Case Title: Dept. of Public Aid ex rel. Davis v. Brewer

Citation: 

Docket Number: 84330

State: illinois

Court: Illinois Supreme Court

Date: 1998-10-22T00:00:00Z

Document:
Dept. of Public Aid ex rel Davis v. 
Brewer (Ill. S.Ct.) 
Docket No. 84330-Agenda 36-May 1998.
THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC AID ex rel. 
LINDY DAVIS, now by marriage, Lindy Eddy, Appellee, 
v. JESSE BREWER, Appellant.
Opinion filed October 22, 1998.
JUSTICE McMORROW delivered the opinion of the 
court:
At issue in this appeal is whether, under section 610 of the 
Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (Act) (750 ILCS 5/610 (West 
1996)), in order to modify a child custody judgment within two years of the 
judgment's entry, the circuit court must find child endangerment by clear and 
convincing evidence or whether the court need only find that there is "reason to 
believe" that the child's present environment may endanger him or her in some 
way. The appellate court held that the parent seeking modification had to prove 
child endangerment by clear and convincing evidence, and, on this basis, 
reversed the judgment of the circuit court of Christian County granting the 
father's petition for modification of custody. 292 Ill. App. 3d 416. For 
different reasons, we affirm the appellate court's judgment reversing the 
circuit court's order modifying custody.
BACKGROUND
Jesse Brewer and Lindy Davis, now Lindy Eddy, are the 
parents of two minor children: Tasia Lee Brewer-Davis, born on April 26, 1991, 
and Nathan Silas Davis, born on July 30, 1992. Jesse and Lindy were not married 
at the time of either child's birth, and have never been married to each other. 
Lindy married Kevin Eddy in October 1994 and Jesse married Karen Poteet in May 
1995.
On September 9, 1991, a consent order of parentage finding 
Jesse to be Tasia's natural father was entered by the circuit court of Fayette 
County. On September 30, 1994, the circuit court entered an agreed order 
establishing parentage, wherein Jesse acknowledged that he was Nathan's natural 
father. Shortly thereafter, on October 19, 1994, Jesse filed a petition for 
visitation privileges concerning both children. At a hearing on November 29, 
1994, the parties reached an oral agreement regarding custody and visitation of 
the minor children, the terms of which were incorporated into a written 
stipulation. The trial court found the parties' agreement to be in the best 
interests of the children and approved the stipulation on December 2, 1994. This 
order placed sole custody of both children in Lindy, gave Jesse rights to 
visitation, and set a schedule for visitation between Jesse and the children. On 
January 5, 1995, the trial court approved a second written stipulation, and 
entered an order setting additional dates for visitation between the children 
and Jesse.
On November 21, 1995, the cause was transferred from Fayette 
County to Christian County, where both Jesse and Lindy were then residing. On 
December 15, 1995, Jesse filed a petition for modification of the custody and 
visitation order entered on December 2, 1994. According to the petition, 
material changes in the circumstances of the parties and children had occurred 
and the "environment at [Lindy's] house [had become] a serious danger to the 
minor children's physical, mental and emotional health." The central allegation 
in the petition was that Lindy had "knowingly and continuously delivered the 
children to a babysitter whose environment was a danger to their physical and 
mental health," because the children had been subject to sexual abuse by the 
baby-sitter's teenage son. The petition also alleged that the children were in 
danger because Lindy had bitten Nathan's arm as a form of discipline. The 
petition requested that Jesse be awarded sole care and custody of the children. 
The record shows that the affidavit of Karen Poteet was attached to, and filed 
with, Jesse's petition for modification. In that affidavit, Karen related her 
discussions with the children and Lindy concerning the sexual abuse. On December 
22, 1995, the trial court set Jesse's petition for an evidentiary 
hearing.
The trial court conducted an evidentiary hearing on Jesse's 
petition for modification during October and November 1996. On the first day of 
the hearing, Lindy's attorney argued that because Jesse's petition was filed and 
was being heard within two years of the December 2, 1994, custody order, 
pursuant to section 610 of the Act Jesse was required to establish, by clear and 
convincing evidence, that the present custodial arrangement seriously endangered 
the children. Jesse's attorney informed the trial court that he was 
"[d]efinitely in agreement" with that standard and was "prepared to proceed with 
that evidence."
During the hearing, Jesse presented evidence in support of 
the two allegations made in his petition: that Lindy bit Nathan's arm in an 
effort to discipline him; and that Lindy was aware that the children had been 
sexually abused at the home of the baby-sitter and failed to take appropriate 
action in protecting the children. Jesse additionally presented evidence 
concerning Lindy's alleged failure to have Tasia and Nathan immunized in a 
timely manner.
