SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating the death of a child and have made an arrest.
On January 4, investigators with the Topeka Police Department became aware of a child abuse case that involved a child who was being treated at a local hospital, according to Lt. Donna Eubanks. The 16-month-old boy died at the hospital on Sunday.
As a result of the investigation, on Thursday, police arrested 40-year-old Dustin J. Kelley, 40 of Topeka on requested charges of Murder in the 1st Degree, Abuse of a Child and Aggravated Endangering a Child.
The child and Kelley were known to one another, according to Eubanks.
Kelley has previous convictions for aggravated battery and burglary, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections. He had been discharged from the state department of corrections in October.