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Elgin Caretaker Gets 20 Years for Starving and Torturing 7-Year-Old

The punishment follows a guilty plea to aggravated battery tied to prosecutors' account of three years of abuse by a live-in caretaker.

Overview

  • Eulalia Vences, 55, pleaded guilty to aggravated battery causing great bodily harm and agreed to a 20-year sentence.
  • Under Illinois law, she must serve at least 85% of the term and receives credit for 596 days already spent in the Kane County jail.
  • Prosecutors said the abuse occurred from March 5, 2021 to March 5, 2024 while Vences cared for Natali Cruz-Gemchi’s child.
  • In March 2024, the 7-year-old arrived at St. Joseph Hospital in cardiac arrest weighing about 14 pounds, with findings consistent with severe physical and psychological torture and medical neglect.
  • Both women were charged with aggravated battery, aggravated domestic battery, and child endangerment; Cruz-Gemchi remains detained with her case pending, and prosecutors say the child survived but faces long-term medical and psychiatric harm.