In re J.L.M.

[Cite as In re J.L.M., 2016-Ohio-2773.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS
TWELFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT OF OHIO
BUTLER COUNTY
IN THE MATTER OF: :
CASE NOS. CA2015-11-206
J.L.M., et al. : CA2015-12-209
CA2015-12-210
: CA2015-12-211
: OPINION
5/2/2016
:
:
APPEAL FROM BUTLER COUNTY COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
JUVENILE DIVISION
Case Nos. JN2013-0144, JN2013-0145, JN20130147
Jeannine Barbeau, 5268 Jefferson Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45220, guardian ad litem
Jonathan W. Ford, Jamie Landvatter, Steven R. Sharp, Legal Aid Society of Southwest Ohio,
LLC, 10 Journal Square, 3rd Floor, Hamilton, Ohio 45011, attorneys for children
Dawn S. Garrett, 9435 Waterstone Blvd., Suite 140, Cincinnati, Ohio 45249, for appellant,
J.B.
Michael T. Gmoser, Butler County Prosecuting Attorney, Michael Greer, Government
Services Center, 315 High Street, 11th Floor, Hamilton, Ohio 45011, for appellee, Butler
County Dept. of Job and Family Services
PIPER, J.
{¶ 1} Appellants, J.B. ("Mother") and her three minor children, J.L.M., J.E.M., and
I.M.M., appeal from the judgment of the Butler County Common Pleas Court, Juvenile
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Division, granting permanent custody of the children to the Butler County Department of Job
and Family Services ("BCDJFS" or "the agency").1 For the reasons that follow, we affirm the
judgment of the juvenile court.
{¶ 2} In October 2012, BCDJFS received reports that Mother and the children's father
had committed acts of domestic violence against each other, were using drugs, and were
neglecting their three children: J.L.M. (d.o.b.: 3/27/07), J.E.M. (d.o.b.: 4/9/08), and I.M.M.
(d.o.b.: 5/28/09). The agency initiated a voluntary case plan with the parents pursuant to its
Alternative Response program that required Mother to complete a substance abuse
assessment and follow recommendations, complete the Development of Living Skills (DLS)
program, and consistently provide for the children's basic needs and safety. Mother
underwent the substance abuse assessment on February 8, 2013 and February 28, 2013.
However, on February 28, 2013, she refused to submit to a drug screen. The assessor
recommended that Mother engage in Intensive Outpatient ("IOP") treatment for substance
abuse.
{¶ 3} On March 2, 2013, the Butler County Sheriff's Office executed a search warrant
at Mother's residence and discovered heroin, cocaine, and marijuana in physical proximity to
the children. On March 3, 2013, BCDJFS filed a complaint alleging the children to be
dependent, neglected, and abused. The children were removed from the home and placed
in the temporary custody of an aunt, with the agency having protective supervision.
{¶ 4} As a result of her arrest and the children's removal from her home, Mother's
participation in the Alternative Response program was effectively terminated. Mother spent
approximately two months in jail as a result of her arrest following the drug bust, and was
1. Mother and the children are appealing separately from the juvenile court's judgment, with Mother being
represented by one attorney, and the three children being represented, together, by two other attorneys. The
children's father defaulted in the permanent custody proceedings in the juvenile court, and is not a party to this
appeal.
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released at the end of April 2013. A second case plan was developed requiring Mother to (1)
consistently provide for the children's basic and special needs, (2) provide safe and stable
housing for the children, (3) learn and demonstrate effective and safe parenting skills, (4)
attend and successfully complete the DLS program, and (5) attain and maintain sobriety.
The second case plan referred Mother to Community Behavioral Health ("CBH"), which
resulted in another recommendation for IOP substance abuse treatment, a referral for a
mental health assessment, and a requirement that she follow recommendations arising from
the assessment.
{¶ 5} On April 27, 2013, the children were removed from the temporary custody of
the aunt at the aunt's request and placed into the temporary custody of BCDJFS, which then
placed the children in foster care. On May 10, 2013, the children were adjudicated
dependent and ordered to remain in the temporary custody of the agency.
