News-Democrat
Police have a man in custody after a 2-year-old girl was beaten so badly that she will only be able to eat from a feeding tube for the rest of her life.
Kraig A. Monroe, 24, of unincorporated Belleville was charged Wednesday with aggravated battery of a child.
Monroe was watching his girlfriend's toddler daughter while the girlfriend was at work, said St. Clair County Sheriff's Department Capt. Steve Johnson.
Kraig A. Monroe - Provided/BND
Over the course of several days, Monroe is accused of punching the baby in the stomach to silence her crying, Johnson said.
The girl was vomiting and going in and out of consciousness when she was taken to Memorial Hospital about 10 a.m. Monday. By 4 p.m. that day, the girl, who was in critical condition, was transported to Cardinal Glennon Hospital in St. Louis.
On Thursday, she underwent surgery to remove her bowels and her intestines. If she survives, she will be on a feeding tube the rest of her life, Johnson said.
The girl also suffered from various other injuries: a broken leg, a broken arm and clumps of hair had been pulled out from her head.
Monroe is being held at the St. Clair County Jail on $500,000 bail.
The girl's mother also has been taken into custody, though she has not been charged, Johnson said.
