{ "id": 11793081, "name": "CHARLES PARHAM, individually and wife, LOUISE PARHAM, individually and as Guardian Ad Litem of ROBIN PARHAM, Plaintiffs v. IREDELL COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES and FRANKIE R. MARTIN, Social Work Supervisor, Iredell County Department of Social Services, individually, Defendants", "name_abbreviation": "Parham v. Iredell County Department of Social Services", "decision_date": "1997-08-05", "docket_number": "No. COA96-1202", "first_page": "144", "last_page": "150", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "127 N.C. App. 144" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "N.C. Ct. App.", "id": 14983, "name": "North Carolina Court of Appeals" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 5, "name_long": "North Carolina", "name": "N.C." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "358 S.E.2d 72", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1987, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "320 N.C. 178", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 4728425, 4729191 ], "year": 1987, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/320/0178-02", "/nc/320/0178-01" ] }, { "cite": "354 S.E.2d 365", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1987, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "85 N.C. App. 237", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 12169773 ], "year": 1987, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/85/0237-01" ] }, { "cite": "326 S.E.2d 39", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1985, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "43" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "73 N.C. App. 44", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8521674 ], "year": 1985, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "49" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/73/0044-01" ] }, { "cite": "476 S.E.2d 119", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1996, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "344 N.C. 438", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 867558, 867563, 867532, 867597, 867540 ], "year": 1996, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/344/0438-05", "/nc/344/0438-04", "/nc/344/0438-02", "/nc/344/0438-03", "/nc/344/0438-01" ] }, { "cite": "471 S.E.2d 422", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 4, "year": 1996, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "426" }, { "page": "514" }, { "page": "427-28" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "122 N.C. App. 507", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 11918417 ], "year": 1996, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/122/0507-01" ] }, { "cite": "N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 48-1-101", "category": "laws:leg_statute", "reporter": "N.C. Gen. Stat.", "year": 1995, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "(4)", "parenthetical": "effective date 1 July 1996" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 48-24", "category": "laws:leg_statute", "reporter": "N.C. Gen. Stat.", "weight": 2, "year": 1991, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "(c)" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 48-20", "category": "laws:leg_statute", "reporter": "N.C. Gen. Stat.", "year": 1991, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "(b)" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 48", "category": "laws:leg_statute", "reporter": "N.C. Gen. Stat.", "year": 1991, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 48-15", "category": "laws:leg_statute", "reporter": "N.C. Gen. Stat.", "year": 1991, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "472 S.E.2d 722", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 3, "year": 1996, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "729" }, { "page": "729" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "344 N.C. 51", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 867569 ], "year": 1996, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/344/0051-01" ] }, { "cite": "408 S.E.2d 517", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 2, "year": 1991, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "658" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "329 N.C. 786", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 2554116, 2554596, 2555557, 2554553, 2557083 ], "year": 1991, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/329/0786-01", "/nc/329/0786-05", "/nc/329/0786-03", "/nc/329/0786-02", "/nc/329/0786-04" ] }, { "cite": "403 S.E.2d 577", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 5, "year": 1991, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "581" }, { "page": "658" }, { "page": "581-82" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "102 N.C. App. 650", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8525395 ], "year": 1991, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/102/0650-01" ] }, { "cite": "252 S.E.2d 792", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 4, "year": 1979, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "797" }, { "page": "796" }, { "page": "797" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "296 N.C. 683", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8570021 ], "year": 1979, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/296/0683-01" ] }, { "cite": "N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 143-291", "category": "laws:leg_statute", "reporter": "N.C. Gen. Stat.", "weight": 3, "year": 1996, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "(a)" }, { "page": "(a)" }, { "page": "(a)" } ], "opinion_index": 0 } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 659, "char_count": 15939, "ocr_confidence": 0.755, "pagerank": { "raw": 5.15124950820277e-08, "percentile": 0.3246658395914202 }, "sha256": "88a84d76b89a94a285c3de469733e31bcbc6aefb470071fc326f4a1535442da8", "simhash": "1:8b841348173b9cde", "word_count": 2580 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T19:43:16.540119+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [ ".Judges MARTIN, Mark D., and TIMMONS-GOODSON concurred in this opinion prior to 31 July 1997." ], "parties": [ "CHARLES PARHAM, individually and wife, LOUISE PARHAM, individually and as Guardian Ad Litem of ROBIN PARHAM, Plaintiffs v. IREDELL COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES and FRANKIE R. MARTIN, Social Work Supervisor, Iredell County Department of Social Services, individually, Defendants" ], "opinions": [ { "text": "COZORT, Judge.