In the Matter of: L.J.Y. (Minor Child), And J.Y. (Father) v. The Indiana Department of Child Services (mem. dec.) ( 2020 )

MEMORANDUM DECISION
Pursuant to Ind. Appellate Rule 65(D),
this Memorandum Decision shall not be FILED
regarded as precedent or cited before any
Jan 30 2020, 9:59 am
court except for the purpose of establishing
the defense of res judicata, collateral CLERK
Indiana Supreme Court
estoppel, or the law of the case. Court of Appeals
and Tax Court
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE
Kimberly A. Jackson Curtis T. Hill, Jr.
Indianapolis, Indiana Attorney General of Indiana
Robert J. Henke
Deputy Attorney General
Indianapolis, Indiana
IN THE
COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA
In the Matter of: January 30, 2020
L.J.Y. (Minor Child), Court of Appeals Case No.
19A-JC-1652
And
Appeal from the Allen Superior
J.Y. (Father), Court
Appellant-Respondent, The Honorable Charles F. Pratt,
Judge
v. The Honorable Lori K. Morgan,
Magistrate
The Indiana Department of The Honorable Sherry A. Hartzler,
Child Services, Magistrate
Appellee-Petitioner. Trial Court Cause No.
02D08-1809-JC-493
Riley, Judge.
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STATEMENT OF THE CASE
[1] Appellant-Respondent, J.Y. (Father), appeals the trial court’s adjudication of
his minor child, L.J.Y. (Child) as a Child in Need of Services (CHINS). 1
[2] We affirm.
ISSUES
[3] Father presents three issues on appeal, which we restate as the following four
issues:
(1) Whether the trial court erred by conducting the factfinding hearing
outside the statutory timeframe;
(2) Whether the trial court erred by failing to complete the dispositional
hearing within the timeframe mandated by Indiana statutes;
(3) Whether the trial court abused its discretion by granting the
Appellee-Petitioner, Department of Child Services’ (DCS) motion to
have the CHINS petition conform to the evidence; and
(4) Whether the evidence was sufficient to support the trial court’s
CHINS adjudication.
1
J.K., Child’s mother (Mother), does not participate in this appeal.
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FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
[4] Child was born on May 30, 2002. When Child was about four years old, she
was removed from Mother’s care due to neglect, and was placed with Father,
and S.M. (Stepmother) who reside in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
[5] Sometime in May 2018 or the first day of her summer break, Child was making
breakfast in the kitchen. She then left the home in order to get syrup from her
grandmother’s house which was nearby, however, no one was at her
grandmother’s home, so she returned home. When she got home, Father asked
her where she had been. A verbal altercation ensued, and Father “grabbed
[Child] by her hair, swung her around on the floor, and hit her in the head”
about “seven or eight times.” (Appellant’s App. Vol. II, p. 46, Tr. Vol. II, p.
71). Child blacked out for a few seconds after being struck in the head.
[6] On August 22, 2018, DCS received its first report regarding a heated argument
between Father and Child relating to Child’s boyfriend. On August 28, 2018,
family case manager Jennifer Medina (FCM Medina), interviewed Father
regarding the allegation. Father expressed his frustration regarding Child,
claiming that she was sneaking out of the house at 2:00 a.m. “to be with her
boyfriend.” (Appellant’s App. Vol. II, p. 26). On the same day, FCM Medina
interviewed Child. Child stated that Father had “physically abused her in May
of 2018 by pulling her hair and hitting her in the head.” (Appellant’s App. Vol.
II, p. 25). Child stated that Father would call her a “cunt and bitch” and he
talked ill of her Mother. (Appellant’s App. Vol. II, p. 27). Child stated that
Father’s verbal abuse had her to “the point where she wants to” harm herself.
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(Appellant’s App. Vol. II, p. 25). During the interview, FCM Medina did not
observe any marks, bruises, or welts on Child.
[7] On September 12, 2018, Child missed part of her school day since she had
issues with her birth control and was supposed to see her gynecologist.
However, after her appointment, Child was expected to go to school. Father
drove Child to the appointment. On their way, Child asked Father whether she
could go with her sister and two nephews to the pumpkin patch. Father then
yelled at Child and stated that she never wanted to do things with him, and he
expressed concern that she was not home much. They went to the appointment
and when the appointment was over, they returned to the car. On their ride to
Child’s school, Child stated, “why is my life everything you want.” (Tr. Vol. II,
p. 75). That statement “set [Father] off.” (Tr. Vol. II, p. 75). Out of anger,
Father took his seatbelt off and “kind of swerved the car and lunged at [Child].”
(Tr. Vol. II, p. 75). The vehicle that was driving behind drove up beside
Father’s car and the occupants stated that they were calling the police. When
the car stopped, Child attempted to get out of the car, however, Father
threatened to beat Child, so she remained in the car. When the police arrived,
Father got out of the car, and Child locked the door. The police convinced
Child to open the door and they later transported her to school.
