Termination of parental rights is a drastic measure. It is a determination that the person as a matter of law should not continue in the legal status as parent and removes the entire bundle of parental rights, custodial and noncustodial. As a result, we must review the facts of each termination of parental rights case with close scrutiny. The State must prove by clear and convincing evidence at least one statutory ground of parental unfitness. Here, the State based its petition on the statutory ground of depravity.
Depravity is defined as an inherent deficiency of moral sense and rectitude.
It has been held that a felony conviction is insufficient, in and of itself, to provide an adequate basis for a determination of unfitness on the ground of depravity. The statutory ground of depravity requires the trier of fact to closely scrutinize the character and credibility of the person. The State asserts that the evidence respondent presented was insufficient to rebut the presumption of depravity. Rebuttable presumptions shift the burden of proof. 249 Ill. App.