Carol Stream man gets 8 years for throwing 4-year-old

A Carol Stream man was sentenced to eight years in prison Friday for throwing his girlfriend’s 4-year-old son and breaking the child’s leg after he refused to pick up his crayons.

Aray Escarcega, 19, pleaded guilty to aggravated battery to a child and was sentenced by DuPage County Judge Daniel Guerin.

Authorities said Escarcega was looking after the victim on Dec. 3, 2011, when the boy began throwing crayons. He told police he “lost his cool” after the child refused to pick up after himself, Prosecutor Enza LaMonica said in court.

“He admitted slapping the child, picking him up over his head, and throwing him onto a mattress on the floor,” she said.

LaMonica said the child struck a dresser in the process and was later treated for a spiral fracture to his left leg. He has since been returned to his mother, authorities said.

Escarcega, who last lived on the 600 block of Burns Street, was on probation for burglary at the time of the offense and has a prior conviction for misdemeanor marijuana possession.

By law, he must serve at least 85 percent of his term, or a little less than seven years. He also must register as a violent offender against youth.