An Elgin man was found guilty Monday of two felonies for breaking the legs of his girlfriend’s child in 2010, according to the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Ricardo Robledo-Espino, 29, of the 300 block of McClure Ave. was caring for the then-6-week-old child on April 3 when the infant began crying. Robledo-Espino placed the child on her back on her bed and forcefully pulled her legs towards him, authorities said.
Robledo-Espino did not immediately discuss the incident with the child’s mother, who noticed unusual swelling in the infant’s leg days later. On April 8, a specialist determined through X-rays that the child’s legs were broken and that the fractures were likely caused by significant force consistent with child abuse.
On April 17, Robledo-Espino admitted to police that he “had probably used more force than he should have,” authorities said. He said he knew he had hurt her when she let out a higher-pitched cry as he pulled her legs.
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Robledo-Espino then gave inconsistent explanations during the investigation about how the infant could have been injured, authorities said.
Robledo-Espino is scheduled to be sentenced in court on Oct. 4. He faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison. He also must register on the Child Murderer and Violent Youth Offender Registry.