Review of Elgin infant’s death could take weeks

Child welfare agents are investigating the death of a 9-month-old Elgin girl but say it could be weeks before they’re able to determine whether abuse charges should be considered.

The girl was found unresponsive at her home on the 700 block of Lyle Avenue in Elgin on Oct. 29 and was taken to Advocate Lutheran Hospital in Park Ridge, where she died about 4:45 p.m. Friday, the Cook County medical examiner’s office said Saturday.

An autopsy was performed Saturday but the cause of death couldn’t be determined, according to the medical examiner’s office.

Further tests will be done in a toxicology lab but the results could take as long as two months.

The Illinois Department of Child and Protective Services received a tip on its hotline on Oct. 29, according to Dave Clarkin, a spokesman for DCFS. The agency took the child, who was injured, and a sibling into protective custody.

The sibling was placed with a relative. Clarkin would not discuss the nature or extent of the infant’s injuries.

Clarkin said it is the second time DCFS has made contact with the family.

In April, the agency received a tip on its hotline and in June an investigation substantiated allegations of abuse and neglect against the mother and father.

The two children were removed from the home and placed into temporary custody with a relative. But a Kane County judge in July ordered the children be returned to the parents.

Elgin police Cmdr. Glenn Theriault said the department is treating the death as an active death investigation. No charges have been filed against the parents.

“It’s still a death investigation until the medical examiner rules otherwise,” he said.