
A judge denied pre-trial release to a Wauconda High School student accused of slashing a man in the face, causing permanent disfigurement, during an argument in Wauconda.
The Wauconda Police Department responded around 9:30 p.m. Saturday to a report of a delayed battery that occurred at a home in the 900 block of Grand Boulevard.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Manuel Mandujano said Bailee R. Parks, 18, of Volo, was staying at her 17-year-old friend’s residence.
The 17-year-old girl got into an argument over the phone with her boyfriend, an 18-year-old man, and Parks was also involved in the argument.
Mandujano said Parks was later on FaceTime with another mutual friend and told the friend she was upset by what the 18-year-old was saying on the phone.
Mandujano said Parks told the mutual friend she was going to show the 18-year-old “what’s up.” Parks allegedly showed the friend a razor blade and said, “I’m going to cut this motherf—er up,” according to Mandujano.
The 18-year-old man arrived at the home in his car and pulled into the driveway.
He was speaking with his 17-year-old girlfriend and Parks continued to trash-talk the man, Mandujano said.
The 18-year-old man and his girlfriend eventually reconciled and the two hugged. Mandujano said Parks grabbed the victim and moved as though she was going to punch him in the face.
Mandujano said Parks instead delivered a deep laceration to the man’s face with a sharp blade. She later made admissions that she cut the victim, Mandujano added.
Mandujano called the attack premeditated and said the victim suffered serious injuries. “That’s damage he’ll have to live with for the rest of his life.”
The victim left the residence and went to Mercyhealth Hospital in Crystal Lake to seek medical attention.
An artery had been struck and it required 22 stitches to close the wound on his face, police officials said.
Parks was located at her residence and taken into custody. Items of evidentiary value were seized, police officials said.
Parks was charged with aggravated battery causing great bodily harm, a Class 3 felony, and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, a Class 3 felony.
A public defender said Parks is a senior at Wauconda High School and is part of the volleyball team, drama club and Future Business Leaders of America. She plans to attend college and volunteers in the community.
The public defender said Parks denies stabbing the victim and said she never had a weapon.
Prosecutors filed a petition to detain her pending trial and Lake County Judge Theodore Potkonjak granted the petition during a hearing Tuesday afternoon.
“This senseless act of violence caused permanent disfigurement to a young individual, and nearly cost him his life,” Wauconda Chief of Police David Wermes said.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled in the case for March 7.