{¶ 6} In June 2013, Mother began IOP treatment. From June 2013 until December
2013, Mother attended IOP sessions sporadically and tested positive for various substances
throughout the time she was engaged in IOP treatment. As a result, Mother was placed on a
"behavior contract." In December 2013, Mother was considered to have successfully
completed the DLS program. However, in February 2014, Mother tested positive for
methamphetamines and opiates. In March 2014, she tested positive for marijuana. In June
2014, she tested positive for cocaine, opiates, and oxycodone. In July 2014, she tested
positive for opiates. In December 2014, she again tested positive for opiates. Consequently,
Mother was discharged from IOP treatment due to her lack of compliance with program
requirements. On December 30, 2014, CBH reported that Mother refused a drug screen.
{¶ 7} On January 22, 2015, BCDJFS moved for permanent custody. Mother was
ordered to undergo a second substance abuse assessment, which she completed on
February 18, 2015. As a result of the assessment, Mother was recommended to undergo
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residential substance abuse treatment at Sojourner. Mother began the recommended
treatment on April 9, 2015. On July 1, 2015, Mother successfully completed residential
treatment, and was then referred to engage in the Sojourner IOP substance abuse treatment
program, which generally lasts three months. Four days before she completed her
residential treatment, Mother filed a motion in the juvenile court requesting that the children
be placed in the custody of her father.
{¶ 8} A hearing was held on BCDJFS's permanent custody motion on July 10, 2015
and July 15, 2015. On August 12, 2015, the magistrate determined, by clear and convincing
evidence, that: (1) the children had been in the temporary custody of BCDJFS for at least 12
or more months of a consecutive 22-month period, (2) the children could not or should not be
placed with their parents within a reasonable time, and (3) granting the agency permanent
custody was in the children's best interest. On November 3, 2015, the juvenile court issued a
final, appealable order, overruling Mother's and the children's objections to the magistrate's
decision.
{¶ 9} Mother appeals from the judgment of the juvenile court and assigns the
following as error:
{¶ 10} THE COURT'S DECISION AND ORDER OF PERMANENT CUSTODY AND
DENIAL OF LEGAL CUSTODY WAS AGAINST THE MANIFEST WEIGHT OF THE
EVIDENCE, THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT THE TRIAL COURT'S
FINDINGS AND THE EVIDENCE PRESENTED FAILED TO MEET THE REQUISITE CLEAR
AND CONVINCING STANDARD.
{¶ 11} The children appeal from the same judgment and assign the following as error:
{¶ 12} THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN GRANTING PERMANENT CUSTODY OF THE
CHILDREN TO BCDJFS BECAUSE ITS BEST INTEREST ANALYSIS FAILED TO AFFORD
EQUAL CONSIDERATION TO EACH OF THE BEST INTEREST FACTORS UNDER
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REVISED CODE 2151.414(D)(1), RESULTING IN A DECISION THAT WAS AGAINST THE
MANIFEST WEIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE.
{¶ 13} We shall discuss Mother's and the children's assignments of error jointly, since
they raise the same or similar arguments.
{¶ 14} Before a natural parent's constitutionally protected liberty interest in the care
and custody of his or her child may be terminated, the state is required to prove by clear and
convincing evidence that the statutory standards for permanent custody have been met.
Santosky v. Kramer, 455 U.S. 745, 759, 102 S. Ct. 1388 (1982). Clear and convincing
evidence is that which will produce in the trier of fact a firm belief or conviction as to the facts
sought to be established. Cross v. Ledford, 161 Ohio St. 469, 477 (1954).
{¶ 15} Even if a trial court's judgment is sustained by sufficient evidence, an appellate
court may nevertheless conclude that the judgment is against the manifest weight of the
evidence. In re S.M., 12th Dist. Clermont No. CA2015-01-003, 2015-Ohio-2318, ¶ 9.
