K.M. Appeal by A.A. - Termination of Parental Rights
Summary
The Pennsylvania Superior Court issued a non-precedential decision regarding the appeal of A.A. concerning the termination of parental rights for K.M. The decision addresses appeals filed under docket numbers 1228 WDA 2025 and 1229 WDA 2025.
What changed
The Pennsylvania Superior Court has issued a non-precedential decision in the consolidated appeals of A.A. and C.P.M. (collectively, Parents) concerning the involuntary termination of their parental rights to their minor children, K.M. and K.D.M. The appeals stem from orders entered by the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County Orphans’ Court on September 2 and 3, 2025. The specific grounds for termination and the court's reasoning are detailed within the opinion.
This decision is primarily of interest to legal professionals involved in family law and child welfare cases within Pennsylvania. As a non-precedential decision, it does not set binding legal precedent but may inform future similar cases. No specific compliance actions are required for regulated entities outside of the parties involved in this specific case. The filing date of the opinion is March 17, 2026.
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March 17, 2026 Get Citation Alerts Download PDF Add Note
In the Interest of: K.M., Appeal of: A.A.
Superior Court of Pennsylvania
- Citations: None known
- Docket Number: 1228 WDA 2025
- Precedential Status: Non-Precedential
Judges: Panella
Combined Opinion
by [Jack A. Panella](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8243/jack-a-panella/)
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NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT O.P. 65.37
IN THE INTEREST OF: K.M., A : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
MINOR : PENNSYLVANIA
:
:
APPEAL OF: A.A., MOTHER :
:
:
:
: No. 1228 WDA 2025
Appeal from the Order Entered September 3, 2025
In the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County Orphans’ Court at
No(s): CP-02-AP-0000040-2025
IN THE INTEREST OF: K.D.M., A : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
MINOR : PENNSYLVANIA
:
:
APPEAL OF: A.A., MOTHER :
:
:
:
: No. 1229 WDA 2025
Appeal from the Order Entered September 2, 2025
In the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County Orphans’ Court at
No(s): CP-02-AP-0000041-2025
IN THE INTEREST OF: K.M., A : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
MINOR : PENNSYLVANIA
:
:
APPEAL OF: C.P.M., FATHER :
:
:
:
: No. 1305 WDA 2025
Appeal from the Order Entered September 3, 2025
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In the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County Orphans’ Court at
No(s): CP-02-AP-0000040-2025
IN THE INTEREST OF: K.D.M., A : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
MINOR : PENNSYLVANIA
:
:
APPEAL OF: C.P.M., FATHER :
:
:
:
: No. 1306 WDA 2025
Appeal from the Order Entered September 2, 2025
In the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County Orphans’ Court at
No(s): CP-02-AP-0000041-2025
BEFORE: BOWES, J., PANELLA, P.J.E., and STEVENS, P.J.E.*
MEMORANDUM BY PANELLA, P.J.E.: FILED: March 17, 2026
A.A. (“Mother”) and C.P.M. (“Father”) (collectively, “Parents”) appeal1
from the September 2, 2025, and September 3, 2025, orders involuntarily
terminating their parental rights to their minor children, K.M. (d.o.b. June
- Former Justice specially assigned to the Superior Court.
1 This Court consolidated each of Mother’s and Father’s appeals sua sponte on
October 24, 2025. We address the appeals of Mother and Father in this
consolidated Memorandum.
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2021) and K.D.M. (d.o.b. August 2022) (collectively, “Children”).2 A brief
factual and procedural history was addressed in the Orphans’ Court Opinion:
It appears that Mother and Father were an intact family until
sometime in 2023. On October 6th, 2023[,] police were called to
Mother’s home after the children were found wandering alone in
the street. When police arrived, they found the home in deplorable
condition and believed Mother to be suffering from a mental health
episode. She was involuntarily committed to Western Psychiatric
Institute and Clinic [(“WPIC”)] that night and the children were
placed in protective custody. [Allegheny Office of Children Youth
and Families (“OCYF”]) sought and was granted an Emergency
Custody Order for the children[ who] were formally removed from
Mother’s care on October 7th, 2023. Mother was hospitalized until
October 30th, 2023. OCYF attempted to locate Father but was
unsuccessful and the children were placed in foster care. Several
weeks later, Father was located but reported that he could not
take custody of the children because he was homeless at that
time. When the OCYF caseworkers were finally able to interview
the parents, they both reported a history of intimate partner
violence (hereinafter “IPV”). Father reported that he had
separated from Mother and had sporadic contact with the children.
The parties appeared for an Adjudicatory Hearing on November
30th , 2023 where both children were adjudicated dependent. The
court ordered the children to remain in their respective foster care
placements[, where they still remained 22 months’ later at the
time of the termination of parental rights (“TPR”) hearing]. Mother
was court ordered to participate in mental health treatment and
medication management, to work with coached parenting, and to
2 On May 7, 2025, the court appointed KidsVoice as legal counsel for Children,
making a finding that there was no conflict between Children’s legal and best
interests. See N.T. TPR Hearing, 8/8/25, at 5. At the August 8, 2025,
termination of parental rights (“TPR”) hearing, Attorney Jennifer McGarrity of
KidsVoice represented that, since the May 2025 appointment, she had met
with Children, then four and two years’ old, and that, based on their ages and
development, there continued to be no conflict because Children were unable
to understand the proceedings or express a preferred outcome. See id. Based
on this representation, the court expressly found that there was no conflict in
Attorney McGarrity representing both Children’s legal and best interests. See
id. at 6.
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clean her home. Father was ordered to complete a POWER and
mental health evaluations and follow all recommendations. He
was also referred to coached parenting. Both parents were
ordered to work with in-home services to coordinate services.
Orphans’ Court Opinion, 10/24/25, at 1-2 (unnecessary capitalization
omitted; pagination provided).3
Between the adjudicatory hearing and the April 10, 2025 filing of the
termination of parental rights (“TPR”) petition, Parents appeared for
permanency review hearings on March 14, 2024, June 20, 2024, September
19, 2024, and December 12, 2024. They appeared for two more hearings, on
April 10, 2025 and July 16, 2025, after the petition had been filed.
