In re K.L.

2012 Ohio 5876

Opinion

[Cite as In re K.L., 2012-Ohio-5876.]

COURT OF APPEALS STARK COUNTY, OHIO FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

IN THE MATTER OF: JUDGES: Hon. Patricia A. Delaney, P.J. K.L. (DOB 02/10/01) Hon. W. Scott Gwin, J. Hon. Sheila G. Farmer, J. D.M. (DOB 12/28/04) Case No. 2012CA00156 MINOR CHILDREN

OPINION

CHARACTER OF PROCEEDING: Appeal from the Court of Common Pleas, Family Court Division, Case No. 2010JCV00471

JUDGMENT: Affirmed

DATE OF JUDGMENT: December 10, 2012

APPEARANCES:

For Appellant For Appellee

AMANDA E. JAMES LISA A. LOUY 200 West Tuscarawas Street 221 Third Street, SE Suite 200 Canton, OH 44702 Canton, OH 44702 Stark County, Case No. 2012CA00156 2

Farmer, J.

{¶1} On May 5, 2010, appellee, the Stark County Department of Job and

Family Services, filed a complaint for temporary custody of K.L. born February 10, 2001

and D.M. born December 28, 2004, alleging the children to be dependent, neglected,

and abused. Mother of the children is appellant, Latunya Murphy; fathers of the children

are either deceased or unknown and are not parties to this appeal.

{¶2} On July 22, 2010, appellant stipulated to a finding of dependency, and the

trial court granted appellee temporary custody.

{¶3} On April 4, 2012, appellee filed a motion for permanent custody. A

hearing was held on July 10, 2012. By judgment entry filed July 23, 2012, the trial court

granted permanent custody of the children to appellee. Findings of fact and conclusions

of law were filed same date.

{¶4} Appellant filed an appeal and this matter is now before this court for

consideration. Assignments of error are as follows:

I

{¶5} "THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN GRANTING PERMANENT CUSTODY

TO THE STARK COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF JOB AND FAMILY SERVICES

(SCDJFS) AS SCDJFS FAILED TO SHOW BY CLEAR AND CONVINCING EVIDENCE

THAT GROUNDS EXISTED FOR PERMANENT CUSTODY AND SUCH DECISION

WAS AGAINST THE MANIFEST WEIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE."

II

{¶6} "THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN GRANTING PERMANENT CUSTODY

TO THE STARK COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF JOB AND FAMILY SERVICES Stark County, Case No. 2012CA00156 3

(SCDJFS) AS SCDJFS FAILED TO SHOW BY CLEAR AND CONVINCING EVIDENCE

THAT IT IS IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE MINOR CHILDREN TO GRANT

PERMANENT CUSTODY AND SUCH DECISION WAS AGAINST THE MANIFEST

WEIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE."

I, II

{¶7} Appellant claims the trial court's decision to grant permanent custody of

the children to appellee was against the manifest weight weight of the evidence.

Specifically, appellant claims the trial court erred in finding the children could not be

placed with her within a reasonable period of time and the best interests of the children

were best served by granting appellee permanent custody instead of placing the

children with their adult sibling, Tamika Hollien. We disagree.

{¶8} As an appellate court, we neither weigh the evidence nor judge the

credibility of the witnesses. Our role is to determine whether there is relevant,

competent and credible evidence upon which the fact finder could base its judgment.

Cross Truck v. Jeffries, 5th Dist. No. CA-5758, (February 10, 1982). Accordingly,

judgments supported by some competent, credible evidence going to all the essential

elements of the case will not be reversed as being against the manifest weight of the

evidence. C.E. Morris Co. v. Foley Construction, 54 Ohio St.2d 279 (1978).

{¶9} R.C. 2151.414(E) sets out the factors relevant to determining permanent

custody. Said section states in pertinent part as follows:

{¶10} (E) 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 Stark County, Case No. 2012CA00156 4

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:

{¶11} (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.

{¶12} (4) The parent has demonstrated a lack of commitment toward the

child by failing to regularly support, visit, or communicate with the child Stark County, Case No. 2012CA00156 5

when able to do so, or by other actions showing an unwillingness to

provide an adequate permanent home for the child;

{¶13} (10) The parent has abandoned the child.

{¶14} (16) Any other factor the court considers relevant.

{¶15} R.C. 2151.414(B) enables the court to grant permanent custody if the

court determines by clear and convincing evidence that it is in the best interest of the

child. Clear and convincing evidence is that evidence "which will provide 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 (1954), paragraph three of the syllabus. See

also, In re Adoption of Holcomb, 18 Ohio St.3d 361 (1985). "Where 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, at 477.

