Court Opinion

ID: 8205610
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-09-12 14:07:56.488677+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:41:09.567836
License: Public Domain

[Cite as Maran v. Clark, 2022-Ohio-3175.]

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

JESSIE MARAN                                         C.A. No.      21CA011796

          Appellant

          v.                                         APPEAL FROM JUDGMENT
                                                     ENTERED IN THE
ELIZABETH CLARK                                      COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
                                                     COUNTY OF LORAIN, OHIO
          Appellee                                   CASE No.   11JG31813

                                DECISION AND JOURNAL ENTRY

Dated: September 12, 2022

          CARR, Judge.

          {¶1}   Plaintiff-Appellant Jessie Maran (“Father”) appeals the judgment of the Lorain

County Court of Common Pleas, Juvenile Division. This Court affirms.

                                                I.

          {¶2}   Father and Defendant-Appellee Elizabeth Clark (“Mother”) were never married but

have one minor child, R.M., together. At the time of trial in this matter, R.M. was about to turn

13. In February 2011, an order was issued granting Father parenting time with R.M. In August

2017, Father’s parenting time was adjusted but Mother remained the legal custodian and residential

parent.

          {¶3}   In February 2018, Father filed a motion to reallocate parental rights and

responsibilities. Father sought to be named the residential parent or to have a shared parenting

plan put into place. In October 2018, Father dismissed his motion. However, shortly thereafter,

he refiled it, again seeking to be named the residential parent and legal custodian or to have a
                                                  2

shared parenting plan adopted. Father also requested that a guardian ad litem (“GAL”) be

appointed. A GAL was appointed and, over the course of the litigation, he issued a report and two

supplemental reports. An in-camera interview was also conducted with R.M.; unfortunately, a

copy of that interview is not in this Court’s record.

       {¶4}    Ultimately, the matter proceeded to trial. Thereafter, the trial court issued a

decision granting in part and denying in part Father’s motion. The trial court concluded that a

change in circumstances had occurred, that “the harm likely caused by the change of environment

is outweighed by the advantages of the change of environment to the child,” that it was not in

R.M.’s best interests for her to move her primary residence to Father’s, and that Father did not

meet his burden of proof “that the likely harm caused by the change of residence is outweighed by

the advantages of the change to the child.” The trial court retained Mother as the residential parent

and legal custodian but extended Father’s parenting time.

       {¶5}    Father has appealed, raising three assignments of error.

                                                 II.

                                  ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR I

       THE TRIAL COURT’S FAILURE TO FIND THAT A MODIFICATION OF THE
       PRIOR CUSTODY ORDER WAS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE MINOR
       CHILD WAS AGAINST THE MANIFEST WEIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE[.]

       {¶6}    Father argues in his first assignment of error that the trial court’s decision not to

make Father the residential parent was against the manifest weight of the evidence.

       {¶7}    “While the trial court’s decision as to the allocation of parental rights will not be

reversed absent an abuse of discretion, this Court applies the manifest weight of the evidence

standard to review the trial court’s factual findings.” Herron v. Herron, 9th Dist. Summit No.

29683, 2021-Ohio-2223, ¶ 24. When reviewing the manifest weight of the evidence this Court
                                                 3

“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

trial ordered.” (Internal quotations and citations omitted.) Eastley v. Volkman, 132 Ohio St.3d

328, 2012-Ohio-2179, ¶ 20.

       {¶8}    R.C. 3109.04(E)(1)(a) states:

       The court shall not modify a prior decree allocating parental rights and
       responsibilities for the care of children unless it finds, based on facts that have
       arisen since the prior decree or that were unknown to the court at the time of the
       prior decree, that a change has occurred in the circumstances of the child, the child’s
       residential parent, or either of the parents subject to a shared parenting decree, and
       that the modification is necessary to serve the best interest of the child. In applying
       these standards, the court shall retain the residential parent designated by the prior
       decree or the prior shared parenting decree, unless a modification is in the best
       interest of the child and one of the following applies:

       (i) The residential parent agrees to a change in the residential parent or both parents
       under a shared parenting decree agree to a change in the designation of residential
       parent.

