In re M.C. , 2020 Ohio 4372 ( 2020 )


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  • [Cite as In re M.C., 
    2020-Ohio-4372
    .]
    COURT OF APPEALS
    STARK COUNTY, OHIO
    FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
    IN RE: M.C., JR.                            :       JUDGES:
    :       Hon. William B. Hoffman, P.J.
    :       Hon. John W. Wise, J.
    :       Hon. Earle E. Wise, Jr., J.
    :
    :
    :       Case No. 2020CA00049
    :
    :       OPINION
    CHARACTER OF PROCEEDING:                            Appeal from the Court of Common
    Pleas, Case No. 2017JCV00743
    JUDGMENT:                                           Affirmed
    DATE OF JUDGMENT:                                   September 8, 2020
    APPEARANCES:
    For Plaintiff-Appellant                             For Defendant-Appellee
    DEAN L. GRASE                                       BRANDON WALTENBAUGH
    700 Courtyard Centre                                402 2nd Street SE
    116 Cleveland Avenue NW                             Canton, OH 44702
    Canton, OH 44702
    Stark County, Case No. 2020CA00049                                                           2
    Wise, Earle, J.
    {¶ 1} Appellant C.S., legal custodian, filed this appeal from the judgment entered
    in Stark County Court of Common Pleas, Juvenile Court Division, which terminated all
    parental rights, privileges and responsibilities of the parents and legal custodian with
    regard to the 11-year-old child, M.C., Jr. (M.C.) and ordered that permanent custody of
    the minor child be granted to Stark County Department of Job and Family Services,
    (SCJFS).
    {¶ 2} This appeal is expedited, and is being considered pursuant to
    App.R.11.2(C). The relevant facts leading to this appeal are as follows:
    FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
    {¶ 3} This appeal pertains to the permanent custody disposition of M.C, whose
    date of birth is April 15, 2008. M.C. Senior is the child's natural father. R.S. is the child's
    natural mother. Appellant is the child's maternal grandmother and legal custodian. C.S.
    gained legal custody of M.C. through a private change of legal custody from mother to
    C.S. at some point prior to SCJFS involvement in the instant matter.
    {¶ 4} On July 1, 2017, SCJFS filed a complaint alleging dependency/neglect of
    M.C. An emergency shelter care hearing was held the same day and M.C. was placed in
    the emergency temporary custody of SCJFS through Juv.R. 6. Concerns included
    deplorable conditions in Appellant's home and her inability to adequately address M.C's
    profound disabilities, multiple heath issues, and his extensive medical needs.
    {¶ 5} An emergency shelter care hearing was held on July 7, 2017. Neither
    mother nor father appeared, but Appellant was present. The trial court found probable
    Stark County, Case No. 2020CA00049                                                        3
    cause and awarded temporary custody to SCJFS. The trial court appointed a guardian
    ad litem (GAL) for M.C, as well as counsel for mother, father, and appellant.
    {¶ 6} Service for mother and father was not completed for an August 2, 2017
    pretrial. Counsel requested evidence and the matter was set for trial on September 13,
    2017.
    {¶ 7} On the day of trial, SCJFS moved to delete the allegations of neglect
    contained in the complaint. Mother and Appellant stipulated to a finding of dependency
    and M.C remained in the temporary custody of SCJFS. A case plan was approved and
    adopted.
    {¶ 8} A review hearing was held on January 2, 2018. The trial court approved and
    adopted the case plan, found SCJFS had made reasonable efforts to finalize the
    permanency planning and that compelling reasons existed to preclude a filing of
    permanent custody, and ordered status quo. The trial court made the same findings and
    order at a June 1, 2018 review hearing.
    {¶ 9} On October 3, 2018, the trial court extended the temporary custody order
    for an additional six months, and again found reasonable efforts and compelling reasons
    to preclude a filing of permanent custody. At a November 30, 2018 review hearing, the
    trial court again made the same findings and ordered status quo.
    {¶ 10} On February 15, 2019, the trial court extended the temporary custody of
    M.C with SCJFS for 6 months.
