Father Of Murdered Girl Arrested

The father of a murdered 8-year-old girl is now under arrest.

Normal Police took Richard Rountree into custody Tuesday for allegedly endangering the life of health of a minor child.

Police Chief Rick Bleichner said investigators continue to analyze nearly half a terabyte of electronic data, medical records, and dozens of witness statements in the case.

Police said Richard Rountree's alleged conduct in connection with his daughter Rica Rountree makes him eligible for an extended sentence. Rica died of infection related to internal injuries caused by chronic abuse in January 2019.

A jury convicted Richard Rountree's girlfriend, Cynthia Baker, last year of murder in Rica's death.

The child's mother, Antoinetta Rountree, told supporters at a rally outside the Law and Justice Center last week that she opposes a new trial for Baker. She also called then for charges against the child's father, Richard Rountree, and his teenage daughter.

“Richard gets no sympathy—period. I went to court 101 times to get my daughter back,” Rountree said of her long custody battle that ended with her former husband and Baker having the child in their care for two years.

Rountree delivered her emotional remarks as she clutched an urn holding her daughter’s ashes. A poster depicting multiple injuries suffered by Rica at the hands of Baker was displayed at the rally.

Cynthia Baker has asked for a new trial, and a ruling on that request has delayed sentencing.

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