Waukegan mother held in jail on child abuse charges

A Waukegan woman accused of beating her 6-month-old child remained held in Lake County jail in lieu of $100,000, a Lake County judge ruled Tuesday.

Yaritza Vargas, 19, of the 0 to 100 block of Victory Lane, has been charged with aggravated battery of a child after striking the baby because she not go to sleep, authorities said.

If found guilty of the charge, she could be sentenced up to 60 years in prison.

Authorities said Vargas’ 6-month-old daughter was admitted to the Victory East Medical Center in Waukegan on July 7 with traumatic injuries to her abdomen, arm, eye, shoulders and leg. Due to the extent of the injuries, doctors had the daughter transported to a children’s hospital in Chicago, then contacted police to question Vargas.

During questioning, authorities said Vargas admitted she was frustrated with the baby when the child would not go to sleep.

Vargas was in court Tuesday in hopes of reducing her bond to $50,000. However, at the urging of Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Marc Bangser, Judge Raymond Collins ordered bond remain the same.

She is due back in court Aug. 13 for a preliminary hearing.