Police in eastern Ohio are looking for a man suspected of raping and killing a baby girl.
According to WFMJ, the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to the arrest of Joshua Gurto.
Gurto is accused of raping and killing a 13-month-old girl in Ohio's Ashtabula County. He is wanted by the U.S. Marshals Service and the Conneaut Police Department on aggravated murder and rape charges, WFMJ reported.
The child, identified by authorities as Sereniti Jazzlynn-Sky Blankenship-Sutley, died Oct. 7, according to WJW. Citing the Ashtabula County Coroner's Office, the news station reported that she suffered blunt force trauma to her head and trunk.
Investigators told WJW that Gurto is the boyfriend of the baby's mother. He has not been seen since shortly after Sereniti's death, when police in Conneaut released him from custody, WKYC reported.
“He was very cooperative through the whole initial process,” Conneaut police Det. Mike Sullivan told the news station. “We opted to release him. There were no charges to keep him at the time.”
Charges were filed against Gurto last week.
"She was a precious girl," Sereniti's mother, Kelsie Blankenship, told WKYC. "She brought me a reason to live."
In an obituary, family members remembered Sereniti as a "loveable little girl who brought a smile to your face."
"Her personality was bright and her smile was contagious," the obituary said. "Although her time here was short, the lasting memories she brought to her family will forever be treasured."
Police said Gurto has ties to western Pennsylvania.
He is described as:
- 37 years old
- 5 feet, 10 inches tall
- 145 pounds
- Deformed right ear
- Misaligned jaw
- Tattoos on right forearm
Anyone with information on Gurto’s whereabouts is asked to call the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at 866-4WANTED or text keyword WANTED and the information to 84711.
Tipsters can remain anonymous.
The Cox Media Group National Content Desk contributed to this report.
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