M. K. R., In Interest of

• Decision Date: 12 November 1974
• Docket Number: No. 58545,58545
• Citation: 515 S.W.2d 467
• Parties: In the Interest of M.K.R., a child, Appellant.
• Court: Missouri Supreme Court

Page 467

515 S.W.2d 467

In the Interest of M.K.R., a child, Appellant.

No. 58545.

Supreme Court of Missouri, En Banc.

Nov. 12, 1974.

Allan F. Stewart, Clayton, guardian ad litem, for appellant; Jesse A. Goldner, St. Louis, of Counsel.

Frank Susman, Barry S. Schermer, Susman, Schermer, Willer & Rimmel, St. Louis, for respondent.

Huger & Cramer, Bernard C. Huger, St. Louis, for Catholic Charities of St. Louis.

Richard J. Habiger, Richard L. North, Wendy W. Schiller, St. Louis, for National Juvenile Law Center.

HENLEY, Judge.

This is an appeal from a judgment of the juvenile division of the circuit court of St. Louis county authorizing sterilization by surgical procedure of M.K.R., a mentally-deficient female child.

While the appeal was directed to this court on the ground the case presented issues involving construction of the constitution of the United States and the constitution of this state, counsel for appellant in his reply brief tacitly concedes that these issues were not raised in time to invoke the limited appellate jurisdiction of this court (with which we agree), but he insists that the case should be retained here and that all the issues be decided. We retain and decide the case, because of the general interest and importance of a question it presents involving the jurisdiction of the juvenile court, ¹ but do not reach the constitutional issues.

The action was commenced by M.A.R., (petitioner), mother of the child, filing a petition in the juvenile division of the circuit court in which she asked the court to 'approve an abdominal hysterectomy to be performed' on M.K.R. (appellant), then age 13 years. The allegations of the petition are, in substance, that M.K.R. was born of the marriage of petitioner and R.J.R., and that her custody and care was awarded petitioner in a decree of divorce; that the child is mentally retarded and unable to care for herself; that M.K.R. is a student at a Learning Center and that the personnel in charge of the Center have recommended sterilization to avoid possible pregnancy; that petitioner believes sterilization would be in the best interest of her child. The father has filed his written consent to performance of the requested operation.

An attorney and guardian ad litem was appointed by the juvenile court to represent the child and he and his successor have diligently endeavored to preserve and protect the natural interests and legal rights of the child insofar as the judgment sought by the mother could be adverse to and infringe upon those interests and rights.

Evidence was heard on three days, January 15, February 23 and December 12, 1973. The child appeared in person during a part of one day, and by her attorney-guardian ad litem throughout the proceedings. When the trial judge entered the judgment from which this appeal is taken, he made and filed detailed findings of fact and conclusions of law. The evidence is ample to support his findings that, inter alia, M.K.R., has Trisomy 22, an extra chromosome in the 22 series, an intelligence quotient of approximately 50, and severe learning, emotional, neuromuscular and motor problems; that she has problems with her bladder and bowels and is unable to care for herself; that she is unable to understand and care for herself during menstrual periods; that she is 'overly friendly,' her behavioral patterns are unpredictable, and she is faced with the constant threat of being assaulted and ravished; that should she become pregnant 'there is a strong likelihood * * * (her) child would also be abnormal,' and because of her mental retardation she would be unable to care for her child. Based on these findings, the trial judge concluded that sterilization 'would be conducive to the child's welfare and to the best interests of the state.'

Before we discuss the question the answer to which decides this case, we recognize, briefly, and answer in a few words, what is posed in petitioner's argument as a 'hard-core' question: 'Is this * * * court prepared to single out sterilization from * * * the * * * other medical and surgical procedures * * * which parents daily consent (to) and obtain for the benefit of their minor children * * * (and thereby presume) to second guess the best judgment of the child's own mother, a judgment * * * based upon sound medical evidence * * *?' The answer is 'no.' It is the petitioner who has singled out sterilization from those other surgical procedures and asked the courts to 'authorize,' or put what petitioner deems to be a necessary stamp of approval on her 'best judgment' as to what is necessary for her child. We do not reach the question of whether the juvenile court's judgment was supported by evidence that sterilization is necessary and in the best interest of the child unless we first determine that the court had jurisdiction to enter the judgment sought by petitioner.

The juvenile court concluded it had jurisdiction over the child and jurisdiction to authorize a sterilization operation 'pursuant to sections 211.010 to 211.431 * * *,' ² the juvenile code. Petitioner, in her brief, narrows the applicable sections of the code to § 211.011; subsection (6) of § 211.171; subsections (1)(b) and (1)(c) of § 211.031; and, subsection (4) of § 211.181. Petitioner also asserts that not only did these statutes confer jurisdiction on the court but that it '* * * also had jurisdiction to render its decree under general principles of jurisdiction (as a court of general jurisdiction with all the powers of a court of equity), all proper parties being represented and a justiciable controversy existing.'

Subsections (1)(b) and (1)(c) of § 211.031 provide that the juvenile court shall have jurisdiction of any child in the county in need of but who is without proper care, or whose behavior, environment or associations are injurious to his welfare or the welfare of others.

Section 211.181, subsection (4), provides that as to any child over which it has jurisdiction, the court may, when the child's health or condition requires it, cause him to be placed in a hospital or clinic for treatment or care.

Although § 211.011 provides that the juvenile code shall be liberally construed so as to provide such care as is necessary to the child's welfare, such construction may not be utilized to give the juvenile court jurisdiction and powers not conferred upon it by statute. Nor does § 211.171(6) give the juvenile court the powers of a court of equity, as petitioner contends. That section merely provides that the practice and procedure in that court shall be the same as that which is customary in equity proceedings. Hence, the juvenile court is not a court of general jurisdiction with all the powers of a court of equity; it is a court of limited jurisdiction with only such powers as are expressly conferred by the juvenile code. In re: A_ _ N_ _, 500 S.W.2d 284, 287(1) (Mo.App.1973); In re: M_ _, 446 S.W.2d 508, 512(3) (Mo.App.1969); In re: K.W.H., 477 S.W.2d 433, 438(5) (Mo.App.1972); State v. Taylor, 323 S.W.2d 534, 537(5) (Mo.App.1959).

In speaking to the question of jurisdiction in general, the court said in Taylor, supra, that '(e)ven a court of general jurisdiction, while engaged in the exercise of a special statutory power, is a court of limited jurisdiction and its powers are confined strictly to the authority given by statute. A juvenile court is a legal tribunal limited in its jurisdiction by the statute law which establishes it * * *.'

We conclude that the provisions of none of the sections of the juvenile code referred to by petitioner confer on the juvenile court the jurisdiction and power to order or authorize the sterilization of a child. And we find no section of the code which does. Nor for that matter do we find any constitutional or statutory provision empowering any court in this state to order the involuntary sterilization of any person. ³ We note, however, that our ruling is limited to the narrow question...