Court Opinion

ID: 2832192
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-08-31 16:09:50.477875+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:34:11.896486
License: Public Domain

[Cite as In re D.W., 2015-Ohio-3532.]

                             IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
                                FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
                                     HIGHLAND COUNTY

IN THE MATTER OF:               :
                                :
D.W.                            :     Case No. 15CA7
                                :
                                :     DECISION AND JUDGMENT ENTRY
ADJUDICATED                     :
NEGLECTED CHILD.                :
                                :     RELEASED: 08/25/2015
______________________________________________________________________
                            APPEARANCES:

Dennis Kirk, Hillsboro, Ohio, for Appellant.

Anneka P. Collins and Molly Bolek, Hillsboro, Ohio, for Appellee

______________________________________________________________________
Harsha, J.

        {¶1}     D.W. appeals the trial court’s judgment awarding Highland County

Children Services (HCCS) permanent custody of his seven-year-old biological child,

D.W., Jr.1 D.W. contends that the trial court’s decision to award HCCS permanent

custody of the child is against the manifest weight of the evidence because the

evidence fails to show that awarding HCCS permanent custody is in the child’s best

interest. However, the record contains clear and convincing evidence to support the

trial court’s decision that awarding HCCS permanent custody of the child is in the child’s

best interest. Despite being given abundant time and opportunity to demonstrate the

necessary parental commitment, D.W. failed to complete the reunification plan. He

failed to obtain adequate housing and employment. His visitation with his son was

1
 It appears as though the child is named after his father, and thus should be referred to as D.W., Jr.
However, the caption from the trial court record does not refer to the child as D.W., Jr. For clarification
purposes, we have chosen to refer to the child D.W., Jr.
Highland App. No. 15CA7                                                                                2

sporadic at best. D.W. Jr. has bonded strongly with his foster family and needs

permanency in his life. Accordingly, we overrule D.W.’s sole assignment of error and

affirm the trial court’s judgment.

                                              I. FACTS

        {¶2}    The child’s mother entered into a voluntary care agreement with HCCS.

HCCS then filed a motion for emergency temporary custody of D.W., Jr., along with his

two half-siblings. HCCS asserted that none of the children’s fathers were able to

provide care for their respective children. The court granted HCCS emergency

temporary custody of the children.

        {¶3}    HCCS also filed an abuse, neglect, and dependency complaint concerning

D.W., Jr. and requested temporary custody. 2 The court found that the child’s mother

and D.W. abandoned him, adjudicated the child neglected, and ordered the child to

remain in HCCS’s temporary custody. The court dismissed the abuse and dependency

allegations.

        {¶4}    Subsequently, HCCS filed a motion to modify the disposition to permanent

custody, asserting that the mother abandoned the children and that D.W., Jr. cannot be

placed with D.W. within a reasonable period of time. The motion alleged that D.W. “has

had minimal contact with D.W.[, Jr.] since D.W.[, Jr.] was placed in the custody of the

Agency, completing only 6 visits during this period.” HCCS further stated that D.W. is

on probation, his home is unsanitary, and HCCS has concerns whether D.W. can

provide for the child’s basic needs.

2
  Because the present appeal does not concern D.W., Jr.’s half-siblings, we omit any further unnecessary
reference to the trial court proceedings relating to the half-siblings.
Highland App. No. 15CA7                                                                      3

       {¶5}   In response, the trial court terminated D.W., Jr.’s mother’s parental rights

but ordered D.W., Jr. to remain in HCCS’s temporary custody so that D.W. could have

additional time to fulfill the case plan goals and to demonstrate that he can properly

provide for the child. The court also found that D.W.’s last contact with his child

occurred on November 6, 2013, and as of February 14, 2014, the date HCCS filed the

amended permanent custody motion, D.W. had abandoned his child. The court

observed that D.W. visited the child only six times since July 26, 2013, but also noted

that during those visits, they interacted appropriately. The court concluded that

although D.W.’s efforts “have been minimal[,] he has shown an interest in reunifying

with [the child].” The court thus ordered the child to remain in HCCS’s temporary

custody until June 21, 2014.

