Man Says Police Forced Statement

CLINTON - A Clinton man testified Tuesday that state police investigators coerced statements from him concerning the alleged abuse of his 15-month old son, Cameron.

Michael A. VanHyning, 24, took the witness stand in DeWitt County Circuit Court during a hearing on a motion to suppress statements he made to police shortly before his arrest on charges of aggravated battery of a child.

Circuit Judge Stephen Peters asked both attorneys to submit written arguments in the matter. A Feb. 25 hearing has been set for a decision on the motion.

The state has temporary custody of the child. Both parents have surrendered their parental rights to Cameron, who was adopted from Russia. The child is now in foster care, said State's Attorney Jerry Johnson.

State Police Sgt. Ben Halloran said VanHyning and his wife Jodene were questioned separately at the Clinton police station two days after Cameron was hurt.

Michael VanHyning offered conflicting statements, the detective said. At first, the father said the child bruised easily. Later, VanHyning admitted slamming the child against the bathtub, Halloran said.

VanHyning talked with police for two hours, and then was asked to write a statement. He was read his Miranda rights, Halloran said.

Halloran said he did not tell VanHyning that he could go home if he wrote the statement as police requested. VanHyning was arrested shortly after the written statement was completed.

State police Master Sgt. Michael Bernadini admitted using a raised voice and profanity during questioning, but said he didn't grab VanHyning or become angry.

VanHyning said he and his wife were asked by police to come to the station to answer questions about their jobs. The initial questions centered on how the family adopted Cameron from Russia.

VanHyning said he did not read the statement, written by Halloran, before he initialed it. He denied being read his Miranda rights or understanding them.

"I trusted what they were telling me, that I'd get to go home if I went along with what they wanted me to say," said VanHyning.

He said the Department of Children and Family Services became involved in the investigation during the child's stay in a Peoria hospital. The parents also were questioned by police in Peoria, he said.

VanHyning is represented by attorney John Wright.