In Re The Welfare Of: J.b., Jr. ( 2016 )

Filed
Washington State
Court of Appeals
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
Division Two
DIVISION II December 28, 2016
In the Matter of the Welfare of: No. 47903-6-II
(Consolidated)
JB, Jr., 11/12/12.
PART PUBLISHED OPINION
In the Matter of the Guardianship of: No. 47918-4-II
JB, Jr.
D.O.B. 11/12/2012
BJORGEN, C.J. — Appellant, JB, Sr., appeals the juvenile court’s orders terminating the
parental rights of JB, Sr. and KB as to JB, Jr. and denying the parents’ petition to establish a
guardianship for JB, Jr. with his grandparents AB and SB as guardians.
JB, Sr. argues that (1) the juvenile court erroneously considered the child’s best interest
under RCW 13.34.190(1)(b) before making the prerequisite determination on parental unfitness
under RCW 13.34.180; (2) substantial evidence does not support the juvenile court’s findings of
fact related to RCW 13.34.180(1)(f); (3) substantial evidence does not support the juvenile
court’s findings that termination is in the child’s best interest; (4) the juvenile court erred by not
making a specific finding that a guardianship generally was not in the child’s best interest; (5)
the juvenile court erred by not considering JB, Jr.’s Indian heritage; (6) the juvenile court
violated the separation of powers doctrine by accessing the Judicial Information System; and (7)
the juvenile court violated the appearance of fairness doctrine.
In the published portion of this opinion, we hold that in a hybrid termination and
guardianship proceeding, where the only contested issues are whether “continuation of the parent
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and child relationship clearly diminishes the child’s prospects for early integration into a stable
and permanent home,” RCW 13.34.180(1)(f), and whether a guardianship or termination is in the
child’s best interest, the juvenile court does not err by considering the proposed guardianship
placement or the child’s potential adoptive home in determining whether termination factor (f),
regarding “early integration,” has been established. Even though these considerations implicitly
touch on the child’s best interest, examination of that evidence is proper at this stage.
In the unpublished portion of this opinion, we hold that the juvenile court did not err in its
findings of fact and conclusions of law and that it did not violate the separation of powers or
appearance of fairness doctrines. We decline to consider whether the juvenile court erred in
failing to consider JB, Jr.’s Indian heritage generally, because this issue was not sufficiently
raised to the trial court. RAP 2.5(a).
Accordingly, we affirm.
FACTS
On November 12, 2012, JB, Jr. was born to JB, Sr., his father, and KB, his mother. On
September 25, 2013, the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) filed a petition for
the dependency of JB, Jr. after KB was arrested for shoplifting and the parents were found to be
using methamphetamine and heroin. On November 13, the juvenile court entered an order of
dependency, removed JB, Jr. from the parents’ home, and placed him with KB’s relative. In
June 2014, KB’s relative could no longer take care of JB, Jr., and he was placed in foster care,
where he remains.
DSHS subsequently filed for termination of parental rights, alleging that all required
services had been offered to the parents, that the parents made little or no attempt to correct their
parental deficiencies through the services, and that the parents made little or no attempt to visit
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their child regularly, among other matters. In response, the parents petitioned the court to
establish a guardianship for JB, Jr. with the grandparents, AB and SB, as guardians. DSHS
opposed the guardianship. The guardianship and termination matters were consolidated for
trial.1
Upon the conclusion of trial, the juvenile court simultaneously entered a termination
order and a guardianship order with findings of fact and conclusions of law. The orders first
established that the parents stipulated to five of the required elements to either establish
termination or a guardianship. Compare RCW 13.34.180(1)(a)-(e) with RCW
13.36.040(2)(c)(i)-(v). In its termination order, the juvenile court determined that the
termination element of RCW 13.34.180(1)(f)—that continuation of the parent and child
relationship clearly diminishes the child’s prospects for early integration into a stable and
permanent home—was met. It further found that the termination, not the proposed guardianship,
was in JB, Jr.’s best interest. In pertinent part, the termination order reads:
[Finding of Fact] IV
There is little likelihood that conditions will be remedied so that the above-
named child can be returned to the parents in the near future. [KB] is currently unfit
to parent the child. . . . She has acknowledged that she is not able to care for her
child due to her own issues and wants the child to be placed in a guardianship.
[JB, Sr.] is currently unfit to parent the child. . . . He has acknowledged that
he is not able to care for his child due to his own issues and wants the child to be
placed in a guardianship.
[Finding of Fact] VII
Continuance of the parent-child relationship clearly diminishes the child’s
prospects for early integration into a stable and permanent home. The Department
can prove this element in one of two ways. In re Welfare of R.H, 176 Wash. App.
1
In the unpublished portion of our opinion, we analyze the evidence and proceedings of this trial
in greater detail.
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419, 428, 309 P.3d 620 (2013). First, the Department can prove that prospects for
a permanent home exist but the parent-child relationship prevents the child from
obtaining that placement. Second, the Department can prove the parent-child
relationship has a damaging and destabilizing effect on the child that would
negatively impact the child's integration into any permanent and stable placement.
A guardianship is material under R.H. as to whether the Department has established
this element. The parents have filed a guardianship petition . . . naming [AB] and
[SB] as proposed guardians, and the court has reviewed RCW 13.36 and the case
law on this statute.
....
Children already being in the [grandparents’] home is not the standard.
