North Aurora man accused of rendering autistic teen unconscious
A North Aurora man is facing charges alleging he attacked an autistic student, rendering the 14-year-old boy unconscious on a bus ride back to his Montgomery home from Camelot Northwest Center for Autism in Genoa.
According to a Thursday news release from the DeKalb County sheriff's office, Matthew R. Enck, 32, of the 800 block of Shagbark Lane, is charged with four felony counts of aggravated battery: causing great bodily harm through strangulation, strangulation, causing great bodily harm to a child with profound intellectual disabilities and causing bodily harm in a public way.
According to authorities, Enck was working as a monitor on a Septran company school bus June 29 when the boy, who according to records has a "profound intellectual disability," took off his left shoe and threw it at the bus driver, who is Enck's mother.
Enck got up out of his own seat in response and put the full weight of his body on the boy, according to a description of a video detailed in DeKalb County court records.
Enck then placed his feet against the seat opposite the teen to gain additional leverage, authorities allege.
At that point, the 14-year-old can be heard saying, "I'm sorry," twice, while Enck responds, "We are done with you, boy," records state. The teenager then fell silent.
Enck kept his weight on the boy for approximately eight minutes, according to court records, and when he stood up, the boy was unconscious. Enck placed his finger under the boy's nose to check for breathing, then returned to his seat, authorities allege.
A doctor who treated the boy told investigators he had sustained "anoxic brain injury," which is caused when air and blood flow is restricted.
Enck turned himself in Thursday at North Aurora Police Department. His bail was set at $25,000, and he posted $2,500 to be released pending trial.
If convicted of the most serious crime, causing great bodily harm through strangulation, Enck could face up to 15 years in jail and fines up to $25,000.