Court Opinion

ID: 4696076
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-06-16 16:13:21.798958+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:05:38.653242
License: Public Domain

[Cite as In re Z.S., 2021-Ohio-2022.]

STATE OF OHIO                     )                     IN THE COURT OF APPEALS
                                  )ss:                  NINTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT
COUNTY OF SUMMIT                  )

IN RE Z.S.                                              C.A. No.       29887

                                                        APPEAL FROM JUDGMENT
                                                        ENTERED IN THE
                                                        COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
                                                        COUNTY OF SUMMIT, OHIO
                                                        CASE No.   DN 19-01-0059

                                  DECISION AND JOURNAL ENTRY

Dated: June 16, 2021

        CALLAHAN, Judge.

        {¶1}     Appellant Mother appeals the judgment of the Summit County Court of Common

Pleas, Juvenile Division, that terminated her parental rights and placed her child in the permanent

custody of Summit County Children Services Board (“CSB” or “the agency”). This Court affirms.

                                                   I.

        {¶2}     Mother and Father are the biological parents of Z.S. (d.o.b. 1/19/19). Because of

significant mental health and substance abuse issues, cognitive deficits, and homelessness, Mother

had previously lost custody of three older children before Z.S. was born. Father is not the

biological father of the older children.

        {¶3}     Within days of Z.S.’ birth, CSB filed a complaint alleging three bases for the child’s

dependency. After an adjudicatory hearing, the juvenile court found Z.S. to be a dependent child

based on the prior adjudications of her older siblings as dependent and the risk that Z.S. would be

subjected to abuse or neglect due to ongoing circumstances in her home. See R.C. 2151.04(D).
                                                  2

       {¶4}    CSB sought and obtained the trial court’s determination that the agency’s use of

reasonable efforts to facilitate reunification with Mother was not required based on the three prior

involuntary terminations of her parental rights as to the older children.                  See R.C.

2151.419(A)(2)(e). Even so, the agency asserted that there were compelling reasons not to move

for permanent custody of Z.S. at that time because it needed time to investigate Father as a viable

custodian for the child. Moreover, despite its excusal from using reasonable efforts as to Mother,

CSB drafted a case plan with reunification objectives for both Father and Mother. In fact,

throughout the case, the agency continued to offer services to Mother.              After the initial

dispositional hearing, Z.S. was placed in the agency’s temporary custody by agreement of the

parties. The juvenile court adopted the case plan as an order.

       {¶5}    Initially, Mother diligently engaged in services and other requirements of her case

plan. As she continued her involvement with Father, however, Mother became noncompliant,

rejecting services and failing to adhere to her medication schedule. Father also failed to participate

in services and visitation. Thereafter, CSB sought and obtained the juvenile court’s determination

that its use of reasonable efforts to facilitate reunification with Father was no longer required, as

he had abandoned the child.

       {¶6}    Having obtained a reasonable efforts bypass determination as to both parents, CSB

filed a motion for permanent custody. The parties agreed to continue that hearing, however, to

allow CSB to assess the maternal grandmother as a possible legal custodian. Mother filed a motion

for legal custody to the maternal grandmother, or, alternatively, for a six-month extension of

temporary custody. After a final dispositional hearing, the juvenile court granted CSB’s motion

for permanent custody and terminated Mother’s and Father’s parental rights regarding Z.S. Mother

filed a timely appeal in which she raises three assignments of error for review.
                                                 3

                                                II.

                                 ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR I

       THE TRIAL COURT ERRED WHEN IT CONDUCTED A PERMANENT
       CUSTODY TRIAL WITHOUT A WAIVER OF MOTHER’S RIGHT TO BE
       PRESENT, IN VIOLATION OF THE FIFTH AND FOURTEENTH
       AMENDMENTS TO THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION AND ARTICLE
       ONE, SECTION SIXTEEN OF THE OHIO CONSTITUTION.

       {¶7}   Mother argues that the juvenile court committed plain error by not obtaining

Mother’s waiver of her right to be physically present during the permanent custody hearing. This

Court disagrees.

       {¶8}   Mother admits that she did not object to appearing at the permanent custody hearing

by phone. Accordingly, she concedes that this Court reviews for plain error.