\nPlaintiffs filed suit in superior court against the Iredell County Department of Social Services (Iredell DSS) and one of its employees, alleging defendants failed to provide accurate and complete information about a child being considered for adoption. The trial court dismissed, holding the court lacked jurisdiction because the case was subject to the Tort Claims Act, and further holding there was no evidence the defendant-employee acted maliciously. We find the trial court failed to make findings of fact as to whether the county purchased insurance in an amount divesting the Industrial Commission of jurisdiction, and we find the complaint sufficiently alleged malicious and corrupt action by the defendant-employee to survive a motion to dismiss. We reverse and remand.\nPlaintiffs filed a complaint in superior court alleging they are the adoptive parents and the guardian ad litem for Robin Parham. Plaintiffs adopted Robin with the assistance of Iredell DSS. Robin was placed with the Parhams in December 1987, and they adopted her on or about 24 October 1988. Iredell DSS represented to plaintiff parents that Robin was \u201chealthy\u201d and doing \u201creasonably well in school.\u201d In fact, plaintiffs allege, Robin had been abused, neglected and sexually abused while she lived with her natural mother. In addition, Robin was doing poorly in school. The plaintiffs contend they did not learn of Robin\u2019s true history until May 1991. Plaintiffs contend that their failure to know Robin\u2019s true background kept them from providing the appropriate treatment for Robin\u2019s needs and has caused Robin to suffer mental anguish and emotional distress.\nOn 5 August 1992, plaintiffs filed this action seeking damages for the emotional distress, medical and psychiatric expenditures and the lost opportunities for proper medical and psychiatric treatment for Robin. Plaintiffs alleged that defendants breached their duty to the parents by negligently failing to provide them with accurate and complete information about Robin and her needs and acted in willful and wanton disregard of others. Against the individual defendant, plaintiffs alleged that she fraudulently concealed material information and misrepresented information regarding Robin\u2019s condition causing the parents to rely on it to their and Robin\u2019s detriment.\nDefendants answered that Frankie Martin was at all times engaged in her duties as an employee of Iredell DSS and that Iredell DSS and its employee have governmental immunity. Defendants contended that such immunity was not waived by their purchase of insurance. Further defendants contended plaintiffs\u2019 claims were barred by the statute of limitations and that the complaint failed to state a claim pursuant to Rule 12(b)(6).\nOn 3 January 1996, defendants moved to dismiss plaintiffs\u2019 complaint for lack of subject matter jurisdictidn. In its Memorandum of Decision of 8 February 1996 the trial court found that the case fell within the North Carolina Tort Claims Act, divesting the court of subject matter jurisdiction. The court entered an order to this effect on 18 April 1996. In its Memorandum, the court found that Iredell DSS was a \u201cState agency in the administration of adoptions.\u201d The court also found that Frankie Martin was acting in her official capacity and had the same governmental immunity as her employer. Additionally, the court stated that the evidence did not support that \u201cshe [Martin] acted maliciously.\u201d Plaintiffs appeal.\nOn appeal, plaintiffs argue the court erred in concluding that Iredell DSS is an agent of the state in the performance of their adoption duties. We disagree.\nThe Tort Claims Act includes within its scope tort claims against agencies of the state. N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 143-291(a) (1996). While the Supreme Court and this Court have not specifically addressed whether a county DSS agency is a state agent when it performs adoption services, we have addressed similar situations.\nIn Vaughn v. Dept. of Human Resources, 296 N.C. 683, 252 S.E.2d 792 (1979), our Supreme Court held that a county DSS was an agent of the state Social Services Commission (a division of the Department of Human Resources) with respect to delivery of foster care services. Therefore, in that case the North Carolina Department of Human Resources (DHR) was liable under a doctrine of respondeat superior for negligent acts of the county\u2019s social services director with respect to placement of children in foster care, and the appropriate forum for the action was the Industrial Commission. Id. at 690-91, 252 S.E.2d at 797. In arriving at this conclusion the Court reviewed the statutory scheme governing placement of children in foster care. Id. at 688, 252 S.E.2d at 796. The Vaughn Court found the scheme indicated the county DSS director acts on behalf of DHR, and his actions were subject to its control. DHR, through the Social Services Commission, had the right to control the manner in which the county DSS placed a child in foster care. Id. at 690, 252 S.E.2d at 797.