    {¶ 11} Up to this point, Appellant had made no mention of her desire to reunify
    with M.C. or to work any case plan. On May 17, 2019, appellant filed a motion for legal
    custody of M.C. A review took place on May 24, 2019 wherein the trial court again found
    Stark County, Case No. 2020CA00049                                                        4
    reasonable efforts and ordered status quo. The trial court further found no compelling
    reasons existed to preclude a filing of permanent custody. Appellant's motion to change
    legal custody was set for evidence on August 6, 2019.
    {¶ 12} On May 31, 2019, SCJFS filed a motion seeking permanent custody of M.C.
    The motion alleged M.C. could not be placed with Appellant or his parents within a
    reasonable amount of time, that M.C. had been in the temporary custody of SCJFS for
    12 or more months of a consecutive 22 month period, and that permanent custody was
    within M.C's best interests. This motion was also set for evidence on August 6, 2019. The
    trial court later continued the matter to September 25, 2019.
    {¶ 13} On September 18, 2019, the GAL for M.C. filed a report recommending
    M.C. be placed in the permanent custody of SCJFS, and that Appellant's motion for a
    change of legal custody be denied. In support, the Guardian cited M.C's extensive
    medical needs, Appellant's combative behavior, confrontational questioning, and berating
    of staff at M.C's placement, Hattie Larlham, her failure to visit M.C, her home conditions,
    and Appellant's own physical limitations which would make it difficult if not impossible for
    Appellant to care for M.C.
    {¶ 14} After several more continuances and another review hearing, the trial court
    heard evidence on Appellant's motion to change legal custody and SCJFS's motion
    seeking permanent custody on January 21, 2020. M.C's mother was present at the
    hearing and stipulated to the motion requesting permanent custody of M.C. be granted to
    SCJFS. She further agreed placement with SCJFS was within M.C.'s best interest.
    Because Father was incarcerated he was not present at the hearing. He was, however,
    represented by counsel.
    Stark County, Case No. 2020CA00049                                                        5
    {¶ 15} Ongoing SCJFS caseworker Chelsea Weigand testified regarding the
    concerns surrounding M.C.'s initial removal from Appellant's home including deplorable
    home conditions and Appellant's inability to meet M.C.'s extensive medical needs. When
    SCJFS began its investigation, Appellant refused to let workers into her home and police
    had to become involved. When SCJFS finally got into Appellant's home, M.C. was found
    restrained by his arms in a crib-like structure near a sewage-filled bathtub. Appellant
    claimed she restrained M.C. pursuant to a physician's recommendation, but failed to
    produce any documentation to confirm that claim. Wiegand explained M.C. was born
    premature, is non-verbal and non-ambulatory, has cerebral palsy, hydrocephalus (water
    on the brain), asthma, abnormal lung tissue development, obstructive sleep apnea,
    narrowing of the subglottic airway, excessive drooling, incontinence, epilepsy, seizures,
    gastro esophageal reflux, is blind, and must take all nutrition through a stomach tube.
    {¶ 16} Weigand testified M.C. has been in the continuous temporary custody of
    SCJFS since September 13, 2017. When M.C. was removed from Appellant's home,
    Appellant refused to provide SCJFS with M.C.'s medical equipment or medications. M.C.
    spent a short period of time at Akron Children's Hospital before being transferred to Hattie
    Larlham where he remains. While at Akron Children's Hospital, Dr. McPherson
    discovered bruising on M.C.'s body which was determined to be abusive in nature.
    {¶ 17} Weigand also had concerns regarding Appellant's mental health. Appellant
    was directed to complete a parenting assessment at the beginning of this matter at
    Northeast Ohio Behavioral Health, which she did complete. However, Appellant advised
    the evaluator she did not wish to reunify with M.C., and instead wanted M.C. returned to
    his mother's custody. On January 2, 2018, after Appellant continued to express this wish,
    Stark County, Case No. 2020CA00049                                                        6
    Weigand removed Appellant from the case plan and no further inquiry was made into
    Appellant's mental health.
    {¶ 18} After SCJFS filed its motion for permanent custody, however, Appellant
    expected to again become part of the case plan. Due to the timing of Appellant's request,
    she was not returned to the case plan as the goal was no longer reunification with
    Appellant. It was recommended that she engage in mental health counseling, but this was
    never made part of the case plan as the agency no longer had an obligation to pay for
    those services.
