Court Opinion

ID: 9370886
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-02-14 21:08:23.991749+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:16:24.500903
License: Public Domain

[Cite as In re E.S., 2023-Ohio-382.]

                              IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO

                                   TENTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

In the Matter of:                                    :

[E.S.]                                               :                No. 22AP-366
                                                                (Probate No. MI-35677)
                 Appellant.                          :
                                                              (REGULAR CALENDAR)
                                                     :

                                            D E C I S I O N

                                       Rendered on February 9, 2023

                 On brief: Steven McGann, for appellant. Argued: Steven
                 McGann.

                 On brief: J. Michael Evans, for appellee Argued: J. Michael
                 Evans.

                  APPEAL from the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas,
                                     Probate Division

LUPER SCHUSTER, J.
         {¶ 1} Appellant, E.S., appeals from a judgment entry of the Franklin County Court
of Common Pleas, Probate Division, finding appellant to be a mentally ill person subject to
involuntary civil commitment. For the following reasons, we affirm.
I. Facts and Procedural History
         {¶ 2} On May 16, 2022, the chief clinical officer of Twin Valley Behavioral
Healthcare ("TVBH") submitted an affidavit of mental illness to the probate court regarding
appellant. In the affidavit, Dr. Andrew Savageau averred that appellant was a mentally ill
person subject to court order under the criteria set forth in R.C. Chapter 5122. Dr. Savageau
set forth the facts supporting his assertion in the narrative portion of the affidavit, stating:
No. 22AP-366                                                                             2

              Patient is a 49-year-old white male admitted to TVBH on
              05/13/2022 with a pink slip dated 05/11/22 due to symptoms
              of psychosis. Per the preadmission paperwork, patient was
              taken to Knox Community Hospital by family due to concerns
              of worsening bizarre behavior. Per the report, patient is
              paranoid and delusional. He reportedly barricaded himself in
              the house thinking people were out to get him and believed
              there were secret tunnels in his home where people could hide.
              He has persecutory beliefs about his father, believes his father
              wants to keep him incarcerated. Report indicates that he was
              sleeping in his car for the past ten days due[] to increased
              paranoia. Per his father, patient stopped taking his medication
              and thought the only thing he needed was marijuana. Patient
              has a documented substance use and a positive tox screen for
              cannabis. Pt. identified using "Over-the-counter THC vape.
              That's what I do now." He also reports that he has a history of
              using Adderall but identifies it is too expensive on the street to
              continue use. Pt. represents a substantial risk of harm to
              himself and others and would benefit from treatment to ensure
              the safety of patient and others.

(Dr. Savageau Aff. at 2.)
       {¶ 3} Also on May 16, 2022, Licensed Social Worker Elenice Gomes filed a
supplemental case history of mental illness. Gomes noted that appellant had a previous
hospitalization at TVBH in 2018 for up to 60 days for competency restoration. Additionally,
Gomes noted appellant's history of alcohol and cannabis use dates back to age 16.
       {¶ 4} A probate court magistrate found the affidavit satisfied R.C. 5122.11 and
ordered, on May 16, 2022, appellant to be detained at Mental Health and Recovery for
Licking and Knox Counties ("MHR") with placement at TVBH.                 The probate court
scheduled a full hearing on the affidavit and appointed a court doctor and an attorney for
appellant.
       {¶ 5} The probate court conducted the full hearing on May 20, 2022. At the
hearing, Dr. William Bates, the court doctor, testified that, based on a reasonable degree of
psychiatric certainty, it was his opinion that appellant suffered from an unspecified
schizophrenia spectrum disorder with polysubstance abuse. Dr. Bates further testified that
appellant's history of substance abuse made the origins of appellant's psychiatric symptoms
unclear, but Dr. Bates found appellant to be suffering from a psychotic disorder with
persecutory delusions which caused appellant to be unable to function in the community.
No. 22AP-366                                                                               3

