Reisinger v. Topping , 2021 Ohio 2545 ( 2021 )

[Cite as Reisinger v. Topping, 2021-Ohio-2545.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS
TWELFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT OF OHIO
MADISON COUNTY
LUCAS REISINGER, :
Appellant, : CASE NO. CA2020-12-023
: OPINION
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:
SHANNON TOPPING, :
Appellee. :
APPEAL FROM MADISON COUNTY COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
JUVENILE DIVISION
Case No. 21740057
Law Office of Lisa K. Meier, LLC, and Lisa K. Meier, for appellant.
Allison G. Boggs, for appellee.
S. POWELL, J.
{¶ 1} Appellant, Lucas Reisinger ("Father"), appeals the decision of the Madison
County Court of Common Pleas, Juvenile Division, designating appellee, Shannon Topping
("Mother"), as the residential parent and legal custodian of their son, J.R. Father also
appeals the juvenile court's decision denying his motion for contempt against Mother and
the juvenile court's decision ordering Father to pay all court costs associated with the case.
For the reasons outlined below, we affirm the juvenile court's decision.
Madison CA2020-12-023
Facts and Procedural History
{¶ 2} Mother gave birth to J.R., a boy, on March 9, 2014. Mother was unmarried at
the time of J.R.'s birth. There is no dispute that Father, a former heroin addict and convicted
felon, is J.R.'s father.
{¶ 3} On June 1, 2017, Father's motion to allocate parental rights and
responsibilities for J.R. was filed with the juvenile court.1 After several delays, and following
a hearing before a juvenile court magistrate, the juvenile court appointed J.R. with a
guardian ad litem. The juvenile court also issued a temporary order awarding Father
parenting time with J.R. The juvenile court filed this temporary order on November 15,
2017. After several more delays, and at the juvenile court's request, Father filed a motion
requesting the juvenile court reactivate the case and schedule the matter for a final hearing.
Father filed this motion on March 12, 2018. The juvenile court granted Father's motion to
reactivate the case and scheduled the matter for a final hearing before a juvenile court
magistrate on May 3, 2018.
{¶ 4} Due to still further delays, the final hearing on Father's motion did not begin
until July 18, 2018. The final hearing was then continued for additional testimony and
evidence nine times; October 2, 2018, October 4, 2018, October 11, 2018, October 18,
2018, January 17, 2019, March 19, 2019, April 2, 2019, August 8, 2019, and November 21,
2019. During this ten-day hearing, the magistrate heard testimony from a multitude of
witnesses. This includes testimony from J.R.'s guardian ad litem and J.R.'s mental health
counselor. This also includes testimony from a licensed psychologist appointed by the
juvenile court to provide a custody evaluation. This was in addition to lengthy, multiple-day
1. Father's motion had previously been filed in the Union County Court of Common Pleas, Juvenile Division,
on March 10, 2017. However, upon finding venue was not proper in Union County "as neither of the parties
nor the child reside in Union County," the Union County Juvenile Court transferred the case to Madison County
in a decision filed on May 26, 2017.
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testimony from both Father and Mother.
{¶ 5} On September 20, 2018, Father filed a motion for contempt against Mother.
Father subsequently amended his motion for contempt on December 20, 2018. To support
his motion for contempt, Father argued that Mother had violated the juvenile court's
temporary parenting time order by "taking actions to purposefully prevent" Father from
exercising his parenting time with J.R. during the weekends of September 7, 2018 and
November 21, 2018. The magistrate heard testimony and took evidence on Father's motion
for contempt as part of the ten-day final hearing on Father's motion to allocate parental
rights and responsibilities for J.R.
{¶ 6} On August 10, 2020, the magistrate issued a decision designating Mother as
residential parent and legal custodian of J.R. Within that same decision, the magistrate
denied Father's motion for contempt against Mother. Shortly thereafter, on August 21,
2020, Father filed multiple objections to the magistrate's decision. Father then
supplemented his objections to the magistrate's decision on October 23, 2020.
