A Cary man has been charged after he allegedly strangled a child in Cary and drove while drinking with two children in the car in McHenry County.
Ryan A. Poltzer, 43, of Cary, was charged with aggravated domestic battery by strangulation, aggravated battery of a child causing great bodily harm and two counts of child endangerment.
A criminal complaint filed in McHenry County Circuit Court said Poltzer drove a vehicle in December in McHenry County while consuming alcohol.
Two children, ages four and five, were passengers in the car, the complaint said.
Poltzer on December 11 or December 12 strangled the five-year-old child, the complaint said, adding that Poltzer applied pressure on the throat of the child, impeding their breathing.
The incident occurred at a residence in the 2800 block of Sun Valley Drive in Cary, the complaint said.
The mother of the children reported that Poltzer had been physically abusive to her on numerous occasions, leaving her injured, according to a petition for order of protection.
On one of the occasions, she said that Poltzer tried pushing her out of a moving car and that he has mentioned wanting to kill her and the children.
The woman said that Poltzer smacked her daughter in the face and has also hit her son, according to the petition, which referenced the incident where Poltzer was accused of strangling the child.
The incidents were investigated by the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office, which arrested Poltzer in February.
The court case has been impounded and kept under seal since then. A judge unimpounded the case last month.
A grand jury returned a four-count indictment against Poltzer last week.
Poltzer was released from custody after posting 10% of his $50,000 bond.
He is scheduled to appear in court on May 15 for a status of trial date.