Girl, 8, Choked In South Loop Store Restroom
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A 33-year-old man has been ordered held without bail, accused of choking an 8-year-old girl unconscious in a public restroom in the South Loop.
Police said the girl became separated from her mother inside a store near Roosevelt and Canal on Saturday, and went into the restroom.
Reese Hartstirn allegedly followed the girl in, and choked her until she passed out. Her mother heard her daughter scream, and walked in to find Hartstirn carrying the girl into a stall, police said.
Police said Hartstirn pushed the girl's mother when she tried to rescue her, and other customers at the store helped detain the man until police arrived. He also allegedly took a swing at a police officer while he was being booked at the Central District police station.
The girl was taken to Comer Children's Hospital for treatment.
Hartstirn was charged with aggravated kidnapping, aggravated battery of a child, and aggravated assault of a police officer, police said.
Cook County Jail records show Hartstirn was being held without bail, and was due back in court on May 16.