Removing children from a home versus establishing a guardianship is not the same
thing. No parent or custodian is perfect, but the home must be safe and stable for
children. The court does find that the [parents and grandparents] are family and
that they love [JB, Jr.]. Family is important. But, the court is not convinced that
the[y] have the skills necessary to care for the child or that they have a home that
is appropriate for the child.
....
The child, [JB, Jr.] is a toddler and has been in foster care placements with
maternal relatives and then his current placement the majority of his life. He has
been in his current placement for a year, and it is safe, stable and appropriate. This
placement is meeting his needs and is a potential adoptive home. The Department
has proven that prospects for a permanent home exist but that the parent-child
relationship prevents the child from obtaining that placement. The only option for
a permanent, safe and stable home for the child is by an adoption. That home will
not be able to adopt [JB, Jr.] if the parents retain their parental rights.
[Finding of Fact] VIII
An order terminating all parental rights is in the best interests of the minor
child. [JB, Jr.] needs a permanent and stable home and his current placement is
safe, stable and appropriate. [KB] and [JB, Sr.] have not been able to care for this
child and indicated that they wanted [AB and SB] to care for the child. The needs
of the child are being met by the current home for the child, and not by the parents.
....
[Conclusion of Law] II
That it would be in the best interest of the minor child, including the child’s
health and safety, that the parent-child relationship between the above-named child
and [KB] mother, and [JB, Sr.], father, be terminated and that the child be placed
in the custody of the [DSHS] for placement as best suits the needs of the child.
....
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[Conclusion of Law] IV
That an order terminating the parent and child relationship between [KB],
mother. [JB, Sr.], father and [JB, Jr.], child, is in the best interests of the child. An
order establishing a guardianship under RCW 13.36 is not in the best interests of
the child.
Clerk’s Papers (CP) at 97-99. The juvenile court’s guardianship order substantially mirrored the
above findings and conclusions.
JB, Sr. appeals.
ANALYSIS
JB, Sr. argues that the juvenile court erroneously considered the child’s best interest
under RCW 13.34.190(1)(b) before making the prerequisite determination on parental unfitness
under RCW 13.34.180. We disagree.
Under RCW 13.34.180, a party seeking termination of a parent-child relationship must
establish the following:
(a) That the child has been found to be a dependent child;
(b) That the court has entered a dispositional order pursuant to RCW 13.34.130;
(c) That the child has been removed or will, at the time of the hearing, have been
removed from the custody of the parent for a period of at least six months pursuant
to a finding of dependency;
(d) That the services ordered under RCW 13.34.136 have been expressly and
understandably offered or provided and all necessary services, reasonably
available, capable of correcting the parental deficiencies within the foreseeable
future have been expressly and understandably offered or provided;
(e) That there is little likelihood that conditions will be remedied so that the child
can be returned to the parent in the near future.
....
(f) That continuation of the parent and child relationship clearly diminishes the
child’s prospects for early integration into a stable and permanent home.
In addition, a court must also find that termination “is in the best interests of the child.” RCW
13.34.190(1)(b).
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In support of his argument, JB, Sr. cites In re Welfare of A.B., 168 Wash. 2d 908, 911, 232
P.3d 1104 (2010), where the court described the two-step process a juvenile court must take
before terminating parental rights:
By virtue of RCW 13.34.180(1) and RCW 13.34.190, a Washington court
uses a two-step process when deciding whether to terminate the right of a parent to
relate to his or her natural child. The first step focuses on the adequacy of the
parents and must be proved by clear, cogent, and convincing evidence. The second
step focuses on the child's best interests and need be proved by only a
preponderance of the evidence. Only if the first step is satisfied may the court reach
the second.
(Footnotes omitted.) In AB, the father argued that the juvenile court violated this two-step
process by examining AB’s best interests at the same time it was determining whether the father
was unfit. The AB court agreed because the juvenile court’s findings demonstrated that it
concurrently considered the child’s best interest and parental unfitness, stating:
In the course of deciding whether to terminate Salas' parental rights, the trial
court in this case reasoned in part that A.B. had been living with T.L. all of her life;
that A.B. was fully integrated into T.L.’s home and had not developed a significant
relationship with Salas; and “that it is in [A.B.’s] best interest to maintain a
relationship with her father and his family provided that the continuation of that
relationship does not constitute a perpetual challenge to the legitimacy of the
placement with [T.L.].” In making these and other similar statements, the trial court
was obviously focusing on A.B.’s best interests, as opposed to Salas’ current
unfitness. Accordingly, we are required to hold that the trial court reasoned
erroneously.
Id. at 926 (alterations in original) (footnotes omitted).
Unlike AB, the procedural posture in the present case involved the juvenile court making
simultaneous determinations about whether termination or a guardianship was more appropriate
for JB, Jr. In addition, the parents stipulated to five of the required elements to establish either a
termination or guardianship. Compare RCW 13.34.180(1)(a)-(e) with RCW 13.36.040(2)(c)(i)-
(v). The only remaining elements for the juvenile court to determine were whether termination
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element (f) was met, RCW 13.34.180(1)(f), and whether termination or a guardianship was in the
best interest of JB, Jr. RCW 13.34.190(1)(b); RCW 13.36.040(2)(a).
Termination element (f) implicitly touches on the best interest of the child standard. To
establish element (f), DSHS must show “[t]hat continuation of the parent and child relationship
clearly diminishes the child’s prospects for early integration into a stable and permanent home.”
RCW 13.34.180(1)(f). It can prove this in two ways. First,
[t]he State can prove prospects for a permanent home exist but the parent-child
relationship prevents the child from obtaining that placement. Alternatively, the
State can prove the parent-child relationship has a damaging and destabilizing
effect on the child that would negatively impact the child’s integration into any
permanent and stable placement.
