Court Opinion

ID: 9964276
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2024-04-29 16:09:13.827164+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:25:16.498590
License: Public Domain

[Cite as Patterson v. D'Apolito, 2024-Ohio-1632.]

             IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
                             SEVENTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
                                 MAHONING COUNTY

                                   ELIZABETH PATTERSON,

                                                    Relator,

                                                       v.

                       JUDGE ANTHONY M. D’APOLITO ET AL.,

                                             Respondents.

                        OPINION AND JUDGMENT ENTRY
                                         Case No. 24 MA 0021

                                            Writ of Mandamus

                                          BEFORE:
                   Mark A. Hanni, Cheryl L. Waite, Carol Ann Robb, Judges.

                                               JUDGMENT:
                                                 Denied.

 Elizabeth Patterson, Pro se, Relator and

 Atty. Gina DeGenova, Mahoning County Prosecutor, and Atty. Jacqueline M. Johnston,
 Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Mahoning County Prosecutor's Office, for Respondent
 Judge Anthony D’Apolito and

 Atty. Michael C. O’Malley, Cuyahoga County Prosecutor, and Atty. Craig J. Morice,
 Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office, for Respondent
 Cuyahoga County Division of Children and Family Services and
                                                                                                          –2–

 Atty. Thomas C. Loepp, Thomas C. Loepp, Law Offices, Co., LPA, for Respondent New
 Beginnings Residential Treatment Center.

                                          Dated: April 26, 2024

 PER CURIAM.

                                           I. INTRODUCTION

        {¶1}     Relator Elizabeth Patterson, representing herself, has commenced this
original action with the filing of a petition for a peremptory writ of mandamus against
Respondents Judge Anthony M. D’Apolito (“Judge D’Apolito”), Cuyahoga County Division
of Children and Family Services (“CCDCFS”),1 New Beginnings Residential Treatment
Center (“New Beginnings”), and Annette Patterson. This action is related to a civil lawsuit
Relator brought against CCDCFS, New Beginnings, and Annette Patterson. Respondent
Judge Anthony D’Apolito is presiding over the case. Relator seeks a writ of mandamus
to compel Judge D’Apolito to enter a default judgment and summary judgment in her favor
and against CCDCFS, New Beginnings, and Annette Patterson on her claims. New
Beginnings, Judge D’Apolito, and CCDCFS have each moved to dismiss. Because
Relator’s petition does not meet the procedural requirements of R.C. 2731.04 and
exceeds the scope of authority for issuing a writ under R.C. 2731.03, we grant the motions
to dismiss and deny the petition.

                                     A. Facts & Procedural History

        {¶2}     Representing herself in the Mahoning County Court of Common Pleas,
Relator filed a lawsuit naming as party defendants CCDCFS, New Beginnings, and
Annette Patterson (collectively, “the defendants”) on May 22, 2023.                            Patterson v.
Cuyahoga Cty. Children & Family Servs., Mahoning C.P. No. 2023 CV 00964. Relator’s
complaint outlined a series of interconnected claims that span negligence, breach of duty,
constitutional violations, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and breach of contract.
Relator implicated each defendant in a manner that reflected their relationship with her

1. In the case caption of Relator’s petition, she identifies CCDCFS as “Cuyahoga County Children Famiy

[sic] Services”. The typographical error and technical misidentification of its official name does not prejudice
CCDCFS or otherwise affect our determination of this matter.

Case No. 24 MA 0021
                                                                                          –3–

