Assistance sought in locating Booker T. Terry; $2 million bail set for charge of aggravated battery of a child

August 24

JOLIET – Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow joined Beecher Police Chief Jeffrey Weissgerber in seeking the public’s assistance in locating Booker T. Terry, who has been charged with aggravated battery of a child.

Terry, 40, of 1174 Cherry Lane, Beecher, was charged on Aug. 18, 2009, and a warrant was issued for his arrest. Bail for Terry was set by a judge at $2 million.

The charge alleges that Terry, on or about Aug. 14, 2009, caused great bodily harm to a child by striking the minor about the head and body. The charge is a Class X felony that carries a penalty of up to 30 years in prison upon conviction.

The child, a 9-year-old girl, suffered critical head injuries. She was transported to the hospital after an ambulance was called to her house in Beecher on Aug. 14. The girl remains at Advocate Hope Children’s Hospital in Oak Lawn.

Beecher Police received critical assistance in the investigation of this case by the Will/Grundy Major Crimes Task Force under the direction of Task Force Commander William Carlisle.

Beecher Police also have sought assistance in locating Terry from the Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force.

Police believe Terry is still in the area and may be on Chicago’s South Side. Anyone with information regarding Terry’s whereabouts is asked to call the Beecher Police Department at (708) 946-2341.

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.