In re Adoption of M.R.P. , 2022 Ohio 1631 ( 2022 )

[Cite as In re Adoption of M.R.P., 2022-Ohio-1631.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS
TWELFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT OF OHIO
WARREN COUNTY
IN RE: :
ADOPTION OF M.R.P. : CASE NO. CA2022-01-001
: OPINION
5/16/2022
:
:
:
APPEAL FROM WARREN COUNTY COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
PROBATE DIVISION
Case No. 2020 5065
Melanie Walls Law, and Melanie B. Walls; Smith Meier & Webb, LPA, and Andrew P. Meier,
for appellant.
Alysha McKinney Law, and Alysha R. McKinney, for appellee.
BYRNE, J.
{¶1} This case is about a stepfather's petition to adopt his stepdaughter. A
magistrate found that the petition should be denied, and a probate judge approved and
adopted the magistrate's decision. The stepfather appealed. We affirm the probate court's
decision.
Warren CA2022-01-001
I. Child's Name
{¶2} Stepfather's petition for adoption concerns M.R.M., a minor child. The final
initial "M." is Father's last name, which is also the child's last name. M.R.M. is also referred
to as "M.R.P." at various points in the record, including in the case caption. The initial "P."
stands for Stepfather's last name, but trial testimony established that M.R.M.'s legal name
has never been changed from M.R.M. to M.R.P. To avoid confusion, we will refer to M.R.M.
as "Child."
II. Factual and Procedural Background
{¶3} Child was born to her natural parents, Mother and Father, in November 2016.
Father assisted with parenting from Child's birth and lived with Mother and Child until Mother
and Father ended their relationship seven or eight months later. After his relationship with
Mother ended, Father continued to enjoy weekly visitation with Child, including overnight
visitation.
{¶4} At some point Mother and Stepfather began dating. Stepfather became a part
of Child's life when she was about one year old. In October 2018, Stepfather and Mother
moved in together, along with Child. The couple were married in June 2020, and they have
since had another child, Child's half sister.
{¶5} Father's regular visits with Child continued until September 2019. That month,
during one of their exchanges of Child with Father, Mother and Stepfather perceived Father
as behaving aggressively. Father denied this and explained that he was shaking and
unbalanced during the exchange because of his multiple sclerosis. In any event, after this
incident Mother began denying Father any visitation with Child. Father continued to request
contact with Child by sending both text messages and emails to Mother. But Mother
consistently denied Father any contact with Child. At one point Father managed to have
FaceTime contact with Child, but Mother later responded to one of Father's text messages
-2-
Warren CA2022-01-001
seeking further contact with Child by stating, "We're not doing FaceTime. Period. Do what
you need to do to establish your shit with her & when the courts decide I HAVE to, then we
will. We are trying to move on with our lives, leaving behind shitty people who don't care to
take good care of my daughter." Another time Mother responded to one of Father's emails
by stating, "You are disgusting and I wish you nothing but the misery you deserve. Don't
ever contact me again." Father continued his attempts to see Child, but Mother continued
to deny his attempts or failed to respond to Father's messages.
{¶6} This state of affairs remained unchanged until July 15, 2020, when Mother
sent a text message to Father explaining that Stepfather wanted to adopt Child. Mother
asked for Father's consent to the adoption. Father declined to give his consent. A few
weeks later Father again asked Mother if he could see Child. Mother responded, but only
by discussing the adoption process, and without referring to Father's request to see Child.
When Father reiterated that he wanted to be in his daughter's life, Mother responded, "I've
told you before what you need to do in order to do that. Regardless of the outcome of the
adoption, you still do not have rights." During another text exchange, Mother again asked
Father to "just end[] this and sign[]" for the adoption. Before Father responded, Mother
texted four middle finger emojis, and then texted, "Ok maybe I'll just report fraud to Kentucky
food stamps [crying laughing emoji]." Mother's next text stated, "Reported y'all [two crying
laughing emojis]."
