Court Opinion

ID: 3008700
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-10-08 15:04:54.302084+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:46:13.411585
License: Public Domain

MEMORANDUM DECISION
Pursuant to Ind. Appellate Rule 65(D),
this Memorandum Decision shall not be                                Oct 08 2015, 8:41 am
regarded as precedent or cited before any
court except for the purpose of establishing
the defense of res judicata, collateral
estoppel, or the law of the case.

ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT                                    ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE
Cynthia Phillips Smith                                    Gregory F. Zoeller
Law Office of Cynthia P. Smith                            Attorney General of Indiana
Lafayette, Indiana
                                                          Robert J. Henke
                                                          David E. Corey
                                                          Deputy Attorney General
                                                          Indianapolis, Indiana

                                           IN THE
    COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA

In the Matter of the Termination                          October 8, 2015
of the Parent-Child Relationship                          Court of Appeals Case No.
of: M.V. & J.V., (Minor Children)                         79A02-1503-JT-187
And                                                       Appeal from the Tippecanoe
                                                          Superior Court
M.H. (Mother)
                                                          The Honorable Thomas K.
Appellant-Respondent,                                     Milligan, Senior Judge

        v.                                                Trial Court Cause Nos.
                                                          79D03-1410-JT-44
                                                          79D03-1410-JT-45
The Indiana Department of
Child Services,
Appellee-Petitioner

Robb, Judge.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 79A02-1503-JT-187 | October 8, 2015       Page 1 of 14
                                  Case Summary and Issue
[1]   M.H. (“Mother”) appeals a juvenile court’s order terminating her parental

      rights to her children M.V. and J.V (the “Children”). Mother raises several

      issues for our review, which we consolidate and restate as whether the juvenile

      court’s termination order is supported by clear and convincing evidence.

      Concluding the juvenile court’s order is not clearly erroneous, we affirm.

                              Facts and Procedural History
[2]   On June 20, 2013, the Lafayette Police Department (“LPD”) received a request

      for a child welfare check at the residence of Mother and T.V. (“Father”).1

      Upon arrival, LPD entered the home where two-year-old M.V. was present.

      LPD recognized an odor of burnt marijuana and discovered drug

      paraphernalia. LPD immediately contacted the Department of Child Services

      (“DCS”), as conditions in the home were deplorable and Mother was being

      arrested—for almost the 25th time—on an outstanding warrant. DCS arrived

      and discovered:

               The living room was cluttered with toys and a small pillow
               mattress that [M.V.] had been sleeping on. The kitchen floor was
               filthy with large spots where dirt on the floor was swept and not
               picked up. The counters were completely covered with dishes
               that contained old food on them. There were numerous pots and

      1
        Father does not appeal the juvenile court’s decision to terminate his parental rights. The record indicates
      “Father essentially has voluntarily terminated his parental rights by knowingly quitting services.” Appendix
      of Appellant at 23. References to Father are for the sole purpose of providing clarity.

      Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 79A02-1503-JT-187 | October 8, 2015             Page 2 of 14
              pans on the stove covered with old food. The sink could not be
              accessible due to the amount of dishes spilling out of it. The little
              bit of counter space that was visible had stains, dirt, and what
              appeared to be ashes. There was almost no food in the
              refrigerator. The first bedroom had carpet that was filthy and
              trash scattered throughout the room. There was a cup in the
              room that appeared to have ashes in it. There were two reptile
              aquariums that housed a tarantula. These were very close to the
              edge of a dresser and had no lids from preventing the large spider
              to escape. The one bathroom in the residence appeared dirty.
              There were diapers and trash piled almost to the top of the
              counter to the left of the toilet. There was fecal matter that was
              sitting in the toilet and had built up over the past 5 days. The
              floors and walls were filthy throughout the house. [M.V.’s]
              clothes appeared to be filthy . . . .

      Documentary Exhibit 1 at 2. At the time, Mother was seven months pregnant

      with J.V.

[3]   In early July, DCS removed M.V. from Mother’s custody and placed M.V. in

      her paternal grandmother’s care. Thereafter, DCS initiated Child in Need of

      Services (“CHINS”) proceedings. On July 15, Mother entered a guilty plea to

      aiding a burglary, a Class B felony, and was sentenced to six years in the

      Indiana Department of Correction (“DOC”), suspended to probation. On July

      31, M.V. was adjudicated a CHINS based on Mother’s recent arrest, the

      presence of illegal substances in the home, the condition of the home, and

      parents’ inability to provide a safe home environment. The juvenile court

      ordered M.V. remain in her paternal grandmother’s custody.

      Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 79A02-1503-JT-187 | October 8, 2015   Page 3 of 14
[4]   Mother and Father subsequently moved in with the paternal grandmother, thus

      reuniting with M.V. On August 14, the court ordered Mother and Father

      participate in reunification services. Specifically, Mother, who has a history of

      substance abuse and bipolar disorder, was to submit to mental health and

      substance use assessments, and participate in case management therapy. She

      never participated in any assessment and cancelled some therapy sessions.

      Following the court order, Mother gave birth to J.V. J.V. was not immediately

      removed from Mother’s and Father’s care because they were residing in the

      home of the Children’s paternal grandmother, had obtained employment, and

      were actively participating in services on M.V.’s case. On September 30,

      however, DCS filed a CHINS petition due to concerns regarding J.V.’s weight.

[5]   On October 8, Mother was arrested for violating the terms of her probation and

      was released on home detention. On November 8, however, Mother was again

      arrested for violating the terms of her probation and home detention when

      alcohol was discovered in her residence. After the arrest, DCS made a surprise

      visit to the residence. DCS discovered “spice”2 and drug paraphernalia under a

      couch cushion. Additionally, both Mother and J.V., who was two months old

      at the time, tested positive for opiates. Because the paternal grandmother was

      moving to another state, the juvenile court ordered the Children be placed with

      a paternal great aunt and uncle. The trial court revoked Mother’s probation

      2
       “Spice” refers to certain synthetic forms of marijuana. See Elvers v. State, 22 N.E.3d 824, 828 (Ind. Ct. App.
      2014).

      Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 79A02-1503-JT-187 | October 8, 2015              Page 4 of 14
      and Mother was sent to DOC, where she currently remains. On December 11,

      the juvenile court adjudicated J.V. a CHINS.

[6]   On October 6, 2014, DCS filed a petition for termination of Mother’s parental

      rights. In December, the juvenile court conducted parent-child termination

      proceedings. DCS’ case manager testified Mother’s parental rights should be

      terminated:

              [DCS:] Why is it then that you articulate the position that we
              will be unlikely to remedy the problems that led to removal from
              [Mother]?
              [Case Manager:] Well [Mother] is currently incarcerated and
              will be for the next two years and she’s incarcerated due to things
              that she did at the beginning of the case.
              [DCS:] And so – and you had an opportunity to look backward
              at her history before the case began?
              [Case Manager:] Yes.
              [DCS:] And did [Mother], well tell us what – and I don’t think
              we need details just generally about [Mother’s] criminal history
              before our case began?
              [Case Manager:] She has a pretty extensive criminal history of
              runaways and theft.
              [DCS:] Is it fair to say that if [Mother] gets out of the
              Department of Corrections [sic] and does well, finds a job, keeps
              a job, finds a house, keeps a house, stays out of legal trouble that
              it will really be the first time in her life that she done so?
              [Case Manager:] Yes.

      Transcript at 33-34. Moreover, because M.V. displays symptoms of attention

      deficit hyperactivity disorder (“ADHD”) and bipolar disorder, and J.V. suffers

      from respiratory issues, DCS expressed concerns about Mother’s ability to care

      for her Children’s special needs. DCS recommended the Children be adopted

      Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 79A02-1503-JT-187 | October 8, 2015   Page 5 of 14
      by their paternal aunt and uncle because the Children were thriving in their

      placement with those relatives. The court-appointed special advocate

      (“CASA”) also recommended termination of Mother’s parental rights, noting

      Mother could not “provide a safe, supportive environment for [M.V.] and

      [J.V.].” Id. at 82.

