2023 IL App (4th) 230608-U 

NO. 4-23-0608 

IN THE APPELLATE COURT

OF ILLINOIS

FOURTH DISTRICT

In re J.M., a Minor

(The People of the State of Illinois, 

Petitioner-Appellee,

v. 

Sonja C., 

Respondent-Appellant). 

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) 

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) 

) 

) 

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Appeal from the

Circuit Court of

Peoria County 

No. 22JA205 

Honorable 

Derek G. Asbury, 

Judge Presiding.

 

PRESIDING JUSTICE DeARMOND delivered the judgment of the court.

Justices Cavanagh and Steigmann concurred in the judgment.

ORDER

¶ 1 Held: The appellate court affirmed, finding (1) respondent’s counsel was not ineffective

and (2) the circuit court did not err by failing to order a mental health 

examination. 

¶ 2 Respondent, Sonja C., appeals the circuit court’s orders finding her daughter, J.M. 

(born May 2016), a neglected minor and finding her unfit and unable to care for J.M. We affirm.

¶ 3 I. BACKGROUND

¶ 4 A. Neglect Petition

¶ 5 On November 3, 2022, the State filed a petition pursuant to the Juvenile Court Act 

of 1987 (Act) (705 ILCS 405/2-3(1)(b) (West 2022)), alleging J.M. was neglected by respondent 

because J.M. was in an environment injurious to her welfare. Specifically, the petition alleged, 

“The mother experiences delusions which cause her to behave erratically, sometimes in the 

presence of the minor.” The petition alleged several incidents of delusional or erratic behavior. 

NOTICE

This Order was filed under 

Supreme Court Rule 23 and is 

not precedent except in the 

limited circumstances allowed 

under Rule 23(e)(1). 

FILED

December 14, 2023

Carla Bender

4th District Appellate

Court, IL
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The petition also alleged J.M. was “beginning to internalize some of the mother’s delusions.”

The petition noted J.M. was previously made a ward of the court in Peoria County case No. 

17-JA-37, which was successfully closed in December 2018. (We note the State also alleged

J.M.’s father had a lengthy criminal history. He stipulated to the petition, and he is not party to 

this appeal.)

¶ 6 B. March 2, 2023, Hearing

¶ 7 At a March 2, 2023, hearing, respondent’s counsel, assistant public defender Dana 

Kelly informed the circuit court respondent indicated she did not want Kelly to represent her any

longer. Respondent informed the court Kelly told her she could only see J.M. if she signed forms 

for J.M. to be an organ donor. Kelly denied making this statement. The court agreed to discharge 

Kelly and assign Adam Bowton as respondent’s counsel. However, respondent stated she was 

not comfortable with Bowton’s name, although she did not know him. The court appointed 

Bowton pending respondent retaining private counsel and continued the matter. (Respondent did 

not retain private counsel.) 

¶ 8 C. Adjudicatory Hearing

¶ 9 At the adjudicatory hearing, Bowton informed the circuit court respondent wished 

to hire a different attorney or represent herself. Respondent complained the judge was not 

present the last time she was in court, although the same judge presided over both hearings. The 

court explained the process to respondent, and her request for a continuance to obtain a new 

attorney was denied. The court proceeded to the adjudicatory hearing. The record on appeal 

reflects throughout the proceedings, the court repeatedly admonished respondent to not interrupt.

¶ 10 Ashley Morgan, an investigator for the Illinois Department of Children and 

Family Services (DCFS), testified she called respondent on the morning of June 28, 2022, as part 
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of an investigation. Respondent reported she was at a homeless shelter in Bloomington, Illinois,

because she did not feel safe in Peoria. According to respondent, (1) J.M. had said her father was 

poisoning their food and water, (2) J.M.’s father was involved in insurance fraud, (3) she was 

part of the federal government and had several contacts within the federal government, including 

a general, and (4) she reported “to the supreme court, the governor, and the general” J.M.’s 

father was poisoning their food. Morgan met respondent at the shelter and suggested she get 

mental health and medical assessments at the hospital. Respondent stated the Bloomington 

hospitals were part of a lawsuit she was involved in, and she did not feel safe at those hospitals. 

