Uncle faces murder charges today

Monroe County Police arrested Gosport, Ind. resident Robert S. Stewart Thursday evening in connection with the death of 2-year-old Steven Stewart Jr. and the attempted murder of 14-year-old Lisa Stewart. He is being held without bond at Monroe County Jail on charges of murder and attempted murder. \nAccording to a Bloomington Police Department press release, Stewart, an uncle of the two victims, was looking for the childrens' mother at her West Fifth Street residence. Finding the children alone, he reportedly slashed the throat of the 14-year-old girl with a kitchen knife and drove the children to a remote bridge on Moon Road where he then hurled the two into Bean Blossom Creek, an approximately 20-foot drop. \nAccording to the report, the girl was able to climb to the road where she was picked up at the 8000 block of Wampler Road. Before being taken to the hospital by ambulance, she identified her uncle as her attacker. \nThough an official motive has yet to be established, Stewart told investigators he was angry with the children's mother over money issues. \nThursday night, a canine search and rescue team, the Monroe County Dive Team and an Indiana State Police helicopter searched in vain for the infant's body until 3:15 a.m. However, at approximately 6 a.m. Friday morning, the 2-year-old body of Steven Stewart Jr. was found partially submerged in the Bean Blossom Creek by volunteer members of the Bean Blossom and Perry Township Fire Departments. \nThough no official ruling of death has been released, preliminary findings reveal that the boy was still alive at the time he was dropped from the bridge. Dave Tourney, Monroe County Coroner, said the boy appears to have drowned. \n"There was no sign of trauma or injury," Tourney said. \nAs of Sunday, the girl remains hospitalized at Bloomington Hospital after undergoing surgery for her two lacerations. Patient Care Director Kathy Robbins said the girl is in stable condition but is uncertain when she will be released. \nStewart will officially be charged with murder and attempted murder today at his initial hearing, which is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Monroe County Prosecutor Carl Salzmann said he is unsure whether or not the prosecution will pursue the death penalty. \n"It's still undecided," Salzmann said. "We're still trying to get more statements and affidavits."\nThe Associated Press contributed to this story.