[Cite as Lowery v. Ridgeway, 2015-Ohio-5051.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
THIRD APPELLATE DISTRICT
HANCOCK COUNTY
THERESA LOWERY FKA
THERESA RIDGEWAY, CASE NO. 5-15-20
PLAINTIFF-APPELLANT,
v.
OPINION
JAMES RIDGEWAY,
DEFENDANT-APPELLEE.
Appeal from Hancock County Common Pleas Court
Domestic Relations Division
Trial Court No. 2010-DR-200
Judgment Affirmed
Date of Decision: December 7, 2015
APPEARANCES:
John C. Filkins for Appellant
Garth W. Brown for Appellee
Case No. 5-15-20
WILLAMOWSKI, J.
{¶1} Plaintiff-appellant, Theresa Lowery, f.k.a. Theresa Ridgeway
(“Theresa”), brings this appeal from the judgment of the Common Pleas Court of
Hancock County, Ohio, Domestic Relations Division, which adopted the
magistrate’s recommendations, naming Defendant-appellee, James Ridgeway
(“James”), as the residential parent of the parties’ children, ordering Theresa to
pay child support, finding her in contempt, approving guardian ad litem fees, and
ordering Theresa to pay court costs incurred in the proceedings. For the reasons
that follow, we affirm the trial court’s judgment.
Factual and Procedural Background
{¶2} Theresa and James are the parents of three minor children, J.R., L.R.,
and A.R. Theresa initiated divorce proceedings in in Hardin County in June 2007.
At the time, J.R. was four years old; L.R. was two years old; and A.R. was not yet
born. During the initial divorce proceedings, Theresa limited James’s parenting
time until a shared parenting plan was entered and approved by the magistrate of
the Hardin County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division, on
October 7, 2008. The parties were granted a divorce in December 2008. James
“only had regular parenting time between October 2008 and April 2009” and after
April 2009, he was unable to exercise his parenting time with the children. (R. at
232, Magistrate’s Decision, May 31, 2012, at 19.)
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{¶3} In May 2010, the case was transferred to Hancock County and on June
18, 2010, Theresa filed a motion to terminate the shared parenting plan and to
designate her as the residential parent while terminating or limiting James’s
parental rights. (R. at 6.) Before the matter came up for a hearing, the parties had
filed multiple other motions. We will only discuss the filings that are of relevance
to this appeal.
{¶4} In September 2010, Theresa filed a Motion for Emergency Order
Suspending Defendant’s Parenting Time until Court Determination of Residential
Parent Status. (R. at 30.) In November 2010, James filed a motion to show cause
against Theresa for her failure to comply with the shared parenting plan by
withholding the children from him. (R. at 38.) James also requested immediate
temporary orders for parenting time based on Theresa’s refusal to comply with the
shared parenting plan. (R. at 39.) In January 2011, James filed a motion for
reallocation of parental rights and responsibilities to him. (R. at 69.) Later the
same month, Theresa filed a motion for magistrate’s order prohibiting James from
claiming any of the minor children as dependents for the 2010 tax year. (R. at 71.)
That motion was denied. (R. at 110.) In February 2011, Theresa filed a motion
for magistrate’s order prohibiting James “from going to the children’s school
and/or the childcare provider’s residence to pick up the children.” (R. at 88.)
Later the same month, James filed a motion for parenting time through Harmony
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House in order to “re-establish his relationship with his children.” (R. at 91.) That
motion was granted. (R. at 93.) In May 2011 James filed another motion to show
cause against Theresa, alleging that Theresa had claimed the children on her 2010
taxes and had not taken any action to amend the return to reflect the magistrate’s
order. (R. at 116.) In September 2011, Theresa filed a motion for an ex parte
order prohibiting James from visiting the minor children at school. (R. at 180.)
That motion was denied. (R. at 181.)
{¶5} In March 2011, the trial court appointed a guardian ad litem for the
children. (R. at 103.) Following the guardian ad litem’s report, which
recommended that James be named the residential parent, Theresa moved for an
appointment of attorney to represent the interests of the children. In her motion
Theresa contended that the guardian ad litem’s position is “in contravention of the
expressed desires of the children.” (R. at 132.) The trial court denied the motion
finding no evidence “to establish that an attorney for the children is either
necessary or essential to protect the interest of the children.” (R. at 144; see also
Tr. at 30.) The trial court did, however, conduct an in camera interview with the
two older children. (See R. at 154.)
{¶6} The parties presented their evidence on all pending issues on seven
different dates, between July 2011 and February 2012. The central issue at the
hearing was the matter of custody and visitation rights with the children. It was
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James’s claim that Theresa had restricted his ability to see the children, effectively
alienating him from the children. Theresa argued that James had failed to make an
effort to see the children and that he had been violent with them in the past. Based
on the testimony and evidence presented at the hearing, the magistrate of the trial
court issued its thirty-four-page-long Decision on May 31, 2012. We summarize
the relevant parts of the magistrate’s factual findings below.
Magistrate’s Findings
The Children
{¶7} The parties have three children. At the time of the hearing, J.R. was in
a primary school in Findlay. (R. at 232, at 5.) The magistrate noted J.R.’s speech
problems and ADHD. J.R. participated in speech intervention through the school.
(Id.) He also received speech therapy and treatment for ADHD. (Id.) J.R. did
“reasonably well in school” and participated in enrichment clusters. (Id.) J.R. did
not have behavior problems but was “very emotional” and displayed anxiety at
school, which was “not unique.” (Id.) The magistrate noted “extreme anxiety in
situations where Mother may be contacted.” (Id.) J.R. was involved in multiple
extracurricular activities, including cub scouts, sign language, choir, volleyball,
“just say no,” spring soccer, and wrestling.
