Court Opinion

ID: 4372211
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2019-02-28 16:35:52.442655+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:49:38.504482
License: Public Domain

[Cite as In re A.R., 2019-Ohio-713.]

                                           COURT OF APPEALS
                                        RICHLAND COUNTY, OHIO
                                       FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

                                                   :   JUDGES:
                                                   :
                                                   :   Hon. William B. Hoffman, P.J.
                                                   :   Hon. Patricia A. Delaney, J.
 IN RE A.R.                                        :   Hon. Craig R. Baldwin, J.
                                                   :
                                                   :   Case No. 18CA44
                                                   :
                                                   :
                                                   :
                                                   :
                                                   :   OPINION

CHARACTER OF PROCEEDING:                               Appeal from the Richland County Court
                                                       of Common Pleas, Juvenile Division,
                                                       Case No. 2017-DEP-00025

JUDGMENT:                                              AFFIRMED

DATE OF JUDGMENT ENTRY:                                February 27, 2019

APPEARANCES:

 For Mother-Appellant:

 DARIN AVERY
 105 Sturges Ave.
 Mansfield, OH 44903
Richland County, Case No. 18CA44                                                          2

Delaney, J.

       {¶1} Mother-Appellant appeals the May 17, 2018 judgment entry of the Richland

County Court of Common Pleas, Juvenile Division. Appellee Richland County Children

Services Board and Appellee Father did not file an appellate brief.

                         FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

       {¶2} N.R., Mother-Appellant, was residing at a drug treatment facility receiving

methadone treatment when she gave birth to A.R. on January 21, 2017. A.R. tested

positive for methadone at birth. While at the hospital, the staff observed Mother repeatedly

falling asleep while she breastfed A.R. For A.R.’s welfare, the hospital staff would not

permit Mother to be alone with A.R. On January 23, 2017, A.R. tested positive for opiates

even though Mother had not been prescribed opiates. Mother wanted to bring A.R. to the

residential drug treatment facility, but the facility could not supervise the child.

       {¶3} On February 15, 2017, the Richland County Children Services Board

(“RCCSB”) filed a complaint alleging A.R. was a dependent and abused child pursuant to

R.C. 2151.04 and 2151.031. Father of A.R. was alleged to be L.E. pending genetic

testing.

       {¶4} A.R. was adjudicated a dependent child on April 25, 2017. By judgment

entry issued May 3, 2017, A.R. was placed in the temporary custody of RCCSB. RCCSB

placed the child with maternal relatives. At that time, Father’s paternity had not been

established. Mother had voluntarily left her drug treatment facility without completing her

treatment and her address was unknown. RCCSB established a case plan for Mother and

Father. The case plan included visitation for both parents. Father complied with his case

plan requirements. As part of her case plan, Mother was required to successfully
Richland County, Case No. 18CA44                                                      3

complete substance abuse treatment with random drug screens and releases of

information to RCCSB. Mother did not complete her case plan requirements.

       {¶5} On May 9, 2017, Father filed a motion for disposition requesting temporary

custody of the child.

       {¶6} Father’s paternity was established by genetic testing and court order on

May 10, 2017.

       {¶7} In July 2017, Mother was indicted in Richland County for possession of

heroin, aggravated possession of drugs, and possession of drugs.

       {¶8} On September 12, 2017, Father filed a motion for no contact order. Father

requested the trial court order that it was in the best interests of A.R. that Mother be

prohibited from having contact with Father. Mother allegedly came to Father’s residence

without invitation while A.R. was present. Mother made allegations against Father and

refused to leave.

       {¶9} The trial court granted Father’s motion for no contact on October 19, 2017.

       {¶10} The trial court held a hearing on October 20, 2017 on Father’s motion for

temporary custody. At the time of the hearing, Mother was confined in the Richland

County Jail based on a probation violation. Mother had a recent opiate overdose, but she

did not know the reason for her recent confinement because she stated she had so many

drug-related cases pending. Mother opposed Father’s motion that he be awarded

temporary custody of the child. She claimed at the hearing that she observed Father

sexually abuse the child during her unsanctioned visit to Father’s home, which was the

impetus for the no-contact order. Mother claimed her observation of the incident caused

her to take heroin again. RCCSB investigated Mother’s claim and found it was
Richland County, Case No. 18CA44                                                          4

unsubstantiated. The Guardian ad litem recommended temporary custody be awarded to

Father with the child remaining in the protective supervision of the RCCSB.

       {¶11} On February 1, 2018, the magistrate issued its amended magistrate’s

decision recommending that temporary custody of the child be granted to Father, with an

order of protective supervision to RCCSB. The magistrate further recommended that it

was in the best interests of the child that Mother have no contact with the child and Father

pending presentation of proof of her substantial compliance with the substance abuse

treatment as stated in her case plan.

       {¶12} Mother filed objections to the magistrate’s decision on February 15, 2018.

She argued the magistrate’s decision was not supported by the evidence at trial and

against the manifest weight of the evidence. Mother filed supplemental objections to the

magistrate’s decision on May 1, 2018. She objected to the magistrate’s findings of facts

that RCCSB fully investigated her concerns regarding Father’s alleged sexual abuse of

the child and that Father was giving the child the proper protection and care.

