Two men and a woman have pleaded not guilty after a 7-year-old boy was restrained with zip ties and punched in the head near McHenry, requiring him to be treated at a hospital.
The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office said early last month they were contacted by a representative of Northwestern Medicine Hospital in McHenry for a report of child abuse involving a 7-year-old child.
The sheriff’s office responded to the hospital and launched an investigation.
As a result of the investigation, the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office charged Hal Eltherington, 63; Gregory Eltherington, 32; and Kristen Eltherington, 35.
All three reside in the 4800 block of Howard Street in unincorporated McHenry.
A grand jury indictment filed in McHenry County Circuit Court said Gregory Eltherington and Hal Eltherington placed their body weight upon the boy on August 14.
The three suspects then used zip ties on the 7-year-old’s wrists to restrain him, the indictment said. The child suffered abrasions on his wrists.
Kristen Eltherington “laid across” the boy’s body, the indictment said.
Hal Eltherington and Kristen Eltherington both struck the boy in the head with their fists, the indictment said.
Arrest warrants were issued and all three surrendered themselves to the McHenry County Jail on Monday.
A grand jury last week returned a combined 16-count indictment against the three Eltheringtons.
Kristen Eltherington was charged with two counts of aggravated battery to a child causing great bodily harm, unlawful restraint and two counts of domestic battery.
Hal Eltherington was charged with two counts of aggravated battery to a child causing great bodily harm, two counts of unlawful restraint and two counts of domestic battery.
Gregory Eltherington was charged with aggravated battery to a child causing great bodily harm, two counts of unlawful restraint and two counts of domestic battery.
The three have pleaded not guilty to all charges during their arraignment hearings.
All three were released from the McHenry County Jail after posting bond last month.