In re the Termination of Parental Rights Over J.M.J.

368 N.W.2d 602, 1985 S.D. LEXIS 285

• Court: South Dakota Supreme Court
• Decided: May 22, 1985
• Docket: No. 14672
• Status: Published

Opinions

HENDERSON, Justice.

ACTION

This appeal pertains to the permanent termination of the parental rights of a mother to her child and arises from an order denying D.J.’s (mother’s) petition to vacate the order which terminated her parental rights over J.M.J. (child). We reverse.

FACTS

In January 1982, the Department of Social Services removed the child from the mother’s custody and placed her in licensed foster care. In August 1982, the Department then placed the child in the custody and care of the Filipeks, in Phoenix, Arizona. The Filipeks are mother’s sister and brother-in-law.

In November 1982, the Department commenced a dependency and neglect action against the mother and an initial hearing was conducted. The hearing was continued on December 13, 1982, and the dependency and neglect action was dismissed because, at this hearing, mother filed a petition to voluntarily terminate her parental rights. Mother waived her right to five day’s notice before a hearing on the voluntary termination petition and a hearing on the petition was conducted at that time.

At this hearing, the mother testified that she freely and voluntarily filed the petition for voluntary termination of her parental rights; that she understood the petition; that she was asking the court to end her parental rights to her child forever; that there was no guarantee that her child would be returned to her if she appealed; that she had no reservations about what she was doing; and that she understood the order was irrevocable and she could not change her mind. Importantly, however, mother also testified that she understood and was assured by the Department of Social Services that her child would be placed with her sister and brother-in-law in Arizona for adoption and that this was one of the conditions why she was consenting to termination.

The deputy state’s attorney stated that he understood placement to be with the sister but the court stated that it did not believe it had the authority to order it and after placement with Social Services, the court’s jurisdiction would end. A caseworker for the Department of Social Services also testified that it was the Department’s intention and plan to place the child with the Filipeks in Arizona and that she had no knowledge and no anticipation of any problems. Below is the pertinent testimony of the mother, comments of the deputy state’s attorney, comments of the trial court, and a final statement made under oath by the mother:

Q. [by Mother’s trial counsel] And you understand that the child is going to be placed with, and is with your sister in Arizona, and they will adopt the child? A. [by Mother] Right.

Q. And Social Services has assured you that the child will be adopted by that family, and that is one of the conditions why you are consenting to termination?

A. Yes.

* * * * *

Q. [by Mother’s trial counsel] Do you understand that when this order is entered, it is irrevocable; that if you want to change your mind, it’s all over?

A. [by Mother] I know. But what would happen if Social Services says she is definitely going to go to my sister, and they turn around and — ¹ Q. It’s my understanding that that will be in the order.

[D.J.], do you understand that the child will be placed with your sister for adoption, and that that is the only condition you are placing on this relinquishment?

A. Yes.

[by the State] That’s the State’s understanding also.2

THE COURT: It’s the Court’s understanding — I don’t believe I have the authority to order that. I would place custody with Social Services and, after that, my jurisdiction would end—

[by Mother’s trial counsel] I will put Social Services on the stand. Do you have any other questions, [D.J.]?

A. [by Mother] I want to make sure she is placed with the family.³

(Emphasis supplied mine.)

The court thereafter ordered the mother’s parental rights to be terminated and by Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, and an Order dated December 29, 1982, prepared by the mother’s counsel, the court specifically held, inter alia, that the mother was fully aware of the purpose of the proceedings and the consequences of her action and ordered the agency to place the child with the Filipeks if at all possible.

The child remained with the Filipeks in Arizona until March 1984. The child had never been adopted by the Filipeks and because they were experiencing marital and parenting problems, they requested that the Department of Social Services remove the child from their home. The Department transported the child back to South Dakota and on March 30, 1984, the mother filed a petition requesting the court to vacate the order terminating her parental rights.

