 |
 |
to fill out a simple form to connect to Employee Leasing Services in your area.
|
|
|
|
|
In re Antony B.8/17/1999
The respondent mother, appeals from the judgments of the trial court terminating her parental rights in her twin sons, A and T. The respondent claims that the trial court improperly (1) held that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), 42 U.S.C. ยง 12101 et seq., does not apply to termination of parental rights proceedings, (2) found by clear and convincing evidence that the department had made reasonable efforts at reunification and (3) found that it was in the children's best interests to terminate the respondent mother's rights instead of transferring guardianship. We affirm the judgments of the trial court.
The following facts are necessary to the resolution of this appeal. The respondent has suffered from psychiatric disorders since the 1980s when she was diagnosed with schizo-affective disorder. The respondent was placed on medication that, when taken as directed, improved her condition dramatically. While on the medication, the respondent was able to carry on a nearly normal lifestyle. The respondent received a bachelor of science degree at the University of Connecticut and was just two months short of receiving her nursing degree from St. Francis Hospital when she stopped taking her medication in 1991. After she stopped taking her medication, her condition deteriorated and she found herself living in shelters.
The respondent gave birth to A and T prematurely at twenty-seven weeks of gestation on December 30, 1994. During the course of her pregnancy with the twins, she did not seek prenatal care and was living with the twins' father. She moved out prior to the twins' birth, however, because the father became physically abusive toward her. The respondent moved into a room in a homeless shelter that was frequently littered with empty alcoholic beverage bottles. When the respondent gave birth to the twins, she had to be placed in four point restraints and be sedated because she was abusive and actively psychotic. Upon her discharge, the respondent was resistant to treatment and failed to take part in the services offered by the department to allow her to take the twins home with her when they were well enough to be discharged. She appeared to be apathetic towards the twins' condition and care.
The respondent, even after the twins' birth, refused offers of assistance and failed to take her medication as prescribed. The commissioner of children and families (commissioner) sought and was granted an order of temporary custody of the twins on February 10, 1995. The commissioner placed A and T with the respondent's brother and sister-in-law in Maine. The children are currently living with their aunt and uncle and have adjusted to their surroundings.
The respondent was admitted to Cedarcrest Regional Hospital, where she remained for a period of one month. She was diagnosed as having a schizo-affective disorder and that diagnosis has not changed over time. The respondent saw Elizabeth Villotas, a psychotherapist, from December, 1995, through May, 1997. Villotas stated that the respondent has a "psychotic illness of sufficient severity to require regular treatment and medication. She has delusional ideas and trouble keeping organized enough for her own care and is extremely unlikely to be able to do so for others, especially young children." Villotas further testified that the respondent was probably in a violent relationship with the father and that there were concerns of domestic violence. The respondent was confused, sometimes admitting to the violence and, other times, denying that any violence occurred.
In addition to the concerns about the respondent's volatile relationship with the father, Villotas suspected that the respondent was abusing a
Page 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Connecticut Employee Leasing Services
Employee Leasing Services
|
| |
to fill out a simple form to connect to Employee Leasing Services in your area.
|
|