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Springfield man accused of scalding 22-month-old daughter

Posted October 16, 2007 11:00 pm

Sarah Antonacci

Bond has been set at $1 million for a Springfield man accused of scalding his 22-month-old daughter.

Sylvester D. Henderson, 24, is charged with aggravated battery to a child in connection with a Sept. 27 incident in which he allegedly caused the girl "to come into contact with an excessively hot substance."

Her mother, Jessica D. Overall, 22, is charged with endangering the life and health of a child because she allegedly did not seek medical treatment for the toddler for several days. Henderson and Overall decided instead to try to care for the girl's injuries at home, authorities said. Overall's bond was set at $20,000.

The child suffered second- and third-degree burns on her feet, legs and inner thighs. The U.S. Marshal's Violent Fugitive Task Force arrested the parents at their home in the 1800 block of South 16th Street Monday night.

Initially, the parents told police Overall was not home when Henderson tried to give the girl a bath. The water was too hot in the tub, they said.

They waited five days before taking the child to the hospital.

However, after investigating, officials said the child's injuries do not appear consistent with being dipped into standing water.

Springfield police detective Scott Kincaid had been looking into the case since the girl was brought to the hospital. She was released from the hospital Thursday and is in foster care.

"This is a terrible crime, a hideous crime," said John Schmidt, Sangamon County state's attorney. "The child has been removed from the home, and proceedings for the termination of parental rights of the parents has begun."

Kendall Marlowe, spokesman for the state Department of Children and Family Services, said the agency had had no contact with Henderson or Overall previously, either as a couple or separately. The two have no other children together, though Henderson does have other children, Schmidt said.

In citing reasons for the $1 million bond for Henderson, Schmidt told Associate Judge John Childress that Henderson has previous convictions for domestic battery in Sangamon and DuPage counties.

The Sangamon County case stems from an October 2005 incident. According to court records, Henderson's wife dropped him off at his mother's house in the 1100 block of North Third Street and then told him she didn't want to be with him anymore. Henderson responded by punching her and smashing a beer bottle in her face.

The woman suffered cuts to her eye and hand, a chipped tooth and swelling on the right and left sides of her face.

Henderson was convicted of the misdemeanor in July 2006. He also was given court supervision on a retail theft case and was convicted of drunken driving, according to Schmidt.

His next court date is set for Oct. 25.

Sarah Antonacci can be reached at (217) 788-1529 or sarah.antonacci@sj-r.com.

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