Pekin Babysitter Accused Of ‘Pressing A Lovey’ Against A Baby’s Face, Killing 10MO Girl

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Frustration with a fussy baby allegedly caused the woman to press a lovey against the infant’s face, causing her to suffocate. A lovey is a small blanket with an attached animal.

Makenna Rhodes, 21, was booked on the single count of first-degree murder.

According to a one-page probable cause statement filed in Tazewell County Circuit Court, the parents of the young girl dropped her off at Rhodes’ apartment on Florence Avenue where she was babysitting three other kids. At some point, officers were sent there on a report of an unresponsive child. The baby was rushed to Carle Heath – Pekin, where she was later pronounced dead.

A forensic pathologist ruled out medical issues and later, determined that the cause of death was asphyxiation, the statement said.

Police interviewed Rhodes and another person, who both gave statements that were not consistent with the cause of death. The statement also said it appeared the two were texting each other during the interview.

Officers seized their phones and found Rhodes allegedly asking the other person to lie for her, which that other person declined to do.

On July 18, officers talked to Rhodes again. This time, she admitted she was frustrated with the baby being “fussy” and not wanting to go to sleep. She tried, she said, several times to put the baby down for a nap but the baby refused, the statement said.

In frustration, it appears, Rhodes pressed a lovey up against the child’s face until she stopped resisting, according to court records.

Rhodes said she had put a pacifier in the baby’s mouth under the blanket, the statement said.

She admitted she might have been too forceful given her frustration. Rhodes told an officer she held the lovey against the child’s face until she closed her eyes, according to the statement.

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In a probable cause affidavit, the Tazewell County State’s Attorney’s Office said Makenna Rhodes admitted to pressing a “lovey” - a small security blanket with an attached stuffed animal - against the10-month-old baby girl's face and forced a pacifier into her mouth.

Rhodes reportedly told Pekin Police she held the “lovey” against the baby’s face until she closed her eyes.

The affidavit said Rhodes told police she was overwhelmed and angry after trying to get the baby to nap four times, but the child was fighting sleep and extremely fussy.

The affidavit said Rhodes was babysitting for four children at her home, and the parents of the baby who died dropped her off before going to work.

Pekin babysitter charged with smothering 10-month-old baby

Affidavit details an alleged confession

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A Pekin babysitter will be held in the jail during her murder trial.

Associate Judge Derek Asbury believes 21-year-old Makenna Rhodes could still be a threat. If she were at home, Rhodes’ family could still bring her three-month old baby to breastfeed.

Asbury also believes she suffers from post partum depression.

Rhodes’ preliminary hearing is scheduled for 2 p.m. August 15.

Pekin babysitter charged with murder ordered held

Associate Judge Derek Asbury believes 21-year-old Makenna Rhodes could still be a threat. If she were at home, Rhodes’ family could still bring her three-month old baby to breastfeed.

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