Connecticut Cases January 22, 2024: In re Niya B.

Case Description

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Argued November 13, 2023.

Petition by the Commissioner of Children and Families to terminate the respondents' parental rights with respect to their minor child, brought to the Superior Court in the judicial district of Waterbury, Juvenile Matters, and tried to the court, Hon. John Turner, judge trial referee; judgment terminating the respondents' parental rights, from which the respondent mother appealed to this court.

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Matthew C. Eagan, assigned counsel, for the appellant (respondent mother).

John E. Tucker, assistant attorney general, with whom, on the brief, was William Tong, attorney general, for the appellee (petitioner).

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Alvord, Seeley and Westbrook, Js.

OPINION

SEELEY, J.

The respondent mother, Erin R., appeals from the judgment of the trial court, rendered in favor of the petitioner, the Commissioner of Children and Families (commissioner), terminating her parental rights with respect to her minor child, Niya B. On appeal, the respondent claims that the court improperly determined that she had failed to achieve a sufficient degree of personal rehabilitation within the meaning of General Statutes § 17a-112 (j) (3) (B) (i). We disagree and, accordingly, affirm the judgment of the court.

The following relevant facts, which the court found by clear and convincing evidence, and procedural history, are relevant to this appeal. On March 13, 2020, the Department of Children and Families (department) invoked a ninety-six hour hold and placed Niya in the care and custody of the commissioner. On March 17, 2020, the commissioner sought an order of temporary custody, which the court granted, and filed a neglect petition. Also on March 17, 2020, the court ordered preliminary specific steps for the respondent to facilitate her reunion with Niya.

On January 15, 2021, the court approved a concurrent permanency plan of reunification for Niya with the respondent or termination of parental rights and adoption. On December 7, 2021, the court again approved a concurrent permanency plan of reunification with the respondent or termination of parental rights and adoption. On the same date, the respondent entered a plea of nolo contendere to an allegation of neglect, specifically that Niya was being permitted to live under circumstances injurious to her well-being. The court adjudicated Niya neglected and committed her to the care and custody of the commissioner. The court ordered final specific steps for the respondent on the same day.

On January 10, 2022, the respondent filed a motion to revoke the commitment, arguing that she was "ready, willing, and able to immediately assume full-time guardianship and care of the minor child . . . [that] the cause for commitment no longer existfed]," and that she was engaging in services and had substantially complied with all of the specific steps ordered by the court. On January 19, 2022, the commissioner filed an objection to the respondent's motion to revoke commitment, asserting that the respondent had not been compliant with urine screens, that she had tested positive for cocaine on October 4 and 20, 2021, that she had been driving without a license to her visits with Niya, that she was unemployed, and that "[a] cause for commitment still exist[ed] and it still [was] in the best interest of the child." On March 9, 2022, the commissioner filed a petition to terminate the respondent's parental rights. The termination petition alleged, pursuant to § 17a-112 (j) (3) (B) (i), that Niya previously had been adjudicated

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neglected and the respondent had failed to achieve the degree of personal rehabilitation that would encourage the belief that, within a reasonable period of time, given the age and needs of Niya, she could assume a responsible position in Niya's life.

The termination of parental rights trial was held on June 20, August 29 and 31, and November 7, 29 and 30, 2022. The court consolidated the respondent's motion to revoke commitment and the commissioner's objection thereto with the termination of parental rights trial. During the trial, the commissioner presented testimony from the following witnesses: "Kevin Zaloski, a special investigations detective with the Danbury . . . Police Department; Brian Durling, a lieutenant with the Ridge-field . . . Police Department; Terrance Howaux, a patrolman with the Brookfield . . . Police Department; Ryan Howley, a patrolman with the Danbury . . . Police Department; Ebony Davidson, a team leader at Connecticut Counseling Center; Kelsey Dlugozima, a licensed clinical social worker for Central Naugatuck Valley Health Services; Dr. Kevin Berry, a [department] social worker supervisor; and Angel Santiago, a [department] social worker." The respondent testified and presented additional testimony from the following witnesses: "Eliezer Ortiz, program manager for the Safe Family Recovery Program; Altagracia Trinidad, a licensed professional counselor; Sharone Williams, a recovery support specialist; and Dr. Bruce Freedman, a licensed psychologist who [was] qualified as an expert in clinical and child psychology. The child's attorney called no witnessfes] . . . ."

