IN THE
Court of Appeals of Indiana FILED Dec 08 2025, 10:24 am
In the Matter of the Termination of the Parent-Child CLERK Indiana Supreme Court Court of Appeals Relationship of A.W. (Minor Child), J.W. (Father), and T.W. and Tax Court
(Mother), Appellants-Respondents,
v.
Indiana Department of Child Services, et al., Appellees-Petitioners
December 8, 2025 Court of Appeals Case No. 24A-JT-3052 Appeal from the Marion Superior Court The Honorable Duane Merchant, Judge Trial Court Cause No. 49D09-2208-JT-6139
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 24A-JT-3052 | December 8, 2025 Page 1 of 35 Opinion by Judge DeBoer Judge Weissmann concurs. Judge Bradford dissents with separate opinion.
DeBoer, Judge.
Case Summary [1] J.W. (Father) and T.W. (Mother) [collectively, Parents] appeal an order
terminating their parental relationship with their child, A.W. (Child). They
raise one dispositive issue: in a proceeding to terminate a parent-child
relationship (TPR), whether the Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS)
can refuse to answer a discovery request asking it to disclose the names and
contact information of the child’s foster parents. We hold that if testimony
from the foster parents would be admissible at the termination hearing—or if
the foster parents have information that might lead to the discovery of
admissible evidence—their names and contact information are discoverable
under Indiana Trial Rule 26. Accordingly, DCS cannot refuse to provide that
information under such circumstances without infringing on a parent’s
entitlement under Indiana Code section 31-32-2-3(b)(2) “to obtain witnesses or
tangible evidence by compulsory process[.]”
[2] Here, Parents argue that by denying their motion to compel DCS to disclose the
names and contact information of the numerous foster parents with whom
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 24A-JT-3052 | December 8, 2025 Page 2 of 35 Child was placed throughout these proceedings, the trial court “den[ied] [them]
the opportunity to investigate, discover, identify, and call witnesses[.]”
Mother’s Brief at 31. Because DCS should have been compelled to identify
Child’s foster parents under the circumstances of this case, we reverse and
remand for further proceedings.
Facts and Procedural History [3] Child was born to Parents in November 2009. In October 2017, when Child
was seven years old, a DCS case worker visited Parents’ home to investigate a
report of abuse and neglect. In the home, the case worker observed, among
other things, “trash everywhere, feces and urine on the floor, food on the
floor[,] [] stagnant water in the toilet and in the bathtubs, [] clutter everywhere, .
. . dirty clothing in every room[,] [h]oles in the walls, [and] exposed wires.”
Transcript Vol. 4 at 24. Father agreed to take a drug screen, which came back
positive for methamphetamine and marijuana.
[4] DCS filed a petition alleging that Child was a child in need of services
(CHINS). The basis of that petition was that Parents had failed to provide
Child with a safe environment free from substance abuse. At an initial hearing
held the same day the petition was filed, the trial court ordered Child removed
from Parents’ home and placed in DCS’s custody.
[5] In February 2018, Mother admitted that she “need[ed] assistance to maintain
stable housing” and, for that reason, Child was a CHINS. Exhibits Vol. 1 at 47.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 24A-JT-3052 | December 8, 2025 Page 3 of 35 Father “waived [his] right to [] fact-finding . . . based on the admission of the
other parent.” Id. at 48. The trial court issued a dispositional order providing
that Child “shall remain detained and in the custody of” DCS and the plan for
permanency was reunification with Parents. Id. at 55. At the same time, it
issued a parental participation order requiring Parents to participate in a home-
based case management program, submit to random drug and alcohol screens,
and engage in substance abuse assessments if they tested positive for alcohol or
drugs.
[6] During the CHINS proceedings, Child was placed with seven foster families in
as many years and spent some time in respite care while awaiting new
placements. Many of Child’s placements ended poorly. For example, in
August 2018, DCS placed Child with a woman who was an acquaintance of
Child’s maternal aunt. Though this placement started out well, Child
eventually began to exhibit problematic behaviors. On one occasion, while on
a road trip with the foster family, Child recorded a video of herself masturbating
in the back seat of their car. At other times, Child hit her foster parents, threw
things, and once tried to exit a moving vehicle. Eventually, the foster parents
requested that Child be removed from their care because they felt they could not
meet her needs.
[7] By 2019, Child had been placed with her fourth foster family. At a permanency
hearing in December of that year, Child’s guardian ad litem (GAL)
recommended that the trial court change Child’s permanency plan to adoption
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 24A-JT-3052 | December 8, 2025 Page 4 of 35 because Parents had minimally complied with services and were uncooperative
with DCS, and Child was supposedly doing well in foster care. The court
ordered that based on Parents’ “continued failure to address their substance
abuse issues, . . . it [was] in [Child’s] best interests for the plan to change from
reunification to adoption.” Id. at 82.
[8] Child continued to exhibit behavioral issues while living with her fourth foster
family and was moved to a fifth placement in February 2020. Child was
sexually molested while in her fifth placement, and DCS placed her with her
sixth foster family in January 2021. There, Child continued to exhibit
distressing behaviors, such as pulling her hair out, hitting her head against the
floor or wall, calling herself names, and threatening to harm herself. During
this time, Child had two acute stays in the hospital because she was struggling
with her mental health and was having issues getting on the correct psychiatric
medication. The sixth placement ended after one year, and Child stayed in a
respite home for two months while awaiting a new placement.
[9] DCS placed Child with her seventh and current foster family in March 2022.
Child generally did well in this placement and bonded with her foster parents
and their adopted daughter. Child’s current foster parents believe they can
provide for her mental and physical health and her educational needs, and they
want to adopt her. Child has similarly expressed that she wants to be adopted
by them.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 24A-JT-3052 | December 8, 2025 Page 5 of 35 [10] In August 2022, DCS filed a TPR petition. During the TPR proceedings,
Father served a discovery request upon DCS asking it to disclose the names of
and contact information for each of Child’s foster placements. He also
informally requested that information from a representative of Kids’ Voice of
Indiana who had been appointed Child’s GAL. After DCS objected to the
request and the GAL refused to provide the information without a court order,
Father filed a motion to compel, arguing:
6. [Child] has been in eight 1 [] distinct foster placements and also respite care.
