In re: Christopher Pierce & Elizabeth R. Broussard ( 2015 )

FILED
JUNE 30, 2015
In the Office of the Clerk of Court
W A State Court of Appeals, Division III
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
DIVISION THREE
In re the Parentage of: ) No. 32149-5-111
)
B.C.P. and P.A.P.,t )
)
Minor Children, )
)
CHRISTOPHER PIERCE, )
)
Respondent, ) UNPUBLISHED OPINION
)
and )
)
ELIZABETH BROUSSARD, )
)
Appellant. )
LAWRENCE-BERREY, J. - The trial court awarded Christopher Pierce primary
residential placement of the his and his ex-girlfriend's two boys despite finding the
existence of a limiting factor, i.e., Mr. Pierce once assaulted Elizabeth Broussard in a
manner causing her to fear grievous bodily harm. The trial court also ordered mutual
decision making and dispute resolution. We are asked to review the trial court's decision
tFor purposes of this opinion, the minor children's initials are used in place of their
names.
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to determine whether it conforms to applicable law. We conclude that RCW
26.09.191(1)(c) and In re Marriage ofCaven, 136 Wn.2d 800,810,966 P.2d 1247 (1998)
require us to reverse the ordered mutual decision making and dispute resolution, and to
remand for additional findings pursuant to RCW 26.09.187. In addition, because the
paramount concern is what is in the best interest of the children, we allow the trial court
to make an informed decision by giving it the discretion to order a supplemental guardian
ad litem (GAL) report to address concerns, if any, which have developed since its
August 20, 2013 decision.
FACTS
Mr. Pierce served in the Army for about two and one-half years. During his time
in the Army, Mr. Pierce saw combat in Afghanistan. He returned from Afghanistan in
January 2003 and later was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). He
was honorably discharged in December 2003 due to this medical condition.
Both prior to and following his discharge, Mr. Pierce was charged and convicted
of various crimes. In July 2003, Mr. Pierce was charged and convicted of minor in
possession. In 2004, he was charged and convicted of urinating in public and vehicle
prowl. In 2010, he was charged with driving under the influence, but pleaded guilty to
negligent driving, with a blood alcohol concentration of .0801.085. In June 2012, Mr.
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Pierce was charged with felony assault of Ms. Broussard. Mr. Pierce entered and
completed a diversion agreement resulting in the dismissal of the felony charge. Because
this felony assault is the basis for our reversal, it will be discussed in detail later.
Mr. Pierce and Ms. Broussard met in 2006. They began living with each other
soon afterwards. They are parents of two children. The older child, B.P., was born in
Texas in October 2007. In 2008, Ms. Broussard moved to Washington and lived with Mr.
Pierce's parents until Mr. Pierce joined the family in 2009. The younger child, P.P., was
born in Washington in March 2011.
In early 2012, the couple's relationship ended. Mr. Pierce and Ms. Broussard
moved back to Texas separately. The two had a verbal visitation agreement that consisted
of alternating weeks with the children.
On June 7, 2012, Mr. Pierce and Ms. Broussard were drinking wine and watching
a movie together at Ms. Broussard's residence when the two got into an argument. Ms.
Broussard was upset that Mr. Pierce was too drunk to safely pick his mother up from the
airport. Mr. Pierce went to his truck, and Ms. Broussard followed him to make sure he
was not going to drive. The argument continued, and when Ms. Broussard attempted to
return inside, Mr. Pierce blocked her from entering her house and began to choke her.
Ms. Broussard fell to the ground with Mr. Pierce's hands choking her around her neck.
