Teen parents held in death of infant son
By Frank Abderholden fabderholden@stmedianetwork.com March 1, 2013 5:14PM
Victor Sakinas-Corona, Aurora Escamilla
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Updated: May 1, 2013 2:13AM
ZION — A father and mother, both teenagers, are being held on bond in connection with the death of their 5-month-old son.
Victor Sakinas-Corona, 17, is being held in Lake County Jail on $2 million bond on two counts of first-degree murder and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm. Aurora Escamilla, 19, is being held on $100,000 bond on charges of endangering the life of a child.
Zion Police Department Deputy Chief Stephen Dumyahn said Friday the baby was apparently restless and crying and the father “just lost his cool.”
The mother was charged because she was present for part of him allegedly attacking the toddler and did not act to prevent it.
Sakinas-Corona was charged with the weapons violation because 17 year olds cannot legally own a gun. The gun was not used in the attack.
Zion police and rescue personnel were dispatched Thursday just before 4 a.m. to the 2600 block of Horeb Avenue for a call about a 5-month-old not breathing. When rescue crews arrived they found the baby in “severe distress” and he was transported to Vista Medical Center East, Waukegan, where he was later pronounced dead after life-saving efforts failed to revive him.
A death investigation was conducted, which included an autopsy being done by the Lake County Coroner’s Office. Authorities then determined the infant died as a result of blunt force trauma to the head. Following the autopsy, Zion detectives conducted numerous interviews with family members, including the infant’s parents.
As a result of the investigation the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office approved the charges.
Coroner Dr. Thomas Rudd said the baby had a skull fracture and there was not a lot of blood, which means that the death happened very quickly.
