In re Antwan L.

              No. 2--06--0425 filed: 11/28/06
______________________________________________________________________________
IN THE
APPELLATE COURT OF ILLINOIS
SECOND DISTRICT
______________________________________________________________________________
In re ANTWAN L. and CHARISMA L., ) Appeal from the Circuit Court
Minors ) of De Kalb County.
)
) Nos. 02--JA--10
) 02--JA--11
)
(The People of the State of ) Honorable
Illinois, Petitioner-Appellee, ) Kurt P. Klein,
v. Juan S., Respondent-Appellant). ) Judge, Presiding.
_________________________________________________________________________________
JUSTICE BYRNE delivered the opinion of the court:
Respondent, Juan S., appeals an order terminating his parental rights to his children, Antwan
L. and Charisma L. The State filed a petition for an adjudication of neglect on January 28, 2002, but
the State did not know respondent's whereabouts at that time. The State attempted to perfect service
by publication, but acknowledged a lapse in procedure by submitting a second publication. The State
did not perfect service on respondent (by publication or otherwise) until August 30, 2004, which was
27 months after the petition for adjudication of neglect was filed.
On February 17, 2006, the trial court found respondent to be unfit for failing to maintain a
reasonable degree of interest, concern, or responsibility toward the minors' welfare (see 750 ILCS
50/1(D)(b) (West 2004)) and for failing to make reasonable efforts to correct the conditions that were
the basis for their removal (see 750 ILCS 50/1(D)(m)(i) (West 2004)) or to make reasonable progress