In the Term. of the Parent-Child Relationship of: I.C. (Minor Child) and J.C. (Mother) v. The Ind. Dept. of Child Services (mem. dec)

• Court: Indiana Court of Appeals
• Decided: April 26, 2016
• Docket: 34A02-1509-JT-1531
• Status: Published

Opinion

MEMORANDUM DECISION FILED Pursuant to Ind. Appellate Rule 65(D), this Memorandum Decision shall not be Apr 26 2016, 8:24 am

regarded as precedent or cited before any CLERK Indiana Supreme Court court except for the purpose of establishing Court of Appeals and Tax Court the defense of res judicata, collateral estoppel, or the law of the case.

ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE Donald E. C. Leicht Gregory F. Zoeller Kokomo, Indiana Attorney General of Indiana Robert J. Henke Deputy Attorney General David E. Corey Deputy Attorney General Indianapolis, Indiana

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA

In the Termination of the Parent- April 26, 2016 Child Relationship of: Court of Appeals Case No. 34A02-1509-JT-1531 I.C. (Minor Child) Appeal from the Howard Circuit And Court J.C. (Mother), The Honorable Lynn Murray, Appellant-Respondent, Judge Trial Court Cause No. v. 34C01-1504-JT-104

The Indiana Department of Child Services, Appellee-Petitioner.

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 34A02-1509-JT-1531 | April 26, 2016 Page 1 of 12 Riley, Judge.

STATEMENT OF THE CASE

[1] Appellant-Respondent, J.C. (Mother), appeals the trial court’s termination of

her parental rights to I.C. (Child). 1

[2] We affirm.

ISSUES

[3] Mother raises two issues on appeal, which we restate as follows:

1) Whether Mother waived her challenge of the trial court’s dispositional

order on vagueness grounds; and

2) Whether Mother waived her argument that the Department of Child

Services (DCS) failed to provide adequate services to reunify her with

Child.

FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

[4] Child was born to Mother on July 20, 2007. In February of 2012, DCS

received a report that Mother was threatening to kill Child and her other two

younger children at Meijer in Kokomo, Indiana. Mother brought her three

children to the store in an attempt to contact the younger children’s father, who

was employed there. Mother appeared to be overwhelmed and unable to

1 Child’s biological father is unknown and is not part of these proceedings.

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 34A02-1509-JT-1531 | April 26, 2016 Page 2 of 12 handle the children. Mother stated that she was suffering from postpartum

depression and was in need of medication. DCS initiated an Informal

Adjustment and proceeded to inspect Mother’s residence, which DCS found to

be below minimal sanitary norms and unsuitable for the children. The

following day, after family members cleaned the residence, DCS returned the

children to Mother’s care and later closed the initial adjustment on July 30,

2012.

[5] On July 26, 2013, DCS received another report alleging that Mother and her

boyfriend yell and curse at Child and her half-siblings, that they get into

physical fights in front of the children, that the residence is unsanitary, that

there is a foul smell emitting from the residence, and that the stove and

refrigerator are not working. DCS attempted to contact the family, however, all

attempts were unsuccessful until July 31, 2013.

[6] On July 31, 2013, DCS visited the family’s residence and observed trash on the

front porch, sidewalk, and driveway, with two old diapers and a pair of girl’s

bikini bottoms lying on the ground. There was a strong odor of animal feces

and urine emitting from the residence. Mother was observed to arrive home

with Child and her half-siblings in a vehicle without proper car-seats or boosters

for the children. Mother did not allow DCS into the residence to check the

living conditions and stated that they were in the process of moving in after the

house had recently been flooded. Mother also stated that the residence was not

suitable for the children, and they had been staying with her relatives. After

obtaining permission from one of the relatives, who owned the family’s

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 34A02-1509-JT-1531 | April 26, 2016 Page 3 of 12 residence, DCS inspected the house and found it to be unsanitary and

unsuitable for the children. Inside, DCS found a small zoo—consisting of a

puppy, a very large potbellied pig, snakes, rabbits, and cats. DCS confirmed

that the stove and refrigerator were not functional. Further, when DCS

caseworkers engaged the children, they stated, contrary to Mother’s contention

that they stayed elsewhere, that they all slept on the couch inside the residence.

