Court Opinion

ID: 4262548
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2018-04-10 15:10:46.747013+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:30:13.367424
License: Public Domain

MEMORANDUM DECISION
Pursuant to Ind. Appellate Rule 65(D),                                          FILED
this Memorandum Decision shall not be                                      Apr 10 2018, 10:32 am
regarded as precedent or cited before any
court except for the purpose of establishing                                    CLERK
                                                                            Indiana Supreme Court
                                                                               Court of Appeals
the defense of res judicata, collateral                                          and Tax Court

estoppel, or the law of the case.

ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT                                    ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE
Cara Schaefer Wieneke                                     Curtis T. Hill, Jr.
Wieneke Law Office, LLC                                   Attorney General of Indiana
Brooklyn, Indiana
                                                          Robert J. Henke
                                                          Deputy Attorney General
                                                          Indianapolis, Indiana

                                           IN THE
    COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA

In the Termination of the Parent-                         April 10, 2018
Child Relationship of: A.T.-S.                            Court of Appeals Case No. 33A01-
(Minor Child),                                            1710-JT-2527
      and                                                 Appeal from the Henry Circuit
B.S. (Father)                                             Court
                                                          The Honorable Bob A. Witham,
Appellant-Respondent,
                                                          Judge
        v.                                                Trial Court Cause No. 33C01-
                                                          1609-JT-21
The Indiana Department of
Child Services,
Appellee-Petitioner.

Bradford, Judge.

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 33A01-1710-JT-2527| April 10, 2018                Page 1 of 15
                                              Case Summary
[1]   Appellant-Respondent B.S.1 (“Father”) appeals the juvenile court’s order

      terminating his parental rights in A.T.-S. (“Child”). Father raises the following

      restated issue on appeal: whether the juvenile court’s termination order was

      clearly erroneous. Father also argues that the termination proceedings were

      tainted by a misunderstanding regarding the Interstate Compact on the

      Placement of Children (“ICPC”). Because we disagree, we affirm.

                                Facts and Procedural History
[2]   The biological mother and Father were living together in Father’s home in

      California in September of 2012. During that time, Father was arrested for

      misdemeanor domestic violence against Child’s mother while she was pregnant

      with Child. Father pled guilty and was placed on probation. Father and

      Child’s mother remained together and had Child in May of 2013. At some

      point after Child was born, Father and Child’s mother separated. In January of

      2015, Child’s mother moved to Indiana with Child while Father remained in

      California.

[3]   On May 4, 2015, Appellee-Petitioner the Indiana Department of Child Services

      (“DCS”) filed a petition alleging Child to be a child in need of services

      1
          Child’s mother signed an adoption consent and does not join in this appeal.

      Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 33A01-1710-JT-2527| April 10, 2018   Page 2 of 15
      (“CHINS”).2 The petition was based in large part on the mother’s heroin abuse

      issues and that Father, who was still in California, knew of her ongoing

      substance abuse issues, but did nothing to protect Child from it. The juvenile

      court appointed an attorney to represent Father.

[4]   On May 14, 2015, the juvenile court held a pretrial conference, and Father

      appeared telephonically and by counsel. Child’s mother entered a factual basis

      upon which the juvenile court adjudicated Child a CHINS as to the mother. 3

      Child was subsequently placed with a relative. (Ex. Vol. 4, 93).

[5]   On July 13, 2015, the juvenile court held a fact-finding hearing as to Father.

      (Ex. Vol. 4, 94). Father failed to appear, but was present by counsel. (Ex. Vol.

      4, 94). The juvenile court attempted to contact Father using a telephone

      number that he had provided to his counsel two different times during the

      hearing. (Ex. Vol. 4, 94). Evidence was presented at the hearing, and the

      matter was taken under advisement. (Ex. Vol. 4, 94).

[6]   On July 22, 2015, the juvenile court entered its CHINS adjudication decree,

      finding, inter alia, that based on Father’s criminal history, lack of relationship

      with Child, and his “lack of recognition of the seriousness of these proceedings”

      that Child was a CHINS. Ex. Vol. 4 p. 95.

      2
          A petition for Child’s half-brother G.W. was also filed at that time. G.W. is not Father’s child.
      3
          Child’s mother was the custodial parent at that time.

      Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 33A01-1710-JT-2527| April 10, 2018                    Page 3 of 15
[7]    On September 18, 2015, the juvenile court held a combined review and

       dispositional hearing. Father failed to appear, but was present by counsel. (Ex.

       Vol. 4, 95). The juvenile court found that Father had not complied with Child’s

       case plan and Child remained placed in a relative’s care. (Ex. Vol. 4, 95).

[8]    On December 18, 2015, the juvenile court held a review hearing. Father failed

       to appear, but was present by counsel. The juvenile court found that Father

       had “failed to participate in the case or visit [Child].” Ex. Vol. 4 p. 50. On July

       1, 2016, the juvenile court held a hearing on whether to cease reunification

       efforts for Father. Father failed to appear, but was present by counsel. The

       juvenile court ordered efforts with Father to cease. (Ex. Vol. 4 p. 116)

[9]    On October 27, 2016, the juvenile court held a review hearing. Father appeared

       telephonically and was represented by counsel. After the hearing, the juvenile

       court found, inter alia, that Father had not complied with Child’s case plan.

       (Ex. Vol. 4 p. 99). On January 19, 2017, the juvenile court held a review

       hearing. Father failed to appear, but was present by counsel. The juvenile

       court found, inter alia, that Father had not complied with Child’s case plan.

       (Ex. Vol. 4 p. 100).

[10]   Meanwhile, on September 23, 2016, DCS had filed its petition to terminate

       Father’s parental rights. On April 20, July 13, and September 11, 2017, the

       juvenile court held the evidentiary hearing on DCS’s petition to terminate

       Father’s parental rights. (App. pp. 6-7). Father failed to appear at the April 20,

       2017 hearing, but was present by counsel. Father did appear telephonically at

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 33A01-1710-JT-2527| April 10, 2018   Page 4 of 15
the other two hearings. Based upon all of the evidence presented, the juvenile

court issued an order granting DCS’s petition for termination of parental rights

on September 28, 2017. In doing so, the juvenile court made the following

relevant findings:

    18.) The Court conducted the trial proceedings on the termination
    petition on 9/11/2017 at which Family Case Manager, Hannah
    Burke, testified. The Court makes the following findings and
    inferences from this testimony, for purposes of these termination
    proceedings:

        a) The Witness was employed by the Department of Child
        Services as a Family Case Manager;

        b) Witness was the family case manager with the Department of
        Child Services for the majority of the case;

        c) The Child’s CHINS involvement was due in part to Mother’s
        substance abuse, and in part to Father’s inability or refusal to
        provide the Child with a safe and stable home environment;

        d) Father was asked about his criminal history at the time of the
        Child’s removal, but stated that there was no criminal history;

        e) The witness was able to find criminal history for Father, in
        contradiction to Father’s statements;

        f) Father had substance abuse issues, as determined by statements
        from Mother and previous criminal convictions;

        g) Father has domestic violence history, including domestic
        battery on the Child’s Mother during the Mother’s pregnancy
        with the Child;

        h) During the criminal involvement, Father was also providing
        care in a parental role to the Child’s half-sibling;

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 33A01-1710-JT-2527| April 10, 2018   Page 5 of 15
        i) Father did not provide DCS with any information as to
        completing any treatment for substance abuse or domestic
        violence;

        j) Father has not complied with DCS or the Dispositional Order;

        k) Paternity has been established in California through a
        paternity action under cause 14FSO196;

        l) Father was ordered to pay Child support for the Child;

        m) The Court in Kings County California had issued a warrant
        for Father in the paternity action for non-compliance with the
        Court’s order;

        n) Father did not seek to establish custody of the Child in the
        pending paternity action;

        o) Father has never visited the Child;

        p) Father has not provided for the Child’s basic needs;

        q) Father knew where the Child was prior to DCS involvement,
        but did not come to Indiana to provide for her care;

        r) Father has not seen the Child since well before the Child was
        relocated to Indiana;

        s) The Child is thriving in placement;

        t) The Child is currently living with her half-brother, who is 7
        years older than the Child;

        u) The Child and her brother have been together through the
        entirety of the Child’s life;

        v) Child’s brother has provided the majority of the Child’s care
        prior to removal;

        w) Child and her brother are closely bonded and it would be
        detrimental to separate the Children;

