Sangamon County Sheriff ends agreement with DCFS to provide deputies on home visits

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Sheriff's deputies will no longer accompany Department of Children and Family Services workers on home visits in Sangamon County, according to Sheriff Paula Crouch.

The practice has been in place since DCFS worker Diedre Silas was stabbed to death by Benjamin Reed in 2022. Silas had been assigned to investigate allegations of neglect in Reed's home, with no plans to remove children the day Reed stabbed her 43 times. Reed was sentenced to 100 years in prison late last year.

DCFS created a scholarship given to students pursuing social work to honor Silas' legacy.

The sheriff's office told WAND News that Sheriff Crouch has opted to discontinue the contract with DCFS as it requires the work of two full time deputies. The sheriff made it clear that DCFS can always call dispatch to request an officer or deputy to accompany them if they believe there is a safety risk.

"Based on current staffing levels, I felt it was necessary to discontinue the DCFS contract and utilize those two deputies to assist with day to day operations within Sangamon County," Crouch said in a statement.

A DCFS representative said the department was appreciative of the work the agency has provided, and that discussions were in the works about ways the organizations could continue to support each other.

Anders Lindall of AFSCME Council 31 provided the following statement on the situation:

"Our union has advocated for the right of DCFS investigators to have police accompaniment any time they believe their safety is at risk. We urge the sheriff's department to meet as soon as possible with AFSCME and DFCS to develop appropriate protocols that ensure the safety of DCFS investigators and the children they protect."