Defense attorneys countered that evidence of AJ’s abuse only became clear in hindsight, and that investigators didn’t have enough information to take him away from his mother. Police went to the family’s home in Crystal Lake on Dec.... She underwent counseling and drug treatment and later regained custody.In March 2018, she was found asleep in a car with fresh heroin needle marks on her arms, feet and neck, which prompted a previous DCFS investigation.... In July, she repeatedly threatened sui

Five-year-old A.J. Freund’s life could have been saved if child welfare workers had alerted other specialists about his case, two former county prosecutors and a doctor testified Thursday.“ Something should have been done, ” said Dr.... Demetra Soter, director of child protective services for Cook County Health.... “ There are many options that could have saved AJ’s life.” Advertisement The testimony came in the trial of former Department of Children and Family Services investigator Carlos Aco