady€failed€to€appear.€€The€juvenile€court€terminated€theÐ H  Ðparental€rights€of€Mr.€and€Mrs.€Bady,€and€their€parental€rights€are€not€at€issue€in€this€appeal.€€CASAÐ 4  Ðrequested€leave€to€amend€the€petition€to€include€Mr.€Moore€as€a€respondent.€€The€juvenile€courtÐ  ø Ðgranted€this€request€and€continued€the€hearing€to€allow€a€paternity€test€to€be€performed.€€CASAÐ  ä Ðamended€its€petition€to€include€Mr.€Moore€in€August€of€2000.Ð øÐ ÐÌà  àOn€September€15,€2000,€following€DNA€testing,€Mr.€Moore€was€adjudicated€the€biologicalÐ Ð ¨ Ðand€legal€father€of€D.L.B.€and€was€ordered€to€pay€child€support.€€In€November€of€2000,€the€juvenileÐ ¼!” Ðcourt€entered€an€order€allowing€Mr.€Moore€limited€visitation€with€D.L.B.€€DCS€requested€that€CASAÐ ¨"€  Ðdismiss€its€petition€to€terminate€Mr.€Mooreððs€parental€rights.€€A€DCS€caseworker€acknowledged€thatÐ ”#l! ÐDCS€had€not€made€reasonable€efforts€to€assist€Mr.€Moore€in€obtaining€custody€of€his€child€prior€toÐ €$X" Ðlearning€the€results€of€the€DNA€test.€€DCS,€therefore,€requested€additional€time€to€work€with€Mr.Ð l%D # ÐMoore€to€determine€his€fitness€to€parent€D.L.B.€€On€March€22,€2001,€the€juvenile€court€dismissedÐ X&0!$ ÐCASAððs€amended€petition€to€terminate€the€parental€rights€of€Mr.€Moore.€€This€dismissal€was€not€onÐ D'"% Ðthe€merits.Ð 0(#& ÐÐ )ô#' Ðà  àIn€the€meantime,€on€January€31,€2001,€the€Nicklesons€filed€the€present€action€in€the€ShelbyÐ ( ÐCounty€Chancery€Court€seeking€to€terminate€Mr.€Mooreððs€parental€rights€and€to€adopt€D.L.B.€€AtÐ ì Ðthe€time€the€Nicklesons€filed€this€petition,€Mr.€Moore€was€paying€child€support€and€visiting€withÐ Ø ÐD.L.B.Ð ìÄ ÐÌà  àFollowing€a€hearing€in€June€of€2001,€the€chancery€court€entered€an€order€terminating€theÐ Ä œ Ðparental€rights€of€Mr.€Moore€on€the€basis€of€abandonment€as€defined€by€Tennessee€Code€AnnotatedÐ ° ˆ Ðsection€36-1-102(1)(A)(i).€€This€finding€was€based€solely€upon€Mr.€Mooreððs€conduct€in€the€four„Ð œ t Ðmonth€period€preceding€the€May€2000€petition€to€terminate€his€parental€rights€filed€by€CASA€inÐ ˆ ` Ðjuvenile€court.€€The€chancery€court€did€not€specifically€address€any€of€the€additional€grounds€for€theÐ t L  Ðtermination€of€parental€rights€that€were€asserted€by€the€Nicklesons.Ð `8  ÐÌà  àThe€Court€of€Appeals€affirmed€the€ruling€of€the€chancery€court.€Applying€Tennessee€CodeÐ 8  ÐAnnotated€section€36-1-102(1)(A)(i),€the€intermediate€appellate€court€held€that€Mr.€Mooreððs€conductÐ $ü  Ðprior€to€the€filing€of€CASAððs€juvenile€court€petition€constitutes€a€basis€for€termination€of€his€parentalÐ è  Ðrights€in€the€present€action.€€The€Court€of€Appeals€also€held€that€Mr.€Mooreððs€parental€rights€shouldÐ üÔ  Ðbe€terminated€upon€an€additional€ground€of€abandonment,€defined€by€Tennessee€Code€AnnotatedÐ èÀ Ðsection€36-1-102(1)(A)(iii).€€This€section€specifies€that€parental€rights€may€be€terminated€if€the€fatherÐ Ô¬ Ðð ðwillfully€failed€to€make€reasonable€payments€toward€the€support€of€the€childððs€mother€during€theÐ À˜ Ðfour€(4)€months€immediately€preceding€the€birth€of€the€child.ðð€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.Ð ¬„ Ððð36-1-102(1)(A)(iii)€(2001).Ð ˜p ÐÌà  àWe€granted€permission€to€appeal.Ð pH ÐÌÔ  Ôà@$ìàII.€€AnalysisˆÐ H  ÐÌà@¢ ¢ ìàA.