Patterson v. D'Apolito ( 2024 )


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  • [Cite as Patterson v. D'Apolito, 
    2024-Ohio-1632
    .]
    IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
    SEVENTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
    MAHONING COUNTY
    ELIZABETH PATTERSON,
    Relator,
    v.
    JUDGE ANTHONY M. D’APOLITO ET AL.,
    Respondents.
    OPINION AND JUDGMENT ENTRY
    Case No. 24 MA 0021
    Writ of Mandamus
    BEFORE:
    Mark A. Hanni, Cheryl L. Waite, Carol Ann Robb, Judges.
    JUDGMENT:
    Denied.
    Elizabeth Patterson, Pro se, Relator and
    Atty. Gina DeGenova, Mahoning County Prosecutor, and Atty. Jacqueline M. Johnston,
    Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Mahoning County Prosecutor's Office, for Respondent
    Judge Anthony D’Apolito and
    Atty. Michael C. O’Malley, Cuyahoga County Prosecutor, and Atty. Craig J. Morice,
    Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office, for Respondent
    Cuyahoga County Division of Children and Family Services and
    –2–
    Atty. Thomas C. Loepp, Thomas C. Loepp, Law Offices, Co., LPA, for Respondent New
    Beginnings Residential Treatment Center.
    Dated: April 26, 2024
    PER CURIAM.
    I. INTRODUCTION
    {¶1}     Relator Elizabeth Patterson, representing herself, has commenced this
    original action with the filing of a petition for a peremptory writ of mandamus against
    Respondents Judge Anthony M. D’Apolito (“Judge D’Apolito”), Cuyahoga County Division
    of Children and Family Services (“CCDCFS”),1 New Beginnings Residential Treatment
    Center (“New Beginnings”), and Annette Patterson. This action is related to a civil lawsuit
    Relator brought against CCDCFS, New Beginnings, and Annette Patterson. Respondent
    Judge Anthony D’Apolito is presiding over the case. Relator seeks a writ of mandamus
    to compel Judge D’Apolito to enter a default judgment and summary judgment in her favor
    and against CCDCFS, New Beginnings, and Annette Patterson on her claims. New
    Beginnings, Judge D’Apolito, and CCDCFS have each moved to dismiss. Because
    Relator’s petition does not meet the procedural requirements of R.C. 2731.04 and
    exceeds the scope of authority for issuing a writ under R.C. 2731.03, we grant the motions
    to dismiss and deny the petition.
    A. Facts & Procedural History
    {¶2}     Representing herself in the Mahoning County Court of Common Pleas,
    Relator filed a lawsuit naming as party defendants CCDCFS, New Beginnings, and
    Annette Patterson (collectively, “the defendants”) on May 22, 2023.                            Patterson v.
    Cuyahoga Cty. Children & Family Servs., Mahoning C.P. No. 2023 CV 00964. Relator’s
    complaint outlined a series of interconnected claims that span negligence, breach of duty,
    constitutional violations, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and breach of contract.
    Relator implicated each defendant in a manner that reflected their relationship with her
    1. In the case caption of Relator’s petition, she identifies CCDCFS as “Cuyahoga County Children Famiy
    [sic] Services”. The typographical error and technical misidentification of its official name does not prejudice
    CCDCFS or otherwise affect our determination of this matter.
    Case No. 24 MA 0021
    –3–
    and the harm she alleged to have suffered due to their actions or inactions. The timetable
    of the allegations in her complaint encompassed a considerable portion of her life, from
    early childhood into her late teenage years, spanning from her initial custody with
    CCDCFS in January 2005 through her experiences at New Beginnings in September
    2019. Relator sought monetary damages totaling $3,500,000 from CCDCFS, $750,000
    from New Beginnings Residential Treatment Center, and $50,000 from Annette
    Patterson, plus statutory interest, costs of action, and restitution for any additional
    violations discovered during the discovery process.
