A Child's Life in Peril: Boyfriend Charged After Severe Brain Injury During 'Roughhousing'

It's a story that truly makes your heart ache, unfolding right here in DeKalb, Illinois. A seemingly ordinary day took a terrifying turn for a local family, leaving a seven-year-old boy fighting for his life and sparking a deeply disturbing criminal investigation. The child, whose name hasn't been released, is currently in critical condition, having suffered a severe brain injury, and his mother’s boyfriend now faces grave charges.

Authorities in DeKalb moved swiftly following the harrowing incident, which reportedly occurred on October 18, 2023. Jose A. Reyes Jr., 37, the man who was caring for the boy at the time, has been formally charged with aggravated battery to a child. It's a truly chilling accusation, painting a picture of a devastating episode that has forever altered this young boy’s future.

According to police reports, Reyes was alone with the seven-year-old while the boy’s mother was out working. What began, by Reyes’s own admission, as a session of "roughhousing" quickly escalated into something far more dangerous. He confessed to investigators that he had thrown the child onto a bed—not just once, but multiple times. Tragically, each time the boy was thrown, his head reportedly struck the headboard, leading to the catastrophic injuries.

The severity of the situation became terrifyingly clear when the boy suddenly became unresponsive. Reyes, in an apparent attempt to obscure what had truly happened, initially told the boy’s mother that her son had simply fallen out of bed. However, upon returning home to find her child in such a dire state, unresponsive and clearly in distress, she wasted no time in calling 911 for immediate help.

The boy was first rushed to OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center in Rockford, a testament to the urgency of his condition. But given the gravity of his injuries, he was then airlifted to the renowned Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago, where he remains in critical condition, battling for recovery. Doctors there have confirmed the diagnosis of severe brain trauma, a truly heartbreaking outcome from what should have been a playful interaction.

Jose A. Reyes Jr. has since made an appearance in DeKalb County court. The judge, recognizing the serious nature of the charges and the tragic circumstances, set his bond at a substantial $250,000. He’s due back in court on November 10th. And here’s another unsettling detail that came to light: Reyes actually had a prior charge of domestic battery from July 2023, an incident that also involved the boy’s mother. It just adds another layer of concern to an already tragic story.

Our thoughts are truly with this young boy and his family as they navigate this incredibly difficult and painful time. We can only hope for a miracle in his recovery and for justice to be served.