In re N.B.

Citations

• 2025 Ohio 1833

Syllabus

Legal custody; dependent; R.C. 2151.353(A); R.C. 2151.353(F)(2); dispositional hearing; manifest weight; best interest; factors; preponderance; substance abuse; dishonesty; fundamental right; parent; ultimate welfare; Sup.R. 48.03(D); guidelines; plain error. Affirmed juvenile court's judgment that committed the minor child to the legal custody of the child's nonrelative caregiver. The juvenile court considered relevant best-interest factors and granted legal custody as supported by a preponderance of the evidence. The juvenile court's decision was not against the manifest weight of the evidence; the court did not violate father's fundamental right to parent his child; and the court did not commit plain error in considering the report and recommendation of the guardian ad litem despite claimed deficiencies under Sup.R. 48.03(D), which only provides general guidelines.