Waukegan man accused in beating death of 3-year-old

A Waukegan man has been charged with the beating death of a 3-year-old toddler he was watching late Wednesday night, Waukegan authorities said.

Thomas Albea Jr., 18, of the 1700 block of McAree Road, has been charged with aggravated battery of a child and aggravated domestic abuse, Waukegan police said.

He is being held in Lake County jail in lieu of $1 million bail.

Waukegan police said they were notified at 1 a.m. Thursday by Vista West Hospital that a 3-year-old boy with extensive internal injuries had been brought in and was not breathing.

The boy was flown from Vista West Hospital in Waukegan to Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago, where he later died. Police questioned Albea about the injuries, and the 18-year-old Waukegan man said he was alone with the child about 11:30 p.m. Wednesday when he became angry and repeatedly beat the child in the abdominal area, police said.

He was charged with aggravated battery of a child, aggravated battery, and aggravated domestic battery. Further charges are pending, officials said.

Albea is due back in court on Oct. 13 for a preliminary hearing.

Waukegan Police Chief Daniel Greathouse said, “I am shocked at this senseless crime in which a baby lost his life. Our thoughts and prayers are with the baby’s family in this difficult time.”