Idaho Department of Health & Welfare v. Doe , 162 Idaho 236 ( 2017 )

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF IDAHO
Docket No. 44704
In the Matter of the DOE CHILDREN, )
Children Under Eighteen (18) Years of Age. )
-------------------------------------------------------- ) Boise, April 2017 Term
IDAHO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH )
AND WELFARE, ) 2017 Opinion No. 58
)
Petitioner-Respondent, ) Filed: June 2, 2017
)
v. ) Stephen W. Kenyon, Clerk
)
JANE DOE (2016-47), )
)
Respondent-Appellant. )
_____________________________________
Appeal from the District Court of the First Judicial District of the State
of Idaho, Kootenai County. Hon. Clark A. Peterson, Magistrate Judge.
The termination of Doe’s parental rights is affirmed.
Douglas A. Pierce, Coeur d’Alene, attorney for appellant.
Hon. Lawrence G. Wasden, Idaho Attorney General, attorney for
respondent.
____________________________
JONES, Justice
I. NATURE OF THE CASE
Jane Doe (“Doe”) appeals from the magistrate court’s judgment granting the Idaho
Department of Health and Welfare’s (“IDHW”) petition to terminate her parental rights. Doe
asserts that the magistrate court erred by: (1) terminating her parental rights notwithstanding its
finding that her mental health issues made it impossible for her to comply with the case plan; and
(2) considering evidence outside of the record during the termination trial.
II. FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
Doe has three children, Z.C. (born 2007); J.C. (born 2008), and D.C. (born 2012)
(collectively, the “Children”). On May 31, 2013, Doe voluntarily placed Z.C. and D.C. at a
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group foster home in Coeur d’Alene called the Children’s Village. On July 17, 2013, Doe placed
J.C. at the Children’s Village as well.
On January 27, 2014, a petition under the Child Protective Act was filed alleging that the
Children came within the purview of the act based on neglect, abandonment, homelessness,
and/or an unstable home environment. In an accompanying affidavit, IDHW social worker,
Heather Johnson (“Ms. Johnson”), testified that the Children had resided at the Children’s
Village since their respective drop off dates in 2013. Further, Ms. Johnson related that from
November 2013 through January 2014, IDHW had received several referrals from the Children’s
Village, including the following: (1) on November 25, 2013, it was reported that Doe had
disclosed that Z.C. and J.C. were sexually abused by their father years ago (Doe later claimed
this was only a misunderstanding) and that Doe was homeless at that time; (2) on January 8,
2014, it was reported that, on a weekend visit with Doe, the Children had stayed in a house with
many other people, including six other children, a heater had fallen on top of D.C., Doe had
failed to give D.C. his medication for an infection, D.C. returned to Children’s Village with a
double ear infection and cigarette butts in his toys, and concerns were raised that Doe’s
appearance and behavior indicated that she was under the influence of a substance; and (3) on
January 17, 2014, it was reported that Doe took D.C. to the doctor for a face rash, which was a
staph infection, and failed to pick up the prescription when called. Ms. Johnson’s affidavit also
reviewed the various child protection referrals regarding Doe and the Children, which included
concerns regarding Doe’s residence not having heat; Doe not being able to afford a phone, a
vehicle, or food; the presence of cigarettes, and marijuana at Doe’s residence; Doe left drug
paraphernalia at a shelter home; Doe and the Children were homeless; Doe wanted to give up the
Children because she was depressed; and a burn mark was found on Z.C.’s neck with no
explanation provided by Doe.
On January 27, 2014, IDHW moved for the removal of the Children alleging that it was
contrary to the welfare of the Children to remain in the home and in the Children’s best interests
to vest legal custody with IDHW pending further proceedings. The magistrate court granted the
motion that same day ordering that the Children be placed in the temporary custody of IDHW
pending a shelter care hearing. On February 4, 2014, after a shelter care hearing, the magistrate
court found it appropriate to shelter the Children based on neglect and an unstable home
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environment. Further, the magistrate court found that IDHW had made reasonable efforts prior to
the placement of the Children in shelter care to prevent the need for such placement.
