In re E.H. , 2020 Ohio 2835 ( 2020 )

[Cite as In re E.H., 2020-Ohio-2835.]
COURT OF APPEALS
LICKING COUNTY, OHIO
FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
IN THE MATTER OF: : JUDGES:
: Hon. Patricia A. Delaney, P.J.
E.H., W.H., J.N. : Hon. Craig R. Baldwin, J.
: Hon. Earle E. Wise, Jr., J.
:
:
: Case Nos. 2019 CA 00108
: 2019 CA 00109
: 2019 CA 00110
:
: OPINION
CHARACTER OF PROCEEDING: Appeal from the Court of Common
Pleas, Juvenile Division, Case Nos.
F2017-0351, F2017-0352, F2017-
0353
JUDGMENT: Affirmed
DATE OF JUDGMENT: May 6, 2020
APPEARANCES:
For Appellant-Father For Appellee-LCJFS
JERMAINE COLQUITT PAULA M. SAWYERS
33 West Main Street 20 South Second Street
Suite 109 Fourth Floor
Newark, OH 43055 Newark, OH 43055
For Mother Guardian ad Litem
Carolynn E. Fittro SCOTT SIDNER
1335 Dublin Road 39 Northview Drive
Suite 115F Johnstown, OH 43031
Columbus, OH 43215
Licking County, Case Nos. 2019 CA 00108, 2019 CA 00109, 2019 CA 00110 2
Wise, Earle, J.
{¶ 1} Appellant-Father, C.H., appeals the October 1, 2019 judgment entries of the
Court of Common Pleas of Licking County, Ohio, Juvenile Division, denying motions for
legal custody and terminating his parental rights and granting permanent custody of his
children to appellee, the Licking County Department of Job and Family Services.
FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
{¶ 2} On May 22, 2017, appellee filed complaints for temporary legal custody of
E.H. born in March 2015 (Case No. F2017-0351), W.H. born in March 2017 (Case No.
F2017-0352), and J.N. born in November 2012 (Case No. F2017-0353), claiming the
children to be dependent children. Father of E.H. and W.H. is appellant herein; father of
J.N. is J.A., presumed deceased; mother of all three children is N.H. Appellee had been
granted emergency shelter care of the children three days earlier.
{¶ 3} An adjudicatory hearing was held before a magistrate on July 12, 2017. By
decisions filed same date, the magistrate found the children to be dependent and ordered
temporary custody of the children to remain with appellee. The trial court approved and
adopted the magistrate's decisions via judgment entries filed July 13, 2017. Case plans
were immediately filed thereafter.
{¶ 4} On November 8, 2017, mother filed motions to grant temporary custody of
the children to either the children's maternal grandparents or their maternal great aunt
and uncle.
{¶ 5} On April 18, 2018, appellee filed motions for permanent custody due to the
parents being unable to make any significant progress on the case plans and the children
should not or could not be placed with either parent within a reasonable amount of time.
Licking County, Case Nos. 2019 CA 00108, 2019 CA 00109, 2019 CA 00110 3
Mother's motions for temporary custody were to be heard at the permanent custody
hearing. Hearings were held before a magistrate on February 15, and 22, 2019. Prior to
the hearings, mother orally moved to amend her motions for temporary custody to
motions for legal custody to either of the aforementioned relatives. By decisions filed July
22, 2019, the magistrate denied the motions for legal custody and granted appellee's
motions for permanent custody.
{¶ 6} Each parent filed objections. By judgment entries filed October 1, 2019, the
trial court denied the objections, approved and adopted the magistrate's decisions, and
granted permanent custody of the children to appellee.
{¶ 7} Appellant-Father filed an appeal in each case and this matter is now before
this court for consideration.1 The assignments of error in each of the three appeals are
identical and are as follows:
I
{¶ 8} "THE MAGISTRATE ABUSED ITS DISCRETION WHEN IT DENIED
MOTHER'S MOTION TO GRANT LEGAL CUSTODY OF ALL THREE MINOR
CHILDREN TO EITHER MATERNAL GRANDPARENTS OR IN THE ALTERNATIVE TO
MATERNAL GREAT AUNT AND UNCLE [C. AND T. A.] AND ERRED IN GRANTING
THE LICKING COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF JOB AND FAMILY SERVICES
PERMANENT CUSTODY OF THE MINOR CHILDREN."
