An Orland Park woman was charged Monday with first-degree murder in the death of her 2-year-old niece, who was found severely beaten Sunday night in the family home, authorities said.
Nours Hadid, 26, 9016 W. 140th St., is expected to appear for a court hearing this morning at the Cook County courthouse in Bridgeview, according to a spokeswoman for the state's attorney's office.
Police and paramedics responded about 5:45 p.m. to the family's apartment, where Hadid said she found the toddler, Bhia Hadid, unresponsive, authorities said. The child was taken to Palos Community Hospital in Palos Heights, where she was pronounced dead at 6:27 p.m., according to the county medical examiner's office.
An autopsy revealed that the girl died of multiple blunt trauma, according to the office.
The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services removed three other children from the apartment. Police Cmdr. Charles Doll declined to give the children's ages but said all three are minors. He declined to say whether police had previous contact with the family.
DCFS spokesman Jimmie Whitelow said the agency had no prior contact with them.
Neighbors reacted in shock and disbelief upon hearing Monday of the child's death.
"Oh God! Oh God!," said one neighbor who asked that her name not be used. "I'm shocked."
"They are a nice family," she said. "They are quiet and mostly keep to themselves. The mother hardly spoke English, but she did say 'hello' and 'goodbye.' "
Neighbors said the family moved in about a year ago. They said the couple has a boy about a year old.
The one neighbor said she and her husband came home about 10 p.m. Sunday to see three squad cars parked around the apartment.
"I was pretty scared," she said. "I mean, this is a really quiet area."
She said she never saw or heard anything out of the ordinary.
"I'd hear the television and the music playing," she said. "But it wasn't turned up loud or anything."
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