In the Matter of: K.D., a Child in Need of Services, S.D. (Mother) and Ke.D. (Father) v. Ind. Dept. of Child Services (mem. dec.) ( 2016 )

MEMORANDUM DECISION FILED
Pursuant to Ind. Appellate Rule 65(D), this May 24 2016, 9:01 am
Memorandum Decision shall not be regarded as CLERK
precedent or cited before any court except for the Indiana Supreme Court
Court of Appeals
purpose of establishing the defense of res judicata, and Tax Court
collateral estoppel, or the law of the case.
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT S.D. ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE
Paula M. Sauer Gregory F. Zoeller
Danville, Indiana Attorney General of Indiana
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT KE.D. Robert J. Henke
James D. Boyer
Brian J. Johnson Deputy Attorneys General
Danville, Indiana Indianapolis, Indiana
IN THE
COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA
In the Matter of: K.D., a Child May 24, 2016
in Need of Services, Court of Appeals Case No.
32A05-1510-JC-1724
S.D. (Mother) and Ke.D.
Appeal from the Hendricks Superior
(Father), Court
Appellants-Respondents, The Honorable Karen M. Love,
Judge
v.
Cause No. 32D03-1505-JC-40
Indiana Department of Child
Services,
Appellee-Petitioner.
Bradford, Judge.
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Case Summary
[1] S.D. (“Mother”) and Ke.D. (“Father”) (collectively, “the Parents”) appeal from
the juvenile court’s adjudication that K.D. (“Child”) is a child in need of
services (“CHINS”). Mother, Father, Child, and Child’s three older siblings—
Ke’T.D., Ke’S.D., and H.D.—live together in Avon. In April of 2015, the
Hendricks County Department of Child Services (“DCS”) received a report that
Father had physically abused Child, then six years old, in the home Father and
Mother shared with Child and their other three children (“the Home”).
[2] DCS petitioned the juvenile court to adjudicate Child a CHINS. During the
CHINS proceeding, Father admitted that he had hit Child twice in the head as
punishment for missing his school bus but expressed no remorse and denied
that he had done anything wrong. Mother also indicated that she believed
Father had done nothing wrong. The juvenile court adjudicated Child a
CHINS, ordered that Child remain placed with Parents, and issued
participation orders for both Parents. Father and Mother both contend that
there is insufficient evidence to sustain a finding that Child is a CHINS.
Mother also contends that the juvenile court abused its discretion in ordering
her to fulfill certain requirements. Because we conclude that the juvenile court
did not abuse its discretion, we affirm.
Facts and Procedural History
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[3] On April 29, 2015, DCS became aware of a report that Child, born on August
6, 2008, had a cut on his face and scratches, which Child claimed were caused
by Father throwing him against a wall. Family Case Manager Veronica Fritsch
(“FCM Fritsch”) interviewed Child at school and noticed that he also had a
bump on the back of his head. FCM Fritsch, accompanied by a police officer,
went to the Home. Father admitted that he had spanked Child on his “bottom”
and indicated that the scratch on Child’s face could have been caused by his
ring. Tr. p. 41. During the visit, Father was “[h]ostile” and “[h]e would puff
up his chest [and] get very loud.” Tr. p. 42.
[4] On April 30, 2015, Child was examined by a doctor and told the doctor that
Father had hit him on the back of the head. FCM Fritsch also visited the Home
and spoke with Mother that day. While Father was in the home, Mother did
not provide much information, looked down frequently and “would not fully
open up.” Tr. p. 44. Mother was more willing to talk when Father left, but was
not very willing to speak about domestic violence.
[5] On May 11, 2015, DCS filed a petition alleging Child to be a CHINS due to
Father’s physical abuse. By the end of May of 2015, FCM Kristen Miller had
taken over the case, and visited the Home with Guardian Ad Litem Suzanne
Conger (“GAL Conger”) on June 12, 2015. Father answered the door and,
after FCM Miller and GAL Conger interviewed the children, took them on a
tour of the Home with Mother. As FCM Miller and GAL Conger were leaving
the Home, Father became “intimidating” and “hostile[,]”asked FCM Miller
why she had lied in court, and “puffed himself up.” Tr. pp. 98, 117.
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[6] On July 1, 2015, the juvenile court held an evidentiary hearing. On July 30, the
juvenile court issued its order adjudicating Child to be a CHINS, which order
provides in part as follows:
12. Steven Patton is a resident physician at Community
Health Network. On 4-30-15 he examined [Child] at an
outpatient center in Speedway. Dr. Patton observed an
abrasion under his left eye and a contusion on the left side
of his head and another contusion on the right side of his
head. On the left side the raised bruised area was 2 by 3
centimeters and on the right side the raised bruise was 3 by
4 centimeters.
