By HOI-ABC
NORMAL – A day after a jury found Cynthia Baker guilty of murder in 8-year-old Rica Rountree’s death, law enforcement officials said the investigation is ongoing.
During a press conference with the Normal Police Department and the McLean County State’s Attorney’s Office, several thanks were given area officials during the investigation, and their cooperation, according to our news partner HOI-ABC.
Even with Baker’s conviction, officials would not comment on the ongoing investigation, which includes her boyfriend, Richard Rountree. Baker was found guilty by a jury Tuesday of committing the murder and aggravated battery in a heinous manner with want or cruelty. She was also found guilty of endangering the life of a child and all three counts of domestic battery.
McLean County State’s Attorney Don Knapp said he would also not comment on the Department of Child and Family Service’s involvement in the incident.
Baker’s sentencing is scheduled to be held in January 2020.
“The emotions that come with the investigating the death of a child is something I hope that many of you will never, never have to go through,” said Normal Police Chief Rick Bleichner.
With the conviction, Bleichner said he hopes the community can learn something from Rica Rountree’s death.
“I’m also sad that a young life was lost, and I’m angry. I’m angry because looking at the facts in this case, it was so senseless, so unnecessary, and was so preventable,” Bleichner said.
From tragedy, he said, can come hope through awareness for others to stand up for abuse, “in all of its forms.”
Assistant State’s Attorney’s Mary Koll and Erika Reynolds, the prosecutors in this case, also spoke at the conference.
“This case has always been about Rica for us. We are very sad that we never got to meet her but we feel like we got to know her through this process,” Koll said. “Everybody says what a bright, intelligent, spunky, spirited, funny little girl she was and we are sad that she is gone from our community.”
Koll also touched on changes she says should be made to prevent a death like Rountree’s — but would not go into specifics or name any agency in the state.
“We will never forget (Rica). Our goal is that after this case is over that some legislative action can be take in Rica’s name because there are some very simple things that could’ve been done to prevent her death,” she said.
