Eighteen-year-old Mackenzi Felmlee died in her foster home May 11, 2024, from a blood clot that hit her lungs, doctors said. Her neck, shoulders, legs and face were bruised, and her dehydrated body weighed just 90 pounds. But the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services has refused to release a timeline or reports detailing their actions in the case — despite a law that requires DCFS to make findings and recommendations available when a child dies or is seriously injured in its care.
The administrative rule DCFS claims is preventing it from releasing information about this case appears to be 89 Ill. Adm. Code 300.110(i)(3)(D). Normally, DCFS is supposed to have 60 days from the time its caseworkers/investigators complete an investigation into an alleged incident of child abuse or neglect to make a final determination that the allegation is indicated (true), unfounded (not true) or undetermined. However, good cause to extend this period “an additional 30 days” may include, but is not limited to, reasons such as multiple victims and/or perpetrators being involved, waiting for medical or autopsy reports, out of state agencies… Read more »
Call my shrink
10 months ago
We will never know the truth
Mark F
10 months ago
This is a state agency. While Governor Pritzker can and is accountable for their behavior. Therefore look at these coverups to continue.
Mark F
10 months ago
“the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services has refused to release a timeline or reports detailing their actions in the case — despite a law that requires DCFS to make findings and recommendations available when a child dies or is seriously injured in its care.” I did that Governor Pritzker.
Hello, Indiana!
10 months ago
As in the Samaj Crosby case, an incompetent worker will be fired, maybe do a token few days in jail and DCFS will hope the whole mess is forgotten. Ditto the poor boy that was beaten, starved and forced to stand in an ice cold shower until his body finally gave out. Yesterday, the lawyer for the Homer Glen family whose daughter got ahold of heroin in the house and OD’ed filed to have the drug charges against them dropped. That this would even be considered in court is beyond sickening. Her sister is currently in the care of DCFS.
A largely unasked question is becoming glaring: Is Illinois doing all it should to use artificial intelligence to make government cost less and work better? So far, the evidence says no.
The administrative rule DCFS claims is preventing it from releasing information about this case appears to be 89 Ill. Adm. Code 300.110(i)(3)(D). Normally, DCFS is supposed to have 60 days from the time its caseworkers/investigators complete an investigation into an alleged incident of child abuse or neglect to make a final determination that the allegation is indicated (true), unfounded (not true) or undetermined. However, good cause to extend this period “an additional 30 days” may include, but is not limited to, reasons such as multiple victims and/or perpetrators being involved, waiting for medical or autopsy reports, out of state agencies… Read more »
We will never know the truth
This is a state agency. While Governor Pritzker can and is accountable for their behavior. Therefore look at these coverups to continue.
“the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services has refused to release a timeline or reports detailing their actions in the case — despite a law that requires DCFS to make findings and recommendations available when a child dies or is seriously injured in its care.” I did that Governor Pritzker.
As in the Samaj Crosby case, an incompetent worker will be fired, maybe do a token few days in jail and DCFS will hope the whole mess is forgotten. Ditto the poor boy that was beaten, starved and forced to stand in an ice cold shower until his body finally gave out. Yesterday, the lawyer for the Homer Glen family whose daughter got ahold of heroin in the house and OD’ed filed to have the drug charges against them dropped. That this would even be considered in court is beyond sickening. Her sister is currently in the care of DCFS.