Illinois man, registered sex offender charged in the death of 10-year-old Rockford girl
A Blue Island, Illinois man faces multiple charges after a 10-year-old girl was found dead in Rockford Saturday afternoon.
Antonio Monroe, 44, has been charged with first-degree murder, attempted murder, two counts of kidnapping and one count of aggravated battery via strangulation.
More: Police: 10-year-old girl found dead in Rockford
In a news conference Sunday night, Rockford Police Chief Carla Redd said two girls, 10 and 6, were outside playing when Monroe allegedly took the girls.
Redd said the 6-year-old was able to get away and tell her mom her sister was taken. Redd said the mother called police at 12:07 p.m. to report the kidnapping.
Redd said police were called at about 12:40 p.m. after a man found a child unresponsive outside of a residence in the 1200 block of 10th Avenue.
When officers arrived, they found the girl and began CPR before first responders took the girl to the hospital where she was later pronounced dead. The girl's name has not been released.
A K9 officer was able to help locate Monroe a few blocks from the scene, according to Redd. Monroe was arrested after a brief struggle. He was taken to the hospital for an unrelated issue, Redd said, and will be taken to the Winnebago County Jail once he's released from the hospital.
Monroe was convicted on criminal sexual assault charges in Peoria County 13 years ago, according to Illinois records, but Rockford Police never had any prior contact with Monroe, according to Redd.
"We're not sure why he was in Rockford," Chief Redd said during the news conference.
Blue Island, Illinois is about 100 miles southeast of Rockford, located near Chicago suburbs of Alsip, Oak Lawn and Orland Park.
Redd said she had a "pit in her stomach" since receiving the first call about the case Saturday.
"We're not living in a time where you can leave your kids outside playing and no one is watching over them," Redd said. "Kids aren't doing anything wrong, but unfortunately there are individuals out there who will cause harm."
Redd said the 6-year-old girl was also strangled before being able to get away from Monroe. Redd said the girl was treated and released for her injuries.
Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara called for the community to rally around the family while allowing the proper space to grieve.
"We need to wrap our arms, our love and our support around this family that's been impacted by this heinous crime," McNamara said during a news conference Sunday.
The investigation is ongoing.
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Illinois man charged with murder of 10-year-old Rockford girl
