Jordan D. Christie v. Tamara L. Waller (mem. dec.) ( 2016 )

MEMORANDUM DECISION
FILED
Pursuant to Ind. Appellate Rule 65(D), Apr 05 2016, 8:21 am
this Memorandum Decision shall not be
CLERK
regarded as precedent or cited before any Indiana Supreme Court
Court of Appeals
court except for the purpose of establishing and Tax Court
the defense of res judicata, collateral
estoppel, or the law of the case.
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT ATTORNEY FOR APPELLEE
Joshua Flowers Erik H. Carter
Indianapolis, Indiana Noblesville, Indiana
IN THE
COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA
Jordan D. Christie, April 5, 2016
Appellant-Respondent, Court of Appeals Case No.
14A05-1507-JP-985
v. Appeal from the Daviess Circuit
Court
Tamara L. Waller, The Honorable Lynne E. Ellis,
Appellee-Petitioner. Special Judge
Trial Court Cause No.
14C01-1109-JP-243
Riley, Judge.
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STATEMENT OF THE CASE
[1] Appellant-Respondent, Jordan D. Christie (Father), appeals the trial court’s
Order awarding custody of his minor child, Sophia Marie Christie (Child), to
Appellee-Petitioner, Tamara L. Waller (Mother).
[2] We affirm.
ISSUES
[3] Father raises three issues on appeal, which we consolidate and restate as the
following two issues:
(1) Whether the trial court abused its discretion by awarding custody of the
Child to Mother; and
(2) Whether the trial court violated Father’s right to due process by failing to act
in an impartial manner and coercing the parties into waiving the ninety-day
deadline set forth in Indiana Trial Rule 53.2(A) for issuing its decision.
FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
[4] On July 22, 2011, the Child was born out of wedlock to Father and Mother.
Father subsequently executed a paternity affidavit. For several months
following the Child’s birth, Mother and Father lived together in Father’s
residence and co-parented. Pursuant to Father’s execution of the paternity
affidavit, on September 21, 2011, the Daviess County IV-D Prosecutor’s Child
Support Division filed a petition to establish child support. At the time of this
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filing, the parties were still living together with the Child. However, their
relationship ultimately deteriorated, and an acrimonious custody battle ensued.
[5] On January 16, 2012, Mother moved out of Father’s house, taking the Child
with her. The next day, Mother filed a petition on behalf of the Child to obtain
a protective order against Father. In her petition, Mother cited two instances in
which Father had fallen asleep while caring for the Child. Mother also alleged
that Father did not want her to take the Child when she moved out. On
January 25, 2012, the trial court found insufficient evidence to justify a
protective order and, accordingly, dismissed Mother’s petition.
[6] After Mother moved out, Father claimed that she began denying him any
opportunity to see the Child. On January 25, 2012, Father filed a Petition to
Establish Visitation Schedule, and on February 10, 2012, he filed a Petition for
Custody. On February 24, 2012, the trial court conducted a hearing. Pending a
final hearing, the trial court issued an interim order granting primary physical
custody of the Child to Mother, and Father received parenting time in
accordance with the Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines (Guidelines).
[7] Despite the court’s temporary order, Mother began placing additional
restrictions on Father’s parenting time, such as prohibiting overnight visits and
insisting that she supervise Father’s parenting time. As a result, both parties
summoned the police during numerous exchanges of the Child. In addition,
according to Father, on March 22, 2012, the Department of Child Services
(DCS) commenced an investigation against him after receiving a report that the
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Child had access to Father’s firearms. Father explained at the final hearing that
the allegations were found to be unsubstantiated.
[8] In March of 2012, Father noticed that Mother began taking the Child to the
doctor, clinics, and the emergency room on a frequent basis. At some point,
the Child was diagnosed with asthma, was tested for allergies, and had to have
surgery due to a clogged tear duct. Both Father and the Child’s court-appointed
special advocate, Sandra Bowman (CASA Bowman), became concerned that
Mother was seeking unnecessary medical attention for the Child.
[9] On March 20, 2012, Mother filed another petition for a protective order on the
Child’s behalf. She alleged that the Child returned from an overnight parenting
time with Father with a large welt on her neck, jaw, and chin. Mother also
claimed that the Child had “extreme diaper rash w[ith] blisters covering
ENTIRE diaper area.” (Respondent’s Exh. R). Finally, Mother claimed that
the Child had contracted a parasite as the result of drinking water from a well
while in Father’s care. The trial court issued an ex parte protective order the
same day and set the matter for a hearing. On April 2, 2012, the trial court
dismissed the ex parte protective order.
[10] In July of 2012, Father and Mother reconciled, and Mother and the Child
moved back into Father’s house. The reconciliation was short-lived; in August
of 2012, Father asked Mother to move out, and Mother took the Child with
her. Thereafter, Mother refused to allow Father to see the Child. As a result, in
September and October of 2012, Father requested that the police conduct
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welfare checks, but they were unable to locate Mother or the Child. On
October 31, 2012, Father filed an information for contempt, claiming he had
been denied parenting time since August of 2012 and had no knowledge of
where the Child was living. On the same day, Father filed a Petition to Modify,
seeking custody based on a change in circumstances—specifically, that there
was a warrant for Mother’s arrest; 1 that Mother lacked a stable residence; and
that Mother suffered from a drinking problem.
[11] On December 1, 2012, Father briefly saw the Child for the first time since
August. However, Father stated that Mother would not allow him to hold or
interact with the Child and that the Child appeared not to recognize him.
Thereafter, Father attempted to resume their prior parenting time schedule, but
Mother only allowed sporadic visits.
[12] On December 20, 2012, Mother filed another petition for a protective order. In
her petition, Mother accused Father of stalking and harassment, indicating that
he had called the police to her “residence in excess of 100+ times.”
