[Cite as In re C.B., 2012-Ohio-4012.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO THIRD APPELLATE DISTRICT SHELBY COUNTY
IN THE MATTER OF:
C.B., CASE NO. 17-12-05
ADJUDGED ABUSED AND NEGLECTED CHILD. OPINION
[APRIL BOLIN - APPELLANT].
N.B., CASE NO. 17-12-06
ADJUDGED DEPENDENT CHILD. OPINION [APRIL BOLIN - APPELLANT].
Appeals from Shelby County Common Pleas Court Juvenile Division Trial Court Nos. 2009-ABU-0012 and 2009-DEP-0006
Judgments Affirmed
Date of Decision: September 4, 2012
APPEARANCES:
Heath H. Hegemann for Appellant
Rachael E. Stir for Appellee Case Nos. 17-12-05, 17-12-06
SHAW, P.J.
{¶1} Mother-appellant April Bolin (“April”) appeals the January 20, 2012,
judgments of the Shelby County Court of Common Pleas, Juvenile Division,
awarding permanent custody of her two children “C.B.” and “N.B.” to the Shelby
County Department of Job and Family Services—Children Services Division
(hereinafter “CSD” or “the agency”).
{¶2} The facts relevant to this appeal are as follows. April’s daughter C.B.
was born in December, 2003, and April’s son N.B. was born in September, 2005.
{¶3} On September 22, 2009, a complaint was filed alleging C.B. was an
abused and neglected child and a second complaint was filed alleging that N.B.
was a dependent child. (Docs. 1, 1).1 The complaints alleged that C.B. had been
the victim of sexual abuse perpetrated by her biological father, Jason Bolin.2 (Id.)
The complaint further alleged that the children were frequently coming to school
“dirty and smelling of urine.” (Id.) In addition, there was an allegation of an
incident that occurred on September 4, 2009, wherein Sidney police were called to
the Bolin home due to N.B. lying on the porch with no shoes or shirt with his body
and pants soiled and no one home at the Bolin residence. (Id.)
1 The first number in the cited in the series here and hereinafter corresponds to the record relating to C.B. and the second corresponds to the record relating to N.B. 2 It would later be determined that Jason Bolin had also sexually abused N.B. as well.
-2- Case Nos. 17-12-05, 17-12-06
{¶4} Concerns were also raised in the complaint about April being insistent
on reunifying with Jason Bolin and April’s desire to bring Jason back into the
home with the children after Jason was released from prison (Jason Bolin had pled
guilty to gross sexual imposition regarding C.B. and was incarcerated for it). (Id.)
{¶5} On October 13, 2009, Steven Geise was appointed as Guardian Ad
Litem (“GAL”) for April as April had limited cognitive abilities. (Docs. 23, 24).
A later psychological evaluation stated that April suffered from, inter alia, Mild
Mental Retardation.
{¶6} On October 13, 2009, Bridget Davis was appointed CASA/GAL for
C.B. and N.B. (Docs. 25, 26).
{¶7} On October 29, 2009, the parties stipulated to the facts as alleged in
the complaint, which, in the case of C.B., supported a finding of abuse pursuant to
R.C. 2151.031 (a), (b) and (d) and neglect pursuant to R.C. 2151.03 (b), (d) and
(f), and in the case of N.B, supported a finding of dependency pursuant to R.C.
2151.04(B), (C), and (D). However, despite the stipulation, April disagreed with
some of the allegations with regard to N.B. being soiled and partially unclothed
outside the vacant Bolin home on the doorstep.3 (Docs. 50, 50). April did,
however, plead guilty to one count of disorderly conduct pertaining to that
incident. (Id.)
