Father Of Murdered Baby Starts Fundraiser For 'Proper Funeral'

JOLIET, IL – The father of a Joliet baby who died earlier this week after her mother allegedly fractured her skull has started a Go Fund Me page to raise money for a proper burial. Justin Freeman is hoping to accrue $9,200 for the cause, according to the page, which features a smiling photo of his slain daughter, Cherish Freeman. At 8 months old, Cherish was pronounced dead from her injuries on Christmas Eve.

"I'm here trying to raise money for my daughter that was abused in Joliet and later pronounce dead," Freeman said in the fundraiser's description. "I, Justin Freeman, was not (involved), but they have charged her mother with a crime so I'm here on my daughter behalf on Go Fund Me to give my daughter a proper funeral and burial any thing would help and thanks in advance."

On Wednesday, the Office of Will County State's Attorney James Glasgow upgraded criminal charges against Cherish's mother, 24-year-old Shanquilla Garvey, to murder.

Shanquilla Garvey (Image via Will County Sheriff's Department)

Garvey has been held at the Will County Adult Detention Center for more than a week and was initially charged with three counts of aggravated battery to a child causing permanent disabilities.

READ: Shanquilla Garvey Charged With Murdering Her Baby Girl

Cherish was rushed by ambulance on Dec. 20 to Presence Saint Joseph Medical Center, from where she was airlifted to a children's trauma center in Oak Lawn. The baby suffered two skull fractures and Joliet Police said that Garvey was responsible for beating her inside her motel room at the Bel-Air motel on Plainfield Road.

Garvey had been living at the Bel-Air since October, according to police.

Image of Cherish Freeman via Go Fund Me page