Stevens v. Rowe

2018 Ohio 925

• Court: Ohio Court of Appeals
• Decided: March 9, 2018
• Docket: 2017 AP 09 0026
• Status: Published

Opinion

[Cite as Stevens v. Rowe, 2018-Ohio-925.]

COURT OF APPEALS TUSCARAWAS COUNTY, OHIO FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

CHRISTOPHER STEVENS : JUDGES: : Hon. Patricia A. Delaney, P.J. Plaintiff-Appellee : Hon. Craig R. Baldwin, J. : Hon. Earle E. Wise, Jr., J. -vs- : : CASSIDY ROWE : Case No. 2017 AP 09 0026 : Defendant-Appellant : OPINION

CHARACTER OF PROCEEDING: Appeal from the Court of Common Pleas, Juvenile Division, Case No. 2016 CC 00065

JUDGMENT: Affirmed

DATE OF JUDGMENT: March 9, 2018

APPEARANCES:

For Plaintiff-Appellee For Defendant-Appellant

SCOTT MASTIN JOSEPH I. TRIPODI 108 East High Avenue 114 East High Avenue Suite 3 New Philadelphia, OH 44663 New Philadelphia, OH 44663 Tuscarawas County, Case No. 2017 AP 09 0026 2

Wise, Earle, J.

{¶ 1} Defendant-Appellant Cassidy Rowe (Mother) appeals the August 8, 2017

judgment of the Tuscarawas County Court of Common Pleas Juvenile Division adopting

the magistrate’s decision awarding custody of A.S to plaintiff-appellee Christopher

Stevens (Father).

FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

{¶ 2} This is an appeal from an original custody action. Mother and Father never

married. Their child, A.S was born on June 6, 2015. On March 31, 2016, Father filed a

complaint to establish custody of A.S.

{¶ 3} By agreement of the parties, the trial court appointed Guardian ad Liteum

(GAL) Karen Dummermuth to conduct an investigation. Shortly after the GAL began work

on the case, however, Mother objected to her appointment alleging the GAL was biased

against her because she was involved in a previous case wherein Mother lost custody of

her oldest child. Mother did not request a hearing on the matter, and the magistrate

overruled the objection without a hearing. Mother did not file a motion to set aside the

magistrate’s decision.

{¶ 4} During her investigation in this matter, the GAL observed both parents as

very young, and needing guidance to develop appropriate parenting skills. Both the GAL

and Sara Zoke from Help Me Grow worked with and observed both parents and their

interaction with A.S. during the pendency of the case. Zoke met with each parent in their

respective homes on a weekly basis. Father learned very quickly how to respond to the

needs of A.S, while Mother was slow to develop any parenting skills. Tuscarawas County, Case No. 2017 AP 09 0026 3

{¶ 5} On March 22, 2017 the matter came for hearing before a magistrate. After

hearing evidence from both sides and reviewing evidence submitted from both sides, the

magistrate awarded custody to Father. The decision was journalized on May 8, 2017.

Mother timely filed objections. On August 8, 2017, the trial court overruled Mother’s

objections and adopted the magistrate’s decision.

{¶ 6} Mother now brings this appeal, raising three assignments of error:

I

{¶ 7} "THE TRIAL COURT ABUSED ITS DISCRETION IN OVERRULING

APPELLANT'S OBJECTION TO THE APPOINTMENT OF KAREN DUMMERMUTH AS

GAL, IN THIS CASE, WITHOUT A DUE PROCESS HEARING."

II

{¶ 8} "THE TRIAL COURT ABUSED ITS DISCRETION IN OVERRULING

APPELLANT'S OBJECTION TO F/F #4 (MAGISTRATE'S DECISION), AND IN SO

DOING VIOLATED DUE PROCESS RIGHTS OF THE APPELLANT."

III

{¶ 9} "THE TRIAL COURT ABUSED ITS DISCRETION IN OVERRULING

APPELLANT'S OBJECTIONS TO THE MAGISTRATE'S RECOMMENDATION AND IN

GRANTING CUSTODY OF [A] TO APPELLEE IN THAT THE MANIFEST WEIGHT OF

THE EVIDENCE WAS AGAINST SUCH RECOMMENDATION AND CUSTODY

SHOULD HAVE BEEN PLACED IN THE APPELLANT." Tuscarawas County, Case No. 2017 AP 09 0026 4

{¶ 10} In her first assignment of error, Mother argues that the trial court abused its

discretion when it in overruled her objection to the appointment of the GAL without first

holding a hearing. We disagree.

{¶ 11} First, although Mother now complains the trial court failed to hold a hearing

on her objection to the appointment of the GAL, we note Mother’s objection, filed June

27, 2016, did not request a hearing. Moreover, Mother did not timely object to the

magistrate’s decision of June 29, 2016 denying Mother’s objection to the appointment of

Dummermuth as GAL.