and the harm she alleged to have suffered due to their actions or inactions. The timetable
of the allegations in her complaint encompassed a considerable portion of her life, from
early childhood into her late teenage years, spanning from her initial custody with
CCDCFS in January 2005 through her experiences at New Beginnings in September
2019. Relator sought monetary damages totaling $3,500,000 from CCDCFS, $750,000
from New Beginnings Residential Treatment Center, and $50,000 from Annette
Patterson, plus statutory interest, costs of action, and restitution for any additional
violations discovered during the discovery process.
       {¶3}   In responding to Relator’s claims, New Beginnings filed a detailed 31-page
discovery request comprising of interrogatories, requests for production of documents,
and admissions. This initiated what would become a significant number of discovery-
related documents filed by Relator. Given these filings’ sheer volume and specificity, this
opinion will not dissect each one individually but will recognize their collective impact on
the case’s trajectory. Instead, we will focus on setting forth the overarching procedural
history while giving particular attention to other significant filings that directly influenced
the case’s direction.
       {¶4}   Annette Patterson, participating without legal representation, filed her
answer, aligning her defense with the overall dynamics of the case alongside the other
defendants.
       {¶5}   On June 20, 2023, the Relator submitted a request to suspend the
application of the statute of limitations to her case, arguing for the applicability of three
exceptions to extend the deadline for filing her lawsuit. These exceptions included tolling
due to being under the legal age of majority, allegations of fraudulent concealment, and
claims of continuing violations.
       {¶6}   On June 26, 2023, CCDCFS filed a Civ.R. 12(B)(6) motion to dismiss for
failure to state a claim upon which relief could be granted on three grounds. CCDCFS
argued that it is a department or agency of Cuyahoga County and, as such, is not sui juris
and cannot be sued in its own right. CCDCFS also argued that Relator’s claims were
time-barred and that it was entitled to political subdivision immunity under R.C. Chapter
2744. Annette Patterson, representing herself, then filed her own Civ.R. 12(B)(6) motion,

Case No. 24 MA 0021
                                                                                         –4–

joining CCDCFS’s motion regarding the argument that the statute of limitations barred
Relator’s claims.
       {¶7}   On July 25, 2023, New Beginnings moved for summary judgment on the
basis that the statute of limitations for Relator’s claims had expired. Six days later, on
July 31, 2023, Judge D’Apolito issued a judgment entry granting CCDCFS’s Civ.R.
12(B)(6) for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted on all three grounds,
addressing CCDCFS’s non-amenable status to suit as a matter of law, the statute of
limitations, and political subdivision immunity under R.C. 2744.01 et seq. He agreed with
CCDCFS, noting it is a department or agency of Cuyahoga County, not a separate legal
entity amenable to suit, leading to dismissal of claims against it. He determined Relator’s
claims were filed beyond the two-year statute of limitations for political subdivision claims,
noting Relator reached the age of majority on May 5, 2023, and filed this action on May
22, 2023.
       {¶8}   Under R.C. Chapter 2744, Judge D’Apolito found CCDCFS immune from
liability, concluding Relator failed to demonstrate that any exceptions to immunity applied.
He specifically analyzed Relator’s negligence claim and found no applicable exception
under R.C. 2744.02(B) to strip CCDCFS of its immunity. He also denied as moot all other
pending motions relating to CCDCFS.
       {¶9}   The following day, Relator filed an “objection” to the entry granting
CCDCFS’s motion to dismiss. As for Judge D’Apolito’s conclusion that CCDCFS was
immune from liability, Relator reasserted her claim that an exception to immunity arose
due to the negligent conduct of employees while carrying out a proprietary function.
Lastly, Relator noted that she demanded a jury trial and did not consent to the court’s
magistrate presiding over the case. She asked for the magistrate’s recusal based on “the
perceived conflict of interest.”
       {¶10} On August 23, 2023, Relator filed an amended complaint, expanding and
elaborating on the allegations made in her initial filing. Her claims against CCDCFS
detailed a litany of failures, including negligence, failure to investigate, false labeling,
violation of due process, emotional distress, mismanagement of her case, breach of duty,
inadequate training and supervision, violation of civil rights, retaliation, lack of
accountability, insufficient investigation, miscommunication, inadequate monitoring,

Case No. 24 MA 0021
                                                                                       –5–

ignoring her input, and several others. The allegations collectively pointed to a systemic
failure to protect her rights and well-being, having a profound impact on her life and
leading to significant emotional and psychological harm.
       {¶11} In detailing her time at New Beginnings, Relator described suffering from
physical abuse, intentional infliction of emotional distress, civil rights violations, and a
range of other harms. She recounted an incident involving inappropriate restraint and
denial of medical treatment, highlighting a disregard for her safety and dignity. She
framed these experiences as violations of her constitutional rights, including due process
and protection from cruel and unusual punishment, alongside claims of false
imprisonment, assault and battery, sexual misconduct, defamation, and failure to protect
her from known risks.
       {¶12} Relator’s allegations against Annette Patterson described an environment
of verbal insults, humiliation, intimidation, threats, manipulation, gaslighting, excessive
control, neglect, and physical abuse.      She also detailed sexual abuse by another
individual under Annette Patterson’s care, accusing her of negligence and failure to
supervise properly. These claims encompassed violations of her rights to safety, privacy,
and dignity, alongside specific legal violations, including breach of placement agreements
and failure to follow foster care procedures.
       {¶13} Contemporaneously with her amended complaint, Relator moved to strike
further pleadings from the defendants until they fulfilled their discovery obligations. She
contrasted her own compliance with discovery requests to the defendants’ actions, which
she described as evasive, noncompliant, and indicative of a disregard for their legal
responsibilities.
       {¶14} On August 28, 2023, Relator moved for summary judgment against
CCDCFS, New Beginnings, and Annette Patterson based on the evidence and
admissions gathered through the discovery process. Relator argued that due to the
defendants’ failure to adequately respond to certain discovery requests, including
interrogatories and requests for admissions, their silence or noncompliance constituted
“deemed admissions.” According to Relator, these deemed admissions lent unwavering
support to her allegations of negligence, breach of duty, and other claims against the
defendants.

