Crime & Safety
Dad Accused Of Whipping Child With Belt Buckle
The Oak Forest man told police he hit his child seven times with a belt buckle for misbehaving in school, prosecutor said.
OAK FOREST, IL -- A father is accused of whipping his 5-year-old child with a belt buckle for misbehaving in school. Essic Gallion, 25, appeared before Cook County Judge Donald Havis on a felony charge of aggravated battery to a child causing bodily harm.
According to the charges, the mother dropped off the child on March 15 at Essic’s home in the 16400 block of Harold Street in Oak Forest. Gallion’s mother and grandmother were not home when the mom left the child in Gallion’s care. The prosecutor said the school sent home a note about the child getting into trouble at school.
Gallion allegedly hit the child in the face with a belt buckle, causing a split lip. The child cried out to Gallion’s mother and grandmother when they returned home. Gallion was arrested on May 6, after which he admitted to police that he hit the child seven times with the belt and belt buckle, the prosecutor said.
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Bail was set at $25,000. Gallion’s next court date is June 23 in Bridgeview.
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