In the Matter of the Involuntary Term. of the Parent-Child Relationship of R.G.M. (Minor Child) and R.M. (Father) v. The Ind. Dept. of Child Services (mem. dec.)

MEMORANDUM DECISION
Pursuant to Ind. Appellate Rule 65(D),
Feb 26 2016, 10:04 am
this Memorandum Decision shall not be
regarded as precedent or cited before any
court except for the purpose of establishing
the defense of res judicata, collateral
estoppel, or the law of the case.
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE
Joann M. Price Gregory F. Zoeller
Merrillville, Indiana Attorney General of Indiana
Robert J. Henke
Abigail R. Recker
Deputy Attorneys General
Indianapolis, Indiana
IN THE
COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA
In the Matter of the Involuntary February 26, 2016
Termination of the Parent-Child Court of Appeals Case No.
Relationship of R.G.M. (Minor 45A05-1507-JT-924
Child) and Appeal from the Lake Superior
Court
R.M. (Father), The Honorable Thomas P.
Appellant-Respondent, Stefaniak, Jr., Judge
Trial Court Cause No.
v. 45D06-1403-JT-36
The Indiana Department of
Child Services,
Appellee-Petitioner
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Crone, Judge.
Case Summary
[1] R.M. (“Father”) appeals the trial court’s order involuntarily terminating his
parental relationship with his son R.G.M. Father claims that several of the
court’s conclusions are clearly erroneous. Finding no error, we affirm.
Facts and Procedural History
[2] The relevant facts are undisputed. R.M. met J.G. (“Mother”) in August 2009
and moved in with her shortly thereafter. Mother gave birth to R.G.M. in May
2010. In June 2011, Father had a domestic dispute with Mother in R.G.M.’s
presence. He subsequently plead guilty to class D felony strangulation in Lake
Superior Court. Father was sentenced to thirty months in jail, with twenty-four
months suspended to probation. He was ordered to complete an alcohol and
drug program, “participate in anger management, report monthly to his
probation officer, and pay fees. Additionally, Father was to have no contact
with Mother.” Appellant’s App. at ii (trial court’s order).
[3] In December 2011, Father moved out of the family home. In February 2012,
he moved to St. Louis, Missouri, “and began working for a circus that traveled
about the country. Father knowingly violated his probation when he left the
state of Indiana.” Id. at iii.
Additionally, Father stopped participating in probation ordered
services on or about February 2012. In March 2012, Father
temporarily returned to Indiana to report to his probation officer.
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In April 2012, seven months into his twenty-four month
probation period, the Father stopped reporting monthly to his
probation officer and ceased participating in the [alcohol and
drug] program. In August 2012 Father was ordered to appear in
court on September 17, 2012 and failed to appear. Father has
had no contact with his probation officer since April of 2012.
Id.
[4] On August 28, 2012, the Indiana Department of Child Services (“DCS”) and
law enforcement officers made an unannounced visit to Mother’s home after
receiving a report regarding the safety of two-year-old R.G.M.
Mother was not present and was in the hospital for a urinary
tract infection, a staph infection, and scabies for three days.
Mother’s boyfriend, M.Q., was temporarily caring for R.G.M.
At the time, Mother and M.Q. had been dating a few months.
Officers saw that R.G.M. had multiple bruises covering his face
and neck. Officers also observed a plastic water bottle with
aluminum foil covering the top in the home that appeared to
have been recently used to smoke marijuana. Officers also
discovered a baggy containing marijuana. Upon further
inspection of R.G.M., DCS and officers discovered the child had
bruises all over his body, including his face, eyelid, chin, neck,
ear, arms, and genitals. The bruises appeared to be at different
stages of healing. R.G.M.’s penis was found to have significant
purple and black bruising. R.G.M.’s eyelid had red and purple
bruising. M.Q. explained that the bruises on R.G.M. were
sustained from him tossing and turning in his bed, however his
explanation was not consistent with the nature of injuries and
they appeared to be non-accidental. R.G.M. was taken
immediately into DCS custody and placed in the foster home of
Nancy Cloonan.
