L.B. v. M.B. (mem. dec.) ( 2019 )

MEMORANDUM DECISION
Pursuant to Ind. Appellate Rule 65(D),
this Memorandum Decision shall not be FILED
regarded as precedent or cited before any Nov 27 2019, 10:15 am
court except for the purpose of establishing CLERK
Indiana Supreme Court
the defense of res judicata, collateral Court of Appeals
and Tax Court
estoppel, or the law of the case.
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE
Andrea L. Ciobanu Lauren E. Harpold
Ciobanu Law, P.C. Lainie A. Hurwitz
Indianapolis, Indiana Ruppert & Schaefer, P.C.
Indianapolis, Indiana
IN THE
COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA
L.B., November 27, 2019
Appellant-Respondent, Court of Appeals Case No.
19A-DC-993
v. Appeal from the Hamilton
Superior Court
M.B., The Honorable Jonathan M.
Appellee-Petitioner Brown, Judge
Trial Court Cause No.
29D02-1706-DC-5218
Crone, Judge.
Case Summary
[1] L.B. (“Mother”) appeals the trial court’s findings of fact, conclusions thereon,
and order (“the Order”), granting M.B. (“Father”) sole legal custody for
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medical decisions regarding their minor children, An.B., W.B., and As.B. (“the
Children”) and ordering that the Children be vaccinated according to the
recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics (“AAP”). Mother
asserts that the trial court abused its discretion in excluding one of her expert
witnesses and committed clear error in granting Father sole legal custody as to
medical decisions and ordering that the Children be vaccinated. We conclude
that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in excluding one of Mother’s
expert witnesses and that the trial court’s decision to grant Father sole legal
custody as to medical decisions is not clearly erroneous. Further, given that
Father wants the Children to receive vaccinations, any error in the trial court’s
order that the Children be vaccinated is harmless. Accordingly, we affirm.
Facts and Procedural History
[2] The undisputed findings of fact and the evidence most favorable to the trial
court’s judgment show that Mother and Father were married in August 2002.
An.B. was born in July 2006, W.B. was born in August 2008, and As.B. was
born in January 2015. All three Children have health issues. An.B. has a
history of food allergies, W.B. is diagnosed with Down’s Syndrome, and As.B.
was born without a thyroid and with a congenital heart defect. Appealed Order
at 3. As.B. requires the care of many specialists including an endocrinologist,
pulmonologist, cardiologist, and a cranial facial team. Dr. Kristen Gollnick is
the Children’s pediatrician. Dr. Damir Matesic is An.B.’s allergist. Dr. Zeina
Nabhan is W.B.’s and As.B.’s pediatric endocrinologist. Dr. Catherine Rupp is
a medical doctor who provided uninsured alternative allergy treatments to
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An.B. starting in September 2016 and became involved in the Children’s
thyroid care in October 2016. Dr. Rupp is not an endocrinologist. Dr. Casey
Delcoco (formerly Reising) is a medical doctor Mother selected during the
pendency of the case to oversee As.B.’s and W.B.’s thyroid care and
simultaneously serve as the Children’s primary care provider with Dr. Gollnick.
Dr. Delcoco is not an endocrinologist.
[3] Until 2015 or 2016, the Children received scheduled vaccinations pursuant to
the AAP. None of the Children experienced negative reactions due to the
vaccinations they received. Id. at 61. However, Mother decided that she no
longer wanted the Children to be vaccinated and began seeking various
alternative medications and therapies. Mother sought and received a vaccine
medical exemption for the Children from Dr. Rupp. Father wants the Children
to continue to be vaccinated and disagrees with the general direction Mother
has taken regarding the Children’s healthcare.
