Judge keeps reunification goal, continues out-of-home placement and orders supervised virtual visits

A Lenawee County Probate & Juvenile Court judge on Jan. 14 continued the out-of-home placement for five children and maintained reunification as the permanency goal while ordering supervised virtual parenting time and additional assessments and service confirmations.

The ruling comes after testimony from the court-appointed guardian ad litem and Department of Health and Human Services staff about the children's progress and outstanding referrals. Nicole Underwood, the guardian ad litem, told the court the children “were very excited to show me their bedrooms and all of the things they had got for Christmas,” and said the placements were meeting the children's needs.

Caitlin Young, a Department of Health and Human Services caseworker, reported that referrals for specialized testing and services had been submitted but were still pending approval. “I have submitted it, and I'm waiting on confirmation from our behavioral…