Neighbors also informed DCS that the family’s residence had not been flooded.

When DCS caseworkers attempted to explain the allegations and discrepancies

to Mother, she became angry, verbally abusive, and threatened them. She

started yelling at her neighbors, whom she suspected of reporting her to DCS,

and told them, “I have a gun and I know how to use it.” (Ex. 1, p. 2). As a

result of the assessment, DCS caseworkers decided to remove all three children

due to the conditions of the home, allegations of Mother’s maltreatment of the

children, and Mother’s threatening statements and demeanor. Child was

placed with Mother’s cousin and the two younger children were placed with

their biological father. 2 After the children were removed, Mother informed

DCS that she was supposed to take medication for her hormones and

depression; however, she had not taken the medication for a long time.

[7] On August 2, 2013, DCS filed its petition alleging that Child was a child in

need of services (CHINS) based on unsanitary home conditions, and Mother

and her boyfriend engaging in “physical fights” in front of Child and her half-

2 Child’s younger half-siblings remained with their biological father after he obtained custody over them.

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 34A02-1509-JT-1531 | April 26, 2016 Page 4 of 12 siblings. (DCS Ex. 3, p. 2). On the same day, the trial court held a detention

hearing where Mother appeared with counsel. At the conclusion of the

hearing, the trial court ordered Child to remain in the relative’s care.

[8] On September 30, 2013, the trial court held a fact-finding hearing where Mother

stipulated that her home was unsafe and unsanitary. The trial court adjudicated

Child to be a CHINS. The trial court also took judicial notice of DCS’s

preliminary report of investigation which documented concerns regarding

Mother’s mental health and behavior and Child’s well-being while in her care.

The trial court ordered Mother, in relevant part, to:

a) Participate in supervised visitation with [Child]. DCS was to conduct home visit of Mother’s residence and transition visitation into her home if the home was found to be clean and appropriate for visitation. DCS had discretion to transition the visitation to semi[-]supervised and/or unsupervised as appropriate.

b) Participate in a mental health evaluation and follow the recommendations of the evaluation.

c) Participate in Homemaker services.

d) Participate in Parent Educator services.

e) Not utilize corporal punishment [on Child].

(Appellant’s Br. pp. 22-23).

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 34A02-1509-JT-1531 | April 26, 2016 Page 5 of 12 [9] The trial court held five review hearings between February 3, 2014 and April

20, 2015. After each review hearing, the trial court found that Mother had not

complied with Child’s case plan, had not enhanced her parental abilities, and

had not cooperated with DCS. As a result, the trial court changed the

permanency plan to adoption on April 20, 2015.

[10] On April 8, 2015, DCS filed its petition for termination. On July 13 and 27,

2015, the trial court held evidentiary hearings. At one of the hearings, Mother

testified that she had difficulty attending drug screenings at DCS’s office. She

testified that she had supervised visitations on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays,

and Saturdays, with visitation hours from 9 a.m. to noon and then from 1:30

p.m. to 3:30 p.m. She was required to call in between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. each

day to inquire if she was scheduled for a random drug screen that day. She was

required to undergo three drug screens per week, with one drug screen

conducted anytime between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on the scheduled day in

DCS’s office and the other two performed at her residence. On the days when

her drug screens in DCS’s office overlapped with her visitations, Mother had

only 90 minutes to complete her screen and proceed to the visitation. She

stated that the time window was not enough for her to attend all appointments

as scheduled because she had no transportation. This was the first time she

raised the issue.

