In re B.Y. ( 2017 )

[Cite as In re B.Y., 2017-Ohio-833.]
STATE OF OHIO ) IN THE COURT OF APPEALS
)ss: NINTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT
COUNTY OF WAYNE )
IN RE: B.Y. C.A. No. 16AP0071
APPEAL FROM JUDGMENT
ENTERED IN THE
COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
COUNTY OF WAYNE, OHIO
CASE No. 2015-JUV-C-000717
DECISION AND JOURNAL ENTRY
Dated: March 9, 2017
CARR, Judge.
{¶1} Appellant, Jessica B. (“Mother”), appeals from a judgment of the Wayne County
Court of Common Pleas, Juvenile Division, that terminated her parental rights to her minor child,
and placed the child in the permanent custody of Wayne County Children Services (“CSB”).
This Court reverses and remands.
I.
{¶2} Appellant is the mother of B.Y., born January 13, 2012. The father of the child
was not determined.
{¶3} On June 23, 2015, CSB filed a dependency complaint regarding B.Y. based upon
allegations of heroin use by Mother. Mother stipulated to a finding of dependency under R.C.
2151.04(C) at the adjudication, and she subsequently agreed to a disposition of temporary
custody to CSB. A brief placement with the maternal grandmother was unsuccessful, and the
agency soon placed B.Y. with a foster family.
2
{¶4} The case plan adopted by the trial court required Mother to address substance
abuse, basic needs, recommendations from a psychological evaluation, and housing. Mother was
offered supervised visits for one-to-two hours weekly. At Mother’s request, her boyfriend was
included on the case plan. He had similar objectives and visitation provisions, but accomplished
little on his case plan.
{¶5} On May 23, 2016, CSB moved for permanent custody. In that motion, CSB
alleged that the child could not be placed with a parent within a reasonable time or should not be
placed with a parent, see R.C. 2151.414(B)(1)(a), supported by allegations under R.C.
2151.414(E)(1), (E)(2), (E)(4), and (E)(11), along with a second-prong claim that permanent
custody was in the best interest of the child. See R.C. 2151.414(D)(1).
{¶6} Mother came to court on the day set for the permanent custody hearing and
requested a continuance. She had been served with notice of the hearing by publication and only
saw the motion for permanent custody that morning. The court did not grant an immediate
continuance, but agreed to continue the hearing until a second day to allow Mother to present
evidence on her own behalf. CSB presented the bulk of its evidence on the first day and, after
the admission of a stipulated exhibit, the agency rested its case on the second day.
{¶7} Thereupon, Mother’s attorney announced that Mother would not call any
witnesses, as anticipated, but rather offered a signed copy of a pre-printed Parental Stipulation to
Permanent Custody form. According to counsel, she did so in order that “the current foster
placement can move forward with adopting [B.Y.].” The trial judge stated: “[W]e have already
heard from a number of witnesses and the State has rested at this point. I will go ahead and
accept this form and make it part of the case file but I feel like at this point I need to rule on the
merits of the case.” The trial judge then asked three questions of Mother: (1) whether she had
3
any questions about the form, (2) whether she was under the influence of anything at the present
time, and (3) whether anyone had promised her anything or made threats against her in order to
sign the form, to all of which Mother answered in the negative, adding only “The paper, I did it
for [B.Y.]” The court heard a brief statement by the guardian ad litem in which she reiterated her
prior recommendation of permanent custody, and the case was submitted for decision.
Thereafter, in the judgment entry, the trial judge indicated that she accepted Mother’s Stipulation
to Permanent Custody, granted CSB’s motion for permanent custody, and terminated the parental
rights of Mother and the unknown father.
{¶8} In granting CSB’s motion for permanent custody, the trial court found that the
child could not be placed with a parent within a reasonable time or should not be placed with a
parent, R.C. 2151.414(B)(1)(a), and supported it with findings under R.C. 2151.414(E)(4) and
(E)(11). The court also found that permanent custody was in the best interest of B.Y. See R.C.
2151.414(D)(1). At the same time, the trial court found that CSB had failed to meet its burden of
proof regarding R.C. 2151.414(E)(1) and (E)(2). Mother has appealed and has assigned two
errors for review.
