Grandma Pleads Not Guilty To Murdering Baby Granddaughter

An Oak Lawn woman accused of bludgeoning her six-month-old granddaughter with a sledgehammer and then slitting the baby’s throat when she would not stop moving, was arraigned in a Bridgeview courtroom on Thursday morning.

Alfreda Giedrojc, 62, wearing dark blue jail scrubs and blue tennis shoes, pleaded not guilty to four counts of first-degree murder. Giedrojc is currently being held without bail in Cook County Jail.

Oak Lawn police found six-month-old Vivian Summers gravely injured in her grandmother's home in the 6600 block of West 91st Street after responding to a domestic disturbance call the morning of Oct. 6. 

Police allege that Giedrojc admitted to slaying Vivian in video-taped statements.

After entering her plea, Cook County Judge Colleen A. Hyland explained that Giedrojc must appear at all court proceedings, even in the event that she was released from police custody.

When Hyland asked Giedrojc if she understood the judge's orders, the petite Oak Lawn grandmother asked if that meant she could post bond through her Polish interpreter.

The judge clarified her orders for the interpreter, who then relayed them to Giedrojc in Polish. Giedrojc responded that she understood.

Giedrojc’s public defender, Michael Wilson, also submitted a request to the court that a Polish translator be present when he visited Giedrojc in jail to work on her case.

The prosecutor, Michael Deeno, told the judge that he had no issues with the public defender’s request.

Following the roughly five-minute-long hearing, Wilson said he asked for a Polish translator be present during jailhouse visits so that Giedrojc could participate fully in the preparation of her case.

“She speaks little English," Wilson said. "She doesn’t speak English well enough to participate."

The public defender said there are many ways that a person can be charged for murder, explaining the multiple counts. Prosecutors may dismiss some counts and proceed with the stronger charges once a case goes to trial.

Wilson also didn’t know yet if he would use insanity as a defense for his client.

“It’s too early to decide,” the public defender said. “The state may come up with a plea offer.”

He said Giedrojc is doing well, considering her situation. He said he would discuss with her whether to pursue another bond hearing, but if she or her family did come up bail money, it may mean that she would have to relinquish the public defender and hire a private attorney.

“If a guy has to bond up, it means he can afford a lawyer,” Wilson said. “There are no more free rides. Public defenders are for the indigent and the poor.”

Wilson would not answer questions on whether his client tried to commit suicide prior to the baby’s slaying, or if she missed her granddaughter.

“I can’t talk about it.”

Giedrojc is due back in court on Dec. 18.

Read Patch's complete coverage of grandmother slaying case:

• Grandmother Accused of Killing Baby Indicted in Court
• Grandma Killed Baby With Sledgehammer and Knife, Prosecutor Says
• VIDEO: Oak Lawn Police Chief Talks to Reporters After Alfreda Giedrojc's Bond Hearing
• VIDEO: Prosecutor Speaks on Charges in Baby Homicide

• Oak Lawn Police Release Few Details In Baby Homicide Investigation
• Relative Being Questioned in Infant's Death
• VIDEO: Press Conference on Homicide Investigation in Infant's Death