In re Welfare of R.H., 176 Wash. App. 419, 428, 309 P.3d 620 (2013) (citations omitted). Both
ways of proving element (f) contemplate the availability of a permanent and stable home for the
child. To that extent, termination element (f) measures parental unfitness by examining whether
the parental relationship impedes the child’s welfare by diminishing its chances of entering into
an enduring home. This directly involves consideration of the child’s best interests.
Further, if a party petitions the juvenile court to place a child with guardians, the court
should weigh the potential guardianship in calculating whether termination element (f) has been
established. As we noted in R.H., 176 Wash. App. at 428-29,
The availability of a guardianship placement is material to determining whether the
State can prove either of these means of satisfying RCW 13.34.180(1)(f).
....
[T]he availability of a guardianship is evidence that the trial court should consider
when determining whether the State has met its burden to prove RCW
13.34.180(1)(f).
A juvenile court can only order a guardianship if it is in the child’s best interests. RCW
13.36.040(2)(a). In making this determination, the juvenile court considers
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the strength and nature of the parent and child bond, the benefit of continued
contact with the parent or the extended family, the need for continued State
involvement and services, and the likelihood that the child may be adopted if
parental rights are terminated.
In re Welfare of A.W., 182 Wash. 2d 689, 711-12, 344 P.3d 1186 (2015) (emphasis added).
Thus, when the juvenile court considers whether termination element (f) has been
established, R.H. allows it to consider the proposed potential guardianship. R.H., 176 Wash. App.
at 428-29. In turn, that guardianship can only be established by determining whether it is in the
child’s best interest, which requires consideration of the parent-child bond and the potential
adoptive home. Id.; A.W., 182 Wash. 2d at 711-12. Coming full circle, when a juvenile court
determines whether element (f) is established, it necessarily considers to some degree what is in
the child’s best interest. Cf. In re Dependency of K.D.S., 176 Wash. 2d 644, 656, 294 P.3d 695
(2013).
Under these principles, when the juvenile court in the present case was determining
whether termination element (f) was met, it was permitted to consider the prospects of JB, Jr.’s
current foster home placement and the grandparents’ suitability as guardians. In addition, the
implicit consideration of the best interests of JB, Jr. in the juvenile court’s determination whether
DSHS established termination element (f) does not run afoul of the two-step process outlined in
A.B. In A.B., 168 Wash. 2d at 926-27, the juvenile court’s findings explicitly considered the child’s
best interest when determining parental unfitness under RCW 13.34.180. In contrast to A.B., the
juvenile court here recognized that the parents were unfit first. In finding four, it noted that both
parents are “unfit” and “not able to care for [their] child,” but wanted JB, Jr. to be placed with
the grandparents as guardians. CP at 97. In finding seven, the juvenile court ruled that
termination element (f) had been met because the grandparents were unsuitable as guardians and
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that the parents would interfere with the prospect of the stable adoptive home—both proper
considerations under R.H.. With the hybrid nature of this termination and guardianship
proceeding, we cannot say that the court’s findings erroneously focused on JB, Jr.’s interest,
given the inherent overlap between termination element (f) and what will be in the child’s best
interest. Accordingly, JB, Sr.’s claim fails, and we affirm the juvenile court.
A majority of the panel having determined that only the foregoing portion of this opinion will
be printed in the Washington Appellate Reports and that the remainder shall be filed for public record
pursuant to RCW 2.06.040, it is so ordered.
ADDITIONAL FACTS
I. EVIDENCE RELATED TO TERMINATION AND GUARDIANSHIP
At the bench trial, numerous witnesses testified, including the parents, grandparents, and
an amalgam of DSHS employees. Their testimony established the facts detailed below.
1. Parents’ Fitness
Pursuant to a dependency dispositional order, the parents were ordered, among other
things, to participate in urinary analyses, drug and alcohol assessments, and parenting classes.
Both parents made little to no progress with the court-ordered requirements. Although the
parents were permitted visitation during the dependency, they very sporadically visited JB, Jr.
When they did visit him, they appeared to be under the influence of drugs or very tired. At the
time of the termination hearing, the parents had active warrants for their arrest.
2. Proposed Guardianship
The grandparents had prior criminal histories and had been involved with DSHS. They
failed to submit required personal statements to DSHS explaining what they had done to ensure
these issues did not reoccur. The grandparents also allowed the parents to live in their residence
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while doing drugs. In 2014 a conflict between the grandparents arose, resulting in issuance of a
domestic violence no contact order against AB, protecting SB. On a surprise visit to do a walk-
through of the grandparents’ home, witnesses testified that the home smelled of animal urine and
feces, some of the rooms had exposed wires, and the floor was covered with clutter and soiled
diapers. An unidentified person was observed sleeping in one of the bedrooms. The bedroom of
MV—SB’s child, who is a youth registered sex offender living with the grandparents—was
observed without a functioning or properly set up alarm. MV’s sex offender status required the
grandparents to have this alarm properly set up and functioning.
3. Potential Adoptive Parents
At the time of trial, JB, Jr. had been living with his foster parents for a year. The foster
parents completed the home study process, background checks, and training in order to adopt JB,
Jr. Furthermore, they were taking care of JB, Jr.’s special needs. No issues or concerns were
reported after a DSHS visit to the foster parents’ home.
