Springfield, Illinois – A Springfield man was arrested and charged with aggravated battery to a child and domestic battery after he was seen on video hitting, grabbing, and cursing at his 2-year-old daughter. He has since been released pending trial.

On October 22, 2023, at approximately 3:00 a.m., Springfield Police reported that Michael P. Flynn, age 28, was captured on video inside his two-year-old daughter’s room, where he began to physically abuse her. In the video, he can be seen grabbing her and uttering the words “go back to bed you stupid fucking kid.” Michael head-butted the child twice on her head while telling her to “lay down now.” Police noted that the child was crying hysterically throughout the entire incident. Subsequently, Michael was observed grabbing the child by her hair and throwing her back onto her bed. Using his right hand, he repeatedly applied intense pressure to the child’s chest, causing her body to bounce off the bed and shift. He then exited the camera’s view as the child lay in bed. Upon his return, he knelt down, placing his hand over the child’s mouth while stating, “shut the fuck up, every fucking day.” Michael then grabs a pillow and began to hit the child with it 3-4 times.

The child had bruising and red marks starting at her jawline on the left side of her face going up to her ear. She also had a bruise on her right shoulder.

Michael was detained in handcuffs and read his Miranda rights, in which he said he understood and wanted to speak with officers. He stated he came home from a long day of work and went to bed. He woke up around 3 am to his child crying. He stated he walked in and placed her back in bed. When asked how he placed her in the bed, he stated he did not want to answer any more questions.

Michael was then placed under arrest and taken to the Sangamon County Jail. According to records, the Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office charged Michael with two counts of Aggravated Battery to a Child, a Class 3 felony, and three counts of Domestic Battery, a Class A misdemeanor. While the Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office requested that Michael remain in custody until trial, a Sangamon County Judge released him. The judge ordered him to complete a substance abuse evaluation within 30 days, a mental health evaluation, and prohibited him from possessing any weapons.

*Update to original article – An emergency order of protection was filed against Michael, by the mother of the child.