Court Opinion

ID: 9912454
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-12-22 15:05:23.750049+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:59:30.916840
License: Public Domain

RENDERED: DECEMBER 15, 2023; 10:00 A.M.
                       NOT TO BE PUBLISHED

                Commonwealth of Kentucky
                           Court of Appeals
                              NO. 2023-CA-0204-MR

ANTWAN MILES                                                          APPELLANT

                APPEAL FROM JEFFERSON CIRCUIT COURT
v.                HONORABLE TARA HAGERTY, JUDGE
                        ACTION NO. 19-CI-501420

LYNDSAY SKAGGS                                                          APPELLEE

                                    OPINION
                                   AFFIRMING

                                   ** ** ** ** **

BEFORE: COMBS, JONES, AND MCNEILL, JUDGES.

JONES, JUDGE: Antwan Miles appeals from an order of the Jefferson Family

Court pertaining to custody and visitation of his minor child, M.B.M. (“Child”).

We affirm.

                                 I. BACKGROUND

             Antwan and Lyndsay Skaggs met in 2018. At the time, Antwan was

on supervised release for federal convictions related to drug trafficking and
possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.1 Although Lyndsay is a career

probation and parole officer with the Louisville Metro Department of Corrections,

she has maintained she had no idea about and never suspected Antwan’s criminal

history, including felony convictions in Kentucky, when they began dating.

Lyndsay became pregnant very early in the relationship and gave birth to Child in

April 2019. By the time Child was born, the parties’ relationship had deteriorated,

and Lyndsay was aware of Antwan’s extensive criminal history. Lyndsay filed at

least two petitions seeking a domestic violence order (“DVO”) against Antwan

prior to October 2020, which were ultimately dismissed.

              On May 7, 2019, Antwan filed a petition for joint custody of Child.

On June 25, 2019, he filed a motion for a temporary visitation schedule, but

notably did not ask for a temporary custody order. In July 2019, the family court

entered an order that awarded Antwan roughly equal parenting time. However,

just a few months later, Antwan was the subject of an investigation by the Cabinet

for Health and Family Services (“CHFS”) and the family court ordered Antwan’s

visitation to be supervised. In October 2019, Antwan provided proof that the

allegations against him were unsubstantiated and motioned the family court to

1
 Antwan had served nine and one-half years’ incarceration prior to being released in 2018.
Although Antwan’s brief states he successfully completed federal supervised release in
September 2022, Antwan testified he was no longer “on paper” at the hearing in August 2022.

                                             -2-
reinstate the prior visitation schedule. For reasons that are not clear from the

record before us, Antwan’s parenting time remained supervised.2

               On February 27, 2020, the family court entered an order setting a trial

for Antwan’s custody petition on June 4, 2020. However, just days before the trial,

Antwan filed a motion with the family court to convert the trial to a case

management conference. The motion stated, in relevant part, that neither party was

compliant with pretrial matters. In the interim, Antwan’s visitation remained

supervised and took place at Safe Haven in Louisville, Kentucky. Antwan did not

motion the family court to reschedule the trial.

               In November 2020, the family court granted a DVO against Antwan

on behalf of Lyndsay only. Antwan appealed and this Court affirmed.3 In January

2021, Lyndsay filed a motion to suspend Antwan’s visitation, citing the DVO and

Antwan’s recent arrest for drug trafficking and firearms. By the time the family

court heard Lyndsay’s motion and entered an order, the criminal charges against

Antwan had been dismissed and the family court ordered Antwan to resume the

same supervised parenting schedule.

2
  The prior orders of the family court are perfunctory and the hearings that took place around the
time of the CHFS investigation are not in the record before us.

3
  See Miles v. Skaggs, No. 2021-CA-0222-ME, 2021 WL 3935470 (Ky. App. Sep. 3, 2021). The
family court renewed the DVO for another three years in November 2021.

                                               -3-
             In September 2021, Antwan motioned the family court for additional,

unsupervised parenting time. On February 8, 2022, the family court entered an

order that increased Antwan’s parenting time to up to four hours per week, still to

be supervised by Safe Haven. However, the family court also ordered that

permanent sole custody of Child was to remain with Lyndsay. This was an error

because the family court had never entered a prior custody order. Antwan

subsequently filed various motions and the family court entered an order that

granted temporary custody of Child to Lyndsay and scheduled a trial for Antwan’s

custody petition. The trial took place in August 2022, and the family court entered

an order on September 16, 2022, granting permanent sole custody of Child to

Lyndsay and keeping Antwan’s supervised parenting schedule in place. The

family court also ordered that, if Antwan ever desires increased, unsupervised

parenting time, he must first undergo a parenting/risk assessment by Dr. Kelly

Marvin. Antwan filed a motion to alter, amend, or vacate the order, which was

denied. This appeal followed.

