In the Matter of: A.G., Minor Child, A.S., Mother, and T.G., Father v. Indiana Department of Child Services, and Child Advocates, Inc. (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 Dec 19 2019, 9:02 am
court except for the purpose of establishing CLERK
Indiana Supreme Court
the defense of res judicata, collateral Court of Appeals
and Tax Court
estoppel, or the law of the case.
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE
MOTHER Curtis T. Hill, Jr.
Don R. Hostetler Attorney General of Indiana
Indianapolis, Indiana Katherine A. Cornelius
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT FATHER Deputy Attorney General
Indianapolis, Indiana
Talisha Griffin
Marion County Public Defender Agency
Indianapolis, Indiana
IN THE
COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA
In the Matter of: A.G., Minor December 19, 2019
Child, Court of Appeals Case No.
19A-JC-1026
A.S., Mother, and T.G., Father,
Appeal from the Marion Superior
Appellants-Respondents, Court
v. The Honorable Marilyn A.
Moores, Judge
Indiana Department of Child The Honorable Jennifer Hubartt,
Services, Magistrate
Appellee-Petitioner, and Trial Court Cause No.
49D09-1812-JC-3086
Child Advocates, Inc.,
Guardian ad Litem.
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Brown, Judge.
[1] A.S. (“Mother”) and T.G. (“Father,” and together with Mother, “Parents”)
appeal the trial court’s order determining that A.G. is a child in need of services
(“CHINS”). We affirm.
Facts and Procedural History
[2] In August 2018, Indiana Department of Child Services (“DCS”) received a
report concerning allegations of substance use and assigned family case
manager Regan Woodruff (“FCM Woodruff”) to A.G., who had just been
born. Conducting an assessment, FCM Woodruff spoke with Mother, who
“disclosed that she was not currently using any illegal drugs at the time [and]
that she had previously used marijuana and cocaine recreationally and had
been addicted to pills, specifically opiates.” Transcript at 8. Per an informal
adjustment, Mother agreed to random drug screens, home-based case
management, and a substance use assessment.
[3] On December 20, 2018, DCS filed a verified petition alleging that A.G. was a
CHINS, that she was born drug-exposed to cocaine and that Parents failed to
provide her with a safe, stable, and appropriate living environment free from
substance abuse. It also alleged that Mother tested positive for cocaine and
marijuana on numerous occasions during the period of the informal adjustment
since October 2018 and that Father knew of Mother’s drug use and did not take
necessary action to protect A.G.
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[4] At an initial hearing held on the same day, at which Mother and Father did not
appear, the court ordered A.G. removed. When family case manager Shelicia
Jones (“FCM Jones”) later visited Mother’s home to remove A.G., neither
Mother nor the child was present. FCM Jones contacted her, and Mother
indicated that she was not willing to turn A.G. over and would take the child to
Atlanta before she allowed DCS to obtain custody. When contacted, Father
stated he lived in Atlanta and that “before DCS would take custody of his child,
he would move [Mother] and [A.G.] to Atlanta and DCS would not see the
child until she was 18.” 1 Id. at 21. DCS filed a missing persons report for A.G.
due to Parent’s unwillingness to provide an address, and when it ultimately
obtained custody on December 28, 2018, A.G. was placed in foster care.
[5] On January 4, 2019, the court issued an order indicating that it held a continued
hearing at which Parents appeared, it appointed counsel for Father, and Mother
indicated that she planned to engage private counsel. The order indicates the
court appointed a guardian ad litem, retained A.G. in foster care, and ordered
that Parents have supervised parenting time. On January 18, 2019, the court
held a pretrial hearing at which Parents appeared, each with counsel, Father
requested “mediation and fact finding dates” and indicated that he would not be
willing to “waive the 60,” and the court set the fact-finding hearing for February
1
When asked during cross-examination at the fact-finding hearing about serving process on Father for the
December 20, 2018 initial hearing, FCM Jones indicated that Father “wasn’t in Atlanta” and that he
disclosed to her “he was never in Atlanta.” Transcript at 37.
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15th, pursuant to counsels’ schedules. 2 Supplemental Transcript at 4. After
indicating that it had “drug screen results and some positive screens for
substances,” DCS’s counsel stated “Judge[,] we don’t have thirty days to file a
motion requesting authorization for the toxicologist to appear telephonically so
I’ll just do that orally today,” both parents objected, and the court took the
request under advisement. Id. at 6-7. The court issued an order on the same day
which stated DCS “orally requests authorization for telephonic testimony . . .
from John Martin, Wayne Ross, Kimberly Peterson, Bridget Lorenz, Donna
Coy.” Father’s Appendix Volume II at 94.
