2,129 Children in the past two decades died under the watch of DCFS (Department of Children and Family Services. 122 kids died just this recent year it was reported of 98 cases where a child died that DCFS was supposed to be keeping an eye on them

July 23rd 2019  Byron Casanova 9 years old in Johnston City Illinois committed suicide 4 days after a social worker Expressed concerns about the environment but didn't remove him or his siblings from the home. Ta'naja Barnes 2 years old hadvbeen in foster care before for neglect and was returned home and later been found frozen to death DCFS received a hotline call 3 months prior about the child being medically neglected. Ja'Hir Gibbons was 2 years old and was first on dcfs's radar in November 2019 for abuse October 2018 he was put in a family's home on a safety plan two months later he was returned home 5 months after being returned home he was beat to death. Aj Freund family was investigated by DCFS in 2012 before AJ was born December 2018 a doctor reporter potential abuse after AJ said he had been hit with a belt DCFS said the report was unfounded April he was found beat to Death for wetting his bed. 2-year-old Sophia from Lincoln Illinois was also a part of an ongoing investigation and was later killed from injury she sustained from abuse 7-month-old Zaraz Walker died after DCFS deemed allegations unfound despite nurses calling about the moms odd behavior These are just some of the children that died of suspected abuse and neglect and have been previously in contact and reviewed by DCFS this department took on a huge responsibility in corrections and protecting  children and their families.These systemic department failures, alongside others DCFS Director Marc Smith being held in contempt of court 12 times during 2022 for failing to get children into appropriate housing. DCFS left children for months locked in psychiatric hospitals and other inappropriate housing. I was a victim of this at 12 years old at the hands of DCFS was in River Edge psychiatric hospital for over a month just waiting on placement to another foster home I was in DCFS care for 6 years ages 10 to 16 the removal of me and my siblings caused a lot of traumatic events in my life loss of my innocence sexual abuse going from a suburban school where they separate Junior High kids from elementary school to a Chicago Public School kindergarten through eighth grade my education was affected my environment affected when we were returned home my 7 year old sister didn't know how to read or write and was held back in second grade because of the education system in Chicago I was exposed an influenced by people and the things around me it changed who I would have been the environment in Chicago altered who I was coming up causing promiscuity yearning for that feeling of normality I once had before DCFS before that piece that destroyed me November 2002. That was 20 years ago from today now 2,129 kids dead under the eye of DCFS Is reflective of the fact that the system hasn't improved and needs to improve until then a indefinite mandatorium for DCFS, procedures policies and guidelines needs to be put in order

If we do not take action on the systematic issues with procedure policies culture at the agency the lack of documentation investigators being assigned more cases that is legally allowed and difficulty ensuring families actually receive the services they need among the highlighted problem child death rates will remain high

2022 DCFS Office of the Inspector General report examining deaths and serious injuries of children in state care, alongside allegations of impropriety by DCFS employees, covered 27 full investigations between July 1, 2020, and June 30, 2021. It recommended the discharge or discipline of DCFS employees in nine of the 27 investigations. They failed to perform basic duties, compromised investigations, misused department authority and even solicited sex from clients. Additional reports from the Illinois Auditor General found DCFS failed to provide home safety checklists in 98% of cases where kids returned to their parents’ residences after allegations of a abuse and neglect these children are our future. Future healthcare workers these kids are our future educators these teens are our future city council members etc. 

REVISE/REMOVE The Department of Children and Family Services DCFS (DESTROYED CHILDREN AND SEVERED FAMILIES