Kelley v. Kelley , 2020 Ohio 1535 ( 2020 )

[Cite as Kelley v. Kelley, 2020-Ohio-1535.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
SIXTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
WOOD COUNTY
Kristin J. Kelley Court of Appeals No. WD-19-073
Appellee Trial Court No. 2016 DR 0216
v.
Gregory A. Kelley DECISION AND JUDGMENT
Appellant Decided: April 17, 2020
*****
Martin J. Holmes, Sr., for appellee.
Brian D. Smith, for appellant.
*****
PIETRYKOWSKI, J.
{¶ 1} Appellant, Gregory Kelley, appeals the August 22, 2019 judgment of the
Wood County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division, which adopted the
magistrate’s decision and altered Gregory’s visitation with his minor children, J.K. and
L.K. For the reasons that follow, we affirm.
I. Facts and Procedural Background
{¶ 2} On April 29, 2000, Gregory married appellee, Kristin Kelley. The parties
have two children: J.K., born in 2006, and L.K., born in 2007. On December 16, 2016,
Kristin filed a complaint for a divorce. Following extensive litigation, on May 30, 2018,
the trial court entered its judgment granting the parties a divorce.
{¶ 3} In its May 30, 2018 decision, the trial court found that Gregory has spent a
significant amount of time as the children’s caregiver because of his history of part-time
employment, and his ability to work from home. However, the trial court did find some
concerning behavior on Gregory’s part. In December 2015, while in New York City,
J.K. wandered off. After finding J.K., Gregory slapped him in the head, causing J.K. to
bleed behind his ear. In April 2016, during an argument, Gregory hit J.K. on the head,
causing him to scream and cry. After the April 2016 incident, Gregory sought help from
a professional. In November 2016, upon learning that Kristin was having an affair,
Gregory pushed her on the bed, choked her, and slapped her. After the divorce
proceedings were initiated, Gregory violated a civil protection order through his contact
with Kristin, which resulted in him spending three days in jail. Gregory then violated the
terms of his probation two more times, resulting in him serving a total of 46 more days in
jail in the spring and summer of 2017. Following his release from jail, Gregory contacted
the police on at least four occasions regarding issues with visitation and contact with
Kristin.
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{¶ 4} As part of the judgment, the trial court named Kristin the residential parent.
Gregory was awarded visitation pursuant to the court’s local schedule, with some
modifications. The modifications included that instead of one mid-week visitation,
Gregory would have the children from after school until 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday and
Wednesday during the school year, and from 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday to 8:00 p.m. on
Wednesday during the summer. In addition, Gregory would have visitation on
alternating weekends from after school on Friday until Sunday at 6:00 p.m. During the
summer, the Friday visitation time would begin at 3:00 p.m.
{¶ 5} Approximately two months after the entry of divorce, on August 6, 2018,
Kristin filed an emergency motion to modify parenting time. In the motion, Kristin
alleged that during an August 2, 2018 counseling session, the children informed their
counselor that Gregory had been drinking heavily during his parenting time, and then
driving the children. In addition, the children reported that Gregory has been physical
with them and has used fear as a means of discipline, and that they were afraid of him.
The counselor contacted children’s services. Kristin requested that the court suspend any
future parenting time until the investigation was completed, and then review the issue of
parenting time for Gregory.
{¶ 6} In response to the motion, the trial court suspended Gregory’s visitation,
with the exception of a one-and-one-half hour supervised visitation once a week.
However, Kristin did not fill out the intake form for the supervised visitation until
August 23, 2018. Thus, Gregory was unable to have visitation with the children for
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approximately three weeks. On August 24, 2018, the trial court expanded Gregory’s
visitation to having dinner at a restaurant on Wednesday and Saturday nights. The court
also appointed attorney Thomas Goodwin as guardian ad litem. Goodwin had previously
served as a guardian ad litem during the divorce.
{¶ 7} The matter then came for a hearing on February 5 and April 5, 2019. At the
February 5, 2019 hearing, Kristin testified regarding a number of incidents with Gregory.