"Weight of the evidence concerns the inclination of the greater amount of credible evidence,
offered in a trial, to support one side of the issue rather than the other. * * * Weight is not a
question of mathematics, but depends on its effect in inducing belief." (Emphasis sic.)
Eastley v. Volkman, 132 Ohio St. 3d 328, 330-32, 2012-Ohio-2179, ¶ 12. In considering a
challenge to the manifest weight of the evidence, the reviewing court weighs the evidence
and all reasonable inferences, considers the credibility of witnesses and determines whether
in resolving conflicts in the evidence, the trial court clearly "lost its way" and created such a
"manifest miscarriage of justice" that the judgment must be reversed and a new trial ordered.
In re S.M. at ¶ 10.
{¶ 16} In weighing the evidence, a reviewing court must be mindful of the presumption
in favor of the finder of fact. Id. In determining whether the trial court's decision is manifestly
against the weight of the evidence, "every reasonable intendment and every reasonable
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presumption must be made in favor of the judgment and the finding of facts." Eastley at ¶
21, quoting Seasons Coal Co., Inc. v. Cleveland, 10 Ohio St. 3d 77, 80 (1984), fn. 3, quoting
5 Ohio Jurisprudence 3d, Appellate Review, Section 60, at 191-192 (1978). "If the evidence
is susceptible of more than one construction, the reviewing court is bound to give it that
interpretation which is consistent with the verdict and judgment, most favorable to sustaining
the verdict and judgment." Id.
{¶ 17} R.C. 2151.414(B)(1) states that a court may terminate parental rights and grant
permanent custody of a child to a children services agency if it finds that (1) the grant of
permanent custody to the agency is in the child's best interest, utilizing the factors in R.C.
2151.414(D)(1) and any other relevant factor, and (2) one of the circumstances in R.C.
2151.414(B)(1)(a)-(e) applies, including that the child has been in the temporary custody of
the agency for at least 12 months of a consecutive 22-month period. R.C. 2151.414(B)(1)(d).
{¶ 18} R.C. 2151.414(D)(1) provides, in pertinent part, as follows:
(D)(1) In determining the best interest of a child at a hearing held
pursuant to division (A) of this section * * *, the court shall
consider all relevant factors, including, but not limited to, the
following:
(a) 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;
(b) 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;
(c) 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, or 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
and, as described in division (D)(1) of section 2151.413 of the
Revised Code, the child was previously in the temporary custody
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of an equivalent agency in another state;
(d) 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;
(e) Whether any of the factors in divisions (E)(7) to (11) of this
section apply in relation to the parents and child.
{¶ 19} After reviewing the record, we find that the juvenile court's grant of permanent
custody was proper. Initially, Mother and the children both acknowledge that the second
prong of the two-prong test in R.C. 2151.414(B)(1) for terminating parental rights and
granting permanent custody to a children services agency has been established in this case
by clear and convincing evidence, since the children have been in the agency's temporary
custody for at least 12 months of a consecutive 22-month period. R.C. 2151.414(B)(1)(d).
However, Mother and the children argue the juvenile court erred in finding that the first prong
of this test was met, because there was insufficient evidence presented to show clearly and
convincingly that it was in the children's best interest to grant the agency permanent custody.
Mother and the children also argue the juvenile court's decision to grant the agency
permanent custody was against the manifest weight of the evidence.
{¶ 20} The children argue the juvenile court erred in granting BCDJFS permanent
custody, because the court "failed to afford equal consideration to each of the best interest
factors under [R.C.] 2151.414(D)(1), resulting in a decision that was against the manifest
weight of the evidence." In support of their argument, the children note that in In re Schaefer,
111 Ohio St. 3d 498, 2006-Ohio-5513, the court stated that a juvenile court must consider the
statutory elements listed in R.C. 2151.414(D)(1) as well as other relevant factors in making
the best-interest determination required under R.C. 2151.414(B)(1), and there is not one
statutory element in R.C. 2151.414(D)(1) that is given greater weight than the others. The
children point out this court has cited this principle from In re Schaefer in several of our
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cases, including In the Matter of H.G., 12th Dist. Clinton No. CA2014-11-014, 2015-Ohio-
1764, ¶ 40. The children contend the juvenile court violated this principle by "focusing almost
exclusively on Mother's substance abuse history" and by "fail[ing] to give due weight to the
extensive evidence showing [Mother's] progress in treatment, her sobriety, and the
consistent, loving bonded relationship she shared with her children."
