MEMORANDUM DECISION Pursuant to Ind. Appellate Rule 65(D), this Memorandum Decision shall not be FILED regarded as precedent or cited before any Feb 21 2020, 8:48 am court except for the purpose of establishing the defense of res judicata, collateral CLERK Indiana Supreme Court estoppel, or the law of the case. Court of Appeals and Tax Court
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE J.S. (FATHER) Curtis T. Hill, Jr. Harold E. Amstutz Attorney General of Indiana Lafayette, Indiana Robert J. Henke ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT Deputy Attorney General M.S. (MOTHER) Indianapolis, Indiana Steven Knecht Vonderheide & Knecht, P.C. Lafayette, Indiana
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA
In re the Termination of the February 21, 2020 Parent-Child Relationship of Court of Appeals Case No. R.S., T.C., and E.C. (Minor 19A-JT-2081 Children), and Appeal from the Tippecanoe J.S. (Father) and M.S. (Mother), Superior Court The Honorable Faith A. Graham, Appellants-Respondents, Judge v. Trial Court Cause Nos. 79D03-1902-JT-31 79D03-1902-JT-32 Indiana Department of Child 79D03-1902-JT-33 Services, Appellee-Petitioner.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-JT-2081 | February 21, 2020 Page 1 of 17 Mathias, Judge.
[1] The Tippecanoe Superior Court issued orders terminating the parental rights of
J.S. (“Father”) and M.S. (“Mother”) (collectively “the Parents”) to their minor
children R.S., T.C., and E.C. (collectively “the Children”). Mother appeals and
presents one issue for our review, which we restate as whether the Indiana
Department of Child Services (“DCS”) presented evidence sufficient to prove
that termination of her parental rights was in the best interests of the Children.
Father presents three issues, which we restate as whether DCS presented
sufficient evidence to prove that: (1) the conditions that led to the Children’s
removal would not be remedied; (2) continuation of the parent-child
relationship posed a threat to the well-being of the Children; and (3)
termination was in the Children’s best interest. Concluding that the Parents’
arguments are little more than a request that we reweigh the evidence, we
affirm.
Facts and Procedural History [2] Mother is the biological mother of the three children at issue in this case: R.S.,
born in December 2013; T.C., born in December 2014; and E.C., born in June
2017. Father is the biological father of T.C. and E.C. Although not the
biological father of R.S., Father signed a paternity affidavit stating that he was
her father.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-JT-2081 | February 21, 2020 Page 2 of 17 A. The Informal Adjustment
[3] When Mother gave birth to E.C. in June 2017, both tested positive for
marijuana. During the subsequent DCS investigation, Mother admitted to using
marijuana during the pregnancy. Mother claimed that she used marijuana as a
substitute for the medication prescribed to treat bipolar disorder. Father
admitted to knowing about Mother’s drug use. The Parents and DCS entered
into an Informal Adjustment.1 Pursuant to the terms of the Informal
Adjustment, the Parents agreed not to use drugs, submit to random drug
screens, engage in home-based counseling, and complete substance abuse
assessments. The Parents failed to complete substance abuse assessments or
treatment, and Mother continued to use marijuana. The children missed
medical appointments and appointments for developmental services.
[4] On December 29, 2017, DCS received a report that the Parents’ home was
unsanitary and that the Children were naked in the home with Father, who is a
convicted sex offender, their maternal grandfather, and another unidentified
man. A DCS caseworker went to the home and found R.S. in her bedroom,
naked, with the door wedged shut with a glove, preventing the child from
leaving the room. In addition, the house was in disarray and littered with dirty
1 As noted by DCS, a DCS intake officer may, with court approval, implement a program of informal adjustment if the officer has probable cause to believe that a child is in need of services. Ind. Code § 31-34-8- 1. If a parent enters into such an agreement but fails to abide by the terms thereof, the court may find the parent in contempt. Ind. Code § 31-34-8-3.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-JT-2081 | February 21, 2020 Page 3 of 17 clothes, rotting food, cigarette butts, and other trash on the floor. For some
reason, the Children were not removed from the Parents’ home at this time.
[5] A few days later, on January 3, 2018, Father reported to DCS that Mother was
selling marijuana and engaging in prostitution from their home. When DCS
investigated this report, the caseworker found Mother with one gram of
marijuana, and the house was still filthy. R.S. was naked, which Mother
attributed to her undergoing potty training at the time.2 DCS removed the
Children from Mother’s house and, after one day being placed with Father,
were placed in foster care. The children have been in foster care ever since and
have lived with the same foster family since June 2018.