On June 13, 1984, a hearing was held on the petition to vacate and, by an order dated July 24, 1984, the trial court denied the mother’s petition and specifically found that it was in the best interests of the child that the previous order terminating the mother’s parental rights remain in full force and effect. It is from this order that the mother now appeals. We hold that her appeal is well taken because she “terminated” her rights upon a condition most material and important to her, and there cannot be a “conditional” relinquishment.

DECISION

I.

DID THE TRIAL COURT’S TERMINATION OF MOTHER’S PARENTAL RIGHTS COMPLY WITH THE STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS OF SDCL CH. 25-5A? WE HOLD THAT IT DID NOT.

The voluntary termination of parental rights is controlled by the provisions of SDCL ch. 25-5A. As was held in In re D.L.F., 85 S.D. 44, 176 N.W.2d 486 (1970), which addressed the statutory requirements of the predecessor of SDCL ch. 26-8, voluntary termination hearings must strictly comply with the statutory provisions mandated by SDCL ch. 25-5A. Among the requirements dictated by that chapter is that, at the hearing, the court must find the termination to be in the best interests of the child and that the petitioner is “fully aware of the purpose of the proceedings and the consequences of their act.” SDCL 25-5A-16 and SDCL 25-5A-18.

Mother here contends that the Order Terminating and Transferring Parental Rights, dated December 29, 1982, is not supported by the proceedings which occurred on December 13, 1982. Mother asserts that her consent to voluntary termination of her parental rights was conditioned on the child being placed in the custody of or being adopted by her sister in Arizona. Mother claims that because the trial court failed to inform her that it did not have the power or jurisdiction to assure or require that the child be so placed, the trial court failed to determine that she was fully aware of the consequences of her act as required by SDCL 25-5A-16 and SDCL 25-5A-18.

The trial court specifically found that appellant was aware of the consequences of her decision; that she understood the termination to be irreconcilable, final, and conclusive; and that the Department of Social Services would recommend placement with mother’s sister. “Findings of fact shall not be set aside unless clearly erroneous, and due regard shall be given to the opportunity of the trial court to judge of the credibility of the witnesses.” SDCL 15-6-52(a).

In applying the clearly erroneous standard we must bear in mind that our function is not to decide factual issues de novo. The question for the appellate court is not whether it would have made the same findings the trial court did, but whether on the entire evidence it is left with a definite and firm conviction that a mistake has been committed.

In re Estate of Hobelsberger, 85 S.D. 282, 289, 181 N.W.2d 455, 459 (1970). This Court has recognized that parents have a fundamental right to their children. In re K.D.E., 87 S.D. 501, 210 N.W.2d 907 (1973). “Deciding a case such as this is not a pleasant duty.” In re Magee, 74 S.D. 286, 291, 52 N.W.2d 99,101 (1952). Upon a review of the proceedings, however, we are left with a definite and firm conviction that a mistake has been made.

Proceedings under SDCL ch. 25-5A are for the voluntary “termination” of parental relations and under SDCL 25-5A-16 and SDCL 25-5A-18, the court must determine that the parents are fully aware of the purpose of the proceedings and the consequences of their act. To terminate means “to bring to an ending or cessation in time, sequence, or continuity” and “to form the ending or conclusion of.” Webster’s Third New International Dictionary 2359 (rev. 4th ed. 1976). Parental rights are thus brought to a complete and unequivocal end or conclusion under this chapter and the trial court is required to determine that the parents are fully aware of this. In the present case, however, the trial court’s conclusion that appellant was fully aware of the purpose of the proceedings and the consequences of her act is not supported by the record.

At the voluntary termination hearing, the mother “conditioned” her consent to relinquishment of her child. A condition is “a premise upon which the fulfillment of an agreement depends.” Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary 233 (1980). It is also described as a “covenant” and “a provision making the effect of a legal instrument contingent upon an uncertain event.” Id. The condition imposed by the mother was the antithesis of a consent to an absolute termination of the custody of her child. Such a partial or conditional termination of parental rights is not within the purview of SDCL ch. 25-5A.⁴ Upon hearing appellant’s conditional termination testimony, the trial court was required by statute to inform appellant, and determine that she was fully aware, that she was completely terminating her parental rights and that a partial or conditional termination was unacceptable. Although the trial court expressed doubt about its authority to order the fulfillment of the mother’s condition, this was not a determination that appellant was fully aware that she was consenting to the complete and unconditional termination of her parental rights. The trial court’s determination to the contrary is therefore in error.

