In re G.H.

Summary

The Ninth District Court of Appeals of Ohio affirmed a Summit County juvenile court judgment awarding legal custody of G.H. to the maternal grandparents. The court held that the juvenile court did not abuse its discretion by denying Mother's oral request for a continuance after she failed to appear at the dispositional hearing.

Holdings

1. The juvenile court did not abuse its discretion in denying the oral motion for a continuance because Mother had notice of the hearing, counsel did not establish an emergency or unforeseen circumstance requiring delay, the other participants were present and prepared, and the case had already been pending beyond the anticipated statutory resolution period.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the juvenile court abused its discretion by denying Mother's counsel's oral motion to continue the final dispositional hearing when Mother failed to appear.
2. Whether the denial of the continuance constituted reversible or plain error.

Disposition

affirmed