In re E.E.

[Cite as In re E.E., 2021-Ohio-2770.]
COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
EIGHTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
COUNTY OF CUYAHOGA
IN RE E.E., ET AL. :
: No. 110021
Minor Children :
:
[Appeal by S.A., Mother] :
JOURNAL ENTRY AND OPINION
JUDGMENT: AFFIRMED IN PART, REVERSED IN PART,
AND REMANDED
RELEASED AND JOURNALIZED: August 12, 2021
Civil Appeal from the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas
Juvenile Division
Case Nos. AD-19-915293 and AD-19-915294
Appearances:
Patituce & Associates, L.L.C., Joseph C. Patituce and
Catherine R. Meehan, for appellant.
Michael C. O’Malley, Cuyahoga County Prosecuting
Attorney, and Joseph C. Young and Cheryl A. Rice,
Assistant Prosecuting Attorneys, for appellee.
EMANUELLA D. GROVES, J.:
Appellant-Mother, S.A. (“Mother”), appeals from the judgment of the
juvenile court adjudicating her children E.E. (d.o.b. 01/04/2006) neglected and
abused, and D.A. (d.o.b. 12/19/2009) dependent. Additionally, Mother appeals the
grant of temporary custody of her children to the Cuyahoga County Division of
Children and Family Services (“CCDCFS” or “agency”). For the reasons set forth
below, we affirm in part, reverse in part, and remand the decision of the juvenile
court.
Facts and Procedural History
On or about November 18, 2019, E.E. reported to Mother that she had
been sexually assaulted on two separate occasions by her stepfather, M.A. M.A. is
the biological father of E.E.’s sister, D.A. E.E. reported that the first assault
happened in March 2019, when she alleged that M.A. put his fingers inside her
vagina. The second time occurred in July 2019 when she alleged that M.A. put his
penis into her anus.
On learning of the allegations, Mother removed M.A. from the home,
contacted the police, filed a police report, and took E.E. to Fairview Hospital. A
sexual assault nurse examiner advised Mother that E.E. would need to be examined
at the Alpha Clinic since the alleged assault occurred more than 72 hours before the
date of her appointment.
Mother arranged for an appointment at the Alpha Clinic for
December 5, 2019. E.E. was examined by Dr. Joshua Friedman (“Dr. Friedman”)
who reported to Mother that based on his exam, he found no evidence that either
refuted E.E.’s allegations or supported them. He also explained to Mother that his
findings were not unusual and that it was rare for there to be physical evidence of
sexual abuse for many reasons, such as, the length of time that the incidents
occurred and the possibility of healing.
Deyona Cecil (“Cecil”), a social worker from CCDCFS was assigned to
the case on November 22, 2019. The agency suggested that E.E. receive a mental
health assessment and therapeutic support. Mother expressed to Cecil that she did
not believe E.E.’s allegations. According to Cecil, Mother took Dr. Friedman’s report
as proof that the allegations were false. On December 18, 2019, Cecil visited the
home. At that time, Mother asked Cecil whether M.A. could return to the home.
Cecil told Mother that that was Mother’s decision. Mother allowed M.A. to return
to the home that same date.
CCDCFS scheduled a staffing the following day on
December 19, 2019, to discuss the safety of the children. Mother participated by
phone. During the staffing, according to Cecil, Mother expressed that she was
staying with her husband and the agency could remove E.E. from the home, if
necessary. When the agency indicated they would remove the children from the
home, due to the safety risk, Mother agreed to remove M.A. from the home a second
time.
On December 20, 2019, CCDCFS filed a complaint and motion for
predispositional temporary custody alleging E.E. was abused and that both E.E. and
D.A. were neglected. In the complaint, CCDCFS alleged the following:
E.E. was the victim of sexual abuse by M.A. and that there was a
pending criminal investigation into the abuse.
On or about December 18, 2019, Mother allowed M.A. to return to the
home.
Mother lacked appropriate judgment with which to care for the
children. Mother minimizes the sexual abuse of E.E. and asked for
E.E.’s removal from the home.
Mother failed to ensure that E.E. received mental health services on a
consistent basis.
Father of E.E., J.E., is not involved in her life.
Father J.E., has another child who was adjudicated neglected and
dependent, due in part to J.E.’s failure to support, visit, and
communicate with the child. That child was found abandoned by father
and committed to the permanent custody of the Agency.
