Court Opinion

ID: 6341987
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-05-18 19:10:11.525991+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:12:29.644422
License: Public Domain

[Cite as In re Adoption of S.S., 2022-Ohio-1658.]

                                          COURT OF APPEALS
                                         STARK COUNTY, OHIO
                                      FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

                                                    :   JUDGES:
                                                    :
                                                    :   Hon. W. Scott Gwin, P.J.
                                                    :   Hon. William B. Hoffman, J.
                                                    :   Hon. Patricia A. Delaney, J.
    IN RE ADOPTION OF S.S.                          :
                                                    :   Case No. 2021CA00108
                                                    :
                                                    :
                                                    :
                                                    :
                                                    :   OPINION

  CHARACTER OF PROCEEDING:                              Appeal from the Stark County Court of
                                                        Common Pleas, Probate Division, Case
                                                        No. 239193

  JUDGMENT:                                             AFFIRMED

  DATE OF JUDGMENT ENTRY:                               May 17, 2022

  APPEARANCES:

    For Appellees:                                      For Mother-Appellant:

    KRISTEN DONOHUE GUARDADO                            ROBERT G. ABNEY
    4600 Beverly Ave. NE                                ABNEY LAW OFFICE, LLC
    Canton, OH 44714                                    116 Cleveland Ave. NW
                                                        Suite 500
                                                        Canton, OH 44702
[Cite as In re Adoption of S.S., 2022-Ohio-1658.]

 Delaney, J.

         {¶1} Mother-Appellant R.M. appeals the September 17, 2021 judgment entry of

 the Stark County Court of Common Pleas, Probate Division.

                               FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

         {¶2} Mother-Appellant R.M. is the biological parent of S.S. (dob April 2010), J.S.

 (dob November 2016), and P.E.S. (dob September 2018). The three children have

 different biological fathers and Mother was not married to any of the biological fathers.

 The fathers of the children have not entered an appearance in the proceedings.

                                      Juvenile Court Proceedings

         {¶3} On March 5, 2018, Stark County Department of Job and Family Services

 (“SCDJFS”) filed complaints in the Stark County Court of Common Pleas, Juvenile

 Division, alleging S.S. and J.S. were abused, neglected or dependent children due to

 Mother’s illegal drug use and association with the fathers of the children who engaged in

 drug use and criminal activity. Mother had a prior history with SCDJFS due to her drug

 use and in approximately 2014, her eldest child (not involved with this case) was placed

 in the legal custody of the father of the child.

         {¶4} On August 27, 2018, in Case No. 2018JCV00945, SCDJFS and the Stark

 County Child Enforcement Agency filed a complaint for child support orders against

 Mother for the support of S.S. and J.S.

         {¶5} On August 29, 2018, the Juvenile Court found J.S. and S.S. to be dependent

 and placed the children in the temporary custody of SCDJFS. SCDJFS placed the children

 in the care of E.S., the paternal great-aunt of S.S. Paternal-Great Aunt had a relationship

 with Mother because she had provided babysitting services to Mother since
[Cite as In re Adoption of S.S., 2022-Ohio-1658.]

 S.S. was four years old. Paternal-Great Aunt is the mother of T.S., Adoptive Mother-

 Appellee. Adoptive Mother is related to the biological father of J.S. Adoptive Father-

 Appellee, W.S. is married to Adoptive Mother.

         {¶6}     On September 17, 2018, SCDJFS filed a complaint for dependency for

 P.E.S. SCDJFS requested the Juvenile Court declare P.E.S. dependent based on the

 dependency allegations for his siblings, S.S. and J.S. On September 18, 2018, P.E.S.

 was placed in the temporary custody of SCDJFS.

         {¶7} The Juvenile Court set a hearing on the complaint for child support to be

 held on November 1, 2018. Mother was served with the complaint and notice of hearing

 by ordinary mail. On November 5, 2018, the Juvenile Court dismissed the complaint for

 child support orders without prejudice. The order did not explain the reason for the

 dismissal of the complaint for child support.

         {¶8} On November 30, 2018, SCDJFS moved to change legal custody of S.S.

 and J.S. to Adoptive Mother and Father. SCDJFS argued that Mother was no longer

 engaged in her case plan services and had not visited the children since October 2018.

 The GAL recommended the change of legal custody to the Adoptive Mother and Father.

         {¶9} The Juvenile Court issued its judgment entry on March 11, 2019 granting

 legal custody of S.S. to Adoptive Mother and Father. The judgment entry also granted

 legal custody of J.S. to Adoptive Parents as relating to Mother’s interests only. In the

 judgment entry, the Juvenile Court stated that, “Mother shall have visitation as the parties

 agree.” On April 23, 2019, the Juvenile Court granted legal custody of J.S. to Adoptive

 Parents as to the biological father’s interests.
[Cite as In re Adoption of S.S., 2022-Ohio-1658.]

