In re J.L.
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Opinion
2016 IL App (1st) 152479
FIFTH DIVISION May 13, 2016
No. 1-15-2479
In re J.L., M.L., and A.L., ) Appeal from the ) Circuit Court of Minors-Appellees ) Cook County ) (The People of the State of Illinois, ) ) Nos. 13 JA 816 Petitioner-Appellee, ) 13 JA 817 ) 13 JA 818 v. ) ) Mario L., ) Honorable ) Robert Balanoff, Respondent-Appellant). ) Judge Presiding.
PRESIDING JUSTICE REYES delivered the judgment of the court, with opinion. Justices Gordon and Lampkin concurred in the judgment and opinion.
OPINION
¶1 Mario L. (Mario) 1 appeals from (a) adjudication orders entered by the circuit court of
Cook County finding that he abused and neglected three of his minor children and (b) a
disposition order finding him unfit and adjudging the children wards of the court. Mario
contends that the trial court's finding that his younger daughter was sexually abused was against
the manifest weight of the evidence "because it was based on inadmissible hearsay evidence
regarding statements made by" his older daughter. He also argues that his due process rights
1 In the interest of confidentiality, we refer to certain adults by their first names and minors by their initials. The case caption has been amended accordingly. 1-15-2479
were violated because "he was denied the right to defend himself against the allegations and
subsequent findings of sexual abuse against" the older daughter (C.L.). The Office of the Cook
County Public Guardian (the Public Guardian) and the State assert that the findings were
supported by the manifest weight of the evidence and that Mario's due process rights were not
violated.
¶2 For the reasons discussed below, we affirm the orders of the circuit court.
¶3 I. BACKGROUND
¶4 Araceli C. (Araceli) is the natural mother of: (a) M.O., a daughter (born in 1995);
(b) Y.C., a daughter (born in 1998); (c) C.L., a daughter (born in 2000); (d) M.L., a son (born in
2004); (e) A.L., a daughter (born in 2006); and (f) J.L., a son (born in 2008). Mario is the natural
father of C.L., M.L., A.L., and J.L.; he is not the father of M.O. or Y.C.
¶5 A. The Prior Proceedings
¶6 In July 2012, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) was
contacted regarding alleged sexual abuse of Y.C. by Araceli's live-in paramour. At the time,
Mario lived in Mexico. Proceedings under the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 (Act) (705 ILCS
405/1-1 et seq. (West 2012)) were initiated for each of Araceli's children referenced above.
¶7 In an adjudication order entered on February 27, 2013, in case number 12 JA 830, the
court found, in part, that Y.C. "was sexually abused by mother's paramour." In case number 12
JA 829, the court found that M.O. was abused and neglected, based on the sexual abuse of her
sibling. M.O. and Y.C. were adjudged wards of the court in disposition orders entered on the
same date.
¶8 In an adjudication order entered in case numbers 12 JA 831 through 12 JA 834 on
February 27, 2013, Mario's four children – C.L., M.L., A.L., and J.L. – also were found to be
2 1-15-2479
abused and neglected based on the sexual abuse of their sibling (Y.C.). The order also stated,
"Father was non-custodial at all times relevant." Mario represents that he moved to Chicago
after February 27, 2013. In a disposition order entered on March 29, 2013, Araceli was found to
be unable to care for the children, and Mario was deemed fit and was awarded custody of his
four children. According to the Public Guardian, the circuit court closed the cases of M.L., A.L.,
and J.L. in June 2013; C.L.'s case remained open. Mario had custody of all four children at that
time.
¶9 B. The Commencement of the Current Cases
¶ 10 On August 28, 2013, the State filed three petitions for adjudication of wardship: for J.L.
(13 JA 816); M.L. (13 JA 817); and A.L. (13 JA 818). The adjudication and disposition orders
entered in these three cases are the subject of the instant appeal.
¶ 11 The petition for A.L. alleged, in part:
"Minor disclosed to law enforcement and medical personnel that her father had
touched her with his penis on her vagina and buttocks. Minor's sibling disclosed
to medical personnel that her father touched her breasts and vagina on August 23,
2013. Minor's sibling stated that father was intoxicated at the time and that she
has observed father drinking in the past. Minor and her sibling both stated that
father hits their siblings and pulls their ears and hair."
¶ 12 The petition alleged that A.L. was (a) neglected based on an injurious environment (705
ILCS 405/2-3(1)(b) 2 (West 2012)); (b) abused based on "a substantial risk of physical injury to
such minor by other than accidental means" (705 ILCS 405/2-3(2)(ii) (West 2012)); and
(c) sexually abused (705 ILCS 405/2-3(2)(iii) (West 2012)). In the petitions for adjudication of
2 Certain statutory citations within the minors' petitions were inaccurate. For example, A.L.'s petition references "0702 405/2-3(1)(b)." 3 1-15-2479
wardship filed for J.L. and M.L., the State alleged neglect-injurious environment and abuse-
substantial risk based on the same allegations as set forth in A.L.'s petition.
¶ 13 On August 28, 2013, the court appointed separate attorneys for Araceli and Mario. The
Public Guardian was appointed as the attorney and guardian ad litem for the children. The court
awarded temporary custody of the children to the DCFS guardianship administrator. Araceli was
granted supervised day visits; Mario was denied visits. Mario's sister, Abigail L., subsequently
became the children's foster parent.
¶ 14 C. Notice to Compel Appearance of C.L. at Trial
¶ 15 On March 20, 2015, Mario filed a notice to compel the appearance of C.L. at the
adjudication hearing scheduled to begin on April 15, 2015, pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court
Rule 237(b). Ill. S. Ct. R. 237 (eff. July 1, 2005). The notice was filed in the cases of Mario's
four children, including C.L.'s case (12 JA 831). C.L., through the Public Guardian, moved to
quash the notice. The motion to quash provided, in part:
"8. [C.L.] has been through several foster homes and psychiatric
hospitalizations. She has a history of mental health issues that include
hallucinations. Her previous diagnoses include ADHD, Mood Disorder,
Depression, and Sex abuse victim [sic].
9. Upon information and belief, [Mario], through his attorney(s) intends
to have [C.L.] testify to any knowledge of [A.L.'s] sexual abuse by him and/or her
mother's paramours, and any other allegations in the petitions.
10. Given [C.L.]'s history of mental illness, efforts have been made to
address the need, or lack thereof, for [C.L.'s] testimony. A proposed stipulation
of [C.L.'s] possible testimony was requested. However, [Mario], through his
4 1-15-2479
attorney(s), has rejected those efforts."
After discussing the court's "duty to act in the best interests of the minor and for the minor's own
protection," the Public Guardian asserted:
"It is not in the best interest of [C.L.] to be required to be present and testify at the
adjudicatory hearing for her siblings. [Mario's] request does not indicate any
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2016 IL App (1st) 152479
FIFTH DIVISION May 13, 2016
No. 1-15-2479
In re J.L., M.L., and A.L., ) Appeal from the ) Circuit Court of Minors-Appellees ) Cook County ) (The People of the State of Illinois, ) ) Nos. 13 JA 816 Petitioner-Appellee, ) 13 JA 817 ) 13 JA 818 v. ) ) Mario L., ) Honorable ) Robert Balanoff, Respondent-Appellant). ) Judge Presiding.
PRESIDING JUSTICE REYES delivered the judgment of the court, with opinion. Justices Gordon and Lampkin concurred in the judgment and opinion.
OPINION
¶1 Mario L. (Mario) 1 appeals from (a) adjudication orders entered by the circuit court of
Cook County finding that he abused and neglected three of his minor children and (b) a
disposition order finding him unfit and adjudging the children wards of the court. Mario
contends that the trial court's finding that his younger daughter was sexually abused was against
the manifest weight of the evidence "because it was based on inadmissible hearsay evidence
regarding statements made by" his older daughter. He also argues that his due process rights
1 In the interest of confidentiality, we refer to certain adults by their first names and minors by their initials. The case caption has been amended accordingly. 1-15-2479
were violated because "he was denied the right to defend himself against the allegations and
subsequent findings of sexual abuse against" the older daughter (C.L.). The Office of the Cook
County Public Guardian (the Public Guardian) and the State assert that the findings were
supported by the manifest weight of the evidence and that Mario's due process rights were not
violated.
¶2 For the reasons discussed below, we affirm the orders of the circuit court.
¶3 I. BACKGROUND
¶4 Araceli C. (Araceli) is the natural mother of: (a) M.O., a daughter (born in 1995);
(b) Y.C., a daughter (born in 1998); (c) C.L., a daughter (born in 2000); (d) M.L., a son (born in
2004); (e) A.L., a daughter (born in 2006); and (f) J.L., a son (born in 2008). Mario is the natural
father of C.L., M.L., A.L., and J.L.; he is not the father of M.O. or Y.C.
¶5 A. The Prior Proceedings
¶6 In July 2012, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) was
contacted regarding alleged sexual abuse of Y.C. by Araceli's live-in paramour. At the time,
Mario lived in Mexico. Proceedings under the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 (Act) (705 ILCS
405/1-1 et seq. (West 2012)) were initiated for each of Araceli's children referenced above.
¶7 In an adjudication order entered on February 27, 2013, in case number 12 JA 830, the
court found, in part, that Y.C. "was sexually abused by mother's paramour." In case number 12
JA 829, the court found that M.O. was abused and neglected, based on the sexual abuse of her
sibling. M.O. and Y.C. were adjudged wards of the court in disposition orders entered on the
same date.
¶8 In an adjudication order entered in case numbers 12 JA 831 through 12 JA 834 on
February 27, 2013, Mario's four children – C.L., M.L., A.L., and J.L. – also were found to be
2 1-15-2479
abused and neglected based on the sexual abuse of their sibling (Y.C.). The order also stated,
"Father was non-custodial at all times relevant." Mario represents that he moved to Chicago
after February 27, 2013. In a disposition order entered on March 29, 2013, Araceli was found to
be unable to care for the children, and Mario was deemed fit and was awarded custody of his
four children. According to the Public Guardian, the circuit court closed the cases of M.L., A.L.,
and J.L. in June 2013; C.L.'s case remained open. Mario had custody of all four children at that
time.
