Cops: Aunt held on $200,000 bail for hitting girl with spoon

A Winthrop Harbor woman is being held on $200,000 bail after police said she hit her 11-year-old niece in the face because she was struggling with homework.

A teacher at Westfield School and the school’s principal noticed the girl’s injuries on May 11 and the girl told the staff what happened, Winthrop Harbor police Sgt. Christopher Willets said.

School administrators called the Department of Children and Family Services, and the child was taken to the Lake County Child Advocacy Center, according to police.

Authorities interviewed the girl as well as her brother and later arrested their aunt and legal guardian, Connie S. Neeley.

Neeley, 42, was charged with aggravated battery to a child and aggravated domestic battery.

Police said Neeley hit the girl over the head with a hard plastic spoon multiple times when she was struggling to answer a math problem.

The girl had a red mark across her forehead from ear to ear as well as a swollen eye, Willets said.

She was taken to Vista Medical Center and treated for her injuries, according to police.