8-Week-Old Baby Dies Days After Father Shakes Her, Slams Her Head Against Cushion

Oak Lawn, Illinois -- An 8-week-old baby girl has lost her life in Illinois a few days after her father allegedly shook her and slammed her head against a cushion.

The father, identified as 37-year-old Edward Janiszewski, from Oak Lawn, is currently facing charges in connection with the infant's death, police said.

The infant, identified by the Cook County Medical Examiner as Adaline Janiszewski, died Sunday morning despite receiving medical attention from the hospital. She was first taken to the hospital on May 27, and doctors initially thought she was suffering from a stomach illness and dehydration, according to NBC Chicago.

"The child was in and out of the hospital the next several days and treated with an I.V.," the Oak Lawn Police Department said in a statement released via Twitter.

An unresponsive Adaline was taken back to the hospital on May 30. The child abuse team at the hospital was alerted and found the baby with severe head and brain trauma. The signs were consistent with those of the shaken baby syndrome, the police said, as per Patch.

Officers from the Oak Lawn Police Department received a report about the baby's situation and the possible abuse. They arrived at the Hope Children's Hospital on June 2 and were told that the baby had been spending the last few days in and out of the hospital.

Janiszewski was taken to the police station for questioning later that day. He admitted to shaking the baby on May 30.

"After a lengthy interrogation by our detectives, Janiszewski admitted that he shook the child and slammed it's head on a cushion in the early morning hours of May 30, 2022," the police department noted in the statement.

Janiszewski was charged with aggravated battery to a child, a Class X felony. The father appeared in court Saturday, and his bail was set at $75,000. The accused father posted bail, police said.

The baby was pronounced dead at the hospital Sunday.

Investigators are waiting for the results of the infant's autopsy. Janiszewski may face additional charges afterward.

"Once the autopsy is completed by the Medical Examiner, detectives will review the case with the State's Attorney to upgrade charges," the police said in the statement.