€€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€Section€36-1-102(1)(A)(i)€€€ˆÐ  ø ÐÌà  àTennessee€Code€Annotated€section€36-1-102(1)(A)(i)€provides€that€for€the€purposes€ofÐ øÐ Ðterminating€parental€rights,€ð ðabandonmentðð€may€be€established€by€showing€that:Ð ä¼ ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àFor€a€period€of€four€(4)€consecutive€months€immediately€precedingÐ ¼!” Ðthe€filing€of€a€proceeding€or€pleading€to€terminate€the€parental€rightsÐ ¨"€  Ðof€the€parent(s)€or€guardian(s)€of€the€child€who€is€the€subject€of€theÐ ”#l! Ðpetition€for€termination€of€parental€rights€or€adoption,€that€theÐ €$X" Ðparent(s)€or€guardian(s)€either€have€willfully€failed€to€visit€or€haveÐ l%D # Ðwillfully€failed€to€support€or€make€reasonable€payments€toward€theÐ X&0!$ Ðsupport€of€the€child[.]׃×Ý ƒP#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×ÐD'"%` x` x ЇIn€this€case,€it€is€clear€that€during€the€four€months€preceding€the€Nicklesonsðð€filing€of€the€petition€toÐ ( Ðterminate€parental€rights,€Mr.€Moore€paid€child€support€and€visited€with€D.L.B.€€The€chancery€courtÐ ì Ðand€Court€of€Appeals,€however,€relied€upon€Mr.€Mooreððs€failure€to€pay€child€support€or€visit€withÐ Ø ÐD.L.B.€in€the€four„month€period€preceding€the€filing€of€CASAððs€May€2000€petition€to€terminateÐ ìÄ Ðparental€rights.Рذ ÐÌà  àConstruction€of€statutes€and€application€of€law€to€facts€are€questions€of€law,€which€we€reviewÐ ° ˆ Ðunder€a€purely€de€novo€standard,€according€no€deference€to€the€conclusions€of€law€made€by€the€lowerÐ œ t Ðcourts.€€òòSeeóó€òòGanzevoort€v.€Russellóó,€949€S.W.2d€293,€296€(Tenn.€1997).€€In€construing€statutes,€thisÐ ˆ ` ÐCourtððs€role€is€ð ðððto€ascertain€and€give€effect€to€the€legislative€intent€without€unduly€restricting€orÐ t L  Ðexpanding€a€statuteððs€coverage€beyond€its€intended€scope.ðððð€€òòHoughton€v.€Aramark€Educ.€Res.,€Inc.óó,Ð `8  Ð90€S.W.3d€676,€678€(Tenn.€2002)€(quoting€òòOwens€v.€Stateóó,€908€S.W.2d€923,€926€(Tenn.€1995);€òòStateÐ L$  Ðv.€Sligeróó,€846€S.W.2d€262,€263€(Tenn.€1993)).€€Legislative€intent€is€derived€from€the€plain€andÐ 8  Ðordinary€meaning€of€the€statutory€language€unless€the€statute€is€ambiguous.€€òòSeeóó€òòOwensóó,€908€S.W.2dÐ $ü  Ðat€926.€€If€statutory€language€is€ambiguous,€then€we€must€look€to€the€entire€statutory€scheme€toÐ è  Ðdetermine€legislative€intent.€€òòId.óó€€Component€parts€of€a€statute€should€be€construed,€if€possible,Ð üÔ  Ðconsistently€and€reasonably.€€òòSeeóó€òòState€v.€Alfordóó,€970€S.W.2d€944,€946€(Tenn.€1998).Ð èÀ ÐÌà  àThe€lower€courts€erred€in€interpreting€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€sections€36-1-102(1)(A)(i)Ð À˜ Ðand€36-1-102(1)(F).€€While€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€section€36-1-102(1)(A)(i)€uses€the€phraseÐ ¬„ Ðð ðòòa€óóproceeding€or€pleading€to€terminate€parental€rightsðð€in€this€same€statutory€section,€the€legislatureÐ ˜p Ðalso€uses€the€phrase€ð ðòòtheóó€petition€for€termination€of€parental€rights€or€adoption.ðð€€(Emphasis€added).€Ð „\ ÐRead€as€a€whole,€we€conclude€that€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€section€36-1-102(1)(A)(i)€requiresÐ pH Ðthat€the€willful€failure€to€visit,€support,€or€make€reasonable€payments€toward€the€support€of€the€childÐ \4 Ðmust€have€occurred€in€the€four€months€immediately€preceding€the€filing€of€the€petition€currentlyÐ H  Ðbefore€the€court.