Court terminated parental rights of Respondent father, finding him an unfit parent. There was no risk of an erroneous deprivation of Respondent's parental rights solely because court ordered that case be submitted for a legal screening where permanency goal remained returning home and DCFS was still obligated to provide reunification services. Thus, no violation of Respondent's due process rights as result of manner in which case was referred to legal screening. Court found that Respondent, during relevant 9-month period, failed to comply with service plans and court's directives, including drug screens; and his visits with minor became sporadic. Thus, court's finding that Respondent failed to make reasonable progress during that period was not against manifest weight of evidence. Court's finding that it was in minor's best interest to terminate Respondent's parental rights was not against manifest weight of evidence. (HOLDRIDGE, concurring; McDADE, specially concurring.)
Illinois Appellate Court
Civil Court
Termination of Parental Rights