A.A. v. S.H.

[Cite as A.A. v. S.H., 2014-Ohio-4101.]

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
SECOND APPELLATE DISTRICT
CLARK COUNTY

A.A.

Plaintiff-Appellant

v.

S.H.

Defendant-Appellee

Appellate Case No. 2014-CA-37

Trial Court Case No. 2009-JUV-384

(Juvenile Appeal from
(Common Pleas Court)
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OPINION
Rendered on the 19th day of September, 2014.
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JEFFREY D. SLYMAN, Atty. Reg. #0010098, 575 South Dixie Drive, Vandalia, Ohio 45377
Attorney for Plaintiff-Appellant

ERIC A. STAMPS, Atty. Reg. #0071176, Stamps & Stamps, 3814 Little York Road, Dayton, Ohio
45414
Attorney for Defendant-Appellee

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FAIN, J.
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{¶ 1} Plaintiff-appellant A.A. appeals from a decision of the trial court designating

appellee S.H. as the residential parent and legal custodian of the parties’ minor child. A.A.

contends that the trial court erred by failing to decide whether a change in circumstances occurred

prior to deciding to modify custody. She further contends that the evidence does not support the

trial court’s determination that awarding custody to S.H. is in the best interest of the child.

{¶ 2} We conclude that this case involved an initial custody determination, and

therefore the trial court properly declined to determine whether a change in circumstances had

occurred. We further conclude that there is competent, credible evidence in the record to

support the trial court’s best interest of the child determination.

{¶ 3} Accordingly, the judgment of the trial court is Affirmed.

I. The Course of Proceedings

{¶ 4} The parties had one child together, K.H., who was born in 2008. The parties,

who were not married, lived together at the time of birth and for approximately two years

thereafter. In July 2009, the Clark County Department of Job and Family Services, Child

Support Enforcement Services (CSEA) brought an action to determine parentage on behalf of

A.A. That action was dismissed without prejudice later that same year.

{¶ 5} On November 11, 2012, CSEA issued an Administrative Order - Establishment

of Paternity under Case No. 7070924316. The Administrative Order stated that the results of the

genetic testing performed on K.H., S.H. and A.A. indicated that there was a probability of

99.99% that S.H. was the father of K.H. Pursuant to R.C. 3111.46, the Administrative Officer

found that S.H. was the natural father of K.H.
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{¶ 6} In December 2012, CSEA filed an Application for Order of Support, Health

Insurance, Repayment of Necessaries and Recoupment of Birthing Costs. Due to problems with

effecting service upon S.H., a hearing on child support issues was not held until April 30, 2013.

On May 6, 2013, following the hearing, the trial court entered an order requiring S.H. to pay

child support in the sum of $50 per month retroactive to the date the application for support was

filed. The order did not make mention of custody or visitation. An entry adopting and

affirming the magistrate’s decision was entered.

{¶ 7} In June, A.A., the child, and S.W., whom A.A. began dating in July 2012, moved

to Texas. S.H. did not find out about the move until he found A.A.’s apartment empty and

learned through family that she had moved. On August 27, 2013, S.H. filed a complaint for

legal custody.

{¶ 8} The custody hearing was held in February 2014. The trial court held that it did

not need to determine whether a change in circumstances had occurred, because there had been

no prior custody determination. The trial court designated S.H. as residential parent and legal

custodian of the child. A.A. was granted visitation. A.A. was not ordered to pay child support.

A.A. appeals.

II. Because There Was No Prior Custody Order, the Trial Court Was Not

Required to Determine Whether there Was a Change of Circumstances

{¶ 9} A.A.’s First Assignment of Error states as follows:

THE TRIAL COURT ABUSED ITS DISCRETION IN DESIGNATING

THE APPELLEE RESIDENTIAL PARENT AND LEGAL CUSTODIAN OF
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THE PARTIES’ MINOR CHILD BY FAILING TO PROPERLY APPLY

RELEVANT SECTIONS OF CHAPTER 3109 OF THE REVISED CODE.

{¶ 10} A.A. contends that the trial court did not apply the correct legal standard in

determining custody. Specifically, she claims that the May 2013 support order was a “judgment

in a paternity action,” and therefore constituted a prior determination of custody. Brief, p. 4.

She argues that the trial court was required to find, pursuant to R.C. 3109.04(E)(1), that there had

been a change in circumstances before it could modify custody. Alternatively she argues that

“although there was no express custody or visitation order, there was an implied order by virtue

of the fact that [S.H.] had been ordered to pay child support after the determination of paternity.”

Brief, p. 5. She cites In re Yates, 18 Ohio App.3d 95, 481 N.E.2d 645 (10th Dist. 1984) for the

proposition that a judgment in a paternity action has the same effect as a prior determination of

custody.

{¶ 11} In an initial custody determination, a trial court must determine the best interest

of the child. R.C. 3109.04(B)(1). However, in a request for modification of a prior custody

order, R.C. 3109.04(E)(1) requires that a trial court find a change in circumstances before

determining whether the best interest factors merit a modification.

