In re S.M.

Respondent appealed from a circuit court order granting the State’s petition for adjudication of wardship on the grounds that respondent had sexually abused her minor child. The State’s evidence at the hearing on the petition consisted of witnesses who spoke with the minor, but the minor did not testify. On appeal, respondent argued that the trial court erred in allowing the hearsay testimony without independent evidence that corroborated the minor’s hearsay claims. The appellate court agreed and reversed and remanded for further proceedings. (VAN TINE and McBRIDE, concurring)