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CPS School Calls DCFS After 10-Year-Old Student Picked Up 7 Minutes Late
A Chicago Public Schools mother is questioning a district policy following an incident in which she says her 10-year-old son’s school called the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services after he was picked up seven minutes late.
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DCFS Letter Says Child Abuse Claim Against Rev. Pfleger ‘Unfounded'
The Illinois Department of Children & Family Services has determined that a report of “suspected child abuse or neglect” related to Rev. Michael Pfleger is “unfounded,” the agency wrote in a letter to the long-time St. Sabina minister on Feb. 23, 2021.
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St. Sabina Community Unites to Support Rev. Pfleger Amid Investigation
The St. Sabina faith community joined together Wednesday in a rally to support Rev. Michael Pfleger while the Chicago Archdiocese continues its investigation into allegations. NBC 5’s Charlie Wojeciechowski reports.
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2nd Abuse Allegation Levied Against Pfleger; Lawyers Call Accusations a ‘Shakedown'
A second person has come forward with accusations that they were sexually abused by the Rev. Michael Pfleger, and now the priest has responded forcefully to those allegations. NBC 5’s Christian Farr has the details.
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DCFS Resident Raped 13-Year-Old Boy After Pair Ran Away From Group Home: Prosecutor
An 18-year-old resident of a state-run group home in Ravenswood ran away with a 13-year-old boy who lived at the same facility and raped him by a nearby park last month, Cook County prosecutors said Wednesday.
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Illinois Changes Online Reporting of Child Abuse, Neglect
The Illinois agency responsible for investigating child abuse has updated its system for accepting online reports of neglect and abuse. Leaders of the Department of Children and Family Services said the changes include clearer instructions and fewer necessary clicks, aiming to reduce the amount of time required to complete abuse reports. “The earlier suspected abuse or neglect is reported, the…
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Former DCFS Workers Charged in AJ Freund Case Released on Bond, Get New Court Dates
Two former Illinois Department of Children and Family Services employees who oversaw AJ Freund’s case have been released on bond after they were arrested Thursday, according to the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office. NBC 5’s Chris Hush reports.
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Illinois Child Welfare Employee Investigated After Boy Dies
Illinois prosecutors are investigating a former child welfare agency employee who supervised an abuse claim involving a 5-year-old suburban Chicago boy later found beaten to death, documents show. Prosecutors are exploring whether to charge Andrew Polovin with child endangerment related to Andrew “A.J.” Freund, The Northwest Herald reported. McHenry County state’s attorney investigator Robert Diviacchi filed a search warrant affidavit this...
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Doctors Fear Child Abuse is Underreported During Coronavirus Pandemic
While most stay home to stay safe, doctors are scared for children whose homes are not havens.
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DCFS Fires Contractor Who Shackled Child Despite Ban on Restraints
The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services has fired a contractor who shackled a child during transport despite a DCFS ban on the practice since late last year.
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DCFS Worker Involved in Freund Case Defends Record
A state child welfare worker who investigated an abuse claim months before a 5-year-old suburban Chicago boy was found beaten to death has defended his record.
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DCFS, Lakeshore Hospital Sued by Public Guardian Over Alleged ‘Unspeakable Acts of Sexual Abuse'
A lawsuit claims the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services and Chicago Lakeshore Hospital “turned a blind eye” to sexual and physical abuse inflicted upon children at the psychiatric hospital.
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DCFS, Lakeshore Hospital Sued by Public Guardian Over Alleged ‘Unspeakable Acts of Sexual Abuse'
A lawsuit claims the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services and Chicago Lakeshore Hospital “turned a blind eye” to sexual and physical abuse inflicted upon children at the psychiatric hospital. NBC 5’s Christian Farr reports.
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Father of Girl Assaulted in Brutal Attack Speaks Out for First Time
After four juvenile girls were charged in the beating of a young Chicago girl with special needs, the victim’s father is speaking out for the first time.
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Father of Beating Victim Speaks Out
The father of the victim in a beating caught on video spoke out for the first time tonight, and NBC 5’s Patrick Fazio was there.
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Former Foster Mom Speaks Out After 20-Month-Old Dies Amid DCFS Investigation
A foster mom is speaking out after the 20-month-old child she was fostering died just weeks after the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services returned her to her family.
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Foster Family Demands DCFS Action After Losing Child
A foster mom is speaking out after her 20-month-old child she was fostering died just weeks after DCFS returned her to her family. Now she says the agency must make changes to avoid more tragedies. NBC 5’s Michelle Relerford has the details.
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JB Pritzker Promises Swift Action on DCFS Woes After Critical Report
Governor J.B. Pritzker is promising swift action after receiving a critical new report which portrays the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services as an agency beset by red tape, where workers feel pressure to keep families together, lack adequate oversight, and are blocked by internal procedures from sharing critical information about endangered children.
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Pritzker Orders Illinois DCFS Review, Nominates New Director
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Wednesday ordered an independent review of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services and nominated a new director after the recent deaths of toddlers who were under the child welfare agency’s care.