Dr. Bates considered appellant to pose a risk of harm to himself and opined that the least
restrictive environment in which appellant's needs could be met was an in-patient
psychiatric setting with medication.     With treatment, Dr. Bates believes appellant's
prognosis for stabilizing and returning to functional baseline is good.
       {¶ 6} Appellant appeared telephonically and testified on his own behalf. Appellant
denied ever having symptoms of psychosis and characterized himself as being in shock after
being defamed and attacked. He stated he is not paranoid but is too relaxed regarding the
security of his home and vehicle. Appellant denied barricading himself in his house or
sleeping in his car for more than a few hours on two occasions. Appellant described himself
as a peaceful person who has never hurt himself or others. According to appellant, he has
not been prescribed any medication since his 2018 hospitalization, and he described that
incident as similarly involving false allegations and misunderstandings of his behavior.
       {¶ 7} During his testimony, appellant requested a continuance to obtain several
additional witnesses, including a doctor, a social worker, and an attorney that he worked
with during his 2018 charges. Appellant stated he primarily intended these individuals to
testify about the events in 2018 but that he also wanted the doctor to testify about his
current medical condition. Counsel for appellant informed the court she spoke with
appellant the previous day about securing witnesses, but that appellant did not advise her
of any particular individuals he wished to call. Further, counsel for appellant stated that
when she informed appellant of his right to an evaluation by an independent expert,
appellant did not express a desire to exercise that right. Counsel understood appellant's
request for additional witnesses to be as fact witnesses rather than expert witnesses.
Additionally, counsel refuted appellant's characterization of her interactions with him as
limited, instead noting that she had spent a substantial amount of time speaking with
appellant the previous days.
       {¶ 8} MHR opposed appellant's request for a continuance on the basis that the
requested witnesses would not be used to address the ultimate issue: whether appellant
met the statutory criteria for involuntary hospitalization. The magistrate denied the
request for a continuance.
       {¶ 9} At the conclusion of the hearing, the magistrate determined there was clear
and convincing evidence that appellant suffered from mental illness diagnosed as an
No. 22AP-366                                                                              4

unspecified schizophrenia spectrum disorder resulting in a gross impairment of judgment,
behavior, capacity to recognize reality, and ability to meet the ordinary demands of life. The
magistrate found appellant to be subject to hospitalization pursuant to R.C. 5122.01(B)(3)
and ordered him to be committed to MHR for involuntary in-patient hospitalization at
TVBH for a period not to exceed 90 days.
       {¶ 10} Appellant filed objections to the magistrate's decision, arguing the
magistrate's decision was based on falsified records and that he should have been granted
a continuance to call witnesses. The probate court conducted a hearing on the objections
on June 3, 2022.
       {¶ 11} In a June 3, 2022 judgment entry, the probate court overruled appellant's
objections and adopted the magistrate's decision as its own. The probate court found there
was competent, credible evidence to support the magistrate's finding that appellant is a
mentally ill individual subject to court order under R.C. 5122.01(B)(3). Thus, the probate
court ordered appellant subject to involuntary civil commitment to MHR with placement
at TVBH for a period not to exceed 90 days. Appellant timely appeals.
II. Assignment of Error
       {¶ 12} Appellant assigns the following sole assignment of error for our review:

              The trial court erred in adopting the May 20, 2022 magistrate's
              report and decision finding that appellant suffers from a
              mental illness requiring hospitalization.

