Aurora dad charged in baby's murder

An Aurora father who grew frustrated with his fussy infant is accused of repeatedly shaking and then throwing the girl in his east-side apartment.

Joel Z. Chavez is facing first-degree murder charges in the violent death of his 6-month-old daughter, Julyssa.

Chavez appeared Thursday in bond court, where Associate Judge Brian Diamond set a $2 million bond. Deputies placed the 25-year-old father on suicide watch.

Chavez listened intently but otherwise showed little emotion as Assistant State's Attorney Michael Pawl detailed the allegations. Pawl said Chavez intentionally inflicted the injuries on his daughter early Monday while her mother was running an errand with another child.

"He confessed to grabbing the child off the bed by the arm after she became fussy with taking her bottle," Pawl said. "He was frustrated and shook the baby and then admitted throwing the baby back on the bed.

"He indicated the child may have struck her head against the wall. He provided a videotaped re-enactment of what he did to his daughter."

Rescuers rushed to the 1000 block of Terrace Lake Drive, where they found Julyssa unresponsive. She was taken to Rush-Copley Medical Center in Aurora, then later to Loyola Medical Center in Maywood.

Julyssa was pronounced dead Tuesday morning.

A forensic pathologist conducted the Wednesday autopsy for the Cook County medical examiner's office. She determined the baby had severe head injuries, brain swelling and fractured arms and ribs. There also were signs of old abuse.

"In her opinion, the cause of death was child abuse," Pawl said.

The homicide is DuPage County's first this year.

Pawl said Joel Chavez has a prior battery arrest and a history of spousal abuse. Pawl sought the high bond because Chavez is an illegal resident and poses a flight risk.

Chavez must post 10 percent of the $2 million bond to be set free. Judge Diamond appointed a public defender to represent the unemployed man.

He is due to appear next month before DuPage Circuit Judge George Bakalis for arraignment. The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services did not have prior contact with the couple, a spokesman said. The child welfare agency is involved now to ensure the safety of other children in the home.

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