On February 28, 2014, the magistrate court held an adjudicatory hearing and issued
findings of fact, conclusions of law, and an order for legal custody. Therein, the magistrate court
found that the Children had been subjected to an unstable home environment and that
continuation of residence in the home would be contrary to their welfare. Prior to the
adjudicatory hearing, Ms. Johnson submitted an adjudicatory report of investigation, which
found as follows, in pertinent part: Doe had refused to engage in services to ensure the safety of
the Children; IDHW had offered assistance to Doe to address the housing, substance abuse,
mental health, and parenting concerns; Doe appeared to be under the influence of a substance
during a recent visit with the Children; Doe refused to submit to a drug test; IDHW requested a
mental health assessment to assess any mental health issues that may impact Doe’s daily
functioning, relationships, and/or ability to work or engage in meaningful activities; and an
ongoing concern existed that Doe was actively using drugs.
Ultimately, the magistrate court concluded that the Children’s continuation of residence
in Doe’s home would be contrary to their welfare; vesting legal custody with IDHW would be in
the best interests of the Children; and reasonable efforts were made by IDHW to eliminate the
need for foster care, but were not successful. Accordingly, the magistrate court ordered that the
Children be placed in the legal custody of IDHW; a case plan be submitted within 30 days; and
reasonable efforts continue to be made to reunify the family in a timely manner in accordance
with the case plan or, alternatively, the initiation of the finalization of the permanent placement
of the Children. Id. During the hearing, the magistrate court noted Doe’s history of drug use,
mental health issues, homelessness, and her refusal to submit to drug tests or receive assistance
or services from IDHW.
On March 19, 2014, IDHW submitted a proposed case plan, which identified the
following six areas of concern: (1) Doe’s ability to protect the Children from further abuse,
considering the fact that IDHW had received referrals regarding Doe’s physical abuse, sexual
abuse, neglect, homelessness, and failure to seek medical attention for D.C; (2) Doe’s
homelessness; (3) Doe’s employment; (4) the concern that Doe had been suspected of arriving to
visitations under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol and had refused to drug test or engage in
substance abuse services; (5) Doe’s mental health issues and her refusal to provide information
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of her mental health, or engage in services with IDHW; and (6) the need for a concurrent case
plan in the event that reunification was unsuccessful. For each area of concern, the case plan
listed a desired result and required tasks.
On March 25, 2014, the magistrate court held a case plan hearing. The hearing log notes
indicate that Doe objected to several requirements of the case plan; namely, the drug testing and
the mental health assessments. The magistrate court approved the drug testing requirement
because Doe had tested positive for marijuana at the time of J.C.’s birth and previously disclosed
her recreational use of marijuana. The magistrate court modified the case plan’s requirement for
mental health assessments and required Doe to provide releases of mental health records from
prior assessments instead of submitting to new assessments. The magistrate court noted that
IDHW would be permitted to request further mental health assessments if it was not satisfied
with Doe’s release of prior assessments. Lastly, the magistrate court warned Doe that failure to
comply with the case plan could result in termination of her parental rights. Following the
hearing, a revised case plan was issued in accordance with the magistrate court’s modifications.
On April 3, 2014, the magistrate court issued an order corresponding with its findings and
conclusions at the hearing.
Four review hearings were held between June 17, 2014 and November 25, 2014. Prior to
the first review hearing, the Guardian ad litem and IDHW submitted progress reports. The
Guardian ad litem concluded that Doe was making only minimal progress on her case plan and
was unable to appear for a drug and alcohol evaluation because she was in jail on the evaluation
date. The Guardian ad litem recommended that the Children remain in the legal custody of
IDHW. IDHW’s progress report expressed concern regarding Doe’s erratic behavior, high
anxiety, and drug use. Further, IDHW noted that Doe refused to submit to drug tests and blamed
IDHW for her noncompliance. IDHW reported that the Children’s Village employees claimed
that Doe scared them, was disrespectful, and lied. Children’s Village asked that the Children be
removed because they felt that they could not protect other children from Doe’s poor behavior.
