A Chicago father has pleaded responsible to fees stemming from the deadly capturing of his 8-year-old son, admitting that he left a loaded handgun inside attain of his youngsters earlier than the boy was by chance killed final spring.
Choose Alfredo Maldonado sentenced 32-year-old Derrick Taylor to 5 years in jail, and state information present he’s anticipated to be launched on September 17, 2027, after credit score for time served and Illinois’ customary 50% sentence discount.
Taylor pleaded responsible to being a felon in possession of a firearm and to baby endangerment inflicting demise within the March 20, 2025, killing of 8-year-old Josiah Hooker contained in the household’s Higher Grand Crossing dwelling. Prosecutors mentioned Taylor positioned a loaded 9mm pistol behind a tv on a low dresser in his bed room after making snacks for his youngsters, then lay all the way down to nap whereas caring for the children alone.
Officers mentioned Taylor woke round 5:20 p.m. when he heard a loud noise and found that his 5-year-old son had shot Josiah behind the pinnacle. Taylor ran outdoors with the gravely injured baby as a neighbor referred to as 911 and a mail provider stopped to assist till first responders arrived.
Josiah was pronounced lifeless at Comer Youngsters’s Hospital. A Chicago police report famous that the 5-year-old additionally had a facial laceration per a graze wound.
Taylor will solely serve half of the five-year sentence after receiving the state’s customary 50% sentence discount and credit score for time spent in jail.
CWBChicago was created in 2013 by 5 residents of Wrigleyville and Boystown who had grown disheartened with inaccurate data that was being offered at native Group Policing (CAPS) conferences.
Our protection space has expanded since then to cowl Lincoln Park, River North, The Loop, Uptown, and different North Aspect Areas. However our mission stays unchanged: To supply authentic public security reporting with higher context and higher element than mainstream media shops.
Our editorial e mail tackle is information@cwbchicago.com
