Dad arrested for aggravated battery; 4-year-old son abused (Rogers Park, Illinois)

Dad ALAN GATES has been arrested and charged with two counts of aggravated battery to a child. His 4-year-old son had bruising on his legs. All four children in the home were taken into state custody, though the other three were found "healthy."

http://www.suntimes.com/news/24-7/1929840,child-abuse-allegation-120909.article

Four children taken into state custody after child abuse allegation
December 9, 2009
Sun-Times Media Wire

A 24-year-old Rogers Park man was arrested Monday and charged with child abuse for allegedly harming his 4-year-old son, police said.

Alan Gates, 24, of the 1700 block of West Juneway Terrace, was charged with two counts of aggravated battery to a child, according to police, who said the charges were approved at 10:01 p.m. Monday.

Gates was arrested at his home at 9:50 a.m. Monday for allegedly harming his 4-year-old son at the Juneway address on an unidentified date.

The boy’s mother told police Monday her son was kidnapped when the boy’s godparent refused to bring him back to his mother after seeing bruises on his lower legs while watching him, according to police.

The child allegedly told investigators his father had beaten him, and the boy was taken to Saint Bernard Hospital and Health Care Center. The boy’s three sisters -- ages 1, 5 and 12 -- were taken to Saint Francis Hospital in Evanston to be examined and found to be healthy. The children were placed into the custody the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, police said.

Belmont Area detectives are investigating.