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Judge keeps custody case open 60 days, sets March 31 review; children to remain with parents
Summary
At a review hearing in Lenawee County Probate & Juvenile Court, the judge continued jurisdiction for 60 days in the case of the Esterline–Gabriel children (file no. 24142 NA), finding parents engaged with services but asking for additional negative drug screens for the mother before dismissal.
Lenawee County Probate & Juvenile Court — The court continued jurisdiction in the matter of the Esterline–Gabriel children, file number 24142 NA, and set a further review for 10:30 a.m. on Monday, March 31, after finding the children are currently safe but the parents should have additional time to consolidate progress.
Megan McVeigh, a department representative, told the court she had met with both children and that “both children's needs are being met” and that there was currently “no risk of harm to the children.” McVeigh said she would nevertheless like to see more consecutive negative drug screens for the children's mother before asking the court to dismiss jurisdiction.
The court received and admitted the department's written court report and attachments without objection from the parties. Sasha Thomas, counsel for the department, asked the court to "maintain jurisdiction so the parents can continue to take advantage of and benefit from the services that are being offered." Thomas said the department was seeing progress and recommended another review period to permit sustained benefits from services.
Nicole Underwood, lawyer guardian ad litem for the minor children, also urged another review period to allow the mother, Melissa Gabriel, to show sustained sobriety and to allow continued support for both parents. Alexis Stang, attorney for the respondent father, asked the court to grant one more review period to allow her client to secure steady work and begin counseling.
Father Joshua Esterline told the court he currently lives temporarily with a friend on Leacher Road and is seeking fuller hours or a new job so he can afford independent housing. The department reported Esterline completed the FAP program, has expressed interest in beginning counseling, and was working to set up insurance so counseling can proceed.
Attorneys and the department discussed logistics: McVeigh said the department had arranged paternity referral attempts for the youngest child and that one scheduled appointment had been delayed but not missed. Counsel noted the oldest child is sharing a bedroom with a homeowner's son who is about 13; McVeigh said the department had no safety concerns about that arrangement.
The judge said the court found reasonable efforts toward reunification and that the parents have taken affirmative steps toward remedying earlier safety concerns in the case. The court kept the children placed with their parents and ordered a 60-day review, rather than the more common 90 days, to "see what happens" with the parents' progress. The court clerk will issue a written order containing the findings that support the ruling.
Votes at a glance: The court admitted the department's court report and attachments without objection. The presiding judge continued jurisdiction for 60 days and set the next review for 10:30 a.m. on Monday, March 31. No recorded vote tally was required; the ruling was a bench order by the presiding judge.
File details and next steps: The case remains open under file number 24142 NA. The court instructed the parties that children remain placed with their parents while services continue; counsel and the department will return for the scheduled review to report on additional drug screens, parental engagement, housing and employment progress, and therapy enrollment.