                            II. STANDARD OF REVIEW

             Regarding custody of Child, the proper standard of review is as

follows:

                    Since the family court is in the best position to
             evaluate the testimony and to weigh the evidence, an
             appellate court should not substitute its own opinion for
             that of the family court. If the findings of fact are

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                supported by substantial evidence and if the correct law
                is applied, a family court’s ultimate decision regarding
                custody will not be disturbed, absent an abuse of
                discretion. Abuse of discretion implies that the family
                court’s decision is unreasonable or unfair. Thus, in
                reviewing the decision of the family court, the test is not
                whether the appellate court would have decided it
                differently, but whether the findings of the family court
                are clearly erroneous, whether it applied the correct law,
                or whether it abused its discretion.

Varney v. Bingham, 513 S.W.3d 349, 352 (Ky. App. 2017) (quoting Coffman v.

Rankin, 260 S.W.3d 767 (Ky. 2008)).

                Similarly, “[w]e review the trial court’s visitation orders under an

abuse of discretion standard, as visitation rights are found to be an area within the

discretion of the trial court.” T.A.N. v. M.J., 266 S.W.3d 251, 255 (Ky. App. 2008)

(citation omitted).

                                      III. ANALYSIS

                Antwan first argues about the length of time it took for the family

court to conduct a custody hearing. His remaining arguments focus generally on

his contention that the family court erred in applying the mandates of (1) KRS4

403.270 related to custody determinations; (2) KRS 403.315 and the applicability

4
    Kentucky Revised Statute.

                                            -5-
of the DVO in this case; and (3) KRS 403.320 regarding visitation of a

noncustodial parent.5

               Turning to Antwan’s first argument, it is without merit and refuted by

the record before us. Although Antwan motioned the family court for a temporary

visitation schedule shortly after filing his petition for custody, he did not file a

motion for temporary custody at any point. When the family court set a trial date

regarding custody, it was Antwan who requested to convert the trial to a case

management conference. The record reveals other causes for delays in this case,

including domestic violence proceedings, the COVID-19 pandemic, the

involvement of the CHFS, and Antwan’s arrest and incarceration in September

2020. However, despite the various delays discernable from the record, the fact

remains that Antwan never attempted to reschedule any custody proceeding until

the family court mistakenly ordered that permanent sole custody was to remain

with Lyndsay on February 8, 2022. There was no error on the part of the family

court for any delay in the proceedings.6

5
  Antwan also makes arguments related to KRS 403.280, but because this statute pertains to
temporary custody orders that are inapplicable to this appeal, we decline to address these
arguments.
6
  Furthermore, when a trial court is derelict in its duty to adjudicate a pending matter, the proper
way to seek relief from this Court is by commencing an original action pursuant to Kentucky
Rule of Appellate Procedure (“RAP”) 60 requesting a writ of mandamus. Teen Challenge of
Kentucky, Inc. v. Kentucky Commission on Human Rights, 577 S.W.3d 472, 480 (Ky. App. 2019)
(“Mandamus is an appropriate remedy to compel an inferior court or administrative body to
adjudicate on a subject within its jurisdiction where it neglects or refuses to do so[.]”).

                                                -6-
            We next address the family court’s award of sole custody to Lyndsay

under KRS 403.270, which provides, in relevant part:

            (2) The court shall determine custody in accordance with
              the best interests of the child and equal consideration
              shall be given to each parent and to any de facto
              custodian. Subject to KRS 403.315, there shall be a
              presumption, rebuttable by a preponderance of
              evidence, that joint custody and equally shared
              parenting time is in the best interest of the child. If a
              deviation from equal parenting time is warranted, the
              court shall construct a parenting time schedule which
              maximizes the time each parent or de facto custodian
              has with the child and is consistent with ensuring the
              child’s welfare. The court shall consider all relevant
              factors including:

                  (a) The wishes of the child’s parent or
                    parents, and any de facto custodian, as to
                    his or her custody;

                  (b) The wishes of the child as to his or her
                    custodian, with due consideration given to
                    the influence a parent or de facto
                    custodian may have over the child’s
                    wishes;

                  (c) The interaction and interrelationship of
                    the child with his or her parent or parents,
                    his or her siblings, and any other person
                    who may significantly affect the child’s
                    best interests;

                  (d) The motivation of the adults
                    participating in the custody proceeding;

                  (e) The child’s adjustment and continuing
                    proximity to his or her home, school, and
                    community;

                                        -7-
                   (f) The mental and physical health of all
                     individuals involved;

                   (g) A finding by the court that domestic
                     violence and abuse, as defined in KRS
                     403.720, has been committed by one (1) of
                     the parties against a child of the parties or
                     against another party. The court shall
                     determine the extent to which the domestic
                     violence and abuse has affected the child
                     and the child’s relationship to each party,
                     with due consideration given to efforts
                     made by a party toward the completion of
                     any domestic violence treatment,
                     counseling, or program; [and]

                   ....

