In the Matter of the Paternity of T.A., Minor Child By Next Friend, C.B. v. L.A. (mem. dec.)

MEMORANDUM DECISION
Pursuant to Ind. Appellate Rule 65(D),
this Memorandum Decision shall not be FILED
regarded as precedent or cited before any Jun 21 2017, 8:29 am
court except for the purpose of establishing
CLERK
the defense of res judicata, collateral Indiana Supreme Court
Court of Appeals
estoppel, or the law of the case. and Tax Court
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT
Richard J. Thonert
Fort Wayne, Indiana
IN THE
COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA
In the Matter of the Paternity of June 21, 2017
T.A., Minor Child Court of Appeals Case No.
01A02-1611-JP-2729
Appeal from the Adams Circuit
By Next Friend, Court
C.B., The Honorable Chad E. Kukelhan,
Petitioner, Judge
Trial Court Cause No.
v. 01C01-1503-JP-11
L.A.,
Respondent
Altice, Judge.
Case Summary
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 01A02-1611-JP-2729 | June 21, 2017 Page 1 of 11
[1] C.B. (Mother) appeals from the trial court’s order granting L.A.’s (Father)
Motion for Modification of Child Custody. Mother argues that the trial court
abused its discretion in granting Father sole custody of T.A., the parties’ minor
child (Child), and in restricting her parenting time.
[2] We affirm in part, reverse in part, and remand with instructions.
Facts & Procedural History
[3] Child was born in September 2012. Mother and Father were never married, but
Father signed a paternity affidavit establishing his paternity the day after
Child’s birth. Mother and Father’s relationship ended sometime in 2013.
Thereafter, Child resided with Mother and his nine-year-old half-sister in Berne,
Indiana. Mother and Father voluntarily shared equal parenting time of Child
and their arrangement worked “fairly well.” Transcript at 6. Mother eventually
obtained employment in Decatur and arranged for Child to attend daycare
nearby.
[4] In May 2014, Mother met D.B. D.B. informed Mother that he was on
probation after having served time in the Department of Correction for a Class
C felony child molesting conviction.1 D.B. explained the circumstances giving
rise to his conviction, admitting that when he was twenty-one, he and an
1
D.B. pleaded guilty.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 01A02-1611-JP-2729 | June 21, 2017 Page 2 of 11
underage girl engaged in oral sex outside a bowling alley. 2 He claimed that he
thought the girl was sixteen, but that she in fact was only thirteen.
[5] Over the next six months, Mother and D.B. became better acquainted and
eventually started dating. D.B. successfully completed his probation, finished
his counseling, and passed a polygraph and other examinations administered by
a mental health professional. Thereafter, the Adams Superior Court granted
him permission to be in the presence of Mother’s three children. Father was
not privy to D.B.’s request for permission to be around Child. D.B.’s probation
officer and a mental health counselor both approved of the terms of a safety
plan for D.B. to follow when in the presence of Mother’s children.
[6] Father and Mother negotiated a Stipulation and Agreed Order (Custody Order)
regarding custody and parenting time for Child. Father had met D.B. prior to
submitting the Custody Order to the trial court, but Mother had not informed
Father of D.B.’s criminal past. The trial court accepted the Custody Order
submitted by Mother and Father on July 28, 2015. Paragraph 7 provided:
It is agreed that both parties are fit and proper persons to have the
primary physical custody of the minor child and, as such, Father
and Mother shall have joint legal and equally shared physical
custody of the parties’ minor child. For purposes of the holiday
schedule in the Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines only, Mother
2
D.B. testified that he was required to register as a non-violent sex offender for a period of ten years, ending
on May 16, 2024. He further testified that his mental health counselor put together a safety plan that
included restrictions on where he could live and his interactions with children. The safety plan also provided
that overnight visits with children were prohibited unless approved by the court. D.B.’s probation officer
approved of the safety plan.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 01A02-1611-JP-2729 | June 21, 2017 Page 3 of 11
shall be deemed the custodial parent. Father and Mother shall
have parenting at all reasonable times agreed upon by the parties.
