SPENCER, Ind. -– An Indiana man accused in the death of 1-year-old Shaylyn Ammerman faces additional charges in connection with the case, according to WXIN.
Kyle Parker, 22, appeared in court Monday afternoon. Online records show Parker is charged with rape, murder, child molesting, kidnapping, strangulation and aggravated battery in the case.
According to WXIN, he asked the court to appoint an attorney and pleaded not guilty in the case.
Last week, Parker was arrested on charges of obstruction of justice, failure to report a dead body and unlawful disposition of a body.
Police took Parker into custody on Thursday, the same day they found the 14-month-old’s body near the White River in Gosport.
An autopsy showed the girl died from asphyxiation.
Parker was at the Ammerman home the night Shaylyn disappeared. Her family reported her missing Wednesday morning. Her father said his mother put Shaylyn to bed late Tuesday; when they woke up in the morning, she was gone.
The family said Parker initially said he didn’t know anything about Shaylyn’s disappearance.
“You know that you did it and then be so straight, and calm, and cool and just lie for a day. A whole 24 hours of lying, when you knew where that baby was,” said Tammy Morgan, Shaylyn’s grandmother.
Parker’s mother, Christina Patton, released a statement about her son’s arrest in the case:
“Our hearts are heavy and filled with grief over this beautiful little girl's passing. It is a difficult time for all families involved.”
Parker's sister, Bree Smith, released a statement Monday:
"It is awful my heart is broken, I pray to God my brother didn't do it. I love my brother, I'm in shock and I just can't believe any of these charges... I'm so upset"
Shaylyn's funeral is scheduled for Wednesday at the Christian Life Center in Spencer. Visitation will be held starting at 3 p.m. A private burial will be held at Chambersville Cemetery.
