A 51-year-old Naperville, Illinois, woman is accused of trying to kill two young girls, aged one and four, by stabbing them while she was babysitting. 

Circuit Court Judge Joshua J. Dieden denied Jennifer Kouchoukos’ request for pretrial release in a recent hearing, and she remains in custody without bail. The charges include two counts of attempted first-degree murder, among other felonies.

On November 17, 2023, at approximately 5:15 pm, Lisle Police Department officers responded to a distress call about a suicide attempt from a residence on Matson Lane in Lisle, Illinois. 

They were confronted with a shocking scene: two children, ages four and one, were found severely injured, one in a bathroom and the other on the kitchen floor, both covered in blood. 

Nearby, Kouchoukos was discovered wearing blood-soaked clothing, unresponsive to police commands or questions.

The children were rushed to a local hospital and later transferred to Comer Children’s Hospital in Chicago for further treatment. 

Kouchoukos was hospitalized and remained under care for a month. Upon her release, she was transported to DuPage County Jail for processing.

DuPage County State’s Attorney Bob Berlin described the case as “extremely disturbing,” expressing relief that the girls did not sustain life-threatening injuries.

According to reports, Kouchoukos stabbed both children several times in their back and chest. Authorities recovered a knife believed to have been used during the incident. They also observed an empty bottle of wine and a nearly empty bottle of rum at the scene. 

Lisle Chief of Police Kevin Licko praised the officers for their professional response, highlighting their immediate action upon learning of the injured children inside the house. He commended the officers for their skillful execution of their duties under such challenging circumstances.

Kouchoukos, in addition to the attempted murder charges, is also facing two counts of aggravated battery to a child under 13 and two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. 

Her arraignment is scheduled for January 12, 2024, before Circuit Court Judge Brian F. Telander. She has not yet entered a plea. Prosecutors are asking for a psychiatric evaluation.