Case Summary
- Case Type
- Homicide
- Incident Date
- Sept. 21
- Incident Time
- 6:59 p.m.
- Location
- 200 block of West Edgar Street, Paris, IL
- Investigating Agency
- Paris Police Department
- Suspect
- Courtney N. Heath and Payton M. Beaver
- Victim Count
- 1
- Charges
- first-degree murder, child endangerment causing death
- Arrest Status
- in the Edgar County Jail without bond
- Court Status
- scheduled to appear in court again on Nov. 20
- Case Status
- active
An Illinois father and a babysitter face first-degree murder charges after a 23-month-old girl died from untreated thermal burns, according to authorities.
The tragic incident unfolded in Paris, Illinois, where emergency responders were dispatched to a residence following a 911 call concerning a child suffering from seizures.
Incident Overview
According to a press release from the Paris Police Department and subsequent court documents, police, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel responded to a home in the 200 block of West Edgar Street on Sept. 21 after receiving a 911 call reporting a juvenile suffering seizures. An ambulance transported the victim, identified in court documents as Z.B., to Horizon Health Paris Community Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 7:42 p.m.
Investigators later learned that the toddler had suffered severe scalding thermal burns. Probable cause affidavits allege that babysitter Courtney N. Heath allowed the toddler to suffer the fatal burns while father Payton M. Beaver was aware of her injuries and failed to seek medical assistance for approximately 32 hours. Investigators found hairs consistent with the victim inside an oven door with follicles attached, and an emergency room doctor noted that the injuries were inconsistent with a shower burn. Despite the worsening condition of the child, both defendants allegedly applied household ointments and aloe vera gel instead of seeking professional medical care, fearing they would get into trouble or be arrested.
Timeline of Events
- Sept. 21, 4:30 a.m. - The babysitter returned the injured toddler to her father after keeping her overnight.
- Sept. 21, 5:30 p.m. - The father cared for the girl, allegedly observing her injuries but refusing to seek medical attention.
- Sept. 21, afternoon - The babysitter purchased burn gel and gauze at Dollar General, picked up the child, and took her to her residence.
- Sept. 21, 6:59 p.m. - After the toddler went limp and had seizures, the babysitter contacted the father before calling 911.
- Sept. 21, 7:42 p.m. - The victim was pronounced dead at Horizon Health Paris Community Hospital.
- Oct. 22 - The Edgar County Coroner issued final autopsy findings ruling the death a homicide caused by sepsis from thermal burns.
Suspect Information
The suspects in this case are Courtney N. Heath, the babysitter, and Payton M. Beaver, the father of the victim. Both defendants are currently being held in the Edgar County Jail without bond.
Victim Information
The victim is a 23-month-old girl whose name is being withheld from public release, though she is identified in court documents by the initials Z.B. The Edgar County Coroner's Office determined her cause of death was sepsis due to scalding thermal burns and ruled the manner of death a homicide.
Police Response
Officers from the Paris Police Department, alongside local firefighters and emergency medical personnel, responded directly to the West Edgar Street residence following the evening 911 call regarding the toddler suffering seizures.
Investigation
The investigation into the toddler's death involved multiple local law enforcement and medical agencies, including the Paris Police Department and the Edgar County Coroner's Office, with details emerging through probable cause affidavits and local affiliate reporting.
Evidence Collected
- Thermal burn injuries determined by an E.R. doctor to be inconsistent with a shower burn
- Hairs consistent with the toddler's hair found inside an oven door with follicles attached
- Aloe vera gel, triple antibiotic ointment, burn gel, and gauze purchased from Dollar General
Arrest Details
Both Courtney N. Heath and Payton M. Beaver were arrested and taken into custody. They are currently being held at the Edgar County Jail without bond.
Charges Filed
- First-degree murder: A felony charge alleging intentional or extremely reckless homicide resulting in the death of a human being.
- Child endangerment causing death: A serious felony charge applied when a caregiver's reckless actions or failure to act result in the death of a minor.
Court Information
The case is proceeding through the Edgar County court system. Both defendants are scheduled to appear in court again on Nov. 20.
Statements from Authorities
According to a press release from the Paris Police Department and investigative affidavits, Payton Beaver admitted that he knew the child needed to be seen by a doctor. Investigators noted, He admitted seeing the injuries and treating them with triple antibiotic ointment but did not intend to seek medical care, due to being too concerned about being arrested.
Public Safety Information
Child abuse and neglect can be reported to local law enforcement or child protective services immediately. If you or someone you know is aware of a child in immediate danger, call 911. For support related to family crises or abuse, the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline is available at 1-800-422-4453, and the National Domestic Violence Hotline is available at 1-800-799-7233.
What Happens Next
Following the filing of charges and initial detainment, the defendants will proceed through the court system toward upcoming hearings, where prosecutors will present evidence and the court will address legal motions and trial scheduling.