       (ii) The child, with the consent of the residential parent or of both parents under a
       shared parenting decree, has been integrated into the family of the person seeking
       to become the residential parent.

       (iii) The harm likely to be caused by a change of environment is outweighed by the
       advantages of the change of environment to the child.

       {¶9}    The trial court found that the provisions of R.C. 3109.04(E)(1)(a) were met, that

the changes in R.M.’s grades and residence constituted a change of circumstances, that “the harm

likely caused by the change of environment [was] outweighed by the advantages of the change of

environment to the child[,]” that it was not in R.M.’s best interest to move her primary residence,

and that Father did not meet his burden of proof “that the likely harm caused by the change of

residence is outweighed by the advantages of the change to the child.”
                                                     4

          {¶10} Here the trial court made contradictory findings.             First it found that R.C.

3109.04(E)(1)(a)(iii) (“The harm likely to be caused by a change of environment is outweighed by

the advantages of the change of environment to the child.”) was satisfied and then found that Father

failed to meet his burden on that point. While such a contradiction is concerning to this Court,

given the requirements of the statute, which mandate that, before the residential parent is altered,

it must be demonstrated that a modification is in the child’s best interest and one of the three

prongs is satisfied. See R.C. 3109.04(E)(1)(a). Accordingly, even assuming that the trial court

misspoke when it indicated that Father failed to meet his burden as to R.C. 3109.04(E)(1)(a)(iii),

the trial court unequivocally found that it was not in R.M.’s best interest to live primarily with

Father.

          {¶11} As to the child’s best interest, R.C. 3109.04(F)(1) provides that:

          In determining the best interest of a child pursuant to this section, whether on an
          original decree allocating parental rights and responsibilities for the care of children
          or a modification of a decree allocating those rights and responsibilities, the court
          shall consider all relevant factors, including, but not limited to:

          (a) The wishes of the child’s parents regarding the child’s care;

          (b) If the court has interviewed the child in chambers pursuant to division (B) of
          this section regarding the child's wishes and concerns as to the allocation of parental
          rights and responsibilities concerning the child, the wishes and concerns of the
          child, as expressed to the court;

          (c) The child’s interaction and interrelationship with the child's parents, siblings,
          and any other person who may significantly affect the child's best interest;

          (d) The child’s adjustment to the child’s home, school, and community;

          (e) The mental and physical health of all persons involved in the situation;

          (f) The parent more likely to honor and facilitate court-approved parenting time
          rights or visitation and companionship rights;

          (g) Whether either parent has failed to make all child support payments, including
          all arrearages, that are required of that parent pursuant to a child support order under
          which that parent is an obligor;
                                                 5

       (h) Whether either parent or any member of the household of either parent
       previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any criminal offense
       involving any act that resulted in a child being an abused child or a neglected child;
       whether either parent, in a case in which a child has been adjudicated an abused
       child or a neglected child, previously has been determined to be the perpetrator of
       the abusive or neglectful act that is the basis of an adjudication; whether either
       parent or any member of the household of either parent previously has been
       convicted of or pleaded guilty to a violation of section 2919.25 of the Revised Code
       or a sexually oriented offense involving a victim who at the time of the commission
       of the offense was a member of the family or household that is the subject of the
       current proceeding; whether either parent or any member of the household of either
       parent previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any offense involving
       a victim who at the time of the commission of the offense was a member of the
       family or household that is the subject of the current proceeding and caused
       physical harm to the victim in the commission of the offense; and whether there is
       reason to believe that either parent has acted in a manner resulting in a child being
       an abused child or a neglected child;

       (i) Whether the residential parent or one of the parents subject to a shared parenting
       decree has continuously and willfully denied the other parent's right to parenting
       time in accordance with an order of the court;

       (j) Whether either parent has established a residence, or is planning to establish a
       residence, outside this state.

