DCPP VS. S.M. AND S.D., IN THE MATTER OF GUARDIANSHIP OF G.D. (FG-03-0028-19, BURLINGTON COUNTY AND STATEWIDE) (RECORD IMPOUNDED) ( 2021 )

RECORD IMPOUNDED
NOT FOR PUBLICATION WITHOUT THE
APPROVAL OF THE APPELLATE DIVISION
This opinion shall not "constitute precedent or be binding upon any court." Although it is posted on the
internet, this opinion is binding only on the parties in the case and its use in other cases is limited. R. 1:36-3.
SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY
APPELLATE DIVISION
DOCKET NO. A-4514-19
NEW JERSEY DIVISION
OF CHILD PROTECTION
AND PERMANENCY,
Plaintiff-Respondent,
v.
S.M.,
Defendant-Appellant,
and
S.D.,
Defendant.
_________________________
IN THE MATTER OF THE
GUARDIANSHIP OF G.D.,
a minor.
_________________________
Argued May 17, 2021 – Decided July 9, 2021
Before Judges Hoffman, Suter, and Smith.
On appeal from the Superior Court of New Jersey,
Chancery Division, Family Part, Burlington County,
Docket No. FG-03-0028-19.
Adrienne Kalosieh, Assistant Deputy Public Defender,
argued the cause for appellant (Joseph E. Krakora,
Public Defender, attorney; Adrienne Kalosieh, on the
briefs).
Meaghan Goulding, Deputy Attorney General, argued
the cause for respondent (Gurbir S. Grewal, Attorney
General, attorney; Melissa H. Raksa, Assistant
Attorney General, of counsel; Hannah F. Edman,
Deputy Attorney General, on the brief).
Todd Wilson, Designated Counsel, argued the cause for
minor (Joseph E. Krakora, Public Defender, Law
Guardian, attorney; Meredith Alexis Pollock, Deputy
Public Defender, of counsel; Todd Wilson, on the
brief).
PER CURIAM
Defendant S.M. 1 appeals the judgment terminating her parental rights to
G.D. (George). She contends the trial court lacked substantial credible evidence
to terminate her parental rights. 2 We affirm largely for reasons expressed in
Judge Louise Donaldson's oral opinion.
1
Fictitious names have been used throughout the opinion to maintain the
confidentiality of the parties as permitted by Rule 1:38-3(d)(12).
2
S.D. (Sam), George's father, did not appeal the termination of his parental
rights.
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I.
Defendant and Sam are the biological parents of George, who was born
on May 19, 2017. Their parental rights were terminated on July 30, 2020,
following a multi-day bench trial.
When George was four weeks old, defendant noticed he was "fussy,"
crying, vomiting and had a fever. Defendant called 911 after Sam would not
take them to the hospital because he had been drinking. Dr. Marita E. Lind, a
board-certified pediatrician, examined George at the Children's Hospital of
Philadelphia (CHOP) and saw bruising on his shoulder, thighs, ear and cheek.
X-rays revealed distal metaphyseal fractures in both tibias (shin bones). Dr.
Lind testified that injuries of that nature could not be caused by the child. They
were consistent with non-accidental trauma.
Defendant was not certain how the injuries occurred. At first, she
suggested they may have occurred when her mother was caring for the child.
Later, she suggested, they may have occurred when she was in the shower and
Sam was watching the child. Defendant acknowledged telling different versions
about how the injuries may have occurred. She never explained the bruising.
Just a few days later, Sam told defendant he injured George by accident after
catching him by the legs as he was falling. None of this explained the bruising.
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DCPP removed George from defendant and Sam's custody because they
would not say how the injuries occurred, and they did not identify relatives who
could take responsibility for the child. George was placed with resource parents
who, after the four years George has lived with them, want to adopt him.
On June 23, 2017, the Division of Child Protection and Permanency
(DCPP) filed an order to show cause and verified complaint under N.J.S.A. 9:6-
8.21 and N.J.S.A. 30:4C-12 alleging George was abused and neglected by his
biological parents. DCPP requested protection, care and supervision of George.
