Court Opinion

ID: 2725810
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-09-08 20:54:19.100259+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:39:41.646721
License: Public Domain

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,                  Jan 10 2014, 9:25 am
collateral estoppel, or the law of the case.

 ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT:                       ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE:

 RUTH JOHNSON                                  GREGORY F. ZOELLER
 Marion County Public Defender                 Attorney General of Indiana
 Indianapolis, Indiana                         Indianapolis, Indiana

                                               ROBERT J. HENKE
                                               Deputy Attorney General
                                               Indianapolis, Indiana

                                               CHRISTINE REDELMAN
                                               Deputy Attorney General
                                               Indianapolis, Indiana

                                   IN THE
                         COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA

 IN THE MATTER OF THE TERMINATION              )
 OF PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP OF               )
 D.C. & A.R. (Minor Children),                 )
                                               )
            and                                )
                                               )
  T.R. (Mother)                                )
                                               )
         Appellant,                            )      No. 49A05-1306-JT-291
                                               )
                   vs.                         )
                                               )
 THE INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF                     )
 CHILD SERVICES,                               )
                                               )
         Appellee.                             )

                  APPEAL FROM THE SUPERIOR COURT OF MARION COUNTY
                             The Honorable Marilyn Moores, Judge
                           The Honorable Larry E. Bradley, Magistrate
                                 Cause No. 49D09-1301-JT-68
                                Cause No. 49D09-1301-JT-69

                                      January 10, 2014

               MEMORANDUM DECISION – NOT FOR PUBLICATION

MATHIAS, Judge

       T.R.’s (“Mother”) parental rights to her two youngest children were terminated by

the Marion Superior Court. Mother appeals and argues that the evidence was insufficient

to support the trial court’s termination of her parental rights.

       We affirm.

                               Facts and Procedural History

       Mother has five children.       Mother’s first child died of Sudden Infant Death

Syndrome when he was two months old. The second child lives with her paternal

grandmother in Florida, and that grandmother has established a guardianship over the

child. Mother’s third child was removed from Mother in 2007 due to allegations of abuse

and an unsafe home. Mother consented to the termination of her parental rights to her

third child, and that child was adopted by the child’s great aunt and uncle. This case

involves Mother’s fourth and fifth children; D.C., who was born in 2008 and A.R., who

was born in 2009.

       Prior to November 2010, Mother frequently asked a friend, Kristina Fairbairn, to

babysit D.C. and A.R. Fairbairn would care for the children for long periods of time

during which Mother did not even provide for the children’s most basic needs, such as

supplying her friend with diapers and formula. In the Fall of 2010, Mother left the

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children with Fairbairn for an extended period of time, and Fairbairn eventually contacted

the Department of Child Services (“the DCS”) because she could no longer provide for

the children and could not locate Mother.

        A petition alleging that the children were in need of services (“CHINS”) was filed

on November 1, 2010. At that time the children were placed with a foster family.

Mother finally appeared for an initial hearing in May 2011, but did not appear at the

CHINS fact-finding hearing or the September 6, 2011 disposition hearing. Mother did

not participate in the CHINS proceedings at all until February 21, 2012, and did not see

D.C. and A.R. until March 2012.

        On January 2, 2013, the DCS filed a petition to terminate Mother’s parental rights

to D.C. and A.R.1 The trial court held a hearing on the petition on May 6 and May 9,

2013.    Shortly thereafter, the trial court entered the following findings of fact and

conclusions of law terminating Mother’s parental rights to the children:

        7. [Mother] did not participate in the CHINS matter, including visitation,
        from May 2011 until March of 2012.
        8. Once reappearing in the CHINS case, [Mother] commenced home based
        services from May of 2012 until the present. Services include therapy and
        case management.
        9. [Mother] consistently participated in the home based services.
        10. Visitation with the children started in March of 2012 and continues
        weekly. Visitation has always been supervised.
        11. [Mother] has consistently participated in visitation.
        12. Instability was a concern as [Mother] was not gainfully employed and
        lacked housing.
        13. [Mother] obtained housing in mid 2012. The housing is appropriate for
        the children.

1
  The children were born during Mother’s marriage to J.R. But S.C. was later determined to be the
biological father of both children. His parental rights were terminated as well and he does not appeal that
judgment.

