In a shocking and heartbreaking turn of events, a convicted sex offender from suburban Blue Island has been arrested for the kidnapping and murder of a 10-year-old girl in Rockford, Illinois. Authorities and local news outlet WREX-TV have confirmed the arrest, shedding light on the horrifying details of the incident.
The suspect, identified as 44-year-old Antonio Monroe, is now facing serious charges including first-degree murder, attempted murder, two counts of kidnapping, and aggravated battery/strangulation. The Rockford Police Department issued a news release detailing the charges against Monroe.
The harrowing series of events unfolded on Saturday afternoon when Rockford police responded to a distress call from a woman who reported that her 6-year-old daughter had returned home and disclosed that a man had taken her 10-year-old sister. Approximately 30 minutes later, police were flagged down by a man who discovered an unresponsive young girl outside a residence in the 1200 block of Ninth Avenue.
Officers immediately initiated CPR while awaiting the arrival of the Rockford Fire Department. The child was swiftly transported to a local hospital, but tragically, she succumbed to her injuries and passed away. In response, law enforcement swiftly established a perimeter in the vicinity. Later, a K-9 officer located a man matching the suspect’s description near Ninth Street and Woodruff, leading to his apprehension after a brief struggle.
The suspect, later identified as Antonio Monroe, was transported to an area hospital due to an “unrelated issue,” as stated by the police. However, upon release, he will be taken into custody and transferred to the Winnebago County Jail to await further legal proceedings.
The Rockford Police Department is urging anyone with information related to the incident to come forward and assist in their investigation. Those who can provide valuable details are encouraged to contact the Rockford Police Department at 815-966-2900. Alternatively, anonymous tips can be submitted by texting “RDPTIP” to 847411 or by calling 815-963-7867.
