Missing baby found, father sought after Skokie woman killed

SKOKIE, Ill. (WLS) -- The 10-month-old son of a 31-year-old woman found dead in her apartment in Skokie has been found safe, police say.

Police say they responded to a request for a well-being check on Catherine Benyamin from a family member around 10:24 a.m. Thursday and found her dead in her apartment in the 8200-block of Keating. Her death is currently under investigation and pending results from the Cook County Medical Examiner's office, but police say it is believed to be a homicide.

Police say her son Joshua was dropped off at a Chicago church near Halsted and Roosevelt. He was taken to UIC Medical Center for routine observation.

Police are still looking for Joshua's father, Jermaine Powell, and believe a person matching his description may have dropped Joshua off at the Chicago church.

"We are asking if anyone has any information that might be helpful in locating Jermaine Powell, please contact the Skokie Police Department," said Officer Eric Swaback at an evening press conference.

Neighbors are shocked and shaken, and say they didn't hear or see anything unusual Wednesday night or Thursday morning.

"This is kind of surprising to me. This is really a very quiet neighborhood. No fuss, no fight, no anything," said neighbor Claudette Haylett.

"This is not the neighborhood for it," said neighbor Nicola Brown-Porter. "This is Skokie. This is a very good neighborhood."

Police have not yet said how Benyamin was killed. Joshua is safe with family.

If you have any information as to the whereabouts of Jermaine Powell, contact Skokie Police at 847-982-5900 or call 911. To report a tip anonymously, you can call 847-933-TIPS