In re Termination of the Parent-Child Relationship of: A.R. and E.R. (Minor Children) and W.G. (Mother) v. The Indiana Department of Child Services (mem. dec.)

• Court: Indiana Court of Appeals
• Decided: July 9, 2018
• Docket: 18A-JT-508
• Status: Published

Opinion

MEMORANDUM DECISION Pursuant to Ind. Appellate Rule 65(D), this Memorandum Decision shall not be FILED regarded as precedent or cited before any Jul 09 2018, 8:41 am court except for the purpose of establishing CLERK the defense of res judicata, collateral Indiana Supreme Court Court of Appeals estoppel, or the law of the case. and Tax Court

ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE Justin R. Wall Curtis T. Hill, Jr. Wall Legal Services Attorney General of Indiana Huntington, Indiana David E. Corey Deputy Attorney General Indianapolis, Indiana

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA

In re Termination of the Parent- July 9, 2018 Child Relationship of: Court of Appeals Case No. 18A-JT-508 A.R. and E.R. (Minor Children) Appeal from the Wabash Circuit and Court The Honorable Robert R. W.G. (Mother), McCallen III, Judge Appellant-Respondent, Trial Court Cause Nos. 85C01-1705-JT-9 v. 85C01-1705-JT-10

The Indiana Department of Child Services, Appellee-Petitioner.

Robb, Judge. Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 18A-JT-508 | July 9, 2018 Page 1 of 13 Case Summary and Issue [1] W.G. (“Mother”) consented to the adoption of her two minor children in a

proceeding for involuntary termination of her parental rights. Over three

months after the juvenile court ordered her rights to be terminated, Mother filed

a motion to withdraw her consent. She now appeals the juvenile court’s denial

of her motion, raising one issue for our review: whether the juvenile court

abused its discretion in denying her motion to withdraw her consent.

Concluding the juvenile court did not abuse its discretion in declining to grant

her relief from her consent to adoption, we affirm.

Facts and Procedural History [2] Mother and the father of her two minor children were living together in 2016

when they became involved in an altercation that ultimately drew the attention

of the Indiana Department of Child Services (“DCS”). The children were

removed from the home and adjudicated children in need of services.

[3] Approximately one year later, DCS filed a petition for involuntary termination

of Mother’s parental rights.1 After several continuances, a fact-finding hearing

was set for October 25, 2017. On October 24, 2017, Mother filed a motion to

continue the hearing which the juvenile court denied. On October 25, 2017,

1 DCS also filed a petition seeking to terminate the father’s parental rights. He executed a voluntary relinquishment of parental rights form as to each child and his parental rights were terminated. He does not participate in this appeal.

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 18A-JT-508 | July 9, 2018 Page 2 of 13 Mother signed a Consent to Adoption with respect to each child, together with

a Post Adoption Agreement with the prospective adoptive parents in which she

acknowledged that she “understands that this consent is irrevocable and that

[she] consents of [her] own free will and not as a result of duress, inducement or

intimidation.” Appellants’ Appendix, Volume 2 at 69. The post-adoption

agreement allowed contact between Mother and the children.

[4] The juvenile court held a hearing on October 27, 2017, at which only DCS, by

its attorney and family case manager, and the court appointed special advocate

appeared. The juvenile court noted,

[Mother] has previously consented to adoption, which I also interpret as a consent to termination of parental rights. Dad has already signed a voluntary relinquishment and agreement to terminate parental rights as well. For that reason, I did not have the hearing [on October 25, 2017], but I do believe it was necessary to hear evidence.

Transcript at 11. The family case manager confirmed that Mother had filed

consents to adoption. She then testified that both children had been removed

from the home and under DCS supervision for at least fifteen of the previous

twenty-two months; that in her opinion, there is a reasonable probability that

the conditions that led to their removal would not be remedied; that in her

opinion, there was a reasonable probability that the continuation of the

relationship posed a threat to the children; that termination was in their best

interests; and that DCS had a satisfactory plan—adoption—for the care of the

children. When asked why termination was in the children’s best interests, the

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 18A-JT-508 | July 9, 2018 Page 3 of 13 family case manager stated, “the children have been removed from the parents’

home for an extended length of time. The issue, the underlying issues have not

resolved by either parent.” Id. at 13. With that testimony, the juvenile court

stated, “I think that’s sufficient,” and further stated that it would be taking

judicial notice of all orders, pleadings, progress reports, and evidence “as they

support the termination of parental rights in this cause of action.” Id. at 14.

