They were also charged with two counts of endangering the lives of children; one for Liam Roberts, and one for his 7-year-old brother, identified by the Jersey County State's Attorney as A.P.R. The charged are accused by authorities of depriving the brothers of food for punishment, leaving them "extremely malnourished."
A.P.R. was sent to a local ICU, where he was in stable condition as of Wednesday afternoon.
https://www.riverbender.com/article...le-gathers-to-remember-6yearold-boy-24831.cfm
from a Chicago Trib editorial on the case:
Adding to the devastation Liam endured is the fact that it could have been stopped. Someone we dont know who notified DCFS nearly two years ago that there was inadequate food in the home. That is, someone decided to take action, called the DCFS hotline and tried to help. But the agency closed the case after a pediatrician said Liams low weight was the result of a medical condition.
Was Liam examined in person by that doctor? Was the boy interviewed by a DCFS caseworker? Were siblings interviewed, away from the parents? Did anyone go inside the home? Did state workers examine the familys past history with the agency? The stepmother, according to The Telegraph, was charged in 2003 with running a meth lab and with possession of cannabis; she pleaded guilty to drug possession.
And while at least one person did notify DCFS, how many others perhaps social workers, school personnel, law enforcement officers, neighbors, friends, family suspected abuse or neglect but failed to call the DCFS hotline or notify child welfare officials?
All questions unanswered. Law enforcement and DCFS are not yet releasing further details.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/...rvation-child-jerseyville-20171108-story.html
