Indiana Supreme Court reverses judge for derogatory remarks

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – The Indiana Supreme Court has overturned a lower court ruling placing a teenager into the care of the Department of Child Services, pointing to the derogatory remarks of the judge.

The teen’s mother in 2013 contended she was tired of her daughter’s actions and would sign her over to Child Services. The girl’s father objected and said he would seek custody during divorce proceedings.

Marion Juvenile Court Judge Marilyn Moores expressed impatience with the overlap between the divorce case and the girl’s placement with Child Service.

The Indianapolis Star reports (http://indy.st/1E6xQUo) the judge called the parents “knuckleheads” and their dispute “ridiculous and retarded.” She eventually ruled the teen was a child in need of services.

The Supreme Court said Moores’ remarks were coercive and her conduct “breached the court’s duty of impartiality.”