A Joliet man who claimed he burned his 1-year-old niece with an iron while he was trying to teach her it was "hot" and later did the same thing with his sister when he was "playing around" was arrested on aggravated battery charges Thursday.
Joliet police learned of the two incidents after being notified by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, who had been contacted by Presence St. Joseph Medical Center in Joliet when the 24-year-old woman and her child came in to be treated for their injuries, Cmdr. Rich Demick said.
Deamonte M. Kelly, 20, of 313 Luana, admitted causing both victims' injuries on two separate days but called the circumstances "accidental," Demick said.
Kelly and his sister were staying in a room at Motel 6 at 1850 McDonough St. with the woman's two children, ages 1 and 2.
Kelly was ironing clothes in the room on March 5 when he approached his sister with the hot iron while she was holding the 1-year-old and brought it close enough to burn the child three times on her legs and wrist, Demick said. He told police he was trying to teach the child about staying away from a hot iron but ended up getting too close, he said.
Two days later, he was again ironing in the same room when he aproached his sister with the iron and, while playing around, accidentally but seriously burned her arm, Demick said.
Kelly took both victims to the hospital to be treated for their injuries.
The sister was reportedly not upset by what happened and did not notify police, Demick said. The 2-year-old was not hurt.
Kelly was arrested Thursday and charged with aggravated battery to a child and aggravated battery causing great bodily harm. He is being held in the Will County jail.
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