On the return date of the order to show cause, defendant admitted she was
not truthful about how George was injured, acknowledging that Sam
accidentally caused the injuries. George remained in placement under DCPP
custody. The court ordered services for both parents which included supervised
visitation.
The January 2018 abuse and neglect trial resulted in a finding under
N.J.S.A. 9:8-21(c) that Sam neglected George. The court found he disregarded
"the likelihood he was impaired from alcohol intake which contributed to [him]
injuring his child." Defendant was found to be unable to adequately care for
George because "[s]he is part of a family in need of services" under N.J.S.A.
30:4C-12. George continued under DCPP custody and care. Both parents were
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ordered to attend psychological evaluations. Sam was to attend a substance
abuse evaluation. They continued to have supervised visitation.
For the next year, Sam sporadically complied with the services he
received. The substance abuse evaluation showed he needed treatment, but he
would not attend. He had supervised visitation with George but attended it
irregularly. He had parenting classes which included anger management
counselling, but he was disengaged from the process. He also received
psychological evaluations and transportation assistance.
Defendant complied with the services she received, which included
supervised visitation, parenting classes, psychological evaluations, counseling
and bus passes. Although recommended, defendant did not meet with a
domestic violence counselor because she denied domestic violence was
occurring. The court denied DCPP's request to order domestic violence
counseling. Defendant apparently benefited from the services, but she still
needed assistance in caring for the child. DCPP explored, without success,
whether other relatives could care for George or assist defendant. Defendant
and Sam remained together as a couple.
In December 2018, the trial court approved DCPP's permanency plan,
which was to terminate defendant and Sam's parental rights to George. DCPP
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filed a guardianship complaint in January 2019. The trial commenced in August
2019. On July 30, 2020, the trial court ordered termination of defendant and
Sam's parental rights to George, finding termination and the transfer of
guardianship to DCPP was in George's best interest.
We summarize the trial evidence and findings by Judge Donaldson as
necessary to address the points raised on appeal. In assessing witness
credibility, the judge accepted the conclusions of the experts called by DCPP
and the law guardian and reviewed their testimony in detail.
Dr. Brian Eig, an expert in clinical psychology, testifying for DCPP,
conducted three psychological examinations of defendant — from February
2018 to April 2019 — in which he diagnosed defendant with a "generalized
anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder." Because of this, her ability to
meet George's needs or provide him a stable environment was limited, and it
was not likely she could care for George by herself. She had dependent
personality traits and needed to rely on others for care and guidance. She
participated in the services recommended for her and made some improvements,
but her relationship with Sam continued, which was "a significant liability." Dr.
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Eig testified that defendant was "minimally adequate as a parent. . . . a marginal
parent," and he did not recommend reunification. 3
Dr. Eig's bonding evaluation concluded George had an insecure
attachment to defendant and there was only a low risk to the child if this
relationship were severed. Dr. Eig reached a similar conclusion regarding
George's bond with Sam, which he found to be of an "insecure avoidant" nature.
Dr. Eig testified that George had a "strong positive and warm relationship"
and a secure bond with both resource parents. He concluded George would be
at high risk of enduring severe emotional harm if he were separated from his
foster parents. Dr. Eig concluded George's foster parents could ameliorate any
harm caused by the termination of parental rights.
The court found that visitation with defendant and Sam affected George,
who generally was happy and pleasant. After visitations, George was irritable
and cranky, and at times "distressed and inconsolable . . . ." Defendant attended
parenting classes but needed redirection concerning George's needs. The
visitation coordinator testified that George was always excited to see defendant
3
We mention the psychological evaluation of Sam because defendant continued
to reside with him. Dr. Eig found Sam had limited insight into his own
difficulties. He had narcissistic personality traits, maladaptive patterns, and
inflated self-esteem. He felt he was above the rules. Dr. Eig testified Sam could
not parent a child on his own or benefit from services.