The testimony at the hearing established that during 
visitation in June 1995, Jesse and his wife, Karen, discovered a bruise on 
Nathan's upper arm. Nathan informed them that Lindy had bitten him. Karen, who 
is a social worker and a mandated child abuse reporter, contacted the Department 
of Children and Family Services (DCFS). Lindy admitted during the hearing that 
she bit Nathan on one occasion, but testified that her actions were a last 
resort in an attempt to prevent Nathan from biting other children after several 
other disciplinary measures had proven unsuccessful. Lindy's testimony 
concerning Nathan's biting problem was corroborated by DCFS investigator Michael 
Parkin, who testified that Nathan told him that he bit others, and also by 
Karen, who testified that Nathan had previously bitten her on her upper leg. 
Lindy related that after she took this disciplinary measure, Nathan refrained 
from biting anyone else. The evidence showed that although DCFS investigated 
this incident, no formal action was taken against Lindy. 
The trial court also heard undisputed evidence that Lindy 
failed to have the children immunized in accordance with the recommended 
immunization schedules. Although Lindy had received information regarding when 
the immunizations were to be administered, she failed to bring the children to 
scheduled appointments and neither child had been subject to a well-child 
examination. However, the evidence indicated that Lindy's failure in this regard 
amounted to tardiness and did not rise to the level of medical neglect. Further, 
both children had received the necessary immunizations at the time of the 
hearing.
The majority of the evidence at the hearing related to the 
sexual abuse of the children by the son of the children's baby-sitter. The 
evidence was not disputed that Dustin Drone sexually abused both Tasia and 
Nathan on at least one occasion sometime during the summer of 1995. The critical 
dispute between the parties concerning this abuse was whether Lindy knew or 
should have known that the children had been subjected to sexual abuse and 
whether she properly protected the children from that abuse.
According to Lindy's testimony at the hearing, she had been 
friends with Dustin's mother, Nancy Drone, for most of Lindy's life. Further, 
Lindy and Jesse had lived with the Drones for sometime before Tasia was born. 
For a period of approximately two years ending in July 1995, Nancy baby-sat the 
children while Lindy was at work.
Lindy testified that in May 1995, Tasia complained to her 
that her genital area hurt. Although Lindy found that Tasia'a vaginal area was 
red and irritated, Lindy testified, she was not alarmed because Tasia was prone 
to infections in this area of her body. Lindy related that the irritation 
disappeared once she changed Tasia's soap and bubble bath.
Lindy testified that in late June 1995, she was informed by 
Nancy Drone that Tasia had been displaying inappropriate sexual behavior. Nancy 
described Tasia's conduct to Lindy. According to Lindy, Tasia, who was four 
years old at this time, had never before acted in such a manner. In addition, 
Nathan, who was almost three years of age at this time, also engaged in 
inappropriate sexual behavior. The next day Lindy met with Cheryl Woods, a 
counselor with the Shelby County mental health department, who instructed Lindy 
to report Tasia's behavior to DCFS. Lindy testified that DCFS declined to 
investigate on the basis that Lindy could not pinpoint the source of the 
children's behavior and that Tasia and Nathan refused to speak with anyone about 
it.
By the time Woods saw the children in early July 1995, their 
behavior had improved and they did not relate anything to her that indicated 
they were victims of sexual abuse. Woods noted that Tasia did state that when 
the children stayed overnight with Jesse, both children slept in the same bed 
with Jesse and Karen. Based upon her interviews with the children, Woods 
concluded that they did not relate any high-risk factors and she believed that 
no further counseling sessions were required.
The testimony of both Woods and Lindy indicated that Lindy 
was concerned because the children's unusual behavior started after they had an 
extended visit with Jesse and Karen. As a result, Lindy went to an attorney in 
an attempt to have Jesse's visitation with the children stopped until Lindy 
"found out what was going on." However, because the attorney did not return 
Lindy's phone calls, Lindy did not pursue this avenue any further.
Lindy and her husband, Kevin, testified that at the end of 
July 1995, they were in the process of packing their belongings for their move 
to Pana, Illinois, when Tasia blurted out that she knew Dustin had French kissed 
someone. After Tasia made this remark, Lindy asked Nancy Drone if Dustin, who 
was 16 years old at that time, was ever near the children. Nancy stated that 
Dustin was not around the children, as he was either in school or playing 
outside, and that the only time he was in the house was when he watched 
television. Nancy reassured Lindy that the children were never without Nancy's 
supervision. Lindy testified that she told Nancy to keep a very close watch on 
the children and their playmates in an effort to assist Lindy in discovering the 
source of the children's unusual behavior.