II
1Mother also filed appeals (Case Nos. 2019 CA 00111, 2019 CA 00112, and 2019 CA
00113), and her arguments will be reviewed therein.
Licking County, Case Nos. 2019 CA 00108, 2019 CA 00109, 2019 CA 00110 4
{¶ 9} "THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN FINDING THAT THE BEST INTERESTS
OF THE MINOR CHILDREN WOULD BE SERVED BY THE GRANTING OF
PERMANENT CUSTODY."
I
{¶ 10} In his first assignment of error, father claims the trial court abused its
discretion in denying mother's motions for legal custody to relatives. We disagree.
{¶ 11} R.C. 2151.353(A)(3) states the following in pertinent part:
(A) If a child is adjudicated an abused, neglected, or dependent child,
the court may make any of the following orders of disposition:
(3) Award legal custody of the child to either parent or to any other
person who, prior to the dispositional hearing, files a motion requesting legal
custody of the child or is identified as a proposed legal custodian in a
complaint or motion filed prior to the dispositional hearing by any party to
the proceedings.
{¶ 12} We agree with the following analysis set forth by our colleagues from the
Eighth District in In re D.T., 8th Dist. Cuyahoga Nos. 100970 and 100971, 2014-Ohio-
4818, ¶ 19-22:
Legal custody is significantly different than the termination of
parental rights in that, despite losing legal custody of a child, the parent of
the child retains residual parental rights, privileges, and responsibilities. In
Licking County, Case Nos. 2019 CA 00108, 2019 CA 00109, 2019 CA 00110 5
re G.M., 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 95410, 2011-Ohio-4090, ¶ 14, citing R.C.
2151.353(A)(3)(c). In such a case, a parent's right to regain custody is not
permanently foreclosed. In re M.J.M. [8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 94130, 2010-
Ohio-1674] at ¶ 12. For this reason, the standard the trial court uses in
making its determination is the less restrictive "preponderance of the
evidence." Id. at ¶ 9, citing In re Nice, 141 Ohio App.3d 445, 455, 751
N.E.2d 552 (7th Dist.2001). "Preponderance of the evidence" means
evidence that is more probable, more persuasive, or of greater probative
value. In re C.V.M., 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 98340, 2012-Ohio-5514, ¶ 7.
Unlike permanent custody cases in which the trial court is guided by
the factors outlined in R.C. 2151.414(D) before terminating parental rights
and granting permanent custody, R.C. 2151.353(A)(3) does not provide
factors the court should consider in determining the child's best interest in
a motion for legal custody. In re G.M. at ¶ 15. We must presume that, in
the absence of best interest factors in a legal custody case, "the legislature
did not intend to require the consideration of certain factors as a predicate
for granting legal custody." Id. at ¶ 16. Such factors, however, are
instructive when making a determination as to the child's best interest. In
re E.A. [8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 99065, 2013-Ohio-1193] at ¶ 13.
The best interest factors include, for example, the interaction of the
child with the child's parents, relatives, and caregivers; the custodial history
of the child; the child's need for a legally secure permanent placement; and
whether a parent has continuously and repeatedly failed to substantially
Licking County, Case Nos. 2019 CA 00108, 2019 CA 00109, 2019 CA 00110 6
remedy the conditions causing the child to be placed outside the child's
home. R.C. 2151.414(D).
Because custody determinations " 'are some of the most difficult and
agonizing decisions a trial judge must make,' " a trial judge must have broad
discretion in considering all of the evidence. In re E.A. at ¶ 10, quoting
Davis v. Flickinger, 77 Ohio St.3d 415, 418, 674 N.E.2d 1159 (1997). We
therefore review a trial court's determination of legal custody for an abuse
of discretion. Miller v. Miller, 37 Ohio St.3d 71, 74, 523 N.E.2d 846 (1988).
An abuse of discretion implies that the court's attitude is unreasonable,
arbitrary, or unconscionable. Blakemore v. Blakemore, 5 Ohio St.3d 217,
219, 450 N.E.2d 1140 (1983).
