Saving children with a web search

Little Jaesean Rusher never had a chance against John Holmon III.

Holmon was just convicted of murdering 21-month-old Jaesean, a child abuse case that left more than 50 bruises all over his little body and feces on the little boy’s feet. The abuse was so bad that photos of the boy’s body made a juror faint. Holmon’s fist was swollen from punching the child. He also beat the boy with an object.

Holmon never tried to save the little boy. Jaesean had been dead for hours before his grandmother came home and discovered he wasn’t breathing. Holmon refused to call 911.

And Holmon had done it all before.

On Jan. 2, 1995, Holmon was caring for a baby in Belleville while her mother was at work. The baby girl wouldn’t stop crying, so Holmon threw her into her crib. Her little head hit the crib’s wooden rails and fractured her skull.

Holmon was sentenced to six years in prison. So much for rehabilitation of a child abuser.

Holmon was 21 when he brutalized the Belleville baby. Now he’s 42 and faces 20 to 60 years in prison unless Jaesean’s age and the prior aggravated battery of a child charge convinces the judge to put him away for 100 years.

Holmon’s past was all a matter of public record, available online by searching his name on local circuit clerk sites.

Before you entrust someone with your child or grandchild, take the time to check their background. Maybe little Jaesean’s life would not have ended so painfully had someone checked out Holmon.

This story was originally published February 16, 2016 at 1:00 PM with the headline "Saving children with a web search."