In Re: K.M.T. ( 2016 )

Filed
Washington State
Court of Appeals
Division Two
August 23, 2016
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
DIVISION II
In the Matter of the Adoption of: No. 47697-5-II
K.M.T., a minor child,
M.D.T.,
Appellant,
v. PUBLISHED OPINION
C.A.M. and E.L.M.,
Respondents.
MAXA, J. – MT and CM are the biological parents of KMT, born in March 2010. MT and
CM had a short relationship that ended before CM learned she was pregnant. A few years later,
CM married EM. In 2013, CM and EM filed a petition under chapter 26.33 RCW to terminate
MT’s parental rights to KMT and to permit EM to adopt KMT. The trial court entered orders
terminating MT’s parental rights and permitting EM to adopt KMT.
MT appeals the trial court’s termination and adoption orders, arguing that the trial court
violated his right to substantive due process because it terminated his parental rights without
finding that (1) MT was unfit to parent KMT and (2) termination was necessary to prevent harm
to KMT. First, we hold that the trial court erred in failing to make the required due process
finding that MT was unfit to parent, which can be satisfied by compliance with the requirements
No. 47697-5-II
of RCW 26.33.120(1). Specifically, the trial court failed to address under RCW 26.33.120(1)
whether clear, cogent, and convincing evidence established that MT’s failure to perform parental
duties was “under circumstances showing a substantial lack of regard for his or her parental
obligations.” Second, we hold that substantive due process does not require the trial court to find
that the termination of a parent’s rights under chapter 26.33 RCW must be necessary to prevent
harm to a child, and therefore that the trial court did not err in failing to make this finding.1
We reverse the trial court’s termination and adoption orders. We remand for the trial
court to address, consistent with this opinion and based on the existing record, whether under
RCW 26.33.120(1) clear, cogent, and convincing evidence establishes that MT’s failure to
perform parental duties was under circumstances showing a substantial lack of regard for his or
her parental obligations and for other proceedings.
FACTS
Background
MT and CM dated for a short time in the spring of 2009. MT was an active member of
the United States Army and was stationed in Pierce County.
A few weeks after CM ended the relationship, she found out that she was pregnant. CM
informed MT of her pregnancy four days before he was deployed to Afghanistan.
MT’s Contact with CM and KMT
MT was deployed to Afghanistan from July 2009 until July 2010. MT’s and CM’s
relationship was unfriendly during this time. They argued over whether MT would have
1
As discussed below, we also decline to consider, because MT did not object in the trial court,
MT’s argument that the trial court violated his procedural due process rights by not allowing him
to appear by telephone for the first day of trial.
2
No. 47697-5-II
visitation or custody of KMT as well as over other topics. MT sent CM at least one social media
message calling CM vulgar names.
In June 2010, CM filed a petition for a domestic violence protection order against MT.
When MT returned to Washington from his deployment in July 2010, he was served with an ex
parte restraining order preventing him from seeing CM and KMT. The restraining order was
dismissed on July 16 after CM failed to appear at a court hearing.
After the restraining order was dismissed, MT met KMT for the first time. At trial, the
parties disagreed about MT’s contact with KMT. CM testified that MT saw KMT only three or
four times. MT testified that he saw KMT every workday evening and on weekends from mid-
July through mid-August.
In August 2010, the relationship between MT and CM deteriorated further after MT
began dating another woman. CM cut off all contact with MT and refused to let him see KMT.
MT has not had contact with KMT since that time.
In October 2010, the Army sent MT to Missouri for four months of training. In February
2011, MT was deployed to Germany until March 2014. During that time, he again deployed to
Afghanistan in 2012.
CM received state assistance from the time KMT was born until March 2011. MT
initially did not pay any child support. In August 2010, CM contacted MT’s commanding
officer and requested assistance in obtaining child support from MT. Subsequently, MT paid
$1,500 in back child support. For the next several months, monthly $100 child support payments
were deducted from MT’s military pay.
3
No. 47697-5-II
CM obtained employment in March 2011 and discontinued state assistance. After that
time, MT’s child support no longer was removed from his military pay and CM stopped
receiving $100 per month. MT did not undertake any additional efforts to make child support
payments.
