Court Opinion

ID: 4325402
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2018-10-29 15:32:38.525947+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:46:28.812002
License: Public Domain

[Cite as In re T.C., 2018-Ohio-4369.]

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

IN RE: T.C.                                            C.A. Nos.     18AP0021
       E.C.                                                          18AP0022

                                                       APPEAL FROM JUDGMENT
                                                       ENTERED IN THE
                                                       COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
                                                       COUNTY OF WAYNE, OHIO
                                                       CASE Nos. 2018 JUV-C 00006
                                                                  2018 JUV-C 00007

                                 DECISION AND JOURNAL ENTRY

Dated: October 29, 2018

        SCHAFER, Presiding Judge.

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

Pleas, Juvenile Division, that adjudicated her children dependent, and/or neglected, and/or

abused. This Court affirms in part, reverses in part, and remands.

                                                  I.

        {¶2}     Mother is the biological Mother of T.C. (d.o.b. 4/15/05) and E.C. (d.o.b. 8/24/07).

Although he was properly served, the father of the children did not participate in the proceedings

below and is not a party to this appeal.

        {¶3}     On December 11, 2017, when she was only 12 years old, T.C. and a friend were

forcibly directed at gunpoint by a stranger to the basement of T.C.’s home, where the two girls

were raped. Mother took T.C. to the Wayne County Children’s Advocacy Center (“CAC”) for a

forensic interview and medical exam. Based on the trauma sustained by the entire family as a
                                                 2

result of the sexual assault, Wayne County Children Services Board (“CSB” or “the agency”)

offered assistance to Mother and her children. After Mother failed to follow up with medical and

mental health services for T.C., as well as a later referral to the agency regarding concerns for the

children’s care and home environment, CSB tried multiple times to contact Mother to discuss the

issues. When phone calls, text messages, and a home visit failed to allow contact with Mother, a

CSB caseworker called for assistance by the police.

       {¶4}    On January 2, 2018, a police officer joined an agency caseworker at Mother’s

home to try to discuss a safety plan for T.C. and E.C., who had been staying with a family friend.

After several minutes of pounding on the door to the home where Mother lived, a man opened

the foyer door and said he would wake Mother. Several minutes later, Mother appeared.

Despite repeated efforts, the caseworker and police officer were unable to communicate with

Mother to develop a safety plan for the children because of Mother’s belligerent behavior.

Ultimately, Mother returned to her upstairs apartment and slammed the door. Because the family

friend who had the children could no longer care for them, the police officer took T.C. and E.C.

into custody pursuant to Juv.R. 6.

       {¶5}    The next day, CSB filed complaints in the Wayne County Juvenile Court, alleging

that T.C. was an abused, neglected, and dependent child; and that E.C. was a neglected and

dependent child. After a shelter care hearing, the court issued an emergency order of temporary

custody to the agency. The juvenile court further appointed a guardian ad litem, as well as a

separate attorney for the children. CSB filed a proposed case plan.

       {¶6}    After a two-day adjudicatory hearing, the juvenile court found T.C. to be an

abused, neglected, and dependent child. It found E.C. to be a dependent child. The court further

dismissed some allegations of neglect and dependency regarding the children. After a later
                                                      3

dispositional hearing, the juvenile court ordered both children into the temporary custody of

CSB, adopted the case plan as the order of the court, and ordered limited visitation for Mother.

Mother filed two timely notices of appeal, one for each child. She raises one assignment of error

for this Court’s review in her consolidated appeals.

                                                  II.

                                    ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR

        THE TRIAL COURT’S JUDGMENT FINDING THE CHILDREN TO BE
        ABUSED, NEGLECTED AND/OR DEPENDENT CHILDREN WAS NOT
        SUPPORTED BY CLEAR AND CONVINCING EVIDENCE.

        {¶7}    Mother argues that the juvenile court’s findings that T.C. is an abused, neglected,

and dependent child; and that E.C. is a dependent child are against the manifest weight of the

evidence. This Court agrees regarding the challenge to the findings that T.C. and E.C. are

dependent children, but disagrees regarding the challenge to the findings that T.C. is an abused

and neglected child.

        {¶8}    As a preliminary matter, we note that Mother incorporates an additional argument

in her brief. Specifically, she argues that the juvenile court erred by failing to make any written

findings of fact and conclusions of law relative to its dependency orders, as required by R.C.

