Ear Hustle

Chicago Man Charged With 1st Degree Murder After Trying Toughening Up A Toddler

vernon Henry

A West Englewood man charged in the death of a 20-month-old boy who was choked and slammed into a dresser often called the toddler a crybaby and thought he needed toughening up, authorities said.

Vernon Henry, 26, of the 6600 block of South Paulina Street, was charged with first-degree murder after the boy, Adonta McCoy, died Saturday afternoon at Comer Children’s Hospital, police said. Henry was ordered held without bail in a hearing Sunday.

The boy was found in critical condition just before 8 p.m. Thursday in the 6900 block of South Cornell Avenue, police and fire officials said. Henry had shaken and choked the toddler and had slammed him into a dresser, according to court records.

Initial reports from Police News Affairs said the boy also suffered burns to the face and chest.

Henry lived with the child’s mother and thought he needed to be toughened up because he often cried, Kwilos said.

The Illinois Department of Child and Family Services was investigating the mother for allegations of abuse related to the incident, said agency spokeswoman Veronica Resa. Police said the woman was later released without being charged.

The child welfare agency said it has not had any prior contact with the family. No other children were at the home.

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Source: Chicago Tribune

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