While he was in Germany, MT sent CM a $500 child support check as well as a $200
check for Christmas gifts for KMT, but both checks were returned. MT sent cards to KMT for
her birthday, but they also were sent back to his address in Germany. MT attempted to reach
CM through her best friend, as well as through multiple social media platforms, but CM blocked
him from contacting her.
In October 2012, MT sent CM a letter informing her, “I told my lawyer to drop any
pursuit of rights to our daughter, and I accept that if you don’t feel that I should be in her life,
then I will have to live with that.” Report of Proceedings (RP) at 135. At the time, MT believed
his planned 20-year military career would preclude him from having a real chance to be a part of
KMT’s life.
CM and EM’s Marriage
Meanwhile, CM and EM began dating in March 2011, when KMT was one year old.
They married in November 2011. In December 2011, CM and KMT moved to Illinois to be with
EM. CM did not inform MT that she and KMT were leaving Washington. CM and KMT moved
back to Washington in March 2013.
At the time of trial CM and EM had two children, ages two and three months, in addition
to KMT.
4
No. 47697-5-II
MT’s Discharge from the Army
In March 2014, MT was discharged from the Army pending the Veteran’s
Administration’s (VA) decision on a medical disability. As a result of his service, MT suffered
from post-traumatic stress disorder, a back injury, and a traumatic brain injury. MT moved in
with his parents in Ohio because at that time he was receiving minimal retirement benefits and
could not support himself. After four months, the VA rated him 100 percent disabled because of
his injuries.
MT visited Washington for a month in August 2014 and attempted to see KMT, but he
was unsuccessful in contacting CM or her mother. At no time from KMT’s birth to the
termination trial did MT take any legal action to obtain visitation rights or custody of KMT.
Petition for Termination of Parental Rights/Adoption
In May 2013, EM and CM filed a petition under chapter 26.33 RCW to terminate MT’s
parental rights regarding KMT and for EM to adopt KMT. Because MT was serving abroad, the
petition was stayed under the Service Members’ Civil Relief Act, chapter 38.42 RCW. MT was
served in May 2014 after he returned from Germany. MT requested that the petition be denied.
In July 2014, CM filed an ex parte petition for a restraining order preventing MT from contacting
CM or KMT.2
MT’s Presence at Trial
The termination trial was scheduled to begin on April 21, 2015. MT was not present.
MT’s attorney claimed that a technology issue had led to a misunderstanding about the trial date
and stated that MT was still in Ohio.
2
The record does not indicate whether the trial court entered a restraining order.
5
No. 47697-5-II
MT’s attorney informed the trial court that MT would be appearing by telephone. CM
and EM objected to MT testifying by telephone. The trial court discussed case law regarding
telephonic testimony and later stated that it was inclined to allow such testimony. MT’s attorney
then informed the trial court that MT would be able to fly to Washington the next day and be in
court the following morning. The trial court decided to proceed with the first day of trial and
then recess for a day to allow MT to be present for the second day of trial. The trial court did not
address whether MT could appear by telephone for the first day of trial, and MT’s attorney did
not raise the issue.
CM and EM’s attorney then began his opening statement. After making some
preliminary statements he paused and asked the trial court whether MT needed to be on the
telephone. The trial court responded, “No. It is a civil matter. He has no right to be here. It is
one thing to allow him to testify. It [is] another thing to appear.” RP at 21. MT’s attorney did
not object to or comment on this ruling. CM and EM’s attorney continued with his opening
statement and trial proceeded without MT’s telephonic presence.
CM testified on the first day of trial and MT’s attorney cross-examined her. But because
MT was not present to inform her of what he might like her to ask, his attorney requested the
right to recall CM for further cross-examination. CM and EM objected. The trial court ruled
that MT could recall CM in his case in chief. The trial court did not determine whether or not
MT could ask CM leading questions when she was recalled, stating that it would rule on any
objections as they were made.
MT was present on the next day of trial. EM testified, and then CM and EM rested their
case. MT was the only witness in his case in chief. MT’s attorney did not recall CM as a
6
No. 47697-5-II
witness. CM and EM called CM as a rebuttal witness, and MT’s attorney cross-examined her
with MT present.
