In the Matter of the Termination of the Parent-Child Relationship of J.W., Mother, and T.W. and L.W., Minor Children: J.W. v. Indiana Department of Child Services ( 2018 )

MEMORANDUM DECISION
Pursuant to Ind. Appellate Rule 65(D), FILED
this Memorandum Decision shall not be Nov 08 2018, 7:44 am
regarded as precedent or cited before any CLERK
court except for the purpose of establishing Indiana Supreme Court
Court of Appeals
and Tax Court
the defense of res judicata, collateral
estoppel, or the law of the case.
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE
Donald J. Frew Curtis T. Hill, Jr.
Fort Wayne, Indiana Attorney General of Indiana
Robert J. Henke
Patricia C. McMath
Deputy Attorneys General
Indianapolis, Indiana
IN THE
COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA
In the Matter of the Termination November 8, 2018
of the Parent-Child Relationship Court of Appeals Case No.
of J.W., Mother, and T.W. and 18A-JT-981
L.W., Minor Children:1 Appeal from the
J.W., Allen Superior Court
The Honorable
Appellant-Respondent,
Charles F. Pratt, Judge
1
The Indiana Department of Child Services filed a petition to terminate Mother’s parental rights to each of
her four children—I.W. (Cause No. 02D08-1701-JT-17); G.W. (Cause No. 02D08-1701-JT-18); T.W. (Cause
No. 02D08-1701-JT-19); and L.W. (Cause No. 02D08-1701-JT-20). The juvenile court heard all four cases
simultaneously and terminated Mother’s rights to her daughters, T.W. and L.W., but declined to terminate
Mother’s rights to her sons, I.W. and G.W. Accordingly, Mother does not appeal the part of the juvenile
court’s order pertaining to I.W. and G.W.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 18A-JT-981 | November 8, 2018 Page 1 of 22
v. Trial Court Cause Nos..
02D08-1701-JT-19
02D08-1701-JT-20
Indiana Department of Child
Services,
Appellee-Petitioner.
Kirsch, Judge.
[1] J.W. (“Mother”) appeals the juvenile court’s order terminating her parental
rights to her minor daughters, T.W. and L.W.2 Following various hearings, the
juvenile court terminated Mother’s parental rights to her daughters but did not
terminate her parental rights to her two minor sons, I.W. and G.W. This case
presents a most unusual circumstance, albeit not without precedent,3 where, in
the same proceeding, the juvenile court terminated a mother’s rights to some
but not all of her children. Mother raises the following restated issue for our
review: whether the juvenile court’s order terminating her parental rights to just
two of her four children was clearly erroneous because it was not supported by
2
The juvenile court’s order is dated March 16, 2016; however, the CCS for T.W. and L.W. includes the
correct date of March 16, 2018. Appellant’s App. Vol. II at 2, 11, 28.
3
See In re I.A., 903 N.E.2d 146 (Ind. Ct. App. 2009) (affirming juvenile court’s termination of mother’s
parental rights to one of her five children in the same proceeding during which the juvenile court did not
terminate the mother’s parental rights to her remaining four children).
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 18A-JT-981 | November 8, 2018 Page 2 of 22
sufficient evidence that the termination was in the best interests of her
daughters.
[2] We affirm.
Facts and Procedural History
[3] Mother has two biological sons, I.W., born June 6, 2008, and G.W., born May
18, 2009 (together, “Sons”), and two biological daughters, T.W., born May 6,
2011, and L.W., born March 2, 2012 (together, “Daughters”) (collectively,
“Children”). The Indiana Department of Child Services (“DCS”) became
involved with Mother in January 2014 when L.W. almost drowned in the
family’s bathtub while Sons were giving her a bath. At that time, Mother lived
with Children and T.E.W. (“Father”), her then-husband and Children’s
biological father, in their home in New Haven, Allen County.4 Mother, who
worked the third shift, returned home from work one morning and, believing
that Father had taken Children to the babysitter, she fell asleep around 9:00
a.m., leaving Children unsupervised. Later, I.W. woke up Mother saying that
G.W. had L.W. in the bathtub, and that she was going to die. In the bathroom,
Mother found L.W. on her back, purple in color, and cold to the touch;
fortunately, L.W. survived.
4
T.E.W., the father of the four siblings, signed a “Voluntary Relinquishment of Parental Rights” for each
child on September 27, 2017, and he does not take part in this appeal. Respondent’s Exs. A, B, C, and D.