II. JUDICIAL INFORMATION SYSTEM
Midway through trial, the juvenile court stated that it might need to access the Judicial
Information System (JIS) regarding the grandparents to ascertain whether placing JB, Jr. with
them was appropriate. The JIS “is the primary information system for courts in Washington,”
providing an individual’s criminal history information and involvement in other proceedings.
https://www.courts.wa.gov/jis/. The juvenile court recognized that while RCW 2.28.2102 was
not in effect at the time of trial, it believed the statute “codifie[d] what is generally the law
anyway.” Report of Proceedings (RP) at 425, 431. Thus, the juvenile court stated it would look
2
RCW 2.28.210 allows a court to access the JIS before granting relief in a number of
proceedings including for termination and guardianship.
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at the JIS information unless any party objected. The parties and juvenile court all agreed that
the court could consider the JIS information so long as the parties were given an opportunity to
provide contextual or rebuttal evidence. The JIS information on the grandparents was admitted
as exhibits 36 and 37.
III. JUVENILE COURT’S QUESTIONING OF THE GRANDPARENTS
After the parties had finished their examinations of the grandparents, the juvenile court
took the opportunity to question both individuals.
First, the court brought out AB’s earlier testimony that while he knew MV was a sexually
aggressive youth, he did not know the details. It questioned how that could be when MV was
living in his home. The juvenile court also inquired about AB’s involvement with a third-party
custody action, referring to his early testimony that a child had been “placed” with AB. RP at
359. However, the juvenile court’s questions revealed that his characterization of that as a
placement was inappropriate when the third-party custody action had been unopposed. The
juvenile court then inquired about the character of the domestic violence no contact order entered
against him. Even though AB alleged there was no domestic violence between him and SB, the
juvenile court brought out that this type of no contact order requires a finding of domestic
violence before being issued.
As to SB, the court questioned her about the domestic violence no contact order. The
following exchange occurred:
THE COURT: You said that you filled out paper work . . . after speaking
with the court facilitator, and that she told you to put something down?
Did she tell you to lie?
SB: She didn't tell me to particularly lie, but she said I had to say something
or it wouldn't have been granted.
THE COURT: And the statement that you made for that petition was under
oath, correct?
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SB: I was never under oath. . .
THE COURT: The statement on the form that you filled out said, “this is
under penalty of perjury,” correct?
SB: Yes.
THE COURT: So you were under oath, correct?
SB: Yes, correct.
THE COURT: And the statement you made under oath was a lie; is that
correct?
SB: Correct.
RP at 473.
The juvenile court then asked SB why she did not submit certain documents to DSHS:
THE COURT: And so your statement has been that you didn’t submit [a
personal statement] because [DSHS] told you it was a waste of time, but you
continued to submit other materials.
So can you explain to me why you would find it worth your time to submit
a number of other materials, but not that particular material?
SB: Because they knew my history, so I didn’t feel that I technically had
to sit down and write out a book as to what happened in my history . . .
THE COURT: Okay.
So the reason you didn’t do it wasn’t because [DSHS] told you it was a
waste of time, but because you didn’t want to take the time to do it?”
SB: No. I would have taken the time gladly.
RP at 475-76.
The juvenile court also questioned SB about her beliefs regarding MV’s safety risks:
THE COURT: So you do or do not believe that [MV]’s a risk to your
daughters?
SB: I don’t believe that there is a safety risk to my daughters, no.
THE COURT: Well, isn’t sexual touching a safety risk?
SB: I don’t leave him unattended with my children.
THE COURT: Okay. But you . . . did not have functioning monitors on
[MV]’s room, correct?
SB: The battery was working that night before.
....
THE COURT: So it’s your testimony that just coincidentally, before they
arrived there, the battery had simply just died?
SB: Yes, because it was working the night before when I had turned it on.
RP at 478-79.
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Then, referring to SB’s earlier testimony that she would not allow DSHS into her home
on a visit in May without a witness, she and the juvenile court had the following exchange:
THE COURT: Do you own a cell phone?
SB: Yes, I do.
THE COURT: And you took a selfie with that cell phone, correct?
SB: Yes I did.
THE COURT: So it has a functioning camera on it?
SB: Yes.
THE COURT: Does it have a video camera on it?
SB: Yes.
THE COURT: Did you have that back in May?
SB: Not that phone. . .
THE COURT: Okay.
Did you have a phone back in May that had a functioning camera or video camera
on it?
SB: Yes.
THE COURT: Okay.
And it’s your testimony that you would not allow the Department into your home
in May without a witness, correct?
SB: Correct.
THE COURT: And why didn’t you simply just use your phone to record the
visit?
SB: Because I didn’t know at that time if I was allowed to or not.
RP at 479-80.
IV. WRITTEN AND ORAL RULINGS
Upon the conclusion of trial, as discussed in the published portion of our opinion, the
juvenile court simultaneously entered a termination order and a guardianship order with findings
of fact and conclusions of law. These orders established: (1) that all six elements required for
termination had been established by clear, cogent, and convincing evidence, including that
continuation of the parent and child relationship clearly diminishes JB, Jr.’s prospects for early
integration into a stable and permanent home, RCW 13.34.180(1)(f); and (2) that termination,
rather than a guardianship, was in the best interest of JB, Jr.. RCW 13.36.040(2)(a); RCW
13.34.190(1)(b).
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In its written orders and oral ruling, the juvenile court discussed the grandparents’ lack of
credibility in detail, generally finding that
[AB] and [SB] were not credible and their lack of credibility was stun[n]ing to the
court. They refused to state the truth and did not take responsibility for anything.
Instead, they minimized, denied, and avoided the truth.