IDHW reported that Doe had yet to prove her employment by providing pay stubs. Doe was also
convicted for possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to use.
On June 17, 2014, at the first review hearing, IDHW asserted that the mental evaluation
that Doe released was incomplete; accordingly, IDHW requested that the case plan be amended
to require an entire mental evaluation. Doe objected to IDHW’s request and argued that she was
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apprehensive of IDHW’s efforts for reunification because IDHW was not communicating with
her, nor was it completing its required tasks. Doe also blamed the specific case worker for failing
to communicate with her and for physically and emotionally abusing her. Doe admitted that she
had recently spent six days in jail, but argued that her jail time was irrelevant. The magistrate
court reviewed each case plan item and concluded as follows: (1) Doe had failed to provide proof
of employment; (2) Doe had refused to submit to random drug testing; (3) Doe must submit to a
full mental evaluation; and (4) IDHW had made reasonable efforts to accomplish reunification.
On September 2, 2014, the magistrate court held a second review hearing. The Guardian
ad litem and the IDHW case worker again submitted progress reports. The Guardian ad litem’s
report provided that Doe’s behaviors had “progressively gotten worse since the last hearing.”
IDHW’s report provided that Doe had failed to make progress on her case plan. IDHW’s report
and the hearing log notes indicate that Doe had continued to refuse to submit to a drug test;
however, at the hearing, Doe agreed to submit to a drug test on the spot. She tested positive for
THC. Out of a concern for Doe’s mental health condition, the magistrate court scheduled a
review hearing for three days later to facilitate the signing of releases and to further encourage
Doe to make progress on her case plan.
On October 14, 2014, a third review hearing was held. The Guardian ad litem reported
that the Children were improving dramatically while living with the foster parent and attributed
the improvement to the consistency and positive training that the Children were receiving.
Further, the Guardian ad litem reported that Doe was “not addressing the most important aspects
of her case plan, drug testing and a mental health assessment.” Ultimately, the Guardian ad litem
recommended that the magistrate court “move forward with the termination of parental rights so
that permanency may be pursued.” IDHW’s report provided that Doe had made progress with
housing because she was living with her husband in Rathrdrum, Idaho, and that the home was
physically appropriate; however, Doe had failed to make progress with regard to her
employment, her visitation behavior, substance abuse, parenting classes, or mental health
evaluations. The hearing log notes indicate that Doe had continued to refuse drug testing and,
although she had made progress by meeting with a mental health evaluator, she had yet to
complete a full mental health evaluation.
On November 25, 2014, a fourth reviewing hearing was held. The Guardian ad litem and
IDHW case worker noted that the Children were progressing, but that Doe’s noncompliance had
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continued. Accordingly, it was again recommended that the magistrate court move forward with
the termination of Doe’s parental rights. A letter from a mental health evaluator was attached to
IDHW’s report. The evaluator concluded that clear symptomology was present, but it was not
possible to render an opinion on a diagnosis of mental illness because of the inability to rule out
substance abuse as a primary cause of said symptomology.
Five permanency hearings were held between January 6, 2015 and December 15, 2015.
Prior to the first permanency hearing, the Guardian ad litem again reported that while the
Children were progressing, Doe was failing to comply with her case plan. Accordingly, it again
recommended that the magistrate court move forward with the termination of Doe’s parental
rights. IDHW’s report was substantially similar to its previous report; that is, Doe had continued
her noncompliance with the case plan. On January 12, 2015, the magistrate court issued an order
regarding the permanency hearing in which it found that IDHW had made reasonable efforts to
prevent or eliminate the need for placement of the Children in foster care. Further, the magistrate
court approved the permanency plan of termination with the continuation of reunification efforts.
