Arlington Heights woman charged with child battery

A 21-year-old Arlington Heights woman accused of holding a napkin over a 3-year-old's face "until he stopped fussing" was ordered held on $500,000 bail Friday.

Selena Muro was charged with aggravated battery to a child and aggravated domestic battery. Authorities said the boy suffered injuries described by a doctor as trauma due to asphyxiation.

The toddler's mother dropped him off at the home of the boy's father, which he shares with Muro and others, for a visit on Feb. 1, Cook County assistant state's attorney Jennifer Gates said.

The toddler, who had a runny nose, was sitting in a kiddie chair when authorities say Muro - who has a 1-year-old child of her own - approached the boy and held a napkin to his face, which caused bruising and hemorrhaging around his eyes. The boy's father applied ice to the area and gave him a pain reliever, according to Gates.

When the 3-year-old was returned to his mother, she noticed the bruising and called 911, Gates said. Paramedics took the boy to the hospital.

In a statement to police, Muro said she became frustrated with the boy and held the napkin on his face for 30 to 45 seconds "until he stopped fussing," Gates said.

If convicted of the most serious charge, Muro faces up to seven years in prison. Probation is also an option. She has no criminal background.