III. Discussion
       {¶ 13} In his sole assignment of error, appellant argues the probate court erred in
adopting the magistrate's finding that appellant is a mentally ill person subject to court
order pursuant to R.C. 5122.01(B)(3). More specifically, appellant alleges the probate
court's commitment order is against the manifest weight of the evidence presented at the
May 20, 2022 hearing. This court will not reverse a finding that a respondent is a mentally
ill person subject to court order under R.C. 5122.01 as against the manifest weight of the
evidence if some competent, credible evidence going to all the essential elements of the case
supports the order. In re J.L.S., 10th Dist. No. 21AP-693, 2022-Ohio-3539, ¶ 11, citing In re
K.W., 10th Dist. No. 06AP-731, 2006-Ohio-4908, ¶ 6, citing C.E. Morris Co. v. Foley
Constr. Co., 54 Ohio St.2d 279, 280 (1978).
No. 22AP-366                                                                                  5

       {¶ 14} R.C. Chapter 5122 governs the specific procedures for the involuntary
commitment of a person to a mental hospital. In a non-emergency situation, the filing of
an affidavit of mental illness in the probate court commences the process. J.L.S. at ¶ 12,
citing In re P.A., 10th Dist. No. 17AP-728, 2018-Ohio-2314, ¶ 9, citing R.C. 5122.11; In re
A.C., 10th Dist. No. 20AP-82, 2021-Ohio-2116, ¶ 12. The affiant must set forth facts in the
affidavit sufficient to indicate probable cause to believe that the person named is a mentally
ill person subject to court order. J.L.S. at ¶ 12, citing P.A. at ¶ 9, citing R.C. 5122.11. If the
probate court finds probable cause exists, the court may order the temporary detention of
the person and/or set the matter for further hearing. Id., citing P.A. at ¶ 9, citing R.C.
5122.11.
       {¶ 15} The probate court must afford the person alleged to be mentally ill a full
hearing in accordance with due process of law and as required by R.C. Chapter 5122. J.L.S.
at ¶ 13, citing P.A. at ¶ 10. At the completion of the full hearing, if the probate court finds
"by clear and convincing evidence that the respondent is a mentally ill person subject to
court order," the probate court may commit the person to a hospital for a period not to
exceed 90 days. R.C. 5122.15(C); J.L.S. at ¶ 13.
       {¶ 16} Pursuant to Ohio law, courts utilize a three-part test to determine when to
order an involuntary commitment. J.L.S. at ¶ 14, citing In re T.B., 10th Dist. No. 06AP-477,
2006-Ohio-3452, ¶ 7. The court must determine, by clear and convincing evidence, that:
(1) the individual suffers from a substantial disorder of thought, mood, perception,
orientation, or memory, (2) the disorder grossly impairs the individual's judgment,
behavior, capacity to recognize reality, or ability to meet the ordinary demands of life, and
(3) the individual is subject to court order for one of the reasons set forth in R.C. 5122.01(B).
Id., citing T.B. at ¶ 7, citing R.C. 5122.01(A). R.C. 5122.01(B)(1) through (4) provides:
               "Mentally ill person subject to court order" means a mentally
               ill person who, because of the person's illness:

               (1) Represents a substantial risk of physical harm to self as
               manifested by evidence of threats of, or attempts at, suicide or
               serious self-inflicted bodily harm;

               (2) Represents a substantial risk of physical harm to others as
               manifested by evidence of recent homicidal or other violent
               behavior, evidence of recent threats that place another in
No. 22AP-366                                                                               6

              reasonable fear of violent behavior and serious physical harm,
              or other evidence of present dangerousness;

              (3) Represents a substantial and immediate risk of serious
              physical impairment or injury to self as manifested by evidence
              that the person is unable to provide for and is not providing for
              the person's basic physical needs because of the person's
              mental illness and that appropriate provision for those needs
              cannot be made immediately available in the community;

              (4) Would benefit from treatment for the person's mental
              illness and is in need of such treatment as manifested by
              evidence of behavior that creates a grave and imminent risk to
              substantial rights of others or the person[.]