[4] On June 5, 2017, Father filed a petition to dissolve the parties’ marriage. On
August 30, 2017, the trial court approved the parties’ agreed provisional order,
in which Mother and Father agreed to share legal and physical custody of the
Children except as to their medical care and to undergo a custodial evaluation
with Dr. Linda McIntire. Appellant’s App. Vol. 2 at 22. They also agreed that
they had “differing and substantial views regarding the medical and health
needs” of the Children and that they would maintain the status quo regarding
the Children’s medical care until the final hearing. Id. On March 2, 2018, Dr.
McIntire filed her custody evaluation with the trial court.
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[5] On April 24, 2018, Father filed a motion to enforce the agreed provisional
order, alleging that Dr. McIntire had recommended counseling for An.B. and
had provided a list of doctoral-level psychologists, but the parties had been
unable to agree to a therapist for An.B. Id. at 89. Father stated that he wished
to use a provider recommended by Dr. McIntire and requested the court to
select a therapist. Mother filed a response. Following a hearing, on June 22,
2018, the trial court issued an order appointing a therapist for An.B. Id. at 103.
[6] On July 13, 2018, Father filed a verified petition for rule to show cause, alleging
that Mother had selected a new primary care provider, Dr. Delcoco, for the
Children without his knowledge or consent and that Mother had not listed
Father as an authorized party to receive the Children’s medical information in
violation of the agreed provisional order. Mother filed a response. After a
hearing on August 8, 2018, the trial court found Mother in contempt of the
agreed provisional order for failing to notify Father of appointments she made
with Dr. Delcoco and for changing the Children’s primary care provider
without Father’s consent. Id. at 115. The trial court ordered that Dr. Gollnick
remain the Children’s primary care provider. Id.
[7] In August 2018, the parties each filed a final witness and exhibit list. Father
filed a motion to exclude the testimony of three of Mother’s listed expert
witnesses: Dr. Alvin Moss, Dr. Rupp, and Dr. Delcoco. Mother filed a
response. Following a hearing, on September 21, 2018, the trial court entered
an order granting Father’s motion in part and excluding Dr. Moss as a witness
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on the basis that his testimony was irrelevant to the issues before the court. Id.
at 139.
[8] On September 25, 2018, the trial court approved the parties’ partial final
agreement, which provided that the parties agreed to joint physical custody of
the Children and joint legal custody on education and religious issues. Id. at
140. In addition, the partial final agreement required that Mother and Father
agree to a reunification therapist to repair the relationship between Father and
An.B. Id. at 141. On November 6, 2018, Father filed a petition to enforce the
partial final agreement, alleging that Mother had failed to respond to his
attempts to communicate with her to select a reunification therapist. Id. at 152.
At a later hearing, Mother and Father agreed to the selection of a therapist.
[9] On November 29, 2018, the trial court entered a partial decree for dissolution of
marriage, which granted Father’s petition for dissolution of the marriage and
incorporated the partial final agreement. Id. at 162-63. The partial decree for
dissolution awarded Mother and Father joint physical custody of the Children
and joint legal custody on education and religious issues and declared that the
only remaining issue for the court to decide was the issue of legal custody as to
medical decisions for the Children.
[10] On September 25 and 26, November 8 and 15, and December 6, 2018, the trial
court heard evidence on the issues of legal custody as to medical decisions and
whether the Children should receive vaccinations. Mother and Father each
sought sole legal custody of medical decisions regarding the Children. Tr. Vol.
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4 at 120; Tr. Vol. 6 at 237-38. Drs. McIntire, Gollnick, Rupp, and Delcoco
testified. Dr. McIntire testified that in her opinion, Father should be granted
sole legal custody for the Children’s medical care. Dr. Gollnick testified that it
was her recommendation that the Children be vaccinated in accordance with
the guidelines established by the AAP and the Centers for Disease Control
(“CDC”). In addition, Dr. Gollnick testified that due to As.B.’s minor heart
defect, As.B. was at a higher risk for some of the diseases the vaccinations
protect against.