       {¶12} At trial, Father testified that he brought the motion because of Mother’s moves and

the changes that those moves brought to R.M.’s schooling. Father was worried about the lack of

stability that that created for R.M. In addition, Father was troubled by Mother’s choices in the

men she dated.

       {¶13} Mother testified that, since the summer of 2017, she resided in three places. In the

summer of 2017, she lived in Vermilion with her parents. Mother moved in the fall of 2017 to

Amherst and then moved to LaGrange in May 2020.

       {¶14} In 2017, Mother dated Jeffrey B. for a few months. Jeffrey B. never lived with

Mother and Mother ended their relationship when she became concerned about Jeffrey B.’s drug

use. Shortly after Mother moved to Amherst, she began dating David R. and he then moved in

with her. He only lived with Mother, Mother’s son, who is not related to Father, and R.M. for a
                                                 6

couple of months and then David R. and Mother broke up. Mother then began dating Tyler F. in

late 2017. Tyler F. just got out of prison when Mother started dating him. Mother was aware at

the time that Tyler F. had a felony theft conviction. In addition, after Tyler F. got out of prison,

he was fired from his job for stealing checks. Tyler F. moved in with Mother in February 2018

and they broke up in February 2019. Mother learned after the breakup that Tyler F. developed a

drug problem. In September 2019, Mother began dating Michael V. In May 2020, Mother,

Mother’s son, and R.M. moved in with Michael V. in LaGrange. Mother testified that R.M. got

along with the people in the household. Mother was engaged to Michael V. at the time of trial.

Mother acknowledged that she has made some poor choices in the men she has dated.

       {¶15} R.M. attended fifth grade in Vermilion schools, sixth grade in Amherst schools,

and seventh grade in Keystone schools.       An IEP was developed for R.M. while she was in

Vermilion schools due to a learning disability in reading. Beginning in March 2020, R.M. began

online schooling due to the pandemic. At the time she was finishing sixth grade in Amherst

schools. Around that time, Mother stopped working to help her children with online schooling.

Because of the pandemic and based upon R.M.’s preference, Mother opted to have R.M. continue

in online schooling for the 2020-2021 school year, but in Keystone schools. R.M.’s grades in both

Vermilion and Amherst schools were very good; however, R.M.’s grades took a dramatic

downward turn when she transferred to Keystone schools. Mother admitted that R.M. has missed

quite a few school assignments. Mother agreed that Father does a good job of helping R.M. with

her schoolwork during his limited parenting time. Mother believes that going back to in person

schooling would help R.M. Mother planned to enroll R.M. in in person schooling for the following

school year.
                                                 7

       {¶16} Mother acknowledged that she did not always keep Father informed about matters

concerning R.M., including her schooling, medical appointments, and counseling appointments.

Mother herself has been diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive

disorder. She has attended counseling on and off over the years and testified that she planned to

return to counseling when the children were back to in person schooling. Mother also planned to

begin working again.

       {¶17} Father presented his own testimony and the testimony of a few other witnesses.

The other witnesses testified that Father had a good relationship with R.M. and about the activities

Father and R.M. would do. One of the witnesses was Father’s brother who lives in Olmsted

Township across the street from Father. Father’s brother has a daughter about R.M.’s age and the

two enjoy spending time together.

       {¶18} At the time of trial Father had lived in Olmsted Township for about a year and a

half. Father lives alone aside from when he has parenting time with R.M. Prior to that, Father

lived in North Ridgeville for about two years. He lived there with the homeowner and the

homeowner’s girlfriend. Father is a software engineer for a trucking company. He started that job

in 2018. Since the pandemic he has primarily worked from home. Father spends Wednesday

evenings and every other weekend with R.M. In addition, he has four weeks of parenting time in

the summer.

