
09/04/2024
Last week, the man who killed DCFS investigator Deidre Silas in January 2022 was found guilty of first-degree murder, aggravated battery, and aggravated unlawful restraint. The court also found him mentally ill. He will remain in Sangamon County Jail until his sentencing on November 15th.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Silas's family and loved ones.
Silas was a beloved member of her community, known for her bright smile and her passion to further her education. She is also remembered for her commitment to at-risk children, many of whom called her “Mama D.”
DCFS awards two scholarships annually to students pursuing degrees in social work in memory of Silas and Pamela Knight, another DCFS investigator who was killed in the course of investigating a report of child abuse.
For years, DCFS has struggled to fill open positions for investigators, caseworkers, and supervisors. As a result, investigators like Silas and Knight labor under crushing caseloads with inadequate support. This can lead to harmful consequences for children and caseworkers alike. DCFS is still in violation of investigator caseload requirements in the 30-year-old consent decree in the federal B.H. case. DCFS must finally hire the workers needed to bring caseloads to manageable levels.
You can read or watch a report about the verdict from WICS ABC Newschannel 20 Springfield here:
Thursday was the final day in the trial for Benjamin Reed the man charged with killing Deidre Silas, a DCFS child protective specialist.