    {¶3}   In responding to Relator’s claims, New Beginnings filed a detailed 31-page
    discovery request comprising of interrogatories, requests for production of documents,
    and admissions. This initiated what would become a significant number of discovery-
    related documents filed by Relator. Given these filings’ sheer volume and specificity, this
    opinion will not dissect each one individually but will recognize their collective impact on
    the case’s trajectory. Instead, we will focus on setting forth the overarching procedural
    history while giving particular attention to other significant filings that directly influenced
    the case’s direction.
    {¶4}   Annette Patterson, participating without legal representation, filed her
    answer, aligning her defense with the overall dynamics of the case alongside the other
    defendants.
    {¶5}   On June 20, 2023, the Relator submitted a request to suspend the
    application of the statute of limitations to her case, arguing for the applicability of three
    exceptions to extend the deadline for filing her lawsuit. These exceptions included tolling
    due to being under the legal age of majority, allegations of fraudulent concealment, and
    claims of continuing violations.
    {¶6}   On June 26, 2023, CCDCFS filed a Civ.R. 12(B)(6) motion to dismiss for
    failure to state a claim upon which relief could be granted on three grounds. CCDCFS
    argued that it is a department or agency of Cuyahoga County and, as such, is not sui juris
    and cannot be sued in its own right. CCDCFS also argued that Relator’s claims were
    time-barred and that it was entitled to political subdivision immunity under R.C. Chapter
    2744. Annette Patterson, representing herself, then filed her own Civ.R. 12(B)(6) motion,
    Case No. 24 MA 0021
    –4–
    joining CCDCFS’s motion regarding the argument that the statute of limitations barred
    Relator’s claims.
    {¶7}   On July 25, 2023, New Beginnings moved for summary judgment on the
    basis that the statute of limitations for Relator’s claims had expired. Six days later, on
    July 31, 2023, Judge D’Apolito issued a judgment entry granting CCDCFS’s Civ.R.
    12(B)(6) for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted on all three grounds,
    addressing CCDCFS’s non-amenable status to suit as a matter of law, the statute of
    limitations, and political subdivision immunity under R.C. 2744.01 et seq. He agreed with
    CCDCFS, noting it is a department or agency of Cuyahoga County, not a separate legal
    entity amenable to suit, leading to dismissal of claims against it. He determined Relator’s
    claims were filed beyond the two-year statute of limitations for political subdivision claims,
    noting Relator reached the age of majority on May 5, 2023, and filed this action on May
    22, 2023.
    {¶8}   Under R.C. Chapter 2744, Judge D’Apolito found CCDCFS immune from
    liability, concluding Relator failed to demonstrate that any exceptions to immunity applied.
    He specifically analyzed Relator’s negligence claim and found no applicable exception
    under R.C. 2744.02(B) to strip CCDCFS of its immunity. He also denied as moot all other
    pending motions relating to CCDCFS.
    {¶9}   The following day, Relator filed an “objection” to the entry granting
    CCDCFS’s motion to dismiss. As for Judge D’Apolito’s conclusion that CCDCFS was
    immune from liability, Relator reasserted her claim that an exception to immunity arose
    due to the negligent conduct of employees while carrying out a proprietary function.
    Lastly, Relator noted that she demanded a jury trial and did not consent to the court’s
    magistrate presiding over the case. She asked for the magistrate’s recusal based on “the
    perceived conflict of interest.”
    {¶10} On August 23, 2023, Relator filed an amended complaint, expanding and
    elaborating on the allegations made in her initial filing. Her claims against CCDCFS
    detailed a litany of failures, including negligence, failure to investigate, false labeling,
    violation of due process, emotional distress, mismanagement of her case, breach of duty,
    inadequate training and supervision, violation of civil rights, retaliation, lack of
    accountability, insufficient investigation, miscommunication, inadequate monitoring,
    Case No. 24 MA 0021
    –5–
    ignoring her input, and several others. The allegations collectively pointed to a systemic
    failure to protect her rights and well-being, having a profound impact on her life and
    leading to significant emotional and psychological harm.