{¶ 21} In In re Schaefer, the Ohio Supreme Court reversed a decision of an appellate
court that, in turn, had reversed a decision of a juvenile court that granted permanent custody
of a minor child to a county children services agency on the basis that the agency failed to
meet its "burden to prove, by clear and convincing [evidence], that termination of appellant's
parental rights was not only a necessary option, but also the only option." Id. at ¶ 29. In
reversing the appellate court's decision, the Ohio Supreme Court began by noting as follows:
A court must conclude by clear and convincing evidence that an
assignment of permanent custody is in the best interest of the
child. R.C. 2151.414(E). The court must consider all of the
elements in [former] R.C. 2151.414(D) [now 2151.414(D)(1)] as
well as other relevant factors. There is not one element that is
given greater weight than the others pursuant to the statute. The
heightened importance that the appellate court assigned to R.C.
2151.414(D)(4) [now 2151.414(D)(1)(d)] is not required by or
even hinted at in the statute, nor is the trial court required to
credit evidence in support of maintaining the parental relationship
when evidence supporting termination outweighs it clearly and
convincingly. The trial court's opinion demonstrates that it
considered all the factors required under R.C. 2151.414(D) [now
2151.414(D)(1)].
Id. at ¶ 56.2
{¶ 22} The Ohio Supreme Court then applied these principles to the case before it, as
follows:
The [juvenile] court satisfied its statutory duty [to consider all
2. Since the time In re Schaefer was decided in 2006, R.C. 2151.414(D)(1)-(5) has been renumbered and re-
lettered, and is now 2151.414(D)(1)(a)-(e). Thus, the best-interest factor regarding the child's need for
permanent placement and the ability to achieve such placement without a grant of permanent custody to a
children services agency, which was formerly numbered, R.C. 2151.414(D)(4), is now R.C. 2151.414(D)(1)(d).
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relevant factors including but not limited to those in former R.C.
2151.414(D)(1)-(5)], now 2151.414(D)(1)(a)-(e)]. That duty did
not include the requirement imposed by the appellate court that
the juvenile court determine by clear and convincing evidence
that "termination of appellant's parental rights was not only a
necessary option, but also the only option." Nor did that duty
include the requirement that the juvenile court find by clear and
convincing evidence that no suitable relative was available for
placement. The statute requires a weighing of all the relevant
factors, and the trial court did that in this case. R.C. 2151.414
requires the court to find the best option for the child once a
determination has been made pursuant to R.C.
2151.414(B)(1)(a) through (d). The statute does not make the
availability of a placement that would not require a termination of
parental rights an all-controlling factor. The statute does not
even require the court to weigh that factor more heavily than
other factors.
Id. at ¶ 64.
{¶ 23} As the children have pointed out, this court has cited the language in In re
Schaefer that "[t]he court must consider all of the elements in [former] R.C. 2151.414(D)
[now, 2151.414(D)(1)] as well as other relevant factors[,]" and "[t]here is not one element that
is given greater weight than the others pursuant to the statute[,]" in several cases, including
In the Matter of H.G., 2015-Ohio-1764 at ¶ 40. In In the Matter of H.G., this court stated that
"[n]o one factor [in R.C. 2151.414(D)(1)] is to be given greater weight or heightened
significance in the juvenile court's analysis." While this statement in In the Matter of H.G. is
correct as far as it goes, we wish to clarify it by pointing out that, while R.C. 2151.414(D)(1)
lists the best-interest factors the juvenile court is to consider in making its custody
determinations, this provision does not prioritize the factors. The juvenile court must be free
to use its discretion to determine the relative weight to be accorded to the factors based on
the particular circumstances of the case before it. Otherwise, the question of whether or not
permanent custody is in a child's best interest would be determined merely by counting
whether more factors are in favor or against granting permanent custody. We now turn to
Mother's and the children's arguments with respect to the best-interest factors in R.C.
