In re E.T.H. ( 2019 )

[Cite as In re E.T.H., 2019-Ohio-79.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS
TWELFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT OF OHIO
BUTLER COUNTY
IN THE MATTER OF: : CASE NO. CA2018-04-064
E.T.H. : OPINION
1/14/2019
APPEAL FROM BUTLER COUNTY COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
JUVENILE DIVISION
Case No. JV2017-1753
Michael T. Gmoser, Butler County Prosecuting Attorney, John C. Heinkel, Government
Services Center, 315 High Street, 11th Floor, Hamilton, OH 45011, for appellee
Caparella-Kraemer & Associates, LLC, Tyler W. Nagel, 4841-A Rialto Road, West Chester,
OH 45069, for appellant
M. POWELL, J.
{¶ 1} Defendant-appellant, E.T.H., appeals a decision of the Butler County Court of
Common Pleas, Juvenile Division, adjudicating him a delinquent child. Appellant further
appeals the juvenile court's dispositional decision ordering him to complete a sex offender
treatment program.
{¶ 2} On September 11, 2017, 14-year-old K.S. (the "victim") was exiting her middle
school. Behind her, 13-year-old appellant and his male friends, T.L. and L.W., also exited
the school. All four students were in eighth grade. Once outside the building, the three
boys surrounded the victim. Appellant stood in front of the victim, blocking her path. As the
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victim started to walk away, T.L. stated, "Fuck her." The victim replied "no" and began
running away. Appellant immediately chased after her. Upon hearing T.L. call her name,
the victim stopped running and turned around. T.L. grabbed her and put her in a "tight"
bear hug, facing her. Appellant started pulling at the victim's jacket and shirt. During that
time, all three boys stated "rape her, rape her," and appellant was giggling. The victim was
able to escape by kicking T.L. in the shin, shoving him, and running away. Appellant chased
after her for several feet before he gave up. Later that day, with the encouragement of a
friend, the victim told her parents about the incident. The police were notified.
{¶ 3} The victim talked to the police that evening and to school resource officer Matt
Wagers of the Oxford Police Department the following day. A school security video showed
most of the incident and depicted T.L. bear hugging the victim and appellant with his hands
on her. The video does not have audio. Upon reviewing the video, Officer Wagers and the
school principal questioned the three boys separately.
{¶ 4} On October 26, 2017, Officer Wagers filed a complaint against appellant
alleging he was a delinquent child for having committed an act that would constitute
abduction with a sexual motivation in violation of R.C. 2905.02(A)(2) and (B), a third-degree
felony if committed by an adult. The matter proceeded to a joint adjudication hearing for all
three boys. At the hearing, the juvenile court heard testimony from Officer Wagers, the
school principal, T.L., and the victim. Appellant did not testify or present witnesses on his
behalf.
{¶ 5} The victim testified that as appellant was pulling on her clothes while T.L. had
her in a bear hug, she "freaked" and "kind of panicked." She further testified that the "fuck
her" and "rape her" comments made her scared. This was due in part to prior incidents in
seventh grade where appellant had tried to touch her breasts during lunch and had sent her
links to pornographic websites. The victim testified that upon freeing herself, she ran away
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until she reached her cousins. She did not tell them about the incident but instead "kind of
joked around with them to calm my nerves."
{¶ 6} Officer Wagers testified that during questioning, T.L. and L.W. both admitted
that all three boys stated "rape her" as the victim was held in a bear hug and appellant was
touching her. Both T.L. and L.W. also confirmed that T.L. stated "Fuck her." By contrast,
appellant was "pretty cloudy on the incident," and claimed he was just joking around and
"just kind of poking her."
{¶ 7} T.L. testified that before they left the school building, appellant came up to
him and told him to follow his lead. Upon exiting the building, as soon as appellant started
chasing the victim, T.L. started running too. T.L. then stated, "Fuck her." T.L. testified he
ran to the victim and put his arm around her shoulder "for exactly * * * three to five seconds."
He however let go as soon as appellant started "to poke" at the victim's clothes because
T.L. thought it went too far. T.L. claimed that during the incident, he only said "Fuck her,"
L.W. said either "rape her" or "rape," and appellant said nothing.
