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Grandmother Keshia Washington told ABC7 Chicago that she sounded the alarm to school officials, local police, and state child welfare workers ten months before three-year-old Leland Chipoco died.
Washington told ABC7 reporters that she begged authorities to intervene, but officials ignored the family’s warnings.
Disaster struck on June 14, 2025, inside a residence in the 2900 block of North Spaulding Avenue in Chicago’s 14th District.
Thirty-two-year-old mother Felicia Hirn brought her severely injured three-year-old son to Lurie Children’s Hospital for emergency treatment.
According to medical examiner reports obtained by ABC7 Chicago, Hirn claimed to attending physicians that the toddler fell off a playground slide.
Detailed medical documents reviewed by the ABC7 I-Team revealed extensive bruising, retinal hemorrhages, subdural bleeding, and spinal injuries across the boy’s body.
Hospital doctors immediately flagged potential child abuse and alerted local law enforcement personnel.
Leland Chipoco succumbed to his extensive injuries and was pronounced dead at Lurie Children’s Hospital.
The Cook County Medical Examiner performed an autopsy and ruled the toddler’s death a homicide caused by blunt force head trauma.
Leland’s father, Mark Chipoco, told ABC7 Chicago that he continuously called police detectives and state prosecutors for over a year demanding answers.
Cook County officials issued a formal arrest warrant charging Hirn with first-degree murder 15 months after the fatal incident following persistent inquiries by the ABC7 I-Team.
According to the arrest warrant reviewed by ABC7 Chicago, the criminal complaint alleges Hirn choked Leland around his neck and forcibly shook him, causing his death.
Members of the Chicago Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force located Hirn in the 10000 block of West Balmoral Avenue.
Law enforcement officers took Hirn into custody on Thursday, October 8, 2026.
Prosecutors charged Hirn with one felony count of murder with strong probability of death or injury, one count of aggravated battery to a child under 13 causing great bodily harm, and one count of aggravated battery causing great bodily harm.
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services officials confirmed to ABC7 Chicago that they completed an investigation indicating the mother on allegations related to the child’s death.
ABC7 police affairs consultant Bill Kushner publicly criticized the 15-month delay in obtaining the murder warrant as sloppy police work.
Cook County State’s Attorney representatives declined to comment to ABC7 Chicago, citing the ongoing criminal investigation.
Hirn appears at the 2600 South California courthouse on Saturday, October 10, 2026, for a formal detention hearing.
