In the Interest of U.O.

              THIRD DIVISION
DECEMBER 19, 2007
1-07-1302)
1-07-1430) Cons.
IN THE INTEREST OF U.O., ) Appeal from the
Minor-Respondent-Appellee, ) Circuit Court of
) Cook County.
(THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, )
Petitioner-Appellee, ))
v. )
) No. 96 JA 2034
DONNA J., )
Mother-Respondent-Appellant), ))
D. JEAN ORTEGA-PIRON, ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT )
OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES ) Honorable
GUARDIAN ADMINISTRATOR, ) Maxwell Griffin, Jr.,
Appellant. ) Judge Presiding.
JUSTICE CUNNINGHAM delivered the opinion of the court:
Respondent-appellant Donna J. (Donna) appeals from an order of the circuit court of Cook
County denying her request for the transfer to her of custody of her minor son, respondent-appellee
U.O. (the minor). The Guardianship Administrator for the Illinois Department of Children & Family
Services (DCFS), Dr. Jean Ortega-Piron, represented by the Illinois Attorney General, appeals from
that portion of the trial court’s order which held that the minor, who was 16 at the time of this ruling,
should be transferred to the custody of DCFS. That agency asserts that under Illinois law a minor
who has previously been adjudicated delinquent and who is over 12 years of age may not be
transferred to DCFS custody. Donna, represented by the Cook County Public Defender, contends
that the trial court’s order finding her unable to care for the minor is contrary to the manifest weight