{¶8} L.R. was a first grader. (Id.) The magistrate noted that L.R. had “very
poor vision” and hearing problems, which were addressed through an IEP at
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school. (Id.) The school was also providing speech therapy. (Id.) L.R.
participated in cub scouts, soccer, and wrestling. (Id.)
{¶9} A.R. was in pre-school during school year 2010-2011. The magistrate
noted that A.R. had “serious hearing problems and has Apraxia of speech. Her
speech problems are very significant. Only a few people can understand A.R.’s
speech.” (Id. at 5-6.) A.R. had an IEP and was receiving speech therapy through
the school. (Id. at 6.) The magistrate noted that A.R. “is in Gold Medal
gymnastics, but has trouble interacting with the other children.” (Id.)
{¶10} The magistrate met with J.R. and L.R. for in camera interviews. At
the time, J.R. was eight years old and L.R. was six years old. A.R. was three years
old and chose not to participate. (Id. at 4.) The magistrate concluded that the
children were “of tender age and limited understanding.” (Id. at 5.) The
magistrate noted that the children were anxious and had difficulty maintaining
focus during the interview. Although both boys expressed that they did not want
to see their father, they could not articulate the reasons. (Id. at 5.) Of note, the
magistrate commented that L.R.’s statements were “primarily based on other
peoples’ stories,” and J.R.’s statements “did not appear to be based on his personal
recollections.” (Id.) The magistrate concluded that neither boy had “sufficient
reasoning ability to express their wishes and concerns with respect to the
allocation of parental rights and responsibilities.” (Id.)
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The Parties
{¶11} The magistrate made the following observations about the parties.
After divorcing James, Theresa married Steven Lowery (“Steven”), and they live
together in Findlay, Ohio. (Id. at 6.) As of the time of the magistrate’s decision,
Steven had known the children for over four years and had a very positive
relationship with them. (Id.) The magistrate found that Steven was involved in
the children’s extracurricular activities and had taken the children to doctor’s
appointments. (Id.) Theresa and Steven attended church with the children. (Id.)
The children referred to Steven as Dad. (Id.) The magistrate noted that “[a]t some
point” after the hearing in this case commenced and concerns over children calling
Steven “Dad” were raised, Theresa and Steven attempted to correct the children.
Theresa testified that they “have tried everything to correct it.” (Id.) The
magistrate did not find this statement credible. (Id.) Theresa did not submit any
evidence of her income at the hearing, but after the hearing she submitted “a tax
return for 2010 showing income of $15,049.00, and a W2 form for 2011 showing
unemployment compensation of $7,281.00.” (Id.)
{¶12} The magistrate found that Theresa had been the primary caretaker for
the children and she was responsible for scheduling and taking the children to
medical appointments, as well as contacting the school. (Id. at 6.) Theresa’s
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family had a history of speech and hearing problems and therefore, Theresa had
“experience and training in meeting the special needs of the children.” (Id. at 6.)
{¶13} At the time of the hearing, James lived near Dunkirk, Ohio. He
worked at Kuss Corporation a.k.a. Cummins Filtration, and at IOP Filter in
Findlay, earning $39,755.55 a year. (Id. at 7.) James maintained health insurance
and dental insurance for the children. (Id.) In spite of Theresa’s allegations of
physical and sexual abuse, the magistrate found no evidence that James had “ever
sexually or physically abused the children, or permitted abuse.” (Id. at 9.) James
was in a long-term relationship with Naomi Corwin (“Naomi”), whose children
were ages 16, 12, and 6. Naomi had an old criminal record, which did not include
abuse or neglect of children, and which “may just be a disorderly conduct
conviction.” (Id. at 7.)
{¶14} James did not participate in school meetings or conferences. (Id. at
6.) He had not been in touch with the children’s doctors or counselors since
October 2010. (Id. at 13.) Although James was “not perfectly current” in his child
support payments, the magistrate found him “substantially compliant with the
child support orders.” (Id. at 13.)
Relationship between the Parties
{¶15} The magistrate commented that throughout the divorce proceedings
in Hardin County, “the parties did not cooperate with each other.” (Id. at 7.)
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Theresa apparently “withheld the children” from James and made
“unsubstantiated” allegations to children’s protective services of physical and
sexual abuse by James. (Id. at 7; see also R. at 259, at 2.) The magistrate
commented that the parties’ shared parenting plan, approved in October 2008,
“established a rather complicated schedule that provided Father with parenting
time with the children each week, during summer vacations, and on holidays.” (R.
at 232, at 4.)
{¶16} Between October 2008 and April 2009, James had “most of his
scheduled parenting time.” (Id. at 7.) On April 8, 2009, the parties got into a
heated argument in front of the children during a visitation exchange. As a result,
Theresa left without exchanging the children for James’s scheduled parenting
time. James followed in his vehicle. (Id. at 8.) The police were called to “a
domestic dispute in progress” and Detective David Gonzales (“Detective
Gonzales”) of the Findlay Police Department was flagged down by James. (Id. at
8.) James talked about the situation to Detective Gonzales. His demeanor was
described as “appropriate”; he was “cooperative and did not appear to be a threat.”
(Id.) Yet, Theresa filed a Petition for a Civil Stalking or Sexually Oriented
Offense Protection Order based on the April 8 incident. James had “essentially
not seen the children” since that time. (Id. at 8.)
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{¶17} Theresa’s petition for a protection order was pending for over a year
and was eventually resolved in May 2010, when the parties entered into a consent
agreement. According to the consent agreement, James was allowed to contact
Theresa in writing on issues relating to children. The magistrate described
James’s attempts to contact Theresa, as follows.
