Court Opinion

ID: 4466405
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2019-12-20 16:05:31.540648+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:25:43.646252
License: Public Domain

MEMORANDUM DECISION
Pursuant to Ind. Appellate Rule 65(D),                                              FILED
this Memorandum Decision shall not be                                         Dec 20 2019, 6:36 am
regarded as precedent or cited before any                                           CLERK
court except for the purpose of establishing                                  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
Frederick A. Turner                                      Curtis T. Hill, Jr.
Bloomington, Indiana                                     Attorney General of Indiana
                                                         Monika Prekopa Talbot
                                                         Deputy Attorney General
                                                         Indianapolis, Indiana

                                           IN THE
    COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA

In Re: The Termination of the                            December 20, 2019
Parent-Child Relationship of:                            Court of Appeals Case No.
C.M., Ki.M., Ka.M., and K.C.                             18A-JT-2714
(Minor Children);                                        Appeal from the Owen Circuit
A.C. (Mother),                                           Court
                                                         The Honorable Kelsey B. Hanlon,
Appellant-Respondent,
                                                         Judge
        v.                                               Trial Court Cause Nos.
                                                         60C02-1806-JT-139
                                                         60C02-1806-JT-140
The Indiana Department of
                                                         60C02-1806-JT-141
Child Services,                                          60C02-1806-JT-142
Appellee-Petitioner.

Pyle, Judge.

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 18A-JT-2714 | December 20, 2019               Page 1 of 11
                                             Statement of the Case

[1]   A.C. (“Mother”) appeals the termination of the parent-child relationship with

      her four children (collectively, “Children”).1 She contends that the Department

      of Child Services (“DCS”) failed to prove by clear and convincing evidence

      that: (1) there is a reasonable probability that the conditions that resulted in

      Children’s removal or the reasons for placement outside Mother’s home will

      not be remedied; (2) a continuation of the parent-child relationships pose a

      threat to Children’s well-being; and (3) terminations of the parent-child

      relationships are in Children’s best interests. Concluding that there is sufficient

      evidence to support the juvenile court’s terminations of the parent-child

      relationships, we affirm the trial court’s judgment.

[2]   We affirm.

                                                           Issue

                 Whether there is sufficient evidence to support the terminations of the
                 parent-child relationships.

                                                           Facts

[3]   The evidence and reasonable inferences that support the judgment reveal that

      Mother and Father are the biological parents of: C.M., born in 2009; Ki.M.,

      1
          R.M. (“Father”) is not a party to this appeal.

      Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 18A-JT-2714 | December 20, 2019   Page 2 of 11
      born in 2012; Ka.M., born in 2013; and K.C., born in 2015.2 On November 22,

      2015, DCS was informed of allegations of domestic violence, drug use in the

      home, a homicide occurring in Mother’s home, and dental neglect.3 DCS

      Family Case Manager Charlotte Church (“FCM Church”), who visited the

      home the following day, found it to be in disarray. Mother stated that the

      disarray was the result of a domestic altercation. Based on concerns of safety

      and substance abuse within the home, Children were removed from the home.

      They were initially placed with their maternal grandmother and then later

      placed with foster families.

[4]   Thereafter, on November 25, 2015, DCS filed a petition alleging that Children

      were Children in Need of Services (“CHINS”). In February 2016, Children

      were adjudicated to be CHINS. Mother’s dispositional decree required her to,

      among other things, maintain weekly contact with the FCM, undergo and

      successfully complete a substance abuse assessment, abstain from using drugs

      and alcohol, maintain suitable housing, participate in drug screenings, and

      participate in supervised visitations.

[5]   Mother initially complied with drug testing and tested negative. However,

      beginning in March 2017 and continuing through February 2018, Mother either

      2
        In July 2018, after the petitions for termination were filed, Mother and Father had another child, C.C., who
      is not involved in this termination proceeding.
      3
       Following an investigation into the alleged homicide, no evidence of a homicide was found, and neither
      Mother nor Father were ever charged.

      Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 18A-JT-2714 | December 20, 2019                 Page 3 of 11
      refused to submit or did not show up to submit to numerous drug screens. In

      addition, in August 2018, Mother tested positive for Oxycodone.

[6]   Mother’s participation with other recommended services was inconsistent. For

      example, Mother participated in supervised visitations until late 2017. Mother

      also failed to maintain weekly contact with the FCM. Finally, Mother

      participated in additional assessments but failed to consistently participate in

      the services for which she was referred after the additional assessments.

[7]   In June 2018, DCS filed a petition to terminate the parental rights of Mother

      and Father. Thereafter, in September 2018, the juvenile court held a

      termination hearing. Mother denied that there had been a history of domestic

      violence between her and Father, contradicting her prior statement to FCM

      Church. When discussing her substance abuse issues, Mother admitted that she

      had used methamphetamine as recently as late June 2018 or early July 2018.

      Mother’s testimony also revealed that she had been arrested on December 19,

      2017.4 She further explained that on that date, she had had a three-hour

      supervised visit with Children at her residence and that she had not seen them

      since.

      4
        As a result of her arrest, Mother was charged with Level 2 felony dealing in methamphetamine and Level 6
      felony maintaining a common nuisance under Cause Number 60C01-1712-F2-958. The State later added
      Class C misdemeanor possession of paraphernalia to Mother’s charges. Father was also arrested on
      December 19, 2017 and charged with Level 2 felony dealing in methamphetamine, Level 3 felony dealing in
      methamphetamine, and Level 6 felony dealing in a schedule II controlled substance under Cause Number
      60C01-1712-F2-951.

      Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 18A-JT-2714 | December 20, 2019             Page 4 of 11
[8]    Michael Campbell (“Campbell”), Mother’s individual therapist from November

       2016 to May 2017, testified that he had performed a parenting assessment and

       had recommended Relapse Prevention Plan services for Mother. Campbell

       testified that before Mother’s therapy was closed, “there were five no-shows

       [and] nine cancellations[.]” (Tr. 106). He further explained that when he last

       saw her in May 2017, therapy had not been completed.

[9]    Court Appointed Special Advocate Elizabeth Eaton (“CASA Eaton”) testified

       that she thought it was appropriate for Children’s respective foster families to

       proceed with adoption because it would provide permanency and be in their

       best interests. When asked to explain her reasoning, CASA Eaton expressed a

       similar sentiment for each child that adoption would be successful given the

       length of time spent with their families and the bonds that had been established.

[10]   Finally, FCM Shea Finnegan (“FCM Finnegan”) testified that she has been the

       case manager since 2016. FCM Finnegan stated that Mother had not

       completed her services. She also expressed her concerns on the need for

       permanency for Children because both parents faced charges at the time of the

       termination hearing and the fact that the case had been pending for three years.

       FCM Finnegan further explained that she had safety concerns about Children

       returning home, specifically stating:

               The basic safety concerns are that the initial reason for DCS’s
               involvement regarding [parents] have not, at all been addressed
               and services have not been completed, [it] is therefore quite
               possible that the same things that happened prior to DCS
               involvement will then again happen to the children and that is
               putting children at risk, that is not safe.
       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 18A-JT-2714 | December 20, 2019   Page 5 of 11
       (Tr. 205).

[11]   Following the hearing, in October 2018, the juvenile court issued four separate

       orders terminating Mother and Father’s parental relationship with Children.

       Mother now appeals.

                                                   Opinion

[12]   Mother argues that there is insufficient evidence to support the terminations of

       her parental rights. The Fourteenth Amendment to the United States

       Constitution protects the traditional right of parents to establish a home and

       raise their children. In re K.T.K., 989 N.E.2d 1225, 1230 (Ind. 2013). However,

       the law provides for termination of the right when parents are unwilling or

       unable to meet their parental responsibilities. Bester v. Lake Cty. 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]   When reviewing the termination of parental rights, we will not reweigh the

       evidence or judge the credibility of the witnesses. K.T.K., 989 N.E.2d at 1229.

