Court Opinion

ID: 9939475
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2024-02-09 22:04:32.322965+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:41:15.726376
License: Public Domain

NOTICE                        2024 IL App (4th) 230807-U                            FILED
This Order was filed under                                                                    February 9, 2024
Supreme Court Rule 23 and is       NOS. 4-23-0807, 4-23-0808, 4-23-0809 cons.                   Carla Bender
not precedent except in the                                                                 4th District Appellate
 limited circumstances allowed
                                          IN THE APPELLATE COURT                                  Court, IL
under Rule 23(e)(1).

                                                    OF ILLINOIS

                                                  FOURTH DISTRICT

         In re D.C., Jo. S., and Ja. S., Minors                       )      Appeal from the
                                                                      )      Circuit Court of
         (The People of the State of Illinois,                        )      McDonough County
                       Petitioner-Appellee,                           )      Nos. 18JA35
                       v.                                             )           18JA36
         Denise C.,                                                   )           18JA37
                       Respondent-Appellant).                         )
                                                                      )      Honorable
                                                                      )      Heidi A. Benson,
                                                                      )      Judge Presiding.

                         JUSTICE LANNERD delivered the judgment of the court.
                         Justices Cavanagh and Doherty concurred in the judgment.

                                                      ORDER

        ¶1      Held: The appellate court affirmed, holding the trial court’s unfitness finding was not
                      against the manifest weight of the evidence.

        ¶2               In December 2022, the State filed petitions to terminate the parental rights of

        respondent, Denise C., as to her minor children, D.C. (born April 2009), Jo. S. (born September

        2016), and Ja. S. (born October 2018). In October 2023, the trial court granted the State’s petitions.

        Respondent appeals, arguing the court’s unfitness finding was against the manifest weight of the

        evidence. We affirm.

        ¶3                                        I. BACKGROUND

        ¶4               In November 2018, the State filed petitions seeking to adjudicate the minors

        neglected pursuant to the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 (Juvenile Court Act) (705 ILCS 405/1-1
et seq. (West 2018)). The State alleged the minors were neglected due to being in an environment

injurious to their welfare (705 ILCS 405/2-3(1)(b) (West 2018)) in that (1) respondent was

indicated for inadequate supervision, (2) respondent withdrew from services provided in an intact

family case initiated after this indicated finding, (3) respondent was indicated for substantial risk

of physical injury and environment injurious to the health and welfare of the minors due to

domestic violence inflicted by the father of Jo. S. and Ja. S. against respondent while pregnant,

resulting in the initiation of a new intact family case, (4) respondent did not complete any of the

services required in that intact family case, and (5) D.C. and one of his siblings (not a part of this

appeal) were found alone when an Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS)

caseworker conducted an unannounced visit at respondent’s home.

¶5             In February 2019, and pursuant to respondent’s stipulation to the allegations in the

State’s neglect petitions, the trial court adjudicated the minors neglected (705 ILCS 405/2-3(1)(b)

(West 2018)). In March 2019, in a separate dispositional order, the court found respondent unfit

for reasons other than financial circumstances alone to care for the minors, made them wards of

the court, and placed custody and guardianship of the minors with DCFS.

¶6             In December 2022, the State filed petitions to terminate respondent’s parental rights

as to all three minors, alleging she was unfit because (1) she failed to make reasonable progress

towards the return of the minors to her care during the nine-month period following adjudication

spanning August 20, 2021, to May 20, 2022 (750 ILCS 50/1(D)(m)(ii) (West 2022)) and (2) she

was unable to discharge parental responsibilities due to a mental impairment, mental illness, or

mental retardation and this inability shall extend beyond a reasonable period of time (750 ILCS

50/1(D)(p) (West 2022)).

¶7             In August 2023, the trial court conducted a fitness hearing.

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¶8             Dr. Joel Eckert, a clinical psychologist, conducted a psychological evaluation of

respondent in September 2020. Eckert testified respondent’s IQ reflected “borderline impaired

skill,” which was “[j]ust above the mild range of developmental disability.” Additionally, Eckert

explained, “In general, the results of psychological testing suggested quite a bit of

psychopathology. That is personality dysfunction including anxiety, depression, hostility, things

like that.” Eckert stated that based on the test results, he “would have extreme concern regarding

[respondent’s] ability to offer at least minimally adequate parenting for her children.” On cross-

examination, Eckert stated he would “still have significant concerns” with respondent’s parenting

abilities even if she completed services.