Accordingly, we include facts about Father only as they are relevant to the termination of Mother’s parental
rights.
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[4] DCS filed a petition claiming that each child was a Child in Need of Services
(“CHINS”). On January 14, 2014, a preliminary inquiry on the CHINS
allegations was held. Children were adjudicated CHINS and placed in
relative care. A dispositional order, including a “20-point Parent
Participation Plan,” was entered on February 11, 2014. Appellant’s Br. at 7.
The participation plan required Mother to abide by the standard nine
participation plan requirements, i.e.: (1) refrain from criminal activity; (2)
maintain clean, safe, appropriate, and sustainable housing; (3) notify DCS
within forty-eight hours of changes in household composition, housing, and
employment; (4) cooperate with caseworkers, the court-appointed special
advocate (“CASA”), and the guardian ad litem (“GAL”); (5) attend case
conferences as directed, maintain contact, and accept announced and
unannounced home visits by caseworkers and the GAL; (6) provide
caseworkers with accurate information regarding paternity, finances, insurance,
and family history; (7) provide caseworkers and the GAL with signed and
current consents of release and exchange of information; (8) provide each child
with clean, appropriate clothing; and (9) cooperate with rules of each child’s
placement. Appellant’s App. Vol. II at 24. Mother was also required to: submit
to and follow directions of a “Diagnostic evaluation”; obtain and keep
employment; enroll in home-based services; visit Children; refrain from
smoking in the presence of Children; participate in family therapy; follow
recommendations of the Three Wishes program for G.W.; and follow
recommendations of the First Steps developmental program for Daughters. Id.
Through her participation, Mother earned unsupervised visits with Children.
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[5] At some point during the case, Mother was fired from her job when she arrived
at work drunk. In December 2015, a second incident occurred when, during an
unsupervised visit with Mother, L.W. spilled hot cocoa on herself; the cocoa
ran down L.W.’s leg and into her boot, resulting in a burn. Tr. Vol. 2 at 41-42.
Mother took L.W. to the emergency room. Id. L.W. made a full recovery;
however, this incident resulted in Mother being returned to supervised visitation
with Children. Id.
[6] A permanency hearing was held on February 23, 2017, and the juvenile court
adopted a plan for the termination of parental rights for each child. Children
continued in licensed foster care, with Daughters together in the home of
Stephanie Long (“Long”) and Sons together in a separate home. Id. Hearings
on the termination of parental rights were conducted in 2017 on August 7, 8,
14, and 29, and December 4 and 6. Id. at 2-3, 11-12. During the hearings, the
transcription of which consisted of more than 550 pages, the juvenile court
heard testimony from, among others, Mother; Father; Rachel Morrison with
Children First Center; Kimberly Griffith with Functional Oral Motor and
Feeding Concepts; Daughters’ foster mother Stephanie Long; Sons’ foster
mother Tyra Watson; CASA volunteer Jo Willer; Rachel Schwieterman,5 who
oversaw Children’s supervised visitation for DCS; Teresa Jones, an employee
with Charis House at the Rescue Mission; Denise Wells, a licensed social
5
While the transcript also includes the spelling “Schweiterman,” Tr. Vol. 4 at 26, 61, the correct spelling is
“Schwieterman.” Tr. Vol. 2 at 210.
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worker for Northeastern Center; Stephanie Adams, a DCS team leader at
Northeastern Center; Laura Swanson (“Swanson”), a therapist at Park Center
who worked with G.W.; Julia McIntosh (“CASA McIntosh”), Director of the
Allen County CASA; Marla Souder (“Dr. Souder”), clinical psychologist with
ICAN and Payton Place; and Jenelle Vanderpool (“FCM Vanderpool”), family
case manager for DCS.
[7] Regarding special needs, Dr. Souder testified that I.W. has been diagnosed
with: Schizoaffective Disorder; Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
(“ADHD”); Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (“OCD”); Sensory Integration
Disorder; and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (“PTSD”). Tr. Vol. 3 at 222; State’s
Ex. 20 at 16. Dr. Souder and Swanson testified that I.W.’s behavior reflects a
departure from reality; he sometimes barks like a dog when he is anxious or
uncomfortable. Tr. Vol. 3 at 95, 222. Regarding G.W., Dr. Souder testified that
he suffers from ADHD, OCD, Sensory Integration Disorder, and PTSD. State’s
Ex. 19 at 13; Tr. Vol. 3 at 232-33. Swanson testified that G.W. has Generalized
Anxiety Disorder and “Disruptive Behavior Disorder NOS.” Tr. Vol. 3 at 80.