[11] Dr. Rupp testified regarding her reasons for executing vaccine medical
exemptions for the Children, but she also testified that her basis for signing the
exemptions is inconsistent with the AAP guidelines and that the Children’s
medical history does not exempt the Children from immunizations required by
the guidelines set forth by the AAP and the CDC. Dr. Delcoco testified that
she had only seen the Children for two appointments and she agreed with Dr.
Rupp’s recommendation that the Children be medically exempt from
vaccinations and explained the reasons for her agreement.
[12] The parties requested findings of facts and conclusions thereon.1 Mother and
Father each filed proposed findings and conclusions. On April 17, 2019, the
trial court issued a sixty-nine-page Order granting Father sole legal custody as
1
Although Father states that he requested findings of facts and conclusions thereon, the chronological case
summary indicates that Mother filed a motion for findings and conclusions on August 31, 2018. Appellant’s
App. Vol. 2 at 8.
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to the Children’s medical decisions and ordering that the Children be
vaccinated in accordance with the schedules set forth by the AAP or otherwise
suggested by Dr. Gollnick or Dr. Stephanie Bergstein in the event that Dr.
Gollnick is unavailable. The Order provides in relevant part as follows:
19. The record reflects that both parents are very knowledgeable
concerning the medical care and needs of their children;
….
33. The parties disagree concerning the overall health care
necessary for the children, including which medical providers to
use or how many medical providers are necessary; whether to
utilize alternative and holistic medical treatments; whether to
follow recommendations of providers; whether to use out of
network and uninsured providers, treatments and interventions;
what type of thyroid medication should be used for [As.B.] and
[W.B.]; whether over the counter pain medication should be
administered; and the children’s diet and use of toothpaste
without fluoride;
….
43. Dr. Rupp’s medical exemption suggests [An.B.] has had
several anaphylactic reactions (none due to vaccinations).
However, per the testimony of both parents, [An.B.] has only
had two reactions when she accidentally ate food containing egg
in her younger years and vomited as a result;
….
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105. Dr. Catherine Rupp maintains Rupp Hollistic Health and
Integrative Medicine. From her testimony and her website, Dr.
Rupp is a MD, who maintains a medical practice using
alternatives to western medicine and a holistic medical practice.
Dr. Catherine Rupp is no longer Board Certified in Pediatrics nor
Internal Medicine and she testified she does not follow the
guidelines set forth by the [AAP];
106. Mother’s decision to obtain a vaccine medical exemption
was not at the initiation of any of the children’s medical
providers. ….
….
CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
….
24. Mother and Father both believe they are fit and suitable to
make medical legal custody decisions concerning the minor
children, but it is apparent from the record that the parties are
currently struggling to communicate effectively regarding the
minor children. It does not appear they currently have the ability
to work together for the best interests of their children at this
time;
….
26. Evidence was presented whereby Mother and Father
communicated effectively with these decisions until the past three
to four years, for which their disagreements as to the medical
care for the children drove a wedge into their marriage which
culminated in the instant cause of action;
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27. The parties generally agree on the medical issues that
concern their children, but the issue of vaccinations and thyroid
medication for the minor children form the bulk of the divide for
the parties;
….
30. Given these differing views, the parents are unable to
cooperate to advance the children’s welfare with respect to health
care. Mother often seeks alternative and holistic treatments, some
of which can be expensive and unnecessary. The record
demonstrates that Mother tends to seek out providers to endorse
her medical views or a treatment she thinks the children need.
On the other hand, Father seeks to follow the recommendations
of the children’s on-going primary care doctor and specialists.
Father objects to Mother’s desire to use alternative and non-
conventional therapies, medications and doctors. While Mother
may be an outstanding advocate for her children’s healthcare
needs, it is not readily apparent whether that has netted better
results or whether she is exposing her children to increased health
risks;
….
35. The record is clear that Mother has kept Father generally
informed concerning the children’s medical care, but there have
been some situations the Court finds concerning with regards to
Dr. Delcoco and Dr. Rupp. As a result, this Court questions
whether Mother will be forthright with providing information to
Father if she were granted sole legal custody for medical
decisions regarding the minor children;
….
