In re S.B.J. v. Connolly

2021 Ohio 1161
CourtOhio Court of Appeals
DecidedMarch 30, 2021
Docket20 MA 0010
StatusPublished
Cited by1 cases

This text of 2021 Ohio 1161 (In re S.B.J. v. Connolly) 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 S.B.J. v. Connolly, 2021 Ohio 1161 (Ohio Ct. App. 2021).

Opinion

[Cite as In re S.B.J. v. Connolly, 2021-Ohio-1161.]

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO SEVENTH APPELLATE DISTRICT MAHONING COUNTY

IN THE MATTER OF S.B.J., JENNIFER JONES,

Plaintiff-Appellant,

v.

PATRICK CONNOLLY,

Defendant-Appellee.

OPINION AND JUDGMENT ENTRY Case No. 20 MA 0010

Civil Appeal from the Court of Common Pleas of Mahoning County, Ohio, Juvenile Division Case Nos. 2006 JI 0705, 2018 JC 930

BEFORE: David A. D’Apolito, Gene Donofrio, Carol Ann Robb, Judges.

JUDGMENT: Affirmed.

Atty. David Engler, Engler Law Firm, 181 Elm Road, N.E., Warren, Ohio 44483, for Plaintiff-Appellant and

Atty. James Lanzo, 4126 Youngstown-Poland Road, Youngstown, Ohio 44514, for Defendant-Appellee. –2–

Dated: March 30, 2021

D’Apolito, J.

{¶1} Appellant, Jennifer Jones (“Mother”), appeals from the December 2, 2019 judgment of the Mahoning County Court of Common Pleas, Juvenile Division, finding no change in circumstances. On appeal, Mother asserts the juvenile court erred by not finding a change in circumstances; by ordering only a “limited” investigation from the guardian ad litem (“GAL”) and prohibiting counsel from cross-examining the GAL; and by specifically stating that her allegations were “delusional.” Finding no reversible error, we affirm.

FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

{¶2} This matter began on July 18, 2006 with an order establishing parentage between Appellee, Patrick Connolly (“Father”), and S.B.J. (“minor child”), d.o.b. March 25, 2006. On September 20, 2006, Father filed a complaint for transfer of custody, or in the alternative, for a shared parenting plan. A GAL was appointed for the minor child. Following a hearing, Father was granted companionship and ordered to pay child support. {¶3} The parties submitted a shared parenting plan on March 19, 2008, designating, inter alia, Mother residential parent for school purposes. Following a hearing before the magistrate, the juvenile court adopted the shared parenting agreement, finding it to be in the best interest of the minor child. On August 31, 2011, the parties filed an agreed motion to modify the shared parenting plan, designating Father residential parent for school purposes. The court adopted the change in parental designation. {¶4} On October 21, 2014, Father filed a motion to modify the shared parenting plan/motion to modify child support. The magistrate heard from the parties and modified the shared parenting plan to reflect the parties’ recent agreement regarding parenting time and holidays. The court also later granted Father’s motion to modify child support. {¶5} On June 15, 2016, Mother filed a motion to reallocate parental rights and responsibilities alleging that the minor child has emotional problems which have become worse by living with Father. Father filed an opposition. On August 11, 2016, Father filed a motion to modify the medical and child support obligation. In response, Mother filed a

Case No. 20 MA 0010 –3–

motion to increase child support. On January 25, 2017, Mother filed an amended motion for reallocation/amended motion to increase child support. The GAL filed a report recommending that the shared parenting plan remain unchanged. The matters were heard before the magistrate. On April 28, 2017, the magistrate filed a decision finding no change in circumstances and recommended overruling Mother’s motions and granting Father’s motions. {¶6} On May 4, 2017, Father filed a motion to terminate shared parenting/motion for psychological evaluation/motion for custody. Father also filed an objection to the magistrate’s decision alleging that the magistrate miscalculated the child support deviation for shared parenting time. Mother also filed an objection. The juvenile court adopted the magistrate’s decision. {¶7} On June 6, 2018, Mahoning County Children Services Board (“MCCSB”) intervened due to allegations that the minor child was emotionally and mentally abused. Thereafter, Mother filed a motion for change of parental rights. {¶8} The parties obtained psychological evaluations from the Forensic Psychiatric Center of NE Ohio. Mother was diagnosed with delusional disorder. The court conducted an in-camera interview with the minor child on July 31, 2018. The GAL filed an amended report recommending that Mother’s companionship time continue. {¶9} On August 10, 2018, MCCSB filed an ex parte complaint alleging that the minor child appears to be a dependent child pursuant to R.C. 2151.04(C). A MCCSB caseworker recommended that custody be granted to Father with an order of protective supervision. The juvenile court overruled the ex parte complaint, ordered that the minor child be returned to Father pursuant to the shared parenting plan, and granted supervised visitation to Mother. {¶10} Father filed another motion to terminate child support on October 11, 2018. Following a hearing, the juvenile court found the minor child to be a dependent child, granted Father’s motion to terminate child support, ordered that his payments be held in escrow, and ordered expanded visitation to Mother. The parties agreed to continue following a shared parenting plan with Father as residential and custodial parent. {¶11} On January 22, 2019, Mother filed a motion requesting the juvenile court to modify Father’s child support obligation. On May 10, 2019, Mother filed a motion to

Case No. 20 MA 0010 –4–

terminate current companionship schedule and restore her as residential parent as well as emergency motions to place the minor child with her and for an in-camera interview with the minor child. The court set hearing dates and granted the emergency motion for an in-camera interview. However, on June 13, 2019, the court found Mother failed to comply with previous orders and dismissed her motions, cancelled the change of placement hearing, and cancelled the interview. {¶12} On June 28, 2019, Mother filed renewed requests to terminate the current companionship schedule and restore her as residential parent, to immediately place the minor child with her, and to have an in-camera interview conducted. Mother alleged a change in circumstances and claimed the minor child wishes to reside with her. Following a hearing regarding modification of child support, the juvenile court decreased Mother’s arrearage. {¶13} A hearing was held on November 19, 2019. Mother claimed the minor child’s medical, physical, and emotional needs are not being met by Father. Father denied neglecting or abusing the minor child physically or emotionally. Father also denied making disparaging remarks about Mother. David Noll, a psychotherapist and licensed independent social worker, testified that the minor child has made conflicting statements about both parents during counseling. Noll did not find any evidence that the minor child had been neglected or abused by Father. The juvenile court directed the GAL to do a limited investigation. {¶14} On November 22, 2019, the parties filed written closing arguments as to whether there has been a change in circumstances since the prior decree. On December 2, 2019, the juvenile court found no change in circumstances and denied Mother’s motions. {¶15} Mother filed a timely notice of appeal and raises three assignments of error.

ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR NO. 1

THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN NOT FINDING A CHANGE OF CIRCUMSTANCES AS REQUIRED BY DAVIS V. FLICKENGER (1997), 77 OHIO ST.3D 415.

Case No. 20 MA 0010 –5–

The juvenile court exercises its jurisdiction in child custody matters in accordance with R.C. 3109.04. R.C. 2151.23(F)(1). In determining a motion for reallocation of parental rights, R.C. 3109.04(E)(1)(a) provides:

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Bluebook (online)
2021 Ohio 1161, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/in-re-sbj-v-connolly-ohioctapp-2021.