{¶16} R.C. 2151.414(D) sets out the factors relevant to determining the best

interests of the child. Said section states relevant factors include, but are not limited to,

the following:

{¶17} (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; Stark County, Case No. 2012CA00156 6

{¶18} (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;

{¶19} (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 or private child placing agencies for twelve or more months of a

consecutive twenty-two-month period***;

{¶20} (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;

{¶21} (e) Whether any of the factors in divisions (E)(7) to (11) of this

section apply in relation to the parents and child.

{¶22} In its findings filed July 23, 2012 as to whether the children could be

placed with appellant within a reasonable time, the trial court found the following

relevant to appellant:

{¶23} 4. As noted, this current case was opened on May 5, 2010. [K.]

and [D.] have been in the custody of the agency since that time. This is a

period in excess of 12 months of a 22-month period.

{¶24} 12. Mother alleges nineteen months of sobriety but, other than

some sporadic drug tests, presented no independent proof of consistent

sobriety. Mother's version of her treatment history is confusing. She Stark County, Case No. 2012CA00156 7

engaged in sporadic outpatient treatment. She entered Deliverance

House in December 2010 and left in February 2011 against advice. She

had no substance abuse treatment from February 2011 until July 2011.

By then she was living in Michigan. Mother entered out patient treatment

on July 20, 2011, in Michigan, but was discharged in September 2011 for

failure to attend. From September 2011 to June 2012 Mother was not

involved in treatment. She now reports she has re-engaged. Mother

states that she attends NA & AA meetings every other Friday in Michigan.

Mother is currently employed in Michigan at Wendy's, and she reports she

is attending school. Her housing situation is not clear. Mother states she

moved to Michigan for family support. Mother believes she can care for

the children and would like them returned to her in Michigan.

{¶25} The trial court then concluded the following:

{¶26} 1. THEREFORE, the Court finds that [K.] and [D.] have been in the

temporary custody of the SCDJFS for 12 or more months of a consecutive

22 month period.

{¶27} 2. THEREFORE, the Court finds that, notwithstanding reasonable

case planning and diligent efforts by the agency, Mother, Latunya Murphy,

has failed to remedy the conditions that caused [K.] and [D.] to be placed.

{¶28} 4. THEREFORE, [K.] and [D.] cannot be placed with any parent

within a reasonable time nor should they be placed with any parent. Stark County, Case No. 2012CA00156 8

{¶29} From our review of the record, we concur with the trial court's decision.

First, it is readily apparent from the record that the children have been in appellee's

continuous custody from July 2010 to April 2012. T. at 17. Under R.C. 2151.414(B)(1),

this fact alone, along with a best interest finding, is sufficient to support the trial court's

decision.

{¶30} Secondly, the family's caseworker, Amy Craig, opined appellant did not

substantially comply with her case plan. T. at 18. Appellant took herself out of

treatment at Quest (Deliverance House) and did not complete the program. Id.

Appellant has never adequately addressed her substance abuse problem (cocaine). T.

at 18-19. Ms. Craig did not have any evidence of appellant maintaining sobriety for a

minimum of nine months as she has received sporadic reports after appellant moved to

Michigan. T. at 19-20. By moving to Michigan without supervision and without proof of

her sobriety, appellant became the "architect of her own demise." She did not have any

proof of continuous drug testing. Her most recent report indicated she submitted two

urine screens in a six week period of time. T. at 19. Because cocaine does not stay in

the system very long, she needed to consistently drop two to three samples every week.

Id. While in Michigan in 2011, appellant did not complete a drug program, and only

attempted to enter a drug program after the permanent custody motion was filed in April

of 2012. T. at 27-29.

{¶31} Aimee Thomas, Ph.D., conducted a parenting evaluation on appellant. T.

at 34. Appellant was evaluated as a twenty year cocaine abuser in need of a residential

treatment program, an after-care program, 12-step meetings, joint counseling with her Stark County, Case No. 2012CA00156 9

children, and Home Based Goodwill Parenting. T. at 38-39. None of these

recommendations were followed.

{¶32} Upon review, we find sufficient clear and convincing evidence to establish

that the children could not be placed with appellant within a reasonable time.

