JERSEY COUNTY, Ill. – The father of a 6-year-old Jerseyville boy who was 17 pounds at the time of his death pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and child abuse Tuesday.
Michael Roberts and his wife Georgena Roberts were each charged with first-degree murder and two counts of endangering the life and health of a child on Nov. 7. On Nov. 14, Georgena Roberts pleaded not guilty, and Michael's plea was delayed until Tuesday.
On Tuesday, he entered his not guilty plea before the judge warned him to refrain from trying to contact his kids, Jersey County State's Attorney Ben Goetten said. The case was reset and pre-trial proceedings were set for March 22.
On Wednesday, Georgena Roberts was back in court for pretrial proceedings, where a psychological evaluation was ordered. It will need to be performed before her next court appearance, which was set for March 21.
Jerseyville police responded to the Jersey Community Hospital on Nov. 3 after a 6-year-old boy died from extreme malnourishment.
The boy lived at a home in Jerseyville with three other siblings and two step-siblings.
Further investigation revealed the 6-year-old and a 7-year-old were deprived of food by the father and step-mother. The 6-year-old weighed 17 pounds at the time of his death. The 7-year-old boy’s condition is unknown. A 9-year-old was also taken to the hospital.
The Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) took custody of the siblings.
