DCFS investigator brutally beaten by abusive parent

A DCFS Child Protective Investigator in the Sterling Office was sent out at the end of the day on Friday, September 29 to check on the welfare of a child. When the investigator arrived, the father, Andrew Sucher, viciously attacked her, knocking her to the ground repeatedly assaulting the investigator about the head. 

As a result of the attack, the DCFS investigator sustained very serious brain injuries. She was airlifted to a hospital in Rockford where she has undergone two surgeries. She is currently in a coma. 

Out of concern for the family, we are not releasing the employee’s name at this time. Kathy Lane, the president of AFSCME Local 448, knows her very well and was with the family at the hospital throughout the night after the attack. An AFSCME Personal Support Program (PSP) counselor has also been there to provide assistance. Kathy is urgently requesting prayers for this DCFS employee and fellow AFSCME member who is now so gravely injured as a result of her dedication to protecting an endangered child.

“This brutal attack is a horrific reminder of the dangers that DCFS employees confront every day on the job,” said AFSCME Council 31 Executive Director Roberta Lynch. “There must be a thorough review of agency policies, as well as a commitment to assure staffing levels that can protect at-risk children and the employees we count on to safeguard them.”

 The assailant has been arrested and is being held on $200,000 bond.