       {¶6}   Before that order expired HCCS filed a motion to extend the temporary

custody order for an additional six months, asserting that D.W. “has made significant

progress on his case plan,” but he “has not successfully completed the case plan

objectives.” The court extended temporary custody through January 21, 2015. The

court further found “by agreement of the parties and by clear and convincing evidence

that [HCCS] has made reasonable efforts to prevent the continued removal of the child[]

from the home and to make it possible for the child to safely return home. The

permanency plan is reunification with [D.W.], and [HCCS] has made reasonable efforts

to finalize the permanency plan for [the child. HCCS] is providing case planning

services to both [D.W.] and [the child] to address the underlying concerns in the case,

as outlined by the case plan filed May 28, 2014.”
Highland App. No. 15CA7                                                                     4

       {¶7}    However, HCCS subsequently filed another motion seeking permanent

custody of D.W., Jr., asserting that the child had been in its temporary custody for more

than twelve out of the past twenty-two months and that permanent custody is in the

child’s best interest.

       {¶8}    At the permanent custody hearing HCCS caseworker Hannah Larrick

stated that the case plan required D.W. to comply with probation, complete a full

psychological assessment and follow any treatment recommendations, participate in

individual counseling and follow any recommendations, secure safe, stable housing and

maintain it for six months, and demonstrate that he can provide for child’s basic needs.

       {¶9}    HCCS caseworker Melissa Wheaton testified that D.W. attended thirteen

out of seventy-one available visits with the child. She explained that D.W. did not have

any visits with the child during the following time periods: (1) May 31, 2013 to July 26,

2013; (2) July 26, 2013 to September 4, 2013; (3) November 6, 2013 to April 3, 2014;

(4) April 30, 2014 to July 16, 2014; (5) July 16, 2014 to December 3, 2014; and (6)

December 3, 2014 until the date of the permanent custody hearing.

       {¶10} The child’s foster mother stated that the child has continuously been in her

home since removed from his mother’s care on May 31, 2013. She testified that the

child lives in her home with his two half-siblings and that she does not believe “that they

could live without each other.” The foster mother further stated that if the court awards

HCCS permanent custody of D.W., Jr., she intends to adopt D.W., Jr. and his half-

siblings.

       {¶11} HCCS caseworker Donna Bourne testified that in November 2014, she

met with D.W. to discuss his case plan progress. She stated that D.W. did not have
Highland App. No. 15CA7                                                                     5

independent, permanent housing, but instead, lived with a friend. Bourne also indicated

that D.W. had not completed a full psychological assessment. She additionally related

that appellant admitted he had not seen the child since the summer, but D.W. explained

that he had transportation issues and lacked a driver’s license. Bourne stated that while

speaking with D.W., he seemed to easily lose track of his thoughts, had trouble

remembering things, and quickly became emotional. She further testified that D.W.

appeared to look at his friend for answers before he would answers questions that she

asked.

         {¶12} Bourne stated that she met with D.W. again on January 26, 2015 to review

his case plan progress. Bourne indicated that D.W. had completed a mental health

assessment, but he did not complete a psychological evaluation. She testified that

D.W. had an appointment scheduled on February 11 to discuss his housing options.

         {¶13} During closing arguments the guardian ad litem recommended that the

court award HCCS permanent custody of the child, primarily due to the bond he shares

with his half-brothers. The guardian ad litem asserted that the children should remain

together and that it is not in the child’s best interest to be separated from his half-

brothers. The guardian ad litem stated that the child is “strongly bonded” with his half-

brothers and “very attached to his foster parents.” The guardian ad litem further

expressed concerns regarding D.W.’s ability to provide proper care for the child and

does not believe that D.W. “can overcome the obstacles that he needs to overcome to

be able to defeat the motion for permanent custody.”

         {¶14} The court terminated D.W.’s parental rights and awarded HCCS

permanent custody. The court found that (1) the child has been in HCCS’s temporary
Highland App. No. 15CA7                                                                        6

custody for more than twelve of the past twenty-two months, (2) the child “is extremely

bonded with his [half]-siblings in their current foster home,” (3) the foster parents intend

to adopt the child if permanent custody is granted to HCCS, (4) the child “has expressed

his desire to remain with his [half]-siblings in the * * * foster home,” and (5) D.W.’s

contact has been infrequent but appropriate. The court observed that although D.W.

claimed transportation difficulties prevented him from visiting with the child more

frequently, he “was able to travel monthly to Clinton County, Ohio * * * to meet with his

Probation Officer with very few exceptions.” The court further noted that approximately

one year earlier, it overruled HCCS’s motion to permanently terminate D.W.’s rights in

order to allow him a chance to reunify with the child. The court found that since that

time, D.W. “has elected not to obtain permanent housing or income which would enable

him to care for and parent D.W. He has not taken the steps necessary to lift the

suspension of his drivers [sic] license which is arguably necessary to transport [the

child] to his frequent doctor and speech therapy appointments.” The court determined

that it is in the child’s best interest to terminate D.W.’s parental rights and to place the

child in HCCS’s permanent custody.

