
A 28-year-old Huntley man has pleaded not guilty to causing great bodily harm to a child after a six-week-old baby was hospitalized with serious injuries in January.
Shawn P. Fontaine, 28, of the 11400 block of Beacon Avenue in Huntley, was charged with aggravated battery to a child under the age of 13.
A grand jury indicted Fontaine on the charge, which is a Class X felony, on March 5. The bill of indictment alleges that Fontaine caused great bodily harm or permanent disability to the child after he “violently shook and/or violently struck” the baby.
The Huntley Police Department was notified after the six-week-old baby was admitted to Northwestern Medicine Huntley Hospital for injuries on January 18, according to Huntley Deputy Police Chief Michael Klunk.
The infant was later transferred to Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago due to the severity of the injuries. The child is currently in protective custody, Klunk said.
Fontaine’s girlfriend, Nicole Kotlarz, 35, also of the 11400 block of Beacon Avenue in Huntley, was charged with child endangerment, a Class A misdemeanor.
According to a separate criminal complaint, Kotlarz left the 6-week-old baby unattended on a couch for several minutes with a 70 pound dog while she was in the garage.
Huntley police were assisted by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services and the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office during the investigation.
Kotlarz was released after posting bail and Fontaine was also released after posting 10 percent of his $100,000 bond.
Fontaine is scheduled to appear in court again on April 17 for a trial date status hearing and Kotlarz is due back in court on March 13.