Prosecutors on the day of a scheduled trial dropped charges against a father accused of severely beating his 14-month-old daughter at a Waukegan residence, leaving her in critical condition.
Albert K. Estrada, 32, of Beach Park, was charged in October 2021 with two counts of aggravated battery to a child causing permanent disability, a Class X felony.
Prosecutors said during Estrada’s initial court hearing that the Waukegan Police Department and Waukegan Fire Department responded around 11:45 p.m. on October 5, 2021, to Washington Street and McAree Road in Waukegan.
Officers received a call of a child in distress at a residence near the intersection.
An investigation revealed a 14-month-old girl had been battered by her father, identified as Estrada, prosecutors said.
Paramedics transported the toddler to a local hospital and she was later transferred to Lurie’s Children’s Hospital in Chicago in critical condition.
Prosecutors said the girl had numerous fractures to her arms and legs along with a broken bone in her skull.
An arrest warrant was issued for Estrada and officers arrested him in mid-October 2021, court records show.
During the bond hearing, Lake County Judge Paul Novak ordered Estrada held in the Lake County Jail on a $750,000 bond.
Estrada was released from the jail after posting 10% of his $750,000 bond, court records show.
A jury trial was scheduled for June 21 in the case, at which time the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office dismissed the charges.
The case depended on the testimony of a single witness, who became uncooperative during the course of the case, the state’s attorney’s office told Lake and McHenry County Scanner.
Prosecutors also learned additional information during the case that “raised questions about the witness’ initial report of the incident,” the state’s attorney’s office said in a statement.
“Despite significant efforts, we were unable to get the witness to testify under subpoena, and without that testimony, we could not prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt. Our job is to protect the public through constitutional prosecutions,” the statement said.
Prosecutors said they will re-file charges against Estrada if the witness decides to come forward again and “is credible in their testimony.”