In Re Custody of Baty

This is an appeal by the petitioner, Lawrence Baty, Jr., from the order of the Circuit Court of La Salle County, granting a change of custody to him for 12-year-old Jodie Baty, but denying that change of custody as to Preston (9) and Carrie (7), the respondent, Patricia M. Baty, retaining custody of the younger children. After the petitioner’s motion for reconsideration was denied, he pursued this appeal.

Initially it should be noted that, for some reason, the respondentappellee has failed to file a brief with this court. This is unfortunate because the court is deprived of the appellee’s…