Prosecutors say a 70-year-old woman stabbed her adult daughter multiple times with a steak knife, leaving her and the victim’s young child covered in blood, in Waukegan.
Julie W. Butler, 70, of Waukegan, was charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and two counts of domestic battery.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Colleen McConnell said officers were called last Monday to a residence in Waukegan where Butler and her 43-year-old daughter were living.
The daughter had asked Butler to watch her children and left for the night.
She returned to the home and a verbal argument between the two ensued.
McConnell said Butler armed herself with a six-inch steak knife and the daughter then threw a cup of water at Butler.
Butler began striking her daughter with the knife on her arm and head, McConnell said.
The victim suffered wounds to her arm and head. She suffered a significant loss of blood, which was seen in the apartment, McConnell said.
McConnell said a 3-year-old child who was in the apartment during the stabbing was covered in blood.
One of the victim’s older children was also present and had to intervene.
McConnell said Butler had the steak knife still in her possession when officers arrived and she admitted to stabbing her daughter.
The two told officers they have a history of violence but wanted to continue living together.
“She is incredibly lucky she did not do significant damage to her daughter,” McConnell said, arguing that there were no conditions of release to ensure the victim’s safety and that the violence between the two has been escalating.
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to detain Butler pending trial.
The victim testified during a detention hearing that she wished for Butler to be released from custody.
Lake County Judge Michael Nerheim denied the state’s petition following the detention hearing.
The judge said he was concerned that the conflict between the two is escalating but that Butler has no criminal history and the victim wished for her release.
Nerheim ordered Butler to have no contact with the victim during the pendency of the case.
Butler is scheduled to appear in court again on January 9 for a status of preliminary hearing.