B. CHINS Proceedings
[6] On January 4, 2018, DCS filed petitions alleging that R.S., T.C., and E.C. were
children in need of services (“CHINS”). DCS amended its petitions on January
9, 2018. The trial court held a detention hearing on February 12, 2018, and
approved placement of the Children in foster care. The court also ordered that
the director of the Court Appointed Special Advocate (“CASA”) program
appoint a specific CASA for the Children. The trial court held CHINS fact-
finding hearings on May 2, May 14, and May 17, 2018. The trial court issued
its CHINS dispositional orders on June 6, 2018.
2 R.S. would have been over four years old at this time.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-JT-2081 | February 21, 2020 Page 4 of 17 [7] The CHINS parental participation orders, entered on June 29, 2018, required
the Parents to: attend all court hearings, case conferences, visitations, and
appointments as scheduled; sign and update release of information for ordered
services; contact DCS at least twice per month in person, by email, or by
telephone; notify DCS of changes in their address, household members,
telephone number, or employment within five days of the change; obtain and
maintain safe housing suitable for children with appropriate bedding, functional
utilities, and adequate food; not allow anyone to reside in their home without
DCS approval; not associate with anyone who is a party to any child welfare or
criminal case unless approved in advance by DCS; not have any child in their
care unless approved in advance by DCS; allow DCS, CASA, or service
providers to make announced and unannounced visits to their home; not
consume or possess, nor allow anyone else in their home to consume or
possess, any illicit drugs; inform DCS of any drug prescribed and take it exactly
as prescribed; not consume or possess alcohol; submit to random drug screens
upon request of DCS, CASA, or the court; obtain and maintain legal and stable
source of income, including public assistance adequate to support their needs;
pay any child support or reimbursement as ordered; enroll in any ordered
services and schedule a first appointment within ten days of the order or
referral; follow all recommendations from any assessments or evaluations;
follow all agreements with DCS, CASA, and other service providers; follow all
safety plans; provide documentation regarding compliance with court orders; be
honest with DCS, CASA, service providers, the court, and other parties in the
case; and obey the law. Ex. Vol. 1, pp. 133–34.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-JT-2081 | February 21, 2020 Page 5 of 17 [8] The trial court also ordered Mother complete intensive outpatient therapy,
complete a psychological assessment and follow all recommendations, and
participate in home-based case management. The court ordered Father to
participate in a medical evaluation and follow all recommendations. The
Parents’ participation in these services was sporadic, due to their frequent
incarceration and Mother’s continued drug use.
C. Father
[9] Father was convicted of child molestation in 1997. The victim was his then-
girlfriend’s twelve-year-old daughter. Father was incarcerated on this conviction
from 1997 to 2001, when he was released on parole. He was soon re-
incarcerated for a parole violation and was released in 2003. Father was
convicted for failing to register as a sex offender in 2013 and was placed on
community corrections and probation. Mother knew Father was a convicted
sex offender when she met him but continued her relationship despite this.
[10] Father also had voluntarily terminated his rights to one of his children with
another woman in 2008. Father was in jail from March 21, 2018 through
August 2018 and was in jail again from February 7 through March 25, 2019.
Both of these incarcerations were for probation violations due to failure to pay
child support for one of his older children. Father was never fully employed. He
claimed to have certain heart problems that made full-time employment
difficult to find.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-JT-2081 | February 21, 2020 Page 6 of 17 [11] Father’s participation in services was sporadic. He, along with Mother, initially
attended supervised visitation, and the Parents seemed affectionate toward the
Children. After one visit, however, R.S. claimed that Father had touched her
inappropriately, but the visitation facilitator did not witness this touching.
Ultimately, both Parents attended only four of the scheduled visitations with
the Children. In January 2019, Father called the visitation facilitators to tell
them that he and Mother would no longer be visiting the Children at the same
time. But Father did not attend any visitations after that, and his visitation was
cancelled in March 2019.
[12] Father’s participation in home-based case management (“HBCM”) fared little
better. Out of six scheduled sessions, Father attended only two. After Father
failed to appear for two sessions without calling, he was discharged from
HBCM. The DCS Family Case Manager (“FCM”) referred both Parents to
parenting education classes in January 2019, but neither attended. Father did
complete a substance abuse assessment and was recommended to substance
abuse therapy. But he was discharged from the therapy for failure to attend.