However, if the parties cannot agree, then parenting time shall go
to a two week schedule where Mother has the child Monday,
Tuesday, and Wednesday, Father on Thursday and Friday, and
Mother on Saturday and Sunday for week one. Week two shall
see Father having custody Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday,
Mother on Thursday and Friday, and Father on Saturday and
Sunday, with exchanges taking place at 7:00 p.m. at the
McDonalds in Berne, Indiana or other place as the parties may
agree.
Appellant’s Appendix Vol. 2 at 29. Mother and Father further agreed:
The parties agree that no modification of this joint legal custody
agreement of the parties shall be made except upon a showing of
substantial change in circumstances of the statutory
considerations so as to make the existing joint legal custody order
of this Court not in the best interests of the child. The parties
agree that the remarriage of either party is not sufficient ground
to satisfy the substantial change of circumstances standard for the
purposes of modifying the joint legal custody arrangement.
Id. at 31.
[7] Mother and D.B. eventually married on June 10, 2016. Mother planned to
move with Child into D.B.’s home in Fort Wayne on August 1, 2016. Mother
gave Father a week’s notice of her impending marriage and informed him of
her intent to relocate only after confronted by Father.
[8] After Mother and D.B. married and Father learned of her intent to move with
Child to Fort Wayne, Father conducted an internet search of D.B.’s address
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 01A02-1611-JP-2729 | June 21, 2017 Page 4 of 11
and learned that D.B. was a registered sex offender. Father confronted Mother
with the information and informed her that he was terminating her physical
custody until he could find out more about D.B. and the circumstances
surrounding his conviction. Father told Mother that he would permit her to
have visitation with Child so long as he or his mother were present to ensure
that Mother would not have Child around D.B. Father offered Mother
parenting time on several occasions, subject to his requested accommodations
to prevent D.B. from being around Child, but Mother refused, believing that
Child would not understand the circumstances.
[9] On July 27, 2016, Father filed a Motion for Modification of Child Custody
asserting that there had been a substantial change in circumstances such that a
modification of the joint child custody order was in the best interests of Child.
Specifically, Father stated that “it ha[d] come to [his] attention that Mother
recently married [D.B.], who was convicted of child molesting . . . and is a
registered sex offender,” and that he had “grave concerns about the safety of
[Child] if [Child] is permitted to be around [D.B.]” Id. at 33, 34. On August
25, 2016, Mother filed a Verified Application for Order to Show Cause, For
Finding of Contempt, and For Enforcement of Custody Order based on
Father’s refusal to allow Child to be in her care unless she agreed to his terms.
[10] The trial court held a hearing on the parties’ motions on August 29, 2016.
Father testified and requested that he be awarded sole custody of Child and that
Mother have restricted visitation. Father admitted to the court that at the time
of the hearing he was serving home detention for a conviction related to his
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 01A02-1611-JP-2729 | June 21, 2017 Page 5 of 11
possession of marijuana and paraphernalia. Mother, D.B., D.B.’s probation
officer, and D.B.’s mental health counselor testified at the hearing. D.B.’s
mental health counselor summarized his interactions with D.B., explained that
the results of various assessments in which D.B. participated indicated that
D.B. was not a danger to Child, and testified that he had formed a similar
opinion. At the conclusion of the hearing, the trial court took the matter under
advisement.
[11] On September 21, 2016, the trial court entered its order granting Father sole
custody and providing Mother with restricted parenting time. 3 Specifically, the
court ordered that Mother was to have parenting time on alternate weekends
and scheduled holidays for ten hours per day. The trial court found that
overnight visitation with Mother was not appropriate and specified that Child
was to be returned at least one hour before bedtime. The trial court also
determined that Mother was to have no mid-week visitation on account of
Child’s age and “the distance created between the parties by [M]other.” Id. at
22. The trial court incorporated the safety plan4 devised by D.B.’s counselor
3
In its order, the trial court also denied Mother’s motion in all respects. Mother does not challenge the trial
court’s order in this regard.