[5] The juvenile court signed termination orders dated the same day that stated:

That [M]other has informed the Court that she now wishes to voluntarily terminate her parental rights to the minor [children].

That there has been filed with the Court forms entitled, “Voluntary Relinquishment of Parental Rights” signed by [M]other. That all parties have received copies of said form and that the consent shall be made part of the Court’s record in this case, as the consent has been filed with the Court on October 25, 2017.

That the Court has reviewed with the [M]other her rights in this proceeding as set forth in I.C. 31-35-1-12 and the Court finds that [M]other has understood the advisements to the parent given by the Court and that [M]other has understood the rights and advisements given to the parent in the written consent.

That the Court finds that [M]other is acting freely, voluntarily, without duress, coercion, or undue influence upon her, and that she understands the importance of her admission in open Court pursuant to I.C. 31-35-1-12 and as expressed in the written consent.

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 18A-JT-508 | July 9, 2018 Page 4 of 13 That the [M]other has acted with the advice of counsel and has been represented by counsel throughout these proceedings and this hearing.

That the requirements of I.C. 31-35-1-6 have been met by the appearance of the parent in open Court at this hearing.

***

Court finds [M]other knowingly and voluntarily consented to termination of the parent-child relationship.

Appellants’ App., Vol. 2 at 75-76.

[6] On February 19, 2018, Mother filed a Motion to Withdraw Consent, alleging

that at the time she signed the Consents to Adoption, “she was a patient at

Michiana Behavioral Health and Rehabilitation Center [and] was not in a

sufficient state of mind and mental health to be able to competently sign a

termination of her parental rights.” Id., Vol. 2 at 78. The juvenile court held a

hearing, at the conclusion of which the court orally denied the motion to

withdraw consent and advised Mother of her right to appeal.

Discussion and Decision I. Standard of Review [7] Although a parent’s voluntary relinquishment of parental rights and consent to

adoption are obviously intertwined, each is governed by a distinct statute and

treated as a separate issue. See Matter of Adoption of Konar, 454 N.E.2d 886, 888

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 18A-JT-508 | July 9, 2018 Page 5 of 13 (Ind. Ct. App. 1983) (holding mother’s rescission of her voluntary termination

of parental rights did not serve to rescind a separately signed consent to

adoption); compare Ind. Code ch. 31-19-9 (consent to adoption) with Ind. Code

ch. 31-35-1 (voluntary termination of parental rights). Here, Mother filed

Consents to Adoption.2 As the party bearing the burden of proof in a

proceeding to withdraw such consent, Mother had to prove her case by clear

and convincing evidence. Ind. Code § 31-19-10-0.5. Where a judgment is

entered against the party who has the burden of proof, he or she appeals from a

negative judgment and must show that the evidence points unerringly to a

conclusion different from that reached by the trier of fact. J.W. v. Hendricks Cty.

Ofc. Of Family & Children, 697 N.E.2d 480, 481-82 (Ind. Ct. App. 1998). We

neither reweigh the evidence nor judge the credibility of the witnesses and

consider only the evidence favorable to the judgment in determining whether

the judgment is contrary to law. Id. at 482.

2 Therefore, any of Mother’s arguments related to the requirements of Indiana Code chapter 31-35-1 are irrelevant to the resolution of this appeal. We do note, however, that the trial court’s order, in stating things such as, “there has been filed with the Court forms entitled, ‘Voluntary Relinquishment of Parental Rights’ signed by mother,” “the Court has reviewed with the mother her rights in this proceeding as set forth in I.C. 31-35-1-12,” and “the requirements of I.C. 31-35-1-6 have been met by the appearance of the parent in open Court at this hearing,” Appellants’ App., Vol. 2 at 75-76, is both erroneous and unnecessarily confusing. The document before the court was clearly a “Consent to Adoption,” Mother did not appear in court on October 27, 2017, when the consent was accepted, and accordingly, the trial court did not review anything with Mother.

