Opinion ID: 2570436
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Superior Court Properly Awarded Adoption to P.S. and to R.K. and J.A.

Text: After separate trials, the superior court awarded adoption of J.G. to P.S., and awarded adoption of S.G. to R.K. and J.A. C.L. and C.L. challenge these awards.
The superior court awarded adoption of J.G. to P.S. on the basis that good cause existed to deviate from the ICWA placement preferences. [10] ICWA does not define good cause, [11] nor does it set forth factors to be considered in determining whether good cause exists. We have previously sought guidance from Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) guidelines, which offer the following list of factors to consider: (i) The request of the biological parents or the child when the child is of sufficient age. (ii) The extraordinary physical or emotional needs of the child as established by testimony of a qualified expert witness. (iii) The unavailability of suitable families for placement after a diligent search has been completed for families meeting the preference criteria. [12] We have also stated that [w]hether there is good cause to deviate in a particular case depends on many factors including, but not necessarily limited to, the best interests of the child, the wishes of the biological parents, the suitability of persons preferred for placement and the child's ties to the tribe. [13] The best interests of the child remain the paramount criterion. [14] In awarding adoption of J.G. to P.S., the superior court found good cause to deviate from the ICWA placement preferences under 25 U.S.C. § 1915(a). The court found that adoption by P.S. is in J.G.'s best interests, based on consideration of the following factors: (i) J.G.'s already existing bond with P.S; (ii) J.G.'s desire to be adopted by P.S.; (iii) J.G.'s symptoms of separation anxiety and attachment disorder; (iv) J.G.'s multiple placements in the past; (v) J.G.'s weaker bond with the grandparents in comparison to her bond with P.S.; (vi) the grandparents' misunderstanding of the harm done to J.G. by exposure to her mother and alcohol; and (vii) J.G.'s cultural needs. We review the lower court's finding of good cause to deviate from ICWA placement preferences for abuse of discretion. [15] We will only reverse the superior court's factual findings if they are clearly erroneous. [16] The grandparents make two basic arguments in their attempt to show that the superior court abused its discretion in finding good cause to deviate from ICWA placement preferences. They claim that (a) some of the factual findings made by the superior court were clearly erroneous; and (b) the superior court improperly analyzed the relevant factors for good cause.