    {¶11} In detailing her time at New Beginnings, Relator described suffering from
    physical abuse, intentional infliction of emotional distress, civil rights violations, and a
    range of other harms. She recounted an incident involving inappropriate restraint and
    denial of medical treatment, highlighting a disregard for her safety and dignity. She
    framed these experiences as violations of her constitutional rights, including due process
    and protection from cruel and unusual punishment, alongside claims of false
    imprisonment, assault and battery, sexual misconduct, defamation, and failure to protect
    her from known risks.
    {¶12} Relator’s allegations against Annette Patterson described an environment
    of verbal insults, humiliation, intimidation, threats, manipulation, gaslighting, excessive
    control, neglect, and physical abuse.      She also detailed sexual abuse by another
    individual under Annette Patterson’s care, accusing her of negligence and failure to
    supervise properly. These claims encompassed violations of her rights to safety, privacy,
    and dignity, alongside specific legal violations, including breach of placement agreements
    and failure to follow foster care procedures.
    {¶13} Contemporaneously with her amended complaint, Relator moved to strike
    further pleadings from the defendants until they fulfilled their discovery obligations. She
    contrasted her own compliance with discovery requests to the defendants’ actions, which
    she described as evasive, noncompliant, and indicative of a disregard for their legal
    responsibilities.
    {¶14} On August 28, 2023, Relator moved for summary judgment against
    CCDCFS, New Beginnings, and Annette Patterson based on the evidence and
    admissions gathered through the discovery process. Relator argued that due to the
    defendants’ failure to adequately respond to certain discovery requests, including
    interrogatories and requests for admissions, their silence or noncompliance constituted
    “deemed admissions.” According to Relator, these deemed admissions lent unwavering
    support to her allegations of negligence, breach of duty, and other claims against the
    defendants.
    Case No. 24 MA 0021
    –6–
    {¶15} On August 29, 2023, Judge D’Apolito issued a judgment entry addressing
    Annette Patterson’s motion to dismiss, New Beginnings’ motion for summary judgment,
    and Relator’s filings in opposition. The argument contained in the motions focused on
    how Relator’s claims were time-barred by the applicable statutes of limitations.
    {¶16} After reviewing the pleadings, Judge D’Apolito considered the statutes of
    limitations relevant to the claims. He acknowledged that claims subject to one-year or
    two-year statute limitations were time-barred. However, he identified exceptions for
    certain claims: intentional infliction of emotional distress against New Beginnings and
    Annette Patterson, and a newly introduced claim of childhood sexual abuse in Relator’s
    amended complaint. These claims, he found, were not time-barred due to longer statutes
    of limitations applicable to intentional infliction of emotional distress (four years) and
    childhood sexual abuse (twelve years).
    {¶17} Additionally, Judge D’Apolito addressed a breach of contract claim against
    New Beginnings, noting ambiguity around the existence of an oral or implied contract.
    Given the unresolved nature of these facts, he denied the motion for summary judgment
    on this breach of contract claim, citing insufficient evidence to conclude that New
    Beginnings was entitled to judgment as a matter of law.
    {¶18} Judge D’Apolito’s decision thus allowed for the intentional infliction of
    emotional distress claims and the breach of contract claim to move forward, while
    dismissing claims that fell outside the applicable statutes of limitations. It also left open
    the possibility for Relator to pursue her childhood sexual abuse claim, contingent upon
    her being granted leave to file her amended complaint.
    {¶19} On August 30, 2023, New Beginnings moved for summary judgment
    concerning Relator’s remaining claims based primarily on Relator’s failure to respond to
    Requests for Admissions within the allotted timeframe, despite an extension granted by
    the court. These requests sought admissions regarding the absence of damages or
    injuries caused by New Beginnings, the non-existence of a contract with Relator, and the
    absence of any civil rights violations.
