Man admits role in Jada Justice killing

Plea agreement reduces charges, requires testimony against former girlfriend

June 22, 2010

BY RUTH ANN KRAUSE, POST-TRIBUNE CORRESPONDENT

A Hobart man has admitted his role in the beating death of 2-year-old Jada Justice of Portage and has agreed to testify against his then-girlfriend, who faces life without parole if convicted of murder and other charges.

Timothy John Tkachik, 24, admitted he joined Engelica Castillo in the beating of the girl, who had been in the couple's care at their home at 3925 Missouri St., Hobart, between June 12 and June 16, 2009.

Castillo became irritated with some things Jada had done, including dumping a package of drink mix and spilling a container of syrup, and repeatedly struck the child, plea documents state.

Tkachik delivered several blows to Jada's head and held the girl down while Castillo repeatedly whipped her with a belt. Tkachik allowed the beating to continue over an extended period of time, the records state.

Tkachik also admitted that during the same time period while the couple was in a car, Jada stopped breathing as a result of the injuries she received from the beatings. Tkachik recognized the "dire circumstances faced by Jada Justice" and the need for prompt medical attention. Neither Tkachik nor Castillo called 911 or took the girl to the hospital for treatment.

Tkachik led police to Jada's body, which had been burned before it was encased in concrete in a plastic bin and left in a swampy area near Otis in rural LaPorte County. Castillo had reported the girl missing after she left her in the car while she went inside a Gary gas station for cigarettes and milk. Castillo's report to police prompted a nine-day search by federal, state and local authorities before the girl's body was found June 25.

Tkachik, who pleaded guilty to two counts of neglect of a dependent, both class A felonies, faces from 20 to 50 years in prison. The plea agreement, which was taken under advisement by Lake Superior Court Judge Thomas Stefaniak Jr., calls for the sentences to be served concurrently and for charges of murder, battery, a class A felony, and misdemeanor false informing to be dismissed.

Trial Supervisor David Urbanski and defense attorney Herbert Shaps will argue an appropriate sentence at Tkachik's Sept. 10 sentencing hearing.

Meanwhile, Castillo, 19, has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, neglect of a dependent, battery and false informing. Her jury trial is scheduled to begin Aug. 2. If convicted, she faces a possible sentence of life in prison without parole.

Jada's mother had dropped off her daughter at the residence of her cousin, Castillo, on June 8 for a planned two-week stay.

From: http://www.post-trib.com/news/lake/2416862,new-tkachik0622.article