7. The most recent report filed . . . by DCS states: “[Child] suffered no physical injuries prior to removal. [Child] displayed no known psychological or social deficits or limitations prior to her removal.”
8. Clearly, [] Child’s placement in foster care has caused substantial change[s] in Child’s psychological and social deficits and limitations.
***
10. There have been allegations of sexual abuse during foster placement resulting in a change of placement.
1 On appeal, the parties agree that Child was in fact placed in seven, not eight, foster homes.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 24A-JT-3052 | December 8, 2025 Page 6 of 35 11. Father is entitled to investigate the appropriateness of these placements through interviews and depositions and subpoenas for testimony at the termination trial.
Mother’s App. Vol. 2 at 105-06. In opposition to that motion, DCS asserted:
1. Indiana Code 31-27-2-12 mandated DCS to create a Foster Parent Bill of Rights[.] 2
3. [The Foster Parent Bill of Rights] states that [] [f]oster [p]arents have a right to safety and privacy.
5. Because [f]oster parents expect safety and privacy, providing names and addresses to biological parents would [] deter them [from] becoming foster parents. Providing the names and addresses is contrary to public policy, in general.
Id. at 111.
2 Indiana Code section 31-27-2-12(a) requires DCS to “develop and update periodically a statement that describes the rights of a foster parent that must be known as the ‘foster parent bill of rights.’” As required by that statute, DCS has promulgated a set of policies known as the Foster Parent Bill of Rights, which provides, in part, that “[f]oster parents have the right to . . . [h]ave information concerning the foster family kept confidential, except when release is required by law[.]” Mother’s App. Vol. 2 at 110.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 24A-JT-3052 | December 8, 2025 Page 7 of 35 [11] At a hearing on the motion to compel, Mother’s counsel joined in the motion
and argued:
Parents have a due process right to fully investigate and understand the situation so we can fully develop a case in our arguments. This is a case where [Parents] have been prevented by court order from seeing [Child] for several years and during the intervening time period things have changed dramatically. [Parents’] previously close relationship with [Child] has morphed into [Child] indicating she never wants to see them again. A child with no psychological problems is now on numerous psych meds. Parents don’t fully understand what happened that caused their visits to be suspended in the first place and if we are going to be able to argue that [P]arents[’] rights should not be terminated in this matter, . . . we need and [Parents] have a right to understand what happened and to fully develop that case . . . and we need to be able to reach out to the foster parents in order to do that.
Supplemental Tr. Vol. 2 at 5. Father’s counsel added that Parents did not
“want to go and invade the privacy of foster parents” but rather there were
“legitimate specific issues that ha[d] developed over the course of this case” that
entitled Parents to conduct discovery relating to Child’s foster placements. Id.
at 6.
[12] In response to these arguments, DCS reiterated its belief that the Foster Parent
Bill of Rights protects foster parents’ names and contact information from
disclosure in discovery. It also raised policy concerns, arguing that “there are
kids that need placement that we cannot find placement for. So, . . . it’s really
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 24A-JT-3052 | December 8, 2025 Page 8 of 35 important that we . . . protect [foster parents’] privacy because . . . this could
have a far reaching [sic] impact on . . . an area that’s already difficult to find
placement.” Id. at 6-7. DCS further alleged that Parents had “crossed a
boundary” with two of Child’s foster placements by supposedly sending a
package to one of them and reaching out to another on social media. Id. at 7.
Based on these incidents, DCS argued it would not be “a good idea” for it to
disclose the names and contact information for all of Child’s foster placements.
Id. Finally, DCS suggested that any information that Parents could glean from
Child’s foster parents was irrelevant to the TPR proceedings because “it’s not
part of any petition or TPR statute that DCS has to do a good job and
everybody knows that the State shouldn’t be raising kids. So . . . it’s not
relevant. What’s relevant is what [Parents] have done or not done.” Id. at 10-
11.
[13] At the conclusion of the hearing, the trial court asked the parties to submit
briefs outlining their positions. It ordered DCS and the GAL to file their briefs
on or before June 2, 2023, and gave Parents until June 7 to file their responses.
DCS and the GAL filed their submissions on June 1 and 2, respectively. On
June 6—before Parents had filed their briefs and one day before their deadline
to do so had passed—the court signed a one-sentence order denying the motion
to compel. The following day, Parents filed a joint motion asking the court to
reconsider its denial, arguing it should have waited for them to submit their
briefs before ruling on the motion. At the same time, Parents submitted their
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 24A-JT-3052 | December 8, 2025 Page 9 of 35 briefs. The court granted the motion to reconsider on June 8 and indicated that
“a new Order w[ould] be issued once [it] ha[d] the chance to review [Parents’]
Memos.” Mother’s App. Vol. 2 at 146. However, later that same day it re-
issued its prior order denying the motion to compel, which was still dated as
having been signed by the court on June 6.
[14] Before the termination hearing, Parents filed a motion asking that “the [trial]
court exclude evidence regarding [Child’s] time in foster care, including . . .
testimony by any foster care placements[.]” Id. at 181. They argued that the
presentation of such testimony would be unfair because Parents’ counsel had
been unable to “fully obtain information regarding [Child’s] health, behavior,
mental status, and well-being in foster care as they [could not] contact foster
placements.” Id. at 180. They also asserted that testimony from Child’s foster
parents was inadmissible because DCS had argued in opposition to the motion
to compel that any information Parents could learn from them in discovery was
“wholly irrelevant to these proceedings[.]” Id. (internal record citation
omitted). The court did not issue a written order on that motion.
