In re the Dependency of W. A. ( 2017 )

FILED
OCTOBER 19, 2017
In the Office of the Clerk of Court
WA State Court of Appeals, Division III
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
DIVISION THREE
In the Matter of the Dependency of )
) No. 34883-1-Ili
W.A. )
)
) UNPUBLISHED OPINION
)
FEARING, C.J. -Kimberly Anderson appeals from the trial court's order declaring
her son to be a dependent of the State of Washington. She also appeals placement of the
boy with the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS). Because substantial
evidence supports the trial court's findings and those findings support the trial court's
orders, we affirm.
FACTS
This child dependency action involves a mother and son, respectively Kimberly
Anderson and Wesley Anderson. Both names are fictitious. Both Andersons suffer from
disabilities.
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In 2005 and one year before Wesley's birth, Kimberly Anderson sustained injuries
from a car accident. As a result of the accident, she suffered a cervical spine injury and
spinal stenosis and still suffers from posttraumatic stress syndrome (PTSD), depression,
anxiety, and fibromyalgia. To cope with her depression and anxiety, Kimberly takes a
small dosage of antidepressants as needed.
On November 15, 2006, Kimberly Anderson gave birth to Wesley, her fifth child.
We assume that no other children then lived with Kimberly. At age three, a physician
diagnosed Wesley with selective mutism. Selective mutism is an anxiety disorder
characterized by a child or adolescent's inability to speak in one or more social settings,
such as school, despite being able to speak comfortably in other settings, like home with
family. Wesley also bears a two-year developmental delay.
DSHS records show findings for both physical abuse and neglect of all five of her
children by Kimberly Anderson, including three instances with Wesley. In 2007, when
Wesley reached one year of age, Kimberly failed to take Wesley for well-child exams,
and the infant dropped in the growth charts to the twenty-fifth percentile.
Because of Wesley Anderson's developmental delay, Spokane School District
found Wesley Anderson eligible for special education prior to his entry into the district's
pre-kindergarten program. The district prepared an individualized education program
(IEP) for Wesley. Under the program, Wesley attended the district's pre-kindergarten
program during the 2012-2013 school year at Roosevelt Elementary.
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On May 28, 2013, Wesley Anderson's school district IEP team met to develop an
IEP for school year 2013-2014. The IEP team invited Kimberly Anderson to attend, but
she did not participate. During the meeting, the IEP team decided that Wesley would
attend an integrated kindergarten class. Based on Wesley's pre-kindergarten teacher's
experiences, the school district determined to place a weighted vest on the boy ifhe could
not focus. A weighted vest assists a child in focusing during sensory overload and
comforts the child like a reassuring hug. Wesley began his 2013-2014 school year in an
integrated kindergarten class at Lincoln Heights Elementary.
On September 4, 2013, Wesley Anderson's kindergarten teacher placed the
weighted vest on Wesley because he turned in circles during story time. When Wesley
told his teacher the vest felt hot, she instructed him to remove the vest. During a parent
and teacher meeting later that day, the teacher told Kimberly Anderson that she used the
vest on Wesley. Kimberly expressed displeasure. Kimberly removed Wesley from the
kindergarten class.
Kimberly Anderson began home schooling Wesley. According to Kimberly, her
homeschooling curriculum included spelling, writing, reading, math, physical education,
and art. Kimberly, however, did not comply with the statutory requirement that Wesley
take yearly tests. According to Kimberly, she daily assisted Wesley in improving his
speech. Kimberly did not, however, engage any professionals to provide her son with
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speech and mental health therapy to address his developmental delays and selective
mutism.
At unknown dates, two pediatricians respectively recommended that Wesley
Anderson undergo treatment at Spokane Mental Health and Frontier Behavioral Health.
According to Kimberly, she attempted to enroll Wesley in these services, but the Spokane
clinic refused to assist the boy because of his young age and because the facility did not
specialize in selective mutism. Kimberly also could not afford a professional speech
therapist. According to Kimberly, she met with the speech pathologist at Wilbur
Elementary School, and the pathologist complimented Kimberly for her speech therapy
with Wesley.