IDHW filed its petition to terminate Doe’s parental rights on January 16, 2015.
On March 31, 2015, a second permanency hearing was held. The Guardian ad litem again
recommended that the magistrate court move forward with the termination of Doe’s parental
rights due to continued noncompliance with the case plan. IDHW reported that the Children’s
behavior was being negatively affected by Doe’s visits. Accordingly, IDHW asked the
magistrate court to reconsider its approval of visitation. The magistrate court concluded that
reunification should not be suspended yet, and emphasized the need for Doe to submit to the
necessary services and treatment.
On June 23, 2015, a third permanency hearing was held. Prior to the hearing, IDHW
submitted a review, which concluded as follows, in pertinent part:
For the duration of this case [Doe] has been resistant to all services outlined on
her case plan. [Doe] has not adequately addressed her mental health issues and is
unwilling to attend counseling services to do so.
The magistrate court found that Doe had still not addressed her mental health issues. Further, the
magistrate court found that IDHW had gone above and beyond in attempting to reunify the
family. Accordingly, the magistrate court authorized IDHW’s request to discontinue
reunification efforts. A corresponding order was issued on June 25, 2015. Therein, the magistrate
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court ordered an amendment to the permanency plan to include termination without
reunification.
On September 15, 2015, a fourth permanency hearing was held. Prior thereto, IDHW
provided a review, wherein it explained that it was unable to report on Doe’s progress because
Doe had cut off all contact with IDHW.
On December 15, 2015, a fifth permanency hearing was held. IDHW submitted a
progress report, which explained that Doe had attended two visitations, but one ended in her
breaking down and being very upset. Further, IDHW provided that it was unable to assess other
areas of Doe’s progress because of her noncompliance.
The magistrate court held review hearings on May 10 and 16, 2016. Doe requested a
second chance at working her case plan, but her request was denied. The magistrate court
discussed possible dates for a termination trial and explained to Doe that if the State failed to
prove that termination was appropriate, reunification would be ordered immediately.
The trial for the termination of Doe’s parental rights was held August 10–12, and 30,
2016. The magistrate court issued its findings of fact, conclusions of law and order terminating
Doe’s parental rights, and a corresponding judgment on December 16, 2016. In its findings of
fact, conclusions of law, and order, the magistrate court found that IDHW proved, to a clear and
convincing standard, the following three grounds for the termination of Doe’s parental rights: (1)
neglecting the Children as defined by Idaho Code section 16-1602(31); (2) neglecting the
Children by failing to comply with the court’s order in the child protection act case or the case
plan, and reunification has not occurred within the time standards set forth in Idaho Code section
16-1629(9); and (3) an inability to discharge parental responsibilities and such inability will
continue for a prolonged, indeterminate period and will be injurious to the health, morals or well-
being of the Children. The magistrate court also found that IDHW proved that the termination
was in the best interest of the Children.
The magistrate court found that the following factors weighed in favor of its finding that
the termination was in the best interests of the Children: lack of stability and permanency of the
home; resistance by those who live in the home to permit IDHW to inspect the home; lack of
stable employment; Doe’s lack of effort to improve her situation; Doe’s failure to complete
evaluation and treatment for mental health issues; Doe’s resistance to drug testing; Doe’s
periodic incarceration; Doe’s continued failed drug tests; the stability of the Children in their
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current placement and their improvement while away from Doe; the testimony regarding the
specific needs of the Children, which Doe does not have the ability to meet; and the bonding that
has occurred in the Children’s present placement. Further, the magistrate court found that the
Children had been in IDHW’s custody for over fifteen of the most recent twenty-two months,
and that during the most recent twenty-two months, reunification had not been accomplished.