2151.28(L).    CSB concedes that the trial court failed to make the necessary findings and

conclusions, but asserts that it is harmless error.

        {¶9}    R.C. 2151.28(L) provides:

        If the court, at an adjudicatory hearing held pursuant to division (A) of this
        section upon a complaint alleging that a child is an abused, neglected, dependent,
        delinquent, or unruly child or a juvenile traffic offender, determines that the child
        is a dependent child, the court shall incorporate that determination into written
        findings of fact and conclusions of law and enter those findings of fact and
        conclusions of law in the record of the case. The court shall include in those
        findings of fact and conclusions of law specific findings as to the existence of any
                                                4

       danger to the child and any underlying family problems that are the basis for the
       court’s determination that the child is a dependent child.

       {¶10} This Court has sua sponte recognized the juvenile court’s compliance with the

mandates of R.C. 2151.28(L). See In re R.L., 9th Dist. Summit No. 28387, 2017-Ohio-4271, ¶ 7

(noting the juvenile court’s compliance with the statute even though the appellant-parent did not

raise the issue). When addressing direct challenges to the juvenile court’s lack of compliance

with the statute, we have noted the requirement for “specific factual findings about the basis of

[the juvenile court’s] dependency adjudication[.]” In re T.H., 9th Dist. Summit No. 28010,

2016-Ohio-5597, ¶ 9.     Indeed, the clear and plain language of the statute mandates such

articulation. See In re M.B., 9th Dist. Summit No. 21760, 2004-Ohio-597, ¶ 17-18 (Whitmore,

J., dissenting in part) (comparing the express requirement for findings in R.C. 2151.28(L) to the

lack of such a requirement in R.C. 2151.414(B)(1) relevant to an award of permanent custody).

So important are the findings of fact substantiating an adjudication of dependency that this Court

has even noted the significance of the absence of such findings when considering whether the

agency has later established a permanent custody first-prong finding that the parent has failed to

remedy the conditions which caused the child to be placed outside the home. See In re G.D., 9th

Dist. Summit No. 27337, 2014-Ohio-3476, ¶ 16 (discussing the connection between R.C.

2151.28(L) and R.C. 2151.414(E)(1), even though the parents had not filed objections to the

prior dependency adjudication).

       {¶11} Broad, general statements of fact, which might be adequate in a complaint

alleging a child to be a dependent child, do not meet the specificity requirements of R.C.

2151.28(L). See In re S.W., 12th Dist. Butler Nos. CA2006-09-211 and CA2006-10-263, 2008-

Ohio-1194, ¶ 11. Instead, the juvenile court must recite facts describing any dangers and

underlying family problems that exist for the child with specific detail to allow the reviewing
                                                 5

court to “determine what facts the court found relevant in determining [the child] was dependent,

what facts the conclusions of law were based upon, and what specific conclusions of law were

made.” See id. at ¶ 12. Where the juvenile court has failed to make the specific findings of fact

and conclusions of law in support of its adjudication of dependency, the judgment must be

reversed and the matter remanded to the trial court to make the statutorily required written

findings. In re S.L., 3d Dist. Union Nos. 14-15-07 and 14-15-08, 2016-Ohio-5000, ¶ 9; In re

A.B.C., 5th Dist. Stark No. 2010CA00087, 2011-Ohio-531, ¶ 31. See also In re M.B., 2004-

Ohio-597, at ¶ 10 (relative to permanent custody, reversing and remanding for the juvenile court

to make the findings necessary to allow for effective appellate review, rather than a

determination in the first instance).

       {¶12} In In re S.L., supra, the juvenile court’s judgment entry supported its adjudication

as follows:

       Thereupon, the court proceeded to hear testimony as to the facts and
       circumstances of this matter. Upon evidence presented, the Court FINDS by clear
       and convincing evidence that [S.L.] is an abused child pursuant to R.C.
       2151.031(A) and a dependent child pursuant to R.C. 2151.04(C); and [A.L.] is a
       dependent child pursuant to R.C. 2151.04(C) and (D).

Id. at ¶ 8. The Third District concluded that “this recitation fails to satisfy the requirement of

R.C. 2151.28(L) * * *” for specific findings of fact to support an adjudication of dependency.

Id. The instant case involving T.C. and E.C. is analogous.