Case No. 24 MA 0021
                                                                                        –6–

       {¶15} On August 29, 2023, Judge D’Apolito issued a judgment entry addressing
Annette Patterson’s motion to dismiss, New Beginnings’ motion for summary judgment,
and Relator’s filings in opposition. The argument contained in the motions focused on
how Relator’s claims were time-barred by the applicable statutes of limitations.
       {¶16} After reviewing the pleadings, Judge D’Apolito considered the statutes of
limitations relevant to the claims. He acknowledged that claims subject to one-year or
two-year statute limitations were time-barred. However, he identified exceptions for
certain claims: intentional infliction of emotional distress against New Beginnings and
Annette Patterson, and a newly introduced claim of childhood sexual abuse in Relator’s
amended complaint. These claims, he found, were not time-barred due to longer statutes
of limitations applicable to intentional infliction of emotional distress (four years) and
childhood sexual abuse (twelve years).
       {¶17} Additionally, Judge D’Apolito addressed a breach of contract claim against
New Beginnings, noting ambiguity around the existence of an oral or implied contract.
Given the unresolved nature of these facts, he denied the motion for summary judgment
on this breach of contract claim, citing insufficient evidence to conclude that New
Beginnings was entitled to judgment as a matter of law.
       {¶18} Judge D’Apolito’s decision thus allowed for the intentional infliction of
emotional distress claims and the breach of contract claim to move forward, while
dismissing claims that fell outside the applicable statutes of limitations. It also left open
the possibility for Relator to pursue her childhood sexual abuse claim, contingent upon
her being granted leave to file her amended complaint.
       {¶19} On August 30, 2023, New Beginnings moved for summary judgment
concerning Relator’s remaining claims based primarily on Relator’s failure to respond to
Requests for Admissions within the allotted timeframe, despite an extension granted by
the court. These requests sought admissions regarding the absence of damages or
injuries caused by New Beginnings, the non-existence of a contract with Relator, and the
absence of any civil rights violations.
       {¶20} New Beginnings argued that failing to dispute these admissions left no
genuine issue of material fact. Thus, it asserted that summary judgment in its favor was
appropriate.    The motion emphasized that unresponded requests are deemed

Case No. 24 MA 0021
                                                                                         –7–

conclusively admitted, eliminating the basis for Relator’s claims against New Beginnings
and entitling it to summary judgment.
       {¶21} Relator opposed New Beginnings’ summary judgment motion, first
complaining about the court’s refusal to acknowledge her motion for recusal. She then
disputed New Beginnings’ reliance on the statute of limitations for dismissal, noting that
she had filed an uncontested motion to suspend the statute’s application based on the
potential discovery of further evidence. Relator contended that overlooking this motion
and defaulting to a statute of limitations defense was unfair. Next, she addressed the
claim that she did not seek leave to amend her complaint, countering that her original
complaint explicitly intended to incorporate all claims and any additional evidence
uncovered during discovery. She argued that her motion for amendment sought to clarify
any ambiguities and that the court should address them in the interest of fairness.
       {¶22} On October 19, 2023, Relator moved for default judgment and moved to
compel the production of discovery materials. The motion asked the court to grant a
default judgment against CCDCFS, New Beginnings, and Annette Patterson based on
their inaction and the uncontested evidence of negligence and abuse.             Additionally,
Relator sought a court order compelling CCDCFS to provide the requested discovery
documents. Nowhere in the filing did Relator reference or acknowledge that the court
had issued a judgment entry on July 31, 2023, granting the motion to dismiss filed by
CCDCFS.
       {¶23} On November 29, 2023, Annette Patterson, now represented by counsel,
filed a motion for leave to file a motion for summary judgment.          The memorandum
supporting the motion for summary judgment argued that Relator’s lack of response to
specific requests for admission conclusively established that Annette Patterson’s actions
or omissions did not cause Relator’s injuries. This, according to Annette Patterson’s
counsel, negated the possibility of claims for intentional infliction of emotional distress or
childhood sexual abuse against Annette Patterson.
       {¶24} On December 6, 2023, Relator moved for judgment on the pleadings,
arguing the defendants had “failed to a state a claim upon which relief could be granted.”
       {¶25} Subsequently, Judge D’Apolito issued a comprehensive judgment entry
addressing and resolving all pending motions on February 13, 2024. He noted the

