Opinion ID: 388404
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: C. 31-1-11.6-8(b) states:

Text: Unless required in the interest of the child, the court shall not exercise its jurisdiction to modify a custody decree of another state if the petitioner, without consent of the person entitled to custody, has improperly removed the child from the physical custody of the person entitled to custody or has improperly retained the child after a visit or other temporary relinquishment of physical custody. If the petitioner has violated any other provision of a custody decree of another state the court may decline to exercise its jurisdiction if this is just and proper under the circumstances. 3 This appeal was docketed on September 3, 1980, and five days later Harald petitioned for a stay, which was denied on September 12, 1980 by a motion panel of three judges other than this panel. Harald's petition to reconsider the denial of a stay was denied on September 25, 1980. A brief second petition to reconsider, citing no new matter, resulted in the granting of a stay on November 3, 1980 by the motion panel, which stated no reasons for granting the stay 4 Quilloin v. Walcott, 434 U.S. 246, 255, 98 S.Ct. 549, 554, 54 L.Ed.2d 511 (1978); Ginsberg v. New York, 390 U.S. 629, 639, 88 S.Ct. 1274, 1280, 20 L.Ed.2d 195 (1968); Prince v. Massachusetts, 321 U.S. 158, 166, 64 S.Ct. 438, 442, 88 L.Ed. 645 (1944); Pierce v. Society of Sisters, 268 U.S. 510, 534-35, 45 S.Ct. 571, 573, 69 L.Ed. 1070 (1925); Meyer v. Nebraska, 262 U.S. 390, 401, 43 S.Ct. 625, 627, 67 L.Ed. 1042 (1923) 5 In re Winship, 397 U.S. 358, 90 S.Ct. 1068, 25 L.Ed.2d 368 (1970); In re Gault, 387 U.S. 1, 87 S.Ct. 1428, 18 L.Ed.2d 527 (1967); Kent v. United States, 383 U.S. 541, 86 S.Ct. 1045, 16 L.Ed.2d 84 (1966) 6 For example, see McKeiver v. Pennsylvania, 403 U.S. 528, 91 S.Ct. 1976, 29 L.Ed.2d 647 (1971) (no constitutional right to a jury trial in juvenile court) 7 Ind.Code 31-1-11.6-23 provides: The general policies of this chapter extend to the international area. The provisions of this chapter relating to the recognition and enforcement of custody decrees of other states apply to custody decrees and decrees involving legal institutions similar in nature to custody rendered by appropriate authorities of other nations if reasonable notice and opportunity to be heard were given to all affected persons. 8 Gonzalez Cuevas v. Immigration and Naturalization Service, 515 F.2d 1222, 1224 (5th Cir. 1975); Cervantes v. Immigration and Naturalization Service, 510 F.2d 89, 91-92 (10th Cir. 1975); Enciso-Cardozo v. Immigration and Naturalization Service, 504 F.2d 1252, 1253-54 (2d Cir. 1974); Robles v. Immigration and Naturalization Service, 485 F.2d 100, 102 (10th Cir. 1973); Perdido v. Immigration and Naturalization Service, 420 F.2d 1179, 1181-82 (5th Cir. 1969); Mendez v. Major, 340 F.2d 128, 131-32 (8th Cir. 1965) 9 In re Burrus, 136 U.S. 586, 593-94, 10 S.Ct. 850, 852-53, 34 L.Ed. 500 (1890); Huynh Thi Anh v. Levi, 586 F.2d 625, 632 (6th Cir. 1978) 10 The Supreme Court of North Dakota subsequently reversed the lower state court and reinstated the original custody decree of the District of Columbia court insofar as the split custody of both parents was involved. However, the court also held that the child should remain in the United States, not as a constitutional right but in the child's best interests. The court concluded that the recommendations of expert witnesses on both sides dictate that it is in Ida's best interests to receive professional help in the form of therapy or counseling. Bergstrom v. Bergstrom, 296 N.W.2d 490, 491 (N.D.1980) 11 On December 28, 1980, the President approved Public Law 96-611, which provides that the Federal locator service may be used in connection with the enforcement of a child custody decree and in cases of parental kidnapping; and provides specifically that the existing provision of the Criminal Code dealing with flight to avoid prosecution or giving testimony, 18 U.S.C. § 1073, shall apply in the case of parental kidnapping. This law provides a current assessment of the Congressional attitude toward parental kidnapping 1 I deem it immaterial, when one parent has lawful rights to custody of the child, that the decision to live in Sweden has been made by only that parent. See Leonhard v. United States, 633 F.2d 599, 619 & n.28 (2d Cir. 1980). Harald does not challenge his mother's right to custody; he is willing to remain in her custody if she elects to live in the United States. Appellant's Brief at A-10. Certainly the factors considered by the Swedish court in awarding custody are not relevant to a determination of Harald's rights under the Constitution 2 This distinguishes this case from others establishing constitutional rights for children where the parents side with the child against the state. E. g., Tinker v. Des Moines School District, 393 U.S. 503, 89 S.Ct. 733, 21 L.Ed.2d 731 (1969); In re Gault, 387 U.S. 1, 87 S.Ct. 1428, 18 L.Ed.2d 527 (1967). In such cases, a minor's constitutional rights pose no disruptive problems for the family 3 In circumstances where the parent is unfit or acts contrary to the best interests of the child, state intervention into the familial relationship on behalf of the child may be justified. See Parham, 442 U.S. at 624, 99 S.Ct. at 2515 (Stewart, J., concurring); Id. at 630-31, 99 S.Ct. at 2518-19 (Brennan, J., dissenting). Harald has made no such claim in the instant case, however, and it is in any event doubtful that such a claim would properly be brought in federal court. State laws provide redress for the problems created by unfit parents 4 I am also reluctant to recognize the father as an alternative provider of care for Harald because this would condone his kidnapping of Harald in apparent violation of the Swedish custody decree. In any event, custody is for the state courts to determine