Based upon Nancy's statement that Dustin was never around 
the children, Lindy thought that it was not possible that Dustin had kissed 
Tasia. Lindy related that when she had been a teenager and Dustin was 
approximately 10 years old, she discovered that Dustin had been sexually 
molested. She further testified, however, that she had forgotten this fact until 
she learned that Dustin had also molested her children. Lindy stated that Nancy 
baby-sat the children on only one or two occasions after Tasia made the 
statement about kissing, and that she ceased using Nancy as a baby-sitter 
because Nancy had become "unreliable" in that she was not home when Lindy 
arrived with the children for scheduled baby-sitting. Lindy testified that on a 
few occasions thereafter, the children were baby-sat by Teresa Boehm, who lives 
close to the Drone home and is Dustin's aunt.
Lindy stated that she was unaware that Dustin had sexually 
abused the children until she received a telephone call from a DCFS investigator 
on November 2, 1995. Lindy testified that DCFS personnel never made an in-person 
follow-up visit to her concerning this matter.
Jesse and his wife, Karen, related that during visitation in 
late October 1995, Tasia changed the subject of a conversation by spontaneously 
stating that it was "not fair" that Dustin told her she would be in trouble when 
he made her perform a sexual act. Nathan then uttered a similar remark. Karen 
immediately informed DCFS, and the children were interviewed by a DCFS 
investigator. Jesse and Karen informed Lindy neither of the statements made by 
the children, nor that the children had been interviewed by DCFS. Jesse and 
Karen testified that prior to this incident, the children had never made any 
similar statements or exhibited any behavior indicating that they had been 
sexually abused. Jesse and Karen also denied that the children slept in the same 
bed with them when the children stayed overnight at their home during 
visitation.
Karen testified that she received a telephone call from 
Lindy on November 2, 1995, after Lindy had been initially contacted by DCFS 
concerning the allegations of sexual abuse. Karen stated that during this 
conversation Lindy told her that the children had been sexually acting out with 
other children and that Lindy had harbored suspicions concerning Dustin because 
Tasia had told Lindy that Dustin had French kissed her on the mouth. According 
to Karen, Lindy also stated that Dustin had broken into homes to steal women's 
undergarments, had made 900-number telephone calls, and had been sexually 
molested as a child. According to Karen, Lindy stated that she had complained to 
Nancy about Dustin's behavior, and had taken the children to a counselor but 
that the children would not talk. Jesse testified that Lindy told him that she 
thought the kissing and sexual abuse might have occurred in May, June or July of 
1995. According to Jesse, the primary reason he sought modification of the 
custody order was that he believed that although Lindy was aware that the 
children were sexually abused by Dustin, she allowed them to continue to be 
exposed to this threat.
Bert Holloway, a caseworker for DCFS, testified that he 
interviewed the children at Jesse and Karen's home on October 28, 1995, in 
connection with the children's statements concerning Dustin Drone. Holloway 
testified that both children stated that they had told Lindy about Dustin's 
actions, but Holloway was unable to establish exactly when the children informed 
Lindy. Holloway testified that he never interviewed Lindy in connection with the 
report of sexual abuse and there is no indication from the record that DCFS ever 
proceeded against Lindy on the basis of her alleged knowledge of this 
abuse.
Jo D. Spezia Lanham, a child protection investigator for 
DCFS, testified that she investigated the children's sexual abuse allegations 
and, as part of that investigation, contacted Lindy on one occasion by telephone 
on November 30, 1995. According to Lanham, Lindy told her that Nancy voiced 
concerns over Tasia's behavior in May 1995, and that Lindy requested Nancy to 
"keep an extra eye on Tasia" because Tasia told Lindy that Dustin had French 
kissed her.
At the close of Jesse's case, Lindy's attorney moved for 
judgment in her favor, contending that Jesse did not meet the agreed-upon burden 
of proving by clear and convincing evidence that the continued custody 
arrangement would seriously endanger the children. Jesse's attorney argued that 
the "standard is somewhat in dispute here," contending that section 610(a) of 
the Act should be interpreted as merely prefatory and that in order to modify a 
custody order, the court was required to find that Jesse had presented clear and 
convincing evidence of a change in circumstances and that it was in the 
children's best interests to modify custody. In support of his argument, Jesse's 
counsel cited the appellate court decision in In re Marriage of Oehm, 
252 Ill. App. 3d 311 (1993). Although the trial court judge denied Lindy's 
motion, the judge did not specifically rule on the issue of the appropriate 
burden of proof.