{¶7} On August 18, 2020, Stepfather filed a petition to adopt Child in the Warren
County Court of Common Pleas, Probate Division. Father was served on October 10, 2020
at his place of employment but Father failed to file a response until January 7, 2021.
Because R.C. 3107.07(K) requires a person opposing adoption to object to the petition for
adoption within fourteen days of receipt of notice of the petition, Father's objection was
untimely. Following a hearing, the magistrate found that because of Father's failure to
-3-
Warren CA2022-01-001
timely object, his consent was unnecessary for the adoption.
{¶8} At the hearing, the magistrate heard testimony from Stepfather, Mother, and
Father. Stepfather and Mother testified to Child's close relationship with Stepfather as well
as with her half sister. They noted that Stepfather has been in Child's life since she was
one year old and that he has formed a strong bond with her. Stepfather and Mother testified
that Child is enrolled in the "best schools in Mason," and that Stepfather has the financial
resources to provide for Child.1 Stepfather expressed his desire to provide Child with a
stable and permanent home.
{¶9} Father testified that he lives in Erlanger, Kentucky, with his girlfriend, her two
children, and their mutual son. Father is employed as an automobile mechanic and testified
that he is able and desires to support Child financially. Father suffers from multiple sclerosis
but receives treatment and testified that his illness does not affect his ability to care for his
children. He does not have any mental health or drug dependency issues. Following
Mother's denial of visitation, Father repeatedly texted and emailed Mother requesting to see
Child. These messages were admitted as exhibits. Father at one point tried to initiate a
child support action in Kentucky, but it was dismissed for failure of service. Father testified
he did not know how to serve Mother because she and Stepfather moved after denying
Father visitation and they declined to share their (and Child's) new address with him.
{¶10} Following the hearing, the magistrate issued a written decision finding that
adoption was not in Child's best interest. Stepfather timely objected to the magistrate's
decision, and the probate court then considered the matter. In its decision, the probate
court also found that adoption was not in Child's best interest, and that Stepfather's
objections were therefore not well taken. The probate court overruled the objections and
1. The reference to the "best schools in Mason" was a reference to a preschool, as Child was not yet
Kindergarten-age at the time.
-4-
Warren CA2022-01-001
approved and adopted the magistrate's decision as an order of the court.
III. Law and Analysis
{¶11} Stepfather now appeals, raising the following single assignment of error:
{¶12} THE PROBATE COURT ERRED IN OVERRULING THE PETITION FOR
ADOPTION.
{¶13} Stepfather makes two distinct arguments in support of his conclusion that the
probate court erred in overruling his petition for adoption. First, he argues that the probate
court failed to properly hold Father to his burden of providing evidence in support of denying
the petition. Second, he argues that granting the adoption is in the best interest of Child,
and that in making its contrary determination, the probate court inappropriately considered
factors not listed in R.C. 3107.161(B). We disagree.
A. Applicable Law
{¶14} R.C. 3107.14(C) provides that a probate court may issue a final or
interlocutory decree of adoption "if, at the conclusion of the hearing [on the petition for
adoption], the court finds that the required consents have been obtained or excused and
that the adoption is in the best interest of the person sought to be adopted as supported by
the evidence * * * ." Thus, an adoption proceeding is a two-step process involving two
phases: (1) the consent phase, and (2) the best interest phase. See In re Adoption of
Jordan, 72 Ohio App.3d 638, 645 (12th Dist.1991).
1. The Consent Phase
{¶15} The right of natural parents to the care and custody of their child is one of the
most precious and fundamental in law. In re Adoption of C.M.F., 12th Dist. Butler Nos.
CA2013-06-090 and CA2013-06-091, 2013-Ohio-4719, ¶ 8. An adoption permanently
terminates those parental rights of a natural parent. In re L.C.W., 12th Dist. Butler No.
CA2014-08-169, 2015-Ohio-61, ¶ 10. Thus, Ohio law requires parental consent to an
-5-
Warren CA2022-01-001
adoption unless a specific statutory exception exists. In re Adoption of C.E.S., 12th Dist.