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2151.414(D)(1)(a)-(e).
{¶ 24} As to R.C. 2151.414(D)(1)(a), the juvenile court found that "Mother has a
bonded relationship with the child[ren]." However, the juvenile court also found that the two
oldest children, J.L.M. and J.E.M., "are very strongly bonded to [their] foster mother" and the
foster mother has expressed a willingness to adopt them, but the foster mother has not yet
"fully committed" to adopting the youngest of the children, I.M.M., due to concerns about his
behavior. Nevertheless, the juvenile court found that I.M.M. "is comfortable" with his foster
mother, and noted that the children's caseworker testified that the foster mother has not ruled
out adopting I.M.M. at this point and that the caseworker expressed his belief that the foster
mother "will come around to [adopting I.M.M.] if [the child's] behaviors are successfully
addressed."
{¶ 25} The children argue the juvenile court improperly suggested they are "more
bonded" with their current foster care giver than they are with Mother. This is likely a
reference to the juvenile court's stating in its decision that "Mother has a bonded relationship"
with the children, and then, shortly thereafter, stating that the two older children are "strongly
bonded" with their foster mother. However, we do not read the juvenile court's decision as
suggesting that the children are more closely bonded with their current foster caregiver than
they are with Mother. The juvenile court clearly found that Mother and the children love one
another and are bonded, but that these facts were outweighed by the need to grant the
agency permanent custody.
{¶ 26} As to R.C. 2151.414(D)(1)(b), the magistrate conducted an in camera interview
with the two oldest children, J.L.M. and J.E.M., but the youngest child, I.M.M., declined to be
interviewed. Nevertheless, all three children expressed to either the juvenile court directly or
to their guardian ad litem that they wished to be reunited with their mother.
{¶ 27} The juvenile court took the children's wishes into account, but ultimately
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determined that, under the circumstances of this case, the facts that the children are bonded
with Mother and wish to be reunified with her are strongly outweighed by the facts that (1) the
children's guardian ad litem recommended that BCDJFS be granted permanent custody of
the children, (2) the children are very young, and (3) Mother was unable to effectively
address her drug addiction and mental health issues and to demonstrate that she can
provide for the children's basic needs. These findings are supported by clear and convincing
evidence and are not contrary to the manifest weight of the evidence, and therefore, the
juvenile court's decision not to accord dispositive weight to the children's wishes in light of the
circumstances of this case was supported by clear and convincing evidence and was not
contrary to the manifest weight of the evidence.
{¶ 28} As to R.C. 2151.414(D)(1)(c), the magistrate found that, as of the date BCDJFS
moved for permanent custody, the children had been in the agency's custody for more than
12 months of a consecutive 22-month period and that, as of the date of the permanent
custody hearing, the children had been in the agency's custody for approximately 27 months.
{¶ 29} Mother and the children assert the juvenile court overlooked the fact that the
children had been in Mother's custody from the time of their respective births until their
removal from Mother's home by the agency in March 2013. However, this fact is heavily
outweighed under the circumstances of this case by the fact that, at the time of the
permanent custody hearing, the children had been in the custody of someone other than
Mother for more than 27 months.
{¶ 30} As to R.C. 2151.414(D)(1)(d), the juvenile court found that all three children are
clearly in need of a legally secure placement and that the children's need for such a
placement could not be achieved without a grant of permanent custody. Mother and the
children contend the juvenile court failed to give appropriate consideration to the progress
Mother had made by the time of the permanent custody hearing, and instead, focused almost
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exclusively on her "past" struggles with drug addiction. Mother and the children assert the
juvenile court erred by severing their relationship where Mother "was doing everything right"
by the time of the permanent custody hearing, "was successful in treatment, had attained
sobriety, and [was] planning for the future." We find these arguments unpersuasive.