II.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR I
THE TRIAL COURT ERRED BY RELYING UPON A STIPULATION TO
PERMANENT CUSTODY SIGNED BY MOTHER AS THE TRIAL COURT
FAILED TO CONDUCT A FULL INQUIRY CONCERNING THE
REPERCUSSIONS OF THAT STIPULATION.
{¶9} In her first assignment of error, Mother claims the trial court erred in failing to
engage in a dialogue with her to verify that she understood the consequences of a stipulation to
permanent custody, and in relying upon such stipulation when it granted permanent custody to
4
CSB to terminate her parental rights. For the reasons set forth below, this Court sustains this
assignment of error.
{¶10} At the outset, this Court observes that there is no legislative guidance on the
requirements for a voluntary surrender of parental rights in juvenile court where the child has
been adjudicated neglected or dependent. See In re Miller 61 Ohio St. 2d 184, 189 (1980); Kozak
v. Lutheran Children's Aid Soc., 164 Ohio St. 335, 341-342 (1955). Consequently, this Court
looks to decisional law to address this question.
{¶11} Parents have a “fundamental liberty interest” in the care, custody, and
management of their children. Santosky v. Kramer, 455 U.S. 745, 753 (1982); In re Murray, 52
Ohio St. 3d 155, 157 (1990). The right to raise one’s children is an “essential” and “basic civil
right[]” that is “far more precious * * * than property rights[.]” (Internal quotations and citations
omitted.) Stanley v. Illinois, 405 U.S. 645, 651 (1972); Meyer v. Nebraska, 262 U.S. 390, 399
(1923). This fundamental liberty interest carries due process protections. Santosky at 753; In
re Shaeffer Children, 85 Ohio App. 3d 683, 689-690 (3d Dist.1993).
For all its consequence, “due process” has never been, and perhaps can never be,
precisely defined. * * * Rather, [due process] expresses the requirement of
“fundamental fairness,” a requirement whose meaning can be as opaque as its
importance is lofty. Applying the Due Process Clause is therefore an uncertain
enterprise which must discover what “fundamental fairness” consists of in a
particular situation by first considering any relevant precedents and then by
assessing the several interests that are at stake.
Lassiter v. Dept. of Social Servs. of Durham Cty., North Carolina, 452 U.S. 18, 24-25,
(1981).
{¶12} Since parents have constitutionally protected custodial rights, any action by the
state that affects these parental rights must be conducted pursuant to procedures that are
fundamentally fair. Santosky, 455 U.S. at 753-754; In re Adoption of Mays, 30 Ohio App. 3d
5
195, 198 (1st Dist.1986). In construing “fundamental fairness” in the context of a parental rights
termination proceeding, this Court notes that it has been said that parents “‘must be afforded
every procedural and substantive protection the law allows[,]’” In re Hayes, 79 Ohio St. 3d 46, 48
(1997) quoting In re Smith, 77 Ohio App. 3d 1, 16 (6th Dist.1991), and the termination of
parental rights should only be used as a “last resort.” In re Cunningham, 59 Ohio St. 2d 100, 105
(1979). This is because when the State initiates a parental rights termination proceeding, “the
State has sought not simply to infringe upon that interest but to end it. If the State prevails, it
will have worked a unique kind of deprivation. A parent’s interest in the accuracy and justice of
the decision to terminate his or her parental status is, therefore, a commanding one.” (Internal
citation omitted.) Lassiter at 27.
