FILED August 22, 2022 2022 IL App (4th) 220257 Carla Bender 4th District Appellate NOS. 4-22-0257, 4-22-0258, 4-22-0259, 4-22-0260 cons. Court, IL
IN THE APPELLATE COURT
OF ILLINOIS
FOURTH DISTRICT
In re D.D. A Minor ) Appeal from the ) Circuit Court of (The People of the State of Illinois, ) Winnebago County Petitioner-Appellee, ) No. 19JA36 v. (No. 4-22-0257) ) Stefani D., ) Respondent-Appellant). ) ______________________________________________ ) In re B.D., a Minor ) ) No. 19JA37 (The People of the State of Illinois, ) Petitioner-Appellee, ) v. (No. 4-22-0258) ) Stefani D., ) Respondent-Appellant). ) ______________________________________________ ) In re A.D., a Minor ) ) No. 19JA38 (The People of the State of Illinois, ) Petitioner-Appellee, ) v. (No. 4-22-0259) ) Stefani D., ) Respondent-Appellant). ) ______________________________________________ ) In re C.D., a Minor ) ) No. 19JA39 (The People of the State of Illinois, ) Petitioner-Appellee, ) v. (No. 4-22-0260) ) Honorable Stefani D., ) Mary Linn Green, Respondent-Appellant). ) Judge Presiding.
JUSTICE TURNER delivered the judgment of the court, with opinion. Justices Cavanagh and Zenoff concurred in the judgment and opinion.
OPINION ¶1 In November 2020, the State filed motions to terminate the parental rights of
respondent, Stefani D., as to her minor children, D.D. (born September 2015), B.D. (born
November 2014), A.D. (born September 2012), and C.D. (born September 2011). In May 2021,
the circuit court found respondent was an unfit parent, and in March 2022, the court found it was
in the minor children’s best interests to terminate respondent’s parental rights. The court also
terminated the parental rights of the minor children’s father, Michael D.; however, he is not a party
to this appeal.
¶2 In these consolidated appeals, respondent argues (1) her due process rights were
violated because the trial judge had previously presided over numerous hearings and had changed
the goal to termination of parental rights, (2) the circuit court erred by finding her unfit because
the State’s evidence (a) contained multiple levels of hearsay that were inadmissible and (b) was
insufficient to prove her unfit on all grounds, and (3) the circuit court erred by finding it was in the
minor children’s best interests to terminate her parental rights. We affirm.
¶3 I. BACKGROUND
¶4 On January 23, 2019, the State filed separate petitions for the adjudication of
wardship of the minor children. The petitions alleged the minor children were neglected pursuant
to section 2-3(1)(b) of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 (Juvenile Court Act) (705 ILCS
405/2-3(1)(b) (West 2018)) because their environment was injurious to their welfare based on
(1) the minors living in a residence “with old food all over the floors, couch, tables, and mattresses
and with trash, dirty diapers, and cat feces on the floor and furniture and on the minors’ feet and
the minors were wearing dirty clothing, thereby placing the minors at risk of harm” and
(2) respondent previously failing to correct the unsanitary living conditions following the
involvement of the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS).
-2- ¶5 At the shelter care hearing, respondent agreed there was (1) probable cause to
believe the children were neglected pursuant to section 2-3(1)(b) as alleged in the petitions and
(2) an immediate and urgent necessity to remove the children from the home. The circuit court
accepted the admissions, finding probable cause of neglect and placing the children in the
temporary custody of DCFS.
¶6 On April 18, 2019, the circuit court held a joint adjudication and dispositional
hearing. The assistant state’s attorney indicated an agreement existed for both adjudication and
disposition. Respondent stipulated the minor children were neglected based on their unsanitary
residence (count I). The court accepted respondent’s stipulation, adjudicated the minor children
neglected, and dismissed count II of the petition. The assistant state’s attorney next recited the
agreement respondent should be found unfit to care for, protect, train, or discipline the minor
children; the minor children should be made wards of the court; and DCFS should be appointed as
the minor children’s guardian and custodian. The court accepted the agreement and entered a
written dispositional order consistent with the agreement.