13. Mother was with [Child] during the exam. Dr. Patton
asked Mother how [Child] got the injuries and Mother did
not respond. The doctor then asked [Child] how he got
the injuries. [Child] initially said he was lifting weights
and he fell and hit his head on some weights, then [Child]
said his Father hit him in the back of the head for
discipline for missing the bus. Based on the contusion and
reason given the doctor decided to do an x-ray to be sure
[Child] did not have a skull fracture. The x-ray was within
normal limits. Dr. Patton was concerned about a possible
brain contusion or brain bruise so he explained to Mother
that she needed to watch [Child] for any signs of lethargy,
confusion, headache, or muscle weakness and if she
observed any signs she needed to call the clinic and let
them know.
14. A contusion is a bruise with swelling.
15. During Dr. Patton’s exam [Child] did tell the doctor that
the back of his head hurt.
16. Dr. Patton did exam the rest of [Child]’s body and did not
observe anything else that was abnormal.
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17. Dr. Patton noted that it is unusual for a parent of a six year
old not to respond when asked how their child was
injured.
18. Dr. Patton estimated that [Child]’s injuries would be
visible for 3-4 weeks.
19. When [Child] told Dr. Patton that Father hit him in the
back of the head [Child] looked at his Mother and said
“Mom knows what’s going on”. Mother just sat there
with a sad look on her face.
20. The Court finds Dr. Patton credible and helpful in
explaining [Child]’s injuries.
21. Dr. James Williams is employed at Community Westview
residency clinic in Speedway as a preceptor faculty
member. Dr. Williams has been in family practice for
about 40 years. He was supervising Dr. Patton during the
exam of [Child] on 5-1-15. Dr. Williams also observed
[Child]’s contusion or bruising behind the ears. Court
finds Dr. Williams credible and his testimony is consistent
with the pictures Ms. Fritsch took of [Child]. The
contusions on the back of [Child]’s head would be
consistent with a blow to the back of the head or throwing
a child into the wall or bed or falling on a weight.
22. Dr. Williams was present during the entire examination.
Dr. Williams observed that [Child]’s injuries were
consistent with [Child]’s statement that his father hit him.
Dr. Williams explained that [Child]’s fall and hitting his
head on the weight happened during the incident when
Father hit [Child] in the back of the head for missing the
bus.
23. [Child] was alert and oriented during the exam. Mother
did not offer the doctors any explanation for [Child]’s
injuries. She told them she was at work. She did tell them
that her father lived with them and her father told her he
heard yelling and screaming at the time of the injuries.
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25. Angela Hartman is employed at Community Westview
Clinic in Speedway…. On 5-1-15 she met with [Child]
and Mother. Ms. Hartman asked Mother if she felt safe.
Mother would not look at Ms. Hartman and tears welled
up in her eyes. Ms. Hartman explained to Mother that it
was her responsibility to keep herself safe and to keep her
children safe. Mother just looked at Ms. Hartman with
tears welling up in her eyes. Ms. Hartman was very
concerned. Ms. Hartman has 30 years experience and is
on the behavioral faculty at Community Westview
Hospital, Speedway Family Practice Clinic.
Mother did not take [Child] to the doctor on her own
volition. The clinic knew before the exam that [Child]’s
injuries were a CHINS case.
26. Kristin Miller is a family case manager for DCS. She took
over the case from Ms. Fritsch in late May early June
2015. Ms. Miller obtained [Child]’s medical records
which were admitted as Exhibit 3.
27. Ms. Hartman’s note contained in Exhibit 3 states:
“Patient seen in conjunction with his mother, Dr. Patton,
pre-ceptor, Dr. Williams, and myself on 4/30/15. Patient
is a 6 year old African American male who was seated on
the exam table dressed in a patient’s gown. He was busy
interacting with his mother, who was seated at the end of
the table. When asked about his injuries, he was rather
elusive, looking at his mother, and asking her to answer.
He had already shared the information below with Drs.
Patton, and Williams, as well as, the MA, Carla. He
engaged readily in answering my question about how he
had gotten the raised bump behind his ear, and the
soreness of the area behind his other ear, to which he
responded that his ““daddy had hit me in the head.””. [sic
passim] He said that ““my head hit the wall, and I hit a
weight, near the weight bench.”” When asked about
whether he has seen his dad hit his mom, he looked at her,
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and asked her to answer, ““because she knows””. She
became quiet, tears welled up in her eyes, but said nothing,
other than assuring her son with ““I am okay””, and …
““I am all right””. Reviewed with her the need to get
protection for herself, and/or her children and that it is her
responsibility to protect them from harm. She admitted
that she too, uses spanking as a form of discipline. She
shared that she was not aware of this current situation,
because she had been at work.
He went on to say to his mother that she ““is always
stressed””, “you know you are, mommy”. She asked him
why he had not told her about being hit by his daddy?
And he said that ““I know that you are stressed””. She
said nothing, looking at him the whole time. When asked
by myself if she felt safe in the relationship, she looked
away, and did not answer. Thanked her for bringing [him]
in to meet with the doctors, who remained in the room,
and encouraged her to continue to work with DCS, and to
keep herself, and her children safe from harm. She signed
a medical release for us to share with DCS, and took her
son to get an x-ray of his skull, at the x-ray department
across the hall.”
