5-month-old girl declared brain dead and remains in life support.
By H. Nelson Goodson
April 14, 2013
Chicago, Illinois - On Saturday, Angela Petrov, 21, and Rigoberto "Rico" Rodriguez, 29, both of Chicago were charged for aggravated battery to a child after their daughter was smothered by Rodriguez on Thursday causing severe brain damage. The criminal complaint states, that Rodriguez who resides at the 2500 block of West Fitch Ave. had been drinking alcohol with Petrov. Rodriguez is accused of putting his hand on his 5-month-old daughter multiple times to stop her from crying, but finally smothered her while Petrov watched.
Petrov on Friday around 11:00 a.m. noticed that her daughter wasn't breathing and attempted resuscitate her. She then called 911.
Rodriguez's daughter suffered s swelling of the brain and a blown pupil caused by a lack of oxygen, according to the medical report. She was declared brain and remains in a life support.
Petrov has two other children and they have been removed from the home and place under the care of a relative, according to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (IDCFS). Petrov and Rodriguez have been investigated by child services for a prior complaint of child abuse and neglect involving another child on late January, according to IDCFS.
