McClanahan v. Washington County Department of Social Services , 445 Md. 691 ( 2015 )

Lauren McClanahan v. Washington County Department of Social Services, No. 79,
September Term, 2014, Opinion by Adkins, J.
MARYLAND CODE (1984, 2012 REPL. VOL.), § 5-701 OF THE FAMILY LAW
ARTICLE (“FL”) — CHILD ABUSE MENTAL INJURY — STATUTORY
CONSTRUCTION: Considering § 5-701 of the Family Law Article and Taylor v. Harford
County Department of Social Services, we hold that a person can only be identified on a
central registry as responsible for child abuse if the person intended to injure the child or
acted with reckless disregard of the child’s welfare.
Circuit Court for Washington County
Case No.: 21-C-11-42484-AA
Argued: September 9, 2015
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS
OF MARYLAND
No. 79
September Term, 2014
LAUREN McCLANAHAN
v.
WASHINGTON COUNTY DEPARTMENT
OF SOCIAL SERVICES
Barbera, C.J.
Battaglia
Greene
Adkins
McDonald
Watts
Harrell, Glenn T., Jr. (Retired,
Specially Assigned),
JJ.
Opinion by Adkins, J.
Battaglia and McDonald, JJ., dissent.
Filed: December 22, 2015
An Administrative Law Judge found that Lauren McClanahan (“Mother”) was
responsible for child abuse and could be placed on the “central registry” maintained by the
Department of Human Resources (“DHR”). This finding was based on Mother taking her
child to health providers on multiple occasions after the child complained that her father
had hurt her, and the child exhibited vaginal redness. Our decision hinges on the role of
scienter in such a proceeding.
FACTS AND LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
In 2010 the Washington County Department of Social Services (“the Department”)
conducted investigations of Mother’s alleged abuse and neglect of her daughter (“R”).1
The investigations were triggered by multiple allegations by R that her biological father
(Mother’s ex-husband) had sexually abused her when she visited him.2 Mother reported
these allegations at various medical facilities, where R was subjected to eight vaginal
exams3 over the course of several years.4 These exams showed evidence of vaginal redness
1
Specifically, the Department opened the child abuse investigation after receiving
several reports that R had said that her father had sexually abused her. The Department’s
child neglect investigation was triggered by a report the Department received the next
month when Mother alleged at a medical facility that R said that her father had touched
her.
2
Mother and her ex-husband share joint legal custody of R, who was born in 2005.
3
Some of these vaginal exams were SAFE exams. SAFE is an acronym for a sexual
assault forensic examination. See Cooper v. State, 434 Md. 209, 215–16, 73 A.3d 1108,
1112 (2013); Jones-Harris v. State, 179 Md. App. 72, 80 n.4, 943 A.2d 1272, 1276 n.4
(2008).
4
The ALJ found that the Department conducted approximately 14 sexual abuse
investigations of R’s father before it investigated Mother for alleged abuse and neglect.
or discharge, not sexual abuse. Those who examined R, however, could not fully discount
her allegation that her father had “hurt her bottom.” As one medical professional noted, a
normal exam does not exclude sexual assault.
R received a ninth vaginal exam at a pediatric practice. Mother took R in because
of a cough and an injury. When R reported that her father hurt her “bottom,” a physician
assistant examined her vaginal area. The assistant referred Mother to a medical facility
equipped to further evaluate R. But at the Department’s request,5 that facility refused to
conduct a SAFE exam on R. This is the only evidence that a medical professional refused
to examine R out of concern for her mental health. Mother testified that since then, R made
more allegations of abuse against her father, but that she was afraid to take her to a doctor.
The Department asked two experts in clinical child welfare, Dr. Carlton E. Munson
(“Munson”) and Ronald E. Zuskin, LCSW-C6 (“Zuskin”), to assess R.7 Munson and
Zuskin diagnosed R as suffering from several mental disorders and identified Mother as
the cause of R’s mental injury.
Although the record is unclear as to whether each vaginal exam triggered a sexual abuse
allegation, the exams triggered sexual abuse investigations on at least several occasions.
5
The Department had, at this time, commenced the child abuse and neglect
investigations.
6
LCSW-C means Licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical.
7
A complete investigation of child abuse mental injury requires assessment by two
licensed physicians, psychologists, or social workers. Code of Maryland Regulations
(“COMAR”) 07.02.07.09B.
2
After conducting its investigations, the Department notified Mother that it found her
responsible for indicated child abuse mental injury and indicated child neglect. Exercising
her right of appeal under Md. Code (1984, 2012 Repl. Vol.), § 5-706.1(b) of the Family
Law Article (“FL”), Mother requested contested case hearings through the Office of
Administrative Hearings to challenge both findings. The Administrative Law Judge
(“ALJ”) who was assigned to Mother’s appeal held a hearing for both cases in 2011.
In its decision, the ALJ affirmed the Department’s finding of indicated child abuse
mental injury. Relying heavily on Munson’s and Zuskin’s assessments, the ALJ concluded
that Mother’s actions “were either an intentional attempt to manipulate and influence the
outcome of an ongoing custody dispute with R[]’s father, or were a result of her
subconscious efforts to have R[] remain close to her.”
Munson concluded that Mother had caused R’s mental injury by “engaging in
conscious or unconscious suggestive utterances to R[] about abuse by the father and
engaging in alienating activities related to the father.” Munson also explained that R
suffered emotional and behavioral problems because of Mother’s “frequent abuse
allegations,” which “resulted in repeated exams and investigations.” Zuskin reached
similar conclusions. Although Zuskin did not state that Mother “coached” R to make false
abuse allegations, he believed that Mother reinforced her daughter’s behavior by
responding to R’s statements of abuse with “animal protectiveness and closeness.”
Munson and Zuskin contacted Amy Hershey, a licensed social worker who counseled R
and incorporated their communications with her into their assessments of R.
3
The ALJ rejected Mother’s argument that she had acted reasonably, ruling that no
medical evidence justified the repeated allegations Mother and R had made. The ALJ
authorized the Department to identify Mother in a central registry8 as being responsible for
child abuse mental injury.
The ALJ, however, modified the Department’s finding of indicated child neglect to
“ruled out child neglect.” The ALJ reasoned that because Mother’s acts already constituted
child abuse mental injury, that same conduct could not constitute child neglect mental
injury. The Department did not appeal this ruling.
