May 4, 2007

Man who shook baby gets 12 years in prison

Contact: Charles B. Pelkie
(815) 727-8789
cpelkie@willcountyillinois.com

JOLIET – Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announced that a Steger man who violently shook his 7-month-old son because he would not stop crying has been sentenced to 12 years in prison.

Jason Novak, 23, of 3431 Morgan, was convicted of aggravated battery to a child at the conclusion of a jury trial on March 1. Associate Judge Robert Livas sentenced Novak on Friday afternoon.

Novak told police in a videotaped statement that he shook the child four or five times on the morning of Jan. 31, 2002 because the boy would not stop crying. The child then slouched to the side and began to choke and vomit.

The young boy was treated for head trauma after Novak and a neighbor dialed 911. The child, however, suffered permanent brain injuries. The boy must wear a brace, and he continues to have trouble grasping objects with his left hand.

“This blameless little boy will suffer for the rest of his life because his own father could not control his anger,” Glasgow said. “Novak will have plenty of time in prison to contemplate the terrible harm he caused to his child.”

The state’s attorney praised Assistant State’s Attorneys Kathy Patton and Chris Koch for bringing justice to the innocent young victim in this case.