Butler Nos. CA2020-07-069, CA2020-07-070, and CA2020-07-071, 2020-Ohio-6902, ¶ 19.
{¶16} There are multiple exceptions to the parental consent requirement. This case
involves the exception found in R.C. 3107.07(K). That statute provides that consent to an
adoption is not required from a " * * * person given notice of the petition pursuant to division
(A)(1) of section 3107.11 of the Revised Code that fails to file an objection to the petition
within fourteen days after proof is filed pursuant to division (B) of that section that the notice
was given." Here, the probate court determined Father's consent to the adoption was not
required because he failed to timely object to the adoption petition. See R.C. 3107.07(K).
This determination has not been contested by Father, so we need not address the consent
requirement further.
2. The Best Interest Phase
{¶17} Even if a probate court determines that a parent's consent is not required, the
court must still make a separate determination that the adoption is in the child's best interest.
R.C. 3107.14(C); In re Jordan, 72 Ohio App.3d at 645. A probate court's determination of
what is in the best interest of a child in an adoption proceeding must be made after
consideration of the factors provided in R.C. 3107.161(B). In re Adoption of A.M.L., 12th
Dist. Warren No. CA2015-01-004, 2015-Ohio-2224, at ¶ 9. According to that statute,
the court shall consider all relevant factors including, but not
limited to, all of the following:
(1) The least detrimental available alternative for
safeguarding the child's growth and development;
(2) The age and health of the child at the time the best
interest determination is made and, if applicable, at the
time the child was removed from the home;
(3) The wishes of the child in any case in which the
child's age and maturity makes this feasible;
-6-
Warren CA2022-01-001
(4) The duration of the separation of the child from a
parent;
(5) Whether the child will be able to enter into a more
stable and permanent family relationship, taking into
account the conditions of the child's current placement,
the likelihood of future placements, and the results of
prior placements;
(6) The likelihood of safe reunification with a parent
within a reasonable period of time;
(7) The importance of providing permanency, stability,
and continuity of relationships for the child;
(8) The child's interaction and interrelationship with the
child's parents, siblings, and any other person who may
significantly affect the child's best interest;
(9) The child's adjustment to the child's current home,
school, and community;
(10) The mental and physical health of all persons
involved in the situation;
(11) Whether any person involved in the situation has
been convicted of, pleaded guilty to, or accused of any
criminal offense involving any act that resulted in a child
being abused or neglected [or other specific crimes].
R.C. 3107.161(B).
3. Burden of Providing Material Evidence and Burden of Proof
{¶18} A statute, R.C. 3107.161(C), provides that "A person who contests an
adoption has the burden of providing the court material evidence needed to determine what
is in the best interest of the child and must establish that the child's current placement is
not the least detrimental available alternative." This statute imposes two burdens. First,
the person opposing adoption has the burden of providing material evidence with regard to
the ultimate best interest question. R.C. 3107.161(C). Second, the person opposing
-7-
Warren CA2022-01-001
adoption also has the burden to establish that the child's placement is "not the least
detrimental available alternative." (Emphasis added.) Id. The "least detrimental available
alternative" means "the alternative that would have the least long-term negative impact on
the child." R.C. 3107.161(A); In re Adoption of E.G.C., 12th Dist. Butler No. CA2021-07-
022, 2021-Ohio-4178, ¶ 17; In re Adoption of A.L.S., 12th Dist. Butler No. CA2017-09-146,
2018-Ohio-507, ¶ 33; In re A.M.L. at ¶ 10.
{¶19} That said, we have consistently stated that despite the burdens imposed on
the person opposing adoption by R.C. 3107.161(C), the person seeking adoption ultimately
retains the burden of proving that adoption is in the best interest of the child. In re E.G.C.
at ¶ 17; In re A.L.S. at ¶ 33; In re A.M.L. at ¶ 10. Several of our sister districts agree. E.g.,
In re H.T., 3d Dist. Logan No. 8-17-57, 2018-Ohio-2806, ¶ 31; In re M.R.M., 7th Dist.