       {¶19} Father discussed that there had been issues with getting to talk to R.M. every day

on the phone. Mother indicated that R.M. does not always want to talk to Father. Mother asserted

that if Father could not get ahold of R.M. he would call the police and have the police come out to

Mother’s home to do a welfare check. Father, however, also asserted that Mother had called the
                                                8

police on him in the past. Father maintained that Mother failed to provide him with the appropriate

details about vacations.

       {¶20} Father expressed concern over Mother’s choices in men. He testified that Mother

brings the men around R.M. too quickly, R.M. gets attached, and then the men end up leaving and

upsetting R.M. Aside from Tyler F., and his criminal history, Father was also concerned over

Michael V., whom Father claimed lost his job due to opioid abuse and had been arrested for

domestic violence. Mother explained that Michael V. was taking Adderall without a prescription

due to the long hours he worked and failed a drug test at work which resulted in him losing his

job. Mother maintained that while Michael V. was arrested for domestic violence, the charges

were dropped. Father also believed that Mother was using drugs; however, both parties tested

negative for drugs. Father admitted that he had no knowledge that any of the men in Mother’s life

had ever harmed R.M. or brought her into contact with drugs.

       {¶21} Father was also worried about the lack of stability in R.M.’s schooling. He testified

that if he were to be named the residential parent, R.M. would go to in person schooling in Olmsted

Falls. Father discussed the times that he had to help R.M. with her schoolwork despite only having

limited time to spend with her. While Father does not mind helping R.M., he expressed frustration

that Mother does not keep him informed about what R.M. needs to have done for school.

Nonetheless, Father did meet with R.M. online to help her with her schoolwork. Father contended

that there were also issues with schooling that occurred while R.M. was in Vermilion and Amherst;

he averred that R.M. received a truancy warning letter from both districts.

       {¶22} Both Father and Mother acknowledged that they have difficulties communicating

with each other. Father also admitted that there were times when they had to resolve parenting

time disputes via court action as opposed to between themselves. Mother expressed concerns
                                                    9

about the way Father talks about women. Mother averred that Father has called her expletives in

text messages. In her deposition, which was admitted as an exhibit, Mother also indicated that

Father discussed inappropriate things with R.M. According to Mother, Father told R.M. that he

was going to take R.M. away from Mother and that Mother was using drugs. The GAL also

indicated in his report that Father spoke poorly of Mother to R.M. Nonetheless, Mother testified

that she was open to Father spending more time with R.M.

        {¶23} At the beginning of trial, the trial court discussed the GAL reports with the parties.

The trial court stated that it believed that it could just read the reports. The trial court noted that it

was aware that Father disagreed with some of the GAL’s statements. Neither side registered

objections to the trial court reading the GAL reports.

        {¶24} At the end of trial, the trial court recited some of the GAL’s recommendations. The

trial court stated that the GAL recommended that Mother should retain custody and Father should

have increased parenting time. The trial court indicated that R.M. was amenable to spending more

time with Father.     In addition, the GAL recommended that the parties should continue to

communicate by Our Family Wizard, that R.M. continue counseling, and that the parents engage

in counseling to learn how to better communicate. The GAL also indicated that he did not believe

that shared parenting was workable for the parties. After swearing in the GAL, the GAL testified

that the trial court had accurately expressed the GAL’s recommendations. The GAL averred that

he had concerns that the parents’ difficulties communicating were impacting R.M. and that he

hoped that continuing R.M. in counseling would help her cope with that. The GAL also expressed

hope that, if Father had more parenting time with R.M., he would be more informed as to what

was happening with her. Both parties’ attorneys declined to question the GAL. All of the GAL
                                                  10

reports are in the record. There appears to be no dispute that the trial court followed the GAL’s

recommendations.