Accord, In re L.D., 10th Dist. Franklin No. 12AP-985, 2013-Ohio-3214; Stull v. Richland
County Children Services, 5th Dist. Richland Nos. 11CA47 and 11CA48, 2012-Ohio-738.
{¶ 13} Final hearings were held on February 15, and 22, 2019. On the morning of
the first hearing date, mother orally moved to amend her motions for temporary custody
to motions for legal custody to either the children's maternal grandparents (F.M. and E.M.)
or their maternal great aunt and uncle (C.A. and T.A.). T. at 7-8. The magistrate
acknowledged that the grandparents and the great aunt signed a statement of
understanding form as required under R.C. 2151.353(A)(3). T. at 8.
{¶ 14} The children's maternal grandmother, F.M., testified she and her husband
live in a three bedroom mobile home. T. at 12. They have enough income to meet all of
Licking County, Case Nos. 2019 CA 00108, 2019 CA 00109, 2019 CA 00110 7
their financial needs as well as the children's. T. at 14. She was aware of the oldest child
having special needs, but the child was getting help and that would continue. T. at 15.
She could not testify to the child's special needs "because I don't know." T. at 27. She
was not aware of any issues with the younger two children. T. at 15. She had sisters
and sisters-in-law as a support system to help out. Id. She did not know the children's
birthdates. T. at 31. She has visited with the children and they are bonded. T. at 16.
She never filled out paperwork seeking placement because "it happened so fast" and the
original caseworker told her not to bother because they would not get the children. T. at
19-20. F.M. stated she had convictions for a DWI in 2009 and one in 2012, and a drug
related charge, "but I went to rehab, I finished that, and I've been clean for five years." T.
at 20-21. She no longer consumes alcohol. T. at 21-22. Her drug related charge was
abusing harmful intoxicants in 2013. T. at 22. She denied having a substantiated physical
abuse case with Children's Services when mother was a child, stating, "[t]hat went
nowhere," "I never went to court for none of that." T. at 23, 43. She stated she has always
wanted the children. T. at 27.
{¶ 15} F.M.'s husband, E.M., testified he understood the oldest child had special
needs as the child was autistic. T. at 47. He has visited with the children and they are
bonded. T. at 49-50. He testified he was prepared to have the children in his home. T.
at 50. However, in October 2018 and again just prior to the hearing, E.M. told the
guardian ad litem he did not think it was feasible for him and his wife to care for the
children. T. at 55. Overnight he changed his mind. Id. He explained "there were doubts
whether we would be able to handle them and everything, and she has guaranteed me
Licking County, Case Nos. 2019 CA 00108, 2019 CA 00109, 2019 CA 00110 8
or promised me that she's had a change of heart and that she really wants to do it so I
agreed with her." T. at 56. He did not know the children's birthdates. T. at 66.
{¶ 16} The children's maternal great aunt, C.A., testified she was aware that the
oldest child had autism, and she would be able to meet the child's special needs. T. at
77. She lives in a three bedroom home with her husband and her seventeen year old
child. T. at 78. She and her husband have enough income to meet all of their financial
needs as well as the children's. T. at 79-80. She has a close bond with the oldest child
because at one time, her older daughter was taking care of the child. T. at 81. She really
did not know much about the youngest child. Id. The oldest child was removed because
C.A.'s daughter failed to complete the required paperwork. T. at 85. The original
caseworker asked C.A. to take a drug screen, but she refused. T. at 83. C.A. tried to
visit with the children once a week until the oldest child was removed from her daughter's
care. T. at 86-87. C.A. wanted the children, but did nothing to follow up because she
was "waiting to hear what everything was going on because I'd been kinda of in the loop.
I don't really know where the children are, what's going on with them." T. at 88. The
guardian ad litem called C.A. and left two voice messages that she acknowledged
receiving, but never returned his calls. T. at 92-93, 347-348. C.A. never had all three of
the children over at the same time. T. at 95. She did not know the children's birthdates.
T. at 101.
{¶ 17} The foster mother of the oldest child testified the child's been diagnosed
with autism and cognitive delays. T. at 125, 129-130. She explained the child's behaviors
and the in home treatment she provides for the child. T. at 126-127. She opined the child
Licking County, Case Nos. 2019 CA 00108, 2019 CA 00109, 2019 CA 00110 9
"takes a lot of care, a lot of constant care and [the child's] always going to take a lot of
constant care for the rest of [the child's] life." T. at 128.
