People v. Alyssa G. (In Re J v. , 426 Ill. Dec. 177 ( 2018 )

2018 IL App (1st) 171766Fifth Division
September 29, 2018
Nos. 1-17-1766, 17-1768 & 17-2137 Cons.
_____________________________________________________________________________
IN THE
APPELLATE COURT OF ILLINOIS
FIRST DISTRICT
______________________________________________________________________________
In re J.V., E.V., G.V., ) Appeal from the
ISRAEL C. and ISAAC C. JR., ) Circuit Court of
) Cook County.
Minors-Respondents-Appellees, )
) Nos. 16 JA 661, 662, 663, 664,
(People of the State of Illinois, ) 665
)
Petitioner-Appellee, ) Honorable
) Maxwell Griffin Jr.,
v. ) Judge, Presiding.
)
Alyssa G., Francisco V. and Isaac C. Sr., )
)
Respondents-Appellants). )
JUSTICE HALL delivered the judgment of the court, with opinion.
Justices Hoffman and Lampkin concurred in the judgment and opinion.
OPINION
¶1 This is an accelerated appeal under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 311(a) (eff. Feb. 26,
2010). The respondent-parents, Alyssa G. (Alyssa), Francisco V. (Francisco) and Isaac C. Sr.
(Isaac), filed three separate appeals challenging the orders of the circuit court of Cook County,
Nos. 1-17-1766 cons.
finding them unfit, terminating their parental rights and finding that it was in the respondent-
minors’ best interests to appoint a guardian with the right to consent to their adoption. The three
appeals were consolidated for our review.
¶2 In his appeal, Francisco contends that (1) the State failed to establish it was in the minors’
best interests to expedite the termination of his parental rights, and (2) the trial court erred in
finding him unfit for behaving in a depraved manner. In her appeal, Alyssa contends that (1) she
was denied due process and unfairly prejudiced when the trial court elicited and relied on
unsworn testimony by three of the respondent-minors, or, in the alternative, she received
ineffective assistance of trial counsel, (2) the admission of prior consistent statements was error,
and (3) the termination of her parental rights was not in the best interests of the minor-
respondents. In his appeal, Isaac contends that (1) the trial court’s abuse and neglect findings
against him were against the manifest weight of the evidence, (2) there was insufficient evidence
to support the trial court’s findings that he was unfit and that his parental rights must be
terminated, and (3) expediting the termination of his parental rights was improper. For the
reasons set forth below, we affirm the orders of the circuit court.
¶3 Pursuant to Rule 311(a)(5), this court was required to issue our decision within 150 days
after the filing of the notice of appeal, except for good cause shown. In this appeal, we granted
multiple extensions of time for the filing of the record and the briefs. While these extensions
delayed the filing of our decision, in each case, the parties’ requests were made for legitimate
reasons and not to hinder the timely resolution of this appeal.
¶4 BACKGROUND
¶5 I. Facts
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¶6 Alyssa and Francisco are the parents of J.V., born in July 2006, E.V., born in February
2008, and G. V., born in August 2009 (collectively the minors). Alyssa and Isaac are the parents
of the twins, I.C. Jr. and I.C. (the twins), born July, 2016. Alyssa was also the mother of M. A.,
deceased, born in January 2012. Giovanni C. was the father of M.A. 1
¶7 In April 2012, Alyssa was arrested and charged with child endangerment after Chicago
police discovered the minors asleep in an unheated vehicle. The minors and M.A., who had been
left in the care of a friend of Alyssa, were placed in foster care. Alyssa pleaded guilty to child
endangerment and was sentenced to 18 months’ supervision. By August 2015, the minors and
M.A. had been returned to her custody, and in November 2015, the circuit court closed the case.
On July 29, 2016, while living with Alyssa, Isaac and the minors, four-year-old M.A. died. On
July 30, 2016, Alyssa gave birth to the twins.
¶8 On August 2, 2016, Alyssa and Isaac were seen fleeing from a burning abandoned
building. Chicago police officers discovered M.A.’s body in the building and arrested Alyssa and
Isaac.
¶9 II. Circuit Court Proceedings
¶ 10 On August 5, 2016, the State filed petitions for adjudication of wardship and motions for
temporary custody of the minors and the twins. The petitions sought expedited termination of
parental rights. See 705 ILCS 405/21-5 (West 2016) (providing for termination of parental rights
at the first dispositional hearing). On August 24, 2016, the State brought a delinquency petition
against Isaac, then 17 years-of-age, 2 alleging one count of attempted residential arson and two
1
Giovanni C. was not a party to the proceedings below or to this appeal.
2
Isaac turned 18 years-of-age on November 20, 2016.
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counts of concealment of a death. On September 16, 2016, the State filed amended petitions for
the minors and the twins.
¶ 11 With regard to the minors, Alyssa was alleged to be unfit based on: (1) repeated or
continuous substantial neglect of a child in the household, which resulted in the death of that
child; (2) extreme and repeated cruelty; (3) failure to protect the child from an injurious
environment; and (4) depravity. See 750 ILCS 50/1(D) (d-1), (e), (g), (i) (West 2016). Francisco
was alleged to be unfit due to depravity. See 750 ILCS 50/1 (D)(i) (West 2016). With regard to
the twins, Alyssa and Isaac were alleged to be unfit based on: (1) abandoning the twins at the
hospital; 3 (2) repeated or continuous substantial neglect of a child residing in the household
resulting in the death of that child; and (3) depravity. See 750 ILSC 50/1(D) (a-1), (i) (West
2016).
¶ 12 A. Adjudication
¶ 13 Evidence as to the allegations of abuse and neglect and unfitness was presented at
hearings on November 18, 2016, and December 30, 2016.
¶ 14 1. November 18, 2016
¶ 15 At the November 18, 2016, hearing, the State presented exhibits in support of the petition
for neglect and abuse of the minors and the twins, including the August 2, 2016, electronic
recording of Alyssa’s interview with Chicago Police detectives regarding the discovery of
M.A.’s body and the August 17, 2016, electronic recordings of the minors’ individual victim
sensitive interviews conducted by Elizabeth Perez of the Children’s Advocacy Center. The
3
The State later withdrew the abandonment allegation.
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electronic exhibits were admitted into evidence. The contents of the interviews are summarized
below.
¶ 16 a. Alyssa’s Interview with Chicago Police Detectives
¶ 17 During the interview with the detectives, Alyssa stated that she had taken M.A. to a
doctor because he was not gaining weight. The doctor had prescribed Pediasure. On July 29,
2016, she tried but failed to resuscitate M.A. who had stopped breathing. Alyssa placed M.A.’s
body in the shower, hoping to revive him. She denied that anyone had abused M.A. prior to his
death. Alyssa told the detectives that Isaac and she took M.A.’s body to an abandoned building
on July 30, 2016. She then went to the hospital and gave birth to the twins. Later, Alyssa claimed
that Isaac, his brother and she carried M.A.’s body to the abandoned building shortly before they
were arrested. Alyssa claimed that she waited outside the building while Isaac and his brother
went inside with the body.
¶ 18 Alyssa insisted that neither Isaac nor his brother had anything in their hands. She denied
knowing that either of them had a fire accelerant in their possession. She did not know a fire had
been started until the fire department arrived.
¶ 19 b. Victim Sensitive Interviews
¶ 20 J.V.
¶ 21 10-year-old J.V. had been playing video games with Isaac and Christian, Isaac’s brother
when Alyssa asked him to check M.A.’s pulse and heartbeat to determine if he was dead. After
J.V. confirmed that M.A. was dead, Alyssa and Isaac washed the body in the shower. After
wrapping the body in a towel and clothes, they placed it on Alyssa’s bed and then in J.V. and
E.V.’s room. When the body began to smell, Alyssa put the body in the trunk of her car and used
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air freshener to mask the odor. J.V. overheard Isaac suggest to Alyssa that they use Isaac’s
baseball bat to crush M.A.’s skull and knock out his teeth to prevent his identification. Alyssa’s
and Isaac’s first attempt to burn M.A.’s body was unsuccessful. Alyssa blamed Isaac for the
failed attempt.
¶ 22 Alyssa disciplined M.A. for soiling himself. M.A. was forced to sleep in a storage room.
Previously, J.V.’s dog, Ray, had been kept in that storage room, but Ray died from the cold and
starvation. Alyssa also took M.A.’s clothes away because he kept soiling himself, saying that he
would have to earn his clothes back. M.A. would scream and cry, but Alyssa responded telling
him to “shut up.” Sometimes M.A. would be fed, but other times he would steal food from the
refrigerator. Alyssa became angry when she discovered that J.V. had given M.A. food. J.V. saw
Alyssa beating E.V. with a shoe. J.V. saw M.A. had a black eye, and M.A. told him Alyssa had
struck him.
¶ 23 E.V.
¶ 24 Eight-year-old E.V. described how M.A. was kept in a back storage room; a dog named
Ray had been kept there until it froze to death. M.A. slept in a litter box, which contained cat
feces. After the litter box was thrown away, M.A. slept on the floor of the storage room. E.V.
described M.A. as looking hot, tired, sad and hungry. Alyssa and Isaac were responsible for
feeding M.A. While sometimes M.A. did not want to eat, Alyssa and Isaac did not always feed
him. M.A. would yell from the storage room that he was hungry. He would steal food or beg
food from the neighbors for which he was punished. Alyssa would yell at E.V. if he gave M.A.
food. E.V. described M.A. as very skinny, and his face was so thin that it resembled a triangle.
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¶ 25 Alyssa often beat M.A. with a coat hanger or a belt. M.A. had lots of scabs on his back,
and he had a black eye after Alyssa struck him.
¶ 26 When M.A. died, Alyssa told J.V. and E.V. that Isaac and she were going to burn M.A.’s
body. The first time they tried, they were almost caught by police. Alyssa and Isaac argued about
the failed attempt. At one point, Isaac complained that he was only 17, and the situation was too
much for him. Alyssa and Isaac put M.A.’s body in the trunk of their car. When it began to
smell, Alyssa used air freshener to mask the smell. When they went to pick up Alyssa after she
had the twins, Isaac said he wanted to use a bat on M.A.’s body.
