Chicago City Wire

Many are questioning why the teens accused of causing the death of 6-month-old Cristian Uvidia are only facing misdemeanor charges in the child’s death. 

Uvidia died of a brain injury sustained in an incident in which two teens are accused of driving a stolen car into his family’s pickup. Uvidia’s aunt Annelisse Rivera had harsh words for Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx who has charged the teens with only misdemeanors. 

"I want to know how you [Foxx] sleep at night, seeing my nephew's picture on the screen, how you can see his face and think that his life meant absolutely nothing," Rivera said on Fox & Friends. "You're putting salt on our wounds. You're not bringing us justice, and even if you do something, we will never get our baby back. Ever. There is no true justice. This is absolutely something that I don't wish upon my worst enemy, truthfully… it's not a matter of if this is going to happen to another child, it's when. This is a daily occurrence in Chicago."

The suspects are 14 and 17. Police say they were driving a stolen Hyundai when they crashed into the family’s Ford pickup at the intersection of West Washington Boulevard and North Kostner Avenue on April 16. Uvidia’s 34-year-old mother and two sisters, 15 and 7, were also injured in the incident.

The family and local activists have sought to upgrade charges against the teens.

"The charges did not fit the crime," community activist and victim advocate Andrew Holmes told WALB NEWS 10. "My message is to the state's attorney, and anybody else that has hands on this case, 'What are you looking at? What are you feeling? How about first-degree murder? How about reckless homicide?'"

Rivera detailed the incident in a GoFundMe account set up for the family. 

“On Sunday afternoon around 5pm, my family was heading out of their home on their way to meet with their friends,“ Rivera posted on GoFundMe. “They were waiting at an intersection in their Ford F150, when they were struck by 4 teenagers in a stolen car.”  

“In that moment, our lives were alternated forever. Our sweet boy Cristian, or as we call him at home ‘Cristiansito’, life was was cut short at just 6 months.” 

“He suffered from an impact that fractured his skull, causing his brain to swell and eventually killing him.”  

“We are devastated, and we are broken. We will miss his sweet smile, as he was a joy to everyone that he met.”  

“Part of the money will also go towards medical expenses, as mom and sisters are currently in the hospital with injuries but in stable condition.”  

“We are a family of believers in Jesus, and we know that we will see our sweet boy again one day. Until that day comes, we will cherish the short time we had with him forever.” 

“Earth lost a beautiful baby boy, but heaven gained its most beautiful angel.”

The crime is a reminder of the spike in car thefts in the city. The number of car thefts in Chicago doubled from 2021 to 2022. 

According to The Center Square, Chicago saw the highest increase in the number of car thefts, and car thefts across Illinois are up 35%. 

“Over one million vehicles were stolen nationwide in 2022,” NCIB president and CEO David Glawe told The Center Square. “States that saw the largest increase in vehicle thefts were Illinois, Washington and New York. There is little deterrence with vehicle thefts treated as property crimes. Organized gangs and juveniles steal vehicles and use them to facilitate other crimes. To stop this lawless behavior, we must re-invest in our law enforcement partners, support community engagement and policing programs and implement successful early intervention programs for at-risk youth.”