By AP/KWMU
Cahokia, Ill. – A Cahokia mother and her live-in boyfriend have been charged with first-degree murder in the death of the woman's six-year-old son.
Starr Lohman, 24, and Lee Crutchfield, 33, were in court Tuesday to be arraigned in the death of Ryan Smith.
St. Clair County authorities say the boy was grossly undernourished and suffered prolonged abuse. Police found Ryan's body on Christmas Day (Sunday) after Lohman called to say her son wasn't breathing.
But authorities say it appears he died Saturday.
Crutchfield proclaimed his innocence to reporters outside the courtroom on Tuesday. Lohman didn't say anything..
Lohman's 20-month-old son also was at the home. That boy has been placed with Lohman's mother.