Mother’s Boyfriend Found Guilty of Murder in 2 ½ Year Old Willowbrook Boy’s Death

DuPage County State’s Attorney Joe Birkett announced today that Randy R. Liebich, 25 (d.o.b. 07/12/79), of 1941 W. Hollywood Avenue in Hanover Park (formerly of 16W505 Mockingbird in unincorporated Willowbrook) was found guilty on all counts for the murder of two and a half (2 ½ ) year old Steven Quinn, Jr..  Steven was the son of Liebich’s girlfriend, Kenyatta M. Brown, then 18, whom he lived with at the time of the child’s death.  Following a bench trial that began in mid-June, this morning Judge Ann Jorgensen found him guilty of the child’s February 8, 2002 murder, and that while in Liebich’s exclusive care, the defendant struck the child about the head and body with his hands, causing injuries that lead to the child’s death on February 11th.  Judge Jorgensen found the state’s witnesses compelling, and that the injuries that the child sustained and which ultimately caused Steven’s death, were at the hands of Randy Liebich. 

The case has been continued to August 27th for post trial motions and sentencing.  Liebich faces penalties of between 20 and 100 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections due to the fact that the child was under the age of twelve (12).

Testimony during the trial revealed that 2 ½ year old Steven and Liebich’s 12-day old natural daughter were in Liebich’s exclusive care at the time of the incident.  The three were together at the apartment that Liebich and Brown shared in unincorporated Willowbrook from approximately 10:00 a.m. on the morning of February 8th until approximately 4:30 p.m. when Brown returned from work.  When Brown got home that day, she observed Steven unresponsive on the floor.  She and Liebich placed Steven in the car and took him to Mt. Sinai Hospital in Chicago.  As a result of his condition, the child was transferred to Rush-Presbyterian St. Luke’s Medical Center in Chicago where he was placed on life support until he was pronounced dead on February 11th.  No injuries were detected on Liebich’s twelve day old daughter.

Following the detection of Steven’s injuries, medical personnel at Rush-Presbyterian Medical Center contacted law enforcement officials, and an investigation ensued by authorities from the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office and the DuPage County Children’s Advocacy Center, a division of State’s Attorney Birkett’s office.   In addition, prosecutors were notified and assisted with the investigation.  On Thursday, February 28, 2002 State’s Attorney Birkett approved charges of First Degree Murder against Liebich. 

“This defendant was convicted of the vicious murder of a child,” commented State’s Attorney Birkett.  “He received a fair trial and was well represented by counsel.  Now we will do all in our power to make certain that he never has the opportunity to harm another child, and we will seek a sentence that ensures this result.  We hope that today’s verdict brings some sense of closure to Steven’s family.” 

State’s Attorney Birkett praised Assistant State’s Attorneys Joe Ruggiero and Michael Reidy of his office for their outstanding prosecution of this case.  In addition, he thanked everyone who played a role in the investigation, charging and conviction of this defendant.  “This successful investigation and prosecution was a result of a well-coordinated effort with input and attention from many different parties, including law enforcement, prosecutors, medical professionals, the DuPage County Children’s Center and DCFS child protection workers,” State’s Attorney Birkett commented.   “Today’s verdict was a result of  these efforts.”