Mother appealed the ALJ’s decision to the Circuit Court for Washington County as
provided by Md. Code (1984, 2014 Repl. Vol.), § 10-222(a) of the State Government
Article (“SG”). Affirming the ALJ’s decision, the Circuit Court concluded that Hershey’s
statements were not privileged and that the ALJ did not err in permitting Munson and
Zuskin from relying on communications with and a report from Hershey. The court also
found that Mother had failed to preserve her arguments that she was immune from liability
by making a good faith report of child abuse, that Munson and Zuskin were not qualified
as experts, and that Munson’s and Zuskin’s testimony was inadmissible. Finally, the
Circuit Court rejected Mother’s argument that a finding of indicated child abuse mental
injury requires proof of intent.
8
Although COMAR 07.02.07.02B(5) still refers to the database containing
information regarding child abuse investigations as the “central registry,” the General
Assembly amended FL § 5-701 in 2015 and renamed the central registry, which is now
known as the “centralized confidential database.” See Md. Code (1984, 2012 Repl. Vol.),
§ 5-701(d) of the Family Law Article (“FL”); see also FL § 5-714.
4
In a reported opinion, the Court of Special Appeals affirmed the judgment of the
Circuit Court. McClanahan v. Washington Cnty. Dep’t of Soc. Servs., 218 Md. App. 258,
96 A.3d 917 (2014), cert. granted, 440 Md. 461, 103 A.3d 593 (2014). In relevant part,
the intermediate appellate court concluded that the ALJ did not err by failing to include
scienter as an element of indicated child abuse mental injury. Id. at 277–83, 96 A.3d at
928–31. The court also concluded that Mother had failed to preserve the privilege and
immunity issues. Id. at 283–86, 96 A.3d at 931–33.
We granted Mother’s Petition for Writ of Certiorari to consider the following
questions:
1. Does the Court of Special Appeals[’] decision that a parent
can be strictly liable for child abuse by mental injury by
seeking medical help for her five year old based on the
child’s disclosures and symptoms, absent any finding that
the parent acted intentionally, recklessly, or in bad faith to
cause injury, violate the Due Process Clause, Family Law
Article §§ 5-701 et seq., and Taylor v. Harford County
Department of Social Services, 384 Md. 213[, 862 A.2d
1026] (2004)?
2. Did Petitioner’s attorney waive Petitioner’s objections to
the privileged testimony of a therapist by discussing the
assertion of privilege by the child’s attorney in the
collateral child custody proceeding?
3. Did the ALJ’s decision against Petitioner violate the
immunity provisions of Family Law Article § 5-708 and
[Md. Code (1973, 2013 Repl. Vol.), § 5-620 of the] Courts
and Judicial Proceedings Article []?
Because we answer yes to the first question (in part), we need not address the other
questions. We shall reverse the judgment of the Court of Special Appeals and remand for
further proceedings.
5
STANDARD OF REVIEW
When reviewing an administrative decision, we assume the same role as the Circuit
Court and intermediate appellate court, and “‘limit our review to the agency’s decision.’”
Cosby v. Dep’t of Human Res., 425 Md. 629, 637, 42 A.3d 596, 601 (2012) (citation
omitted).
“[A] challenge to the entry of one’s name in a central registry as an ‘indicated
child abuser’ pursuant to [FL] § 5-701 [] is a contested case within the meaning of
[SG] § 10-202(d)(1)” in which the agency acts in its quasi-judicial capacity. Taylor
v. Harford Cnty. Dep’t of Soc. Servs., 384 Md. 213, 221, 862 A.2d 1026, 1030 (2004). In
a contested case,9 when an ALJ10 affirms a finding that a person is responsible for indicated
child abuse, SG § 10-222(h) establishes the standards of review of the agency’s decision.
Charles Cnty. Dep’t of Soc. Servs. v. Vann, 382 Md. 286, 295, 855 A.2d 313, 318 (2004);
see SG § 10-222(a)(1) (A party “aggrieved by the final decision in a contested case” may
seek judicial review of that decision.).
If a petitioner challenges the agency’s factual determinations, we review whether
substantial evidence supports the finding. SG § 10-222(h)(3)(v); Vann, 382 Md. at 295,
855 A.2d at 318. When a petitioner challenges how to apply and interpret statutes and
9
See FL § 5-706.1(b)(1) (A person “may request a contested case hearing to appeal”
a finding of indicated child abuse.).
10
See Md. Code (1984, 2014 Repl. Vol.), § 10-202(b)(1) of the State Government
Article (“SG”) (An agency is an officer or unit authorized “to adjudicate contested cases.”);
SG §§ 9-1603, 9-1604 (The Chief ALJ, who heads the Office of Administrative Hearings,
assigns ALJs to conduct contested case hearings.).
6
regulations, we are reviewing a question of law. Cosby, 425 Md. at 638, 42 A.3d at 602.
In reviewing legal questions, we accord “some deference” to “an agency’s legal
interpretation of the statute it administers or of its own regulations.” Taylor, 384 Md. at
222, 862 A.2d at 1031. Even if we grant some deference to the agency’s legal
interpretations, we must correct a legal conclusion that is erroneous. Cosby, 425 Md. at
639, 42 A.3d at 602.
Mother challenges the intermediate appellate court’s conclusion that the ALJ did
not err in failing to include scienter as an element of indicated child abuse mental injury.
See McClanahan, 218 Md. App. at 277–83, 96 A.3d at 928–31. Thus, we review only a
legal question.
DISCUSSION
Our role today is to engage in statutory interpretation as we decide whether a parent
can be liable for child abuse mental injury within the meaning of FL § 5-70111 if the parent
acted without intent to harm the child. Mother and the Department dispute the meaning of
FL § 5-701, as well as the scope of Code of Maryland Regulations (“COMAR”)
07.02.07.12, which directs the dispositions of investigations of suspected child abuse.
Mother argues that Taylor v. Harford County Department of Social Services, 384 Md. 213,
862 A.2d 1026 (2004), forecloses any finding of indicated child abuse mental injury based
on strict liability. She avers that a strict liability standard not only conflicts with Taylor,
but would undermine other statutes that require reporting of child abuse in the Family Law
11
FL §§ 5-701–5-715 constitute Subtitle 7 (Child Abuse and Neglect) of Title 5
(Children). We shall sometimes refer to these sections collectively as “Subtitle 7.”
7
Article, as well as other pertinent regulations. The Department counters that the statutes
and regulations pertaining to child abuse mental injury contain no scienter requirement.
The Department dismisses Taylor as a case limited to child abuse causing physical injury.
“The cardinal rule of statutory construction is to ascertain and effectuate legislative
intent.” Motor Vehicle Admin. v. Shrader, 324 Md. 454, 462, 597 A.2d 939, 943 (1991).
