Lenawee County Probate & Juvenile Court — The court on record for a third review hearing admitted the agency report, kept reunification as the permanency goal and set a follow‑up review for March 10 at 8:30 a.m., while identifying continuing gaps in housing, income verification and counseling documentation.

Megan Latour, the foster care worker who prepared the court report, told the court she believes “reunification is still in the best interest” of the child but flagged that the father had not yet provided proof of income or a lease and that the agency lacked a recent, specific update from the father’s counselor addressing the psychological evaluation and the child‑abuse‑potential inventory. Latour said parenting time has generally gone well and that the child is “thriving” in the current placement.

Father’s counsel, Michael McFarland, told the court his client expects to sign a lease on the 17th and agreed the father would submit a copy for inspection and verification. The father testified that he will be on the lease for a converted church residence on South Street in Adrian, estimated rent at $1,300 plus utilities, and said he could provide a monthly ledger of cash sales as interim proof of income.

On financial matters, the father said his partner earns about $2,000 every two weeks; in court questioning he estimated his own monthly sales income at roughly $4,000 to $5,000. Latour said she would accept a ledger of sales pending supervisor confirmation and would follow up with the father about documentation and scheduling home visit assessments.

The judge summarized the record, noting the child was removed earlier after concerns including homelessness, unemployment, lack of progress in parenting‑skill areas and criminality. The court said it remained “far from satisfied” that the father had established reliable income, transportation or housing and ordered a set of specific follow‑ups for the agency and service providers, including a clearer report from the father’s counselor covering therapy goals, attendance and progress on items cited in the psychological evaluation.

Defense and agency lawyers both urged continued services and clearer documentation. Department counsel said reunification remained an appropriate goal given the father’s engagement but recommended continued oversight, and the court scheduled the next review/planning hearing in roughly 90 days to evaluate progress.

The court directed the agency to obtain the counselor’s detailed progress report, to verify the lease and housing safety before expanding in‑home visits, and to document any changes in service engagement. The court said an order with next steps would be available shortly and adjourned the hearing.