Suspect in Skokie Strangulation is Man Accused of Burglarizing Garage with Baby

SKOKIE, IL - The father of a 10-month old boy who went missing last week following the death of the boy’s mother is still on the loose.

Police are searching for Jermaine Powell, a suspect in the death of 31-year-old Catherine Benyamin. Benyamin was found inside her home Thursday after being strangled to death, according to the Chicago Tribune. When police made the discovery, it was noticed that 10-month old Joshua Powell - the son of Powell and Benyamin - had been missing. He was later found at a church on the South Side of Chicago, where witnesses say a man matching Jermaine Powell’s description was seen dropping the baby off.

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Jermaine Powell has a lengthy criminal history and was previously identified as the man found in someone else’s garage carrying a baby in January. In that incident, Powell was caught by a Skokie homeowner exiting the garage and then “smiling” as if nothing was wrong when confronted. After a brief chase, the alleged garage burglar was able to get away from the homeowner. Police confirmed he was later charged with criminal damage to property and trespassing in that incident.

Powell also has a criminal record that includes convictions for aggravated battery to police officers and felony escape from police.

Benyamin’s death was ruled a homicide by the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office and Powell remains the only suspect.