In re B.W.

Opinion

[Cite as In re B.W., 2026-Ohio-2640.]

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS FIRST APPELLATE DISTRICT OF OHIO HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO

IN RE: B.W. : APPEAL NO. C-250301 TRIAL NO. F/21/1044 Z :

: JUDGMENT ENTRY

This cause was heard upon the appeal, the record, the briefs, and arguments. For the reasons set forth in the Opinion filed this date, the judgment of the trial court is affirmed. Further, the court holds that there were reasonable grounds for this appeal, allows no penalty, and orders that costs be taxed under App.R. 24. The court further orders that (1) a copy of this Judgment with a copy of the Opinion attached constitutes the mandate, and (2) the mandate be sent to the trial court for execution under App.R. 27.

To the clerk: Enter upon the journal of the court on 7/10/2026 per order of the court.

By:_______________________ Administrative Judge [Cite as In re B.W., 2026-Ohio-2640.]

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS FIRST APPELLATE DISTRICT OF OHIO HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO

: OPINION :

Appeal From: Hamilton County Juvenile Court

Judgment Appealed From Is: Affirmed

Date of Judgment Entry on Appeal: July 10, 2026

Appellant Mother, pro se,

Kimberly Varney Thomas, LLC, and Kimberly V. Thomas, for Appellee S.W.,

Pro Kids, Inc., and Jeffrey A. McCormick, for Appellee Guardian Ad Litem. [Cite as In re B.W., 2026-Ohio-2640.]

BOCK, Judge.

{¶1} Appellant Mother appeals the juvenile court’s judgment awarding legal

custody of her daughter B.W., currently five years old, to nonparent S.W., who has

been solely caring for and financially supporting B.W. since January 2022. In this

appeal, Mother raises six assignments of error for our review. Because we hold that

the juvenile court did not violate Mother’s due-process rights or abuse its discretion

by considering certain evidence, and that the custody award was supported by

competent, credible evidence, we affirm the juvenile court’s judgment.

I. Factual and Procedural History

A. Mother leaves child with others who eventually seek legal custody

{¶2} The Hamilton County Department of Job and Family Services

(“HCJFS”) first became involved with Mother at B.W.’s birth in February 2021.

Mother tested positive for marijuana and, shortly after Mother left the hospital, an

unknown caller reported a lack of newborn supplies in Mother’s home. HCJFS later

closed that case.

{¶3} In May 2021, Mother began leaving B.W. with the child’s paternal

Grandmother (“Grandmother”) or Mother’s cousin, F.F., for periods ranging from one

to three weeks, with minimal contact. During the summer of 2021, F.F.—who has three

children of her own and full-time employment—became overwhelmed and sought

assistance from her long-time friend, S.W., a former guardian ad litem and HCJFS

caseworker.

{¶4} Initially, Grandmother, F.F., and S.W. coordinated care for B.W. HCJFS

again became involved after learning that Mother had repeatedly left B.W. with

various caregivers while maintaining little contact. At that time, Mother was living

with her boyfriend, who had expelled Mother from the apartment on at least one OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS

occasion. HCJFS implemented a safety plan under which F.F. would care for B.W.

during the week and Mother would have supervised visitation on the weekends.

Mother frequently missed these visits. In the fall of 2021, after Mother violated the

safety plan, S.W. filed a petition for legal custody of B.W. so she could enroll her in

daycare and take her to medical appointments. In January 2022, the juvenile court

awarded S.W. interim legal custody.

{¶5} By May 2022, Mother had secured housing and was working with

HCJFS but had not yet completed her diagnostic-of-functioning assessment (“DAF”).

The juvenile court awarded Mother four hours of supervised visitation each week, later

increased to 16 hours, supervised by Grandmother.

{¶6} In September 2022, Grandmother filed her own petition for legal

custody. Because a second petition was filed and because HCJFS was also involved,

the juvenile court appointed a guardian ad litem (“GAL”) for B.W. By April 2023, the

GAL reported that Mother maintained an apartment, had a bed and some clothing for

B.W., and was attending parenting-education classes.

B. Custody Hearings

{¶7} The magistrate conducted three hearings in which the HCJFS

caseworker, Mother, Grandmother, F.F., S.W., and the GAL testified.

