Man asks for jury in child beating case

CLINTON - A Clinton man accused of beating a 15-month-old child on Wednesday waived his right to a preliminary hearing and asked for a jury trial in DeWitt County Court.

Michael A. Van Hyning, who is charged with three counts of aggravated battery to a child, appeared briefly with his attorney, John Wright, before DeWitt County Circuit Judge Stephen H. Peters.

Van Hyning signed documents waiving his right to a probable-cause hearing.

The 24-year-old was arrested June 27 in connection with a beating that Cameron Van Hyning suffered on June 23, police said.

Van Hyning allegedly hit the child in the chest with his fist and grabbed him by the arms, repeatedly shaking him.

The child was treated for internal injuries for several weeks at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria before being released.

Specific charges allege that Van Hyning abused the child on three separate occasions.

The other two incidents involve allegations that Van Hyning slammed the child against the bath tub on June 11, and struck the child in the face on June 4.

Penalties for the offenses range from six to 30 years in prison for each count.

Peters set a docket call for Sept. 3 and a jury trial for Sept. 24 in the case.

Van Hyning remains free after posting $10,000.