3 This disagreement was handwritten onto the typed copies of the stipulation in the record.
-3- Case Nos. 17-12-05, 17-12-06
{¶8} On November 3, 2009, two judgment entries were filed titled
“Consent Order/Entry of Adjudication.” The first found that C.B. was abused and
neglected as stipulated and ordered that C.B. should remain in the pre-
dispositional interim custody of April subject to protective supervision by the
agency, and the second found that N.B. was dependent and ordered that he should
also remain in April’s interim custody subject to protective supervision by the
agency. (Docs. 53, 53).
{¶9} On December 10, 2010, “Consent Order[s]/Entr[ies] of Disposition”
were filed adopting a case plan filed October 28, 2009, and further ordering that
C.B. and N.B. should remain in the custody of April subject to protective
supervision being granted to the agency (Docs. 56, 56).
{¶10} On March 1, 2010, the State filed a motion for emergency temporary
custody of C.B. and N.B. on grounds that April had voluntarily requested the
agency to assume custody on February 26, 2010. (Doc. 62, 62).4 On the date of
April’s request, C.B. and N.B. were placed in a foster home with Heidi Newberg.
{¶11} On March 1, 2010, the agency was granted ex parte custody of the
children pending further hearing. (Doc. 63, 63).
{¶12} On March 3, 2010, a shelter care hearing was held. At the hearing
the court found that the agency had been making reasonable efforts to reunify the
4 April signed a written agreement attesting to this.
-4- Case Nos. 17-12-05, 17-12-06
children with April and that it was in the best interests of C.B. and N.B. to remain
in the continued temporary custody of the agency. A review hearing was
scheduled for March 30, 2010. (Doc. 73, 72).
{¶13} On March 25, 2010, the agency filed a motion for extension of
temporary custody. (Doc. 91, 90).
{¶14} On April 14, 2010 an entry on review was filed extending temporary
custody for the agency until March 1, 2011, unless a motion was filed by January
28, 2011. (Docs. 107, 103).
{¶15} On November 12, 2010, April filed a motion to terminate protective
supervision and temporary custody of the agency. (Docs. 141, 133).
{¶16} On November 18, 2010, the children’s GAL filed a motion for
permanent custody to be granted to the agency. (Docs. 145, 137).
{¶17} On December 1, 2010, the agency also filed a motion for permanent
custody. (Docs. 146, 138).
{¶18} On December 7, 2010, April filed a memorandum contra to the
permanent custody motions. (Docs. 150, 142).
{¶19} On February 17, 2011, April filed a “Motion for Legal Custody”
(Docs. 239, 230). On February 18, 2011, April filed an amendment to her motion
for legal custody. (Docs. 240, 231). On February 23, 2011, the agency filed a
memorandum contra to April’s motion for legal custody. (Docs. 248, 239).
-5- Case Nos. 17-12-05, 17-12-06
{¶20} On March 3, 2010, the GAL filed a report recommending that the
agency be granted permanent custody of C.B. and N.B. (Doc. 266, 257).
{¶21} On March 17-18, 2011 a hearing was held on the custody motions.
At the hearing, several witnesses testified for both sides. On April 7, 2011, the
court filed its “Judgment Entr[ies]/Orders on Permanent Custody Motions.” In the
entries, the court terminated father Jason Bolin’s parental rights finding that “the
evidence is without variance that Jason * * * was the perpetrator of sexual abuse
upon his daughter (C.B.) resulting in the adjudications regarding C.B. and N.B.”
(Docs. 286, 279). The court also found by clear and convincing evidence that the
children should not ever be placed with Jason due to his pattern of sexual abuse,
and further, that Jason expressed through his attorney that termination of his
parental rights was in the children’s best interests.
{¶22} In regards to April’s parental rights, the court held that
the Court gleaned some effort, albeit low, of April to progress in offered services and become a more involved and patient parent capable of keeping C.B. and N.B. safe. Each witness expressed concern of April’s cognitive limitations, her relationship with Jason, and her heightened levels of anger and frustration when dealing with service providers. The witnesses were able to agree that April was making (limited progress) with offered services.