¶7 In November 2020, the State filed separate motions to terminate respondent’s
parental rights to each of the minor children. The motions collectively asserted respondent failed
to (1) maintain a reasonable degree of interest, concern, or responsibility as to the children’s
welfare (750 ILCS 50/1(D)(b) (West 2020)); (2) protect the children from conditions within the
environment injurious to their welfare (750 ILCS 50/1(D)(g) (West 2020)); (3) make reasonable
efforts to correct the conditions that caused the children to be removed during any nine-month
period after the neglect adjudication, specifically, the periods of September 8, 2019, to June 8,
2020, and January 27, 2020, to October 27, 2020 (750 ILCS 50/1(D)(m)(i) (West 2020)); and
(4) make reasonable progress toward the return of the children during any nine-month period after
-3- the neglect adjudication, specifically, the periods of September 8, 2019, to June 8, 2020, and
January 27, 2020, to October 27, 2020 (750 ILCS 50/1/(D)(m)(ii) (West 2020)).
¶8 A. Fitness Hearing
¶9 On March 4, 2021, the circuit court held the fitness hearing. The State called
Zachary Chadwick, a supervisor at Children’s Home and Aid. The State introduced the following
exhibits, which were admitted without objection: (1) respondent’s integrated assessment, dated
April 3, 2019 (State’s exhibit No. 1); (2) a service plan dated March 8, 2019 (State’s exhibit No.
2); (3) a service plan dated April 1, 2019 (State’s exhibit No. 3); (4) a service plan dated July 13,
2019 (State’s exhibit No. 4); (5) a service plan dated January 10, 2020 (State’s exhibit No. 5); (6) a
service plan dated July 15, 2020 (State’s exhibit No. 6); and (7) a service plan dated January 20,
2021 (State’s exhibit No. 7).
¶ 10 The integrated assessment stated respondent had periodically lived in a vehicle
with the four children, sometimes for days or weeks at a time. Additionally, respondent had been
evicted from two houses due to her inability to keep the houses in a sanitary and hygienic condition.
The service plan dated January 10, 2020, revealed respondent canceled eight individual counseling
sessions and failed to appear on six occasions between July and November 2019 and therefore had
been discharged. The service plan dated July 15, 2020, stated respondent required another referral
for individual counseling due to her discharge and had been asked to complete a mental health
assessment again. Collectively, the service plans showed respondent had never progressed to a
point where she was able to have unsupervised visits with the children.
¶ 11 Chadwick testified the first service plan required respondent to (1) cooperate with
the agency, (2) complete a parenting education course and follow recommendations, (3) complete
a substance abuse assessment and follow any recommendations made, (4) complete any mental
-4- health services, (5) complete individual counseling, and (6) attend visits with the children.
Although respondent maintained consistent contact with DCFS, completed parenting classes, and
visited the children regularly, respondent failed to make progress in the area of mental health.
Specifically, respondent was unsuccessfully discharged from family counseling in January 2020,
and due to the agency’s belief respondent had not been truthful in her initial mental health
assessment, respondent had to take a second assessment, which had delayed her progress in this
area. Respondent was never able to have unsupervised visits with the children because, according
to Chadwick, “[i]t was not deemed, through case management or supervision, that [respondent]
had made enough progress in the case to have *** helped correct the condition that brought the
case into care.”
¶ 12 The State also introduced State’s exhibit Nos. 8, 9, and 10, which were packets
documenting the investigations wherein respondent was indicated for environmental neglect of the
children. The exhibits were admitted without objection. Collectively, the packets showed
respondent had been indicated for environmental neglect in October 2012, April 2016, and January
2019. The January 2019 packet stated respondent had been arrested for possession of ecstasy and
driving while her license was revoked while the children (ages 7, 6, 4, and 3) were at home.
According to the packet, an individual took food to the residence for the children and contacted
police because of the condition of the home. The individual who reported the information
described the home as follows:
“[T]he residence had old food all over the floors, couch, living room tables,
mattress in [the] living room and *** dirty dishes on the sink. [Reporter] stated that
there were pans with tobacco cut up in them with old noodles. [Reporter] stated that
there was trash all over the floors, dirty used diapers on the floors and cat feces on
-5- the floor and furniture. [Reporter] stated that the children could get ahold of the
trash, dirty diapers, old food and cat feces. [Reporter] stated that children had the
cat feces and other stuff on their feet. [Reporter stated] that the odor was strong and
smelled like cat urine and marijuana.”
¶ 13 The State further requested the court take judicial notice of the neglect petition,
adjudicatory and dispositional orders, and permanency review orders. The proceedings were
thereafter continued to May 13, 2021.
