Opinion ID: 2167237
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 10

Heading: James Jorgenson

Text: James Jorgenson, owner of Taking Control, a psychological counseling facility, testified that in 1995 DCFS referred Diane to him to evaluate the degree of bonding between her and C.N. During the assessment, Jorgenson observed very little interaction between Diane and C.N. Diane tried to coax a positive reaction from C.N., but C.N. became increasingly upset. Jorgenson decided to terminate C.N.'s involvement and continued the assessment with Diane alone; Diane appeared relieved. Jorgenson testified that Diane displayed little emotion in regard to her children; she focused on what had been done to her, rather than what had been done to them. Diane expressed only a perfunctory concern for the safety of her children and spoke about them as possessions. Jorgenson believed that unresolved issues from Diane's past, including her own abandonment and abuse as a child, and her combative way of dealing with the world, reduced her effectiveness as a parent. He testified that Diane is unable to set limits and boundaries for her children, which impacts her ability to protect them. Jorgenson concluded that Diane was not able to deal with C.N.'s needs at that time, and would not be able to do so in the near future. Jorgenson recommended that C.N. not be returned to Diane until further rehabilitative measures were taken, but that if Diane was not cooperative, DCFS should consider pursuing the termination of Diane's parental rights. According to Jorgenson, Diane displayed combativeness and vindictiveness toward DCFS.