March 20--Bail was set at $1 million Saturday for a south suburban man accused of waiting hours before seeking treatment for a toddler fatally scalded during a bath.
Cook County Judge Maria Ciesel-Kuriakos set bail for Gregory D. Miles, of 1600 Astor St. in Calumet City, in the March 16, 2016, death of his stepson, Noah Rudder, which was ruled a homicide.
The 17-month-old boy died after he suffered third-degree burns during a bath at the home Miles shared with the boy's mother in Calumet City.
Miles, prosecutors said, saw the boy's burn injuries, but instead of calling 911, searched the Internet on how to treat burns and bought ointment at a drugstore.
Miles, 30, is charged with first-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter and endangering the life of a child. He has three other children.
Miles' parents were present for the hearing. His next appearance is set for March 22 in Markham.
Miles' attorney Brian S. Shields called his client "an exemplary father," adding that the boy's mother had previously complained to her landlord that water in the building wildly fluctuated from cold to hot.
He also said any statement he made to authorities came after he was in police custody for 48 hours. Shields said he planned to file a motion to quash the statement.
Illinois Department of Child and Family Services is investigating the stepfather for abuse and neglect. Officials did not have any prior contact with the family.
"There's no evidence of intent" for the murder charge, he said.