¶ 14 At the continued fitness hearing, respondent testified she attended individual
counseling with Sara LeDuc at Rosecrance and had completed parenting classes as recommended
in her service plan. Respondent attended visits with all four children every week and was currently
living with a friend and the friend’s mother. Respondent later clarified she shared a bedroom with
her friend and kept it clean.
¶ 15 On cross-examination, respondent admitted she had been asked to complete three
mental health assessments because the agency believed respondent had not been truthful in the
previous assessments. When asked about the condition of her home when the children were taken
into care, respondent testified she was unaware of the condition because she was not present at
that time as she had been arrested. Respondent admitted the home “needed to be cleaned” and
agreed “the condition at the home that the officers would have observed would have been caused
by [her] and [her] kids, not by anyone else living there.”
¶ 16 At a July 6, 2021, hearing, the court found respondent unfit on all grounds asserted
in the termination motions and entered a written order stating the same.
¶ 17 B. Best Interests Hearing
¶ 18 On September 16, 2021, the court proceeded to the best interests hearing. The State
-6- presented the testimony of Massiel Blanco, who testified she had been the children’s caseworker
since December 2020. Blanco testified B.D., D.D., and C.D. currently resided in a traditional foster
placement in Rockford, Illinois. The three siblings were bonded with their foster parents who met
their needs, and they got along well. A.D. was also in a traditional foster placement in Roscoe,
Illinois, and although she had bonded with her foster mother, A.D. told Blanco she wished to be
placed with respondent. A.D. attended counseling and was diagnosed with reaction to severe stress
due to being separated from her biological family, and she sometimes hit her foster brother. A.D.’s
foster mother was willing to provide permanency through adoption.
¶ 19 The best interests hearing was continued to October 29, 2021. On
cross-examination, Blanco testified she visited respondent’s home, which she found to be clean.
However, respondent did not have room for her children at her current home. According to Blanco,
the children missed their mother and wished to see her more often. The State also called Janet
Kueker, who was A.D.’s foster mother. Although A.D. had behavioral issues, Kueker was
committed to adopting her. On cross-examination, Kueker testified although she and A.D. had a
“very positive relationship,” A.D. often cried at bedtime because she missed her family and was
“jealous” she was not placed with her other siblings.
¶ 20 Following Kueker’s testimony, the best interests hearing was continued to February
3, 2022. Respondent presented testimony from LeDuc, her mental health counselor, and Mikayla
Jolly, respondent’s roommate. LeDuc testified she had worked with respondent since May 2021.
LeDuc treated respondent for anxiety and depression and respondent was “increasingly engaged.”
Jolly testified she had been living with respondent for over two years. Jolly’s mother, brother, and
grandmother also lived in the five-bedroom home. Jolly further testified respondent was a “clean”
roommate who helped with chores every day.
-7- ¶ 21 Respondent testified she was employed at Zippy Taxi and worked 60 hours per
week. She admitted when the case opened, her house was “dirty,” which was a reason for her
DCFS involvement. Respondent testified all of her children asked to go home with her after their
visits. Respondent was currently compliant with her probation and was looking for housing. On
cross-examination, respondent admitted she did not start individual counseling until after the
children’s permanency goal had been changed to substitute care pending termination of her
parental rights.
¶ 22 Finally, Jeri Larrow testified she was D.D., B.D. and C.D.’s foster mother. She
testified the boys got along well, but sometimes came home crying after visits because they missed
their biological parents. Larrow was willing to adopt the three siblings and ensure they maintained
contact with A.D.
¶ 23 Following the conclusion of testimony, the State argued the condition of the home
“may have been temporarily addressed each time so that DCFS would not pursue a further case,
but the evidence clearly shows that the conditions of the home returned,” and respondent had not
“even begun to address this yet.” The guardian ad litem (GAL) argued respondent had “not taken
any affirmative steps” to return the children to her care, noting she did not have a vehicle or suitable
housing. DCFS counsel argued although respondent technically completed recommended services,
she failed to “make progress in them” and “demonstrate that [she was] capable of applying what
[she] had learned to parenting and to [her] interactions with the children.” Respondent’s counsel
argued the State did not meet its burden as to best interests and it was not in the minor children’s
best interests to terminate respondent’s parental rights.
¶ 24 At the conclusion of the hearing, the circuit court found the termination of
respondent’s parental rights was in the minor children’s best interests. That same day, the court
-8- entered a written order terminating respondent’s parental rights to the minor children.