As a result of the hearing on the matter, the juvenile court denied the
request for predispositional temporary custody, finding that CCDCFS did not make
reasonable efforts to prevent removal. The juvenile court determined that there was
no probable cause to warrant removal of the children from Mother, but there was
probable cause to warrant removal of the children from M.A.
The juvenile court ordered that the children were to remain in the
custody of Mother with protective supervision to the agency. M.A. was ordered not
to return to the home of Mother, pending further order of the juvenile court. The
juvenile court also placed a no-contact order between E.E. and M.A., ordered weekly
home visits by the agency, and ordered supervised visitation between M.A. and D.A.
After a pretrial hearing, on January 16, 2020, a magistrate modified
the order, changing home visits from weekly to biweekly, with a notation to increase
visits if the agency deemed it necessary and expanded the no-contact order to
include D.A.
M.A. filed an objection to this decision, which was overruled by the
court. Additionally, the court ordered CCDCFS to notify the court by motion, if
access to where the child is placed is denied or if the child’s mother is not
cooperating with the agency, or if Mother is not returning telephone calls to the
agency.
The guardian ad litem (“GAL”) for the children, Patrick Lavelle
(“Lavelle”), filed a report on January 31, 2020. He reported that Mother refused to
speak to him about E.E.’s allegations against M.A. Mother advised the GAL to speak
to her lawyer. Mother did provide some background information about a previous
allegation E.E. made against a student at school.1 The GAL’s report indicated that
those allegations proved to be false.2
The GAL did not speak to E.E. about the details of the allegations
against M.A., thinking that it would be better for the investigators and those with
expertise to address those issues with her. The GAL did speak further with Mother
and it was his impression that Mother did not believe E.E.’s allegations. However,
he did believe that Mother would abide by the juvenile court’s order and keep M.A.
out of the home. The GAL spoke to Mother about her decision to bring M.A. back
into the home and Mother informed him that she had spoken to a social worker and
a police officer about this decision. Noting that this event occurred before a formal
1 In a subsequent report, the GAL indicated the allegation was made against a foster
child in the family home. This issue was not fully addressed in the record.
2 It is unclear from the record whether the GAL determined this allegation was
false by his own investigation or whether he was simply reporting what Mother reported
to him.
case had been filed, he believed that the decision, while not prudent, was not
purposely done to expose E.E. to a known danger. The GAL recommended that
temporary custody be denied. He also recommended that M.A. be excluded from
the home and that he be denied visitation until a formal investigation is completed.
On February 13, 2020, CCDCFS filed a notice apprising the juvenile
court that Mother had failed to agree to schedule an interview with the children at
the Child Advocacy Center. A contempt hearing was held on February 24, 2020, at
which the newly assigned social worker, Sally McHugh (“McHugh”), indicated that
there were no safety concerns in the home and that the basic needs of the children
were being met. The juvenile court held its decision on the motion to show cause in
abeyance.
On March 9, 2020, the GAL filed a motion for an in camera interview
of E.E. arguing that Mother had refused to allow the child to be interviewed and that
E.E. was mature enough to express herself and assist the court in its proceedings.
Also, on March 9, 2020, M.A. filed a motion to dismiss the complaint and to dismiss
the contempt allegation, arguing that Mother had fully cooperated and that the
agency’s order to cooperate was vague.
An adjudicatory hearing was held on that same day. During that
hearing, Dr. Friedman and McHugh testified. Dr. Friedman testified as to his
examination of E.E., and he indicated that it was his policy not to discuss the sexual
assault allegations with the patient. Rather, his goal was to gather sufficient
information about what was alleged to have happened to determine what physical
exams were necessary and what treatment, if any, was required.
McHugh testified as to the information in the case file about the
agency’s initial interactions with the family, E.E.’s report of abuse, and the events
that led up to the agency filing for temporary custody.
After completion of the testimony, the case was continued until
March 13, 2020, so that the GAL and counsel for E.E. could meet with the child.
Counsel for E.E. reported that she was unable to meet with her client because she
did not receive timely notification from Mother. Specifically, Mother called assigned
counsel and notified her that she could meet with E.E. within the hour.
The GAL filed a supplemental GAL report on March 12, 2020. He
reported that on March 10, 2020, Mother denied him the opportunity to meet with
E.E. Specifically, the GAL contacted Mother to arrange an interview with E.E., but
Mother told him she wanted to talk to her attorney first. He further indicated that,
since the writing of the report, Mother had not followed up to arrange an interview.
