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You can search the entire site. or go to the recent opinions, or the chronological or subject indices. Thomas H. v. State, Dept of Health & Social Services, Office of Children's Services (05/16/2008) sp-6262
Notice: This opinion is subject to correction before publication in the Pacific Reporter. Readers are requested to bring errors to the attention of the Clerk of the Appellate Courts, 303 K Street, Anchorage, Alaska 99501, phone (907) 264-0608, fax (907) 264-0878, e-mail corrections@appellate.courts.state.ak.us. THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF ALASKA
THOMAS H., | ) |
) Supreme Court No. S- 12847 | |
Appellant, | ) |
) Superior Court Nos. 3AN-04-00378 CN | |
v. | ) 3AN- 05-00276 CN |
) | |
STATE OF ALASKA, | ) O P I N I O N |
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & | ) |
SOCIAL SERVICES, OFFICE OF | ) No. 6262 May 16, 2008 |
CHILDRENS SERVICES, | ) |
) | |
Appellee. | ) |
) | |
Appeal from the Superior Court of the State of Alaska, Third Judicial District, Anchorage, Stephanie E. Joannides, Judge. Appearances: Renee McFarland, Assistant Public Defender, and Quinlan Steiner, Public Defender, Anchorage, for Appellant. James E. Cantor, Assistant Attorney General, Anchorage, and Talis J. Colberg, Attorney General, Juneau, for Appellee. Before: Fabe, Chief Justice, Matthews, Eastaugh, Carpeneti, and Winfree, Justices. FABE, Chief Justice. I. INTRODUCTION Thomas H. appeals the superior courts decision to terminate his parental rights. He argues that the superior court erred in finding (1) that he failed to remedy the conditions that placed his children at risk of harm within a reasonable time period; (2) that the Office of Childrens Services (OCS) made active efforts to prevent the breakup of the family; and (3) that placing the children in his custody would likely result in serious harm to them. Because the record supports the trial courts decision and the trial court acted within its discretion, we affirm its judgment. II. FACTS AND PROCEEDINGS A. Facts Thomas H. and Ana J. have two daughters together, Amelie and Ariel.1 The children qualify as Indian children under 25 U.S.C. 1903(4). The elder daughter, Amelie, tested positive for marijuana at birth in 2002. The younger daughter, Ariel, tested positive for cocaine at birth in September 2005. As a result of the instability in her life, Amelie has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. By the time of trial, Ariel had lived in three different foster homes. Ana cut off contact with her attorney a year prior to trial, and the superior court issued an order terminating her parental rights on May 16, 2007. By his own admission, Thomas has never served as his daughters primary caregiver because he was in and out of jail during the time the children were in OCS custody. Thomas had been arrested twelve times between November 22, 2001 and March 2, 2007, the date his trial commenced. Six of those arrests occurred after December 2004, when the children were placed into OCS custody. Thomas has not visited with his older daughter Amelie since May 2006, when he reentered prison. Thomas sought to reinstate visitation with Amelie after his release but that request was denied upon the recommendation of Amelies counselor. A superior court later upheld the decision to deny visitation privileges. Thomas maintained weekly supervised visits with his younger daughter Ariel beginning in January 2007. He cancelled four of the twenty-two scheduled one-hour visits. From a young age, Thomas has struggled with substance abuse problems. At the time of his termination trial, Thomas had pending felony charges of drug possession and eluding a police officer. And before the trials conclusion, Thomas entered a plea deal requiring him to serve a prison term of at least one year and twenty days. Thomas claims, however, that his sobriety demonstrates success in remedying the underlying conduct that led to OCSs involvement with his children. Thomas reports that he has been sober since May 2006, notwithstanding his allegedly accidental use of opiates, which an October 2006 urinalysis detected.2 During his future incarceration, Thomas has proposed that his new wife Sophia care for the children. Currently, Amelie and Ariel are cared for by their maternal great aunt and uncle, Sean and Lisa J. Sean and Lisa J. have served in this capacity intermittently since September 2004, and they have been the primary caregivers for the girls without interruption since April 27, 2006. The couple, with the facilitation of OCS, plans to adopt the girls. B. Proceedings OCS involvement with Thomass family began when Amelie tested positive for marijuana at birth. OCS created a safety plan on August 8, 2002, and Amelie returned home with Ana. OCS became involved in the case again on September 13, 2004, when Sean and Lisa J., who had been taking care of Amelie, filed for a temporary restraining order against Ana. OCS filed a report recommending that Amelie remain with her great aunt and uncle. OCS also created the first of multiple case plans for both Ana and Thomas, recommending