ÿWPCK ?—“!°@‚“ñQ“ñ˜t(Á(©¯§ºÿžýxÁS“HíC–â¥*ðB{…"à×ñn;›©äЕ¬ïâ2Jü\Ь•ZæôD¦íf:špdù÷QõC¹¨'ÙÕ½¿Oàò0ü}uB–œ^¼.—›FÑÆpúzqü„fõ=é<6î7<ø§Á5ÓO&²óV [n)2æP$±ênáÈkö‘gÂó¥:wixq‹@»Î\@ß™^ô¸S}ŠˆšÈ$¸³ᯎÍó[‘-à— —8 #'Ѱ&” ñt†ŽÐæ·|€¡>›èY:À£,HMÈiÓË'fî0ÉÖúÚ™E€(s<Ï9ë÷ꙉ¼²U L­p¸÷ô2;¨ÇõïÌú›äP£ŸjnÁ³’ªZÏ®í2·©å8±sù3aбÜ/lÜ2Æ{®Ý]»R’ƒC^„ ßvl«‰È±:åO[Sú©Œ®³Fú/þYü‚?K¸îÔÛåꔊ¼†mƒñýÍ [{HË^?Ñ”Ú×P¨ó;E׺÷èQs&ºHÚEùÏ;%[ëà­BEè«Àe['ëÅ´î´°ô>ºÐ€T$á±ùöc¹e«´Õ](I4Jï/PÔ²ùÒUÉò‹·—çD t ¨÷M<õb %\^ b 0ˆnU"NöwD4H\ zkÒå· m¹ #ÉÐ ™ Ư Æu Æ;Æ 0DÇN l ÃyE<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<b>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 0ëFFFF B11 0¤N D5ò D-' 0KTT ASŸÆò 0¤¸ 0D\ A« »§“œ3î (`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regular2Sæ2ê:i¢×+003|x ˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wpt ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ˜\\IB01S08T\clerk4250_poÈÈ,,,,ÈÈ0 Ñ e ÑLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó bÝ ƒRúk$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô²ùò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔAlthough€we€ordinarily€identify€the€parties€in€a€parental€termination€case€by€their€initials€only,€in€this€case€theÐ ° Ðsimilarity€of€the€partiesðð€initials€compels€us€to€identify€the€child€by€his€given€name.€€ ¹Ý ƒRúk$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô²ùò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔNeither€of€these€terminations€is€at€issue€in€this€appeal.€€- ù-(|G2úk$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€a»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô²ùò»»Ô d(|3g$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€a»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV)ÿÿ!dxdx)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3g$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€a»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€a»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ  ÑÔ€¼a»»»ÔÑ8€J]XXdì»»d8ÑÑ  ÑÑ€ ïOÑà@ü ü ìàÔ‡î °î»¼aÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@WW$ìàAT€KNOXVILLEÔ#†¼a»îî °#ԈРÖ& ÐÓ  ÓNovember€16,€2005€SessionÐ üL ÐÔ‡XJ]X»¼aÔÌò òÔ#†¼a»XXJ]#ÔSTATE€OF€TENNESSEE€DEPARTMENT€OF€CHILDREN'S€SERVICES€v.Ð úJ ÐÔ_ÔJ.A.H.Ô_Ô,€JR.,€òòet€alóó.Ô‡XJ]X»¼aÔó óÐ  ^ ÐÌà@@½½ìàò ò€Appeal€from€the€Juvenile€Court€for€Hamilton€CountyÐ  ^ Ðà@@øøìàNo.€192,664€€€€€€Suzanne€Bailey,€JudgeÐ ú J ÐÌFiled€Ô_ÔDecember€28,€2005Ô_ÔÐ Ò"  Ðà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<½` AßÐ ¾  ÐÌà@@TTìàNo.€E2005„00860„Ô_ÔCOAÔ_Ô„R3„PTÐ ¹  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<` AßÐ ‘á  Ðó óÌÓ  ÓIn€this€case,€the€biological€father€of€a€child€contends€that€the€trial€court€erred€in€terminating€hisÐ ŒÜ Ðparental€rights.€€Father€argues€that€the€evidence€presented€is€not€sufficient€to€establish€statutoryÐ xÈ Ðgrounds€for€termination€and€that€the€Tennessee€Department€of€Childrenððs€Services€failed€to€makeÐ d´ Ðreasonable€efforts€toward€reunification.€€Upon€our€finding€that€father€was€incarcerated€when€theÐ P  Ðpetition€to€terminate€was€filed€and€failed€to€visit€the€child€for€four€consecutive€months€immediatelyÐ <Œ Ðpreceding€his€incarceration€and€our€further€finding€that€the€Department€made€reasonable€efforts€atÐ (x Ðreunification,€we€affirm€the€judgment€of€the€trial€court.€€Ð d ÐÓ%ÓÌò òTenn.€R.€App.€P.€3€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Juvenile€Court€Affirmed;€CauseÐ ì< ÐRemandedó óÐ Ø( ÐÌòòÓ  ÓÔ#†¼a»àXJ]Ò#ÔÔ‡XJ]X.¼aÔSharon€G.€Lee,€J.óó,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòHerschel€P.€Franks,€Ô_ÔP.J.