Judge Mark Stedelin set bond at $250,000 for a 21-year-old Salem man formally charged in Marion County Court Wednesday with a Class X offense of aggravated battery to a child under 13.
Michael Farrar of West Main Street was taken into custody on Monday by Salem Police after they were initially called to Salem Township Hospital to a report of a three-month-old child being brought to the emergency room for treatment of serious injuries. The child was later transferred to Cardinal Glennon Hospital in St. Louis in critical condition.
Salem Police Chief Kyle Ambuehl said Wednesday the child was still in an intensive care unit but was in stable condition.
In the probable cause statement to the court, Assistant State’s Attorney Seth Bauling provided additional details on the injuries the child sustained. He reportedly had visible bruising, abrasions, brain bleed, a broken jaw, and a broken neck.
When Judge Stedelin asked how Farrar had been tied to the injuries, Bauling responded the child was in his care at the time the injuries occurred.
Bauling then asked for a $1-million bond.
Public Defender Craig Griffin noted he understood the severity of the injuries but noted Farrar was a local resident and had full-time employment and asked for a $50,000 bond. Griffin added reports indicate there were also indications of old injuries to the child something confirmed by the Salem Police Chief.
In making his decision, Stedelin noted Farrar’s recent full-time employment and his only past conviction being a domestic battery case. If released on bond, Stedelin ordered Farrar to have no unsupervised contact with anyone under 18. A public defender was appointed to represent Farrar who is due back in court on November 29th for a preliminary hearing.
It was mentioned during the hearing that Farrar had two other children. Ambuehl indicated they are currently being cared for by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.