***
[T]he Court does not believe it is in the best interests of the children, at this time, to terminate April’s parental rights. * * * However, the Court is mindful that permanent custody is an
-6- Case Nos. 17-12-05, 17-12-06
appropriate disposition if barriers imposed by parents remain and social programs are unsuccessful.
(Emphasis in original). (Id.) April’s parental rights were thus not terminated;
however, April’s motion for legal custody and her motion for termination of
protective supervision were overruled. (Id.) Pursuant to the entry, the agency’s
temporary custody of the children was extended for six months. (Id.)
{¶23} On August 31, 2011, the agency again filed a motion for permanent
custody. (Doc. 308).
{¶24} On September 19, 2011 April filed a memorandum contra to the
motion. (Doc. 316).
{¶25} On November 22 and 23, 2011, a hearing was held on the agency’s
permanent custody motion.
{¶26} At the hearing, the agency first called April, as on cross-examination.
April testified that since the last hearing she had moved to Piqua, gotten a part-
time job at Goodwill, divorced Jason and started dating Kevin Liming. (Tr. at 13-
17). April testified that she lived with Liming in Piqua against the express terms
of her case plan and that April and Liming had gotten engaged. (Tr. at 22).
{¶27} The agency next called Karen Rickert, a counseling provider for the
agency, who monitored visits between April and the children between March 22,
2011, and September 22, 2011. Karen testified that April exercised supervised
visitation with the children three times per week for two hours each day. (Tr. at
-7- Case Nos. 17-12-05, 17-12-06
32). Karen testified that while April made some strides in understanding what she
needed to do for her children during the visits, more times than not Karen had to
direct April what to do. (Tr. at 117). According to Karen, April acted more as a
playmate to the children than a parent. (Tr. at 115). Karen further testified that at
times N.B. would play by himself while C.B. and April would play together.
Ultimately Karen testified that April still could not spend two unsupervised hours
with her children. (Tr. at 130).
{¶28} Next Kevin Liming testified that he and April started dating
sometime in June, shortly after the last hearing in this case, that he and April were
now engaged and that they were living together. (Tr. at 135-136). Liming
testified that he knew April was not supposed to be living with anyone according
to the case plan that had been established for April. (Tr. at 147). Liming’s
testimony revealed that Liming did not work, received no workers compensation
and no benefits and that April paid the bills at their residence. (Tr. at 140).
Liming further testified that he had seven children and that he had recently been
detained and accused of owing over $50,000 in child support. (Tr. at 183).
{¶29} Julie Maurer testified that she worked with April as part of the
Developmental Disability Board until July 7, 2011. (Tr. at 211). Julie testified
that she had ongoing concerns about April’s family taking advantage of her, in
-8- Case Nos. 17-12-05, 17-12-06
particular Maurer noted that April’s sister Amy may have been living with April at
one point as they had turned on a utility together. (Tr. at 218-220).
{¶30} Angie Gehret, an independent social worker with Miami and Darke
counties, testified that she saw C.B. and N.B. every other week for 30 minutes
each. Gehret testified that the children had anxiety regarding their future if they
were to live with April and that the children were worried about leaving their
foster family. (Tr. at 251-52). Gehret testified that C.B. had expressed a desire to
reduce the number of visits that the children had with their mother. (Tr. at 253).
According to Gehret, N.B. did not feel he was getting enough attention in his visits
with April. Gehret testified that the children needed permanency and safety and
that they suffered from stress induced bowel and bladder problems.
{¶31} Heidi Newberg, the children’s foster mother, testified that she had
been taking care of the children since February 26, 2010. Newberg testified that
the children get anxious around court dates and visits with their mother.
According to Newberg, this caused the children to have bowel and bladder
problems. (Tr. at 293). Newberg testified that N.B. often lacked bowel control on
days he saw his mother and that N.B. became withdrawn after visits. (Tr. at 297).