Under the plain meaning rule, we must give the “ordinary and natural meaning” to statutory
language because this language is “the primary source of legislative intent.” Id. “If the
intent of the legislature is clear from the words of the statute, our inquiry normally ends
and we apply the plain meaning of the statute.” Huffman v. State, 356 Md. 622, 628, 741
A.2d 1088, 1091 (1999).
Moreover, we should reasonably construe a statute “with reference to the purpose,
aim or policy of the legislature reflected in that statute.” Shrader, 324 Md. at 463, 597
A.2d at 943. “‘[R]esults that are unreasonable, illogical or inconsistent with common sense
should be avoided whenever possible consistent with the statutory language, with the real
legislative intention prevailing over the intention indicated by the literal meaning.’” Id.(citations omitted); see also 2A Norman J. Singer & Shambie Singer, Sutherland Statutes
and Statutory Construction § 46:7 (7th ed. 2014).
Terms of Statutes, Regulations and Taylor
The key statutory language is found in the definition of child abuse in FL § 5-701.
Abuse means:
(1) the physical or mental injury of a child by any parent or
other person who has permanent or temporary care or custody
or responsibility for supervision of a child, or by any household
8
or family member, under circumstances that indicate that the
child’s health or welfare is harmed or at substantial risk of
being harmed . . . .
Additionally, FL § 5-701 defines the three findings that a local department may make after
investigating a report of suspected abuse:
(m) “Indicated” means a finding that there is credible evidence,
which has not been satisfactorily refuted, that abuse, neglect,
or sexual abuse did occur.
***
(w) “Ruled out” means a finding that abuse, neglect, or sexual
abuse did not occur.
***
(y) “Unsubstantiated” means a finding that there is an
insufficient amount of evidence to support a finding of
indicated or ruled out.
FL § 5-707(a)12 authorizes DHR to “provide by regulation” for “conditions for
determining” whether abuse “is indicated, ruled out, or unsubstantiated.” COMAR
12
In 1993, the General Assembly authorized the Department of Human Resources
(“DHR”), through FL § 5-707(a), to create regulations to establish conditions for
determining whether abuse was indicated, unsubstantiated, or ruled out. See H.B. 617,
1993 Gen. Assemb. Reg. Sess. (Md. 1993). Then, a Notice of Emergency Action was
issued. See 20 Md. Reg. 1547 (October 1, 1993). In then-COMAR 07.02.07.08, DHR
established criteria for local departments to follow in determining whether to make a
finding of indicated, unsubstantiated, or ruled out child abuse. See id. at 1549–50. In 1994,
DHR repealed and adopted new regulations pertaining to child abuse. See 21 Md. Reg.
1235 (July 8, 1994); 21 Md. Reg. 1630 (Sept. 16, 1994). The criteria for the three findings
were moved to COMAR 07.02.07.12. 21 Md. Reg. at 1242.
9
07.02.07.1213 sets forth the following elements for indicated child abuse regarding physical
and mental injuries:
A. Indicated Child Abuse.
(1) Physical Abuse Other than Mental Injury. Except as
provided in §A(3) of this regulation, a finding of indicated
child physical abuse is appropriate if there is credible evidence,
which has not been satisfactorily refuted, that it is more likely
than not that the following four elements are present:
(a) A current or prior physical injury;
(b) The injury was caused by a parent, caretaker, or household
or family member;
(c) The alleged victim was a child at the time of the incident;
and
(d) The nature, extent, and location of the injury indicate that
the child’s health or welfare was harmed or was at substantial
risk of harm.
***
(3) Abuse-Mental Injury. A finding of indicated child abuse
with mental injury is appropriate if there is credible evidence,
which has not been satisfactorily refuted, that the following
four elements are present:
(a) A current or prior mental injury characterized by an
observable, identifiable, substantial impairment to the child’s
mental or psychological ability to function, which may be
shown by the need for specific psychiatric, psychological, or
social work intervention;
(b) The mental injury was caused by a parent, a caretaker, or
household or family member;
(c) The alleged victim was a child at the time of the incident;
and
(d) The nature and extent of the mental injury indicate that the
child’s health or welfare was harmed or was at substantial risk
of harm.
13
See Hranicka v. Chesapeake Surgical, Ltd., 443 Md. 289, 298, 116 A.3d 507, 512
(2015) (“When we construe an agency’s rule or regulation, ‘the principles governing our
interpretation of a statute apply[.]’”) (citations omitted).
10
(Emphasis added.) COMAR 07.02.07.12 also sets forth the following pertinent criteria for
ruling out14 child abuse in cases of physical and mental injuries:
C. Ruled Out Child Abuse. A finding of ruled out child abuse
is appropriate if child abuse did not occur. A finding of ruled
out may be based on credible evidence that:
(1) There was no physical or mental injury . . . .
(2) In the case of physical abuse:
(a) The alleged abuser was not responsible for the injury for
reasons including, but not limited to, one of the following:
(i) The contact with the child was accidental and unintended
and under the circumstances, the injury was not foreseeable . . . .
(Emphasis added.) We keep FL § 5-701(b), the statutory definition of abuse, in the
forefront of our minds as we construe these regulations and evaluate the actions of Mother.
See Dep’t of Human Res., Balt. City Dep’t of Soc. Servs. v. Hayward, 426 Md. 638, 658,
45 A.3d 224, 236 (2012) (An agency’s “authority to promulgate regulations . . . must be
consistent, and not in conflict, with the statute the regulations are intended to implement.
We have consistently held that the statute must control.”).
The Department points out that the regulations pertaining to child abuse mental
injury contain no express scienter requirement. See COMAR 07.02.07.12A(3)(b). Scienter
only appears in one criterion, namely, to rule out child abuse physical injury: “[t]he contact
with the child was accidental and unintended and under the circumstances, the injury was
not foreseeable.” COMAR 07.02.07.12C(2)(a)(i). There exist no similar criteria to rule
out child abuse mental injury. COMAR 07.02.07.12C. The Department insists that we
should rely on COMAR 07.02.07.12 to conclude that a parent’s mental state is not material
14
Because the parties do not discuss unsubstantiated child abuse, we do not include
that portion of the regulation. See COMAR 07.02.07.12B.
11
in a case of child abuse mental injury, citing Toler v. Motor Vehicle Admin., 373 Md. 214,
223–24, 817 A.2d 229, 235 (2003) (“[W]here the legislature has carefully employed a term
in one place and excluded it in another, it should not be implied where excluded.”).
