Straight Talk | These tragic child deaths need more investigating

ROGER MONROE

For the second time, the Peoria area lost another child to physical and mental abuse. For the second time, I fear the deaths will die from lack of attention and meaningful response. While 35-year-old Leslie Jett will die as an old woman in prison for, in essence, the murder of 4-year-old Nate Thurman, questions remain. In all probability, 35-year-old Stephanie Jones and 40-year-old Brandon Walker will be found guilty for the brutal death of 8-year-old Navin Jones, and wind up dying behind bars as well.

What bothers me and others, is both deaths, both terrible tragedies, could’ve and should’ve been prevented. The Department of Children and Family Services failed to protect Nate Thurman and Navin Jones. This powerful agency, with a reputation for removing hundreds of thousands of children from parents, went AWOL. Reportedly, the caseworker(s) were unable to see and examine Navin for six months. Why? I know a case where DCFS not only examined a 6-year-old child regularly, the caseworker — over the child and mother’s objections — forced the child to take all of his clothes off and then took pictures. At no time did DCFS ever accuse the mother of any abuse. The child never had a single sign of physical or mental abuse. Today, the mother has no idea where those naked photos are. She complained about the caseworker to a licensed counselor, who called the DCFS tip line. Her complaint resulted in an insulting return call from a DCFS supervisor trying to shame her for reporting the incident.

It’s beyond comprehension that the deteriorating condition of Navin Jones went unnoticed by anyone with a brain. Where were District 150 school officials? Where were neighbors? Where were family members? A single phone call to police could’ve resulted in a welfare check. That’s what they do. I had a friend call me when I was out of town, complaining about his failure to catch his breath. I told him to call 911, but he said he didn’t want to go to the hospital. When we ended our short conversation, I called the police dispatcher requesting a welfare check. Turned out she knew him and sent first responders to check on him. Sadly, he died a week later in the hospital.

Complaints about DCFS and its legal arm are met with, “It’s underfunded and under-staffed.” While that may be true, and I’m not sure it is, throwing more money at the agency doesn’t guarantee efficiency or quality of care. The short staff excuse has been solved in part by the hiring of for-profit companies. I’m not sure how the state of Illinois insures the quality of those caseworkers. I’m not even sure of how DCFS evaluates their workers. What I am sure is lawmakers, especially those in central Illinois, need to hold hearings about these two children’s deaths. People and the systems need to be held accountable and to develop measures, procedures, and safeguards so it doesn’t happen again. As a father and grandfather, I’m haunted about the mental and physical pain Nate and Navin suffered in the months, weeks, and days before they died. They died feeling no one cared. Make no mistake, the life of a caseworker is difficult and dangerous. A caseworker was stabbed to death outside Springfield and lawmakers did what they usually do. They passed a law. Two little boys are murdered and lawmakers are silent.

It’s Campaign Time

The gloves are off in the Republican race for Illinois governor. Even Democrat Gov. JB Pritzker is allegedly involved in trying to defeat Richard Irvin, though he has opponents in his own primary. Granted they have about a snow flake in July’s chance of defeating the popular Pritzker. A total of 11 people are seeking the high office. Eight are Republicans, one a Libertarian. Beverly Miles is the lone Democrat running against Pritzker. According to recent polls, regardless who wins the Republican nomination, Pritzker will easily win re-election. The leading Republican seems to be the Black mayor of Aurora Richard Irwin. He’s been endorsed by such high-ranking Republicans as House Minority leader Jim Durkin and former state GOP chairman Tim Schneider. He also received kind words from former Gov. Jim Edgar. Irwin was born to a single, 16-year-old girl, grew up in public housing, joined the Army and served in the Gulf War. He earned a law degree from Northern Illinois University and worked as an assistant state’s attorney in Cook and Kane counties. In 2017, Irwin was elected mayor of Aurora by 170 votes. His recent TV ads devastated fellow Republicans Darren Bailey and Jesse Sullivan by noting they both voted for Democrats. However, Irwin has been a big supporter of Black Lives Matter.

On the local level, the Republican Party is split. Sources tell me there are people meeting regularly trying to unify the party, but it isn’t working. Leaders on both sides are just plain angry at each other. Without suggesting names, I can say it’s about moderates and right wingers. The division is similar to what’s happening to Democrats on the national level, but not so much locally — although Democrats are not thrilled with county auditor Jessica Thomas. The feeling is mutual. As we reported exclusively on our morning radio show, Rachel Reliford has withdrawn her petitions for re-election to the county’s 12th district. That’s a shame. She’s been an excellent member. Though it’s a pretty strong Republican district, it could give Democrats a chance to increase their 11-7 margin on the board. That margin enables Democrats to select the chairman. It’s been Andrew Rand for the past four two-year terms. Rand is not seeking re-election, which is also disappointing. Look for Jim Dillon to be elected as the next chairman.