                                                    3
14. [Mother] receives minimal income from a part time job at Edwardian
Graphics and babysitting. She also receives food stamps and her housing is
partly subsidized through HUD.
15. [Mother] has a major support system in her fiancé [F.S.] who resides
with her.
                                      ***
17. [Mother] completed at least one court ordered psychological evaluation.
No additional recommendations were made.
18. [Mother] received a parenting class completion certificate in February
2013.
19. Two major concerns during the CHINS case [were Mother’s] ability to
safely and appropriately parent due to experience during her childhood, and
the existence of a secure bond between [Mother] and the children due to
total lack of contact between October 2010 to March 2012.
20. Prior to the CHINS filing in November 2010, the children were
periodically left with a babysitter for extended periods of time.
21. Jennifer Phoenix provided therapy for [Mother] from May of 2012 until
sometime in November of 2012, three to four times per month. Although
[Mother] participated in every session, she was marginally engaged.
22. At the time of trial, Ms. Phoenix questioned whether [Mother] could
safely parent due to the intense anger and lack of empathy she observed.
23. Ms. Phoenix believed that [Mother’s] history of childhood abuse and
neglect may have contributed to the early stopping of an emotional
development, resulting in the observed lack of empathy toward others.
24. Ms. Phoenix did not sense that [Mother] was changing during therapy,
that she failed to understand the safety concerns for the children, and that to
overcome her lack of empathy could take years and proper motivation.
25. Midtown Clinician Amy Earl began therapy with [D.C.] in September
2011 to address behavior problems. In June of 2012, she provided family
therapy with [Mother] and the children into March of 2013.
26. Due to the lack of contact between [Mother] and her children,
significant repair work was needed to reestablish a bond as a healthy and
secure attachment.
27. [Mother] did not understand the bonding problem, and lacked the effort
to engage and interact.
28. On November 19th and 20th 2012, bonding and attachment assessments
were performed on [Mother] and the pre-adoptive foster parents by Gloria
Hood.
29. In observing the children with their mother and foster parents, Ms.
Hood was concerned that there appeared to be an insecure bond with
[Mother]. She also concluded that the children bonded with the foster
parents, and their biological sons, in a secure way, having a significant
attachment.

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      30. Ms. Hood also had concerns regarding [Mother] safely parenting given
      her history of trauma and how she related to issues of sexual molestation,
      being absent from the children, and domestic violence.
      31. Ms. Hood observed some anxiety and fear when observing the children
      with their mother.
      32. Since the bonding and attachment assessments, [Mother] engaged with
      home based therapist Jennifer Davis who believed that [Mother] had the
      appropriate skills to parent and should have unsupervised visitation,
      contrary to the opinions given by two previous therapists, and the family
      clinician.
      33. During three visitation sessions, Ms. Davis testified she saw some bond
      emerging but felt additional time was needed to assess if the bond was
      secure or insecure.
      34. When presented with Ms. Davis’ reports, Clinician Amy Earl did not
      see teh one on one engagement needed.
      35. In 2012, prior to the bonding and attachment assessments, two home
      based case managers recommended unsupervised visitation, within six
      months of the visits commencing.
      36. At the fourth Permanency Hearing of December 11, 2012, the
      permanency plan was changed to adoption, with the CHINS Court finding
      that [Mother] had been offered services to reunify with the children but she
      had made minimal progress, and the case had been pending for over two
      years.
      37. In the eighteen to twenty family sessions, Clinician Earl failed to see
      any progress in the formation [of] an appropriate bond and observed that
      there did not exist a healthy attachment between the girls and their mother.
      38. Clinician Earl believed that it would be harmful to the children if their
      bond with the foster parents was broken, and could result in significant
      stress, fear, increased behavior problems, and grieving. Further, a long
      term effect on the ability to trust, and the ability to form healthy
      relationships could result.
      39. Clinician Earl believed that it would be in the children’s best interests to
      remain in their home and benefit from permanency in the safe, stable and
      secure home where they have been for two years.
      40. Therapist Hood believed the children would be affected negatively if
      removed from the foster home at the time of the bonding assessment.

Appellant’s App. pp. 26-28.

      The trial court concluded both that continuation of the parent-child relationship

poses a threat to the children’s well-being, and there is a reasonable probability that

                                             5
conditions keeping the children from reunification will not be remedied. The court noted

that Mother’s recent and consistent participation in services was “admirable, but the

Court finds weight in the opinions of long time clinician Amy Earl and bonding assessor

Gloria Hood that there really has been little to no progress in parenting or secure bonding.”

Id. at 29. The court also stated that “it would be harmful for the children now and in the

future if they were removed [from the foster parents] and not allowed to enjoy

permanency through adoption” because the children have been placed with the foster

parents for two and one-half years after Mother abandoned them. Id. The court observed

that it “is unknown how long, if ever, it will take [Mother] to be able to safely parent.” Id.