       Rather, we consider only the evidence and reasonable inferences that support

       the judgement. Id. Where a trial court has entered findings of fact and

       conclusions thereon, we will not set aside the trial court’s findings or judgment

       unless clearly erroneous. Id. (citing Ind. Trial Rule 52(A)). In determining

       whether the court’s decision to terminate the parent-child relationship is clearly

       erroneous, we review the trial court’s judgment to determine whether the
       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 18A-JT-2714 | December 20, 2019   Page 6 of 11
       evidence clearly and convincingly supports the findings and the findings clearly

       and convincingly support the judgment. Id. at 1229-30.

[14]   A petition to terminate parental rights 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.

                  (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.

       IND. CODE § 31-35-2-4(b)(2). DCS must prove the alleged circumstances by

       clear and convincing evidence. K.T.K., 989 N.E.2d at 1231.

[15]   Here, Mother first asserts that the evidence is insufficient to show that there is a

       reasonable probability that: (1) the conditions that resulted in Children’s

       removal or the reasons for placement outside the parent’s home will not be

       remedied; and (2) a continuation of the parent-child relationship poses a threat

       to Children’s well-being.

[16]   We note that INDIANA CODE § 31-35-2-4(b)(2)(B) is written in the disjunctive.

       Therefore, DCS is required to establish by clear and convincing evidence only

       one of the three requirements of subsection (B). In re A.K., 924 N.E.2d 212, 220

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 18A-JT-2714 | December 20, 2019   Page 7 of 11
       (Ind. Ct. App. 2010). We therefore discuss only whether there is a reasonable

       probability that the conditions that resulted in Children’s removal or the

       reasons for placement outside the home will not be remedied.

[17]   In determining whether the conditions that resulted in a child’s removal or

       placement outside the home will not be remedied, we engage in a two-step

       analysis. In re E.M., 4 N.E.3d 636, 642-43 (Ind. 2014). We first identify the

       conditions that led to the removal or placement outside the home and then

       determine whether there is a reasonable probability that those conditions will

       not be remedied. Id. The second step requires trial courts to judge a parent’s

       fitness at the time of the termination proceeding, taking into consideration

       evidence of changed conditions and balancing any recent improvements against

       habitual patterns of conduct to determine whether there is a substantial

       probability of future neglect or deprivations. Id. Habitual conduct may include

       parents’ prior criminal history, drug and alcohol abuse, history of neglect,

       failure to provide support, and a lack of adequate housing and employment.

       A.D.S. v. Ind. Dep’t of Child Servs., 987 N.E.2d 1150, 1157 (Ind. Ct. App. 2013).

       The trial court may also consider services offered to the parent by DCS and the

       response by the parent to those services as evidence of whether conditions will

       be remedied. Id. DCS is not required to provide evidence ruling out all

       possibilities of change. Id. Rather, it need only establish a reasonable

       probability that the behavior of the parent will not change. Id.

[18]   Here, the conditions that led to Children’s removal were allegations of,

       domestic violence, drug use, and dental neglect. Initially, Mother complied

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 18A-JT-2714 | December 20, 2019   Page 8 of 11
       with drug screening. However, Mother stopped complying and refused

       numerous drug screens during 2017 and 2018. The trial court could have

       reasonably inferred that Mother had refused the drug screens because she would

       have tested positive. See In re A.B., 924 N.E.2d 666, 671 (Ind. Ct. App. 2010)

       (noting that a parent cannot be permitted to refuse to submit to drug testing,

       then later claim that DCS has failed to prove that the drug use has continued).

       Additionally, Mother admitted to methamphetamine use and had tested

       positive for Oxycodone during the Summer of 2018. Based on the foregoing,

       the evidence supports the trial court’s conclusion that there was a reasonable

       probability that the reasons for Children’s placement outside the home would

       not be remedied. We find no error.

