In re N.K.

An unpublished opinion of the North Carolina Court of Appeals does not constitute
controlling legal authority. Citation is disfavored, but may be permitted in accordance
with the provisions of Rule 30(e)(3) of the North Carolina Rules of Appellate Procedure.
NO. COA13-752
NORTH CAROLINA COURT OF APPEALS
Filed: 4 February 2014
IN THE MATTER OF:
N.K. Mecklenburg County
No. 13 JA 07
Appeals by respondent-mother and Mecklenburg County
Department of Social Services, Division of Youth and Family
Services from order entered 3 May 2013 by Judge Donald R.
Cureton in Mecklenburg County District Court. Heard in the
Court of Appeals 7 January 2014.
Senior Associate Attorney Twyla Hollingsworth-Richardson
for Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services,
Division of Youth and Family Services, petitioner.
Mercedes O. Chut for respondent-mother.
Administrative Office of the Courts, by Appellate Counsel
Tawanda N. Foster, for guardian ad litem.
McCULLOUGH, Judge.
Respondent-mother appeals from the trial court’s order
adjudicating the minor child, N.K. (“Nancy”)1 neglected.
1
A pseudonym is used to protect the privacy of the juvenile.
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Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services, Division of
Youth and Family Services (“YFS”) cross-appeals.
On 7 January 2013, YFS filed a juvenile petition alleging
Nancy was abused and neglected. The petition stated that YFS
received a referral on 3 January 2013 alleging respondent-mother
improperly disciplined Nancy and that marks left on Nancy were
inflicted by non-accidental means. The matter came on for
hearing on 19 and 26 March 2013. At the conclusion of the
adjudication hearing, the trial court found “by clear and
convincing evidence that [N.K.] is neglected only.” The trial
court entered a written adjudication and disposition order on 5
April 2013, and entered an amended adjudication and disposition
order on 3 May 2013. Respondent-mother filed written notice of
appeal on 6 May 2013. YFS filed written notice of appeal on 14
May 2013.
We first address respondent-mother’s argument on appeal.
Respondent-mother’s sole argument is that the trial court erred
in concluding Nancy was neglected where said conclusion is not
supported by the findings of fact or evidence.
“The role of this Court in reviewing a trial court’s
adjudication of neglect and abuse is to determine ‘(1) whether
the findings of fact are supported by “clear and convincing
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evidence,” and (2) whether the legal conclusions are supported
by the findings of fact[.]’” In re T.H.T., 185 N.C. App. 337,
343, 648 S.E.2d 519, 523 (2007) (quoting In re Gleisner, 141
N.C. App. 475, 480, 539 S.E.2d 362, 365 (2000)), aff’d as
modified, 362 N.C. 446, 665 S.E.2d 54 (2008). “If such evidence
exists, the findings of the trial court are binding on appeal,
even if the evidence would support a finding to the contrary.”
Id. In the present case, respondent-mother does not challenge
the trial court’s findings of fact, and they are deemed
supported by competent evidence and are binding on appeal.
Koufman v. Koufman, 330 N.C. 93, 97, 408 S.E.2d 729, 731 (1991).
A neglected juvenile is defined as:
A juvenile who does not receive proper care,
supervision, or discipline from the
juvenile’s parent, guardian, custodian, or
caretaker; or who has been abandoned; or who
is not provided necessary medical care; or
who is not provided necessary remedial care;
or who lives in an environment injurious to
the juvenile’s welfare; or who has been
placed for care or adoption in violation of
law.
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-101(15) (2011). Here, according to
respondent-mother, Nancy was injured when she fell from her bunk
bed on 3 January 2013. Sometime around 12:30 a.m., respondent-
mother heard a thud coming from Nancy’s room and upon entering
the room she saw Nancy on the floor near the ladder attached to
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her bunk bed. Nancy was on her left side and crying.
Respondent-mother observed a scratch on the left side of Nancy’s
face and redness on Nancy’s legs. Respondent-mother did not
seek medical treatment “due to the cold temperature outside and
the late hour.”
Nancy went to school the next morning; however, the school
nurse called respondent-mother because Nancy complained of pain.