Trial Court Ruling
Following closing arguments, the trial court gave an oral ruling summarizing the
evidence. The trial court made oral findings that MT had failed to perform his parental duties for
years and concluded that it was in KMT’s best interests to terminate MT’s parental rights and
proceed with the adoption. The trial court stated, “I do think this is an actually closer case than
maybe either side believes.” RP at 200-01. Later the trial court clarified, “Well, when I say
close, I do mean, in part, it was close because of the clear, cogent, convincing standard. If it was
just a preponderance of the evidence, it wouldn’t have been so close.” RP at 214.
The trial court issued the following written findings of fact:
2.7.1 [MT] has not seen the child since she was 3 months old (June or July 2010).
2.7.2 [MT] has not paid any child support since March 2011, except for two
sporadic money orders that were not accepted by the mother. Support enforcement
had been administratively stopped.
2.7.3 [MT] has failed to exercise his parental rights.
2.7.4 Child has been integrated in new family.
2.7.5 Child does not know him as the father.
2.7.6 Child has a half-sibling with mother.
Clerk’s Papers (CP) at 47-48. Conclusion of law 3.2 stated:
[MT] has failed to carry out his parental obligations, and it is in the child’s best
interests to terminate the parent-child relationship. [MT] has withheld his consent
for adoption contrary to the best interests of the child.
CP at 48. The trial court’s order did not include a finding of fact or conclusion of law stating
that MT’s failure to carry out his parental obligations was under circumstances showing a
substantial lack of regard for those obligations. And the trial court’s order also did not expressly
address MT’s fitness as a parent.
7
No. 47697-5-II
Based on these findings of fact and conclusion of law, the trial court issued an order
terminating the parent-child relationship of MT and KMT. The trial court issued separate
findings of fact and conclusions of law regarding adoption and subsequently issued a decree of
adoption granting EM’s petition to adopt KMT.
MT appeals the termination and adoption orders.
ANALYSIS
A. TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS
MT argues that the termination order violated substantive due process because the trial
court terminated his parental rights without making a finding that he was unfit to parent or a
finding that termination was necessary to prevent harm to KMT. We agree with MT that the trial
court violated his due process rights and RCW 26.33.120(1) by failing to make either an express
or implied finding that MT’s failure to perform parental duties was “under circumstances
showing a substantial lack of regard for his . . . parental obligations,” which was required under
RCW 26.33.120(1) to demonstrate MT’s unfitness to parent. However, we reject MT’s
argument that the trial court was required to find that termination was necessary to prevent harm
to KMT.
Because the trial court failed to make a finding required by substantive due process and
RCW 26.33.120(1), we reverse the trial court’s termination and adoption orders. In the interest
of justice, we remand for the trial court to address whether clear, cogent, and convincing
evidence establishes that MT’s failure to perform his parental duties was under circumstances
showing a substantial lack of regard for his parental obligations.
8
No. 47697-5-II
1. Legal Principles
Washington’s adoption statute allows a person seeking to adopt his or her spouse’s child
to petition for the termination of the other parent’s parent-child relationship. RCW 26.33.100.
Under RCW 26.33.120(1), the parent-child relationship may be terminated
upon a showing by clear, cogent, and convincing evidence that it is in the best
interest of the child to terminate the relationship and that the parent has failed to
perform parental duties under circumstances showing a substantial lack of regard
for his or her parental obligations and is withholding consent to adoption contrary
to the best interest of the child.
RCW 26.33.120(1). The threshold question under the statute is whether the parent “has failed to
perform parental duties under circumstances showing a substantial lack of regard for his or her
parental obligations.” RCW 26.33.120(1); In re H.J.P., 114 Wn.2d 522, 531, 789 P.2d 96(1990). The trial court must resolve this issue before it can address the child’s best interest.
H.J.P., 114 Wn.2d at 531.
However, constitutional principles also limit a trial court’s ability to terminate a parent-
child relationship. Parents have a fundamental liberty interest in the care, custody, and
management of their children, which is protected by substantive due process under the
Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. In re Welfare of H.Q., 182 Wn. App.
