Court maintains 50–50 grandparent placement, allows expanded parenting time pending 90‑day review

Lenawee County Probate & Juvenile Court — The court on Monday kept the child’s joint placement between maternal and paternal grandparents and allowed the child welfare agency discretion to expand the mother’s parenting time, including unsupervised visits and overnights as they develop, while maintaining jurisdiction and scheduling a 90‑day permanency planning review on Oct. 20 at 1:30 p.m.

The action comes after reports and testimony that the child, identified in court as Jamieson, is bonded with both sets of grandparents and that the mother, Victoria DeHart, has maintained sobriety, completed court‑ordered programming and continues supervised visits. Brandy Delagarza, a foster care worker with Fostering Solutions, told the court, "Miss DeHart is doing amazing." Department counsel Tasha Thomas asked the court to allow "the discretion to allow for the unsupervised parenting time and to include overnights, as that develops."

Why it matters: The court’s order preserves multiple caregiving relationships for the child while giving the agency authority to increase parental time as the mother demonstrates continued stability. The decision keeps the department and the court involved while the family works on counseling and safety measures.

Court file and testimony

Court and caseworkers described a complex history: a prior third‑party custody order exists for the child, and the child has been in out‑of‑home care since September 2024. A Child Advocacy Center (CAC) interview was conducted after a disclosure; the child did not make specific disclosures during that interview. Fostering Solutions implemented a safety plan after the disclosure that includes: the two minor children may not be left alone together; they are not to change clothes in front of one another; and they may not sleep in the same room. The maternal caregiver agreed to abide by that safety plan.

Testimony and recommendations

Delagarza and other witnesses reported that Jamieson is healthy, well‑adjusted and enjoys time with both sets of grandparents. Delagarza and the department recommended continuing the current joint placement and leaving the question of supervised versus unsupervised parenting time to the department’s discretion as the mother shows continued progress. Delagarza described therapy and family counseling that is under way; she and other witnesses recommended continued family therapy with the provider who has been working with the family to address inter‑family tensions.

Defense counsel for the paternal placement urged the court to consider full placement with the paternal caregiver, citing continuing concerns tied to the disclosed incident and the potential for additional trauma. The court acknowledged those concerns but emphasized the child’s strong bonds with both sides of the family and the existence of a safety plan and ongoing services.

Court findings and orders

The judge found the goal of reunification appropriate given the mother’s progress but said the court would retain jurisdiction for at least several reviews to ensure sustained recovery, housing, employment and sobriety beyond the threat of probation. The court ordered that the existing joint visitation order remain in full force and effect, allowed the department discretion to expand visitation (including unsupervised time and possible overnights as appropriate), and instructed the agency to notify the court if new safety concerns required placement change.

The court scheduled the next permanency planning and review hearing for Monday, Oct. 20, at 1:30 p.m.

Context and next steps

Witnesses said the child is on a waiting list for CAC‑run body‑safety sessions (four appointments described in testimony) to address age‑appropriate safety topics. Parties repeatedly urged continued family counseling so that relationships across both households can stabilize if reunification occurs. The court asked the agency to continue investigation and report any new safety issues to the court before the next review.

Ending: The court’s orders preserve the child’s relationships with both sets of grandparents while creating a monitored path for expanded parental time; the case remains under court supervision pending the Oct. 20 review.