Court Opinion

ID: 9882493
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-10-05 22:10:38.811939+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:00:01.229750
License: Public Domain

[Cite as In re H.S., 2023-Ohio-3210.]

                       IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
                           THIRD APPELLATE DISTRICT
                               HANCOCK COUNTY

IN RE:                                                      CASE NO. 5-23-02

        H.S.,

ADJUDGED DEPENDENT CHILD.
                                                            OPINION
[MATTHEW S. - APPELLANT]

                Appeal from Hancock County Common Pleas Court
                                Juvenile Division
                            Trial Court No. 20213025

                                        Judgment Affirmed

                          Date of Decision: September 11, 2023

APPEARANCES:

        Alison Boggs for Appellant

        Emil G. Gravelle III for Appellee
Case No. 5-23-02

WILLAMOWSKI, J.

       {¶1} Appellant Matthew S. (“Father”) brings this appeal from the judgment

of the Court of Common Pleas of Hancock County, Juvenile Division terminating

his parental rights. Father argues on appeal that 1) the trial court’s judgment was

against the manifest weight of the evidence, 2) the Hancock County Child Protective

Services Unit (“the Agency”) failed to use reasonable case planning or make

diligent efforts to reunify Father with H.S., 3) the trial court abused its discretion in

finding Father abandoned H.S., 4) the Guardian Ad Litem (“the GAL”) failed to act

in the child’s best interests, 5) the trial court erred when it did not grant an extension,

and 6) the trial court erred when it failed to allow Father to participate in the hearing,

either in person or by zoom. For the reasons set forth below, the judgment is

affirmed.

       {¶2} Father and Constance S. (“Mother”) are the parents of H.S., born in

2017. On April 28, 2021, the trial court granted an ex parte request removing H.S.

from the home of paternal aunt (“Aunt”). This occurred after Mother gave birth at

the beginning of April 2021 to H.S.’s sibling who tested positive for tramadol and

fentanyl. Mother indicated that she had used the drugs out of state and that H.S. had

been living with Father and Aunt. A caseworker went to Aunt’s home and found

no safety concerns, determining at that time that Father and Aunt were appropriate

caregivers. The caseworker then conducted a drug screen on Father. The drug

screen later came back positive for tramadol and fentanyl. The caseworker then had

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Case No. 5-23-02

Father leave the home with Aunt keeping H.S. in the home. The caseworker did not

see any issues with the home or H.S. at that time.

        {¶3} On April 26, 2021, the Agency conducted a drug screen on Aunt. The

caseworker found no issues with the home or H.S. at that time. Aunt’s drugs screen

came back positive for THC. The Agency attempted to locate other caregivers, but

could not. As a result, the Agency requested an ex parte order to remove H.S. from

the home and place her in the emergency temporary custody of the Agency, which

was granted.

        {¶4} An adjudicatory hearing was held on June 17, 2021. The parties agreed

that H.S. was a dependent child. A hearing as to disposition was held on July 8,

2021. The trial court placed H.S. in the temporary custody of the Agency. The trial

court adopted the case plan filed by the Agency on July 8, 2021. The case plan

required Father to participate in drug counseling and to learn to cope with stressors

in a healthy way. The plan also required Father to submit to random drug tests. The

trial court appointed the GAL on October 14, 2021.

        {¶5} A semi-annual review of the case plan was conducted on October 26,

2021.    That report indicated that Father had failed to comply with testing

requirements and that he had made insufficient progress. On March 2, 2022, the

GAL that had been appointed in October was replaced with a different one. The

GAL filed her report and recommendations on March 23, 2022. The GAL noted

that Father had made no progress on the case plan, but that H.S. wished to return to

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Case No. 5-23-02

Father. The GAL noted that Father was attending supervised visitations with H.S.

The GAL recommended that H.S. remain in the temporary custody of the Agency.

        {¶6} The Agency completed a second semi-annual review on March 29,

2022. In that review, the Agency noted that Father had continued to visit with H.S.

and was making some progress on the case plan. The Agency recommended that

temporary custody of H.S. remain with the Agency. On April 5, 2022, the trial court

granted a six month extension as requested by the Agency.