1. Caseworker, GAL, caretakers, and S.W. testified in favor of S.W.’s petition

{¶8} The HCJFS caseworker testified that although Mother had maintained

her own housing for more than a year, at the time of the hearing, she was facing

eviction. She explained that Mother had left her job at a gas station for part-time

employment at a law firm. Although it took approximately one year for Mother to

complete the DAF, she ultimately complied. HCJFS recommended drug screening,

parenting class, and individual counseling, but it deferred moving forward on its

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dependency action until the private-custody litigation was resolved. While HCJFS

approved S.W.’s home study, assessors were unable to gain access to Mother’s and

Grandmother’s residences.

{¶9} B.W.’s GAL testified that Mother suffered from unspecified depressive

disorder and PTSD, but she tended to minimize her mental-health issues. She was

concerned about stable housing as Mother had lived in four residences during B.W.’s

relatively short lifetime and was currently facing eviction. Because B.W.’s GAL had

been unable to inspect Mother’s residence, she could not recommend its suitability.

She also expressed concern about Mother’s frequent job changes, minimal financial

support for B.W., and Mother’s own concerns about maintaining employment due to

a recent cancer diagnosis.

{¶10} The GAL had observed B.W. with each caregiver. She believed B.W. was

bonded to, and affectionate with, both S.W. and Grandmother. But the GAL said B.W.

was not similarly bonded with Mother. She had only observed Mother with B.W. when

Grandmother was present and she believed that Grandmother typically directed

Mother’s caregiving. The GAL did not recommend awarding custody to Mother due to

her housing and employment instability and doubts about Mother’s long-term ability

to care for B.W.

{¶11} F.F. testified that her relationship with Mother had been “distant” until

Mother sought her assistance to care for B.W. After F.F. assumed care, she attempted

to facilitate weekend visitation between Mother and B.W., but Mother frequently

failed to appear. F.F. explained that she had provided financial support for B.W. until

the court awarded S.W. interim custody, and that Mother contributed diapers on one

occasion. She recalled an instance in which Mother appeared at her workplace

smelling of marijuana. F.F. testified that B.W. had lived with S.W. for more than a

5 OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS

year, that they had a very loving relationship, and that she believed remaining in S.W.’s

care was in B.W.’s best interest. She also noted that S.W. permitted Mother and

Grandmother to host a birthday party for the child.

2. S.W. testified in support of her petition

{¶12} S.W. testified that she had resided in her home since 2016 and lived with

B.W. and two dogs. Her adult child no longer lived in the residence. S.W. explained

that she held a bachelor’s degree in psychology, was financially able to provide for

B.W., and had enrolled B.W. in dance lessons and kindergarten. She testified that B.W.

enjoyed her preschool and daycare, had made friends, and was bonded to her teachers.

{¶13} S.W. further testified that Mother was “consistently inconsistent” with

visits, particularly when Grandmother was unable to supervise and S.W. was required

to do so. She stated that B.W. had trouble separating from her and had refused to visit

when Mother’s new boyfriend was present. Although S.W. believed Mother had been

disrespectful toward her, she supported continued relationships between B.W. and

Mother and Grandmother. S.W. expressed a desire to continue caring for B.W.

3. Mother and Grandmother testified in support of custody to a relative

{¶14} Grandmother testified that she believed it important for family

members to remain together and that if the court denied Mother custody, she sought

custody herself. Grandmother acknowledged that B.W. was bonded to S.W., noting

that she provided high-quality care and cooperated with visitation. While

Grandmother believed that Mother was making progress and should ultimately regain

custody, she supported continued supervised visitation.

{¶15} Mother testified regarding her housing history, confirming that she had

resided in four different homes since B.W.’s birth and was in the process of being

evicted from her current apartment. She stated she had secured a new apartment but

6 OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS

had been unable to obtain the keys before the final hearing.

{¶16} Mother explained that she initially sought assistance from her cousin

after B.W.’s birth because she had been contemplating adoption. She ultimately

wished to parent B.W., but HCJFS’s safety plan prevented her from bringing B.W. to

her home. Mother testified that she held a medical-marijuana card to treat migraines

and recently had been diagnosed with cancer.

{¶17} Mother worked two to three days per week at a law firm, but she

intended to transition to a job assisting individuals with developmental disabilities.

She was awaiting results of her GED examination. She testified that her new schedule

would allow her to work five days per week and independently afford preschool and

daycare for B.W.