¶9 B. The Commencement of the Current Cases
¶ 10 On August 28, 2013, the State filed three petitions for adjudication of wardship: for J.L.
(13 JA 816); M.L. (13 JA 817); and A.L. (13 JA 818). The adjudication and disposition orders
entered in these three cases are the subject of the instant appeal.
¶ 11 The petition for A.L. alleged, in part:
"Minor disclosed to law enforcement and medical personnel that her father had
touched her with his penis on her vagina and buttocks. Minor's sibling disclosed
to medical personnel that her father touched her breasts and vagina on August 23,
2013. Minor's sibling stated that father was intoxicated at the time and that she
has observed father drinking in the past. Minor and her sibling both stated that
father hits their siblings and pulls their ears and hair."
¶ 12 The petition alleged that A.L. was (a) neglected based on an injurious environment (705
ILCS 405/2-3(1)(b) 2 (West 2012)); (b) abused based on "a substantial risk of physical injury to
such minor by other than accidental means" (705 ILCS 405/2-3(2)(ii) (West 2012)); and
(c) sexually abused (705 ILCS 405/2-3(2)(iii) (West 2012)). In the petitions for adjudication of
2 Certain statutory citations within the minors' petitions were inaccurate. For example, A.L.'s petition references "0702 405/2-3(1)(b)." 3 1-15-2479
wardship filed for J.L. and M.L., the State alleged neglect-injurious environment and abuse-
substantial risk based on the same allegations as set forth in A.L.'s petition.
¶ 13 On August 28, 2013, the court appointed separate attorneys for Araceli and Mario. The
Public Guardian was appointed as the attorney and guardian ad litem for the children. The court
awarded temporary custody of the children to the DCFS guardianship administrator. Araceli was
granted supervised day visits; Mario was denied visits. Mario's sister, Abigail L., subsequently
became the children's foster parent.
¶ 14 C. Notice to Compel Appearance of C.L. at Trial
¶ 15 On March 20, 2015, Mario filed a notice to compel the appearance of C.L. at the
adjudication hearing scheduled to begin on April 15, 2015, pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court
Rule 237(b). Ill. S. Ct. R. 237 (eff. July 1, 2005). The notice was filed in the cases of Mario's
four children, including C.L.'s case (12 JA 831). C.L., through the Public Guardian, moved to
quash the notice. The motion to quash provided, in part:
"8. [C.L.] has been through several foster homes and psychiatric
hospitalizations. She has a history of mental health issues that include
hallucinations. Her previous diagnoses include ADHD, Mood Disorder,
Depression, and Sex abuse victim [sic].
9. Upon information and belief, [Mario], through his attorney(s) intends
to have [C.L.] testify to any knowledge of [A.L.'s] sexual abuse by him and/or her
mother's paramours, and any other allegations in the petitions.
10. Given [C.L.]'s history of mental illness, efforts have been made to
address the need, or lack thereof, for [C.L.'s] testimony. A proposed stipulation
of [C.L.'s] possible testimony was requested. However, [Mario], through his
4 1-15-2479
attorney(s), has rejected those efforts."
After discussing the court's "duty to act in the best interests of the minor and for the minor's own
protection," the Public Guardian asserted:
"It is not in the best interest of [C.L.] to be required to be present and testify at the
adjudicatory hearing for her siblings. [Mario's] request does not indicate any
compelling reason to demand [C.L.'s] presence or testimony in her siblings' case.
At the present time, [C.L.] is doing well in school. She is mentally stable. She is
stabilized to the point that her attending psychiatrist took her off all psychotropic
medications. Any testimony, if at all relevant, is miniscule at best. There are
alternatives to forcing [C.L.] to testify. The need for her testimony is outweighed
by risk of her becoming destabilized."
¶ 16 After hearing arguments, the trial judge concluded, "I don’t think it's in the minor's best
interest to have her come in here and testify at this point." The court indicated its willingness to
"revisit" the issue, noting that "[i]f it comes to that point, we can stop, we can pause, we can talk
about it and decide how we proceed." The court entered an order granting the Public Guardian's
motion to quash "for good cause shown: best interest of the minor."
¶ 17 D. The Adjudication Hearing and Key Evidence
¶ 18 At the commencement of the adjudication hearing, Mario's attorney moved "to exclude
any evidence that the minor [C.L.] gave an interview to Chicago police detectives, or that those
detectives memorialized that interview or documented it." Counsel stated that "we've been told
in the past there is no documented or recorded interview" by the "police or a victim sensitive
interviewer of [C.L.]." The assistant State's Attorney (ASA) confirmed, "I don't have a victim
sensitive interview recording" of C.L. She further responded that one of the witnesses, Lanese
5 1-15-2479
Kincaid-Turner (Kincaid-Turner), "will testify she wasn't allowed to take notes" during C.L.'s
interview and thus her "testimony is going to be limited to what she can recollect and what's
noted in her DCP[3] packet." After some discussion, the court denied the motion in limine.
¶ 19 1. Testimony of Lanese Kincaid-Turner
¶ 20 Kincaid-Turner testified that she was a child protection specialist with DCFS who
worked out of the Chicago Children's Advocacy Center (CCAC), addressing allegations of
sexual abuse. According to Kincaid-Turner, the "report came in" in August 2013 with
allegations of sexual molestation of C.L. and A.L. and "risk of harm" to M.L. and J.L. On
August 26, 2013, C.L., M.L., A.L., and J.L. were evaluated at Stroger Hospital (Stroger). Based
on "allegations of suicide," C.L. was transported to St. Elizabeth Hospital (St. Elizabeth) for
mental health services.
¶ 21 Also on August 26, 2013, Kincaid-Turner, Araceli and a family advocate spoke regarding
the allegations. Kincaid-Turner testified:
"Mom talked about [C.L.] telling her that they did not go to therapy that Friday, I
guess, and that the father had been out trying to find the boys bicycles, that he had
been drinking that day, and that she slept in her father's bed with her siblings
because she could not sleep in her bed. She talked about how the father came into
the room and got into the bed with them, and that [C.L] told her that the father
touched her breasts and her private [sic]."
According to Kincaid-Turner, Araceli "talked about not believing it" and "talked about how
[C.L.] told her that when she said that about the father, [A.L.] also made allegations against the
father, and that how she didn't believe anything occurred with [A.L.] as well."
3 We understand that "DCP" refers to Division of Child Protection. 6 1-15-2479
¶ 22 On August 27, 2013, a victim sensitive interview (VSI) in Spanish was conducted with
A.L., who was seven years old. A.L. sat with the forensic interviewer; Kincaid-Turner, the ASA
and the police observed the interview through a two-way mirror. On September 19, 2013, C.L.
was interviewed by Kincaid-Turner, the police and the ASA; C.L. "did not have a recorded
victim sensitive interview." Kincaid-Turner testified that she was not permitted to take notes
during the interview; she made a contact note regarding C.L.'s interview reflecting that C.L.
"made a detailed disclosure about sexual abuse."
¶ 23 Referring to A.L., the ASA asked Kincaid-Turner, "Why did you end up indicating the
parents or the father for the allegations that you did?" Kincaid-Turner responded over objection
that "it was indicated against the father because [A.L.] said that the father put his penis on her
butt skin to skin."
¶ 24 Kincaid-Turner began to respond regarding the allegations involving C.L.; Mario's
attorney objected. Counsel referenced "C.L.'s detailed interview which we do not have any
recorded documentation of" and "assert[ed] again our client's right to object and ask that that
testimony be barred." The court overruled the objection, and Kincaid-Turner testified:
"[C.L.] said the father basically had been drinking that day, got into bed with her
and her siblings. They were all in his bed. And, she felt her father touching –
touching her body. She felt him come behind her. And, then he touched her
breasts and her vagina."
According to Kincaid-Turner, "[r]isk of harm was indicated for the boys because of the incidents
that occurred with the girls. And, *** all kids were present during the abuse."
¶ 25 The court questioned Kincaid-Turner regarding "all four children *** sleeping in the
father's bed." Kincaid-Turner responded, "She said they were in the bed because in their room
7 1-15-2479
they had bedbugs." Kincaid-Turner subsequently testified that she did not go to Mario's home as
part of her investigation; she did not verify whether there were bedbugs or check the sleeping
arrangements.
¶ 26 On cross-examination, Mario's attorney questioned Kincaid-Turner regarding the prior
indicated report against Araceli. Kincaid-Turner testified that the report indicated "sexual
penetration" and Araceli's "failure to protect and allowing her then paramour, a sex offender,
back into home with access to the children." The children were placed in foster care and then
returned to Mario. Kincaid-Turner confirmed that in the VSI of A.L., she "says she was abused
by her father." Mario's counsel then asked, "At Uncle Julio's house?" Kincaid-Turner
responded, "I can't remember exactly what house, but I know it was not the home of the father."
Kincaid-Turner did not interview or go to the home of "Uncle Julio," his wife "Aunt Carmen," or
their children.
¶ 27 Kincaid-Turner further testified on cross-examination that A.L. was examined by Dr.
Marjorie Fujara (Fujara) at Stroger; Fujara works for the CCAC medical unit. The examination
was "normal," revealing no physical evidence of sexual penetration. Fujara also examined M.L.
and J.L. Neither M.L. nor J.L. disclosed any physical or sexual abuse to Fujara; Kincaid-Turner
confirmed their examinations were "normal."
¶ 28 Mario's attorney cross-examined Kincaid-Turner regarding her conversation with Araceli
on August 26, 2013. Kincaid-Turner confirmed that Araceli told her that "it's very difficult for
her to believe [C.L.'s] allegations that her father had sexually abused her." Araceli also told
Kincaid-Turner that "she did not believe this because she knows [C.L.] liked it better in the
foster home" and that C.L. "had more freedom with the foster parent." Araceli told Kincaid-
Turner that [C.L.] "will do anything to get out of the home with [Mario]."
8 1-15-2479
¶ 29 Kincaid-Turner testified that C.L. "had to be hospitalized" for suicidal ideation during the
investigation of the sexual abuse allegations. Mario's attorney asked, "[D]id you discover during
the course of your investigation that [C.L.] had previously been psychiatrically hospitalized?"