With respect to the allegations, the GAL noted:
At the present time, the undersigned cannot determine with certainty
whether a sexual assault occurred or not. The undersigned had
planned on relying on the interview of the trained professionals. Since
this has not occurred and the mother is refusing contact between GAL
and his ward, the undersigned is forced to conclude that the mother is
purposely silencing her daughter and not giving her a voice in regards
to proceedings that involve her. The mother has presented a joint
defense with M.A. The mother’s joint defense includes silencing her
daughter and not giving her a voice. The mother has attacked the
credibility of her own daughter. The mother has basically called her
daughter a lier [sic] in open court. In silencing her daughter, the
mother is actively protecting a person that has been accused of raping
her daughter. In short, whether or not the allegations in this matter
prove to be true, the mother [sic] behavior during the pendency of this
case has been reprehensible.
Noting that he had previously supported the children remaining in
the home, the GAL indicated that circumstances had changed. Arguing that part of
protecting the child included cooperating with law enforcement investigations and
noting Mother’s refusal to do so, the GAL recommended that temporary custody to
CCDCFS be granted as to E.E. In regards to D.A., he recommended that she remain
in the home with continued protective supervision.
On March 12, 2020, Mother filed a motion to limit E.E.’s in camera
interview to what was in her best interest as to custody, “rather than a full
investigation into the allegations of sexual abuse.” The motion noted that Mother
was aware that CCDCFS wanted to conduct a subsequent investigative interview
with E.E. and that such an interview was against Mother’s wishes. The motion then
concluded by arguing that E.E. should not be required to “continuously relive” the
allegations and that it would be in the best interest of her physical and mental well-
being to not have to discuss these issues.
The GAL indicated that he was able to meet with E.E. sometime after
filing his report. However, before Mother left the room, she told E.E. four times that
E.E. was not required to talk to the GAL. As a result, the GAL was unable to have a
productive conversation with E.E.
On March 13, 2020, the juvenile court conducted an in camera
interview with E.E. During that conversation, E.E. recanted the allegations. The
juvenile court subsequently issued its decision that adjudicated E.E. an abused and
neglected child and D.A. a dependent child. The juvenile court continued to hold
the motion to show cause in abeyance. On May 14, 2020, Mother filed an objection
to the magistrate’s decision under E.E.’s case number, which was subsequently
overruled. While Mother did not file a similar motion under D.A.’s case number,
she argued that the juvenile court erred with respect to its findings as to both
children.
The dispositional hearing was held on July 6, 2020. During the
hearing, McHugh testified that, except for the first visit, she was not allowed to speak
to E.E. or D.A. without Mother being present in the room. Also, Mother continued
to refuse to allow a forensic interview of E.E. McHugh further testified that she had
received a release of information from Mother prior to the hearing. Mother had
reported to McHugh that E.E. was seeing a new counselor. Otherwise, McHugh
reported that the home was appropriately clean and well kept. McHugh’s biggest
concern was that Mother failed to believe E.E.
The GAL reported that he had met with E.E. several times; however,
Mother continued to block him from having effective communication with E.E. He
recommended temporary custody for E.E., but not D.A. The GAL indicated that he
thought E.E. would not receive any meaningful help until she was removed from the
home. The GAL expressed concern that E.E. had reported the rape to her mother,
the police, and her social worker, Cecil, and yet, Mother still refused to believe it had
occurred. The GAL also believed that Mother would not address the alleged abuse
and would sweep things under the rug unless temporary custody was granted.
Subsequently, the magistrate issued an order granting temporary
custody of both children to CCDCFS. Mother again filed an objection to the decision
under E.E.’s case number only, but objected as to both E.E. and D.A. The juvenile
court overruled the objections. The juvenile court adopted the magistrate’s decision
and ordered it into effect. Mother filed a motion to vacate and stay in relation to the
decision and dispositional orders to allow preparation and review of the transcript,
which motion was granted by the juvenile court. Once the transcript was prepared
and available for review, the juvenile court again overruled the objection and
ordered the dispositional judgments of temporary custody into effect.
Mother now appeals, assigning the following errors for review:
Assignment of Error No. 1
The trial court erred in adjudicating E.E. abused and neglected, and
D.A. dependent.
