in Re Williams Minors ( 2017 )

STATE OF MICHIGAN
COURT OF APPEALS
FOR PUBLICATION
In re JJW and ELW, Minors. June 8. 2017
9:15 a.m.
No. 334095
Oakland Circuit Court
LC No. 2015-837756-AM
In re WILLIAMS, Minors. No. 335932
Macomb Circuit Court
Family Division
LC No. 2012-000291-NA
Before: SAWYER, P.J., and SAAD and RIORDAN, JJ.
PER CURIAM.
In Docket No. 334095, petitioners, foster mothers (collectively “petitioners”), appeal as
of right an Oakland Circuit Court order denying their petition to adopt JJW and ELW
(collectively, “the children”). The children’s biological father, intervenor, is a member of the
Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians (the “Tribe”), also an intervening party in the lower
court proceedings. The children are eligible for membership in the Tribe. In addition to
challenging the order denying the petition to adopt, petitioners also challenge an earlier order
rescinding the order placing the children with them for purposes of adoption on the basis of the
withdrawal of consent by the child placing agency and the Tribe.
In Docket No. 335932, respondent, the children’s biological father (“father”), appeals by
leave granted1 a subsequent order from the Macomb Circuit Court denying his motion to
withdraw his consent to terminate his parental rights, and for return of the children.
Because the children are eligible for membership in the Chippewa Tribe, the parties’
claims on appeal implicate the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), 25 USC 1901 et seq., and the
1
In re Williams, Minors, unpublished order of the Court of Appeals, entered December 19, 2016
(Docket No. 335932).
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Michigan Indian Family Preservation Act (MIFPA), MCL 712B.1 et seq. ICWA establishes
minimum federal standards for the placement of Indian children in foster or adoptive homes that
“reflect the unique values of Indian culture.” 25 USC 1902. Likewise, the Michigan Legislature
enacted MIFPA, with the purpose of protecting “the best interests of Indian children and
promot[ing] the stability and security of Indian tribes and families.” MCL 712B.5(a). There is
no dispute that the children in this case are Indian children under both ICWA and MIFPA. See
25 USC 1903(4) and MCL 712B.3(k).
We affirm the Macomb Circuit Court’s order denying respondent father’s motion to
withdraw consent to terminate his parental rights and for return of the children because he does
not have a right to withdraw his consent under MIFPA, specifically MCL 712B.13, the ICWA,
or the Adoption Code. We vacate the Oakland Circuit Court’s order rescinding the order placing
the children with petitioners because we conclude that neither ICWA nor MIFPA permit
rescission of a placement order due to a change in consent by a child placing agency or tribe after
entry of the placement order. Because the Oakland Circuit Court did not rule on the factual issue
whether adoption was in the children’s best interests, or whether circumstances had arisen that
made adoption undesirable, we reverse the order denying petitioners’ petition for adoption and
remand for further proceedings.
I. FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
In August 2012, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) filed a petition
in the Macomb Circuit Court requesting that the court take jurisdiction over the two-year-old
JJW and newborn ELW, whose meconium screen tested positive for THC, opiates, and cocaine.
Both biological parents, respondent father and the mother, admitted that they had relapsed into
substance abuse. The children were removed from their biological parents’ care and placed with
petitioners on August 13, 2012.
Nearly three years later, in May 2015, respondent father signed a form titled, “RELEASE
OF CHILD BY PARENT.” It provided, in relevant part:
2. . . . I voluntarily give up permanently all of my parental rights to my
child.
3. I understand my right to request a rehearing or to appeal within 21 days
after an order is entered terminating my parental rights.
4. I have not received or been promised any money or anything of value
for the release of my child except for charges and fees approved by the court.
5. Of my own free will, I give up completely and permanently my
parental rights to my child, and I release my child to Michigan Department of
Human Services for the purpose of adoption.
The statutes and court rule listed at the bottom of the release form are: “MCL 712.28, MCL
710.29, MCL 710.54, 25 USC 1913(a), [and] MCR 3.801.” The children’s mother executed the
same document on the same day. At the hearing regarding the release, the biological parents
waived any right to a judge. The biological parents explained that they could not provide for
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their children and the current placement with petitioners was “working out good.” The referee
advised them that there was no guarantee who the children would be placed with and respondent
father replied, “Right.” Following the release of parental rights, the Macomb Circuit Court
entered an order terminating the biological parents’ rights to the children, and also continuing the
children’s placement with petitioners. The Macomb Circuit Court committed the children to the
Michigan Children’s Institute (MCI) for further case planning.2
Petitioners have four other biological and adoptive children in their family. Throughout
the period of time shortly after the children’s placement with petitioners in 2012, until petitioners
filed a petition for adoption in December 2015, respondent Hands Across the Water (HAW)
investigated a number of reports involving the foster family, and various safety plans and
corrective action plans were implemented. Mary E. Rossman, the Superintendent of MCI,
nevertheless voluntarily consented to the adoption of the children by petitioners. In addition, the
Tribe approved of the adoption “with reservations.”
On February 2, 2016, the Oakland Circuit Court terminated the rights of MCI after
finding that the consent to adoption was genuine, given with legal authority, and the best
interests of the children would be served by the adoption. After consent, the court entered an
order placing both children with petitioners.
On February 22, 2016, HAW wrote a letter to the Oakland Circuit Court asking it to
rescind the order placing the children with petitioners and to not finalize the adoption. In the
letter, HAW detailed previous allegations and action plans, and noted new allegations3
suggesting that the foster family would be unable to meet the needs of all the children in the
home. On March 7, 2016, the Tribe wrote to the Oakland Circuit Court supporting HAW’s
recommendation to oppose the adoption of the children by petitioners.
At a hearing on April 29, 2016, the Oakland Circuit Court judge suggested that she had
little discretion in this matter because, under ICWA, any parent or Indian tribe could withdraw
consent to placement at any time, and upon withdrawal, the child would be returned to the parent
or tribe. The judge stated that she was “irritated and frustrated” that HAW had not done its job
to recognize the problems with the placement earlier, before the children were “going to be
ripped out of this home.” The judge then requested additional briefing.