{¶ 18} Rebecca Inboden is the family's ongoing caseworker. She testified the
maternal grandmother would not be able to pass a home study because of her criminal
history. T. at 268. Plus she had "demonstrated some fairly inappropriate and
uncooperative behavior towards agency staff." Id. Maternal grandfather stated he could
not care for the children by himself. T. at 269. Maternal great aunt "acknowledged that
she had a history of substance abuse and that she had sought treatment for that." T. at
269-270. Appellee asked her to do a random drug screen, but she refused. T. at 297.
There was also a concern that her husband had a domestic violence conviction in the
past; therefore, C.A. and her husband would have been excluded as potential relative
options for the children. T. at 270. C.A. was told she could visit with the children. She
visited in February of 2018, and did not return for any more visits. T. at 300-301. Ms.
Inboden opined the relatives "would be probably very overwhelmed very quickly with the
children's needs, and how young the children are, and how extensive the needs are, and
the level of care that's involved." T. at 300.
{¶ 19} In his decisions filed July 22, 2019, the magistrate noted several concerns
with the maternal grandparents, the most notable was his concern with F.M.'s "apparent
lack of knowledge about these children." F.M. was not able to testify to the oldest child's
special needs because she just did not know. Given the foster mother's testimony as to
this child's significant needs, it is apparent F.M. "has no real idea" as to what the child's
needs are. The magistrate noted this is especially important given the fact that the
maternal grandparents "are on the fence about becoming permanent custodians for these
Licking County, Case Nos. 2019 CA 00108, 2019 CA 00109, 2019 CA 00110 10
children." They admitted to telling the guardian ad litem on more than one occasion that
they could not care for the children, but changed their minds the night before the hearing.
This was a concern as they "don't seem fully committed to taking on responsibility for
these three children." The magistrate concluded the following: "Given the hesitance of
the two to take on this task, the scale of the task presented by three young [children] and
the exceptional needs of [J.], the undersigned simply cannot see how this would work
long-term. For these reasons, the motion of Mr. and Mrs. [M.] for custody should be
denied."
{¶ 20} The magistrate had the same concerns with C.A. It was unclear whether
she understood all that was involved in caring for the oldest child's special needs and add
to that "the needs of caring for two other young children and it seems that Ms. [A.], though
acting with good intentions, has not demonstrated that she is able and willing to take on
these three children and meet their needs permanently." The magistrate concluded her
request for legal custody should be denied.
{¶ 21} Upon review, based upon a preponderance of the evidence presented as
outlined above, we cannot say the trial court abused its discretion in denying the motions
for legal custody.
{¶ 22} Assignment of Error I is denied.
II
{¶ 23} In his second assignment of error, father claims the trial court erred in
finding clear and convincing evidence that the children's best interests would be best
served by granting permanent custody to appellee. We disagree.
Licking County, Case Nos. 2019 CA 00108, 2019 CA 00109, 2019 CA 00110 11
{¶ 24} R.C.2151.414(B)(1) states permanent custody may be granted if the trial
court determines, by clear and convincing evidence, that it is in the best interest of the
child and:
(a) The child is not abandoned or orphaned * * * and the child cannot
be placed with either of the child's parents within a reasonable time or
should not be placed with the child's parents.
(b) The child is abandoned.
(c) The child is orphaned, and there are no relatives of the child who
are able to take permanent custody.
(d) The child has been in the temporary custody of one or more public
children services agencies or private child placing agencies for twelve or
more months of a consecutive twenty-two-month period * * *.
(e) The child or another child in the custody of the parent or parents
from whose custody the child has been removed has been adjudicated an
abused, neglected, or dependent child on three separate occasions by any
court in this state or another state.
{¶ 25} Clear and convincing evidence is that evidence "which will provide in the
mind of the trier of facts a firm belief or conviction as to the facts sought to be established."
Cross v. Ledford, 161 Ohio St. 469, 120 N.E.2d 118 (1954), paragraph three of the
syllabus. See In re Adoption of Holcomb, 18 Ohio St.3d 361, 481 N.E.2d 613 (1985).
