Opinion ID: 1378820
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Relevant facts pertaining to the children

Text: When DCFS gained custody of Leandre and Deandre on April 21, 1993, the DCFS caseworker testified that the twins had numerous behavioral problems. The girls exhibited significant anger and violence and possessed atypical sexual knowledge. Another social worker employed by Specialized Alternative for Family and Youth of America (SAFY), an agency specializing in placing children in therapeutic foster homes, who was assigned to Leandre and Deandre, testified at trial that the girls had uncontrollable behavior and required structured therapeutic foster care. DCFS immediately placed the girls in counseling and attended to their special educational needs. The girls generally responded well following their placement in a structured setting and stable home environment. The SAFY social worker testified that these two girls were adoptable. Allen and Christopher also exhibited behavioral and developmental problems. The caseworker testified that the boys were extremely violent with each other. Prior to gaining custody of the boys, DCFS observed bruises and scars on the boys that were attributed to the twins hitting each other with bats. Further, Allen and Christopher smeared feces on the wall and urinated inappropriately. Allen and Christopher were deemed fire starters and were subsequently referred to SAFY in November 1995. SAFY also determined that the twins had developmental and behavioral problems which required a environment that was more structured than a typical foster home. When the boys were initially referred to SAFY they were approximately four years old, yet engaged in such dysfunctional behavior as finger sucking and baby talk. After a year of therapy at Child Behavioral Services and the combined efforts of the boys' foster parents, the caseworker testified that Allen and Christopher progressed significantly. For example, their vocabulary increased tremendously, their personal hygiene rose to an acceptable level, and they were able to interact with each other without constant battling. According to the SAFY caseworker, the children received superb foster care. Moreover, both boys were attending regular school. Given their significant improvement in several areas, the caseworker concluded that the boys were ready for adoption. The caseworker acknowledged, however, that the twins' mixed race could complicate their chances for adoption. The DCFS social worker initially assigned to Andrea, age four, testified that she lagged developmentally behind all of the other children. She was unable to differentiate between colors, shapes and numbers, and her speech was barely intelligible. Further, she would urinate in the corner rather than in the bathroom. DCFS addressed her special needs and noticed an immediate turnaround after placing her in preschool. The DCFS caseworker testified that Andrea blossomed while in foster care. She also testified that there were numerous factors that could frustrate the children's adoptions. These included the children's mixed racial composition, age, and learning and emotional disabilities.