Court Opinion

ID: 9894598
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-11-02 14:07:42.1796+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:10:03.749569
License: Public Domain

[Cite as In re N.S., 2023-Ohio-3983.]

                               COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO

                              EIGHTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
                                 COUNTY OF CUYAHOGA

IN RE N.S., ET AL.                            :
                                              :           No. 112747
Minor Children                                :
                                              :
[Appeal by Mother]                            :

                                JOURNAL ENTRY AND OPINION

                 JUDGMENT: AFFIRMED
                 RELEASED AND JOURNALIZED: November 2, 2023

            Civil Appeal from the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas
                                   Juvenile Division
                     Case Nos. AD-20904687 and AD-20904688

                                        Appearances:

                 Michael E. Stinn, for appellant.

                 Michael C. O’Malley, Cuyahoga County Prosecuting
                 Attorney, and Joseph C. Young, Assistant Prosecuting
                 Attorney, for appellee.

EMANUELLA D. GROVES, J.:

                   Appellant-mother (“Mother”) appeals from the judgment of the

Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court, Juvenile Division, granting permanent

custody of her minor children, N.S. and D.J., to appellee, the Cuyahoga County

Division of Children and Family Services (“CCDCFS” or the “Agency”). For the

reasons that follow, we affirm the juvenile court’s judgment.
Factual and Procedural History

              On May 12, 2020, CCDCFS filed a complaint alleging that N.S., born

April 14, 2020, and D.J., born September 17, 2017, were neglected children as

defined by R.C. 2151.03(A)(2) and that N.S. was an abused child as defined by R.C.

2151.031(D). The complaint averred, in part, the following particulars:

      1. Mother has a drug abuse issue, specifically cocaine and marijuana.
      On April 14, 2020, mother and child N.S. tested positive for cocaine
      and marijuana. Mother also tested positive during her pregnancy for
      the same substances. Mother’s drug abuse issue prevents her from
      providing appropriate care for the children.

      2. Mother has a mental health issue, specifically anxiety and
      depression, which prevents her from providing appropriate care for the
      children. Mother has not addressed her mental health issue.

      3. Alleged father of D.J. and N.S., John Doe, has failed to establish
      paternity and has failed to support, visit, or communicate with the
      children since birth.

              Along with the complaint, CCDCFS filed a motion for predispositional

temporary custody of the children to the agency.

              Mother attended a hearing on June 10, 2020. At that time, she signed

a waiver of the 90-day statutory time and entered the juvenile court’s drug court

program. On September 2, 2020, the agency filed an amended complaint. CCDCFS

alleged that the children were dependent and requested that the children remain in

the legal custody of Mother while under court-ordered protective supervision. The

adjudicatory hearing was held on September 4, 2020, and ratified on September 21,

2020. The juvenile court adjudicated the children dependent and placed them in

the legal custody of Mother.      The original order did not include protective
supervision; however, a nunc pro tunc entry dated November 4, 2020, corrected the

journal entry to reflect the decision made at the hearing and added protective

supervision to the agency. The agency created a safety plan. The plan required

Mother to live with the children’s maternal great grandmother so that she could

receive support as needed.

              Mother was assigned two social workers, Aimee Collins (“Collins”)

and Martin O’Sullivan (“O’Sullivan”). They both worked through the agency’s

Sobriety Treatment and Recovery Team (“START”). Collins was assigned to the case

in May 2020; O’Sullivan joined Collins on the case in October 2020. As the primary

social worker, Collins created Mother’s initial case plan, which called for her to

address substance abuse issues, mental health, and housing.

              Between May 2020 and October 2020, Mother entered three

substance abuse treatment programs. Mother was referred to Moore Counseling,

the Northern Ohio Recovery Association (“NORA”), and the Matt Talbot House.

Mother engaged with Moore Counseling and Matt Talbot, but she did not complete

the programs. Mother did not engage with NORA during her first referral. Due to

Mother’s stalled progress the agency filed a motion on November 5, 2020, to modify

custody from protective supervision to temporary custody to the agency.

              In November 2020, Collins and O’Sullivan met with Mother at her

home.    Mother suggested she attend the Hitchcock Center for Women

(“Hitchcock”), a residential program with a step-down procedure. At Hitchcock,

patients go through several stages. First, they begin in a residential treatment
program. Then they are stepped down to a partial hospitalization program (“PHP”).