        {¶7} On June 10, 2022, the Agency filed a motion for the trial court to

approve the amended case plan, which the trial court granted. The new case plan

required Father to 1) engage in substance abuse counseling and 2) obtain a safe and

stable home upon release from incarceration.

        {¶8} On July 19, 2022, the Agency filed a motion for permanent custody of

H.S. The motion indicated that it would be in the best interest of H.S. to be placed

with the Agency permanently and that H.S. had been in the temporary custody of

the Agency for twelve out of the prior consecutive twenty-two months. On August

2, 2022, Father filed a pro se motion to be permitted to participate in the hearing via

zoom as he was in the Worth Center.1 A new GAL was appointed in the case on

August 26, 2022.

1
  The WORTH Center is a Community Based Correctional Facility used as an alternative to the penal system
to provide residents the opportunity to change behaviors by offering individualized treatment for substance
abuse to offenders.

                                                  -4-
Case No. 5-23-02

      {¶9} On October 5, 2022, a semiannual administrative review of the case

plan was completed. The review noted that Father was currently incarcerated and

did not have appropriate housing. The review also noted that Father had been

incarcerated again as of September 28, 2022, and was facing a 17 month jail

sentence. This led to a conclusion that Father had made insufficient progress

towards the goal of stable housing. Father had made some progress towards

addressing his addiction issues while he was incarcerated at the Worth Center.

      {¶10} On November 4, 2022, the GAL filed his report. The GAL stated that

he had reviewed all pleadings and the case plan. The GAL visited with H.S. and

spoke with the caseworker. The GAL indicated that he attempted to contact Mother,

but does not indicate any attempt to speak with Father. The GAL reported that

Father had been living with his mother, but was currently incarcerated with an

expected release date of February 23, 2024. The GAL noted that Father had not

visited with H.S. since May of 2022. Based upon Mother’s and Father’s failures to

complete the case plan, the GAL recommended that the Agency’s motion for

permanent custody be granted.

      {¶11} On January 23, 2023, Father filed a motion to appear virtually to

participate in the proceedings. The trial court granted the motion for a virtual

appearance.

      {¶12} The trial court held the permanent custody hearing on November 14,

2022 and January 26, 2023. The Agency presented the testimony of three witnesses.

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Case No. 5-23-02

The first witness was Keshia Olague (“Olague”) who is the program coordinator for

Harmony House. Olague testified that Father used Harmony House’s visitation

services to visit with H.S. Olague identified Exhibit 2 as the record of Father’s visits

with H.S., which started in June of 2021 and ended in May of 2022. The visits

ended when Father went to the Worth Center. Once Father was released in August

of 2022, Father attempted to get back on the schedule, but was unable to attend a

visit before he was incarcerated again.

       {¶13} Ashley Prater (“Prater”) testified that she was the ongoing caseworker

in this case since February of 2022. Prater testified that H.S. had remained in the

temporary custody of the Agency since the child was removed from the home. The

original case plan required Father to complete substance use counseling. Later

Father was required to maintain safe and stable housing as well. The case plan also

provided for visitation between Father and H.S.       Prater testified that Father was

“very minimally compliant with any of his substance use services and referrals, as

well as he had not obtained any safe and stable housing for reunification.” At the

time of the hearing, Father was incarcerated with an expected release date in

February 2024. According to Prater, Father kept her informed where he could be

found, but he had no home of his own and tended to bounce between living with

friends and his mother. Prater testified that, in her opinion, Father had not made

significant progress on the case plan.        Prater indicated that due to Father’s

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Case No. 5-23-02

incarceration, he would not be able to provide the needed permanency and stability

for H.S.

       {¶14} On cross-examination, Prater admitted that much of her testimony was

not based upon first-hand knowledge, but rather a review of the records. Prater also

admitted that she had not contacted Father since September 2022 because she could

not call him at the prison. She did not attempt to contact him via mail. Prater

indicated that she did not personally observe any of the visits between Father and

H.S. The last drug test completed of Father was in September of 2022 and Father

was negative for all substances.

       {¶15} Kelli Miller (“Miller”) testified that she is the ongoing supervisor at

the Agency since June of 2022. Miller is trained as an adoption assessor. Miller

testified that if the trial court were to grant the motion of the Agency for permanent

custody, H.S. would be adopted by the foster parents, who were already approved

as adoptive parents.

