Judge continues infant in foster care, schedules permanency review after DNA excludes two named putative fathers

At a review hearing in Lenawee County Probate & Juvenile Court, the court continued an infant's removal from the care of Margaret Gail and set a permanency planning hearing for April 15 at 11 a.m., after the department reported DNA tests excluded two men who had been named as putative fathers.

The department's attorney, Sasha Thomas, told the court she “believe[d] that there's still substantial risk of harm to the child” if returned to the mother's care now, and asked the judge not to expand parenting time. The court found that reasonable efforts to reunify were being made and ordered the case to continue as the child remains in foster care.

Caseworker testimony and documents. A caseworker identified in the record as Miss Bosher told the court she had collected DNA from Ernest Conway and Marquis Washington and that neither man was the child's biological father. Bosher said no other named individuals were confirmed as biological fathers at that time, and staff will continue efforts to locate a man the mother identified as Drayben (also reported as “Dravan”) Morelli. The department asked the court to permit alternate service, including publication, if the man cannot be located by the next review date.

Mother's situation and services. Margaret Gail, the child's mother, testified about housing, health care and finances. Gail said she is temporarily staying with a friend and that she has been approved by the housing authority for a two‑bedroom unit but had not moved in or put her name on a lease. Gail told the court she receives trust payments that she described as “$200 a day.” In argument, opposing counsel calculated that figure as roughly $6,000 per month (about $72,000 per year). Gail said she could provide bank statements and that she has “at least $7,000 in one of the accounts.”

Visitation and program participation. The court record shows supervised parenting time twice a week for one hour, and the caseworker reported missed and unexcused visits; the court noted the mother had missed up to about 25% of scheduled visits. The department reported limited, inconsistent engagement with services: supportive visitation sessions have occurred and staff described the visitation program as beneficial, but the caseworker said attendance and communication had been inconsistent. The caseworker also reported difficulty obtaining records from a therapist, Carolyn Mobley, and that a substance‑use assessment could not be completed because Gail self‑reported no substance use.

Health and other services. The caseworker said she had referred Gail for psychological services and that an initial referral to Dr. Hogan in Hillsdale was redirected to Arbor Hills in Jackson; the agency said transportation and a gas card would be offered. The child's foster placement was reported as meeting and exceeding developmental milestones, and the foster caregiver reported the child appears happy and healthy.

Court's findings and next steps. The court concluded that the child's current foster placement is “the safest and least restrictive placement” while the mother works to establish housing and routine. The court directed that the department continue investigation of the potential father identified by Gail and continue offering services to Gail. The court scheduled a permanency planning/review hearing for April 15 at 11 a.m.

The hearing record also shows the court admitted the case report and associated attachments into evidence and the parties agreed to revisit the court report at the next hearing if needed. No change to the child's custody was ordered at the hearing.

The court repeatedly emphasized to Gail the importance of consistent participation in services and visits if she wishes to pursue reunification. The judge closed the hearing by confirming the April 15 date and providing Gail with a copy of the order on request.