[6] On January 25, 2019, the court issued an order on submission of report stating it
had set the hearing date of February 15, 2019, that “[a]t that time,” DCS moved
the court to permit the telephonic testimony of “Bridget Limberg, Kimberly
Peterson, and John Martin, noting that they were not 30 days between the setting
of the trial date and the trial,” and that Parents, “by counsel, were provided with
approximately 27 days of notice of the DCS Motion.” Id. at 100-101. It
indicated that, “[a]fter consideration of the Motion, and of any written objection,
and, after consideration [sic] Ind. Admin. R. 14, the court finds these relevant
factors,” and further stated: “John Martin and Kimberly Peterson live in
California. Ms. Lemberg lives in Michigan respectively, and requiring each to
travel for testimony would cause great burden and inconvenience,” that the
2
The court’s order from the same day indicated the parties agreed to mediation and to set a fact-finding
hearing, but were “unwilling to waive the sixty (60) day trial rule.” Father’s Appendix Volume II at 93.
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telephonic testimony of Martin, Peterson and “Bridget Limberg” will not
preclude effective cross-examination by Parents, and that Parents were not
prejudiced by the telephonic testimony. Id. at 101.
[7] On February 15, 2019, Parents appeared at the fact-finding hearing. FCM
Woodruff testified that Mother disclosed she had been addicted to pills,
specifically opiates. She testified about Mother’s assessment in August 2018 and
stated that she had indicated she was “using illegal substances up until the point
where she found out she was pregnant and had already been pregnant prior to
stopping her substance use.” Transcript at 10. When asked whether she
conversed with Mother about Father “at this time,” FCM Woodruff answered
affirmatively and stated that she had indicated that she was no longer with Father
“because he was still using substances and did not want to stop.” Id.
[8] FCM Jones testified about attempting to remove A.G. in December 2018 and
her communication with Parents and stated that, during the removal incident,
A.G.’s whereabouts were unknown to DCS for eight days before it finally took
custody of her. Id. at 21. She indicated that she referred Mother to random
drug screens, substance abuse assessments, home-based case management,
individual therapy, and intensive outpatient treatment. When asked whether
she had conversations with Mother about drug use “[w]hile the case was open
as an Informal Adjustment,” she answered affirmatively and, in explaining the
conversations, stated that, in October 2018, a child and family team meeting
occurred for the purpose of discussing a positive cocaine drug screen. Id. at 17.
Mother objected, the court allowed FCM Jones to testify about the discussion,
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and she indicated that Mother had stated she used cocaine and marijuana
recreationally and that she had administered to Mother an oral drug screen. 3
When asked whether, in the “conversation that you were having with Mother,”
she “was talking about current drug use or things that had happened in the
past,” FCM Jones stated, “[c]urrent drug use.” Id. at 19. She testified that she
had safety concerns for A.G. in Mother’s care “because of the current drug use”
and “there was safety concerns regarding [Mother] transporting the child under
the influence.” Id. She explained that “[a]t this time Mother was employed on
the West side and had stated to [her] that she was transporting the child on the
West side for daycare.” Id. She also explained that Mother had stated she was
transporting A.G. to doctor’s appointments without a license.4 When asked
what actions DCS took when these safety concerns arose, she indicated that the
informal adjustment was unsuccessfully closed and the CHINS petition was
filed. She indicated that she had not been able to verify Mother’s employment
and, with regard to housing, that Mother had provided an “address that she
resides with” Father. Id. at 22.
[9] FCM Jones answered affirmatively when asked whether she had any additional
conversations with Mother about drug use since the CHINS case was filed,
3
In sustaining an objection about FCM Jones discussing the results of the test, the court precluded her
testimony from mentioning the “results of tests that are not in evidence.” Transcript at 18.
4
She later explained further that there was concern with supervision “with [Mother] admitting to
transporting the child with no license to doctor’s appointments as well as to daycare, placing the child in
danger.” Transcript at 32. During cross-examination, FCM Jones stated that Mother had told her that she
had never had a driver’s license.
