Police Blotter: Joliet boy drowns in backyard pool
July 7, 2012 8:54PM
Updated: August 9, 2012 6:27AM
JOLIET — The state Department of Children and Family Services is investigating the death of a 1-year-old boy who drowned Friday night at his family’s backyard pool in Joliet.
Police were called to the home in the 300 block of Margaret Street at 8:43 p.m., according to a Joliet police sergeant.
The boy, Kaimyn Voight, was taken to Provena Saint Joseph Hospital in Joliet, where he was pronounced dead at 9:26 p.m., according to the Will County coroner’s office. The boy drowned in his family’s backyard pool, according to the coroner’s office and police. An autopsy Saturday found the cause of death was drowning, though the manner of his death would be determined at a later date.
DCFS is investigating the boy’s death, according to agency spokesman Kendall Marlowe. Three other children in the family now are in the care of relatives, Marlowe said. DCFS has had no previous investigations involving this family, he said.
Police believe nothing suspicious or criminal involved in the boy’s death, the sergeant said.
Driver goes off road
CHANNAHON — Police say a driver drove off the street while trying to avoid them early Friday.
Chief Jeff Wold said police had just broken up a juvenile party on Grassy Knoll Drive when Kevin McDonald, 46, turned down the street and saw the squad cars.
“He attempted an immediate U-turn, but ended up going on the grass, which got the officers’ attention,” Wold said. Officers reportedly found McDonald’s car did not have the Breathalyzer connected to the ignition that is required for him to drive.
McDonald, of 3105 Heritage Drive in Joliet, was booked into the county jail on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol, driving on a suspended license, failing to use an ignition lock device, improper lane usage and speeding.
Passengers fleece cabbie
JOLIET — Four passengers reportedly tried to take the hack who drove them from Chicago for a ride Thursday morning.
At 4 a.m. the driver called police to Thornton’s Gas, 2798 W. Jefferson St., after a quartet he’d brought in began acting suspiciously and said they didn’t have money to give him for gas and would only be able to pay the fare when they reached their destination.
“Two of them took off when the cab driver went inside and the others said they’d just gotten picked up. When he came out again, they’d gone and the cash he’d had in the front was missing,” Cmdr. Brian Benton said.
An officer reportedly spotted Arnell L. Lowery, 20, of 708 Grand Ave.; Darrell C. Oliver, 19, and Terry S. Ward, 21, both of 358 N. Broadway, and Kashmire R. Clemons, 18, of 7619 S. Hermitage Ave. in Chicago, walking at Jefferson Street and Stryker Avenue and took them into custody. They were identified as the suspects and charged with theft of services. All four were released after posting identification bonds.
Power line starts fire
JOLIET TOWNSHIP — A downed power line started a house fire Friday morning.
East Joliet Fire Chief Robert Scholtes said residents were home when firefighters were called at 6 a.m. to the 1500 block of Sterling Avenue but were able to escape without injury.
While fire damage was minimal, the downed wire shut down power to the entire neighborhood for the day.
In other police news:
Marc L. Mitok: 42, of 410 Douglas St. in Joliet, was arrested by Joliet police and booked into the county jail Monday on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol and driving on a suspended license.
Courtney E. Smith: 19, of 1328 Pequot St. in Joliet, was arrested by sheriff’s police and booked into the county jail Monday on charges of possession of narcotics with intent to deliver, possession of a stolen firearm and unlawful use of a weapon.
Kevin T. Leroy: 42, of 3804 Landings Road in Joliet, was arrested by Romeoville police and booked into the county jail Monday on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol, driving on a suspended license and operating an uninsured vehicle.
Domingo Zarate: 47, of 500 Chase Ave. in Joliet, was arrested by sheriff’s police and booked into the county jail Monday on a charge of driving without a license.
Robert E. Mason: 48, of 694 Cassandra Lane in University Park, was arrested by sheriff’s police and booked into the county jail Monday on a charge of driving on a suspended license.
Lawrence E. Winston: 36, of 6640 S. Rose in Chicago, was arrested by sheriff’s police and booked into the county jail Monday on a charge of driving on a suspended license.
Seneca A. Hightower: 34, of 6549 S. Hamilton Ave. in Chicago, was arrested by sheriff’s police and booked into the county jail Monday on a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol.
