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Background: The home in Rockford, Ill., where a baby was fatally injured on April 26 (WIFR). Inset: Jaden Hearns (Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office).
An Illinois resident has been ordered to remain incarcerated following his arrest related to the tragic death of his infant child.
Jaden Hearns, age 27, faces charges including murder, aggravated domestic battery, and aggravated battery on a child after the passing of his 7-month-old son on a recent Sunday. Local news station WIFR reported, based on court documents, that authorities were alerted to the situation via a call about an unresponsive infant at Hearns’ Rockford home that morning. The baby was promptly transported to the hospital but sadly succumbed to his injuries the same day.
Authorities mentioned that Hearns was the sole caregiver present with the infant that morning, yet his recounting of the incident was inconsistent.
The court documents revealed the child suffered from two separate skull fractures, multiple rib fractures, and a broken femur. Initially, when questioned by police about the circumstances surrounding his son’s condition, Hearns claimed ignorance regarding the cause of the injuries.
Subsequent questioning led Hearns to disclose that he was engaged in video gaming around 3:45 a.m. on Sunday when he heard his baby crying, though the child had been asleep prior. He reportedly cited poor memory and an unclear sense of time as reasons for his inconsistent explanations.
Local ABC affiliate WTVO reported that Hearns was on pretrial release in connection with a domestic battery case in which he allegedly strangled the baby’s mother while she was pregnant. He was ordered in November 2025 not to have any contact with her while he was out of custody. According to court documents, the woman and Hearns did not live together, but she often stayed overnight at his home. She was not at home when Hearns was watching their son.
According to the court documents, surveillance cameras caught Hearns carrying a firearm around the house. Police said they found a rifle and ammunition on the property.
Authorities said the baby died of blunt force trauma.
During a hearing on Tuesday, a judge said Hearns violated his previous release conditions in connection with the domestic battery case and ordered him to remain in the Winnebago County Jail. His next court date is scheduled for May 27.