In re Z.B.C.

[Cite as In re Z.B.C., 2016-Ohio-1612.]

COURT OF APPEALS
STARK COUNTY, OHIO
FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

JUDGES:
IN THE MATTER OF: Hon. John W. Wise, P. J.
Hon. Patricia A. Delaney, J.
Hon. Craig R. Baldwin, J.
Z.B.C.
Case No. 2016 CA 00011

MINOR CHILD OPINION

CHARACTER OF PROCEEDING: Appeal from the Court of Common Pleas,
Juvenile Division, Case No. 2013 JCV
01121

JUDGMENT: Affirmed

DATE OF JUDGMENT ENTRY: April 18, 2016

APPEARANCES:

For Plaintiff-Appellee For Defendant-Appellant

JAMES B. PHILLIPS BRANDY LOGSDON THORNE
QUAY COMPTON ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER
SCJFS 201 Cleveland Avenue SW
221 Third Street, SE Suite 104
Canton, Ohio 44702 Canton, Ohio
Stark County, Case No. 2016 CA 00011 2

Wise, P. J.

{¶1} Appellant-Father J.B. appeals the judgment of the Stark County Common

Pleas Court, Juvenile Division, awarding permanent custody of his son Z.B.C. to Appellee

Stark County Department of Job and Family Services.

STATEMENT OF THE FACTS AND CASE

{¶2} Appellant J.B. is the biological father of Z.B.C., born October 15, 2013.

Appellee Stark County Department of Job and Family Services (SCJFS) initially became

involved with Appellant and Z.B.C. when the child’s mother arrived at a local emergency

room with burns consistent with the possible production/manufacturing of

methamphetamine.

{¶3} A search of Appellant and Mother’s home found no evidence of drug

production. However the home was found to be in deplorable condition. (T. at 8).

{¶4} On November 4, 2013, an emergency shelter care hearing was held where

the trial court found probable cause for the involvement of SCJFS and placed Z.B.C. and

his brother Z.B.C. in the emergency temporary custody of the SCJFS.

{¶5} On November 26, 2013, the trial court found the children to be dependent

and placed them into the temporary custody of SCJFS. The trial court approved and

adopted the case plan and found that SCJFS had made reasonable efforts to prevent the

need for continued removal of the children from the home.

{¶6} On April 9, 2014, the trial court reviewed the case. The trial court approved

and adopted the case plan review packet and maintained status quo.

{¶7} On September 30, 2014, the trial court again reviewed the case. The trial

court approved and adopted the case plan review packet and maintained status quo.
Stark County, Case No. 2016 CA 00011 3

{¶8} On October 2, 2014, SCJFS filed a motion seeking permanent custody of

the children.

{¶9} On November 21, 2014, Father, through his counsel, filed a Motion to

Extend Temporary Custody.

{¶10} On December 2, 2014, the trial court heard evidence on SCJFS's motion

seeking permanent custody of the children. Mother, through counsel, made an oral motion

at the hearing to Extend Temporary Custody. The trial court denied the SCJFS motion for

Permanent Custody and granted a Temporary Custody Extension until May 3, 2015.

{¶11} On March 27, 2015, the trial court again reviewed the case. The trial court

approved and adopted the case plan review packet and maintained status quo.

{¶12} On March 30, 2015, SCJFS filed a second motion seeking permanent

custody of the children.

{¶13} On June 8, 2015 Father, through his counsel, filed a Motion to Extend

Temporary Custody.

{¶14} On June 9, 2015 Mother, through counsel, filed a Motion to Extend

Temporary Custody.

{¶15} On September 24, 2015, the trial court again reviewed the case. The trial

court approved and adopted the case plan review packet and maintained status quo.

{¶16} On September 30, 2015 SCJFS filed a third motion seeking permanent

custody of the children.

{¶17} On December 14, 2015, the trial court heard evidence on SCJFS's third

motion seeking permanent custody of the children.
Stark County, Case No. 2016 CA 00011 4

{¶18} At the permanent custody hearing, SCJFS presented evidence regarding

Appellant and the children. (T. at 3-72). SCJFS caseworker Amy Craig testified for

SCJFS. (T. at 5-33, 49-60). Caseworker Craig testified that the complaint in this matter

was filed on November 4, 2013, and the child was found to be dependent on November

26, 2013. (T. at 8). The child at issue was placed into the temporary custody of the SCJFS

on November 26, 2013. Id. As of the date of the permanent custody trial, the child had

been in the temporary custody of the SCJFS in excess of 12 of the last 22 months. (T. at

9).

{¶19} Caseworker Craig further testified that Appellant had not consistently

complied with his counseling at Community Services. (T. at 35-36).

{¶20} Appellant was informed that full attendance at J.B.C.'s (Z.B.C.’s brother)

medical and service provider appointments was needed to demonstrate that the parents

could attend them on their own. (T. at 13). J.B.C. has special needs and receives both

physical therapy and speech therapy every week. Id. Appellant failed to attend those

appointments on a consistent basis. Id. Appellant attended only one (1) speech therapy

session and five (5) physical therapy sessions since October 1, 2015. Id. Appellant

consistently made excuses for why he missed the medical appointments. Id.