At five of the six permanency review hearings, Father was found to be
minimally compliant with his reunification goals and to have made minimal
progress toward alleviating the circumstances that necessitated placement of
Children. His contact with OCYF was sporadic, he did not engage in drug and
alcohol treatment, and had been discharged from POWER and the coached
parenting program for lack of contact. He did not consistently attend random
drug screens, and was not actively participating in drug and alcohol, mental
health, or IPV treatment. Although the court found him moderately compliant
and that he had made moderate progress at the December 12, 2024 hearing,
Father remained homeless and had not been attending drug screens or IPV
3 The Orphans’ Court authored one thorough opinion explaining its termination
decision as to both Parents. It is filed it at each of their docket numbers.
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counseling consistently. At the April 10, 2025 hearing, held after the TPR
petition had been filed, the court also found Father was not consistently
attending visits with Children.
Mother’s minimal and moderate compliance and progress was about
50/50. Specifically, at the March 14, 2024, June 20, 2024, and April 10, 2025
hearings, Mother was found to be minimally compliant with her reunification
goals and progress in alleviating the circumstances necessitating Children’s
removal and placement. On September 19, 2024, December 12, 2024, and
July 16, 2025, the court found Mother moderately compliant and that she had
made moderate progress. Earlier in the case, Mother failed to maintain contact
with OCYF, had not engaged in drug and alcohol treatment and was discharged
from POWER and coached parenting for lack of contact. Mother started visiting
Children and engaged with the coach parenting program. She was engaged in
mental health treatment, but was not consistently attending drug screens.
Mother’s compliance improved to moderate in the fall and early winter of 2024,
engaging in mental health treatment, completing a round of IPV treatment,
and consistently visiting Children. However, Mother was still not compliant
with random drug screens and had missed some visits with Children. At the
permanency review hearings held immediately after the TPR petition was filed,
the court found Mother in minimal compliance with minimal progress again.
Mother would not sign releases for OCYF to obtain information about her
mental health treatment and she continued to have problems with service
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providers, a consistent issue since the Adjudicatory Hearing. On the positive
side, the court rated Mother as moderately compliant with moderate progress
in July 2025, a few weeks before the TPR hearing.
Most concerningly, a recurrent theme was the IPV between the parties.
Mother was arrested and charged with domestic violence during the June 10,
2024 reporting period. Despite Mother completing a round of IPV treatment
as of the September 19, 2024 permanency review hearing, the orphans’ court
explained that:
[Approximately six months’ later, on] March 31st , 2025, police
were dispatched to UPMC McKeesport for a possible assault. When
officers arrived at the scene, Father reported that Mother had
physically attacked him prior to coming to the hospital. The police
noted that Father had visible injuries to his face and neck. While
the officers were attempting to retrieve Father’s phone from
Mother, she became combative. The officers had to forcibly take
Mother into custody. [Mother was criminally charged and a no-
contact order was entered precluding contact between Mother and
Father.]
On May 26th , 2025, [more than six weeks after OCYF filed the
TPR petition,] McKeesport Police officer Anthony LeDonne
responded to a call at Mother’s home. When he arrived on the
scene, Officer LeDonne observed Father to be covered in blood[,
despite the existing no-contact order between the parties. See
N.T. TPR Hearing, 8/8/25, at 7.] Father reported to the officer that
Mother cut him with a knife. [See id. at 9, 15.] When Officer
LeDonne entered the home, he reported that it was in disarray
and that there was broken glass throughout the apartment. Officer
LeDonne observed Mother to have fresh cuts on her face and
testified that Mother reported that Father had caused those
injuries. Based on his training and experience, Officer LeDonne
believed that the injuries he observed on Mother were self-
inflicted and that she had been the aggressor. He further reported
that Mother was in a “manic state”. [Id.] at 14. She was criminally
charged as a result of this incident[, although the charges were
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later dropped for Father’s refusal to cooperate]. Mother was also
involuntarily committed and placed on a psychiatric hold.
Orphans’ Court Opinion, 10/24/25, at 4-5 (pagination provided; unnecessary
capitalization omitted).
The court held a contested TPR hearing on August 8, 2025. At the
hearing, OCYF caseworker Rhianna Diana testified that OCYF got involved with
the family in October 2023 after the incident in which police had responded to
the family’s home, observed K.D. wandering alone naked, assumed protective
custody of Children, and taken Mother to WPIC. See N.T. TPR Hearing, 8/8/25,
at 128-29, 200. Mother told OCYF that she let Children, then aged one and
two, go out at night because she heard a voice telling her that Children would
be better off. See id. at 132. At the home, Children were sleeping in rooms
that had feces smeared on the walls, and Mother admitted she could not care
for them due to her mental health. See id. at 129, 132-33, 201.
OCYF could not immediately locate Father, who was homeless. See id.
at 129. When he was located, Father said he had inconsistent contact with
Mother and Children because he had been kicked out of the home. He admitted
he was on probation and had a lengthy criminal history. See id. at 130.
Between Children’s removal and the Dependency Adjudication, CYF offered
Father services. Father was offered a Father Engagement Specialist (“FES”),
referred for IPV treatment, and offered a POWER (drug and alcohol) referral.
See id. at 136.
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Diana testified Parents’ court-ordered and Family Plan goals included
addressing sobriety, mental health, IPV and housing4; and attending
supervised visits with Children. See id. at 140, 157. Although drug concerns
were not the primary reason OCYF was involved with the family and Mother
was only referred for one POWER assessment, OCYF was concerned about
Mother’s sobriety and her ability to keep Children safe because, even though
she eventually obtained a medical marijuana card, Mother admitted she
becomes paranoid when using the drug. See id. at 141-42, 212. Despite
Father’s corroboration with Mother’s claim that she completed the POWER
assessment and was told she did not have substance abuse concerns, she did
not provide Diana with any proof that it occurred. See id. at 141, 360-61.
Mother failed to attend all required drug screens. Diana testified that Mother
admitted at the April permanency review hearing that someone gave her
cocaine at a party, and that Mother said she was “able to dabble because she’s
still young and likes to party.” Id. at 143; see id. at 142, 333.
Father’s sobriety goal was created to evaluate if he needed treatment
other than, or in addition to, medical marijuana. See id. at 157. Diana and
OCYF case aides smelled marijuana on Father several times, although this was
not appropriate at visits. See id. at 158-59. POWER evaluations were made
4 Diana testified that CYF considered Mother’s housing goal met since she
addressed the cleanliness issue and maintained appropriate housing
throughout the case after Children’s removal. See N.T. TPR Hearing, 8/8/25,
at 153-54, 214.
