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Judge continues review, leaves time open for objections in Lenawee County juvenile placement case
Summary
A presiding judge reviewed placements for five children in Lenawee County juvenile court and recommended continuing current relative and foster placements while leaving time for counsel to file objections to recently submitted reports.
A presiding judge in Lenawee County Probate & Juvenile Court reviewed the status of five children in foster and relative placements on the record and recommended that the children remain in their current placements while allowing attorneys time to review newly filed materials and raise objections.
The judge (name not specified) told attorneys that because some documents were submitted late during the holidays, "I would leave open the time frame to address any objections," and said the court would consider those issues at the next review if needed.
Nicole Underwood, guardian ad litem attorney for the minor children, and Nastasia Thomas, counsel for the Department of Health and Human Services, participated in the review alongside Department representative Young; Michael McFarland, attorney for the remaining father; Cathy Hovland (role not specified); and Ms. Huntley, who presented the court report.
Ms. Huntley reported that three boys in the case are placed together with a relative and are adjusting well after a recent move that consolidated the siblings in that placement; she said the oldest boy who moved "seems to be adjusting very well" and is having his educational needs addressed, including an individualized education program being processed that day. Huntley said the children are receiving counseling and dental care that had previously been needed, and that "they do, though, desire to have contact of some sort with their parents." She recommended continuing the current placements.
Huntley also reported on two girls in the case. She said Kaye V. (father's rights previously terminated) is doing well in her foster placement and participates in dance, soccer and driver's training. The youngest daughter, identified in the report as CG, is experiencing struggles at school and some medical issues, but Huntley said her placement is actively addressing those needs and that the child is "happy where she's at."
The judge noted that counsel for the parents and the guardian ad litem had advised they might seek extra time to review court documents and preserve objections; the court agreed to keep the record open to allow those potential objections to be brought at the next review hearing. During the proceeding the court also swore in Jessica Vance, identified in the report as a stepmother to one of the children; Vance told the court she had reviewed the report "a little bit" and agreed the family had been generally compliant with the service plan.
The hearing was recessed after a technical failure in the courtroom computer system.
No formal motions or rulings were made on the record during the portion of transcript provided; the court recorded next steps as continued review and留ing the record open for potential objections to the recently filed report.
