Posted inLocal News

Judge allows key evidence to be used at trial against 2 DCFS employees charged following AJ Freund’s murder

A judge has allowed prosecutors to admit new evidence against the two DCFS workers who were charged with the mishandling of AJ Freund abuse investigations before the Crystal Lake boy was killed. Carlos J. Acosta, 56, of Woodstock, and Andrew R. Polovin, 50, of Island Lake, were both charged in September 2020 with two counts […]

Posted inState News

Lawmakers call for audit of Illinois DCFS due to child deaths, ongoing issues

Several lawmakers are calling for an audit of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services as the department faces ongoing issues, including recent deaths of children under its care. State Reps. Tom Weber, R-Lake Villa, David Welter, R-Morris, and Chris Bos, R-Lake Zurich, discussed House Resolution 824 calling for action to be taken at […]

Posted inLocal News

Lawmakers, ‘Roar for AJ’ group to hold rally in remembrance of AJ Freund at Illinois State Capitol

Several lawmakers and the McHenry County “Roar for AJ” group will attend a rally Thursday at the Illinois State Capitol to bring awareness to child abuse. State Representative Steve Reick (R-Woodstock), State Senator Craig Wilcox (R-McHenry) and Rep. Tom Weber (R-Lake Villa) will attend the rally, according to a statement. The rally will take place […]

Posted inLocal News

4 charged after DCFS, police find large quantity of drugs, guns in McHenry apartment where child was present

Four people are now facing charges after DCFS and police found a large quantity of drugs along with multiple guns in a McHenry apartment where a young child lived. Liam P. Keegan, 20, and Jade D. McGuire, 19, both of the 4000 block of Oak Avenue in McHenry, were charged on February 10 with unlawful […]

Posted inLocal News

2 arrested after DCFS, police find large quantity of drugs, guns in McHenry apartment where child was present

Two people were arrested after DCFS and police found a large quantity of drugs along with multiple guns in a McHenry apartment where a young child lived, prosecutors said. Liam P. Keegan, 20, and Jade D. McGuire, 19, both of the 4000 block of Oak Avenue in McHenry, were charged with unlawful possession of cannabis […]

Posted inLocal News

Coroner rules Damari Perry’s death a homicide, says boy was found naked wrapped in bag

The coroner’s office has ruled 6-year-old Damari Perry’s death a homicide and said the boy had bruises and burns on his body. His cause of death was hypothermia. The Lake County, Indiana Coroner’s Office released the information Tuesday following a Monday autopsy. Damari had “scattered ecchymosis on the right leg, extremely cold core temperature, and […]

Posted inLocal News

‘A failed system’: State rep from Fox Lake calls for investigation into DCFS following death of Damari Perry

Illinois State Representative Tom Weber, based in Fox Lake, has called for an investigation into DCFS policies, laws and leadership following the death of 6-year-old Damari Perry. “The stories of incompetence from DCFS are sadly ever present; the improper removal of well-cared for children like baby girl Bougher, the deaths of AJ Freund and Damari […]