Indiana woman pleads guilty to 3 felonies in stepson’s death
A Fort Wayne woman has pleaded guilty to three felony charges in the death of her 9-year-old stepson, who died in December after suffering blunt force injuries.
Child welfare
Articles
Rehearing: COA inaccurately characterized underlying proceedings in de facto custodian case
A Fort Wayne couple trying to secure de facto custody of a child they temporarily raised in their home did not persuade the Court of Appeals of Indiana on rehearing that it should change its mind in determining the child was best suited to live with her mother, not them.
Indiana Public Defender Council offering juvenile competency training as part of juvenile justice reform efforts
The Indiana Public Defender Council is offering training next month on juvenile competency assessment and attainment programming as part of a collective effort to reform the Hoosier State’s juvenile justice system.
Hobart man faces prison in accidental shooting death of daughter, 9
A northwestern Indiana father has pleaded guilty in the 2017 fatal shooting of his 9-year-old daughter as he warned his two sons never to play with a handgun.
Child Advocates’ program provides model for direct representation
As the Legislature, agency stakeholders and foster parents restart the conversation about providing attorneys for children in child-in-need-of-services and termination of parental rights proceedings, the Child Advocates Direct Representation Program is an example of how direct representation works and what it can do.
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.
Ex-Indiana DCS case manager allegedly falsified records
A former family case manager for Indiana’s child welfare agency allegedly falsified records involving child abuse or neglect and falsely documented contact with four families.
Dad charged after body of missing girl, 2, found in river
The father of a 2-year-old girl whose body was found in a debris field in the East Fork of the White River was charged Wednesday with felony neglect of a dependent resulting in death.
DCS wins dismissal against grandmother alleging misconduct in child’s placement
Indiana’s child welfare agency has won a motion to dismiss a lawsuit filed by a grandmother alleging her criminal history was intentionally altered to prevent her grandson from living in her home.
Indiana asking 7th Circuit to review challenge to foster care system
In a case that even the district court acknowledged tested the limits of federal interference in state court matters, the Indiana Department of Child Services and Gov. Eric Holcomb are asking the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals to review the denial of their motion to dismiss a lawsuit brought by children in the foster care system.
Kids’ Voice receives state GAL/CASA certification
Kids’ Voice has met the requirements and has been certified as a GAL/CASA service provider by the state, allowing the city of Indianapolis to be partially reimbursed for the nearly three-year $5.4 million contract it awarded the nonprofit in May.
DCS wins judgment following allegations of caseworker taking unpermitted photos
The Indiana Department of Child Services won a judgment from the U.S. District Court of the Northern District of Indiana on Friday following allegations from a man who claimed a caseworker entered his home to take photos without permission, resulting in the removal of his children.
2 arrested after 4-year-old boy shot in leg in South Bend
Two people were arrested Tuesday after a 4-year-old boy shot in one of his lower legs, South Bend police said.
Denied counsel of choice, CHINS asks Supreme Court for help
Upon being retained by D.S. as counsel in his CHINS proceedings, Indianapolis attorney Rachel Roman-Lagunas visited him regularly, spoke with his family, arranged an in-person visit between him and his mother and assisted in getting him therapy. However, in an unusual turn, her advocacy has been interrupted by the trial court blocking her participation in the case.
Parents with physical, mental, legal troubles lose appeal of CHINS ruling
A mother who was twice banned from the hospitals where her son was being treated and a father who was found passed out and drunk on the lawn of their temporary housing failed in their challenge to the adjudication of the severely ill son as a child in need of services.
Ramping up for reform: Hoosier juvenile justice system gets hard look from working groups, outside data
A report from the Council of State Governments Justice Center has identified six areas for reform in Indiana’s juvenile justice system as well as six recommendations for improving that system.
Merger of GAL, CASA programs puts more eyes on kids
What began as a conversation 18 months ago culminated in May with the merger of the guardian ad litem and court appointed special advocates programs in Allen County, bringing together attorneys and volunteers to serve the abused and neglected children who are involved with the court system.
Public defenders request proposals for helping at-risk youth and families
The Indiana Public Defender Commission is calling for proposals of projects that will help improve the assistance offered to children and families involved in the child welfare system and prevent involvement altogether.
Indianapolis mom celebrates reunification with son after 10-year battle
For Keely Tackett, having her son, Baron, home was the end of a nearly 10-year struggle during which she had to continually convince the courts, social workers, therapists and sometimes even herself that she was a fit mother and could care for her oldest child.
Court: If bias rules have exceptions, faith groups qualify
Justice Samuel Alito called it a “wisp” of a decision — a Supreme Court ruling Thursday that favored Catholic Social Services in Philadelphia but was far from the constitutional gale wind that would have reshaped how courts interpret religious liberty under the First Amendment.