Assignment of Error No. 2
The trial court abused its discretion in failing to dismiss the complaint
and granting temporary custody to the agency.
Assignment of Error No. 3
The trial court erred by permitting hearsay testimony from the
subsequent caseworker.
Assignment of Error No. 4
The trial court lacked jurisdiction to adjudicate D.A. a dependent child.
For ease of discussion, we will address the assignments of error out of
order as necessary.
In the first assignment of error, Mother argues that the juvenile court
erred in adjudicating E.E. abused and neglected, and in adjudicating D.A.
dependent.
Whether a child is an abused, neglected, or dependent child must be
proven by clear and convincing evidence. R.C. 2151.35(A), Juv.R. 29(E)(4) (during
the adjudicatory hearing “the court shall determine the issue * * * by clear and
convincing evidence in dependency, neglect and abuse actions”). See In re Vinci,
8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 73043, 1998 Ohio App. LEXIS 4100, at 7 (Sept. 3, 1998); In
re Hauserman, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga Nos. 77235 and 77252, 2002-Ohio-1094, and In
re A.C., 6th Dist. Lucas No. L-10-1025, 2010-Ohio-4933, ¶ 40. Clear and convincing
evidence is “that measure or degree of proof which is more than a mere
preponderance of the evidence, but does not reach the extent of the certainty
required to establish beyond a reasonable doubt in criminal cases.” Id. “Clear and
convincing evidence” is evidence that “will produce in the mind of the trier of facts
a firm belief or conviction as to the allegations sought to be established.” In re C.B.,
8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 92775, 2011-Ohio-5491, ¶ 28, citing Cross v. Ledford, 161
Ohio St. 469, 477, 120 N.E.2d 118 (1954).
In order to determine whether a trial court’s judgment is based on
clear and convincing evidence, “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.” In re C.O., 8th Dist. Cuyahoga Nos. 99334 and 99335,
2013-Ohio-5239, ¶ 30, quoting State v. Schiebel, 55 Ohio St.3d 71, 74, 564 N.E.2d
54 (1990). “If the trial court’s judgment is ‘supported by some competent, credible
evidence going to all the essential elements of the case,’ a reviewing court may not
reverse that judgment.” Id.Abuse of E.E.
In the instant case, Mother argues that the record did not contain
competent, credible evidence to support the finding that E.E. was abused. Mother
argues that while E.E. disclosed the rape to her, it is unclear what E.E. told Cecil
because Cecil did not testify. Further, Mother argues that Dr. Friedman did not
interview E.E. and only received information from Mother as to what happened.
Finally, Mother argues that there were no physical findings of sexual abuse, calling
into question E.E.’s credibility, and notes that E.E. recanted her allegations. Based
on the above, Mother argues that competent and credible evidence did not support
the trial court’s finding of abuse.
R.C. 2151.031 defines an “abused child” to include any child who:
(A) Is the victim of “sexual activity” as defined under Chapter 2907. of
the Revised Code, where such activity would constitute an offense
under that chapter, except that the court need not find that any person
has been convicted of the offense in order to find that the child is an
abused child;
(B) Is endangered as defined in section 2919.22 of the Revised Code,
except that the court need not find that any person has been convicted
under that section in order to find that the child is an abused child.
Here, M.A. was alleged to have engaged in sexual activity with E.E.
Under R.C. 2151.031(A) and Chapter 2907, specifically, R.C. 2907.01, “sexual
activity” means “sexual conduct” or “sexual contact” or both. R.C. 2907.01(C).
M.A.’s alleged conduct of putting his finger(s) into E.E.’s vagina, and his penis into
her anus constituted “sexual conduct” under R.C. 2907.01(A) which includes “the
insertion, however slight, of any part of the body * * * into the vaginal or anal
opening of another” without privilege to do so. The testimony regarding E.E.’s
assault, as reported by E.E. to Mother, Cecil, the police, and her therapist supported
the juvenile court’s finding of abuse. There was competent and credible evidence to
support the juvenile court’s finding that E.E. was an abused child under R.C.
2151.031(A).
Further, under R.C. 2151.031(B), a child is abused when, under R.C.
2919.22, a parent creates a substantial risk to a child’s health or safety by violating a
duty of care or support, or abusing a child. Due to M.A.’s alleged sexual assault
against E.E., she was endangered. Therefore, there was competent and credible
evidence to support the juvenile court’s finding that E.E. was an abused child under
R.C. 2151.031(B).