541, 550-51, 330 P.3d 195 (2014). This interest includes preservation of the family unit. In re
Welfare of L.R., 180 Wn. App. 717, 723, 324 P.3d 737 (2014). Therefore, any state action that
would terminate a parent-child relationship must satisfy due process. See H.J.P., 114 Wn.2d at
526-27. We review substantive due process challenges de novo. In re Welfare of A.G., 160 Wn.
App. 841, 844, 248 P.3d 611 (2011).
9
No. 47697-5-II
Significantly, parents cannot lose their constitutionally protected interests simply because
they have not been model parents. H.Q., 182 Wn. App. at 551. “ ‘Even when blood
relationships are strained, parents retain a vital interest in preventing the irretrievable destruction
of their family life.’ ” Id. (quoting Santosky v. Kramer, 455 U.S. 745, 753, 102 S. Ct. 1388, 71
L. Ed. 2d 599 (1982)).
In H.J.P., our Supreme Court noted that under Santosky, termination of a parent’s
parental rights violates due process unless there is a judicial determination of that parent’s
unfitness to raise his or her child. H.J.P., 114 Wn.2d at 527-28. The court applied this rule to
termination of parental rights and adoption under RCW 26.33.120(1). Id. at 528-31. Therefore,
a trial court “must find parental unfitness on the part of the nonconsenting parent” in order to
terminate that parent’s parental rights under RCW 26.33.120(1). Id. at 531. The Supreme Court
also has applied this parental unfitness rule to State-initiated termination of parental rights under
RCW 13.34.180. In re Welfare of A.B., 168 Wn.2d 908, 918-19, 232 P.3d 1104 (2010).
The court in H.J.P. did not impose a parental unfitness requirement in
termination/adoption cases independent of the statutory language. Instead, the court indicated
that compliance with the statutory requirements satisfied due process. H.J.P., 114 Wn.2d at 531.
The court stated that “[p]arental unfitness is established by showing that the nonconsenting
parent ‘has failed to perform parental duties under circumstances showing a substantial lack of
regard for his or her parental obligations.’ ” Id.(quoting RCW 26.33.120(1)).
The court discussed the meaning of “parental obligations,” adopting five attributes of
such obligations first stated in In re Adoption of Lybbert, 75 Wn.2d 671, 674, 453 P.2d 650(1969). H.J.P., 114 Wn.2d at 531. The court then held that the trial court “must determine
10
No. 47697-5-II
whether the biological parent has failed to perform parental duties under circumstances showing
a substantial lack of regard for his or her parental obligations.” Id. at 532.
2. Required Finding of Parental Unfitness
Under H.J.P., a trial court can satisfy the due process requirement of parental unfitness
by making findings that track the statutory language.3 Id. at 531. RCW 26.33.120(1) contains
two separate requirements. First, a trial court must find that the nonconsenting parent “has failed
to perform parental duties.” RCW 26.33.120(1). Second, the trial court must find that this
failure was “under circumstances showing a substantial lack of regard for his or her parental
obligations.” Id. In other words, the trial court must not only address whether the parent failed
to perform parental duties, but it also must consider the circumstances surrounding that failure.
Any other interpretation would render the phrase “under circumstances showing a substantial
lack of regard for his or her parental obligations” superfluous.
a. Express Finding of Unfitness
The trial court made an express factual finding that MT “has failed to exercise his
parental rights,” CP at 47, and a conclusion of law that MT “has failed to carry out his parental
obligations.” CP at 48. This finding and this conclusion satisfied the first parental unfitness
requirement in RCW 26.33.120(1).
However, the trial court entered no finding of fact or conclusion of law addressing the
second parental unfitness requirement of RCW 26.33.120(1) – whether MT’s failure to perform
his parental duties were “under circumstances showing a substantial lack of regard for his . . .
3
A trial court also can satisfy due process by making an express finding that the nonconsenting
parent is currently unfit to parent his or her child.