Mahoning No. 17 MA 0088, 2017-Ohio-7710, ¶ 49-51; In re Adoption of Brianna Marie D.,
6th Dist. Lucas No. L-04-1367, 2005-Ohio-797, ¶ 36-38. The parties acknowledge these
legal principles apply in this case.
B. Standard of Review
{¶20} Adoption matters are decided on a case-by-case basis through the exercise
of the discretion granted a probate court to determine what is in the best interest of the child
to be adopted. In re Adoption of Cotner, 12th Dist. Fayette Nos. CA2002-02-004 and
CA2002-02-005, 2002-Ohio-5145, ¶ 5. We will reverse a probate court's best interest
determination only if we find an abuse of the court's discretion. Id. at ¶ 7. The term "abuse
of discretion" connotes more than an error of law or of judgment; it implies that the court's
decision is unreasonable, arbitrary, or unconscionable. In re Adoption of Charles B, 50
Ohio St.3d 88, 94 (1990). An appellate court will not substitute its judgment for that of the
probate court when competent, credible evidence supports the probate court's decision.
Cotner at ¶ 8.
-8-
Warren CA2022-01-001
C. Analysis
{¶21} As stated above, Stepfather supports his appeal with two main arguments.
We will address those arguments separately.
1. Father's Burden of Providing Material Evidence Regarding Best Interest
{¶22} Stepfather argues that the probate court failed to hold Father to his burden of
providing material evidence that denying the petition for adoption would be in Child's best
interest. Stepfather states that Father "did not provide material evidence" about best
interest and that Father's testimony instead "focused on his justification for the lack of
communication with [Child]." Stepfather is mistaken.
{¶23} Material evidence is "[e]vidence having some logical connection with the facts
of the case or the legal issues presented." Black's Law Dictionary (11th Ed.2019). While
Stepfather characterizes Father's testimony as having "focused" on his justification for his
lack of communication with Child, the record shows that Father's testimony addressed much
more than this one limited topic. For example, Father testified about his home and the
space that could be available for Child to have her own room; his relationships with his
girlfriend's children and his other children; his employment as an automotive mechanic and
his ability to financially contribute to Child's upbringing; his education and his willingness to
help with Child's education; his interaction with Child when they lived together with Mother;
his interaction with Child after his relationship with Mother ended, including regular
overnight visits; the incident that led Mother to unilaterally terminate his visitation and
contact with Child; his ongoing efforts to see Child after Mother's unilateral decision to
terminate his visitation and contact with Child; his initiation of an action in Kentucky to
establish child support payments for Child and the reasons for that action's dismissal; his
opposition to Child's adoption by Stepfather; his acceptance of Stepfather's role in Child's
life; his desire also to be in Child's life as her father; his desire for Child to live in a happy
-9-
Warren CA2022-01-001
and loving environment; his belief that his multiple sclerosis would not negatively impact his
ability to care for Child; his willingness to take things as slowly or quickly as needed when
reintroduced to Child; his lack of criminal convictions and drug use; his reasons for not
pursuing further legal action until recently; and more. In fact, Father provided testimony
touching on all eleven of the factors listed in R.C. 3107.161(B).
{¶24} Nor was it improper for Father to testify about the reasons why he had not
seen or communicated with Child in nearly two years. R.C. 3107.161(B) specifically states
that a court is to consider "all relevant factors including, but not limited to," the eleven factors
listed in the statute. The reasons for Father's lack of communication with Child were
relevant to Father's opposition to the adoption petition, in general. These reasons were
also relevant to several specific factors, including especially factor 4, "the duration of the
separation of the child from a parent."
{¶25} In other words, Father provided material evidence, in the form of testimony,
related to the best interest factors that the probate court had to analyze under R.C.