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According to Ms. Broussard, Mr. Pierce stated he intended to kill her. Ms. Broussard
twisted on the ground and escaped Mr. Pierce's grip. Ms. Broussard called 911. Law
enforcement arrived and observed injuries on Ms. Broussard consistent with her being
strangled, and noted that she had difficulty speaking because of the pressure applied to
her throat. The arresting officer noted that Mr. Pierce was drunk and admitted that he
"'drank too much and did something stupid.'" Clerk's Papers (CP) at 60. One officer
found a loaded gun near where he had arrested Mr. Pierce. Officers later found several
loaded military firearms in Mr. Pierce's nearby truck. Later that evening, Mr. Pierce
became suicidal. Texas charged him with domestic violence felony assault.
Mr. Pierce continued to see the children after the assault. Within one month, Ms.
Broussard traveled with Mr. Pierce and the children to Washington for the Fourth of July.
The visitation schedule resumed.
Mr. Pierce entered into a diversion agreement with Texas. Mr. Pierce was required
to engage in services for his domestic violence felony assault, stay in contact with his
community supervision officer, abstain from alcohol and drug use, and seek gainful
employment. Ms. Broussard endorsed the opportunity for Mr. Pierce to receive help for
his alcohol and anger problems. Mr. Pierce began counseling on October 2012 and
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completed the terms of his diversion agreement in 1une 2013. Accordingly, Texas
dismissed the domestic violence felony assault charge.
In October 2012, Mr. Pierce moved back to Washington. Before he left, Mr.
Pierce informed Ms. Broussard that she needed to pick up the children before his early
morning flight. Mr. Pierce claimed that Ms. Broussard arrived at his apartment at 3:00
a.m. after a night at a local festival. He further claimed that she fell asleep and that he
could not awaken her and, because of this, he took the boys to Washington with him. Ms.
Broussard denied all this, and stated that Mr. Pierce took the children to Washington
under false pretenses. Upon arriving in Washington, Mr. Pierce filed a petition to
establish parentage and a parenting plan. Prior to trial, the children lived with Mr. Pierce
at his parents' house.
A four-day trial began on August 14, 2013. In addition to hearing from lay
witnesses, the trial court heard testimony from the court-appointed GAL, leffLittle. Mr.
Little interviewed numerous people, gathered documentation, and issued a 2S-page
report. The report provided compelling reasons to conclude that Ms. Broussard would be
the better caregiver to the couple's children. The GAL found that these reasons include
that Mr. Pierce had anger issues which affect the children, had a history of abusing
alcohol including three alcohol-related arrests, and had mild to moderate PTSD.
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Significantly, the GAL noted that when Mr. Pierce became drunk and strangled Ms.
Broussard in June 2012, he had several loaded firearms nearby and was suicidal.
The GAL highlighted Mr. Pierce's spotty work record which included seven jobs
and periods of unemployment since his December 2003 discharge from the military. He
compared Mr. Pierce's spotty work record with Ms. Broussard's much more consistent
work record. At the conclusion of his report, the GAL recommended that the boys reside
with their mother the majority of time, and that the court adopt the mother's proposed
parenting plan. The recommendation also prohibited Ms. Broussard's paramour, Chris
Patrick, from having contact with the boys. I
The trial court disagreed with Mr. Little's conclusions, and awarded Mr. Pierce
primary residential placement of the two boys. Despite the award, the court found the
existence ofa limiting factor, RCW 26.09.191(1), relating to Mr. Pierce's June 2012
felony assault of Ms. Broussard. In its decision, the court emphasized that the children
were doing well in their father's care and, although Ms. Broussard was the primary care
provider when the boys were younger, the responsibilities were more equally shared when
IThe record shows that Ms. Broussard and Mr. Patrick spent several nights per
week together. Mr. Patrick refused to be interviewed by the GAL. Although the GAL
performed a criminal background check of Mr. Patrick, and his record was clean, the
GAL was against allowing contact between Mr. Patrick and the boys until Mr. Patrick
submitted himself to an interview and further screening.
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the parents later agreed to a shared residential schedule. The court recognized that the
boys lived in Washington for the majority of their lives and had significant contacts with
the area. The court further found that Mr. Pierce and the children had active support from
Mr. Pierce's family in Washington. The court expressed concerns about Ms. Broussard's
paramour in Texas who refused to participate in the GAL's investigation.