¶ 27 G.V.
¶ 28 G.V. was within five days of her seventh birthday when she was interviewed by Ms.
Perez.
¶ 29 M.A. used to sleep in one of the bedrooms, but he was moved to the storage room
because his urinating and defecating made the apartment smell. M.A. slept on the floor of the
storage room because there was no bed. A dog named Ray had died during the winter in the
storage room.
¶ 30 Alyssa would often beat M.A. with a coat hanger because he soiled himself. G.V.
described Isaac as “mean” to M.A. Isaac would give him water sometimes but Alyssa told Isaac
not to give water to M.A. if he soiled himself. Alyssa also beat E.V. and J.V.
¶ 31 M.A. stole food at night. Once Alyssa found out that G.V. had given M.A. some cereal.
Alyssa told her it was okay to feed M.A. Alyssa did not allow him to steal food.
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¶ 32 G.V. believed that M.A. died because he was not fed and given water. She knew that
M.A.’s body had been wrapped up and placed in the trunk of Alyssa’s car. E.V. was afraid that
M.A. would come back to life.
¶ 33 c. Additional Exhibits
¶ 34 Also admitted into evidence were autopsy photographs of M.A., a certified copy of
Alyssa’s 2012 conviction for child endangerment and the medical examiner’s report, which
listed the cause of death for M.A. as homicide by unspecified means.
¶ 35 Certified copies of Francisco’s felony convictions were also admitted into evidence. In
June 2006, he pleaded guilty to possession of between 30 and 500 grams of cannabis and was
sentenced to 18 months in prison; in May 2011, he pleaded guilty to and was sentenced to
3 years in prison for possession of a firearm by a gang member; and in May 2015, he pleaded
guilty to and was sentenced to 7 years in prison for the manufacture and delivery of between 15
and 100 grams of cocaine.
¶ 36 2. December 30, 2016
¶ 37 At the December 30, 2016, hearing, the parties stipulated that in November 2016, Isaac
admitted the allegations in the delinquency petition. The testimony of the witnesses at that
hearing is summarized below.
¶ 38 Alyssa
¶ 39 Alyssa invoked her constitutional privilege against self-incrimination on both direct and
cross-examination.
¶ 40 Julia V.
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¶ 41 Julia V. (Julia) is Francisco’s mother and the paternal grandmother of the minors. After
his release from prison in April 2016, Francisco moved in with her. In addition to helping her
with cleaning and cooking, he is employed doing snow removal, working for a janitorial service,
and is a bouncer at a lounge.
¶ 42 Julia described Francisco as a loving father who is involved in all aspects of the minors’
lives. He plays with them, talks to them about school, cooks for them and takes care of their
needs. While Francisco was incarcerated, he would keep in contact with the minors by telephone
calls two or three times a month and by letters. Julia knew he missed the minors during his
incarcerations because he would get very emotional in his conversations with them.
¶ 43 Julia acknowledged that Francisco had been a member of the Latin Kings street gang.
While a gang member, he had been shot and suffered head trauma and a broken jaw. Julia was
aware that Francisco was on parole until April 19, 2019. Julia further acknowledged that
Francisco had other children, but he did not have custody of them. She denied that E.V. was
upset because Francisco had a Caucasian son. Julia further denied that J.V. was proud that
Francisco taught him the Latin King’s handshake or that J.V. and E.V. liked being with
Francisco because they enjoyed watching pornographic movies, hitting women and being in
gangs.
¶ 44 Lucy V.
¶ 45 Lucy V. (Lucy) is Francisco’s younger sister and paternal aunt to the minors. Lucy is a
certified nursing assistant and a medical records assistant. Since Francisco’s release from prison
in April 2016, she had seen him approximately 20 times a month, mostly at family gatherings
either at her home or Julia’s home. Francisco interacted well with Lucy’s three children.
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¶ 46 Lucy described Francisco’s relationship with the minors as that of a typical father.
Francisco was an authoritative figure when it was appropriate, but he also played with the
minors. He gave them advice when necessary, such as not to fight or say mean things to each
other.
¶ 47 At the present time, Lucy was renting a house in Joliet, Illinois with the hopes that
Francisco and the minors would live with her family. Her children interacted well with the
minors.
¶ 48 Lucy and Julia fully supported Francisco. Lucy had even applied to be a foster parent for
the minors. Lucy confirmed Julia’s testimony that while he was in prison, Francisco kept in
touch with the minors by telephone calls and letters.
¶ 49 Lucy maintained that Francisco loved the minors and despite his three incarcerations was
a good father to them. She acknowledged that each time he was released from prison, Francisco
would say he was going to be a better father to the minors.
¶ 50 Lucy recounted that sometimes, Alyssa would just disappear. When that happened,
Francisco would drop whatever he was doing and take care of the minors. Lucy maintained that
Francisco’s arrest in May 2016 for drinking in public with a known gang member was the result
of stereotyping.
¶ 51 Since Francisco was released from prison in April 2016, he displayed more maturity and
responsibility. Lucy described her family members as very close to one another. Lucy denied that
she would lie or make up facts to help Francisco.
¶ 52 Francisco
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¶ 53 Francisco confirmed that he was employed: he did snow-plowing and worked as a janitor,
jobs which gave him flexible working hours. On weekends, he worked as a bouncer at a lounge,
checking identifications and keeping order.
¶ 54 Francisco missed three visits with the minors because he lacked transportation, and
because of his job responsibilities. Francisco advised Susan Hipp, the minors’ caseworker, of his
transportation problems, but she did not offer him any assistance. He had quit a previous job
because it interfered with his visitation, and he now had a car.
¶ 55 Francisco interacted with the minors by playing with them and talking to them about
school and what they are learning. The minors would ask him for advice.
¶ 56 Francisco was no longer involved in a gang; his last gang involvement was at the time of
his 2012 arrest. He maintained that the crimes of which he was convicted and sent to prison had
nothing to do with the minors.
¶ 57 Since he was now employed, Francisco planned to work towards a career. He was
currently going to school to be a professional truck driver. Francisco’s plan was for the minors
and him to live with Lucy and her children.
¶ 58 Francisco denied telling Lucy after his first release from prison that he intended to
change, but he admitted he had told her that he would change after serving his second and third
periods of incarceration. He maintained that with respect to the 2012 child endangerment case,
he was not required to complete any services by DCFS.
¶ 59 Francisco joined the Latin Kings street gang when he was 12-years-old and left the gang
when he was 26. While he was in the gang, he was shot in his left hand and suffered a broken
jaw and head trauma when he was hit by a glass bottle.
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¶ 60 Francisco had three other children with different women. Francisco did not have custody
of these children but supported them financially. Francisco did not keep a record of his support
contributions.
¶ 61 Francisco acknowledged that on May 25, 2016, he was arrested and charged with
drinking alcohol in public with a known gang member. He refused to clarify whether he pleaded
guilty or there was a trial; only that he was released for time served.
¶ 62 Chicago Police Officer Gillespie
¶ 63 On the evening of August 2, 2016, Officer Gillespie and his partner, Officer Price, were
dispatched to 1403 Marquette Road in Chicago. Upon arriving, Officer Gillespie observed a
single-family residence that appeared uninhabited. Proceeding to the back of the residence,
Officer Gillespie exited the police vehicle and approached the house from the alley. He observed
two males running away from the building: one was wearing a White Sox jersey and the other
was wearing red shorts. Officer Gillespie stopped the individual in the White Sox jersey. That
individual’s last name was [C_______]. That individual was eventually placed under arrest by
another officer. In the meantime, Officer Price was pursuing another individual.
¶ 64 Officer Gillespie identified Isaac as one of the two individuals he saw that evening, but
he was unsure whether Isaac was the individual he detained. Officer Gillespie did not notice any
damage to the property or anything unusual about the property. He did not see anyone exiting
the building.
¶ 65 Chicago Police Officer Price
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¶ 66 On the evening of August 2, 2016, Officer Price was working with Officer Gillespie
when they were dispatched to 1405 West Marquette Road. 4 Upon arriving in the area, a witness
told the officers that three Hispanic or Mexican individuals were trying to burn down a building
and directed them to the exact location of the building. After parking their police vehicle in the
alley, they exited the vehicle. Officer Price then observed a female individual. The individual
looked at Officer Price and began running. She climbed over a fence to the property next to 1405
Marquette Road. Officer Price pursued the individual and stopped her. The officer identified the
individual as Alyssa. Alyssa had nothing in her hands. Officer Price placed her in handcuffs and
took her back to the police vehicle.
¶ 67 Susan Hipp
¶ 68 Ms. Hipp is employed as a child welfare specialist by Lutheran Child and Family
Services (LCFS). Since August 9, 2016, she has been the caseworker for the minors and the
twins.
¶ 69 Ms. Hipp reviewed the 2012 case file, which revealed that Francisco had not completed
any services. A new integrated assessment was conducted on August 23, 2016. Francisco was
found in need of the following services: mental health assessment, domestic violence assessment,
substance abuse assessment, individual therapy, random drug drops, parenting education, and
successful completion of his parole.
¶ 70 Ms. Hipp arranged six random drug drops for Francisco to perform between August 2016
and December 2016. For each drug drop, she contacted him by telephone and either spoke with
4
The police officers’ testimony differed as to the number of the abandoned house on West
Marquette.
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him or left a voice message. Ms. Hipp explained to Francisco that a missed drop counted as
positive for drugs. He did not perform any of the drug drops.
¶ 71 On September 12, 2016, Ms. Hipp referred Francisco for individual therapy at Pathways.
He was to meet with the therapist every Monday. Francisco attended three sessions, the latest
one in October 2016. When Ms. Hipp questioned Francisco about the missed sessions, he told
her he thought he was finished. Francisco did complete the mental health assessment.
¶ 72 Ms. Hipp had not referred Francisco for a domestic violence assessment or parenting
classes. She explained that it was preferable for him to begin with the individual therapy. Since
he failed to participate in the drug drops, a determination as to whether he had a substance abuse
problem was still necessary before he would benefit from the additional services that were
indicated for him.
