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DCFS worker released after completing jail sentence for failing to protect Crystal Lake boy AJ Freund murdered by mother

A DCFS worker who was sentenced to six months in jail for failing to protect AJ Freund, the 5-year-old Crystal Lake boy murdered by his mother, has been released after completing his sentence. Lake County Associate Judge George Strickland sentenced former DCFS social worker Carlos J. Acosta, 58, of Woodstock, to six months in jail […]

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Lake in the Hills mother who kidnapped daughter from DCFS ordered detained until trial for separate case

A Lake in the Hills mother accused of kidnapping her child from the Department of Children and Family Services earlier this week has been detained in Lake County jail for violating court imposed restrictions in a separate case. Jessica L. Walsh, 29, was ordered held pending trial on a class class 3 felony charge of […]

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Two people are in custody after abducting their 5-year-old daughter from DCFS in Woodstock

Two people are in custody and facing charges for abducting their 5-year-old daughter from the Department of Children and Family Services building in Woodstock, authorities said. Jeffrey S. Cook, 57, and Jessica L. Walsh, 29, both of Lake in the Hills, have been charged with class 4 felony counts of child abduction, authorities said. Cook […]

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Former DCFS worker seeks new trial after being convicted in โ€˜sham investigationโ€™ leading up to AJ Freundโ€™s murder

A former DCFS worker has requested a new trial, arguing he did not receive a fair trial, after he was found guilty of mishandling abuse investigations of AJ Freund before 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 […]

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Former DCFS worker faces up to 10 years in prison after being convicted in ‘sham investigation’ leading to AJ Freund’s murder

A former DCFS worker faces up to 10 years in prison but could also get probation after a judge found him guilty of mishandling abuse investigations of AJ Freund before his murder. Carlos J. Acosta, 57, of Woodstock, and Andrew R. Polovin, 51, of Island Lake, were both charged in September 2020 with two counts […]

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Judge finds former DCFS worker guilty, supervisor not guilty of mishandling AJ Freund abuse investigations

A judge found a former DCFS worker guilty and his supervisor not guilty of mishandling abuse investigations of AJ Freund leading up to the Crystal Lake boy’s 2019 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 […]

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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 […]