Rule 23 order filed NO. 5-08-0657 September 16, 2009; Motion to publish granted IN THE October 15, 2009. APPELLATE COURT OF ILLINOIS
FIFTH DISTRICT ________________________________________________________________________
In re BRANDON A., a Minor ) Appeal from the ) Circuit Court of (The People of the State of Illinois, ) Franklin County. ) Petitioner-Appellee and Cross-Appellant, ) ) No. 05-JA-40 v. ) ) Timothy A., ) Honorable ) E. Kyle Vantrease, Respondent-Appellant and Cross-Appellee). ) Judge, presiding. ________________________________________________________________________
PRESIDING JUSTICE WEXSTTEN delivered the opinion of the court:
Timothy A., the respondent, appeals from the circuit court's order terminating his
parental rights to his minor son, Brandon A., on its findings that the respondent's repeated
incarceration has prevented him from discharging his parental responsibilities (750 ILCS
50/1(D)(s) (West 2006)) and that the termination was in the minor's best interests (705 ILCS
405/2-29(2) (West 2006)). The State cross-appeals from the court's finding that the
respondent is not depraved (750 ILCS 50/1(D)(i) (West 2006)). For the reasons that follow,
we affirm.
BACKGROUND
Brandon was born in December 1998. In January 2005, his mother, Patsy, died of a
drug overdose, and his father, the respondent, was arrested and incarcerated on drug charges.
Brandon's maternal grandmother, Shirley Rice, immediately assumed custody of him, and
in November 2005, the State filed a petition for an adjudication of wardship on his behalf
(705 ILCS 405/2-13 (West 2004)).
1 In December 2005, at the first hearing on the State's petition for an adjudication of
wardship, the trial court expressed concern that the respondent had not been served with a
summons. In response, the State informed the court that it had learned where the respondent
was being housed by the Illinois Department of Corrections (DOC) and would serve him
prior to the next hearing. By the agreement of the parties present, the court placed Brandon
in the temporary custody of the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). DCFS
then deemed Shirley "a relative foster parent," and Brandon was permitted to remain in her
care. The respondent was later served with a copy of the petition for the adjudication of
wardship, a notice of rights, and notices of hearings. The court subsequently entered
additional temporary custody orders continuing temporary custody with DCFS.
In February 2006, the cause proceeded to an adjudicatory hearing. The court noted
that the respondent had been served with a summons but was not present. Joe Frey of DCFS
testified that, although Shirley had "quickly and appropriately" assumed custody of Brandon
following Patsy's death and the respondent's incarceration, she "still did not have the legal
authority to make decisions on his behalf." Thereafter, the court adjudicated Brandon a
dependent minor pursuant to section 2-4(1)(a) of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 (Act) (705
ILCS 405/2-4(1)(a) (West 2004)) and set the cause for a dispositional hearing. The
respondent subsequently retained counsel and filed a writ to be present at the dispositional
hearing.
In June 2006, the cause proceeded to a dispositional hearing, where the respondent
was present with counsel. Frey testified that DCFS had placed Brandon in Shirley's care and
that she had been cooperative with DCFS ever since. Frey stated that it would be in
Brandon's best interests to remain in foster care with Shirley. The respondent testified that,
although he and Brandon had "always been close," he was unable to take care of Brandon
because he was incarcerated. The respondent referred to Shirley as a "wonderful
2 grandmother" who loved Brandon, and he stated that under Shirley's care is "where
[Brandon] should be." At the conclusion of the hearing, the court found that it was in
Brandon's best interests that he be made a ward of the court. The court granted custody and
guardianship to DCFS and ordered DCFS to arrange visitation with the respondent.
In June 2007, the cause proceeded to a permanency hearing. Faith Johnson of
Lutheran Social Services (LSS) testified that referrals with respect to many of the
components of the respondent's service plan could not be made because of his incarceration.
She further testified that Brandon was doing very well under Shirley's care and was well-
behaved and well-adjusted. Johnson opined that given Brandon's "desperate need for
permanency," the appropriate permanency goal "would be substitute care pending
termination of parental rights." The respondent testified that he expected to be released on
parole from DOC in January 2008. He acknowledged that there were federal drug charges
still pending against him, but he insisted that he was not guilty of those charges. He
indicated that he sincerely loved Brandon, that he had improved himself while in prison, and
that, once released, he was willing to do whatever was necessary to regain custody of his
son. Noting that Brandon had already been in foster care for approximately 2½ years, the
trial court agreed with LSS's recommendation and found that the appropriate permanency
goal was substitute care pending a determination on the termination of parental rights. The
court also ordered that visitation between the respondent and the minor be continued.
