The heart that saved baby Quinn Kyles` life last December came from the lifeless body of an infant suffocated by its father, according to charges filed by the Cook County State`s Attorney`s Office.
Ronald Rakow, 26, of 5922 S. Calumet Ave., was charged Sunday with first- degree murder in the death of his 3-month-old son and was being held in Cook County Jail Monday night on $75,000 bond, according to the state`s attorney`s office.
Until now, it was thought that Quinn Kyles received the heart of a 3-month-old boy who had died last December of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
Rakow allegedly told Wentworth Area police after they picked him up at his home that his conscience was bothering him. He told police in his statement that he lied to police and the doctors about the cause of the baby`s death.
In his statement to police, Rakow admitted to ”placing the baby face down on the pillow knowing the baby would suffocate,” said Sgt. Stan Zaborac of the Wentworth Area Violent Crimes unit.
Rakow had indicated to detectives that, during the four months since his baby`s death, his conscience was bothering him, Zaborac said.
Investigators allege that on the night of Dec. 11, Rakow suffocated his son, Paul, because the baby would not stop crying. Police said Rakow`s wife was not at home. Paul had been born six weeks premature and had respiratory problems.
The baby went into a coma and died in Children`s Memorial Hospital on Dec. 14. The transplant occurred the following day.
Quinn`s mother, Theresa, said she felt a great sadness for the mother of the dead child.
”It`s bad enough to lose your baby, but like this?” said Theresa Kyles from her South Side home. ”But she should know, though, that inside Quinn is a very happy, healthy heart, and she should take pride in that.”
The effort to find a heart and to raise money for the transplant attracted national attention. Singer Stevie Wonder put on a concert that brought in $130,000 to help pay the costs.
Quinn`s mother said she would inform her son of the circumstances surrounding his new heart when he`s old enough to understand. ”There`s no reason to keep it a secret from him,” she said. ”Quinn has a right to know.”