On January 20, 2023, the court issued a memorandum of decision in which it terminated the respondent's parental rights. After setting out the procedural history and making the relevant jurisdictional findings, the court stated that it had "thoroughly reviewed the verified petition [and] all the exhibits, and ha[d] heard and carefully considered the testimony of all the witnesses. In addition, the court ha[d], with notice to the parties and without their objection, taken judicial notice of the chronology of the proceedings, the filings and submissions of pleadings, petition, court hearings' memoranda, and the dates and contents of the court's findings, orders, rulings, and judgments." The court concluded that "[t]he credible and relevant evidence offered at trial, and [its] review of the judicially noticed court records, supported]" its findings of facts "by clear and convincing evidence."

Relevant to the adjudicatory phase of the termination proceeding, the court concluded, by clear and convincing evidence, that the department had made reasonable efforts to reunify the respondent and Niya and that the respondent had "failed to achieve the degree of personal rehabilitation that would encourage the belief that within a reasonable time, considering the age and needs

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of [Niya], she could assume a responsible position in the life of [Niya]." In support of that conclusion, the court made the following relevant factual findings.

The respondent "has a significant history of trauma and issues related to substance use dating back to her childhood." (Footnote added.) She is the mother to two other children, A and K, who were removed from her care by New York's Child Protective Service (NYCPS) and "placed in the care of their maternal grandmother due to concerns of substance use by [the respondent]. A and K have continuously been in the care of their maternal grandmother since 2010." Furthermore, "[according to NYCPS records, [the respondent] has a history of minimizing her substance use and attempting to alter/ mask her urine drug screens. Her history includes several drug charges in the state of [New York], a referral to drug court, and not completing drug court successfully which resulted in jail time."

In March, 2020, the respondent, who was nine months pregnant with Niya, was arrested in Danbury on multiple counts of possession of a controlled substance, multiple counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Specifically, the police found "[a] large zip lock bag containing [two] smaller bags of cocaine and [one] small bag of heroin and/or fentanyl, drug paraphernalia, packaging material, and a scale ... in the bedroom she occupied within the house where she resided with [two] other people. There was also $2240 found in her purse. She denied using or selling drugs."

Four days later, on March 8, 2020, the respondent checked into Danbury Hospital to deliver Niya and tested positive for cocaine. She left the hospital against medical advice. The respondent then went to Phelps Memorial Hospital in New York. On learning that she would be tested for substances at that hospital as well, the respondent left on March 9, 2020, and went to Westchester Medical Center in New York. On March 10, 2020, the respondent gave birth to Niya at Westchester Medical Center, at which time the department became involved with the respondent "when [this information] was reported to [the department's] Careline." Both Niya and the respondent tested negative for illegal substances at that time.

The respondent "denied any illicit drug use" to the department and claimed that "the positive test result for cocaine on March 8, 2020, at Danbury Hospital, was a false positive." On March 23, 2020, the respondent completed a substance use screening at Help, Inc., through the Travisano Network. The results of her urine screen, which were reported on May 4, 2020, showed that she tested positive for alcohol, cocaine and fentanyl. It was recommended that the respondent participate in intensive outpatient treatment (IOP), which she began on May 4, 2020. "Upon admission into

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the IOP program, [the respondent's] clinician at Help, Inc., identified her as being at the precontemplation stage of change. Her counselors reported that she was either unaware or unwilling to see how substance use affected her life and that change was needed." (Footnote added.) On May 6, 2020, the respondent tested positive for alcohol, cocaine and fentanyl. On June 8, 2020, the respondent tested positive again for fentanyl.

On July 13,2020, the respondent received a certificate from Help, Inc., "certifying that she had 'successfully' completed its IOP program. Successful completion of the IOP program required negative drug screens, regular attendance, and active participation in groups. Although [the respondent] was deemed to have successfully completed the IOP program, she struggled with relapsing while in the program, as was evidenced by her recurring positive drug screens. In July, 2020, Help, Inc., recommended [that] she participate in its relapse prevention program. [The respondent] agreed and complied. She commenced the relapse prevention program in July, 2020. On August 27, 2020, she tested positive for cocaine. She denied and disputed the results of the positive test." (Footnote omitted.) The court further noted that "[e]ach time [the respondent] had a positive drug or alcohol test result she would say it was a mistake."

"On August 28, 2020, [the respondent] informed her counselor at Help, Inc., [that] she would seek services elsewhere. She contemporaneously discontinued participating in treatment at Help, Inc. On October 13, 2020, she was formally discharged unsuccessfully. Her discharge issued with the recommendation that, after a thirty day period of sobriety, she reengage in IOP services to begin again to address the underlying motivations for her substance use and to adopt healthier coping skills." At trial, Dlugozima "credibly testified . . . that, at the time of [the respondent's] discharge on October 13, 2020, there had been no change in [the respondent] from the date of her admission; she had not begun to make strides in understanding the problem behaviors involved with her substance use, how substance use affected her life, that changes in her life were needed, the underlying motivations for her substance use, and to adopt healthier coping skills." Upon discharge, "Travisano/Help, Inc., also reported that [the respondent's] . . . prognosis was poor and recommended [that] a higher level of care [was needed] than it provided, either 'in-patient if necessary' or residential."

