Court continues Lenawee County child-welfare review after worker urges adoption, cites safety concerns and positive drug screens

A Lenawee County Probate & Juvenile Court hearing on an ongoing child-welfare review was continued after a caseworker recommended changing the child's permanency goal to adoption and the court admitted several agency documents, including discharge paperwork that lists two positive drug screens for the child's mother.

Nicole Underwood, the lawyer serving as guardian ad litem for the minor child, told the court the child is "thriving" in a relative placement and that "her needs are being met. It continues to serve her best interest and is the least restrictive environment at this time." Underwood said the child is still too young to express a placement preference.

Macy Moore, a foster-care worker with Catholic Charities, testified she recommends switching the permanency plan to adoption and "dropping the guardianship," citing the child's time in care and ongoing barriers to reunification. "This child has been in care since 06/21/2024," Moore said when asked about the length of custody. Moore…