         {¶10} On December 13, 2018, the Juvenile Court declared P.E.S. a dependent

 child pursuant to the stipulation of Mother and biological father. SCDJFS had placed

 P.E.S. in the care of Adoptive Parents.

         {¶11} On May 19, 2019, SCDJFS moved to change legal custody of P.E.S. to

 Adoptive Parents. A hearing was held on the motion on August 22, 2019, but Mother did

 not appear. By judgment entry issued on August 23, 2019, the Juvenile Court granted

 legal custody of P.E.S. to Adoptive Parents. The entry stated that per her attorney, Mother

 was willing to stipulate to legal custody. As to visitation, the Juvenile Court ordered that,

 “parenting time for Mother and Father shall occur at the discretion of the legal custodians.”

                                          Petitions for Adoption

         {¶12} Adoptive Parents filed Petitions for Adoption with the Stark County Probate

 Court on February 26, 2021. The petitions alleged that Mother’s consent to adopt the

 children was not required because Mother failed without justifiable cause to either provide

 more than de minimus contact or maintenance and support of the children as required by

 law or judicial decree for the period of at least one year immediately preceding the filing

 of the Petitions.

         {¶13} Mother filed timely objections to the Petitions for Adoption. Based on

 Mother’s objections, the Probate Court set the matter for an evidentiary hearing on the

 issue of Mother’s consent. A video evidentiary hearing was held on August 16, 2021.

                                                    Contact

         {¶14} Paternal Great-Aunt had the original placement of S.S. and J.S. in 2018.

 Mother would visit the children at Paternal Great-Aunt’s home when they resided with her.

 The children were placed with Adoptive Parents in 2019 and after 2020, Paternal Great-
[Cite as In re Adoption of S.S., 2022-Ohio-1658.]

 Aunt did not have contact with Mother; however, Paternal Great-Aunt admitted that she

 would not answer the phone if she did not recognize the phone number. Mother had

 several phone numbers, of which Paternal Great-Aunt was not familiar with. Paternal

 Great-Aunt did not hear from Mother directly until March 2021 when Mother called her to

 state she wanted visitation rights with the children.

         {¶15} Adoptive Father testified that he, Adoptive Mother, and the children had

 lived in the same home in Dalton, Ohio for four years. He assumed Mother knew where

 they lived because Maternal Grandmother had visited the children at his home. While

 there was photographic evidence that Mother saw S.S. in May 2019, Father stated the

 children last saw Mother on Easter, April 21, 2019. There was no dispute that Mother had

 not seen the children in person from February 26, 2020 to February 26, 2021.

         {¶16} Adoptive Parents testified that Mother did not contact them to schedule

 visitation with the children. Father stated he received a voice mail from Mother in March

 2021, but the evidence showed that Father texted Mother on February 18, 2021,

 acknowledging he had received her voice mail and would set up a time to talk to her.

 Adoptive Mother testified that her cell phone was broken and could not receive text

 messages or phone calls starting in July or August 2020. Before her cell phone

 malfunctioned, she would receive calls and texts from Mother, but Adoptive Mother did

 not directly inform Mother that her cell phone had broken, nor did Mother obtain a

 functioning cell phone. Adoptive Mother told Maternal Grandmother her cell phone was

 broken, and Adoptive Mother assumed she would tell Mother, which she did. Maternal

 Grandmother would not give Mother the cell phone number for Adoptive Father until
[Cite as In re Adoption of S.S., 2022-Ohio-1658.]

 months later because Adoptive Parents did not want to provide their contact information

 without their permission.

         {¶17} Mother presented evidence disputing that she did not contact Adoptive

 Parents for visitation. Her phone records from February 26, 2020 to February 26, 2021

 were presented as exhibits and showed that Mother had texted and called Adoptive

 Parents multiple times. Mother stated she had spoken to the children eight times. She did

 not demand visitation with the children because she was afraid Adoptive Parents would

 cut off all contact with the children. Maternal Grandmother testified that Mother had

 spoken with S.S. at least twice while S.S. was with her. Adoptive Parents began limiting

 Maternal Grandmother’s time with the children, while Maternal Grandmother attempted

 to contact Adoptive Parents over 200 times from February 26, 2020 to February 26, 2021.

         {¶18} On February 17, 2021, Mother attempted to file a complaint for parentage

 in the Stark County Court of Common Pleas to gain visitation with the children. The court

 did not accept the matter because the children resided in Wayne County. Mother testified

 that she filed the action in Wayne County on March 18, 2021.