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42. All three of the children have received some of their
recommended vaccinations;
43. No evidence was presented that the children have had any
negative reaction to any vaccine they have been given;
44. Though the Court has considered joint legal custody
regarding medical decisions for the parties in this case, the court
questions the fitness and suitability of Mother to maintain joint
legal custody for medical decisions in light of the core disputes of
the parties;
….
46. The Court reasonably fears that if either party has sole
decision[-]making as to legal custody for medical issues, that
party will not consider any input from the other parent, however,
the parties were clear that neither believed joint legal custody
would be appropriate for this case;
….
48. As the parties spent a majority of the marriage utilizing
vaccines for their children, and as the parties now disagree on
whether [to] vaccinate the children, the Court will order that all
three children be vaccinated in accordance with the prescribed
schedule as set forth by the [AAP];
….
53. …. Mother went behind Father’s back to establish a new
primary care and thyroid care provider with Dr. Delcoco for the
children during the pendency of this case, when all eyes were
watching. Mother failed to put the initial appointment on the
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family calendar, and added [As.B.’s] thyroid appointment on the
family calendar less than 24 hours before [she] was scheduled to
be seen. Per Dr. Delcoco’s testimony, it takes months to get into
her office, and thus Mother could have easily put these
appointments on the family calendar, and for reasons unknown
to the Court, chose not to do so. Mother did not offer Father any
specific information about Dr. Delcoco when asked;[ 2]
….
57. Father has demonstrated a history of cooperating with
Mother, and it is clear from the record he follows the
recommendations of the children’s health care providers;
58. Father has demonstrated a pattern of being cooperative and
compromising with Mother, even if he does not agree with a
decision Mother wants to make, and he has relied on Mother’s
judgment for most medical decisions regarding the children;
59. Mother has not demonstrated a pattern of being fully
cooperative and compromising with Father, but seems rather
inflexible in her decision[-]making process. While having an
opinion and standing one’s ground are important, it doesn’t
necessarily work well in a co-parenting environment;
60. Mother has demonstrated she frequently makes unilateral
medical and/or health care decisions concerning the girls,
2
Conclusion 53 also stated, “Mother was not compliant with this court’s preliminary orders regarding legal
custody.” Appealed Order at 63. In her reply brief, Mother argues that the trial court’s determination that
she was in contempt for failing to abide by the parties’ agreed provisional order was improper because the
order was issued on August 30, 2017, and the medical appointment in question occurred on August 28, 2017.
Appellant’s Reply Brief at 7-8. Even if the agreed provisional order was issued after the appointment was
made and Mother was not technically in contempt of the agreed provisional order, Mother does not dispute
any other part of Conclusion 53.
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knowing they are contrary to Father’s wishes and sometimes
against conventional norms. If the children were just Mother’s,
this Court would not be a barrier to Mother’s wishes. However,
there are two parents in this family and decision-making for
healthcare in this family is going to be rebalanced;
61. Mother has demonstrated she has shut Father out of major
medical decisions, even during the pendency of this case, by
trying to go behind his back to establish a new primary care
provider and endocrinologist for the girls; unilaterally changing
their thyroid medications; and failing to compromise on the
vaccination of the children, even when Father was agreeable to a
slower vaccination schedule;
62. Mother asserts Father does not have in-depth knowledge or
recollection of the children’s medical history, and this is not
supported by the record. To the contrary, despite Mother being
the stay at home parent and primarily charged with the
responsibilities of getting the children to their doctor
appointments, Father is familiar with the children’s medical care;
….
65. If both parents were granted legal custody, based on the
history of this case, and the evidence before this court, it is
anticipated the parties will reach an impasse on important and
fundamental medical decisions relating to their children, and this
Court will undoubtedly be required to intervene to resolve their
on-going disputes. This court has already had to intervene three
times concerning disagreements over the medical care of the
children;
….
