Pamela Sue Knight, 59, (shown) died Thursday morning in intensive care. Knight was brutally attacked in September while trying to take protective custody of a child

An Illinois child welfare worker has died after being severely beaten last fall while trying to take protective custody of a child.

Neil Skene, a spokesman for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, confirmed 59-year-old Pamela Sue Knight died Thursday morning.

Sauk Valley Media reports that the suspect, 25-year-old Andrew Sucher, is accused of kicking Knight in the head so severely that he fractured her skull in September.

The attack had caused permanent brain damage and extensive physical disabilities.

Knight was attacked when she went to his parents' home in Milledgeville to take a two-year-old boy into protective custody.

Sauk Vallay reports that Knight went into emergency surgery on Sunday and was in intensive care at the time of her passing.

A Friday autopsy report will reveal Knight's official cause of death.

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The suspect, 25-year-old Andrew Sucher (pictured) is accused of kicking Knight in the head so severely that he fractured her skull

Sucher remains jailed on $275,000 bond. He's pleaded not guilty to attempted first-degree murder and other charges.

His next hearing is set for February 23.

American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees president Kathy Lane released a statement following the tragedy.

Lane asked the public to pray for her family and remember Knight, who was 'dedicated' to her work.

'We're there to help children, we're not there to wreck families or take their children away forever,' Lane said, according to the news site.

'We're the first responders... we're there to help people, we're not there to cause harm. Our mission is to help everyone, and it's important for people to know that.'