An investigator for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is hospitalized in a coma after being assaulted while trying to take protective custody of a child.
Andrew Sucher, 29, allegedly struck the 59-year-old female investigator repeatedly in the head on Friday when she appeared at the 2-year-old child’s home near Sterling, according to state officials and court records.
The Chicago Tribune reports the woman suffered brain injuries and is in a coma. She is hospitalized in Rockford, and has undergone two surgeries.
The department became involved with the family in July after Sucher was charged in Whiteside County with felony aggravated battery of a child. Court records show he was accused of dragging a 6-year-old boy by the feet and striking him in the face with a plastic squirt gun. Sucher also was charged in that incident with domestic violence for allegedly attacking his girlfriend.
Sucher was free on $15,000 bond when he was arrested for the attack on the investigator. A public defender assigned to the case was unavailable for comment Wednesday.
Department Director Beverly B.J. Walker said the attack underscores the dangers of the job. She noted that investigators often visit homes where they are not welcome and deal with families racked by domestic violence, drug abuse and criminal activity.
http://nypost.com/2017/10/05/family-services-investigator-assaulted-while-trying-to-rescue-child/