The Commercial-News, Danville, IL

Local News

October 28, 2009

Allhands pleads guilty in shaken baby death

DANVILLE — The man accused in the shaken baby death of a 2-year-old Tilton girl pleaded guilty Tuesday to a reduced charge.

Ryan Allhands, 24, of Tilton had faced first-degree murder charges in the July 2006 death of toddler Reagan Williams.

On Tuesday, he entered a guilty plea to a reduced charge of involuntary manslaughter, a Class 2 felony, as part of an agreement with the state’s attorney’s office.

As many as 20 people — many family members of Williams — attended the afternoon hearing before Presiding Judge Michael Clary. Several family members lowered their heads as the charge of involuntary manslaughter was read by Clary. Others wiped away tears throughout the hearing.

Vermilion County State’s Attorney Randy Brinegar said the charge labels the death as unintended, “no matter how repulsive, disgusting or sad it is.”

Because of special penalties filed with the new charge, Allhands is eligible for up to 14 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. Brinegar said he plans to ask for the maximum sentence.

“Fourteen years is hardly enough for the loss of a young child’s life, no matter the circumstances,” he added.

Family members did not make themselves available for comment following the hearing, instead leaving out a side door of the Vermilion County Courthouse. The family later issued a statement via e-mail saying it seemed premature to comment.

“We do not celebrate today,” the e-mail read. “We still see this as a tragedy that could have been avoided.

“We miss our Sunshine,” the message ended.

The sentencing hearing for Allhands is scheduled for Dec. 21.

Assistant State’s Attorney Kavita Uppal worked with the family extensively in the latter stages of the case. She said the family was involved with decisions on how to proceed with the case, taking into account their feelings and concerns.

Brinegar said, to their credit, the family was understanding and accepting of the plea agreement once it became clear to them and Uppal that it would be difficult to prove first-degree murder in the case.

Allhands was the only adult watching Williams on July 2, 2006 — the day she died. The child’s mother, Tracy Green, was taking a shower at the time of the incident when Allhands told her the child was unresponsive. Emergency medical technicians called to the home said the child was not breathing.

Dr. Roland Kohr, a pathologist in Terre Haute, Ind., and Dr. Demetra Soter, a Chicago pediatrician, both told sheriff’s department investigators that Williams’ injuries were consistent with shaken baby syndrome. Soter went so far as to indicate the injuries would be the result of a strong person.

Text Only
Local News
E-edition
AP Video
More Than 350 Die in Honduran Prison Fire Defiant Iran Loads Own Fuel Rods Into Reactor Lawmakers Move to Cusp of Payroll Tax Cut Deal Raw Video: Syrian Army, Rebels Battle in Homs Video Essay: Saving the Miami Blue Butterfly NYPD Officer Shot During Subway Confrontation Obama's Valentine's Advice: 'Go Big' San Francisco's Valentine's Gift to Tony Bennett Iranian Boats Shadow US Aircraft Carrier in Gulf Hundreds Rally Against Alabama Immigration Law Whitney Houston Funeral to Be Invitation Only New Details in Search for Missing Utah Mom Raw Video: Protesters, Security Clash in Bahrain Obama: Good US-China Ties Help the Whole World School Pays Students to Attend Class Raw Video: 5 People Injured in Bangkok Blasts Trial Opens for Ala. Man in Bride's Diving Death Baltimore's 'Crime Stopper' Is a Basketball Star Arm Wrestler Not Guilty Plea in Wife's Death
NDN Video
Jessica Alba's Bold Cut-Out Couture Mass. Student Pictures End Up on Porn Site Kobe Bryant and Wife Back Together? Bulldog Becomes Mom for Wild Piglets Eyewitness Account of Brandy's Whitney Breakdown Relatives wait for information about inmates Are Diem & CT No Longer 'Exes?' Defense Begins in UVA Player Murder Trial Model Falls on Runway Google Street View Catches Bizarre Moments Lin Tracker Kate Upton Bares Her Killer Bod Video captures dramatic attack on Mexican newspaper Raw Video: Randy Travis DUI Arrest Released Marc & J.Lo: 'Q'Viva!' is Our Family 'Legacy' Shakira Attacked By Sea Lion Passenger steals Rolex from security at airport Jennifer Aniston's Sexy Spread Man organizes in-flight proposal for girlfriend Kate Upton MLB 2K12 Commercial