Ô_Ô,óó€and€òòD.Ð ° ÐMichael€Ô_ÔSwineyÔ_Ô,€J.óó,€joined.Ð œì ÐÌRobin€Ruben€Flores,€Chattanooga,€Tennessee,€for€the€Appellant,€Ô_ÔJ.A.H.Ô_Ô,€Jr.Ð t Ä ÐÌPaul€G.€Summers,€Attorney€General€and€Reporter,€and€Douglas€Earl€Ô_ÔDimondÔ_Ô,€Senior€Counsel,Ð L"œ! ÐGeneral€Civil€Division,€Nashville,€Tennessee,€for€the€Appellee,€State€of€Tennessee,€Department€ofÐ 8#ˆ" ÐChildren's€Services.Ð $$t# ÐÓóÓò òÌOPINIONó óÔ#†¼a»XXJ]" #ÔÔ‡XJ]X»¼aÔÐ ü%L!% ÐÌò òI.ó óÐ Ô'$#' Ðâ âÐ À($(ý ÐòòóóÔ#†¼a»XXJ]# #ÔÔ‡XJ]X»¼aÔÓ  Óà  àThis€appeal€arises€out€of€the€termination€of€the€parental€rights€of€the€Appellant€Ô_ÔJ.A.H.Ô_Ô,€Jr.Ð ° Ð(ð ðFatherðð)€to€his€son,€James׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€who€was€born€on€January€9,€2003.€€The€Appellee€State€of€Ô_ÔTennesseeÐ œì Ðâ âÔ_Ô€Department€of€Childrenððs€Services€(ð ðDCSðð)€assumed€custody€of€James€and€placed€him€in€a€fosterÐ ˆØ Ðhome€immediately€after€his€birth€because€his€biological€mother€(ð ðMotherðð)€was€incarcerated€at€thatÐ tÄ Ðtime€and€neither€her€husband€nor€Father€could€be€located.€Ð `° ÐÌà  àFather€attests€that€he€hired€an€attorney€in€January€or€February€of€2003€ð ðto€get€my€son€„€„€IÐ 8 ˆ Ðwant€my€son€to€have€my€name€and€I€wanted€my€son€out€of€foster€care.ðð€€Father€further€testifies€thatÐ $ t Ðhe€spoke€with€Jan€Ô_ÔHumphreysÔ_Ô,€the€DCS€case€worker€assigned€the€case€on€the€day€of€Jamesððs€birth,Ð  ` Ðand€advised€her€that€he€was€Jamesððs€father€and€stated€his€wish€to€have€James€live€with€him.€€FatherÐ ü L  Ðattests€that€he€was€denied€this€request€because€paternity€had€not€been€established.€Ð è 8  ÐÌà  àMs.€Ô_ÔHumphreysÔ_Ô€attests€that€in€February€of€2003,€she€met€with€Father,€Mother,€and€DCS€teamÐ À  Ðcoordinator€Susan€Ô_ÔJacquithÔ_Ô€to€prepare€a€permanency€plan.€€Ms.€Ô_ÔHumphreysÔ_Ô€further€attests€that€whenÐ ¬ü  Ðthis€plan€was€prepared€Father€had€not€been€identified€as€Jamesððs€father€by€DCS.€€Our€review€of€theÐ ˜è  Ðpermanency€plan,€which€is€dated€February€7,€2003,€shows€that€the€plan€was€not€signed€by€FatherÐ „Ô  Ðalthough€it€lists€him€as€Jamesððs€putative€fatherÔ#†¼a»XXJ]Á #ÔÔ‡XJ]X»¼aÔ€and€requires,€among€other€things,€that€he€submit€toÐ pÀ Ðalcohol€and€drug€testing,€undergo€parenting€assessment,€and€provide€proof€of€adequate€income€toÐ \¬ Ðprovide€for€James.€€€Ms.€Ô_ÔHumphreysÔ_Ô€attests€that€at€this€meeting€she€advised€Father€what€steps€heÐ H˜ Ðneeded€to€take€to€legitimize€his€child,€and€Father€testifies€that€he€initiated€the€procedure€to€legitimizeÐ 4„ ÐJames€as€soon€as€he€was€given€this€information.Ð  p ÐÌà  àCustody€of€James€was€restored€to€Mother€on€April€16,€2003.€€At€that€time,€Mother€and€JamesÐ øH Ðresided€with€Father€and€Fatherððs€mother.€€Less€than€two€months€later,€on€May€29,€2003,€Mother€andÐ ä4 ÐFather€were€arrested€upon€allegations€of€domestic€violence.€€Subsequently,€Mother€was€jailed€onÐ Ð  Ðoutstanding€warrants,€and€Father€was€jailed€and€released€on€bond.€€As€before,€Motherððs€husbandððsÐ ¼  Ðwhereabouts€were€unknown,€and€Father€had€still€not€legitimized€the€child.€Under€theseÐ ¨ø Ðcircumstances,€DCS€again€assumed€custody€of€James€on€June€2,€2003,€and€the€child€was€placed€inÐ ”ä Ðthe€care€of€a€foster€family.Ð €Ð ÐÌà  àOn€June€12,€2003,€an€order€was€entered€recognizing€that€Father€was€in€fact€JamesððsÐ X ¨ Ðbiological€father€based€upon€the€results€of€DNA€testing.€Ð D!” ÐÌà  àDuring€the€month€of€June,€2003,€DCS€conducted€meetings€to€develop€a€second€permanencyÐ #l! Ðplan€dated€June€19,€2003.€€Ms.€Ô_ÔHumphreysÔ_Ô€testifies€that€she€contacted€Mother€by€telephone€regardingÐ $X" Ðthese€meetings.€€Although€Ms.