{¶21} Mrs. Craig also testified that Appellant was inconsistent with visitation. (T.

at 14).

{¶22} On the date of the permanent custody trial, the parent's home was infested

with bedbugs despite SCJFS paying six times for an exterminator to come to their home.

(T. at 15).
Stark County, Case No. 2016 CA 00011 5

{¶23} Mrs. Craig testified that Appellant had not successfully completed his case

plan services so the child could be returned home, and the child would be at risk if

returned to Appellant. Id.

{¶24} During the best interest portion of the hearing. Mrs. Craig testified that

Z.B.C. is placed in a foster home with his brother J.B.C. (T. at 51). His brother has special

needs and is borderline in many areas. (T. at 52). Id. Z.B.C. is on target both

developmentally and physically. (T. at 50). Z.B.C. is a typical two-year old. Id. He gets

along well with everyone in his current foster home. (Tr. at 51). Mrs. Craig stated that

while the current foster parents are not interested in adopting, she knew of no reason the

child could not adapt to a new adoptive home. (T. at 51).

{¶25} Finally, Mrs. Craig testified that the child had been in the custody of SCJFS

for two (2) years as of the date of the permanent custody hearing. (T. at 53). She further

testified that while there is a bond between the child and Appellant, the benefit of

permanent custody outweighed any harm that might be caused by breaking that bond.

(T. at 54). Appellant had not demonstrated that he could meet the needs of the child, and

the child deserved permanency. Id. Mrs. Craig testified that she believed that granting

permanent custody was in the child's best interest. Id.

{¶26} Appellee SCJFS also presented the report of the Guardian-ad-Litem, which

supported the granting of permanent custody as being in the best interest of the child. (T.

at 68).

{¶27} On December 15, 2015, the trial court issued its findings of fact granting

permanent custody of the children to SCJFS and terminating Appellant's parental rights.

{¶28} Appellant-father now appeals, assigning the following errors for review:
Stark County, Case No. 2016 CA 00011 6

ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR

{¶29} “I. THE TRIAL COURT’S JUDGMENT THAT THE MINOR CHILDREN

CANNOT AND SHOULD NOT BE PLACED WITH APPELLANT WITHIN A

REASONABLE PERIOD OF TIME WAS AGAINST THE MANIFEST WEIGHT AND

SUFFICIENCY OF THE EVIDENCE

{¶30} A. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN FINDING APPELLEE MADE

REASONABLE EFFORTS TO PREVENT THE NEED FOR PLACEMENT AND/OR

MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR THE CHILD TO RETURN HOME.

{¶31} “II. THE TRIAL COURT’S JUDGMENT THAT THE BEST INTEREST OF

THE MINOR CHILDREN WOULD BE SERVED BY GRANTING PERMANENT

CUSTODY WAS AGAINST THE MANIFEST WEIGHT AND SUFFICIENCY OF THE

EVIDENCE.”

I.

{¶32} Appellant argues that the court’s finding that Z.B.C. could not be placed with

him within a reasonable period of time was against the manifest weight and sufficiency of

the evidence.

{¶33} Appellant argues that he substantially complied with his services and that

he made significant repairs to the home.

{¶34} A trial court's decision to grant permanent custody of a child must be

supported by clear and convincing evidence. The Ohio Supreme Court has defined “clear

and convincing evidence” as “[t]he measure or degree of proof that will produce in the

mind of the trier of fact a firm belief or conviction as to the allegations sought to be

established. It is intermediate, being more than a mere preponderance, but not to the
Stark County, Case No. 2016 CA 00011 7

extent of such certainty, as required beyond a reasonable doubt, as in criminal cases.”

Cross v. Ledford, 161 Ohio St. 469, 120 N.E.2d 118 (1954); In re: Adoption of Holcomb,

18 Ohio St.3d 361, 481 N.E.2d 613 (1985).

{¶35} In reviewing whether the trial court based its decision upon clear and

convincing evidence, “a reviewing court will examine the record to determine whether the

trier of facts had sufficient evidence before it to satisfy the requisite degree of proof.” State

v. Schiebel, 55 Ohio St.3d 71, 74, 564 N.E.2d 54, 60 (1990); See also, C.E. Morris Co. v.

Foley Constr. Co., 54 Ohio St.2d 279, 376 N.E.2d 578 (1978). If the trial court's judgment

is “supported by some competent, credible evidence going to all the essential elements

of the case,” a reviewing court may not reverse that judgment. Schiebel, 55 Ohio St.3d at

74, 564 N.E.2d 54.