(Respondent’s Exh. T). Mother also claimed that Father had “grabbed [and]
handled [her] in a manner that resulted in bruising [and] scrapes on hand, arm
[and] legs.” (Respondent’s Exh. T). Mother simultaneously filed a petition for
1
On April 21, 2012, Mother was arrested and charged with conversion, a Class A misdemeanor, after she
was observed shoplifting at Wal-Mart. At the time, it was also discovered that Mother had a warrant for her
arrest out of Tippecanoe County, where she had been charged with attempted fraud, a Class D felony.
Mother subsequently entered into a pre-trial diversion program on the conversion charge, and the case was
dismissed on June 18, 2013. As to the Class D felony attempted fraud case, Mother pled guilty on November
21, 2012; she was sentenced to 545 days, of which 541 days were suspended to probation.
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a protective order on behalf of the Child, alleging that, seven months earlier, the
Child had returned from two overnight visits with Father with bruises on her
neck, belly button, and back, as well as severe diaper rash. Although Mother
received an ex parte order of protection as to herself, the trial court denied her
petition for the Child based on a lack of evidence. On several instances after
obtaining the protective order, Mother informed Father that he could only have
his parenting time if he did so in her home, under her supervision. Because this
arrangement would have been a violation of the protective order, Father was
not able to see the Child during these times.
[13] On December 27, 2012, Father filed another information for contempt based on
Mother’s denial of his parenting time. On January 4, 2013, the trial court held
a combined hearing on Father’s contempt allegations and Mother’s protective
order. Mother admitted that she had violated the court’s parenting time order;
thus, the trial court found her to be in contempt. In lieu of sanctions, the trial
court permitted Mother to purge the contempt by adhering to the parenting
time order. The trial court also dismissed Mother’s protective order.
[14] On January 29, 2013, Mother contacted DCS and reported that, following her
recent parenting time with Father, the Child “began biting and choking herself
[ten] to [fifteen] min[utes] at a time.” (Respondent’s Exh. G). Mother also
stated that the Child had peed through her diaper, and when Mother tried to
change her diaper, the Child “ran to the corner and started yelling ‘no daddy
hurts.’” (Respondent’s Exh. G). Mother indicated that the Child then fought
Mother’s attempts to change her diaper. Mother also informed DCS that she
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was concerned because Father keeps firearms in his home and has a pet snake.
DCS investigated and found Mother’s claims regarding any alleged sexual
abuse to be unsubstantiated. Furthermore, DCS visited Father’s home and
found that his firearms were all properly locked in a safe, and his snake was
contained in a locked cage. DCS observed that the Child was “talking,
laughing, and giggling” in Father’s home, and she appeared “to be very bonded
with [Father].” (Respondent’s Exh. G).
[15] On February 22, 2013, the trial court conducted another hearing, during which
Father and Mother presented an agreement to the court regarding custody and
parenting time. On April 3, 2013, the trial court entered a Temporary Order on
Pending Matters (Temporary Order), which adopted the parties’ arrangements.
Specifically, the parties agreed that they would share both legal and physical
custody of the Child, and they formulated an equal parenting time schedule.
[16] The existence of a mutual custody agreement did nothing to foster the parties’
ability to cooperate and co-parent. On March 1, 2013, Mother sought a
protective order in Knox County, Indiana, raising the same allegations against
Father as in her prior petition of December 20, 2012, which had been
dismissed. At some point, Mother also obtained protective orders against
Father’s mother and sister for acts of vandalism and harassment. At times
throughout the proceedings, both Father and Mother accused each other of
stalking and harassment-type behavior. On March 14, 2013, Father filed an
information for contempt because Mother repeatedly attempted to pick up the
Child at Father’s house rather than the location designated in the court’s
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Temporary Order—i.e., the police station. On April 8, 2013, Father filed a
second petition for custody modification. That same day, he also filed a
contempt information, stating that he was denied parenting time.
[17] In April of 2013, Mother began taking the Child to see a psychologist based on
her concerns that the Child was exhibiting regressive behaviors. Particularly,
Mother identified concerns of “tantrum behavior, uh, scratching herself, pulling
her hair, uh, becoming very upset, hiding behind objects in the home when she
was, uh, upset or anxious. Uh, a lot of, uh, irritability, a lot of generally
negative types of emotional behavior.” (Tr. pp. 450-51). Although Father
never observed any of these behaviors, Mother reported to the psychologist that
she believed the Child’s behavior had changed in response to having parenting
time with Father. The psychologist stated that in his initial encounter with
Mother and the Child, he “thought that overall there was probably a little bit of
enmeshment” between Mother and the Child. (Tr. p. 466). The psychologist
testified that “psychologist[s] call enmeshment probably when parent and child
might be a little bit to[o] close so they are functioning more as a unit [rather]
than separately.” (Tr. p. 466). As to the Child, the psychologist stated that he
initially observed behaviors that would fall on the autism spectrum. However,
the psychologist clarified that regressive behavior can “also be because children
are under a lot of stress, a lot of changes going on in their lives, maybe there is a
lot of conflict at home. . . . [W]e needed to rule out whether or not what we
were seeing here was the onset of autism or was it . . . more an adjustment
reaction to the things happening in her life.” (Tr. pp. 466-67). By October of
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2013, the psychologist noted significant improvement in the Child and
concluded that she does not have autism.
[18] On May 29, 2013, Father filed four separate informations for contempt, all of
which alleged that he was denied parenting time. 2 On June 19, 2013, Mother
filed a Motion to Change Judge, which was granted the same day. After
Mother requested a change of judge, she did not permit Father to exercise his
parenting time until July 3, 2013. When Mother allowed Father to have the
Child for overnight visits, she insisted that Father bring the Child to the meeting
location in the mornings so that Mother could be the one to administer the
Child’s asthma medicine. Between July 20, 2013, and November 12, 2013,
Father was denied his overnight parenting time with the Child.
