Galesburg woman charged in death of 7-year-old daughter

GALESBURG, Ill. (AP) - A western Illinois woman was ordered held in lieu of $1.5 million bail on Monday in connection with the death of her 7-year-old daughter.

Hazel Ivy, 29, of Galesburg is charged with first-degree murder in the stabbing death of her daughter.

Knox County prosecutors, during a video hearing, told Judge Nigel Graham the body of the girl was found Sunday on the second floor of the family's apartment. Authorities received a tip of a possible homicide before arriving at the apartment.

Ivy directed investigators to the victim, who suffered stab wounds to the face and body, and was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities haven't released the victim's name.

Ivy was taken into custody and provided a statement about her role in the girl's death. An older child of the woman was taken into protective custody by the Illinois Department of Child Family Services.

State's Attorney Jeremy Karlin said evidence shows the girl's death came from ``exceptional brutal'Å¥ behavior. He added that multiple wounds on the victim's face were evidence of torture.

Karlin told the court he will seek a natural life sentence against Ivy because of alleged aggravating factors in the girl's death.

Graham appointed a public defender to represent Ivy.