In the Matter of the Termination of the Parent-Child Relationship of G.L.: G.W.L., III (Father) v. Ind. Dept. of Child Services ( 2014 )

Pursuant to Ind. Appellate Rule 65(D),
this Memorandum Decision shall not be
regarded as precedent or cited before Nov 10 2014, 9:40 am
any court except for the purpose of
establishing the defense of res judicata,
collateral estoppel, or the law of the case.
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANTS: ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE:
BRIAN J. MAY GREGORY F. ZOELLER
South Bend, Indiana Attorney General of Indiana
ROBERT J. HENKE
DAVID E. COREY
Office of Attorney General
Indianapolis, Indiana
IN THE
COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA
IN THE MATTER OF THE TERMINATION )
OF THE PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP )
OF G.L. (minor child): )
)
G.W.L., III (Father), )
)
Appellant-Respondent, )
)
vs. ) No. 71A03-1404-JT-141
)
THE INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF )
CHILD SERVICES, )
)
Appellee-Petitioner. )
APPEAL FROM THE ST. JOSEPH PROBATE COURT
The Honorable James N. Fox, Judge
Cause No. 71J01-1307-JT-57
November 10, 2014
MEMORANDUM DECISION - NOT FOR PUBLICATION
PYLE, Judge
STATEMENT OF THE CASE
G.W.L., III (“Father”) appeals the involuntary termination of his parental rights to
his child, G.W.L., IV. On appeal, Father claims that the Department of Child Services
(“DCS”) did not establish, by clear and convincing evidence, the elements required to
terminate his parental rights. However, we do not reach the merits of this case because
the probate court’s order in this matter did not sufficiently set out its factual findings.
Accordingly, we remand to the probate court to enter factual findings that conform to the
requirements of the Indiana Trial Rules and precedent from this Court.
We remand.
FACTS
G.W.L., IV was born on September 12, 2011 to Father and B.L. (“Mother”), who
was a ward of the State herself at the time of G.W.L., IV’s birth. Mother lived with
G.W.L., IV in her own apartment as part of an Independent Living Program through
DCS. In June 2012, DCS workers began having concerns about Mother’s apartment.
Specifically, during visits, DCS workers often found dirty diapers, moldy food, cigarette
butts, and on one occasion, broken glass. Father was also visiting Mother at the
apartment even though it was against the rules of the Independent Living Program.
At some point, Mother left the program housing and moved in with Father. The
same unsanitary conditions that existed in Mother’s previous residence reoccurred when
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she moved in with Father. DCS removed the child on November 1, 2013, and filed a
petition alleging that G.W.L., IV was a child in need of services (“CHINS”).
On November 12, 2012, the probate court adjudicated G.W.L., IV as a CHINS and
issued its dispositional order on December 12, 2012. The probate court’s order required
Father to visit his child on a regular basis, complete a psychological parenting evaluation
and follow all recommendations, maintain a safe and stable home environment and a
legal source of income, and participate in family therapy.
On August 19, 2013, DCS filed a petition to terminate Mother and Father’s
parental rights. DCS alleged that the parents would not remedy the conditions that
resulted in the child’s removal from their care or that the continuation of the parent-child
relationship posed a threat to the well-being of the child. DCS also alleged that
termination of the parent-child relationship was in the child’s best interest. Mother
eventually terminated her parental rights voluntarily.
The probate court held an evidentiary hearing on March 27, 2014 and in an order
dated April 9, 2014, the probate court terminated Father’s parental rights. The probate
court concluded that Father would not remedy the conditions that led to the child’s
removal, that the continuation of the parent-child relationship posed a threat to the child’s
well-being, and that a satisfactory plan was in place for G.W.L., IV. The probate court
did not make a specific conclusion regarding G.W.L., IV’s best interests. Father now
appeals.
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DECISION
Although parental rights are of a constitutional dimension, the law allows for
termination of these rights when parties are unable or unwilling to meet their
responsibilities. In re A.N.J., 690 N.E.2d 716, 720 (Ind. Ct. App. 1997). The purpose of
termination of parental rights is not to punish parents but to protect children. In re L.S.,
717 N.E.2d 204, 208 (Ind. Ct. App. 1999), trans. denied, cert. denied.
When DCS seeks to terminate parental rights pursuant to INDIANA CODE § 31-35-
2-4(b)(2), it must plead and prove, in relevant part:
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(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 of the
home of the parents will not be remedied.