28. Dr. Williams[’s] note contained in Exhibit 3 states:
“This patient was seen and examined, and discussed with
the resident physician. See the resident note for details. I
was physically present during key portions of the
encounter and I actively participated in the medical
decision making. Key History: Alleged physical abuse by
child’s father with an area of abrasions to the right side of
his face from hitting/slapping, and an abrasion to the post
auricular area of the head on the left side, and an area of a
large contusion with swelling on the right posterior
auricular area of the head in the area of the right Mastoid
sinus. This measures approximately 4 cms X 3.5 cms.
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Key Exam: Dr. Patton and I thoroughly examined 6 y/o
male child, [Child], and found him to be very intelligent
and alert. He was seen with his mother in the room. She
related that she was not home at the time of the alleged
abuse. His exam was unremarkable except for the above
mentioned abrasions and contusion of his head. He had
no recent injuries of his extremities and no abrasions or
contusions of his buttocks or of the penis/scrotal areas.
He was very alert and for a 6 y/o child answered questions
appropriately. He stated that his father had hit him on his
face and had thrown him either down on his bed or into
the wall. His posterior auricular head injuries he initially
stated were a result of this but then related that the left
sided posterior auricular abrasion was from attempting to
lift weights although he and also his mother could not
explain how this could occur. Assessment: 1. Physical
Abuse by child’s biological father with [a]brasions and
contusions as described above.
Plan: 1. A thorough physical exam was done and
documented by Dr. Patton and myself. 2. Social Services
was made aware and discussed the case thoroughly with
both the child and the child’s mother. 3. Pictures of the
abrasions and the swollen area with a large contusion were
taken. 4. A skull x-ray was ordered and done to rule out
any bony injury to the posterior or facial areas of the head.
5. Social Services will report findings to Child Protection
Agency.”
29. Dr. Patton’s note contained in Exhibit 3 states:
“This event happened with the biological father, “they all
live in the same house” CPS became involved due to the
school having a concern. A teacher asked him what
happened to his face he told the teacher his father scarred
his face after discipline. They took the child to the office
and asked him what happened and they also spoke to one
of his siblings that also go to school. She has a meeting
with mother and father basically the plan was to document
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proper discipline and also set up a safety plan for her
(abusive relationship with child’s father)
PT states he was in school and people were concerned
about his face because someone “hit him and slapped
him” When asked where he was hit he points at the left
side of his chin. Pt goes on to mention he was also
““thrown”” onto the bed but his ““daddy told him it
didn’t happen”” Pt states he was being punished because
he missed the school bus. I asked pt what normally
happens when he’s being punished and he replied that he
[is] normally punished by getting hit with hands: belts, or
cords. Pt goes on to tell me that he has bumps to the back
of his head. When initially asked how did the bumps
occur he says he fell on some weights when he tried to lift
them and fell over (later on in the conversation patient
mentions that his father hit on the side of the head and
pointed toward the back side of his head on the right side;
he then tells me that his father told him that he fell on
some weights but ““its not the way my story is””)
When asked if the patient has been touched in any
inappropriate manner “genitals, anus, any area of the body
in … particular that would make him feel uncomfortable)
or required to touch anyone else he said no. Pt lives in a 7
member home (3 siblings 13, 11, 9), grandfather, mother,
and father.
….pt states that his face and the back of his head hurts.”
30. Ms. Miller had difficulty setting up a home visit. In late
May the attorneys arranged a visit and [Father] didn’t
want to do the home visit. Mother left a voicemail
cancelling the visit. The attorneys got involved and Ms.
Miller went to the home on a Friday afternoon. Mother
was home but Father was not. Mother told Ms. Miller that
the visit was cancelled. Mother did not want to do the visit
without Father present. Eventually Mother allowed Ms.
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Miller into the entryway of the home and to speak with the
children in the entryway.
31. On 6-12-15 Mother arranged for Ms. Miller and GAL,
Suzanne Conger, to visit the home and see the children.
When Ms. Miller and Ms. Conger arrived Mother was not
home. Father was home with the children.
32. Suzanne Conger has practiced law for thirty years and
served as guardian ad litem for over 1,000 children. For
three years Ms. Conger was head of custody advocate and
guardian ad litem program in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The Court finds Ms. Conger an experienced, qualified,
and credible guardian ad litem.
33. Ms. Miller is concerned that there is domestic violence
within the relationship between Father and Mother and a
concern that Mother is not able to protect the children
from domestic violence.
34. When Ms. Miller and Ms. Conger arrived on 6-12-15
Father was present with the four children. The children
were lined up according to their ages on a loveseat. Father
told the children to be respectful and knock on the door
when they were finished and Father went outside the
house. Ms. Conger then introduced herself to the children
and she asked the three older children to give them some
time to talk with [Child] alone. As they talked with
[Child] Ms. Miller noticed a cell phone on the coffee table
and mentioned it and [Child] yelled for his older brother to
come and get the phone. [Ke’S.D.] got the phone and did
a special knock on the door, one, two, three, four and
Father opened the door and [Ke’S.D.] gave the phone to
Father. When Father saw all four children were not still
lined up at the door Father told the kids to “get out here”.
