In re K.C.

2025 Ohio 1110

Opinion

[Cite as In re K.C., 2025-Ohio-1110.]

COURT OF APPEALS DELAWARE COUNTY, OHIO FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

IN THE MATTER OF: : JUDGES: : Hon. William B. Hoffman, P.J. K.C. : Hon. Andrew J. King, J. : Hon. Robert G. Montgomery, J. : : Case No. 24 CAF 10 0062 : : OPINION

CHARACTER OF PROCEEDING: Appeal from the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas, Juvenile Division, Case No. 23-01-0134 AB

JUDGMENT: Affirmed

DATE OF JUDGMENT: March 28, 2025

APPEARANCES:

For Plaintiff-Appellant For Defendant-Appellee

WILLIAM T. CRAMER JULI D. JONES 1554 Polaris Parkway Delaware County Dept. of Job and Suite 325 Family Services Columbus, OH 43240 145 North Union St., 2nd Floor Delaware, OH 43015 Montgomery, J.

STATEMENT OF THE FACTS AND THE CASE

{¶1} Appellant, the biological mother of minor child K.C. born on October 27,

2019 (hereinafter “child”), appeals the decision of the trial court terminating her parental

rights and granting permanent custody of the child to Delaware County Department of

Job and Family Services (hereinafter “Appellee”).

{¶2} The child was previously placed in the temporary custody of Appellee in

2019. Appellee was concerned that the child was exposed to controlled substances in

utero. Additionally, Appellee had concerns about Appellant’s stability including mental

health and substance abuse. The child was placed in the home of the current foster

parents until Appellant regained custody of the child in 2021 and Appellee’s case was

closed.

{¶3} On December 7, 2022, Appellant appeared with the child at the emergency

room and indicated that both had been sexually assaulted. It was determined that

Appellant was experiencing a mental health crisis. Appellant tested positive for

amphetamines and cocaine while at the hospital. A safety plan was implemented wherein

a relative was to supervise Appellant and the child. A caseworker for Appellee witnessed

Appellant and the child unsupervised during visits to Appellant’s home. Appellant refused

to submit to drug screens during this time period.

{¶4} On or about January 12, 2023, Appellee filed a Complaint in the Delaware

County Juvenile Court, alleging that the child was a “dependent child” as defined by R.C.

2151.04(C), and a “neglected child” as defined by R.C. 2151.03(A)(2)(4). By Entry filed on March 28, 2023, the child was adjudicated dependent based on Appellant’s

admissions and the allegation of neglect was dismissed. The court placed the child into

the temporary custody of Appellee and granted Appellant and the child’s father

supervised visitation. (Magistrate Decision Adjudication.) On or about March 30, 2023,

Appellee filed a Family Case Plan in which Appellant and the child’s father were identified

as having mental health, substance abuse, housing and income issues. These issues

significantly and adversely affect Appellant’s ability to properly parent and protect the

child. No objections were filed to the Family Case Plan and it was approved and adopted

by the trial court.

{¶5} A dispositional hearing was held on April 10, 2023, and the court ordered

the child to remain in the temporary custody of Appellee. The trial court continued the

case plan filed on March 30, 2023 and the prior court orders. (Nunc Pro Tunc Magistrate

Decision Disposition.)

{¶6} On or about August 17, 2023 and October 9, 2023, Case Reviews were

conducted and the court once again ordered that the child remain in the temporary

custody of Appellee.

{¶7} On or about January 3, 2024, Appellee filed a Motion for Permanent

Custody of the child. Another Case Review was conducted and the court determined that

all prior dispositional orders shall remain in full force and effect. (Magistrate’s Decision

Motion for Permanent Custody and Annual Review.) An Annual Review was conducted

by the court on February 12, 2024 and the trial court ruled that the prior dispositional

orders shall remain in full force and effect. (Judgment Entry Motion for Permanent

Custody and Annual Case Review.) {¶8} The Motion for Permanent custody proceeded to trial on September 6, 2024

and September 10, 2024.

