A Peoria man has been arrested for the alleged battery of a 2-month-old baby last month.
Jaravion T. Nichols, 20, the boy's father, is accused of causing severe injuries to the infant.
Authorities say the baby boy arrived by private vehicle at a hospital emergency room in critical condition on Dec. 12. Medical staff alerted police, who determined the child's injuries did not look accidental.
Police executed search warrants and a medical examination showed the baby suffered major head trauma, including bleeding on the brain and retinal hemorrhaging, and several bone factures throughout his body.
Peoria County State's Attorney Jodi Hoos said investigators learned after speaking with family members, that Nichols was the only person caring for the baby when the injuries occurred.
A grand jury indicted Nichols on Tuesday. He was taken into custody at approximately 4 p.m. without incident from the 2000 block of Northeast Jefferson Ave.
A spokesperson for the Peoria Police Department confirmed the infant is alive and remains hospitalized.
Nichols is being held at Peoria County Jail, pending a detention hearing on Thursday. The State's Attorney's Office said it has filed a petition to detain Nichols.