€Ô_ÔHumphreysÔ_Ôðð€confirms€that€she€never€spoke€directly€with€FatherÐ ô$D # Ðregarding€these€meetings,€Mother€and€Father€were€residing€together€at€that€time.€€Father€did€notÐ à%0!$ Ðattend€any€of€the€meetings€to€develop€the€second€permanency€plan.€€Ms.€Ô_ÔHumphreysÔ_Ô€testifies€thatÐ Ì&"% Ðalthough€she€attempted€to€provide€Father€with€a€copy€of€this€permanency€plan€by€mail€on€twoÐ ¸'#& Ðoccasions,€on€the€first€occasion€the€mailing€was€returned€because€of€inadequate€postage€and€on€theÐ ¤(ô#' Ðsecond€occasion,€the€mailing€was€returned€stamped€ð ðunclaimed.ðð€€Accordingly,€it€appears€that€FatherÐ ° Ðnever€received€a€copy€of€the€plan.Ð œì ÐÌà  àAt€some€time€in€June€of€2003€Mother€and€Father€began€to€visit€James€weekly€under€DCSÐ tÄ Ðsupervision.€€Ms.€Ô_ÔHumphreysÔ_Ô€attests€that,€although€Father€missed€two€or€three€visits,€he€wasÐ `° Ðgenerally€ð ðpretty€regularðð€in€visiting.€€€However,€Ms.€Ô_ÔHumphreysÔ_Ô€also€attests€that€Father€ð ðhad€lotsÐ L œ Ðof€very€bad€behaviorðð€and€that€sometimes€he€would€be€ð ðhighly€upset.ððÔ#†¼a»XXJ]Ó#ÔÔ‡XJ]X»¼aÔ€Susan€Ô_ÔJacquithÔ_Ô,€who€isÐ 8 ˆ Ðemployed€by€DCS€as€a€team€coordinator,€attests€that€she€was€called€in€to€personally€supervise€theÐ $ t Ðvisits€in€early€September€of€2003.€Ð  ` ÐÌà  àOn€October€24,€2003,€an€adjudicatory€hearing€was€held€in€the€juvenile€court€for€HamiltonÐ è 8  ÐCounty.€€Mother€was€present€at€this€hearing;€however,€Father€failed€to€appear.€€In€its€order€enteredÐ Ô$  ÐNovember€20,€2003,€the€juvenile€court€found€James€to€be€dependent€and€neglected€by€clear€andÐ À  Ðconvincing€evidence€and€awarded€custody€of€James€to€DCS.€€The€court€also€stated€as€follows:Ð ¬ü  ÐÌÒ` °ÒÒ` °ÒThat€based€upon€the€motherððs€in„court€admission€during€this€HearingÐ „Ô  Ðthat€she€used€crack€cocaine€the€previous€night,€her€obvious€state€ofÐ pÀ Ðseriously€impaired€cognitive€ability€in€court€including€markedÐ \¬ Ðconfusion€and€difficulty€answering€simple€questions,€and€the€fact€that€Ð H˜ Ðshe€resides€in€the€same€home€with€[Father],€all€visitation€betweenÐ 4„ Ð[Father]€and€the€subject€child€should€be€suspended€pending€aÐ  p Ðfavorable€report€from€an€alcohol€and€drug€evaluation/screening€ofÐ  \ Ð[Father].Ð øH ÐÌÒ°` ÒÒ°` Òà  àMs.€Ô_ÔHumphreysÔ_Ô€testifies€that€a€few€days€after€the€hearing€she€called€Father€and€told€him€thatÐ Ð  Ðvisitation€had€been€suspended€and€that€it€would€be€reinstated€if€he€submitted€to€alcohol€and€drugÐ ¼  Ðassessment.€€Ms.€Ô_ÔHumphreysÔ_Ô€states€that€upon€being€told€this€ð ð[Father]€started€cursing€and€he€saidÐ ¨ø Ðhe€couldnððt€believe€all€the€things€that€he€had€to€do,€he€doesnððt€know€how€I€could€do€that€and€calledÐ ”ä Ðme€very€vulgar€names.ðð€€Although€Father€attests€that€he€agreed€to€submit€to€drug€screening€so€thatÐ €Ð Ðhe€could€resume€visitation€with€James,€he€did€not€do€so€and€he€has€not€seen€James€since€October€ofÐ l¼ Ð2003.Ð X ¨ ÐÌà  àMother€was€incarcerated€in€March€of€2004,€and€in€April€of€2004,€Father€was€incarceratedÐ 0"€  Ðupon€charges€of€theft,€harassment,€driving€on€a€revoked€license,€and€possession€of€drugÐ #l! Ðparaphernalia.€€On€June€11,€2004,€DCS€filed€a€petition€in€the€juvenile€court€for€Hamilton€County€toÐ $X" Ðterminate€the€parental€rights€of€Mother,€Father€and€Motherððs€husband.€€€Ð ô$D # ÐÌà  àThe€parental€rights€of€Mother€and€her€husband€were€terminated€on€October€25,€2004,€andÐ Ì&"% ÐSeptember€20,€2004,€respectively.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Hearings€on€the€petition€to€terminate€the€parental€rights€of€FatherÐ ¸'#& Ðwere€held€on€January€14,€2005,€and€February€1,€2005,€and€on€March€8,€2005,€the€trial€court€enteredÐ ¤(ô#' Ðan€order€terminating€Fatherððs€parental€rights€and€granting€DCS€the€right€to€place€James€for€adoption.