treatment for substance abuse, parenting skills classes, and mental health therapy. On September 6, 2005, the state removed Thomas and Anas second child, Ariel, from their custody two days after she was born with cocaine in her system. The next day, OCS met with Ana and Thomas to discuss objectives for a case plan, which again included substance abuse treatment, parenting classes, and mental health assessments. Thomas initiated substance abuse treatment and parenting classes under the new case plan. After just one day of substance abuse treatment in October 2005, however, Thomas led police on a high-speed chase while high on ecstasy. Soon after his release from custody, he was again arrested for possession of ecstasy. Meanwhile, Ana entered the Family CARE Court,3 which handled her treatment plans. OCS developed a final case plan for Thomas on November 20, 2006, requiring treatment for substance abuse, parenting classes, and mental health treatment. This time, Thomas largely complied with the substance abuse treatment and parenting class requirements, and although he did not meet his case plans requirement that he undergo mental health treatment, OCS apparently failed to refer him to a facility that could conduct a mental health assessment. By the time of Thomass ultimate case plan, however, OCS had shifted its permanency goals for Amelie and Ariel to adoption, with the concurrent goal of reunification. OCS sought to terminate Thomas and Anas parental rights at trial on March 2, 2007. Ana failed to appear and the remaining parties agreed to engage in a family group conference with the adoptive parents regarding visitation benchmarks for the children. When these talks proved unproductive, the termination trial recommenced on May 30, 2007. At trial, OCS presented testimony from Kristi Fuller, a clinical neuropsychologist who had interviewed Thomas and diagnosed him as having antisocial personality disorder. The state also presented testimony from Thomass OCS caseworker, Jennifer Hernandez. Thomas presented testimony from Jessica Burdick, the case manager for Cook Inlet Tribal Councils supervised visitation program, and from Anna Baughman, the outpatient clinician at Genesis House Recovery Center, where Thomas had been receiving treatment. Dr. Baughman testified that during six months of treatment, Thomas did not exhibit symptoms of antisocial personality disorder. Thomas and his new wife, Sophia, also testified as to their ability to take care of the girls. Following oral argument on June 26, 2007, Superior Court Judge Stephanie E. Joannides presented her findings from the bench. The superior court did not find clear and convincing evidence to support Dr. Fullers diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder. Nevertheless, the superior court terminated Thomass parental rights, reasoning that his unavailability due to incarceration and his insufficient track record meant that placing the children with him would be likely to . . . result in serious emotional or physical damage to the children. The superior court reasoned that subsections (2) (incarceration) and (10) (substance abuse) of AS 47.10.011 supported the decision to terminate Thomass parental rights.4 With respect to the former, the superior court found that Thomas had been unable to provide a stable home for his daughters during his previous incarcerations.5 The superior court also noted that Thomass wife Sophia is a new spouse, with whom the children have had little or, in Amelies case, no contact, and thus in light of their current placement and the courts evaluation for [their] best interest, I would not find that the suggestion for [Thomass] present wife to be their custodian is an adequate arrangement for their care. Under subsection (10) of AS 47.10.011, the superior court found by clear and convincing evidence that substance abuse has substantially impaired Thomass ability to parent, and that has placed his children at substantial risk of harm. The superior court again acknowledged that Thomas appeared to have succeeded in his latest substance abuse treatment but found that Thomas had delayed too long in becoming sober, and that because of the circumstances that are interwoven in one of the other factors, it is impossible for him to really successfully complete all his treatment and prove that the treatment has been successfully completed. In other words, the superior court concluded, Thomas hasnt really, truly been able to remedy the conduct because he is going to be unavailable and incarcerated. The superior court went on to find beyond a reasonable doubt that placing the children with Thomas would be likely to . . . result in serious emotional or physical damage to the children. Finally, the superior court turned its attention to OCS, and found that the agency had made active efforts to provide support services and treatment services to Thomas, other than the mental health component. The superior court found that OCSs failure to make a referral for Thomass mental health assessment was the only component lacking in the states active efforts, however, and that this shortcoming was not legally