       In the criminal context, plain error does not exist unless it can be said that but for
       the error, the outcome of the trial would have been different and that reversal is
       necessary to prevent a manifest miscarriage of justice. State v. White, 142 Ohio
       St.3d 277, 2015-Ohio-492, ¶ 57. The civil plain error standard may be applied only
       in the extremely rare case involving exceptional circumstances where error, to
       which no objection was made at the trial court, seriously affects the basic fairness,
       integrity, or public reputation of the judicial process, thereby challenging the
       legitimacy of the underlying judicial process itself. Goldfuss v. Davidson, 79 Ohio
       St.3d 116 (1997), syllabus.

(Internal quotations omitted.) In re S.G., 9th Dist. Summit No. 27428, 2015-Ohio-2503, ¶ 11.

       {¶9}   This Court has not determined to date whether the criminal or civil plain error

standard applies in cases involving dependent, neglected, and/or abused children. In re K.J., 9th

Dist. Summit No. 29149, 2019-Ohio-123, ¶ 11. We decline to make that determination here, as

Mother cannot prevail under either standard.

       {¶10} Although parents have a constitutionally protected right to attend permanent

custody hearings, that right is not absolute. In re L.M., 9th Dist. Summit No. 29687, 2020-Ohio-

4451, ¶ 6. For example, there is no due process violation when an incarcerated parent cannot be
                                                 4

transported to the hearing regarding the termination of parental rights. Id., citing In re G.D., 9th

Dist. Summit No. 27855, 2015-Ohio-4669, ¶ 33. As the right to appear is not absolute, it is

axiomatic that the juvenile court need not obtain a parent’s waiver of the right to be present. To

hold otherwise would be to allow parents to perpetually delay permanent custody hearings simply

by failing to appear.

       {¶11} In this case, however, Mother was not precluded from appearing at and

participating in the permanent custody hearing. In fact, she was present by telephone, by her

agreement, for the entire hearing, except for very limited preliminary discussions and the testimony

of a records custodian. In addition, Mother had not been able to connect to the proceedings for the

initial testimony of a psychological assistant who explained only his client testing protocols during

that time. Mother was represented by an attorney who was present throughout the entire hearing.

       {¶12} On four separate occasions prior to the permanent custody hearing, the juvenile

court issued orders informing the parties that they had the option to attend the permanent custody

hearing either in person or remotely due to the ongoing pandemic. Mother attended the originally

scheduled permanent custody hearing at which time the juvenile court continued the hearing to

give CSB more time to assess the maternal grandmother as a possible custodian and reiterated the

parties’ choice to attend the final hearing in person or electronically. There is no evidence in the

record that Mother or her attorney objected to those options. At the permanent custody hearing,

both Mother and her attorney informed the juvenile court that Mother wanted to attend the hearing

via telephone.

       {¶13} When Mother initially had difficulty connecting to the hearing on each of the two

days of the hearing, the juvenile court called her. On the one occasion that Mother’s connection

was dropped, the juvenile court immediately stopped the hearing and called Mother again. Mother
                                                  5

was present for all relevant testimony on which the juvenile court relied in rendering its judgment.

Mother’s attorney was present for the entire hearing. Mother testified on her own behalf during

her case-in-chief.

       {¶14} Mother had notice of her opportunity to appear in person for the permanent custody

hearing. Instead, she chose in the alternative to appear remotely, effectively waiving any right she

may have had to be physically present in the courtroom. Under these circumstances, this Court

cannot conclude that the juvenile court erred by allowing Mother to appear at the permanent

custody hearing via telephone. Nevertheless, even assuming arguendo some impropriety, it did

not rise to the level of plain error requiring reversal. As Mother was represented by counsel and

was able to participate in a meaningful way during the permanent custody hearing, she has not

demonstrated how she was prejudiced by appearing remotely rather than physically present in the

courtroom. Accordingly, Mother’s first assignment of error is overruled.

                                 ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR II

       THE TRIAL COURT ERRED WHEN IT ADMITTED EXPERT TESTIMONY
       REGARDING MOTHER’S MENTAL HEALTH DIAGNOSES IN VIOLATION
       OF [EVID.R.] 702 [ ].

