A Cary father has been sentenced to four years in prison for aggressively rocking his 4-week-old baby side to side, causing serious injuries that left the child in the intensive care unit.
The Cary Police Department was contacted by the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) on June 23, 2023.
DCFS told police about a 4-week-old baby who was suspected to be the victim of child abuse, according to Cary Deputy Police Chief Scott Naydenoff.
The male child was taken to the emergency department of a local hospital by a parent on the evening of June 22, 2023, after the child began experiencing seizures or a similar medical event, Naydenoff said.
Medical personnel evaluated the child, who was then transferred to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge.
The boy was admitted to the hospital’s pediatric intensive care unit for more advanced medical care.
Naydenoff said investigators learned the child suffered a broken arm and brain injury.
A criminal investigation ensued into the circumstances that led to the child’s injuries.
The investigation was conducted in cooperation with the McHenry County Crimes Against Children Task Force.
The child’s father, Tristan Johnson, 23, of Cary, was identified as the suspect, Naydenoff said.
The McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office approved two counts of aggravated battery to a child causing permanent disability, a Class X felony.
A criminal complaint filed in McHenry County Circuit Court said the abuse occurred between June 15, 2023, and June 22, 2023.
Johnson allegedly held the baby by his torso and rocked him side to side in an aggressive manner, the complaint said. The boy’s head and neck were not supported.
The child was later released from the hospital and care of the child was being coordinated by DCFS, Naydenoff said at the time of Johnson’s arrest.
Court documents said Johnson made statements in admission to the crime but then made several inconsistent statements denying he knew what happened before providing statements on how the injuries occurred.
Johnson, who was reported to have served in the Marines and has untreated mental health issues, was on pre-trial release for domestic violence at the time of the incident, court document said.
Court records show Johnson pleaded guilty on Tuesday to an amended count of aggravated battery to a child causing great bodily harm, a Class 3 felony, in exchange for his other charges being dismissed.
McHenry County Judge Tiffany Davis approved the plea and sentenced Johnson to four years in the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) pursuant to the agreement.
Johnson will receive 578 days of credit for time spent in jail awaiting trial and he will be required to serve the sentence at 50% in accordance with truth-in-sentencing guidelines.