In November 2007, the State filed a motion for the termination of parental rights and
for the appointment of a guardian with the power to consent to an adoption. In its motion,
the State alleged that the respondent was unfit for the following reasons: (1) he had failed
to maintain a reasonable degree of interest, concern, or responsibility for Brandon's welfare
(750 ILCS 50/1(D)(b) (West 2006)), (2) he had failed to protect Brandon from environmental
conditions that were injurious to Brandon's welfare (750 ILCS 50/1(D)(g) (West 2006)), (3)
3 he had failed to make reasonable efforts to correct the conditions that were the basis of
Brandon's removal (750 ILCS 50/1(D)(m)(i) (West 2006)), (4) he had failed to make
reasonable progress towards Brandon's return within nine months after Brandon had been
adjudicated a dependent minor (750 ILCS 50/1(D)(m)(ii) (West 2006)), (5) he was depraved
in that he had been criminally convicted of at least three felonies and at least one of his
convictions had taken place within five years of the filing of the motion to terminate parental
rights (750 ILCS 50/1(D)(i) (West 2006)), and (6) he was incarcerated at the time of the
filing of the motion to terminate parental rights, he has been repeatedly incarcerated as a
result of criminal convictions, and his repeated incarceration has prevented him from
discharging his parental responsibilities (750 ILCS 50/1(D)(s) (West 2006)).
In April 2008, the respondent filed a motion to dismiss the State's motion for the
termination of parental rights. Citing section 2-13(4.5)(a) of the Act (705 ILCS 405/2-
13(4.5)(a) (West 2006)), the respondent maintained that the State was not statutorily
authorized to commence the termination action because Brandon was being cared for by a
relative. Following a hearing on the matter, the trial court denied the respondent's motion
to dismiss.
In June 2008, the cause proceeded to a fitness hearing, at which the following
evidence was adduced. In April 2003, when Brandon was four, the respondent pled guilty
to a charge of felony driving while license revoked and was sentenced to one year in prison.
Including jail time, the respondent was incarcerated approximately six months on the
conviction. In September 2004, DCFS first became involved with Brandon when it
investigated a drug-related risk-of-harm report with respect to Patsy. In January 2005, Patsy
died of a drug overdose; the respondent, who was suspected of providing the drugs that killed
Patsy, was arrested on drug charges; and Shirley assumed custody of Brandon. In June 2005,
the respondent pled guilty to the State's drug charges against him, and in August 2005, he
4 was sentenced to seven years in DOC. W hile in prison, the respondent "sent money to
Brandon for school supplies and things like that" but was unable to otherwise support him
financially. In January 2008, the respondent was paroled from DOC but was immediately
taken into custody by federal agents on a warrant stemming from his federal drug charges.
Since his arrest on the federal warrant, he had been incarcerated at the Jefferson County jail.
The respondent testified that he believed that the sentencing range on his federal charges was
5 to 40 years' imprisonment but that he was eligible to receive credit for his time spent in
DOC. He indicated that he was presently working on a plea agreement and hoped to be out
of federal prison by 2011. He acknowledged that he could not "parent" Brandon w hile
incarcerated.
In August 2008, the trial court entered a written order finding that the respondent was
unfit due to his repeated incarceration. The court found that the State had failed to prove its
other allegations of unfitness. With respect to the repeated-incarceration ground, the court
stated the following:
"In this case, [the respondent] was incarcerated for six months when Brandon
was four years old. [The respondent] has been incarcerated since January 7, 2005,
when Brandon was six years old[,] and will not be released from custody until at least
2011. Brandon will turn thirteen years old at the end of that year. [The respondent]
could remain in custody after 2011 ***. During this time of incarceration, [the
respondent] is not able to provide 'the necessary emotional and financial support and
stability required of a parent.' The Court finds that the State has proven by clear and
convincing evidence that [the respondent] was incarcerated at the time of filing the
motion for termination of parental rights, [that] he has been repeatedly incarcerated
as a result of criminal convictions, and [that] his repeated incarceration has prevented
him from discharging his parental responsibilities."
