Judge Says Woman Accused of Killing Infant Granddaughter Unfit For Trial

A psychiatrist has found a grandmother from southwest suburban Oak Lawn, accused of killing her infant granddaughter, not mentally fit for trial, but she faces a June 4 hearing at which a judge will hear evidence on whether she can be tried for the slaying.

Alfreda Giedrojc, 62, is charged with first-degree murder in the Oct. 6 death of 5-month-old Vivian Summers in Giedrojc’s house in the 6600 block of 91st Street.

Authorities say Giedrojc used a sledgehammer and carving knife to kill her granddaughter, whom she was watching while the baby’s father and Giedrojc’s husband were across the street helping Giedrojc’s son with a home improvement project. Giedrojc has been held at the Cook County Jail since the killing.

"The defendant placed the baby on the floor and retrieved a sledgehammer from her closet which she had placed there the night before," Assistant Cook County State's Attorney Michael Deno said in court in October. "The defendant then hit the victim repeatedly in the head and body with the sledgehammer."

On Wednesday, Circuit Court Judge Colleen Hyland reported that Dr. Matthew Marcos, of the Cook County Forensic Clinical Services, had determined that Giedrojc was not mentally able to stand trial.

Neither Assistant State’s Attorney Michael Deno nor Assistant Public Defender Michael Wilson requested a second opinion. Wilson was not available for comment after the hearing, and Deno declined comment.

Giedrojc appeared in court wearing jail-issued blue coveralls and blue sneakers, her graying hair worn straight. She showed no emotion as a Polish interpreter translated for her. No family members, friends or neighbors were in the courtroom.

The court-ordered psychiatric evaluation of Giedrojc was due in March but was delayed. At an April court hearing, more time was requested to submit the report, which was delivered to the judge on Wednesday.