In the Matter of the Termination of the Parent-Child Relationship of S.F., Father, and G.F. and S.S., Children, S.F. v. Indiana Department of Child Services (mem. dec.) ( 2016 )

MEMORANDUM DECISION FILED
Jul 20 2016, 8:58 am
Pursuant to Ind. Appellate Rule 65(D), CLERK
Indiana Supreme Court
this Memorandum Decision shall not be Court of Appeals
and Tax Court
regarded as precedent or cited before any
court except for the purpose of establishing
the defense of res judicata, collateral
estoppel, or the law of the case.
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE
Steven Knecht Gregory F. Zoeller
Vonderheide & Knecht, P.C. Attorney General of Indiana
Lafayette, Indiana
Robert J. Henke
David E. Corey
Deputy Attorneys General
Indianapolis, Indiana
IN THE
COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA
In the Matter of the Termination July 20, 2016
of the Parent-Child Relationship Court of Appeals Case No.
of S.F., Father, and G.F. and 79A04-1512-JT-2339
S.S., Children, Appeal from the
S.F., Tippecanoe Superior Court
The Honorable
Appellant-Respondent,
Faith A. Graham, Judge
v. The Honorable
Tricia L Thompson, Magistrate
Indiana Department of Child Trial Court Cause Nos.
79D03-1504-JT-31
Services, 79D03-1504-JT-33
Appellee-Petitioner.
Kirsch, Judge.
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[1] S.F. (“Father”) appeals the juvenile court’s order terminating his parental rights
to his children G.F. and S.S. (together, “Children”). He raises one issue that
we restate as: whether sufficient evidence was presented to support the
termination of Father’s parental rights.
[2] We affirm.
Facts and Procedural History
[3] Father and A.S. (“Mother”)1 are the biological parents of two children, son
G.F. and daughter S.S. Mother and Father were living together, as a couple,
in Illinois when G.F. was born in October 2011, but separated in May 2012
when G.F. was less than a year old. Mother moved to Indiana, and by
agreement of the parties, G.F. remained in Illinois and resided with Father.
However, G.F. visited Mother in Indiana from time to time, usually residing
with Father for a couple of months, visiting with Mother for two or three
weeks, then returning to Father. S.S. was born in February 2013; however, at
that time, Father was living in Illinois, and he understood, from Mother’s
representations, that he was not S.S.’s father.2
[4] On October 3, 2013, Indiana Department of Child Services (“DCS”) received a
report that Mother had left her children in the care of a friend who was using
1
Mother’s parental rights to both Children were also terminated, but she does not participate in this appeal.
2
Father did not know that he was S.S.’s father until around June 2014, several months after both Children
had been removed from Mother’s home.
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synthetic cannabinoids, known as Spice. On October 8, 2013, DCS made an
unannounced visit to Mother’s home; S.S. was at the home, along with G.F.,
who was in Indiana visiting Mother. The DCS family case manager noted that
G.F. had “dried feces on his bottom,” a dirty diaper was in a back bedroom on
the floor, and Mother needed prompting to properly clean and change G.F.’s
diaper. DCS Ex. 2. The next day, DCS conducted a hair follicle screen of the
children, and S.S., then-eight months old, tested positive for methamphetamine.
DCS did not remove Children at that time, but advised Mother to take S.S. to a
doctor. Mother failed to follow through. Later in October, G.F. was given a
hair screen, due to having nits in his hair. He tested negative for all substances.
[5] In November 2013, DCS filed a petition alleging that S.S. was a Child in Need
of Services (“CHINS”) and eventually removed S.S. In January 2014, S.S. was
adjudicated a CHINS based on the positive test for methamphetamine,
Mother’s leaving S.S. with inappropriate caregivers, and Mother’s testing
positive for Spice. At that time, G.F. was living with Father in Illinois. DCS
Ex. 1 at 63. The juvenile court instructed Father to be vigilant about leaving
G.F. in Mother’s care and entered its dispositional order regarding S.S. in
August 2014.
