Gonzalez v. Donnelly

Adam Gonzalez, the father of 11-year-old Erika Lyn Gonzalez, appeals from an order of the circuit court of Will County awarding permanent custody of Erika to her maternal grandparents, Richard and Judy Donnelly, with whom she resides.

The facts giving rise to this litigation are not disputed. On May 10, 1979, Adam Gonzalez, then age 22, and Nicollette Donnelly, then age 17, were married, two days before the birth of their daughter, Erika. Adam and Nicollette separated in May of 1983, and in August of that year Adam left Joliet and moved to California. At that time Nicollette and Erika moved…