       {¶13} In this case, the juvenile court recited the names of the eight witnesses who

testified at the adjudicatory hearing. The court then wrote:

       Based on the evidence and testimony presented, and considering the
       circumstances present at the time of removal and on the date of the filing of the
       complaint, the Court finds that T.C. is an abused, neglected, and dependent child.
       Based on the evidence and testimony presented, and considering the
       circumstances present at the time of removal and on the date of the filing of the
       complaint, the Court finds that E.C. is a dependent child.
                                                 6

       {¶14} The juvenile court then ordered that T.C. was an abused, neglected, and

dependent child; and that E.C. was a dependent child. This Court concludes that the juvenile

court’s recitation fails to satisfy the statutory mandates of R.C. 2151.28(L) that the court make

written findings of fact and conclusions of law, including “specific findings as to the existence of

any danger to the child and any underlying family problems that are the basis for the court’s

determination that the child is a dependent child.” Accordingly, with regard solely to the

adjudications of T.C. and E.C. as dependent children, this matter is reversed and remanded to the

juvenile court to make the required written findings of fact and conclusions of law in compliance

with R.C. 2151.28(L).

Manifest weight

       {¶15} Juvenile abuse, neglect, and dependency cases are initiated by the filing of a

complaint. See Juv.R. 22(A); Juv.R. 10; R.C. 2151.27(A). The complaint is “the legal document

that sets forth the allegations that form the basis for juvenile court jurisdiction.” Juv.R. 2(F).

The juvenile court must base its adjudication on the evidence adduced at the adjudicatory hearing

to support the allegations in the complaint. See In re Hunt, 46 Ohio St. 2d 378, 380 (1976). If

allegations in the complaint are not proved by clear and convincing evidence at the adjudicatory

hearing, the juvenile court must dismiss the complaint. Juv.R. 29(F); R.C. 2151.35(A)(1). 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.

       {¶16} This Court reviews as follows:

       In determining whether the juvenile court’s adjudication [ ] is against the manifest
       weight of the evidence, this court [reviews] the entire record, weighs the evidence
                                                  7

        and all reasonable inferences, considers the credibility of witnesses and
        determines 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
        [adjudication] must be reversed[.]

In re R.L., 9th Dist. Summit No. 28387, 2017-Ohio-4271, ¶ 8, quoting In re C.S., 9th Dist.

Summit No. 26178, 2012-Ohio-2884, ¶ 5, quoting In re A.W., 9th Dist. Summit No. 25601, 195
Ohio App. 3d 379, 2011-Ohio-4490, ¶ 8.

        {¶17} Mother challenges the findings that T.C. is abused pursuant to R.C. 2151.031(A)

and neglected pursuant to R.C. 2151.03(A)(3), and that T.C. and E.C. are dependent pursuant to

R.C. 2151.04(A) and (C).

Abuse

        {¶18} R.C. 2151.031(A) defines an “abused child” as one who is “the victim of ‘sexual

activity’ as defined under Chapter 2907. of the Revised Code, where such activity would

constitute an offense under that chapter, except that the court need not find that any person has

been convicted of the offense in order to find that the child is an abused child[.]” “Sexual

activity” includes both sexual conduct and sexual contact. R.C. 2907.01(C). The offense of rape

is a prohibition of sexual conduct with another under certain circumstances. R.C. 2907.02. The

abuse need not be committed by a parent; neither must a parent be in any way at fault relative to

the commission of the abuse. In re Miles, 9th Dist. Wayne No. 01CA0054, 2002-Ohio-2438, ¶

26 (Carr, J., dissenting on other grounds). As the statute makes no reference to parental fault,

“‘[a]ll that is necessary is that the child be a victim, regardless of who is responsible for the

abuse.’” Id., quoting In re Pitts, 38 Ohio App. 3d 1, 5 (5th Dist.1987).

        {¶19} The clear and convincing evidence in this case established that a stranger forced

T.C. and her friend at gunpoint into the basement of T.C.’s home and raped both girls. The

forensic interviewer from CAC testified that T.C.’s and her friend’s narratives were consistent.
                                                 8

The doctor who examined T.C. approximately six hours after the incident testified that, although

there were no physical findings of sexual assault, it was not unusual for bruising not to appear for

several days. The doctor testified that T.C.’s oral history was consistent with her having been

sexually assaulted. Based on the girls’ physical description, the Wooster police arrested a

suspect. CSB presented certified copies of indictments charging J.M. with the rapes of T.C. and

her friend. Based on a review of the evidence, this is not the exceptional case where the finder of

fact clearly lost its way and created a manifest miscarriage of justice in adjudicating T.C. an

abused child.

