In the Matter of Foster, Unpublished Decision (9-22-2003)
In the Matter of Foster, Unpublished Decision (9-22-2003)
Opinion of the Court
OPINION
{¶ 1} Appellant Sue Merritt ("mother") appeals the June 17, 2003 Judgment Entry entered by the Stark County Court of Common Pleas, Juvenile Division, which terminated her parental rights, privileges, and responsibilities relative to her son, Winston Foster, and granted permanent custody of the child to appellee Stark County Department of Jobs and Family Services ("the Agency").{¶ 3} The matter proceeded to final hearing on June 10, 2003. At that time, Robert Macko, mother's husband and the presumed legal father of Winston, stipulated to the finding Winston was a dependent child, and the granting of permanent custody of Winston to the Agency.1
{¶ 4} Jessica Swartz, an assessment social worker with the Agency, testified the Agency became involved with Winston because of mother losing her parental rights with respect to two older siblings. Swartz testified the Agency had concerns over mother's failure to comply and complete case plans relative to the other children. At an initial pretrial in the instant matter, mother informed Swartz she (mother) would not participate in any of the services set forth in the Agency's case plan.
{¶ 5} Wanda Pounds, an assessment social worker with the Agency, testified she interviewed mother on the day she gave birth to Winston. Pounds explained the purpose of the interview was to determine whether mother had improved the home situation since the removal of her other children. While discussing the reasons for the removal of the older children, mother told Pounds she lost custody due to "dirty pool and the crooked law." Mother informed Pounds she had obtained food stamps and a medical card in anticipation of bringing Winston home. Mother gave Pounds no indication as to whether she was involved in any psychological services.
{¶ 6} Dr. Gerald Bello testified he evaluated mother on two occasions with respect to the case involving her other children. Dr. Bello identified a number of personality concerns in mother, including anger management, temper outburst, uncontrollable rages, impulsivity, antisocial attitudes and behaviors, and an inability to accept responsibility and learn from mistakes. Dr. Bello recommended a minimum of one year of individual psychotherapy on a biweekly basis as well as anger management classes. Dr. Bello noted mother had a poor prognosis without significant intervention.
{¶ 7} Steve Fratantonio, a doctoral psychology intern at Nova Behavioral Health, testified on mother's behalf. Fratantonio conducted mother's intake assessment. At the intake, mother reported symptoms of depression as well as anger over the removal of her two older children. Fratantonio stated mother had been involved in individual counseling as well as an anger management group for four months. He noted mother had missed only one appointment in the last four months. Although mother's participation had been good, Fratantonio stated her progress had only been fair. On cross-examination, Fratantonio testified he diagnosed mother with a borderline personality disorder. The diagnostic criteria are "instability in terms of effective moods, instability in terms of the interpersonal relations meaning that an individual has interpersonal relationships that tend to be intense at times. * * * there's some unstable sense of self." Tr. of June 10, 2003 Proceedings at 53.
{¶ 8} After considering all the evidence, including the guardian ad litem's written report, the trial court found Winston could not or should not be placed with mother within a reasonable time and it was in the child's best interest to grant permanent custody to the Agency. The trial court terminated mother's parental rights, responsibilities and obligations. The trial court memorialized its ruling via Judgment Entry, and Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, both filed June 17, 2003.
{¶ 9} It is from these entries mother appeals, raising as her sole assignment of error:
{¶ 10} "I. THE JUDGMENT OF THE TRIAL COURT THAT THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE MINOR CHILDREN WOULD BE SERVED BY THE GRANTING OF PERMANENT CUSTODY WAS AGAINST THE MANIFEST WEIGHT AND SUFFICIENCY OF THE EVIDENCE."
{¶ 11} This case comes to us on the accelerated calendar. App.R. 11.1, which governs accelerated calendar cases, provides, in pertinent part: "(E) Determination and judgment on appeal. The appeal will be determined as provided by App.R. 11.1. It shall be sufficient compliance with App.R. 12(A) for the statement of the reason for the court's decision as to each error to be in brief and conclusionary form. The decision may be by judgment entry in which case it will not be published in any form."
{¶ 12} This appeal shall be considered in accordance with the aforementioned rule.
{¶ 14} We are not fact finders; we neither weigh the evidence nor judge the credibility of witnesses. Our role is to determine whether there is relevant, competent and credible evidence upon which the fact finder could base its judgment. Cross Truck v. Jeffries (Feb. 10, 1982), Stark App. No. CA5758, unreported. Accordingly, judgments supported by some competent, credible evidence going to all the essential elements of the case will not be reversed as being against the manifest weight of the evidence. C.E. Morris Co. v. Foley Construction (1978),
{¶ 15} The relevant statute is R.C.
{¶ 16} R.C.
{¶ 17} The trial court found mother failed to rectify the problems which caused the removal of her two other children, which included mental health and anger management issues, domestic violence, and her lack of parenting skills. Mother not only refused to comply with the case plan relative to Winston, but also refused to accept a copy of the plan from the caseworker.
{¶ 18} In determining the best interest of a child, R.C.
{¶ 19} In light of the foregoing and based upon the entire record in this matter, we find the trial court's findings the child could not and should not be placed with mother within a reasonable time, and it was in the best interest of the child to grant permanent custody to the Agency were not against the manifest weight and sufficiency of the evidence.
{¶ 20} Mother's sole assignment of error is overruled.
{¶ 21} The judgment of the Stark County Court of Common Pleas, Juvenile Division, is affirmed.
By: Hoffman, P.J., Wise, J., and Edwards, J. concur.
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