1 NICS App. 67, In Re the Welfare of T.R. (December 1989)

IN THE PUYALLUP TRIBAL COURT OF APPEALS

PUYALLUP INDIAN RESERVATION

TACOMA, WASHINGTON

In Re the Welfare of T.R., a Minor Indian Child

No. 83-1393 (December 28,1989)

SUMMARY

In an appeal from a placement order of a child in need of care, the Court of Appeals held that the grandmother has no standing to appeal where she never petitioned for a change of placement, never asked to be joined as a party, and has never been granted any form of guardianship over the child.

FULL TEXT

Before:

Lawrence Numkena, Chief Justice; Rose Purser, Justice; and Dennis Nelson, Justice.

ORDER OF THE APPELLATE COURT

This matter having come before the Court of Appeals appealing the Trial Court's placement of the minor child before the Honorable Lawrence Numkena, Honorable Rose Purser, Honorable Dennis Nelson, this 28th day of December, 1989.

Present for the hearing were: Lucille Reed, the Petitioner; Sharon Nelson, Aunt; Leda Anderson, Foster parent; Lois Saxon; William Veliz, Children's Court Counselor for the Puyallup Tribe.

The court finds from testimony presented by Lucille Reed, that she has never been given any form of Guardianship over the minor child.

That on one occasion she sought Guardianship, but withdrew the request.

That she has never petitioned the court for change of placement or asked to be joined as a party in the action.

The court finds she has no standing in the matter.

It is the judgment of the Court of Appeals that the appeal is denied.