McDaniel v. Arkansas Department of Human Services

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          APPEAL FROM THE POPE COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT [NO. 58JV-18-68], HONORABLE KENNETH D. COKER, JR., JUDGE

          Leah Lanford, Arkansas Public Defender Commission, for appellant.

          One brief only.

         OPINION

         KENNETH S. HIXSON, Judge

          Appellant Leslie McDaniel appeals from the termination of her parental rights to her son, L.G., who was born on May 23, 2018.^[1] Pursuant to Linker-Flores v. Arkansas Department of Human Services, 359 Ark. 131, 194 S.W.3d 739 (2004), and Arkansas Supreme Court Rule 6-9(i), Leslie’s counsel has filed a no-merit brief and motion to withdraw, asserting that there are no issues of arguable merit to support an appeal and that she should be relieved as counsel. A copy of Leslie’s counsel’s brief and motion was mailed to Leslie, and after being informed of her right to file pro se points, Leslie declined to file any points. We affirm and grant appellant’s counsel’s motion to withdraw.

          We review termination-of-parental-rights cases de novo. Dinkins v. Ark. Dep’t of Human Servs., 344 Ark. 207, 40 S.W.3d 286 (2001). At least one statutory ground must exist, in addition to a finding that it is in the child’s best interest to terminate parental rights; these must be proved by clear and convincing evidence. Ark. Code Ann. § 9-27-341(b)(3) (Repl. 2017); Mitchell v. Ark. Dep’t of Human Servs., 2013 Ark.App. 715, 430 S.W.3d 851. Clear and convincing evidence is that degree of proof that will produce in the fact-finder a firm conviction as to the allegation sought to be established. Gray v. Ark. Dep’t of Human Servs., 2013 Ark.App. 24, 2013 WL 245718. The appellate inquiry is whether the trial court’s finding that the disputed fact was proved by clear and convincing evidence is clearly erroneous. J.T. v. Ark. Dep’t of Human Servs., 329 Ark. 243, 947 S.W.2d 761 (1997). A finding is clearly erroneous when, although there is evidence to support it, the reviewing court on the entire evidence is left with a definite and firm conviction that a mistake has been made. Yarborough v. Ark. Dep’t of Human Servs., 96 Ark.App. 247, 240 S.W.3d 626 (2006).

          When L.G. was born, his meconium tested positive for methamphetamine. Leslie admitted using methamphetamine earlier that week. An Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) family-service worker informed Leslie that a home study would be necessary to ensure the baby’s safety before the baby could be placed in her custody. Leslie gave the family-service worker an address and phone number and left the hospital. DHS workers repeatedly attempted to make contact with Leslie at her home, but they could never get anyone to answer the door. Phone calls to Leslie went unanswered. L.G. was scheduled to be discharged from the hospital eight days after his birth, on May 31, 2018. On that day, a DHS worker went to Leslie’s house

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and saw three cars parked in the driveway. A pit bull was guarding the porch and barking viciously at the worker. An unidentified person quickly closed the front door. The DHS worker attempted to reach Leslie by phone but got no answer. DHS took an emergency hold of L.G. upon his release from the hospital and notified Leslie via text message.

          On June 4, 2018, DHS filed a motion for emergency custody, and on the same day the trial court entered an ex parte order for emergency custody. A probable-cause order was entered on June 11, 2018. In the probable-cause order, Leslie was allowed reasonable visitation with L.G. contingent upon her submitting to a drug screen and not appearing under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Leslie was ordered to submit to random drug screens, complete parenting classes, maintain stable housing and employment, submit to a psychological evaluation, and submit to a drug-and-alcohol assessment and complete all recommendations.

          The trial court entered an adjudication order on July 13, 2018. The trial court found L.G. dependent-neglected because he was at serious risk of harm due to inadequate supervision and his mother’s drug use. The goal of the case was reunification.

          A review hearing, at which Leslie did not appear, was held on September 17, 2018. At that hearing, the trial court considered a written motion by DHS to terminate reunification services. On September 21, 2018, the trial court entered a review order and an order terminating reunification services. In these orders, the trial court suspended Leslie’s visitation and relieved DHS from providing services to Leslie. The trial court found by clear and convincing evidence that it was in L.G.’s best interest to terminate reunification services because Leslie had abandoned the child and there was little likelihood that services to Leslie would result in successful reunification.

          In a permanency-planning order entered on October 15, 2018, the trial court found that the goal of the case shall be termination of parental rights and adoption. DHS filed a petition to terminate Leslie’s parental rights on ...