In re Adoption of A.J.L.
Citation
2025 Ohio 2401
Court
Unknown Court
Decided
July 7, 2025
Importance
35%
Practice Areas
Case Summary
[Cite as In re Adoption of A.J.L., 2025-Ohio-2401.] IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO ELEVENTH APPELLATE DISTRICT PORTAGE COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF: CASE NO. 2025-P-0012 THE ADOPTION OF A.J.L. Civil Appeal from the Court of Common Pleas, Probate Division Trial Court No. 2024 AD 00040 OPINION AND JUDGMENT ENTRY Decided: July 7, 2025 Judgment: Affirmed Corinne Hoover and Rachel L. Smick, Hoover Kacyon, LLC, 527 Portage Trail, Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221 (For Appellants, Eileen Mary Leskovec and Keith Anthony Leskovec). Leslie S. Graske, 54 East Mill Street, Suite 201, Akron, OH 44308, and Rebecca Sremack, 2745 South Arlington Road, Akron, OH 44312 (For Appellees, Taylor Marie LeMasters and Craig Ryan LeMasters). Cecily J. Mullins, Megargel, Eskridge & Mullins, LLP, 231 South Chestnut Street, Ravenna, OH 44266 (Guardian Ad Litem). SCOTT LYNCH, J. {¶1} Appellants, Eileen and Keith Leskovec, appeal from the judgment of the Portage County Court of Common Pleas, Probate Division, denying their petition for adoption and granting appellees, Craig and Taylor LeMasters’, petition for adoption. For the following reasons, we affirm the decision of the court below. {¶2} A.J.L., born April 6, 2021, is the biological daughter of Kevin and Kera Leskovec, who died in 2021. After their deaths, A.J.L. began living with her maternal uncle, Craig LeMasters, and his wife, Taylor. On October 10, 2023, the Portage County Court of Common Pleas, Probate Division, appointed Craig to serve as A.J.L.’s guardian. The court granted Keith and Eileen Leskovec, A.J.L.’s paternal grandparents, standard visitation. {¶3} The LeMasterses and the Leskovecs filed competing petitions for the adoption of A.J.L. on June 7, 2024, and August 2, 2024, respectively. At a December 3, 2024 hearing, the parties presented the following pertinent testimony: {¶4} Craig testified that, following Kera and Kevin’s deaths, Craig and Taylor moved into their residence with A.J.L. for approximately two years before moving to a new home. A.J.L. currently visits with the Leskovecs every other weekend and on Wednesdays. Craig testified that A.J.L. is bonded with the Leskovecs and it is important for her to continue having contact with them. He indicated that he had previously raised concerns with the visitation schedule but, if their petition was granted, the LeMasterses would continue “essentially the status quo” regarding visitation. {¶5} Craig testified that the LeMasterses and Leskovecs had some conflict regarding A.J.L., although the couples are “civil most of the time.” He indicated that the Leskovecs had raised their voices in front of A.J.L. at some visitation transfers and have difficulty compromising. {¶6} Taylor testified that the LeMasterses had some difficulty communicating with the Leskovecs and she felt they were fighting for control of A.J.L. She indicated that the LeMasterses had invited the Leskovecs to attend holiday events with A.J.L. on some occasions. {¶7} Denise LeMasters, A.J.L.’s maternal grandmother, testified that A.J.L. is bonded with the LeMasterses and the Leskovecs. The LeMasterses told her they would continue to allow visitation with the Leskovecs if the court granted their petition. PAGE 2 OF 11 Case No. 2025-P-0012 {¶8} Eileen Leskovec testified that she continued to have a relationship with A.J.L. after Kevin’s death. She believed the LeMasterses were always watching the Leskovecs when they were interacting with A.J.L. She expressed concerns about A.J.L.’s speech, development, and various health issues which she felt the LeMasterses did not properly address. Eileen believes visitation would end if the court granted the LeMasterses’ petition. {¶9} Lynne Leskovec, A.J.L.’s paternal aunt, indicated that she believed there was a lack of communication and trust with the LeMasterses, who had denied her visitation with A.J.L. in the past. She believed that if the court granted adoption in favor of the LeMasterses, her family would not see A.J.L. again. {¶10} Cecily Mullins, the guardian ad litem, recommended that the court deny both petitions. She did “not have faith [that the present relationships] will continue in the event that either side has complete control,” and observed tension between the parties. She questioned the LeMasterses’ claims that they would continue visitation due to their past complain
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[Cite as In re Adoption of A.J.L., 2025-Ohio-2401.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
ELEVENTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
PORTAGE COUNTY
IN THE MATTER OF: CASE NO. 2025-P-0012
THE ADOPTION OF A.J.L. Civil Appeal from the Court of Common Pleas, Probate Division
Trial Court No. 2024 AD 00040
OPINION AND JUDGMENT ENTRY
Decided: July 7, 2025
Judgment: Affirmed
Corinne Hoover and Rachel L. Smick, Hoover Kacyon, LLC, 527 Portage Trail, Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221 (For Appellants, Eileen Mary Leskovec and Keith Anthony Leskovec).