It was a rainy day with thunder but the older kids got their
shoes on and went outside as Father ordered.
Ms. Conger and Ms. Miller continued their interview of
[Child]. Ms. Conger observed that [Child] was confused,
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scared and very careful with the way he said things. After
they finished talking with [Child], [Child] went to the door
and did the special knock and Father opened the door for
him. Father told [Child] to get his shoes on and “get out
here”. Father grabbed [Child] by the back of his neck and
ushered him out and [Child] cowered down. Ms. Conger
demonstrated to the Court Father’s grabbing of [Child]’s
neck and [Child]’s cowering response. The Court notes
Father’s grabbing [Child] by the neck and ushering him
out was unnecessary as [Child] was complying with the
instructions Father gave him in front of Ms. Miller and
Ms. Conger. The other children were outside with Father
and could see Father grab [Child] by the neck and
[Child]’s fearful response. The court finds this was a
brazen attempt by Father to intimidate [Child], the other
children, Ms. Miller and Ms. Conger. Father’s actions
were also consistent with his attempts to intimidate Ms.
Fritsch during her interview of Father and his attempt to
intimidate Ms. Miller later on 6-12-15. [Ke’T.D.],
[Ke’S.D.] and [H.D.] were each interviewed separately
and each did the special knock when they were finished.
35. After Ms. Miller and Ms. Conger interviewed all the
children they were getting ready to leave and Father came
back inside, got hostile, pointed at Ms. Miller and accused
her of lying in court. Ms. Conger was concerned because
Father was blocking her way out the door. Mother
scooted around Father and offered to take Ms. Miller and
Ms. Conger on a tour of the home. Mother then led Ms.
Miller and Ms. Conger through the home and Father
followed them. When they were upstairs Ms. Conger
commented on their nice back yard and Father said to
“stop that chatter”. Mother immediately obeyed him and
walked them through the rest of the house. Father did
refuse for Ms. Conger and Ms. Miller to see the basement
and they left. After they left Father called Ms. Miller and
offered to let them see the basement. Neither Ms. Miller
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nor Ms. Conger felt it was a good situation to return to the
home on 6-12-15 given Father’s hostile demeanor.
36. The children have access to the basement and hang out
down there. DCS needed to see the basement. Father
used intimidation to control what Ms. Miller and Ms.
Conger saw on 6-12-15 and what they heard from the
children and Mother.
37. The Court finds Ms. Miller and Ms. Conger credible.
38. Father is the pastor of the Martindale Church of Christ.
Cedric Brown is a deacon in that church and sees the …
family regularly at church and church functions. Mr.
Brown has also been to the [Home] twice during the past
eight years. Mr. Brown has not personally observed any
inappropriate behavior by anyone in the … family. Mr.
Brown explained that their church believes that discipline
of children is an essential requirement of parents and that
physical discipline can be appropriate. Mr. Brown did
agree that physical discipline could cross the line and be
inappropriate if the parent was beating up the child or
throwing a six year old child into the wall.
39. Father testified on 7-l-15. Father stated he has primary
responsibility for bringing up his son and total
responsibility for his education. Father admitted that he
intentionally slapped [Child] in the face on or about 4-28-
15 or 4-29-15. Father demonstrated how he slapped
[Child] and the Court heard the sound of his strike. Father
admitted that he slapped [Child] once and [Child] was still
standing so Father slapped him again and [Child] fell.
Father weighs 325 pounds and is over six feet tall. [Child]
weighed 61 pounds when he was examined by the doctors.
Father is right handed and he was wearing a ring which
was the same ring he wore in court. The ring appeared to
be raised on the top similar to a college or sports ring.
When Father demonstrated how he slapped [Child] the
Court could hear the sound of Father’s smack. Father
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admitted that he wanted [Child] to feel the smack and he
did not smack him on the bottom because [Child]’s clothes
would cushion his blow. Father’s ring caused the cut on
[Child]’s face. For a right handed man to do that Father’s
strike must have been more of a closed fist and not open
handed.
41. Father explained that he wakes the children up for school
and they “police each other”. Father stated that [H.D.]
and [Child] leave right after [Ke’S.D.] in the mornings.
Father does not remind the children that they need to go
out for the bus. Father stated that waking them up and
telling them one time to get ready for school is sufficient.
42. [Child] missed the bus on 4-28 or 4-29 the date Father
injured [Child].
43. The Court does not believe Father’s testimony that he
progressively disciplines the children. When Father speaks
he expects his children and Mother to obey him
immediately. The Court finds Father is not credible.
44. Father did not tell Mother about his “discipline” of [Child]
on 4-28 or 4-29.
45. The Court finds Father acted unreasonably on 4-28 or 4-29
when he smacked [Child] in the head twice with enough
force to knock [Child] down—simply because [Child]
missed the school bus that morning.
46. Missing the school bus is an inconvenient time
management problem not direct disobedience. It is not
unusual for a six year old to need reminding that he needs
to be at the bus stop when the bus comes. [Child] is in the
first grade. [Child] is the youngest child. He is unlikely to
be able to influence the older children to miss the bus.