{¶ 7} On October 27, 2020, after conducting an independent review of the record,
which the juvenile court noted included a review of "the transcript from the multiple hearings
held over the course of several months," the juvenile court overruled each of Father's
objections to the magistrate's decision. In so holding, the juvenile court initially stated:
Since the parties have never been married to each other, under
[R.C. 3109.042(A)], Mother is presumed by law to be the sole
residential parent and legal custodian until the Court orders
otherwise. Additionally the parties shall be treated equally when
the Court does make a custody determination.
{¶ 8} The juvenile court then set forth its findings as it relates to its decision
designating Mother as residential parent and legal custodian of J.R. Those findings
included a finding that both Father and Mother would like to have custody of J.R. and that
there was "no evidence" to indicate that J.R. does not have a "good relationship" with
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Father, Mother, and his "siblings at the respective parent's home." The juvenile court also
found J.R. to be "well adjusted" to both Father and Mother's homes and that there was "no
persuasive evidence of any mental or physical health problems for either of the parties
which would inhibit their ability to parent the child." The juvenile court further found the
evidence indicated that Mother was "far more likely to honor and facilitate parenting time,"
whereas Father was "unwilling to compromise and will forgo parenting time rather than pick
the child up at any place other than stated in the order." This was in addition to the juvenile
court finding there was "no evidence of any willful denials of parenting time" by either Father
or Mother.
{¶ 9} Continuing, the juvenile court found that both Father and Mother testified that
they "can work together," but that "their history dictates otherwise" and that Father and
Mother are "unable to communicate" with each other. The juvenile court also found the
record "full of evidence" indicating Father and Mother's relationship was "bitter and hostile,"
which the juvenile court found "seems to originate with Father." The juvenile court further
determined that the evidence indicates Father "will not and does not encourage the sharing
of love, affection, and contact between [J.R.] and [Mother]." The juvenile court additionally
found evidence in the record demonstrating Father and Father's family have actively tried
to "alienate" J.R. from Mother. This was in addition to the juvenile court finding shared
parenting would not be in J.R.'s best interests and "that a shared parenting plan would be
unworkable in this case."
{¶ 10} Finally, as it relates to Father's motion for contempt alleging Mother had
violated the juvenile court's November 15, 2017 temporary parenting time order, the juvenile
court found Father's allegations in support of his motion were "not supported by the
evidence."
{¶ 11} Father now appeals, raising three assignments of error for review.
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Assignment of Error No. 1:
{¶ 12} THE TRIAL COURT COMMITTED AN ABUSE OF DISCRETION BY
DESIGNAT[ING] MOTHER THE SOLE RESIDENTIAL PARENT AND LEGAL
CUSTODIAN OF [J.R.].
{¶ 13} In his first assignment of error, Father argues the juvenile court erred by
designating Mother as the residential parent and legal custodian of their son, J.R. We
disagree.2
Standard of Review
{¶ 14} Pursuant to R.C. 3109.042(A), "[a]n unmarried female who gives birth to a
child," such as Mother, "is the sole residential parent and legal custodian of the child until a
court of competent jurisdiction issues an order designating another person as the residential
parent and legal custodian." "Custody, therefore, defaults to the mother when a child is
born to an unmarried mother." Bond v. de Rinaldis, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 15AP-646, 2016-
Ohio-3342, ¶ 25, citing Williams v. Tumblin, 5th Dist. Coshocton No. 2014CA0013, 2014-
Ohio-4365, ¶ 21. That means that, under R.C. 3109.042(A), custody of J.R. to Mother
initially arose by operation of law. Pyburn v. Woodruff, 2d Dist. Clark No. 2009-CA-10,
2009-Ohio-5872, ¶ 8.
{¶ 15} Once a child's father obtains a judgment establishing the existence of a parent
and child relationship, the father may petition the juvenile court that he be "designated the
residential parent and legal custodian of the child or for parenting time rights" under R.C.