T.W. has vision problems and needs glasses, she suffers from “geographical
tongue,”6 and has Attention Deficit symptoms, which interfere with her ability
to concentrate. Tr. Vol. 2 at 29. L.W. has scoliosis and must wear braces on
her legs to walk and attend physical therapy. Michelle Berry, an occupational
6
Mother described that with “geographical tongue,” T.W. has “white spots that move around in her mouth
and anything citrusy burns it so like she will tell you she cannot have pineapple because it catches her mouth
on fire.” Tr. Vol. 2 at 28. Mother explained that this condition affects T.W.’s eating. Id.
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therapist, testified that L.W. “looks like to me that she’s got symptoms, um,
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. . . . [S]he has difficulty staying on task. She has
difficulty problem solving. She has poor carryover from week to week with
different things.” Id. at 78. Berry testified that L.W. trips and falls, and in the
beginning, she would walk into the walls. Id. “I give them a task and they
carry it through and she cannot. You have to que her up on a task to complete.
Her – she just has a variety of challenges.” Id.
[8] Swanson testified that “[G.W.] has affection towards [I.W.] and can also be
frustrated by I think normal sibling differences that come up. [I.W.] is more
indifferent to [G.W.] but does verbalize loving his brother.” Tr. Vol. 3 at 93.
Swanson also testified that G.W. loves his parents and talked about “wanting to
see his mom” and “be able to live with her.” Id. at 84. Regarding T.W.,
Mother testified that “lately she’s been basically telling me that she hates me,
that she doesn’t love me.” Tr. Vol. 2 at 29. Foster mother Long testified that
she takes Daughters to about six appointments a month for issues of mental
health and occupational therapy. Id. at 105-06. Long also testified that she has
a good relationship with Daughters and is interested in adopting them. Id. at
111. During the more than three years that Children were out of Mother’s care,
both Sons lived together in a separate home from Daughters, who also lived
together. Tr. Vol. 2 at 171-72. CASA McIntosh testified that it was in the best
interest for Mother’s rights to be terminated as to Children. CASA McIntosh
also testified that the case has been open since 2014, and Children have needs
and require supervision. Tr. Vol. 3 at 149-50.
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[9] On March 16, 2018, the juvenile court entered its order and made the following
findings, none of which Mother challenges on appeal:
8. In the present underlying CHINS cases, the [C]hildren have
been placed outside the care of the [M]other for a period of more
than six (6) months since the entry of the Dispositional Decree.
The two brothers have lived separately from their sisters since
2014.
9. Early in the case the Mother [voluntarily] entered into a
residential treatment program through the Charis House. She
did not complete the program because, as she testified, she did
not believe in God and [did] not feel that the Charis House was a
“good fit” for her.
10. From the testimony of Teresa Jones of the Charis House, the
Court finds that the [M]other resided in the residential program
from April 22, 2015 until February 3, 2016. A goal of
reunification was established. Therapies to address alcohol
dependency, sexual addictions, and the impact of the [M]other’s
childhood were recommended. The Court finds from Ms.
Jones[’s] testimony that the Mother voluntarily chose to leave the
Charis House Program because she was asked to participate in
therapies designed to address her sexual addiction and past
trauma (fears).
11. The Mother testified that on August 7, 2017[,] she had
completed nine parenting classes at Children’s First Care in
Auburn, Indiana. From the testimony of Rachel Morrison of the
Children’s First Center, the Court finds that the Mother
completed the ten-week parenting program on June 16, 2016.
However, the counseling services recommended additional
services for the Mother. The Mother’s evaluation scoring
declined after the course completion, a circumstance only seen
one other time by the therapist.
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12. The Mother also testified that she had completed drug
counseling but was still in individual therapy.
13. Beginning on May 28, 2016, the Mother participated in
individual therapy. From the testimony of therapist Denise
Wells the Court finds that the Mother participated in weekly
sessions for about six to seven months. She now attends on an
every-other week basis. Issues of trauma are explored in therapy.
The therapist believes that the Mother has an understanding of
the trauma issues. She believes that the Mother will require
additional support to aid in the transition should the children be
returned to her care. As of August 8, 2017, the therapist found
no reason to withhold reunification of the children with their
mother. However, if reunited, the [M]other would benefit from
and need home based services.
