May Guardian Ad Litem Independently File Motion to Terminate Parental Rights Over Dependent Child?
In the Matter of: Christian Drake Thomas, Adjudged Dependent Child, Case no. 2008-0073 3rd District Court of Appeals (Crawford County) ISSUE: Under Ohio’s child welfare laws, does a guardian ad litem appointed by a juvenile court to protect the interest of an abused or dependent child have legal standing to independently file a motion to terminate the rights of the child’s natural parents and grant permanent custody to a county children services agency, or must such a motion be initiated by the agency to which permanent custody would be granted? BACKGROUND: This case asks the Court to interpret and apply several sections of R.C. Chapter 2151, the state law that sets procedures for the protection of abused, neglected and dependent children. It specifically asks the Court to review a ruling by the 3rd District Court of Appeals in which that court overturned an order of the Crawford County Juvenile Court terminating the rights of the parents of a dependent child, Christian Thomas, and awa