       {¶25} On appeal, Father focuses on the trial court’s conclusion that Father did not meet

his burden of proof to demonstrate that the harm likely caused by the change of residence was

outweighed by the advantages of the change. As we pointed out above, the trial court’s judgment

entry contradicts itself on this point. Nonetheless, even if we were to assume that Father did meet

his burden, making Father the residential parent still must be in R.M.’s best interest before the

change is authorized under the statute. See R.C. 3109.04(E)(1)(a). Father centers his argument on

the stability and community he can provide R.M. and the instability Mother’s moves have brought

as well as her poor choices in men.

       {¶26} In its judgment entry, the trial court discussed the factors in R.C. 3109.04(F)(1).

Father mentions the trial court’s findings as to each of the factors but does not really appear to find

fault with most of them.       Father appears to contest the trial court’s findings as to R.C.

3109.04(F)(1)(d), which relates to the child’s adjustment to home, school, and community. Father

focuses on R.M.’s dramatic decline in grades following the move to LaGrange and Keystone

schools. Father asserts that the trial court’s statement that the pandemic may have contributed to

the deterioration in R.M.’s grades was not supported by the record. Father instead believes that

R.M.’s grades reflect her difficulty in adjusting to the move to LaGrange and the lack of stability

in her life. First, there is no definitive evidence in the record as to the cause of R.M.’s poor

performance at school. Nonetheless, there is evidence to support the trial court’s hypothesis that

the pandemic may have contributed to it. Mother testified that she believed that R.M. performed

better when attending in person schooling and the record is clear that R.M. began online schooling
                                                11

due to the pandemic. Mother also testified that she planned to have R.M. back in in person

schooling the following school year.

       {¶27} This Court will only briefly address one other factor, R.C. 3109.04(F)(1)(b), related

to the wishes and concerns of the child as expressed to the court. The trial court noted it had

conducted an in-camera interview with the child and stated that R.M. expressed that she loved both

parents, had some difficulties communicating with Father, and that R.M. found Father helpful with

her schoolwork. However, this Court cannot fully evaluate this factor as Father has failed to

provide this Court with a transcript of the interview. See In re M.W., 9th Dist. Summit No. 23912,

2008-Ohio-1049, ¶ 22.

       {¶28} There is no doubt that Father has been more stable than Mother. Even Mother

admits that she has made poor choices with respect to men that she brought into her and R.M.’s

lives. However, Mother is now engaged to a man and it would not be unreasonable for the trial

court to believe that this relationship might be more long lasting, leading to fewer changes in

R.M.’s life. Further, there was no evidence presented that R.M. suffered any harm from the men

brought into R.M.’s life, aside from her disappointment when some of the relationships terminated.

As to R.M.’s schooling, the downturn in performance is understandably concerning to Father and

this Court appreciates that Father is frustrated with being unable to help his daughter more.

Nonetheless, even the GAL noted in his report that it is unclear what caused R.M.’s grades to

suffer. R.M. did previously change school district and her grades did not suffer on that occasion.

We cannot say that it was unreasonable for the trial court to conclude that R.M.’s poor grades

might be connected to the pandemic and online learning. If the trial court’s hypothesis is correct,

that can be tested by retaining Mother as the residential parent and seeing if R.M.’s grades improve

when she returns to in person schooling.
                                                  12

        {¶29} We are mindful that school performance is not the only factor to consider in

evaluating the best interests of a child. The child’s wishes and concerns, R.C. 3109.04(F)(1)(b),

are also taken into account, in addition to several other factors. Those wishes cannot be fully

reviewed by the Court in light of the lack of transcript. Father points to the trial court’s statement

that the trial court found it not to be in the best interest of R.M. to live primarily with Father as it

would be another change for R.M. and notes that Mother has been the cause of the child’s repeated

moves in both schooling and housing. This is undoubtedly true, but the trial court also proceeded

to examine the best interest factors and the reports of the GAL. While not specifically mentioned

by the trial court, the trial testimony, and the report of the GAL support that Father has talked

negatively about Mother to R.M., while the same cannot be said about Mother. The GAL pointed

out in his report that R.M. is stressed by the family dynamics and is caught in the middle.