14. The Mother testified that she completed a violence abatement
program. From the testimony of Stephanie Adams, a therapist
with the Northeastern Center, the Court finds that additional
services were not needed for the [M]other. The Mother has
completed anger management therapy.
15. The Mother continues to visit[] the children under the
supervision of SCAN, a local agency contracted by the [DCS] for
that service. From the testimony of Rachel Schwieterman of
SCAN, the court finds that she has supervised the Mother’s visits
since September 19, 2016. The Mother demonstrates appropriate
discipline methods and applies the “123 Magic” technique. Ms.
Schwieterman reserved judgment on the expansion of the
Mother’s visits until such time as she could observe the
[M]other’s interaction with them in a less structured
environment. She communicates appropriately with the
[C]hildren. The [C]hildren love her.
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16. The Mother is employed and works third shift. She has
transportation and has a home.
17. The children each have special needs.
18. From the testimony of licensed clinical psychologist Marla
Souder the Court finds that the child, [G.W.], carries a diagnosis
of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Obsessive
Compulsive Disorder, sensory degeneration and post-traumatic
stress disorder. That said, [G.W.] has a lot of positive strengths.
The child, [I.W.], has low muscle tone and is within the low-level
autism spectrum that includes a sensory integration disorder. He
exhibits a schizoaffective disorder that manifests with behaviors
that depart from reality, including barking like dog. He requires
therapy, school supports, and serious stability. He needs a safe
space that limits exposure to trauma.
19. Speech pathologist and feeding therapist Kimberly Griffith
has provided treatment for the [C]hildren. From her testimony
the court finds that [I.W.] has made significant improvement.
[G.W.] is also ready for discharge. [T.W.] and [L.W.] have been
discharged successfully but have recently been referred for
therapy to address emotional issues.
20. Park Center therapist Laura Swanson provided therapeutic
services to [G.W.] beginning in May or June [of] 2014 to address
anxiety and disruptive behaviors. She testified (August 2017)
that his anxiety comes in waves and he is anxious about his
future and permanent living situation. [G.W.] loves his parents
and brother but is disconnected from his sisters. He wants to live
with his [M]other. He is not able to properly interact with
animals. [I.W.] also suffers from anxiety. He demonstrates odd
behaviors including outbursts of growling and barking. She
opined that reunification will come as a “shock” and transitional
services will be required.
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21. [G.W.] was in foster care with Tyra Watson from October
2014 until July 2016. [I.W.] was in her care from July 2015 until
July 2016. They were returned to her care in July 2017. When
first in her care [G.W.] struggled academically. [I.W.] did not
start therapy until after his placement. She believes that both
children lie. The boys get along well together. She has observed
that the [M]other has been appropriate with the children.
22. Since 2014, foster parent Stephanie Long, has cared for the
daughters, [L.W.] and [T.W.]. When first in her care [L.W.]
could barely walk. She has had to have braces on her feet. The
girls would hoard food. They receive occupational therapy and
have made improvements.
23. The two daughters are in therapy with Three Wishes once a
week, individual therapy at Park [C]enter once a week, and
occupational therapy twice a week. [L.W.] needs to be seen at
Riley Children Hospital to address her scoliosis. [T.W.] has
expressed to her foster mother that she wants to remain with her.
24. Should parental rights be terminated, [DCS] has an
appropriate plan for two of the children, that being adoption.
Foster parent Stephanie Long has expressed an interest to adopt
the two daughters. No adoptive home has yet been located for
the boys.
25. From the testimony of Janelle Vanderpool,7 the [DCS]’s case
manager, the Court finds that the Mother has become more self-
aware and has made progress. However, the case manager
believes the Mother requires additional services before
7
In the record before us, FCM Vanderpool’s name is also spelled, “Jenelle.” Tr. Vol. 3 at 244.
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reunification can be achieved and asserts that the Mother has
progressed as far as her cognitive abilities will allow.
26. The Court finds from the children’s Court Appointed Special
Advocate volunteer, Jo [W]iller,8 that [T.W.] and [L.W.] have
improved since being in foster care. She asserts that the [M]other
is able to meet the [C]hildren’s needs in a structured
environment. She observed the [M]other applying ‘canned’
responses for discipline that were lacking a nurturing component.