[15] The trial court held a twelve-day termination hearing over a thirteen-month
period on June 29, July 27, September 21, October 26, November 9, November
30, and December 7, 2023; and February 8, February 15, April 16, May 23, and
August 2, 2024. On the first day of the hearing, Father’s counsel renewed
Parent’s request for information regarding Child’s foster placements and
mentioned that the court had yet to rule on the motion to exclude. He also
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 24A-JT-3052 | December 8, 2025 Page 10 of 35 noted that he had “subpoenaed both [] DCS and [the GAL] to provide . . . these
people in person” at the hearing, but the subpoena did not specifically name
who DCS and the GAL were being asked to produce because Parents “d[id not]
know their names[.]” Tr. Vol. 2 at 39. The court denied the motion to exclude
and, with respect to the renewed motion to compel, stated it would “stand by
[its] earlier ruling[.]” Id. at 45.
[16] Before and during DCS’s presentation of evidence, Parents repeatedly objected
to testimony relating to Child’s foster placements, including testimony from
two of Child’s foster parents. For example, at the start of the hearing, Mother
objected “to calling the foster parents who are on the list for today[.]” Id. at 46.
The trial court did not issue a clear ruling on Mother’s objection, and when
DCS called one of Child’s current foster parents, Father objected to her
testimony on the same grounds that Mother had raised earlier. The court
denied the objection, stating, “I’m showing this as [Parents] . . . continuing to []
preserve their objection and make sure the record is clear.” Id. at 56.
[17] When DCS asked that foster parent “[w]hat [Child [was] like when she first
came to live with” her, Parents objected, stating, “[T]hat’s why we want to talk
to the other families for that very reason[,]” and arguing:
Your Honor, . . . we argued that it is relevant that foster placement and how [Child] conducted herself in foster placement is relevant and [] DCS and [the GAL] said it is not relevant, and therefore has excluded [] prior placements from the court’s consideration. . . . [T]hey’re hiding from the court some essential
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 24A-JT-3052 | December 8, 2025 Page 11 of 35 evidence we believe for the court to make a decision based on all the evidence and . . . of you hearing the whole story, and the reason we’re objecting is because you’re only going to hear part of the story, and we just don’t think that’s fair. [] I think it’s a denial of their [] right to fundamental fairness and due process.
Id. at 56, 57, 58-59. In response, DCS asserted that “[w]hether the previous
foster parents were sufficiently meeting [Child’s] needs . . . is not relevant.” Id.
at 60. The court overruled the objection.
[18] When DCS later called Child’s second foster placement as a witness, Father
objected on the basis that DCS’s position that Child’s wellbeing in her prior
placements was irrelevant was inconsistent with its presentation of a witness to
testify “how [Child] was . . . almost [five] years ago[.]” Tr. Vol. 3 at 240. The
court overruled that objection and allowed the second placement to testify.
[19] After the termination hearing, the trial court issued its findings of fact,
conclusions of law, and order terminating Parents’ relationship with Child.
Parents now appeal. 3
3 Parents, DCS, the GAL, and Child have each participated in this appeal. On September 18, 2025, Child filed a notice with this Court pursuant to Indiana Appellate Rule 46(G) stating that she adopts the arguments presented by DCS in its Appellee’s Brief, and our Court acknowledged that notice in an order issued September 25.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 24A-JT-3052 | December 8, 2025 Page 12 of 35 Discussion and Decision [20] Parents raise several issues on appeal, one of which we find dispositive.
Specifically, Parents 4 argue that DCS’s refusal to provide the names and contact
information for Child’s foster placements deprived Parents “of their [d]ue
[p]rocess rights under the federal [and state] constitution[s][.]” Father’s Br. at
24. They further contend that the trial court’s “rulings on discovery and
evidence risked [her] discovery, trial preparation[,] and presentation of
evidence,” requiring the termination order “be vacated based upon due process
concerns.” Mother’s Br. at 34.
1. Standard of Review [21] Parental rights are afforded heightened protection by the federal and state
constitutions. In re E.M., 4 N.E.3d 636, 641-42 (Ind. 2014). But these rights are
not absolute and may be terminated when “parents are unable or unwilling to
meet their parental responsibilities.” In re A.P., 882 N.E.2d 799, 805 (Ind. Ct.
App. 2008), reh’g denied. Generally, we review a trial court’s decision to
terminate parental rights “with great deference.” E.M., 4 N.E.3d at 640.
However, where, as here, review of a termination order hinges on alleged due
process violations, we apply a de novo standard of review. See Scott v. State, 258
N.E.3d 298, 301 (Ind. Ct. App. 2025) (“Whether a party was denied due
4 Parents filed separate briefs but raised substantively identical issues on appeal.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 24A-JT-3052 | December 8, 2025 Page 13 of 35 process is a question of law that we review de novo.” (quoting Hilligoss v. State,
45 N.E.3d 1228, 1230 (Ind. Ct. App. 2015)) (italics in original).
2. Due Process [22] Our Supreme Court has recognized that “[t]he Due Process Clause of the U.S.
Constitution and the Due Course of Law Clause of the Indiana Constitution
prohibit state action that deprives a person of life, liberty, or property without a
fair proceeding.” In re C.G., 954 N.E.2d 910, 916 (Ind. 2011) (quoting In re
M.G.S., 756 N.E.2d 990, 1004 (Ind. Ct. App. 2001), trans. denied). Because
“[p]arental rights constitute an important interest warranting deference and
protection, . . . [w]hen the State seeks to terminate the parent-child relationship,
it must do so in a manner that meets the requirements of due process.” Id. at
916-17.
[23] We apply three factors set forth by the U.S. Supreme Court in Mathews v.
