Latest news with #DCFS
Newsweek
4 days ago
- Newsweek
Girl Missing Since She Was One Month Old Found 4 Years Later
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A girl who was reported missing as a one-month-old infant in 2021 has been found safe in a Chicago home, the U.S. Marshals Service told local news outlets. Her biological mother, who had also been reported missing and had multiple outstanding warrants, was arrested following a police operation involving the U.S. Marshals Service, FOX 32 Chicago reported. The child, who is a ward of the state, was returned to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), the outlet reported. Officials have not identified the child or mother, according to the reports. Newsweek reached out to the U.S. Marshals Service for comment. Why It Matters Each year, hundreds of thousands of minors are reported missing across the U.S. The child's recovery years after her disappearance highlights the importance of interagency collaboration in missing persons cases. Stock image: Blue and red police lights at a generic crime scene. Stock image: Blue and red police lights at a generic crime scene. Ajax9/Getty Images Background of the Disappearance The child was reported missing by the DCFS on November 5, 2021. At that time, the DCFS had custody of the girl. Both she and her biological mother were reported missing, ABC7 Chicago reported. The child was believed to be with her mother, according to FOX 32 Chicago. Mother's Outstanding Warrants The biological mother faced multiple outstanding warrants, according to the reports. She faced a warrant from the California Department of Corrections, a warrant for retail theft from the Cook County Sheriff's Office, a possession of stolen property warrant from Orange County, California, and a robbery warrant from the Signal Hill, California. The U.S. Marshals Service noted that only the California Department of Corrections warrant was extraditable, according to reporting from FOX 32 Chicago. Investigation and Recovery Law enforcement in Chicago requested assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service on January 1, 2025, to locate the child, FOX 32 Chicago reported. The investigation led officials to possible locations in Chicago and Blue Island, Illinois. During surveillance at a Chicago residence, officers observed a girl believed to be about 4 or 5 years old peering out of a second-floor window, the outlet reported. On June 3, officials continued surveillance and concluded that the girl closely resembled the age-progressed images of the missing child, according to the outlet. Officers then forced entry into the home, recovered the child and placed her in protective custody. The mother attempted to flee the scene but was apprehended because of her outstanding warrants, according to ABC7 Chicago. National Missing Persons Statistics In 2024, the FBI's National Crime Information Center reported over 533,000 missing person cases across the U.S. This includes nearly 350,000 cases of missing juveniles. National Missing Children's Day, an annual observance to advocate for the safety and well-being of children, is observed each year on May 25. What People Are Saying Eileen M. Garry, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention acting administrator, in a statement about National Missing Children's Day: "Missing Children's Day commemoration is a reminder that child safety must be a shared priority. Because, ultimately, we all have a role to play—parents, guardians, caregivers, concerned citizens, law enforcement, and other professionals. Together we are responsible for safeguarding our nation's most valuable resource: its young people." What Happens Next The child has been placed back into the custody of DCFS. The mother has been booked into Cook County Jail on her outstanding warrants, FOX 32 Chicago reported. Do you have a story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have any questions about this story? Contact LiveNews@
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Daily Mail
Girl who was abducted aged just one in 2021 is FOUND safe three years on
A little girl who disappeared in 2021 at the age of 1 has been found safe more than three years later. Blessing Wasso, now 4, vanished on November 5, 2021, after her mother Erika Ephraim - also known as Ericka Wasso - disappeared with her during a supervised visit at a Brighton Park facility in Chicago. At the time, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) had legal custody of the toddler and reported both Blessing and her mother missing. The case went cold until this spring when the Chicago Police Department issued a renewed missing person bulletin which suggested the pair may have fled to California or Texas. But this month, a major breakthrough in the case came when US Marshals and Chicago police tracked the pair down to a home in Chicago. US Marshals Service issued a press release Monday announcing that CPD had helped locate a missing infant on January 1, 2025. A source confirmed to CWB Chicago that the infant was Blessing. Chicago police confirmed that both mother and daughter were 'safely located' as of June 6. The breakthrough came after investigators spotted a young girl peering out of a second-floor window who looking strikingly alike to an age-progressed photo of Blessing. On June 3, officers launched a tactical operation at the home, forcing their way inside. Blessing was found inside and immediately placed back into protective custody, according to a U.S. Marshals press release. The little girl, who remains a ward of the state, was returned to DCFS after spending over three years in hiding. Officers arrested Ephraim as she tried to flee. Ephraim is now being held in Cook County Jail. She was arrested on various charges, including one for full extradition from the California Department of Corrections and others related to retail theft, stolen property, and robbery across Illinois and California.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
What to know about Childhood Drowning Prevention Month
