The child known as Eli Quick drew national attention this springwhen authorities investigated the possibility that he was actuallya missing boy from North Carolina named Tristen "Buddy" Myers.But DNA tests ruled out that theory.
The department said DNA results show that the boy is TimothyRobert Trandel, who is the son of Laura Ann Trandel, of Anna.
Trandel's sister, Cheri, is already raising three of LauraTrandel's children, and has said she also wants to raise Timothy,now living in a Chicago foster home.
The department said it will meet with the Trandel family, theboy's foster family and his therapist to determine the best way toprepare the boy to assume his new identity. DCFS also will assessCheri Trandel and her home for suitability.
"We think she's a good fit but we want to make absolutelycertain that she is," said Jill Manuel, DCFS spokeswoman. "CheriTrandel is the only biological relative at this time that webelieve is viable. We're going to work toward that goal and I don'tforesee that there are going to be any problems with her."
The boy turned up in an Evanston hospital in February. DCFS tookcustody of him after he was left at the hospital by a man namedRicky Quick, who claims to have raised Eli since 1995.
Previous tests showed that the boy was not Ricky Quick'sbiological son. Ricky Quick has said a prostitute named Laura gavehim the boy.
Ricky Quick could not be reached for comment Monday.
Trandel has said her sister left the area on April 2 and has notbeen heard from since. There was no answer at Trandel's homeMonday.
In May, she told The Associated Press that her sister had beenhome working and overcoming a drug problem for the past five yearsin Jonesboro after years living on the road, then left abruptlyApril 2.
Trandel said at the time she would be "willing to take him (theboy) in."
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