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68. Mother has not been honest about the children’s medical
issues/history, and the Court is concerned she will continue to
slant the truth in order to obtain medical care for the children
which she believes is appropriate, even though inconsistent with
the recommendation of doctors. For example, Mother reported
to [An.B.’s] allergist (Dr. Matesic) that it was Dr. Gollnick who
had concerns regarding [An.B.] taking the MMR vaccine.
However, Dr. Gollnick testified she never gave Mother any
reason to believe the vaccinations needed to be slowed down for
any of the children, and continued to ask Mother at every doctor
visit to schedule more shots even if Mother refused. Further, Dr.
Gollnick testified it was Mother who controlled the schedules of
the shots, and not Dr. Gollnick;
69. The Court questions Mother’s candor. Mother was not
truthful during her deposition regarding her knowledge that Dr.
Gollnick had in fact declined to sign a vaccine medical
exemption for the children. Mother testified during her
deposition she would be speculating about Dr. Gollnick’s
opinion concerning the vaccine medical exemptions when in fact
Mother already knew Dr. Gollnick had indeed declined to sign
the exemption for specific reasons;
….
71. [The] Court does not find Dr. Rupp’s certification of the girls’
medical waivers legitimate. Dr. Rupp did not administer any test
to support her basis for the waiver, even though testing was
available to her, and did not confirm the family history with
Father, who she knew did not support a medical waiver
exempting the children from vaccinations. Dr. Rupp could have
easily performed such tests and confirmed the family history with
Father. Most significantly, none of the children have experienced
a negative reaction to vaccinations, and none of the medical
records reflect a concern that the children have or will experience
a reaction to a vaccination. Dr. Rupp simply believes the
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children could experience a reaction, but also believes any person
is susceptible to a negative reaction to any treatment. Perhaps
this explains Dr. Rupp’s focus on natural and holistic medicine,
and the decision to maintain a medical practice that sometimes
prescribes treatments that are contrary to the guidelines of the
[AAP] and the [CDC]. None of Dr. Rupp’s fees are covered by
insurance;
72. This Court finds the testimony of Dr. Gollnick most reliable,
given she has been the children’s treating physician for the
longest period of time and thus has a comprehensive
understanding of their health care needs. She follows the
standard of care and guidelines set forth by the [AAP], [CDC],
and the Indiana State Department of Health, and both parties
continue to trust her judgment and desire for her to continue as
the children’s primary care provider. Dr. Gollnick is an approved
provider under the children’s health insurance plan;
73. This Court makes no determination regarding the medical
efficacy of vaccinations, their effectiveness, or their risks. This
Court has determined the children will be vaccinated based upon
the desire of one of their parents, and as such, the Court orders
the children to be vaccinated; and
74. As such, at this time THE COURT AWARDS Father sole
legal custody for medical decisions regarding the minor children.
Appealed Order at 7, 9-10, 13, 23, 52, 58-69 (underlining in original changed to
italics). This appeal ensued.
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Discussion and Decision
Section 1 – The trial court did not abuse its discretion in
excluding Mother’s expert witness.
[13] Mother challenges the trial court’s exclusion of her expert witness, Dr. Moss.
The trial court is the gatekeeper for the admissibility of expert opinion under
Indiana Evidence Rule 702, which provides,
(a) If scientific, technical, or other specialized knowledge will
assist the trier of fact to understand the evidence or to determine
a fact in issue, a witness qualified as an expert by knowledge,
skill, experience, training, or education, may testify thereto in the
form of an opinion or otherwise.
(b) Expert scientific testimony is admissible only if the court is
satisfied that the scientific principles upon which the expert
testimony rests are reliable.
[14] “A trial court’s determination regarding the admissibility of expert testimony
under Rule 702 is a matter within its broad discretion and will be reversed only
for abuse of that discretion.” Person v. Shipley, 962 N.E.2d 1192, 1194 (Ind.