{¶ 8} On January 29, 2018, the juvenile court adjudicated appellant delinquent for
committing abduction and ordered him to undergo a sex offender evaluation. The
evaluation was performed by Dr. Bobbie Hopes, a clinical/forensic psychologist. On March
13, 2018, the juvenile court held a dispositional hearing. Dr. Hopes' report was admitted
into evidence during the hearing. It recommended that appellant be required to complete
sex offender treatment. By entry filed the same day, the juvenile court committed appellant
to the legal custody of the Ohio Department of Youth Services for a minimum period of six
months up to a maximum period not to exceed his 21st birthday. The court then suspended
appellant's commitment, placed him in the custody of the Butler County Juvenile
Rehabilitation Center, and ordered that he successfully complete a sex offender treatment
program there.
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{¶ 9} Appellant now appeals, raising two assignments of error.
{¶ 10} Assignment of Error No. 1:
{¶ 11} THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN ADJUDICATING E.H. A DELINQUENT
CHILD UNDER R.C. 2905.02.
{¶ 12} Appellant argues that the state's evidence of restraint was insufficient to allow
the juvenile court to adjudicate him delinquent for abduction and the decision was against
the manifest weight of the evidence. Specifically, appellant asserts that the restraint on the
victim's liberty was neither total nor substantial but was instead rather miniscule because
the victim "was moving the whole time" and "never stopped" until she caught up to her
cousins.
{¶ 13} The standards of review applied in determining whether a juvenile's
delinquency adjudication is supported by sufficient evidence and whether it is against the
manifest weight of the evidence are the same standards as applied in adult criminal cases.
In re Washington, 81 Ohio St. 3d 337, 339 (1998); State v. C.J., 12th Dist. Warren No.
CA2017-06-082, 2018-Ohio-1258, ¶ 35. The relevant inquiry in reviewing a claim of
insufficient evidence is whether "after viewing the evidence in a light most favorable to the
prosecution, any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime
proven beyond a reasonable doubt." State v. McKnight, 107 Ohio St. 3d 101, 2005-Ohio-
6046, ¶ 70.
{¶ 14} In considering whether a conviction is against the manifest weight of the
evidence, "a reviewing court must examine the entire record, weigh all of the evidence and
reasonable inferences, consider the credibility of witnesses and determine whether in
resolving conflicts in the evidence, the trier of fact clearly lost its way and created such a
manifest miscarriage of justice that the conviction must be reversed and a new trial
ordered." C.J. at ¶ 36. In reviewing a manifest weight challenge, an appellate court must
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be mindful that the original trier of fact was in the best position to judge the credibility of the
witnesses and the weight to be given the evidence. In re I.L.J.F., 12th Dist. Butler No.
CA2014-12-258, 2015-Ohio-2823, ¶ 27. Thus, an appellate court will overturn a conviction
due to the manifest weight of the evidence only in the exceptional case when the evidence
presented at trial weighs heavily against the conviction. In re N.J.M., 12th Dist. Warren No.
CA2010-03-026, 2010-Ohio-5526, ¶ 35.
{¶ 15} Because a finding that an adjudication of delinquency is supported by the
manifest weight of the evidence also necessarily includes a finding that it is supported by
sufficient evidence, the determination that the adjudication is supported by the manifest
weight of the evidence will also be dispositive of an appellant's sufficiency claim. In re
I.L.J.F. at ¶ 28.
{¶ 16} Appellant was adjudicated delinquent for committing abduction with a sexual
motivation in violation of R.C. 2905.02(A)(2) and (B). Pursuant to R.C. 2905.02(A)(2), "[n]o
person, without privilege to do so, shall by force or threat, restrain the liberty of another
person under circumstances that create a risk of physical harm to the victim or place the
other person in fear[.]" R.C. 2905.02(B) provides that "[n]o person, with a sexual motivation,
shall violate [R.C. 2905.02(A)]."
{¶ 17} An essential element of abduction is the restraint of another's liberty. State v.
Swearingen, 12th Dist. Clinton No. CA2001-01-005, 2001 Ohio App. LEXIS 3648, *4 (Aug.
20, 2001). Restraint of liberty has been construed to mean "to limit one's freedom of
movement in any fashion for any period of time." State v. Martin, 10th Dist. Franklin Nos.
