Kevin Johnson left to die by DCFS

[tjangel]

This just makes me ill...12 years old, special needs/education child died and DCFS knew he was being abused.

Caseworkers testified that five biological children and three other children who were in the process of being adopted lived at the home at the time of Kevin's death, according to court documents.

One of those is currently hospitalized with bruises on his back and an infected leg sore, according to court documents. He also has burn marks on his shoulder.

DCFS caseworkers reported they had visited the home on prior occasions, most recently in April 2008. When DCFS arrived to investigate, workers found Johnson with a weighted helmet on, which they were told was a form of punishment, court records said.

Caseworkers testified that Johnson was struck with a wooden paddle on the day of his death and had been beaten on multiple occasions, including being bounced off the floor and knocked unconscious.

Crete police say they are investigating Johnson's death. The eight children, ranging in age from 2 to 17, were initially removed from the home by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.

Police were called to the home in January and March 2007, and one of the visits dealt with alleged abuse, VanDeraa said.


http://cbs2chicago.com/local/parents.investigated.DCFS.2.777382.html

http://nwitimes.com/articles/2008/07/23//news/illiana/doc65a4ced1374a9af48625748f00097a95.txt

[TheLittleFriend]

Yeah....they finally take the action after the boy died. Way to go! :mmph:

[Pete Bondurant]

Is this not the same city wherein Barak Obama was a community organiser as well as a State Senator for eight years? Is this same city completely ruled by the Democrat Party machine that has been in place since the 1930's? These are the same individuals who think they can solve this nations problems in regards to energy, health-care, education?

This is a colossal fucking joke.

[Harley_Tech]

This just makes me ill...12 years old, special needs/education child died and DCFS knew he was being abused.



http://cbs2chicago.com/local/parents.investigated.DCFS.2.777382.html

http://nwitimes.com/articles/2008/07/23//news/illiana/doc65a4ced1374a9af48625748f00097a95.txt

That's just friggin sad.
I really believe that the DCFS person who visited the home should face charges. If you don't want to do your damn job, QUIT!

R

[SoUncool]

Is this not the same city wherein Barak Obama was a community organiser as well as a State Senator for eight years? Is this same city completely ruled by the Democrat Party machine that has been in place since the 1930's? These are the same individuals who think they can solve this nations problems in regards to energy, health-care, education?

This is a colossal fucking joke.

Shut up Pete...don't make this into your political soapbox. This is a post about neglected children NOT a fucking campaign against a political party or candidate. Go to three things and rant about politics all you want. Geez!

[Pete Bondurant]

Shut up Pete...don't make this into your political soapbox. This is a post about neglected children NOT a fucking campaign against a political party or candidate. Go to three things and rant about politics all you want. Geez!

The truth hurts.

So does my ulcer.

[SoUncool]

Seriously Pete...just take the politics somewhere else. No wonder you have an ulcer, you seem so fucking angry and intolerant of others. Just keep the politics over in three things and if anybody wants to listen to you spout this shit, they can certainly go there and listen all they want and debate you all they want. You are no better than all the mud-slinging candidates when you say shit like this.

[Pete Bondurant]

Seriously Pete...just take the politics somewhere else. No wonder you have an ulcer, you seem so fucking angry and intolerant of others. Just keep the politics over in three things and if anybody wants to listen to you spout this shit, they can certainly go there and listen all they want and debate you all they want. You are no better than all the mud-slinging candidates when you say shit like this.

Always with a little humour, meine liebschen...always with a little humour.

Still it does beg the question: in a city that is completely run by liberals, who think that they have the ability to use government to solve every social ill, is there such a horrid crime rate and such an awful school system?

[Gilbrit]

DCFS knew he was being abused
In posts where an agency was called in, only reports, if any, were filed.
Are there some guidelines somewhere prohibiting the agency to act? I haven't come across any articles or posts where and agency acted "immediately". Am I looking in the wrong place??

[tjangel]

In posts where an agency was called in, only reports, if any, were filed.
Are there some guidelines somewhere prohibiting the agency to act? I haven't come across any articles or posts where and agency acted "immediately". Am I looking in the wrong place??

The article said supportive services were called in - whatever that means!

Shortly after the investigation was opened, DCFS brought supportive services into the home. That investigation was ongoing at the time of Kevin's death, Marlow said.

[Gilbrit]

The article said supportive services were called in - whatever that means!
I think that is code for "foot dragging".

[celtic friend]

Seriously Pete...just take the politics somewhere else. No wonder you have an ulcer, you seem so fucking angry and intolerant of others. Just keep the politics over in three things and if anybody wants to listen to you spout this shit, they can certainly go there and listen all they want and debate you all they want. You are no better than all the mud-slinging candidates when you say shit like this.
SoU, I see what you are saying but if people want to complain about a system they have to also call into question WHY, ya know? Or how will it ever change?

I think we all know where Pete is coming from in all of his posts, most are tongue in cheek. That is the way I feel about them.

