In the Matter of the Termination of the Parent-Child Relationship of Z.B. and I.B. (Children) and A.B. (Mother) A.B. (Mother) v. The Indiana Department of Child Services (mem. dec.) ( 2019 )

MEMORANDUM DECISION
Pursuant to Ind. Appellate Rule 65(D),
this Memorandum Decision shall not be FILED
regarded as precedent or cited before any Sep 10 2019, 9:52 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 ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE
Kimberly A. Jackson Curtis T. Hill, Jr.
Indianapolis, Indiana Attorney General of Indiana
Abigail R. Recker
Deputy Attorney General
Indianapolis, Indiana
IN THE
COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA
In the Matter of the Termination September 10, 2019
of the Parent-Child Relationship Court of Appeals Case No.
of Z.B. and I.B. (Children) and 19A-JT-581
A.B. (Mother); Appeal from the Vigo Circuit
A.B. (Mother), Court
The Honorable Sarah K. Mullican,
Appellant-Respondent,
Judge
v. The Honorable Daniel W. Kelly,
Magistrate
The Indiana Department of Trial Court Cause No.
Child Services, 84C01-1712-JT-1603
84C01-1712-JT-1604
Appellee-Petitioner
May, Judge.
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[1] A.B. (“Mother”) appeals the involuntary termination of her parental rights to
Z.B. and I.B. (collectively, “Children”). Mother presents three arguments for
our review, which we restate as:
1. Whether Mother’s fundamental rights were violated when the
trial court allowed the termination fact-finding hearing to occur
in Mother’s absence without first confirming sua sponte that the
Department of Child Services had given Mother notice of the
hearing pursuant to Indiana Code section 31-35-2-6.5;
2. Whether the trial court abused its discretion when it admitted
Exhibit 14 into evidence; and
3. Whether Mother’s trial counsel rendered ineffective
assistance.
[2] We affirm.
Facts and Procedural History
[3] Mother and I.J.B. (“Father”) 1 are the biological parents of Z.B. and I.B., born
March 16, 2014, and April 25, 2015, respectively. On October 14, 2016, the
Department of Child Services (“DCS”) investigated a report from the Terre
Haute Police Department indicating they had observed cocaine on the counter
at Mother and Father’s home while arresting Father’s friend. Police had also
arrested Father on outstanding warrants. Mother submitted to a drug screen
1
Father’s parental rights to Children were also terminated, but he does not participate in this appeal.
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and admitted she had recently used methamphetamine. Maternal
Grandmother was also present in the home and admitted recent
methamphetamine use. Children were removed from the home and placed in
foster care, where they have remained during the proceedings.
[4] On October 17, 2016, DCS filed petitions alleging Children were Children in
Need of Services (“CHINS”) based on the presence of drugs in the home,
Father’s arrest, and Mother’s drug use. On November 1, 2016, Mother and
Father admitted Children were CHINS, and the trial court adjudicated them as
such. On November 26, 2016, the trial court held a dispositional hearing. On
December 9, 2016, the trial court ordered Mother to complete a parenting
assessment and complete all recommended services, complete a substance
abuse assessment and complete all recommended services, submit random drug
screens, and visit with Children.
[5] Over time, Mother was non-compliant with several services, and on December
15, 2017, DCS filed petitions to terminate Mother’s and Father’s parental rights
to Children. On January 23, 2018, the trial court held an initial hearing on the
matter, at which Mother’s CHINS counsel was appointed as her counsel in the
termination matter. On May 21, 2018, the trial court conducted a fact-finding
hearing on DCS’s termination petitions. Mother did not attend the hearing;
however, her counsel was present, provided argument on her behalf, and cross-
examined witnesses. On August 10, 2018, the trial court issued an order
terminating Mother’s and Father’s parental rights to I.B. On August 17, 2018,
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the trial court issued an order terminating Mother and Father’s parental rights
to Z.B. 2
[6] On March 11, 2019, Mother moved for permission to file a belated appeal. On
March 18, 2019, we granted her motion.