{¶9} During the course of the proceedings held on September 6, 2024 and

September 10, 2024, the trial court heard testimony from Kayla Geiger, caseworker for

Appellee; Valeria Bautista, social worker for Appellee; Brittany Webb, an Intensive

Supervision Probation Officer; Elizabeth Aniakwa, Regional Supervisor for Maryhaven;

Samantha Ruttman, Director of Little Buckeye Learning Center; Jennifer Overmyer,

guardian ad litem of the child; a foster parent of the child; and the Appellant.

{¶10} Kayla Geiger testified that Appellee first became involved with Appellant

and the child in 2019 after the child’s birth. There were concerns regarding Appellant’s

drug use and stability. Appellant worked with Appellee and she regained custody of the

minor in 2021.

{¶11} The current case was opened in December 2022. The child has been in the

continuous custody of Appellee since January 26, 2023. A Family Case Plan was filed

with the court in which Appellant was to complete an alcohol or other drug assessments

and comply with treatment recommendations. Appellant completed the drug or alcohol

assessments but has consistently failed to follow the treatment recommendations

throughout the case. She repeatedly engaged in services, stopped participating and then

started participating again. The Case Plan also ordered Appellant to submit to random

drug and alcohol screens. Appellant refused to submit to requested screens on several

occasions. Appellant was also to maintain suitable housing. Appellant lived in a one-

bedroom camper with an unfinished plywood floor. During a home visit, Ms. Geiger found

the camper to be dirty with dead bugs in the windows, cigarette butts on the floor and a layer of grime on the appliances. Ms. Geiger opined that this housing was not suitable for

the child. Appellant testified that at the time of the hearing, she was living with her uncle.

However, this move occurred shortly before the beginning of the trial and Ms. Geiger did

not have the opportunity to visit the uncle’s home. Ms. Geiger testified that Appellant has

not made substantial progress on the goals that the Case Plan set out for her.

{¶12} During the pendency of the instant case, Appellant was found guilty of F2

Burglary and was sentenced on July 24, 2024. As part of her sentence, she was placed

on community control and delayed commitment to a Community-Based Correctional

Facility. Appellant was ordered to meet with probation officer Brittany Webb one time per

month and submit to random drug screens. In May, 20224 Appellant failed a drug screen

was arrested and sentenced to jail for approximately three months. Appellant had four

total violations while she was being supervised. (Trial Transcript, p.125)

{¶13} The child has been in the home of the current foster parents since January

2023. The child had previously been placed with the foster parents from January 2020

until October 2021. The child has resided with the foster parents for approximately four

of her five years of life. The foster parents have three other children and the child is

bonded with them. The foster parents would like to adopt the child.

{¶14} The court appointed a guardian ad litem for the child. The guardian ad litem

met with the child every month and met with Appellant approximately seven times. The

guardian ad litem testified that she believes Appellant has not met her case plan goals

and that the Motion for Permanent Custody is in the best interest of the child. {¶15} The child suffered second degree burns while in the temporary custody of

Appellee and living with the foster parents. The incident was investigated and found to be

an accident. The child remained in the home of the foster parents.

{¶16} The court held an in-camera interview of the child. The court did not learn

any information that controverted the testimony presented at the trial.

{¶17} Appellant testified that she would like more time to work her case plan.

Appellant did not file a written motion to continue.

{¶18} The trial court found by clear and convincing evidence that it is in the child’s

best interest to permanently terminate the parental rights of Appellant and the child’s

biological father and grant permanent custody to Appellee. The court further found that

the child deserves permanency and stability. The trial court further found that the child

has been in the temporary custody of Appellee for more than twelve consecutive months

of a twenty-two-month period. Based upon these findings, the trial court granted

Appellee’s motion for permanent custody of K.C.

{¶19} Appellant filed a timely appeal to the trial court’s decision, and sets forth the

following assignment of error:

{¶20} “I. APPELLANT’S DUE PROCESS RIGHTS WERE VIOLATED BECAUSE THE WEIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE DOES NOT SUPPORT THE TRIAL COURT’S DECISION TO AWARD PERMANENT CUSTODY TO THE AGENCY RATHER THAN GRANT A SIX-MONTH EXTENSION WHERE APPELLANT HAD SHOWN RECENT PROGRESS AND NO PRIOR EXTENSIONS WERE GRANTED.”