During the preliminary inquiry and investigation conducted by
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DCS on August 28, 2012, Mother informed DCS that she was
unaware of Father’s whereabouts. Mother also informed DCS
Father provides no emotional or financial support to R.G.M.
Mother also stated that there was a history of domestic violence
between Father and Mother and she had a restraining order
against him.
Id. at i-ii. 1
[5] On August 30, 2012, DCS filed a petition alleging that R.G.M. was a child in
need of services (“CHINS”) based on the evidence of physical abuse. In
October 2012, the trial court held a hearing at which Father did not appear and
Mother admitted the material allegations of the petition. The trial court found
that R.G.M. was a CHINS and authorized service by publication on Father. At
a January 2013 hearing, the trial court found that publication on Father had
been completed and reaffirmed the CHINS finding.
Services were offered to Father and Mother pursuant to a case
plan. Father and Mother were to contact the DCS case manager
weekly, keep all appointments with service providers, maintain
suitable housing, prohibit the use of drugs, prohibit the use of
alcohol, obey the law, actively participate in a home-based
counseling program for all members of the family, complete a
parenting assessment and successfully complete all
recommendations of the parenting assessment, complete a
substance abuse assessment and follow all treatments and
successfully complete all treatment recommendations, submit to
random drug/alcohol screens within one hour of request,
complete psychological evaluations, meet all the medical and
1
The order occasionally refers to persons by their full names; we use initials where appropriate.
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mental health needs of R.G.M., and participate in supervised
visits.
Id. at ii.
DCS attempted to locate Father via the last known address listed
on the Lake County Superior Court Docket to no avail. Service
providers were also unsuccessful in locating Father at his last
reported address.
In May 2013, DCS restarted the search for Father and attempted
to contact him at the address listed on Father’s open criminal
case in Lake County and at a second address that was returned
during a Whitepages search. Both addresses generated
undeliverable mail responses. DCS then learned from the
Mother that the paternal grandmother, K.H., lives in St. Louis,
Missouri, however she provided no address. DCS obtained an
address in St. Louis that listed both the Father and paternal
grandmother, however notices were returned undeliverable.
DCS also completed a VINELink.com search in Indiana and
Missouri that returned no results regarding the Father’s
whereabouts or incarceration status. In June 2013, DCS utilized
an investigator … to attempt to locate the [F]ather. The
investigator found a second St. Louis address for the Father.
DCS sent notices and letters to his address however, they were
also returned as undeliverable.
….
In June 2013, Father was arrested in Missouri for auto theft and
credit card fraud. He was put in county lockup from June 2013
to October 2013. In October 2013, Father was transferred to a
Missouri Department of Corrections facility to serve his sentence
for the two charges. His anticipated release is in January of 2016
which was unknown to DCS at the time.
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Id. at ii-iii.
In November 2013, the DCS caseworker began preparing the
termination of parental rights petition for the child. The DCS
caseworker happened to Google Father and found a recent news
article regarding his arrest in Missouri. DCS contacted the
Missouri Department of Corrections, confirmed that he was
incarcerated, and received information on where he was
currently incarcerated.
Id. at iii.
[6] On March 6, 2014, DCS filed a petition for the involuntary termination of
Mother’s and Father’s parental rights.
On March 7, 2014, DCS sent a letter to Father in the facility in
which he was housed. On March 17, 2014, the DCS caseworker
received a phone call from the paternal grandmother who stated
the Father received the letter. The DCS caseworker informed the
paternal grandmother that R.G.M. was in DCS custody, that
Father could write and call the DCS caseworker, and there was a
hearing set for July 14, 2014 to terminate the parental rights of
Father. On March 18, 2014, Father contacted the DCS
caseworker via telephone. Additionally, DCS sent Father
certified correspondence including court documents that
specified services he was to complete pursuant to the case plan.
The DCS caseworker informed the Father that DCS could not
provide him services in St. Louis, however if he were to complete
similar services through the Missouri Department of Corrections
and provide proof of their completion, they would count towards
completion of the court ordered services. DCS never received
any proof that the [F]ather completed any of the court ordered
services. Also, DCS received no further correspondence or
phone calls from the Father until 2015.
