Man accused of killing Macoupin County baby by striking her head against a wall
A Roodhouse man has been charged with first-degree murder following the death of a 23-month-old girl in February.
Allan R. Castleberry Jr., 27, was charged in Macoupin County Court on Wednesday, State’s Attorney Jennifer Watson said. His bail has been set at $1 million.
According to a release from Watson’s office, Castleberry hit the head of Gracie Ellen Rose Nance, of Carlinville, against a wall on Feb. 3, resulting in fatal injuries. Castleberry was the live-in boyfriend of the baby’s mother, Courtney Rice.
An ambulance took Gracie to the Carlinville Area Hospital before she was airlifted for further care at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, where she later died, the release stated.
Watson called Gracie’s death “senseless and tragic,” adding that the Carlinville Police Department acted swiftly in the investigation and in making an arrest.
This story was originally published July 2, 2020 at 2:29 PM.
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