Illinois DCFS Caseworker Fatally Stabbed During Home Visit

THAYER, IL — A child welfare worker was fatally stabbed while conducting a home visit Tuesday near Springfield, the Chicago Tribune reported.

Deidre Silas, 36, a caseworker with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, was checking on six children, all younger than 7, at a home in Thayer, about half an hour south of the state capital. The Sangamon County sheriff's office said she was attacked around 4 p.m. by Benjamin H. Reed, 32, a man who lived in the home on the 300 block of West Elm Street.

Police responded to the home a short time later, finding blood near the door and Silas' body inside, the sheriff's office said.

About two hours later, officers arrested Reed at a nearby hospital — where he was receiving treatment for a minor injury — and charged him with first-degree murder and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, according to ABC 7. His bond was set at $5 million.

Silas was a child protection specialist and had worked for the department since last fall. DCFS director Marc D. Smith said in a statement that his department was "deeply saddened by the tragic death of our college."

"Our most heartfelt condolences, thoughts and prayers are with her family during this difficult time," Smith continued. "Social work is more than just a job, it is a calling. Deidre responded to this call and dedicated herself to the children, families and communities she served, and we will be forever grateful for her work. She was an incredible person, and her brightness and positivity will be missed not only by her family and friends but also her second family at DCSF."

Silas had a 5-year-old son, Ashton, and a 2-year-old daughter, Amelia, according to a GoFundMe campaign set up by Silas' brother to pay for therapy and to start a college fund for the children.

"Amelia who is just 2 years old will no longer hear her mom sing to her, play with her, or struggle to tidy her room up with Amelia coming in behind her pulling down her toys just so mom can pick them up again," her brother wrote online. "Her son Ashton who is 5 years will not be able to come to his mom to comfort him after watching his favorite show that also makes him cry, he won’t be able to bring his bowl of Honey Nut Cheerios for constant refills."

As of Thursday afternoon, the GoFundMe had raised $12,370 toward a $100,000 goal.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker called her a "hero, taken from us in the line of duty," in a statement issued Wednesday.

"There is no higher calling than the work to keep children and families safe and Deidre lived that value every single day," the governor said. "Our most vulnerable are safer because she chose to serve. I can think of no more profound legacy."

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