Summary
In Crook v. Dept. of Human Resources, 137 Ga. App. 817 (224 S.E.2d 806), this court held that explicit findings of fact and conclusions of law are required in an order terminating parental rights on the ground of deprivation.
Summary of this case from Upshaw v. Department of Family Children ServicesOpinion
51644.
ARGUED JANUARY 15, 1976.
DECIDED FEBRUARY 13, 1976. REHEARING DENIED MARCH 2, 1976.
Termination of parental rights, etc. Webster Juvenile Court. Before Judge Blanks.
Myers Parks, John R. Parks, for appellant.
Divine, Wilkin, Deriso Raulerson, Walter M. Deriso, Edward C. Hay, Jr., for appellees.
This is an appeal from an order of the juvenile court terminating appellant father's parental rights pursuant to a petition alleging that the child was deprived. Complaint is made that the court failed to make the explicit statutory findings that the child is deprived, that the causes are likely to continue, and that by reason thereof the child is suffering harm. Held:
The divorced mother's parental rights were also terminated, but she has not prosecuted an appeal.
Juvenile Court Code § 24A-3201 (a) provides that "The court by order may terminate the parental rights of a parent with respect to his child if: ... (2) the child is a deprived child and the court finds that the conditions and causes of the deprivation are likely to continue or will not be remedied and that by reason thereof the child is suffering or will probably suffer serious physical, mental, moral, or emotional harm..." (Emphasis supplied.) Section 24A-2201 (c) provides that "If the court finds from clear and convincing evidence that the child (1) is deprived ... the court shall proceed immediately, or at a postponed hearing, to make a proper disposition of the case." (Emphasis supplied.) Section 24A-2201 (a) provides that "After hearing the evidence on any petition alleging ... deprivation, the court shall make and file its findings as to whether the child is a deprived child..." (Emphasis supplied.)
It is our view that these statutory requirements as to findings are mandatory. In Doyal Development Co. v. Blair, 133 Ga. App. 613 ( 211 S.E.2d 642), we held that an order containing findings of fact and conclusions of law sufficient for purposes of review need not be remanded for curing the formal defect resulting from failure to state separately the conclusions of law as required by CPA § 52 (a) (Code Ann. § 81A-152 (a)). On certiorari the Supreme Court reversed, holding that the section was mandatory. Doyal Development Co. v. Blair, 234 Ga. 261 ( 215 S.E.2d 471). While CPA § 52 (a) is, by its terms, applicable only in superior court (or in courts having the same rules of practice and procedure ( Spivey v. Mayson, 124 Ga. App. 775 ( 186 S.E.2d 154)), it is our view that the situations are analogous so that the findings provided for by the Juvenile Court Code are mandatory. Explicit findings are required — implied findings supplied by the appellate court upon review will not suffice. Compare T. K. v. State of Ga., 126 Ga. App. 269 (3) ( 190 S.E.2d 588); A. C. G. v. State of Ga., 131 Ga. App. 156 (3) ( 205 S.E.2d 435).
The Civil Practice Act is not applicable in the juvenile courts unless its rules are adopted by the courts as to procedures not specifically provided for in the Juvenile Court Code. English v. Milby, 233 Ga. 7 (1) ( 209 S.E.2d 603).
While Doyal dealt with a disputed contractual claim, the instant order has the drastic effect of severing parental rights. This may be accomplished under an allegation of deprivation only where (1) the child is deprived as defined by Juvenile Court Code § 24A-401 (h), and (2) the conditions and causes of the deprivation are likely to continue or will not be remedied, and (3) by reason thereof the child is suffering or will probably suffer serious physical, mental, moral, or emotional harm. Juvenile Court Code § 24A-3201 (a) (2). Without a finding that the child is deprived, no disposition can be made. No such finding was made here. Moreover, if the Code is not construed as requiring an express determination that the statutory standards have been met, the door may well be opened to a due process challenge. It should also be noted that in a determination case the juvenile court judge finds himself in a quagmire of conflicting priorities. See In re Levi, 131 Ga. App. 348 ( 206 S.E.2d 82). If he is required to make the explicit statutory findings, the tendency to rely upon individualistic and subjective notions of morality or sociological advantage will be lessened.
For treatment of the term "deprived child" see Elrod v. Dept. of Family Children Serv., 136 Ga. App. 251 ( 220 S.E.2d 726).
We hold, therefore, that such findings are mandatory and should have been made in the instant case. The findings which were made are not sufficient since, in order to uphold the disposition, this court would have to supply the missing determinations by implication. In order to promote uniformity, the findings should be made in accordance with CPA § 52 (a) (Code Ann. § 81A-152 (a)). See Spivey v. Mayson, 124 Ga. App. 775, supra.
We remand the appeal with direction that the trial court vacate the judgment, cause appropriate findings of fact and conclusions of law to be made, and enter a new judgment thereon, after which the losing party shall be free to enter another appeal. Reid v. Minter, 135 Ga. App. 763 ( 219 S.E.2d 15).
Appeal remanded with direction. Deen, P. J., and Quillian, J., concur.