        {¶30} After a thorough review of the record, we cannot say that Father has demonstrated

the trial court’s retention of Mother as the residential parent is unreasonable. Father’s first

assignment of error is overruled.

                                  ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR II

        THE TRIAL COURT ERRED AND ABUSED ITS DISCRETION IN FAILING
        TO GRANT SHARED PARENTING, INCLUDING THE FAILURE TO ADOPT
        FATHER’S PROPOSED SHARED PARENTING PLAN[.]

        {¶31} Father argues in his second assignment of error that the trial court erred and abused

its discretion in failing to adopt Father’s shared parenting plan.

        {¶32} “If only one parent requests shared parenting and files a proposed plan, the court

may approve the plan if it is in the best interest of the children.” (Internal quotations and citations

omitted.) Michael v. Michael, 9th Dist. Wayne No. 20AP0010, 2021-Ohio-992, ¶ 13. In

determining the best interest of the child, the trial court must consider the factors in R.C.
                                                 13

3109.04(F)(1), previously detailed above. See id. “A request for shared parenting also triggers

additional best-interest factors that a court must consider under R.C. 3109.04(F)(2) and 3119.23.”

Id. “Those factors include the ability of each parent to cooperate and make joint decisions, the

ability of each parent to encourage a positive relationship between the child and the other parent,

any history of abuse by either parent, the geographic proximity of the parents to each other, and

the recommendations of the guardian ad litem.” Id., citing R.C. 3109.04(F)(2)(a)-(e).

       {¶33} On appeal, Father maintains that the trial court based its determination primarily

on the GAL’s report, which was not admitted into evidence. Father asserts that if the GAL report

is discounted, the record would support granting the shared parenting plan. We cannot agree.

       {¶34} Even assuming this Court were to agree that the GAL reports should not be

considered, the parties’ own testimony and the testimony of the GAL supported the trial court’s

conclusion that shared parenting was not in R.M.’s best interests. As to R.C. 3109.04(F)(2)(a), the

trial court found the parties have a limited ability to cooperate and make joint decisions with

respect to R.M. Mother and Father acknowledged in their testimony that they had difficulty

communicating. In addition, there was evidence that Mother and Father have in the past needed

to involve the trial court in order to resolve parenting time disputes. With respect to R.C.

3109.04(F)(2)(b), the trial court determined the parents’ relationship had deteriorated to the point

that they found it difficult to encourage the sharing of love and affection between the child and the

other parent. This finding is supported by Mother’s deposition testimony, which was admitted as

an exhibit. Mother testified that Father has said negative things about Mother to R.M., including

telling the child that Mother was on drugs. Mother also asserted that Father told R.M. that he was

going to take her away from Mother. The trial court found that the factors in R.C. 3109.04(F)(2)(c)

and (d) were not an issue. As to the factor in R.C. 3109.04(F)(2)(e), the recommendation of the
                                                 14

GAL, the trial court concluded that it did not favor shared parenting. Even without examining the

GAL reports, we can say that this factor is supported by the record. We note that the GAL did

briefly testify at trial and confirmed that the trial court had accurately stated his recommendations.

The GAL stated at trial that he did not believe shared parenting was workable for the parties.

       {¶35} Father has not demonstrated that the trial court abused its discretion in failing to

adopt a shared parenting plan. Father’s second assignment of error is overruled.

                                 ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR III

       THE TRIAL COURT ERRED AND ABUSED ITS DISCRETION IN
       CONSIDERING THE GUARDIAN AD LITEM REPORTS AS THEY WERE
       NOT ADMITTED AS EXHIBITS AT THE TIME OF THE TRIAL[.]