5 In October 2008, the cause proceeded to a best-interests hearing. Sarah Viernum of
LSS testified that she had been counseling Brandon since the summer of 2005. When
Viernum first saw Brandon, he was experiencing difficulties dealing with the loss of his
mother and was exhibiting regressive behaviors such as bed-wetting, tantrum-throwing, and
talking like a baby. After a year of counseling, Brandon's behavior improved but was still
inconsistent. Viernum testified that her main goal was to help Brandon develop coping skills
because it was very difficult for him to not know what was ultimately going to happen to
him. She observed one visit that Brandon had with the respondent, and she stated that,
although Brandon "seemed to be excited to see his father ***[,] he didn't really know what
to say or what to do." She noted that Brandon had later told her that he did not like visiting
the respondent when they had to "talk through a phone and through glass" and that Brandon
had "made comments that he didn't really care if he visited or not." She also opined that
Brandon did not have a typical father-son attachment to the respondent and that he needed
"a stable, structured environment that he knows he can count on." Viernum believed that
Brandon's improvements were the result of his being "in the same place for such a long time"
and that he could regress in the future in the absence of stability because he did not know
what could happen at any given time.
Millie Deadmond of LSS testified that she was Brandon's caseworker and that the last
attempted visit between Brandon and the respondent had occurred two weeks before the best-
interests hearing. When Deadmond spoke to Brandon prior to the scheduled visit, he told
her that he "hated his father and did not want to visit anymore." Although she encouraged
him to attend the visit, he still refused. Deadmond testified that Brandon had also refused
to attend the visit before that and had stated that he never wanted to see the respondent again.
Brandon's last visit with the respondent was a "through-the-glass visit," and Brandon "left
20 minutes early." Deadmond testified that Shirley's home was an appropriate environment
6 for Brandon and that he had his own room and a playroom. Brandon was doing well in
school and had been discharged from speech therapy. He had maternal aunts, uncles, and
cousins in the area and had made friends with children in the neighborhood.
Shirley testified that she resided with Brandon in her home in Johnston City and that
she had been taking care of him since January 2005. She stated that Brandon, who was
almost 10, was doing well in school and that she checked his homework nightly. She
indicated that Brandon was also doing well in counseling and that the behavioral problems
he exhibited during their first year together had subsided. She testified that she wanted to
adopt Brandon and had the means to support him. She stated that Brandon does his chores
and that his best friend lives down the street. Shirley testified that she was 57, was in very
good health, and had never been convicted of a crime. She indicated that Brandon was
excited about the prospect of her adopting him and that he was very happy in her home. She
stated that, when Brandon started school in Johnston City, he "told everyone his name was
Brandon Rice."
On the respondent's behalf, Tamara Mayberry of LSS testified that, during the summer
of 2007, Brandon was always excited to visit the respondent at the Shawnee Correctional
Center. Mayberry stated that, during the visits at the correctional center, the respondent was
pleasant and "very involved with Brandon." In her opinion, Brandon and the respondent had
"wonderful visit[s]," and the respondent "seemed like a great dad."
Frey testified that he supervised one visit between Brandon and the respondent at the
Vienna Correctional Center. During the visit, the respondent's behavior was appropriate, and
there was some bonding. When cross-examined, however, Frey stated that "Brandon's been
in limbo for half his life" and that it would be in Brandon's best interests to have a
"permanent living environment and a permanent bond with a caretaker."
The respondent's mother, Pamela Hailey, testified that, when she took Brandon to visit
7 the respondent at the Vienna Correctional Center, it was obvious that Brandon loved him.
She further testified that Shirley and Deadmond had attempted to alienate Brandon from the
respondent. She acknowledged that, since she had recently moved to Texas, she would be
unable to have much contact with Brandon, even if the respondent's parental rights were not
terminated.
The respondent testified that, while in prison, he had taken numerous classes to
improve himself. He testified that he loved Brandon very much and wanted to remain a part
of his life. He expressed his willingness to do whatever was necessary to spend as much
time with Brandon as possible following his release from prison. He stated that, although
the sentencing range on his federal charges was 10 to 14 years, he was going to receive
sentence reductions for his cooperation and for his time spent in DOC. He stated that under
a "best case scenario" he would be released from federal custody in 6 to 9 months and that
under a "worst case scenario" he would be released in 2 to 2½ years. He claimed that, upon
his release from prison, he was going to work for his brother for $70,000 a year. He further
claimed that Shirley had provided Patsy with prescription drugs while she was alive and that
Brandon would lack a positive male role model under her care.
In its closing argument, the State noted that, while the respondent was undoubtedly
going to be incarcerated "for some time in the future," how long he would be incarcerated
was unknown. Stating that "[t]his has been lingering on for years," the State maintained that
Brandon needed permanency in his life. The State asked the court to terminate the
respondent's parental rights so that Brandon could move on. Suggesting that the present case
was not a difficult one and arguing that "Brandon deserves permanency," Brandon's guardian
ad litem also urged the court to terminate the respondent's parental rights.