The respondent "continued to deny she was having issues with substances and refused to engage in inpatient treatment." Instead, the respondent sought and began outpatient treatment at Connecticut Counseling Center in October, 2020. On November 9 and 25, 2020, the respondent's urine screens were marked as suspicious due to her low creatine levels. On December 29,

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2020, the respondent submitted to a hair test at the department's request, which showed that she was negative for all substances retroactive for ninety days. However, on April 5, 2021, the respondent's urine test again was deemed suspicious.

On March 1, 2021, the respondent was arrested in Bedford, New York, for operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. On March 5, 2021, she tested positive for alcohol and later admitted that she had consumed alcohol. The respondent "was scheduled to complete substance treatment on July 26, [2021] with the recommendation she continue meeting with her individual therapist for management of her stress, anxiety and depression. However, [the respondent] did not make it to July 26. She inexplicably disengaged from the program. [Connecticut Counseling Center] discharged her unsuccessfully on July 7, 2021. Her discharge summary stated she was discharged with no goals met." (Footnote omitted.)

On September 3,2021, the police arrested the respondent in Ridgefield and charged her with operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. A police officer observed a vehicle that was swerving all over the road and traveling at only eighteen miles per hour in a forty miles per hour zone. The respondent was the operator and sole occupant of the vehicle. "After she was stopped, the officer observed an open empty beer can and an open empty nip bottle in the center console. . . . Several more nip bottles were found in her purse. She was mumbling and her speech was slurred. An odor of alcohol was detected emanating from her and the passenger compartment. The officer had to repeat himself several times as [the respondent] had difficulty focusing on what he was saying and [on what] was going on."

On September 17, 2021, the respondent was arrested in Brookfield and charged with operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs and operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license. A police officer observed that the respondent had failed to stop at a stop sign and then crossed "over a double yellow line, nearly striking the police officer's cruiser, and forcing him off the road to prevent a head-on collision. She continued to drive erratically . . . ." The officer further observed that she again had crossed over the double yellow line and that she had "failed to stop at two more stop signs before she was stopped." He also noted that "her speech was slurred, her eyes were glassy and bloodshot" and there was an odor of alcohol emanating from her mouth. She was administered a Breathalyzer test, which showed readings of 0.195 and 0.191, well over the legal limit of 0.08.

At the end of September, 2021, the respondent recommenced IOP substance use treatment at Connecticut Counseling Center. On September 27, 2021, the

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respondent had a urine screening through Connecticut Counseling Center, which once again showed suspiciously low creatine levels, an indication that "her urine had been diluted." On October 4, 2021, the respondent tested positive for cocaine. The respondent later denied using cocaine and disputed the validity of the test. She "denied having substance issues," however, she did state "to her social worker . . . Santiago that she was drinking alcohol more because of Covid, her depression, and seeing an empty nursery every day. She admitted to getting a bigger and bigger bottle every time she went back to the liquor store. [The respondent] stated further she understood she'd 'messed up and that she should not have been drinking that way . . . .'" On October 20, 2021, the respondent again tested positive for cocaine, although she later denied any use of the drug.

As discussed previously in this opinion, the respondent's driver's license had been suspended after her first September, 2021 arrest for the charge of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. "Thereafter, in October, 2021 . . . Santiago and other [department] personnel observed her continuing to drive to and from the [department's] office and [to] visits with [Niya]. [The department] provided her with a bus pass, which she admittedly did not use."

In December, 2021, Connecticut Counseling Center successfully discharged the respondent "with the recommendation she attend mental health treatment, relapse prevention, and [Narcotics Anonymous] meetings. [The department's] Regional Resource Group substance use clinician recommended that [the respondent] enter an inpatient program at the Midwestern Connecticut Council on Alcoholism (MCCA). MCCA reported that it had no beds available at that time. MCCA recommended [that] [the respondent] connect with the Sobering Center for inpatient treatment. [The respondent] said no to inpatient treatment, did not follow through with the recommendation, and did not participate in residential treatment. Instead, she attended mental health treatment and engaged in relapse prevention at [Connecticut Counseling Center] as had been recommended . . . ." (Footnote added.).