Eldridge, 424 U.S. 319 (1976) to determine whether TPR proceedings
comported with due process. In re K.D., 962 N.E.2d 1249, 1257 (Ind. 2012)
(citing Mathews, 424 U.S. at 333). The three Mathews factors are: “(1) the
private interests affected by the proceeding; (2) the risk of error created by the
State’s chosen procedure; and (3) the countervailing governmental interest
supporting use of the challenged procedure.” Id. (citing C.G., 954 N.E.2d at
917). However, it is well-settled that because “[b]oth the State and the parent
have substantial interests affected by [TPR] proceeding[s][,]” the determinative
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 24A-JT-3052 | December 8, 2025 Page 14 of 35 factor in whether a due process violation occurred is “the risk of error created
by DCS’s actions and the trial court’s actions.” C.G., 954 N.E.2d at 917-18.
[24] In looking at the risk of error created by the actions of DCS or the trial court,
“we keep in mind that ‘due process protections at all stages of [the] proceedings
are vital because every CHINS [and TPR] proceeding has the potential to
interfere with the rights of parents in the upbringing of their children.’” In re
D.H., 119 N.E.3d 578, 588 (Ind. Ct. App. 2019) (quoting In re G.P., 4 N.E.3d
1158, 1165 (Ind. 2014)), as modified on reh’g by 122 N.E.3d 832 (2019), trans.
denied. Previous panels of this Court have reversed termination orders when
DCS committed errors that deprived parents of statutory or procedural rights.
See In re A.P., 734 N.E.2d 1107, 1117 (Ind. Ct. App. 2000) (finding due process
violations when, among other things, DCS failed to provide parents with copies
of case plans as required by Indiana Code chapter 31-34-15, and the CHINS
and TPR petitions did not satisfy the requirements of Indiana Code sections 31-
34-9-3 (governing CHINS petitions) or 31-35-2-4 (governing TPR petitions)),
reh’g denied, trans. denied; D.H., 122 N.E.3d at 833-34 (reversing when DCS
made “significant, multiple, and admitted procedural errors throughout [the]
case, including its failure to follow its own mandatory procedures for ensuring
the provisions of services”).
[25] In fact, our Supreme Court has instructed “that ‘if the State imparts a due
process right, then it must give that right.” C.G., 954 N.E.2d at 917 (quoting
A.P., 734 N.E.2d at 1112) (emphasis added). As pertinent here, the due process
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 24A-JT-3052 | December 8, 2025 Page 15 of 35 rights imparted by the State to parents in TPR proceedings include an
entitlement “to (1) cross-examine witnesses, (2) obtain witnesses or tangible
evidence by compulsory process, and (3) introduce evidence on behalf of the
parent.” Id. (citing I.C. § 31-32-2-3(b)). Accordingly, we turn to whether the
names and contact information of Child’s foster parents fall within the scope of
information Parents are entitled to discover to exercise their due process rights
under Indiana Code section 31-32-2-3(b).
A. Scope of Discovery in TPR Proceedings
[26] TPR proceedings are civil in nature and are therefore governed by the Indiana
Trial Rules. See In re N.E., 919 N.E.2d 102, 105 (Ind. 2010) (“[A] CHINS
proceeding is a civil action[.]”); I.C. § 31-35-2-2(2) (providing that TPR
proceedings “are governed by the procedures prescribed by” the CHINS
statutes); see also Ind. Trial Rule 1 (“[T]hese rules govern the procedure and
practice . . . in all suits of a civil nature[.]”). The scope of discovery in civil
cases is set forth in Trial Rule 26(B), which provides:
Parties may obtain discovery regarding any matter, not privileged, which is relevant to the subject-matter involved in the pending action, whether it relates to the claim or defense of the party seeking discovery or the claim or defense of any other party, including . . . the identity and location of persons having knowledge of any discoverable matter. It is not ground for objection that the information sought will be inadmissible at the trial if the information sought appears reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 24A-JT-3052 | December 8, 2025 Page 16 of 35 T.R. 26(B)(1) (emphasis added).
[27] Here, DCS’s arguments on appeal regarding the relevance and admissibility of
information from Child’s current and former foster parents demonstrate that
Parents could have discovered admissible evidence from those individuals. In
fact, DCS appears to agree with Parents that “Child’s mental health and general
wellbeing [were] relevant pieces of information,” not only as of the date of the
termination hearing but also “at any given time” throughout the CHINS and
TPR proceedings. DCS’s Br. at 40, 41. It further concedes that “evidence
about Child’s mental state, testified to by foster parents . . . was relevant to show
how Child fared in the foster system and was also relevant to show what course
of action DCS and the foster parents took when Child was in crisis[.]” Id. at 42
(emphasis added).
[28] These arguments cannot be squared with DCS’s position that Parents had no
right to conduct discovery to determine what information Child’s foster parents
might be able to provide regarding Child’s mental state and wellbeing
throughout the CHINS and TPR proceedings. Trial Rule 26 provides in no
uncertain terms that a party may discover “the identity and location of persons
having knowledge of any discoverable matter[,]” T.R. 26(B)(1), which in this
case included Child’s numerous foster parents because they could have, as DCS
explains, provided “testimony regarding Child’s mental state at various foster
placements[.]” DCS’s Br. at 41. DCS therefore could not—without infringing
on Parents’ right “to obtain witnesses or tangible evidence by compulsory
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 24A-JT-3052 | December 8, 2025 Page 17 of 35 process” under Indiana Code section 31-32-2-3(b)(2)—refuse to disclose the
identity and location of Child’s foster parents.
[29] The dissent contends that the “names and addresses” of Child’s foster
placements “have no bearing on Child’s best interest” and “are simply not
relevant.” Post at ¶ 44. But it is well-settled that “Indiana’s discovery rules are
designed to permit ‘liberal discovery’ in order to provide the maximum amount
of information possible to both parties as they prepare their cases and reduce
the possibility of surprise at trial.” Minges v. State, 192 N.E.3d 893, 897 (Ind.
