Robert London v. Virginia Department of Social Services

COURT OF APPEALS OF VIRGINIA
Present: Judges Beales, Russell and Senior Judge Frank
UNPUBLISHED
ROBERT LONDON
MEMORANDUM OPINION*
v. Record No. 1942-17-2 PER CURIAM
AUGUST 28, 2018
VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF
SOCIAL SERVICES
FROM THE CIRCUIT COURT OF CHESTERFIELD COUNTY
T.J. Hauler, Judge
(Lanis L. Karnes, on briefs), for appellant. Appellant submitting on
briefs.
(Mark R. Herring, Attorney General; Cynthia V. Bailey, Deputy
Attorney General; Kim F. Piner, Senior Assistant Attorney General;
Ellen R. Fulmer-Malenke, Assistant Attorney General, on brief), for
appellee. Appellee submitting on brief.
Robert London (father) appeals a circuit court’s order affirming the decision of the
Virginia Department of Social Services and the founded disposition of “Founded – Sexual Abuse
(Sexual Molestation) – Level one.” Father argues that the circuit court erred by (1) finding that
the evidence was sufficient to support the agency’s finding of “Sexual Abuse (Sexual
Molestation) – Level One;” and (2) denying his motion to enter new evidence. We find no error
and affirm the decision of the circuit court.
BACKGROUND
“On appeal, we view the evidence in the light most favorable to the [agency], the party
prevailing below.” Doe v. Va. Bd. of Dentistry, 52 Va. App. 166, 170, 662 S.E.2d 99, 101
*
Pursuant to Code § 17.1-413, this opinion is not designated for publication.
(2008) (en banc). Furthermore, we “limit our review of issues of fact to the agency record.”
Mulvey v. Jones, 41 Va. App. 600, 602, 587 S.E.2d 728, 729 (2003).
Father and Alysha London (mother) are the biological parents to B.L., who was four
years old in November 2013. On November 25, 2013, the Chesterfield County Department of
Social Services (the Agency) received a complaint that father sexually abused B.L. Mother
reported that she observed father bathing B.L. between 2:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m. on November 23,
2013. Mother reported that father was washing B.L., without a washcloth. She heard him tell
B.L. to spread her legs, and he rubbed her vagina for as much as fifty seconds.1 Later, mother
explained that she waited two days to report the incident because she was afraid of father.
Father admitted that he was B.L.’s primary caretaker and that he frequently bathed B.L.
late at night or in the early hours of the morning. He explained that he did so because the child
did not have a set schedule. Furthermore, father stated that he used his hands to bathe B.L.
because they did not have any washcloths; however, at a home visit on January 24, 2014,
Whitney Jackson, the child protective services investigator, saw between twenty and thirty
washcloths in the bathroom, and mother confirmed that there were always washcloths in the
home. Father denied touching B.L.’s vagina. Father also acknowledged sleeping with B.L. on
the sofa in the living room.
On December 4, 2013, Jackson tried to speak with B.L. about the incident. However,
B.L. hid under a table and “shut down during the interview.” Jackson interviewed B.L.’s
fourteen-year-old half-sister, K.L., who lived in the home. K.L. reported that after the incident
but a few days prior to December 4, 2013, she bathed B.L. They were in the shower together,
and B.L. told K.L. that K.L. “had hair on her private parts ‘like her daddy does.’” K.L. also told
1
During B.L.’s forensic exam, mother reported that father washed B.L.’s vaginal area for
thirty-five to forty seconds, but mother reported to the investigating social worker that father
washed B.L.’s vaginal area for forty-five to fifty seconds.
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Jackson that prior to the incident, father would not allow her to care for B.L. Jackson
subsequently spoke with Sarah Johnson, who, at twenty-seven years old, was the oldest of
father’s children. Johnson reported that another younger sister recently said that she had been
sexually abused by father. Johnson recalled a time when B.L. was two years old and father
changed her diaper and father “tickled” B.L.’s vagina. Johnson further disclosed that there was
another time when B.L. was masturbating and father was laughing at her.
On January 9, 2014, Jackson spoke with B.L.’s therapist, Jennifer E. Bagsby. Bagsby
described a session in which B.L. talked about a “silly game” she played with father in the
shower. B.L. said that the game is “played with private parts” and that it makes her feel “sad.”
Jackson spoke with Bagsby again on March 10, 2014. Bagsby stated that B.L.’s statements have
been consistent about father touching her, and Bagsby did not believe that the child “was
coached or manipulated to make statements about [father].”
On February 25, 2014, the Agency made a disposition against father of “Founded –
Sexual Abuse (Sexual Molestation) – Level One.” On April 23, 2014, the disposition was
sustained at a local conference appeal hearing. Father appealed the local conference decision,
and an administrative hearing was held on July 30, 2014 and September 3, 2014.
At the administrative hearing, both parties presented their evidence and argument.
Jackson admitted on cross-examination that she had heard that during their divorce proceedings,
mother had told father that she would ensure that father never saw B.L. again. Father testified
that he and mother had been arguing and having problems and that a day before the complaint
was made, mother was mad that father would not co-sign a loan so that she could buy a car.
