Benson Accused Of Kicking Baby In Mouth

NEW LENOX, IL - The New Lenox Police Department said this week that it is still looking for a 22-year-old former New Lenox resident who has apparently gone into hiding in connection with allegations of child abuse. A bench warrant was issued last week at the Will County Courthouse for the felony arrest of Nicholas Benson. He is charged with aggravated battery to a child, two counts of battery and one count of criminal damage to property. So far, New Lenox Police have not been able to locate him and bring him to the Will County jail.

Deputy Chief of Police Louis Alessandrini told Patch the incident happened around 2:30 p.m. in the 600 block of Pine Street at the address of Benson's 19-year-old girlfriend. According to police, Benson got into a heated argument with someone at the residence over a telephone. Tempers flared and "he became upset," Alessandrini said. "The suspect allegedly kicked a 1-year-old child in the mouth."

Next, Benson allegedly turned and punched a 15-year-old boy in the head, Alessandrini said. Lastly, Benson grabbed a set of blinds in the house and yanked them down, before running out of the place and getting away before the police arrived, Alessandrini said.

Alessandrini said he was not certain about Benson's relationship to the baby and the teenager, he added that there were several people at the residence on Pine at the time of the disturbance call.

By the time New Lenox Police arrived at the residence on Pine Street, Benson was already long gone. Fortunately, Alessandrini said, the 1-year-old baby was not injured and neither was the 15-year-old boy. "No medical attention was necessary," he said. "Nobody sustained any injuries."

As for Benson, "we are still looking for him at this time," Alessandrini remarked on Tuesday afternoon.

Court records indicate Benson lives in Mokena at 11952 Duchess Ave.

2017 file mugshot of Nicholas Benson via Will County Sheriff's Department