Thus, the juvenile’s court’s finding that E.E. was an abused child was
supported by clear and convincing evidence.
Neglect of E.E.
Within this assignment of error, Mother argues that because E.E. was
in counseling at the time of the adjudication hearing, there was insufficient evidence
of neglect. Further, Mother argues that although she did tell the agency to take E.E.,
she thought it was her only option. Finally, Mother argues doubting E.E.’s
allegations was reasonable, because E.E. previously made unsubstantiated
allegations of sexual abuse against another party.
We are not persuaded by Mother’s arguments here.
Under R.C. 2151.03(A), a “neglected child” is defined as any child:
(2) Who lacks adequate parental care because of the faults or habits of
the child’s parents, guardian, or custodian;
(3) Whose parents, guardian, or custodian neglects the child or refuses
to provide proper or necessary subsistence, education, medical or
surgical care or treatment, or other care necessary for the child’s health
morals, or well-being;
“Adequate parental care” as used in the neglect statute means “the
provision by a child’s parent or parents, guardian, or custodian of adequate food,
clothing, and shelter to ensure the child’s health and physical safety and the
provision by a child’s parent or parents of specialized services warranted by the
child’s physical or mental needs.” R.C. 2151.011(B)(1); In re C.S., 9th Dist. Summit
No. 26178, 2012-Ohio-2884, ¶ 14.
“To determine whether a child is neglected or dependent, the date on
which neglect or dependency ‘existed must be alleged in the complaint and the trial
court must determine that the circumstance(s) which support a finding of
dependency [or neglect] existed as of the date or dates alleged in the complaint.’” In
re C.O., 8th Dist. Cuyahoga Nos. 99334 and 99335, 2013-Ohio-5239, ¶ 31, citing In
re Barnhart, 4th Dist. Athens No. 02CA20, 2002-Ohio-6023, ¶ 35, citing In re
Rowland, 2d Dist. Montgomery N0. 18429, 2001 Ohio App. LEXIS 462(Feb. 9, 2001). Therefore, the relevant period at issue is December 19, 2019, the date
the complaint alleged E.E. was neglected.
Here in the instant case, the agency alleged that Mother lacked
appropriate judgment to care for the children because she minimized the alleged
sexual abuse, allowed M.A. to return to the home, while a criminal investigation was
pending, and asked the agency to remove E.E. from her home. They also alleged
that Mother failed to ensure that E.E. received mental health services on a consistent
basis.
Relative to E.E.’s counseling, McHugh testified that E.E. had been
referred to a counselor due to a previous allegation of sexual abuse she made against
a different person. E.E. went to counseling for a time, however at the time the
complaint was filed, E.E. was not in counseling because the therapist stopped
coming to the school and Mother had not established counseling with anyone else.
While we recognize that Mother is not required to cooperate with the
agency, however, where Mother refuses to allow CCDCFS to conduct a forensic
interview with the child, refuses to allow the social worker or GAL to have
meaningful conversation with the child, and actively interferes with free
communication between the child, her representatives and the court, the juvenile
court may make negative inferences from those facts. See In re M.W., 12th Dist.
Warren Nos. CA2020-03-018 and CA2020-03-019, 2021-Ohio-1129.
Based on the foregoing, there was competent, credible evidence in the
record to support the juvenile court’s finding of neglect. Mother’s first assignment
of error is overruled as to E.E.
Dependency of D.A.
Within this assignment of error, Mother argues that there was no
evidence presented as to D.A. and that the complaint did not allege that D.A. was
dependent. Mother argued further that there was no testimony presented to support
an allegation that D.A. was dependent under either R.C. 2151.04(D)(1) and (D)(2).
Mother argued that while R.C. 2151.04(D)(2) might apply, there was no testimony
that M.A. was a danger to D.A.
As a preliminary matter, we note that the juvenile court’s journal
entry did not comply with the requirements of R.C. 2151.28(L) which states:
If the court, at an adjudicatory hearing held pursuant to division (A) of
this section upon a complaint alleging that a child is an abused,
neglected, dependent, delinquent, or unruly child or a juvenile traffic
offender, determines that the child is a dependent child, the court shall
incorporate that determination into written findings of fact and
conclusions of law and enter those findings of fact and conclusions of
law in the record of the case. The court shall include in those findings
of fact and conclusions of law specific findings as to the existence of any
danger to the child and any underlying family problems that are the
basis for the court’s determination that the child is a dependent child.