3111.13(C). "A court designating the residential parent and legal custodian of [such a child]
shall treat the mother and father as standing upon an equality when making the
2. Father sets forth eight issues for consideration under his first assignment of error. Although we address
each of those eight issues within this opinion, we find it necessary to address those eight issues out of order
for ease of discussion.
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designation." R.C. 3109.042(A); In re S.W.-S., 2d Dist. Miami No. 2013 CA 17, 2013-Ohio-
4823, ¶ 15 (a mother and father "are on equal footing when a court makes an initial
designation of the residential and custodial parent for that child" in accordance with R.C.
3109.042[A]).
{¶ 16} "R.C. 3109.04 governs the award of parental rights and responsibilities." In
re K.R., 12th Dist. Clermont No. CA2015-06-049, 2016-Ohio-2775, ¶ 8, citing Albrecht v.
Albrecht, 12th Dist. Butler Nos. CA2014-12-240 and CA2014-12-245, 2015-Ohio-4916, ¶
22. This includes both the juvenile court's allocation of parenting time and a juvenile court's
decision designating a parent as his or her child's residential parent and legal custodian.
See R.C. 3109.04(B)(1). As with most decisions regarding the care and custody of a
children, the primary concern in making these determinations is the best interest of the child.
Bonifield v. Bonifield, 12th Dist. Butler No. CA2020-02-022, 2021-Ohio-95, ¶ 10; Rainey v.
Rainey, 12th Dist. Clermont No. CA2010-10-083, 2011-Ohio-4343, ¶ 12.
{¶ 17} In order to determine the best interest of a child, the juvenile court must
consider all relevant factors, including those enumerated in R.C. 3109.04(F)(1). In re X.B.,
12th Dist. Butler No. CA2014-07-168, 2015-Ohio-1174, ¶ 19, citing In re L.E.N., 12th Dist.
Clinton No. CA2009-03-002, 2009-Ohio-6175, ¶ 11. These factors include, but are not
limited to, the wishes of the child's parents regarding the child's care and 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. R.C. 3109.04(F)(1)(a) and (c). These
factors also include the child's adjustment to the child's home, school, and community and
the mental and physical health of all persons involved. R.C. 3109.04(F)(1)(d) and (e).
{¶ 18} The juvenile court enjoys broad discretion in custody proceedings. In re
E.L.C., 12th Dist. Butler No. CA2014-09-177, 2015-Ohio-2220, ¶ 16. "The standard of
review in custody decisions is whether the juvenile court abused its discretion." In re J.W.,
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12th Dist. Butler No. CA2019-07-108, 2020-Ohio-322, ¶ 23, citing C.D. v. D.L., 12th Dist.
Fayette No. CA2006-09-037, 2007-Ohio-2559, ¶ 14. "An abuse of discretion implies that
the trial court's attitude was unreasonable, arbitrary, or unconscionable." In re P.B., 12th
Dist. Warren No. CA2019-10-108, 2021-Ohio-414, ¶ 14, citing Blakemore v. Blakemore, 5
Ohio St.3d 217, 219 (1983). Under these circumstances, the juvenile court's discretion
"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 A.B., 12th
Dist. Brown No. CA2016-11-021, 2017-Ohio-5776, ¶ 12, citing In re C.A., 12th Dist. Butler
No. CA2014-07-165, 2015-Ohio-1410, ¶ 13.
Juvenile Court's Decision Finding Mother's Testimony Credible
{¶ 19} Father initially argues the juvenile court erred by finding Mother's testimony
credible instead of "a finding that [Mother] was untruthful." To support this claim, Father
sets forth various instances within Mother's testimony that he claims conclusively
establishes Mother lied while on the stand. This includes, but is not limited to, Mother
"falsely" testifying that: (1) Mother had never been molested by her father, J.R.'s maternal
grandfather, a man who is now deceased after having passed away in a car accident on
June 27, 2018; (2) J.R.'s maternal grandfather had never threatened to kill Mother; (3) J.R.'s
maternal grandfather did not live with Mother during of the summer of 2018 just prior to his
death; (4) J.R.'s stepfather did not vandalize the Jeep owned by the father of two of Mother's
other children, a man who, as it turns out, is also Father's brother and J.R.'s uncle; and, (5)
Father had abused alcohol in 2013, the year prior to J.R.'s birth.
