The Ohio Court of Appeals has affirmed a lower court's decision to terminate a mother’s parental rights and grant permanent custody of her child, A.M., to Tuscarawas County Job and Family Services (TCJFS). This ruling, filed on May 28, 2026, affects A.M., who has been in the custody of TCJFS since January 2024 due to her parents' inability to provide a safe environment.

The case, documented under docket number 2025 AP 12 0043, arose after TCJFS filed a complaint alleging that A.M.’s parents had left her in unsafe living conditions, including a home without running water or electricity. The court's decision highlights the importance of parental responsibility and the state’s role in protecting children from neglect.

Background

The parties involved in this case are T.W., the mother of A.M., and M.M., the father. TCJFS first became involved with the family in December 2023 when they filed a complaint indicating that A.M. was neglected and dependent. The agency's intervention began after reports of the child's living conditions, which included the presence of substance abuse among adults in the home.

Following an initial investigation, A.M. was placed in temporary custody of TCJFS in January 2024. During this time, a case plan was developed for the mother, which included requirements such as random drug testing. However, T.W. later requested to be removed from the case plan and refused to comply with its terms. This led to A.M. being placed with her paternal grandmother, D.M., in August 2024.

The situation escalated when TCJFS filed a new complaint in December 2024, citing A.M. running away from her grandmother's home. The agency sought to remove A.M. once again, leading to a series of hearings and a motion for permanent custody filed by TCJFS in July 2025.

The Ruling

The Ohio Court of Appeals, with Judge Kevin W. Popham presiding, ruled in favor of TCJFS, affirming the lower court's judgment that terminated T.W.'s parental rights. The court found that T.W. had been properly served by publication regarding the permanent custody hearing and that she failed to appear or participate in the proceedings.

The court noted, “Despite reasonable and diligent efforts by TCJFS to remedy the problems which caused the removal of the child from the home, both parents failed continually and repeatedly to remedy the conditions causing removal.”

The court also pointed out that A.M. had been in agency custody for a significant portion of time, which warranted the termination of parental rights. The ruling emphasized that the best interest of A.M. was served by granting permanent custody to TCJFS.

Impact

This ruling sets a precedent for how courts may handle cases involving parental neglect and the termination of parental rights. It underscores the responsibility of parents to engage with case plans designed to ensure the safety and well-being of their children. The court's decision reinforces the idea that failure to participate in such plans can lead to the loss of parental rights.

The ruling affects not only T.W. and A.M. but also serves as a reminder to parents in similar situations about the importance of complying with court orders and case plans. It highlights the role of child protective services in safeguarding children and the legal system's commitment to prioritizing their welfare.

What's Next

The mother has the option to appeal the ruling, but details regarding any potential appeal were not available in the court filing. There are currently no related cases pending that could affect this decision.