Particularly the nurturance was absence [sic] with regard to
[T.W.] The CASA Staff representative, Julia McIntosh[,]
testified that there has been provision of extensive services over a
long period of time and the Mother has not yet demonstrated a
full range of benefits sufficient to meet the level of need required
for the [C]hildren. Thus, CASA has concluded that the
[C]hildren’s. best interests are served by the termination of
parental rights.
Appellant’s App. Vol. II at 24-26.
[10] Based on the above findings, the juvenile court terminated Mother’s parental
rights to Daughters but not to Sons. The juvenile court reasoned:
1. For parental rights to be involuntarily terminated the [S]tate
must prove by the clear [sic] and convincing evidence that the
children have been removed from the parent for at least six (6)
months under a dispositional decree . . . . In the present case the
children have been placed outside the care of [Mother] under a
Dispositional Decree for more than six (6) months prior to the
filing of the petition to terminate parental rights.
8
The juvenile court used the name Jo “Miller”; however, the CASA’s name is Jo “Willer.” Tr. Vol. 2 at 144.
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2. . . . . By the clear and convincing evidence, the court
determines that there is a reasonable probability that reasons that
brought about the children’s placement outside the home will not
be remedied for the two daughters [T.W. and L.W.]. In this
present case, the children have significant chronic conditions that
require on-going services. The immediate reunification of four
such children into the care of a mother, who has not yet
demonstrated an ability to meet such needs outside of a
professionally structured environment, cannot safely be
accomplished. The two younger daughters are bonded to their
foster mother where they have prospered. The elder boys are not
significantly bonded to their sisters but love and desire
reunification with [Mother]. Because of the [M]other’s
limitations (see the testimony of the CASA volunteer, the foster
mother, and Denise Wells’ testimony), the Mother is not likely to
gain the ability to meet the extraordinary therapeutic and
treatment schedule required for the four children, meet their
individual behavioral and emotional demands, and maintain a
household.
3. . . . . In this case the [CASA] has concluded that termination
of parental rights is in the children’s best interests. The children
need a safe stable and nurturing home environment. If parental
rights are terminated with regard to [T.W.] and [L.W.], they
would be provided, through adoption, with a parent who has
demonstrated the present ability and means to meet their special
needs on a sustainable, permanent basis. In contrast, [I.W.] and
[G.W.] do not have a present home in which permanency could
be established excepting the home of their mother. The Court
finds from the totality of the evidence that the Mother is readily
able to meet the emotional and behavioral needs of the boys.
Separation of the siblings, while generally not a tenable position,
is appropriate in this case. Therapist Laura Swanson testified
and the Court found that the boys are detached from their sisters
but are bonded to one another. Similarly, the girls are bonded to
each other and their foster parents. Termination of parental
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rights with regard to [T.W.] and [L.W.] serves their best interest.
The best interests of [G.W.] and [I.W.] are not so served.
Appellant’s App. Vol. II at 27. Mother now appeals the termination of her
parental rights to Daughters.
Discussion and Decision
[11] “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[.]” E.M. v. Ind. Dep’t
of Child Servs., 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 children, 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 Cty. 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. In re J.C., 994 N.E.2d
278, 283 (Ind. Ct. App. 2013). The purpose of terminating parental rights is not
to punish the parent but to protect the child. In re T.F., 743 N.E.2d at 773.
Termination of parental rights is proper where the child’s emotional and
physical development is threatened. Id. The juvenile court need not wait until
the child is irreversibly harmed such that her physical, mental, and social
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development is permanently impaired before terminating the parent-child
relationship. Id.
[12] 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
clearly erroneous. Id. at 148-49. 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. In re S.P.H., 806 N.E.2d
874, 879 (Ind. Ct. App. 2004).
[13] When, as here, a judgment contains specific findings of fact and conclusions
thereon, we apply a two-tiered standard of review. Matter of G.M., 71 N.E.3d
898, 904-05 (Ind. Ct. App. 2017) (citing Bester, 839 N.E.2d at 147). We
determine whether the evidence supports the findings and whether the findings
support the judgment. Id. at 905. “‘Findings are clearly erroneous only when
the record contains no facts to support them either directly or by inference.’”
Id. (quoting Quillen v. Quillen, 671 N.E.2d 98, 102 (Ind. 1996)). “If the evidence
and inferences support the juvenile court’s decision, we must affirm.” Id.