Since April 2009, Defendant attempted to contact Plaintiff by
telephone once. In 2011, he called the last number he had for
Plaintiff and left a message about Christmas visitation. Plaintiff
received the message. Plaintiff did not return the call. On or about
June 10, 2010, Defendant sent a letter to Plaintiff by certified mail.
(Plaintiff’s Exhibit 20). This written communication was sent less
than two weeks after the Civil Stalking Protection Order Consent
Agreement was issued which permitted written communication from
Defendant to Plaintiff. On June 23, 2010, he received the letter back
marked unclaimed. On July 3, 2010, Defendant sent a letter dated
July 1, 2010 to Plaintiff by certified mail. After July 28, 2010, he
received the letter back marked unclaimed. (Plaintiff’s Exhibits 21,
23, and 25). On July 20, 2010, Defendant sent a letter to Plaintiff by
certified mail. (Plaintiff’s Exhibit 22). He received the letter back
marked unclaimed. On September 24, 2010, Defendant sent a letter
to Plaintiff by certified mail. Mr. Lowery signed for the letter on
September 25, 2010. (Plaintiffs Exhibit 24). Plaintiff did not
respond to the letter. Defendant sent other letters but did not submit
written evidence at hearing.
(Id. at 8-9.)
{¶18} The magistrate noted that Theresa “has made no effort to contact
Defendant since before April 8, 2009,” and further described Theresa’s actions as
follows.
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Since April 2009, Plaintiff has provided no written notices to
Defendant. Plaintiff has not provided Defendant notice of parent-
teacher conferences, Boy Scouts, or any of the children’s activities.
The children were in counseling with Barbara Stickle at the Family
Resource Center during the divorce. Services started on January 4,
2008. At some point, the counselor initiated a joint counseling
session with [J.R.] and his father. The joint session went well and
progress was made. After this joint session with father and child,
Mother terminated counseling with Ms Stickle. Mother terminated
the counseling without consultation with Father. Plaintiff says that
after this session, she tried to schedule more counseling sessions, but
it just would not fit into the schedule. She also indicated that [J.R.]
was no longer comfortable counseling with Ms Stickle. Mother’s
statements of why she terminated counseling with Ms Stickle are not
credible.
(Id. at 9.)
{¶19} Theresa wanted James to consent to a step-parent adoption believing
it would be in the children’s best interest to terminate James’s parental rights. (Id.
at 13.) Conversely, the guardian ad litem recommended that James be named as
the residential parent. (Id. at 21.)
James’s Visits with the Children
{¶20} The magistrate recognized that “[t]hroughout the pendency of this
case, Defendant has not been receiving his regular scheduled parenting time.” (Id.
at 9-10.) After James’s request for supervised visitations at Harmony House was
granted, the following “pattern developed in the conduct of the visits.” (Id. at 10.)
Mother would bring the children to the Harmony House. Father
would come to the Harmony House and would go to the assigned
room. Mother and Harmony House staff would encourage the
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children to participate in the visits. The children would refuse to
enter the visitation room. Harmony House staff would tell Father of
the problem. Mother and the children would leave. After they left,
Father would leave.
(Id. at 10-11.) Although “there were some variations in this pattern, * * * this case
presented the longest period of time that children have gone without the children
visiting the parent.” (Id. at 10-11.) The magistrate commented that throughout
this process the children have been told by Harmony House staff, mother, and
Steve that they did not need to visit if they did not want to and that the visitation
was the children’s decision. (Id. at 10.)
{¶21} The magistrate next described James’s attempts to visit the older
children at school. In 2011, Father contacted the principal at the older children’s
school asking if he could visit J.R. and L.R. at school and indicating that he did
not want to disturb the boys or the school. The visit did not occur. Subsequently,
the Principal talked to Theresa, who told him that “Father was not to have contact
with the boys. Mother was very adamant that Father was not to contact the
children and that the school was to contact her if Father attempted to have
contact.” (Id. at 11.) Theresa repeatedly instructed the school not to let James
have contact with the children. (Id.) Furthermore, she filed the February 2011
motion for an order prohibiting James from contacting the children at school, in
which she alleged that James visited the school and “insisted that the principal
release the children to him.” (Id.; R. at 88.) Based on the principal’s testimony,
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the magistrate found that the claims were unfounded as James “did not insist that
the principal release the children, and made no effort to remove the children from
school,” but behaved cordially, appropriately, and tried not to cause any
disturbance in the school schedule. (R. at 232, at 11.)
{¶22} Another situation occurred when James wanted to visit J.R. a day
after his birthday in 2011. (Id. at 11.) James called the school, then met with J.R.
in the school office and gave him a birthday present. (Id.) Although the visit went
well and J.R. did not display ill effects from the visit while at school after the visit,
Theresa reported that “[J.R.] was upset when he got home”; he was crying, had an
upset stomach, and was throwing up. (Id.) The magistrate further commented that
“in the days after the Father’s visit and after Mother’s call, [J.R.] reported stomach
aches and vomiting in the school bathroom, and displayed some anxiety.” (Id. at
11-12.)
{¶23} On L.R.’s birthday James attempted to visit him at school. “The
school guidance counselor encouraged [L.R.] to go into the office to see his
father,” but “[L.R.] cried, did not go into the room, and said he had to call his
mother.” (Id. at 12.) The magistrate further found that
Father did not force the visit, apologized to the staff, and left the
school. Father left a birthday present for [L.R.]. [L.R.] had no
problems for the rest of the school day. At the end of the school day,
[L.R.] went to the counselor and asked for the gift. The counselor
called Mother after the visit. Mother expressed her concern and left
the counselor with the feeling that Mother did not want visits to
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happen. Mother went to the school after the phone call, and talked
with [L.R.]’s teacher. Mother testified that [L.R.] came home and
went straight to his room. Mother said that after Father’s appearance
at school, [L.R.] was withdrawn and no longer wanted to participate
in extracurricular activities.
