Respondent appealed from a trial court order finding that she was dispositionally unfit as a parent to her minor children, continuing the minors’ father as their guardian and custodian, terminating the minors’ wardship, and closing the case. The appellate court reversed and remanded, finding that the trial court abused its discretion in terminating wardship and closing the case because the trial court’s finding that the respondent failed to make reasonable progress toward reunification was against the manifest weight of the evidence. The appellate court also explained that the trial court’s decision to terminate wardship and to close the case was based, in part, on a mistake of law. The appellate court remanded with instructions for the trial court to re-open the case, reinstate wardship, and set permanency reviews in order to re-assess the best interests of the minors. (CAVANAGH and DOHERTY, concurring)
Illinois Appellate Court
Civil Court
Juvenile Court Act