The trial court specifically addressed Mr. Pierce's 2012 domestic violence felony
assault of Ms. Broussard. The court stated that the assault was a terrible act committed by
Mr. Pierce against Ms. Broussard and that it fit the limiting factor contained in
RCW 26.09.191(1) and (2). However, the court also found that the felony assault was a
one-time event and did not affect the children because they were asleep at the time, and
Ms. Broussard did not tell the boys of the assault. The court noted that Mr. Pierce
accepted responsibility, entered into and completed a diversion program, and continued
with counseling even though it was no longer required.
The trial court found that the felony assault did not change the relationship that
Mr. Pierce had with his children or Ms. Broussard. The court noted that Mr. Pierce was
with the children within days of the assault, continued to share residential time with Ms.
Broussard, and that Mr. Pierce and Ms. Broussard continued to engage in activities and
trips together with the children.
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The trial court expressed a few concerns about the investigation completed by the
GAL. The court noted that while the GAL's contact with Mr. Pierce and his family
included personal contact and home visits, his contact with Ms. Broussard and her family
included only video and telephone conversations and no home visits. The trial court
noted that the report's deficiencies were largely not the GAL's fault, but due to the fact
that Ms. Broussard lived far away. The court thought that the GAL should have
employed a GAL or a social worker in Texas to do some investigation of Ms. Broussard's
living arrangements. Also, the court questioned why the GAL did not contact Ms.
Broussard's step-grandfather, considering that she was living in his home and planned to
have the children live there as well. The court was further concerned that the GAL did
not see the children interact with Ms. Broussard.
As for Mr. Pierce's PTSD, the trial court found that it was not an impairment that
interfered with Mr. Pierce's parenting functions. The court based this finding on a letter
from Mr. Pierce's counselor at the Veteran's Administration who was in the position to
know the effects ofPTSD. The counselor's letter contradicted the GAL's opinion that
Mr. Pierce was not adequately treating his condition. The court did not make any
findings relating to Mr. Pierce's use or abuse of alcohol.
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The trial court adopted the parenting plan as proposed by Mr. Pierce, with a few
exceptions. Notably, the court changed the sections pertaining to parental conduct. The
court found that Mr. Pierce's June 2012 assault was a limiting factor that needed to be
included in the findings, but that the assault did not affect the children.
The final parenting plan as ordered by the court included as a basis for restrictions:
2.1 Parental Conduct (RCW 26.09.191(1), (2))
The petitioner's [Mr. Pierce's] residential time with the children shall be
limited or restrained completely, and mutual decision-making and
designation of a dispute resolution process other than court action shall not
be required, because this parent has engaged in the conduct which follows:
A history of acts of domestic violence as defined by RCW 2S.S0.01O(1) or
an assault or sexual assault which causes grievous bodily harm or the fear
of such harm.
CP at lIS.
Despite this finding, the trial court did not limit Mr. Pierce's residential time with
the children. Instead, the court ordered the children to reside with Mr. Pierce for the
majority of the year. In the section of the parenting plan addressing restrictions on the
residential schedule, the court found, "There is a limiting factor under section 2.1.
However, there are no restrictions." CP at 117.
Nor did the trial court limit Mr. Pierce's decision making ability. The court
allowed each parent to make day-to-day decisions and ordered joint decision making for
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major decisions. As for restrictions, the court noted, "There are limiting factors in
paragraph 2.1, but there are no restrictions on mutual decision making for the following
reasons: the limiting factor has not [sic] found to have affected the children." CP at 119.
The court also ordered that the parties participate in dispute resolution to resolve
disagreements.
