Flavia Rasheed v. Rocky Rasheed

• Court: Indiana Court of Appeals
• Decided: February 28, 2020
• Docket: 19A-DC-1722
• Status: Published

Opinion

FILED Feb 28 2020, 9:02 am

CLERK Indiana Supreme Court Court of Appeals and Tax Court

ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT ATTORNEY FOR APPELLEE Stephen H. Shroyer Melissa Winkler-York Miller Waters Martin & Hall The Law Office of Melissa Indianapolis, Indiana Winkler-York, LLC Indianapolis, Indiana

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA

Flavia Rasheed, February 28, 2020 Appellant, Court of Appeals Case No. 19A-DC-1722 v. Appeal from the Marion Superior Court Rocky Rasheed, The Honorable James A. Joven, Appellee. Judge The Honorable Kimberly D. Mattingly, Magistrate Trial Court Cause No. 49D13-1712-DC-46216

Brown, Judge.

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 19A-DC-1722 | February 28, 2020 Page 1 of 11 [1] Flavia Rasheed (“Mother”) claims the trial court erred in awarding joint legal

custody. We reverse and remand.

Facts and Procedural History

[2] Mother and Rocky Rasheed (“Father”) were married in November 2011 and

have two children. In November 2017, Mother filed a petition for an order for

protection against Father alleging domestic or family violence, 1 and the court

issued an ex parte order for protection. In December 2017, Mother filed a

petition for dissolution of marriage. In January 2018, the court issued a

preliminary order that the parties share joint legal custody, Mother have

primary physical custody, and Father have parenting time according to the Ind.

Parenting Time Guidelines. The court also issued an order for protection

against Father stating it expired on December 31, 2019. In March 2018,

Mother filed a petition for the appointment of a guardian ad litem, 2 and the

court appointed Kids’ Voice of Indiana as guardian ad litem. Father filed

petitions for contempt in June, July, and August 2018 alleging Mother made

doctor and dental appointments without communicating with him, did not

provide him with information regarding schooling and daycare, started

1 Mother alleged that on one occasion Father pushed her and one of the children to the ground and stated “[n]o one can keep me behind bars,” on another occasion he grabbed one of the children hard by the arm, said he was going to teach him a lesson, and grabbed her wrist hard, and at another time he told her she was ugly and too old for anyone to want her and he would kill her family and himself, and she called the police. 2 Mother alleged Father had encouraged their five-year-old child to play with his handgun, she fears for the safety and well-being of her children, and the parties are members of a small ethnic community with certain cultural customs and expectations and asserted that the assistance of a guardian ad litem would benefit the court.

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 19A-DC-1722 | February 28, 2020 Page 2 of 11 counseling for one of the children without informing him or asking if he agreed

to the counseling, and did not inform him of a trip with the children outside the

State of Indiana until they returned. Father also filed a petition to modify

parenting time in August 2018 requesting that his midweek parenting time be

modified from Wednesdays to Thursdays so he may attend a basketball

program with one of the children.

[3] On August 29, 2018, Kids’ Voice of Indiana filed a motion for the appointment

of a parenting coordinator stating that guardian ad litem Sara Tait (“GAL

Tait”) was the volunteer guardian ad litem on the case, she had spent hours

meeting with the children and the parties, reviewing records, and interviewing

third parties, and it had become evident the parties are not able to cooperate

consistently to make necessary and timely decisions regarding parenting time

changes and medical provider selection for the children. On September 6, 2018,

GAL Tait filed a preliminary report stating Mother had a protective order

against Father, Father maintains he turned in his weapon to the Sheriff’s

department, the parties are “part of a small Pakistani community where, as

explained to the GAL, the culture is very male-dominated and the children and

wife are viewed as property,” Mother “appears genuinely concerned and fearful

of [Father] and is currently in therapy,” and “[t]here are also allegations of

threatening harm to the maternal family and taking the children out of the

country.” Appellant’s Appendix Volume II at 68. The report stated that

Mother’s pastor described Father as “tormenting” Mother and that the pastor

had every reason to believe Father’s threats against Mother are serious. Id. at

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 19A-DC-1722 | February 28, 2020 Page 3 of 11 69. In her recommendation, GAL Tait stated the parties have not

demonstrated an ability to effectively co-parent, and it was her recommendation

that Mother have sole legal and physical custody subject to Father’s parenting

time according to the parenting time guidelines.

[4] On September 17, 2018, the court issued an order stating it had held a status

hearing and appointed Robert Shive (“Coordinator Shive”) as the parenting

coordinator. On January 4, 2019, Father filed a petition to modify parenting

time stating he wished to enroll one of the children in a basketball program

which meets on Thursdays, the matter was to be addressed with the parenting

coordinator due to Mother’s assertion she was unwilling to switch parenting

time nights due to the protective order and transportation issues it presented for

exchanges, he attempted to resolve the matter through the parenting

coordinator, and the matter was not resolved. On February 26, 2019, the court

issued an order stating it had held a hearing and ordered that Father exercise

midweek parenting time on Thursdays.