Neglect

       {¶20} R.C. 2151.03(A)(3) defines “neglected child” as one “[w]hose parents, guardian,

or custodian neglects the child or refuses to provide proper or necessary subsistence, education,

medical or surgical care or treatment, or other care necessary for the child’s health, morals, or

well being[.]”

       {¶21} The clear and convincing evidence in this case established that Mother agreed to

bring T.C. for a follow up appointment with the pediatrician at CAC a couple days after the

child’s initial evaluation to address the child’s complaints about anal pain and issues regarding

sexually transmitted infections. The man who raped T.C. had admitted to having chlamydia, so

timely follow up for the child was an important health matter. Nevertheless, Mother failed to

bring T.C. for a follow up appointment. The pediatrician did not see T.C. again until sometime

in January 2018, when a CSB caseworker took the child for an examination after removal from

Mother’s care.

       {¶22} After the sexual assault of T.C., a CSB caseworker visited Mother at home to

discuss case management services to help the family deal with the trauma. The caseworker
                                                9

emphasized the need for mental health services for T.C., particularly trauma-based services.

Mother rejected those services and informed the caseworker that she would seek counseling

services for the children from their school. Thereafter, a clinician at the Edgewood Middle

School, where both T.C. and E.C. attend, reached out to Mother. The clinician, a guidance

counselor, and the school principal met with Mother and both children in Mother’s home to

inform them of services available from the school to address issues related to the trauma

associated with the assault of T.C. Although Mother completed the TANF application at the

meeting and returned it to the clinician to facilitate payment for any services, Mother failed to

complete and return the outpatient packet necessary to allow any counseling services to begin.

       {¶23} Based on a review of the evidence, this is not the exceptional case where the

finder of fact clearly lost its way and created a manifest miscarriage of justice in adjudicating

T.C. a neglected child. The physical and emotional trauma sustained by a 12-year old rape

victim reasonably warranted ongoing medical and mental health services. Mother appeared to

recognize the need for follow up services and agreed to facilitate them. Nevertheless, the clear

and convincing evidence established that Mother failed to ensure that T.C. received medical care

to address her physical pain and possible sexually transmitted infection, and trauma-based

counseling services to address mental health issues.

Dependency

       {¶24} This Court previously determined that the juvenile court erred by failing to issue

written findings of fact and conclusions of law regarding the allegations of the children’s

dependency as required by R.C. 2151.28(L). Accordingly, we are compelled to reverse the

adjudications of dependency and remand for the juvenile court to comply with the statutory

mandates.
                                                 10

Conclusion

       {¶25} For the foregoing reasons, the juvenile court’s judgment adjudicating T.C. an

abused and neglected child, being supported by clear and convincing evidence, is not against the

manifest weight of the evidence. The juvenile court, however, erred by failing to comply with

the requirements of R.C. 2151.28(L) when ordering that T.C. and E.C. are dependent children.

To that extent, this Court reverses and remands the matter with regard to dependency to allow

the juvenile court to make the requisite findings pursuant to R.C. 2151.28(L). Mother’s sole

assignment of error is overruled in part, and sustained in part.

                                                      III.

       {¶26} Mother’s assignment of error is overruled as to the adjudication of T.C. as an

abused and neglected child. The assignment of error is sustained as to the adjudications of T.C.

and E.C. as dependent children. The judgment of the Wayne County Court of Common Pleas,

Juvenile Division, is affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded for further proceedings

consistent with this opinion.

                                                                        Judgment affirmed in part,
                                                                                 reversed in part,
                                                                             and cause remanded.

       There were reasonable grounds for this appeal.

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

Pleas, County of Wayne, 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
                                                11

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 equally to both parties.

                                                     JULIE A. SCHAFER
                                                     FOR THE COURT

TEODOSIO, J.
CALLAHAN, J.
CONCUR.

APPEARANCES:

MARY G. WARLOP, Attorney at Law, for Appellant.

DANIEL R. LUTZ, Prosecuting Attorney, and ANDREA D. UHLER, Assistant Prosecuting
Attorney, for Appellee.

RENEE JACKWOOD, Attorney at Law, for the children.

KAREN WIEST, Guardian ad Litem.