(Emphasis added.)
The juvenile court’s entry in this case stated, “[t]he court finds upon
the testimony heard, that a danger to the child exists. The child is adjudicated
dependent.” This court has previously reversed a decision of the juvenile court, in
part, because of a failure to comply with R.C. 2151.28(L). In re E.Z., 8th Dist.
Cuyahoga Nos. 103728 and 103966, 2016-Ohio-5412 (reversed and remanded as
state failed to present sufficient evidence to prove dependency and for compliance
with R.C. 2151.28(L)). We noted that where a court’s decision is “devoid of any
specific findings as to either the existence of any danger to the child or any
underlying family problems that are the basis for the court’s determination that the
children are dependent” the court’s findings of facts and conclusions of law fail to
meet the requirements of R.C. 2151.28(L). Id. at ¶ 22.
Further, “[b]road, general statements of fact, which might be
adequate in a complaint alleging a child to be a dependent child, do not meet the
specificity requirements of R.C. 2151.28(L).” In re T.C., 9th Dist. Wayne Nos.
18AP0021 and 18AP0022, 2018-Ohio-4369, ¶ 11, citing In re S.W., 12th Dist. Butler
Nos. CA2006-09-211 and CA2006-10-263, 2008-Ohio-1194, ¶ 11. The entry should
be sufficiently specific to allow a reviewing court to “determine what facts the court
found relevant in determining [the child] was dependent, what facts the conclusions
of law were based upon, and what specific conclusions of law were made.” Id. at id.
at ¶ 12.
Here the juvenile court only stated the conclusion that D.A. was in
danger without any reference to what facts the juvenile court found relevant in its
determination that D.A. was dependent, or what facts the conclusions of law were
based upon. Therefore, the juvenile court has failed to comply with R.C. 2151.28(L).
A number of courts have found that where a juvenile court has failed
to comply with R.C. 2151.28(L) as to the finding of dependency, that portion of the
case must be remanded for correction of the entry. In re S.L., 2016-Ohio-5000, 56
N.E.3d 1026, ¶ 9 (3d Dist.) (case affirmed in part and reversed in part and remanded
for trial court to make written findings of fact and conclusion of law in compliance
with R.C. 2151.28(L)); In re A.B.C., 5th Dist. Stark No. 2010CA00087, 2011-Ohio-
531, ¶ 28 (where entry merely stated “by clear and convincing evidence [child] is
dependent in that his condition or environment is such to warrant the State, in the
best interest of the child to assume guardianship,” case remanded for trial court to
include required dependency findings under R.C. 2151.28(L), all other assignments
which were based on finding of dependency rendered premature); In re B.S., 4th
Dist. Highland No. 19CA10, 2019-Ohio-3481, ¶ 8 (court of appeals refused to hear
Father’s appeal of finding of dependency until juvenile court issued findings of fact
and conclusions of law in conformity with R.C. 2151.28(L)); see also In re J.R.P.,
2018-Ohio-3938, 120 N.E.3d 83, ¶ 21 (7th Dist.), acknowledging requirements of
R.C. 2151.28(L)).
Because the juvenile court did not comply with R.C. 2151.28(L), by
failing to make the necessary findings of fact, we remand for compliance with R.C.
2151.28(L). Accordingly, we overrule in part and sustain in part, the first assignment
of error.
We now turn to the third assignment of error, wherein Mother argues
that it was error to have allowed McHugh to testify about the contents of the case
file that predated her assignment to the case.
Preliminarily, we note, this court has previously noted that “[t]he
rules of evidence strictly apply to adjudicatory hearings.” In re E.Z., 8th Dist.
Cuyahoga Nos. 103728 and 103966, 2016-Ohio-5412, ¶ 18, citing In re O.H., 9th
Dist. Summit No. 24761, 2011-Ohio-5632, ¶21, citing In re Baby Girl Baxter, 17 Ohio
St.3d 229 at 223, 479 N.E.2d 257. Further, it is well established that a social worker
may testify to the contents of the case file, provided a foundation is laid to establish
that the testimony is either a business record under Evid.R. 803(6) or a public
record under Evid.R. 803(8). In re J.T., 8th Dist. Cuyahoga Nos. 93240 and 93241,
2009-Ohio-6224, ¶ 72.
