Dad pleads guilty to aggraved battery for severely injuring infant son (Lakemoor, Illinois)

Dad TRAVIS MYERS has pleaded guilty to aggravated domestic battery in an attack that nearly killed his 2-month-old son earlier this year. The baby was violently shaken and experienced brain trauma, fractured bones, and retinal problems.

INVISIBLE MOTHER ALERT.

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=395827

Lakemoor man admits to shaken baby death
By Lee Filas Daily Herald StaffContact writer
Published: 7/22/2010 4:06 PM

A Lakemoor man has pleaded guilty in Lake County court to nearly shaking his baby to death earlier this year.

Travis Myers, 20, agreed to spend 180 days in jail, 180 days on electronic home monitoring and 30 months of probation after pleading guilty Wednesday to aggravated domestic battery for the attack in his Lakemoor home Jan. 7, Assistant State's Attorney Matt DeMartini said.

Myers had been charged with aggravated battery to a child by the Lake County States Attorney's Office in March after shaking and severely injuring his 2-month-old son.

Aggravated battery to a child is much harsher charge, DeMartini said, and could have put the father behind bars for up to 7 years.

He said the plea deal was reached after doctors determined the child could make a full recovery, DeMartini said.

Myers told police the child had stopped breathing and he shook the baby in an effort to resuscitate him, DeMartini said. Myers added the child was in the hospital only days before the shaking because of respiratory issues.

Following the shaking in January, the child was taken to Advocate Condell Medical Center with brain trauma, detached retinas, a fractured left clavicle and a fractured left wrist, DeMartini said.

As part of the plea deal, DeMartini said Myers is also expected to perform 150 hours of public service and is not allowed to have any contact with the child.