2-year-old girl hospitalized in critical condition after her mother’s boyfriend struck her with his elbow and fractured her skull just because he got mad at her; boyfriend charged
Illinois – In a disturbing episode of domestic violence in Illinois, a 21-year-old man, identified as J. Padilla, has been charged with multiple counts of battery after causing severe injuries to his girlfriend’s 2-year-old daughter. Padilla was arrested after emergency services were called to a residence due to the child being found unconscious but still breathing.
On the evening of March 15, deputies from the Sheriff’s Office responded to an urgent call. The call reported a two-year-old girl in distress, leading to emergency medical personnel rushing her to a nearby hospital. Medical evaluations quickly revealed that the young girl’s injuries were severe and suspicious, showing signs of physical assault including a fractured skull and brain bleed. According to medical professionals, the toddler exhibited a “blown left pupil,” “left-sided gaze preference,” and had significant injuries around her left eye and abdomen. Due to the severity of her injuries, she was urgently transferred to a specialized hospital for further treatment.
During the investigation, authorities questioned both the child’s mother and her boyfriend, Padilla. The initial statements provided by Padilla were inconsistent with the injuries observed on the child. According to Sheriff’s Deputy Chief D. Jungles, Padilla eventually made incriminating statements and demonstrated to detectives how he struck the child with his elbow. Padilla allegedly attacked the toddler in a fit of rage after she threw his cellphone, causing him to react violently while her mother was not in the room.
Padilla now faces severe legal repercussions, including charges of battery, domestic battery, aggravated battery, aggravated domestic battery, and aggravated battery of a child. He was taken into custody and is being held at the county’s adult detention facility pending further court proceedings. The gravity of the charges reflects the serious nature of the injuries inflicted upon the child, who remains in critical but stable condition.
The community has been shaken by the brutality of the incident, prompting calls for more robust measures to protect children from domestic violence. The case has also raised questions about the effectiveness of existing support systems for at-risk children and their families. As the legal process unfolds, the focus remains on the well-being of the young victim and ensuring such a tragic event does not recur. Padilla’s next court appearance is a critical date for all parties involved, particularly for those advocating for justice for the young girl whose life has been irrevocably altered by this act of violence.