         {¶19} The great grandmother of J.S. and biological father of P.E.S. testified they

 also had difficulty contacting Adoptive Parents to obtain visitation of the children. They

 were able to contact the Adoptive Parents, but they never received a response to their

 request for visitation.

                                       Maintenance and Support

         {¶20} Adoptive Father testified that Mother did not provide the children with any

 maintenance or support from February 26, 2020 to February 26, 2021. She did not send

 any cards, gifts, or clothing to the children. The only gifts and cards the children received
[Cite as In re Adoption of S.S., 2022-Ohio-1658.]

 were from Maternal Grandmother. Maternal Grandmother signed the cards to the children

 with her name and did not include Mother’s name.

         {¶21} Mother testified that a complaint for child support for S.S. and J.S. was

 dismissed without prejudice but provided no explanation for the dismissal. Mother was

 the subject of a child support order for her eldest child. She testified because the Adoptive

 Parents would not communicate with her, she could not provide the children with support.

 She said she gave money to Maternal Grandmother to provide gifts, cards, and clothes

 for the children, which Maternal Grandmother confirmed, but Maternal Grandmother did

 not indicate to the children that the gifts were from Mother.

                                              Judgment Entry

         {¶22} On September 17, 2021, the Probate Court filed its judgment entry finding

 that Mother’s consent was not required to proceed with the children’s adoption. The court

 applied the required analysis under R.C. 3107.07(A) to first find Adoptive Parents did not

 meet their burden of proof to show that Mother failed without justifiable cause to provide

 more than de minimus contact with the children. The evidence at the hearing

 demonstrated that Mother attempted to request contact with the children, but her attempts

 were thwarted by Adoptive Parents’ lack of response. Multiple witnesses testified to their

 difficulty in contacting Adoptive Parents to visit the children. The court found Adoptive

 Parents purposefully prevented Mother from contacting the children, thereby establishing

 she had justifiable cause for failing to provide more than de minimus contact.

         {¶23} As to the second consideration under R.C. 3107.07(A), the Probate Court

 determined that Adoptive Parents proved by clear and convincing evidence that Mother

 failed to provide for the maintenance or support of the children required by law or judicial
[Cite as In re Adoption of S.S., 2022-Ohio-1658.]

 decree for a period of one year immediately preceding the filing of the petition. The court

 found that Mother was not subject to any judicial decree imposing a specific support

 obligation, as the complaint for child support was dismissed before the Juvenile Court

 determined support. Because there no support order, the Probate Court determined

 Mother was required to support the children pursuant to the general duty of support under

 R.C. 3103.03. The evidence in the case did not support Mother’s allegations she

 purchased gifts, cards, and clothing for the children.

         {¶24} Pursuant to R.C. 3107.07(A), the Probate Court determined Adoptive

 Parents established that Mother’s consent was not required for the petitions for adoption

 to proceed.

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

                                       ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR

         {¶26} Mother raises one Assignment of Error:

         {¶27} “THE TRIAL COURT ERRED AND ABUSED ITS DISCRETION IN

 FINDING THAT APPELLANT FAILED, WITHOUT JUSTIFIABLE CAUSE, TO PROVIDE

 SUPPORT OR MAINTENANCE FOR THE MINOR CHILDREN.”

                                                    ANALYSIS

         {¶28} On appeal, Mother argues the Probate Court erred in finding that her

 consent to the adoption was not required. Specifically, she argues in her sole Assignment

 of Error that she had justifiable cause for failing to provide maintenance and support for

 the children during the one-year look-back period of R.C. 3107.07(A).
[Cite as In re Adoption of S.S., 2022-Ohio-1658.]

                               Legal Standard under R.C. 3107.07(A)

         {¶29} The right of a natural parent to the care and custody of his or her children

 is one of the most fundamental in law. This fundamental liberty interest of natural parents

 in the care, custody and management of their children is not easily extinguished. In re

 Adoption of B.T.R., 5th Dist. Morrow No. 2019 CA 0005, 2020-Ohio-2685, 2020 WL

 3545743, ¶ 18 citing Santosky v. Kramer, 455 U.S. 745, 753–754 (182). Adoption

 permanently terminates the parental rights of the natural parent. In re Adoption of Reams,

 52 Ohio App.3d 52, 55 (10th Dist. 1989); R.C. 3107.15(A)(1). Therefore, “[b]ecause

 adoption terminates these rights, Ohio law requires parental consent to an adoption

 unless a specific statutory exception exists.” In re Adoption of C.H.B., 3rd Dist. Crawford

 No. 3-19-18, 2020-Ohio-979, ¶ 18 citing In re Adoption of A.N.B., 12th Dist. Preble No.

 CA2012-04-006, 2012-Ohio-3880, ¶ 5.