significant in light of [his] status. Thomas appeals. III. STANDARD OF REVIEW We review a trial courts factual findings for clear error.6 Findings are clearly erroneous if a review of the entire record in the light most favorable to the prevailing party leaves us with a definite and firm conviction that a mistake has been made.7 We review the trial courts application of the law to factual findings de novo.8 Whether the state has complied with the active efforts requirement of the Indian Child Welfare Act9 (ICWA) presents a mixed question of fact and law.10 IV. DISCUSSION Thomas argues that he has overcome his substance abuse problems and made adequate arrangements for the children during his upcoming incarceration. Consequently, he maintains that the trial court erred in finding that he failed to remedy the conduct that placed the children at substantial risk of harm within a reasonable period of time. Thomas claims that OCS did not make the required active efforts to prevent the breakup of his family because it failed to properly refer him for the mental health assessment included in his case plan, hence depriving him of therapy that might have led to his earlier compliance with OCS case plan objectives. Finally, Thomas maintains that the superior court erred when it found that placing the children with him would likely result in substantial harm to them. We dispose of each of these arguments in turn. A. The Superior Court Did Not Err in Finding that Thomas Failed, Within a Reasonable Time, To Remedy the Conduct that Put Amelie and Ariel at Substantial Risk. Alaska Statute 47.10.088 provides for involuntary termination of parental rights where a child qualifies as a child in need of aid under AS 47.10.011 and the parent: (A) has not remedied the conduct or conditions in the home that place the child at substantial risk of harm; or (B) 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[.][11] In answering the question whether the parent has remedied or will remedy within a reasonable time the conditions in the home that place the child at substantial risk, the court may consider any fact relating to the best interests of the child,12 including: (1) the likelihood of returning the child to the parent within a reasonable time based on the childs age or needs; (2) the amount of effort by the parent to remedy the conduct or the conditions in the home; (3) the harm caused to the child; (4) the likelihood that the harmful conduct will continue; and (5) the history of conduct by or conditions created by the parent.[13] The superior court found that Thomass history of incarceration and substance abuse, as well as his pending incarceration, put the children in need of aid and that Thomas had failed, within a reasonable time, to remedy the conduct or conditions that placed Amelie and Ariel at substantial risk of physical or mental injury. Accordingly, the superior court terminated Thomass parental rights. As a preliminary matter, Thomas points out that the superior courts written order cites AS 47.10.011(10) (substance abuse of the parent) and AS 47.10.011(1) (abandonment) for its child in need of aid determination while the superior courts oral findings cite AS 47.10.011(10) and AS 47.10.011(2) (incarceration). Thomas theorizes that, because he was not incarcerated at the time of termination and had not been incarcerated for over a year, the trial court erred or possibly misspoke during its oral findings. He goes on to argue that the superior court erred in relying on subsection (1) of AS 47.10.011, because his conduct including his successful completion of substance abuse treatment and parenting classes, his visitations with his younger daughter, and his efforts to visit with his older daughter demonstrates that he did not disregard his responsibilities towards his children. We need not consider, however, whether the abandonment prong of AS 47.10.011 applies to Thomas because the superior court clearly based its decision on Thomass history of substance abuse and incarceration under AS 47.10.011(10) & (2).14 Thomas argues that, regardless of the legal grounds on which the superior court purported to base its ruling, it is clear from the courts statements and the courts written order that it was Thomass impending incarceration that ultimately led the court to its decision. That interpretation, however, does not withstand scrutiny. The superior court recognized that Thomass pending incarceration would likely lead to continued instability for the children should they be placed in the custody of Thomass new wife. But the court primarily relied on Thomass pending incarceration to support its conclusion that Thomass history of substance abuse and resulting incarceration remained all too recent. Turning to AS 47.10.011(10), the superior court based its finding on Thomass long struggle with substance abuse and his record in treatment, rather than any future incarceration. The superior court noted that in Thomass most recent treatment, [t]here were periods of time and concern over his compliance. Indeed, as recently as October 4, 2006, Thomas tested positive for opiates. And even accepting