Father arrested in Facebook post case indicted

[January 10, 2012]  CHICAGO (AP) -- A Chicago man accused of posting a photo on Facebook of his young daughter bound to a chair with tape over her mouth has been indicted on several felony charges, a prosecutor's office official said Monday.

A grand jury last week indicted 21-year-old Andre Curry on felony counts of aggravated domestic battery, aggravated battery and unlawful restraint, said Andy Conklin, a spokesman for the Cook County State's Attorney's office. The indictment was handed down last week but only announced on Monday.

Curry made headlines last month after prosecutors say he posted a photo of his bound 22-month old daughter on Facebook with the caption, "This is wut happens wen my baby hits me back."

After brief hearing Monday in which Curry was informed of the indictment, Torrey Barrett, who identified himself as Curry's pastor, reiterated what Curry's family members have been saying since his arrest: That he posted the photograph as a joke and was not trying to harm the child.

"He thought it was funny," said Torrey Barrett. He said at the time Curry took the cell phone photo, he and his daughter were laughing.

"He, in fact, did not harm this child," Barrett said.

A judge last month set Curry's bond at $100,000 and forbade him from contacting the child or using the Internet. Curry has remained in jail because he hasn't been able to post the required $10,000 of his $100,000 bond.

Curry's attorney, Zachary Hamilton, said after Monday's hearing that he will ask the judge at Curry's next hearing, on Jan. 26, to release his client on the promise he will appear in court.

Barrett, assistant pastor at the Life Center Church of God in Christ, said he hoped the judge will be swayed by a petition that is being circulated in support of Curry. He said he expected the petition, which now includes 300 signatures, will have 1,000 signatures by the next hearing.

He also said that Curry wants to now warn other young people about the consequences of what he called a "stupid mistake."

"The best thing to do is let him out and (let him) tell his story," said Barrett.

[Associated Press; By DON BABWIN]

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.