[19] On June 27, 2013, Mother took the Child to Riley Hospital for Children in
Indianapolis, Indiana, for a sleep study. As a result of the sleep study, on
August 1, 2013, the Child had surgery to remove her tonsils and adenoids. On
August 5, 2013, the Child was hospitalized for dehydration. Then, on August
8, 2013, Mother took the Child to the emergency room because the Child’s
throat was bleeding. Although medical personnel did not observe any bleeding,
the Child was subsequently transferred to Riley Hospital for observation.
During the final hearing, Father expressed his frustration over being unable to
2
During a hearing on October 11, 2013, Father conceded that he mistakenly believed Mother had denied
him parenting time on dates that were, in fact, Mother’s scheduled time with the Child. Accordingly, Father
withdrew two of his May 29, 2013 petitions.
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obtain any information about the Child when he called the hospital. On
August 16, 2013, the Child’s primary care physician wrote a letter stating that
due to the Child’s “current medical condition and psychosocial issues, I feel it
medically necessary for her to be in the presence of one of her primary
caregivers at all times/24 hours a day until her symptoms are stabilized.”
(Petitioner’s Oct. 15, 2013 Exh. 2). Mother subsequently informed Father that
his parenting time would have to occur at the Sheriff’s Department under
Mother’s supervision because she had a doctor’s note indicating that the Child
had to be in her presence at all times.
[20] On October 11, 2013, Father filed a Petition to Modify Custody. In his
petition, Father alleged that Mother interferes with Father’s parenting time and
that she frequently and unnecessarily takes the Child to the emergency room
and medicates the Child with a narcotic pain reliever. Father also raised a
possible concern that Mother may be suffering from Munchausen Syndrome by
Proxy. Finally, Father argued that he should be awarded custody because he
could provide the Child with a more stable home.
[21] On October 15, 2013, the trial court held a hearing on Father’s multiple
contempt filings. During the hearing, Father testified that Mother continued to
deny his parenting time, and he had not seen the Child since August 1, 2013.
On November 12, 2013, the trial court issued an order dismissing Mother’s
pending protective order against Father. Additionally, the trial court modified
the Temporary Order of April 3, 2013, such that Father was awarded
temporary physical custody of the Child, and Mother was given parenting time
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on alternating weekends and during Father’s weekday work hours.
Furthermore, based on the contention that Mother may have Munchausen
Syndrome by Proxy, the trial court prohibited her from taking the Child to any
doctor’s appointments. The trial court took Father’s contempt motions under
advisement pending the final hearing.
[22] Between December 11, 2013, and February 18, 2014, Father filed three
petitions for rule to show cause as well as a motion for contempt based on
Mother’s purported violations of court orders. In particular, Father alleged that
Mother continued to interfere with the Child’s medical matters and took the
Child to Indianapolis without Father’s knowledge during her parenting time,
causing him to be concerned that Mother had taken the Child to see a doctor.
Father also stated that Mother was not adhering to the schedule for exchanging
the Child, that she was involved in a car accident while following his family
members around town, and that she was sending “disturbing” text messages to
Father. (Appellant’s App. p. 137).
[23] On February 19, 2014, Mother made a report to DCS that Father was
neglecting the Child’s medical needs. Mother stated that the Child had a
drastic weight loss while in Father’s care and that Father refused to feed the
Child her prescribed meal supplement. 3 Mother also informed DCS that Father
3
The issue of whether the Child actually needed such a meal supplement was heavily contested during the
final hearing. Mother presented a note from a nutritionist at Riley Hospital who indicated that the Child was
underweight, whereas Father presented evidence from the Child’s other doctors that no such supplement was
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had been diagnosed with general anxiety (from his time in the military), and
stated that he has “shrapnel all over his body.” (Respondent’s Exh. J). Mother
further reported that Father possessed more than sixty guns and 10,000 rounds
of ammunition in his home. Finally, Mother stated that there were bruises on
the Child’s body. When DCS investigated, Mother added that cerebrospinal
fluid had been leaking from the Child’s nose, and although it had been treated,
she was concerned that Father was not handling the Child’s medical needs.
Similarly, Mother informed DCS that the Child has autism4 and sleep apnea,
and she voiced her doubts about Father’s ability to meet the Child’s special
needs. When DCS interviewed Father, he provided the medical records to
contradict Mother’s claims about the Child’s weight. DCS observed no
bruising on the Child, and nothing in the Child’s medical records corroborated
Mother’s claim about cerebrospinal fluid. 5 Father also denied Mother’s claim
that he has shrapnel all over his body. Regarding the guns and ammunition,
Father clarified that he owns six—not sixty—guns, all of which he keeps locked
in a safe. Ultimately, DCS determined that the allegations were
unsubstantiated.
necessary. The Child’s pulmonologist indicated that he prescribed the meal supplement only because Mother
requested it.
4
By the time of this DCS report, the Child’s psychologist had already determined that the Child does not
have autism.
5
According to CASA Bowman, leaking cerebrospinal fluid is typically observed in “cases where a child has
been abused and has head trauma or . . . [a] traffic accident where there has been significant head trauma.”
(Tr. p. 748).
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[24] Following the trial court’s November 12, 2013 order that prohibited Mother
from taking the Child to any doctor’s appointments, Mother continued to
contact the Child’s health care providers and otherwise intervene in medical
matters. As a result, on February 19, 2014, the trial court issued another
temporary order to prohibit Mother from having contact with any non-family
members—namely, health care and daycare providers—regarding the Child.
