A teenage boy charged with the murder of his girlfriend’s 4-month-old son, who was found dead in a West Englewood home last week, was ordered held on a $500,000 bond Tuesday.
Willie Brown, 17, of the 2400 block of West Gladys Avenue, was arrested Saturday and charged with first-degree murder, according to police and prosecutors.
Judge Israel Desierto on Tuesday ordered Brown held on a $500,000 bond and set a preliminary hearing for Oct. 18, according to Cook County State’s Attorney’s office spokeswoman Tandra Simonton.
The infant’s grandmother gave him a bath last Thursday and put him in his crib for a nap at their home in the 6000 block of South Honore Street, authorities said. His mother checked on him later, finding him unresponsive and not breathing, police said.
Four-month-old Demari Brown was taken to Holy Cross Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 1:30 p.m., according to police and the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office.
The boy showed signs of possible bruising, both old and new, on his chest and temple, police said.
A Friday autopsy determined Demari died from multiple blunt-force injuries caused by child abuse, and his death was ruled a homicide, according to the medical examiner’s office.
The state Department of Children & Family Services was investigating allegations of abuse, spokesman Dave Clarkin said. The agency has had no prior reports regarding the family.