To qualify under the public records exception, the records must “set
forth the activities of an agency or office and contain matters observed which,
pursuant to a duty of law, i.e., R.C. 5153.17, the agency has a duty to report.” J.T. at
id. We have previously held that it is not error where the record reflects that the
testifying social worker is assigned to the case and “reviewed the case file and
specifically relied on its contents when answering questions related to the history of
the case.” Id.Here there was testimony that McHugh was employed by CCDCFS as
a social worker and assigned to the case in that capacity, had reviewed the case file
in order to do her duties, and was testifying about the case file before the juvenile
court. It was not error to admit that testimony.
Accordingly, we overrule Mother’s third assignment of error.
In her fourth assignment of error, Mother argues that the trial court
lacked jurisdiction to adjudicate D.A. dependent. Mother argues that the complaint
did not allege dependency, and additionally, that there were no facts listed in the
complaint alleging dependency. Therefore, she argues the court did not have
jurisdiction over D.A. We disagree.
As a preliminary matter, we note that Mother did not raise this issue
in her objection to the magistrate’s decision. While she argued that there was
insufficient evidence to support the finding of dependency and that the complaint
did not put her on notice that dependency was at issue, Mother did not challenge the
jurisdiction of the juvenile court. “Failure to object to a magistrate’s decision waives
all but plain error on appeal.” In re T.E., 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 104228, 2016-
Ohio-5935, ¶ 37, citing In re B.C., 9th Dist. Summit Nos. 26976 and 26977, 2014-
Ohio-2748, ¶ 24.
[T]he plain error doctrine is not favored and may be applied only in the
extremely rare case involving exceptional circumstances where error,
to which no objection was made at the trial court, seriously affects the
basic fairness, integrity, or public reputation of the judicial process,
thereby challenging the legitimacy of the underlying judicial process
itself.
Id., citing Goldfuss v. Davidson, 79 Ohio St.3d 116, 679 N.E.2d 1099 (1997),
syllabus.
This is not that case. Mother has not claimed plain error, and upon
review of the record, we find no plain error in the juvenile court’s exercise of
jurisdiction.
R.C. 2151.27(A)(1) states, in pertinent part:
Subject to division (A)(2) of this section, any person having knowledge
of a child who appears * * * to be an unruly, abused, neglected, or
dependent child may file a sworn complaint with respect to that child
in the juvenile court of the county in which the child has a residence or
legal settlement or in which the violation, unruliness, abuse, neglect, or
dependency allegedly occurred. * * *
The sworn complaint may be upon information and belief, and, in
addition to the allegation that the child committed the violation or is an
unruly, abused, neglected, or dependent child, the complaint shall
allege the particular facts upon which the allegation that the child
committed the violation or is an unruly, abused, neglected, or
dependent child is based.
In the instant case, the complaint alleged that D.A. was neglected, and
alleged as a factual basis that Mother lacked appropriate judgment with which to
care for the children and that Mother allowed M.A. to return to the home after
allegations of sexual abuse.3 There were sufficient facts to support an allegation of
neglect under R.C. 2151.03(A)(2), which defines a neglected child as one “[w]ho
lacks adequate parental care because of the faults or habits of the child’s parents,
guardian, or custodian.”
Because the complaint effectively pleaded neglect of D.A., it was
sufficient to establish the jurisdiction of the juvenile court over her. In re Poling, 64
3 We acknowledge that Mother initially removed M.A. from the home on hearing
of the allegations, and only allowed him to return after consulting with the agency,
however, the question here is whether the complaint effectively pleaded neglect.
Ohio St.3d 211, 213, 1992-Ohio-144, 594 N.E.2d 589; R.C. 2151.23(A)(1) (“The
juvenile court has exclusive original jurisdiction under the Revised Code * * *
[c]oncerning any child who on or about the date specified in the complaint * * * is
alleged * * * a delinquent, unruly, abused, neglected, or dependent child.”).
After hearing the evidence, the trial court sua sponte amended the
complaint to include an allegation that D.A. was dependent pursuant to R.C.
2151.04(C) or (D). Juv.R. 22(B) permits such an amendment by agreement of the
parties or by the court, “if the interests of justice require.” Juv.R. 22(B), In re T.W.,
12th Dist. Warren No. CA2014-07-100, 2014-Ohio-5753, ¶ 18. Therefore, because
the juvenile court amended the complaint, it was permitted to find D.A. to be a
dependent child.
