Posted inLocal News

‘Unprovoked and brutal’: Judge finds man guilty of attempted murder for repeatedly stabbing passenger on bus in Vernon Hills

A judge has found a man guilty of attempted murder after he stabbed a fellow passenger multiple times on a Pace bus in Vernon Hills, leaving the victim severely injured. Errol O. Shakes, 53, who is homeless, was charged in October 2021 with attempted murder, a Class X felony, aggravated battery causing great bodily harm, […]

Posted inLocal News

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 […]

Posted inLocal News

Former Richmond High School teacher found not guilty in both cases for alleged inappropriate touching of students

A former Richmond-Burton High School teacher accused of inappropriately touching two female students on separate occasions has been found not guilty in both incidents. Ryan C. Carlson, 47, of Hebron, was charged in October 2022 with battery, a Class A misdemeanor, and disorderly conduct, a Class C misdemeanor. A criminal complaint filed in McHenry County […]

Posted inLocal News

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 […]

Posted inLocal News

Harvard mother convicted on charges after child found severely malnourished, within days of death

A judge has found a mother guilty of several charges after her 6-year-old child was found “severely malnourished” in Harvard in 2020 and doctors said he was possibly days from death. The Harvard Police Department and the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) responded on November 17, 2020, to the 100 block of Shawnee […]

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 […]