Girl, 5, Slain, Grandparents Charged With Murder: Park Forest Police

PARK FOREST, IL — A 5-year-old girl is dead, and her grandparents are charged with first-degree murder after Park Forest police say the couple admitted to abusing the girl.

Police and paramedics responded to a report of an unresponsive child just before 11 p.m. Friday in the 300 block of Osage Street, according to a news release by Park Forest police.

Police said 62-year-old Klent Elwoods called 911, telling dispatchers that 5-year-old Jada Moore was unresponsive and admitting to abusing the girl.

Upon arrival, police said officers performed CPR on Jada, who was taken to Franciscan Health Olympia Fields Hospital.

Elwoods and his wife, 57-year-old Lisa Jones, were taken into custody and transported to the Park Forest Police Department, while Jada was airlifted to Comer Children's Hospital. The 5-year-old died around 9 a.m. Saturday.

Police said Jada showed signs of recent physical abuse, as well as older indicators of abuse.

According to officials, both Elwoods and Jones admitted to physically abusing the little girl.

On Sunday, the Cook County State's Attorney's Office approved first-degree murder charges against Elwoods and Jones, who will appear in bond court Monday.

"The men and women of the Park Forest Police Department wish to express their deepest sympathy to Jada’s family and friends and grieve the tragic loss of this child’s life," police said in the release.