Man Arrested for Abuse Murder of Mentally Challenged In-Law: Police

A Joliet man who allegedly killed a mentally challenged in-law who lived with him has been charged with murder, Joliet Police Chief Brian Benton said.

Francis P. Zabala, 52, 3837 Bergstrom, was arrested early this morning in connection with the death of a 49-year-old victim, who died of cardiac arrest Saturday night at Presence St. Joseph Medical Center in Joliet, Benton said.

Police were called to the hospital at about 9:30 p.m. because of the "severe bruising" noted on the victim's back, he said.

Family members who called 911 were interviewed, and their statements were enough for police investigators to obtain a search warrant for the Bergstrom house where both Zabala and the victim live, Benton said.

There, police recovered evidence that the murder charge filed against Zabala, he said. Zabala also "made statements that gave us probable cause for his arrest," he said.

"The arrested subject was a caretaker of some type for the victim," Benton said. "At this point, it appears to be an abuse situation."

Zabala is being held in Will County jail pending a bond hearing this afternoon. More details will be available after that proceeding.
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