Ð )à$( ÐThe€courtððs€ruling€was€based€upon€findings€of€willful€abandonment,€failure€to€comply€withÐ ° Ðpermanency€plans,€failure€to€make€reasonable€efforts€to€provide€a€suitable€home,€and€persistence€ofÐ œì Ðconditions€that€led€to€Jamesððs€removal.€€The€court€further€found€that€termination€of€Fatherððs€parentalÐ ˆØ Ðrights€was€in€Jamesððs€best€interest.€€Thereafter,€Father€filed€the€instant€appeal.Ð tÄ ÐÔ_ÔÌÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÌÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÌÔ_ÔÌà@……)ìàò òII.ó óˆÐ  ` ÐÌà  àWe€address€the€following€issues€in€this€appeal:Ð è 8  ÐÌà  à1)€Whether€the€trial€courtððs€finding€of€at€least€one€ground€for€termination€is€adequatelyÐ À  Ðsupported€by€the€evidence.Ô#†¼a»XXJ]!#ÔÔ‡XJ]X»¼aÔÐ ¬ü  ÐÌà  à2)€Whether€Father€was€denied€his€right€to€due€process€on€grounds€that€DCS€failed€to€makeÐ „Ô  Ðreasonable€efforts€to€assist€him€in€reunification€and€in€establishing€a€home€for€his€child.Ð pÀ ÐÌà@^^(ìàò òIII.ó óˆÐ H˜ ÐÔ#†¼a»XXJ]f1#ÔÔ‡XJ]X»¼aÔÌà  àòòóóA€biological€parentððs€right€to€the€care€and€custody€of€his€or€her€child€is€among€the€oldest€ofÐ  p Ðthe€judicially€recognized€liberty€interests€protected€by€the€due€process€clauses€of€the€federal€and€stateÐ  \ Ðconstitutions.€€òòÔ_ÔTroxelÔ_Ô€v.€Granvilleóó,€530€U.S.€57,€65,€120€S.€Ct.€2054,€2059„60€(2000);€òòHawk€v.€Hawkóó,Ð øH Ð855€S.W.2d€573,€578„579€(Tenn.€1993);€òòRay€v.€Rayóó,€83€S.W.3d€726,€731€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€2001).€Ð ä4 ÐAlthough€this€right€is€fundamental€and€superior€to€claims€of€other€persons€and€the€government,€itÐ Ð  Ðis€not€absolute.€€òòState€v.€Ô_ÔC.H.K.Ô_Ôóó,€154€S.W.3d€586,€589€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€2004).€€It€continues€withoutÐ ¼  Ðinterruption€only€as€long€as€a€parent€has€not€relinquished€it,€abandoned€it,€or€engaged€in€conductÐ ¨ø Ðrequiring€its€limitation€or€termination.€€òòBlair€v.€Ô_ÔBadenhopeÔ_Ôóó,€77€S.W.3d€137,€141€(Tenn.€2002).€€It€isÐ ”ä Ðwell€established€that€"parents€have€a€fundamental€right€to€the€care,€custody,€and€control€of€theirÐ €Ð Ðchildren.ððòò€In€re€Ô_ÔDrinnonÔ_Ôóó,€776€S.W.2d€96,€97€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1988)(òòciting€Stanley€v.€Illinoisóó,€405Ð l¼ ÐU.S.€645,€92€Ô_ÔS.CtÔ_Ô.€1208,€31€Ô_ÔL.EdÔ_Ô.2d€551€(1972).€€However,€this€right€is€not€absolute€and€parentalÐ X ¨ Ðrights€may€be€terminated€if€there€is€clear€and€convincing€evidence€justifying€such€termination€underÐ D!” Ðthe€applicable€statute.€òòId.Ð 0"€  ÐóóòòÌóóà0  àTermination€proceedings€are€governed€by€statute€in€Tennessee.€€Parties€who€have€standing€Ð$X"(#(# Ðto€seek€the€termination€of€a€biological€parentððs€parental€rights€must€first€prove€at€least€one€of€theÐ ô$D # Ðstatutory€grounds€for€termination.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(c)(1).€€Secondly,€they€must€proveÐ à%0!$ Ðthat€termination€of€the€parentððs€rights€is€in€the€childððs€best€interest.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„Ð Ì&"% Ð113(c)(2).€€Because€the€decision€to€terminate€parental€rights€has€profound€consequences,€courts€mustÐ ¸'#& Ðapply€a€higher€standard€of€proof€in€deciding€termination€cases.€Therefore,€to€justify€termination€ofÐ ¤(ô#' Ðparental€rights,€the€party€seeking€termination€must€prove€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence€theÐ )à$( Ðground€(or€grounds)€for€termination€and€that€termination€is€in€the€childððs€best€interest.