In 2014, Kimberly Anderson commenced undergoing seizures as a result of her
physician doubling her dosage of Wellbutrin, an antidepressant. She now ingests
Topamax to control her seizures. According to a 2016 physician's note, Kimberly
regularly attended scheduled appointments with the physician treating her epilepsy and
actively participated in her healthcare. Kimberly suffers from smaller seizures that do not
require hospitalization.
In 2014, Kimberly Anderson tested positive for cocaine. Kimberly explained the
positive test as the result of smoking a bowl of marijuana, unaware that the owner of the
bowl placed other controlled substances in it. Kimberly acknowledges, however, that she
received treatment for cocaine use in 2000. In 2000, Kimberly tested positive for cocaine
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at the birth of another child. The department removed that child from her care upon the
child's birth. Kimberly insists that she has never knowingly ingested cocaine since her
release from a treatment facility in 2000. She admits use of marijuana for medicinal
purposes.
On September 3, 2015, Kimberly Anderson filed a due process complaint against
the school district with regards to the use of the weighted vest. She claimed the vest
traumatized Wesley. During a hearing before an administrative law judge, Kimberly
testified that she waited two years to bring the claim because she was collecting evidence.
The administrative judge found that the kindergarten teacher inappropriately used the
weighted vest, but Kimberly presented no evidence of any harm to Wesley or his
education. Accordingly, the judge declined to award any compensatory education and
instead directed the school staff to receive training on the use of weighted vests and other
positive behavioral interventions. Kimberly wanted to appeal the administrative law
judge's decision, but did not possess the means to do so.
In January 2016, Kimberly and Wesley Anderson's landlord evicted the two from
their home. Kimberly suffered a seizure in January 2016 because she failed to take her
medication during the move. She left her medication in a moving van. Kimberly has
taken her medication since. Kimberly required hospital care for the January seizure, but
the hospital released her the same day.
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After the eviction, Kimberly and Wesley were homeless. They alternated living at
Kimberly's older son's home, a hotel, and the Salvation Army. In 2016, DSHS received
. five notices of abuse and neglect of Wesley by Kimberly.
In late June 2016, Kimberly Anderson learned she could not rent a prospective
apartment, and the Salvation Army notified her that she must leave the organization's
housing. Consequentially, mother and son returned to another motel. On June 30, 2016,
Kimberly Anderson suffered a seizure that rendered her unconscious in the motel room
she shared with Wesley. Kimberly believes stress caused the seizure.
Wesley Anderson witnessed his mother's seizure and attempted to revive her by
sprinkling water on her hands, a method that worked on other occasions. Kimberly did
not awaken on June 30. Fortunately, a housekeeper knocked on the door, and Wesley
opened the door and asked for help. An ambulance transported Kimberly and her son to
the hospital. At the emergency room, Kimberly experienced two more seizures. The
emergency room doctors assumed that Kimberly failed to ingest her seizure medication
because hotel staff reported eyeing Wesley attempting to administer his mother the
medication. Physicians, however, did not test Kimberly's blood to determine if she took
her seizure medications. Hospital staff administered two different anti-epileptic drugs, to
which Kimberly reacted poorly. Consequently, Kimberly remained in the hospital for
five days.
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Hospital staff contacted the Spokane Police Department and Child Protective
Services (CPS) about Wesley's safety. Michelle Woodward, a Department of Social and
Health Services social worker, visited the hospital. An unidentified doctor and nurse told
Woodward that Kimberly lived in an unsafe condition due to a continued refusal to
follow medical advice or take medications. When police officers arrived at the hospital,
they removed Wesley from Kimberly's care and placed the boy in protective custody.
Michelle Woodward offered Kimberly Anderson psychological and counseling
services, random urinalyses, a chemical dependency assessment, and drug treatment.
Kimberly declined all offered services.
PROCEDURE
On July 5, 2016, DSHS filed a petition seeking a dependency for Wesley
Anderson claiming abuse or neglect and that Wesley lacked a parent, guardian or
custodian capable of adequately caring for him to the detriment of his development. On
July 6, the trial court signed a shelter care order that placed Wesley in the care of his
brother, David Casilas. The court extended the order on July 29 and August 23.
