[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",5978996,"mediaKeyId","5775458-c232213ca9efa021977a569f795566b0","parentId",5775458,"title","Caseworker reports positive drug screen and safety concerns for caregiver; court hears investigation and supervision issues","audioSeconds",196,"startMs",1024000,"endMs",1220000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5775458-c232213ca9efa021977a569f795566b0&start=1024&end=1220","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5775458-c232213ca9efa021977a569f795566b0/thumbnail_1024000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5978996/Michigan/Caseworker-reports-positive-drug-screen-and-safety-concerns-for-caregiver-court-hears-investigation-and-supervision-issues","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5978996-dcd08805e380494007b219e11df5ac37/orig.mp4?Expires=1771165145&Signature=X03Hs88kI3Za9mFCfZY3I-N9nH9iQA9ygXHcYzsrSHVCrto5j7bYmNr9Agr6-8XpvyHS5xhc~T9tapBbSJ-5woNzBBqtHDzluSTrUyohJoEsc993D9Bf97fAwN6iucCmgumUY7BVr2-AJomQ5lDzqiXLMEpeZFCHwppolNcKzUyZb2JUXNDPVxZ8B5eQMuoYSUaSbU9lwS6vBXTz1uh5ZJO35az2VOjIjTRAtfAx2-HesR2ce7etHMBDnW00yyASUgr6ACB4dd1M4jZgBqS1IKFwNVeKWewpPkuA3tUeNKq4Bg9FEZjQ3gVv9Zr4D9~e2DCIWUdqm3zqeq-NFDeXHQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lenawee County Probate & Juvenile Court","date","2025-09-18T13:55:50Z","article","At a virtual juvenile-court hearing, the department's caseworker told the court that a caregiver in the household caring for several children had a recent positive drug screen and that a child-protective services investigation had been opened about alcohol use in the home. The caseworker said the caregiver had mixed compliance with services and that a requested home study for placement was \"looking like it's going to be denied.\" The court and counsel discussed outstanding warrants and parole status for caregivers, and the department said it was not recommending unsupervised placement while questions remained.

Brenda Burgess told the court that one parent's recent drug screen was positive and that \"the only positive was September 3.\" She said she learned of the positive result through records requests and that Team Wellness reported the screen as positive. Burgess also said there was \"a complaint regarding the twins, and alcohol use in the home by the oldest child's caregiver,\" that initial worker contact had been difficult because a relative caregiver was not cooperative, and that the department had not yet been able to fully complete the investigation.

The court and counsel discussed placement suitability for a 14-year-old relative in the same home and Burgess said a requested home study for that caregiver was not complete and was likely to be denied. The transcript records that a caregiver is \"currently on felony parole\" and \"not scheduled to be off of parole until June 2026,\" and the department confirmed compliance with parole conditions but expressed concern about supports and supervision.

Why it matters: Positive drug testing, an open CPS investigation concerning alcohol in the home, outstanding warrants and parole conditions are central safety and suitability issues that affect placement decisions and whether the court will permit unsupervised care or approve a home study.

Supporting details and context: Burgess described the caregiver (Mark) as enrolling children in early-intervention services and arranging special-education services, but she said therapy attendance for the oldest child had been inconsistent. Burgess said transportation and missed visits have been a problem and that the department is trying to arrange visits and transportation alternatives. Counsel questioned whether missed or positive drug screens had confirmatory retests; Burgess said she had requested records from the lab but had not obtained additional confirmation at the hearing.

Taper: The court received the report and scheduled further proceedings; department staff were directed to pursue the CPS investigation, follow up on drug-screen records and provide updates at the continued hearing.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Juvenile Court Case No. 25-010 NA","oneSentenceSummary","The department told a juvenile court that a caregiver had a recent positive drug screen, that a CPS investigation alleged alcohol use in the home, and that outstanding warrants and parole obligations complicate placement decisions.","taxTitle","Lenawee County Probate & Juvenile Court, Judicial, Michigan","taxId",66320,"location","Michigan","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},5979003,"Caseworker: Rebecca Witten is progressing in treatment but must secure housing for reunification",78,509000,587000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5775458-c232213ca9efa021977a569f795566b0&start=509&end=587","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5775458-c232213ca9efa021977a569f795566b0/thumbnail_509000.jpg","/articles/5979003/Michigan/Caseworker-Rebecca-Witten-is-progressing-in-treatment-but-must-secure-housing-for-reunification","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5979003-b04a584b62a14c9ba2f9f1a97f37593b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771165145&Signature=QYOx~w7Tdzi5hg12hwVjSFN2MEzakzNRqWkZCljrq5ly7jRVvVF3ni9bkyHM0HIkoRmfX9YbabvCyqlHszLOCmgl533Gd~juecFl6ZdesiCuaOrT0ljzqwNdm1SU4hpOJPQXszD6n9y8sgVd2gt4ebRO1Fo08fso5qBR-NWk9CmYp2puef90LTcKinjPZiAHZV5Q6V4zLjG~qG0YmzKCuGMhTssxqO7WODt-AKepakUsN1gWhHAFvxBrhjZ7mbjl~C~tsudjCVuCPbS0daPXuElqYZaGNe7BGgJsfscuAwPcDWhgyMcgGLnLRvt4nDf3giKAM2tI0fecL-8JfUcZPQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At a virtual juvenile-court hearing, the department's foster care worker reported that Rebecca Witten is participating in a step-down residential program, has obtained employment and is taking parenting classes, but the department remains concerned about housing and long-term sobriety monitoring.