Also, pending a psychological evaluation and the final hearing, the court
ordered that Mother exercise only supervised parenting time. The trial court
ordered that Father would continue to have full physical and legal custody of
the Child until the final hearing. Between March 27, 2014, and May 7, 2014,
Father filed two more petitions for rule to show cause, an information for
contempt, and an emergency motion to modify Mother’s parenting time based
on Mother’s alleged violation of the court’s various orders.
[25] On February 11-13 and March 27, 2015, the trial court conducted a final
hearing on the custody of the Child, parenting time, and the pending contempt
motions. At the close of the hearing, the parties agreed that they would waive
the ninety-day deadline set forth in Indiana Trial Rule 53.2(A) for the trial court
to issue its decision. On March 30, 2015, the trial court issued a temporary
order providing Father with primary physical and sole legal custody of the
Child pending the final Order. Mother was permitted to have unsupervised
parenting time in accordance with the Guidelines. On July 1, 2015, the trial
court issued its final Order, awarding primary physical custody of the Child to
Mother and ordering that the parties have joint legal custody. The trial court
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awarded Father parenting time pursuant to the Guidelines and ordered him to
pay child support. Finally, the trial court found Mother to be in contempt and
ordered her to pay the sum of $2,500 for Father’s attorney fees. On July 14,
2015, Father filed a Motion to Stay pending appeal, which was denied on July
17, 2015.
[26] Father now appeals. Additional facts will be provided as necessary.
DISCUSSION AND DECISION
I. Custody
[27] Father first claims that the trial court abused its discretion by awarding custody
of the Child to Mother. In this case, the trial court did not issue special findings
of fact and conclusions thereon, so its decision is reviewable only for an abuse
of discretion. Russell v. Russell, 682 N.E.2d 513, 515 (Ind. 1997). In matters of
family law, we adhere to the well-established “preference for granting latitude
and deference to our trial judges.” H.H. v. A.A., 3 N.E.3d 30, 33 (Ind. Ct. App.
2014) (quoting In re Marriage of Richardson, 622 N.E.2d 178, 178 (Ind. 1993)).
Unlike appellate courts, trial courts “see[] the parties, observe[] their conduct
and demeanor and hear[] their testimony.” In re Paternity of M.W., 949 N.E.2d
839, 842 (Ind. Ct. App. 2011). “‘Thus enabled to assess credibility and
character through both factual testimony and intuitive discernment, our trial
judges are in a superior position to ascertain information and apply common
sense, particularly in the determination of the best interests of the involved
children.’” H.H., 3 N.E.3d at 33 (quoting Best v. Best, 941 N.E.2d 499, 502 (Ind.
2011)). Accordingly, we do not reweigh evidence or assess the credibility of
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witnesses. Hughes v. Rogusta, 830 N.E.2d 898, 902 (Ind. Ct. App. 2005). We
will uphold the trial court’s custody determination unless “it is clearly against
the logic and effect of the facts and circumstances or the reasonable inferences
drawn therefrom.” In re Paternity of M.W., 949 N.E.2d at 842. “The concern for
finality in custody matters reinforces this doctrine.” H.H., 3 N.E.3d at 33-34
(quoting Baxendale v. Raich, 878 N.E.2d 1252, 1257-58 (Ind. 2008)).
[28] Notwithstanding Father’s multiple motions to modify custody, we note that this
case arose as a paternity action. While numerous temporary orders concerning
custody, support, and parenting time have been entered since the onset of this
case, there was never a final order prior to the July 1, 2015 Order currently at
issue. Thus, we will rely on the factors set forth in Indiana Code section 31-14-
13-2 for making an initial custody decision following the determination of
paternity. See Hughes, 830 N.E.2d at 901-02.
[29] Once paternity is established, the trial court must “determine custody in
accordance with the best interests of the child.” Ind. Code § 31-14-13-2 (2015).
In making this decision, “there is not a presumption favoring either parent.” Id.Rather, the court must “consider all relevant factors,” including:
(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:
(A) the child’s parents;
(B) the child’s siblings; and
(C) any other person who may significantly affect the child’s
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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 . . . .
Id. In an initial custody determination, the trial court must “consider all
evidence from the time of [the] Child’s birth in determining the custody
arrangement that would be in the best interest of [the] Child.” Hughes, 830
N.E.2d at 902.
[30] Father has neither set forth the applicable statutory factors nor argued that the
trial court failed to consider one or more of these required factors in rendering
its decision. 6 Rather, he simply asserts that the trial court abused its discretion
because it “was provided evidence of [Mother’s] mental instability, tendency to
lie or exaggerate, and history of refusal to abide by court orders. Furthermore,
no facts exist which indicate [Father] to be a poor choice or [Mother] to be a
better choice.” (Appellant’s Br. p. 9). While we agree that certain evidence
depicts Mother in a less than favorable light, Father’s argument effectively
amounts to a request to reweigh the evidence, which we will not do. See Gilbert
v. Gilbert, 7 N.E.3d 316, 322 (Ind. Ct. App. 2014) (“The trial court must
6
We also note that Father has not challenged the trial court’s award of joint legal custody. See I.C. § 31-14-
13-2.3. Therefore, we find that he has waived this issue for appellate review. Ind. Appellate Rule
46(A)(8)(a).
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consider each of the statutory factors in making a best interests determination,
but it is well within the trial court’s discretion to place greater weight on certain
evidence and certain factors.”).
[31] Father contends that “[a] considerable amount of evidence is related to
concerns of [M]other taking [the Child] to the doctor numerous times.”
(Appellant’s Br. p. 11). However, during the final hearing, Father conceded
that he did not realize the extent to which the Child’s asthma and allergies
necessitated visits to the doctor and even the emergency room. In fact, the trial
court found that Father “took [the Child] to the doctor as many times since [the
Child] has been in [Father’s] care as, as [Mother] did just about.” (Tr. p. 1052).
