April 13--A Cicero man has been charged with fatally beating an 18-month-old boy after the child urinated on him during a diaper-changing session, police said.
Martin Alvarado Jr., 23, of the 1600 block of 49th Court, was charged Sunday with first-degree murder in the death of Edwin Eli O'Reilly, according to Ray Hanania, Cicero town spokesman.
According to the Cook County medical examiner's office, the boy died Thursday of multiple blunt force injuries from child abuse, and his death was ruled a homicide, according to an autopsy conducted Friday. The incident took place at the boy's home, according to the medical examiner.
In a news release, Hanania said police and paramedics responded to the home after they were notified that the child was unresponsive.
At the time of the beating, Alvarado was taking care of the child, the son of his girlfriend, officials said.
As Alvarado was in the process of changing the toddler's diaper, he urinated on Alvarado. According to investigators, the incident enraged Alvarado, who responded by repeatedly striking the boy.
Alvarado made incriminating statements and gave a videorecorded confession, according to Hanania.
An Illinois Department of Children and Family Services spokeswoman said the agency had prior contact with the family, but officials would not elaborate.
An older sibling of the deceased child has been turned over to a family member, officials said.
Alvarado is due in court for a bond hearing Monday morning.
