PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — About two years before Andrea Luncsford appeared in a Peoria County courtroom charged in connection with the death of her one-month-old son, she was in another Peoria County courtroom where a judge terminated her parental rights for another child.
In 2022, Luncsford, then 23, was found unfit as a parent regarding a child who was then 1-year-old, according to records filed in the juvenile division of Peoria County Circuit Court.
The records detail how Luncsford failed to show for some hearings in court, was found to have tested positive for cocaine when the baby was born.
Reporters and members of the media are allowed to review such court records and report on their findings as long as the reports do not reveal who the child is or give any details that could identify a child. That goes for both juvenile delinquency hearings as well as hearings in the county’s abuse and neglect court.
A judge must give approval for such a request after a reporter or member of the media lays out, in detail, reasons why such a request should be granted and the veil of secrecy regarding juvenile matters be lifted.
In this case, Luncsford, now 25 and three days shy of her 26th birthday, stands charged with murder and endangering the life and health of a child for allegedly leaving her baby, Grayson Luncsford, in a hot car for an extended period of time, resulting in his death.
She faces up to 100 years in prison and will find out at 3 p.m. Thursday if she is to be held in custody at the Peoria County Jail pending the outcome of her case.
DCFS involvement
The state’s Department of Children and Family Services had notified about Luncsford earlier this month. It wasn’t clear how or why, based upon statements from the agency.
Deborah Lopez, a DCFS spokeswoman, said her agency had been talking to Luncsford as early as Sept. 6 due to a pending investigation that involved “substantial risk of physical injury or environment.”
That investigation originated in the Chicago area where she was living. Then, on Monday, the agency opened another investigation, saying they were investigating a death.
“These are active investigations, and we are not able to comment further; we are working with local law enforcement on both investigations,” she said.
WMBD has asked for more information from the agency regarding their contact with Luncsford and what hte nature of the investigation was. Those requests have not been answered.
Juvenile records
Peoria County, like most counties within Illinois, has an abuse and neglect courtroom. In that room are child advocates, parents, attorneys and judges who are trying to resolve allegations of abuse, neglect or improper parenting.
Many times, a parent will heed the orders of the judge, take corrective measures — called services in courtroom parlance — and things are better. The goal is usually to return a child to their parents.
However, there are some times, either due to the nature of the allegations or the parent’s inability to comply with court orders, that more drastic measures are taken.
In this case, Luncsford came to the attention of Peoria County prosecutors shortly after her baby was born in early 2021. WMBD will not give many details regarding the child or her birth so it’s hard to identify the child who has since been adopted.
The reason? Cocaine in both mom’s and the baby’s body.
According to court records, the baby was in the neonatal ICU for several weeks before being released and placed into foster care. Her mother, Andrea, was around at the beginning but after the first week, “did not visit or inquire about the welfare of her baby,” the report said.
In fact, court records indicate that Luncsford did not see her child for several months after she was released from the hospital. DCFS, the document state, didn’t know where she was until they saw a social media post listing inmates at the Tazewell County Jail.
It’s that indifference that led a social worker to recommend termination of her parental rights, saying it was the child’s best interest to remain with her foster parents.