On June 14, 2016, the Oakland Circuit Court entered an opinion and order providing, in
relevant part:
2
The record shows continued monitoring of the children’s placement by the Macomb Circuit
Court, but adoption proceedings involving petitioners later occurred in the Oakland Circuit
Court.
3
A new corrective action plan was created for one new allegation, but HAW concluded that the
foster family was following safety plans already instituted regarding the second new allegation.
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Consents to adoption may be executed by “the authorized representative of
the department or his or her designee or of a child placing agency to whom the
child has been permanently committed by an order of the court and/or by the court
. . . having permanent custody of the child.” MCL 710.43. Under ICWA Section
1913(c), parents may withdraw consent to adoptive placement for any reason at
any time prior to the entry of a final decree of adoption. See In re Kiogima, 189
Mich. App. 6 (1991). Similarly, under MIFPA, “a parent or Indian custodian who
executes a consent” for placement for purposes of adoption “may withdraw his or
her consent at any time before entry of a final order of adoption by filing a written
demand requesting the return of the child.” MCL 712B.13(3) (emphasis added).
“Once a demand is filed with the court, the court shall order the return of the
child.” Id. Importantly, withdrawal of consent by a parent or Indian custodian
“constitutes a withdrawal of . . . a consent to adopt executed under” MCL 710.43,
cited above. MCL 712B.13(3).
In Oglaga Sioux Tribe, the court at issue held that “Tribes have parens
patriae standing to bring [an] action” on par with that of a biological parent.
Supra, 993 F Supp 2d 1017 at 1027-28. The Court reasoned that ICWA was
enacted to “‘protect the best interests of Indian children and to promote the
stability and security of Indian tribes and families.’” Id. (quoting ICWA sec
1902).
The Court’s Findings
Based on the legal authority cited above, the Court has no choice but to
grant the Agency’s and the Tribe’s request to set aside the Order. The Court notes
that Petitioners’ citation of MCL 710.51 is inapplicable here, as Minors are of
Indian heritage such that ICWA and MIFPA supersede any and all conflicting
provisions of the Michigan Adoption Code. The Court notes that the Agency and
the Tribe both have standing to rescind the Order and that their authority to do so
still exists because the finalization of Minors’ adoption has not yet occurred.
While ICWA only specifically addresses a parent’s right to revoke consent to
adoption, the Court notes that MIFPA expressly expands the authority to a
Minor’s Indian custodian and then provides that an agency’s consent to adopt is
akin to a parent’s and/or an Indian custodian’s consent. Finally, the Court notes
that the Court’s finding is corroborated by ICWA’s stated intent, as the Act was
created to protect a tribe’s stability and security by giving deferential preference
to a minor’s tribe.
The Court notes that it does not make this finding without apprehension,
as Minors have resided with Petitioners for most of Minors’ young lives. As a
result, the Court deems it necessary to schedule a hearing as soon as possible to
determine the details of removing Minors from Petitioners’ residence and
ensuring that said removal is performed to reduce any potential trauma on Minors,
as well as Petitioners.
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On June 21, 2016, the Oakland Circuit Court recommitted the children to MCI and denied
petitioners’ petition for adoption. By that time, the children (ages almost four and six ) had lived
with petitioners approximately four years.
Following the order rescinding the order placing the children with petitioners, respondent
father filed a notice in the Macomb Circuit Court to withdraw consent to the termination of his
parental rights and a demand requesting the return of the children pursuant to MCL 712B.13(3).
Respondent father stated that he voluntarily relinquished his parental rights to the children so that
petitioners could adopt them, but the Oakland Circuit Court had recently denied their petition for
adoption.
The Macomb Circuit Court refused to withdraw respondent father’s consent and ruled
that MCL 712B.13(3) did not apply because this was not a voluntary consent to placement for
purposes of adoption. The court disagreed with respondent father’s claim that he had consented
to the adoptive placement with petitioners. The court then found that MCL 712B.13(5) applied
to the release in this case. The court reasoned that although that statute references MCL
712B.15, the latter statute does not cover withdrawal, so the court could reference ICWA and In
re Kiogima, 189 Mich. App. 6; 472 NW2d 13 (1991), which only allow rescission of a release
before termination of parental rights. Citing In re MD, 110 Wash App 524; 42 P3d 424 (2002),
the court further reasoned that allowing the release to be rescinded at any time would make
termination of parental rights conditional and meaningless.
II. DOCKET NO. 334095 – PETITIONERS’ APPEAL
The primary questions presented in petitioners’ appeal concern who has authority to give
consent to the adoptive placement, and whether ICWA or MIFPA permit HAW or the Tribe to
withdraw consent after the order placing the children is entered.
In In re KMN, 309 Mich. App. 274, 286; 870 NW2d 75 (2015), this Court, quoting
Hoffenblum v Hoffenblum, 308 Mich. App. 102, 109-110; 863 NW2d 352 (2014), observed:
“The primary goal when interpreting a statute is to ascertain and give
effect to the Legislature’s intent. Mich Ed Ass’n v Secretary of State (On
Rehearing), 489 Mich. 194, 217-218; 801 NW2d 35 (2011). ‘The words
contained in a statute provide us with the most reliable evidence of the
Legislature’s intent.’ Green v Ziegelman, 282 Mich. App. 292, 301; 767 NW2d
660 (2009). ‘[S]tatutory provisions are not to be read in isolation; rather, context
matters, and thus statutory provisions are to be read as a whole.’ Robinson v City
of Lansing, 486 Mich. 1, 15; 782 NW2d 171 (2010) (emphasis omitted). If
statutory language is unambiguous, the Legislature is presumed to have intended
the plain meaning of the statute. Fleet Business Credit, LLC v Krapohl Ford
Lincoln Mercury Co, 274 Mich. App. 584, 591; 735 NW2d 644 (2007). An
unambiguous statute must be enforced as written. Fluor Enterprises, Inc v Dep’t
of Treasury, 477 Mich. 170, 174; 730 NW2d 722 (2007).”