The evidence establishes that while in Father’s custody, between June of 2014
and January of 2015, the Child visited the doctor approximately fourteen times.
Moreover, at the start of the final hearing, the parties stipulated to the fact that
Mother does not suffer from Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy, so we find
Father’s reference to any such condition at this point to be inappropriate.
[32] In addition, based on the fact that the trial court admitted Mother’s mental
health records into evidence, Father infers that “the court took considerable
amount of weight [sic] into the mental health of all individuals involved.”
(Appellant’s Br. p. 10). As best we can discern, Father appears to argue that the
trial court’s award of custody to Mother is contrary to the evidence of her
mental instability—i.e., her anxiety disorder and a 2009 suicide attempt.
“The mental and physical health of all individual[s] involved” is
a relevant factor required to be considered by the statute.
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Furthermore in all cases where a parent has some handicap or
disability, the trial court must examine the parent’s actual and
potential physical capabilities, learn how he or she has adapted to
the disability and manages its problems. Weighing these and all
other relevant factors, a trial court must carefully determine
whether the parent’s condition will in fact have a substantial and
adverse effect on the best interest of the child.
Hughes, 830 N.E.2d at 903 (internal citations omitted).
[33] Our court does not presume to second-guess the weight given to any particular
best interests factor, and we disagree with Father’s assumption that the mental
health evidence unequivocally favors him as the custodial parent. At the final
hearing, Mother’s licensed mental health counselor testified that Mother’s
anxiety disorder appears to be tied to the custody case. The counselor found
that Mother is a good mother and identified no concerns about her ability to
parent the Child. The counselor also indicated that Mother seems motivated to
cooperate with Father in order for him to be a part of the Child’s life:
Well I said I was excited the times in which she would verbalize,
you know I would love to have [Father] part of [the Child’s] life .
. . . Uh, so those times she would verbalize and it kind of
reminded me that she does have, uh, some underlying
motivat[ion] . . . she seems like she knows what is best for the
[Child] and that being if [Mother] and [Father] could work
together and, and figure something out.
(Tr. pp. 653-54).
[34] Father also points out CASA Bowman recommended that Father have primary
physical custody. During the final hearing, CASA Bowman testified that
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Mother displayed some odd behaviors during her supervised visits with the
Child, such as singing loudly in public places. Also, despite Mother’s supposed
distress over the fact that Father was not feeding the Child her meal
supplement, CASA Bowman found it inconsistent that Mother allowed the
Child to eat cold hot dogs. CASA Bowman further expressed concern that
Mother “seem[s] to treat [the Child] as a peer.” (Tr. p. 531). On the other
hand, CASA Bowman testified that the Child has more of a routine with
Father, and the Child tends to be more talkative and adventurous around him.
[35] The determination of the Child’s best interests is left solely to the trial court.
See I.C. § 31-14-13-2. Although the opinion of a child advocate may, in some
cases, carry significant weight with the court, here, we note that CASA
Bowman provided the court with contradictory evidence. See, e.g., Russell, 682
N.E.2d at 515 (finding an abuse of discretion in granting custody to a father
where the child’s guardian ad litem and psychologist both recommended that
the mother receive custody). For instance, CASA Bowman opined that the
non-custodial parent should have more parenting time than recommended by
the Guidelines because, at her age, the Child “needs to see both parents
throughout the week.” (Tr. p. 735). Yet, she also stated, “I’m not sure that
either parent deserves this child. She is a fantastic little girl and, uh, I worry
about her from, from what I’ve seen.” (Tr. p. 736). Thus, it was well within
the trial court’s discretion to consider CASA Bowman’s recommendation
without adopting it.
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[36] In this case, we find that the evidence establishes that both parents love the
Child, wish to have her in their custody, and are capable of providing a stable
home and meeting the Child’s needs. Nevertheless, the majority of the parties’
evidence was in conflict, as recognized by the trial court:
I have two people who have one [Child,] and I’ve got [Mother]
standing on one end on the corner and [Father] standing on the
other end of the corner, not just of the street, but of the United
States, because not one thing you said is confirmed by anything
he said and vice versa. And the only people who know are you
because I don’t live with you. I mean . . . if you could just agree
that the child’s name and birth date is the same it would be a
starting point.
(Tr. p. 1053). As expressed by our supreme court, “it is particularly difficult for
a reviewing court to second-guess a situation that centers on the personalities of
two parents battling for control of a child.” Kirk v. Kirk, 770 N.E.2d 304, 308
(Ind. 2002). The trial court conducted a four-day hearing and reviewed over a
thousand pages of evidence in addition to the parties’ testimony in rendering its
decision, and we must defer to its judgment.
[37] Finally, Father asserts that Mother’s “[c]ontempt, [s]abotage, and [d]eceit”
should preclude her from being awarded custody. (Appellant’s Br. p. 12).
Throughout these proceedings, Father filed numerous contempt motions
regarding Mother’s violations of the court’s orders. We agree that “[c]ourts
certainly should not reward parents who refuse to cooperate in the court’s
efforts to reunify a child with another parent.” Id. Here, however, the trial
court sanctioned Mother’s contemptuous behavior by ordering her to pay
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$2,500 for Father’s attorney fees, and the court chastised Mother about her
obligation to obey court orders. While it was within the court’s discretion to
consider Mother’s interference with Father’s parenting time in its determination
of the Child’s best interests, Mother’s contempt did not, in itself, obligate the
trial court to award custody to Father. Our court has previously found that
“lack of cooperation or isolated acts of misconduct by a custodial parent cannot
serve as a basis for the modification of child custody” whereas “a parent’s
egregious violation of a custody order or behavior towards another parent,
which places a child’s welfare at stake, can support” such a modification.