       {¶16} Following the witnesses of the Agency, the GAL took the stand. The

GAL was asked if he had ever met Father. The GAL indicated he had not.

       {¶17} On January 26, 2023, the trial court entered judgment granting the

Agency’s motion for permanent custody. In reaching its conclusion the trial court

determined that although Father was minimally compliant with the substance abuse

treatment, he was “unable to demonstrate any success due to repeated

incarcerations.” The trial court then addressed the factors under R.C. 2151.414(E).

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Case No. 5-23-02

The trial court held that the case plan was reasonably calculated to correct the

reasons for the removal and Father had failed to remedy the conditions that resulted

in the removal. R.C 2151.414(E)(1). Father’s chemical dependency prevented him

from providing an adequate home for H.S. R.C 2151.414(E)(2). The court also

found that Father’s choices regarding illegal activity causing his incarcerations

displayed his lack of commitment toward H.S., thus showing an unwillingness to

provide an adequate home.      R.C. 2151.414(E)(4).     Father had gone multiple

stretches of time with no visitations due to repeated incarcerations causing him to

abandon H.S. R.C. 2151.414(E)(10). Father’s repeated incarcerations prevented

him from providing care for H.S. R.C. 2151.414(E)(13). Additionally, the trial

court determined that H.S. had been in the temporary custody of the Agency since

June 17, 2021, and the motion for permanent custody was filed on July 19, 2022.

Thus, the Agency had temporary custody of H.S. for more than 12 months of the

preceding 22 months. R.C. 2151.14(B)(1)(d).

       {¶18} Based upon all of the prior reasons, the trial court proceeded to

determine whether granting the Agency’s motion was in the best interest of H.S.

The trial court then addressed the factors set forth in R.C. 2151.414(D). The trial

court determined that H.S. had been in the same foster home since April 28, 2021,

was bonded with the foster parents, and was thriving in their care.            R.C.

2151.414(D)(1)(a). The trial court noted that H.S. appeared to have no relationship

with Father. The GAL testified that H.S. indicated she wished to remain with the

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Case No. 5-23-02

foster parents. R.C. 2151.414(D)(1)(b). H.S. was in the temporary custody of the

Agency for more than 12 months. R.C. 2151.414(D)(1)(c). Testimony was given

by Miller and Prater that H.S. needed a legally secure and permanent placement,

which cannot be achieved without granting the motion for permanent custody. R.C.

2151.414(D)(1)(d). The trial court then determined that granting the motion for

permanent custody was in the best interest of H.S.

       {¶19} Father filed a timely notice of appeal from this judgment. On appeal,

Father raises the following assignments of error.

                           First Assignment of Error

       The trial court’s decision granting permanent custody was
       against the manifest weight of the evidence and amounted to an
       abuse of discretion.

                          Second Assignment of Error

       The Agency failed to use reasonable case planning and diligent
       efforts to reunify [Father] with [H.S.]

                           Third Assignment of Error

       The trial court abused its discretion when it found [Father]
       abandoned his child, contrary to the definition of abandonment
       as contemplated by the statute.

                          Fourth Assignment of Error

       The [GAL] failed to perform necessary duties pursuant to [R.C.
       2151.281] and Superintendent Rule 48, thereby not acting in the
       child’s best interest.

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Case No. 5-23-02

                             Fifth Assignment of Error

       The trial court erred when it did not grant the oral motion to
       extend the case for an additional six months.

                             Sixth Assignment of Error

       The trial court erred when it failed to consider [Father’s] pro se
       request to appear by zoom, and the subsequent request by his
       counsel to be conveyed to the hearings that occurred after the
       initial request.

In the interest of clarity, the assignments of error will be addressed out of order.

                    Reasonable Case Planning & Efforts to Reunify

       {¶20} Father alleges in his second assignment of error that the Agency failed

to use reasonable care when making the case plan and did not diligently pursue

reunification.