{¶ 12} A.A. argues that Yates is dispositive of the issue of whether the March 2013

support order constitutes a prior custody determination. In Yates, paternity was established by

an action to determine the father and child relationship. Id. at 96. The child continued to reside

with the mother following that determination. Id. Thereafter, the father filed a custody action.

Id. The Court of Appeals held that “while there had been no express judicial grant of custody

to the mother of an illegitimate child, her legal custody was recognized by implication in the
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judgment of the prior paternity action.” Id. Accordingly, the appellate court held that in

determining whether to grant custody to the father, the trial court was required to first determine

whether there had been a change in circumstances pursuant to R.C. 3109.04(B)(1). Id. This

court has agreed with that analysis. See, Lucas v. Estes, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 10970, 1989

WL 13529, * 1-2 (Feb. 13, 1989). More recently, however, we have held the change of

circumstances test inapplicable in the absence of a prior judicial decree regarding custody or

paternity, even if child support and visitation have been previously ordered by a court. DeWitt v.

Myers, 2d Dist. Clark No. 08-CA-86, 2009-Ohio-807; Dunn v. Marcum, 2d Dist. Clark No.

08-CA-112, 2009-Ohio-3015.

{¶ 13} In this case, paternity was determined administratively, pursuant to R.C.

3111.46(A).1 CSEA’s administrative order finding that a father and child relationship exists

between S.H. and K.H. was issued on November 30, 2010, and notice was given pursuant to R.C.

3111.48. Neither parent filed an objection thereto. Thus the order became final thirty days

thereafter. R.C. 3111.49.

{¶ 14} Thereafter, CSEA filed its court action for support. Visitation and paternity

were not issues raised in that action. In its May 2013 support order, the magistrate noted that

paternity had already been administratively established. The magistrate’s order did nothing

other than decide issues of child support.

{¶ 15} The support action filed by CSEA on behalf of A.A. was not a complaint to

determine the existence of a father and child relationship; that fact was already established by

virtue of the administrative order. The magistrate’s support order was was not a custody

1
The trial court incorrectly stated that the magistrate’s 2013 support order established paternity. Dkt., p. 74.
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determination; the decision did not address any issue other than support. Thus, we conclude that

there was no prior judicial allocation of custody.

{¶ 16} Nor do we conclude that an administrative finding of paternity is the functional

equivalent of a judicial finding of paternity. While the agency, following the issuance of an

administrative order establishing the father and child relationship, may issue support orders

pursuant to R.C. 3111.81, it has no statutory authority to determine custody. In such

administrative cases, the mother remains the residential parent and legal custodian of the child by

operation of law until such time as a trial court orders otherwise. R.C. 3109.042. In

circumstances where an unwed mother’s custody arises by operation of law rather than by virtue

of a judicial decree of custody or paternity, any subsequent complaint for custody is to be treated

as an initial custody determination, without need of finding a change in circumstances. Dunn,

supra.

{¶ 17} The trial court herein found that there had been no prior adjudication of custody,

so that it did not need to find a change in circumstances in order to grant custody to S.H. We

agree. Until S.H. filed the complaint for custody that is the subject of this appeal, neither party

sought or received a court order recognizing or assigning custody.

{¶ 18} We conclude that there was no prior determination of custody. Therefore the

trial court did not err in failing to determine whether there had been a change in circumstances as

required by R.C. 3109.04(E)(1) and by instead applying the best interest test set forth in R.C.

3109.04(B)(1) for initial determinations of custody.

{¶ 19} The First Assignment of Error is overruled.
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III. The Trial Court Did Not Abuse its Discretion in Finding that the

Child’s Best Interests Supported an Award of Custody to the Father

{¶ 20} The Second Assignment of Error asserted by A.A. is as follows:

THE TRIAL COURT’S APPLICATION OF THE “BEST INTEREST

TEST” AND DESIGNATION OF PARENTAL AND CUSTODIAL RIGHTS TO

APPELLEE IS AGAINST THE MANIFEST WEIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE.

{¶ 21} A.A. contends that the evidence does not support a finding that awarding custody

to S.H. is in the best interest of the child.

{¶ 22} R.C. 3109.04(F)(1) provides a non-exclusive list of factors to consider when

determining the best interest of a child. Those factors are:

(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;
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(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;

(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; * * *;

(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.

{¶ 23} Obviously both parents wish to be awarded sole custody of the child. The trial

court did not interview the child, who was five at the time of the hearing. The Guardian Ad

Litem appointed to represent the child’s interests indicated that the mother should have custody.

However, the GAL was not aware that A.A. had not allowed S.H. to exercise visitation at

Christmas. Furthermore, the GAL had not met with either A.A. or her fiancé, and had not

visited their residence. Finally, the GAL appeared to believe, incorrectly, a finding of harm or

detriment to the child had to be made prior to awarding custody to S.H. The trial court did not

follow the GAL’s recommendation. We conclude that its failure to do so does not constitute an

abuse of its discretion.

