Community Corner
O'Fallon Woman Charged With Child Abuse and Murder
Howell is being held on $1,000,000 bond.
Jessica Lynn Howell of O'Fallon was charged today in the abuse and murder of her four-month old daughter.
Howell is also known by the last name of Peters.
The St. Charles Prosecuting Attorney's office issued a press release Monday detailing the charges in the events leading to the December strangulation death of the infant.
The P.A.'s office reported that Howell had text communications in September 2012 with her boyfriend, Jordan Lafayette Prince, even though she was aware that he was a convicted sexual offender.
Howell's texts indicated her willingness to allow Prince to engage in sexual activity with her infant daughter. On Dec. 2, 2012, she took the infant to Prince's home, where the child was strangled, struck and anally sodomized.
Howell has been charged with child abuse and second degree murder and is in custody on $1,000,000 bond.
Jordan Layfayette Prince has been charged with first degree murder, abuse of a child and forcible sodomy.
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