The magistrate court acknowledged that Doe’s mental health issues impacted her ability
to complete her case plan and provide a stable home, but ultimately concluded that Doe’s
noncompliance with the case plan was willful and that her failure to comply with the case plan
was not a result of her mental health issues. Alternatively, the magistrate court found that even if
Doe’s mental health issues were considered to prevent compliance with the case plan,
termination was still proper because Doe’s unresolved mental health issues rendered her unable
to discharge her parental responsibilities and such inability would continue for a prolonged,
indeterminate period and would be injurious to the health, morals, or well-being of the Children.
The magistrate court found Doe’s argument—that she could comply if given one more chance—
unpersuasive because it was belied by the overwhelming record of noncompliance. Ultimately,
the magistrate court found that because “at least one statutory ground has been pled and proved
to a clear and convincing evidence standard, and because termination has been shown to be . . .
in the best interests of the [C]hildren to a clear and convincing evidence standard, the court may
grant [IDHW’s] petition.”
Doe appeals.
III. ISSUES ON APPEAL
1. Whether the magistrate court erred in terminating the parental rights of Doe,
notwithstanding its finding that Doe’s mental health issues impacted her ability to comply
with the case plan.
2. Whether Doe’s due process rights were violated because the same magistrate court judge
presided over both the child protection action and the termination trial.
IV. STANDARD OF REVIEW
An appeal of the termination of parental rights is reviewed as follows:
Grounds for termination of parental rights must be shown by clear and
convincing evidence because each parent has a fundamental liberty interest in
maintaining a relationship with his or her child. Clear and convincing evidence is
generally understood to be evidence indicating that the thing to be proved is
highly probable or reasonably certain. On appeal, this Court will not disturb the
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magistrate court’s decision to terminate parental rights if there is substantial,
competent evidence in the record to support the decision. Substantial, competent
evidence is such evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to
support a conclusion. This Court is required to conduct an independent review of
the magistrate court record, but must draw all reasonable inferences in favor of
the magistrate court’s judgment because the magistrate court has the opportunity
to observe witnesses’ demeanor, to assess their credibility, to detect prejudice or
motive[,] and to judge the character of the parties.
Idaho Dep’t of Health & Welfare v. Doe (2016-11), 160 Idaho 824, 831, 379 P.3d 1094, 1101
(2016) (quoting Idaho Dep’t of Health & Welfare v. Doe (2015-01), 158 Idaho 764, 767, 351
P.3d 1222, 1225 (2015)).
V. ANALYSIS
A. The magistrate court did not err in terminating Doe’s parental rights,
notwithstanding its finding that Doe’s mental health issues impacted her ability to
comply with the case plan.
Doe argues that the magistrate court erred when it terminated her parental rights,
notwithstanding its finding that it was impossible for Doe to comply with her case plan. Doe’s
argument can be distilled to the following three points. First, Doe asserts that she constructively
asserted an impossibility defense by demonstrating that her mental health issues made it
impossible for her to comply with her case plan. Doe notes that the magistrate court recognized
that her mental health issues impacted her ability to complete her case plan. Doe cites this
Court’s recent opinion in Idaho Department of Health & Welfare v. Doe (2016-14) for the
proposition that “impossibility may be asserted as a defense to a claim of neglect founded upon
failure to comply with the requirements of a case plan.” 161 Idaho 596, ___389 P.3d 141, 145
(2016).
Second, Doe asserts that IDHW failed to demonstrate that she was unable to discharge
her parental responsibilities. Doe asserts that she “participated greatly” in her case plan,
notwithstanding the fact that her mental health issues clearly impacted her ability to do so. She
argues that she has shown the ability to “maintain stable housing, maintain sobriety for
substantial periods of time, and intermittent employment.” Accordingly, Doe argues that, if given
more time, she could maintain the stability needed to “not only have a relationship with her
children, but perhaps take the children back in her care.”
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Third, Doe submits that the termination of her parental rights was not in the best interest
of the Children. Doe claims that evidence presented at trial established that the termination of her
parental rights would be devastating to the Children.