                                  II. ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR

       {¶15} D.W. raises one assignment of error:

       “The trial court erred in finding that permanent custody was in the best interests
       of the child. The court’s best interest analysis was against the manifest weight of
       the evidence.”

                                       III. ANALYSIS

       {¶16} In his sole assignment of error, D.W. asserts that the trial court’s decision

to award HCCS permanent custody is against the manifest weight of the evidence
Highland App. No. 15CA7                                                                       7

because the evidence fails to clearly and convincingly show that awarding HCCS

permanent custody is in the child’s best interest.

                                   A. STANDARD OF REVIEW

       {¶17} “A reviewing court generally will not disturb a trial court’s permanent

custody decision unless the decision is against the manifest weight of the evidence.” In

re R.S., 4th Dist. Highland No. 13CA22, 2013–Ohio–5569, ¶29; accord In re J.V.-M.P.,

4th Dist. Washington No. 13CA37, 2014–Ohio–486, ¶11. To determine whether a

permanent custody decision is against the manifest weight of the evidence, an appellate

court must weigh the evidence and all reasonable inferences, consider the credibility of

the witnesses, and determine whether in resolving evidentiary conflicts, the trial court

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

must be reversed and a new trial ordered. R.S. at ¶30, citing Eastley v. Volkman, 132
Ohio St. 3d 328, 2012–Ohio–2179, 972 N.E.2d 517, ¶20. In reviewing the evidence

under this standard, we must defer to the trial court’s credibility determinations because

of the presumption in favor of the finder of fact. Id. at ¶33, citing Eastley at ¶21.

Deferring to the trial court on matters of credibility is “crucial in a child custody case,

where there may be much evident in the parties’ demeanor and attitude that does not

translate to the record well.” Davis v. Flickinger, 77 Ohio St. 3d 415, 419, 674 N.E.2d
1159 (1997); accord In re Christian, 4th Dist. Athens No. 04CA10, 2004–Ohio–3146, ¶7.

As the Ohio Supreme Court explained long-ago: “In proceedings involving the custody

and welfare of children the power of the trial court to exercise discretion is peculiarly

important. The knowledge obtained through contact with and observation of the parties

and through independent investigation cannot be conveyed to a reviewing court by
Highland App. No. 15CA7                                                                      8

printed record.” Trickey v. Trickey, 158 Ohio St. 9, 13, 106 N.E.2d 772 (1952).

Furthermore, unlike an ordinary civil proceeding in which a jury has no contact with the

parties before a trial, in a permanent custody case a trial court judge may have

significant contact with the parties before permanent custody is even requested. In re

R.S. at ¶34. In such a situation it is not unreasonable to presume that the trial court

judge had far more opportunities to evaluate the credibility, demeanor, attitude, etc., of

the parties than this court ever could from a mere reading of the permanent custody

hearing transcript. Id.

       {¶18} In a permanent custody case, the dispositive issue on appeal is “whether

the juvenile court’s findings * * * were supported by clear and convincing evidence.” In

re K.H., 119 Ohio St. 3d 538, 2008–Ohio–4825, 895 N.E.2d 809, ¶ 43; accord R .C.

2151.414(B)(1). “Clear and convincing evidence” is “that measure or degree of proof

which is more than a mere ‘preponderance of the evidence,’ but not to the extent of

such certainty as is required ‘beyond a reasonable doubt’ in criminal cases, and which

will produce in the mind of the trier of facts a firm belief or conviction as to the facts

sought to be established.” Cross v. Ledford, 161 Ohio St.469, 120 N.E.2d 118 (1954),

paragraph three of the syllabus; State ex rel. Miller v. Ohio State Hwy. Patrol, 136 Ohio

St.3d 350, 2013–Ohio–3720, 995 N.E.2d 1175, ¶14. “[I]f the children services agency

presented competent and credible evidence upon which the trier of fact reasonably

could have formed a firm belief that permanent custody is warranted, then the court’s

decision is not against the manifest weight of the evidence.” In re R.M., --- Ohio App.3d

---, 2013–Ohio–3588, 997 N.E.2d 169, ¶55 (4th Dist.). The essential question we must

resolve when reviewing a permanent custody decision under the manifest weight of the
Highland App. No. 15CA7                                                                      9

evidence standard is whether the amount of competent, credible evidence presented at

trial produced in court’s mind a firm belief or conviction that permanent custody was

warranted. In re J.H., 4th Dist. Hocking No. 14CA4, 2014-Ohio-3108, ¶14.