2022). Accordingly, a party refusing to identify certain persons under Trial
Rule 26(B)(1) must demonstrate those persons “ha[ve] no possible relevance to
the subject matter of the claim.” CIGNA-INA/Aetna v. Hagerman-Shambaugh,
473 N.E.2d 1033, 1036 (Ind. Ct. App. 1985) (“[R]elevancy for the purposes of
discovery is not the same as relevancy at trial.”), reh’g denied, trans. denied.
Here, DCS failed to prove as much regarding Child’s foster parents, particularly
since it called two of them as witnesses at the termination hearing even after
refusing to identify them in discovery. See infra Section 2(C).
[30] Nonetheless, according to DCS, “[t]he information Parents sought was private
pursuant to the [F]oster [P]arents[] [B]ill of [R]ights[,]” thus shielding Child’s
foster placements from having their information produced in discovery. DCS’s
Br. at 39. We now address that argument.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 24A-JT-3052 | December 8, 2025 Page 18 of 35 B. Foster Parent Bill of Rights
[31] In 2018, the legislature passed Indiana Code section 31-27-2-12, which provides
that
[DCS] shall, in collaboration with:
(1) current foster parents;
(2) child placing agencies; and
(3) other individuals and organizations with expertise in foster care services;
develop and update periodically a statement that describes the rights of a foster parent that must be known as the “foster parent bill of rights.”
I.C. § 31-27-2-12(a). In accordance with that statute, DCS promulgated the
Foster Parent Bill of Rights, which provides, among other things, that “[f]oster
parents have the right to . . . [h]ave information concerning the foster family
kept confidential, except when release is required by law[.]” Mother’s App.
Vol. 2 at 110.
[32] DCS contends that the Foster Parent Bill of Rights limits the scope of discovery
in TPR proceedings. However, this is contrary to the general rule that
“[p]arties may obtain discovery regarding any [relevant] matter, not privileged[.]”
T.R. 26(B)(1) (emphasis added). DCS effectively argues that the Foster Parent
Bill of Rights creates something akin to a privilege that shields foster parents’
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 24A-JT-3052 | December 8, 2025 Page 19 of 35 information from discovery in TPR proceedings. According to DCS, “[t]here
are sound policy reasons for this confidentiality” and “[i]f the foster parents’
information is disclosed to the biological parents, the biological parents could
interfere with the safety and security of the foster family, which could disrupt
the placement.” DCS’s Br. at 39.
[33] While these policy considerations are well-taken, “a grant of privilege and the
scope of that privilege are policy choices of the Legislature[,]” not the judiciary
or administrative departments like DCS. Goalsetter Sys., Inc. v. Est. of Gerwels,
230 N.E.3d 341, 346 (Ind. Ct. App. 2024) (quoting State v. Int’l Bus. Machs.
Corp., 964 N.E.2d 206, 210 (Ind. 2012)), trans. denied (internal brackets omitted);
see also Terre Haute Reg’l Hosp., Inc. v. Trueblood, 600 N.E.2d 1358, 1360 (Ind.
1992) (“Indiana generally recognizes that privileges are statutory in nature and
that it is within the power of the legislature to create them.”). DCS has not
cited, nor have we found, any statutory authority indicating that the legislature
intended to create the privilege DCS asks us to recognize in this appeal.
[34] In any event, to the extent the Foster Parent Bill of Rights confers an
enforceable confidentiality interest on foster parents, it does not promise
unfettered confidentiality. Instead, it provides that “[f]oster parents have the
right to . . .[h]ave information concerning the foster family kept confidential,
except when release is required by law[.]” Mother’s App. Vol. 2 at 110 (emphasis
added). The use of the phrase “except when release is required by law”
contemplates a confidentiality limited by applicable law. Accordingly, the
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 24A-JT-3052 | December 8, 2025 Page 20 of 35 confidentiality foster parents should expect in TPR proceedings is the same
afforded to other records filed or exchanged by the parties in such proceedings,
which are excluded from public access pursuant to statute and Indiana’s Access
to Court Records Rules. See I.C. § 31-39-1-2 (providing for the confidentiality
of juvenile court records); Ind. Access to Court Records Rule 5(A)(1) (excluding
from public access entire cases “declared confidential by statute”).
[35] With respect to DCS’s argument that the circumstances of this case justified
shielding Child’s foster parents’ identifying information from Parents because
they had already “crossed a boundary” with at least one of Child’s prior
placements, Supplemental Tr. Vol. 2 at 7, Trial Rule 26 provides a mechanism
to address that concern without altogether barring disclosure of otherwise
discoverable material. Specifically, Trial Rule 26(C)(2) provides that “[u]pon
motion by any party . . . , and for good cause shown, the court . . . may make
any order which justice requires to protect a party or person from annoyance,
embarrassment, oppression, or undue burden or expense, including . . . that the
discovery may be had only on specified terms and conditions[.]” It is
commonplace in civil practice for trial courts to issue protective orders
providing, for example, that discoverable material may be designated for
viewing only by certain persons when good cause is shown that certain
information should not be disclosed to the parties, but justice nonetheless
requires that their counsel have access to it. See, e.g., Perez v. Mounce, 110
N.E.3d 404, 409 (Ind. Ct. App. 2018) (holding that a party’s actions were not
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 24A-JT-3052 | December 8, 2025 Page 21 of 35 substantially justified when they refused to produce a contract subject to a
nondisclosure agreement instead of requesting a protective order pursuant to
Trial Rule 26(C) designating it “for attorney eyes only”).
[36] An appropriately tailored protective order, rather than outright refusal to
produce discoverable information, is the proper remedy when DCS raises
legitimate concerns that “biological parents could interfere with the safety and
security of [a] foster family[.]” DCS’s Br. at 39. This approach properly
balances the rights of parents to compel testimony and tangible evidence
pursuant to Indiana Code section 31-32-2-3(b)(2) with any interest foster
parents may have to protect their information from disclosure.
