McHenry Times

State Representative Steve Reick (R-Woodstock) expressed his disappointment after former DCFS investigator Carlos Acosta was found guilty on two counts of child endangerment in connection with the tragic death of five-year-old A.J. Freund in April 2019. Reick stated, "Today's ruling merely confirms that a young child died in a tragic incident that never needed to happen. The evidence presented clearly indicates that the failure of the defendants to do their jobs put this child in a position of danger, leading to a predictable outcome."

A.J. Freund was murdered by his mother, JoAnn Cunningham, after being taken into and then released from protective custody by DCFS. This decision came following a December 2018 investigation regarding a large bruise found on the boy. Cunningham is currently serving a 35-year term for murder in the Logan Correctional Center.

Reick further emphasized that the indictment and verdict are not just a reflection of two employees' failure to fulfill their duties but rather an indictment of an agency that consistently falls short in its mandate to protect children from abuse and neglect. He added, "Systemic changes to our child welfare system are long overdue, and those changes begin by making child welfare the subject of local jurisdiction, not under State control."

Lake County Judge George Strickland found Acosta not guilty on a third charge of reckless conduct and acquitted Acosta's supervisor, Andrew Polovin, of all three charges. The judge stated that he could not determine from the evidence what Polovin knew and when he knew it. Acosta now faces a possible prison sentence ranging from two to five years, as well as fines of up to $25,000.

This ruling serves as a stark reminder of the failures within the DCFS and highlights the need for significant changes in the child welfare system. The judge's remarks during the trial highlighted a troubling focus on following policy manuals rather than actively collaborating with local authorities and agencies to ensure the safety of vulnerable children.

It is evident that immediate reforms are necessary to prevent future tragedies and protect the well-being of children under the care of the DCFS. The McHenry County ruling underscores the importance of shifting the responsibility for child welfare to local jurisdictions, allowing for more effective and efficient oversight.

As this case concludes, the focus turns to implementing comprehensive reforms within the DCFS to restore public trust and prioritize the safety of children across the state. The tragic death of A.J. Freund should serve as a catalyst for change, prompting policymakers and child welfare advocates to address the systemic issues that have plagued the agency for far too long.

To find out more, go to this link: https://repstevenreick.com/2023/10/13/todays-mchenry-county-ruling-discloses-the-failures-of-dcfs/