Couple enters guilty pleas in Jersey County for first-degree murder of child

JERSEYVILLE (Heartland Newsfeed) — A couple arrested in relation to a death of their son entered guilty pleas for first-degree murder in Jersey County court Wednesday.

Ben Goetten, Jersey County State’s Attorney, stated that Georgena L. and Michael L. Roberts entered their pleas of guilty in relation to the death of their six-year-old son Liam last November.

Goetten and prosecutors revealed that Liam was “starved to death” and upon his death, weighed less than 20 pounds, well below normal weight for a child at such age due to a lack of food and nutrition.

Goetten also believes the systematic pattern of child abuse lasted for roughly eight or nine months prior to Liam’s death.

Sentencing has been set for Wednesday, Dec. 19, in which sentencing for first-degree murder carries a prison sentence of 20 to 60 years. However, Goetten was not certain as to how the sentencing will go, as it is determined by a judge.

“It is no doubt the most tragic case I have dealt with as far as victims go,” Goetten said. “I have had murder cases, sex abuse cases and kidnappings and this is the most difficult case I have had.”

Goetten adds that the case was difficult for his staff and investigators to complete to produce discovery items for the trial and will be satisfied with the result when it concludes on December 19.

Goetten also commended the Jerseyville Police Department, as well as other regional law enforcement officials, for putting together an excellent report to help the case for the prosecution.

Jake Leonard

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Jake Leonard, a broadcast media and journalism veteran, is the editor-in-chief of Heartland Newsfeed. Leonard is also GM and program director of Heartland Newsfeed Radio Network, wrestling editor and contributing writer for Ambush Sports, a contributing writer for My Sports Vote and Midwest Sports Network, and a former contributor to Bleacher Report and Overtime Heroics. He resides at home in Nokomis, Ill. with his dog Buster.

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