On February 15, 2022, a social worker for the department spoke with the respondent over the phone and observed that the respondent was slurring her speech, rambling, and incoherent. He was concerned and went to her home, where he "observed a nip bottle of vodka . . . in a white bag outside of her door." On February 17, 2022, the respondent was found lying in the street by a Danbury police officer. Officer Howley, the responding officer, testified that the woman was the respondent and that she was hysterical and covered in blood. He observed that she appeared to be under the influence, as "[s]he was mumbling, her speech was

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slurred, rambling, and hard to understand. She was staggering and unable to stand on her feet by herself. She was uncooperative and belligerent. She smelled like alcohol and appeared to be under the influence of alcohol."

On March 24, 2022, the respondent had positive urine and Breathalyzer tests for alcohol. As a result of the positive tests, the respondent was "discharged unsuccessfully from Relapse Prevention" on March 30, 2022. Connecticut Counseling Center determined that the respondent needed a "higher level of care" and recommended that she return to intensive outpatient treatment. On May 23, 2022, the respondent tested positive for codeine, which, as Davidson from Connecticut Counseling Center testified, is an opiate. On June 9, 2022, the respondent had another urine test that was inconclusive or suspicious due to its low creatine levels. On August 9, 2022, the respondent tested positive for marijuana. She later acquired a medical marijuana card to use to treat her stress and anxiety.

In its memorandum of decision, with respect to the statutory ground for termination, the court determined, by clear and convincing evidence, that the respondent had failed to achieve the degree of personal rehabilitation that would encourage the belief that, within a reasonable period of time, given the age and needs of Niya, she could assume a responsible position in Niya's life. The court found that, at the time of adjudication, the respondent was "presenting problems [that] included substance use, lack of insight into her substance use, unemployment, and possible incarceration due to pending criminal charges and three charges of [operating a motor vehicle while] under the influence." The court noted the respondent's "history of abusing drugs. Multiple urine tests and drug screens through October 12, 2022, present clear and convincing evidence of alcohol abuse and continued drug use." The court also noted that Dr. Freedman, who conducted a psychological evaluation of the respondent, wrote that" '[the respondent] minimizes her substance [use], the impact on her parenting, and the lack of stability in her life.' "

The court addressed the respondent's claim that every positive drug test result was a false positive, stating: "The court discounts her claim that every positive drug result for her was a false positive and finds her multiple claims of false positive tests by different providers and testers throughout a period of three years to be far less likely and not credible." Rather, the court determined that the hair tests, which provided a three month look back period, showed that she was abstinent in using illicit drugs "for only a period of months." The court observed that "[the department] recommended and urged [the respondent] to get into inpatient treatment. She refused." Further, the court determined that, on the basis of "the evidence presented during the trial,

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it is clear and convincing to the court that she has not rehabilitated, nor has she made significant, substantial, and sustained progress with her substance use and mental health issues since December 7, 2021, particularly when she's feeling stressed or anxious.

"Since December 7, 2021, [the respondent] has continued to slip and relapse, even though she completed programs and was stepped down from the [IOP] to Relapse Prevention and Women's Groups. She has continued to deny and minimize having substance use issues. Moreover, she has failed to gain substantial insight into her substance use. Although she has used and completed some services and has taken some positive steps in preparing for reunification, she has taken limited responsibility for her own problems and for having repeated positive drug test results. Her problems continue to be substance use and lack of insight into her substance use, and she faces possible incarceration due to her pending criminal charges and three charges of [operating a motor vehicle while] under the influence. . . . The court cannot find reason to be encouraged that within a reasonable time, considering [Niya's] age and needs, [the respondent] will be able to assume a responsible [role] in her life. The level of rehabilitation [the respondent] has achieved falls short of that which would reasonably encourage a belief that at some future date she can assume a responsible position in [Niya's] life, considering [Niya's] age and needs." In the dispositional phase of the termination of parental rights trial; see footnote 5 of this opinion; the court considered and made the requisite factual findings pursuant to § 17a-112 (k) and concluded that the commissioner had proven by clear and convincing evidence that terminating the respondent's parental rights was in Niya's best interest. Accordingly, the court granted the petition and rendered judgment terminating the respondent's parental rights. This appeal followed. Additional facts will be set forth as necessary.

The respondent's sole claim on appeal is that there was insufficient evidence to support the court's determination that she had failed to rehabilitate in accordance with § 17a-112 (j) (3) (B) (i), meaning that she had failed to achieve a sufficient degree of personal rehabilitation that would encourage the belief that, within a reasonable time, considering the age and needs of Niya, she could assume a responsible role in her life. We disagree.