II.

DID THE TRIAL COURT PROPERLY DENY MOTHER’S PETITION TO VACATE ITS ORDER TERMINATING HER PARENTAL RIGHTS? WE HOLD THAT, UNDER THESE FACTS, THE TERMINATION ORDER SHOULD HAVE BEEN SET ASIDE.

SDCL 25-5A-19 provides:

Notwithstanding the provisions of § 26-8-54, any order entered under this chapter shall be conclusive and binding on all parties; except that an appeal may be taken to the Supreme Court from a judgment, decree, or order of the circuit court under the provisions of this chapter, within thirty days from the date of filing the judgment, decree or order appealed from and in the manner provided in chapter 15-26. Initials shall appear on the record on appeal in place of the name of the child.

The “conclusive and binding” language evinces a legislative intent that a parent’s voluntary termination of his or her parental rights should constitute a final adjudication of those rights. However, SDCL 15-6-60(b) permits a court, among other things, to relieve a party from a final judgment within a reasonable time for any reason justifying such relief. In Purinton v. Purinton, 41 S.D. 125, 131, 169 N.W. 236, 238 (1918), this Court also held:

The power of a court to open up a judgment for a sufficient reason does not rest upon statute, though statutes may limit the power; but such power is one inherent in a court and, except as limited by statute, is within the sole control of the courts.

In Matter of D.D.D., 294 N.W.2d 423 (S.D.1980), this Court directed the trial court to reconsider the voluntariness of a parent’s consent and thereby, sub silentio, held that the “conclusive and binding” language of SDCL 25-5A-19 does not impose a statutory limitation on a court’s inherent power to reexamine a judgment.

Mother argues that the trial court erred by refusing to vacate its prior termination order because her consent thereto was conditional. Mother has requested that the prior order be vacated and her parental rights be restored. We agree. For support, mother points to D.D.D., wherein we directed the court below to reconsider the voluntariness of the consent, and In re Romero, 73 S.D. 564, 568, 46 N.W.2d 108, 110 (1951), wherein we stated, “we are not troubled by the fact that this mother signed a consent to the adoption of her child. In the circumstances at bar, we deem it enough that she changed her mind.”

This case is unlike the situation addressed in D.D.D., in that the trial court has not issued conflicting orders concerning the parent’s voluntary consent and is unlike Romero in that instead of changing her mind in a matter of days, appellant here has waited for some sixteen months. Notwithstanding, it would be unconscionable and contrary to the spirit of the entire chapter on voluntary relinquishments to uphold this particular relinquishment because, as decided above, appellant did not consent to a full termination of her parental rights.

At the hearing to vacate the order terminating appellant’s parental rights, the trial court examined the petitions and heard counsels’ arguments and determined that it was in the best interests of the child for the previous order to remain in full force and effect. Although the trial court was not required to consider the best interests of the child when considering the petition to vacate, Matter of Adoption of Everett, 286 N.W.2d 810 (S.D.1979), it was a permissible criteria for the court’s consideration. However, in light of the determination in the first issue, we hold the trial court’s denial of the petition to vacate was in error.

We reverse.

WOLLMAN, J., concurs specially.

MORGAN, J., concurs in result.

FOSHEIM, C.J., and WUEST, Circuit Judge, Acting as Supreme Court Justice, dissent.

1 . This statement, under oath, reflects the mother’s mental reservations.

2 . State agreed to the mother's conditional relinquishment.

3 . Mother thereby expressed a condition to the relinquishment.

4 . In K.W.E. v. People, 31 Colo.App. 219, 500 P.2d 167 (1972), the Colorado Court of Appeals also ruled that a partial or conditional relinquishment was not authorized by their statutes governing voluntary parental relinquishment of children.