In re A.B.C.

2011 Ohio 531

• Court: Ohio Court of Appeals
• Decided: January 31, 2011
• Docket: 2010CA00087
• Status: Published

Opinion

[Cite as In re A.B.C., 2011-Ohio-531.]

COURT OF APPEALS STARK COUNTY, OHIO FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

IN RE: A.B.C. JUDGES: Julie A. Edwards, P.J. William B. Hoffman, J. Patricia A. Delaney, J.

Case No. 2010CA00087

OPINION

CHARACTER OF PROCEEDING: Appeal from the Stark County Court of Common Pleas, Family Court Division, Case No. 2010JCV00011

JUDGMENT: Reversed and Remanded

DATE OF JUDGMENT ENTRY: January 31, 2011

APPEARANCES:

For Plaintiff-Appellant For Defendant-Appellee

WILLIAM T. WHITAKER LISA A. LOUY ANDREA L. WHITAKER Stark County Department William T. Whitaker Co., L.P.A. of Job and Family Services 190 North Union Street, Suite 301 221 Third Street SE Akron, Ohio 44304 Canton, Ohio 44702 Stark County, Case No. 2010CA00087 2

Edwards, P.J.

{¶1} Appellants Kayla Pitts and Parker Crissey (“Mother”, “Father”, individually;

“Parents”, collectively) appeal the March 19, 2010 Judgment Entry entered by the Stark

County Court of Common Pleas, Family Court Division, which adjudicated their minor

son dependent. Appellee is Stark County Department of Job and Family Services

(“SCDJFS”).

STATEMENT OF THE FACTS AND CASE

{¶2} Parents are the biological parents of A.B.C. (D.O.B. 7/26/09).

{¶3} On January 7, 2010, SCDJFS filed a Complaint in the Stark County Court

of Common Pleas, alleging A.B.C. to be a dependent, neglected, and/or abused child.

SCDJFS filed the Complaint after receiving information A.B.C. had a leg fracture, which

Dr. Steiner of the Akron Children’s Hospital found to be consistent with physical abuse.

Parents agreed to voluntarily place the child with his maternal great grandmother,

Margie Pitts. The trial court ordered parents to submit to parenting and drug

assessments, and follow all recommendations. The trial court placed A.B.C. in the

temporary custody of his maternal great grandmother, Margie Pitts, with protective

supervision granted to SCDJFS.

{¶4} The trial court conducted an adjudicatory hearing on March 18, 2010.

Karen Cirone, an SCDJFS worker, testified on December 4, 2009, the Agency received

a call from Akron Children’s Hospital concerning A.B.C. SCDJFS was informed A.B.C.

had come to the hospital for blood work, but after Mother advised hospital personnel

A.B.C. was not able to put pressure on his left leg, an x-ray was taken and a fracture

discovered. Cirone accompanied a police detective who interviewed Parents. Parents Stark County, Case No. 2010CA00087 3

did not make any admissions. Mother told the detective and Cirone she had been

changing A.B.C.’s diaper one day shortly before Thanksgiving and she heard a “pop”

when she lifted his legs by his ankles. Mother stated she immediately called A.B.C.’s

pediatrician, who saw A.B.C. on November 30, 2009. Mother also told Cirone and the

detective A.B.C.’s pediatrician did not find anything of concern about the child’s leg, but

ordered blood tests at Aultman Hospital because of the child’s propensity to easily

bruise. Cirone stated Dr. Steiner concluded the leg fracture was the result of abuse.

{¶5} Dr. Richard Steiner, the Medical Director of the Akron Children’s Hospital

Care Center, testified he and his staff see between 1100 and 1300 cases of child abuse

each year. Dr. Steiner explained how he evaluates a child to determine whether abuse

has occurred. With respect to A.B.C., Dr. Steiner explained the child was admitted to

the hospital’s hematology department due to concerns over “bruising or easy bleeding,

not proper blood coagulation.” Dr. Steiner noted bruising was observed on A.B.C.’s

face, abdomen, and genitals, and the amount of bruising on a four month old child was

concerning. Dr. Patton, the hematologist, consulted Dr. Steiner after x-rays revealed a

fracture in A.B.C.’s lower left leg. Mother had informed Dr. Patton A.B.C. would not

place any weight on his left leg. Based upon this information, Dr. Patton ordered x-rays

and ultrasounds to determine whether A.B.C. had deeper bruising or bleeding.

