Opinion ID: 1636726
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: ICWA provides:

Text: No termination of parental rights may be ordered in such proceeding in the absence of a determination, supported by evidence beyond a reasonable doubt, including testimony of qualified expert witnesses, that the continued custody of the child by the parent or Indian custodian is likely to result in serious emotional or physical damage to the child. 25 U.S.C. § 1912(f) (1982). Appellants contend that expert testimony, of the caliber mandated by ICWA, was lacking in this case. Appellants make reference to federal guidelines which identify three possible types of expert witnesses. (i) A member of the Indian child's tribe who is recognized by the tribal community as knowledgeable in tribal customs as they pertain to family organization and childrearing practices. (ii) A lay expert witness having substantial experience in the delivery of child and family services to Indians, and extensive knowledge of prevailing social and cultural standards and childrearing practices within the Indian child's tribe. (iii) A professional person having substantial education and experience in the area of his or her specialty. 44 Fed.Reg. 67,584, at 67,593 (Nov. 26, 1979). Appellants conclude that their parental rights to K.C.H. and L.W. were improperly terminated. We do not agree. Qualification of experts and admission of their testimony are matters which fall within the trial court's sound discretion. In re J.L.H., 316 N.W.2d 650, 651 (S.D.1982); State v. Iron Shell, 301 N.W.2d 669, 672 (S.D.1981); State ex rel. Helgerson v. Riiff, 73 S.D. 467, 475, 44 N.W.2d 126, 130 (1950). A trial court's rulings in this area will be disturbed on appeal only if its discretion was clearly abused. In re J.L.H., 316 N.W.2d at 651; Iron Shell, 301 N.W.2d at 372; Riiff, 73 S.D. at 475, 44 N.W.2d at 130. In this case, a veritable plethora of witnesses possessing expert credentials testified regarding the situation of family W. Any number of these witnesses would satisfy both state and federal regulations regarding expert testimony. We note that federal guidelines quoted above are only guidelines and do not have binding legislative effect. 44 Fed. Reg. 67,584 (Nov. 26, 1979). In this case, expert testimony was elicited from individuals who would undoubtedly satisfy the recommendation of that provision. [3] The fact-finder's decision was properly considered and supported by testimony of experts and we so hold. We refer to In re K.A.B.E., 325 N.W.2d 840, 843 (S.D.1982), and a similar attack under the ICWA. Here, we note that Social Worker Thompson had supervised over 300 Indian family cases during her ten years of work experience and was involved in a supervisory capacity in the W. family case for approximately six months. Social Worker Baldwin's expertise with Indian families was limited to five to ten families over a four-year period. We refer to (12) of footnote 3 to further buttress the expertise of Indian input and expert opinion concerning these children. We do not believe the ICWA was intended as a shield to permit abusive treatment of Indian children by their parents. Children should not be abused, neglected, or forlorned under the guise of cultural identity.