1. Charges upgraded in Centerville child’s death ruled homicide
2. Centerville child’s death ruled homicide, charges upgraded.
Accident – Death – Obituary News :
On May 23, in Centerville, medical examiners have determined that the tragic death of a two-year-old child in January was a homicide caused by blunt force trauma. This heartbreaking revelation has led authorities to upgrade charges against the child’s caretaker, Roger Gillespie, to first-degree murder.
Gillespie, a 48-year-old resident of Centerville, was originally charged with child endangerment causing death. However, following the final autopsy report from the Johnson County Medical Examiner’s Office, which confirmed that the child, Journey Lane Marberry, died as a result of non-accidental trauma, the charge was elevated to first-degree murder.
Legal Ramifications
If convicted of first-degree murder, Gillespie would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. In contrast, the initial charge carried a maximum sentence of up to 50 years.
Timeline of Events
The investigation was initiated when emergency services responded to a distress call at a residence on Drake Avenue in Centerville, where the injured child, later identified as Marberry, was found. She was initially taken to MercyOne Centerville Medical Center and subsequently transferred to the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City, where she tragically passed away.
Marberry had been placed under Gillespie’s care on January 19 and was reportedly in good health prior to being left in his custody. Gillespie claimed to authorities that he had left the child unattended after giving her a bath. Upon hearing a loud noise, he returned to the bathroom to discover the child unresponsive.
Medical Findings
Medical professionals determined that Marberry had sustained a skull fracture, multiple multi-layer retinal hemorrhages, and petechiae, injuries consistent with non-accidental trauma. These findings corroborated the suspicions of investigators and led to Gillespie’s arrest on January 27, the day of Marberry’s tragic demise.
Since his arrest, Gillespie has been in custody and was informed of the upgraded charge of first-degree murder while incarcerated on Thursday.
Conclusion
This case serves as a tragic reminder of the importance of vigilance in safeguarding the well-being of vulnerable individuals, particularly children. The authorities remain committed to ensuring that justice is served for young Marberry, whose life was needlessly cut short.
For further information, please contact Kyle Ocker, the editor of the Ottumwa Courier and the Oskaloosa Herald, at kocker@ottumwacourier.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, and on Threads @Kyle_Ocker.
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1. Charges upgraded after Centerville child’s death ruled homicide
2. Charges upgraded after Centerville child’s death ruled as homicide.
