PEORIA, Ill. — A Peoria Heights man has been sentenced to 58 years in prison for the death of his girlfriend’s 16-month-old son.
In September, Joshua Rutledge was found guilty of first-degree murder in the death of Rowen Shriver. The toddler died from a traumatic brain injury suffered while in Rutledge’s care in October 2017.
Court records show Rutledge initially told police the toddler had fallen off the bed. He later admitted he was not in the room when the boy was injured.
When first responders arrived at Rutledge’s home, the boy was not breathing.
In court, attorney Chris McCall said one of Rutledge’s fellow prisoners testified that Rutledge confessed to killing the 16-month-old, allegedly adding he never performed CPR.
During sentencing, Judge Katherine Gorman credited Rutledge with 720 days for time already served.