       A)(1) Except as provided in division (A)(2) of this section, at any
       hearing held pursuant to section 2151.28, division (E) of section
       2151.31, or section 2151.314, 2151.33, or 2151.353 of the Revised
       Code at which the court removes a child from the child's home or
       continues the removal of a child from the child's home, the court shall
       determine whether the public children services agency or private child
       placing agency that filed the complaint in the case, removed the child
       from home, has custody of the child, or will be given custody of the
       child has made reasonable efforts to prevent the removal of the child
       from the child's home, to eliminate the continued removal of the child
       from the child's home, or to make it possible for the child to return
       safely home. The agency shall have the burden of proving that it has
       made those reasonable efforts.

R.C. 2151.419. “Case plans are the tools that child protective service agencies use

to facilitate the reunification of families who * * * have been temporarily

separated.”      In re Evans, 3d Dist. Allen No. 1–01–75, 2001–Ohio–2302,

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Case No. 5-23-02

*3. “Agencies have an affirmative duty to diligently pursue efforts to achieve the

goals in the case plan.” In re A.M.A., 3d Dist. Crawford No. 3-13-02, 2013-Ohio-

3779, ¶ 29. However, this does not mean that there was nothing more that the

Agency could have done, but rather that the Agency’s case plan and efforts were

reasonable and diligent under the circumstances of the case before the Agency. Id.

The question of whether an Agency has made reasonable efforts towards

reunification is reviewed under an abuse of discretion standard. In re A.M., 3d Dist.

Marion No. 9-14-46, 2015-Ohio-2740, ¶ 24. “An abuse of discretion means an

unreasonable, arbitrary, or unconscionable action.”        State ex rel. Cincinnati

Enquirer v. Sage, 142 Ohio St.3d 392, 2015-Ohio-974, ¶ 35, 31 N.E.3d 616. A trial

court’s decision will not be disturbed on appeal if the record “contains competent,

credible evidence by which the court could have formed a firm belief or conviction

that the essential statutory elements for a termination of parental rights have been

established.” In re T.S., 2d Dist. Greene No. 2016-CA-26, 2017-Ohio-482, ¶ 6, 85

N.E.3d 225.

       {¶21} In this case, the facts presented were that Father had a substance abuse

issue. A review of the record shows that Father initially tested positive for multiple

substances, including fentanyl. On one occasion, Father refused to submit to a drug

screen as ordered by the trial court. Father was incarcerated and placed in the Worth

Center for addiction treatment from May to August 2022. The case plan recognized

this issue and required father to seek substance abuse counseling. The Agency

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Case No. 5-23-02

recognized that Father had made some progress on this part of the plan as his last

drug screen prior to his latest incarceration was negative for any illegal substances.

However, Father’s repeated incarcerations prevented the Agency from being able to

determine if Father was actually making progress or if it was merely a consequence

of his being incarcerated.

       {¶22} Additionally, Father lacked stable housing as he moved from home to

home on a regular basis and was incarcerated at the time of the permanent custody

hearing. The record shows that Father was not due to be released until February

2024, more than 12 months after the hearing dates. The testimony showed that once

Father was released, he did not have a home to which he would return.

       {¶23} The trial court specifically found on multiple occasions that the

Agency made reasonable efforts to reunify H.S. with Father by offering services

including visitation, safety plans, ICPC home studies, referrals for substance abuse

treatment, referrals for rehabilitation facilities, family dependency treatment court

referrals, case management and PRC funds referrals. Prater’s testimony supports

these findings.

       A. The [A]gency has attempted safety plans. We have completed
       ICPC home studies. We have mde referrals to agencies, such as
       substance use disorder counseling services, rehab facilities, as well as
       family dependency treatment court for [Father].

       Q. And do you know if [Father}, I guess, engaged then with family
       dependency treatment court?

       A. He did not.

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Case No. 5-23-02

       Q. Okay. Any other reasonable efforts the [A]gency made?

       A. Case management services with meeting [sic] with the [A]gency
       monthly.

       Q. Or at least your attempts to meet with them?

       A. Yes.

Tr. 73. Given that the record contains competent, credible evidence to support the

trial court court’s decision, we cannot find that the trial court abused its discretion

in finding that the Agency had made reasonable efforts to reunify H.S. and Father.

For this reason, the second assignment of error is overruled.

                           Termination of Parental Rights

       {¶24} Father claims in the first assignment of error that the trial court’s

decision to terminate his parental rights was against the manifest weight of the

evidence. In the related third assignment of error, Father claims that the trial court

erred by finding he abandoned H.S. Since the two assignments of error are related,

we will address them together.