       {¶15} Mother argues that the juvenile court erred by admitting the testimony of a

psychological assistant regarding Mother’s mental health diagnoses in violation of Evid.R. 702

which addresses expert testimony. This Court disagrees.

       {¶16} Mother admits that she did not object to the challenged testimony at the permanent

custody hearing. Accordingly, this Court reviews for plain error.

       {¶17} Although Mother challenges the improper admission of expert testimony, the

record is clear that the psychological assistant did not testify as an expert. At one point during the

psychological assistant’s testimony, when the assistant prosecutor asked him about the effects of
                                                 6

a certain diagnosis on parenting abilities, Mother’s attorney objected on the ground that the witness

had not been qualified to testify as an expert. The State withdrew that question. Accordingly,

Mother expressly recognized that the psychological assistant was testifying as a lay witness.

       {¶18} Evid.R. 701 addresses opinion testimony by lay witnesses and limits the testimony

to opinions which are “(1) rationally based on the perception of the witness and (2) helpful to a

clear understanding of the witness’ testimony or the determination of a fact in issue.” The

psychological assistant’s testimony was based on his perceptions of Mother during her self-

reported assessment. Mother’s attorney acknowledged on the record that the witness’ testimony

regarding his observations of Mother was proper lay testimony. Accordingly, Mother’s argument

regarding expert testimony is misplaced and rejected.

       {¶19} To the extent that there may have been error, it does not rise to the level of reversible

plain error. The record is rife with evidence of Mother’s mental health diagnoses and their impact

on her ability to parent children. For example, Mother’s case manager at Community Support

Services testified regarding Mother’s multiple mental health diagnoses. The CSB caseworker

testified that Mother admitted that she had been diagnosed with mental health issues and that she

was not taking the medications prescribed to manage those issues. Most significantly, the juvenile

court admitted certified copies of juvenile records regarding Mother’s three older children. Those

records contained Mother’s stipulations that she had multiple untreated mental health diagnoses,

as well as the juvenile court’s judgments terminating Mother’s parental rights as to those three

children based in substantial part on the role Mother’s mental health issues played in her inability

to provide a safe and stable home for the children. Those records also contained this Court’s

opinions wherein we noted Mother’s significant mental health issues and affirmed the termination

of Mother’s parental rights. See In re R.L., 9th Dist. Summit Nos. 27214 and 27233, 2014-Ohio-
                                                 7

3117, and In re A.L., 9th Dist. Summit Nos. 28345 and 28347, 2016-Ohio-8504. Because the

juvenile court had evidence of Mother’s mental health diagnoses from multiple sources for

consideration, Mother cannot demonstrate prejudice by the admission of the psychological

assistant’s testimony. Mother’s second assignment of error is overruled.

                                ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR III

       THE TRIAL COURT’S DECISION GRANTING PERMANENT CUSTODY OF
       THE CHILD TO [CSB] WAS AGAI[N]ST THE MANIFEST WEIGHT OF THE
       EVIDENCE.

       {¶20} Mother argues that the juvenile court’s judgment was against the manifest weight

of the evidence. This Court disagrees.

       {¶21} In considering whether the juvenile court’s judgment is against the manifest weight

of the evidence, this Court “weighs the evidence and all reasonable inferences, considers the

credibility of witnesses and determines whether in resolving conflicts in the evidence, the [finder

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

must be reversed and a new [hearing] ordered.” (Internal quotations and citations omitted.)

Eastley v. Volkman, 132 Ohio St.3d 328, 2012-Ohio-2179, ¶ 20. When weighing the evidence,

this Court “must always be mindful of the presumption in favor of the finder of fact.” Id. at ¶ 21.

       {¶22} Before a juvenile court may terminate parental rights and award permanent custody

of a child to a proper moving agency, it must find clear and convincing evidence of both prongs

of the permanent custody test: (1) that the child is abandoned; orphaned; has been in the temporary

custody of the agency for at least 12 months of a consecutive 22-month period; the child or another

child of the same parent has been adjudicated abused, neglected, or dependent three times; or that

the child cannot be placed with either parent, based on an analysis under R.C. 2151.414(E); and

(2) that the grant of permanent custody to the agency is in the best interest of the child, based on
                                                   8

an analysis under R.C. 2151.414(D)(1). R.C. 2151.414(B)(1) and 2151.414(B)(2); see also In re

William S., 75 Ohio St.3d 95, 98-99 (1996). The best interest factors include: the interaction and

interrelationships of the children, the wishes of the children, the custodial history of the children,

the children’s need for permanence and whether that can be achieved without a grant of permanent

custody, and whether any of the factors outlined in R.C. 2151.414(E)(7)-(11) apply. R.C.

