12-Day Old Baby Dies Of Severe Head Trauma, Illinois Man Charged

PEORIA, IL — A Marseilles man is charged with multiple counts of first-degree homicide and aggravated battery to a child after a 12-day-old baby died "under questionable circumstances," according to the Peoria County Coroner. Newborn Ean Mariotto died Thursday, several days after paramedics responded to a call from the infant's home, the Peoria JournalStar reported.

Jeffrey Price, 30, was arrested June 20 in connection with the baby's injuries and initially charged only with aggravated battery to a child under 13. Those charges were upgraded after baby Ean's death. Price is being held on $5 million bond, according to jail records.

Coroner Jamie Harwood said the infant suffered multiple areas of blunt force trauma, calling the cause of death severe head trauma, the JournalStar reported. Court documents claim Price "struck and shook" baby Ean, fracturing the infant's skull, according to MyWebTimes.

Price is due back in court on July 7.

Photo: Jeffrey Price/Image via the LaSalle County Sheriff's Office