Thomass assertion that he inadvertently consumed the opiates that caused him to fail the October 2006 test and has in fact been sober since May 2006, as the superior court pointed out, all of this has happened in a somewhat artificial setting, meaning that hes on third-party . . . his wife is with him every minute making sure he follows through, and theres the threat of jail and of an increased jail sentence. The superior court thus concluded that Thomas had an insufficient track record, with only sporadic and spotty success in light of his substantial impairment by the addictive or habitual use of an intoxicant.15 Time was a determinative factor in the superior courts finding. Although the trial court clearly believed that Thomas had made progress in his most recent treatment effort, it concluded that Thomas could not adequately demonstrate that he would remain sober: [Thomas] has struggled with substance abuse for some period of time. He has attempted to complete treatment and, to his credit, has completed treatment, but . . . aftercare really is the true indicator of success, and after hes off third-party, and because of the circumstances that are interwoven in one of the other factors, it is impossible for him to really successfully complete all his treatment and prove that the treatment has been successfully completed. Indeed, the period of time during which Thomas appears to have succeeded at treatment corresponds exactly with his third-party supervision. In short, the record supports the trial courts conclusion that Thomas waited too long to begin to remedy his conduct. This case presents a fact pattern similar to the one we considered in Sherry R. v. State, Department of Health & Social Services, Division of Family & Youth Services.16 In Sherry R., we upheld the termination of a mothers parental rights despite her success in completing substance abuse treatment prior to trial. Like Thomas, Sherry R. had a lengthy history of substance abuse and failed treatment experiences.17 She also succeeded in staying sober for over a year prior to her termination proceeding.18 Nevertheless, we held that even though Sherry may have made strides towards remedying her conduct, the trial court could properly find that Sherry failed to address her substance abuse problem within a reasonable time.19 Thomas seeks to distinguish this case from Sherry R., emphasizing our observation in Sherry R. that even since sobriety, Sherry has continued to make choices that affect her childrens lives adversely, including her continued relationship with a man convicted of child sexual assault.20 Thomas also argues that Sherry R. had a more prolonged history of completing long-term treatment programs and relapsing, and therefore this court should not consider Sherry R. as support for the states argument that Thomass successful treatment should be discounted due to his prior failures. But Thomas has attempted to overcome his substance abuse problems with little success since the age of fourteen. Those problems have severely limited his capacity to act as a loving father to the children, if for no other reason than the consequence that he has been incarcerated during much of their lives. Thomas has attempted and failed to complete numerous substance abuse treatment programs. In late 2004, after being charged with selling cocaine, Thomas was assessed by Genesis Recovery Services, where he refused to enter into the recommended long-term residential treatment. In January 2005 the Salvation Army Clitheroe Center provided a second assessment to Thomas, but he failed to return for treatment. Clitheroe staff succeeded in contacting Thomas and he briefly resumed treatment, but in June 2005 OCS reported in a predisposition report that Thomas was not participating in his urine analysis program and that he was unable to participate in a treatment program due to pending criminal charges. In October 2005 Thomas discontinued treatment at Clitheroe after just one day of treatment. He did so again in March 2006 after another single session at Clitheroe. Thomas finally began his most recent, successful treatment program at Genesis Recovery Services in November 2006, but only after the superior court denied him visitation with his elder daughter Amelie. As in Sherry R., for Thomas sobriety is a relatively new phenomenon in . . . life.21 Thomass history of incarceration and pending incarceration further complicated his attempts to persuade the superior court that he has remedied his harmful conduct towards the children. Reviewing Thomass history, the superior court noted that he had been arrested approximately 12 times since 2001, and that he had spent a significant amount of time in prison, including most of 2003, a majority of '04, over six months, less time in '05, but . . . for a significant period in 2006. The superior court observed that because the children are very young, Thomass frequent incarcerations put Amelie and Ariel in a state of limbo for all of their lives. The extent of Thomass drug use and criminal behavior, from the very beginning of both of his daughters lives, has created conditions that he cannot