    {¶ 19} Weigand stated Appellant had moved to an apartment in Cuyahoga Falls,
    but still owned the Canton home which Appellant stated she would move back to once
    she retired. Appellant refused on numerous occasions to permit Weigand and the GAL
    access to her apartment for evaluation. When she finally permitted the GAL into the
    apartment, the GAL found the home clean, but not handicap accessible inside or out.
    Further, the GAL found the room that would be M.C.'s was not large enough to
    accommodate a hospital bed and M.C.'s lounge-type wheelchair, nor were the doorways
    wide enough for the chair to pass through. Because Appellant had only been in the
    Cuyahoga Falls apartment a short time, Weigand harbored concerns about her ability to
    keep the apartment in habitable condition. Appellant has denied the GAL access to the
    Canton home since M.C. was removed from the home.
    {¶ 20} Jessica Galbraith testified she oversees the unit where M.C. lives at Hattie
    Larlham. M.C. has lived there since August of 2017. The facility allows visitation 24 hours
    a day, 7 days a week. She explained the doors are always locked for security purposes
    and further explained there is a sign-in procedure when one visits Hattie Larlham. A visitor
    Stark County, Case No. 2020CA00049                                                      7
    is first asked by someone at the security desk to sign in outside a locked door before
    being admitted to the facility.
    {¶ 21} Weigand explained that Appellant's visits at Hattie Larlham did not need to
    be supervised, and she could visit at any time, day or night. In 2017, Appellant visited
    M.C more frequently, sometimes coming with mother and M.C.'s siblings. Her last
    documented visit before the agency filed its motion for permanent custody, however, was
    March 25, 2018. In April 2019, after Appellant was advised SCJFS would be filing for
    permanent custody, Appellant began visiting M.C. once or twice a month.
    {¶ 22} Weigand testified M.C. is doing well at Hattie Larlham, where his every need
    is met. She stated neither mother nor father showed any interest in M.C. She had also
    been unsuccessful in locating any other appropriate familial placement. Weigand did not
    believe severing familial ties would impact M.C. as he does not recognize or remember
    people unless he is exposed to them regularly. She therefore felt granting permanent
    custody to the SCJFS would be in M.C's best interests.
    {¶ 23} Appellant also testified at the hearing. She disagreed with the removal of
    M.C from her home. She believed the bruising present on M.C's body when he was
    removed from her home was caused by his wheelchair and denied M.C. was restrained
    in her home. She blamed the sewage in the bathtub on an aide who used a plunger in
    the tub which caused "black oily stuff" from the "old lead pipes" to back up into the tub.
    Appellant wanted M.C. returned to her custody and believed his best interests were
    served by being home with his family.
    {¶ 24} Appellant stated she is a home healthcare aide with 17 years of experience
    and is capable of caring for M.C. She questioned the care M.C. was receiving at Hattie
    Stark County, Case No. 2020CA00049                                                      8
    Larlham, citing bruising to M.C.'s body, staff allegedly giving toys she would bring M.C.
    away to other residents, and alleged failure of staff to address warts on M.C.'s hand. She
    additionally disagreed with the philosophy espoused by Hattie Larlham of allowing M.C.
    to have maximum freedom of movement when he is not in his wheelchair, to aid in muscle
    tone and digestion and to prevent bedsores. In M.C.'s case this translates to allowing
    M.C. to roll off of his floor-level bed and roll or scoot about the room.
    {¶ 25} Appellant admitted to not visiting for 4 months. She stated Hattie Larlham
    was an hour and a half away when she lived in Canton, but yet just 20 minutes away from
    Cuyahoga Falls. Appellant also stated initially she was told she could not visit M.C. She
    additionally claimed she visited many times without signing in. Appellant testified that
    although she had always been M.C.'s caretaker, her understanding of the matter was for
    her daughter to regain custody of M.C.
    {¶ 26} M.C.'s GAL testified she believed the motion for permanent custody was in
    M.C.'s best interest while the motion to change legal custody to Appellant was not. The
    Guardian explained Appellant had been uncooperative with her investigation, her home
    was not wheelchair accessible, and she had great concerns for Appellant's ability to care
    for M.C., including Appellant's own physical health challenges. The GAL had no concerns,
    however, for M.C.'s placement at Hattie Larlham.