We begin by setting forth the following relevant legal principles and standard of review. "Proceedings to terminate parental rights are governed by § 17a-112. . . . Because a respondent's fundamental right to parent his or her child is at stake, [t]he statutory criteria must be strictly complied with before termination can be accomplished and adoption proceedings begun." (Internal quotation marks omitted.) In re Anthony S.,

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218 Conn.App. 127, 138, 290 A.3d 901 (2023). Section 17a-112 (j) provides in relevant part that "[t]he Superior Court, upon notice and hearing . . . may grant a petition filed pursuant to this section if it finds by clear and convincing evidence that (1) the [department . . . has made reasonable efforts to locate the parent and to reunify the child with the parent in accordance with subsection (a) of section 17a-lllb, unless the court finds in this proceeding that the parent is unable or unwilling to benefit from reunification efforts, except that such finding is not required if the court has determined at a hearing pursuant to section 17a-lllb, or determines at trial on the petition, that such efforts are not required, (2) termination is on the best interest of the child, and (3) . . . (B) the child (i) has been found by the Superior Court ... to have been neglected, abused or uncared for in a prior proceeding . . . and the parent of such child has been provided specific steps to take to facilitate the return of the child to the parent pursuant to section 46b-129 and has failed to achieve such degree of personal rehabilitation as would encourage the belief that within a reasonable time, considering the age and needs of the child, such parent could assume a responsible position in the life of the child . . . ."

"The trial court is required, pursuant to § 17a-112, to analyze the [parent's] rehabilitative status as it relates to the needs of the particular child, and further . . . such rehabilitation must be foreseeable within a reasonable time. . . . The statute does not require [a parent] to prove precisely when [he or she] will be able to assume a responsible position in [his or her] child's life. Nor does it require [him or her] to prove that [he or she] will be able to assume full responsibility for [his or her] child, unaided by available support systems. It requires the court to find, by clear and convincing evidence, that the level of rehabilitation [he or she] has achieved, if any, falls short of that which would reasonably encourage a belief that at some future date [he or she] can assume a responsible position in [his or her] child's life. . . . Personal rehabilitation as used in [§ 17a-112 (j) (3) (B) (i)] refers to the restoration of a parent to his or her former constructive and useful role as a parent. . . . [I]n assessing rehabilitation, the critical issue is not whether the parent has improved [his or her] ability to manage [his or her] own life, but rather whether [he or she] has gained the ability to care for the particular needs of the child at issue. . . . [The] completion or noncompletion [of the specific steps], however, does not guarantee any outcome. . . . Accordingly, successful completion of expressly articulated expectations is not sufficient to defeat a department claim that the parent has not achieved sufficient rehabilitation." (Citations omitted; internal quotation marks omitted.) In re Phoenix A., 202 Conn.App. 827, 841-42, 246 A.3d 1096, cert, denied, 336 Conn. 932,

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248 A.3d 1 (2021)

"During the adjudicatory phase of a termination proceeding, a court generally is limited to considering only evidence that occurred before the date of the filing of the petition or the latest amendment to the petition, often referred to as the adjudicatory date. . . . Nevertheless, it may rely on events occurring after the [adjudicatory] date . . . [in] considering the issue of whether the degree of rehabilitation is sufficient to foresee that the parent may resume a useful role in the child's life within a reasonable time." (Citation omitted; emphasis omitted; internal quotation marks omitted.) In re Nev-aeh G.-M., 217 Conn.App. 854, 877-78, 290 A.3d 867, cert, denied, 346 Conn. 925, 295 A.3d 418 (2023).

"A conclusion of failure to rehabilitate is drawn from both the trial court's factual findings and from its weighing of the facts in assessing whether those findings satisfy the failure to rehabilitate ground set forth in § 17a-112 (j) (3) (B). Accordingly . . . the appropriate standard of review is one of evidentiary sufficiency, that is, whether the trial court could have reasonably concluded, upon the facts established and the reasonable inferences drawn therefrom, that the cumulative effect of the evidence was sufficient to justify its [ultimate conclusion]. . . . When applying this standard, we construe the evidence in a manner most favorable to sustaining the judgment of the trial court. . . . We will not disturb the court's subordinate factual findings unless they are clearly erroneous. ... A factual finding is clearly erroneous when it is not supported by any evidence in the record or when there is evidence to support it, but the reviewing court is left with the definite and firm conviction that a mistake has been made." (Citation omitted; emphasis omitted; footnote added; internal quotation marks omitted.) In re Brian P., 195 Conn.App. 558, 569, 226 A.3d 159, cert, denied, 335 Conn. 907, 226 A.3d 151 (2020). Thus, "[i]t is not the function of this court to sit as the [fact finder] when we review the sufficiency of the evidence .... In making this determination, [t]he evidence must be given the most favorable construction in support of the [judgment] of which it is reasonably capable. ... In other words, [i]f the [trial court] could reasonably have reached its conclusion, the [judgment] must stand, even if this court disagrees with it." (Internal quotation marks omitted.) In re CaidenB., 220 Conn.App. 326, 362-63, 297 A.3d 1025, cert, denied, 348 Conn. 904, 301 A.3d 527 (2023).

