Court Opinion

ID: 9941170
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2024-02-15 23:02:48.788885+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:46:19.132077
License: Public Domain

NOTICE                       2024 IL App (4th) 230783-U
This Order was filed under                                                              FILED
Supreme Court Rule 23 and is          NOS. 4-23-0783, 4-23-0784 cons.               February 15, 2024
not precedent except in the                                                            Carla Bender
limited circumstances allowed                                                      4th District Appellate
under Rule 23(e)(1).                   IN THE APPELLATE COURT                            Court, IL

                                                  OF ILLINOIS

                                             FOURTH DISTRICT

 In re N.S., a Minor                                                    )   Appeal from the
                                                                        )   Circuit Court of
 (The People of the State of Illinois,                                  )   Peoria County
                   Petitioner-Appellee,                                 )   No. 23JA5
                   v.              (No. 4-23-0783)                      )
 Mercedez S.,                                                           )
                   Respondent-Appellant).                               )
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- )
 In re A.S., a Minor                                                    )   No. 23JA6
                                                                        )
 (The People of the State of Illinois,                                  )
                   Petitioner-Appellee,                                 )   Honorable
                   v.              (No. 4-23-0784)                      )   Derek G. Asbury and
 Mercedez S.,                                                           )   Mark E. Gilles,
                   Respondent-Appellant).                               )   Judges Presiding.

                   JUSTICE KNECHT delivered the judgment of the court.
                   Justices Steigmann and DeArmond concurred in the judgment.

                                                     ORDER

 ¶1       Held: The appellate court granted the motion to withdraw as appellate counsel and
                affirmed the trial court’s orders, concluding no issue of arguable merit could be
                raised on appeal.

 ¶2                Respondent mother, Mercedez S., appeals from the trial court’s orders adjudicating

 her daughters, N.S. (born September 28, 2022) and A.S. (born September 29, 2021), neglected

 and/or abused, making them wards of the court, and placing guardianship and custody with the

 Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). On appeal, respondent’s appellate

 counsel moves to withdraw on the ground no issue of arguable merit can be raised. For the reasons
that follow, we grant appellate counsel’s motion and affirm the trial court’s orders.

¶3                                        I. BACKGROUND

¶4                Respondent and Tyler S. are the minors’ parents. Tyler S. is not, however, a party

to this appeal.

¶5                             A. Petitions for Adjudication of Wardship

¶6                On January 12, 2023, the State filed petitions for adjudication of wardship, alleging

(1) N.S. and A.S. were neglected minors in that they were subject to an environment injurious to

their welfare while living with their parents, respondent and Tyler S., and (2) N.S. was an abused

minor in that physical injury was inflicted upon her by one of her parents. In support of these

allegations, the State alleged, on December 15, 2022, N.S., having been in the care of her parents

along with A.S., was found to have current and past brain hemorrhaging for which her parents

presented no history to explain said injuries. The State further alleged: (1) Tyler S., who was with

N.S. when she became unresponsive, told police more than eight different explanations for her

injuries, all of which he later retracted; (2) respondent visited N.S., who had been hospitalized

since December 15, once or twice since December 25 and left town with a boyfriend; (3) Tyler S.

had not visited N.S. since a few days after December 25; (4) respondent demanded the maternal

grandmother be banned from the hospital on January 9, 2023, despite the grandmother having

visited N.S. daily; (5) both parents had a history of mental health issues; and (6) respondent was

indicated by DCFS on June 17, 2020, for “substantial risk of physical injury/environment injurious

to health and welfare.”

¶7                        B. First Appearances and the Shelter Care Hearing

¶8                Also on January 12, 2023, the trial court, the Honorable Mark E. Gilles presiding,

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conducted a first appearance and shelter care hearing. All later proceedings were presided over by

the Honorable Derek A. Asbury.

¶9             At the initial hearing, the following were present: (1) respondent, (2) Tyler S.,

(3) an attorney for the State, (4) an attorney serving as the guardian ad litem (GAL), and (5) a child

protection specialist with DCFS. At the time of the hearing, A.S. was in the care of a close family

friend, and N.S. remained hospitalized.

¶ 10           The trial court commenced the proceeding by inquiring about legal paternity. The

GAL informed the court she believed respondent and Tyler S. were married but noted she did not

have a copy of the marriage certificate. The GAL asked for Tyler S. to be found to be the putative

father. On inquiry of the court, Tyler S. indicated he and respondent were married after A.S.’s birth

but before N.S.’s birth. The court found Tyler S. to be the putative father of the minors.