    {¶ 27} At the conclusion of testimony, the trial court took the matter under
    advisement. The court issued its findings of fact and conclusions of law on February 3,
    2020 and denied Appellant's motion to change legal custody. Specifically, the trial court
    found M.C. could not be placed with his parents or Appellant in a reasonable amount of
    time, had been in the temporary custody of SCJFS for 12 or more months in a consecutive
    Stark County, Case No. 2020CA00049                                                     9
    22-month period, and had been abandoned by Appellant. The trial court therefore found
    Appellant's motion for legal custody was not in M.C.'s best interest, and that permanent
    custody to SCJFS was in M.C.'s best interest.
    {¶ 28} Appellant filed an appeal and the matter is now before this court for
    consideration. She raises two assignments of error as follow:
    I
    {¶ 29} "THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN AWARDING PERMANENT CUSTODY TO
    THE STARK COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF JOB AND FAMILY SERVICES (SCDJFS) AS
    SCDJFS FAILED TO SHOW BY CLEAR AND CONVINCING EVIDENCE THAT
    GROUNDS EXISTED FOR PERMANENT CUSTODY AND THEREFORE SUCH
    DECISION WAS CONTRARY TO THE MANIFEST WEIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE."
    II
    {¶ 30} "THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN AWARDING PERMANENT CUSTODY TO
    THE STARK COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF JOB AND FAMILY SERVICES (SCDJFS) AS
    SCDJFS FAILED TO SHOW BY CLEAR AND CONVINCING EVIDENCE THAT THE
    BEST INTERESTS OF THE CHILD WOULD BE SERVED BY SUCH FINDING AND
    THEREFORE SUCH DECISION WAS CONTRARY TO THE MANIFEST WEIGHT OF
    THE EVIDENCE."
    I, II
    {¶ 31} We address Appellant's assignments of error together. In her first
    assignment of error, Appellant argues the trial court erred in awarding permanent custody
    Stark County, Case No. 2020CA00049                                                          10
    to SCJFS because SCJFS failed to demonstrate by clear and convincing evidence that
    grounds existed for a grant of permanent custody, rendering the trial court's decision
    against the manifest weight of the evidence. In her second assignment of error, Appellant
    argues the trial court's finding that an award of permanent custody to SCJFS is in M.C's
    best interest is against the manifest weight of the evidence. We disagree.
    {¶ 32} As an appellate court, we neither weigh the evidence nor judge the
    credibility of the witnesses. Our role is to determine whether there is relevant, competent
    and credible evidence upon which the fact finder could base its judgment. Cross Truck v.
    Jeffries, 5th Dist. Stark No. CA-5758, 
    1982 WL 2911
     (February 10, 1982). Accordingly,
    judgments supported by some competent, credible evidence going to all the essential
    elements of the case will not be reversed as being against the manifest weight of the
    evidence. C.E. Morris Co. v. Foley Construction, 
    54 Ohio St.2d 279
    , 
    376 N.E.2d 578
    (1978). On review for manifest weight, the standard in a civil case is identical to the
    standard in a criminal case: a reviewing court is to examine the entire record, weigh the
    evidence and all reasonable inferences, consider the credibility of witnesses and
    determine “whether in resolving conflicts in the evidence, the jury [or finder of fact] clearly
    lost its way and created such a manifest miscarriage of justice that the conviction
    [decision] must be reversed and a new trial ordered.” State v. Martin, 
    20 Ohio App.3d 172
    , 175, 
    485 N.E.2d 717
     (1st Dist.1983). See also, State v. Thompkins, 
    78 Ohio St.3d 380
    , 
    678 N.E.2d 541
    , 
    1997-Ohio-52
    ; Eastley v. Volkman, 
    132 Ohio St.3d 328
    , 
    972 N.E.2d 517
    , 
    2012-Ohio-2179
    . In weighing the evidence, however, we are always mindful of the
    presumption in favor of the trial court's factual findings. Eastley at ¶ 21
    Permanent Custody
    Stark County, Case No. 2020CA00049                                                         11
    {¶ 33} R.C. 2151.414(B)(1) states permanent custody may be granted to a public
    or private agency if the trial court determines by clear and convincing evidence at a
    hearing held pursuant to division (A) of R.C. 2151.414, that it is in the best interest of the
    child and any of the following apply:
    (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.