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for Father, which he never attended despite in-home services and the FES,
which could have assisted him with attending his evaluations or other
substance abuse treatment. See id. at 160, 215.
Tarraca Jackson from the Allegheny County Health Department testified
that Mother only attended ten of thirty-four screens, with nine positive for
marijuana and one positive for cocaine. See id. at 23. Father was called in for
thirty urine screens and had twenty-nine no-shows. The five urine samples
they did get all tested positive for marijuana. See id. at 24-25.
One of OCYF’s main concerns was Mother’s mental health because it
interfered with her ability to keep Children safe and, although Mother reported
being in treatment at WPIC, she refused to sign releases, so OCYF was unable
to confirm her participation. See id. at 134, 143-44. Mother started attending
weekly therapy sessions on April 3, 2025 through July 10, 2025, in part
because of her involuntary commitment at Clarion Psychiatric, but OCYF still
did not receive supporting documentation. See id. at 213. According to OCYF
supervisor Anthony Pedecino, Mother made some progress after she began
mental health treatment and medication, with her appearing agreeable, easy
to talk to, and not argumentative. See id. at 214. However, when Mother did
not like what was said to her, she turned belligerent and verbally aggressive,
calling Diana names, with the latest incident occurring just four months before
the TPR hearing. See id. at 145-46.
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The court and OCYF also wanted Father to connect with mental health
treatment. Although the FES and in-home services provided by OCYS could
have helped Father to meet that goal, he never documented any mental health
treatment. See id. at 161. Father was shot in the leg in 2024, after which he
was afraid to leave his home. Caseworker Diana testified that following that
incident she had numerous conversations with Father about engaging in
mental health treatment, and he finally reported being engaged with Auberle,
for which he signed a release. See id. at 162 63. Records indicated that he
did a mental health intake on April 30, 2025. See id. at 215, 227-28. Father
testified he started therapy at Auberle after that to address mental health
issues including PTSD and IPV, but had not seen his therapist for two months
as of the TPR hearing. See id. at 358-59.
In-home and FES services also were offered to assist Father with
obtaining appropriate housing, since he was homeless when OCYF opened the
case, staying on and off with Mother, friends, and his Mother. See id. at 165,
Auberle started working with him on his housing goal on September 27,
Although Father obtained housing in February of 2025, he was evicted
after the May 26, 2025 IPV incident, since Mother broke windows and
destroyed the home’s interior. See id. at 167, 217).
Relatedly, OCYF’s major concern was the level of IPV in the home.
Mother completed one round of 8-10 classes of IPV treatment by September
of 2024. See id. at 154-55, 156, 201. She then sporadically attended further
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IPV treatment. But, despite this, there were two recent incidents of IPV
between Mother and Father in March and May of 2025, only a few months
before the TPR hearing. See id. at 155. Since the May incident, Mother was
referred to the Batterer’s Intervention Program, but as of the TPR hearing,
she still was on the waiting list. See id. at 214-15. Mother admitted there had
been IPV incidents between Father and her prior to the removal of the Children
and that they do not have a healthy relationship. See id. at 360. Mother
claimed to be “a hundred percent aware of” the impact of violence on Children.
Id. at 328. Despite there being an IPV incident in which she was the aggressor
only three months before, she stated she did everything she could to protect
Children. See id. at 328-29. Diana testified that Mother had made some
progress within the last month or month and a half before the TPR hearing,
but did not believe she had made sufficient progress in addressing the IPV
concerns. See id. at 196.
Caseworker Diana further testified that Father participated in two
sessions of IPV treatment through the Women’s Center and Shelter. See id.
at 163, 205. Supervisor Pedicino testified Father attended one session of IPV
treatment in April of 2025, and that when he saw Father after the March 31st
IPV incident, Father had a black eye along with scratches and welts down his
neck. See id. at 216. At that time, Father told Caseworker Diana that he was
scared and worried he could not keep himself or his children safe. Although
he told her he was ready to engage in IPV treatment because he felt he needed
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it, Caseworker James testified Father had not yet engaged in treatment for
IPV as of July 3, 2025. See id. at 164-65, 233.
Mother’s UPMC therapist, Kate Thurston-Griswold, testified she began
working with Mother in August 2024, but Mother’s attendance had been
sporadic, with her cancelling and failing to attend more recently due to
incarceration and hospitalization See id. at 294, 298, 310. Mother’s therapy
goals included addressing her trauma history and changing patterns in how
she coped with change and conflict. See id. at 296. Thurston-Griswold has
observed progress in Mother’s insight into how trauma has shaped her and
her patterns of behavior. See id. at 301. However, Thurston-Griswold was not
fully aware of Mother’s IPV history. See id. at 305-07. Although Mother
testified she was addressing her IPV issues with Thurston-Griswold, the
therapist acknowledged she is not a domestic violence therapist. See id. at
- In fact, she was unaware that the responding police officer believed
Mother’s wounds at the latest IPV incident were self-inflicted and conceded
that for Mother to have been involuntarily committed there had to have been
a determination that she was considered a danger to herself or others. See
id. at 302, 305, 307-08. Mother also started seeing a psychiatrist a few
months prior to the hearing. See id. at 311.
OCYS offered Father coached visitation through the Children’s Institute,
but he did not engage in the services, although he and Mother did complete
coached parenting through Justice Works. See id. at 138, 275-76. Parents’
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visitation with the Children remained supervised throughout the life of the
case due to concerns about their ability to meet Children’s needs, and how
Parents’ mental health and IPV affected their parenting abilities. See id. at
148-51, 165, 217.
Despite both Children having special needs, Mother’s attendance at their
medical and therapeutic appointments had been sporadic, and OCYF was not
aware of Father ever attending. See id. at 218, 236-37. Children’s Foster
Parents had to be appointed as secondary educational and medical decision-
makers because Mother and Father did not sign consent forms, resulting in
service delays. See id. at 137, 153, 245, 264-65. K.M. receives speech and
physical therapies, wears orthotics to strengthen and straighten his legs, and
is on a waitlist for outpatient behavioral therapy. See id. at 237. K.D.M. was
diagnosed with attachment disorder, is on a waitlist for trauma therapy, and
is receiving behavioral health services, occupational therapy, and
developmental specialist interventions. See id. at 238-39. Both sets of Foster
Parents ensure K.M. and K.D.M. receive all necessary medical and therapeutic
care. See id. at 237-39.
