McHenry Times

Illinois state Rep. Allen Skillicorn (R-Crystal Lake) insists that the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) made the best move possible by ousting two Woodstock office staffers for their roles in last summer's tragic death of 5-year-old AJ Freund of McHenry County.

WGN reports that Carlos Acosta and Andrew Pobvin have both been dismissed from the agency, while Skillicorn confirms that he’s been told by DCFS officials that the two have at the very least been placed on leave. 

“I have consistently called for action to protect the most vulnerable, and commend the Woodstock office if they have taken the action recommended in the Inspector General’s report against these employees who were involved in the oversight of the AJ Freund case,” Skillicorn recently said in a statement. “My office will continue to monitor the situation. Now, if only Governor Pritzker would take action against the broader systemic crisis that exists statewide in DCFS.”

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker

Prosecutors claim that Freund died at the hands of his parents, Joann Cunningham and Andrew Freund Sr., following a beating that ended with the two burying their son's body in a shallow grave. Acosta and Pobvin were the caseworker and supervisor, respectively, assigned to the case.

The two DCFS workers are also named in a lawsuit filed earlier this year where it is alleged that they ignored clear signs that the boy was being abused.

As part of a plea-deal, Cunningham has already pled guilty in the case. Both parents are currently being held on $5 million bonds.

Skillicorn wasted little time pointing an accusatory finger at the entire system's lack of accountability. He recently demanded that Gov. J.B. Pritzker cancel his planned Christmas gala in order to dedicate more time to the issue.

“Cancel the damn ball” and start "cleaning house" at the DCFS, Skillicorn said in a statement to the governor.