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 18A-JT-508 | July 9, 2018 Page 6 of 13 II. Withdrawal of Consent [8] The State alleges that Mother’s motion to withdraw her consent to the

children’s adoption was untimely. Indiana Code section 31-19-10-3 provides:

(a) A consent to adoption may be withdrawn not later than thirty (30) days after consent to adoption is signed if:

(1) the court finds, after notice and opportunity to be heard afforded to the petitioner for adoption, that the person seeking the withdrawal is acting in the best interest of the person sought to be adopted; and

(2) the court orders the withdrawal.

(b) A consent to adoption may not be withdrawn after:

(1) thirty (30) days after the consent to adoption is signed;

(2) the person who signs the consent to adoption appears, in person or by telephonic communications or video conferencing, before a court in which the petition for adoption has been or will be filed and acknowledges that the person:

(A) understood the consequences of the signing of the consent to adoption; (B) freely and voluntarily signed the consent to adoption; and (C) believes that adoption is in the best interests of the person to be adopted; or

(3) the person who signs the consent to adoption appears, in person or by telephonic communications or video

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 18A-JT-508 | July 9, 2018 Page 7 of 13 conferencing, before a court of competent jurisdiction if the parent is outside of Indiana and acknowledges that the person:

(A) understood the consequences of the signing of the consent to adoption; (B) freely and voluntarily signed the consent to adoption; and (C) believes that adoption is in the best interests of the person to be adopted;

whichever occurs first.

(Emphases added.)

[9] Mother contends “she should be allowed to withdraw her Consents to

Adoption even though her request to do so occurred several months after she

gave the consents.” Brief of Appellant at 24. She argues the statute precludes

her consents from being withdrawn only after thirty days and after she appears

before the trial court and makes certain acknowledgements. See id. Because

Mother did not appear in court and acknowledge that she understood the

consequences of signing the consents, freely and voluntarily signed the

consents, and believes adoption is in the best interests of her children, she

argues her consents may be withdrawn. However, Mother misinterprets the

statute. The statute is written in the disjunctive and therefore, consent may not

be withdrawn after thirty days or after the parent appears in court, “whichever

occurs first.” Ind. Code § 31-19-10-3(b). Accordingly, Mother’s motion to

withdraw her consent was untimely.

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 18A-JT-508 | July 9, 2018 Page 8 of 13 [10] Although Mother did not timely move to withdraw her consent, Mother also

relies on Indiana Trial Rule 60(B) as an avenue for relief. Trial Rule 60(B)

provides:

On motion and upon such terms as are just the court may relieve a party . . . from a judgment . . . for the following reasons:

(5) except in the case of a divorce decree, the record fails to show that such party was represented by a guardian or other representative, and if the motion asserts and such party proves that (a) at the time of the action he was an infant or incompetent person, and (b) he was not in fact represented by a guardian or other representative, and (c) the person against whom the judgment, order or proceeding is being avoided procured the judgment with notice of such infancy or incompetency, and, as against a successor of such person, that such successor acquired his rights therein with notice that the judgment was procured against an infant or incompetent, and (d) no appeal or other remedies allowed under the subdivision have been taken or made by or on behalf of the infant or incompetent person, and (e) the motion was made within ninety (90) days after the disability was removed or a guardian was appointed over his estate, and (f) the motion alleges a valid defense or claim;

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 18A-JT-508 | July 9, 2018 Page 9 of 13 (8) any reason justifying relief from the operation of the judgment, other than those reasons set forth in sub-paragraphs (1), (2), (3), and (4).

A motion filed for either of these reasons must be filed “within a reasonable

time.” Ind. Trial Rule 60(B). Trial Rule 60(B) “affords relief in extraordinary

circumstances which are not the result of any fault or negligence on the part of

the movant.” Goldsmith v. Jones, 761 N.E.2d 471, 474 (Ind. Ct. App. 2002).

The burden is on the movant to establish the ground for relief under this rule.

In re Paternity of P.S.S., 934 N.E.2d 737, 740 (Ind. 2010).

[11] We note first that a Trial Rule 60(B) motion is not a substitute for a direct

appeal. In re Paternity of P.S.S., 934 N.E.2d 737, 740 (Ind. 2010). Therefore, to

the extent Mother challenges the termination order itself, her attempt is

untimely.3 As for Mother’s motion, she did not style her motion to withdraw

consent as a motion for relief from judgment pursuant to Trial Rule 60(B), but

the juvenile court noted at the hearing that it was treating it as such. See Tr.,

Vol. 2 at 17 (Mother’s counsel agreeing the juvenile court should treat the

motion as a Trial Rule 60(B) motion). “Mother believes that under reason (5),

she lacked capacity and was incompetent at the time she signed the Consents,

and as such, the Order issued by the trial court should not stand.” Br. of

Appellant at 26. “Mother also believes that under reason (8), the trial court is

3 We do note, however, that the termination order is primarily, if not exclusively, based on Mother’s consent. Had we found an issue with the consent, it may have been necessary to revisit the termination because the evidence that termination was otherwise appropriate was slim to non-existent.