C. Risk of Error
[37] Finally, we address DCS’s contention that even if it should have been
compelled to disclose the names and contact information of Child’s foster
placements, the trial court’s failure to do so did not result in a due process
violation warranting reversal because “there was no risk of error created by the
State’s chosen procedure[.]” DCS’s Br. at 45. According to DCS, “Parents
were heard at a meaningful time and in a meaningful manner and were able to
cross-examine” the two foster parents DCS called as witnesses. Id. But
Parents’ due process rights included not only the ability to cross-examine the
witnesses DCS chose to call, but also “to obtain witnesses” that might testify in
their defense of DCS’s case. I.C. § 31-32-2-3(b)(2). Indeed, Mother correctly
argues that to hold that Parents’ due process rights were satisfied merely by the
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 24A-JT-3052 | December 8, 2025 Page 22 of 35 opportunity to cross-examine DCS’s chosen witnesses “would permit [DCS] to
. . . present only the evidence that best suits its case, while denying [parents] the
opportunity to investigate, discover, identify, and call witnesses” of their own.
Mother’s Br. at 31.
[38] In fact, DCS’s fluid position as to the relevance and admissibility of information
from Child’s foster placements resulted in a fundamentally unfair presentation
of evidence. When Parents sought to compel DCS to disclose the names and
contact information of those placements so that they could investigate whether
any of Child’s foster parents could provide relevant testimony or evidence, DCS
took the position that Parents’ request was “wholly irrelevant[.]” Mother’s
App. Vol. 2 at 111. But DCS asserted the contrary position when it decided to
present testimony from two of Child’s foster placements at the termination
hearing and in defending the trial court’s overruling of Parents’ objections to
that testimony on appeal. See DCS’s Br. at 41 (“[T]he trial court [] did not
abuse its discretion when it allowed testimony regarding Child’s mental state at
various foster placements because [her] general condition [was] relevant . . . ,
and her wellbeing at any given time [was] relevant to the actions DCS and the
foster families took at various instances[.]”).
[39] In light of these considerations, DCS’s conduct in this case created a significant
risk of error, in that Parents were foreclosed from pursuing pre-trial discovery
that could have led to testimony or other evidence from Child’s foster parents
that Parents would have been entitled to present at the termination hearing
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 24A-JT-3052 | December 8, 2025 Page 23 of 35 pursuant to Indiana Code section 31-32-2-3(b)(2). See G.P., 4 N.E.3d 1158,
1166 (Ind. 2014) (explaining the balance struck by the Mathews factors “must
provide ‘the opportunity to be heard . . . in a meaningful manner.’” (quoting
Mathews, 424 U.S. at 333)). We agree with Mother that “absent a reversal, we
will never know what additional information could have been presented by
[Parents] in defense of their parental rights.” Mother’s Br. at 28. Given the
precious and fundamental nature of these rights, the risk of error here warrants
reversal. See In re E.P., 653 N.E.2d 1026, 1032 (Ind. Ct. App. 1995)
(recognizing that in “a termination proceeding, . . . an erroneous result obviously
would be disastrous”) (emphasis added).
Conclusion [40] For the foregoing reasons, Parents’ due process rights were violated by the trial
court’s failure to compel DCS to disclose the names and contact information of
Child’s foster parents because that information could have led to the discovery
of admissible evidence Parents would have been entitled to present pursuant to
Indiana Code section 31-32-2-3(b)(2). As such, we reverse and remand for
further proceedings consistent with this opinion. 5
5 The GAL asks us to hold that it was not obligated to disclose Child’s foster parents’ names and contact information because that information “was within the control and regulation of [] DCS[.]” GAL’s Br. at 10. Because we find that DCS should have been compelled to provide the information Parents requested, we need not decide whether the GAL was obligated to do so as well.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 24A-JT-3052 | December 8, 2025 Page 24 of 35 [41] Reversed and remanded.
Weissmann, J., concurs. Bradford, J., dissents with separate opinion.
ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLANT FATHER Talisha R. Griffin Matthew D. Anglemeyer Marion County Public Defender Agency Indianapolis, Indiana
ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLANT MOTHER Talisha R. Griffin Marion County Public Defender Agency Indianapolis, Indiana
Daniel G. Foote Indianapolis, Indiana
ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF CHILD SERVICES Theodore E. Rokita Indiana Attorney General Indianapolis, Indiana
Monika Prekopa Talbot Deputy Attorney General Indianapolis, Indiana
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLEE KIDS’ VOICE OF INDIANA Katherine Meger Kelsey Kids’ Voice of Indiana Indianapolis, Indiana
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLEE A.W. Rachel Vilensky Child Advocates, Inc. Indianapolis, Indiana Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 24A-JT-3052 | December 8, 2025 Page 25 of 35 Bradford, dissenting.
[42] Because I believe that the discovery sought by Parents is simply not relevant to
the determination of whether their parental rights to Child should be
terminated, I respectfully dissent.
[43] “Parties may obtain discovery regarding any matter, not privileged, which is
relevant to the subject-matter involved in the pending action[.]” Ind. Trial Rule
26(B)(1) (emphasis added). DCS petitioned to terminate Parents’ parental
rights on August 15, 2022. At the time, in order to terminate a parent’s parental
rights, DCS was required to prove
(A) that one (1) of the following is true: (i) The child has been removed from the parent for at least six (6) months under a dispositional decree. (ii) A court has entered a finding under IC 31-34-21- 5.6 that reasonable efforts for family preservation or reunification are not required, including a description of the court’s finding, the date of the finding, and the manner in which the finding was made. (iii) The child has been removed from the parent and has been under the supervision of a local office or probation department for at least fifteen (15) months of the most recent twenty-two (22) months, beginning with the date the child is removed from the home as a result of the child being alleged to be a child in need of services or a delinquent child; (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
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 24A-JT-3052 | December 8, 2025 Page 26 of 35 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.
