Defense picks apart testimony in Naperville girl's murder trial

Ariana Creary weighed just 4.7 pounds at birth and spent 10 days in a neonatal intensive care unit for feeding problems.

But those closest to Ariana, including her pediatrician, agree she had grown at 7 months old into a happy, healthy 14-pound baby.

So, how did the little Naperville girl end up dead Sept. 4, 2004 in a northwest side apartment?

That question lies at the heart of an emotional trial under way in DuPage County.

Her father, Locksley O. Creary, 30, of Bolingbrook, pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder charges. He does not have a violent criminal history and there is no concrete evidence of prior abuse.

He was watching Ariana alone that evening after picking her up at 7 p.m. from her maternal grandparents' home in Oswego. The child's mother, Laura Gonzalez, returned to their apartment on the 700 block of Inland Circle about 9:45 p.m.

Gonzalez has testified she called 911 at Creary's urging after she found Ariana unresponsive in her crib. Creary attempted cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Ariana was pronounced dead about one hour later. Her injuries included a severely lacerated liver.

It took two years for prosecutors to file charges in the complex medical case.

Prosecutors Alex McGimpsey and Joseph Ruggiero said Creary intentionally inflicted the fatal internal injuries while beating Ariana. There were signs of foul play, such as a dismantled crib mobile, empty liquor bottles and Ariana's favorite pacifier was found lying in the hallway near a bathroom.

The defense team, John "Jack" Donahue and James Ryan, argue the medical evidence is too uncertain for a conviction. They suggest Ariana suffered from a pre-existing gastrointestinal problem in her crib and the liver damage was caused accidentally when Creary administered CPR incorrectly.

On Monday, Dr. John Plunkett testified as a defense expert that it's impossible to pinpoint the cause of death, but her liver injuries could have been caused by CPR efforts.

His expert opinion is contrary to that offered last week by Dr. Nancy Jones, who testified as a prosecution expert that Ariana died of multiple injuries due to blunt force inconsistent with CPR and inflicted while she was alive.

Ariana also had cuts on her right thigh that prosecutors argue are consistent to fingernail marks. Several relatives testified they never noticed the marks before Creary picked her up that night.

Ariana would have turned 5 this Jan. 29. The child's mother has attended every day of the trial. The 28-year-old Aurora woman said she just wants to know the truth.

The trial, which continues this morning, may end Wednesday. Creary has chosen to have DuPage Circuit Judge George Bakalis rather than a jury reach a verdict.