We reject the Department’s argument because the statute itself fails to draw any
distinction between physical and mental injury to a child. Without statutory directive, there
is no reason why scienter should be required in one instance (physical), and not the other
(mental). See Hayward, 426 Md. at 658, 45 A.3d at 236. Our decision in Taylor is
instructive on how to interpret this statute. As the Department underscores, Taylor
involved a physical injury and our holding addressed that. But a mental injury can be
accidental to the same extent as a physical one. Moreover, a study of Taylor reveals that
our concerns about “strict liability” stemmed in part from the statute, which treats “mental”
and “physical” injury identically in the definition of abuse.
In Taylor, an investigator for the local department made a finding of indicated child
abuse where the father, acting in anger, kicked a footstool that collided with his daughter.
384 Md. at 216–18, 862 A.2d at 1027–28. On appeal, the ALJ agreed with the local
department that “it is immaterial whether the [father] intended to hit [his daughter].” Id. at
219, 862 A.2d at 1029 (italics omitted). The ALJ reasoned that FL § 5-701 includes no
scienter element in the definition of abuse. Id. at 220, 862 A.2d at 1029. In the ALJ’s
view, COMAR 07.02.07.12 also did not allow the father to avoid “responsibility for the
unintended but foreseeable consequences of his intended act.” Id. We held that the ALJ
committed reversible error by failing to consider COMAR 07.02.07.12C(2)(a)(i), an
explicit criterion for ruling out child abuse physical injury if the “act causing the injury was
12
accidental or unintentional and not reckless or deliberate.” See id. at 226, 231, 862 A.2d
at 1033, 1036. Notably, we did not stop there.
We further explained that the ALJ’s reasoning was flawed because it could extend
to “any intentional act by a parent or caretaker which has the unintentional consequence of
harming that person’s child.” Id. at 231, 862 A.2d at 1036 (emphasis in original). We
were skeptical that “either § 5-701 of the Family Law Article or COMAR 07.02.07.12
intend[ed] for such a draconian strict liability standard always to attach to the intentional
acts of parents or caretakers who unintentionally injure their children.” Id. at 231–32, 862
A.2d at 1036–37 (emphasis added). In other words, we did not limit our concern about a
strict liability standard to acts causing physical injury, as COMAR 07.02.07.12 did.
We see no reason to do so now. When expert witnesses testify that a parental action
has caused mental injury to a child, the parent’s action must be examined in context. As
we concluded in Taylor, “it is material whether there was ‘intent’ to injure [the child].”15
Id. at 233, 862 A.2d at 1037 (emphasis in original). Because FL § 5-701(b) does not
differentiate between mental injury and physical injury, we do not interpret Subtitle 7 to
sanction a regulation in which a parent can be deemed a child abuser for unintentionally
15
Following Taylor, DHR adopted an amendment to COMAR
07.02.07.12C(2)(a)(i), the criterion for ruled out child abuse physical injury, which
reflected our reasoning in this decision. 34 Md. Reg. 2025 (November 9, 2007) (“The
change is made to restate the language more clearly, consistent with [Taylor].”). This
criterion previously ruled out child abuse physical injury when the act was unintentional.
See Taylor v. Harford Cnty. Dep’t of Soc. Servs., 384 Md. 213, 226, 862 A.2d 1026, 1033
(2004). Now the amended criterion rules out such injury if the contact is unintended.
COMAR 07.02.07.12C(2)(a)(i). The criterion properly considers intent to harm.
13
causing mental injury but not liable for unintentionally causing physical injury.16 The
Department offers no reasonable explanation for that distinction.
In light of our discussion of Taylor, we are similarly unpersuaded by the
Department’s argument that FL § 5-701 excludes any consideration of scienter for mental
injury because it contains no express scienter requirement. FL § 5-701 contains no express
scienter requirement for physical injury either. Under the Department’s theory, then, DHR
would have no authority in the first place to exclude accidental physical injuries in
COMAR 07.02.07.12. But that theory does not square with Taylor. The Department has
avoided explaining the central problem in this case: the regulation excludes accidental
physical injury but includes accidental mental injury, a distinction FL § 5-701 does not
make.
To be sure, there may be examples of mental injury arising from parental conduct
that are so reprehensible that an ALJ might infer intent to harm or reckless disregard just
from the act. One family law scholar has discussed classic examples of such conduct in
the following manner:
What does emotional abuse and neglect look like? Elle’s case
is one example. The “Cinderella syndrome” is another
common form of emotional abuse. In these cases, parents
designate one child as a scapegoat. They require her to do
more household tasks than their other children and do not give
her the same privileges and opportunities as they do the other
children. Both methods of abuse include ignoring, rejecting,
16
For example, a parent is not an abuser if she pushes a non-athletic child to
participate in a sports program, thereby causing depression or a sense of inferiority if the
child is unsuccessful. Likewise, a parent is not an abuser if he makes a decision to move
to a different state and causes a child to become depressed from loss of friends and family.
14
and isolating a child, which typically causes depression and
low self-esteem.17
The nature of the conduct in this case is patently different. We are faced with parental
conduct that is ostensibly for a child’s protection.
17
Jessica Dixon Weaver, The Principle of Subsidiarity Applied: Reforming the
Legal Framework to Capture the Psychological Abuse of Children, 18 Va. J. Soc. Pol’y &
L. 247, 250 (2011). Weaver described “Elle’s” situation:
“Elle” is a thirteen-year-old only child who is constantly
left at the library past closing time. She is restricted from
eating outside of set mealtimes by a lock and chains on the
refrigerator door. Fed mostly hotdogs and other junk food, she
hoards food from outside the home in her room, which is a
mess. When she gets into fights with her mother, she usually
winds up in a psychiatric facility for children. Her mother
complained about her tantrums to the police the first ten times
she called them out to her home. Elle is placed on three
different types of psychotropic medication, which affect her
ability to learn in school. By the eleventh phone call, the
facility refuses to take Elle because she does not need their
services. . . . Though library personnel and teachers at Elle’s
school have been concerned about her, nothing that bad
appears to be going on at home. After all, her mother is a well-
respected schoolteacher.
. . . [Although initially nonresponsive], [a]fter a few visits, she
eventually shares that her mother often told her “I hate you”
and locked her in her room for hours. She tells us that she did
not want to talk with or visit with her mother again. Neighbors
later tell CPS, after she is removed, that Elle’s mother was
verbally abusive and often kicked Elle out of the house late in
the evening without food when she was upset with her.
Id. at 248–49 (emphasis in original) (footnote call number omitted). Weaver also cites
domestic violence in the child’s presence, and living with a drug-addicted parent as actions
giving rise to emotionally abused children. See id. at 259.
