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The trial court's decision to award custody and guardianship to the biological father led to the cessation of efforts to reunify respondent mother and the minor child.
The Appellate Court rejected the mother's claim that the trial court wrongly failed to issue specific steps for reunification. The trial court found the following facts. Respondent mother and the biological father began dating in 2011 or 2012. Respondent alleged that the biological father was a drug addict who kicked her down the stairs when she was pregnant, and she refused to name him on the birth certificate. Her allegations were unsubstantiated, and the biological father denied that he was abusive. In March 2015, respondent mother, who struggled with alcohol and substance abuse, was found unresponsive in her motor vehicle and allegedly admitted to taking more Ambien than prescribed. The following month, respondent mother was arrested for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol and risk of injury to a minor. In May 2015, respondent mother underwent rehabilitation and relapsed when released. She underwent detoxification again and went to live in a sober house for recovering women alcoholics. At trial, the respondent mother admitted that she was alcoholic and that the minor child was neglected. The trial court found that respondent failed to achieve sufficient rehabilitation to serve as a consistent, stable and sober caregiver for the minor child. The biologicalfather was contacted and requested custody. He served in the U.S. Army, obtained an honorable discharge, tested negative for substance abuse, lacked any history of criminal conduct, and worked as a manager at a horse farm in North Carolina.
The trial court adjudicated the minor child neglected and granted custody and guardianship to the biological father. The respondent mother filed an appeal and argued that the trial court did not order specific steps, so that she could reunify with the minor child. The trial court's decision to award custody and guardianship to thefather, wrote the Appellate Court, led to the cessation of reunification efforts with respondent mother. The respondent also claimed that the investigation of the biological father was not adequate. The biological father cooperated fully with the Department of Children and Families. An investigation of the biological father did not disclose any concerns. After the trial court awarded custody and guardianship to the father, the department was not required to provide services to the minor child or the biological parents. Judgment affirmed.
For a free consultation, please do not hesitate to call the experienced family law and divorce attorneys at Maya Murphy, P.C. in Westport, CT at 203-221-3100. We may also be reached for inquiries by email at JMaya@mayalaw.com.
Source: J. Bear, Mom Wanted to Reunify with Child After Father Gained Custody, CONN. LAW TRIBUNE, May 30, 2016 at 16.