Pressley Ridge Treatment Coordinator Thomas Lee testified Mother did
not visit K.M. regularly although Father did, one time dropping off Christmas
gifts for him. See id. at 244, 255. Although Mother occasionally brought food,
both Parents generally relied on whatever Foster Parents provided. See id. at
- Lee testified K.M. greeted Mother enthusiastically and is affectionate with
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her, but both Parents had difficulty keeping track of him. See id. at 248-49.
On one occasion, Mother became verbally aggressive with Lee, and threatened
another visit supervisor via text. See id. at 245, 247.
Catherine Kellner from Adoption Connections supervised visits with
K.D.M. See id. at 257. She said Parents did visit consistently. See id. at 270.
She stated that she was concerned about Parents’ ability to keep Children safe
and supervising, as, when paying attention to one child they would ignore the
other, leading to potentially dangerous situations. See id. 248. Kellner
observed K.D.M. being allowed to climb on chairs and tables, put too much
food in his mouth at a time, and being left alone. See id. at 256, 260-61.
Bruce Goldhagen, visit supervisor for Justice Works, stated he worked
with Parents for approximately six months starting on June 10, 2024. See id.
at 275. According to Goldhagen, his initial concern with Mother’s parenting
was her tendency to be overly-emotional about Children, although this had
dissipated. Id. at 277. She was able to attend to Children’s needs and there
were no safety issues during either Parent’s visits. Id. at 278-79, 288, 292.
Although Mother was discharged successfully, visits were never able to occur
in the family home because of Parents’ transient nature. See id. at 281.
Neither Parent brough diapers. See id. at 288. Goldhagen admitted that
coached visits were just snapshots in a controlled environment and that visit
coaching in the OCYF office is very different than living with a child 24/7. See
id. at 283, 285.
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Dr. Beth Bliss, Ph.D. testified at length as an expert witness and had
issued two reports. See CYF Exhibit 6. Dr. Bliss performed evaluations of
Mother on September 10, 2024, and July 22, 2025, and evaluations of Father
on September 10, 2024, and August 5, 2025. Both Parents told her about IPV
between them. See id. at 40. Mother told Dr. Bliss that, in addition to her
relationship with Father, she had a history of relationships involving IPV. See
id. at 32, 40. Dr. Bliss testified it appeared that Mother had not made any
progress in the area of IPV, which can pose a physical risk to the Children if
they are present for an incident and, in fact, Father testified K.M. was present
and in the way during one of the domestic disputes and actually got hit
accidentally. See id. at 39-41, 113.
Dr. Bliss testified to the increased risk that Mother, as a person in a
physically abusive relationship, will abuse the Children, not to mention the
fear, anger, or sadness, and increased risk of mental health problems,
behavioral issues, and relationship problems the Children could develop over
time. See id. at 33. Dr. Bliss concluded Mother did not seem to understand
Children’s emotional needs and the importance of not being exposed to violent
behaviors. See id. at 56, 69. Dr. Bliss said that Father admitted the March
31, 2025 and May 26, 2025 IPV incidents, in which he usually is the victim,
but that he has hit Mother in self-defense. Dr. Bliss also testified that Father
missed court on the most recent incident. See id. at 72, 95. Mother was
unwilling to talk about the May 26, 2025 IPV incident that resulted in her
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arrest, stating she felt she is not permitted by OCYF to make a single mistake.
See id. at 71. Mother testified she would not talk about the IPV incidents
because she was afraid she would not be understood or believed, and that the
court would believe anything Dr. Bliss said since she is a licensed provider.
See id. at 348-50. However, Dr. Bliss believed Mother was minimizing the
incident and IPV’s effect on Children. See id. at 72.
Father admitted drug use to Dr. Bliss, claiming it was not at an abusive
or dependent level. However, he also admitted that he was adjudicated when
he was fourteen and kept violating probation due to testing positive for
marijuana. See id. at 41. Father also admitted to his history of delinquent and
criminal behavior since that time. See id. at 41-42.
Dr. Bliss diagnosed Mother as bipolar, requiring medication and talk
therapy, but said Mother was not on medication as of September 2024,
although she was attending therapy. See id. at 36-38. In Mother’s September
2024 evaluation she understood she was having delusional thoughts that
impacted her ability to parent the Children, but, in the recent July 2025
evaluation, she did not understand the ongoing concerns. See id. at 39. Dr.
Bliss testified that, without Mother understanding the continued concerns, she
would have significant apprehension about Mother’s ability to make
meaningful change. See id. at 39-40.
Dr. Bliss diagnosed Father with antisocial personality disorder and post-
traumatic stress disorder (“PTSD”). See id. at 42. Although Father stated he
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was no longer going to see Mother for the safety of the Children, Dr. Bliss was
not sure whether this could be believed since he had said this before and then
returned. See id. at 98. Dr. Bliss recommended therapy and IPV treatment
for Father. See id. at 43. In his August 2025 evaluation, he reported being in
both IPV and mental health treatment at Auberle, but Dr. Bliss was unable to
verify the treatment. See id. at 44, 52. Although Father seemed to understand
Children’s needs, Dr. Bliss concluded that he is not able to meet their safety
and stability needs at the present time. See id. at 56.
Dr. Bliss also performed evaluations between Parents and Children. K.M.
was excited to see Father and K.D.M. gave him a high-five. See id. at 49.
Father seemed comfortable and got on the floor to play with them. K.D.M.
appeared to be trying to figure out his relationship with Father, but K.M.
appeared comfortable with him. See id. at 50-51. Dr. Bliss opined that there
was at least some bond between Father and Children, but she remained
concerned about his parenting and ability to protect them and himself. See
id. at 100, 102. K.M. shared some bond with Mother, but his attachment was
anxious. See id. at 44, 49, 75. K.D.M. exhibited a very limited bond with
Mother. See id. at 48. Although Dr. Bliss found Mother to be positive in her
parenting approach, she was unable to engage both Children simultaneously,
which could be a safety issue. See id. at 46-47, 49, 63.
