Denise Derdeyn speaks Thursday, after receiving the 2026 Connie Reyes Award for Excellence in Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention during a ceremony at the Kenosha County Job Center.
SUBMITED PHOTO
Denise Derdeyn, the recipient of the 2026 Connie Reyes Award for Excellence in Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention, poses for a photo with Kenosha County officials and members of the Reyes family. Pictured, from left, are County Executive Samantha Kerkman, Sunny Reyes, Derdeyn, Veronica Reyes, county Division of Children and Family Services Director Pamela Condos and Division Manager Annette Howze.
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Denise Derdeyn, second from right, smiles as she is presented with the Connie Reyes Award for Excellence in Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention during a ceremony at the Kenosha County Job Center.
The 35-year-old faces two counts of attempted first degree intentional homicide and five counts of first degree recklessly endangering safety, among other charges.
She originally was charged with first degree reckless homicide in two separate cases. Both cases were amended, and she faced a count of second-degree reckless homicide in each case.
The Kenosha Police Department received a report of a child custody issue about 6:15 p.m., and dispatchers reported hearing sounds consistent with a struggle.
Officers responded to a reported altercation at a Kenosha home, discovering a seriously injured 41-year-old man and the deceased woman, Stephanie Birn. A 42-year-old suspect was detained without incident and is currently held on probation. The investigation is ongoing.
A 6-year-old girl was found deceased in her bedroom in 2022, and investigators said they observed no foul play. Four years later, a renewed investigation points to a homicide.
Denise Derdeyn speaks Thursday, after receiving the 2026 Connie Reyes Award for Excellence in Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention during a ceremony at the Kenosha County Job Center.
Denise Derdeyn, the recipient of the 2026 Connie Reyes Award for Excellence in Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention, poses for a photo with Kenosha County officials and members of the Reyes family. Pictured, from left, are County Executive Samantha Kerkman, Sunny Reyes, Derdeyn, Veronica Reyes, county Division of Children and Family Services Director Pamela Condos and Division Manager Annette Howze.
Denise Derdeyn, second from right, smiles as she is presented with the Connie Reyes Award for Excellence in Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention during a ceremony at the Kenosha County Job Center.