{¶13} Accordingly, this Court has recognized that “‘“[i]n a case where parental rights
are permanently terminated, it is of utmost importance that the parties fully understand their
rights and that any waiver is made with full knowledge of those rights and the consequences
which will follow.”’” In re J.F., 9th Dist. Wayne No. 15AP0058, 2016-Ohio-1285, ¶ 11,
quoting In re Rock Children, 5th Dist. Stark No. 2004CA00358, 2005-Ohio-2572, ¶ 17, quoting
Elmer v. Lucas Cty. Children Servs. Bd., 36 Ohio App. 3d 241, 245 (6th Dist.1987). In addition,
Ohio courts commonly consider that a parent’s surrender of parental rights must be knowing,
intelligent, and voluntary. See, e.g., In re A.P., 9th Dist. Summit No. 23698, 2007-Ohio-5413, ¶
5; In re D.C.H., 9th Dist. Summit No. 22648, 2005-Ohio-4257, ¶ 14 (“The trial court thoroughly
questioned Mother to determine whether she was relinquishing her parental rights voluntarily,
knowingly and intelligently.”) In re L.D., 5th Dist. Stark No. 2015CA00222, 2016-Ohio-3163, ¶
17-18; In re K.C., 3d Dist. Defiance Nos. 4-15-05, 4-15-06, 2015-Ohio-3815, ¶ 12, 15; In re
6
Terrence, 162 Ohio App. 3d 229, 2005-Ohio-3600, ¶ 1, ¶ 89 (6th Dist.). See also In re A.J., 10th
Dist. Franklin Nos. 14AP-284, 14AP-285, 14AP-286, 14AP-287, 2014-Ohio-5046, ¶ 27.
{¶14} Thus, fundamental due process requires that a parent’s surrender of parental rights
must reflect fundamental fairness, be made with full knowledge of the parent’s rights and the
consequences that will follow, and be knowing, intelligent, and voluntary. To this point, based
upon their appellate briefs, both parties agree. Where they disagree is in whether the trial court
must personally inquire of Mother concerning her rights and the consequences of stipulating to a
grant of permanent custody.
{¶15} In the present case, after CSB rested, Mother’s attorney represented to the court
that Mother decided not to present any evidence, but rather wished to surrender her parental
rights and had completed a written parental stipulation form. The trial judge promptly accepted
the form, but at the same time said: [W]e have already heard from a number of witnesses and the
State has rested at this point. I will go ahead and accept this form and make it part of the case
file but I feel like at this point I need to rule on the merits of the case.” Thereupon, the trial
judge asked only three questions of Mother: (1) whether she had any questions about the form,
(2) whether she was under the influence of anything at the present time, and (3) whether she had
been threatened or promised anything in order to surrender her parental rights. Mother
responded in the negative to each question.
{¶16} Notably, however, the trial judge did not explore any of the implications of
permanent custody with Mother. She never inquired whether Mother understood the nature of
the allegations against her or whether she was aware of the consequences of her stipulation. The
judge did not explain that Mother would have no right to any future contact or relationship with
7
the child. Nor did she verify that Mother understood her rights or CSB’s burden in proving its
case.
{¶17} Mother maintains that, in so doing, the trial court failed to comply with
fundamental due process when it did not personally address her regarding the consequences of a
surrender of parental rights before accepting and relying upon a written stipulation in granting
permanent custody of her child to CSB. Mother claims that this violated the due process
requirement that before accepting a waiver of parental rights, the court must ensure that a parent
understands his or her rights and the consequences of such action. See Elmer, 36 Ohio App. 3d at
245.
{¶18} For its part, CSB maintains that Mother’s written stipulation and a brief personal
exchange between Mother and the trial judge was sufficient to establish voluntariness in the
absence of any evidence that Mother was “uncertain of her decision to stipulate” or had
“misunderstandings about the ramifications of her stipulation.” In support of its position, CSB
cites In re Terrence, 162 Ohio App. 3d 229, 2005-Ohio-3600. This Court does not agree that In
re Terrence compels the result that the agency suggests.
{¶19} In that case, an agreement to surrender the child was reached through a mediation
process and the agreement was read into the record by the mother’s attorney. Id. at ¶ 3. The
mother’s attorney asked the mother several questions on the record about the agreement, and
then the trial judge engaged the mother further in a lengthy colloquy, covering her rights and the
consequences of agreeing to permanent custody. Id. at ¶ 5-82. The trial court accepted the
mother’s surrender of her parental rights and the mother appealed. Id. at ¶ 83.
{¶20} The Sixth District Court of Appeals then specifically held that fundamental due
process requires the trial court to have “a meaningful dialogue with the parent to be certain that
8
the consent is truly voluntary.” Id. at ¶ 89. However, because “the meaningful dialogue” that
took place in that case revealed “ambivalence” and “uncertainty” on the part of Mother, id. at ¶
90, 92, the appellate court found that “[t]he waiver was not truly voluntary or knowing.” Id. at ¶
92. The reviewing court found that acceptance of the stipulation was error and reversed the
judgment of the trial court. Id. at ¶ 89, 93.