Given his age [Child] would likely benefit from Father
teaching him how to manage time and a reminder near the
time the bus arrives.
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It is unreasonable for a 324 pound man to deliberately hit
a six year old child weighing 61 pounds in the head twice.
[Child] was still standing from the first blow so Father hit
him again until [Child] fell. Father’s testimony about the
nature of his blows is inconsistent with [Child]’s injuries as
documented by the pictures and medical records.
Punching a child in the head is dangerous.
47. Children who suffer physical abuse or witness domestic
abuse between their parents often keep it a secret and do
not talk with others about the abuse. The Court believes it
is highly probable that Mother and the other children are
also victims of Father’s physical abuse but DCS did not
prove it by a preponderance of the evidence.
CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
* * * *
11. DCS has proved by a preponderance of the evidence that
[Child] is a child in need of services as defined in IC 31-34-
1-1 in that his physical or his mental condition is seriously
impaired or seriously endangered as a result of Father’s
use of excessive and unreasonable physical discipline on or
about 4-28-15 and Father and Mother’s refusal to
recognize that Father’s use of physical discipline was
excessive and unreasonable on that date. [Child] needs
parental supervision, guidance and correcting that is
reasonable and safe. Without [the] Court’s intervention
[Child] will continue to be subject to unreasonable
physical discipline from Father. Children who suffer
unreasonable physical discipline suffer emotionally.
[Child]’s doctor exam demonstrates that [Child] is very
concerned for his Mother to the point he did not tell her
what Father did to him. [Child] told his GAL that he was
confused. Intimidating a child as Father has done causes a
child to suffer emotionally. [Child] needs counseling
which he is unlikely to receive without Court intervention.
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12. A child is a CHINS when he is endangered by parental
action or inaction.
13. In this case it is Father’s actions and Mother’s failure to
protect [Child] that causes the court to find [Child] is a
CHINS.
14. Much of the evidence is circumstantial but the cumulative
effect of the evidence and concern of the experienced
professionals causes the court to be very concerned for
[Child]’s safety without court intervention.
Father needs help to recognize appropriate discipline
limits and Mother needs help to recognize appropriate
discipline limits and enforce those limits and protect
[Child] from excessive unreasonable physical discipline.
Based on Father’s testimony and his demeanor the Court
concludes Father does not believe he did anything wrong
at any time.
15. IC Code 31-34-1-15 specifically states:
(1) “Limit the right of a parent, guardian, or custodian of a
child to use reasonable corporal punishment when
disciplining the child.
(2) Limit the lawful practice or teaching of religious
beliefs.”
16. A CHINS case is a civil case not criminal. In Willis v. State
888 N.E.2d 177 (2008) the Indiana Supreme Court
recognized the right of parents to direct the upbringing and
education of their children including the use of reasonable
or moderate physical force to control behavior.
17. In Willis Justice Rucker explained that Indiana adopted
the Restatement of Law (Second) Torts and Justice Rucker
outlined factors to be considered in determining the
reasonableness of punishment. Justice Rucker stated:
“The Restatement provides, “A parent is privileged to
apply such reasonable force or to impose such reasonable
confinement upon his [or her] child as he [or she]
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reasonably believes to be necessary for its proper control,
training, or education.”” Restatement of the Law
(Second) Torts, § 147(1) (1965). We adopt the
Restatement View. Not only is it entirely consistent with
the law in this jurisdiction, but also it provides guidance
on the factors that may be considered in determining the
reasonableness of punishment. It reads:
In determining whether force or confinement is
reasonable for the control, training, or education of
a child, the following factors are to be considered:
(a) whether the actor is a parent;
(b) the age, sex, and physical and mental condition
of the child;
(c) the nature of his offense and his apparent
motive;
(d) the influence of his example upon other children
of the same family or group;
(e) whether the force or confinement is reasonably
necessary and appropriate to compel obedience to a
proper command;
(f) whether it is disproportionate to the offense,
unnecessarily degrading, or likely to cause Serious
or permanent harm.
Restatement, supra, § 150. We hasten to add that this list is not
exhaustive. There may be other factors unique to a particular
case that should be taken into consideration. And obviously, not
all of the listed factors may be relevant or applicable in every
case. But in either event they should be balanced against each
other, giving appropriate weight as the circumstances dictate, in
determining whether the force is reasonable.”
Therefore, the Court finds that [Child] is a child in need of
services as alleged in the petition.
Father’s App. pp. 37-47; 49-51.
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[7] On September 23, 2015, the juvenile court issued dispositional and parental
participation orders. (Mother’s App. 77-81). The juvenile court ordered
Parents, inter alia, to (1) complete parenting, domestic violence, mental health,
and psychological assessments and follow resulting recommendations; (2)
participate in home-based and family counseling; (3) contact their FCM weekly;
(4) notify their FCM of any changes in household or contact information and of
any arrests or criminal charges within five days; (5) allow DCS and GAL
unannounced visits; (5) cease physical discipline of Child; (6) obtain DCS
approval of Child’s caregivers; (7) meet their own and Child’s medical and
mental health needs; and (8) reimburse DCS for services that benefit Child.