11
No. 47697-5-II
parental obligations.” The trial court also failed to make an express general finding that MT was
currently unfit to parent KMT. Therefore, the trial court’s termination order failed to expressly
comply with RCW 26.33.120(1) and therefore with due process.
b. Implied Finding of Unfitness
In the context of a State-initiated parental termination proceeding, the Supreme Court
held that an explicit finding of parental unfitness is not always required and that under limited
circumstances an appellate court can imply that the trial court found parental unfitness. A.B.,
168 Wn.2d at 920-21. The court stated:
[W]e conclude that when an appellate court is faced with a record that omits an
explicit finding of current parental unfitness, the appellate court can imply or infer
the omitted finding if – but only if – all the facts and circumstances in the
record . . . clearly demonstrate that the omitted finding was actually intended, and
thus made, by the trial court. To hold otherwise would be illogical, and it would
permit trial and appellate courts easily to sidestep the due process requirement that
a judgment terminating parental rights be grounded on an actual (as opposed to a
fictional) finding of current parental unfitness.
Id. at 921. We adopt this approach in termination proceedings under RCW 26.33.120(1). The
question here is whether the record is sufficient to permit us to conclude that the trial court
actually intended to find that MT was unfit to parent based on the statutory requirements.
At the beginning of its oral ruling the trial court acknowledged that “the statute requires
that the parent has failed to perform parental duties under circumstances showing a substantial
lack of regard for her or his parenting obligations.” RP at 201. However, the trial court never
again mentioned the “circumstances showing substantial lack of regard for parenting
obligations” requirement. The trial court made specific oral findings that MT had failed to
perform his parental duties for years and that termination of parental rights and adoption was in
12
No. 47697-5-II
KMT’s best interest. But the trial court did not make any oral findings regarding whether the
circumstances showed that MT had a substantial lack of regard for his parental obligations.
Some of the trial court’s oral comments could suggest such a finding. For instance, the
trial court referred to MT’s October 2012 letter telling CM that he would drop any pursuit of
rights to KMT, and stated:
You did write the letter in 2012 in which you basically wrote this thing off. I don’t
think that you really tried very hard after that except to the extent that you’re
involved in litigation. . . . [I]t also seems to me emotionally you made a decision
at that point that you were no longer going to even attempt to be a parent of this
child.
RP at 210-11. Deciding to not even attempt to be a parent to KMT may indicate that MT did
have a substantial lack of regard for his parental obligations.
On the other hand, the trial court referred to several circumstances that helped explain
why MT had not fulfilled his parental obligations. When KMT was an infant, MT was in
Afghanistan serving in the Army. The trial court noted that MT took a long time to deal with
having a baby and that he was “not well-equipped to deal with anything at that time” because he
was “under stress in the service.” RP at 211.
And then after MT had some interaction with KMT, CM cut off all contact with him and
later returned cards and money he sent for gifts. The trial court stated, “She did not give you in
some ways an opportunity at all to do those kinds of things that you could do from a distance.”
RP at 210. The trial court further stated, “In some ways, I understand that it seemed like it is
futile maybe. If it was futile, why do you have to keep trying. They usually don’t ask you to do
that.” RP at 210-11. Nevertheless, the trial court suggested that MT’s first priority should have
13
No. 47697-5-II
been getting involved in KMT’s life “no matter how hard her mom is going to make it.” RP at
212.
Finally, the trial court stated that “there were moments where you wanted to perform
your parental duties.” RP at 213. But the trial court immediately stated that “there have been
years where you have failed to do so.” RP at 213.
The evidence recounted in the trial court’s oral ruling provided some support for a
finding that MT showed a substantial lack of regard for his parental obligations if the trial court
intended to make such a finding. However, under A.B. it is difficult to conclude that “the
omitted finding was actually intended, and thus made, by the trial court.” 168 Wn.2d at 921.
Instead, the trial court’s oral ruling and its written findings and conclusions also are consistent
with the trial court believing that it only had to find that MT failed to perform his parental duties
and was not required to make an additional finding that MT showed a substantial lack of regard
for those duties. As the court stated in A.B., due process requires that “a judgment terminating
parental rights be grounded on an actual (as opposed to a fictional) finding of current parental
unfitness.” 168 Wn.2d at 921.
