Parents Push DCFS to Suspend Wesley License

A group of about 12 Wesley families—who had children at Roosevelt Pool the day of Vicente Cardenas’ drowning— have initiated a petition to suspend the childcare center’s license.

While The Glenview Police Department’s investigation is closed, DCFS is still looking into Wesley Child Care Center’s operations and the June 15 drowning of 4-year-old Vicente Cardenas, according to investigators. Related: Wesley was 'Grossly Negligent,' Cardenas Family Says  A group of about 12 Wesley families are in the process of petitioning DCFS to suspend Wesley’s license pending completion of the investigation, explained a Patch reader and Wesley parent who asked not to be named to protect the privacy of their children. “We realize this will cause upheaval to those who have their children in the center’s daycare and for those who attend the various after-school programs in Glenview,” the parent told Patch. “However, without knowing …

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A Glenview Parent

8:48 am on Thursday, December 20, 2012

I agree with you A Concerned Parent #2. Here is the family's response to the reports. http://patch.com/A-xyMs   more ›

Letters to the Editor

Cardenas Family, Investigators Still Looking for Answers

Following the drowning of 4-year-old Vicente Cardenas earlier this summer, one Wesley Child Care Center parent urges others to share information about the day care center and their experiences with the Department of Child and Family Services.

Dear Fellow Wesley Parents, Many of us have been sitting on the sidelines, grieving for the Cardenas family, frustrated with the silence, and wondering what we can do to help. As of July 26, officially, the Cardenas Family still knows absolutely NOTHING. I mean not a word from police, from Wesley center or from DCFS.   More: Read Patch's coverage of the tragic Roosevelt Pool drowning. Also, as many of you are aware, the investigation continues surrounding the events of June 15. This investigation is centered on the drowning and investigators are directing their attention to only those involved (employees, witnesses, etc). Many Wesley parents have had their own experiences with the center and those interactions will never be made part of …

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Joanna Schneider

12:38 pm on Friday, August 31, 2012

And two additional updates: 1. Cardenas Family: Wesley Child Care Was ‘Grossly Negligent http://patch.com/A-xyMs 2. Wesley Responds to Glenview Police Drowning Report http://patch.com/A-xzyg I've heard from several Wesley parents wanting to share their stories and how this has affected children at Wesley. If there there are additional families who would like to speak with Patch, feel free to …   more ›

Cardenas Family Looks for Answers, Glenview Park District Denies Drowning Liability

Vicente Cardenas' uncle speaks to Patch about the family's tragic loss. Glenview Police are still investigating the drowning and until further notice, the Glenview Park District has suspended use of Roosevelt and Flick pools for all camps.

Editor's note: A previous version of the story stated that the investigation of Vicente's death had been closed. Today, Glenview Police said there was a miscommunication within the department and that the case remains open and active.  __________________ Vicente Cardenas was laid to rest Tuesday, four days after he drowned at a Glenview Park District pool. While police have closed the investigation, his family is still looking for answers as to why the four-year-old died at a crowded Glenview swimming center June 15. More: Patch’s complete coverage of Vicente Cardenas' drowning Cardenas Family Reaction “We know he was there at a class field trip and he was not wearing a life preserver,” said Val Gurvits, Vicente’s uncle and the Cardenas …

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