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 […]
Tag: dcfs
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 […]
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
Woman charged with physically harming young child, battering police officers in Lake Villa
Police say a young child called 911 to report their mother had battered them in Lake Villa and when officers responded, the woman also allegedly battered the officers. The Lake Villa Police Department responded around 2:20 p.m. on February 4 for a domestic disturbance in progress in the 400 block of Middlebury Drive. Lake Villa […]
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 […]