{¶ 20} However, while there may be some inconsistencies in Mother's testimony, it
is well established that issues regarding witness credibility are for the trier of fact to decide,
which, in this case, was the juvenile court. In re K.B., 12th Dist. Butler Nos. CA2014-02-
042 thru CA2014-02-044, 2014-Ohio-3654, ¶ 66 ("issues of credibility are for the trier of
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fact, not the appellate court, to determine"), citing In re G.N., 170 Ohio App.3d 76, 2007-
Ohio-126, ¶ 24 (12th Dist.). It is equally well established that the juvenile court, as the trier
of fact, is "free to believe all, part, or none of the testimony of each witness." In re R., 12th
Dist. Madison No. CA2018-04-012, 2019-Ohio-1198, ¶ 30, citing In re S.C.T., 12th Dist.
Butler No. CA2004-04-095, 2005-Ohio-2498, ¶ 24. Given the juvenile court's decision in
this matter, that is what the juvenile court did here. Therefore, while Father would like this
court to sidestep the juvenile court's finding that Mother's testimony was credible, to do so
would be improper and overstep this court's role as the appellate court. Father's first
argument lacks merit.
Juvenile Court's Consideration of the Guardian Ad Litem's Report and Recommendation
{¶ 21} Father next argues the juvenile court erred when it did not "thoroughly"
consider the guardian ad litem's report and recommendation prior to designating Mother as
residential parent and legal custodian of J.R. Despite Father's claims, however, there is
nothing in the record to indicate the juvenile court did not consider the guardian ad litem's
report and recommendation prior to issuing its decision. There is also nothing in the record
to indicate the juvenile court's consideration of the guardian ad litem's report and
recommendation was not "thoroughly" done. The juvenile court, in fact, specifically stated
in its decision overruling Father's objections to the magistrate's decision that it had an
"obligation to make an independent review of the case." This would include, among other
things, the guardian ad litem's report and recommendation.
{¶ 22} The juvenile court also specifically stated in its decision overruling Father's
objections to the magistrate's decision that the "guardian has recommended adoption of
father's shared parenting plan." This was in addition to the magistrate's statement during
the final hearing on Father's motion to allocate parental rights and responsibilities for J.R.
that "[t]he Court will consider [the guardian ad litem's] report." Therefore, contrary to
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Father's claims, the record indicates that both the juvenile court magistrate and the juvenile
court judge were aware of, and took into consideration, the guardian ad litem's report and
recommendation prior to issuing their respective decisions designating Mother as J.R.'s
residential parent and legal custodian.3 Father's claims otherwise are simply incorrect.
{¶ 23} In so holding, we note that although not explicit, it appears that Father is
actually arguing the juvenile court erred by not following the guardian ad litem's
recommendation to adopt Father's shared parenting plan. But, as is well established, the
juvenile court is not bound to follow the guardian ad litem's recommendation when deciding
who should be designated a child's residential parent and legal custodian. In re T.G.O.,
12th Dist. Madison No. CA2016-02-009, 2017-Ohio-151, ¶ 22 ("it is well-established that
the juvenile court was not bound to follow a guardian ad litem's recommendation").
Therefore, because it is the juvenile court, not the guardian ad litem, that is the ultimate
decision maker regarding the best interest of a child, we will not second-guess the juvenile
court's decision to disregard the guardian ad litem's recommendation in this case. Father's
second argument lacks merit.