Dr. Bliss testified both Children appear to have a good relationship with
their Foster Parents, with both Children viewing their respective Foster Parents
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as their psychological parents, the people they turn to in order to have their
needs met. See id. at 120-21. She testified that K.D.M.’s Foster Parents
encouraged his verbal development, engaged in imaginary play together,
laughed and enjoyed time together. K.D.M. has a positive, healthy attachment
and bond with them, looking to them anytime he needed help, and is receptive
to his foster mother setting limits for him. See id. at 53-54. K.M.’s Foster
Parents also encouraged verbal development with him. He calls them “Mommy
and Daddy.” Id. at 54. Caseworker Ciera James testified similarly regarding
K.M. and K.D.M., observing that they get along well with the other children in
their respective foster homes, that K.M. calls his foster parents “Mommy” and
“Daddy,” and that both Children seek out their Foster Parents to meet their
needs and for comfort. See id. at 169-70.
Dr. Bliss testified both sets of Foster Parents appeared to be meeting
Children’s needs and are appropriate adoptive resources. See id. at 55.
Caseworkers Diana, James, Lee, and Kellner all testified similarly that Children
are bonded with their respective Foster Parents, who provide a loving, safe
home for Children and meet their needs. See id. at 169, 170, 234-35, 251,
265-66. Removal from their Foster Parents could potentially be detrimental as
they have been with their Foster Parents safely and securely for 22 months, a
large period of their lives.
Dr. Bliss opined that termination of Parents’ parental rights would be in
Children’s best interests. See id. at 57. According to her, K.D.M. would not
- 18 - J-S01017-26 J-S01018-26
experience severe emotional detriment if Mother’s parental rights are
terminated. K.M. does have an anxious bond to Mother, so Dr. Bliss noted he
would recognize the loss of their parental rights more than K.D.M. would, but
that would be ameliorated by his strong, secure, positive attachment with his
Foster Parents. See id. at 56-57, 88, 122.
Dr. Bliss had particular concerns about whether Father would stay away
from Mother to create a safe environment for Children and the fact that
Mother’s mental health needed to be stabilized, which would require
substantial time. See id. at 59-60. He testified that the Children need safety,
security, stability, and consistency in housing. See id. at 59. Dr. Bliss’s
ultimate recommendation was the termination of parental rights because
Children do not have a necessary and beneficial bond with Parents. See id. at
57.5
Similarly, despite there being a bond between Children and Parents,
Caseworker Diana testified much more time would be needed before OCYF
would feel comfortable recommending anything other than supervised contact
between Parents and Children. See id. at 168, 199. Although Father had made
progress, it was only within the last month and a half before the TPR petition
had been filed. See id. at 196. Due to the fact Children had been in care for
5 Children’s counsel filed briefs on their behalf wherein she agrees with the
orphans’ court that CYF provided clear and convincing evidence to support the
termination of Parents’ parental rights. See Children’s Brief, Nos. 1228 & 1229
WDA 2025; Children’s Brief, Nos. 1305 &1396 WDA 2025, at 31.
- 19 - J-S01017-26 J-S01018-26
22 months as of the TPR hearing, Parents only recently showing progress, and
the significant IPV between Mother and Father putting Children’s safety at risk,
Diana testified that CYF was seeking termination regardless of any bond
Children might have with Parents. CYF believed there will not be extreme
emotional detriment if parental rights are terminated but there would be an
extreme emotional detriment if Children were removed from the care of their
Foster Parents. See id. at 171. Each of Children’s Foster homes is a pre-
adoptive resource and they communicate with each other, get together once
or twice a month and permit the Children to Facetime each other. See id. at
168.
Based on the foregoing, the orphans’ court terminated Parents’ parental
rights pursuant to 23 Pa. C.S.A. §§ 2511(a)(2), (a)(5), and (a)(8) and (b).
Parents timely appealed and filed contemporaneous statements of errors
complained of on appeal. See Pa.R.A.P. 1925(a)(2)(i). The orphans’ court filed
a Rule 1925(a) opinion on October 24, 2025 addressing the decision as to
both Parents. See Pa.R.A.P. 1925(a).
On appeal, Parents challenge the orphans’ court’s conclusion that OCYF
presented clear and convincing evidence to support termination of their
parental rights.
Our scope and standard of review are well-settled:
In an appeal from an order terminating parental rights, our scope
of review is comprehensive: we consider all the evidence
presented as well as the trial court’s factual findings and legal
conclusions. However, our standard of review is narrow: we will
- 20 - J-S01017-26 J-S01018-26
reverse the trial court’s order only if we conclude that the trial
court abused its discretion, made an error of law, or lacked
competent evidence to support its findings. The trial judge’s
decision is entitled to the same deference as a jury verdict.
Interest of R.S.A.D., 341 A.3d 787, 794-95 (Pa. Super. 2025) (citation
omitted).
An abuse of discretion does not result merely because the
reviewing court might have reached a different conclusion or the
facts could support an opposite result. Instead, an appellate court
may reverse for an abuse of discretion only upon demonstration
of manifest unreasonableness, partiality, prejudice, bias, or ill-
will. This standard of review reflects the deference we pay to trial
courts, who often observe the parties first-hand across multiple
hearings.
In considering a petition to terminate parental rights, the orphans’
court must balance the parent’s fundamental right to make
decisions concerning the care, custody, and control of his or her
child with the child’s essential needs for a parent’s care,
protection, and support. Termination of parental rights has
significant and permanent consequences for both the parent and
child. As such, the law of this Commonwealth requires the moving
party to establish the statutory grounds by clear and convincing
evidence, which is evidence that is so clear, direct, weighty, and
convincing as to enable a trier of fact to come to a clear conviction,
without hesitance, of the truth of the precise facts in issue.
Interest of N.A.S., 338 A.3d 191, 196-97 (Pa. Super. 2025) (citation
omitted).
Section 2511 of the Adoption Act governs the involuntary termination of
parental rights and requires a bifurcated analysis. See 23 Pa.C.S.A. § 2511.
The orphans’ court must first consider if termination under one of the eleven
enumerated grounds in Section 2511(a) is supported by the parent’s conduct.
Only if the court determines that the petitioner has established grounds for
- 21 - J-S01017-26 J-S01018-26
termination under Section 2511(a), will the court then assess the petition
under Section 2511(b), which focuses on the needs and welfare of the child.
