Current:Home > MyIllinois man convicted in fatal stabbing of child welfare worker attacked during home visit -AssetLink
Illinois man convicted in fatal stabbing of child welfare worker attacked during home visit
View
Date:2025-04-13 18:26:33
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — An Illinois man accused of stabbing a state child welfare worker to death as she was making a home visit to check on children has been found guilty but mentally ill in her killing.
Sangamon County Circuit Judge John Madonia convicted Benjamin Howard Reed on Thursday of first-degree murder in the killing of Deidre Silas, who was a child protection specialist for the Department of Children and Family Services.
Maldonia called Silas’ slaying “one of the most brutal and heinous” cases he’s seen in his legal career, The (Springfield) State Journal-Register reported.
Silas was slain in January 2022 as she was responding to a call about possibly endangered children at a home in Thayer, about 23 miles (37 kilometers) south of Springfield.
Authorities said Reed, 35, stabbed Silas, a 36-year-old mother of two children, 43 times in his home and also bludgeoned her to death with a sledgehammer.
Sangamon County State’s Attorney John Milhiser said in a statement that the judge found that Reed “had a mental illness as defined by Illinois law that was present at the time of the murder, leading to a guilty but mentally ill verdict.”
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Deidre Silas and with Child Protection Workers across the state who work each day to keep the most vulnerable members of our community safe,” he added. “The Court’s ruling today holds the defendant accountable for this brutal murder.
Silas’ death prompted the passage of two Illinois laws that address the safety of child welfare workers.
Reed opted for a bench trial instead of a jury trial late last year. His sentencing is set for Nov. 15 and he faces 20 years to life in the Illinois Department of Corrections.
Silas was called to the home to investigate “a report of abuse and neglect” against the parents of two children living at the residence. While the report didn’t initially involve Reed or his wife’s four children and stepchildren, Silas had a responsibility to assess all six children who lived at the home with six adults.
Witnesses testified that Reed became agitated when he learned that Silas was a DCFS worker and that he said the state agency had taken away children from several of his relatives.
Reed’s attorney, Mark Wykoff, said his client has suffered from “a lifetime of mental illness.” Despite Thursday’s guilty verdict, he said he found solace knowing that Reed would now get the treatment he needed in the Illinois Department of Correction.
Wykoff added that “the result is tragic for the victim, for the victim’s family. It’s tragic for Mr. Reed.”
veryGood! (9)
Related
- Brianna LaPaglia Reveals The Meaning Behind Her "Chickenfry" Nickname
- Minneapolis police arrest man in hit-and-run at mosque, investigating possible hate crime
- White House state dinner features stunning DC views, knockout menu and celebrity star power
- RHODubai's Caroline Stanbury Defends Publicly Documenting Her Face Lift Recovery
- The GOP and Kansas’ Democratic governor ousted targeted lawmakers in the state’s primary
- RHODubai's Caroline Stanbury Defends Publicly Documenting Her Face Lift Recovery
- The bodies of two Kansas women who disappeared in Oklahoma were found in a buried freezer
- Patrick Mahomes and Chiefs coach Andy Reid stand by Harrison Butker after controversial graduation speech
- Google unveils a quantum chip. Could it help unlock the universe's deepest secrets?
- Diaper maker will spend $418 million to expand its Georgia factory, hiring 600
Ranking
- Jay Kanter, veteran Hollywood producer and Marlon Brando agent, dies at 97: Reports
- Arizona man convicted of first-degree murder in starvation death of 6-year-old son
- Dogs help detect nearly 6 tons of meth hidden inside squash shipment in California
- Patrick Mahomes Reacts to Body-Shaming Comments
- Are Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp down? Meta says most issues resolved after outages
- How Pregnant Vanessa Hudgens Feels About Her Kids Watching Her Movies One Day
- NCAA, leagues sign off on $2.8 billion plan, setting stage for dramatic change across college sports
- Ohio governor calls special session to pass legislation ensuring President Biden is on 2024 ballot
Recommendation
The White House is cracking down on overdraft fees
Cassie Gets Support From Kelly Rowland & More After Speaking Out About Sean Diddy Combs Assault Video
New book about Lauren Spierer case reveals never-before published investigation details
Judge says $475,000 award in New Hampshire youth center abuse case would be ‘miscarriage of justice’
House passes bill to add 66 new federal judgeships, but prospects murky after Biden veto threat
Lo Bosworth on getting 10 hours of sleep, hydrotherapy and 20 years of 'Laguna Beach'
Kourtney Kardashian reflects on 'terrifying' emergency fetal surgery: 'That was a trauma'
Caitlin Clark should listen to Jewell Loyd. Fellow top pick's advice could turn around rookie year.
Like
- EU countries double down on a halt to Syrian asylum claims but will not yet send people back
- Patrick Mahomes and Chiefs coach Andy Reid stand by Harrison Butker after controversial graduation speech
- Get 50% Off Old Navy, 60% Off Fenty Beauty, 70% Off Anthropologie, 70% Off Madewell & Memorial Day Deals