Lakemoor man gets prison for hurting infant son

A Lakemoor man was sentenced to 12½ years in prison Wednesday after admitting he struck his 3-month-old son in the head because the infant would not stop crying.

The child was left permanently disabled by the blow, Lake County Assistant State's Attorney James Newman said.

Jeremy Legeai, 28, pleaded guilty to aggravated battery to a child during a hearing before Circuit Judge John Phillips.

Newman said officials at Advocate Good Shepard Hospital near Barrington contacted the state Department of Children and Family Services on May 20 when Legeai brought his son to the emergency room with severe head trauma.

Legeai originally told investigators he had accidentally bumped the boy's head against a door while feeding him, Newman said.

However, Legeai eventually admitted he put the child down on the couch and hit him hard on the side of the head after the child refused to stop crying. The child cried for a short time after being struck and then went limp, Newman said.

Doctors said the boy still suffers seizures and has difficulty seeing and hearing, Newman said, and will be permanently disabled.

Circuit Judge John Phillips told Legeai he will recommend to officials that he be placed in a prison where he can receive mental health treatment while incarcerated.

Legeai would have faced up to 30 years in prison if convicted after a trial.