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and said "I love you, Mommy" to her. However, defendant was easily distracted
from watching the child and there were concerns about her ability to retain skills.
Defendant's visits were reduced to once a week because defendant missed
several appointments. She said she missed some visits because she lacked funds.
More recently, defendant acknowledged smoking medical marijuana while she
was driving to visitation appointments.
In addition to Dr. Lind, who testified about the child's injuries, Dr.
Maureen Santina testified on behalf of the law guardian as an expert in clinical
and forensic psychology. Dr. Santina testified defendant intended to stay with
Sam. Defendant's plan was to regain custody of George and then the two of
them would raise him together. Dr. Santina diagnosed defendant as suffering
from an anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and a dependent personality disorder.
Defendant also expressed feeling depressed but Dr. Santina concluded that
anxiety was "predominant." Defendant was unable to function independently or
care for George now or in the foreseeable future. She was not living
independently, she relied on others and had a pattern of unstable relations. Dr.
Santina's bonding evaluation concluded George had an insecure attachment to
defendant. However, George's bond with his resource parents was secure and
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positive. She testified there would be severe harm if that relationship were
terminated, and the biological parents could not mitigate that harm.
Dr. Aida Ismael-Lennon testified for defendant as an expert in
psychology. Her evaluation, based on a review of the records, was that "a strong
positive bond" existed between defendant and George and that a "strong positive
attachment" existed between George and his resource parents. Dr. Lennon
learned that defendant had separated from Sam, concluding defendant was able
to parent at a minimal level of capacity without Sam. He supported reunification
with defendant even if that took longer than six months.
Judge Donaldson reopened the trial after closing arguments when
defendant's attorney advised there was the possibility that defendant and Sam
may separate. Defendant confirmed she no longer was living with Sam
following eviction from their apartment. She was renting a room from her
former public defender under a month-to-month lease. She agreed this was not
a good location for the child. DCPP's inspection revealed heavy cigarette smoke
and dog feces on the floor. Defendant denied she intended to reunite with Sam
after the trial. She claimed to have a new boyfriend. Sam recently threatened
to kill her, and she now claimed he verbally and emotionally abused her.
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Under prong one of N.J.S.A. 30:4C-15.1(a)(1) — harm to the child — the
trial court found, based on Dr. Lind's testimony about the fractures sustained by
George that "[t]he injuries to the child were caused either by both parents or
more than likely by the father . . . ." Because Sam's anger management
counselling was not successful, the court found there was no reason to think this
type of behavior would stop in the future. Judge Donaldson found defendant
was "unable to protect [George] and care for [him] and [it was] unlikely that she
will be able to do so in the foreseeable future." This was because she stayed
with Sam for two and a half years after the injuries and has a dependent-type
personality. The judge noted defendant engaged in a series of "damaging
relationships" and threatened to reconcile with Sam after the litigation was
completed.
Under the second prong, the court found that defendant and Sam were
unwilling or unable to eliminate the harms. The judge accepted the testimony
of Drs. Eig and Santina that neither parent was capable of providing a stable
home for the child. They were evicted even though their need for stable housing
was an issue in this litigation for the past three years. Sam had anger
management issues. Defendant was only minimally able to care for the child.
The court expressed it was "seriously concerned" defendant would not be able
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to protect George from Sam. George had been in the DCPP's custody for nearly
three years by then and the resource family wanted to adopt him. The court
found any delay in providing permanency for George was harmful to him.
Under prong three, the court found DCPP made reasonable efforts to
provide services for both parents and to correct the reasons why George was in
placement outside his home. DCPP had considered alternative placements for
the child. After compliance with the services which had been ordered, defendant
"still need[ed] assistance in caring for [George], which she [did] not have."
Under prong four, the trial court found the termination of defendant and
Sam's parental rights will not do more harm than good. George is "clearly
bonded" with the resource parents based upon the testimony of the psychological
experts. The court found the need for permanency and a stable home to be
central to its decision. The court further found the resource parents wanted to
adopt George, and noted he has lived with them since he was one-month old.
