Stickney Township Woman Faces Felony Charge Following Attempt to Suffocate Child

Mar 15, 2023Press Release

COOK COUNTY, IL – A 58-year-old Stickney Township woman is slated to appear in bond court after she allegedly tried to suffocate a 6-year-old child in her care because he was crying, Sheriff Thomas J. Dart announced today.

On February 27, Sheriff’s Police Detectives responded to an elementary school in Burbank after school officials reported a possible incident of child abuse.

Detectives subsequently learned that the caregiver for the victim, Julie Espinosa, 58, of the 7000 block of West 71st Street in unincorporated Stickney Township, placed a pillow over the face of the victim because he was crying, causing the victim to vomit when the pillow was removed.

Officials from the Illinois Department of Child and Family Services placed the victim and his minor siblings in the care of a relative.

Espinosa was arrested on Tuesday, March 14, and the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office approved one count of felony aggravated battery of a child. She is scheduled to appear for a bond hearing today at the Bridgeview Courthouse.

The public is reminded that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty by the government in a court of law.

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