Chicago man pleads not guilty in death of Waukegan infant
A Chicago man pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges he killed a 2-month-old Waukegan child he was baby-sitting.
Andre Sharkey, 32, faces eight counts of first-degree murder and a maximum sentence of life in prison if found guilty in the infant’s Nov. 16 death.
Sharkey remains held in Lake County jail in lieu of $3 million bail, Assistant State’s Attorney Jason Grindel said.
Police said the mother of the child brought the infant to Vista East Medical Center in Waukegan at 7:30 p.m. Authorities said the medical staff determined the infant had injuries that were suspicious and called police. The baby died that night.
An autopsy determined the child had suffered critical trauma in the abdomen area, authorities said, and the investigation revealed Sharkey was baby-sitting when the injuries occurred.
Police have not released the identity of the infant or the mother.
Sharkey was initially charged with two counts of murder, but Grindel said those counts were increased after a Lake County grand jury indicted him earlier this month.
Sharkey’s trial is set for Feb. 7. He is due back in court Jan. 6.