15
Indeed, the Department’s view would undermine the paramount statutory purpose
of Subtitle 7—child protection. See FL § 5-702. Amici curiae18 help elucidate why. A
parent who in good faith reports suspected child abuse and seeks a SAFE exam can be a
critical “protector and advocate” of that child. Brief of Child Justice, Inc., et al. as Amici
Curiae in Support of Mother, at 5. If we read the statutory and regulatory scheme as the
Department does, however, the parent faces potential inclusion on the central registry
merely by reporting. Thus the parent receives a badge of dishonor even if she had no intent
to harm the child. The parent must now consider her “own interests and potential liability
before” her child’s welfare. Id. at 6. And if the reporting parent is penalized, then that
parent has a disincentive to report future abuse. The child, then, will lose the effective
protection and advocacy her parent can provide through reporting. Id. at 5. Indubitably,
Subtitle 7 of the Family Law Article was not designed to dissuade parents from reporting
allegations of child abuse. See id. at 8, 9. For these reasons, we conclude that the
Department interprets the child abuse statutory scheme in a manner that is “‘unreasonable,
illogical [and] inconsistent with common sense.’”19 Shrader, 324 Md. at 463, 597 A.2d at
943 (citations omitted).
18
Amici are non-profit organizations that advocate for abused children. Brief of
Child Justice, Inc., et al. as Amici Curiae in Support of Mother, at 1, 5–8.
19
We rest our decision on statutory interpretation, rather than Mother’s argument
that, without proof of intent or reckless disregard, the Department’s interpretation of
Subtitle 7 would be unconstitutional under Troxel v. Granville, 530 U.S. 57 (2000) and
Koshko v. Haining, 398 Md. 404, 921 A.2d 171 (2007).
16
We are well aware that “courts should generally defer to agencies’ decisions in
promulgating new regulations because they presumably make rules based upon their
expertise in a particular field.” Fogle v. H & G Rest., Inc., 337 Md. 441, 455, 654 A.2d
449, 456 (1995). We will not, however, give effect to agency regulations that are
inconsistent with or conflict with “the statute the regulations are intended to implement.”
Hayward, 426 Md. at 658, 668, 45 A.3d at 236, 242. “[R]ules and regulations adopted by
an administrative agency must be reasonable and consistent with the letter and spirit of the
statute under which the agency acts.” Paek v. Prince George’s Cnty. Bd. of License
Comm’rs, 381 Md. 583, 591, 851 A.2d 540, 544 (2004) (citations and internal quotation
marks omitted); Lussier v. Md. Racing Comm’n, 343 Md. 681, 687, 684 A.2d 804, 806–07
(1996).
We have previously refused to give effect to other DHR regulations on grounds they
were inconsistent with provisions of the Family Law Article pertaining to child abuse. In
Department of Human Resources, Baltimore City Department of Social Services v.
Hayward, we addressed the appeal rights of a person subject to a child abuse investigation
after a local department makes a finding of unsubstantiated child abuse, and held that such
person has a right to appeal that finding (with a goal of securing a “ruled out” decision).
426 Md. at 642, 662–69, 45 A.3d at 226, 238–43. We rejected the Department’s effort to
foreclose any appeal from such finding because the Department relied on its own
regulations that were inconsistent with the applicable statute. Id. at 659, 45 A.3d at 236.
Hayward involved FL § 5-706.1, which created a right to a conference and a right
to appeal for persons challenging findings of unsubstantiated child abuse. Id. at 660, 45
17
A.3d at 237. But COMAR 07.02.26.05B limited the right to appeal to “[a]n individual
found responsible for unsubstantiated child abuse.” Id. (emphasis in original). We
explained that the regulation conflicted with the statutory language because “the statute
[did] not differentiate between individuals who are found responsible for ‘unsubstantiated’
child abuse, and those who are not.” Id. Because the regulations conflicted with the statute,
we refused to “give effect to those regulations” and concluded that “the statute must
control.”20 Id. at 668, 45 A.3d at 242. Hayward is closely analogous to the present case
because here we also have a regulation that distinguishes between purported child abusers
in a manner the statute does not. COMAR 07.02.07.12 sets different standards for child
abusers causing physical and mental injuries. FL § 5-701(b) does not.
Our decision is also informed by a case from our intermediate appellate court. In
Fields v. Department of Human Resources Howard County Department of Social Services,
20
For other cases where regulations were unenforceable because they violated
statutes, see Mayor & City Council of Balt. v. William E. Koons, Inc., 270 Md. 231, 237,
310 A.2d 813, 817 (1973) (“The Committee may not prohibit by regulation that which is
permitted by the Housing Code.”); Comptroller of Treasury v. M.E. Rockhill, Inc., 205 Md.
226, 234–35, 107 A.2d 93, 98 (1954) (finding Treasury regulation invalid “because the rule
would then conflict with the statute”); cf. State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co. v. Md. Auto. Ins.
Fund, 277 Md. 602, 605–06, 356 A.2d 560, 562 (1976) (rejecting Insurance
Commissioner’s approval of an insurance policy endorsement because “the endorsement
so clearly limits coverage in violation of a statute.”). The Court of Special Appeals has
also refused to apply regulations that are inconsistent with a statute. See Md. Dep’t of
Health & Mental Hygiene v. Brown, 177 Md. App. 440, 466, 935 A.2d 1128, 1143 (2007)
(“[T]o the extent that [the statute] differs from COMAR 10.09.10.01B(31), it controls over
the regulation.”); United Parcel Serv., Inc. v. Comptroller of Treasury, 69 Md. App. 458,
473, 518 A.2d 164, 172 (1986) (In establishing a regulation at issue, “the Comptroller has
overridden the plain meaning of the statute. Accordingly, [the regulation] should not be
followed.”); Comptroller of Treasury v. Crown Cent. Petroleum Corp., 52 Md. App. 581,
591–97, 451 A.2d 347, 352–55 (1982) (concluding Comptroller exceeded his statutory
authority in creating the regulations at issue).
18
also involving child abuse, the applicable statute required an individual contesting a finding
of indicated child abuse to respond “to the notice of the local department in writing within
60 days.” 176 Md. App. 152, 156, 932 A.2d 824, 827 (2007) (italics omitted). The
corresponding regulation, however, imposed a requirement on the individual to respond
twice: (1) to request an appeal form and (2) return the appeal form within 60 days of the
issuance of notice. Id. at 157–58, 932 A.2d at 827–28. The intermediate appellate court
ruled that the regulation “exceed[ed] the scope of what [the statute] permitted.” Id. at 160,
932 A.2d at 829.21 The court held that COMAR 07.02.26.05 was “not consistent with the
letter or spirit of [FL § 5-706.1].” Id. at 162, 932 A.2d at 830. By the same token, COMAR
07.02.07.12 is not consistent with FL § 5-701.