    {¶20} New Beginnings argued that failing to dispute these admissions left no
    genuine issue of material fact. Thus, it asserted that summary judgment in its favor was
    appropriate.    The motion emphasized that unresponded requests are deemed
    Case No. 24 MA 0021
    –7–
    conclusively admitted, eliminating the basis for Relator’s claims against New Beginnings
    and entitling it to summary judgment.
    {¶21} Relator opposed New Beginnings’ summary judgment motion, first
    complaining about the court’s refusal to acknowledge her motion for recusal. She then
    disputed New Beginnings’ reliance on the statute of limitations for dismissal, noting that
    she had filed an uncontested motion to suspend the statute’s application based on the
    potential discovery of further evidence. Relator contended that overlooking this motion
    and defaulting to a statute of limitations defense was unfair. Next, she addressed the
    claim that she did not seek leave to amend her complaint, countering that her original
    complaint explicitly intended to incorporate all claims and any additional evidence
    uncovered during discovery. She argued that her motion for amendment sought to clarify
    any ambiguities and that the court should address them in the interest of fairness.
    {¶22} On October 19, 2023, Relator moved for default judgment and moved to
    compel the production of discovery materials. The motion asked the court to grant a
    default judgment against CCDCFS, New Beginnings, and Annette Patterson based on
    their inaction and the uncontested evidence of negligence and abuse.             Additionally,
    Relator sought a court order compelling CCDCFS to provide the requested discovery
    documents. Nowhere in the filing did Relator reference or acknowledge that the court
    had issued a judgment entry on July 31, 2023, granting the motion to dismiss filed by
    CCDCFS.
    {¶23} On November 29, 2023, Annette Patterson, now represented by counsel,
    filed a motion for leave to file a motion for summary judgment.          The memorandum
    supporting the motion for summary judgment argued that Relator’s lack of response to
    specific requests for admission conclusively established that Annette Patterson’s actions
    or omissions did not cause Relator’s injuries. This, according to Annette Patterson’s
    counsel, negated the possibility of claims for intentional infliction of emotional distress or
    childhood sexual abuse against Annette Patterson.
    {¶24} On December 6, 2023, Relator moved for judgment on the pleadings,
    arguing the defendants had “failed to a state a claim upon which relief could be granted.”
    {¶25} Subsequently, Judge D’Apolito issued a comprehensive judgment entry
    addressing and resolving all pending motions on February 13, 2024. He noted the
    Case No. 24 MA 0021
    –8–
    dismissal of CCDCFS as a defendant from the case on July 31, 2023, which left Annette
    Patterson and New Beginnings Residential Treatment Center as the remaining
    defendants.
    {¶26} Judge D’Apolito took several actions on Relator’s motions. He denied her
    untimely demand for a jury trial and allowed her motion to amend the complaint, granting
    the amended complaint the same filing date as the motion, August 23, 2023. He gave
    New Beginnings and Annette Patterson 30 days to respond to the amended complaint.
    He interpreted Relator’s motion for expedited judgment as a request for summary
    judgment.      He denied it, stating that all parties had appeared and filed responsive
    pleadings, and that there were genuine issues of material fact preventing such judgment.
    Additionally, he denied Relator’s December 6, 2023 motion for judgment on the pleadings,
    as New Beginnings and Annette Patterson had filed answers denying Relator’s
    allegations.
    {¶27} The entry also addressed motions related to discovery. Judge D’Apolito
    deemed all motions filed by Relator compelling discovery or asking for sanctions against
    Annette Patterson and New Beginnings as moot, as they had served responses to
    discovery requests, though Relator challenged their accuracy.
    {¶28} Specifically regarding a motion for summary judgment filed by New
    Beginnings, Judge D’Apolito instructed Relator to update her discovery responses
    following the civil rules of procedure within 14 days and scheduled a non-oral hearing on
    April 1, 2024, to consider New Beginnings’ motion for summary judgment. He gave
    Relator 28 days to file her memorandum in opposition and New Beginnings 7 days to
    reply.
