Henry L. West, 40, of East Chicago, Indiana, (inset) was charged after he allegedly battered his girlfriend in the parking lot at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee on June 28, 2024. | Background Photo: Google Street View; Inset: Provided

A man has been charged after he allegedly punched his girlfriend in the face at Six Flags in Gurnee and fled to Indiana with her children as well as his children, who were later located safe.

The Gurnee Police Department responded around 9:40 p.m. on June 28 to Six Flags Great America for a report of a domestic battery incident.

Gurnee Police Department Public Information Officer Shawn Gaylor said the incident involved a 40-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman.

The man was later identified in court records as Henry L. West, 40, of East Chicago, Indiana.

The woman, who is from Merrillville, Indiana, had been in a dating relationship for several years with West.

The couple was visiting the park with the woman’s two children, ages 4 and 7, and West’s two children, Gaylor said.

Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Mary Vukovich said West became upset that one of the woman’s children was on a tablet while they were in the parking lot at their car.

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West asked the victim to have the child turn the tablet off, to which the woman replied that the child could do what she wanted, Vukovich said.

Vukovich said West grabbed the woman by the chin and the victim pushed West’s hand away.

West hit the woman in the face, which caused her to hit her head on the window, Vukovich said.

Gaylor said the woman was unable to retrieve her children before West drove away with all four kids.

Police contacted West and requested that he return to the theme park to discuss the incident and return her children.

West refused to return and said he would instead take the children to their grandmother’s house in East Chicago, Indiana, Gaylor said.

Officers issued a check on well-being through the Illinois State Police Emergency Radio Network (ISPERN).

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The broadcast alerted law enforcement agencies across the state to be on the lookout for the vehicle and confirm the well-being of the children inside.

The Gurnee Police Department also coordinated with the East Chicago Police Department to ensure the children arrived safely at their grandmother’s residence, Gaylor said.

The woman suffered minor injuries and received medical treatment from paramedics at the scene.

She did not require further medical treatment and was not transported to the hospital.

West was charged on July 1 with two counts of domestic battery, both Class A misdemeanors.

A warrant was issued for his arrest and he was taken into custody earlier this week after surrendering.

The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to detain West pending trial, calling him a real and present threat to the victim.

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Vukovich said West has prior convictions for aggravated battery causing great bodily harm, robbery, battery and burglary.

A public defender for West said his client is a barber, volunteers in the community and supports his mother.

The attorney also said that West and the victim are back together now.

Lake County Judge Theodore Potkonjak denied the state’s petition during a detention hearing and allowed West to be released from custody with pre-trial conditions.

The judge said he was considering the victim’s wishes that she did not want West held in custody and also taking into consideration that West surrendered on the warrant.

An arraignment hearing is scheduled for August 16.