Accordingly, we decline to enforce the portion of COMAR 07.02.07.12C that
limits its exculpatory scope (for accidental injury) to alleged abusers causing physical
injury. FL § 5-706 does not justify such distinction. This means, then, that to be included
as a “child abuser” in DHR’s central registry, a person must either intend to injure the child
or at least act in reckless disregard of the child’s welfare. This intent/reckless disregard
standard meets that established by DHR for physical injuries and utilized by the Taylor
Court. We reverse the holding of the Court of Special Appeals that a person can be listed
21
See also Cecil Cnty. Dep’t of Soc. Servs. v. Russell, 159 Md. App. 594, 607–11,
861 A.2d 92, 100–02 (2004) (holding that the Department should have turned over an audio
tape to the respondent before administrative hearing, notwithstanding Department’s
argument that COMAR 07.02.26.02(B)(18) did not require production of the tape, because
the broadly defined language of FL § 5-701(t) required such production); Prince George’s
Cnty. Dep’t of Soc. Servs. v. Knight, 158 Md. App. 130, 138–40, 854 A.2d 907, 911–13
(2004) (holding COMAR 07.02.26.05 invalid because, among other things, it conflicted
with FL § 5-706.1(b)).
19
on the central registry for actions causing mental injury to a child without intent to harm
the child or reckless disregard of the child’s welfare.
The Reckless Disregard Standard and Mother’s Intent
The ALJ concluded that Mother’s actions were “either an intentional attempt to
manipulate and influence” the custody dispute over R “or were a result of her subconscious
efforts to have R[] remain close to her.” The standard we have adopted does not permit
inclusion of a parent’s name in the central registry as a child abuser if the parent’s
inappropriate motivations for reporting child abuse were only at the subconscious level,
even if the child was mentally injured. A standard of liability reaching the subconscious
level veers much too close to strict liability for parental decisions. See Taylor, 384 Md. at
231, 862 A.2d at 1036.
Even if Mother intended to gain an advantage in the ongoing custody battle,
inclusion on the central registry as a child abuser is not permitted unless Mother intended
to harm R or acted in reckless disregard of R’s welfare. Acting with intent or reckless
disregard is the standard we required the ALJ to apply in Taylor, and was, at the time,
adopted by DHR with respect to physical injuries.22 See id. at 225–26, 862 A.2d at 1033(quoting COMAR 07.02.07.12C(2)(a)(i) effective in 2004, wherein physical abuse was
22
The Department modified its regulation after Taylor to say: “The contact with the
child was accidental and unintended and under the circumstances, the injury was not
foreseeable . . . .” 34 Md. Reg. 2025 (Nov. 9, 2007). We rejected use of foreseeability as
the proper standard in Taylor, casting it as inappropriate “because foreseeability, even in a
tort context, is an appropriate precursor to a finding of negligence, not to a finding of
intent.” Taylor, 384 Md. at 230, 862 A.2d at 1035.
20
ruled out when “[t]he act causing the injury was accidental or unintentional and not reckless
or deliberate”).23
In a case where the alleged abuser’s conduct falls within the realm of conduct that
could benefit the child, as medical treatment does, there must be some evidence that
supports a conclusion that the parent was at least reckless vis-à-vis the child’s health. In
other words, a parent’s conduct must constitute a gross departure from the type of conduct
a reasonable person would engage in under the circumstances. Cf. Jones v. State, 357 Md.
408, 430, 745 A.2d 396, 408 (2000) (“The test that we use to determine if a defendant’s
conduct was reckless is whether the conduct, viewed objectively, constitutes a gross
departure from the type of conduct that an [sic] law-abiding citizen would observe under
similar circumstances.”).
CONCLUSION
Accordingly, we reverse the Court of Special Appeals and remand these
proceedings to the ALJ to make factual findings and conclusions of law, consistent with
this Opinion.24
JUDGMENT OF THE COURT OF
SPECIAL APPEALS REVERSED. CASE
REMANDED TO THAT COURT WITH
DIRECTIONS TO REVERSE THE
JUDGMENT OF THE CIRCUIT COURT
OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, AND
DIRECT THAT COURT TO REVERSE
23
A case involving excessive medical visits/exams is a far cry from Elle and the
“Cinderella” syndrome. See Weaver, supra, at 248–50.
24
If there is a finding on remand adverse to Mother, we might address the second
and third questions presented if the case reaches us again.
21
THE DECISION OF THE
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE, AND
REMAND THE CASE TO THE OFFICE OF
ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS FOR
FURTHER PROCEEDINGS CONSISTENT
WITH THIS OPINION. COSTS IN THIS
COURT AND THE COURT OF SPECIAL
APPEALS TO BE PAID BY RESPONDENT.
22
Circuit Court for Washington County,
Maryland
Case No. 21-C-11-42484AA
Argued: September 9, 2015
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS
OF MARYLAND
No. 79
September Term, 2014
LAUREN MCCLANAHAN
v.
WASHINGTON COUNTY
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL
SERVICES
Barbera, C.J.
Battaglia
Greene
Adkins
McDonald
Watts
Harrell, Jr., Glenn T.
(Retired, Specially
Assigned)
JJ.
Dissenting Opinion by Battaglia, J.
which McDonald, J. joins
Filed: December 22, 2015
I respectfully dissent.
The Majority applies the holding of Taylor v. Harford Cnty. Dep’t of Soc. Servs.,
384 Md. 213, 862 A.2d 1026 (2004), a case involving the physical abuse of a child, to
vacate all of the determinations of the administrative law judge (“ALJ”), the Circuit
Court, and the Court of Special Appeals and rule that a mother cannot be found to have
committed indicated child abuse, mental injury, when she subjected her daughter to
repeated invasive sexual examinations as well as investigations by the Washington
County Department of Social Services (“the Department”).
The following specific findings of the ALJ regarding Ms. McClanahan’s behavior
toward her daughter (“R”), when her daughter was between the ages of two to five years
old, are certainly more graphic than the Majority describes. The ALJ found that Ms.
