Opinion ID: 900994
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: conlusion

Text: [Â¶39.] Guardianship is a longstanding and widely used method of shifting custody of children, especially within families. Into this relatively uncomplicated process, the Court today injects the ponderous apparatus of dependency law, with its reasonable efforts, foster care placements, and broad array of constitutional mandates. To do so, the Court ignores our precedents, misconstrues our statutes, and sides against the overwhelming trend in this country to the contrary. Were it not for the terrible suffering these children have already endured, perhaps this ruling would be less difficult to accept. But this decision is wrong. Our State should not join the minority. Our Legislature did not intend this. These children do not deserve this. I dissent. [1]. Mother also has two other children: D.M., born February 6, 1997, and W.P., born January 29, 1999. D.M. was born during the marriage of Michael and Mother and was acknowledged by Michael as his child even though Michael was not the natural father. [2]. Court appointed counsel was not granted to Mother until after this appeal was filed. Mother filed an order to show cause with this Court and because of the important issue presented herein, this Court issued an order of remand requiring the trial court to appoint counsel. [3]. The trial court also made findings of fact that the children were abused and neglected, using language set forth in SDCL 26-8A-2(2), (3) and (4). These findings of fact are incorporated into the trial courtâs order appointing guardian and conservator where the court states: [t]he Court further having considered . . . the extent to which the children have been neglected in the home of the natural mother, . . . ha[s] found the appointment of Melanie Regalado as Guardian and Conservator of the minor children is necessary because of the natural motherâs unfitness . . . and is further necessary to protect the minor children from neglect or abuse, and there are no less restrictive alternatives . . . . [4]. Grandmother cites Crouse v. Crouse, 552 NW2d 413, 418 (SD 1996), for support of the proposition that a private party may bring an action in guardianship proceedings to involuntary deprive a parent of custody. Grandmotherâs reliance is misplaced. Our decision in that case simply pointed out two means by which a non-parent may gain custody of a child. Id. It did not, however, sanction the involuntary revocation of custody from a natural parent by a third party in guardianship proceedings. We cited In re Marriage of Miller, 825 P2d 189 (Mont 1992), which held where a child is not the natural or adopted child of the person seeking custody, the procedure to be used was in the child abuse, neglect and dependency sections. We agree with the Miller decision and further emphasize its holding today. [5]. While legally correct that this is not a termination case, a guardianship in this case would have some factual similarities with a termination of parental rights. If Grandmother, as guardian, takes the children with her back to California, Motherâs destitute economic status would in reality terminate contact with the children, except possibly for any letters or an occasional phone call. [6]. The dissent portrays this case as a choice between placing the children in the stable home of Grandmother or returning them to the deplorable conditions from which Grandmother removed them. Not so. The reality is that DSS or the courts will determine what is in the best interests of all four children and, it is a possibility that, T.H.M. and M.M.M. will remain with Grandmother. But because of the interests at stake, it is all the more important to follow the proper statutory mandates, thus ensuring the constitutional protection of the children and the parent. [7]. The mother has four children. The oldest and the youngest still live with her. The youngest child has a different father than the children involved in this guardianship. I certainly agree with the majority that these two remaining children should be referred to the South Dakota Department of Social Services. [8]. Note the similarity of language between South Dakota's and California's guardianship statutes.