Case No. 24 MA 0021
                                                                                      –8–

dismissal of CCDCFS as a defendant from the case on July 31, 2023, which left Annette
Patterson and New Beginnings Residential Treatment Center as the remaining
defendants.
         {¶26} Judge D’Apolito took several actions on Relator’s motions. He denied her
untimely demand for a jury trial and allowed her motion to amend the complaint, granting
the amended complaint the same filing date as the motion, August 23, 2023. He gave
New Beginnings and Annette Patterson 30 days to respond to the amended complaint.
He interpreted Relator’s motion for expedited judgment as a request for summary
judgment.      He denied it, stating that all parties had appeared and filed responsive
pleadings, and that there were genuine issues of material fact preventing such judgment.
Additionally, he denied Relator’s December 6, 2023 motion for judgment on the pleadings,
as New Beginnings and Annette Patterson had filed answers denying Relator’s
allegations.
         {¶27} The entry also addressed motions related to discovery. Judge D’Apolito
deemed all motions filed by Relator compelling discovery or asking for sanctions against
Annette Patterson and New Beginnings as moot, as they had served responses to
discovery requests, though Relator challenged their accuracy.
         {¶28} Specifically regarding a motion for summary judgment filed by New
Beginnings, Judge D’Apolito instructed Relator to update her discovery responses
following the civil rules of procedure within 14 days and scheduled a non-oral hearing on
April 1, 2024, to consider New Beginnings’ motion for summary judgment. He gave
Relator 28 days to file her memorandum in opposition and New Beginnings 7 days to
reply.
         {¶29} Judge D’Apolito overruled all motions for a default judgment as moot since
all parties had appeared and filed the necessary pleadings.        He overruled all other
motions not explicitly addressed in the entry.
         {¶30} That same day, Relator filed her petition for a peremptory writ of mandamus
with this Court.     Judge D’Apolito, on his own motion, issued an entry staying the
proceedings in Patterson v. Cuyahoga Cty. Children & Family Servs., Mahoning C.P. No.
2023 CV 00964, until the resolution of this original action or unless otherwise directed by
this Court. New Beginnings, Judge D’Apolito, and CCDCFS have each moved to dismiss

Case No. 24 MA 0021
                                                                                        –9–

the petition on various grounds. Judge D’Apolito and CCDCFS argue that we should
dismiss Relator’s petition as procedurally deficient because she did not caption it in the
name of the state on the relation of the person applying and did not verify it by affidavit
as required under R.C. 2731.04.

                                  II. APPLICABLE LAW

                                       A. Mandamus

       {¶31} This Court has jurisdiction to hear an original mandamus action under
Article IV, Section 3(B)(1) of the Ohio Constitution and R.C. 2731.02. Generally, to
receive a writ of mandamus, the relator must establish (1) a clear legal right to the
requested relief, (2) a clear legal duty on the part of the respondent to provide it, and (3)
the lack of an adequate remedy in the ordinary course of the law. State ex rel. King v.
Fleegle, 160 Ohio St.3d 380, 2020-Ohio-3302, 157 N.E.3d 707, ¶ 5.
       {¶32} Granting a writ of mandamus is not a decision to be made lightly.
Mandamus is regarded as an “extraordinary remedy,” warranting careful and judicious
consideration by the court. State ex rel. Manley v. Walsh, 142 Ohio St.3d 384, 2014-
Ohio-4563, 31 N.E.3d 608, ¶ 18; State ex rel. Taylor v. Glasser, 50 Ohio St.2d 165, 166,
364 N.E.2d 1 (1977). The burden is on the relator to establish their right to this writ
through clear and convincing evidence. Manley at ¶ 18.

