Dad with "weekend visitation," history of violence, indicted in scalding that lead to amputation of 20-month-old son's toes (North Aurora, Illinois)

Once again we see the utter stupidity of the courts awarding visitation of a defenseless toddler to a dad with a violent criminal history including domestic violence. Dad JASON L. BARNES had his 20-month-old son for a court-ordered weekend visitation when he scalded the child so badly (third degree burns from the waist down) that all the child's toes had to be amputated. Dad has been charged with two counts of heinous battery to a child. But what about the judge who ordered this little child into the weekend "care" of this monster? Any accountability there?

http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/12/father-indicted-in-scalding-that-led-to-amputation-of-sons-toes.html

Father indicted in scalding that led to amputation of son's toes
December 9, 2009 5:53 PM

A North Aurora man accused of scalding his 20-month-old son so badly that all of the child's toes had to be amputated has been charged with two counts of heinous battery to a child.

The criminal indictment against Jason L. Barnes was made public today in Kane County court, where Judge Timothy Sheldon rejected a motion for lower bond for Barnes.

Barnes, 36, of the 700 block of Lloyd Lane, was also charged with aggravated battery to a child and aggravated domestic battery. If found guilty, he could face up to 60 years in prison.

According to Kane County prosecutors, Barnes scalded the child on Aug. 15 while the child was at Barnes' home. The child suffered third-degree burns from the waist down, and the burns forced doctors to amputate the child's toes, Assistant State's Atty. Lori Schmidt said at Wednesday's bond hearing.

Prosecutors did not disclose additional details surrounding the incident.

After several months of investigation by the Kane County Child Advocacy Center, Barnes was indicted Dec. 1 and taken into custody. He has remained since then in the county jail in lieu of $500,000 bail.

Other county court documents state that Barnes and the child's mother previously lived together, and they have a 3-year-old daughter. The mother, who lives with the children in Batavia, sought an order of protection against Barnes in 2008, alleging several incidents of violent, abusive behavior.

Barnes had a custody arrangement that allowed him to spend weekends with the son, court records show.

According to Illinois Department of Corrections records, Barnes served a year in prison starting in late 2001 for DuPage County convictions for aggravated battery and unlawful restraint.