Unattended Toddler Killed by Falling Dresser as Dad Slept

A Bolingbrook man was arrested in connection with the accidental death of his young son.

James Svitak, 31, was charged Thursday with endangering the life of a child. His bond was set at $1 million.

Svitak was already in the Will County jail for the last two and a half weeks on charges of domestic battery, criminal damage to property and violating the conditions of his bond.

Svitak left his four children — two 18-month-olds, a 2-year-old and a 3-year-old — unattended while he went to sleep in another room of his Musial Circle home in April, according to a criminal complaint filed in Will County court. One of the 18-month-olds was killed by the falling dresser, the complaint said.

The Bolingbrook police failed to respond when asked about the case.

Svitak’s wife, 42-year-old Tracy Svitak, petitioned for a protective order against him last month. In her petition, Tracy Svitak said her husband entered rehab after the death of their son but relapsed in August.

Tracy Svitak said her surviving children were placed in foster care after her son died but were returned to her and her husband. She also said the police have been to their home about once a month.

“When the police are called they have to come with the SWAT team because James is a Marine and a sharpshooter,” she said.