Court terminated parental rights of Respondent mother to her 3 minor children, finding her unfit for failure to protect the children and based on her depravity; and terminated parental rights of Respondent father as to 1 minor child based on order finding him to be depraved. Evidence of physical abuse was significant and sufficient for court to find depravity based on a course of conduct indicating a moral deficiency and an inability to conform to accepted morality by both parents. Depravity may be established by means other than criminal convictions. Finding of unfitness based on depravity was not against manifest weight of evidence. Evidence supports finding that it was in children's best interest to have parental rights terminated. All the conditions to allow for an expedited termination proceeding were met. No error in court making an unfitness finding prior to disposition hearing.(GORDON and REYES, concurring.)
Illinois Appellate Court
Civil Court
Termination of Parental Rights