Charges filed in connection with drowning death of 2-year-old girl in Aurora

January 19

JOLIET – The Will County State’s Attorney’s Office reports that charges have been filed in connection with the drowning death of a 2-year-old girl on Aug. 2, 2011 in Aurora.

Tracy L. Kennedy was charged with Endangering the Life or Health of a Child and Operating a Child Care Facility Without a License.

Endangering the Life or Health of a Child is an enhanced Class 3 Felony that carries a potential penalty of 2-10 years in prison upon conviction.  The charge alleges the defendant “permitted the life or health of Jane Doe, a minor, a child under the age of 18 years, to be endangered, in that said defendant left Jane Doe unattended in an unsafe environment, which was the proximate cause of the death of Jane Doe.”

Operating a Child Care Facility Without A License is a Class A Misdemeanor that carries a penalty of up to one year in jail and up to $2,500 in fines upon conviction. The charge alleges the defendant “knowingly operated a child care facility at 2735 Squaw Valley Trail, Aurora, Will County, Illinois, without having a license or permit previously issued in her name by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.”

An arrest warrant has been issued with a bond set by a judge at $50,000. The defendant must post 10 percent or $5,000 to secure her release while awaiting trial. A date for her first appearance in court is pending. Kennedy is expected to surrender to the Aurora Police Department in the near future.

The Will County State’s Attorney’s Office reminds the public that charges are not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.