By JORDAN OWEN
Chicago Sun-Times
Patricia McKinney | Chicago Police
A woman has been sentenced to 26 years in prison for the fatal beating of 9-month-old Aiden Dukes, who was in her care in the South Shore neighborhood when he died in 2013.
Patricia McKinney, 32, pleaded guilty Wednesday to one count of murder, according to Cook County court records.
On Sept. 23, 2013, Aiden suffered traumatic injuries at his home in the 7100 block of South Bennett Avenue, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.
He was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he died three days later, according to the medical examiner’s office.
Police were called to the hospital after doctors found the child had suffered rib and skull fractures believed to be the result of child abuse.
An autopsy confirmed he died of multiple injuries resulting from child abuse, and his death was ruled a homicide, according to the medical examiner’s office.
McKinney, the child’s guardian, was arrested.
The state Department of Children and Family Services said at the time it was investigating eight allegations of abuse against Aiden’s guardian and her partner.
Judge Vincent Gaughan sentenced her to 26 years in prison Wednesday. She will receive credit for 928 days served in the Cook County Jail, where she had been held on a $2 million bond.