Police investigate violent death of Aurora baby

An Aurora father remained under arrest Wednesday, 48 hours after he called 911 to report his infant daughter was not breathing.

Despite an exhaustive rescue effort, 6-month-old Yulissa Chavez never regained consciousness. An autopsy will be conducted this morning.

DuPage State's Attorney Joseph Birkett said he is awaiting those results before approving criminal charges, but other authorities confirmed the 25-year-old father's prosecution is expected since he made a videotaped confession.

The child's violent death marks the area's first homicide of the year.

The Daily Herald is not naming the man until he is formally charged. He does not have a violent criminal history.

Rescuers rushed early Monday to the east-side apartment in response to the father's call for an ambulance. Yulissa was taken to Rush-Copley Medical Center in Aurora, then later to Loyola Medical Center in Maywood for her head injuries.

She was pronounced dead Tuesday morning.

Yulissa was born in July. Authorities said her injuries, both new and old, included skull fractures and broken bones. A forensic pathologist with the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office is conducting this morning's autopsy.

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services was contacted. The couple has other children.

"We are investigating but we had no prior contact with the family," said Jimmie Whitelow, a DCFS spokesman. "(The other children) are currently in the care of relatives."

Authorities said the baby's mother was not home at the time of the 911 call. They said she was out running an errand with one of the couple's other young children. Attempts to reach the child's family were unsuccessful Tuesday.

Daily Herald reporter Lee Filas contributed to this report.