Pretrial in Lenawee County child-welfare case focuses on service issues, DNA testing and ICWA paperwork

At a pretrial hearing in Lenawee County Probate & Juvenile Court, attorneys and court staff discussed problems serving the child-welfare petition on the mother, outstanding Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) paperwork and arrangements for DNA testing of a putative father.

The discussion matters because service, ICWA determinations and paternity testing affect who may participate in the case and the legal steps the court can take. Counsel for the Department of Health and Human Services and the mother asked for more time to allow the mother to consult with counsel and to complete necessary procedures before the scheduled trial date.

During the hearing, Michael McFarland, attorney for the mother, said he had recently received a phone number and called his client but that connection problems had prevented reliable contact. "She had difficulty listening to me. She did indicate she's not yet received the petition. She wants to read it. She wants to review it…