easily remedy. We have previously observed that children under six years of age suffer tremendously when their bonding processes are interrupted, as evidenced by the legislative imperative to provide for an expedited placement procedure to ensure that all children, especially those under the age of six years, who have been removed from their homes are placed in permanent homes expeditiously.22 Thomass pending incarceration at the time of trial frustrated the prospect for such an expeditious, permanent placement. More importantly for our analysis here, Thomass pending incarceration belies his claim that he has remedied his conduct within a reasonable time. We therefore affirm the superior courts determination that he has failed to remedy his conduct within a reasonable time. B. The Superior Court Did Not Err in Finding that OCS Made Active Efforts To Prevent the Breakup of the Family. Thomas argues that OCS cannot meet ICWAs requirement that active efforts have been made to provide remedial services and rehabilitative programs designed to prevent the breakup of the Indian family and that these efforts have proved unsuccessful.23 Thomas contends that OCS failed to meet even its obligation under AS 47.10.086 to make timely, reasonable efforts to provide family support services to the child and to the parents, which are designed to enable the safe return of the child to the family home, when appropriate.24 Alaska law imposes a duty upon OCS to identify family support services that will assist the parent or guardian in remedying the conduct or conditions in the home that made the child a child in need of aid, and to actively offer the parent or guardian, and refer the parent or guardian to, the services identified.25 Thomas contends that while OCS identified the necessary services, it never made the requisite referrals for Thomas to obtain a mental health assessment. Thomas additionally alleges that OCS failed to provide services to him when Amelie and Ariels mother, Ana, entered Family CARE Court. Thomas cites N.A. v. State, DFYS26 in support of his argument that OCS failed to make active efforts. In N.A., we clarified that [a]ctive efforts occur where the state caseworker takes the client through the steps of the plan rather than requiring that the plan be performed on its own.27 But we rejected a parents claim that the state failed to make active efforts because it did not provide her with an adequate mental health and substance abuse dual-treatment program.28 And while unlike Thomas, the parent in N.A. received psychiatric treatment, we made a point of noting that the states efforts were more than active; they were exemplary.29 OCSs failure here to provide a mental health referral to Thomas throughout the history of his case falls short of exemplary, but the agency nonetheless satisfied the active efforts requirement based upon its overall handling of the case.30 We find a more apt analogy to this case in E.A. v. State, Division of Family & Youth Services,31 where we upheld a finding that OCS made active efforts even though it failed to obtain an updated psychological evaluation of the mother following her childs allegation that she had abused him.32 We reasoned that an update would not likely have increased the mothers chances for reunification,33 and that the inaction was insignificant in light of the extensive remedial efforts the state has provided throughout its involvement with E.A.s children apart from this seven-month period.34 Here, while the trial court acknowledged that OCS should have referred Thomas to a mental health provider following its November 20, 2006 case plan, the court also found that Thomass own actions in particular his frequent incarceration would have frustrated the success of any OCS services. Furthermore, like E.A., Thomas received a number of referrals from the state for services, including multiple substance abuse treatment programs and parenting classes. In light of these services, we cannot accept the argument that the agencys failure to make a mental health referral imposed a roadblock on subsequent termination proceedings. And we see no fault in the states efforts aside from its failure to make the mental health referral. Thomas alleges that OCSs lack of active efforts is further evidenced by the complete failure to provide services to Thomas when Ana J., the childrens mother, entered Family [CARE] court. But as the state points out, Thomas received services during the time that the case was in CARE court. In sum, nothing in the record before us suggests that the superior court erred in finding that OCS made active efforts to provide remedial services to Thomas. Finally, Thomas argues that even if active efforts were made, the superior court erred in finding that the efforts made were unsuccessful as required by ICWA. The analysis following in Part IV.C, coupled with our holding from Part IV.A that Thomas failed to remedy his conduct within a reasonable time, disposes of this argument. C. The Superior Court Did Not Err in Finding that the Return of the Children to Thomass Custody Would Likely Result in Serious Emotional Damage to Amelie