D. Mother
[13] Mother too was incarcerated during portions of the CHINS case. She was on
probation as a result of a misdemeanor theft conviction but violated the terms
of her probation by testing positive for methamphetamine and was in jail as a
result at the time of the termination hearing.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-JT-2081 | February 21, 2020 Page 7 of 17 [14] Mother struggles with substance abuse. She admitted to using marijuana since
she was twelve years old. She underwent a substance abuse assessment in
November 2018 and was diagnosed with methamphetamine use disorder. She
was referred to intensive outpatient therapy but was discharged in February
2019 due to non-compliance. Mother stated that she was clean during a short
period in September 2018, when she was incarcerated. She admitted that she
relapsed to using methamphetamine in January 2019 and stated that she
smokes methamphetamine and marijuana at the same time. When she was
rejected by the first inpatient program, she failed to seek out a second program
because she was “too high.” Tr. p. 97.
[15] Mother was also referred for a psychological assessment and therapy. She
scheduled one appointment but later cancelled it. She also failed to attend the
parenting education and couples counseling that she was referred to. She was
discharged from HBCM during the Informal Adjustment and was referred to
HBCM again in September 2018. However, she cancelled the scheduled
appointments and was again terminated from these services. Mother admitted
that she did not accept services from January 2018 until September 2018.
[16] Mother also attended only four of the six scheduled visitations with the
Children, though she acted affectionately toward the Children when she did
attend. She was discharged from visitation in January 2019 after she got
“nasty” with the visitation facilitator. Tr. p. 46. The FCM then referred Mother
to a new visitation facilitator. However, she was discharged by this facilitator in
February 2019 after she tested positive for methamphetamine.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-JT-2081 | February 21, 2020 Page 8 of 17 E. The Children
[17] While in foster care, R.S. and T.C. were treated by home-based mental health
therapist Samantha Dagenais (“Dagenais”). When Deganais first began to treat
R.S., the child had issues with aggression, bed wetting, nightmares, and
physical boundaries. Specifically, she would fondle herself or allow others to
fondle her. Tr. p. 26. All of these behaviors indicated that R.S. had been the
victim of physical and/or sexual abuse. By the time of the termination hearing,
R.S.’s troubling behaviors had substantially abated. T.C. also had issues with
aggression and physical boundaries, but his behavior also improved over time
as a result of therapy. Both R.S.’s and T.C.’s troubling behaviors grew worse
after their visitations with the Parents. Accordingly, Dagenais recommended
the visitation with the Parents end. Dagenais opined that the continuation of
the relationship between the Parents and the Children was detrimental to the
Children. She based her opinion on the progress the Children had made and on
the fact that, when the Children were informed that visitations with the Parents
might begin again, they regressed in their behavior.
[18] The FCM explained that R.S. and T.C. still needed extensive services. Due to
E.C.’s young age, she did not need the same services. T.C. was in occupational
therapy, speech therapy, and play therapy for trauma. R.S. was also in speech
therapy and play therapy. The FCM stated that the Children made “huge
improvements” since being placed in foster care. Tr. p. 108.
[19] The permanency plan for the Children was adoption, and the Children were in
pre-adoptive foster care. The children were doing well in foster care and were Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-JT-2081 | February 21, 2020 Page 9 of 17 bonded to each other and the foster parents. The foster parents were willing to
adopt all three children and desired to do so.
F. Termination Proceedings
[20] On February 25, 2019, DCS filed petitions to terminate the Parents’ parental
rights to the Children. The trial court held a hearing on the petitions on May
23, 2019. And the court issued findings of fact and conclusions of law
terminating the Parents’ parental rights on August 30, 2019. Both Parents now
appeal.
Termination of Parental Rights [21] Indiana Code section 31-35-2-4(b)(2) provides that 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.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-JT-2081 | February 21, 2020 Page 10 of 17 [22] DCS must prove each element by clear and convincing evidence. Ind. Code §
31-37-14-2; In re G.Y., 904 N.E.2d 1257, 1260 (Ind. 2009). Because Indiana
Code section 4(b)(2)(B) is written in the disjunctive, the trial court is required to
find that only one prong of subsection 4(b)(2)(B) has been established by clear
and convincing evidence. In re A.K., 924 N.E.2d 212, 220 (Ind. Ct. App. 2010).
[23] Clear and convincing evidence need not establish that the continued custody of
the parent is wholly inadequate for the child’s very survival. Bester v. Lake Cty.
Off. of Family and Children, 839 N.E.2d 143, 148 (Ind. 2005). It is instead
sufficient to show by clear and convincing evidence that the child’s emotional
and physical development are put at risk by the parent’s custody. Id. If the court
finds the allegations in a petition are true, the court shall terminate the parent-
child relationship. Ind. Code § 31-35-2-8(a).
[24] The purpose of terminating parental rights is not to punish parents but instead
to protect their children. In re S.P.H., 806 N.E.2d 874, 880 (Ind. Ct. App. 2004).
