Man Charged with Murder in Minnesota Toddler’s Death

STILLWATER, Minn. (AP) _ A 28-year-old Minnesota man accused of assaulting his
fiancee's young son is now charged with murder after the boy died this weekend.

Jonathon Wierstad appeared in Washington County court on Monday on a
second-degree murder charge. He previously had been charged with first-degree
assault.

Wierstad called 911 in May to report the boy had fallen down stairs at their
home in Willernie. The 16-month-old had been on life support since the incident
and died Saturday.

The complaint says the child suffered a head injury resulting in massive
swelling and bleeding on his brain.

Bail is set at $2.5 million without conditions. Wierstad's attorney declined
comment.

Wierstad earlier pleaded no contest to substantial battery of a child in Wisconsin's St. Croix County in 2014.