Hanson v. Spolnik, 685 N.E.2d 71, 78 (Ind. Ct. App. 1997), trans denied. Here,
Father does not argue that Mother’s actions placed the Child’s “mental and
physical welfare . . . in jeopardy”; therefore, we decline to say that the trial
court abused its discretion by awarding custody of the Child to Mother. Id. at
79.
II. Due Process: Impartiality
[38] Next, Father claims that the trial court violated its duty of impartiality by
coercing the parties into waiving Indiana Trial Rule 53.2(A) and by exhibiting
clear bias against Father. As our court has previously acknowledged, “child
custody proceedings implicate the fundamental relationship between parent and
child.” Brown v. Brown, 463 N.E.2d 310, 313 (Ind. Ct. App. 1984). Accordingly,
“Indiana courts recognize that procedural due process must be provided to
protect the substantive rights of the parties.” Id. These “paramount” due
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process rights include “the right to an unbiased and uncoercive forum.” In re
J.K., 30 N.E.3d 695, 696 (Ind. 2015).
[39] “Indiana law presumes that a judge is unbiased and unprejudiced.” Everling v.
State, 929 N.E.2d 1281, 1287 (Ind. 2010). “We afford trial judges ample
‘latitude to run the courtroom and maintain discipline and control of the trial.’”
In re J.K., 30 N.E.3d at 698 (quoting Timberlake v. State, 690 N.E.2d 243, 256
(Ind. 1997)). “Particularly in bench trials, courts have considerable discretion
to question witnesses sua sponte ‘to aid in the fact-finding process as long as it
is done in an impartial manner.’” Id. (quoting Taylor v. State, 530 N.E.2d 1185,
1187 (Ind. 1988)). “In assessing a trial judge’s partiality, we examine the
judge’s actions and demeanor.” Everling, 929 N.E.2d at 1288. We will “even
tolerate a ‘crusty’ demeanor towards litigants so long as it is applied even-
handedly.” In re J.K., 30 N.E.3d at 698. Nonetheless, at all times, judges
“‘must maintain an impartial manner and refrain from acting as an advocate for
either party.’” Id. at 699 (quoting Beatty v. State, 567 N.E.2d 1134, 1136 (Ind.
1991)).
A. Indiana Trial Rule 53.2(A)
[40] First, Father asserts that the trial court coerced the parties into waiving the
ninety-day deadline set forth in Indiana Trial Rule 53.2(A). The Rule provides:
Whenever a cause . . . has been tried to the court and taken under
advisement by the judge, and the judge fails to determine any
issue of law or fact within ninety (90) days, the submission of all
the pending issues and the cause may be withdrawn from the trial
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judge and transferred to the Supreme Court for the appointment
of a special judge.
Ind. Trial Rule 53.2(A). However, “[t]he time limitation for holding an issue
under advisement established under Section (A) of this rule shall not apply
where . . . [t]he parties who have appeared or their counsel stipulate or agree on
record that the time limitation for decision set forth in this rule shall not apply.”
T.R. 53.2(B)(1).
[41] It is undisputed that the trial court’s July 1, 2015 Order exceeds the ninety-day
deadline set forth in Trial Rule 53.2(A). Nevertheless, at the close of the final
hearing, the trial court anticipated that it would be unable to render a decision
within the prescribed timeframe:
[COURT:] . . . I’m going to be honest with you, I’m on vacation
for a week in April. I’m at a judicial conference for a week in
April and I’m on vacation two weeks in May and I have a
murder trial coming up for thirty (30) days in June. Do I
anticipate having an order done until sometime in July? I don’t
think it’s fair for me to not sift through four hundred pounds of
paper work, six boxes and three thousand reams. I need to do
that in order to make a learned decision on what is in your
child’s best interest. I will be honest with you. Neither one of
you are going to like what my order is going to be. Now if a
miracle of miracles happens and the two of you can get together
and come up with an agreement I am all about that. It makes my
murder trial go better and my vacation is a lot lighter for me.
****
[COURT:] So, uh, everyone is in agreement, they understand
that I probably won’t even get started on this case until July 15th.
Do you all understand that? Do you have any objection to me
taking quality time to sift through the forest to make a decision[?]
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Because here is the way the rules work. I have ninety (90) days
to make a decision. If I don’t get it done in ninety (90) days
th[e]n you guys can start complaining. Do you agree that you
know I’m not even going to get started on it for ninety (90)
days[?] Do you agree to that?
[MOTHER:] Yes, your Honor.
[FATHER:] Yes, your Honor.
(Tr. pp. 1060, 1065).
[42] On appeal, Father asserts that the “parties did not have an ability to object to
the court’s request” because of “the amount of threatening and negative
language the [trial court] had presented.” (Appellant’s Br. p. 16). The negative
language to which Father refers includes the trial court’s two comments that
neither parent deserved to have custody and that the Child would be better off
in foster care. 7 Father also cites a remark directed to Mother, in which the trial
court stated that it would contact DCS if Mother took the Child to the doctor
again. Father further argues that the following comments contributed to the
trial court’s creation of a hostile environment:
I’ve got to have a long term, uh, situation for this [Child] because
you live in different counties so the school would not be the
same. . . . But if you all want to come up with a solution I’m, I’m
okay with that. But you guys have got to get over this. You’ve
got to get over the pet dander, the smoking, the I’ve got diseases
but I’ve made my own diagnosis, I don’t have the disease. You
7
The trial court stated that it needed to “figure out what I’m going to do and if I’m going to take the child
away from both of you and put her in foster care because that is a real, real though[t] of mine at this time.”