       {¶36} Father argues in his third assignment of error that the trial court abused its discretion

in considering the GAL reports when they were not admitted into evidence at trial. Specifically,

Father maintains that the trial court’s actions violate Sup.R. 48.06(C)(2).

       {¶37} Sup.R. 48.06(C)(2) states, “[t]he court shall consider the recommendation of the

guardian ad litem in determining the best interest of the child only when the report or a portion of

the report has been admitted as an exhibit.”

       {¶38} First, we note that Courts have concluded that “Sup.R. 48 is an administrative

directive that lacks the force of law and creates no individual substantive or procedural rights.” In

re A.M., 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 29042, 2021-Ohio-3691, ¶ 21; see also Short v. Rhodes, 6th

Dist. Wood No. WD-20-066, 2021-Ohio-1845, ¶ 72; Sherwood v. Eberhardt, 9th Dist. Lorain No.

18CA011286, 2019-Ohio-4213, ¶ 21; In re K.G., 9th Dist. Wayne No. 10CA0016, 2010-Ohio-

4399, ¶ 11.

       {¶39} Here, at the beginning of trial, a discussion concerning the consideration of the

GAL reports occurred:
                                                  15

         [Mother’s counsel:] In terms of, I guess, logistics, with regard to the reports,
         wondering how much testimony we need to get out of, say, the guardian for the
         reports, or if the Court’s just going to read that and we can kind of –

         [Trial court:] I believe I can just read it, and unless either one of you have a major
         objection about the factual nature of it, I don’t see any need to put him on.

         [Mother’s counsel:] Okay.

         [Trial court:] Perhaps I’m wrong. But I don’t think much has changed since we’ve
         all been in discussions with this, so.

         [Mother’s counsel:] Okay.

         [Trial court:] That should cut things down tremendously. And the Court notes, Mr.
         Maran, because I think it’s important to note that you have definitely disagreed with
         some of the statements that [the GAL] has made, and the Court’s well aware of all
         of that, because – so I at least know where you’re coming from, even if he doesn’t
         testify. So we’re good. I know your objections to some of the things that have
         been said. Okay?

         All right. [Father’s counsel], you are the moving party. Your first witness please.

Neither side objected to the trial court’s plan to read and consider the GAL reports.

         {¶40} At the end of trial, the trial court then put several of the GAL’s recommendations

on the record, as discussed above. The GAL then provided a short amount of testimony under

oath. The parties were then given the opportunity to question the GAL, and both sides declined to

do so.

         {¶41} Given the foregoing, we can only conclude that Father has forfeited his ability to

challenge the trial court’s consideration of the GAL reports. See In re C.C.-L, 9th Dist. Summit

No. 28666, 2017-Ohio-9296, ¶ 20; Marsico v. Skrzypek, 9th Dist. Lorain No. 13CA010410, 2014-

Ohio-5185, ¶ 6. (“It is well settled that the failure to timely object to a possible error results in a

forfeiture of the issue for purposes of appeal.”). While a party failing to object in the trial court

can argue plain error on appeal, Father has not done so, and this Court will not create an argument
                                                16

for him. Rivenbark v. Discount Drug Mart, 9th Dist. Medina No. 17CA0089-M, 2018-Ohio-4072,

¶ 24.

        {¶42} Father has failed to demonstrate that the trial court committed reversible error in

considering the GAL reports. Father’s third assignment of error is overruled.

                                                III.

        {¶43} Father’s assignments of error are overruled. The judgment of the Lorain County

Court of Common Pleas, Juvenile Division, is affirmed.

                                                                                Judgment affirmed.

        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 Lorain, 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.
                                         17

      Costs taxed to Appellant.

                                              DONNA J. CARR
                                              FOR THE COURT

TEODOSIO, P. J.
CALLAHAN, J.
CONCUR.

APPEARANCES:

WAYNE R. NICHOL, Attorney at Law, for Appellant.

RICHARD RAMSEY, Attorney at Law, for Appellee.