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 […]

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

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 […]