In re Aubrey K.

Syllabus

The respondent mother appealed to this court from the judgment of the trial court terminating her parental rights with respect to her minor child, A. The mother had a history of substance abuse, mental health issues, and domestic violence in her relationships, and A had witnessed such violence since her infancy. One of the mother's boyfriends seriously injured A's younger sister, requiring her to be hospitalized and, there- after, the petitioner, the Commissioner of Children and Families, filed petitions for termination of the mother's parental rights as to both children. At the time of trial, the mother was allegedly engaged to a different man, L. On appeal, the mother claimed that there was insuffi- cient evidence for the trial court to find that the termination of her parental rights was in A's best interest, in accordance with the applicable statute (§ 17a-112 (k)). Held: 1. The respondent mother could not prevail on her claim that the trial court's findings as to her ability to care for A were clearly erroneous: a. The trial court's conclusions regarding the mother's relationship with L and its indication of her ability to be trusted with the health and well- being of young children were supported by the record, including ample evidence demonstrating that the mother's past romantic relationships had significant adverse residual effects on A, evidence of L's previous criminal history, the mother's failure to disclose domestic violence in her relationships to the Department of Children and Families (department) in the past, evidence that supported the department's concern that there was a risk of domestic violence in the mother's relationship with L despite the testimony of service providers, and testimony that the mother would not permit an in-person meeting between the department and L. b. This court concluded that, although it agreed with the respondent mother's claim that the trial court had understated her efforts at rehabili- tation, there was evidence in t