2012) (quoting TRW Vehicle Safety Sys., Inc. v. Moore, 936 N.E.2d 201, 216 (Ind.
2010)). “We presume that the trial court’s decision is correct, and the burden is
on the party challenging the decision to persuade us that the trial court has
abused its discretion.” Id.
[15] At the hearing on Father’s motion to exclude, the trial court explained its
reasoning for excluding Dr. Moss as follows:
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[A]s Dr. Moss hasn’t treated the [Children], all Dr. Moss can do
is offer this court an opinion on the efficacy of vaccinations. And
as Dr. Moss has not treated any of these [C]hildren, I don’t know
how Dr. Moss could provide any greater assistance to this Court,
than the other doctors that are expected to testify, that have
actually treated the [C]hildren with regards to their health, their
physical health, and their issues with regard to vaccines.
Tr. Vol. 2 at 156.
[16] Mother contends that Dr. Moss’s expertise is relevant because the vaccination
issue was a “battle of the experts of whether the [C]hildren should be medically
exempt from vaccinations,” and “by calling the medical exemptions ‘not
legitimate’ the trial court has implicitly conceded [that] experts regarding
medical exemptions are certainly relevant to a determination in this case.”
Appellant’s Br. at 24. Mother was permitted to call two expert witnesses, Dr.
Rupp and Dr. Delcoco, both of whom were medical doctors who had seen the
Children and who offered testimony specifically about the Children’s health
issues and whether vaccination was medically indicated for each of them. They
testified that in their opinions, the Children should not be vaccinated and
explained the basis for their opinions. Dr. Moss apparently had not seen or
treated the Children. The trial court reasonably concluded that Dr. Moss
would have nothing to add to Dr. Rupp’s and Dr. Delcoco’s testimony.
Although Mother claims that Dr. Moss’s testimony was relevant, all we can
glean from her briefs is that he was going to be Mother’s expert regarding
“vaccinations” and was going to testify “regarding the safety and efficacy of
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vaccinations.” Id. at 21, 24. Accordingly, we cannot say that the trial court
abused its discretion in excluding Dr. Moss’s testimony.
Section 2 – The trial court’s decision to grant Father sole legal
custody for medical decisions regarding the Children is not
clearly erroneous.
[17] Mother argues that the trial court erred in granting Father sole legal custody for
medical decisions regarding the Children. We observe that this Court accords
great deference to trial courts in family law matters:
Appellate deference to the determinations of our trial court
judges, especially in domestic relations matters, is warranted
because of their unique, direct interactions with the parties face-
to-face, often over an extended period of time. Thus enabled to
assess credibility and character through both factual testimony
and intuitive discernment, our trial judges are in a superior
position to ascertain information and apply common sense,
particularly in the determination of the best interests of the
involved children.
Best v. Best, 941 N.E.2d 499, 502 (Ind. 2011).
[18] Here, the trial court entered findings of fact and conclusions thereon at the
parties’ request. Our standard of review is well established:
Where the trial court has entered special findings of fact and
conclusions thereon, our court will “not set aside the findings or
judgment unless clearly erroneous, and due regard shall be given
to the opportunity of the trial court to judge the credibility of the
witnesses.” Ind. Trial Rule 52(A). Under our … two-tiered
standard of review, we must determine whether the evidence
supports the findings and whether those findings support the
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judgment. We consider the evidence most favorable to the trial
court’s judgment, and we do not reweigh evidence or reassess the
credibility of witnesses. We will find clear error only if the record
does not offer facts or inferences to support the trial court’s
findings or conclusions of law.
