Illinois Man Convicted of Murder in Toddler’s Death

A southern Illinois man has been found guilty of first-degree murder in the April 2012 death of a 2-year-old boy.

A Jackson County jury deliberated for two hours before convicting 27-year-old Jarrod Rudder. He now faces up to 60 years in prison on the murder charge.

Michael Pulliam sustained fatal injuries while in Rudder's care at the Elkville home he shared with the child's mother. An autopsy determined the boy died from a brain injury after being airlifted to a hospital.

The Southern Illinoisan reports that Rudder told police that the toddler's death was an accident, but he admitted to throwing Pulliam into a wall. Rudder also said that the child hit his head after falling on the bathroom floor.

Doctors told investigators that Pulliam's injuries were consistent with abuse.