2023 IL App (4th) 230676-U 

NO. 4-23-0676 

IN THE APPELLATE COURT

OF ILLINOIS

FOURTH DISTRICT

In re Z.M., a Minor

(The People of the State of Illinois, 

Petitioner-Appellee,

v. 

Daniel M., 

Respondent-Appellant). 

)

) 

) 

) 

) 

) 

) 

) 

Appeal from the

Circuit Court of

Winnebago County 

No. 20JA299 

Honorable 

Francis M. Martinez, 

Judge Presiding.

 

 PRESIDING JUSTICE DeARMOND delivered the judgment of the court.

 Justices Harris and Steigmann concurred in the judgment.

ORDER

¶ 1 Held: The appellate court granted appellate counsel’s motion to withdraw and affirmed 

the circuit court’s judgment terminating respondent’s parental rights, concluding 

no meritorious issues could be raised on appeal.

¶ 2 In July 2023, the circuit court terminated the parental rights of respondent, Daniel

M. (Father), to his minor child, Z.M. (born in October 2019). Father appealed, and appellate 

counsel was appointed to represent him. Appellate counsel now moves to withdraw, citing 

Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738 (1967), and In re S.M., 314 Ill. App. 3d 682, 732 N.E.2d 140 

(2000), asserting he cannot raise any potentially meritorious argument on appeal. We grant the 

motion to withdraw and affirm the court’s judgment.

¶ 3 I. BACKGROUND

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 4, 2023

Carla Bender

4th District Appellate

Court, IL
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¶ 4 On August 27, 2020, the State filed its initial neglect petition, alleging Z.M. was

neglected and her environment was injurious to her welfare pursuant to section 2-3(1)(b) of the 

Juvenile Court Act of 1987 (Juvenile Court Act) (705 ILCS 405/2-3(1)(b) (West 2020)) because, 

inter alia, Father has “a substance abuse issue,” which prevented him from parenting properly. 

The petition alleged Z.M. “was left outside for an extended period of time with no adult 

supervision,” thereby placing her at risk of harm. The State filed an amended neglect petition on 

December 21, 2020, alleging a well-child visit revealed Z.M. had a high level of lead in her 

system. The State filed a second amended neglect petition on June 4, 2021, alleging Z.M.’s 

siblings were also left outside for an extended period of time without adult supervision. Father 

stipulated Z.M. and her siblings were left outside without adult supervision, waived the 

adjudication hearing, and agreed Z.M. would be placed in the custody of the Illinois Department 

of Children and Family Services (DCFS). The circuit court accepted the stipulation, adjudicated 

Z.M. neglected, and made her a ward of the court.

¶ 5 On May 5, 2023, the State filed an amended motion seeking to terminate Father’s 

parental rights, alleging Father failed to make reasonable efforts to correct the conditions that 

caused Z.M.’s removal, make reasonable progress toward Z.M.’s return to his custody, or 

maintain a reasonable degree of interest, concern, or responsibility as to Z.M.’s welfare during 

the nine-month periods from June 4, 2021, through March 4, 2022, from March 4, 2022, through 

December 4, 2022, and from June 7, 2022, through March 7, 2023. 750 ILCS 50/1(D)(b), (m)(i)-

(ii)(West 2022). 

¶ 6 During the fitness hearing on May 5, 2023, the State presented the testimony of 

Maria Gallegos, the DCFS caseworker assigned to Z.M.’s case. Gallegos worked on Z.M.’s case 

from January 2022 until June 2023. Gallegos made monthly attempts to contact Father through 
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registered letters, phone calls, and home visits, but Father never responded. Gallegos had no 

contact with Father until the fitness hearing.

¶ 7 Father completed an integrated assessment, which DCFS used to create service 

plans for him. The plans required Father to complete parenting classes, substance abuse

treatment, domestic violence counseling, and mental health counseling. Gallegos testified Father 

knew the services he needed to complete, as well as the importance of completing those services.

Father was required to complete domestic violence counseling due to “several domestic battery 

police reports,” including a police report indicating “he was involved in second-degree murder.” 

Additional police reports and prior DCFS investigations showed Father had a “history of alcohol 

being present when he has been involved in domestic altercations.” During one instance when 

Father was responsible for looking after the children, Father placed one of his children in a 

bathtub filled with hot water, causing the child to suffer second-degree burns. Father did not 

complete any of the required services. 

¶ 8 According to Gallegos, Father made no efforts to attend or participate in 

child-parent visits, had no communication with the children, and some of his children “witnessed 

him battering the mother.” Father lost his visitation privileges after a warrant was issued for his 

arrest in August or September 2022. However, Father knew he was entitled to visitation prior to 

the warrant’s issuance. The last time he visited Z.M. was in fall 2021. DCFS had concerns about 

Father’s ability to parent Z.M. safely due to Father’s criminal history and “his inability to take 

responsibility for his actions.”

¶ 9 On June 28, 2023, the hearing continued. Father testified on his own behalf, 

saying he was put in contact with the DCFS caseworker when Z.M.’s case opened in 2021. 