¶9             Jonna Tyler, a licensed clinical professional counselor, conducted a parenting

capacity assessment for respondent in August 2021. Tyler testified that while respondent

“demonstrated adequacy in her ability to connect with her children,” she demonstrated weakness

“in the categories of structure and challenge.” More specifically,

               “in the activities that [respondent] took part in that required her to think in

               a way that she could direct her children, manage her children or take part in

               an activity where she was in charge directing it, teaching them something,

               for example, or directing them to assist in picking up the room, managing

               difficult behavior or just developmentally appropriate behavior, she was

               observed as unable to master those tasks.”

¶ 10           Jodi Whitmer, a family support specialist, testified regarding observing visits

between respondent and Ja. S. and Jo. S. during the nine-month period at issue. Whitmer described

her observations of a visit on September 16, 2021, during which Jo. S. “would have outbursts and

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become very irritated,” and where it was “[v]ery hard [for him] to be redirected.” Whitmer had to

intervene at one point, explaining:

               “There was *** one point when [Jo. S.] was going down the hallway

               towards the bedroom and [respondent] had went to follow him and I had

               stepped in and I explained that, you know, visits are meant to be positive. If

               this continued, then, you know, the kids are going to have to go back to day

               care because we don’t want something like that occurring during visits.”

¶ 11           When asked whether there were any “overarching themes or issues or problems”

she noticed during the visits, Whitmer explained, “So, generally, it would be [Jo. S.] with outbursts

and screaming and throwing toys, fighting. Those types of things. Redirecting was never an easy

task while we were there.” These behaviors would reach “the point that a lot of times [respondent]

would just kind of give in and/or walk away.”

¶ 12           Whitmer testified she did not see much progress at all in respondent’s parenting

abilities during these visits. At most, Whitmer saw “an improvement in [respondent’s] trying, but

there was not a lot of improvement with follow through.”

¶ 13           Lynzie Kerkhove, a DCFS caseworker, testified respondent was required to

complete a parenting course, domestic violence course, mental health assessment, psychological

evaluation, and parenting capacity assessment pursuant to her service plan. Respondent completed

all of the services except the parenting capacity assessment prior to Kerkhove becoming the

caseworker in June 2021. While respondent was taught skills to redirect the minors’ behaviors as

part of her services, Kerkhove opined respondent was unable to apply those skills during visits.

Kerkhove did not believe the visits could become unsupervised. Kerkhove explained, “There

would be some very good times during those visitations, but [respondent] needed a lot of help or

                                                -4-
intervening during those visits. So, therefore, it was a safety issue.” Given her concerns with

respondent’s abilities in handling children with behavioral challenges, Kerkhove did not feel it

would be safe for respondent to have the minors on her own and believed the minors would be in

danger if they were returned to her.

¶ 14           The trial court found respondent unfit by clear and convincing evidence. The court

stated:

               “[Respondent] has tried as hard as she was able to correct the conditions

               that brought the children into care. But we have a consistent concern

               throughout all of the people who have testified that [respondent] is unable

               to manage behavior. She’s unable to teach lessons to the children. She’s

               unable to provide a safe environment to the children.

               It really is not within her ability to parent in at least the supervisory capacity

               that we expect parents to provide. The Court would note that there is a lot

               of evidence that [respondent] loves the children very much, and the Court

               absolutely is cognizant of that fact. And, also, the fact that [respondent] has

               tried very hard to do what the social workers want her to do and to make the

               progress necessary to bring the children home. But here we are.”

¶ 15           The written order reflects the trial court found respondent unfit on both grounds

alleged in the State’s termination petitions.

¶ 16           This timely appeal followed.

¶ 17                                       II. ANALYSIS

¶ 18           Respondent contends the trial court’s unfitness finding was against the manifest

weight of the evidence.

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¶ 19            Under section 2-29(2) of the Juvenile Court Act (705 ILCS 405/2-29(2) (West

2022)), the involuntary termination of parental rights involves a two-step process. Parental rights

may not be terminated without the parent’s consent unless the trial court first determines, by clear

and convincing evidence, the parent is unfit as defined in section 1(D) of the Adoption Act (750

ILCS 50/1(D) (West 2022)). In re Gwynne P., 215 Ill. 2d 340, 354, 830 N.E.2d 508, 516 (2005).