                             B. PERMANENT CUSTODY PRINCIPLES

       {¶19} A parent has a “fundamental liberty interest” in the care, custody, and

management of his or her child and an “essential” and “basic civil right” to raise his or

her children. Santosky v. Kramer, 455 U.S. 745, 753, 102 S. Ct. 1388, 71 L.Ed .2d 599

(1982); In re Murray, 52 Ohio St. 3d 155, 156, 556 N.E.2d 1169 (1990); accord In re

D.A., 113 Ohio St. 3d 88, 2007–Ohio–1105, 862 N.E.2d 829. A parent’s rights, however,

are not absolute. D.A. at ¶11. Rather, “‘it is plain that the natural rights of a parent * * *

are always subject to the ultimate welfare of the child, which is the pole star or

controlling principle to be observed.’” In re Cunningham, 59 Ohio St. 2d 100, 106, 391
N.E.2d 1034 (1979), quoting In re R.J.C., 300 So. 2d 54, 58 (Fla.App.1974). Thus, the

state may terminate parental rights when a child’s best interest demands such

termination. D.A . at ¶11.

                          C. PERMANENT CUSTODY FRAMEWORK

       {¶20} R.C. 2151.414(B)(1) permits a trial court to grant permanent custody of a

child to a children services agency if the court determines by clear and convincing

evidence that the child’s best interest would be served by the award of permanent

custody and that:

               (a) The child is not abandoned or orphaned or has not been in the
       temporary custody of one or more public children services agencies or private
       child placing agencies for twelve or more months of a consecutive twenty-two
       month period ending on or after March 18, 1999, and the child cannot be placed
       with either of the child’s parents within a reasonable time or should not be placed
       with the child’s parents.
Highland App. No. 15CA7                                                                      10

              (b) The child is abandoned.
              (c) The child is orphaned, and there are no relatives of the child who are
       able to take permanent custody.
              (d) The child has been in the temporary custody of one or more public
       children services agencies or private child placing agencies for twelve or more
       months of a consecutive twenty-two month period ending on or after March 18,
       1999.
              (e) The child or another child in custody of the parent or parents from
       whose custody the child has been removed has been adjudicated an abused,
       neglected, or dependent child on three separate occasions by any court in this
       state or another state.

       {¶21} Thus, before a trial court may award a children services agency

permanent custody it must find (1) that one of the circumstances described in R.C.

2151.414(B)(1) applies, and (2) that awarding the children services agency permanent

custody would further the child's best interest. Here, the court found that R.C.

2151.414(B)(1)(d) applied, and D.W. does not challenge this finding. Thus, we do not

address it.

                                        D. BEST INTEREST

       {¶22} “In a best-interests analysis under R.C. 2151.414(D), a court must

consider ‘all relevant factors,’ including five enumerated statutory factors * * *. No one

element is given greater weight or heightened significance.” In re C.F., 113 Ohio St. 3d
73, 2007–Ohio–1104, 862 N.E.2d 816, ¶57, citing In re Schaefer, 111 Ohio St. 3d 498,

2006–Ohio–5513, 857 N.E.2d 532, ¶56. The five enumerated factors include: (1) the

child’s interaction and interrelationship with the child’s parents, siblings, relatives, foster

parents and out-of-home providers, and any other person who may significantly affect

the child; (2) the child’s wishes, as expressed directly by the child or through the child’s

guardian ad litem, with due regard for the child’s maturity; (3) the child’s custodial

history; (4) the child’s need for a legally secure permanent placement and whether that
Highland App. No. 15CA7                                                                   11

type of placement can be achieved without a grant of permanent custody to the agency;

and (5) whether any factors listed under R.C. 2151.414(E)(7) to (11) apply. In this case,

D.W. challenges the court’s findings regarding the child’s interactions and

interrelationships, the child’s wishes, and the child’s need for a legally secure

permanent placement.