{¶6} After reviewing the x-rays, Dr. Steiner spoke with Mother and Father to

determine whether A.B.C. had had any falls or drops which would explain his leg injury.

Mother recalled, approximately one week earlier, she was changing A.B.C.’s diaper and

heard a “pop” when she lifted the child by the ankles to raise his hips so she could slide

a diaper underneath him. Dr. Steiner commented Mother’s manner of changing the Stark County, Case No. 2010CA00087 4

diaper was a “very common maneuver * * * done millions of times a day by millions of

parents”. Dr. Steiner testified Mother’s actions were not a viable explanation for

A.B.C.’s fractured leg. He explained the fracture would have been caused by a violent

snatch and grab motion.

{¶7} Dr. Steiner continued to talk to Mother and Father about their family

histories of bone or blood diseases, A.B.C.’s birth history, and his growth. The doctor

found nothing in the child’s past medical history which would explain the fracture or the

bruising. Accordingly, Dr. Steiner ordered additional x-rays, including a skeletal survey

which is an x-ray of the entire body, and a CT scan. The x-rays and CT scan revealed

no other fractures and the results from blood tests showed no sign of a bleeding

disorder. A.B.C. was not presented to the hospital for repeat blood tests despite Mother

and Father making at least three appointments to do so. After all the testing and after

all the possible diseases which could cause the injuries were eliminated, Dr. Steiner

concluded the only diagnosis left was physical abuse or abusive trauma. Dr. Steiner

indicated, even if A.B.C. had been brought in for additional blood test, and such tests

revealed a bleeding disorder, there were no diseases which would explain A.B.C.’s

fracture.

{¶8} On cross-examination, Dr. Steiner testified he reached his diagnosis of

abuse based upon both the surface injuries and the fracture. No other fractures were

identified by the skeletal survey, and A.B.C.’s bone architecture and anatomy were

normal. The doctor added the physical examination produced no findings which would

lead doctors to suspect metabolic bone disease. Blood tests conducted to determine

whether there was metabolic bone disease were normal. Dr. Steiner acknowledged a Stark County, Case No. 2010CA00087 5

baby could have a fractured ankle due to an accident. He conceded medical

professionals often times do not notice fractures.

{¶9} Dr. Meena Rawal, A.B.C.’s pediatrician, testified on behalf of parents. Dr.

Rawal classified parents as “very concerned” calling her “appropriately for everything,

for any concerns”. Parents have always presented A.B.C. for his visits on time and kept

the child up to date with his immunizations. Dr. Rawal detailed A.B.C.’s medical history.

She indicated the child had problems with certain baby formulas, and was subsequently

diagnosed with allergic colitis, which caused some rectal bleeding. A.B.C. was given

iron drops after it was learned that the child was anemic.

{¶10} Dr. Rawal recalled she received a call from Mother who had concerns

about A.B.C.’s ankle. Mother informed Dr. Rawal she heard a “pop” when she was

changing A.B.C.’s diaper. As Mother did not notice any swelling, and because A.B.C.

was scheduled the following week for a well-baby visit, Dr. Rawal did not have to see

the child at that time. Mother presented A.B.C. to Dr. Rawal on November 30, 2009.

Dr. Rawal found nothing concerning about A.B.C.’s leg. During this visit, the doctor

observed two bruises on A.B.C.’s left cheek. Parents expressed concern as to the

cause of the child’s easy bruising. Dr. Rawal ordered blood tests, which were done at

Aultman Hospital. The results of the test indicated abnormalities with respect to

A.B.C.’s platelet count, the blood clotting time, and his fibrinogens and hemoglobin

counts were low. Dr. Rawal recommended further testing at Akron Children’s Hospital.

