Warren Township man pleads guilty in child abuse case

A Warren Township man charged with beating his girlfriend's 6-year-old daughter pleaded guilty to a reduced charge Thursday.

As the girl's mother did two weeks ago, Lee Terry-Hemphill, 21, pleaded guilty to attempted aggravated battery to a child during a hearing before Lake County Circuit Judge John Phillips.

Terry-Hemphill and Jennifer Jordan, 28, now face prison sentences of up to 15 years, but are also eligible for probation.

Assistant State's Attorney James Newman said Jordan's daughter went to Woodland Elementary School on March 12 and complained she was in pain over her entire body.

The girl said Terry-Hemphill and her mother had beaten her the previous day with a belt because she was late getting up for school.

An examination at Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville revealed bruises on her back, buttocks, thighs and arms that appeared to have been made by a belt, Newman said.

Terry-Hemphill and Jordan were arrested the following day at their apartment in the 3400 block of North Almond Road and charged with aggravated battery to a child.

Newman said he agreed to reduce the charges against both in exchange for the guilty plea to spare the victim the trauma of testifying in court.

Jordan is scheduled to be sentenced March 4, and Terry-Hemphill's sentencing is set for April 5.

Both are held on $500,000 bond.