Aberdeen Murder Suspect to Remain Free Before Trial

ABERDEEN, S.D. (AP) – A South Dakota man accused of killing his 2-year-old daughter has been released from jail while he awaits a late-October trial.

Thirty-four-year-old Mario Contreras, of Waubay, has pleaded not guilty to several charges including second-degree murder in the Jan. 11 death of his daughter, Aleeyah Cook, of Sisseton.

Federal Judge Charles Kornmann on Tuesday agreed to release Contreras from jail on several conditions, including that he live with his mother and not have unsupervised contact with children.

Prosecutors say several doctors concur that the girl died after being violently shaken. Contreras’ attorney says he is a former soldier who has no history of violence.