    {¶ 34} Therefore, R.C. 2151.414(B) provides a two-pronged analysis the trial
    court is required to apply when ruling on a motion for permanent custody. In practice, the
    trial court will determine whether one of the four circumstances delineated in R.C.
    Stark County, Case No. 2020CA00049                                                            12
    2151.414(B)(1)(a) through (d) is present before proceeding to a determination regarding
    the best interest of the child.
    {¶ 35} 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 also, In re Adoption of Holcomb, 
    18 Ohio St.3d 361
    , 
    481 N.E.2d 361
     (1985).
    “Where the degree of proof required to sustain an issue must be clear and convincing, a
    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.
    Appellant is not M.C.'s Parent
    {¶ 36} We note R.C. 2151.414 applies to parents and the prospect of permanently
    divesting parents of their parental rights. Appellant is not M.C.'s parent, but rather his
    maternal grandmother and was his legal custodian. Appellant does not acknowledge this
    issue. The gravamen of the first assignment of error, therefore, is whether a grandparent
    legal custodian is granted the same rights as a parent under R.C. 2151.419(A).
    {¶ 37} The wording of the section concerns the removal of a child from the “child's
    home.” Once legal custody is granted, the child's home is the home of the legal custodian.
    However, our brethren from the Sixth District in In the matter of: Kenny B., Jr., Lucas App.
    No. L-05-1227, 
    2006-Ohio-968
    , held the following at ¶ 17 and 18:
    While there has been some modern trend to liberally define family
    and to bestow certain rights to extended family, see, e.g., Harold v.
    Stark County, Case No. 2020CA00049                                                      13
    Collier, 
    107 Ohio St.3d 44
    , 
    836 N.E.2d 1165
    , 
    2005-Ohio-5334
    (grandparent visitation), we have found no authority, including those
    cited by appellant, which grants to an unrelated individual the unique
    status occupied by biological parents or their legal equivalent,
    adoptive parents. It is only these upon whom constitutional protection
    is invested and, in Ohio, the strictures of R.C. 2151.414 adhere.
    Consequently, we reject appellant's assertion that he is entitled to
    the same legal status as Kenny B., Jr.'s natural parents.
    Appellant's position is simply that of a prior legal custodian. The
    touchstone of a dispositional order, including legal custody after a
    finding of neglect and dependency, is that the order be in the child's
    best interest. In re Nice (2001), 
    141 Ohio App.3d 445
    , 455, 
    751 N.E.2d 552
    . Decisions concerning an award or change of legal
    custody will not be disturbed absent an abuse of discretion. In re
    Alexander C., 6th Dist.App. No. L-05-1173, 
    2005-Ohio-6134
    , at ¶ 6,
    
    164 Ohio App.3d 540
    , 
    843 N.E.2d 211
    . An abuse of discretion is
    more than error of law or judgment; the term connotes that the court's
    attitude is arbitrary, unreasonable or unconscionable. Blakemore v.
    Blakemore (1983), 
    5 Ohio St.3d 217
    , 219, 
    450 N.E.2d 1140
    .
    {¶ 38} Although Appellant is related to M.C., she cites no authority granting her the
    same legal status as M.C.'s parents. At the permanent custody hearing, mother stipulated
    to SCJFS's motion for permanent custody. Moreover, even if that had not been true, M.C.
    Stark County, Case No. 2020CA00049                                                      14
    had been in the custody of SCJFS for twelve or more months of a consecutive twenty-
    two-month period, and Appellant does not dispute this fact. This court has adopted the
    position that proof of temporary custody with an agency for twelve or more months of a
    consecutive twenty-two-month period alone is sufficient to award permanent custody. In
    the Matter of A.S., V.S., and Z.S., 5th Dist. Delaware No. 13 CAF 050040, 2013-Ohio-
    4018. Therefore, a finding that grounds existed for permanent custody cannot be against
    the manifest weight of the evidence.
    Best Interests
    {¶ 39} Appellant further argues SCJFS failed to show by clear and convincing
    evidence that M.C.'s best interests would be served by granting the agency permanent
    custody. But the burden was on Appellant to demonstrate by a preponderance of the
    evidence that granting her motion for legal custody was in M.C's best interest. R.C.
