Man admits fatally beating girlfriend’s son, 4

EDWARDSVILLE — A southwestern Illinois man faces about a half century in prison after pleading guilty to charges he fatally beat his girlfriend’s 4-year-old son.

Thirty-four-year-old Sean Starwalt pleaded guilty Thursday in Madison County to a first-degree murder charge. Prosecutors agreed to not seek more than a 48-year prison term.

Authorities have said Starwalt hit Jeremiah Bradford in September of last year in the head, chest and abdomen in South Roxana.

The boy’s mother, 34-year-old Patricia Cage, also is charged with first-degree murder. Authorities say Cage failed to protect her son from the abuse and didn’t seek medical attention for his injuries until it was too late.

Cage has pleaded not guilty and remains jailed in Edwardsville, awaiting trial.

Starwalt’s sentencing hearing was not immediately set.