{¶21} The appellant submits that the trial court erred when it granted permanent

custody of K.C. to Appellee. We disagree. STANDARD OF REVIEW

{¶22} The Ohio Supreme Court recently addressed the standard of review in

permanent custody cases in the case of In re Z.C., 2023-Ohio-4703:

Under R.C. 2151.414(B)(1), a juvenile court may grant permanent custody

of a child to the agency that moved for permanent custody if the court

determines, “by clear and convincing evidence, that it is in the best interest

of the child” to do so and that any of five factors enumerated in R.C.

2151.414(B)(1)(a) through (e) applies. “Clear and convincing evidence is

that measure or degree of proof which is more than a mere ‘preponderance

of the evidence,’ but not to the extent of such certainty as is required

‘beyond a reasonable doubt’ in criminal cases, and which will produce in the

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

be established.” Cross v. Ledford, 161 Ohio St. 469, 120 N.E.2d 118 (1954),

paragraph three of the syllabus.

The appellate court's task when reviewing a trial court's application of the

clear-and-convincing-evidence burden of proof as follows: “Where the proof

required 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.” State v. Schiebel, 55 Ohio St.3d

71, 74, 564 N.E.2d 54 (1990), citing Ford v. Osborne, 45 Ohio St. 1, 12 N.E.

526 (1887), paragraph two of the syllabus; accord Cross at 477, 120 N.E.2d

118.

* * * . . . sufficiency-of-the-evidence and/or manifest-weight-of-the-evidence

standards of review are the proper appellate standards of review of a

juvenile court's permanent-custody determination, as appropriate

depending on the nature of the arguments that are presented by the parties.

Id. at ¶ 7-8, 11.

{¶23} The Court went on to define sufficiency of the evidence and manifest weight

as follows:

Sufficiency of the evidence and manifest weight of the evidence are distinct

concepts and are “both quantitatively and qualitatively different.” Eastley v.

Volkman, 132 Ohio St.3d 328, 2012-Ohio-2179, 972 N.E.2d 517, ¶ 10,

quoting State v. Thompkins, 78 Ohio St.3d 380, 678 N.E.2d 541 (1997),

paragraph two of the syllabus. We have stated that “sufficiency is a test of

adequacy,” Thompkins at 386, 678 N.E.2d 541, while weight of the evidence

“is not a question of mathematics but depends on its effect in inducing

belief’” (emphasis sic), Id. at 387, 678 N.E.2d 541, quoting Black's Law

Dictionary 1594 (6th Ed.1990). “Whether the evidence is legally sufficient to

sustain a verdict is a question of law.” Id. at 386, 678 N.E.2d 541. “When

applying a sufficiency-of-the-evidence standard, a court of appeals should

affirm a trial court when “the evidence is legally sufficient to support the jury

verdict as a matter of law.” Bryan-Wollman v. Domonko, 115 Ohio St.3d

291, 2007-Ohio-4918, 874 N.E.2d 1198, ¶ 3, quoting Thompkins at 386,

678 N.E.2d 541, quoting Black's at 1433. {¶24} But “even if a trial court judgment is sustained by sufficient evidence, an

appellate court may nevertheless conclude that the judgment is against the manifest

weight of the evidence.” Eastley at ¶ 12. When reviewing for manifest weight, the

appellate court must weigh the evidence and all reasonable inferences, consider the

credibility of the witnesses, and determine whether, in resolving conflicts in the evidence,

the finder of fact clearly lost its way and created such a manifest miscarriage of justice

that the judgment must be reversed, and a new trial ordered. Id. at ¶ 20. “In weighing the

evidence, the court of appeals must always be mindful of the presumption in favor of the

finder of fact.” Id. at ¶ 21. “The underlying rationale of giving deference to the findings of

the trial court rests with the knowledge that the trial judge is best able to view the

witnesses and observe their demeanor, gestures and voice inflections, and use these

observations in weighing the credibility of the proffered testimony.” Seasons Coal Co.,

