Judge finds putative father unknown; infant to remain in foster placement as reunification continues

LENAWHATEVER — At a permanency-review hearing before the Lenawee County Probate & Juvenile Court, the judge declared the putative father to be "unknown" based on affidavits of publication and ordered that finding to be reflected in the court record; the child will remain in the current foster placement while reunification efforts continue.

Carson Howitt, the guardian ad litem, told the court he met the child on Jan. 14 and that "she's doing really well in this placement," noting experienced foster caregivers and older foster siblings who provide support. The court accepted a court report from foster-care worker Brandy Delagarza that listed reunification as the permanency goal and identified several barriers the mother must address.

Delagarza told the court the main obstacles to reunification are a history of substance abuse, unsafe housing, untreated mental-health concerns and parenting skills. She reported a drug-screen result dated Jan.…