On Monday, May 19th 1997, Renee brought her three children Brian,
Jamie and Anthony to A-Karrosel Daycare center. Brian had a clean
diaper when he left his grandmothers house having spent the weekend
with her and presented with no marks or bruises. Brian however made a
bowel movement during the 15-minute drive to the center. Upon dropping
Brian off at daycare Renee asked Lynn B. if she could use the table to
change Brian. Lynn said no that she would change him. Renee thanked her
and left for work. After Renee left Lynn called Keith Kim and left him
a message about her allegations of Brian’s condition when he arrived
that morning.
On Wednesday, May 21st 1997, Keith Kim received a phone message from
Lynn Bielski, Brian’s daycare teacher. The message allegedly stated
that Brian had a bruise under his left eye and a dirty diaper that
looked like it had been on a long while. (Keith Kim notes he received
this message on Wed. But that it was left on Monday May 19th) Keith Kim
returned Lynn’s call and instructed her to call the hotline.
On Thursday, May 22nd 1997, Investigator Linder Herrington arrived at
the Day care center. While there she interrogated the children and
strip-searched them for marks and bruises before leaving. At no time
did she seek Renee’s permission to do this. No attempt to contact Renee
was made at this point neither by the school or DCFS. The school was
well aware of Renee’s rights as well as the rights of her children.
They were also aware of Renee’s specific instructions that no one was
to contact her children or speak to them without her written
permission. The only ones allowed to contact her children with her
permission in writing were Mrs. O’Martin, Mr. O’Martin, Eric Russell,
and James Pietrie. No one ever attempted to contact Renee’s emergency
contact information or her work number at which they would have reached
Renee directly. Renee worked as the only receptionist for Allied
Building products.
On Thursday May 22nd 1997 Linder Herrington wrote her investigative
report. She documents Jamie as having presented with no marks or
bruises Brian is alleged to have multiple marks on the face
area. And Anthony is stated to have a bruise on his
forehead. Linder Herrington further documents alleged statements
made by the children. She documents that Brian made claims of Renee
hitting him in the face with a belt, that Anthony claims to receive a
tap in the mouth when talking back and that Jamie was said to have
reported that Renee spanks them with a belt and slaps
them.
On Thursday, May 22nd 1997, Renee returned home from work to a message
to call Linder Herrington. This was the first and only attempt at
contact with Renee.
On Thursday, May 22nd 1997, Renee called to schedule an immediate
appointment with her children’s Doctor. An appointment was set for the
following morning. Renee then called Linder Herrington and left her a
message to contact her the following day regarding her need to speak to
her. Linder Herrington never returned Renee’s Call.
On Friday, May 23rd 1997, Renee took Anthony, Jamie and Brian to see
Dr. Michael Clark at the Boblick medical groups office in Oak Park
Illinois. Renee Made Dr. Clark aware of the report of abuse. She asked
that he speak to the children and examine them to have a record of
their physical condition and appearance. After speaking to the children
Dr. Clark noted that the children presented with no signs of injury or
trauma. The children’s medical records note no statements of any abuse
made by the children. The doctor being a mandated reporter and
possessing a medical degree would have made a report himself had there
been any reason to suspect abuse or neglect.
Dr. Clark wrote a note for Renee stating his observation of the
children so that Renee could present this to Linder Harrington upon
contact. After Renee left the Dr.’s office she proceeded to the daycare
and dropped off her three younger children at approximately 11 AM. Then
proceeded to her mother’s home in Elmwood Park Illinois. Upon arriving
she was given a message by her mother stating that Linder Harrington
had finally returned her call. Mrs. O’martin told Ms. Harrington that
Renee took her children to daycare and would be back shortly. Renee
Called Ms. Herrington back immediately and spoke to Andrew, Ms.
Harrington’s supervisor. Andrew told Renee that Ms. Herrington was on a
crisis call and to stay put she would call her back when she got in.
Andrew did not tell Renee at that time that the “crisis call” was in
fact Ms. Harrington going to the daycare to take Renee’s children.
Thinking that Ms. Herrington would surely want to speak to her and
would ask to see the children, and not knowing what was actually being
done, Renee left to pick up her children from Daycare.
Benjamin the oldest of Renee’s 4 children was not there at this time.
He currently was in the temporary care of her brother Eric Russell so
that he could regularly attend school and finish out the year in the
school he was already in. (see school records attached)
Upon arriving at the daycare, Renee was still told nothing of what was
planned by DCFS, though all involved at the time knew. Upon attempting
to walk out the door with Anthony, an African American woman of slender
build and wearing a dress grabbed Anthony by the neck and cornered
Renee. She stated “you are not going anywhere with these children I am
taking them into protective custody!” Renee asked, “Who the hell are
you?” The woman identified herself as “DCFS.” Renee then asked for her
Name, Identification and a copy of a court order signed by a judge. The
woman replied, “you don’t need to know my name and I don’t need a court
order!” Renee stated, “you have to the count of three to release my
child and move or I am knocking you out!” Anthony was crying the whole
time and screaming “Mommy help!” “Hey let me go your hurting me!”
The woman placed her one foot against the frame of the door blocking
Renee’s path and holding on to the neck of 5-year-old Anthony. Renee
began to count. “One!” The woman screamed, “I am not moving!” “Two!” “I
am taking this child and I don’t need a court order for anything, I am
DCFS!” “Three!” And with that Renee struck the woman with all her might
knocking the woman down. Renee then picked up Anthony and jumped over
the woman and ran to her car. She then took her three terrified
children to her mothers.