On December 2, 1996, the trial court entered a memorandum of 
decision granting Jesse's petition to modify custody. The trial court judge 
determined that serious endangerment was "the initial burden that must be met by 
affidavit to even allow the petition to be heard. It was met." The judge ruled 
that the proper burden on Jesse during the evidentiary hearing was "to show by 
clear and convincing evidence that a change of circumstances has occurred and 
that a modification of custody is in the best interests of the children." The 
trial court judge determined that the sexual abuse constituted the pivotal 
change of circumstance since the entry of the custody order.
The trial court judge stated that "[t]he closer issue is 
whether modification is in the best interests of the children." The judge found 
that Lindy's biting of Nathan as a disciplinary measure and the lack of timely 
immunizations, while not excusable, were not, in and of themselves, sufficient 
for modification. According to the judge, "[t]he key issue is the matter of 
sexual abuse, what Lindy knew or should have known, and what, if anything she 
did about it. These are not easy questions to answer." The trial court judge 
found that although Lindy did not know the full extent of sexual abuse as it was 
occurring, "one must question Lindy's judgment and sensitivity to warning 
signs."
The trial court judge found that "due to Lindy's failure to 
protect the children from sexual abuse, though probably negligent and not 
intentional, the stability now present in Jesse's household with the presence of 
Karen Poteet, and to a lesser extent Lindy's failure to properly immunize the 
children, it is in the children's best interests that custody be transferred to 
Jesse." In further explanation, the trial court judge stated that "[i]n fairness 
to Lindy, it should be noted that this is a case upon which reasonable people 
might disagree," and that "[t]he issue of whether Jesse met his burden on the 
best interest standard [was] very close." The judge concluded, however, that 
"after balancing all the factors," the children were "better off with Jesse." 
The judge further ruled, however, that there was "no reason that Lindy should 
not have liberal visitation."
On December 5, 1996, Lindy filed with the trial court a 
motion to reconsider its grant of Jesse's petition to modify custody, arguing 
that the trial court judge's findings that this was a case "upon which 
reasonable people might disagree" and that the evidence was "very close" showed 
that Jesse failed to meet the clear and convincing standard of proof required 
pursuant to section 610 of the Act. On December 10, 1996, the trial court judge 
denied Lindy's motion to reconsider, explaining the basis of his grant of 
modification in a docket entry as follows: "To characterize this decision as 
being made with absolute certainty would be unfair to Lindy Eddy. It was indeed 
close as judged by the clear and convincing evidence standard. However, the 
court still believes it to be the correct decision ***."
Lindy thereafter appealed. In reversing the trial court's 
ruling and remanding this cause for further proceedings, the appellate court 
held that the trial court incorrectly interpreted section 610 of the Act. 
According to the appellate court, because the custody order that Jesse sought to 
modify was entered within two years of the hearing, sections 610(a) and (b) of 
the Act required Jesse to prove by clear and convincing evidence that the 
current custodial arrangement seriously endangered the children. 292 Ill. App. 
3d at 425. In reaching its conclusion, the appellate court rejected the 
interpretation of section 610 employed by the appellate court panel in In re 
Marriage of Oehm, 252 Ill. App. 3d 311 (1993), which was relied upon by the 
trial court. The appellate court determined that without clear and convincing 
proof of serious endangerment to the children and specific findings to that 
effect, the trial court's order modifying the custody judgment was void. 292 
Ill. App. 3d at 427. Finally, the appellate court held that the trial court 
improperly allowed the legal standard to change in the middle of the hearing, 
placing Lindy at an "irreconcilable disadvantage." 292 Ill. App. 3d at 
428.
We granted Jesse leave to appeal. 166 Ill. 2d R. 315. Before 
this court, Jesse raises two issues for consideration: (1) whether, under 
section 610 of the Act, in order to modify a child custody judgment within 2 
years of the entry of that judgment, the circuit court must find child 
endangerment by clear and convincing evidence, or whether the court need only 
find that there is "reason to believe" that the child's present environment may 
endanger him or her in some way; and (2) whether sufficient evidence was 
presented to justify the trial court's modification of the custody order 
pursuant to section 610 of the Act.
ANALYSIS
The Illinois Parentage Act of 1984 provides that 
modification of custody judgments is governed by the Illinois Marriage and 
Dissolution of Marriage Act (Act) (750 ILCS 45/16 (West 1996)). Section 610 of 
the Act (750 ILCS 5/610 (West 1996)) governs modification of custody awards and 
was modeled after section 409 of the Uniform Marriage and Divorce Act (see Ill. 