Next, they enter an intensive outpatient program (“IOP”) followed by

outpatient/aftercare. Finally, a Sober Living program is introduced. Mother was

successfully admitted into Hitchcock.

              The juvenile court heard the agency’s motion to modify custody on

November 18, 2020. Mother stipulated to temporary custody to the agency at the

hearing. Mother did well in the residential treatment program. She successfully

completed the PHP. However, Mother did not complete the IOP. Initially, Mother

displayed a positive attitude, participated in Family Recovery Court, and completed

required 12-step meeting attendance. She also fully participated in drug screenings.

Towards the end of January 2021, as Mother neared the end of IOP, Mother started

missing appointments and drug screens. Around late February, or early March

2021, Mother started testing positive for drugs. Mother admitted to using marijuana

and alcohol. Her drug screens showed she was also using cocaine and

methamphetamine. Mother also admitted to using ecstasy one time.

              The social workers recommended that Mother return to the PHP

program at Hitchcock, but Mother refused to comply. The juvenile court reviewed

the case in February 2021 and ordered the agency to find another placement for

Mother as soon as possible. The following day, the agency found an opening at

Midwest Recovery, a treatment center similar to Hitchcock, located in Toledo, Ohio.

In addition to substance abuse treatment, Midwest Recovery provided trauma-

based mental health counseling. The program was intended to last six months. To
facilitate Mother’s continued treatment, the agency filed a motion requesting an

extension of temporary custody. The juvenile court granted the motion on May 24,

2021.1

                 Midwest Recovery provided transportation and took Mother to

Toledo. As she had done previously, Mother completed the residential portion of

the program and three months of PHP. She successfully completed the other stages

and entered the Sober Living stage. After completing five months of the program,

Mother asked to return to the Cleveland area. Around September 2021, Mother was

referred to NORA for their non-intensive outpatient program. On October 21, 2021,

the agency filed a motion for a second extension of temporary custody. The juvenile

court granted the motion on December 2, 2021. Mother appeared to be doing well

and completed the program. On December 16, 2021, based on Mother’s perceived

progress, the agency moved to place the children back with Mother with agency

protective supervision. The juvenile court granted the motion on January 18, 2022.

                 However, shortly thereafter, Mother relapsed.           Initially, Mother

began to miss appointments, drug screenings, and Family Recovery Court. Mother

initially denied relapsing when asked. Mother finally submitted to a drug test in

February 2022 and Mother tested positive. Mother admitted that she relapsed

during the holiday season 2021. The agency obtained another residential treatment

placement for Mother starting in either March or April 2022. On April 26, 2022,

         1 The original journal entry was issued on April 28, 2021; however, due to clerical

errors, a nunc pro tunc entry was issued on May 24, 2021.
the agency filed a motion to place the children back in the temporary custody of the

agency. The juvenile court granted the motion on May 16, 2022. Also, in May 2022,

Mother was discharged from Family Recovery Court due to three unexcused

absences.

              Mother entered the new treatment program at People, Places, and

Dreams, an intensive outpatient program. Mother attended sessions sporadically,

missed drug screens, and did not complete program requirements. People, Places,

and Dreams discharged Mother for noncompliance.

              The agency placed Mother in another residential placement at Ethan

Crossing Recovery Center in June 2022.        Mother completed the program in

August/September 2022 and then transitioned into the Cleveland Sober Living

program.    Simultaneously, Mother engaged with NORA again for their non-

intensive outpatient program. On September 14, 2022, the agency filed a motion to

modify temporary custody to permanent custody. Mother completed the NORA

program in January 2023.

              The agency subsequently learned that although NORA graduated

Mother from the program, she tested positive for cocaine use in November 2022.

The agency learned of an additional positive drug screen during that time as well.

When asked Mother denied drug usage and volunteered to take a hair analysis test.

The test, taken on January 23, 2023, was positive for cocaine and marijuana usage.

A hair analysis for drugs establishes that the person tested either used or was
exposed to the drug sometime in the past three months.2 Mother continued to

submit to drug tests via urinalysis and oral saliva screening. Mother took six tests

between January 25, 2023, and March 20, 2023. All were negative for drugs.

