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Charges filed in Antioch Township fireworks explosion that injured woman

A large firework mistaken for a candle exploded in a woman's hand Saturday night at a home near Antioch, leaving her and two others injured and a Woodstock man facing criminal charges.

Justin R. Kennedy, 28, of the 1200 block of Blakely Street, is charged with felony reckless conduct and misdemeanor endangering the life or health of a child stemming from the explosion.

Lake County Sheriff's police said Kennedy brought the firework, which was approximately the size of a quarter-stick of dynamite, to a gathering Saturday at a home in the 21800 block of West North Avenue in Antioch Township.

A 30-year-old Woodstock woman picked up the red, white and blue firework believing it was a candle, lit it and then held it in her hand before it exploded, sheriff's police said.

The woman was taken to a hospital for treatment to an injury that could cause her to lose a hand, Antioch Fire Batallion Chief Joe DuShane said Saturday. A child and another adult who suffered minor injuries were treated at the scene.

Kennedy was held in the Lake County jail overnight then released on a $20,000 recognizance bond after appearing in court Sunday morning. He is due back in court Oct. 25 on the charges, the most serious of which is punishable by a maximum one to three years in prison.

Lake County Sheriff's detectives notified the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives about the explosion, officials said.

Woman seriously injured after firework exploded in hand

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