Judge keeps dual goal of reunification and adoption after Lenawee County review; sets June 2 hearing

The court on Oct. 12 heard testimony that a young child in Lenawee County is “thriving” in foster care but that her parents have made limited, uneven progress toward reunification, prompting the department to ask the court to change the case goal to adoption and the judge to schedule a close follow-up review.

Brandy Delagarza, a foster care worker with Fostering Solutions, told the court the child is doing well at school and in the placement and that caregivers report the child has bonded with the household. “She is thriving not only at school but also in her placement,” Delagarza said. Delagarza also described a recent medical incident that was treated appropriately and noted the court previously granted an ex parte order allowing the…