Background: The home in Rockford, Ill., where a baby was fatally injured on April 26 (WIFR). Inset: Jaden Hearns (Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office).
In Illinois, a man has been detained following his arrest in connection with the tragic death of his infant child. Jaden Hearns, aged 27, faces charges of murder, aggravated domestic battery, and aggravated battery against a child after his 7-month-old child passed away on Sunday. Police were called to Hearns’ residence in Rockford, Illinois, responding to reports of an unresponsive baby, as detailed by local CBS affiliate WIFR. The infant was rushed to the hospital but unfortunately succumbed to injuries the same day.
Authorities have stated that Hearns was the sole caregiver present with the child at the time of the incident, and his account of the events leading up to the tragedy seemed inconsistent. Court documents reveal that the baby suffered from two separate skull fractures, multiple rib fractures, and a broken femur. Initially, Hearns claimed ignorance regarding the circumstances that led to these severe injuries.
Upon further interrogation, Hearns disclosed that he was immersed in video games around 3:45 a.m. on Sunday morning when he heard the baby crying. He insisted that the baby had been asleep prior to that moment. Hearns reportedly admitted to having a poor memory and an unclear sense of time, which complicated his ability to recount the events accurately.
Compounding the gravity of the situation, local ABC affiliate WTVO reports that Hearns was already on pretrial release linked to a domestic battery case. In this prior incident, he was accused of strangling the infant’s mother during her pregnancy. Following this accusation, a court order in November 2025 prohibited any contact with her while he awaited trial. Despite this, the woman and Hearns did not reside together, although she frequently stayed overnight at his home. On the day of the incident, she was not present while Hearns cared for their son.
Police said that after further questioning, Hearns told them that he was playing video games at 3:45 a.m. on Sunday when he heard the baby crying. The baby had been asleep before that time. Hearns reportedly told police that he had a bad memory and a bad sense of time frames.
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.