Dr. Rawal added Parents demonstrated real and appropriate concern for the care and

treatment of their child. She had no reason to believe parents would injure A.B.C. Stark County, Case No. 2010CA00087 6

{¶11} On cross-examination, Dr. Rawal stated she was surprised by the injury

and the characterization of it as abuse in light of her interaction with Parents. However,

medically, she could not rule out the possibility A.B.C.’s leg fracture was the result of an

abusive injury. Dr. Rawal noted the fact A.B.C. bruised at the sight of an injection was

not concerning to her as such could happen to any child. The first time Dr. Rawal was

ever informed of A.B.C.’s bruising was sometime around Thanksgiving.

{¶12} Mother testified on her own behalf. She stated Dr. Rawal prescribed iron

drops for A.B.C. as the child was slightly anemic and such could be the potential cause

of his bruising. Mother described the diaper changing incident during which she heard a

“pop”, and her subsequent conversation with Dr. Rawal, who did not think the incident

warranted an immediate visit. Mother testified the results of the blood tests at Akron

Children’s Hospital ruled out leukemia and other similar conditions. The hematologist

wanted additional blood tests to rule out von Willebrand’s disease. When a diagnosis of

leukemia as a potential cause of A.B.C.’s bruising was mentioned, Parents researched

the disease, and learned leukemia could cause bones to break. After learning this

information, Mother mentioned the diaper changing incident to the hematologist, who

ordered x-rays. Parents were subsequently advised A.B.C. had a healing fracture and

the hospital was required to keep him based upon suspected child abuse.

{¶13} On cross-examination, Mother explained she did not take A.B.C. to the

emergency room after the diaper changing incident as the child was not fussing and his

leg was neither bruised nor swollen. Mother noted she had observed a bruise on

A.B.C.’s rib subsequent to his removal from Parents’ home. Mother conceded she had

no explanation for A.B.C.’s fractured leg as she could not characterize the diaper Stark County, Case No. 2010CA00087 7

change during which she heard a “pop” as violent, which Dr. Steiner had testified would

have been the type of force needed to cause the fracture.

{¶14} After hearing all of the testimony, the trial court found A.B.C. to be a

dependent child. Thereafter, the parties discussed the case plan and Parents’ visitation

with the child. Prior to adjourning, the trial court noted:

{¶15} “Okay. I know you’re disappointed in this, okay, this is a very strange set

of circumstances. I don’t know what happened here. I don’t have a crystal ball, I can’t

tell, but I’m responsible for him now, just like you are, okay, and if something this weird

would have happened when you had him with somebody else, there’s no way that you

would put him back there until you had as much information as possible, so that’s

exactly where I am. I want you to work hard, do the services. It’s important that you

see him. * * *

{¶16} “So we’ll find compelling reasons and reasonable efforts; grant temporary

custody to Margie Pitts with protective supervision and indicate that a planning of

placement under the terms of the case plan is filed; * * *.” Tr. at 116-117.

{¶17} The trial court memorialized its finding via Judgment Entry filed March 19,

2010. It is from this entry Parents appeal, raising the following assignments of error.

{¶18} “I. THE STATE FAILED TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE TO

SUPPORT THE FINDING OF DEPENDENCY.

{¶19} “II. THE COMPLAINT WAS INSUFFICIENT TO STATE A CLAIM FOR

DEPENDENCY.

{¶20} “III. THE TRIAL COURT’S APPLIED A LOWER AND IMPROPER

STANDARD WHEN MAKING ITS FINDING OF DEPENDENCY. Stark County, Case No. 2010CA00087 8

{¶21} “IV. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN QUALIFYING DR. STEINER AS AN

ORTHOPEDICS AND RADIOLOGY EXPERT.

{¶22} “V. THE JUDGMENT ENTRY FAILED TO COMPLY WITH O.R.C.