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 18A-JT-508 | July 9, 2018 Page 10 of 13 justified in relieving her from the Order and her Consents should be invalidated

due to her lack of capacity and incompetence.” Id.

[12] Even assuming Mother was “incompetent” as contemplated by Trial Rule

60(B)(5),4 Mother has clearly failed to show that she is entitled to relief under

that subsection. Mother was represented by counsel throughout these

proceedings. One of the requirements for relief under subsection (5) is that the

movant show that she “was not in fact represented by a guardian or other

representative.” T.R. 60(B)(5)(b). In addition, the movant must show that the

other party had notice of the incompetence. Mother has failed to show either of

these are true here.

[13] As for subsection (8), “[t]he trial court’s residual powers under subsection (8)

may only be invoked upon a showing of exceptional circumstances justifying

extraordinary relief.” Brimhall v. Brewster, 864 N.E.2d 1148, 1153 (Ind. Ct.

App. 2007), trans. denied. As a general rule, a petition to adopt a child may be

granted only if written consent has been executed by each living parent of a

child born in wedlock.5 Ind. Code § 31-19-9-1(a)(1). The consent may be

4 The trial court questioned Mother at the hearing on her motion to withdraw consent about whether she had ever received a diagnosis of incompetence in the sense of being “unable to appreciate and understand the proceedings.” Tr., Vol. 2 at 29. Mother said she did not know, but conceded she had never presented any diagnosis to the court. Id. 5 Although it is not completely clear from the record whether or not Mother and the father were married, it appears that they were. Regardless, the father’s voluntary relinquishment of his parental rights means only Mother’s consent was required.

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 18A-JT-508 | July 9, 2018 Page 11 of 13 executed at any time after the birth of the child. Ind. Code § 31-19-9-2(a).6 To

be deemed valid, a parent’s consent to adoption must be voluntary. In re

Adoption of M.L.L., 810 N.E.2d 1088, 1093 (Ind. Ct. App. 2004). “[C]onsent to

an adoption is voluntary if it is an act of the parent’s own volition, free from

duress, fraud, or any other consent-vitiating factors, and if it is made with

knowledge of the essential facts.” Id. The issue of invalid consent is properly

raised by a petition to withdraw consent. Id. We have held that “emotion,

tensions, and pressure are . . . insufficient to void a consent unless they rise to

the level of overcoming one’s volition.” Bell v. A.R.H., 654 N.E.2d 29, 32-33

(Ind. Ct. App. 1995).

[14] Mother testified at the hearing on her motion to withdraw that she was in active

withdrawal from heroin and methamphetamine and non-compliant with her

prescription medication when she admitted herself into a four-day substance

abuse detox treatment on October 24, 2017. She testified that she was unable to

focus on the consents she signed the following day, although she knew that by

signing them the adoption would be open and she would have “the chance that

the kids would still be in my life and I’d still get to see them every now and

then.” Tr., Vol. 2 at 21. Given this testimony, Mother gave consent of her own

volition, with knowledge of the essential facts, and any duress she was under

6 Mother’s consent was filed in the presence of a notary public. See Appellants’ App., Vol. 2 at 67-68; Ind. Code § 31-19-9-2(a)(2).

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 18A-JT-508 | July 9, 2018 Page 12 of 13 was of her own making. To find otherwise would require reweighing the

evidence, which we cannot do. See J.W., 697 N.E.2d at 482.

Conclusion [15] We cannot say that the only conclusion to be deduced from the evidence is that

Mother’s consent was obtained though improper means. The juvenile court did

not abuse its discretion when it found that Mother’s consent was voluntary and

declined to grant her relief. The judgment of the juvenile court is therefore

affirmed.

[16] Affirmed.

Najam, J., and Altice, J., concur.

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 18A-JT-508 | July 9, 2018 Page 13 of 13