{¶ 8} One of the incidents occurred on Saturday, September 8, 2018. The day
before, Kristin had messaged Gregory through Our Family Wizard, notifying him that the
children’s sitter would be picking the children up after his visit. During the visit, the
children called Kristin, frantic that Gregory was refusing to take them back to the drop-
off. L.K., in particular, was screaming and crying hysterically. Kristin learned that L.K.
had jumped out of Gregory’s truck while in a Pizza Hut parking lot, and ran away from
Gregory screaming “Get away from me.” A police officer who was responding to
another call, heard the commotion and came to investigate. Ultimately, the children were
returned to the sitter at the appointed time.
{¶ 9} As a result of this incident, except for one occasion, L.K. has refused to go
to visitations with Gregory. On January 28, 2019, L.K.’s pediatrician diagnosed him with
post-traumatic stress disorder stemming from the September 8, 2018 incident. At the
January 28, 2019 appointment, the pediatrician and L.K. also discussed L.K.’s thoughts
of hurting himself, and the pediatrician made an agreement with L.K. that if L.K. ever
progressed from thinking about hurting himself to making plans to hurt himself that L.K.
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would contact his counselor, the pediatrician, or Kristin. Kristin provided to Gregory the
report indicating that suicide issues were discussed, and an agreement was made.
{¶ 10} Other instances testified to by Kristin involved times when Gregory would
not return J.K. on time, or would take J.K. to Kristin’s house to pick up things despite
that being against the terms of the court order. In addition, Kristin testified generally as
to J.K.’s behavior following visitations with Gregory. Kristin testified that for an hour or
two after the visitation, J.K. would be disrespectful towards her, would make comments
to her that are unflattering, would be angry, would lie, may tell inappropriate jokes about
women, and would both physically and verbally fight with L.K.
{¶ 11} On cross-examination, Kristin admitted that she drinks approximately two
glasses of wine per week during her parenting time with the children, despite the court
order stating that neither party shall consume alcohol. She also admitted that she
expressed concern regarding Gregory spending additional time with the children during
hockey practice, stating to him via Our Family Wizard:
Every time you insert yourself into the boy’s schedule things get
messy, overcomplicated, or just plain incorrect. Again, if these events
don’t fall within your visitation times you shouldn’t be attending or
inserting yourself. Time and again you show your unwillingness to work
with me as you are solely focused on asserting blame.
Kristin also admitted that she has referred to Gregory being a “visitor” in their
lives. She explained that her frustration with Gregory is that he is not being the
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children’s father, he is being a visitor, and he is not even doing that well right
now.
{¶ 12} Kristin concluded that, in her opinion, it would not be in J.K.’s interest to
have any increase in visitation time with Gregory above the Wednesday and Saturday
night dinners. Regarding L.K., Kristin testified that she was hopeful that with time and
counseling, L.K. would want to reengage with Gregory, but she thought that it should
come in L.K.’s time and not be forced upon him.
{¶ 13} Gregory then testified on his own behalf, largely during the April 5, 2019
hearing. He testified that before August 1, 2018, he had a good relationship with his
children. He described that they had done a lot of fun things together, including riding
four wheelers, playing hockey, and going camping.
{¶ 14} In particular, Gregory testified about a family vacation that they took from
July 21 to July 28, 2018, at Wampler’s Lake in Michigan. Gregory testified that while at
the lake, the children did a lot of boating activities. Gregory also described that J.K.
needed to be disciplined a couple of times for being unsafe on the jet ski, damaging a
neighbor’s fence with his ATV, and listening to something that he should not have been
listening to on his phone. None of the disciplines described by Gregory involved
corporal punishment. Gregory then acknowledged that while they were on vacation, he
drank alcohol, up to three or four beers a day. He testified, though, that at no point did he
drink and then drive in a car with the kids.
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{¶ 15} Gregory returned the children to Kristin as scheduled on Saturday, July 28,
2018. He then had his regular summer visitation with the children from Tuesday
morning, July 31, 2018, to Wednesday evening, August 1, 2018.