[5] On March 22, 2019, GAL Tait filed a Guardian Ad Litem Report stating

Mother continues to have significant concerns about one of the children’s

anxiety and trauma associated with Father and his safety and eating at Father’s

house, Father continues to be “frustrated by ‘hoops’ he needs to jump through

to have access to his children,” and he expresses concern that Mother coaches

the children against him. Id. at 84. GAL Tait stated, with respect to one of the

children, “[i]n my nearly 9 years of being a GAL volunteer, I have never been

more concerned about the welfare of a child than I am about [the child].” Id.

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 19A-DC-1722 | February 28, 2020 Page 4 of 11 She reported that, upon being told he was going to Father’s for a week, the

child was hysterical and had a full-scale panic attack, and she reported that she

did not believe the behavior was coached or faked. She stated “it was pure

hysterics and difficult to watch” and, “[d]uring this time, I heard [the child]

scream the following: ‘I hate my Dad’; ‘My Dad is the meanest’; ‘My Dad

throws me on the ground’; ‘I’m going to kill myself’; ‘I never want to see my

Dad again.’” Id. GAL Tait also stated Coordinator Shive reported the parties

have been successfully utilizing Our Family Wizard, he noted Father is

aggressive in communications but not insulting, and Coordinator Shive does

not have the sense Father is as bad as Mother portrays. In her summary and

recommendations, GAL Tait stated that she recommended one of the children

begin trauma-related therapy, that the utilization of a parenting coordinator

should continue, but that it is in the best interests of the children that one parent

have sole decision-making authority, and she recommended that Mother have

sole legal and physical custody.

[6] On April 1, 2019, the court held a final hearing. GAL Tait testified that “with

these parties in particular, what I was noting from the outset was it was very

contentious . . . a lot of back and forth kind of small things causing issues.”

Transcript Volume II at 26. She testified her goal was to provide tools so the

parties could effectively co-parent. She testified Our Family Wizard had been

helpful but was disappointed the parties were in court regarding midweek

parenting time and she had hoped the issue could have been resolved through

the parenting coordinator without court involvement. She recommended

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 19A-DC-1722 | February 28, 2020 Page 5 of 11 Mother receive legal custody and indicated the parties are unable to effectively

co-parent even on very simple matters, day-to-day parenting causes extreme

fighting between the parties, they had disagreements about health care for one

of the children, and even with a parenting coordinator and Our Family Wizard

tool they have not demonstrated the ability to come to a consensus on very

simple things. She indicated Father did not feel like he was being informed by

Mother, she spoke with Mother about keeping Father informed, the children

“need a quarterback” and “somebody who can make decisions and then

appropriately inform [Father] and give him access,” and there was constant

bickering. Id. at 33.

[7] Mother testified one of her children was seeing a therapist at Adult and Child

center and believed the therapist could not build a rapport with the child, the

child should see a new therapist, and Father’s participation in the therapy

should be limited. When asked why she thought it was important she have sole

legal custody, she testified that, in Father’s mind, she and the children were his

property and that, when she sent him a note on Our Family Wizard that she

wanted to enroll one of the children in a summer camp which the child

previously attended, Father’s response was that he wanted to take the child to

Pakistan. When asked if Our Family Wizard had assisted with sharing

information, Mother replied “[a]s far as communication sake, yes, but decision-

making, no. We always have to involve [Coordinator Shive] and ask him to

make decision on several things.” Id. at 82. She also indicated she would like

to see Coordinator Shive continue as the parenting coordinator and she

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 19A-DC-1722 | February 28, 2020 Page 6 of 11 objected to Father taking the children to Pakistan. She also indicated she

wished for any passports for the children to be relinquished to her.

[8] Father testified he disputes Mother’s allegations against him and believes she

made the false allegations to obtain custody of the children. Father indicated he

wished to take the children to Pakistan for a week or a couple of weeks for his

sister’s wedding. He indicated Adult and Child center had many therapists and

suggested checking into the availability of another therapist. On May 30, 2019,

Father filed a motion requesting permission to travel to Pakistan with the

children for two weeks during his summer parenting time.

[9] In June 2019, the court entered a decree of dissolution providing in part:

6. The Parties shall share joint legal custody of the minor children.

7. Mother shall have primary physical custody of the minor children.

8. Father shall be entitled to parenting time pursuant to Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines, plus every Thursday overnight and Sunday overnights on his every other weekend. All exchanges for regular parenting time shall occur at the children’s schools if school is in session. If school is not in session, the Parties shall exchange the children at the Beech Grove Police Station.

*****

14. The Parties shall continue to utilize Our Family Wizard for all non- emergency communication.

15. The Parties shall continue to utilize Robert Shive as a Parenting Coordinator for an additional six (6) months.

16. This Court has clarified the protection order Mother has against Father to make it clear that Father is entitled to be present at functions,

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 19A-DC-1722 | February 28, 2020 Page 7 of 11 appointments and activities for the minor children and that the Parties can both be present at parenting time exchanges provided Father follows the protection order and does not approach or speak to Mother during these times.

