Highland man charged with murdering infant son

Times-Tribune staff

A Highland man is charged with first-degree murder in the death of his infant son. 

Madison County State’s Attorneys said in a news release Friday that 38-year-old Justin B. Shires is being held in the county jail on a $3 million bond. He is accused of causing injuries which resulted in the death on March 14 of 3-month-old Jameson Shires. 

“The death of any child is heartbreaking,” Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine said. “Child deaths that are caused by the actions of a parent are unfathomable. I commend the investigators and prosecutors who have worked tirelessly on this case for three very difficult days.”

Shires is accused of causing injuries to the child’s head and chest, according to the release.Paramedics arrived at the home on the afternoon of March 14 and found the child unresponsive. He was airlifted to a St. Louis hospital where he was pronounced dead. 

Shires faces 60 years in prison if convicted, state’s attorneys said.