Man Convicted Of Punching 5-Year-Old In Groin

ST. CHARLES, Ill. (STMW) -- A former northwest suburban man was convicted Friday of punching his ex-girlfriend's 5-year-old son in the groin multiple times and severely injuring the boy in 2011.

Associate Judge Clint Hull convicted Sedrick A. Ballard, 26, of the 400 block of Forest Street in Kalamazoo, Mich., of three counts of aggravated battery, according to the Kane County State's Attorney's office. Ballard had recently lived in Elgin.

Ballard punched his girlfriend's 5-year-old son three times in the genital area on Nov. 28, 2011 -- causing bruising, severe swelling and a laceration, according to the state's attorney's office. Ballard was living in the woman's home at the time.

The boy was taken to Sherman Hospital in Elgin and then to Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, where he remained for four days, according to prosecutors.

Ballard, who waived his right to a jury trial, will be back in court at 1:30 p.m. on May 31 for post-trial motions and sentencing. He faces up to 30 years in prison.

Ballard remains in the Kane County jail, where he has been held on a $700,000 bond, which was revoked upon conviction.

(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2013. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)