[6] In February 2014, Mother tested positive for Spice, and on February 14, 2014,
DCS removed S.S., G.F., who at the time was visiting Mother in Indiana, as
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well as a third child, B.W., who was born February 9, 2014. 3 On February 18,
2014, DCS filed a CHINS petition as to G.F. and B.W. DCS Ex. 2 at 15. By
agreement of the parties, the juvenile court ordered DCS to investigate out-of-
state placement of G.F. with Father via the Interstate Compact on Placement of
Children (“ICPC”) and ordered DCS to conduct a home study, after which the
juvenile court would rule on the issue of G.F.’s placement. Father’s Ex. D; DCS
Ex. 1 at 69.
[7] In April 2014, the juvenile court held two evidentiary hearings on the CHINS
petition regarding G.F. and B.W. DCS caseworkers expressed concern about
Father’s ability to parent G.F. because of his criminal history, lack of
employment, and inability to drive, which was due to having multiple driving
while intoxicated convictions. Caseworkers also expressed concern over
Father’s judgment in leaving G.F. with Mother’s boyfriend. Following the fact-
finding hearings, the juvenile court issued a CHINS Fact Finding Order and, as
is relevant here, adjudicated G.F. as a CHINS, recognizing that Mother had
tested positive for Spice and had left the Children with various individuals, and
it found:
Father [] continued to allow [G.F.] to say at Mother’s home
despite the Court’s insistence that Father be very vigilant about
Mother’s care and supervision of [G.F.]. Further, Father was
aware and allowed [Mother’s boyfriend] to have contact with
[G.F.] after receiving this Court’s order that [Mother’s boyfriend]
3
B.W. has a different father and is not a party to this appeal.
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have no contact with the children until passing all DCS
background checks and submitting to clean drug screens.
DCS Ex. 1 at 63. The juvenile court also found that Father and Mother were
unemployed.
[8] Following a dispositional hearing, the juvenile court entered a CHINS
Disposition Order on May 13, 2014, ordering that G.F. remain in foster care.
DCS Ex. 1 at 58-59. The juvenile court entered a separate Parental Participation
Decree, ordering Father to, among other things, submit to random drug
screens, participate in semi-supervised visitation, participate in a parenting
assessment, and “[p]articipate in ICPC process.” DCS Ex. 1 at 56. The Parental
Participation Decree also included a requirement that Father “[o]bey the law.”
Id. at 55. In May 2014, Father was convicted in Illinois of two counts of
misdemeanor theft and one count of resisting a peace officer and placed on
probation. DCS Ex. 17. Also, sometime during the course of the CHINS
proceedings, Father was arrested in Illinois for burglary, and, in September
2014, he pleaded guilty to Class 2 felony burglary. DCS Ex. 20 at 13. In
November 2014, the juvenile court, having previously taken the matter of
Father’s visitation under advisement, ordered Father to “commence supervised
visitation, at a third party agency in Terre Haute, Indiana as arranged by DCS,”
which “shall occur” one Saturday every two months. DCS Ex. 1 at 35.
[9] An August 2014 Progress Report stated that Father had exercised a visitation
with Children in May 2014, and he had indicated in a phone call from jail to
the DCS family case manager that he desired to exercise visitation in June
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2014, so the family case manager informally planned a date of June 25;
however, Father made no contact with the family case manager in June to
confirm or arrange the visit. DCS Ex. 3 at 37. A November 2014 Progress
Report indicated that Father had been arrested twice “during this reporting
period” and “was intoxicated both times.” Id. at 25. Father had not exercised
visitation during the same reporting period, and a referral service, Lifeline
Youth and Family Service (“Lifeline”), had not been able to reach him. He did
not appear for an October 2014 substance abuse appointment with Human
Resource Center (“HRC”) in Paris, Illinois to complete a mental health
assessment that he had started in September. Id. at 25-26.
[10] A February 2015 Status Report reflected that Father had not exercised visitation
from October 2014 to December 2014, but did exercise supervised visitation
with the children on January 9, 2015. The Report also indicated that Father
had made progress in completing court-ordered services, having completed the
HRC substance abuse assessment and treatment, and he had gained
employment, although DCS still had concerns about the condition of his home
and “his lack of involvement with the kids up until January 9, 2015.” DCS Ex.
