Illinois DCFS worker stabbed to death during a home visit

Photo: Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office

NEXSTAR, Illinois – A 36-year-old child protection expert from the Department of Child and Family Services was stabbed to death during a home visit in central Illinois on Tuesday afternoon. In a statement, the head of the state’s child welfare agency called the death of the caseworker “tragic” and identified the victim as Deidre Silas.

According to Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell, six children aged 1 to 7 were in a 300-block home on West Elm Street in Sayre. The children were clearly not injured and are currently detained in DCFS. Police officers investigated the puncture wound in a small country town after 4 pm on Tuesday.

Photo: Sheriff’s Office, Sagamon County

Police officers from Pony, Divernon, Auburn, and agents from the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office all had to respond to the scene and force the victim’s body into the house where they were found. There were no signs of suspect.

Later that night, Decatur police detained 32-year-old Benjamin Reed in connection with a puncture wound. Officers placed him in Decatur’s hospital, where he sought treatment for minor injuries. A detective in Sangamon County went to Decatur and interviewed Reed about the incident.

“Daidre responded to this call and devoted himself to the children, families and communities she served. We are forever grateful for her work,” DCFS Director Mark Smith said in a statement to WGN Investigates. I did. “She was a wonderful person. Her brightness and positivity are overlooked not only by her family and friends, but also by the second family of DCFS.”

“Today, Illinois mourns the DCFS caseworker and hero Deidre Silas being taken away from us on the job. There is no more call than a job to keep children and families safe, Dadle. Lived that value every day, “said Governor JB Pritzker. “Our most vulnerable people are safer because she chose to serve. No more profound heritage is possible. MK and I are DCFS colleagues, her family, and her. We would like to express our deepest condolences to all who loved us. “

The Silas killings occur in the ongoing concern of DCFS employees that staff shortages have overwhelmed their caseloads and in some cases made them dangerous.

On Wednesday morning, Sangamon County lawyer Dan Wright said his office would soon be prosecuted. Preliminary accusations included a single murder and a deteriorating battery with a deadly weapon.

Illinois DCFS worker stabbed to death during a home visit

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