Zion man pleads not guilty to murdering his infant son
Prosecutors are seeking to send a teenager from Zion to prison for life in the death of his 5-month-old son.
Victor Salinas-Corona, 17, of the 2600 block of Horeb Avenue, was stoic throughout his arraignment hearing Tuesday in front of Lake County Judge Christopher Stride, simply answering questions with a “yes, sir,” but never looking nervous or emotional.
Salinas-Corona has been charged with 10 counts of first-degree murder for the death of his son, Ayden.
Prosecutors said Salinas-Corona slammed Ayden's head into a metal crib on Feb. 26 after becoming enraged when the toddler wouldn't stop crying.
The hit caused Ayden to suffer a 1-inch crack in his skull, authorities said. He died at Vista East Medical Center in Waukegan early Feb. 27.
On the first four counts, the state is seeking to put Salinas-Corona behind bars for life, Stride explained in court. The state is seeking a minimum sentence of 60 years and a maximum sentence of 100 years on the next four charges, and a standard sentence of up to 60 years on the final two counts, Stride explained.
Through his attorney Scott Gordon, Salinas-Corona pleaded not guilty to all 10 counts.
Salinas-Corona also told Stride he isn't a legal citizen of the United States.
The Lake County assistant state's attorney's office has also charged the baby's mother, Aurora Escamilla, 19, with endangering the life of a child.
Police said the abuse of Ayden had been going on for a while and Escamilla did nothing to protect the child.
She remains free from jail after posting the required 10 percent of her $100,000 bond.
Salinas-Corona is scheduled to appear in front of Lake County Judge John Phillips on April 29.