On April 5, 2019, at approximately 11:45AM, Lake County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to meet a Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) agent.  The DCFS agent was investigating an incident where a mandated reporter made a report that a five-year-old girl may have been battered by her mother’s boyfriend.

Sheriff’s Deputies and Sheriff’s Detectives initiated an immediate investigation.  The investigation revealed Wayman G. Vela, 55, of the 21600 block of West Grass Lake Road, Unincorporated Antioch, struck his girlfriend’s daughter numerous times on the lower back with a paddle.  This action caused injuries to the five-year-old victim.  The five-year-old was transported to a local hospital for medical treatment and evaluation.  

Vela was arrested on April 6, 2019, at approximately 9:00AM.  The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office approved one count of Domestic Battery (Class A Misdemeanor).  Vela is being held in the Lake County Jail on $10,000.00 bail.  He is next due in court on April 10th at 9:00AM in courtroom T511.

Vela is employed as a Police Officer in the Village of Round Lake Park.  Round Lake Park Police officials cooperated throughout this investigation and arrest.  

Sheriff Idleburg reminds the community all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.