Court maintains status quo in Jamieson review; next permanency hearing set for Aug. 5

The Lenawee County Probate & Juvenile Court on record for a review hearing maintained the child Jamieson in relative placement and set the next permanency review for Tuesday, Aug. 5 at 1:30 p.m.

The court continued the current parenting-time and placement arrangements while asking caseworkers to monitor progress and consider juvenile guardianship if needed. Ashley Beach, foster care supervisor from Fostering Solutions, told the court that the parent, Misty Hart, “is participating in all recommended substance abuse, treatment and drug screens. She's also engaged in Orchards parent education.” Beach said Hart has provided pay stubs and other documentation and that staff would look at increasing parenting time after the resolution of pending criminal proceedings.

Why this matters: The hearing advances the court’s permanency timeline. The child has been in out-of-home care since September, and under state juvenile rules the court evaluates permanency options at successive reviews; a permanency planning hearing was set because this will be the case’s second review after six months in care.

Foster care testimony and recommendations Ashley Beach testified she has supervised the case since the child's removal and meets monthly with the assigned worker. Beach said the agency supports gradual steps toward reunification but wants to see continued soberness and court resolution of criminal charges before moving to unsupervised or extended overnight parenting time. When asked about a sobriety date, Beach said she did not have an exact date but believed Hart’s sobriety began in December 2024 and noted there was a positive drug screen in January for methadone or Suboxone.

Parent’s statements and supports Misty Hart, the child's mother, described ongoing engagement with supports: “I only take 1 day at a time now.” Hart told the court she attends meetings, bible study and therapy and identified a recovery sponsor, a recovery coach and family supports including an aunt with whom she is residing and who could provide overnight accommodations.

Court findings and directions Taja Thomas, counsel for the department, asked the court to accept the court report and attachments. The court found that “reasonable efforts” have been made and signaled it would maintain the status quo pending the outcome of Hart’s criminal case. The judge instructed the caseworker to review the family history and to consider juvenile guardianship as an option if family members wish to pursue permanency through that path. The court set the next review and permanency planning hearing for Tuesday, Aug. 5 at 1:30 p.m., and ordered the child to remain in the current relative placement until that review.

Procedural notes and timeline Attorneys and the department discussed amending the court report to correct a reference to an earlier arrest (the parent and counsel contended the record should reflect an arrest on cocaine rather than methamphetamine); counsel for the parent indicated they would address that. The parties agreed to reconvene a family team meeting after the parent’s next court date if a plea is accepted, to discuss possible increases in parenting time.

Next steps The court directed the foster care caseworker to continue monitoring sobriety and compliance with the case service plan, to coordinate a family team meeting after the parent’s criminal proceedings progress, and to provide updates at the Aug. 5 permanency planning hearing.