[19]   Mother also argues that there is insufficient evidence that the terminations were

       in Children’s best interests. In determining whether the termination of parental

       rights is in the best interests of a child, the trial court is required to look at the

       totality of the evidence. In re D.D., 804 N.E.2d 258, 267 (Ind. Ct. App. 2004),

       trans. denied. In so doing, the court must subordinate the interests of the parents

       to those of the child involved. Id. Termination of the parent-child relationship

       is proper where the child’s emotional and physical development is threatened.

       In re R.S., 774 N.E.2d 927, 930 (Ind. Ct. App. 2002), trans. denied. The trial

       court need not wait until the child is irreversibly harmed such that his physical,

       mental, and social development is permanently impaired before terminating the

       parent-child relationship. Id. In addition, a child’s need for permanency is a

       central consideration in determining the child’s best interests. In re G.Y., 904

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 18A-JT-2714 | December 20, 2019   Page 9 of 11
N.E.2d 1257, 1265 (Ind. 2009), reh’g denied. Further, the testimony of the

       service providers may support a finding that termination is in the child’s best

       interests. McBride v. Monroe Cty. Office of Family and Children, 798 N.E.2d 185,

       203 (Ind. Ct. App. 2003).

[20]   Our review of the evidence reveals that at the time of the termination hearing,

       Children had been living in stable and loving homes with their foster families.

       CASA Eaton testified that Children had bonded with their families and that it

       would be detrimental to remove them from their homes. Both CASA Eaton

       and FCM Finnegan testified that adoption would be in Children’s best interests.

       FCM Finnegan also discussed her concerns for permanency for Children

       because at the time of the termination hearing, both parents faced charges. 5

       Moreover, Mother testified at the termination hearing that the last time she saw

       Children was in December 2017. The failure to exercise the right to visit one’s

       child demonstrates a “lack of commitment to complete the actions necessary to

       preserve the parent-child relationship.” Lang v. Starke Cty OFC, 861 N.E.2d 366,

       5
         Pursuant to Indiana Evidence Rule 201(a)(2)(c), this Court may take judicial notice of records of a court of
       this state. Here, we take judicial notice of Mother’s conviction and sentence in Cause Number 60C01-1712-
       F2-958. Our review of those records reveal that Mother pleaded guilty to Level 6 felony maintaining a
       common nuisance and Class C misdemeanor possession of paraphernalia. The trial court sentenced Mother
       to one (1) year for the Level 6 felony and ninety (90) days for the Class C misdemeanor and ordered the
       sentences to run consecutive to each other. Mother’s sentences were suspended to probation. However, she
       is currently incarcerated awaiting an initial hearing on a petition to revoke probation that alleges, among
       other things, a positive urine screen. We also take judicial notice of Father’s conviction and sentence in
       Cause Number 60C01-1712-F2-951. Our review of those records reveal that Father was convicted of Level 2
       felony dealing in methamphetamine, Level 3 felony dealing in methamphetamine, and Level 6 felony dealing
       in a schedule II controlled substance. The trial court sentenced Father to two (2) years for the Level 6 felony
       conviction, sixteen (16) years for the Level 3 felony conviction, and thirty (30) years for the Level 2 felony
       conviction and ordered the sentences to run concurrently with each other. Father’s projected release date is
       in March 2037.

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 18A-JT-2714 | December 20, 2019                Page 10 of 11
       372 (Ind. Ct. App. 2007) (quotations omitted), trans. denied. The testimony of

       the service providers and Mother, as well as the other evidence previously

       discussed, supports the trial court’s conclusion that termination is in Children’s

       best interests.

[21]   We reverse a termination of parental rights “only upon a showing of ‘clear

       error’––that which leaves us with a definite and firm conviction that a mistake

       has been made.” Egly v. Blackford Cty. Dep’t of Pub. Welfare, 592 N.E.2d, 1232,

       1235 (Ind. 1992). We find no such error here and therefore affirm the trial

       court.

[22]   Affirmed.

       Robb, J., and Mathias, J., concur.

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 18A-JT-2714 | December 20, 2019   Page 11 of 11