DCFS Notified After Police Learn Meth Being Sold Out Of Home With Daycare: Authorities

LAKE COUNTY, IL — A 27-year-old North Chicago man has been arrested for allegations he was selling methamphetamine out of a home where a daycare was also being run, authorities said. Meanwhile, an investigation is underway by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services regarding whether an unlicensed daycare was being run out of the home.

The Lake County Sheriff's Office special investigations group, which investigates drug trafficking crimes, launched an undercover investigation into Delwin L. Hodge, of the 2100 block of Wright Avenue in North Chicago, after learning he was selling narcotics, police said.

• DCFS Investigating Whether Unlicensed Daycare Operating At Home Where Meth Was Being Sold

During the operation, Hodge sold 200 grams of methamphetamine to undercover detectives, according to a news release from the Lake County Sheriff's Office. Detectives obtained a search warrant for Hodge's home and during a search on Thursday, recovered packaging materials used for distributing narcotics.

It appears any drugs were flushed down the toilet prior to the SWAT team arriving at the scene, authorities said. A gun and ammunition were also found inside the home.

During the investigation, authorities learned a daycare was being run out of the home where the drugs were being sold. The Department of Children and Family Services was notified of the situation.

Patch.com reached out to police and DCFS for more information regarding the daycare but has not yet heard back.

Meanwhile, Hodge faces several charges related to the drug case, including: three counts of unlawful possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, two counts of unlawful possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of a controlled substance and endangering the life/welfare of a child.

Hodge was on parole, and the Illinois Department of Corrections issued a parole violation warrant for Hodge.

“It is absolutely unacceptable for anyone to traffic dangerous drugs in our community, especially from a home where children are present," Lake County Circuit Court Sheriff John Idleburg said. "The fact that methamphetamine was being sold and a firearm was left accessible in a daycare environment is beyond reckless. I am proud of the outstanding work our Special Investigations Group and SWAT did to safely apprehend this individual and prevent further harm.”

Deborah Lopez, a spokeswoman for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, said DCFS is investigating whether an unlicensed daycare was being run out of the North Chicago home where Hodge was living.

Lopez said the daycare license for was voluntarily surrendered on August 19, 2024.

"DCFS is not aware of any children currently being cared for at this location," she said.

This is a developing story. Check back for details.