(Mother’s App. 73-75). In addition, Father was ordered to participate in the
Father Engagement program and follow all recommendations thereof.
(Mother’s App. 75).
[8] Both Parents contend that there is insufficient evidence to sustain the juvenile
court’s adjudication that Child is a CHINS. Mother also contends that the
juvenile court abused its discretion in ordering Mother to undergo certain
evaluations and satisfy requirements allegedly unrelated to the CHINS
adjudication.
Discussion and Decision
[9] With respect to CHINS determinations, the Indiana Supreme Court has stated
the following:
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[a] CHINS proceeding is a civil action; thus, “the State must
prove by a preponderance of the evidence that a child is a
CHINS as defined by the juvenile code.” In re N.E., 919 N.E.2d
102, 105 (Ind. 2010). We neither reweigh the evidence nor judge
the credibility of the witnesses. Egly v. Blackford County Dep’t of
Pub. Welfare, 592 N.E.2d 1232, 1235 (Ind. 1992). We consider
only the evidence that supports the [juvenile] court’s decision and
reasonable inferences drawn therefrom. Id. We reverse only
upon a showing that the decision of the [juvenile] court was
clearly erroneous. Id.
…
There are three elements DCS must prove for a juvenile court to
adjudicate a child a CHINS. DCS must first prove the child is
under the age of eighteen; DCS must prove one of eleven
different statutory circumstances exist that would make the child
a CHINS; and finally, in all cases, DCS must prove the child
needs care, treatment, or rehabilitation that he or she is not
receiving and that he or she is unlikely to be provided or accepted
without the coercive intervention of the court. In re N.E., 919
N.E.2d at 105.
In re K.D., 962 N.E.2d 1249, 1253 (Ind. 2012) (footnote omitted).
[10] Indiana Code section 31-34-1-1, on which the juvenile court based its
disposition, provides that a child is a CHINS before the child becomes eighteen
years of age if:
(1) the child’s physical or mental condition is seriously impaired
or seriously endangered as a result of the inability, refusal, or
neglect of the child’s parent, guardian, or custodian to supply the
child with necessary food, clothing, shelter, medical care,
education, or supervision; and
(2) the child needs care, treatment, or rehabilitation that:
(A) the child is not receiving; and
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(B) is unlikely to be provided or accepted without the coercive
intervention of the court.
[11] As the Indiana Supreme Court has observed,
Juvenile law is constructed upon the foundation of the State’s
parens patriae power, rather than the adversarial nature of corpus
juris. Kent v. United States, 383 U.S. 541, 554, 86 S. Ct. 1045, 16
L. Ed. 2d 84 (1966). Indeed, juvenile court jurisdiction “is rooted
in social welfare philosophy rather than in the corpus juris.” Id.
The purpose of the CHINS adjudication is to “protect the
children, not punish parents.” In re N.E., [919 N.E.2d 102, 106
(Ind. 2010)]. The process of the CHINS proceeding focuses on
“the best interests of the child, rather than guilt or innocence as
in a criminal proceeding.” Id.
In re K.D., 962 N.E.2d at 1255.
[12] Mother and Father argue that the juvenile court’s finding that section 31-34-1-1
was satisfied constitutes an abuse of discretion because the record did not
contain sufficient evidence that Child’s physical or mental condition was
seriously impaired or seriously endangered. DCS, however, was not required
to establish that Child had already been harmed. “The CHINS statute … does
not require that a court wait until a tragedy occurs to intervene.” In re A.H., 913
N.E.2d 303, 306 (Ind. Ct. App. 2009) (citing Roark v. Roark, 551 N.E.2d 865,
872 (Ind. Ct. App. 1990)). “Rather, a child is a CHINS when he or she is
endangered by parental action or inaction.” Id. With this in mind, we
conclude that the record contains ample evidence to support the juvenile court’s
disposition.
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[13] Father argues first that his discipline of Child was reasonable. Father relies on
the Indiana Supreme Court’s decision in Willis v. State, 888 N.E.2d 177 (Ind.
2008), which addressed the scope of the parental privilege to discipline as a
defense to criminal battery. Although a criminal case, we believe, as did the
juvenile court, that the factors considered by the Willis court in evaluating
whether punishment is reasonable are helpful here:
In determining whether force or confinement is reasonable for
the control, training, or education of a child, the following factors
are to be considered:
(a) whether the actor is a parent;
(b) the age, sex, and physical and mental condition of the
child;
(c) the nature of his offense and his apparent motive;
(d) the influence of his example upon other children of the
same family or group;
(e) whether the force or confinement is reasonably
necessary and appropriate to compel obedience to a proper
command;
(f) whether it is disproportionate to the offense,
unnecessarily degrading, or likely to cause serious or
permanent harm.
Id. at 182 (citation omitted).