         {¶30} One such statutory exception to the requirement of parental consent is

 found in R.C. 3107.07(A), which provides:

          Consent to adoption is not required of any of the following:

          (A) A parent of a minor, when it is alleged in the adoption petition and the

          court, after proper service of notice and hearing, finds by clear and

          convincing evidence that the parent has failed without justifiable cause to

          provide more than de minimis contact with the minor or to provide for the

          maintenance and support of the minor as required by law or judicial decree

          for a period of at least one year immediately preceding either the filing of

          the adoption petition or the placement of the minor in the home of the

          petitioner.
[Cite as In re Adoption of S.S., 2022-Ohio-1658.]

         {¶31} “R.C. 3107.07(A) is written in the disjunctive.” In re Adoption of C.H.B.,

 2020-Ohio-979, ¶ 19 quoting In re Adoption of H.R., 3rd Dist. Logan No. 8-14-15, 2014-

 Ohio-5390, ¶ 23. “Therefore, a failure without justifiable cause to provide either more than

 de minimus contact with the minor or maintenance and support for the one-year time

 period is sufficient to obviate the need for a parent’s consent.” (Emphasis sic.) Id.

         {¶32} The Ohio Supreme Court previously formulated a two-step analysis for

 probate courts to employ when applying R.C. 3107.07(A) to determine if parental consent

 is required. In re Adoption of C.H.B., 2020-Ohio-979, ¶ 20; In re Adoption of O.J.B., 12th

 Dist. Warren No. CA2020-01-004, 2020-Ohio-4184, ¶ 9; In re Adoption of M.B., 131 Ohio

 St.3d 186, 2012-Ohio-236, ¶ 23.

         {¶33} In the first step, the probate court must determine whether the petitioner has

 proven, by clear and convincing evidence, that the natural parent has failed to have more

 than de minimus contact with the child or failed to provide for the maintenance and support

 of the child. In re Adoption of M.B., at ¶ 23. In Cross v. Ledford, 161 Ohio St. 469, 120

 N.E.2d 118 (1954), the Ohio Supreme Court explained that clear and convincing evidence

 is more than a preponderance of the evidence but does not rise to the level of beyond a

 reasonable doubt as required in criminal cases. It must produce in the mind of the trier of

 fact a firm belief or conviction as to the allegations sought to be established. Cross,

 syllabus by the court, paragraph three. In re Adoption of B.T.R., 5th Dist. Morrow No.

 2019 CA 0005, 2020-Ohio-2685, 2020 WL 3545743, ¶ 21. “A trial court has discretion to

 make these determinations and in connection with the first step of the analysis, an

 appellate court applies an abuse-of-discretion standard when reviewing a probate court

 decision.” In re Adoption of M.B. at ¶ 25. To find an abuse of that discretion, we must
[Cite as In re Adoption of S.S., 2022-Ohio-1658.]

 determine the trial court's decision was unreasonable, arbitrary, or unconscionable and

 not merely an error of law or judgment. Blakemore v. Blakemore, 5 Ohio St.3d 217, 450

 N.E.2d 1140 (1983).

         {¶34} If the probate court finds the parent failed to contact or provide support to

 the children, the court proceeds to the second step of the analysis to determine whether

 the parent had justifiable cause for the failure to contact or provide support. The petitioner

 must prove by clear and convincing evidence that the failure was without justifiable cause.

 In re Adoption of C.H.B., 2020-Ohio-979, ¶ 22 citing In re Adoption of M.B., 131 Ohio

 St.3d 186, 2012-Ohio-236. In the second step, a probate court's determination as to

 “justifiable cause” under R.C. 3107.07(A) will not be disturbed on appeal unless such

 determination is against the manifest weight of the evidence. In re Adoption of B.T.R., 5th

 Dist. Morrow No. 2019 CA 0005, 2020-Ohio-2685, 2020 WL 3545743, ¶ 24 citing In Re

 Adoption of Masa, 23 Ohio St.3d 163, 492 N.E.2d 140 (1986), paragraph two of the

 syllabus. The probate court, as the trier of fact here, determines the weight and credibility

 of the evidence. Seasons Coal Company, Inc. v. City of Cleveland, 10 Ohio St.3d 77, 461

 N.E.2d 1273 (1984). We may not substitute our judgment for that of the trier of fact. Pons

 v. Ohio State Medical Board, 66 Ohio St.3d 619, 614 N.E.2d 748 (1993). Our role is to

 examine the entire record, weigh the evidence and all reasonable inferences, consider

 witness credibility, and determine whether, in resolving conflicts in the evidence, the trier

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

 judgment must be reversed and a new trial ordered. In re Adoption of O.J.B., 12th Dist.