(Tr. p. 1051).
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know, I can’t change either one of you even with an order that I
do. And, and I’m going to go home and it is not going to [a]ffect
me. It is going to [a]ffect [the Child] and how horrible a life she
has with, with you two doing what you are doing. I just can’t
imagine. Because if you don’t think she feels the tension and she
doesn’t overhear the conversations that go on[] between adults
you are wrong. Just wait until you are out in public and she
mouths something off that you had no idea but it sounds just like
she is [parroting] you. Been there, done that. They got ears like
radars. And she knows everything that is going on between the
two of you. Mark my word, she knows that.
****
Unfortunately, does your mother live next door to [Father’s]
family? . . . Can we put up a concrete wall? You know, can we
drop a bomb and get rid of the whole community so the two
people can go in different communities and live. This is
ludicrous. How many protective orders do we have, eight, ten,
how many do we have?
(Tr. pp. 1061-62). According to Father, “[t]he consistent thickness of negativity
bred an atmosphere where a party or attorney could not reasonably be able to
make a decision absent of coercion.” (Appellant’s Br. p. 15).
[43] In In re J.K., 30 N.E.3d at 701, our supreme court found that the cumulative
effect of the trial court’s remarks and conduct “breached the court’s duty of
impartiality and amounted to coercion of [the] [f]ather.” There, prior to
hearing any evidence, the trial court announced that it would be adjudicating
the child as a child in need of services (CHINS). When the father objected, the
trial court “persuaded [him] to change his mind” by stating:
If I were you I’d waive fact-finding otherwise you’re going to find
your butt finding a new job. I’ll be happy to give you what you
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want sir and I will order custody to you and then you will be
responsible for ensuring that [the child] gets to school every day.
Do you want to do that? We can play that game.
Id. at 700. In addition, the court
told the parties that their dispute was “ridiculous,” “retarded,”
indicative of “stupidity,” “just nuts,” and otherwise “not what
this [c]ourt is for,” and stated that it would “warn” (rather than
merely instruct or advise) the appointed mediator. Those
remarks strongly suggested to the parties that they would not
receive a “fair trial before an impartial judge.”
Id. Also, after the parties failed to resolve their differences in mediation, the
trial court referred to them as “knuckleheads.” Id.
[44] In the present case, we find nothing in the record to indicate that Father, via his
attorney, was coerced into waiving Trial Rule 53.2(A). Rather, it appears that
throughout the four-day hearing, the trial court patiently listened to evidence
comprising several years’ worth of mudslinging and disagreements between the
parties. Both parties routinely objected throughout the hearing without fear of
reprisal. It was only at the end of the hearing, after all of the evidence had been
heard, that the trial court voiced its impatience with the parents’ utter refusal to
put their animosity aside for the best interests of the Child. Even CASA
Bowman commented on the parties’ lack of cooperation, stating:
The parents are difficult. Uh, the story of Solomon in the Bible
talks about a child and the true mother would say no don’t cut
the child in half, let her have it. I, I believe in this case both
parents would say okay cut the child in half and then they would
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argue whether you cut her in half at the waist or cut her in half
from head to toe.
(Tr. p. 735).
[45] Our supreme court has “recognize[d] that judges are not immune from the
emotional effects of the cases they hear. . . . Recognizing [their] burden, we will
not race to judgment over isolated inappropriate or impatient comments that do
not cause prejudice to the parties.” In re J.K., 30 N.E.3d at 700 n.1. We find
that some of the trial court’s comments—specifically, those about foster care
and dropping a bomb on the community—were inappropriate. Nonetheless,
we do not find that their cumulative effect rises to the level of coercion. See id.
Contrary to In re J.K., where the trial court announced that it was going to
adjudicate the child as a CHINS prior to hearing any evidence, engaged in
name-calling, and pressured the father into waiving his right to a hearing, in the
case at hand, the trial court heard all of the evidence before asking the parties to
waive a procedural, rather than substantive, right. Both parties explicitly agreed
to extend the ninety-day deadline in order to give the trial court ample
opportunity to thoroughly review all of the evidence before making a final
decision. Importantly, Father was not prejudiced by the delay because the trial
court kept the Child in his custody pending its final Order. In hindsight, Father
regrets his decision to waive Trial Rule 53.2(A) based on his speculation that a
different judge would have ruled in his favor. Therefore, we conclude that the
trial court did not coerce the parties into waiving Trial Rule 53.2(A).
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B. Bias
[46] Second, Father asserts that the trial court committed fundamental error by
exhibiting bias against him. “Recognizing the well-settled due process right to
an impartial court as necessary to a fair proceeding, we have found
fundamental error when trial judges’ comments, demeanor, or conduct
indicated bias.” Id. at 699. In order to overcome the presumption that a trial
judge is unbiased and unprejudiced, “the moving party must establish that the
judge has personal prejudice for or against a party.” Carter v. Knox Cnty. Office of
Family & Children, 761 N.E.2d 431, 435 (Ind. Ct. App. 2001). “Such bias or
prejudice exists only where there is an undisputed claim or the judge has
expressed an opinion on the merits of the controversy before him.” Id.“Adverse rulings and findings by the trial judge do not constitute bias per se.”
Id. Prejudice must be demonstrated by the trial court’s conduct; “it cannot be
inferred from his subjective views.” Id.[47] Father contends that the following two exchanges with the trial court display
the trial court’s “unusually particularly negative attitude” and frustration with
him. First:
[COURT]: . . . I really don’t know what to say except I should
take the child away from both of you. Do you have anything else
to present, either one of you?
[FATHER]: Uh, your Honor, the only thing I have that has a
time sensitive matter, taxes are due April 15th. . . . Just from the
court order until today there is a three hundred fifty dollars
($350.00) arrears not paid by [Mother]. So [Father] would
request even numbered years with [Mother] to get her child
support caught up and then to have odd numbered years.
