A Pekin woman is facing a charge of first-degree murder in the death of a 10-month-old infant.
Makenna Rhodes, 21, was arrested Thursday by Pekin Police. According to court documents, Rhodes was babysitting on June 26 when first responders were dispatched to her residence for an unresponsive infant.
First responders attempted lifesaving measures and transported the child to a local hospital, where the infant was pronounced dead. The cause of death was found to be asphyxiation, with injuries consistent with pressure being applied to the face, said authorities.
Detectives interviewed Rhodes, who said she felt overwhelmed when the infant would not stop crying and was fighting sleep. She said she placed a pacifier into the child's mouth and held a blanket with a stuffed animal attached over the infant's face until they closed their eyes, said police.
Rhodes said her frustration may have caused her to be more forceful, said police.
During a court hearing Friday, prosecutors requested to detain Rhodes. The proceeding was postponed to Tuesday at 4 p.m. because the public defender had not received all of the evidence from discovery.