At some unknown date, David Casilas relinquished care of Wesley Anderson
because of the care's strain on his family and threatening communication from Kimberly.
DSHS could not later identify any other relatives willing to assume custody of Wesley.
At some unknown date, DSHS substituted Danelle Stone as the social worker to
assist Kimberly Anderson. Stone referred Anderson to providers for various services,
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including a parenting assessment, random drug and alcohol testing, a chemical
dependency evaluation, and mental health treatment and counseling. Anderson visited a
mental health clinic but received no treatment. During the visit, Anderson limited her
comments to complaints about CPS. Anderson engaged in no services recommended by
Stone.
The trial court permitted visitation of Kimberly Anderson with Wesley during the
dependency pendency. When Kimberly visited Wesley at the first visitation facility, she
stared at her son for long periods of time. Wesley repeatedly asked: "[W]hy are you
looking at me like that?" "[W]hat's going on?" Kimberly did not respond. Clerk's
Papers (CP) at 213. Kimberly accused her son of lying to her when he described a
reward system used at his daycare facility. The first facility ceased visitation services,
and Kimberly continued her visits at another facility.
The trial court conducted a contested dependency fact-finding hearing on
September 13 and 14, 2016. Trial witnesses included Kimberly Anderson, social worker
Michelle Woodward, social worker Danelle Stone, and the court appointed special
advocate Kathy Bushnell.
Kimberly Anderson testified that she was capable of meeting her son's physical
and emotional needs. Kimberly expressed, however, a willingness, in the event the court
did not dismiss the dependency petition, to engage in services recommended by CPS, if
the court would return Wesley to her care. Testimony suggested, nevertheless, that this
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willingness was limited to those services Kimberly agreed she needed. Kimberly
expressed frustration because social worker Danelle Stone acted mean, rude and short
with her. She further complained that Stone did not offer those services Kimberly
deemed helpful in reuniting with her son. Kimberly confirmed her mental health
disorders, and on occasion, during trial, refused to answer certain questions "[d]ue to the
stress of her disorder." CP at 114.
During the dependency trial, Michelle Woodward expressed her concern for
Wesley Anderson's safety. Woodward worried not only about Kimberly's seizures, but
also Kimberly's history with CPS. She fretted about the lack of a caregiver nearby when
Kimberly suffered from a seizure. Wesley had reported to Woodward of the frequency of
Kimberly's seizures and his attempts to care for his mother. Woodward recognized,
nonetheless, that Kimberly then complied with her medication plan. Michelle Woodward
also detailed, for the trial court, Kimberly Anderson's history with DSHS.
Social worker Danelle Stone similarly voiced concern for Wesley Anderson's
safety, and she recommended that Wesley remain in foster care. Stone identified the
following parental deficiencies with regards to Kimberly: (1) a substance abuse history,
(2) unaddressed mental health concerns, (3) neglect of her own personal health care, and
(4) failure to meet Wesley's health and educational needs as recommended by
professionals. Stone explained that Kimberly's unaddressed mental health problems
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compromised the safety of Wesley. Stone opined, based on Kimberly's positive cocaine
test in 2014 and earlier substance abuse, that Kimberly was chemically dependent.
During trial, Danelle Stone described Wesley as a happy child who enjoyed
drawing, My Little Pony, and Marvel Superheroes. He performed well in school and
interacted well with other children. Stone testified that school staff reported that Wesley
encountered "boundary issues," but Stone failed to explicate the purported issues. CP at
215. Danelle Stone testified that Wesley Anderson receives counseling at Frontier
Behavioral Health and underwent a wellness check.
After hearing testimony, the trial court concluded that the State proved by a
preponderance of the evidence that Kimberly Anderson, as a result of a culmination of
events, neglected Wesley's basic needs. Thus, the court ruled Wesley Anderson to be a
dependent of the State and ordered foster home placement. The court stated:
But that's not the only thing that caused the Department concern.
And that for me is like the very tip of the iceberg. And I think that's where
we need to step back, and I want to make sure you 're understanding that
this isn't about your seizure, [Kimberly]. When law enforcement had your
child in their custody and contacted CPS, what happened was that Ms.