Counsel for the respondent argued, inter alia, that Brandon would still be young when
the respondent is released from prison. Counsel noted that the respondent clearly loved
8 Brandon and wanted to "be there for him." Counsel suggested that Shirley hated the
respondent because she blamed him for Patsy's death.
In November 2008, the trial court entered a written order terminating the respondent's
parental rights to Brandon and appointing DCFS as his guardian with the power to consent
to an adoption. After noting that it had previously found that the respondent was unfit due
to his repeated incarceration, the court stated the following:
"Brandon has been in the care and custody of his maternal grandmother, Shirley Rice,
since his mother's death in January 2005. In December of this year, Brandon will be
ten years old. In January, he will have spent four years living with his grandmother.
Throughout that time, [the respondent] has been incarcerated. [He] remains in the
custody of the United States Government. The date of his scheduled release from
custody is unknown. For the past four years, Brandon's only contact with his father
has been correspondence and visits at a county jail or an Illinois state correctional
facility. While those visits were appropriate, according to witnesses, they were
limited by the requirements of the facility where [the respondent] was incarcerated.
Since [the respondent] has been in the custody of the [United States Government], the
visits have been 'no contact' visits, apparently through glass. At least one witness
testified that during the visits in the summer of 2007, [the respondent] was trying to
get to know his son.
Brandon has become attached to his grandmother and has a sense of belonging.
He does not appear to be attached to his father and recently has refused to visit with
him. Brandon is in need of permanency, to know with whom he will be living and
by whom he will be cared for. To a ten[-]year[-]old child, four years seems like an
eternity. It is still not known when [the respondent] will be released from custody.
At the fitness hearing, he testified that the best case scenario was that he might be
9 released in 2011. [At the best-interests hearing], he claimed he may be released in
2009, although there was no evidence to support that claim. Even if he were released
from custody, there is no assurance that [he] would be in any position to care for his
son."
The respondent subsequently filed a timely notice of appeal.
ANALYSIS
The respondent raises numerous issues on appeal, and as previously noted, the State
raises one issue on cross-appeal. We will address each in turn.
The Validity of the Trial Court's Temporary Custody Orders
The respondent first complains that, because he had not been given adequate notice
of the proceedings at which temporary custody was granted to and continued with DCFS, the
trial court's temporary custody orders were invalid. W e agree with the State, however, that
the respondent has waived the consideration of this issue by raising it for the first time on
appeal. See Fawcett v. Reinertsen, 131 Ill. 2d 380, 386 (1989). We further agree with the
State's observations that the trial court complied with the statutory requirements attendant
to temporary custody orders entered ex parte (see 705 ILCS 405/2-10(3) (West 2004)), that
the respondent never sought a rehearing on any of the court's temporary orders (see 705 ILCS
405/2-10(4) (West 2004)), and that the issue is ultimately moot (see In re D.S., 217 Ill. 2d
306, 320 (2005); In re A.D.W., 278 Ill. App. 3d 476, 480 (1996)).
The Validity of the Trial Court's Termination Order
Referencing section 2-13(4.5)(a) of the Act (705 ILCS 405/2-13(4.5)(a) (West 2006)),
the respondent contends that the trial court's order terminating his parental rights is invalid
because the State was not authorized to commence the termination action. The State
counters that the respondent's argument misreads section 2-13(4.5)(a) and is "totally without
support."
10 In relevant part, section 2-13(4.5)(a) provides as follows:
"With respect to any minors committed to its care pursuant to this Act, the
Department of Children and Family Services shall request the State's Attorney to file
a petition or motion for termination of parental rights and appointment of guardian of
the person with power to consent to adoption of the minor under Section 2-29 if:
(i) a minor has been in foster care, as described in subsection (b), for
15 months of the most recent 22 months ***
***
unless:
(i) the child is being cared for by a relative[.]" 705 ILCS 405/2-
13(4.5)(a) (W est 2006).
The respondent maintains that, because Brandon was being cared for by a relative the
entire time he was in foster care, the State was not authorized under section 2-13(4.5)(a) to
file its motion for the termination of parental rights. As the trial court noted when rejecting
this argument, however, section 2-13(4.5)(a) does not limit the State's power to commence
a termination proceeding; it rather mandates that DCFS request that the State commence that
proceeding under certain circumstances. Moreover, as the trial court further noted, the State
may commence proceedings on a motion to terminate parental rights any time after the entry
of a dispositional order. See 705 ILCS 405/2-13(4) (W est 2006). W hile issues of statutory
construction are reviewed de novo (Hennings v. Chandler, 229 Ill. 2d 18, 24 (2008)), "[w]e
cannot read words into a statute that are not there" (Chicago Tribune Co. v. Board of
Education of the City of Chicago, 332 Ill. App. 3d 60, 67 (2002)). Accordingly, we reject
the respondent's proposed interpretation of section 2-13(4.5)(a).