Morgan met with J.M., who stated her father was deaf and her mother told her he was evil.

Morgan explained respondent went to Carle BroMenn Medical Center (BroMenn) with J.M.

Morgan never obtained a mental health evaluation from BroMenn.

¶ 11 Peoria County Sherriff’s Deputy Nicholas Norwood testified he responded to a 

call at respondent’s residence. Norwood identified respondent, and respondent interjected she 

had “never seen this man before ever in [her] life.” Norwood explained respondent spoke to him 

through a window before eventually exiting the residence. She reported someone had attempted 

to cut a tire off her vehicle. Norwood noted a lug nut was missing from the tire, but it would have 

been very difficult for someone to cut off. Respondent told Norwood J.M. reported her father 

worked with “men in wigs” to pour liquid from a bottle with skulls and crossbones on it onto 

respondent’s face while she slept. She believed J.M.’s father and a “gang of stalkers” were 

attempting to kill her. Respondent showed Norwood a video of a sedan stopping at a stop sign 

outside her residence before continuing on.

¶ 12 Peoria County Sherriff’s Deputy Jacob Marion testified he responded to a call at 

respondent’s residence. Respondent called multiple times, reporting on the third call someone 
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was knocking on her back door and trying to open the door. During the prior calls, officers were 

unable to locate anyone in the vicinity. Respondent refused to speak to the officers when they 

arrived the third time.

¶ 13 Mary McCartney-Hay, an investigator for DCFS, testified she spoke with 

respondent at her residence. Respondent initially refused to meet with McCartney-Hay, but after

her supervisor and a police officer arrived, respondent agreed to speak with McCartney-Hay. 

Respondent reported she was being watched and was part of a Federal Bureau of Investigation 

(FBI) investigation. Respondent showed McCartney-Hay a video, which she said showed her 

being followed home. The video was of respondent’s steering wheel.

¶ 14 The circuit court admitted respondent’s certified medical records from BroMenn 

and SIH Hospital of Carbondale (SIH Hospital) without objection.

¶ 15 The BroMenn records described the chief complaint for respondent’s visit to be a 

“Psych Evaluation” and described respondent as “very paranoid, unable to stay on one topic and 

unable to focus.” The records noted respondent “did not want to stay for Crisis evaluation” and 

was informed she could sign out against medical advice. Respondent refused to sign out and did 

not leave. Employees contacted the DCFS hotline but were told DCFS could not help since 

respondent was not detainable. The record reported respondent was using the restroom with the 

door open, stating, “ ‘I hope the world can see me. You’re welcome world. How f*** up is this? 

Making me pee with the door open?’ ” Respondent was informed the door could close and was 

encouraged to close the door. She began yelling, “ ‘SEE WORLD!? ANOTHER CASE FOR 

THE FBI. TAKING THIS RIGHT FROM ME TOO! PEEING WITH THE DOOR OPEN LIKE 

THE TRASH THEY THINK I AM!’ ” Respondent spoke with a crisis counselor but declined a 

mental health evaluation. Respondent was discharged and waited for a ride from Uber. When the 
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vehicle arrived, respondent “ran back inside yelling ‘that is not an uber! Call the police!’ ” The 

driver showed employees his Uber app with a ride request from respondent. Respondent insisted 

the driver was not with Uber because there was no neon Uber sign in the windshield. Respondent 

“ran off on foot with her child.” 

¶ 16 The SIH Hospital record reported respondent arrived with a complaint of chest 

pain. She also reported she had “bladder, kidney and brain stem cancer,” which she could not get 

treatment for, and discussed her “supreme court case” over lack of care and several federal 

investigations. The treating physician noted respondent “state[d] frequently that she will be suing 

me and that I will also be part of the federal investigation.” A nurse contacted DCFS to request a 

well-child check. Respondent recorded hospital employees with her phone. The record noted 

there was evidence respondent had abdominal cancer. Respondent walked out of the emergency 

room without being discharged.

