Court Opinion

ID: 2775154
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-01-30 17:04:19.480444+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:27:56.255142
License: Public Domain

MEMORANDUM DECISION
                                                                 Jan 30 2015, 8:23 am
Pursuant to Ind. Appellate Rule 65(D), this
Memorandum Decision shall not be 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
Amy Karozos                                               Gregory F. Zoeller
Greenwood, Indiana                                        Attorney General of Indiana

                                                          Robert J. Henke
                                                          Abigail R. Miller
                                                          Deputy Attorneys General
                                                          Indianapolis, Indiana

                                             IN THE
    COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA

In the Matter of the Termination                          January 30, 2015
of the Parent-Child Relationship                          Court of Appeals Cause No.
of:                                                       49A04-1407-JT-326
                                                          Appeal from the Marion Superior
M.B. (Minor Child)                                        Court
and                                                       The Honorable Larry Bradley,
                                                          Magistrate
S.B. (Father)                                             The Honorable Marilyn A. Moores,
                                                          Judge
Appellant-Respondent,                                     Cause No. 49D09-1312-JT-16342

        v.

The Indiana Department of Child
Services
Appellee-Petitioner

Bailey, Judge.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 49A04-1407-JT-326 | January 30, 2015   Page 1 of 10
                                              Case Summary
[1]   S.B. (“Father”) appeals the termination of his parental rights to M.B. upon the

      petition of the Marion County Department of Child Services (“the DCS”). We

      affirm.

                                                        Issues
[2]   Father presents two issues for review:1

      Whether the trial court abused its discretion by denying his motion for a

      continuance until such time as his criminal appeal was resolved; and

      1
        Father articulates a third issue, alleging that he was denied due process in the CHINS proceedings.
      Procedural irregularities in CHINS proceedings may be so significant that they deprive a parent of procedural
      due process with respect to the termination of his parental rights. A.P. v. Porter Cnty. Office of Family &
      Children, 734 N.E.2d 1107, 1112-13 (Ind. Ct. App. 2000), trans. denied. Father asserts he was denied due
      process because the DCS did not – during Father’s incarceration – “make reasonable efforts to preserve the
      family as is required by law.” Appellant’s Br. at 21. However, Father concedes that the DCS need not, in
      termination proceedings, plead and prove its provision of services because such is not a requisite element to
      support termination of parental rights. See In re E.E., 736 N.E.2d 791, 796 (Ind. Ct. App. 2000) (recognizing
      that provision of services is not a requisite element of the termination statute and a failure to provide services
      does not serve as a basis on which to directly attack a termination order as contrary to law). However,
      Father baldly asserts in his Reply Brief that he was denied due process because “Father was not on notice
      that he risked termination of his parental rights by not completing services while incarcerated.” Reply Brief
      at 6. He fails to direct us to any testimony or other evidence concerning CHINS advisements to Father or
      Father’s knowledge of termination procedures. Because Father presents no cogent argument supported by
      relevant authority and appropriate record citation as to his alleged denial of due process in the CHINS
      proceedings, we do not address the purported issue. See Ind. Appellate Rule 46(A)(8)(a).

      Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 49A04-1407-JT-326 | January 30, 2015               Page 2 of 10
      Whether the DCS established, by clear and convincing evidence, the requisite

      statutory elements to support the termination decision.

                                  Facts and Procedural History
[3]   On December 24, 2012, M.B. was born and tested positive for cocaine and

      opiates. At the hospital, M.B. was removed from the care of her mother. 2 The

      DCS alleged M.B. to be a Child in Need of Services (“CHINS”) and further

      alleged that her father was unknown. M.B. was found to be a CHINS.

[4]   In early 2013, Father was incarcerated at the Marion County Jail when he

      encountered DCS caseworker Kiyanna Harris (“Harris”) and informed Harris

      that M.B. was his child. Paternity was established in Father following DNA

      testing.

[5]   Later in 2013, Father was convicted of Possession of a Firearm by a Serious

      Violent Felon. He was sentenced to twelve years imprisonment.

[6]   On December 27, 2013, the DCS petitioned for termination of Father’s parental

      rights. During the pendency of that action, Father’s criminal conviction was

      2
          The mother’s parental rights were eventually terminated and she is not an active party to this appeal.

      Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 49A04-1407-JT-326 | January 30, 2015               Page 3 of 10
       reversed by a panel of this Court. Blount v. State, 4 N.E.3d 787 (Ind. Ct. App.

       2014). The State sought transfer to the Indiana Supreme Court and Father

       remained incarcerated.

[7]    On June 9, 2014, the DCS and Father’s counsel appeared for an evidentiary

       hearing in the termination proceeding. At the outset of the hearing, Father’s

       counsel advised the trial court of the developments in the criminal case and

       requested a continuance in the termination case. The DCS opposed a

       continuance, observing that Father had a history of incarceration. The trial

       court proceeded with the hearing, at which Father appeared telephonically.