Kincaid-Turner responded, "No." She later clarified that she "didn't know any details" although
she knew "that there was something that happened to the child in the past and there may have
been some issues."
¶ 30 Kincaid-Turner spoke with Mario on August 28, 2013; he told her he had been having
problems with C.L. During a telephone conversation two days earlier, Mario also stated that he
was having problems with C.L. and that C.L. "had said she wanted to kill herself two different
times." He told Kincaid-Turner that he would cooperate with the investigation and that he was
worried about his children.
¶ 31 2. Stroger and St. Elizabeth Medical Records
¶ 32 After Kincaid-Turner's testimony, the State sought to enter various exhibits, including the
prior adjudication and disposition orders, Mario's children's medical records from Stroger, and
C.L.'s medical records from St. Elizabeth. There were no objections, and the exhibits were
entered into evidence.
¶ 33 During M.L.'s examination at Stroger on August 26, 2013, Dr. Fujara spoke with M.L.
and a family advocate. Fujara noted that M.L. "appeared guarded throughout the interview."
According to the medical report electronically signed by Fujara, M.L. denied that any person
"was ever mean to him," hit him, or touched his "private part" and buttocks. The report
indicates, "When asked if anyone drinks in the house, he said, 'just jugo or agua … orange juice.'
When questioned about "what his sisters' said [sic]" at Stroger, he said, '[C.L.] lies, my dad is
nice.' " Fujara spoke with J.L. at Stroger on the same date; he also denied "that anyone was ever
9 1-15-2479
mean to him," being hit, or that anyone had touched his "private part" and buttocks. When
Fujara asked "what happens to him when he gets in trouble, he said, 'my dad makes me face the
wall.' [J.L.] demonstrated by standing 6 inches away facing the wall."
¶ 34 Dr. Elena Strunk (Strunk) examined A.L. at Stroger, also on August 26, 2013. Strunk's
notes include the following:
"The patient presents with patient's 13 year old sister reports [sic] that her sister
([A.L.]) told her that her father touched her in her genitals a couple of days ago.
Now, [A.L.] denies these reports. She has no complaints and is sitting with her
sister comfortably. She denies any genital touching of her father at this time. ***
Dr. Lorand with Child Protective Services was called and is now seeing the 2
sisters with her team."
Notes written by Dr. Michele Lorand (Lorand) on the same date provide, in part, as follows:
"When asked why she is here, [A.L.] said, 'Because something happened at
home.' [W]hen asked what happened she said, 'My dad touched me.' When asked
where he touched her, she pointed to her genital area. When asked what he
touched her with she pointed and again [sic] to her genital area and said, 'With
what he pees with.' [A.L.] explained, 'I was in my bed.' 'My clothes were on.'
'His clothes were on.' 'He went under my clothes.' [W]hen asked how many
times this happened she said, 'one.' [A.L.] said 'I told my sister.' When asked if
her father ever hit her, she grabbed her [sic] and pulled it and said, 'He does like
this.' "
¶ 35 Strunk examined C.L. at Stroger on August 26, 2013. According to Strunk's notes, C.L.
stated that "her dad touched her private parts over 48 hours ago after he was drinking." C.L. also
10 1-15-2479
reported that A.L. was touched by Mario. Lorand evaluated C.L. at Stroger on the same date; her
notes provide, in part:
"[C.L.] said that she is here 'Because my father touched me.' 'He was drinking in
another room and I went to sleep in his bed and I was asleep and I woke up and I
felt a hand down my shorts in back, so I just kicked because I thought one of my
brothers was playing and turned over and then my dad put his arms around me
like he was going to hug me and that's when he touched me on my breasts and
here (pointed to genital area.) [C.L.] said it was 'over my clothes,' and that this
happened 'once this past Friday.' (8/23). When asked who she told, she said, I
told my little sister, [A.L.] on Saturday and then I told [Y.C.] who told her foster
mother who told my therapist. [C.L.] denied her [father] saying anything at that
time, but said 'he gave me $10 the next morning before I went to go visit my sister
and he never did that before.' [C.L.] said that when she told her little sister,
[A.L.], her little sister said the same thing had happened to her and that her father
had put his private part on hers, but then denied it. *** [C.L.] denied that anyone
else had everdone [sic] anything like this to her."
According to Lorand, C.L. indicated that her father "wasn’t supposed to drink when we went to
live with him, but he started again." C.L. also stated, "He pulls my little brother's and sister's
ears and hits them and pulls their hair."
¶ 36 C.L. was the subject of a psychiatric consultation by Dr. Deborah Matek (Matek) at
Stroger on August 26, 2013, because C.L. had stated "that she had been feeling like she could not
bear to go on living starting three days ago." Matek's notes include the following:
"The [patient] has experienced a series of sexual abuses and physical abuses. She
11 1-15-2479
was reunited with her father a while ago along with her two brothers and her
sister. Then about three days ago, when he had been drinking, [Mario] fondled
[C.L.] sexually as she slept. This woke her and she moved to a different sleeping
location, after pushing him away. She also checked on her sister to be sure she
was not being fondled."
C.L. reported to Matek that "once before she was psychiatrically hospitalized." Due to current
suicidal ideation, C.L. was transferred from Stroger to St. Elizabeth for mental health services.
¶ 37 The record on appeal includes hundreds of pages of medical records for C.L. from
St. Elizabeth. C.L. initially was hospitalized at St. Elizabeth from August 26, 2013, to
September 10, 2013. She reported, among other things, that Mario "touched my private part."
The "[f]inal diagnosis" included on her "Psychiatric Discharge Summary" included major
depression and "problems with primary support group and sexually abused by her father." C.L.
was readmitted to St. Elizabeth on December 11, 2013, through January 7, 2014. In the
description of the reason for hospitalization, the psychiatric discharge summary provides, in part,
that C.L. "reports that her family members do not believe that her father sexually abuse her
[sic]." During a third admission to St. Elizabeth from January 14, 2014, to February 7, 2014,
C.L.'s final diagnosis included "[b]ipolar, mixed." After "juvenile detention for 2-3 weeks"
following her arrest for "fighting a female peer at her group home," C.L. was again hospitalized
in St. Elizabeth from July 14, 2014, through July 21, 2014. 4 St. Elizabeth records indicate that
C.L. reported auditory hallucinations commanding "harm to self and others." C.L's discharge
diagnosis included "PTSD," posttraumatic stress disorder.
4 A notation in C.L.'s medical records from July 14, 2014, indicates that she "was previously [admitted] to this facility for depression in March 2014." However, the record on appeal does not contain medical records relating to a March 2014 hospitalization for C.L. 12 1-15-2479
¶ 38 3. Testimony of Venus Cole
¶ 39 Venus Cole (Cole) testified during the adjudication hearing that she was a child
protection specialist for DCFS; as a "mandate investigator," her responsibilities were "[t]o meet
emergency mandates only." When asked about the procedures for interviewing alleged victims
of sexual abuse, she responded that "we can interview them, but once they begin to talk, if
they're talking about it, they can freely talk. However, I'm not supposed to ask them any
forwarding questions or leading questions." She explained that the children "are eventually
going to have a victim sensitive interview at a professional location."
¶ 40 On August 24, 2013, Cole had a conversation with A.L. at a former foster parent's home.
Cole told A.L. "who I was and why I was there." A.L. began to tell Cole "that she told her sister
what happened to her." Cole asked A.L. whether she had spoken with anyone else regarding the
matter; A.L. said she told "Mimi." According to Cole, "Mimi" was the former foster parent.
¶ 41 When asked which sister A.L. had "told that something had happen[ed]," Cole responded,
in part, "It wasn't [Y.C.]. But she told [Y.C.]. *** And, she told the other sister that was with
her, I do believe, which was [C.L.]." Y.C. was living in the home of the former foster parent
when Cole was present. Responding to questions regarding A.L.'s physical condition, Cole
testified that A.L. had "bites all over her" that "appeared to be human bites."
¶ 42 Cole also spoke with C.L. on August 24, 2013, at the home of the former foster parent;
C.L. was approximately 13 years old. According to Cole, C.L. "stated that she had bedbugs in
her bed, and she went and got in the bed with her dad, and he had been drinking, and he began to
touch her." Cole later asked C.L. whether she had spoken with anyone, and "she said she told
her sister, she told Mimi, and she told her worker." C.L. told Cole that she had lived at Mimi's
house for approximately five months before she "went back to her dad." C.L. also told Cole that
13 1-15-2479
Mario "likes to drink" and that he "drinks with her aunt's son who lives across the street."
According to Cole, C.L. stated that "[s]he couldn't stay with relatives because she was afraid to
stay with her aunt because her dad would just only come across the street and kick the door in."
¶ 43 The ASA asked Cole, "When you were speaking with [C.L.], did she tell you anything
about the allegations regarding [A.L.] that you were investigating?" Cole responded, "That her
sister told her those things." The ASA then asked, "Was [C.L.] specific as to when she was told
by [A.L.] of the allegations?" Cole responded:
"Not that I recall. All I remember is that she told her that when her sister came to
visit, she has talked to her in the past, and she never believed her sister because
her sister would always tell her what was going on, and turn around and change
her story. She said so I never believed my sister until today. And, I asked her
why did you believe her today. She say because the same thing she described I
told her has happened to me."
Upon questioning by the court, Cole clarified that the "sister" was A.L.
¶ 44 Cole further testified that C.L. had stated "[t]hat her dad touched her, got in the bed,
touched her on her butt and was feeling on her. And, he was drunk at the time he was touching
her. And, she stated that her little sister said that the same thing happened to her, that he touched
her, and he told – that's when they both told Mimi what took place."
¶ 45 Mario's attorney cross-examined Cole regarding a note she wrote concerning her
conversation with C.L. Cole confirmed that "[n]owhere in this note does it give any details
about such as what [Cole] was testifying to regarding [Mario] touching [C.L.] in certain places."
Cole also confirmed that C.L. had told her that C.L. "reported her allegation of sexual abuse first
to her sister [A.L.]" and then "[C.L.] went on to tell [Cole] that after she told [A.L.] that
14 1-15-2479
something had happened to her, [A.L.] said the same thing happened to her." Responding to
questions from the court, Cole testified that C.L. "didn't really say" exactly when "this had
happened to her." According to Cole, C.L. "didn’t say how far in the past, she said in the past."
