Kansas Fugitive Charged with Death of Daughter Arrested in Jefferson County

A Kansas man accused of the death of his three-month-old was recently arrested in Jefferson County.On Thursday, January 2, 2025, at approximately 11 a.m., William Robert McLaughlin, age 23, of Belleville, Kansas was arrested on a KBI (Kansas Bureau of Investigation) warrant for first-degree murder and felony abuse of a child. The complaint alleges, “great bodily harm and abusive head trauma.”McLaughlin was booked into the Jefferson County Jail and then appeared in front of Jefferson County Court Judge Linda Bauer later that same day. He waived his right to counsel and his right to an extradition hearing. The next day, January 3, a hearing was held in Republic County District Court, Kansas. Regine L. Thompson was the presiding judge. Bond was set at $500,000, cash or surety. The bond contains conditions that McLaughlin may not contact the mother of the child, the mother's family, any medical personnel involved in the treating of the alleged victim and any other potential witnesses.Another hearing is scheduled for Friday, December 10. As of press time he remains in custody at the Republic County Jail. Reason for the WarrantThe Belleville Police Department contacted the KBI on the morning of Thursday, December 26, 2024, to investigate after an unresponsive three-month-old infant was transported from the Republic County hospital to an Omaha hospital. According to the KBI, the child’s parents brought her to the Republic County hospital on December 25, and hospital staff later contacted the Belleville Police Department.A pediatrician at the Omaha hospital indicated the child has no brain activity due to severe injuries she had sustained. The infant was pronounced dead on December 29, 2024.KBI indicates the investigation is ongoing.

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