                           B. Civ.R. 12(B)(6) Motion to Dismiss

       {¶33} The purpose of a Civ.R. 12(B)(6) motion is to test the sufficiency of the
petition. Volbers-Klarich v. Middletown Mgt., Inc., 125 Ohio St.3d 494, 2010-Ohio-2057,
929 N.E.2d 434, ¶ 11.       Dismissal of a mandamus action under Civ.R. 12(B)(6) is
appropriate if, after presuming all factual allegations in the mandamus petition to be true
and drawing all reasonable inferences in the relator’s favor, it appears beyond doubt that
the relator can prove no set of facts entitling the relator to a writ of mandamus. State ex
rel. A.N. v. Cuyahoga Cty. Prosecutor’s Office, 2021-Ohio-2071, 175 N.E.3d 539, ¶ 8,
citing State ex rel. McKinney v. Schmenk, 152 Ohio St.3d 70, 2017-Ohio-9183, 92 N.E.3d
871, ¶ 8. Unsupported conclusions of a petition are not considered admitted and are

Case No. 24 MA 0021
                                                                                        – 10 –

insufficient to withstand a motion to dismiss. State ex rel. Hickman v. Capots, 45 Ohio
St.3d 324, 544 N.E.2d 639 (1989).
       {¶34} Additionally, a court can dismiss a mandamus petition on its own accord
“‘when * * * the claimant obviously cannot prevail on the facts alleged in the complaint.’”
State ex rel. Bunting v. Styer, 147 Ohio St.3d 462, 2016-Ohio-5781, 67 N.E.3d 755, ¶ 12,
quoting State ex rel. Scott v. Cleveland, 112 Ohio St.3d 324, 2006-Ohio-6573, 859 N.E.2d
923, ¶ 14; accord State ex rel. Duran v. Kelsey, 106 Ohio St.3d 58, 2005-Ohio-3674, 831
N.E.2d 430, ¶ 7. Thus, the relevant inquiry is whether, after presuming the truth of all
material factual allegations of Relator’s petition and making all reasonable inferences in
her favor, it is beyond doubt she could prove no set of facts entitling her to a writ of
mandamus. See Scott at ¶ 14.

                                       III. ANALYSIS

                       A. Procedural Requirements of R.C. 2731.04

       {¶35} There are three specific requirements when applying for a writ of
mandamus. The application (1) must be by petition, (2) in the name of the state on the
relation of the person applying, and (3) verified by affidavit. R.C. 2731.04. In their
respective motions to dismiss, Judge D’Apolito and CCDCFS have pointed to Relator’s
failure to caption her petition in the name of the state on the relation of the person applying
and failure to verify her petition by affidavit as grounds for their motions. If a respondent
alerts a relator of their failure to properly caption their mandamus petition in the name of
the state on the relation of the person applying and the relator does not seek leave to
amend their petition to comply with R.C. 2731.04, the mandamus action must be
dismissed. Blankenship v. Blackwell, 103 Ohio St.3d 567, 2004-Ohio-5596, 817 N.E.2d
382, ¶ 36, citing Litigaide, Inc. v. Lakewood Police Dept. Custodian of Records, 75 Ohio
St.3d 508, 664 N.E.2d 521 (1996).
       {¶36} A review of Relator’s petition reveals that she brought the petition in her
name only. The title of the action in the caption of Relator’s petition appears as follows:
“Elizabeth Patterson, Relator” and “Judge Anthony M. Dapolito [sic] * * * Respondent.(s)
[sic]”. On March 27, 2024, Relator moved for leave to amend her petition “to correct
procedural deficiencies, errors, and omissions identified in the original petition.”

Case No. 24 MA 0021
                                                                                      – 11 –

Contemporaneously with this motion and her amended petition, Relator also filed an
affidavit of verity. We grant Relator’s motion for leave to amend and accept her amended
petition and affidavit of verity.
       {¶37} We have reviewed her amended petition; however, it has not been brought
in the name of the state on her relation. The title of the action in the caption of Relator’s
amended petition reads: “STATE OF OHIO, ET. AL. RELATOR V. DAPOLITO [sic],
JUDGE ANTHONY M * * * RESPONDANDT [sic].” Relator’s continued failure to properly
caption her petition in compliance with R.C. 2731.04, standing alone, is a proper ground
to dismiss this original action. Page v. Geauga Cty. Prob. & Juvenile Court, 172 Ohio
St.3d 400, 2023-Ohio-2491, 224 N.E.3d 51, ¶ 2; Blankenship, supra.