"Construing the record before us in the manner most favorable to sustaining the judgment of the trial court, as we are obligated to do"; In re Anthony S., supra, 218 Conn.App. 148; we conclude that there is sufficient evidence in the record to support the court's finding that the respondent had failed to achieve a sufficient degree of personal rehabilitation, considering the age

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and needs of Niya, as would encourage the belief that, within a reasonable time, she could assume a responsible position in Niya's life. The court detailed in its memorandum of decision how the respondent's ongoing substance use and refusal to acknowledge her substance use issues supported its determination that the respondent had failed to rehabilitate within the meaning of § 17a-112 (j) (3) (B) (i). Specifically, the court noted that "[m]ultiple urine tests and drug screens through October 12, 2022, presented] clear and convincing evidence of alcohol abuse and continued drug use. She minimizes her substance abuse, its impact on her parenting, and the lack of stability in her life. She claims every positive drug test result for her was a false positive. The court discounts her claim that every positive drug test result for her was a false positive and finds her multiple claims of false positive tests by different providers and testers throughout a period of three years to be far less likely and not credible." (Footnote omitted; internal quotation marks omitted.)

It is well established that a "respondent's failure to acknowledge the underlying personal issues that form the basis for the department's concerns indicates a failure to achieve a sufficient degree of personal rehabilitation. See In re Kamora W., 132 Conn.App. 179, 190, 31 A.3d 398 (2011) (respondent refused to acknowledge drug or alcohol problem); In re Jocquyce C, 124 Conn.App. 619, 626-27, 5 A.3d 575 (2010) (respondent failed to acknowledge habitual involvement with domestic violence); In re Christopher B., 117 Conn.App. 773, 784, 980 A.2d 961 (2009) (respondent blamed others for problems); In re Jermaine S., 86 Conn.App. 819, 834, 863 A.2d 720 (respondent's inability to admit she had substance abuse problem thwarted her ability to achieve rehabilitation), cert, denied, 273 Conn. 938, 875 A.2d 43 (2005); In re Sheila J., 62 Conn.App. 470, 481, 771 A.2d 244 (2001) (respondent failed to recognize her need for recommended counseling)." (Internal quotation marks omitted.) In re Shane M., 318 Conn. 569, 589-90, 122 A.3d 1247 (2015). "[A]s a general proposition, the failure to acknowledge and make progress in addressing the issues that led to a child's removal may be one of many contributing factors to a court's determination that a parent has failed to achieve a sufficient degree of personal rehabilitation." In re Mariana A., 181 Conn.App. 415, 432, 186 A.3d 83 (2018).

Although the respondent made repeated representations to the department and service providers that she did not have a substance use problem, the overwhelming evidence before the court established otherwise. The court found and the record reflects that the respondent frequently denied her substance use and its impact on her ability to assume a responsible role in Niya's life and refuted the validity of almost every test result, both in her interactions with the department and her service providers. During the trial, Berry testified that,

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every time he "tried to engage [the respondent], she denied that she [had] engaged in any substance use." He further testified that, after he received the test results in June, 2020, in which she tested positive for fentanyl, he attempted to engage the respondent, but "[s]he denied using any substances. She reported that she thinks that she tested positive because her nail came into contact with fentanyl." Santiago testified that, after the respondent called him on February 15, 2022, during which conversation "her words were slurred . . . [and she] didn't seem to be stable," he went to her home and observed a vodka bottle, the size of a nip, outside the respondent's house. Despite this incident, when he attempted to address these concerning events with the respondent, she denied any use of alcohol.