[14] Father’s status as Child’s parent confers upon him greater latitude to punish
Child than other adults would have. Although all indications are that Child is
generally healthy, Child was only six years old and weighed sixty-one pounds
when examined after the incident that gave rise to this CHINS proceeding. In
contrast, Father weighed over 300 pounds and stands over six feet tall. Child’s
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offense was missing the school bus, and there is no indication that he was
motivated by any desire to wilfully misbehave. As for the possible effect of
Father’s discipline of Child on the other children, there is no indication that any
of Child’s siblings had problems with missing the school bus or were present
when Father struck Child. All in all, the first four Willis factors would seem to
weigh only slightly against Father’s discipline being reasonable, mainly due to
the lack of any evidence of willful disobedience on Child’s part.
[15] The last two factors, however, weigh heavily against any conclusion that
Father’s actions were reasonable. Father admitted to striking Child twice in the
head on or about April 29, 2015, and the juvenile court found that, based on the
physical evidence, Father likely struck him with a closed fist. This level of force
is disproportionate to Child’s offense, especially given the extremely large size
difference between Father and Child. It seems to us that any number of less-
forceful options should have been tried before the one Father chose. 1
Moreover, striking Child in the head with enough force to knock him off of his
feet seems likely to cause serious harm. Even if the blows themselves did not
cause serious harm, a fall easily could have. Our consideration of the Willis
factors leads us to the conclusion that Father’s use of force on Child was
unreasonable.
1
Father testified that he practiced progressive discipline and that less extreme options had failed to correct
Child’s behavior with respect to missing the school bus, but the juvenile court specifically found this
testimony to be incredible.
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[16] Mother and Father also both argue that the incident was isolated, even if
Father’s actions were unreasonable. The record and the juvenile court’s
findings seriously undercut this argument. The record indicates a history of
violence between Father and Mother and previous DCS involvement related to
substantiated reports of abuse of another child. In 2003, Father was arrested
and charged with breaking and entering Mother’s apartment and domestic
violence against her. Mother has been arrested and charged with battery of
Father. In 2006 and 2008, DCS became involved due to allegations that
Mother had inappropriately disciplined one of Child’s older siblings.
[17] Moreover, there is no indication that either Father or Mother feels that Father
did anything wrong. Father has shown no remorse for the incident, testifying
that physical discipline is part of his faith and that his discipline of Child on the
occasion in question was “appropriate[.]” Tr. p. 136. Mother agreed with
Father’s assessment, verifying that she saw “nothing wrong” with Father
striking Child. Tr. p. 204. Parents’ failure to recognize the unreasonableness of
Father’s actions makes it likely that similar situations will arise in the future.
The history of violence in Child’s family, along with Parents’ failure to
recognize that Father did anything wrong, undercut any notion that the incident in
question was isolated. DCS produced sufficient evidence to sustain a finding that
Child’s physical or mental condition is seriously impaired or seriously endangered.
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II. Whether the Juvenile Court Abused its Discretion in
Ordering Mother to Participate in Certain Services
[18] Mother contends that the juvenile court abused its discretion in ordering her to
(A) undergo psychological and mental health evaluations and comply with
resulting recommendations; (B) undergo a domestic violence evaluation; (C)
maintain suitable housing; not permit possession or use of illegal substances in
the Home; maintain a legal and stable source of income; see to it that Child is
properly clothed, fed, supervised, and enrolled in school; (D) meet her own and
Child’s medical and mental health needs; (E) refrain from using any form of
physical discipline; and (F) reimburse DCS for services to benefit the Child.
A. Psychological and Mental Health Evaluations
[19] Mother argues that there is no evidence to support the juvenile court’s order
that she undergo psychological or mental health evaluations. The record
contains evidence, however, that Mother is subject to high levels of stress,
which may be causing atypical behavior and affecting her mental health. When
Dr. Patton asked Mother what happened to Child, Mother did not respond at
all, which Dr. Williams indicated was not typical. Moreover, the hospital
social worker observed that Mother avoided eye contact, was unresponsive, and
became tearful when asked about safety in her home. Parents’ history and
Mother’s demeanor indicate that her situation might well be affecting her
mental health. The juvenile court did not abuse its discretion in ordering
Mother to submit to mental health evaluations.
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B. Domestic Violence Evaluations
[20] Mother argues that because there were no substantiated instances of domestic
violence between Parents arising from the instant CHINS investigation, the
juvenile court abused its discretion in ordering her to undergo a domestic
violence evaluation. When first interviewed about the alleged abuse of Child,
however, Mother would not deny the existence of domestic violence in the
Home. Also, when Child was asked about whether he had seen Father hit
Mother, he looked at Mother, and asked her to answer “because she knows[.]”
State’s Ex. 3 p. 1. At this, Mother became quiet, tears welled up in her eyes,
and she assured Child that “I am okay” and “I am all right[.]” State’s Ex. 3 p.
1. When Dr. Patton asked Mother if she felt safe in the relationship, she looked
away and did not respond. The record also indicates that Mother was aware of
violence involving the children. When Child told Dr. Patton that Father hit
him in the back of the head, Child looked at his Mother and said “you know
what’s going on or mom knows[.]” Tr. p. 69. Mother did not verbally respond
to Child’s statement but instead “looked sad.” Tr. p. 69.