{¶ 12} After custody was awarded to Father, Mother did file objections to the

magistrate's findings of fact and conclusions of law, and did again raise her bias

argument. However, that was nearly a year after Mother objected to Dummermuth's

appointment. Civ.R. 53(D)(2)(b) states that a request to vacate a magistrate's order must

be filed within ten days of the order. Because Mother did not timely object to the

magistrate’s decision overruling her objection to the appointment of Dummermuth as GAL

without a hearing, we find she has waived the matter on appeal. Moreover, Mother has

not raised plain error.

{¶ 13} The first assignment of error is overruled.

{¶ 14} In her second assignment of error, Mother argues the trial court abused its

discretion in overruling her objection to the magistrate's fourth finding of fact. We

disagree. Tuscarawas County, Case No. 2017 AP 09 0026 5

{¶ 15} First, an abuse of discretion means more than an error of law or judgment.

Rather, it implies that the trial court's attitude was unreasonable, arbitrary, or

unconscionable. Blakemore v. Blakemore, 5 Ohio St.3d 217, 219, 450 N.E.2d 1140

(1983).

{¶ 16} Next, “[a] trial court is vested with broad discretion in determining the

admissibility of evidence in any particular case, so long as such discretion is exercised in

line with the rules of procedure and evidence and the admission of relevant evidence

rests with the sound discretion of the trial court.” Burton v. Dutiel, 5th Dist. Perry No. 2015-

Ohio-4134 ¶ 83 citing State v. Sage, 31 Ohio St.3d 173, 510 N.E.2d 343 (1987).

{¶ 17} The fourth finding of fact stated the following:

[Mother] has an older child, [B] (age 7) who was removed from her

custody during infancy. The child failed to thrive in [Mother's] care.

[Mother] did not follow the case plan. The minor child is in the legal

custody of the father. [Mother] has not seen the child in about 6

years.

{¶ 18} According to Mother, using B's removal as a reason to take A.S was

unconscionable and prejudicial.

{¶ 19} Mother argues B was removed from her care due to reasons other than

those stated in the record of this matter. Why B was removed from mother's care,

however, is not an issue to be retried in this case. Finding of Fact No. 4 merely recited a

factual circumstance regarding Mother's older child. Mother’s past parenting behavior is Tuscarawas County, Case No. 2017 AP 09 0026 6

and her ability to learn from the case plan services are all relevant to her current ability to

parent and a determination of the best interests of A.S.

{¶ 20} Additionally, the case involving B was only one consideration of ten set forth

in the magistrate’s decision. The magistrate’s ultimate decision was based on evidence

that Father “has matured and learned to successfully parent this minor child,” while on

the other hand, Mother made little progress toward the same goal “despite the number of

people offering her help and guidance.” Magistrate’s decision, May 8, 2017 at 3.

{¶ 21} We find no abuse of discretion. Accordingly, we overrule the second

assignment of error.

{¶ 22} In her final assignment of error, Mother argues the trial court abused its

discretion when it overruled her objections to the magistrate's recommendation granting

custody of A.S to Father. Specifically, Mother argues the award of custody to Father is

against the manifest weight of the evidence. She argues she is entitled to custody of A.S.

because there was no finding of harm to A.S if Mother retained custody. We disagree.

{¶ 23} On review for manifest weight, the standard in a civil case is identical to the

standard in a criminal case: a reviewing court is to examine the entire record, weigh the

evidence and all reasonable inferences, consider the credibility of witnesses and

determine "whether in resolving conflicts in the evidence, the jury [or finder of fact] clearly

lost its way and created such a manifest miscarriage of justice that the conviction

[decision] must be reversed and a new trial ordered." State v. Martin, 20 Ohio App.3d

172, 175, 485 N.E.2d 717 (1st Dist.1983). In Thompkins, supra, at 387, quoting Black's

Law Dictionary 1594 (6th Ed.1990), the Supreme Court of Ohio explained the following: Tuscarawas County, Case No. 2017 AP 09 0026 7

Weight of the evidence concerns "the inclination of the greater

amount of credible evidence, offered in a trial, to support one side of

the issue rather than the other. It indicates clearly to the jury that the

party having the burden of proof will be entitled to their verdict, if, on

weighing the evidence in their minds, they shall find the greater

amount of credible evidence sustains the issue which is to be

established before them. Weight is not a question of mathematics,

but depends on its effect in inducing belief."

{¶ 24} In weighing the evidence, however, we are always mindful of the

presumption in favor of the trial court's factual findings. Eastley v. Volkman, 132 Ohio

St.3d 328, 2012-Ohio-2179, 972 N.E.2d 517.