However, a subsequent hair analysis done on April 10, 2023, was positive for

cocaine.

               On April 12, 2023, the guardian ad litem for the children, Mark A.

Novak (the “GAL”), filed his report and recommendation. In it, he discussed

conversations with D.J., age five. D.J. stated she was “ready to go home” to Mother,

but then stated she preferred to stay in the foster home. The GAL noted that D.J.

made several contradictory statements during the course of the interview. The GAL,

reviewing all the factors, recommended that the agency receive permanent custody

of the children.

               On April 19, 2023, the hearing for permanent custody was held. Prior

to beginning the hearing, Mother’s attorney, citing D.J.’s statements to the GAL,

requested that the court appoint an attorney for D.J. since her wishes conflicted with

the GAL’s recommendation. The juvenile court found that the GAL report was not

as clear cut as the attorney described and noted the GAL’s reference to D.J.’s

contradictory statements. The court denied the motion and proceeded with the

hearing.

      2 Dr. Richard Scott Krupkin conducted the analysis and testified at the final

custody hearing.
               Subsequently, the juvenile court found that permanent custody to the

agency was in the best interest of the children. Mother appeals and assigns the

following errors for our review.

                           Assignment of Error No. 1

      The trial court abused its discretion in denying appellant’s motion for
      continuance.

                           Assignment of Error No. 2

      The children were denied due process. Both of the children were
      entitled to independent counsel and counsel was not appointed for
      them.

                           Assignment of Error No. 3

      It was not in the children’s best interest to be placed in the permanent
      custody of Cuyahoga County Children and Family Services. The
      children should have been reunified with their mother with protective
      supervision.

Law and Analysis

               In the second assignment of error, Mother argues that both children

were entitled to counsel and the trial court violated their right to due process by

failing to provide said counsel. In the first assignment of error, Mother argues that

the trial court abused its discretion when it refused to grant a continuance so that

the court could appoint an attorney to represent D.J.

               Notably, Mother never requested an attorney for N.S. Additionally,

Mother did not request a continuance to allow the court to appoint counsel for D.J.

Absent plain error, issues not raised before the juvenile court are waived. In re A.M.,

2023-Ohio-1523, 213 N.E.3d 1275, ¶ 16. “Plain error review is not favored in civil
cases and is defined in such context as error that ‘seriously affects the basic fairness,

integrity, or public reputation of the judicial process, thereby challenging the

legitimacy of the underlying judicial process itself.’” In re L.W., 2017-Ohio-8433 at

¶ 18, quoting Goldfuss v. Davidson, 79 Ohio St.3d 116, 679 N.E.2d 1099 (1997)

syllabus. Plain error will only be recognized in extremely rare cases with exceptional

circumstances. In re A.D., 12th Dist. Clermont No. CA2021-11-060, 2022-Ohio-736,

¶ 17.

                In her brief before this court, Mother has not alleged plain error nor

has she engaged in a plain error analysis. An appellate court may disregard an

assignment of error where the appellant has failed to construct an argument in

support. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. v. Kessler, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 15AP-216, 2015-

Ohio-5085, ¶ 13. Accordingly, we will confine our review to determining whether

the juvenile court erred when it failed to appoint counsel for D.J.            The first

assignment of error is therefore overruled.

                 Both Sup.R. 48.02(D)(1) and Juv.R. 4(C) address the issue of

appointment of counsel for a child in abuse, neglect, and dependency cases when

the GAL’s recommendation conflicts with the child’s wishes.

        A court shall appoint a separate attorney to represent a child in abuse,
        neglect, dependency * * * cases in which the wishes of the child differ
        from the recommendations of the guardian ad litem.

Sup.R. 48.02 (Emphasis added).

        If a person is serving as a Guardian ad litem for a child or ward, and the
        court finds a conflict exists between the role of the Guardian ad litem
      and the interest or wishes of the child of the ward, the court shall
      appoint counsel for the child or ward.

Juv.R. 4(C).

               Based on the foregoing, if a conflict exists between the child’s wishes

and the GAL’s recommendation, the juvenile court has no discretion and must

appoint counsel for the child. The standard of review when a court has no discretion,

is whether the court’s decision was erroneous as a matter of law. Johnson v.

