A Lenawee County Probate & Juvenile Court judge on record for a first review of reunification progress accepted a Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) report and scheduled a 90‑day permanency planning review for Feb. 24 at 8:30 a.m.

DHHS caseworker Sarah Harvey told the court that mother Alana Baker is in “partial compliance” with services but that the department remains concerned about ongoing alcohol use, honesty with providers and recent police contact. Harvey said the most recent police report indicates Baker’s preliminary breath test (PBT) was 0.174 after an overnight episode in which she had driven with a younger sister in the car; Harvey described that result as “very concerning.” Harvey also said a separate October event included heavy drinking at a party and a possible sexual‑assault allegation involving a minor that remains under investigation.

“Her PBT test came back as 0.174,” Harvey said when summarizing the police report. She told the court that those matters are the subject of an open investigation and that the department has not verified all underlying allegations.

DHHS also reported concerns about the respondent father, Devin Guyton: limited engagement with services, missed steps to apply for benefits and a recent drug screen that was negative for alcohol (below 0.08) but positive for marijuana. Harvey said parenting time with Guyton has generally been appropriate but that one visit was shortened amid concerns he smelled of alcohol.

Harvey characterized the child as doing well in the current placement: “He’s a pure joy,” she said, noting he is bonding to caregivers, sleeping and eating well. She added that a CTAC trauma assessment is scheduled for January and that a neurology follow‑up and testing are planned after a prior seizure‑like episode.

Defense attorneys challenged specific items in the police report during cross‑examination, noting that some allegations remain unverified or are reported as hearsay while investigations continue. Mother’s counsel said Baker intends to schedule treatment with McCullough Vargas and to sign releases to allow provider communication; he described the moment as a turning point and said his client understands abstinence is necessary for reunification.

DHHS told the court it is considering a permanency planning hearing given the accelerated nature of the case and the department’s concerns about both parents’ progress. The judge approved allowing parties to review an additional police report that had been circulated that day and arranged for copies to be provided to counsel.

The judge found the record shows reasonable efforts toward reunification but reiterated that, at present, the court cannot return the child because safety risks persist. The court left the child in the relative placement and set a 90‑day review with a permanency planning hearing for Feb. 24 at 8:30 a.m. The judge warned the parents that the court may consider termination of parental rights at the next hearing if significant changes do not occur.

Next steps: parties will review the police report copies provided in court, DHHS will continue recommended referrals and evaluations, and the court will reconvene on Feb. 24 for a courtesy planning hearing and permanency review.