3 at 7. The Report further addressed the home study conducted on Father’s
Illinois home:
An ICPC was [conducted] for [Father] as placement. Due to the
conditions of this home, instability, and [his] extensive criminal
history, it was recommended that he not be considered for
placement at that time. [Father] has since returned to jail since
the last hearing. He is out and back on probation, however is
awaiting aggravated battery charges.
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Id.at 6-7. While the Report recognized Father’s affectionate relationship with
G.F. and noted that he displays “knowledge of how to care for” him, but DCS
noted its concerns with Father’s ability to prioritize and budget, “as his home
has been without water for several months now.” Id. at 14-15. A May 2015
Status Report indicated that G.F. had been diagnosed with Reactive
Attachment Disorder (“RAD”) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (“PTSD”).
Id. at 1-2.
[11] In April 2015, DCS filed petitions to terminate the parent-child relationship of
both parents to G.F. and S.S. Appellant’s App. at 9-16. At the May 19, 2015
permanency hearing, the court changed the permanency plan to termination of
parental rights. DCS Ex. 1 at 2. The juvenile court conducted a hearing on the
termination of parental rights, which began on July 9 and continued to August
13, 2015.4 Father, incarcerated in Illinois, appeared telephonically, and his
counsel appeared in person.
[12] Family therapist Tamika Montgomery testified at the termination hearing,
stating that she began working with Children and the foster family in February
2015, but her involvement was primarily with G.F., who had been diagnosed
with RAD and PTSD; S.S. was “assessed not to have the same level of need[.]”
4
[1] We note that, meanwhile, in August 2015, Father appealed the juvenile court’s determination that G.F. was a
CHINS, arguing that there was insufficient evidence to support the adjudication; Father did not challenge the
CHINS adjudication as to S.S. Finding that Father’s claims were a request to reweigh the evidence, this court
affirmed by memorandum decision. In re G.F., No. 79A02-1405-JC-373 (Ind. Ct. App. Jan. 27, 2015).
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Tr. at 45. Montgomery described that a child with RAD has social inhibitions,
does not seek out comfort from primary caregivers, and “may avoid them,
approach them, or withdraw from them.” Id. at 39. Montgomery explained,
“It’s typically based on care that has been given that . . . lacked emotional
support, lacked physical support or physical needs, basic needs.” Id. One
criteria for a RAD diagnosis is that the child “had to have experienced
pervasive neglect from caregivers[.]” Id. at 40. She also noted that “[o]ne of
the other underlying reasons for [RAD] is they have multiple caregivers.” Id. at
49. This pervasive lack of care translates into a difficulty for the child to bond
or attach to adult caregivers. In G.F.’s case, at the time of removal from
Mother’s home, G.F. initially exhibited behaviors that indicated he did not feel
safe, was highly active and agitated, and did not seek caregivers for comfort.
Montgomery’s goal was to ensure that G.F. felt safe with the foster family and
went to them for comfort and care. She stated that with therapy, and the foster
family’s application of intervention and strategies – both with her at the
counseling sessions and on their own outside of the counseling environment –
G.F. had improved, and his behaviors were decreasing. Montgomery also
opined that, into the future, G.F. will continue to need “extensive supports” to
be successful. Id. at 44.
[13] With PTSD, Montgomery confirmed that there had been some sort of past
trauma, but due to G.F.’s young age, she did not know what that trauma was.
In addition to PTSD and RAD, G.F. had been diagnosed with a heart
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condition, which will require “doctor’s care for the rest of his life,” and require
extra commitment from the caregivers. Id. at 51.
[14] Kristal Ranalli-Gramelspacher (“FCM Ranalli-Gramelspacher”), the DCS
permanency worker who was responsible for overseeing S.S. and G.F.’s cases,
also testified. Her role was to communicate with the parties, coordinate with
and process information from service providers, and review documentation of
parents’ involvement with the criminal justice system. She observed that
Father’s most recent criminal offense occurred during the CHINS proceeding.