Woodward stepped in and was able to uncover larger concerns about
[Wesley's] well-being and it wasn't simply that, [Kimberly], that you have
a condition with your seizures or that you were not maintaining your health.
What was discovered is that because of several issues going on in
your life, the seizure is just one issue. But because of several things going
on in your life, there are very serious concerns about [Wesley's] health and
well-being that have been neglected. And when I read the statute, that is
what I'm focused on.
And when I say that, what I'm talking about is, first and foremost,
the educational needs of your son have been being neglected. And I
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I
understand the reasoning from your standpoint and your rationale for why
you haven't had him in school. That you had a concern about a weighted
vest being used on him, that you filed a Complaint against the school, but
you haven't been acting with your due diligence to ensure that his
educational needs were met.
On top of that then, that lead[ s] to when your child was in school, he
had additional needs that were being met through the Sch,ool District.
Those additional needs were his therapies. He had speech therapy that was
being met through the School District. He had mental health and emotional
health care needs that needed to be met, and had he been going to public
school, those needs could have and would have been met free of charge in a
public school setting.
Additionally, what I have observed through your testimony is that
you have been resistant to reasonable attempts to give you help and
assistance. And that coupled with the history of your previous involvement
with CPS, and your previous mental health self-related, self-disclosed
mental issues, your anxiety, your PTSD, leaves me to have concerns about
your mental health condition and how that affects your decisions .
. . . [T]here was reference in a couple of different places to a self-
reported use of marijuana, which while it is legal, if marijuana or if alcohol
interferes to the level that you are taking such amounts that it interferes
with your parenting or your decision making, even legal substances can
become problematic with parenting.
CP at 270-73.
The trial court entered the following findings of fact:
B. The Department most recently became involved with this family
because of the mother's seizure in June. The seizure occurred despite the
mother regularly taking her seizure medication for her seizure disorder.
When the mother began seizing, the child became scared. A housekeeper
found them, and called emergency authorities. The mother's inability to
take care of [Wesley] while she is suffering from a seizure is not the only
concern. The court has serious concern about the child's health and well-
being in the mother's care. His educational needs were being neglected.
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The court understands why the mother removed [Wesley] from District 81
public schooling, but it does not excuse her from providing for and meeting
all the child's needs, including speech therapy, which is available through
public school at no cost to her. The mother was not complying with the law
regarding home schooling, such as having an appropriate person/agency
supervising her home schooling and yearly testing. She chose not to enroll
[Wesley] in public school, even though she states she could not find anyone
that she could afford willing to provide the services recommended for the
child by the child's doctor. The school offered to mediate the concerns the
mother had about letting the child return to public school, but the mother
refused to participate. The court is concerned that the mother's mental
health is affecting her ability to make good decisions for [Wesley]. The
mother admits to using marijuana. It is necessary to determine whether her
use is impacting her parenting.
C. Dependency is established pursuant to RCW 13.34.030(6)(b)
(abuse or neglect) and (c).
D. It is contrary to the child's welfare to return home. The child
should be placed or remain in the custody, control, and care ofDSHS/
DCF S because:
[X] A manifest danger exists that the child will suffer serious abuse
or neglect if the child is not removed from the home and an order under
RCW 26.44.063 would not protect the child from danger.
E. Reasonable efforts have been made by DSHS/DCFS to prevent
or eliminate the need for removal of the child from the child's home and
have been unsuccessful because:
[X] The health, safety, and welfare of the child cannot be adequately
protected in the home.
[X] Specific services have been offered or provided to the parent(s),
guardian or legal custodian and have failed to prevent the need for out-of-
home placement and make it possible for the child to return home. The
specific services offered or provided are outlined in the Dependency
Petition and subsequent documents filed herein and are incorporated by
reference.
CP at 317-18. The trial court entered the following conclusion of law:
The child is found dependent pursuant to RCW 13.34.030(6)(b) and
(c).
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CP at 319.