{¶ 31} The record clearly and convincingly shows that Mother did not begin to focus
seriously on obtaining treatment for her drug addiction until BCDJFS moved for permanent
custody in January 2015. At that time, Mother was ordered to undertake a second substance
abuse assessment, which she did, and was then recommended to undergo residential
treatment for substance abuse, which she began on April 9, 2015. She completed residential
treatment on July 1, 2015 and then signed up for Sojourner's IOP treatment program, which
generally lasts about three months. Mother claims that by the time the permanent custody
hearing commenced on July 10, 2015, she had "attained sobriety." However, Mother had
been undergoing IOP treatment for only eight or nine days before the start of the permanent
custody hearing. While there was testimony from one of the children's caseworkers to
support the children's contention that relapse is common among people who undergo
substance abuse treatment, there is clear and convincing evidence in the record to support
the juvenile court's finding that Mother is at high risk of a relapse, since she did so repeatedly
throughout 2013 and 2014.
{¶ 32} Mother and the children also contend "[t]here was some indication" at the
permanent custody hearing that Mother "was not provided an appropriate level of care until
almost two years after the complaint [alleging the children to be dependent, neglected, and
abused] was filed." They assert the juvenile court failed "to recognize the extent to which it
was outside of Mother's control that she was unable to enter residential treatment early
enough in the case for her to be successful within the time constraints necessarily imposed
by the [c]ourts."
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{¶ 33} The "indication" at the permanent custody hearing that Mother "was not
provided an appropriate level of care" that Mother and the children are referring to is an
"[i]ndividual [p]rogress [n]ote" from June 16, 2014, prepared by CBH, that states, "Client's
[Mother's] [probation officer] * * * reports he staffed [sic] client's case w/his supervisor, who is
wanting to see if client can possibly get into residential tx [sic]. Client's [probation officer]
reports that he doesn't see client trying to avoid her current environment which leads her to
negative behaviors. Reports he is going to try[.]" The probation officer referenced in the note
was Mother's probation officer from a felony conviction for which Mother was under
probation.
{¶ 34} However, the evidence clearly and convincingly supports the juvenile court's
findings that Mother "hindered the process" by not accurately disclosing information and by
refusing to undergo a drug screen when she was initially assessed for substance abuse
treatment in February 2013 and at several other points during her treatment. Mother's
attendance at her IOP treatments throughout 2013 was sporadic, and while Mother appeared
to make some progress while undergoing IOP treatments, she was unable to maintain her
sobriety throughout most of 2013 and 2014, as she tested positive for illicit substances on
numerous occasions during both of those years. Additionally, Mother acknowledged at the
permanent custody hearing that she did not desire residential treatment until BCDJFS moved
for permanent custody.
{¶ 35} Mother and the children contend the juvenile court "minimized" the fact that
their current foster home is their third placement since their removal from Mother, and assert
the children's "separation from Mother has been difficult for them and has been detrimental
to their security and stability." However, in light of Mother's failure to adequately resolve her
drug addiction and mental health issues as well as her inability to attain and maintain stable
housing and a stable source of income, granting Mother custody of the children would not
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add to the children's security and stability, but instead, detract from it immeasurably.
{¶ 36} Mother and the children, citing this court's decision in In re G.N., 170 Ohio
App.3d 76, 2007-Ohio-126, argue the juvenile court failed to adequately consider whether the
children's need for a legally secure placement can be achieved without granting BCDJFS
permanent custody. In In re G.N. at ¶ 40, this court stated that former R.C. 2151.414(D)(4),
now 2151.414(D)(1)(d), "requires the [juvenile] court to consider whether granting permanent
custody is the only way the children's need for such placement can be achieved." Mother,
presumably referring to the language in In re G.N. quoted immediately above, contends that
In re G.N. "dictates that a [j]uvenile [c]ourt must explore any and all reasonable possibilities
before dropping the permanent custody hatchet. If there is any other less drastic possibility,
such as legal custody to a parent or relative, the [c]ourt must go with that alternative to
permanent custody first." The children, citing in re G.N., contend that "[w]hile the best
interest factor enumerated in R.C. 2151.414(D)(1)(d) does not control the permanent custody
determination, the Twelfth District has emphasized the importance of appropriately weighing
this factor."
