STOWERS, Justice.
Ralph appeals the superior court's judgment terminating his parental rights to his only son, Rex.
Ralph and Nell are the parents of Ava, Bella, Daria, Emma, Rex, and Faith. OCS involvement with the family due to chronic neglect and physical abuse began in 1992. In May of 1992 eight-month-old Ava was taken to Seward General Hospital "with serious bruising and abrasions[,] a possible fractured rib, [and] serious physical injuries." OCS assumed emergency custody of Ava.
Over the next eight years, OCS received approximately 23 reports of harm on the family. The reports involved allegations of physical abuse or instances of neglect. Throughout this time, Ralph and Nell neither acknowledged nor addressed their parenting problems through the services that OCS offered. A pattern developed in that OCS would begin to investigate a report of harm or engage the family in services, but the parents would move the family to another community.
From 1997 until 2006 the family had an open file with the Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Public Health (Public Health). Public Health personnel considered the family "high risk." The Public Health file shows chronic neglect because of repeated infestations of head lice, poor parenting, and lack of housing, clean clothing, and food. OCS worked with Public Health to provide services to the family.
In 2001, when the family lived in Homer, OCS social workers attempted to engage the parents but the family moved further and further out of town. The family then moved to Seward, but abandoned their rented home in July 2001, leaving it in a filthy state.
The family next moved into a camper parked illegally near Resurrection Bay. After receiving another report of neglect, an OCS social worker arranged wrap-around services for the family. These services included referrals to or assistance provided by a number of agencies and programs: Public Health, Infant Learning Program, a parent training program, Head Start, the school district, a mental health program, law enforcement, and OCS. Despite this, the family moved to the Mat-Su Valley. The social worker transferred the case file to the OCS office there.
Between 2002 and 2004 multiple reports of harm were filed against the family in the Mat-Su Valley. Social workers arranged food donations, conducted home visits to monitor the status of the home, spoke to Ralph and Nell about getting assistance through Alaska Housing Finance Corporation, offered to pay for repair of the family's heating system, and referred the family to Dual Track.
The family had moved to Homer by September 2006. OCS received another report alleging that the family was homeless and that the children missed school because of head lice. A social worker and school staff found a cabin for the family and provided mattresses and laundry cards to help the family get rid of the lice. The social worker
On March 30, 2007, OCS received a report alleging that Ralph had "pulled [Ava's] hair and scratched her face." Ava told the social worker that she had argued with her father, and that when she tried to leave the home, Ralph "grabbed her face by reaching over her from behind and his fingernails caused a cut on her nose." Ava said Ralph then "pulled her hair and forced her back into the home." She said that her father had previously slapped her face and back, and that he had kicked her. The social worker testified that Ava had "marks on her head from being hit by her father." Ava's siblings corroborated Ava's allegations and expressed concern about the condition of their home.
Based on the evidence of physical abuse, mental injury, and chronic neglect, OCS assumed custody of all five children and put them in foster care. An OCS social worker created a case plan for the family. OCS referred Ralph for a substance abuse assessment, referred both parents for psychological assessments to determine what other services were necessary, and arranged for supervised visits at the OCS office. The social worker also referred the children to counseling services.
After their removal, the children remained in the Homer area to facilitate visits with their parents. Rex's initial placements included two different Homer foster homes. He participated in a behavioral health assessment which recommended that he receive mental health services. Due to his aggressive behavior and the unavailability of a closer placement, Rex was moved to a foster home in Kasilof where he began individual therapy at Nakenu Family Services. The record does not suggest that Rex has left this foster home.
OCS sought to coordinate regular visits between the parents and the children. Visits with Rex were scheduled twice a month in Kenai. Ralph and Nell were responsible for buying gas for the first monthly trip and OCS paid for gas for the second. In September 2007, shortly after the children were taken into OCS custody, the parents moved away from their children, back to the Mat-Su Valley.
