Teen Charged In Death Of 3-Year-Old Boy
WAUKEGAN (CBS) -- An 18-year-old north suburban man has been charged with aggravated battery in connection with the death of a 3-year-old boy who was in his care, and police say further charges may follow completion of an autopsy.
Thomas T. Albea of Waukegan was being held on $1 million bond Friday after being charged with aggravated battery to a child (a Class X felony), aggravated battery and aggravated domestic battery, according to a release from Waukegan police.
Xzavion Charleston, 3, of North McAree Road, in Waukegan was pronounced dead at 10:30 p.m. Thursday at Children's Memorial Hospital, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner's office.
He suffered trauma, according to the medical examiner's office, which has scheduled an autopsy for Saturday for the boy.
At about 1 a.m. Thursday, Waukegan police were called to Vista West Hospital for a child who was not breathing, the release said.
Officers met with hospital staff and learned the toddler suffered extensive trauma to his abdomen, reportedly caused by blunt force trauma, the release said. The child was flown to Children's Memorial Hospital, where he later died.
Investigators learned the child was in the care of Albea, of the 1700 block of North McAree, when the injuries were suffered.
The state Department of Children and Family Services was investigating allegations of abuse against a man who was not Xzavion's father, spokesman Jimmie Whitelow said.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2010. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