¶ 25 On March 30, 2022, respondent filed timely notices of appeal in sufficient
compliance with Illinois Supreme Court Rule 303 (eff. July 1, 2017). See Ill. S. Ct. R. 660(b) (eff.
Oct. 1, 2001) (providing the rules governing civil cases also govern appeals from final judgments
in all proceedings under the Juvenile Court Act, except for delinquency cases). Thus, this court
has jurisdiction of these consolidated appeals pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 307(a)(6)
(eff. Nov. 1, 2017).
¶ 26 II. ANALYSIS
¶ 27 Under section 2-29(2) of the Juvenile Court Act (705 ILCS 405/2-29(2) (West
2020)), the involuntary termination of parental rights involves a two-step process. First, the State
must prove by clear and convincing evidence the parent is “unfit,” as that term is defined in section
1(D) of the Adoption Act (750 ILCS 50/1(D) (West 2020)). In re Donald A.G., 221 Ill. 2d 234,
244, 850 N.E.2d 172, 177 (2006). If the circuit court makes a finding of unfitness, then the State
must prove by a preponderance of the evidence it is in the minor children’s best interests that
parental rights be terminated. In re D.T., 212 Ill. 2d 347, 366, 818 N.E.2d 1214, 1228 (2004).
¶ 28 Since the circuit court has the best opportunity to observe the demeanor and conduct
of the parties and witnesses, it is in the best position to determine the credibility and weight of the
witnesses’ testimony. In re E.S., 324 Ill. App. 3d 661, 667, 756 N.E.2d 422, 427 (2001). Further,
in matters involving minors, the circuit court receives broad discretion and great deference. E.S.,
324 Ill. App. 3d at 667. Thus, a reviewing court will not disturb a circuit court’s unfitness finding
and best-interests determination unless they are contrary to the manifest weight of the evidence.
See In re Gwynne P., 215 Ill. 2d 340, 354, 830 N.E.2d 508, 516-17 (2005) (fitness finding). A
circuit court’s decision is against the manifest weight of the evidence only where the opposite
-9- conclusion is clearly apparent. Gwynne P., 215 Ill. 2d at 354.
¶ 29 A. Due Process
¶ 30 We first address respondent’s argument her due process rights were violated
because the circuit judge had presided over numerous hearings during which she considered
voluminous evidence that contained multiple levels of hearsay and changed the goal from return
home to termination of parental rights. Respondent acknowledges she forfeited this argument by
failing to raise it in the circuit court but requests we review the issue under the plain-error doctrine
(Ill. S. Ct. R. 615(a) (eff. Jan. 1, 1967)).
¶ 31 The plain-error doctrine permits a reviewing court to consider unpreserved error
under the following two scenarios:
“(1) a clear or obvious error occurred and the evidence is so closely balanced that
the error alone threatened to tip the scales of justice against the defendant,
regardless of the seriousness of the error, or (2) a clear or obvious error occurred
and that error is so serious that it affected the fairness of the defendant’s trial and
challenged the integrity of the judicial process, regardless of the closeness of the
evidence.” People v. Sargent, 239 Ill. 2d 166, 189, 940 N.E.2d 1045, 1058 (2010).
We begin a plain-error analysis by first determining whether any error occurred at all. Sargent,
239 Ill. 2d at 189. If error did occur, this court then considers whether either of the two prongs of
the plain-error doctrine has been satisfied. Sargent, 239 Ill. 2d at 189-90. “Under both prongs of
the plain-error doctrine, the defendant has the burden of persuasion.” People v. Hillier, 237 Ill. 2d
539, 545, 931 N.E.2d 1184, 1187 (2010). If the defendant fails to meet his or her burden of
persuasion, the reviewing court applies the procedural default. Hillier, 237 Ill. 2d at 545.
¶ 32 Respondent contends a trial judge who presides over the proceedings in a wardship
- 10 - case is exposed to voluminous amounts of information about the parties that is inadmissible at a
hearing on a motion to terminate parental rights. She asserts the procedure of having the same
judge preside over years of hearings with “reams of multilevel hearsay” creates the risk of
erroneously depriving the parent of his or her constitutional right to raise their children. She
requests this court adopt a rule in termination proceedings requiring the termination motion to be
heard by a different judge who has not made earlier findings regarding efforts and progress at
permanency hearings and ordered a change of the goal to termination of parental rights.
