Family member arrested in death of 8-year-old

JANESVILLE — A 20-year-old family member is being charged with the homicide of an 8-year-old whose body was found in a rural Janesville home this past weekend.

At a press conference Tuesday, Rock County Sheriff’s Office officials said Dayveon Daniel Lathrop was was charged Tuesday morning in Rock County Circuit Court with first-degree intentional homicide.

Lathrop was also charged with hiding a corpse, child neglect causing death, possession of drug paraphernalia and bail jumping.

Captain Matt Jacobson, Sheriff Curt Fell and Detective Luke DuCharme took the podium as Fell spoke about the death of the child. DuCharme is the lead investigator in the case.

“There is no more danger to the community; that person is in custody,” Fell said.

The child’s identity will not be revealed, Fell said. Fell also did not release how the victim and suspect were related.

Officers responded to a report of a missing child in the 5500 block of West Miles Road on Saturday, March 9, shortly after 6 p.m. It is a Janesville address in the Town of Fulton.

Initial contact was made with the victim’s family, Fell said. The home was searched, but the child was not found.

A search of the neighborhood was then conducted with K9 units and drone team. The Wisconsin K9 SOS unit assisted in the search. Fell said over 20 deputies were on the scene.

As the search took place, the sheriff’s office obtained a search warrant for the residence, and the child’s body was then found, Fell said.

An autopsy was performed by the Dane County Medical Examiner’s Office on Monday, March 11.

The sheriff’s office has not found any previous incident reports involving the victim and suspect. Fell said there were no signs of sexual assault.

Due to the circumstances of the case, deputies, town of Fulton officers and dispatchers have been offered mental health support.

“It’s an extremely tragic incident that took place,” Fell said.

Lathrop is scheduled to appear at the Rock County Circuit Court at 3 p.m. Wednesday, March 13.