2 Ex-Little City Workers Punched, Hit Boy, 11, With Bucket: Sheriff's Office

PALATINE, IL — Two former employees a facility that works with adults and families living with autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities were arrested and charged earlier this month after a Cook County Sheriff's Office investigation alleges the workers punched and beat an 11-year-old boy with a bucket last year, the Daily Herald reports.

Lisa Archer, 39, of Palatine, and Ronkeia Harper, 22, of Forest Park, were charged Feb. 12 with aggravated battery stemming from the incident at Little City in Palatine, the report stated. They were released on $500 bail Feb. 13.

The sheriff's office accuses the women of attacking the boy, who was a resident at Little City's Palatine facility, on Dec. 1, the report stated. The 11-year-old was held down by one of the women while the other woman struck him with her fist and a bucket, the report added.

The women were placed immediately on administrative leave after the incident, and the Department of Children and Family Services opened an investigation Dec. 2, the report stated. A Little City spokeswoman told the Herald that Archer and Harper were fired five days after being placed on leave.

The sheriff's office opened its own investigation after receiving the findings of the DCFS probe Jan. 23, according to the Herald.

Last summer, Little City merged with Countryside Association for People with Disabilities, another local organization that provides support services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

More via the Daily Herald

image via Little City

Like What You're Reading? Stay Patched In!

• Like our Crime page on Facebook
• Live Traffic and Transit Updates