By Heart of Illinois ABC
BLOOMINGTON – A man from Normal reportedly told investigators he shook his four-month old son, causing a severe brain injury, because the baby was crying.
In a statement presented in court earlier this week, a McLean County prosecutor told a judge that Gaje Roake, 20, confessed to shaking the baby while caring for the child September 30.
The next day, authorities said the baby started vomiting, and by October 9, he was admitted to OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria for treatment of bilateral subdural hematomas, meaning he was bleeding from the brain.
The infant remained hospitalized until October 15, authorities said.
According to the prosecution’s probable cause statement, Roake admitted he started shaking and bouncing the baby to stop him from crying. The shaking became more intense because the child was screaming so loudly, Roake allegedly told investigators.
According to the statement, Roake said he initially didn’t tell anyone, including the baby’s mother, about the abuse because he didn’t want to lose his family, look like a bad person, or go to jail.
Prosecutors this week charged Roake with aggravated battery to a child, which is a Class X felony, and aggravated domestic battery.
Roake was arrested after an investigation by Normal Police and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.
Roake has to post a $27,500 cash bond to be released from jail while awaiting trial. His next court date is November 20.
Heart of Illinois ABC can be reached at [email protected].