(Id. at 11-12.) Due to the fact that A.R. “does not really know” James, he did not
attempt to visit her at school. (Id. at 12.) The magistrate found that James’s
“actions and communications were consistent with the behaviors and actions of
the parent who is supposed to be sharing in the parenting of children.” (Id. at 22.)
{¶24} J.R. was in counseling during some of the time at issue. The
magistrate noted that “[a]t the commencement of counseling, Mother repeated the
allegations of physical and sexual abuse of [J.R.] by Father.” (Id. at 12.) J.R. was
afraid of his father, noting two incidents, “one involving a ball bat and another
involving a poke in the chest.” (Id. at 12.) He did not have insight into his
reasons for not wanting to visit with James. (Id.) Although the counselor
generally did not see indications that J.R. was being coached, a manner in which
J.R. reported an incident of bed wetting “raised concerns that the child was
prompted or coached.” (Id. at 12.) The counselor was unable to determine
whether J.R.’s reported problems with his father were real or imagined. (Id. at
12.) She was concerned, however, about forcing J.R. into visitations with James
due to J.R.’s expressed fear of the situation. (Id. at 13.)
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{¶25} Theresa and Steven had apparently talked with the children about
James’s visitations but indicated that the visitations were the children’s decision
and they did not intend to force them. (Id. at 12.)
{¶26} The magistrate commented that it was “not surprising that the
children are reluctant to see Father,” as J.R. and L.R. “were of very tender years
when their parents separated,” and A.R. was not yet born, so she had “no
memories of life during her parent’s marriage.” (Id. at 21.) The magistrate
referenced “repeated investigations of repeated unfounded allegations,” limited
contact with the father, and lack of encouragement from the mother that have
contributed to the children’s reluctance. (Id.) The magistrate concluded that the
children “have been denied contact with their Father” and they “have been taught
to be afraid of their Father.” (Id. at 28.)
2010 Tax Return
{¶27} As a result of the prior court orders, James was entitled to claim J.R.
and A.R. as his dependents for 2010 tax year. In spite of this, Theresa filed her
2010 tax return claiming all three children as her dependents. Theresa later
explained that it was caused by her tax preparer’s mistake. The magistrate found
this claim “deceptive” because “[a]t the time the tax preparer was supposedly
making a mistake,” Theresa’s motion asking that the court prohibit James from
claiming the children as dependents was pending. (Id. at 16-17.) She further
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failed to amend her tax return for two months after the magistrate’s order denying
her motion. (Id. at 17.)
Theresa’s Credibility
{¶28} After observing Theresa’s demeanor at the hearings, the magistrate
concluded that Theresa’s credibility was “[a] significant problem in this case.”
(Id. at 13.) The magistrate recognized that Theresa’s testimony was “rife with
inconsistencies, and either fabrications or serious misinterpretations.” (Id.) It was
“at odds with the testimony of the school administrators,” the police officers, and
other witnesses. (Id.) Therefore, the magistrate did not consider credible
Theresa’s statements that were “not supported by independent testimony or
evidence.” (Id.)
Magistrate’s Recommendations
{¶29} The magistrate found that it was in the children’s best interest to
have frequent and continuing contact with both parents. (R. at 232, at 24-25.)
Based on the history of Theresa denying James parenting time and her refusal to
cooperate and make decisions jointly, shared parenting was no longer in the
children’s best interest. (Id. at 20-22.) Therefore, the magistrate recommended
that the shared parenting plan be terminated and James be designated as the
residential parent of the children, as that was “the only way to create an
opportunity for Father to have contact with the children.” (Id. at 23.) The
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magistrate recommended that Theresa should have “substantial parenting time,”
from Sunday evening until Friday afternoon during school weeks, and that the
children remain in Findlay City Schools. (Id. at 4, 32.) The magistrate
recommended that Theresa pay child support to James to cover expenses resulting
from being the residential parent, but allowed for a deviation from the basic child
support schedule. (Id. at 27.) Therefore, Theresa was to pay $89.35 per month in
child support. (Id. at 28.)
{¶30} Further, the magistrate recommended that Theresa should be found
in contempt of court for denying parenting time to James. (Id. at 16.) The
magistrate also recommended that Theresa be found in contempt for failure “to
amend her 2010 tax return in a timely manner in blatant disregard of the
Magistrate’s Order issued on March 23, 2011.” (Id. at 17.) The magistrate gave
Theresa opportunities to purge and recommended that she pay $500.00 to James as
reimbursement for attorney fees in contempt actions. (Id. at 17-18.)
{¶31} The magistrate also recommended approval of the guardian ad
litem’s fees and found that Theresa should be responsible for payment of the fees
for six out of seven days of hearing, which were consumed by the presentation of
her case. (Id. at 29-30.) Additionally, the magistrate recommended that Theresa
pay all court costs based on the following findings:
Plaintiff is in contempt of Court, and should pay all Court costs
relating to Defendant’s Motions to Show Cause.