B.L. v. J.S., 59 N.E.3d 253, 258-59 (Ind. Ct. App. 2016) (citations and quotation
marks omitted). 3
[19] We note that the Order contains numerous “findings” that are mere recitations
of witness testimony. Findings that merely state that the testimony or evidence
was this or that are not true findings of fact. Maddux v. Maddux, 40 N.E.3d 971,
975 n.4 (Ind. Ct. App. 2015). See also Garriott v. Peters, 878 N.E.2d 4431, 438
(Ind. Ct. App. 2007) (“A court or an administrative agency does not find
something to be a fact by merely reciting that a witness testified to X, Y, or Z.”)
(quoting In re Adoption of T.J.F., 798 N.E.2d 867, 874 (Ind. Ct. App. 2003)),
trans. denied (2008). We treat these findings as “mere surplusage” rather than
harmful error. Perez v. U.S. Steel Corp., 426 N.E.2d 29, 33 (Ind. 1981).
Therefore, we will ignore findings preceded by “testified that” and limit our
review to the Order’s valid factual findings, regardless of whether they are
labeled “findings” or “conclusions.” Further, we accept unchallenged findings
as true. McMaster v. McMaster, 681 N.E.2d 744, 747 (Ind. Ct. App. 1997).
3
In her appellant’s brief, Mother failed to provide the standard of appellate review for such an order as
required by Indiana Appellate Rule 46(A)(8)(b).
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[20] Initial custody determinations are governed by Indiana Code Section 31-17-2-8,
which provides in relevant part,
The court shall determine custody and enter a custody order in
accordance with the best interests of the child. In determining the
best interests of the child, there is no presumption favoring either
parent. The court shall consider all relevant factors, including the
following:
(1) The age and sex of the child.
(2) The wishes of the child’s parent or parents.
(3) The wishes of the child, with more consideration given to
the child’s wishes if the child is at least fourteen (14) years of
age.
(4) The interaction and interrelationship of the child with:
(A) the child’s parent or parents;
(B) the child’s sibling; and
(C) any other person who may significantly affect the
child’s best interests.
(5) The child’s adjustment to the child’s:
(A) home;
(B) school; and
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(C) community.
(6) The mental and physical health of all individuals
involved.
(7) Evidence of a pattern of domestic or family violence by
either parent.
[21] A trial court may award joint legal custody if it finds that joint legal custody is
in the best interests of the child. Ind. Code § 31-17-2-13. Section 31-17-2-15
sets forth the matters a trial court is required to consider in determining whether
joint legal custody is in the best interests of the child:
[T]he court shall consider it a matter of primary, but not
determinative, importance that the persons awarded joint
custody have agreed to an award of joint legal custody. The
court shall also consider:
(1) the fitness and suitability of each of the persons awarded joint
custody;
(2) whether the persons awarded joint custody are willing and
able to communicate and cooperate in advancing the child’s
welfare;
(3) the wishes of the child, with more consideration given to the
child’s wishes if the child is at least fourteen (14) years of age;
(4) whether the child has established a close and beneficial
relationship with both of the persons awarded joint custody;
(5) whether the persons awarded joint custody:
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(A) live in close proximity to each other; and
(B) plan to continue to do so; and
(6) the nature of the physical and emotional environment in the
home of each of the persons awarded joint custody.
[22] Here, Mother asserts that the trial court erred in granting Father sole legal
custody for medical decisions regarding the Children because (1) she and Father
have historically been capable of co-parenting and reaching compromise on
parenting decisions, including medical issues other than those of vaccinations
and thyroid medication, and (2) Father has historically had much less
involvement with the Children’s medical care than Mother. She contends that
there are less extreme measures than granting Father sole legal custody, such as
ordering that the Children be vaccinated and granting the parties joint legal
custody over other medical decisions or granting the parties joint legal custody
and appointing a parenting coordinator to assist the parties in making medical
decisions. Mother did not request these arrangements below, but that alone
would not preclude the trial court from adopting such options as long as the
arrangement was in the Children’s best interests. 4
4
Father argues that Mother did not request anything other than sole legal custody for medical decisions, and
therefore we should reject her argument outright as invited error. To be clear, the trial court is not precluded
from entering a custody arrangement not specifically advanced by either party so long as that custody
arrangement is in the child’s best interests. Richardson v. Richardson, 34 N.E.3d 696, 704 (Ind. Ct. App. 2015).
