Downers Grove man sentenced to 12 years in prison for shaking infant daughter

A 22-year-old Downers Grove man who was charged with repeatedly shaking his 3-month-old daughter has been sentenced to 12 years in prison.

Timothy Churchill, of the 4200 block of Lindley Street, on Friday entered a plea of guilty to one count of felony aggravated battery to a child. He was sentenced by Judge John Kinsella.

Authorities said Churchill and the baby's mother, who lives in Naperville, brought the unresponsive baby to Edward Hospital about 2 a.m. on Jan. 23, 2016. The child was then taken to Lurie Children's Hospital where she underwent emergency brain surgery to relieve intracranial pressure.

An investigation conducted by the Naperville Police Department into the source of the child's injuries revealed that Churchill violently shook his daughter causing significant head injuries, including bilateral subdural hematomas and retinal hemorrhaging.

DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a statement that the 12-year prison sentence "underscores the severity of the injuries that Mr. Churchill inflicted upon his own infant daughter."

"Child abuse has no place in a civilized society and remains a top priority in my office as the victims in such cases are arguably society's most vulnerable," Berlin said.

Churchill will be required to serve 85 percent of his sentence before being eligible for parole.