Galesburg Police on Thursday responded to the 1100 block of Lombard Street for a well-being check. Police were advised of a report of a 9-year-old boy being battered by his mom’s boyfriend. Officers arrived to the home and made contact with the boy’s 38-year-old mother. The woman said her 9-year-old son, her 11-year-old daughter, and another 8-year-old boy were playing in a bedroom and had locked themselves inside. The woman’s 34-year-old boyfriend became angry when the 9-year-old attempted to shove open the door and the man spanked the boy, however, he “missed” and struck the boy in the lower back. The three children confirmed the mother’s account of what happened. The woman admitted that she and the man had been drinking that day, and he has a previous history of domestic battery. Officers were alerted to the situation because the 11-year-old girl sent a picture of the boy’s injury to a family member. Police then concluded that the mother did not take the steps to keep her children safe or report the abuse, and she was placed under arrest. The man was charged with Domestic Battery. The woman was charged with a valid Henry County warrant, and both were charged with Endangering the Life or Health of a child. DCFS was also notified.