OCS prepared another case plan in September 2007, which required that Ralph complete an Alaska Family Services (AFS) parenting class in Palmer. It also required that he participate in individual therapy, show that he could refrain from aggressive behavior, participate in an intake assessment at AFS's Family Violence Intervention Program, and follow that assessment's treatment recommendations. An OCS social worker wrote a letter to Alaska Housing Finance Corporation to assist Ralph and Nell with housing.
Ralph finished the Family Violence Intervention Program in June 2008. Ralph and Nell participated in psychological evaluations with Michael Rose, Ph.D. Dr. Rose concluded that Ralph met the diagnostic criteria for Child Abuse/Neglect, Partner Relational Problem, and Cannabis Abuse. Dr. Rose also diagnosed Ralph with "personality disorder with antisocial and passive-aggressive features." Dr. Rose recommended that Ralph's visits with his children be supervised until he showed progress in his treatment.
Rex was evaluated by Paul Turner, Ph.D., in January 2008 because of abuse in his home. He told Dr. Turner that his father would "yell, scream, and throw things at people." He also described his father "smacking" a sister, and stated that his father spanked him very hard with a paddle.
During 2008 Ralph attended the Family Violence Intervention Program. However, he was not considered to have completed the program because he failed to pay for the program in full which demonstrated a lack of accountability. At the time of the termination trial Ralph was under a recommendation to redo the program because of his ongoing aggressiveness.
OCS continued to offer the parents visits with the children to promote reunification but the parents' visits with Rex were inconsistent. To help with travel expenses, the social worker gave gas vouchers to Ralph and Nell and arranged for OCS to provide
In April 2009 Nell asked about restarting visits, but visits did not resume because Rex's therapist recommended that in-person visits with Ralph and Nell should not continue. Other reunification efforts continued through 2009 with an OCS social worker again updating the parents' case plans. The social worker conducted home visits and spoke with the parents about services including couples and individual therapy.
OCS initially filed a petition to terminate parental rights of all the children when Rex was eight. After doing so, OCS once again referred Ralph and Nell for psychological evaluations with Dr. Rose. Based on the results of Dr. Rose's evaluations, OCS decided it was in the children's best interests to give the parents further access to reunification services. Ralph and Nell sought a six-month continuance of the termination trial. The children's GAL opposed this request but OCS did not.
The superior court denied the continuance with respect to Rex. Based on this ruling, OCS attempted to withdraw its termination petition as to Rex. The GAL objected and the superior court refused to allow OCS to withdraw its petition. Instead, the court permitted the GAL to prosecute OCS's petition to terminate parental rights to Rex.
The superior court terminated parental rights to Rex. The superior court concluded that Rex was a child in need of aid (CINA) pursuant to Alaska Statute 47.10.011(1) (abandonment), (6) (physical harm), (8) (mental injury), (9) (neglect), and (11) (mental health). The superior court further concluded that the parents failed within a reasonable time to remedy the conduct or conditions that placed Rex at risk of harm, and that OCS made reasonable efforts to reunify the family. It also concluded that it was in Rex's best interests for Ralph's and Nell's parental rights to be terminated.
Ralph appeals that order; Nell does not.
We review a superior court's factual findings regarding termination of parental rights for clear error.
We review de novo whether the superior court's findings satisfy applicable CINA statutes and rules, adopting "the rule of law that is most persuasive in light of precedent, reason, and policy."
We will reverse factual findings under the clearly erroneous standard only if, after a review of the entire record in the light most favorable to the party prevailing below, we are left with a definite and firm conviction that a mistake has been made.
The superior court must make four separate findings before terminating parental rights. The court must find by clear and convincing evidence that: (1) the child is a child in need of aid, as defined in AS 47.10.011;
Ralph does not contest that termination of his parental rights was in Rex's best interests.
In order to terminate a parent's rights and responsibilities, a superior court must find by clear and convincing evidence that the child has been subjected to conditions or conduct that would render the child to be a child in need of aid pursuant to AS 47.10.011.
