(PEORIA, IL) On Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at approximately 9:48 a.m., Peoria Police officers responded to a report of an unresponsive one-year-old male child at Firehouse 8, located at 832 W Hurlburt.
Upon arrival, Peoria Fire personnel and Advanced Medical Transport (AMT) medics were actively performing life-saving measures on the child. Officers were advised that the child had visible bruising on his face.
The child was transported by ambulance to a local hospital, where medical personnel described his condition as grave.
Initial investigation revealed that the child had been transported to Firehouse 8 via private vehicle by his mother, 24-year-old Kayleeah Sprinkle, and her acquaintance, 34-year-old Zaxton L. Johnson.
Further information indicated that a second child, a female twin, also resided at the residence in the 100 block of S. McReynolds Court.
While still on scene, officers observed the vehicle used to transport the male child return to the above location.
As officers approached, the driver of the vehicle (Johnson) began to drive away. A traffic stop was conducted at MacArthur Highway and Hinton Avenue. During the stop, officers discovered the female twin underneath a blanket, unrestrained, in the backseat.
The female twin had significant bruising and swelling about her face and scratch marks on her neck.
The child was immediately transported to a local hospital for treatment. Her condition was reported as stable, and she has since been released.
Sprinkle and Johnson were transported to the Peoria Police Department for interviewing purposes.
Sprinkle was arrested for Endangering the Life and Health of a Child (2 counts), and a Peoria County Warrant for Driving on a Suspended License.
Johnson was arrested for Violation of the Sex Offender Registry by Failing to Register.
Both Sprinkle and Johnson were transported to the Peoria County Jail.
On Wednesday, May 7, 2025, the Peoria County State’s Attorney’s Office upgraded the charges.
Sprinkle’s charges were upgraded to Aggravated Battery to a Child (Class X Felony) and Aggravated Battery to a Child (Class 3 Felony).
Johnston’s charges were upgraded to Endangering the Life and Health of a Child (Class A Misdemeanor).
On Friday, May 9, 2025, at approximately 3:21 p.m., Peoria Police were notified that the male twin had succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the hospital.
On Tuesday, May 13, 2025, the Peoria County State’s Attorney’s Office convened a Grand Jury, which returned a direct indictment against Kayleeah Sprinkle for First Degree Murder.
At approximately 3:30 p.m., 5/13/25, Sprinkle was taken into custody in the 100 block of S. McReynolds Court without incident and transported to the Peoria County Jail.
This remains an active investigation. Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact the Peoria Police Department at (309) 673-4521, tip411 (anonymously), or Crime Stoppers (anonymously) at (309) 673-9000.