2151.414(D)(1)(a)-(e); see In re R.G., 9th Dist. Summit Nos. 24834, 24850, 2009-Ohio-6284, ¶

11. Clear and convincing evidence is that which will “produce in the mind of the trier of facts a

firm belief or conviction as to the facts sought to be established.” (Internal quotations omitted.)

In re Adoption of Holcomb, 18 Ohio St.3d 361, 368 (1985), quoting Cross v. Ledford, 161 Ohio

St. 469 (1954), paragraph three of the syllabus.

       {¶23} In its motion for permanent custody, CSB alleged first-prong grounds that Father

had abandoned the child pursuant to R.C. 2151.414(B)(1)(b), and that Z.S. could not or should not

be returned to either parent pursuant to R.C. 2151.414(B)(1)(a). The evidence supports the

juvenile court’s finding that Father abandoned the child.

       {¶24} CSB premised its allegation that the child could not or should not be returned to her

parents on multiple R.C. 2151.414(E) grounds. The juvenile court only made findings as to some

of those alleged grounds. Accordingly, this Court does not consider grounds not found by the trial

court. As the first-prong ground of abandonment was properly found as to Father, we limit our

discussion as to Mother.

       {¶25} R.C. 2151.414(E) provides, in relevant part:

       In determining at a hearing [on a motion for permanent custody] whether a child
       cannot be placed with either parent within a reasonable period of time or should not
       be placed with the parents, the court shall consider all relevant evidence. If the
       court determines, by clear and convincing evidence, at a [permanent custody]
       hearing * * * that one or more of the following exist as to each of the child’s parents,
                                                 9

       the court shall enter a finding that the child cannot be placed with either parent
       within a reasonable time or should not be placed with either parent:

       (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 placed
       outside the home, the parent has failed continuously and repeatedly to substantially
       remedy the conditions causing the child to be placed outside the child’s home. In
       determining whether the parents have substantially remedied those conditions, the
       court shall consider parental utilization of medical, psychiatric, psychological, and
       other social and rehabilitative services and material resources that were made
       available to the parents for the purpose of changing parental conduct to allow them
       to resume and maintain parental duties[;]

       ***

       (4) The parent has demonstrated a lack of commitment toward the child by failing
       to regularly support, visit, or communicate with the child when able to do so, or by
       other actions showing an unwillingness to provide an adequate permanent home for
       the child;

       ***

       (11) The parent has had parental rights involuntarily terminated with respect to a
       sibling of the child pursuant to [law], and the parent has failed to provide clear and
       convincing evidence to prove that, notwithstanding the prior termination, the parent
       can provide a legally secure permanent placement and adequate care for the health,
       welfare, and safety of the child;

       * * *.

       {¶26} Despite the agency’s allegation of multiple grounds, the juvenile court only needs

to find that one of the alleged R.C. 2151.414(E) factors existed to support the court’s finding that

the child cannot or should not be placed with her parents pursuant to R.C. 2151.414(B)(1)(a). In

re T.G., 9th Dist. Summit No. 29658, 2020-Ohio-4802, ¶ 18, citing In re L.A., 9th Dist. Summit

No. 21531, 2003-Ohio-4790, ¶ 54. While the record supports the juvenile court’s findings as to

all three above alleged subsections, this Court focuses our discussion on the R.C. 2151.414(E)(11)

factor. As to subsection (E)(11), once the agency has proved that a parent’s parental rights were

previously involuntarily terminated as to a sibling of the subject child, the statutory burden then
                                                 10

shifts to the parent to prove that she is able to provide a legally secure placement for the child. In

re T.G. at ¶ 18.

