Dad jailed on Father's Day for endangering life of 9-month-old son (Island Lake, Illinois)

Dad JACOB WEINFURTER has been charged with child endangerment after he and his unnamed drinking buddy left a bar--after some heavy Father's Day tippling--with Daddy's 9-month-old son. When the police pulled them over, the found the baby ON THE FLOOR OF THE VAN BETWEEN DADDY'S LEGS. Did Daddy not have a car seat? He had one but "forgot" to use it (these things happen when you're sloshed, you know)? Or is it that he just didn't give a rat's @$$ about that sort of thing?

Somehow this sounds like a visitation incident. Otherwise, why wouldn't the mother have been along on this little outing?

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=389992&src=4

Island Lake father jailed for endangering son's life
By Russell Lissau Daily Herald Staff'
Published: 6/24/2010 2:08 PM

An Island Lake man who took his 9-month-old son out on Father's Day spent part of the holiday in jail for endangering the tot's life, police said.

Jacob Weinfurter, 34, of the 27000 block of Walnut Drive, was arrested Sunday after police found him in a van with the infant on the floor between his legs, authorities said.

Weinfurter was a front-seat passenger in the van, but both he and the driver had been drinking, police reports indicate.

The incident occurred about 10:20 p.m. outside a bar on the 4000 block of Roberts Road in Island Lake. A bartender called police and said two men were trying to drive away with a baby while intoxicated.

Upon arrival, police spotted the van and pulled in behind it to prevent it from leaving, reports said. Officers then found the driver, Weinfurter and the baby inside, reports said. The van's engine was running, but the vehicle was parked, according to reports.

Weinfurter was charged with endangering the life of a child and failure to properly secure a child in an appropriate child restraint.

The driver was not charged.

The baby was released to his mother, police said.

Weinfurter was released after posting $100 bond. He is scheduled to appear in Lake County circuit court on July 19.