In re Polovchak

Michael and Anna Polovchak and their three children, including Walter (defendant), who was 12 years old, and Natalie, who was 17 years old, came to the United States from Ukraine in January 1980. After a few months, Michael and Anna decided to return to Ukraine with their children, but Walter and Natalie wanted to stay in the United States and live with their cousin. Michael agreed that Natalie could stay but did not agree to allow Walter to stay. Natalie moved to the cousin’s apartment, and Walter ran away from home. The police found Walter at his cousin’s apartment and brought Walter to the police station. Walter told the police that he wanted to stay in the United States instead of returning to Ukraine with Michael and Anna. The police released Walter to Natalie. A police officer filed a petition asking the court to find that Walter’s parents could not control him, that Walter had run away from home, and that it was in Walter’s best interests to be adjudicated a ward of the court. Michael and Anna asked the court to return Walter to them. There was no evidence that Walter would face any danger if he were returned to Michael and Anna. The court issued an order stating that Walter’s removal from his parents’ custody was “a matter of immediate and urgent necessity for Walter’s protection” and placed Walter in the temporary custody of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). The court later deemed Walter a ward of the court, leaving his temporary custody with DCFS, and allowing Michael and Anna to have supervised visits. Michael and Anna filed an interlocutory appeal. The court of appeals reversed the trial court’s ruling, and Walter appealed.