\nThis Court held that the county was acting as an agent of the Social Services Commission and DHR in its delivery of child protective services. Coleman v. Cooper, 102 N.C. App. 650, 403 S.E.2d 577, disc. review denied, 329 N.C. 786, 408 S.E.2d 517 (1991). We examined the relevant statutes and concluded that the county DSS director was required to submit reports of abuse to the central registry under policies adopted by the Social Services Commission. Id. at 658, 403 S.E.2d at 581. The central registry of abuse and neglect cases was maintained by DHR. Id. Accordingly since the county was acting as agent of the state, we held that the cause of action originating under the Tort Claims Act against the county must be brought before the Industrial Commission. Id. at 658, 403 S.E.2d at 581-82.\nIn Gammons v. N.C. Dept. of Human Resources, 344 N.C. 51, 472 S.E.2d 722 (1996), our Supreme Court analyzed the relevant statutory scheme along with the mandatory administrative regulations. The Court found that those statutes and rules demonstrated the degree of control retained by DHR over the provision of child protective services on the county level. Id. at 63, 472 S.E.2d at 729. The Gammons Court held, \u201cregarding the provision of child protective services, there exists a sufficient agency relationship between the Department of Human Resources and the . . . County Director of Social Services and his staff such that the doctrine of respondeat superior is implicated.\u201d The Court held that the Industrial Commission had jurisdiction over the case. Id. at 64, 472 S.E.2d at 729.\nThese cases suggest that the determining factor is the degree of control and supervision exercised by DHR or the Social Services Commission. The higher the level of involvement of the state, the more likely it is that the county DSS is operating as an agent of the state, requiring tort claims against the county DSS to be brought in the Industrial Commission. From our review of former Chapter 48, the adoption statute applicable to the present case, it is apparent that DHR is the overseer of the adoption process in North Carolina. When a petition for adoption is filed it may be on a form provided by DHR, and a copy must be sent to DHR and the director of the county DSS. N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 48-15 (1991). A review of the prior statute indicates that DHR provides all of the forms on which the adoption procedures are recorded. N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 48 (1991). The county DSS director and Human Resources must be notified when an adoption petition is dismissed. N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 48-20(b) (1991). The entire record of the adoption proceedings must be sent to DHR within ten days of its filing. N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 48-24 (1991). DHR maintains the permanent index of the adoption proceedings and filings in North Carolina. N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 48-24(c). We find the statutory scheme providing for adoption proceedings in this state provides that county DSS directors are acting as agents for Human Resources. Thus, we hold that the Iredell DSS is an agency of the state during its involvement in adoption proceedings. Our holding is reinforced by our legislature\u2019s complete revamping of North Carolina adoption law in 1995. Chapter 48, as it now exists, provides DHR and its Division of Social Services (formerly Social Services Commission) with more rule-making authority. We also note that N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 48-1-101(4) (1995) (effective date 1 July 1996) provides that \u201c ![a]gency\u2019 also means a county department of social services . ...\u201d We thus affirm the trial court\u2019s finding that Iredell DSS is a state agency.\nThis finding, however, is not dispositive of this appeal. We must remand this case to the trial court pursuant to this Court\u2019s opinion in Meyer v. Walls, 122 N.C. App. 507, 471 S.E.2d 422, disc. review allowed, 344 N.C. 438, 476 S.E.2d 119 (1996). In Meyer, the administratrix of a mentally ill man\u2019s estate filed a wrongful death action against a number of defendants, including the Buncombe County DSS and its director in his individual and official capacity. There was an allegation that the county had purchased insurance; however, the record was silent as to the amount. We held that where governmental immunity was waived by the purchase of liability insurance, jurisdiction for tort actions is statutorily vested in the superior court. Id. at 512, 471 S.E.2d at 426. We remanded the matter to the superior court to make findings of fact as to whether the insurance policy or policies in question have liability limits equal to or greater than $100,000. If the limits were less than $100,000, jurisdiction was in the Industrial Commission; if equal or greater than $100,000 then jurisdiction was with the superior court. Id. at 514, 471 S.E.2d at 427-28.\nIn the present case, we remand for the trial court to make findings consistent with Meyer. We note here that the General Assembly amended N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 143-291(a) so that damages are capped at $150,000 for causes of action arising on or after 1 October 1994. If the insurance policies have limits equal to or greater than $150,000, jurisdiction is with the superior court and the matter shall proceed on its merits. See N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 143-291(a); N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 153A-435 (1991). In its answer, defendants alleged that their insurer \u201cadvised\u201d that the policy did not cover allegations such as plaintiffs\u2019. This statement is not binding on the trial court.