¶ 73 According to Ms. Hipp, Francisco had scheduled visitation with the minors weekly for
two hours. Between August and November 2016, he consistently visited the minors. His visits
stopped for about four weeks and then resumed in December 2016. Ms. Hipp made several
attempts to contact him about the missed visitation. Francisco did not return her telephone calls,
but he did respond to her December 5, 2016, letter. Francisco called and told her that he had
been working and “other stuff had happened.”
¶ 74 Ms. Hipp denied that Francisco told her he missed visitation because he had no
transportation. Had he asked for assistance, he would have been provided with a bus card or fuel
cards if he had a car.
¶ 75 The minors reacted differently to the missed visits. J.V. would be angry if Francisco
missed visits while E.V. would just say that he missed his dad and wanted to see him. G.V. had
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to be coaxed into participating in the visits with Francisco and never complained about not going
to visit him.
¶ 76 Francisco’s Rebuttal Testimony
¶ 77 Francisco explained that the drug drops were randomly scheduled. Ms. Hipp would call
while he was at work. By the time he received her message, he could not get to the test site in
time. On one occasion, Ms. Hipp gave him the wrong location for the test. When he went to visit
the minors, Francisco explained to her why he missed the drug drops.
¶ 78 As a condition of his parole, Francisco had to do drug drops. If he violated that condition,
he would be sent back to prison. While Francisco had done the six drug drops scheduled by his
parole officer, he admitted that he had not done the six drug drops he was required to do in this
case. He denied using any illegal substances in the past six months.
¶ 79 Francisco had requested visitation with the minors for Halloween. Although one of the
foster parents was agreeable, Ms. Hipp refused his request. When Francisco requested services,
Ms. Hipp explained that because the case was being expedited, he would not have time to
complete them.
¶ 80 Francisco completed the three visits needed for the mental health assessment. He
understood that he was to get a referral after the assessment was completed, but he never
received one. Since the therapist did not contact him to tell him he needed further therapy, he
believed he had completed the individual therapy requirement.
¶ 81 3. Adjudication and Unfitness Rulings
¶ 82 On February 17, 2017, the trial court determined as to Alyssa that, based on the exhibits
in evidence and the testimony of the witnesses, there was clear and convincing evidence that “all
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of the children were the subject of an injurious environment ***. [The minors] were abused with
a substantial risk of physical injury.”
¶ 83 The trial court found by clear and convincing evidence that as to the minors and the
twins, Alyssa was unfit on the statutory grounds that (1) she substantially neglected a child
residing in her household, that such neglect was continuous or repeated, and such neglect
resulted in the death of that child, (2) she committed extreme or repeated cruelty to the child, (3)
she failed to protect the child from conditions in the child’s environment injurious to the child’s
welfare, and (4) she behaved in a depraved manner. See 750 ILCS 50/1D (d-1), (e), (g), (i) (West
2016).
¶ 84 While Francisco’s three felony convictions raised a rebuttable presumption that he was
guilty of depravity, the trial court found that he had produced evidence rebutting the
presumption. Nonetheless, even in the absence of the presumption, the trial court found that there
was clear and convincing evidence establishing that, as to the minors, Francisco was unfit in that
he behaved in a depraved manner. See 750 ILCS 50/1D (d-1) (West 2016).
¶ 85 On February 28, 2017, the trial court found, as to the twins, “by clear and convincing
evidence that there was neglect by injurious environment.” The court explained that the abuse
and neglect that existed in the Alyssa/Isaac household were the bases for its findings of
anticipatory abuse and neglect. The court further found that there was “also abuse substantial
risk of injury based on the facts in this case.”
¶ 86 The trial court found by clear and convincing evidence that Isaac was unfit in that “he
substantially neglected a child residing in his household. Such neglect has been continuous or
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repeated and such neglect resulted in the death of a child and, finally, (i), that he behaved in a
depraved manner.” See 750 ILCS 50/D (d-1), (i) (West 2016).
¶ 87 B. Dispositional Hearings and Rulings
¶ 88 The dispositional hearing was conducted over two dates: February 28, 2017, and May 16,
2017. The testimony of the witnesses at the hearings is summarized below.
¶ 89 1. February 28, 2017
¶ 90 James M.
¶ 91 James M. (James) was 53 years old and had been J.V. and E.V.’s foster parent during the
proceedings in the 2012 case. They returned to his care in August 2016. At the time of the
hearing, James had three other boys, aged 15, 13 and 9 living with him. Two of them he had
adopted, and proceedings were underway for him to eventually adopt the nine-year-old.
¶ 92 James and J.V. played board games and watched television together. J.V. had friends and
spent time with them. James maintained daily contact with school officials to make sure that they
understood that J.V. needed special consideration because of what he witnessed when he lived
with Alyssa and Isaac. James also made sure that J.V.’s particular medical needs were addressed.
¶ 93 James described his relationship with J.V. as that of a “parent.” In addition to his basic
needs for food, clothing and shelter, James provided emotional comfort when J.V. had
nightmares. James wished to adopt J.V. because he loved him and wanted to ensure that he never
again experienced the trauma to which he was exposed.
¶ 94 James wished to adopt E.V., whom he described as “awesome,” if somewhat bossy. In
his last report card, E.V. received straight A’s. He worked very hard to be “perfect” and to please
James, almost to the point of concern.
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¶ 95 James described J.V. and E.V. as having a typical brother relationship with the other boys
living in the home. J.V. and E.V. shared a bedroom with one of the other boys, and they all
played together. While there had been some issues with the boys getting along, there was nothing
that could not be resolved very quickly. All the boys were very respectful and understood
James’s role as a parent.
¶ 96 In the event something happened to him, James explained that there many individuals
who wished to care for J.V. and E.V. James had assistance from friends and other parents who
watched J.V. and E.V. when he needed a night out.
¶ 97 James had a financial advisory practice, and he conducted business at his residence.
When he needed to visit clients, he made it a point to do so while J.V. and E.V. were at school.
¶ 98 James explained to Francisco that he was not looking to take J.V. and E.V. away from
him. His decision to adopt J.V. and E.V. was based on his love for them as well as the need for
them to have a home.
¶ 99 James was unaware that J.V. had been baptized in the Roman Catholic faith. He had not
taken J.V. or E.V. to church. James was raised in the Roman Catholic faith and was familiar
with the doctrines of the church. James and J.V. had discussed Catholicism about 5 to 10 times.
¶ 100 James was aware that J.V. and E.V. were of Mexican-American descent. He did not
speak Spanish to them, but he knew some Spanish words and encouraged them to speak Spanish.
James introduced J.V. and E.V. to a neighbor who was a Spanish-speaking teacher, and he talked
to J.V. and E.V. about joining different clubs at school. James believed that both J.V. and E.V.
were distancing themselves from their heritage and their past lives, but he encouraged them to
accept their heritage even though it was difficult.
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¶ 101 James would allow J.V. and E.V. to remain in contact with their grandmother, Julia. He
had not permitted J.V. and E.V. to visit their cousins. James wanted J.V. and E.V. to have a
relationship with their biological families. J.V. and E.V. knew that Francisco had other sons, and
they would like to visit them. However, DCFS had not authorized such visits.
¶ 102 James explained that in view of what they experienced, J.V. and E.V. were reluctant to
attend church services. James believed he could discuss their questions and concerns regarding
belief in God. He had never denied J.V.’s or E.V.’s request to be taken to church.
¶ 103 Fred R.
¶ 104 Fred R. (Fred) and his wife, Jennifer, both 45 years-of-age, had been the foster parents
for G.V. for a total of three years and three months. They had been her foster parents during the
pendency of the 2012 case. Fred is an information technical director, and Jennifer works as a
receptionist.
¶ 105 At time of the hearing, G.V. was in the first grade. G.V. did very well in school;
academically, behaviorally and socially. Initially, she was behind her grade level in reading, but
she received extra help and was now ahead of her progress goal. In addition to attending school,
G.V. played with her friends, and Fred and Jennifer planned activities for her on the weekends.
¶ 106 G.V. had some medical issues: she was born with a horseshoe kidney, meaning her
kidneys did not completely separate, and an enlarged bladder. The latter requires regular doctor
visits.
¶ 107 Fred described his relationship with G.V. as that of father and daughter. By this time,
G.V. knew Fred’s and Jennifer’s other family members, and she is considered part of the family.
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If Fred and Jennifer are allowed to adopt G.V., they would provide a plan for G.V.’s care in the
event something happened to them.
¶ 108 At the time of the hearing, G.V. had visits with J.V., E.V. and the twins. Fred and
Jennifer were in favor of continuing the sibling visits if they adopted G.V. Fred neither
encouraged nor discouraged G.V. from maintaining contact with her grandmother, Julia. He was
unsure whether there had been any telephone contact or visits between G.V. and Julia.
¶ 109 Fred explained that G.V. attended a Protestant church with them. G.V. enjoyed going to
church, and he believed that God was very important to her. Fred had never taken her to a
Roman Catholic Church service. If she wished to attend another church when she is older, Fred
and Jennifer would support her decision.
¶ 110 Fred had spoken very little Spanish to G.V. Some of her friends might be Hispanic. G.V.
had become acquainted with their neighbors who were Hispanic.
¶ 111 Fred and Jennifer wished to adopt G.V. because they loved her, and she was part of their
family.
¶ 112 Linda I.
¶ 113 Linda I. (Linda), age 45, and her husband, Steve, age 52, are the foster parents for the
twins. While they work outside of the home, Linda is a teacher and is able to have the twins with
her at work.
¶ 114 The twins were four weeks old when they were placed with Linda and Steve in August
2016. Though premature, the twins were thriving, and their motor skills were on target for
premature babies. Israel was getting physical therapy to strengthen his core muscles, and he was
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exceeding the level of progress expected. The twins had not developed any new medical issues
since their placement with Linda and Steve.
¶ 115 There had been sibling visits with the minors. In the event Linda and Steve are permitted
to adopt the twins, Linda would consider continuing those visits, but the decision would depend
on the twins’ needs. Linda intended to tell the twins that they were adopted. Before she did,
Linda planned to consult with a therapist for the best way to explain to the twins their various
family relationships.
