Violent Offender Convicted of Once Pepper-Spraying Little Girl Now Back in Jail

JOLIET, IL — A Joliet woman jailed three and a half years ago and ordered to register with the state as a violent offender against youth for pepper-spraying a little girl was back in jail again Saturday.

Shaniqua Pruitt, 24, was arrested in 2013 for allegedly pepper-spraying the young daughters of her ex-boyfriend’s new girlfriend. Pruitt and the other woman lived in the same building in the Evergreen Terrace apartment complex.

Pruitt, apparently jealous of the mother, went to the other woman’s home. The new girlfriend had her 2-year-old and 5-year-old daughters with her when she opened the door to Pruitt, who proceeded to pepper-spray the children’s faces before fleeing, police said.

Pruitt was charged with two counts of the aggravated battery of a child, one for each of the little girls, and taken into custody two months after the attack.

Pruitt pleaded guilty to one count in February 2014 and the other was dismissed. She was sentenced to 104 days in jail but was released the same day for serving 52 days and receiving day-for-day credit. Pruitt was also sentenced to two years probation and was required to register as a violent offender against youth, which she allegedly failed to do.

Pruitt was also picked up on a couple traffic warrants. Her total bond was set at $255,000.

Pruitt remained in custody Saturday afternoon.

Shaniqua Pruitt | image via Will County Sheriff's Department