LAW AND ANALYSIS
On appeal, Kimberly Anderson asks for reversal of the order of dependency
because DSHS failed to prove that she either abused or neglected Wesley or that her
parenting of Wesley exposed him to a substantial risk of harm. She assigns error to the
trial court's (1) reliance on her epilepsy to order a dependency, (2) assumption that her
mental health diagnoses affected her ability to parent, (3) finding that her violation of
Washington's homeschooling requirements warranted a dependency, and (4) conclusion
that her consumption of marijuana interfered with her ability to parent. In the alternative,
Kimberly argues that DSHS failed to demonstrate the need for out-of-home placement.
Declaring a child "'dependent'" transfers legal custody to the State. In re
Dependency of Schermer, 161 Wn.2d 927, 942, 169 P.3d 452 (2007). After filing a
dependency petition, a fact-finding hearing is held to decide if the allegations are true. In
re Dependency of Schermer, 161 Wn.2d at 942. The State must prove by a
preponderance of the evidence that the child meets one of the statutory definitions of
dependency under RCW 13.34.130. In re Welfare ofKey, 119 Wn.2d 600,612, 836 P.2d
200 (1992). In this case, the trial court found Wesley dependent under RCW
13.34.030(6)(b) and (c).
In challenging the dependency, Kimberly Anderson assigns error to findings of
fact B, C, D and E. She also contends that these findings do not support the conclusion
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of law that Wesley is a dependent child pursuant to RCW 13.34.030(6)(b) and (c).
I Appellate review is limited to whether substantial evidence supports the trial
I court's findings and whether the findings support its conclusions oflaw. In re
Dependency of Schermer, 161 Wn.2d at 940. Substantial evidence exists if, when
viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the prevailing party, a rational trier of
I
I
fact could find the fact more likely than not to be true. In re Welfare ofX T., 17 4 Wn.
I
I App. 733, 737, 300 P.3d 824 (2013). Appellate courts do not reweigh evidence or
reassess witness credibility. In re Welfare ofXT., 174 Wn. App. at 737.
Kimberly Anderson contests finding of fact B. We repeat the portions of the
finding as challenged:
The Department most recently became involved with this family
because of the mother's seizure in June. The seizure occurred despite the
mother regularly taking her seizure medication for her seizure disorder.
When the mother began seizing, the child became scared. A housekeeper
found them, and called emergency authorities. The mother's inability to
take care of [Wesley] while she is suffering from a seizure is not the only
concern.
CP at 317.
Kimberly Anderson contends that the trial court impermissibly relied on her
epilepsy to order a dependency. She asserts that her disability should not deprive her of
the fundamental right to care, custody and companionship of her child. We agree that a
mother's epilepsy by itself should not be grounds for dependency. The trial court,
however, did not base the dependency solely on her disability. In the court's oral
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comments, it remarked: "that for me is like the tip of the iceberg ... , I want[ ed] to make
sure you're understanding that this isn't about your seizure ... , it wasn't simply
[because] you have a condition with your seizures or that you were not maintaining your
health." CP at 270.
Substantial evidence supported the trial court's finding that her inability to care for
Wesley during a seizure presented a danger to Wesley's safety. Social workers Michelle
Woodward and Danelle Stone expressed concern for Wesley's safety in the event
Kimberly Anderson experiences a seizure. On one occasion, the seizure led to Wesley
being unsupervised. Wesley reported that his mother often suffered from seizures, when
he was alone to care for her.
Kimberly Anderson next challenges that portion of finding of fact B that reads:
"[t]he court is concerned that the mother's mental health is affecting her ability to make
good decisions for [Wesley]." CP at 318. Anderson claims no evidence demonstrated a
correlation between her mental health status and her ability to parent.
We conclude that substantial evidence supports the court's finding that Kimberly
Anderson's mental health affects her ability to render good decisions regarding Wesley's
health, safety and welfare. Anderson testified that she suffered from posttraumatic stress
disorder, depression, and anxiety. Her testimony reflected resistance to offers of
assistance and programs to address her mental health issues. She refused to answer some
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questions on the basis of "stress of [her] disorder." CP at 114. DSHS offered Anderson
psychological and counseling services, but she refused the services.
The trial court did not impose the dependency solely on the basis of mental health
disorders. Nevertheless, evidence showed that the disorders impeded Kimberly Anderson
from meeting Wesley's needs. Wesley also suffers from disabilities that require special
attention.
