In re Matter of D.J.

The trial court found that the two minor children of Parents were “in need of services” under Ind. Code 31-34-1-1. Mother and Father filed separate notices of appeal challenging the child-in-need-of-services (CHINS) determination after the court held the dispositional hearing but before it entered the dispositional order. The court of appeals dismissed the appeal based on lack of jurisdiction on the grounds that Parents filed premature notices of appeal. The Supreme Court granted transfer and the trial court’s CHINS determination, holding (1) Parents’ premature notices of appeal did not deprive the court of appeals of jurisdiction to hear the appeal; and (2) on the merits, the trial court committed clear error in concluding that coercive intervention was required to ensure that the children were properly cared for. View "In re Matter of D.J." on Justia Law