 Warren No. CA2020-01-004, 2020-Ohio-4184, ¶ 12 citing In re Adoption of L.C.W., 12th

 Dist. Butler No. CA2014-08-169, 2015-Ohio-61, ¶ 14.
[Cite as In re Adoption of S.S., 2022-Ohio-1658.]

            Legal Standard for the Determination of Maintenance and Support

         {¶35} The only issue before this Court is whether the Probate Court erred in

 finding that Mother failed to provide maintenance and support for her children and her

 failure was without justifiable cause. While it is well-settled that probate courts are

 required to use the two-step analysis to determine issues under R.C. 3107.07(A), in 2019,

 the Ohio Supreme Court developed a three-step analysis for maintenance and support

 issues under R.C. 3107.07(A). In In re Adoption of B.I., 157 Ohio St.3d 29, 2019-Ohio-

 2450, 131 N.E.3d 28, ¶ 14, the Supreme Court examined a case to determine whether

 the parent had “failed without justifiable cause * * * to provide for the maintenance and

 support of the minor as required by law or judicial decree” under R.C. 3107.07(A). In re

 Adoption of B.I., 157 Ohio St.3d 29, 2019-Ohio-2450, 131 N.E.3d 28, ¶ 14. In doing so,

 the Court articulated the following analytical process:

          To determine whether a parent has failed to provide child support as

          required by law or judicial decree involves a three-step analysis. The court

          must first determine what the law or judicial decree required of the parent

          during the year immediately preceding either the filing of the adoption

          petition or the placement of the minor in the home of the petitioner. Second,

          the court determine whether during that year the parent complied with his

          or her obligation under the law or judicial decree. Third, if during that year

          the parent did not comply with his or her obligation under the law or judicial

          decree, the court determines whether there was justifiable cause for that

          failure.
[Cite as In re Adoption of S.S., 2022-Ohio-1658.]

 Id. at ¶ 15. The Probate Court utilized the analytical structure of In re Adoption of B.I. to

 find Mother did not provide maintenance or support as required by law or judicial decree

 and there was no evidence she had justifiable cause for her failure of support.

                                  First Step: Law or Judicial Decree

         {¶36} The first step in the analysis is to determine what the law or judicial

 decree required of the parent for the year prior to the filing of the petition. In re Adoption

 of B.I., 2019-Ohio-2450, ¶ 16. The Supreme Court outlined that under Ohio’s statutory

 scheme regarding families and children, there are two statutes regarding the parental

 obligation to support their children: (1) a general obligation of parents to support their

 children imposed by R.C. 3103.03(A), which states “[t]he biological or adoptive parent

 of a minor child must support the parent’s minor children out of the parent’s property

 or by the parent’s labor”; and (2) a specific child-support obligation imposed by

 judicial decree pursuant to R.C. 3109.05 and Chapter 3119. Id. at ¶

 27. The specific child-support obligation supersedes the general obligation once a trial

 court issues its decree because a parent can have only one obligation status at a time.

 Id. {¶37} The Ohio Supreme Court qualified different child support orders in In re

 Adoption of B.I. The father in that case had been ordered to pay child support but the trial

 court issued a judgment entry terminating his child support obligation and reduce his

 arrearages to zero at the request of the mother. The Supreme Court defined the judgment

 terminating the child support obligation as a “no-support order,” which they held to include

 “orders terminating previously ordered support, zero-support orders, and orders

 modifying a previously ordered support amount to zero.” Id. at ¶ 16 fn. 1. The Court found

 that where a judicial decree imposes a no-support order, it supersedes a parent’s general
[Cite as In re Adoption of S.S., 2022-Ohio-1658.]

 statutory obligation to support the child and may be relied upon by the parent in a

 subsequent adoption action. Id. at ¶ 30. As such, a “parent’s nonsupport of his or her

 minor child pursuant to a judicial decree does not extinguish the requirement of that

 parent’s consent to the adoption of the child.” Id. at ¶ 1; In re Adoption of O.J.B., 2020-

 Ohio-4184, ¶ 17.

         {¶38} In this case, evidence was presented at trial that on August 27, 2018, in

 Case No. 2018JCV00945, SCDJFS and the Stark County Child Enforcement Agency filed

 a complaint for child support orders against Mother for the support of S.S. and J.S. The

 Juvenile Court set a hearing on the complaint for child support to be held on November

 1, 2018. Mother was served with the complaint and notice of hearing by ordinary mail. On

 November 5, 2018, the Juvenile Court dismissed the complaint for child support orders

 without prejudice. The order did not explain the reason for the dismissal of the complaint

 for child support.