"Where the degree of proof required to sustain an issue must be clear and convincing, a
Licking County, Case Nos. 2019 CA 00108, 2019 CA 00109, 2019 CA 00110 12
reviewing court will examine the record to determine whether the trier of facts had
sufficient evidence before it to satisfy the requisite degree of proof." Cross at 477.
{¶ 26} R.C. 2151.414(E) sets out the factors relevant to determining whether a
child cannot be placed with either parent within a reasonable period of time or should not
be placed with the parents. Said section states in pertinent part the following:
(E) In determining at a hearing held pursuant to division (A) of this
section or for the purposes of division (A)(4) of section 2151.353 of the
Revised Code whether a child cannot be placed with either parent within a
reasonable period of time or should not be placed with the parents, the court
shall consider all relevant evidence. If the court determines, by clear and
convincing evidence, at a hearing held pursuant to division (A) of this
section or for the purposes of division (A)(4) of section 2151.353 of the
Revised Code that one or more of the following exist as to each of the child's
parents, the court shall enter a finding that the child cannot be placed with
either parent within a reasonable time or should not be placed with either
parent:
(1) Following the placement of the child outside the child's home and
notwithstanding reasonable case planning and diligent efforts by the agency
to assist the parents to remedy the problems that initially caused the child
to be placed outside the home, the parent has failed continuously and
repeatedly to substantially remedy the conditions causing the child to be
placed outside the child's home. In determining whether the parents have
Licking County, Case Nos. 2019 CA 00108, 2019 CA 00109, 2019 CA 00110 13
substantially remedied those conditions, the court shall consider parental
utilization of medical, psychiatric, psychological, and other social and
rehabilitative services and material resources that were made available to
the parents for the purpose of changing parental conduct to allow them to
resume and maintain parental duties.
(16) Any other factor the court considers relevant.
{¶ 27} R.C. 2151.414(D)(1) sets forth the factors a trial court shall consider in
determining the best interest of a child:
(D)(1) In determining the best interest of a child at a hearing held
pursuant to division (A) of this section or for the purposes of division (A)(4)
or (5) of section 2151.353 or division (C) of section 2151.415 of the Revised
Code, the court shall consider all relevant factors, including, but not limited
to, the following:
(a) The interaction and interrelationship of the child with the child's
parents, siblings, relatives, foster caregivers and out-of-home providers,
and any other person who may significantly affect the child;
(b) The wishes of the child, as expressed directly by the child or
through the child's guardian ad litem, with due regard for the maturity of the
child;
(c) The custodial history of the child, including whether the child has
been in the temporary custody of one or more public children services
Licking County, Case Nos. 2019 CA 00108, 2019 CA 00109, 2019 CA 00110 14
agencies or private child placing agencies for twelve or more months of a
consecutive twenty-two-month period, or the child has been in the
temporary custody of one or more public children services agencies or
private child placing agencies for twelve or more months of a consecutive
twenty-two-month period and, as described in division (D)(1) of section
2151.413 of the Revised Code, the child was previously in the temporary
custody of an equivalent agency in another state;
(d) The child's need for a legally secure permanent placement and
whether that type of placement can be achieved without a grant of
permanent custody to the agency;
(e) Whether any of the factors in divisions (E)(7) to (11) of this section
apply in relation to the parents and child.
{¶ 28} Father does not contest the fact that the children were placed in appellee's
temporary custody on May 19, 2017, adjudicated on July 12, 2017, and the permanent
custody hearings were held on February 15, and 22, 2019. As found by the trial court,
the children have been in appellee's custody for over twelve months of a consecutive
twenty-two-month period. R.C. 2151.414(B)(1)(d).