[7]   On February 27, 2015, the juvenile court issued an order terminating Mother’s

      and Father’s parental rights. In doing so, the court noted, in relevant part:

              Mother has been continuously incarcerated since October 10,
              2013. Her projected outdate, at the time of termination hearing
              was August 16, 2016. She has not been available to participate in
              services since incarceration. Prior to incarceration, she only
              participated in services sporadically. She did not follow any of
              the assessments she had with treatment or other services and
              appeared to be unable or unwilling to cooperate with and follow
              the directives of the court and the Department of Child Services.
              Mother has not been able to maintain her own home, maintain
              employment, or provide stability or security for the [C]hildren.
              She has shown no satisfactory substance abuse treatment or
              mental health treatment. She has not demonstrated any
              understanding of reasonable expectations for child appropriate
              behavior and development as children grow and develop.
              ***
              The parents have not demonstrated a willingness to make lasting
              changes from past behaviors or maintain stability in order to care
              and provide adequately for the [C]hildren. Continuation of the
              parent-child relationships poses a threat to the well-being of the
              [C]hildren. The [C]hildren need parents with whom the
              [C]hildren can form a permanent and lasting bond to provide for
              the [C]hildren’s emotional and psychological as well as physical
              well-being. The [C]hildren’s well-being would be threatened by
              keeping the [C]hildren in parent-child relationships with parents

      Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 79A02-1503-JT-187 | October 8, 2015   Page 6 of 14
              whose own choices and actions have made them unable to meet
              the needs of the [C]hildren. DCS has a satisfactory plan of
              adoption for the care and treatment of the [C]hildren following
              termination of parental rights. The [C]hildren can be adopted
              and an appropriate permanent home has been found for the
              [C]hildren and that is to be adopted by the paternal great aunt
              and uncle with whom they have been in foster placement.

      App. of Appellant at 22-23. Mother now appeals.

                                 Discussion and Decision
                                      I. Standard of Review
[8]   “[T]he involuntary termination of parental rights is an extreme measure that is

      designed to be used as a last resort when all other reasonable efforts have

      failed.” In re C.G., 954 N.E.2d 910, 916 (Ind. 2011). Indiana Code section 31-

      35-2-4(b)(2) provides, in pertinent part, what must be proven in order to

      terminate parental rights:

              (2) The petition must allege:
              ***
              (B) that one (1) of the following is true:
              (i) There is a reasonable probability that the conditions that
              resulted in the child’s removal or the reasons for placement
              outside the home of the parents will not be remedied.
              (ii) There is a reasonable probability that the continuation of the
              parent-child relationship poses a threat to the well-being of the
              child.
              ***
              (C) that termination is in the best interests of the child . . . .

      Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 79A02-1503-JT-187 | October 8, 2015   Page 7 of 14
      The State must prove each element by clear and convincing evidence. In re

      G.Y., 904 N.E.2d 1257, 1261 (Ind. 2009). “Clear and convincing evidence need

      not reveal that the continued custody of the parents is wholly inadequate for the

      child’s very survival.” Bester v. Lake Cnty. Office of Family & Children, 839 N.E.2d
143, 148 (Ind. 2005) (citation and internal quotation marks omitted). Rather, it

      is sufficient to show by clear and convincing evidence that “the child’s

      emotional and physical development are threatened” by parents’ custody. Id.

      (citation omitted). “[I]f the court finds that the allegations in a petition . . . are

      true, the court shall terminate the parent-child relationship.” Ind. Code § 31-35-

      2-8(a). “When reviewing the termination of parental rights, we do not reweigh

      the evidence or judge witness credibility.” In re G.Y., 904 N.E.2d at 1260.

      Rather, we consider only the evidence and reasonable inferences most favorable

      to the juvenile court’s judgment. Id.

[9]   Because the juvenile court entered findings of fact and conclusions of law in

      terminating Mother’s parental rights, we apply a two-tiered standard of review.

      First, we determine whether the evidence supports the findings, and second, we

      determine whether the findings support the judgment. Id. We set aside a

      juvenile court’s judgment only if it is clearly erroneous. Id. A judgment is

      “clearly erroneous if the findings do not support the . . . conclusions or the

      conclusions do not support the judgment.” Bester, 839 N.E.2d at 147.

      Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 79A02-1503-JT-187 | October 8, 2015   Page 8 of 14
                                      II. Termination Order
[10]   Mothers contends the juvenile court’s termination order was clearly erroneous

       in several respects. She claims DCS failed to prove the conditions resulting in

       the Children’s removal will not be remedied; DCS failed to prove she posed a

       threat to the Children’s well-being; and DCS failed to prove termination was in

       the Children’s best interest.

