Ohio man indicted for raping and murdering his girlfriend's 13-month-old daughter

An Ohio man, who is accused of raping and killing his girlfriend's 13-month-old daughter Sereniti Jazzlynn-Sky Blankenship-Sutley on 7 October, has been indicted.

Ashtabula County Prosecuting Attorney Nicholas A Iarocci said on Thursday (9 November) that the county's Grand Jury secretly indicted 37-year-old Joshua Gurto on Tuesday of two counts of aggravated murder, three counts of murder, and one count each of rape, felonious assault, and domestic violence.

The accused is scheduled to be arraigned on 17 November and if found guilty, he could face death penalty, The Daily Mail reported.

Gurto was arrested in Pennsylvania on 27 October after several weeks on the run. US Marshalls said that he was found with maps of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, a knife and a tent.

The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force had previously offered a reward of $5,000 (£3,806) for information leading to his arrest. Gurto had previously been questioned by police over the child's death but was not held at the time because of the lack of evidence. But as soon as soon as authorities had obtained enough information to arrest him he had gone missing.

Baby Sereniti was found dead at her home in Conneaut, Ohio. According to the police, she died as a result of blunt force injury to her head and body. It was reported that she suffered a heart attack after a heavy blow to the head.

An obituary for the baby girl said she "was a lovable little girl who brought a smile to your face. Her personality was bright and her smile was contagious. She loved Scooby Doo, playing video games with her mom, and sleeping with her favourite monkey her grandma made for her."

"Although her time here was short, the lasting memories she brought to her family will forever be treasured," it added.