Ð 4  ÐÌà  àThe€language€in€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€section€36-1-102(1)(F)€does€not€compel€aÐ  ä Ðcontrary€result.€€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€section€36-1-102(1)(F)€states€that€a€parent€may€notÐ øÐ Ðrepent€of€abandonment€by€resuming€visitation€or€support€subsequent€to€the€filing€of€ð ðòòanyóó€petitionððÐ ä¼ Ðseeking€to€terminate€parental€rights.€€(Emphasis€added).€€The€word€ð ðanyðð€has€a€variety€of€meanings.€Ð Ð ¨ ÐòòSee,€e.g.óó,€òòIndus.€Risk€Insurers€v.€Hartford€Steam€Boiler€Inspection€&€Ins.€Co.óó,€779€A.2d€737,€748Ð ¼!” Ð(Conn.€2001)€(observing€that€ð ð[t]he€word€ððanyðð€can€be€used€to€denote€ððall,ðð€ððevery,ðð€ððsomeðð€orÐ ( Ðððoneðððð).€€Because€the€word€ð ðanyðð€in€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€section€36-1-102(1)(F)€could€haveÐ ì Ðdifferent€meanings,€we€conclude€that€this€statutory€provision€is€ambiguous.€€òòSeeóó€òòLeTellier€v.Ð Ø ÐLeTellieróó,€40€S.W.3d€490,€498€(Tenn.€2001)€(stating€that€ð ððð[a]€statute€is€ambiguous€if€the€statute€isÐ ìÄ Ðcapable€of€conveying€more€than€one€meaningðððð)€(quoting€òòBryant€v.€HCA€Health€Servs.€of€N.€Tenn.,Рذ ÐInc.óó,€15€S.W.3d€804,€809€(Tenn.€2000)).€€Therefore,€we€must€look€to€the€entire€statutory€frameworkÐ Ä œ Ðto€ascertain€the€legislatureððs€intent.€€òòSeeóó€òòOwensóó,€908€S.W.2d€at€926.€€In€order€to€ascertain€theÐ ° ˆ Ðlegislatureððs€intent,€ð ððð[w]e€must€seek€a€reasonable€construction€in€light€of€the€purposes,€objectives,Ð œ t Ðand€spirit€of€the€statute€based€on€good€sound€reasoning.ðððð€€òòScott€v.€Ashland€Healthcare€Ctr.,€Inc.óó,€49Ð ˆ ` ÐS.W.3d€281,€286€(Tenn.€2001)€(quoting€òòState€v.€Turneróó,€913€S.W.2d€158,€160€(Tenn.€1995)).Ð t L  ÐÌà  àRead€in€the€context€of€the€statutory€scheme€that€governs€the€termination€of€parental€rights,Ð L$  Ðwe€conclude€that€the€word€ð ðanyðð€is€addressed€only€to€petitions€presently€under€the€courtððsÐ 8  Ðconsideration.€€This€interpretation€best€effectuates€legislative€intent€without€unduly€impinging€uponÐ $ü  Ðthe€fundamental€rights€of€parents.€€Clearly,€the€legislature€did€not€intend€that€parents€be€able€toÐ è  Ðrepent€of€their€abandonment€after€a€petition€currently€under€consideration€is€filed.€€However,€thereÐ üÔ  Ðis€no€indication€that€the€legislature€intended€that€conduct€occurring€prior€to€dismissal€of€an€earlierÐ èÀ Ðpetition€to€terminate€parental€rights€that€was€brought€by€one€party€should€be€used€as€a€ground€forÐ Ô¬ Ðterminating€parental€rights€in€a€subsequent€proceeding€initiated€by€another€party.€€Accordingly,€weÐ À˜ Ðhold€that€only€a€parentððs€conduct€in€the€four€months€immediately€preceding€the€filing€of€a€petitionÐ ¬„ Ðthen€before€the€court€may€be€used€as€grounds€to€terminate€parental€rights€under€Tennessee€CodeÐ ˜p ÐAnnotated€section€36-1-102(1)(A)(i).€€Since€there€is€no€dispute€that€Mr.€Moore€paid€child€supportÐ „\ Ðand€visited€D.L.B.€in€the€four€months€immediately€preceding€the€petition€filed€in€the€chancery€courtÐ pH Ðby€the€Nicklesons,€the€lower€courts€erred€in€terminating€Mr.