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indicated that Mother requested her drug screen results be emailed to her, and
stated that she sent a message informing Mother “which screens have been
positive for Cocaine.” Id. After the court sustained Mother’s objection “to the
extent it involve[d] screen results,” she testified that Mother shared that “she had
a prescription for an opiate that was prescribed to her during her pregnancy that
she did not test positive for throughout the life of the IA but has subsequently
throughout the CHINS proceeding” and that Mother sent a picture of the
prescription. Id. at 23. DCS’s counsel asked if Mother “made any other
disclosures about new usage,” and she answered that “[t]hrough Mother’s
concern for [A.G.’s placement],” she “has stated that the usage is due to stress,
that she can’t concentrate with knowing that her child – she can’t concentrate on
sobriety with knowing that her child still remains in foster care.” Id.
[10] Regarding Father, FCM Jones testified that he had been offered the opportunity
to participate in other services, that his response was “he does not need services
provided by DCS,” and that DCS wanted Father to participate in random drug
screens and a substance abuse assessment. Id. at 24. She also indicated she had
not been able to verify that Father had stable employment. She indicated that
she underwent training to be able to administer drug screens and described: her
duties in administering them; the procedures used to collect drug screen
samples, seal them for sending, ensure they are not contaminated, and send
them by UPS; and the manner in which she collected a sample from Father and
followed the collection procedure she had just described. Over objection, the
court admitted as Petitioner’s Exhibit 1 the consent form that Father and FCM
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Jones signed to administer the screen, which includes their signatures and the
date as “1/11/2019” and states “Specimen ID: S2955283.” Exhibits Volume at
4. Below the box containing FCM Jones’s signature as the
“Collector/Observer Certification,” Petitioner’s Exhibit 1 states “Megumi R.”
Id. FCM Jones indicated that Father’s sample was under her sight and control
during the collection and sealing process, that she placed the sample in a UPS
envelope, and that at the time she left the sample for mailing, she did not
believe the sample had been compromised.
[11] After FCM Jones testified, DCS called, and the court contacted telephonically,
toxicologist Bridget Lemberg. Mother’s counsel objected under Administrative
Rule 14 to “the inability to . . . confront the witness face to face,” which the court
overruled. 5 Transcript at 50. Lemberg testified that she was the lab director and
toxicologist for Forensic Fluids Laboratories in Kalamazoo, Michigan; that, as
the lab director, she ensured “all employees follow our standard operating
procedures which consists of an internal chain of custody, quality control that we
run daily”; and that she was also responsible for “going through each one of the
positive[s] by itself” and “[g]oing back and looking up the screening test results to
make sure that . . . we followed our standard operating procedures.” Id. at 53.
She described the screening process used by Forensic Fluids to analyze samples
received from DCS and the additional confirmation testing that a positive screen
5
In later overruling an objection that Lemberg testified about chain of custody while she looked at a packet
of documents, the court stated it had already dealt with the telephonic testimony issue and that “[a]s to your
questions about the chain of custody that will go to waive [sic] and not admissibility.” Transcript at 61.
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undergoes. DCS’s counsel showed Lemberg what it had marked as Petitioner’s
Exhibit 3 and she identified it as the two-page affidavit “that we send when we
send test results . . . for Court,” stated it “says that the test results that accompany
this affidavit are true and accurate,” and affirmed that her signature was at the
bottom. 6 Id. at 57. DCS moved to admit the document, Father’s counsel
objected and stated that there were no pages attached and “this form has been
altered,” and DCS’s counsel stated that “the document that was attached is going
to be [Petitioner’s E]xhibit 4” and that she could wait and introduce everything at
one time, and the court took the motion under advisement. Id. at 58.
[12] Lemberg indicated that the person who received the UPS bag with Father’s
January 11, 2019 sample was Megumi Roberts, that the UPS bags are checked
by a specimen processor who follows certain procedures, and that there was no
indication that the sample had been tampered with or any concerns about its
integrity. She testified that this “specimen sample ID, S as in Sam, 2955283,
initially screened” for marijuana, cocaine and oxycodone, indicated that the
sample received further testing in the confirmation lab, which confirmed the
results, stated the results, and affirmed that the results were documented in
what had been marked as Petitioner’s Exhibit 4, that her name was on the
report as the lab director or toxicologist, and that she had determined that the
6
Petitioner’s Exhibit 3 states “As a result of the procedures employed by Forensic Fluids Laboratory Inc., I
can state that both the Chain of Custody and that the test results are scientifically reliable” and that the
“attached document(s) are the original or exact duplicates of the original business records” maintained in
regards to Father and includes the signature of Bridget Lorenz Lemberg. Exhibits Volume at 9-10.
