Jose Garcia / Photo from Chicago Police
BY WILL HAGER
Homicide Watch Chicago
Emergency medical technician Jose Garcia allegedly shook his 3-week-old daughter then threw her in the air about 100 times prior to her death earlier this month, authorities said.
Assistant State’s Attorney Glendon Runk said Garcia was alone with his daughter in their home in the 5100 block of South Hyde Park Boulevard when shook the baby repeatedly and threw her in the air about 100 times within a 30 minute period between 11 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. on March 1.
The infant, Rachel Garcia, became unresponsive and Jose Garcia called 911. The baby was taken to the University of Chicago Comer Children’s Hospital and was diagnosed with brain, eye, pulmonary and nervous system injuries, Runk said.
She died three days later after being taken off life support, authorities said. The initial results of an autopsy were inconclusive pending further studies, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office, which could not provide further details Thursday afternoon.
Jose Garcia admitted to shaking and throwing the baby in the air, but did not explain why he did so, Runk said.
Jose Garcia, 28, was initially charged with one count of aggravated battery to a child and was worded held on $400,000 bond. He was released from Cook County Jail after posting the required 10 percent of the bond.
The charges were upgraded to murder and Jose Garcia appeared before Judge Donald Panarese Jr. Thursday wearing a black jacket and blue jeans. The judge declined to raise the bond.
Jose Garcia works as an emergency medical technician and served in the military from 2003 to 2007, his attorney said. He has two misdemeanors convictions from 2009 for reckless conduct and battery.
He will be back in court Friday, according to the Cook County state’s attorney’s office.