Posted inLocal News

Trial to resume Oct. 13 for 2 former DCFS workers charged with mishandling AJ Freund abuse investigations

A trial will resume on October 13 for the two former DCFS workers accused of mishandling abuse investigations of AJ Freund leading up to the Crystal Lake boy’s murder. Carlos J. Acosta, 57, of Woodstock, and Andrew R. Polovin, 51, of Island Lake, were both charged in September 2020 with two counts of endangering the […]

Posted inLocal News

2 former DCFS workers decline to testify, closing arguments to take place next month in AJ Freund neglect trial

The two former DCFS workers on trial for mishandling abuse investigations of Crystal Lake boy AJ Freund declined to testify Friday and a judge has scheduled closing arguments for next month. Carlos J. Acosta, 57, of Woodstock, and Andrew R. Polovin, 51, of Island Lake, were both charged in September 2020 with two counts of […]

Posted inLocal News

Witnesses testify during day 4 of neglect trial that AJ Freund would have been alive if 2 DCFS workers took further action

A doctor and an attorney testified Thursday they believe AJ Freund would be alive today if the two DCFS workers accused of mishandling his abuse investigations took protective custody of him. Carlos J. Acosta, 57, of Woodstock, and Andrew R. Polovin, 51, of Island Lake, were both charged in September 2020 with two counts of […]

Posted inLocal News

Defense attorneys argue 2 DCFS workers were overworked, question expert witness during day 3 of AJ Freund neglect trial

Defense attorneys intensively questioned an expert witness and argued the two DCFS workers accused of mishandling the AJ Freund investigations were overworked as the trial entered its third day. Carlos J. Acosta, 57, of Woodstock, and Andrew R. Polovin, 51, of Island Lake, were both charged in September 2020 with two counts of endangering the […]

Posted inLocal News

Retired DCFS administrator testifies on second day of trial for 2 former DCFS workers involved with AJ Freund

A retired DCFS administrator testified the entire second day of the trial of two DCFS workers accused of mishandling the AJ Freund investigations and said that the former workers failed to do their jobs. Carlos J. Acosta, 57, of Woodstock, and Andrew R. Polovin, 51, of Island Lake, were both charged in September 2020 with […]

Posted inLocal News

Prosecutor in AJ Freund investigation misconduct trial say 2 DCFS workers were ‘heartless,’ lazy at their jobs

Opening statements were given and witnesses testified Monday during the first day of a trial for two former DCFS workers accused of mishandling the AJ Freund investigations before the boy’s death. Carlos J. Acosta, 57, of Woodstock, and Andrew R. Polovin, 51, of Island Lake, were both charged in September 2020 with two counts of […]

Posted inLocal News

Trial begins for 2 former DCFS employees charged with mishandling investigations before AJ Freund’s murder in Crystal Lake

A trial began Monday for two former DCFS workers who were charged with mishandling the AJ Freund abuse investigations before the 5-year-old boy was killed in Crystal Lake. Carlos J. Acosta, 57, of Woodstock, and Andrew R. Polovin, 51, of Island Lake, were both charged in September 2020 with two counts of endangering the life […]

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 pass bill that will allow DCFS workers in Illinois to carry pepper spray

Lawmakers recently passed a bill that will allow Department of Children and Family Services workers in Illinois to carry pepper spray for defensive purposes. Senate Bill 1486 amends the Children and Family Services Act to allow frontline staff members to carry personal protection spray devices, such as mace and pepper spray. The bill says they […]