Collinsville man faces prison time after shaking and beating toddler

A Collinsville man now faces up to 30 years in prison after a jury convicted him of shaking and beating a toddler.

On Feb. 23, 2016, Collinsville police and paramedics were called to the 100 block of Idlerun Drive for a 14-month-old child who was not breathing. Paramedics performed CPR and resuscitated the child, who was taken to Anderson Hospital and then transferred to Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center in St. Louis.

Police determined that the child had been left in the care of Steven A. Williams, 30, of Collinsville. Williams was with the child for less than 30 minutes before the boy was found unresponsive.

Williams went to trial this week on five counts of aggravated battery to a child, a Class X felony. Prosecutors presented evidence that Williams had shaken and battered the infant while he was alone with him, and medical personnel found multiple injuries consistent with severe child abuse.

“Securing justice for the victims of child abuse is a solemn trust that we have made a focal point of our mission at the State’s Attorney’s Office,” Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Gibbons said. “We take the fight against abuse of children into the courtroom every day of the week — holding abusers accountable for their horrible crimes by securing convictions and lengthy prison sentences. The defendant inflicted immeasurable pain and suffering on this defenseless little boy, and I look forward to seeing him locked away in prison where he can no longer hurt another child.”

The case went to the jury on Thursday morning. The jury deliberated for three hours before returning a guilty verdict.

Gibbons praised the prosecutors and investigators on the case, including Collinsville and Edwardsville police.

“(The law enforcement agencies) not only saved the life of this little boy on the scene, but through their excellent investigative efforts, collected the evidence necessary to secure justice through this verdict,” Gibbons said. “Once again, the members of our local law enforcement have shown their dedication to protecting and serving our community, and they are to be commended for their service.”

Williams remains in custody at the Madison County Jail. He will be sentenced by Circuit Judge Kyle Napp in six to eight weeks, following a pre-sentencing investigation. A Class X felony carries a penalty of six to 30 years in prison, of which Williams will be required to serve 85 percent.

This story was originally published September 22, 2017 at 3:02 PM with the headline "Collinsville man faces prison time after shaking and beating toddler."