Opinion ID: 2211910
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Information to the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals.

Text: On Friday, June 13, 1980, these Courts were presented with an information, [1] filed by the mother, setting out the following facts which were later proven to be true. On or about June 4, 1980, the mother was advised that a writ of habeas corpus would be granted in the Pike Circuit Court and custody of Michelle finally delivered to her at approximately 9:00 a.m., on Friday, June 6, 1980. [2] Consequently, the mother flew from Hawaii to Indiana. Mrs. McCormack, with her two attorneys, Val Fleig and R. Stephen LaPlante, arrived in the Pike Circuit Court at the appointed hour to obtain custody pursuant to the orders of these Courts. Respondent Judge William D. Richardson issued the writ of habeas corpus in Trial Cause 78 C 71 at approximately 9:00 a.m., but only on the condition that the mother would not execute on the writ until 1:00 p.m., that afternoon. The reason for this delay soon became clear; respondents had engaged in a great deal of maneuvering before 9:00 a.m., that morning. Judge Richardson informed Mrs. McCormack that a new proceeding had been initiated at 8:50 a.m., in the juvenile division of the Pike Circuit Court. According to the order book entry of the Pike Circuit Court, the newly filed petition, under cause number 80 J 20, alleged that Michelle Lemond was a child in need of services. While respondent Richardson indicated that he believed the new action to be an end run, he did not dismiss the petition; instead, he disqualified himself from acting as judge in the juvenile action. A panel of judges apparently was named, but Mrs. McCormack was not told of this procedure, despite being present in open court with her attorneys. A short time after Judge Richardson's disqualification, James R. Arthur, regular judge of the Daviess Circuit Court, appeared in the Pike Circuit Court, announced that he was the special judge, and assumed jurisdiction in cause number 80 J 20. Obviously, since Mrs. McCormack did not know of a panel being named, she also did not know how respondent Arthur became special judge. [3] Even though no evidence was presented, and Michelle was not present in court, respondent Arthur specifically found that Michelle was in need of services and ordered a mental examination to be conducted by the Comprehensive Community Health Care Center of Vincennes, Indiana. Judge Arthur reasoned that Michelle should be detained to determine her mental condition at this time and her probable condition in the future if she is compelled to remove herself to the State of Hawaii. The transcript of June 6, 1980, CHINS Hearing at 20. This finding and order were made over a motion to dismiss and an objection by counsel for the mother. Counsel correctly argued that the trial court lacked jurisdiction to do anything other than enforce the writ of habeas corpus, because the issue of custody had been decided by the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals, and because the Child in Need of Services (CHINS) action was clearly a sham. This argument was made to no avail. The child was ordered turned over to the Pike County Welfare Department, pending the mental examination ordered by respondent Arthur. Mrs. McCormack was, however, permitted a short visit with Michelle. The contempt information further alleged that a second hearing was conducted on June 11, 1980. The mother renewed her motion to dismiss and objections at that time. Custody was still not returned to the mother. [4] The Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals, having been presented with the foregoing information, found probable cause did exist to believe the named respondents had willfully and intentionally violated the mandate of the Court of Appeals and the order of the Supreme Court. Accordingly, on Friday, June 13, these Courts issued an Order for Appearance and to Show Cause, ordering respondents to appear before a joint session of these Courts on Wednesday, June 18, and show cause why they should not be held in indirect criminal contempt.