       {¶25} The right to parent one's own child is a basic and essential civil

right. In re Murray, 52 Ohio St.3d 155, 556 N.E.2d 1169 (1990). “Parents have a

‘fundamental liberty interest’ in the care, custody, and management of their

children.” In re Leveck, 3d Dist. No. 5–02–52, 5–02–53, 5–02–54, 2003–Ohio–

1269, ¶ 6. These rights may be terminated, however, under appropriate

circumstances and when all due process safeguards have been followed. Id. When

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Case No. 5-23-02

considering a motion to terminate parental rights, the trial court must comply with

the statutory requirements set forth in R.C. 2151.414. These requirements include,

in pertinent part, as follows.

       (B)(1) Except as provided in division (B)(2) of this section, the court
       may grant permanent custody of a child to a movant if the court
       determines at the hearing held pursuant to division (A) of this section,
       by clear and convincing evidence, that it is in the best interest of the
       child to grant permanent custody of the child to the agency that filed
       the motion for permanent custody and that any of the following apply:

       (a) The child is not abandoned or orphaned, has not been in the
       temporary custody of one or more public children services agencies
       or private child placing agencies for twelve or more months of a
       consecutive twenty-two-month period, * * * and the child cannot be
       placed with either of the child's parents within a reasonable time or
       should not be placed with the child's parents.

        ***

       (d) The child has been in the temporary custody of one or more public
       children services agencies or private child placing agencies for twelve
       or more months of a consecutive twenty-two-month period * * *.

       ***

       For the purposes of division (B)(1) of this section, a child shall be
       considered to have entered the temporary custody of an agency on the
       earlier of the date the child is adjudicated pursuant to [R.C. 2151.28]
       or the date that is sixty days after the removal of the child from the
       home.

       ***

       (C) In making the determination required by this section * * *, a court
       shall not consider the effect the granting of permanent custody to the
       agency would have upon any parent of the child. A written report of
       the guardian ad litem of the child shall be submitted to the court prior

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Case No. 5-23-02

      to or at the time of the hearing held pursuant to division (A) of this
      section * * * but shall not be submitted under oath.

      If the court grants permanent custody of a child to a movant under this
      division, the court, upon the request of any party, shall file a written
      opinion setting forth its findings of fact and conclusions of law in
      relation to the proceeding. The court shall not deny an agency's
      motion for permanent custody solely because the agency failed to
      implement any particular aspect of the child's case plan.

      (D)(1) In determining the best interest of a child at a hearing held
      pursuant to division (A) of this section * * * the court shall consider
      all relevant factors, including, but not limited to, the following.

      (a) The interaction and interrelationship of the child with the child's
      parents, siblings, relatives, foster caregivers and out-of-home
      providers, and any other person who may significantly affect the
      child;

      (b) The wishes of the child, as expressed directly by the child or
      through the child's guardian ad litem, with due regard for the maturity
      of the child;

      (c) The custodial history of the child, including whether the child has
      been in the temporary custody of one or more public children services
      agencies * * * for twelve or more months of a consecutive twenty-two
      month period * * *.

      (d) The child's need for a legally secure permanent placement and
      whether that type of placement can be achieved without a grant of
      permanent custody to the agency.

      (e) Whether any of the factors in divisions (E)(7) to (11) of this section
      apply in relation to the parents and child.

R.C. 2151.414.      A court's decision to terminate parental rights will not be

overturned as against the manifest weight of the evidence if the record contains

competent, credible evidence by which a court can determine by clear and

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Case No. 5-23-02

convincing     evidence      that    the      essential   statutory    elements     for

a termination of parental rights have been established. In re S.L., 3d Dist. Shelby

Nos. 17-17-17, 17-17-18, 17-17-19, 2018-Ohio-900, ¶ 24.

       {¶26} The determination whether to grant a motion for permanent custody

requires a two-step approach. In re L.W., 3d Dist. Marion Nos. 9-16-55, 9-16-56,

2017-Ohio-4352, ¶ 5. The first step is to determine whether any of the factors set

forth in R.C. 2151.414(B)(1) apply. Id. If one of those circumstances applies, then

the trial court must consider whether granting the motion is in the best interest of

the child by considering the factors set forth in R.C. 2151.414(D). Id.

