The Ohio Court of Appeals has affirmed a ruling that grants temporary custody of a minor child to Licking County Job and Family Services (LCJFS). This decision affects the child's biological parents, B.L. and J.L., who have faced scrutiny over their parenting due to past issues including substance abuse and criminal activity.
This ruling, filed on September 14, 2026, comes after the juvenile court found that the child was dependent under Ohio law. The court's decision is significant as it highlights the ongoing concerns regarding the safety and well-being of children in similar situations across the state.
Background
B.L. and J.L. are the biological parents of the child, along with three older siblings. LCJFS became involved with the family in February 2023, prompted by concerns about the parents' substance abuse, illegal activities, and lack of supervision. The agency filed complaints regarding the older siblings, leading to motions for permanent custody in early 2024 after the parents failed to comply with their case plans.
In July 2025, after the birth of their youngest child, LCJFS initiated further proceedings when a caseworker discovered the child had been born. The parents denied access to the child’s room during a scheduled visit, and subsequent drug tests revealed that the mother tested positive for suboxone without a prescription. Following this, LCJFS filed a complaint, alleging the child was dependent and requested temporary custody.
The Ruling
The court ruled on March 20, 2026, affirming the juvenile court's decision to grant temporary custody of the child to LCJFS. The court found that the child was dependent under R.C. 2151.04(D), which states that a child can be considered dependent if they reside in a household where a parent or guardian has committed acts leading to a sibling's adjudication as abused, neglected, or dependent.
The court stated, “the law does not require the juvenile court to experiment with the health and safety of a newborn baby where the state can show by clear and convincing evidence, that placing the child in such an environment would be threatening to the health and safety of that child.”
Judges William B. Hoffman, Robert G. Montgomery, and Kevin W. Popham concurred in this ruling, which also addressed several objections raised by the parents regarding the dependency adjudication and the agency's actions.
Impact
This ruling reinforces the legal standards that prioritize child safety and welfare in Ohio. It underscores the responsibility of child protective services to intervene when there are significant concerns about a child's living environment. The decision may serve as a precedent for similar cases where parents struggle with issues that could jeopardize their children's safety.
Furthermore, the court's affirmation of the temporary custody ruling emphasizes the importance of ongoing monitoring and support for families involved with child services. It highlights the need for parents to demonstrate substantial progress in addressing issues such as substance abuse and criminal behavior to regain custody of their children.
What's Next
The parents have the option to appeal this decision, although details regarding any potential appeal were not available in the court filing. The ongoing situation regarding the parents' older children, who are also under the care of LCJFS, remains a critical factor in any future proceedings.