[11] The purpose of Mother’s drug screenings was to determine if she was taking her

prescribed medications. After Mother screened positive for cannabis in

February and March of 2015, the purpose of the screens also became to

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 34A02-1509-JT-1531 | April 26, 2016 Page 6 of 12 determine if Mother was using illegal drugs. Mother further testified she had

not contacted DCS family case manager Khristen Scircle (FCM Scircle) to

inform her about the scheduling issue. Despite the scheduling inconvenience,

Mother also testified that the issue had not affected her visits with Child. She

testified that either her home-based provider, arranged by DCS, or her father

transported her to DCS’s office for drug screenings whenever possible. Mother

further stated that FCM Scircle never told her that she had to choose between

taking drug screens or her visitations. Finally, FCM Scircle testified that

Mother had not been denied any visitation time due to her having to screen on

the same day as her visits.

[12] On September 8, 2015, the trial court entered its Order, terminating Mother’s

parental rights to Child and made the following findings:

37. . . . Mother did not make herself available for drug screens between December 19, 2014 and January 4, 2015. . . .

38. On February 12, 2015, Mother’s visitation with [Child] was suspended after she tested positive for cannabis in a drug screen taken [on] February 4[, 2015]. Subsequently, Mother tested positive for cannabis in screens taken [on] March 12 and March 23, 2015. Mother failed to show for other scheduled drug screens. As a result, Mother missed most of the visits from February 27 through May 22, 2015.

****

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 34A02-1509-JT-1531 | April 26, 2016 Page 7 of 12 52. At times Mother was cooperative [with] drug screens administered at her home, but often uncooperative to being drug screened at the DCS office.

59. Mother’s visitation has been inconsistent due to her refusal to submit to drug screens when requested or failed screens or her cancelling visits.

(Appellant’s App. pp. 38-39, 43, 45).

[13] Mother now appeals. Additional facts will be provided as necessary.

DISCUSSION AND DECISION

I. Vagueness

[14] Initially, we note that Mother appeals after the trial court’s termination of her

parental rights to Child. However, in her appellate brief, she challenges neither

the trial court’s findings of fact nor its conclusions thereon. Mother’s only

contention is centered on the trial court’s dispositional order that required her

to participate in services following the trial court’s adjudication of Child as a

CHINS on September 30, 2013, and her difficulties in attending her

appointments because of the alleged conflict in scheduling. As such, we

conclude that Mother does not dispute DCS’s evidence presented at the

termination proceeding, the trial court’s factual findings, its reliance on those

findings, and its conclusions.

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 34A02-1509-JT-1531 | April 26, 2016 Page 8 of 12 [15] As to the trial court’s dispositional order, Mother specifically argues that the

trial court’s order to “participate” in services was “unconstitutionally vague”

because she did not “reasonably understand” the trial court’s “participation”

requirement. (Appellant’s Br. pp. 10, 14). Mother acknowledges that the

unconstitutional vagueness doctrine is used in criminal law context; however,

she urges us to extend its application to the trial court’s orders in a

“civil/juvenile context.” (Appellant’s Br. p. 10). We decline her request.

[16] First, Mother raises the issue for the first time on appeal. She raised it neither

with the CHINS court nor during the termination proceedings. As such, we

conclude that Mother waived the issue. See In re B.R., 875 N.E.2d 369, 373

(Ind. Ct. App. 2007) (failure to raise an issue with the juvenile court constitutes

waiver of that issue on appeal), trans. denied.

[17] Second, Mother provides no legal authority for her argument. She cited to

several cases where criminal defendants were challenging the criminal statute

that served as the basis of their convictions on vagueness grounds. See Lock v.

State, 971 N.E.2d 71, 74-75 (Ind. 2012) (the defendant challenged part of

Indiana’s motor vehicle code); Brown v. State, 868 N.E.2d 464, 467 (Ind. 2007)

(the defendant challenged the criminal confinement statute). Mother, however,

provided no authority permitting the application of the unconstitutional

vagueness doctrine to court orders in civil cases. “We will not become an

advocate for a party nor will we address argument[s] which are either

inappropriate [or], too poorly developed or improperly expressed to be

understood.” Thacker v. Wentzel, 797 N.E.2d 342, 345 (Ind. Ct. App. 2003)

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 34A02-1509-JT-1531 | April 26, 2016 Page 9 of 12 (quoting Ramsey v. Review Bd. of Ind. Dep’t of Workforce Dev., 789 N.E.2d 486, 486

(Ind. Ct. App. 2003)). As such, we conclude that Mother waived her argument.