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Id.
[7] On May 21 and 22, 2015, the trial court held a hearing on the termination
petition at which Mother appeared in person and Father appeared by telephone
from prison in Missouri. 2 Both were represented by counsel. The trial court
took the matter under advisement. On June 16, 2015, the court issued an order
containing the foregoing as well as the following relevant findings and
conclusions: 3
There is a reasonable probability that the conditions resulting in
the removal of the child(ren) will not be remedied ….
….
Currently there is an outstanding warrant of detainer in Indiana
for Father and upon release from Missouri incarceration, Father
must face that probation revocation proceeding.
Father has not participated in any of the services offered by DCS
through the parenting plan. Father had minimal interaction with
R.G.M. from February 2012 to July 2012. Since July 2012,
Father has not had any interaction with R.G.M. Father has not
[been] and is not a significant part of R.G.M.’s life. Father did
not know the whereabouts of R.G.M. from approximately
2
The transcript and the table of contents incorrectly state that the hearing was held on March 21 and 22,
which fell on a weekend. Tr. at 2, 387. DCS’s brief perpetuates this error, and Father’s brief states that the
hearing occurred on June 16, when the trial court issued its order. Father included several dozen pages of the
transcript in his appellant’s appendix in violation of Indiana Appellate Rule 50(F), which states, “Because the
Transcript is transmitted to the Court on Appeal pursuant to Rule 12(B), parties should not reproduce any
portion of the Transcript in the Appendix.” Also, Father neglected to include a copy of the chronological
case summary, which is required by Appellate Rule 50(A)(2)(a).
3
We appreciate the thoroughness of the trial court’s order, which greatly facilitated our review.
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August 2012 to March 2014.
Father’s lack of interaction with R.G.M. since July 2012 shows
that Father is not interested in acting as a parent and that he lacks
a bond with R.G.M. Father’s repeated involvement with
criminal activity and domestic violence during R.G.M.’s life
exhibits a pattern that is not indicative of an individual who can
be a positive influence in R.G.M.’s life. Father’s failure to
participate in any services offered under the DCS parenting plan
shows his lack of interest in gaining the skills necessary to parent
R.G.M. Father isn’t in a position to parent a child with the
special needs R.G.M. has from a prison cell.
….
Mother last interacted with R.G.M. in May 2014. To date, there
is no objective evidence that Mother has rectified the concerns
which resulted in R.G.M.’s removal from the home. Mother’s
actions and lack of progress constitute a pattern of conduct which
significantly increases the probability of future neglect or
endangerment of R.G.M.[ 4]
….
The child is thriving in his placement. Initially, the child was
non-verbal and appeared delayed in his development. R.G.M.
has remained under the foster care of Nancy Cloonan in a stable,
caring, and loving environment for a total of nearly three years.
Due to his autism, R.G.M. requires constant around the clock
care which he receives from Ms. Cloonan. Also, she has been
instrumental in providing access to appropriate therapy and
regular medical care that have greatly minimized R.G.M.’s
4
The order contains many other findings regarding Mother’s “pattern of conduct.” Because she does not
appeal the order, we do not reproduce them here.
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behavioral and developmental problems. Ms. Cloonan has
demonstrated she has provided a structured environment and
possesses the required skills needed to parent R.G.M.
There is a reasonable probability that the continuation of the
parent-child relationship poses a threat to the well-being of the
child(ren) in that: for the reasons stated above. Additionally, the
child deserves a loving, caring, safe, and stable home. The child
has special needs and has been diagnosed with autism. The child
requires specific and repetitive redirection and a very structured
environment. The child requires around the clock care and
supervision. The child requires continued therapy in order to
function in reality. It is unlikely that [M]other would follow
through with continued therapy, due to [M]other being in such
denial about circumstances involving the removal of this child,
the need for continued care, and the need for [M]other to
progress in her parenting skills. Mother cannot provide the basic
needs for the child. R.G.M.’s need for permanency is apparent.
