In re Robert J. CA2/2

FACTS

This matter came to the attention of the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) on February 10, 2011. Three-year-old Robert J., accompanied by Mother, was brought to the emergency room suffering from second and third degree burns on both hands and wrists. Other marks and bruises were observed on Robert’s body. Mother told three different, conflicting stories about how Robert was burned. Due to the burns, multiple surgeries would be required in an attempt to reconstruct Robert’s left hand. Robert’s sister Genesis, two, was later found in the care of Mother’s boyfriend, Jonathan G. Marks. Bruises were also observed on Genesis’s body, and she was transported to the hospital. X-rays revealed multiple fractures in her arms, as well as a collapsed lung caused by blunt force trauma to the chest. She also had a large bite mark on the back of her arm. Eventually, Mother reported that Jonathan had caused the burns to Robert. Mother said she was very afraid of Jonathan. Jonathan was not the father of either Robert or Genesis, but Mother was three months pregnant by Jonathan. The father of Robert and Genesis was in prison, serving a long-term sentence. On February 15, 2011,…