The trial court also found that termination of Mother’s parental rights was in the

children’s best interests and that adoption was a satisfactory plan for the future care and

treatment of the children. Mother now appeals.

                                   Standard of Review

       When we review a termination of parental rights, we will not reweigh the evidence

or judge the credibility of the witnesses. In re P.P., 804 N.E.2d 258, 265 (Ind. Ct. App.

2004), trans. denied. Instead, we consider only the evidence and reasonable inferences

that are most favorable to the judgment. Id. Moreover, in deference to the trial court’s

unique position to assess the evidence, we will set aside the court’s judgment terminating

a parent-child relationship only if it is clearly erroneous. In re L.S., 717 N.E.2d 204, 208

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

       Here, in terminating Mother’s and Father’s parental rights, the trial court entered

specific factual findings and conclusions. When a trial court’s judgment contains specific

                                              6
findings of fact and conclusions thereon, we apply a two-tiered standard of review.

Bester v. Lake Cnty. Office of Family & Children, 839 N.E.2d 143, 147 (Ind. 2005).

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

determine whether the findings support the judgment.          Id.   “Findings are clearly

erroneous only when the record contains no facts to support them either directly or by

inference.” Quillen v. Quillen, 671 N.E.2d 98, 102 (Ind. 1996). If the evidence and

inferences support the trial court’s decision, we must affirm. L.S., 717 N.E.2d at 208.

                                 Discussion and Decision

       “The traditional right of parents to establish a home and raise their children is

protected by the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution.” In re M.B.,

666 N.E.2d 73, 76 (Ind. Ct. App. 1996), trans. denied. However, a trial court must

subordinate the interests of the parents to those of the child when evaluating the

circumstances surrounding a termination. In the Matter of Termination of the Parent

Child Relationship of K.S., 750 N.E.2d 832, 837 (Ind. Ct. App. 2001). Termination of a

parent-child relationship is proper where a child’s emotional and physical development is

threatened. Id. Although the right to raise one’s own child should not be terminated

solely because there is a better home available for the child, parental rights may be

terminated when a parent is unable or unwilling to meet his or her parental

responsibilities. Id. at 836.

       Before parental rights may be involuntarily terminated in Indiana, the State is

required to allege and prove, among other things:

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

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              (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)(B)-(D). The State’s burden of proof for establishing these

allegations in termination cases “is one of ‘clear and convincing evidence.’” In re G.Y.,

904 N.E.2d 1257, 1260-1261 (Ind. 2009) (quoting Ind. Code § 31-37-14-2 (2008)). Clear

and convincing evidence need not reveal that the continued custody of the parents is

wholly inadequate for the child’s very survival. Bester, 839 N.E.2d at 148. Rather, it is

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

development and physical development are put at risk by the parent’s custody. Id.

Finally, “if the court finds that the allegations in a petition described in section 4 of this

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

35-2-8(a) (emphasis added).

       Mother argues that the DCS failed to prove 1) that there is a reasonable probability

that the reasons for placing the children outside of her home will not be remedied; and 2)

that there is a reasonable probability that continuation of the parent-child relationship

poses a threat to the well-being of the children. Mother argues that the evidence the DCS

presented to establish those factors was simply speculative and there is no evidence that

would support the conclusion that returning the children to Mother would cause them

emotional or physical harm.

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                        I. Indiana Code section 31-15-2-4(b)(2)(B)

         Indiana Code § 31-35-2-4(b)(2)(B) requires the State to establish, by clear and

convincing evidence, only one of the three requirements of subsection (b)(2)(B).

Because we find it to be dispositive, we limit our review to Mother’s allegations of error

pertaining to subsection (b)(2)(B)(i) of Indiana’s termination statute, namely, whether

DCS proved by clear and convincing evidence that there is a reasonable probability that

the conditions leading to the removal and continued placement of D.C. and A.R. outside

of Mother’s care will not be remedied.

         To determine whether a reasonable probability exists that the conditions justifying

a child’s continued placement outside the home will not be remedied, the trial court must

judge a parent’s fitness to care for her children at the time of the termination hearing and

take into consideration evidence of changed conditions. In re D.D., 804 N.E.2d 258, 266

(Ind. Ct. App. 2004), trans. denied. However, 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. The trial court may also properly consider, as evidence of

whether conditions will be remedied, the services offered to the parent by DCS, and the

parent’s response to those services.      A.F. v. Marion County Office of Family and

Children, 762 N.E.2d 1244, 1252 (Ind. Ct. App. 2002), trans. denied. DCS need not rule

out all possibilities of change; rather, it must establish only a reasonable probability that

the parent’s behavior will not change. In re Kay.L., 867 N.E.2d 236, 242 (Ind. Ct. App.

