Man Accused Of Smothering Toddler With Pillow

ELK RIVER, Minn. (AP) -- A man is charged in Sherburne County with using a pillow to smother his girlfriend's 16-month-old boy.

Twenty-four-year-old Dennis Angell was charged Wednesday with second-degree murder and first-degree manslaughter.

Angell lives in the boy's home in Santiago Township with the child's mother. Sheriff Joel Brott says deputies were called to the home Sunday night on a report that the toddler was choking and not breathing.

The boy was declared dead at St. Cloud Hospital.

The sheriff says Angell initially told investigators the boy started choking while in his care but eventually acknowledged placing a pillow on the child's face.

The complaint alleges Angell was angry because the boy was being fussy.

Angell remains in jail. Bail is set at $500,000.

(© Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)