[8] On September 19, 2018, Child’s school contacted DCS to report that Child had
a “bruise on her thigh.” (Appellant’s App. Vol. II, p. 25). Child informed
FCM Medina that Father had punched her on her right thigh “because she
[had] asked for help with her homework.” (Appellant’s App. Vol. II, p. 25).
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FCM Medina observed the “bruise to be [greenish-yellow] in color[,] and was
large and round.” (Appellant’s App. Vol. II, pp. 25-26). FCM Medina took
pictures of the bruise in the bathroom. FCM Medina then interviewed Father
over the phone. Father denied physically abusing Child, but he claimed that he
had verbally scolded her in front of Stepmother since Child had sought last
minute help with an eight-page assignment which was due the next day. Father
added that his children, including Child, knew the “system and [knew] what to
say to get him in trouble” with DCS. (Appellant’s App. Vol. II, p. 26). When
FCM Medina requested that Father pick up Child from school due to the
incident, Father refused. Prior to suspending the phone call, Father blurted,
“You know what, I don’t even want her back in my home, this is enough, just
keep her.” (Appellant’s App. Vol. II, p. 26). Another FCM contacted Father to
confirm that he did not want Child in his home. Father was “extremely irate []
and throughout the call” he “was yelling more than talking.” (Appellant’s App.
Vol. II, p. 26). When the FCM conveyed that Father’s yelling was needless,
Father hung up. Since Father refused to pick up Child from school, FCM
Medina transported Child to the Youth Services Center, and she was
subsequently placed in foster care.
[9] On September 21, 2018, the trial court held a preliminary hearing regarding
allegations of Father’s neglect and physical abuse to Child. Father and
Stepmother were present for that hearing. DCS presented evidence that it had
received three reports relating to Father’s physical abuse of Child. First, DCS
claimed that Child had reported that Father had “grabbed [her] by the hair,”
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swung her “around on the floor” and “hit her in the head.” (Tr. Vol. II, p. 7).
DCS added that on September 12, 2018, Father “struck” Child on her thigh
causing her to have a bruise. (Tr. Vol. II, p. 7). DCS also presented pictures of
the bruise. DCS further stated that Child had “reported being afraid to go back
home due to physical . . . abuse in the home” and that she was having
“ideations [] of self-harm.” (Tr. Vol. II, p. 7).
[10] The trial court found that probable cause existed, found that Child was a
CHINS, and it authorized DCS to file a CHINS petition. DCS served Father
with the CHINS petition in court that day. After Father denied the allegations,
the trial court ordered Child to remain in foster care and participate in a clinical
assessment. Father was then directed to refrain from criminal activity, maintain
a clean and stable home, cooperate with all caseworkers, attend all meetings,
and participate in various services. In response to the court ordered services,
Father stated
Well Your Honor I’ve been involved with DCS for about 20
years so I doubt that any of the services that they can provide or
suggest[ed] to me are going to help because I’ve probably done
every single one of their classes and to add a little bit more on top
of that[,] the majority of those classes have asked me to come
back and instruct their classes.
(Tr. Vol. II, p. 13). During further discussion with the trial court, Father’s voice
was “escalating in tone,” and it progressed to “an angry loud tone.” (Tr. Vol.
II, p. 15). Father’s final words were, “You’ve railroaded my entire life[,] 20
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years of my fuckin life man.” (Tr. Vol. II, p. 15). At that point, the trial court
adjourned the hearing. 2
[11] On October 15, 2018, the trial court conducted an additional initial hearing.
Child, GAL Jennifer Young (GAL Young), Father’s attorney, Stepmother, and
Stepmother’s counsel were present. Initially, Father was present, but he was
escorted out by security since “he was agitated . . . and being loud.” (Tr. Vol.
II, p. 17). During the hearing, DCS requested and was granted leave to amend
its CHINS petition to include Stepmother as a party since she was also Child’s
caregiver. GAL Young then reported that Child was “doing really well” in
foster care and “there were no issues or concerns.” (Tr. Vol. II, p. 20). At the
close of the hearing, the trial court discussed upcoming hearing dates.
Everyone agreed that an additional initial hearing was necessary and was
scheduled for November 27, 2018. Also, the trial court scheduled a factfinding
hearing for January 10, 2019. 3 None of the parties, including Father, objected
or otherwise stated the factfinding hearing was scheduled past the sixty-day
statutory timeframe.
[12] On November 19, 2018, DCS filed a Second Amended CHINS petition. The
material facts pertaining to Father’s, Mother’s, and Stepmother’s neglect were
2
The record shows that on October 12, 2018, DCS amended the CHINS petition and included facts
pertaining to Mother’s neglect of Child.