02AP-33 and 02AP-34, 2002-Ohio-4769, ¶ 32.
{¶ 18} Appellant argues that the restraint was neither a total restraint nor a
substantial interference with the victim's freedom and was instead miniscule. Appellant's
argument goes primarily to the brevity of the restraint on the victim's liberty. However, even
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a momentary restraint may qualify as an abduction if it produces the required risk of physical
harm to or fear in the victim. Swearingen at *6-7; State v. Willis, 12th Dist. Butler No.
CA2002-02-028, 2002-Ohio-6303, ¶ 12. "'Proof of the restraint of another's liberty does not
need to show that such restraint was of a particular duration * * * or was accomplished in a
particular manner.'" (Citations omitted.) State v. Hart, 12th Dist. Brown No. CA2011-03-
008, 2012-Ohio-1896, ¶ 45, quoting Martin at ¶ 32. Sufficient evidence establishes the
element of restraint where there is a "real" or "material" interference with another's liberty,
as contrasted with a "petty annoyance, or a slight inconvenience, or an imaginary conflict."
Swearingen at *6.
{¶ 19} The record plainly shows that the victim's liberty was restrained. The school
security video first shows appellant blocking the victim's path after she and the three boys
had exited the building. Upon hearing T.L. state "Fuck her," the victim began running away.
However, upon hearing T.L. call her name, she stopped and turned around. The victim
testified that T.L. then put her in a tight bear hug and appellant started pulling down her
jacket and shirt, all the while appellant and his friends chanted, "rape her, rape her." The
victim testified she "freaked" and panicked and that she was scared.
{¶ 20} Appellant cites Swearingen, Willis, and State v. Combs, 2d Dist. Greene No.
98CA137, 2000 Ohio App. LEXIS 200 (Jan. 28, 2000), in support of his argument that there
was insufficient restraint in this case to support an adjudication of delinquency for abduction.
However, the fact that Swearingen and Willis involved more severe conduct which satisfied
the element of restraint does not mean that a case involving less severe conduct does not.
Certainly, Swearingen and Willis do not stand for the proposition that any restraint less than
that involved in those cases fails to satisfy the restraint element of abduction. As for Combs,
it involved no restraint of liberty at all and is therefore not applicable.
{¶ 21} The state presented evidence that appellant, acting in concert with T.L.,
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restrained the victim, placing her in fear. The fact that the restraint was brief and that the
victim "never stopped moving" during the incident is immaterial, as even a momentary
restraint may constitute abduction. Swearingen, 2001 Ohio App. LEXIS 3648 at *8. We
find there was ample evidence supporting the juvenile court's determination that appellant
is a delinquent child for committing abduction. In so finding, we are mindful that the juvenile
court was in the best position to judge the credibility of the witnesses and the weight to be
given the evidence.
{¶ 22} We therefore find that appellant's adjudication was not against the manifest
weight of the evidence. This finding is also dispositive of appellant's sufficiency claim.
Appellant's first assignment of error is overruled.
{¶ 23} Assignment of Error No. 2:
{¶ 24} THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN COMMITTING E.H. TO A JUVENILE
REHABILITATION CENTER.
{¶ 25} Appellant argues the juvenile court abused its discretion in ordering him to
complete a sex offender treatment program. Appellant asserts that the juvenile court's
dispositional order is not commensurate with the seriousness of the conduct for which he
was adjudicated delinquent.
{¶ 26} A juvenile court's disposition for a child adjudicated delinquent is a matter
within the juvenile court's discretion and will not be disturbed on appeal absent an abuse of
discretion. State v. K.W., 12th Dist. Warren No. CA2016-01-004, 2016-Ohio-7365, ¶ 33.
{¶ 27} Pursuant to R.C. 2152.01(A), the overriding purpose of a juvenile disposition
is to "provide for the care, protection, and mental and physical development of children * *
*, protect the public interest and safety, hold the offender accountable for the offender's
actions, restore the victim, and rehabilitate the offender," which shall be achieved by "a
system of graduated sanctions and services." R.C. 2152.01(B) further provides that a
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juvenile disposition shall be "reasonably calculated" to achieve these purposes,
"commensurate with and not demeaning to the seriousness of the delinquent child's * * *
conduct and its impact on the victim, and [be] consistent with dispositions for similar acts
committed by similar delinquent children[.]"