{¶ 25} First, this is an appeal from an original custody action. Thus, contrary to

Mother’s argument, there is no requirement that there be a showing of a change in

circumstance or "harm." Rather, R.C. 3109.042(A) applies to this matter and provides:

An unmarried female who gives birth to a child is the sole residential

parent and legal custodian of the child until a court of competent

jurisdiction issues an order designating another person as the

residential parent and legal custodian. A court designating the

residential parent and legal custodian of a child described in this

section shall treat the mother and father as standing upon an equality

when making the designation. Tuscarawas County, Case No. 2017 AP 09 0026 8

{¶ 26} Pursuant to R.C. 3109.04(B)(1), when allocating parental rights and

responsibilities for the care of the children in an original proceeding, the court shall take

into account that which would be in the best interest of the child.

{¶ 27} R.C. 3109.04(F)(1)(a)-(j) sets forth a non-exhaustive list of factors a court

shall consider to determine the child’s best interest: (a) the parents' wishes; (b) the child's

wishes if the court has interviewed the child; (c) the child's interaction and interrelationship

with the child's parents, siblings and any other person who may significantly affect the

child's best interests; (d) the child's adjustment to home, school, and community; (e) the

mental and physical health of all relevant persons; (f) the parent more likely to honor and

facilitate court-approved parenting time rights or companionship rights; (g) whether either

parent has failed to make all child support payments pursuant to a child support order; (h)

whether either parent or any member of the household of either parent previously has

been convicted of or pleaded guilty to certain criminal offense involving children; (i)

whether the residential parent or one of the parents subject to a shared parenting decree

has continuously and willfully denied the other parent's right to parenting time in

accordance with a court order; and (j) whether either parent has established a residence,

or is planning to establish a residence, outside of Ohio.

{¶ 28} In Pater v. Pater, 63 Ohio St.3d 393, 396, 588 N.E.2d 794 (1992) the

Supreme Court of Ohio discussed the standard of review in a custody matter:

The statutory standard is written broadly and requires the domestic

relations judge to consider all factors that are relevant to the best

interests of the child. The purpose of a far-reaching inquiry is to allow Tuscarawas County, Case No. 2017 AP 09 0026 9

the judge to make a fully informed decision on an issue as important

as which parent will raise the child. “The discretion which a trial court

enjoys in custody matters should be accorded the utmost respect,

given the nature of the proceeding and the impact the court's

determination will have on the lives of the parties concerned. The

knowledge a trial court gains through observing the witnesses and

the parties in a custody proceeding cannot be conveyed to a

reviewing court by a printed record.” (Citations omitted.) Miller v.

Miller (1988), 37 Ohio St.3d 71, 74, 523 N.E.2d 846, 849. A reviewing

court will not overturn a custody determination unless the trial court

has acted in a manner that is arbitrary, unreasonable, or capricious.

Id.

{¶ 29} Turning to the relevant factors set forth in R.C. 3109.04(F)(1), and other

relevant considerations, the trial court heard evidence and reviewed exhibits indicating

that both parents desired custody of A.S, and A.S. at 18 months-old, was too young to

express her wishes. While A.S demonstrated a bond with both parents, that bond was

observed to be stronger with Father. T. 120. Father had stable employment and housing,

while mother did not. T. 173, Magistrate’s Notes of Testimony of GAL.1 Father kept A.S

on a schedule, and provided her with nutritious meals, while mother did not. T. 121-122,

150, GAL report December 12, 2016, Magistrate’s Notes of testimony of GAL. Mother's

1During part of the testimony of the GAL at the March 22, 2017 hearing, the recording device failed. The parties stipulated the magistrate’s notes, appellant’s appendix 7, were an accurate representation of the GAL’s testimony. T. 23-24. Tuscarawas County, Case No. 2017 AP 09 0026 10

interaction with A.S. was observed as distant and cold, putting her own needs first while

Father was observed to be warm, nurturing and responsive to the needs of A.S. T. 69,

150, 154, GAL report September 6, 2016. A.S was observed to be insecure in Mother's

home, but social and outgoing in Father's home. T. 142-146. Over the course of the case,

Mother became increasingly impatient with A.S while Father was consistently patient. T.

118-119. Mother used age-inappropriate discipline and on one occasion was observed

becoming aggressive with A.S because the child rolled over in her sleep and bumped

Mother. T.78, 88, 117. Mother’s friend, with whom Mother lived at the time of the hearing,

and testified on Mother’s behalf stated she had concerns about Mother’s ability to parent.

T. 196.

{¶ 30} Upon review of the record, we find the award of custody to father was not

against the manifest weight of the evidence, and does not demonstrate an abuse of

discretion. The final assignment of error is overruled.

By Wise, Earle, J.

Delaney, P.J. and

Baldwin, J. concur.

EEW/rw