Under AS 47.10.011(1), a child may be in need of aid if "a parent or guardian has abandoned the child as described in AS 47.10.013, and the other parent is absent or has committed conduct or created conditions that cause the child to be in need of aid under this chapter."
Alaska Statute 47.10.013 provides:
In addition to conscious or "willful" disregard, there also must be evidence that the parental conduct resulted in the destruction of the parent-child relationship.
The superior court found beyond a reasonable doubt
The superior court found that this lack of visitation was not excused by the distance separating Ralph's and Nell's home from Rex's placement because the parents had "placed themselves in the position of being so far away from Rex and the department did make reasonable efforts in helping to provide them with gas money and opportunity for visits."
There is substantial evidence that Ralph failed to maintain regular contact with Rex. In September 2007 Ralph and Nell moved from Homer to the Mat-Su Valley when Rex was placed in a foster home on the Kenai Peninsula. The superior court found that Ralph and Nell moved to the Mat-Su Valley with "no clear benefit to the children or parents." As previously mentioned, none of the children's placements were in the Mat-Su Valley. For therapeutic reasons, it was decided that Rex needed to remain on the Kenai Peninsula and that visits should occur there. Ralph's and Nell's visits became infrequent and irregular despite OCS's offers of gas vouchers, airfare, and mileage to defray the cost.
There is also evidence that the lack of consistent contact led to the destruction of the parent-child relationship. Dr. Turner testified that if Rex had not seen Ralph and Nell in the previous eight months, there could be substantial risks in restarting visits, including exacerbating Rex's Reactive Attachment Disorder, his Oppositional Defiant Disorder, and an increased risk of serious psychopathology later in life. Social worker Katheryne Calloway testified that due to the long time since Rex's last visit with his parents, she would be concerned about renewing contact, particularly because Rex "talked about it being difficult for him to not know what's happening, for his parents to come to visits and his parents to stop coming to visits."
Ralph argues that he consistently visited Rex and relies on statements in the GAL's pre-disposition report from August 2007. However, the superior court relied on the lack of visitation for seven months in 2008 and between December 2008 and September 2009, not conduct prior to August 2007.
Ralph also argues that his lack of visitation should have been excused because he was too poor to visit more often. This argument is unconvincing in light of the fact that Ralph and Nell moved away from Rex to the Mat-Su Valley, and that OCS offered to assist the parents with gas vouchers, airfare, and mileage. The superior court addressed this argument and found that the parents "placed themselves in the position of being so far away from Rex and the department did make reasonable efforts in helping to provide them with gas money and opportunity for visits."
Ralph also argues that the superior court erred because he was a better parent than the father in Jeff A.C., Jr. v. State.
Given this record the superior court's finding that Rex was a child in need of aid pursuant to AS 47.10.011(1) was not clearly erroneous.
Under AS 47.10.011(6), a child may be in need of aid if "the child has suffered substantial physical harm, or there is a substantial risk that the child will suffer substantial physical harm, as a result of conduct by or conditions created by the child's parent." The superior court found that Rex was
OCS argues that because the statutory provision looks to the risk of physical harm, OCS need not wait until a child has suffered actual harm before intervening.
Ralph himself acknowledged his physically abusive behavior. At the termination trial, Ralph testified about his own father abusing him and stated "I tried other things with my children and they didn't work, [so] I resorted to whippings and spankings." He acknowledged that his assault on Ava, which led to OCS assuming custody of his children, was an act of violence. He also testified that if OCS had not removed Rex, his relationship with Rex would have been similar to Ralph's relationship with his own father.
Ralph argues that there is no admissible evidence to support the finding that Rex was a victim of physical abuse. However, evidence about physical abuse of Rex was presented by Dr. Turner. Ralph challenges the admission of social worker Katheryne Calloway's testimony about Rex's statements of physical abuse as inadmissible hearsay. Even if that testimony is excluded as hearsay there is still sufficient evidence to support the superior court's finding that Rex is a child in need of aid pursuant to AS 47.10.011(6).
Given this record, the superior court's finding that Rex was a child in need of aid pursuant to AS 47.10.011(6) was not clearly erroneous.