¶ 116 Linda wished to adopt the twins because she loved them and considered them to be part
of their family. In the event that something should happen to Linda and Steve, Linda’s brothers
would care for the twins.
¶ 117 Linda had not been provided with any information as to the twins’ biological family’s
cultural traditions, family history or religious traditions. She had not received any information
about extended family members.
¶ 118 Susan Hipp
¶ 119 Every 30 days, Ms. Hipp visited each of the homes in which the minors and the twins
were placed. At these visits, Ms. Hipp met face-to-face with the minors and the twins. There
were no signs of abuse or the use of corporal punishment. There were no signs that the minors
and the twins were at risk of harm. The minors’ and the twins’ medical, dental, hearing and
vision needs were met.
¶ 120 Ms. Hipp maintained contact with the schools the minors attended. The minors were
doing well in school. J.V. and E.V. were enrolled in English as a second language program. The
minors received individual therapy on a weekly basis. Ms. Hipp learned from their therapist, that
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J.V. and G.V. were more open to talking in the first sessions. Lately, J.V. resisted therapy while
G.V. was less willing to talk about the past events. E.V. was reluctant to talk about anything that
brought him into the care of the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS).
¶ 121 With respect to sibling visitation, the minors and the twins were together at least once a
month for four hours. The visits were supervised by the foster parents. Since no concerns had
arisen, LCFS recommended that the visits continue. Due to a no-contact order, Alyssa was not
permitted to visit the minors. DCFS concluded and LCFS agreed that neither Alyssa nor Isaac
should have visitation with the twins.
¶ 122 Francisco attended 20 out of the 26 visits scheduled with the minors. Ms. Hipp
supervised the visits between August and November. J.V. appeared to enjoy the visits, while
G.V. was very shy. E.V. interacted one-on-one with everybody. Francisco expressed deep
concern over the trauma the minors had suffered. He seemed to know the minors very well and
was familiar with their individual character traits. Lately, E.V. had some issues with Francisco,
saying that he did not like him and did not have to listen to him.
¶ 123 Neither Alyssa nor Isaac was assessed for services because their respective attorneys
requested that LCFS caseworkers not speak with them. Otherwise, they would have been
assessed and referred for services.
¶ 124 The August 23, 2016, integrated assessment recommended a number of services for
Francisco. Accordingly, Ms. Hipp referred Francisco for a mental health assessment, which he
completed, and for individual therapy sessions. He failed to attend all of the individual therapy
sessions and was discharged as unsuccessful from the program. Ms. Hipp also referred Francisco
for random drug drops, but he failed to appear for them. Francisco informed Ms. Hipp that he
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would consent to having his parole officer provide a substance abuse assessment. In September
2016, Ms. Hipp was told by Francisco’s parole officer that Francisco had not yet completed the
substance abuse assessment. In October 2016, she contacted Francisco’s parole officer again but
was told he was no longer Francisco’s parole officer. When Ms. Hipp asked Francisco who his
parole officer was, he told her he did not know.
¶ 125 In January 2017, Ms. Hipp had conversations with J.V., E.V. and G.V. about the potential
termination of Alyssa and Francisco’s parental rights and adoption. J.V. told Ms. Hipp that he
wished to be adopted by James, and he was frustrated by the delays in the case. E.V. said he
wished to live with Alyssa. If that was not possible, he wanted to be adopted by James. E.V.’s
third choice was to live with Julia. G.V. wanted to be adopted by Fred and Jennifer. In any event,
she wished to continue to live with them.
¶ 126 Ms. Hipp never assessed Julia’s home for possible placement. In August 2016, Julia
informed Ms. Hipp that her residence was not conducive to having the minors live there unless
some remodeling was done. Since that time, no remodeling had been done to Julia’s house. In
November 2016, Ms. Hipp learned from Francisco that Lucy had a new residence, but she never
considered it for placement.
¶ 127 At a January 2017 LCFS staffing, it was recommended that all parental rights to the
minors and the twins be terminated, and in the best interests of the minors and the twins, the
goals for them were changed to adoption.
¶ 128 2. May 16, 2017
¶ 129 Francisco
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¶ 130 In the future, Francisco wanted to provide love and guidance to the minors so that they
did not make the mistakes he had made. Francisco has weekly two-hour visits with the minors.
During his weekly visits with the minors, he helps them with their homework and spends time
with them. Education was very important, and he wanted them to go to college. Francisco
wanted the minors to live with him at Lucy’s residence where they would have the
companionship of their cousins who were of similar ages. The minors also enjoyed time with
Julia, their paternal grandmother. Just before the July 2016 events, the whole family had gone to
the Wisconsin Dells for a weekend vacation. Francisco agreed that long-term stability was
important for the minors’ well-being.
¶ 131 Lucy
¶ 132 Lucy described the vacation to the Wisconsin Dells with her children, Francisco and the
minors, and Julia and her boyfriend. The children all got along very well. Lucy was told that
M.A. was with his mother.
¶ 133 Lucy lived in a four-bedroom house that Julia and she rented with the idea that the minors
would live there with Lucy and her children and become a part of the family. Lucy believed that
the minors were safer with their biological family but agreed that stability was important for the
minors. She acknowledged that since August 2016, the minors had not spent any time at her
residence. Lucy was unaware of any problems with the minors in 2012 and did not attempt to
obtain custody of them during the pendency of the 2012 case.
¶ 134 Julia
¶ 135 Julia loved the minors and wanted to provide them with emotional, financial and
educational support. The minors loved and respected Francisco. Julia talked to the minors about
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school and the family’s Mexican traditions. The minors have always spent time with Lucy’s
children.
¶ 136 Julia had been unaware of the 2012 DCFS case involving the minors until Alyssa finally
told her about it. She began visiting the minors in 2013. Julia could not take custody of them
since she lived in a one-bedroom apartment and was unable to move.
¶ 137 Susana M.
¶ 138 Susana M. (Susana) is the paternal great-grandmother of the twins. Isaac is her grandson
and had lived with her between the ages of one and six. She is Mexican, and only Spanish is
spoken in her home. Susana is Roman Catholic, and the family celebrates many religious
holidays. The twins would be part of the family.
¶ 139 Susanna was aware that Isaac admitted the allegations of the juvenile delinquency
petition. But she was unaware that Isaac had nine pending delinquency cases. While Susanna had
conversations with Isaac, he never told her he was involved in any criminal activity. She was
concerned about his relationship with Alyssa because of the age difference.
¶ 140 Isaac
¶ 141 Isaac identified a letter he wrote to the trial court. He denied receiving any assistance in
writing the letter, and no one reviewed the letter to check his spelling, grammar or content. The
letter and the juvenile justice mental health treatment plan for Isaac were admitted into evidence.
¶ 142 3. Dispositional Ruling
¶ 143 On June 22, 2017, the trial court issued its dispositional order. Based on its prior findings
of unfitness as to all three of the parents, the trial court found that for reasons other than financial
circumstances alone, Alyssa, Francisco and Isaac: were unable to care for, protect, train or
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discipline the minors or the twins; reasonable efforts had been made to eliminate the need to
remove the minors or the twins from the home; and appropriate services aimed at family
preservation and reunification had been unsuccessful. The court further found that it was in the
best interests of the minors and the twins that Alyssa’s, Francisco’s and Isaac’s parental rights be
terminated and that the minors and the twins be made wards of the court and placed in the
custody and guardianship of the DCFS guardianship administrator with the right to consent to
their adoption.
¶ 144 C. Best Interests
¶ 145 Following its dispositional ruling, the trial court stated as follows:
“Okay. Now, the Court has taken much best interest testimony. I still have some
questions. And I believe under our statute and case laws, I have the ability in resolving
these matters to ask for additional information.
***
I want [the minors] to come in. I do not want caseworker or therapists to discuss
permanency with these kids until further order of the Court; okay?
***
The courtroom will be cleared except for the attorneys, and I will talk to the kids one
at a time. I will have questions. You will not have the ability to ask questions; okay?
I will say for the record, I want to find out certain facts from the kids’ perspective,
and I do not want them to be in a situation where they’re being questioned or pressured or
feel they’re pressured to make decisions.
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I will not ask them where they want to live. *** It’s not what they’re being brought in
for. They’re being brought in so I can explore certain things that came up in the
testimony, and I want to get their perspective; okay?”
¶ 146 When Francisco’s attorney asked if he could submit questions for the trial court to ask the
minors, the court agreed he could submit them, but it would decide whether to ask those
questions. The court further agreed that after it had spoken with the minors, there would be a
conference with the attorneys at which time the attorneys could suggest additional questions in
areas they thought should be brought out and that would aid the court.
¶ 147 1. Trial Court’s Interviews with the Minors
¶ 148 On July 14, 2017, the trial court interviewed each of the minors in the presence of the
court reporter, the guardian ad litem and the parties’ attorneys. The court’s questions and the
minors’ answers are summarized below.
¶ 149 J.V.
¶ 150 J.V. attended Mokena Intermediate School where he was going into the fifth grade. His
favorite subject was mathematics. J.V. lived with James during the pendency of the 2012 case,
and again after M.A. died. He understood that he probably would not be going back to live with
Alyssa. J.V. wished to live with James because he was well treated and felt safe with him. J.V.
felt like James was his real father. J.V. did not have a strong relationship with his grandmother,
aunt or his cousins, but he still wished to see them. James and he had discussed continuing the
contact with Francisco’s family, and James was agreeable. James was Mexican, and J.V. felt
connected with his own heritage. J.V. wished to be a doctor in the future.
¶ 151 E.V.
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¶ 152 In the fall, E.V. would be in fourth grade at Mokena Intermediate School where J.V.
attended. He enjoyed reading and wanted to be a police officer when he grew up. At the present
time he lived with James which was where he wanted to be. E.V. explained that James loved and
cared for him. He was not sure how he felt about Francisco, Alyssa and Lucy, but he still cared
about his grandmother, Julia. But he wished to live with James where he felt safe.
¶ 153 G.V.
