NW Side father charged with child abuse of son

A 20-year-old man is accused of silencing his 4-month-old son's crying by pulling on the infant's leg until hearing a "popping noise" in the baby’s knee.
Manual A. Lopez, 20, of the 4900 block of West Oakdale Avenue in the Cragin neighborhood, was charged Sunday afternoon with two counts of felony aggravated battery to a child. Lopez is scheduled to appear in court Monday.
Authorities at Lurie Children's Hospital called police when they saw suspicious injuries on the 4-month-old when the baby was taken there early Saturday morning.
Lopez told investigators that during a moment of frustration early Friday when the baby would not stop crying, he grabbed the victim by the knee and pulled downward with force, until hearing a "popping noise".
With the baby crying louder, he took hold of his ankle or foot and twisted with force until he heard another "popping noise".
Subsequent interviews with the arrestee revealed he would pull the victim's legs downward with force as a disciplinary measure when he cried and Lopez told police he used this "technique" on at least four occasions within the last month.
The baby was taken to Lurie early Saturday where it was discovered he sustained acute and subacute right distal tibial, right distal femoral, and left distal tibial corner fractures.
State child welfare authorities are investigating after the incident
"DCFS is investigating allegations of neglect and abuse against both the father and mother".
The agency has had no prior contact with this family. The baby and his sibling are now in the care of other relatives as officials look into the incident