The superior court found that Rex was a child in need of aid under AS 47.10.011(8). The superior court did not specify which subsection of (8) it relied upon.
Alaska Statute 47.10.011 provides:
The superior court found that Rex suffered from "cognitive delays, limited self-esteem, attachment disruptions, anger and aggressive outbursts." It also found that Rex was diagnosed with Reactive Attachment Disorder and severe Oppositional Defiant Disorder likely because of pathogenic parental care. The superior court found that Rex had memories of physical abuse of himself and his siblings by his parents, and made findings about Ralph's pattern of abusive, aggressive, and threatening conduct.
Under AS 47.10.011(8)(A), a court may determine a child is a child in need of aid if conduct or conditions created by the parent have resulted in mental injury to the child. "Mental injury" is defined as "a serious injury to the child as evidenced by an observable and substantial impairment in the child's ability to function in a developmentally appropriate manner"; "the existence of that impairment is supported by the opinion of a qualified expert witness."
There is sufficient evidence in the record to support a finding by the superior court that Rex was exposed to domestic violence and that he was a child in need of aid under AS 47.10.011(8)(A). The superior court's findings were not clearly erroneous.
The court may find a child to be in need of aid if "conduct by or conditions created by the parent, guardian, or custodian have subjected the child or another child in the same household to neglect."
The superior court found that Rex was a child in need of aid based on neglect under AS 47.10.011(9).
Ralph had stipulated to adjudication that his children had been neglected. On appeal, his argument is: "Although much was made of a long history of neglect in this case (OCS neglected to assume custody based on reports of harm from 1992 until 2007), there was inadequate support for a finding of neglect at the time of the termination trial." Ralph did not adequately brief his argument challenging the court's finding of neglect,
AS 47.10.011(11) provides that a court may find a child to be in need of aid if "the parent, guardian, or custodian has a mental illness, serious emotional disturbance, or mental deficiency of a nature and duration that places the child at substantial risk of physical harm or mental injury." The superior court found Rex was a child in need of aid under this subsection.
Ralph admits that he has a mental illness but argues that there was not sufficient evidence that his mental illness placed Rex at substantial risk of physical harm or mental injury to support the superior court's finding.
Dr. Rose was of the opinion that Ralph's personality disorder would give Ralph a "tendency not to consider the children's needs before his own needs, and to also behave in a somewhat over[-]controlling or arrogant fashion. Parents with antisocial features usually are somewhat authoritarian and aggressive in their parenting style." Dr. Rose opined that Ralph's personality disorder combined with Rex's Oppositional Defiant Disorder would be a "bad combination, because it usually leads to some explosive confrontations."
Ralph's mental illness combined with the mental injury suffered by Rex, namely his Reactive Attachment Disorder and Oppositional Defiant Disorder diagnosis likely caused by Ralph's pathogenic parenting, supports a conclusion that Rex is a child in need of aid under AS 47.10.011(11).
Before a court may terminate parental rights, it must find by clear and convincing evidence that the parent "has failed, within a reasonable time, to remedy the conduct or conditions in the home that place the child in substantial risk so that returning the child to the parent would place the child at substantial risk of physical or mental injury."
We recently clarified the standard of review for this "remedying the harmful conduct" determination in Barbara P. v. State, Department of Health & Social Services, Office of Children's Services.
The record contains sufficient evidence to support the superior court's finding that Ralph had not remedied the conduct and conditions that placed Rex at substantial risk of harm, as well as the finding that Ralph failed to remedy within a reasonable time.
Even though Ralph attended AFS's Family Violence Intervention Program, he was not in compliance because he failed to pay the program fees in full, and payment of such fees is considered necessary to demonstrate that a parent has accepted accountability for his behavior. Of greater significance, even after attending the program, Ralph threatened to kill a social worker if his son was not returned to him. This fact is clear evidence that Ralph had not remedied his violent conduct.