and Ariel. Thomas argues that the qualified expert testimony, in combination with substantial evidence in the record, failed to support the superior courts determination that Amelie and Ariel would likely be harmed if placed in Thomass care. We disagree. In order to terminate a parents rights to an Indian child, the trial court must find, based on evidence beyond a reasonable doubt, including testimony of qualified expert witnesses, that the continued custody of the child by the parent . . . is likely to result in serious emotional or physical damage to the child.35 In reviewing ICWAs legislative history, we have observed: [T]he primary reason for requiring qualified expert testimony in ICWA termination proceedings was to prevent courts from basing their decisions solely upon the testimony of social workers who possessed neither the specialized professional education nor the familiarity with Native culture necessary to distinguish between cultural variations in child-rearing practices and actual abuse or neglect.[36] ICWA requires that expert testimony support a decision to terminate parental rights, based upon the particular facts and issues of the case, but ICWA does not require that the experts testimony provide the sole basis for the courts conclusion.37 Here, Dr. Fullers expert testimony, coupled with the lay testimony and evidence on the record, satisfies ICWA and adequately supports the trial courts decision. Thomas argues that the trial court clearly erred when it determined, beyond a reasonable doubt, that returning the children to him was likely to result in serious emotional and physical damage to them. Thomas maintains that the superior court unreasonably relied on the testimony of Dr. Fuller. He further claims that the court exaggerated the harm that Thomass future incarceration would cause the children, and minimized the qualifications of Sophia, Thomass new wife, as a caretaker for the children. He asserts that Sophia would be particularly well suited to care for Ariel, whom Sophia had met during Thomass visitations. Thomass arguments are unavailing. The superior courts oral findings demonstrate that it gave weight to the testimony of Dr. Baughman, who testified on behalf of Thomas and disputed Dr. Fullers diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder. The court noted the discrepancy between the two experts and concluded that it could not find by clear and convincing evidence that you do have an antisocial personality disorder. Theres enough other information to suggest that you are able to make positive steps in your life. Nevertheless, the superior court made clear that it had relied on Dr. Fullers testimony to reach its conclusion, noting that Dr. Fullers report does provide me clear and convincing evidence . . . at a minimum that the risk of returning the children home is great. The trial court further explained: I did consider the evidence under the proof- beyond-a-reasonable-doubt standard and did consider the testimony of the experts that if the children were returned, that it would be likely to . . . result in serious emotional or physical damage to the children because of [Thomass] unavailability, the continued issues that at least [Amelie] has faced with respect to an ability to visit with him. . . . And also the concern is over his substance abuse and unavailability and the impact those factors would have on the children. The evidence at trial supports the reasoning that led the superior court to its judgment. As the superior court noted in its written findings, Dr. Fullers evaluation indicated that [Thomas] exhibited a persistent pattern of negative behavior, and that Thomass high likelihood of repeated incarceration within the next couple of years threatened to damage any bond formed with the children while he was out of custody. The court emphasized Dr. Fullers opinion that Thomas is not a candidate to be a custodial parent, and that he is unlikely to be able to meet the childrens needs for security and safety over the long term. Dr. Fullers own testimony, based on her knowledge of the family and tests performed by Thomas, sheds light on her assessment: The harm that I do see is . . . I imagine his children, given contact with him, would adore that time . . . and . . . it could disrupt their ability to form attachments later when youre having a visitation thats fun and games. But particularly with an adult who is good with children and then youre having to go back into a living environment where you might be at a phase where limits are being set . . . that can cause problems with children. And I guess it could cause short- term problems from the standpoint of their ability to function . . . in an adoptive home. Dr. Fuller also traced the connection between Thomass prior conduct and his likely inability to conform his conduct over the long term to appropriately parent his daughters. She noted the chronicity of [Thomass] past behavior, and the fact that Thomas had only begun his reforms at the last-possible-minute, after the children had already spent years in OCS custody. As the superior court noted, other evidence supports Dr. Fullers