Juvenile Court's Consideration of Psychologist's Testimony and Recommendation
{¶ 24} Father also argues the juvenile court erred when it did not consider the
testimony and recommendation offered by the court-appointed psychologist that the court
designate Father residential parent and legal custodian of J.R. However, just like Father's
3. We note that Father also argues the magistrate erred because "it appears" the magistrate did not consider
the guardian ad litem's report and recommendation "at all." Father makes similar arguments regarding other
aspects of the magistrate's decision throughout his appellate brief. It is not the magistrate, however, that
renders the final judgment in a case such as this. See Schneider v. Schneider, 12th Dist. Butler No. CA2000-
05-089, 2001 Ohio App. LEXIS 165, *7 (Jan. 22, 2001) (noting that a magistrate's decision, by itself, is
generally not a final appealable order). It is instead the juvenile court judge that serves as the judicial officer
and ultimate factfinder. Therefore, rather than the decision issued by the magistrate, it is the decision issued
by the juvenile court, along with the juvenile court's reasoning and rationale, that is the final appealable order
subject to this court's review. See Carpenter v. Johnson, 196 Ohio App.3d 106, 2011-Ohio-4867, ¶ 9 (2d
Dist.) ("[u]ntil a trial court adopts the magistrate's decision and enters judgment, the magistrate's decision is
merely an interlocutory recommendation and is not a final, appealable order").
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argument relating to the guardian ad litem's report and recommendation discussed above,
there is also nothing in the record to indicate the juvenile court did not consider the
psychologist's testimony and recommendation prior to issuing its decision designating
Mother as residential parent and legal custodian of J.R. There was also nothing requiring
the juvenile court to follow the recommendation offered by the psychologist. This is
because, as noted above, it is the juvenile court that is the ultimate decision maker
regarding the best interest of a child. Therefore, because the juvenile court ultimately
decides the best interest of a child, we will also not second-guess the juvenile court's
decision to disregard the psychologist's recommendation in this case. Father's third
argument lacks merit.
Juvenile Court's Factual Findings Under R.C. 3109.04(F)(1)(e)
{¶ 25} Father additionally argues the juvenile court erred and misapplied R.C.
3109.04(F)(1)(e) by finding the issues regarding Mother's physical health would not hinder
Mother's ability to effectively parent J.R. To support this claim, Father makes much ado
about Mother's testimony that she had been diagnosed with Vasodepressor Syncope as a
child, a condition that makes Mother periodically faint if she does not drink enough water,
as well as Mother's testimony that she occasionally suffers from gastrointestinal problems,
and that approximately one year after J.R.'s birth, on March 19, 2015, Mother had submitted
to a test that indicated she had a high glucose level. Father, however, has failed to
demonstrate how any of these minor medical conditions would, or even could, impact
Mother's ability to effectively parent a child. The juvenile court, therefore, did not err by
finding "[t]here was not persuasive evidence of any mental or physical health problems for
either of the parties which would inhibit their ability to parent the child." This is particularly
true here when considering Mother successfully gave birth to J.R.'s half-brother while this
case was pending. Father's fourth argument lacks merit.
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Juvenile Court's Factual Finding Father and Father's Family Have Actively Tried to
"Alienate" J.R. from Mother and Damage the Relationship Between J.R. and Mother
{¶ 26} Father next argues the juvenile court erred by finding he and his family have
actively tried to "alienate" J.R. from Mother and damage the relationship between J.R. and
Mother. However, after a thorough review of the record, we find the juvenile court's finding
was supported by competent and credible evidence. This includes evidence indicating
Father had pursued this litigation so vigorously in hopes that Mother would not have access
to J.R. for more than a few days each month, as well as evidence indicating Father refused
to answer his telephone whenever Mother called J.R. during Father's extended parenting
time. This also includes evidence that Father refused to help Mother with any of J.R.'s
extracurricular activities. This is in addition to the testimony and evidence indicating
Father's wife tried to get Mother evicted from her home by contacting Mother's landlord and
claiming Mother was not abiding by the terms of her lease. Therefore, because there was
competent and credible evidence to support the trial court's finding that Father and Father's
family have actively tried to "alienate" J.R. from Mother and damage the relationship
between J.R. and Mother, Father's fifth argument lacks merit.