{¶ 28} R.C. 2152.19(A)(2) authorizes a juvenile court to "[c]ommit the child to the
temporary custody of any school, camp, institution or other facility operated for the care of
delinquent children by the county[.]" R.C. 2152.19(A)(8) further authorizes the juvenile court
to impose "any further disposition that the court finds proper[.]"
{¶ 29} "Because the juvenile court 'has the opportunity to see and hear the
delinquent child, to assess the consequences of the child's delinquent behavior, and to
evaluate all the circumstances involved,' [R.C. 2152.01] authorizes it to issue orders of
disposition appropriate to each child." In re B.K., 2d Dist. Greene No. 2017-CA-32, 2018-
Ohio-864, ¶ 10, quoting In re Caldwell, 76 Ohio St. 3d 156, 160-161 (1996). Therefore, "the
juvenile court considers not only the delinquent act, but 'the overall conduct and behavior
of the juvenile, the juvenile's history, the remorse shown by the juvenile and other societal
factors[.]'" Id.
{¶ 30} During the March 13, 2018 dispositional hearing, the victim's father informed
the juvenile court that beginning in sixth grade, appellant would follow the victim and touch
her inappropriately. Once the victim's father alerted the school principal and vice principal,
appellant's inappropriate behavior stopped. However, given the recent incident, the victim's
father expressed his concern that appellant's behavior was escalating.
{¶ 31} Officer Wagers informed the juvenile court that appellant was suspended from
school following the incident, and that he went back to school on February 8, 2018.
Subsequently, however, a 9-1-1 call to the sheriff's office led to the seizure of appellant's
personal laptop and the discovery that following his return to school appellant had accessed
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several chat rooms during the school day. The officer described the chat rooms as
"containing pornographic material" and "deviant pornographic material as well." The officer
stated appellant was an active participant in the chat rooms. When asked by the juvenile
court to explain his behavior, appellant stated that he rarely looks at pornography, he was
not "really looking at the pictures" posted by other participants, and he "was just talking in
the chat room."
{¶ 32} In her report, Dr. Hopes recommended that appellant be required to complete
a sex offender treatment program. Dr. Hopes opined that given appellant's failure to accept
responsibility for his actions, his significant minimization and denial of certain aspects of his
role in the incident, his lack of remorse for the offense, his minimization of the effect the
incident had on the victim, including his assertion that the victim did not consider it a sex
offense, his frequenting pornographic websites, and his having few friends, appellant's risk
of recidivism was higher than that of most adolescent sex offenders.
{¶ 33} Before imposing its dispositional order, the juvenile court expressed concerns
regarding appellant's frequentation of pornographic websites, his escalating behavior
regarding the victim, his need to learn how to behave in society, and the fact that the line
between appropriate and inappropriate/illegal behavior was "kind of blurry" for appellant.
Consequently, the juvenile court told appellant:
I really think rehab would be good for you[.] I'm not trying to do
it to punish. I think you need help and I'm real concerned and,
about these chat rooms you're going in. There is some sick stuff
out there. I'm just going to tell you, and a lot of kids get ideas
from reading and looking at that stuff that they may never have
before. Do you understand? And so you've got to learn where
that line is, and I truly think rehab would help you.
**
I have a lot of kids go through rehab and it really helped them.
I don't want you getting in trouble for this kind of stuff anymore.
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{¶ 34} Given the foregoing, we find that the juvenile court did not abuse its discretion
in ordering appellant to complete a sex offender treatment program. The court deemed it
in the interest of public safety and necessary for appellant's rehabilitation to require him to
complete such program. The juvenile court had the opportunity to see and hear appellant,
assess the consequences of appellant's delinquent behavior, and evaluate all the
circumstances involved. See In re Caldwell, 76 Ohio St. 3d at 160-161. R.C. 2152.19(A)
authorizes the court to issue dispositional orders appropriate to each child. The juvenile
court's order is consistent with the underlying purposes and goals of the juvenile court
system, that is, supervision, care, and rehabilitation of appellant as a delinquent child.
{¶ 35} Appellant's second assignment of error is accordingly overruled.
{¶ 36} Judgment affirmed.
RINGLAND, P.J., and PIPER, J., concur.
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