Inc. v. Cleveland, 10 Ohio St.3d 77, 80, 461 N.E.2d 1273 (1984). “If the evidence is

susceptible of more than one construction, the reviewing court is bound to give it that

interpretation which is consistent with the verdict and judgment, most favorable to

sustaining the verdict and judgment.” Id. at fn. 3, quoting 5 Ohio Jurisprudence 3d,

Appellate Review, Section 603, at 191-192 (1978). Id. at ¶ 13-14.

ANALYSIS

{¶25} R.C. 2151.414 sets forth the guidelines a trial court must follow when

deciding a motion for permanent custody. R.C. 2151.414(A)(1) mandates that the trial

court schedule a hearing and provide notice upon the filing of a motion for permanent

custody of a child by a public children services agency or private child placing agency

that has temporary custody of the child or has placed the child in long-term foster care. {¶26} R.C. 2151.414(B)(1) authorizes the juvenile court to grant permanent

custody of the child to the public or private agency if the court determines, by clear and

convincing evidence, that 1) it is in the best interest of the child to grant permanent

custody to the agency; and 2) 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, or 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 if, as

described in division (D)(1) of section 2151.413 of the Revised Code, the

child was previously in the temporary custody of an equivalent agency in

another state, 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; or

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, as described in division (D)(1) of

section 2151.413 of the Revised Code, the child was previously in the

temporary custody of an equivalent agency in another state.

{¶27} R.C. 2151.414(B) establishes a two-pronged analysis the trial court must

apply when ruling on a motion for permanent custody. In practice, the trial court will

usually determine whether one of the four circumstances delineated in R.C.

2151.414(B)(1)(a) through (d) is present before proceeding to a determination regarding

the best interest of the child. In this case, the trial court found that R.C. 2151.414(B)(1)(a)

and (d) factors applied.

{¶28} Appellee became the temporary custodian of the minor on January 26, 2023

and the Motion for Permanent Custody was filed on January 3, 2024, just shy of twelve

months. The trial court calculated the months between the agency receiving custody to

the date of the trial in finding that R.C.2151.141(1)(d) had been satisfied. Appellant argues

in a footnote that the proper period of time the court should have used is between

adjudication and the filing of the motion for permanent custody. Since this Court agrees

with the trial court’s finding that R.C. 2151.141(B)(1)(a) was satisfied we will not address

this finding on appeal. R.C. 2151.141(B)(1)(a) and R.C. 2151.141(B)(1)(d) are alternative

findings and each is independently sufficient to use as a basis to grant Appellee’s motion

for permanent custody.

{¶29} The trial court must consider all relevant evidence before determining that

the child cannot be placed with either parent within a reasonable time or should not be

placed with the parents. R.C. 2151.414(E). The statute also provides that if the court

makes a finding under R.C. 2151.414(E)(1)-(15), the court shall determine the child cannot or should not be placed with the parent. A trial court may base its decision that a

child cannot be placed with a parent within a reasonable time or should not be placed

with a parent upon the existence of any one of the R.C. 2151.414(E) factors. The

existence of one factor alone will support the finding that the child cannot be placed with

the parent within a reasonable time. See In re William S., 75 Ohio St.3d 95, 99, 1996-

Ohio-182, 661 N.E.2d 738.