¶ 11           The trial court then informed respondent and Tyler S. of the allegations in the

petitions, their rights, and the progression of the proceedings. In relevant part, the court informed

respondent and Tyler S. of the following: “Respondents in cases like this *** have the right to be

represented by counsel. If the respondents, you parents, are financially unable to hire an attorney,

one would be appointed at no cost.” The court concluded with the following:

                       “I’ll get back to the right to counsel for future court

               appearances. Today, I need to make decisions. Before you’ll have

               any opportunity to have court appointed counsel, I would need to

               decide whether or not their children should be placed in the

               temporary custody of [DCFS].”

¶ 12           The trial court inquired if Tyler S. had any objection to the minors being placed in

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the temporary custody of DCFS. Tyler S. requested further explanation, as he did not understand

the issue, which the court then provided. Eventually, Tyler S. indicated he had no objection. The

court inquired if respondent had any objection to temporary custody. Respondent objected.

¶ 13           The State presented testimony from the child protection specialist who was present

at the hearing. According to the DCFS worker, N.S. had been hospitalized since December 15,

2022, with current and past brain hemorrhaging for which respondent and Tyler S. presented no

history to explain said injuries. In the weeks following N.S.’s hospitalization, respondent and Tyler

S. visited N.S. less than six times. On January 9, 2023, respondent requested to have the maternal

grandmother, who had been visiting N.S. daily, removed from the safety plan because she had

prevented her from holding N.S. Respondent also reported on that date that she had been struggling

with her mental health “due to the stress and trauma of [N.S.] being injured” and had travelled to

St. Louis with her paramour to have “a break from the situation.”

¶ 14           The GAL opined temporary custody was appropriate in light of the contents of the

petition and the testimony from the child protection specialist.

¶ 15           Based upon the testimony presented and the GAL’s recommendation, the trial court

found the minors should be placed in the temporary custody of DCFS. The court then returned to

the issue of counsel. Upon learning both respondent and Tyler S. desired the appointment of

counsel, the court inquired into their financial circumstances. Based upon that inquiry, the court

appointed separate counsel to represent respondent and Tyler S. The court then set the matter for

answers to the petitions.

¶ 16                              C. Answers and Continuances

¶ 17           In February 2023, respondent and Tyler S., through their respective counsel, filed

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answers to the State’s petitions for adjudication of wardship, which were then subject to

clarification at multiple hearings. At the initial hearing, the trial court found Tyler S. to be the legal

father of N.S. Ultimately, Tyler S. stipulated to the allegations in the petitions, with the caveat he

maintained he did not abuse N.S. Respondent, in turn, stipulated to only certain allegations in the

petitions, which came with several caveats. As a result of the answers, the court set the matter for

a contested adjudicatory hearing. While the court initially scheduled the adjudicatory hearing for

April 11, 2023, it was later continued to April 25 on the motion of respondent and with no objection

by Tyler S. On April 25, the court again, due to further clarification of respondent’s answer and

upon finding it was in the minors’ best interests, continued the adjudicatory hearing to June 6 over

the objection of respondent.

¶ 18                                   D. Adjudicatory Hearing

¶ 19            On June 6, 2023, the trial court commenced a two-day adjudicatory hearing, which

concluded on July 19, 2023. At the commencement of the hearing, Tyler S. was found to be the

legal father of A.S. The State presented the stipulations of the parties, medical records of N.S., and

testimony of Dr. Channing Petrak, a qualified expert in abuse pediatrics. Respondent testified on

her own behalf.

¶ 20            Dr. Petrak testified she evaluated N.S and reviewed N.S.’s medical records. N.S.

had “sustained head injury including subdural hematoma, subarachnoids, brain tissue injuries,

[and] some parenchymal injuries.” Dr. Petrak observed N.S. to have “alternating lethargy and

irritability, which is often a sign of neurological injury, as well as a bulging fontanel, *** which

is an indicator of increased intercranial pressure.” Dr. Petrak did not observe any bruising or

externals signs of trauma on N.S. Dr. Petrak testified “there was no report that [N.S.] was rolling,”

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and mobility for a child of N.S.’s age typically involved lifting the head and possibly “push[ing]

up on their arms a little bit.” Dr. Petrak opined, based upon her evaluation of N.S. and review of

N.S.’s medical records, N.S.’s injuries “were highly suspicious for abuse.”

