Accused Elgin child abuser skips trial

A Cook County man didn't show up Monday for his own jury trial on charges he scalded an Elgin toddler's hands in hot water.

Michael L. Robinson, 27, of the 14100 block of South Tracy Avenue, Riverdale, was scheduled to stand trial in Kane County for heinous battery and aggravated battery to a child charges stemming from a May 25, 2006 incident.

Instead, an arrest warrant was issued when he kept the jury waiting.

Robinson faces up to 45 years in prison if convicted of the most serious offense. Public Defender David Kliment said he wasn't able to reach Robinson by phone Monday morning.

Formerly of Carpentersville, Robinson is accused of abusing the 3-year-old son of an Elgin woman he knew by putting the boy's hands in hot water, scalding them.

Court records show Robinson was arrested in September 2007 and released from custody in April 2008, three days after his bond was reduced to $45,000 by Judge Grant S. Wegner. Previous trial dates were delayed twice.

Judge Timothy Q. Sheldon, now presiding over the case, assigned a $70,000 bond to the warrant issued Monday, meaning Robinson would need to post $7,000 to be released again once he's in custody.

Assistant Kane County State's Attorney Lori Schmidt could not be reached for comment.