{¶18} Mother testified that although she did not believe therapy was necessary

for her, she was willing to participate in therapy if it would facilitate regaining custody.

{¶19} At the end of the final hearing, the magistrate, applying a clear-and-

convincing evidentiary standard, found Mother was not unsuitable and denied S.W.’s

and Grandmother’s custody petitions. S.W. and the GAL filed objections. After

reviewing the record and the objections, the juvenile court determined that the

magistrate had misapplied the law. The court found, by a preponderance of the

evidence, that Mother was unsuitable to parent B.W. because placing B.W. with

Mother would be detrimental to B.W. The juvenile court set aside the magistrate’s

decision and granted S.W. legal custody of B.W. It awarded Mother weekly visitation

with B.W. Mother now appeals, raising six assignments of error.

II. Analysis

A. The Court did not violate Mother’s due-process right to parent B.W.

{¶20} We address Mother’s first and fifth assignments of error together, as

7 OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS

she contends that the juvenile court erred by awarding custody of B.W. to S.W., a

nonrelative, without first determining that Mother was unsuitable to parent her

daughter. Mother argues that the absence of such a finding violated her due‑process

right to the care and custody of her child. Because the juvenile court expressly found

Mother unsuitable and because this finding was supported by a preponderance of the

evidence, we overrule these assignments of error.

{¶21} In In re J.L., 2026-Ohio-1216 (1st Dist.), this court reiterated that the

controlling principle in custody disputes between a parent and nonparent is the

natural parent’s fundamental liberty interest in the care, custody, and management of

their child. Id. at ¶ 15. This right is protected under both the Due Process Clause of the

Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article I, Section 16, of

the Ohio Constitution. Id., citing Hockstok v. Hockstok, 2002-Ohio-7208, ¶ 16.

{¶22} Ohio courts safeguard parental rights by strictly limiting the

circumstances under which a court may deny natural parents custody of their children.

Id. at ¶ 17, citing Hockstok at ¶ 17. Accordingly, the Ohio Supreme Court has held that

in a custody dispute between a parent and nonparent, a court may not award custody

to the nonparent absent a determination, supported by a preponderance of the

evidence, “that the parent has abandoned the child; contractually relinquished custody

of the child; that the parent has become totally incapable of supporting or caring for

the child; or that an award of custody to the parent would be detrimental to the child.”

Id., citing In re Perales, 52 Ohio St.2d 89 (1977), syllabus. When one of these

circumstances is established, the court may find the parent unsuitable. Id.

{¶23} Here, the juvenile court specifically found that “an award of custody to

the [Mother] would be detrimental to the child” and “Mother was unsuitable.” Thus,

if the juvenile court’s findings were supported by the preponderance of the evidence,

8 OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS

the court did not violate Mother’s due-process rights.

{¶24} The record supports the juvenile court’s determination that placing

B.W. with Mother would be detrimental given the lack of a strong and affectionate

bond between Mother and B.W., Mother’s failure to financially support B.W. other

than providing diapers once, and Mother’s housing and employment instability. These

factors demonstrate that granting Mother custody of B.W. would have a detrimental

impact on the child. See generally In re E.B., 2014-Ohio-5764 (11th Dist.) (grant of

custody to parent would be detrimental to child where parent, among other things,

failed to provide financial support for child and maintain stable housing).

{¶25} Because the juvenile court made the required parental unsuitability

finding and that finding is supported by the record, we overrule Mother’s first and fifth

assignments of error.

B. The juvenile court did not have to consider Mother’s compliance with HCJFS’s safety-plan requirements

{¶26} In her second assignment of error, Mother contends that the juvenile

court abused its discretion by failing to consider her compliance with HCJFS’s safety-

plan requirements, asserting that such consideration was statutorily mandated by R.C.

3109.04(F)(1). Specifically, Mother contends that the juvenile court ignored the fact

that she maintained stable housing and employment and had visited with B.W.

{¶27} The juvenile court was not required to evaluate Mother’s compliance

with HCJFS’s requirements because this was not a dependency action. Although

HCJFS became involved with Mother after she began leaving B.W. in the care of others

for extended periods, the agency had not yet initiated a formal case, as the situation

had already progressed into a private custody dispute between a parent and a

nonparent. Moreover, during the custody proceedings, the magistrate expressly

9 OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS

advised Mother that she was not required to demonstrate compliance with HCJFS

requirements, including any safety-plan conditions. While R.C. 3109.04(F)(1) sets

forth best-interest factors that may be relevant in a custody determination once a

parent has been found unsuitable, the statute contains no factor requiring the court to

assess adherence to a safety plan implemented outside the dependency framework.