Ann. Stat., ch. 40, par. 610, Historical & Practice Notes, at 93 (Smith-Hurd 
1980)), which was "designed to maximize finality (and thus assure continuity for 
the child) without jeopardizing the child's interest." Uniform Marriage and 
Divorce Act, 9A U.L.A. §409, Comment, at 212 (West 1998). The underlying purpose 
of section 610 of the Act is to " `seek to discourage continuing litigation 
involving children' " and prevent " `ping pong' " litigation in 
custody disputes. Ill. Ann. Stat., ch. 40, par. 610(a), Historical & 
Practice Notes, at 94 (Smith-Hurd 1980). Section 610 of the Act provides, in 
pertinent part:
"(a) Unless by stipulation of the parties, no motion to 
modify a custody judgment may be made earlier than 2 years after its date, 
unless the court permits it to be made on the basis of affidavits that there is 
reason to believe the child's present environment may endanger seriously his 
physical, mental, moral or emotional health.
(b) The court shall not modify a prior custody judgment 
unless it finds by clear and convincing evidence, upon the basis of facts that 
have arisen since the prior judgment or that were unknown to the court at the 
time of entry of the prior judgment, that a change has occurred in the 
circumstances of the child or his custodian *** and that the modification is 
necessary to serve the best interest of the child. *** The court shall state in 
its decision specific findings of fact in support of its modification *** if 
either parent opposes the modification ***." 750 ILCS 5/610(a), (b) (West 
1996).
The central question presented in this appeal is the proper 
interpretation of sections 610(a) and (b) of the Act as those sections apply to 
petitions for modification of custody filed and heard within two years of the 
entry of the last custody judgment. In construing statutes, the goal of the 
courts is to ascertain and give effect to the legislature's intent. In re 
Marriage of Mitchell, 181 Ill. 2d 169, 173 (1998). In order to ascertain 
the intent of the legislature, this court has steadfastly adhered to the 
principle that courts should first look to the statutory language as the best 
indication of the intent of the drafters. Nottage v. Jeka, 172 Ill. 2d 386, 392 (1996). If the language of the provision at issue is plain and 
unambiguous, it will be given effect without resorting to other aids of 
construction. Mitchell, 181 Ill. 2d  at 173. We conduct de novo 
review when resolving an issue of statutory construction. Lucas v. 
Lakin, 175 Ill. 2d 166, 171 (1997).
Sections 610(a) and (b) of the Act establish a dual-step 
process for modification petitions filed and heard within two years of the last 
custody judgment. Section 610(a) empowers a trial court, under certain 
circumstances, to grant a hearing on the petition for modification, with the 
ultimate decision on modification to be made pursuant to the legal standards set 
forth in section 610(b).
Section 610(a) provides that absent agreement by the 
parties, "no motion to modify a custody judgment may be made earlier than 2 
years after its date." However, under limited circumstances, the court "may" 
permit a motion for modification to be made "on the basis of affidavits that 
there is reason to believe the child's present environment may endanger 
seriously his physical, mental, moral or emotional health." 720 ILCS 5/610(a) 
(West 1996). Thus, section 610(a) "provides a ` "safety valve" for 
emergency situations' where modification is otherwise prohibited." Ill. Ann. 
Stat., ch. 40, par. 610(a), Historical & Practice Notes, at 94 (Smith-Hurd 
1980). The plain language of subsection (a) allows the trial court, in its 
discretion, to permit a petition for modification to be heard in those 
situations where the court, based upon submitted affidavits, has a "reason 
to believe" (emphasis added) that the child is seriously endangered by the 
present custodial environment. This construction is wholly consistent with the 
stated purpose of subsection (a) to operate as a "safety valve" for emergency 
situations, allowing consideration of a petition for modification of child 
custody where a child's welfare is at serious risk. Subsection (a) thereby 
serves an important gatekeeping function, as only those cases which satisfy the 
initial procedural prerequisite contained in subsection (a) proceed to an 
evidentiary hearing conducted pursuant to the provisions of subsection 
(b).
Section 610(b) specifies the legal standards a court must 
use in determining whether to grant a petition for custody modification. The 
plain language of subsection (b) applies to all petitions, regardless 
of whether they are filed and heard before or after two years from the date of 
entry of the custody judgment. In order for any prior custody judgment to be 
modified, subsection (b) requires the court to find, by clear and convincing 
evidence, based upon facts that have arisen since the prior custody 
judgment or that were unknown to the court at the time of that judgment, that: 
(1) "a change has occurred in the circumstances of the child or his custodian"; 
and (2) that "the modification is necessary to serve the best interest of the 
child." 750 ILCS 5/610(b) (West 1996). Subsection (b) also requires the court to 
"state in its decision specific findings of fact in support of its modification 
*** if either parent opposes the modification." 750 ILCS 5/610(b) (West 
1996).