[nurseronda]

Last of Crete children in protective custody.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-crete-boy-death_webaug01,0,431502.story

[Dakota Valkyrie]

Almost a year after a mentally disabled Crete 12-year-old was beaten to death, his foster dad Thursday was charged with the boy's murder, authorities said.

Fred D. Johnson II, 43, was also charged with aggravated battery of a child and unlawful restraint in connection with the beating death of Kevin Johnson, according to a news release from the Will County state's attorney's office.

Kevin Johnson died July 20 at Hope Children's Hospital in Oak Lawn, two days after he was found unresponsive at the Beckwith Lane home.

Fred Johnson is accused of hitting the young boy's head and body between July 15 and July 18 and of tying Kevin to a bed frame with straps, authorities said.

Kevin's agonizing death ended a short life filled with adversity.

He entered the foster-care system when he was just 1 year old after being born one of 13 children into a single-parent home filled with allegations of physical and sexual abused.

It seemed like he'd struck gold when he was taken in by a religious Crete couple, Lester and Ola Mae Johnson, who had also taken in four of Kevin's brothers. He was adopted by the Johnsons in 2000.

But the couple died, and the children were left to the Johnsons' daughter, Barbara Johnson, and her husband, Fred Johnson.

The couple had eight other children - four biological - and they're all in the care of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, according to the news release.

It isn't the only time the department had been involved with the Johnson family.

In one instance, the department said Kevin had been abused by a sibling, and in April 2008 claims were made to DCFS that an adult was abusing the boy.

Fred Johnson also been charged with criminal neglect of a person with a disability for failing to take one of Kevin's siblings, a minor who also had a mental disability, to a doctor for medical attention, the news release said.http://www.southtownstar.com/news/1575239,051509cretedeath.article

[Special2bme]

CRETE, Ill. (AP) - A south suburban Chicago man has been charged with tying up and beating a mentally disabled foster child who later died.

The Will County state's attorney's office says Fred D. Johnson II of Crete was arrested early Thursday on charges of aggravated battery of a child and unlawful restraint. Officials allege he tied 12-year-old Kevin Johnson to a bed frame with straps.

Prosecutors say 43-year-old Fred Johnson caused Kevin's death by striking him on the head and body.

They say Kevin Johnson and eight other minors he was related to were living with Fred Johnson. The others have been removed by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.

Johnson is also charged with failing to seek medical attention for 1 of Kevin's siblings.http://www.wandtv.com/global/story.asp?s=10367163

JOLIET | A 43-year-old Crete man has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with last summer's beating death of his 12-year-old son.

Fred D. Johnson II, of the 3400 block of Beckwith Lane, is also charged with aggravated battery of a child and unlawful restraint in connection with the death of 12-year-old Kevin Johnson, who had a mental disability.

Fred Johnson was arrested without incident Thursday morning. He is scheduled to appear Friday in Will County, according to a Will County state's attorney's office news release.

At about 7:40 a.m. July 20, Crete paramedics were called to the Beckwith Lane home on reports that Kevin Johnson was unconscious but breathing, and in the care of his foster parent.

Fred Johnson allegedly told police and paramedics the boy had a history of seizures.

Kevin Johnson was taken to St. James Hospital and Health Centers in Chicago Heights before he was moved to Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago, where he later died.http://www.thetimesonline.com/articles/2009/05/14/updates/breaking_news/doc4a0c78e0daf1a047840020.txt

[runecire]

I have FUCKING had it with abusive foster parents. The next one gets my justice right between his/her eyes. WTF.

YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE PROTECTING THESE KIDS!

[jus shaking my head]

I have FUCKING had it with abusive foster parents. The next one gets my justice right between his/her eyes. WTF.



I don't think there are enough bullets in the world for all of them. Filthy low-lifes! I so wonder about all the badness in the world.

[Envy]

I don't think there are enough bullets in the world for all of them. Filthy low-lifes! I so wonder about all the badness in the world.

true...But there are more than enough nails...

[coffee achiever]

Fred Johnson's bond has been set at $5 Million. That should keep him in jail for a bit.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-il-childbeatingdeath,0,4394609.story

[silvahalo68]

JOLIET, Ill. - A Will County judge has set bail at $5 million for a Crete man charged (http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-il-childbeatingdeath,0,4394609.story) with beating to death a mentally disabled 12-year-old he cared for.

Authorities say no other family members showed up Friday for the bond hearing for 43-year-old Fred Johnson II, who is charged with first-degree murder, aggravated battery of a child and unlawful restraint in the beating death of Kevin Johnson.

The child died July 20, two days after he was found unresponsive at Johnson's home.

Kevin Johnson ended up in the care of Fred Johnson and his wife, Barbara, after Kevin's adoptive parents died.

The couple also cared for eight other children, four of whom were their own biologically.


Rest in peace Kevin Johnson. You deserved a fair chance at life.