The Respondent's 1997 Criminal Conviction in Mississippi
At the fitness hearing, as proof of a prior felony conviction, the State produced a
11 certified copy of an order from the circuit court of Prentiss County, Mississippi, stating that,
in June 1997, the respondent pled guilty to a charge of "[s]ale of crack cocaine within 1500'
of [a] church." The order further stated that the respondent received a 15-year prison
sentence on the charge with "credit for time served and the remainder of [the] sentence ***
suspended." On appeal, the respondent contends that the court should not have considered
the evidence of this 1997 conviction as proof of a felony conviction. He argues that the
conviction should not be deemed a felony conviction because he was given a "deferred
sentence." W e agree with the State, however, that not only is this claim without merit but
it is also immaterial.
As the trial court determined below, "based upon a review of the M ississippi statutes,"
the respondent's 1997 conviction was a conviction for a felony offense, regardless of the fact
that the "remainder" of the 15-year sentence had been "suspended." See Miss. Code Ann.
§§41-29-139, 41-29-142 (1996). As the State observes on appeal, given the length of the
sentence that the respondent received, the offense underlying the conviction had to be a
felony because it could not have been a misdemeanor. See Conner v. State, 98-KM-01650-
SCT (¶7) (Miss. 2000) ("A misdemeanor, by definition, is 'a criminal offense punishable by
a maximum possible sentence of confinement for one year or less, fine, or both.' Uniform
Circuit and County Court Rule 6.01"); Anderson v. State, 2002-KA-01586-COA (¶22) (Miss.
App. 2004) ("There are only two broad categories of crimes according to the gravity of the
offense, felonies and misdemeanors"). Ultimately, however, whether the respondent's 1997
conviction constituted a felony conviction is immaterial because the trial court's termination
order indicates that it only considered the evidence of the conviction when evaluating one
of the State's allegations that the court found the State had failed to prove, i.e., that the
respondent was depraved in that he had been criminally convicted of at least three felonies
and at least one of his convictions had taken place within five years of the filing of the
12 motion to terminate parental rights (750 ILCS 50/1(D)(i) (West 2006)). The court's order
indicates that, when evaluating the sole allegation that the court found the State had proven,
i.e., that the respondent's repeated incarceration had prevented him from discharging his
parental responsibilities (750 ILCS 50/1(D)(s) (West 2006)), it did not consider the 1997
conviction. Thus, even if we were to conclude that the respondent's 1997 conviction should
not have been considered a felony conviction, we would conclude that the error was
harmless. See People v. Nitz, 219 Ill. 2d 400, 410 (2006) (noting that an error is harmless
where "the result would have been the same absent the error").
The Respondent's Service Plans
At the fitness hearing, the State produced copies of service plans that DCFS had
prepared for the respondent, and the trial court admitted the plans into evidence over the
respondent's hearsay objections. On appeal, the respondent contends that the plans were
erroneously admitted. As the State argues, however, service plans are admissible pursuant
to section 2-18(4)(a) of the Act (705 ILCS 405/2-18(4)(a) (West 2006)), which sets forth a
statutory "variation of the common-law 'business records' exception to the hearsay rule." In
re A.B., 308 Ill. App. 3d 227, 235 (1999).
"The admission of evidence is within the sound discretion of the trial court, and its
ruling will be declared erroneous only where there is 'a clear showing of abuse of that
discretion.' " People v. Alsup, 373 Ill. App. 3d 745, 755 (2007) (quoting People v. Ward, 101
Ill. 2d 443, 456 (1984)). Here, proper foundations for the service plans' admission were laid,
and the trial court did not abuse its discretion in admitting the plans into evidence over the
respondent's objections. Moreover, when finding the respondent unfit, the trial court only
referred to the service plans when evaluating allegations that it determined the State had not
proven. Thus, even if we were to conclude that evidence of the plans was improperly
admitted, we would conclude that the error was harmless. See Nitz, 219 Ill. 2d at 410.
13 Viernum's and Deadmond's Testimony
At the best-interests hearing, the respondent objected to portions of Viernum's and
Deadmond's testimony on hearsay grounds and further objected to Viernum's testimony on
the grounds that the State had failed to disclose certain reports from her counseling sessions
with Brandon and that she was an unqualified expert. The trial court overruled these
objections, and on appeal, the respondent contends that the court's rulings were erroneous.