¶ 33 This court recently addressed this exact issue in In re J.J., 2022 IL App (4th)
220131-U. See Ill. S. Ct. R. 23(e)(1) (eff. Jan. 1, 2021) (stating nonprecedential orders entered on
or after January 1, 2021, may be cited for persuasive purposes). There, we explained as follows:
“[O]ur supreme court disagrees with respondent’s position. Illinois Supreme Court
Rule 900(a) (eff. Mar. 8, 2016) sets forth the purpose of the rules addressing child
custody or allocation of parental responsibilities proceedings, which includes
proceedings under the Juvenile Court Act. The rule explains the unique
responsibility imposed on trial courts in such proceedings. See Ill. S. Ct. R. 900(a)
(eff. Mar. 8, 2016). Specifically, the rule notes, ‘[w]hen a child is a ward of the
court, the physical and emotional well-being of the child is literally the business of
the court.’ Ill. S. Ct. R. 900(a) (eff. Mar. 8, 2016). The purpose of the specific rules
is to (1) expedite cases affecting the custody or allocation of parental
responsibilities of a child, (2) ensure the coordination of custody or allocation of
parental responsibilities matters filed under different statutory acts, and (3) focus
child custody or allocation of parental responsibilities proceedings on the best
interests of the child, while protecting the rights of other parties to the proceedings.
- 11 - Ill. S. Ct. R. 900(a) (eff. Mar. 8, 2016). Illinois Supreme Court Rule 903 (eff. Mar.
8, 2016) then provides, ‘[w]henever possible and appropriate, all child custody and
allocation of parental responsibilities proceedings relating to an individual child
shall be conducted by a single judge.’ ‘Thus, our supreme court has expressed a
preference for the same judge to hear all proceedings involving child custody and
the division of parental responsibilities.’ In re Z.J., 2020 IL App (2d) 190824, ¶ 85,
168 N.E.3d 210.” J.J., 2022 IL App (4th) 220131-U, ¶ 25.
This court then compared proceedings under the Juvenile Court Act to criminal proceedings,
noting “[w]hen the trial judge is the trier of fact, the reviewing court presumes the judge considered
only admissible evidence and disregarded inadmissible evidence in reaching its decision” and this
presumption applies equally in civil cases such as the one at bar. J.J., 2022 IL App (4th) 220131-U,
¶ 26 (citing People v. Naylor, 229 Ill. 2d 584, 603, 893 N.E.2d 653, 665 (2008)). Like the
respondent father in J.J., respondent’s argument here runs contrary to this presumption.
¶ 34 Additionally, the J.J. court explained, “[A]fter a substantive ruling has been made
in a civil case, section 2-1001(a)(3) of the Code of Civil Procedure (735 ILCS 5/2-1001(a)(3)
(West 2020)) allows for a substitution of judge ‘[w]hen cause exists.’ ” J.J., 2022 IL App (4th)
220131-U, ¶ 27. “Judges are presumed impartial, and the burden of overcoming that presumption
rests on the party making the charge,” which generally requires a showing of actual prejudice—
i.e., “prejudicial trial conduct or personal bias.” J.J., 2022 IL App (4th) 220131-U, ¶ 27 (citing
In re Marriage of O’Brien, 2011 IL 109039, ¶¶ 30-31, 958 N.E.2d 647). Once again, like the
respondent father in J.J., respondent’s argument and proposed rule here run contrary to the
presumption of impartiality.
¶ 35 Finally, respondent’s reliance on Justice Steigmann’s special concurrence in In re
- 12 - A.T., 197 Ill. App. 3d 821, 555 N.E.2d 402 (1990), is misplaced. There, Justice Steigmann stated
when a judge has indicated a need for filing a petition to terminate parental rights, the judge must
recuse herself from any proceedings on that petition once it is filed. A.T., 197 Ill. App. 3d at 835
(Steigmann, J., specially concurring). Here, it was the State and GAL who requested the goal be
changed to substitute care pending the termination of respondent’s parental rights at the October
2020 permanency hearing. The circuit court found respondent had not made reasonable efforts or
reasonable progress towards the goal of return home and thus changed the goal. Unlike the
circumstances suggested by Justice Steigmann’s concurrence, the circuit court here changed the
goal based on the requests of the State and the GAL and did not sua sponte find a need for filing
a motion to terminate parental rights.