During cross-examination by Araceli's attorney, Cole stated that C.L. told her that A.L. "[i]n the
past told [C.L.] some things have happened. And, she said she would believe her at first, and
when she would go to tell someone, [A.L.] would change her story" about "being touched." Cole
also confirmed that "[Y.C.] had stated that [A.L.] had changed her story about things." Cole
further testified that Y.C. told her that C.L. had said that "she had been touched by her dad." 5
¶ 46 4. Testimony of Jasmine Alvarez
¶ 47 Jasmine Alvarez (Alvarez), who is bilingual, was employed by Aunt Martha's Shelter
(AMS) from February 2013 until August 2014. As part of her responsibilities in supervising
visitation with Spanish-speaking families, she would create a "visitation record." When asked
about the "normal" contents of such a record, she responded, "Just observing the visit, anything
that's discussed that's not appropriate." Two documents entitled "DCFS Visiting Record" were
admitted into evidence – one from September 1, 2013, and the second from September 5, 2013.
Araceli and an "aunt/cousin" were present for both visits; Alvarez did not know whether the
"aunt/cousin" was related to Mario or Araceli.
¶ 48 In the visitation notes from the September 1 visit, Alvarez wrote, in part, "I heard the
[a]unt/cousin telling [M.L.] that his father loves him and that they know his father would not try
5 The court initially struck from the record "the entire conversation that *** Cole had with [Y.C.]" after a hearsay objection by Mario's counsel regarding a conversation between Y.C. and C.L.; the court later allowed such testimony by Cole. Although Mario's counsel did not expressly object to the court's decision to allow the testimony, counsel inquired regarding the basis for the decision and argued that Y.C. was "not a party to this second action." The court indicated its "understanding of the case law is that you can introduce discussions with children in a family who are not actually – have any involvement with the juvenile court system." 15 1-15-2479
to hurt them, but I interrupted them and explained that the conversation was not allowed." In her
notes from September 5, 2013, Alvarez wrote, in part, "Clients mother [sic] was having a
conversation with daughter [A.L.] about the fathers allegations [sic], I explained to the family
that the conversations were not allowed."
¶ 49 5. Testimony of Rebekah Stevenson
¶ 50 Rebekah Stevenson (Stevenson), a bilingual forensic interviewer with CCAC, testified
that she conducts forensic interviews in English and Spanish "with children who are alleged
victims of sexual abuse, children from 2 to 17 years old." During her five years with CCAC, she
conducted more than one thousand forensic interviews. Discussing the procedures at CCAC, she
explained that "[a]ll forensic interviews are video and audio recorded." Prior to an interview,
Stevenson is "given a brief statement of the allegation by the team members," who are "[t]he
detective from the Chicago Police Department assigned to the case, a DCFS worker if they are
assigned to the case, and an assistant State's attorney." The team members assigned to the case
observe the interview through a two-way mirror; only Stevenson and the child are in the
interview room.
¶ 51 On August 27, 2013, and on January 22, 2014, Stevenson conducted forensic interviews
of A.L. in Spanish. Two discs containing recordings of the interviews – and written
transcriptions of the interviews translated into English and reviewed and corrected by Stevenson
– were admitted into evidence.
¶ 52 6. Victim Sensitive Interview of A.L. on August 27, 2013
¶ 53 During the VSI of A.L. on August 27, 2013, after preliminary questions, Stevenson asked
A.L., "Did something happen to you?" A.L. responded, "Mmm – my father touched me and my
sister." Stevenson asked A.L. where her father touched her. A.L. stated, "Where you do pee-
16 1-15-2479
pee" and indicated her genital area. A.L. also answered that her father touched her "with what he
makes pee-pee with." A.L. stated that this happened one time, in her house, while her brothers
were sleeping. A.L. stated her father "got on top of" her when she was sleeping. Both of them
were clothed; he removed her underwear and touched her under her dress. She felt, but did not
see, his "dessy," i.e., his "private part." 6 A.L. described her father's "dessy" as feeling "[f]labby."
When Stevenson asked, "in what room were you in," A.L. responded, "we slept – we were in my
uncle Julio's house and we always sleep in my father's room." A.L. told Stevenson that her
brother M.L. was in the bed but did not see what their father did because "he was sleeping."
¶ 54 In response to questions from Stevenson regarding where her father touched her, A.L.
indicated that her father had touched her with his "dessy" on her buttocks and vaginal area.
Stevenson later asked A.L., "when he touched on your butt on in this part of where you do pee-
pee – was his body moving or was he still?" A.L. responded, "It moved." Stevenson then asked,
"How did it move?" The transcript indicates that A.L. answered, "When – like doing like this
(indicating)." The recording shows A.L. moving her right arm back and forth.
¶ 55 A.L. stated that after her father touched her, he also touched her sister. A.L. did not see
the touching but answered that "[s]he told me about it." When asked, "Where was your sister?,"
A.L. responded, "well went [sic] to sleep at my – my Uncle Julio's house – *** and later we went
to my father's house." A.L. said that "[C.L.]'s bed had like bugs *** and my father was check it
[sic] and she said she was already sleepy and she went to sleep in his bed." At that point, A.L.
was sleeping in another bed in her uncle's room.
¶ 56 A.L. told Stevenson that, after her father touched her, she told C.L.; C.L. told A.L., "you
want to hear something and what happened to her." C.L. told A.L. that she felt someone touch
6 Stevenson testified that, in her experience, "dessy" refers to a person's "[p]rivate part." 17 1-15-2479
her, and "she hit – and she kicked him in the face." The person C.L. kicked was her father.
¶ 57 Discussing A.L.'s father, Stevenson asked, "Has he ever done any – any other bad things
to you?" A.L. responded, "No." A.L. then stated that he "pulls our ears" if he "gets mad" and
hits M.L. with his sandal on his buttocks or arm. A.L. told Stevenson that her father "hasn't hit
my sister but she gets mad when he puts us in." A.L. explained that "when we are outside – like
every day we're are bored [sic] in the house and he comes home from work and he's always tired
– *** he goes to bed to sleep and [C.L.] says, we want to go outside but (inaudible) and my
father said, talk right to me." Referring to C.L., A.L. continued, "but she talked right to him and
she got mad and went outside."
¶ 58 A.L. answered that "uncle Julio" was not in the house when her father touched her. She
stated that Julio had one girl and two boys and told Stevenson their names. The children were
present when A.L. was touched by her father, "but they were in their rooms." Julio's wife
Carmen also was in the house, "sleeping with *** uncle Julio." Stevenson asked A.L. why she
was sleeping in Julio's house and not her father's house. A.L. responded, "Because – hmm –
because my father didn't love my mother." She then said, "[a]nd we do love our mother and
(inaudible) go – go – (inaudible) only with – with him (inaudible) and he left my mother there in
the house."
¶ 59 7. Victim Sensitive Interview of A.L. on January 22, 2014
¶ 60 During the VSI of A.L. on January 22, 2014, Stevenson asked A.L. "what did you come
to talk about today?" A.L. responded, "About a man – my mother's boyfriend did something to
me." A.L. said the man's name is "Javier." A.L. initially said she "was still seven" when it
happened, but then stated, "I don't know – five or six." She said something happened "[o]ne
time." A.L.'s mother took her to her uncle Julio's house because she had to work. Julio and his
18 1-15-2479
wife and children were at the house, along with "[t]he man," Javier. According to A.L., Javier
was staying at Julio's house; Javier was Araceli's boyfriend.
¶ 61 A.L. told Stevenson that Javier "went to the bed where I was sleeping with [M.L.]. Then
he got on top of me." A.L. stated that Javier touched her on her "private part" with "his part."
A.L. told Stevenson that his "private part" felt "[l]ike – wet." Responding to questions from
Stevenson, A.L. stated that Javier touched her "[o]n the skin" and "[i]n the hole"; she said, "I felt
it was hurting me." She told Stevenson that he was "breathing differently." According to A.L.,
M.L. and J.L. did not see what happened because they were sleeping.
¶ 62 On "[a]nother day," A.L. told her mother what had occurred. She waited to talk to her
mother because she was "scared." A.L. stated, "I thought she was going to scold me."
Answering questions from Stevenson, A.L. indicated that she thought she "told C.L. first."
When she told C.L., C.L. said "that someone did the same thing to her." A.L. could not
remember whether C.L. told her "who did that to her."
¶ 63 Stevenson asked, "I know that you were here some months back and the last time that we
were here what did we talk about that time?" A.L. responded, "Uh – I don't remember."
Referring to the prior VSI, Stevenson asked, "you told me that something happened with your
father. Is that correct or not?" A.L. answered, "Uh-huh." Stevenson asked A.L. why she did not
"say anything about what happened with Javier" during the prior visit. A.L. stated that she was
"scared" but did not know why she was scared.
¶ 64 Discussing the incident with Javier, Stevenson asked why Javier was at "uncle Julio's
house when this happened." A.L. responded, "Because my mother always needed to go to
work." The following exchange subsequently took place between Stevenson and A.L.:
"Q. Okay, okay uhm – and we talked about what happened with Javier and you
19 1-15-2479
told me uhm – the last time you were here that something happened with your
father, Mario Alberto. Has any other person done something to you or touched
you in a part of your body?
A. (Indicating).
Q. No, okay. So Javier and your father. Has any other person done anything to
you?
A. No.
Q. No, okay.
A. My father has never done anything to me just (inaudible). My sister says that
he's done something.
Q. Your father Beto hasn't done anything to you. Just your sister is saying that
he's done something?
A. Hmm-hmm."
At the conclusion of the interview, Stevenson asked, "Javier is your mother's boyfriend and ***
your father is called Mario Alberto. Is that correct?" A.L. indicated that that was correct and
that Javier did not have another name.
¶ 65 8. Testimony of Abigail L.
