Woman admits dropping infant daughter on head

A woman has pleaded guilty to dropping her infant daughter on the head while walking along a busy street in Round Lake Park last month.

Debra A. Katz, 19, of the 8500 block of South Buffalo Street in Chicago, admitted to one felony count of aggravated battery to a child as part of a plea deal Wednesday in Lake County circuit court in Waukegan.

Katz is eligible for 2 to 5 years behind bars when she's sentenced by Circuit Judge Victoria Rossetti on Oct. 14. Lake County Assistant State's Attorney Ryan Koehl said Katz also is eligible for probation.

Authorities said Katz was visiting her sister in Round Lake Park on July 11 when an argument began over the idea of going to a swimming pool. Police reports state the dispute led Katz to take her 7-month-old daughter and walk from the Arbor Drive home to Hainesville Road in the late afternoon.

While the sister and a boyfriend followed in a car on Hainesville Road, Katz threatened to drop the infant on the ground, according to authorities. Katz held the child upside down by an ankle, dropped her on the head and picked her up before walking into traffic on Hainesville Road near Washington Street, Round Lake Park police said.

Some vehicles swerved to avoid striking Katz and the infant, police reports said. Katz's sister summoned police to the scene.

Koehl said the 7-month-old girl fell a short distance to the ground and did not suffer permanent injuries. He said the child has fully recovered and is the custody of her natural father.

Although she was originally charged with a misdemeanor of domestic battery, a Lake County grand jury last week indicted her on the more serious felonies of aggravated battery to a child and reckless conduct. Katz only pleaded guilty to aggravated battery to a child during her arraignment Wednesday.

Rossetti ordered that Katz undergo mental health and substance abuse evaluations before sentencing. Katz remains held in the county jail on 10 percent of a $20,000 bond.