A mother and her boyfriend are being investigated by the Department of Children and Family Services after a 5-month-old boy was reported missing and later found to be murdered in suburban Zion.
Joshua went missing on Wednesday, prompting authorities from several law enforcement agencies to converge on a Zion neighborhood to search for the boy, who they said vanished under "suspicious circumstances."
DCFS said they have no prior reports against Thorpe, but have eight prior reports against Joshua’s mother.
Five of the reports were unfounded, but the other three indicated neglect , according to DCFS spokesman Dave Clarkin.
The most recent report was filed in January, but the boyfriend was not a part of the household at that time, Clarkin said.
Four children were placed in licensed foster services as a result of the reports and Clarkin said Joshua’s sibling was placed in the custody of the father after the recent event.
Zion police said the mother continues to work with officers on their investigation and that no charges will be filed against her.