Thus, the plain language of the statute is clear that, in 
cases where a modification of custody is sought within two years of the entry of 
the previous custody judgment, subsection (a) requires the court to find that 
the affidavits submitted by the petitioning parent establish a "reason to 
believe" that the "child's present environment may endanger seriously his 
physical, mental, moral, or emotional health." If this procedural prerequisite 
is met, the case then proceeds to an evidentiary hearing where the trial court 
applies the legal standards contained in subsection (b) to determine whether the 
modification petition should be granted. Because the statute's plain language is 
clear, we need not consider other interpretive aids in order to ascertain 
legislative intent. Paris v. Feder, 179 Ill. 2d 173, 180 
(1997).
The plain language of the statute supports the conclusion 
that the legislature did not intend for a parent seeking modification of a 
custody judgment within two years of the judgment's entry to prove serious 
endangerment by clear and convincing evidence. Rather, modifications may be made 
after clear and convincing proof has been presented that the best interests of 
the child require modification. Although stability in a child's life is an 
important goal, it would make little sense to provide a "safety valve" for 
emergency situations so strict as to defeat its very purpose. We note that this 
holding does not undermine the policy of custodial stability while promoting the 
best interests of the child. In addition, the policy goal of assuring continuity 
for the child and avoiding "ping pong" litigation in custody disputes is further 
satisfied by subsection (c) of section 610, which provides that "[a]ttorney fees 
and costs shall be assessed against a party seeking modification if the court 
finds that the modification action is vexatious and constitutes harassment." 750 
ILCS 5/610(c) (West 1996). This provision provides a strong deterrent to those 
persons who would plan to seek custody modification solely as a form of 
harassment against the other parent.
In reaching the conclusion that a parent seeking 
modification of a child custody judgment within two years of the judgment's 
entry must prove serious endangerment by clear and convincing evidence, the 
appellate court relied upon several previous appellate court decisions 
interpreting section 610 of the Act in a similar manner. However, we do not 
consider these decisions persuasive. Section 610 was amended in 1987, leaving 
subsection (b) in its present version. 1987 Ill. Laws 3171 (Pub. Act 85-746, 
eff. September 23, 1987). By deleting a clause which had limited application of 
the legal standards contained within subsection (b) to modification petitions 
filed after the expiration of the two-year period, the legislature clarified 
that the standards provided in subsection (b) apply to all petitions 
for modification, regardless of when filed and heard. Every case cited by the 
appellate court in its opinion in this matter relies upon either pre-1987 
versions of the statute or decisions rendered prior to 1987. We find that the 
appellate court's interpretation of sections 610(a) and (b) is contrary to the 
plain meaning of the Act, and that the trial court's interpretation of section 
610 comported with the plain meaning of the statute's language.
We next review the trial court's ruling granting Jesse's 
petition for modification. Determining custody in a particular case is a matter 
which rests within the sound discretion of the trial court. In re Custody of 
Sussenbach, 108 Ill. 2d 489, 498 (1985). Because the trial court is in the 
best position to judge the credibility of the witnesses and determine the needs 
of the child, "the question for the reviewing court is whether the trial court's 
decision is contrary to the manifest weight of the evidence." 
Sussenbach, 108 Ill. 2d  at 499.
In applying this standard to the facts in the matter at bar, 
we find that the trial court abused its discretion in granting Jesse's petition 
for modification. In his memorandum of decision, the trial court judge correctly 
determined that the pivotal change in circumstances since the entry of the 
custody order was the sexual abuse of the children by Dustin Drone. The trial 
court judge then observed that "[t]he closer issue is whether modification is in 
the best interests of the children." The judge determined that the lack of 
timely immunizations and the biting incident were insufficient grounds for 
modification. In addition, the judge found that there was "no evidence" that the 
children were "in danger of mistreatment," and that there was "no question" that 
both Jesse and Lindy loved their children.
However, in focusing upon the sexual abuse suffered by the 
children, the trial court judge stated that "[o]ne must question Lindy's 
judgment and sensitivity to warning signs." The judge was "convince[d]" that, 
based upon the evidence presented in this matter, "Lindy did not take 
appropriate measures to protect the children from the sexual abuse that they 
suffered." The trial court judge therefore granted Jesse's petition for 
modification of custody, but also commented that "[i]n fairness to Lindy, it 
should be noted that this is a case upon which reasonable people might 
disagree."