“Statutes that relate to the same subject matter or share a common purpose are in pari
materia and must be read together as one law . . . to effectuate the legislative purpose as found in
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harmonious statutes.” In re Project Cost & Special Assessment Roll for Chappel Dam, 282 Mich
App 142, 148; 762 NW2d 192 (2009). “If two statutes lend themselves to a construction that
avoids conflict, that construction should control.” Id. “When two statutes are in pari materia
but conflict with one another on a particular issue, the more specific statute must control over the
more general statute.” Donkers v Kovach, 277 Mich. App. 366, 371; 745 NW2d 154 (2007).
A. MCI’S AUTHORITY TO WITHDRAW CONSENT
After the children’s biological parents released their parental rights, the children were
committed to MCI. According to MCL 400.203(1), the superintendent of MCI “shall represent
the state as guardian of each child . . . .” The MCI superintendent “has the power to make
decisions on behalf of a child committed to the institute” and is authorized to consent to that
child’s adoption. MCL 400.203(2) and MCL 400.209; see also MCL 710.43(1)(e) (consent to
adoption shall be executed by the guardian of a child). MCL 710.51 addresses the procedure that
follows a consent to adoption and provides, in relevant part:
(1) Not later than 14 days after receipt of the report of investigation,
except as provided in subsections (2) and (5), the judge shall examine the report
and shall enter an order terminating the rights of the child’s parent or parents, if
there was a parental consent, or the rights of any person in loco parentis, if there
was a consent by other than parents, and approve placement of the child with the
petitioner if the judge is satisfied as to both of the following:
(a) The genuineness of consent to the adoption and the legal authority of
the person or persons signing the consent.
(b) The best interests of the adoptee will be served by the adoption.
***
(3) Upon entry of an order terminating rights of parents or persons in loco
parentis, a child is a ward of the court and a consent to adoption executed under
section 43 of this chapter shall not be withdrawn after the order is entered . . . .
The DHHS’s Adoption Services Manual4 similarly explains:
After consent to adopt has been issued to an adoptive family, the family
may file a petition to adopt with the court. If circumstances develop that cause
the adoption worker to determine that adoption by the family who has received
consent would not be in the best interests of the child, the adoption worker must
document in writing the reasons and immediately provide this documentation to
4
DHHS Adoption Services Manual, available at https://dhhs.michigan.gov/olmweb/ex/html/,
Children’s Services Agency.
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the Michigan Children’s Institute (MCI) superintendent or his or her designee that
the request for consent is withdrawn.
Consent may be withdrawn at any time up until the court has issued an
order terminating the rights of the Department of Human Services (DHS). If the
court has issued an order terminating the rights of DHS and an order placing the
child for adoption, the child is no longer under the supervision of MCI and the
MCI superintendent or his or her designee does not have authority to withdraw
consent. [ADM 0840.]
Pursuant to the plain language of MCL 400.203(2) and MCL 400.209, MCI had authority to
consent to the adoption of the children by petitioners. After the Oakland Circuit Court
terminated MCI’s rights and entered an order placing the children with petitioners on February 2,
2016, MCI lost any authority to withdraw consent.
B. WITHDRAWING CONSENT UNDER ICWA AND MIFPA
Even though MCI lost authority to withdraw consent after the February 2, 2016 order, we
must still determine whether either HAW or the Tribe retained such authority because the
children are Indian children for purposes of ICWA and MIFPA. Again, MCL 710.51(3)
provides that consent to adoption “shall not be withdrawn” after an order terminating rights of
parents or persons in loco parentis. Quoting from and combining portions of MCL 712B.13(1)
and MCL 712B.13(3), the Oakland Circuit Court nevertheless found:
The Court notes that the Agency and the Tribe both have standing to
rescind the Order and that their authority to do so still exists because the
finalization of Minors’ adoption has not yet occurred. While ICWA only
specifically addresses a parent’s right to revoke consent to adoption, MIFPA
expressly expands the authority to a Minor’s Indian custodian and then provides
that an agency’s consent to adopt is akin to a parent’s and/or an Indian custodian’s
consent.
The Oakland Circuit Court correctly concluded that neither HAW nor the Tribe
established any authority to withdraw consent under ICWA. Rather, ICWA gives the parent of
an Indian child the power to withdraw consent in a voluntary proceeding. 25 USC 1913(c)
provides:
In any voluntary proceeding for termination of parental rights to, or
adoptive placement of, an Indian child, the consent of the parent may be
withdrawn for any reason at any time prior to the entry of a final decree of
termination or adoption, as the case may be, and the child shall be returned to the
parent.
The Oakland Circuit Court erred in concluding that both HAW and the Tribe had
authority to withdraw consent under MIFPA. MIFPA addresses withdrawal related to both
guardianship and adoptive placement in MCL 712B.13, which provides:
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(1) If both parents or Indian custodian voluntarily consent to a petition for
guardianship under section 5204 or 5205 of the estates and protected individuals
code, 1998 PA 386, MCL 700.5204 and 700.5205, or if a parent consents to
adoptive placement or the termination of his or her parental rights for the express
purpose of adoption by executing a release under sections 28 and 29 of chapter X,
or consent under sections 43 and 44 of chapter X, the following requirements
must be met:
(a) To be valid, consent under this section must be executed on a form
approved by the state court administrative office, in writing, recorded before a
judge of a court of competent jurisdiction, and accompanied by the presiding
judge’s certificate that the terms and consequences of the consent were fully
explained in detail and were fully understood by the parent or Indian custodian.
The court shall also certify that either the parent or Indian custodian fully
understood the explanation in English or that it was interpreted into a language
that the parent or Indian custodian understood. Any consent given before, or
within 10 days after, birth of the Indian child is not valid.