[21] Moreover, Mother and Father both acknowledge that police have been involved
with their family in the past due to allegations of domestic violence. Mother
and Father have both been arrested and charged with domestic violence
allegedly perpetrated on the other. Finally, this case represents the third time
that DCS has been involved with the family, the previous two cases involving
substantiated abuse of one of Child’s siblings. Given the history of domestic
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violence in the family, the juvenile court did not abuse its discretion in this
regard.
C. Maintain Suitable Housing; Not Permit Possession or Use of
Illegal Substances in the Home; Maintain a Legal and Stable
Source of Income; See to it that Child is Properly Clothed, Fed,
Supervised, and Enrolled in School
[22] Mother characterizes the above-listed requirements as boilerplate and argues
that they should therefore be eliminated. Boilerplate or not, we see nothing
particularly controversial about the requirements at issue, many of which the
law already requires of Mother. Taken together, the challenged terms require
nothing more of Mother than that she remain a fit parent who has the means to
safely care for Child and does so.
D. Meet Mother’s and Child’s Medical
and Mental Health Needs
[23] Mother argues that the order that she meets Child’s medical and mental health
needs represents an invasion into her constitutionally-protected liberty interest
in remaining free of unwarranted intrusions into the mind and body. “[O]ur
Supreme Court has recognized that competent adults are entitled to make
informed decisions about their medical care and that of their children.” In re
A.M.-K., 983 N.E.2d 210, 216 (Ind. Ct. App. 2013).
[24] Mother relies on our decision in A.M.-K. In A.M.-K., the appellant argued the
juvenile court’s order that she take all medications as prescribed infringed upon
right to direct her own medical treatment. Id. at 216. We agreed, noting that
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the appellant presented evidence that the medication at issue had serious side
effects, interfered with her heart condition, and clashed with her religious
beliefs. Id. at 217. Mother has presented no such evidence here. There is no
evidence that Mother has been directed by a medical professional to do
anything in particular for Child, much less something to which she has raised
any particular objection. Mother’s reliance on A.M.-K. is unavailing, and she
has failed to establish an abuse of discretion in this regard.
E. Refrain from Physical Discipline
[25] We recognize that “parents do have the right to use reasonable corporal
punishment to discipline their children.” Lang v. Starke Cty. Office of Family &
Children, 861 N.E.2d 366, 378 (Ind. Ct. App. 2007). “However, just as a
parent’s right to raise his or her children is not absolute, we find no authority
for the proposition that a parent’s right to use reasonable corporal punishment
is absolute and cannot in some instances be subordinated to a child’s interests.”
Id. We conclude that this case is one of those instances.
[26] Here, we have already concluded that the discipline that gave rise to this
CHINS proceeding was unreasonable. It would be one thing if Father and
Mother recognized this. Neither Father nor Mother, however, acknowledges
the unreasonableness of Father’s actions or seems inclined to participate in
court-ordered services in good faith. DCS’s primary responsibility must be
Child’s safety. Ind. Code § 31-34-21-5.5(a) (“In determining the extent to
which reasonable efforts to reunify or preserve a family are appropriate under
this chapter, the child’s health and safety are of paramount concern.”). So long
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as neither Parent recognizes the difference between reasonable and
unreasonable corporal punishment, the order to refrain from any form of
physical discipline does not represent an abuse of discretion.
F. Reimburse DCS for Services
[27] The juvenile court’s disposition provides, in part, that Parents “shall reimburse
to the Local Office of the Department of Child Services, expenses for services to
benefit the child.” Indiana Code section 31-40-1-3(a) provides, in part, that “[a]
parent [of] a child adjudicated a delinquent child or a child in need of services
… is financially responsible as provided in this chapter … for any services
provided by or through the department.” Section 31-40-2-3(c) provides, in part
that
the juvenile court shall order the child’s parents or the guardian
of the child’s estate to pay for, or reimburse the department for
the cost of services provided to the child or the parent or
guardian unless the court makes a specific finding that the parent
or guardian is unable to pay or that justice would not be served
by ordering payment from the parent or guardian.
[28] The juvenile court’s order is entirely consistent with the relevant provisions of
Indiana Code section 31-40-2-3. Moreover, while it seems reasonable that
Parents should be able to challenge reimbursement requests they consider to be
unreasonable, there is no indication that any requests have been made.
Consequently, we conclude that the issue is not ripe for adjudication. Ind. Dep’t
of Envtl. Mgmt. v. Chem. Waste Mgmt., Inc., 643 N.E.2d 331, 336 (Ind. 1994)
(“Ripeness relates to the degree to which the defined issues in a case are based
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on actual facts rather than on abstract possibilities, and are capable of being
adjudicated on an adequately developed record.”). Without reimbursement
requests, there is nothing to review. Mother has failed to establish an abuse of
discretion.
Conclusion
[29] We conclude that there is sufficient evidence to sustain the juvenile court’s
adjudication that Child is a CHINS. We further conclude that the juvenile
court did not abuse its discretion in ordering Mother to participate in certain
services.
The judgment of the juvenile court is affirmed.
Bailey, J., and Altice, J., concur.
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