Illinois Woman Charged in 4-Month-Old Grandson’s Death

A 78-year-old Moline home day care owner has been charged with child endangerment in her four-month-old grandson's death.

The Quad-City Times reports that Beverly J. James is free on a $10,000 bond after making her first appearance Friday in Rock Island County Circuit Court. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Aug. 11.

James was arrested July 21, nearly five months since her grandson Darien James Watkins died after he was found unresponsive in her home. An autopsy cited blunt force trauma to his head, chest and abdomen.

Sheriff Gerry Bustos says the infant was struck by another child. Defense attorney David Morrison did not immediately respond to a request for comment.