Police: Huntley man injured 6-week-old family member

A Huntley man faces charges for injuring a 6-week-old child, police said.

Shawn P. Fontaine, 28, was arrested Tuesday after police received information about an infant who was admitted to Northwestern Medicine Huntley Hospital, Huntley Deputy Police Chief Michael Klunk said.

The severity of the injuries prompted officials to transfer the child to Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago, Klunk said.

The child, a member of Fontaine's family, remained in Department of Children and Family Services protective custody Wednesday, police said.

Fontaine is charged with aggravated battery to a child based on allegations that he caused great bodily harm by grabbing or hitting the baby Tuesday, according to a criminal complaint.

Police did not disclose further details about what they believe happened.

Fontaine was in custody at the McHenry County jail on Wednesday on $100,000 bail. He would need to post $10,000 to be released pending trial.

If convicted of aggravated battery to a child, Fontaine could be sentenced to six to 30 years in prison.

Fontaine and Nicole Kotlarz, 35, live together on the 1100 block of Beacon Avenue.

Kotlarz is accused in a separate criminal complaint of leaving two 6-week-old children unattended on a couch for several minutes while a 70-pound dog was loose. Kotlarz, who is related to the children, was in the garage at the time, according to a two-count criminal complaint.

Kotlarz was charged with child endangerment - a misdemeanor offense that typically results in less than one year in jail after a conviction.

She posted bail shortly after her arrest and is next due in court March 13. Reached by phone Tuesday, she directed questions to her attorney, who could not be reached.

Fontaine has a McHenry County public defender, who could not be reached for comment.