{¶ 29} Ms. Inboden testified the initial concerns with the family were domestic
violence between mother and father, mental health concerns for mother, and substance
abuse concerns for both parents. T. at 236-237. Father's case plan addressed mental
health and substance abuse issues, and medical neglect of the children. T. at 237-238,
257. At the initial intake in May 2017, father tested positive for amphetamines,
Licking County, Case Nos. 2019 CA 00108, 2019 CA 00109, 2019 CA 00110 15
methamphetamine, and THC. T. at 258. Father self-referred for substance abuse
services at LAPP, but did not complete the program and his case was "closed non
successful, uncompliant." T. at 260-261. Father's substance abuse continued to be an
ongoing problem. He tested positive for drugs on multiple random drug screens, and
refused drug screens on at least two occasions. T. at 244-245, 259-260, 281-282, 313-
314. Father's substance abuse remains a concern. T. at 261.
{¶ 30} As for mental health, father had a past diagnosis of PSTD which he felt was
no longer relevant. T. at 262. Also, there was a concern of domestic violence. Id. Father
never produced verification of undergoing any mental health evaluation. T. at 263, 311.
Father's mental health remains a concern. Id.{¶ 31} Father's parenting skills were an issue as the two older children had
developmental delays i.e., difficulties with speech, articulation, communicating. T. at 250,
263. Father attended one or two classes at Heartbeats, a pregnancy and parenting
support facility, but did not follow through. T. at 263-264. Father's parenting skills remain
a concern. T. at 264.
{¶ 32} Father's employment and housing were not an issue until he and mother
separated and he moved to North Carolina to live with his brother. T. at 264-265. Father
provided verification of employment in North Carolina. T. at 265.
{¶ 33} Father regularly visited with the children and the visits went "[v]ery well," he
was "very attentive and engaged with the kids." T. at 266. He even traveled from North
Carolina for visitations. T. at 199, 303.
Licking County, Case Nos. 2019 CA 00108, 2019 CA 00109, 2019 CA 00110 16
{¶ 34} The children were in foster care and were making remarkable progress. T.
at 266-268. Their basic and special needs were being met, and their respective foster
parents wanted to adopt them. T. at 114, 128-129, 266, 268, 309.
{¶ 35} Ms. Inboden stated the case plan services have not been completed and
"what has been attempted, doesn't appear to be sufficient to alleviate the concerns or
provide any reassurance that the children's needs will be met and they'll be safe." T. at
274.
{¶ 36} Scott Sidner is the guardian ad litem. He testified he observed visits
between father and the children and they went "[r]eally well." T. at 338-339. He could
tell father "loved the kids and vice versa." T. at 340-341. Father responded appropriately
to the children's behaviors and redirected the children when necessary. T. at 340. He
"was doing really well in the last part of the visits, not just his section but coming there
and interacting with the kids and everything." T. at 341. However, he did not believe
father was capable of meeting the basic and special needs of the children. T. at 357. It
was his opinion that granting permanent custody to the agency would be in the children's
best interests. T. at 358.
{¶ 37} Father testified at the time of the hearing, he and mother had been
separated for eight months. T. at 197-198. He lived in North Carolina with his brother
and his family in a rented home. T. at 197. He travels to Ohio every two weeks to visit
with the children. T. at 199. He acknowledged that he was given a copy of the case plan,
and understood what was required: maintain employment/income, substance abuse
assessment and treatment, and mental health counseling. T. at 200-201. He was
currently employed and received disability income. T. at 199-200, 206. He completed
Licking County, Case Nos. 2019 CA 00108, 2019 CA 00109, 2019 CA 00110 17
LAPP education, but did not follow up on recommended services because "I wanted to
get something that showed a completion, a certificate." T. at 201-202. Instead he
completed an online program through Open Path. T. at 202; Father's Exhibit B. However,
he admitted to testing positive for illegal substances after completing the program and
using marijuana in the past few months prior to the hearing. T. at 202-203. He did not
refuse one of the drug screens, he just wanted to wait "to allow the time to actually have
to urinate." T. at 320, 330-331. He received a mental health discharge from the VA in
2015. T. at 326-327; Father's Exhibit C. He did not seek any additional mental health
evaluation other than ongoing reevaluation with a VA therapist "just to see if there's any
need for any further concern. They deemed nothing at that point. That there was no
