Opinion ID: 1316144
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: preference

Text: Aguilar argues that the court erred when it failed to give her custody of L.A.M. and R.K.M. Aguilar asserts that the court should not have taken into account that the children would move to Mexico as a factor in determining the placement of the children. We utilize an abuse of discretion standard when reviewing a trial court's determination of the custody of children. In re A.F., 13 Kan. App.2d 232, 234, 767 P.2d 846 (1989). The test on appellate review of whether the trial court abused its discretion is whether no reasonable person would agree with the trial court. Hoffman v. Haug, 242 Kan. 867, 873, 752 P.2d 124 (1988). The party who asserts an abuse of discretion bears the burden of showing such abuse. Hagedorn v. Stormont-Vail Regional Med. Center, 238 Kan. 691, 695, 715 P.2d 2 (1986); DeWerff v. Schartz, 12 Kan. App.2d 553, 557, 751 P.2d 1047 (1988). Aguilar argues that the court should not have based its decision to award custody of the children on the fact that, if Aguilar would have been given custody, the children would have moved to Mexico with her. Aguilar claims that she was denied custody of the children based solely on her nationality. Judge Jones stated: I believe that you [Aguilar] could and would provide for the children's needs, but based upon the testimony that I have heard the last several days I believe that it would be in the best interests of the children that they not be uprooted and moved to Mexico. Judge Jones' decision is not based on the fact that the children would have moved to Mexico, but on the fact that it would be against the children's best interests if they moved anywhere away from Wichita. Judge Jones stated: [A]ccording to Dr. Guhman[, a psychologist,] the most critical factor is for these children to be placed with family, people who have a relationship with said children, who have a connection to their past; who can help them know themselves and develop their own identity; said children's connection to their past has been primarily in Wichita with their paternal relatives and to change that at this time does not appear to be in their best interest; if said children were placed with their maternal aunt in Mexico, she and her immediate family would be the only relatives the children would have. Other maternal relatives reside in Mexico, but not in the immediate area and they only visit once a year, thus said children would not be developing any more of a relationship with those relatives than they would if they were placed with Janet and Saul Miguel. The record reflects that the children had and continue to have significant family ties in Wichita and that, because of the tragic event which happened, it would be in the children's best interests to remain in Wichita. Judge Jones stated: To uproot them from what they know as their past at this particular time does not appear to be in their best interest, regardless of their resilience and their abilities to adapt to new environments. Judge Jones' decision is supported by the record. The Miguels were the godparents to L.A.M. and saw Rubicela daily. Janet was bilingual and went with Rubicela and the children when they had medical or dental appointments. Janet assisted Rubicela with getting the children enrolled in school and purchasing school supplies. L.A.M. and R.K.M. forged a close bond with the Miguels' son. L.A.M and R.K.M. spent the night at the Miguels two or three nights every month. L.A.M. and R.K.M. also have two first cousins who live in Wichita. The children have a close relationship with their cousins and regularly spend time with them. R.K.M.'s godmother lives in Garden City and often comes to Wichita to visit the children. Aguilar is a resident of Cancun, Mexico. Aguilar's contact with the children prior to the death of their mother had been limited. L.A.M. and R.K.M. have never met Aguilar's husband and children. Sherry Worth, a licensed social worker, testified that the children should be placed with the Miguels. Dawn Befort, a social worker with SRS, detailed in her report to the court that placement with the Miguels would be the most appropriate option. Dr. Elizabeth Ann Guhman, a licensed psychologist, testified that the children needed a stable family unit and contact with blood relatives that would give the children some connection with their heritage. The effect of moving the children to Mexico was a legitimate concern of the district court, as was the effect of their remaining in Wichita. The trial court's objective was to determine the best interests of the children. We cannot say that Judge Jones abused her discretion in determining that placement with the Miguels would be in the best interests of the children. Affirmed.