Judge sets dual goal of reunification and adoption for infant with complex medical needs; father jailed

LENAWEe COUNTY — The Lenawee County Probate & Juvenile Court on the record changed the child’s permanency goal to a dual goal of reunification and adoption after hearing testimony about the infant’s complex medical needs and the father’s inability to provide care while incarcerated.

The judge, presiding over a permanency planning review, said the child’s current placement was “certainly the safest and least restrictive” and ordered the change, saying the court would re-evaluate both goals at a review set for April 6 at 10:00 a.m. The hearing record also notes a related case for Ellie Guerin set for 9:00 a.m. and that the removal period will be tracked for nine months.

Macy Moore, a foster-care worker who provided the court report, testified that "currently, Mr. Condiff is incarcerated. He has been incarcerated since January 6," and that Condiff had not completed recommended domestic-violence programming before his detention. Moore told the court the child’s placement has been providing appropriate care during medical treatment and that the parent had been given the neurologist's contact information to facilitate updates.

Carson Howard, the guardian ad litem, said he observed a parenting visit and that Condiff "was able to stay calm the whole time" and showed an appropriate bond, but Howard also noted that Condiff did not appear to have detailed information about the child’s medical condition and asked the court for clarification from Condiff about what he understands and what information he has received.

Christopher Condiff, the child’s father, testified from jail that he faces multiple charges and reported he was arrested on numerous warrants, including an assault-related felony and several domestic-violence counts. Condiff told the court he hoped for pretrial release but acknowledged that, as matters stand, he was unable to provide the home environment the court would require for reunification.

The child’s primary caregiver, who identified herself in the hearing as Shirley, described the infant’s diagnosis and daily care needs in detail, telling the court that the child has infantile spasms, “a rare form of epilepsy,” and that the family provides nearly around-the-clock supervision. Shirley said medication has reduced episodes but stressed that the child requires frequent travel to specialists in Toledo or at Mott’s and repeated therapies, and that "somebody may need to be with her full time." She told the court that the placement’s caregiver — Condiff’s aunt — has been a vital support.

The court accepted the written reports into the record and asked counsel to provide an extra copy of a recently received psychological evaluation, keeping the evaluation open for cross-examination and objections at the next review. The judge instructed Moore to refresh the record on the family-placement investigation at the next hearing.

The court’s order sets a follow-up review for April 6 at 10:00 a.m. to assess Mr. Condiff’s progress on services and the status of criminal charges; the judge said the record will determine whether the dual goal remains appropriate or whether adoption should become the sole permanency plan.