Lindenhurst teen gets probation for poisoning mom

A Lindenhurst teenager who nearly killed his mother by putting antifreeze into her coffee maker was sentenced to 30 months on probation.

Michael Tangney Jr., 18, was spared a certain trip to prison for up to 30 years by his family's love and forgiveness.

Originally charged with heinous battery, Tangney was allowed to plead guilty to aggravated battery after his parents told officials they did not want to see him go to prison.

"This is a family that could have turned their backs on you given the gravity of the situation," Associate Judge Theodore Potkonjak told Tangney. "Instead, they have embraced you, and you need to make sure you live up to the faith they have in you."

Assistant State's Attorney Tim Niehus said Tangney did not intend to do his mother serious harm when he put the antifreeze into her coffee maker last November, but instead was "simply acting like an idiot," after an argument with her.

"It was a dumb practical joke with a little bit of malice behind it," Niehus told Potkonjak. "He did what he did, but he did not expect the results he got."

The ethylene glycol worked slowly in Joyce Tangney's system and she fell ill several days after she ingested it.

She was hospitalized for several days, but has since made a full recovery.

Tangney was arrested in November, and his parents refused to post bond for him in what Potkonjak called a "tough love" approach to their son's rehabilitation.

Both Niehus and defense attorney William Murphy of Chicago urged Potkonjak to place Tangney on probation, even though a prison sentence of two to five years was still a possibility.

Potkonjak agreed, saying Tangney must continue his mental health counseling and perform 500 hours of public service while on probation.

He cautioned Tangney to meet all the requirements of his probationary sentence or the prison sentence could still be imposed.

"Don't let yourself wind up back in front of me," Potkonjak said. "Unless you really liked being in jail."