{¶30} R.C. 2151.414(E) states in pertinent part:

In determining at a hearing held pursuant to division (A) of this section or

for the purposes of division (A)(4) of section 2151.353 of the Revised Code

whether a child cannot be placed with either parent within a reasonable

period of time or should not be placed with the parents, the court shall

consider all relevant evidence. If the court determines, by clear and

convincing evidence, at a hearing held pursuant to division (A) of this

section or for the purposes of division (A)(4) of section 2151.353 of the

Revised Code that one or more of the following exist as to each of the child's

parents, the court shall enter a finding that the child cannot be placed with

either parent within a reasonable time or should not be placed with either

parent:

1) Following the placement of the child outside the child's home and

notwithstanding reasonable case planning and diligent efforts by the agency

to assist the parents to remedy the problems that initially caused the child

to be placed outside the home, the parent has failed continuously and

repeatedly to substantially remedy the conditions causing the child to be placed outside the child's home. In determining whether the parents have

substantially remedied those conditions, the court shall consider parental

utilization of medical, psychiatric, psychological, and other social and

rehabilitative services and material resources that were made available to

the parents for the purpose of changing parental conduct to allow them to

resume and maintain parental duties.

* * *

(16) Any other factor the court considers relevant.

{¶31} In this case, sufficient evidence was presented that the Appellant has failed

continuously and repeatedly to substantially remedy the conditions causing the child to be placed outside

the child's home. Appellant continued to have positive drug screens, she had a long history

of relapse and reincarceration, she was unemployed, and stable housing could not be

confirmed. Appellee made reasonable efforts to reunite the child with Appellant and

diligently acted to remedy the reasons for removal. Appellant’s four periods of

incarceration between October 2023 and September 2024 hindered these efforts.

{¶32} The guardian ad litem in this case filed a written report and offered

testimony during the hearing. The guardian ad litem testified that it is in the child’s best

interest to grant permanent custody to Appellee. (Trial Transcript, p.55.) A caseworker for

Appellee testified Appellant has not met her case plan goals and is not able to provide

adequate care for the child. Id.

{¶33} Therefore, we affirm the trial court’s finding that R.C.2151.141(B)(1) has

been satisfied. {¶34} Appellant’s counsel made an oral motion at the onset of the hearing and

again at the conclusion, requesting an extension of time for Appellant to work her case

plan. (Trial Transcript, p.58.) The trial court denied this request and Appellant argues that

that the trial court erred in refusing to grant her an extension of time. This argument is,

however, unpersuasive. In order for a trial court to grant an extension of time, the court

must find that there has been significant progress on the case plan and there is

reasonable cause to believe that the child will be reunified during the period of extension.

In re McNab, 2008-Ohio-1638, 36. Appellant failed to persuade the court that she could

complete the Family Case Plan with additional time. Appellant made some efforts to

engage in the case plan, however, she failed continuously and repeatedly to substantially

remedy the conditions that caused K.C. to be placed outside her home. The trial court

found that it was not in the child’s best interest to keep her in “custodial limbo” and that

she deserves permanency and stability. (Judgment Entry, p.16.) In permanent custody

cases, the court must “be mindful of the best interests of the children and their need for

stability and permanency.” In re I.N., 2021-Ohio-1406 (8th Dist.). Appellant did not file a

written request to continue the hearing or extend time with the court. The trial court’s

decision to deny Appellant’s oral motion for an extension of time was not unreasonable,

arbitrary or an abuse of discretion.

{¶35} The trial court found that it is in the child’s best interest to grant DCDJFS

motion for permanent custody. The trial court found that “The child is bonded to the foster

parents and foster family. The foster parents have provided for every need, both physical

and medical, and have done everything possible to ensure the child has a robust and

productive childhood at such a young age. These factors clearly demonstrate that it is in the child’s best interests to grant the DCDJFS Motion for Permanent Custody.

R.C.2151.141(D)(1).” (Judgment Entry, Paragraph 11.)

CONCLUSION

{¶36} Based upon the foregoing, we find that the trial court's decision to award

permanent custody of K.C. to Appellee, Delaware County Department of Job and Family

Services, was warranted, was in the best interest of K.C., was based upon competent,

credible evidence, and was not against the manifest weight or sufficiency of the evidence.

This Court has examined the record and finds the trier of facts had sufficient evidence

before it to satisfy the requisite degree of proof. The evidence contained in the record

supports the trial court's judgment. We, therefore, overrule Appellant’s sole assignment

of error and affirm the decision of the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas, Juvenile

Division.

By: Montgomery, J.

Hoffman, P.J. and

King, J. concur.