The expert witnesses testified that if the secure bond with his resource parents
were broken, defendant would not be able to address the harms that will be
caused. The court found that termination of parental rights was in the child's
best interest.
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Defendant appeals the July 30, 2020 order terminating her parental rights.
On appeal, she raises the following issues:
THE COURT ERRED IN HOLDING THAT DCPP
MET ITS BURDEN UNDER N.J.S.A. 30:4C-15.1a
AND THE JUDGMENT TERMINATING S.M.'S
PARENTAL RIGHTS TO G.D. SHOULD BE
REVERSED.
I. THE JUDGMENT OF GUARDIANSHIP MUST BE
REVERSED AS DCPP'S EVIDENCE DID NOT
ESTABLISH S.M. WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR HARM
TO HER CHILDREN AND COULD NOT CEASE
DOING THEM HARM PURSUANT TO PRONGS
ONE AND TWO OF N.J.S.A. 30:4C-15.1a.
II. THE COURT ERRED IN HOLDING THAT
TERMINATION OF S.M.'S PARENTAL RIGHTS
WAS IN THE CHILDREN'S BEST INTERESTS
BECAUSE DCPP FAILED TO SHOW BY CLEAR
AND CONVINCING EVIDENCE THAT IT MET
PRONG THREE, AND THE CASCADING EFFECTS
OF THIS FAILURE IMPLICATED THE ANALYSIS
OF PRONG TWO.
III. THE COURT ERRED IN FINDING THAT DCPP
MET ITS BURDEN AS TO PRONG FOUR BECAUSE
THE EXPERT EVIDENCE WAS IN EQUIPOISE AT
BEST THAT TERMINATION OF PARENTAL
RIGHTS WOULD DO NO MORE HARM THAN
GOOD.
II.
To terminate parental rights, N.J.S.A. 30:4C-15.1(a) requires that the
Division prove by clear and convincing evidence the following four prongs:
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(1) The child's safety, health, or development has been
or will continue to be endangered by the parental
relationship;
(2) The parent is unwilling or unable to eliminate the
harm facing the child or is unable or unwilling to
provide a safe and stable home for the child and the
delay of permanent placement will add to the harm.
Such harm may include evidence that separating the
child from his resource family parents would cause
serious and enduring emotional and psychological harm
to the child;
(3) The [DCPP] has made reasonable efforts to provide
services to help the parent correct the circumstances
which led to the child's placement outside the home and
the court has considered alternatives to termination of
parental rights; and
(4) Termination of parental rights will not do more
harm than good.
[N.J.S.A. 30:4C-15.1(a).]
A trial court's decision to terminate parental rights is subject to limited
appellate review. N.J. Div. of Youth & Fam. Servs. v. G.L., 191 N.J. 596, 605
(2007); see Cesare v. Cesare, 154 N.J. 394, 413 (1998) ("Because of the family
courts' special . . . expertise in family matters, appellate courts should accord
deference to family court factfinding."). The family court's decision to terminate
parental rights will not be disturbed "when there is substantial credible evidence
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in the record to support the court's findings." N.J. Div. of Youth & Fam. Servs.
v. E.P., 196 N.J. 88, 104 (2008).
Defendant argues DCPP did not prove any of the four prongs of the
statutory tests by clear and convincing evidence. We have carefully examined
the record in light of the arguments posed, concluding that Judge Donaldson's
findings were supported by substantial credible evidence in the record. We defer
to those findings. See N.J. Div. of Youth & Fam. Servs. v. F.M., 211 N.J. 420,
448-49 (2012); Cesare, 154 N.J. at 413. We affirm substantially for the reasons
set forth by Judge Donaldson in her oral decision, adding these comments.
A.
Defendant argues the trial court erred by finding DCPP met its burden
under prongs one and two of the statute. She argues she did not harm George
nor was she unwilling or unable to address any endangerments. She claimed she
was capable of parenting on her own because Dr. Eig found her parenting was
"minimally" adequate and Dr. Lennon agreed. Even though the experts claimed
she would not separate from Sam, she did so in February 2020, removing the
entanglement that was holding her back. She testified it was not her plan to
reunite with him. She was working full-time and had a place to live.
