In re Nevaeh R. , 2017 IL App (2d) 170229 ( 2017 )

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Appellate Court Date: 2017.10.23
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In re Nevaeh R., 2017 IL App (2d) 170229
Appellate Court In re NEVAEH R. and MARY R., Minors (The People of the State of
Caption Illinois, Petitioner-Appellee, v. Gabriel R., Respondent-Appellant).
District & No. Second District
Docket No. 2-17-0229
Rule 23 order filed August 14, 2017
Motion to publish
granted September 7, 2017
Opinion filed September 7, 2017
Decision Under Appeal from the Circuit Court of Winnebago County, Nos.
Review 13-JA-568, 13-JA-570; the Hon. Francis M. Martinez, Judge,
presiding.
Judgment Affirmed.
Counsel on Thomas E. Laughlin and Michael W. Raridon, both of Rockford, for
Appeal appellant.
Joseph P. Bruscato, State’s Attorney, of Rockford, (Patrick Delfino,
Lawrence M. Bauer, and Stephanie H. Lee, of State’s Attorneys
Appellate Prosecutor’s Office, of counsel), for the People.
Panel JUSTICE ZENOFF delivered the judgment of the court, with opinion.
Justices Hutchinson and Birkett concurred in the judgment and
opinion.
OPINION
¶1 Respondent, Gabriel R., appeals the trial court’s orders finding him to be an unfit parent
and terminating his parental rights. For the reasons that follow, we affirm.
¶2 I. BACKGROUND
¶3 Mary R. was born on November 10, 2001, and Nevaeh R. was born on April 28, 2008. On
November 13, 2014, the trial court formally adjudicated respondent to be the minors’
biological father. Respondent was never married to the minors’ mother, Melissa O.1
¶4 On April 21, 2011, respondent was convicted of aggravated driving under the influence
(DUI) that resulted in a death. He was sentenced to eight years in the Illinois Department of
Corrections. He remained incarcerated at all times relevant to these proceedings. His
scheduled release date was May 19, 2017.
¶5 In December 2013, the minors were taken into care by the Illinois Department of Children
and Family Services (DCFS) after they disclosed that Melissa’s paramour had touched their
bodies while showering with them. On December 9, 2013, DCFS was granted temporary
custody and guardianship, and the minors were placed in traditional foster care. On May 13,
2014, the minors were adjudicated neglected. On October 20, 2015, the State filed a motion to
terminate the parental rights of both respondent and Melissa. With respect to respondent, the
motion alleged that he was an unfit parent in that he failed to maintain a reasonable degree of
interest, concern, or responsibility as to the minors’ welfare (count I) and that he failed to make
reasonable progress toward their return to him within any nine-month period after they were
adjudicated neglected (count II). Count II alleged two nine-month periods: May 13, 2014, to
February 13, 2015, and August 30, 2014, to May 30, 2015.
¶6 The unfitness hearing commenced on March 1, 2016, and continued periodically until its
conclusion on July 26, 2016. With respect to respondent, the evidence showed the following.
Prior to his incarceration in 2010, respondent was fully involved in the children’s lives,
although he had not lived with them on a daily basis since 2008. After the children went into
foster care, respondent maintained contact with DCFS, sent the children cards and letters,
attended all scheduled visitation sessions, and requested more frequent visitation. While
incarcerated, respondent obtained a degree in cosmetology and an associate’s degree in liberal
arts. He also completed a parenting class.
¶7 DCFS conducted an integrated assessment of respondent followed by a service plan
mandating him to “complete [a] substance abuse assessment and evaluation/treatment/
1
Melissa also gave birth to a third daughter, Alexis R., during her relationship with respondent.
DNA testing revealed that respondent was not Alexis’s biological father. Consequently, Alexis is not
part of this appeal. When we refer to the “children,” the “minors,” or the “girls” in this opinion, we refer
to Mary and Nevaeh.
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counseling and follow up with [a] recommendation at the correctional facility in which he is
placed” by December 30, 2014.
¶8 DCFS caseworker Stephanie Sanders testified that respondent did not comply with the
recommended services. She testified that respondent had not inquired about a substance abuse
assessment by November or December 2014. Documents in the record establish that, as of
May 11, 2015, respondent had not requested or attended substance abuse classes.2
¶9 On September 2, 2016, the court orally ruled that the State failed to prove count I (failure to
maintain interest, concern, or responsibility). As to count II, the court found respondent to be
an unfit parent and ruled: “[Respondent] remains incarcerated and, therefore, cannot make
progress. Because of [respondent’s] incarceration, by law he is no closer today to being placed
[sic] because he’s incarcerated than he was when the children were taken into care.” The court
added: “I do find that the State has shown, by clear and convincing evidence, count II of [the]
petition.”