See In re T.S.M., 71 A.3d 251, 267 (Pa. 2013). A court only will involuntarily
terminate a parent’s rights if the petitioner satisfies both Sections 2511(a)
and (b) by clear and convincing evidence. See Interest of N.A.S., 338 A.3d
at 197.
In the instant case, the orphans’ court terminated Parents’ parental
rights pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S.A. § 2511(a)(2), (a)(5), (a)(8), and (b). To affirm
the order, however, we need only agree with the court’s decision as to any
one subsection of Section 2511(a), along with Section 2511(b). See In re
B.L.W., 843 A.2d 380, 384 (Pa. Super. 2004) (en banc). As such, we will
focus our discussion on Section 2511(a)(2) and (b), which provide as follows:
(a) General rule.—The rights of a parent in regard to a child may
be terminated after a petition filed on any of the following
grounds:
...
(2) The repeated and continued incapacity, abuse,
neglect or refusal of the parent has caused the child
to be without essential parental care, control or
subsistence necessary for his physical or mental well-
being and the conditions and causes of the incapacity,
abuse, neglect or refusal cannot or will not be
remedied by the parent.
...
(b) Other considerations.—The court in terminating the rights
of a parent shall give primary consideration to the developmental,
physical and emotional needs and welfare of the child. The rights
of a parent shall not be terminated solely on the basis of
environmental factors such as inadequate housing, furnishings,
- 22 - J-S01017-26 J-S01018-26
income, clothing and medical care if found to be beyond the
control of the parent. With respect to any petition filed pursuant
to subsection (a)(1), (6) or (8), the court shall not consider any
efforts by the parent to remedy the conditions described therein
which are first initiated subsequent to the giving of notice of the
filing of the petition.
23 Pa.C.S.A. § 2511(a)(2), (b).
To prove the applicability of subsection (a)(2), the party petitioning for
termination must establish:
1) repeated and continued incapacity, abuse, neglect or
refusal;
2) that such incapacity, abuse, neglect or refusal caused the
child to be without essential parental care, control or
subsistence; and
3) that the causes of the incapacity, abuse, neglect or
refusal cannot and will not be remedied.
In re Adoption of A.H., 247 A.3d 439, 443 (Pa. Super. 2021) (citation
omitted). “The grounds for termination of parental rights under Section
2511(a)(2), due to parental incapacity that cannot be remedied, are not
limited to affirmative misconduct; to the contrary those grounds may include
acts of refusal as well as incapacity to perform parental duties.” In re
Adoption of C.P.D., 324 A.3d 11, 26 (Pa. Super. 2024) (citation omitted).
“Parents are required to make diligent efforts towards the reasonably prompt
assumption of full parental responsibilities.” Id. (citation omitted).
Parents argue the record does not contain clear and convincing evidence
for the termination of their parental rights, as it did not reflect “repeated and
continued incapacity, abuse, neglect or refusal” that cannot or will not be
remedied, or that termination is in Children’s best interests. Mother’s Brief, at
- 23 - J-S01017-26 J-S01018-26
60-61; Father’s Brief, at 12-14, 17-18. Parents complain that the termination
of their parental rights fails to appreciate the importance of the biological
family bond, the efforts they have made to achieve their reunification goals,
and “unnecessarily inflicts another significant trauma” on Children. Mother’s
Brief, at 79; see Father’s Brief, at 14-15. However, we observe that Parents
appear to be asking this Court to re-weigh the evidence and testimony in their
favor, which we cannot do. See In re Adoption of B.A.S., 345 A.3d 787,
793 (Pa. Super. 2025) (“This Court will not re-weigh evidence, and we may
not reverse a decision merely because the record could support a different
result.”) (citation and internal quotation marks omitted).
The orphans’ court thoroughly explained the basis for its decision,
observing that, although Parents have had periods of compliance with their
goals, it was not sustained long-term nor on a consistent basis. A significant
observation by the Orphans’ Court was the prevalence of violence in the home.
As it stated:
Domestic violence was the most significant issue in this case as
[P]arents had been involved in several violent incidents. Domestic
violence is always of great concern to the court because of the
impact that it has on children in the home. … In this case, Mother
was often the aggressor and was arrested several times for
physical assaulting Father. Father also admitted that he physically
assaulted Mother on at least one occasion. The relationship
between the two was particularly toxic and unhealthy. After each
incident, neither sought protection from abuse orders and neither
followed through with prosecuting the other. Both parents
attended some form of IPV counseling throughout the history of
the case. Father only attended a few sessions while Mother
completed a course of treatment in 2024. Despite attending
treatment, the incidents became more violent, with the most
- 24 - J-S01017-26 J-S01018-26
significant incident occurring in May of 2025. So, while they both
should be commended for attending some form of treatment, it is
apparent that neither made any significant changes in their
functioning or decision-making. Both Mother and Father lack
insight into the danger that their violent relationship poses to their
children.
Orphans’ Court Opinion, 10/24/25, at 8 (pagination provided; unnecessary
capitalization omitted). Further, the court explained:
Mental health issues have played a significant part in the domestic
violence as well as the general instability of the parents. Both
parents have significant mental health diagnoses which require
regular mental health treatment. Mother has been diagnosed with
bipolar disorder. Dr. Bliss opined that bipolar is a manageable
condition but that it required medication management and
therapy. The OCYF caseworker testified that she was never able
to verify that Mother was in mental health treatment. See N.T.
TPR Hearing, 8/8/25, at 135. Mother reported that in the months
prior to the termination hearing, that her medication had been
adjusted and that she was doing much better. Mother’s therapist
testified at the termination hearing where she reported that
Mother had been treating with her for over a year. The therapist
reported that Mother was engaged and making progress.
Interestingly, the therapist did not know the details for either
incident in the months prior where Mother was accused of
physically attacking Father. She also did not know that Mother
tested positive for cocaine in the spring of 2025. It is clear to this
court that the therapist’s knowledge of Mother’s mental health
issues is limited. It also further reinforces the notion that Mother
does not take accountability for her actions. Mother had a
traumatic childhood and has a lot of issues that she needs to
address. She has significant diagnoses that she needs to seek
long-term treatment for. Some two years later, Mother still has
not made any progress in this regard with the exception of
perhaps medication management. Father also has significant
mental health concerns. Dr. Bliss diagnosed him with antisocial
personality disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. See id.
at 42. Dr. Bliss reported that Father needed to engage in therapy
to address his mental health issues. Father did not meaningfully
engage in mental health treatment. He has sporadically attended
treatment and never prioritized his mental health. His continued
relationship with Mother gives the Court cause to believe that
- 25 - J-S01017-26 J-S01018-26
Father has made no changes in his functioning in the past two
years. For these reasons, the court found that [Parents] failed to
complete their goal of addressing their mental health.
