Man Facing Murder Charges in Toddler's Rape, Death

CINCINNATI, July 25, 2005 — -- A Cincinnati man is expected to face murder charges after police say he raped and beat his girlfriend's 18-month-old daughter.

Matthew Carovillano, 19, is being held under suicide watch in the death of Kaylee Schnurr, according to ABC News affiliate WCPO in Cincinnati. Hamilton County prosecutors initially charged him with rape, felonious assault and child endangerment after his arrest Wednesday, but Kaylee's death will bring a murder charge.

Kaylee died Saturday, three days after she was admitted to Children's Hospital Medical Center for injuries she sustained when Carovillano allegedly beat and raped her. Medical officials told police that the toddler had blunt force injuries all over her entire body, including bruising around her neck.

Kaylee's mother, Marigrace Schnurr, 20, and Carovillano had been dating for two months, the child's relatives said. They saw no signs of abuse or suspicious behavior.

"He wiped her [Kaylee's] face when it was dirty and looked after her, helped Marigrace with her," said one relative. "I mean, it's just shocking."

Carovillano called police and paramedics to his home after he said he found Kaylee unconscious.

"My girlfriend's kid is laying on the bed and not breathing," he says in a 911 tape recording.

Carovillano, investigators said, first told paramedics that Kaylee had fallen off the bed. But after further questioning, police said Carovillano admitted raping and beating the little girl.

Devastated relatives of Kaylee told WCPO that they want Carovillano to live with his alleged crime.

"I don't want him to carry through on suicide, I want him to think about what he did," said Debbie Gail, Kaylee's aunt. "Maybe let him feel what he did to that baby."

"Let it eat at his conscience," said Angie Pfaffinger, Kaylee's cousin.

Kaylee's mother cannot afford to bury her daughter, so her cousins set up a lemonade stand to raise money for the funeral. So far, they have raised $56.