At 1:20 p.m. Feb. 20, St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department Deputy James Hendricks was called to the department’s lobby in order to meet with a father reporting an aggravated battery to a child and child abuse to his one-year-old son.

The offense allegedly occurred in the 400 block of McBride Avenue in the unincorporated area of Dupo. The child had unexplainable burns to the neck and bruises to his body. A medical examination was completed and the hospital contacted the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. The child was last known to be in the care of his mother and her boyfriend, identified as Joshua S. Weigel, 24, of 457 McBride Avenue in Dupo.

Investigator Scott Toth was assigned the investigation. After concluding the investigation, the case was submitted to State’s Attorney Brendan Kelly’s Office. Joshua Weigel was charged with aggravated battery to a child under 13 (Class 3 felony). St. Clair County Judge Ellen Dauber set Weigel’s bond at $100,000. Weigel is currently in the custody of the St. Clair County Jail.

All suspects are considered innocent until found guilty in a court of law.