¶ 154 G.V. was going into the second grade. Her favorite subject was mathematics. G.V. took
horseback riding lessons and had taken third place in a horse show the day before. She lived with
Jennifer and Fred; she lived with them during the 2012 case. G.V. wished to live with Fred and
Jennifer; she felt safe with them. Francisco did not know how to take care of her. She talked to
her therapist about why she was not with Francisco and Alyssa. The therapist helped her deal
with her family situation; G.V. agreed that it did help to talk with someone.
¶ 155 The minors had no questions for the trial court. The attorneys had no additional questions
they wished the court to ask the minors.
¶ 156 2. Best Interests Ruling
¶ 157 Following its interviews with the minors, the trial court reiterated its findings that it was
in the best interests of the minors and the twins that Alyssa’s, Isaac’s and Francisco’s parental
rights be terminated and that the DCFS guardianship administrator be appointed with the right to
consent to their adoptions. The court entered the goal of adoption for the minors and the twins.
¶ 158 Francisco, Alyssa and Isaac filed separate notices of appeal. The appeals were
consolidated for our review.
¶ 159 ANALYSIS
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¶ 160 I. Francisco’s Appeal
¶ 161 Francisco contends that the State failed to establish that it was in the best interests of the
minors to expedite the termination of his parental rights. He further contends that the evidence
was insufficient to support the finding that he behaved in a depraved manner.
¶ 162 A. Best Interests
¶ 163 1. Standard of Review
¶ 164 Review of a trial court’s determination that it is in the child’s best interest to terminate
parental rights is conducted under the manifest weight of the evidence standard. In re B.B., 386
Ill. App. 3d 686, 697 (2008). The court’s determination is against the manifest weight of the
evidence only if the opposite conclusion is clearly evident or the determination is unreasonable,
arbitrary, or not based on the evidence presented. B.B., 386 Ill. App. 3d at 697-98.
¶ 165 2. Discussion
¶ 166 Francisco argues that the State failed to establish that it was in the best interests of the
minors that his parental rights be terminated at the initial disposition hearing since none of the
statutory factors set forth in section 1-2(1) of the Juvenile Court Act (705 ILCS 405/1-2(1) (West
2016) (Act)) were met. However, section 1-2(1) is a statement of policy limiting expedited
termination proceedings to aggravated circumstances. In re Tyianna J., 2017 IL App (1st)
162306, ¶ 70. This court rejected the proposition that section 1-2(1) of the Act controls when
expedited termination may take place. Tyianna J., 2017 IL App (1st) 162306, ¶ 63. Instead, the
reviewing court looks to whether at the time of the termination of parental rights, the conditions
set forth in section 2-21(5) of the Act have been met, and the parent was given a meaningful
opportunity to be heard as to those conditions. Tyianna J., 2017 IL App (1st) 162306, ¶ 71; see
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705 ILCS 405/2-23(7) (West 2016) (the court may terminate parental rights at the initial
dispositional hearing provided all the conditions of section 2-21(5) are met).
¶ 167 The conditions for an expedited termination of parental rights are as follows: (1) the
original or amended petition contains a request for termination of parental rights and
appointment of a guardian with power to consent to adoption; (2) the trial court has found by a
preponderance of evidence introduced or stipulated to at an adjudicatory hearing that the child
comes under the jurisdiction of the court as an abused, neglected or dependent minor; (3) based
on clear and convincing evidence admitted at the adjudication hearing, the court finds that the
parent is an unfit person pursuant to section 1 (D) of the Adoption Act (750 ILCS 50/1(D) (West
2016)); and (4) the trial court determines in accordance with the rules of evidence for
dispositional proceedings, that: (a) it is in the best interest of the minor and the public that the
minor be made a ward of the court and that reasonable efforts under section 5 (l-1) of the
Children and Family Services Act (Family Services Act) (20 ILCS 505/5(1-1) (West 2016)) are
inappropriate or such efforts were made and were unsuccessful, and (b) the termination of
parental rights and the appointment of a guardian with power to consent to adoption is in the best
interest of the minor pursuant to section 2-29 (705 ILCS 405/2-29 (West 2016)). 705 ILCS
405/2-21(5) (West 2016).
¶ 168 Francisco claims that the trial court erred when it found that reasonable efforts were made
and were unsuccessful. He maintains that the trial court’s early termination decision was based
on the circumstances surrounding M.A.’s death. Francisco points out that he had no involvement
in M.A.’s death and that he did not have custody of the minors. He argues that the period from
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the filing of the petitions and the hearings was too brief for the trial court to conclude that
reasonable efforts were unsuccessful.
¶ 169 Under section 5 of the Family Services Act, DCFS must make reasonable efforts to
eliminate the need to remove the minor from the minor’s home, and to reunite the family.
However, section 5 makes clear that “the best interests of the child require that the child be
placed in the most permanent living arrangement as soon as is practically possible.” 20 ILCS
505/5(l-1) (West 2016). The overriding concern of the legislature was expressed in section 5 as
follows:
“When determining reasonable efforts to be made with respect to a child, as described
in this subsection, and in making such reasonable efforts, the child’s health and safety
shall be the paramount concern.” 20 ILCS 505/5(l-1) (West 2016).
¶ 170 The evidence supported the trial court’s finding that reasonable efforts to reunite
Francisco and the minors were made but failed. At the time of J.V.’s birth, Francisco was in
prison. He returned to prison in May 2011, at which time J.V. and E.V. were five and two years
of age. Alyssa at that time was pregnant with G.V. At the time of his latest incarceration in May
2015, J.V. was 9, E.V. was 6 and G.V. was 3. Each time he was released from prison he would
maintain that he was ready to change, only to return to prison as his criminal activity continued.
Following his latest release in April 2016, he made the same vow, yet he was arrested in May
2016, for drinking alcohol on the street with a known gang member. In addition, Francisco will
be on parole until 2019.
¶ 171 Francisco and his family members, Julia and Lucy, testified that he loved his children.
However, his criminal background, repeated incarcerations, failure to complete the therapy and
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failure to comply with the required drug testing do not indicate an inclination or understanding of
his parental responsibilities and reflect negatively on his ability to safeguard the health and safety
of his children. Moreover, Francisco’s plan to have the minors and him live with Lucy and her
family does not meet the goal of the most permanent living arrangement available. Since August
2016, the minors have lived with their foster parents who cared for them between April 2012 and
August 2015. To relocate them to Lucy’s home would be the third placement, and its
permanency is largely dependent on whether Francisco can successfully complete his parole or
otherwise avoid a return to prison. As we have observed, Francisco’s past efforts were
unsuccessful.
¶ 172 While Francisco offered his own version of why he missed visiting with the children,
failed to complete therapy and failed to submit to drug testing, the trial court was not required to
credit his version over that of the State’s witness, Ms. Hipp. “[T]he trial judge, as the trier of
fact, is in a superior position to the reviewing court to observe the conduct of the witnesses while
testifying, to determine their credibility, and to weigh and determine the preponderance of the
evidence.” People v. A Parcel of Property Known as 1945 North 31st Street, Decatur, Macon
County, Illinois, 217 Ill. 2d 481, 510 (2005).
¶ 173 At the time the trial court terminated Francisco’s parental rights, there was sufficient
evidence that reasonable efforts had been made to effectuate the goals of reuniting Francisco
with the minors as a family and to provide them with a permanent living situation. He was given
an opportunity to address those issues at the hearing, but it was clear from the evidence that
Francisco’s own actions contributed to the failure of those efforts. Regardless of his good
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intentions, the minors’ health and safety, the overriding concern in these cases, was better served
by terminating his parental rights at the earliest possible time.
¶ 174 We find no error in the trial court’s expedited termination of Francisco’s parental rights.
¶ 175 B. Depravity
¶ 176 1. Standard of Review
¶ 177 The trial court’s determination that a parent is unfit is reviewed under the manifest weight
of the evidence standard. In re Shanna W., 343 Ill. App. 3d 1155, 1165 (2003); In re Latifah P.,
315 Ill. App. 3d 1122, 1128 (2000). “ ‘A decision regarding parental fitness is against the
manifest weight of the evidence where the opposite result is clearly the proper result.
[Citation.]’ ” Shanna W., 343 Ill. App. 3d at 1165 (quoting Latifah P., 315 Ill. App. 3d at 1128)).
¶ 178 2. Discussion
¶ 179 The State alleged that Francisco was an unfit parent based on the ground of depravity.
750 ILCS 50/1(D) (West 2016). Our courts have held that depravity may be shown where a
parent engages in a course of conduct indicating a moral deficiency and an inability to conform
to accepted morality. Shanna W., 343 Ill. App. 3d at 1166. Under the Adoption Act, there is a
rebuttable presumption that a parent is depraved if the parent has been convicted of at least three
felonies under the laws of this state and at least one of these convictions took place within five
years of the filing of the petition for the termination of parental rights. 750 ILCS 50/1(D) (West
2016).
¶ 180 “A rebuttable presumption creates ‘a prima facie case as to the particular issue in
question and thus has the practical effect of requiring the party against whom it operates to come
forward with evidence to meet the presumption.’ ” In re J.A., 316 Ill. App. 3d 553, 562 (2000)
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(quoting Diederich v. Walters, 65 Ill. 2d 95, 100 (1976)). “The only effect of the rebuttable
presumption is to create the necessity of evidence to meet the prima facie case created thereby,
and which, if no proof to the contrary is offered, will prevail.’ ” J.A., 316 Ill. App. 3d at 563
(quoting Diederich, 65 Ill. 2d at 102). If evidence opposing the presumption is presented, the
presumption ceases to operate, and the case is determined on the basis of the evidence presented,
as if the presumption never existed. J.A., 316 Ill. App. 3d at 562. There is no fixed rule as to how
much evidence is required to meet the presumption: the stronger the presumption, the greater the
amount of evidence is required to rebut it. J.A., 316 Ill. App. 3d at 563.
¶ 181 Francisco does not dispute that the State established the presumption of depravity. He
maintains that he rebutted the presumption when he presented evidence that he was working and
going to school to support his family, including his children from other relationships. When
incarcerated he maintained contact by telephone calls with the minors and sending them letters.