Appellant’s Appendix Volume II at 19-21. (17)

Discussion

[10] Where a trial court enters findings of fact and conclusions, we first determine

whether the evidence supports the findings, and we then determine whether the

findings support the judgment. Lechien v. Wren, 950 N.E.2d 838, 841 (Ind. Ct.

App. 2011). A judgment is clearly erroneous when a review of the record

leaves us with a firm conviction that a mistake has been made. Id. The findings

control only as to the issues they cover, and a general judgment standard

applies to issues upon which the trial court made no findings. Id.

[11] Mother claims the trial court abused its discretion in awarding the parties joint

legal custody. She argues their ongoing conflict makes joint legal custody a

constant battlefield and, despite almost one and one-half years of litigation, they

have not demonstrated an ability to work together for the children’s best

interests. She argues GAL Tait testified the parties were very contentious and

expressed frustration the parties were unable to utilize the parenting coordinator

to reach agreements. Father responds there is sufficient evidence to support the

court’s determination. He asserts the record is almost entirely void of conflict

regarding the children’s schooling, major medical decisions, or religious

upbringing and, although the parties had communication issues and other

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 19A-DC-1722 | February 28, 2020 Page 8 of 11 disagreements, they ultimately demonstrated a general ability to communicate

and work together to raise the children.

[12] We review child custody determinations for an abuse of discretion. See Gonzalez

v. Gonzalez, 893 N.E.2d 333, 335 (Ind. Ct. App. 2008). Ind. Code § 31-17-2-13

provides “[t]he court may award legal custody of a child jointly if the court

finds that an award of joint legal custody would be in the best interest of the

child.” Ind. Code § 31-17-2-15 provides:

In determining whether an award of joint legal custody under section 13 of this chapter would be in the best interest of the child, the court shall consider it a matter of primary, but not determinative, importance that the persons awarded joint custody have agreed to an award of joint legal custody. The court shall also consider:

(1) the fitness and suitability of each of the persons awarded joint custody;

(2) whether the persons awarded joint custody are willing and able to communicate and cooperate in advancing the child’s welfare;

(3) the wishes of the child, with more consideration given to the child’s wishes if the child is at least fourteen (14) years of age;

(4) whether the child has established a close and beneficial relationship with both of the persons awarded joint custody;

(5) whether the persons awarded joint custody:

(A) live in close proximity to each other; and

(B) plan to continue to do so; and

(6) the nature of the physical and emotional environment in the home of each of the persons awarded joint custody.

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 19A-DC-1722 | February 28, 2020 Page 9 of 11 “‘Joint legal custody’, for purposes of . . . IC 31-17-2-13 . . . and IC 31-17-2-15,

means that the persons awarded joint custody will share authority and

responsibility for the major decisions concerning the child’s upbringing,

including the child’s education, health care, and religious training.” Ind. Code

§ 31-9-2-67.

[13] The factor under (2) of Ind. Code § 31-17-2-15 is of particular importance in

making legal custody determinations. Milcherska v. Hoerstman, 56 N.E.3d 634,

641 (Ind. Ct. App. 2016) (citations omitted). Where the parties have made

child-rearing a battleground, joint custody is not appropriate. Id. at 642.

“Indeed, to award joint legal custody to individually capable parents who

cannot work together is tantamount to the proverbial folly of cutting the baby in

half in order to effect a fair distribution of the child to competing parents.” Id.

(citing Swadner v. Swadner, 897 N.E.2d 966, 974 (Ind. Ct. App. 2008)). We will

reverse a trial court’s grant of joint legal custody when the evidence indicates

the joint custody award “constitutes an imposition of an intolerable situation

upon two persons who have made child rearing a battleground.” Swadner, 897

N.E.2d at 974 (citation omitted). The primary concern of the courts with

respect to legal custody is the welfare of the children and not the wishes of the

parents. Carmichael v. Siegel, 754 N.E.2d 619, 635 (Ind. Ct. App. 2001).

[14] We note the trial court did not enter any specific findings or conclusions

regarding its reasons for, or the evidence in support of, its order that the parties

share joint legal custody, or state that it found an award of joint legal custody

would be in the best interests of the children. GAL Tait recommended Mother

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 19A-DC-1722 | February 28, 2020 Page 10 of 11 have sole legal custody of the children and reported the parties have not

demonstrated an ability to co-parent even on simple matters. The court ordered

that all exchanges of the children occur at the children’s schools or the police

station and referenced Mother’s order for protection against Father. The record

reveals Mother sought the order for protection, the court appointed a guardian

ad litem at Mother’s request, Father filed multiple contempt allegations, and the

court appointed a parenting coordinator following the guardian ad litem’s

request. Based on the record before us, and in light of the parties’ history of

non-cooperation, we conclude the court erred in ordering the parties to share

joint legal custody.

[15] For the foregoing reasons, we reverse the trial court’s order that Mother and

Father share joint legal custody and remand for entry of a modified decree of

dissolution providing that Mother have sole legal custody.

[16] Reversed and remanded.

Baker, J., and Riley, J., concur.

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 19A-DC-1722 | February 28, 2020 Page 11 of 11