She discussed Father having had prior substance and alcohol-related offenses,
as well as offenses for battery, which she considered violent and caused her
concern that Father would “engage again” in acts of violence. Id. at 96. FCM
Ranalli-Gramelspacher also commented upon the commitment and work
necessary to attend to G.F.’s RAD and PTSD diagnoses, as well as the heart
condition and a recently-diagnosed genetic condition5 that affects the body’s
connective tissues. She noted that G.F. regularly sees a cardiologist and is on
high blood pressure medication. FCM Ranalli-Gramelspacher opined that,
during the course of the proceedings, neither Mother nor Father had exhibited a
level of commitment in terms of visitation and services as would be required to
attend to G.F.’s ongoing special medical and developmental needs. Id. at 99.
5
The transcript refers to the genetic condition as “Morphone’s Syndrome,” tr. at 97, although the reference
was likely to Marfan Syndrome.
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[15] At the time of the termination hearing, S.S. and G.F. had been in their current
foster home for approximately one year. Both Children, when they first
arrived, had trouble sleeping and struggled with attachment. G.F.
communicated with sounds rather than words, but after receiving speech
therapy, improved to using words and sentences. G.F. initially displayed
defiant behaviors, kicking, screaming, and throwing objects, but the foster
family had been consistently applying the therapeutic strategies to attend to
G.F.’s avoidance of caregivers and frequent agitation, and G.F.’s behaviors had
decreased. G.F. also hoarded food at first, and “shovel[ed] food in his mouth
so quickly that he would choke,” which behaviors also improved. DCS Ex. 3 at
32. FCM Ranalli-Gramelspacher stated that the Children were bonded to the
foster family, followed routines, and exhibited comfort there. She also testified
that the foster parents have shown commitment and effort to attend to G.F.’s
emotional and physical special needs.
[16] FCM testified that in her opinion Father would not be able to remedy the
reasons for removal, noting that Father is incarcerated and that he committed
his offense during the underlying CHINS case. She also opined that Father’s
continued relationship with Children posed a threat to their well-being and that
termination was in Children’s best interests. She testified that if the petition for
termination was granted, the plan is adoption by the Children’s foster parents.
[17] Father also testified at the termination hearing. He admitted to committing a
burglary during the CHINS case. Father’s incarceration for that offense began
on February 23, 2015, and his anticipated release date is in August 2017, less a
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possible six months for good time credit. With regard to criminal history,
Father admitted to a 2008 aggravated battery conviction, two separate battery
convictions in 2011 or 2012, one of which was domestic battery, “three DUIs
all within six months” in 2012 Edgar County, Illinois, and three retail thefts in
2014. Id. at 57-58. At the hearing, DCS also presented documentary evidence
in support of those convictions, as well as convictions for resisting law
enforcement, driving while suspended, and resisting a peace officer. DCS Exs.
17, 18, 20.
[18] Father described the extended family support he has in Paris, Illinois, and
discussed his employment before being incarcerated. Father explained that he
planned to take courses while in prison to obtain trade skills in the auto
mechanics field. Father expressed that he does not feel he has “had a chance to
even really get to know” S.S., and he asked the juvenile court not to terminate
his parental rights to either G.F. or S.S. Id. at 128.
[19] With regard to services, HRC reports that were admitted into evidence
indicated that Father “gained sober coping skills,” “participated with a positive
attitude,” and had no positive results in drug and alcohol screens. DCS Ex. 13.
Father completed treatment with HRC in January 2015. Father was also
referred to Lifeline to receive services related to assisting Father with, among
other things, obtaining employment, assisting with transportation, assisting him
with parenting skills, and creating a budget. The Lifeline referral was put on
hold, however, because Father was in Edgar County Jail. Sometime in
February 2015, Lifeline staff met with Father at his home, discussing
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improvements and repairs to his home to make it safe for children. Father was
cooperative and took direction well. Lifeline reports indicate that Father
“made significant improvements to his home” and was “calm, pleasant, and
cooperative[.]” DCS Ex. 12. Lifeline services were terminated, however, due to
Father’s incarceration later in February 2015.
[20] At the termination hearing, Mother’s counsel called Mother as a witness. She
testified that Children are happy and healthy with their current foster family,
that it is a stable and safe placement, and that she consents to adoption by the
foster family. She explained, “They’re happy where they’re at and I’m not
ready.” Tr. at 112.