3
According to Indiana Code section 31-34-11-1(a), a factfinding hearing should not be scheduled more than
sixty days after the CHINS petition has been filed. Indiana Code section 31-34-11-1(b) further provides that
the trial court may extend the time to complete the factfinding hearing by an additional sixty days if all the
parties consent to further time.
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included in that petition. On November 27, 2018, during the hearing, the trial
court realized that scheduling a factfinding in January 2019 would be outside
the statutory timeframe mandated under Indiana Code section 31-34-11-1(a).
Believing that the parties had consented to the scheduling of the factfinding
hearing outside the sixty-day statutory timeframe, the trial court questioned
whether “the parties have waived the [sixty-day] requirement.” (Tr. Vol. II, p.
30). DCS’s counsel immediately responded by stating, “I believe so.” (Tr. Vol.
II, p. 30). Despite the absence of such a waiver, Father’s counsel did not object
to DCS’s response. Following that hearing, the trial court issued an order,
scheduling the factfinding for January 10, 2019 and January 17, 2019. The
order noted that the “parties waive[d] the requirement that [f]actfinding be
completed within sixty days.” (Appellant’s App. Vol. II, p. 65).
[13] On January 10, 2019, the parties were present at the factfinding hearing, but the
matter was continued to January 15, 2019. As of the day of that hearing, Child
did not feel safe to go back to live with Father. She felt that if she went back to
Father’s home things would go from bad to worse. Child stated that since she
moved out of Father’s home in September 2018, she has never been happier.
She testified that her “anxiety has lessened,” she was no longer depressed, she
had gotten a job, and was saving up money to buy herself a car. (Tr. Vol. II, p.
83). The factfinding hearing was then continued to January 17, 2019 and was
concluded on the same day.
[14] While the DCS’s CHINS petition was founded on claims of neglect pursuant to
Indiana Code section 31-34-1-1, DCS sought to add an allegation of abuse
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pursuant to Indiana Code section 31-34-1-2 in light of all the evidence presented
regarding Father’s physical abuse to Child. Thus, at the close of the DCS’s
case-in-chief, and pursuant to Indiana Trial Rule 15(B), DCS moved to amend
its petition to conform to the evidence. Over Father’s objection, the trial court
granted DCS’s request. On April 15, 2019, the trial court issued an Order,
adjudicating Child as a CHINS pursuant to Indiana Code sections 31-34-1-1;
and -2. An initial dispositional hearing was scheduled for April 29, 2019.
Father was not present, but his newly appointed attorney was, and she
requested a continuance claiming that it was in Father’s “best interest.” (Tr.
Vol. II, p. 180). On June 18, 2019, the trial court held and concluded the
dispositional hearing. The following day, the trial court issued its dispositional
order.
[15] Father now appeals. Additional information will be provided as necessary.
DISCUSSION AND DECISION
I. Timeliness of the Factfinding Hearing
[16] Father contends that the trial court erred when it held the factfinding hearing
outside the mandated statutory timeframe. Indiana Code section 31-34-11-1,
provides, in relevant part that:
(a) Except as provided in subsection (b), unless the allegations of
a petition have been admitted, the juvenile court shall complete a
factfinding hearing not more than sixty (60) days after a petition
alleging that a child is a child in need of services is filed in
accordance with [I.C. §] 31-34-9.
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(b) The juvenile court may extend the time to complete a
factfinding hearing, as described in subsection (a), for an
additional sixty (60) days if all parties in the action consent to the
additional time.
****
(d) If the factfinding hearing is not held within the time set forth
in subsection (a) or (b), upon a motion with the court, the court shall
dismiss the case without prejudice.
(Emphasis added). In re J.S., 133 N.E.3d 707, 712-13 (Ind. Ct. App. 2019), we
held that
the General Assembly clearly intends for the timeframe set forth
in Indiana Code section 31-34-11-1 to be a certain deadline.
Further, while subsection (a) provides that the parties may waive
the initial 60-day deadline by agreeing to a continuance,
subsection (b) does not include any such provision. This lack of
allowance for an additional extension of time indicates that the
General Assembly intends to require that a factfinding hearing
must be completed within 120 days of the filing of a CHINS
petition regardless of any act or agreements of the parties. To
allow the parties to agree to dates beyond the maximum 120-day
limit would thwart the legislative purpose of timely rehabilitation
and reunification of families that are subject to CHINS
proceedings.
[17] In the present case, on September 21, 2018, DCS filed a CHINS petition.
During an initial hearing on October 15, 2018, twenty-four days after that filing,
Father was initially present, but he had to be removed from the court room due
to his disruptive behavior. Father’s counsel, however, was present during the
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hearing. At the close of the hearing, a discussion ensued as to available hearing
dates. All parties agreed that an additional initial hearing was needed, and it
was scheduled for November 27, 2018. The parties also agreed to a factfinding
hearing to be completed on January 10, 2019, which was 111 days after DCS
filed its CHINS petition. Father’s counsel did not object to the fact that the
CHINS factfinding hearing was being scheduled beyond the sixty-day statutory
timeframe or argue that the parties had not consented to an additional sixty
days. See I.C.§§ 31-34-11-1(a), (b).
