Rountree pleads not guilty to child endangerment in connection to daughter’s death

Posted on January 17, 2020
Richard Rountree, 31, of Normal. (Photo Normal Police Department)

 

By HOI ABC

BLOOMINGTON – The father of Rica Rountree has pleaded not guilty to a charge of causing child endangerment resulting in death.

Our news partner Heart of Illinois ABC reports Richard Rountree, 31, was in McLean County court Friday for his arraignment when he made the plea. He was arrested earlier this month on the charge and is being held at the McLean County Jail.

He is scheduled to be back in court February 26.

Cynthia Baker, Richard Rountree’s girlfriend, was found guilty in November of first-degree murder in the death of Rica Rountree but saw her sentence vacated on January 3 when she hired a new attorney with plans to argue for ineffective counsel in her murder trial.

A status hearing for Baker is scheduled for later this month.

WJBC News can be reached at [email protected]

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