[14] To terminate a parent-child relationship, DCS must file a petition that alleges
and proves:
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(A) that one (1) of the following is true:
(i) The child has been removed from the parent for at least
six (6) months under a dispositional decree.
(ii) A court has entered a finding under IC 31-34-21-5.6
that reasonable efforts for family preservation or
reunification are not required, including a description of
the court’s finding, the date of the finding, and the manner
in which the finding was made.
(iii) The child has been removed from the parent and has
been under the supervision of a county office of family and
children or probation department for at least fifteen (15)
months of the most recent twenty-two (22) months,
beginning with the date the child is removed from the
home as a result of the child being alleged to be a child in
need of services or a delinquent child;
(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.
(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
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(D) that there is a satisfactory plan for the care and treatment of
the child.
Ind. Code § 31-35-2-4(b)(2). DCS must provide clear and convincing proof of
these allegations. Matter of G.M., 71 N.E.3d at 903. “Because parents have a
constitutionally protected right to establish a home and raise their children, the
State ‘must strictly comply with the statute terminating parental rights.’” Id.
(quoting Platz v. Elkhart Cty. Dep’t of Pub. Welfare, 631 N.E.2d 16, 18 (Ind. Ct.
App. 1994)).
[15] Mother does not challenge the juvenile court’s factual findings. As such, she
has waived any argument relating to these unchallenged findings and, therefore,
they stand as proven. 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. Likewise, Mother does not
dispute the juvenile court’s conclusions that: (1) prior to termination,
Daughters had been removed from Mother’s care for at least six months under
a dispositional decree; (2) there is a reasonable probability that reasons that
brought about Daughters’ placement outside the home will not be remedied;
and (3) there is a satisfactory plan for the care and treatment of Daughters.
Appellant’s App. Vol. II at 27. Instead, Mother’s sole argument is that the
termination of Mother’s parental rights is not in Daughters’ best interests.
[16] Mother argues that she made continuous, dedicated efforts to cooperate and
comply with the juvenile court and DCS in order to have Daughters returned to
her care. She notes that she “did such a good job that the court determined that
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[she] was readily able to meet the emotional and behavioral needs of the
[Sons].” Appellant’s Br. at 13 (citing Appellant’s App. Vol. II at 27). This is why
Mother contends she is capable of caring for Daughters. Tr. Vol. 2 at 44-45.
Mother’s assurances notwithstanding, Mother does not dispute the juvenile
court’s conclusion that,
The immediate reunification of four such children into the care of
a mother, who has not yet demonstrated an ability to meet such
needs outside of a professionally structured environment, cannot
safely be accomplished. [Daughters] are bonded to their foster
mother [Long] where they have prospered. [Boys] are not
significantly bonded to their sisters but love and desire
reunification with [Mother]. Because of the [M]other’s
limitations (see the testimony of the CASA volunteer, the foster
mother, and Denise Wells’ testimony), the Mother is not likely to
gain the ability to meet the extraordinary therapeutic and
treatment schedule required for the four children, meet their
individual behavioral and emotional demands, and maintain a
household.
Appellant’s App. Vol. II at 27.
[17] Mother also does not challenge the juvenile court’s conclusion that Daughters
need a safe, stable, and nurturing home environment.
If parental rights are terminated with regard to [T.W.] and
[L.W.], they would be provided, through adoption, with a parent
who has demonstrated the present ability and means to meet
their special needs on a sustainable, permanent basis. In
contrast, [I.W.] and [G.W.] do not have a present home in which
permanency could be established excepting the home of their
mother. The Court finds from the totality of the evidence that
the Mother is readily able to meet the emotional and behavioral
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 18A-JT-981 | November 8, 2018 Page 18 of 22
needs of the boys. Separation of the siblings, while generally not
a tenable position, is appropriate in this case. Therapist Laura
Swanson testified and the Court found that the boys are detached
from their sisters but are bonded to one another. Similarly, the
girls are bonded to each other and their foster parents.
Termination of parental rights with regard to [T.W.] and [L.W.]
serves their best interest. The best interests of [G.W.] and [I.W.]
are not so served.
Appellant’s App. Vol. II at 27. Long testified that it was her desire to adopt the
Daughters and that she had already completed all of her adoption classes to do
so.9 Tr. Vol. 2 at 111.