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 33A01-1710-JT-2527| April 10, 2018   Page 6 of 15
        x) Child’s brother is more of a Father-figure to the Child than the
        Child’s Father;

        y) Child has no relationship with Father. She is four years old
        and has not seen Father since on or before her first birthday;

        z) Throughout the duration of the CHINS matter, Father has
        never come to Indiana to pursue reunification or provide for the
        care of his Child;

        aa) It would be detrimental for the Child to delay permanency in
        an attempt to give Father more time to improve in his ability to
        provide for the care of the Child;

        bb) It is in the Child’s best interest for her Father’s parental rights
        to be terminated and for her to be adopted; and

        cc) Mother has signed a consent to adoption.

    19.) The Court finds the following facts and inferences from the
    testimony of Rachel Crabtree, who testified at the termination trial
    on 9/11/2017:

        a) The witness is employed by the Department of Child Services
        as a Family Case Manager;

        b) The witness has been the Family Case Manager for the Child
        since May, 2017;

        c) Father has not reached out to FCM and has had no
        communication with the Department;

        d) The Child is thriving in placement;

        e) The Child is closely bonded with her half-brother;

        f) The Child and her half-brother have been together for the
        entirety of the Child’s life;

        g) It would be detrimental to separate the Children;

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 33A01-1710-JT-2527| April 10, 2018   Page 7 of 15
        h) It is in the Child’s best interest to have her parental rights
        terminated in regards to Father; and

        i) Mother has signed a consent for adoption.

    ***

    22.) The extensive facts and inferences that have been found above
    lead to the following more categorical findings of fact now set forth:

        a) The Child’s Father has failed to establish or maintain a
        relationship with the Child since well before the opening of the
        related CHINS proceedings in this county for the Child, and
        including the period of approximately 2 years of the CHINS case
        itself;

        b) The Child’s Father has failed to benefit from multiple ordered
        reunification services, indicating his inability or refusal to make
        improvements in his ability to care for the Child. Father provided
        no information to contradict evidence of substance abuse and
        domestic violence. He provided no information as to treatment
        or services for either substance abuse or domestic violence.
        Despite the distance, Father could have utilized services available
        to him in California to improve in his ability to care for the
        Child. However, Father failed to do so, as he has not been
        motivated to reunify with the Child.

        c) None of the conditions resulting in the Child’s removal from
        the parents’ home and care have been remedied or even
        addressed by the Child’s Father.

    ***

    25.) The Child’s DCS case managers and relative caregiver have all
    testified that termination of the parent-Child relationship and
    adoption of the Child are in her best interests. The Court agrees with
    these opinions, and now accepts and adopts them as its own finding
    of fact in these proceedings.

App. Vol. 2 pp. 44–47.

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 33A01-1710-JT-2527| April 10, 2018   Page 8 of 15
                                  Discussion and Decision
[11]   This court has long had a highly deferential standard of review in cases

       concerning the termination of parental rights. In re K.S., 750 N.E.2d 832, 836

       (Ind. Ct. App. 2001). When reviewing a termination of parental rights case, we

       will consider only the evidence and reasonable inferences that are most

       favorable to the judgment. In re D.D., 804 N.E.2d 258, 265 (Ind. Ct. App.

       2004), trans. denied. Thus, we will not reweigh the evidence or judge the

       credibility of the witnesses. Id. We will only set aside the court judgment

       terminating a parent-child relationship if it is clearly erroneous. In re B.J., 879
N.E.2d 7, 14 (Ind. Ct. App. 2008).

[12]   The traditional right of a parent to establish a home and raise his children is

       protected by the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution.

       Bester v. Lake Cnty. Office of Family and Children, 839 N.E.2d 143, 145 (Ind. 2005).

       Furthermore, we acknowledge that the parent-child relationship is “one of the

       most valued relationships of our culture.” Id. However, parental rights are not

       absolute and the law allows for the termination of such rights when a parent is

       unable or unwilling to meet his responsibilities as a parent. In re T.F., 743
N.E.2d 766, 773 (Ind. Ct. App. 2001), trans denied. The purpose of terminating

       parental rights is to protect the child, not to punish the parent. Id. The juvenile

       court may terminate the parental rights if the child’s emotional and physical

       development is threatened. Id. The juvenile court need not wait until the child

       has suffered from irreversible harm. Id.