2151.28(L).”

{¶23} SCDJFS cross-appeals, assigning as error:

{¶24} “I. THE JUDGMENT OF THE TRIAL COURT THAT THE MINOR CHILD

WAS DEPENDENT RATHER THAN ABUSED WAS AGAINST THE MANIFEST

WEIGHT AND SUFFICIENCY OF THE EVIDENCE.”

Appeal

V.

{¶25} In their fifth assignment of error, appellants contend that the trial court

failed to comply with R.C. 2151.28(L) when issuing its decision.

{¶26} R.C. 2151.28(L) provides:

{¶27} “(L) 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.” Stark County, Case No. 2010CA00087 9

{¶28} In its March 19, 2010 Judgment Entry, the trial court issued findings of fact

which merely indicated that the court found “by clear and convincing evidence that

[A.B.C.] is dependent in that his condition or environment is such as to warrant the

State, in the best interest of the child to assume guardianship.” Although the judgment

entry includes the statutory language of R.C. 2151.04(C), the trial court failed to include

the specific findings upon which it based its determination that A.B.C. is a dependent

child as required by R.C. 2151.28(L).

{¶29} The fifth assignment of error is sustained.

{¶30} Appellants’ first, second, third and fourth assignments of error, as well as

appellee’s assignment of error on cross-appeal, are rendered premature by our decision

on appellants’ fifth assignment of error.

{¶31} The judgment of the Stark County Court of Common Pleas, Juvenile

Division, is reversed. This case is remanded to that court to make findings of fact and

conclusions of law in accordance with the statute.

By: Edwards, P. J.

Delaney, .J. concurs

Hoffman, J. dissents

___________________________________

___________________________________ Stark County, Case No. 2010CA00087 10

Hoffman, P.J.,dissenting

{¶32} In the spirit of expeditious review and determination of cases involving

dependent children pursuant to App.R. 11.2,1 and because I believe the salient facts as

stated by the parties in their briefs and those contained in the record, when coupled with

the trial court’s assessment thereof as set forth in its judgment entry, are sufficient to

allow adequate review, I respectfully dissent from the majority opinion.

{¶33} I would address Appellant’s first assignment of error, sustain it and

reverse the trial court’s decision. My reasons follow.

{¶34} That a child is an abused, neglected, or dependent minor must be

established by clear and convincing evidence. R.C. 2151.35(A). 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. It is that quantum of evidence which will

produce in the mind of the trier of fact a firm belief or conviction as to the facts sought to

be established. In re G.S., 10th Dist. No. 05AP-1321, 2006-Ohio-2530, ¶ 4, quoting

Cross v. Ledford (1954), 161 Ohio St. 469 477.

{¶35} R.C. 2151.04 defines “dependent child” as “any child * * *(C) Whose

condition or environment is such as to warrant the state, in the interests of the child, in

assuming the child's guardianship”.

1 A.B.C. was originally removed from Appellants’ home on January 7, 2010. The adjudicatory hearing followed on March 18, 2010, with the entry presently under review having been filed on March 19, 2010. Approximately 10 months or more will have elapsed during this current appellate review. To reverse and remand at this stage will result in the appellate process having to begin afresh following the trial court’s decision on remand. Stark County, Case No. 2010CA00087 11

{¶36} “[A] finding of dependency under R.C. 2151.04 must be grounded on

whether the children are receiving proper care and support. The focus is on the

condition of the children, not the fault of the parents.” In re Bibb (1980), 70 Ohio App.2d

117, 120. See In re Alexander C., 164 Ohio App.3d 540, 553, 2005-Ohio-6143, ¶ 45.

“The determination that a child is dependent requires no showing of fault on the parent's

part.” In re Bolser (Jan. 31, 2000), 12th Dist. Nos. CA99-02-038 and CA99-03-048.