McClanahan took R to the hospital on nine different occasions for Sexual Assault
Forensic Examinations (“SAFE”) 1 over a three and a half year period:
10. The occasions on which the Appellant reported alleged sexual abuse
and took R[] to a medical provider for treatment are as follows:
 On June 7, 2007, the Appellant had taken R[] to the hospital after R[]
returned from her father’s house with redness and irritation in her vaginal
area. The hospital instructed the Appellant to take R[] to the Child
Advocacy Center for a SAFE exam. Dr. Ruth Ann Dwyer performed the
examination of R[], the results of which were normal. (Dept. 4)
 On February 21, 2008, the Appellant had taken R[] to the Child Advocacy
Center for an examination after R[] had returned from her father’s house
with her vaginal area red and swollen and she had reported that her father’s
8-year-old stepson, Sean, hurt her. Dr. Dwyer performed a SAFE exam of
1
In her findings, the ALJ explained that, “SAFE exams are conducted by doctors who are
SAFE trained and when there is a concern of sexual abuse or assault. SAFE exams
require retraction of the genitalia and are not routinely conducted on children between
two and five years old.”
R[] and diagnosed R[] with vulvitis, which is often caused by poor hygiene
and is not uncommon in prepubescent children. (Dept. 5)
 On March 23, 2008, the Appellant had taken R[] to the Waynesboro
Hospital in Pennsylvania reporting that R[] had stated that her “bottom
hurt.” She had reported that her father put things in her vagina. R[] reported
to the treating physician that a monster came from the cave and touched
her. The physician noted that R[]’s vaginal area was red but that her hymen
was intact. Pictures of R[]’s vaginal area were taken during the exam.
(Dept. 6)
 On April 28, 2008, the Appellant had taken R[] to Washington County
Hospital. The Appellant reported that R[] had returned that day from her
father’s house and had been reporting that “someone hurt her bottom.” The
Appellant requested that a SAFE be performed on R[]. A SAFE exam was
performed, the results of which revealed some redness in the vaginal area.
(Dept. 7)
 On May 26, 2008, the Appellant had taken R[] to the Washington County
Hospital requesting a sexual assault examination of R[]. The Appellant had
reported to a hospital physician that R[] had returned from her father’s
home that day and reported that her “bottom hurt” and that “Sean had put a
lollipop in her bottom.” The Appellant also reported that R[] had discharge
in her panties earlier that day. (Dept. 8). R[] also volunteered to the doctor
that Shawn had put a lollipop in her bottom. (Dept. 8)
 On May 26, 2008, Washington County Hospital performed a SAFE
examination on R[] which revealed no indicia of sexual abuse. (Dept. 8)
 On December 6, 2009, the Appellant had taken R[] to the Chambersburg
Hospital in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. R[] had reported that her father
hurt her “bottom” and stuck her with a needle there. The Appellant reported
that R[]’s vulva was red and swollen. (Dept. 9)
 On December 6, 2009, upon examination of R[], the doctor noted mild
erythema and swelling in the inferior vulva; foul discharge present but no
other redness. A urianalysis that was requested by the Appellant was
unremarkable.
 On June 23, 2010, after R[] returned from a visit with her father, the
Appellant took R[] to Chambersburg Hospital emergency room. The
Appellant reported that R[] had stated that her father “poked her with a
needle in her front bottom.” R[] reported to hospital staff that her “front
bottom” hurts. (Dept. 10). Upon examination of R[], the physician noted
“mild erythema” and “foul-smelling whitish discharge noted on retraction
of vulva.” R[] was diagnosed with a urinary tract infection at
Chambersburg Hospital. Chambersburg Hospital does not perform SAFE
exams. (Dept. 10)
2
 On June 23, 2010, the Appellant took R[] to Washington County Hospital
for a SAFE exam. R[] was not cooperative for the exam so the Appellant
brought her back to the hospital later that same day for an exam. R[]
reported at the hospital that her father “stuck a needle in her front bottom.”
R[] further reported that her father touched her the previous night. The
SAFE examination revealed redness around R[]’s labia majora but no
trauma was noted. (Dept. 12)
 On November 17, 2010, the Appellant took R[] to White Oak Pediatric for
a cough and injury. After R[] reported that she was there for her “bottom,”
Jane Shughart, the physician’s assistant (PA), examined R[]’s vaginal area.
She observed redness in the area with mucus discharge and what appeared
to be a black coarse hair. Ms. Shugar referred the Appellant to Emergency
Room to do further evaluation. (Appellant 1). The Appellant took R[] to
Washington County Hospital where R[] reported that her father “pokes her
with a needle and puts cream on her front bottom.” The Washington
County Hospital physician refused to perform a SAFE exam based on the
request of the local department and its report that R[] had undergone
numerous previous SAFE exams. (Dept. 13)
The ALJ also found that the Department had “conducted approximately 14 investigations
pertaining to R[] and allegations of abuse” and that every investigation of sexual abuse of
R by her father had resulted in a ruled out disposition. Further, the ALJ’s findings
questioned the bases for the numerous examinations and investigations initiated by Ms.
McClanahan:
20. R[] has not demonstrated sexual behavior symptoms that are typical of
a child that has experienced sexual abuse at the level alleged by the
Appellant.
21. Redness in the vagina area and discharge are not uncommon medical
occurrences in children of R[]’s age and are often the result of poor hygiene
(Dwyer testimony).
22. R[]’s statements of alleged sexual abuse by her father are made to the
Appellant upon her return to the Appellant from visits with her father. R[]’s
statements to professionals regarding the alleged abuse are most always
made in the presence of the Appellant and not followed up on with the
professional at a later time.
23. R[] has never made a disclosure of sex abuse to CPS workers during
any of the investigations. (McCarthy testimony).
3
The ALJ found that R suffered mental injury based upon the reports of Dr. Carlton E.
Munson and Mr. Ronald E. Zuskin, but specifically attributed the source of that injury to
Ms. McClanahan based on the evaluation provided by Dr. Munson:
27. It is the opinion of Dr. Munson that R[] has been mentally injured and
that the source of the injury is the Appellant’s engaging in suggestive
utterances to R[] about abuse by R[]’s father and engaging in alienating
activities related to the father. (Dept. 17, page 21)
28. It is the opinion of Dr. Munson that R[] has been mentally injured and
that the source of the injury is the Appellant’s exploitation of R[] by her use
of sexual abuse allegations, investigations and examinations which
encourages the development and reinforcement of aberrant behavior by
drawing R[] in a closer relationship to the Appellant. (Dept. 19)
The ALJ, thus, affirmed the Department’s finding of indicated child abuse, mental
injury, by Ms. McClanahan. In doing so, the ALJ used language upon which the Majority
seizes regarding Ms. McClanahan’s motives:
The evidence presented by the local department has led me to conclude that
the Appellant’s actions were either an intentional attempt to manipulate and
influence the outcome of an ongoing custody dispute with R[]’s father, or
were a result of her subconscious efforts to have R[] remain close to her. A
finding of indicated abuse mental injury is appropriate as the Appellant’s
actions have resulted in the mental injury of R[].
