Stuck Kids
Illinois Children Languish in Psychiatric Hospitals
The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services struggles to find appropriate homes for young people with mental illness, often holding children and teens in psychiatric hospitals even after they’ve been cleared for release.
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Hundreds of Illinois Children Languish in Psychiatric Hospitals After They’re Cleared For Release
The Department of Children and Family Services struggles to find appropriate homes for young people with mental illness.
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Chicago Psychiatric Hospital Will Remain Open for Now
Lawyers for Aurora Chicago Lakeshore Hospital had asked a judge for an order so it wouldn’t immediately lose federal funding and have to close.
Lawsuit Targets Illinois’ Child Welfare Agency Over Children Languishing in Psychiatric Hospitals
The suit against the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, filed on behalf of hundreds of children, claims holding them after doctors clear them for release compounds their trauma. “I felt trapped,” one teen said.
Federal Judge Puts Independent Review of Troubled Psychiatric Hospital on Hold
With Aurora Chicago Lakeshore Hospital set to lose government funding, and children in state care no longer there, judge concludes investigation unnecessary.
A Chicago Psychiatric Hospital Will Lose Federal Funding Over Safety and Abuse Issues Involving Children in State Care
At the same time, a federal judge said he will appoint a monitor to oversee the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. “The stakes cannot be higher,” the judge said.
9-Year-Old Alleges Staff Member at Chicago Psychiatric Hospital Choked and Restrained Her
The report brings the number of investigations by Illinois’ child welfare agency into allegations of abuse or neglect at Aurora Chicago Lakeshore Hospital to 19 since January.
ACLU of Illinois Demands Removal of Children in DCFS Care From Troubled Chicago Hospital
More allegations of sexual abuse at Aurora Chicago Lakeshore Hospital, already under government scrutiny, have surfaced.
Chicago City Council Members Seek Hearing on Psychiatric Hospital
Aldermen ask for hearing to address allegations of sexual and physical abuse at Aurora Chicago Lakeshore Hospital.
Illinois DCFS Agrees to Outside Inquiry at Psychiatric Hospital Where Children Have Reported Abuse
Under mounting pressure, the state child welfare agency agreed to a broad investigation, but the American Civil Liberties Union and other advocates said they will remain vigilant.
Illinois Child Welfare Agency Agrees to Stop Sending Children to Psychiatric Hospital Where Children Reported Abuse but Balks at Full Investigation
The Department of Children and Family Services’ inspector general and the American Civil Liberties Union say a limited investigation doesn’t go far enough.
Reporting on the Layers of Potential Harm for Children in Psychiatric Hospitals
It’s a systemic problem involving the agency charged with caring for those children.
Lawmakers Call for Independent Inquiry at Psychiatric Hospital After ProPublica Illinois Report on Abuse of Children
One legislator said she was “disgusted” by the revelations and said the children “deserve to be safe.”
Chicago Psychiatric Hospital Is Under Fire Over Reports Alleging Abuse of Children
Aurora Chicago Lakeshore Hospital is under federal and state investigation over reports that detail sexual assaults and physical abuse of children, including some who were cleared for release but remained hospitalized because child welfare officials couldn’t find more appropriate homes.
“Do Something, Please,” Doctors Testify at DCFS Hearing
This week, reporter Duaa Eldeib attended a hearing called after our investigation found hundreds of children in state care who were stuck in psychiatric hospitals — sometimes for months. Here’s the dispatch from our newsletter.
Illinois Lawmakers Search for Solutions for Children Stuck in Psychiatric Hospitals
Witnesses at legislative hearing criticize state child welfare agency, say some teens prefer jail to psychiatric facilities
Federal Judge to Consider Independent Monitor for Illinois Child Welfare Agency
State officials have failed to deal with children stuck in psychiatric hospitals.
Illinois Lawmakers Demand Explanation on Children Stuck in Psychiatric Hospitals
A call for state welfare officials to appear at a public hearing follows our ProPublica Illinois investigation.
Where Is “Home” for Children in State Custody?
Many of us have distinct memories of our own childhood homes. That’s not the case for hundreds of children trapped in Illinois psychiatric hospitals.