(b) Notice of the pending proceeding must be given as prescribed by
Michigan supreme court rule, the Indian child welfare act, and section 9 of this
chapter.
(c) The voluntary custody proceeding shall be conducted in accordance
with Michigan supreme court rules and the following statutes:
(i) In a guardianship proceeding under section 5204 or 5205 of the estates
and protected individuals code, 1998 PA 386, MCL 700.5204 and 700.5205,
section 25 of this chapter also applies.
(ii) In an adoption proceeding, section 27 of this chapter also applies.
***
(3) If the placement is for purposes of adoption, a consent under
subsection (1) of the Indian child’s parent must be executed in conjunction with
either a consent to adopt, as required by sections 43 and 44 of chapter X, or a
release, as required by sections 28 and 29 of chapter X. A parent who executes a
consent under this section may withdraw his or her consent at any time before
entry of a final order of adoption by filing a written demand requesting the return
of the Indian child. Once a demand is filed with the court, the court shall order
the return of the Indian child. Withdrawal of consent under this section
constitutes a withdrawal of a release executed under sections 28 and 29 of chapter
X or a consent to adopt executed under sections 43 and 44 of chapter X.
(4) A parent or Indian custodian who executes a consent under this section
for the purpose of guardianship may withdraw his or her consent at any time by
sending written notice to the court substantially in compliance on a form approved
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by the state court administrative office that the parent or Indian custodian revokes
consent and wants his or her Indian child returned.
(5) A release executed under sections 28 and 29 of chapter X during a
pendency of a proceeding under section 2(b) of chapter XIIA is subject to section
15 of this chapter. If the release follows the initiation of a proceeding under
section 2(b) of chapter XIIA, the court shall make a finding that culturally
appropriate services were offered.
(6) A parent who executes a consent to adoption under sections 43 and 44
of chapter X may withdraw that consent at any time before entry of a final order
for adoption by filing notification of the withdrawal of consent with the court . . . .
None of the parties on appeal argue that the Oakland Circuit Court was correct in
concluding that HAW and the Tribe could withdraw their consent as Indian custodians under
MCL 712B.13. Indeed, the Tribe concedes that “[t]he trial court was not bound to follow the
Tribe’s objection . . . .” We agree that the circuit court’s interpretation is contrary to the plain
language of the statute for several reasons. First, as discussed further in Part III, any power to
withdraw consent to an adoptive placement made under MCL 712B.13(3) is only expressly
provided to parents. The plain language of the statute does not permit an Indian custodian to
withdraw such consent to an adoptive placement. Rather, references to an Indian custodian in
MCL 712B.13 relate only to consent for purposes of guardianship, not adoption, which is
relevant to this case. See MCL 712B.13(1) and (4).
Second, even if an Indian custodian could withdraw consent to an adoptive placement
made under MCL 712B.13(1), neither HAW nor the Tribe constitutes an Indian custodian under
MIFPA. Pursuant to MCL 712B.3(n), “ ‘Indian custodian’ means any Indian person who has
custody of an Indian child under tribal law or custom or under state law or to whom temporary
physical care, custody, and control have been transferred by the Indian child’s parent.” The
children were wards of the court after it terminated MCI’s rights and placed the children with
petitioners for purposes of adoption. MCL 710.51(3). Therefore, neither HAW nor the Tribe
had custody of the children. Moreover, HAW is not an “Indian person.” Rather, a “[c]hild
placing agency” means a private organization licensed under 1973 PA 116, MCL 722.111 to
722.128, to place children for adoption.” MCL 710.22. Similarly, the Tribe is not a single
“Indian person.” “Indian tribe” or “tribe” means any Indian tribe, band, nation, or other
organized group or community of Indians recognized as eligible for the services provided to
Indians by the secretary because of their status as Indians . . . .” MCL 712B.3(o). The
Legislature’s distinct use of the terms “Indian custodian,” “agency,” and “tribe” throughout
MIFPA demonstrates its intent that the terms are not interchangeable. See, e.g., MCL 712B.7(3),
MCL 712B.9, and MCL712B.15(5).
Because neither ICWA nor MIFPA granted authority to HAW or the Tribe to withdraw
consent after entry of the order placing the children and terminating MCI’s rights, MCL
710.51(3), which precludes the withdrawal of consent after the order terminating MCI’s rights,
controls. The Oakland Circuit Court erred by concluding that a change in the consent of HAW
or the Tribe could have any effect on the order placing the children with petitioners.
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C. STANDING
To support its conclusion that the Tribe’s withdrawal of consent could affect the order
placing the children, the Oakland Circuit Court also cited Oglala Sioux Tribe v Van Hunnik, 993
F Supp 2d 1017 (WD SD, 2014).5 In that case, the federal district court for the Western District
of South Dakota ruled that, where tribes assert claims on behalf of all of the sovereign’s citizens,
they have parens patriae standing to bring an action to litigate due process and ICWA violations.
Id. at 1027-1028. “Parens patriae ‘is a concept of standing utilized to protect those quasi-
sovereign interests such as health, comfort and welfare of the people, interstate water rights,
general economy of the state, etc.’ ” Coldsprings Twp v Kalkaska Co Zoning Bd of Appeals, 279
Mich. App. 25, 29; 755 NW2d 553 (2008), quoting Black’s Law Dictionary (6th ed). There is no
question that the Tribe has standing in this case. ICWA and MIFPA both allow a tribe to
intervene. See 25 USC 1911(c) and MCL 712B.7(6). But “[s]tanding in no way depends on the
merits of the case.” Trademark Props of Mich, LLC v Fed Nat’l Mtg Ass’n, 308 Mich. App. 132,
136; 863 NW2d 344 (2014) (quotation marks and citation omitted). The mere fact that the Tribe
has an interest in the placement of Indian children under ICWA and MIFPA does not confer any
statutory right to withdraw consent. The Oakland Circuit Court erred by relying on standing to
support its decision to rescind the order placing the children.
