Indiana Supreme Court to hear arguments in CHINS case
The Indiana Supreme Court will be hearing oral arguments in November for a child in need of services case after determining it merited a hearing.
Child in need of services
-
‘They want to be regular kids’: Bill would create ‘concurrent planning’ that pursues reunification, adoption at the same time
Under HB 1310, a permanency plan must include at least one intended permanent arrangement other than reunification. That’s a process known as “concurrent planning,” or pursuing two reunification plans at once.
Read More -
National Reunification Month: Families seek closer scrutiny of child removal process
No one ever wants to remove a child from their parents’ household.
When there are allegations of abuse or neglect in a home, child welfare officials, caseworkers and judges have to make tough, complicated decisions about what is ultimately best for the child.
Read More -
Coming home: Courts, families celebrate National Adoption Day with fanfare, emotion
Since 2012, the Indiana Supreme Court has authorized video and audio coverage of certain uncontested adoptions in recognition of National Adoption Month each November. Numerous trial courts have put together celebrations for families this year.
Read More -
Senate Bill 180 reignites conversation about direct representation for CHINS, TPR proceedings
Indiana is one of just six states that does not require counsel for children in child welfare cases in any situation, according to the National Association of Counsel for Children. Although Indiana Code § 31-32-4-2 does give state court judges the discretion to appoint counsel for children in child welfare cases, stakeholders say the Hoosier State could be forced to implement a direct representation program either through lawsuits filed by national children’s rights organization or federal legislation that Congress is considering.
Read More
Articles
Court of Appeals reverses trial court decision on guardianship of minors under CHINS
The Indiana Court of Appeals reversed a trial court ruling removing permanent guardianship from the mother of two minors because the proceedings did not satisfy due process, Court of Appeals Judge Dana Kenworthy wrote in an opinion Monday.
Finding foster parents is a challenge, Indiana advocates say
In the 2022 fiscal year, 570,000 children across the United States were served by the foster care system. Of that number, 19,201 children were served in Indiana.
Child welfare bills signed by Holcomb following end of legislative session
Gov. Eric Holcomb has signed several bills into law following the Indiana General Assembly’s adjournment Friday night. Several of those bills make adjustments to children in need of services, with one going into effect upon passage.
Citing religious, parental rights, Hoosier couple asks SCOTUS for relief after trans child was removed
An Indiana Catholic couple is asking U.S. Supreme Court to take their case after their transgender child was taken from their home because the parents would not use the child’s preferred pronouns.
No error in granting custody to grandmother instead of father, COA affirms
A father who lost custody of his children failed to convince the Court of Appeals of Indiana that the trial court erred by granting custody to the children’s grandmother.
2nd CHINS finding upheld, but contempt ruling against father reversed
A CHINS adjudication was not erroneous, the Court of Appeals of Indiana has ruled, but a contempt finding against a father was.
Kid-focused legislation: Proposed bills aim to improve Indiana child welfare laws
Despite 2024 being a short legislative session, Indiana lawmakers are considering dozens of bills specifically related to child welfare.
IN House committee approves bill to create new CHINS problem-solving court
The Indiana House Judiciary Committee has endorsed a bill that would establish a safe baby court as a type of problem-solving court.
Termination order affirmed at COA
The Court of Appeals of Indiana has affirmed the termination of the parental rights of two parents with severe substance abuse issues, finding the issues that led to termination wouldn’t be remedied in the near future.
State intervention needed in CHINS case due to father’s OWI convictions, alcohol issues, COA affirms
A father’s multiple arrests and alcohol abuse issues necessitated removing his three children from his home and placing them with their maternal grandmother, the Court of Appeals of Indiana affirmed Tuesday.
Termination of mother’s rights reversed for insufficient service
Orders terminating a mother’s parental rights were void for lack of personal jurisdiction because the Indiana Department of Child Services didn’t properly serve the mother, the Court of Appeals of Indiana has ruled.
COA reverses dismissal of CHINS case based on ‘absurd assertion’ that coercive intervention was no longer necessary
In a case accusing both the trial judge and the Indiana Department of Child Services of “inexplicably ignor(ing)” the best interests of a child, the Court of Appeals of Indiana has reversed the dismissal of the CHINS case.
DCS says discovery production complete in case of 4-year-old who was killed, but director’s email wasn’t searched
Indiana Department of Child Services Director Eric Miller’s email was not part of a batch of documents produced in a case involving a child who was killed after the department placed him in his parents’ home, the director repeated at a contempt hearing.
Parents’ substance abuse issues necessitate CHINS designation for child, COA affirms
A special needs toddler had been endangered by his parents’ methamphetamine use and a trial court correctly adjudicated the boy as a child in need of services, the Court of Appeals of Indiana ruled Friday in affirming the court’s judgment.
COA dismisses improperly filed appeal in child placement case
An incarcerated father seeking to modify the placement of his child failed to properly file his appeal and left the Court of Appeals of Indiana without appellate jurisdiction, the court ruled Thursday in dismissing the appeal.
New family domestic violence court launched in Allen County
The Allen Superior Court has launched a new family domestic violence problem-solving court. The Family Domestic Violence Court is meant to provide support, recovery and services to survivors and perpetrators of domestic violence and their families.
Bill to give teens counsel in CHINS, TPR cases stays in House Judiciary Committee after testimony
The Indiana House Judiciary Committee is considering an amendment that would allow for the appointment of counsel to certain kids in child in need of services or termination of parental rights cases.
DCS settles for $1.375M with couple who claimed children were wrongfully removed from home
The Indiana Department of Child Services has reached a $1.375 million settlement with an Indianapolis couple who said the department violated their constitutional rights when it wrongfully took their two children from their home.
IN justices provide clarity on discretionary interlocutory appeals in opinion
In the second published opinion written by Indiana Supreme Court Justice Derek Molter on Wednesday, justices addressed a procedural issue regarding discretionary interlocutory appeals and orders in limine.