Discussion and Decision
[7] We review termination of parental rights with great deference. In re K.S., D.S.,
& B.G., 750 N.E.2d 832, 836 (Ind. Ct. App. 2001). We will not reweigh
evidence or judge credibility of witnesses. In re D.D., 804 N.E.2d 258, 265 (Ind.
Ct. App. 2004), trans. denied. Instead, we consider only the evidence and
reasonable inferences most favorable to the judgment. Id. In deference to the
juvenile court’s unique position to assess the evidence, we will set aside a
judgment terminating a parent’s rights only if it is clearly erroneous. In re L.S.,
717 N.E.2d 204, 208 (Ind. Ct. App. 1999), reh’g denied, trans. denied, cert. denied
534 U.S. 1161 (2002).
[8] “The traditional right of parents to establish a home and raise their children is
protected by the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution.” In
re M.B., 666 N.E.2d 73, 76 (Ind. Ct. App. 1996), trans. denied. A trial court must
subordinate the interests of the parents to those of the children, however, when
evaluating the circumstances surrounding a termination. In re K.S., 750 N.E.2d
2
It is unclear from the record why the orders were issued on separate dates.
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at 837. The right to raise one’s own children should not be terminated solely
because there is a better home available for the children, id., but parental rights
may be terminated when a parent is unable or unwilling to meet parental
responsibilities. Id. at 836.
Notice
[9] Mother contends DCS did not prove she was given proper notice of the final
fact-finding hearing. Mother directs us to Indiana Code section 31-35-2-6.5,
which states, in relevant part:
(b) At least ten (10) days before a hearing on a petition or motion
under this chapter:
(1) the person or entity who filed the petition to terminate
the parent-child relationship under section 4 of this
chapter; or
(2) the person or entity who filed a motion to dismiss the
petition to terminate the parent-child relationship under
section 4.5(d) of this chapter;
shall send notice of the review to the persons listed in subsections
(c) and (d).
(c) Except as provided in subsection (h), the following persons
shall receive notice of a hearing on a petition or motion filed
under this chapter:
(1) The child’s parent, guardian, or custodian.
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“Compliance with the statutory procedure of the juvenile code is mandatory to
effect termination of parental rights.” In re T.W., 831 N.E.2d 1242, 1246 (Ind.
Ct. App. 2005). Although statutory notice “is a procedural precedent that must
be performed prior to commencing an action,” it is not “an element of
plaintiff’s claim.” Id. Failure to comply with statutory notice is thus “a defense
that must be asserted.” Id. Once placed in issue, “the plaintiff bears the burden
of proving compliance with the statute.” Id.
[10] Mother did not appear at the May 21, 2018, termination fact-finding hearing,
however, her counsel was present. At the beginning of the hearing, Mother’s
counsel stated, “I represent the mom, your honor, and she’s not here.” (Tr.
Vol. II at 4.) Mother’s counsel did not request a continuance. The hearing
went on as scheduled. Therefore, the issue of notice presented here on appeal is
waived because Mother did not present the issue to the trial court. See In re
E.E., 853 N.E.2d 1037, 1043 (Ind. Ct. App. 2006) (father waived notice issue
when he did not first present it before the trial court), trans. denied.
[11] To escape waiver, Mother argues the alleged noncompliance with Indiana Code
section 31-35-2-6.5 was fundamental error. Fundamental error occurs when
there exists “egregious trial errors. In order for this court to reverse based on
fundamental error, the error must have been a clearly blatant violation of basic
and elementary principles, and the harm or potential for harm must be
substantial and appear clearly and prospectively.” In re E.E., 853 N.E.2d at
1043 (internal citation omitted).