Newberg further testified that N.B. thinks C.B. and April pick on him during
visitation and that C.B. does not think Kevin Liming is safe. Newberg testified
that she does not think April can keep the kids safe and make good decisions. (Tr.
-9- Case Nos. 17-12-05, 17-12-06
at 324). Newberg further testified that she has a strong bond with the children and
that the children interact well with Newberg’s extended family. (Tr. at 327-329).
Newberg testified that she desired to adopt the children. (Tr. at 308).
{¶32} Bridget Davis, the GAL for C.B. and N.B., testified that April had no
unsupervised visits in almost two years with the children. (Tr. at 341). She
testified that she felt April did not check people out thoroughly enough, especially
given the children’s past relationship with their father. (Tr. at 342). Bridget
testified that the children are very attached to their foster parents. (Tr. at 343).
Bridget also testified she had concerns over April’s quick engagement. (Tr. at
346). Further, Bridget testified
I’ve had a chance to review all of the home coach notes just like everybody else, and there are positives [regarding April’s progress] but there’s still a lot of negatives. They outweigh the positives. And it’s—for me, I’ve been on this case for two—over two years, and it’s like reading the same home coach notes that I read two years ago. There’s not a significant improvement in her parenting skills. I think she’s more of a playmate or a friend than a mother and she definitely favors C.B. over N.B.
(Tr. at 342). Ultimately as GAL, Bridget recommended permanent custody be
granted to the agency. This was also reflected in her report which was entered into
the record.
{¶33} Barb Reindel, a caseworker for the agency, testified that April was
still having contact with her sister Amy Teets, who according to the case plan,
April was not supposed to have contact with. (Tr at 417). Barb also testified that
-10- Case Nos. 17-12-05, 17-12-06
April exhibited no consistent change or improvement in her parenting and that
April would not receive unsupervised visits with the children in the near future.
(Tr. at 425-28). Barb testified that April still needs assistance parenting. (Tr. at
432). Barb also testified that at one point when April was getting serious with
Liming, April did not even know Liming’s last name, which greatly concerned
Barb. (Tr. at 429). Barb testified she had no doubt that permanent custody to the
agency was in the children’s best interests. (Tr. at 451).
{¶34} After the agency finished calling witnesses and rested, April called
Janice Thebert, a case manager who assisted April. Thebert testified that April
was very self-sufficient and that she thought April could care for the children. (Tr.
at 474).
{¶35} April then called Anita Zakem, a social worker who provided
counseling for April. Zakem testified she had seen some progress with April since
the last hearing. (Tr. at 543). Zakem did testify, however, that there had been
seven cancelations of her bi-weekly sessions with April since March 17, 2011, and
that was not counting the three months that the two did not meet.
{¶36} April then called her supervisor at Goodwill, Karen McIntire, who
testified that April did well at her part-time employment and was recently offered
more hours, which April declined. (Tr. at 582-83).
-11- Case Nos. 17-12-05, 17-12-06
{¶37} April then testified in her case-in-chief that she had no intention of
letting Jason near the kids again, that she loved her kids dearly and that she was
working to reunite with them. After she testified, April rested her case.
{¶38} At the conclusion of testimony, the GAL’s report was entered into
the record, as was a psychological report of April that had been done prior to the
first permanent custody hearing. (Ex. 1); (Ex. O). Both exhibits were entered
without objection.
{¶39} On January 20, 2011, the court’s “Order/Entry on Permanent
Custody Motions” was filed awarding permanent custody to the agency. (Docs.
373, 361). In the entry, the trial court summarized the testimony given by each
witness, finding the witnesses to be “very credible,” “credible,” “not relevant,” or
“not credible.” (Id.)
{¶40} After reviewing and briefly summarizing the witnesses’ testimony,
the court concluded the following:
In applying the evidence to the motion to terminate parental rights, the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that C.B. and N.B. have been in the temporary custody of a public children services agency uninterrupted since April, 2010 which is twelve or more months of a consecutive twenty-two month period. As such, CSD has met the initial burden of its motion to terminate April Bolin’s parental rights.