3107.161(B). Stepfather's assertion that Father "did not provide material evidence of what
is in the best interest of the child" is simply incorrect. Stepfather may disagree with the
conclusions the probate court drew based on the material evidence offered by Father, but
on this record we cannot say that Father failed to meet his burden of providing material
evidence regarding best interest under R.C. 3107.161(C).
2. Father's Burden Regarding Least Detrimental Available Alternative and
Stepfather's Burden Regarding Best Interest
{¶26} Stepfather argues that Father failed to meet his burden of establishing, with
clear and convincing evidence, that Child's "placement" with Stepfather was not the least
detrimental available alternative. In making this argument, Stepfather's brief states that
* * * the testimony established that maintaining placement with
Mother and Stepfather would have the least long-term negative
- 10 -
Warren CA2022-01-001
impact on [Child]. Mother and Stepfather testified that [Child]
has developed a strong bond with Stepfather and her half-sister.
Stepfather has been involved in [Child's] life since she was only
one year old. Moreover, Father has failed to establish any
parental rights in the juvenile court and has had no contact with
[Child] since September of 2019. Therefore, Father failed to
satisfy his burden.
Stepfather frames a very limited choice: either the least detrimental alternative was for
Stepfather (and not Father) to be in Child's life, or for Father (and not Stepfather) to be in
Child's life. But this is a false choice. There was another, third option: Stepfather could
remain in Child's life, but the petition of adoption could be denied, allowing Child the
opportunity to develop and maintain a relationship with Father, too.2 This alternative is the
one that the magistrate clearly had in mind when she concluded her decision by stating, "It
is not disputed that [Child] has a loving and caring relationship with [Stepfather]. However,
she deserves the opportunity to know the biological Father who loves her and has tried for
two (2) years to see her." The probate court confirmed the magistrate's understanding that
the alternatives before the court were not as limited at Stepfather contends when it stated
that "It is evident that [Child] would still benefit from the relationship with her biological
Father." The magistrate and probate court properly analyzed the "least detrimental
available alternative" issue with this third alternative in mind.
{¶27} Having corrected Stepfather's too limited framing of the alternatives before
the probate court, we now move on to the question of whether Father met his burden of
establishing that denying Stepfather's adoption petition was the least detrimental available
alternative and whether Stepfather met his burden of proving that granting the adoption
petition was in Child's best interest. These are related questions that we analyze together.
{¶28} Neither the magistrate's decision nor the probate court's decision adopting
2. In fact, this third option was the existing state of affairs at the time. Child lived with Stepfather and Mother,
and Father was free to pursue options to address Mother's refusal to allow him to see Child.
- 11 -
Warren CA2022-01-001
and approving that decision included detailed analysis of each of the R.C. 3107.161(B) best
interest factors. But while including such a detailed, factor-by-factor analysis is the best
practice (and a practice we encourage), a probate court is not required to enumerate its
findings on each factor. In re A.M.L. at ¶ 11. Instead, the probate court's decision must
clearly indicate that it considered the statutory factors provided in R.C. 3107.161(B). Id.Here, the probate court explicitly stated that it "considered the testimony and evidence as
well as the statutory factors outlined in R.C. 3107.161." The court also discussed testimony
about a number of factual issues relevant to those statutory best interest factors. For
example, the probate court, after listing the R.C. 3107.161(B) factors, described Father's
attempts to have contact with Child (relevant to factors 1, 4, 5, and 8), Father's lack of
criminal history (factor 11), Father's testimony that he does not abuse drugs or alcohol
(factors 1, 2, and 10), Father's employment (factors 1, 7, and 8), Father's willingness to
provide Child with a safe and loving environment (factors 1, 5, 6, 7, and 8), and more. Given
the above, we find that the probate court did in fact consider the statutory best interest
factors.
{¶29} In order to determine whether the probate court abused its discretion in finding
that Child's adoption by Stepfather was not in Child's best interest, we have reviewed the
evidence presented at the hearing. The following summarizes that evidence with respect
to the R.C. 3107.161(B) best interest factors.