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 33A01-1710-JT-2527| April 10, 2018   Page 9 of 15
[13]   Before an involuntary termination of parental rights could occur in this case,

       DCS is required to prove by clear and convincing evidence that:

                (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.

               ***

               (C) termination is in the best interests of the child[.]

       Ind. Code § 31-35-2-4(b)(2). DCS’s burden of proof for establishing these

       allegations in a termination case is one of “clear and convincing evidence.” In

       re G.Y., 904 N.E.2d 1257, 1260–61 (Ind. 2009).

                                I. Termination Order
       A.        Conditions Resulting in Removal Not Likely to Be
                                  Remedied
[14]   “We begin by emphasizing that a trial court need not wait until a child is

       irreversibly influenced by a deficient lifestyle such that his or her physical,

       mental, and social growth is permanently impaired before terminating the

       parent-child relationship.” Castro v. State Office of Family & Children, 842 N.E.2d
367, 372 (Ind. Ct. App. 2006). “When the evidence shows that the emotional

       and physical development of a child in need of services is threatened,

       termination of the parent-child relationship is appropriate.” In re L.S., 717
N.E.2d 204, 208 (Ind. Ct. App. 2002).

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 33A01-1710-JT-2527| April 10, 2018   Page 10 of 15
[15]   When determining whether there is a reasonable probability that a parent will

       remedy the conditions resulting in their child’s removal from the home, a trial

       court engages in a two-step inquiry. First the trial court “must ascertain what

       conditions led to their placement and retention in foster care.” In re K.T.K., 989
N.E.2d 1225, 1231 (Ind. 2013). Second, the trial court must determine

       “whether there is a reasonable probability that those conditions will not be

       remedied.” Id. The statute does not simply focus on the initial reason or

       reasons for removal, “but also those bases resulting in continued placement

       outside the home.” In re A.I. v. Vanderburgh Cnty. OFC, 825 N.E.2d 798, 806

       (Ind. Ct. App. 2005).

[16]   Father argues that the evidence does not support the finding that there is a

       reasonable probability that the conditions that resulted in Child’s removal will

       not be remedied. We cannot agree. DCS and the juvenile court both noted

       repeatedly over the course of the proceedings that Father failed to appear

       telephonically for the vast majority of the hearings and did not respond to

       DCS’s attempts to provide services or arrange visitation with Child. Father has

       never visited Child despite the fact that he visits another child in St. Louis,

       Missouri, several times a year. At the time of the termination hearing, Father

       had not seen or even spoken to Child since approximately May of 2014. Given

       Father’s history of not appearing at hearings, his lack of contact with DCS, and

       his lack of effort to create and maintain a relationship with Child, we conclude

       that the juvenile court did not err when it found that there was a reasonable

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 33A01-1710-JT-2527| April 10, 2018   Page 11 of 15
       probability that the conditions that resulted in Child’s removal would not be

       remedied.

[17]   Father claims that he was unable to visit because of his job, but when asked if

       he could take a leave of absence or time off from his job, he replied “Yes.” Tr.

       Vol. 3 pp. 29–30. A family case manager (“FCM”) testified that “besides

       maintaining a source of income and stable housing” Father did nothing to

       improve his ability to have a relationship with Child or to parent Child. Tr.

       Vol. 2 p. 249. There is a great deal of evidence that shows that Father failed to

       attend court hearings in person or telephonically, failed to respond to messages

       from the juvenile court, he failed to keep in contact with DCS or his own

       attorney, and did not visit Child or maintain contact with Child in any way.

       Based upon the findings and other evidence before the juvenile court, it was not

       clearly erroneous to conclude that there was a reasonable probability that

       Father would not remedy the reasons for Child’s not being in his care.

                        II. The Child’s Best Interests
[18]   Father also challenges the juvenile court’s legal conclusion that termination was

       in Child’s best interests. When reviewing such claims, we are mindful of the

       fact that the juvenile court is required to look beyond the factors identified by

       DCS and consider the totality of the circumstances. McBride v. Monroe Cnty.

       Office of Family & Children, 798 N.E.2d 185, 203 (Ind. Ct. App. 2003). In doing

       so, this court must subordinate the interests of the parent of the child involved.