The needs of R.G.M. outweigh both Mother’s and Father’s rights
to parent him and both Mother and Father currently are unable
to properly parent him.
It is in the best interest of the child(ren) and his health, welfare
and future that the parent-child relationship between the
child(ren) and his parents be forever fully and absolutely
terminated.
[DCS] has a satisfactory plan for the care and treatment of the
child(ren) which is Adoption by the foster parent, Nancy
Cloonan.
Id. at i, iii-vi. Father now appeals.
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Discussion and Decision
[8] “The purpose of terminating parental rights is not to punish the parents but,
instead, to protect their children. Thus, although parental rights are of a
constitutional dimension, the law provides for the termination of these rights
when the parents are unable or unwilling to meet their parental
responsibilities.” In re A.P., 882 N.E.2d 799, 805 (Ind. Ct. App. 2008) (citation
omitted). “[T]ermination is intended as a last resort, available only when all
other reasonable efforts have failed.” Id. That said, “[t]he trial court need not
wait until a child is irreversibly harmed such that his physical, mental, and
social development are permanently impaired before terminating the parent-
child relationship.” Id. at 807.
[9] A petition for the involuntary termination of parental rights must allege in
pertinent part:
(B) that one (1) of the following is true:
(i) There is a reasonable probability that the conditions
that resulted in the child’s removal or the reasons for
placement outside the home of the parents will not be
remedied.
(ii) There is a reasonable probability that the continuation
of the parent-child relationship poses a threat to the well-
being of the child.
…
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(C) that termination is in the best interests of the child; and
(D) that there is a satisfactory plan for the care and treatment of
the child.
Ind. Code § 31-35-2-4(b)(2). DCS must prove “each and every element” by
clear and convincing evidence. In re G.Y., 904 N.E.2d 1257, 1261 (Ind. 2009);
Ind. Code § 31-37-14-2. If the trial court finds that the allegations in a petition
are true, the court shall terminate the parent-child relationship. Ind. Code § 31-
35-2-8(a).
[10] “We have long had a highly deferential standard of review in cases involving
the termination of parental rights.” C.A. v. Ind. Dep’t of Child Servs., 15 N.E.3d
85, 92 (Ind. Ct. App. 2014).
We neither reweigh evidence nor assess witness credibility. We
consider only the evidence and reasonable inferences favorable to
the trial court’s judgment. Where the trial court enters findings
of fact and conclusions thereon, we apply a two-tiered standard
of review: we first determine whether the evidence supports the
findings and then determine whether the findings support the
judgment. In deference to the trial court’s unique position to
assess the evidence, we will set aside a judgment terminating a
parent-child relationship only if it is clearly erroneous.
Id. at 92-93 (citations omitted). “A judgment is clearly erroneous if the findings
do not support the trial court’s conclusions or the conclusions do not support
the judgment.” In re R.J., 829 N.E.2d 1032, 1035 (Ind. Ct. App. 2005).
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[11] Father does not specifically challenge the validity of any of the trial court’s
findings. He does, however, suggest that the findings do not support its
conclusions regarding Indiana Code Section 31-35-2-4(b)(2)(B), -(C), and -(D).
We address each conclusion in turn.
Section 1 – The trial court did not clearly err in concluding
that there is a reasonable probability that the continuation of
the parent-child relationship poses a threat to R.G.M.’s well-
being. 5
[12] Father asserts that “there was no evidence to support the contention that [he]
ever presented a risk to the safety and well-being” of R.G.M. Appellant’s Br. at
16. “In determining whether the continuation of a parent-child relationship
poses a threat to the children, a trial court should consider a parent’s habitual
pattern of conduct to determine whether there is a substantial probability of
future neglect or deprivation.” In re A.P., 981 N.E.2d 75, 81 (Ind. Ct. App.
2012). “At the same time, however, a trial court should judge a parent’s fitness
to care for [his] child as of the time of the termination proceedings, taking into
consideration evidence of changed conditions.” Id.