¶ 10 Thereafter, the court proceeded to a best-interest hearing. With respect to respondent, the
evidence showed the following. Sanders testified that she had never observed the children
interact with respondent, as another agency supervised the visits at the prison where
respondent was incarcerated. However, Sanders reviewed the other agency’s case notes
regarding those visits and received reports from the children. Sanders understood that the
children had a bond with respondent and enjoyed their visits with him. Sanders testified that
the children and respondent also exchanged cards and letters. On cross-examination, Sanders
agreed that the termination of respondent’s parental rights could be detrimental to the children.
She testified: “I’m not saying that [the children] won’t be harmed by a termination. I think they
would be harmed either way, if they stay in the foster home or go home to the parents.” Sanders
added that it was “up to the mercy of the court.” She opined that it would be good for the
children to continue to have a relationship with their biological parents.3
¶ 11 Sanders also testified that the children were living with the foster parents and had bonded
with that family. Sanders opined that the foster parents were meeting all of the children’s
needs. According to Sanders, the children were vehement that they did not want to testify
because they did not want to voice a choice between living with the foster parents and going
home to their mother. Sanders testified that the children desired finality above all else. In
Sanders’s opinion, the children would benefit more from the termination of parental rights
because of the support and structure offered by the foster parents. Her sense was that the
children felt that they belonged more to the foster family than to their mother. Sanders testified
that recently Melissa had been having unauthorized, unsupervised visits where she tried to
influence the children to decide to return home. The evidence also showed that the children did
not want to live with respondent.
¶ 12 Alan Nylund, the foster father, testified that the girls had lived with him and his wife for
three years. Nylund testified that Mary had recently become very frustrated with how long the
court proceedings were taking. At first, Mary was unable to read anything except children’s
2
The record shows that respondent participated in 24 hours of drug education programming from
August 25, 2015, to December 22, 2015.
3
Melissa gave birth to a baby, Brandon, during these proceedings. Brandon’s father was not
involved in these proceedings. Brandon was removed from Melissa’s care for a period of time but was
then returned to her. The record shows that the children, particularly Mary, had bonded with Brandon.
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books, but she progressed to age-appropriate reading skills. Mary got along with her foster
mother, although they clashed at the beginning. Nylund recounted that Nevaeh was six years
old when she came to live with him and his wife, and she had bedwetting incidents. She also
expressed fear of going home. According to Nylund, Nevaeh recently told him that she felt safe
with the foster family. Nevaeh participated in school activities and was integrated into their
larger, extended family. Nylund testified that he and his wife wanted to adopt the girls
(including Alexis), and he indicated that they were willing to foster the girls’ relationships with
Brandon and their biological parents.
¶ 13 Respondent testified that he and the children were “inseparable” before his incarceration.
He testified that he did with his girls what fathers do with their sons. Respondent testified that
he regretted his crime. After his incarceration, respondent maintained his bond with the
children, although in the last three years he had spent only the equivalent of three full days with
them. Respondent described his jail visits with the children as “beautiful.” The children
pretended to make him food. Respondent testified that he had a difficult conversation with
Mary when he found out that she was posting pictures of herself on the Internet. According to
respondent, the children expressed a desire to continue a relationship with him, even if they
were adopted by the foster parents. Mary told him that she would run away if the court
terminated his parental rights. Respondent testified that he wanted whatever the children
decided, whether it was to be adopted, live with their mother, or live with him. According to
respondent, when the children talked to him about the future, he redirected the conversation.
¶ 14 On March 8, 2017, in ruling on the children’s best interest, the court found that respondent
had never turned his back on the children, despite his incarceration. However, the court noted
that it had to consider the best interest of the children, not the parent, and it found that it was not
in the children’s best interest to wait for respondent’s release from custody in May 2017 and
his completion of services thereafter, which “may or may not” lead to reunification. The court
found that the children engaged with the Nylunds as their own parents and thrived in the
Nylunds’ custody. The court further found that the children were fully integrated into the
Nylunds’ household and that “finality and permanency” were factors that weighed in favor of
placing the children with the Nylunds. The court ruled that it was in the children’s best interest
to terminate parental rights. Respondent filed a timely appeal.
