Two children who were alone when a fire broke out in their apartment will remain in the custody of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services at least until November, a Kane County judge has ruled.
During a pre-trial hearing Tuesday in Geneva, Circuit Court Judge Richard Larsen ordered that 1-year-old Stephanie Skodachek and her 2-year-old brother remain under DCFS guardianship until a Nov. 10 hearing.
According to DCFS spokeswoman Lisa Donovan, the case is likely to be concluded then.
“This doesn’t mean we’ll have custody forever,” Donovan said. “We have to iron out a plan for the mom and the kids.”
On Aug. 3 Cindy Skodachek, 22, left the children unattended in the apartment at 415-B E. Indian Trail Rd., while she went to use a neighbor’s telephone. She returned after about 10 minutes to find fire sweeping the living room.
Stephanie, who was in her crib, suffered burns to her back and legs. She has been under DCFS guardianship since her release from the hospital. The agency also took charge of her brother immediately after the fire.
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Police believe the boy accidentally started the blaze using a match or cigarette left within his reach. No criminal charges were filed in connection with the case.