Id. at 8-9 (pagination and record citation formatting provided; unnecessary
capitalization omitted). Finally, the court explained:
There were drug and alcohol concerns for both parents as well.
Mother never completed a POWER evaluation or attended drug
and alcohol treatment. Mother was called in for a total of thirty-
four random drug screens and she only appeared for ten of those.
Nine of those were positive for THC and Mother reported to having
a medical marijuana card. On March 6th, 2025, Mother tested
positive for cocaine. Mother downplayed any substance abuse
citing that she was young and wanted to party. Father did not
attend a POWER evaluation and never attend[ed] drug and alcohol
treatment. He was called in for a total of thirty-five screens. He
attended five of those screens and all were positive for THC.
Father reported that he possessed a medical marijuana card but
let it lapse several times. The parents lack of follow through with
this court-ordered goal was concerning to the court based upon
their history of domestic violence and mental health issues.
… [Mother] fails to understand how her actions have prevented
reunification with [C]hildren. In her most recent evaluation with
Dr. Bliss, Mother lacked insight into why [C]hildren continued to
be placed in foster care. This was significant to the court because
it demonstrated that [] Mother could not make changes because
she does not think she needs too. Dr. Bliss echoed this sentiment,
reporting “if she genuinely does not understand the continued
concerns, there would be significant concern with her ability to
make any meaningful change”. N.T. TPR Hearing, 8/8/25, at 39-
40. Father’s mental health has also been problematic as the Court
does not believe that he could keep himself or his children safe
from Mother. He has not followed through with criminal charges
against Mother and lacks insight into how his actions or inactions
have prohibited him from reunifying with his children. Neither
parent attends medical appointments. …
- 26 - J-S01017-26 J-S01018-26
Id. at 9, 11 (pagination and record citation formatting provided; unnecessary
capitalization omitted).
Based on our review of the record and the extensive factual history
detailed previously, we discern no abuse of discretion in the court’s apt
explanation. Any “unnecessary significant trauma,” Mother’s Brief, at 79,
already suffered by Children was caused by Parent’s IPV. Furthermore,
Parents have not fully complied with the goals reasonably necessary to
achieve reunification. While Mother points to the fact that she remedied the
condition of her home, the record clearly shows that until recently, Mother did
not satisfactorily comply with mental health, drug related, or IVP treatment;
she has not availed herself of over 2 years’ worth of proffered services for
reunification, and does not seem to fully appreciate the threat of harm the IVP
causes to Children. Similarly, although Father testified he recently secured
housing, his testimony was that this was only for a few months and the lease
was not renewed. Despite Father’s claim that he recently had started
attending therapy at Auberle, he only did the intake in April 2025, and
conceded he had not attended therapy for the last two months at the time of
the TPR hearing. See N.T. TPR Hearing, 8/8/25, at 166-67, 357-59.
The Orphans’ Court plainly found that Father allowed the Children to
remain in the home with Mother despite his knowledge of Mother’s mental
health issues being a danger to the children as well as the home’s deplorable
condition. The fact is that when Children were taken from the family home,
- 27 - J-S01017-26 J-S01018-26
he was homeless, living between Mother’s home, a friend’s place, and his
Mother’s residence, and seemingly abandoning Children to their plight.
Additionally, the IPV between the parties puts Children at risk yet, when asked
why he does not just stay away from Mother, Father told Dr. Bliss he just
wants to be around her. While Parents had positive interactions with Children
during the supervised visits, which seemed to be the only parental
responsibility taken by Parents, this hardly supports a finding that the best
interests of Children would be served by them being placed in their full time
care.
At the time of the TPR hearings, twenty-two months had passed during
which the Parents had not fully addressed the effect their marijuana use has
had on the Children; their continued and seemingly increasingly violent IPV;
and their mental health issues.
Moreover, the Parents have failed to show any interest in Children’s
extensive medical needs or even daily care. All of this has caused Children “to
be without essential parental care, control or subsistence necessary for [their]
physical or mental well-being” and Parents are not able to remedy these
conditions so that they may assume their full parental responsibilities in a
reasonably prompt period of time.
Having found sufficient evidence to support termination pursuant to 23
Pa.C.S.A. § 2511(a)(2), we next consider whether the record supports the
orphans’ court’s finding that termination was appropriate pursuant to 23
- 28 - J-S01017-26 J-S01018-26
Pa.C.S.A. § 2511(b). Parents argue 23 Pa.C.S.A. § 2511(b) was not satisfied
because CYF failed to provide clear and convincing evidence that termination
would best serve Child’s needs and welfare, and the court failed to undertake
a sufficient analysis. We disagree.
Section 2511(b) affords “primary consideration to the developmental,
physical and emotional needs and welfare of the child.” 23 Pa.C.S.A. §
2511(b). Our Supreme Court has explained:
[C]ourts should consider the matter from the child’s perspective,
placing her developmental, physical, and emotional needs and
welfare above concerns for the parent.
Accordingly, the determination of the child’s particular
developmental, physical, and emotional needs and welfare must
be made on a case-by-case basis. We have observed the law
regarding termination of parental rights should not be applied
mechanically but instead always with an eye to the best interests
and the needs and welfare of the particular children involved.
Thus, the court must determine each child’s specific needs.
Moreover, the child’s emotional needs and welfare include
intangibles such as love, comfort, security, and stability. As
further guidance, we have identified factors, i.e., specific needs
and aspects of the child’s welfare, that trial courts must always
consider. The courts must consider whether the child[is] in a pre-
adoptive home and whether [she] ha[s] a bond with their foster
parents. And, if the child has any bond with the biological parent,
the court must conduct an analysis of that bond, which is not
always an easy task.
K.T., 296 A.3d at 1105-06 (citations and quotations marks omitted).