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[12] While it is unclear from the record whether Mother received notice of the
termination fact-finding hearing pursuant to Indiana Code section 31-35-2-6.5,
we conclude Mother was given notice of the hearing at least twice prior to the
hearing. Despite Mother’s contention that “the record reveals no advisement
that she needed to attend a hearing May 21, 2018, or suffer permanent
termination of parental rights[,]” (Br. of Mother at 17), the following
conversation occurred involving the trial court, Mother, and Father at the
January 23, 2018, hearing:
[Court]: And did you guys get a copy of the petition that
DCS filed recently requesting the termination of the parent/child
relationship? Did you guys get served with that?
BOTH PARENTS RESPOND AFFIRMATIVELY
[Court]: Okay. Obviously, it’s a very important matter so
you both have the right to be represented by lawyers if you wish
in these proceedings.
[Court appoints attorneys for Mother and Father]
[Court]: . . . I’ll set a date in the near future when [Father]
can consult with his attorney confidentially and just discuss the
case kind of in preparation and then we’ll set another date much
further down the road that would be the actual like fact-finding
hearing or trial on the issue, okay. And the Department of Child
Services has the burden in proving their allegations by clear and
convincing evidence in order to prevail. But we’ll write down the
two dates that we’re giving here.
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[Court Reporter]: February 6th at 9:30. Do you just want a half
day for this too?
[Father’s Counsel]: Yeah.
[Court Reporter]: May 21st at 9 o’clock.
[Court]: And the bailiff’s in the back and will write down
both of these dates down [sic] for you. All right, we’ll see you on
that first date and we’ll take it from there. Thank you.
(Tr. Vol. I at 4-5.) 3 The Chronological Case Summary (“CCS”) indicates
“Automated ENotice Issued to Parties” on January 24, 2018. (App. Vol. II at
169.) 4 Additionally, during the May 21, 2018, fact-finding hearing, the Family
Case Manager (“FCM”) testified:
I didn’t hear from her from March 23rd until May 1st, she texted
me and asked when the TPR hearing was. She said that she was
out of Terre Haute getting sober and wanted to know what her
3
The record indicates the trial court held a hearing on February 6, 2018, but a transcript of those proceedings
is not in the record before us.
4
Regarding the CCS entry, Mother argues in her brief:
Mother’s counsel contacted the clerk of the juvenile division of the Vigo Circuit Court to
determine whether that entry resulted in any mailing of notice to Mother. The clerk of
the juvenile division of the Vigo Circuit Court reported no documents were issued by the
clerk’s office as a result of that entry, which is an automatic entry generated by Odyssey
whenever a hearing is set. According the clerk’s office, the clerk’s office sends notice of a
hearing by mail only when the trial court enters a written order setting the hearing,
although Odyssey automatically sends email service of entries to those with email
addresses attached to that case number. No email address is reflected on the CCS.
(Mother’s Br. at 14-5.) While a compelling explanation of events, Mother does not provide us with any
citation to the record where this alleged conversation between Mother’s counsel and the court clerk occurred
or was memorialized in any way.
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options were at this point. I told her the TPR hearing details, the
date, time and location, and I asked her to come into the office
and asked her what time she could come in and she never
responded after that and I texted her back three minutes after she
had texted me. And I have not heard from her since then and
that was May 1st.
(Tr. Vol. II at 23-4.) Finally, the trial court noted in its findings the Mother
“fails to appear after being notified of this hearing date in open court.” (App.
Vol. II at 6.)
[13] Mother also argues DCS’s alleged failure to notify her pursuant to Indiana
Code section 35-31-2-6.5 is fundamental error because the lack of notice meant
she was unable to be present at the May 21, 2018, hearing and could not,
therefore, mount a defense to DCS’s allegations. However, Mother does not
have an absolute right to be present at a termination hearing, she was
represented by counsel at the fact-finding hearing, and her counsel cross-
examined DCS’s three witnesses. See In re E.E., 853 N.E.2d at 1044 (parent
does not have constitutional right to be present at termination hearing and
parent’s due process rights were thus not violated when he did not attend final
termination hearing but was represented by counsel who cross-examined DCS’s
witnesses).
