CLAY COUNTY — A 24-year-old Clay City man pleaded guilty Friday in Clay County Court to the battery death of a 2-year-old girl.

Alexander J. Beal was sentenced to 40-years in prison and will have to serve 100-percent of his sentence without the possibility of “good time” credit.

Beal was arrested in 2018 after the Clay County Sheriff’s Office responded with a Clay County Hospital Ambulance to a medical call for a 2-year-old child in Clay City.

At the scene, deputies began to investigate the events leading up to the medial call and requested assistance from the Child Death Investigative Task Force.

As the agencies continued their investigation into the matter they were notified on April 24, 2018, that the child had succumbed to the injuries and had passed away.

The Child Death Investigative Task Force is made up of personnel from several law enforcement agencies specializing in the investigation of child deaths.

The investigation showed the little girl suffered violent strikes to the back of her skull that resulted in her death days after she was rushed to the hospital.

Agencies assisting in this investigation include Illinois State Police, Illinois State Police Crime Scene Services, Flora Police.