[8]    On June 18, 2014, the trial court issued an order terminating Father's parental

       rights. This appeal ensued.

                                  Discussion and Decision
                                     Motion for Continuance
[9]    A ruling on a non-statutory motion for a continuance is within the sound

       discretion of the trial court. J.M. v. Marion Cnty. Office of Family and Children,

       802 N.E.2d 40, 43 (Ind. Ct. App. 2004), trans. denied. The trial court is afforded

       discretion to “act in accord with what is fair and equitable in each

       circumstance” and its decision will be reversed only upon a showing of an

       abuse of discretion and prejudice resulting from such an abuse. Id.

[10]   Here, Father can show no prejudice resulting from the denial of his motion to

       continue the proceedings until resolution of his criminal appeal. On December
       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 49A04-1407-JT-326 | January 30, 2015   Page 4 of 10
       17, 2014, finding that the admission of hearsay evidence at Father’s trial was

       harmless, the Indiana Supreme Court affirmed Father’s conviction. Blount v.

       State, WL 7181352 (Ind. 2014). Accordingly, Father is subject to a twelve-year

       criminal sentence. During this time, he would be unable to provide for M.B.’s

       care. Father has failed to demonstrate an abuse of discretion and resultant

       prejudice.3

                                    Sufficiency of the Evidence
                                              Standard of Review
[11]   Our standard of review is highly deferential in cases concerning the termination

       of parental rights. In re K.S., 750 N.E.2d 832, 836 (Ind. Ct. App. 2001). This

       Court will not set aside the trial court’s judgment terminating a parent-child

       relationship unless it is clearly erroneous. In re A.A.C., 682 N.E.2d 542, 544

       (Ind. Ct. App. 1997). When reviewing the sufficiency of the evidence to

       support a judgment of involuntary termination of a parent-child relationship,

       we neither reweigh the evidence nor judge the credibility of the witnesses. Id.

       3
         Even so, we observe that motions for continuances of termination proceedings pending the resolution of
       criminal appeals should not be denied as a matter of routine course. A litigant such as Father has
       constitutionally protected rights, both as a parent and as a litigant with an absolute right to an appeal. Our
       Indiana Supreme Court has reiterated that "parental rights are precious and protected by our Federal and
       State constitutions” and that “Indiana is particularly solicitous of the right to appeal,” guaranteeing an
       absolute right to one appeal in all cases. In re Adoption of C.B.M., 992 N.E.2d 687, 692 (Ind. 2013).

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 49A04-1407-JT-326 | January 30, 2015              Page 5 of 10
       We consider only the evidence that supports the judgment and the reasonable

       inferences to be drawn therefrom. Id.

         Requirements for Involuntary Termination of Parental Rights
[12]   Parental rights are of a constitutional dimension, but the law provides for the

       termination of those rights when the parents are unable or unwilling to meet

       their parental responsibilities. Bester v. Lake Cnty. Office of Family & Children, 839

       N.E.2d 143, 147 (Ind. 2005). The purpose of terminating parental rights is not

       to punish the parents, but to protect their children. In re L.S., 717 N.E.2d 204,

       208 (Ind. Ct. App. 1999), trans. denied.

[13]   Indiana Code section 31-35-2-4(b)(2) sets out the elements that the DCS must

       allege and prove by clear and convincing evidence in order to terminate a

       parent-child relationship:

               (A) that one (1) of the following is true:

               (i)      The child has been removed from the parent for at least six (6)
               months under a dispositional decree.
               (ii)     A court has entered a finding under IC 31-34-21-5.6 that
               reasonable efforts for family preservation or reunification are not
               required, including a description of the court’s finding, the date of the
               finding, and the manner in which the finding was made.
               (iii)    The child has been removed from the parent and has been
               under the supervision of a local office or probation department for at
               least fifteen (15) months of the most recent twenty-two (22) months,
               beginning with the date the child is removed from the home as a result
               of the child being alleged to be a child in need of services or a
               delinquent child;

               (B) that one (1) of the following is true:

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 49A04-1407-JT-326 | January 30, 2015   Page 6 of 10
               (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.
               (iii)   The child has, on two (2) separate occasions, been adjudicated
               a child in need of services;

               (C) that termination is in the best interests of the child; and

               (D) that there is a satisfactory plan for the care and treatment of the
               child.

[14]   If the court finds that the allegations in a petition described above are true, the

       court shall terminate the parent-child relationship. I.C. § 31-35-2-8(a). A trial

       court must judge a parent’s fitness to care for his or her child at the time of the

       termination hearing, taking into consideration evidence of changed conditions.