                   (k) The likelihood a party will allow the
                     child frequent, meaningful, and continuing
                     contact with the other parent or de facto
                     custodian, except that the court shall not
                     consider this likelihood if there is a
                     finding that the other parent or de facto
                     custodian engaged in domestic violence
                     and abuse, as defined in KRS 403.720,
                     against the party or a child and that a
                     continuing relationship with the other
                     parent will endanger the health or safety of
                     either that party or the child.

             Antwan argues the family court failed to consider the proper legal

standard in determining custody. He points to KRS 403.270(2)(g) and contends

the family court failed to “determine the extent to which the domestic violence and

abuse has affected the child and the child’s relationship to each party.” This is

refuted by the family court’s order. Not only did the family court consider the

                                         -8-
statutory provision, but it also considered it in the context of KRS 403.270(2)(k)

and KRS 403.315. The family court clearly believed that a continuing relationship

with Antwan would endanger Lyndsay’s health and safety. KRS 403.270(2)(k).

The family court also analyzed KRS 403.315, which provides,

             [w]hen determining or modifying a custody order
             pursuant to KRS 403.270, 403.280, 403.340, 403.740, the
             court shall consider the safety and well-being of the
             parties and of the children. If a domestic violence order
             is being or has been entered against a party by
             another party or on behalf of a child at issue in the
             custody hearing, the presumption that joint custody
             and equally shared parenting time is in the best
             interest of the child shall not apply as to the party
             against whom the domestic violence order is being or
             has been entered. The court shall weigh all factors set
             out in KRS 403.270 in determining the best interest of
             the child.

(Emphasis added.)

            Accordingly, because of the DVO, Lyndsay did not have a burden to

overcome a presumption of joint custody and equal parenting time, and the family

court did not presume that joint custody and equal parenting time was in Child’s

best interest. Despite Antwan’s assertions to the contrary, the family court’s order

considered each of the factors in KRS 403.270(2). We will not detail all of those

findings here, except to note that they are supported by the evidence contained in

the record before us. Instead, we will focus on a few significant findings that

                                         -9-
Antwan highlights in his brief to this Court. These findings generally relate to

what the family court determined was Antwan’s lack of credibility.

                The family court’s order plainly and unambiguously indicates that it

did not find Antwan’s testimony credible. CR7 52.01 provides, in relevant part that

“due regard shall be given to the opportunity of the trial court to judge the

credibility of the witnesses.” See also Williford v. Williford, 583 S.W.3d 424, 427

(Ky. App. 2019). There are several discernable reasons that the family court found

Antwan lacked credibility. First, although Antwan testified he had not contacted

Lyndsay since the DVO was in effect, Lyndsay produced a call log on her cellular

telephone that showed numerous missed calls from Antwan. Second, the family

court found credible Lyndsay’s testimony that she agreed to meet Antwan at a

local store, where he gave her $5000 in cash as incentive to stop litigating this

case.8 Antwan denied the meeting or the exchange of cash ever occurred. Finally,

the family court found that Antwan’s stated income and expenses simply did not

7
    Kentucky Rule of Civil Procedure.
8
  The family court found that Antwan’s arrangement of the meeting with Lyndsay and giving her
$5000 cash were evidence of Antwan’s failure to follow court orders, specifically the DVO.
Lyndsay testified she believes Antwan’s income and access to large amounts of cash are due to
ongoing drug dealing, which she adamantly denounces. However, she nevertheless accepted the
spoils of Antwan’s alleged criminal activity, while also ignoring the DVO. The family court
found that “Lyndsay’s demeanor is not that of the stereotypical weak and terrified victim of
domestic violence but that does not make her testimony unbelievable.” Although the family
court recognized that Lyndsay’s agreement to meet Antwan and accept the money did not “place
her in the best light,” this recognition fails to underscore Lyndsay’s participation in activities she
now seeks to use against Antwan.

                                                -10-
add up. He testified that his net income is approximately $800 per month from

working at his sister’s commercial cleaning service, and that this is his only

income. However, the family court noted his stated monthly expenses, including

$400 for his portion of rent; $289 for child support; $100 for utilities; $300 for

groceries; $65 for his own cellular telephone; and an unknown amount for

attorney’s fees were inexplicable. Further testimony also revealed that Antwan

also paid half of his older daughter’s new iPhone and took her and her other

siblings on a vacation to Myrtle Beach for one week.9 Lyndsay also testified that,

when she was still in a relationship with Antwan, he paid cash for a new Dodge

Charger at a dealership. Finally, Antwan testified that he pays for daycare for his

child from another relationship and must pay for his visits with Child at Safe

Haven. The family court was well within its authority to find that Antwan’s

testimony regarding his income and expenses was not credible. This, in turn, lead

the court to find that Antwan’s remaining testimony was also not credible. There

was no abuse of discretion.