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results were trustworthy. Id. at 66. The court admitted Petitioner Exhibits 3
and 4 over Parent’s objections. Petitioner’s Exhibit 4 indicates that Father
tested positive for THC, cocaine, and oxycodone on January 11, 2019.
[13] On March 14, 2019, the court entered an order which found A.G. a CHINS
and stated:
Findings of Fact:
*****
7. In August, 2018, mother admitted to FCM Woodruff that she
used marijuana, cocaine, and pain pills during her pregnancy
with the child. Mother admitted that she had a previous
addiction to opiate pain pills and recreationally used marijuana
and cocaine.
8. In August, 2018, mother identified [Father] as the father, but
told FCM Woodruff she was no longer involved with [Father]
due to his ongoing drug use.
*****
30. Toxicologist Bridget Lemberg reviewed [F]ather[’]s 1/11/19
drug screen. Father[’]s use of marijuana, cocaine, and
oxycodone occurred approximately 24 hours prior to the drug
screen[’]s administration.
31. Following the CHINS filing and the removal of the child,
[F]ather stated to FCM Jones that he is unwilling to participate
in any services offered by DCS.
32. Based upon [F]ather[’]s statement that he would not
participate in any services offered by DCS, FCM Jones has not
offered [F]ather additional drug screens.
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33. Parents currently reside together. Each parent is aware of
the other[’]s past and current drug use.
34. Mother has been offered services to address her drug use and
admitted addiction since August of 2018. Mother failed to
benefit from the services when provided on a voluntary basis
under the IA case and is still admittedly using illegal drugs.
35. Father has been deceptive regarding his residence, has
disregarded the Court[’]s order for removal of the child, and has
been adamant that he will not participate in services with DCS.
36. Father has not provided a drug screen since 1/11/19, when
he was positive for marijuana, cocaine, and oxycodone. His
failure to provide a screen and/or lack of drug screens since
1/11/19 is not evidence of [F]ather[’]s sobriety.
37. The child is an infant and is completely dependent upon her
caregiver(s) to meet all of her needs.
Father’s Appendix Volume II at 129-131. On April 5, 2019, the court entered a
dispositional decree.
Discussion
[14] Father first argues that the court abused its discretion in allowing Lemberg’s
telephonic testimony and contends that DCS did not comply with the
requirements of Ind. Admin. Rule 14 (B). In asserting that DCS did not meet
the “only exception to the Rule’s thirty-day notice and service requirement” by
failing to move for telephonic testimony on or before January 16, 2019, Father
directs us to Ind. Admin. Rule 14(B)(3)(e) and contends that the exception does
not apply because the court is permitted “to alter the time deadlines only upon a
motion made prior to the thirty-day deadline.” Father’s Appellant Brief at 18.
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He additionally argues that no evidence or argument by DCS supports the
court’s finding of good cause and asserts that the court did not consider all the
factors under Ind. Admin. Rule 14 (B)(2).
[15] To the extent that we must interpret our administrative rules, we do so de novo.
C.S. v. State, 131 N.E.3d 592, 595 (Ind. 2019) (interpreting Ind. Admin. Rule 14
de novo). Ind. Admin. Rule 14(B) provides that a “trial court may use telephone
or audiovisual communications subject to”:
(1) the written consent of all the parties, entered on the
Chronological Case Summary; or
(2) upon a trial court’s finding of good cause, upon its own motion
or upon the motion of a party. The following factors shall be
considered in determining “good cause”:
(a) Whether, after due diligence, the party has been unable to
procure the physical presence of the witness;
(b) Whether effective cross-examination of the witness is
possible, considering the availability of documents and exhibits
to counsel and the witness;
(c) The complexity of the proceedings and the importance of
the offered testimony in relation to the convenience to the
party and the proposed witness;
(d) The importance of presenting the testimony of the witness
in open court, where the fact finder may observe the demeanor
of the witness and impress upon the witness the duty to testify
truthfully;
(e) Whether undue surprise or unfair prejudice would result;
and
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(f) Any other factors a trial court may determine to be relevant
in an individual case.
