The People of the State of Illinois v. Danielle S.

Champaign, Illinois family law lawyer represented mother in a parental rights termination action.



Mother is the biological mother of Blaise M. (B.M.), born on November 9, 2015. Mother cared for B.M. until B.M. tested positive for a sexually transmitted disease when he was two years old. B.M. was then placed with his biological father, Alec Moore (Father), by the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). Mother and Father were not in a relationship, and Mother was absent from B.M.'s life for four years



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On November 1, 2023, the circuit court held a permanency hearing and considered Mother's service plan, as well as her efforts and progress towards B.M. returning home. The circuit court issued a written order the same day and found that the appropriate permanency goal was for B.M. to return home within 12 months. The circuit court additionally found that Mother had made reasonable and substantial progress and reasonable efforts. After the November 1, 2023, permanency hearing, Mother was no longer required to complete drug testing.



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Legal issue Was the termination of a mother's parental rights justified when the best interest determination was against the manifest weight of the evidence?



Key Phrases Termination of parental rights. Manifest weight of the evidence. Foster placement. Best interest determination. Substance abuse assessment.

Reversed.