{¶33} As for best interests, the trial court found the following:

{¶34} 1. Caseworker Amy Craig testified as to best interests. [K.] is 11

and [D.] is 7. Both are African American girls. There are some behavioral

issues. [D.] is easygoing whereas [K.] can be disrespectful. Both are in

good physical health. The children have been placed in the same foster

home since the case began in 2010. This is also the same home they

were placed in during the pendency of the 2007 case. It is a foster-to-

adopt home. At one point the foster parents were not sure about

adoption. However, they have expressed a desire to adopt should

permanent custody be granted. Both [K.] and [D.] are very comfortable in

the foster home. There are other adopted and foster kids in the home.

[K.] was in counseling with Gail Mager at NEOBH, but has not gone in a

few months.

{¶35} 2. [K.] does not want to go with Mother or other relatives. The

agency explored multiple placement options. Three adult siblings were

considered. One backed out. One did not pass the home study. Tamicka

Hollien, who lives in Michigan, passed the home study and became

licensed. Tamicka and [K.] began counseling with Gail Mager once a Stark County, Case No. 2012CA00156 10

month to help [K.] deal with her concerns about moving to Michigan. Ms.

Mager also helped Tamicka understand the issues the kids would face if

they were placed with her. The goal was to foster a relationship between

Tamicka and the children, but, ultimately, the therapist did not recommend

the children be placed in Michigan. Ms. Craig does not believe that a

relationship exists between Tamicka and the girls. It is not in the

children's best interest to be placed with Tamicka. The girls have been in

the same foster home for almost four years and see the foster family as

their own. The children are only 11 and 7, and, for a large portion of their

lives, they have been with this foster family. They have opened up to

foster mom and feel safe and comfortable there. The children do not feel

safe with Mother or other relatives.

{¶36} 5. The Guardian ad Litem, Attorney Mary Lou Sekula testified. She

was the children's original Guardian in 2007. [K.] is adamant about not

living with Mother. Both girls saw some frightening things while in

Mother's care. Both are concerned that, even if placed with Tamicka, they

would be sent back to Mother. This is a valid concern given what

happened when their sister Ronda was placed with a relative. The

children have been under pressure in the past to not reveal what goes on

in Mother's house. They have no real bond with Tamicka. [K.] has said

she doesn't even know her. Mother has always maintained that she is

clean, but that has not always been accurate. There is concerned (sic)

that Mother will relapse. In twenty-year time frame, Mother has only Stark County, Case No. 2012CA00156 11

managed two short periods of sobriety. There is no clear evidence that

Mother truly has maintained sobriety. The clean urines that Mother did

submit in Michigan were widely spaced in time. The Guardian

recommends Permanent Custody to SCDJFS. The benefit of permanency

outweighs any harm caused by severing the parental bond.

{¶37} The trial court then concluded the following:

{¶38} 1. THEREFORE, the Court finds, despite the bond that may have

developed between any parent and [K.M.] and [D.L.], the harm caused by

severing the bond with the parents is outweighed by the benefits of

permanency in the children's life.

{¶39} 2. THEREFORE, the Court finds [K.] and [D.] to be adoptable.

{¶40} 4. THEREFORE, the Court finds it is in the best interests of [K.] and

[D.] to grant permanent custody to the SCDJFS for purposes of adoption.

[K.] and [D.] deserve to be in a stable, loving environment.

{¶41} The trial court's findings are supported by the record. T. at 63-67, 72-74,

78-80. The caseworker, the therapist, and the guardian ad litem all opined appellee

should be granted permanent custody. T. at 67, 74, 78.

{¶42} Upon review, we find the trial court did not err in finding

the best interests of the children were best served by granting permanent custody to

appellee. Stark County, Case No. 2012CA00156 12

{¶43} Assignments of Error I and II are denied.

{¶44} The judgment of the Court of Common Pleas of Stark County, Ohio,

Family Court Division is hereby affirmed.

By Farmer, J.

Delaney, P.J. and

Gwin, J. concur.

s/ Sheila G. Farmer________________

s/ Patricia A. Delaney______________

s/ W. Scott Gwin__________________

JUDGES

SGF/db 1126 [Cite as In re K.L., 2012-Ohio-5876.]

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS FOR STARK COUNTY, OHIO

FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

IN THE MATTER OF: : : K.L. (DOB 02/10/01) : JUDGMENT ENTRY : D.M. (DOB 12/28/04) : : MINOR CHILDREN : CASE NO. 2012CA00156

For the reasons stated in our accompanying Memorandum-Opinion, the

judgment of the Court of Common Pleas of Stark County, Ohio, Family Court Division is

affirmed. Costs to appellant.