Rather, the focus is solely on the child's condition or environment, and whether the child

was without adequate care or support. See In re Ament (2001), 142 Ohio App.3d 302,

307. However, a court may consider a parent's conduct insofar as it forms part of the

child's environment. In re Alexander C., 164 Ohio App.3d 540, 2005-Ohio-6134, ¶ 51,

citing In re Burrell (1979), 58 Ohio St.2d 37, 39. A parent's conduct is significant if it has

an adverse impact on the child sufficient to warrant state intervention. In re Ohm, 4th

Dist. No. 05CA1, 2005-Ohio-3500, ¶ 21, citing In re Burrell, 58 Ohio St.2d at 39.

{¶37} While the child's present “condition or environment” is the focus of a

dependency determination, “the law does not require the court to experiment with the

child's welfare to see if * * * [the child] will suffer great detriment or harm.” In re

Burchfield (1988), 51 Ohio App.3d 148, 156. “[T]he child does not first have to be put

into a particular environment before a court can determine that * * * [the] environment is

unhealthy or unsafe.” Id., citing In re Campbell (1983), 13 Ohio App.3d 34, 36. See In re

East (1972), 32 Ohio Misc. 65 (“a child should not have to endure the inevitable to its

great detriment and harm in order to give the parent, guardian, or custodian an

opportunity to prove her suitability”). Stark County, Case No. 2010CA00087 12

{¶38} Upon review, I find SCDJFS did not prove by clear and convincing

evidence A.B.C. is a dependent child. Dr. Rawal testified A.B.C. was anemic, which

could make the child susceptible to bruising. The child bruised after being given

immunizations and after blood draws by medical personnel. With respect to the

fractured ankle, Mother immediately called the pediatrician after hearing a “pop” while

she was changing A.B.C.’s diaper. Dr. Rawal asked Mother enough questions to make

a medical determination that the child did not need to be immediately seen. When

A.B.C. was seen by Dr. Rawal a few days later, A.B.C.’s ankle looked normal and the

child was using it appropriately and had good strength. Despite assurances from Dr.

Rawal, Mother addressed A.B.C.’s ankle with Dr. Patton, the hematologist at Akron

Children’s Hospital. Dr. Steiner testified the manner in which Mother described

changing A.B.C.’s diaper, despite hearing a “pop”, could not have resulted in the

fracture. Dr. Steiner conceded, if the fracture occurred outside of Parents’ care, such

would not be immediately apparent to them. Accordingly to Dr. Steiner, medical

professionals often fail to notice fractures.

{¶39} The fact there was no direct explanation for A.B.C.’s fractured ankle is

insufficient to find the child dependent under the totality of the circumstances in this

case. There was not clear and convincing evidence A.B.C.’s condition or environment

had an adverse effect on him. After hearing all the evidence, the trial court itself stated

it did not know what happened. The trial court’s commendable concern for the future

care of the child is not a sufficient substitute for a firmly based belief or conviction the

child is dependent. There is evidence A.B.C. was receiving proper, timely care and

support from Parents. The focus for an adjudication of dependency is on the condition Stark County, Case No. 2010CA00087 13

of the child, not the fault of the parents. In re: Bibb (1980), 70 Ohio App.2d 117.

SCDJFS was “required to present evidence of conditions or environmental elements

that were adverse to the normal development of the [child].” In re: A.C., 9th District No’s.

03CA0053, 03CA0054, 03CA0055, 2004-Ohio-3248, paragraph 14.

{¶40} I find SCDJFS failed to prove by clear and convincing evidence A.B.C.

was a dependent child.

_____________________________________

HON. WILLIAM B. HOFFMAN Stark County, Case No. 2010CA00087 14

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS FOR STARK COUNTY, OHIO FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

IN RE: A.B.C. : : : : : JUDGMENT ENTRY : : : Case No. 2010CA00087

For the reasons stated in our accompanying Opinion, the judgment of the Stark

County Court of Common Pleas, Juvenile Division, is reversed and this cause is

remanded to that court to make findings of fact in accordance with the statute. Costs to

appellee.