       {¶ 17} In determining whether a person is a mentally ill person within the meaning
of R.C. 5122.01(B), the court must consider the person's present mental state based on both
his current or recent behavior and his prior dangerous propensities. J.L.S. at ¶ 15, citing
In re Burton, 11 Ohio St.3d 147, 149 (1984). R.C. 5122.01(B) affords the probate court broad
discretion to review the individual's past history in order to make a well-informed decision
regarding the individual's present mental condition. Id., citing Burton at 149. The Supreme
Court of Ohio directs trial courts to apply a "totality of the circumstances" test to determine
whether a person is subject to hospitalization pursuant to R.C. 5122.01(B). Burton at 149.
"This test balances the individual's right against involuntary confinement in deprivation of
his liberty, and the state's interest in committing the emotionally disturbed." Id. Under the
totality of the circumstances test, a court considers the following non-exhaustive list of
factors: (1) whether, in the court's view, the individual represents a substantial risk of
physical harm to himself or other members of society, (2) psychiatric and medical
testimony related to the individual's present mental and physical condition, (3) the
individual's insight into his or her condition such that the individual will continue
treatment as prescribed or seek professional assistance when needed, (4) the state's
grounds for the proposed commitment, (5) the individual's past history to the extent it is
relevant to show the individual's degree of conformity to the laws, rules, regulations, and
values of society, and (6) where there is evidence that the individual's mental illness is in a
state of remission, the court must consider the medically suggested cause and degree of the
remission and the probability that the individual will continue treatment to maintain the
No. 22AP-366                                                                                7

remissive state should he or she be released from confinement. J.L.S. at ¶ 15, citing Burton
at 149-50. Additionally, the trial court may consider other relevant evidence in making an
informed decision about the individual's present medical condition. Id., citing Burton at
149-50.
       {¶ 18} At the May 20, 2022 hearing, Dr. Bates testified that, based on a reasonable
degree of medical certainty, appellant suffers from a psychotic disorder with persecutory
delusions which caused appellant to be unable to function in the community. Dr. Bates
testified he reached this conclusion after reviewing appellant's medical records and
conducting an in-person examination of appellant. He further testified his conclusion is
based "at least in major part" on his examination and personal observations of appellant.
(Tr. at 7.) On cross-examination, Dr. Bates stated he did not observe anything specific in
his interaction with appellant that supported his conclusion that appellant presents a
substantial risk of harm to himself and others; rather, Dr. Bates stated he formed his
opinion based on appellant's history and noted that appellant was reserved and directed
Dr. Bates to appellant's written documents if Dr. Bates wanted more information.
       {¶ 19} On appeal, appellant argues the probate court erred in finding appellee
proved, by clear and convincing evidence, that: (1) appellant represented a current
substantial risk of harm to himself, (2) appellant's then-present mental state warranted
hospitalization, and (3) appellant suffered from a substantial disorder of thought resulting
in a gross impairment of judgment, behavior, capacity to recognize reality, and ability to
meet the ordinary demands of life as required by R.C. 5122.01(B). Having reviewed the
entire record in light of the Burton factors, we find competent, credible evidence in the
record to support the probate court's determination that appellant is a mentally ill person
subject to court order pursuant to the criteria set forth in R.C. 5122.01(B)(3), and that
hospitalization for a period of not more than 90 days is the least restrictive option available.
       {¶ 20} Appellant argues Dr. Bates' testimony did not constitute competent, credible
evidence because his testimony simply mirrored the allegations in Dr. Savageau's affidavit.
First, we are mindful that appellant does not, on appeal, challenge the reliability of the
information contained in Dr. Savageau's affidavit. Though he maintained throughout the
probate court proceedings that the affidavit was based on lies and denied any allegations of
paranoid or delusional behavior, appellant does not argue to this court that the affidavit
No. 22AP-366                                                                              8

