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UNDER ARIZONA RULE OF THE SUPREME COURT 111(c), THIS DECISION IS NOT PRECEDENTIAL
AND MAY BE CITED ONLY AS AUTHORIZED BY RULE.
IN THE
MEMORANDUM DECISION
Judge Patricia A. Orozco delivered the decision of the Court, in which
Presiding Judge Andrew W. Gould and Judge Peter B. Swann joined.
O R O Z C O, Judge:
1
Demetrius L. (Father) appeals the termination of his parental
rights to D.L. (Child). In light of this courts opinion in Jose M. v. Eleanor J.,
234 Ariz. 13 (App. 2014), we conclude this record does not establish by a
preponderance of evidence that terminating Fathers parental rights is in
Childs best interests. Accordingly, we reverse the termination order and
remand to the juvenile court for further proceedings.
FACTS AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
2
Father is the biological father of Child and lived with Joshlynn
F., Childs biological mother (Mother), when Child was born in 2006. Father
and Mothers relationship ended in 2009. Although Father moved to
California, Father and Mother agreed on an informal visitation schedule
that governed Fathers contact with Child. Fathers visitation ceased in
2010.
3
Mother petitioned to terminate Fathers parental rights in
2014, citing abandonment under Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S.) section
8-533.B.1. as grounds for termination. At the termination hearing, Mother
testified that she stopped taking Child to California for visitation because
Father began threatening her. Mother testified that between 2010 and 2012,
Fathers only contact with Child was a Christmas gift Father gave Child
through Fathers brother. Mother also stated that Father had no contact
with Child between 2012 and 2014. Mother acknowledged, however, that
Child saw Father during a November 2013 incident at which an altercation
occurred between Mother and members of Fathers family.
4
Father testified that Mother stopped allowing him to visit
Child in 2010 and blocked him from any further contact thereafter. Father
claimed he could not get in touch with Mother because Mother would not
answer his phone calls and blocked his phone number and social media
accounts. Father stated that he attempted to get in touch with Mother by
visiting her workplace and contacting various members of her family on
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