ILLINOIS NEWS

Trial date set for father accused of killing child
September 03, 2010 08:33 EDT

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (AP) -- A judge in central Illinois has scheduled a Sept. 22 trial for a Bloomington man accused of killing his 14-month-old daughter with a baseball bat.

Prosecutors have charged 48-year-old Jeff Meece with first-degree murder in the death of Erika Meece. Investigators say the child died from severe head injuries in August 2009.

Family members have told The Pantagraph that Meece required treatment for mental health and substance abuse issues.

Two psychiatrists earlier had found him unfit to stand trial. He was transferred to McFarland Mental Health Center in Springfield for treatment but has been returned to the McLean County Jail.

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Information from: The Pantagraph, http://www.pantagraph.com

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