(1) The least detrimental available alternative for safeguarding the child's growth
and development.
{¶30} Stepfather produced evidence that he (and Mother) supported Child's growth
and development. They provide Child with educational opportunities, a safe home, family
interaction, and more.
{¶31} Father produced evidence that he and Child had a positive relationship with
- 12 -
Warren CA2022-01-001
each other before Mother denied further visitation or contact. Father testified that his home
is appropriate for Child, and she will have her own room. Father is willing to financially
contribute to Child's upbringing, to contribute to her education, and to resume his interaction
with Child as slowly or quickly as needed. Father presented evidence that he takes his
parental responsibility seriously and wants to be a father to Child. Nothing in the record
suggests that denying the adoption would harm Child's growth and development.
(2) The age and health of the child at the time the best interest determination is
made and, if applicable, at the time the child was removed from the home.
{¶32} Child was four years old and in good health at the time of the adoption hearing.
Child's eczema is treated and is not a significant factor in this analysis.
(3) The wishes of the child in any case in which the child's age and maturity makes
this feasible.
{¶33} There was no evidence presented on this factor, given Child's young age.
(4) The duration of the separation of the child from a parent.
{¶34} There was no evidence that Child was ever separated from Stepfather once
he moved in with Mother.
{¶35} Father left Child's home when she was seven or eight months old but
continued to have regular visitation with her until she was a few months shy of three years
old. In October 2019 Father had a FaceTime contact with Child. Father had no other
contact with Child before the adoption hearing because Mother denied all of his attempts at
contact. Father repeatedly called and texted Mother over many months requesting contact
with Child, but Mother always denied his requests.
(5) Whether the child will be able to enter into a more stable and permanent family
relationship, taking into account the conditions of the child's current placement,
the likelihood of future placements, and the results of prior placements.
{¶36} Child has lived with Mother since her birth. Child has lived with Stepfather,
- 13 -
Warren CA2022-01-001
too, since he moved in with Mother in October 2019. Child has stable relationships with
both of them, as well as her half sister.
{¶37} Child lived with Father as well for the first seven or eight months of her life.
There is no evidence that Child's maintaining a relationship with Father would destabilize
or undermine her relationship with Stepfather or Mother. On the contrary, the evidence
reflects that Father does not resent Child's relationship with Stepfather and would not
undermine that relationship. Father testified that he plays an active role in raising his and
his girlfriend's children, and that he would do the same for Child.3
(6) The likelihood of safe reunification with a parent within a reasonable period of
time.
{¶38} No evidence suggests that Child cannot be reunified with Father or that the
reunification would be unsafe in any way. Father expressed a willingness to take the time
necessary to reestablish his relationship with Child appropriately, given the length of their
separation.
(7) The importance of providing permanency, stability, and continuity of
relationships for the child.
{¶39} As noted above, there was no evidence presented that maintaining a
relationship with Father would undermine Child's permanency, stability, and continuity of
relationships with Stepfather and Mother. Again, Father testified that he appreciates Child's
positive relationship with Stepfather and does not seek to undermine it. In fact, denial of
the adoption petition encourages permanency, stability, and continuity of Child's
relationships because denial will allow the opportunity for Child's and Father's relationship
to be reestablished, after it was unilaterally terminated by Mother.
3. Father also testified that he has a child who lives in Florida, and that he had visited her shortly before the
hearing. There was additional testimony that Father has another child with whom he does not have contact,
but the circumstances were not explained.
- 14 -
Warren CA2022-01-001
(8) The child's interaction and interrelationship with the child's parents, siblings,
and any other person who may significantly affect the child's best interest.
{¶40} Child has positive relationships with Mother and Stepfather and her half sister.