Although parental rights have a constitutional dimension, the law allows for
their termination when the parties are unable or unwilling to meet their
responsibilities as parents. Id. Indeed, parental interests must be subordinated to
the child’s interests in determining the proper disposition of a petition to
terminate parental rights. In re G.Y., 904 N.E.2d at 1259.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-JT-2081 | February 21, 2020 Page 11 of 17 Standard of Review [25] We have long had a highly deferential standard of review in cases involving the
termination of parental rights. In re D.B., 942 N.E.2d 867, 871 (Ind. Ct. App.
2011). Thus, on appeal, we neither reweigh the evidence nor assess witness
credibility. Id. We consider only the evidence and reasonable inferences
favorable to the trial court’s judgment. Id. In deference to the trial court’s
unique position to assess the evidence, we will set aside a judgment terminating
a parent-child relationship only if it is clearly erroneous. Id. Clear error is that
which leaves us with a definite and firm conviction that a mistake has been
made. J.M. v. Marion Cty. Off. of Family and Children, 802 N.E.2d 40, 44 (Ind. Ct.
App. 2004), trans. denied.
[26] When a parent does not challenge the trial court’s factual findings as being
clearly erroneous, we accept those findings as true and determine only whether
these unchallenged findings are sufficient to support the judgment. In re A.M.,
121 N.E.3d 556, 562 (Ind. Ct. App. 2019), trans. denied; see also T.B. v. Ind. Dep’t
of Child Servs., 971 N.E.2d 104, 110 (Ind. Ct. App. 2012) (holding that when the
trial court’s unchallenged findings support termination, there is no error), trans.
denied.
I. Father’s Arguments
[27] Father argues that DCS failed to prove by clear and convincing evidence that:
(1) the conditions that led to the Children’s removal would not be remedied, (2)
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-JT-2081 | February 21, 2020 Page 12 of 17 continuation of the parent-child relationship posed a threat to the well-being of
the Children, and (3) termination was in the Children’s best interest. 3
[28] Father first claims that the trial court clearly erred by concluding that there was
a reasonable probability that the conditions that resulted in the Children’s
removal from his care, or the reasons for their continued placement outside his
home, would not be remedied. When deciding whether there is a reasonable
probability that the conditions resulting in a child’s removal or continued
placement outside of a parent’s care will not be remedied, the trial court must
determine a parent’s fitness to care for the child at the time of the termination
hearing while also taking into consideration evidence of changed
circumstances. A.D.S. v. Ind. Dep’t of Child Servs., 987 N.E.2d 1150, 1156–57
(Ind. Ct. App. 2013), trans. denied.
[29] Father’s argument on this issue does not directly address the question of
whether the conditions that led to the Children’s removal have been remedied.
Instead, he argues that the trial court focused only on his prior behavior, not his
current behavior. But a trial court may disregard efforts made only shortly
before termination and give more weight to a parent’s history of conduct prior
to those efforts. In re K.T.K., 989 N.E.2d 1225, 1234 (Ind. 2013). And we have
long held that, given the nature of the inquiry in a termination case, a parent’s
3 Father also briefly argues that several of the trial court’s findings were “incomplete and therefore misleading and non-supportive of the subsequent conclusions.” Father’s Br. at 16. Father fails to explain precisely how these findings were incomplete or misleading, and we therefore do not consider this argument further.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-JT-2081 | February 21, 2020 Page 13 of 17 character is an integral factor in addressing a parent’s fitness and determining
the child’s best interests. In re D.G., 702 N.E.2d 777, 780 (Ind. Ct. App. 1998).
We therefore cannot fault the trial court for noting the entire history of Father’s
behavior, including his prior conviction for child molesting and his more recent
conviction for failing to register as a sex offender.
[30] Father also complains that the trial court “fast tracked” this case, noting that
the CHINS dispositional order was issued on June 6, 2018, and the petition to
terminate his parental rights was filed on February 25, 2019. This, however,
overlooks the long history of the case prior to the dispositional order. This case
began in June 2017 with the Informal Adjustment following the birth of E.C.
When the Informal Adjustment did not successfully address the problems, DCS
filed CHINS petitions on January 4, 2018. We therefore reject Father’s claim
that this case was “fast tracked.”