We agree with the appellate court that the evidence adduced 
during the hearing on Jesse's petition for modification "established only that 
Lindy might have used poor judgment in assessing the danger of sexual abuse by 
Dustin Drone." 292 Ill. App. 3d at 428. Nowhere in his memorandum of decision 
does the trial court judge specifically find, as required by subsection (b) of 
section 610, that Jesse had proven, by clear and convincing evidence, that the 
modification of custody was "necessary" to serve the best interests of the 
children. 750 ILCS 5/610(b) (West 1996). To the contrary, the trial court judge 
noted that the evidence was "very close" on the issue of the best interest of 
the children, that this was a case "upon which reasonable people might 
disagree," and that the children were "better off" with Jesse.
The evidence presented at the hearing showed that Lindy 
promptly took several steps to investigate the possible sexual abuse after the 
symptoms came to her attention. When Lindy became aware that both Tasia and 
Nathan were displaying inappropriate behavior, she contacted a mental health 
counselor, Cheryl Woods, and set up appointments for the children in an effort 
to discover the cause of their behavior. Woods testified that because the 
children's actions began after they had an extended visit with Jesse and Karen, 
and because the children stated that they slept in the same bed with Jesse and 
Karen during the visit, Lindy was "very concerned" about the children's behavior 
and "certainly confused" regarding the source of Tasia's and Nathan's actions. 
Woods engaged in a counseling session with the children, during which they did 
not relate anything to her which indicated they were victims of sexual abuse. 
Woods therefore determined that the children were not in need of further 
counseling. Lindy could have thereafter reasonably assumed that the children 
were not in any danger. Lindy also contacted DCFS in connection with this 
incident, and DCFS declined to investigate.
Further, once Tasia made the comments concerning Dustin and 
kissing, Lindy immediately confronted Nancy Drone, who assured Lindy that the 
children were not left alone with Dustin. Lindy thereafter attempted to enlist 
Nancy's assistance in helping her discover the source of the children's 
behavior. After gaining reassurance from Nancy that the children were not left 
unattended, and in light of the fact that Tasia's statement was not clear in 
terms of whether she was kissed by Dustin or had seen Dustin kiss someone else, 
Lindy could have reasonably believed that conditions at the Drone residence were 
not the cause of the children's behavior. Finally, DCFS took no action against 
Lindy in connection with the incidents of sexual abuse. In sum, Jesse did not 
establish by clear and convincing evidence that modification of custody was 
necessary to serve the best interests of the children.
CONCLUSION
For the foregoing reasons, we hold that the appellate court 
erred in interpreting section 610 of the Act as requiring the circuit court to 
find child endangerment by clear and convincing evidence in order to modify a 
child custody judgment within two years of that judgment's entry. However, for 
the reasons stated, we affirm the judgment of the appellate court reversing the 
circuit court's order granting Jesse's petition for modification of custody, but 
reverse that portion of the appellate court's judgment remanding the cause to 
the circuit court for further proceedings. The judgment of the circuit court is 
reversed.
Appellate court judgment
affirmed in part and
reversed in part;
circuit court judgment 
reversed.
JUSTICE HEIPLE, dissenting:
The majority correctly holds that a parent seeking 
modification of a child custody judgment within two years is not required to 
prove serious child endangerment by clear and convincing evidence. Section 
610(a) of the Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act merely requires the court 
to make a threshold determination that "there is reason to believe the child's 
present environment may endanger seriously his physical, mental, moral or 
emotional health" (750 ILCS 5/610(a) (West 1996)) before proceeding to an 
evidentiary hearing. Then, at such hearing, the petitioner must prove by clear 
and convincing evidence that "a change has occurred in the circumstances of the 
child or his custodian" and "modification is necessary to serve the best 
interest of the child." 750 ILCS 5/610(b) (West 1996). However, the majority's 
decision to reverse the trial court's order modifying custody ignores the 
appropriate standard of review in child custody cases and usurps the role of the 
fact finder. Therefore, I respectfully dissent.
The trial court's memorandum of decision states,
"Jesse does not have to prove that there is reason to 
believe that the present environment seriously endangers the children's 
physical, mental, moral or emotional health. This is the initial burden that 
must be met by affidavit to even allow the petition to be heard. It was met. The 
burden on Jesse is to show by clear and convincing evidence that a change of 
circumstances has occurred and that a modification of custody is in the best 
interests of the children."
