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$1 million bail for Downers Grove father accused of shaking infant

A Downers Grove man is being held on $1 million bail, charged with violently shaking his 3-month-old daughter and causing substantial injuries.

Timothy Churchill, 20 of 4220 Lindley, is charged with one count of aggravated battery to a child younger than 13.

Prosecutors said Churchill and the baby's mother, who lives in Naperville, brought the unresponsive baby to Edward Hospital at 2 a.m. on Jan. 23. The baby was then taken to Lurie Children's Hospital where she underwent emergency brain surgery to relieve intracranial pressure.

Police investigators came to believe that, on at least five occasions, Churchill violently shook his daughter causing significant head injuries including bilateral subdural hematomas and retinal hemorrhaging, prosecutors said.

"The allegations against (Churchill) in this case are extremely disturbing," DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a written statement.

"The very idea that a father could cause such severe injury to his own child, as is alleged in this case, is inconceivable," Berlin wrote.

Naperville Police Chief Robert Marshall said his department is committed to pursuing justice for children who are too young to have a voice.

"This case has been a tragic situation," Marshall said. "My heart goes out to the families involved."

Churchill's next court appearance is scheduled for Feb. 29, in front of Judge John Kinsella.

Should he bond out, Churchill is not allowed contact with anyone under 18 nor with the victim and her mother.

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