Opinions August 14, 2024
Indiana Court of Appeals
In the Matter of the Paternity of E.B.K.; Genesis E. Palma v. Zachary K. Keown
23A-JP-2316
Juvenile paternity. Reverses the Warrick Superior Court’s grant of a modification of custody regarding E.K., which was filed by Zachary Keown. Finds that the mother’s due process rights were violated by the extraordinary delays in conducting the final custody hearings and by the trial court’s denial of mother’s discovery requests to the guardian ad litem. Also finds the mother has demonstrated that the trial court failed to find a proper substantial change in circumstances and erred by granting the petition. Remands and returns the parties to their joint legal and physical custody agreement, which was in effect before the temporary emergency custody order was entered. Judge Terry Crone dissents with a separate opinion.