Hammond man’s bond revoked for child abuse case; previously charged with shooting Instacart driver

Hammond man’s bond revoked for child abuse case; previously charged with shooting Instacart driver

Judge Samuel Cappas revoked a Hammond man’s bond Thursday during a brief court hearing.

Jerome K. Baker, 32, is charged with neglect of a dependent resulting in catastrophic injury, a Level 1 felony; domestic battery resulting in serious bodily injury to a person less than 14 years old, a Level 3 felony; and aggravated battery, a Level 3 felony.

His criminal case was filed after his 8-week-old daughter turned up with a fractured leg and brain bleed on May 9 at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, Illinois, charges allege.

Hammond Det. Christopher Matonovich was briefly on the stand Thursday before lawyers went to the bench to talk with Cappas privately.

When they resumed, Cappas said he would grant the prosecutors’ request to pull the bond and the hearing ended.

Baker’s next date is July 25.

He is also facing multiple felonies including aggravated battery for allegedly shooting an Instacart driver in July 2023 after a spat over the delivery.

The victim survived with a bullet lodged in his head, an affidavit states.

mcolias@post-trib.com