[21] On November 30, 2015, the juvenile court issued its order terminating the
parent-child relationship between, as is relevant here, Father and both G.F. and
S.S. The juvenile court found, among other things:
18. Father has a history of criminal activity, substance use, and
instability. During the CHINS case, Father was in and out of
jail. Father resided in Illinois. However, the conditions of the
home were poor and never sufficiently improved to allow for
placement of the children. Father obtained employment for
approximately four (4) or five (5) months between periods of
incarceration.
....
19. . . . Paternity was not established for [S.S.] until genetic
testing was conducted during the CHINS case and Father has
never had [S.S.] in his care.
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....
22. Father’s visits with the [C]hildren were sporadic even when
he was not incarcerated. Father did not attend any visits from
May 13, 2014 until January of 2015. Father never established a
bond with [S.S.] who cried throughout visits with Father. . . .
23. [G.F.] has developmental disabilities and a heart condition
that will require lifetime medical care. [G.F.]’s heart condition
requires medication and ongoing testing for eyesight and
breathing issues. [G.F] has been diagnosed with Post Traumatic
Stress Disorder (“PTSD”) and Reactive Attachment Disorder
(“RAD"). RAD is caused by pervasive neglect of basic physical
needs and lack of comfort, stimulation, and interaction.
24. At the onset of the CHINS case, [G.F.] hoarded food and ate
so fast that he would choke. [G.F.] began counseling to help
control his behavior and deal with his issues. [G.F.] has
progressed in therapy and these issues have improved in foster
care. However, [G.F.] is likely to need extensive support to be
successful in life and his physical and mental health issues will
require vigilance and effort from his caregivers. [S.S.] does not
have the same level of need.
25. The [C]hildren are thriving and making improvements while
in foster care.
Appellant’s App. at 21.
[22] The juvenile court concluded that there was a reasonable probability that the
reasons for placement outside the home would not be remedied, the
continuation of the parent-child relationship posed a threat to the well-being of
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G.F. and S.S., and it was in the best interest of G.F. and S.S. to terminate the
relationship. Father now appeals.
Discussion and Decision
[23] As our Supreme Court has recently reiterated, “Decisions to terminate parental
rights are among the most difficult our trial courts are called upon to make.
They are also among the most fact-sensitive—so we review them with great
deference to the trial courts[.]” In re E.M., 4 N.E.3d 636, 640 (Ind. 2014).
While the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution protects
the traditional right of a parent to establish a home and raise her child, and thus
parental rights are of a constitutional dimension, the law allows for the
termination of those rights when a parent is unable or unwilling to meet her
responsibility as a parent. Bester v. Lake Cnty. Office of Family & Children, 839
N.E.2d 143, 145 (Ind. 2005); In re T.F., 743 N.E.2d 766, 773 (Ind. Ct. App.
2001), trans. denied. That is, parental rights are not absolute and must be
subordinated to the child’s interests in determining the appropriate disposition
of a petition to terminate the parent-child relationship. Id.[24] When reviewing a termination of parental rights case, we will not reweigh the
evidence or judge the credibility of the witnesses. In re H.L., 915 N.E.2d 145,
149 (Ind. Ct. App. 2009). Instead, we consider only the evidence and
reasonable inferences that are most favorable to the judgment. Id. Moreover,
in deference to the trial court’s unique position to assess the evidence, we will
set aside the court’s judgment terminating a parent-child relationship only if it is
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clearly erroneous. Id. at 148-49. A finding of fact is clearly erroneous when
there are no facts or inferences drawn therefrom to support it. In re S.P.H., 806
N.E.2d 874, 879 (Ind. Ct. App. 2004). 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.[25] Here, in terminating Father’s parental rights to Children, the juvenile court
entered specific findings and conclusions. When a trial court’s judgment
contains specific findings of fact and conclusions thereon, we apply a two-tiered
standard of review. In re B.J., 879 N.E.2d 7, 14 (Ind. Ct. App. 2008), trans.
denied. First, we determine whether the evidence supports the findings, and
second, we determine whether the findings support the judgment. Id. A
finding is clearly erroneous only when the record contains no facts or inferences
drawn therefrom that support it. Id. If the evidence and inferences support the
trial court’s decision, we must affirm. A.D.S. v. Ind. Dep’t of Child Servs., 987
N.E.2d 1150, 1156 (Ind. Ct. App. 2013), trans. denied.
