Opinion ID: 2212031
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: whether the trial court properly found t.k. to be a child in need of supervision.

Text: SDCL 26-8-7.1 defines child in need of supervision as ... any child who is an habitual truant from school; who has run away from home or is otherwise beyond the control of his parent, guardian, or other custodian; or whose behavior or condition is such as to endanger his own or others' welfare.  (Emphasis added.) In cases involving ChINS, the burden of proof rests upon the State to prove the allegations beyond a reasonable doubt. See SDCL 26-8-22.5. Thus, the State must show beyond a reasonable doubt that the child is a truant, runaway or danger to himself or others. Although this court has never specifically reviewed a ChINS adjudication, in reviewing a dependency and neglect adjudication, we have held that we consider whether the findings of the trial court are clearly erroneous. See People in Interest of M. W., 374 N.W.2d 889 (S.D.1985). In determining whether the trial court was clearly erroneous, this court must be left with `a definite and firm conviction that a mistake has been made' after a review of the evidence. Id. at 894 (citations omitted). It is well established that the purpose of any juvenile disposition is to serve the best interests of the child and the public. People in Interest of C.E.B., 263 N.W.2d 874, 876 (S.D.1978). We will apply the clearly erroneous standard in cases dealing with children in need of supervision. T.K.'s parents were members of the Arc of the New Covenant. This religious sect was engaged in an ongoing conflict with the Bon Homme Hutterian Brethren Colony in Tabor, South Dakota. Confrontations between the members of these two rival religious factions created a potential for violence which has threatened T.K.'s welfare. As the trial judge noted, it is inappropriate to permit parents to exploit a child by dragging him into a religious dispute involving civil disobedience. T.K. argues that the statutory definition of a ChINS does not encompass civil disobedience. He reasons that civil disobedience is not behavior which endangers an individual child's welfare. We disagree. The evidence here supports the trial court's findings of fact and conclusions of law. Sheriff O'Donnell and Reverend Waldner testified that they observed T.K. inside a private cemetery of the Colony. Sheriff O'Donnell testified that T.K. and members of the Arc of the New Covenant were erecting a fence and headstone inside this private cemetery. Reverend Waldner testified that the Colony had previously obtained an injunction to prevent unauthorized visitors on the Colony's property. At a prior hearing, an order was granted prohibiting members of the Arc of the New Covenant from entering the colony's private cemetery without permission. The potential of violence existed. T.K.'s and other persons' welfare was threatened.