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The harm necessary to prove prong one is not limited to physical harm; it
includes a parent's inability to provide a safe, stable and permanent home for the
child. See In re Guardianship of D.M.H., 161 N.J. 365, 383 (1999). This prong
focuses "on the effect of harms arising from the parent-child relationship over
time on the child's health and development." In re Guardianship of K.H.O., 161
N.J. 337, 348 (1999). The harm "must be one that threatens the child's health
and will likely have continuing deleterious effects on the child." Id. at 352.
Under prong two of the statute, DCPP must show a parent is unable or
unwilling to correct the circumstances that led to DCPP's involvement. Id. at
348. "The question is whether the parent can become fit in time to meet the
needs of the child." N.J. Div. of Youth & Fam. Servs. v. T.S., 417 N.J. Super.
228, 244 (App. Div. 2010).
DCPP proved that prongs one and two were satisfied. 4 The trial court
found Dr. Lind's testimony credible that the injuries to George when he was only
four weeks old were not the type to have occurred by accident. Defendant and
Sam admit that Sam caused the injuries, although defendant contends they
occurred by accident and not intentionally. Defendant was not truthful about
4
We address prongs one and two together because defendant's brief combined
them.
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who injured George and how the injuries occurred. At first, she implicated her
mother and not Sam. When she knew three days later that it was Sam, she did
not tell. When she could no longer do that, she downplayed what had occurred.
She continued to reside with Sam for the next two-and-one-half years even
though he would not engage in substance abuse treatment and was not interested
in the anger management counselling. They lacked stable housing and were
evicted shortly before the guardianship trial was completed.
All this was with the knowledge that living with Sam was one obstacle to
reunification with George. By the end of the trial, defendant had moved into a
room in a place that even she admitted was not suitable for the child. The place
was filled with cigarette smoke and there was dog feces on the floor. She shared
the bathroom facilities with the other occupant, her former public defender. She
admitted she would spend more money than she would earn each month. She
still lacked a plan for a safe and permanent home.
Therefore, more than three years after George was removed, defendant
still had not provided a stable home for him. A child's unfulfilled need for a
permanent home is itself a harm under prong one of the statute. N.J. Div. of
Youth & Fam. Servs. v. B.G.S., 291 N.J. Super. 582, 591 (App. Div. 1996).
Defendant remained unwilling or unable to eliminate that harm.
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Defendant complied with the services provided but the experts for DCPP
and the law guardian testified she could not parent independently now or in the
future. The trial court accepted this expert testimony as credible. Defendant
needed constant assistance and redirection during her supervised visitation. She
had a dependent type personality that resulted in bad relationships. At no time
had defendant exercised unsupervised parenting time with George.
Defendant cites G.L, 191 N.J. at 596, for support. In G.L., a father was
accused of shaking his child to death. Id. at 602-03. The child's mother was not
involved but believed he only was responsible for failing to call for help when
the child was in distress. Ibid. The mother's parental rights were terminated
even though she participated in the services offered, separated from the father
and never allowed him to have unsupervised visitation. Id. at 605. The Court
concluded her failure to condemn the father's actions did not warrant termination
of parental rights. Id. at 607.
G.L. is not this case. Defendant did not disclose Sam's actions even
though he had told her. She stayed with Sam for three years while George was
in placement even though he did not comply with services, and she understood
he was one of the problems preventing reunification. Even when she did
separate from him, it was at the end of the guardianship trial with no place that
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was suitable for George. After the services provided to her, defendant at best
exhibited minimal parenting skills and likely would re-engage in a harmful
relationship.
We are satisfied there was substantial credible evidence in the record that
the first two prongs of N.J.S.A. 30:4C-15.1(a) were satisfied by clear and
convincing evidence.
B.