{¶21} CSB argues that the present case should be affirmed because there is no evidence
that Mother was uncertain of her decision to stipulate to permanent custody or had any
misunderstandings about the ramifications of her stipulation, but this reasoning fails to account
for the fact that Mother was not the beneficiary of “a meaningful dialogue” in the first instance,
which is how and where the voluntariness of a waiver is determined, and was revealed in In re
Terrence to be lacking.
{¶22} Some appellate districts in Ohio have relied on the principle of fundamental due
process to conclude that a “meaningful dialogue” or a “thorough colloquy” between the trial
judge and the parent is necessary for a valid waiver of parental rights.1 And some appellate
districts have relied on Juv.R. 29(D) to call for a full colloquy in final dispositional hearings.2
1
See, e.g., In In re R.J., 6th Dist. Lucas No. L-15-1251, 2016-Ohio-539, ¶ 18-20 (the trial
judge accepted the parent’s waiver only after conducting a “thorough colloquy” of rights and
consequences with the parent); In re K.C., 3d Dist. Defiance Nos. 4-15-05, 4-15-06, 2015-Ohio-
3815, ¶ 24 (trial court’s “extensive discussion” with father was a good example of a meaningful
dialogue); In re K.H., 191 Ohio App. 3d 251, 2010-Ohio-5172, ¶ 46 (6th Dist.) (basic due
process requires that when a parent is waiving the fundamental right to custody of a child, the
trial court must have a meaningful dialogue with that parent to be certain that the consent is truly
voluntary and knowing); In re Terrence, 162 Ohio App. 3d 229, 2005-Ohio-3600 at ¶ 89
(“fundamental due process requires that * * * the trial court must have a meaningful dialogue
with that parent to be certain that the consent is truly voluntary”); In re Isreal Y., 6th Dist. Lucas
No. L-07-1030, 2007-Ohio-3685, ¶ 8-42 (a lengthy colloquy took place, and the appellate court
found that the juvenile court established a knowing and voluntary waiver).
2
See, e.g., In re S.D., 5th Dist. Stark No. 2014CA00119, 2014-Ohio-5124, ¶ 14; In re
C.P., 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 91393, 2008-Ohio-4700, ¶ 18-24; In re Rock Children, 2005-Ohio-
9
{¶23} For its part, CSB has not proffered any legal authority to this Court in which the
dialogue between the trial judge and parent was so limited as that in the case before us today and
which was found to satisfy the requirements of fundamental due process and represented a
knowing, intelligent, and voluntary waiver.
{¶24} In analogous contexts, courts have applied a balancing test of the competing
interests to determine whether there has been a denial of “the specific dictates of due process.”
Mathews v. Eldridge, 424 U.S. 319, 334-335 (1976). See, e.g., In re Gray, 9th Dist. Wayne Nos.
99CA0014, 99CA0015, 1999 WL 1260292, *4 (Dec. 22, 1999). Such a balancing test may be
useful in considering whether a parent was denied the right to due process by the lack of a
dialogue regarding her understanding of the rights and consequences to a stipulation to
permanent custody. The Mathews test requires a court to evaluate three factors: (1) the private
interest affected; (2) the risk of erroneous deprivation and the probable value of additional
safeguards; and (3) the government’s interest including the governmental burden of additional
procedural requirements. Id. at 335.
{¶25} In this case, an application of the Mathews test requires a balancing of: (1) the
fundamental liberty interest of a parent to raise his or her child; (2) the risk of the unnecessary
destruction of a natural family and the value of the safeguard of a dialogue to more accurately
assess the parent’s position; and (3) a government interest in promoting the welfare of the child
and a minimal burden, both fiscally and administratively. Upon consideration, this Court
concludes that the balance of the competing interests in this case is clearly in favor of requiring a
meaningful dialogue between the trial judge and the parent regarding the parent’s understanding
2572 at ¶ 12, 35 (The trial court cannot rely on counsel’s assurances.); In re Foresha/Kinkel
Children, 5th Dist. Stark No. 2003CA00364, 2004-Ohio-578, ¶ 5-15; In re Fennell, 4th Dist.