(3) A party or a trial court if it is acting on its own motion must
give notice of the motion to use telephone or audiovisual
telecommunication as follows:
(a) Any motion for testimony to be presented by telephone or
audiovisual telecommunication shall be served not less than
thirty (30) days before the time specified for hearing of such
testimony;
(b) Opposition to a motion for testimony to be presented by
telephone or audiovisual telecommunication shall be made
by written objection within seven (7) days after service;
(c) A trial court may hold an expedited hearing no later than
ten (10) days before the scheduled hearing of such testimony
to determine if good cause has been shown to present
testimony by telephone or audiovisual telecommunication;
(d) A trial court shall make written findings of fact and
conclusions of law within its order on the motion for
testimony to be presented by telephone or audiovisual
telecommunication; and
(e) For cause found, a trial court may alter the time deadlines
set forth in paragraphs (a) through (c) upon motion made
prior to the expiration of the time for the required action.
[16] Our review of the record reveals that, at the January 18, 2019 pretrial hearing,
the court set the fact-finding hearing for February 15th upon Father’s request
and unwillingness to waive the sixty-day trial rule requirement, and pursuant to
counsels’ schedules. Supplemental Transcript at 4. In light of the newly-set
date, DCS’s counsel alerted the court that it had drug screen results and of the
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thirty-day requirement needed to file a motion requesting authorization for the
toxicologist to appear telephonically before making the motion verbally. The
court’s January 25, 2019 order indicated that Parents, present at the meeting
and represented by counsel, were provided with approximately twenty-seven
days of notice. The order continued: “[a]fter consideration of the Motion, and
of any written objection, and, after consideration [sic] Ind. Admin. R. 14, the
court finds these relevant factors”; “John Martin and Kimberly Peterson live in
California. Ms. Lemberg lives in Michigan respectively, and requiring each to
travel for testimony would cause great burden and inconvenience”; the
telephonic testimony will not preclude effective cross-examination by Parents;
and Parents were not prejudiced by the telephonic testimony. Id. at 101.
[17] Regarding the finding of good cause, we additionally note that in this CHINS
action two witnesses provided testimony about Father’s positive drug screen
result. The court admitted a total of four exhibits: a signed consent form for the
drug screen, the CV of the testifying lab director for Forensic Fluids who lived
out-of-state, the affidavit from the same witness certifying the reliability of the
procedures and accuracy of the test results relating to Father, and the test
results. Under the circumstances, we cannot say that the court incorrectly
determined or failed to consider the Ind. Admin. Rule 14 (B)(2) factors in
determining “good cause.”
[18] Father next argues that the court erred when it admitted Petitioner’s Exhibits 3
and 4 and Lemberg’s testimony regarding the exhibits “because the State failed
to meet its burden in proving proper chain of custody,” that Lemberg’s
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testimony was based on hearsay and not any personal knowledge sufficient to
establish a proper chain of custody, and that, “[w]ithout the testimony or an
affidavit from the individual or individuals who were responsible for the
custody of the sample at all critical times, the court could not be confident in
the integrity of the sample or the test results.” Father’s Appellant Brief at 21,
23-24. He contends that an oral swab sample is fungible evidence with a high
potential for a mistake or mishandling, that the specimen processor, or the
individual who collected the sample from its delivery at the laboratory and
deposited it to the specimen processing room, was a significant witness for
providing a chain of custody for the sample and did not testify, and that the
professional who conducted the lab testing on the sample did not testify and
was not identified by name or title.
[19] The admission of evidence is entrusted to the sound discretion of the juvenile
court. Matter of A.F., 69 N.E.3d 932, 941-942 (Ind. Ct. App. 2017) (citing In re
A.J., 877 N.E.2d 805, 813 (Ind. Ct. App. 2007), trans. denied), trans. denied. We
will find an abuse of discretion only where the juvenile court’s decision is
against the logic and effect of the facts and circumstances before the court. Id.
at 942. If a juvenile court abuses its discretion by admitting challenged
evidence, we will reverse for that error only if it is inconsistent with substantial
justice or if a substantial right of the party is affected. Id. (citing In re S.W., 920
N.E.2d 783, 788 (Ind. Ct. App. 2010)).
[20] In describing the burden of establishing the chain of custody, Father points to
caselaw occurring in the criminal context that predates the Indiana Supreme
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Court’s decision of Troxell v. State, in which the Court found no error in the
admission of evidence challenged by a criminal defendant claiming error in the
chain of custody of a DNA sample and provided:
To establish a proper chain of custody, the State must give
reasonable assurances that the evidence remained in an
undisturbed condition. Cliver v. State, 666 N.E.2d 59, 63 (Ind.