D. PLACEMENT PREFERENCES
The Oakland Circuit Court also found that allowing the Tribe’s withdrawal of consent to
affect the order placing the children was consistent with “ICWA’s stated intent, as the Act was
created to protect a tribe’s stability and security by giving deferential preference to a minor’s
tribe.” We conclude that ICWA placement preferences have no bearing on this case.6 25 USC
1915(a) provides that “[i]n any adoptive placement of an Indian child under State law, a
preference shall be given, in the absence of good cause to the contrary, to a placement with (1) a
member of the child’s extended family; (2) other members of the Indian child’s tribe; or (3) other
Indian families.”
In Adoptive Couple v Baby Girl, ___ US ___; 133 S. Ct. 2552, 2564; 186 L. Ed. 2d 729
(2013), the United States Supreme Court held that ICWA’s adoptive placement “preferences are
inapplicable in cases where no alternative party has formally sought to adopt the child.” In Baby
Girl, the biological father (a member of an Indian tribe), who contested the child’s placement
with an adoptive couple and argued his parental rights should not have been terminated, did not
seek to adopt the child in the lower court proceeding. Id. Although there was testimony in the
record that the tribe had certified approximately 100 couples to be adoptive parents, none of
those couples had formally sought to adopt the child in the state court. Id. at 2565 n 12. Because
there was no ‘preference’ to apply if no alternative party that was eligible to be preferred under
5
“Decisions from lower federal courts are not binding but may be considered persuasive.” Truel
v City of Dearborn, 291 Mich. App. 125, 136 n 3; 804 NW2d 744 (2010).
6
We note that neither HAW nor the Tribe argue that any placement-preference provisions in
ICWA or MIFPA apply.
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§ 1915(a) had come forward, the placement was affirmed. Id. at 2564. Similarly, here, there
was no pending adoption petition of an alternative party who was eligible to be preferred under
25 USC 1915(a). Thus, there was no ICWA preference to apply and this placement preference
scheme under ICWA did not support the court’s decision to rescind the order placing the
children.
The list of potential placements under MIFPA in MCL 712B.23 also had no bearing after
the children were placed with petitioners. As this Court explained in In re KMN, 309 Mich. App.
274, 290; 870 NW2d 75 (2015), citing MCL 712B.23(2):
MIFPA differs from ICWA in that it does not give a preference to eligible
parties over ineligible parties. Rather, MIFPA requires that, absent good cause,
the adoptive placement must be either with a member of the child’s extended
family, a member of the Indian child’s tribe, or an Indian family, in that “order of
preference.” [Emphasis in original.]
Or, under MCL 712B.23(6), “if the Indian child’s tribe establishes a different order of
preference, the department or court ordering the placement shall follow the tribe’s order of
preference.” MCL 712B.23(4) addresses deviation from the list of potential placements and the
court’s responsibility to investigate and eliminate possible placements until the placement meets
MIFPA requirements. The statute provides:
The court shall not find good cause to deviate from the placement
preferences stated in this section without first ensuring that all possible
placements required under this section have been thoroughly investigated and
eliminated. All efforts made under this section must be provided to the court in
writing or stated on the record. The court shall address efforts to place an Indian
child in accordance with this section at each hearing until the placement meets the
requirements of this section.
The Tribe here created its own order of preference according to MCL 712B.23(6), which
included a placement for the best interests of the children approved by the Tribe’s Child Welfare
Committee. The Child Welfare Committee concluded that placement with petitioners was in the
children’s best interests. Therefore, when the Oakland Circuit Court placed the children with
petitioners on February 2, 2016, the court complied with MCL 712B.23. The court was only
required to address efforts to place the children “in accordance with [with MCL 712B.23] at each
hearing until the placement meets the requirements of this section.” MCL 712B.23(4) (emphasis
added). “Until” means “up to the time that; up to such time as.” Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate
Dictionary (11th ed). The plain language of the statute requires compliance with the Tribe’s
preference up to the time of the placement. The Legislature did not impose any duty on the court
to ensure that the placement continued to satisfy the Tribe’s preferences after the time of the
placement.7 Therefore, the list of potential placements in MCL 712B.23 was inapposite at the
7
The Tribe argues that changing its preference was its prerogative under Miss Band of Choctaw
Indians v Holyfield, 490 U.S. 30; 109 S. Ct. 1597; 104 L. Ed. 2d 29 (1989). Although that case
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time the Tribe moved to withdraw consent after a proper placement was made according to that
statute.
E. BEST INTERESTS
HAW, the Tribe, and the lawyer-guardian ad litem all argue on appeal that, even if the
withdrawal of consent by HAW and the Tribe should have had no effect on the order placing the
children, the Oakland Circuit Court nevertheless properly denied the petition to adopt because
the placement was not in the children’s best interests, MCL 710.21a(b) and 710.22(g), and
circumstances arose that made the adoption undesirable, MCL 710.56. We agree that the court
had the authority to deny the petition for adoption on the basis that the adoption was undesirable.
But no such finding was made in this case. Therefore, remand is required for the court to make
the necessary factual determinations regarding the desirability of the adoption.
A general purpose of the Adoption Code is “[t]o provide procedures and services that will
safeguard and promote the best interests of each adoptee in need of adoption and that will protect
the rights of all parties concerned.” MCL 710.21a(b). According to MCL 710.51:
(1) Not later than 14 days after receipt of the report of investigation,
except as provided in subsections (2) and (5), the judge shall examine the report
and shall enter an order terminating the rights of the child’s parent or parents, if
there was a parental consent, or the rights of any person in loco parentis, if there
was a consent by other than parents, and approve placement of the child with the
petitioner if the judge is satisfied as to both of the following:
(a) The genuineness of consent to the adoption and the legal authority of
the person or persons signing the consent.
(b) The best interests of the adoptee will be served by the adoption.