¶ 15 II. ANALYSIS
¶ 16 Respondent first argues that he was found unfit solely because he was incarcerated.
Respondent contends that such a finding is inconsistent with this court’s opinion in In re Keyon
R., 2017 IL App (2d) 160657.
¶ 17 Before addressing respondent’s arguments, we review the principles applicable to
termination proceedings. The Juvenile Court Act of 1987 (705 ILCS 405/1-1 et seq. (West
2014)) provides a two-step process for the involuntary termination of parental rights. In re
Deandre D., 405 Ill. App. 3d 945, 952 (2010). First, the State must prove that the parent is unfit
by clear and convincing evidence. Deandre D., 405 Ill. App. 3d at 952. Section 1(D) of the
Adoption Act (750 ILCS 50/1(D) (West 2014)) lists the grounds under which a parent may be
found unfit. In re Tiffany M., 353 Ill. App. 3d 883, 889 (2004). Second, if the court makes a
finding of unfitness, the court then considers whether it is in the best interest of the minor to
terminate parental rights. Deandre D., 405 Ill. App. 3d at 953. The State has the burden of
proving by a preponderance of the evidence that termination is in the minor’s best interest.
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Deandre D., 405 Ill. App. 3d at 953. The appellate court will reverse a finding of unfitness only
where it is against the manifest weight of the evidence, that is, where the opposite conclusion is
clearly evident. Deandre D., 405 Ill. App. 3d at 952. The appellate court will reverse a
best-interest finding only where it is against the manifest weight of the evidence or where the
trial court abused its discretion. Deandre D., 405 Ill. App. 3d at 953.
¶ 18 Section 1(D)(m) of the Adoption Act contains two separate grounds, either of which can
serve as a basis for a finding of unfitness. 750 ILCS 50/1(D)(m) (West 2014). Subsection (i)
deals with a parent’s failure to make “reasonable efforts” to correct the conditions that were the
basis for the minor’s removal; subsection (ii) deals with a parent’s failure to make “reasonable
progress” toward the return of the minor during “any 9-month period” following the
adjudication of neglect. 750 ILCS 50/1(D)(m)(i)-(ii) (West 2014).
¶ 19 In addition, section 1(D)(b) of the Adoption Act provides that a parent’s failure to maintain
a reasonable degree of interest, concern, or responsibility as to the child’s welfare is a ground
for a finding of unfitness. 750 ILCS 50/1(D)(b) (West 2014).
¶ 20 Here, the State alleged in count I of the motion to terminate parental rights that respondent
failed to maintain a reasonable degree of interest, concern, or responsibility as to the minors’
welfare. Count II alleged that respondent failed to make reasonable progress toward the
minors’ return to him within nine months after they were adjudicated neglected and/or within
the nine-month period from August 30, 2014, to May 30, 2015. The court found that the State
failed to prove the allegations in count I but proved the allegations in count II by clear and
convincing evidence. The court needs to find a parent unfit under only one of the grounds
enumerated in section 1(D) of the Adoption Act to proceed to a best-interest hearing. Deandre
D., 405 Ill. App. 3d at 953.
¶ 21 In finding that the State proved count II, the court remarked: “[Respondent] remains
incarcerated and, therefore, cannot make progress. Because of [respondent’s] incarceration, by
law he is no closer today to being placed [sic] because he’s incarcerated than he was when the
children were taken into care.” That statement does not accurately reflect the law. The mere
fact of incarceration is not evidence of failure to make reasonable progress. In re J.R.Y., 157
Ill. App. 3d 396, 403 (1987). Nevertheless, incarceration can impede progress toward the goal
of reunification. In re D.D., 309 Ill. App. 3d 581, 589 (2000). “Reasonable progress” is an
objective standard that is not concerned with a parent’s individual efforts and abilities. D.D.,
309 Ill. App. 3d at 589; see In re F.P., 2014 IL App (4th) 140360, ¶ 89 (the respondent failed to
make reasonable progress where her imprisonment prevented the children from being returned
to her in the near future). Time spent in prison is included in the nine-month period during
which reasonable progress must be made. In re J.L., 236 Ill. 2d 329, 443 (2010).
