Opinion ID: 1827095
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: whether the trial court was clearly erroneous when it determined j.a.h. was a dependent and neglected child.

Text: State must prove by clear and convincing evidence that a child is dependent and neglected. In re S.L., 419 N.W.2d 689, 692 (S.D.1988); Santosky v. Kramer, 455 U.S. 745, 769, 102 S.Ct. 1388, 1403, 71 L.Ed.2d 599, 617 (1982). Our prior decisions have established that it is appropriate for the trial court to take judicial notice of earlier findings as to abuse and neglect. See In re L.B., 416 N.W.2d 598, 599 (S.D.1987); In re R.Z.F., 284 N.W.2d 879, 881 (S.D.1979); In re K.D.E., 87 S.D. 501, 506, 210 N.W.2d 907, 910 (1973). Prior findings are relevant to the determination of whether abuse of other children in this same family is likely and this determination is within the discretion of the trial court. L.B., 416 N.W.2d at 599; R.Z.F., 284 N.W.2d at 881; K.D.E., 87 S.D. at 506, 210 N.W.2d at 910. Although prior findings of abuse and neglect are not necessarily conclusive, it is error for a later trial court to take evidence of the time prior to that adjudication of dependency and neglect. R.Z.F., 284 N.W.2d at 881; In re N.J.W., 273 N.W.2d 134, 137 (S.D.1978). This court does not decide factual issues de novo[.] In re D.H., 354 N.W.2d 185, 188 (S.D.1984). We will not disturb the court's findings of fact unless they are clearly erroneous and we are, after a review of all the evidence, left with a definite and firm conviction that a mistake has been made. In re A.M., 292 N.W.2d 103, 105 (S.D.1980); In re V.D.D., 278 N.W.2d 194, 197 (S.D.1979). Clear and convincing evidence is evidence so clear, direct, weighty, and convincing as to allow the trier of fact to reach a clear conviction of the precise facts at issue, without hesitancy as to their truth. In re S.W., 428 N.W.2d 521, 524 (S.D.1988) (citations omitted). Parents observe that there has been no specific incident of any abuse or neglect of Child and assert the trial court erred when it relied on the findings from the proceedings which led to the termination of their parental rights to Brother and Sister. [5] A finding of specific instances of abuse or neglect is not a predicate to an adjudication of abuse and neglect. K.D.E., 87 S.D. at 505-06, 210 N.W.2d at 910; SDCL 26-8A-2. [6] Parents have never admitted they are perpetrators of sexual child abuse and have never sought counseling for their aberrant behavior. The trial court heard testimony that before such counseling is effective, it is necessary for perpetrators to admit their acts. In view of additional testimony before the court that repeat incidents of sexual abuse by Parents is not only possible, but is likely, the trial court did not abuse its discretion by referring to the previous findings of abuse and neglect. The record clearly supports the trial court's determination that Child is a member of a dysfunctional family which has, for several generations, been victims and perpetrators of sexual child abuse. Mother was herself the victim of continuing sexual child abuse by her adoptive father since 1969 when she was seven-years-old. In view of the entire evidence, we find the trial court was not clearly erroneous when it determined Child was abused or neglected.