Athens No. 01CA45, 2002 WL 194221, *6 (Jan. 23, 2002) (holding that the dispositional hearing
is entirely dependent on the adjudicatory phase).
10
of the rights and consequences of a stipulation to permanent custody before the court may accept
a surrender of parental rights. See Elmer, 36 Ohio App. 3d at 245.
{¶26} In sum, absent a “meaningful dialogue” between the trial judge and Mother to
ensure that Mother understood the rights and the consequences involved in such a decision, this
Court cannot conclude that Mother was afforded the necessary due process protections by which
to ensure that her surrender of parental rights was fundamentally fair and that it was knowing,
intelligent, and voluntary.
{¶27} Additionally, Mother claims that this error cannot be deemed harmless because
the trial court relied upon the stipulation in deciding to terminate Mother’s parental rights and so
indicated in her judgment entry. The record reveals that the trial judge did not ignore the
stipulation and reach her decision solely “on the merits,” but rather referred to the stipulation six
times in her judgment entry. Three of the references are factual recitations of the existence of the
stipulation or the court’s acceptance of it. The remaining three references, quoted below, are
connected to the substantive results in this matter:
[1] A little over one year has passed. There is still an opportunity for Mother to
work towards reunification with the child. However, Mother has not
demonstrated a commitment to doing so and at the conclusion of the hearing
executed a parental stipulation form to the motion for permanent custody. * * *
[2] An extension of temporary custody may have been warranted but at the
conclusion of the hearing Mother executed a stipulation to the motion for
permanent custody. * * *
[3] Despite these reasonable case planning services, it is in the child’s best interest
to be placed in the permanent custody of Children Services at this time as Mother
has executed a parental stipulation form agreeing that any parental rights to the
child should be terminated at this time.
{¶28} Based upon the first two references, it appears that the trial court relied upon the
stipulation in deciding to grant permanent custody instead of granting Mother an extension of
11
temporary custody. According to the trial judge, an extension of temporary custody “may have
been warranted” were it not for the stipulation. The record demonstrates that the motion for
permanent custody was filed eleven months after the complaint was filed and the hearing took
place one month later. Thus, as recognized by the trial court, there was ample time for at least
one extension of temporary custody. (“There is still an opportunity for Mother to work towards
reunification with the child.”)
{¶29} Next, the trial court indicated that it relied on the stipulation in finding that
Mother demonstrated a lack of commitment to the child, which is a first prong finding entered by
the trial court. See R.C. 2151.414(E)(4). (“However, Mother has not demonstrated a
commitment [to work towards reunification] and at the conclusion of the hearing executed a
parental stipulation form to the motion for permanent custody.”)
{¶30} Finally, the trial court found that the agency had made reasonable case planning
efforts to reunify the family and that it was in the child’s best interest to be placed in the
permanent custody of CSB. The trial court tied those findings to the stipulation as well.
(“Despite these reasonable case planning services, it is in the child’s best interest to be placed in
the permanent custody of Children Services at this time as Mother has executed a parental
stipulation form[.]”). (Emphasis added.)
{¶31} What is more, the finding that the agency engaged in reasonable case planning
efforts is noteworthy in light of the trial court’s determination that the agency had failed to meet
its burden of proof with respect to the claim pursuant to R.C. 2151.414(E)(1)
(“[N]otwithstanding reasonable case planning and diligent efforts by the agency * * *, the parent
has failed continuously and repeatedly to substantially remedy the conditions causing
[removal.]”). The trial court reached this conclusion because it found that the caseworker failed
12
to engage in reasonable case planning and diligent efforts in several specific regards. The court
specifically found that the caseworker “did not know whether Mother engaged in medication
management[,] * * * never discussed this with her or followed up with her on this aspect of her
case plan[,] * * * did not know whether Mother was receiving mental health counseling or
parenting instruction[, a] referral for parenting classes had never been made[,] * * * has not had a
conversation with Mother regarding employment and employment assistance has not been
offered to her[,] * * * has not requested that Mother submit to drug screens since her completion
of her drug treatment program except for May 23, 2016[,]” and did not ask to see Mother’s
prescriptions, despite learning Mother had been prescribed medication that may account for one
positive result. The trial judge concluded that “Mother has completed many of her case plan
services or is otherwise unable to do so because needed referrals have not been made.” Thus, the
trial court’s findings that the agency had made reasonable efforts and provided reasonable case
planning services seem all the more likely to have depended upon Mother’s stipulation.