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-DC-993 | November 27, 2019 Page 21 of 24
[23] Mother attempts to argue that the parties’ disagreement was mainly about
vaccinations, and once that issue was resolved they would be able to cooperate.
However, the trial court found that although vaccination was a major area of
disagreement between the parties, the parties also disagreed as to As.B.’s
thyroid medication, which health providers should treat the Children, and
whether to utilize alternative medical treatments. Significantly, medical
decisions for the Children was the only area in which Mother and Father
declined to agree on joint custody; that is why they sought the court’s
intervention. Whatever degree of cooperation they were able to achieve in the
past, they clearly did not believe they could cooperate on medical issues any
longer, and each sought sole legal custody over those decisions. The trial court
found that Mother and Father “were clear that neither believed joint legal
custody would be appropriate in this case.” Appealed Order at 62. The trial
court also found that Mother seemed inflexible in her decision-making process,
had not shown a pattern of cooperation and compromise with Father, and had
frequently made unilateral health care decisions for the Children, knowing that
those decisions were contrary to Father’s wishes. The trial court found that the
parties had already sought its intervention three times during the pendency of
the case and that if they had equal decision-making authority, many
disagreements over medical decisions would arise, leading to an impasse, and
the trial court would “undoubtedly be required to intervene.” Id. at 66. The
trial court’s findings show that it carefully considered whether any form of joint
legal custody for medical decisions would be workable. As for the possibility of
a parenting coordinator, Mother specifically rejected the appointment of a
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-DC-993 | November 27, 2019 Page 22 of 24
parenting coordinator to assist the parties in making medical decisions for the
Children, explaining that “[i]t would be another pan in the fire.” Tr. Vol. 6 at
164. Accordingly, we conclude that the trial court did not clearly err in
declining to award joint legal custody for medical decisions.
[24] To the extent Mother is arguing that the trial court erred in granting Father,
rather than Mother, sole legal custody for medical decisions, we note that the
trial court found that Father had a history of cooperation and compromise
regarding the Children’s health care. In addition to the above findings
regarding Mother’s lack of cooperation and compromise and unilateral
decision-making, the trial court also made findings regarding Mother’s lack of
honesty and candor. Mother told An.B.’s allergist that Dr. Gollnick had
concerns regarding the administration of the MMR vaccine, but Dr. Gollnick
testified that she always recommended that Mother schedule the Children’s
vaccinations. The trial court also found that Mother testified at her deposition
that she did not know Dr. Gollnick’s opinion regarding vaccine medical
exemptions, when in fact Mother knew that Dr. Gollnick had declined to sign
vaccine medical exemptions for the Children. As to Mother’s assertion that
Father’s involvement with the Children’s medical care was limited and he is not
as knowledgeable as she is regarding the Children’s health care needs, the trial
court considered and rejected those assertions. Although Father, as the parent
who worked to provide financial resources for the family, may not have been as
involved with the Children’s health care as Mother, who was the Children’s
primary caretaker, that in itself does not call into question Father’s ability to
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-DC-993 | November 27, 2019 Page 23 of 24
make health-care decisions in the Children’s best interests going forward. We
conclude that the trial court’s unchallenged findings support its decision to
award Father sole legal custody of medical decisions regarding the Children.
[25] As a final matter, Mother contends that the trial court erred in ordering that the
Children be vaccinated. Because we have determined that the trial court’s
decision to award Father sole legal custody for medical decisions is not clearly
erroneous and Father wants the Children to be vaccinated, any error in the trial
court’s decision to order that the Children be vaccinated is harmless.
[26] Based on the foregoing, we affirm the Order granting Father sole legal custody
for medical decisions regarding the Children.
[27] Affirmed.
Baker, J., and Kirsch, J., concur.
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