(ii) There is a reasonable probability that the continuation of the
parent-child relationship poses a threat to the well-being of the child.
(iii) The child has on two (2) separate occasions, been adjudicated a
child in need of services.
(C) that termination is in the best interests of the child; and
(D) that there is a satisfactory plan for the care and treatment of the child.
Because subsection (b)(2)(B) is written in the disjunctive, DCS need prove only one of
the three elements by clear and convincing evidence. See Bester v. Lake Cnty. Office of
Family and Children, 839 N.E.2d 143, 153 n.5 (Ind. 2005). These allegations must be
established by clear and convincing evidence. I.A., 934 N.E.2d at 1133. If the trial court
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finds the allegations in a petition described in section 4 of this chapter are true, the court
shall terminate the parent-child relationship. I.C. § 31-35-2-8(a).
In reviewing an order terminating parental rights, we will neither reweigh the
evidence nor judge the credibility of witnesses. In re I.A., 934 N.E.2d 1127, 1132 (Ind.
2010). We consider only the evidence most favorable to the judgment. Id. Where the
trial court has entered findings of fact and conclusions thereon, we apply a two-tiered
standard of review. Id. We must determine whether the evidence supports the findings
and then whether the findings support the judgment. Id. We will set aside a judgment
terminating a parent-child relationship only if it is clearly erroneous. Id. A judgment is
clearly erroneous if the findings do not support the conclusions or the conclusions do not
support the judgment. Id. Where, as done here, the court has entered sua sponte
findings, the “[s]ua sponte findings control only as to the issues they cover and a general
judgment will control as to the issues upon which there are no findings.” Yanoff v.
Muncy, 688 N.E.2d 1259, 1262 (Ind. 1997); see also Ind. Trial Rule 52(D).
We do not reach the merits of this case because the probate court’s factual findings
are insufficient and hinder effective appellate review. The probate court’s order is very
similar to the order we remanded in Parks v. Delaware Cnty. Dep’t. of Child Servs, 862
N.E.2d 1275 (Ind. Ct. App. 2007). There, this Court remanded an order terminating
parental rights where the majority of the factual findings were a “mere recitation of
testimony and witness opinions.” Id. at 1279. Regarding the proper entry of findings of
fact, we observed the following:
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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. In other words,
findings which indicate that the testimony or evidence was this or the other
are not findings of fact. Instead, a finding of fact must indicate, not what
someone said is true, but what is determined to be true, for that is the trier
of fact’s duty. The trier of fact must adopt the testimony of the witness
before the “finding” may be considered a finding of fact. Furthermore,
Indiana Trial Rule 52(A) provides that when a trial court enters findings
upon its own motion, it shall find the facts specially and state its
conclusions thereon.
Id. (internal citations and quotation marks omitted) (emphasis added).
Here, the probate court started its order by outlining the requirements to terminate
Father’s parental rights. However, most of the factual findings begin with “Father
testified,” “witnesses testified,” or “The Court credits page 1 of [DCS] exhibit.” (App.
36-39). We have recently found that a trial court did not err with references to evidence
in its factual findings when the findings also contained “thoughtful findings that flow
from the evidence.” S.L. v. Indiana Dep’t. of Child Servs., 997 N.E.2d 1114, 1122 (Ind.
Ct. App. 2013). Unfortunately, the probate court’s order does not approach what we
approved in S.L.
A trial court is not statutorily required to enter findings of fact and conclusions
thereon unless requested by the parties. Parks, 862 N.E.2d at 1281. However,
considering the seriousness and permanency of terminating a parent’s rights, “once the
trial court walks down the path of making findings, it is bound under Indiana Trial Rule
52(A) to make findings that support the judgment.” Id. Accordingly, we remand this
case to the probate court with instructions to enter proper findings of fact.
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Remanded.
NAJAM, J., and BAILEY, J., concur.
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