[18] At the additional initial hearing on November 27, 2018, the trial court reiterated
the scheduling of the factfinding hearing on January 10, 2019. The trial court
noted that more than sixty days had lapsed since the filing of the CHINS
petition. The trial court then assumed that “the parties have waived the [sixty-
day] requirement.” (Tr. Vol. II, p. 30). DCS’s counsel responded that he
believed the parties had agreed to such a waiver. While the record contains no
such waiver, Father’s counsel did not raise any objection. Following that
hearing, the trial court issued an order scheduling the factfinding to be held on
two days—January 10, 2019 and January 17, 2019. In the order, the trial court
restated that the parties had “waive[d] the requirement that [f]actfinding be
completed within sixty days.” (Appellant’s App. Vol. II, p. 65). On January 3,
2019, a case management hearing was held, and Father did not argue that the
January 10, and 17, 2018 factfinding hearings were outside the hearing
requirement set forth in Indiana Code section 31-34-11-1(a), or that the parties
did not consent to an additional sixty days to complete the factfinding hearing
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pursuant to Indiana Code section 31-34-11-1(b). On January 10, 2019, the
parties were present at the factfinding hearing, but the matter was continued to
January 15, 2019. The factfinding hearing was ultimately conducted on two
days—January 15, and 17, 2019, which was 116 days after the CHINS petition
had been filed. At no point did Father object to the untimely nature of the
factfinding hearing.
[19] In re J.S., 133 N.E.3d at 713 we concluded, in part, that the CHINS statutory
scheme provides mandatory deadlines and includes enforcement mechanisms.
“This is not to say that the enforcement mechanisms are self-executing and a
party can stand idly by until an adverse determination has been made. A party
must preserve the right of expediency by filing a written motion to dismiss
before the merits of a petition are litigated.” Id.
[20] Father had some cognizable duty to challenge the untimely nature of the
factfinding hearing during the initial hearings, which he failed to do.
Additionally, not only did Father fail to object to the placing of the factfinding
hearing outside the statutory timeframe, he did not file a motion with the court
to dismiss the CHINS petition as Indiana Code section 31-34-11-1(d) mandates,
thus, he invited the error. See Prime Mortgage USA, Inc. v. Nichols, 885 N.E.2d
628, 657 (Ind. Ct. App. 2008). “The doctrine of invited error is grounded in
estoppel and precludes a party from taking advantage of an error that he or she
commits, invites, or which is the natural consequence of his or her own neglect
or misconduct.” Id. (citing Balicki v. Balicki, 837 N.E.2d. 532, 541 (Ind. Ct.
App. 2005), trans. denied).
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[21] Father then argues that even if he waived compliance with the timeframes, the
trial court committed fundamental error by not sua sponte dismissing the CHINS
case once the sixty-day timeframe was exceeded. The fundamental error
doctrine is a narrow exception to the waiver doctrine and applies to an “error
that was so egregious and abhorrent to fundamental due process that the trial
judge should or should not have acted, irrespective of the parties’ failure to
object or otherwise preserve the error for appeal.” In re G.P., 4 N.E.3d 1158,
1167 n. 8 (Ind. 2014). For an appellate court to overturn a trial court ruling
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
therefrom must be substantial and appear clearly and prospectively.” S.M. v.
Elkhart Cnty. Office of Family & Children, 706 N.E.2d 596, 600 (Ind. Ct. App.
1999) (citation omitted).
[22] Even if the trial court’s decision to conduct the factfinding hearing outside the
statutory timeframe amounted to error, the harm for such error was not
substantial enough to rise to the level of fundamental error. The record reveals
that at an initial hearing in November 2018, the trial court noted that the
scheduling of the factfinding hearing in January 2019 would be outside the
timeframe set by Indiana statutes. DCS indicated that there was a waiver in
place, and the trial court issued an order stating that the parties had waived the
holding of the factfinding hearing beyond the sixty-day period. Moreover,
Indiana Code section 31-34-11-1(d), spells out the enforcement mechanism of
an aggrieved party. That section requires the trial court to dismiss the CHINS
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action if a motion is filed with the court. Father failed to file a motion to dismiss
and the trial court acted on Father’s wavier. Under such circumstances, Father
cannot complain that the factfinding hearings were held outside the statutory
framework. Nor has Father identified any actual prejudice to his ability to
present his case as a result of the delay. Thus, Father has not established that
fundamental error occurred, and we hold that the trial court’s failure to
complete the factfinding hearing on DCS’s CHINS petition within the statutory
timeframe did not constitute error.