       {¶27} Here, the trial court found that factors under R.C. 2151.414(B)(1)(a)

and (B)(1)(d) applied. Father specifically challenges the finding that he abandoned

H.S. “[A] child shall be presumed abandoned when the parents of the child have

failed to visit or maintain contact with the child for more than ninety days, regardless

of whether the parents resume contact with the child after that period of ninety

days.” R.C. 2151.011(C). The trial court determined that Father had abandoned

H.S. pursuant to R.C. 2515.414(E)(10). In support of this determination, the trial

court stated that Father had “gone multiple stretches of time with no visitations due

to repeated incarcerations.” However, unlike with Mother, the trial court did not

indicate that any of those stretches were over 90 days in duration. No evidence was

presented that prior to the incarceration in the Worth Center, Father missed extended

stretches of visits for more than 90 days. Testimony was given that Father began

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Case No. 5-23-02

visitation as soon as he could in 2021 and maintained it through May 4, 2022, when

he was sent to the Worth Center. There is no dispute that by the time of the first

hearing, more than 90 days had passed with no visits. However, the motion for

permanent custody was filed on July 19, 2022, only 76 days from Father’s last visit.

This raises the question of whether the 90 days required for an abandonment finding

had elapsed. However, we need not address the question at this time because any

error would be harmless.

       {¶28} The trial court need only find that one of the statutory factors set forth

in R.C. 2151.414(B)(1) apply. Pursuant to R.C. 2151.414(B)(1)(d), the trial court

may grant permanent custody to a movant if a child has been in the temporary

custody for 12 out of the prior 22 months. Here the trial court adjudicated H.S. a

dependent child on June 17, 2021. The Agency moved for permanent custody on

July 19, 2022. At that time, H.S. had been in the temporary custody for 13

consecutive months. The trial court made a finding that the Agency had met the

factor under R.C. 2151.414(B)(1)(d) and the record supports this determination.

       {¶29} Once one of the statutory factors is found, the trial court then must

consider the best interest of the child as set forth in R.C. 2151.414(D). The trial

court in this case specifically addressed each of the statutory factors. A review of

the record shows that there is competent, credible evidence to support each of the

trial court’s findings concerning these factors. Thus, this court cannot find that the

trial court abused its discretion. The trial court’s judgment granting the Agency’s

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Case No. 5-23-02

motion for permanent custody is not against the manifest weight of the evidence.

The first and third assignments of error are overruled.

                                 GAL Requirements

       {¶30} Father claims in the fourth assignment of error that the GAL did not

perform the required duties.

       The guardian ad litem for an alleged or adjudicated abused, neglected,
       or dependent child shall perform whatever functions are necessary to
       protect the best interest of the child, including, but not limited to,
       investigation, mediation, monitoring court proceedings, and
       monitoring the services provided the child by the public children
       services agency or private child placing agency that has temporary or
       permanent custody of the child, and shall file any motions and other
       court papers that are in the best interest of the child in accordance with
       rules adopted by the supreme court.

R.C. 2151.281(I). The GAL is appointed subject to the rules adopted by the

Supreme Court. R.C. 2151.281. The responsibilities of a GAL are set forth in

Sup.R. 48.03.

       Duties of the Guardian Ad Litem. Unless specifically relieved by the
       court, the duties of a guardian ad litem shall include, but are not
       limited to, the following:

       (1) Become informed about the facts of the case and contact all
       relevant persons;

       (2) Observe the child with each parent, foster parent, guardian or
       physical custodian;

       (3) Interview the child, if age and developmentally appropriate, where
       no parent, foster parent, guardian, or physical custodian is present;

       (4) Visit the child at the residence or proposed residence of the child
       in accordance with any standards established by the court;

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Case No. 5-23-02

       (5) Ascertain the wishes and concerns of the child;

       (6) Interview the parties, foster parents, guardians, physical custodian,
       and other significant individuals who may have relevant knowledge
       regarding the issues of the case. The guardian ad litem may require
       each individual to be interviewed without the presence of others.
       Upon request of the individual, the attorney for the individual may be
       present.