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Plaintiff initiated these proceedings by seeking transfer from Hardin
County, where Defendant still lived, to Hancock County. Plaintiff
filed motions requesting extreme relief, including Plaintiff’s Motion
to Terminate Shared Parenting Plan and to Designate Plaintiff as the
Residential Parent and to Terminate or Limit Defendant’s Parental
Rights, and Plaintiff’s Motion for Emergency Order Suspending
Defendant’s Parenting Time until Court Determination of
Residential Parent Status and Request for Hearing. On February 16,
2011, Plaintiff filed a motion based on a falsehood: Plaintiff’s
Motion for Magistrate’s Order to prohibit Defendant from picking
up the children from school or child care. Plaintiff filed a Motion for
Magistrate’s Order relating to tax dependency exemptions while
proceeding to violate the prior court orders allocating those tax
dependency exemptions. Plaintiff’s conduct in this case has
prolonged and complicated these proceedings. Plaintiff should pay
the Court costs.
(Id. at 30-31.)
Subsequent Proceedings
{¶32} After an extension of time, Theresa filed objections to magistrate’s
decision on October 29, 2012. (R. at 238.) Responses were filed and in December
2012, the matter was submitted to the trial court for a ruling on the objections.
Rather than ruling on the objections, however, the trial court scheduled additional
conferences with the parties on April 17, 2013, June 5, 2013, and July 31, 2013.
On July 31, 2013, the trial court filed conference minutes and an order in which it
stated that objections to the magistrate’s decision remain pending. (R. at 256.) No
further procedural events are documented in the record until May 2015, when the
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trial court issued its fifteen-page decision and order overruling Theresa’s
objections. (R. at 259.)
{¶33} Three days later, Theresa filed a motion for reconsideration and
evidentiary hearing, requesting that the court review additional evidence and
testimony regarding the time that has passed since the last court hearing on
January 6, 2012 until May 2015. (R. at 260.) She also filed a motion to maintain
her as the residential parent and for an evidentiary hearing prior to issuance of
final order. (R. at 265.) The trial court issued its final judgment entry on May 27,
2015, adopting the magistrate’s recommendations. (R. at 270.) Theresa filed this
timely appeal alleging eight assignments of error, as quoted below.
Assignments of Error
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR I
The Trial Court’s award of custody to Appellee was against the
manifest weight of evidence and not in the best interest of the
minor children.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR II
The Trial Court erred in ordering the Appellant to pay child
support to the Appellee when the children primarily reside with
the Appellant and the Appellant has the primary responsibility
for the care, sustenance and support of the minor children.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR Ill
The Trial Court erred in finding the Appellant in contempt for a
denial of parenting time to Appellee.
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ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR IV
The Trial Court erred in finding the Appellant in contempt for
claiming one of the minor children as a dependent when the
Appellant contacted her tax preparer, notified her tax preparer,
and filed an amended return.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR V
The Trial Court erred in approving Guardian Ad Litem fees for
no evidence or testimony was presented to establish that the fees
were fair and reasonable. In addition, the Trial Court erred in
ordering a disproportionate division of the fees between the
parties.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR VI
The Trial Court erred as a result of its failure to appoint an
attorney to represent the interests of the minor children when
the wishes of the children were at odds with the
recommendations of the Guardian Ad Litem.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR VII
The Trial Court erred as a result of its failure to issue a ruling
upon objections for a period of more than three years from the
filing of the magistrate’s decision. Further, the Trial Court erred
in not scheduling an evidentiary hearing upon the issue of
changes in circumstances that had occurred during the three
year period of time that followed the magistrate’s decision.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR VIII
The Trial Court erred as a result of its ordering that the
Appellant pay all court costs incurred in the proceedings.
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Analysis
First Assignment of Error—Allocation of Parental Rights and Responsibilities
{¶34} Theresa complains about the trial court’s designation of James as the
residential parent of the children upon terminating the parties’ shared parenting
plan. She asserts that the decision was against the manifest weight of the evidence
and not in the best interest of the minor children.
{¶35} When terminating a shared parenting plan and issuing a new decree
for allocation of parental rights and responsibilities, the trial court must consider
the best interest of the children under the factors outlined in R.C. 3109.04(F)(1).
These factors include:
(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; 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.
R.C. 3109.04(F)(1). The court is required to consider all other relevant
circumstances in making its determination. See R.C. 3109.04(F)(1).
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Case No. 5-15-20
{¶36} The trial court’s determination of what is in the best interest of the
child will not be reversed absent an abuse of discretion. Errington v. Errington,
3d Dist. Wyandot No. 16-01-17, 2002-Ohio-1419, *2. This standard requires that
the trial court’s reasoning not be disturbed unless it was “unreasonable, arbitrary
or unconscionable,” because the trial judge is best equipped to determine and
weigh the credibility of the proffered testimony. Davis v. Flickinger, 77 Ohio St.
3d 415, 416, 418, 674 N.E.2d 1159 (1997); Blakemore v. Blakemore, 5 Ohio St. 3d
217, 219, 450 N.E.2d 1140 (1983).
{¶37} In the case at issue, the magistrate and the trial court reviewed the
factors of R.C. 3109.04(F)(1) listed above and specifically noted the following.
Each parent wanted to be named the residential parent—factor (a); the children did
not have sufficient reasoning ability to express their wishes—factor (b); the
children had strong ties to Theresa and Steven and did not have strong ties to
James and Naomi—factor (c); the children had strong historical and family ties to
Northwest Ohio and did well in Findlay City Schools, benefiting from special
school programs that have been tailored to their needs—factor (d); no mental or
physical issues of the parents were noted, but the children’s special needs were
recognized—factor (e); James was more likely to honor and facilitate court-
approved parenting time—factor (f); “child support arrearages” were not
significant as James “substantially complied” with his child support obligations—
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Case No. 5-15-20
factor (g); neither parent had a history of neglect or abuse of a child, contrary to
Theresa’s unsubstantiated allegations against James—factor (h); Theresa had “a
long history of keeping the children from Father”—factor (i); neither parent has
established or planned to establish a residence outside the state—factor (j). (R. at
232, at 5, 13, 19-21.) The magistrate and the trial court recognized that the
guardian ad litem recommended father to be named as residential parent. (See id.
at 21.)
