Teen Charged With Beating Pregnant Woman Held Without Bond

SKOKIE, IL — An Evanston teen was ordered held without bond on charges he beat and choked a pregnant woman Sunday before calling the police to report the fight. Prosecutors said an argument began over his text messages with another woman and ended with the 18-year-old victim taken to hospital with cuts and bruises.

Anthony Singleton, 19, formerly of the 1800 block of Main Street, Evanston, faces felony charges of aggravated battery and aggravated domestic battery. He appeared in court Monday in Skokie wearing the gray Evanston Township High School Wildkits t-shirt in which he was arrested shortly after 10:30 p.m. the prior night.

Prosecutors said he and the woman, who is four months pregnant, had gotten into an fight at their home earlier Sunday. Singleton pushed her against the wall, grabbed her by the neck and chest and pushed a plastic bat against her neck, the judge was told.

Singleton left the home and called the police himself from Evanston Fire Department station No. 4, 1817 Washington St., to report the altercation had "escalated and become physical," according to Evanston police.

Singleton's defense attorney said he had become homeless after being kicked out following his arrest. The public defender said the teen was currently attending an online university and asked the judge to set bail with a cash portion of the bond no higher than $5,000. The 19-year-old has no criminal record as an adult, according to prosecutors.

Circuit Judge Aleksandra Gillespie ordered Singleton held without bail, "given the facts of the case." His bond will be reviewed at his next court appearance April 26 in Skokie.