{ "id": 3364448, "name": "In re E.L. et al., Minors (The People of the State of Illinois, Petitioner-Appellee, v. Angie L., Respondent-Appellant)", "name_abbreviation": "People v. Angie L.", "decision_date": "2004-12-01", "docket_number": "No. 3\u201403\u20140710", "first_page": "894", "last_page": "898", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "353 Ill. App. 3d 894" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "Ill. App. Ct.", "id": 8837, "name": "Illinois Appellate Court" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 29, "name_long": "Illinois", "name": "Ill." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "675 N.E.2d 228", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "weight": 2, "year": 1996, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "285 Ill. App. 3d 922", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 1295639 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1996, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/285/0922-01" ] }, { "cite": "641 N.E.2d 953", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1994, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "267 Ill. App. 3d 496", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 333182 ], "year": 1994, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/267/0496-01" ] }, { "cite": "773 N.E.2d 59", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 2002, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "332 Ill. App. 3d 425", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 1033920 ], "year": 2002, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/332/0425-01" ] }, { "cite": "777 N.E.2d 930", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 2002, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "201 Ill. 2d 476", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 1476994 ], "year": 2002, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/201/0476-01" ] }, { "cite": "747 N.E.2d 440", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "weight": 2, "year": 2001, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "319 Ill. App. 3d 865", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 1527733 ], "weight": 2, "year": 2001, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/319/0865-01" ] }, { "cite": "730 N.E.2d 1086", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 2000, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "191 Ill. 2d 338", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 229714 ], "year": 2000, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/191/0338-01" ] }, { "cite": "735 N.E.2d 1058", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "weight": 2, "year": 2000, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "316 Ill. App. 3d 193", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 1096631 ], "weight": 2, "year": 2000, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/316/0193-01" ] }, { "cite": "649 N.E.2d 74", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1995, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "79" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "271 Ill. App. 3d 820", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 249163 ], "year": 1995, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "826" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/271/0820-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 518, "char_count": 9330, "ocr_confidence": 0.745, "pagerank": { "raw": 2.1149326495176116e-07, "percentile": 0.7636802377281455 }, "sha256": "8f8608bce0a392c2bb87cbda4c732142323ac3c2bc278c3d32d050d3305d7267", "simhash": "1:836a7c8ea6dd96d4", "word_count": 1545 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T16:37:49.624900+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [], "parties": [ "In re E.L. et al., Minors (The People of the State of Illinois, Petitioner-Appellee, v. Angie L., Respondent-Appellant)." ], "opinions": [ { "text": "PRESIDING JUSTICE HOLDRIDGE\ndelivered the opinion of the\ncourt:\nThe respondent, Angie L., is the mother of E.L. and Z.L. (minors). After an adjudicatory hearing, the minors were found to be neglected by reason of an injurious environment. Following a subsequent dispositional hearing, the trial court reserved a ruling on unfitness, left the children in the custody of the respondent, and appointed the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) guardian. The respondent appeals. We affirm.\nI. FACTS\nOn October 21, 2002, the State filed a petition alleging that the minors were neglected by reason of an injurious environment. This petition contended that the minors\u2019 environment was injurious because: (a) the respondent\u2019s husband (and the minors\u2019 father) had committed sex offenses on two other children; (b) the minors\u2019 father was a child pornographer and had viewed photos of children in sexual acts; and (c) the respondent knew that the minors\u2019 father had been involved in child pornography and felt that this activity was not a problem.\nOn October 22, 2003, the court entered an arraignment order. That order instructed the respondent to cooperate with DCFS in any necessary counseling and also included an order of protection which limited the father\u2019s contact with the minors to visitation supervised by DCFS.\nAn adjudicatory hearing was held on July 3, 2003. Peoria police detective Michael Eddlemon testified that in October of 2002, he was investigating allegations that the father had sexually abused two minors. Eddlemon asked the father if he was attracted to young children. The father responded that if Eddlemon asked the respondent, she would state that he thought the most beautiful thing in the world was a naked 15-year-old girl. Additionally, the father indicated that he had a computer on which he viewed child pornography and liked looking at pictures of girls between the ages of 13 to 15.\nEddlemon also spoke to the respondent about her knowledge of her husband\u2019s interest in child pornography. When confronted with her husband\u2019s statement about 15-year-old girls, the respondent did not seem surprised by the question and did not deny that she knew of her husband\u2019s predilections. Instead, she stated that \u201cthere was a big difference between looking and touching and there was a big difference between a 15-year-old girl and a 6-year-old girl.\u201d The respondent also told Eddlemon that there was nothing illegal about looking at pictures of naked girls. When Eddlemon informed her that it was in fact illegal and also out of the norm to do so, the respondent stated that there were several versions of normal.\nEddlemon testified that when he and another officer later executed a search warrant on the home of the father and the respondent, they found a laptop computer. After removing the computer from the home, several pictures of children involved in sex acts were removed from the hard drive, printed out, and ultimately placed into evidence. Ed-dlemon also testified that he found a pornographic picture of the respondent, though that picture was not entered into evidence. It was Eddlemon\u2019s testimony that this picture showed the respondent naked, in pigtails, and with a rose in her mouth. Finally, the State introduced a certified copy of the father\u2019s conviction on two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse and four counts of child pornography.