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — As trips to pools and lakes ramp up with the warmer weather, the Department of Children and Family Services reminds people how to prevent childhood drowning. Through all of 2024, 19 children in Illinois lost their lives to accidental drowning, with eight in pools, four in lakes, four in rivers, two in ponds, and one in a bathtub, a DCFS spokesperson said. Of these 19 youths, nine were under the age of five years old, with six of those drowning in pools. With May being Childhood Drowning Prevention Month, DCFS released the following tips to prevent drowning, they said. They say in bathrooms to never leave a child alone in the tub or rely on a bathtub seat, secure the toilet lid, and don't let them play in the bathroom alone, they said. Five-gallon buckets pose a risk to children as well, as they can 'topple' into them and be unable to get out, they said. Inflatable pools should be completely drained and stored upside down, as babies can drown in as little as one inch of water, they said. The following were tips for hot tubs and swimming pools, according to the spokesperson: Appoint an adult who can swim to always watch children when they are in the pool. Enroll children in swimming lessons. Keep ladders, patio furniture and toys away from above-ground pools. Install a four-sided fence with a self-closing, self-latching gate around all pools and spas. Young children can wear personal flotation devices, but do not be lured into thinking these are able to prevent drownings. Keep hot tubs securely covered when not in use. Children should not be left in a hot tub alone. Learn CPR and keep rescue equipment, a phone and emergency numbers by the pool. The American Red Cross offers online CPR training classes anyone can take at their own pace from the convenience of home. The last aspect was ponds, fountains, and other water hazards in your yards, and check those places first if a child goes missing, they said. For more information, visit the DCFS website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Part of Garden Hills Drive closing for construction in Champaign
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Starting next week, a portion of Garden Hills Drive will be fully closed to traffic due to construction. On May 27, the street will be shut down between the south leg of the Paula Drive/Garden Hills Drive intersection through where Garden Hills Drive dead ends just north of the train tracks. During construction through this area, residents will not be able to enter or leave their driveways. Champaign County approves new Sheriff's deputy, allows for full-time DCFS deputy However, residents will be able to park on the street where street parking is available, but not within the construction zone. Pedestrian access to all homes will be maintained throughout the construction. This work is expected to last six-to-eight weeks but is weather dependent, meaning it could be delayed in the event of inclement weather. Additionally, more lane and/or road closures will be announced throughout the phases of the project. Drivers are asked to use alternate routes to avoid the road closure. All 2025 City Engineering Division projects can be found on the city's Construction Projects website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
Champaign County approves new Sheriff's deputy, allows for full-time DCFS deputy
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — The Champaign County Board approved on Thursday the addition of a new deputy at the Sheriff's Office, which would help fill a special role within the agency. It would give Sheriff Dustin Heuerman the ability to move an experienced deputy into a full-time role assisting DCFS, stationing them at Champaign County's local DCFS office. A new deputy would be hired to fill the position left vacant by the transfer. Illinois DCFS marks Childhood Drowning Prevention Month Heuerman said this partnership with DCFS is something he's kept his eyes on for a long time. 'DCFS has been establishing partnerships with local sheriff's offices for a couple of years now,' Heuerman said. It started after social worker Deidra Silas was killed during a home visit in 2022. DCFS was looking for a way to keep its employees safe and saw a partnership with law enforcement as a way to do it effectively. It's called the DCFS Co-Responder Program. So far, 15 locations across the state have joined, but not Champaign County. 'I was a little hesitant because, with all new programs, I want to make sure all the kinks are worked out before we enter into that collaboration,' Heuerman said. Now, Heuerman said he's seen and heard enough. He talked to sheriff's offices and departments across the state, including Sangamon County. They started as a part of the Co-Responder Program but pulled out this year. 'I actually spoke with [Sheriff Paula Crouch] about that because I wanted to know why they weren't in that arrangement anymore,' Heuerman said. 'And she had good things to say about the arrangement. It's just she didn't have enough people to cover the streets, let alone those specialty assignments.' Former Champaign Co. deputy arraigned on theft charge Which is why Heuerman is asked the County Board for permission to hire another deputy. He sees a more experienced person moving into the role with DCFS. 'Not all home visits are high-risk, but law enforcement does have access to databases and to information that DCFS workers may not,' Heuerman said. He sees this extra information — the option of sending the deputy on home visits — and streamlining the process between agencies as valuable. And it won't cost the county a dime. 'It is 100% reimbursed [by the state], so the county is 100% reimbursed for the equipment and the personnel, and anything that goes into this position,' Heuerman said. 'This collaboration really is a benefit to all individuals involved.' Heuerman said he's excited to get this started and believes this will benefit all parties involved. The referendum will go into effect on July 1, but Heuerman isn't sure if he'll have someone in place by then. WCIA reached out to DCFS for comment and was provided with the following statement: The DCFS Co-Responder Program, which is already active in 15 other locations across the state, contributes to the increased safety of our front line staff who work tirelessly every day to ensure the safety and well-being of our children and youth. We are grateful to the Sheriff's Office for their support of our work and shared mission of safety. Heather Tarczan, DCFS Director of Communications Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
