Pathologists Mum On Results Of 12-Year-Old's Autopsy

Pathologists Mum On Results Of 12-Year-Old's Autopsy

Death Of Special Needs Child Investigated As Possible Child Abuse

July 25, 2008

CHICAGO -- Pathologists completed an autopsy on 12-year-old Kevin Johnson on Thursday, but authorities would not release the results pending an investigation into the death of the special-needs child.

"The case remains under review," said Chuck Pelkie, spokesman for the Will County state's attorney.

A Department of Children and Family Services caseworker testified in a Will County courtroom Tuesday that a weighted helmet, long wooden paddle and severe beatings were used to discipline the Crete boy before his death Sunday.

The boy had been in the care of Barbara and Fred D. Johnson II, daughter and son-in-law of the couple who had adopted Kevin in 2000 but passed away a few years later.

Authorities are also trying to determine if any of the youth's eight siblings -- four of whom are the biological children of Barbara and Fred Johnson -- were subject to abuse. The children, who range in age from 2 to 17, remain in protective custody.

DCFS substantiated that Kevin was abused at the hand of a sibling in 2007, said agency spokesman Kendall Marlowe. A second probe was launched in April over an allegation an adult had abused the boy.