does not satisfy the requirements of R.C. 5122.11. Second, and more importantly here,
Dr. Bates did not testify that he formed his opinion based solely or even primarily on the
affidavit. Instead, Dr. Bates testified he formed his opinion about appellant's mental health
after reviewing appellant's medical records and personally examining and observing
appellant. That Dr. Bates' conclusions are consistent with the allegations contained in the
affidavit does not render Dr. Bates' conclusions inherently unreliable. Moreover, even if
Dr. Bates did review the contents of Dr. Savageau's affidavit and incorporate the affidavit
into his overall findings, appellant points to no authority that would preclude a psychiatric
expert from reviewing the statements contained in the R.C. 5122.11 affidavit and
incorporating those statements into his ultimate opinion as to whether an individual is a
mentally ill person subject to court order for one of the reasons stated in R.C. 5122.01(B).
J.L.S. at ¶ 34 ("appellant cites no case—and this court is aware of none—precluding a
psychiatric expert such as Dr. Bates from reviewing statements set forth in an affidavit of
mental health and incorporating those statements in formulating his assessment"); In re
A.C. at ¶ 30 (affirming probate court, and noting the court doctor formed his opinions after
reviewing the affidavit of mental health, the individual's mental health records, and the
records of the individual's prior hospitalization, as well as conducting a personal interview
with the individual).
       {¶ 21} Additionally, appellant asserts there was not any evidence demonstrating
that his then-present mental state warranted hospitalization or that he represented a
current substantial risk to himself. To the extent appellant asserts the evidence at trial was
insufficient because it relied on allegations of appellant's past behavior, we note that the
Burton factors related to an individual's current substantial risk and present mental and
physical condition "must be evaluated 'upon current or recent behavior as well as prior
dangerous propensities of the person' and that the trial court is afforded broad discretion
'to review this individual's past history in order to make a well-informed determination of
his present mental condition.' " (Emphasis omitted.) J.L.S. at ¶ 35, quoting Burton at 149
(noting "Burton does not temporally define 'current or recent behavior,' 'prior dangerous
propensities,' 'past history,' or 'present mental condition' "). Here, only four days had
elapsed from the time Dr. Savageau filed the affidavit to the time the probate court
conducted the hearing in which Dr. Bates testified. We further note that Dr. Bates
No. 22AP-366                                                                              9

specifically testified that appellant had paranoid delusions that caused him to not function
in the community, and that appellant "can't take care of his basic needs right now" because
his persecutory delusions cause him to strike out and increases the risk for violent behavior.
(Emphasis added.) (Tr. at 9-10.) Thus, we do not agree with appellant that the probate
court lacked competent, credible evidence related to his then-present mental state or the
current risk he presented to himself.
       {¶ 22} We are also mindful that Dr. Bates was the only psychiatric expert to testify
in this matter.    Significantly, appellant did not submit the testimony of an expert
psychiatrist to rebut Dr. Bates' opinions, and appellant's trial counsel stated she had
informed appellant he had the right to an independent expert evaluation but appellant did
not indicate he wanted to exercise that right. Dr. Bates presented testimony that, though
concise, was consistent with the other evidence in the record. See A.C. at ¶ 33 (affirming
the probate court's finding that appellant was a mentally ill person subject to court order
pursuant to R.C. 5122.01(B)(4) where only one psychiatric expert testified and appellant
did not present testimony of another expert to rebut that opinion); J.L.S. at ¶ 36 (affirming
the probate court finding of mentally ill person subject to court order, and noting "that Dr.
Bates was the only psychiatric expert to testify in this matter" and "[a]ppellant did not
submit the testimony of an expert psychiatrist to rebut the opinions expressed by Dr.
Bates").
       {¶ 23} Having reviewed the record in its entirety, we conclude that competent,
credible evidence supports the probate court's determination that, by clear and convincing
evidence, appellant is a mentally ill person subject to court order under R.C. 5122.01(B)(3).
Accordingly, we overrule appellant's sole assignment of error.
IV. Disposition
       {¶ 24} Based on the foregoing reasons, competent, credible evidence supports the
probate court's determination that appellant is a mentally ill person subject to court order
under R.C. 5122.01(B)(3). Having overruled appellant's sole assignment of error, we affirm
the judgment of the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, Probate Division.
                                                                        Judgment affirmed.
                           BOGGS and EDELSTEIN, JJ., concur.
                              _____________________