{¶28} Moreover, the record reflects that the juvenile court did consider

Mother’s housing, employment, and visitation history in reaching its custody

determination. To the extent Mother is arguing that the juvenile court’s custody

determination is an abuse of discretion, we address that issue in Mother’s sixth

assignment of error.

{¶29} We overrule Mother’s second assignment of error.

C. The trial court did not commit an obvious evidentiary error

{¶30} In her third assignment of error, Mother contends that the juvenile

court erred by admitting and relying on hearsay testimony from the GAL and S.W. in

violation of Evid.R. 802 and applicable caselaw. Mother does not identify any specific

portion of the record reflecting the alleged evidentiary error or specify which

statements among the three hearings constitute hearsay and she did not object below

on a hearsay basis.

{¶31} Because Mother lodged no hearsay objections below, assuming we could

determine which statements she challenges as hearsay, this court could review only

for plain error. See Juv.R. 40(D)(3)(b)(iv). Plain error is an obvious error affecting a

substantial right. See State v. Wilson, 2026-Ohio-1178, ¶ 12 (1st Dist.). But on appeal,

Mother does not present a plain-error argument, and appellate courts are not required

to develop such an argument on an appellant’s behalf. In re G.W., 2024-Ohio-1551, ¶

24 (1st Dist.).

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{¶32} Further, “the plain-error doctrine is disfavored in the civil context,” and

may be applied “only in the extremely rare case involving exceptional circumstances”

where the error “seriously affects the basic fairness, integrity, or public reputation of

the judicial process, thereby challenging the legitimacy of the underlying judicial

process itself.” Nationstar Mtge., LLC v. Krehnbrink, 2025-Ohio-4445, ¶ 39 (1st

Dist.), citing Goldfuss v. Davidson, 79 Ohio St.3d 116, 122-123 (1997). Nothing in the

record plainly indicates that the proceedings’ basic fairness and/or integrity were

compromised by hearsay admitted at trial. Additionally, a judge acting as factfinder is

presumed capable of disregarding improper testimony. See In re K.R., 2011-Ohio-

1454, ¶ 75 (11th Dist.), citing In re Sims, 13 Ohio App.3d 37, 41 (12th Dist. 1983).

{¶33} We overrule Mother’s third assignment of error.

D. The juvenile court properly relied on the GAL’s report and testimony

{¶34} In her fourth assignment of error, Mother asserts that the juvenile court

erred by relying on the GAL’s report and testimony because, she contends, the GAL

failed to comply with Sup.R. 48.03 and 48.06.

{¶35} Sup.R. 48.03 specifies a GAL’s responsibilities, including maintaining

objectivity, attending hearings, becoming adequately informed about the case,

observing the child with each parent or caregiver, visiting proposed residences,

interviewing relevant individuals, reviewing necessary records, and providing timely

recommendations regarding the child’s best interests. Sup.R. 48.06 requires GALs to

file timely written reports detailing the performance of these duties and offering

recommendations to the court.

{¶36} First, we have held that these Rules of Superintendence are “internal

administrative guidelines that are not intended to function as rules of practice and

procedure.” State v. Ventura, 2016-Ohio-5151, ¶ 24 (1st Dist.). Thus, a violation of the

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guidelines is not grounds for reversal. In re B.K., 2011-Ohio-4470, ¶ 23 (12th Dist.).

{¶37} Second, although Mother argues that the GAL omitted critical facts

relating to Mother’s housing, employment, and visitation, she does not identify which

specific facts were purportedly omitted, thereby limiting our ability to meaningfully

review her claim. See App.R. 16.

{¶38} It appears Mother may be referencing the GAL’s failure to inspect

Mother’s proposed new residence before the final hearing. The GAL testified that

Mother was facing eviction and repeatedly stated she would be moving, but Mother

had postponed each scheduled attempt to inspect the new residence. On the day of the

final hearing, Mother indicated she would obtain the keys the following day. As such,

the GAL had no opportunity to assess the home’s suitability.