Kimberly Anderson next complains that the trial court incorrectly found that she
neglected Wesley's education needs because she did not fully comply with home
schooling requirements. Nevertheless, substantial evidence supported a finding that
Anderson neglected her son's educational and developmental needs. She failed to send
him to a speech professional. She probably failed to school him at home and certainly
failed to show her education's proficiency by testing. At trial, Anderson still failed to
recognize her failures with regard to Wesley's education.
RCW 28A.200.010 outlines the requirements for a parent whose child receives
home-based instruction. RCW 28A.200.010( 1)( c) requires the administration of an
annual standardized achievement test by a qualified individual or that an annual
assessment of the student's academic progress is written by a certified person who is
currently working in the field of education. The law considers the failure of parent to
comply with any of the terms set forth in RCW 28A.200.010 as a failure of such parent's
child to attend school without justification.
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In finding of fact B, the trial court wrote: Kimberly Anderson "was not complying
with the law regarding home schooling, such as having an appropriate person/agency
supervising her home schooling and yearly testing." CP at 317. Anderson correctly
observes the trial court's error in assuming that some person or entity must supervise the
home schooling. This error is irrelevant. The court correctly noted the lack of testing
and other evidence established the lack of schooling for Wesley.
Next, Kimberly Anderson challenges that portion of finding of fact B, in which the
trial court found that "[t]he mother admits to using marijuana. It is necessary to
determine whether her use is impacting her parenting." CP at JI 8. She contends that her
consumption of marijuana does not support a finding of dependency because DSHS
failed to present any evidence that her consumption interfered with her ability to parent.
In its brief, DSHS omits a response to this contention.
We agree with Kimberly Anderson that her smoking marijuana by itself is not
grounds for a child dependency. Nevertheless, the trial court did not base the dependency
only on the marijuana use, if at all. The court in its oral ruling expressed concern as to
the extent of the cannabis use. The court ordered an assessment of that use. Other
significant reasons supported the dependency.
Kimberly Anderson assigns error to finding of fact C and the conclusion of law,
wherein the trial court found and concluded that DSHS established dependency pursuant
to RCW 13.34.030(6)(b) and (c). We disagree. We have already confirmed that the trial
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court committed only harmless error in the findings of fact. The sustained findings
support the conclusion that Anderson neglected Wesley as the law defines the term.
RCW 13.34.030(6)(b) provides that a child is dependent when a person legally
responsible for the care of the child abuses or neglects him, as defined by RCW
26.44.020(16). The statute identifies "[n]egligent treatment or maltreatment" as
an act or a failure to act, or the cumulative effects of a pattern of
conduct, behavior, or inaction, that evidences a serious disregard of
consequences of such magnitude as to constitute a clear and present danger
to a child's health, welfare, or safety, including but not limited to conduct
prohibited under RCW 9A.42.100.
The statute further provides that "[w ]hen considering whether a clear and present danger
exists, evidence of a parent's substance abuse as a contributing factor to negligent
treatment or maltreatment shall be given great weight." RCW 26.44.020(16). Poverty or
homelessness does not constitute negligent treatment or maltreatment in and of itself
under RCW 26.44.020(16).
RCW 13.34.030(6)(c) states that a child is dependent when the child
[h]as no parent, guardian, or custodian capable of adequately caring
for the child, such that the child is in circumstances which constitute a
danger of substantial damage to the child's psychological or physical
development.
The trial court need not consider any specific factors when determining whether a parent
is capable of parenting under RCW 13.34.030(6)(c). Instead, the inquiry is highly fact-
specific. In re Dependency of Schermer, 161 Wn.2d at 951-52.
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The State need not prove that a parent is unfit to prove a dependency.
A dependency based on RCW 13.34.030[(6)](c) does not tum on
parental '"unfitness'" in the usual sense. Rather, it allows consideration of
both a child's special needs and any limitations or other circumstances
which affect a parent's ability to respond to those needs. Under RCW
13.34.030[(6)](c), it is unnecessary to find parental misconduct in order to
find a child dependent.
