In re K.P., 061118 WVSC, 18-0048
| Party Name | In re K.P., W.P., and A.W. |
| Judge Panel | CONCURRED IN BY: Chief Justice Margaret L. Workman, Justice Robin Jean Davis, Justice Menis E. Ketchum, Justice Elizabeth D. Walker. Justice Loughry, Allen H., II suspended and therefore not participating. |
| Case Date | June 11, 2018 |
| Court | Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia |
Barbour County 16-JA-71, 72, and 75
MEMORANDUM DECISION
Petitioner Mother M.W., by counsel Ashley V. Williams-Hunt, appeals the Circuit Court of Barbour County's October 18, 2017, order terminating her parental rights to K.P., W.P., and A.W.1 The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources ("DHHR"), by counsel S.L. Evans, filed a response in support of the circuit court's order. The guardian ad litem ("guardian"), Allison C. Iapalucci, filed a response on behalf of the children in support of the circuit court's order. On appeal, petitioner argues that the circuit court erred in denying her motion for a post-dispositional improvement period and terminating her parental rights instead of employing a less-restrictive alternative.
This Court has considered the parties' briefs and the record on appeal. The facts and legal arguments are adequately presented, and the decisional process would not be significantly aided by oral argument. Upon consideration of the standard of review, the briefs, and the record presented, the Court finds no substantial question of law and no prejudicial error. For these reasons, a memorandum decision affirming the circuit court's order is appropriate under Rule 21 of the Rules of Appellate Procedure.
On September 15, 2016, the DHHR filed an abuse and neglect petition against petitioner in regard to K.P. and W.P., following an incident wherein one of the children was taken to the hospital for bruising.2 The petition also alleged that petitioner had a history of methamphetamine use and that she lived with an individual with an extensive criminal history in 2013. The petition further alleged that during the Child Protective Services ("CPS") investigation, the "information-gathering process became overrun by the involvement of the paternal grandmother." The DHHR alleged in the petition that the paternal grandmother of K.P. and W.P. filed protective orders against petitioner and other parents involved in the proceedings and that "the children have been put directly in the midst of the confrontation between the adults."
On September 26, 2016, the circuit court held a preliminary hearing at which the circuit court found that petitioner and her family members had several protective orders filed amongst them. The DHHR advised that the paternal grandmother had filed a protective order and, due to her interference with the CPS investigation, requested that she have no direct or indirect contact with the children. The circuit court granted the DHHR's motion and found that the paternal grandparents had "created many issues and obstacles." The circuit court ordered, among other things, that petitioner was "not to discuss any allegations contained within the petition with the children, " that "[t]he extended family shall have no contact or involvement in this instant case with the exception of the relative foster kinship placements, " and that if the paternal grandparents "make or attempt to make contact with the minor children, the [DHHR] shall be notified immediately."
Following the birth of petitioner's third child, A.W., the DHHR filed an amended abuse and neglect petition in regard to that child on November 9, 2016. The petition alleged that there was an ongoing abuse and neglect proceeding involving petitioner's two older children, and that the child's father was also involved in the child abuse and neglect proceedings involving A.W. On November 28, 2016, the circuit court held a preliminary hearing in regard to the abuse and neglect petition involving A.W. and an adjudicatory hearing as to all three children. Petitioner filed a voluntary stipulation to the allegations of abuse and neglect of all three children, specifically admitting to her failure to protect the children. The circuit court accepted her stipulation. At the hearing, the DHHR presented evidence that the paternal grandmother continued to interfere with the proceedings and that she posted about the case and shared pictures of the children on social media. Petitioner also informed the circuit court that she brought her two sisters and mother to a visit and that they posted pictures of the children on social media. The circuit court admonished petitioner for allowing pictures of her children to be posted on social media. The circuit court further noted that it would "take action" if it found out that any further information regarding the proceedings was disseminated. Based on this evidence, the circuit court adjudicated petitioner as an abusing parent and granted her a three-month post-adjudicatory improvement period. The circuit court further ordered that the paternal grandmother was not to have contact with the children, "of either a direct or indirect manner."
On June 14, 2017, the circuit court held a dispositional hearing at which A.W.'s father was questioned regarding a letter he sent to the circuit court alleging that petitioner discussed the case on social media, that she exposed A.W. to drug dealers and drug users, and that she was in constant contact with the paternal grandmother. Petitioner testified that she and the paternal grandmother did not get along and that she probably wanted to cause trouble for petitioner in court. Petitioner said that she had not interacted with the paternal grandmother in "many months." Additionally, petitioner testified that, to avoid any potential problems with social media, she closed her social media accounts. Lastly, petitioner testified that A.W. was around drug dealers in December of 2016 or January of 2017, but had not been around them since. Petitioner moved for a six-month post-dispositional improvement period, which the circuit court held in abeyance in order to determine the extent of the communication and contact between petitioner and the paternal grandmother.
On October 17, 2017, the circuit court held a final dispositional hearing wherein both the guardian and the DHHR moved for termination of petitioner's parental rights. Petitioner renewed her request for a post-dispositional improvement period. A CPS worker testified that petitioner failed to comply with the terms and conditions of her post-adjudicatory improvement period, specifically, that she did not obtain suitable housing for herself and her children. Additionally, the CPS worker explained that petitioner was dishonest with the multidisciplinary treatment ("MDT") team...
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