Lake Co. couple charged with abuse
A Warren Township couple charged with brutally beating a 6-year-old child pleaded not guilty Thursday in Lake County Circuit Court.
Jennifer Jordan, 27, the mother of the victim, and her live-in boyfriend, Lee Terry-Hemphill, 20, face up to 30 years in prison if convicted of aggravated battery to a child.
Assistant State's Attorney Bolling Haxall said the couple was arrested March 13 after an investigation by the Lake County sheriff's office.
Police said the girl complained to a counselor at Woodland Elementary School that she had been beaten by her parents, and the counselor called police.
The girl suffered bruises to her back, buttocks and thighs that appeared to have been made by a belt.
Police interviewed the couple and said they were told the girl had been beaten because she was late getting up for school and would not listen to them.
Police also found a 11/2-inch belt that had been folded in quarters and wrapped in duct tape in the couple's apartment in the 3400 block of North Almond Road that they believe was used to beat the girl.
Associate Judge Theodore Potkonjak scheduled a trial of the case for May 25.
Both Jordan and Terry-Hemphill are held on $500,000 bond.