Abdullah, 166 Ohio St.3d 427, 2021-Ohio-3304, 187 N.E.3d 463, ¶ 37.

               The decision to appoint independent counsel for a child should be

made on a case-by-case basis, determining whether the child actually needs

independent counsel and taking the child’s maturity into account. In re K.C., 8th

Dist. Cuyahoga No. 112556, 2023-Ohio-3160, ¶ 63. Courts have generally found that

independent counsel should be appointed when the child has “repeatedly expressed”

a desire to be reunited with a parent but the child’s GAL takes a contrary position.

Id. at ¶ 64. However, “‘there is no need to consider the appointment of counsel based

upon a child’s occasional expression of a wish to be reunited with a parent or because

of a statement made by an immature child.’” Id., quoting In re Williams, 11th Dist.

Geauga Nos. 2002-G-2454 and 2002-G-2459, 2002-Ohio-6588, ¶ 24.

               At the time of the permanent custody hearing, D.J. was five years old.

Of the four-GAL reports in the record, D.J. expressed a desire to return to Mother

in one. Granted during the first two reports, the children were in Mother’s custody.

Nevertheless, the single statement in the final report does not establish that D.J.
repeatedly expressed a desire for reunification with her Mother. In the same

interview, D.J. expressed a desire to remain in her foster home. She also told the

GAL that her three-year-old sister was six months old and that she had only been

with the foster mother for two days rather than several months. Noting that it had

reviewed the GAL report, the juvenile court denied the motion. Based on the

foregoing, the record does not establish a conflict between D.J.’s wishes and the

GAL’s recommendation. D.J. merely stated that she liked both options. She

expressed a desire to be with her Mother and a desire to stay in the foster home.

There was no clear conflict between D.J.’s statements and the GAL’s

recommendation. The juvenile court’s decision was not erroneous as a matter of

law.

               Accordingly, the second assignment of error is overruled.

               In the third assignment of error, Mother alleges that placing the

children in the permanent custody of the agency was not in the best interest of the

children. Mother cites her recent successes in substance abuse and mental health

treatment, and family and community support, as evidence that permanent custody

was not in the best interest of the children.

               Preliminarily, we note that it is well established that a parent has a

fundamental right to raise and care for their child. In re R.S., 8th Dist. Cuyahoga

No. 111353, 2022-Ohio-4387, ¶ 32 citing In re C.F., 113 Ohio St. 3d 73, 2007-Ohio-

1104, 862 N.E.2d 816, ¶ 28; In re K.H., 119 Ohio St.3d 538, 2008-Ohio-4825, 895

N.E.2d 809, ¶ 40. Further, it has long been recognized that the termination of
parental rights is “‘the family equivalent of the death penalty in a criminal case.’” In

re Hoffman, 97 Ohio St.3d 92, 2002-Ohio-5368, 776 N.E.2d 485, ¶ 14 citing In re

Hayes, 79 Ohio St.3d. 46, 48, 679 N.E.2d 680 (1997), quoting In re Smith, 77 Ohio

App.3d 1, 16, 601 N.E.2d 45 (6th Dist.1991).

               Nevertheless, permanent custody is appropriate “when necessary for

the welfare of the child.” In re M.S., 8th Dist. Cuyahoga Nos. 101693 and 101694,

2015-Ohio-1028, ¶ 7, citing In re Wise, 96 Ohio App.3d 619, 645 N.E.2d 812 (9th

Dist.1994). Ultimately, the goal is to create “a more stable life for the dependent

children” and to “facilitate adoption to foster permanency for children.” In re N.B.,

8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 101390, 2015-Ohio-314, ¶ 67, citing In re Howard, 5th Dist.

Tuscarawas No. 85 A10-077, 1986 Ohio App. LEXIS 7860 (Aug. 1, 1986).

               The requirements for the termination of parental rights are set out in

R.C. 2151.414. In re M.H., 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 80620, 2002-Ohio-2968, ¶ 22.

Courts must apply a two-part test when deciding whether to award permanent

custody to a public services agency. R.C. 2151.414.