Leslie S. Graske, 54 East Mill Street, Suite 201, Akron, OH 44308, and Rebecca Sremack, 2745 South Arlington Road, Akron, OH 44312 (For Appellees, Taylor Marie LeMasters and Craig Ryan LeMasters).
Cecily J. Mullins, Megargel, Eskridge & Mullins, LLP, 231 South Chestnut Street, Ravenna, OH 44266 (Guardian Ad Litem).
SCOTT LYNCH, J.
{¶1} Appellants, Eileen and Keith Leskovec, appeal from the judgment of the
Portage County Court of Common Pleas, Probate Division, denying their petition for
adoption and granting appellees, Craig and Taylor LeMasters’, petition for adoption. For
the following reasons, we affirm the decision of the court below.
{¶2} A.J.L., born April 6, 2021, is the biological daughter of Kevin and Kera
Leskovec, who died in 2021. After their deaths, A.J.L. began living with her maternal uncle, Craig LeMasters, and his wife, Taylor. On October 10, 2023, the Portage County Court of
Common Pleas, Probate Division, appointed Craig to serve as A.J.L.’s guardian. The court
granted Keith and Eileen Leskovec, A.J.L.’s paternal grandparents, standard visitation.
{¶3} The LeMasterses and the Leskovecs filed competing petitions for the
adoption of A.J.L. on June 7, 2024, and August 2, 2024, respectively. At a December 3,
2024 hearing, the parties presented the following pertinent testimony:
{¶4} Craig testified that, following Kera and Kevin’s deaths, Craig and Taylor
moved into their residence with A.J.L. for approximately two years before moving to a new
home. A.J.L. currently visits with the Leskovecs every other weekend and on Wednesdays.
Craig testified that A.J.L. is bonded with the Leskovecs and it is important for her to
continue having contact with them. He indicated that he had previously raised concerns
with the visitation schedule but, if their petition was granted, the LeMasterses would
continue “essentially the status quo” regarding visitation.
{¶5} Craig testified that the LeMasterses and Leskovecs had some conflict
regarding A.J.L., although the couples are “civil most of the time.” He indicated that the
Leskovecs had raised their voices in front of A.J.L. at some visitation transfers and have
difficulty compromising.
{¶6} Taylor testified that the LeMasterses had some difficulty communicating with
the Leskovecs and she felt they were fighting for control of A.J.L. She indicated that the
LeMasterses had invited the Leskovecs to attend holiday events with A.J.L. on some
occasions.
{¶7} Denise LeMasters, A.J.L.’s maternal grandmother, testified that A.J.L. is
bonded with the LeMasterses and the Leskovecs. The LeMasterses told her they would
continue to allow visitation with the Leskovecs if the court granted their petition.
PAGE 2 OF 11
Case No. 2025-P-0012 {¶8} Eileen Leskovec testified that she continued to have a relationship with A.J.L.
after Kevin’s death. She believed the LeMasterses were always watching the Leskovecs
when they were interacting with A.J.L. She expressed concerns about A.J.L.’s speech,
development, and various health issues which she felt the LeMasterses did not properly
address. Eileen believes visitation would end if the court granted the LeMasterses’ petition.
{¶9} Lynne Leskovec, A.J.L.’s paternal aunt, indicated that she believed there was
a lack of communication and trust with the LeMasterses, who had denied her visitation with
A.J.L. in the past. She believed that if the court granted adoption in favor of the
LeMasterses, her family would not see A.J.L. again.
{¶10} Cecily Mullins, the guardian ad litem, recommended that the court deny both
petitions. She did “not have faith [that the present relationships] will continue in the event
that either side has complete control,” and observed tension between the parties. She
questioned the LeMasterses’ claims that they would continue visitation due to their past
complain
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