We disagree.
As with the admission of evidence (see Alsup, 373 Ill. App. 3d at 755), "[w]hether a
witness is sufficiently qualified to testify as an expert is a matter committed to the sound
discretion of the trial court[,] whose determination on the issue may be reversed only if it
constitutes a clear abuse of that discretion" (In re Beatriz S., 267 Ill. App. 3d 496, 499
(1994)). Here, Viernum testified that she had worked for LSS for more than two years but
had been Brandon's counselor for more than three years, having first seen him while she was
employed at another social service agency. She indicated that she counseled Brandon
weekly. She further testified that she is a licensed clinical counselor, and she obtained a
master's degree in counseling in 1999. Given these qualifications, the trial court rightfully
allowed Viernum to testify as an expert competent to offer insight into Brandon's behaviors
and needs, and under the circumstances, the court would have abused its discretion had it
precluded her from doing so. See In re Beatriz S., 267 Ill. App. 3d at 499-500. As for the
State's failure to disclose all of Viernum's reports regarding her counseling sessions with
Brandon, she stated at the hearing that she did not have access to her records from the social
service agency where she had worked prior to joining LSS. Noting that the records'
unavailability explained why the State had not produced them, the court intimated that there
was good cause to excuse the State's failure to disclose (see 166 Ill. 2d R. 213(g)), and we
find no abuse of its discretion. We also note that the trial court referred to Viernum's
14 testimony regarding her first-year sessions with Brandon as "background information." W ith
respect to the respondent's assertion that portions of Viernum's and Deadmond's testimony
constituted erroneously admitted hearsay, that claim is belied by the record.
"Hearsay evidence is an out-of-court statement offered to prove the truth of the matter
asserted[] and is generally inadmissible unless it falls within a recognized exception."
People v. Cloutier, 178 Ill. 2d 141, 154 (1997). "However, an out-of-court statement not
offered for the truth of the matter asserted is not hearsay." People v. Malave, 230 Ill. App.
3d 556, 560 (1992).
Here, when overruling the respondent's hearsay objections, the trial court confirmed
that the State was "not attempting to prove that whatever the child related actually occurred,"
and then the court indicated that it was admitting the testimony in question as evidence of
Brandon's "state of mind" and as foundational evidence for the basis of Viernum's opinions.
The rule prohibiting the admission of hearsay evidence is not implicated where the testimony
in question is offered as evidence of a child's "state of mind and emotional state" (In re
Marriage of Sieck, 78 Ill. App. 3d 204, 218 (1979)), and "[t]he rule is not implicated ***
where statements otherwise inadmissible as hearsay are used by experts for the purpose of
explaining the bases for their opinions" (People v. Leach, 391 Ill. App. 3d 161, 173 (2009)).
Accordingly, the trial court did not err in overruling the respondent's hearsay objections.
The Trial Court's Dependency Finding
The respondent argues that, because Brandon was constantly being cared for by a
known relative, the trial court erred in adjudicating him a dependent minor. Noting that
although Shirley had "physical custody" of Brandon, she lacked the legal authority to make
decisions on his behalf, the State maintains that the respondent's argument incorrectly
assumes that "if a child is staying with a relative[,] he can never be dependent." We agree
with the State.
15 "At an adjudicatory hearing, a trial court must determine whether a minor is abused,
neglected, or dependent." In re C.M., 351 Ill. App. 3d 913, 916 (2004). "Dependency need
only be established by a preponderance of the evidence," and "[a] trial court's determination
regarding dependency will not be overturned unless it is manifestly erroneous." In re J.J.,
246 Ill. App. 3d 143, 151 (1993).
Here, the court adjudicated Brandon a dependent minor pursuant to section 2-4(1)(a)
of the Act (705 ILCS 405/2-4(1)(a) (West 2004)). Section 2-4(1)(a) allows for a finding that
a minor is "dependent" if he is "without a parent, guardian[,] or legal custodian." 705 ILCS
405/2-4(1)(a) (West 2004). In January 2005, Patsy died, and the respondent was arrested
and incarcerated on drug charges. At that point, Brandon was left without a parent or legal
guardian to care for him. The trial court's finding that Brandon was a dependent minor was
therefore "fully supported" by the facts before it. In re A.D.W., 278 Ill. App. 3d 476, 482
(1996) (affirming the trial court's finding of dependency where the "evidence showed that
both [of the minor's parents] were incarcerated at the time of the hearing").