In response to Doe’s first point, IDHW claims that Doe has misstated the magistrate
court’s findings and conclusions. IDHW quotes the magistrate court as follows: “Though her
mental health issues clearly impact her ability to complete her case plan . . . they do not prevent
her from doing so. It was possible for [Doe] to comply with her case plan.” Further, IDHW
asserts that Doe’s argument is directly contradicted by her testimony, which follows, in pertinent
part:
Q: [D]id you ever tell [IDHW] about any personal barriers that you might have,
personal things that keep you from being able to do what this case plan said?
A: Nope.
Q: You didn’t ever tell them? Okay.
A: There’s nothing that keeps me from doing what this case plan, um, says other
than the case workers and refusing to keep contact or providing documentations,
providing scheduled appointments, making arrangement.
IDHW submits that there is substantial and competent evidence supporting the magistrate court’s
findings that Doe failed to comply with her case plan and that such failure was due to her own
choices, not her mental health issues.
In response to Doe’s second point, IDHW emphasizes that Doe’s claim that she has the
ability to maintain stable housing, sobriety and employment is not the issue; rather, the issue is
whether Doe has in fact maintained stable housing, sobriety, and employment as required by the
case plan. IDHW claims that there is substantial and competent evidence supporting the
magistrate court’s finding that Doe is unable to discharge her parental responsibilities and that
such inability will continue for a prolonged, indeterminate period and will be injurious to the
health, morals, or well-being of the Children.
Regarding Doe’s third point, IDHW emphasizes the need for permanency and stability
for the Children and argues that Doe has failed to so provide. IDHW claims that this Court
should not consider Doe’s argument because she fails to cite authority in support thereof.
Idaho Code section 16-2005(1) provides that a court may terminate the parental rights of
a parent if it is found that such termination is in the best interests of the child and that one or
more of the following conditions exists:
(b) The parent has neglected or abused the child.
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...
(d) The parent is unable to discharge parental responsibilities and such inability
will continue for a prolonged indeterminate period and will be injurious to the
health, morals or well-being of the child.
I.C. § 16-2005(1). Idaho Code section 16-2002(3) defines “neglected” as follows:
(a) Conduct as defined in section 16-1602(31[0]), Idaho Code; or
(b) The parent(s) has failed to comply with the court’s orders or the case plan in a
child protective act case and:
(i) The department has had temporary or legal custody of the child for
fifteen (15) of the most recent twenty-two (22) months; and
(ii) Reunification has not been accomplished by the last day of the
fifteenth month in which the child has been in the temporary or legal
custody of the department.
I.C. § 2002(3). Further, Idaho Code section 16-1602(31) defines “neglected” as a child:
(a) Who is without proper parental care and control, or subsistence, medical or
other care or control necessary for his well-being because of the conduct or
omission of his parents, guardian or other custodian or their neglect or refusal to
provide them . . . or
(b) Whose parents, guardian or other custodian are unable to discharge their
responsibilities to and for the child and, as a result of such inability, the child
lacks the parental care necessary for his health, safety or well-being . . . .
I.C. § 16-1602(31).
“Once a statutory ground for termination has been established, the trial
court must next determine whether it is in the best interests of the child to
terminate the parent-child relationship. When considering the best interests of the
child, a trial court may consider numerous factors.” In re Doe (2015-03), 159
Idaho 192, 198, 358 P.3d 77, 83 (2015) (quoting In re Doe (2014-15), 157 Idaho
765, 772, 339 P.3d 1169, 1176 (2014)); I.C. § 16-2005(1). While a
comprehensive list of factors a court must consider does not exist, this Court has
considered the following: “the stability and permanency of the home,
unemployment of the parent, . . . improvement of child while in foster care, the
parent’s efforts to improve his or her situation, and the parent’s continuing
problems with the law.” In re Doe (2014-15), 157 Idaho at 772, 339 P.3d at 1176
(quoting In re Doe, 156 Idaho 103, 111, 320 P.3d 1262, 1270 (2014)).
Additionally, this Court has considered the testimony from IDHW social workers,
and guardians ad litem. Doe, 145 Idaho at 665, 182 P.3d at 1199.