    {¶29} Judge D’Apolito overruled all motions for a default judgment as moot since
    all parties had appeared and filed the necessary pleadings.        He overruled all other
    motions not explicitly addressed in the entry.
    {¶30} That same day, Relator filed her petition for a peremptory writ of mandamus
    with this Court.     Judge D’Apolito, on his own motion, issued an entry staying the
    proceedings in Patterson v. Cuyahoga Cty. Children & Family Servs., Mahoning C.P. No.
    2023 CV 00964, until the resolution of this original action or unless otherwise directed by
    this Court. New Beginnings, Judge D’Apolito, and CCDCFS have each moved to dismiss
    Case No. 24 MA 0021
    –9–
    the petition on various grounds. Judge D’Apolito and CCDCFS argue that we should
    dismiss Relator’s petition as procedurally deficient because she did not caption it in the
    name of the state on the relation of the person applying and did not verify it by affidavit
    as required under R.C. 2731.04.
    II. APPLICABLE LAW
    A. Mandamus
    {¶31} This Court has jurisdiction to hear an original mandamus action under
    Article IV, Section 3(B)(1) of the Ohio Constitution and R.C. 2731.02. Generally, to
    receive a writ of mandamus, the relator must establish (1) a clear legal right to the
    requested relief, (2) a clear legal duty on the part of the respondent to provide it, and (3)
    the lack of an adequate remedy in the ordinary course of the law. State ex rel. King v.
    Fleegle, 
    160 Ohio St.3d 380
    , 
    2020-Ohio-3302
    , 
    157 N.E.3d 707
    , ¶ 5.
    {¶32} Granting a writ of mandamus is not a decision to be made lightly.
    Mandamus is regarded as an “extraordinary remedy,” warranting careful and judicious
    consideration by the court. State ex rel. Manley v. Walsh, 
    142 Ohio St.3d 384
    , 2014-
    Ohio-4563, 
    31 N.E.3d 608
    , ¶ 18; State ex rel. Taylor v. Glasser, 
    50 Ohio St.2d 165
    , 166,
    
    364 N.E.2d 1
     (1977). The burden is on the relator to establish their right to this writ
    through clear and convincing evidence. Manley at ¶ 18.
    B. Civ.R. 12(B)(6) Motion to Dismiss
    {¶33} The purpose of a Civ.R. 12(B)(6) motion is to test the sufficiency of the
    petition. Volbers-Klarich v. Middletown Mgt., Inc., 
    125 Ohio St.3d 494
    , 
    2010-Ohio-2057
    ,
    
    929 N.E.2d 434
    , ¶ 11.       Dismissal of a mandamus action under Civ.R. 12(B)(6) is
    appropriate if, after presuming all factual allegations in the mandamus petition to be true
    and drawing all reasonable inferences in the relator’s favor, it appears beyond doubt that
    the relator can prove no set of facts entitling the relator to a writ of mandamus. State ex
    rel. A.N. v. Cuyahoga Cty. Prosecutor’s Office, 
    2021-Ohio-2071
    , 
    175 N.E.3d 539
    , ¶ 8,
    citing State ex rel. McKinney v. Schmenk, 
    152 Ohio St.3d 70
    , 
    2017-Ohio-9183
    , 
    92 N.E.3d 871
    , ¶ 8. Unsupported conclusions of a petition are not considered admitted and are
    Case No. 24 MA 0021
    – 10 –
    insufficient to withstand a motion to dismiss. State ex rel. Hickman v. Capots, 
    45 Ohio St.3d 324
    , 
    544 N.E.2d 639
     (1989).
    {¶34} Additionally, a court can dismiss a mandamus petition on its own accord
    “‘when * * * the claimant obviously cannot prevail on the facts alleged in the complaint.’”
