Indiana Supreme Court hears arguments in child custody case

INDIANAPOLIS  — The Indiana Supreme Court is weighing a case in which a man lost custody of his daughter after child-welfare officials feared his mentally ill wife might harm the child.

The justices heard arguments Thursday in the dispute in which the state Department of Child Services sought to terminate the man’s parental rights largely due to his mentally ill wife’s refusal to take her medication.

The Journal Gazette reports an Allen County judge severed the man’s parental rights last year after he opted not to leave his wife even though DCS officials feared for the girl’s safety.

Fort Wayne attorney Greg Fumarolo argued there’s no evidence the woman ever tried to harm her daughter.

DCS attorney Robert Henke told the justices the agency staff didn’t suggest the couple divorce.