       {¶23} The record contains clear and convincing evidence to support the trial

court’s best interest determination. The evidence shows that the child shares a

substantial bond with his half-brothers and foster family. Although D.W. may claim that

he shares a strong relationship with the child, he has not shown a fervent desire to

continuously visit with the child. D.W.’s interaction with his child may have been

appropriate when it occurred, but it was minimal in frequency. Several lengthy time

periods elapsed when D.W. did not visit the child at all, and the trial court even made a

finding that D.W. abandoned the child due to his extended periods of absence from the

child’s life. We have no doubt that D.W. loves his child and wishes to have custody of

him, but D.W. did not show that he is willing to maintain the continuous relationship and

interaction necessary in any parent-child relationship. Without a commitment to

continuous interaction and relationship with the child, we fail to see how D.W. could

forge a bond with the child that is at least as substantial as the one the child shares with

his half-brothers and the foster family. Even if D.W.’s lack of visiting with the child

resulted from transportation difficulties, the trial court noted that D.W. apparently had no

issue arranging transportation in order to meet with his probation officer, which the court

found required D.W. to travel approximately the same distance he would have to travel
Highland App. No. 15CA7                                                                   12

to visit with the child. The court thus could justifiably discredit D.W.’s claimed

transportation difficulties.

       {¶24} D.W. appears to blame HCCS for failing to help him with transportation,

thus implying that HCCS failed to use reasonable efforts. However, the trial court

entered reasonable efforts findings earlier in the case and specifically noted that its

finding was based upon the agreement of all parties to the case. See In re C.F. at ¶43

(concluding that even though R.C. 2151.419(A)(1) does not require a reasonable efforts

finding when a court considers a permanent custody motion filed under R.C. 2151.413,

“the state must still make reasonable efforts to reunify the family during the child-

custody proceedings prior to the termination of parental rights” and “[i]f the agency has

not established that reasonable efforts have been made prior to the hearing on a motion

for permanent custody, then it must demonstrate such efforts at that time.”). On August

22, 2014, the court entered a specific finding that HCCS used reasonable efforts. The

court found that “by agreement of the parties and by clear and convincing evidence * * *

[HCCS] has made reasonable efforts to prevent the continued removal of the child[]

from the home and to make it possible for the child to safely return home. The

permanency plan is reunification with [D.W.] , and [HCCS] has made reasonable efforts

to finalize the permanency plan for [the child. HCCS] is providing case planning

services to both [D.W.] and [the child] to address the underlying concerns in this case,

as outlined by the case plan filed May 28, 2014.” When the court entered this

reasonable efforts finding, D.W. did not complain that HCCS failed to address any

alleged transportation issues, even though he was obviously well-aware by August 2014

of the number of visits with the child that he did not attend. Furthermore, at the
Highland App. No. 15CA7                                                                     13

permanent custody hearing, one of HCCS’s caseworkers testified that she discussed

D.W.’s transportation issues with him and advised him of public transit options. Another

HCCS caseworker stated that he also talked to D.W. about his transportation issues,

but D.W. “seemed pretty confident that he could find rides.” This caseworker also

discussed scheduling visits on dates when D.W. would be meeting with his probation

officer, which apparently would have been more convenient for D.W. Thus, the record

shows that HCCS was aware of D.W.’s alleged transportation issues and offered

solutions. But D.W. did not avail himself of any of those solutions.

       {¶25} D.W. additionally argues that the record fails to contain any evidence

regarding the child’s wishes. However, the trial court indicated that it reviewed the

guardian ad litem’s report, which stated that the child wants to remain living with his

half-brothers and foster family. R.C. 2151.414(D)(1)(b) “unambiguously gives the trial

court the choice of considering the child’s wishes directly from the child or through the

guardian ad litem.” In re C.F. at ¶5. Moreover, the guardian ad litem provided a closing

argument to the court and reiterated that the child should remain with the foster family

and his half-brothers. Consequently, we disagree with D.W. that the record fails to

contain evidence regarding the child’s wishes.

       {¶26} Furthermore, to the extent D.W. claims that the trial court should have

interviewed the child, D.W. never requested the trial court to conduct an in camera

interview of the child. Thus, appellant failed to preserve this issue for appellate review.

In re S.M., 4th Dist. Highland No. 14CA4, 2014-Ohio-2961, ¶33, citing In re M.C., 9th

Dist. Summit No. 24797, 2009–Ohio–5544, ¶36 (determining that parent’s argument

trial court erred by failing to consider child’s direct wishes lacked merit when parent “did
Highland App. No. 15CA7                                                                    14

not request that his child testify at the hearing, nor did he ask the trial judge to conduct

an in camera interview of the child”).

