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Galesburg woman sentenced in murder of young daughter

Ivy was charged with first-degree murder after a report of a homicide in the early morning hours of Jan. 24, 2021, at the Cedar Creek Place public housing complex in Gal
Jane Carlson
/
Tri States Public Radio
Ivy was charged with first-degree murder after a report of a homicide in the early morning hours of Jan. 24, 2021, at the Cedar Creek Place public housing complex in Gal

A Galesburg woman who pleaded guilty but mentally ill in the murder of her daughter will serve 53 years in prison.

Hazel Ivy, now 31, was charged with first-degree murder after a report of a homicide in the early morning hours of Jan. 24, 2021, at the Cedar Creek Place public housing complex.

Willow Banks, 7, was found dead due to strangulation and sharp force trauma. Ivy told investigators she “snapped.”

Knox County State’s Attorney Jeremy Karlin originally sought a natural life sentence for Ivy.

But he said it was the “most gruesome crime” he’s seen in his 30-year legal career, and he began to worry about the effects on jurors and court personnel if the case went to trial.

Ninth Circuit Judge Andrew Doyle accepted Ivy’s plea in June.

Ivy was sentenced Thursday at the Knox County courthouse. She must serve all of her sentence.

She was remanded to the Knox County jail awaiting transport to the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Tri States Public Radio produced this story.  TSPR relies on financial support from our readers and listeners in order to provide coverage of the issues that matter to west central Illinois, southeast Iowa, and northeast Missouri. As someone who values the content created by TSPR's news department please consider making a financial contribution.

Jane Carlson is TSPR's regional reporter.