{¶38} Relying on applicable case law, the magistrate found factors (f) and
(i) particularly relevant to the determination of the children’s best interest. The
magistrate cited a case from the Twelfth District Court of Appeals, which reversed
the trial court’s designation of mother as the residential parent based on her
interference with father’s visitation time. (Id. at 24, citing In re D.M., 196 Ohio
App.3d 50, 2011-Ohio-3918, 962 N.E.2d 334, ¶ 37 (12th Dist.).) That court held:
We find that it was arbitrary for the juvenile court to grant custody
of D.M. to the mother, a parent (1) who has repeatedly denied the
father his parenting time, (2) who was twice found in contempt by
the juvenile court for denying the father’s parenting time on ten
occasions in the span of a year (July 2009 to July 2010), (3) who is
determined to interfere with the father’s parenting time as noted by
the GAL in her second report, (4) who has in fact interfered with the
father’s parenting time and whose interference has caused great
distress to the child, as reported by the GAL in her second report,
and (5) who, in the juvenile court’s own words, “has demonstrated
repeatedly her unwillingness to not only cooperate with the father
concerning his relationship and parenting time with the child, but her
unwillingness to cooperate with this Court’s Orders.”
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In re D.M. at ¶ 35. In its reasoning the Twelfth District Court of Appeals
recognized that “the mother has been the primary caregiver of the child since he
was born,” but refused to give this factor “ ‘presumptive weight over other
relevant factors.’ ” Id. at ¶ 29, quoting Terry L. v. Eva E., 12th Dist. Madison No.
CA2006-05-019, 2007-Ohio-916, ¶ 17. Instead, that court relied on the children’s
right to “love each parent” and the “need for parenting by both parents.” Id. at ¶
30, 34, quoting Davis v. Flickinger, 77 Ohio St.3d 415, 419, 1997-Ohio-260, 674
N.E.2d 1159 (1997), and In re Custody of Harris, 168 Ohio App.3d 1, 2006-Ohio-
3649, 857 N.E.2d 1235, ¶ 11 (2d Dist.). Similarly, the Ohio Supreme Court held
that “[w]hen one parent begins to cut out another parent, especially one that has
been fully involved in that child’s life, the best interest of the child is materially
affected.” (Emphasis sic.) Davis at 419.
{¶39} Theresa argues that the trial court’s findings regarding her
interference with parenting time are against the manifest weight of the evidence.
The manifest weight of the evidence “refers to a greater amount of credible
evidence and relates to persuasion.” Eastley v. Volkman, 132 Ohio St.3d 328,
2012-Ohio-2179, 972 N.E.2d 517, ¶ 19 (2012). Under this standard, the reviewing
court “does not reweigh the evidence,” but it applies the presumption that the
findings of the trier of fact are correct. Southeast Land Dev., Ltd. v. Primrose
Mgt. L.L.C., 193 Ohio App.3d 465, 2011-Ohio-2341, 952 N.E.2d 563, ¶ 7 (3d
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Case No. 5-15-20
Dist.); Drummer v. Drummer, 3d Dist. Putnam No. 12-11-10, 2012-Ohio-3064, ¶
7. “Mere disagreement over the credibility of witnesses or evidence is not
sufficient reason to reverse a judgment.” Drummer at ¶ 7; citing State v. Wilson,
113 Ohio St.3d 382, 865 N.E.2d 1264, 2007-Ohio-2202, ¶ 40. Therefore, “a
judgment supported by some competent and credible evidence will not be reversed
by a reviewing court as being against the manifest weight of the evidence.”
Lambert v. Merrick, Inc., 3d Dist. Hancock No. 5-92-11, 1992 WL 209298, *2
(Aug. 31, 1992).
{¶40} In the instant case, the record supports the magistrate and the trial
court’s finding that Theresa defied the court’s orders, denied James parenting
time, and engaged in deceptive tactics to prevent him from having any contact
with his children. In addition to the examples noted by the magistrate in his
findings of fact, the record is replete with examples of Theresa’s actions and
statements that impeded James’s ability to engage in meaningful contact with his
children. (See, e.g., Tr. at 96, 102-103, 113, 1284 (making repeated unsupported
allegations to counselors and staff at Harmony House about sexual abuse or
emotional abuse of the children); 382, 384, 385 (repeatedly instructing the school
principal that James was not to have any contact with the children at school); Tr. at
905, Ex. W (indicating that Theresa listed Steve in children’s school papers, while
excluding James and stating that she had sole custody of the child); Tr. at 1284,
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Case No. 5-15-20
1327 (indicating “constantly” to the counselor that she did not want James to be
around the children).) Her actions of filing motions to prevent James from picking
up children from school and to terminate his parenting rights, are in contravention
to her assertions that she did not prevent James from seeing the children and that
she encouraged the children’s relationship with him. Theresa effectively blocked
James from the children’s lives, estranging them from him to the point where A.R.
did not believe he was her father; J.R. told the school’s principal that he “would
not be allowed” to have lunch with James; and the children called Steve “Dad.”
(See, e.g., Ex. 9 at 7; Tr. at 120-121; 367.) Because the findings of the court
below regarding Theresa’s wrongdoing and lack of credibility are well-supported
by the record, we reject her contentions that the trial court’s decision was against
the manifest weight of the evidence.