{¶ 16} Thereafter, Gregory testified that his parenting time was rescinded, and he
was interviewed by someone from children’s services. On August 30, 2018, Gregory
received a letter from children’s services, informing him that the case with the agency
was closed, and recommending that he “not harm the children emotionally or physically,
or drink and drive with them.”
{¶ 17} Gregory testified that since September 2018, his parenting time with L.K.
has increased. Gregory testified that L.K. has been consistently attending parenting time
since early February 2019, and that he now sees him on average about four days a week.
{¶ 18} Gregory next testified regarding some of Kristin’s conduct as the
residential parent. Gregory stated that Kristin has cancelled events between him and the
children at the last minute, and that she did not allow him to spend the agreed upon time
with the children over the Christmas break. In addition, Gregory testified that Kristin has
caused the children to miss several appointments with doctors, and has been lax in taking
them to the dentist. Gregory further testified that Kristin has called him derogatory
names, is condescending to him, and lies to him.
{¶ 19} Ultimately, Gregory concluded that it would be in the children’s best
interests to return to the visitation schedule provided for in the divorce decree.
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{¶ 20} Finally, Goodwin, the guardian ad litem, testified. Goodwin testified that it
is his recommendation that Gregory should have visitations according to the local court
schedule with J.K., and for L.K.’s visitations to increase as he feels more comfortable,
eventually going to the local court schedule. Goodwin further testified that the local
court schedule should be modified to reduce Gregory’s summer visitation to two non-
consecutive weeks.
{¶ 21} Following the hearings, the parties submitted their proposed findings of
fact and conclusions of law. On May 13, 2019, the magistrate issued his decision, which
painstakingly reviewed the testimony and evidence presented at the hearings. The
magistrate further identified and discussed each factor under R.C. 3109.051(D) in his
determination of the appropriate visitation schedule. Upon reviewing all the evidence,
the magistrate concluded that parenting time in accordance with the guardian ad litem’s
recommendation was in the best interest of the children. Thus, the magistrate ordered
that Gregory shall have parenting time pursuant to the court’s local schedule with several
modifications. First, L.K.’s participation in parenting time shall be as determined by
L.K. Second, Gregory shall exercise parenting time on alternating weekends from after
school on Friday to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday. During the summer, Gregory’s parenting time
shall begin at 3:00 p.m. on Friday. Third, Gregory shall have two non-consecutive weeks
of vacation with the children during the summer, as long as L.K. wishes to participate.
{¶ 22} On May 24, 2019, Gregory filed his objections to the magistrate’s decision,
and motion for leave to supplement the objections upon preparation of the transcript from
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the February 5 and April 5, 2019 hearings. The only objection raised in Gregory’s
motion was that the manifest weight of the evidence does not support the magistrate’s
finding that the declared visitation schedule was in the best interests of the children. On
July 17, 2019, Gregory filed his supplemental objections to the magistrate’s decision. In
his supplemental objections, Gregory argued that there was a lack of evidence to support
the underlying allegations of physical danger to the children in Kristin’s emergency
motion. He also argued that the guardian ad litem’s investigation was incomplete and
that the guardian’s report contained mischaracterizations. Finally, he argued that the
magistrate’s decision did not give appropriate consideration to Kristin’s failure to
facilitate a positive relationship between the children and Gregory. Kristin responded to
Gregory’s supplemental objections on August 6, 2019.
{¶ 23} On August 22, 2019, the trial court entered its judgment approving and
adopting the magistrate’s decision. In its order, the trial court found that the magistrate’s
decision was not against the manifest weight of the evidence, and that it does consider the
best interests of the children. The court then approved the magistrate’s decision “upon
full consideration of the objections filed, and having fully and independently considered
the May 13, 2019 Magistrate’s Decision (65 pages), all pertinent pleadings, memoranda,
authorities, and information filed or provided to the Court, as well as the February 5,
2019 (251 pages) and April 5, 2019 (81 pages) hearing transcripts and exhibits.”
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II. Assignments of Error
{¶ 24} Gregory has timely appealed the trial court’s August 22, 2019 judgment
entry, asserting four assignments of error for our review:
1. The trial court erred by reviewing the Magistrate’s Decision on a
“manifest weight” standard of review.
