Peoria Heights Murder Suspect Pleads NOT GUILTY

A Peoria Heights father, charged in connection with the death of his six week old son last week, pleaded NOT GUILTY Thursday to a grand jury indictment issued this week. 30 year old Zachary Knowles, whose already facing charges of aggravated battery to a child, reckless conduct and endangering the life of a child, is being held on two million dollar bond on a murder charge. Police say six week old Asa Knowles died late Saturday night after the child was reported unresponsive by his father at home. Knowles claimed he had been bouncing the boy to calm him down when the baby stopped breathing. Knowles is back in court January 4th.