    State ex rel. Bunting v. Styer, 
    147 Ohio St.3d 462
    , 
    2016-Ohio-5781
    , 
    67 N.E.3d 755
    , ¶ 12,
    quoting State ex rel. Scott v. Cleveland, 
    112 Ohio St.3d 324
    , 
    2006-Ohio-6573
    , 
    859 N.E.2d 923
    , ¶ 14; accord State ex rel. Duran v. Kelsey, 
    106 Ohio St.3d 58
    , 
    2005-Ohio-3674
    , 
    831 N.E.2d 430
    , ¶ 7. Thus, the relevant inquiry is whether, after presuming the truth of all
    material factual allegations of Relator’s petition and making all reasonable inferences in
    her favor, it is beyond doubt she could prove no set of facts entitling her to a writ of
    mandamus. See Scott at ¶ 14.
    III. ANALYSIS
    A. Procedural Requirements of R.C. 2731.04
    {¶35} There are three specific requirements when applying for a writ of
    mandamus. The application (1) must be by petition, (2) in the name of the state on the
    relation of the person applying, and (3) verified by affidavit. R.C. 2731.04. In their
    respective motions to dismiss, Judge D’Apolito and CCDCFS have pointed to Relator’s
    failure to caption her petition in the name of the state on the relation of the person applying
    and failure to verify her petition by affidavit as grounds for their motions. If a respondent
    alerts a relator of their failure to properly caption their mandamus petition in the name of
    the state on the relation of the person applying and the relator does not seek leave to
    amend their petition to comply with R.C. 2731.04, the mandamus action must be
    dismissed. Blankenship v. Blackwell, 
    103 Ohio St.3d 567
    , 
    2004-Ohio-5596
    , 
    817 N.E.2d 382
    , ¶ 36, citing Litigaide, Inc. v. Lakewood Police Dept. Custodian of Records, 
    75 Ohio St.3d 508
    , 
    664 N.E.2d 521
     (1996).
    {¶36} A review of Relator’s petition reveals that she brought the petition in her
    name only. The title of the action in the caption of Relator’s petition appears as follows:
    “Elizabeth Patterson, Relator” and “Judge Anthony M. Dapolito [sic] * * * Respondent.(s)
    [sic]”. On March 27, 2024, Relator moved for leave to amend her petition “to correct
    procedural deficiencies, errors, and omissions identified in the original petition.”
    Case No. 24 MA 0021
    – 11 –
    Contemporaneously with this motion and her amended petition, Relator also filed an
    affidavit of verity. We grant Relator’s motion for leave to amend and accept her amended
    petition and affidavit of verity.
    {¶37} We have reviewed her amended petition; however, it has not been brought
    in the name of the state on her relation. The title of the action in the caption of Relator’s
    amended petition reads: “STATE OF OHIO, ET. AL. RELATOR V. DAPOLITO [sic],
    JUDGE ANTHONY M * * * RESPONDANDT [sic].” Relator’s continued failure to properly
    caption her petition in compliance with R.C. 2731.04, standing alone, is a proper ground
    to dismiss this original action. Page v. Geauga Cty. Prob. & Juvenile Court, 
    172 Ohio St.3d 400
    , 
    2023-Ohio-2491
    , 
    224 N.E.3d 51
    , ¶ 2; Blankenship, supra.
    B. Judicial Discretion - R.C. 2731.03
    {¶38} Despite the procedural deficiency, even a cursory yet substantive review of
    the claims for relief asserted by Relator in her amended petition compels us to dismiss it
    on its merits. In her amended petition, Relator seeks a writ of mandamus ordering Judge
    D’Apolito to enter a default judgment and summary judgment in her favor and against
    CCDCFS, New Beginnings, and Annette Patterson on her claims in Patterson v.
    Cuyahoga Cty. Children & Family Servs., Mahoning C.P. No. 2023 CV 00964.