CP at 96; RP (June 19, 2015) at 13. The juvenile court cited numerous examples that caused it to
find the grandparents not credible, relying in part on its own questioning. In its oral ruling, the
juvenile court talked about “pinn[ing]” SB down:
So ultimately, when I pinned [SB] down on this and asked her to be -- to
explain to me that discrepancy between why bother turning anything in, it's only
going to be a waste of time, while at the same time repeatedly turning things in -- I
think the claim was 14 or 15 efforts to turn in a background check -- when she
explained, ultimately when pinned down, she says, “Well, it would have been just
too long. It would have been a book.” I think are the words. I have quotes on that.
RP (June 19, 2015) at 25 (emphasis added). The juvenile court also recognized that the
grandparents loved JB, Jr.
ADDITIONAL ANALYSIS
I. TERMINATION/GUARDIANSHIP
JB, Sr. argues that (1) substantial evidence does not support the juvenile court’s finding
that termination element (f) was met; (2) substantial evidence does not support the juvenile
court’s finding that termination, rather than guardianship, is in the child’s best interest; (3) the
juvenile court erred by not making a finding that guardianship generally was not in the child’s
best interest; and (4) the juvenile court erred by not considering JB, Jr.’s Indian heritage. For the
reasons stated below, we hold that these claims fail.
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1. Standard of Review
We review whether substantial evidence supports the juvenile court’s findings of fact and
whether those findings support the conclusions of law. In re Welfare of L.N.B.-L., 157 Wash. App.
215, 243-44, 237 P.3d 944 (2010); In re Dependency of D.L.B., 188 Wash. App. 905, 914, 355
P.3d 345 (2015), aff’d, 186 Wash. 2d 103 (2016). Substantial evidence is evidence that would
persuade a fair-minded rational person of the truth of the declared premise. D.L.B., 188 Wn.
App. at 914. We do not reweigh the trial court evidence and defer to the juvenile court on issues
of witness credibility and persuasiveness of the evidence. Id.; In re A.V.D., 62 Wash. App. 562,
568, 815 P.2d 277 (1991). Unchallenged findings are verities on appeal. L.N.B.-L., 157 Wn.
App. at 243. We review conclusions of law that are mistakenly characterized as findings of fact
de novo. Id.
2. Legal Principles
A juvenile court may enter an order terminating all parental rights to a child if it finds the
six statutory elements in RCW 13.34.180(1) have been established by clear, cogent, and
convincing evidence. RCW 13.34.190(1)(a)(i); K.D.S., 176 Wash. 2d at 652. Clear, cogent, and
convincing evidence exists when the ultimate fact at issue is “highly probable.” K.D.S., 176
Wash. 2d at 653.
Only termination element (f) is at issue, which required DSHS to establish
[t]hat continuation of the parent and child relationship clearly diminishes the child’s
prospects for early integration into a stable and permanent home.
RCW 13.34.180(1)(f). As relevant, DSHS can prove element (f) by showing that “prospects for
a permanent home exist but the parent-child relationship prevents the child from obtaining that
placement.” R.H., 176 Wash. App. at 428. “The availability of a guardianship placement is
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material to determining whether the State can prove . . . RCW 13.34.180(1)(f).” Id. Along with
the elements in RCW 13.34.180, DSHS must also establish by a preponderance of the evidence
that termination is in the child’s best interest. RCW 13.34.190(1)(b); In re Welfare of M.R.H.,
145 Wash. App. 10, 24, 188 P.3d 510 (2008).
Similar to termination, guardianships require many of the same elements to be
established, compare RCW 13.36.040(2)(c)(i)-(v) with RCW 13.34.180(1)(a)-(e), including that
a guardianship is in the child’s best interest—the only guardianship element disputed in this
appeal. RCW 13.36.040(2)(a). Thus, when a termination and guardianship petition are being
pursued simultaneously, the juvenile court determines whether a preponderance of the evidence
establishes termination or guardianship to be in the child’s best interest.
In determining the child’s best interest, the juvenile court must “decide each case on its
own facts and circumstances.” A.W., 182 Wash. 2d at 711. Some factors a juvenile court can
consider are the qualifications of the proposed guardians, the strength and nature of the parent
and child bond, the benefit of continued contact with the parent or the extended family, the need
for continued DSHS involvement and services, and the likelihood that the child may be adopted
if parental rights are terminated. Id. at 711-12; In re Dependency of A.C., 123 Wash. App. 244,
254-55, 98 P.3d 89 (2004). “Where the parent’s interests conflict with the child’s rights to basic
nurturing, physical health, and safety, the rights of the child prevail.” A.W., 182 Wash. 2d at 712.
3. Termination Element (f)
JB, Sr. assigns error to the juvenile court’s finding seven and conclusion three in the
termination order, arguing that substantial evidence does not support termination element (f),
which in turn, undermines its conclusion that DSHS established RCW 13.34.180(1)(f) by clear,
cogent, and convincing evidence. We disagree that the juvenile court erred in these rulings.
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Here, substantial evidence supports termination element (f), that “continuation of the
parent-child relationship clearly diminishes the child’s prospects for early integration into a
stable and permanent home.” RCW 13.34.180(1)(f). The parents failed to comply with the
dependency requirements ordered by the court. They visited JB, Jr. rarely, and when they did,
appeared under the influence of drugs. At the time of trial, they had active warrants for their
arrest.
