Woman who dropped infant gets probation, drug treatment

A Chicago woman who intentionally dropped her infant daughter on her head was sentenced Wednesday to 30 months probation and confinement in a drug-treatment program.

Lake County Circuit Judge Victoria Rossetti also barred Debra Katz, of the 8500 block of South Buffalo Street, from having any further contact with her daughter until Katz makes "significant changes" in her life.

Katz, 19, was visiting her sister in Round Lake Park on July 11 when the two began to argue and Katz walked out of the house with her daughter, then 7 months old.

While the sister and her boyfriend followed in a car, Katz held the child upside down by an ankle and intentionally dropped her on her head.

Assistant State's Attorney Ryan Koehl said the child fell only a short distance and suffered no significant injuries.

Nonetheless, Koehl recommended a four-year prison sentence for Katz, who pleaded guilty to aggravated battery Aug. 27.

"Clearly, a person who would commit a crime like this against a child deserves a severe sentence," Koehl said.

Defense attorney James Jennings of Chicago asked for a probationary sentence that would allow Katz to get treatment for her substance abuse problems.

In addition, Katz asked Rossetti for mercy and said she was not taking her medication for her bipolar disorder on the day of the incident.

"I was not medicated and not in a right state of mind," Katz said.

Rossetti agreed to the probation, but told Katz she risks a prison sentence if she does not complete the drug treatment program.

In addition, Rossetti said Katz cannot have any contact with her daughter until her probation officer, treatment counselor and officials of the Department of Children and Family Services agree she has made significant changes in her lifestyle.