Opinion ID: 1358677
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Michael M., II

Text: Angela H. is the natural mother of Michael M., II. [1] Michael M.'s biological father is deceased. On July 2, 1997, at the age of nine months, Michael M. was examined in the emergency room at City Hospital in Martinsburg, West Virginia, having been taken there by Angela H., his maternal grandmother, and his mother's boyfriend, Robbie G. An x-ray of Michael M.'s right leg showed that he had suffered fractures of both his femur and tibia. The explanation given by Angela H. for her baby's fractured bones was medically implausible, [2] and, consequently, the matter was reported to the Department by hospital personnel as a case of suspected child abuse. After referral to the Department, the case progressed according to the statutory procedure in cases of child abuse or neglect. See W.Va.Code § 49-6-1, et seq. On July 8, 1997, the Department filed a petition, alleging that Michael M. was an abused and neglected child within the meaning of W.Va. Code § 49-1-3 [1994]. [3] On that same date, the circuit judge awarded emergency custody of the infant to the Department. A preliminary hearing was held on July 17, 1997. Following the hearing, the circuit court ordered that Michael M. be placed in the temporary physical custody of his paternal aunt and uncle, provided that the Department found their home to be suitable. On July 22, 1997, that placement was achieved. On August 25, 1997, the lower court conducted an adjudicatory hearing. See W.Va.Code § 49-6-2 [1996]. In an Adjudication Order, filed on August 29, 1997, the circuit judge concluded that Michael M. was an abused child as defined in W.Va.Code § 49-1-3 [1994]; ordered the Department to retain temporary custody of Michael M. and develop a permanency plan within 30 days; and ordered that Michael M.'s visitation with his mother continue, but not in the presence of Robbie G., the putative abuser. On September 19, 1997, the Department filed a child's case plan for Michael M. See W.Va.Code § 49-6-5(a) [1996]. In that document, the Department suggested that Angela H.'s parental rights be terminated and that Michael M. be placed permanently in the home of his paternal aunt and uncle, who were willing to adopt him. The Department also recommended that Angela H. be given visitation rights in the event that her parental rights were terminated. A disposition hearing took place on September 29, 1997. See W.Va.Code § 49-6-5 [1996]. Subsequently, on October 2, 1997, the circuit court entered a disposition order in which it found that there was no reasonable likelihood that the conditions of abuse could be corrected within a reasonable period of time; [4] terminated Angela H.'s parental rights; and granted Angela H. visitation rights. In addition, the circuit court awarded permanent guardianship of Michael M. to the Department with the direction that he be placed in permanent foster care. In so ordering, the circuit court stated: However, it does not follow that Angela [H.] should have no future contact with this child and so the Court is of the opinion that visitation rights ought to be granted within limitation. WVDHHR in its permanency plan suggested adoption within the family as being the desired course of action. However, this Court is dismayed by the administrative delays within WVDHHR vis-a-vis adoptions and believes that permanent foster care is more appropriate especially since contact between the natural mother and the child is to be maintained. In this connection, however, WVDHHR is to understand that when the Court directs it to place a child in permanent foster care, the Court intends that there is to be a placement with a family which is willing to serve in that capacity until the child reaches his majority or is otherwise emancipated and that such a grant of authority does not permit a movement from one foster home to another, which process is deemed by this Court to be injurious to the child.