Prosecutors have charged an 18-year-old babysitter with murder in connection with the death of an 18-month-old Peoria boy who showed signs of abuse.
Clylen Ewing was pronounced dead shortly before 7 p.m. Sunday after he was brought by ambulance to OSF Saint Francis Medical Center from his residence in the 2800 block of West Wiswall Street in Peoria. The child was unresponsive, not breathing, and did not have a pulse, said Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood. Aggressive resuscitative efforts were unsuccessful.
In a social media post, Harwood said an autopsy Monday showed the boy suffered multiple blunt force trauma injuries that were “incompatible with life.”
“While I would like to state that Ewing died instantly, I cannot. He very unfortunately and sadly suffered tremendous abuse,” said Harwood’s post.
The Peoria County State's Attorney's Office said Tuesday it has charged Amarion Billups-Wilson with first-degree murder in connection with the infant's death. Prosecutors have filed a petition to detain Billups-Wilson until his trial; that hearing is set for Wednesday.
A news release from state's attorney Jodi Hoos said Clylen had visible facial injuries when police reported to the hospital. His injuries included a contusion on his lung, internal lacerations, two rib fractures, and bruising throughout his body, Hoos said.
Earlier Tuesday, Peoria Police said they had arrested Billups-Wilson on preliminary charges of murder, aggravated battery, and aggravated battery of a child.
Police said they also discovered "signs of physical abuse involving additional children present inside the residence" on Wiswall Street. Three other children were transported to the hospital for medical evaluation with minor, non-life-threatening injuries, police said.
According to the state's attorney's news release, Clylen's mother told police she left the four children in the care of Billups-Wilson the night before the infant's death. The other children said they saw Billups-Wilson strike the child multiple times, hit him with shoes, and push him down the stairs, said authorities.
During an interview with police, Billups-Wilson allegedly admitted to hitting Clylen several times, but claimed he was unaware of the severity because he was intoxicated.
Billups-Wilson, who also faces preliminary charges of endangering the life or health of a child related to the other children in the house, is being held in the Peoria County Jail.
The case remains under investigation. Anyone with information should contact the Peoria Police Department at (309) 673-4521, submit an anonymous tip through tip411, or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously at (309) 673-9000.