{¶41} Theresa points to the fact that “the children are bound” with her and
Steven, while James “is not, and has not been, actively involved in any aspect of
the children’s lives since at least the year 2009.” (App’t Br. at 17.) Based on the
magistrate’s findings, approved by the trial court and supported by the record, the
fact that the children are bound with Theresa and Steven and have no relationship
with James is due to Theresa’s wrongdoing. The trial court’s decision aims to
correct that wrongdoing and afford the children a frequent and continuing contact
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Case No. 5-15-20
with both parents, which according to the law and the record before us, is in the
children’s best interest.
{¶42} The findings of the magistrate and the trial court are not against the
manifest weight of the evidence and support the decision that award of custody to
James is in the children’s best interest. Therefore, Theresa’s first assignment of
error is overruled.
Assignments of Error II, III, IV, V, and VIII—Lack of Support
{¶43} The second, third, fourth, fifth, and eighth assignments of error are
addressed together due to the same standard that guides their resolution. App.R.
16(A)(7) requires that an appellant include in his or her brief: “An argument
containing the contentions of the appellant with respect to each assignment of
error presented for review and the reasons in support of the contentions, with
citations to the authorities, statutes, and parts of the record on which appellant
relies.” (Emphasis added.) “It is not the duty of an appellate court to search the
record for evidence to support an appellant’s argument as to any alleged error.”
Rodriguez v. Rodriguez, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 91412, 2009-Ohio-3456, ¶ 7.
Rather, “an appellate court may disregard an assignment of error pursuant to
App.R. 12(A)(2): ‘if the party raising it fails to identify in the record the error on
which the assignment of error is based or fails to argue the assignment separately
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Case No. 5-15-20
in the brief, as required under App.R. 16(A).’ ” Id. at ¶ 4, quoting App.R.
12(A)(2).
{¶44} In the second assignment of error Theresa complains about the award
of child support to James and submits a one-paragraph “argument” that lacks any
legal support or references to the record. Similarly, assignments of error three and
four, which challenge the trial court’s findings of contempt, lack proper support
and consist of restating Theresa’s claims that were found not credible in the trial
court. The fifth assignment of error includes a complaint about the amount of
guardian ad litem’s fees and a “disproportionate division” of the fees between the
parties. No support is offered for Theresa’s claims that the fees were unreasonable
or that they should have been divided equally between the parties. In the eighth
assignment of error Theresa claims that “[t]here exists no basis within the Trial
Court’s Decision as to why the appellant is required to bear the entire court costs
of these proceedings.” (App’t Br. at 24.) This claim is contradicted by the
quoted-above reasoning of the magistrate, as approved by the trial court, detailing
the reasons for imposing costs on Theresa. (See R. at 232, at 30-31.)
Additionally, Theresa fails to support her three-sentence “argument” in this
assignment of error with any authorities or citations to the record.
{¶45} We thus decline to find an error on the part of the trial court, as
alleged in the second, third, fourth, fifth, and eighth assignments of error, when
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Case No. 5-15-20
these errors are not properly argued on appeal. See Rodriguez at ¶ 7 (“ ‘An
appellate court is not a performing bear, required to dance to each and every tune
played on an appeal.’ ”), quoting State v. Watson, 126 Ohio App.3d 316, 321, 710
N.E.2d 340 (12th Dist.1998).
{¶46} We note, however, that no errors prejudicial to Theresa are apparent
from the record. The trial court is vested with discretion in determining matters of
child support, allocation of court costs, finding of contempt, and approving and
dividing guardian ad litem’s fees. See August v. August, 3d Dist. Hancock No. 5-
13-26, 2014-Ohio-3986, ¶ 20 (award of child support); Walker v. Walker, 3d Dist.
Marion No. 9-12-15, 2013-Ohio-1496, ¶ 38 (contempt); Strauss v. Strauss, 8th
Dist. Cuyahoga No. 95377, 2011-Ohio-3831, ¶ 76 (guardian ad litem’s fees);
Nithiananthan v. Toirac, 12th Dist. Warren Nos. CA2014-02-021, CA2014-02-
028, CA2014-08-114, 2015-Ohio-1416, ¶ 89 (allocation of court costs).
Therefore, we will not reverse the trial court’s decision in these matters unless we
find it contrary to law, unreasonable, not supported by the evidence, or grossly
unsound. Muckensturm v. Muckensturm, 3d Dist. Hancock No. 5-11-38, 2012-
Ohio-3062, ¶ 16; Bruce v. Bruce, 3d Dist. Marion No. 9-10-57, 2012-Ohio-45, ¶
13. The record sufficiently supports the magistrate and the trial court’s findings
on the issue of child support, contempt, and allocation of fees and costs.
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Case No. 5-15-20
{¶47} Therefore, Theresa’s contentions in the second, third, fourth, fifth,
and eighth assignments of error are not well taken and these assignments of error
are overruled.
Sixth Assignment of Error—Request for Separate Counsel for the Children
{¶48} In the sixth assignment of error Theresa cites an Ohio Supreme Court
opinion for a proposition that the magistrate was required to appoint an attorney to
represent the interests of the minor children because the children’s wishes “were at
odds with the recommendations of the Guardian Ad Litem.” (App’t Br. at 23,
citing In re Williams, 101 Ohio St.3d 398, 2004-Ohio-1500, 805 N.E.2d 1110. In
Williams, the Ohio Supreme Court was asked to determine “when a juvenile court
must appoint counsel for a child who is the subject of a proceeding to terminate
parental rights.” (Emphasis added.) Id. at ¶ 1. The Williams court focused its
inquiry around R.C. 2151.352, which provides for a right to counsel “at all stages
of the proceedings under this chapter or Chapter 2152. of the Revised Code.” Id.
at ¶ 13, quoting R.C. 2151.352. Unlike Williams, this case does not involve
termination of parental rights or Chapters 2152 and 2151 of the Revised Code.
