CHICAGO (AP) - The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services’ inspector general is investigating whether caseworkers “missed opportunities” to ensure better supervision at the Chicago home where 10 children died in a fire.
Officials say DCFS investigated the mother who lived in the apartment where the weekend fire occurred 21 times since 2004 for inadequate supervision. The complaints were verified twice, including in 2013 when a son who had autism was found wandering in traffic.
The inspector general’s office investigates every child fatality when the department had contact with the family within a year of the death.
Authorities say children, ranging in age from 3 months to 16 years, were at a sleepover at the apartment when the fire broke out early Sunday.
Spokesman Larry Langford says fire officials are still trying to determine what caused the blaze, but foul play isn’t suspected.
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