The trial court found "the sexual abuse, which may 
permanently change the children's lives, *** in and of itself constitutes a 
change of circumstances." The trial court then made the following findings 
regarding "whether modification is in the best interests of the 
children":
"There was little evidence of the character of Nancy Drone, 
the babysitter, at least until her unreliability became apparent at the 
conclusion of the babysitting relationship. Yet even if there was no reason to 
question Lindy's judgment in hiring her, she was aware that Dustin had been 
sexually abused as a child. This might not alert some people to a potential 
problem, but when Dustin's name was associated with french kissing the children, 
stronger measures should have been taken instead of merely telling Nancy Drone 
to watch Dustin. This, coupled with earlier, unexplained episodes of sexual 
behavior, convince the Court that Lindy did not take appropriate measures to 
protect the children from the sexual abuse that they suffered. Even after 
acquiring the knowledge of the french kissing, she continued to utilize Nancy 
Drone on at least a few occasions. ***
* * *
The Court believes that due to Lindy's failure to protect 
the children from sexual abuse, though probably negligent and not intentional, 
the stability now present in Jesse's household with the presence of Karen 
Poteet, and to a lesser extent Lindy's failure to properly immunize the 
children, it is in the children's best interests that custody be transferred 
to Jesse." (Emphasis added.)
Based on these findings, the trial court transferred the 
custody of the children to Jesse and granted Lindy liberal 
visitation.
The majority asserts the trial court's memorandum of 
decision does not include the mandatory finding that modification of custody is 
"necessary" to serve the best interests of the children. Slip op. at 14. To the 
contrary, the language in the trial court's Memorandum of Decision demonstrates 
beyond question that the court applied the correct standard. Nothing in this 
court's precedents indicates a trial court's findings on a petition for 
modification of custody are insufficient if they do not include the magic word 
"necessary." See In re Marriage of Cotton, 103 Ill. 2d 346, 356 (1984) 
(noting "[t]he guiding principle in child custody cases is the best interests of 
the child"). Moreover, this court has used the phrases "necessary to serve the 
best interests of the child" and "in the best interests of the child" 
synonymously. See, e.g., Cotton, 103 Ill. 2d  at 359 ("There 
was sufficient evidence to justify the trial court's view that Christy had been 
the victim of serious child abuse and that it was in the best interests of the 
child to modify the custody decree").
The majority's allusion to this purported defect in the 
trial court's findings masks the majority's true purpose in this case: to usurp 
the role of the trier of fact and replace the trial court's judgment with its 
own findings on the issue of custody. The majority correctly notes that the 
determination of custody is a matter which rests within the sound discretion of 
the trial court and may not be reversed unless it is contrary to the manifest 
weight of the evidence. Slip op. at 13-14, citing In re Custody of 
Sussenbach, 108 Ill. 2d 489, 498-99 (1985). To say that the majority only 
pays lip service to the proper standard of review in this case would be too 
generous. The majority recites the proper standard of review but then ignores it 
utterly in a flurry of appellate fact finding. Seizing on the trial court's 
comment that this was a close case in which " `reasonable people might 
disagree,' " the majority concludes the evidence presented by Jesse 
" `established only that Lindy might have used poor judgment' " in 
assessing the danger of sexual abuse posed by her former baby-sitter's teenage 
son. Slip op. at 14-15. The last sentence in the majority's analysis is 
particularly telling. "In sum," the majority concludes, "Jesse did not establish 
by clear and convincing evidence that modification of custody was necessary to 
serve the best interests of the children." Slip op. at 15. The problem with the 
majority's conclusion is the trial court did find that Jesse proved by clear and 
convincing evidence that modification was necessary. Thus, this court must defer 
to the trial court's findings unless they are against the manifest weight of the 
evidence. See Sussenbach, 108 Ill. 2d  at 499; In re Marriage of 
Fuesting, 228 Ill. App. 3d 339, 344 (1992) (noting trial court is in best 
position to determine custody issues because it has heard the testimony of the 
witnesses and observed their demeanor).
The trial court's comment this was a close case "upon which 
reasonable people might disagree" was a candid admission concerning the 
difficulty in deciding child custody cases. About that, there can be no dispute. 
The majority, however, has chosen to ignore its function as a court of review 
and instead assumes the role of the trier of fact in order to make its own 
determination on the issue of custody. This decision undermines the deference 
traditionally accorded to trial courts on this issue, and, in effect, amounts to 
de novo review on matters of fact at the appellate level. This is a new 
and unfortunate precedent for the orderly administration of justice. 
Accordingly, I dissent.
JUSTICE NICKELS joins in this 
dissent.