Illinois State Police agent charged in Madison Co. with battering children, elderly woman
An Illinois State Police agent from Edwardsville has been charged with battery involving children and an elderly woman.
Thomas M. Hatley is accused of physically abusing two children under the age of 13 and a woman over the age of 60 in August and September, as well as October 2023.
It is the Belleville News-Democrat’s policy not to name victims of abuse.
Hatley was charged Friday with one felony count of aggravated domestic battery, three felony counts of aggravated battery and four misdemeanor counts of child endangerment.
His spouse, Ha T. Hatley, 37, was also charged with child endangerment, a misdemeanor.
They were both arrested Friday morning at the Madison County Courthouse, according to a news release from Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine. Court records do not list attorneys for the Hatleys.
Allegations against Thomas Hatley include that he choked a child “under the age of 13” with his legs and whipped more than one child repeatedly with a belt. In another incident, he is alleged to have forced a child under 13 to run on a treadmill until they fell, vomited and suffered injuries to their legs.
Charging documents also allege Hatley struck a woman “over the age of 60” repeatedly in the face and eyes.
Thomas Hatley has been placed on administrative leave without pay from the Illinois State Police, according to Melaney Arnold, a spokesperson for the agency.
“The ISP Division of Internal Investigation is investigating charges against Special Agent Hatley, pursuant to our authority under Illinois law,” Arnold stated in an email to the BND. “… ISP does not tolerate any criminal conduct within its ranks. As we do with any alleged crime, ISP will move swiftly towards justice and accountability.”
This story was originally published September 27, 2024 at 3:33 PM.