The school nurse observed swelling of Nancy’s hand and bruising
on her neck. The nurse suggested that respondent-mother take
Nancy to the doctor.
Respondent-mother took Nancy to her pediatrician, Dr.
Jennifer Colyer. Dr. Colyer “observed extensive bruising, red
linear marks on the child’s left back, and interior left chest.
She observed similar marks on the child’s left arm, left thigh,
outer left calf, inner right calf, and observed an abrasion on
her left cheek.” Dr. Colyer “believed that the injuries needed
further investigation and suggested that the child be taken to
the emergency room for further evaluation.” Dr. Colyer “was
concerned that the school had to bring the injuries to the
mother’s attention, that the mother did not seek medical
attention the previous night and that injuries may not be
consistent with a fall from a bunk bed.”
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We conclude that the evidence and findings of fact show
that respondent-mother failed to seek necessary medical
treatment for Nancy, and that respondent-mother’s failure to
seek necessary medical treatment constitutes neglect. See In re
S.W., 187 N.C. App. 505, 507, 653 S.E.2d 425, 426 (2007)
(holding that respondents’ “failure to obtain medical attention
for the[ir] child constitutes neglect per the statute.”). Thus,
the trial court did not err in concluding that Nancy is a
neglected juvenile as defined by N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-101(15).
We now turn to YFS’s argument. YFS contends the trial
court erred by failing to conclude that Nancy was an abused
juvenile as defined by N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-101(1).
“The adjudicatory hearing shall be a judicial process
designed to adjudicate the existence or nonexistence of any of
the conditions alleged in a petition.” N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-802
(2011). “[W]hen a trial court is required to adjudicate
allegations of abuse, neglect, or dependency, it must either
adjudicate the juvenile as abused, neglected, or dependent if
the allegations are proven by clear and convincing evidence or
dismiss the allegation if the necessary evidentiary showing is
not made.” In re T.B., 203 N.C. App. 497, 507, 692 S.E.2d 182,
188-89 (2010).
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An abused juvenile is defined, in part, as:
Any juvenile less than 18 years of age whose
parent, guardian, custodian, or caretaker:
a. Inflicts or allows to be inflicted upon
the juvenile a serious physical injury by
other than accidental means;
b. Creates or allows to be created a
substantial risk of serious physical injury
to the juvenile by other than accidental
means[.]
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-101(1) (2011). Since the Juvenile Code
does not define “serious physical injury,” this Court has relied
upon the definition provided by N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-318.4, the
felony child abuse statute. See In re L.T.R., 181 N.C. App.
376, 381, 639 S.E.2d 122, 125-26 (2007) (finding Court’s
reasoning in State v. Romero, 164 N.C. App. 169, 595 S.E.2d 208
(2004), on what constitutes serious physical injury for purposes
of felony child abuse instructive in Chapter 7B abuse cases).
Under the felony child abuse statute, serious physical injury is
“injury that causes great pain and suffering.” N.C. Gen. Stat.
§ 14-318.4(d)(2) (2011). “[W]hether an injury is serious is
generally a question for the [trier of fact] ‘because the nature
of an injury is dependant [sic] upon the relative facts of each
case[.]’” In re L.T.R., 181 N.C. App. at 382, 639 S.E.2d at 126
-7-
(quoting State v. Romero, 164 N.C. App. 169, 172, 595 S.E.2d
208, 211).
“[W]hen a trial judge sits as ‘both judge
and juror,’ as he or she does in a non-jury
proceeding, it is that judge’s duty to weigh
and consider all competent evidence, and
pass upon the credibility of the witnesses,
the weight to be given their testimony and
the reasonable inferences to be drawn
therefrom.”
In re Whisnant, 71 N.C. App. 439, 441, 322 S.E.2d 434, 435
(1984) (citation omitted). In the present case, the trial
court, in its capacity as the trier of fact, weighed the
evidence and relevant facts and determined “by clear and
convincing evidence that [N.K.] is neglected only.” YFS’s
argument is overruled. The trial court’s order is affirmed.
Affirmed.
Judges McGEE and DILLON concur.
Report per Rule 30(e).