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St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Lee Enterprises

Wednesday, September 10, 2008 10:08 PM CDT
Suspect in Westfield baby death to receive mental exam

By DAVE FOPAY, Staff Writer
dfopay@jg-tc.com

MARSHALL — A rural Westfield woman accused of killing her newborn baby, then hiding the body and burning her home, will receive a mental examination.

Circuit Judge Tracy Resch on Wednesday granted a motion by the attorney representing Cayla K. Wheeler for the examination. Public Defender Kaye DeSelms asked that Wheeler be examined to determine if she’s mentally fit for trial or if a plea of guilty, but mentally ill would be appropriate.

Special Prosecutor Ed Parkinson didn’t object to the request.

Wheeler, 23, is charged with first-degree murder, concealing a homicidal death and arson. The murder charge alleges she killed “Baby Boy Wheeler” on or about July 2 by drowning him.

The other charges accuse Wheeler of concealing the baby’s death by hiding his body in the woods near her home on or about July 9, and of setting fire to her home at 3496 E. 2300 Road on the same day.

Mental fitness for trial is based on whether a suspect understands the charges and can help with the defense. If Wheeler is found unfit for trial, she would be placed in a state mental health facility for treatment until she becomes fit.

When a suspect is found guilty, but mentally ill, a judge or jury concludes that mental problems probably contributed to the crime, but not enough to clear the suspect of responsibility. If the sentence that comes from the conviction is prison time, the suspect is supposed to go to a prison psychiatric ward until deemed cured.

In court on Wednesday, Resch scheduled a hearing to review the status of Wheeler’s case for Oct. 27. Her trial is scheduled to begin Nov. 12.

The Illinois State Police reported that its investigators got involved with the case after the Clark County Sheriff’s Department learned that an occupant of the rural Westfield home had been pregnant before the July 9 fire and that the baby could not be accounted for afterwards.

State police reported a search was conducted using cadaver dogs in the immediate area. A deceased male newborn was reportedly found in a wooded area near the home.

A prison sentence of at least 20 years is required for a first-degree murder conviction, while the other charges against Wheeler could also result in prison terms, though prison time wouldn’t be required for those offenses.

Contact Dave Fopay at dfopay@jg-tc.com or 348-5733.

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lilsuperman wrote on Sep 10, 2008 3:58 PM:

" I think it's obvious she has mental problems. "