Shorewood Girl, 4, Still Recovering From Burns

SHOREWOOD, IL - The Shorewood Police Department remains in regular contact with the Loyola Medical Center in Maywood regarding the condition of the 4-year-old Shorewood girl who suffered severe burns to her hands last week. The girl was under the supervision of her mother's boyfriend at the time of her burns, according to Shorewood Deputy Police Chief Jason Barten. The incident occurred on Thursday, Jan. 25. Shorewood police first learned about the suspected child abuse last Friday, Jan. 26. Cedric Rodriguez was later interviewed by detectives and subsequently charged with six serious felony crimes.

All six of Rodriguez's charges relate to allegations of aggravated battery to a child causing permanent injuries and great bodily harm. On Wednesday afternoon, Barten told Patch that the little girl's injuries are not believed to be life-threatening, but the injuries to her hands are significant.

"She could have a long road of rehabilitation based on what we see," Barten said.

Rodriguez, who turns 22 this month, lived at the home in Shorewood in the 600 block of Heintz Drive where the suspected abuse occurred, Barten said. He has no prior criminal history, police said.

Last weekend, a Will County judge set a $125,000 bond for Rodriguez. The defendant was able to post bail about 14 hours after being booked into the Will County jail. Court records show that Rodriguez is now staying at a house in Joliet in the 500 block of Ward Avenue.

Rodriguez was interviewed by Shorewood police as part of the investigation and from there, police determined he "was directly involved in her having the injuries that she had," Barten said.

At this stage, police are not releasing how the child suffered the burns, Barten said.

RELATED: Shorewood Man Charged With 6 Felonies

Mugshot of Cedric Rodriguez via Will County Sheriff's Department