[26] Before an involuntary termination of parental rights may occur, the State is
required to allege and prove, among other things:
(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 reasons for placement
outside the home of the parents will not be remedied.
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(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). The State’s burden of proof for establishing these
allegations in termination cases “is one of ‘clear and convincing evidence.’” In
re H.L., 915 N.E.2d at 149. Moreover, if the court finds that the allegations in a
petition described in section 4 of this chapter are true, the court shall terminate
the parent-child relationship. Ind. Code § 31-35-2-8(a) (emphasis added).
[27] Father argues that DCS failed to prove the required elements for termination by
sufficient evidence. Specifically, he contends that DCS failed to present
sufficient evidence that the conditions that resulted in Children being removed
or the reasons for their placement outside the home would not be remedied.
Father also argues that DCS failed to present sufficient evidence that the
continuation of the parent-child relationship posed a threat to Children’s well-
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being,6 and he contends that DCS failed to prove that termination was in
Children’s best interest.
Remediation of Conditions
[28] In determining whether there is a reasonable probability that the conditions that
led to a child’s removal and continued placement outside the home would be
remedied, we engage in a two-step analysis. K.T.K. v. Ind. Dep’t of Child Servs.,
989 N.E.2d 1225, 1231 (Ind. 2013). First, we must ascertain what conditions
led to the child’s placement and retention in foster care, and, second, we
determine whether there is a reasonable probability that those conditions will
not be remedied. Id. In the second step, the trial court must judge a parent’s
fitness at the time of the termination proceeding, taking into consideration
evidence of changed conditions and balancing a parent’s recent improvements
against “‘habitual pattern[s] of conduct to determine whether there is a
substantial probability of future neglect or deprivation.’” In re E.M., 4 N.E.3d at
643 (quoting K.T.K., 989 N.E.2d at 1231). Pursuant to this rule, “trial courts
have properly considered evidence of a parent’s prior criminal history, drug and
alcohol abuse, history of neglect, failure to provide support, and lack of
adequate housing and employment.” A.F. v. Marion Cnty. Office of Family &
Children, 762 N.E.2d 1244, 1251 (Ind. Ct. App. 2002), trans. denied. In addition,
6
Father does not contend that DCS failed to prove that there was a satisfactory permanency plan in place for
Children. Accordingly, he has waived any challenge to that element of the termination statute. Ind.
Appellate Rule 46(A)(8)(a).
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DCS need not provide evidence ruling out all possibilities of change; rather, it
need establish only that there is a reasonable probability the parent’s behavior
will not change. In re Kay L., 867 N.E.2d 236, 242 (Ind. Ct. App. 2007). “We
entrust that delicate balance to the trial court, which has discretion to weigh a
parent’s prior history more heavily than efforts made only shortly before
termination.” In re E.M., 4 N.E.3d at 643. Although trial courts are required to
give due regard to changed conditions, this does not preclude them from finding
that a parent’s past behavior is the best predictor of their future behavior. Id.
[29] We note that, in claiming that the evidence was insufficient to support the
juvenile court’s order terminating his parental rights, Father does not challenge
the sufficiency of the evidence to support any of the juvenile court’s findings.
As a result, Father has waived any argument relating to whether these
unchallenged findings are clearly erroneous. See In re B.R., 875 N.E.2d 369, 373
(Ind. Ct. App. 2007) (providing that failure to challenge findings resulted in
waiver of argument that findings were clearly erroneous), trans. denied. We will
therefore limit our review to whether these unchallenged findings are sufficient
to support the juvenile court’s conclusion that the conditions that led to the
Children’s removal from and continued placement outside Father’s care would
not be remedied.
[30] Here, in October 2013, DCS received a report that Mother left both S.S. and
G.F., who was visiting Mother at the time, in an individual’s care who was
using Spice, and around that same time, S.S.’s hair follicle test returned as
positive for methamphetamine. Although DCS did not remove Children at that
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time, it directed Mother to seek medical attention for S.S., which she failed to
do. In February 2014, again while G.F. was visiting Mother, Mother tested
positive for Spice, and DCS removed Children from her care. By that time, the
juvenile court already had warned Father to be vigilant in leaving G.F. in
Mother’s care. The Children were ultimately placed together with a foster
family. Initially, G.F. exhibited defiant behaviors, and he did not use words or
sentences to speak. Eventually, G.F. received assessments and was diagnosed
with RAD, which results from prior pervasive lack of physical and emotional
care, and PTSD, resulting from some prior trauma(s). Father suggests that “the
evidence indicates that it was caused by Mother’s neglect[.]” Appellant’s App. 9.