In addition, substantial evidence demonstrates that the guardianship would not lead to a
stable and permanent home. The record shows that the grandparents permitted the parents to live
at their residence while doing drugs. The grandparents failed to submit the required personal
statements to DSHS. There was also evidence of prior disputes between the grandparents, one of
which led to issuance of a domestic violence no-contact order. The record established in
addition that the grandparents’ home was unsanitary and unsafe for children.
DSHS also provided evidence that JB, Jr. has potential adoptive parents, but adoption
was prevented by the existence of the parents’ parental rights. JB, Jr. was in his foster home for
a year, and his foster parents had completed the home study process and had shown they were
able to take care of his specific needs.
For these reasons, substantial evidence supports the juvenile court’s finding seven, which
in turn, supports conclusion three, that termination element (f) was proven by clear, cogent, and
convincing evidence.
4. Best Interest of the Child
JB, Sr. assigns error to the juvenile’s court’s finding that termination of parental rights,
rather than a guardianship, was in JB, Jr.’s best interest. Because substantial evidence supports
this finding, it was not erroneous.
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No. 47903-6-II (Consolidated
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As already examined above, the parents were determined to be unfit to parent JB, Jr. by
way of their stipulation to the first five elements of termination and the substantial evidence
supporting termination element (f). Further, the record established that the proposed guardians,
the grandparents (1) allowed the parents to be around JB, Jr. while actively using drugs; (2)
failed to submit personal statements explaining their criminal history and Child Protective
Services involvement; (3) had a potential domestic dispute; and (4) maintained an unsanitary and
potentially unsafe home for children. JB, Sr. points to several pieces of evidence that weigh in
favor of establishing a guardianship, rather than termination; primarily that JB, Jr. has a strong
bond with his parents and grandparents. The juvenile court, though, recognized that the parents
and grandparents “are family and that they love [JB] Jr.” CP at 96. This demonstrates that the
juvenile court weighed the competing evidence and factors, including the family’s bond with JB,
Jr., yet still determined that termination was in the child’s best interest. We do not reexamine the
juvenile court’s weighing of competing evidence. A.V.D., 62 Wash. App. at 568.
Substantial evidence supports the juvenile court’s finding that termination of parental
rights, rather than the proposed guardianship, was in JB, Jr.’s best interest. Accordingly, the
juvenile court did not err in this ruling.
5. Finding Whether Guardianship Generally Was Not in the Child’s Best Interest
JB, Sr. next argues that the juvenile court erred because it did not make a finding that a
guardianship generally was not in the best interests of JB, Jr. and only made a finding as to the
suitability of particular guardians, the grandparents. We disagree that this was an error and hold
that the juvenile court was not required to make this generalized finding.
A juvenile court cannot enter an order of a guardianship unless specific guardians have
been proposed. Along with the juvenile court finding that a guardianship is in the child’s best
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No. 47903-6-II (Consolidated
With No. 47918-4-II)
interest, it must also determine either “the proposed guardian is qualified, appropriate, and
capable of performing the duties of guardian under RCW 13.36.050” or “[t]he proposed guardian
has signed a statement acknowledging the guardian’s rights and responsibilities toward the
child.” RCW 13.36.040(2)(b), (c)(vi) (emphasis added). Thus, the statute contemplates a
finding whether the specific, proposed guardianship would be in JB, Jr.’s best interest.3
JB, Sr. argues that A.W., 182 Wash. 2d at 712-13 supports his contention that a generalized
guardianship finding is required. In A.W., the court examined whether the juvenile court was
required to enter a finding that the specifically identified guardians were in the child’s best
interest. See Id. It answered in the negative, holding that the juvenile court’s finding that a
guardianship generally was in the child’s best interest was sufficient to satisfy RCW
13.36.040(2). Id. at 713.
Contrary to JB, Sr.’s position, the A.W. court did not further imply that a juvenile court’s
finding as to specific guardians would be insufficient. Since the elements in RCW 13.36.040
require the juvenile court to ultimately make findings about the specific proposed guardians, it
would be illogical to expand A.W.’s holding to require a generalized guardianship finding. Thus,
just as a finding of general guardianship is sufficient to satisfy RCW 13.36.040, we hold a
guardianship finding tailored to specific guardians satisfies RCW 13.36.040.
For these reasons, JB, Sr.’s claim fails.
3
Further, we have previously stressed the importance of an identified guardian in determining
whether to grant a continuance before proceeding to a trial on termination. R.H., 176 Wash. App.
at 423-24; In re Welfare of N.M., 184 Wash. App. 665, 672, 346 P.3d 762 (2014).
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No. 47903-6-II (Consolidated
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6. Indian Heritage
JB, Sr. contends that even though JB, Jr. does not qualify under the Indian Child Welfare
Act (ICWA), or the state equivalent, chapter 13.38 RCW, the juvenile court erred by not
considering his Indian heritage through AB. We decline to address the merits of this argument
because it was not raised to the juvenile court.
With exceptions not relevant to this appeal, we may refuse to review any claim of error
which was not raised in the juvenile court. RAP 2.5(a). The purpose of this rule is to afford the
juvenile court an opportunity to correct errors, which avoids unnecessary appeals and retrials. In
re Structured Settlement Payment Rights of Rapid Settlements, Ltd., 166 Wash. App. 683, 695, 271
P.3d 925 (2012). Generally, an argument neither pleaded nor argued to the juvenile court cannot
be raised for the first time on appeal. Wash. Fed. Sav. v. Klein, 177 Wash. App. 22, 29, 311 P.3d
53 (2013), review denied, 179 Wash. 2d 1019 (2014).