Juvenile Court's Application of R.C. 3109.042(A)
{¶ 27} Father further argues the juvenile court erred when it failed to properly apply
the language set forth in R.C. 3109.042(A) requiring it to "treat the mother and father as
standing upon an equality" when designating the residential parent and legal custodian of
J.R. Father makes this claim despite acknowledging the juvenile court specifically cited to,
and explicitly quoted from, that statute within its decision designating Mother as J.R.'s
residential parent and legal custodian. Father, therefore, simply cannot establish that the
juvenile court erred by failing to properly apply the language set forth in R.C. 3109.042(A).
This holds true even though Father "believes" he set forth a "significant number of
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instances" where Mother failed to "exercise the best care" for J.R. and prevented Father
from "even having parenting time in violation of the court's order." Father's sixth argument
lacks merit.
Juvenile Court Designating Mother as J.R.'s Residential Parent and Legal Custodian
{¶ 28} Father also argues the juvenile court erred by designating Mother as
residential parent and legal custodian of J.R. when the best interest factors set forth in R.C.
3109.04(F)(1) actually indicate that it should have been Father who was designated J.R.'s
residential parent and legal custodian. Father's argument, however, is nothing more than
a challenge to the weight the juvenile court gave to each of the best interest factors set forth
in R.C. 3109.04(F)(1). This court should not, and will not, second-guess the juvenile court's
decision in regard to the appropriate weight to be given to any one of those factors.
Bonifield, 2021-Ohio-95 at ¶ 13, citing In re A.B., 12th Dist. Butler No. CA2009-10-257,
2010-Ohio-2823, ¶ 35 ("the trial court's custody decision is supported by the record, and we
decline to second guess the trial court in this matter"). It is in fact well established that it is
not this court's role to determine the relative weight to assign to each factor when
determining what is in a child's best interest. See Mack v. Mack, 12th Dist. Butler No.
CA2018-09-179, 2019-Ohio-2379, ¶ 33 (noting that it is not this court's role to determine
the relative weight to assign to each factor, in relation to the others, when determining the
child's best interest); see also Ruble v. Ruble, 12th Dist. Madison No. CA2010-09-019,
2011-Ohio-3350, ¶ 18 ("it was the role of the trial court to determine the relative weight to
assign each factor, in relation to the others, when determining the children's best interest").
{¶ 29} However, even if we were to accept Father's argument, the juvenile court's
decision to designate Mother as J.R.'s residential parent and legal custodian was not an
abuse of discretion. This is because the juvenile court's decision finding it was in J.R.'s
best interest to designate Mother as his residential parent and legal custodian was not
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arbitrary, unreasonable, or unconscionable. The juvenile court's decision was also
supported by competent and credible evidence. Just as the juvenile court found, this
includes evidence indicating Father was "unwilling to compromise and will forgo parenting
time rather than pick the child up at any place other than stated in the order." This also
includes evidence that, as noted above, Father and Father's family have actively tried to
"alienate" J.R. from Mother. Therefore, because the juvenile court's decision to designate
Mother as J.R.'s residential parent and legal custodian was supported by competent and
credible evidence, the juvenile court did not abuse its discretion by designating Mother as
the residential parent and legal custodian of J.R. Father's seventh argument lacks merit.
Juvenile Court's Allocation of Father's Parenting Time
{¶ 30} Father finally argues the juvenile court erred by granting him parenting time
corresponding with the juvenile court's standard parenting time order. Father supports this
claim by making a variety of generally unrelated claims regarding the juvenile court's
allocation of parenting time. Relevant to the juvenile court's allocation of parenting time,
however, is Father's argument that the juvenile court erred by only granting him parenting
time corresponding with the juvenile court's standard parenting time order given that the
guardian ad litem, the psychologist, and Mother all testified and recommended that
parenting time be split equally between Father and Mother. But, as noted previously, it is
the juvenile court, not the guardian ad litem, not the psychologist, and not even Mother, that
is the ultimate decision maker regarding the best interest of a child. The juvenile court
determined that granting Father parenting time corresponding with the juvenile court's
standard parenting time order was in J.R.'s best interest. The juvenile court did this after
reviewing the guardian ad litem's report and recommendation and hearing lengthy, multi-
day testimony from both Father and Mother. Upon reviewing that testimony, as well as the
guardian ad litem's report and recommendation, we find no abuse of discretion in the
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juvenile court's decision. Therefore, finding no merit to any of the arguments advanced by
Father herein, Father's first assignment of error is overruled.