¶ 21           Respondent testified N.S. was generally a “calm” baby and “the only time she

would get difficult is when she was hungry and would cry a lot more.” N.S. was previously

hospitalized with “Covid, rhino, a diaper rash, and a yeast infection.” After her discharge, she was

then readmitted upon discovering she was allergic to a diaper rash cream. Respondent explained

N.S., “[f]rom a very early age[,] *** was either sick or [had] diaper rash we could not get rid of.”

¶ 22           Respondent indicated her mother, her brother, and her brother’s girlfriend

occasionally cared for N.S. while she and Tyler S. were at work. Respondent testified, in late

November or early December 2022, they “had started introducing tummy time as well as playing

on mats and stuff to get [N.S.] to learn to roll over and to be more interactive at a young age.”

¶ 23           According to respondent, on December 14, 2022, she worked from 9 a.m. to 3:30

p.m. at her first job and then 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at her second job. During that time, N.S. was in

the care of Tyler S., and A.S. was in the care of respondent’s brother and his girlfriend.

Respondent’s brother lived with respondent, Tyler S., and the minors. On the morning of

December 15, 2022, respondent left N.S. in the care of Tyler S. when she went to work. She later

left work and met N.S. at the hospital.

¶ 24           Respondent testified she was at the hospital daily upon N.S.’s admission but then,

around December 25, was told by DCFS she could “no longer be in the hospital full time.” She

then went to St. Louis “with a friend” for a few days because she was under “a lot of stress and

depression.” She explained she was stressed from “not having my kids in the home,” “finding out

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I was pregnant at the same timeframe,” and “[t]he runaround with the doctors.” She acknowledged

having been diagnosed with “bipolar one rapid cycling,” borderline personality disorder, and

posttraumatic stress disorder, conditions she asserted she was maintaining in December 2022

without medications. On January 9, 2023, respondent requested DCFS ban her mother from

visiting N.S. because she was “angry” that her mother told her she was not allowed to hold N.S.

¶ 25           Respondent explained she was no longer employed because her employers were

unable to accommodate her being at the hospital with N.S. She asserted the minors were her “safe

spot,” and she had never physically abused or shaken N.S.

¶ 26           The trial court found the allegations of the petitions had been proven but declined

to make a finding concerning who specifically inflicted the abuse upon N.S. The court found N.S.

to be both neglected and abused and A.S. to be neglected.

¶ 27                                 E. Dispositional Hearing

¶ 28           Immediately following the conclusion of the adjudicatory hearing, the trial court

commenced a two-day dispositional hearing, which concluded on August 2, 2023. The court

received a dispositional report with several addendums. The court also heard from a DCFS

caseworker who had been assigned to the minors’ cases, as well as respondent.

¶ 29           In relevant part, the evidence showed respondent had been using marijuana while

pregnant and had a history of drug use. The caseworker testified, in 2017, respondent, who at the

time was a minor, was indicated by DCFS for sexual abuse against a sibling. Respondent testified

she had not, in fact, been indicated for sexual abuse. She asserted she made a false allegation that

she had sexually abused a sibling to avoid being returned home because she was “still processing

childhood trauma,” which included “human trafficking.” She spent several years at a residential

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facility, “Indian Oaks.” Respondent, at the time of the hearing, was in a relationship with a man

who was a registered sex offender. Respondent completed a psychological assessment. That

assessment recommended she follow up with psychiatric care. It was also recommended

respondent complete a mental health evaluation, which she had not done. Respondent obtained

housing outside of Peoria County. Respondent testified she left Peoria County to be closer to her

support system and to have quicker access to housing. She was seeking assistance with securing a

vehicle. Respondent’s mother was being investigated by law enforcement for performing a sex act

in a public place and in the presence of a minor.

¶ 30           With respect to recommendations, it was undisputed the minors should be made

wards of the court, guardianship and custody should not be placed with the parents, and the parents

should be ordered to complete certain services. As to the basis for placing the minors outside the

care of respondent, respondent’s counsel argued respondent should be found unable as opposed to

unfit. Respondent’s counsel suggested respondent’s mother should be considered as a possible

guardian of the minors. Respondent’s counsel argued respondent should not be ordered to

complete drug drops or “sex[-]offender treatment or anything like that.”

¶ 31           The trial court, after considering the evidence and recommendations, made the

minors wards of the court, placed guardianship and custody with DCFS based upon the unfitness

of the parents, and ordered respondent to, amongst other things, submit to random drug drops and

complete a sex-offender assessment.