II. Timeliness of the Dispositional Hearing
[23] Father additionally contends that the trial court erred when it held the
dispositional hearing more than thirty days after the CHINS finding. In
response, DCS claims that Father waived his right to challenge the setting of
that dispositional hearing outside the statutory timeframe.
[24] Indiana Code section 31-34-19-1(a) governs dispositional hearings and
provides, in relevant part that “The juvenile court shall complete a dispositional
hearing not more than thirty (30) days after the date the court finds that a child
is a child in need of services . . .” Indiana Code section 31-34-19-1(b) continues
to state that “if the dispositional hearing is not completed in the time set forth in
subsection (a), upon filing of a motion with the court, the court shall dismiss the
case without prejudice.” After the trial court entered its Order on the
factfinding hearing on April 15, 2019, it only had thirty days to conduct a
dispositional hearing.
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[25] The record shows that an initial dispositional hearing was scheduled for April
29, 2019. Father was not present, but Father’s newly appointed counsel was,
and she requested a continuance since she had not had a chance to review the
case or consult with Father. In fact, Father’s counsel stated that it was in
Father’s “best interest” that the dispositional hearing be continued. (Tr. Vol. II,
p. 180). Based on Father’s counsel’s argument, the trial court questioned the
parties as to whether they were waiving the “statutory time frames” for the
dispositional hearing. (Tr. Vol. II, p. 180). All parties, including Father, did
not object to the rescheduling of the dispositional hearing outside the thirty-day
timeframe.
[26] We agree with DCS that Father waived his right to challenge the untimely
completion of the dispositional hearing. See Plank v. Cmty. Hospitals of Ind., Inc.,
981 N.E.2d 49, 53 (Ind. 2013) (our supreme court held that “waiver” connotes
an “intentional relinquishment or abandonment of a known right.”) Further,
Indiana Code section 31-34-19-1(b) requires that if a dispositional hearing is not
held within thirty days of the CHINS order, “upon a motion,” the matter shall
be dismissed without prejudice. Father failed to file a motion to dismiss the
CHINS case. Thus, Father cannot be afforded relief in this appeal.
III. Amendment of the CHINS Petition
[27] Next, we address Father’s argument that the trial court abused its discretion
when it permitted DCS to amend its CHINS petition during the factfinding
hearing.
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[28] We note that DCS’s Second Amended CHINS petition only alleged claims of
neglect against Father pursuant to Indiana Code section 31-34-1-1( which
requires proof that Child’s physical or mental health is seriously impaired or
endangered as a result of the inability, refusal, or neglect of the parent,
guardian, or custodian.) Prior to resting its case, DCS sought to amend its
CHINS petition under Trial Rule 15(B) so that the petition could “conform to
the evidence.” (Tr. Vol. II, p. 144). With the amendment, DCS sought to
include Indiana Code section 31-34-1-2, which requires proof that Child’s
physical or mental health is seriously endangered due to injury by the act or
omission of Child’s parent, guardian, or custodian. Over Father’s objection,
the trial court permitted the last-minute amendment. On appeal, Father argues
that throughout the factfinding hearing, DCS focused on contentions that he
neglected Child. Thus, Father contends that DCS’s late amendment did not
afford him adequate notice that assertions pertaining to physical abuse to Child
would be presented, and he argues that he was prevented from preparing an
adequate defense.
[29] Amendments to pleadings are to be liberally allowed. MAPCO Coal, Inc. v.
Godwin, 786 N.E.2d 769, 777 (Ind. Ct. App. 2003). The trial court retains
broad discretion in granting or denying amendments to pleadings, and we will
reverse on appeal only when it abuses that discretion. Id. “An abuse of
discretion may occur if the trial court’s decision is clearly against the logic and
effect of the facts and circumstances before the court, or if the court has
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misinterpreted the law.” Fleming v. Int’l Pizza Supply Corp., 707 N.E.2d 1033,
1036 (Ind. Ct. App. 1999), trans. denied.
[30] Trial Rule 15(B) provides as follows
When issues not raised by the pleadings are tried by express or
implied consent of the parties, they shall be treated in all respects
as if they had been raised in the pleadings. Such amendment of
the pleadings as may be necessary to cause them to conform to
the evidence and to raise these issues may be made upon motion
of any party at any time, even after judgment, but failure so to
amend does not affect the result of the trial of these issues. If
evidence is objected to at the trial on the ground that it is not
within the issues made by the pleadings, the court may allow the
pleadings to be amended and shall do so freely when the
presentation of the merits of the action will be subserved thereby
and the objecting party fails to satisfy the court that the
admission of such evidence would prejudice him in maintaining
his action or defense upon the merits. The court may grant a
continuance to enable the objecting party to meet such evidence.