The Trial Court's Unfitness Finding
The respondent next challenges the propriety of the trial court's finding that he was
unfit. As previously noted, although the State alleged that the respondent was unfit on six
statutory grounds, the trial court found that the State had proven only one ground, i.e., that
his repeated incarceration has prevented him from discharging his parental responsibilities
(750 ILCS 50/1(D)(s) (West 2006)).
"Because termination of parental rights is a serious matter, the State must prove
unfitness by clear and convincing evidence." In re Richard H., 376 Ill. App. 3d 162, 164-65
(2007). The grounds that will support a finding of unfitness are found in section 1(D) of the
Adoption Act (750 ILCS 50/1(D) (West 2006)), and although section 1(D) sets forth
numerous grounds on which a parent may be deemed unfit, an unfitness finding may be
16 entered if there is sufficient evidence to satisfy any one ground. In re Donald A.G., 221 Ill.
2d 234, 244 (2006).
As a reviewing court, we accord the trial court's finding of parental unfitness great
deference because it is in the best position to make factual findings and credibility
assessments. In re D.L., 326 Ill. App. 3d 262, 269 (2001). Furthermore, we will reverse the
trial court's decision regarding parental fitness only if it is against the manifest weight of the
evidence. In re D.D., 196 Ill. 2d 405, 417 (2001). "A decision regarding parental fitness is
against the manifest weight of the evidence where the opposite conclusion is clearly the
proper result." In re D.D., 196 Ill. 2d at 417.
Section 1(D)(s) allows for a finding of parental unfitness under the following
circumstances:
"The child is in the temporary custody or guardianship of the Department of
Children and Family Services, the parent is incarcerated at the time the petition or
motion for termination of parental rights is filed, the parent has been repeatedly
incarcerated as a result of criminal convictions, and the parent's repeated incarceration
has prevented the parent from discharging his or her parental responsibilities for the
child." 750 ILCS 50/1(D)(s) (W est 2006).
Section 1(D)(s) recognizes that, despite a respondent's demonstrated interest in his child's
welfare, a child needs permanency in a stable home with a positive, caring role model. See
In re M.P., 324 Ill. App. 3d 686, 693 (2001). "Section 1(D)(s), no doubt, is applicable in
situations where the parent, during the lifetime of the child, has had recurring absences
caused by incarcerations which have prevented the parent from providing his or her child
with a stable home environment." In re D.D., 196 Ill. 2d 405, 420 (2001).
Here, at the time of the fitness hearing, the respondent had been incarcerated for
nearly half of Brandon's life and was further expected to remain incarcerated for at least
17 another three years. As the trial court indicated in its order finding the respondent unfit, his
"repeated incarcerations have prevented him from providing [Brandon] with the necessary
emotional and financial support and stability required of a parent." See In re M.P., 324 Ill.
App. 3d 686, 693 (2001). The State proved the existence of the conditions set forth in
section 1(D)(s) by clear and convincing evidence (see In re M.P., 324 Ill. App. 3d at 693),
and we cannot conclude that the trial court's finding that the respondent is unfit because his
repeated incarceration has prevented him from discharging his parental responsibilities was
against the manifest weight of the evidence (see In re M.M.J., 313 Ill. App. 3d 352, 355
(2000)). We also take judicial notice of the fact that the respondent is not scheduled to be
released from federal prison until June 2022, at which time Brandon will be 23 years old.
See People v. Young, 355 I ll. App. 3d 317, 321 n.1 ( 2 0 0 5 );
http://www.bop.gov/iloc2/LocateInmate.jsp (visited August 25, 2009).
The Trial Court's Best-Interests Finding
The respondent lastly challenges the trial court's finding that terminating his parental
rights was in Brandon's best interests. The State maintains that it presented "more than
sufficient evidence" to sustain the trial court's determination, and we agree.
The goals of a proceeding to terminate parental rights are as follows: "(1) to determine
whether the natural parents are unfit[] and if so (2) to determine whether adoption will best
serve the child's needs." In re M.M., 156 Ill. 2d 53, 61 (1993). "Once parental unfitness has
been found in a proceeding to terminate parental rights, the parent's rights must yield to the
best interests of the child." In re M.F., 326 Ill. App. 3d 1110, 1115 (2002). To determine
the child's best interests, the trial court is required to consider the following factors in the
context of the child's age and developmental needs:
"(a) the physical safety and welfare of the child, including food, shelter, health,
and clothing;
18 (b) the development of the child's identity;
(c) the child's background and ties, including familial, cultural, and religious;
(d) the child's sense of attachments, including:
(i) where the child actually feels love, attachment, and a sense
of being valued (as opposed to where adults believe the child should
feel such love, attachment, and a sense of being valued);
(ii) the child's sense of security;
(iii) the child's sense of familiarity;
(iv) continuity of affection for the child;
(v) the least disruptive placement alternative for the child;
(e) the child's wishes and long-term goals;
(f) the child's community ties, including church, school, and friends;
(g) the child's need for permanence[,] which includes the child's need for
stability and continuity of relationships with parent figures and with siblings and other
relatives;
(h) the uniqueness of every family and child;
(i) the risks attendant to entering and being in substitute care; and
(j) the preferences of the persons available to care for the child." 705 ILCS
405/1-3(4.05) (West 2006).