Ms. Broussard appealed. She contends the trial court (1) erred in ordering mutual
decision making and dispute resolution contrary to its finding of a limiting factor,
(2) erred in awarding primary residential placement to the father despite the father being
precluded by law from exercising decision-making authority, (3) erred by failing to
require the father to undergo a screening and comprehensive assessment as required by
RCW 26.09.191(4), (4) erred by failing to find that the father suffered from a long-term
impairment resulting from alcohol abuse, and (5) erred by failing to impose restrictions
on Mr. Pierce's residential time contrary to its finding of a limiting factor.
ANALYSIS
In matters affecting the welfare of children, such as parenting plans,
the trial court has broad discretion, and its decisions are reviewed only for
abuse of discretion. But issues of statutory construction are questions of
law which [an appellate court] reviews de novo.
Caven, 136 Wash. 2d at 806 (footnotes omitted).
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1. The trial court erred in ordering mutual decision making and dispute
resolution
RCW 26.09.l91(1)(c) provides:
The permanent parenting plan shall not require mutual decision-making or
designation of a dispute resolution process other than court action if it is
found that a parent has engaged in any of the following conduct: ... (c) a
history of acts of domestic violence as defined in RCW 26.50.010(1) or an
assault or sexual assault which causes grievous bodily harm or the fear of
such harm.
In Caven, the Washington Supreme Court held that RCW 26.09.l91(1)(c) was
clear and unambiguous, and '''requires sole decision-making upon a finding'" of either a
"history of acts of domestic violence" or "an assault ... which causes grievous bodily
harm or the fear of such harm." Caven, 136 Wash. 2d at 806-07 (quoting In re Marriage of
C.MC., 87 Wash. App. 84, 86, 940 P.2d 669 (1997)). We note that neither subsection (c)
nor Caven explicitly states which spouse is entitled to sole decision-making authority.
We infer and hold that only the abused spouse should be given sole decision making
authority. To hold otherwise would punish the abused spouse, and such a holding would
be inconsistent with the intent of the legislature to protect the abused spouse. See RCW
26.09.l91 (2)(m)(i) ("The limitations shall also be reasonably calculated to provide for the
safety of the parent who may be at risk of physical, sexual, or emotional abuse or harm.").
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Here, the trial court's finding that Mr. Pierce had engaged in conduct that caused
Ms. Broussard to fear grievous bodily hann is well supported by the record. Mr. Pierce
strangled Ms. Broussard so hard she fell to the ground. He said he intended to kill her.
He had several loaded guns nearby and was soon after suicidaL This finding compels us
to conclude as a matter of law that the trial court erred in allowing Mr. Pierce mutual
decision making authority.2
2. Prohibiting Mr. Pierce from having decision making authority requires the
trial court to reevaluate the factors listed in RCW 26. 09.187 and re­
determine which parent should be granted primary residential placement
Ms. Broussard contends that the trial court's error in awarding mutual decision
making requires reversal of the residential schedule. Ms. Broussard argues that
Mr. Pierce's inability to make decisions for the children is a dispositive factor in
RCW 26.09.187(3) and limits Mr. Pierce's time with the children.
2 The statute actually prohibits "mutual decision-making" upon a finding of a
limiting factor. Presumably, a trial court could give authority on some decisions to one
parent, and for other decisions to the other parent. By disallowing mutual decision
making, the legislature might have intended to protect the abused parent from needing to
communicate and agree with the abuser parent.
There is nothing in the statute which explicitly deprives the abuser parent of all
decision-making authority. By giving the abused parent sole decision making authority,
and the abuser parent primary residential placement, greater communication between the
fonner parents, ironically, is required. Nevertheless, we are bound by Caven.
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RCW 26.09.187(3) requires a trial court to consider seven factors when
determining the residential provisions in a parenting plan. According to
RCW 26.09. 187(3)(a), "The court shall make residential provisions for each child which
encourage each parent to maintain a loving, stable, and nurturing relationship with the
child, consistent with the child's developmental level and the family's social and
economic circumstances. The child's residential schedule shall be consistent with
RCW 26.09.191. Where the limitations ofRCW 26.09.191 are not dispositive of the
child's residential schedule, the court shall consider the following factors."