{¶ 24} The trial court found both parents were actively involved with raising the child
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and that the child was bonded to both parents as well as to members of both parents’ families.

The parties exercised approximately equal parenting time with the child from birth until February

2013, when S.H. and W. had a verbal confrontation.2 From then until A.A. moved to Texas,

S.H. had visitation with the child two to three days per week, with two overnight visits. There is

evidence that the child is bonded with extended family members of both families. The trial court

found that the majority of the child’s extended family lives in Ohio.

{¶ 25} The evidence demonstrates that S.H. is in substantial compliance with his support

obligation.

{¶ 26} The trial court found that the child is not adjusting well to his current school,

based upon evidence that he was having difficulty with, and may need to repeat, kindergarten.

The trial court further found that the child was well-adjusted to his home and community in Ohio

and that there was no evidence presented on his adjustment to his home and community in Texas.

There is evidence that S.H. has steady employment and housing. Conversely, A.A. is not

employed and is expecting her third child.

{¶ 27} The trial court found that S.H. is “far more likely to honor and facilitate Court

approved parenting time rights or visitation and companionship rights for [A.A.] than she would

for him.” Dkt., p. 82. The trial court further found that A.A. has wilfully denied visitation

despite a court order.

{¶ 28} There is evidence in the record that on December 18, 2013, the trial court issued

an order granting S.H. visitation with the child from December 26 through January 1, 2014.

S.H. drove to Texas and attempted to exercise the visitation. W. was present at the residence.

2
S.H. was incarcerated for a period of time in 2010 and 2011. However, the record is not clear on the length of the incarceration.
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He informed S.H. that A.A. and the child were not home. S.H. asked W. to call A.A.; W.

refused. S.H. left the premises. After eating, he returned to the premises approximately 30

minutes later. At that time W. and two other men appeared. W. told S.H. to return to Ohio.

S.H. contacted the police, but was unable to secure visitation. Thereafter he returned to Ohio.

A.A. admitted that she had received a copy of the order from S.H.’s attorney prior to the

visitation date, but claimed that she did not receive a copy from the court until December 28.

There is also evidence that A.A. and the child were in Ohio for over a week before the custody

hearing, but A.A. did not notify S.H. of that fact and made no offer of visitation. She also

appeared reluctant to allow visitation following the hearing, despite the trial court’s order that she

permit S.H. to spend time with the child. She further admitted that she did not believe she had

an obligation to facilitate a relationship between the child and S.H.

{¶ 29} There is evidence in the record that S.H. has a criminal history, but the trial court

found he has actively worked on addressing that issue and has, since his incarceration, held a job

and housing without legal trouble.

{¶ 30} Finally, the trial court found that A.A. and W. moved to Texas primarily to

restrict visitation between S.H. and the child as well as to avoid W.’s child support obligations to

his four children residing in Ohio.

{¶ 31} The standard used to review trial court decisions in domestic relations cases is

“abuse of discretion.” Edwards v. Edwards, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 25309, 2013–Ohio–117, ¶

17. Trial courts have broad discretion in allocating parental rights and responsibilities, and we

will affirm a custody determination absent an abuse of discretion. Miller v. Miller, 37 Ohio St.3d

71, 74, 523 N.E.2d 846 (1988). “Abuse of discretion is a term used to indicate that a trial court's
 11

decision is unreasonable, arbitrary or unconscionable.” Montei v. Montei, 2d Dist. Clark No.2013

CA 24, 2013–Ohio–5343, ¶ 28.

{¶ 32} The issue of witness credibility is primarily for the trier of fact to determine.

Davis v. Flickinger, 77 Ohio St.3d 415, 419, 674 N.E.2d 1159 (1997). “The ‘rationale of

giving deference to the findings of the trial court rests with the knowledge that the trial judge is

best able to view the witnesses and observe their demeanor, gestures and voice inflections, and

use these observations in weighing the credibility of the proffered testimony.’ ” In re J.Y., 2d

Dist. Miami No. 07–CA–35, 2008–Ohio–3485, ¶ 33, quoting Seasons Coal Co., Inc. v. City of

Cleveland, 10 Ohio St.3d 77, 80, 461 N.E.2d 1273 (1984). The trial court was free to believe

all, some, or none of the testimony presented by A.A., S.H., and their witnesses. The trial court

specifically stated that it found S.H. more credible.

{¶ 33} We conclude that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in giving more

credence to the testimony of S.H. than to A.A. or W.. We further conclude that there is evidence

in the record to support the trial court’s finding that awarding custody to S.H. is in the best

interest of the child. We find no abuse of discretion.

{¶ 34} The Second Assignment of Error is overruled.

IV. Conclusion

{¶ 35} Both of A.A.’s assignments of error having been overruled, the judgment of the

trial court is Affirmed.

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HALL and WELBAUM, JJ., concur.

Copies mailed to:

Jeffrey D. Slyman
Eric Stamps
Hon. Thomas J. Capper