Ind. Code § 31-35-2-4(b)(2). 6
[44] The only evidence relevant to this case is evidence pertaining to these factors. 7
The names and address of past placements, which have no bearing on Child’s
best interests moving forward, are simply not relevant to a determination of
whether Parents’ parental rights should have been terminated. Because the
requested discovery was not relevant, I would conclude that the juvenile court
did not violate Parents’ due process rights by denying Father’s discovery request
for the names and addresses of all of Child’s prior DCS placements.
[45] As for the merits of the juvenile court’s decision to terminate Parents’ parental
rights to Child, in reviewing termination proceedings on appeal, we will not
6 Indiana Code section 31-35-2-4 was amended, effective March 11, 2024, but, because the terminations were filed prior to this date, the amended statute does not apply to this case. 7 To the extent that DCS seems to admit that some of the requested information may have been relevant, I disagree.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 24A-JT-3052 | December 8, 2025 Page 27 of 35 reweigh the evidence or assess the credibility of the witnesses. In re Involuntary
Term. of Parental Rights of S.P.H., 806 N.E.2d 874, 879 (Ind. Ct. App. 2004). We
only consider the evidence that supports the juvenile court’s decision and
reasonable inferences drawn therefrom. Id. Where, as here, the juvenile court
includes findings of fact and conclusions thereon in its order terminating
parental rights, our standard of review is two-tiered. Id. First, we must
determine whether the evidence supports the findings and, second, whether the
findings support the legal conclusions. Id.
[46] In deference to the juvenile court’s unique position to assess the evidence, we
set aside the juvenile court’s findings and judgment terminating a parent-child
relationship only if they are clearly erroneous. Id. “A finding of fact is clearly
erroneous when there are no facts or inferences drawn therefrom to support it.”
Id. A judgment is clearly erroneous only if the legal conclusions made by the
juvenile court are not supported by its findings of fact, or the conclusions do not
support the judgment. Id.
[47] There was no dispute below that Child had been removed from Parents for at
least six months, as Child had been removed from Parents’ care since October
of 2017. Child was seven years old when she was removed from Parent’s care.
(Appellant J.W.’s App. Vol. II p. 29) At the time of Child’s removal from
Parents’ care, DCS alleged that Parents had failed to provide Child with a safe,
stable, and appropriate living environment free from substance abuse. (Ex. Vol.
1 p. 34) The juvenile court’s unchallenged factual findings indicate that at the
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 24A-JT-3052 | December 8, 2025 Page 28 of 35 time of Child’s removal, (1) the home was in deplorable condition and was
unfit for children, (2) the toilet was not functional, (3) standing water was
present in the bathtub, (4) the home smelled of feces and urine, (5) the home did
not have electricity or running water, (6) an electrical cord led out the window
into a tree and off of the property, (7) a knife was sticking out of the wall, and
(8) rodent droppings were present in the refrigerator. (Appellant J.W.’s App.
Vol. II pp. 28–29) Father also tested positive at this time for amphetamine,
methamphetamine, and marijuana. (Ex. Vol. 1 p. 34)
[48] With regard to Parents’ failure to complete the court-ordered services aimed at
helping Parents to resolve the reasons for Child’s removal and continued
placement outside their home, the juvenile court made the following
unchallenged factual findings:
94. Joyce Box was [Child’s] Guardian Ad Litem [(“GAL”)] from February 2018–April 2021, for three years. 95. Ms. Box attended a child and family team meeting (“CFTM”) in July 2018. Parents expressed their dissatisfaction with [Child’s then] placement. [Parents’] utilities were still off and they said they were not screening because they could not make phone calls to call the drug screen line and learn if they had to screen each day. They required wifi to make a call. Ms. Box offered to come see their home. Parents were angry and responded that she could not come to their home. 96. The following month, … [P]arents still did not have working utilities and were still not screening. These things were discussed with them.… 97. At the January 2019 Permanency Hearing, Ms. Box recommended a suspension in parenting time because of
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 24A-JT-3052 | December 8, 2025 Page 29 of 35 [Child’s] behaviors and her emotional state.… ***** 99. Visitation Facilitator, Anthony Harmon also agreed with suspension of parenting time, and he told the Court at the January 2019 hearing. He had noted some resistance on [Child’s] part to physical contact with [Father]. He noted some lack of engagement of [P]arents in visits with redirection needed to reduce phone and iPad use. 100. At every hearing that Ms. Box attended and at every CFTM, [P]arents’ lack of engagement in services, especially drug screens, were raised. **** 102. At no time did [P]arents come into compliance for a period of 60 days while Ms. Box was assigned. **** 105. … At no time did the team recommend placement back with [P]arents. **** 107. Tiffani Babbs was the Family Case Manager from June 2019 until 2024. 108. FCM Babbs … warned [P]arents that if they didn’t comply [with services], the plan would change. **** 111. Parents never got to 60 days of compliance in all services. **** 116. [Child’s] 4th placement [was] disrupted because [P]arents delivered a box to her placement[.] The box had a stuffed animal and other small items. The box had a hidden note with a phone number on it. The placement became fearful that [P]arents know their address and they requested [Child] be removed from their care. 117. In Feb 2021, … Parents didn’t come [to a scheduled team meeting]. 118. FCM Babbs continued to send parents updates on [Child]. ****
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 24A-JT-3052 | December 8, 2025 Page 30 of 35 121. FCM Babbs gave [P]arents screening information at least 10 times. 122. FCM Babbs would have expected 225 screens for each parent[ ] as screens were in place for the entire time she was on the case. However, FCM Babbs only received 9 screens for each parent. **** 130. [GAL Brittany] Montgomery went to see [P]arents[’] home in 9/2023. A padlock was on the chain-link fence/gate. **** 132. Parents contacted her after the visit asking why she and the FCM were snooping and resorted to vulgarities. **** 134. FCM Deandre Nwannanunu was assigned to [Child’s] case in July 2024. 135. He attempted to contact parents but was not successful. 136. He verified that the drug screen referral is still open and active for [P]arents’ use. **** 139. [Father] made efforts to rehabilitate the house. 140. [Father] maintains the electricity was turned off the day the case opened. 141. [Father] is working to pay off the electric bill. **** 143. Father did not do random drug screens because he doesn’t trust DCS. 144. His last screen was in 2021. 145. He did not screen at all in 2022. 146. He did not screen at all in 2023. 147. He did not screen at all in 2024. **** 150. [Father] was previously accused of sexual misconduct. 151. [Parents] had a package delivered to a foster placement despite not being allowed to know the placement’s address. ****
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 24A-JT-3052 | December 8, 2025 Page 31 of 35 154. [Mother] hasn’t completed a random drug screen since 2021, due to her mistrust of DCS. 155. She did not screen at all in 2022. 156. She did not screen at all in 2023. 157. She did not screen at all in 2024. **** 160. [Mother] agrees [Child] is doing well in her current placement. **** 167. [Visit facilitator Morey] Strozier reiterated to [P]arents the importance of compliance with [services]. 168. Ms. Strozier’s referral for services was closed out unsuccessfully due to non-compliance with the services in April 2019. 169. [Father] tested positive for Methamphetamine and Amphetamine on 3/26/19 and 4/16/2019. 170. [Mother] tested positive for Amphetamine 11/29/17. 171. [Mother] tested positive for Amphetamine and Methamphetamine 3/28/19 and 4/16/19.