While there was evidence that he failed to comply with the drug testing in this case, he maintains
that he complied with the testing as a condition of his parole and no evidence was presented that
he failed those tests. Finally, he points out that the offenses he committed did not involve
children or violence, and he was no longer involved in a gang.
¶ 182 We find In re T.S., 312 Ill. App. 3d 875 (2000) instructive. In that case, the respondent-
father argued that his six prior felony convictions failed to prove that he was deficient in a moral
sense and that he was not willing to conform to accepted moral standards. The reviewing court
found that the respondent-father had not rebutted the presumption created by his felony
convictions, stating as follows:
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“Although [the respondent-father] testified that he was going to change when he got out
of prison because T.S. III needed him, the evidence showed that he continued to commit
crimes when he had three other children who presumably needed him.” T.S., 312 Ill. App.
3d at 878.
¶ 183 Rehabilitation can only be shown by a parent who, upon leaving prison, maintains a
lifestyle suitable for parenting children safely. Shanna W., 343 Ill. App. 3d at 1167. In that case,
the reviewing court upheld the trial court’s determination that the respondent-mother was unfit
on the ground of depravity based on her felony convictions. The court found that the respondent-
mother could not establish rehabilitation because the felonies that gave rise to the initial
depravity presumption caused her to be incarcerated for a lengthy time period, which the court
pointed out “was respondent’s fault.” Shanna W., 343 Ill. App. 3d at 1167.
¶ 184 “The statutory ground of depravity requires the trier of fact to closely scrutinize the
character and credibility of the parent and the reviewing court will give such a determination
deferential treatment.” J.A., 316 Ill. App. 3d at 563. Francisco notes that his crimes did not
involve violence, and they were not crimes directed at children. When he was released from
prison in 2016, he promised to lead a better life and pointed out that he was working and going to
school now to support his family.
¶ 185 While the trial court found that Francisco had rebutted the presumption that his felony
convictions established depravity, there was clear and convincing evidence establishing his
unfitness on that basis. As each of the minors was born, Francisco made himself unavailable to
his children by continuing to commit crimes, which resulted in his incarceration. His various
periods of incarceration deprived his children of his presence when they needed him. Francisco’s
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promises to lead a better life had been made and broken several times. Even after his latest
release from prison, he was charged with drinking in public with a gang member. Like T.S. III,
the minors should not have to wait until Francisco keeps his promise to turn his life around
before their lives are stabilized. See T.S., 312 Ill. App. 3d at 878 (in terminating the respondent­
father’s rights, the trial court stated that T.S. III required stability in his life and should not have
to wait until the respondent-father turned his life around).
¶ 186 We conclude that the trial court’s finding that Francisco was unfit based on the ground of
depravity was not against the manifest weight of the evidence.
¶ 187 II. Alyssa’s Appeal
¶ 188 Alyssa contends that: (1) she was denied due process by the trial court’s admission of the
unsworn and incompetent testimony of the minors into evidence; (2) she was prejudiced by the
admission of prior consistent statements; and (3) the termination of her parental rights was not in
the best interests of the minors and the twins.
¶ 189 A. Due Process
¶ 190 1. Standard of Review
¶ 191 The court reviews de novo whether a party has been denied due process and, if so,
whether the denial was prejudicial. People v. K.S., 387 Ill. App. 3d 570, 573 (2008).
¶ 192 2. Discussion
¶ 193 Constitutional issues are not exempt from the forfeiture rules. “In civil cases,
constitutional issues not presented to the trial court are deemed forfeited and may not be raised
for the first time on appeal.” Sherman v. Indian Trails Public Library District, 2012 IL App (1st)
112771, ¶ 21. In In re M.S., 2018 IL App (1st) 172659, the respondent-mother claimed she was
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denied due process where the trial court held a conversation with the minor outside the presence
of the parties and their attorneys. This court held that the respondent-mother failed to preserve
the alleged error for appellate review by objecting at trial and filing a written posttrial motion
addressing it. M.S., 2018 IL App (1st) 172659, ¶ 26.
¶ 194 The reviewing court also rejected the respondent-mother’s request for review pursuant to
the plain error doctrine. Ill. Supreme Court Rule 366(b) (eff. Feb. 1, 1994). The court noted that
“[i]n civil cases, the plain error rule usually applies ‘only where the act complained of was a
prejudicial error so egregious that it deprived the complaining party of a fair trial and
subsequently impaired the integrity of the judicial process.’ (Internal quotation marks omitted.)”
M.S., 2018 IL App (1st) 172659, ¶ 27 (quoting In re Marriage of Saheb, 377 Ill. App. 3d 615,
627 (2007). Even if the trial court erred by holding an ex parte conversation with the minor, “for
plain error to apply, the error must be prejudicial; that is, the case must be a close one.” M.S.,
2018 IL App (1st) 172659, ¶ 27
¶ 195 The record in this case does not support Alyssa’s claim that the trial court’s conversations
with the minors played a significant role in its decision to terminate her parental rights.
¶ 196 In 2012, Alyssa was charged with and eventually pleaded guilty to child endangerment as
to the minors and M.A. Those proceedings resulted in the minors’ and M.A.’s placement in
foster homes from April 2012 to August 2015. At the time of the 2017 best interests hearing,
Alyssa was incarcerated awaiting trial on charges in connection with M.A.’s death. Alyssa points
out that she is not contesting the finding that she is unfit. Nonetheless, Alyssa’s own actions
towards one of her children have again resulted in criminal charges being placed against her. The
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twins, and for the second time, the minors are in foster care. Alyssa’s future is unknown, but her
past actions with regard to her children are in evidence in this case.
¶ 197 Of the statutory factors the trial court is required to consider in ruling on the best interests
of the minors, the child’s wishes and long-term goals is but one of 10. See 705 ILCS 405/1­
3(4.05) (West 2016). We have reviewed the interviews the trial court conducted with the minors
as well as the trial court’s comments before and after those interviews. Nothing indicates that the
trial court’s interviews with the minors were anything more than to confirm what other witnesses
testified to regarding the minors’ wishes for their future lives. See M.S., 2018 IL App (1st)
172659, ¶ 28 (finding no prejudice where the ex parte conversation between the judge and the
minor was merely cumulative to the other evidence properly admitted). Moreover, in contrast to
M.S., here the parties’ attorneys, the guardian ad litem and a court reporter were present for the
interviews.
¶ 198 From our review of the record, we are satisfied that the information the trial court
learned from its interviews with the minors was of limited significance in reaching its decision to
terminate Alyssa’s parental rights. Contrary to Alyssa’s contention, this was not a close case, and
in the absence of prejudice, the plain error rule does not apply. We conclude that Alyssa forfeited
her claim of error with respect to the trial court’s interviews with the minors.
¶ 199 In the alternative, Alyssa contends that her trial attorney’s failure to object to the trial
court’s decision to interview the minors denied her effective assistance of counsel. The two-
pronged test set forth in Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668 (1984) applies to a claim of
ineffective assistance of counsel raised in a juvenile proceeding. Under that test, both counsel’s
deficiencies in representation and prejudice to the party asserting the claim must be satisfied. In
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re Charles W., 2014 IL App (1st) 131281, ¶ 32. The prejudice prong requires the party to show
that but for the error there is a reasonable probability, not merely a possibility, that the result
would have been different. Charles W., 2014 IL App (1st) 131281, ¶ 32. The court need not
consider the deficiency prong but may dispose of the claim where the party did not suffer any
prejudice. Charles W., 2014 IL App (1st) 131281, ¶ 33.
¶ 200 We determined that Alyssa was not prejudiced by any alleged error in connection with
the trial court’s interviews with the minors. Therefore, she cannot establish ineffective assistance
of counsel for failing to object to the trial court’s interviews with the minors.
¶ 201 B. Prior Consistent Statements
¶ 202 Alyssa contends that the trial court erred when it allowed the statements by the minors
concerning where they were to live to be bolstered by testimony from their foster parents and
Ms. Hipp that the minors expressed the same placement preferences prior to their interviews with
the court. She maintains that the admission of this testimony bolstered improperly the statements
of the minors to the trial court on that same issue.
¶ 203 1. Standard of Review
¶ 204 “The admissibility of evidence is within the sound discretion of the trial court.” In re
C.H., 398 Ill. App. 3d 603, 607 (2010). The trial court’s evidentiary determinations will not be
reversed unless there is a clear abuse of that discretion. C.H., 398 Ill. App. 3d at 607.
¶ 205 2. Discussion
¶ 206 While Alyssa acknowledges that she failed to raise the error in the trial court, she
contends that the admission of prior consistent statements is reviewable pursuant to the plain
error doctrine (Ill. S. Ct. R. 366(b) (eff. Feb. 1,1994)), relying on People v. Smith, 139 Ill. App.
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3d 21 (1985). In that case, the reviewing court observed that “[t]he improper bolstering of a
witness’ credibility has been deemed plain error because corroboration by repetition preys on the
human failing of placing belief in that which is most often repeated.” (Internal quotation marks
omitted.)” Smith, 139 Ill. App. 3d at 32 (quoting People v, Hudson, 86 Ill. App. 3d 335340(1980)). There are exceptions to the admission of prior consistent statements, i.e., responding to
a charge of recent fabrication or the raising of an inference that the witness had a motive to
testify falsely. Smith, 139 Ill. App. 3d at 32. In addition, Alyssa contends that the rule of
forfeiture is relaxed where the conduct of the trial court is the source of the error. People v.
Sprinkle, 27 Ill. 2d 398 (1963). Neither case supports Alyssa’s contentions.
¶ 207 During the trial in Sprinkle, the trial judge made comments and questioned witnesses in a
manner the supreme court described as having “no place in the conduct of a trial before a jury.”
Sprinkle, 27 Ill. 2d at 401. Even though no objections were made by defense counsel, in the
interests of a fair trial for the defendant and the preservation of the judicial process, the court
determined that the improper questions and comments may have prejudiced the defendant in the
eyes of the jury and required that the defendant receive a new trial. Sprinkle, 27 Ill. 2d at 401-03.
