Judge orders two children returned to mother, keeps father’s visits supervised

A Lenawee County judge ordered two children returned to their mother effective today and kept the father’s parenting time supervised, while declining to release the eldest child from the court’s jurisdiction.

The judge said, “Reunification continues to be an appropriate goal for all 3 children,” and explained that the court would not release the oldest child from jurisdiction at this time. The judge set the next review and permanency planning hearing for Nov. 17 at 10:30 a.m.

Caseworker Kristen Smith confirmed she authored the court packet before the court and described the father’s engagement with services. “Mister Davis has not engaged with me or anybody else from the agency to try and, you know, reduce these barriers,” Smith testified, summarizing the agency’s view that the father had not accepted accountability or shown clear benefit from services. Smith said supervised parenting time had been recommended early in the case because of concerns about violence and that the agency had tried to facilitate visits in public places and parks when possible.

Defense attorney Raines argued the father had made progress in some programs and asked that community-based visits in Tecumseh continue. Raines said reports showed the father “displayed bond and attachment with both of his children” during visits and urged unsupervised community visits. The court declined that request.

The judge reviewed allegations underlying a no-contest plea to a supplemental petition filed Nov. 21, 2024, including an account read into the record in which the father allegedly pointed a pistol and made threats while the children were present. The judge noted the court treats the petition’s allegations as true for purposes of services and risk assessment.

Attorneys and the court discussed logistics of supervised visits. Smith testified that parenting-time sessions were typically scheduled with two hours’ advance confirmation and that the father had exercised only one visit in the current reporting period. The agency had offered supervised visits at its offices, at DHS locations, and had proposed outdoor community visits in Adrian or Tecumseh; Smith said the father often directed communication to his attorney instead of coordinating directly with the agency.

On procedural matters, the court offered mediated settlement at a standard rate to help resolve remaining custody and parenting-time orders; the judge invited parties to file a stipulated order if they reach agreement. The court instructed that supervised parenting time for the father remain in place and that expansion of visits be at the discretion of the children’s therapists. The judge also noted that the court will monitor progress and conduct a 90-day review unless custody orders are entered sooner.

The judge closed by reiterating safety and therapy oversight concerns and setting the next review hearing for Nov. 17 at 10:30 a.m.

Ending: The order returns the two younger children to their mother with ongoing court supervision for services; the court maintained supervised parenting time for the father and left resolution of custody and parenting-time specifics to mediation, therapist recommendations and future filings.