       In re J.T., 742 N.E.2d 509, 512 (Ind. Ct. App. 2001), trans. denied. The trial

       court must also “evaluate the parent’s habitual patterns of conduct to determine

       the probability of future neglect or deprivation of the child.” Id.

                                                    Analysis
[15]   Father contends that insufficient evidence supports the termination order. He

       does not challenge the trial court’s determinations pursuant to Sections 31-35-2-

       4(b)(2)(A) (removal from parent), or (D) (satisfactory plan). He challenges the

       determinations relating to Sections 31-35-2-4(b)(2)(B) (reasonable probability

       conditions will not be remedied or relationship poses a threat to child’s well-

       being) and (C) (best interests).

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 49A04-1407-JT-326 | January 30, 2015   Page 7 of 10
[16]   Indiana Code section 31-35-2-4(b)(2)(B) is written in the disjunctive, and

       therefore the court needed only to find that one of the three requirements of

       subsection (b)(2)(B) had been established by clear and convincing evidence. See

       L.S., 717 N.E.2d at 209. Because we find it to be dispositive under the facts of

       this case, we consider only whether the DCS established, by clear and

       convincing evidence, that there is a reasonable probability that the conditions

       resulting in the removal or reasons for placement outside the home will not be

       remedied. See I.C. § 31-35-2-4(b)(2)(B)(i). The relevant statute does not simply

       focus on the initial basis for removal for purposes of determining whether a

       parent’s rights should be terminated, “but also those bases resulting in the

       continued placement outside the home.” In re A.I., 825 N.E.2d 798, 806 (Ind.

       Ct. App. 2005), trans. denied.

[17]   Initially, the DCS removed M.B. from her mother’s care because M.B. was

       born with drugs in her bloodstream and her mother admitted having used

       cocaine and heroin during her pregnancy. At the time of M.B.’s birth, Father

       was incarcerated on a felony charge.

[18]   Father, born in 1981, has been incarcerated for much of his adult life. In 2006,

       he was convicted of Attempted Robbery. In 2007, he was convicted of

       Possession of Paraphernalia. The following year, he was convicted of

       Possession of Paraphernalia, Fraud, and Theft. In 2010, he was convicted of

       Possession of Cocaine. In 2013, he was convicted of Unlawful Possession of a

       Firearm by a Serious Violent Felon. His earliest projected release date is

       November 5, 2018.

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 49A04-1407-JT-326 | January 30, 2015   Page 8 of 10
[19]   Father has never met M.B. He has four other children and has established

       paternity with respect to one of them. Previously, he paid two dollars per week

       for the support of that child. As of the time of the termination hearing, Father

       was not paying child support. He testified that he was currently unable to

       parent M.B.

[20]   The DCS presented clear and convincing evidence from which the trial court

       could conclude that there was a reasonable probability that the conditions

       resulting in the removal or reasons for placement outside the home would not

       be remedied.

[21]   As for the best interests of M.B., Father’s one-paragraph argument consists of

       his assertion that the DCS was required to show that he would be unable to care

       for M.B. upon his release from incarceration and also to show that termination

       of parental rights was preferable to continuing foster care or allowing M.B. to

       live with a paternal relative. He does not accurately portray the burden of proof

       upon the DCS when the trial court is asked to determine the best interests of a

       child in a termination proceeding.

[22]   In determining what is in a child’s best interests, the trial court is required to

       look beyond the factors identified by the DCS and consider the totality of the

       evidence. In re J.S., 906 N.E.2d 226, 236 (Ind. Ct. App. 2009). “A parent’s

       historical inability to provide adequate housing, stability and supervision

       coupled with a current inability to provide the same will support a finding that

       termination of the parent-child relationship is in the child’s best interests.”

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 49A04-1407-JT-326 | January 30, 2015   Page 9 of 10
       Castro v. State Office of Family & Children, 842 N.E.2d 367, 374 (Ind. Ct. App.

       2006), trans. denied.

[23]   Here, the trial court’s findings included the following: Father had been

       incarcerated throughout M.B.’s life; Father had been convicted of several

       felonies and had been in and out of jail throughout his adult life; Father had

       never met M.B.; M.B. was in a pre-adoptive placement with her half-sibling;

       M.B. was bonded with her pre-adoptive family; and the Guardian Ad Litem

       recommended adoption as being in M.B.’s best interests. The findings of fact

       adequately support the conclusion that termination of Father’s parental rights

       was in M.B.’s best interests.

                                                Conclusion
[24]   Father has shown no abuse of discretion in the trial court’s ruling on a motion

       for a continuance. The DCS established by clear and convincing evidence the

       requisite elements to support the termination of parental rights.

[25]   Affirmed.

       Robb, J., and Brown, J., concur.

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 49A04-1407-JT-326 | January 30, 2015   Page 10 of 10