Appellant J.W.’s App. Vol. II pp. 34–37.
[49] With regard to Child’s current placement and need for permanency, the
juvenile court found as follows:
38. [Child] was placed in her current placement with [Foster Parents] on March 23, 2022. 39. [Child] has participated in individual therapy, equine therapy, EMDR therapy and takes medications for anxiety and depression, for ADHD, and for Asthma/Allergies. 40. [Child] participates in extra-curricular activities. 41. [Child] is bonded to another child in the home who has been adopted by [Foster Parents] and had similar diagnoses and DCS involvement.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 24A-JT-3052 | December 8, 2025 Page 32 of 35 42. For the most part, [Child] has adjusted well to the home. **** 44. [Child] expressed to [Foster Mother] her fear of removal as her one year in placement was coming up and in her past placements, her behaviors led to removals. 45. [Foster Mother] reassured [Child] that she would never be removed from their home due to their request and that they would never choose to terminate the placement. 46. [Foster Parents] wish to adopt [Child] because they love her and they can meet her needs. 47. [Child] is currently 14 years old. 48. [Child] has spent six years, nearly seven years in foster care. 49. [Child] remembers that there was no electricity, not much food, and it was messy in the home she lived in with [Parents]. She remembers yelling, drug use in the home being ignored. 50. [Child] had facetime contact with [Parents] in March 2023. 51. [Child] told [Parents] then that she wants to be adopted and remain with [Foster Parents]. 52. [Child] came to Court to testify voluntarily because she wants her voice to be heard. She testified to say what she wants for her life and how she feels. [Child] wishes to be adopted because she loves [Foster Parents] and they love her. 53. [Child’s] session with [Parents] was ended by her therapist Chad Myers because she was becoming emotionally dysregulated after [Parents] talked over her and told her she had been coached. **** 56. [Child] has made phenomenal progress, and her sessions are more future focused now and are reduced to every two weeks. She is using coping skills and managing well. 57. [Child] does express frustration with the court system and the length of time she has spent in placement and wants to have a voice. 58. Mr. Myers does not recommend that [Child’s] placement be changed. She has had great success. 59. [Child] saw Elizabeth Everett for EMDR therapy from April
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 24A-JT-3052 | December 8, 2025 Page 33 of 35 2022 through September 2022. **** 61. The goal of the EMDR was to desensitize any traumatic memories due to the history [Child] identified. 62. The specific negative core beliefs [Child] identified were that she did not feel safe, she did not feel cared for, she was not loved. 63. [Child] specifically identified events in the home to include a lack of food or other supplies and fighting in the home. These were the only events [Child] specifically identified to address. **** 69. [Child] stated she did not want to see [P]arents or reunite with them. 70. [Child] stated she felt safe in her current placement. 71. It is Ms. Everett’s opinion that if [Child] was removed from this safe placement, the effect would be negative. 72. [Child] had seven placements over the past seven years since removal. In addition she had respite placements and acute stays in hospitals related to her behaviors. **** 106. At the fifth Permanency Hearing in December 2019, Ms. Box recommended a plan change to adoption. She felt it was in [Child’s] best interest … and [P]arents were minimally compliant after over two years. **** 126. [At some point, a] virtual meeting for [Child] and [P]arents to meets was scheduled and GAL Montgomery attended. 127. [Child] attempted to tell [P]arents the things she wanted to discuss but she could not get a lot out. Parents discounted what she said and told her that DCS has brainwashed her and that she was not remembering the right things. 128. An attempt was made to intervene and redirect [P]arents to allow [Child] to speak, but [Parents] spoke over [Child] and the call was ended. ****
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 24A-JT-3052 | December 8, 2025 Page 34 of 35 179. The GAL agrees that the permanency plan of adoption is in [Child’s] best interests.
Appellant J.W.’s App. Vol. II pp. 31–35, 37. The juvenile court additionally
found that in light of Parents’ lack of compliance, they should not be given
additional time, beyond the seven years that had already passed, to remedy the
safety concerns. (Appellant J.W.’s App. Vol. II p. 36)
[50] Again, Parents did not challenge any of the above-quoted factual findings,
which we accept as true. See Moriarty v. Moriarty, 150 N.E.3d 616, 626 (Ind. Ct.
App. 2020) (providing that unchallenged findings must be accepted as true),
trans. denied. The findings clearly demonstrate that Parents had failed to remedy
the reasons for Child’s removal from their care and that termination of Parents’
parental rights is in Child’s best interests. As such, I vote to affirm the
judgment of the juvenile court.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 24A-JT-3052 | December 8, 2025 Page 35 of 35