In Re Randy, 2007-Ca-00259 (4-21-2008)

2008 Ohio 1919
CourtOhio Court of Appeals
DecidedApril 21, 2008
DocketNo. 2007-CA-00259.
StatusPublished

This text of 2008 Ohio 1919 (In Re Randy, 2007-Ca-00259 (4-21-2008)) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Ohio Court of Appeals primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
In Re Randy, 2007-Ca-00259 (4-21-2008), 2008 Ohio 1919 (Ohio Ct. App. 2008).

Opinions

OPINION *Page 2
{¶ 1} Appellant-father Randy P., Sr. appeals the August 20, 2007, judgment entry of the Stark County Court of Common Pleas, Juvenile Division, which terminated his parental rights with respect to his son, Randy P., Jr. and granted permanent custody of the child to appellee, the Stark County Department of Job and Family Services (hereinafter "SCDJFS").

STATEMENT OF FACTS AND CASE
{¶ 2} Appellant is the natural father of Randy P., Jr., whose date of birth is July 13, 2006. Kathy Ortscheid is the child's natural mother.

{¶ 3} In July of 2006, the SCDJFS became involved with the family on an informal basis and requested that the parents each complete psychological evaluations, attend Goodwill Parenting classes and participate in Healthy Tomorrows.

{¶ 4} On September 27, 2006, SCDJFS filed a complaint alleging that Randy Jr. (then two months old) was a dependent and neglected child. The concerns in the complaint included domestic violence, unsafe home conditions and the parents limited mental abilities to properly care for the child.

{¶ 5} On September 28, 2006, after a shelter care hearing, the child was placed in the temporary custody of SCDJFS. That same date, SCDJFS filed a case plan with a goal toward reunification. The case plan required the parents to attend anger management, participate in Healthy Tomorrows, attend Goodwill Parenting, complete a psychological evaluation and any recommended treatment, obtain employment, and maintain safe and stable housing. Appellant was further ordered to attend individual counseling at Trillium. *Page 3

{¶ 6} On October 23, 2006, Randy Jr. was put in relative placement with appellant's cousins, Diane and Ed Aquino.

{¶ 7} On December 5, 2006, appellant stipulated to a finding of dependency. The court ordered that the child was to remain in the temporary custody of SCDJFS and that the case plan filed on September 28, 2006, was to be approved and adopted.

{¶ 8} As a result of the psychological evaluation, it was determined that appellant had a full scale IQ of 61 and was functioning at the level of a six year old with regard to non-verbal skills1 and at the age of an eleven year old with regard to verbal skills.

{¶ 9} On March 23, 2007, a dispositional review hearing was held before a magistrate. At the time of the hearing, appellant was employed at Burger King on a part time basis. In the order, the magistrate found that that the parents home remained dirty and cluttered. The magistrate further stated that the parents had recently moved to a new residence and had not informed SCDJFS of the move. As a result, the magistrate ordered that the matter remain at "status quo."

{¶ 10} On May 16, 2007, SCDJFS filed a motion for permanent custody pursuant to R.C. 2151.414. In the motion, SCDJFS alleged that, although the appellant had completed Goodwill parenting, he exhibited little ability to provide for his son financially or emotionally. The motion further alleged that the psychologist had expressed extreme concerns that appellant would not be able to parent his son in a safe and competent manner and that the child had "little" bond with his parents. The permanent custody motion was scheduled for further hearing on July 12, 2007. *Page 4

{¶ 11} On July 12, 2007, prior to the permanent custody hearing, the child's mother, Kathy Ortscheid, being represented by counsel and having the assistance of a court appointed guardian ad litem, stipulated to the trial court's grant of permanent custody to SCDJFS. Father requested the presentation of evidence and the matter proceeded to hearing. T.3.

{¶ 12} At the hearing the State presented the testimony of SCDJFS caseworker, Lisa Eggenschwiler. Ms Eggenschwiler testified that she was assigned to the case in August of 2006. T.18. She stated that the concerns which led to the initial filing included severe domestic violence in the home, hazardous living conditions and the mental health of the parents. T.10. She testified that the court approved and adopted a case plan which included the following: a Quest Assessment and any recommended treatment, individual counseling at Trillium, a psychological evaluation at Northeast Ohio Behavioral Health Center, drug counseling, parenting classes, anger management classes at Melymbrosia, the continuation of prescribed medications and stable employment. T. 11 and 22.

{¶ 13} Ms. Eggenschwiler testified that appellant completed a psychological evaluation which recommended further participation in parenting classes, anger management, individual counseling and medications. T.12. She testified that the psychological evaluation found that appellant had an IQ of 61. She stated that the examiner expressed "great concerns and reservations" regarding appellant's ability to parent in a safe and competent manner. T.12. She stated that the examiner's opinion was that the appellant would not be able to parent independently. T.12. *Page 5

{¶ 14} Ms. Eggenschwiler testified that as a result of a criminal conviction for disorderly conduct it was recommended that appellant complete the anger management program at Melymbrosia.T.13 and 19. She testified that appellant participated in anger management from January of 2007 until June of 2007 when he was terminated from the program for failure to take responsibility for his own actions, lack of motivation and sporadic attendance. T. 13 and 23.

{¶ 15} Ms. Eggenschwiler testified that appellant attended Goodwill Parenting and received a certificate of attendance, the lowest certificate of achievement. T.13. She stated that, at the discharge meeting, the Goodwill coordinators stated that appellant lacked motivation in class participation and parenting. T.14.

{¶ 16} Ms. Eggenschwiler testified that appellant had not recently submitted any urine screens and that the agency did not have current concerns regarding drug abuse.T.14. On cross-examination the appellant testified that he had not used any illegal substances for approximately three years but subsequently admitted that he had used marijuana within the last two weeks prior to the hearing. T.26.

{¶ 17} Ms. Eggenschwiler testified that appellant had employment and independent housing. T.14. However, on cross-examination the appellant admitted that he was in the process of being evicted from his current housing. T.32-33.

{¶ 18} Ms. Eggenschwiler testified that appellant had weekly visits with the child which lasted approximately two hours. T.15. She stated that during those visits appellant had to be prompted to do things, would get bored or tired, and would let the child wander. T.15. Essentially, she testified that appellant could not maintain control *Page 6 over the child for the entire two hours. T.15. She further testified that it did not appear that the appellant and the child were bonded. T.21.

{¶ 19} Ms. Eggenschwiler testified that the in her opinion the risks that were initially present at the time of the child's removal from his home had not been reduced. T.15.

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Bluebook (online)
2008 Ohio 1919, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/in-re-randy-2007-ca-00259-4-21-2008-ohioctapp-2008.