¶ 66 After an opening statement by Mario's counsel, Abigail L. (Abigail), Mario's sister,
testified on his behalf. Abigail was the foster parent for M.L., A.L., and J.L. – but not C.L. – for
"less than a year" beginning in October 2013. In December 2013, A.L. started a conversation
with Abigail; Abigail's sister, Bernicia, also was present. A.L. asked Abigail when the case
would be "over" and why the case was happening. Abigail told A.L. that they could not talk
about the case and "[h]opefully soon so you could be either with your mom or your dad."
20 1-15-2479
¶ 67 Abigail testified that A.L. then "asked me if she could tell me something." According to
Abigail, A.L. "told me her dad, Mario, had not done anything to her, that something did happen
to her." Abigail testified that A.L. told her that her mother went to work and left M.L., J.L., and
A.L. with "Javier." After A.L. urinated in her bed, she went to tell Javier and then returned to
sleep. Abigail testified that A.L. "woke up when someone was touching her." A.L. told Abigail
that Javier had "touched her private parts." According to Abigail, A.L. had told her that these
events occurred when "they lived with their mother." When asked about the "man's name,"
Abigail answered that A.L. "referred to him as my dad, Javier." A.L. also told Abigail that she
had told her mother and then [C.L.] about the incident with Javier. A.L.'s conversation with C.L.
occurred "on the way to [Y.C.]'s house." A.L. and C.L. then told Y.C. about the incident. A.L.
told Abigail that she visited with Y.C. when "[t]hey lived with their father."
¶ 68 Abigail testified that Julio R. (Julio) is a relative of Araceli. Abigail met Julio in Mexico
but did not have any contact with him in Chicago. Abigail never met Julio's wife, Carmen.
Abigail stated that Mario "hasn't been" to Julio's house and "they've never had a relationship,
like, a friendship."
¶ 69 Abigail further testified that A.L. spoke with her about C.L. in late spring of 2014; 7
Bernicia was present. A.L. told Abigail that "she wasn't comfortable" with C.L. "If [A.L.] didn't
do what [C.L] told her to do, she would get mad or sometimes would hit them." During cross-
examination by Araceli's counsel, Abigail testified that on one occasion, C.L. called Abigail's
mobile telephone to speak with A.L. According to Abigail, "[A.L.] did not want to talk to her.
She just started crying and said, I do not want to talk to her."
¶ 70 9. Hartgrove Hospital Records
7 Mario's counsel referenced "May of 2013," but the record otherwise indicates that the conversation took place in 2014. 21 1-15-2479
¶ 71 Mario sought admission of C.L.'s medical records from Hartgrove Hospital (Hartgrove).
The assistant public guardian (the APG) and the ASA objected based on the timing and
relevance of C.L.'s hospitalization at Hartgrove, which was "two and a half months prior to the
DCFS investigation starting." The court overruled the objections, and the records were admitted.
¶ 72 On May 21, 2013, C.L. entered Hartgrove reporting depression and suicidal thoughts.
C.L. said that she had cut herself approximately one year earlier, but had not received medical
attention for such cutting. The records indicate that C.L. had been receiving outpatient therapy
with a DCFS social worker and was reportedly having difficulty transitioning to living with
Mario. In her "Psychosocial Assessment," C.L.'s "perception of reason for hospitalization"
included, "I argue the fact that I am with my Dad and not with my mother." According to the
assessment, C.L. described her relationship with Mario as "kind of good." The assessment
further provided that C.L. "reports that Dad does not know how to take care of all the kids and
therefore she is overwhelmed." On the date of her discharge (June 4, 2013), C.L. said "she
doesn't want to go back with her father and she is unable to go back and live with her mother and
unable to pinpoint a good reason why she doesn't wish to go live with her father." Her discharge
diagnosis included major depression.
¶ 73 10. Closing Statements
¶ 74 During closing statements, the State argued that A.L.'s statements regarding her sexual
abuse by Mario were corroborated in two ways: (1) "[A.L.'s] statements herself that she made
throughout the investigation including her statements in the forensic interview"; and
(2) "corroboration through sibling statements." As to the January 22, 2014, VSI of A.L., the
State "asked [the] Court to consider the strong possibility that [A.L.] may have been sexually
abused on multiple occasions, not only by her father but also mother's former boyfriend, Javier."
22 1-15-2479
The court asked the ASA about A.L.'s denial of touching by her father when she was first
interviewed at Stroger. Counsel responded that "that is just to one doctor in the emergency
room." Conversely, the ASA argued, A.L. made statements regarding abuse when speaking with
a "Child Protective Services doctor *** trained on how to *** deal with minors that come to the
hospital where there are allegations of sexual abuse or physical abuse."
¶ 75 The Public Guardian adopted the State's arguments. The APG further stated that C.L.
"made a detailed disclosure of the sexual abuse she endured from her father" during her
interview with Kincaid-Turner on September 19, 2013. Counsel also referenced a "final
diagnosis" from C.L.'s medical records at St. Elizabeth that she was sexually abused by her
father. Discussing the "slight differences in the two VSIs," counsel stated that "[t]here are
questions as to what the paternal side of the family could have or would have told [A.L.]
regarding the case" and that during supervised visitation on September 5, 2013, Araceli was
heard having a conversation with A.L. regarding the allegations. The court asked the APG
whether "the second interview is *** different like the [ASA] suggested" or A.L. "was coached."
Counsel responded, in part, "I think there are two different incidents." When the court asked
about the incident described in A.L.'s second VSI, the APG stated, "Well, it could have happened
while in the care of the father."
¶ 76 Mario's counsel argued that the State "failed to produce any corroborating evidence to
support the allegations of sexual abuse." Counsel asserted that the State "produced no evidence
that Mario *** was ever at Uncle Julio's house." In her second VSI and in her conversation with
Abigail, however, A.L. discussed "Javier" and Uncle Julio's house. Mario's counsel also pointed
out that A.L. denied any genital touching during her examination by the emergency room
physician at Stroger. According to counsel, there were discrepancies regarding which sister
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informed the other of abuse first: A.L. or C.L. Furthermore, counsel stated that Araceli
indicated that "[C.L.] will do anything to get out of the home of the father." Arguing that
"[t]here is no hard and fast rule about what constitutes corroboration of a child's previous
statements of abuse or neglect," Mario's counsel distinguished cases cited by the State.
¶ 77 After making various arguments, Araceli's counsel "ask[ed] that the Court find that
[Araceli] was noncustodial during the allegations of the specific petition that has been submitted
to the Court and that there not be any other findings concerning the mother based on the second
statements of the minor," presumably referring to A.L.'s statements during the January 2014 VSI.
¶ 78 E. The Court's Ruling and the Adjudication Orders
¶ 79 After "spen[ding] the last couple of days looking through the material, watching the
videos, going through all the statements, rereading the transcripts," the court ruled:
"The State has met its burden of proof by a preponderance of the evidence,
and there is a finding of abuse substantial risk of injury and neglect injurious
environment in relation to all three minors and in the sexual abuse of [A.L.]
The support of this my decision is this: There are prior findings of abuse
and neglect in relation to these minors.
I find that the statement[s] of [A.L.], [C.L.] were credible and that there
was no reason for either child to fabricate the statements and that there was no
opportunity to arrange for the minors to give false statements.
I also find the testimony of Ms. Kincaid-Turner, Ms. Venus Cole, and
Rebecca Stevenson were credible.
The US Supreme Court said it best when it was cited In re: Walter B. in
1992 when they stated, A child's statement of abuse or neglect should be deemed
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sufficiently trustworthy, that adversarial testing can be expected to add little to
their reliability.
The evidence shows that in August 2013, [A.L.] repeatedly told her sister
[C.L.], the DCP investigator, doctors, social workers and the Victim Sensitive
interviewer that her father had molested her. The story remained the same. The
details did not change. Her statements during the VSI in August were credible
and corroborated by the fact that she told many people the same simple facts.
[A.L.] did deny the molestation when first asked about it after being
examined by the hospital emergency room doctor, but it was followed shortly
thereafter by numerous reaffirmations of the molestation.
I also find that [A.L.'s] statement during the January 2014 VSI were
credible as to the facts of the second molestation by Javier ***. The molestation
occurred in a different bed, perhaps a different room by a different person, and
different actions and responses by the molester. Additionally in the second
molestation there was penetration. These facts are substantially different from the
sexual molestation by her father.
[A.L.]'s statement that her father had never done anything to her, in the
January statement, came five months after the initial report, and after she had
been living with an aunt. I give this little weight because [A.L.] didn’t recall even
talking with Ms. Stevenson back in August. And I hope this is part of her therapy
and that she is putting what happened to her behind her.
[A.L.] wasn't able to give a precise time frame, but it seems that she was
in the custody of her mother. I find that [C.L.]'s statements of being molested by
25 1-15-2479
her father are credible.
Immediately after she was molested she informed her sisters [A.L.] and
[Y.C.], and shortly thereafter, the DCP investigator, therapist, a doctor and a
social worker. These repeated statements corroborated that [C.L.] was molested
by her father.
There's been no evidence presented that these molestations did not occur.
Only the vague statements of a seven year old – statements that seven year olds
sometimes don't tell the truth; something that all parents know.
The molestations of [A.L.] and [C.L.] by their father does not leave
physical evidence that can be seen by an examination. And Illinois law does not
require it because to require physical evidences in all cases would hinder the
public policy that we want to protect our children from sexual assault.
In this case, there was no reason for the children not to be truthful, and
there is no time frame of their statements to make it clear that there was no
opportunity for fabrication."
¶ 80 In a written adjudication order entered on July 10, 2015, in cases 13 JA 816 and 13 JA
817, the court found neglect-injurious environment and abuse-substantial risk with respect to J.L.
and M.L. The order provides that "[m]inors siblings [sic] disclosed their father sexually abused
the siblings. Minors resided with their father at the time their siblings were sexually abused by
their father." In an order entered on the same date in case number 13 JA 818, the court found
neglect-injurious environment, abuse-substantial risk, and sexual abuse with respect to A.L. The
order provides, in part, "Minor + her sibling stated that her father touched her on her private parts
+ on the butt." The order states that "NF" – the natural father – was the perpetrator of the sexual
26 1-15-2479
abuse. Both adjudication orders indicate that the abuse or neglect was inflicted by a parent.