{¶32} Accordingly, this Court concludes that the trial court erred in relying on a written
stipulation to permanent custody without conducting a meaningful dialogue with Mother
regarding the rights and consequences of such a waiver. The trial court has not expressed an
opinion on the question of whether the evidence presented by CSB alone clearly and
convincingly supported an order granting permanent custody, and this Court may not reach such
a conclusion in the first instance. Mother’s first assignment of error is sustained.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR II
THE TRIAL COURT ERRED BY FINDING THAT MOTHER
DEMONSTRATED A LACK OF COMMITMENT TO HER CHILD AND
THAT PERMANENT CUSTODY WAS IN THE CHILD’S BEST INTEREST.
{¶33} Mother’s second assignment of error is rendered moot. See App.R. 12(A)(1)(c).
13
III.
{¶34} Mother’s first assignment of error is sustained. Mother’s second assignment of
error is rendered moot. The judgment of the Wayne County Court of Common Pleas, Juvenile
Division, is reversed and the cause remanded for further proceedings consistent with this
opinion.
Judgment reversed,
and the cause remanded.
There were reasonable grounds for this appeal.
We order that a special mandate issue out of this Court, directing the Court of Common
Pleas, County of Wayne, State of Ohio, to carry this judgment into execution. A certified copy
of this journal entry shall constitute the mandate, pursuant to App.R. 27.
Immediately upon the filing hereof, this document shall constitute the journal entry of
judgment, and it shall be file stamped by the Clerk of the Court of Appeals at which time the
period for review shall begin to run. App.R. 22(C). The Clerk of the Court of Appeals is
instructed to mail a notice of entry of this judgment to the parties and to make a notation of the
mailing in the docket, pursuant to App.R. 30.
Costs taxed to Appellee.
DONNA J. CARR
FOR THE COURT
HENSAL, P. J.
CONCURRING IN JUDGMENT ONLY.
14
{¶35} I concur in the result of the lead opinion in this case, but I would reverse the
decision of the trial court on a different basis. I find merit in Mother’s second assignment of
error, which challenges both prongs of the trial court’s permanent custody finding.
{¶36} Although Mother challenges the trial court’s first prong finding under R.C.
2151.414(E)(4), she left the trial court’s alternative first prong finding under R.C.
2151.414(E)(11) unchallenged. Because the alternative finding is unchallenged, the first prong
of the permanent custody test is satisfied on that basis. See In re E.M., 9th Dist. Wayne No.
15CA0033, 2015-Ohio-5316, ¶ 12. However, I find merit in Mother’s challenge of the second
prong finding because without considering the stipulation and the finding that Mother has not
demonstrated a commitment toward reunification with the child, I cannot conclude that there was
clear and convincing evidence that it was in the best interest of B.Y. to be placed in the
permanent custody of CSB.
{¶37} Clear and convincing evidence is that which will “‘produce in the mind of the
trier of facts a firm belief or conviction as to the facts sought to be established.’” In re Adoption
of Holcomb, 18 Ohio St. 3d 361, 268 (1985), quoting Cross v. Ledford, 161 Ohio St. 469 (1954),
paragraph three of the syllabus.
{¶38} Furthermore, in reviewing a challenge to the weight of the evidence, this Court
“‘weighs the evidence and all reasonable inferences, considers the credibility of witnesses and
determines whether in resolving conflicts in the evidence, the [finder of fact] clearly lost its way
and created such a manifest miscarriage of justice that the [judgment] must be reversed and a
new trial ordered.’” Eastley v. Volkman, 132 Ohio St. 3d 328, 2012-Ohio-2179, ¶ 20, quoting
Tewarson v. Simon, 141 Ohio App.3d, 115 (9th Dist.2001).
15
{¶39} Like the lead opinion of the Court, I am concerned about any reliance, even in
part, on a waiver of parental rights, accepted without a full colloquy.
