Dispute still delays new Ind. child services chief

CROWN POINT, Ind. (AP) — A northwestern Indiana county judge named by Gov. Mike Pence in January to head the state's Department of Child Services has yet to start in that job amid disagreement over who'll take over her court duties.

The state Supreme Court told Lake County juvenile court Judge Mary Beth Bonaventura on Friday that it wouldn't intervene in the dispute.

Supreme Court official David Remondini tells The Times of Munster (http://bit.ly/ZO6oIK ) that the court won't issue an advisory opinion because of the complexity of laws and court rules surrounding the matter.

Lake County's 15 other superior court judges decided to fill the juvenile court position from their ranks based on seniority. Bonaventura objected, saying there should be a merit selection process in which the governor would appoint the new judge.