9-year-old critically wounded, allegedly stabbed by mother's boyfriend in Beach Park, sheriff says

BEACH PARK, Ill. (WLS) -- A child was found with multiple stab wounds after they were allegedly attacked by their mother's boyfriend Thursday morning inside a house in the north suburbs.

There was a large police response around 10:45 a.m. at a house in the 38000 block of North Manor Avenue in Beach Park.

The victim, a nine-year-old child, had multiple stab wounds, the Lake County Sheriff's Office said. The child was taken to a hospital in critical condition.

"I just hope they're okay... whoever got stabbed... it's crazy," Beach Park resident Joe Pilman said.

Lake County Sheriff's Deputies identified a 30-year-old male suspect, Demetrius Fisher, who was allegedly seen leaving the scene by the child's mother.

Fisher is in a dating relationship with the child's mother, authorities said. The mother went to the home to check on the child after the child's school called her to ask why the child was not there.

Lake County Sheriff's Deputies located Fisher at a nearby train station and arrested him.

There is no current danger to the public, authorities said.

Neighbors were shocked to see the scene unfold right outside their homes.

"First I just seen a bunch of police show up ... and an ambulance take away the baby, and then more police ... K9 and just craziness," next-door neighbor Alexandra Mireles said.

She said her daughters often play outside with the nine-year-old victim.

"The little girl and little boy are always outside... brother and sister," Mireles said. "When I come home with my daughters, they're here, so they play in the yard with the dog for a little bit .. run around."

People on the block said it's hard to understand a tragedy like this.

"It's just crazy... keep your children very very close, because you just never know what's gonna happen," Mireles said.

Fisher has been charged with attempted first-degree murder, the sheriff's office said.

Sheriff's detectives continue to investigate.

The child who was stabbed has not yet been identified as they are treated at the hospital.

No further information was immediately available.