Considering the relevant factors herein, including those as set forth in R.C. 2151.414(D)(1)(a)-(e) the Court finds by clear and convincing evidence, it is in the best interest of C.B. and N.B. to
-12- Case Nos. 17-12-05, 17-12-06
grant CSD permanent custody and terminate April Bolin’s parental rights herein.
Persuasive to the Court is the strong witness testimony of Angie Gehret, Bridget Davis, Barbara Reindel and Heidi Newberg that C.B. and N.B.’s need for a legally secure placement cannot be achieved with April Bolin due to her parenting deficiencies, sullen approach to offered services, questionable interrelationships, and continued ability to expose C.B. and N.B. to unsafe opportunities (i.e. through exposure to inappropriate family members, suitors, and advantage-seeking individuals). Applying these factors to the love, support and direction received from the children’s foster parents, a long term placement with, or adoption by, the Newbergs is in C.B. and N.B.’s best interests.
The Court is mindful of April’s limited cognitive abilities, but in reaching this best interests conclusion (of C.B. and N.B.) the court did not consider such limitations as the only factor to terminate parental rights. As noted above, the children’s need for a legally secure placement can only be achieved through a grant of permanent custody to CSD.
(Id.)
{¶41} It is from this judgment that April appeals asserting the following
assignment of error for our review.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN GRANTING PERMANENT CUSTODY OF THE MINOR CHILDREN TO THE SHELBY COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF JOB AND FAMILY SERVICES, CHILDREN SERVICES DIVISION, AS CLEAR AND CONVINCING EVIDENCE WAS NOT PRESENTED TO ESTABLISH THAT PERMANENT CUSTODY WAS IN THE CHILDREN’S BEST INTERESTS.
-13- Case Nos. 17-12-05, 17-12-06
{¶42} In her assignment of error, April contends that there was not clear
and convincing evidence to support the trial court’s decision granting permanent
custody of her two children to the agency. In addition, April argues that the trial
court failed to properly consider the interrelationship of April and her children,
that the trial court erred in finding that April failed to make significant progress in
her efforts to secure permanent placement of her children with her, and that the
trial court erred in placing emphasis on the psychological evaluation conducted of
April.
{¶43} As an initial matter, we note that “[i]t is well recognized that the
right to raise a child is an ‘essential’ and ‘basic’ civil right.” In re Franklin, 3d
Dist. Nos. 9-06-12, 9-06-13, 2006-Ohio-4841, ¶ 9, citing In re Hayes, 79 Ohio
St.3d 46, 48 (1997). The Supreme Court of Ohio has held that a parent “must be
afforded every procedural and substantive protection the law allows.” In re Hayes,
supra, quoting In re Smith, 77 Ohio App.3d 1, 16 (6th Dist.1991). Thus, it is with
these constructs in mind that we proceed to determine whether the trial court erred
in granting permanent custody of the children to the agency.
{¶44} Section 2151.414(B)(1) of the Revised Code provides, inter alia, that
a trial court
may grant permanent custody of a child to a movant if the court determines at the hearing held pursuant to division (A) of this section, by clear and convincing evidence, that it is in the best interest of the child to grant permanent custody of the child to
-14- Case Nos. 17-12-05, 17-12-06
the agency that filed the motion for permanent custody and that any of the following apply:
(a) The child is not abandoned or orphaned, has not 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 the child cannot be placed with either of the child's parents within a reasonable time or should not be placed with the child's parents.
(b) The child is abandoned.
(c) The child is orphaned, and there are no relatives of the child who are able to take permanent custody.
(d) 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 * * * the child was previously in the temporary custody of an equivalent agency in another state.
R.C. 2151.414(B)(1)(a-d).