Father repeatedly denied touching B.L. inappropriately.
Dr. David Sabine, a clinical psychologist who was qualified in sex offender treatment,
testified on father’s behalf. Dr. Sabine had “real doubt” as to whether father abused B.L. After
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reviewing Bagsby’s deposition, Dr. Sabine questioned whether Bagsby had “confirmation bias”
and assumed that the abuse took place. Dr. Sabine disagreed with Bagsby’s opinion that B.L.
had not been coached, especially considering some of the vocabulary and phrases B.L. used. He
also found that the details that B.L. consistently reported were “hallmark[s] of a ‘coached’
statement.” However, Dr. Sabine admitted on cross-examination that he had not spoken with
Bagsby or B.L.
Father also submitted into evidence a psychological evaluation of mother conducted by
Dr. Michele K. Nelson, on March 20, 2014. Based on the testing and interview data, Dr. Nelson
found that mother was “emotionally dramatic and reactive, dependent, likely to blame others for
her problems, has problematic relationships, and is likely to make decisions and behave in ways
that stymie others. Psychological insight is not her forte.”
Jackson subsequently admitted that the record showed that when mother went to the
police station to report the incident, she was under the influence of prescription medication.
Father also submitted a letter from Dr. Sabine dated August 18, 2014, in which he opined that
there were eight factors common to individuals who made false allegations of child abuse, and
all eight factors were present in this case. The eight factors were:
accusations surfacing after separation and legal proceedings are
begun; history of family conflict; accusing female parent is
hysterical or borderline personality; male accused parent is passive
and lacks “macho” characteristics; child a female under the age of
eight; allegations surface via the custodial parent; mother takes
child to an “expert” who confirms the abuse and identifies the
father as the perpetrator; and, a court reacts to the expert
information by terminating or limiting visitation.
The Agency submitted into evidence a court-ordered psychosexual evaluation of father
conducted by Dr. Evan S. Nelson, dated March 24, 2014. Dr. Nelson opined that father had
“little credibility.” Dr. Nelson explained that father repeatedly denied any sexual abuse conduct,
despite the evidence to the contrary, and that father was “consistently defensive to the extreme.”
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Dr. Nelson emphasized that father stressed “how emotionally unstable his wife was, what a
terrible parent she was, and how she lied when making the current CPS allegation against him.”
However, father admitted to considering reconciling with mother in January and February of
2014 and that he was B.L.’s primary caretaker. Dr. Nelson emphasized, though, “that no
psychological test can determine if someone who denies a sexual offense actually did commit it.”
The Agency and father submitted written closing arguments. On December 19, 2014, the
administrative hearing officer sustained the disposition of “Founded – Sexual Abuse (Sexual
Molestation) – Level One” against father. The hearing officer concluded that the “record and
testimony contain a preponderance of the evidence that [father] sexually abused his daughter,
causing or threatening her with serious harm.” Father appealed the decision to the circuit court.
On July 13, 2016, father filed a motion to enter new evidence. Father proposed to submit
the following evidence that he argued was relevant, supported his position, and disproved
mother’s allegations:
a. Notes and testimony of Melissa Findlay
b. Dr. Connor’s Evaluation
c. Transcription of the audio recording on November 22, 2013
d. New car purchase agreement from November 21, 2013
e. [B.L.’s] Tae Kwon Do Ceremony Certificate on November 23,
2013
f. Text Messages between Mr. and Ms. London on November 22,
2013-November 23, 2013
g. Forensic Audio Report
The Virginia Department of Social Services (the Department) filed a response in opposition to
father’s motion and argued that the circuit court acts as an appellate court and father had the
opportunity to introduce the evidence at the administrative hearing. On October 14, 2016, the
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circuit court issued a letter opinion and held that “there was insufficient grounds to allow the
introduction of new evidence at an appeal to the Circuit Court under the Virginia Administrative
Process Act.” The circuit court found that it was to be treated as an appellate court and “may not
go outside the bounds of the record.” Consequently, the circuit court denied father’s motion to
enter new evidence. On December 14, 2016, the circuit court entered an order reflecting its
ruling.
On July 13, 2016, father filed his memorandum in support for his petition for appeal and
argued that the “hearing officer committed legal error because the finding is violative of
[father’s] constitutional due process rights, the finding was based on an investigation which
failed to observe the required procedure, and the record lacked substantial evidence to conclude
that [father] committed Sexual Abuse – Level One.” The Department filed a memorandum in
opposition to the petition for appeal and argued that the hearing officer’s decision should be
sustained. Father subsequently filed a memorandum in response to the Department. The parties
appeared before the circuit court on October 5, 2017.2 On November 6, 2017, the circuit court
entered its final order affirming the decision of the administrative hearing officer. The circuit
court found that “there is substantial evidence in the agency record to sustain the decision of the
hearing officer, and no error of law was made in reaching that decision. That the Agency record
contains substantial evidence, both in favor of and in contrary to [father’s] position in the case.”
This appeal followed.