¶ 36 Accordingly, we find respondent has failed to show a violation of her due process
rights. Since respondent failed to establish an error, there can be no plain error.
¶ 37 B. Respondent’s Fitness
¶ 38 Respondent also argues the circuit court erred by finding her unfit. In this case, the
circuit court found respondent unfit on all four grounds alleged in the petition, including under
section 1(D)(m)(ii) of the Adoption Act (750 ILCS 50/1(D)(m)(ii) (West 2020)). Section
1(D)(m)(ii) provides a parent may be found unfit if she fails “to make reasonable progress toward
the return of the child[ren] to the parent during any 9-month period following the adjudication of
neglected or abused minor under Section 2-3 of the Juvenile Court Act.” 750 ILCS 50/1(D)(m)(ii)
(West 2020). Illinois courts have defined “reasonable progress” as “demonstrable movement
toward the goal of reunification.” (Internal quotation marks omitted.) In re Reiny S., 374 Ill. App.
3d 1036, 1046, 871 N.E.2d 835, 844 (2007) (quoting In re C.N., 196 Ill. 2d 181, 211, 752 N.E.2d
1030, 1047 (2001)). In Reiny S., the First District defined reasonable progress as follows:
- 13 - “[T]he benchmark for measuring a parent’s progress toward the return of the
child[ren] under section 1(D)(m) of the Adoption Act encompasses the parent’s
compliance with the service plans and the court’s directives, in light of the
condition which gave rise to the removal of the child[ren], and in light of other
conditions which later became known and which would prevent the court from
returning custody of the child[ren] to the parent.” (Internal quotation marks
omitted.) Reiny S., 374 Ill. App. 3d at 1046 (quoting C.N., 196 Ill. 2d at 216-17).
Additionally, this court has explained reasonable progress exists when the circuit court
“can conclude that *** the court, in the near future, will be able to order the
child[ren] returned to parental custody. The court will be able to order the child[ren]
returned to parental custody in the near future because, at that point, the parent will
have fully complied with the directives previously given to the parent in order to
regain custody of the child[ren].” (Emphases in original.) In re L.L.S., 218 Ill. App.
3d 444, 461, 577 N.E.2d 1375, 1387 (1991).
We have also emphasized “ ‘reasonable progress’ is an ‘objective standard.’ ” In re F.P., 2014 IL
App (4th) 140360, ¶ 88, 19 N.E.3d 227 (quoting L.L.S., 218 Ill. App. 3d at 461).
¶ 39 In determining a parent’s unfitness based on a lack of reasonable progress, the court
may only consider evidence from the relevant time period. Reiny S., 374 Ill. App. 3d at 1046 (citing
In re D.F., 208 Ill. 2d 223, 237-38, 802 N.E.2d 800, 809 (2003)). Courts are limited to the period
alleged in the motion to terminate parental rights “because reliance upon evidence of any
subsequent time period could improperly allow a parent to circumvent her own unfitness because
of a bureaucratic delay in bringing her case to trial.” Reiny S., 374 Ill. App. 3d at 1046. Here, the
motion to terminate parental rights alleged two nine-month periods, namely, September 8, 2019,
- 14 - to June 8, 2020, and January 27, 2020, to October 27, 2020. We will address the first nine-month
period.
¶ 40 Respondent contends the court erred in finding respondent unfit based on a lack of
reasonable progress because the State and the court “relied exclusively on multi-level hearsay” in
the State’s exhibits to meet its burden of proof. Specifically, respondent argues the State failed to
(1) lay a proper foundation for State’s exhibit Nos. 1 through 10, (2) demonstrate any of the
testimony was based on Chadwick or any other DCFS employee’s personal knowledge, and
(3) provide any other testimony relevant to respondent’s alleged failure to complete recommended
services. As stated above, State’s exhibit Nos. 1 through 10 consisted of an integrated assessment,
six service plans, and three environmental neglect investigation packets. Respondent
acknowledges she failed to preserve the alleged error for review and asks this court to review the
issue under the second prong of the plain-error doctrine.
