IN RE STASKER/MEEKHOF/SMITH MINORS

A true copy entered and certified by Jerome W. Zimmer Jr., Chief Clerk, on
September 24, 2026
Date Chief Clerk
Court of Appeals, State of Michigan
ORDER
IN RE STASKER/MEEKHOF/SMITH MINORS
Docket No. 378123
LC No. 25-020110-NA
Daniel S. Korobkin
Presiding Judge
Adrienne N. Young
Mariam Saad Bazzi
Judges
This Court’s April 10, 2026 opinion and order, while retaining jurisdiction, remanded this
case to the Van Buren Circuit Court Family Division for a hearing to determine whether respondent would
suffer collateral consequences as a result of the adjudication and whether this case has become moot.
As we explained in our opinion and order, a case is not truly moot when “a court’s adverse
judgment may have collateral legal consequences” for a party. In re Smith, 324 Mich App 28, 41 (2018)
(quotation marks and citation omitted). “When no such collateral legal consequences exist, and there is
no possible relief that a court could provide, the case is moot and should ordinarily be dismissed without
reaching the underlying merits.” Id. (quotation marks and citation omitted).
On remand, after hearing testimony from respondent and two caseworkers and argument
from respondent’s counsel, the trial court determined that the case was moot because respondent will not
suffer collateral consequences as a result of the court’s adjudication, disposition, or exercise of jurisdiction
over the minor children, and entered an order to that effect. The record from the hearing reflects that
respondent is not listed on the Central Registry and that she has not suffered any adverse effects as a result
of the adjudication. Although respondent’s case is listed in the Department of Health and Human Services
(DHHS) case management system, the DHHS caseworkers testified that the system is confidential and
entries cannot be removed regardless of the outcome of an adjudication. Thus, for the reasons given by
the trial court, which are supported by the record, we agree that the case is moot. See id.; In re Holbrook,
513 Mich 898, 898-899 (2023).
We therefore dismiss the appeal as moot.
_______________________________
Presiding Judge

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