Defendant contends the trial court erred by finding DCPP satisfied its
burden of proving prong three by clear and convincing evidence and that this
had "cascading effects" for prong two. Defendant contends DCPP failed to make
"reasonable efforts" as defined by N.J.S.A. 30:4C-15.1(c) and that she was
willing to attend other services to reunify with George. She argues DCPP failed
to assist her in extricating her from her relationship with Sam. Defendant claims
DCPP sent "mixed messages" to her by suggesting she and Sam attend couples'
counseling.
The third prong of N.J.S.A. 30:4C-15.1(a) requires the State to make
reasonable efforts by providing services to help a parent correct the
circumstances that led to the child's outside placement. N.J.S.A. 30:4C-
15.1(a)(3). Reasonable efforts must consider "the abilities and mental
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conditions of the parents." N.J. Div. of Youth & Fam. Servs. v. A.G., 344 N.J.
Super. 418, 442 (App. Div. 2001). The Supreme Court has defined these
reasonable efforts to include encouraging, fostering, and maintaining the bond
between parent and child, promoting visitation, keeping the parent informed of
the child's progress, and informing the parent of the measures he or she needs to
pursue to strengthen the relationship and regain custody. D.M.H., 161 N.J. at
390. Reasonable efforts vary depending upon the circumstances. Id. at 391.
There was substantial credible evidence to support the trial court's finding
that the third prong was proven by clear and convincing evidence. DCPP
provided a host of services to defendant. She does not contest the necessity of
the services, or the type of services provided. She does not contest the trial
court's finding that DCPP made reasonable efforts to identify other relatives who
could care for George.
Defendant does not dispute she was advised — repeatedly — that her
relationship with Sam was one of the reasons against reunification. Defendant
argues she was willing to leave Sam, but the record shows she repeatedly
expressed her desire to stay with him. This prolonged and delayed permanency
for George. Defendant and Sam never physically separated until they were
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evicted in 2020. Although defendant denies that she intends to go back with
Sam, that is not what she told others, including Dr. Santina.
Defendant had opportunities to separate from Sam. She had a therapist at
the service provider to address her emotional issues. She received assistance
through the Family Learning Center on housing and financial stability. She
could have gone to Providence House for shelter but declined. She was not
interested in meeting with a domestic violence liaison. The trial court's finding
that the Division met the third prong of the best interest standard was well-
supported by clear and convincing evidence in the record.
C.
Defendant argues the trial court erred by finding DCPP proved the fourth
prong of the statutory test. She contends the expert testimony was at best in
"equipoise" about the good to be served by termination of parental rights.
Defendant argues there is a strong bond between George and defendant because
he refers to her as "Mommy," and he shows difficulty separating from her at the
end of the visits.
In evaluating prong four, the trial court must balance the child's
relationships with his birth and resource parents and determine whether he will
suffer greater harm from the termination of ties with the former than with the
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latter. In re Guardianship of J.N.H., 172 N.J. 440, 478 (2002). Prong four does
not require that "no harm will befall the child as a result of the severing of
biological ties." K.H.O., 161 N.J. at 355. A court must consider "the child's
age, her overall health and development, and the realistic likelihood that the
[natural] parent will be capable of caring for the child in the near future." Id. at
357.
Here, the fourth prong of the statute was satisfied. Defendant's
characterization of the experts in equipoise is not supported by the record. Drs.
Eig and Santina were clear that there is an insecure bond between George and
defendant. They testified that if that bond were broken the harm would be
something the resource parents could ameliorate because George is securely
bonded with them. George has been with his resource parents since he was four
weeks old. Even defendant's expert indicated that reunification would need to
be implemented gradually over the course of six months to a year. However,
Drs. Eig and Santina testified that if the bond with the resource parents were
broken, defendant would not be able to address the harms to George caused by
this separation and that George was of an age that this break would have lasting
consequences for him.
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After carefully reviewing the record and the applicable legal principles,
we conclude that any arguments not addressed lack sufficient merit to warrant
discussion in a written opinion. R. 2:11-3(e)(1)(E).
Affirmed.
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