¶ 32              F. Notices of Appeal and Appointment of Appellate Counsel

¶ 33           Also in August 2023, respondent filed pro se notices of appeal. Thereafter, the trial

court appointed appellate counsel to represent respondent in the appeals. The appeals were then

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consolidated by this court on the motion of appellate counsel.

¶ 34                       G. Motion to Withdraw as Appellate Counsel

¶ 35           In October 2023, appellate counsel filed a motion to withdraw on the ground no

issue of arguable merit could be raised. Counsel’s motion was accompanied by a brief. The brief

summarized the proceedings in the trial court, identified potential issues for review, sketched

arguments in support of the identified issues, and explained why counsel believed the arguments

were frivolous.

¶ 36                 H. Denial of the Motion to Withdraw Without Prejudice

¶ 37           In December 2023, this court issued a summary order denying appellate counsel’s

motion to withdraw without prejudice. In re N.S, No. 4-23-0783 (2023) (unpublished summary

order under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 23(c)(2)). The denial was based upon appellate counsel’s

failure to identify a potential issue related to the trial court’s refusal to entertain the appointment

of counsel for respondent at the shelter care hearing.

¶ 38                       I. Motion to Withdraw as Appellate Counsel

¶ 39           In January 2024, respondent’s appellate counsel filed another motion to withdraw

on the ground no issue of arguable merit could be raised. Counsel’s motion, which is the subject

of this appeal, is accompanied by a supplemental brief addressing the potential issue previously

identified by this court. Specifically, counsel summarizes the proceedings in the trial court relevant

to the issue, sketches an argument in support of the issue, and explains why counsel believes the

argument is frivolous.

¶ 40                                       II. ANALYSIS

¶ 41           Appellate counsel claims no issue of arguable merit can be raised on appeal. For

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the reasons that follow, we agree.

¶ 42                             A. Timeliness of This Disposition

¶ 43           As an initial matter, we must address the timeliness of this disposition. This case

has been designated as accelerated pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 311 (eff. July 1, 2018).

Rule 311(a)(5) states, in relevant part, “[e]xcept for good cause shown, the appellate court shall

issue its decision within 150 days after the filing of the notice of appeal.” Ill. S. Ct. R. 311(a)(5)

(eff. July 1, 2018). In this case, the motion practice on appeal resulted in the matter not being

submitted for disposition until after the 150-day deadline had passed. Under these circumstances,

we find the existence of good cause for the late disposition.

¶ 44              B. Timeliness of the Adjudicatory and Dispositional Hearings

¶ 45           Appellate counsel considered objecting to the timeliness of the adjudicatory and

dispositional hearings but concluded her argument in support thereof would be frivolous.

¶ 46           Section 2-14 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 (Act) (705 ILCS 405/2-14 (West

2022)) provides an adjudicatory hearing generally must be commenced within 90 days of the date

of service upon the minor, parents, guardian, or legal custodian and, once commenced, any

subsequent delay may be allowed only when necessary to ensure a fair hearing. Section 2-22(4) of

the Act (id. § 2-22(4)), in turn, provides a dispositional hearing generally must occur within six

months of a minor’s removal from the minor’s home. Objections to the timeliness of the

adjudicatory and dispositional hearing must be raised in the trial court. See In re S.W., 342 Ill.

App. 3d 445, 452-53, 794 N.E.2d 1037, 1043 (2003); see also In re B.S., 2022 IL App (2d) 220271,

¶ 36, 213 N.E.3d 1007 (“Forfeiture principles apply to proceedings under the Act.”).

¶ 47           In this case, the record shows respondent largely invited or did not object to the

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delay in the proceedings. To the extent she did object, the delay was found to be in the minors’

best interests and necessary due to the clarification of respondent’s answer. Moreover, the record

does not show any prejudice resulting from the delay. On this record, we agree any argument in

support of an objection to the timeliness of the adjudicatory and dispositional hearings would be

frivolous.

¶ 48                                 C. Adjudicatory Findings

¶ 49           Appellate counsel considered objecting to the adjudicatory findings but concluded

her argument in support thereof would be frivolous.

¶ 50           Before a minor may be made a ward of the court, the minor must be found to be

abused, neglected, or dependent. In re A.P., 2012 IL 113875, ¶ 19, 981 N.E.2d 336. Relevant here,

section 2-3(1)(b) of the Act (705 ILCS 405/2-3(1)(b) (West 2022)) defines a neglected minor as

any minor “whose environment is injurious to the minor’s welfare.” Section 2-3(2)(i) of the Act

(id. § 2-3(2)(i)), in turn, defines an abused minor as a minor whose parent “inflicts, causes to be

inflicted, or allows to be inflicted upon such minor physical injury, by other than accidental means,

which causes death, disfigurement, impairment of physical or emotional health, or loss or

impairment of any bodily function.”

