In re Z.B.

Citations

• 2025 Ohio 4594

Syllabus

Permanent custody; parental rights; Cuyahoga County Division of Children and Family Services; manifest weight of the evidence; R.C. 2151.414; best interest of the child; clear and convincing evidence; dependency; protective supervision; unsafe housing; mental health; parenting classes; guardian ad litem recommendation; child welfare; Ohio juvenile law; repeated removals; statutory factors; prior terminations; developmental delays; legal custody; agency case plan; temporary custody; unsanitary conditions; appellate review; trial court findings. Mother failed to remedy the conditions leading to removal, including unsafe housing, lack of engagement in services, and minimal participation in the child's developmental care. The record demonstrates, by clear and convincing evidence, the child could not or should not be placed with either parent within a reasonable time and that permanent custody was in the child's best interest pursuant to R.C. 2151.414(B)(1). The record also reflected that Mother previously lost custody of four other children under similar circumstances. The trial court's judgment was not against the manifest weight of the evidence. Judgment affirmed.