¶ 17 Respondent testified. She denied reporting to the investigator J.M. stated her 

father was poisoning food or she reported the supposed poisoning to anyone. She denied 

reporting anyone was trying to kill her. Respondent stated a police officer told her someone cut 

the lug nut off her car, but she took the car to a shop, and they said nothing was wrong with the

car. She denied reporting “men with wigs” poured something on her in her sleep, though she said 

J.M. mentioned her father brought home women who were wearing wigs. Respondent also stated 

she did not call the police repeatedly and it was her neighbor who reported someone at 

respondent’s back door with a gun. Respondent called the police to see “what was going on” and 

dispatch informed her there had been robberies in the neighborhood. She refused to leave the 

house because it was the middle of the night. Respondent went to BroMenn because she was told 

she could not stay at the homeless shelter while having chest pains without being seen at the 
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hospital. She denied telling anyone at the hospital she was with the FBI and had an ongoing 

supreme court case. Respondent stated no one asked for a mental health assessment. She denied 

telling J.M. her father was evil or dead. Respondent also denied being homicidal, suicidal, or 

depressed.

¶ 18 As the circuit court reviewed the evidence, respondent again interrupted,

“RESPONDENT MOTHER: I never denied that— 

THE COURT: Ma’am, you have got to stop.

RESPONDENT MOTHER: But you are not going to put words in my 

mouth, and I’m not going to not say anything.

THE COURT: If you talk over me, I’m going to have to remove you.

RESPODNENT MOTHER: You always— 

THE COURT: I don’t want to remove you. So, please, stop. Let me finish 

the ruling. You have a right to appeal, and I will get to that at the end.”

The court determined “all these independent witnesses credible and their statements almost 

identical as it relates to what she told them what—how she behaved, weighed against her just 

saying in court, no, I didn’t say that or do that.” The court found the petition proven in its 

entirety by a preponderance of the evidence and J.M. neglected due to an injurious environment.

¶ 19 After a discussion on visitation, respondent addressed the circuit court: 

“RESPONDENT MOTHER: Can I ask one question? When did you get 

your psychiatrist license?

THE COURT: Don’t have one.

RESPONDENT MOTHER: I didn’t think you did. So you have no right to 

call me paranoid and delusional.
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THE COURT: I’m not calling you that.

RESPONDENT MOTHER: You did.

THE COURT: What I’m saying is the evidence presented— 

RESPONDENT MOTHER: There was a sergeant that told me and my 

husband, and you did not even ask my husband, that there was a federal case 

going on.

THE COURT: Ma’am, calm down. I don’t want you to get arrested.

RESPONDENT MOTHER: I’m not getting arrested— 

THE COURT: For the record, she is getting visibly upset.

RESPONDENT MOTHER: —because you guys have a lawsuit coming.

THE COURT: And I’m trying to prevent that from happening. So the 

Court has entertained her to an extent allowing her to ask questions I normally 

don’t because I want to be as fair as possible here.

RESPONDENT MOTHER: Well, you’re not.

THE COURT: But, again, she is making that difficult. She is starting to 

get disrespectful. So I’m going to ask you to stop doing that, please.”

¶ 20 D. Dispositional Order

¶ 21 After a hearing, the circuit court entered a written order finding respondent unfit, 

for reasons other than financial circumstances alone, to care for, protect, train, or discipline J.M. 

The court made J.M. a ward of the court and placed her guardianship with the guardianship 

administrator of DCFS. 

¶ 22 This appeal followed.

¶ 23 II. ANALYSIS
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¶ 24 We initially comment on the delay in the issuance of this order. As a matter 

addressing the custody of minor children, this case is subject to expedited disposition under 

Illinois Supreme Court Rule 311(a)(5) (eff. July 1, 2018), requiring the appellate court to issue 

its decision within 150 days after the filing of a notice of appeal, except for good cause shown.

