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State looks into death of foster baby

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Chicago Sun-Times (IL)

10-month-old who died over weekend had skull fracture

Author: Dave Newbart; The Chicago Sun-Times

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services has opened a "death by abuse'' investigation on a 10-month-old foster child who died after suffering severe head trauma.

The boy, Walter Jackson, was taken to Advocate Christ Memorial Medical Center in Oak Lawn Sunday. He was pronounced dead at 11:50 a.m. Tuesday, according to the Cook County medical examiner.

A source familiar with the case said the boy suffered skull fractures and subdural hematomas.

The boy was placed into state custody earlier this year after he was born cocaine-exposed, the source said, and was living with a foster family.

That family had no prior allegations of abuse against it, said DCFS spokeswoman Diane Jackson. The boy's foster mother was certified through Volunteers of America. No one from the agency could be reached Wednesday evening.

Police responded to a report of an injured child at the boy's home on the 6100 bock of South Campbell at 5:38 p.m. Sunday, said police spokesman Carlos Herrera.

'NON-CRIMINAL DEATH INVESTIGATION'

Although the child had a head injury, "based on their preliminary investigation, there was no indication other than an accident,'' said police spokesman Robert Cargie. He declined to give further details.

The case is currently a "non-criminal death investigation,'' Herrera said, unless the medical examiner rules it was a homicide. The autopsy should be completed today, the medical examiner's office said.

2005 Aug 11