[14] Finally, Mother asserts she was prejudiced by the trial court’s actions because
her “side of the story was never told.” (Br. of Mother at 21.) However, the trial
court’s order notes Mother’s participation in services, albeit scarce, in its
findings that Mother “tested clean [for drugs] one time while in a rehabilitation
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center . . . [and that Mother] attended 74 of 114 scheduled visits with her
children.” (App. Vol. II at 9.) 5 Mother has not indicated what her testimony
would have been except to claim she
never had a chance to explain what efforts she had made toward
completing the court-ordered services or why she was unable to
complete certain services. She was unable to explain why she
may have missed visitations with the children - for instance,
revealed whether transportation challenges prevented her from
attending. She could not inform the court of any housing
arrangements or employment she had obtained or planned to
obtain. Most importantly, she was unable to explain why it was
in the children’s best interests to continue the parent-child
relationship.
(Br. of Mother at 22.) However, evidence regarding Mother’s participation in
services and Children’s best interests was presented at trial, (see Tr. Vol. II at 22
(services) & 36 (best interests)), and her counsel had the opportunity to cross-
examine those witnesses.
[15] Based on the facts that Mother was given notice of the date of the fact-finding
hearing at least twice; that she did not have an absolute right to be present at the
fact-finding hearing; that the trial court made findings regarding her
participation in services; and that her counsel presented argument, cross-
examined witnesses, we cannot say that any error in alleged noncompliance
5
The orders terminating Mother’s and Father’s parental rights to Children are virtually identical except for
identifying information specific to each child. We cite the findings from the order regarding Z.B.
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with Indiana Code section 35-31-2-6.5 was fundamental. See J.T. v. Marion Cty.
Ofc. of Family & Children, 740 N.E.2d 1261, 1264 (Ind. Ct. App. 2000) (no
fundamental error when father not physically present at termination hearing
because father was represented by counsel who presented argument and cross-
examined witnesses), reh’g denied, trans. denied, abrogated on other grounds by Baker
v. Marion Cty. Ofc. of Family & Children, 810 N.E.2d 1035, 1039 (Ind. 2004).
Admission of Mother’s Drug Screens
[16] We review decisions concerning admission of evidence for an abuse of
discretion. Walker v. Cuppett, 808 N.E.2d 85, 92 (Ind. Ct. App. 2004). An
abuse of discretion occurs if the trial court’s decision was clearly against the
logic and effect of the facts and circumstances before the court. Id. A trial court
also abuses its discretion if its decision is without reason or is based on
impermissible considerations. Id. Even if a trial court errs in a ruling on the
admissibility of evidence, we will reverse only if the error is inconsistent with
substantial justice. Id.
[17] Mother argues the trial court abused its discretion when it admitted Exhibit 14,
which consisted of seventy-eight pages of drug test results that DCS testified
belonged to Mother. Mother did not object to the admission of this evidence,
and thus her argument is waived. See Cavens v. Zaberdac, 849 N.E.2d 526, 533
(Ind. 2006) (“In order to properly preserve an issue on appeal, a party must, at a
minimum, ‘show that it gave the trial court a bona fide opportunity to pass
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upon the merits of the claim before seeking an opinion on appeal.’”) (quoting
Endres v. Indiana State Police, 809 N.E.2d 320, 322 (Ind. 2004)).
[18] Waiver notwithstanding we conclude any error in the admission of Exhibit 14
was harmless. “In general, the admission of evidence that is merely cumulative
of other evidence amounts to harmless error as such admission does not affect a
party’s substantial rights.” In re Paternity of H.R.M., 864 N.E.2d 442, 450-1 (Ind.
Ct. App. 2007). Here, DCS provided testimony of Mother’s non-compliance
with services, her failed attempts at substance abuse treatment, and her inability
to maintain appropriate housing and employment. Additionally, Exhibit 9, to
which Mother also did not object, was a prior permanency report in which DCS
provided much of the same information contained in Exhibit 14, including the
results of some of Mother’s drug tests.
Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
[19] Finally, Mother contends her trial counsel was ineffective for failing to ask for a
continuance when she did not appear at the May 21, 2018, hearing and for
failing to object to the admission of Exhibit 14. Regarding this issue our
Indiana Supreme Court has held:
Where parents whose rights were terminated upon trial claim on
appeal that their lawyer underperformed, we deem the focus of
the inquiry to be whether it appears that the parents received a
fundamentally fair trial whose facts demonstrate an accurate
determination. The question is not whether the lawyer might
have objected to this or that, but whether the lawyer’s overall
performance was so defective that the appellate court cannot say
with confidence that the conditions leading to the removal of the
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children from parental care are unlikely to be remedied and that
termination is in the child’s best interest.
Baker, 810 N.E.2d at 1041. Therefore, based on the standard set forth in Baker,
we must examine the evidence presented to support the termination of Mother’s
parental rights to Children to determine if any alleged deficiencies in her
attorney’s performance were so egregious as to leave us with the conclusion
that termination was error. In re A.P., 882 N.E.2d 799, 806 (Ind. Ct. App.
2008), reh’g denied.
[20] To terminate a parent-child relationship, the State must allege and prove:
(B) that one (1) of the following is true:
(i) There is a reasonable probability that the conditions
that resulted in the child’s removal or the reasons for
placement outside the home of the parents will not be
remedied.
(ii) There is a reasonable probability that the continuation
of the parent-child relationship poses a threat to the well-
being of the child.
(iii) The child has, on two (2) separate occasions, been
adjudicated a child in need of services;
(C) that termination is in the best interests of the child; and
(D) that there is a satisfactory plan for the care and treatment of
the child.
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Ind. Code § 31-35-2-4(b)(2). The State must provide clear and convincing proof
of these allegations. In re G.Y., 904 N.E.2d 1257, 1260-61 (Ind. 2009), reh’g
denied. If the court finds the allegations in the petition are true, it must
terminate the parent-child relationship. Ind. Code § 31-35-2-8.
[21] When, as here, a judgment contains specific findings of fact and conclusions
thereon, we apply a two-tiered standard of review. Bester v. Lake Cty. Office of
Family & Children, 839 N.E.2d 143, 147 (Ind. 2005). We determine whether the
evidence supports the findings and whether the findings support the judgment.
Id. “Findings are clearly erroneous only when the record contains no facts to
support them either directly or by inference.” Quillen v. Quillen, 671 N.E.2d 98,
102 (Ind. 1996). If the evidence and inferences support the juvenile court’s
decision, we must affirm. In re L.S., 717 N.E.2d at 208. Mother does not
challenge the trial court’s findings, and thus we accept them as true. See
Madlem v. Arko, 592 N.E.2d 686, 687 (Ind. 1992) (“Because Madlem does not
challenge the findings of the trial court, they must be accepted as correct.”).
[22] Regarding the termination of Mother’s parental rights to Children, the trial
court found:
6. There is a reasonable probability that the conditions that
resulted in the children’s removal or the reasons for placement
outside the home of the parents will not be remedied, and that
the continuation of the parent-child relationship would pose a
threat to the well-being of the children in that:
A. On or about October 14, 2016, the Indiana
Department of Child Services (DCS) received a report that
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both children were victims of neglect in that there was
drug use in their home and that law enforcement was there
making arrests of adults in the home.
B. FCMs Deborah Seifert and Linda Airhart responded
promptly to the report. [Father] had outstanding warrants
and was arrested at the home. Two other individuals were
also arrested and taken to jail. A substance later identified
as cocaine was found in the home and tagged as evidence
by police.
C. [Mother] admitted to recent use of methamphetamine.
D. Maternal grandmother was in the home and also
admitted to recent use of methamphetamine.
E. [Father] had a previous substantiation for domestic
violence with [Mother].
F. Due to the deep family involvement with drugs and
domestic violence, the children were placed in foster care
and have remained in foster care for nearly two years.