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[COURT]: Yeah, let’s get another dig in. Let’s get another dig
in, [Father]. I have no issue with you taking the child, uh, for tax
purposes because the child has been with you. So, yeah, you
can, you can prepare an order and I will sign that.
****
[COURT]: I’ve s[a]t here and I have listened to dig after dig after
dig and you live [in] another world, [Mother]. I really am, the
basis, the original petition was the, the main basis for the
modification of custody was because [Father] was concerned
about [Mother], uh, taking the child to the doctor so often. . . .
[FATHER]: It was a combination of that and not getting to see
his time, your Honor.
[COURT]: And not getting his time. So for a year and a half
I’ve heard every sneeze, every cough, everything that the two of
you have done. And you, [Mother], I don’t know, I, I can put
things in writing, I can reduce them to minutia and you don’t get
it. In the meantime you have got [Father] over here who is just
digging and grinding because that is good for [the Child]. What I
am going to do temporarily is I’m going to do away with the
monitored visits. You will be getting overnight visitation. You
are going to parenting time guidelines overnight visitation. It will
start this weekend. I don’t want to hear one word out of you,
[Father], about well she wasn’t there she was at work, I want my
right of first refusal. Cause neither one of you are getting first
right of refusal until I figure out what I’m going to do and if I’m
going to take the child away from both of you and put her in
foster care because that is a real, real though[t] of mine at this
time. . . . And I, I don’t know how to change your psychological
make up, [Mother], when you read [a court order] it doesn’t
click. You need to read it and take it at face value.
****
[COURT]: And, [Father], if I find out you make one phone call,
just one and use your position as [a police officer] to send anyone
to her house, to contact the DCS, to follow her, if she gets so
much as a ticket you are going to be on my radar.
****
[COURT]: Leave her alone. And how dare you, if it’s true, how
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dare you abuse your authority in such a manner, if it’s true. Now
I will tell you [that] you presented into evidence your video or
your audio tape. Making jokes, teeheeing with the people at
work about how they may have to come and be a witness for
you, hahahaha. Your audio wasn’t real impressive for me but
you are the one who put it in so I’m going to consider that when
I make . . . my decision.
(Appellant’s Br. p. 21); (Tr. pp. 1049-51). Second:
[COURT]: So if you would, [Mother] says she has got the cash
to give you today [for her share of the Child’s daycare], you give
her a receipt and then from then on . . . you get a money order or
whatever so you can give [it] to [Father] directly.
[MOTHER]: Yes, your Honor.
[COURT]: Because you are going to be able to do that in
exchange at pick up and so forth.
[MOTHER]: Yes, your honor.
[FATHER]: . . . [I]f she prefers she can do it to the daycare,
whichever is easiest.
[COURT]: No, no.
[FATHER]: Okay.
[COURT]: No, I’m not involving anybody else. Here’s the deal.
I think I just said you are going to have to figure out how you are
going to live together for the next seventy-five years. Have you,
did, did that concept sink in with you, [Father]?
[FATHER]: Yes, your Honor.
[COURT]: You going to have her pay the school every other
week whenever she’s a junior in high school?
[FATHER]: No, your Honor.
[COURT]: Okay. Did you not hear me say if you don’t have a
receipt you didn’t pay him[?]
[FATHER]: Yes.
[COURT]: So why would that thought even jump into your
forefront of your brain? Why are you involving the daycare?
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You are going to have to change your way of thinking. Just like
you are. Start today. . . .
(Tr. pp. 1070-71).
[48] As previously stated, a “crusty demeanor” by the trial court will be tolerated “so
long as it is applied even-handedly.” In re J.K., 30 N.E.3d at 698 (emphasis added).
It is clear that, by the end of the final hearing, the trial court had become
exasperated by both Father and Mother. Throughout the proceedings, the trial
court repeatedly instructed the parties that they need to “change [their] way of
thinking” in order to effectively cooperate and communicate, but the parties
instead clashed over even the minute details of the evidence. (Tr. p. 1071).
Ultimately, we find that the trial court expressed its frustration equally with
both Father and Mother without exhibiting bias against Father.
[49] Lastly, Father also directs our attention to the trial court’s statement, “Neither
one of you are going to like what my order is going to be.” (Tr. p. 1060).
According to Father, “[t]his presumes that [the trial court] either had already
made up [its] mind or had a strong indication as to the result.” (Appellant’s Br.
p. 20). We disagree. After making this statement, the trial court ordered Father
to retain temporary custody of the Child pending the final Order. The record
reveals that the trial court took its responsibility of making a final custody
determination very seriously: after a four-day hearing, the trial court informed
the parties of its intent to review the evidence so that it could make “a learned
decision on what is in your child’s best interest.” (Tr. p. 1060). Moreover, the
trial court made this statement after the parties had presented all of their
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evidence, at which point it was appropriate for the trial court to begin
formulating a decision based on that evidence. See, e.g., Ware v. State, 560
N.E.2d 536, 543 (Ind. Ct. App. 1990) (finding that the trial court’s statements
during closing arguments did not indicate that the judge had prejudged the case
as the evidence had already been presented), trans. denied. Accordingly, we
conclude that Father has failed to demonstrate that the trial court exhibited bias
against him.
CONCLUSION
[50] Based on the foregoing, we conclude that the trial court acted within its
discretion in awarding custody to Mother. We further conclude that the trial
court did not violate its duty of impartiality by coercing the parties into waiving
the ninety-day deadline set forth in Trial Rule 53.2(A) or by exhibiting bias
against Father.
[51] Affirmed.
[52] Najam, J. and May, J. concur
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