€Mooreððs€parental€rights€based€uponÐ \4 ÐTennessee€Code€Annotated€section€36-1-102(1)(A)(i).Ð H  ÐÌÔ  Ôà@» » ìàB.€€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€Section€36-1-102(1)(A)(iii)ˆÐ  ø ÐÌà  àTennessee€Code€Annotated€section€36-1-102(1)(A)(iii)€provides€that€parental€rights€may€beÐ øÐ Ðterminated€if€the€father€ð ðwillfully€failed€to€make€reasonable€payments€toward€the€support€of€theÐ ä¼ Ðchildððs€mother€during€the€four€(4)€months€immediately€preceding€the€birth€of€the€child.ðð€€There€mustÐ Ð ¨ Ðbe€clear€and€convincing€evidence€in€the€record€to€support€the€termination€of€parental€rights.€€òòSeeóóÐ ¼!” ÐTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð36-1-113(c)(1)€(2001).€€The€record€shows€that€during€her€pregnancy€Mrs.€BadyÐ ¨"€  Ðtypically€stayed€with€Mr.€Moore€only€a€few€days€at€a€time.€€She€would€then€be€absent€from€his€homeÐ ”#l! Ðfor€periods€of€about€a€month.€€Mr.€Moore€provided€money€to€Mrs.€Bady€on€some€of€the€occasionsÐ €$X" Ðwhen€she€stayed€at€his€home€in€the€four€months€immediately€preceding€D.L.B.ððs€birth.€€Mr.€MooreÐ l%D # Ðsaid€that€he€would€not€give€Mrs.€Bady€money€if€she€intended€to€use€it€to€buy€crack€cocaine.€Ð X&0!$ ÐHowever,€if€Mrs.€Bady€indicated€that€she€needed€to€buy€food€or€clothes,€he€would€give€her€$10€orÐ D'"% Ð$20.€€Mr.€Moore€testified€that€he€also€encouraged€Mrs.€Bady€to€seek€prenatal€care,€but€she€refusedÐ 0(#& Ðto€do€so.Ð )ô#' Ðâ âÐ *à$( Ðà  àThe€Court€of€Appeals€held€that€the€payments€Mr.€Moore€gave€to€Mrs.€Bady€during€the€fourÐ ( Ðâ âmonths€immediately€preceding€D.L.B.ððs€birth€were€unreasonable.€€However,€the€Court€of€AppealsÐ ì Ðfailed€to€address€whether€Mr.€Mooreððs€conduct€was€willful.€€Under€Tennessee€Code€AnnotatedÐ Ø Ðsection€36-1-102(1)(A)(iii),€parental€rights€may€be€terminated€only€if€the€payments€toward€theÐ ìÄ Ðsupport€of€the€childððs€mother€during€the€four€months€immediately€preceding€the€birth€of€the€childРذ Ðwere€unreasonable€òòandóó€the€failure€to€make€reasonable€payments€was€willful.€€In€òòTennessee€BaptistÐ Ä œ ÐChildrenððs€Homes,€Inc.€v.€Swansonóó€(òòIn€re€Swansonóó),€2€S.W.3d€180,€188€(Tenn.€1999),€this€CourtÐ ° ˆ Ðòòóóheld€that€defining€abandonment€as€the€mere€non„payment€of€support€was€unconstitutional€becauseÐ œ t Ðthis€language€creates€an€irrebuttable€presumption€of€abandonment,€irrespective€of€intent.€€òòSwansonóóÐ ˆ ` Ðdictates€that€an€element€of€intent€must€also€be€applied€to€the€definition€of€abandonment€in€TennesseeÐ t L  ÐCode€Annotated€section€36-1-102(1)(A)(iii).€€Therefore,€the€Court€of€Appeals€erred€in€terminatingÐ `8  ÐMr.€Mooreððs€parental€rights€based€upon€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€section€36-1-102(1)(A)(iii)Ð L$  Ðbecause€the€court€did€not€address€the€required€element€of€willfulness.Ð 8  ÐÌà  àFurthermore,€we€hold€that€the€trial€court€is€the€proper€court€to€make€a€determination€ofÐ è  Ðwillfulness€pursuant€to€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€section€36-1-102(1)(A)(iii).€€Mr.€MooreððsÐ üÔ  Ðtestimony€is€critical€to€the€determination€of€whether€his€conduct€toward€Mrs.€Bady€in€the€fourÐ èÀ Ðmonths€immediately€preceding€D.L.B.ððs€birth€was€willful.