Macomb, IL – It's been nearly one year since a young McDonough County girl suffered a violent death, yet no one has been charged in the case. Now, investigators will try a new approach to solve the murder of five-year old Silven Yocum.
State's Attorney James Hoyle says a Grand Jury will be convened. No date has been set for the group to gather. Hoyle hopes it can begin work this fall.
A Grand Jury is a group of citizens convened in a criminal case to consider the prosecutor's evidence and determine whether probable cause exists to prosecute a suspect for a felony.
The Grand Jury will have 16 members. 12 will need to be present to constitute a quorum.
Hoyle cannot discuss specific details of the case. But he talked to News Director Rich Egger about Grand Juries and the general process they follow. You can listen to that interview by clicking on the audio button.
Additional information:
*The girl's mother, Erin Yocum, called 911 from her boyfriend's home near Industry last September. She told dispatchers her daughter was having a seizure. Silven Yocum was eventually transported to OSF St Francis Medical Center in Peoria, where she died six days later.
*An autopsy found Silven Yocum died from blunt force trauma to the back of the head. A coroner's jury later ruled the death a homicide.
*Investigators have called the boyfriend a suspect in the case. 30-year old Daniel Belknap is scheduled to be sentenced on federal meth charges in October.