MCL 710.56(1) provides:
Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, 6 months after formal
placement under section 51 of this chapter, unless the court determines that
circumstances have arisen that make adoption undesirable, the court may enter an
order of adoption.
As petitioners argue on appeal, the Oakland Circuit Court never made any findings that
the adoption was not in the children’s best interests or that circumstances arose that made the
supported an interpretation of ICWA’s domicile provisions by noting that the purpose of ICWA
was to protect a tribe’s ability to assert its interest in its children, Holyfield was decided before
MIFPA was enacted. Moreover, this interpretation of MIFPA allows the Tribe to assert its
interest in the children, but encourages stability and consistency in the decision regarding
placement once it is made. Regardless, as discussed further in Part II-E, in this case when the
Tribe changed its mind, it was not precluded from arguing that circumstances arose that made the
adoption undesirable.
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adoption undesirable. Rather, at the hearing on April 29, 2016, the court stated that it was bound
by ICWA and had little discretion. In its June 14, 2016 opinion and order, the court rescinded
the order placing the children with petitioners on the basis of the withdrawal of consent, and then
in its July 8, 2016 order, it denied petitioners’ petition for adoption. Although the parties
claimed below, as well as on appeal, that new allegations affected the ability of the foster family
to care for the children, the court made no findings regarding the allegations. Moreover, the
court never weighed the allegations against its finding that the children “have resided with
Petitioners for most of Minors’ young lives.” This Court may only review issues not preserved
below if “a miscarriage of justice will result from a failure to pass on them, or if the question is
one of law and all the facts necessary for its resolution have been presented, or where necessary
for a proper determination of the case.” Heydon v MediaOne, 275 Mich. App. 267, 278; 739
NW2d 373 (2007) (citation and quotation marks omitted). Because the Oakland Circuit Court
did not rule on the factual issue whether the adoption was in the children’s best interests or
whether circumstances had arisen that made adoption undesirable, we decline to address this
issue on appeal and remand for further proceedings.
HAW argues that the court was excused from making a best-interest determination
because the motion to rescind the order placing the children could be treated as a motion for
rehearing under MCR 3.806 and MCL 710.64, and this Court has ruled that trial courts have
discretion whether to address the children’s best interests on rehearings of adoption proceedings.
Rehearing provisions in the court rules and Adoption Code require notice to all interested parties
that a petition for rehearing has been filed. MCR 3.806(A) and MCL 710.64(1). Moreover, a
trial court must rule that good cause exists to grant a rehearing. MCR 3.806(B). Contrary to
HAW’s claim, nothing in the record suggests that HAW requested rehearing when it sent the
February 22, 2016 letter requesting that the court rescind the order placing the children with
petitioners, or even that the court treat the letter as a petition for rehearing. In addition, the court
never found the requisite good cause for a rehearing.8
III. DOCKET NO. 335932 – RESPONDENT FATHER’S APPEAL
The question presented in respondent father’s appeal is whether MIFPA permits him to
withdraw his release of parental rights at any time before the entry of a final order of adoption.
To resolve this question, it is necessary to review MCL 712B.13 in its entirety. That statute
provides:
(1) If both parents or Indian custodian voluntarily consent to a petition for
guardianship under section 5204 or 5205 of the estates and protected individuals
code, 1998 PA 386, MCL 700.5204 and 700.5205, or if a parent consents to
adoptive placement or the termination of his or her parental rights for the express
8
On appeal, HAW cites In re KJS, unpublished opinion per curiam of the Court of Appeals,
issued April 21, 2016 (Docket No. 330722), for the proposition that a party’s email to the court
can be treated as a petition for a rehearing, and argues that its February 22, 2016 letter was
treated similarly. First, In re KJS is not binding under MCR 7.215(C)(1). Second, in In re KJS,
the party actually requested rehearing. A similar request was not made in this case.
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purpose of adoption by executing a release under sections 28 and 29 of chapter X,
or consent under sections 43 and 44 of chapter X, the following requirements
must be met:
(a) To be valid, consent under this section must be executed on a form
approved by the state court administrative office, in writing, recorded before a
judge of a court of competent jurisdiction, and accompanied by the presiding
judge's certificate that the terms and consequences of the consent were fully
explained in detail and were fully understood by the parent or Indian custodian.
The court shall also certify that either the parent or Indian custodian fully
understood the explanation in English or that it was interpreted into a language
that the parent or Indian custodian understood. Any consent given before, or
within 10 days after, birth of the Indian child is not valid.
(b) Notice of the pending proceeding must be given as prescribed by
Michigan supreme court rule, the Indian child welfare act, and section 9 of this
chapter.
(c) The voluntary custody proceeding shall be conducted in accordance
with Michigan supreme court rules and the following statutes:
(i) In a guardianship proceeding under section 5204 or 5205 of the estates
and protected individuals code, 1998 PA 386, MCL 700.5204 and 700.5205,
section 25 of this chapter also applies.
(ii) In an adoption proceeding, section 27 of this chapter also applies.
(2) Consent described under subsection (1) must contain the following
information:
(a) The Indian child’s name and date of birth.
(b) The name of the Indian child's tribe and any identifying number or
other indication of the child's membership in the tribe, if any.
(c) The name and address of the consenting parent or Indian custodian.
(d) A sworn statement from the translator, if any, attesting to the accuracy
of the translation.
(e) The signature of the consenting parent, parents, or Indian custodian
recorded before the judge, verifying an oath of understanding of the significance
of the voluntary placement and the parent’s right to file a written demand to
terminate the voluntary placement or consent at any time.
(f) For consent for voluntary placement of the Indian child in foster care,
the name and address of the person or entity who will arrange the foster care
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placement as well as the name and address of the prospective foster care parents if
known at the time.
(g) For consent to termination of parental rights or adoption of an Indian
child, in addition to the information in subdivisions (a) to (f), the name and
address of the person or entity that will arrange the preadoptive or adoptive
placement.