¶ 51           In this case, the record shows Tyler S. stipulated to the allegations in the petitions,

with the caveat that he did not physically abuse N.S. The trial court also received evidence

indicating N.S. was found to have injuries which were “highly suspicious for abuse.” On this

record, we agree any argument in support of an objection to the adjudicatory findings would be

frivolous.

¶ 52                                 D. Dispositional Findings

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¶ 53           Appellate counsel considered objecting to the dispositional findings but concluded

her argument in support thereof would be frivolous.

¶ 54           After a minor has been found to be abused, neglected, or dependent, a trial court

must conduct a dispositional hearing. A.P., 2012 IL 113875, ¶ 21. “At the dispositional hearing,

the court shall determine whether it is in the best interests of the minor and the public that the

minor be made a ward of the court, and, if the minor is to be made a ward of the court, the court

shall determine the proper disposition best serving the health, safety[,] and interests of the minor

and the public.” 705 ILCS 405/2-22(1) (West 2022). Under section 2-27(1)(d) of the Act (id. § 2-

27(1)(d)), a proper disposition includes placing guardianship and custody with DCFS if the

minor’s parents are found to be unfit or unable to care for the minor.

¶ 55           In this case, the record shows the only dispositional matters in dispute by

respondent concerned whether she should be found unfit and ordered to complete drug drops and

a sex-offender assessment, and whether respondent’s mother should be appointed guardian of the

minors. The evidence before the trial court showed (1) respondent had serious mental health issues

for which she had not sought recommended services, (2) respondent had a history of drug use and

had previously been indicated for sexual abuse, and (3) respondent’s mother was being

investigated for performing a sex act in a public place and in the presence of a minor. On this

record, we agree any argument in support of an objection to the dispositional findings would be

frivolous.

¶ 56                          E. Counsel at the Shelter Care Hearing

¶ 57           Appellate counsel considered objecting to the absence of counsel at the shelter care

hearing but concluded her argument in support thereof would be frivolous.

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¶ 58           Section 1-5(1) of the Act (id. § 1-5(1)) provides that “the minor’s parents, guardian,

legal custodian or responsible relative who are parties respondent” have, amongst other rights, the

right to be represented by counsel “at all stages of the trial court proceeding[s].” This statutory

right to counsel “attaches when the State files an action under the [Act].” In re Adoption of K.L.P.,

198 Ill. 2d 448, 467, 763 N.E.2d 741, 752 (2002).

¶ 59           In this case, the record shows respondent was not prejudiced by the absence of

counsel at the shelter care hearing: the evidence presented at the shelter care hearing supported the

minors’ temporary placement, respondent was appointed counsel immediately after the shelter care

hearing, respondent’s appointed counsel did not raise any objection related to the shelter care

hearing, respondent stipulated to allegations of neglect and abuse, the evidence presented at the

adjudicatory hearing supported the findings of neglect and abuse, and respondent did not dispute

the minors should be made wards of the court and guardianship and custody should not be placed

with her or Tyler S. On this record, we agree any argument in support of an objection to the absence

of counsel at the shelter care hearing would be frivolous.

¶ 60           While respondent cannot establish prejudice under the circumstances presented, we

find the manner in which the trial court conducted the shelter care hearing troubling. See In re

Austin D., 358 Ill. App. 3d 277, 285, 831 N.E.2d 1215, 1220-21 (2005). We, once again,

“emphatically remind trial courts that they should always inform parents at shelter care hearings

of the right to counsel and appoint counsel if requested.” In re K.G., 2021 IL App (4th) 210405-

U, ¶ 74; see Ill. S. Ct. R. 23(e)(1) (eff. Feb. 1, 2023) (stating nonprecedential orders under Rule

23(b) may be cited for persuasive purposes). We further remind the State, “[i]f a trial court, for

whatever reason, fails to provide a statutorily required right to a respondent, it is the State’s duty

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to so inform the court and request that the error be corrected.” K.G., 2021 IL App (4th) 210405-U,

¶ 75.

¶ 61                                   III. CONCLUSION

¶ 62           Because the record reveals no issue of arguable merit can be raised on appeal, we

grant appellate counsel’s motion to withdraw and affirm the trial court’s orders.

¶ 63           Affirmed.

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