Illinois Court Case: In re A.M.F.

In re A.M.F., a Minor (The People of the State of Illinois, Petitioner-Appellee, v. C.L.F., Respondent-Appellant). 

NO. 5-99-0149 

APPELLATE COURT OF ILLINOIS, FIFTH DISTRICT 

311 Ill. App. 3d 1049; 726 N.E.2d 661; 244 Ill. Dec. 686 

March 7, 2000, Filed 

Affirmed. 

JUDGES:
JUSTICE MAAG delivered the opinion of the court. WELCH and CHAPMAN, JJ., concur. 

MAAG, J. 
A.M.F., a seven-week-old infant, was taken to a hospital in West Frankfort on November 27, 1996, by his parents, A.F., the father, and C.L.H., now known as C.L.F., the mother. A.M.F. apparently had a fever that evening and was taken to the hospital for that reason. While taking his temperature, a nurse noticed abnormal swelling around A.M.F.'s legs. Upon further examination, it was determined that A.M.F. had several fractures. A.M.F. was then transferred to Cardinal Glennon Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri. Hospital personnel completed a full-body x ray on A.M.F. The physicians at the hospital determined that all of A.M.F.'s injuries were the result of physical abuse. A.M.F.'s injuries included multiple fractures in the femurs and tibias, two skull fractures, trauma to the brain, retinal bleeding, a subdural hematoma, and bruising and swelling to the scrotum area.
On December 3, 1996, a shelter care hearing was held, and A.M.F. was taken into the custody of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (Department) pending an adjudicatory hearing. A.M.F. was then placed with his paternal grandmother, C.S., and paternal stepgrandfather, R.S. On December 23, 1996, an agreed adjudication and disposition was entered, which contained a finding of abuse and granted the Department temporary custody and guardianship with placement remaining with R.S. and C.S. A.M.F.'s parents were ordered to cooperate with the Department and participate in the programs as required and requested by the Department. The Department's permanency goal was for A.M.F. to "return home."
We note that since this appeal only involves A.M.F.'s biological mother, we will not discuss the facts relating to his biological father except to say that the father signed a surrender of his parental rights and they were terminated.

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