We acknowledge that, while visiting with Mother, Children were exposed to
drugs and inadequate supervision; however, it is undisputed that Father was
G.F.’s primary caregiver from in or around May 2012, when Mother and
Father ended their relationship, until he was removed from Mother’s care in
February 2014. In addition to those mental health and developmental issues,
G.F. has a heart condition and a genetic syndrome, which will require extra
medical care for life.
[31] Although he was ordered to “obey the law,” Father was arrested during the
CHINS proceeding for burglary. DCS Ex. 1 at 55. As the trial court observed,
Father had “a history of criminal activity, substance abuse, and instability.”
Appellant’s App. at 21. He was convicted of at least ten criminal offenses since
2008, including those of a violent nature, such as battery and domestic battery,
as well as some precipitated by substance abuse. He was incarcerated for the
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burglary in February 2015, with his scheduled release date in August 2017,
possibly shortened by, at most, six months. Although Father was sometimes
employed, DCS remained concerned about his priorities and ability to handle a
budget, as the water in his home was turned off for several months. DCS also
noted that Father’s inability to drive (due to repeated DUI convictions) affected
his ability to get himself to work.
[32] Father had not ever had S.S. in his sole care, and he did not exercise visitation
with Children at all from May 13, 2014 until January 9, 2015. A home study
was completed of Father’s home, but placement with him was not
recommended due to the condition of his home, his criminal history, and
instability. The conditions of Father’s home were never improved enough to
allow for placement of the Children there. Children were removed from
Mother’s care and never returned to either her care or Father’s care during the
course of the proceedings. Children’s continued placement outside of Father’s
care was due, at least in part, to his continuing incarceration, which rendered
him incapable of providing Children with food, clothing, shelter, and other
basic life necessities. At the time of the April 2015 termination hearing, these
conditions had not been remedied. FCM Ranalli-Gramelspacher testified that
in her opinion there was not a reasonable probability that the problems that led
to removal would be remedied.
[33] Father concedes that he made “the mistake of committing a burglary during this
case,” but urges that he also successfully completed substance abuse treatment,
found a job, and had family support. Appellant’s Br. at 8, 12. He maintains that
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he has demonstrated the willingness and ability to improve his situation and “is
prepared to care for his children when he is out of the Illinois Department of
Correction in 2017.” Id. However, as Indiana courts have recognized,
“Individuals who pursue criminal activity run the risk of being denied the
opportunity to develop positive and meaningful relationships with their
children.” K.T.K., 989 N.E.2d at 1235-36; C.T. v. Marion County DCS, 896
N.E.2d 571, 585 (Ind. Ct. App. 2008), trans. denied. Furthermore, as we
previously stated in another case involving an incarcerated parent, “[e]ven
assuming that [father] will eventually develop into a suitable parent, we must
ask how much longer [the child] should have to wait to enjoy the permanency
that is essential to her development and overall well-being.” Castro v. State Office
of Family & Children, 842 N.E.2d 367, 375 (Ind. Ct. App. 2006) (concluding that
trial court did not commit clear error in finding conditions leading to child’s
removal from father would not be remedied where father, who had been
incarcerated throughout CHINS and termination proceedings, was not
expected to be released until after termination hearing), trans. denied.
[34] Based on the evidence presented, we cannot say that the juvenile court clearly
erred in concluding that there is a reasonable probability that the conditions that
resulted in Children’s placement outside the home will not be remedied.