[13] Father committed an act of domestic violence against Mother in one-year-old
R.G.M.’s presence, which resulted in Father’s incarceration and probation.
Father knowingly violated his probation by moving to Missouri and committed
5
Father also contends that the trial court clearly erred in concluding that there is a reasonable probability that
the conditions resulting in R.G.M.’s removal will not be remedied. Because DCS is required to prove only
one of the elements of Indiana Code Section 31-35-2-4(b)(2)(B), we need not address this contention.
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additional crimes there, which again put him in jail. After serving his sentence
in Missouri, he must face a probation revocation proceeding in Indiana, which
could result in two more years in jail. Father has had no interaction with
R.G.M. since July 2012 and provided no documentation that he has
participated in, let alone completed, any services offered under DCS’s parenting
plan. Father’s history of criminal activity, chronic instability, and demonstrated
lack of interest in his son pose a significant threat to the well-being of R.G.M.,
who requires around-the-clock structure and supervision. As such, we cannot
say that the trial court’s conclusion is clearly erroneous.
Section 2 – The trial court did not clearly err in concluding
that termination is in R.G.M.’s best interests.
[14] A determination of a child’s best interests should be based on the totality of the
circumstances. Id. at 82. In making this determination, the trial court must
subordinate the parent’s interests to those of the child involved. Id. A parent’s
historical inability to provide a suitable environment along with his current
inability to do the same supports a finding that termination of parental rights is
in the child’s best interests. Id. “[A] child’s need for permanency is an
important consideration in determining the best interests of a child, and the
testimony of the service providers may support a finding that termination is in
the child’s best interests.” In re A.K., 924 N.E.2d 212, 224 (Ind. Ct. App. 2010),
trans. dismissed.
[15] Father asserts, “There was nothing substantive presented at trial to show that a
continued relationship between [him] and [R.G.M.] would be detrimental” to
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R.G.M. Appellant’s Br. at 18-19. On the contrary, Father physically abused
Mother when R.G.M. was an infant. Father was incarcerated and knowingly
violated his probation by moving out of state. Father had minimal contact with
R.G.M. while he was on the lam, and he was incarcerated again after
committing additional crimes in Missouri. R.G.M. suffered significant physical
abuse while in Mother’s care, and his only stable and supportive presence since
that traumatic period has been foster parent Cloonan. Father has had no
contact with R.G.M. since July 2012, and he faces a probation revocation
proceeding that could result in two more years in jail. “Individuals who pursue
criminal activity run the risk of being denied the opportunity to develop positive
and meaningful relationships with their children.” Matter of A.C.B., 598 N.E.2d
570, 572 (Ind. Ct. App. 1992).
[16] Moreover, DCS family case manager Tashame Woods testified that Father is
unable to parent R.G.M. “at this point in time” and that, given R.G.M.’s
autism and need for permanency, it would not be in his best interests to wait
“one and a half years, two years to see whether [Father] could get his act
together[.]” Tr. at 364. Father’s insistence that he and his family “are of
sufficient capability to care for [R.G.M.] and his specialized needs” is merely an
invitation to reweigh evidence in his favor, which we may not do. Appellant’s
Br. at 19. In sum, the trial court’s conclusion regarding R.G.M.’s best interests
is not clearly erroneous.
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Section 3 – The trial court did not clearly err in concluding
that there is a satisfactory plan for R.G.M.’s care and
treatment.
[17] Finally, Father challenges the trial court’s conclusion that DCS has a
satisfactory plan for R.G.M.’s care and treatment, which is adoption by foster
parent Cloonan. Father’s argument is essentially a rehash of his best interests
argument: that he and his family could take care of R.G.M. as well as or better
than Cloonan. 6 Again, we must decline Father’s request to reweigh the
evidence in his favor. We find no error here and therefore affirm the trial
court’s order.
[18] Affirmed.
Vaidik, C.J., and Bailey, J., concur.
6
Father cites Indiana Code Section 31-34-19-7, which addresses a child’s placement with a “willing relative”
during a CHINS proceeding and therefore is irrelevant as to a DCS permanency plan in a termination
proceeding.
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