In Re Term of Parental Rights as to D.A.

── In Re Term of Parental Rights as to D.A. ── Court: Court of Appeals of Arizona Date: May 15, 2026 Category: General NOTICE: NOT FOR OFFICIAL PUBLICATION. UNDER ARIZONA RULE OF THE SUPREME COURT 111(c), THIS DECISION IS NOT PRECEDENTIAL AND MAY BE CITED ONLY AS AUTHORIZED BY RULE.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 ARIZONA COURT OF APPEALS DIVISION ONE IN RE TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS AS TO D.A. No. 1 CA-JV 25-0210 FILED 05-15-2026 Appeal from the Superior Court in Maricopa County No. JS521309 The Honorable Jay M. Polk, Judge AFFIRMED COUNSEL Ayanna A., Phoenix Appellant Mother David W. Bell, Attorney at Law, Mesa By David W. Bell Counsel for Appellee Child Law Office of Ed Johnson, PLLC, Peoria By Edward D. Johnson Counsel for Appellee Father MEMORANDUM DECISION Presiding Judge Daniel J. Kiley delivered the decision of the Court, in which Judge D. Steven Williams and Judge Veronika Fabian joined.  IN RE TERM OF PARENTAL RIGHTS AS TO D.A. Decision of the Court K I L E Y, Judge: ¶1 Ayanna A. (“Mother”) appeals from the juvenile court’s denial of her petition to terminate the parental rights of Jinelove L. (“Father”) to the child they have in common. Their child, D.A., through counsel, joins in Mother’s request. For the following reasons, we affirm. FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY ¶2 We view the facts in the light most favorable to upholding the juvenile court’s order denying the petition to terminate a parent’s rights. Ariz. Dep’t of Econ. Sec. v. Matthew L., 223 Ariz. 547, 549, ¶ 7 (App. 2010). ¶3 While living in Texas, Mother took a trip to New York in March 2017, where she met Father. A few months later, Mother returned to New York to visit Father. The parties exchanged a series of letters and text messages afterwards. ¶4 In May 2017, Mother sent Father a letter informing him that she was pregnant. Addressing him as “love,” Mother told Father, We’re going to have a baby! I’m definitely a bit surprised but kinda suspected it since the last time we were together. Anyway, I’m excited about it and hope that you are as well! Mother concluded the letter with, “I love you and miss you so much!” ¶5 At the end of May 2017, Mother wrote Father a letter that read in part, Hey love, I miss you like crazy. I just want to be around you. I don’t want to go through this pregnancy without you. . . . I haven’t received any letters from you since the one that was dated May 1st. I hope you’re still okay. ¶6 Father evidently responded, because Mother subsequently wrote back, “That was the sweetest letter you sent to me.” “You really mean a lot to me too,” she added, “and of course I think about you.” ¶7 D.A. was born in Texas in January 2018. Father had no contact with him that year. 2  IN RE TERM OF PARENTAL RIGHTS AS TO D.A. Decision of the Court ¶8 In 2019, Mother petitioned for orders determining parental rights and child support. As relevant here, the Texas court designated Mother as D.A.’s primary residential parent and awarded Father parenting time “one weekend per month of [Father’s] choice . . . provided that [Father] gives [Mother] fourteen days written or telephonic notice preceding a designated weekend.” The court further ordered Father to pay Mother monthly child support of $450. ¶9 Father flew out from New York to visit D.A. three times in 2019. Although the record is not clear, it appears that the visits initially took place in Texas. At some point, Mother and D.A. relocated to Arizona. ¶10 In the ensuing years, Father periodically cont