Assignment of Error No. 2:
{¶ 31} THE COURT ABUSED ITS DISCRETION AND ERRONEOUSLY BELIEVED
THAT APPELLEE NEEDED TO WILLFULLY DENY APPELLANT'S PARENTING TIME
WHEN THE STANDARD IS THAT AN ORDER MUST EXIST, AND THE OFFENDING
PARTY MUST VIOLATE A KNOWN ORDER.
{¶ 32} In his second assignment of error, Father argues the juvenile court erred by
denying his motion for contempt against Mother, wherein Father alleged that Mother had
violated the juvenile court's November 15, 2017 temporary parenting time order by "taking
actions to purposefully prevent" Father from exercising his parenting time during the
weekend of September 7, 2018 and November 21, 2018. We again disagree.
{¶ 33} "Disobedience to court orders may be punished by contempt." Cottrell v.
Cottrell, 12th Dist. Warren No. CA2012-10-105, 2013-Ohio-2397, ¶ 11. "A court may find a
party in contempt where that party fails to comply with a lawful judgment or court order."
Poynter v. Pabst, 12th Dist. Butler No. CA2013-03-032, 2013-Ohio-5671, ¶ 10. "To support
a contempt finding, the moving party must establish by clear and convincing evidence that
a valid court order exists, that the offending party had knowledge of the order, and that the
offending party violated such order." In re T.D.A.J., 12th Dist. Butler No. CA2015-04-075,
2015-Ohio-4919, ¶ 22, citing Hetterick v. Hetterick, 12th Dist. Brown No. CA2012-02-002,
2013-Ohio-15, ¶ 35. "Once the movant establishes this prima facie case of contempt, the
burden then shifts to the contemnor to prove his [or her] inability to comply with the court
order." In re A.A.J., 12th Dist. Warren No. CA2014-10-130, 2015-Ohio-2222, ¶ 13, citing
Dewsnap v. Dewsnap, 12th Dist. Clermont No. CA2007-09-094, 2008-Ohio-4433. This
inability, however, "cannot be self-imposed, fraudulent, or due to an intentional evasion of
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the order." In re J.M., 12th Dist. Warren No. CA2008-01-004, 2008-Ohio-6763, ¶ 50. "This
court will not reverse a juvenile court's ruling on a motion for contempt absent an abuse of
discretion." In re B.B., 12th Dist. Clermont No. CA2019-07-057, 2020-Ohio-4007, ¶ 16,
citing In re A.A.J. at ¶ 14.
{¶ 34} In his brief, Father goes to great lengths to summarize the testimony and
evidence he believes proves Mother was in contempt for violating the juvenile court's
November 15, 2017 temporary parenting time order. The juvenile court, however,
conducted its own review of the record and found Father's motion for contempt against
Mother was "not supported by the evidence." This includes a review of Mother's testimony
explaining the circumstances that arose during the weekends Father claims he was unjustly
denied his parenting time: September 7, 2018 and November 21, 2018. Given the basis
upon which the juvenile court denied Father's motion, the juvenile court clearly found
Father's claims alleging Mother should be found in contempt were insufficient to satisfy his
burden of proof, a finding that is intrinsically connected with the juvenile court's
determination that Mother's testimony was credible, whereas Father's testimony was not.
We find no error in the juvenile court's decision.
{¶ 35} In so holding, and because it seems necessary given Father's arguments, we
note that the juvenile court was not required to find Mother in contempt simply because
Father filed a motion alleging Mother had violated the juvenile court's November 15, 2017
temporary parenting time order. It was instead Father's burden to prove Mother had
violated that order by clear and convincing evidence. The juvenile court determined that
Father had failed to meet his burden of proof. Given the record in this case, which, as noted
above, includes lengthy, multi-day testimony elicited from both Father and Mother, the
juvenile court's decision was not erroneous. Therefore, finding no error in the juvenile
court's decision denying Father's motion for contempt against Mother, wherein Father
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alleged that Mother had violated the juvenile court's November 15, 2017 temporary
parenting time order, Father's second assignment of error also lacks merit and is overruled.