1996). However, the State need not establish a perfect chain of
custody, and once the State “strongly suggests” the exact
whereabouts of the evidence, any gaps go to the weight of the
evidence and not to admissibility. Wrinkles v. State, 690 N.E.2d
1156, 1160 (Ind. 1997); Jenkins v. State, 627 N.E.2d 789, 793 (Ind.
1993) (noting that failure of FBI technician to testify did not
create error). Moreover, there is a presumption of regularity in
the handling of evidence by officers, and there is a presumption
that officers exercise due care in handling their duties. Wrinkles,
690 N.E.2d at 1160; Culver [v. State, 727 N.E.2d 1062, 1067 (Ind.
2000)]. To mount a successful challenge to the chain of custody,
one must present evidence that does more than raise a mere
possibility that the evidence may have been tampered with.
Cliver, 666 N.E.2d at 63.
778 N.E.2d 811, 814 (Ind. 2002). The Troxell Court also found that the absence
of such information “goes to the weight of the evidence and not its
admissibility.” Id. at 815 (citing Jenkins, 627 N.E.2d at 793).
[21] Here, the record reveals that FCM Jones testified about the procedures for
collecting drug screen samples, ensuring that no contamination occurs, and
sending samples, and that she collected a sample from Father following the
procedure she described. She indicated that Father’s sample was under her
sight and control during the collection and sealing process, that she placed the
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sample in a UPS envelope, and that at the time she left the sample for mailing,
she did not believe the sample had been compromised. Lab director and
toxicologist Lemberg testified that she ensured all employees follow an
“internal chain of custody, quality control that we run daily” and described the
process of receiving samples and analyzing them. Transcript at 53. We further
observe Megumi Roberts received Father’s sample, that both the consent form
Father signed in Petitioner’s Exhibit 1 and the test results in Petitioner’s Exhibit
4 are for Specimen ID “S2955283,” and that Lemberg indicated the sample,
which had been initially screened for marijuana, cocaine and oxycodone,
received further testing in the confirmation lab and that she determined the
results were trustworthy. Under these circumstances, we cannot say that the
court abused its discretion when it admitted the challenged drug test results.
[22] Parents next argue that the evidence is insufficient to support the court’s
determination that A.G. was a CHINS. Father argues that the evidence did not
support Findings 8 and 33. He argues DCS did not present evidence that: he was
currently using drugs at the time of the August assessment or fact-finding
hearing, he was impaired at any time when caring for A.G., or he contributed to
A.G. being born with substances in her blood cord or that it endangered her. He
contends: the drug test results, even if properly admitted, “at most” indicate he
“used drugs on one occasion when he was nowhere near his daughter,” the
evidence does not establish when he purportedly used drugs in the past, and that
DCS did not observe him supervising A.G. Father’s Appellant Brief at 29.
Mother contests the finding that she used illegal drugs during the informal
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adjustment period and argues: “at best,” DCS has one admission from Mother
that she took illegal drugs before she learned she was pregnant, no drug testing
evidence contradicts her statement that she stopped using illegal drugs when she
was pregnant; the only evidence DCS presented of drug usage after A.G.’s birth
was the “FCM’s ambiguous testimony of ‘current’ drug use”; and that “[w]ords
(or the lack thereof) must mean something” such that the FCM’s testimony
“about ‘usage’ does not support the . . . finding that Mother admitted to taking
illegal drugs” after the CHINS petition was filed. Mother’s Appellant Brief at 12-
13. She also contends that DCS failed to show that driving A.G. without a valid
driver’s license seriously endangered her or that she did not meet A.G.’s needs.
[23] DCS maintains that the findings which Father disputes are supported by the
testimony and the reasonable inferences arising therein and contends that
reversal is not warranted even if Finding No. 33 was erroneous because “[b]oth
parents were abusing illicit substances, meaning neither parent was an
appropriate care-giver.” Appellee Brief at 27. It argues that the evidence shows
that drug use was a current and ongoing problem for Parents, that illicit drug
use endangers children and, in the case of A.G., leaves her without a competent
caregiver, and that Parents will not provide A.G. with a safe and stable home
free from substance abuse without the coercive intervention of the court.
