Opinion ID: 2498669
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Paula's Request For Placement

Text: In September 2010 Paula formally requested placement of the children with her, but OCS denied that request. Paula sought court review of OCS's denial of her placement request. Hearings on Paula's request were held in November and December 2010 before Magistrate Wilkinson, acting as the standing master. At the hearings, Paula argued that OCS failed to provide proper notice of prior hearings and that she was entitled to placement. The evidence at the hearing incorporated the testimony from the September 2010 hearing, in which Paula had not participated. Despite this, the master found that Paula was not prejudiced by OCS's failure to provide notice of the permanency hearings and determined alternatively that any harm had been cured by the new placement review hearing at which Paula was present and permitted to participate. The standing master reasoned that Paula was not entitled to notice of the hearings in 2009 and 2010 under AS 47.10.088(i) because she was not eligible for a foster care license. The master also determined that Paula was not entitled to notice of OCS's removal of the children because Paula had initiated the removal herself when she left for Montana. Finally, the master found that there was good cause to deviate from ICWA-compliant placement and that it was in the children's best interests to remain with the Dubovs. Paula filed objections to the master's findings. The superior court adopted the master's findings, noting that Paula had not objected to the master's factual finding that there was clear and convincing evidence of good cause to deviate from the ICWA placement preferences. Paula now appeals, arguing that the superior court erred when it found that OCS's failure to provide notice regarding the CINA proceedings did not prejudice her and that the superior court abused its discretion when it found good cause to deviate from an ICWA-compliant placement. She argues that the adoption should be set aside and the children placed with her so that she can adopt them.