¶ 208 Unlike the present case, Sprinkle was a jury trial where the conduct and comments of the
trial court permeated the entire trial. In contrast, the trial court’s determination of the best
placement for the minors in this case could not be based solely on their preferences. Regardless
of where the minors wanted to live, the trial court was required to consider the multiple factors
set forth in section 1-3(4.05) of the Act. See 705 ILCS 405/1-3(4.05) (West 2016).
¶ 209 The reviewing court in Smith found the admission of a prior consistent statement in a jury
trial was reversible error where the witness’ in court testimony was crucial, or where there is
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competent evidence to establish a defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, but the improper
admission of the statement “clouds the evidence to such a degree that it is impossible to tell
whether the jury relied on it.” Smith, 139 Ill. App. 3d at 34. In the present case, the minors’
statements to the trial court were not crucial to the trial court’s best interest determination. In re
Curtis W. Jr., 2015 IL App (1st) 143860, ¶ 56 (no one statutory factor is determinative in
determining the child’s best interests). There is no indication that the trial court considered the
minors’ statements to it more credible because they stated them previously to other parties.
¶ 210 Clearly this was not an attempt to bolster the minors’ credibility. First, the minors were
not under oath when they spoke with the trial court. Second, in talking to the minors, the court
was seeking insight, not testimony from them. The fact that their wishes as to where and with
whom they would live remained the same was not a matter of credibility. In other words, their
statements to the trial court were not to confirm that they had earlier expressed the same
preference.
¶ 211 We find that Alyssa’s failure to object to the testimony forfeited any error in the
admission of the prior consistent statements. For purposes of plain error analysis, we find no
error in the admission of the witnesses’ testimony as to the placement preferences the minors
voiced because the minors’ credibility was not a factor in trial court’s interviews with them.
Moreover, even if error occurred, we reject Alyssa’s characterization of the evidence as being
closely balanced, which she argued as the basis for plain error review. The minors’ statements
were not crucial to the best interests determination, and the remaining factors overwhelmingly
supported the trial court’s best interests determination.
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¶ 212 We also reject Alyssa’s related claim that her trial attorney’s failure to object to the
admission of the prior consistent statements was ineffective assistance of counsel. No error
occurred in the admission of the minors’ statements to the trial court. Even if we were to assume
that error occurred, there was no prejudice to Alyssa. Therefore, she cannot establish either
prong of the Strickland test for ineffective assistance of counsel. Charles W., 2014 IL App (1st)
131281, ¶ 32.
¶ 213 C. Best Interests
¶ 214 Alyssa contends that the termination of her parental rights was not in the best interests of
the minors. In support of her argument, Alyssa adopts Francisco’s sufficiency of the evidence
argument and refers this court to the arguments she raised in her first two issues as to the
weighing of the best interest factors.
¶ 215 Francisco’s sufficiency of the evidence argument does not aid Alyssa. Francisco argued
that he was not the custodial parent and was not involved in the events leading up to M.A.’s
death. In contrast, Alyssa was the custodial parent and was charged with offenses in connection
with M.A.’s death. Moreover, while Francisco challenged the trial court’s finding that he was
unfit based on depravity, Alyssa stated that she was not challenging the trial court’s finding that
she was unfit. Alyssa’s reliance on her due process and trial court error claims is of no assistance
as we have rejected both claims as well as her claims of prejudice.
¶ 216 The evidence in this case was more than sufficient to support the trial court’s
determination that it was in the best interests of the minors that Alyssa’s parental rights be
terminated.
¶ 217 III. Isaac’s Appeal
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¶ 218 Isaac contends that: (1) the findings that the twins were abused and neglected was against
the manifest weight of the evidence; (2) the finding that he was unfit was against the manifest
weight of the evidence; (3) the trial court’s best interests’ finding was against the manifest
weight of the evidence; and (4) the expedited termination of his parental rights was improper.
¶ 219 A. Abuse and Neglect Findings
¶ 220 1. Standard of Review
¶ 221 We will not reverse a trial court’s ruling on neglect or abuse unless it is against the
manifest weight of the evidence. In re Davon H., 2015 IL App (1st) 150926, ¶ 47. “A finding is
against the manifest weight of the evidence only if the opposite conclusion is clearly evident.” In
re Arthur H., 212 Ill. 2d 441, 464 (2004). “We may affirm the trial court’s ruling if any of the
court’s bases of abuse or neglect may be upheld.” In re Kenneth D., 364 Ill. App. 3d 797, 802
(2006).
¶ 222 Under the manifest weight of the evidence standard, the reviewing court gives deference
to the trial court as the finder of fact “ ‘because it is in the best position to observe the conduct
and demeanor of the parties and the witnesses and has a degree of familiarity with the evidence
that a reviewing court cannot possibly obtain.’ ” In re A.W., 231 Ill. 2d 92, 102 (2008) (quoting
In re D.F., 201 Ill. 2d 476, 498-99 (2002)). “ ‘A reviewing court, therefore, must not substitute
its judgment for that of the trial court regarding the credibility of the witnesses, the weight to be
given to the evidence, or the inferences to be drawn.’ ” A.W., 231 Ill. 2d at 102 (quoting D.F.,
201 Ill. 2d at 499).
¶ 223 2. Discussion
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¶ 224 Isaac contends that the evidence that the twins were neglected and abused was not clear
and convincing. He maintains that since he was not the father of the minors or M.A., he owed no
duty to them. Isaac points out that the trial court’s finding that the minors’ statements in their
interviews suggested that he acted as a parent was insufficient to establish that fact by clear and
convincing evidence.
¶ 225 While the trial court used the clear and convincing evidence standard in making its
finding that the twins were neglected and abused, the correct standard is preponderance of the
evidence. Davon H., 2015 IL App (1st) 150926, ¶ 47. It is the State’s burden to prove the neglect
and abuse allegations by a preponderance of the evidence, establishing the allegations of neglect
or abuse are more probably true than not. Davon H., 2015 IL App (1st) 150926, ¶ 47. The
preponderance standard of proof “allocates the risk of error roughly equally between the litigants
[citation], reflecting the view that the interests at stake are of relatively equal societal importance
[citation].” In re D.T., 212 Ill. 2d 347, 362 (2004).
¶ 226 The trial court found the twins to be neglected minors based on an injurious environment
(705 ILCS 405/2-3(1)(b) (West 2016)) and abused because of the risk of injury from a parent.
(705 ILCS 405/2-3(2)(ii) (West 2016)). Since the twins have yet to live with him, Isaac asserts
that they have not been exposed to an injurious environment, and they are not in danger of being
injured by him.
¶ 227 “Cases involving abuse and neglect are sui generis and must be decided upon their
unique facts.” Arthur H., 212 Ill. 2d at 463. Our courts have recognized that “[a]n ‘injurious
environment’ is an amorphous concept which cannot be defined with particularity; therefore,
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each case should be reviewed considering the specific circumstances of that case.” In re M.K.,
271 Ill. App. 3d 820, 826 (1995)).
¶ 228 The trial court’s findings that the twins were neglected and abused were premised on the
theory of anticipatory neglect and abuse. “Under the anticipatory neglect theory, the State seeks
to protect not only children who are the direct victims of neglect or abuse, but also those who
have a probability to be subject to neglect or abuse because they reside, or in the future may
reside, with an individual who has been found to have neglected or abused another child.”
Arthur H., 212 Ill. 2d at 468. “Although the neglect of one child does not conclusively show the
neglect of another child, the neglect of one minor is admissible as evidence of the neglect of
another minor under a respondent’s care.” In re Zion, 2015 IL App (1st) 151119, ¶ 30. Under the
theory of anticipatory neglect, where there is evidence of prior neglect by the parents, the trial
court should not be deterred from acting until another child is injured. Zion, 2015 IL App (1st)
151119, ¶ 30. “[T]he term ‘injurious environment’ has been interpreted to include, ‘the breach of
a parent’s duty to ensure a “safe and nurturing shelter” for his or her children.’ ” Arthur H., 212
Ill. 2d at 463 (quoting In re N.B., 191 Ill. 2d 338, 346 (2000), quoting M.K., 271 Ill. App. 3d at
826).
¶ 229 In their victim interviews, the minors detailed the harsh conditions in which four-year-old
M.A. was forced to live: deprived of clothing, forced to sleep in a storage area, and for lack of a
bed, in a kitty litter box; stealing food from the refrigerator in order to eat because he was not fed
regularly; begging food from neighbors; and enduring frequent physical punishments. E.V. told
Ms. Perez that Alyssa and Isaac were in charge of feeding M.A. and that sometimes they did not
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feed him. G.V. told Ms. Perez that Isaac was “mean” to M.A. There is no dispute that Isaac took
an active role in concealing M.A.’s death and disposing of his body.
¶ 230 There is little direct evidence that Isaac acted in the role of a parent in his interactions
with the minors and M.A. However, we are satisfied that the facts and the reasonable inferences
therefrom were sufficient to establish by a preponderance of the evidence that Isaac assumed a
parental role in the lives of the minors and M.A. and that his actions contributed to the creation
of an injurious environment. Therefore, it was probable that the twins would be neglected and
abused by Isaac.
¶ 231 Isaac relies on cases holding that to be guilty of contributing to the delinquency of a
minor or neglect of a minor the defendant must be the parent of or stand in loco parentis to the
minor. However, Isaac was not charged with the criminal offenses of contributing to the
delinquency of a minor or contributing to the neglect of a minor. See People v. Warner, 98 Ill.
App. 3d 433 (1981) (the defendant, standing in loco parentis to the minors, was sentenced to one
year’s probation for contributing to their neglect).
¶ 232 Here, the trial court found by a preponderance of the evidence that the twins would be
abused and subjected to an injurious environment under the anticipatory neglect theory. Based on
the record before us, we cannot say that the opposite conclusion is clearly evident. We conclude
that the trial court’s findings of anticipatory neglect and abuse as to the twins were not against
the manifest weight of the evidence. 5
¶ 233 B. Unfitness
5
Isaac also claims that the trial court erred when it failed to appoint a guardian for him as he was
a minor at the time of his arrest. He failed to cite to that portion of the record where he raised this claim of
error before the trial court. Therefore, the claim of error is forfeited. M.S., 2018 IL App (1st) 172659, ¶
26.