In re Dependency of Schermer, 161 Wn.2d at 944. When evaluating evidence to
determine whether a child is dependent, trial courts have broad discretion and
considerable flexibility to reach a decision that recognizes both the welfare of the child
and parental rights. In re Dependency of Schermer, 161 Wn.2d at 952.
Under RCW 13.34.030(6)(c), a child is dependent when the child "[h]as no parent,
guardian, or custodian capable of adequately caring for the child, such that the child is in
circumstances which constitute a danger of substantial damage to the child's
psychological or physical development." The sustained findings and substantial evidence
also supports the conclusion that Anderson is not capable of adequately caring for
Wesley and the incapability exposes Wesley to a substantial damage to his psychological
and physical development. Anderson did not assist Wesley with his two year
developmental delay. She took him to no medical or dental appointments.
Kimberly Anderson challenges the trial court's placement of Wesley with foster
parents. She contends that, even if Wesley is a dependent of the State, Wesley could
reside with her with the assistance of DSHS.
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RCW 13.34.130(5) allows the trial court to order placement of the dependent child
outside the home. The statute declares, in relevant part:
... An order for out-of-home placement may be made only if the
court finds that reasonable efforts have been made to prevent or eliminate
the need for removal of the child from the child's home and to make it
possible for the child to return home, specifying the services, including
housing assistance, that have been provided to the child and the child's
parent, guardian, or legal custodian, and that preventive services have been
offered or provided and have failed to prevent the need for out-of-home
placement, unless the health safety, and welfare of the child cannot be
protected adequately in the home, and that:
(a) There is no parent or guardian available to care for such child;
(c) The court finds, by clear, cogent, and convincing evidence, a
manifest danger exists that the child will suffer serious abuse or neglect if
the child is not removed from the home and an order under RCW 26.44.063
would not protect the child from danger.
RCW 13.34.130(5). In dependency proceedings, discretionary placements are reviewed
for abuse of discretion. In re Dependency of Ca.R., 191 Wn. App. 601, 610, 365 P.3d
186 (2015). A trial court abuses its discretion when its decision is manifestly
unreasonable or based on untenable grounds. In re Marriage of Kovacs, 121 Wn.2d 795,
801, 854 P.2d 629 (1993); In re Dependency ofCa.R., 191 Wn. App. at 610 .
. We conclude that the trial court did not abuse its discretion when it found that
Wesley should be placed or remain in the custody, control and care ofDSHS. Testimony
explained the many services offered to and refused by Kimberly Anderson. Anderson
engaged in no services. The trial court could reasonably conclude that Anderson will
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resist DSHS' s provision of services with Wesley in her home. Testimony also
established that Kimberly bullied Wesley during visitations.
Finally, Kimberly Anderson challenges the constitutionality of the order of
dependency and the placement with DSHS. She cursorily argues that a parent's epilepsy
should never deprive a parent of the care and companionship of their child. She cites
only to two older California cases, In re WO., 88 Cal. App. 3d 906, 152 Cal. Rptr. 130(1979) and In re Marriage of Carney, 24 Cal. App. 3d 725,598 P.2d 36, 157 Cal. Rptr.
383 (1979). Nevertheless, each decision contains facts vastly different from the facts
here. We also observe that the trial court did not order the dependency solely on the basis
of Anderson's epilepsy.
Kimberly Anderson summarily argues that the trial court's finding that failing to
comply with homeschool testing requirements constitutes an unreasonable interference in
her right to direct the upbringing of her son in violation of the Fourteenth Amendment to
the United States Constitution. Other than stating the general rule that parents possess
the liberty to direct the education of their children, Anderson cites only to statutory
authority regarding the right of parent to homeschool in Washington. Anderson does not
undergo any constitutional analysis or cite to any cases with similar facts to her situation.
She does not discuss the requirement of home school testing. Naked castings into the
constitutional seas are not sufficient to command judicial consideration and discussion.
State v. Johnson, 179 Wn.2d 534,558,315 P.3d 1090 (2014).
21
No. 34883-1-III
In re the Dependency of W.A.
CONCLUSION
We affirm the trial court's order of dependency for Wesley Anderson and the trial
court's placement of Wesley with DSHS.
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:
Lawrence-Berrey, J.
V~-@=
Pennell,i
22