€€Moreover,€the€determination€of€whetherÐ Ô¬ Ðthe€support€Mr.€Moore€provided€to€Mrs.€Bady€was€reasonable€involves€a€finding€of€fact,€which€theÐ À˜ Ðtrial€court€is€in€the€best€position€to€make.Ð ¬„ ÐÌà  àThe€trial€court€is€required€to€find€only€one€statutory€ground€for€termination€of€parental€rights.€Ð „\ ÐòòSeeóó€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð36-1-113€(2001).€€However,€given€the€importance€of€establishing€theÐ pH Ðpermanent€placement€of€a€child€who€is€the€subject€of€a€termination€of€parental€rights€proceeding,€theÐ \4 Ðtrial€court€should€include€in€its€final€order€findings€of€fact€and€conclusions€of€law€with€regard€to€eachÐ H  Ðground€presented.€€If€the€trial€court€addresses€each€ground€that€is€raised€in€a€termination€proceeding,Ð 4  Ðthe€childððs€permanent€placement€will€not€be€unnecessarily€delayed€due€to€a€remand€for€findings€onÐ  ø Ðalternate€grounds.€€Unfortunately,€the€trial€court€made€no€findings€of€fact€with€regard€to€Mr.€MooreððsÐ  ä Ðconduct€toward€Mrs.€Bady€in€the€four€months€immediately€preceding€D.L.B.ððs€birth.€€Consequently,Ð øÐ Ðwe€remand€this€case€to€the€trial€court€to€consider€abandonment€under€Tennessee€Code€AnnotatedÐ ä¼ Ðsection€36-1-102(1)(A)(iii)€and€all€other€grounds€for€termination€of€parental€rights€asserted€in€theÐ Ð ¨ ÐNicklesonsðð€petition.Ð ¼!” ÐÌÔ  Ôà@||"ìàIII.€€ConclusionˆÐ ”#l! ÐÌà  àWe€hold€that€the€lower€courts€erred€in€determining€the€applicable€four„month€period€ofÐ l%D # Ðconsideration€for€abandonment€under€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€section€36-1-102(1)(A)(i)€and€thatÐ X&0!$ Ðthe€Court€of€Appeals€erred€in€determining€that€Mr.€Moore€abandoned€his€child€under€TennesseeÐ D'"% ÐCode€Annotated€section€36-1-102(1)(A)(iii).€€Because€grounds€for€terminating€the€parental€rightsÐ 0(#& Ðof€Mr.€Moore€have€not€been€established,€we€do€not€reach€the€best€interest€of€the€child€analysis.€€òòSeeóóÐ )ô#' ÐTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð36-1-113(c)€(2001)€(requiring€first€a€ð ðfinding€by€the€court€by€clear€andÐ *à$( Ðconvincing€evidence€that€the€grounds€for€termination€of€parental€or€guardianship€rights€have€beenÐ ô*Ì%) Ðestablishedðð€and€then€a€finding€that€the€ð ðtermination€of€the€parentððs€or€guardianððs€rights€is€in€the€bestÐ ( Ðinterests€of€the€childðð).€€Accordingly,€we€reverse€the€Court€of€Appeals€and€remand€this€case€to€theÐ ì Ðtrial€court.€€We€direct€the€trial€court€to€address€each€ground€for€termination€of€parental€rights€assertedÐ Ø Ðby€the€Nicklesons.€€In€order€to€expedite€this€case,€the€trial€courtððs€judgment€should€be€entered€noÐ ìÄ Ðlater€than€sixty€days€from€the€entry€of€this€judgment.€€òòSeeóó€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð36-1-124€(2001)€Ð ذ Ð(providing€that€contested€terminations€of€parental€rights€and€adoptions€shall€be€expedited€at€trial€andÐ Ä œ Ðon€appeal).Ð ° ˆ ÐÌà  àCosts€of€this€appeal€are€taxed€to€the€appellees,€David€Joe€Nickleson€and€his€wife,€DeniseÐ ˆ ` ÐNickleson,€and€their€surety,€for€whom€execution€may€issue€if€necessary.Ð t L  ÐÌÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à___________________________________€Ð $ü  Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àJANICE€M.€HOLDER,€JUSTICE