Father's girlfriend has three children and she and Father have one child together. There
was no evidence about Child's relationship with the other children in Father's home other
than Father's testimony that he believes it would benefit Child to have a relationship with
her paternal half siblings. Child has a good and bonded relationship with Stepfather. By
all accounts, Father and Child had a good and bonded relationship before Mother refused
to permit Father to visit with or contact Child.
(9) The child's adjustment to the child's current home, school, and community.
{¶41} Child is well adjusted in her home with Stepfather and Mother. As of the date
of the hearing, she attended preschool and was preparing to attend Kindergarten the
following school year. There is no evidence of any maladjustment on the part of Child, other
than the fact that Mother made the unilateral decision to terminate Child's interaction with
Father.
(10) The mental and physical health of all persons involved in the situation.
{¶42} No party has mental health issues, and only Father has a significant health
issue, as he suffers from multiple sclerosis. Father is receiving treatment for this condition
and testified that it will not interfere with his ability to care for Child. Stepfather and Mother
presented no evidence to the contrary.
(11) Whether any person involved in the situation has been convicted of, pleaded
guilty to, or accused of any criminal offense involving any act that resulted in a
child being abused or neglected [or other specific crimes listed in R.C.
3107.161(B)(11)].
{¶43} This factor is inapplicable.
{¶44} Based on our review of the evidence and statutory best interest factors
- 15 -
Warren CA2022-01-001
enumerated above, we find that the probate court did not abuse its discretion when it found
that Stepfather's objections to the magistrate's decision were not well taken and that Child's
adoption by Stepfather was not in Child's best interest. The testimony demonstrated that
Stepfather and Mother provided a safe, supportive, and positive environment for the Child.
But Father established that granting Stepfather's adoption petition was not the least
detrimental available alternative because doing so would terminate Child's opportunity to
develop a similar safe, supportive, and positive relationship with Father (who had such a
relationship with Child before Mother unilaterally terminated his contact with Child) and
would also cut off Child from her stepsiblings, other paternal relatives, and Father's financial
support. At the same time, Stepfather failed to prove that granting the petition was in Child's
best interest.
{¶45} Stepfather argues that the probate court should not have considered Child's
potential relationship with Father because the probate court had already determined that
Father's consent was not needed per R.C. 3107.07(K). But the R.C. 3107.161(B) factors
include several references to a child's relationship with a natural parent, including "(4) the
duration of the separation of the child from a parent," "(6) the likelihood of safe reunification
with a parent within a reasonable period of time," and "(8) the child's interaction and
interrelationship with the child's parents, siblings, and any other person who may
significantly affect the child's best interest." That Father's consent was not needed under
R.C. 3107.07(K) does not remove those factors from the list of R.C. 3107.161(B) best
interest factors the probate court must consider. Stepfather essentially asks us to rewrite
R.C. 3107.161(B) to remove consideration of factors concerning a child's relationship with
a parent from the statute when parental consent is not required under R.C. 3107.07(K).
This we cannot do. State v. Babyak, 12th Dist. Madison No. CA2019-08-025, 2020-Ohio-
325, ¶ 13 ("[W]e are constrained to apply the statute as written and cannot rewrite the
- 16 -
Warren CA2022-01-001
statute to say something it does not").
{¶46} Stepfather similarly argues that the probate court should not have considered
the reasons Father provided for why he did not currently have a relationship with Child,
because this was not one of the R.C. 3107.161(B) factors. Stepfather specifically states,
"The probate court was required to solely consider the statutory factors under R.C.
3107.161(B)." But this misstates the law. The statute itself is clear that "the court shall
consider all relevant factors including, but not limited to" the list enumerated in R.C.
3107.161(B)(1)-(11). (Emphasis added.) R.C. 3107.161(B). Stepfather identifies no
evidence relied on by the probate court which is outside the statutory rubric or inappropriate
for consideration.
