Complaint Review: Illinois Department Of Children And Family Services - Metropolis Illinois

My husbands 2 children from a previous marriage live with us every other weekend and all summer long. We have been married for 2 1/2 years now, and the youngest of the two children, the boy, has caused us many sleepless nights and terror after terror. I have filed at least 3 reports of medical neglect against the mother, and have also reported bruises on the boy several times. Mostly on his arms, where he claimed that the step dad, pulled him down the hallway by his arm. Last summer, DCFS did give us "medical custody" for the time that the children would be staying with us for the summer, but the report against the mother was "unfounded".

The boys mental problems have grown immensly in the past 6 months. Although he has had problems his whole life, having to take adderol and risperdol (and anti psychotic medication), he has become more violent and worse in school. The last weekend in Jan., the boy decided to through one of his tantrums, refusing to go home with his grandparents. The fit lasted for a half an hour when I threatened to call the police.

DCFS was at my door the next day. I had been accused of spanking the boy, leaving a cut, a whelt and a bruise. We were also served an order of protection, which stated I beat him with a belt.The DCFS report was not made until 8:00pm that night and he left my house at 4:15pm. There has been no investigation on my end. They have not contacted my witnesses, my references, nothing. I have contacted every supervisor, manager,etc. possible.

No one wants to help me. This organization is pitiful. They have two different allegations, the DCFS report, and the police report, say they have a picture of a handprint, but the order of protection says I beat him with the belt, they have a time period of 4 hours between when he left and when they made the report, and the states attorney has already dropped the case. My voluntary statement was 14 pages long, telling all of the history in this case. The investigating officer stated in his police report that atleast two of the marks, if not all, appeared to be old. The mother wanted revenge on me because I had called DCFS on her so many times. I have so many people who know that I did not touch this child and that he has had problems long before I got together with his father.

If DCFS would pick up a finger and make a few phone calls, this nonsense could stop. The only evidence they have is a photo of the marks on his bottom. How does that tell them who did it? I did file a complaint with the Springfield office, but that didnt do any good either.

Two years ago, here in Southern Illinois, DCFS had a report of abuse to a young boy.The neighbors had reported that they thought he was being abused by the mothers boyfriend. DCFS conducted a "so-called" investigation, and reported the case "unfounded", one month later, the little boy was found dead. He had been shoved in a suitcase and left there to suffocate. Look at the statistics on the IL DCFS page at all the children who have died from neglect and abuse. Isnt it evident, that thier investigations need to be more thourough????

YOU ARE DEALING WITH OUR CHILDREN!! I pray for the children who are victims.God help them, because if you dont....who will??

Miranda

Johnston City, Illinois
U.S.A.