The Majority, however, in doing so, obviates the ALJ’s finding that Ms. McClanahan’s
actions, which include reporting sexual abuse allegations, taking R to various hospitals
for treatment, and subjecting R to intrusive sexual examinations, were intentional and
“resulted in the mental injury of R” and that the ALJ specifically found that Ms.
McClanahan’s “act of making multiple allegations of sex abuse of R[] by her father and
subjecting R[] to repeated sexual abuse exams constitutes child abuse mental injury.”
4
The first holding of the Majority with which I disagree, however, is that the
standard used in Taylor, a child abuse physical injury case, should be applied in a child
abuse, mental injury, case. In Taylor, the father’s act of kicking a footstool that hit his
daughter without intent to hurt the child did not constitute child abuse, physical injury. In
that case, the ALJ had applied Section 5-701(b)(1)2 of the Family Law Article and
rejected the father’s defense of “accident” as encompassed by the ruled out provision of
COMAR 07.02.07.12C(2)(a)(i),3 which stated that:
A finding of ruled out child abuse is appropriate if child abuse did not
occur. A finding of ruled out may be based on credible evidence that:
***
(2) In the case of physical abuse:
(a) The alleged abuser was not responsible for the injury for reasons
including, but not limited to, one of the following:
2
Section 5-701(b) of the Family Law Article of the Maryland Code (1984, 1999 Repl.
Vol., 2004 Supp.) defined ‘abuse’ and provided:
(1) the physical or mental injury of a child by any parent or other person
who has permanent or temporary care or custody or responsibility for
supervision of a child, or by any household or family member, under
circumstances that indicate that the child's health or welfare is harmed or at
substantial risk of being harmed; or
(2) sexual abuse of a child, whether physical injuries are sustained or not.
3
Following Taylor, in 2007, COMAR 07.02.07.12C(2)(a)(i) was amended to “restate the
language more clearly, consistent with [Taylor]”. 34 Md. Reg. 2025 (November 9, 2007)
and it now provides:
A finding of ruled out child abuse is appropriate if child abuse did not
occur. A finding of ruled out may be based on credible evidence that:
***
(2) In the case of physical abuse:
(a) The alleged abuser was not responsible for the injury for reasons
including, but not limited to, one of the following:
(i) The contact with the child was accidental and unintended and
under the circumstances, the injury was not foreseeable[]
.
5
(i) The act causing the injury was accidental or unintentional and not
reckless or deliberate[]
Id. at 225-26, 862 A.2d at 1033. We determined that the father’s act of kicking the stool
was “unintentional”, such that physical child abuse was ruled out.
The Taylor holding, however, is totally inapplicable to a child abuse, mental
injury, case, because by its very terms COMAR 07.02.07.12C(2)(a)(i), then and now, is
limited in scope to “physical injury.” The Majority points to nothing to support its
conclusion that it “decline[s] to enforce the portion of COMAR 07.02.07.12C that limits
its exculpatory scope (for accidental injury) to alleged abusers causing physical injury.”
Maj. Slip Op. at 19. Clearly, physical abuse is different from mental abuse not only in the
types of acts of the perpetrator and the harm experienced by the child victim, but, most
importantly, in the recognition that physical injury can result from accidental or
unintended acts while mental injury of a child by a caretaker cannot. The Majority does
not cite any basis for its lumping physical and mental abuse together, nor can I discern
any.
Even assuming Taylor’s holding can apply in the context of mental injury, with
which I vehemently disagree, the Majority, nevertheless, errs because of its emphasis on
a piece of the opinion by the ALJ that Ms. McClanahan’s actions were “a result of her
subconscious efforts” to rule out child abuse, mental injury. Here, Ms. McClanahan’s acts
met the standard of intentional abuse, not accidental injury.
The Majority equates the ALJ’s discussion of subconscious motive with
unintentional acts when it states that “[a] standard of liability reaching the subconscious
6
level veers much too close to strict liability for parental decisions”, Maj. Slip Op. at 20,
thereby conflating motive and intention. The ALJ never said that Ms. McClanahan’s
conduct was unintentional or unconscious but rather was specific in finding intention and
volition in the acts of Ms. McClanahan when stating: “I have found that [Ms.
McClanahan’s] act of making multiple allegations of sex abuse of R[] by her father and
subjecting R[] to repeated sexual abuse exams constitutes child abuse mental injury.” The
ALJ also found that Ms. McClanahan’s “exploitation” of R by “her use of sexual abuse
allegations, investigations and examinations” caused R’s mental injury. The ALJ, thus,
consistently found Ms. McClanahan’s conduct to be volitional and intentional.
The important distinction between subconscious motive and intentional acts has
been persuasively articulated in Johnson v. Metropolitan Life Ins. Co., 273 F. Supp. 589,
593 (D.N.J. 1967), aff’d, 404 F.2d 1202 (3d Cir. 1968). In Johnson, a widow of a man
who committed suicide sought to recover under a policy excluding death benefits from a
suicide, under a number of theories, one of which was that her husband was “irresistibly
compelled by impulse to immolate himself, and therefore, that his action was no more the
product of a conscious intent that [sic] would be a purely accidental act”. Id. at 594. The
Court rejected the widow’s theory and explained:
In this regard, one must be careful to distinguish questions of intent
and questions of motive. Psychoanalytically oriented and other schools of
“depth psychology” have made the notions of “unconscious” or
“subconscious” motive common parlance. But it is not helpful to define
“suicide” as an intentional self-destruction, and then to confuse the slippery
notion of “intent” with its underlying causes.
Whatever the constellation of drives, impulses or subconscious
motives which cause the subject to perform a given act, unless that act is
actually inadvertent, its physical execution is “intentional” in the ordinary
7
sense of the word. In short, my motive for doing, or impulse to do, the act is
one thing; the fact that I therefore intend to do it and do so is a separate
point and one that is not here in doubt.
Id. In the present case, Ms. McClanahan intended to subject her child to nine sexual
examinations and fourteen investigations, all of which resulted in mental injuries. Ms.
McClanahan’s motives, as found by the ALJ, included “to manipulate and influence the
outcome of an ongoing custody dispute” or to “have R[] remain close to her.” Ms.
McClanahan’s actions were not inadvertent or beneficent but were intentional and caused
injury to R.
I would affirm. Judge McDonald authorizes me to state that he joins the views
expressed in this dissenting opinion.
8