Bail Set at $250K for Palatine Man Charged with Child Battery

On Tuesday, June 19 Palatine Police arrested Jonathan R. Willard, 30, of the 1900 block of Cambridge Drive, Palatine, for two counts of aggravated battery of a child.

Palatine detectives were notified by Ann and Robert H. Lurie Childrens Hospital of Chicago that they were treating a 4-month old male infant who showed signs of “non-accidental trauma,” according to a news release.

The child was originally brought to the emergency room at Northwest Community Hospital on June 18 by his mother and Willard.  The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services were notified and the child was then transferred to Luries Childrens Hospital.

Palatine detectives went to Willard’s residence later in the day where he was located.  He voluntarily agreed to come to the police headquarters, where he subsequently admitted to striking the child in the chest, and forcing a baby bottle into his mouth several times causing trauma. Willard also admitted to forcefully pulling the infant from a swing without supporting his head. The crimes happened while the child was left in Willard’s custody while the mother was working, in the span of the last four weeks.

Willard was transported to the 3rd District Rolling Meadows Courthouse for a bond hearing Friday. Bond was set at $250,000. The child was released from the hospital Friday and is in the custody of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services pending its investigation.