{¶45} The Supreme Court of Ohio has held that “[c]lear and convincing
evidence is that measure or degree of proof which will produce in the mind of the
trier of facts a firm belief or conviction as to the allegations sought to be
established.” Cross v. Ledford, 161 Ohio St. 469, 477 (1954). Further, “[i]t is
intermediate; being more than a mere preponderance, but not to the extent of such
certainty as is required beyond a reasonable doubt as in criminal cases. It does not
mean clear and unequivocal.” Id., citing Merrick v. Ditzler, 91 Ohio St. 256
-15- Case Nos. 17-12-05, 17-12-06
(1915). Moreover, when “the degree of proof required to sustain an issue must be
clear and convincing, 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.” Cross, supra (citations omitted); see, also, In re Adoption of
Holcomb, 18 Ohio St.3d 361, 368 (1985).
{¶46} At the outset, we note that April does not dispute the finding of the
trial court that the children had been in the agency’s temporary custody in excess
of the required twelve or more months in a consecutive twenty-two-month period,
which would satisfy R.C. 2151.414(B)(1)(d). Pursuant to the plain language of
R.C. 2151.414(B)(1)(d), when a child has been in an agency’s temporary custody
for twelve or more months of a consecutive twenty-two month period, a trial court
need not find that the child cannot or should not be placed with either parent
within a reasonable time. See R.C. 2151.414(B)(1)(d). In her brief, April
specifically concedes that the children had been in the agency’s temporary custody
for longer than twelve months in a consecutive twenty-two month period. This
fact is also supported in the record. Therefore, we proceed to April’s arguments
regarding the children’s best interests.
{¶47} When determining whether granting permanent custody to the
agency is in the children’s best interests the court must consider all of the relevant
factors listed in R.C. 2151.414(D)(1), including:
-16- Case Nos. 17-12-05, 17-12-06
(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 * * * for twelve or more months of a consecutive twenty-two month period * * *;
(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.
{¶48} In the trial court’s entry, the court specifically stated that it had
considered the relevant factors of R.C. 2151.414(D)(1)(a)-(e), finding by clear and
convincing evidence that it was in C.B. and N.B.’s best interests that permanent
custody be awarded to the agency.
{¶49} With regard to factor (a), testimony was presented that April loved
her children and that her children reciprocated that feeling. However, under factor
(a), the court is to consider more than just the affection of April and the children.
While it is true that the children expressed to the GAL and to the social worker
that they loved their mother, they also experienced heavy anxiety in having to
meet their mother and high anxiety around court dates. This anxiety was causing
-17- Case Nos. 17-12-05, 17-12-06
the children to have bowel/bladder control problems. Anxiety was such a problem
that C.B. had even requested that the number of visits with their mother be
reduced. During the visits the children did have with April, testimony was
presented that April acted more as a playmate than a parent and that April often
favored C.B. over N.B. both with her attention and with gifts.
{¶50} Evidence was also presented regarding the children’s relationship to
their foster family. Testimony was given that the children were safest with their
foster family and that the children felt safest with their foster family. Testimony
was also presented that the children had a strong bond with their foster family and
that N.B. worries about leaving the foster family. The children also expressed
anxiety about their future to Angie Gehret if they were to live with April on a
permanent basis.
{¶51} As for other relationships effecting the children, the evidence showed
that April still exercised—at best—questionable judgment in entering into a hasty
engagement with Kevin Liming, a man that the children did not think was safe.
While Liming may not have had a criminal history, he was essentially living off of
April’s state-funding and he had been accused of owing a substantial amount of
back child support. The court, which saw and heard Liming’s testimony in person,
characterized Liming as a “charlatan” and found his testimony not to be credible.
-18- Case Nos. 17-12-05, 17-12-06
{¶52} In addition to the questionable relationship with Liming, testimony
was presented that April had some level of continued contact with members of her
family she was supposed to avoid according to the court-adopted case plan. Barb
Reindel testified that April had contact with her sister Amy Teets and that April
was in contact with Amy Teets on several occasions. (Tr. at 417-419). April
appears to continually exercise poor judgment in being in contact with people who
could negatively impact the children’s well-being.