€Tenn.€CodeÐ |*Ì%) ÐAnn.€ðð36„1„113Ô_Ô(c)Ô_Ô;€òòIn€re€Valentineóó,€79€S.W.€3d€539,€546€(Tenn.€2002).€Ð h+¸&* Їà  à€òòóóThe€heightened€burden€of€proof€minimizes€the€risk€of€erroneous€decisions.€€òòIn€re€Ô_ÔC.W.W.Ô_Ôóó,Ð ° Ð37€S.W.3d€467,€474€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€2000);€òòIn€re€Ô_ÔM.W.A.Ô_Ô,€Jr.óó,€980€S.W.2d€620,€622€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.Ð œì Ð1998).€€Evidence€satisfying€the€clear€and€convincing€evidence€standard€establishes€that€the€truth€ofÐ ˆØ Ðthe€facts€asserted€is€highly€probable,€òòState€v.€Ô_ÔDemarrÔ_Ôóó,€No.€M2002„02603„Ô_ÔCOAÔ_Ô„R3„JV,€2003€WLÐ tÄ Ð21946726,€at€*9€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Aug.€13,€2003)€òòno€appl.€perm.€filedóó,€and€eliminates€any€serious€orÐ `° Ðsubstantial€doubt€about€the€correctness€of€the€conclusions€drawn€from€the€evidence.€€òòIn€re€Valentineóó,Ð L œ Ð79€S.W.3d€539,€546€(Tenn.€2002);€òòIn€re€S.M.óó,€149€S.W.3d€632,€639€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€2004);€òòIn€reÐ 8 ˆ ÐÔ_ÔJ.J.C.Ô_Ôóó,€148€S.W.3d€919,€925€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€2004).€€It€produces€in€a€fact„finderððs€mind€a€firm€beliefÐ $ t Ðor€conviction€regarding€the€truth€of€the€facts€sought€to€be€established.€€òòIn€re€Ô_ÔA.D.A.Ô_Ôóó,€84€S.W.3d€592,Ð  ` Ð596€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€2002);€òòRay€v.€Rayóó,€83€S.W.3d€726,€733€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€2001);€òòIn€re€Ô_ÔC.W.W.Ô_Ôóó,Ð ü L  Ð37€S.W.3d€at€474.Ð è 8  ÐÌÓ XÓIn€a€non„jury€case€such€as€this€one,€we€review€the€record€òòde€novoóó€with€a€presumption€ofÐ À  Ðcorrectness€as€to€the€trial€courtððs€determination€of€facts,€and€we€must€honor€those€findings€unless€the€Ð ¬ü  Ðevidence€preponderates€to€the€contrary.€€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€13(d);€òòUnion€Carbide€v.€Ô_ÔHuddlestonÔ_Ôóó,€854Ð ˜è  ÐS.W.2d€87,€91€(Tenn.€1993).€€When€a€trial€court€has€seen€and€heard€witnesses,€especially€whereÐ „Ô  Ðissues€of€credibility€and€weight€of€oral€testimony€are€involved,€considerable€deference€must€beÐ pÀ Ðaccorded€to€the€trial€courtððs€factual€findings.€€òòSeals€v.€England/Corsair€Upholstery€Mfg.€Co.,€Inc.,Ð \¬ Ðóó984€S.W.2d€912,€915€(Tenn.€1999).€òò€€óóFurther,€€ð ð[Ô_Ôo]nÔ_Ô€an€issue€which€hinges€on€the€credibility€ofÐ H˜ Ðwitnesses,€the€trial€court€will€not€be€reversed€unless€there€is€found€in€the€record€clear,€concrete,€andÐ 4„ Ðconvincing€evidence€other€than€the€oral€testimony€of€witnesses€which€contradict€the€trial€courtððsÐ  p Ðfindings.ðð€òòÔ_ÔGalbreathÔ_Ô€v.€Harrisóó,€811€S.W.2d€88,€91€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1990),€citing€òòTennessee€ValleyÐ  \ ÐKaolin€Corp.€v.€Perryóó,€526€S.W.2d€488,€490€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1974).€€€After€reviewing€the€trialÐ øH Ðcourtððs€specific€factual€findings€to€ascertain€that€the€evidence€does€not€preponderate€against€them,Ð ä4 Ðwe€must€determine€whether€the€elements€required€for€termination€are€either€clearly€and€convincinglyÐ Ð  Ðestablished€by€the€trial€courtððs€factual€findings€or€are€supported€by€a€preponderance€of€the€evidence.€Ð ¼  ÐòòIn€re€S.M.óó,€149€S.W.3d€632,€640€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€2004).€€The€trial€courtððs€conclusions€of€law€areÐ ¨ø Ðreviewed€òòde€novoóó€and€are€accorded€no€presumption€of€correctness.€€òòCampbell€v.€Florida€Steel€Corp.,Ð ”ä Ðóó919€S.W.2d€26,€35€(Tenn.€1996);€€òòPresley€v.€Bennettóó,€860€S.W.2d€857,€859€(Tenn.€1993).