       (7) Interview relevant school personnel, medical and mental health
       providers, child protective services workers, and court personnel and
       obtain copies of relevant records;

       (8) Review pleadings and other relevant court documents in the case;

       (9) Obtain and review relevant criminal, civil, educational, mental
       health, medical, and administrative records pertaining to the child and,
       if appropriate, the family of the child or other parties in the case;

       (10) Request that the court order psychological evaluations, mental
       health substance abuse assessments, or other evaluations or tests of
       the parties as the guardian ad litem deems necessary or helpful to the
       court;

       (11) Review any necessary information and interview other persons
       as necessary to make an informed recommendation regarding the best
       interest of the child.

Sup.R. 48.03(D).

       {¶31} The GAL in this case was the third one appointed and he was

appointed approximately two months before the permanent custody hearing. There

is no dispute that the GAL did not have any contact with Father, either in person or

by mail. The GAL testified that he did not attempt to contact Father. This is a clear

violation of the rules which require GALs to meet with and interview the parties.

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Case No. 5-23-02

However, the failure to comply with Sup.R. 48.03 is not reversible error. In re A.D.,

3d Dist. Seneca No. 13-22-12, 2023-Ohio-2442, ¶ 52. Additionally, even though

the GAL recommended granting the Agency’s motion, the trial court was not bound

by that recommendation. Id. at ¶ 53. The trial court knew that the GAL reached his

conclusion despite not having spoken with Father and was able to take that into

consideration when determining the appropriate weight to give the GAL’s

recommendations. For this reason, the fourth assignment of error is overruled.

              Denial of Motion for Extension of Temporary Custody

       {¶32} In the fifth assignment of error, Father claims the trial court erred by

denying the oral request that the Agency’s temporary custody be extended by six

months. The decision as to whether to grant a parent’s request for an extension of

temporary custody rather than granting permanent custody to the Agency is one left

to the discretion of the trial court. In re C.G., 9th Dist. Summit No. 24097, 2008-

Ohio-3773. “R.C. 2151.415(D)(1) authorizes the trial court to extend temporary

custody for six months only if it finds, by clear and convincing evidence, that such

an extension is in the best interest of the child and that ‘there has been significant

progress on the case plan of the child, and there is reasonable cause to believe that

the child will be reunified with one of the parents or otherwise permanently placed

within the period of extension.’” In re W.H., 5th Dist. Stark No. 2015CA00120,

2015-Ohio-4361, ¶ 32.

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Case No. 5-23-02

       {¶33} The testimony in this case was that neither Mother nor Father had

made “significant progress” on the case plan. Additionally, Father would not be

released from prison within the six month extension which would allow for H.S. to

be returned to him. Given the evidence, the trial court did not abuse its discretion

in denying the oral motion for an extension. The fifth assignment of error is

overruled.

                Pro Se Request to Appear by Zoom or be Transported

       {¶34} Father claims in the sixth assignment of error that the trial court erred

by failing to grant his request to appear by zoom or his subsequent request to be

transported to the hearing from the prison. The State notes that since Father was

represented by counsel, he had no right to file a pro se motion. This premise is

correct.     State v. Doogs, 3d Dist. Wyandot No. 16-19-08, 2020-Ohio-3769.

However, even if Father was entitled to hybrid representation, Father’s letter to the

trial court requested that he be permitted to have zoom access to the August 3

pretrial hearing or a continuance. Doc. 61. The letter did not mention the hearing

on the permanent custody motion. Thus no request to appear by zoom for the

permanent hearing was made.

       {¶35} Counsel for Father filed a motion to convey Father on November 10,

2022. The trial court did address this, but denied it on the grounds that there was

not enough time to arrange it. Counsel then filed a motion to allow Father to appear

by zoom before the second day of the hearing. The trial court granted this motion.

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Case No. 5-23-02

The trial court addressed all the motions which were properly before it and the

judgments were supported by the record. The mere fact that the trial court could

have chosen to do more does not result in reversible error. The sixth assignment of

error is overruled.

       {¶36} Having found no error prejudicial to the appellant in the particulars

assigned and argued, the judgment of the Court of Common Pleas of Hancock

County, Juvenile Division is affirmed.

                                                              Judgment Affirmed

WALDICK and ZIMMERMAN, J.J., concur.

/hls

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