Respondent filed her initial notice of appeal on June 29, 2023. Although every effort was made 

to comply with the deadline under Rule 311(a)(5), due to delays occasioned by respondent’s 

counsel, we find good cause for issuing our decision after the 150-day deadline. 

¶ 25 On appeal, respondent argues (1) she received ineffective assistance of counsel 

where her counsel failed to request a mental health examination prior to the adjudicatory hearing 

and (2) the circuit court erred by failing to sua sponte order a mental health examination.

¶ 26 A. Ineffective Assistance of Counsel

¶ 27 Section 1-5(1) of the Act provides minors and their parents “the right to be 

present, to be heard, to present evidence material to the proceedings, to cross-examine witnesses, 

to examine pertinent court files and records and *** the right to be represented by counsel.” 705 

ILCS 405/1-5(1) (West 2022). “While the right to counsel in juvenile proceedings is statutory 

and not constitutional, Illinois courts apply the standard utilized in criminal cases to gauge the 

effectiveness of counsel in juvenile proceedings.” (Internal quotation marks omitted.) In re 

Ch. W., 399 Ill. App. 3d 825, 828, 927 N.E.2d 872, 875 (2010). A parent’s claim of ineffective 

assistance of counsel is therefore analyzed under the two-pronged test set forth in Strickland v. 

Washington, 466 U.S. 668 (1984). Ch. W., 399 Ill. App. 3d at 828. “To prevail on such a claim, a 

defendant must show both that counsel’s performance was deficient and that the deficient 

performance prejudiced the defendant.” (Internal quotation marks omitted.) People v. Thomas, 

2017 IL App (4th) 150815, ¶ 10, 93 N.E.3d 664. To establish deficient performance, the 
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respondent must demonstrate counsel’s performance “fell below an objective standard of 

reasonableness.” Thomas, 2017 IL App (4th) 150815, ¶ 10. To establish prejudice, the 

respondent must show that, “but for counsel’s unprofessional errors, there is a reasonable 

probability that the result of the proceeding would have been different.” (Internal quotation 

marks omitted.) Thomas, 2017 IL App (4th) 150815, ¶ 11. “Failure to satisfy either prong 

negates a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel.” People v. Hibbler, 2019 IL App (4th) 

160897, ¶ 88, 129 N.E.3d 755.

¶ 28 In this case, respondent argues counsel’s performance was deficient for failing to 

file a motion for a mental health examination with the circuit court. However, respondent has 

failed to demonstrate how she was prejudiced by the lack of a mental health examination. 

Respondent points out “it is hard to imagine how things could have gone worse for the 

Respondent.” However, the standard for prejudice is not whether the proceedings could have 

gone “better” for respondent but whether there is a reasonable probability the result of the 

proceedings would have been different. See Thomas, 2017 IL App (4th) 150815, ¶ 11. The 

record on appeal demonstrates clearly the State presented ample evidence of incidents during 

which respondent behaved erratically, sometimes in the presence of J.M., and J.M. was 

internalizing respondent’s delusions. Respondent has failed to explain how a mental health 

examination would have changed the outcome of the proceedings. She has not identified any 

additional evidence which could have been introduced, explained how she could have better 

assisted her attorney, or explained how the outcome would have been different if a mental health 

examination had been conducted. The record clearly showed respondent’s mental health 

condition and the records submitted supported what was obvious to the court and everyone 

present. An evaluation would have served no useful purpose, even if she agreed to cooperate 
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with one—something which was not a given in light of respondent’s previous refusal to do so. 

“Satisfying the prejudice prong necessitates a showing of actual prejudice, not simply 

speculation that defendant may have been prejudiced.” People v. Patterson, 2014 IL 115102, 

¶ 81, 25 N.E.3d 526. Respondent’s speculation the proceedings could have gone “better” is 

insufficient to demonstrate prejudice under Strickland. Thus, as respondent cannot demonstrate 

she was prejudiced by counsel failing to file a motion for a mental health examination, her claim 

of ineffective assistance of counsel fails. See Hibbler, 2019 IL App (4th) 160897, ¶ 88. 