              Antwan’s next argument is that the family court improperly restricted

his visitation with Child. Per the order, Antwan is permitted up to four hours of

9
 Loretta White, maternal grandmother of one of Antwan’s other children, also testified that
Antwan takes his children on yearly vacations.

                                             -11-
visitation each week, to be supervised by Safe Haven. With regard to visitation,

KRS 403.320 provides, in relevant part,

                (1) A parent not granted custody of the child and not
                awarded shared parenting time under the presumption
                specified in KRS 403.270(2), 403.280(2), or
                403.340(5) is entitled to reasonable visitation rights
                unless the court finds, after a hearing, that visitation
                would endanger seriously the child’s physical,
                mental, moral, or emotional health. Upon request of
                either party, the court shall issue orders which are
                specific as to the frequency, timing, duration,
                conditions, and method of scheduling visitation and
                which reflect the development age of the child.

                (2) If domestic violence and abuse, as defined in KRS
                403.720, has been alleged, the court shall, after a
                hearing, determine the visitation arrangement, if any,
                which would not endanger seriously the child’s or the
                custodial parent’s physical, mental, or emotional
                health.

            In ruling on the visitation schedule the family court took into account

the DVO, Antwan’s repeated violations, and the total inability of the parties to

cooperate and communicate with one another. The family court also found that

Antwan uses Child as a means to control Lyndsay through attempts at bribery and

ongoing litigation. Further, the court also considered Antwan’s situation regarding

his other five children. Antwan had his parental rights terminated to two of his

older children; does not have custody of his eighteen-month-old daughter; and only

recently gained custody of another child from a separate family court division in

Jefferson County. Finally, the family court considered Antwan’s criminal

                                        -12-
conviction history. Prior to 2018, KRS 403.270(3) provided that the “court shall

not consider conduct of a proposed custodian that does not affect his relationship to

the child.” This is no longer the law. In considering alleged parental misconduct,

evidence regarding the misconduct

             may be heard and received, but before giving any
             consideration to such misconduct, the court must
             conclude, in his reasonable discretion, that such
             misconduct has affected, or is likely to affect, the child
             adversely. If such a determination is made, the trial court
             may then consider the potential adverse effect of such
             misconduct as it relates to the best interests of the child.

Krug v. Krug, 647 S.W.2d 790, 793 (Ky. 1983). The Kentucky Supreme Court

also noted that “a judge is not required to wait until the children have already been

harmed before he can give consideration to the conduct causing the harm.” Id.

             Antwan cites Varney, supra, for his contention that the family court

relied on Antwan’s past criminal behavior to deny him reasonable visitation. In

Varney, this Court vacated a circuit court order that awarded sole custody of the

parties’ child to the father based on the mother’s past drug use (i.e., prior to her

pregnancy) when there was no evidence that her substance abuse was ongoing.

Varney, 513 S.W.3d at 353. In contrast, in the instant action, the family court

found there were indications that Antwan’s criminal activity may be continuing,

including his inexplicable finances and recent arrest for drug trafficking charges,

                                          -13-
even though the charges were ultimately dismissed.10 As a result, the family court

concluded that allowing Antwan to have parenting time with Child in an

unsupervised environment “would seriously endanger [Child’s] physical, mental,

moral, or emotional health.”

              “As used in [KRS 403.320(1)], the term ‘restrict’ means to provide

[either] parent with something less than ‘reasonable visitation.’” French v.

French, 581 S.W.3d 45, 50 (Ky. App. 2019) (citation omitted). We do not agree

with Antwan that he was awarded less than reasonable visitation. The family court

carefully weighed the evidence and found that there were “grave concerns”

regarding Antwan’s ability to parent Child on an unsupervised basis. However, the

family court indicated it would be open to the possibility of Antwan receiving

increased and possibly unsupervised parenting time in the future, pending the

results of a parenting/risk assessment. There was no error on the part of the family

court.

10
   Both parties attempt to use Antwan’s recent arrest to their respective advantage. Antwan
points to the fact that the charges were dismissed in an effort to cast a positive light; Lyndsay
argues that simply because the charges were dismissed does not mean law enforcement did not
find drugs, firearms, and large amounts of cash when executing a search warrant where Antwan
was living at the time.

                                              -14-
                                IV. CONCLUSION

            For the foregoing reasons, the Jefferson Family Court did not abuse its

discretion in the order awarding sole custody of Child to Lyndsay and granting

Antwan supervised visitation. Accordingly, we affirm.

            ALL CONCUR.

BRIEF FOR APPELLANT:                     BRIEF FOR APPELLEE:

John H. Helmers, Jr.                     Robert Louis Fleck
Melina Hettiaratchi                      Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville, Kentucky

                                       -15-