v.
Isaac Diaz
Jan 11 2024, 8:35 am
CLERK
Indiana Supreme Court
Court of Appeals
and Tax Court
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT ATTORNEY FOR APPELLEE Christina M. Phillips Timothy P. Broden Law Office of Christina M. Phillips, Lafayette, Indiana P.C. Delphi, Indiana
IN THE
COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA
In Re: The Paternity of V.D.; January 11, 2024 Brittney Kozenko (Mother), Court of Appeals Case No. 23A-JP-688 Appellant-Petitioner, Appeal from the Carroll Circuit v. Court The Honorable Benjamin A. Isaac Diaz (Father), Diener, Judge Trial Court Cause No. Appellee-Respondent. 08C01-2204-JP-4
Opinion by Judge Pyle
Judges Vaidik and Mathias concur.
Pyle, Judge.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 23A-JP-688| January 11, 2024 Page 1 of 26 Statement of the Case [1] Brittney Kozenko (“Mother”) appeals the trial court’s order that denied her request to relocate to Utah with her then twenty-three (23) month-old daughter V.D. (“Child”) and awarded Isaac Diaz (“Father”) primary physical custody of Child. Mother argues that: (1) there was insufficient evidence to support the trial court’s determination that relocation was not in Child’s best interests; and (2) the trial court clearly erred when it awarded Father primary physical custody of Child. Concluding that there is sufficient evidence to support the trial court’s determination that relocation was not in Child’s best interests, we affirm that portion of the trial court’s order. However, concluding that the trial court clearly erred when it awarded Father primary physical custody of Child, we reverse that portion of the trial court’s order and remand with instructions for the trial court to enter an order that reflects its reconsideration and clarification of the custody issue and includes a determination regarding what physical custody award is in Child’s best interests. [2] We affirm in part, reverse in part, and remand with instructions. Issues 1. Whether there is sufficient evidence to support the trial court’s determination that relocation was not in Child’s best interests. [2]. Whether the trial court clearly erred when it awarded Father primary physical custody of Child. Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 23A-JP-688| January 11, 2024 Page 2 of 26 Facts [3] Mother, originally from northern California, graduated from Kansas State University in 2018. She moved to Carroll County, Indiana, for an employment opportunity with Indiana Packers Corporation as a food safety supervisor. That summer, Mother met and entered into a relationship with Father. [4] Mother became pregnant by Father in 2020. After Child was born in April 2021, Mother left her employment and stayed home with Child. Father worked outside the home. Mother and Father (collectively, “Parents”) cohabitated and co-parented Child until March 2022, when Parents’ relationship soured. After the relationship had ended, Mother filed for and obtained a protective order against Father.
[*1][5] In April 2022, Mother filed a verified petition to establish paternity, custody, child support, and visitation. In May, the trial court appointed a Guardian Ad
Litem (“GAL”). In June, Parents entered into and filed with the trial court an
agreed order that established Father’s parenting-time schedule with Child for the month of June. [6] That same month, Mother accepted a position with Utah-based DFS Gourmet
Specialties, Inc. (“DFS”) that allowed her to work remotely from her home in Indiana. Mother worked approximately forty (40) hours per week and earned twelve-hour 2-2-3 schedule and earned a salary of $68,000 per year.
[*2][7] On June 29, 2022, Mother filed her notice of intent to relocate, indicating her desire to move with Child to Lehi, Utah. On July 5, 2022, Father filed his objection to Mother’s notice of intent to relocate. On July 21, 2022, Parents filed, and the trial court subsequently approved, a second agreed order that established Father’s parenting-time schedule with Child for July. In August
2022, Parents filed a third agreed order governing Father’s parenting-time schedule with Child for August.
[8] On August 22, 2022, the GAL filed her report with the trial court. The GAL recommended that Mother be allowed to relocate to Utah with Child “to be near her family, her support systems, and the job [at DFS] awaiting her.”
(App. Vol. [2] at 58). The GAL also recommended that Mother be awarded primary physical custody of Child, as Mother had been Child’s “primary
caregiver since birth, and due to [Child’s] young age[,] it would be traumatic for her to be separated from Mother.” (App. Vol. [2] at 58).
[*3]rule on the pleadings.
[20] Mother now appeals.
Decision [21] Mother argues that (1) there was insufficient evidence to support the trial court’s determination that relocation was not in Child’s best interests; and (2)
the trial court clearly erred when it awarded Father primary physical custody of Child. We address each of her contentions in turn.
Standard of Review [22] Where, as here, the trial court issued findings of fact and conclusions of law at
the request of the parties, we apply a two-tiered standard of review. Maddux v. Maddux, 40 N.E.3d 971, 974 (Ind. Ct. App. 2015), reh’g denied. First, we
determine whether the evidence supports the findings, and second, whether the findings support the judgment. Id. We will set aside findings if they are clearly erroneous, which occurs only when the record contains no facts to support them either directly or by inference. Campbell v. Campbell, 993 N.E.2d 205, 209
(Ind. Ct. App. 2013), trans. denied. “A judgment is clearly erroneous when it is unsupported by the findings of fact and the conclusions relying on those with [Parents] in the best interest” of Child. (App. Vol. [2] at 143, 145). The trial court acknowledged the GAL’s recommendation that Mother be allowed concluded that relocation to Utah was not in Child’s best interests.
[*4][*5]2. Custody [38] Next, Mother argues that the trial court abused its discretion by awarding primary physical custody of Child to Father. Determinations regarding child custody fall within the trial court’s sound discretion. Hamilton v. Hamilton, 103
N.E.3d 690, 694 (Ind. Ct. App. 2018), trans. denied. In an initial custody
determination, both parents are presumed equally entitled to custody. Id. The trial court “shall determine custody and enter a custody order in accordance with the best interests of the child” by considering all relevant factors, including:
(1) The age and sex of the child.
[*6]I.C. § 31-14-13-2.
[*7]additional findings that better articulate its physical custody determination.
[46] Furthermore, we do not condone the trial court’s manner of inquiry, remarks, and on-the-record musings regarding Mother’s decision to remain in Indiana with Child and file her paternity action in, and seek a protective order from, the