CHICAGO — A South Shore woman was charged with beating a baby boy before the infant's death on Tuesday, authorities said.
Nine-month-old Aiden Dukes was taken by ambulance from his home in the 7100 block of South Bennett Avenue to Comer Children's Hospital last Saturday, according to police and the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office. Police said they were called to the hospital about 6:55 p.m.
The baby was suffering from rib and skull fractures, among other injuries, which were "believed to be the result of child abuse," according to a police statement.
Aiden's guardian, Patricia McKinney, 30, was arrested and charged with aggravated battery to a child, according to police.
McKinney, of the 7100 block of South Bennett Avenue, appeared in court on Monday and was ordered held in lieu of $2 million bail, a spokeswoman with the Cook County State's Attorney's Office said.
Aiden was pronounced dead at the hospital on Tuesday at 4:45 p.m., according to the medical examiner's office. An autopsy released Wednesday showed Aiden died from child abuse injuries and ruled his death a homicide.
Detectives are continuing to investigate, police said. It was unclear whether McKinney's charges would be upgraded.
