Naperville babysitter charged with stabbing 2 young girls, ages 1 and 4

A Naperville woman who allegedly stabbed two young children she was babysitting and then tried to kill herself was charged Wednesday with attempted murder.

Jennifer Kouchoukos, 51, of the 3000 block of Rollingridge Road, was watching the two girls, ages 1 and 4, at their Lisle home when the incident occurred about 5:15 p.m. Nov. 17, a news release from the DuPage County state’s attorney’s office and the Lisle Police Department said.

Officers responding to a call about a suicide attempt at the Matson Lane home found the two children, one in the kitchen and the other in a bathroom, covered in blood, the report said. Kouchoukos also was in the bathroom and blood soaked.

The girls were initially taken to a local hospital and then transferred to Comer Children’s Hospital in Chicago, the report said. Both had been stabbed multiple times in the back and chest but are recovering.

Kouchoukos, described as unresponsive to questions or commands at the time police arrived, was transported to a hospital for medical treatment, the report said. She was released from the facility Tuesday.

Police recovered several knives, an empty bottle of wine and a nearly empty bottle of rum from the scene, officials said.

Kouchoukos has been charged with two counts each of attempted first-degree murder, aggravated battery to a child under the age of 13 and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.

Judge Joshua Dieden ordered Kouchoukos held in the DuPage County Jail while she awaits trial. Prosecutors filed a motion asking that she undergo a psychiatric evaluation.

“This is an extremely disturbing case for all those involved,” State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said in a statement. “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.”

Lisle police Chief Kevin Licko called the stabbings a “horrific incident,” especially for the police who responded to it.

“Once they knew there were injured children inside, the officers rushed into the house without hesitation,” Licko said in the release. “I commend them for executing their job skillfully and professionally.”

Kouchoukos’ next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 12.