It was when she arrived at her mothers that she received another phone
message. Mrs. O’martin stated that a man called claiming to be with the
police. He stated that there was a “federal warrant for kidnapping and
child endangerment” out on Renee and that Renee had better go to the
Elmwood Park police station immediately the woman she just “assaulted”
was Ms. Harrington of DCFS.” He did not leave his name or number
but rather simply hang up.
Ms. Harrington includes in her report a statement made by her
supervisor to Mrs. O’Martin, Renee’s mother. The supervisor made claims
that Renee must go to the police station or when found she would be
arrested for child endangerment.
Ms. Herrington further includes in her report that an Officer Bogg of
the Elmwood Park police stated that should Renee arrive before DCFS
that she would be detained until DCFS could make arrangements for the
children.
Renee called Andrew back (Ms. Harrington’s supervisor) and asked, “What
the hell is going on?” Andrew stated, “Ms. Harrington has called the
police claiming you interfered with an official investigation and that
you interfered with custody. Renee Responded, “first of all I have
custody of my children, second she refused to give me her name and I
did not know who she was, and third she has no legal custody or court
order for custody to tell me anything. I do not have to do anything she
says, and after the way she handled my son she is luck she is not in
the hospital!” Andrew responded, “She only wants to see that the
children are alright.” “We received a report and have to investigate
it, if you will just allow her to verify the children are ok this will
all be over rather fast.” Renee Replied, “If I allow her to see the
children then this is over with?” “Yes”, Andrew responded. “And what is
this about federal warrants,” Renee asked? “Just go to the local police
station and all this will be straightened out,” he said. Renee then
asked, “Is DCFS going to attempt to take my children?” Andrew replied,
“No. We only want to ensure they are physically ok.”
Renee went to the police station without the children accompanied by
James Pietrie, her fiancé and father of her youngest son Brian.
The police insisted that she go get her children or risk arrest for
interference with an official investigation. Renee went and retrieved
her three younger children from her mother. Upon returning she was
asked by Mrs. Harrington where Benjamin was. “Benjamin is not in my
custody he lives with his uncle.” Mrs. Harrington insisted she needed
to have him there as well. Renee went to leave with the children to go
back and get Benjamin and was told she could not take the children with
her. She left the station, got Benjamin and returned. All four children
were placed in a room separate from Renee. Renee was not allowed to
speak to her children or take the little ones to the bathroom. She was
also not allowed to leave either alone or with the children.
When Renee asked, “Am I being arrested?” She was told no. When asked if
she was free to leave she was told no. When Renee asked if she could
see a copy of the court order to detain her children Mrs. Harrington
and Keith Kim both told her that a court order was not needed. When
Renee asked to see the supposed warrant for kidnapping and child
endangerment. She was told to sit down and shut up. Renee persisted,
claiming that her rights were being violated as well as her children’s
rights. Renee was told that those rights did not apply in this
case. At no time did anyone ever place Renee under arrest or formally
charge her with a crime. At no time did anyone read Renee her rights.
Yet she was detained and not allowed to leave.
Renee was never told that an interrogation of her three younger
children had taken place the day before. Instead she was interrogated,
as was Benjamin. When Renee objected to the interrogation she was
informed that the children would be removed regardless of her objection
and that failure to answer the questions of the caseworkers would only
make matters worse. She was further told that if she continued to “rant
on and on” about her “rights” she would not be allowed any visitation
with her children. When Ms. Harrington attempted to take Benjamin into
a room alone to question him Renee stated, “you do not have permission
to talk to my child.” Ms. Harrington stated she did not require
permission from anyone.
After talking to Benjamin, Ms. Harrington called Renee into a room. Ms.
Harrington asked Renee if she left Brian in a urine soaked diaper with
fecies stuck to his bottom. Renee Responded with a firm No. Renee then
asked how could a soaking wet diaper allow poop to dry and stick to his
butt? Ms. Harrington then asked if she had punched Brian in the face.
Renee Said no don’t you think if I had you would see a mark? Ms.
Harrington asked if Renee hit her children with a belt. Renee said
again, No! Ms. Harrington asked Renee if she hits her children. Renee
responded, “Define hit please?” Ms. Harrington asked Renee if she
had ever struck her children. Renee replied define “struck?” Ms.
Harrington then stated that the children had multiple bruises and that
her job was to investigate their origin. She then told Renee that her
refusal to answer the questions would not help her situation. Renee
then said, “If you asked me a question directly that was not vague I
would answer you.” “You are trying to get me to say I abuse my children
and I don’t.” “You are accusing me of things I did not do and further
claiming that my children have bruises and marks they do not have.”
Renee stated that the allegations were false and that the children had
seen the doctor three hours ago and documented no signs of injury or
trauma. Renee then gave Mrs. Harrington the first letter written by Dr.
Clark. Mrs. Harrington read it then tore it up and threw it in the
trash. When Renee went to remove the torn up letter Mrs. Harrington had
the police remove from the room.
The children were then taken by Keith Kim and placed into a car. Renee
asked where he was taking her children and he replied “none of your
business.” “The department has custody now and we will place them in a
foster home of our choosing.” He then got in the car and drove away.
