COOK COUNTY CRIMINAL COURTHOUSE — A Back of the Yards man was denied bail Thursday following allegations he killed a baby by repeatedly stomping on the girl.
According to prosecutors, Uriel Vega, 22, lived with 21-month-old Raiylana Vasquez and her mother in the 4700 block of South Honore Street.
On Tuesday, Vega was left alone with Raiylana when her mother went to work at a church, Assistant State's Attorney Jullian Brevard said during a bond hearing Thursday.
Vega is accused of throwing Raiylana across a kitchen and into a bedroom. Once there, Vega repeatedly stomped on the girl's stomach, Brevard said. The girl had trouble breathing, and her eyes rolled back in her head.
Vega then called Raiylana's mother to inform her the girl wasn't breathing, prosecutors said. Vega ran downstairs and asked a neighbor for help before calling 911, according to Brevard.
Raiylana was pronounced dead at Holy Cross Hospital at 12:18 p.m., according to the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office.
An autopsy Wednesday revealed Raiylana died of trauma to her abdomen. Her injuries included a severed pancreas, lacerated liver, severed arteries and bruises across her abdomen and cheek.
In a videotaped statement, Vega admitted he hit and pushed Raiylana before stepping on her hard, prosecutors said. Vega is charged with first-degree murder.
Raiylana's mother's boyfriend was being investigated by the Department of Children and Family Services on allegations of abuse and neglect, a spokeswoman said Wednesday.
DCFS had prior contact with the family. Raiylana's mother was investigated for neglect in February, the spokeswoman said, but allegations against the woman were determined to be unfounded following two investigations.
Raiylana had three siblings who do not live with the mother, DCFS said.
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