¶ 22 Contrary to respondent’s argument, this court’s recent decision in Keyon R. is not
applicable. In Keyon R., we reversed a finding that the incarcerated respondent was unfit where
DCFS refused to provide him with an integrated assessment or a service plan. Keyon R., 2017
IL App (2d) 160657, ¶ 30. We held that using the respondent’s lack of compliance with
nonexistent services to terminate his parental rights was paradoxical. Keyon R., 2017 IL App
(2d) 160657, ¶ 30. In contrast, respondent in the instant case was assessed for services and was
provided with a service plan.
¶ 23 A service plan is an integral part of the statutory scheme for measuring progress toward the
goal of reunification of the parent and the child. In re C.N., 196 Ill. 2d 181, 215 (2001). A
service plan must reasonably relate to remedying the conditions that gave rise, or that could
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give rise, to any finding of child abuse or neglect. 325 ILCS 5/8.2 (West 2014); C.N., 196 Ill.
2d at 215. Here, respondent was incarcerated for aggravated DUI that resulted in a death. The
service plan’s requirement that respondent undergo an assessment and treatment for substance
abuse was reasonably related to the conditions that could give rise to a finding of neglect.
¶ 24 Respondent seems to argue that the State set him up to fail by picking nine-month periods
that coincided with his incarceration, or that it is unfair to expect incarcerated individuals to
meet the reasonable-progress standard. However, respondent’s incarceration did not prevent
him from complying with the service plan. His failure to apply for the services is what resulted
in his noncompliance. Even though the service plan mandated that respondent complete
substance abuse assessment and treatment by December 30, 2014, the record shows that he still
had not applied for classes as of May 2015. The appellate court may affirm on any basis
appearing in the record, whether or not the trial court relied on that basis. Benson v. Stafford,
407 Ill. App. 3d 902, 912 (2010). Accordingly, we hold that the trial court’s finding of
unfitness is not against the manifest weight of the evidence.
¶ 25 Respondent next argues that the trial court’s finding that it was in the children’s best
interest to terminate parental rights is against the manifest weight of the evidence. In light of
Sanders’s testimony that, in her opinion, the children would be harmed whether they stayed
with the foster parents or went home to their biological parents, respondent argues that we
should appoint the foster parents as permanent guardians or remand to the trial court for a
hearing on that issue.
¶ 26 Respondent relies on In re M.M., 337 Ill. App. 3d 764 (2003). M.M. is inapposite because
the trial court there did not find the mother unfit but nevertheless could not return the children
to the mother, as they had bonded more with the foster parents and resisted returning home.
M.M., 337 Ill. App. 3d at 768-70. The court could not terminate the mother’s parental rights, so
it appointed the foster parents as guardians. M.M., 337 Ill. App. 3d at 770. Here, the trial court
found both parents unfit.
¶ 27 The trial court must consider the following factors in making a best-interest determination:
(1) the physical safety and welfare of the child; (2) the development of the child’s identity; (3)
the child’s background and ties; (4) the child’s sense of attachment, including where the child
feels love, attachment, and security; (5) the child’s wishes and long-term goals; (6) the child’s
community ties; (7) the child’s need for permanence, including the need for stability and
continuity of relationships with parent figures, siblings, and other relatives; (8) the uniqueness
of every family and child; (9) the risks attendant to entering and being in substitute care; and
(10) the preferences of the persons available to care for the child. 705 ILCS 405/1-3(4.05)
(West 2014). Additionally, the court may consider the nature and length of the child’s
relationship with his or her present caretaker and the effect that a change in placement would
have on his or her emotional and psychological well-being. In re Davon H., 2015 IL App (1st)
150926, ¶ 78. The trial court need not explicitly reference each of these factors, and this court
need not rely on any basis used by the trial court in affirming its decision. Davon H., 2015 IL
App (1st) 150926, ¶ 78.
¶ 28 Here, the record supports the trial court’s determination that termination of respondent’s
parental rights was in the minors’ best interest. The minors were attached to the foster parents,
and Nylund testified that Nevaeh particularly had a relationship with his extended family. The
minors had progressed educationally and emotionally while they were with the Nylunds. The
lack of finality was causing the minors great stress. Further, respondent’s own testimony at the
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unfitness hearing showed that he had no home for the minors. Consequently, the trial court’s
finding that it was in the best interest of Mary and Nevaeh that respondent’s parental rights be
terminated is not against the manifest weight of the evidence.
¶ 29 III. CONCLUSION
¶ 30 For the reasons stated, we affirm the judgment of the circuit court of Winnebago County.
¶ 31 Affirmed.
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