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28-year-old charged with murder in homicide investigation of infant from 2021 in Jackson County

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Melvin Daniels

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- A man has been charged with first-degree murder in Jackson County in relation to an infant death from 2021.

Carbondale Police Department said on February 28, 2021, personnel from the Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital in St. Louis contacted police in Carbondale about an infant that was in their care in which they were treating. The infant was transferred to their hospital from Memorial Hospital in Carbondale earlier in the day.

Carbondale police said the infant was being treated for severe life-threatening injuries but later died.

On February 7, 2024, the investigation continued and police also had assistance from the Illinois Appellate Prosecutor's Office where an arrest warrant was issued for first-degree murder for Melvin Daniels, 28 of Chicago.

Daniels is reportedly the child's biological father. Daniels was arrested on February 13, 2024, by the U.S. Marshal Service in Chicago. Daniels was then extradited from Cook County to Jackson County.

Due to a pre-trial condition at a pre-trial hearing, Daniels was released from custody, according to Carbondale police.

Assisting in the investigation is the Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, the Jackson County States Attorney’s Office, the Illinois Appellate Prosecutor’s Office, the Chicago Police Department, and the U.S. Marshals Service.

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