Updating a story from this fall, the mother of a 7-year old girl who police say was killed by her uncle has been charged with obstructing a peace officer.  26-year old Ciara N. DeRyke is accused of knowingly obstructing the work of Effingham County Sheriff’s deputies September 8^th during the initial investigation into her daughter, Willow Long’s disappearance.  She is being held in the Effingham County jail.  Though a motive for the obstruction has not been disclosed, State’s Attorney Bryan Kibler emphasized they do not believe DeRyke participated in Willow’s murder.  Willow’s uncle and Ciara DeRyke’s brother, 22-year old Justin DeRyke, is charged with first-degree murder.  He was watching Willow and her 3-year old brother Saturday, September 7^th, while Ciara DeRyke went out with friends.  He allegedly told officers Willow tripped and impaled herself on a stick, so he grabbed a knife and slit her throat and stabbed her in the chest to end her suffering.  Her body was wrapped in plastic bags secured with duct tape and dumped in a rural area south of Watson, Illinois.  Her body was found that Monday.  The mother reported Willow missing Sunday morning.  She originally said Willow disappeared while she took a 90 minute nap.  Ciara DeRyke’s bail is set at $75,000. If convicted, she could be sentenced to up to one year in prison.  In October, she was arrested in Shelby County for possession of a marijuana pipe.

Updating a story from this fall, the mother of a 7-year old girl who police say was killed by her uncle has been charged with obstructing a peace officer.  26-year old Ciara N. DeRyke is accused of knowingly obstructing the work of Effingham County Sheriff’s deputies September 8^th during the initial investigation into her daughter, Willow Long’s disappearance.  She is being held in the Effingham County jail.  Though a motive for the obstruction has not been disclosed, State’s Attorney Bryan Kibler emphasized they do not believe DeRyke participated in Willow’s murder.  Willow’s uncle and Ciara DeRyke’s brother, 22-year old Justin DeRyke, is charged with first-degree murder.  He was watching Willow and her 3-year old brother Saturday, September 7^th, while Ciara DeRyke went out with friends.  He allegedly told officers Willow tripped and impaled herself on a stick, so he grabbed a knife and slit her throat and stabbed her in the chest to end her suffering.  Her body was wrapped in plastic bags secured with duct tape and dumped in a rural area south of Watson, Illinois.  Her body was found that Monday.  The mother reported Willow missing Sunday morning.  She originally said Willow disappeared while she took a 90 minute nap.  Ciara DeRyke’s bail is set at $75,000. If convicted, she could be sentenced to up to one year in prison.  In October, she was arrested in Shelby County for possession of a marijuana pipe.