Idaho Dep’t of Health & Welfare v. Doe (2016–11), 160 Idaho 824, 833–34, 379 P.3d 1094,
1103–04 (2016).
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Doe is correct in claiming that impossibility may be asserted as a defense to a claim of
neglect. In Idaho Department of Health & Welfare v. Doe (2016-14), this Court considered an
appeal from a magistrate court’s termination of a mother’s parental rights. 161 Idaho 596, ___,
389 P.3d 141, 143 (2016). The basis for the termination of the mother’s parental rights was
neglect founded upon failure to comply with the court’s orders or the case plan. Id. On appeal,
the mother argued that compliance with her case plan was impossible due to her incarceration.
Id. at ___, 389 P.3d at 144. In response, IDHW argued that the mother was responsible for her
noncompliance because she could have complied had she not been incarcerated. Id. This Court
conceded that the language of Idaho Code section 16-2002(3)(b) did not leave room for an
impossibility defense because it merely required a finding that the parent failed to comply with
court orders or the case plan, and that IDHW had custody of the child for a specified duration. Id.
at ___, 389 P.3d at 145. Nonetheless, this Court held that “impossibility may be asserted as a
defense to a claim of neglect founded upon failure to comply with the requirements of a case
plan.” Id. This Court explained that there was “no principled basis for [termination of parental
rights] for circumstances beyond [a parent’s] control.” Id. However, this Court cautioned that its
holding did not require a finding of “willful non-compliance with the terms of a case plan as a
prerequisite to a finding of neglect under Idaho Code section 16-2002(3)(b).” Id. Instead, this
Court provided that a “trial court must find that the parent is responsible, whether directly or
indirectly, for non-compliance with the requirements of a case plan.” Id. This Court
distinguished the impossibility of case plan compliance from instances where a parent bore
responsibility for the noncompliance. Id. This Court explained that in Idaho Department of
Health & Welfare v. Doe (2014–17), 157 Idaho 694, 701, 339 P.3d 755, 762 (2014), the mother’s
failure to comply with her case plan consisted of missed visitations, failure to provide the
required releases, failure to submit to drug testing, continued use of methamphetamine, and
failure to submit to counseling. Id. Such non-compliance, this Court reasoned, was not a product
of impossibility resulting from a disability; rather it reflected her decision to continue drug use
with the consequence of case plan non-compliance. Id.
Doe’s first assertion is meritless not only because it is based on a misstatement, but also
because she misunderstands the impossibility defense. Doe asserts that the magistrate court
found that it was impossible for Doe to comply with her case plan because of her mental health
issues. The magistrate court made no such finding. While the magistrate court found that Doe’s
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mental health issues impacted her ability to comply with the case plan, it concluded that Doe’s
non-compliance was willful. The magistrate court did not mince words; it emphasized that “Doe
is responsible, both directly and indirectly, for non-compliance with the requirements of the case
plan. Her failures to comply . . . were not the result of accident or disability.” Doe’s claim that
the magistrate court found it impossible for her to comply with her case plan is clearly false.
The magistrate court’s findings undercut Doe’s impossibility defense. In Idaho
Department of Health & Welfare v. Doe (2016-14), this Court provided that impossibility was a
defense to termination based on neglect for failure to comply with a case plan when the
circumstances were beyond the parent’s control. Id. at ___, 389 P.3d at 145. However, this Court
plainly stated that impossibility was not a defense in instances where the parent was responsible,
whether directly or indirectly, for case plan non-compliance. Id. Here, the magistrate court found
that Doe’s non-compliance was willful. Accordingly, Doe’s impossibility defense is unavailing.
