Prosecutors want to limit dad's access to burned sons

Authorities do not want a Glendale Heights man near his two sons as they fight to survive after being severely burned in a fire their father is suspected of igniting.

Prosecutors plan to file a petition in DuPage County juvenile court as early as Monday to restrict Kaushik Patel's access to his children or possibly terminate his parental rights.

The pint-sized brothers, 7-year-old Vishv and Om, 4, remained Wednesday in drug-induced comas at Loyola University Medical Center, where doctors are trying to avert potentially deadly infections.

The father, Kaushik Patel, 34, also is hospitalized there for his non life-threatening burn injuries. Prosecutors anticipate filing criminal charges against Patel, their only suspect, as his condition improves and police more thoroughly interview him.

More Coverage Stories Father reaches out to Glendale Hts. family [11/22/07] Prosecutors want to limit dad's access to burned sons [11/22/07] Making sense of Glendale Heights tragedy [11/20/07] Police investigating suspected arson fire that injured two children, father [11/19/07]

"There's no rush to charge this guy," DuPage State's Attorney Joseph Birkett said. "He's not going anywhere."

"We're just praying these kids live," he added. "It's still very touch and go. They are really severely burned. It's just so brutal. If they make it, they have a lifetime of pain ahead of them."

Patel is suspected of dousing his sons in gasoline and setting them ablaze late Sunday in a bathroom shower stall inside their Harvest Lane home, several police sources said. They reported finding new Matchbox toy cars inside the bathroom that may have been used to lure the boys into the stall.

Their mother, Nishaben Patel, was not home. Afterward, police said, the father drove his injured sons about 5 miles to his brother's house in Hanover Park, where rescuers were summoned at 9:15 p.m. Sunday.

Authorities said Kaushik Patel made incriminating statements to his brother, Rajendra, who is cooperating with the investigation. His wife, Kamini Patel, said the family knew Kaushik and Nishaben had marital problems, but no one foresaw the violence that unfolded.

"I don't know if we'll ever really know the answer to why," Birkett said. "The result is the same. What this guy did to his kids, regardless of motive, is just gut wrenching."

Authorities said they also have learned Kaushik Patel struggled with alcohol issues. He still is on supervision after pleading guilty to a Nov. 24, 2006 drunken-driving arrest in Glendale Heights, according to court records.

A spokesman for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services said they did not have prior contact with the couple, who wed in 1997 in an arranged marriage.