RCW 26.33.120(1) requires that the trial court find by clear, cogent, and convincing
evidence that a parent’s failure to perform parental duties was under circumstances showing a
substantial lack of regard for those duties. The trial court acknowledged that whether to
terminate MT’s parental rights was a close case. Given the somewhat ambiguous discussion of
the circumstances surrounding MT’s failure to perform his parental duties, we are unable to
imply the required finding.
14
No. 47697-5-II
c. Summary
The trial court’s termination order did not contain an express finding of fact that failure to
perform parental duties was under circumstances showing a substantial lack of regard for those
duties. And we cannot imply such a finding. Therefore, we hold that in the absence of the
required finding under RCW 26.33.120(1), termination of MT’s parental rights violated both the
statute and substantive due process.4
3. No Requirement to Find Harm to Child
MT argues that the trial court’s termination order also violated substantive due process
because the trial court did not make a finding that termination was necessary to prevent harm to
KMT. We hold that due process does not require such a finding.
MT cites no authority establishing that due process requires a finding of harm to the child
before a trial court can terminate parental rights under RCW 26.33.120(1). The Supreme Court
did not reference such a requirement in H.J.P. And RCW 26.33.120(1) does not impose a “harm
to the child” requirement.
The two primary cases MT cites involve grandparent visitation issues: In re Parentage of
C.A.M.A., 154 Wn.2d 52, 55, 109 P.3d 405 (2005), and In re Custody of Smith, 137 Wn.2d 1, 5,
969 P.2d 21 (1998). MT also cites to In re Welfare of Sumey, in which the Supreme Court held
that the State could impose a temporary residential placement of a child away from his or her
parents even in the absence of a finding that the parents were unfit in order to protect the child
4
MT also argues that the evidence is insufficient to support a finding that his failure to perform
parental duties was under circumstances showing a substantial lack of regard for those duties.
But because the trial court did not make such a finding, we do not address this argument.
15
No. 47697-5-II
from physical, mental, or emotional harm. See 94 Wn.2d 757, 763-65, 621 P.2d 108 (1980).
These cases do not address termination of parental rights under the adoption statute.
We hold that MT has not shown that a finding that the child would be harmed if parental
rights are not terminated is a due process requirement for termination of parental rights under
RCW 26.33.120(1).
4. Directions on Remand
Because we hold that the trial court failed to make a required finding under RCW
26.33.120(1), we must reverse the trial court’s termination of MT’s parental rights and decree of
adoption. “[A] judgment terminating parental rights cannot stand absent a finding of current
parental unfitness.” A.B., 168 Wn.2d at 927. However, we must determine the appropriate
directions on remand.
There are at least three alternatives. First, we could dismiss the termination action with
prejudice. In A.B., the Supreme Court was unable to imply the existence of a finding of parental
unfitness and therefore reversed the judgment terminating parental rights. Id. The court then
concluded without discussion or analysis that “lack of an essential finding is presumed
equivalent to a finding against a party with the burden of proof” and remanded to the trial court
with directions to dismiss the termination case with prejudice. Id. But the court in A.B. did not
hold that all termination cases must be dismissed with prejudice if the trial court fails to make an
essential finding. And the court provided no analysis of the different options for directions on
remand. Therefore, we believe that the holding in A.B. should be limited to the facts of that case.
Second, we could remand this case for a new trial. But the trial court already has heard
the evidence. The only issue is whether the trial court will decide to find, based on the evidence
16
No. 47697-5-II
already presented, that MT failed to perform his parental duties under circumstances showing a
substantial lack of regard for those duties. We believe that requiring the parties to retry the case
under these circumstances would be inefficient and not in KMT’s best interest.
Third, we could remand for the trial court to determine whether or not to make the
required finding regarding the circumstances of MT’s failure to satisfy his parental obligations.
The trial court could consider, based on the evidence produced at trial, whether CM and EM
established by clear, cogent, and convincing evidence that MT’s failure to perform his parental
duties were under circumstances showing a substantial lack of regard for those duties.
