St. Joe Man Accused Of Beating Daughter To Death Will Remain In Jail

A St. Joseph man accused of beating his six-year-old daughter to death was denied bail Wednesday.

St. Joseph resident 37-year-old Dustin Beechner is accused of beating his daughter, Jozlyn Marie Beechner, to death with a baseball bat. Authorities say the child’s body was found on the roof of her St. Joseph home September 2.

Beechner appeared in Buchanan County Court via video Wednesday morning. Associate Circuit Judge Keith Marquart ruled that due to the seriousness of his crimes and an extensive criminal history, bail would be denied in the case. Beechner’s criminal history includes includes multiple convictions for assault, domestic assault, driving while intoxicated and resisting arrest.

Beechner is due back in court Friday to determine his legal representation. He is also due in court Friday, September 23 for a preliminary hearing in the case.

Members of the St. Joseph community are hosting a candlelight vigil for Jozlyn Beechner at the Remington Nature Center at 7:30 P.M. this evening, which would have been her 7th birthday.