further concern for any continuous evaluation." T. at 203-204, 327-328. He felt his
continuous involvement with the VA was satisfactory. T. at 328. He stated he took an
online parenting class. T. at 209, 324-326; Father's Exhibit A. Although the oldest child
was not his child, he consider the child to be his, and was aware of the child's special
needs. T. at 204. Father stated Ms. Inboden had told him that he would never get his
children back as long as he stayed with mother. Id.{¶ 38} On the issue of permanent custody regarding father, the magistrate found
the children had been in the agency's temporary custody for twenty months of a
consecutive twenty-two month period, and father "has also made minimal progress" on
his case plan objectives. See Magistrate's Decisions filed July 22, 2019. While he did
engage in mental health services through the VA, participated in an online program for
substance abuse, and took an online parenting class, he admitted to continued
"substance abuse through much of the case." He did not have independent housing and
Licking County, Case Nos. 2019 CA 00108, 2019 CA 00109, 2019 CA 00110 18
lived out of state. The magistrate found father "may be worse off than when the case
started as well." The magistrate further noted because father now lives in North Carolina,
the Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children (hereinafter "ICPC") applied in this
case. As quoted by the magistrate, Article VI(A) of the ICPC states, " 'no child subject to
this compact shall be placed into a receiving state until approval for such placement is
obtained.' " Article VI(B) states if " 'the public child placing agency in the receiving state
does not approve the proposed placement then the child shall not be placed.' " The trial
court did not receive any such approval from North Carolina; therefore, the magistrate
could not recommend an order of placement with father. The magistrate recommended
the termination of parental rights, and determined "the best way for these children to
achieve stability and permanency is through adoption." The magistrate recommended
permanent custody of the children to the agency. By judgment entries filed October 1,
2019, the trial court denied father's objections and approved and adopted the magistrate's
decisions.
{¶ 39} As explained by our brethren from the Second District in In re A.J.S. & R.S.,
2d Dist. Miami No. 2007CA2, 2007-Ohio-3433, ¶ 22:
Accordingly, issues relating to the credibility of witnesses and the
weight to be given the evidence are primarily for the trier of fact. In this
regard, "[t]he underlying rationale of giving deference to the findings of the
trial court rests with the knowledge that the trial judge is best able to view
the witnesses and observe their demeanor, gestures and voice inflections,
and use these observations in weighing the credibility of the proffered
Licking County, Case Nos. 2019 CA 00108, 2019 CA 00109, 2019 CA 00110 19
testimony." Seasons Coal Co., Inc. v. Cleveland (1984), 10 Ohio St.3d 77,
80, 461 N.E.2d 1273. Finally, an appellate court must adhere to every
reasonable presumption in favor of the trial court's judgment and findings of
fact. In re Brodbeck, 97 Ohio App.3d 652, 659, 647 N.E.2d 240, citing
Gerijo, Inc. v. Fairfield (1994), 70 Ohio St.3d 223, 226, 1994-Ohio-432, 638
N.E.2d 533.
{¶ 40} Further, " 'the discretion which the juvenile court enjoys in determining
whether an order of permanent custody is in the best interest of a child should be
accorded the utmost respect, given the nature of the proceeding and the impact the
court's determination will have on the lives of the parties concerned.' " In re Mauzy
Children, 5th Dist. Stark No. 2000CA00244, 2000 WL 1700073, *2 (Nov. 13, 2000),
quoting In re Awkal, 95 Ohio App.3d 309, 316, 642 N.E.2d 424 (8th Dist.1994).
{¶ 41} From the testimony, it is clear that father loves his children and wishes to
parent them. However, the evidence is also clear that despite the services and
caseworkers available to him for some twenty-one months, he has not been able to
maintain the services and/or successfully complete them. The children are thriving in
their respective foster homes and appear to be healthy and happy. Given the evidence
presented, it is impossible for this court to second guess the trial court. As stated above,
credibility, reliability, and forthrightness are within the province of the trier of fact.
{¶ 42} Upon review, we find sufficient clear and convincing evidence to support the
trial court's decisions to terminate father's parental rights and grant permanent custody of
the children to the agency.
Licking County, Case Nos. 2019 CA 00108, 2019 CA 00109, 2019 CA 00110 20
{¶ 43} Assignment of Error II is denied.
{¶ 44} The judgments of the Court of Common Pleas of Licking County, Ohio are
hereby affirmed.
By Wise, Earle, J.
Delaney, P.J. and
Baldwin, J. concur.
EEW/db