Because the juvenile court had jurisdiction over D.A., there was no
error, therefore, we overrule the fourth assignment of error.
Finally, in the second assignment of error, Mother argues that it was
error for the court not to dismiss the complaint and error to find it was in the best
interest of the children to be placed in the temporary custody of CCDCFS.
The standard of review for a juvenile court’s award of temporary
custody is abuse of discretion. In re A.S., 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 105651, 2018-
Ohio-1085, ¶ 17, citing In re S.E., 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 96031, 2011-Ohio-2042,
¶ 13. Abuse of discretion occurs when a trial court acts unreasonably, arbitrarily, or
unconscionably. Mayer v. Mayer, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 109103, 2020-Ohio-
4993, ¶ 8, citing Blakemore v. Blakemore, 5 Ohio St.3d 217, 219, 450 N.E.2d 1140(1983). “The trial court’s judgment cannot be disturbed on appeal absent a showing
that the trial court abused its discretion.” Id., quoting Blakemore at 218-219.
Initially, we note, “[a]n award of temporary custody to a public or
private children’s services agency is substantially different from an award of
permanent custody, where parental rights are terminated.” In re Ka.C., 8th Dist.
Cuyahoga Nos. 102000, 102002, 102005, and 102006, 2015-Ohio-1158, ¶ 20. Here,
“the parent only loses temporary custody of a child and retains residual parental
rights, privileges, and responsibilities.” Id., citing In re G.M., 8th Dist. Cuyahoga
No. 95410, 2011-Ohio-4090, ¶ 14, citing R.C. 2151.353(A)(3)(c). Furthermore, the
parents may regain custody; it is not permanently foreclosed. Id., citing In re
M.J.M., 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 94130, 2010-Ohio-1674, ¶ 12. “For this reason, the
juvenile court employs the less restrictive ‘preponderance of the evidence’ standard
in temporary custody cases as opposed to the ‘clear and convincing’ standard of
evidence employed in permanent custody cases.” Id. at id. at ¶ 9, citing In re Nice,
141 Ohio App.3d 445, 455, 751 N.E.2d 552 (7th Dist.2001). “Preponderance of the
evidence” means “evidence that’s more probable, more persuasive, or of greater
probative value.” In re C.V.M., 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 98340, 2012-Ohio-5514, ¶ 7,
citing In re D.P., 10th Dist. Franklin No. 05AP-117, 2005-Ohio-5097, ¶ 52, quoting
State v. Finkes, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 01AP-310, 2002-Ohio-1439.
“A trial court has substantial discretion in weighing the
considerations involved in making the determination regarding a child’s best
interest.” In re S.M., 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 24539, 2011-Ohio-6710, ¶ 4, citing
In re K.H., Clark App. No. 2009-CA-80, 2010-Ohio-1609, ¶ 66.
In the instant case, Mother argues that the decision to place the
children in the temporary custody of CCDCFS was not supported by the evidence in
part because the abuse allegations are not supported by the evidence. We disagree.
In the first assignment of error, we concluded that the juvenile court’s finding of
abuse was supported by competent, credible evidence.
In addition to that finding, we find that Mother has consistently
blocked the agency from having meaningful conversations with the children. The
family has not engaged in counseling or taken steps to allow further investigations
of the sexual abuse allegations.
Further, the GAL noted that he did not believe Mother would do what
was necessary to protect E.E. From initially believing that Mother was less than
prudent but capable, the GAL became convinced that Mother was purposefully
silencing E.E. Finally, Mother failed to consistently maintain counseling for E.E.
Based on the foregoing, the juvenile court had sufficient evidence to
determine by a preponderance of the evidence that temporary custody to CCDCFS
was in the best interest of the children.
Accordingly, we overrule the second assignment of error.
Judgment affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded.
It is ordered that the parties share equally the costs herein taxed.
The court finds there were reasonable grounds for this appeal.
It is ordered that a special mandate issue out of this court directing the
Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court, Juvenile Division, to carry this judgment
into execution.
A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to Rule 27
of the Rules of Appellate Procedure.
EMANUELLA D. GROVES, JUDGE
MARY J. BOYLE, A.J., and
SEAN C. GALLAGHER, J., CONCUR