{¶47} The facts of this case are very similar to those of In re Adoption of L.G., 6th
Dist. Sandusky No. S-19-013, 2019-Ohio-2422. In that case, the appellant was the child's
stepfather, and was married to the child's mother. The appellee was the child's biological
father, and suffered from multiple sclerosis and other health issues. The father and mother
were never married, but the father enjoyed regular visitation for most of the child's early life
until the mother began denying him visitation following a criminal charge he received. The
stepfather filed a petition of adoption, and the magistrate held that the father's consent was
not required. The probate court affirmed and adopted the magistrate's decision. A best
interest hearing was held.
{¶48} The probate court in the L.G. case reasoned that if the adoption was not
granted, the child would still live with the mother, stepfather, and her half sister, and would
go to the same school and doctor and would have the same friends. Id. ¶ 21. After
reviewing the statutory best interest factors, the court determined it was not in the best
interest of the child for the adoption to be granted, "as it was in the best interest of the child
to maintain a relationship with both sides of her family." Id. at ¶ 46. The stepfather then
- 17 -
Warren CA2022-01-001
appealed, arguing that the father did not present meaningful evidence to satisfy his burden
that the adoption was not in the child's best interest, but instead presented evidence why
he had been unable to exercise visitation. Id. At ¶ 51.
{¶49} The Sixth Appellate District found that the probate court had not abused its
discretion, explaining:
A review of the record shows stepfather presented an
abundance of evidence that he loves and cares for L.G. Father
did not challenge the adoption petition on the basis of
stepfather's ability to care for and support L.G. Rather, father
offered evidence of his efforts and grandmother's efforts to visit
with L.G., and mother's refusal to allow visits for the past year
with father or his family * * *. The evidence reveals father and
grandmother expressed a willingness to play a role in L.G.'s life,
but were denied the opportunity by mother, who chose to
terminate visits in June 2016. Father also presented evidence
concerning his health issues, the progress he has made, and
his outlook for the future.
Id. at ¶ 61. The Sixth District's reasoning applies in the case before us.
{¶50} The Tenth Appellate District considered another very similar case, In re
B.M.S., 10th Dist. Franklin No. 10AP-748, 2011-Ohio-714. In that case, the stepfather
appealed the probate court's denial of his petition for adoption. The court found that the
mother had actively denied the father visitation, and that the father had consistently
requested to see his children through phone calls. Id. at ¶ 20. Testimony showed that the
stepfather and mother provided a loving and stable home and that the children were
"thriving and well-adjusted." Id. at ¶ 21. However, the Tenth District ultimately affirmed the
probate court's determination that adoption was not in the children's best interest:
[Father's] evidence concerning his ability to be a positive
influence in the boys' lives supports the court's conclusion that
adoption was not the least detrimental available alternative.
Rather, adoption and the loss of their father's involvement in
their lives would be more detrimental than [father's] presence
and influence through regular visitation and support. * * * While
the children and [father] had been separated for a long time, the
separation was not entirely the fault of [father], who had made
- 18 -
Warren CA2022-01-001
many attempts to see them and demonstrated his willingness
and ability to maintain contact with them, if allowed. There was
evidence that with cooperation from all parties, the relationship
between appellee and his children could be a consistent and
positive one.
Id. at ¶ 25. The court continued:
[M]any factors—[stepfather's] positive influence, a loving and
supportive home and community, and the boys' adjustment to
all aspects of their life with [stepfather] and [mother]—favor
adoption by [stepfather]. Neither we, nor the trial court, may
consider these positive factors in a vacuum, however. By
weighing these factors against the negative effect of losing their
relationship with their biological father, * * * the trial court did not
abuse its discretion by concluding that the adoption was not in
the best interest of the children.
Id. at ¶ 26.
{¶51} As with the Sixth District's reasoning in L.G., we agree with the Tenth District's
reasoning in B.M.S. We find that the probate court did not abuse its discretion in overruling
Stepfather's objections to the magistrate's decision and in denying Stepfather's petition for
adoption. Accordingly, Stepfather's sole assignment of error is overruled.
{¶52} Judgment affirmed.
M. POWELL, P.J., and HENDRICKSON, J., concur.
- 19 -