Beach Park man sentenced to 27 years for attempted murder in stabbing of 8-year-old

A Beach Park man has been sentenced to 27 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections after pleading guilty to one count of attempted first-degree murder in the 2024 stabbing of an 8-year-old child.

Demetrius Fisher, 32, entered the plea Sept. 11. He will serve 85% of the sentence followed by three years of mandatory supervised release, according to the Lake County state’s attorney’s office.

The plea also requires Fisher’s registration as a violent offender against the youth.

“Every child’s life and safety is precious,” Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart said in a news release. “Our Special Victims Unit, which includes prosecutors, victim advocates and mental health professionals, have worked tirelessly to secure justice for this victim.”

Lake County sheriff’s deputies responding to a reported stabbing at a Beach Park home the morning of Feb. 15, 2024, found the child with a severe wound to her neck and multiple stab wounds.

School officials had called the mother asking why the child wasn’t in attendance. The mother went home and saw Fisher leaving then run away when he saw her, authorities said at the time.

The mother found the child, who was treated for critical, life-threatening injuries, inside the home. Fisher was arrested at the Waukegan Metra station and charged with attempted first-degree murder.

He has been in the Lake County jail since. His detention came under procedural changes that prevent offenders from posting cash bail while a violent offense charge is pending prosecution.