In re C.C., So. C., and Sa. C. 

Illinois Appellate Court
Civil Court
Abuse and Neglect
Citation
Case Number: 
No. 4-10-0614
Decision Date: 
Thursday, December 23, 2010
District: 
4th Dist.
Division/County: 
Champaign Co.
Holding: 
Reversed.
Justice: 
POPE
At a dispositional hearing in a juvenile neglect case, trial court found Respondent grandmother, a party to the case because of her status as the legal guardian for two of the three children, unable to care for them, and that best interest of the children would be jeopardized if they remained in her custody, because she allowed their mother, who was a known substance abuser, to care for the children from the end of their school day until she returned home from work. Court improperly dismissed Respondent grandmother as a party from the case, as this dismissal denied services for her to become able to exercise guardianship over the children. The legislature intended for a minor's legal guardian to remain a party throughout the proceedings, regardless of whether the court names DCFS as guardian. (TURNER and MYERSCOUGH, concurring.)