         {¶39} Mother contends the Juvenile Court’s dismissal of the complaint for child

 support was a judicial decree equivalent to a zero-support order. Because Mother’s

 alleged nonsupport of the minor children was pursuant to the Juvenile Court’s zero-

 support order, the requirement that her consent is necessary for the adoption of the

 children was not extinguished pursuant to the law of In re Adoption of B.I.

         {¶40} The November 5, 2018 judgment entry dismissing the complaint for child

 support does not fall within the Supreme Court’s definition of a no-support order, which

 includes “orders terminating previously ordered support, zero-support orders, and orders

 modifying a previously ordered support amount to zero.” In this case, the evidence does

 not support an extension of the Supreme Court’s definition of a “no-support order” as
[Cite as In re Adoption of S.S., 2022-Ohio-1658.]

 established in In re Adoption of B.I. to include the Juvenile Court’s dismissal of the

 complaint for child support. There was no evidence presented that Mother was under a

 previously issued order to provide child support to these children. The Juvenile Court

 dismissed the complaint for child support before the court took any evidence or made any

 decision as to Mother’s child support obligation. The dismissal entry did not impose or

 modify any obligation on Mother, either at a zero amount or other amount. Finally, the

 complaint for child support was dismissed without prejudice. “A dismissal without

 prejudice is not a final determination of the rights of the parties and does not constitute a

 judgment or final order when refiling or amending of the complaint is possible.” McIntosh

 v. Slick, 5th Dist. Stark No. 2001CA00268, 2002-Ohio-3599, 2002 WL 1485120, ¶ 9 citing

 Central Mut. Ins. Co. v. Bradford-White Co., 35 Ohio App.3d 26, 28, 519 N.E.2d 422 (6th

 Dist.1987); See, also, Chambers v. LTV Steel Co. (Sept. 23, 1996), 5th Dist. No. 95-CA-

 0302.

         {¶41} As described by In re Adoption of B.I., this is an instance of there being no

 support order in place. Id. at ¶ 31. Mother was not subject to a specific obligation imposed

 by judicial decree; therefore, the first step in the analysis is complete with the conclusion

 that Mother was subject to the general obligation of parents to support their children as

 imposed by law in R.C. 3103.03.

                                       Second Step: Compliance

         {¶42} The Probate Court moved to the second step in the analysis to determine

 whether during the year immediately preceding the filing of the adoption petition or the

 placement of the minor in the home of the petitioner, the parent complied with her
[Cite as In re Adoption of S.S., 2022-Ohio-1658.]

 obligation under the law. The court found that there was no evidence that Mother complied

 with her general obligation to provide support for her children.

         {¶43} Mother alleged at the hearing that she purchased gifts, cards, and clothing

 for the children, which she gave to Maternal Grandmother to give to the children. Mother

 testified:

          Q: * * * Have you given them any support of the children?

          A: No, just clothes and gifts through my mother.

          Q: Okay. And if those gifts were given from your mother on holidays, they

          had been from her and not from you. Are you aware of that?

          A: No, they were from me as well. She was, um, afraid to step on their toes

          and let them know that it was from me and her because she didn’t want

          them to cut-off communication from her and the kids.

 (T. 108).

         {¶44} Maternal Grandmother testified that she provided those gifts to the children.

 She stated:

          “[Mother] would help me, and I just didn’t mention it. She would help with

          clothing, and she would help with money when she started working and stuff

          for the gifts and the occasions I went over. I didn’t really say this is from

          [Mother] because they didn’t even acknowledge her, and I didn’t feel it

          would be received very well, so. I tried one time. I took a gift for [P.E.S.]’s

          birthday party and said this is from [Mother] and they didn’t even say any

          word. Not one word, oh, thank you or tell her thanks, or anything. They just
[Cite as In re Adoption of S.S., 2022-Ohio-1658.]

          set it aside. And when I left it wasn’t opened yet. So I don’t know what ever

          happened to it.

 (T. 137). Maternal Grandmother testified the birthday party was in September 2020. (T.

 137).

         {¶45} Adoptive Father testified that Mother had not provided any support to the

 children from February 26, 2020 to February 26, 2021. (T. 9-10). The only gifts the

 children received were from Maternal Grandmother because the cards attached to the

 gifts stated they were from Maternal Grandmother. (T. 10). Adoptive Mother testified she

 was unaware of any support from Mother:

          Q. Have you received any, um, any gifts or any monetary money from

          [Mother] for the children?

          A. No. No.

          Q. Okay. And I think your husband had testified that her mom has brought

          over some gifts?

          A. Correct.

          Q. And that you’ve kept the cards to those?

          A. Yes.

          Q. And when he says what do you do with those cards?

          A. I keep them. I like to scrapbook. I have scrapbooks started, um, for each

          child and I continue to add to ‘em as, you know, as I have time. And I keep

          all the gift, you know, cards that people give ‘em on a birthday or Christmas.