{¶39} Considering Mother’s argument broadly, we find nothing in the record

demonstrating that the GAL failed to comply with Sup.R. 48.03 or 48.06. Mother did

not raise any issue involving the GAL’s conduct at the hearings or object to the

admission of the GAL’s report. Moreover, the record shows the GAL fulfilled her

duties: she observed B.W. with Grandmother, Mother, and S.W. She submitted timely

written reports. The GAL addressed Mother’s visitation and employment history. And

she detailed the strong bonds between B.W. and both Grandmother and S.W.

{¶40} Finally, we note that a juvenile court, as the trier of fact, is permitted to

assign weight to a GAL’s testimony and recommendation and consider it in the context

of other evidence. In re K.A., 2021-Ohio-1773, ¶ 47 (5th Dist.).

{¶41} We overrule the fourth assignment of error.

E. Competent, credible evidence supports the juvenile court’s judgment

{¶42} In her sixth assignment of error, Mother argues that the juvenile court

abused its discretion by awarding legal custody to S.W., a nonparent, because the

12 OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS

judgment is not supported by competent, credible evidence.

{¶43} We review a trial court’s legal-custody determination for an abuse of

discretion. J.L., 2026-Ohio-1216, at ¶ 29 (1st Dist.). An abuse of discretion occurs when

“a court exercise[es] its judgment in an unwarranted way, in regard to a matter over

which it has discretionary authority.” Johnson v. Abdullah, 2021-Ohio-3304, ¶ 35. A

trial court abuses its discretion where its decision “is unreasonable, arbitrary, or

unconscionable.” Id., citing In re C.R., 2022-Ohio-3540, ¶ 19 (1st Dist.), citing In re

H.J.H., 2019-Ohio-116, ¶ 3 (1st Dist.). A judgment is unreasonable and subject to

reversal when it is not supported by competent, credible evidence. Id.

{¶44} Mother asserts the court overlooked evidence that she had secured

stable housing, obtained employment, complied with the safety plan, and exercised

visitation. But the record shows the juvenile court considered all relevant evidence.

{¶45} First, the juvenile court considered that Mother had lived in four

residences during B.W.’s lifetime. At the time of the custody hearing, Mother was

being evicted from her apartment. Although she claimed to have obtained new

housing, the GAL was unable to confirm whether Mother had done so and whether the

house was suitable because Mother repeatedly postponed scheduled inspections.

{¶46} Next, the court observed that Mother had worked at her most recent

place of employment for approximately one year before taking on a series of short-

term jobs. While Mother was employed at the time of the hearing, she recently had

been diagnosed with cancer and had expressed concern to the GAL about whether she

could maintain employment during treatment. And Mother had not financially

supported B.W., other than providing diapers once.

{¶47} Third, Mother asserts that the court should have considered her

compliance with HCJFS’s safety plan. But whether she complied with the plan is not

13 OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS

clear from the record. Moreover, the juvenile court did consider that HCJFS had asked

Mother to complete a diagnostic assessment, which took her a year to complete. And

while Mother engaged in therapy during the course of the proceedings, the court found

that Mother minimized her need for treatment.

{¶48} Fourth, the juvenile court found that Mother consistently attended

visits only when Grandmother supervised them. The record demonstrates that when

S.W. served as the supervisor, Mother often failed to appear.

{¶49} Finally, the juvenile court considered B.W.’s relationship and bond with

each caregiver: for most of her life, B.W. resided with S.W., with whom she has a strong

bond. Moreover, S.W. honors visitation with B.W.’s family members.

{¶50} Based on the record before us, we hold that the juvenile court did not

abuse its discretion by granting S.W. legal custody of B.W. The court’s findings—that

Mother was unsuitable to parent B.W. and that granting S.W. custody was in B.W.’s

best interest—were supported by competent, credible evidence.

{¶51} We overrule Mother’s sixth assignment of error.

III. Conclusion

{¶52} In considering this appeal, we recognize that the juvenile court’s

judgment has a significant impact on Mother and her relationship with her daughter.

We are mindful, however, that this case involves an award of legal custody to a

nonparent rather than a permanent termination of Mother’s parental rights.

Consequently, Mother retains residual parental rights and responsibilities, and the

juvenile court retains continuing jurisdiction over custody matters if Mother chooses

to move for a change of custody in the future. See In re C.R., 2006-Ohio-1191, ¶ 23.

{¶53} We affirm the juvenile court’s judgment.

Judgment affirmed.

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CROUSE, P.J., and NESTOR, J., concur.