Ð €Ð ÐÐ l¼ Ðà@dd)ìàò òIV.ó óà@@ìì*ìàˆÐ X ¨ ÐÐ D!” ÐThe€first€issue€we€address€is€whether€the€trial€court€erred€in€finding€that€there€were€statutoryÐ 0"€  Ðgrounds€for€terminating€Fatherððs€parental€rights.€In€addressing€this€issue,€we€bear€in€mind€that€weÐ #l! Ðneed€not€review€each€of€the€grounds€upon€which€the€trial€court€based€its€decision.€As€long€as€oneÐ $X" Ðstatutory€ground€for€termination€is€established€by€the€facts€in€this€case€and€termination€is€in€the€bestÐ ô$D # Ðinterest€of€the€childÔ#†¼a»XXJ]Ú2#ÔÔ‡XJ]X»¼aÔ,€the€trial€courtððs€decision€will€be€sufficiently€supported.€€òòIn€re€Ô_ÔD.L.B.Ô_Ô,€óó118Ð à%0!$ ÐS.W.3d€360,€367€(Tenn.€2003).€€Father€does€not€contend€that€the€trial€court€erred€in€finding€thatÐ Ì&"% Ðtermination€of€his€parental€rights€was€in€Jamesððs€best€interest€and€the€evidence€in€this€case€does€notÐ ¸'#& Ðpreponderate€against€that€finding.€€We€must,€however,€determine€whether€the€evidence€also€supportsÐ ¤(ô#' Ða€ground€for€termination€under€applicable€statutory€law.€€Ð )à$( Ðâ âÐ |*Ì%) ÐAbandonment€is€one€of€the€statutory€grounds€for€termination€of€parental€rights€which€are€setÐ ° Ðâ âforth€at€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€Ô_Ôð§ ðÔ_Ô€36„6„113(g)€and,€as€we€have€noted€above,€this€is€one€of€the€grounds€thatÐ œì Ðthe€trial€court€relied€on€in€terminating€Fatherððs€parental€rights€in€the€instant€matter.€€Because€FatherÐ ˆØ Ðwas€incarcerated€when€DCS€filed€its€petition€to€terminate€parental€rights,€the€relevant€definition€ofÐ tÄ Ðð ðabandonmentðð€is€that€set€forth€at€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€Ô_Ôð§ ðÔ_Ô€36„1„102(1)(A)(iv):Ð `° ÐÐ L œ ÐÓ XÓà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA€parent€or€guardian€is€incarcerated€at€the€time€of€the€institution€of€anÐ 8 ˆ Ðaction€or€proceeding€to€declare€a€child€to€be€an€abandoned€child,€orÐ $ t Ðthe€parent€or€guardian€has€been€incarcerated€during€all€or€part€of€theÐ  ` Ðfour€(4)€months€immediately€preceding€the€institution€of€such€actionÐ ü L  Ðor€proceeding,€and€either€has€willfully€failed€to€visit€or€has€willfullyÐ è 8  Ðfailed€to€support€or€has€willfully€failed€to€make€reasonable€paymentsÐ Ô$  Ðtoward€the€support€of€the€child€for€four€(4)€consecutive€monthsÐ À  Ðimmediately€preceding€such€parentððs€or€guardianððs€incarceration,€orÐ ¬ü  Ðthe€parent€or€guardian€has€engaged€in€conduct€prior€to€incarcerationÐ ˜è  Ðwhich€exhibits€a€wanton€disregard€for€the€welfare€of€the€child.€Ð„Ô ` x` x ÐÌà  àThe€trial€courtððs€order€terminating€Fatherððs€parental€rights€is€based€in€part€upon€the€followingÐ \¬ Ðfinding:Ð H˜ ÐÌÒ` °ÒÒ` °Ò[Father]€failed€to€visit€the€Child€for€a€period€of€more€than€four€(4)Ð  p Ðmonths€when€he€was€free€to€do€so.€€He€has€had€no€contact€with€theÐ  \ ÐChild€since€visitation€was€suspended€by€the€Court€in€October€2003Ð øH Ðpending€his€providing€the€Court€with€evidence€of€completion€of€anÐ ä4 Ðalcohol€and€drug€assessment.€[Father]€chose€not€to€submit€to€theÐ Ð  Ðassessment.Ð ¼  ÐÌÒ°` ÒÒ°` Òà  àIt€is€undisputed€that€Father€did€not€visit€James€for€four€consecutive€months€preceding€hisÐ ”ä Ðincarceration€„€Father€was€incarcerated€on€April€4,€2004,€and€has€not€visited€James€since€OctoberÐ €Ð Ðof€2003.€€However,€Father€contends€that€his€failure€to€visit€James€was€not€willful.€€He€asserts€thatÐ l¼ Ðð ðthe€evidence€at€trial€did€not€reflect€that€[he]€òòwilfully€óófailed€to€visit€the€child€within€the€four€monthÐ X ¨ Ðtime€before€his€time€in€custody.ðð€€We€disagree.