          Q. Okay. And like what do the cards say, or are they just like a tag or what

          do they say?
[Cite as In re Adoption of S.S., 2022-Ohio-1658.]

          A. Oh no, not a tag. They’re cards. Um, [Maternal Grandmother] would buy,

          you know, really nice cards whether it be birthday card, Christmas card. And

          they clearly state at the bottom love grandma [Maternal Grandmother].

          Q. Okay. And you have kept all those so that the kids have those?

          A. Yes.

 (T. 36-37). Adoptive Mother’s scrapbooks containing the cards were not presented as

 evidence.

         {¶46} Presented with this evidence, the Probate Court found that while Mother

 and Maternal Grandmother both testified Maternal Grandmother gave the children gifts

 using Mother’s funds, there was no evidence presented in the form of receipts to support

 Mother’s contention that she had purchased the gifts. A similar factual situation was

 presented in In re Adoption of B.G.F., 2018-Ohio-5063, 126 N.E.3d 348 (3rd Dist.). In that

 case, the natural father claimed his consent was necessary for the adoption of his child

 because natural father had provided maintenance and support for the child. Natural father

 claimed he had paid for a swing-set and two $50.00 cashier’s checks given to the child

 by paternal grandmother. Id. at ¶ 34. “Mother stated that the gifts were always clearly

 from Paternal Grandmother and not from Father. For instance, Mother testified that the

 order form with the swing set given to B.G.F. indicated that Paternal Grandmother was

 the purchaser.” Id. at ¶ 33. “Father claimed he did not attempt to make Mother aware that

 the gifts were from him because he knew that Step-Father did not like him and was afraid

 it would jeopardize Paternal Grandmother's access to B.G.F. * * * Paternal Grandmother

 provided testimony supporting Father's stance that he paid for most of the gifts she

 brought to B.G.F. when she visited him.” Id. at ¶ 34.
[Cite as In re Adoption of S.S., 2022-Ohio-1658.]

         {¶47} The probate court found the two cashier’s checks were de minimus

 monetary gifts that did not qualify as maintenance or support. Id. at ¶ 36. The Third District

 Court of Appeals further found that, “even though father claimed that he paid for the

 majority of the gifts given to B.G.F. by Paternal Grandmother, the trial court was free to

 believe Mother's testimony that the gifts were in fact from Paternal Grandmother.” Id. at ¶

 41. “A probate judge has discretion to determine whether the biological parent provided

 support as contemplated by R.C. 3107.07(A) ‘and his or her judgment should not be

 tampered with absent an abuse of discretion.’” Id. quoting In re Adoption of M.B. at 131

 Ohio St.3d 186, 2012-Ohio-236, 963 N.E.2d 142, ¶ 21, citing In re Adoption of Bovett, 33

 Ohio St.3d at 107, 515 N.E.2d 919 (1987); see also In re Adoption of Charles B., 50 Ohio

 St.3d 88, 552 N.E.2d 884 (1990), paragraph three of the syllabus (“adoption matters must

 be decided on a case-by-case basis through the able exercise of discretion by the trial

 court”).

         {¶48} Under our abuse of discretion analysis as to whether Adoptive Parents

 demonstrated by clear and convincing evidence that Mother failed to provide

 maintenance and support to the children, we find the evidence supports the Probate

 Court’s determination that Mother did not provide maintenance and support to the

 children. The trial court was free to believe the testimony of Adoptive Parents that the gifts

 to the children were in fact from Maternal Grandmother.

                                     Third Step: Justifiable Cause

         {¶49} The third step in the analysis requires the probate court to consider if the

 parent did not comply with her obligation under the law, was there justifiable cause for

 that failure. The Probate Court found Adoptive Parents established that Mother did not
[Cite as In re Adoption of S.S., 2022-Ohio-1658.]

 have justifiable cause for her failure to provide maintenance and support under her

 general obligation.

         {¶50} In support of her claim there was justifiable cause, Mother returns to the

 dismissal of the complaint for child support. Mother asserts Adoptive Parents are

 responsible for the dismissal of the complaint for child support. Maternal Grandmother

 testified at the hearing as to the dismissed complaint for child support. She stated she

 witnessed a conversation between Adoptive Parents, shortly after Adoptive Parents

 stepped in to take custody of the children:

          [t]hey, uh, were discussing that they were dismissing the child support

          order, and um, that they didn’t want child support. [Mother] didn’t have a job

          at the time, and they weren’t going to ask for child support. And it’s clear to

          me that, um, it’s clear to me why they didn’t want child support because that

          would be a tie to [Mother], and it would make her look responsible because

          they did not want it.

 (T. 138).