{¶ 37} However, in stating in In re G.N. that R.C. 2151.414(D)(1)(d) "requires the
[juvenile] court to consider whether granting permanent custody is the only way the children's
need for such placement can be achieved[,]" this court overlooked the language in the Ohio
Supreme Court's decision in In re Schaefer, 2006-Ohio-5513 at ¶ 64 that stated that a
juvenile court's "statutory duty" under former R.C. 2151.414(D) (now 2151.414[D][1]), to
consider all relevant factors, including but not limited to those listed in R.C. 2151.414(D)(1)(5)
(now 2151.414[D][1][a]-[e]) "did not include the requirement * * * that the juvenile court
determine by clear and convincing evidence that 'termination of appellant's parental rights
was not only a necessary option, but also the only option.'" Therefore, we now take this
opportunity to overrule our statement in In re G.N. that R.C. 2151.414(D)(1)(d) requires the
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[juvenile] court to consider whether granting permanent custody is the only way the children's
need for such placement can be achieved. See In re M.M., 122 Ohio St. 3d 541, 2009-Ohio-
4048; In re H.P., 12th Dist. Preble No. CA2010-07-010, 2011-Ohio-1148.
{¶ 38} As to the children's contention that this court in In re G.N. "emphasized the
importance of appropriately weighing this factor[,]" and Mother's contention that In re G.N.
"dictates that a [j]uvenile [c]ourt must explore any and all reasonable possibilities before
dropping the permanent custody hatchet" and "[i]f there is any other less drastic possibility,
such as legal custody to a parent or relative, the [c]ourt must go with that alternative to
permanent custody first[,]" we note that the Ohio Supreme Court held in In re Schaefer that a
juvenile court "must consider all of the elements in [former] R.C. 2151.414(D) (now
2151.414[D][1]) as well as other relevant factors[,]" and that "[t]here is not one element that is
given greater weight than the others pursuant to the statute." Id. at ¶ 56. The court in
Schaefer further held that giving the best-interest factor in R.C. 2151.414(D)(4) (now
2151.414[D][1][d]) "heightened importance" "is not required by or even hinted at in the
statute, nor is the [juvenile] court required to credit evidence in support of maintaining the
parental relationship when evidence supporting termination outweighs it clearly and
convincingly." Id.
{¶ 39} There is no indication that the juvenile court failed to give appropriate
consideration to the best-interest factor in R.C. 2151.414(D)(1)(d) in this case, and there is
no indication that the juvenile court failed to explore reasonable alternatives before granting
the agency permanent custody. Quite simply, there were none. Shortly before the
permanent custody hearing, Mother filed a motion requesting that her father be named the
children's legal custodian. However, Mother's father failed a home study, and there was no
evidence presented as to his relationship with the children. Mother's father did not even
attend the permanent custody hearing, and therefore, he never indicated he was willing to
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Butler CA2015-11-206, CA2015-12-209,
CA2015-12-210, CA2015-12-211
serve as the children's legal custodian. No other relative completed an approved home
study, for purposes of being named the children's custodians. Additionally, while Mother
suggests that her boyfriend's parents could have been granted custody of the children, this
placement would not have resulted in a legally secure placement since, again, Mother and
her boyfriend are not married, and the relationship could end without warning, at any time.
{¶ 40} The juvenile court considered and weighed the various best-interest factors in
R.C. 2151.414(D)(1)(a)-(e) and resolved them in favor of granting BCDJFS permanent
custody. There is clear and convincing evidence to support the juvenile court's decision and
the decision is not against the manifest weight of the evidence. Accordingly, Mother's and
the children's assignments of errors are overruled.
{¶ 41} Judgment affirmed.
M. POWELL, P.J., and HENDRICKSON, J., concur.
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