EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – A Metro East teen accused of illegally tattooing a child is facing misdemeanor charges.
Prosecutors in Madison County have charged 18-year-old Michael Whitlock of Cottage Hills with child endangerment and tattooing a minor.
Investigators say the child's parents reported the case Saturday, saying Whitlock gave the child a tattoo on his back that later became infected.
The tattoo was given without the parent's permission. Under Illinois law, the age of consent for a tattoo is 18.
A sheriff's investigator says he doesn't know the tattoo's design, what was used to apply it and whether Whitlock was experienced giving tattoos.
Whitlock is free on bond. He doesn't have a listed home telephone number.
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