(3) If the placement is for purposes of adoption, a consent under
subsection (1) of the Indian child’s parent must be executed in conjunction with
either a consent to adopt, as required by sections 43 and 44 of chapter X, or a
release, as required by sections 28 and 29 of chapter X. A parent who executes a
consent under this section may withdraw his or her consent at any time before
entry of a final order of adoption by filing a written demand requesting the return
of the Indian child. Once a demand is filed with the court, the court shall order
the return of the Indian child. Withdrawal of consent under this section
constitutes a withdrawal of a release executed under sections 28 and 29 of chapter
X or a consent to adopt executed under sections 43 and 44 of chapter X.
(4) A parent or Indian custodian who executes a consent under this section
for the purpose of guardianship may withdraw his or her consent at any time by
sending written notice to the court substantially in compliance on a form approved
by the state court administrative office that the parent or Indian custodian revokes
consent and wants his or her Indian child returned.
(5) A release executed under sections 28 and 29 of chapter X during a
pendency of a proceeding under section 2(b) of chapter XIIA is subject to section
15 of this chapter. If the release follows the initiation of a proceeding under
section 2(b) of chapter XIIA, the court shall make a finding that culturally
appropriate services were offered.
(6) A parent who executes a consent to adoption under sections 43 and 44
of chapter X may withdraw that consent at any time before entry of a final order
for adoption by filing notification of the withdrawal of consent with the court. In a
direct placement, as defined in section 22(o) of chapter X, a consent by a parent
or guardian shall be accompanied by a verified statement signed by the parent or
guardian that contains all of the following:
(a) That the parent or guardian has received a list of community and
federal resource supports and a copy of the written document described in section
6(1)(c) of the foster care and adoption services act, 1994 PA 204, MCL 722.956.
(b) As required by sections 29 and 44 of chapter X, that the parent or
guardian has received counseling related to the adoption of his or her Indian child
or waives the counseling with the signing of the verified statement.
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(c) That the parent or guardian has not received or been promised any
money or anything of value for the consent to adoption of the Indian child, except
for lawful payments that are itemized on a schedule filed with the consent.
(d) That the validity and finality of the consent are not affected by any
collateral or separate agreement between the parent or guardian and the adoptive
parent.
(e) That the parent or guardian understands that it serves the welfare of the
Indian child for the parent to keep the child placing agency, court, or department
informed of any health problems that the parent develops that could affect the
Indian child.
(f) That the parent or guardian understands that it serves the welfare of the
Indian child for the parent or guardian to keep his or her address current with the
child placing agency, court, or department in order to permit a response to any
inquiry concerning medical or social history from an adoptive parent of a minor
adoptee or from an adoptee who is 18 years or older.
On appeal, respondent father relies on the withdrawal provision in MCL 712B.13(3),
which allows for a parent who executes a consent under subsection (1) to withdraw his or her
consent at any time before entry of a final order of adoption. Under the plain language of MCL
712B.13(3), to withdraw consent, a parent must both: (1) consent under subsection (1), MCL
712B.13(1), and (2) execute either a consent to adopt, under MCL 710.43 and MCL 710.44, or a
release, under MCL 710.28 and MCL 710.29. The Legislature’s use of the phrase, “in
conjunction with,” establishes its intent that executing consent under subsection (1) is a separate
obligation from executing a consent to adopt or release. Here, respondent father only executed a
release under MCL 710.28 and MCL 710.29. Nothing in the record demonstrates that
respondent father executed a consent under subsection (1). Because the requirements of MCL
712B.13(3) were not satisfied, any withdrawal provision in that subsection does not apply to this
particular case. Therefore, the Macomb Circuit Court reached the right result in declining
respondent father’s request for relief under MCL 712B.13(3).
We note, however, that the Macomb Circuit Court’s reasoning for excluding the
application of MCL 712B.13(3)—that this was not an adoptive placement under MCL
712B.13(1)—is not consistent with the plain language of that subsection. Demski v Petlick, 309
Mich. App. 404, 441; 873 NW2d 596 (2015) (“this Court will affirm when the trial court reaches
the right result for the wrong reason”). The court ruled that this was not a consent to adoptive
placement because “ ‘Placement’ or ‘to place’ means selection of an adoptive parent for a child
and transfer of physical custody of the child to a prospective adoptive parent according to this
chapter.” As the record establishes, respondent father did not consent to a particular adoptive
placement. Rather, the referee advised him that there were no guarantees about with whom the
children would be placed. Regardless, MCL 712B.13(1) applies if a parent either “consents to
adoptive placement or the termination of his or her parental rights for the express purpose of
adoption by executing a release under sections 28 and 29 of chapter X, or consent under sections
43 and 44 of chapter X.” Here, contrary to the circuit court’s reasoning, respondent father could
have consented for purposes of subsection (1) without consenting to a particular adoptive
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placement and by instead consenting to the termination of his parental rights for the express
purpose of adoption. As respondent father argues, MCL 710.28(5) also provides that a release
under MCL 710.28 shall be given only to a child placing agency or to the agency. Therefore,
contrary to the circuit court’s interpretation, a specific adoptive placement was not required
under MCL 712B.13(1).
Even though withdrawal of consent under MCL 712B.13(3) does not apply to this
particular case, we note that MCL 712B.13 nevertheless addresses two situations involving a
parent who did not consent under subsection (1). First, MCL 712B.13(6) pertains to a parent
who merely executed a consent to adoption under MCL 710.43 and MCL 710.44. Like MCL
712B.13(3), subsection (6) allows a parent to withdraw consent at any time before entry of a
final order for adoption. Subsection (6) does not apply here because respondent father did not
consent to adoption under MCL 710.43 and MCL 710.44.