Father insisted he started parenting classes, he initially complied with drug tests, and he began 
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taking a mental health assessment. However, Father acknowledged he did not finish the required 

services. Father said he “lost contact” with DCFS when Gallegos was assigned to the case. 

Father testified he “left multiple messages” with Gallegos’s supervisor, but he “never received a 

call back.” On cross-examination, Father admitted there was an active warrant out for his arrest 

during the time when he was not in contact with DCFS. The warrant included a second degree 

murder charge. Father admitted at least nine months elapsed between the issuance of the warrant 

and when he was arrested and incarcerated on April 10, 2023. Warrants were also issued in his 

pending domestic violence criminal case, and he had a pending criminal charge for possession of 

a firearm at the time of the hearing. 

¶ 10 On July 26, 2023, the circuit court found Father to be an unfit parent, noting he 

failed to fulfill his obligations under the service plans. The court observed Father, “for a 

substantial period of time, a nine-month period, was actually a fugitive and had a warrant 

outstanding, at which time he was not visiting or engaged in any services.” The court highlighted 

the fact that Father “missed a substantial amount of visitation time,” noting Father’s most recent 

visit with Z.M. occurred in fall 2021. The court deemed Gallegos’s testimony “completely 

credible,” and it held the State proved the counts against Father by clear and convincing 

evidence.

¶ 11 On the same day, the circuit court conducted a best interest hearing. According to 

the best interest report, Z.M. began living with her aunt, Carrah C., on June 7, 2021. Z.M. was 

one year old at the time. Carrah consistently provided for all of Z.M.’s basic needs, including 

food, shelter, health, and clothing, and she ensured Z.M. attended required medical 

appointments. Carrah and Z.M. formed “a loving relationship” and “a trusting bond.” Z.M. 

“appear[ed] to feel very safe” in Carrah’s home, and Z.M. looked to her “for support, comfort, 
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guidance, and security.” Z.M. enjoyed a sense of familiarity in Carrah’s home, and Carrah 

established stable and predictable routines around bedtime, meals, and other activities. Z.M. was 

“fully accepted” by Carrah’s family, and Z.M. willingly accepted affection from them. Carrah 

was a “strong advocate” for Z.M., and she was willing to provide Z.M. with any services or 

social interactions necessary for her to thrive. Jaimi Kitchen, the DCFS caseworker who replaced 

Gallegos, testified she reviewed the case materials and confirmed the best interest report’s 

contents remained accurate and current.

¶ 12 Father testified he was Z.M.’s primary caregiver before he was incarcerated and 

believed he would be able to care for Z.M. if he obtained release. Father was confident he would 

be able to find employment and provide housing for Z.M. if he were released. Father insisted he 

would be a “positive influence” in Z.M.’s life, and he would not continue to find himself on the 

wrong side of the law. On cross-examination, Father acknowledged he had not seen Z.M. for 

nearly two years. At the time of the hearing, Father was incarcerated and awaiting trial for 

second degree murder, and he intended to go to trial on two counts of domestic battery.

¶ 13 The guardian ad litem proffered she conducted a home visit of Z.M.’s current 

placement, where she witnessed “voluminous” spontaneous displays of affection. The guardian 

ad litem asserted, “The love in that home between Ms. C[.] and [Z.M.] is very clear, and the 

bond was very clear ***.” Carrah was willing to adopt Z.M.

¶ 14 The circuit court found it was in Z.M.’s best interest to terminate Father’s parental 

rights, noting Z.M. was integrated into Carrah’s family, and she had not seen Father in nearly

two years. The court found the State proved by a preponderance of the evidence it was in Z.M.’s 

best interest to terminate Father’s parental rights.

¶ 15 This appeal followed.
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¶ 16 II. ANALYSIS

¶ 17 On appeal, Father’s appointed appellate counsel filed a motion seeking leave to 

withdraw as counsel pursuant to Anders and S.M.. Appellate counsel argues he cannot raise any 

arguments of potential merit on appeal. We agree and grant the motion to withdraw.

¶ 18 A. Unfitness Finding

¶ 19 The Juvenile Court Act and the Adoption Act (750 ILCS 50/1 et seq. (West 

2022)) govern how the State may terminate parental rights. In re D.F., 201 Ill. 2d 476, 494, 777 

N.E.2d 930, 940 (2002). To terminate an individual’s parental rights, the State must first show 

the parent is an “unfit person,” and then the State must show terminating parental rights serves 

the child’s best interest. D.F., 201 Ill. 2d at 494-95 (citing the Adoption Act (750 ILCS 50/1(D) 

(West 1998)) and the Juvenile Court Act (705 ILCS 405/2-29(2) (West 1998))). We will not

disturb a circuit court’s unfitness finding unless it is against the manifest weight of the evidence, 

which “is a deferential standard of review.” In re J.H., 2020 IL App (4th) 200150, ¶ 68, 162 

N.E.3d 454. “A finding is against the manifest weight of the evidence only if the evidence 

clearly calls for the opposite finding [citation], such that no reasonable person could arrive at the 

circuit court’s finding on the basis of the evidence in the record [citation].” (Internal quotation 

marks omitted.) J.H., 2020 IL App (4th) 200150, ¶ 68. 

