CHICAGO, IL: A harrowing incident shook a quiet neighborhood late Saturday evening when a 1-year-old child was discovered severely beaten and barely conscious. Police say the child was rushed to a nearby hospital in critical condition after a frantic 911 call from the family’s home on the city’s South Side.
Shock and Response
Neighbors reported hearing muffled sounds of distress around 8:45 PM, prompting a concerned friend of the child’s mother to check on the family. Inside the modest two-bedroom apartment, the friend found the infant pale, unresponsive, and bearing multiple bruises. Emergency medical technicians transported the baby to University of Chicago Medical Center, where doctors continue to evaluate the extent of the injuries.
Following an initial assessment, medical staff expressed grave concerns for the child’s well-being but described signs of stabilization as of Sunday morning. A hospital spokesperson confirmed the infant remains under intensive care, receiving treatment for head trauma, several broken ribs, and contusions across the torso and limbs.
Arrest and Charges
According to law enforcement sources, officers arrested 28-year-old Marcus Wheeler, the mother’s boyfriend, on Sunday afternoon. Wheeler was taken into custody at the 23rd District station and subsequently charged with aggravated battery of a child and felony assault. Cook County prosecutors are expected to file additional charges as the investigation unfolds.
During a brief appearance before Judge Marianne Holloway, Wheeler was denied bond. The judge cited the severity of the alleged offenses and the risk to public safety as primary factors in her decision. Wheeler’s next court date is scheduled for September 10.
Mother’s Involvement Under Review
Detectives are also probing the role of the child’s mother, 25-year-old Danielle Harris. While Harris is not currently charged with a crime, investigators are scrutinizing her actions and whether she sought timely medical assistance. Court records indicate Harris has temporary custody of the child, but state child welfare authorities have intervened…