prediction that failure to terminate Thomass parental rights would pose an unacceptable risk to his daughters. A mental health assessment of Amelie in October 2006 similarly concluded that Thomas represented an undesirable presence in his daughters life: In terms of visitation with the father, the multi-volume case file shows that he has been given many opportunities to fulfill the role of father and surfacing again now to enter the life of his children, as if it were another fresh start for him, just creates the specter that the child will again respond with hope. She will likely think her dad will be able to sustain an interest in her and become a real father. If her hopes are proven again to be misplaced as they have many times in the past the eventual result is damage to the childs capacity for attachment. The social worker went on to express concern that Thomas seems intent on pressing his place as father inserting himself emotionally between [Amelie] and her uncle, potentially leading Amelie to feel wrong and not to accept her potential adoptive parents as her real family. Superior Court Judge Mark Rindner later upheld the decision to deny Thomass visitation privileges with Amelie. Like Amelie, Ariel has spent her life in the care of people other than her father. Thomas has maintained contact with Ariel, attending eighteen of twenty-two scheduled weekly visitations, but he admitted that because the visits were only an hour long, he never tried to exercise the skills that were taught in his parenting classes. We have held that a trial court must find both proof that the parents conduct is likely to harm the children, and proof that it is unlikely that the parent will change [his] conduct,38 in order to terminate parental rights under 25 U.S.C. 1912(f). The trial court made findings on both counts, and the testimony of expert and lay witnesses provides sufficient evidence to support those findings. V. CONCLUSION Thomass long history of substance abuse and frequent incarceration has placed Amelie and Ariel in need of aid. Although OCS made active efforts to prevent the breakup of Thomass family, he did not take advantage of those efforts until it was too late, when granting him custody over the children posed an unacceptable risk of harm. Accordingly, we AFFIRM the decision of the superior court. _______________________________ 1 We use pseudonyms for all family members to protect their privacy. 2 Thomas maintains that he slipped in the shower and afterwards his mother gave him two pills for pain that he thought were aspirin. 3 The Family CARE Court is a therapeutic court program for child in need of aid cases, designed to address the needs of parents with identified substance abuse problems. It combines intensive judicial supervision and monitoring with treatment and the coordinated delivery of assessments and services. 4 AS 47.10.011 provides in part: Subject to AS 47.10.019, the court may find a child to be a child in need of aid if it finds by a preponderance of the evidence that the child has been subjected to any of the following: . . . . (2) a parent, guardian, or custodian is incarcerated, the other parent is absent or has committed conduct or created conditions that cause the child to be a child in need of aid under this chapter, and the incarcerated parent has not made adequate arrangements for the child; . . . . (10) the parent, guardian, or custodians ability to parent has been substantially impaired by the addictive or habitual use of an intoxicant, and the addictive or habitual use of the intoxicant has resulted in a substantial risk of harm to the child[.] 5 See id. at (2). 6 Brynna B. v. State, Dept of Health & Soc. Servs., Div. of Family & Youth Servs., 88 P.3d 527, 529 (Alaska 2004). 7 Id. 8 Id. 9 25 U.S.C. 19011963 (2008). 10 Gilbert M. v. State, 139 P.3d 581, 586 (Alaska 2006). 11 AS 47.10.088(a)(2)(A)(B). 12 Sherry R. v. State, Dept of Health & Soc. Servs., Div. of Family & Youth Servs., 74 P.3d 896 (Alaska 2003). 13 AS 47.10.088(b). 14 OCS had sought to apply the abandonment provision, AS 47.10.011(1), to Ana, which may have led to a typographical error in the trial courts written order. The trial courts oral findings provide a much more thorough explanation of its analysis, however, and leave us with no doubt that it did not intend to rely on AS 47.10.011(1). 15 AS 47.10.011(10). 16 74 P.3d at 902-03. 17 Id. at 898-900. 18 Id. at 899. 19 Id. at 902-03. 20 Id. at 903. 21 Id. at 902. 22 Martin N. v. State, Dept of Health & Soc. Servs., Div. of Family & Youth Servs., 79 P.3d 50, 56 (Alaska 2003) (quoting AS 47.05.065(5)). 23 25 U.S.C. 1912(d). 24 AS 47.10.086(a). 25 Id. at (a)(1)(2). 26 19 P.3d 597 (Alaska 2001). 27 Id. at 602-03 (internal citations omitted). 28 Id. at 604. 29 Id. at 603. 30 See E.A. v. State, Div. of Family & Youth Servs., 46 P.3d 986 (Alaska 2002). 31 46 P.3d 986. 32 Id. at 988. 33 Id. 34 Id. at 990. 35 25 U.S.C. 1912(f). 36 L.G. v. State, Dept of Health & Social Servs., 14 P.3d 946, 952-53 (Alaska 2000) (emphasis omitted). 37 E.A., 46 P.3d at 991-92. 38 L.G., 14 P.3d at 950.
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