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In re Dependency of C. C.3/1/1999
result, Ohm was unable to push Mother and Father to learn additional parenting skills.
In September 1996, CPS Caseworker Judith Self was assigned to C. C.'s case. Self mailed two letters recommending services, including parenting classes through the Association of Retarded Persons. Mother and Father did not participate in these classes. Self maintained that she made many efforts to contact Mother and Father, but received no responses. Self opined that "there was no indication, behaviorally from either parent that would indicate to me that they had any intention of following through . . . with these services." 4 Report of Proceedings at 12-13.
On November 26, 1996, the State filed a petition to terminate Mother's and Father's parental rights with C. C. At the ensuing termination hearing, Drs. Weinberg and Johnson, CPS Caseworkers Gallagher and Self, and Home Specialist Ohm testified as above indicated.
Father reported that he saw a psychologist three or four times in March 1997, and Mother reported that she participated in individual counseling. But neither parent sought couples counseling or other equivalent counseling to address the domestic violence issues, and neither participated in any parenting classes designed to meet his and her need for slower paced, hands-on training. Father explained that he would attend the Association of Retarded Persons parenting classes if he had the address, but then admitted that he had received a letter from Self with details about the classes. Mother also stated that she received and understood two letters from Self about the Association of Retarded Persons parenting classes.
In addition, the parents testified about domestic violence incidents between them. In April 1996, Mother was arrested for throwing a VCR at Father and threatening to stab him. Mother testified that she had a night seizure in March 1996, during which she pushed Father off the bed and into the nightstand, cutting his neck. And Mother and Father admitted that they were both arrested in 1994, before C. C. was born, for domestic violence.
Aunt Sharon and Uncle Robert also testified at the termination hearing. Aunt Sharon stated that Mother called her up to seven or eight times each day to ask if C. C. had eaten and if his diaper had been changed. Uncle Robert testified that, while Father was present, Mother pointed to a birth mark on C. C.'s forehead and accused Uncle Robert of abusing the child. After this accusation, Aunt Sharon and Uncle Robert avoided contact with Mother and Father. Aunt Sharon, who has known Mother since Mother was 2 or 3 years old, stated that she was concerned about Mother's "anger and rages and violence." 2 Report of Proceedings at 164. When asked if she had any fear of Mother, Aunt Sharon responded, "Some." Id. at 174. Aunt Sharon and Uncle Robert were willing to adopt C. C., but were not willing to provide supervision for any ongoing visitation between C. C. and his parents, such as might be required for an open adoption.
Nancy Leonardson, C. C.'s guardian ad litem, testified that she observed Mother and Father visiting C. C. in January 1996 and June 1996. Leonardson "was concerned about {her} own personal safety" and felt uncomfortable going to Mother and Father's home after learning about Mother's unpredictable behavior and uncontrollable seizures. 3 Report of Proceedings at 109. In addition, Leonardson testified that she was aware that one of the case workers protected herself against Mother and Father by arranging for a police officer to be present in the courtroom during one of C. C.'s hearings. Therefore, Leonardson elected to hold Mother and Father's visits with C. C. in a CPS office.
During
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