Boy, 17, Dies At Crest Hill Hotel, Mother Faces Felony Charge

CREST HILL, IL — On Thursday, the Will County State's Attorney's Office of Jim Glasgow obtained a grand jury indictment charging a woman in connection with the April death of her child.

Back on April 9, Takiyah Jefferson dragged the collapsed body of the minor from the hallway into the hotel room she and the child were residing, according to her indictment on charges of endangering the life or health of a child.

Jefferson, who turns 42 in December, left the child unattended, causing Z.J. to die from dehydration and a viral illness, the indictment revealed. The child endangerment was a proximate cause of the death, the indictment noted.

Joliet's Minor-Morris Funeral Home published an obituary six months ago announcing the death of 17-year-old Za’Shawn Helm-Jefferson, and the funeral home listed Takiyah Jefferson as his mother.

According to Za'Shawn's obituary, "He aspired to be a gamer and enjoyed playing the game with his brother and cousins. He had dreams of making it in the gaming world and taking care of his family. Filled with life our loving boy unfortunately transitioned to be with the Lord on April 10, 2023. "

Takiyah Jefferson currently lives in the 700 block of Arbor Street in Joliet, court records show.

Crest Hill Police Investigator Conor Sweeney testified before the grand jury, and Will County Judge Dave Carlson signed Thursday's bench warrant authoring the arrest of the 41-year-old Joliet woman in the death of her son.

Joliet Patch has left a voicemail message with Crest Hill Police Chief Ed Clark seeking more information surrounding the April death investigation that has led to criminal charges six months later.