IN RE MANESIA MINORS

Court of Appeals, State of Michigan
ORDER
IN RE MANESIA MINORS
Docket No. 379569
LC No. 2025-002147-NA
Brock A. Swartzle
Presiding Judge
Michael J. Kelly
Mariam S. Bazzi
Judges
The motion for immediate consideration is GRANTED.
The motion to STAY is STRICKEN because appellant failed to provide transcripts as
required by MCR 7.209.
Pursuant to MCR 7.205(E)(2), in lieu of granting the application for leave to appeal, the
Court REVERSES the February 12, 2026 and February 20, 2026 orders denying respondent’s motion to
adjourn and REMANDS for further proceedings consistent with this order. The trial court abused its
discretion by denying respondent’s unopposed motion to adjourn when respondent provided good cause
for an adjournment. See MCR 3.972(A); MCR 3.923(G). Specifically, an adjournment is necessary to
allow respondent time to review discovery that petitioner failed to timely provide as required by MCR
3.922(A)(1) and to allow respondent time to consult an expert. There is no indication that an adjournment
will harm the children, who remain in the care of their non-respondent mother, see MCR 3.923(G)(2), and
a desire “to expedite court dockets is not a sufficient reason to deny an otherwise proper request for a
continuance,” People v Jackson, 467 Mich 272, 279 n 7; 650 NW2d 665 (2002) (quotation marks and
citation omitted). On remand, the trial court shall adjourn trial for a sufficient length of time to allow
respondent to consult an expert and prepare for trial.
This order is to have immediate effect. MCR 7.215(F)(2).
We do not retain jurisdiction.
_______________________________
Presiding Judge
A true copy entered and certified by Jerome W. Zimmer Jr., Chief Clerk, on
Date
~,ii~- 9-.Chielerk
February 24, 2026

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