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Two DCFS employees on the AJ Freund case no longer have jobs

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Illinois

* From DCFS…

Following the heartbreaking death of AJ Freund, DCFS began a comprehensive review of the entirety of our work with AJ’s family to understand what needs to change to prevent tragedies like this from happening again.

As part of this review, DCFS has taken personnel action regarding Carlos Acosta and Andrew Polovin, the caseworker and supervisor involved in the case. Mr. Acosta and Mr. Polovin are no longer employed by the state. DCFS is continuing to examine the department’s work in this case and will take all necessary action to protect the children and families we serve

* Tribune…

State officials confirmed Friday that two child welfare professionals who were recommended for dismissal for their handling of a hotline investigation into AJ Freund four months before the 5-year-old boy’s tragic death are no longer employed with the agency.

Carlos Acosta and his supervisor, Andrew Polovin, are no longer state employees following a lengthy internal disciplinary process, according to a spokesman for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. He declined to say whether the men were fired or voluntarily quit. […]

Acosta was the child protection specialist assigned to investigate a Dec. 18 hotline call from Crystal Lake police regarding a bruise on AJ’s right hip. The child gave various statements about the cause of his injury, including that the family’s dog had pawed him, but records show he also told an emergency room doctor, “Maybe mommy didn’t mean to hurt me.”

Acosta deemed the allegation of abuse unfounded about two weeks later after consulting Polovin, who also was the supervisor in two earlier hotline investigations involving AJ.

Acosta is also a member of the McHenry County Board.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Dec 13, 19 @ 3:54 pm

Comments

Wasn’t a third person implicated?

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Friday, Dec 13, 19 @ 4:03 pm