2. The trial court erred by modifying the routine parenting time
schedule of Defendant/Appellant.
3. The trial court erred by making Defendant/Appellant’s parenting
time with one of the minor children, solely in the discretion of the minor
child.
4. The trial court erred by modifying the Defendant/Appellant’s
parenting time to less than the Wood County Local Parenting time
schedule.
III. Analysis
A. Trial Court’s Review of the Magistrate’s Decision
{¶ 25} In his first assignment of error, Gregory argues that the trial court erred and
applied the wrong standard when it found that the magistrate’s decision was not against
the manifest weight of the evidence. In particular, Gregory contends that the manifest
weight standard is an appellate standard, and is not consistent with the trial court’s
obligation to conduct a full and independent review of the facts and conclusions.
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{¶ 26} Civ.R. 53(D)(4)(a) provides that a magistrate’s decision is not effective
unless adopted by the court. Civ.R. 53(D)(4)(d) provides, “If one or more objections to a
magistrate’s decision are timely filed, the court shall rule on those objections. In ruling
on objections, the court shall undertake an independent review as to the objected matters
to ascertain that the magistrate has properly determined the factual issues and
appropriately applied the law.”
{¶ 27} “In accordance with Civ.R. 53, the trial court must conduct an independent
review of the facts and conclusions contained in the magistrate’s report and
recommendations and enter its own judgment.” Kovacs v. Kovacs, 6th Dist. Erie No.
E-03-051, 2004-Ohio-2777, ¶ 6. Because we presume regularity in the proceedings
below, “we generally presume that the trial court conducted its independent analysis in
reviewing the magistrate’s decision.” Mahlerwein v. Mahlerwein, 160 Ohio App.3d 564,
2005-Ohio-1835, 828 N.E.2d 153, ¶ 47 (4th Dist.). “Accordingly, ‘the party asserting
error bears the burden of affirmatively demonstrating the trial court’s failure to perform
its Civ.R. 53([D]) duty of independent analysis.’” (Emphasis sic.) Id., quoting State
ex rel. Scioto Cty. Child Support Enforcement Agency v. Adams, 4th Dist. Scioto No.
98CA2617, 1999 WL 597257 (July 23, 1999); see also Inman v. Inman, 101 Ohio
App.3d 115, 118-119, 655 N.E.2d 199 (2d Dist.1995) (holding that the appellant must
“make an affirmative demonstration that the trial court did not conduct an independent
analysis of the issues raised at the evidentiary hearing before the referee”).
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{¶ 28} In Kovacs, the record affirmatively demonstrated that the trial court failed
to conduct an independent analysis of a magistrate’s decision granting a protective order.
In that case, the trial court applied an abuse of discretion standard, and expressly
“deferred to the magistrate’s factual findings and decision, including the credibility of the
witnesses.” Kovacs at ¶ 8. Thus, we held that the judgment must be reversed, and the
matter remanded for an independent review. Id. at ¶ 9.
{¶ 29} Similarly, in Inman, the Second District held that the appellant
affirmatively demonstrated that the trial court did not conduct an independent review of
the magistrate’s decision granting custody of the minor children to her ex-husband.
There, the trial court’s judgment entry referred to “any objections timely filed,” which
suggested to the Second District that the judgment was a form decision. Further, the
court noted that the judgment was entered 25 hours after the ex-husband responded to the
objections, despite the record containing a magistrate’s decision that was 20 pages long,
28 pages of objections, a 16-page response to the objections, and a 180-page transcript.
The trial court’s judgment also gave no indication that it reviewed the transcript. In
addition, the Second District found that even a cursory review of the magistrate’s report
and findings of fact would “instantaneously raise questions as to the admissibility of
evidence upon which the [magistrate’s] recommendation was premised,” but the trial
court adopted those findings without any explanation. Inman at 119-120. From those
facts, the Second District concluded that the appellant met her burden to overcome the
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presumption of regularity of the trial court’s proceedings, and it held that the trial court
failed to satisfy its duty to make and enter its own independent judgment. Id. at 120-121.
