BY LEEANN SHELTON
Sun-Times Media
A man has been acquitted of murder in the death of an infant who died of child abuse while in his care last year in the West Englewood neighborhood.
Willie Brown, now 18, was charged with first-degree murder in the death of 4-month-old Demari Brown, whom he was watching on Sept. 26, 2013, at the child’s home in the 6000 block of South Honore Street, authorities said.
Police said Brown was Demari’s father, but prosecutors only said the infant was his girlfriend’s baby.
Demari was found unresponsive in a bedroom of his home, and prosecutors accused Brown of leaving the room to play video games after the child suddenly stopped making sounds.
Demari later died at Holy Cross Hospital, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office. An autopsy determined the infant died from multiple blunt force injuries caused by child abuse, and his death was ruled a homicide.
Willie Brown was found not guilty of all charges Tuesday following a bench trial before Judge Vincent Gaughan, according to court records.
An Illinois Department of Children and Family Services investigation into the child’s death found an “indicated abuse” against Willie Brown and the child’s mother -- meaning the agency found credible evidence that the child was abused, a spokesperson said.