Aaron was born January 20, 2006 to me, Richard "Richie" Ishmael, father, and Lena "Katie" O'Brien, his mother. Preceding Aaron's death we divorced but had an amicable custody agreement. On the days prior to his death, Aaron spent several days with me, while Katie was ill.
On the evening I returned Aaron, the exchange was going to be later in the evening, so I gave Aaron a bath and dressed him in his pajamas. The picture in the tub (to right) is that night.
Katie and I met at a gas station at the south of Bloomington. Aaron cried as we exchanged items from my car to Katie's.
It wasn't until the evening of October 1, 2007 that the situation for Aaron changed dramatically. Katie testified that she was out that day and left Aaron, and her other daughter from a prior relationship, home with her then boyfriend. Upon returning home, it is also Katie's testimony that Aaron was still in his crib where she'd left him - nonresponsive.
EMS services were called to their apartment (#3) at 4 Oakbrook Court, Bloomington. Records show the 911 call came in about 7 pm on the evening of the 1st. Aaron was taken to St. Joseph's Medical Center in Bloomington, IL and then transported by helicopter to St. Francis Hospital, Peoria, IL for further evaluation.
Less then 24 hours after the call to 911, Aaron's short life came to an end.
Autopsy reports indicate Aaron sustained cerebral injuries by blunt trauma to the head. The testimony given to the police was that Aaron had fallen on the evening of the 1st and hit his head on the coffee table; however, later testimony at the coroner's inquest notes that that testimony didn't align with the multiple impact sites to Aaron's head - on the front and both sides of his head. In addition, there were facial bruises that were more than a few hours old. It wasn't until January of 2010, that Aaron's death was ruled a homicide.
Charges Filed...
In September 2008, nearly a year later, murder charges were filed against Katie's former live in boyfriend - Frank Beyers, III. Frank was arrested and released on $50,000. bail. News articles posted on the "In the News" page, show that the case against Byers was continued, a trial date set, and then charges were dropped in the end of July 2010. A Pantagraph article dated July 30, 2010, cites the reason for dropped charges as "credibility issues with a key witness," and that, "the witness had been compromised." The article reports the state notes future charges remain possible.
Time goes on...
Not a day goes by where I don't think of Aaron. Where my heart doesn't ache, and my mind doesn't wander into thoughts of his last moments. I would do anything to hold him one last time, and to tell him I love him.
I ask anyone who knows anything to please come forward with information on Aaron's death. You may believe what you heard is rumor, or too small to share, but please, share it anyway. Your act of selflessness, may be exactly what is needed to bring justice for my son, my family, my healing - click the link below.
Thank you,
Richie Ishmael
