Philip J. v. State, Department of Health & Social Services, Office of Children's Services

314 P.3d 518, 2013 WL 6516412, 2013 Alas. LEXIS 164
CourtAlaska Supreme Court
DecidedDecember 13, 2013
Docket6853 S-14810/S-14994
StatusPublished
Cited by69 cases

This text of 314 P.3d 518 (Philip J. v. State, Department of Health & Social Services, Office of Children's Services) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Alaska Supreme Court primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Philip J. v. State, Department of Health & Social Services, Office of Children's Services, 314 P.3d 518, 2013 WL 6516412, 2013 Alas. LEXIS 164 (Ala. 2013).

Opinion

OPINION

FABE, Chief Justice.

I. INTRODUCTION

Philip J. is the father of nine children. The superior court terminated Philip's parental rights to his seven oldest children and then to his eighth child. Philip's appeals of the two separate termination orders (Case No. S-14810 and Case No. S-14994) were consolidated for consideration and decision. Philip maintains that the superior court erred in finding that active efforts were made to keep this Indian family together in both termination orders. He also argues that the superior court erred when it determined that his eighth child was a child in need of aid. We affirm both orders terminating Philip's parental rights.

II. FACTS AND PROCEEDINGS

Philip J. and Georgina J. are the biological parents of nine children: Sophie, Anne, John, Katherine, Nellie, Olivia, Alexandra, Alyssa, and Pete. 1 The children are members of the Asa'carsarmiut Tribe, and the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) applies to this case. 2 These are the second and third child in need of aid (CINA) 3 appeals related to this family. *521 4 The superior court terminated parental rights as to the seven oldest children in a June 29, 2012 order and as to the eighth child, Alyssa, in a November 14, 2012 order. 5

A. OCS Involvement 2004-2006

Philip and Georgina's history with OCS began in August 2004 when Philip and Georgina became "extremely intoxicated," and Philip "fired a rifle in the home and held the family hostage for three hours." 6 Philip was arrested for the offense. 7 OCS investigated the incident and developed a safety plan addressing Georgina's substance abuse and Philip's violent behavior, but Georgina did not complete any of the suggested steps.

One evening in April 2005, Philip assaulted Georgina while both were extremely intoxicated. 8 Philip also sexually ssaulted a guest in the home. As a result of the incident, Philip was charged with and pleaded no contest to third-degree assault and the manufacture of alcoholic beverages without a license or permit in a local option area. 9 OCS initiated emergency removal proceedings, placing the children with Edna, Georgina's mother. The superior court adjudicated the children in need of aid. 10 The first case plan was developed in May 2005 and updated in July 2005.

The plans outlined services to address Georgina's substance abuse and the domestic violence perpetrated against her by Philip. Georgina began the recommended substance abuse counseling, but she quickly ceased participation. The case plan called for Philip to take classes at the Yukon Kuskokwim Correctional Center and meet with the Mountain Village ICWA staff. While Philip was incarcerated, OCS was in contact with Philip's probation officer, and Philip was provided with a copy of the case plan. Philip participated in several classes while incarcerated. 11

The family's stability improved during the summer of 2006, and OCS returned the children. Philip was no longer incarcerated, and he engaged with services. Edna was involved with the children on a daily basis, and the Tribe was monitoring the family. But despite Philip's effort prior to the children's return, he quickly ceased his clinic attendance. And although not reported to OCS at the time, in December 2006, while children were present and Georgina was intoxicated, Philip tried to rape Georgina's sister.

B. OCS Involvement 2008-2010

In July 2008 OCS again became involved with the family. 12 Philip's sister Annika testified that Philip tried to foree her to have sex with him. 13 And Philip ultimately fought with Annika's husband. The children were present during the incident. Philip was convicted of fourth-degree assault on his sister's husband and sentenced to 90 days in jail.

An OCS worker promptly investigated the incident, finding "parental substance abuse, lack of supervision by both parents, and exposure of the children to domestic violence. 14 After the investigation, OCS substantiated most of the report, finding that some of the children were neglected and *522 some were exposed to mental injury from observing a fight between their father and uncle. OCS neither took custody at that time, nor did it develop a family case plan.

OCS received another report of harm in October 2008, this time from the Bethel Police. 15 OCS substantiated the report, finding that "the parents were abusing substances, exposing the children to the elements, and exposing the children to domestic violence. 16 The children were placed in a foster home for that night, and the case was referred to the OCS office in St. Mary's for case management.

In September 2009 OCS received two more reports indicating that the children had been neglected and exposed to domestic violence. 17 And in November 2009 an Alaska State trooper conducted a welfare check based on a school report that Katherine had a severe bruise. Katherine reported that she felt seared to go home, and when the trooper investigated, he found Philip in a "highly intoxicated" state. Eight days later, the troopers received another report in which Katherine reported intoxication and domestic violence. An OCS social worker investigated and substantiated the reports in December 2009. Philip "denied anything having to do with domestic violence" and "said everything was fine." OCS took no additional action in 2009.

OCS received additional reports of harm from the Tribe in early 2010, alleging that Philip had sexually assaulted his daughter Anne and possibly his daughters Sophie and Nellie. 18 The Tribe's reports indicated that Philip repeatedly vaginally penetrated Anne. When Georgina tried to intervene, Philip beat her. 19 Anne reported that her little sisters witnessed the alleged sexual assault and domestic violence.

A trooper interviewed Georgina four days after the incident, and she reported that Philip "went after" two of the children. Georgina indicated that she confronted Philip to protect the other children, despite having an infant in her arms and that Philip hit her in the head and sides and kicked her in the legs. 20

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Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
314 P.3d 518, 2013 WL 6516412, 2013 Alas. LEXIS 164, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/philip-j-v-state-department-of-health-social-services-office-of-alaska-2013.