{¶40} What is clear from the judgment entry is that the trial court found that Mother’s
lack of commitment to the child and her agreement to stipulate to permanent custody played a
role in finding that it was in the child’s best interest that permanent custody be granted. The
genesis and continuing cause of missed visits, communication difficulty, and hence, a lack of
commitment to B.Y. is not clear from the testimony. Credibility determinations aside, taking
solely the evidence of the agency’s case, and not considering the parental stipulation, I would not
find clear and convincing evidence that it is in B.Y.’s best interest to grant permanent custody to
CSB.
{¶41} Consequently, I would sustain Mother’s second assignment of error and reverse
and remand for further proceedings.
SCHAFER, J.
DISSENTING.
{¶42} I respectfully dissent. I agree with the lead opinion that the trial court’s colloquy
with Mother regarding her stipulation to relinquish permanent custody of B.Y. was insufficient
to fully inquire whether Mother understood the implications of permanent custody.
Nevertheless, I believe that Mother’s tendered stipulation merely underscored and buttressed the
trial court’s findings of fact that led it to terminate Mother’s parental rights and grant permanent
custody to Children Services. The trial judge said as much when she stated, “I will go ahead and
accept this [Parental Stipulation to Permanent Custody] form and make it part of the case file but
I feel like at this point I need to rule on the merits of the case.” The trial judge thereafter
proceeded to rule on the merits of the case, relying on the evidence that the agency presented
during the permanent custody trial.
16
{¶43} The lead opinion cites to a litany of Ohio cases that hold that a parent’s surrender
of parental rights must be made knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily. While I emphatically
agree with this general statement of law, I believe that the facts of the cases cited in the majority
opinion and the facts of the present case are quite distinguishable. Chiefly, each of the cases
relied upon by the majority involve parents who relinquished permanent custody of their
children, thus negating the need for a permanent custody trial. Here, however, Mother did not
execute the Parental Stipulation to Permanent Custody form until the second day of the two-day
trial, after the agency had already put forth all of its evidence and rested its case. And, as
discussed below, the trial court’s decision to grant permanent custody of B.Y. to Children
Services was based on evidence that the agency presented at the permanent custody trial, wholly
independent of Mother’s stipulation form.
{¶44} In granting permanent custody to a child protection agency, in addition to
addressing the best interest factors as required by R.C. 2151.414(D), R.C. 2151.414(E) requires
the trial court to find by clear and convincing evidence that one or more of sixteen enumerated
factors exists before determining whether the child cannot be placed with either parent within a
reasonable time or should not be placed with either parent. A review of the trial court’s entry
granting the agency permanent custody of B.Y. indicates that the trial court made such a finding
relying upon evidence other than Mother’s Parental Stipulation to Permanent Custody form.
{¶45} First, the trial court specifically found that even though Children Services was
unable to meet its burden of proof for some of the sixteen factors, it did meet its burden with
respect to two of the factors, namely R.C. 2151.414(E)(4) and R.C. 2151.414(E)(11).
Specifically, the trial court found that Mother demonstrated a lack of commitment by failing to
regularly visit B.Y. when able to do so (Mother attended less than half of 54 scheduled visits
17
despite being offered transportation to and from the visits) and that Mother failed to prove that
she is able to provide a legally secure permanent placement and adequately care for B.Y. On the
latter point, the trial court noted that Mother previously had two other children involuntarily
removed from her custody in North Carolina and is presently in a relationship with an individual
who suffers from a substance abuse addiction, has overdosed twice, and is facing drug-related
charges. Additionally, pursuant to R.C. 2151.414(D), the trial court explicitly found it to be in
B.Y.’s best interest to be placed in the permanent custody of Children Services.
{¶46} For the above-mentioned reasons, I do not believe that the trial court “relied”
upon Mother’s stipulation when terminating her parental rights. Thus, I would affirm the trial
court’s grant of permanent custody to Children Services.
APPEARANCES:
CHRISTINA I. REIHELD, Attorney at Law, for Appellant.
DANIEL R. LUTZ, Prosecuting Attorney, and MELODY L. BRIAND, Assistant Prosecuting
Attorney, for Appellee.