Threat to Well-Being
[35] Father also contends that DCS failed to prove by clear and convincing evidence
that there was a reasonable probability that the continuation of the parent-child
relationship posed a threat to the well-being of Children. However, we need
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not address such argument. Indiana Code section 31-35-2-4(b)(2)(B) is written
such that, to properly effectuate the termination of parental rights, the juvenile
court need only find that one of the three requirements of subsection (b)(2)(B)
has been established by clear and convincing evidence. A.D.S., 987 N.E.2d at
1156. Therefore, as we have already determined that sufficient evidence
supported the conclusion that the conditions that resulted in the removal of
Children would not be remedied, it is not necessary for us to address any
argument as to whether sufficient evidence supported the conclusion that the
continuation of the parent-child relationship posed a threat to the well-being of
Children.
Best Interests
[36] Father next argues that insufficient evidence was presented to prove that
termination is in the best interests of the Children. In determining what is in
the best interests of the child, the trial court is required to look at the totality of
the evidence. In re A.K., 924 N.E.2d 212, 224 (Ind. Ct. App. 2010) (citing In re
D.D., 804 N.E.2d 258, 267 (Ind. Ct. App. 2004), trans. denied), trans. dismissed.
In doing so, the trial court must subordinate the interests of the parents to those
of the child involved. Id. Termination of a parent-child relationship is proper
where the child’s emotional and physical development is threatened. Id. (citing
In re R.S., 774 N.E.2d 927, 930 (Ind. Ct. App. 2002), trans. denied). The trial
court need not wait until the child is irreversibly harmed such that his or her
physical, mental, and social development is permanently impaired before
terminating the parent-child relationship. Id. Additionally, a child’s need for
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permanency is an important consideration in determining the best interests of a
child, and the testimony of the service providers may support a finding that
termination is in the child’s best interests. Id. (citing McBride v. Monroe Cnty.
Office of Family & Children, 798 N.E.2d 185, 203 (Ind. Ct. App. 2003)).
[37] Father asserts that he had a close bond with G.F., and because he did not know
that S.S. was his daughter until well into the CHINS proceedings, he “never
had a chance to bond with S.S.,” but desires to. Appellant’s Br. at 18. He
maintains that, while he “still has work to do,” his demonstrated work with
Lifeline and HRC “has helped prepare him” to care for Children, arguing, “[I]t
is not best for the [C]hildren to sever all ties to [Father.]” Id. at 19. Although
we appreciate his desire, his argument presents a request for us to reweigh the
evidence, which we cannot do. In re H.L., 915 N.E.2d at 149.
[38] As discussed above, while G.F. was visiting with Mother in Indiana, DCS was
notified that she had left the Children in the care of an individual who was
using Spice. Shortly thereafter, S.S. tested positive for methamphetamine in her
system, which Mother could not explain. Father was advised to be careful
about leaving G.F. in her care, but on another occasion in February 2014, when
G.F. was in Mother’s care, she tested positive for Spice, and Children were
removed. They were never returned to her care, or Father’s. His home was
found to be not suitable, and at times it was without water for several months.
He did find employment for some months, but committed burglary during the
CHINS proceedings and was incarcerated in February 2015. He did not
exercise visitation with the Children from May 2014 to January 2015. Other
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than some supervised visits with S.S., Father has not had her in his care.
[39] According to FCM Ranalli-Gramelspacher and Mother, Children are
improving and thriving in the care of the foster family. They had routines and
appeared comfortable there. Therapist Montgomery testified about the causes
and effects of RAD and PTSD, and the necessary required ongoing treatment
for those conditions. She observed that the foster family was committed and
doing well in consistently implementing strategies and techniques to help G.F.
feel safe with caregivers and go to them for comfort or care. Mother testified
that Children “are happy where they’re at” and that the foster family is a stable
and safe placement. Tr. at 112. FCM Ranalli-Gramelspacher testified that she
believed that termination of Father’s parental rights was in the Children’s best
interest. Looking at the totality of the evidence, we conclude that sufficient
evidence was presented to prove that termination was in the best interest of the
Children.
[40] We will reverse a termination of parental rights only upon a showing of “clear
error” – that which leaves us with a definite and firm conviction that a mistake
has been made. In re A.N.J., 690 N.E.2d 716, 722 (Ind. Ct. App. 1997). Based
on the record before us, we cannot say that the juvenile court’s termination of
Father’s parental rights to Children was clearly erroneous. We, therefore,
affirm the juvenile court’s judgment.
[41] Affirmed.
[42] Riley, J., and Pyle, J., concur.
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