See Ind. Appellate Rule 46(A)(8)(a) (an appellant must support each argument

with cogent reasoning and citations to the authorities, statutes, and the record);

In re J.V., 875 N.E.2d 395, 402 (Ind. Ct. App. 2007) (a party waives any issue

raised on appeal where the party fails to develop a cogent argument or provide

adequate citation to authority), trans. denied.

[18] Moreover, in more than two years after the trial court issued its order, Mother

never requested the trial court to clarify what “participation” meant. In those

two years, the trial court conducted six CHINS review and permanency

hearings where Mother was represented by counsel. However, Mother never

filed a motion to clarify and never took any action to seek further guidance as to

her alleged failure to reasonably understand the trial court’s order. To the

contrary, the record reveals that she understood what “participation” meant as

she attended the services, the drug screens, and visitations. Because Mother

had no vehicle, we are mindful that the 90-minute window might not be

realistically sufficient to attend all required appointments using public

transportation. Nevertheless, Mother never addressed these concerns to DCS.

In fact, she testified at the termination hearing that she never actually missed

her visitations with Child because she had either her home-based provider or

her father transport her to DCS’s office when needed. As such, we find no

merit in Mother’s argument and therefore refuse to address it.

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 34A02-1509-JT-1531 | April 26, 2016 Page 10 of 12 II. Adequate Services

[19] In her second very brief argument, Mother asserts that because DCS failed to

recognize the alleged scheduling issue and her lack of transportation, DCS

created a conflict and did not provide the required services. For the same

reasons discussed above, because Mother raised the issue for the first time on

appeal and because she did not provide a cogent argument supported by

citations to legal authority, we conclude that she waived her second issue as

well. See Thacker, 797 N.E.2d at 345; In re B.R., 875 N.E.2d at 373; App. R.

46(A)(8)(a). Moreover, as we have previously noted, “[T]he responsibility to

make positive changes will stay where it must, on the parent. If the parent feels

the services ordered by the court are inadequate to facilitate the changes

required for reunification, then the onus is on the parent to request additional

assistance from the court or DCS.” Prince v. Dep’t of Child Servs., 861 N.E.2d

1223, 1231 (Ind. Ct. App. 2007). Because Mother should have raised the

scheduling issue with DCS or the trial court prior to the termination hearing,

but failed to do so for more than two years, we conclude that she should bear

the responsibility for the failure.

[20] Waiver notwithstanding, our review of the record indicates that DCS provided

sufficient services to reunify Mother with Child. Mother argues that DCS

created the conflict and that she lacked the transportation to attend her drug

screenings in the 90-minute window between her visitations. However, she

seems to ignore the fact that DCS also arranged the home-based provider to

transport her to DCS’s office for the screens when needed. Mother used the

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 34A02-1509-JT-1531 | April 26, 2016 Page 11 of 12 services many times; all she needed to do was to call the provider.

Alternatively, when the provider was not available, Mother called her father.

With these arrangements, as she testified, Mother did not miss any visitations

due to the required drug screens in DCS’s office.

[21] In sum, Mother does not challenge the trial court’s termination order or its

findings of fact and conclusions of law. She only challenges the trial court’s

dispositional order entered at the outset of the CHINS proceeding, essentially

arguing that her compliance with the order was inconsistent because she had

difficulties in attending her required appointments. Because Mother raised the

scheduling issue and the ensuing legal arguments for the first time on appeal

and because her arguments were not cogent and lacked support in legal

authority, we conclude that she waived these claims.

CONCLUSION

[22] Based on the foregoing, we hold that Mother waived her challenge of the trial

court’s dispositional order on unconstitutional vagueness grounds and waived

her argument as to DCS’s alleged failure to provide services.

[23] Affirmed.

[24] Kirsch, J. and Pyle, J. concur

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 34A02-1509-JT-1531 | April 26, 2016 Page 12 of 12