West Chicago woman sentenced to 10 years for injuring baby

A West Chicago woman is serving a 10-year prison sentence for inflicting near-fatal injuries on her colicky infant daughter.

Heather M. Allen, 29, admitted battering her baby, Shelby, at 3 a.m. Aug. 7, 2008, in their home on the 500 block of Fieldcrest Avenue. Shelby was just 15 days old.

Prosecutor Brian Perkins said Allen nearly killed her baby.

"Shelby Allen suffered and will continue to suffer because of the defendant's actions," Perkins said in court records. "The defendant caused blunt trauma to a 15-day-old child because she couldn't handle the fact Shelby was suffering from colic, crying and having difficulty with bowel movements and in need of constant care and attention."

He said the child suffered multiple skull fractures, broken ribs, bruising and massive head trauma.

Doctors at Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield treated Shelby, who state officials placed in protective custody. She survived, but suffers from epilepsy and several developmental issues that will require the help of skilled pediatric therapists, Perkins said.

Heather Allen must serve 85 percent of the prison term before being eligible for parole. DuPage Circuit Judge Kathryn Creswell sentenced Allen during an Oct. 5 plea deal on aggravated battery to a child charges. Allen had a prior arrest for retail theft and deceptive practices.