Doe’s second assertion is also meritless. Doe claims that IDHW failed to demonstrate
that she was unable to discharge her parental responsibilities because she “participated greatly”
in her case plan. In its findings of fact, conclusions of law, and order, the magistrate court found
that the record, testimony, and exhibits supported termination because Doe’s unresolved mental
health issues rendered her unable to discharge her parental responsibilities and that such inability
would continue for a prolonged, indeterminate period and would be injurious to the health,
morals or well-being of the Children. Substantial, competent evidence supports the magistrate
court’s findings. The record, trial testimony, and trial exhibits demonstrate that, although Doe
made occasional slight improvements, overall she demonstrated an inability to discharge parental
responsibilities by failing to make progress with her visitation behavior, employment status,
substance abuse, or mental health evaluations. Accordingly, Doe’s argument fails.
Doe’s third assertion is unpersuasive. Doe claims that it is not in the best interests of the
Children to terminate her parental rights because severing the parent-child relationship would be
devastating to the Children. A court may consider many factors when analyzing the best interests
of children, including: the stability and permanency of the home, unemployment of the parent,
improvement of the children while in foster care, the parent’s efforts to improve her situation,
and testimony from IDHW social workers and guardians ad litem. Idaho Dep’t of Health &
Welfare v. Doe (2016-11), 160 Idaho 824, 833–34, 379 P.3d 1094, 1103–04 (2016). Here, the
magistrate court listed the following factors in support of its conclusion that termination was in
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the best interests of the Children: Doe’s lack of stable employment, lack of efforts to improve her
situation, failures regarding evaluation and treatment of mental health issues, resistance to drug
testing, periodic incarceration, continued failed drug tests, and the stability of the Children in
their current placement. Doe’s subjective claim that the Children would be devastated does not
undermine the substantial, competent evidence found by the magistrate court that termination
would be in the best interests of the Children. Further, Doe fails to cite authority supporting her
claim that the Children’s devastation should outweigh facts that suggest that termination of the
parent-child relationship is in the Children’s best interest. Accordingly, we affirm the magistrate
court’s judgment.
B. Doe’s due process rights were not prejudiced as a result of the same magistrate
judge presiding over the child protection action and the termination trial.
Doe argues that the magistrate court erred by considering matters outside of the record
when it granted IDHW’s petition to terminate Doe’s parental rights. Doe notes that the same
magistrate judge presided over both the preceding two years of review hearings and the
termination trial and argues that the magistrate judge’s experience with Doe through two years of
review hearings, which was not introduced at trial, prejudiced Doe’s due process rights.
IDHW argues that there is no evidence that the magistrate judge’s experience with Doe
during the review hearings prejudiced a substantial right of Doe. Nonetheless, IDHW asserts that
certified copies of the magistrate court’s orders in the underlying child protection action were
properly admitted as exhibits to the termination trial. Accordingly, IDHW asserts that the
magistrate judge’s consideration of the underlying child protection case was not error.
Even in an appeal from the termination of parental rights, “we will not consider
an issue which is not supported by cogent argument and authority.” Idaho Dep’t
of Health & Welfare v. Doe, 151 Idaho 498, 503 n. 1, 260 P.3d 1169, 1174 n. 1
(2011) (citing Liponis v. Bach, 149 Idaho 372, 374, 234 P.3d 696, 698
(2010); I.A.R. 35(a)(6)).
Idaho Dep’t of Health & Welfare v. Doe (2013–15), 156 Idaho 103, 109, 320 P.3d 1262, 1268
(2014).
Doe’s argument is meritless because it fails to elaborate on the vague claim that the
magistrate judge’s previous experience with Doe in the child protection case resulted in a due
process violation. However, even if Doe were to present a relevant legal argument supporting her
contention, such an argument would fail because IDHW’s reports and the magistrate court’s
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orders were properly admitted as exhibits to the termination trial. Therefore, the magistrate
judge’s reference to the underlying child protection case was not, as Doe claims, outside the
record, nor did it prejudice Doe’s substantial rights.
VI. CONCLUSION
We affirm the termination of Doe’s parental rights.
Chief Justice BURDICK, Justices EISMANN, HORTON and BRODY CONCUR.
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