¶ 20 Under section 1(D)(m)(ii) of the Adoption Act (750 ILCS 50/1(D)(m)(ii) (West 

2022)), a parent may be found unfit if he fails to “make reasonable progress toward the return of 

the child to the parent during any 9-month period following the adjudication of neglected *** 

minor.” A “parent’s failure to substantially fulfill his or her obligations under the service plan 

and correct the conditions that brought the child into care during any 9-month period following 
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the adjudication” constitutes a failure to make reasonable progress for purposes of section 

1(D)(m)(ii). 750 ILCS 50/1(D)(m)(ii) (West 2022).

¶ 21 Appellate counsel contends there is no meritorious issue to raise on appeal 

regarding the circuit court’s fitness finding because the evidence indicates Father failed to

complete the services recommended in the service plan during the nine-month periods from June 

4, 2021, through March 4, 2022, from March 4, 2022, through December 4, 2022, and from June 

7, 2022, through March 7, 2023. The service plan required Father to complete parenting classes, 

substance abuse treatment, domestic violence counseling, and mental health counseling.

According to Gallegos, Father knew his obligations under the service plan, but he did not fulfill 

them. The record also showed Z.M. had recently turned two years old when Father last visited 

her. When the court found Father unfit on July 26, 2023, Z.M. was a few months shy of turning 

four years old. Further, as the court aptly observed in its unfitness finding, “for a substantial 

period of time, a nine-month period, [Father] was actually a fugitive and had a warrant 

outstanding, at which time he was not visiting or engaged in any services.” Based on the 

evidence presented, the court’s unfitness finding was not against the manifest weight of the 

evidence, as the opposite conclusion is not clearly evident. See J.H., 2020 IL App (4th) 200150, 

¶ 68. Therefore, we agree with appellate counsel that no meritorious argument can be made the 

court erred in finding Father unfit.

¶ 22 B. Best Interest Finding 

¶ 23 Appellate counsel next asserts he can make no meritorious argument that the 

circuit court’s best interest finding was against the manifest weight of the evidence.

¶ 24 After a parent is found unfit, “the focus shifts to the child.” In re D.T., 212 Ill. 2d 

347, 364, 818 N.E.2d 1214, 1227 (2004). The issue ceases to be “whether parental rights can be 
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terminated” and becomes “whether, in light of the child’s needs, parental rights should be 

terminated.” (Emphases in original.) D.T., 212 Ill. 2d at 364. The circuit court will consider the 

factors set forth in section 1-3(4.05) of the Juvenile Court Act (705 ILCS 405/1-3(4.05) (West 

2022)). See In re T.A., 359 Ill. App. 3d 953, 959-60, 835 N.E.2d 908, 912-13 (2005). Those 

factors include: the child’s physical safety and welfare; the development of the child’s identity; 

the child’s familial, cultural, and religious background and ties; the child’s sense of attachments, 

including where the child feels loved, attached, and valued; the child’s sense of security, 

familiarity, and continuity of affection; the child’s wishes and long-term goals; the child’s 

community ties; the child’s need for permanence; and the uniqueness of every family and each 

child. 705 ILCS 405/1-3(4.05) (West 2022). We will not overturn a court’s best interest finding 

unless it is against the manifest weight of the evidence. In re Jay. H., 395 Ill. App. 3d 1063, 

1071, 918 N.E.2d 284, 291 (2009). 

¶ 25 Here, the circuit court’s best interest finding was not against the manifest weight 

of the evidence. The record shows the best interest factors—including Z.M.’s physical safety and 

welfare, her senses of familiarity, attachment, and security, and her need for permanence—

favored the termination of Father’s parental rights. According to the best interest report, Z.M. 

had lived with Carrah since she was one year old, she formed a loving and trusting relationship 

with Carrah, she felt safe in Carrah’s home, and she looked to Carrah “for support, comfort, 

guidance, and security.” Carrah met Z.M.’s needs, which included providing Z.M. with food, 

shelter, and clothing, taking Z.M. to medical appointments, and creating a stable routine for Z.M. 

Carrah’s family accepted Z.M. as one of their own and showed her affection. Z.M. accepted their 

affection willingly. During a home visit, the guardian ad litem witnessed many spontaneous 

displays of affection, and the love and bond shared by Z.M. and Carrah was “very clear.” Thus, 
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the circuit court’s best interest decision was not against the manifest weight of the evidence, as 

the opposite conclusion was not clearly evident. See T.A., 359 Ill. App. 3d at 960. Based on our 

review of the record on appeal, we agree with appellate counsel no meritorious argument can be 

made that the court’s best interest determination was against the manifest weight of the evidence. 

Accordingly, we grant counsel’s motion to withdraw and affirm the court’s judgment. 

¶ 26 III. CONCLUSION

¶ 27 For the reasons stated, we grant appellate counsel’s motion to withdraw and 

affirm the circuit court’s judgment.

¶ 28 Affirmed.