[24] In reviewing a trial court’s determination that a child is in need of services, we
neither reweigh the evidence nor judge the credibility of witnesses. In re S.D., 2
N.E.3d 1283, 1286-1287 (Ind. 2014), reh’g denied. Instead, we consider only the
evidence that supports the trial court’s decision and reasonable inferences
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drawn therefrom. Id. at 1287. As to issues covered by findings, we apply the
two-tiered standard of whether the evidence supports the findings and whether
the findings support the judgment. Id. We review remaining issues under the
general judgment standard, under which a judgment will be affirmed if it can be
sustained on any legal theory supported by the evidence. Id. “We will reverse a
CHINS determination only if it was clearly erroneous.” In re D.J. v. Ind. Dep’t of
Child Servs., 68 N.E.3d 574, 578 (Ind. 2017). A decision is clearly erroneous if
the record facts do not support the findings or if it applies the wrong legal
standard to properly found facts. Id.
[25] “A CHINS proceeding is a civil action; thus, ‘the State must prove by a
preponderance of the evidence that a child is a CHINS as defined by the
juvenile code.’” In re K.D., 962 N.E.2d 1249, 1253 (Ind. 2012) (quoting In re
N.E., 919 N.E.2d 102, 105 (Ind. 2010)). At the relevant time period Ind. Code §
31-34-1-1 provided:
A child is a child in need of services if before the child becomes
eighteen (18) years of age:
(1) the child’s physical or mental condition is seriously
impaired or seriously endangered as a result of the
inability, refusal, or neglect of the child’s parent, guardian,
or custodian to supply the child with necessary food,
clothing, shelter, medical care, education, or supervision;
and
(2) the child needs care, treatment, or rehabilitation that:
(A) the child is not receiving; and
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(B) is unlikely to be provided or accepted without
the coercive intervention of the court.
(Subsequently amended by Pub. L. No. 198-2019, § 8 (eff. July 1, 2019)).
[26] The CHINS statute does not require that a court wait until a tragedy occurs to
intervene. In re A.H., 913 N.E.2d 303, 306 (Ind. Ct. App. 2009). Rather, a
child is a CHINS when he or she is endangered by parental action or inaction.
Id. Because a CHINS determination regards the status of the child, a separate
analysis as to each parent is not required in the CHINS determination stage. In
re N.E., 919 N.E.2d at 106. The conduct of one parent can be enough for a
child to be adjudicated a CHINS. Id. The purpose of a CHINS adjudication is
to protect children, not punish parents. Id. The resolution of a juvenile
proceeding focuses on the best interests of the child, rather than guilt or
innocence as in a criminal proceeding. Id.
[27] To the extent Mother and Father cite Perrine v. Marion Cty. Office of Child Services,
in which this Court held that a single admitted use of methamphetamine,
outside the presence of a child and without more, was insufficient to support a
CHINS determination, we find this case to be distinguishable. 866 N.E.2d 269,
277 (Ind. Ct. App. 2007). In Perrine, at a hearing on the CHINS petition the
mother answered affirmatively when asked “[i]s that the only time you ever
used methamphetamine,” indicated that she was at a friend’s house when she
used it, and testified that she “never used drugs around [the child]. Never ever.
Even prescription medicine . . . .” Id. at 275-276.
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[28] Having found that Petitioner’s Exhibit 4 was properly admitted, we observe that
Father tested positive for THC, cocaine, and oxycodone on January 11, 2019.
Father indicated to DCS that he did not need to participate in services.
Regarding Mother, the record reveals that she indicated to FCM Jones that she
resided with Father. FCM Jones testified that Mother indicated in October
2018 that she used cocaine and marijuana recreationally, that Mother spoke of
current drug use, and that she had safety concerns for A.G. as a result. FCM
Jones testified about her conversations with Mother about drug use after the
CHINS case was filed, that Mother shared she had a prescription for an opiate
for which she tested positive subsequently, and that Mother, through concern
for A.G.’s placement, had made a disclosure about usage due to stress.
[29] To the extent Parents’ arguments invite us to reweigh the evidence and reassess
witness credibility, we are unable to do so. See In re S.D., 2 N.E.3d at 1286.
The evidence most favorable to the judgment supports the court’s findings that
Parents’ actions or inactions have seriously endangered A.G., that A.G.’s needs
are unmet, and that those needs are unlikely to be met without State coercion.
See id. at 1287. In light of the unchallenged findings and the evidence and
testimony presented at the fact-finding hearing, we cannot say that the trial
court’s judgment is clearly erroneous.
[30] Affirmed.
Baker, J., and Riley, J., concur.
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