Third adult arrested in murder of 5-year-old girl; custodial dad, step already charged (Muncie, Indiana)

We've posted on this case several times. There is a whole scandal related to how and why this sadistic father, RYAN MCCONNIEL, gained custody that is once again being swept under the rug. The real crime involves how these sickos got their hands on this girl, cut off all contact with the mother, and proceeded to torture her. Who were the judges and assorted court personnel back in Arkansas who set up this crime?

See our previous posts here:

http://dastardlydads.blogspot.com/2011/05/stepmom-on-trial-for-murder-of-5-year.html

http://www.thestarpress.com/article/20110622/BUSTED/106220321

Third arrest made in McConniel caseAdult connected with the 2010 death of Lauren McConniel is being held without bond
9:51 PM, Jun. 21, 2011

Written by
DOUGLAS WALKER

MUNCIE -- With her father and stepmother already facing long prison terms, authorities aren't letting up in their investigation of the events that led to the March 2010 death of Lauren McConniel.

On Tuesday, a third adult who lived in the South Ebright Street house where 5-year-old Lauren spent her final months was arrested on charges stemming from her mistreatment and death.

Robert E. Lee, 44 -- the stepfather of Brittany McConniel, Lauren's stepmother -- is charged with aiding, inducing or causing neglect of a dependent, a Class A felony carrying a standard 30-year prison term; three counts of battery, a Class D felony with a standard 18-month sentence, and failure to immediately report child abuse, a misdemeanor.

Lee, listed on court records at addresses in both Muncie and Farmland, was arrested late Tuesday afternoon, and was being held without bond in the Delaware County jail.

Details of the allegations against Lee were not available Tuesday night, although more information was expected today after related court documents are unsealed.

"I'll spend the rest of my career, and all the resources of our office, chasing down and investigating anybody who had anything to do with (the abuse and death of) Lauren McConniel, and get them in front of a jury," Delaware County Prosecutor Jeffrey Arnold said Tuesday night. "If you were involved in that, look over your shoulder, because I'm coming."

Deputy Prosecutor Eric Hoffman called the case "an active, ongoing investigation."

To those who followed last month's trial of Brittany McConniel, Lee's arrest can't come as a complete shock.

Testimony indicated that after Lauren was removed from her mother's home in August 2009, the girl became dangerously emaciated -- and was subjected to sadistic forms of physical abuse --in the seven months she would spend in the custody of her father, Ryan, and her stepmother, Brittany.

Lee, his wife and their adult daughter also lived with the McConniels.

Lauren died in Riley Hospital for Children on March 9, 2010, apparently after her as-yet-unexplained ingestion of a lethal amount of table salt, which caused seizures and brain injuries her malnourished body could not recover from.

Ryan McConniel -- who had struck a deal with prosecutors to plead guilty to a neglect charge that could send him to prison for 20 years -- testified that both his wife and Lee routinely punished Lauren by beating her hands and the soles of her feet and forcing her to exercise.

A jury on May 19 deliberated for less than 90 minutes before finding Brittany McConniel guilty of neglect of a dependent. She will face up to 50 years in prison when she is sentenced by Judge Thomas Cannon Jr.

Sentencing hearings for the McConniels have not yet been scheduled.

Deputy Prosecutor Hoffman had said during Brittany McConniel's trial that it was "only round one," apparently referring to future prosecutions.

It was not immediately clear whether Lee's arrest Tuesday was the result of a grand jury investigation.

Lee and his daughter were observed about two weeks ago sitting in a Delaware County Building hallway near the room where local grand juries convene.

Lee was arrested by Wabash County authorities in 2002 after he was accused of sexually abusing Brittany, then in her mid-teens, for as long as a decade.

However, court records reflect Lee in that case was convicted only of a misdemeanor count of battery, resulting in a 45-day jail term.