Judge to review DCFS reports in Cruz case

A Cook County judge granted prosecutors’ motion for the release of Illinois Department of Children and Family Services reports on the 2-year-old daughter of Jessica Cruz, a Hanover Park woman who is in custody on charges that she strangled her newborn son last year.

Prosecutors say the 19-year-old gave birth to a 6-pound, 11-ounce boy on the morning of Nov. 4, 2011, in the employee restroom of a Streamwood thrift store. Cruz is accused of strangling the infant, placing him in a trash can and covering him with paper towels, prosecutors said.

Police say Cruz told them the baby was alive and moving after birth. They also say she admitted in a videotaped statement to police that she concealed her pregnancy from everyone except the baby’s father.

Cook County Judge Kay Hanlon indicated she will review copies of the DCFS reports in her chambers. Cruz’s daughter is currently in the custody of Cruz’s maternal aunt, said Cruz’s attorney, Cook County Assistant Public Defender Deana Binstock.

If convicted of first-degree murder and concealment of a homicide death, Cruz could face 20 years to life in prison. She next appears in court on April 27.