[11]   First, Mother argues DCS failed to prove there was a reasonable probability the

       conditions leading to the Children’s removal from her care will not be

       remedied. “In determining whether the conditions that led to a child’s removal

       will not be remedied, the trial court must judge a parent’s fitness to care for her

       child at the time of the termination hearing and take into consideration

       evidence of changed conditions.” In re A.B., 924 N.E.2d 666, 670 (Ind. Ct.

       App. 2010). The court may properly consider the services the State offered to

       the parent, and the parent’s response to such services. In re C.C., 788 N.E.2d
847, 854 (Ind. Ct. App. 2003), trans. denied. Further, DCS need not rule out all

       possibilities of change, but only establish there is a reasonable probability the

       parent’s behavior will not change. In re A.B., 924 N.E.2d at 670.

[12]   In terminating Mother’s parental rights, the court stated “Mother’s history of

       criminal convictions, drug use, and mental health issues along with her

       unwillingness or inability to address those issues leads the court to find that the

       aforesaid conditions and circumstances will not be remedied.” App. of

       Appellant at 23. Mother contends she has been drug free for the entirety of her

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 79A02-1503-JT-187 | October 8, 2015   Page 9 of 14
       incarceration, has completed classes in the DOC, and has been unable to

       complete mental health and substance use assessments due to her incarceration.

       We, however, must also “evaluate the parent’s habitual patterns of conduct to

       determine the probability of future neglect or deprivation of the child.” In re

       A.B., 924 N.E.2d at 670 (citation omitted).

[13]   Following the birth of M.V. in September 2010, Mother violated the terms of

       her probation stemming from a conviction for possession of marijuana, and

       entered a guilty plea on multiple charges, including public intoxication,

       unlawful possession or use of a legend drug or precursor, and aiding a burglary.

       After the initiation of M.V.’s CHINS proceedings in July 2013 and the birth of

       J.V. the following month, Mother again was arrested for violating the terms of

       her probation by missing required appointments; she was released on home

       detention. Mother then violated the terms of her home detention by having

       alcohol in her residence and was arrested; DCS later discovered “spice” and

       drug paraphernalia in the home during a surprise visit. Moreover, Mother

       admitted to using heroin twice after the birth of J.V., and J.V. tested positive for

       opiates.

[14]   Notwithstanding Mother’s criminal history, it is worth noting DCS did not

       immediately remove J.V. from Mother’s and Father’s custody. Nearly two

       months after the birth of J.V., however, DCS removed J.V. for the same reasons

       M.V. was removed: substance abuse and conditions of the home. Therefore,

       Mother was aware of the conditions she needed to remedy and had an

       opportunity to do so. She did not complete a mental health or substance use

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 79A02-1503-JT-187 | October 8, 2015   Page 10 of 14
       assessment prior to her incarceration; instead, she opted to abuse drugs and

       violate the terms of her probation. Mother’s unwillingness to take appropriate

       action—not her incarceration—evidences a “substantial probability of future

       neglect or deprivation.” In re E.M., 4 N.E.3d 636, 643 (Ind. 2014); see also In re

       L.S., 717 N.E.2d 204, 210 (Ind. Ct. App. 1999) (“A pattern of unwillingness to

       deal with parenting problems and to cooperate with those providing social

       services, in conjunction with unchanged conditions, support a finding that there

       exists no reasonable probability that the conditions will change.”), trans. denied,

       cert. denied, 534 U.S. 1161 (2002). The juvenile court did not clearly err in

       concluding the evidence shows a reasonable probability the conditions resulting

       in the Children’s removal will not be remedied.

[15]   Mother also contends the juvenile court erred in finding that continuation of the

       parent-child relationship posed a threat to the Children’s well-being. However,

       Indiana Code section 31-35-2-4(b)(2)(B) is written in the disjunctive and

       requires only one element in that subsection be true to terminate parental rights.

       See In re I.A., 903 N.E.2d 146, 153 (Ind. Ct. App. 2009). Because we conclude

       the evidence is sufficient to show a reasonable probability the conditions

       resulting in the Children’s removal will not be remedied, we need not determine

       whether the court erred in concluding continuation of the parent-child

       relationship posed a threat to the Children’s well-being.

[16]   Finally, Mother argues DCS failed to prove termination was in the Children’s

       best interest. Specifically, she contends the Children “have a relationship with

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 79A02-1503-JT-187 | October 8, 2015   Page 11 of 14
       [her], and it would not be in their best interests to have their relationship with

       their biological parent severed.” Brief of Appellant at 14.