Ð D!” ÐÌà  àAs€we€have€noted,€the€trial€courtððs€order€of€November€20,€2003,€suspended€visitationÐ #l! Ðbetween€Father€and€James€until€Father€submitted€favorable€drug€and€alcohol€evaluation€results.€€€AsÐ $X" Ðwe€have€further€noted,€thereafter€Ms.€Ô_ÔHumphreysÔ_Ô€contacted€Father€and€advised€him€that€resumptionÐ ô$D # Ðof€visitation€would€be€contingent€upon€his€drug€and€alcohol€assessment.€€When€asked€if€he€was€madeÐ à%0!$ Ðaware€of€the€requirement€that€he€submit€to€this€testing€before€he€could€visit€James€again,€FatherÐ Ì&"% Ðtestifies€ð ðI€agreed€to€random€drug€testing€to€try€and€get€this€done.ðð€€Even€though€this€prerequisite€wasÐ ¸'#& Ðthe€only€obstacle€to€further€visitation,€Father€never€satisfied€it.€€We€also€note,€as€did€the€trial€court,Ð ¤(ô#' Ðthat€in€his€testimony€Father€acknowledges€that€an€appointment€was€made€for€him€to€undergo€drugÐ )à$( Ðâ âand€alcohol€assessment€and€that€he€chose€not€to€meet€this€appointment€because€it€conflicted€with€hisÐ |*Ì%) ÐÑ ïOÑâ  âÑe°Ñâ  âÑ  Ñmeeting€with€an€attorney.€€Father€presented€no€proof€that€he€made€any€effort€at€any€time€toÐ e Ðreschedule€an€assessment.€Ð Qì Ðâ âÌà  àIn€òòÔ_ÔInÔ_Ô€re€Audrey€S.,óó€No.€M2004„02758„Ô_ÔCOAÔ_Ô„R3„PT,€2005€WL€2051286€at€*13,14€(Tenn.€Ct.Ð )Ä ÐApp.€August€25,€2005)€òòperm.€app.€dismissed€óó(Tenn.€Nov.€4,€2005),€we€recently€stated€as€followsÐ ° Ðwith€regard€to€willfulness€in€the€context€of€a€€case€involving€the€termination€of€parental€rights:Ð  œ ÐÌÒ` °ÒÒ` °ÒConduct€is€ð ðwillfulðð€if€it€is€the€product€of€free€will€rather€thanÐ Ù t Ðcoercion.€€Thus,€a€person€acts€ð ðwillfullyðð€if€he€or€she€is€a€free€agent,Ð Å ` Ðknows€what€he€or€she€is€doing,€and€intends€to€do€what€he€or€she€isÐ ± L  Ðdoing.Ð  8  ÐÌFailure€to€visit€or€support€a€child€is€ð ðwillfulðð€when€a€person€is€awareÐ u  Ðof€his€or€her€duty€to€visit€or€support,€has€the€capacity€to€do€so,€makesÐ aü  Ðno€attempt€to€do€so,€and€has€no€justifiable€excuse€for€not€doing€so.Ð Mè  Ð(citations€omitted)Ð 9Ô  ÐÌÒ°` ÒÒ°` Òà  àThe€trial€court€found€that€Father€chose€not€to€submit€to€the€testing€that€was€a€preconditionÐ ¬ Ðto€further€visitation,€and€Father€presents€no€evidence€that€preponderates€against€this€finding.€€Fatherððs€Ð ý˜ Ðchoice€in€refusing€to€cooperate€in€this€regard€constituted€a€willful€decision€to€discontinue€visitingÐ é„ Ðhis€son.€€The€record€supports€the€conclusion€that€Father€abandoned€James€under€Tenn.€Code€Ann.Ð Õp ÐÔ_Ôð§ ðÔ_Ô€36„1„102(1)(A)(iv).€Ð Á\ ÐÌà  àWe€are€aware€that€the€trial€court€based€its€decision€to€terminate€Fatherððs€parental€rights€onÐ ™4 Ðseveral€grounds€in€addition€to€that€of€abandonment€and€that€Father€argues€that€the€trial€court€erredÐ …  Ðin€finding€these€additional€grounds.€€However,€in€view€of€our€affirmation€of€the€trial€courtððs€decisionÐ q  Ðon€the€issue€of€abandonment,€we€need€not€address€Fatherððs€argument€that€the€trial€court€erred€inÐ ]ø Ðterminating€his€parental€rights€upon€these€additional€grounds.€òòSee€In€re€Ô_ÔC.W.W.Ô_Ôóó,€37€S.W.3d€467,€475Ð Iä Ð(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€2000).€€As€we€have€noted,€any€one€of€the€grounds€listed€at€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€Ô_Ôð§ ðÔ_Ô€36„1„Ð 5Ð Ð113(g)€is€sufficient€to€support€an€order€of€termination€and,€accordingly,€issues€raised€by€Father€withÐ !¼ Ðrespect€to€other€grounds€are€Ô_ÔpretermittedÔ_Ô.Ð  ¨ ÐÌà@ÜÜ&ìàò òV.ó ó€€€€€€€ˆÐ å!€  ÐÌà  àThe€remaining€issue€we€address€in€this€case€is€whether€DCS€violated€Fatherððs€rights€of€dueÐ Á#\" Ðprocess€by€failing€to€make€reasonable€efforts€to€assist€him€in€reunification€and€in€establishing€a€homeÐ ­$H # Ðfor€James.