Prosecutors: Dad shouldn't see kids he's suspected of burning

Prosecutors will seek another protective order next week barring a Glendale Heights man from seeing his two hospitalized sons who suffered severe burns in a fire their father is suspected of intentionally igniting.

An earlier emergency order expired today after the boys' mother, Nishaben Patel, failed to appear in DuPage County court to ask for a more-permanent injunction against her husband, Kaushik.

Authorities said Nishaben Patel supports the measure, but is overwhelmed while keeping a constant vigil at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood. They plan to seek one, possibly Tuesday, in juvenile court on her behalf.

Her sons, 7-year-old Vishv and Om, 4, remain hospitalized in drug-induced comas with burns covering the majority of their bodies. The boys survived nearly a month but still have life-threatening injuries.

Their father, Kaushik Patel, 34, also is hospitalized at Loyola, but he has less severe burns. Prosecutors encouraged Nishaben Patel to seek the protective order because her husband, though badly injured, is able to walk.

Prosecutors plan to file criminal charges against Kaushik Patel, their only suspect, as his medical condition improves. He is suspected of dousing his sons in gasoline and setting them ablaze Nov. 18 in a bathroom shower stall inside their Harvest Lane home in Glendale Heights, several sources have said.

Their mother was not home. Afterward, police said, Kaushik Patel drove his injured sons about 5 miles to his brother's house in Hanover Park, where rescuers were summoned.

Authorities said Kaushik Patel made incriminating statements to his brother, Rajendra, who is cooperating with the investigation. His wife, Kamini Patel, told the Daily Herald her family knew Kaushik and Nishaben had marital problems, but no one foresaw the violence.

In court documents, prosecutors allege Kaushik Patel is considered "suicidal" and set his children on fire in "a homicidal attempt."