In the Matter of Brian L., Unpublished Decision (2-25-2000)

Ohio Court of Appeals·Decided February 25, 2000·No. Court of Appeals No. WD-99-038. Trial Court No. 94 JB 4037.·Unpublished

Opinion

This is an appeal from a judgment of the Wood County Court of Common Pleas, Juvenile Division, which granted permanent custody of Brian L. to the Wood County Department of Human Services ("DHS"). For the reasons stated herein, this court affirms the judgment of the trial court.

Appellant, Teresa L., mother of Brian L., sets forth the following assignments of error:

"ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR

"Assignment of Error Number One: The Trial Court erred in holding that permanent custody of a child may be awarded to a public children services agency having long term foster care of a child under circumstances wherein a guardian ad litem (sic), and not a public children services agency, files a Motion for Permanent Custody.

"Assignment of Error Number Two: The Trial Court erred in finding pursuant to R.C. 2151.414(E) that Brian L[.] should not be placed with Appellant.

"Assignment of Error Number Three: The Trial Court erred in finding that granting the motion for permanent custody was in the best interest of Brian L[.]."

The following facts are relevant to this appeal. Brian was born on January 15, 1988. In December 1994, DHS sought protective custody of Brian after investigating reports that Teresa had neglected to provide Brian with safe, stable and sanitary living conditions. On December 15, 1994, DHS filed a complaint alleging neglect. The complaint stated that the home in which Brian lived with appellant was found to be a nuisance because it lacked gas and had overcrowded living conditions. The complaint also stated that appellant and Brian had been evicted from that home and were living with friends. Additionally, Brian had a chronic head lice problem that had gone untreated by appellant and he had been continually absent from school. An expedited hearing was held on December 27, 1994 and protective services were commenced. A guardian ad litem ("GAL") was appointed for Brian as well as a court appointed special advocate ("CASA"). Counsel was appointed for appellant. DHS was granted temporary custody in April 1995 due to appellant's continued homelessness and Brian was placed in foster care. DHS created a case plan with reunification with appellant as the goal.

In regard to appellant, the original case plan, filed on January 11, 1995, set forth that appellant was to locate and maintain a safe and stable home for herself and Brian; ensure that she has the resources necessary to pay rent and utilities and keep the home free of unsanitary conditions; ensure that Brian attends school every day; properly treat and ensure that Brian remains lice and nit free; and participate in a drug and alcohol evaluation and successfully complete all treatment recommendations. The original case plan was amended eleven times; amendments included appellant developing a positive relationship with Brian and being aware of his needs, not exposing Brian to risk, and participating in family therapy and visits with Brian.

Temporary custody was extended several times due to appellant's failure to meet the objectives of her case plan. In February 1997, DHS filed a motion for long-term foster care and the trial court granted this motion on April 22, 1997. In July and October 1997, DHS filed motions to have Brian's custodial status renewed because appellant had failed to comply with the objectives of the case plan. In October 1997, DHS investigated a possible placement of Brian with appellant's father and his wife; however, in June 1998, these individuals determined that they could not provide a permanent home for Brian.

Both Brian's CASA and GAL filed reports recommending that permanent custody was in Brian's best interest. On October 21, 1998, Brian's GAL filed a motion for an order placing Brian in the permanent custody of DHS. On May 5, 1999, appellant filed a motion to dismiss the motion filed by Brian's GAL, arguing that Brian's GAL lacked standing to file the petition. On May 7, 1999, the trial court denied appellant's motion.

On May 6 and 10, 1999, the trial court held a hearing on the motion filed by Brian's GAL. Prior to taking any testimony, the trial court conducted an in camera interview with Brian, as requested by appellant. During the interview, Brian stated that he did not want to go back to appellant, that he did not feel safe when he was with appellant, that it would be all right if he did not see his blood relatives again, that he wanted to go with someone else so that he could have a mom and dad.

The administrator of the DHS programs testified in regard to her involvement in this case over the past two years. She testified that DHS first became involved with this family in February 1994 after receiving the first environmental neglect referral. The referral was that the home was unfit, that there was no food, and that Brian was not attending school. The first referral was not substantiated and no action was taken. Four more referrals were received between July 1994 and when protective services were ordered on December 27, 1994. DHS worked with appellant following the earlier referrals about what to change but no progress or change occurred so DHS filed a motion for protective services. The original case plan set forth supra was developed with reunification of Brian and appellant as the goal.

The parenting educator who worked with appellant testified that appellant attended three of a four class parenting series that she taught in 1996. The educator testified that appellant was attentive but quiet in the sessions and did not share any comments or ideas. The educator testified that she could not gauge what if any benefit appellant derived from the classes.

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In the Matter of Brian L., Unpublished Decision (2-25-2000), (Ohio Ct. App. 2000).

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