First Prong: R.C. 2151.414(B)(1)(a)-(e)

               Under the first prong, the juvenile court must determine by clear and

convincing evidence, that any of the following five factors 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, or 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 if, as described in division (D)(1)
      of section 2151.413 of the Revised Code, the child was previously in the
      temporary custody of an equivalent agency in another state, 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.

      (b) The child is abandoned.

      (c) The child is orphaned, and there are no relatives of the child who
      are able to take permanent custody.

      (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, or 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 and, as described in
      division (D)(1) of section 2151.413 of the Revised Code, the child was
      previously in the temporary custody of an equivalent agency in another
      state.

      (e) The child or another child in the custody of the parent or parents
      from whose custody the child has been removed has been adjudicated
      an abused, neglected, or dependent child on three separate occasions
      by any court in this state or another state.

              In the instant case, the juvenile court found, pursuant to

R.C. 2151.414(B)(1)(a), the children could not be placed with either parent within a

reasonable time or should not be placed with either parent.3

              A   juvenile   court   must    consider    the   factors   outlined   in

R.C. 2151.414(E) when determining whether a child cannot be placed with either of

their parents within a reasonable time. In re A.V., 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 101391,

2014-Ohio-5348, ¶ 58. The court must only make this finding if it finds by clear and

      3 The court also found that the children had been in the temporary custody of the

agency for 12 or more months of a consecutive 22-month period. Mother did not
challenge this finding.
convincing evidence that one or more of the factors listed in R.C. 2151.414(E) exist.

Here, the juvenile court found that R.C. 2151.414(E)(1) and (2) applies as follows:

      (1) Following the placement of the child outside the child’s home and
      notwithstanding reasonable case planning and diligent efforts by the
      agency to assist the parents to remedy the problems that initially
      caused the child to be removed from the parents, the parents have
      failed continuously and repeatedly to substantially remedy the
      conditions causing the child to be placed outside the home.

      (2) Chronic mental illness, chronic emotional illness, intellectual
      disability, physical disability, or chemical dependency of the parent
      that is so severe that it makes the parent unable to provide an adequate
      permanent home for the child at the present time and, as anticipated,
      within one year after the court holds the hearing.

              Specifically, the juvenile court found:

      The mother has attempted treatment nine separate times since the
      birth of N.S. three years ago. There was extensive trial testimony about
      mother’s extensive treatment history. The testimony also established
      that she relapsed in November 2022 and had two separate hair screens
      in January 2023 and April 2023 that were positive for cocaine and
      marijuana. The mother has not addressed the conditions for removal
      and has not completed her case plan. Her chronic chemical
      dependency makes the mother unable to be reunified with her children
      at the present time and no further extensions of temporary custody are
      available to the court.

      No fathers have been identified or come forward to establish paternity.

              The juvenile court’s findings above are supported by clear and

convincing evidence. Although Mother has diligently engaged in drug treatment

services, the record established a repeated history of relapse. At the time of the

permanent custody hearing, in addition to Mother’s treatment history, there was

undisputed evidence that Mother had allowed a friend to move into her home who

admitted to regular marijuana usage.
               Given the foregoing, the record clearly demonstrates that the children

could not be placed with Mother within a reasonable time or should not be placed

with Mother.

               The juvenile court’s findings under the first prong are supported by

clear and convincing evidence. Finding no error with the juvenile court’s findings

under the first prong, we consider the court’s findings under the second prong.

Second Prong: R.C. 2151.414(D)

               Under the second prong, the juvenile court must find by clear and

convincing evidence that granting permanent custody to the agency is in the best

interest of the child. This decision is reviewed under the abuse of discretion

standard. In re D.A., 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 95188, 2010-Ohio-5618, ¶ 47. “A trial

court’s failure to base its decision on a consideration of the best interests of the child

constitutes an abuse of discretion.” In re N.B., 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 101390, 2015-

Ohio-314, ¶ 60 citing In re Adoption of Ridenour, 61 Ohio St.3d 319, 574 N.E.2d

1055 (1991).

               A court must consider all of the following factors, but is not limited to

these factors, when determining the best interest of the child:

      (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 or private child placing agencies for twelve or more months of
      a consecutive twenty-two-month period, or 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 and, as described in division
      (D)(1) of section 2151.413 of the Revised Code, the child was previously
      in the temporary custody of an equivalent agency in another state;

      (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. 2141.414(D)(1)(a) through (e).