¶ 41 Service plans and DCFS investigative records are admissible under section
2-18(4)(a) of the Juvenile Court Act (705 ILCS 405/2-18(4)(a) (West 2020)), which is a variation
of the business record exception to the hearsay rule. In re Aniylah B., 2016 IL App (1st) 153662,
¶ 30, 61 N.E.3d 216. Investigative packets containing indicated reports are admissible under
section 2-18(4)(b) of the Juvenile Court Act (705 ILCS 405/2-18(4)(b) (West 2020) (“Any
indicated report filed pursuant to the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act [(325 ILCS 5/1
et seq. (West 2020))] shall be admissible in evidence.”). However, respondent argues the service
plans and investigative packets at issue contain multiples levels of hearsay that cannot be
admissible evidence merely because the hearsay appears in an otherwise admissible report. She
contends the State was required to show each layer of hearsay contained in the service plans and
investigation packets was excused by its own exception. See Illinois Rule of Evidence 805 (eff.
- 15 - Jan. 1, 2011) (“Hearsay included within hearsay is not excluded under the hearsay rule if each part
of the combined statements conforms with an exception to the hearsay rule provided in these
rules.”).
¶ 42 Here, respondent has not shown the trial court’s admission of the service plans and
investigative packets was erroneous. First, as we also noted in J.J., 2022 IL App (4th) 220131-U,
¶ 34, respondent “overlooks the fact the statute itself provides the lack of knowledge of the maker
of the documents at issue is a matter of weight rather than admissibility.” See 705 ILCS
405/2-18(4)(a) (West 2020) (“All other circumstances of the making of the memorandum, record,
photograph or x-ray, including lack of personal knowledge of the maker, may be proved to affect
the weight to be accorded such evidence, but shall not affect its admissibility.”). This language
necessarily “indicates the document will contain additional levels of hearsay.” J.J., 2022 IL App
(4th) 220131-U, ¶ 34. The legislature specifically provided for the admission of DCFS records and
the information contained therein so long as the State has met the statutory foundational
requirements—i.e., the information was made of record in the regular course of the agency’s
business and at the time of the event or within a reasonable time thereafter. See Z.J., 2020 IL App
(2d) 190824, ¶ 61. Chadwick specifically testified the service plans were prepared within the
regular course of DCFS business and were periodically updated throughout the case. Further, as
stated above, the investigative packets were admissible under section 2-18(4)(b) of the Juvenile
Court Act (705 ILCS 405/2-18(4)(b) (West 2020)). We therefore conclude the State’s foundation
was adequate and the circuit court did not err by admitting the service plans and investigative
packets.
¶ 43 Even assuming for argument the admission of the service plans and investigative
packets was erroneous, respondent has not established second-prong plain error given Chadwick’s
- 16 - testimony regarding respondent’s failure to make progress in the area of mental health and
respondent’s admissions she had to take multiple mental health assessments, struggled to find
housing, and that her previous home with the children was “dirty.” While the service plans
provided documentation of respondent’s failure to make progress towards the goal of reunification,
they were cumulative evidence of Chadwick’s and respondent’s testimony. Accordingly, we do
not find their admission was fundamentally unfair or undermined the integrity of the judicial
process.
¶ 44 Moreover, the State provided ample evidence to establish respondent’s unfitness
without the allegedly inadmissible hearsay documents. Although Chadwick admitted he was not
the caseworker but rather the supervisor, Chadwick testified he was familiar with the family and
provided “at least monthly clinical supervision, if not weekly personal supervision on each case.”
Chadwick testified in detail regarding respondent’s participation in services, her visitations with
the children, and her engagement with the agency. As noted above, Chadwick testified respondent
had not made progress in the area of mental health, and respondent herself testified she had to
complete multiple mental health assessments because the agency believed she was not being
truthful. Respondent was unsuccessfully discharged from family counseling services in January
2020 and did not complete a satisfactory mental health assessment until October 2020. Due to this
delay, respondent did not engage in mental health counseling until May 2021—approximately six
months after the goal had been changed and well beyond the nine-month period of September 8,
2019, to June 8, 2020, alleged in the motion to terminate parental rights.
¶ 45 Additionally, Chadwick specifically noted respondent had never reached a point
where she was able to have unsupervised visits with the children. Respondent also acknowledged
the case had been pending for two years, her previous residence with the children was “dirty,” and
- 17 - she struggled to find suitable housing due to a previous eviction. The circuit court also took judicial
notice of its previous adjudicatory, dispositional, and permanency review orders, which further
documented respondent’s lack of progress. Based upon Chadwick’s and respondent’s testimony
and the court’s previous orders in the case, we conclude the circuit court’s finding respondent
failed to make reasonable progress during the period of September 8, 2019, to June 8, 2020, was
not against the manifest weight of the evidence.