[31] Pursuant to T.R. 15(B), issues not set out in the pleadings may be tried by the
express or implied consent of the parties. Baker v. Midland-Ross Corp., 508
N.E.2d 32, 35 (Ind. Ct. App. 1987), trans. denied. The function of the issues,
whether formed by the pleadings, pre-trial orders, or contentions of the parties,
is to provide a guide for the parties and the court as they proceed through trial.
Id. Either party may demand strict adherence to the issues raised before trial.
Id. If the trial court allows introduction of an issue not raised before trial, an
objecting party may seek a reasonable continuance in order to prepare to litigate
the new issue. Id. However, where the trial ends without objection to the new
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issue, the evidence presented at trial controls. Id. Consequently, neither
pleadings, pre-trial orders, nor theories proposed by the parties should frustrate
the trier of fact from finding the facts that a preponderance of the evidence
permits. Id.
[32] Because fairness compels certain restraints, there are limits upon the principle of
amending pleadings through implied consent. Id. at 36. For example, a party is
entitled to some form of notice that an issue that was not pleaded is before the
court. Id. Notice can be overt, as where the unpleaded issue is expressly raised
prior to or sometime during the trial but before the close of the evidence, or
implied, as where the evidence presented at trial is such that a reasonably
competent attorney would have recognized that the unpleaded issue was being
litigated. Id.
[33] We begin our analysis by noting that the Second Amended CHINS petition
focused on claims that Child was a CHINS due to neglect pursuant to Indiana
Code section 31-34-1-1, and one of the material allegations cited indicated that
Child had succumbed to physical abuse in Father’s care. Specifically, DCS
alleged that “On or about September 12, 2018, [Child] became injured while
she was in [Father’s] care, custody, and control.” (Appellant’s App. Vol. II, p.
60). That allegation put Father on notice that DCS intended to present
evidence that Child had been physically harmed in his care and that it would be
an issue at the factfinding hearing.
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[34] Additionally, at the initial hearing on September 21, 2018, DCS presented
evidence that it had received three reports relating to Father’s physical abuse of
Child. DCS claimed that Child had reported that Father had “grabbed [her] by
the hair,” swung her “around on the floor” and “hit her in the head.” (Tr. Vol.
II, p. 7). DCS added that on September 12, 2018, Father “struck” Child on her
thigh causing her to have a bruise. (Tr. Vol. II, p. 7). DCS also presented
pictures of Child’s bruise. DCS further stated that Child had “reported being
afraid to go back home due to physical . . . abuse in the home” and that she was
having “ideations [] of self-harm.” (Tr. Vol. II, p. 7).
[35] Moreover, the transcript reveals a plethora of evidence elicited without
objection at the factfinding hearing that Father had notice that evidence relating
to physical abuse to Child would be presented at the factfinding hearing. Child
explicitly testified regarding the incident where Father grabbed her hair,
dragged her on the floor, and “hit her head about seven or eight times.” (Tr.
Vol. II, p. 71). Child claimed that Father’s last blow in the head was “really
hard” and she “kind of blacked out a little bit.” (Tr. Vol. II, p. 71). Child also
recapped the incident where Father struck her on her thigh on September 12,
2018. Child testified that Father was “trying to hit me with the belt and kind of
open fisted me and hit me in my thigh.” (Tr. Vol. II, p. 85).
[36] The purpose behind Trial Rule 15(B) is to provide the parties with some
flexibility in litigating a case, and to promote justice by permitting evidence
brought in at trial to determine the liability of the parties. In re V.C., 867 N.E.2d
167, 169 (Ind. Ct. App. 2007). In sum, evidence was admitted, without
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-JC-1652 | January 30, 2020 Page 19 of 27
objection, showing that Child had been injured in Father’s care. Moreover,
even though the CHINS petition did not cite the appropriate statute relating to
abuse, one of the allegations in the Second Amended CHINS petition put
Father on notice that evidence involving abuse would be presented by DCS at
the factfinding hearing. Thus, Father cannot show that the trial court abused its
discretion by permitting DCS to amend the CHINS petition so that it could
conform to the evidence. Accordingly, we hold that there was no abuse of
discretion.
IV. CHINS Adjudication.
[37] Lastly, Father contends that the evidence is insufficient to support the trial
court’s CHINS adjudication. DCS bears the burden of proving that a child is a
CHINS by a preponderance of the evidence. In re Des.B., 2 N.E.3d 828, 835-36
(Ind. Ct. App. 2014). In reviewing a CHINS determination, our court does not
reweigh evidence or assess witness credibility. In re K.D., 962 N.E.2d 1249,
1253 (Ind. 2012). We consider only the evidence in favor of the trial court’s
judgment, along with any reasonable inferences derived therefrom. Id.
[38] In addition, the trial court entered limited findings of fact and conclusions
thereon sua sponte; thus, our review is governed by Indiana Trial Rule 52(A).
The CHINS statute does not stipulate that formal findings must accompany a
CHINS determination. In re S.D., 2 N.E.3d 1283, 1287 (Ind. 2014).