                             B. Judicial Discretion - R.C. 2731.03

       {¶38} Despite the procedural deficiency, even a cursory yet substantive review of
the claims for relief asserted by Relator in her amended petition compels us to dismiss it
on its merits. In her amended petition, Relator seeks a writ of mandamus ordering Judge
D’Apolito to enter a default judgment and summary judgment in her favor and against
CCDCFS, New Beginnings, and Annette Patterson on her claims in Patterson v.
Cuyahoga Cty. Children & Family Servs., Mahoning C.P. No. 2023 CV 00964.
       {¶39} Ohio Revised Code Chapter 2731 governs mandamus actions.                   R.C.
2731.03 sets forth the scope of mandamus: “The writ of mandamus may require an
inferior tribunal to exercise its judgment, or proceed to the discharge of any of its
functions, but it cannot control judicial discretion.” The first and second clauses together
describe the affirmative powers of the writ. In the context of a trial court’s motion docket,
a writ of mandamus may be available when a litigant files a motion, and the trial court fails
to rule on the motion or has unnecessarily delayed proceeding to judgment. State ex rel.
Nyamusevya v. Hawkins, 165 Ohio St.3d 22, 2021-Ohio-1122, 175 N.E.3d 495, ¶ 11.
Relator’s amended petition does not present this Court with facts that would authorize it
to exercise these affirmative powers of the writ. Relator references numerous motions
filed in the case presided over by Judge D’Apolito and he has ruled upon all of those
motions.

Case No. 24 MA 0021
                                                                                         – 12 –

       {¶40} The crux of Relator’s petition is her dissatisfaction with how Judge D’Apolito
has ruled on those motions. Effectively, she is seeking to have us order Judge D’Apolito
to alter the outcome of the decisions, over which he has already exercised his discretion,
to be in her favor. However, the third clause of R.C. 2731.03 introduces a limitation on
the affirmative powers of the writ, which expressly prohibits a court from issuing it to alter
the inferior tribunal’s exercise of its discretion. The potency of this limitation is reflected
in the terseness of R.C. 2731.03’s title: “Writ does not control judicial discretion.” As the
Supreme Court of Ohio has described, “when a court has discretion to act, its only duty
is to exercise that discretion.” State ex rel. Ney v. Niehaus, 33 Ohio St.3d 118, 119, 515
N.E.2d 914, 916 (1987). The Supreme Court has further explained that mandamus will
not lie to control judicial discretion, even if that discretion is abused. State ex rel. Rashada
v. Pianka, 112 Ohio St.3d 44, 2006-Ohio-6366, 857 N.E.2d 1220, ¶ 3.
       {¶41} The remedy for Relator lies with an appeal of Judge D’Apolito’s rulings on
those motions upon final judgment. Under R.C. 2731.05, “the writ of mandamus must not
be issued when there is a plain and adequate remedy in the ordinary course of the law.”
When the relator has a plain and adequate remedy at law by way of appeal, courts lack
authority to exercise jurisdictional discretion and must deny the writ of mandamus. State
ex rel. Alhamarshah v. Indus. Comm., 142 Ohio St.3d 524, 2015-Ohio-1357, 33 N.E.3d
43, ¶ 11.

                                     IV. CONCLUSION

       {¶42} Even after presuming the truth of all material factual allegations of Relator’s
amended petition and making all reasonable inferences in her favor, it is beyond doubt
she could prove no set of facts entitling her to a writ of mandamus. We grant the motions
to dismiss filed by New Beginnings, Judge D’Apolito, and CCDCFS. We dismiss Relator’s
amended petition and, as it pertains to Annette Patterson, do so of our own accord. Any
unresolved motions and filings not addressed herein are dismissed as moot.
       {¶43} Writ DENIED. The clerk is directed to serve on the parties notice of this
judgment and its date of entry upon the journal. Civ.R. 58(B). The costs of this action
are waived.

Case No. 24 MA 0021
                        – 13 –

JUDGE MARK A. HANNI

JUDGE CHERYL L. WAITE

JUDGE CAROL ANN ROBB

Case No. 24 MA 0021