¶ 81 F. The Dispositional Hearing
¶ 82 After a dispositional hearing on July 29, 2015, 8 the court entered a written disposition
order with respect to M.L., A.L., and J.L. finding both Araceli and Mario unable to care for the
children. The court also found Mario to be "unfit," and the children were adjudicated wards of
the court. Mario appeals from the adjudication and disposition orders.
¶ 83 II. ANALYSIS
¶ 84 Mario advances two primary arguments on appeal. First, he contends that the trial court's
finding that A.L. was sexually abused was against the manifest weight of the evidence. Second,
Mario asserts that his due process rights were violated because he "was denied the right to
defend himself against the allegations and subsequent findings of sexual abuse against [C.L.]."
We address each argument below.
¶ 85 A. Whether Sexual Abuse Finding Was Against Manifest Weight of Evidence
¶ 86 Mario argues that the trial court's finding that A.L. was sexually abused was against the
manifest weight of the evidence "because it was based on inadmissible hearsay evidence
regarding statements made by [C.L.], [Y.C.], [A.L.], and mother, lacked corroborating evidence,
and relied on prior court findings that had no relevance to this case." "Cases involving
allegations of abuse and neglect are sui generis and must be decided based upon their unique
facts." In re Kenneth D., 364 Ill. App. 3d 797, 801-02 (2006). The State has the burden to prove
the allegations by a preponderance of the evidence. In re Arthur H., 212 Ill. 2d 441, 463-64
(2004). We will not reverse a trial court's determination of abuse or neglect unless it is against
the manifest weight of the evidence. In re An. W., 2014 IL App (3d) 130526, ¶ 55. A finding is
8 Because Mario advances no substantive arguments regarding the dispositional order, we have not provided details regarding the dispositional hearing. 27 1-15-2479
against the manifest weight of the evidence only if the opposite conclusion is clearly evident.
Arthur H., 212 Ill. 2d at 464. "When the manifest weight standard applies, the reviewing court
will not substitute its judgment for that of the trial court on such matters as witness credibility,
the weight to be given evidence, and the inferences to be drawn from the evidence, even if the
reviewing court would have reached a different conclusion if it had been the trier of fact." An.
W., 2014 IL App (3d) 130526, ¶ 55.
¶ 87 Mario initially argues that A.L.'s uncorroborated statements are inadmissible. 9 The
public guardian 10 responds that her "statements were certainly admissible – the Juvenile Court
Act specifically states that a child's previous statements of abuse are admissible, but those
statements cannot support an abuse finding if they are not subject to cross examination or
supported by corroboration." We agree with the Public Guardian. "Section 2-18(4)(c) of the Act
creates an exception to the general rule against hearsay and allows a minor's out-of-court
statements relating to allegations of abuse or neglect to be admitted into evidence at a civil
adjudicatory hearing to determine whether the minor is abused or neglected." An. W., 2014 IL
App (3d) 130526, ¶ 61. The section provides:
"Previous statements made by the minor relating to any allegations of abuse or
neglect shall be admissible in evidence. However, no such statement, if
uncorroborated and not subject to cross-examination, shall be sufficient in itself to
support a finding of abuse or neglect." 705 ILCS 405/2-18(4)(c) (West 2014).
"In enacting section 2-18(4)(c), the legislature sought to balance the welfare interests of minors
9 As discussed below, a trial court's decision to admit evidence is reviewed by this court for an abuse of discretion. In re Alexis H., 401 Ill. App. 3d 543, 553 (2010). 10 In its appellate brief, the State adopted the arguments of the Public Guardian and cited additional authorities. For purposes of clarity, we refer solely to the Public Guardian herein, unless the argument specifically was advanced by the State. 28 1-15-2479
and the rights of those accused of abuse or neglect." An. W., 2014 IL App (3d) 130526, ¶ 61.
¶ 88 Our supreme court has interpreted section 2-18(4)(c) to require either cross-examination
or corroboration, but not both. In re A.P., 179 Ill. 2d 184, 196 (1997). "Thus, under section 2-
18(4)(c), a minor's hearsay statement is sufficient in itself to support a finding of abuse or neglect
if either: (1) the minor is subject to cross-examination about the statement, or (2) the occurrence
of the abuse or neglect is corroborated by other evidence." An. W., 2014 IL App (3d) 130526,
¶ 62. As A.L. did not testify during the adjudication hearing and thus was not subject to cross-
examination, we must determine whether there was corroboration.
¶ 89 The Illinois Supreme Court has discussed the meaning of "corroboration" as follows:
"[I]n the context of section 2-18(4)(c), corroborating evidence of the abuse or
neglect requires there to be independent evidence which would support a logical
and reasonable inference that the act of abuse or neglect described in the hearsay
statement occurred. In essence, corroborating evidence is evidence that makes it
more probable that a minor was abused or neglected." (Emphasis added.) A.P.,
179 Ill. 2d at 199.
"Ultimately, whether sufficient corroboration exists is determined on a case-by-case basis." In re
Gabriel E., 372 Ill. App. 3d 817, 825 (2007).
¶ 90 At the adjudication hearing, the trial court found that A.L.'s statements during the August
2013 VSI were "corroborated by the fact that she told many people the same simple facts."
Mario contends – and the Public Guardian concedes – that "[t]he number of times a child repeats
an allegation of abuse does not amount to corroboration." E.g., In re Custody of Brunken, 139
Ill. App. 3d 232, 239 (1985) (concluding "that the four witnesses who testified as to [the minor's]
alleged statements cannot be deemed to have corroborated each other").
29 1-15-2479
¶ 91 Mario also argues that the "trial court erred in relying on [C.L.'s] hearsay statements
when ruling that [A.L.], [M.L.], and [J.L.] were abused and neglected." Citing In re Alba, 185
Ill. App. 3d 286 (1989), Mario asserts that "[c]orroborating evidence necessary to allow the
hearsay testimony of the minor to be admissible cannot be hearsay itself." In Alba, a Head Start
Program family service coordinator became concerned regarding the home life of a five-year-old
participant in the program. Id. at 287. After a discussion wherein the child described being
touched by her father, the coordinator asked the child to draw a picture of her father and herself;
the drawing was placed into evidence. Id. at 287-88. On appeal, the court observed that the
child's drawing "was itself hearsay." Id. at 290. The court stated that "evidence which is in itself
hearsay cannot provide the corroboration required by the statute." Id. In In re Marriage of
Flannery, 328 Ill. App. 3d 602, 614 (2002), the child's "physical actions were offered to prove"
her mother's claim that the child was sexually abused. On appeal, the court noted that the child's
"actions fit within the definition of hearsay and could not, by themselves, corroborate [the
child's] out-of-court statements of sexual abuse." Id. Citing Alba, the Flannery court concluded
that "testimony regarding the physical manifestations that accompany a child's hearsay
statements of abuse is insufficient to corroborate the out-of-court statements when the child's
conduct is the only corroborative evidence presented." Id.
¶ 92 Unlike in Alba and Flannery, the corroboration for A.L.'s prior statements in the instant
case did not consist of A.L.'s own out-of-court statements or actions. Furthermore, in more
recent cases, this court has permitted hearsay statements of multiple children to corroborate one
another. For example, in In re K.O., 336 Ill. App. 3d 98, 102 (2002), a police detective testified
that a child made statements that indicated that her father had sexually abused her, and a DCFS
investigator testified regarding her conversation with the child's sibling relating to sexual contact
30 1-15-2479
between the father and the child. Id. The court concluded, in part, that the child's allegations
were corroborated by the sibling, who witnessed the abuse. Id. at 109. Similarly, in In re Alexis
H., 401 Ill. App. 3d 543, 561 (2010), the appellate court "agree[d] with the trial court that the
children's statements of sexual abuse corroborated each other's statements and those statements
make it more probable that the children were abused." Although distinguishable from the instant
case, both K.O. and Alexis H. implicitly recognize that multiple hearsay statements may serve as
corroboration.
¶ 93 Mario next challenges the admissibility of C.L.'s hearsay statements under various
hearsay exceptions. Mario contends that "[C.L.'s] statement of her own abuse are [sic] not
admissible under the hearsay exception within the Juvenile Court Act regarding statements of
abuse by a minor, 705 ILCS 405/2-18, because the exception is limited to the out-of-court
statements of the named minor in the petition." The Illinois Appellate Court, however, recently
rejected this argument in In re D.M., 2016 IL App (1st) 152608. The D.M. court found that
"interpreting section 2-18(4)(c) of the Act as allowing a [nonparty minor's] statements of sexual
abuse by [her stepfather]" to be admissible as evidence of neglect of her half-siblings "carries out
the purpose of the Act." Id. ¶ 30. Mario also argues that the "significant lapse in time from the
alleged occurrence and outcry as well as a reason to fabricate bars [C.L.'s] hearsay statements
from being admissible under the excited utterance exception." The Public Guardian appears to
concede this point, stating that "[t]here is no dispute in this case related to the excited utterance
exception to the hearsay rule." The parties' disagreement on appeal primarily relates to the
applicability of the medical records exception to hearsay set forth in the Act. Mario contends
that "[C.L.'s] statements within the Stroger Hospital and St. Elizabeth Hospital medical records
are inadmissible under the medical records exception."
31 1-15-2479
¶ 94 Section 2-18(4)(a) of the Act provides, in part:
"Any writing, record, photograph or x-ray of any hospital or public or private
agency, whether in the form of an entry in a book or otherwise, made as a
memorandum or record of any condition, act, transaction, occurrence or event
relating to a minor in an abuse, neglect or dependency proceeding, shall be
admissible in evidence as proof of that condition, act, transaction, occurrence or
event, if the court finds that the document was made in the regular course of the
business of the hospital or agency and that it was in the regular course of such
business to make it, at the time of the act, transaction, occurrence or event, or
within a reasonable time thereafter." 705 ILCS 405/2-18(4)(a) (West 2014).
Mario acknowledges that he did not object to the admission of C.L.'s records from Stroger and
St. Elizabeth, but contends that "this Court should apply the plain error doctrine[11] and not deem
the issue waived due to the error being so serious and father being denied a substantial right."