       {¶27} D.W. also argues that the evidence fails to support a finding that the child

needs a legally secure permanent placement that cannot be achieved without granting

HCCS permanent custody. D.W. contends that he could provide the child with a legally

secure permanent placement. The record contains evidence to the contrary. The

evidence shows that D.W. was aware by the middle to latter part of 2013 that the child

needed a legally secure permanent placement. The 2013 case plan required D.W. to

obtain safe and stable housing. When the court denied HCCS’s initial permanent

custody motion D.W. again was made aware of the case plan requirement to obtain

safe and stable housing, and the court afforded D.W. additional time to obtain safe and

stable housing. The court gave D.W. ample opportunity to prove that he is willing to

provide the child with a safe and stable home. As of the date of the permanent custody

hearing, D.W. had yet to obtain a safe and permanent home. Instead, he remained

living in a friend’s home.

       {¶28} D.W. attempts to blame HCCS for its alleged lack of efforts assisting him

in locating safe and stable housing. However, the trial court previously found that

HCCS used reasonable efforts, and, during the trial court proceedings, D.W. never

raised any concern that HCCS failed to employ reasonable efforts to help him fulfill the

case plan goals. Additionally, the focus when a court considers a permanent custody

motion under R.C. 2151.414 is not upon the children services agency’s actions or

inactions. R.C. 2151.414(C) (“The court shall not deny an agency’s motion for

permanent custody solely because the agency failed to implement any particular aspect
Highland App. No. 15CA7                                                                    15

of the child’s case plan.”). Instead, the focus is upon the child’s best interest. In re

A.A., 4th Dist. Athens No. 14CA38, 14CA39, and 14CA40, 2015-Ohio-1962, ¶60, citing

D.A., supra, 2007–Ohio–1105, ¶ 1. (“Once the case reaches the disposition phase, the

best interest of the child controls.”). Moreover, as this court frequently recognizes:

       “‘“ * * * [A] child should not have to endure the inevitable to its great detriment
       and harm in order to give the * * * [parent] an opportunity to prove her suitability.
       To anticipate the future, however, is at most, a difficult basis for a judicial
       determination. The child’s present condition and environment is the subject for
       decision not the expected or anticipated behavior of unsuitability or unfitness of
       the * * * [parent]. * * * The law does not require the court to experiment with the
       child’s welfare to see if he will suffer great detriment or harm.”’”

       {¶29} W.C.J. at ¶48, quoting In re Bishop, 36 Ohio App. 3d 123, 126, 521 N.E.2d
838 (5th Dist.1987), quoting In re East, 32 Ohio Misc. 65, 69, 288 N.E.2d 343, 346

(1972).

       {¶30} While D.W. may have made some steps to obtain a permanent home by

the date of the permanent custody hearing, he did not show why he had been unable to

do so during the previous year and one-half that the case had been pending. The court

could have determined that D.W.’s actions were far too little, far too late and

demonstrated that he would not be able to provide the child with a legally secure

permanent placement. No evidence exists that the child has a viable legally secure

permanent placement outside HCCS’s custody.

       {¶31} Here, in March 2014, the court denied HCCS’s request for permanent

custody of D.W., Jr. in order to give D.W. additional time to complete the case plan

goals, including obtaining safe and stable housing. By February 2015, D.W. had failed

to obtain suitable housing. The court was not obligated to provide D.W. with yet another

opportunity to show that he could obtain suitable housing. Thus, clear and convincing
Highland App. No. 15CA7                                                                   16

evidence supports a finding that the child needs a legally secure permanent placement

and that this placement cannot be achieved without granting HCCS permanent custody.

The record supports the trial court’s finding that awarding HCCS is in the child’s best

interest. Thus, its decision is not against the manifest weight of the evidence.

Accordingly, we overrule D.W.’s sole assignment of error and affirm the trial court’s

judgment.

                                                                JUDGMENT AFFIRMED.
Highland App. No. 15CA7                                                                17

                                   JUDGMENT ENTRY

         It is ordered that the JUDGMENT IS AFFIRMED and that Appellant shall pay the
costs.

         The Court finds there were reasonable grounds for this appeal.

      It is ordered that a special mandate issue out of this Court directing the Highland
County Common Pleas Juvenile Court to carry this judgment into execution.

       Any stay previously granted by this Court is hereby terminated as of the date of
this entry.

      A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to Rule 27 of
the Rules of Appellate Procedure.

Abele, J. & McFarland, J.: Concur in Judgment and Opinion.

                                   For the Court

                                   BY: ________________________________
                                       William H. Harsha, Judge

                                 NOTICE TO COUNSEL

       Pursuant to Local Rule No. 14, this document constitutes a final judgment
entry and the time period for further appeal commences from the date of filing
with the clerk.