¶ 29 B. Sua Sponte Mental Health Evaluation 

¶ 30 Respondent next argues the circuit court erred by not sua sponte ordering a 

mental health evaluation to determine respondent’s fitness to stand trial. Respondent argues her 

in-court behavior made it evident she was unable to effectively participate in the proceedings.

¶ 31 Respondent provides no authority which indicates the circuit court was required 

to sua sponte order a mental health evaluation. In fact, as the Third District recognized, “there is 

no statute or court rule requiring the trial court to order a mental examination before conducting 

an adjudicatory hearing and that in most cases the absence of such a rule is fully warranted.” 

In re C.S., 376 Ill. App. 3d 114, 119-20, 878 N.E.2d 110, 114 (2007).

¶ 32 Although proceedings under the Act are in some ways analogous to criminal 

proceedings (see In re M.H., 313 Ill. App. 3d 205, 214, 729 N.E.2d 86, 94 (2000) ( “[A]n 

admission of unfitness is clearly analogous to a guilty plea in a criminal case.”)), “[p]roceedings 

under the Act are not criminal.” In re W.C., 167 Ill. 2d 307, 320, 657 N.E.2d 908, 915 (1995); 

see also In re Bernice B., 352 Ill. App. 3d 167, 175, 815 N.E.2d 778, 786 (2004) (“The [ Act], as 

it relates to parental rights, is not punitive but civil in nature.”). Illinois courts have rejected a due 

process right to a mental fitness examination akin to criminal cases in the context of proceedings 
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under the Act. See In re Charles A., 367 Ill. App. 3d 800, 805, 856 N.E.2d 569, 769 (2006) 

(finding a respondent was not denied due process by the denial of a motion for a fitness hearing 

prior to termination proceedings); see also In re N.T., 2015 IL App (1st) 142391, ¶ 58, 31 N.E.3d 

254 (finding the circuit court’s failure to sua sponte order a fitness examination prior to 

termination proceedings did not deny respondent mother due process). 

¶ 33 In C.S., the Third District determined the circuit court erred by denying the 

respondent mother’s motions for a mental health examination prior to an adjudicatory hearing. 

C.S., 376 Ill. App. 3d at 120. The State’s petition alleged the minor was in an environment 

injurious to her welfare and was a dependent minor due to the respondent mother’s prior 

diagnoses of mental illness. C.S., 376 Ill. App. 3d at 115. The respondent mother’s counsel twice 

moved for a mental health examination prior to the adjudicatory hearing, which the court denied. 

C.S., 376 Ill. App. 3d at 115. While acknowledging there is no requirement for a circuit court to 

order a mental health examination prior to an adjudicatory hearing, the Third District determined

“such an examination is necessary in the case where the respondent requests an exam and the 

State’s entire juvenile neglect petition rests solely upon the allegation that the respondent is 

mentally disabled or suffers from psychological problems.” (Emphases added.) C.S., 376 Ill. 

App. 3d at 119-20. 

¶ 34 Such was not the case here. Respondent’s counsel did not request a mental health 

examination, and the circuit court was under no duty to order one in counsel’s stead. Further, the 

State’s petition did not rest solely on claims respondent was mentally ill. Rather, the State’s 

petition alleged actual incidents in which respondent behaved erratically around her child and her 

child internalized her mother’s delusions. Although these claims are related to claims respondent 

was suffering from a mental illness, it does not equate to the situation in C.S., in which the State 
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only alleged the respondent mother suffered from “psychological problems.” C.S., 376 Ill. App. 

3d at 115. Accordingly, we cannot find the circuit court erred by failing to sua sponte order a 

mental health evaluation.

¶ 35 III. CONCLUSION

¶ 36 For the reasons stated, we affirm the circuit court’s judgment.

¶ 37 Affirmed.