\nThe trial court also found that it lacked jurisdiction under the rule of law which confers jurisdiction in the superior court, rather than the Industrial Commission, for civil actions involving malicious and corrupt acts, more than mere negligence, taking the acts outside the scope of the defendant-employee\u2019s employment. Wiggins v. City of Monroe, 73 N.C. App. 44, 49, 326 S.E.2d 39, 43 (1985), appeal after remand, 85 N.C. App. 237, 354 S.E.2d 365, cert. denied, 320 N.C. 178, 358 S.E.2d 72 (1987). To reach this conclusion, the trial court held that \u201c[t]he evidence does not support that she acted maliciously or corruptly.\u201d This conclusion is in error. The matter was before the trial court on an N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 1A-1, Rule 12(b)(1) (1990) motion to dismiss. In the record filed in this Court, no evidence appears. The only pleading considered by the trial court was the plaintiffs\u2019 complaint. In that complaint, plaintiffs alleged false misrepresentations and fraudulent concealment of material information with the intent to deceive plaintiffs. We cannot say that these allegations fall short of being malicious and corrupt. These allegations properly survive a Rule 12(b)(1) motion to dismiss.\nIn summary, we hold that the Iredell DSS is acting as an agent of DHR in its delivery of adoption services to plaintiffs. However, whether jurisdiction is with the superior court or the Industrial Commission is a question of fact to be determined by the trial court on remand. The court shall look only to whether Iredell County and/or Iredell DSS has purchased insurance and, if so, the limits of the policy. If coverage is less than $150,000, then jurisdiction is with the Industrial Commission and the court shall dismiss the first two counts of plaintiffs\u2019 complaint. The superior court has jurisdiction over plaintiffs\u2019 counts three, four, and five as these allegations are of malicious, corrupt, and willful and wanton actions.\nReversed and remanded.\n.Judges MARTIN, Mark D., and TIMMONS-GOODSON concurred in this opinion prior to 31 July 1997.", "type": "majority", "author": "COZORT, Judge." } ], "attorneys": [ "Broughton, Wilkins, Webb & Sugg, P.A., by William Woodward Webb and R. Palmer Sugg, for plaintiff appellants.", "Tate, Young, Morphis, Bach & Taylor, L.L.P., by T. Dean Amos, for defendant appellees." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "CHARLES PARHAM, individually and wife, LOUISE PARHAM, individually and as Guardian Ad Litem of ROBIN PARHAM, Plaintiffs v. IREDELL COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES and FRANKIE R. MARTIN, Social Work Supervisor, Iredell County Department of Social Services, individually, Defendants\nNo. COA96-1202\n(Filed 5 August 1997)\n1. State \u00a7 33 (NCI4th)\u2014 adoption \u2014 delayed treatment of child \u2014 incomplete history \u2014 negligence action \u2014 DSS an agent of State\nThe trial court correctly concluded that the Iredell DSS is an agency of the State where plaintiffs sought damages for delayed medical and psychiatric treatment of an adopted child resulting from defendants\u2019 failure to provide accurate and complete information about her and the trial court found that the case fell within the Tort Claims Act. The statutory scheme for adoption proceedings and filings in this sate provides that county DSS directors act as agents of the Department of Human Resources, a state agency. Furthermore, Chapter 48 as it now exists provides DHR and its Division of Social Services with more rule making authority and also provides that \u201cagency\u201d means a county department of social services.\n2. State \u00a7 39 (NCI4th)\u2014 adopted child \u2014 incomplete history\u2014 delayed treatment \u2014 Tort Claims action \u2014 jurisdiction\u2014 insurance policy limit\nAn action against defendant-Iredell Department of Social Services and one of its employees for damages arising from delayed treatment of an adopted child resulting from defendants\u2019 failure to disclose her history was remanded for findings of fact regarding the amount of Iredell DSS\u2019 insurance policy limit where there was an allegation that defendants waived governmental immunity by purchasing liability insurance but the record is silent as to the amount. Damages under N.C.G.S. \u00a7 143-291(a) are capped at $150,000 for causes of action arising on or after 1 October 1994. If DSS\u2019s policy limit is less than $150,000.00 then jurisdiction is with the Industrial Commission and if it is $150,000 or more the superior court has jurisdiction over the matter.\n3. State \u00a7 46 (NCI4th)\u2014 adopted child \u2014 failure to disclose record \u2014 allegations of fraudulent concealment and false representations \u2014 j urisdiction\nThe trial court rather than the Industrial Commission had jurisdiction over an action against the Iredell County Department of Social Services (Iredell DSS) and one of its employees for damages arising from delayed treatment of an adopted child resulting from defendants\u2019 failure to disclose her history where the court held that the evidence does not support that defendant acted maliciously or corruptly, as required to take the acts outside defendants\u2019 employment relationship, but the matter was before the trial court on a motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim upon which relief could be granted and no evidence appears in the record. However, plaintiffs alleged false representations and fraudulent concealment of material information with the intent to deceive plaintiffs, and it cannot be said that these allegations fall short of \u201cmalicious and corrupt.\u201d\nAppeal by plaintiffs from order entered 18 April 1996 by Judge Henry V. Barnette, Jr., in Vance County Superior Court. Heard in the Court of Appeals 20 May 1997.\nBroughton, Wilkins, Webb & Sugg, P.A., by William Woodward Webb and R. Palmer Sugg, for plaintiff appellants.\nTate, Young, Morphis, Bach & Taylor, L.L.P., by T. Dean Amos, for defendant appellees." }, "file_name": "0144-01", "first_page_order": 180, "last_page_order": 186 }