¶ 46 Since we have upheld the circuit court’s determination respondent met the statutory
definition of an “unfit person” on the basis of her failure to make reasonable progress (750 ILCS
50/1(D)(m)(ii) (West 2020)) during the nine-month period of September 8, 2019, to June 8, 2020,
we do not address the other nine-month period and the other grounds for the unfitness finding. See
In re Tiffany M., 353 Ill. App. 3d 883, 891, 819 N.E.2d 813, 820 (2004).
¶ 47 C. Minor Children’s Best Interests
¶ 48 Last, respondent argues the circuit court’s finding it was in the children’s best
interests to terminate her parental rights was against the manifest weight of the evidence.
¶ 49 At the best interests hearing, the circuit court is to consider “the child[ren]’s welfare
and whether termination would improve the child[ren]’s future financial, social and emotional
atmosphere.” In re D.M., 336 Ill. App. 3d 766, 772, 784 N.E.2d 304, 309 (2002). To make this
determination, section 1-3(4.05) of the Juvenile Court Act (705 ILCS 405/1-3(4.05) (West 2020))
sets forth factors the court must consider in the context of the children’s age and developmental
needs. See In re T.A., 359 Ill. App. 3d 953, 959-60, 835 N.E.2d 908, 912-13 (2005). Those factors
include the following: the children’s physical safety and welfare; the development of the children’s
identity; the children’s family, cultural, and religious background and ties; the children’s sense of
attachments, including continuity of affection for the children, the children’s feelings of love,
- 18 - being valued, security, and familiarity, and taking into account the least disruptive placement for
the children; the children’s own wishes and long-term goals; the children’s community ties,
including church, school, and friends; the children’s need for permanence, which includes the
children’s need for stability and continuity of relationships with parent figures, siblings, and other
relatives; the uniqueness of every family and each child; the risks attendant to entering and being
in substitute care; and the wishes of the persons available to care for the children. 705 ILCS
405/1-3(4.05) (West 2020).
¶ 50 For parental rights to be terminated, the State must prove by a preponderance of the
evidence that termination is in the minor children’s best interests. See D.T., 212 Ill. 2d at 366.
“Proof by a preponderance of the evidence means that the fact at issue *** is rendered more likely
than not.” People v. Houar, 365 Ill. App. 3d 682, 686, 850 N.E.2d 327, 331 (2006).
¶ 51 Here, we conclude the State proved by a preponderance of the evidence it was in
the minor children’s best interests for respondent’s parental rights to be terminated. At the best
interests hearing, Blanco testified all of the children were bonded with their respective foster
families, who met the children’s individual needs. The foster parents, Kueker and Larrow, each
testified they were willing to provide permanency for the children through adoption. Although
A.D. struggled with behavioral and mental health issues because she missed her siblings and
respondent, Kueker testified she had a strong bond and positive relationship with A.D. Larrow
testified B.D., C.D., and D.D got along well and she was willing to ensure they maintained contact
with A.D. While respondent had stable employment, was engaged with individual counseling, and
helped to keep her current residence clean, her case had been pending for two years and she had
not yet obtained housing suitable for her four children. Further, respondent still struggled with
mental health issues and did not have a vehicle. DCFS counsel argued respondent had not shown
- 19 - she was able to apply the concepts she learned in parenting classes to her interactions with the
children. Despite some positive efforts on respondent’s part, she failed to take affirmative steps
necessary for the children to be returned to her care. Accordingly, we find the circuit court’s
conclusion it was in the minor children’s best interests to terminate respondent’s parental rights
was not against the manifest weight of the evidence.
¶ 52 III. CONCLUSION
¶ 53 For the reasons stated, we affirm the Winnebago County circuit court’s judgment.
¶ 54 Affirmed.
- 20 - In re D.D., 2022 IL App (4th) 220257
Decision Under Review: Appeal from the Circuit Court of Winnebago County, Nos. 19-JA- 36 through 19-JA-39; the Hon. Mary Linn Green, Judge, presiding.
Attorneys Gary D. McGuane, of DeKalb, for appellant. for Appellant:
Attorneys J. Hanley, State’s Attorney, of Rockford (Patrick Delfino, David for J. Robinson, and James C. Majors, of State’s Attorneys Appellate Appellee: Prosecutor’s Office, of counsel), for the People.
- 21 -