4
The safety plan required Mother to ensure that Child was never left alone with D.B.; that D.B. not be
permitted to engage in any type of horseplay, tickling, wrestling, touching, hugging, or kissing with Child;
that D.B. not be permitted to whisper or engage in private conversations with Child; that D.B. not be
permitted to use any bathroom facility if Child is also in the facility; and that Mother ensure that Child is
properly dressed during her parenting time.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 01A02-1611-JP-2729 | June 21, 2017 Page 6 of 11
and ordered Mother to follow such plan during her parenting time with Child.
Mother appeals this order.
Discussion & Decision
[12] We initially observe that Father has not filed an appellate brief. Accordingly,
we will not undertake the burden of developing arguments for Father. See
Maser v. Hicks, 809 N.E.2d 429, 432 (Ind. Ct. App. 2004). When an appellee
does not file a brief, we apply a less stringent standard of review and may
reverse when the appellant establishes prima facie error. Id. “‘Prima facie’ is
defined as ‘at first sight, on first appearance, or on the face of it.’” Id. (quoting
Parkhurst v. Van Winkle, 786 N.E.2d 1159, 1160 (Ind. Ct. App. 2003)).
[13] Mother argues that the trial court abused its discretion in modifying custody.
Our standard of review in such cases is well settled:
When reviewing a custody determination, we afford the trial
court considerable deference as it is the trial court that observes
the parties’ conduct and demeanor and hears their testimonies.
Kondamuri v. Kondamuri, 852 N.E.2d 939, 945-46 (Ind. Ct. App.
2006). We review custody modifications for an abuse of
discretion “with a preference for granting latitude and deference
to our trial judges in family law matters.” Werner v. Werner, 946
N.E.2d 1233, 1244 (Ind. Ct. App. 2011) (quoting K.I. ex rel. J.I. v.
J.H., 903 N.E.2d 453, 457 (Ind. 2009)), trans. denied. We will not
reweigh the evidence or judge the credibility of witnesses.
Kondamuri, 852 N.E.2d at 946. Rather, we will reverse the trial
court’s custody determination based only upon a trial court’s
abuse of discretion that is “clearly against the logic and effect of
the facts and circumstances or the reasonable inferences drawn
therefrom.” Id. “[I]t is not enough that the evidence might
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 01A02-1611-JP-2729 | June 21, 2017 Page 7 of 11
support some other conclusion, but it must positively require the
conclusion contended for by the appellant before there is a basis
for reversal.” Kirk v. Kirk, 770 N.E.2d 304, 307 (Ind. 2002)
(quoting Brickley v. Brickley, 247 Ind. 201, 210 N.E.2d 850, 852
(1965)).
In re Paternity of C.S., 964 N.E.2d 879, 883 (Ind. Ct. App. 2012), trans. denied.
[14] Following the establishment of paternity, a trial court may modify a child
custody order only upon a showing that modification is in the child’s best
interests and that there has been a substantial change in one or more of the
factors that the court may consider under I.C. § 31-14-13-2. I.C. § 31-14-13-6.5
I.C. § 31-14-13-2 provides that the court “shall consider all relevant factors,”
including specifically:
(1) The age and sex of the child.
(2) The wishes of the child’s parents.
(3) The wishes of the child, with more consideration given to the
child’s wishes if the child is at least fourteen (14) years of age.
(4) The interaction and interrelationship of the child with:
5
Mother and the trial court cite to Indiana Code §§ 31-17-2-21 and 31-17-2-8, - 15, which are applicable to
determining the modification of custody in a dissolution proceeding. When determining the modification of
custody in a paternity proceeding, as we have in this appeal, I.C. §§ 31-14-13-6 and 31-14-13-2 are applicable.
Nevertheless, the paternity and dissolution statutes contain nearly identical language and now involve the
same standard of review. See Joe v. Lebow, 670 N.E.2d 9, 16-20 (Ind. Ct. App. 1996) (discussing the history of
the dissolution and paternity custody modification statutes).