    2151.414(D) governs “best interests” and states the following:
    (D) 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:
    (1) 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;
    Stark County, Case No. 2020CA00049                                                     15
    (2) 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;
    (3) The custodial history of the child, including whether 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 ending on or
    after March 18, 1999;
    (4) 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;
    (5) Whether any of the factors in divisions (E)(7) to (11) of this
    section apply in relation to the parents and child.
    {¶ 40} In a factually similar matter, In re A.S. 6th Dist. Lucas No. 
    2009-Ohio-5504
    ,
    L-09-1080, the court noted at paragraph 12:
    Relatives seeking custody of a child are not afforded the same
    presumptive rights that a natural parent receives. In re A.C., 12th
    Dist. No. CA2006-12-105, 
    2007-Ohio-3350
    , ¶ 17. Although “a
    ‘children services agency should strive to place a child with a willing
    and suitable relative[,]’ there is no requirement or duty on the agency
    to do so under a best interest analysis.” (Emphasis added.) In re
    Stark County, Case No. 2020CA00049                                                        16
    Jones–Dentigance, 11th Dist. No.2005-P-058, 
    2005-Ohio-5960
    , ¶
    26. Rather, a juvenile court is vested “with discretion to determine
    what placement option is in the child's best interest. The child's best
    interests are served by the child being placed in a permanent
    situation that fosters growth, stability, and security.” In re McCain, 4th
    Dist. No. 06CA654, 
    2007-Ohio-1429
    , ¶ 20. Consequently, a juvenile
    court is not required to favor a relative if, after considering all the
    factors, it is in the child's best interest for the agency to be granted
    permanent custody. In re A.C., ¶ 17.
    {¶ 41} Thus the burden was on Appellant to present evidence to support her
    motion for legal custody showing M.C.'s best interests would be served by the trial court
    granting the same. Based on the record before us, Appellant failed to do so.
    {¶ 42} As to best interests, Appellant expressed concerns with M.C's care at Hattie
    Larlham and presented photos of remnants of bruising on M.C.'s face, warts on his hand,
    and an incident where she found him with the "straps" on his toy bag wrapped around his
    arm. She cited another incident where she found M.C. behind the door of his room, and
    had concerns that staff were giving away toys she bought for M.C. T. 81-87.
    {¶ 43} The GAL and Weigand, however, believed permanent custody to SCJFS
    was in M.C.'s best interest. As discussed above, M.C. suffers from multiple handicaps
    and diseases, is wheelchair-bound, and requires around the clock care. Transcript of trial
    (T.) 65. He has been placed at Hattie Larlham since August 2017 and has done very well
    in this placement. T. 66. Hattie Larlham provides for M.C.'s every medical and educational
    Stark County, Case No. 2020CA00049                                                    17
    need. Although Appellant expressed concerns about the care M.C. received at Hattie
    Larlham, neither Weigand nor the GAL had observed any reason for concern. T. 72-74,
    90. The GAL did, however, have concerns with Appellant's ability to care for M.C. as
    Appellant had her own health issues, and had failed in large part to cooperate with the
    GAL's investigation. T. 89. The GAL further did not believe Appellant would make
    appropriate arrangements for M.C.'s daily care if she were granted legal custody.
    Moreover, Appellant's current home was not handicap accessible and her Canton home
    had been deemed inappropriate. T. 88-89. Both Weigand and the GAL believed a grant
    of permanent custody to the SCJFS was in M.C.'s best interests, and again, M.C. had
    been in the temporary custody of the SCJFS for twelve or more months of a consecutive
    twenty-two month period.
    {¶ 44} The evidence presented at the hearing demonstrated M.C.'s placement at
    Hattie Larlham best fosters his growth, stability, and security, and permanent custody to
    SCJFS is therefore in his best interest.
    {¶ 45} Based upon the forgoing, we overrule Appellant's first and second
    assignments of error.
    {¶ 46} The judgment of the Stark County Court of Common Pleas Juvenile Division
    is affirmed.
    By Wise, Earle, J.
    Hoffman, P.J. and
    Wise, John, J. concur.
    EEW/rw
    

Document Info

Docket Number: 2020CA00049

Citation Numbers: 2020 Ohio 4372

Judges: E. Wise

Filed Date: 9/8/2020

Precedential Status: Precedential

Modified Date: 4/17/2021