Teen Dad Pleads Not Guilty In Murder Of 3-Week-Old

MINOOKA, IL — The 18-year-old Minooka man charged with killing his 3-week-old baby pleaded not guilty to the crime, reports say. Nicholas Fecarota reportedly told investigators he had thrown baby James to get him to stop crying, but now denies having killed the infant.

The incident happened at an apartment in the 100 block of Aux Sable Drive where Fecarota lived on Friday, Aug. 24. Officers were sent to the apartment around 12:30 p.m. for a baby who was not breathing.

Police discovered baby James with a fractured skull, which prompted an investigation by Minooka Police and the Will/Grundy County Major Crimes Task Force.

James was rushed by ambulance to the Morris Hospital. The baby died about an hour later, Police Chief Justin Meyer said.

Fecarota was charged with first-degree murder. He pleaded not guilty Thursday, according to the Herald-News.

“When Mr. Fecarota was interviewed, he admitted to throwing the baby multiple times to stop the baby from crying," a police report said, the Herald-News reports.

See more:

• Teen Dad In Minooka Killed 3-Week-Old Baby Boy: Police
• Minooka Tragedy: Funeral GoFundMe For Baby James

However, Fecarota's attorney said the defense will likely try to file a motion to suppress Fecarota's incriminating statement on the basis that Fecarota's understanding of his Miranda rights was questionable.

He's currently being held at the Grundy County Jail.

Article images: mugshot of Nicholas Fecarota via police/photo of via GoFundMe