Opinion ID: 2455274
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: OCS Involvement Prior To Temporary Custody Petition (February 2009 To May 2009)

Text: Christina remained in Fairbanks for several weeks after Gideon was born to get treatment for postnatal medical problems, including postpartum depression, and low blood count requiring a blood transfusion. Christina and Damian subsequently returned to Venetie and resumed their relationship. Christina testified that it was going pretty good during this period, though she also described instances of domestic violence. In April 2009, for example, Damian slapped Christina while she was holding Gideon in her arms, causing her nose to bleed so that some of the blood fell on the baby. On another occasion Damian pushed Christina to the floor, kicking her in the stomach and calling her names. On April 14, 2009, OCS received a protective service report of domestic violence between Christina and Damian when Gideon was present. Jon Markkanen, an OCS social worker, attempted to locate the couple in Venetie but learned they were in Fairbanks. He met with them there and developed an informal safety plan under which Christina and Damian would live with Karen, Christina's former foster mother, when they were in Fairbanks and with Ronda, Damian's mother, when in Venetie. Markkanen also discussed options for substance abuse and anger management treatment through a therapy program at the Old Minto Recovery Camp (OMRC). Christina and Damian agreed that they needed to get help and were willing to pursue treatment. Christina later testified that she was confused by the plan and was under the impression that they were not allowed to go back to Venetie. Christina and Damian stayed in Fairbanks with Karen. On April 30, Markkanen heard from Karen that Christina had been out drinking for the past week, leaving Gideon in Karen's care. Karen also reported that Christina had attempted suicide and was in the hospital. Christina was intoxicated at the time of the attempt and later testified that she did not clearly remember the events leading up to it. However, she acknowledged the attempt and noted that she was going through postpartum depression and didn't understand why [Damian's abuse] was happening to [her]. Soon after being discharged from the hospital, Christina was admitted to the emergency room. While there, emergency room staff observed that she had wounds and bruises from an assault. Christina could not remember who had given her the bruises, though she seemed to assume, and the trial court concluded, that Damian was responsible. Markkanen met with Christina on May 11. He had secured a bed for her at Grandma's House, a domestic violence shelter in Fairbanks that is culturally geared toward Alaska Natives [3] and would have allowed Christina to keep Gideon with her. Both Markkanen and the owner of Grandma's House offered Christina a ride to the shelter. Markkanen also discussed substance abuse treatment providers with Christina. Christina declined the offer to go to Grandma's House. She later explained that she did not go because she needed to collect her personal belongings from various places and because a friend was going to take her and Gideon to the Interior Alaska Center for Non-Violent Living shelter. Markkanen testified that Christina said she wanted to go back to Karen's home. It is not entirely clear from the record where Christina went upon leaving the hospital, but it appears that Gideon remained with Karen; Christina may have been staying at the Center for Non-Violent Living. On May 20, Karen informed OCS that Damian, intoxicated, had taken Gideon from her home and she did not know where they had gone. Christina testified that she later located Damian and Gideon at a hotel. According to the OCS predisposition report, Karen found the entire family at a hotel. Because both parents were intoxicated, she removed Gideon and took him to Tanana Valley Clinic where he was found to be mildly dehydrated. Two days later, OCS filed a petition to adjudicate Gideon as a child in need of aid and a petition for temporary custody. The petition alleged Gideon to be a child in need of aid under AS 47.10.011(6), (8), (10), and (11). [4] Prior to the hearing on the petition to adjudicate, Markkanen again secured a bed for Christina at Grandma's House and talked to her about the possibility of going there with Gideon, but she refused. The superior court granted temporary custody to OCS effective June 5, 2009. [5] Gideon was placed in emergency custody in Fairbanks. He was subsequently placed with Damian's mother, Ronda, in Venetie. [6] In early June 2009, the case was transferred to OCS caseworker Ivory McDaniel. An initial case plan for both parents became effective on June 9.