UPDATE: Babysitter Found Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity in Lisle Stabbing Case
By Heather Niziolek, West Chicago Voice
In an update to a case previously covered by the West Chicago Voice, Jennifer Kouchoukos, a Naperville babysitter charged with stabbing two young girls in Lisle last year, has been found not guilty by reason of insanity.
Kouchoukos, 52, was acquitted of attempted murder and aggravated battery after a psychiatric evaluation revealed she was suffering from auditory hallucinations at the time of the incident. According to the report, which was accepted by the judge, Kouchoukos believed the 1-year-old and 4-year-old girls in her care were spying on her, leading her to commit the violent act. The court determined she was unable to appreciate the criminal nature of her actions.
The DuPage County State’s Attorney confirmed that Kouchoukos has a history of mental illness and alcohol use. Following the verdict, she has been ordered to undergo further evaluation at a state mental health hospital to determine appropriate treatment options.
This ruling comes as a significant legal decision in DuPage County, where the case had drawn attention due to its severity and the mental health factors involved.
Previously Published By The West Chicago Voice (January 2924) :
DuPage County State’s Attorney Bob Berlin and Lisle Chief of Police Kevin Licko announced today that Judge Joshua Dieden granted the State’s Motion to deny pre-trial release for a Naperville woman accused of stabbing two young girls, ages four and one, while babysitting at their Lisle home. Jennifer Kouchoukos, 51 (d.o.b. 6/18/1972) of the 3000 block of Rollingridge Road, appeared in First Appearance Court this morning charged with two counts of Attempt First-Degree Murder (Class X Felony), two counts of Aggravated Battery to a Child Under 13 (Class X Felony) and two counts of Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon (Class 3 Felony). In Court today, the State filed a motion for a psychiatric evaluation of the defendant.
On November 17, 2023, at approximately 5:15 p.m., Lisle police officers responded to a residence on Matson Lane for a report of a suicide attempt. Upon their arrival, officers observed one of the children sitting in a bathroom covered in blood and the other child sitting nearby on the kitchen floor, also covered in blood. Officers also observed the defendant wearing blood-soaked clothing near the vanity in the same bathroom as the first child. The children were immediately taken to a local hospital for medical attention and subsequently transferred to Comer Children’s Hospital in Chicago. Kouchoukos, who was unresponsive to any questions or commands, was taken to a local hospital for medical attention. Following an investigation into the incident, it is alleged that while Kouchoukos was babysitting the children, she stabbed both children multiple times in their back and chest areas. When processing the scene, authorities located multiple knives stained with what appeared to be blood, an empty bottle of wine and a nearly empty bottle of rum. On December 26, 2023, Kouchoukos was released from the hospital and transported to the DuPage County Jail.
“This is an extremely disturbing case for all those involved,” Berlin said. “We are all very grateful that the injuries sustained by the young girls in this case were not life threatening and that they both appear to be on the road to recovery. I commend Lisle Police Department for their efforts on this very upsetting case. I also thank Assistant State’s Attorney Mike Fisher and Investigator Leticia Rodriguez-Lilly of the DuPage County Children’s Advocacy Center for their work preparing charges against this defendant.”
“What a horrific incident our officers were faced with, I cannot praise them enough,” Licko said. “Once they knew there were injured children inside, the officers rushed into the house without hesitation. I commend them for executing their job skillfully and professionally. I especially want to thank Detective Sergeant Jim Eccardt and his team for their hard work on this challenging case. In addition, I’d like to thank the DuPage County Children’s Advocacy Center and State’s Attorney Bob Berlin’s office for their support and legal guidance.”
Kouchoukos’ next court appearance is scheduled for January 12, 2024, for arraignment in front of Judge Brian Telander.
Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendant’s guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