Accordingly, for the issues covered by the court’s findings, we apply our two-
tiered standard of review, first considering whether the evidence supports the
factual findings and then whether those findings support the trial court’s
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judgment. Id. We will not set aside the findings or judgment unless they are
clearly erroneous. In re Des.B., 2 N.E.3d at 836. Factual findings are clearly
erroneous where there are no facts in the record to support them either directly
or by inference. Id. “A judgment is clearly erroneous if it relies on an incorrect
legal standard.” Id. We accord substantial deference to the trial court’s
findings of fact but not to its conclusions of law. Id. Any issues not covered by
the trial court’s findings are reviewed 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.” In re S.D., 2 N.E.3d at 1287 (internal
quotation marks omitted).
[39] Here, the trial court concluded that Child is a CHINS “as defined by I.C.31-34-
1-1 and 31-34-1-2.” (Appellant’s App. Vol. II, p. 97). To meet its burden of
establishing CHINS status pursuant to Indiana Code Section 31-34-1-1, DCS
must prove that Child is under eighteen and that
(1) Child’s physical or mental condition is seriously impaired or
seriously endangered as a result of the inability, refusal, or
neglect of Child’s parent, guardian, or custodian to supply Child
with necessary food, clothing, shelter, medical care, education, or
supervision; and
(2) Child needs care, treatment, or rehabilitation that:
(A) Child is not receiving; and
(B) is unlikely to be provided or accepted without the coercive
intervention of the court.
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[40] To meet its burden of proving CHINS status pursuant to Indiana Code Section
31-34-1-2, DCS must prove that Child is under eighteen and that
(1) Child’s physical or mental health is seriously endangered due
to injury by the act or omission of Child's parent, guardian, or
custodian; and
(2) Child needs care, treatment, or rehabilitation that:
(A) Child is not receiving; and
(B) is unlikely to be provided or accepted without the coercive
intervention of the court.
(b) Evidence that the illegal manufacture of a drug or controlled
substance is occurring on property where a child resides creates a
rebuttable presumption that Child’s physical or mental health is
seriously endangered.
[41] Father specifically challenges the following findings:
D. [Child] and [Father] do not have a good relationship and the
two get into arguments and yell at one another. From the
testimony of [Child], the [c]ourt finds that Child has a difficult
time expressing her feelings to [] [F]ather. She tries not to anger
[] [F]ather and is scared when he becomes angry. [Father] has
put his hands on [Child] when he has become angry with her.
E. In May of 2018, [Child] was making breakfast in the kitchen.
She then left the home in order to get syrup from her
grandmother’s house, however, no one was at her grandmother’s
home when she got there, so she returned home. When she
returned to her home, [Father] asked her where she had been and
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hit her in the head approximately 7-8 times and pulled her hair.
[C]hild believes that she may have blacked out for a few seconds
after being struck in the head. Her [stepmother], brother and the
step-mother’s grandmother were at home at the time that this
incident occurred, however, no-one acted to protect her.
Between May of 2018 and August 22, 2018, [Child] and []
[F]ather had disagreements about [Child] going to see her
boyfriend. [Father] does not like [Child]’s boyfriend and the two
would get into arguments about her boyfriend and other issues
about every other week. During their arguments, [Father] would
call Child names and/or belittle her including calling [Child] her
mother’s name and making disparaging remarks about [Child’s]
mother. This behavior hurt [C]hild greatly and was emotionally
harmful to her.
On September 12, 2018, [C]hild did not go to school because she
had a stomach ache. She also had a doctor’s appointment that
day and [Father] transported her to the appointment. On the
way to the appointment, [C]hild asked [] [F]ather if she could go
on a hayride with her sister and two (2) nephews at the pumpkin
patch. [] Father then yelled at her and said that she never wanted
to do things with him and expressed concern that she was not
home much. They went to the appointment and when the
appointment was over, they returned to the car and were
returning home when the argument resumed. As they were
driving home, [] [F]ather lunged at [C]hild. Passers-by witnessed
the events and called the police. When the car stopped, [C]hild
attempted to get out of the car, however, [] [F]ather threatened to
beat her, so she remained in the car. The police arrived and
interviewed her and then took her to school. After she arrived at
school that day, she went into the girl’s restroom because she was
upset about what had happened in the car with [] [F]ather. She
then went into Mrs. Price’s office and informed her about what
had happened between herself and [] [F]ather that day. A school
nurse took photographs of a bruise on her thigh that she
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sustained from an argument that occurred with [] Father one (1)
week prior. Ultimately, the Dean of Students called the police
officer back and also called the DCS who came to the school and
interviewed [C]hild. She was then taken to Youth Services
Center by the Department of Child Services case manager.
