Springfield, IL  (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – On Thursday, Kaitlynn Russell was convicted of endangering the life or health of a child and reckless conduct following a jury trial in Sangamon County. The jury heard evidence that Russell was babysitting a 2-year-old, identified in court as P.G., in the early morning hours of January 12, 2022.  That’s when P.G. was found face-down in a bathtub at Russell’s residence.

The evidence presented at trial showed that the defendant would allow P.G. to roam freely with little supervision in her residence and that there was standing water in her bathtub accessible to the child. The jury also heard evidence that there was a period of time after P.G. was found in the bathtub that the defendant did not seek medical attention.

Springfield Police Department Detective Chuck Redpath testified that Russell did not initially tell investigators that P.G. was found in a bathtub, but rather stated that the child had fallen off the couch. Redpath testified that he subsequently located evidence that suggested the child had drowned after executing a search warrant at the defendant’s home. His testimony at trial detailed locating standing water in the bathtub with a floating diaper in the water.

The defendant reportedly made several inconsistent statements to investigators which were recorded by the police and shown
to the jury in trial. The defendant ultimately admitted to finding P.G. in the bathtub. Sangamon County Coroner Jim Allmon testified that the official cause of death for P.G. was drowning.

The jury found Russell guilty on all counts. Sentencing is set for November 19. Russell faces a sentence of 2 to 10 years in prison. She will remain in custody pending sentencing.