In re Donald A.G.

Chief Justice Thomas and Justices Freeman, McMorrow, Kilbride, Garman, and Karmeier concurred in the judgment and opinion.

OPINION

The circuit court of Vermilion County found respondent, Tony Gaylord, to be an unfit parent on the ground of depravity under section 1(D) (i) of the Adoption Act (750 ILCS 50/l(D)(i) (West 2002)). Respondent was found to be depraved because he was convicted of the offense of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, in that he committed an act of sexual penetration with a child under the age of 13. See 720 ILCS 5/12 — 14.1(a)(1) (West 1998). The court…