Other important considerations include the nature and length of the child's relationship with
his present caretakers and the effect that a change of placement would have upon the
emotional and psychological well-being of the child. In re Austin W., 214 Ill. 2d 31, 50
(2005). The State must prove, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the termination of
parental rights is in the child's best interests (In re D.W., 214 Ill. 2d 289, 315 (2005)), and
"[t]he court's best-interest finding will not be reversed unless it is against the manifest weight
19 of the evidence." In re Veronica J., 371 Ill. App. 3d 822, 831-32 (2007).
The evidence presented at the best-interests hearing established that Shirley has
provided Brandon with an appropriate home for many years. He has become attached to her
and is doing well socially and academically under her care. He continues to improve through
counseling and is no longer required to attend speech therapy. Shirley testified that she
wanted to adopt Brandon and had the means to support him.
Brandon has had little opportunity to attach to the respondent because of the
respondent's repeated incarceration. Moreover, if the respondent is not scheduled to be
released from federal prison until Brandon is 23 years old, he will never be able to
meaningfully father or care for Brandon during his minority. We also note that Frey and
Viernum both opined that Brandon needed a stable home environment with a permanent
caretaker, which is what he now has with Shirley. Viernum also believed that Brandon's
improvements were the result of his being "in the same place for such a long time" and that
he could regress in the future in the absence of stability. Under the circumstances, we cannot
conclude that the trial court's determination that it was in Brandon's best interests to
terminate the respondent's parental rights and to appoint DCFS as the guardian with the
power to consent to an adoption was against the manifest weight of the evidence.
The State's Cross-Appeal
The State cross-appeals from the trial court's determination that the respondent
successfully rebutted the statutory presumption that he is depraved in light of his felony
convictions (see 750 ILCS 50/1(D)(i) (West 2006)). Because we have already determined
that the trial court's finding that the respondent is unfit pursuant to section 1(D)(s) of the
Adoption Act (750 ILCS 50/1(D)(s) (West 2006)) was not against the manifest weight of the
evidence, it is unnecessary to address the State's argument. "[A] finding of unfitness on any
one ground obviates the need to review other statutory grounds." In re J.J., 307 Ill. App. 3d
20 71, 76 (1999).
CONCLUSION
For the foregoing reasons, we affirm the judgment of the circuit court.
Affirmed.
CHAPMAN and STEWART, JJ., concur.
21 NO. 5-08-0657
IN THE
APPELLATE COURT OF ILLINOIS
FIFTH DISTRICT ___________________________________________________________________________________
In re BRANDON A., a Minor ) Appeal from the ) Circuit Court of (The People of the State of Illinois, ) Franklin County. ) Petitioner-Appellee and Cross-Appellant, ) ) No. 05-JA-40 v. ) ) Timothy A., ) Honorable ) E. Kyle Vantrease, Respondent-Appellant and Cross-Appellee). ) Judge, presiding. ___________________________________________________________________________________
Rule 23 Order Filed: September 16, 2009 Motion to Publish Granted: October 15, 2009 Opinion Filed: October 15, 2009 ___________________________________________________________________________________
Justices: Honorable James M. Wexstten, P.J.,
Honorable Melissa A. Chapman, J., and Honorable Bruce D. Stewart, J., Concur ___________________________________________________________________________________
Attorney Paula Newcomb, 503 Public Square, P.O. Box 753, Benton, IL 62812 for Appellant ___________________________________________________________________________________
Attorneys Hon. Tom Dinn, State's Attorney, Franklin County Courthouse, 202 West Main, for Benton, IL 62812; Patrick Delfino, Director, Stephen E. Norris, Deputy Director, Appellee Sharon Shanahan, Staff Attorney, Office of the State's Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor, 730 E. Illinois Highway 15, Suite 2, P.O. Box 2249, Mt. Vernon, IL 62864 ___________________________________________________________________________________