On August 8, 2024, 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, P.G., in the early morning hours of January 12, 2022, when P.G. was found face-down in a bathtub at the defendant’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 further 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.
Detective Chuck Redpath from the Springfield Police Department 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 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. The matter is set for sentencing on November 19, 2024, before Circuit Judge Ryan Cadagin, who presided over the trial. Russell faces a sentence of 2 years to 10 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, or probation, and was taken into custody following the guilty verdict.
Russell will remain in custody pending sentencing. The case was prosecuted by Assistant State’s Attorney Kendra Hansel and Assistant State’s Attorney Cody Follis. The defendant was represented by Katherine Drummond.
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