¶ 95 Mario argues C.L.'s medical records from Stroger and St. Elizabeth were inadmissible
because the "Juvenile Court Act allows for the admission of medical records only for minors who
are parties to the proceedings." (Emphasis added.) In support of this proposition, he cites
section 2-18(4)(a) of the Act, which refers to records of "any condition, act, transaction,
11 "It is well established that, to preserve an alleged error for appellate review, a party must *** object at trial and file a written posttrial motion addressing it." In re William H., 407 Ill. App. 3d 858, 869-70 (2011); In re K.S., 317 Ill. App. 3d 830, 833 (2000) (respondent waived her claim regarding the trial court's failure to make factual findings "because respondent failed to object to the order at the hearing"). "[T]he plain-error doctrine bypasses normal forfeiture principles and allows a reviewing court to consider unpreserved error when either (1) the evidence is close, regardless of the seriousness of the error; or (2) the error is serious, regardless of the closeness of the evidence." People v. Herron, 215 Ill. 2d 167, 186-87 (2005); see, e.g., In re S.H., 2014 IL App (3d) 140500, ¶ 22 ("An appellate court may address a forfeited issue under the plain error doctrine if the evidence is closely balanced or the error affects substantial rights."). However, the use of the plain error doctrine in civil cases is exceedingly rare. Matthews v. Avalon Petroleum Co., 375 Ill. App. 3d 1, 8 (2007). 32 1-15-2479
occurrence or event relating to a minor in an abuse, neglect or dependency proceeding."
(Emphasis added.) 705 ILCS 405/2-18(4)(a) (West 2014). However, this court has construed
the medical records exception in the Act to allow admission of records for individuals other than
"minors who are parties to the proceedings." For example, in In re Precious W., 333 Ill. App. 3d
893, 900 (2002), the trial court found a mother to be unfit because of her habitual drunkenness
and drug addiction and terminated her parental rights regarding her daughter, Precious. On
appeal, the mother argued that the trial court erred by admitting her health care records and the
health care records of her older child, contending they were not "records relating to" Precious.
Id. The court disagreed, concluding that the health care records of the mother and the older
sibling were admissible under section 2-18(4)(a) and the trial court did not abuse its discretion by
admitting the records into evidence. Id. at 901. Similarly, in In re M.S., 210 Ill. App. 3d 1085,
1095-96 (1991), the appellate court concluded that the mother's medical records regarding her
alcohol and drug dependency, "which were created as a direct result of the ongoing juvenile
court proceeding and relate to a condition which is also directly related to the proceeding, satisfy
the requirement of 'relating to a minor.' " Although their facts differ from the instant case, both
Precious W. and M.S. belie Mario's contention that the "Juvenile Court Act allows for the
admission of medical records only for minors who are parties to the proceedings."
¶ 96 Mario also contends that "both the State and the GAL argued in the pretrial motion and/or
hearing that [C.L.] should not be allowed to testify because she was not a part of the adjudication
proceeding." The Public Guardian stated in the motion to quash Mario's notice to compel C.L. to
appear that "[a]ny testimony, if at all relevant, is miniscule at best." Mario argues that
"[t]herefore, [C.L.]'s statements within the medical records were inadmissible hearsay." We
disagree with Mario's conclusion. As noted above, the language of section 2-18(4)(a) is not as
33 1-15-2479
limiting as Mario suggests. In any event, it appears that C.L. was a minor in an abuse or neglect
proceeding; the case caption in Mario's notice to compel included four case numbers, referring to
pending cases for C.L. (12 JA 831), M.L., A.L., and J.L. 12 Also, the concerns reflected in the
Public Guardian's motion to quash – i.e., C.L.'s mental health status and the potentially
deleterious effect of compelling her to testify – are not implicated by the admission of medical
records. Finally, we note that Mario successfully sought the admission of C.L.'s Hartgrove
medical records, over objection – an action seemingly at odds with his position on appeal. In
sum, we do not believe the trial court erred in the admission of C.L.'s medical records and thus
deem the plain error doctrine inapplicable. 13
¶ 97 We further conclude that the statements and diagnoses within such records corroborate
A.L.'s statements regarding allegations of abuse by Mario. C.L.'s records from Stroger included
her statements to Drs. Lorand, Matek and Strunk describing her father fondling her as she slept.
She also spoke with Drs. Lorand and Strunk regarding A.L.'s statements relating to Mario. The
12 During oral argument before this court, the State confirmed that C.L.'s case had remained open. 13 Citing Rule 805 of the Illinois Rules of Evidence, Mario also contends that the "trial court erred when admitting into evidence for the truth of the matter asserted [A.L.'s] statements of abuse as reported by third parties" – i.e., Y.C., C.L., and Araceli – "to Ms. Cole's [sic] or Ms. Kincaid-Turner." Mario argues that, because there was no finding that these "third parties" were unavailable, the DCFS employees' testimony regarding their conversations with A.L. were inadmissible. Rule 805 provides, "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." Ill. R. Evid. 805 (eff. Jan. 1, 2011). Although section 2-18(1) of the Act provides, in part, that "the rules of evidence in the nature of civil proceedings in this State are applicable to proceedings under this Article," section 2-18(4)(c) specifically states, in part, that "[p]revious statements made by the minor relating to any allegations of abuse or neglect shall be admissible in evidence." 705 ILCS 405/2-18(4)(c) (West 2014). As the State observes, Mario "does not cite any authority requiring that those witnesses be unavailable," and, in any event, "this claim is forfeited because [Mario] never raised it in the trial court." See, e.g., K.S., 317 Ill. App. 3d at 833. We further note that Mario's brief on appeal references certain statements that he alleges were inadmissible; for example, he argues that "[b]oth [C.L.] and [Y.C.] reported that [A.L.] was known for making up [stories] and changing them as she went along." 34 1-15-2479
"[d]iagnosis" by Dr. Lorand at Stroger was "[c]hild abuse, sexual" and "[s]uicidal ideation."
During her hospitalizations at St. Elizabeth, C.L. discussed the sexual touching by her father.
Her "[f]inal diagnosis" on September 10, 2013, included "problems with primary support group
and sexually abused by her father."
¶ 98 We recognize that the instant case differs from cases such as K.O. and Alexis H., wherein
the children's statements to interviewers described, among other things, the abuse of their
siblings. In contrast, C.L.'s statements to DCFS, medical professionals, and others described her
own abuse and A.L.'s statements regarding A.L.'s abuse, but not C.L.'s personal observation or
knowledge of A.L.'s abuse. However, our supreme court has described corroborating evidence
as "evidence that makes it more probable that a minor was abused or neglected." A.P., 179 Ill.
2d at 199. We conclude that C.L.'s statements and diagnoses make it more probable that A.L.
was abused. As the Public Guardian observes, "[b]oth children described being in bed with their
father at night while sleeping, and both children described him fondling them while he lay
behind them in bed." Simply put, we believe that the independent evidence that Mario sexually
abused his older daughter, C.L., tended to "strengthen or confirm" (id.) A.L.'s prior statements
that she was touched inappropriately by Mario.
¶ 99 Although not expressly relied upon by the trial court, 14 A.L.'s prior statements are further
corroborated by her description of sexual matters in a manner that may be beyond the knowledge
of a typical seven-year-old girl. The Alexis H. court stated that "[t]he children's statements were
also corroborated when they described the physical acts of sexual abuse committed on the
children in a detailed fashion that would be unexpected of children of their age." Alexis H., 401
14 "[T]his court reviews the determination of the trial court, not its reasoning, and therefore we may affirm on any basis in the record whether or not the trial court relied on that basis or its reasoning was correct." Antonacci v. Seyfarth Shaw, LLP, 2015 IL App (1st) 142372, ¶ 21. 35 1-15-2479
Ill. App. 3d at 562. In this case, during her August 2013 VSI, A.L. described her father's "dessy"
– i.e., his "private part" – as feeling "flabby." When asked "was his body moving or was he
still," A.L. responded, "It moved." Stevenson asked her to describe the movement; A.L. moved
her right arm back and forth in a manner that suggested sexual contact. Although A.L.'s
descriptions were not as detailed or extreme as in other cases, 15 they provide further
corroboration for her prior statements regarding sexual abuse.
¶ 100 In addition to his contentions regarding corroboration issues, Mario argues that C.L. and
A.L. had motive to fabricate the allegations. According to Mario, C.L. "did not want to live with
her father. She knew that an allegation of abuse would remove her from her father's care."
Mario contends that A.L. "had a reputation among her family members for fabricating stories"
and "was also intimidated" by C.L. Although the Hartgrove medical records indicated that C.L.
did not want to live with Mario, we agree with the Public Guardian's assessment: "[I]t is
unlikely that [C.L.] would persist so long with a fabricated claim, and continue to make the claim
even after she was removed from her father, and it is unreasonable to assume that [C.L.] would
go to such great lengths" – e.g., psychiatric hospitalizations – "with her fabrications." As to A.L.
fabricating stories and being pressured by C.L., we also agree with the Public Guardian: "there
is no evidence in the record pointing to [A.L.] having any motive to lie about [Mario] abusing
her." In any event, the trial court was best positioned to determine whether the children had
motive to fabricate the allegations. For example, in In re Marriage of Gilbert, 355 Ill. App. 3d
104, 115 (2004), a father accused of sexually assaulting his daughter suggested that his former
wife had "motivation to fabricate the entire scenario" and, during their dissolution proceedings,
15 See e.g., K.O., 336 Ill. App. 3d at 108 (child could describe semen); In re C.C., 224 Ill. App. 3d 207, 214 (1991) (same); see also In re Walter B., 227 Ill. App. 3d 746, 755 (1992) (five-year- old child "provided a vivid description of oral copulation" and "demonstrated detailed knowledge of masturbation"). 36 1-15-2479
she had "threatened to raise issues of interfamily sexual abuse" that had occurred in his family.
Noting that the trial court "had an opportunity to hear the evidence, view the witnesses and make
judgments as to their credibility," the appellate court concluded that the trial court's findings of
abuse were not against the manifest weight of the evidence. Id. In the instant case, after
discussing the evidence, the trial court concluded that "there was no reason for the children not to
be truthful."