If a parent is determined to be unfit, the trial court next looks to whether termination of the parent’s

parental rights is in the best interest of his or her child. In re D.T., 212 Ill. 2d 347, 352, 818 N.E.2d

1214, 1220 (2004). In this case, we note respondent challenges only the fitness finding.

¶ 20            We will not disturb a finding of unfitness unless it is against the manifest weight of

the evidence. 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 [trial] 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. “This court pays great deference to a trial court’s fitness finding because of [that

court’s] superior opportunity to observe the witnesses and evaluate their credibility.” (Internal

quotation marks omitted.) In re O.B., 2022 IL App (4th) 220419, ¶ 29, 217 N.E.3d 341. “A parent’s

rights may be terminated if even a single alleged ground for unfitness is supported by clear and

convincing evidence.” Gwynne P., 215 Ill. 2d at 349.

¶ 21            The trial court found respondent was an unfit parent as defined in section

1(D)(m)(ii) of the Adoption Act (750 ILCS 50/1(D)(m)(ii) (West 2022)). Section 1(D)(m)(ii)

provides, in part, a parent will be considered an “unfit person” if he or she fails “to make reasonable

progress toward the return of the child to the parent during any [nine]-month period following the

adjudication of [neglect].” 750 ILCS 50/1(D)(m)(ii) (West 2022). Reasonable progress exists when

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the evidence shows “the progress being made by a parent to comply with directives given for the

return of the child is sufficiently demonstrable and of such a quality that the court, in the near

future, will be able to order the child returned to parental custody.” (Emphasis in original.) In re

L.L.S., 218 Ill. App. 3d 444, 461, 577 N.E.2d 1375, 1387 (1991).

¶ 22           Respondent argues her “progress in the relevant nine-month period was objectively

reasonable because she substantially completed her service plan long before that period.” In

determining a parent’s fitness based on reasonable progress, a court may only consider evidence

from the relevant time period. In re Reiny S., 374 Ill. App. 3d 1036, 1046, 871 N.E.2d 835, 844

(2007). While respondent may have completed various services, she did so before the nine-month

period at issue. Thus, we may not consider this prior participation in services in determining

whether the trial court’s finding respondent was unfit due to the lack of reasonable progress during

this period was against the manifest weight of the evidence.

¶ 23           A parent does not demonstrate reasonable progress towards the goal of reunification

with her children if she does not implement the skills taught to her through her services. See In re

R.L., 352 Ill. App. 3d 985, 999, 817 N.E.2d 954, 966 (2004). As this court has observed, “there

[is] a significant difference between going through the motions, checking off the boxes, and

mechanically doing what is asked of the parent and actually changing the circumstances that

brought the children into care.” In re Ta. T., 2021 IL App (4th) 200658, ¶ 56, 187 N.E.3d 763.

“The point of requiring parents to attend classes and engage in services *** is so parents apply

what they learn *** such that the court can be confident that the children will be safe in their care.”

(Emphasis in original.) Ta. T., 2021 IL App (4th) 200658, ¶ 56.

¶ 24           Here, the evidence established, despite prior completion of services, respondent

was unable to implement the skills she learned to safely and appropriately parent the minors.

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Although observed to be “kind, warm, and patient” with the minors, respondent exhibited

significant difficulties, even after completing services, with directing and teaching the minors.

Additionally, she was observed having difficulties redirecting and managing the children’s

difficult behaviors. While respondent increased her efforts, there was not much in the way of

improvement in her abilities. Further, while there would be “some very good times” during visits,

the degree to which respondent still required help during those times was such that it was deemed

a “safety issue” to progress to unsupervised visits. Indeed, the evidence demonstrated the minors

would be in danger if they were returned to respondent’s care. Based on the evidence presented,

the trial court’s finding respondent was unfit for failing to make reasonable progress toward the

return of the minors during the relevant nine-month period was not against the manifest weight of

the evidence.

¶ 25            Having concluded the trial court’s finding respondent was unfit for her failure to

make reasonable progress was not against the manifest weight of the evidence, we need not address

the additional basis of unfitness. See In re M.J., 314 Ill. App. 3d 649, 655, 732 N.E.2d 790, 795

(2000).

¶ 26                                    III. CONCLUSION

¶ 27            For the reasons stated, we affirm the trial court’s judgment.

¶ 28            Affirmed.

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