{¶ 30} In contrast, in Mahlerwein, the Fourth District held that the appellant did
not meet her burden to demonstrate that the trial court failed to independently review a
magistrate’s decision. In that case, the trial court conducted a hearing in chambers on the
appellant’s objections, and three days later entered its judgment overruling the objections
and adopting the magistrate’s amended decision. The Fourth District discounted the
short time between the hearing and the decision, however, finding that the appellant’s
objections and transcript had been filed for approximately three months before the
hearing. Furthermore, the Fourth District cited the fact that a hearing was held on the
objections as evidence that the trial court independently reviewed the magistrate’s
decision. Mahlerwein at ¶ 52.
{¶ 31} Here, unlike Inman, the trial court entered its judgment approving and
adopting the magistrate’s decision approximately two weeks after Kristin responded to
Gregory’s supplemental objections, which is sufficient time to consider the record in this
matter. In addition, there was no indication from the magistrate’s decision or the hearing
transcript that there were evidentiary issues that would undermine the magistrate’s
conclusions, nor is there any indication that the trial court’s judgment entry was merely a
form entry. Furthermore, while we recognize that the trial court stated that the
magistrate’s decision was not against the manifest weight of the evidence, we find the
probative value of this statement to be low considering that Gregory’s sole objection was
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that the magistrate’s decision was against the manifest weight of the evidence. Finally,
the trial court followed the manifest weight statement by expressly stating that it fully and
independently reviewed the record and the magistrate’s decision, thus distinguishing this
case from Kovacs. Therefore, we hold that Gregory has not met his burden to
affirmatively demonstrate that the trial court failed to conduct a full and independent
review of the magistrate’s decision.
{¶ 32} Accordingly, Gregory’s first assignment of error is not well-taken.
B. Merits of Decision Establishing Parenting Time Schedule
{¶ 33} In his second, third, and fourth assignments of error, Gregory argues that
the trial court erred in modifying the parenting time schedule. Specifically, in his second
assignment of error, Gregory argues that the trial court failed to properly evaluate all of
the factors under R.C. 3109.051(D). In his third assignment of error, Gregory argues that
the trial court abused its discretion in making parenting time with L.K. solely at L.K.’s
discretion. In his fourth assignment of error, Gregory argues that the trial court erred by
modifying his parenting time to less than the court’s local schedule.
{¶ 34} A “party requesting a change in visitation rights need make no showing
that there has been a change in circumstances in order for the court to modify those
rights.” Braatz v. Braatz, 85 Ohio St.3d 40, 706 N.E.2d 1218 (1999), paragraph two of
the syllabus. Rather, a “[m]odification of visitation rights is governed by R.C.
3109.051.” Id. at paragraph one of the syllabus. “Pursuant to R.C. 3109.051(D), the trial
court shall consider the fifteen factors enumerated therein, and in its sound discretion
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shall determine visitation that is in the best interest of the child.” Id. at paragraph two of
the syllabus.
{¶ 35} “Upon review, an appellate court will not reverse the trial court’s
determination as to visitation issues absent an abuse of discretion.” Rather v. Rather, 6th
Dist. Erie No. E-13-071, 2015-Ohio-4210, ¶ 16; Booth v. Booth, 44 Ohio St.3d 142, 144,
541 N.E.2d 1028 (1989). An abuse of discretion connotes that the trial court’s attitude is
unreasonable, arbitrary, or unconscionable. Blakemore v. Blakemore, 5 Ohio St.3d 217,
219, 450 N.E.2d 1140 (1983).
{¶ 36} In his second assignment of error, Gregory argues that the trial court failed
to evaluate all of the factors in R.C. 3109.051(D) appropriately.
{¶ 37} In particular, Gregory asserts that the trial court ignored evidence that the
relationship between Gregory and the children is currently good and moving in a positive
direction. However, the court, in addressing R.C. 3109.051(D)(1), did in fact find that
“[J.K.] has felt comfortable with regular daytime parenting time with Gregory; [L.K.] less
so, but he has seen Gregory more regularly in recent times.”