[18] Mother reiterates that the involuntary termination of parental rights is an
extreme measure, designed to be used only as a last resort when all other
reasonable efforts have failed. We agree. Here, the near-drowning of L.W.
prompted DCS to remove Children from Mother’s care. Once removed, DCS
determined that Children had special needs, which required counseling and on-
going services. Mother cooperated with DCS, she completed parenting classes,
and participated in, among other activities, an anger management class, an
alcohol treatment program, individual therapy, and visitation with Children.
However, while the juvenile court concluded that Mother had improved
9
Mother argues that Long had no interest in the goal of reunification for Daughters. Appellant’s Br. at 14.
Assuming without deciding that this was true, Mother’s rights were terminated not because of Long’s
position on reunification, but because it was determined that Daughters had been out of Mother’s care for
more than six months, the reasons for placement outside the home of the parents will not be remedied,
removal of Children was in their best interests, and the State had a satisfactory plan for their care and
treatment. Ind. Code § 31-35-2-4(b)(2).
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 18A-JT-981 | November 8, 2018 Page 19 of 22
enough to care for two children, it determined that she could not address the
needs of and care for four special needs children. Accordingly, the juvenile
court was faced with the difficult question of whether Mother’s inability to care
for two of her children meant that her rights would have to be terminated as to
all four children.
[19] In determining what is in the best interests of a child, the juvenile court is
required to look beyond the factors identified by DCS and consider the totality
of the evidence. In re J.S., 906 N.E.2d 226, 236 (Ind. Ct. App. 2009). In
making this determination, the juvenile court must subordinate the interests of
the parent to that of the child involved. Matter of G.M., 71 N.E.3d at 903. The
court need not wait until a child is harmed irreversibly before terminating the
parent-child relationship. In re J.S., 906 N.E.2d at 236. The recommendation
of a DCS case manager and CASA to terminate parental rights, in addition to
evidence the conditions resulting in removal will not be remedied, is sufficient
to show by clear and convincing evidence that termination is in a child’s best
interests. Id.
[20] Mother challenges the trial court’s decision to terminate her parental rights to
Daughters while not terminating her rights to Sons, suggesting that if the
evidence is not sufficient to terminate as to Sons, it cannot be sufficient to
terminate Mother’s rights as to Daughters. Noting that Sons’ and Daughters’
situations were not the same, we disagree. Here, the trial court did not
conclude that DCS failed to prove all the elements required to terminate
Mother’s rights to Sons; rather, the trial court specifically found that DCS had
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 18A-JT-981 | November 8, 2018 Page 20 of 22
not proven an adequate plan of permanency for Sons. That finding alone
precluded termination of Mother’s parental rights to Sons because it also served
as the basis for the juvenile court’s conclusion that termination was not in Sons’
best interests.
[21] While such a disposition is rare, in In re I.A., 903 N.E.2d 146 (Ind. Ct. App.
2009), we affirmed a juvenile court’s determination to terminate a mother’s
parental right to one of her five children, while not terminating her parental
rights to her other four children. We found the following evidence was
sufficient to support the trial court’s determination that termination of mother’s
parental rights as to the one child was in child’s best interests: (1) child had
never been in his mother’s care and he had never been with his siblings on a
day-to-day basis; (2) child had been in the care of the same licensed foster
parents with whom he had forged a strong bond and who were responsible for
taking him to his doctor and therapy appointments; and mother had shown
indifference to child since before he was even born. Like the child in I.A., T.W.
was in Mother’s care for two and a half years, and L.W. was in Mother’s care
for twenty-two months. At the time of the final termination hearing, Daughters
had lived together in Long’s care for more than three years, which was at least
half their lives. Long and Daughters were bonded, and Long provided
Daughters with the necessary treatment for their special needs. Therapist Laura
Swanson testified, and the Court found, that Sons are bonded to each other but
detached from Daughters. Tr. Vol. 3 at 85. Similarly, Daughters are bonded to
each other and their foster mother. Long expressed a desire to adopt Daughters
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 18A-JT-981 | November 8, 2018 Page 21 of 22
and T.W. expressed a desire to remain with Long. Tr. Vol. 2 at 111, 117. The
juvenile court recognized that “[s]eparation of the siblings, while generally not a
tenable position, is appropriate in this case.” Appellant’s App. Vol. II at 27. It
was not clearly erroneous for the juvenile court to determine that termination of
Mother’s parental rights to Daughters was in their best interests.
[22] Affirmed.
Vaidik, C.J., and Riley, J., concur.
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