Specifically, the child’s bond with the parent, “plus permanency, stability
and all ‘intangible’ factors may contribute equally to the determination of a
child’s specific developmental, physical, and emotional needs and welfare, and
- 29 - J-S01017-26 J-S01018-26
thus are all of ‘primary’ importance in the Section 2511(b) analysis.” Id. at
- While our Supreme Court has directed that a Section 2511(b) inquiry
must include consideration for the bond between the parent and the child, the
Court has explained that “[i]t is only a necessary and beneficial bond, after
all, that should be maintained.” Id.
Therefore, the extent of the “bond-effect analysis necessarily depends
on the circumstances of the particular case.” J.M., 991 A.2d at 324 (citation
omitted). It is within the province of the orphans’ court to “consider the totality
of the circumstances when performing a needs and welfare analysis.” M.E.,
283 A.3d at 839 (citation omitted). This Court has clarified that it is “within
the discretion of the orphans’ court to prioritize the safety and security” of
children “over their bonds with their parents[.]” Id. (citation omitted). We will
not disturb such an assessment if the orphans’ court’s factual findings are
supported by the record. See id.
The orphans’ court explained:
Consistent with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s holding in In
the Interest of K.T., … this court considered a variety of factors
in its best interest analysis. The court examined the bond between
the biological parents and [C]hildren as well as the foster parents
and [C]hildren, the safety and stability needs of [C]hildren and
[C]hildren’s need for permanency.
With respect to a bonding analysis, the court took into account Dr.
Bliss’s testimony and reports. During the interactional evaluations
conducted by Dr. Bliss, [K.D.M.] exhibited a very limited bond to
[] Mother. She reported that his attachment appeared somewhere
between avoidant and ambivalent towards her. Dr. Bliss reported
that [K.D.M.] showed some bond with Father and that his
attachment appeared secure at times and more anxious at other
- 30 - J-S01017-26 J-S01018-26
times. During the evaluations with [K.M.], Dr. Bliss noted that
[K.M.] exhibited some bond with his Mother but that his
attachment with her was anxious. With respect to Father and
[K.M.], Dr. Bliss noted that there was some bond but that the
attachment was ambivalent. It was Dr. Bliss’s ultimate conclusion
that neither child has a necessary or beneficial bond with
[Parents]. In contrast, Dr. Bliss opined that both [C]hildren shared
healthy and strong bonds with their respective foster parents.
Both [C]hildren appeared attached to their foster parents and
sought them out for praise and comfort. Dr. Bliss opined that both
sets of foster parents were meeting the respective needs of
[C]hildren. She further opined that any detriment caused by the
cessation of the relationship between [C]hildren and [Mother]
could be overcome. She explained that the respective foster
homes provided [C]hildren with safety, and stability and that
[C]hildren had ample support to overcome any detriment caused
by losing the relationship with their biological [P]arents.
Safety and stability are also two very important factors that the
court considers as part of its best interest analysis. Unfortunately,
[P]arents been unable to attain safety and stability for themselves
let alone their [C]hildren. Mother was the perpetrator in a
particularly violent incident with Father that was almost tortious
in nature in 2025. Her mental health has never been stable, and
she fails to understand how her actions have prevented
reunification with her [C]hildren. In her most recent evaluation
with Dr. Bliss, Mother lacked insight into why her [C]hildren
continued to be placed in foster care. This was significant to the
court because it demonstrated that if Mother could not make
changes because she does not think she needs too. Dr. Bliss
echoed this sentiment, reporting “if she genuinely does not
understand the continued concerns, there would be significant
concern with her ability to make any meaningful change[.]” N.T.
TPR Hearing, 8/8/25, at 39-40. Father’s mental health also has
problematic as the court does not believe that he could keep
himself or his [C]hildren safe from Mother. He has not followed
through with criminal charges against Mother and lacks insight
into how his actions or inactions have prohibited him from
reunifying with his [C]hildren. Neither [P]arent attends medical
appointments. [C]hildren have both found safety and stability in
their respective foster homes. They are both thriving and have
developed solid relationships with their foster parents and foster
siblings. The foster parents are meeting [C]hildren’s
developmental, physical and emotional needs.
- 31 - J-S01017-26 J-S01018-26
Neither [P]arent is in a position to care for [C]hildren at this time.
Neither has made meaningful progress on their court-ordered
goals. The conditions which brought [C]hildren into care continue
to exist and [P]arents cannot or will not remedy those conditions
in a reasonable period of time. [C]hildren view their foster parents
as their psychological parents and look to them for safety, stability
and comfort. The foster parents are meeting all of their needs at
this time and will be able to so for the foreseeable future. It was
Dr. Bliss’ ultimate conclusion that the termination of both Mother
and Father’s parental rights would meet [C]hildren’s needs and
welfare. See id. at 58. …
Orphans’ Court Opinion, 10/24/25, at 9-11 (pagination and record citation
formatting provided; unnecessary capitalization omitted).
The record supports the court’s decision. Dr. Bliss and the multiple
caseworkers provided ample testimony to support the finding that the bond
between Children and their respective Foster Parents is secure and that it is
in Children’s best interest that they remain with their Foster Families. Contrary
to Father’s contention otherwise, the history of this case and the twenty-two
months Children have been living with their Foster Parents is very relevant.
The witnesses stressed the importance of permanency, security, and safety
for Children, which Foster Parents provide and Parents have not.
Finally, we note that we are unpersuaded by Father’s brief argument
that his constitutional rights as a biological parent somehow outweigh
Children’s best interests. See Father’s Brief, at 18-19. It is well-settled that
“[a] parent’s basic constitutional right to the custody and rearing of his child
is converted, upon the failure to fulfill parental duties, to the child’s right to
have proper parenting and fulfillment of his or her potential in a permanent,
- 32 - J-S01017-26 J-S01018-26
healthy, safe environment.” See In re K.Z.S., 946 A.2d 753, 759 (Pa. Super.
2008) (citation, brackets and ellipses omitted). Children cannot remain in
limbo indefinitely, waiting for Parents’ full compliance and performance of their
parental duties, putting Children in an unsafe and unstable environment until
they do so.
On the other hand, Children have the opportunity to continue living in
loving, stable environments with Foster Parents, with whom they have a
strong, stable, loving bond. The record fully supports the orphans’ court’s
finding that it is in Children’s best interest that Parents’ parental rights be
involuntarily terminated, and Children’s permanency goals changed to
adoption.
Orders affirmed.
3/17/2026
- 33 -
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