One example of the respondent's minimization of her substance use occurred at a meeting with the department in October, 2021, after the respondent had been arrested and charged with operating a motor vehicle while under the influence as a result of three separate incidents on March 1, and September 3 and 17, 2021. During the meeting with the department, she stated that "none of the [charges for driving while under the influence] were her fault and that she was just in a bad situation and was [unjustly] blamed for alcohol being in the car." We note that the record belies the respondent's assertions. The arresting officers in each incident observed that the respondent was operating a motor vehicle in a manner that caused them to investigate further. Each officer observed that the respondent had bloodshot and glassy eyes and impaired speech or behavior. The officers also indicated that they smelled an odor of alcohol emanating from her. Her statement that the charges were not her fault, in effect, places the blame on others for her own conduct and, thus, further supports the court's determination that she lacked insight into her alcohol and substance use issues. The respondent continued to minimize her drug and alcohol use during her testimony at trial by referring to her multiple arrests for operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol as "slipping" and said that "it wasn't a long-term ongoing thing. It was about a two week situation . . . ." However, when the court asked the respondent when her last drink was, she stated that it was in March of 2022. She further testified, multiple times, that she had not used any drugs since Niya was born, despite the multiple positive drug tests for cocaine, fentanyl, and codeine. The court did not find credible the respondent's testimony that every positive drug test was a false positive.

In addition to denying her continued substance use, the respondent refused to engage in the treatment that was recommended by the department or its service providers. In October, 2020, the respondent was unsuccessfully discharged from outpatient treatment provided through Help, Inc., after she discontinued

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treatment. The respondent "discontinued treatment after denying the results of a positive drug screen . . .," The discharge summary "recommended that [the respondent] be moved to a higher level of care, including inpatient/residential services" and, after at least thirty days of sobriety, then the respondent could return to IOP "and begin again to address the underlying motivations for substance use and the adoption of healthier coping skills." Despite the recommended higher level of care, the respondent "refused to attend inpatient treatment and denied having issues with substances." Similarly, in October, 2021, after the respondent's third arrest for operating a motor vehicle while under the influence, the department consulted with its substance use clinician regarding this case, and "it was recommended for [the respondent] to get into residential treatment." The respondent, however, chose to disregard the department's recommendation and subsequently tested positive for cocaine use in October, 2021.

Several months before the trial began in this case, the respondent was unsuccessfully discharged from her relapse prevention group counseling after she tested positive for alcohol on March 24, 2022, and due to her "lack of regular attendance." On May 23, 2023, the respondent tested positive for codeine. Thus, the fact that she was discharged unsuccessfully from therapy several times and continued to test positive for alcohol and illicit substances after she had engaged in services addressing her substance use issues for more than three years, supports the court's finding that the respondent had failed to rehabilitate within the meaning of § 17a-112 0) (3) (B) (i).

The evidence shows that the respondent's struggles with alcohol and substance use, her denial and minimization of her use and her lack of insight in understanding how her continued use of alcohol and substances was negatively impacting her life were the primary concerns of the department throughout its involvement with the respondent. "[I]n determining whether a parent has achieved sufficient personal rehabilitation, a court may consider whether the parent has corrected the factors that led to the initial commitment, regardless of whether those factors were included in specific expectations ordered by the court or imposed by the department." (Internal quotation marks omitted.) In re Nevaeh G.-M., supra, 217 Conn.App. 877. The totality of the evidence establishes that the factors that led to Niya's initial commitment-the respondent's substance use, her denial and minimization of her use and her lack of insight-have not been corrected.

The respondent bases much of her challenge to the court's finding of the statutory ground of failure to rehabilitate on the assertion that the court misinterpreted the testimony of Dr. Freedman. Specifically, the respondent argues that "[t]he trial court's decision is

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mistaken as to the testimony given by [the court-appointed evaluator], Dr. Freedman, who recommended reunification, and the nature of recovery." The respondent asserts that the court's decision relied on "a mistaken interpretation of Dr. Freedman's testimony," particularly regarding whether the respondent had gained adequate insight into her substance use issues, the reliability of the respondent's urine screens, and whether her various incidents of substance use throughout the history of the case suggest a failure to rehabilitate within the meaning of the statute. We disagree.

First, the court did not rest its decision on the testimony of Dr. Freedman. The majority of the support for the court's determination comes from the respondent's multiple infractions for operating a motor vehicle while under the influence, her multiple positive drug tests throughout the case, and her frequent denials of substance use despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary. Second," '[although expert testimony may be accorded great weight when it is offered, there is no requirement for expert testimony in termination of parental rights cases.' In re Jeisean M., 270 Conn. 382, 400, 852 A.2d 643 (2004); see also In re Angela C, 11 Conn.App. 497, 498-99, 528 A.2d 402 (1987) (trial court was not required to accept expert's opinion on issue of whether to terminate parental rights nor was testimony of another expert required to support court's judgment); In re Teshea D., 9 Conn.App. 490, 493, 519 A.2d 1232 (1987) (finding no merit to respondent's claim that expert testimony was required to support court's finding that termination was in child's best interest because, '[although both our Supreme Court and this court have often, in this regard, looked to the testimony of mental health experts . . . such expert testimony is not a precondition of the court's own factual judgment as to the child's best interest' . . .)." In re Kas-maesha C, 148 Conn.App. 666, 682-83, 84 A.3d 1279, cert, denied, 311 Conn. 937, 88 A.3d 549 (2014). As there is no requirement that the parties present, nor that the court rely on, expert testimony in a termination of parental rights case, the court was free to accept, reject, or only partially rely on the expert testimony of Dr. Freedman.