       {¶27} CSB presented evidence that Mother previously lost custody of three other children

who were placed in the permanent custody of the agency. Accordingly, the burden of proof shifted

to Mother to demonstrate by clear and convincing evidence that, notwithstanding the

circumstances which gave rise to those involuntary terminations of her parental rights, she was

now able to provide a safe and stable home for Z.S. Mother failed to do so.

       {¶28} Despite long term issues with mental health, homelessness, and unhealthy

relationships, Mother testified that she was able to provide an appropriate home environment for

the child. She was living in a 121 square foot room in a boarding house, which she claimed

contained a toddler bed, stroller, highchair, clothes, and toys for the child. Both the caseworker

and guardian ad litem testified that Mother’s room was dirty, cluttered, and not an appropriate

environment for a child. The caseworker added that there was a strong odor of marijuana in the

room. Although Mother claimed that her room was not cluttered, she did not present evidence to

overcome the significant concerns of the caseworker and guardian ad litem.

       {¶29} Mother testified that she was no longer in a relationship with Father who had

extensive criminal and drug use histories. Nevertheless, she admitted that the outgoing voicemail

message on her phone indicated that Father also received messages on that phone. Mother

admitted that she allowed Father to use her phone, although she maintained that she had no contact

with him. Accordingly, it was not clear that Mother had in fact ended her unhealthy relationship

with Father.

       {¶30} Finally, Mother acknowledged her limited engagement during the second half of

the case. Mother admitted that she had not visited with the child for almost a year at the time of
                                                 11

the hearing. She offered no reasonable excuse for failing to maintain a relationship with Z.S.

Moreover, although she had ceased participating in case plan services during the past year, she

asserted without clarification that she would be fully compliant within six months.

        {¶31} Based on a thorough review, this Court concludes that Mother failed to demonstrate

by clear and convincing evidence that she was now able to provide a legally secure placement for

Z.S. She continued to struggle with the same issues that led to the involuntary termination of her

parental rights as to three other children. Mother did not demonstrate that she was managing her

mental health issues, that she had terminated unhealthy relationships, or that she was able to

prioritize the needs of the child. Accordingly, the juvenile court’s first-prong finding was not

against the manifest weight of the evidence.

        {¶32} The agency established that an award of permanent custody was in the best interest

of the child. Z.S. was removed from Mother’s care immediately upon the child’s release from the

hospital after birth. Accordingly, the child never lived in Mother’s home. After spending ten days

in the home of a kinship caregiver who had adopted Mother’s other three children, Z.S. was moved

to a foster home, where she has remained throughout the case. The foster parents are friends with

the kinship caregiver, so Z.S. has maintained a relationship with her half-siblings throughout her

life.

        {¶33} The guardian ad litem observed that Z.S. has a significant bond with her foster

family, which includes another child whom the foster parents are adopting. Although Mother

visited with the child during her first year of life, Mother had no contact with the child during her

second year. The guardian ad litem testified that Z.S. has no bond with Mother and opined that it

was unlikely the child would even recognize Mother at this time.
                                                12

        {¶34} Z.S. was almost two years old at the time of the permanent custody hearing. She

was not competent to convey her wishes regarding custody. The guardian ad litem opined that the

best interest of the child could only be met by an award of permanent custody.

        {¶35} The child had been in foster care for almost two years at the time of the hearing and

requires permanence. Unfortunately, Mother is unable to provide a safe and stable environment

for Z.S. Although she was compliant with case plan objectives at the beginning of the case, Mother

ceased participating in mental health services more than a year before the hearing. The agency

caseworker was only sporadically able to contact Mother, who always said she planned to reengage

in services, but failed to do so.

        {¶36} Mother has a history of homelessness. She was evicted from her subsidized

housing during the case because she fell behind in her rent and let Father stay in the home without

permission.    She later secured a room in a boarding house.        The room was too small to

accommodate both Mother and the child. In addition, it was cluttered and unsanitary.

        {¶37} Mother receives $541 per month in social security disability income. She claimed

to work 15 hours a day for $20 per hour under the table for her landlord, but she could not verify

that income. Mother testified that she would keep the child with her at all times while working so

that Z.S. would be safe.