[17]   “In determining what is in the best interests of the child, the trial court is

       required to look beyond the factors identified by the DCS and look to the

       totality of the evidence.” In re H.L., 915 N.E.2d 145, 149 (Ind. Ct. App. 2009).

                 The court need not wait until a child is irreversibly harmed before
                 terminating the parent-child relationship. Recommendations of
                 the case manager and court-appointed advocate, in addition to
                 evidence that the conditions resulting in removal will not be
                 remedied, are sufficient to show by clear and convincing
                 evidence that termination is in the child’s best interests.

       In re A.S., 17 N.E.3d 994, 1005 (Ind. Ct. App. 2014) (citations omitted), trans.

       denied.

[18]   First, and as noted above, there is sufficient evidence that the conditions

       resulting in the Children’s removal will not be remedied, and both the CASA

       and the DCS case manager recommended termination. Second, the DCS case

       manager testified the Children have adapted well to their paternal aunt and

       uncle and recommended those relatives adopt the Children:

                 [DCS:] And can you share with the Court please your
                 observations about how they’re doing with these relatives?
                 [Case Manager:] The children are extremely bonded to them.
                 The relatives provide a very structured home for the kids. It’s
                 safe.
                 [DCS:] [H]ave you walked into a house yet where you
                 immediately could feel these are foster parents; this is a foster
                 home. This is not a normal family. Have you had that

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 79A02-1503-JT-187 | October 8, 2015   Page 12 of 14
        experience?
        [Case Manager:] Yes.
        [DCS:] When you walk into this family’s home do you get any
        of that sense that this is a temporary or substitute home for these
        children or does it just feel like this is their home?
        [Case Manager:] Absolutely not, I mean they’re like a family
        when we go.
        [DCS:] All right, I mean everything about them functions like
        any other family with two young children?
        [Case Manager:] Yes.
        ***
        [DCS:] So if the Court were to grant the termination of parental
        rights, what is the department’s plan for the long term care and
        treatment of the [C]hildren?
        [Case Manager:] The plan is for [M.V.] and [J.V.] to be adopted
        by the paternal great-aunt and uncle.

Tr. at 35-36, 41. The CASA agreed, noting the Children’s placement with

relatives provided a safe home environment and assisted M.V. with her

behavioral issues:

        [DCS:] And how is the – are you in agreement with that plan?
        [CASA:] Yes.
        [DCS:] And can you describe to the Judge the relationship with
        these children and their relative placement?
        [CASA:] They have formed a very strong bond with the entire
        family . . . aunt and uncle are incredibility [sic] supportive; they
        have provided much needed medical assistance to [M.V.] and
        [J.V.], much needed structure, discipline, proper nutrition. It is
        absolutely a family not just a foster home.
        [DCS:] And have you seen – what type of progress, if any, have
        you seen in [M.V.]’s emotional behavior while she’s been with
        relative placement?
        [CASA:] Well, since November I have observed that at the
        beginning when [M.V.] was asked to do something as simple as

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 79A02-1503-JT-187 | October 8, 2015   Page 13 of 14
               sit at a table and finish your meal from start to finish, she
               couldn’t do it at that beginning; massive temper tantrums,
               wouldn’t go to bed, had no bedtime set until she moved in with
               [aunt and uncle] and now I seen, although she still has issues, I
               mean she’s got a long road ahead of her, I see structure,
               discipline; she’s less tired, there are fewer temper tantrums. She
               will ask for things, not interrupt people; she just won’t take
               things. Overall a happier kid.

       Id. at 82-83. Finally, we note the Children need a stable environment,

       especially in light of M.V.’s behavioral issues and J.V.’s respiratory issues; the

       paternal relatives have shown they can provide the necessary support.

[19]   Accordingly, DCS presented clear and convincing evidence from which the

       juvenile court could conclude that termination of Mother’s parental rights was

       in the best interests of the Children.

                                               Conclusion
[20]   We reverse a termination of parental rights only upon a showing of clear error.

       There is no such error here. DCS established by clear and convincing evidence

       the requisite elements to support the termination of Mother’s parental rights.

       The judgment of the juvenile court terminating Mother’s parental rights is

       affirmed.

[21]   Affirmed.

       Vaidik, C.J., and Pyle, J., concur.

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 79A02-1503-JT-187 | October 8, 2015   Page 14 of 14