       Id.

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 33A01-1710-JT-2527| April 10, 2018   Page 12 of 15
[19]   In addressing whether continuation of the parent-child relationship is in Child’s

       best interests, we note that FCM Hannah Burke testified that it was in Child’s

       best interests to stay with and be adopted by the current relative placement.

       Such testimony is sufficient to support the juvenile court’s conclusion in this

       regard. See In re A.B., 887 N.E.2d 158, 170 (Ind. Ct. App. 2008). However,

       additional evidence further supports the juvenile court’s conclusion. Child calls

       her relative caregivers “mom and dad.” Tr. Vol. 3 p. 234. Child does not know

       Father. In fact, it has been so long that Child has had contact with Father that

       Child would not even be able to recognize Father’s voice. “[S]he doesn’t have

       any kind of relationship with him at no fault of her own[.]” Tr. Vol. 3 p. 237.

[20]   FCM Rachel Crabtree testified that adoption and termination of parental rights

       were in Child’s best interests. Her current placement also testified that it would

       be detrimental to Child if she were taken away from her half-brother and placed

       with Father in California. Child and her half-brother are “closely bonded with

       each other” and her half-brother has always looked out for her. Tr. Vol. 3 p.

       34.

[21]   In sum, Father’s complete lack of effort to have a relationship with Child, as

       well as his lack of effort to participate in the CHINS proceedings and receive

       services from DCS, support the juvenile court’s decision to terminate his

       parental rights. We decline his invitation to reweigh and reassess the evidence

       related to the challenged findings. We therefore conclude that the juvenile

       court did not clearly err in terminating Father’s parental rights in Child.

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 33A01-1710-JT-2527| April 10, 2018   Page 13 of 15
III. Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children
[22]   Father also argues that DCS’s misunderstanding of the ICPC process and its

       relevancy to this case “infected” the termination proceedings. Appellant’s Br.

       p. 5. The ICPC, enacted in all fifty states, “provides a mechanism by which

       children can be sent to new foster or adoptive homes across state lines.” Bester

       v. Lake Cnty. Office of Family and Children, 839 N.E.2d 143, 145 n.2 (Ind. 2005).

       The ICPC “includes a reporting requirement that allows a receiving state to

       investigate the fitness of the proposed home and to determine whether the child

       may be placed according to a proposed plan.” Id. The conditions for

       placement under the ICPC “are designed to provide complete and accurate

       information regarding children and potential adoptive parents from a sending

       state to a receiving state and to involve public authorities in the process in order

       to ensure children have the opportunity to be placed in a suitable environment.”

       In re Adoption of Infants H., 904 N.E.2d 203, 208 (Ind. 2009).

[23]   However, this court has squarely held that “the ICPC does not apply to

       placement with an out-of-state parent.” D.B. v. Ind. Dep’t of Child Servs., 43 N.E.
3d 599, 604 (Ind. Ct. App. 2015). Article III of the ICPC sets forth the

       conditions for placement out of state:

               (a) A sending agency may not send, bring, or cause to be sent or
               brought into any other party state a child for placement in foster
               care or as a preliminary to a possible adoption unless the sending
               agency complies with each requirement under article III and with
               the receiving state’s laws governing the placement of children.

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 33A01-1710-JT-2527| April 10, 2018   Page 14 of 15
               (b) Before sending, bringing, or causing any child to be sent or
               brought into a receiving state for placement in foster care or as a
               preliminary to a possible adoption, the sending agency shall
               furnish the appropriate public authorities in the receiving state
               written notice of the intention to send, bring, or place the child in
               the receiving state....

       Ind. Code § 31-28-4-1 art. III. It is clear from the language of the statute that

       the ICPC only applies to the placement of a child in foster care or as a

       preliminary to a possible adoption. Child was brought to Indiana by his

       mother. Child was not sent to Indiana to live in foster care or with a pre-

       adoptive parent. Therefore, to the extent that the juvenile court’s termination

       order relied on the ICPC and Father’s failure to successfully go through the

       process, we discount that basis of the ruling.

[24]   The judgment of the juvenile court is affirmed.

       Baker, J., and Kirsch, J., concur.

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 33A01-1710-JT-2527| April 10, 2018   Page 15 of 15