Longtime KDDK partner John E. Hegeman dies
Longtime partner John E. Hegeman of Kahn, Dees, Donovan & Kahn in Evansville died Friday at Walnut Creek Center, the firm announced Saturday.
Adoption
Articles
COA affirms award of custody to non-surrogate mother, against father
A father fighting against the award of custody of his child to his ex-wife did not convince the Indiana Court of Appeals that a mistake had been made.
First impression: Adoption doesn’t sever biological family trust beneficiary rights
Three children who were provided for under terms of a trust established for their father by their great-grandmother remain entitled to their share of proceeds despite their adoption out of the family, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday.
COA dismisses man’s appeal in adoption dispute
A man seeking to adopt his ex-wife’s child had his case dismissed by the Indiana Court of Appeals on Monday after it found no indication that he sought certification from the trial court or permission from the appellate court to file a discretionary interlocutory appeal, among other things.
Justices to hear dispute over same-sex foster parents
The U.S. Supreme Court said Monday it will hear a dispute over a Philadelphia Catholic agency that won’t place foster children with same-sex couples, a big test of religious rights on a more conservative court.
COA: Parents have no say in child’s adoption placement after TPR
A mother and father whose parental rights were terminated did not persuade the Indiana Court of Appeals to reverse the termination because they were deprived of the right to determine their child’s adoptive placement.
Justices, split 3-2, reject Facebook harassment, casino revenue cases
A mother who made threatening statements toward law enforcement on Facebook after the death of her son will not have her case heard by the Indiana Supreme Court, although two justices voted to grant transfer in the case. Justices also rejected two other appeals on a 3-2 vote.
Supreme Court reverses in dispute over implied adoption consent
A unanimous Indiana Supreme Court has reversed an adoption, holding that a parent’s implied consent to the adoption may not be based solely on their failure to appear at a single hearing. In doing so, justices unanimously agreed with the dissenting judge in a divided Indiana Court of Appeals ruling.
Native American adoption dispute puts decades-old statute on defensive
The effort that Indiana joined to overturn the Indian Child Welfare Act, which seeks to preserve Native American families, is headed for another round in appellate court as the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals prepares for a rehearing en banc following a lower court’s ruling that the 40-plus-year-old federal statute was unconstitutional.
Pair could face new charges in Tippecanoe County neglect case
Prosecutors are looking to file four additional charges against an Indiana couple accused of abandoning their adopted daughter. Michael and Kristine Barnett, who were charged in September with two counts of neglect of a dependent, now possibly face six to 20 years in prison if convicted.
Findings not made to dispense with biological father’s adoption consent
The Indiana Court of Appeals has remanded a granted adoption petition after finding a trial court failed to make findings that would allow for the children’s biological father’s consent to be dispensed with.
Father who says he didn’t know about adoption loses appeal
A father who claimed to have no notice of the adoption of his child has lost his appeal of a denied motion for relief.
Court to rehear law on adoptions of Native American children
A federal appeals court announced Thursday that it will take a second look at an emotionally fraught lawsuit governing the adoption of Native American children. Texas, Indiana and Louisiana have also joined the lawsuit, siding with the would-be adoptive families.
Indiana abandonment case gag order now includes adopted girl
A judge has expanded a gag order in the case of a couple accused of abandoning their adopted daughter in Indiana and moving to Canada.
Cameras to capture November National Adoption Day proceedings
Hoosier families celebrating National Adoption Day will have the opportunity to capture special moments through the lens of a camera. The Indiana Supreme Court announced its authorization of cameras in court for uncontested adoptions during the month of November, allowing photography and video of the adoption proceedings.
Gag order issued for couple accused of leaving adopted girl
A judge in Lafayette has issued a gag order in the case of a couple accused of abandoning their adopted daughter in Indiana and moving to Canada.
Adoption decree reversed over finding that mom’s consent not required
The Indiana Court of Appeals on Thursday reversed and vacated an adoption petition for a 4-year-old Greene County child, finding the trial court erred in determining that the mother’s consent to the adoption by the child’s father and stepmother was not required.
2 accused of abandoning adopted girl appear in Indiana court
A couple accused of abandoning their adopted daughter in an Indiana apartment and moving to Canada have made their first court appearance. A Tippecanoe County judge entered not guilty pleas Friday on behalf 43-year-old Michael Barnett and 45-year-old Kristine Barnett.
Indiana couple accused of ditching adopted girl, moving to Canada
Indiana prosecutors have charged a couple with abandoning their adopted daughter in 2013 and moving to Canada, renting an apartment in Lafayette for the then-11-year-old girl but otherwise leaving her to fend for herself. Prosecutors in Tippecanoe County filed neglect charges Wednesday against 45-year-old Kristine Elizabeth Barnett and 43-year-old Michael Barnett.
Split COA affirms adoption without father’s consent
A divided Indiana Court of Appeals has affirmed a Morgan County adoption decree over a father’s objections, finding his consent was irrevocably implied due to his failure to appear at a final hearing.