[31] To the extent that Father claims that the trial court clearly erred in determining
that the conditions that led the Children’s removal would not be remedied, we
disagree. The conditions that led to the Children’s removal from the Parents’
care included Mother’s continued drug use and both Parents’ neglect of the
Children. Father admitted that he was unemployed and had a sporadic
employment history. He did not have stable housing. He has been in and out of
jail throughout the pendency of the CHINS case. He failed to complete most of
the offered services and was discharged from both HBCM and substance abuse
therapy. Father does not deny any of this but claims he simply needs more
time. Given Father’s failure to take advantage of the services offered to him, we
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-JT-2081 | February 21, 2020 Page 14 of 17 can see no reason why the trial court should have given him additional time to
correct the reasons that led to the Children’s removal from his care.
[32] Father also contends that the trial court clearly erred by determining that the
continuation of the parent-child relationship posed a threat to the Children’s
well-being. As noted above, however, the trial court was required to find only
that one prong of subsection 4(b)(2)(B) had been established. See In re A.K., 924
N.E.2d at 220. Because we have concluded that DCS proved that there was a
reasonable probability that the conditions which resulted in the Children’s
removal would not be remedied, we need not address Father’s arguments
directed at the “threat” prong of section 4(b)(2)(B). See id.4
II. Mother and Father’s Joint Argument
[33] Both Parents argue that the trial court clearly erred in determining that
termination of their parental rights is in the best interests of the Children. In
determining what is in the best interests of a child, the trial court must look
beyond the factors identified by the DCS to the totality of the evidence. A.D.S.,
4 Even if we considered Father’s argument regarding the continuation of the parent-child relationship, he would not prevail. When reviewing the question of whether continuation of the parent-child relationship poses a threat to the child’s well-being, termination is proper when the evidence shows that the emotional and physical development of a child is threatened. C.A. v. Ind. Dep’t of Child Servs., 15 N.E.3d 85, 94 (Ind. Ct. App. 2014). A trial court need not wait until a child is irreversibly influenced by a deficient lifestyle such that his or her physical, mental, and social growth is permanently impaired. Castro v. State. Off. of Family and Children, 842 N.E.2d 367, 372 (Ind. Ct. App. 2006), trans. denied. Here, the evidence shows that, when they were first placed in foster care, the two older children had serious emotional and behavioral issues, including bed-wetting and inappropriate touching. These behaviors worsened when the Children would visit the Parents and would abate when the visitations ended. The Children’s therapist testified that continuing the parent-child relationship would be detrimental to the Children. Under these facts and circumstances, the trial court did not clearly err in determining that continuing the parent-child relationship constituted a threat to the Children’s well-being.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-JT-2081 | February 21, 2020 Page 15 of 17 987 N.E.2d at 1158. In so doing, the court must subordinate the interests of the
parent to those of the children. Id. The court need not wait until the children
are irreversibly harmed before terminating the parent-child relationship. Id.
Moreover, a recommendation by both the case manager or child advocate to
terminate parental rights is sufficient to show by clear and convincing evidence
that termination is in the child’s best interests. Id. at 1158–59. Permanency is a
central consideration in determining the best interests of a child. Id. at 1159.
“‘A parent’s historical inability to provide adequate housing, stability and
supervision coupled with a current inability to provide the same will support a
finding that termination of the parent-child relationship is in the child’s best
interests.’” In re A.K., 924 N.E.2d at 221 (quoting Castro v. State Off. of Family
and Children, 842 N.E.2d 367, 374 (Ind. Ct. App. 2006), trans. denied).
[34] Here, the Children’s therapist, the FCM, and the CASA all testified that
termination was in the Children’s best interests. The therapist Dagenais testified
that it would be best if the Children remained in foster care, as they were
bonded with their foster parents and with each other. The FCM testified that
termination was in the Children’s best interests because, based on the Parents’
pattern of behavior, “if [the Children] were returned . . . they would be exposed
to substance abuse and other illegal activity and instability in their lives.” Tr. p.
108. The CASA similarly testified that termination was in the Children’s best
interests, noting that the case had been pending for over 500 days, the Parents
failed to complete services, Mother relapsed in her drug use, and the Parents
lacked stable housing and employment. Indeed, the record reveals that Father
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-JT-2081 | February 21, 2020 Page 16 of 17 has been repeatedly incarcerated during this case and failed to take any steps to
provide a stable home for the Children. Mother failed to address her substance
abuse problems. For all these reasons, the trial court did not clearly err in
determining that termination of the Parents’ parental rights was in the
Children’s best interests.
Conclusion [35] The trial court did not clearly err in determining that DCS presented clear and
convincing evidence sufficient to support the termination of the Parents’
parental rights. We therefore affirm the judgment of the trial court.
[36] Affirmed.
Kirsch, J., and Bailey, J., concur.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-JT-2081 | February 21, 2020 Page 17 of 17