{¶ 38} Gregory next asserts that the trial court ignored evidence regarding
Kristin’s persistent restriction and alienation of Gregory from the children. To the
contrary, the court in considering R.C. 3109.051(D)(13), found that “Gregory contends
Kristin failed to promptly sign up for his supervised parenting time. He generally feels
Kristin plays a role in his parenting time issues. As noted, he contends Kristin reneged
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on an agreement for his enhanced 2018 Winter holiday time. * * * Kristin failed to
provide Gregory with the address of her destination when taking a trip to Arizona.”
{¶ 39} Finally, Gregory asserts that the trial court failed to consider that he has
several family members who live in the area, and who provide him with a support
system. However, this is not one of the enumerated criteria in R.C. 3109.051(D), and
was not a main issue at the trial. Thus, we do not think the trial court abused its
discretion in not specifically citing this factor in its decision.
{¶ 40} Therefore, we hold that the trial court appropriately considered the relevant
evidence as it related to the factors in R.C. 3109.051(D), and did not abuse its discretion
in so doing.
{¶ 41} Accordingly, Gregory’s second assignment of error is not well-taken.
{¶ 42} In his third assignment of error, Gregory argues that the trial court abused
its discretion in making his parenting time with L.K. at L.K.’s discretion. Gregory
acknowledges that the trial court may make visitation at the discretion of the child. See,
e.g., Hagan v. Hagan, 5th Dist. Delaware No. 18 CAF 03 0030, 2019-Ohio-51, ¶ 51;
Wilson v. Redmond, 12th Dist. Madison No. CA2003-09-033, 2004-Ohio-3910, ¶ 12-13.
But, Gregory argues that such an order was unwarranted in this case.
{¶ 43} Gregory notes that he has begun to exercise regular parenting time with
L.K. again, and they are working towards phasing L.K. into spending alternate weekends
with him. Gregory further contends that unlike the situations in Hagan and Wilson,
L.K.’s physical and emotional health have not been negatively impacted by Gregory’s
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parenting time. However, the record does contain evidence regarding the pediatrician’s
diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder stemming from the September 8, 2018
incident, as well as L.K.’s suicidal thoughts. Therefore, we hold that the trial court did
not abuse its discretion in ordering Gregory’s parenting time with L.K. to be at L.K.’s
discretion.
{¶ 44} Accordingly, Gregory’s third assignment of error is not well-taken.
{¶ 45} In his fourth, and final, assignment of error, Gregory contends that the trial
court erred by modifying his parenting time to less than the court’s local schedule,
specifically as it relates to receiving only two non-consecutive weeks of vacation in the
summer. Gregory does not separately argue this assignment of error, but instead relies on
the arguments made in his second and third assignments of error. Upon our review of the
record, we find that the trial court has thoughtfully considered the factors set forth in R.C.
3109.051(D), and weighed the evidence, including the guardian ad litem’s report and
recommendation, in determining its parenting time order. Therefore, we hold that the
trial court did not abuse its discretion in modifying Gregory’s parenting time to less than
the court’s local schedule.
{¶ 46} Accordingly, Gregory’s fourth assignment of error is not well-taken.
IV. Conclusion
{¶ 47} For the foregoing reasons, we find that substantial justice has been done the
party complaining, and the judgment of the Wood County Court of Common Pleas,
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Domestic Relations Division, is affirmed. Gregory is ordered to pay the costs of this
appeal pursuant to App.R. 24.
Judgment affirmed.
A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to App.R. 27.
See also 6th Dist.Loc.App.R. 4.
Mark L. Pietrykowski, J. _______________________________
JUDGE
Thomas J. Osowik, J.
_______________________________
Gene A. Zmuda, P.J. JUDGE
CONCUR.
_______________________________
JUDGE
This decision is subject to further editing by the Supreme Court of
Ohio’s Reporter of Decisions. Parties interested in viewing the final reported
version are advised to visit the Ohio Supreme Court’s web site at:
http://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/ROD/docs/.
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