Assignment of Error No. 3:
{¶ 36} THE TRIAL COURT ABUSED ITS DISCRETION BY ORDERING THAT THE
APPELLANT PAY ALL COURT COSTS IN AN INITIAL ALLOCATION CASE.
{¶ 37} In his third assignment of error, Father argues the juvenile court erred by
ordering him to pay all court costs associated with this case. We disagree.
{¶ 38} Pursuant to Civ.R. 54(D), "[e]xcept when express provision therefore is made
either in a statute or in these rules, costs shall be allowed to the prevailing party unless the
court otherwise directs." "[A]n appellate court cannot reverse a lower court's decision
regarding the allocation of costs absent an abuse of discretion." Nithiananthan v. Toirac,
12th Dist. Warren Nos. CA2014-02-021, CA2014-02-028, and CA2014-08-114, 2015-Ohio-
1416, ¶ 89, citing Hendricks v. Evertz Technology Serv. U.S.A., Inc., 12th Dist. Butler No.
CA2011-10-188, 2012-Ohio-2252, ¶ 7. As noted above, "[a]n abuse of discretion implies
that the trial court's attitude was unreasonable, arbitrary, or unconscionable." In re P.B.,
2021-Ohio-414 at ¶ 14, citing Blakemore, 5 Ohio St.3d at 219. "A decision is unreasonable
where it is not supported by a sound reasoning process." In re L.M., 12th Dist. Preble Nos.
CA2020-12-017 and CA2020-12-018, 2021-Ohio-1630, ¶ 22, citing Nationwide
Agribusiness Ins. Co. v. Heidler, 12th Dist. Clinton Nos. CA2018-06-003, CA2018-07-004,
CA2018-09-012, and CA2018-09-015, 2019-Ohio-4311, ¶ 46.
{¶ 39} Despite Father's claims, the juvenile court's decision ordering him to pay all
court costs associated with this case was not an abuse of discretion. This holds true despite
Father's claim that he did not conduct an "inappropriate amount" of depositions or
"purposefully increase" court costs. This case, which should have been a fairly simple
proceeding regarding parental rights and responsibilities for one child, J.R., turned into a
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Madison CA2020-12-023
contentious ten-day hearing on Father's motion to allocate parental rights and
responsibilities for J.R. and Father's motion for contempt. The record indicates the
prolonged, combative nature of this case was due primarily to Father rejecting Mother's
request to take this case to mediation, as well as Father's unnecessary insistence on
litigating every aspect of this case. This includes, but is not limited to, each line of Mother's
testimony for which Father had even the slightest bit of disagreement, as well as extensive
questioning regarding the drug use of the mother of one of Father's other children, and a
checking account belonging to J.R.'s now deceased maternal grandfather. Therefore,
finding no error in the juvenile court's decision ordering Father to pay all court costs
associated with this case, Father's third assignment of error lacks merit and is overruled.
Conclusion
{¶ 40} As with all cases regarding the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities
of a child, this case is not about which parent is a better person, but what is in the child's
best interest. Upon a full and thorough review of the record, which, as noted above,
included a lengthy, multi-day transcript, the juvenile court found it was in J.R.'s best interest
to designate Mother as J.R.'s residential parent and legal custodian. This was not error. It
was also not error for the juvenile court to deny Father's motion for contempt, nor was it
error for the juvenile court to order Father to pay all court costs associated with this case.
This holds true despite the fervent nature in which Father attempts to convince this court
otherwise. Therefore, for the reasons outlined above, we affirm the juvenile court's
decision.
{¶ 41} Judgment affirmed.
PIPER, P.J., and HENDRICKSON, J., concur.
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