The ICWA applies to the placement and custody of Indian children, who must be either
(a) a member of an Indian tribe or (b) eligible for membership in an Indian tribe and the
biological child of a member of an Indian tribe. 25 U.S.C. § 1903(4); RCW 13.38.040(7). JB,
Sr. concedes that JB, Jr. does not qualify as an Indian child under these acts.4 Nonetheless, JB,
Sr. contends that the juvenile court erred by not considering JB’s Indian heritage generally. On
review of the record, however, JB, Sr. did not ask the juvenile court to consider his Indian
heritage generally in making its determinations. Nothing in JB, Sr.’s briefing, opening
statement, or closing argument to the juvenile court indicate that it should have considered this
4
JB, Sr.’s petition for guardianship stated that JB, Jr. is not an Indian child and that “federal and
Washington State Indian Child Welfare Acts do not apply to these proceedings.” CP at 341.
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No. 47903-6-II (Consolidated
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fact. Accordingly, because this issue was not raised before the juvenile court, we decline to
reach its merits.
II. JIS – SEPARATION OF POWERS
The JIS “is the primary information system for courts in Washington,” providing a
person’s criminal history and involvement in other court proceedings.
https://www.courts.wa.gov/jis/. At the time of this trial, the juvenile court did not have explicit
authority to use the JIS in termination or guardianship proceedings. However, a bill had passed
enacting RCW 2.28.210, which allows a juvenile court to access the JIS during termination and
guardianship proceedings.
Because RCW 2.28.210 was not in effect at the time of trial, JB, Sr. argues that the
juvenile court exceeded its authority and violated the separation of powers doctrine by accessing
the JIS and retrieving information about the grandparents. We disagree and hold that the
juvenile court did not violate the separation of powers doctrine.
Separation of powers is a constitutional doctrine that defines the separation between the
three branches of our state’s government, judicial, executive and legislative, granting each
branch specific and limited powers. State v. Rice, 174 Wash. 2d 884, 900, 279 P.3d 849 (2012);
State v. Moreno, 147 Wash. 2d 500, 505, 58 P.3d 265 (2002).
JB, Sr. contends that when the juvenile court looked at the JIS on its own initiative it was
either entering into the territory of the executive branch’s investigative power or the legislature’s
law making authority. We disagree on both points.
First, the juvenile court was not legislating by modifying RCW 2.28.210. Instead, it
mentioned that in the future the bill would grant it explicit authority to rely on the JIS, but stated
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No. 47903-6-II (Consolidated
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it was not in effect yet. Recognizing this, the juvenile court provided the JIS information to all
parties and asked for their consent to reading it. This does not constitute improper legislating.
Second, the juvenile court did not conduct an investigation reserved to the executive
branch. Courts are allowed to take judicial notice of certain facts. Generally courts may only
take judicial notice of a case presently before it or “in proceedings engrafted, ancillary, or
supplementary to it.” Swak v. Dep’t of Labor & Indus., 40 Wash. 2d 51, 53, 240 P.2d 560
(1952). However, under ER 201(b) a court may take judicial notice of certain adjudicative facts:
A judicially noticed fact must be one not subject to reasonable dispute in that it is
either (1) generally known within the territorial jurisdiction of the trial court or (2)
capable of accurate and ready determination by resort to sources whose accuracy
cannot reasonably be questioned.
The legislature established the JIS as an “automated, centralized, statewide information system
that serves the state courts,” and a committee regulates its functions. GR 31(c)(7); see also
chapter 2.68 RCW; https://www.courts.wa.gov/jis/. Even though RCW 2.28.210 was not in
effect, JB, Sr. cites to nothing that would indicate that the juvenile court was restricted from
utilizing the JIS. In fact, at the time of trial, the legislature had allowed juvenile courts to access
the JIS in actions for child custody by nonparents. RCW 26.10.135(1); see also In re Welfare of
R.S.G., 172 Wash. App. 230, 248, 289 P.3d 708 (2012). Thus, no evidence suggests that the JIS’s
accuracy could reasonably be questioned.
The JIS allowed the juvenile court to ascertain the criminal histories and other
proceedings involving the grandparents, which were generally not disputed throughout the trial.
The juvenile court also gave the parties an opportunity to object or explain the information
contained in the JIS, which implicitly served as “be[ing] heard as to the propriety of taking
judicial notice and the tenor of the matter noticed.” ER 201(e). Thus, this information was
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No. 47903-6-II (Consolidated
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capable of accurate and ready determination. Because the JIS and the information contained
within satisfied ER 201(b), the juvenile court did not conduct an improper executive
investigation.
Accordingly, because the juvenile court was neither impinging into the legislative or
executive branch, no separation of powers violation occurred.
III. APPEARANCE OF FAIRNESS
Finally, JB, Sr. contends that the juvenile court violated the appearance of fairness
doctrine on three bases: (1) its initiative into looking at the JIS; (2) its “scathing” cross
examinations of the grandparents; and (3) its unnecessarily harsh rulings and findings of fact.
Br. of Appellant at 44. For the reasons discussed below, we hold that the juvenile court did not
violate this doctrine.
1. Legal Principles
Under the appearance of fairness doctrine a judicial proceeding is invalid if a reasonably
prudent, disinterested observer would conclude that a party did not obtain a fair, impartial, and
neutral hearing. In re Marriage of Wallace, 111 Wash. App. 697, 706, 45 P.3d 1131 (2002).
Prejudice is not presumed, and some evidence must be presented of a judge’s actual or potential
bias. Id. This evidence of a bias can take the form of an independent investigation, State v.