RCW 26.09. 187(3)(a)(iii) requires the court to consider each parent's past and potential
for future performance of parenting functions as defined in RCW 26.09.004(2).
'" Parenting functions' means those aspects of the parent-child relationship in which a
parent makes decisions and performs functions necessary for the care and growth of the
child." RCW 26.09.004(2). Because future performance of parenting functions,
including making decisions concerning the children, is only one of seven factors, we hold
that Mr. Pierce's lack of decision-making authority does not automatically disqualifY him
as the primary residential parent. Rather, we remand to the trial court to rebalance the
factors.
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3. The screening and assessment purpose ofRCW 26. 09.191 (4) was met by the
GAL's report and litigation ofthe limitingfactor at trial
Ms. Broussard contends that the trial court erred by not ordering a screening
and compressive assessment of Mr. Pierce related to his assault as required by
RCW 26.09.191(4).
RCW 26.09.191(4) states, "In cases involving allegations of limiting factors under
subsection (2)(a)(ii) and (iii) of this section, both parties shall be screened to determine
the appropriateness of a comprehensive assessment regarding the impact of the limiting
factor on the child and the parties."
Here, the trial court found the presence of a limiting factor within the meaning of
RCW 26.09.191 (4). However, we disagree with Ms. Broussard that the trial court erred
by not ordering a screening and comprehensive assessment. She is incorrect in claiming
that Mr. Pierce was not screened and assessed. The GAL's investigation constituted a
screening and assessment of Mr. Pierce. The GAL's 2S-page report addressed Mr.
Pierce's felony assault of Ms. Broussard, the parties' versions of the assault, Mr. Pierce's
counseling that he received afterward, and an assessment of Mr. Pierce's post-assault
relationship with his children. Further, much of the trial testimony was focused on these
issues. The litigation, including cross-examination, of these issues allowed the trial court
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to make appropriate findings. We determine that the purpose ofRCW 26.09.191(4) was
met.
4. The trial court was within its discretion by not finding that Mr. Pierce
sufferedfrom a long-term impairment resultingfrom alcohol abuse
Ms. Broussard contends that the trial court erred by not finding that Mr. Pierce
suffered from a long-term impairment resulting from alcohol abuse. As noted above, the
trial court did not enter any findings on this issue. The absence of such a finding operates
as a finding against Ms. Broussard, who has the burden of proof on this issue. In re
Welfare ofA.B., 168 Wn.2d 908,927,232 P.3d 1104 (2010).
"A parent's involvement or conduct may have an adverse effect on the child's best
interests, and the court may preclude or limit any provision of the parenting plan, if any of
the following factors exist: ... (c) A long-term impairment resulting from drug, alcohol,
or other substance abuse that interferes with the performance of parenting functions."
RCW 26.09.191(3).
While the facts show that Mr. Pierce has a history of abusing alcohol, and at trial
he even admitted to having a problem with alcohol, the trial court did not abuse its
discretion by failing to find that Mr. Pierce had a long-term impairment resulting from
alcohol abuse. Mr. Pierce reported to the GAL that his then-current alcohol consumption
was rare and that he would occasionally have a beer with a meal. Mr. Pierce also was
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required to undergo a substance abuse assessment as part of his felony assault diversion
program. The result of the assessment was that he was not alcohol dependent. Still, Mr.
Pierce attended eight hours of alcohol abuse related instruction.
This court "may not substitute its findings for those of the trial court where there is
ample evidence in the record to support the trial court's determination." In re Marriage
ofKovacs, 121 Wn.2d 795,810,854 P.2d 629 (1993). The trial court did not err by
failing to find that Mr. Pierce had a long-term impairment from alcohol abuse.