\nThe respondent also testified and denied that she ever knew her husband was looking at child pornography or told Eddlemon that she was aware of that fact. She also denied that she ever indicated or thought that looking at pictures of naked children was permissible, but did admit to telling Eddlemon that there was a difference between looking and touching. Lastly, the respondent stated that, other than the fact that her husband had been convicted, she did not know whether he actually committed the offenses for which he was charged.\nAt the close of evidence, the court heard and denied the respondent\u2019s motion for a finding as a matter of law as to the count charging her with knowledge of her husband\u2019s involvement in child pornography. The court denied that motion because: (1) the respondent did not make a \u201cfairly animated response and a denial\u201d of the father\u2019s comment about 15-year-old girls, and (2) the picture of the respondent, as described by Eddlemon, was the mirror image of one of the images of child pornography taken from the father\u2019s computer.\nAt the close of evidence, the trial court found that the petition had been proved in its entirety, and found that the State had proven that the minors were in an injurious environment. At a subsequent dispositional hearing, the trial court reserved a ruling on unfitness. The court appointed DCFS guardian, but specified that the children should remain placed with the respondent. The respondent appeals.\nII. ANALYSIS\nA. Neglect\nOn appeal, the respondent first contends that the State failed to prove an injurious environment. We disagree.\nChildren are neglected if their environment is injurious to their welfare. 705 ILCS 405/2 \u2014 3(l)(b) (West 2002). \u201cAn \u2018injurious environment\u2019 is an amorphous concept which cannot be defined with particularity; therefore, each case should be reviewed considering the specific circumstances of that case.\u201d In re M.K., 271 Ill. App. 3d 820, 826, 649 N.E.2d 74, 79 (1995). Nevertheless, parents have a duty to keep their children free from harm; thus, their failure to provide a safe and nurturing shelter is statutory neglect. In re B.J., 316 Ill. App. 3d 193, 735 N.E.2d 1058 (2000). It is the State\u2019s burden to prove an allegation of neglect by a preponderance of the evidence. In re N.B., 191 Ill. 2d 338, 730 N.E.2d 1086 (2000). That is, the State must demonstrate that an allegation of neglect is probably more true than not. In re L.M., 319 Ill. App. 3d 865, 747 N.E.2d 440 (2001). On review, we will not overturn a trial court\u2019s finding of neglect unless it is against the manifest weight of the evidence. L.M., 319 Ill. App. 3d 865, 747 N.E.2d 440. A finding is against the manifest weight of the evidence only if the opposite conclusion is clearly evident. In re D.F., 201 Ill. 2d 476, 777 N.E.2d 930 (2002).\nWe find that the trial court\u2019s adjudication of neglect was not against the manifest weight of the evidence. The trial court was presented with evidence tending to show that the respondent both knew that her husband was involved in child pornography and did not think that there was a problem with his looking at naked children. The trial court did not find the respondent\u2019s attempts to dispute this evidence credible. It is for the trial court to make such credibility determinations, and we will not substitute our judgment for that of the trial court on such matters. People v. Spann, 332 Ill. App. 3d 425, 773 N.E.2d 59 (2002). Therefore, we affirm the trial court\u2019s adjudication of neglect as to the respondent.\nB. Reservation of Fitness\nNext, we address the respondent\u2019s contention that the trial court abused its discretion when it reserved ruling on her fitness but, nevertheless, granted DCFS guardianship.\nIn fashioning a dispositional order, the overriding concern is the best interest of the child. In re Beatriz S., 267 Ill. App. 3d 496, 641 N.E.2d 953 (1994). The mandates of the trial court\u2019s dispositional order are reviewed under an abuse of discretion standard. B.J., 316 Ill. App. 3d 193, 735 N.E.2d 1058.\nThe respondent argues that pursuant to the requirements of section 2 \u2014 27 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 (705 ILCS 405/2 \u2014 27 (West 2002)), the court erred by failing to make a finding of unfitness before granting DCFS guardianship. However, section 2 \u2014 27 specifically requires that a finding of unfitness is required before (among other things) a minor may be placed with DCFS for care and service. See 705 ILCS 405/2 \u2014 27 (West 2002). It does not address the situation where custody remains with the parent and only guardianship is granted to DCFS. Thus, the section 2 \u2014 27 requirement of an unfitness finding does not apply to this case.\nSection 2 \u2014 23, on the other hand, specifically provides that a trial court may issue a dispositional order continuing the minors in the custody of their parents. 705 ILCS 405/2 \u2014 23(l)(a)(l) (West 2002). Moreover, our courts have recognized that the trial court can generally split the guardianship and custody of a minor. In re T.L.C., 285 Ill. App. 3d 922, 675 N.E.2d 228 (1996). So long as custody remains with the respondent, we can perceive no error in also granting guardianship with DCFS. Cf. T.L.C., 285 Ill. App. 3d 922, 675 N.E.2d 228 (when guardianship and placement of child are placed with DCFS, the trial court may not dictate exactly where custody must be placed).\nIII. CONCLUSION\nThe judgment of the circuit court of Peoria County is affirmed.\nAffirmed.\nLYTTON and SCHMIDT, JJ., concur.", "type": "majority", "author": "PRESIDING JUSTICE HOLDRIDGE" } ], "attorneys": [ "Timothy D. McCarthy, of Peoria, for appellant.", "Kevin W. Lyons, State\u2019s Attorney, of Peoria (Lawrence M. Bauer and Richard T. Leonard, both of State\u2019s Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor\u2019s Office, of counsel), for the People.", "James Bradshaw, of Peoria, guardian ad litem." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "In re E.L. et al., Minors (The People of the State of Illinois, Petitioner-Appellee, v. Angie L., Respondent-Appellant).\nThird District\nNo. 3\u201403\u20140710\nOpinion filed December 1, 2004.\nTimothy D. McCarthy, of Peoria, for appellant.\nKevin W. Lyons, State\u2019s Attorney, of Peoria (Lawrence M. Bauer and Richard T. Leonard, both of State\u2019s Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor\u2019s Office, of counsel), for the People.\nJames Bradshaw, of Peoria, guardian ad litem." }, "file_name": "0894-01", "first_page_order": 914, "last_page_order": 918 }