Under RAP 12.2, we may reverse, affirm, or modify the decision being reviewed “and
take any other action as the merits of the case and the interest of justice may require.” We
believe that the interest of justice requires a remand for the trial court to address whether under
RCW 26.33.120(1) clear, cogent, and convincing evidence establishes that MT failed to perform
his parental duties under circumstances showing a substantial lack of regard for his parental
obligations. If the trial court makes this finding in the affirmative, the trial court may reenter its
previous findings of fact and conclusions of law, supplemented by its finding on remand, and
reenter the termination and adoption orders. Alternatively, if the trial court decides that it cannot
make this finding, then due process requires that the trial court deny CM and EM’s request for
termination of MT’s parental rights and EM’s petition to adopt KMT.
B. APPEARANCE BY TELEPHONE
MT argues that the trial court violated his procedural due process rights by ruling that he
did not have the right to appear by telephone on the first day of the termination trial. We decline
17
No. 47697-5-II
to address MT’s procedural due process argument because he failed to object to the trial court’s
ruling and he cannot show manifest error under RAP 2.5(a)(3).
Initially, we reject MT’s argument that he preserved his procedural due process argument
for appeal. MT’s attorney informed the trial court that MT would be appearing by telephone.
But the subsequent discussion involved whether MT should be allowed to testify by telephone.
When the trial started, MT’s attorney did not request that MT be allowed to appear by telephone.
And MT’s attorney did not object or even comment when CM and EM’s attorney raised the issue
and the trial court ruled that MT had no right to appear by telephone.
A party generally waives the right to appeal an error unless there is an objection in the
trial court. State v. Kalebaugh, 183 Wn.2d 578, 583, 355 P.3d 253 (2015). Under RAP
2.5(a)(3), one exception is for “manifest error affecting a constitutional right.” See also
Kalebaugh, 183 Wn.2d at 583. To determine whether to consider an unpreserved error under
RAP 2.5(a)(3), we inquire whether (1) the error is truly of a constitutional magnitude and (2) the
error is manifest. Id. An error is manifest when the appellant shows actual prejudice. State v.
O’Hara, 167 Wn.2d 91, 99, 217 P.3d 756 (2009). The asserted error must have practical and
identifiable consequences in the trial court. Id.Here, MT arguably makes a claim of constitutional magnitude. As noted above, parents
have a fundamental liberty interest in the care, custody, and management of their children. H.Q.,
182 Wn. App. at 550.
And the trial court may have erred in ruling that MT did not have a right to appear by
telephone. Because of the constitutional interests at stake, parents in termination proceedings are
afforded greater due process rights than in other civil proceedings. See L.R., 180 Wn. App. at
18
No. 47697-5-II
723. Procedural due process requires that parents in a termination hearing have an opportunity to
be heard, which generally includes the right to be present. Id. Although this right is not
absolute, under certain circumstances due process might require a parent’s attendance. Id. at
723-24. Therefore, the trial court’s broad statement that MT had no right to attend the trial
because the termination of parental rights is a civil matter was incorrect.
But even if the trial court erred, the question here is whether MT’s argument involves a
manifest error – one that involved identifiable prejudice. MT does not allege any actual
prejudice in his argument that the trial court’s ruling was a manifest error. MT argues on the
merits of his procedural due process claim that his presence by telephone while CM was
testifying may have made a difference in the trial. He apparently claims that his telephonic
presence would have assisted his attorney in cross-examining CM. But MT fails to identify any
specific way his presence would have affected CM’s cross-examination.
Further, the trial court granted MT’s request to recall CM as a witness in his case in chief
when he was present and left open the possibility that MT could use leading questions. But MT
decided not to recall CM. This decision suggests that MT’s presence was not significant for
CM’s cross-examination.
We hold that because MT cannot show any actual prejudice, the trial court’s ruling that
MT had no right to appear by telephone on the first day of trial was not a manifest error under
RAP 2.5(a)(3). Accordingly, we decline to address MT’s procedural due process argument.
CONCLUSION
We reverse the trial court’s termination and adoption orders and remand for the trial court
to address, consistent with this opinion and based on the existing record, whether under RCW
19
No. 47697-5-II
26.33.120(1) clear, cogent, and convincing evidence establishes that MT’s failure to perform
parental duties was “under circumstances showing a substantial lack of regard for his or her
parental obligations” and for other proceedings.
MAXA, J.
We concur:
JOHANSON, J.
BJORGEN, C.J.
20