Report: Ill. father admits fatally beating daughter, 4, with belt, cops say

DECATUR, Ill. -- The father of a 4-year-old Decatur girl who died after being transported to an emergency room unresponsive and with scabs and bruises covering much of her body is facing a first-degree murder charge.

The Herald & Review in Decatur reports 29-year-old Darrell A. Reynolds appeared Thursday in Macon County Circuit Court, where he was arraigned. If convicted, he faces 20 years to life in prison. He’s scheduled to return to court Sept. 28.

The Associated Press left a message seeking comment Friday from Reynolds’ lawyer William Vig.

Charging documents filed by the Macon County State’s Attorney’s Office says the Aug. 31 death of Amarrah C. Reynolds “resulted from exceptionally brutal or heinous behavior indicative of wanton cruelty.”

Police say the man admitted beating his daughter to death with belt, allegedly saying “I just killed my daughter” during an interview, the paper reports. Police allege Reynolds said he had been beating the girl for about two years.

The girl’s mother is due in court Friday in the case.