         {¶51} First, there is nothing in the record to support Maternal Grandmother’s

 testimony that the Adoptive Parents were the reason the Juvenile Court dismissed the

 complaint for child support. The complaint for child support was brought by SCDJFS and

 the Stark County Child Enforcement Agency. The judgment entry dismissing the

 complaint did not explain the basis for the dismissal. Maternal Grandmother testified

 Adoptive Parents said “they” were dismissing the complaint for child support, and “they”

 did not want child support. Adoptive Parents could have been speaking of two different

 entities. Because SCDJFS and the Stark County Child Enforcement Agency filed the
[Cite as In re Adoption of S.S., 2022-Ohio-1658.]

 complaint for child support, Adoptive Parents could have been referring to “they” as those

 agencies dismissing the complaint while also stating that “they” as Adoptive Parents did

 not want child support. It is the purview of the Probate Court to determine the credibility

 of the witnesses and the weight of the evidence.

         {¶52} Second, in the absence of a child support order, a natural parent has an

 independent obligation to provide support for her child regardless of whether a request

 for support is made. In re Adoption of C.H.B., 2020-Ohio-979, ¶ 35 citing Matter of

 Adoption of A.L.R., 11th Dist. Geauga No. 2019-G-0210, 2019-Ohio-4320, ¶ 12. The

 dismissal of the complaint for child support did not obviate Mother’s independent

 obligation to provide support for the children.

         {¶53} Mother next contends she had justifiable cause for her failure to support

 because she never had the opportunity to provide support for the children due to the

 behavior of Adoptive Parents. As the Probate Court determined on the issue of contact

 with the children, there is no dispute on appeal that Adoptive Parents denied Mother

 contact and communication with both them and the children. While the issue of contact is

 relevant, a close reading of R.C. 3107.07(A) shows that it requires Mother to provide

 maintenance support for her children, but it does not require that the maintenance and

 support be accepted. It is upon this distinction that Mother’s arguments did not succeed

 before the Probate Court.

         {¶54} Mother testified that she did not provide direct maintenance and support to

 the children because she could not make arrangements with Adoptive Parents due to

 their lack of communication. (T. 102). Mother was asked if she had ever mailed a check

 to Adoptive Parents or Paternal Great-Aunt for the maintenance and support of the
[Cite as In re Adoption of S.S., 2022-Ohio-1658.]

 children. (T. 110). Mother said she had not mailed them a check because she did not

 know where Adoptive Parents were residing. (T. 110). She did not mail a check to Paternal

 Great-Aunt because she did not know if she was home due to medical reasons. (T. 110).

 The evidence shows that Maternal Grandmother knew the addresses of Paternal Great-

 Aunt and Adoptive Parents because she visited with the children, but she did not share

 the address with Mother because she felt it was irrelevant due to Adoptive Parents’ lack

 of communication with Mother. (T. 127). Mother and Maternal Grandmother reside

 together. (T. 125). When Mother filed for visitation with the children in February 2021, she

 used Adoptive Parents’ address. (T. 113). Mother testified that Maternal Grandmother

 gave her the address. (T. 113).

         {¶55} The question of justifiable cause is a determination for the Probate Court

 and will not be disturbed on appeal unless such determination is against the manifest

 weight of the evidence. While we review the entire record to determine there was a

 manifest miscarriage of justice, we note the Probate Court is in the best position to

 determine the credibility of the witnesses. In this case, most of the evidence as to whether

 Mother had justifiable cause for her failure to provide support is based on the testimony

 of the witnesses. The Probate Court did not find the testimony of Mother and Maternal

 Grandmother to be credible that even though Maternal Grandmother had Adoptive

 Parents’ address, Mother had justifiable cause for not providing maintenance and support

 because Adoptive Parents would not communicate with her to accept the support. We

 compare the court’s finding as to support with its determination that Mother had justifiable

 cause for her failure to contact the children based on Adoptive Parents’ lack of

 communication. The Probate Court’s differing conclusions of law demonstrate the court
[Cite as In re Adoption of S.S., 2022-Ohio-1658.]

 considered the evidence to discern that Adoptive Parents failed to meet their burden as

 to justifiable cause for contact but met their burden to show no justifiable cause for

 Mother’s lack of maintenance and support.

         {¶56} Having reviewed the matter under the three-step analysis as established in

 In re Adoption of B.I., we find the Probate Court did not abuse its discretion when it found

 Mother’s consent was not required. We overrule Mother’s sole Assignment of Error.

                                               CONCLUSION

         {¶57} The judgment of the Stark County Court of Common Pleas, Probate

 Division, is affirmed.

 By: Delaney, J.,

 Gwin, P.J. and

 Hoffman, J., concur.