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 01A02-1611-JP-2729 | June 21, 2017 Page 8 of 11
(A) the child’s parents;
(B) the child’s siblings; and
(C) any other person who may significantly affect the
child’s best interest.
(5) The child’s adjustment to home, school, and community.
(6) The mental and physical health of all individuals involved.
(7) Evidence of a pattern of domestic or family violence by either
parent.
(8) Evidence that the child has been cared for by a de facto
custodian, and if the evidence is sufficient, the court shall
consider the factors described in section 2.5(b) of this chapter.
The party seeking modification of an existing custody order bears the burden of
demonstrating that the existing custody order should be altered. Kirk v. Kirk,
770 N.E.2d 304, 307 (Ind. 2002).
[15] Here, the court concluded that there had been a substantial change “in Father’s
wishes;” “the interaction and interrelationship of [Child] with Mother on
account of her decision to marry [D.B.];” and in [Child’s] adjustment to the
[Child’s] home and community on account of Mother’s decision to move to
Fort Wayne with [D.B.]” Appellant’s Appendix Vol. 2 at 22. The trial court
expressed concern about Mother’s failure to communicate with Father
concerning important matters such as her impending marriage, intent to move,
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 01A02-1611-JP-2729 | June 21, 2017 Page 9 of 11
and D.B.’s criminal past. Implicit in the trial court’s findings is that the trial
court found that custody modification was in Child’s bests interests. The trial
court’s findings adequately support its decision to modify the joint custody
order and award Father sole custody of Child. The trial court did not abuse its
discretion in this regard.
[16] Aside from the decision to modify custody, Mother argues that the trial court
abused its discretion in restricting her parenting time without first determining
that parenting time might endanger Child’s health and well-being or impair his
emotional development.6 I.C. § 31-14-14-1, which outlines the parenting time
rights of a noncustodial parent in a paternity action, provides that “[a]
noncustodial parent is entitled to reasonable parenting time rights unless the
court finds, after a hearing, that parenting time might: (1) endanger the child’s
physical health and well-being; or (2) significantly impair the child’s emotional
development.” “Even though I.C. § 31-14-14-1 uses the term ‘might,’ this court
interprets the statute to mean that a court may not restrict visitation unless that
visitation would endanger the child’s physical health or well-being or
significantly impair the child’s emotional development.” Walker v. Nelson, 911
N.E.2d 124, 130 (Ind. Ct. App. 2009) (quoting Farrell v. Littell, 790 N.E.2d 612,
616 (Ind. Ct. App. 2003)). “By ‘its plain language,’ Indiana Code section 31-
14-14-1 requires a court to make a specific finding ‘of physical endangerment or
6
In making this argument, Mother cites to Ind. Code § 31-1-11.5-24, which was repealed in 1997. The
corollary to this statute applicable in this paternity action is found in Ind. Code § 31-14-14-1.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 01A02-1611-JP-2729 | June 21, 2017 Page 10 of 11
emotional impairment prior to placing a restriction on the noncustodial parent’s
visitation.’” Farrell, 790 N.E.2d at 616 (quoting In re Paternity of V.A.M.C., 768
N.E.2d 990, 1001 (Ind. Ct. App. 2002), reh’g granted on other grounds).
[17] Here, the trial court restricted Mother’s parenting time, but did not make a
specific finding that visitation would endanger Child’s physical health or well-
being or significantly impair Child’s emotional development. Mother has
established prima facie error in this regard. Accordingly, we remand to the trial
court with instructions to make findings to support the parenting time
restrictions or enter an order without said restrictions. See Walker, 911 N.E.2d
at 130 (remanding with instructions to trial court to enter an order with findings
sufficient to support a restriction on visitation or to enter an order that did not
contain a visitation restriction).
[18] Judgment affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded with instructions.
Kirsch, J. and Mathias, J., concur.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 01A02-1611-JP-2729 | June 21, 2017 Page 11 of 11