****
P. [Child] is sixteen (16) years old. She and [] [Father], have a
dysfunctional relationship which has resulted in physical violence
being perpetrated upon [Child] by [] [Father]. [] [F]ather has also
belittled [] [C]hild and made disparaging remarks to her which
has been harmful for her mental and emotional well-being.
[Father] lacks appropriate parenting skills and has difficulty
managing his anger. As a result, the [C]hild does not feel safe
around him and does not wish to return to his home.
Accordingly, the [c]ourt finds that [] [C]hild’s physical or mental
condition is seriously endangered or seriously impaired as a
result of [] [Father]’s inability to provide her with necessary food,
clothing, shelter, medical care, education, or supervision;
[] [Child], and [] [F]ather are in need of counseling and other
services to assist them in repairing their damaged relationship
and to teach the two how to interact appropriately with one
another. Additionally, [Father] is in need of services to assist
him in dealing with his anger and hostility towards his daughter
and others and to assist him in learning how to appropriately
parent his child. He has been resistant to participating in services
in this case and had been resistant to services in the prior CHINS
case involving his son, [S.Y.]. He has demonstrated that he will
not willingly participate in services designed to assist him in
providing the [C]hild with the necessary food, clothing, shelter,
medical care, education or supervision without the coercive
intervention of the [c]ourt.
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Q. In September of 2018, [] [C]hild received physical injuries in
the form of a bruised thigh as a result of [Father]’s use of physical
violence and/or inappropriate discipline. In May of 2018,
[Father] struck Child in the head 7 or 8 times because he was
angry with her and/or as a means of discipline resulting in Child
“blacking out” for a few seconds. There are significant concerns
about [Father]’s history and propensity for engaging in physical
violence, his inability to control his anger and his parenting skills.
The [c]ourt concludes, by a preponderance of the evidence, that
the [C]hild’s physical or mental health is seriously endangered
due to injury by the act or omission of Child’s parent, guardian,
or custodian.
(Appellant’s App. Vol. II, pp. 91-97).
[42] DCS maintains that the evidence supports the findings, and that the conclusions
support the judgment, and Father’s challenges to the findings and conclusions
are a request to reweigh the evidence. We agree. For instance, Father claims
that a “bruise which occurred approximately September 5, 2019, is not likely to
be visible more than two weeks later.” (Appellant’s Br. p. 34). At the
factfinding hearing, Child unequivocally testified that Father struck her on her
thigh on September 12, 2018, causing her to bruise. When FCM Medina
questioned Child on September 19, 2018, seven days after the alleged incident,
FCM Medina observed the “bruise to be [greenish-yellow] in color[,] and was
large and round.” (Appellant’s App. Vol. II, pp. 25-26). Pictures relating to
Child’s bruise were admitted into evidence. Thus, Father’s argument is
contrary to the evidence and is a request to reweigh the evidence.
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[43] Father then downplays the emotional impact his name calling had on Child.
During her initial contact with FCM Medina, Child stated that Father would
call her a “cunt and bitch.” (Appellant’s App. Vol. II, p. 27). At the
factfinding hearing, Child testified that Mother was a drug addict and when
Father compared her to Mother as a way to demean her, it “broke [her] heart.”
(Tr. Vol. II, p. 73). Child additionally testified that whenever she argued with
Father, Father would call her names. Father’s favorite name to call Child was
“ignorant.” (Tr. Vol. II, p. 73). Child testified that Father’s name calling was
hurtful. Further, Child testified that since she moved out of Father’s and
Stepmother’s home in September 2018, she has never been happier. She stated
that her “anxiety has lessened,” she was no longer depressed, she had gotten a
job, and was saving up money to buy herself a car. (Tr. Vol. II, p. 83). Contrary
to Father’s claim, his disparaging remarks to Child were harmful to her mental
and emotional well-being.
[44] The CHINS statute, however, 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. The purpose of a CHINS adjudication is not to punish the parents,
but to protect Child. In re A.I., 825 N.E.2d 798, 805 (Ind. Ct. App. 2005), trans.
denied. Father’s acts and omissions not only caused physical injury to Child,
they were also harmful to Child’s mental and emotional well-being, and
Father’s acts and omissions placed Child in a situation where DCS had to
intervene. Based on the foregoing, we conclude that the trial court’s
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determination that Child was a CHINS under Indiana Code sections 31-34-1-1
and -2, was supported by sufficient evidence.
CONCLUSION
[45] Based on the foregoing, we conclude that the trial court’s failure to complete
the factfinding hearing on DCS’s CHINS petition within the statutory
timeframe did not constitute error; Father waived his right to challenge the
untimely completion of the dispositional hearing; the trial court did not abuse
its discretion by permitting DCS to amend the CHINS petition so that it could
conform to the evidence; and the evidence was sufficient to support the trial
court’s CHINS adjudication.
[46] Affirmed.
[47] Baker, J. and Brown, J. concur
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