        {¶38} Mother’s mental health issues have been well documented throughout her history

with CSB. Certified judgment entries and this Court’s opinions, all admitted into evidence,

reference her diagnoses for bipolar disorder, posttraumatic stress syndrome, depression,

personality disorder, substance abuse issues (in remission), and cognitive delays. Mother ceased

participating in services to address her mental health issues. Although she testified that she was

compliant with taking her prescribed mental health medications, both the CSB caseworker and
                                                13

guardian ad litem testified that the medication bottles in Mother’s room at the boarding house were

empty and had dates indicating that they were not current prescriptions. Mother could not show

the caseworker or guardian ad litem any medications that she was taking.

       {¶39} Mother has failed to visit with Z.S. for over a year without any reasonable

explanation. She has never attended any of the child’s routine medical appointments despite notice

of those appointments.

       {¶40} The guardian ad litem served in the same role in the prior cases involving Mother’s

three older children. He was thoroughly aware of the issues that prevented Mother from being

able to provide an appropriate home for her other children, and he testified that Mother had not

ameliorated those concerns. He testified that Mother had not demonstrated the ability to provide

for Z.S.’ basic needs based on her lack of involvement in services. He opined that the best interest

of the child could only be met through an award of permanent custody.

       {¶41} No other viable custodial option exists for Z.S. Although Mother had moved for

legal custody of the child to the maternal grandmother, the grandmother had no relationship with

Z.S., demonstrated no interest in obtaining custody, and had a child welfare history regarding her

own children.

       {¶42} A six-month extension of temporary custody was not warranted under the statute.

R.C. 2151.415(D) requires significant case plan compliance and reasonable cause to believe that

reunification of the child with a parent is likely within six months. Given Mother’s lack of

compliance with case plan objectives during the last year of the case, there was no basis for an

extension of temporary custody, even assuming one could be granted given the age of the case.

       {¶43} One of the statutory factors in R.C. 2151.414(E)(7)-(11) is applicable in this case

as to Mother. As previously discussed, her parental rights had been involuntarily terminated with
                                                  14

respect to siblings of Z.S. See R.C. 2151.414(E)(11). Moreover, Mother failed to demonstrate by

clear and convincing evidence that she could now provide a legally secure placement for the child.

Id.

       {¶44} Based on a thorough review of the record, this is not the exceptional case in which

the trier of fact clearly lost its way and committed a manifest miscarriage of justice by terminating

the parents’ parental rights and awarding permanent custody to CSB. Father abandoned the child.

Mother failed to engage in case plan services or otherwise address her mental health issues which

historically prevented her from being able to provide a safe and stable home for a child. Mother’s

housing was not appropriate for the child. Mother had not maintained a relationship with Z.S.,

failing to visit with the child for over a year. There were no viable legal custodians for the juvenile

court’s consideration. Under these circumstances, the juvenile court’s finding that it was in the

child’s best interest to terminate parental rights and award permanent custody to CSB is supported

by clear and convincing evidence. Accordingly, the judgment is not against the manifest weight

of the evidence. Mother’s third assignment of error is overruled.

                                                 III.

       {¶45} Mother’s assignments of error are overruled. This judgment of the Summit County

Court of Common Pleas, Juvenile Division, is affirmed.

                                                                                  Judgment affirmed.

       There were reasonable grounds for this appeal.
                                                15

       We order that a special mandate issue out of this Court, directing the Court of Common

Pleas, County of Summit, State of Ohio, to carry this judgment into execution. A certified copy

of this journal entry shall constitute the mandate, pursuant to App.R. 27.

       Immediately upon the filing hereof, this document shall constitute the journal entry of

judgment, and it shall be file stamped by the Clerk of the Court of Appeals at which time the period

for review shall begin to run. App.R. 22(C). The Clerk of the Court of Appeals is instructed to

mail a notice of entry of this judgment to the parties and to make a notation of the mailing in the

docket, pursuant to App.R. 30.

       Costs taxed to Appellant.

                                                     LYNNE S. CALLAHAN
                                                     FOR THE COURT

HENSAL, P. J.
SUTTON, J.
CONCUR.

APPEARANCES:

ADAM M. VAN HO, Attorney at law, for Appellant.

SHERRI BEVAN WALSH, Prosecuting Attorney, and HEAVEN R. DIMARTINO, Assistant
Prosecuting Attorney, for Appellee.