Chicago City Wire

State Rep. Brad Stephens (R-Chicago) has criticized Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration for “failing to protect” at-risk children after two – whose families were investigated by the state – recently died.

WBBM in Chicago reported March 1 that two children who were under the supervision of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services had died, likely as a result of abuse. The deaths of Sophia Faye Davis of Lincoln, and 7-month-old Zaraz Walker of Bloomington, are under investigation for possible abuse from parents. Both children had been on the radar of the state agency in recent years, according to a story on WBBM’s website, and Stephens (R-Rosemont) said in a Facebook post that the government’s oversight had failed the children.

“Governor Pritzker’s administration is failing to protect Illinois’ most vulnerable children,” he said in the post. “No more excuses. We have to take action now to ensure every child in our state is safe.”

Sophia Faye Davis suffered what investigators called "life threatening injuries" and later died, the WBBM report said. Her mother has been arrested and faces charges of first-degree murder and aggravated battery of a child. Zaraz Walker of Bloomington had been visited by DCFS multiple times in the past year, and the child’s mother, Kimberlee Burton, "allegedly told investigators Zaraz died falling asleep between her legs – and said she buried Zaraz in a cemetery near the house.” 

Burton has since been charged with concealing a death, and the baby’s body has not been found.

DCFS Director Marc Smith has been held in contempt of court four times in the last two months, according a story in the Lake County Gazette. Smith has been criticized for holding children in psychiatric care long after they were approved for placement with foster families.

Illinois child welfare statistics said that as of 2019, more than 18,500 children were in the care of DCFS.