Judge directs agency to seek termination petitions, moves to change permanency goal to adoption

At a permanency review hearing in Lenawee County Probate & Juvenile Court, the judge said the court would change the children’s permanency goal to adoption unless one of the parents showed significant progress, and directed the agency to file termination petitions for all three parents if those petitions are timely filed and served.

The agency’s counsel, Sasha Thomas, urged the court to move to adoption, saying the two fathers had been absent and had not engaged in services. "I think it is appropriate at this time to ask the court to formally change the goal to adoption," Thomas said, adding that the department would seek termination of parental rights and asked the court to suspend parenting time for the absent fathers.

Anna Delvero, a foster-care worker with Hands Across the Water who prepared a court report, described stable placements for the children and recommended adoption. Delvero said one father, Jeffrey Patterson, had been arrested and charged with home invasion and a drug-possession offense involving methamphetamines. "Mister Patterson was arrested," Delvero said. "Home invasion and a drug possession charge... Methamphetamines." She also reported that Austin Dubey had not seen the children since March and that both fathers were not participating in services.

A separate report and testimony described the oldest child’s positive adjustment to a placement (noted as a placement contact on 06/08/2026), progress at school and in an individualized education program, and close sibling bonding in their current placements. The reporter said the placements were willing to provide permanency through adoption.

Defense counsel questioned whether the fathers had set parenting-time schedules or contact information. Delvero said Patterson had one visit in May but none in June and had not provided a reliable address or consistent phone contact; she told counsel Patterson had been communicating only by email in recent weeks. On that basis, agency counsel and the guardian ad litem recommended the court find grounds to move toward termination petitions.

The judge reviewed the record, noted the mother’s limited progress, and concluded that, given the fathers’ lack of engagement and the children’s stability in placement, the court could not find circumstances that would support juvenile guardianship instead of adoption. The court directed the department to file termination petitions as to all three parents if timely filed and served, suspended parenting time for the absent fathers pending further order, and scheduled a combined review, permanency planning hearing, and termination hearing for Sept. 21 at 9:00 a.m.

The judge said the children would remain in their current placements and that the department and the guardian ad litem had satisfied their obligations to the court. The court indicated a termination petition and the formal order would include detailed findings and a fuller summary of the agency’s efforts. The case was set for the next hearing on Sept. 21 at 9:00 a.m.