{¶53} With regard to factor (b), there was no direct testimony at the hearing
of what the children’s wishes were, but the GAL spoke on the children’s behalf,
stating that granting permanent custody to the agency was in the children’s best
interests.
{¶54} With regard to factor (c), testimony was presented that the children
had been in the temporary custody of the agency for more than twelve months of a
consecutive twenty-two month period.
{¶55} With regard to factor (d), testimony was presented from several
witnesses stressing the children’s need for permanency. Testimony was presented
that the children were constantly anxious when visiting their mother and around
court dates and that is not likely to change if their impermanent situation is
continued indefinitely.
-19- Case Nos. 17-12-05, 17-12-06
{¶56} There was testimony at the final hearing that April had made some
limited progress in learning to redirect and discipline her children but there was
also testimony that April had made no consistent changes or improvements in her
parenting. At the time of the final hearing, the children had been in custody of the
agency for going on two years and April still was not exercising unsupervised
visits, and, according to Barb Reindel, April would not be receiving unsupervised
visits in the near future. Moreover, testimony was given that more often than not
April still had to be directed in how to deal with her children.
{¶57} The children had grown attached to their foster family, and the
children’s foster mother Heidi Newberg testified that she hoped to adopt the
children. In its judgment entry awarding permanent custody to the agency, the
court emphasized the children’s need for permanency and the evidence clearly and
convincingly suggests that if the current situation is continued permanency is a
long way off for children who have already been in a foster home for nearly two
years.
{¶58} With regard to factor (e), nothing in factor (e) appears to apply to this
case.
{¶59} In sum, evidence was presented of the children’s need for
permanency, of the children’s positive relationship with their foster family, of the
children’s anxiety caused by their state of flux, of April’s lack of progress and of
-20- Case Nos. 17-12-05, 17-12-06
April’s continued poor judgment. We note that during the hearing, the trial court
observed that “[o]f particular concern to the Court was the corporeal
communication of April Bolin during the proceedings. April was aloof, distant
and non-involved during the hearing. At times she appeared to be staring into
space, other times in a dull trance. During relevant and important testimony, April
was stoic and without emotion.”
{¶60} In her brief to this court, April further claims that the trial court did
not properly weigh her relationship with her children and that the trial court did
not consider April’s improvement as a parent. However, as the preceding
discussion established, there was ample testimony both positive and negative that
the trial court had to weigh. The trial court’s decision to place a different weight
on testimony than April argues is not error as the decision was supported by clear
and convincing evidence.
{¶61} Finally, April argues that the trial court improperly relied on the
psychological evaluation of Dr. Hrinko in making its decision to award permanent
custody to the agency. First, we note that not only did April’s counsel fail to
object to the court reviewing Dr. Hrinko’s report at the final hearing, but April’s
counsel also explicitly stated “I’m ok if you review it, sir,” in relation to the report.
(Tr. at 538). Second, the evaluation was directly relevant to April’s ability to
parent and was properly admitted before the trial court. Third, in the trial court’s
-21- Case Nos. 17-12-05, 17-12-06
entry, the court explicitly emphasized the children’s need for permanency, stating
that April’s cognitive limitations (elucidated in the report) were not the only factor
in terminating April’s rights. Based on the foregoing we find that the trial court’s
decision finding that it was in the children’s best interests that permanent custody
be awarded to the agency was supported by clear and convincing evidence.
Accordingly, April’s assignment of error is overruled.
{¶62} For the foregoing reasons, April’s assignment of error is overruled
and the judgments of the Shelby County Common Pleas Court, Juvenile Division,
are affirmed.
PRESTON and ROGERS, J.J., concur.
/jlr
-22-