A Clay City, Illinois man has been charged with first degree murder. Clay County authorities were called out along with Clay County hospital Ambulance personnel to a medical for a two year-old child in Clay City on April 22nd. It was announced two days later that the child had died due to the injuries. The Child Death Investigative Task Force was called in to aid in the investigation. Clay County State’s Attorney Joel Powless announced Friday that he was filing first degree murder charges against 22 year-old Alexander J. Beal of Clay City. Beal was also charged with aggravated battery of a child. Beal is in the Clay County Jail awaiting his initial court appearance. His bond has not yet been set.