       {¶13} On May 17, 2018, the trial court overruled Mother’s objections and adopted

the magistrate’s decision.

       {¶14} It is from this judgment Mother now appeals.

                               ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR

       {¶15} Mother raises one Assignment of Error:

       {¶16} “THE COURT ABUSED ITS DISCRETION BY ORDERING MOTHER TO

HAVE NO CONTACT WITH HER INFANT CHILD A.R.”
Richland County, Case No. 18CA44                                                             5

                                         ANALYSIS

       {¶17} Mother contends in her sole Assignment of Error that the trial court abused

its discretion when it ordered Mother to have no contact with the child until she completed

her drug treatment pursuant to her case plan. She argues the magistrate failed to

establish the no-contact order was in the best interest of the child. We have reviewed

Mother’s objections and supplemental objections to the magistrate’s decision. Based

upon our review of her objections, we find Mother failed to file a specific objection to the

magistrate’s conclusion of law that “it is in [A.R.’s] best interests that the Court’s prior

order of no contact between the minor child and [Mother] be maintained pending

[Mother’s] successful completion of substance abuse treatment and pending further order

of this Court.” (Amended Magistrate’s Decision, Feb. 1, 2018).

       {¶18} Objections to a magistrate’s decision are governed by Civ.R. 53. Civ. R.

53(D) states in pertinent part:

       (3) Magistrate's decision; objections to magistrate's decision

       ***

       (b) Objections to magistrate's decision

       ***

       (i) Time for filing. A party may file written objections to a magistrate's decision

       within fourteen days of the filing of the decision, whether or not the court has

       adopted the decision during that fourteen-day period as permitted by Civ.R.

       53(D)(4)(e)(i). If any party timely files objections, any other party may also

       file objections not later than ten days after the first objections are filed. If a

       party makes a timely request for findings of fact and conclusions of law, the
Richland County, Case No. 18CA44                                                          6

       time for filing objections begins to run when the magistrate files a decision

       that includes findings of fact and conclusions of law.

       (ii) Specificity of objection. An objection to a magistrate's decision shall be

       specific and state with particularity all grounds for objection.

       ***

       (iv) Waiver of right to assign adoption by court as error on appeal. Except for

       a claim of plain error, a party shall not assign as error on appeal the court's

       adoption of any factual finding or legal conclusion, whether or not specifically

       designated as a finding of fact or conclusion of law under Civ.R.

       53(D)(3)(a)(ii), unless the party has objected to that finding or conclusion as

       required by Civ.R. 53(D)(3)(b).

       {¶19} Mother failed to file a specific objection pursuant to Civ.R. 53(D)(3)(b) that

argued the magistrate erred in continuing the no-contact order with child until Mother

completed her drug treatment. We therefore find Mother cannot assign as error on appeal

the trial court's adoption of any factual finding or legal conclusion pursuant to Civ.R.

53(D)(3)(b)(iv). We note that authority exists in Ohio law for the proposition that Mother's

failure to object to a conclusion of law in a magistrate's decision does not bar appellate

review of “plain error.” In re B.H., 5th Dist. Fairfield No. 14–CA–53, 2014–Ohio–5790, ¶¶

56–57 citing R.G. Real Estate Holding, Inc. v. Wagner, 2nd Dist. Montgomery App. No.

16737, 1998 WL 199628(Apr. 24, 1998); In re Ortego, 5th Dist. Tuscarawas

No.1999AP05003, 2000 WL 330069 (Mar. 8, 2000); Batsch v. Tress, 11th Dist. Portage

No.2000–P–0022, 2001–Ohio–4343. However, the Supreme Court has cautioned against

the over application of plain error analysis:
Richland County, Case No. 18CA44                                                          7

       The plain error doctrine originated as a criminal law concept. In applying the

       doctrine of plain error in a civil case, reviewing courts must proceed with the

       utmost caution, limiting the doctrine strictly to those extremely rare cases

       where exceptional circumstances require its application to prevent a

       manifest miscarriage of justice, and where the error complained of, if left

       uncorrected, would have a material adverse effect on the character of, and

       public confidence in, judicial proceedings. Schade, 70 Ohio St.2d at 209, 24

       O.O.3d at 317, 436 N.E.2d at 1003; LeFort v. Century 21–Maitland Realty

       Co. (1987), 32 Ohio St.3d 121, 124, 512 N.E.2d 640, 643; Cleveland Elec.

       Illum. Co. v. Astorhurst Land Co. (1985), 18 Ohio St.3d 268, 275, 18 OBR

       322, 327–328, 480 N.E.2d 794, 800.

Goldfuss v. Davidson, 79 Ohio St.3d 116, 121, 1997–Ohio–401, 679 N.E.2d 1099.