€€Father€contends€that€the€main€interest€of€DCS€employee€Jan€Ô_ÔHumphreysÔ_Ô€was€not€to€return€Ð ™%4!$ ÐJames€to€him,€but€rather€to€place€James€in€an€adoptive€home.€€In€support€of€this€argument,€Father€Ð …& "% ÐÔ_ÔnotesÔ_Ô€that€at€the€termination€hearing€Ms.€Ô_ÔHumphreysÔ_Ô€was€asked€ð ðIs€it€your€goal€to€place€this€childÐ q' #& Ðin€an€adoptive€home?ðð€and€she€answered€ð ðYes.ðð€€€Father€also€references€a€DCS€quarterly€progressÐ ](ø#' Ðreport€dated€December€7,€2004.€€Section€16€of€this€report€is€designated€ð ðPermanency€Plan€Progress€„Ð I)ä$( ЀChildððs€Needsðð€and€compels€a€listing€of€each€ð ðaction€plan€step,€progress€made,€since€last€review€andÐ 5*Ð%) Ðremaining€barriers.ðð€€The€response€at€this€section€states,€ð ðJames€will€have€a€loving,€stable,€supportiveÐ !+¼&* Ðand€safe€permanent€home€where€all€his€physical,€developmental,€emotional,€and€medical€needs€willÐ  ,¨'+ Ðbe€met.€€The€barrier€is€termination€of€fatherððs€parental€rights.ðð€€Father€indicates€that€the€secondÐ e Ðsentence€of€this€response€shows€that€DCSððs€goal€was€to€place€James€for€adoption€rather€than€toÐ Qì Ðreunify€him€with€Father.€€Ð =Ø ÐÌà  àBoth€the€referenced€testimony€of€Ms.€Ô_ÔHumphreysÔ_Ô€to€the€effect€that€it€is€her€goal€to€placeÐ ° ÐJames€in€an€adoptive€home€and€the€cited€response€in€the€progress€report€pertain€to€a€time€when€DCSÐ  œ Ðhad€already€made€reasonable€efforts€in€this€case€and€those€efforts€had€failed.€€Both€Ms.€Ô_ÔHumphreysÔ_ÔÐ í ˆ Ðtestimony€and€the€progress€report€relate€to€a€point€in€time€after€Father€had€demonstrated€his€refusal€Ð Ù t Ðto€cooperate€by€failing€to€submit€to€drug€and€alcohol€assessment€and€had€not€visited€his€child€for€anÐ Å ` Ðextensive€period,€and€the€best€interests€of€the€child€dictated€that€Fatherððs€parental€rights€beÐ ± L  Ðterminated.€€Of€course,€at€that€point€in€time€placing€James€for€adoption,€not€reunification,€€was€theÐ  8  Ðproper€goal€of€DCS.€€Additional€testimony€of€Ms.€Ô_ÔHumphreysÔ_Ô€under€cross€examination€providesÐ ‰$  Ðfurther€evidence€in€this€regard:Ð u  ÐÌÒ` °ÒÒ` °ÒQ€Last€question,€is€there€ever€a€time€you€had€come€to€a€conclusion,Ð Mè  Ðin€essence€that€you€just€wrote€a€parent€off€and€start€focusing€on€aÐ 9Ô  Ðfoster€family?Ð %À ÐÌA€That€was€never€my€job,€I€was€foster€care.Ð ý˜ ÐÌà@{{ìà.€€€€€€€.€€€€€€€.€€€€€€€.ˆÐ Õp ÐÌÌQ€But€you€facilitated€this€foster€family€for€an€adoption,€havenððt€you?Ð ™4 ÐÌA€No,€I€have€not.Ð q  ÐÌà@{{ìà.€€€€€€€.€€€€€€€.€€€€€€€.ˆÐ Iä ÐÌÌQ€Itððs€your€goal€to€place€this€child€in€adoption,€isnððt€it?Ð  ¨ ÐÌA€No,€it€was€my€goal€to€return€[James]€to€the€parent.Ð å!€  ÐÌQ€Okay.€So€that€was€an€incorrect€statement€that€you€gave€to€Mr.€NealÐ ½#X" Ða€minute€ago,€that€the€goal€was€to€place€this€child€in€an€adoptiveÐ ©$D # Ðhome?Ð •%0!$ ÐÌA€Well,€I€think€it€is€now€but€that€was€not€our€original€intent.€€OurÐ m'#& Ðoriginal€intent€was€to€return€the€child€to€the€parent.Ð Y(ô#' ÐÌÒ°` ÒÒ°` Òà  àFatherððs€argument€that€DCS€failed€to€make€reasonable€efforts€in€this€case€and€that€DCS€didÐ 1*Ì%) Ðnot€attempt€reunification,€but€only€sought€to€place€James€for€adoption€is€not€supported€by€the€recordÐ +¸&* Ðand€is€without€merit.Ð  ,¤'+ Їà@dd)ìàò òVI.ó óˆÐ e ÐÌà  àFor€the€foregoing€reasons,€we€affirm€the€judgment€of€the€trial€court€and€remand€for€furtherÐ =Ø Ðaction€consistent€with€this€opinion.€€Costs€on€appeal€are€adjudged€against€the€Appellant,€Ô_ÔJ.A.H.Ô_Ô,€Jr.Ð )Ä ÐÌÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à_________________________________________Ð Ù t Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àSHARON€G.€LEE,€€JUDGEÐ Å ` ÐÔ#†¼a»XXJ]6O#ÔÔ‡XJ]X»¼aÔ€€€