Dad charged with aggravated battery for beating of 2-month-old daughter during visitation (Urbana, Illinois)

Wonder if dad ANTHONY R. WILKINS had visitation by court order....

http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2014-10-01/urbana-father-charged-battery-baby.html

Urbana father charged with battery to baby

Wed, 10/01/2014 - 12:00pm | Mary Schenk

URBANA — A 2-month-old child is expected to recover from internal injuries that authorities believe may have been inflicted by her father over the weekend.

State's Attorney Julia Rietz said Wednesday she charged Anthony R. Wilkins, 19, who listed an address in the 1100 block of North Gregory Street, Urbana, with a single count of aggravated battery to a child following his arrest Tuesday by Urbana police.

Sgt. Dan Morgan and Rietz said Wilkins was taking care of his infant daughter over the weekend at a home of one of his relatives in the 800 block of North Division Avenue, Urbana. He does not live full time with the child, Morgan said.

On Monday, the child's mother picked her daughter up and noticed that she was having trouble breathing. She went right to Carle Foundation Hospital with her.

Rietz said doctors there found the child to have five fractured ribs and damage to her esophagus and liver, all of which are "indicative of squeezing or blows to the back, according to doctors."

Carle officials notified Department of Children and Family Services representatives, who then notified police.

Morgan said interviews with Wilkins revealed "he probably squeezed her very hard because she was crying and wouldn't stop. He was frustrated because the mom was supposed to pick her up."

Morgan said medical officials said the baby may be in the hospital a while but is expected to make a full recovery.

If convicted of the Class X felony, Wilkins faces six to 30 years in prison.

He is currently serving a sentence of probation after being adjudicated a delinquent minor in 2011 for burglary.