5. The trial court did not abuse its discretion by failing to limit Mr. Pierce's
residential time under RCW 26.09.191 (2)
Ms. Broussard contends that the trial court abused its discretion by failing to limit
Mr. Pierce's residential time under RCW 26.09.191(2). She maintains that the court
relied on improper reasoning to support its decision not to apply the limiting factor.
Like restrictions on mutual decision making, a trial court can place limitations on a
parent's residential time if the court makes the appropriate finding regarding the parent's
conduct. See RCW 26.09.191(2). Pertinent here, "The parent's residential time with the
child shall be limited if it is found that the parent has engaged in any of the following
conduct: ... (iii) a history of acts of domestic violence as defined in RCW 26.50.01 O( 1)
or an assault or sexual assault which causes grievous bodily harm or the fear of
such harm." RCW 26.09.191(2)(a). The limitation imposed by the court under
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RCW 26.09.191(2)(a) or (b) must be reasonably calculated to protect the child or other
parent from abuse or harm that could result if the child or other parent has contact with
the parent requesting residential time. RCW 26.09.1 91 (2)(m)(i).
However, unlike the restriction on mutual decision making, the trial court has the
discretion not to apply the limiting factor found in RCW 26.09.191(2)(a). Under
RCW 26.09.191(2)(n), "If the court expressly finds ... that the parent's conduct did not
have an impact on the child, then the court need not apply the limitations of ( a), (b), and
(m)(i) and (iii) of this subsection."
Here, the trial court expressly found that the June 2012 felony assault did not
impact the children. Ms. Broussard does not assign error to this finding. Therefore, it is a
verity. Because the court made such an explicit finding, it was well within its discretion
in not limiting Mr. Pierce's residential time.
APPROPRIATE RELIEF
RAP 12.2 permits this court to reverse, affirm, or modify a trial court's decision
and take any other action as the merits of the case and the interest ofjustice may require.
Here, remand is appropriate so that the trial court can reweigh the factors listed in
RCW 26.09.187 in light of our decision that RCW 26.09.l91(1)(c) and Caven forbid Mr.
Pierce from having decision-making authority.
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Because of the nearly two-year delay between the entry of the trial court decision
and this court's decision, the interest ofjustice requires the trial court to consider the
parties' present circumstances so that the paramount "best interest of the children"
standard may be achieved in determining the proper primary residential parent. See In re
the Marriage ofLittle, 96 Wn.2d 183,198,634 P.2d 498 (1981). Toward achieving this
goal, we give the trial court discretion to reappoint Mr. Little or a new GAL to issue a
supplemental GAL report. In re Marriage ofWaggener, 13 Wash. App. 911, 917, 538 P.2d
845 (1975). Allowing a trial court to consider such evidence serves two other important
purposes. First, it allows the trial court to make an informed decision, not constrained by
old facts which may no longer be accurate in ever dynamic and changing relationships.
Second, it encourages parents to behave during the pendency of their appeal.
ATTORNEY FEES
Mr. Pierce requests reasonable attorney fees and costs on appeal under
RAP 18.1 and RCW 26.26.140.
RCW 26.26.140 gives the court the discretion to award attorney fees in a parentage
action. In re Parentage ofQ.A.L., 146 Wash. App. 631, 638,191 P.3d 934 (2008).
According to the statute,
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The court may order reasonable fees of experts and the child's
guardian ad litem, and other costs of the action, including blood or genetic
test costs, to be paid by the parties in proportions and at times determined
by the court. The court may order that all or a portion of a party's
reasonable attorney's fees be paid by another party.
RCW 26.26.140. Because both parties won and lost issues on review, we exercise our
discretion to deny Mr. Pierce's request for reasonable attorney fees.
CONCLUSION
We reverse and remand for the trial court to proceed in accordance with this
OpInIOn.
A majority of the panel has determined this opinion will not be printed in the
Washington Appellate Reports, but it will be filed for public record pursuant to
RCW 2.06.040.
WE CONCUR:
~,k
Brown, 1. a
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