Can an unmarried father be a custodial parent in Ohio?

Yes, an unmarried father may be designated as a custodial parent of a child, if a judge or magistrate in good standing grants it under orders.  Unfortunately, the odds of an unmarried father becoming the sole custodian of a child are not great, due to the time-honored, social norm that children belong with their mother; but the possibility does remain that the father could be the only custodial parent in some instances.  A simple fact is that a father must ask for it, in order to have the opportunity to get it, in any case.  The most common scenario, however, comes from shared parenting.  Both a mother and father can be assigned as custodial parents to their child, within this type of arrangement, after an agreement has been reached between the parties.