¶ 101 Mario also contends that the trial court disregarded inconsistencies in A.L.'s statements.
As an initial matter, we agree that there were inconsistencies in A.L.'s statements. For example,
A.L. denied any touching by her father when speaking with Dr. Strunk at Stroger, but later
described the touching to Dr. Lorand. A.L.'s answers in her August 2013 VSI differed
significantly from her responses in the January 2014 VSI. However, we disagree with Mario's
statement that the trial court "disregarded" the inconsistencies. Rather, as the Public Guardian
asserts, "the trial court fulfilled its proper role and deliberated on certain inconsistencies in
[A.L.'s] story, and properly determined that the allegations were credible anyway." In fact, the
trial court expressly recognized that "seven year olds sometimes don't tell the truth; something
that all parents know." Cf. In re S.M., 171 Ill. App. 3d 361, 365-66 (1988) (noting that
"[c]onflicts or discrepancies in a minor's testimony do not necessarily destroy its credibility, but
only affect the weight to be given that evidence"); In re T.H., 148 Ill. App. 3d 877, 882 (1986)
(affirming finding of child sexual abuse despite the fact that the "stories told by the children
differ in details both major and minor" and the "glaring lack of evidence as to how often the
touchings occurred, who was present and what forms the touchings took").
¶ 102 We also reject Mario's contention that "C.L.'s allegation of sexual abuse is not relevant to
these proceedings." Evidence is relevant "if it tends to prove a fact in controversy or render a
37 1-15-2479
matter in issue more or less probable." Kenneth D., 364 Ill. App. 3d at 803. A father's alleged
sexual abuse of one daughter is relevant regarding allegations of his sexual abuse of a second
daughter residing in the same home. See, e.g., 705 ILCS 405/2-18(3) (West 2014) (proof of
abuse or neglect of one minor is admissible evidence on the issue of the abuse or neglect of any
other minor for whom the respondent is responsible). Furthermore, as discussed above, the
statements and records regarding C.L.'s allegations of sexual abuse against Mario served as
corroboration for A.L.'s previous statements regarding similar abuse by Mario.
¶ 103 Finally, Mario argues that the trial court improperly relied on the prior abuse findings
when Mario was noncustodial. Although the trial court specifically noted during his ruling at the
adjudication hearing that "[t]here are prior findings of abuse and neglect in relation to these
minors," we are untroubled by this statement. The statement was correct; the minors were the
subject of an adjudication order entered on February 27, 2013, in the earlier proceedings.
Furthermore, the prior adjudication order – which was admitted into evidence – expressly
provided that "Father was non-custodial at all times relevant." During closing arguments in the
adjudication hearing, Mario's counsel pointed out that he "came to this country to reunite with
his children," i.e., Mario "came here because he heard his children were in foster care." The
court responded, "Yes, the Court knows the history." In fact, all of the relevant orders in both
the earlier and later cases were entered by the same trial judge. Based on our review of the
record, we do not believe the trial court was under any misimpression regarding Mario's
noncustodial status during the events relevant to the earlier proceedings, particularly given that
the court found Mario to be "fit" during those proceedings.
¶ 104 In sum, we conclude that the trial court's finding that A.L. was sexually abused was not
against the manifest weight of the evidence. As noted above, "[a] finding is against the manifest
38 1-15-2479
weight of the evidence only if the opposite conclusion is clearly evident." Arthur H., 212 Ill. 2d
at 464. Given the ample evidence in this case – including the testimony of the DCFS child
protection specialists, the children's medical records, and A.L.'s recorded VSI – we cannot
conclude that the "opposite conclusion is clearly evident." Id. Furthermore, the trial court found
the testimony of Kincaid-Turner, Cole, and Stevenson to be "credible"; the court made no such
express assessment with respect to the testimony of Mario's sister, Abigail. Under the manifest
weight standard, we defer to the trial court as the finder of fact "because the trial court is in the
best position to observe the conduct and demeanor of the parties and has a degree of familiarity
with the evidence that a reviewing court cannot possibly obtain." An. W., 2014 IL App (3d)
130526, ¶ 55.
¶ 105 Mario contends that "[g]iven that the findings of substantial risk of injury and neglect
injurious environment concerning [M.L.] and [J.L.] are based on [A.L.'s] finding, this Court
should also reverse the abuse and neglect findings for [M.L.] and [J.L.]." Because we have
concluded that the trial court's finding that A.L. was sexually abused was not against the
manifest weight of the evidence, we reject Mario's contention. We further note that a finding of
abuse of one sibling establishes a prima facie case of neglect based on an injurious environment
to another. K.O., 336 Ill. App. 3d at 108-09; see also In re M.D.H., 297 Ill. App. 3d 181, 189
(1998) (noting that a "parent's behavior toward one minor may be considered when deciding
whether a sibling is exposed to an injurious environment"). "Neglect due to injurious
environment has been found where the child did not know about nor was he exposed to sexual
abuse of a sibling ***." In re Z.R., 274 Ill. App. 3d 422, 428 (1995). The "same facts and
evidence which support a finding of neglect due to an injurious environment, also support the
court's finding of abuse due to a substantial risk of physical injury." In re Tamesha T., 2014 IL
39 1-15-2479
App (1st) 132986, ¶ 44. Based on the foregoing, we conclude that the trial court's findings of
abuse and neglect with respect to M.L., A.L., and J.L. were not against the manifest weight of
the evidence.
¶ 106 B. Whether Mario's Due Process Rights Were Violated
¶ 107 Mario contends that his "due process rights were violated because he was denied the right
to defend himself against the allegations and subsequent findings of sexual abuse against [C.L.]."
Although we recognize that a "parent's right to raise his or her biological child is a fundamental
liberty interest" (In re Haley D., 2011 IL 110886, ¶ 90), the paramount consideration in any
proceeding initiated under the Act, including an adjudication of wardship, is the best interest of
the child. In re N.B., 191 Ill. 2d 338, 343 (2000).
¶ 108 Mario appears to challenge the denial of his request to compel C.L.'s appearance at the
adjudication hearing. "[E]videntiary rulings are within the sound discretion of the trial court and
will not be overturned absent an abuse of discretion." In re A.W., 397 Ill. App. 3d 868, 873
(2010). "A trial court abuses its discretion only where its ruling is arbitrary, fanciful, or
unreasonable, or where no reasonable person would take the view adopted by the trial court." Id.
In light of C.L.'s mental health issues and her relative stability at the time of the adjudication
hearing, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying Mario's request to compel C.L.'s
appearance at the hearing. See id. at 874 (trial court did not abuse its discretion in barring
mother from calling her 15-year-old son as a witness at a best interest hearing based on evidence
that requiring the son to testify would be detrimental to his best interest); In re Mark W., 383 Ill.
App. 3d 572, 590 (2008) (trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying plenary guardian's
request to have minor testify where the minor's therapist indicated that his appearance in court
could "set back" his "therapeutic progress" and "hinder the child's emotional stability").
40 1-15-2479
Furthermore, as the Public Guardian notes, "the trial court specifically allowed [Mario] to
'revisit' the issue if he felt it was crucial, but [Mario] never raised the issue again."
¶ 109 Mario also contends that it was "fundamentally unfair" for him "to have to defend against
allegations that [C.L.] was abused despite no petition for adjudication of wardship or any other
type of pleadings naming her" having been filed. The State observes, and we agree, that Mario
"never explains what additional safeguards he would have received had there been a petition for
adjudication of wardship for [C.L.]." 16 In addition, Mario argues that he "also was barred from a
meaningful hearing by not receiving a copy of the recording of [C.L.'s] victim sensitive
interview." However, the ASA confirmed to the trial court that "we don't have any record." We
agree with the Public Guardian that Mario "cannot complain of not receiving a copy of the
recording of [C.L.]'s interview, where no such copy was ever admitted into evidence, and no
party even possessed it."
¶ 110 "Due process is not a technical concept unrelated to time, place, and circumstances, but
is flexible and calls for such procedural protections as a particular situation demands." A.W., 397
Ill. App. 3d at 872. Mario had the opportunity to be present, to argue his position, and to present
and rebut evidence. See id. at 873. Based on the facts and circumstances of these cases, we
conclude that the trial court did not deprive Mario of his due process rights.
16 During oral argument before this court, Mario's counsel stated that, if there had been a petition for C.L., "the sufficiency of [C.L.'s] allegation would have been tested in an adjudicatory hearing where the rules of evidence that are required for civil proceedings would have applied." However, Mario's due process concerns seem misplaced given that, among other things: (a) he was aware that the State's case would include evidence relating to C.L. prior to the trial court proceedings in the instant case, as evidenced by his notice to compel C.L.'s appearance and his motion in limine with respect to her interview; and (b) the concerns regarding C.L.'s mental health and emotional stability that led the court to grant the motion to quash his notice to compel her appearance would exist irrespective of the filing of a new petition. In any event, because we have affirmed the trial court's finding of sexual abuse vis-à-vis A.L., we need not speculate about the potential outcome of a hypothetical new petition filed for C.L. 41 1-15-2479
¶ 111 C. The Disposition Order
¶ 112 Finally, we observe that the notice of appeal sought relief from the adjudication and
disposition orders. On appeal, Mario asserts – without additional argument – that "[g]iven that
there was insufficient evidence to support the adjudication findings, this Court should also
reverse the disposition order adjudging the children wards of the court." As discussed above, we
affirm the trial court's findings at the adjudication hearing; accordingly, Mario's contention that
the disposition order should be reversed is without merit. In the absence of any other arguments,
we affirm the disposition order. See, e.g., In re Juan M., 2012 IL App (1st) 113096, ¶ 69. See
also Ill. S. Ct. R. 341(h)(7) (eff. Jan. 1, 2016) (providing that "[p]oints not argued" in an
appellant's brief "are waived"); In re Charles W., 2014 IL App (1st) 131281, ¶ 57 ("Because we
have concluded that the trial court did not err in finding the minors dependent, we similarly
reject respondent's challenge to the trial court's dispositional finding.").
¶ 113 III. CONCLUSION
¶ 114 For the reasons stated above, we affirm the adjudication and disposition orders of the
circuit court of Cook County.
¶ 115 Affirmed.
Related
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