2007).

                                              9
       On November 1, 2010, one-year-old A.R. and two-year-old D.C. were removed

from Mother because she abandoned them to a friend who became unable to care for

them. Prior to abandoning the children completely, Mother often left them with this

friend for extended periods of time. Also, Mother has two older children: one who lives

with a relative who has guardianship of the child and one who was removed from Mother

in 2007 due to allegations of abuse and an unsafe home. Mother consented to the

termination of her parental rights to that child, who has been adopted by the child’s great

aunt and uncle.

       After abandoning A.R. and D.C. in November of 2010, Mother could not be

located for months. Mother finally began participating in the CHINS action 15 months

later, in March 2012. Mother’s participation in services was consistent and she rarely

missed her weekly, supervised visitation with the children. However, the DCS presented

evidence that Mother lacked empathy toward others, and her response to the services was

minimal. Mother could not understand the need to reestablish a bond with the children

and was either unwilling or unable to work toward forming that bond. DCS service

providers observed that Mother and the children did not have a healthy attachment to

each other. Mother could not understand the impact of her absences from the children’s

lives and refused to take responsibility for abandoning the children.

       Moreover, Mother’s relationships with the children’s father and her ex-husband

were abusive, but Mother minimized the abuse and failed to complete domestic violence

classes. Mother was also abused by her own parents, and her father was imprisoned for

sexually abusing her, yet Mother continues to insist that her father did not molest her.

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Mother also has mental illnesses, including bi-polar disorder and schizophrenia, but she is

not under the care of a medical doctor.

       Although Mother had a stable home and support system on the date of the

termination hearing, her history of abandoning her children, her refusal to address her

abusive relationships, her lack of progress after participating in DCS services, and her

untreated mental illnesses support the trial court’s conclusion that the conditions

justifying D.C. and A.R.’s continued placement outside Mother’s home will not be

remedied. Mother’s argument to the contrary is simply a request to reweigh the evidence

and the credibility of the witnesses, which we will not do.

                             II. Best Interests of the Children

       Finally, we consider Mother’s claim that the DCS failed to present clear and

convincing evidence that termination of her parental rights was in the children’s best

interests. In determining what is in the best interests of a child, the trial court is required

to look beyond the factors identified by DCS and look to the totality of the evidence.

McBride v. Monroe Cnty. Office of Family & Children, 798 N.E.2d 185, 203 (Ind. Ct.

App. 2003). Moreover, the court must subordinate the interests of the parent to those of

the child. Id. The court need not wait until a child is irreversibly harmed before

terminating the parent-child relationship.         Id.   We have previously held that the

recommendations of the service providers to terminate parental rights, coupled with

evidence that the conditions resulting in removal will not be remedied, is sufficient to

show by clear and convincing evidence that termination is in the child's best interests. In

re J.S., 906 N.E.2d 226, 236 (Ind. Ct. App. 2009).

                                              11
       D.C. and A.R. have been placed in the same foster home since November 2010.

The children are bonded and attached to their foster family, and the foster parents plan to

adopt the children.

       Mother has not been able to provide the children with the secure and stable home

environment that they need. The children do not feel safe with Mother, and D.C. exhibits

anxiety regarding Mother. Further, Mother lacks interest in the children’s daily lives and

during visitations only engages in superficial conversations with the children. Perhaps

most importantly, as we stated above, the children are not bonded to Mother, and Mother

fails to understand the magnitude of the impact of her absences from the children’s lives.

Finally, the guardian ad litem and the children’s therapist testified that terminating

Mother’s parental rights was in D.C.’s and A.R.’s best interests. Tr. pp. 109, 232. For all

of these reasons, we conclude that the DCS presented clear and convincing evidence that

termination of Mother’s parental rights was in the children’s best interests.

                                        Conclusion

      We will reverse a termination of parental rights only upon a showing of clear error,

that is, that which leave us with a definite and firm conviction that a mistake has been

made. See In re L.B., 889 N.E. 326, 342 (Ind. Ct. App. 2008). We find no such error in

this case.   Accordingly, we affirm the trial court’s judgment terminating Mother’s

parental rights to D.C. and A.R.

       Affirmed.

BRADFORD, J., and PYLE, J., concur.

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