McHenry man charged in Libertyville drug deaths

Homicide and drug charges have been brought against a McHenry man who authorities allege delivered drugs to a couple who overdosed on fentanyl at a Libertyville motel last month.

As they lay dead, a 6-month-old child cried nearby on the floor, authorities said.

The Lake County state's attorney's office announced Friday that Erick Ruiz, 22, was charged with two counts of drug-induced homicide. If convicted, he faces six to 30 years in prison.

Ruiz also was charged with delivery of a controlled substance.

At a hearing Friday, Judge Ray Collins set bail at $1 million.

Ruiz is scheduled to appear in court Jan. 12. He remains in custody at the Lake County jail.

At Friday's hearing, Assistant State's Attorney Lindsay Hicks told the court that the couple checked into a Motel 6 about 11 p.m. Nov. 12. Just after 11 a.m. Nov. 13, the hotel staff heard a baby crying and entered the room, discovering the couple dead. The baby showed no sign of injury.

The Lake County coroner's office indicated the couple died from an apparent drug overdose. Fentanyl was found in their systems, but toxicology test results have not been finalized, authorities said.

"People who choose to make their money by dealing deadly drugs like heroin and fentanyl know that overdoses are on the rise. They know that these chemicals will kill," Lake County State's Attorney Eric Rinehart said.