Jennifer Kouchoukos (DuPage State Attorney’s Office)
A 51-year-old babysitter from Illinois accused of trying to kill two young girls, ages 4 and 1, in her care by stabbing them last month will remain in detention as she awaits her trial. Circuit Court Judge Joshua J. Dieden on Wednesday denied Jennifer Kouchoukos’ request for pretrial release, ordering her to remain locked up without bail on a spate of felony charges, including two counts of attempted first-degree murder, authorities announced.
“This is an extremely disturbing case for all those involved,” DuPage County State’s Attorney Bob Berlin said in a statement. “We are all very grateful that the injuries sustained by the young girls in this case were not life threatening and that they both appear to be on the road to recovery.”
According to a press release from Berlin’s office, officers with the Lisle Police Department at about 5:15 p.m. on Nov. 17 responded to a residence located on Matson Lane in regards to a reported suicide attempt.
Upon arriving at the scene, first responders said they observed “one of the children sitting in a bathroom covered in blood and the other child sitting nearby on the kitchen floor, also covered in blood.” Police also said they saw Kouchoukos “wearing blood-soaked clothing” while standing near the vanity in the same bathroom as the first child. She was not responsive to commands or questions from police, per the release.
Both of the injured children and Kouchoukos were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment. Due to the severity of their injuries, the children were later transferred to Comer Children’s Hospital in Chicago.
“Following an investigation into the incident, it is alleged that while Kouchoukos was babysitting the children, she stabbed both children multiple times in their back and chest areas,” prosecutors wrote in the release. “When processing the scene, authorities located multiple knives stained with what appeared to be blood, an empty bottle of wine and a nearly empty bottle of rum.”
In the same release, Lisle Chief of Police Kevin Licko lauded his officers for their quick action and professionalism in the face of such grisly circumstances.
“What a horrific incident our officers were faced with, I cannot praise them enough,” Licko said. “Once they knew there were injured children inside, the officers rushed into the house without hesitation. I commend them for executing their job skillfully and professionally.”
Kouchoukos remained in the hospital for more than a month before she was released on Tuesday and transported to the DuPage County Jail for processing.
In addition to attempted murder, Kouchoukos is also facing two counts of aggravated battery to a child under 13 and two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.
She is currently scheduled to appear for her arraignment before Circuit Court Judge Brian F. Telander on Jan. 12. She has not yet entered a plea.
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