Finally, although portions of Dr. Freedman's testimony were positive for the respondent, he frequently contradicted himself, particularly after being asked about the impact of new evidence of the respondent's ongoing substance use issues. In its memorandum of decision, the court stated that, "[according to Dr. Freedman, [the respondent] should have eight months to a year of demonstrated sobriety to qualify for reunification or caring for [Niya]. She has not achieved a sustained period of sobriety of at least eight months to a year. . . . When asked how he would classify [the respondent's] substance use, Dr. Freedman described her as 'somebody who has episodic slips or relapses of

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some kind, and then gets back on track and abstains for a period of time. . . . She is still a client who is in recovery, has been in recovery, and has had episodic slips and relapses-but is still in recovery.' "

At trial, Dr. Freedman was called as a witness by the respondent. During direct examination, Dr. Freedman testified that his opinion, "which is from sixteen months ago, was that I thought [the respondent] showed good potential for reunification. So, that opinion is from sixteen months ago ... all the documents that I reviewed suggested that that wasn't acted upon. My recommendations weren't acted upon so, a number of things have happened since then, but do I think that that indicates that she's not a candidate for reunification? No, it doesn't indicate that." (Footnote added.) At that point, the court asked Dr. Freedman to clarify his testimony, at which time he stated that his understanding was that the last positive test for any substances by the respondent was in March, 2022, and that, on that basis, the respondent was "getting close" to having" a year of demonstrated sobriety after substance abuse problems ... to qualify for caring for a child . . . ." Dr. Freedman's positive opinion on rehabilitation was based on his understanding that the respondent had last used substances in March, 2022, when, in fact, she had tested positive for codeine in May, 2022, had a suspicious urine test in June, 2022, and had tested positive for marijuana in August, 2022.

On cross-examination, when asked what it would mean for the respondent if there was substance use in May and August, Dr. Freedman testified that "that certainly argues against her . . . and it shows that . . . that's only been . . . three months . . . that's not very long and so if there's a slip then . . . it's harder to support reunification." He ultimately testified that he was "not sure" of his position as to reunification. Dr. Freedman also testified that it could be "potentially a problem" for a person with a substance use problem to use marijuana "even if they used it for medicinal purposes," as experiencing a high could cause other drug problems for that person.

Furthermore, Dr. Freedman wrote in his psychological evaluation that the respondent "minimizes her substance [use], its impact on her parenting, and the lack of stability in her life." This report was admitted as a full exhibit for the court's consideration. "It is well established that [i]n a case tried before a court, the trial judge is the sole arbiter of the credibility of the witnesses and the weight to be given specific testimony. . . . The credibility and the weight of expert testimony is judged by the same standard, and the trial court is privileged to adopt whatever testimony [it] reasonably believes to be credible. ... On appeal, we do not retry the facts or pass on the credibility of witnesses. . . . It is the quintessential function of the fact finder to

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reject or accept certain evidence, and to believe or disbelieve any expert testimony. . . . The trier may accept or reject, in whole or in part, the testimony of an expert offered by one party or the other." (Internal quotation marks omitted.) In re G. H., 216 Conn.App. 671, 688, 286 A.3d 944 (2022). The court was entitled to rely on and to credit Dr. Freedman's previous statement in his report that the respondent "minimizes her substance [use], its impact on her parenting, and the lack of stability in her life."

Moreover, given the overwhelming evidence of the respondent's multiple instances of substance use during the three year period of the department's involvement, her unwillingness to acknowledge her continued substance use issues, and her minimization of her substance use issues, we conclude the record contains sufficient evidence to support the court's determination that the respondent failed to achieve the requisite degree of personal rehabilitation pursuant to § 17a-112 (j) (3) (B) (i), regardless of whether and to what extent the court credited any portion of Dr. Freedman's testimony.

In sum, we conclude that, when construing the evidence in the manner most favorable to sustaining the court's judgment, as our standard of review requires, there is sufficient evidence to support the court's determination that the respondent failed to achieve such a degree of personal rehabilitation as would encourage the belief that, within a reasonable time, she could assume a responsible position in Niya's life.

The judgment is affirmed.

In this opinion the other judges concurred.