Madry, 8 Wash. App. 61, 70, 504 P.2d 1156 (1972), or disparaging comments. See In re
Dependency of O.J., 88 Wash. App. 690, 697, 947 P.2d 252 (1997). The entire record should be
considered cumulatively when determining if an observer would perceive bias. See In re
Disciplinary Proceeding Against Burtch, 162 Wash. 2d 873, 888, 175 P.3d 1070 (2008).
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No. 47903-6-II (Consolidated
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2. Judicial Information System
JB, Sr. argues that the juvenile court’s initiative in looking at the JIS made it appear
biased or unfair. We disagree.
As discussed above, the juvenile court’s examination of the JIS was not improper,
because it was not acting under a misreading of the statute and sought and obtained consent from
all parties before its examination of the JIS. In Madry, 8 Wash. App. at 63-66, 70, the trial court,
while presiding over the defendant’s criminal proceedings, actively investigated how frequently
the defendant’s hotel was involved with prostitution. The alleged prostitution had nothing to do
with the charges against the defendant, yet the trial court relied on that investigative evidence in
sentencing the defendant. Id. at 65-66, 70. Thus, the Madry court found that the appearance of
fairness doctrine was violated. Id. at 70.
Here, the independent investigation aspect was not unfair because it allowed the parties to
provide context to information within the JIS, required their consent, and generally did not
introduce new issues before the court. In contrast with Madry, where the judge actively
investigated matters completely divorced from the case at hand, the juvenile court simply sought
clarification of the grandparents’ past criminal and case histories that were already brought out in
trial.
Accordingly, the juvenile court’s use of the JIS did not create an appearance of bias or
unfairness.
3. Questioning of Grandparents
Next, JB, Sr. argues that the juvenile court’s examinations of the grandparents created an
appearance of bias. We disagree.
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No. 47903-6-II (Consolidated
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The juvenile court’s questioning of AB and SB covered numerous topics. As to AB, the
court highlighted (1) his inability to understand MV’s status as a sexually aggressive youth; (2)
his deception as to his qualification in the third-party custody action; and (3) his inability to
comprehend the nature of a domestic violence no-contact order. As to SB, the court (1) pressed
SB into stating that she lied to get the no-contact order; (2) pointed out that SB was willing to
submit some materials to DSHS, but that she considered the personal statement a waste of time;
(3) pressed SB to admit whether she believed MV was a safety risk; (4) highlighted SB’s earlier
testimony that the battery for MV’s monitor had coincidentally died the night before; and (5)
inquired into SB’s refusal to allow DSHS to enter into her home without a witness when she
simply could have used her phone to record the event.
Although we do recognize the juvenile court’s extensive line of questioning and
comments bordered on cross-examination, it did not reach the threshold to violate the appearance
of fairness doctrine. In Wallace, 111 Wash. App. at 704-06, the court held that the trial court did
not violate the appearance of fairness when it engaged in a brief line of questioning of the
husband in a divorce proceeding. The court’s questioning of the husband allowed it to clarify the
legal implication of the husband’s position, which would make valueless a piece of land the court
was about to assign his wife. Id. at 704-05. The Wallace court reasoned that such an inquiry
was proper because the court was just pointing out the “inevitable legal consequences of [the
husband]’s position.” Id. at 706.
In a similar vein as Wallace, the juvenile court’s purpose was to clarify some of AB’s and
SB’s earlier testimony rather than to impeach them. We agree that the juvenile court’s actions
approached the threshold of an appearance of fairness violation. However, a juvenile court must
be afforded room to openly talk with families and get to the truth. In a proceeding that involved
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No. 47903-6-II (Consolidated
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determining whether the child’s interest was best served by having the grandparents as guardians
or terminating the parent-child relationship altogether, the juvenile court had a delicate and
important task at hand. Given this context, bridling its ability to discern the truth may only have
impeded its ability to determine what was in JB, Jr.’s best interests. Accordingly, this claim
fails.
4. Rulings and Findings of Fact
JB, Sr. contends that the juvenile court’s rulings and findings of fact rose to the level of
an appearance of bias or unfairness. We disagree.
The only comments that were questionable were the juvenile court’s description of the
grandparents’ lack of credibility as “stun[n]ing,” CP at 96, and its discussion of “pinn[ing]” SB
down. RP (June 19, 2015) at 25. In O.J., 88 Wn. App at 697, the trial court stated that leaving
the kids with their mother would “handicap[]” them. In finding no appearance of fairness
violation, the O.J. court focused on putting the potentially disparaging comment into context,
which showed an “awareness of and sympathy” despite a strong finding against the mother. Id.
Here, the juvenile court also recognized that the parents and grandparents “are family and that
they love [JB, Jr.].” CP at 96. Consistently with O.J., we believe any appearance of unfairness
caused by the “stunning” and “pinning” comments was ameliorated by the court’s demonstration
of empathy for the grandparents.
Given this, and for the other reasons stated above, the juvenile court did not violate the
appearance of fairness doctrine.
CONCLUSION
In the unpublished portion of this opinion, we hold that the juvenile court did not err in its
findings or conclusions and that it did not violate the separation of powers or the appearance of
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No. 47903-6-II (Consolidated
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fairness doctrines. We decline to consider JB, Sr.’s contention that the juvenile court should
have considered JB, Jr.’s Indian heritage more broadly than the ICWA requires.
For these reasons, and for the reasons set out in the published portion of this opinion, we
affirm.
BJORGEN, C.J.
We concur:
JOHANSON, J.
MAXA, J.
27