G. After receiving services for the entirety of the CHINS
cases, Mother was still homeless at the time of the fact-
finding hearing held on May 21, 2018. She had resided in
public housing for awhile, but was evicted.
H. Mother has been unemployed throughout the entire
CHINS proceedings and had no legal source of income
with which to support her children.
I. After being court-ordered to submit to drug screens,
Mother was closed out of services with Redwood
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Toxicology several times for non-compliance. Out of all
of the drug screens Mother did take, she only tested clean
one time while in a rehabilitation center. Eight screens
were positive for marijuana only, and all others were
positive for methamphetamine and amphetamine. The
last screen to which Mother submitted prior to the
termination hearing was on March 21, 2018, when she
tested positive for methamphetamine, amphetamine and
marijuana. This screen was given at the time she had
come for a supervised visit with her children.
J. Mother had failed to show up for two scheduled
substance abuse assessments and eventually entered an in-
patient rehabilitation program from July 18, 2017 to
August 8, 2017. Although she had tested negative when
she entered in-patient rehab, she tested positive for THC
on the day of her release. She was supposed to follow up
that treatment with an outpatient drug treatment program
which she failed to do.
K. DCS had recommended and the court had ordered
Mother to participate in home-based case management.
However, despite repeated efforts by DCS to get Mother to
participate, she only attended a total of three home-based
case sessions.
L. Mother was arrested on a warrant for failure to appear
on January 11, 2018, and again on February 28, 2018, for
unlawful possession of a syringe and possession of
methamphetamine.
M. Mother only attended 74 of 114 scheduled visits with
her children through December, 2017. She scheduled two
additional visits for late January, 2018, and failed to
appear for either. After attending court on March 15,
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2018, Mother scheduled two more visits for late March,
2018, which she did attend. Although the FCM tried to
contact Mother to come to the office for additional visits,
she failed to respond and has had no further contact with
DCS or her children.
*****
V. During the visits that Mother attended, she was often
lethargic and tended to fall asleep and was not involved
with the children. The supervisors of the visits observed to
[sic] demonstrable bond.
W. To date, neither parent has addressed the substance
abuse issue that got DCS involved with their children on
October 14, 2016.
*****
7. Termination of the parent-child relationship between the
parents and both children is in the best interest of the children, as
testified by the Family Case Manager and CASA [Court
Appointed Special Advocate].
(App. Vol. II at 7-9.) While Mother’s trial counsel could have employed a
more aggressive stance in Mother’s favor, Mother’s counsel presented argument
and cross-examined witnesses on Mother’s behalf during the termination fact-
finding hearing on May 21, 2018. Coupled with the overwhelming evidence to
support the termination of Mother’s parental rights to Children, we cannot say
that any alleged error her trial counsel made rendered the counsel’s assistance
ineffective. See In re A.P., 882 N.E.2d at 808 (despite some “troubling aspects”
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of mother’s representation, mother’s trial counsel was not ineffective when
there was substantial evidence to support termination of parental rights and
counsel’s errors did not deprive mother of a fundamentally fair hearing).
Conclusion
[23] Mother has waived her argument regarding the sufficiency of notice under
Indiana Code section 31-35-2-6.5 because she did not argue the issue before the
trial court. Waiver notwithstanding, she received notice in various forms at
least twice prior to May 21, 2018, and thus any violation of the statute was not
fundamental error. Further, Mother waived her argument regarding the
admission of Exhibit 14 because she did not object to its admission before the
trial court. Waiver notwithstanding, any error in the admission of Exhibit 14
was harmless because it was cumulative of other evidence properly admitted
that supported the involuntary termination of Mother’s parental rights to
Children. Finally, Mother did not receive ineffective assistance of counsel
because counsel’s performance was not so defective to deny Mother a
fundamentally fair trial, and the evidence supporting the termination of
Mother’s parental rights was overwhelming. Accordingly, we affirm the
decision of the trial court.
[24] Affirmed.
Najam, J., and Bailey, J., concur.
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