Brenda Burgess told the court, \"She is still in Herberlite. Although, in August, she went to a step down program, so she is able to, leave in the afternoon. She still has programming there, but she's able to leave to look for employment, and she did, get a job at Meyer.\" Burgess said Witten is \"about halfway through\" the foster-care supportive visitation and parenting class, has had visits with the children, and had a psychological evaluation completed but the results were not yet available.

Burgess said the department is \"maintaining the permanency goal of reunification\" for the oldest child but that goal could change depending on Witten's progress; Burgess estimated the step-down program would end \"by October,\" and said securing housing would be required to proceed toward return. Burgess also said she and Witten discussed relapse-prevention planning but the caseworker did not have the written relapse-prevention plan and would request it.

Why it matters: The department's baseline recommendation to maintain reunification as the permanency goal for the oldest child hinges on Witten completing treatment, securing housing and engaging consistently in recommended services; the court set a near-term continued hearing to review progress.

Supporting details and context: Burgess said Witten had a psychological evaluation but results were not yet available and that prior removals factored into monitoring. Burgess acknowledged past cycles of sobriety and relapse and said relapse-prevention planning exists with providers but the written plan had not been provided to the caseworker at the hearing; she said, \"I don't have that. I can request it.\" The department is offering transportation supports and appointment reminders and has discussed applying for disability benefits as an income resource.

Taper: The court received the report without objection and continued the hearing to allow parents to testify and for the department to return with updates on housing, the relapse-prevention plan and other outstanding items.","During a juvenile-court review, the department's caseworker reported that Rebecca Witten has been engaged in treatment and employment, is halfway through parenting classes and visiting her children, but must secure housing and finish a step-down program before the department will consider full reunification for the oldest child.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},5979008,"Caseworker tells court housing is primary barrier to Christopher Carter’s reunification",35,440000,475000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5775458-c232213ca9efa021977a569f795566b0&start=440&end=475","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5775458-c232213ca9efa021977a569f795566b0/thumbnail_440000.jpg","/articles/5979008/Michigan/Caseworker-tells-court-housing-is-primary-barrier-to-Christopher-Carters-reunification","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5979008-ad2ee62055c4df6c519851f9414d63e6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771165145&Signature=ZTF~gSmEj37yLEd9JlpEZ8pUld0CK7K~kK6ddH~XrVnb0HTBaMDT5ICymlEMy8ckxyunfjXxuaEpM0feRAhSe8-0Zqd23w4qyDNDpsUVMg-gJDp1~P6cGWWMjbYvdd6r0wWiRHs9y6xDCELC3WIhn74t8kt2p4u~G0Zc7PY0yHsIKSXNX3RZF1wzFGl-A~xeKuPhczF3ReWqcWurxBJpZmlpCVleaL~MZNrpUMNdiElyxfaN1V7Az2jPi8kY5I1Mop1ZcGhMjD-nYoAtM3Fz8u8KZ0f5EkHkMs-n7e9L6JpWlaZrOgWw~COziXs10ihD638v7jImIPxhSjZ5xR3qpQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At a virtual juvenile-court review hearing, the department's foster care worker said housing is the primary barrier to Christopher Carter's reunification with his children and that the agency can explore assistance with a security deposit. The court received the court report and the department agreed to refer Carter for a new psychological evaluation.

The caseworker, Brenda Burgess, testified that Carter \"has been compliant,\" is working full time and part time, has begun unsupervised visits and has met with Section 8, but \"Right now, really, it's housing.\" Burgess said the department \"could assist with, most likely, we could assist with, like, security deposit.\" Court counsel later confirmed the department would make a referral for a psychological evaluation after Carter missed an earlier appointment.

Why it matters: The department identified housing as the immediate, concrete barrier to progressing from longer visits to overnight or placement changes; the psychological evaluation is a commonly used assessment in these cases and its absence was noted by counsel and the court.

Most important facts: Burgess described Carter as compliant with services and beginning unsupervised visits; the department is assisting with transportation and is exploring housing supports. Counsel noted an outstanding psychological evaluation that the original provider would not reschedule; Department counsel said she would make a new referral. The court accepted the court report and set further proceedings.

Supporting details and context: Burgess said Carter has a vehicle and has provided insurance and that car seats were being purchased to enable safe transport. She said he is looking for housing and has met with Section 8. On the psychological evaluation, Burgess confirmed Carter missed the originally scheduled appointment and the provider would not reschedule; Department counsel said, \"I'll make the referral.\" When asked about overnight parenting time, Burgess said she would not recommend overnights without Carter securing housing; she said longer day visits would be a next step.

What the court did next: The court took the court report into the record without objection and scheduled continuation of the hearing for additional testimony and follow-up. The department agreed to investigate deposit assistance and to arrange a referral for the psychological evaluation.

Less critical details: Department staff noted transportation challenges for some visits and that they had requested mileage reimbursement for a relative caregiver; efforts were under way to identify transportation and to arrange for the parent to be transported to the children if needed.","At a virtual juvenile-court review hearing, the department’s caseworker said lack of stable housing is the main obstacle to reunifying Christopher Carter with his children and said the department will look into deposit assistance; the court accepted the court report and directed follow-up steps including a referral for a psychological evaluation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Caseworker reports positive drug screen and safety concerns for caregiver; court hears investigation and supervision issues

Caseworker: Rebecca Witten is progressing in treatment but must secure housing for reunification

Caseworker tells court housing is primary barrier to Christopher Carter’s reunification