Trial starts for Huntley dad charged with slamming infant son

Testimony began Tuesday in the trial of a Huntley father accused of intentionally slamming his infant son's head into a home entertainment center, leaving the boy with what may be permanent brain injuries.

Jay A. Siedelberg, 28, faces charges of aggravated battery to a child and aggravated reckless conduct stemming from the October 27, 2005, incident authorities say occurred when he was watching the 11-week-old boy at the family's home.

Siedelberg's defense does not dispute that the boy hit his head while in his father's arms, but said it happened by mistake when the defendant became distracted by his 2-year-old daughter while walking and rocking the baby to calm him.

"Nothing more happened than a regrettable, unfortunate accident," Siedelberg lawyer Tom Loizzo said. "There was absolutely no knowledge or intent (to harm the boy) by Mr. Siedelberg."

McHenry County prosecutors, however, said medical evidence shows that the boy's injuries were too severe to have been caused by mistake.

"(The boy's doctor) determined the injury could not have been caused the way the defendant had said," Assistant McHenry County State's Attorney Simeon Kim said. "The evidence will show the injury was caused intentionally."

Judge Joseph Condon, who at Siedelberg's request will decide the case instead of a jury, heard testimony from five witnesses Tuesday, including the boy's mother.

Kristine Siedelberg, who remains married to the defendant, told the court her now 4-year-old son remains unable to walk and "it's a work in progress."

Prosecutors are expected to begin presenting medical evidence when the trial resumes Wednesday afternoon. One piece of evidence Condon will not consider are statements from Huntley police detectives who say Siedelberg confessed to losing his temper and hitting the boy's head against the furniture. The judge previously barred the testimony, ruling police questioned Siedelberg without first reading him his rights.

If found guilty of the aggravated battery charge, Siedelberg would be sentenced to a mandatory prison term of six to 30 years. Aggravated reckless conduct is punishable by one to three years in prison, or probation.