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¶ 234 Isaac contends that the State failed to establish by clear and convincing evidence that he
was unfit.
¶ 235 1. Standard of Review
¶ 236 A trial court’s finding that there was clear and convincing evidence of parental unfitness
will not be reversed unless it is against the manifest weight of the evidence. In re C.N., 196 Ill.
2d 181, 208 (2001). “A finding is against the manifest weight of the evidence where the opposite
conclusion is clearly evident.” C.N., 196 Ill. 2d at 208.
¶ 237 2. Discussion
¶ 238 When the trial court makes an expedited termination ruling, “the evidence supporting the
finding of unfitness is necessarily that evidence presented at the adjudication hearing.” Tyianna
J., 2017 IL App (1st) 162306, ¶ 82; 705 ILCS 405/2-21(5)(iii) (West 2016). The trial court
considers the same evidence under two different standards; it must decide whether a
preponderance of the evidence supports a finding of abuse, neglect or dependency, and then
following a dispositional finding, it reviews the same evidence to determine if the parent’s
unfitness is established by clear and convincing evidence. Tyianna J., 2017 IL App (1st) 162306,
¶ 82. The trial court found by clear and convincing evidence that Isaac was unfit based on his
substantial neglect, either continuous or repeated, of a child residing in the household which
resulted in the death of the child (750 ILCS 50/1D(d-1) (West 2016)) and that he behaved in a
depraved manner (750 ILCS 50/1(D)(i) (West 2016)).
¶ 239 Isaac argues that the State failed to prove that he owed any duty to the minors and M.A.
and therefore, he bore no responsibility for any neglect that resulted in M.A.’s death. Even if we
were to determine that while the evidence of neglect and abuse was established under the
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preponderance of the evidence standard, the same evidence did not reach the clear and
convincing standard, an unfitness finding may be entered if there is sufficient evidence to satisfy
any one ground. In re Brandon A., 395 Ill. App. 3d 224, 238 (2009).
¶ 240 Isaac argues that the evidence that he behaved in a depraved manner was not clear and
convincing. He points out none of his juvenile offenses may be used to establish the presumption
of depravity. 750 ILCS 50/1(D)(i) (West 2016). Isaac emphasizes that he was a minor at the time
of the events leading up to and including M.A.’s death, and therefore his actions should be
considered in the context of his youth and his potential for rehabilitation. Finally, Isaac points
out that in his letter to the trial court, he expressed remorse for his actions.
¶ 241 Our courts have held that depravity may be shown where a parent engages in a course of
conduct indicating a moral deficiency and an inability to conform to accepted morality.
Shanna W., 343 Ill. App. 3d at 1166. “The statutory ground of depravity requires the trier of fact
to closely scrutinize the character and credibility of the parent and the reviewing court will give
such a determination deferential treatment.” J.A., 316 Ill. App. 3d at 563.
¶ 242 The trial court heard the evidence of Isaac’s involvement in the neglect and abuse of
M.A. resulting in the child’s death, as well as his participation in its gruesome aftermath. It is
noteworthy that three days after his twin sons were born, Isaac attempted to cover up four-year­
old M.A.’s death by burning his remains. On the basis of that evidence, the court found that
Isaac behaved in a depraved manner. Isaac’s letter expressing remorse and accepting
responsibility for his actions by admitting the allegations in the delinquency petition, if sincere,
indicates that in the future his conduct may conform to accepted morality. However, the trial
court’s finding that Isaac behaved in a depraved manner is amply supported by the evidence.
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¶ 243 We conclude that the trial court’s finding that Isaac was guilty of substantial neglect of
M.A. resulting in his death and that he behaved in a depraved manner was supported by clear and
convincing evidence. Therefore, the trial court’s ruling that Isaac was unfit was not against the
manifest weight of the evidence.
¶ 244 C. Best Interests
¶ 245 Isaac contends that it was not in the best interests of the twins for his parental rights to be
terminated and that they be made wards of the court.
¶ 246 1. Standard of Review
¶ 247 The manifest weight of the evidence standard applies to our review of a trial court’s best
interests determination. Curtis W. Jr., 2015 IL App (1st) 143860, ¶ 49.
¶ 248 2. Discussion
¶ 249 It is the State’s burden to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that termination of
parental rights is in the child’s best interest. Curtis W. Jr., 2015 IL App (1st) 143860, ¶ 53.
Once a finding of unfitness is made, the trial court focuses on the needs of the child in
determining whether the parental rights should be terminated. Curtis W. Jr., 2015 IL App (1st)
143860, ¶ 52. In determining the best interests of a child, the parent’s interest in maintaining the
parent-child relationship must yield to the child’s interest in a stable, loving home life. Curtis W.
Jr., 2015 IL App (1st) 143860, ¶ 52. “A child’s best interest is superior to all other factors,
including the interests of the biological parents.” Curtis W. Jr., 2015 IL App (1st) 143860, ¶ 52.
¶ 250 Isaac argues that denying him visitation with the twins and failing to provide him with
services prevented the Act’s stated goal of reunification of parents with their children from being
achieved. He points out that the twins had been in the care of the Irvings for only six months at
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the time of the best-interests hearing, the Irvings had no contact information regarding the twins’
biological family, and they were not equipped to assist the twins’ bi-lingual language
development. Isaac asserts that the twins deserve to have a chance to have a relationship with
him and that if he is afforded services and visitation with the twins, the Act’s goal of
“reunification” will occur.
¶ 251 The intent of the Act includes “reunifying families where the minor can be cared for at
home without endangering the minor’s health or safety and it is in the best interests of the minor,
and if reunification is not consistent with the health, safety and best interests of the minor,
finding another permanent home for the minor.” (Emphasis ours.) See 705 ILCS 405/2-14(a)
(West 2016). Nonetheless, the evidence established that the health and safety of the twins would
be at risk with Isaac. Due to Isaac’s alleged involvement in circumstances surrounding the death
of M.A., the August 23, 2016, integrated assessment did not recommend services toward Isaac’s
“reunification” with the twins. The assessment did recommend that Isaac be assessed for services
directed toward assisting him with his own problems. Even assuming Isaac is sincere in his
desire to change, there is no way of knowing when or if he would ever be in a position to accept
parental responsibilities for the twins.
¶ 252 The needs of the twins, not the wishes of Isaac, are the proper focus of the best interests
determination. To postpone providing the twins with a permanent home with adoptive parents
who will love and care for them and continue the stability they have enjoyed in their brief lives
would not be in the best interests of the twins and contrary to the language of section 2-14(a) of
the Act.
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¶ 253 We conclude that the trial court’s determination that the best interests of the twins
required the termination of Isaac’s parental rights was not against the manifest weight of the
evidence.
¶ 254 D. Expedited Termination of Parental Rights
¶ 255 Isaac contends that the expedited termination of his parental rights was improper because
none of the factors set forth in section 1-2(1) of the Act applied to him. We previously addressed
this issue in Francisco’s appeal. Like Francisco, Isaac was not subject to the requirements of
section 1-2(1) of the Act. 705 ILCS 405/ 1-2(1) (West 2016). See Tyianna J., 2017 IL App (1st)
162306, ¶ 70 (section 1-2(1) of the Act does not control when expedited termination may take
place). We look to whether at the time of the termination of parental rights, all the conditions set
forth in section 2-21(5) have been met and the parent was given a meaningful opportunity to be
heard as to those conditions. Tyianna J., 2017 IL App (1st) 162306, ¶ 71; 705 ILCS 405/2-23(7)
(West 2016).
¶ 256 Isaac focuses on the requirement that the trial court must find that reasonable efforts were
inappropriate or were made and were unsuccessful. 705 ILCS 405/2-21(5)(iv)(A-5) (West 2016).
Isaac disputes that finding, placing special emphasis on the fact that he was never assessed for
services geared toward reunification with the twins because DCFS predetermined that reasonable
efforts were inappropriate, despite the absence of a poor prognosis for his rehabilitation. He
points out that he had been compliant with the services he received as part of the juvenile justice
mental health treatment plan and that he was displaying an increased understanding of parental
skills. He notes that in his letter to the trial court, he expressed remorse for his prior acts and a
willingness to do whatever was necessary to be a parent for the twins.
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¶ 257 While his juvenile case was pending, Isaac refused to participate in DCFS’s 2016
integrated assessment on the advice of his attorney. Nonetheless, according to Ms. Hipp, Isaac
would have been assessed for services if he was not found unfit.
¶ 258 Isaac’s expression of remorse in his letter to the trial court and his expressed willingness
to engage in any service that would allow him to parent the twins are commendable.
Nonetheless, in light of the evidence of his participation in the horrific abuse that led to the death
of a four-year-old child and his participation in the horrific efforts to dispose of the child’s body,
there was no compelling evidence that, even with services, Isaac could make the necessary
changes to the degree that the twins could ever be placed in his care. Other than fathering the
twins, Isaac had no contact with them. After their birth, Isaac participated in the cover-up of
M.A.’s death and the disposal of his body, seemingly unconcerned with assuming his
responsibilities as the twins’ parent. The twins were left at the hospital until they were placed
with the Irvings. As previously noted, the best interests of the twins requires placement in a
loving and stable home as soon as possible and cannot wait until Isaac develops his parenting
skills.
¶ 259 Upon review of the record, we determine that the conditions set forth in section 29-5 of
the Act for the termination of Isaac’s parental rights were met. Therefore, the trial court’s
expedited termination of Isaac’s parental rights was proper.
¶ 260 CONCLUSION
¶ 261 We conclude that the trial court’s adjudication, unfitness and best interests determinations
as to the minors and the twins were not against the manifest weight of the evidence. We further
conclude that the trial court’s expedited termination of Francisco’s and Isaac’s parental rights
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was proper in this case. We reject Alyssa’s claims that she was denied due process, denied the
effective assistance of counsel and that the trial court erred in admitting prior consistent
statements.
¶ 262 The judgment of the circuit court is affirmed.
¶ 263 Affirmed.
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