Man sentenced to 14 years for death of Waukegan infant
A Chicago man was sentenced Wednesday to 14 years in prison for the death of a Waukegan infant in his care.
Andre Sharkey, 33, was sentenced after he pleaded guilty to one count of involuntary manslaughter in front of Lake County Judge James K. Booras.
Sharkey also must serve two years of parole after his release from prison, Booras said. Sharkey is eligible for parole after serving 50 percent of the prison sentence, authorities said.
He received 615 days credit for time served in Lake County jail since his Nov. 16, 2013, arrest. He has been held in lieu of $3 million bail.
Eight counts of first-degree murder were dropped in exchange for the plea, Assistant State's Attorney Tim Niehus said.
"It was a fair disposition in light of a lack of direct witnesses to the event," Niehus said outside of court.
Had Sharkey been found guilty at trial, he could have been sentenced to life in prison.
Police said the child's mother brought the infant to Vista East Medical Center in Waukegan with severe injuries. Authorities said the medical staff determined the injuries were suspicious and called police. The baby died that night.
An autopsy determined the child had suffered critical trauma in the abdomen area, authorities said.
Niehus said in court investigators determined the injuries were not caused from a natural fall but an intentional strike from an adult. Sharkey was the only adult with the infant that day, he added.
The names of the child and the mother have not been released by court officials.