DCFS knew of abuse before death

A Will County judge has ordered that eight children remain in the custody of DCFS during an investigation into the death of a 12-year-old special education student.

According to a state investigator, Kevin Johnson was beaten five times at his Crete home on the day last week he was hospitalized.

The Department of Children and Family Services investigator told Judge Rodney Lechwar on Tuesday that doctors said Kevin suffered bleeding on both sides of his brain and had several old and new wounds.

DCFS caseworkers told Lechwar five biological children and three other children who were in the process of being adopted lived at the home at the time of Kevin's death. According to court documents, one of the children shows signs of abuse.

Authorities say Fred and Barbara Johnson are cooperating with the investigation.