Second, MCL 712B.13(5) applies to a parent who executed a release under MCL 710.28
and MCL 710.29 during a child protective proceeding under MCL 712A.2(b). As the Macomb
Circuit Court found, respondent father executed this type of release. Subsection (5) does not
address or provide for withdrawal of the release. Rather, it requires the court to “make a finding
that culturally appropriate services were offered.” In addition, it provides that this type of
release is subject to MCL 712B.15, which in turn addresses, inter alia, requirements for a
proceeding involving a parent who executed a release under MCL 710.28, but did not execute a
consent under MCL 712B.13. Again, MCL 712B.15 does not address or provide for withdrawal
of the release.
Because MIFPA does not specifically provide whether a parent who executed a release
under MCL 710.28 and MCL 710.29 during a child protective proceeding under MCL 712A.2(b)
can withdraw a release, we consult ICWA and the Adoption Code, which relate to the same
subject matter and share a common purpose. In re Project Cost, 282 Mich. App. at 148.
ICWA, 25 USC 1913(c), provides:
In any voluntary proceeding for termination of parental rights to, or
adoptive placement of, an Indian child, the consent of the parent may be
withdrawn for any reason at any time prior to the entry of a final decree of
termination or adoption, as the case may be, and the child shall be returned to the
parent.
This Court interpreted this provision in In re Kiogima, a case in which the mother had
released her parental rights for purposes of adoption and the court terminated her parental rights
on the same day. Quoting In re JRS, 690 P2d 10 (Alas, 1984), this Court explained:
[W]e do not believe that § 1913(c) allows a parent to withdraw a voluntary
relinquishment of parental rights after a final order terminating those rights has
been entered. Section 1913(c) applies to two kinds of proceedings: to voluntary
proceedings for termination of parental rights and to voluntary proceedings for the
adoptive placement of Indian children. The consent it refers to may be one of two
kinds: a consent to termination of parental rights or a consent to adoptive
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placement. A consent to termination may be withdrawn at any time before a final
decree of termination is entered; a consent to adoption at any time before a final
decree of adoption. If Congress had intended consents to termination to be
revocable at any time before entry of a final decree of adoption, the words “as the
case may be” would not appear in the statute. Therefore, if the Superior Court's
order was a final order, [the] purported revocation was without legal significance.
[In re Kiogima, 189 Mich. App. at 12.]
Following the reasoning in In re Kiogima, respondent father could not rely on ICWA, 25 USC
1913(c), to withdraw his release after his parental rights were terminated.
Respondent father lacked authority to withdraw his release under the Adoption Code as
well. MCL 710.29 provides, in relevant part:
(10) Entry of an order terminating the rights of both parents under
subsection (8) terminates the jurisdiction of the circuit court over the child in any
divorce or separate maintenance action.
(11) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (12), upon petition of the
same person or persons who executed the release and of the department or child
placing agency to which the child was released, the court with which the release
was filed may grant a hearing to consider whether the release should be revoked.
A release may not be revoked if the child has been placed for adoption unless the
child is placed as provided in section 41(2) of this chapter and a petition for
rehearing or claim of appeal is filed within the time required. A verbatim record
of testimony related to a petition to revoke a release shall be made.
(12) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, a parent or guardian
who has signed an out-of-court release but wishes to request revocation of the
out-of-court release shall submit a request for revocation to the adoption attorney
representing the parent or guardian or the child placing agency that accepted the
out-of-court release not more than 5 days, excluding weekends and holidays, after
the out-of-court release was signed. The request for revocation from the parent or
guardian must be submitted in writing by the parent or guardian who signed the
out-of-court release to the adoption attorney representing the parent or guardian or
a caseworker from the child placing agency that accepted the out-of-court release.
The request for revocation is timely if delivered to the adoption attorney or the
child placing agency not more than 5 days, excluding weekends and holidays,
after the out-of-court release was signed. Upon receipt of a timely request for
revocation, the adoption attorney or the child placing agency receiving the request
for revocation shall assist the parent or guardian in filing the petition to revoke the
out-of-court release with the court as soon as practicable. A parent or guardian
may file this petition with the court on his or her own. If the parent or guardian
files the petition on his or her own, the petition must be filed with the court not
more than 5 days, excluding weekends and holidays, after the out-of-court release
was signed.
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Respondent father did not file a petition with the department or child placing agency, nor
was his motion filed within the limited time for a rehearing. See MCL 710.64. Therefore, he
could not revoke the release under MCL 710.29(11). Similarly, he did not timely request
revocation under MCL 710.29(12). Because neither MIFPA, the ICWA, nor the Adoption Code
allowed respondent father to withdraw his release of parental rights, the Macomb Circuit Court
properly denied his motion.9
IV. CONCLUSION
In summary, we affirm the Macomb Circuit Court’s order denying respondent father’s
motion to withdraw consent to terminate his parental rights and for return of the children because
he does not have a right to withdraw his consent under MIFPA, the ICWA, or the Adoption
Code. We vacate the Oakland Circuit Court’s order rescinding the order placing the children
with petitioners because we conclude that neither ICWA nor MIFPA permit rescission of a
placement order due to a change in consent by HAW or the Tribe after entry of the placement
order. Because the Oakland Circuit Court did not rule on the factual issue whether adoption was
in the children’s best interests, or whether circumstances had arisen that made adoption
undesirable, we reverse the order denying petitioners’ petition for adoption and remand for
further proceedings.
Affirmed in part, reversed in part, vacated in part, and remanded for further proceedings
consistent with this opinion. We do not retain jurisdiction.
/s/ David H. Sawyer
/s/ Henry William Saad
/s/ Michael J. Riordan
9
Respondent father argues that the release of his parental rights was void or voidable because a
consent to adopt was not executed procedurally pursuant to MCL 712B.13(1). But respondent
father did not raise this issue in a request for rehearing. Moreover, he did not argue this error in
his application for leave to appeal in this case. This Court limited the appeal “to the issue raised
in the application and supporting brief.” In re Williams Minors, unpublished order of the Court
of Appeals, entered December 19, 2016 (Docket No. 335932). Therefore, respondent father’s
argument is not properly before this Court.
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