Dr. Rose, who reevaluated Ralph just before the termination trial, testified that Ralph continued to be self-absorbed, which limited his ability to be empathetic to Rex's needs. Dr. Rose testified that Ralph still saw little need for his behavior to change. Cathy Okeson, Ralph's mental health therapist, testified that Ralph did not yet accept responsibility for his own behavior.
Ralph's own testimony at the termination trial supported a finding that he had failed to remedy his conduct—Ralph admitted that he moved to the Mat-Su Valley to meet his own needs. Ralph also blamed his continued marijuana use on others when he testified: "I've been waiting for someone to tell me, you got to quit."
Ralph argues that he has substantially complied with his treatment plan. However, we have noted that "[c]ompliance with treatment plans does not guarantee that parental rights will not be terminated because it cannot guarantee that adequate parenting skills will be acquired from the treatment regimen."
The superior court did not err in finding that Ralph had not remedied the conduct or conditions that made Rex a child in need of aid.
Alaska Statute 47.10.086 provides:
In making determinations under AS 47.10.086, the superior court's primary consideration is the child's best interests.
The superior court concluded that OCS made reasonable efforts to prevent the children's removal and, after OCS assumed custody of the children, to reunify the family.
OCS argues that it had provided referrals for Ralph to Public Health, parenting classes, the Infant Learning Program, Head Start, mental health services, Alaska Housing Finance Corporation, and wrap-around services through the Dual Track program. OCS also points out that it arranged for food donations and laundry cards, conducted home visits, offered to pay for repair of the family's heating system, found a cabin and mattresses for the family, and tried to help Ralph get a job.
OCS also argues that it worked with the family after assuming custody of the children by developing case plans that detailed child-protection issues and services to remedy these issues. OCS made many referrals to help with reunification; referrals were made for multiple psychological assessments with Dr. Rose, to parenting classes, to anger management and domestic violence programs, to both individual and couples therapy, and to Alaska Housing Finance Corporation for assistance with housing. Ralph was also referred for a drug and alcohol assessment. OCS offered the parents assistance with rent.
OCS further argues that it tried to help with the cost of visiting the children by providing gas vouchers and plane tickets or offering mileage reimbursements. OCS referred the children to a variety of mental health services and educational services.
Ralph argues that "efforts made by state agencies prior to OCS custody cannot support a finding of reasonable efforts for a case that began in 2007." However, in assessing whether reasonable efforts were made, the court considers all of OCS's efforts, not just those within a specific time period.
Ralph also argues that the superior court erred because an OCS social worker did not refer him to services to teach him how to parent Rex with his Reactive Attachment Disorder and Oppositional Defiant Disorder diagnoses. OCS argues that this would have occurred in family therapy, in which Truesdell could teach Ralph how to address Rex's Reactive Attachment Disorder and Oppositional Defiant Disorder. The recommendation for family therapy would have needed to come from Truesdell, who could evaluate its appropriateness for Rex. However, Truesdell recommended that Rex not have in-person contact with his parents, which precluded family therapy after that. OCS social worker Katheryne Calloway testified that since Rex was not at a point where family therapy with Ralph and Nell was appropriate, OCS's
In light of this record, the superior court's finding that OCS had made reasonable efforts to provide family support services to Ralph is not clearly erroneous.
Ralph argues that termination of his parental rights to Rex violated Ralph's due process rights under the Alaska and United States Constitutions. Ralph's argument is conclusory, and he cites to no authority demonstrating that any of OCS's actions constituted a violation of substantive due process. While we consider this claim waived for inadequate briefing, we note that in Matter of T.W.R.
Accordingly, termination of parental rights does not violate due process provided, as in this case, that appropriate findings have been made by the superior court to support terminating the parent's parental rights.
We AFFIRM the superior court's findings that Rex is a child in need of aid pursuant to AS 47.10.011(1), (6), (8), (9), and (11); that Ralph did not remedy the conduct or conditions that made Rex a child in need of aid; that OCS made reasonable efforts; and the order terminating Ralph's parental rights to Rex.
CHRISTEN, Justice, not participating.