    {¶39} Ohio Revised Code Chapter 2731 governs mandamus actions.                   R.C.
    2731.03 sets forth the scope of mandamus: “The writ of mandamus may require an
    inferior tribunal to exercise its judgment, or proceed to the discharge of any of its
    functions, but it cannot control judicial discretion.” The first and second clauses together
    describe the affirmative powers of the writ. In the context of a trial court’s motion docket,
    a writ of mandamus may be available when a litigant files a motion, and the trial court fails
    to rule on the motion or has unnecessarily delayed proceeding to judgment. State ex rel.
    Nyamusevya v. Hawkins, 
    165 Ohio St.3d 22
    , 
    2021-Ohio-1122
    , 
    175 N.E.3d 495
    , ¶ 11.
    Relator’s amended petition does not present this Court with facts that would authorize it
    to exercise these affirmative powers of the writ. Relator references numerous motions
    filed in the case presided over by Judge D’Apolito and he has ruled upon all of those
    motions.
    Case No. 24 MA 0021
    – 12 –
    {¶40} The crux of Relator’s petition is her dissatisfaction with how Judge D’Apolito
    has ruled on those motions. Effectively, she is seeking to have us order Judge D’Apolito
    to alter the outcome of the decisions, over which he has already exercised his discretion,
    to be in her favor. However, the third clause of R.C. 2731.03 introduces a limitation on
    the affirmative powers of the writ, which expressly prohibits a court from issuing it to alter
    the inferior tribunal’s exercise of its discretion. The potency of this limitation is reflected
    in the terseness of R.C. 2731.03’s title: “Writ does not control judicial discretion.” As the
    Supreme Court of Ohio has described, “when a court has discretion to act, its only duty
    is to exercise that discretion.” State ex rel. Ney v. Niehaus, 
    33 Ohio St.3d 118
    , 119, 
    515 N.E.2d 914
    , 916 (1987). The Supreme Court has further explained that mandamus will
    not lie to control judicial discretion, even if that discretion is abused. State ex rel. Rashada
    v. Pianka, 
    112 Ohio St.3d 44
    , 
    2006-Ohio-6366
    , 
    857 N.E.2d 1220
    , ¶ 3.
    {¶41} The remedy for Relator lies with an appeal of Judge D’Apolito’s rulings on
    those motions upon final judgment. Under R.C. 2731.05, “the writ of mandamus must not
    be issued when there is a plain and adequate remedy in the ordinary course of the law.”
    When the relator has a plain and adequate remedy at law by way of appeal, courts lack
    authority to exercise jurisdictional discretion and must deny the writ of mandamus. State
    ex rel. Alhamarshah v. Indus. Comm., 
    142 Ohio St.3d 524
    , 
    2015-Ohio-1357
    , 
    33 N.E.3d 43
    , ¶ 11.
    IV. CONCLUSION
    {¶42} Even after presuming the truth of all material factual allegations of Relator’s
    amended petition and making all reasonable inferences in her favor, it is beyond doubt
    she could prove no set of facts entitling her to a writ of mandamus. We grant the motions
    to dismiss filed by New Beginnings, Judge D’Apolito, and CCDCFS. We dismiss Relator’s
    amended petition and, as it pertains to Annette Patterson, do so of our own accord. Any
    unresolved motions and filings not addressed herein are dismissed as moot.
    {¶43} Writ DENIED. The clerk is directed to serve on the parties notice of this
    judgment and its date of entry upon the journal. Civ.R. 58(B). The costs of this action
    are waived.
    Case No. 24 MA 0021
    – 13 –
    JUDGE MARK A. HANNI
    JUDGE CHERYL L. WAITE
    JUDGE CAROL ANN ROBB
    Case No. 24 MA 0021
    

Document Info

Docket Number: 24 MA 0021

Judges: Per Curiam

Filed Date: 4/26/2024

Precedential Status: Precedential

Modified Date: 4/29/2024