{¶36} Moreover, “an appellate court should not substitute its judgment for that of

the trial court when there exists competent and credible evidence supporting the findings

of fact and conclusion of law.” Id. Issues relating to the credibility of witnesses and the

weight to be given the evidence are primarily for the trier of fact. As the court explained

in Seasons Coal Co. v. Cleveland, 10 Ohio St.3d 77, 80, 461 N.E.2d 1273 (1984), “The

underlying 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.”

{¶37} Moreover, 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,
Stark County, Case No. 2016 CA 00011 8

419, 674 N.E.2d 1159 (1997); see, also, In re: Christian, 4th Dist. Athens App. No.

04CA10, 2004–Ohio–3146; In re: C. W., 2nd Dist. Montgomery App. No. 20140, 2004–

Ohio–2040.

{¶38} Pursuant to §2151.414(B), the court may grant permanent custody of a child

to the movant if the court determines “that it is in the best interest of the child to grant

permanent custody to the agency that filed the motion for permanent custody and that

any of the following apply:

(a) The child is not abandoned or orphaned, 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, ... and the child cannot be placed with either of

the child's parents within a reasonable period of time or should not be

placed with the child's parents.* * *

(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, or 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 and, as described in division (D)(1) of

section 2151.413 of the Revised Code, the child was previously in the

temporary custody of an equivalent agency in another state.

{¶39} Revised Code §2151.414(E) sets forth the factors a trial court must consider

in determining whether a child cannot or should not be placed with a parent within a
Stark County, Case No. 2016 CA 00011 9

reasonable time. If the court finds, by clear and convincing evidence, the existence of any

one of the following factors, “the court shall enter a finding that the child cannot be placed

with [the] parent within a reasonable time or should not be placed with either parent”:

(1) Following the placement of the child outside the child's home and

notwithstanding reasonable case planning and diligent efforts by the agency

to assist the parent to remedy the problem that initially caused the child to

be placed outside the home, the parents have failed continuously and

repeatedly to substantially remedy the conditions that caused the child to

be placed outside the child's home. In determining whether the parents

have substantially remedied the conditions, the court shall consider parental

utilization of medical, psychiatric, psychological, and other social and

rehabilitative services and material resources that were made available to

the parents for the purpose of changing parental conduct to allow them to

resume and maintain parental duties.* * *

(16) Any other factors the court considers relevant.

{¶40} In the case sub judice, the trial court found by clear and convincing evidence

that the child had been in the temporary custody of a public children services agency for

twelve or more months of a consecutive twenty-two month period pursuant to R.C.

§2151.414(B)(1)(d). Appellant does not challenge the trial court's finding. This finding

alone, in conjunction with a best-interest finding, is sufficient to support the grant of

permanent custody. In re Calhoun, 5th Dist. No. 2008CA00118, 2008–Ohio–5458, ¶ 45.

{¶41} Further, the trial court’s finding that Z.B.C. could not be placed with

Appellant within a reasonable period of time was not against the manifest weight or
Stark County, Case No. 2016 CA 00011 10

sufficiency of the evidence. As set forth above, the caseworker testified that Appellant

failed to comply with his counseling services, failed to attend the medical and service

provider appointments for Z.B.C.’s brother, and failed to consistently visit the children.

Further, despite SCJFS sending an exterminator to the home on six (6) occasions, the

home was still infested with bedbugs. The trial court’s finding that Appellant failed to

successfully complete his case plan, and that the children would be at risk if they were to

be returned to Appellant-father is not against the manifest weight or sufficiency of the

evidence.

{¶42} The First Assignment of Error is overruled.

II.

{¶43} In his Second Assignment of Error, Appellant argues that finding that

permanent custody was in the best interest of J.B.C. was against the manifest weight and

sufficiency of the evidence.

{¶44} In determining the best interest of the child at a permanent custody hearing,

R.C. §2151.414(D) mandates the trial court must consider all relevant factors, including,

but not limited to, the following: (1) the interaction and interrelationship of the child 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 wishes of the child as

expressed directly by the child or through the child's guardian ad litem, with due regard

for the maturity of the child; (3) the custodial history of the child; and (4) the child's need

for a legally secure permanent placement and whether that type of placement can be

achieved without a grant of permanent custody.
Stark County, Case No. 2016 CA 00011 11

{¶45} The trial court recognized that Appellant and Z.B.C. shared a bond.

However, the court found that the child’s interest in permanency outweighed the detriment

of severing this bond. The evidence demonstrated that Z.B.C. is doing well in foster care.

The caseworker testified that Appellant has failed to demonstrate that she can meet the

needs of her children consistently. (Tr. at 68-69). Additionally, the report of the guardian

ad litem recommended that permanent custody be granted to Appellee.

{¶46} Based on the foregoing, we find that the trial court’s finding that permanent

custody was in the best interest of Z.B.C. was supported by the evidence.

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

{¶48} For the foregoing reasons, the judgment of the Court of Common Pleas,

Juvenile Division, Stark County, Ohio, is affirmed.

By: Wise, P. J.

Delaney, J., and

Baldwin, J., concur.

JWW/d 0405