Man Charged With Killing Toddler Found In Riverdale
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Cook County prosecutors have charged a 23-year-old man in connection with the death of a toddler who was found dead last weekend in south suburban Riverdale.
James Harris, of Chicago, has been charged with first-degree murder, according to the Cook County State's Attorney's office.
Police found 19-month-old Ameriah Roberson's body in a wooded area near 140th and Normal in Riverdale on Sunday. Her family said Ameriah's mother left her with Harris, her boyfriend, while she went to work on Sunday. When she got off work at 5 p.m. that day, she went to Harris' home near 35th and Rhodes, but Ameriah wasn't there.
Police said Harris reported Ameriah missing around 5:30 p.m. Sunday, and first claimed she vanished from outside the lobby of his home, but later admitted killing her in his apartment, then dumping her body in Riverdale.
A police source said police have surveillance video of Harris carrying a bag at the site where Ameriah's body was dumped.
An autopsy on Monday determined Ameriah died as the result of a subdural hematoma and closed head injuries from an assault.
