Judge sets dual goal of adoption and reunification, denies increased parenting time in Lenawee County review

A judge in Lenawee County Probate & Juvenile Court changed the child's permanency plan to a dual goal of adoption and reunification and refused to expand parenting time after a review hearing in which caseworkers and attorneys reported limited progress by both parents.

The ruling follows testimony from the department's caseworker and parenting-instruction providers that the child is meeting developmental milestones in foster care but that the parents have not yet demonstrated the consistent skills or stability the child needs. The court scheduled the next dispositional review and permanency-planning hearing for May 12 at 10:30 a.m.

The decision matters because the court found that, given the child's young age, continuing placement in foster care provides necessary stability while services continue. The judge said the department had met its obligation to make reasonable efforts toward reunification but concluded there was insufficient progress to increase parenting time or return the child now.

Caseworker Ava Copas, who prepared the court report, told the court she observed the child twice during the…