Thus, the reasoning used by the Ohio Supreme Court in Williams does not apply
here. See also Jennings-Harder v. Yarmesch, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 83984,
2004-Ohio-3960, ¶ 19 (holding that the parties’ reliance on Williams in a
proceeding to modify parental rights was “somewhat misguided” because the Ohio
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Case No. 5-15-20
Supreme Court “did not decide that a child is always entitled to independent
counsel”).
{¶49} Civ.R. 75(B)(2), which governs “Divorce, annulment, and legal
separation actions,” states that “[w]hen it is essential to protect the interests of a
child, the court may join the child of the parties as a party defendant and appoint a
guardian ad litem and legal counsel, if necessary, for the child and tax the costs.”
(Emphasis added.) This rule “does not require the court to appoint counsel for the
children in every case where there is conflict between the children’s wishes and
the guardian ad litem’s assessment of their best interest.” O’Malley v. O’Malley,
8t Dist. Cuyahoga No. 98708, 2013-Ohio-5238, ¶ 51. Rather, it is up to the trial
court’s discretion whether to appoint counsel for children. Id. at ¶ 50.
{¶50} We find no abuse of discretion in the denial of Theresa’s motion for
separate counsel for the children where nothing indicates that the guardian ad
litem failed to protect the children’s interests. See id. at ¶ 51 (finding that there
was no need to appoint separate counsel for the children were “the children’s
interests were sufficiently protected by the guardian ad litem”). The guardian ad
litem submitted thorough reports, in which she disclosed that the children wished
to stay with their mother. Further, after talking with the children, the magistrate
determined that they did not have independent reasoning ability to express their
wishes with respect to the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities.
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Case No. 5-15-20
{¶51} For all of the foregoing reasons, we overrule the sixth assignment of
error.
Seventh Assignment of Error—Delay in Ruling on Objections
{¶52} In this assignment of error, Theresa complains about the three-year
delay in ruling on her objections to the magistrate’s decision and the trial court’s
failure to hold a new evidentiary hearing due to the alleged change in
circumstances that had occurred during these three years. Once again Theresa
fails to support her claim with any legal argument or citations to the record.
{¶53} Several of our sister appellate districts have been presented with
similar arguments. For example, the Second District Court of Appeals called a
two-year delay between the magistrate’s decision and the trial court’s judgment
adopting the decision “considerable.” Hall v. Hall, 2d Dist. No. 2013 CA 15,
2013-Ohio-3758, ¶ 34. It refused, however, to reverse the trial court’s decision on
this basis because the defendant “failed to establish that he was prejudiced in any
way.” Id. The court further noted that the defendant “could have filed a writ with
this Court asking us to compel the trial court to rule on the objections.” Id. His
failure to avail himself of such a remedy undermined his claim of prejudice. Id.;
see also Toliver v. Duwel, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 24768, 2012-Ohio-846, ¶ 96
(refusing to reverse the trial court’s decision based on a delay where the appellant
failed to point to any prejudice and failed to avail herself of the remedy of a writ
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Case No. 5-15-20
of procedendo). Likewise, the Ninth District Court of Appeals recognized that a
delay of more than fifteen months was “uncommonly lengthy under the
circumstances.” Friess v. Hague, 9th Dist. Lorain No. 96CA006518, 1997 WL
460163, *2 (Aug. 6, 1997). It refused, however, to reverse the trial court’s
judgment absent a showing of prejudice by the appellant. Id. Due to the
appellant’s failure to move the trial court to rule upon his objections, the court
found that he acquiesced in the delay, which supported the “conclusion he was not
prejudiced by it.” Id. See also State ex rel. Scioto Cty. Child Support
Enforcement Agency v. Adams, 4th Dist. Scioto No. 98CA2617, 1999 WL 597257,
*9 (July 23, 1999) (rejecting an argument that a sixteen-month delay before the
magistrate issued its decision constituted a violation of due process where there
was no prejudice to the appellant resulting from the delay and the appellant failed
to file “a petition for a writ of procedendo to remedy the magistrate’s failure to
timely reach a decision”).
{¶54} This case is similar to Hall, Toliver, Friess, and Adams. Theresa
fails to show prejudice from the delay, and her failure to file a writ of procedendo
shows her acquiescence to the delay, which undermines her claim of prejudice. In
fact, we recognize that the delay in this case was beneficial to Theresa’s interests,
as it delayed an implementation of the judgment that was unfavorable to her.
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Case No. 5-15-20
Theresa fails to point to any law or evidence in the record that would require a
reversal based on the trial court’s failure to conduct an additional hearing.1
{¶55} While we do not approve of a three-year delay in rendering a
judgment by the trial court, we refuse to find error prejudicial to Theresa and we
overrule the seventh assignment of error.
Conclusion
{¶56} Having reviewed the arguments, the briefs, and the record in this
case, we find no error prejudicial to Appellant in the particulars assigned and
argued. The judgment of the Common Pleas Court of Hancock County, Ohio,
Domestic Relations Division is therefore affirmed.
Judgment Affirmed
SHAW and PRESTON, J.J., concur.
/hlo
1
Nothing in this decision precludes Theresa from filing a motion for modification based on a change in
circumstances under R.C. 3109.04, and supporting it by new evidence in the trial court.
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Lowery v. Ridgeway
Combined Opinion