              The juvenile court found that factors (a), (c) and (d) weighed heavily

in favor of permanent custody. With respect to those factors, the court found:

      When the children were first removed, they were placed with their
      maternal great grandmother. They were reunified with the mother for
      approximately one month before being removed again and placed with
      their same maternal great grandmother. Then the children were placed
      with a maternal aunt for three days and then she asked for their
      removal. The children were then placed with their current foster
      mother and have resided with her since. The children have experienced
      five moves over the course of this case, and they deserve permanency.

      Since the birth of N.S. both children have been involved with CCDCFS.
      This matter was officially opened in May 2020 almost three years ago.
      There have been two extensions of temporary custody and further
      extensions of temporary custody are not legally an option.

      The only options before the court are immediate reunification and
      permanent custody as temporary custody has been extended,
      reunification has already been attempted, the court cannot find that
      reunification is in the child’s best interest.

              In the instant case, not only did the court make the above findings,

the court also found that all the elements of R.C. 2151.414(D)(2) applied. When all
those elements are found, the juvenile court “shall commit the child to the

permanent custody of a public children services agency.” Those findings are as

follows:

        (a) The court determines by clear and convincing evidence that one or
            more of the factors in division (E) of this section exist and the child
            cannot be placed with one of the child’s parents within a reasonable
            time or should not be placed with either parent.

        (b) The child has been in an agency’s custody for two years or longer,
            and no longer qualifies for temporary custody pursuant to division
            (D) of section 2151.415 of the Revised Code.

        (c) The child does not meet the requirements for a planned permanent
            living arrangement pursuant to division (A)(5) of section 2151.353
            of the Revised Code.

        (d) Prior to the dispositional hearing, no relative or other interested
            person has filed, or has been identified in, a motion for legal custody
            of the child.

R.C. 2151.414(D)(2)(a) through (d).

                While the court’s determination under R.C. 2151.414(D)(1) is

reviewed under an abuse-of-discretion standard, the juvenile court has no discretion

if it finds that all the factors in R.C. 2151.414(D)(2) are present. The standard of

review when a court has no discretion is whether the court’s decision was erroneous

as a matter of law. Johnson, 166 Ohio St.3d 427, 2021-Ohio-3304, 187 N.E.3d 463,

¶ 37.

                We have already reviewed the court’s findings under R.C. 2151.414(E)

and determined they are supported by clear and convincing evidence, and it is

undisputed that the children had been in the agency’s custody for two years or

longer. With respect to division (c), a planned permanent living arrangement
requires a finding that the child is sixteen years of age or older, and therefore the

children do not qualify. The final requirement, that no relative or other person has

filed for or been identified in a motion for legal custody, needs to be addressed.

              The record does not reflect that any person filed a motion for legal

custody. However, Collins testified that she identified several interested persons

who might take custody of the children. Preliminarily, the agency looked at the

maternal great grandmother; however, she did not feel able, at age 90, to provide

long-term care for the children.       The agency also evaluated the children’s

grandfather, D.S., and a maternal aunt J.D. Both were approved as placements.

However, they both subsequently changed their minds and did not want to be

considered for placement. Another person, a family friend, expressed an interest in

taking custody of the children. Due to a variety of issues, the agency was unable to

approve her for custody. Finally, a 19-year-old cousin expressed an interest in

custody. However, she did not have stable housing. At the time of the permanent

custody hearing, she was still looking for stable housing. Based on the foregoing,

the juvenile court’s decision that permanent custody was in the best interest of the

children was not erroneous as a matter of law.

              Accordingly, the third assignment of error is overruled.

              Judgment affirmed.

      It is ordered that appellee recover from appellant costs herein taxed.

      The court finds there were reasonable grounds for this appeal.
      It is ordered that a special mandate issue out of this court directing the

common pleas court, juvenile division, to carry this judgment into execution.

      A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to Rule 27

of the Rules of Appellate Procedure.

EMANUELLA D. GROVES, JUDGE

FRANK DANIEL CELEBREZZE, III, P.J., and
SEAN C. GALLAGHER, J., CONCUR