2
The circuit court entered the final order on November 6, 2017, and father filed a partial
transcript of the October 5, 2017 hearing late on January 8, 2018. Rule 5A:8(a). Father did not
file a motion for extension to file a late transcript. Therefore, the transcript is not a part of the
record. Rule 5A:8. Upon review of the record, we do not find that the transcript is indispensable
for a review of the assignments of error. See Bay v. Commonwealth, 60 Va. App. 520, 528-29,
729 S.E.2d 768, 772 (2012); Anderson v. Commonwealth, 13 Va. App. 506, 508-09, 413 S.E.2d
75, 76-77 (1992); Turner v. Commonwealth, 2 Va. App. 96, 99-100, 341 S.E.2d 400, 402 (1986).
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ANALYSIS
Agency finding
Father argues that the circuit court erred by finding that there was substantial evidence to
support the Agency’s finding of Sexual Abuse (Sexual Molestation) – Level One. Father argues
that mother’s recitation of the alleged incident of abuse was not credible. He emphasizes that
she reported the incident days after it occurred, and when she went to the police station, she was
under the influence of prescription medication. He contends that she was mad that he would not
co-sign a car loan for her and that she wanted to use the incident during their divorce
proceedings. Father also questions the credibility of K.L. and Bagsby. He notes that K.L.’s
statements about what B.L. said were hearsay, and he denied showing B.L. his private parts.
Furthermore, father stresses that Bagsby was not qualified as an expert and questions her ability
to opine about whether B.L. was abused. Father emphasizes that Dr. Sabine was qualified in
sexual offender treatment, and Dr. Sabine thought that Bagsby’s approach reflected
“confirmation bias” and that B.L. was coached.
As stated in Code § 63.2-1526(B), “[j]udicial review of a child protective services
founded disposition of child abuse is governed by the Administrative Process Act (APA),
codified at Code §§ 2.2-4000 to 2.2-4033.” Jones v. West, 46 Va. App. 309, 322, 616 S.E.2d
790, 797 (2005). Code § 2.2-4027 explains that the “burden shall be on the party complaining of
agency action to designate and demonstrate an error of law subject to review by the court.” The
circuit court’s review of an administrative agency’s factual findings is “limited to determining
whether substantial evidence in the agency record supports its decision.” Jones, 46 Va. App. at
323, 616 S.E.2d at 797 (quoting Avante at Lynchburg, Inc. v. Teefey, 28 Va. App. 156, 160, 502
S.E.2d 708, 710 (1998)). “The phrase ‘substantial evidence’ refers to ‘such relevant evidence as
a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion.’” Mulvey, 41 Va. App. at
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603, 587 S.E.2d at 729 (quoting Va. Real Estate Comm’n v. Bias, 226 Va. 264, 269, 308 S.E.2d
123, 125 (1983)). “An agency’s factual findings should only be rejected if, ‘considering the
record as a whole, a reasonable mind would necessarily come to a different conclusion.’” State
Health Comm’r v. Sentara Norfolk Gen. Hosp., 260 Va. 267, 275-76, 534 S.E.2d 325, 330
(2000) (quoting Va. Real Estate Comm’n v. Bias, 226 Va. 264, 269, 308 S.E.2d 123, 125
(1983)). “It is not the trial court’s role to determine the credibility of the witnesses.” Comm’r v.
Fulton, 55 Va. App. 69, 80, 683 S.E.2d 837, 842 (2009).
The administrative hearing officer’s opinion included a detailed section with the findings
of fact. The evidence proved that father told B.L. to “spread her legs and then rubbed [her]
external genital area with his bare hand for as much as 50 seconds.” The hearing officer
accepted mother’s reporting of the incident and K.L.’s reporting of B.L.’s statement. The
hearing officer also accepted Bagsby’s testimony about what happened in play therapy with B.L.
and her description of the “silly game” she and her father played in the bathroom. Furthermore,
the hearing officer stated that Dr. Nelson found that “from a psychological perspective . . .
[father] had little credibility.” With respect to Dr. Sabine, the hearing officer emphasized that he
had not interviewed B.L., nor did he explain how a child who was B.L.’s age could be coached.
Based on the entire record, the circuit court did not err in concluding that there was
substantial evidence to support the hearing officer’s decision.
Motion to Enter New Evidence
Father argues that the circuit court erred by denying his motion to enter new evidence.
Father incorrectly asserts that “if one is allowed to enter new evidence at the administrative
hearing, then he should be allowed to admit new evidence at the appeal phase in the Circuit
Court.” This Court has previously held that “in an agency appeal, the circuit court is not free to
take additional evidence at the request of one of the parties, but is obliged to defer to the trier of
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fact.” J. P. v. Carter, 24 Va. App. 707, 721, 485 S.E.2d 162, 169-70 (1997). “[U]nder the
VAPA, the circuit court’s role in an appeal from an agency decision is equivalent to an appellate
court’s role in an appeal from a trial court.” Id. at 707, 485 S.E.2d at 169 (quoting School Board
v. Nicely, 12 Va. App. 1051, 1062, 408 S.E.2d 545, 551 (1991)). Therefore, the circuit court did
not err in denying father’s motion to enter new evidence.
CONCLUSION
For the foregoing reasons, the circuit court’s ruling is affirmed.
Affirmed.
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