Sept. 29, 2026

No. 26A-JP-212

Appeal from Hancock Circuit Court, Magistrate Cody B. Coombs.

Brenden Carrell appealed the trial court’s decision granting Katherine Schurman permission to relocate with their son to Pennsylvania, awarding her primary physical custody and reducing his parenting time. The court remanded the case, finding that the trial court failed to provide the necessary findings and conclusions per the Special Findings Statute and misallocated the burden of proof regarding the relocation request. On remand, the court must issue an amended order with the required custody findings and reconsider the relocation decision under the correct legal standard. The request for disqualification of the magistrate was denied. Judge Foley authored the opinion, with Judges Vaidik and Altice concurring. Appellant attorney: Nathan K. Vining, Vining Legal, Indianapolis. Appellee attorney: Dorothy Ferguson, Law Office of Dorothy Ferguson, Anderson.

No. 26A-JV-645

Appeal from Gibson Circuit Court, Judge Jeffrey Meade. The court reversed T.M.’s placement in the Department of Correction following his delinquency adjudications, finding that the juvenile court incorrectly concluded it could not grant wardship to the person with whom T.M. had lived before the dispositional hearing. The court noted that placement with this individual was consistent with T.M.’s progress and best interests, and under the statute, the court had the authority to grant such a placement. The decision was influenced by a misunderstanding of the law regarding the court’s options for disposition. Judge DeBoer authored the opinion, with Judges Foley and Felix concurring. Appellant attorney: Riley L. Parr, Lebanon. Appellee attorneys: Office of the Indiana Attorney General.