       {¶20} Mother argues the trial court abused its discretion by denying her visitation

with her child. A trial court enjoys broad discretion in deciding matters regarding the

visitation of non-residential parents. Matter of X.G., 5th Dist. Tuscarawas No. 2018 AP 04

0015, 2018-Ohio-4890, 2018 WL 6435764, ¶¶ 26-28 citing Appleby v. Appleby, 24 Ohio

St.3d 39, 492 N.E.2d 831 (1986). However, a non-residential parent's right of visitation is

a natural right and should be denied under extraordinary circumstances, including

unfitness of the noncustodial parent or a significant risk of harm to the child. Cremeans v.

Cheadle, 5th Dist. Licking No. 07 CA 25, 2008-Ohio-2148. The standard of review

concerning visitation rights is whether the trial court committed an abuse of discretion.

Booth v. Booth, 44 Ohio St.3d 142, 541 N.E.2d 1028 (1989). An abuse of discretion
Richland County, Case No. 18CA44                                                                 8

implies that the court's attitude is unreasonable, arbitrary, or unconscionable. Blakemore

v. Blakemore, 5 Ohio St.3d 217, 450 N.E.2d 1140 (1983).

       {¶21} The juvenile court retains the authority to grant, limit, or eliminate visitation

rights with respect to a child when crafting the final disposition of a case. In order to further

a child's best interest, the trial court has the discretion to limit or restrict visitation rights.

Hurst v. Hurst, 5th Dist. Licking No. 12-CA-70, 2013-Ohio-2674. “This includes the power

to restrict the time and place of visitation, to determine the conditions under which

visitation will take place, and to deny visitation rights altogether if visitation would not be

in the best interest of the child.” Jannetti v. Nichol, 7th Dist. Mahoning No. 97-CA-239,

2000 WL 652540 (May 12, 2000).

       {¶22} Because custody issues are some of the most difficult and agonizing

decisions a trial judge must make, he or she must have wide latitude in considering all

the evidence. Davis v. Flickinger, 77 Ohio St.3d 415, 674 N.E.2d 1159 (1997). The Ohio

Supreme Court has also explained, “A reviewing court should not reverse a decision

simply because it holds a different opinion concerning credibility of the witnesses and

evidence submitted before the trial court. A finding of an error of law is a legitimate

grounds for reversal, but a difference of opinion on credibility of witnesses and evidence

is not.” Seasons Coal Co. v. Cleveland, 10 Ohio St.3d 77, 461 N.E.2d 1273 (1984). As

an appellate court, we neither weigh the evidence nor judge the credibility of the

witnesses. Davis v. Flickinger, 77 Ohio St.3d 415, 674 N.E.2d 1159 (1997). Deferring to

the trial court on matters of credibility is “crucial in a child custody case, where there may

be much evidence in the parties' demeanor and attitude that does not translate to the

record well.” Id.
Richland County, Case No. 18CA44                                                       9

      {¶23} In this case, we find no plain error or abuse of the discretion for the trial

court to find it was in the best interest of the child to order no-contact between Mother

and child until Mother successfully completed drug treatment. The evidence in this case

demonstrated Mother was struggling with an addiction to heroin. The amended

magistrate’s decision found:

      7. [Mother] was conveyed to both hearings from the Richland County Jail.

      On October 20, 2017, she was incarcerated for a probation violation. On

      January 19, 2018, [Mother] was awaiting sentencing for a felony. [Mother]

      testified that she had “so many (presumably drug-related) cases pending

      that I don’t know which case” was the basis for her current confinement. On

      October 20, 2017, [Mother] testified that she had a recent opiate overdose

      but was not sure when it had occurred. [Mother’s] Case Plan required that

      she successfully complete substance abuse treatment with random drug

      screens and releases of information to Children Services.

      8. * * * [Mother] had voluntarily abandoned inpatient treatment in Cincinnati,

      Ohio without completing treatment and she had revoked her release of

      information to Children Services. In her testimony on October 20, [Mother]

      claimed that she had completed drug treatment in Cincinnati; she had

      walked away from aftercare at an unnamed facility because of “roommate

      conflicts”; that she had regularly attended a methadone clinic at “UCPC

      Cincinnati”; and that she had “stacks and stacks of clean drug screens.”

      She presented no evidence of any of these claims. In fact, no evidence was

      presented indicating that [Mother] has completed nor is involved in ongoing
Richland County, Case No. 18CA44                                                             10

       treatment for her substance abuse issues; and the Court finds that her

       claims to the contrary lack credibility.

(Amended Magistrate’s Decision, Feb. 1, 2018).

       {¶24} The trial court originally issued the no-contact order because Mother came

to Father’s home without permission while Father had visitation with the child. Mother’s

unsanctioned visit caused RCCSB to investigate an unsubstantiated sexual abuse

allegation and Mother allegedly relapsed thereafter. It was within the juvenile court’s

discretion to find it would be in the best interest of the child to deny Mother visitation until

she successfully completed a drug treatment program pursuant to her case plan. It is

within Mother’s control to re-establish visitation by demonstrating compliance with her

case plan.

       {¶25} Mother’s sole Assignment of Error is overruled.
Richland County, Case No. 18CA44                                             11

                                   CONCLUSION

       {¶26} The judgment of the Richland County Court of Common Pleas, Juvenile

Division is affirmed.

By: Delaney, J.,

Hoffman, P.J. and

Baldwin, J., concur.